AN: so this is the beginning of me setting things up to finish this off. Don't worry I won't do anything to make you hate me ( I hope not anyway :p) a little fluff cause too cause i like fluff. Let me know what you think:)

I do not own or profit from The Walking Dead

Chapter 19

It's the little bits of things that fret and worry us, we can dodge an elephant but we can't fly~ Josh Billings

Carol and Daryl lay in bed in the fifth day, putting off the start of the day. They both had come to relish their nights together. Living in a house with twelve adults, two teenagers and a baby afforded their new relationship little privacy unless they were in their room in the attic, and that was mainly at night as the one time they had tried to sneak away undetected during the day, Carl and Glenn's relentless chants when they had returned downstairs of "if the attic is a rockin, don't come a knockin"had driven the whole house insane.

They did spend most of their time together though. Daryl had become extremely overprotective since their reunion .He seemed to hover, constantly finding reasons to stay close, keeping her within his orbit. Some excuses were more believable than others; she hadn't believed for one moment that he wanted to help her with the washing out of clothing for instance as he had so earnestly claimed, she wasn't blind to it and had called him on it. He'd flushed quite brightly and admitted he had difficulty letting Carol out of his sight for any long period of time.

"I lost you twice, and when I got you back it was like finding my own damn unicorn"he muttered. "I tired of losing you, I can't lose you again."

"I'm really going to miss it here" Carol said suddenly interrupting the quiet. She was lying on her side with Daryl wrapped around her from behind. Carol marveled at how warm he was, his body radiated heat, it was comforting in a way like how taking a warm bath used to feel.

"It's just a house" he said gruffly squeezing her slightly.

"I know, but it's where 'we' started"she responded

Daryl kissed her brow his roaming fingers on her belly raising goose bumps.

"Angel, we started the minute you put that pick axe through Ed's head, fuck maybe even before that maybe from the moment I saw you" he whispered as his roaming hands burrowed beneath her shirt. Carol pushed herself back into his body

"We should get up, hunting remember?" she whispered as his hand toyed with the waist band of the shorts she was wearing.

He groaned as she grinded herself back into him yet again and answered in a gravelly voice.

"Woods will still be there in an hour, maybe two"

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When they made it downstairs two hours later they were met by a very disheveled looking Rick, a crying Judith on his hip. His face had lit up when he saw them. Judith had turned and reached out her arms for Carol. He eagerly handed her to Carol.

"Oh Carol, Thank God! I thought you and Daryl had already left! Beth was up most of last night trying to help me with her, she went to get some sleep. Me, Tyreese, Michonne, Glenn, Maggie and Tara are going on a run. Do you think you could watch her while we are gone?"

Carol walked over to the counter grabbing a clean cloth for Judith to chew on " Well I was supposed to go hunting with Daryl"

"Teeth again? Lil asskicker you gotta push those sons of bitches through, so you can feel better" Daryl had come over and was rubbing Judith soft head which was resting on Carol's shoulder as she furiously chewed. Carol grinned at his sweet baby tone combined with his salty language. He looked up at Carol with a soft smile

"She needs you,stay, I hunt by myself all the time...sides we don't know when the lieutenant's group will get back. They show up and don't find you and Beth here safe as can be they'll get their panties in a knot and start their Mother Hen clucking" he said with a grin.

Carol rolled her eyes but waffled internally. She absolutely hated when Daryl hunted by himself. It had always bothered her and she never lost the nervous pit in her stomach, until he got back.

Rick interjected quickly

"It won't be for long Carol, were just going to hit that medical center with the pharmacy on the outskirts of town we didn't have time for yesterday...we should be back long before Daryl. I know you want to double check to make sure everything's ready to leave tomorrow...that should give you plenty of time." Carol wanted to ask Rick why he just didn't stay back himself, but she had a feeling he needed a break from Judith's teething which had been relentless all week. She sighed resigning herself to a morning filled with anxiety as she awaited Daryl's return.

"Okay... I'll stay"

"Great!" Rick said giving Carol a one arm hug and kissing Judith, before bolting out the door

"I know that look" Daryl said

"What look" Carol asked feigning innocence.

"It's your eyes. Your mouth says one thing but your eyes says another. I don't want you worry while I'm gone. I'll be fine." He said

"I know I just..." She paused when he rested his hand on her cheek.

"I meant what I said, I ain't ever leaving you alone again. I'll be back" he paused and smiled "I ain't got no choice, I wouldn't make it without you"

"You better stay safe" she said

He brushed his lips softly over hers and whispered

"Nine lives angel"

AN#2; I can't take credit for the unicorn reference. I saw last night on a caryl thread on the website Spoil the Dead a quote about Carol being Daryl's unicorn and LOVED it. For me unicorns symbolize love, hope, purity, majesty-how appropriate:) props to the original coiner of that phrase.