AN: Sorry this is so late, folks. Getting caught up, which will be difficult given that our favorite lady has been so unceremoniously tossed out on her ass. I plan on doing two more updates for the episodes which include the prison group and skipping the Governor episodes because I don't want to get too far flung from canon. Here's hoping we get Daryl's reaction during the mid-season finale, at least.

I hope to capture what Carol is feeling in these next two updates with perhaps a sprinkle of Daryl. Hope you all enjoy, thank you all so much for the follows and reviews.

Carol pulled the station wagon away slowly, turning out of the subdivision in the opposite way they came. Rick wouldn't want her following him to any degree, she suspected.

The thought of Rick caused her chest to heave in sorrowful pain, and tears blurred her vision once again. Rick, the man she had become so close to. Her friend, her brother, her leader in some cases- no longer trusted her. His rejection was beyond hurtful, it was a betrayal. Rick was driving her away from the people she cared about most, the people she was trying to save. She looked in her rear view mirror. No sight of him. Did he feel bad? Was he having second thoughts? Regret?

She pulled the wheel to the right, stopping at a run-down strip mall a few miles from the neighborhood. She pulled the car up neatly in a designated parking spot (old habits die hard) in front of a deserted Chinese buffet. The tears flowed freely now, leaving shiny trails on her flushed cheeks. She ran the gamut of emotions, from "How could he, I was doing my best! That bastard!" to "I deserved that, I guess." But settled in between. She wasn't exactly proud of what she had done, but she was proud of herself for doing something. Finally, Carol felt that she was pulling her own weight in the group. Her judgement was respected, thus her seat on the council. She had never felt more confident, at least until today.

After awhile, Carol decided that she didn't blame Rick. He was scared, worried for his children. She knew they were most important to him. She still loved Rick. She still cared deeply for him, and everyone back at the prison. That was why she did it, because she loved them. She didn't want to see anyone else suffer.

What would they all think when he came back without her? What would Daryl think? Her stomach flipped as she wiped some tears away. She wasn't worried about Daryl. She'd told him how she felt. She had no regrets. She loved Daryl the most and at least he knew it. She wondered how he would take the news. Would he simply bow his head at Rick in understanding? Would he keep his anger pent up until he had an opportunity to lash out? She would miss him terribly, despite his inability to communicate with words. She didn't just feel safer with Daryl around, she felt comfortable. Thinking of him made her smile ruefully, as if someone had just tried to tell her a joke to cheer her up. Daryl wouldn't want her to cry.

She wiped her face with delicate, slender fingers. Time to start over.