Summary: "I thought it was a one night stand...and now we're married..."
So. I caved.
I am such a weenie, lol.
It was my original intention not to post this story here until it was finished in its entirety in the hopes I wouldn't simply add another mark to my growing tally of dangling WIPs. I'm still not going to post new chapters at this site until I get a certain amount of chapters ahead, but I have like zero will power, y'all. I like reading what you guys think way too much and abstaining from posting? Is hella hard. Besides. This site has been kind of dead, and if I can contribute in some small way to breathing some life back into it, I'd like to.
Anyway. This is my latest Caryl AU. It's inspired by a drabble I posted in my Across the Universe(s) collection. Some of you might recognize it as the prologue for this story. Our jumping off point.
Anyway, just a forewarning. In my head, I see this playing out as a crackish dramedy AU with a few bits of angst here and there because I may whine but I (not so) secretly love it and a healthy amount of sex (lol) if I don’t chicken out and play it safe.
The story will also most likely be told in non-linear fashion, so if that’s not something you’re willing to take on, back out now.
If you want to read the full author's note--it's even longer than this one, lol--feel free to check out either of my blogs because I've already blathered enough.
On with the story. 
1. Prologue: "I thought it was a one night stand..." by Shae [Reviews - 13] 
(104 words)
How it all began. Aka, the morning after the night before.
2. 1. "Really ain't that complicated." by Shae [Reviews - 4] (943 words)
Approximately ten minutes later.
3. 2. "Close the door." by Shae [Reviews - 4] (996 words)
Seven years after Vegas. Give or take a few months. Early January.
4. 3. "It's three in the morning." by Shae [Reviews - 7] (1219 words)
Nearly two years after Vegas. Rated M for sexual situations, adult language, allusions to past abuse.
5. 4. "I should have told you a long time ago." by Shae [Reviews - 4] (1303 words)
More than six years after Vegas. Early Summer.
6. 5. "Why are you (offering to) help(ing) me?" by Shae [Reviews - 5] (1212 words)
How it all really began. The next evening after the night before. More simply, two days after they said their drunken ‘I do’s.’
7. 6. "You need to leave. Right now." by Shae [Reviews - 9] (1252 words)
About a month after Vegas. The first time they see each other again. Aka, the oh shit, we’re really doing this moment.
8. 7. "Just trust me." by Shae [Reviews - 7] (1222 words)
Approximately two months after Vegas.
9. 8. "I've been waiting a long time." by Shae [Reviews - 5] (1838 words)
Seven years after Vegas. Less than a week before Valentine’s Day.
10. 9. "You're in love with her." by Shae [Reviews - 6] (1987 words)
Four months after Vegas. Their first Thanksgiving together as a pseudo-family. More accurately, the aftermath. Rated M, just to be safe. For adult language and some innuendo.
11. 10. "Come here." by Shae [Reviews - 8] (2270 words)
Nearly a year after Vegas. Rated M for some adult language and sexual situations.
12. 11. "We could be arrested for this." by Shae [Reviews - 6] (2376 words)
More than six years after Vegas. Early August.
13. 12. "What are you thinking about?" by Shae [Reviews - 6] (994 words)
Two years after Vegas.
14. 13. "I thought you were dead." by Shae [Reviews - 5] (1668 words)
Seven years after Vegas. Middle of March.
15. 14. "Never gonna let this one go, are you?" by Shae [Reviews - 5] (1522 words)
Almost a year and a half after Vegas.
16. 15. "That supposed to hurt?" by Shae [Reviews - 7] (2240 words)
Seven years after Vegas. Late March. Rated M for adult language and sexual situations.
17. 16. "I can explain." by Shae [Reviews - 5] (1674 words)
More than a year after Vegas. Early September.
18. 17. "Love is overrated." by Shae [Reviews - 5] (1238 words)
Seven years after Vegas. Second week of April. Aka, Prom week.
19. 18. "Watch me." by Shae [Reviews - 4] (1100 words)
More than three years after Vegas. Rated M for adult language.
20. 19. "I've missed this." by Shae [Reviews - 2] (943 words)
Four years or so after Vegas.
21. 20. "I don't believe you." by Shae [Reviews - 6] (1896 words)
About six months after Vegas. Their first New Year’s Eve together.
22. 21. "Sometimes, being a complete nerd comes in handy." by Shae [Reviews - 11] (2688 words)
Seven years after Vegas. Late May.
23. 22. "Don't owe you no explanation." by Shae [Reviews - 11] (3444 words)
Almost two and a half years after Vegas.
24. "We have to be quiet." by Shae [Reviews - 13] (5941 words)
Nearly eight years after Vegas. Rated M for sexual situations and adult language.
25. "You're trembling." by Shae [Reviews - 10] (1873 words)
More than two and a half years after Vegas. Rated M for sexual situations and adult language.
26. "I want some answers..." by Shae [Reviews - 10] (1876 words)
Seven years after Vegas. Middle of March. The immediate aftermath of Daryl seeing Sophia again.