A/N: "...the second part will be coming out either later today, or tomorrow..." Go home Alexis, you're drunk. I think I'm going to stop saying when I'm going to update :/ Thank you so much to: vickih, RhiannonMuir, peonies01, BanannaFlvdSnow, HGRHfan35, and Rodgerse for reviewing! You guys are amazing! :) Ok, I'm not going to keep you with a long Author's Note, so here's chapter 13.

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Chapter 13: Down by the Water's Edge

Daryl cautiously made his way over towards his camp. He dropped his kills on the ground, and eyed the tent warily. He had just spent the last hour with Carol's daughter, teaching her a bit about plants and berries in the woods, and the last person he wanted to deal with now was Merle. He sighed, knowing he couldn't avoid his brother forever, but thought he might be able to stall the inevitable for another fifteen minutes by washing his hands before skinning the animals he had caught. Daryl set his crossbow next to the dead squirrels and rabbits, and turned around, when a firm figure crashed into him.

"What the fu-"

"What did you fuckin' do, baby brother?" Merle asked, grabbing Daryl by the shirt to stop him from falling over.

"What are you-" Daryl started, but was cut off once agian.

"Don't even fuckin' think about denyin' it. I know it was you. I know you had somethin' to do with that piece of shit's death," Merle said in a hushed voice, his grip on Daryl's t-shirt tightening as he spoke.

"I didn't do nothin', except find the bastard's body this morning," Daryl said, trying to keep his voice calm.

"Bull shit, Darylina. Bull. Shit. What? Did the fat fuck decide to have a nice little camp out alone in the woods? His ass was unconcious, and it was you who beat him, wasn't it," Merle pressed, his knuckles now white from the death grip he had on Daryl's shirt.

"The sick fuck was a drunk. Passed out in them woods with an empty bottle of whiskey to keep him company," Daryl lied, hoping he had convinced Merle to let it go. After a few seconds, Merle shoved him a way.

"What were you doin' comin' out of the woods with that girl? Find yourself a little girlfriend, Darylina?" Merle asked in a less hostile voice.

"Shut up. She wanted to know where I'd found her old man. Nearly spit on his grave when I showed her," Daryl said, telling his brother only partially what happened. Merle continued to eye him silently, searching his face for signs of untruth.

"DIXON!" Shane yelled from across the camp. Daryl and Merle broke their stare down as they whipped their heads in the direction of the cop's voice. "Not you Daryl. You were up all night. MERL! COME ON! IT'S YOUR TURN FOR WATCH!"

Merle grumbled under his breath, "Mother fucker." He looked back at Daryl and whispered threateningly,"We ain't done here, baby brother."

Daryl watched Merle walk towards Shane, and felt the tension leave his body as soon as his brother was out of sight. He hated lying to him, but Merle would have his head if he knew the truth. It's better this way. Daryl just hoped his brother would drop it, or forget it, but he knew that was as likely as Merle kicking his habit. Knowing there was nothing he could do about it now, Daryl decided to go ahead and wash up before he started skinning his kills.

He walked with his head down on the way to the quarry, not wanting to look or talk to anyone in the camp, which was always easier to do if he didn't make eye contact with anybody. He had too much on his mind as it was, without the badgering voices of anyone else. Merle was always the leader out of the two of them, being the older brother and all. Growing up, he always stepped in front, came up with the plans, while Daryl followed behind him, preferring the shadows rather than the lime light. He knew his brother wasn't used to him sticking up for himself, and taking charge, and, to be quite honest, it was shocking Daryl himself. Sure, he had always thought of telling his brother off, but the fact that he had actually done so the other day had shocked the living shit out of him. And now, today, he had actually lied to Merle's face. Growing a pair 'a balls after all, baby brother. Merle's voice rang out in Daryl's head as he walked down the winding hill towards the quarry. Fuck off, Merle. The water came into view around the last turn, and Daryl made his way over to it, still keeping his eyes glued to the dirt below his feet.

Daryl took off his boots and rolled up his pants just high enough so they wouldn't get wet, and stepped into the cool water. He let out a sigh of relief as the water touched his skin, allowing his head to roll back in bliss as a rare smile crept it's way onto his face. He closed his eyes and breathed, feeling his body calm itself in that moment, the stress he had been feeling washing away.

"You can use my soap if you'd like."

Daryl's eyes snapped open at the sound of an annoyingly familiar voice. He turned his head to the right to see it's source, already knowing the face and clear blue eyes that would be staring back at him. Carol stood by his side, innocently gazing up at him. He searched her eyes, questioning how on earth this woman, this pain in his ass, was always around him. He knew it wasn't her fault, of course, but it was easier to blame her for his troubles than it was to take responsibility for his actions. Her and those big blue eyes she's got. Like fuckin' crystals . . . He shook his head and narrowed his eyes at her.

"What?" He snapped, causing her to step back in alarm.

"I, I said you could use my soap. I didn't know if you had any. I'm sorry," she was all but whispering by the end, and Daryl could see the tension and nervousness that hadn't been present a minute ago. Guilt overwhelmed him as he looked at her. Here she was, offering him her soap out of the goodness of her heart, and he had to go and fuck it all up. As usual.

"Sorry," he mumbled pitifully, kicking himself for being such an ass to her. She slowly lifted her head until she was looking back at him, and Daryl felt the pull of her eyes once more as they searched his own. "I shouldn't have yelled at ya." She nodded as she held his gaze, and then silently reached out her hand that grasped the soap, offering it to him once more. "Thanks," Daryl said quietly, and quickly went to grab the soap from her hands, his fingertips and knuckles brushing the smooth skin of her palm. White heat burned him as their skin touched, and he jerked his head up to look at Carol, keeping his hand against hers. Daryl could feel himself breathing heavily through his nose as his eyes met hers, wide with shock much like his own. He fervently tore his hands and eyes away from her, breaking the spell between them. Get a hold of yourself, you fuck. Practically drooling over her like she's a piece of meat.

Daryl dipped the soap and his hands into the water, a tingling sensation replacing the heat on his skin where he had touched her. He growled in frustration, and began scrubbing his arms and hands furiously. It's like one fuckin' thing after another with this woman. If I ain't stuck lookin' in those eyes, I'm gettin' burned by her, or riskin' my hide to save her ass. Fuckin' pain in my side is what she is. Should just cut all ties with this one. Make life sure as hell of a lot...

"Thank you for watching Sophia," Carol said, interrupting Daryl's train of thought. He refused to look at her this time, and instead busied himself with washing his hands. "I'm sorry she followed you into the woods. I hope she wasn't too much trouble."

"Ain't no trouble at all," he found himself responding, watching the soap foam over his hands as he washed them.

"Still . . . Thank you, Daryl," Carol said softly.

Silence fell between the two, something that Daryl normally would have welcomed, but was now making him even more tense than before. He realized he wanted to hear her voice, and know she was near him, though he was unwilling to admit it. Daryl took a second to subtly glance to his right, fearing she had gone back up the hill, but, instead, found her washing a small pile of clothes three feet away from him.

He turned his attention back to his hands, and asked gruffly, "You alright?"

Carol didn't look at him; she just kept on scrubbing the shirt in her hands. "My husband, the father of my child, was just eaten by walkers, and then I . . . in the woods . . . " she paused to collect herself, not yet able to speak about smashing Ed's miserable skull in. "I should be far more upset over the events that have played out these past few days. I fear for Sophia, and the world we live in, but I can't help but feel relief over Ed's death." Out of the corner of his eye, Daryl saw Carol dip the shirt she was washing into the water to clean the soap off of it. "I'm just . . . I'm better than I should be," she whispered, guilt leaking into her voice.

Daryl smirked to himself as he moved to scrub his arms. Same answer as her little girl. He chuckled at the thought of how similar Sophia was to her mother. Just a little more mischievous than her Ma.

"What?" She asked, sounding a little more harsh after hearing him laugh.

"Seems to me like you got every right to feel that way," he said, risking a glance her way, and regretting it instantly, as, once again, he was caught in that crystal blue gaze. "That man was a cruel son of a bitch. Ain't no reason to feel guilty for bein' glad he's gone." He saw the tears well, but was glad when she didn't let them fall.

"Thank you, Daryl," She said, honesty shining through her eyes.

"No need to be thankin' me. It's the truth," he muttered, breaking away once more, and washing the soap from his arms. The sound of the wind whistled through his ears, as well as the calming sound of the water lapping over his feet. He looked down at his hands, now clean of dirt and soap, and questioned himself as he continued to rinse them in the water. Got a little crush, Darylina? Trying to get it in with the cute little widow? He narrowed his eyes. SHUT UP, Merle! Daryl growled to his brother's voice in his head. Ain't like I'd blame ya. That's a fine piece of ass you got there. It'd be a damn shame to know something that nice, and never give it a poke.

"Your brother talked to me today," Carol said, causing Daryl to pause his inner dialogue. "He told me to stay away from you."

"Ain't nobody sayin' we have to listen to him," Daryl replied reflexively. It took him a second to realize what he'd just said, but once he did, Daryl's eyes widened in shock once again, as he felt the color rise to his cheeks. He refused to look in Carol's direction, too embarrassed by his words, but he could feel her eyes on his back, her gaze as hot as her touch. He sat in his spot for a few more seconds, overwhelmed by the heat of Carol's gaze and the embarrassment flooding his system. Daryl felt trapped, caged in sitting next to her, and he could hear his heart thumping in his chest, his breathing getting heavy once again. Ain't nobody sayin' we have to listen to him, that's fuckin' rich. What in the hell were you thinkin', spittin' off that crap like some romantic son of a bitch. Makin' a fuckin' fool of yourself, that's what. She was probably tellin' you that 'cause she was wantin' to get away from ya. Daryl couldn't stand being there any longer, and he swiftly turned around to grab his shoes, not even bothering to put them on, and stormed off towards the hill.

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"DARYL!" Carol cried, but it was no use. She stood there, watching the back of Daryl Dixon move away from her as he made his way back up the hill to the campsite. His words kept repeating in her head. Ain't nobody sayin' we have to listen to him. She smiled to herself as she turned back around and continued washing the small pile of clothes. The man was a mystery, for sure, but he did say some of the sweetest things. She knew Daryl was a good man, despite only knowing him for no more than two days, she just knew it. She could see his heart and soul in his eyes. He was wounded, damaged, but not lost. There was a goodness in him that called to her, and she wanted nothing more than to uncover more of it. If Daryl wasn't willing to stay away from her, than neither was she.

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A/N: Ok, so that was Chapter 13 :) I hope you all enjoyed that one, as there was Daryl and Carol interact-age :) I was really nervous about this one, because of the Merle scene with Daryl. I know it wasn't a big blow out, drama filled scene between Daryl and Merle, but I didn't think that would be realistic just yet.

Also, if you want something to happen, or have suggestions, like, include more characters, please tell me! I want to make sure this story isn't going to become boring, because it is going to be long (as you all can probably guess lol) Please review! Reviewers get a little sneak peak of the next chapter! Thank you all! and I'll see you on the next one!