Chapter Thirty-Three

They'd barely closed the door behind them when Carl came running down the hall and threw himself at Sophia, his eyes shining with unshed tears. She was on the verge of crying herself. "How could you leave me like that?" the boy wailed, hugging her fiercely. "We're supposed to stick together, Sophia."

"I know," the girl whispered softly, clinging to her friend. "I'm sorry."

"Please don't do that ever again." He pulled away, their embrace growing awkward, his nose wrinkling. "Ew! You been rolling around in dead things or something?"

Carol covered her mouth with a hand to stifle a giggle.

Sophia just arched a brow at her best friend, her lip curling into a smirk. "Sure, Grimes, because it's all the rage y'know."

"Alright, you two," Carol said, ushering Sophia into the bathroom. "There will be plenty of time to catch up over dinner."

Her daughter grinned as Carol closed the door and Carl skipped off back to what he'd been doing before he'd been told of Sophia's return. She turned to her mother and threw her spindly arms about her waist. "I missed you so much, Mama," she whispered, tears falling unchecked from her long lashes to leave a muddy trail through the grime on her face.

Carol fell to her knees, gripping her tightly. "Oh, baby … I missed you too. I was so scared for you, but Daryl … he never lost faith that he'd find you."

Sophia wiped her nose on the back of her sleeve and sniffled as she sat down on the closed lid of the toilet. "Are you mad at me?"

Carol turned the water on, so the tub could fill. "No, Sophia. Don't ever think that. I was terrified because you were out there all alone, cold and hungry. I was afraid I'd …" She couldn't finish as tears rolled down her own cheeks. She blinked them away and helped her peel the grungy clothes from her back. She wouldn't tell her daughter of the pain and anguish she'd suffered in her absence, the debilitating fear she'd felt thinking she'd never see her precious girl again.

"I had my pack with me, Mama. I wasn't cold with my jacket and my blanket, and I had granola and protein bars and a few bottles of water. I was ok." She really didn't want to tell her mother what all she'd been through out there. Carol would never let her out of her sight again, and she had a feeling she was going to be extra protective over the next eon at least. "I'm glad I'm different now."

"How so?" Carol asked as she lathered up a pink poofy sponge and tackled the muck coating her daughter's skin.

"I never would have survived out there if I was the same person I had been before the outbreak. I was always so scared before … of everything. If it weren't for Daryl and Merle …"

Carol bit her lip, wanting so badly to ask what had happened to her while she'd been lost. "It's ok now, baby. You're home with us."

Sophia closed her eyes as her mother dumped a cup full of water over her head. "So … um … why does the doctor man think Daryl's my dad?" she asked, deciding to change the subject. Apparently, a lot had happened while she'd been gone. "Did y'all run off and get married while I was missing or something?"

Her mother blushed to the roots of her hair. "No, nothing like that. When Rick introduced us to Hershel, the man assumed we were married. Daryl didn't correct him. He believes it's safer if people think I'm his wife."

Sophia pursed her lips, deep in thought as Carol scrubbed her hair. "Does this mean I can call him Dad?"

Carol stopped scrubbing and gently tugged Sophia's head back, so she could meet her eyes. "I-Is that something you want, baby? For Daryl to be your dad?"

Sophia nodded. "If you think about it, Mama, isn't he already? We're a family unit. You're my mom, Daryl's my dad, and Merle is my loveable crazy uncle. That's how the world sees us now, right?"

Oh boy! "Um …" What was she supposed to say? It was how the world perceived their clever ruse, and Sophia wanted it to be real. She wanted it to be real. "You're right, but I want to ask Daryl first. Ok?"

Sophia pulled the plug and let the water drain before turning the faucet back on. "That's good with me." She blushed when her mother frowned at the water. "Ugh! I think we're going to have to scrub me twice though."

*.*.*

Daryl shrank back against the headboard, pulling the sheet up over him. "I don't need that crap! Rick, tell 'im I don't need no pain killers … I'm fine! Carol!"

"Son, this will make you feel better and help you sleep. You've been through the ringer today," Hershel said, trying to keep his exasperation from showing. "There's a good chance you could thrash about in your sleep and tear your stitches. You're lucky to have survived that fall at all."

Rick held up a hand to their pseudo doctor and sat down on the edge of the bed next to Daryl. The hunter eyed him warily, not trusting him in the least, keeping the other eye on Hershel so he wouldn't sneak up on him. "Now, Daryl, you know Hershel only has your best interests in mind. It would be good to listen to him."

"NO! Carol!"

He pressed his back closer to the solid oak of the headboard and shook his head. He knew what it would be like should he accept what they were offering, and after what had happened at the CDC, he wasn't willing to do anything to make himself look like a fool in front of Carol again. Merle Dixon was his brother, as well. He knew how drugs affected the elder Dixon and he wanted no part of that shit. Where the hell was his woman?!

Rick shook his head and met Hershel's gaze across the width of the bed, speaking in a hushed tone. "His brother had problems with narcotics at one time, so I'm told." He swung back to look at Daryl. "And there's nothing to say you'd have the same problem."

"What's going on in here? Daryl, I could hear you yelling all the way to the kitchen," Carol said as she pushed into the room, a tray with his dinner held firmly in her hands. She instantly tensed, taking in the scene, and her eyes narrowed fiercely on Rick. "Explain … now!"

"They're tryin' t' pump me full o' that shit!" Daryl roared, flinging a hand out in Hershel's direction. "Tell 'em I don't need it!"

He might have sounded angry, but Carol could see the fear lurking behind his eyes. She set the tray down on the nightstand and sat down beside him, running a soothing hand along his bare arm. She shot Rick and Hershel a quelling glance before she leaned over and pressed a kiss to his brow. "It's alright, no one is going to do anything you don't want. But I want to know why you're afraid of a little shot."

"It's not that, woman!" he scoffed, his face suffusing with heat. He lowered his voice. "I don't wanna be like I was that night I got drunk, and I don't wanna take a chance of being like Merle. I can tough it out."

"But you won't," she insisted. She turned back to Hershel and offered him a patient smile. "Hershel, will it harm him?" She already knew the answer, but she wanted Daryl to hear it as well.

"Not at all. It's a very low dose merely to take the edge off and help him rest. He's in dire need of some decent sleep to aid in healing."

"He needs to eat and bathe as well," Carol murmured more to herself. "Would it be possible for me to give it to him when he's ready to settle down for the night?"

Rick brightened, crossing his arms over his chest as Hershel mulled over her suggestion. "That's not a bad idea."

"I love th' way y'all talk about me like I'm not even in th' fuckin' room," Daryl snarled, glaring at them all as they stood about his sick bed thinking they knew what was best for him.

Hershel nodded and laid the syringe on the nightstand next to the tray. He motioned to Rick, having him turn around so he could show her where to position the injection. He wasn't about to get close to the surly redneck.

"Hershel," she called as he and Rick made their way to the door. "Thank you so much for caring for my family. I hope you all enjoy the meal Lori and I prepared."

After they'd gone, Carol set the tray in Daryl's lap. He winced as he sat up, but it didn't stop him from digging into the roast chicken, potatoes and carrots on his plate. He eyed the cucumber and tomato salad off to the side, but then ate that too. The tense silence which had fallen between them unnerved him a bit, but he'd been too hungry to acknowledge it. Having finished with his dinner, he could no longer ignore it.

"What?"

She arched a brow. "You don't have to think everyone is out to hurt you, Daryl. There are still good people left in the world."

"You trust too easily," he grumbled as he slowly swung his legs out of bed. "One o' us has t' be on guard."

Carol rushed around the end of the bed to help him, ignoring him completely when he waved her off. She slid her arm around his back and draped his arm over her shoulders. He groaned as he stood. "You want to tell me the real reason you don't want the pain meds?" she asked worriedly as she helped him to the bathroom, so he could shower. "I know you're not really concerned you'll become addicted."

He levered himself down to sit on the closed seat of the toilet. "Damnit!" he cursed, looking up at her. "I forgot a change o' clothes."

She rested a hand on his shoulder to keep him seated when he moved to rise and trek back to the bedroom. Carl had been good enough to collect their packs from their tent since Hershel wanted Daryl inside for a few days to keep an eye on his wound. "Sit. I'll get them, but this discussion is far from over, Dixon," she warned in a no-nonsense tone. "I'm not letting you change the subject on me."

Daryl sighed and managed to work himself out of his boots and pants before she came back and shut the door behind her. She kicked the grimy garments into a pile with the ones she'd stripped from Sophia to be washed later and busied herself with turning on the faucet and setting it to the right temperature. He sent up a prayer of thanks for generators to provide hot water. His eyes widened as she began to tug at her own clothing. "What're y' doin'?"

"Well I'm not going to get into the shower with you fully dressed, now am I?" she snarked.

His eyes traced every curve of her body appreciatively, only the intense pain in his side keeping his body in check. Yet, despite that pain, he couldn't help clinging to her once they were both under the hot spray, the pounding heat from the showerhead soothing the aching muscles in his back. This was all he wanted – all he'd ever want – to be close to her without fear or regret, knowing she belonged to him and would never abandon him.

Daryl shivered as her fingers worked the shampoo through his shaggy hair, her nails scraping delightfully over his scalp. It was then she decided to try again and make him talk. "Tell me why you're afraid, Daryl. It's just me. You know I won't judge you."

He ducked his head under the spray and rinsed the suds from his hair before giving her a sheepish look. "I don't wanna make myself look like a fool again."

Carol went to work on his torso, her touch gentle as she worked the lather over his skin. "What are you talking about? You've never done anything to make yourself look like a fool."

He stared at her incredulously. "Yes, I did!" he argued. "That night at th' CDC when I was drunk off m' ass."

She chuckled, which only made him scowl darkly. "Oh, stop. You were pleasantly laid back that night, Daryl, but in no way did I see you as a fool. You think the pain meds will make you feel the same?"

Daryl nodded, dropping his gaze as she made him turn around, so she could wash his back. "I jus' don't wanna look stupid in your eyes, woman. You … you mean too much t' me."

She ignored the rush of warmth around her heart as she cut the water and whisked the curtain back, reaching for a towel to wrap around his waist and another to dry his hair. There would be time for that later once she was sure he was comfortable. She pointed to the toilet, urging him to sit before she answered. "That's not going to happen, Daryl. You should know me better than that." His hair looked like a rat's nest by the time she was sure the damp strands were on their way to drying, and she couldn't help but smile at how boyish he looked. "Will you take them … please? I know you're in pain."

"How d'you know?" he scoffed. He thought he'd been able to mask the worst of it so far.

She waggled her brows at him. "Because you haven't tried to kiss me since we got naked," she giggled.

He held her gaze a long moment and then nodded. "Fine."

Carol pressed her lips to his brow. "Thank you."

*.*.*

Daryl didn't know how long he'd been asleep. Moonlight filtered in through the windows of the small bedroom, and Sophia was curled up on his good side, her hands wrapped around his upper arm and her head resting on his shoulder. Warmth flooded his chest at the sight of her golden head, the relief of having her home safe with them unimaginable. He dropped a kiss to her crown and settled back comfortably against the pillows. A pleasant lassitude wound its way through his body, and he found himself thankful to Carol for a relief from the pain he'd been in.

His head turned to the door as it opened, and Carol came in, her face wreathed in that perfect smile she usually reserved for him and Sophia. "Hey, where y' been?" he asked, only a slight slur to his words.

Carol laid down beside him and propped herself up on an elbow, her free hand stroking Sophia's hair gently. "I was going to help with the cleanup after dinner, but Maggie wouldn't hear of it. So, I went to check on Lori, who's sitting with Shane for a while."

He reached out for her hand and twined his fingers with hers, bringing them both to rest against his heart. "How is 'e? Thought it was awful quiet around here without all th' bickerin' an' fightin'."

"Hershel's been keeping him sedated. He's hoping he'll be able to stop the protocol tomorrow and allow Shane to wake up on his own. Glenn and Maggie are going to make a pharmacy run tomorrow for more pain meds. Shane's going to need them for at least another week or two."

"Did Soph eat good at dinner?"

Carol chuckled. "Oh yeah … well, when she wasn't regaling everyone with her harrowing tale of surviving in the woods for three days," she said in an overly dramatic tone worthy of the stage.

"She did real good, Carol. I'm proud o' her."

"Me too. They're all rather impressed with her, and Rick wants everyone to brush up on their own survival skills. You're going to be quite busy once you're back on your feet."

Daryl smiled lazily, unable to bite it back. He felt too mellow and knew he hadn't been this relaxed since the CDC. He raised her hand to his lips and brushed them ever so softly against her fingertips. His heavily lidded eyes rose to meet hers, and a rush of contentment flowed through his entire body. "An' how are you, woman?" he asked, his voice whisper soft.

Carol's lips slowly curled into a smile. "Happy. I'm so happy, Daryl, and at the same time I feel guilty about it."

"What th' hell y' got t' feel guilty about?"

She bit her lip. "Because of what Lori and her family are going through. I know she loves Rick and is fully committed to him, but you know she still cares about Shane." Her fingers fidgeted within his grasp, but she wasn't willing to let go of him. "How can I be so happy when my friend is suffering?"

Daryl fought off a yawn. "You're human, Carol. After whatcha been through yourself, y' deserve t' be happy."

She opted for a subject change before he could work himself up into a fine fit. "I love seeing Sophia so relaxed with you. She was never like that around her father."

Daryl snorted. "Kids an' animals are able t' sense evil, y'know." He stared at her for a long moment. "Today … while Hershel was stitchin' me up, she called me Dad."

Carol nodded and slipped down off her elbow, settling herself comfortably at his side, but leaving a little distance between them in deference to his wound. "I wanted to talk to you about that. She sees us as a family unit. Her words, not mine. She sees us as her parents and Merle as her beloved uncle." She let that sink in before saying more, giving him time to adjust to the idea. "She wants to know if she can call you 'dad' all the time."

He released her momentarily to swipe a hand over his face. "Gawd! Poor kid," he joked, but his expression was serious when he looked up at her. "Dixon's don't make th' best fathers."

"You would make a wonderful father, Daryl. You're fiercely protective, you're patient with her, you go out of your way to spend time with her, and you love her. That's being a parent whether you see it that way or not," she replied. "She couldn't ask for better. It doesn't mean you have to see me as your wife in order to claim her as yours."

He sighed. "I'm doin' everythin' in m' power t' do right by her. I don't mind if she calls me dad." He wrapped his arm around her, pulling her closer despite his wound. He wasn't in pain, and really it made him feel better to have her familiar weight nestled against him. "An' I don't care how y' see our relationship with each other, Carol, s'long as y' stay with me. This," he waved a hand indicating the room at large, but she had a feeling it went far deeper than that. "I can't do this without y'. I don't want t'. I need you."

"I need you too," she sniffled, burying her face against his chest. "All of you." His heart above all, she added silently. It was too soon to tell him she'd lost hers to him long ago.

Daryl chuckled and gave her hip a little pinch, well aware of how ticklish she was. "I think y' jus' like me 'cause I let y' snuggle up t' me like some overgrown teddy bear," he teased.

She cast a look of mock surprise his way. "Y'know, I think you're right … Pookie."

A genuine laugh erupted from his mouth as he gaped at her. "What th' hell y' just call me?"

Her eyes sparkled as she joined in his laughter. "Oh, come on, Daryl. Surely, you've seen the Garfield comic strip in the paper. He had a teddy bear named Pookie. So that's what you'll be, my very own Pookie."

He yawned and pulled her up so he could bury his face in the crook of her neck, so she couldn't see his tinted cheeks. "Don't care what y' call me, woman. Jus' don't do it in front o' nobody."

Carol brought her lips to his, hearing the weariness in his voice, and kissed him long and deep, pouring all her love into the gesture. "I promise."

A/N: Next time: Merle is tired of being pursued and decides a confrontation is in order, and Daryl faces one of Carol's hang-ups head on. So, hope y'all enjoyed the chapter. Please let me know what you think.