A/N: We love you all thank you for all the sweet reviews, we might have to do this again.

Daryl got home early enough on a Saturday that Merle was still in bed. Hiding this kind of thing from him still seemed a little silly at his age but Carol really wanted to keep it between them for now.

Falling asleep in her arms had been unexpected. He felt like he was home for the first time in years. He really didn't know her and he couldn't pinpoint what made this so different from a normal night of sex, it was just her.

He had a quick shower and made some coffee that didn't hold a candle to hers.

"Where the hell were you last night?"

Merle came wandering out into the kitchen sounding like a concerned father.

He hadn't even thought of an excuse, he wasn't used to having to explain his whereabouts to people.

"I uh...had a date."

"With who?"

"I met her online."

"Seriously?"

"Yeah, so?"

He took his coffee into the living room and turned on the TV hoping Merle would drop it.

"So you just met some woman online and fucked her on the first date?"

"Why are you so concerned what I do with my own dick, Merle?"

"Yeah, I guess that sounds like you."

Daryl respected his brother but being interrogated about his sex life was not something he was willing to tolerate.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"Maybe you should start taking life seriously, Daryl. I don't see what you get out of that kind of life."

"Pfft!" Daryl answered, taking a sip of his mediocre coffee.

If only Merle knew he was well on his way to falling for Carol. He wanted to be with her right now in fact. The thought of going back to the guard didn't sound very appealing now but he didn't know yet how she saw this playing out. He'd have to show her he had something to offer her long term.

Carol needed air. It was Saturday morning and she ate a light breakfast in front of the computer. She could still feel his touch all over her and smell him on her pillows. He was only meant to lie down for a bit but they had fallen asleep holding each other and barely moved all night. He was the one she wanted and she knew it but she'd have to wrap her heart and head around the idea that she couldn't keep him. If only she'd been able to resist him but it was pointless to try. She needed to kiss him and touch him like she needed air.

She threw on her sweats and her music to go for a run. The park near her house was always quiet in the mornings and she would occasionally see squirrels or pretty songbirds. It kept her feeling connected to reality to run, it cleared her mind of all the clutter in life. She had a quick stretch on the front steps of her apartment and started to jog across the quiet road to the green space she craved. The first few minutes were always a drag until her blood started to flow and the music kicked in and spurred her on.

Carol took her regular route and didn't see a soul for twenty minutes until something caught her eye on the path ahead.

At first she was sure she was imagining it but she stopped dead in her tracks and stopped breathing.

Ed walked to the middle of the path and stood there waiting for her.

She took her headphones off and panicked.

"What are you doing here?"

"I want to tell you something."

"Why can't you just leave me alone?"

"Who the hell do you think you are, Carol?"

"What are you talking about?" she countered. He sounded delusional.

"Acting like a tramp in my favorite bar and fucking strange men in back alleys. I knew you were a whore and you just proved me right."

Her blood ran cold and she took out her phone to call for help.

"How do you know-" she began.

"Saw it, with my own two eyes, Carol. Keep it up and we'll have a problem, you and I."

She wanted to be a smart mouth, she wanted to tell him to go fuck himself and leave her alone but she was scared. She didn't like to admit it to herself but she was alone, well off the path in the park, only feet from a man who had choked her half to death. She wondered briefly if he had a weapon or planned to kill her.

She tried to think of anything to say to diffuse the situation but nothing came to mind.

"If you're gonna be slut, do it somewhere else. I don't need all my buddies knowing what kind of trash I used to be married to. Do you understand?"

"Yes."

She wanted to kick herself for the way she was forced to respond but what could she do?

She could feel herself starting to shiver inside and he finally turned to walk away. When she was sure he was gone she sank to the grass and sobbed into her hands. She would never be free of him. She thought is was over and here he was holding her down again. He was like a nightmare, invading every dream she had for the future. She shuddered when she imagined him watching her with Daryl the night of the party.

Carol made it home in a complete fog and locked her door, adding the chain as well which she rarely did. Her phone buzzed and she jumped out of her skin and wanted to cry over how terrified he'd made her.

~ I'm thinking of you.

Daryl didn't need this, how could she tell him about this. Carol felt like dragging him into this drama would push him away and surely he only wanted a fling anyway. How could he really want more when he wouldn't be staying? She gathered herself and texted back.

~ I'm thinking of you too:)

She felt trapped in her home like the outside was all potential Ed encounters so she stayed in and watched TV for the day. He was ruining her life, even now.

Eventually she decided she had to tell someone, someone who would still be here in a few months. By suppertime she resorted to calling her surrogate brother.

"Merle?"

"Hey there, sweetheart. What's up?"

"Something happened this morning...Ed confronted me in the park."

"What? Did you call the police?"

"No. I just want you to know in case anything happens or he comes back."

"So you're just going to wait until he hurts you?"

"What do I do then?"

"At least report it to the police, Carol. I'll pick you up and drive you there."

"Please keep this between us, Merle. Promise me you won't tell anyone and I'll go to the police with you."

She didn't want Daryl having to think of this, it wasn't his problem.

"Who would I tell?"

"Anyone at work, or Tammy or Daryl."

She was trying to be discreet, maybe Merle would never have to know about the tryst between her and Daryl if he was going to be leaving anyway. It felt like a tangled web of lies already and she could see it falling apart at some point but didn't know what else to do.

He arrived at her door and she looked through the peephole at him. When she opened it he took her in a bear hug that she needed so bad but didn't realize until it happened. She needed Merle so badly and felt like admitting to what was happening with Daryl would disappoint him.

Merle held her tight and rubbed her back with his big hands. Before she could stop it she was weeping into his shirt.

"It's OK, honey...it's OK...I'm not gonna let anything happen to you...shhhhh..."

His deep, gravely voice calmed her and she felt safer already, she trusted Merle with her life.

When she regained her composure Merle took her to the police station to report the incident and they gave her some advice on safety and advised her to file for a restraining order, which she did. It wouldn't go into effect right away as it needed a judge's approval but soon he wouldn't be allowed to come near her.

She felt a little calmer and now that it was handled, Daryl wouldn't have to know.