Sorry for the wait. :D

Carol rolled over on to her stomach and nudged Daryl. He groaned and shifted his weight dropping over her slightly as he rolled. His thigh was on the back of her leg and it drawed her into the comfort of his body. The heat didn't even bother her as her skin pressed against his. As his breath fanned sleepily against her over sensitized body.

She didn't remember dozing off but apparently she had. She'd fell asleep right there on top of him. When she'd woken up his arm was banded around her keeping her steady. When she'd dropped over on to her stomach he'd immediately readjusted his body to fit against her. It was surprising because she didn't take Daryl as a cuddler but here they were.

Carol rolled over and moved to the edge of the bed just as he started to shift. He was waking up. She didn't have the doubts she would have had before when she was younger. Daryl was a man to use someone. No, she trusted him and nothing was going to shake that.

Carol jumped when he was suddenly by her. She hadn't even felt the bed move or him make a noise. He yawned and rolled his shoulders before looking at her. She blushed when she realized he had nail marks covering a good portion of his torso. She could only imagine the stuff his brothers would say if they were to see that. Maybe she should trim her nails so that she didn't claw him up so bad.

"What's that look for?" his voice was rough and tired.

Carol looked at him while raising her fingers and tracing some of the marks on him. He followed her fingers with his eyes and then looked back to her. He arched a brow and she blushed.

"I'm sorry."

"I'm not."

Carol looked up at him then, she really looked like she hadn't even let herself before. Daryl wasn't just some random fling. She knew that. He wasn't the type to sleep around and frankly neither was she. It meant more than that but she wanted to hear him say it.

He watched her fingers running along the marks and yawned again. She almost felt guilty because he had watch soon. Almost was a keyword. Carol's eyes went to the window seeing that they'd slept longer than she realized and the sun was close to setting. He'd need to leave soon.

"Who is on watch right now?"

Daryl shifted and looked over his shoulder following her eyes. The breeze coming in felt great against her overheated skin. She followed the line of his jaw to his lip and then nose. His eyes locked with hers and he tilted his head.

"I think Carter- maybe Martinez."

He stood up and Carol licked her lips. He wasn't shy. Then it wasn't so much that he was shy before because face it he knew she'd seen everything before anyways. It was that he was so moody at times. He'd been so worried that she was going to disappear with Sophia and then she realized it was her as well. They'd formed a bond neither expected that went beyond both loving her daughter. Daryl had quickly got past her walls and he didn't even try. Hell he'd barely talked and still there he was.

He bounced on the balls of his feet as he jerked his jeans up and zipped them. It was amusing to see small quirks she was sure not many knew about him- at least not living. It was even more amusing to her to know that Karen would never see this side of him. The lighter unabashed post coital Daryl Dixon. Yes she could preen in her head but she wasn't the type to say it to the bitches face. Not yet anyways, if she gave her a reason she was going to go off. It wouldn't be like before either. If she so much as looked at her daughter again or Daryl like that she was going to slap her dick into the ground. Carol's eyes widened at her own thoughts. She sounded like Merle!

"Got something on your mind?" He chuckled looking at her as he worked his belt on.

Carol licked her lips and looked around hoping she could find her clothes. She didn't relish the thought of walking naked to her room. Not that anyone was in here at the moment because the Dixon's were loud and you'd no they were there no matter what. Well unless they didn't want you too. Carol smiled when she realized she automatically included Sophia in the Dixon's family.

"I think I've spent too much time with Merle."

Daryl smiled, a full smile that she'd never seen. "Anyone who has ever met Merle thinks the same thing, don't worry." He shook his head and finished getting dressed, "You aren't alone in that thought."

Carol stood up and his eyes raked over her. Ed use to make her feel ashamed of her body. He'd force her bear his ridicule for hours about how she looked or how disgusting she was. She could see the hate and loathing in every ounce of that man and it poured out of his eyes like a waterfall, Ed was a monster. He was dead and he couldn't hurt her but old fears cropped up and she felt her arms cross over herself shying away from him.

He raised a brow and his eyes lifted to hers. His eyes were darker than before and he stepped into her space forcing her to meet his eyes. He shook his head and pushed her arms out of the way. His hand slid over her, his touch was feather light and worlds away from the abuse she suffered.

"Don't ever think you need to be ashamed or hide from me." His voice was low.

Carol swallowed, "I'm not as youn-"

He cut her off with a look, "Do I look like a fucking pedophile? No? Didn't think so, Carol." His hand cupped her breast and his thumb slid over nipple. "I want a woman not a little girl pretending to be one. I want you."

Carol's breath hitched hard in her chest and she nodded. He smiled at her again his eyes bright. Carol finished buttoning his shirt for him. If he didn't get out of here soon he wasn't going to make it to watch at all. He nodded chewing his lip and let his hand fall away from her body like he could read her mind. He seemed to be at war with himself.

"Will you be here when I get back?"

Carol eyed him watching as his thumb went to his mouth. He was nervous. More nervous than she'd seen him in forever. Carol smiled softly and nodded at him just as the shadow of the sun setting passed over them. She caught his wrist pulling it from his mouth and pulled him to her.

"Stop overthinking it." She whispered. "We tried to avoid this and it didn't work. I'm glad it didn't work. I was tired of lying to myself and denying what I felt for you."

His face reddened but he listened to her and swallowed. How could someone who could touch her the way he had mere hours before be so shy now? He was a mystery.

"Not overthinking it, Carol. I know what I want." He looked right at her, not her naked body but her eyes. His were serious, "But when it comes time for you to explain shit to Sophia….that shit is all you."

Carol made a face. She didn't think Sophia would react bad but then she wasn't sure what she would say. She was unpredictable and Daryl knew that just like her. Carol made a noise and he grinned at her and then let it eyes go down her body again. She felt his look like a touch and clenched her thighs.

"Yeah." His voice was rough. "I gotta go."

Carol kissed him quickly and he grabbed his stuff on the way out. She looked down and smiled realizing she'd been naked through the entire talk. She bent down about the time she heard a yelp from down stairs. Her ears picked up a slight scuffle taking place and Daryl's snaring curses following by a loud laugh. Merle.