Carol shifted with unease. It'd been several hours since the brothers left the house. The sun was already close to setting again. Andrea was silent and her eyes on the fireplace. It'd been that way since Mac appeared with Andrea in tow. She didn't ask any questions because she knew Andrea wasn't ready to talk yet. Besides she didn't need to ask her what was going on. Carol seen her face when they all came into the room.

The panic on her face over Mac was almost overwhelming. It transferred to Brian the second Andrea seen him on the ground. When Mac got his son to his bedroom Carol had held on to Andrea as she stood there shaking. So no she didn't really need to ask her how she felt because it was as clear as day. It was hard not to care for these men really.

Carol turned her head hearing a door crack open. She could already hear a slight growl and hid her smile. Sophia stepped out and crossed her arms over her chest, her thumbs hooking just so that she looked like Daryl made over. Even the tilt of her head and set of her jaw was Daryl. It was stunning at times to Carol see how much her daughter changed in such a short amount of time.

When Daryl found her she'd been a scared shell of a little girl. Now here she was growing up and mouthy as could be. She always had an opinion and Carol had yet to see a time Daryl dismissed her. He always listened to what she had to say. Even if he wasn't going to do what she wanted he always gave her his time. Finding her after all this time she wasn't quite ready at first for the fireball that was her daughter. It was a breath of fresh air to find her unharmed, not scared, and all around in safe arms. She had to play catch up though and get to know her daughter. The real version of her daughter she'd always hid away for fear that Ed would hurt her. Daryl goaded her into being more outspoken and defending herself.

"Stop being a child." Sophia snapped.

"You're a bitch." Brian snarled.

He stepped into the hall and Carol raised a brow. Sophia looked smug but he just ignored her. He was walking slow and was pale. It was terrible. He had horrible luck really. He'd just gotten over being sick only to get hurt. He didn't deserve what happened. He was a great kid. That wasn't right though because looking at him right now it was hard to call Brian Dixon a kid at all. He was growing up quickly. He was taller than her already!

He met her eyes and quirked a brow looking so much like Mac at the moment that she smiled. He smiled too but it felt when he stepped again. Pain flashed in his eyes and he dropped his gaze. Carol let him go though because she knew enough already to know he was like Daryl, Merle, and Mac. He didn't want to be coddled and treated with kid gloves.

Brian padded into the living room and Carol smiled when he set by Andrea. As he walked by she was greeted with the appearance of his bruised back. Carol frowned at it and felt her heart swell even more for him. There was clear imprint of where he'd hit the ground earlier that morning. It made her entire body shake with anger. Andrea was talking to him low and quiet. There was a comfort there that Carol had yet to see Brian give anyone but his immediate family and Sophia. His head dropped to her shoulder and his eyes closed. Andrea was looking down at him her face set in grim determination.

Sophia trotted by and straight into the kitchen. Following her daughter Carol took in her rumpled appearance. She scowled and pursed her lips. Daryl would have a fit if he was here right now. There wasn't a doubt in her mind that they'd fallen asleep in bed together. Carol knew that nothing happened but that didn't matter. Daryl would be seething at his injured nephew.

"Sophia."

She turned taking a sip of water. "Hmm?"

"Did you sleep in his bed?"

"I didn't sleep on the floor." She deadpanned.

Carol's brow shot up. The door slammed open suddenly and boots were coming down the hall. Mac was the first to be seen and he didn't pause. He went straight into the back of the house. Daryl barely paused to shoot her a warning look not to follow. They both looked high strung. Carol nodded and watched him go. He was sliding his gear off as he went and she swallowed.

Sophia shifted and caught her hand. There was tremor that went up Carol's arm from her daughter. Carol pulled her around and wrapped her arms around her. Both looked to be in one piece the amount of distress she could read on them both was hard to breathe around. Neither man was known for showing emotion.

"Mom." Sophia whispered, "I seen Mac like this once."

"What're you talking about?"

"When I first met him." Sophia's voice was barely a breath. "He was looking for Daryl...He was a mess. Daryl got hurt that night. Merle and Mac didn't let him out of their sight after that. Daryl still came for me though."

Carol tightened her grip on her. She heard most of how their time together had been but from time to time small details would come out. Things that neither seemed to think of at the time and would mention in passing. Another thing she missed- something that Daryl was there for her. It was a reminder that her daughter knew these men almost better than anyone. That'd they'd been there for her and they had no real reason to but they were.

"What happened to Daryl?"

"Men on the road. We were looking for his brothers." Sophia sighed, "He was so tired and I think he was getting sick. They got the drop on him and hurt him. He was fine though just a concussion but still. I was so scared and hated Mac because he was a asshole."

Carol stared at her daughter and laughed. Sophia looked deep in thought and smiled suddenly shaking her head. "What?"

"We fought over Daryl that night." Sophia shrugged, "I was so scared when he found me. He literally saved my life. I was being chased and he came out of nowhere. After that he was never more than a few feet from me. I couldn't sleep unless he was there. I was to scared to. I still have trouble sleeping if he isn't close." She sniffled and pressed closer to her mom, "That night when he was knocked out and finally resting Mac wanted to get him up closer to him. I wouldn't move. I climbed right on him to win."

Carol snorted then. She could easily see that playing out. Mac arguing with a little girl didn't surprise her. He could be petulant. It seemed to work out though because Mac and her daughter were always joking.

"Do you think they're okay?"

"Yes." Carol assured.

There was a thud down the hall and a crash followed by Daryl's raised voice. It was muffled though and she was unsure what was said. It quieted down after that. Carol and Sophia went to the living room and Andrea looked at them. Her eyes went to Brian then and he was knocked out. He was almost in Andrea's lap and Carol smiled. He shifted then and actually fell into her lap. Sophia laughed and flounced onto the recliner. Carol went to go the other chair but Sophia looked up at her with big doe eyes. Carol climbed onto the recliner with her and snuggled in.

Carol's eyes blinked slowly as she felt a blanket being draped over her. Cracking her eyes open she watched as Mac and Daryl stepped out of the room. Looking to the couch she seen Andrea passed out setting up with Brian using her lap as a pillow still. Both were covered up though. Sophia was wrapped tightly around her and she considered untangling herself to chase the brothers down. That tension she seen earlier was gone. Instead now it seemed Mac was intentionally staying close to his brother. Almost like he had to be reassured he was there. It was the same with the way his eyes kept sweeping the house. His eyes would snap between each of them in the living room before he looked at Daryl again.

Daryl for the most part looked tired. It was more than just physical though and she wanted to go to him. Mac was there though and she watched the way he leaned into his brother. Of course she heard Sophia talk about how close they were. Heard Martinez and Merle do the same thing. Always talking about weird twin shit between them- it'd always been them. Hell Brian even told her once that Daryl even felt more like a dad to him than a uncle. That he still felt like Mac was his father but that Daryl was always there for him too. When Mac couldn't be that Daryl never failed him. There was a strong bond between them and it was raw and open at the moment. They were hurting both of them.

She blinked rapidly clearing the last fog. Mac was watching Daryl and Daryl's eyes were out the window. He seemed to be thinking before he looked at his brother. Mac's face hardly showed anything but concern. He pushed something at Daryl and Daryl pushed it away. Mac scowled deeply his eyes flashing.

"Don't do this." Mac growled. His voice was like an oncoming storm. "Eat."

Daryl barely turned his head and looked at his brother. "I don't need you hovering over me."

"The fuck you don't."

"I'm fine."

Mac leaned back the chair raising up to only balance on the back legs. Mac's boot braced against the table. He locked his gaze to Daryl harshly.

"You aren't a murderer."

Daryl's body went rigid. Carol swallowed. She hadn't really seen what happened only the aftermath. Her chest ached because she could see it now. It was weighing on him. She felt bad for not getting to talk to him like she really wanted. Carol swallowed and swiped at her eyes.

"Stop." Daryl's voice was uneven.

Mac shook his head, "He would have killed Brian. He came here to do more than that. You heard him. He was going to kill your girl and my son. You heard that shit Hannah said, she fucking sent him here!"

Daryl leaned back then and his head tipped. Mac was like a dog with a bone though. "If anyone here is a murderer it's me. You seen what I done. I felt nothing for it. Not an ounce of guilt. NO remorse. I'd do it again."

Daryl looked over then, "I'm fine."

"You have no choice but to be." Mac shrugged, "Sophia needs you. Carol needs you." Mac stared at the table. Daryl was silent watching his brother. "My son needs you."

Daryl sighed and stood, "I'll be fine Mac."

"I need you." Mac huffed, "You moody bitch."

"Fuck you jerk."

Mac grinned then his chair legs slamming into the ground. Sophia jerked but otherwise stayed asleep. Brian on the other hand snapped awake. He was setting up in a flash. Carol stayed quiet watching as he got up and walked into the kitchen. Both men watched Brian. He was rubbing his arms and his side.

"It's fucking cold in here."

Daryl snorted and Mac grinned, "Stop walking around half naked."

"I'm not naked." Brian sneered, "You all made sure of that. I'm not a damn pet you can dress up."

"NO if you were a pet you'd be much more fun to have around." Mac shrugged, "We could teach you to fetch and everything."

Daryl snorted and Brian slung something at his dad. "You're a dick."

"You know the day destroys the night." Mac's voice carried almost to quietly for her to hear. " Night divides the day."

"Stop." Daryl huffed.

"Tried to run." Mac sing songed.

Daryl's face was amused despite his words.

"Tried to hide." Brian joined in.

"Break on through to the other side." Both Mac and Brian trailed after Daryl singing.

"You two are fucking annoying."

"And you're a whiny bitch."

Daryl turned and looked down at Mac. He didn't say anything but Mac scowled. Carol shifted and Sophia rolled over. Daryl's eyes barely went to her. Mac's arm was over Brian's shoulder and his son's arm was around his torso. It was sobering to see him right there just then. He was going from a teenager to a man right before her eyes. Daryl was going to have a stroke eventually because of his nephew and Sophia. Her and Andrea seen it coming though when they first got here. Sophia of course denied her crush but they seen it.

Daryl leaned into the wall. Carol slipped by them suddenly and came around in front of them. Both Mac and Brian's eyes shot to her. Brian smiled at her widely while his fathers was leering. Carol arched a brow unaffected by his look. Mac's smile was amused even more.

"Carol I think Daryl needs a nap." Mac sighed, "He's getting bitchy, maybe a bottle?"

Mac looked triumphant at his smart mouth comments. He was trying to get Daryl riled up. Whatever he was trying to distract him from thinking about was working. She knew though. Daryl didn't regret killing Phillip because his nephew was safe but that didn't mean he enjoyed killing. She didn't even want to ask what happened to Hannah. Part of her already knew. Mac was holding on to Brian and she knew he was going to be telling him what happened soon. Mac wouldn't hide who he was or the things he done.

Carol met his eyes and he raised his brow at the look. If he wanted to try embarrass Daryl he picked the wrong person to use. It wasn't often someone left Mac stunned but she was willing to try. He was as bad as Merle for taunting Daryl.

"I'll do him one better than a bottle." She simpered.

Carol caught Daryl's wrist and spun him. He turned with ease for her and she ushered him up the stairs.

"Did she just-" Brian's voice was higher than usual.

"That shit ain't fair Daryl! That don't count as a win if Carol says it." Mac called up to him.

Carol turned looking over her shoulder before running her hand from Daryl's shoulder. It went down his back around his waist just as they got to the top. He was just turning to go down the hall right at the top. Carol smiled at Mac her own look leering. His eyes were wide. Her hand slid from his back to around his waist and she groped his crotch causing Daryl to jerk before he was out of sight.

"I think she just won regardless...and him." Brian laughed, "You lost...seriously."

"Fuck you. You're supposed to take my side."

Carol pushed Daryl into the room and he tore his shirt over his head. He was moving to the bed. Carol belatedly realized she should have made him eat. He'd wake up halfway through the night anyways and likely go eat. His boots were kicked away and his jeans followed. He just fell into the bed.

"It's okay to feel how you do." Carol kept her voice soft as she stripped down to match him. She caught his shirt though and pulled it on. Settling on his lap she rubbed his chest. "You don't always have to like the things we have to do but if it keeps us safe then it's worth it. Don't you think? He wouldn't have stopped there and you know it."

"I know."

Carol met his eyes, "No one thinks bad of you."

Daryl didn't speak. Carol shifted closer to him and further up his lap, "I don't. Sophia don't. Brian loves you- you saved his life. Mac loves you and Merle. Andrea even cares for you. Not one of us thinks anything bad of you for what happened down there."

Daryl ran his hand along her thighs, "Mac killed Hannah."

Carol nodded. He was waiting. Both of them killed someone and he was gauging her words against actions.

"Hannah put their son in danger. She repeatedly hurt him and was using him against Mac. If she got her hands on him it's untelling what she would have done. If you love someone you don't hurt them Daryl. She hurt him and would have kept it up."

Daryl swallowed and Carol curled up with him. "You and Mac both put this family before everything. Those two down there need that. They need you both and you have to quit doubting yourself."