ATTENTION: I like the possibilities of this story. I do not like, however, how rushed it is over all. Like it seems disconnected with who Daryl actually is. Don't worry over all – I am going to keep Merle alive BUT I really need the Beth/Daryl arc with her being alone with him to help him get over his junk. So I am revamping. Please bear with me. I promise it will be good. PROMISE!

AU/Arthurs Note: The Walker did not intervene whilst Merle was taking out the Governor and his henchmen… Takes up midway through Season 3 Episode 15.

"Job's done." Merle chuckled to himself as he wiped his hands on his shirt. "No car, going on foot I guess." He headed back towards where he had left Michonne. He had a long walk back to the prison, and it was half way through the day as it was, well past noon. He looked over the Governor's body, smiling to himself, and kicked him hard in the head. "Good day." He mumbled to himself. He did not fatally wound the Governor, instead he was hoping that he would bleed out and turn. The others he took time to knife in the head. Merle looked up to the sun, grumbled and headed off.

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Daryl was tracking Merle, hoping to reach him and Michonne before the trade off. He saw her as he started climbing a grassy knoll. She was stabbing downed walkers in the head.

"He let me go." Michonne told Daryl as their path's crossed.

"Don't let anyone follow me." Daryl ordered, as Michonne nodded.

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The sound of screams to the left almost made Merle turn away and find another path. But for a moment he considered it was Michonne, and feared all his atoning would be ruined. He darted off towards the screams, a gas station crested the hill. A younger teenage girl was standing on top of a tractor trailer. A pretty one. Merle rushed at the two walkers below her, stabbing one through the temple, shoving the other away and stomping down hard several time on its head.. She popped her head down and smiled at him. "Thanks, fella. Help me down, wouldya?" She waited for him to get close enough, then slid down the side of the trailer, into Merle's arms.

"Sure missy." He smiled at her, for a moment it sent shivers up her spine. He looked her up and down. Skinny jeans tucked into cowboy boots, with a tank top, pulled tight across her chest, and a crossbow over her shoulder. Guns on both hips. "Why didn't ya shoot uhm?" Merle asked.

"Well, honestly, I just…" Her voice trailed off as she looked at the ground. "I was picking the gas station and they took me by surprise when I wanted to head back…"

"Well how ya gonna pay me back?" He asked, intrigued by the little girl. Maybe 5 foot tall, but no taller than that. She was curvey but still skin and bones.

"MERLE!" He snapped his head around and saw Daryl.

"Damnit, little brother." Merle snarled under his breath and turned around. "I took care of the issue. Returned Michonne. Just helping this little lady here out."

"Really, I know ya, and it was looking a lot like ya was gonna hurt her." Daryl snarled. He looked the little girl over. She was probably no older than Beth. Maybe she was younger.

"Nah." Merle shuffled his feet. "Don't be a pussy, Darlena, no one is around." Merle was almost begging.

"No. Merle. No." Daryl shot the girl a wondering look. "What's your name?"

She looked between them, apparently brothers. "Hunter. Hunter Ames."

"We got a place. A prison. My family is there, they are still getting used to Merle." Daryl told her.

"And I can go with ya?" She looked at them.

"If ya want to and all." The sound of walkers was quickly approaching.

"Let's go then," She clasped his arm, and felt Daryl stiffen.

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Walking had never been something Merle liked to do, but he was trying his best to keep up with Daryl and Hunter. They were forging their way through the Georgia undergrowth back to the prison like it was a Sunday stroll. "Hey, young'uns, think yall could slow up for an old man?" Merle snapped.

"Merle, you're like 45. Fuck off." Daryl snapped back at him.

"How old are you?" Hunter asked Daryl as he moved past her, crossbow drawn.

"Hm, I think I'm about 28, 29 maybe. Not sure any more. It's been three years since the turn…" He stopped when he saw a walker a short distance ahead of them. "You, how old are ya?"

"I think I am 16, won't be 17 til it snows again – Christmas time and all." He looked her up and down again. She was stunning in all this mess. Unlike Beth she didn't look like a kid. No, she looked to be very much a woman. She was strong.

"Hey, Hunter." Merle called out to her, "Where'd ya get them peepers." Daryl had noticed it too, she had two different color eyes. One was emerald and sparking the other was violet.

"Birth." Was all she said as she moved in front of the men.

"Just up ahead is the prison, I better go first, girl." Daryl pointed, drug them through the last bit of underbrush.

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