AN: last chapter :)

I do not own or profit from The Walking Dead

Chapter 5

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Alexandria immediately after season 7 finale

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Where was she?

The smoke was clearing, they were ok, at the moment anyway, but all Daryl could think of, all he needed, was to see Carol. He'd felt her behind him during most of the battle. A serene calming presence. The knowledge that she had his back, spurring him on. He had hers too, always keenly aware of where Carol was at any given time. Except for this moment, now that the dust had settled. Rick, Ezekiel and Maggie had given their motivational speeches, they'd buried the dead, tended to the wounds of the injured, and somehow she'd slipped through Daryl's grasp. He was certain she was still in Alexandria, The Kingdom group had not headed out yet, he could hear Shiva somewhere in the distance. Daryl wasn't even sure If Carol intended to leave when that group went home. He couldn't blame her, he hadn't given her a reason to stay.

She'd come through for them again. An avenging Angel, sweeping in to rescue them when they needed her the most. That was his Carol. Daryl knew that she'd played a large role in The Kingdom's appearance. He had no doubts about that, just like he knew that the fact she was here meant Carol knew, knew that he had lied to her about Glenn, and Abraham. She'd lead the charge to fucking save them all just like he knew she would. Daryl just hoped she had not sacrificed herself in the process.

Carol was nowhere to be found and Daryl felt a panic begin to rise in his gut. Where was she? A thought struck him and it was one he could not shake from his mind. Maybe she'd been hurt, or even worse...bitten? Carol would keep it to herself, he knew that, without a doubt. She would hide her injuries or god forbid a bite, and see to it herself. Never wanting to be a burden to the group. A strangled sob bubbling up into his chest. Depriving him of oxygen, his panic drowning him in fear. Daryl needed Carol, he needed her now, and he needed to make sure she was ok.

He was running through the streets of Alexandria, now, more than a few startled worried glances sent his way considering what they had all just been through. He would only stop long enough to ask those who stopped him if they knew where she was.

It was Morgan who had known. "She went home." He'd said simply "Her words not mine, the house ya'll share. Said she needed some rest. Wanted to make sure that ya hadn't turned her room into a storage closet. "

Her room, the one next to his own. He dashed through the streets and up the stairs. No one was home Daryl wouldn't have cared anyway and all but ran to Carol's room.

Carol was sleeping. As content as can be, but obviously she'd been exhausted. The armour sat in a pile by the door all with her boots, a trail of socks and jeans and a lacy bra on the floor lead to her bed. Carol the neat freak would not leave all of that thrown so recklessly. She looked as though she had lay down on her bed for a moment and fell asleep as she was. On top of the blankets. In only a top and her underwear, all her glorious legs on display. Her glorious unmarked legs.

He scanned them quickly. No bite marks anywhere he could see, Daryl

needed to know for sure. He kicked off his boots and sat beside her on the bed. Picking her left foot up, he ran his fingers, slowly along her soft skin. Checking, every inch of her skin for injury or bites, as his trembling hands trailed upwards. Her eyelids fluttered open and she watched him, as he touched. Her eyes filled with so much emotion he had a hard time meeting her gaze.

"What are you doing?" Carol whispered, as he set her foot gently on the bed and picked up her opposite foot.

"Checking.." fuck Daryl groaned inwardly. He could barely speak. He wanted to bury his face in her neck and beg her to never leave him again.

"I'm not hurt,...or bitten." She murmured.

"I need...I need...to see for myself." He whispered and stared at her intently as she sat up. Pulling the hem of the Henly she was wearing up and over her head tossing the shirt on the floor with the rest of her discarded clothing. He pulled her into his arms, shuddering as he clung to her, his hands caressing every inch of her naked back. His breath stuttering out in hot puffs across her neck as he prayed for control. Tried to find it in himself to give her everything she needed.

His hands ran across the faint lines across her skin, old scars that had healed, and bonded the two of them together in a way he'd never thought possible. His hands traced her arms coming up, they cupped her neck, pushing her down softly to the bed, he trailed his hands down her soft warm stomach. A shudder wracking through him as he settled himself beside her. Pulling the underwear she wore down and off. On their sides now and facing each other, their mouths met, and all thought seemed to flee his mind, as his hand found it's way in between her legs and she started frantically unbuttoning buttons on his shirt. When his shirt was open, she seemed to burrow in closer, pressing her chest to his, her arms wrapped around his shoulders she buried her face in his neck, and seemed to if possible bring herself even closer, even as his fingers entered her, she ground her hips into his hand, her gasps frantic.

He felt as though he were her lifeline, she was anchoring herself to him. He could be that. He had no choice now. He could never let her go again. He let himself free one hand flexing on her back. Loving the feel of her skin against his. The thrill he seemed to feel at finally giving in, he was hers she could have every part of him he had to give, roared through his body. He was becoming uncontrolled, wanting more and more. Wanting to give her anything. Everything. He rolled her in a frantic race to her back, settling himself in the cradle of her thighs. Wanting to go down on her, bring her to orgasm with mouth on her, reaching deep inside of her, her fingers threaded through his hair, but hands came down and palmed his ass, holding him close. She was bringing herself up to meet him, grinding herself frantically against him. He was coming undone, and then she gasped. "Oh my god" she murmured in surprise. Her hands were frantically fumbling with the waistband of his jeans.

"Carol...baby.." he murmured in frustrated agony, trying to control himself. "You know I can't..."He whispered but paused in shock as her soft warm hand slid into his boxers and grabbed a straining erection. He hadn't even realized that his body had been cooperating, for once, in his life.

He had no time to loose himself in the moment or become distracted, because her hand was guiding his hard length to her opening, and she smiled softly as he buried his face in her neck and pushed himself into her. She held him tightly. Anchoring him to her as he shuddered and groaned in her arms. Panting as he madly thrust himself into her. It was her, she'd set him free. He wanted to show her how much he loved her, he wanted her to know she'd set him free. He wanted to love her, all night long but the feel of her body. The warm wet heat heat that surrounded him, the love in her eyes as she watched his face in absolute joy was to much, it was heaven. He wanted it to last forever but he would be lucky if it lasted longer than his next heartbeat.

"Love you...Can't ..won't last..." he moaned into her neck as he pounded into her.

"It's ok...Let go...I love you too." she whispered, and he did, setting himself free, he knew she wouldn't let him fall from Heaven.

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The End