AN: hey guys, sorry for leaving this on a cliffhanger. Anyway just an FYI I wanted a story where Shane is a good guy. He won't be turning evil, and the Karen in this story is not Karen from TWD. I love Jon's Berenthal's character Frank from The Punisher and I totally ship him with Karen (from Daredevil and The Punishers and The Defenders.) in my mind that's who it is, although she won't play a big role in this fic :)

I do not own or profit from The Walking Dead.

Chapter 4

Daryl always hated the hospital. The bright lights, reflecting of the white and pastel surfaces seemed to give him a headache. The glare seemed too bright, too garish, for the misery he associated hospitals.

Too many trips he'd taken to the hospital, with "falls down the stairs" or running into a door; broken bones that Momma couldn't explain. The side eyed look she'd received more than once when they'd been examining Daryl's or Merle's latest injury always shamed her. Momma would sit silently with her head down so they wouldn't get a good look at her own black eyes.

Then the night that had changed everything. Merle had been in the army, Daryl away on a hunting trip, his daddy had no one else, all his rage had been directed towards his momma and no one else. That night had changed everything. Momma had died, Daddy had finally gone to jail. But it had been too late. At least he hadn't had to wait to hear on Merle's fate. Ed had taken care of that. Merle had died instantly. No waiting in the hospital hoping and praying. Not that he prayed much these days.

"Hey man."

He looked up, as someone had come to the door. He recognized him as one of the guys from the diner. Shane. They'd taken Carol, to another room, Daryl was waiting to get a small wound to his side stitched.

By the time he'd made it to the alley, Carol was fighting off her attacker, for a small woman, she'd been kicking ass. But the asshole had a knife, and he'd caught her suddenly on her arm, and she'd fallen.

Daryl hadn't thought twice. Attacking that asshole, bringing him down to the ground, he'd taken the knife to the side, before, Shane had shown up, gun drawn.

Suddenly there were sirens and lights and he was being loaded into an ambulance, and Carol had been grabbing his hand with a worried look. Carol's wound had been superficial, Daryl's had bled like a stuck pig.

"I'm Shane," the man said stepping forward. "You mind?" He nodded at the seat next to Daryl.

"Yeah."

"You alright?" Shane asked nodding at his side.

"Yeah, just bled a lot, nothing serious hit, there gonna close it just waiting for some medication to kick in." He said gruffly wondering where this was going. "Carol Alright?"

Shane nodded "Yeah my girl Karen is with her. My mom and stepdad own the dinner, Karen and I live in the apartment above. I'm a cop... Just wanted to say thanks."

Daryl shrugged.

"Naw man, the staff at the dinner were like family. Carol's like a sister to me. She's already been through enough shit thanks to that asshole ex of hers...now this...you saved her life." Shane said shaking his head.

Daryl felt dread, simmer up into his gut, like an ache, that just would not stop. "What do you mean?"

"She's had it rough. She was a foster kid, then managed to find the biggest asshole on the planet. Her ex was an abusive fuck. She manages to get away from the dude, he won't leave her alone. Stalking her and shit. He's in jail now. We thought this shit was over, but some bookie her ex screwed over thought he could make a point to her asshole ex, even though her ex is in jail. That's who attacked her. She just can't seem to shake this asshole. She don't deserve this. I hope it's finally over...anyway brother, she wanted me to be sure you're ok." Shane stood up shaking his hand. "Thanks man."

Daryl watched Shane leave before opening his mouth "Fuck."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Daryl had resolved to stay away. He'd slipped out of the hospital, he was certain before Carol had been able to come talk to him. It wasn't right what he'd been planning he needed to just keep his distance. And he had, for two weeks. Two weeks he'd stayed away.

Carol was constantly on his mind, wondering if she was okay? If she was safe? If the assholes associated with Ed were staying away? Two weeks, of worrying, and thinking about her at night as he lay in bed, wondering.

Thoughts of Carol seemed to keep the pain he was feeling about Merle away. Well maybe not away, but lessened it somehow. Her face seemed to fill his mind, when the loneliness seemed to envelope him, especially at night, he always saw her face.

Tonight, thinking about her just wasn't enough. It was his birthday, and despite the fact that Merle hardly knew what day of the week it was, he'd always remembered Daryl's birthday. Merle had always tried to make it special somehow, and tonight, Daryl was alone and he just needed to see her. That was all, which was crazy he barely knew her.

The door jangled when he walked in, and he sat in the same seat as last time. The place was quiet.

He scanned the restaurant trying to see if she was there. He could hear her laugh echoing in the kitchen. Propping the menu up in front of him, he scanned it, trying to convince himself to get up, and leave. Just to go, before she saw him. He could still leave.

"Ahem,"

Daryl looked up suddenly at the kid holding a plate, he hadn't noticed him even standing there.

"From the nerdy lady at the bar." The kid set the plate in front of him, containing a blt sandwich and fries, with a note folded to the side written on an order pad.

"Pereeezz you were supposed to make that seem cool!" Carol called.

"Carol that train has left the station a long time ago." Perez griped

Daryl looked up to see Carol at the counter her chin in her hand as she rolled her eyes at the kid and giggled. Then nodded to the note, sitting on his plate. Daryl picked it up and opened it. A small doodle of a cartoon pig with heart eyes was above a message.

Thanks for saving my bacon. It was pretty romantic. Can I join you?