Carol looked with satisfaction at the knives that she was sharpening. These would do the job. Any job, because she could do any job now.

Some time had passed since they came to the prison. She had become a strong fighter, and felt confident that she was holding her own in terms of protecting the prison. She also had a much better relationship with Daryl. Often he would seek out her company just to be by her side for a few minutes. Some people might just call that "standing next to someone," but she knew better. He cared about her. Their relationship was special.

She looked up as Tyreese came into the kitchen. He smiled at her. He had become a good friend. She enjoyed spending time with him. He said, "You know, Carol, a woman who is as pretty and proficient with weapons as you should not be spending her nights alone. I have romantic feelings for you. You are an amazing woman. I want us to be a couple." Carol smiled, but she did not respond. Ty was such a joker. She didn't understand his wacky sense of humor, but he had a beautiful smile and was a great, extremely affectionate friend.

Outside in the prison yard, Daryl was walking with Morgan, a friend of Rick's who had appeared at the prison with an arsenal of weapons. Rick had asked him to show Morgan the ropes.

"So," Morgan said thoughtfully, "What's the story on Carol? Is she single?"

Daryl snorted. "Hell if I know. She's not my prob - I mean, you'll have to ask her."

Morgan pursued the issue, saying, "A fine woman like that must have admirers. I just want to make sure that I am not stepping on any toes."

Daryl shrugged but didn't answer. To be honest, he was getting a little tired of everyone asking him about Carol. First it was the two little girls' father, the one who died. He'd asked Daryl if he thought that Carol would ever want to be a mother again. Then it was that guy Mike who kept bringing Carol flowers, and Jeremy, who got an "I love Carol" tattoo. What did they want from her? He didn't get it. They weren't going to get her to save a plate for them at breakfast, and he'd told all of them that. She did that for him. They all looked surprised and confused when they heard him say that, that's for sure, but it didn't seem to discourage them from hanging around her, pestering her all the time. He shrugged again.

He left Morgan at the fence with Rick and returned to the prison courtyard for lunch. As he was walking up there, he saw Carol talking to Herschel. Herschel took a step away from her and stumbled. Carol quickly grabbed his arm and kept him from falling. Hershel steadied himself, then smiled at Carol and patted her gently on the arm.

Daryl froze.

That smile. Hershel's hand on Carol's arm. The way he nodded at her in thanks. Hershel wanted Carol. He felt like his brain was on fire. He almost put an arrow in the old man. Hershel was practically mounting her, for God's sake. That would show him for molesting her arm that way.

As he watched, Carol saw Carl and waved at him. Carl waved back. Daryl saw the boy's smile and had a moment of terrible recognition. Carl was in love with her, too. Daryl seethed. Carl might be 15 now, but that was practically grown up. Little bastard would probably propose to Carol the day he hit 18, Daryl thought.

Two of his closest friends, both in love with Carol. He didn't like it one bit. He had two people at the prison to keep an eye on, he thought. And if Hershel got too friendly, Daryl had no qualms about delivering a beat down on the old man with his own crutch.

He looked the other way and was not surprised to see Ghost Merle leaning up against a pillar, snickering. (Ghost Merle did a lot of leaning and snickering.) "Well, well, little brother. Have we been visited by the green-eyed monster?"

Daryl just kept walking.

Ghost Merle sauntered after Daryl. "It looks like Carol has some admirers in camp. You gonna do something about that?"

Daryl said, "What am I supposed to do? She ain't mine. Besides, if she wants to be with Herschel or Carl, that's her choice." He was surprised how hard it was for him to say that.

Ghost Merle said, "Herschel and Carl? What are you talking about?"

Daryl said, "I saw them this morning, making eyes at her. Both of 'em want her to be their old lady." He was silent for a moment, then said, "I get it. She saves a mighty fine plate of breakfast, that's for sure, and she's a better knife-sharpener than almost anyone."

Ghost Merle looked at him carefully. "What about Tyreese or Morgan or Mike or Jeremy?"

Daryl said, "You're right. I bet I could ask one of them to keep a close eye on Carol while I'm away from camp. Ty's volunteered to do it before."

Ghost Merle shook his head. "Little brother, you are just about the stupidest man left on earth, and that includes Officer Friendly. I thought you might be making some progress, but it's clear you got a thick skull. I guess I've got a couple more chapters of this before you finally see the light. Damn, that is irritating." He walked away.

Daryl scowled goodbye at his brother. Merle must still be getting some good drugs in the afterlife, because he was making no sense at all. He didn't even want to ask what he meant by chapters.