Daryl was rocking his balls of his feet standing by Joey's bed waiting for them to discharge him, he was amaze at he change in Joey, he was bouncing on the bed, holding Daryl's hands jumping up and down. Gone was the little sick boy, whatever was in that drip had fixed him. Carol was desprate to get out of the hospital fast before he started climbing the walls. Daryl didn't know if he should be doing this or not but it was keeping him happy instead of wondering where his Ma was.

'Catch!' Joey leaped from the bed towards Daryl's chest, he just got his hands up in time. 'Again!' Squealed Joey, Daryl put him back on the bed and he jumped up and down until he was ready to leap again.

Daryl played the jumping and catching game with him for about 5 minutes before catching him and walking to the doorway of the ward looking up and down for Carol. He couldn't see her anywhere. Joey's bags were packed and he wanted to get down, he put him down and was amazed how quickly he ran down the ward towards the exit doors. Daryl had to high tail it after him.

Holy heck this kid moved fast Daryl thought. He squealed when Daryl picked him up to take him back to where they were meant to be to meet his Ma. Finally she come out of an office, she looked like she was actually just chatting to someone about work stuff. She was laughing and looking at some files. Daryl's stare must have caught his attention she looked up and gave them a little wave and kept talking.

Daryl had enough holding Joey away from his mother and he set him free, he took off in her direction and Daryl grabbed the bags and wandered over to wait. He stood leaning up against the wall watching as she kept talking with Joey on her hip. Carol seemed to be popular around her co workers with many stopping to say hello. Daryl was not surprised because she always had a friendly smile and something positive to say to everyone.

'Hey Daryl!'

Daryl turned and found he was face to face with Andrea.

'Hi!'

'How's Joey?' Andrea asked him.

'Sparking on all cylinders, running rings around me!' Daryl told her.

'Kids bounce back fast mostly, hows Merle?' Andrea asked.

'Ummmmm duno haven't seen Merle today!' Daryl said.

'Is he seeing anyone?' Andrea pushed.

'Ummmmmmm I don't know, I just got back last week, I don't know much!' Daryl muttered knowing he was digging himself a hole. He didn't know if he should be saying he's dating anyone, what the fuck were they meant to say if someone asked about the other ones relationship status. If he said yes, it would lead onto who and how people were nosy in this town and soon it would spread around like wild fire and people would start watching him to catch the mystery women.

'You guys still got the garage and house?' Andrea asked, Daryl just nodded as Carol and Joey indicated they were ready to go, 'Ok bye!' Daryl picked up the bags and followed them out.

Facts were he had seen Merle that morning because he went and swapped his truck for Merle's when he realized he didn't have a car seat. Rick had driven Carol's car home and put her keys somewhere and he couldn't find them. So he drove Merle's truck that had the required bolted in car seat of Joey.

Carol buckled him into the seat showing Daryl how it all worked.

'Should I get one of them? For my truck?' Daryl asked her getting into the drivers seat, starting it up. Carol looked at him.

'If you want to take him anywhere a car seat would be a good idea. Rick, Merle and I all have them in our cars and trucks makes it easier than shifting one from car to car!' Carol told him as he began the drive back to the house. Carol looked tired, Joey looked tired, like he was going to drift off to sleep in the truck on the ride home. Carol yawned.

'Its hard to sleep there, with all the noise and people coming in and out of the ward to check. Hopefully he will get better fast now!' Carol told him. Daryl nodded and they drove in comfortable scilence the rest of the way home. When Daryl pulled up the drive he realised he had two asleep passagners in the truck. He stopped the car and got out, walked up unlocking the door. He went back unclicking the little boy from his seat taking lifting him over his shoulder walking inside up to his bedroom.

He removed his shoes, and pants tucking him under blankets. He noted that Carol had put a pull up on him again, he still had a few hit and misses this morning with his tummy settling so she was being careful. He stood and watched him then remembered Carol was asleep in the truck. He lifted her out, he tried to wake her first but she was dead tired. He clicked the lock on the truck, went inside, clicked the lock behind him. He walked down the hall to her room and lay her on the bed. He pulled off her shoes, and her pants. Last time he undressed her like this was years ago when she come in drunk after a girls night tapping on his bedroom window.

He reached around her unclicking her bra, as he knew it would make her uncomfortable. Rolling her over slightly he managed to get her under the blankets. Daryl stood up and stretched again. He was tired too. He kicked off his shoes and wandered down to turn on the baby monitor thing they had and picked up the other part bringing it back to Carol's room switching it on like Merle had shown him. Dropped his jeans and took his shirt off. He climbed into bed behind Carol. She rolled in her sleep resting her head on his chest.

Daryl yawned again and shut his eyes and that was all he knew until he was body slammed by a 4 year old a few hours later.