"Now the way I see it, If you're gonna stay here with us we gotta have an understanding" Rick stated with conviction. There was no concessions to be made and Rick was going to make it clear to Merle the condition of his stay at the prison. "We don't do democracy here, what I says goes, It's kept us alive and it works." Rick paused, letting his words sink in as he glanced over to Daryl standing a few paces away.

Rick took a step towards Merle he lowered his voice, "That being said, Daryl here is my second, that means when I'm not around he's in charge. That's the way its been for awhile now and will continue to be." Rick paused again, stepping away from Merle he gestures to Daryl "This man's word is to be obeyed without question, what he says goes. I trust him and my people trust him. Now I understand you're the older brother, but as it stands your ability to tell Daryl what to do is gone. You're the lesser man in this relationship Merle and if I even see you bat an eye in defiance towards myself or Daryl I'm setting you up nice and pretty in one of our cells and locking the door."

Merle stood his ground, uncharacteristically silent as Rick laid down the law. He looked at Daryl as Rick proclaimed him leader in Rick's absence, and despite the fact that Rick was putting on restrictions, he felt a swell of pride that his little brother was respected.

Daryl watched his older brother carefully, sensitive to the smallest twitch on his face. Daryl knew that his brother was not welcomed in the group; between Merle's hand and Glen's torture, there was too much bad blood between all of them. But Rick was not going to lose Daryl, he said so much as Daryl came waltzing back in with his brother in tow. Rick will put up with Merle for Daryl, they all would put up with him for Daryl.

And that knowledge tore Daryl apart, he was never the catalyst for anything that affected others. He was the man in the back, the wallflower, there to clean up the mess and keep everything at its status-quo. Now in this new world he was valued, he was respected, he was cared for and wanted. His words held clout and his wants were taken into consideration. If he wanted his brother with the group, the group will make room for his brother.

"Ain't no problem with me, Officer friendly." Merle stated in his most cordial voice, holding his hand up in a placating gesture, "I'll be honest, If it were up to me, me and Daryl would be long gone from here. But it ain't up to me. Came apparent that my little brother cares for you folk, and I ain't got nothing but him."

Rick stared at Merle long and hard, Merle matched his gaze, not letting the eye contact waiver. Rick broke first to look at Daryl, silent communication passed between the two men and Daryl gave a quick nod, followed by Rick. The moment wasn't lost on Merle, and a small bit of understanding on Daryl's relationship to the group began to emerge. Huh, looks like Officer Friendly wasn't talking out of his ass.

"Rick?"

A woman's voice came from beyond the gate, Merle looked up to see a familiar face look over to them. The woman's gaze landed on Daryl and she paused before she visibly sobbed, covering her mouth as she looked down. Her hand went from her mouth to her heart as she steadied herself with the fence.

Merle noticed more silent communication passed between Rick and Daryl, another shared nod and suddenly Daryl was off walking towards the woman. Merle went to follow but stopped at the sound of Rick's voice.

"Merle, wait up."

Merle stopped and looked at Rick, waiting for him to continue. Rick shook his head and turned to watch Daryl walk towards the woman, a small smile forming at the side of his mouth. Merle followed his gaze and noticed how his brothers walk became a strut, slowly gaining in pace as he approached the woman.

Two things hit Merle at that moment; first his brother had a woman, and second she was that married chick from Atlanta.

"When did this happen?" Merle asked as they slowly followed Daryl towards the cell block.

"Not sure, hell I'm not sure there is a something...but the others...well the talk is this 'happened' on the farm."

"Daryl never said anything about no woman"

"And you wont see anything either, that's just how they are." Rick shrugged and glanced over at Merle "Why are you so interested?"

"He's my brother" Merle said in way of an answer, looking at Rick like he was an idiot. Hell Merle may not be able to talk his talk, but they sure ain't gonna censor his face.

Merle and Rick looked on as Daryl slowed his gait when he reached her. Daryl stared at her for a moment before Merle saw the woman say something. Whatever was said was low and quiet, and he saw his brother lean in close as he spoke. The woman...what was her name again? She began to talk again, her eyes pained and tears began to swell. Daryl shuffled as he looked increasingly uncomfortable, glancing around before looking back at the woman. The woman followed Daryl's glance and her gaze fell on Merle slowly approaching with Rick. She ducked her head and took a deep breath before looking back up at Daryl with a controlled expression. She smiled and placed her hand on his bicep, giving it a sleight squeeze before stepping back, putting distance between them. His brother remained still, did not flinch at the contact, and kept his eyes on the woman before him.

Wont see anything my ass, Merle thought with a smirk.

Forgive my errors please. Not beta'd, just posting for fun. Thanks for reading.