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.

Trigger warning: Violent situations.

Chapter 25

There were many things that Veronica Creedy wished that she had never done.

If she had known how it would all turn out, she never, ever would have said 'yes' when the star receiver on the football team asked her out. Still, she had been just fifteen at the time, a freshman being asked out by a junior.

And at first, Ed Peletier had been charming. Sweet.

It had started with little things, little insults about what she ate or wore. Then he began demanding to know who she was with at all times. She thought he was just being a protective boyfriend. How was she supposed to know that that wasn't normal?

And then there was the night when she finally gave in and gave her virginity to Ed, scared that he would move on to someone else if she held out any longer. After that, it was like he owned her, demanding that she be at his side and that she do anything he wanted. How was she supposed to know? It's not like she had anyone to tell her. After her father left, Veronica's mother had spent all her time at work or in church. Veronica couldn't talk to her mother at all.

And then the accident happened.

Ed had been drunk at a party they had gone to. That was the first time he hit her. They had argued and he got violent, hitting her and forcing her into his truck. Vernonica had buckled up. Ed hadn't. He went flying when the vehicle crashed into a tree. He spent weeks in the hospital and it was while visiting him that Veronica had seen the pamphlets about abuse. It was there that she realized she had to end it. She broke up with him. He accused her of seeing someone else. She had lied and said that she was.

For the next three years, Veronica dealt with the labels. She was called a flirt and the town bicycle at Ed's urging. Even though Ed was the only boy she had ever went steady with, she dealt with the labels. After graduating, she had vowed never to return to Cranwall and for about a year, she had been able to stay far away.

That vow was broken when her grandmother passed away three days prior. She had come home for the funeral, leaving the little apartment she was renting two states over. She had connected with a couple old friends, the ones who didn't believe the rumours, and they decided to go to the bar. It didn't matter that they weren't of age. Cranwall was too small of a town to care about age restrictions, much to the chagrin of a lot of parents.

Veronica had stopped cold when she saw Ed sitting at the bar with a large man with a broken arm. Then she brushed it off and went to have a good time with her friends. Ed didn't matter now. He wasn't a threat. He was dating Carol Ann Taylor now, poor girl. Veronica felt sorry for her. The poor thing had no idea what she was getting into with Ed.

After a couple of drinks, Veronica had needed to use the restroom and that was her mistake. Ed had appeared out of nowhere, dragging her out the door that the smokers used when they wanted to sit outside. There was no one around now and Ed took advantage, dragging her into a truck nearby. Veronica fought him, but she was no match. He overpowered her, knocking her out.

When she came to, they were no longer in the bar parking lot and she was undressed. She started to fight again, but Ed held her down while he pounded into her relentlessly. When he finished, Veronica started fighting again, scraping her nails down the side of his face. He got mad. He pulled her out of the truck and punched and kicked her.

Veronica lost consciousness, but her last thought before she did was that she should never have gotten involved with Ed Peletier and she should have run the moment she saw him sitting at that bar.

0-TSR-0

Daryl had been up with the sun. Merle was still passed out in his room and would likely remain there for a long while. As far as Daryl was concerned, he could stay there. He wasn't ready to deal with Merle's shit yet.

It had been a rough night for him and not just because of Merle and his missing truck. He had been pissed as all hell about Ed disappearing with his truck. He had half a mind to report it and have Ed arrested for stealing, but Daryl knew that wouldn't fly. Merle co-owned the truck and had given the prick permission to take the vehicle.

No, all night, Daryl's mind had been on Carol.

Part of him was relieved that she was making a choice. He had a feeling that this would be it, once and for all. That in itself would be a relief. There would be no more questions, no more hope building up only to get shot down.

The other part of him was terrified.

Despite everything that had happened between him and Carol, he still had doubts. He was no catch. He knew that. He had a few issues that kept him out of relationships in the past. He didn't trust easily and he wasn't comfortable with public displays of affection. The handful of women he had been with had been one-night-stands and drunken encounters. He knew what he was doing, thanks to Merle explicitly telling him how to make a woman scream out, but beyond rub this and stick tab A into slot B, Daryl was pretty much a fumbling fool that managed to fumble to the right spots. If Carol chose him…well, it would be Daryl's first real shot at a relationship and he didn't want to fuck it up.

He was also scared that she might decide to stay with Ed. Daryl could deal with it if she did. He had said that he would step back if she wanted to keep on with Ed and he would. Still, he knew that Ed was wrong for her. The image of those fingerprint bruises on her arm haunted him. He had seen worse, or course, and he had had worse, but he would never, ever wish that pain on her and he had a feeling that if she stayed with Ed, she would experience that pain. That scared Daryl more than anything. He didn't want to see that vibrant, kind, and caring spirit beat out of her by that asshole. He didn't want her to become his mother…who, in her final days, was beaten down and lifeless.

It was about quarter after eight when he heard the front door open. He knew right away that it was Carol. She was distinctive in that she entered softly and quietly. She hung her coat on a hook rather than throw it on the nearest surface. Her feet barely made noise as she padded across the floor.

Daryl met her in the living room, their eyes locking from across the room. In Daryl's opinion, she had never looked more beautiful, standing there in the rays of sunlight that streamed in through the front window. Her skin looked golden in the light and her hair shone. She had a soft smile on her face as she shrugged her shoulders. In that moment, he knew what decision she had come to.

He knew even before she removed Ed's ring from her hand and set it on the end table by the sofa. And though Daryl felt like jumping for joy, is feet remained planted to the laminate floor. He let her approach him. She stopped when she was a couple feet in front of him.

"You've made a choice," Daryl stated the obvious, not knowing what else to say. Still, there was hope in his voice.

"I have," Carol said, "I can't be with him anymore. He's…he's not the man I thought he was."

Daryl swallowed noisily. His palms were sweaty and his heart was pounding as he asked, "So what now?"

"I need to break up with him," Carol answered, "and then…then I don't know. It doesn't make sense for me to continue to live here after."

"We could kick him out," Daryl volunteered, "You could stay."

Carol smiled at his earnestness, but shook her head, "I couldn't. He was here first and I don't want to be the reason he gets kicked out."

Daryl felt his stomach churn. Of course, she would be reluctant to stay with her ex, but did that mean that she would be reluctant to pursue anything with anyone associated with her ex? He shuffled uneasily and asked, "And us?"

Carol reached over and took his hand. He didn't flinch or jerk away. He knew her touch now. Still, he looked at her with a hint of trepidation. He still didn't know where all of this left him.

"I know that I would like to figure out whatever this is between us," Carol told him, "but I don't want to move too fast. I don't want to be one of those girls that jumps from man to man."

"I don't want ya to be," Daryl said quickly, "If ya need time, I got a lot of it."

"Thank you," Carol said appreciatively, "I-"

She was interrupted by the rumbling of Daryl's truck pulling into the yard. Daryl frowned and announced, "Ed's back."

"Why does he have your truck?" Carol wondered.

"Ed and Merle went to the bar last night," Daryl explained, "Ed took my truck and left Merle at the bar. Had to call Kevin to pick him up."

Carol grimaced, "Sor-"

"Don't apologize for him," Daryl said firmly, "Ya don't gotta do that no more."

And then Carol's smile returned for a moment, "No, I don't," she agreed. She looked more confident. More sure of herself. It was a sight to behold. Daryl doubted that she ever had much say in the relationship and he guessed that she had probably had to apologize a lot for Ed's behaviour.

Ed was noisy when he entered the house, slamming the door loudly. Daryl resisted the urge to say anything. He was already pissed at Ed for taking his truck and putting a hole in the wall. Daryl was quite sure that if he said anything, another fight would result.

When Ed stepped into view, he looked like hell. His eyes were bleary and bloodshot. He clothes were dirty and torn in places. His fists were raw and there was a long scratch mark down the side of his face and neck. Daryl wondered what the asshole had gotten up to. Clearly it was nothing good.

Ed's eyes zeroed in on Carol and he grunted, "You're back."

"I am," Carol replied.

"Good. I'm gonna take a shower. I need some food," Ed grumbled, turning to shuffle back towards the bathroom.

"Ed, what happened to you-"

"Nothin'," Ed snapped, "Want breakfast when I'm out."

And then he slammed the bathroom door. Carol winced, "This is going to be a long day," she said, moving to the kitchen. Daryl reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder, stopping her from moving.

"Ya don't gotta cook for him no more," Daryl told her, "He's a big boy. He can make his own damn food."

For a moment, Carol looked a little unsure. Then she nodded and said, "You're right. When he get out of the shower, I think I'll tell him so."

Daryl smiled at her confidence and offered, "Coffee?"

"Sure."

0-TSR-0

Carol found herself feeling liberated as she shared a coffee with Daryl in the kitchen. Before, she would have been so worried about preparing Ed's perfect breakfast, but now…well…Daryl was right. Ed was a grown man and should be able to fend for himself.

Ed's behaviour when he came home reminded Carol of exactly why she didn't want spend the rest of her life with him. He didn't greet her. He only demanded that she fix breakfast for him. It gave her a pretty good idea of what married life could be like with him and it was a life she didn't want.

She felt like she was making the right decision. There was no sense in being miserable for the rest of her life…especially when she knew that she had a great man waiting in the wings. She trusted Daryl when he said that he was willing to take things slowly. Catherine had been right; Daryl had understood. He was the kind of man that would never dream of dragging a woman's name through the mud or forcing her into something that she wasn't ready for. He was an honorable one.

"If it's alright, I'd like to take ya out to dinner sometime this week," Daryl offered, "If ya want."

"I'd like that," Carol told him, smiling slightly. It occurred to her that they had never had a meal alone together. She felt like it would be a nice change. Daryl hid his smile behind his coffee cup, but Carol still saw it and she wanted to see more of it. She opened her mouth to speak, but was interrupted by Ed calling through the house.

"What's for breakfast?"

Carol cringed and got up out of her seat. This was it. Now or never.

"Carol?" Daryl asked questioningly, his brow crinkling in concern.

"I have to do this," Carol replied, squeezing his shoulder as she walked past him. She could feel his eyes on her as she stepped out into the living room. Ed was just walking down the hallway, looking cleaner and more presentable in clean clothes. Still, Carol's eyes lingered on the scratches on Ed's neck. She wondered how he had got them. Ed stopped and looked at her, raising his thick brow.

"Where's breakfast?" he asked.

"I didn't cook anything," Carol said softly, "We need-"

"I told you to cook somethin' up!" Ed protested, "Goddamn starved and you're doin' what? Just sittin' 'round-"

"She ain't your slave," Daryl stated. Carol glanced behind her and found Daryl there, leaning in the archway that separated the kitchen from the living room. There was fire in his eyes and his posture, though it appeared relaxed, reminded Carol of a wild animal, tense, alert, and ready to move at a moment's notice. Ed, on the other hand, looked livid.

"Would you just shut up?" Ed snapped, "Jesus Christ-"

"Ed, stop!" Carol commanded, startling both men into looking at her, "Ed, we need to talk," she stated, nodding back towards the hallway. Ed's lower lip curled unpleasantly, but turned and shuffled back towards his bedroom, stumbling a little as he went. Part of Carol wondered if Ed was still drunk.

It didn't matter if he was. It still wouldn't change her decision. If anything, him being drunk before nine in the morning just strengthened Carol's resolve to end things with him.

0-TSR-0

Daryl didn't like this one bit. He didn't like Carol and Ed disappearing behind Ed's door. He didn't like Ed's attitude or behaviour. He didn't like the way that Ed looked at Carol. This felt wrong. Really wrong, and he knew that it would only get worse when Carol broke up with Ed.

Daryl turned off anything that made noise and moved so that he could have a clear view of the hallway. He wanted to be able to react at a moment's notice. He wanted to be there for Carol the second that she needed him.

He wasn't deterred when Merle came staggering out of his room.

"What's all the damn noise 'bout, Boy?" Merle wondered, scowling at the bright light of the sun. Daryl didn't answer. He just kept his eyes locked on the second door to the left.

"Asked ya a question, Boy-"

"Ain't in the mood to deal with your shit, Merle," Daryl barked.

"Jeez, ya PMS-in' or somethin'-"

"SHHH!" Daryl hissed, straining to hear down the hallway.

0-TSR-0

"What the hell is this?" Ed grumbled as soon as the door closed, "When I ask for somethin' to be done, I expect it done."

Carol turned to face him and found that he still had that scowl on his face. She knew that this was going to be difficult. He was in one of his moods. Carol gulped and said, "We need to talk, Ed."

Ed stared at her for a long moment, his eyes narrowed to slits. Finally, he snapped, "So talk."

With a deep breath, Carol said, "I don't think this is working anymore."

Ed moved quickly, much more quickly than she had expected. Suddenly, he was right in her face and his hand closed around her right arm, right over the bruises he had caused the day before. His breath smelled like whiskey and Carol knew then without a doubt that he was still drunk.

"You breakin' up with me?" he demanded, his hold tightening on her arm.

"Ed, you're hurting me," Carol gasped, trying to pull free.

"I asked you a question," Ed growled,

"I am breaking up with you," Carol answered his question, her voice shaking slightly in uncertainty. She didn't know how he would react to that.

"No you ain't," Ed growled, stepping closer to her. Carol instinctively stepped back. Ed stepped forward again and Carol stepped back once more. They continued this until Carol felt her back against the wall.

"I am-"

"You are mine," Ed snapped dangerously, his voice low and firm.

"I can't be yours anymore, Ed," Carol told him, trying again to wiggle out of his gasp. He just held on harder.

"Is it Dixon?" Ed demanded, "You fuckin' him?"

"No, it's not Daryl-"

SMACK!

Carol was too shocked to register that Ed just hit her across the face. It happened fast and it felt more numb than anything.

"Don't you fuckin' lie to me!" Ed hissed. Carol stared at him, speechless. She was starting to feel the sting on her left cheek. Then Ed was demanding again, "You fuckin' Dixon?"

"N-no, Ed-"

This time it wasn't a slap. It was a full on punch that had Carol seeing stars. Her knees gave out, but Ed's vice-like grip on her arm held her up. He pulled her towards the bed and pushed her down on it.

"You're fuckin' lyin'!" Ed snarled, "Ya ain't gonna be no fuckin' whore and ya ain't leavin' me! You're mine!"

He was tearing at her clothes, fighting with the clasp on her jeans.

"Ed, stop!" Carol cried out, fighting against him. She registered the door slamming opened before feeling another of Ed's punches to her face. Things were fuzzy, but Ed's weight was suddenly pulled off of her. There was shouting and grunting and the sound of flesh meeting flesh. A strong hand in hers helped Carol to sit up. Her vision was blurry, but she could see Daryl and Ed rolling around on the ground, hitting each other.

Merle was tugging Carol's hand, trying to get her to stand. She tried, but as soon as she stood, her head was spinning. She staggered a bit, but then she was pulled against Merle's body, his good hand releasing hers to snake under her armpit and around her back. She leaned heavily against him as he helped her out of the room.

TBC

AN: Update 4 of 4. Once again, I have updated in bulk. I'm hoping that this will be the last time I have to do this so I can update more regularly. I realize that it's been a while when people message me to ask me if I'm okay. This batch took longer than I anticipated as real life got crazy with work, vehicle fires, insurance claims, and something that was either food poisoning or the flu.

So, as promised, Ed is on his way out now. Let me know what you think!