No Denying It

Admission

Three days. It had been three long and torturous days since his encounter with Carol in the prison shower room, and he had been avoiding her like the plague. Like even looking at her or being in the same room was going to get him infected. Kinda stupid considering the position they were all in. Infected with some unknown disease bringing the dead back to life. Why he had been avoiding her... he didn't quite know. Maybe it was shame. Nerves even. Or maybe he was just plain scared. Acting like a pussy, hiding from a woman. But Carol wasn't just any woman. There was something different and special about her. Something he was drawn to. He felt a connection with her, like he had never had with anyone his whole life. He could just imagine what Merle would have to say.

"You always were a pussy baby brother. Hell you may as well be a faggot if you ain't gonna tap that. End o' the world and you can't even get a piece o' ass" the voice of his older brother echoed through his mind, encouraging a growl to escape from his lips.

He was sitting alone in the grass of the prison yard, trying to make sense of all the shit running through his mind. So distracted he didn't even hear Rick approach, until the sheriff was sat down right next to him. Damn foolish in a time like this he thought to himself. 'All this pussy thinking about feelings and shit gonna get me killed'.

"You been quiet...er" Rick finally spoke up.

"Nothin' to say" he grunted in reply.

"Really? You sittin out here by yourself for hours on end would suggest otherwise"

"Don't need my head shrunk, last I check you were a Sheriff, not a Doctor" Daryl mumbled.

"True, but I am your friend Daryl, and I can listen if you need me to. Hell you done a lot for me and my family. I gotta repay you somehow right" Rick told him.

"'M fine"

"Okay... if you say so"

"I do" he growled.

"Alright then, I'll leave you to it. Just one question... this wouldn't have anything to do with you avoiding Carol would it" Rick asked, a small smirk gracing his lips. It seemed everyone could see what was going on between the two of them except for themselves.

Daryl shot him an angry look, or at least what he tried to convey as angry. He was doing a pretty poor job at it. His eyes betrayed him, revealing the confusion he felt inside. He stayed silent, ignoring the sheriff's question.

"Why don't you just tell her Daryl?"

"Dunno what your talkin' bout" Daryl lied through his teeth.

"Oh I think you do. You know Daryl, I have many regrets about the things I have done. But my biggest is the way I left things with my wife. She d... she died thinking I hated her. Never getting to make things right or say... say goodbye. You gotta take the chances your given coz you never know if they will ever be presented to you again" Rick said.

Daryl sat silent for a moment, taking in his friends words. Sure he was being a pain in the ass and not leaving him be, but he had a good point. And seeing him the way he was when he lost his wife. Daryl didn't ever want to have to go through that if anything ever happened to Carol. Never getting the chance to confess that there was something more between the two of them. Something rare, something real.

Suddenly he sprung up from the grass, slapping Rick on the back and sprinting back up to the prison as he yelled "Gotta go, thanks Sheriff!"

Rick just stood and watched the redneck run, smiling to himself and admiring his handy work. All he needed was a push in the right direction.

Carol sat on her bunk in her cell, mending a pair of Carl's pants, completely lost in her own thoughts when Daryl came running in, startling her.

"Daryl, wh... what is it. Is someone hurt.. or ... bit?" she asked, cringing at her own question. The thought of one of their own getting bit scared her to death.

"Na... they're fine" he whispered trying to catch his breath. Feeling like an idiot for busting into her cell the way he did. Now he was standing there in front of her he wasn't even sure what he was going to say. Or if he even wanted to say anything at all.

She watched him silently, she could see in his eyes he was struggling with something. He had something he needed to say but he didn't know how. "What is it Daryl?" she asked, hoping to encourage him to tell her what was on his mind.

He stood there like an idiot, fiddling with the buttons on his shirt like a nervous school kid. 'Don't be a god damned pussy Dixon' he scolded himself.

"I... I don't" he sighed, unable to find the words he needed. Worried he was going to say it wrong, or that his words wouldn't be enough. He was never good with words.

"It's ok Daryl"

"I don't wanna have regrets" he half growled half whispered.

His voice slightly softer than usual. His heart was thumping wildly in his chest, threatening to bust right through his chest. He could feel his face growing hot with the embarrassment from his admission.

Carol rose to her feet and slowly made her way to him, so that the two were merely inches apart. She could feel the warmth of his breath on her face, her skin tingling at the closeness of his muscular body. The body that she had dreamt so many times of touching. And now that she had all she wanted was more. But she knew Daryl, and she knew that he wasn't one for touching. The moment they had in the showers was rare, and she would always cherish it. Only he could make her feel better about anything, even the horrible abuse she had suffered from her bastard husband.

He didn't know what came over him at that moment. The smell of her skin, the warmth of her body it was drawing him in. There was no fighting it, truth be told he didn't want to fight. He wanted to succumb to this feeling. Something he couldn't quite describe. Safety? Companionship? Love? Hell he had no fucking clue. All he knew was that he wanted it, not only in his mind, but in his body and in his heart.

He lifted a rough hand up to her cheek, caressing the soft skin with the tips of his finger, his eyes closely following his movements, unable to connect with hers. Her skin was so warm, so inviting. He heard a small sigh escape her lips at the touch of his hand, sending shivers down his spine.

After a long moment he slowly looked up, meeting the beautiful blue of her eyes. There was no looking away now, He watched her carefully as he traced her jawline with his fingers, enjoying the smile it brought to her lips. Those gorgeous soft lips. He wanted nothing more than to taste those lips. Gently he ran his thumb across her lips, almost like his way of asking her permission. Seeing if it was what she wanted too. The small nod she gave, and the way her smile widened was enough to let him know that it was okay.

Slowly he inched closer, unsure of himself and his abilities. But at the same time determined to take this opportunity he had been given and embrace it whole heartedly. He bowed his head slightly until his lips met hers in a soft and tender kiss. It was a simple kiss, and it was over just as soon as it had begun. It was all they needed. They were not simple people, but they both knew that simple was all they needed in that moment. It was a moment to forget the world, and give in to temptation.

They stood together in silence, his hands still resting on her cheeks, hers lay on his chest feeling the rapid beating of his heart. She let out a sigh of happiness and rested her forehead on his, both closing their eyes and enjoying one another's company.