AN: hey guys, so this is the last chapter:) I had originally just intended to make this a one shot based on one of my favorite songs , I really have no idea where I would take it after this. maybe a little ooc at the end, but let me know what you think:) Thanks for the reviews and love! Review once more:) please?

I so not own or profit from The Walking Dead

Chapter 7

If you're lost you can look - and you will find me

Time after time

If you fall I will catch you - I'll be waiting

Time after time

The second hand unwinds -

Time after time

~Cyndi Lauper - Time After Time

Carol was having the most wonderful dream. She dreamt that she was safe, and warm, and Daryl was holding her in his arms. She sighed breathing out his name, she could almost smell him. No, she thought she could actually smell him, suddenly Carol was fully awake, remembering what happened at the clinic. She opened her eyes and found herself looking...up at Daryl.

Before she had a chance to move, he reached up and cupped her cheek, the pad of his thumb tracing her cheekbone. He smiled at her and said,

"You're awake," he leaned down and lightly brushed his lips over hers, then pressed his forehead to hers, and whispered in a voice choked with emotion. "You scared the shit out of me baby"

Carol was confused, on one hand, lying here being held like this by Daryl felt amazing, it felt right, he obviously didn't mind her position, she had no desire to move, but...the kiss?..baby? the kiss? what the hell was going? Did she hit her head or oh god maybe she was dying? ...No she didn't feel like she was dying.

"Don't move" Daryl said as he leaned over and got the water bottle on the side table. He opened the bottle one handed and then brought it to her mouth. She didn't realize how thirty she was, and took several long gulps as he watched. When she was done she handed it back to him and asked

"What happened? Oh god Tyreese, Judith... " starting to panic

"They're Alright, don't worry" he said brushing the hair from her face "You passed out, about four hours ago, we brought the three of you back with us." He responded and then continued.

"Tyreese was awake, he told us everything" he said quietly

She gulped and bit her lip knawing on it slightly "Everything?."

"Yeah, if you wanna talk about it, we can, but we don't have to either, I know that whatever you're reasons were they were...honorable, I trust you" he said quietly squeezing her slightly

She let out an exhalation of breath she was holding in, looking at him in shock, she should never have doubted him. Her sweet loyal Daryl. She wound her arms around his neck hiding her face on his shoulder as she shed silent tears. How did he know exactly what she needed to hear? He leaned back which pulled her up so that she was more or less sitting sideways across his lap.

"Daryl ?" She said

"Yeah?"

She pulled back and looked at him, face to face "You ...kissed me?"

He smiled "Yeah, that alright? "

She nodded "I didn't think you thought of me like that?"

He wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her to him "I do, I'm sorry I didn't show it enough, I didn't realize what I had right in the palm of my hand till I lost it ...I love you"

"You do ?"she whispered and he nodded at her intently, and then a grin spread across her face "I love you too"

He groaned and kissed her again this time more intensely, his tongue invading her mouth as his hand slid underneath the hem of her shirt. "I need to calm the fuck down, you're so tired , you past out for four hours"

She grinned looking at him "Best sleep of my life"

He flipped her over quickly so she was on her back him looming over her

"Oh yeah? Well there's going to be a lot more of that going on." He said as he began a trail of kisses down her neck

"What?"

"You taking care of yourself, sleeping ,eating, not working yourself to death." He said as he reached down lifting her shirt over her head.

She arched her back as his mouth was suddenly on her breast.

"I mean it, I ain't losing you again." He said quietly as he nipped at her ear.

"You found me" she whispered.

He smirked as he whipped his own shirt over his head, leaning up straddling her on the bed he reached down and worked her pants and underwear off of her. He sat back on his haunches, trailing his hand up her thigh he looked at her "It's me and you from now on. If you're lost, I'll never stop looking till I find you" he pulled off his jeans quickly then settled in between her legs. Putting his weight on his hands he hovered above her "If you fall, I'll catch you,"he said lowering himself down on top of her."I would have waited forever"

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Carol stood staring at the door, arms crossed over her chest hugging herself tightly as Daryl finished dressing. The last few hours had been amazing, but it was time face the group, face the music.

Daryl walked up behind her wrapping his arms around her resting his chin on her shoulder.

"Remember what I said, it's me and you from now on." Carol nodded distractedly bringing her thumb up to her mouth knawing on the fingernail.

"Hey, " he said bringing his hand to her chin turning her face so she was looking at him "you're every bit as good as them."