This is my first attempt at a Caryl fic, please review and let me know what you think andd also if I should make it a multi chapter story.

They were two broken souls, trying to survive in an equally broken world. A lot had changed for the both of them since the infection had broken out. In a time filled with fear, anxiety and uncertainty, never would they have thought they would find a friendship in one another. A bond forged by grief. That bond strengthened by a will to survive and maybe by a glimmer of hope for something more.

Carol. A woman damaged by years of abuse from a bastard husband, a man who was taken by the dead, freeing her from the nightmare she was living with him only to be trapped in another while the world fell around them. The loss of her daughter to the hell that the world had become was almost too much for her to bear. Sophia, her little girl, her rock. She had been her reason to get out of bed each and every day. In the months that passed not a day went by that she didn't think of her daughter, but the pain was lessened by the understanding and support of the group.

And Daryl, a man whose self-worth had been almost completely destroyed by the constant abuse and mocking form his older brother, a racist drug addict who pissed everybody off. He had practically raised Daryl, taught him how to be just like him. Only there was something inside of Daryl that wanted a better life. Sure he came across like his brother at times, but deep down he just needed to belong. Love and trust were two things that didn't come naturally to Daryl, but as he built friendships within the group he was beginning to understand the two concepts.

So much had gone down in the short space of time since they took refuge in the prison. They had fought off countless walkers, come across survivors, lost some of their people who had made the ultimate sacrifice to save others. The new born baby Judith somehow restored a little hope to the group, and Carol proved she did indeed have nine lives after being found alive when all hope for her had been lost. That time spent shut in the closet seemed to go on forever, she had almost lost all hope of being found. But when that door was ripped open and she had looked up to see her rescuer, it was none other than Daryl Dixon. She had never been happier to see his dirty face. Two hearts thumped wildly within their chests and his rough hands met the soft smooth skin of her face. What happened after that was a blank for Carol… however it was a moment Daryl would never forget.

He had been so angry, trying to come to terms with the fact that she was gone. Taken from him by the monsters this cruel new world had created. Not that she was ever really his to begin with, but not having her around made him realise, maybe that's what he wanted. His confused feelings and intense rage had become too much for him to handle. He was gonna kill that fuckin' walker behind that door. For Carol. But when her tore open that door and laid eyes on the very person he was almost certain he would never see again a flood of emotions came over him that he couldn't begin to understand. All he knew was that finding Carol. Finding her alive was the best thing that had happened to him in a long time.

After some rest and fluids Carol was feeling much better, but there was one thing she had to do. Say goodbye to her friends Lori and T-Dog. Lives that had been lost in the most unselfish ways. She thanked god that she had made it, but wished it hadn't been at the expense of the lives of one of their own. She knelt by their graves, slow tears falling down her cheeks.

"Lori, your baby girl is beautiful and I know you will be watching over her from a better place. I'm sorry I couldn't be there with you… at the end. You can be at peace now. I promise I will keep an eye out for your family. I'll miss you" she whispered.

The strong and stubborn redneck stood silently watching her from a distance as she sat by the graves of the friends she… they lost. Wondering to himself whether she would notice that there was a third. 'Of course she would dumbass' he scolded himself. It was only a matter of time, and then she would know the truth. As he slowly made his way over to her, he could just make out what she was saying.

"T, you sacrificed yourself so that I could live and for that I will be forever grateful, I only wish it didn't have to be this way. But we both knew what lay ahead for you. Rest in peace my friend, I won't ever forget you and what you did for me" she whispered between quiet sobs. As the words left her lips they tugged on his heart strings. Why did this woman affect him so much. A man who most people believed was incapable of showing emotion, but here he was, his heart breaking at the sound of her cries. It was as though he could feel her pain. Something he had only ever experienced around her.

As he carefully inched closer as not to startle the grieving woman, she turned to see him watching her intently. As their blue eyes locked that's when she noticed something in her peripheral vision. The soft white of a Cherokee Rose. Laid upon a third grave. For a moment she was confusion and then it hit her. She looked up at Daryl with a questioning expression. He shuffled uncomfortably and stared down at his boots. The flower. That was their thing. Had everyone including Daryl given up hope that she might still be alive.

She moved herself closer to the grave and took the delicate flower in her hand, running the tips of her slim fingers along the white petals. She was a little surprised when Daryl took a seat on the ground beside her, however she welcomed his company. He looked at her as though he had something to say, but was too hesitant… shy… maybe even scared to say what was on his mind.

"Was this you?" she asked quietly raising the small flower she clutched in the palm of her hand.

"Yeah" was all he could manage in reply.

She nodded in appreciation and waited for him to speak. She knew there was something on his mind, it was evident in his eyes. Something she loved about him. He may be a man of few words, but his eyes definitely had a lot to say.

"Thought you wer' … gone" he spoke softly, his voice slightly shaky to his own disgust.

"I figured, you know with the third grave and all" she replied.

"Found it in the woods, thought ya might like it" he said playing with his hands nervously.

"Thank you Daryl"

"Nuthin' ta thank me for. Shoulda done more for ya" he said gruffly.

"You've done more for me than anyone ever has. You found me. You saved me Daryl" she whispered as she leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on his dirty cheek. Unlike the first time she did the same thing he didn't flinch or shy away. He remained still and accepted her show of appreciation. However hard he tried to pretend like he didn't care. Fact was he did, a lot. And Carol knew it. There was no denying it.