The Spare Room

Summary: The bills keep piling up and if Daryl Dixon has any hope of improving his life, he and his brother are going to have to find someone to fill their spare room. The problem is that while he can't stand his new roommate, he finds himself falling for his roommate's girlfriend. Caryl. AU.

Disclaimer: I do not own any characters that you recognize from the Walking Dead.

Chapter 12

"I'm sorry, Baby, I can't. I have to go on up to Atlanta," Ed told Carol over the phone.

"Ed, you promised that you'd go with me," Carol protested.

"I know," Ed said, "but hey, why don't you come up to the city with me?" he asked.

"I promised Catherine that I'd come see her play," Carol said quietly.

"She'll be in the play again tomorrow night," Ed dismissed, "How often do we get to go on up to the city?"

Carol hesitated. She had promised her sister that she would go to the opening night and she didn't want to let her down.

"Ed, I can't," she said. She listened to silence on the other end of the phone. Then Ed spoke again.

"You can't or you won't?" Ed wondered, "Honestly, Carol Ann, sometimes I wonder if I'm the only one committed to this relationship."

"I'm committed," Carol assured him softly.

"I hope so," Ed said, "I gotta go. Will you at least come out and meet me tonight?"

"I will," Carol promised, figuring that it was the least she could do.

"Good. Should be home around one. Meet me in the park by your place," he told her before he hung up. Carol set the phone back in its cradle with a frown. It bothered her a lot that he thought that she wasn't committed to their relationship. It was just that she made a promise to her sister and she had never broken a promise to Catherine before. She really didn't want to have to go back into the living room and tell her parents that Ed had cancelled. They had been looking forward to finally meeting Ed at Catherine's play. She stood in the archway that separated the front hall from the living room and observed her mother and father as they sat in their respective chairs. They were both wearing their best clothes.

"Well?" her father asked, folding up his paper, "When is Edward coming over?"

"He had an emergency trip to run up to Atlanta," Carol replied, "He had to go."

She grimaced as her parents' faces seemed frown in unison. Both of them seemed not to like Ed and once again, Carol found herself wishing that he hadn't cancelled. Her parents just needed a chance to meet him and ge to know him.

"An emergency trip, hmmm?" George asked.

"Yes, Daddy," Carol said.

"And he couldn't postpone it?" Rose demanded, "Not even after he said that he would be here?"

"He said it was really important, Mama," Carol maintained, shifting from foot to foot under her mother's gaze.

"We have four tickets," George reminded them, his frown resembling more of a scowl now, "What a waste."

Carol didn't know what to say in response to that and was thankful when Catherine came thundering down the stairs wearing her costume for the play. She was playing the main character's wife in 'Death of a Salesman' and was dressed in their grandmother's old dress. She'd get her make-up done at the hall where the play was going to be performed.

"So when are we going?" Catherine wondered, "When Ed gets here?"

"Apparently Edward had better things to do," Rose sniffed, "He's not coming and now we're a person short. Your father paid for four tickets for the play and now one is going to go to waste."

"You could invite Daryl," Catherine suggested.

Carol tensed at her friend's name. For the last week, Catherine hadn't shut up about Daryl. She brought him up at every opportunity, ignoring Carol's assertion that Daryl was too old for her. For some reason, it annoyed Carol that Catherine seemed to have a little crush on the youngest Dixon.

"I don't know, Cath-"

"Why not?" Catherine shrugged, "He helped me move the props so that I could paint them. Maybe he'd want to see them now that they're all finished."

"That is a thought," Rose agreed with her youngest daughter, "He seemed to be a very nice young man. It would be a good way to thank him for helping Catherine last week."

"I thought that was what the pie was for," Carol pointed out.

"That was for helping you," Rose corrected, "Honey, call him up. I'm sure he'd appreciate a night out. I'd wager he doesn't get too many with all of the work he does."

"I guess I could," Carol decided.

0 – TSR – 0

Daryl lay back on his bed, his nose buried in an old biology book. It was a book he had read before, but he was re-reading it to familiarize himself before he went off to school. After all, he couldn't be too far behind.

A knock on the door stole his attention from the book.

"Come in," he called to whoever was there.

"It's me," a familiar voice said. Carol stepped in the doorway, her auburn curls handing down past her bare shoulders. She was wearing a red tank-top and a pair of skin-tight jeans. She smiled down at him as she approached the bed.

"Hey," he greeted her, his breath catching in his throat as she sat down on the bed so that she was facing him, "What d'ya need?"

He wasn't prepared when she answered, "You."

Daryl swallowed hard, "Me?" he squeaked.

And then her perfect mouth was pressed to his as her hands came up to tangle in his long locks. Daryl lost all coherent thought as he responded to the kiss, letting his tongue meet hers as they explored each other's mouths. His hands gripped her waist and tugged her onto his lap so that she was straddling him.

"Goddamn, you're perfect," Daryl growled as he let his hands wander up her back and then down to clutch her ass.

"So are you," she told him, pecking him on the lips once before pulling back to focus on undoing the buttons on his shirt. Her fingertips brushed his chest with each button that she undid and each touch set his body aflame, shooting tiny sparks under his skin. He needed her like a fire needed oxygen to burn. He waited until she pushed the last button from its hole and then he was pushing her top up and over her head, revealing two perfect breasts covered by a white bra. He stared for a moment and fingered the strap on her left shoulder. The white suited her. Innocence. Purity.

She smiled down at him and then reached behind her to undo her bra, letting it fall forward before she discarded it over the side of the bed. Daryl didn't speak. He just leaned forward and tugged her closer to him so that he could take one rose-coloured nipple into his mouth.

"Daryl!" she cried sharply, one hand coming up to fist in his hair to hold him to her chest. He felt the slight tug on his hair as her grip tightened and groaned against her skin. The need for her was growing unbearable. He pulled back and reached down to start on her pants. Realizing what he was trying to do, she pushed herself up on her knees and balanced herself by planting her hands on his shoulders. He worked the zipper of her jeans opened and tugged her jeans and panties down her hips. He growled in frustration as they only went part way down. The only solution was to flip them so that she was on her back and that was what he did. The new position allowed him to rip the jeans from her body and gave him his first view of a naked Carol.

She was glorious, her skin a creamy white that was splattered with freckles. She was flushed and breathing hard, her breasts heaving. Daryl's eyes were drawn to the area between her legs and he was overcome with the desire to taste her, to have her flood his lips and to give her a sensation that she had probably never known with another man.

He leaned down to that his beard could drag over her stomach as he kissed his way down her body. She gasped when she felt his mouth move against her and Daryl couldn't help but be encouraged to keep up the effort, sweeping his tongue over her dripping sex and flicking it against her clit. Soon, she was writhing on the bed, her hands gripping the sheets in a white knuckle grasp as she came. It was about the best thing that Daryl had ever experienced and he felt a bit of masculine pride over the fact that it was him that was making her come that way.

"Daryl," Carol mewled, reaching over to touch his jean-clad leg.

"Gonna make ya do that again…and again…and again," he promised. He unbuttoned his jeans and slipped them down his hips, letting his hard, throbbing member spring up. Her eyes widened slightly at the size of him and he wasted no time in lining himself up with her entrance.

Daryl's eyes fixated on Carol's face as he slid into her, inch by inch. He focused on the way her eyes became impossibly wide and the way her mouth fell open. He paused when he was fully seated inside of her warm, wet heat, and just watched her face as her body adjusted to him. She was overcome by a look of utter relaxation and contentment. She reached up to touch his cheek to drag him down for another kiss. He sank into it, letting her kiss ignite him. He moved slowly and carefully, still concerned for her needs. He wanted her to enjoy this. He wanted to hear her moans of pleasure and he wanted to feel her fingers digging into his skin.

Her moan told him that he was on the right track and he sped up a little, making his thrusts more deliberate. He could feel her moving with him and knew that she was enjoying this as much as he was. Daryl never wanted to be anywhere else. He would die a happy man if he got to spend the rest of his life in this moment where he was buried deep inside of this beautiful, incredible woman. Nothing could ruin this moment for him. Nothing.

RING! RING!

Daryl jerked out of his nap by a shrill sound that he only just recognized as the phone ringing. His head still foggy from sleep, he staggered to the living room and almost knocked the phone from its cradle. They only had the phone for work purposes in case their bosses needed to get a hold of them. Most times, it was a silent fixture in their home so Daryl couldn't imagine why it was ringing now.

"Hullo?" he asked, his voice thick with sleep.

"Daryl?"

The sound of Carol's voice on the other end woke him abruptly, taking him back to the more vivid parts of the dream that he had been ripped from. He swallowed hard and said her name in response, "Carol. What can I do for ya?" he wondered.

"I was just…I dunno. I just talked to Ed at the hardware store and…well…he was supposed to come to my sister's play tonight, but he bailed…so…uh, I thought that maybe, if you weren't doing anything, that maybe you might want his extra ticket. Maybe we could go together?" Carol asked amongst her stammering.

Daryl didn't have to think too hard on it. He relished the moments when he got to hang out with Carol without Ed breathing down their necks and without Merle scrutinizing their every move.

"Yeah," Daryl answered, "Yeah, I could go. Uh, when?"

"Seven?" Carol asked, "I'll meet you at the hall?"

"Sure. I'll get ready then," Daryl replied.

"Great," Carol said, sounding relieved, "I'll see you then."

Daryl hung up the phone and leaned against the side of the couch.

I thought you gave up on her, that traitorous voice in his head reminded him, I thought you agreed with Merle and said that you weren't meant for her.

Daryl shook his head and muttered, "She's just a friend," to the empty living room.

Right, the voice continued, taking on a sarcastic tone, Friends don't have sex dreams about friends. And they don't get hard over a thirty second phone conversation with each other.

Daryl glanced down at his pants and saw that he had indeed got excited by the sound of Carol's voice…or maybe it was her performance in the dream. Neither point mattered. It all boiled down to the same thing: he wanted Carol. Badly.

"Fuck," he swore at himself. He'd have to take care of that when he jumped in the shower.

0-TSR-0

Carol recognized Daryl's truck as soon as he pulled up. Main street was packed with cars on account of the play and Daryl had to park three buildings down. He didn't seem to mind, though, as he strolled up to her, dressed in his best dark pair of jeans and a forest green button-up shirt with long sleeves. Carol quirked a smile. She was wearing a green dress a couple of shades lighter than his shirt. They matched.

"Looks like a pretty good turn-out," Daryl observed as he approached. He didn't complain about having to park so far away and Carol found it to be a bit refreshing. Ed would have been cursing about the crowd, but Daryl just seemed a little more on guard, maybe tense, around the people.

Carol shook the thoughts off. It wasn't fair to compare the two men. They were so different.

"It is," Carol agreed, "Catherine's really excited about it."

"She ain't nervous?" Daryl asked, following her towards the doors.

"No," Carol answered, shaking her head, "Catherine's always been the more outgoing one…kind of the center of attention. She loves it."

"I'd be nervous," Daryl commented. He was already nervous, Carol observed. He kept his limbs in tight against his body, bound and determined not to touch anyone else as they waited to get inside the hall.

"I'd be nervous too," Carol replied in an effort to make him feel better, "I'm not a big fan of crowds or putting myself center stage. I like being behind the scenes."

He smiled a little at that and nodded his head, "Same. I like the quiet."

They entered the building a couple of moments later and made to find their seats. It was nothing real fancy. The Cranwall Hall was mostly used for wedding dances and funerals, but occasionally, it was the venue for the art's group to perform their plays. Chairs had been hauled out to the area that was usually the dance floor and were facing the stage. Carol and Daryl were waved over by Carol's parents and they took seats beside them.

"Daryl, good of you to come," Carol's father greeted him, reaching over to shake his hand.

"It was nice to be invited," Daryl said politely before shaking Rose's hand as well.

"I thought it might be a nice night out for you," Rose said, "I doubt you get too many nights to yourself."

"Not usually, Ma'am," Daryl admitted, "Usually I'm dog-tired from work."

"Did you work today, dear?" Rose asked him.

"Yes, Ma'am," Daryl answered, sitting down beside Carol.

"And I'd imagine that you're quite tired from that," Rose said, "and still, you decided to come out tonight. That's very kind of you."

"Ain't nothin'," Daryl shrugged his shoulders.

"What was Ed up to tonight?" Rose wondered, still speaking to Daryl. Carol supressed a groan. She knew she'd hear all about Ed not coming, but she hadn't expected her mother to bring it up around Daryl.

"Don't know. He and my brother took off up to Atlanta after work," Daryl answered.

"Convenient that Ed should go to the city on the very night he was supposed to meet us," Rose sniffed, "Honestly, it's almost as if he doesn't want anything to do with us."

"Mother, you know that's not it," Carol piped up.

"I don't know how we could think otherwise," Rose replied, shaking her head, "Daryl, what do you think of Ed?"

At this, Carol turned to look at her friend, wondering for a moment what exactly his opinion of Ed was. Daryl seemed to pause and sucked in air through his teeth.

"Uh, I don't know him that well," Daryl said carefully, "I usually…uh…steer clear of him."

The last part was the truth. Daryl never stuck around for long if Ed was in the room. Carol didn't know what to make of that. It was as almost as if he was scared of Ed, but Daryl never acted scared. He would just make an excuse and leave. It was odd. Rose was about to ask another question, but then the curtain opened and the play started.

0-TSR-0

Daryl didn't mind the play. He had read it in high school, but at the time, he hadn't really liked it. It was different seeing it performed. His eyes were first drawn to the set. He knew that Catherine was responsible for painting it and he found that she had done a good job. He could see details in the house that the Loman's lived in and the tall buildings of the city looming behind. She had done a good job. Her acting was also pretty good. If Daryl had been up on that stage, he would have either froze or thrown up.

Every so often, Daryl would glance over at Carol. She was engrossed in the performance and looked to be enjoying herself.

At the last curtain call, Daryl found himself standing along with the rest of the crowd as they clapped for the performers.

"It was good, wasn't it?" Carol asked him.

"Yeah," he agreed, "I liked it."

"Let's wait for Catherine," Carol suggested, taking his hand and tugging him to a less crowded part of the hall. He was surprised by her touch, but he welcomed it, knowing how rare it was for them to be able to touch. Daryl suspected that Carol was trying to get away from her parents for a moment. She turned to him and smiled, "She's a little bummed that she can't go out tonight, but there's some cast party tomorrow that she's allowed to go to."

"That's good," Daryl commented, "Ya goin' with her?"

"No. It's more for kids her age," Carol shrugged, "You doing anything after this?"

"Wasn't plannin' on it. You?" Daryl asked.

"I was going to meet Ed at one. That's when he said he'd be back," Carol answered, "but don't tell my parents, though. They don't exactly approve of me staying out late."

"Alright, but I doubt they're gonna be back by one," Daryl said doubtfully, "Merle's good for partyin' 'til four, five in the mornin'."

"Ed's not like that," Carol said quickly, almost like she was defending him. And if was kind of annoying because Daryl knew that Ed was exactly like that. He knew that Ed smoked, drank, and got high, and when he did, he would speak poorly about his girlfriend. That was why Daryl couldn't stand to be around Ed. Daryl's self-control was pretty good, but being around Ed made him want to punch the man's lights out.

Daryl said nothing in response. If he did say something, it would likely cause some trouble. He leaned back against the wall and shrugged his shoulders.

After a moment, Carol spoke again, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have snapped at you."

"That was you snappin'?" Daryl asked, raising his eyebrows at her.

"It's just that…my parents don't seem to like Ed at all and they don't care that I love him," Carol explained, "It feels like I'm always defending Ed to them and I really don't want to have to do the same thing with you."

Daryl wanted to tell her that she shouldn't have to defend Ed at all if he was half the man that he claimed to be. Ed wasn't worth it. Instead, Daryl opted to lie again, "Like I said, I don't really know the guy. Only know what I've been seein' this last month."

"And what have you been seeing?" Carol asked, looking up at him. Daryl thought about it. He really hated her boyfriend, but if he told her that, she would probably get pissed at him. He didn't want that and yet, he didn't want her to be totally ignorant of the fact that her boyfriend was an asshole. He suddenly really wanted a cigarette.

"He punched me in the face," Daryl said, "He don't help with no yard work or cleanin'. He ain't the best roommate out there, but Merle's bound and determined to make it work, so I gotta just suck it up and deal with shit."

"Daryl, he didn't mean to punch you-"

"I think he did," Daryl cut across her. There was a hurt look on her face and for a moment, he felt bad for making her look that way, but only for a moment, "And ya can think I'm an asshole all ya want for tellin' ya this, but it's the damn truth, Carol. Just 'cause a man is drunk don't give him an excuse to hit ya."

"He didn't know what he was doing," Carol maintained, "It's…it's complicated."

Daryl looked at her for a moment and knew that he had crossed a line. Her eyes were downcast and her voice was low. He sighed, "What'd'ya want me to say, Carol? Ya want me to lie to ya and say I like the guy? He ain't gave me no reason to sing his praises so I ain't gonna. I get that you're in love with him and all. So be it. If that's who ya choose, fine. I said my piece and I ain't gonna say no more on the subject. Ain't gonna judge ya or tell ya who ya oughta be with. I'll be your friend if ya still want me to, but just so we clear, just 'cause I'm your friend don't mean I'm his."

Carol was silent for a moment and Daryl felt like it was one of the most awkward moments of his life. He really should've kept his damn mouth shut. The possibility that he could lose her friendship sort of scared him, but what was the point if he had to pretend? Your friends are supposed to be able to see the real you, after all. At least that's what he always felt, which was part of the reason that he had never had any real close friends. He'd never let them see past his walls. He'd never let them in his mind because he was sure that they just couldn't take it. He had thought that Carol was different. He didn't know why, but he did. There was just something about her that made him want to bare his soul to her. Maybe that was a mistake.

Then she raised her blue eyes to his, making his heart skip a beat. To his surprise, she nodded her head and said, "I value our friendship, Daryl. I do. I feel like I can tell you things that I can't tell anyone else and I wouldn't trade that for the world. I just…Ed's my boyfriend and…"

"I said all I'm gonna say 'bout Ed Peletier," Daryl repeated, "and I ain't askin' ya to choose or nothin'. I'm just tellin' ya the answer to your question. I personally don't like him, but if you do, then I'm not gonna say anythin' else. I'll be civil to him outta respect for you…because…you're my friend."

Carol nodded and wrapped her arms around her thin frame, "Okay. Thank you."

Daryl forced a smile, but was saved from uttering anything else when Catherine came out of the dressing room.

"What did you think?" she squealed upon seeing them.

"It was great, Catherine," Carol said, giving her a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. Catherine didn't seem to notice and turned to Daryl, giving him a wide grin.

"Thanks for coming, Daryl!" she gushed, throwing her arms around him. Daryl stood there stiffly waiting for her to let go of him, which she did. Then she asked, "What did you think of the background props?"

"They looked da- They looked good," Daryl amended, cleaning up his language for the sixteen-year-old girl, "Ya done a good job on 'em. Looked better'n they did when I was carryin' 'em into your garage. Thought I was actually in a city for a moment there."

"I'm glad!" Catherine said brightly before turning back to her sister, "Where's Mom and Dad?"

"Over by the concession," Carol answered. Catherine was off in search of her parents, leaving Daryl and Carol alone once more.

"I guess we should follow," Carol said awkwardly. It made Daryl a little sad that their friendship had seemed to have regressed this way over his mouth.

"I guess," Daryl agreed. He followed her through the crowd to where her parents stood with Catherine. It was then that Daryl bade them both goodbye. He was more than ready to call it a night.

TBC

AN: Ah, trouble in paradise. Whatever will they do? A special happy belated birthday to Ace! Hope you enjoyed this!

Please let me know what you think so far! Thank you for all of the wonderful and kind support!