AN: Thanks for the comments guys. Hope you're enjoying this one. It's very sweet and well maybe just a tad angsty :)

Chapter 5

Get a fucking grip Peletier, Carol told herself after closing the bathroom door. The man really did have a nice body. She was extremely fixated on his collarbones. They were so defined. She wanted to trace her finger along them... or maybe her tongue. The imagery was not helping pull herself together.

Carol did her business, washed her hands and then splashed her face with water. Once she felt composed once again she exited the bathroom and somehow held herself together for much of the evening.

The trip back to her place was uneventful, thankfully. Daryl waited in her living room, surrounded by pets while she got ready. Jeans, one of her favourite sweaters, the perfect necklace and earrings... There wasn't much she could do with her hair while it was so short, but she took some time to apply her makeup with the perfect combination of colors to make her eyes even brighter.

When she was ready Carol stepped out into her room and examined the finished product in the full length mirrored closet doors. She got rid of the shoes she'd picked and grabbed a pair of stylized combat boots. "Much better," she spoke to her reflection. "It's not a date," she said softly, seeing the sparkle of excitement in her eye that shouldn't have been there.

While getting ready she had an idea. As much as she loved riding with Daryl on the motorcycle, it was a beautiful night. "So I was thinking," Carol said as she entered the living room, startling him and the cats.

"Oh, sorry," she laughed, watching Savannah and Augusta take off. Cookie whimpered, but barely lifted his head from Daryl's lap. She plopped down beside them and petted Cook's back as she spoke. "There's a little, uh, pub like place that's not too far from here. We could walk there..."

"Sure," Daryl nodded in agreement.

"No pool tables," Carol added with a smile. "But they do have dart boards if you're up for a round or two after supper?"

"You gonna hustle my ass at darts too?" Daryl gave her a look.

"Oh no, I'm afraid the billiard table takes up all my skills. I, uh... throw like... an uncoordinated oaf." Carol had always hated the statement 'throw like a girl' in reference to her skills. It was a sexist insult to her entire gender. And really, just a sexist comment in general. "Don't worry, I can hit the board... most of the time," she chuckled.

She grabbed a light jacket and they headed out. It was still daylight, though the sun was starting to dip down low on the horizon in a gorgeous display. It was truly a romantic scene for their non- date. Daryl seemed quieter than usual and even more fidgety. But he did attempt to start a conversation as they walked and she respected that. "So have you told your boss about the new job yet?"

Carol shook her head. "Not yet. I think I'm still in shock that it's really happening. I should soon though, huh?"

"Probably," Daryl replied. "What's the show called anyway? Maybe I'll watch it."

"Well, there's always a chance they change it before the show actually airs, as they start thinking about promotion and advertising," Carol explained. "But right now it's called The Walking Dead."

"The Walking Dead," he repeated. "Like zombies? Are you allowed to say what it's about and stuff?"

"I'll have to sign a nondisclosure agreement when I go sign my contract," Carol said. "But I think I can tell you the general idea. It's about a group of survivors dealing with life during a zombie apocalypse. It's really unlike anything that's out there. My gut tells me it's gonna be a hit."

"Hmm... interesting," Daryl muttered.

Carol laughed, "Not your type of show?"

"I don't watch much TV to be honest," he shrugged. "But I might have to start," Daryl added, glancing at her.

Carol felt flattered and she looked away before her cheeks flushed again. What the hell is wrong with me? she wondered. "Oh, there it is," she announced, pointing across the road at a cute little restaurant. The went in and found a booth in the back. The room was dimly lit, as most pubs tended to be.

They both ordered a drink - Daryl a beer and her a crown and coke. "Didn't take you for a whiskey girl," Daryl commented with a bit of a grin.

"There's a lot you don't know about me," Carol replied in a sassy, flirty tone. Fuck, stop doing that, she chastised herself. He had no response and for once she was glad that Daryl really had no game when it came to flirting back. Who knows how far it would have gone.

She noticed his beer was going down fast and realized he was likely extremely nervous. Carol had to admit she was a bit nervous herself as she took another drink and set it down empty. She ordered them another round. By the time their food arrived they were both on their 3rd drink and she was feeling a warmth inside that only came from alcohol. I should probably stop, she thought, but when the 3rd drink was gone, she found herself ordering a 4th. Oh what the hell, it's a celebration.

Daryl was a finger licker when he ate and his table manners were horrible. But for some reason watching him suck on his own fingers was having a ridiculous effect on her hormones. Carol had to look away because the combination of finger licking and alcohol was making her practically squirm. She hoped he didn't think she was embarrassed or disapproved. In fact, she hoped he didn't notice at all.

"You okay?" Daryl grunted.

Busted. Carol turned, just in time to see him remove his thumb from his mouth. "Yeah," she sighed. "Just a little too much whiskey I think," she added, somewhat honestly. "I should probably switch to water." Daryl was watching her a little more intently than usual and she felt her heart start pounding. His eyes dropped to her mouth and she nervously licked her lips. "I, uh, I have to use the ladies room," Carol said suddenly, slipping out of the booth and taking off.

It wasn't a lie. She did have to go. But she hoped he missed the flush on her cheeks as she booked it outta there. She went pee and then had an entire conversation with herself in the mirror afterwards. Luckily she'd been talking in her head when another woman entered and went into a stall.

Daryl was interested in her. It was obvious. What may not have been obvious to him, but was becoming very clear to Carol, was that she was just as interested.

But there were so many reasons it wouldn't work, so many reasons to run the other way. He was definitely not her usual type. She had the new job that needed to be her main focus. He had so much baggage. There's no way he would feel comfortable with her lifestyle, her friends, her soon to be co-workers... And they would all think she's crazy. Oh my God, Carol had an epiphany. When did I turn into such a snob? Since when do I care so much about what others think? If she was being honest with herself her hesitation had everything to do with the fact that a girl like her doesn't date a guy like Daryl... and what everyone in her life would think about it.

She had worked really hard to make something of herself after she left Ed. She made a great salary at the job she had and that was only going to get larger. Carol had some extremely successful friends and many of them were… well, snobbish. And many of them also had no idea that she came from the very same place as the man waiting for her at the table.

I don't have time to do this now, Carol realized, knowing Daryl would be wondering what was taking so long and likely assuming she had to poop or something. She took a deep breath, and focussed as best she could through the alcohol buzz. It was really starting to hit her, which was strange since she assumed eating would help slow things down.

Carol plopped back into the seat. "Do you like cheesecake?" she blurted out. "Because I know this is a weird place to order dessert, but I swear, they make the best cheesecake I've ever had here. It's so good. So yummy. I have it every time I come here. But I can never finish it. It's huge. Would you like to share?" Daryl was staring at her. "Sorry, I talk more when I'm drinking," she apologized.

"And faster," Daryl added. "Did you even take a breath?" he teased.

Jesus, what was I thinking with 4 drinks, Carol wondered. "I don't know. I just get going and I can't stop. I don't know why. I mean right now, I really have nothing to say, but I'm talking. And still talking. And you're looking at me like I'm crazy. God, shut up Carol," she muttered.

"It's cute," Daryl said, smiling at her. "I just turn into an angry ass when I drink. Most of the time anyway. But I blame it on the company. With you... it'd be different."

"You're not even buzzed are you?" She asked. "4 drinks and I'm pretty much done and you're not even buzzed. How is that fair?"

"There's a little higher alcohol content in what you're drinking," Daryl said sarcastically.

"Oh yeah, good point. So why are you drinking beer anyway? Man up big D. Hit the hard stuff," Carol teased. Big D? What the fuck was that? Did I really just say that?

"Next time," Daryl said. "Don't want to start mixing drinks now."

Next time, she thought, hoping there was a next time and then telling herself there better not be a next time. The cheesecake arrived and Carol handed him a fork. "Prepare to be amazed. This stuff is better than sex." She dug in, without even realizing what she just said, until she looked up and saw his face a familiar shade of red. She giggled and took a big bite, groaning as the sweet, thick, creamy substance filled her mouth with flavour. "Oh God, that's amazing." Daryl was hesitating, watching her with a bit of a smirk. "What are you waiting for?" she asked. She cut off a bite on her fork and held it out to him. When he hesitated she moved the fork closer and finally he leaned forward and opened his mouth.

"Mmm, okay, you win. This is really good," Daryl admitted.

Carol almost said 'better than sex?' but caught herself in time. Instead she smiled and took another bite. When the piece of cake was gone she was stuffed. "I'm thinking darts would be hopeless at this point... since I'm pretty much hopeless sober," she sighed.

"It's okay," Daryl said. "I probably should head home soon anyway. Let you get some sleep." Sleep was probably a really good idea, she decided. She suspected she might have a slight hangover to contend with in the morning. Carol signalled the waitress for the bill and handed over her credit card.

It was a gorgeous night when they stepped back outside. "Wow, look at all the stars," she commented, looking into the sky as she stepped down off the curb. Bad idea. She stumbled, but luckily Daryl caught her elbow and steadied her.

Carol linked her arm through his. "Thanks." She really was steady enough to walk on her own, but she was enjoying strolling along arm in arm so she held on the entire way home. Daryl had to follow her up to get his helmet and Candy's too. They were sitting by the door so Daryl stepped just inside, but held the door open.

Carol set down her purse and turned around. "I had a nice time tonight," she said. "Thank you." Daryl was looking at her with that strange stare again. It was intense and shy at the same time, like nothing she'd ever seen before. Fuck, he's cute, she thought, her heart rate picking up. Daryl was so different from the men she'd dated in the past. She'd never met a man like him before. Different was intriguing. Different was sexy. Different was making her body feel things it shouldn't have been.

I'm going to kiss his cheek, Carol decided. And before she could talk herself out of it, she closed the gap and leaned in to brush his cheek. But it wasn't his cheek her lips connected with, it was his mouth. She gasped in shock, but Daryl was already responding, kissing her eagerly. It felt good. Really good. Carol parted her lips, an open invitation that Daryl took. She could taste the beer he'd finished just before they left lingering on his tongue. She was never a huge fan of beer, but tasting it on him made her want more.
Things were heating up, escalating - quickly. Daryl pinned her to the wall, pressing his body into hers and letting the door click shut. Carol reached her arms around his neck, drawing him closer. She twisted her fingers into his hair, enjoying the silky smooth feel. He smelled so good. Why didn't I notice that earlier, she wondered. His hands were on her ass, groping, tugging, pulling her even closer.

Carol felt dizzy. It was everything she wanted and everything she didn't want to happen. She needed to stop it, but how could she when she wanted it so bad? Her lips were hurting from the way they were attacking each other like animals.

Carol had to know how turned on he was. She was pretty sure she could feel his erection pressing into her, but with them both in jeans she just had to be certain. She snaked a hand between their bodies and slid her open palm down until she made contact with something firm. She rubbed his entire length and back up, causing Daryl to groan into her mouth.
Her eyes snapped open and she quickly released him. What the hell am I doing? She wondered in a panic. "Mmm," she tore her lips away from his. "I can't... we shouldn't..."

Instantly Daryl let her go and backed away, a look of terror on his face. "Oh... I'm... Sorry. Fuck... I'm sorry," he muttered, stumbling backwards towards the door. He remembered his helmet and scrambled for it.

"Daryl..." she started. She hadn't meant to upset him so much. She needed him to know she wasn't mad - that she'd wanted him too, but he wasn't stopping. "Daryl," she called again, trying to grab his arm and stop him. He pulled away and bolted out the door. She took a few steps after him, but it was no use. "Daryl," she tried one last time as he disappeared into the stairwell.

"Fuck," Carol shouted, kicking the wall with her boots.

Her neighbor poked his head out into the hall. "You okay?"

She waved, "Yeah... sorry about that. Night." She forced a smile and headed back inside.

Carol somehow managed to keep from slamming her door shut. She paced the hallway, wondering how such an amazing night ended like that. She couldn't call him. She had no car to chase after him. She hadn't paid attention to his street or house number so she couldn't call a cab to take her. What a fucking mess.
The headache was starting already so Carol did the only thing she could at that point - she took 2 extra strength Tylenol and went to bed.