Hope everyone had a good Father's Day!

Daryl grimaced stepping out into the sun. He wasn't prepared to deal with people this early in the day. Basically he just didn't want to deal with anyone for any reason. Escaping to the woods seemed like a good idea but he knew it'd be for not. Before he'd even be able to make it to the gates he'd be tackled and dragged to the ground. Either Sophia, Brian, Merle, or Mac would throw a fit or all. Most likely all. Everyone of those bastards were plotting against him.

He had a wife now? When the fuck was that decided? He felt like his heart was going to pound out of his chest with all this being dumped in his lap at once. Well mostly it was just Carol in his lap. Fuck. That thought wasn't helping anything and he needed to stop it right there. Carol was not in his fucking lap nor would she be. The woman likely thought he was an asshole and was just being nice because of her daughter.

No he didn't think she was like that. He didn't think that she would just be nice because of one good deed. He knew enough to know that she'd had it rough before. Getting away and being free from all that would make a difference. He'd like to believe she wouldn't tolerate someone being a piece of shit to her. Hell he'd seen her snap and sneer at his brothers. She'd gave just as good as she got.

"Daryl."

Looking up he huffed seeing Merle. "What?"

"Nice to see you to you little bastard." Merle snapped while still smiling, "Carol good to see you."

Carol smiled sweetly at Merle and like that he watched as his brother was charmed. He wasn't sure how Carol could do that so easily. Hell it even worked on Mac and he'd seen the same quality in her daughter. It didn't take but a second for Sophia to have Daryl himself charmed in those woods when their eyes met. He wasn't a bit surprised to see the same damn quality in her mother.

"So Carol, about Rick, do you think that peter puffer is going to be an issue?" Merle straight to the point.

Carol sighed and rubbed her face before shaking her head, "No, I don't think so. He has everyone's concerns and his own families to contend with. He isn't stupid."

"Better not be." Merle sneered before walking away.

Carol looked at Daryl grabbing his arm before they got much further. Pausing he seen Rick and them already standing there waiting. He felt eyes on him but ignored it. Carol studied him.

"What do you think?"

Raising a brow, "About them coming here?"

Carol nodded and tightened her grip like she could sense him wanting to pull away. Instead she stepped closer to him.

"Yes. I think it's for the best. They're strong, Daryl." Carol looked around as some of the people who had yet to face reality walked around. He followed her eyes but they went back to her quickly. He smiled at the fire he seen in her eyes, "Rick is use to leading. He's use to having to be strong and take the weight of decision. I think it'd be good for him to not have to lead."

"That's good then because Merle won't let that happen. Regardless of what Rick wants." Daryl warned, "If he comes here it isn't to lead."

Carol nodded, "I know."

She let go of him and he finally turned heading towards his brothers and the prison group. Hershel was there smiling at him. He was always smiling but there was something there this time that made him flush and look away. Carol done the same and like that he was curious if some asshat told Hershel they were fucking married.

A boy no older than Sophia slammed into Carol suddenly his arms going around her. "We've missed you!"

Daryl just eyed the boy and side stepped any introduction. He felt Carol almost catch the back of his shirt but skirted around her. Sure he'd been at the prison he made no attempt at getting to know the people there. He'd seen the kid but he didn't know who the hell he was or anything about him. He liked it that way.

Brian was there instantly, "This is bullshit!" He snarled his eyes wild. "Who the fuck said any of this was alright?"

Daryl watched as his nephew paced all fire and rage. Stretching and bouncing on the balls of his feet he rolled his shoulders trying to unknot his muscles. He was still stiff from packing the deer back.

"Care to explain?"

Brian turned on him and started gesturing wildly, "Merle over there barking out orders at me like I'm one of his butt buddy soldiers."

Daryl's eyes went to Merle. The man was watching them both and Daryl arched a brow at him. Merle grinned and Daryl growled knowing that he found it funny that Brian was blowing up on him. Why was it always him? Why not Mac or fuck even Hannah?

"What the fuck is this over?"

Brian looked at him like he was stupid and pointed a finger towards where a gathering of people were. "THE SAME GODDAMN THING SOPHIA IS PISSED OVER!"

"Stop fucking yelling at me and answer my question, right now." Daryl barked.

Brian took a breath and looked at him. It wasn't often that Daryl raised his voice to his nephew or let his anger break through. He tried to keep that part of him pushed down. He didn't like blowing up on him or Sophia.

"That whore over there was saying shit about Carol because she heard Mac say you two were coming down here. She went over there and was saying to those other roach motels that they were letting the trash in with you for the meeting and that if Carol was allowed in then they should be too." Brian sneered, "She is trying to start a goddamn riot and Merle ran me off and Sophia is still over there!"

Daryl's eyes immediately starting searching for the girl. If that bitch said one thing to her he would take her fucking head off. He felt his anger rising and looked down suddenly seeing smug satisfaction on Brian's face. He knew what he'd caused.

"Where is she?" He all but snapped out his voice carrying.

A few heads turned towards them but it was Carol who claimed his attention.

"What's going on?"

Daryl fought reacting to her hand on his side. Her fingers flexed over his ribs. It wasn't a strong hold on him but it was enough to keep him from ripping her off him.

"Brian fucking answer me."

Brian pointed and Daryl shifted but Carol followed, "Carl go find your father."

Brian was shadowing him and Carol was as well. Daryl stormed towards the women and could heard a voice that was vicious and cutting. Sophia wasn't pulling any punches.

"You think we didn't hear what you said about her?"

Carol looked at him but Daryl was already through the crowd. They parted like the thought of getting in his line of fire was a death sentence.

"Listen honey I know you think you know what is best..."

Daryl growled stepping right in front of Sophia and cutting off Karen and her friend. "What the fuck did I tell you?" His voice came out harsh carrying a storm with it. Karen's eyes flashed with unease and then to his side. They hardened and he sneered feeling his anger bleeding into his every limb. "I warned you that if you said one more goddamn word to her or about her mother..."

"Now Daryl-" Karen smiled, "She came over here and started throwing a tantrum."

"I DON'T GIVE A FUCK!" He barked startling her. "You're a grown ass woman arguing with her! Grow the fuck up you piece of shit."

Carol crossed her arms over her chest her arms flush against his own. "What is your issue with my daughter? I've been told you have a thing for Daryl here and common sense dictates you would try to be nice to his child but you seem to lack that."

Karen's face flushed and she made a face, "She needs manners and discipline, clearly."

Daryl's arm shot out capturing Carol around her chest. His arm was just below her breast as her chest heaved, "The only damn lesson that you need to remember, Karen, is that MY family is off limits to you. IN ALL ASPECTS!"

Daryl turned them lifting Carol off her feet as he done it. Brian was grinning like a lunatic and so was Sophia. He had the sinking suspicion that they'd been set up. He released Carol just as they took a step. He didn't like feeling so many eyes on him but ignored it.

"Where are your rings?" Karen's voice was smug, "I mean you're husband and wife, right?"

Carol moved quicker than he expected, not that he expected her to react the way she did to begin with, and was already storming towards Karen. Karen had a look on her face that Daryl would later it was complete security that he'd grab her. He also realized that he didn't, on purpose. He could have easily caught up to Carol in two strides but something in him wanted to see just what she was going to do.

"Bitch." Carol hissed.

Karen's eyes widened and then a loud crack met his ears. It made him cringe. It made his eyes water seeing the sickening way Karen's head shot back and blood splattered. One thing was for sure Carol could throw a fucking punch. Karen toppled to the ground like the sack of shit she was and Carol was over her instantly.

"I warned you, whore." Carol hissed her words with more venom than he thought possible. "Do not test me."

Daryl caught her around the waist and hoisted her up over his shoulder just as Karen's eyes opened. Blood coated her face and bruising was already starting to show. If the bitch had a dick he was sure it'd be knocked in the damn dirt right now. Brian whooped and high fived Sophia as he spun but his glare caused both of them to run off instantly.

"Daryl put me down." Carol's voice was petulant.

"No Tyson." He growled, "You, like your daughter, seem to like hitting that woman."

Carol made a noise and slapped his arm, "If she wasn't an insufferable twat."

He hummed and dropped her at her feet at the door. He knew that Mac, Merle, Rick, Martinez, and god knows who else just stood and watched as he marched right by them. He didn't give a fuck. He wasn't going to be responsible for Carol mauling and killing the woman. As nice as it was seeing her lay the bitch out he knew her hand was going to be fucking hurting in no time.

Carol huffed at him and he pointed, "Walk."

Mac appeared, "Don't worry Carol he gets pissy like this everytime he's on his period."

"Suck my dick."

Mac turned as his arm went over Carol's shoulder and the rest of the others walked in. The meeting was starting, "If you talk nice to her she might, me though- I'm clearly not your type."

Carol muttered something and then slapped Mac right in the side of the head, "Get of me."

"Oh ho ho I'm sorry I didn't realize you only allowed your husband to hug you and not your brother in law." Mac whined but walked away laughing. "GONNA BE A GOOD DAY BOYS LOOK ALIVE! Let's get this shit started and wrapped up I'm hungry."

"Mac you just ate." Merle snapped.

"Yeah well Taco Bender over here has me hungry again."

Martinez chuckled and smiled at Carol as he went by, "Nice right hook."

Carol flushed and looked at Daryl. He sighed and took a seat. She set right by him and Rick raised a brow.

"Hell Rick you missed the wedding!" Mac spoke suddenly.

Daryl groaned and Merle snorted.

Rick tilted his head, "Wedding?"

"Yeah it was love at first hit and run." Mac motioned to Carol and Daryl, "They're husband and wife now."

Rick's eyes widened and Carol glared at Mac, "You're a bastard."

"No darlin' I know who my daddy was." He grinned at her.

Carol sighed and rubbed her face wincing at the movement of her bruised knuckles. Rick was staring at him hard and Daryl looked over. Rick looked like he was trying to decipher the codex of the world but couldn't fathom what he was missing. He figured the man was protective of her but he also knew he wasn't wrong when he told Carol that Rick liked her. Fuck her own daughter told her. He just chuckled and shook his head. He wasn't going to explain shit to this man. He wasn't in here to talk about him or Carol anyways.