So after starting my original story, this thought came to me and instead of getting a sweat on over something that my heart and soul weren't really in, I decided to get to working on this story right away; I apologise deeply if anyone had gotten into the other fic, who knows... one day I might revisit it, but for now... I hope ya'll enjoy this one!

As always constructive comments most welcome.

I own none of the characters.

The sound of the crickets were deafening, the dust and rugged landscape reeked of familiarity, every inch of the desolate land that stretched out ahead were home yet as unfamiliar as snow; He pushed on, gripping tighter against the throttle, he took solace in the rough grumble of the bikes heartbeat.

The dim lights grew brighter as he approached the small and intimidating town that he'd once called home, He wasn't sure what it was now, when he'd left it had been nothing more than a cold and calculating prison; but what would it offer him now? Could it offer anything but reminders of a tortured past? He didn't know the answers to the questions that suffocated his head, but he was about to find out.

The din of noise filled his ears as he hit the binders and killed the engine, knocking the kickstand down he pulled off his helmet and set it on the seat, the Triumph scrambler had been his home for the past 10 years and it was his prized possession, hell... it was his only possession! Aside from the backpack full of clothing... he travelled light.

He approached the tavern with caution, the last time he'd set foot in the place he'd been kicked right out on his ass and he wasn't sure how welcome he'd be now.

The place hadn't changed, he edged past the throng of bodies, the stench of sweat, stale beer and Marlboros filled his nostrils, He pulled out his own smokes and lit one, the heady nicotine helped to straighten his head... that and his good old friend Mr. JD over ice.

He kept his head dipped, flicking his eyes up on occasion, he felt thankful for the recent growth of his hair, it felt like permanent security as it hung over his forehead.

"Well, well, well... now would'ya see what the dang cat dragged in!?" the tension spread across his shoulders and he felt that all too familiar tinge of fear and anger take home in the pit of his stomach "y'gonna fix ya eyes to the damn floor all night, or do ya got the balls ta look at me, boy?" His jaw muscles clenched and he forced his head up, his eyes fixing on him. He hadn't changed not one bit, except for the extra lines around his eyes and the thicker layer of whiskers that spread over his jaw; he still wore that same wife beater tank, his dirtied shirt hung open, his middle carried a little extra weight but when you knocked back the booze like Merle that was unavoidable.

"S'been a long time, Merle" his gravelly voice barely audible but the older man heard him just fine "aint it just, baby brother!?" he walked around to meet him "ya back for good or what?" he could smell the bourbon on Merles breath, it washed over him causing his stomach to summersault; he'd been subjected to that stink ever since he was born into this hell hole and it didn't become any easier to handle.

"maybe, dunno" He held steady eye contact with his older brother, when you had him in your sights you didn't take your eyes off Merle Dixon, not for a second.

"Whadd'ya mean ya dunno? I aint seen ma baby brother for... how long's it been anyhow?" "bout 10 years" he mumbled, his body still prepped for some kind of impact and it was only made worse as the hard hit of Merles hand slammed into his back, pushing him toward the bar stool; he perched on its edge, he had to remain poised and ready.

"God dayum! 10 years huh? Well... let your old brother, Merle get'cha a drink" his eyes still didn't shift as Merle set the 2 glasses down in front of him, the murky liquid spilling over the edges as he knocked one against the other "here's ta the return of my baby, brother" still not taking his eyes from Merle he lifted the glass to his lips and knocked it back in one quick action.

Merles jovial welcome soon left, the darkness fell across his face as He leaned against the bar, his eyes narrowed, they were always so full of venom.

"What'cha really doin' here, Daryl?"

Daryl toyed with the glass, his bottom lip resting between his teeth as he considered the question, He'd always known that coming back wouldn't be easy, He knew Merle would make it as damned hard as he possibly could; after all it had been his older brother that kicked him out on his backside all those years ago, He recalled the humiliation as Merle threw him across the dusty parking lot, he'd spat at Daryl's feet that night and told him that if he ever stepped foot back in 'his town' that he'd kill him, and he'd meant it; difference between then and now was that Daryl had been a nervous 23 year old boy, frightened of his own shadow, Merle and his mother had seen to that; a lot had changed in 10 years.

"I'm waitin', baby brother!"

Daryl shook off the memory and fronted up to Merle, his shoulders squared and a new found determination set in his face, the corner of Daryl's mouth lifted as he smirked "What 'ya gonna do if I don't tell ya? Ya gonna drag me outta' here in front 'a all these people? Jus like you did last time?"

Daryl's forehead now rested against his brothers, his eyes focused heavily on him "I dare ya, brother, I dare ya"

"Daryl Dixon? That really you?" her voice cut the moment instantly, His shoulders lost their tension and as much as he wanted to turn and face her, he couldn't; it was Merle that broke the challenge first, he lifted his head past Daryl "looks like someone's pleased 'ta see ya, baby brother!"

Daryl's cheeks flared as he slowly turned, he looked at her through strands of hair, his eyes drank her in, time had been cruel to Carol Peletier, or had it been his brother that had been cruel? Both probably.

"Hey... Carol" his voice softened at the edges, just a little but it was enough for Merle to pick up on it, Daryl watched as his brother staggered over to Carol, throwing his arm heavily over her shoulders, not in a loving way, in a 'she's my property' kinda way.

"yeeup! Baby brothers back in town, whadd'ya think bout that, honey?"

Daryl straightened up and considered her carefully, his eyes flicked over her slight frame, the dark circles that in-cased her eyes and the sallow colour to her skin; yet the most shocking revelation had been that missing mane of chestnut hair that had once fallen effortlessly over her shoulders, it was gone... and in its place a cropped, greying style.

He watched as she flinched at Merle's touch, her stance that of a beaten and defeated woman and it made him sick to his stomach, he knew that feeling only too well.

What did he care though? She wasn't his responsibility! She wasn't his problem! It's not like he hadn't tried to help her! No, Carol had made her bed and now she was well and truly laying in it.

Merle's head lolled to the side as he offered Daryl a drunken smile "stayin' with us ain't ya, baby brother?"

Just as Daryl readied himself to correct his brothers statement he noticed a flicker of, what was it... hope? Fill Carol's eyes, and as much as it pained him, really pained him to take Merle up on the not so pleasant offer he also knew that she was in trouble and despite the stupid bitches decision to go against his advice and stay, Daryl still felt some responsibility for her situation; after all he'd so willingly left, he'd left her to deal with the aftermath of what he'd done, now it was time for him to repay his debt to her.

Sliding his eyes across to Merle he dropped his backpack to the floor and shrugged "For now!"