SUMMARY: "I ain't ever leavin' ya, woman, so ya better get used to having me around." Daryl and Carol get closer than ever before as the group struggles to find their way on the road. Picks up after the farm but disregards By the Dying Fire. Major CARYL!

DISCLAIMER: I don't own any of this. Trust me, if I did CARYL would have happened ages ago!

A/N: Okay, so this is my first TWD fic. I write all of the time, but I was nervous to walk down this path. My love for CARYL won out, and here we go. It might be terrible, but I'm excited about it, and I hope you are too! Happy reading! - Rachael

Her legs began to ache from the rumble of the motorcycle beneath her, unused to the strange feel of the bike. Her arms were wrapped securely around his waist, securing her position on the bike behind him. His back was used as a shield for the harsh wind that had been stinging her face.

She had no idea how long they had been on the road, but it had been hours. They only stopped for a few hours to regroup after they had lost the farm, Andrea, Jimmy, and Patricia, but they knew that they couldn't stay on the dangerous road. It was where they lost Sophia. A herd could come through any minute and take the entire group out. The caravan moved on, refusing to stop unless absolutely necessary.

Though the bike wasn't something she was used to, or comfortable on, she was relieved when he looked at her and jerked his head toward the bike, offering her a ride with him instead of with the others. He offered her more comfort and protection than any of the cars would have anyway.

Things between them had gotten better since both of their outbursts over Sophia. Though they were still both scarred and unsure of who to act with one another, they took comfort from each other. He was always looking for her in a group, making sure she was safe. She was always anxious when he was on a hunt or run.

The caravan slowed down, shuddering to a stop on a deserted road, woods surrounding them on either side. A short honk from Rick informed Daryl that it was time to take a break from the road.

Daryl turned off the bike and waited for her to climb off first. She used his shoulders to steady herself, and he tensed at the sudden pressure her hand offered. He quickly climbed off himself and stalked quickly to where the rest were congregating, making sure she was following him as he went.

"We're losin' light," Rick said, sighing as he closed the door to his car. "We should set up camp for the night and keep moving tomorrow."

"To where? We can't keep moving with nowhere to go," Lori snapped. Rick had told them about Shane, that he had killed him. He told them what he knew of the virus that rested in all of them and why he kept it a secret before they left the clustered highway. Carol was surprised the woman was even staying in the car with Rick. Though Carol was angry that he kept it from them, she understood why he did. She also understood why he killed Shane, glad, even, that the man's unruly and rash thinking wouldn't accompanying them on the road.

"Better than staying out in the open," Carol replied, offering Rick a supportive smile which he returned.

"Well, quit yappin' and get to it," Daryl ordered, nodding toward their temporary home.

At that the group was put in motion, moving into the small clearing to start the tasks that they had all gotten used to doing in their time with each other. Tents were set up as Carol began getting food together to cook over the fire that T-Dog was building. Maggie was following her lead, grabbing the food for dinner with Beth tagging along behind her.

After Daryl set up the tents, he went for a perimeter check to make sure that they were alone and no walkers would be disturbing them as Glenn took on first watch.

Carol and Maggie put together the little food the group had, knowing that a run would have to be made soon, especially if they were on the road. When they were on the roads, it wasn't as easy for Daryl to hunt for their dinners. Carol sighed, knowing that Daryl would be going out to get them what they needed.

"I'll let them know," Carol said to Maggie before getting up and walking to where Rick, T-Dog, and Hershel were pouring over maps. She approached quietly, waiting for the men to finish whatever it was that they were deciding.

When they seemed to be finished, at least until Daryl joined them, she cleared her throat to get their attention. "We're running low on supplies: food and water. We'll need winter clothes too, and it wouldn't hurt to get stuff for the baby."

Rick nodded. "You just make a list of what we need, and we'll plan out a run with Daryl."

Carol agreed and looked around for the mentioned man. She couldn't recall when her feelings for him changed, but they certainly had. He was the only thing grounding her, the only thing she had left. The thing that got her through the death of her little girl. She knew he couldn't and wouldn't want her. What was she but a defenseless victim, who had never been able to protect herself or her little girl. She had learned from Ed that she was undesirable, and he had broken her so completely. Daryl was attractive, a survivor. Even if he were to want a relationship, it certainly wouldn't be with her.

Sighing, she broke out of her revere and walked back to the fire where Maggie was still trying to make enough to feed the entire group. Just as she was about to take over, a string of squirrels was thrown at her feet. Of course he wasn't just checking for walkers; he had provided for the group, again.

"Thanks."

He nodded, sitting down near her to clean his gear while keeping her in his line of sight. He didn't understand why he cared so much whether she lived or died, why he cared more about her than the rest of the group. He was drawn to her; she didn't complain, never stopped doing stuff for the group. She thought he was a good man, and no one had ever done that before. He had a need to protect her. He had to keep her safe. Though who'd want a Dixon; a redneck who was just as scared, if not more, of relationships than she was.

~CARYL~CARYL~CARYL~CARYL~CARYL~CARYL~CARYL~CARYL~CARYL~CARYL~

As dinner finished, people began to eat the squirrel that Carol was almost an expert at cooking. They ate in silence, huddled close together in the cooling evening. Daryl snarled at anyone who tried to take the seat next to him, her seat. They didn't say anything, even when she did sit down, but she was pleased that he had thought to save her a seat.

"We're gonna go ahead tomorrow; Daryl, Glenn, T-Dog, and I. Hershel's gonna take care of everyone here. We need supplies pretty bad, and we can scout out if there's anywhere worth stayin'. We leave at first light, so Carol, have that list ready." Rick's voice was firm, final sounding as he listed off his orders and decisions. It was nerve racking, having so many gone, but Hershel could take care of them; he had proved that the previous night.

Daryl took first watch as she made her way into her tent. She stopped abruptly when she entered. Propped up beside her stuff was Daryl's sleeping mat and bag. She smiled; though neither knew how to be with one another, he was trying. Trying to be close to her.

She sighed as she rested herself in the sleeping bag. She was glad they were leaving soon; she hated the woods. There were too many walkers, and it reminded her of losing Sophia. They never knew if a walker would be coming, and someone on watch just wasn't enough. It was getting too cold anyway, especially with Lori moving along in her pregnancy.

She stayed awake, too unsettled by the woods, shivering and anxious for the next day. The group had never been without all four men, and the thought of Daryl out in the unknown was enough to scare her.

She was halted in her thoughts as the tent was unzipped and the familiar sound of boots filled the small space. Carol feigned sleep as he put his crossbow down. He went about his nightly rituals before zipping the tent back up and opening his own sleeping bag to settle in for the night.

"I know ya ain't asleep, woman. Yer teeth won't stop chatterin'."

"It's cold's all," she said, burrowing deeper into her sleeping bag on the hard forest floor.

"C'mere," he muttered softly, holding open his sleeping bag for her to get in as well.

She was surprised that he was letting her get so close, but didn't hesitate to climb in the small space and soak up the warmth from his body.

"Better?"

She nodded against him, pressing her face into his chest. Her heart fluttered as his arm wrapped around her waist and rested at the small of her back. He was tense, unsure of what to do. He'd never laid down with a woman before. Sure he'd slept with them, but he always kicked them out afterwards. He was never too keen on having any emotions, but Carol was changing all of that.

"I'm worried about tomorrow," she confessed quietly.

"Why the hell you worried? Ain't nothing to be worried about."

"But you're goin' off, and..."

"Nothing is gonna fuckin' happen to me.I'm more worried about you. Look out for yourself and stay safe. I'll be fine, and I'll come back to ya."

"You stay safe too," she said softly, but it was an order.

"Go to sleep. I'll see you tomorrow before nightfall."

She knew that she'd be worried all day, but the last thing she wanted to do was smother him. He was a survivor, and if he said he'd come back to her, he'd come back.

A/N: Well, what did you think? Let me know! If there is anything you want to see, don't be afraid to ask!