Chapter 21

Carol was late getting home the next day.

She had the shift from hell at the Harvest Garden. Jacqui came in with the news that her husband had got a job in Atlanta for some big business and the family was relocating. She also came in with a girl to be her replacement to make things easy on their boss. She was Jacqui's neighbour's daughter and she was a complete clutz. Carol didn't like to think badly of others, but it was a little hard to be positive about the woman who had spilled coke down Carol's front during the noon rush. Carol had spent half the day in a sticky, stained uniform and by the time that she was finally cleared to leave, she had had several bites from bugs attracted to the sugar in the pop. All she wanted was a shower and a nap.

"Carol Ann, where've you been?" Ed called from the living room when she walked in the front door, "Damn near starved!"

"I had a long day at the restaurant," Carol supplied as she took off her shoes and set them outside so that they wouldn't attract bugs into the house, "I'm going to throw a pizza in and then I'm going to go shower."

A frozen pizza, while not the most appetizing meal, was all that Carol really had the effort for at this point. She passed through the living room, noting that Ed and Merle were both sitting in front of the television drinking a beer.

"Merle, have you had your pills?" Carol asked as she passed through.

"Daryl gave 'em when he got home," Merle grumbled sourly. Carol cringed a little at his tone and did not press the matter. She would tell that it was bothering him that he had to rely on others to help him while his arm was out of commission. It had really bothered him when Daryl had asked Carol to make sure Merle got his pills seeing as how she was usually the last one to leave in the morning and the first one home in the evening. It had been an awkward conversation Tuesday night at dinner where Daryl had spoken more to the table than he had to her and Merle had stormed off in anger and frustration. That was the most that Daryl had spoken to her all week.

Carol shook it off and went about turning the oven on and putting the pizza in so that she could go for her shower. When she got there, clothes in hand, she found that the shower was already occupied, as was the norm whenever Daryl got home. She was just about to return to the living room when she heard the shower stop, so she decided to wait just outside the door, knowing that it wouldn't be much longer before Daryl came out. She was right, of course, when the bathroom door opened and Daryl stepped out, wearing a pair of grey sweatpants that hung low on his waist and a towel around his neck. Carol swallowed hard as her eyes roamed over his lean torso, noting the tattoo over his chest and the way his muscles twitched and flexed. His eyes widened in surprise as he saw her standing there.

"Uh…hey…didn't know ya was waitin'," Daryl stammered.

"I just got here, actually," Carol assured him, gesturing to her stained uniform, "I…was just…"

"Showerin'," Daryl said, his voice coming out a bit higher-pitched than normal, "Right. Sorry."

He scooted out of the way, keeping his back to the wall as he moved to let her pass. Carol smiled at him and said, "Thank you, Daryl. Um, do you think you could check on the pizza I put in the oven?"

"Yeah. Yeah, of course," Daryl promised her, nodding his head before he ducked into his room.

0-TSR-0

Daryl couldn't get into his room fast enough. He was convinced that he had acted like a total idiot in front of Carol, stammering and shuffling about, but in all fairness, she had startled him. He hadn't expected her to be there and it was a bit disarming, especially given the fact that he had just realized that he was in love with he a couple of hours before. Daryl was now sure that Kevin was right; Daryl did love Carol. He had to because how else could he explain the way his heart jumped to his throat as soon as he saw her or how he had an overwhelming urge to take her into his arms and hold her like he had the previous night. Daryl had never wanted to do that with anyone before…not even with the few women that he had been with in the past. One glance at her had Daryl wanting more…wanting too much.

He shook his head in an effort to clear his muddled thoughts, but it all came back to the fact that Daryl was in love with Carol. She was so close, just down the hall in the bathroom, probably standing beneath the shower spray as droplets of water made tracks down her body. Oh how Daryl wanted to join her…how he wanted to show her things that she had never known before. He wanted her badly, to the point where he was aching for her.

'Well, if you want her so damn bad, then maybe you ought to go after her. Steal her away from that undeserving bastard and make her yours,' that voice in his head urged him on. Strangely enough, that voice sounded a lot like Kevin and Daryl was losing the fight with himself. Maybe it was time to let it be known that he wished to be a contender for Carol's affections. Maybe it was time to go after something that he wanted.

"This could get ugly," Daryl warned himself as he slipped on a t-shirt.

'But you'll never know if you don't try.'

He let out a breath and then stepped out of his room. The bathroom door was still closed and Daryl could still hear the sound of the shower running. Of course, he should have expected nothing less. He made his way through the house, rolling his eyes as he passed the living room where Ed and Merle were watching sports. At Ed's urging, they had caved and started paying for cable…well…Merle was paying for cable. Daryl refused to on the principle that he didn't watch the damn TV anyways. He stepped into the kitchen and was greeted by the smell of pizza. He checked on it and then left it to cook as he got out plates for him, Carol, and Merle. He figured that Ed could get his own damn plate.

By the time that Carol entered the kitchen, dressed in a pair of PJ pants and a blue tank-top with her hair up in a towel, the pizza was finished cooking and Daryl had it on the three plates, ready to be served.

"Smells good," Carol complimented him, "Why's there only three plates?"

"Ed's got legs," Daryl mumbled. He had meant for it to come out defiant, but instead, it had come out muffled as he spoke to the counter more than he spoke to Carol. She was quiet for a moment and then she spoke.

"Daryl-"

"Good! Pizza's done," Merle crowed, bounding into the kitchen. He went directly to the counter for one of the plates, coming between Daryl and Carol to do so. Merle tended to enjoy meals that he could eat one-handed, like chicken or sandwiches or pizza. He grew frustrated with things that required a knife and a fork.

"Pizza," Ed scoffed as he followed Merle inside, "Was expectin' a decent damn dinner on a Friday night. Not this frozen shit."

"Guess we can't always get what we want, huh, Ed?" Daryl taunted, gathering up the two remaining plates and carrying them towards the table, setting one down in front of Carol's chair as he took his spot.

"You'd know, wouldn't you, Dixon?" Ed sneered at Daryl before he turned to Carol, "Grab me a piece, Babe."

"Ya got legs. You get it," Daryl shot at Ed before Carol could move.

"Carol, pizza," Ed ordered, sitting his fat ass down on his chair. Daryl's blood boiled as Carol obediently fixed Ed's plate for him, setting it down in front of him before she sat in her chair. She shot Daryl a small smile.

"Thanks for getting me a slice, Daryl."

Almost as soon as she said it, Ed reached over and slid her plate out from in front of her, "Ya should be eatin' a salad, Darlin'. Gotta fit in a weddin' dress after all."

Daryl clenched his fists and Carol glanced down at her lap, silently taking it.

"She looks damn fine to me," Daryl snapped, reaching across to slide Carol's plate back in front of her.

"Exactly," Ed shot back, reaching for the plate again, "I'd hate for her to gain weight and have to have her dress taken out. My father is payin' good money for that dress after all."

"Pfft. If anyone should be worryin' 'bout losin' weight, it's you," Daryl scoffed, shaking his head as he reached for the plate again. Ed jerked it out of his reach.

"Why don't you mind your own goddamn business, Dixon? What goes on between a man and his future wife ain't your concern. Ain't that right, Merle?" Ed asked Merle, who was about two bites away from the crust of his slice. Merle looked carefully at Ed and then at Daryl, levelling him with a hard stare. Daryl knew what was coming.

"Ed's right, Boy. Leave the weddin' talk to the ones gettin' hitched," Merle said, confirming Daryl's suspicions. Daryl shook his head.

"Pathetic," he muttered as he got to his feet, "Just fuckin' pathetic."

He carried his plate with his untouched piece of pizza to the counter. Merle stood up, "What was that, Brother."

"Ya heard me," Daryl snapped as he pushed two more pieces of pizza onto his plate and wrapped it with the plastic wrap, "Puttin' my pizza in the fridge and I'm goin' for a damn walk," he announced sourly, doing just that as he stormed off. If he didn't get out of there, he was either going to do or say something that would get him in trouble.

He was irritated with all of them. Ed was just fuckin' annoying. Carol wouldn't stand up to the bastard. Merle was selling out and agreeing with Ed for the sake of the money. It was all so damn stupid and he was sick of it.

He was sick of getting his hopes up and finding the will to try only to be cut down by Ed and Merle. He was sick of having to watch Carol wither under Ed's control when he knew that she could be so much more than a housewife. He was sick of being on the sidelines.

Kevin was right. It was time to do something.

It was time to fight for what he wanted.

0-TSR-0

"Really, you should have just cooked a decent meal," Ed grumbled as he got ready for bed, "I don't know why Dixon figures he needs to stick his nose where it don't belong."

"Daryl was just being nice-" Carol started her defence only to be cut off.

"He's being nice to get into your pants," Ed sneered, "How many times do I have to tell you that he ain't a good guy? He's just a dirty, sleezy, redneck that thinks he can take what's mine."

Carol stayed silent, knowing that defending Daryl would just put Ed onto one of his rants, something that he did more and more these days. He would tell her how worthless Daryl was and how he wanted to steal Carol away.

Carol couldn't get a word in edgewise whenever he got like that and even if she could, it's not like she could tell him what had transpired last weekend between her and Daryl. She still remembered what he had said after the kiss…

"I know that you're with Ed, and even though he don't deserve ya, I ain't the kind to try to steal another man's girlfriend away. That ain't me so…so I'm gonna leave it there. If ya wanna stay with him, fine, I'll step back…but…but if ya don't…at least ya know that ya got more options than just him."

That little speech had spoken volumes about what kind of man Daryl was. He wasn't what Ed was making him out to be and that was frustrating Carol. She knew the real Daryl Dixon. She knew what a kind, considerate, and honorable man he was and yet, she couldn't defend him, not without revealing the kiss to Ed, something that he would surely be upset about. It wasn't a position that she wanted to be in…although, that was becoming a common theme in her life right now. She was stuck in all kinds of positions that she did not want to be in.

"I'm going to go make myself a glass of warm milk," Carol announced, "If I can get a good sleep, maybe I can keep this cold away."

Ed grunted in acknowledgement and Carol took the opportunity to leave the room. It was another excuse, of course. She wasn't getting sick, but she knew that if she told Ed that she was, he would avoid her for fear of getting sick himself. The nice thing was that she could use that excuse again tomorrow night.

She made her way to the kitchen, hoping to whip herself up something without Ed hearing. She had wanted a piece of pizza at dinner and the salad she had made for herself while Ed and Merle ate hadn't been very satisfying. As she entered, she found that the kitchen was occupied by Daryl, who was sitting at the kitchen table with a rag cleaning some parts of something she didn't recognize.

"We have to stop meeting like this," Carol joked, offering him a smile. He gave her a half-smile in return.

"Figured ya would've been in bed by now," Daryl commented, focusing once again on his task.

"I got hungry," she admitted sheepishly, "I thought I'd whip something up."

"There's that pizza I put in the fridge…if dumb and dumber didn't eat it all," Daryl commented.

"That's not very nice, Daryl," Carol told him, "and I couldn't eat your pizza."

"I got three slices on that plate," Daryl responded, "Pretty sure I can spare some."

Carol nodded her head and reached into the fridge to get the pizza Daryl had set aside. She decided to warm all three slices figuring that Daryl hadn't ate yet. After it was done, she took the plate to the table and sat down.

"What are you doing?" she asked as she carefully took one of the warm pieces of pizza. Daryl set the rag on the table and reached for one of the remaining slices.

"Cleanin' my crossbow," he said, "Like to take it out and shoot."

"I didn't know you had a crossbow," Carol commented.

Daryl shrugged, "I mostly keep it in my room under the bed. I don't get a lot of time to go shootin' with it these days. Figured maybe I'd go out tomorrow. Blow off some steam."

They silently ate their pizza as Carol digested his words. She couldn't help but think about the disaster that dinner had been.

"Daryl?"

"Hmm?"

"Today at dinner…you…why…"

"Everybody needs to eat and of us all, you're the last one that needs to be starvin' herself," Daryl said, "You're…you're perfect the way ya are."

Daryl averted his gaze and used his pizza-free hand to fiddle with a piece of the crossbow. Carol could see the blush rising on his neck. It was by far one of the sweetest things that anyone had ever said to her, "Thank you, Daryl."

Daryl shrugged his shoulders as he finished off his pizza, crust and all, in three bites. They sat in silence again before Daryl reached over and pushed the remaining piece of pizza towards Carol.

"I'm okay," Carol refused with a small smile.

"Take it," Daryl insisted, now focusing more of his efforts on the crossbow, putting it back together so it actually resembled the weapon.

"Why do you have a crossbow?" Carol asked curiously.

"Good for huntin'," Daryl answered, "Merle gave me it when I was sixteen. He had come back home while he was on leave and handed me this."

"On leave?"

"He joined the military when he was eighteen. Served a couple years until he was discharged," Daryl supplied, "Merle ain't the type to bow down to no one and his superiors didn't like it."

"I kind of noticed that about Merle," Carol agreed, "He seems to be having a bit of a hard time lately."

"Think it's finally sinkin' in," Daryl said, pausing in his movements to look her in the eye, "He's startin' to realize that the doctor weren't foolin' 'bout this bein' a serious injury. He's findin' that shit's hard with only one hand and if the doc's right and there is nerve damage, he's gonna be this way for the rest of his life."

"That's got to be a scary thought," Carol murmured.

"Ain't never seen Merle licked by somethin' like this before," Daryl said, "It's weird havin' to take care of him."

"When does he find out about his hand?" Carol wondered.

"We got an appointment next Tuesday," Daryl told her, "Doc there's gonna make sure things are healin' right."

"I hope it goes well," Carol said.

"Not much can beat Merle," Daryl replied, resuming his work on the bow, "Feed him a hammer and he'd crap out nails, my brother."

Carol laughed, "That's a charming thought."

"Well, he's a charmin' guy," Daryl chuckled.

"You got a bit mad at him at dinner," Carol remembered, "What was that about?"

Daryl was silent for a moment, organizing his thoughts as his hands worked. Carol waited patiently for him to speak. Finally, he looked up at her through his fringe of hair.

"Merle…Merle's so damn concerned 'bout money these days," Daryl said, "He's willin' to agree with whatever bullshit that comes out of Ed's mouth 'cause he wants Ed to stay to keep payin' part of the rent. I'm getting' sick of it. He don't…he don't much approve of me spendin' time with you."

"Oh," was all Carol could say to that, "Why?"

"Reckon it's 'cause Ed's the jealous type and Merle don't want me pissin' Ed off," Daryl shrugged. The pair were silent for a moment and Carol was tempted to tell Daryl what she had learned about Ed from Helen yesterday. She knew that he would listen to her and she really wanted to tell someone. She missed having her sister under the same roof.

"I…I was talking to Helen at the diner yesterday," Carol started, "She told me that Ed used to date her friend. She…she told me stuff."

Daryl perked up, "Like what?"

"She said that Ed was conceited…jealous. She said that he cheated on her friend and when her friend broke up with him, he followed her around," Carol explained, feeling a bit lighter once she had shared her news.

"Asshole," Daryl muttered, "Why're ya marryin' him again?"

Carol leaned back so that she was staring up at the dusty ceiling fan, "I don't know," she admitted, "I just…it's complicated."

"It's only as complicated as ya make it," Daryl told her.

"All my life, my mother always preached on about how important it was to have a husband and how important it was to honor and obey him," Carol explained, "and now…"

"Ed ain't ya husband yet," Daryl pointed out.

"He might as well be," Carol said softly, her eyes still glued to the ceiling, "It's…he…we…"

"Just 'cause ya had sex with him don't mean ya gotta marry him," Daryl blurted out.

Carol snapped her head to look at him, her cheeks colouring as she stammered, "What?"

Daryl's cheeks were just as red as he realized that he had spoken his mind and he tried to backtrack, "What I mean is…dammit…I…well…um…yeah…shit. Sorry."

They stared at each other for another moment before Daryl tried again.

"He's the first guy ya dated right?"

"Yeah," Carol answered.

"Well…just 'cause he's the first don't mean he should be the last," Daryl got out, "That's what I meant."

"But…I…um…"

"Goddamn, I'm an idiot," Daryl groaned, running his hand over his red face, "I'm sorry."

"You're not an idiot," Carol defended, "It's just…a little personal…"

"I know, but…I know ya ain't happy with him…I…I could hear it-"

"Hear it?" Carol questioned, "Hear what?"

Daryl's face got redder, if that was possible, and then he blurted, "I can hear it through the wall when…uh…"

The colour completely drained from Carol's face. Daryl could hear through the wall? Carol felt sick. She hadn't known that Daryl…and possibly Merle…could hear whatever went on in Ed's bedroom. They would have heard everything that had happened between them. Daryl would have heard.

"You heard…"

"Yeah," Daryl confirmed, "Sorry…I weren't tryin' to listen, but…"

"I'm so embarrassed," Carol moaned, burying her head in her hands.

"Don't be," Daryl said quickly, "Ain't your fault."

Carol felt Daryl's hand on her arm in sort of a comforting gesture. It was actually comforting in a way and Carol lowered her hands from her face, "Do you think…do you think he knows…"

"Wouldn't put it past him," Daryl said.

"I feel sick," Carol admitted. Now she couldn't help but wonder if Ed had known about it and had used it to taunt Daryl. It was no secret that the two of them didn't like each other and this week, Ed had seemed to show her special attention whenever Daryl was around. It was sick.

"It's alright. I tried to steer clear…" Daryl was saying, "but I did hear…and well…it ain't soundin' like ya…uh…enjoy it much…and uh…if ya don't like bein' with him, then…well ya…ya shouldn't."

Carol nodded numbly and said, "I…uh…I think I'm gonna sleep on the couch."

"Ya don't gotta," Daryl said quickly, "Ya can take my bed again-"

"I don't want to put you out-"

"Ya wouldn't be," Daryl assured her, "Go ahead. I'm just finishin' up with my bow so…yeah…you go ahead, Carol."

He smiled a bit at her, assuring her that it was okay. Finally, she nodded and got up. Before she went anywhere, though, she moved around to his side of the table and kissed his cheek. She left him sitting there, dumbstruck, as she fled the room so he wouldn't be able to see her blush.

AN: Update 3 of 3. So Daryl and Carol are trying to figure out how to move forward now. Daryl wants to pursue her, but first Carol needs to get rid of Ed Peletier. The next time I update, Ed will be on his way out.