Daryl was at the police station for a while afterward filling out a statement, he was happy to do it. With the restraining order and the fact that she had reported it last time surely they would see a pattern and finally stop him. He was just so glad that he had been there. When he imagined her trying to stop him alone and what he may have done to her, it made his resolve to stay so strong. He wanted to be there for her but not just to protect her from people like Ed.

He realized, sitting there, that he wanted to be the one she turned to after a bad day, the one to care for her when she was sick, he wanted all of that.

He had decided enough was enough and called Merle. When he showed up at the police station he looked livid, Daryl wasn't surprised.

"You wanna explain yourself?"

"I love her."

Merle shook his head and found he had nothing to say in return, what could he say? He never, in a million years, thought hear his brother use the L word.

"I know you think I'm just out for fun, I don't blame you. I thought that's what I was looking for too but she's the one, Merle."

"You better mean that, this isn't just some girl!"

"I know that. I get it. I know why you were looking out for her and why she is so important to you. She's different than anyone I ever met. I can look out for her now, and I won't let her down."

"You're gonna have to look out for her from a hell of a distance, Daryl."

"I'm not going."

"You're staying put?"

"Can I count on you for a job?"

Merle sighed heavily, of course he'd give him a permanent job.

"Sure."

Merle felt suddenly really glad to see his brother settling, he was ready to make a proper life for himself. He couldn't help believing him when he said he loved her.

"So where is she anyway?"

"An officer is taking her statement at her apartment. I'm gonna go talk to her now, tell her I want to stay."

"I'll drive you. Just don't mess this up, Daryl."

"I won't."

He knocked at her door and waited. A female officer came to the door and asked if he had finished giving his statement. She turned to Carol and sat back down to speak with her before leaving.

"We're done here, Ma'am. You'll be hearing from us within the next day. Are you OK to be left with him?"

The officer was speaking quietly and only to her with her arm around her shoulder.

"I'm fine. Thank you so much."

She still looked a little shaken, it made her home feel like a crime scene and broke the serenity it once held for her. She wondered if she'd ever stop seeing the image of Ed at her door, full of rage.

The officer left her card and stopped to have a word with Daryl.

"Are you going to be staying with her? She really shouldn't be alone until she feels completely comfortable."

"I'm staying, she won't be alone."

"Good. By the way, you handled that situation very well. Many men would have turned it into a very violent physical altercation. You showed restraint and control, it's admirable."

"Thank you."

"I'll leave you then, goodbye."

Carol looked up at him and shook her head.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't even start with that, this is not your fault."

"The last thing I wanted was to drag you into this. I didn't even want to tell you about it, never mind this."

"You didn't drag me into it, he did."

He sat next to her and held her close. He could feel the tension in her body, he hated for her to feel afraid. If he lived alone and had someone who wanted to hurt him he'd feel afraid too. Never knowing when they'd come back, if you'd be prepared or if they had a weapon. Her fear was 100% justified and anyone with half a brain would be scared too.

"This is a nightmare. I'm going to have to move, I don't think I'll ever feel right here again."

"Carol, I'm not going back to the guard. I want to stay with you."

She was initially happy to hear him say this and then realized he was throwing away a part of his life just to stay and protect her.

"You don't have to do that, Daryl."

"I know I don't, I want to."

"You can't change your plans over this. You have a career to go back to. This wasn't meant to last forever, remember? You can't stay here just to be my bodyguard, Daryl."

"I know what I want, Carol. I don't want to spend another night away from you. I don't want to stay cause I think you need me, it's cause I need you."

She imagined not having to say goodbye to him. She had been dreading it more and more as the days passed, trying to love him less as a form of self protection. She didn't want him to regret staying.

"Are you sure?"

"I've been gone most of my adult life, not bothering to even look for what I wanted. I found what I want now, I have no reason to go."

Carol couldn't deny she wanted him to stay more than anything else.

"I was thinking also that I'm sick of listening to my brother and Tammy at night. I know it's soon but maybe we could find a place of our own, together."

She looked up at him with a stunned expression.

"Really?"

"Too soon?" he asked.

"No...I'd love to."

########

"So, you been lying to me this whole time," Merle wanted to give her a hard time, at least for a minute.

"Merle, I just thought you'd be disappointed. I didn't mean to-"

"It's alright, Carol. I think I was a little overbearing, at least that was Tammy told me and I'm sure she's right. She usually is."

"I'm sorry, Merle. I hope you still want to look out for me, I'd miss it if you didn't."

"I always will but I'll back up a little bit and let you breath, how about that?"

She hugged him tight and didn't let go till he started to laugh.

"Alright, alright girl! Stop smotherin' me."

"You're the best big brother I never had, Merle."

"I know. So, when do you want us over at your new place?"

"6pm sharp."

"OK, see ya then."

Daryl found a little house to rent not far from Merle and Tammy. It wasn't ideal but he wanted to get her out of her apartment immediately and the house was available right away. Carol had just finished unpacking and wanted to have them over for dinner to smooth everything out.

Tammy grabbed Daryl's attention and got him alone in the hallway while Carol and Merle went into the kitchen.

"Do you have any idea how hard that information is to get from a woman without arrousing suspicion?"

"Nope," he answered.

"It's really hard. Here you go."

"Thanks."

Dinner was great and Carol knew now that everything would be fine with Merle. She valued his friendship more that most things in her life.

Daryl poured everyone a glass of wine and waited for everyone to turn and notice him standing up.

"So, I signed my release papers with the guard today and I'm a free man!"

Carol smiled widely, knowing he'd be staying with her and still hoping he'd be glad he made this decision in a year from now.

They were all glad to hear it was official and he'd be sticking around.

"I really don't want to be a free man though."

Carol wondered what an odd statement like that could mean. She looked at him strangely and took a sip of her wine.

He cleared his throat, nervously and got down on one knee. Merle's eyes were like saucers and his jaw dropped. Tammy closed his mouth for him and grinned.

"Carol, I know it hasn't been that long but I'm sure about you. I love you and I know I always will."

She looked so stunned that he started to doubt the whole thing for a second. Maybe he was really rushing this.

"You don't have to answer now if you aren't sure too but...will you marry me?"

"I'm sure. Of course, I'll marry you."

Thank God!

He grabbed her and lifted her off the ground. He was more sure of this than anything, he was through with looking and waiting he was ready to live and didn't want to waste another second.

"You knew about this?" Merle asked Tammy.

"He needed to know her ring size and I went to get is sized for him."

"Everyone's always keepin' me in the dark."

"Hey, you're a lot of fun in the dark."

Carol and Daryl seemed to forget they had company and kept kissing like they were all alone.

~The End~ Let us know what you think and thank you for reading. We love you.