Thank you, thank you to those who continue to read this! I'm not sure how many are reading but I sure do appreciate every follow/favourite/review that you have given.

This chapter is a bit shorter than the others. I have broken 'A Time to Search' into multi-parts. This is the introduction, a transition chapter of sorts. I hope you enjoy.

Thanks to Jen again for her sage advice.

I still own nothing in regards to Caryl or The Walking Dead.

(Day One)

Carol wasn't sure she had ever smiled this much in her entire life. For the last twelve hours, her grin had been a permanent fixture on her face. She couldn't stop thinking about earlier, the intimacy she and Daryl had shared, how he had been so patient and loving, stepping out of his comfort zone to ensure her demons were put to rest. And his hands, good lord his hands were – magic.

"With a smile like that, I'd think someone had their world rocked last night."

Carol fumbled the dish she held, catching it before it dropped to the ground.

"Maggie!" She spun around, her tone scolding, her eyes darting around ensuring that no one else had been within earshot.

Her face burned and she knew her cheeks would be crimson.

"Not sure the whole neighbourhood heard you," she deadpanned, setting the dish and rag down, turning to face the young woman.

Maggie's grin widened. She reached across the counter grabbing one of the pecan tarts Carol had just baked and swiftly settled onto one of the island's stools.

"Things were pretty hot and heavy this mornin'," she teased between bites of pastry.

"We are not talking about this," Carol muttered, grabbing a tart of her own and leaning against the counter. She closed her eyes, relishing the first bite, the custard melting in her mouth.

"Kill joy," Maggie mumbled, grabbing a second helping of the delicious treat.

"Was this your plan? Accost me while Glenn tortures Daryl out in the woods?"

"The traps needed to be checked. Daryl seemed like the perfect person to assist. Glenn insisted."

Carol groaned and dropped her head onto her hand. Poor Daryl. Glenn would show no mercy.

Carol lifted her head to meet Maggie's gaze at the sound of the young woman's laughter. "Glenn doesn't know."

"You didn't tell him?"

"Figured Daryl had been tortured enough, 'specially if the colour of his forehead peeking from beneath the bedsheets was any indication."

Relief flooded Carol. She reached out to grab Maggie's hand, "You're an angel!"

"This is a one day only pass. I'm not able to keep gossip this juicy quiet, 'specially from Glenn, for more than one day."

"Did somebody say gossip?" Both women turned to watch Michonne enter the kitchen.

Carol felt herself grow hot and she knew her face would be a similar shade as the red tank top she wore. Maggie had the decency to look apologetic but that did not erase the sparkle from her olive eyes.

Michonne grabbed a glass and filled it with water, her gaze going from Maggie and back to Carol. "Oh no, you are not leaving a girl hanging. Details. Spill."

Carol had never been one for teenage games, even as a teenager. She was a straight-shooter, not one to beat around the bush, especially in this world. Everyone was going to find out once Glenn knew anyway.

"Maggie walked in on Daryl and I this morning and- well – both of us were very naked at the time."

Michonne choked on the water she had just swallowed, her eyes growing wide.

"Noooooooo-" she drawled out, her gaze darting back and forth again between the two women, gauging to see if what she had been told was the truth.

"Oh yes." Maggie drawled. "I got quite the eyeful."

"Carol!" Michonne squealed and Carol couldn't stop the smile that spread at her friend's enthusiasm. "Finally!"

"Were we that obvious?"

"Good Lord woman, that man wears his heart on his damn sleeve. I knew from that first moment, chained to the bars of the prison, watching you all reunite. He couldn't take his eyes off of you and that rare Dixon smile never left his face."

Tears filled Carol's eyes. It was surreal how much time had passed, how much she and Daryl, and everyone, had been through together.

Michonne reached for her hand. "This is good. I am so happy for you both."

Maggie grabbed a hold of her as well, "Me too. You and Daryl – it just makes sense."

The three of them stood around the counter, holding unto one another, tears in all of their eyes. Carol marvelled at all that she was feeling. Female friendships were not something Ed had allowed and her heart swelled with love and gratitude for these two women. Her grip tightened on both of their hands, unable to form the right words to explain to them how much this, how much they meant to her.

Michonne leaned in, her eyes mischievous. "So what was it like? Daryl can be quite feral at times, did he use that to his advantage?"

Carol coughed and then snorted, taken by surprise at Michonne's frankness. Maggie's laughter floated around them.

Michonne tilted her head, her expression serious, but her eyes sparkling, "I'm going to need details girl, Lord knows I haven't been getting any action."

A cough from the doorway interrupted their laughter. Rick stood there, a mask of calm to anyone who didn't know him, but his haunted expression did not go missed by all three of the women. Levity died immediately as tension flooded the room. Fear clawed at Carol's heart. Something bad had happened.

"Rick," Michonne spoke into the strained silence, urging the man to talk.

Rick cleared his throat, locking eyes with Michonne for a beat before turning his attention to Maggie and Carol.

"Glenn, Daryl and their team have missed three check-ins."

Carol felt herself nod, it was an automatic response, an impulse. Daryl always checked in, but there were times he had been unable to; a radio malfunction, a large herd passing by and he was forced into silence. Missing three check-ins meant the team had been radio silent for over five hours. That was rare these days, but not unheard of.

"Did you send out a team?" Michonne asked.

Rick nodded, "Abraham and myself checked all eight trap sites." He paused and rubbed his knuckles across his bearded chin. "We found Brian."

Brian. Carol shuffled through names and faces in her mind until she recalled him. Young guy, early 20's, strong, capable. Nice kid. Daryl had mentioned that he liked him.

"He was dead."

Carol's stomach clenched.

No.

"What?" Maggie stood, shaking her head, the tremble of her body only noticed by a keen eye.

"He was strung up in a tree – all of his limbs -" Rick closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose, "all of his limbs were cut from his body."

That familiar feel of bile churned, rising in Carol's throat. Walkers didn't string people up and cut off their appendages. This was the handiwork of men. Men who had resorted to a very primal and malicious way of survival in this world they all now lived in.

"The others?" she asked, attempting to keep her voice steady, calm.

Rick met her eyes and her blood coiled at the fear-laced confusion she saw there. "There was no sign of them," he said, his words gruff with emotion. "There had been a struggle, but the trail grew cold."

Grew cold? There was no way in hell Daryl would allow a trail to grow cold. He knew they would track him if he ever went missing, had been the one to teach Rick and her how to track. No – he would definitely not allow the trail to grow cold, which meant...

Her heart screamed. Not Daryl – please!

She closed her eyes and took a steadying breath. Daryl was just fine.

"Why are we still here? Let's get back out there," Maggie moved toward the door, urgent, desperate.

"Maggie, you know we can't," Rick said, grabbing her arm. "It's too dark. We'd accomplish nothing, it's the only reason we came in."

It was true, as much as Carol wanted to rush out and search as well, she knew no ground would be gained if they were unable to see. They would be vulnerable to the elements, an easy meal for the walkers and even worse, sitting ducks for these people who had butchered Brian and likely captured Daryl, Glenn and the others.

Maggie ran a frustrated hand through her hair. Her eyes were large and held a dangerous edge. "We leave at first light."

Rick's eyes darted from Maggie to Michonne and back over to Carol, "I'm not sure that is wise-"

"We all leave at first light," Carol interjected. Her tone steel and leaving no room for any of Rick's half-assed arguments.

She was going to find Daryl and not a damn thing was going to stop her.

Thanks again for reading.

Let me know your thoughts or theories.