Summary:

 

something different, ZA, but AU.  The Peletiers didn’t go with the family.  But, Carol has learned to survive.  They are both alone, post-prison.  Daryl’s story is pretty canon, except he didn’t have Carol.  Her story is different, but she is now alone...both are Warriors.

Rated: E
Categories: Season 4, Alternate Universe
Characters: Carol Peletier, Daryl Dixon
Genres: Action/Adventure, Angst, Drama, Fluffy/Comedy, Hurt/Comfort, Porn w/ Plot, Romance
Warnings: Adult Language, Sexual Situations, Violence
Series: None
Chapters: 55 Completed: Yes
Word count: 243894 Read: 24250
Published: September 09, 2018 Updated: January 24, 2020

Print or Download Story:

1. Chapter 1- Survivor by coreenfw [Reviews - 22] (2736 words)

Starting something fresh.  I hope you all like this.  It is different.  I know there have been other fics similar, e: ZA D & C meet later than in canon.  But... hopefully this is a fresh storyline.  

I know we are all very bruised with our dear Caryl In ‘oh-so-frustrating’ canon.  This is slow burn and eventual.  It begins in later Season 4.  Daryl is alone, post-prison...and he and a similarly alone Carol meet for the first time.  

They are strangers... They are alike is a lot of ways, yet different... and still soulmates.  Know there will be some rough, angsty moments before we get to Caryl (Of course!  It IS them)  I will give warnings.  There is no ‘D or C with other’, even if it may be slightly hinted...in the binning, but quickly will be resoled...rememmb, they don’t know one another.  No worries.  Ed is mentioned, but DEAD.

2. Chapter 2 - Introduction by coreenfw [Reviews - 12] (5810 words)

WOW!!!

I was so excited to see such a response.  I am so glad you are all interested in this.  

Their first meeting.  Remember, they don’t know one another.  Daryl IS debilitated.  They are both so wary.

Warnings:  Carol makes assumptions...Ed is mentioned, and there is violence and abuse.  It is not agregious, but when they get to backstory, if this triggers you, be careful.... there is more backstory (not a real warning, but)...there is some very small agism...Daryl makes assumptions also...but, that is rectified quickly.  I think that is it...other than Dixon mouth/ swearing, but that is to be expected.

3. Chapter 3 -Recovery * Part 1 * by coreenfw [Reviews - 15] (4611 words)

a new chapter...

they get to know one another a bit better...

Warnings for some mild food porn... 

4. Chapter 4 -Recovery *Part 2* by coreenfw [Reviews - 9] (3609 words)

Disclaimer:  all recognizable characters and settings are propert of their respective owners.  Any original characters and plot are property of the author.  The author of this story is in no way associated with the owners, creators or producers of this or any other franchise.  No copyright infr is intended.

That said... as per request...here comes a new chapter.  I am posting this before I respond to reviews... by the way...WOWIE!!!  Thanks so much, you guys are ‘da bomb’.  Makes my little authors heart go pitty pat.  

Thanks to everyone... and here we go....

5. Chapter 5 - Bonding by coreenfw [Reviews - 10] (5178 words)

a little more... they are getting to know one another, and Daryl is recovering.

Enjoy!!

6. Chapter 6 -Awkwardness by coreenfw [Reviews - 9] (3519 words)

another chapter here.  Some food porn... some angst... a build up to a question.

7. Chapter 7 - Reckoning by coreenfw [Reviews - 11] (4640 words)

OK, these two starngers have been doing well, they butt heads abit, but... all has been pretty ‘hunky-dory’ (if I may quote a fav character of mine.  =)

So...Daryl has a question.  He’s not sure what is going on... ( By the way, it is a really long day... in case anyone is keeping track)

and...GO!!

8. Chapter 8 - Possibilities by coreenfw [Reviews - 8] (2491 words)

For Denise.... another Chapter for your birthday....okay, fine, more angst!!!

BB - I got ahead of you it seems....but, I really want to post for anothe b-Day chapter... so...I hope you aren’t mad.  

9. Chapter 9 - Road Trip by coreenfw [Reviews - 10] (5288 words)

Fallout from the ‘honesty’ and sharing Carol has done....

Daryl forces himself to share a little too.  

and they are off, enjoy these hours of Caryl on the road together.  A little fluff ‘n stuff. (Angst and tears type stuff)

10. Chapter 10 - Grady by coreenfw [Reviews - 12] (2641 words)

Thank you all so much for all the love and support, Thanks to my betas, and Caryl On!!

11. Chapter 11 -Rescue by coreenfw [Reviews - 12] (3032 words)

....in which they enter the hospital to rescue Beth.... and....

12. Chapter 12 - Haven by coreenfw [Reviews - 14] (4722 words)

well...I will add a Beth warning, there is a moderate amount of Beth in the next few chapters....so, beware.  

She is harmless, seriously.

hope you enjoy despite the ‘Beth’.

13. Chapter 13 -Decision by coreenfw [Reviews - 8] (3133 words)

well, I am sorry!!  RL got in the way ( including a fun evening cosplaying our favorite female ‘warrior’ at a Zombie/Walker event.  I didn’t win the costume contest, but Sasha and I fought some pretty nasty walkers...if I can figure out how to post a pic, I will.)

so...good news is that I have 2 chapters ready, and another finished and in editing... so, there will be more fast.

enjoy!!

14. Chapter 14 - Wishes and Hopes by coreenfw [Reviews - 10] (3706 words)

some Careth/ Berol... lots of talking & some bonding...warning.  

But...no worries, some Caryl too...

15. Chapter 15 - Sanctuary For All by coreenfw [Reviews - 11] (4009 words)

i own nothing associated with the franchise The Walking Dead.  I intend no copyright infringement.  

A huge Thank You and shout out to the two best Betas ever: Amanda & Mel (BettyBubble). You guys are the best.

Enjoy!!

16. Chapter 16 - A New Sanctuary by coreenfw [Reviews - 9] (5055 words)

more!!!  

Thanks so much to BB and Amanda!!!  My heroes!

17. Chapter 17 by coreenfw [Reviews - 15] (3274 words)

sorry this took a while.  

Life.  

But, here...it is long and juicy, AND you should love the ending.  ( no- no sex yet...)

18. Chapter 18 - Home by coreenfw [Reviews - 7] (5039 words)

Here you go.  Hunting and thangs...

19. Chapter 19 - Clarification by coreenfw [Reviews - 15] (5780 words)

I told you I would get this to you...Can't leave my faithful readers dying from anxiety.  So...here you go

(Thanks BB!!!  And of course Amanda as always!!)

20. Chapter 20 - Gabriel by coreenfw [Reviews - 8] (4958 words)

lotsa stuff here... But first some bonding for Carol with TF

21. Chapter 21 Preparation by coreenfw [Reviews - 9] (4879 words)

New... some cute stuff at the end.... 

22. Chapter 22 by coreenfw [Reviews - 9] (3687 words)

More..  So sorry!  I have been prepping for a surgery (Knee replacement) and have had less writing tme available.  I figure I will be able to do some writing the next 2-3 weeks...so should get back in gear!!

This is a little filler-ish, but there is some TF teasing and fun, also some Caryl teasing, NO, no actual sex yet....  Calm down, they ARE surrounded by TF, and kids... It will be coming. '

If you are going nuts, read Ch 2 of Christmas cookies!!  LOLOL.  Yup!!!

23. Chapter 23 - Lost and Found by coreenfw [Reviews - 6] (4025 words)

SO SORRY!!!  I didn't mean to let you all sit so long.

My knee is doing well, but my recovery stole any and all writing interest from me...I wasn't even reading ff...so weird.  (Though, I got to binge read a bit when I got back to it, YAY!!)

Good news...There is a chapter 24 awaiting in the wings... when you finish this you will see why I am telling you this.  I am truly evil!!!  Bwahahahaha.

24. Chapter 24 by coreenfw [Reviews - 6] (4187 words)

Okay - Here you go...

Enjoy!!! (because you KNOW they did!)

25. Chapter 25 by coreenfw [Reviews - 7] (4175 words)

Here, delightful lovelies!!  Happy day after Valentines!!  Love you all.

26. Chapter 26 - Eugene by coreenfw [Reviews - 5] (4956 words)

Thank you victorialima!!!  This update is especially for you...and I hope you are somewhat a Eugene fan, 'cause it's a little Eugene-centric.  If not...sorry!!

***NO!!  I have not died!!  I have been lax.  Don't know why...WHen I sit down and write I am all good, no block or anything...It is just getting to writing has been a bit of a chore.  I am sorry!!  Life!  I am still here, and have plans for our story... they still have the Wolves to contend with (no that was not just an Easter Egg, it was real foreshadowing when they found the W marks...)***

I hope you like this one. I suppose it could be a 'filler' chapter, except I really don't like the term, stuff happens, stuff and thangs that I needed to happen...just a little off the primary Caryl story.  

BTW, I am, and always will be a Eugene fan.  Got to meet the inimitable Josh McDermott, and he is the sweetest, cutest huggable on the planet, and I loved EUgene before I met Josh.  I have been a little less than sweet to him here, but it is sort of Carol and Daryl's POV, and I felt that neither of them really knew him well, or appreciated his 'uniqueness' so....  I am giving him a different outcome than the show....(no, he's not dying either)

Enjoy!!

27. Chapter 27 by coreenfw [Reviews - 7] (6859 words)

A bit more....enjoy!  It is a longish one, with Caryl!!

28. Chapter 28 - Of Dogs and Wolves by coreenfw [Reviews - 11] (3890 words)

Here you go, more.

Enjoy!!

29. Chapter 29 by coreenfw [Reviews - 7] (3875 words)

Warnings - A deer hunt, and an execution. 

I am soooo sorry!!

I am here and still very much writing!  Please don't give up on me, but it is spring/summer, and my vet practice is crazy busy (3 large animal/farm vets 'retired' last summer, so my busy practice is even busier)

I am currently working on Ch 30.

Here is the next one. I sort of left you all hanging, with Daryl alone in the woods near the Wolves, but C'mon guys, I never thought it was an issue.  We all know D is a ninja!!  He was never in danger....  So, with that spoiler, please enjoy.

30. Chapter 30 by coreenfw [Reviews - 6] (3290 words)

here we go....

31. Chapter 31 by coreenfw [Reviews - 8] (6500 words)

So sorry, I have not meant to leave you all hang, but good news is, I have this chapter and the next ready!!!  So, I will update soon.. Chapter 33 is in the works.  

there is some trigger warnings:  verbal abuse, hinted physical abuse, insensitive speech (These are the Wolves!)  SO, be prepared.

Oh, & Carol abuses a male Wolf physically, but I am pretty sure you all will LIKE that!! (he deserved it)

No real Caryl....loads of Magrol!!!  

MaNY NEW CHARACTERS!!!

OK, let's roll!!!

32. Chapter 32 by coreenfw [Reviews - 7] (4431 words)

I told you I would post soon, but there have been great new stories and so many of my favorites have also updated, I keep getting sidetracked with reading...haven't been able to post!!!

This has fighting, injuries, and some death.... WARNING.

Also, it seems our family might be growing....maybe.

33. Chapter 33 by coreenfw [Reviews - 6] (4476 words)

OKAY!!  I told you I was on a roll...I am warning now, fighting and stuff coming, no other worries, other than highly annoyed Rick!!  lolol  (So glad we have Michonne to help keep him under control)

I am just getting started on the next one, Iwill try to get it done quick and out to you....

As I might have given you a sexual/blue balls cliffhanger moment....  (What???  ME???  NAH!! )  Loe to you all and.... just cause I must.

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author.  The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise.  No copyright infringement is intended.

34. Chapter 34 - Relief by coreenfw [Reviews - 7] (4619 words)

so sorry!!  Really.  I did leave you all with a sexual cliffhanger....soooo

Here you go!!  Smutastic!!  

ENjoy.  Also some more getting to know the newbies.  Sort of a fluffy sexy chapter, but the last few have been a bit 'active'....

35. Chapter 35 - New Friends by coreenfw [Reviews - 10] (3251 words)

alrighty - as I said....a new update!!

There is a time jump here, and I have a bit more housekeeping to do, just tying up some loose ends.  I figure we have maybe another 8-10 chapters right now.  and this little tale will be told.

ENjoy

36. Chapter 36 - Searching by coreenfw [Reviews - 8] (3413 words)

Well...interesting reviews for this, of course I DID drop a bomb last time... Yes, It's Negan!!

So, we will see what happens.  This is not the Season 7 & 8 Negan... this is Negan before he 'embraced' his Crazy Lucille and death act.  He is still Negan, and if any have read the comic, especially the one of his backstory, the man is much more like Merle than anyone else.... misogynistic and crude, but not really 'evil'

SO, welcome to the next phase of our adventure!!  I hope you enjoy!!

37. Chapter 37 - A Decision to Make by coreenfw [Reviews - 10] (3839 words)

Hey !!  A new chappter here!!

NOTE:  I guess this is a warning for more Negan....

I need to address something.  Whoo!!  I guess I have hit a hornet's nest with a decision I have made here with this story.

I AM including Negan.  I know that is a very iffy choice on my part

SO... I have a couple of reasons for my choice, and hope if I explain...it might make this a teeny bit more palatable for some.  I wanted to allow our family a chance to find a place of their own, near the other communities.  I also wanted to play 'author/god' and remove some future hardships...which to me were 2...The Wolves, and The Saviors.  So.  I took care of the Wolves.  

But, rather than wiping out another group of people (the pre-Savior, Saviors) I thought..."Instead of being boring and just killing the guy....What if they meet up with Negan and his people BEFORE Negan flipped his switch and became NEGAN."  I am using comic book Negan, and his backstory as my guide.  SO...this is a different subtly different guy than the monster (crazy rapist and torturer) we experienced in the show..(NO, I agree, I think he was a heinous asshole also)  But, this person in my story is the guy that others (Some of them TPTB, but also includes JDM) have said, "If you began with HIS story rather than Rick's, you might be thinking Rick and Co. were the monsters.." (I don't necessarily agree with this but, in his backstory, you see why he went 'whackadoo'...the man thinks this is the way to keep people alive, really)

Please consider this as you continue (if you continue)  Maybe think more Merle than Negan...as I think he was closer to Merle's personality than anyone else we have met, PRIOR to him going crazy ((there was a reason that happened also, and I plan to adjust the story to take that into account...coming soon))

While this man is named Negan, and he IS the misogynistic dick who swears a lot and thinks the sun shines out of his nether orifice, he isn't a rapist, and he hasn't resorted to torture to get his point across.  Maybe his exposure to some truly badass strong women may open his eyes a teeny bit... or not....in which case...whether I keep him alive or not...remains to be seen...  

38. Chapter 38 - A Trip to the Mall by coreenfw [Reviews - 7] (4555 words)

Hi all!!

Alrighty - Warnings for nasty misognyistic behavior (not just Negan) hinted abuse (not Negan)  ALSO ---This chapter and the next have a lot of Negan...

I know...He is not ypur favorite, but I am going somewhere with this and also introducing a little more of Negan's backstory.  This chapter and the next deal with a set of scenes that occur in the comic, but...I have modified them to have TF's help, and change Negan's story.  I think you will like this, and it DOES shine a bit of light on who the man was/is... There is some cute TF teasing of Caryl, and some Daryl teasing by Negan... 

I know...Also....we have LOTS of people!!  LOL.  I promise that will be dealt with, I have a plan (and NO I am not having a massive die off, or war.  I will just place non-essential characters in the background.  More CARYL is soon, but I need to get through this part.  I am really trying to make them safe.  (Caryl and Team Family)

Please enjoy....

39. Chapter 39 - Negan by coreenfw [Reviews - 7] (4346 words)

Alrighty.  As the title implies this is a Negan drive chapter.

There is a lot (especially from the beginning) which is pretty much verbatim from the comics.  I know...Negan was a rapist.  he used coersion, and no matter how he justified it in his mind (and I think he did--I think Negan felt his 'wives' had made a choice. He was wrong...But, I think he was in severe crazy denial of the reasons they agreed to his farce)  So, here is a Negan who goes bat shit crazy...and well....acts OOC from the man we met in the show.  It is what it is.  I prefer to think he finally took a long leap off the crazy cliff, and his later decisions were based in his new "I will do whatever I have to to save these stupid, incompetent people, even if it hurts them..."'

There is some Caryl at the end.....Look for the long asterisk line.

I promise.  This is the last of the Negan BS.  from now on he will become a side character that Rosita, Michonne, Carol and Tara, or maybe Tara mess with...if I have time to come up with some snappy banter...;)

Please enjoy.

(for anyone who hasn't read the comic, I will add a note at the end, if you are curious as to what happened in the comic version)

40. Chapter 40 - Traveling by coreenfw [Reviews - 10] (5187 words)

Dang...I seem to keep having to apologise for running behind.  AND I left off with too much Negan...So in penance, I have written a totally Negan free chapter, WITH SMUT!!  WHoo-hoo!!

LOL.  Our ittle group is together, on the road, looking for the promised land... adventures to come.  And some new plot points...  ENJOY!!

41. Chapter 41 - The Regency by coreenfw [Reviews - 6] (4610 words)

Hi all!!  I am still here, but the veterinary life has me hopping, so...the story progresses, but slowly!  

I know many of you wanted me to keep Negan away from Glenn...C'mon,y'all...Glenn's a bigger badass than that!!  Don't worry, Glenn has Mr. Negan's number, and he ain't takin' none of the leather jacketed man's shit...

The Regency at Chancellorsville exists, it is a retirement community, but the walls are my own (I was so sad when the walls they showed on the website were minimal, and didn't surround the place, Pttht!!) So, authors license allows my the right to change shit, so I did.  (I DID Google maps the place, and satellite viewed it, it was so much less than I had imagined...MY Regency is WAY cooler....)

While I was 'Google mapping', I found somethng delightful...it will be inthe next chappie, where something will be addressed between our Caryl.  It is a good thing!!

ENJOY!!!

42. Chapter 42 - Scouting by coreenfw [Reviews - 8] (5375 words)

You guys rock...

More here.

Enjoy!

43. Chapter 43 - The Clearing of the Regency by coreenfw [Reviews - 8] (3871 words)

I guess I am due again for one of these....

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author.  The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise.  No copyright infringement is intended.

That done...Here is our next nstallment, enjoy....

44. Chapter 44 - Settling in, and a Surprise by coreenfw [Reviews - 9] (5310 words)

I hope you like this, fluffy bit of sweetness.

We had some requests in the reviews, so I added some fun.

And a surprise (which isn't REAL surprising)

45. Chapter 45 - Engagement by coreenfw [Reviews - 5] (4958 words)

More fun!  Love you all!!

46. Chapter 46 - "Y' Ain't Gettin' Me In No Damn Tux" by coreenfw [Reviews - 7] (3915 words)

Some pre-wedding fluff

Enjoy

47. Chapter 47 - A Dixon Wedding by coreenfw [Reviews - 6] (5204 words)

Fluff, and fairytale wedding for our sweeties.

EnjoY

48. Chapter 48 - Testing by coreenfw [Reviews - 7] (4117 words)

...a little more, enjoy

49. Chapter 49 - Megaherd, Stuff, and Thangs by coreenfw [Reviews - 6] (5094 words)

and...by stuff, and thangs I meant smut....ENJOY!!!

50. Chapter 50 - WOW!! CHapter 50, in which things happen... by coreenfw [Reviews - 8] (3002 words)

WARNING: Cliffhanger ending, and it is scary.  SOooo.  You know I would not let you hang. 

I have been slow with these as I had a knee replacement surgery, which the scheduling of caused trauma (mental) and made me scurry about like a mad hare for weeks...SO.  Friday the 13th I got a new knee, and I have been working on these 2 chapters (as I NEEDED to have the follow-up ready for you) and just finally got them done and edited.

Sorry about the wait.  But, it seems this one is drawing to a close, there is more to come... but maybe 4-5 chapters with an epilogue (cause I like to know what happens too)

51. Chapter 51 by coreenfw [Reviews - 7] (6087 words)

Here you go, lovies!  I didn't even make you wait for me to answer reviews!!

I am doing well.  I am on my own this day, though someone is coming to let my dogs out.  The 2 85 lb-ers need to be on leash, and they would be dragging my crying body all around the yard!!  lolol  Can't have that happen.

Thanks for all the love! 

52. Chapter 52 by coreenfw [Reviews - 6] (4213 words)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

I am doing well, knee recovery is coming along!  I hope everyone feels as good as I do!

Here is our next installment as a present for all good (and maybe a little naughty) boys and girls.

SOme filler/ but character devemopment with a little sweet Caryl at the end!!

53. Chapter 53 - Jacob Merle Dixon by coreenfw [Reviews - 7] (6374 words)

Here you go.....

That magic moment!  But, some smut first!!!

54. Chapter 54 - Living, truly living... by coreenfw [Reviews - 9] (4765 words)

Alrighty you guys...

Warning:  Fluff and stuff... More (hinted) discussion of Daryl as a sperm donor... SOme time will pass... 

AND this is our last REAL chapter.

There is a surprise ending, and no...I am not going into all the details and continuing stuff entailed there (it is not a terrible cliffhanger)

There will be an epilogue.

Thank all of my readers, from the multi-reviewers, to the non...I love you all!!  I hope you have enjoyed this as much as I have.  

Thanks again to BettyBubble and Amanda, who helped Beta.  Amanda rode out the whole process, and to any grammarians out there, any and all missed typos, grammar glitches and spelling oops are mine, as I always re-review after my betas get through with it, so they are all my errors (if you want to help me out, let me know of any glaring stuff...I love to fix!!)

Here we go. fluff...some fun, no smut...(just a discussion of said smut) Baby lust, and sweetness.

55. Epilogue by coreenfw [Reviews - 8] (5328 words)

Damn.

I have been sad....this is over, and I am happy, as I think this story is done, but...it has been a work of over a year of my life.

Amanda...thank you so much! You are the best beta ever! And my dear friend!!  An ocean cannot separate sisters of the heart.

All my readers - both the noisy and the silent, and everyone in between... THANK YOU SOO much for the reads!  I loved sharing this with you.

I hope you like this ending as well as I do.  I tried hard not to fall into the begets of the Bible....but...We are 15 years in the future.  And there were babies....not more CAryl babies, but....Babies!!  And now they are teens.  

Love you all!!  Soon I believe will will get our Caryl (in show canon...I truly believe we will have it before the end of the season)

ENJOY!!!