Title: Tense
Summary: It all comes down to who you trust.
Season three spoilers.
There was tension and anger in the air and the chaos wasn't helping.
"Enough!" Hershel yelled, silencing everyone.
Rick appreciated the elder man's authoritative tone. And now, Rick needed to handle this the right way. Defuse the situation.
"We're gonna settle this now, me and you," Rick said, indicating to Merle. "Everyone else needs to leave."
Hershel lead by example and as he started to leave, the others followed. Glenn was reluctant but Maggie tugged on his arm a little to keep him moving.
Daryl didn't move, not sure the pair should be left to just settle things.
Rick turned to Daryl.
"You need to go. Get Hershel to check you out," Rick said, indicating to Daryl's various injuries, none of which were serious and they both knew it.
Daryl looked to Merle and didn't move.
"Hey," Rick said, getting Daryl's attention back on him, his hand landed on Daryl's shoulder, drawing his attention where he wanted it. "It's okay. Nothings gonna happen, okay? We're gonna talk and sort this out," Rick assured him.
Daryl's frown deepened at the words and his eyes moved back to Merle.
Rick's hand gently touched the side of Daryl's face and drew Daryl's look straight back to him. Rick considered this to be an intimate touch, at least where Daryl was concerned, but it needed to be. It needed to show Daryl he had no reason to doubt him, to fear him. That he'd never hurt Daryl, in anyway.
"Trust me," Rick said, locking eyes with Daryl.
Daryl nodded, Daryl noticeable really and then he left Rick and Merle to it.