Daryl, one to normally keep to himself, approached Rick in a private moment.

"I think we got us a problem."

Rick looked at him. "Don't tell me..."

"No I ain't seen any. It's one of us."

"Jim? I know he's acting out of sorts but I think he's harmless."

Daryl sighed impatiently. "No not him. It's Ed."

"What happened...he hasn't turned, has he?"

"No, but he's a bastard anyways. I think.."

"What do you think? You think he's putting our group in danger?"

"I think he beats his wife."

"Carol? Have you seen anything to suggest that?"

"Not exactly...but trust me, he's mean to that wife of his."

Rick nodded. "I'll take care of it."

He found Carol washing clothes, and called out to her.

"Hi Rick. I never told you that...for Lori and Carl's sake...I'm so glad you're back. For our sake," she smiled.

"Thanks Carol. I never thought I'd make it to this point. I'm here to help you know. If one of is in trouble than we all are, you know what I mean?"

She shook her head. "I'm afraid I don't."

"I'm not one to stick my nose in where it don't belong...but how are you and Sophia doing? You guys getting along okay?"

"Yes. About as any of us can, I suppose. Is there a reason you're asking or are you just making your rounds?"

He paused. "That's it. I guess I'm just making my rounds. If you ever need anything- if Sophia needs anything...you would let me know?"

She looked down. "Of course I would. Thank you but you don't really have to worry about us. Ed looks after us you know..."

"Okay then. Okay." Rick sighed and then turned to walk away. He didn't see anything to worry about; maybe Daryl was just being sensitive, for whatever reason.

"Sophia honey can you go play with Carl for a minute?" Carol asked, and her daughter obliged.

"Daryl...what in the world were you thinking?" she demanded as soon as she found the object of her wrath.

"I don't know what you're talking about," he muttered as he started to walk away.

"You're going to get me...you can't go around talking about Ed that way!"

He watched her hold on to his arm, as if it were a lifeline of sorts. "I don't know what you're talking about," he reiterated.

"Don't you know he's always watching? If he heard the questions Rick was asking I'd be .."

"What? Beat up again? Killed? What is it? I know you ain't telling me the whole truth."

"I want to...I just can't. I can't."

"What is it you think I can't take care of?"

"No...please don't' do anything. Sophia needs her father. I need my husband."

"Some husband you got yourself."

"Please trust me...Let me handle it, "Carol begged.

"If you don't handle it, I will," he responded before seeing Ed watching them from a distance. "I will handle this."

He walked away, leaving Carol alone to face the wrath of her husband. She'd never seen him so angry, and she knew she was in for it this time. At least Daryl and Rick were gone- who knew what might go down if they saw this side of Ed? After the first hit, she found herself wishing Daryl were there, although she had no idea why. They barely knew each other-he had issues, she had hers. So why did she care what he thought about her anyways? She closed her eyes and waited for the next strike. But it never came. She opened her eyes and saw Daryl hit Ed, so hard that he fell to the ground. As he raised his bow, all Carol could think to do was to throw herself on her husband. It couldn't go down like this. There had to be a better way. She didn't know what it was, but there just had to be.

"This is your lucky day, Ed." Daryl puttered out. "Next time you think of picking on someone you might try someone who ain't afraid to fight back. And it'll be you and me. Who do you think's gonna win?"

Ed stood up, glared at Daryl, said nothing then gruffly took his wife's hand. There would be hell to pay for this incident, he vowed to himself as he took Carol for a walk. Why did she make him do this? Women...

But they weren't alone. Walking behind them were Rick and Daryl, who now knew exactly what they had to do.

TBC