Carol can feel him tense and somehow that makes hers ease, because for Daryl it's not just duty, he cares enough that he was scared. Even though she was too, still is, it's always easier to comfort someone else than allow herself to be comforted. If keeping her close in whatever sense will help him, she can do that, when maybe she couldn't if it were for her own reasons.

She returns the embrace with both arms, just as tightly.

"I'll be all right," she says, echoing his words. She can't say how, but she doesn't need to right now. Just the words are enough.