AN: Hey, so this was supposed to be all filler, and more set up for something I got coming up in about two chapters but I had to tack a little fluff on the end. I was actually not going to update tonight. I'm a nurse on a Pediatric Intensive Care unit, and let me just say I had a very rough emotional day at work. Never miss a chance to hug your kids if you got them! I wanted fluff tonight, writing fluff takes me to my happy place! Anyway the ending probably doesn't fit in with the rest of the chapter, and Daryl's a little ooc, but it made me feel better:) let me know what you think.

I do not own or profit from The Walking Dead

Chapter 18

Living next to you is in some ways like sleeping with an elephant. No matter how friendly and even tempered is the beast, one is affected by every twitch and grunt.~ Pierre Trudeau

The next four days past by very quickly. The original prison group seemed to quickly re-gel after their group meeting. Although some awkwardness remained between Carol and Rick, gradually things were improving and their previous friendship was re-emerging. Carol had even taken to lightly teasing him about Michonne as she sensed a change in the two's relationship.

Maggie had seemed distant toward Carol initially. Carol had worried that Maggie would not be able to forgive her, she'd broached the subject with Maggie, who'd confessed to feeling guilty about doubting Carol and siding initially with Rick about the banishment. Carol had been so relieved, to have their friendship restored. Glenn had simply been happy to have everyone he loved back together.

Carol had been surprised to learn that she really liked the new members of the group. She had been a little unsure of Eugene at first after learning of his lies about having a cure, but the group had found him to be intelligent and resourceful. It was no lie that he was a genius, and he seemed to think of things no one else did, and plan outside the box.

Rosita was a jack of all trades. The group had been scavenging for new vehicles knowing the two trucks from Terminus would not be enough to transport the fifteen of them to The Hilltop. They had found another truck, minivan and SUV in a hardware store parking lot all with keys, Daryl had set about to getting the truck running first only to have Rosita looking over his shoulder a short time later asking if he needed help as she had the other two running already. Daryl had grudgingly accepted muttering that "god damm kid is a show off".

Carol had been surprised to learn that Rosita and Abraham's relationship was while undefined, romantic in nature. Daryl had confessed to being "weirded out" by the age difference, but Carol had simply shrugged "she's 28 Daryl, I mean it's not like she's 18 or something."

Abraham, Carol had come to really enjoy. He had a quick wit and sarcastic sense of him our which reminded her a lot of Daryl, who ironically found the man incredibly annoying. Carol had a feeling that was due to Abraham's flirtatious nature. Abraham had quickly realized it bothered Daryl when he flirted with Carol so he started doing so incessantly. It was beginning to become annoying even to Carol. She had told Abraham that if he didn't stop teasing Daryl she would have to talk to Rosita about it. Abraham had blanched in fear, and promised he would stop.

Tara had quickly become Carol's favorite, of the new members. She reminded Carol of Andrea. She was desperately unsure of herself but wanted to be independent so badly. Which was a lot like Andrea in the beginning. Carol couldn't help but flash back to when Andrea had been the same way at the farm, wanting to prove herself so badly she'd shot Daryl in the head. Tara had been quiet at first unsure of the group's reaction her involvement with the governor, but she's been quickly reassured by Carol, Maggie and Beth that they did not hold her accountable. Tara was grieving too the loss of her niece, sister and girlfriend and had spent a lot of time talking to Carol about all three.

Daryl had been surprisingly blasé about the fact that Tara was a lesbian, until he noticed how much time Tara spent following Carol around, and he'd started sending the poor girl evil glares. Carol had to intervene reminding him that she was not a lesbian, so he had nothing to worry about."Good lord Daryl after all the sex we've had in the past few days, I thought it would be pretty clear -I like boys. We can go upstairs right now if you need a reminder." He'd grinned and nodded grabbing her hand and leading her upstairs. He hadn't bothered Tara again.

Tyreese and Carol's friendship had picked back up where they had left it. Daryl's newfound jealous streak never reared it's head when she would spend time with Tyreese, he instinctively knew the deep bond they'd formed on the road was friendship based. The whole group could see the bond that they had which even included Judith. The second night at the farmhouse Rick had been forced to rouse Carol from sleep and pull Tyreese from watch as a teething Judith had been crying inconsolably for the pair.

Tyreese had voiced his frustrations to Carol over his inability to help Sasha who the entire group worried over. Sasha had become withdrawn and timid and was a far cry from the Sasha they had known at the prison. Carol was unsure how to help her.

Rick and Glenn had organized daily runs for necessary supplies. Knowing they were not staying at the farmhouse for an extended length of time, each vehicle had been assigned and the groups began packing them accordingly only taking what they needed into the house for the five day span. Daryl had quickly claimed the smallest truck for him and Carol saying it was too small for a third passenger. Carol was finding herself looking forward to traveling, and having more time alone. Carl had suggested suggested copying the map the lieutenant had given them to The Hilltop and placing one in each vehicle, along with maps they had found with clearly marked rendezvous and meet up points.

Daryl hunted each morning and had begun to take Carol with him. Everyday they followed the same trail, as Daryl was attempting to track down an elusive deer, who seemed to frequent the same areas. The farmhouse backed up to densely wooded area. There was a overgrown dirt road amidst the woodland that at one time must have been used for harvesting wood, as the farmhouse had a wood burning furnace. Every morning Carol and Daryl would walk the road a distance before entering in the woods in the same direction, all the while Carol marveling at how beautiful the surroundings were.

"You know, if it wasn't for the occasional walker ruining the views, I would say this is one of the prettiest sites I have ever seen" She said stopping to admire a patch blooming flowers.

Daryl walked up to her with a cocky grin putting his hands on both her cheeks and responded "I'm looking at the prettiest site I've ever seen right now".

She laughed while wrapping her arms around him "I think you might need glasses in your old age Pookie"

" Nope, first time in my life, I'm finally seeing things perfectly clearly ." He said softly.

"Who are you and what have you done with Daryl?" she said slightly teasing.

He laughed "I don't know, two weeks ago, I would probably kick my own ass for saying some of this stuff. I knew I loved you before all the shit hit the fan, but I didn't realize what I had till it was gone. But now,... I don't know, it's like I'm back where I belong...I'm with you."