AN; hey, guys, two updates in one day ! I can't guarantee that I will update tommorrow (shift work sucks!)so I thought what the hell:) a little short but I hope you like. A little lighter after the last chapter let me know what you think!

I do not own or profit from The Walking Dead

Chapter 16

By a sweet tongue and Kindness, you can drag an elephant by a hair~Persian Proverb

Daryl watched as Carol stood staring out the window of the living room, arms hugging herself tightly. The group was filtering out to settle for the night after having met, and it had gone well, he'd never been so proud of her. She was speaking to Tyreese softly who smiled and then made his way out of the room. Daryl made his way over to her. Wrapping his arms around her from behind. He heard Glenn make a cat call comment about getting a room, and he raised his hand flipping him the bird.

"I'm proud of you" he said his voice thick.

She turned head and looked up at him"yeah?"

"Yeah" he said brushing his lips over hers before resting his chin on her shoulder.

He'd been in awe of her strength. Not just at the meeting but all day too. He knew her confrontation with Rick hadn't been easy, mentally exhausting for sure, but when they met as group she'd been so composed, so strong. He wouldn't have been able to do it.

She'd told the group the entire story, repeating it yet again. She didn't hold anything back from them. Sh'd bared her soul, discussing everything from Sophia, to Karen and David, to Lizzie. She didn't make excuses for herself. She told them what happened with her head held high and offered apologies for breaking their trust. The group had thankfully been quiet while she spoke. Daryl had always felt protective of Carol, but since their reunion, that seemed to have been magnified ten fold. He wouldn't have been able to handle it if any of the group had been less than respectful.

Their had been tearful hugs when she was done before moving onto other subjects. Tara had sat, awkwardly watching.

Glenn had addressed Rick. Daryl had been surprised at the anger in his voice. He wanted Rick to lead again, but be committed to it. No more "checking out"no more making decisions without group input and no more leaving anyone behind, if Rick didn't think he could do that he should permanently step down. Rick had been silent for a long time before agreeing to Glenn's conditions.

Rick had asked Tara if there was something she wanted to tell them. She had come clean about being part of the governor's group. Daryl couldn't fault her for falling for the governor's bullshit. A lot of people had, even Merle.

The discussion had come to The Hilltop. They were gun shy about making the wrong choice, they trusted the lieutenant's group but were unsure. With no other options seen they decided to go The Hilltop, but to be smarter about it. They wouldn't be giving up their weapons, they wouldn't be ignoring their instincts.

Carol stirred him from his thoughts then.

"Do you think any of them will ever trust me again?" She asked in a sad voice.

His heart broke at her tone. He didn't want her to have to worry about that. "Yeah, they understood what you did, even if some of them didn't agree with you."

"What about you? You've never really said how you felt about it"

Daryl weighed his words carefully "I wish you hadn't felt like you had to make that decision, I wish I could have protected you from that. But there's nothing in my mind that I have to forgive you for. I know what's in your heart, and I know what you're intentions were"

He was momentarily distracted as Carol turned in his arms resting her head on his chest

" and how can you be so sure about that? "She asked softly teasing

" cause, I know you, maybe better than myself. Fuck, you're what was I missing my my whole life, I just didn't know it until I met you, it's me and you Carol,forever. Things just aren't right when i ain't with you, it's like a piece of me is missing" he said a little embarrassed at the emotion in his voice.

He didn't remember anyone in his life looking at him like she was right then. He spent his whole life feeling unwanted, unloved, and here she was encompassing all his life long secret desires in one look.

With a groan he leaned down and kissed her which quickly became heated. He picked her up winding her legs around his waist. He carried her to the dining table in the adjoining room. His hands quickly started opening buttons oh her shirt until he could slide his hands inside and cup her breast. He was contemplating how much the old table could take as he was nipping her neck when he heard footsteps

"Ahhh my eyes!

Daryl pressed Carol to his chest to hide her open shirt and looked up at a dramatic Glenn in the doorway hiding his eyes.

"Glenn, what the fuck are you doing!" He said in frustration. Carol put her face in his neck and started to giggle.

"What am I doing?! I'm going to watch! What are you guys doing on the TABLE! Don't you two know the meaning of get a room!" Glenn yelled as he stomped outside..

Daryl sighed dramatically, which made Carol giggle even harder into his neck

"It's not funny, he cockblocked me" he said in what he was sure was a very whiny voice.

"Ohh I wouldn't be so sure about that Pookie, come on let's get a room" she jumped off the table and took a few steps before turning and holding her hand out to him with a mischievous grin

" Are you comin'?"