Rick was right.

Daryl never mentioned what he had seen that morning to anyone so it came as a shock to everyone else when Rick flat out strode up to Kahlan during breakfast one day upon her return from tower duty and kissed her.

She was a bit stunned herself at his blatant gesture and clutched his shirt. They hadn't really discussed the evolution of their relationship nor had they been particularly open about it with the others. It just was what it was.

When Rick lifted his head, Kahlan cupped his bearded cheek with one hand, ignoring all the surprised stares.

"Miss me last night?" she teased, low enough for only him to hear.

"I'm beginning to understand why Glenn wants tower duty," he whispered. "I think I might have to join you next time."

Kahlan blushed and withdrew from his embrace.

Smiling, Carol handed her plate and she sat down at one of the table to eat, fighting the urge to escape from the questioning looks between Beth and Carl.

Rick and Carl were strolling the prison perimeter when Carl spoke.

"Do you love Kahlan?" he asked. Rick smiled at him.

"I suppose I do," Rick replied.

Carl stopped and looked up at him, sorrow in his eyes.

"Does that mean you don't love Mom anymore?" he asked.

Rick squatted in front of him and shook his head.

"I will always love your mom. She gave me you," he said.

Carl accepted the answer with a somber nod.

Not long after the breakfast episode Rick all but moved into Kahlan's cell now that they had no reason to hide.

He was already stretched out in bed when Kahlan wandered in from the showers. He watched as she changed into a tank top and shorts and started braiding her damp hair.

"Leave it down," he said. She halted and ran her fingers through her hair to undo the strands.

"I'm going to blame you if it gets all tangled," Kahlan told him as she climbed in beside him.

Rick drew her close so her back was against his chest and he could bury his nose in her hair and finger the strands.

"You wouldn't believe how long I've wanted to do this," he murmured.

"What is it with men and long hair?" she huffed even as she burrowed into him.

He chuckled, tightly wrapping an arm around her.

"Dad?" Carl tentatively called out, placing a hand on Rick's shoulder and shaking it.

Kahlan cracked open an eye to peer at Carl. The cell was still dark but she could make out his silhouette.

"What's going on, kiddo?" she softly said as Rick shifted behind her.

"Something wrong? You okay, son?" Rick asked, sitting up.

Carl was quiet for a minute. Kahlan could see he was trembling but obviously struggling with his pride as a preteen. He wanted to be treated like an adult but he was still a kid nevertheless who was on the cusp of being hormonal.

"Hey there, it's okay," she said soothingly, swinging her legs off the bed so Rick could scoot to the edge next to her. Rick reached for Carl and brought him not quite fully into his lap.

"I had a dream that you were dead, Dad, leaving me and Jude all alone," Carl said, his voice quivering.

"I'm here," Rick replied, rubbing his son's back. "I'm not going to leave you. You've got nothing to worry about."

"You can't promise that you'll never leave. Mom did and look what happened," Carl testily responded.

"Hey, look at me," Rick said, leaning back to look into his son's eyes. "You're right. I can't promise I'll never leave, but I will do everything in my power to protect you and your sister. I don't plan on being dead anytime soon."

Carl gave him a half-smile, something he'd picked up from Daryl.

"Do you want to stay here tonight?" Kahlan asked.

Carl slid off his dad's lap.

"Nope. I need to get back to Beth and Jude," he said matter-of-factly.

Kahlan slipped her hand into Rick's as they watched Carl saunter out of the cell.

A/N: I have no idea where this is coming from or where it is going but I can't seem to stop it. Apologies that I've not tackled my other Caryl fics. Please review!