Opening her eyes and squinting as the sun filtered through the window blinding her slightly she winced turning her head. The movement of the vehicle let her know that they had driven through the night more than likely and the weight settled in her side also let her know that Sophia was sprawled out over the seat. Opening her eyes just enough she looked over to Daryl seeing him focused on the road lost in his own head.

His arm was braced on the door one hand loosely gripping the steering wheel while he chewed his thumb nail. She could see fatigue setting into his body and knew without a doubt he hadn't slept right in a few days now. The window was cracked just enough to let the morning air pull through his hair giving it a windswept boyish look that made her want to smooth it down.

He grunted and shifted gears suddenly and Sophia protested to move causing him to smirk while never breaking his eyes away from the road. Carol's eyes landed on Sophia's legs that had managed to make it into his lap apparently while they had both slept. Daryl didn't seem to mind though with how she was sprawled out.

When his hand came up running over his scruff, over his face and into his hair the real fatigue showed as he blew out a breath and she set up. "When was the last time you slept?" She kept her voice low and soft so as not to wake Sophia. It was the first time she had really let herself relax and sleep.

Daryl looked over at her briefly before his eyes went back to the road, "I'm fine."

"That's not what I asked Daryl." She smiled at him and watched a flush lightly touch his face.

Shifting again Sophia stretched and kicked his stomach causing him to grunt, "I'll sleep when I'm dead."

Carol turned letting Sophia's body fall more into her lap and looked at him, "When we stop you should rest or let me drive."

Daryl chuckled, "Damn woman I'm fine besides do you even know how to drive stick?" His eyes went to her again.

Carol blushed knowing he didn't mean in a sexual way but her mind went there regardless, "I...well no."

"My point." Daryl had a tired smile as he stretched slightly in the truck his back arching and popping. He groaned and dropped back against the seat heavily.

They rode in silence for a while Carol wanted to bring up the kiss but wasn't sure how to. It had been so long since she had felt this way about someone else and even long since that she had to discuss something like this. Looking down at Sophia she let her fingers slide through her hair, her nails raking just slightly. It amazed her how much Sophia loved being around the brothers, she had been so fearful of men before everything had happened.

Carol lifted her eyes to Daryl when they started slowing down and he set up straighter. His eyes went to Sophia then her and she smiled at him and his eyes seemed to darken slightly his eyes going to her mouth before he shook himself and looked off.

Carol started waking Sophia up and grinned when she like she knew she would started kicking her feet slightly stretching. Sophia set up and yawned looking at them both before her eyes went to Carol. "I'm hungry."

"We'll be stopping soon sweetie."

Daryl leaned up in his seat, "Behind the seat pull that bag out." His voice was rough.

Carol eyed him and her and Sophia moved closer to the front of the seat and Carol pulled the seat towards them some forcing Daryl more forward. Sophia stretched grabbing the bag there and they let the seat go and set back in place.

"Mac aint gonna stop I'd say for another hour or so." Daryl flicked his eyes to Sophia, "Get what you want from in there."

Sophia eagerly started rifling through the black military rucksack and her gleeful laugh sounded. "Skittles!" Her eyes turned to him and she was grinning, "How do you have skittles?"

Daryl shook his head but before he could answer Carol took them from her, "You are not eating Skittles for breakfast."

Sophia glared at her, "I've seen Daryl eating candy or nothing for breakfast before." Her voice was petulant as she sulked looking at the skittles.

Daryl snorted but Carol's look silenced him. She glared at him, "He's grown."

Sophia started rooting around in the pack again grumbling under her breath, "If you loved me you'd let me eat them."

Carol watched as Daryl tried to forced the smile off his face. His hand went over Sophia as he stretched swiping the skittles from her and tearing into the pack with his teeth. She watched he started eating them and Sophia lifted her head glaring at him, he just gave her a broad smile, "I'm grown."

Carol could smell the sweet taste of the skittles in the air every time his tongue came out swiping across his lips. Sophia was still glaring and she couldn't help the smile that was on her face.

"You're an asshole!" Sophia growled.

"SOPHIA!" Carol growled.

Turning her head her face was red, "I'm just agreeing with Mac." Her big brown eyes looking up at her as her little face was the picture of innocence.

Daryl's laugh broke the stare down apart, "Might be an asshole Kit but I'm an asshole who gets to eat Skittles." As if to prove his point he poured more into his mouth. Sophia lunged for him causing him to stretch and hold them out of her reach. Carol panicked seeing his hand come off the wheel of the truck, letting out a breath though she seen his leg lifted keep the wheel straight.

Sophia was clawing at his forearm to short to reach his hand her laughter was infectious as she was smiling, her own smiling prying one from Daryl. It was one of the biggest she had seen on him yet. It was a shocker to her that he was so good with kids, she hadn't really looked at him or Mac either one for that matter as the type to be good with kids.

"Daryl you aren't playing fair." Sophia huffed getting to her knees.

Daryl shook his head, "Aint playing."

Carol felt a pang of sadness watching them as Sophia attempted to wrestle with him even as he drove. He was driving slower now but he hadn't missed a beat with driving. She guessed that between him and Mac that they probably broke out in fights in vehicles together all the time. Most of the time when they weren't busy she noticed that they tended have some air of horseplay around them.

Had Ed been a better man Sophia could have had moments like this with her father instead of fearing him. Carol watched as Sophia slumped against Daryl and pouted causing him to laugh loudly, it was something she wouldn't soon forget. That pang of sadness settled deeper at the thought had she been luckier to meet Daryl sooner they could have been together but she'd never regret having Sophia. That was the only thing she got out of that marriage and she would accept things the way they were. Sophia had been her light in a darkest part of her life and had been that way since the day she had found out she was pregnant.

"Fine Kit." Daryl chuckled, "Shit."

Carol watched as Sophia slapped his arm suddenly causing the skittles to spill out the window and be swept away. Her eyes widened watching to two of them looking at each other. Sophia had a defiant look on her face with hints of a smile teasing her face. It was a look Carol had never seen her get with anyone else and the same could be said for Daryl. His eyes were bright and wide, he looked almost angry but his face had a lopsided grin on it that gave him away.

"You call me an asshole? Now neither of us get them." He shook his head at her.

Sophia set back taking up the pack again, "Serves you right, I don't care how much you kiss my mom."

Carol's eyes widened and Daryl's face blazed red, "Sophia cool it." The audible pop of Daryl's jaws had both of them looking at him as he rolled his window down further. He wasn't looking at either of them his throat and face still red, it was almost endearing.

"Well you told me I couldn't say he loved you and now I can't say he kissed you!" Sophia huffed, "I guess I should just set here and hope that my ass don't freeze for all the cooling off you make me do."

"Little girl." Carol warned

Daryl eyed them both his face returning to a normal color but he was still unable to meet her eyes. She needed to talk to him but there was no way she was doing it with Sophia close, god no. Her daughter apparently had lost all control of her mouth and was just saying more and more embarrassing things. She made up her mind that when they stopped for a while if he wasn't busy she was going to get him alone and talk to him. She didn't think it'd be that hard with the way Mac had looked at them.

Sophia sat back triumphantly holding up a pack of beef jerky that was to big for her hands. She beamed and looked to Daryl, "Can I have this?"He flicked his eyes down to her and nodded mutely. "Why do you have this pack like this? Whose Noah?" Her little fingers thumbed the name tag on the backpack and Carol looked at the military patch on it seeing the name there.

Daryl's face changed slightly before he shifted back to his passive face but it was enough to let her know there was a story there. He looked down at the pack and shifted, "Had alot of shit packed when everything went to shit. We were getting ready to take off for a hunting trip and that packs always in here or with me or Mac." His voice started to change and he looked ahead, "It's my nephews."

Sophia perked up, "Mac had a son?"

Daryl shook his head and Carol watched as he visibly swallowed, "Nah Merle." The sound of his voice signaled he was uncomfortable and Carol wanted to question him but didn't push it.

Carol looked in the pack, "It appears having a sweet tooth than is a Dixon family trait?"

Daryl looked over at her his eyes thankful as he nodded. "Something like that."

Carol enjoyed the rest of the ride setting and watching Sophia question Daryl relentlessly and talk at him. He was patient with her something else that shocked her about him considering how little patience he seemed to have for everyone else. She talked with them but mostly enjoyed the sight of her daughter so care free.

Coming to a stop Carol was thankful for the chance to get to stretch her legs after having set for so long. Daryl stepped out and stretched high above his head his hands licking as he arched and cracked and popped. Mac slammed into his back his arms going around him tightly and planting in his chest and he lifted Daryl and leaned back both of their backs popping sounding like a zipper. Both of them groaned and Mac slapped his back his energy getting Sophia's attention.

Andrea walked over to her and smiled, "What the hell was happening in that truck?"

Carol raised an eyebrow, "What are you talking about?"

Andrea motioned to Mac and Daryl who were walking further away from the grouping of vehicles. Sophia was trailing after them causing both of them to stop and look at Carol, Mac leaned down and said something to her both women missed. Sophia's laugh was loud and Daryl flushed red shaking his head and slapping Mac in the back of his head.

"You can't say shit like that to a fucking little girl." He snapped.

Mac shrugged, "So."

"I wanna go." Sophia pouted looking to where they were walking.

Daryl shook his head, "Going to talk to a man about a dog."

"Sophia sweetie they'll be back in a minute." Carol called.

Sophia stomped her foot and glared, "Well if there is a dog I want to see it!"

Mac and Daryl both started laughing, "Takin' a piss Kit." Mac kept laughing.

Sophia's face turned red and she turned quickly away from the brothers leaving them to walk away. Carol turned back to Andrea and Andrea shrugged, "I'm talking about whatever was happening in that truck had Mac's body shaking with laughter. He could see you in the mirrors."

Sophia huffed, "I'd talk but I'ma freeze over here."

Carol glared down at her before looking back at Andrea, "They were fighting over candy." She deadpanned.

"I'm being serious Carol." Andrea huffed.

Amy walked up to them smiling Sophia claiming her attention immediately.

"I am being serious. She knocked what he was eating right out the window on him and called him an asshole!" Carol shook her head, "At times I think they are a good influence on her then she speaks and I'm reminded of how she's starting to talk."

Both women laughed just as the sound of cussing broke out. Mac was bouncing back and forth on the balls of his feet throwing punches at Daryl that were coming close but not touching him. Andrea grinned at her, "He has too much energy for his own good." Her face reddened slightly.

Carol raised an eyebrow and elbowed her, "You complaining?" Her voice was low. "He could be a sorry ass."

Andrea smiled at her with a gleam in her eyes and shook her head, "No, and you wont either." Andrea walked away towards the pair of them getting Mac's attention as his eyes tracked the sultry sway of her hips. Carol's mind was racing with what she said as Daryl slipped away from the pair of them and started back down the road towards the group.

Sophia had wondered off with Amy after a couple of minutes and Carol just let herself relax. She wasn't sure her daughter even knew what a filter was anymore with the way she was talking to her and Daryl. Shaking her head on a light laugh she was just happy to see her coming into herself even if it was with a more colorful vocabulary. Carol turned her head seeing the rest of the group stretching their legs and soaking in some early morning sun. No one was really talking to each other much, most of them still sleep addled.

She jumped when she felt a hand on her arm and whipped around wide-eyed. Daryl was looking at her and held his hands up, "Was just trying to open my door." His voice was throaty and rough.

Carol moved out of his way and watched as he pulled the rucksack towards him Sophia had left discarded. He smirked and stepped back from the vehicle and leaned on the door his feet crossing at the ankles as he tore into the pack.

"When she sees that she's going to come right over here." Carol laughed.

Daryl smiled at her and tipped his head back eating the candy, "And I've got a couple feet on her, she aint knocking shit out of my hands this time." He chuckled.

Carol shifted and looked around seeing everyone far enough away. Swallowing she felt her face flush and looked at him, "Can we talk?"

He flicked his eyes to her and gave a slight nod his eyes skating around them. He was always alert and she watched his eyes settle on Sophia for a minute before coming back to hers, "Go for it."

Carol leaned against the vehicle next to him her arm brushing against him, "About the other night and Sophia's comments." Daryl cleared his throat his face tinting red but he remained quiet waiting on her to go. "I'm not...I'm not sure really what is going on with us or even if anything is." Her voice was soft and she heard the pained confusion in it.

Daryl nodded again, "What do you want?" His voice was lower than she had heard and she stepped closer to him trying to hear.

Carol wasn't expecting that question from him or the softness to his voice. He seemed unsure of himself and she looked down the road feeling eyes on her, Mac was looking at the pair of them. Well he was looking at Daryl, his eyes were appraising as if sensing his brothers discomfort. He started towards them his face changing as he moved.

Daryl looked up at the sound of boots and then to her and chewed his lip his eyes searching her face. He blew out a breath and stood up straighter, "Think about what you want Carol, think about what's best for you and your girl. When you get your shit figured out and need to talk to me I'll be here." His voice was soft still but still retained it's rough southern twang.

Mac made it to them and jerked his head at the group, "Andrea said some shit about Dale's shit fuckin' up. Wants to know if we got a hose told her we wouldn't have shit that'd fit that fuckin' thing." Mac's eyes went to her and raised an eyebrow before looking back at his brother, "We're gonna be stuck here a while..."

Daryl spit to the side, "Gonna be dark soon."

Carol was still standing almost flush with him and had ahold of his wrist. She wanted to say more, she felt like she had given him the impression that his advances on her had been unwelcome. It was the furthest thing from the truth. Mac's eyes went to her hand suddenly and he walked backwards away from them and towards the group.

"Gonna let his ass know we aint got his shit." He was grinning. "Handle your shit Daryl." His eyes pointedly went to her.

Daryl growled but didn't pull away from her and she took the chance to talk. He looked at her and raised an eyebrow, "Got something you need to say?"

Smiling how blunt he could be while maintaining the ability to be shy, "I do." Carol let go of him and met his eyes, "I feel like there is something between us and I want a chance to see what that is. I want to know if you even feel that or could be attracted to me." For as strong as her conviction was her voice shook.

Daryl's eyes widened slightly but he gave no other outward appearance to his thoughts, "A chance?" She nodded and smiled at him while a flush spread up his throat to his face and he shifted, "I think you know damn well I'm attracted to you." Carol frowned at him but he shook his head at her, "I aint the best at this talkin' shit, I'm fuckin' it up Carol, but..." He looked off his jaw grinding and he frowned.

Moving next to him, "So a chance, we can take that can't we?"

Daryl snorted at her, "Don't think I can stop now."