After everyone sat around the tent for a while talking about Rick and how he had gotten out of the hospital and what had happen up until just now.
"Has anyone thought of what we are going to say to Daryl Dixon? He's not going to be to happy about his brother being left behind." Josephine said, she was shocked at the turn of events from this afternoon. She knew that Daryl was going to put of a fight and not a friendly one at that. Everyone bickered back and forth about what was going to be said.
"I was the one to drop the key in that drain. I'll tell him." T-Dog, another man from the group spoke up for the first time tonight. The thought of what had happened that day must have been weighing in on his mind.
"Not to bring race into this, but I think it would sound a lot better coming from a white guy," Glenn said looking back and forth from Rick and T Dog.
"I can tell him." Josephine's eyes shot to her brother who was looking right back at her.
"I dont think so JoJo," Her old nickname ran out of his mouth and she seemed to relax after tensing up from the conversation. "I don't want you to have to be a part of this, you had nothing to do with it." Rick finished, his eyes burning into his sister. He always seemed to have to control her actions. Just before Josephine could respond someone else did.
"No, I think thats a wonderful idea Josephine," Dale stated. "Daryl won't be happy either way but at least let him hear it from a friend." He shot a look between Rick and Josephine now. Everyone else sat in silent. Of course, it was a good idea. Daryl and Josephine had a mutual understanding. She never nagged him, she never pushed him to do anything and they sort of strangely enough had looked after each other these few months. He had become her safety blanket if you will. He was there when nobody else was, or when everyone was just too much to handle. He was a good friend, always bringing her berries and placing them outside her tent for her to find in the morning. She didn't know how suddenly they had become that way it just happened. I guess thats what happens when two outcasts are brought together at the end of the world.
"It's settled I guess, I'll be the one to tell him, end of discussion." Josephine stated as she wrapped herself up tighter underneath her blanket. Rick shot her an uneasy look but then nodded his approval.
"We are going to have a handful when he gets back from this hunt…" Dale's word echoed in everyones mind for the rest of the night.
The next morning seemed surreal, almost like everyone was… happy. Lori was on cloud nine knowing that her husband was around and Carl was just so happy to see his father once more. Josephine of course was also ecstatic to see him back, also she was happy to see Shane had backed away from everyone quite a bit since Rick had returned. She knew it was because he couldn't fool around with his best friends wife anymore.
"Morning sleepy head," Josephine's brother's voice shot out from the distance and she turned to see Rick walking towards her.
"Hey there, Sheriff." She smiled as he laughed and gave her a big grin. He was so glad to see her and to know that nothing bad had happened to her. He was one lucky guy to know his wife and child and even sister were safe in his protection now.
She still hasn't told him about the baby. She didn't know if last night upon his return she should tell him about everything. She was scared of how he would react, mostly because he would probably tie her to a cot and never let her out of his sight. She figured after she talked to Daryl and everything calmed down a bit she would figure out a way to tell him he was going to be an Uncle. She remembered when she first knew she was going to become an Aunt. Lori and Rick had invited her and Dean to dinner and they surprised them with a cake that said "WE ARE HAVING A BABY!" everyone was so happy and proud, having a baby used to be such a happy thing and now it seemed to be everything but a happy occasion. Sure, a baby was cute and a lot of work but it was double the work now that dead people were walking around biting and killing people. Her thoughts turned negative and she turned away from her brother and frowned looking out into the distance.
He noticed her expression and put a hand on her shoulder. " It'll be okay, I'm going back for him."
She looked back at him, he thought she was upset about telling Daryl about his brother. She was shocked to hear those words come out of his mouth and that he really was going to go back for Merle.
"You know, I am proud of you for that. He's not the worst man in the world and neither is Daryl and I know the feeling of losing a brother and it's not a happy one." She said back to him and smiled. He rubbed her shoulder for a second and then walked down to where his family sat founding clothes and cooking breakfast. Josephine looked to the mousey women, Carol, who was now walking her way.
"I have these for you, I thought maybe you could use it." She help out a small heap of clothes in front of her. Josephine grabbed them and gave them a questioning look.
"They're maternity shirts. I was in such a hurry and grabbed all kinds of clothes from my closet when this whole thing started happening. I didn't even realize I grabbed the old shirts I used to wear when I was pregnant with Sophia." Her eyes wondered over to her daughter who was running around the camp fire with Carl, they were obviously playing tag and it was nice to see them acting like children for once.
"Wow, Carol, this is so sweet of you. I don't even know what to say." She had never really talked much to Carol mostly because it seemed impossible when Ed, her husband was around. She smiled gratefully to Carol.
"It's nothing, enjoy this time as much as you can." Carol smiled back but without another word a scream came out in the distance.
"MOM!" It was Carl and Sophia. They must have snuck out into the woods playing tag. Without a thought Carol and Josephine along the rest of the group ran down the path into the woods where Sophia and Carl and emerged from. Josephine ran with Rick past the children and mothers into the woods where there was a small clearing and that's when we saw it. A deer being eaten and ripped open by a walker. It's mouth was full of deer and the sounds it was making were horrifying. Josephine stood there for a second before Rick pushed her back a few steps and then the men charged at the walker at full force. They were beating it, kicking it and smashing it with pitch forks and shovels and Shane even had a baseball bat. Suddenly, its head flew off its body and everyone stopped
"This is the first one we've had this far up the mountain," Dale said slightly exasperated. We all stared at this thing, mangled and decapitated and yet it's mouth was still moving trying to eat the remainder of deer it had been chewing on. Josephine felt bile creep up from her throat and she shut her eyes trying so hard not to vomit right there in front of everyone.
Her eyes shot back open at the sound of leaves moving in the distance. Shane was the first to pull out his rifle and pointed it at the oncoming intruder. Thats when Josephine saw the arrows stuck inside the deer.
"Wait, it's just Daryl!" She shouted to Shane. As soon as she did Daryl came plummeting out from the bushes. He took one look at Shane and then down to the deer and bloody walker mess before him.
"Son of a bitch…" Daryl yelled coming out from the bushes and next to the rest of the group. He looked down at the deer and walker in utter disgust. "Thats my deer!"
Josephine felt the anxiety of the Merle situation start creeping up inside of her as Daryl kicked and yelled at the dead walker.
"Calm down son thats not helping," Dale said quietly
The conversations between Daryl and everyone in the group was cut off by Daryl shooting the dead walker right in the eye. Josephine cringed at the site of the arrows sunken into its skill and the blood oozing out of its eye as Daryl pulled the arrow back out.
"Its gotta be the brain, don't ya'll people know nuthin?" Daryl said as he walked into the campsite. Rick looked at me with a pressed and concerned look on his face. This was the man that befriended his sister? He seemed quiet odd and a little hostile. He was not going to be an easy one to reason with about the recent incident with his brother.
Josephine watched as Daryl walked into camp. All eyes were on him as he yelled for his brother to get his ugly ass out from their tent and enjoy his recent hunt. She walked up behind him quietly and tapped him on the shoulder. He turned around hastily and squinted at her.
"What do you want?" He said with an angry tone of voice. He was always like that after something didn't go his way. A few weeks ago she had accidentally tripped over one of his hunting traps he was making and it feel apart. He had got up so quick and ran up inches between her face calling her a dumb bitch. She had taken little offense to his hostility and apologized and walked away but something inside her was surprisingly sad that he had used such harsh words towards her. Even Dean at his ugliest would never really call her a bitch. He eventually apologized in his own way by catching extra food and giving her two helpings instead of one saying it was for the 'little one' but she knew it was because of his recent outburst at her. He was deep down, a really good man but I don't think the people at camp could really truly see him for who he really was when his brother was around.
"We need to talk about something." Her eyes darted to the ground and then back at his staring eyes. His mouth was pressed in a straight like and his sweat was beading down his forehead as the sun hit his face. Something in his eyes told her that he already knew what she was going to say. "It's Merle…"
"WHAT ABOUT HIM?" He said taking a step forward, his face inches from hers.
Everyone was now staring at the two of them. She wished they were in private, because then they wouldn't be getting the death glares right about now. Suddenly Rick came out of the woods and stood next to Josephine.
"We left him handcuffed to a pole on top of a building in the city…" Typical of Rick to always come to Josephine's rescue. She flushed a bright red, annoyed and embarrassed that her brother had yet again did something against her wishes. She knew that he meant well, but it didn't make the feeling of embarrassment go away. There was Rick Grimes, there to protect his 28 year old sister yet again when she doesn't even need protection.
Daryl's eyes darted back and forth from Rick's to Josephine's
"YOU WHAT?!" He shouted in aw of what he was hearing. "YOU'RE TELLING ME YOU HANDCUFFED MY BROTHER TO THE ROOF AND JUST LEFT HIM THERE?" Anger shined in his eyes and Josephine could see his fists tightening together.
"Daryl, just listen.." She put out her hands and they landed on his warm chest. She could almost feel his heart racing and his breathing was short and fast. He looked down at her and immediately pushed her hands from his body as if her hands touching him was painful.
"Just shut up, Josephine!" She could see tears starting to weld up in his narrow eyes. He blinked them away fast and started pacing around the campsite with his crossbow still in his hand.
"Don't you talk to her like that," Rick said pointing his finger at Daryl in a fatherly fashion. She could see Daryl smirk lightly and he walked straight up to Rick, his finger now pressed up against Daryl's chest.
"Or What, you gonna handcuff me to a roof too, Asshole?" Daryl spat at Rick. Suddenly Shane somehow appeared from the scene and grabbed Daryl by the neck. Josephine winced as Daryl fell to the ground in obvious pain.
"Hey, chokeholds are illegal!" Daryl yelled up at Shane.
"Well take it up with the warden then," Shane shouted back struggling against Daryl's obvious protest.
"Stop it, Shane! Just let the man go. You are really getting into a fight with a man who just found out some stranger left his brother on a roof and he doesn't know if he's alive or dead.? Give the man a break, Rick. I love you but come on now. What if this was you?" Josephine snapped at Rick and Shane for being so un sympathetic towards this man. Sure, Daryl was a spitfire, but she knew if she would have just talked him down everything would have been fine.
"Jo, Merle was a danger to us all. He could have gotten us all killed. I know Daryl here is your…Friend but come on now, I did what needed to be done." Rick shot back, seemingly hurt by his sisters words.
"I know you did what you think is right for the group. I don't for a second think you didn't but let the man breathe, don't keep in in a damn choke hold!" Josephine felt her blood pressure lower as Shane unhooked his arm from Daryl's neck. Daryl shot her a look and then back at Rick.
"Who is this sorry ass anyway?" He asked Josephine his eyes burning into her soul. He was pissed, and rightfully so, but her brother was right. Sometimes Merle did do things to endanger the group and she did know her brother did what he had to and thats what mattered most, but that still didn't mean she didn't feel bad for Daryl.
"This is Rick, my brother," She darted her eyes back and forth from the two men in front of her.
"As if there isn't enough Grimes here already," Daryl mumbled under his breath.
"The door to the roof is locked so no geeks can get at him," Suddenly, T Dog appeared from the woods with a handful of fire wood. Daryl rolled his eyes at the sight of this man.. the two had never really gotten along.
"So do you have the key so I can go and get 'em?" Daryl yelled fiercely. He stood there huffing and puffing, sweat beads still running down his head and in the Georgia sun you could see his eyes were beginning to look glassy from emotion.
"I dropped it," T-Dog announced throwing down the fire wood.
"And you couldn't pick it up?" Daryl retorted
"I dropped it down a drain." T-dog looked down shamefully and that was the last straw. Daryl put both hands on top of his head and let out a loud growl.
"WHERE THE HELL IS HE, SO I CAN GO GET EM!" Daryl said once again. His eyes landed on Josephine's now.
"Daryl, Rick and I will go with you," She said darting her eyes back to her brother who nodded. She could also see Lori's unimpressed expression from behind him. She knew this wasn't what Lori wanted but overall it was the right thing to do. Maybe this whole ordeal would finally snap Merle from this egotistical world he was living in and now finally be part of this group and help when he can rather than fuss over every decision that he didn't decide to make.
"Great, Marsha and Greg Brady gonna help me find my brother," Daryl said sarcastically, rolling his eyes and walking back to his tent in distaste. Before anyone could say anything else Shane spoke up.
"Aint this a shitty idea Rick, going to save douche bag Merle Dixon?" He placed his hands on his hips like he always did and gave Rick a hard glare.
Suddenly Daryl was back from his tent with 5 new arrows for his crossbow. "Choose your words more carefully," he spat at Shane.
"Oh no, I did. Douche bag is what I meant," replied Shane, a smile creeping up onto his lips.
"You can't go out there Josephine." Lori had spoken up through all of this fighting. She looked me up and down carefully not overstepping her boundaries and knew that Josephine really wanted to tell Rick about the baby when she was ready. Josephine knew she was right, it was risky with all those walkers and even though she was a good shot, she had more than just her life to look after now.
Daryl looked at her. It was as if he was saying it was okay to stay behind and that he understood. His eyes darted down to her abdomen and then back up to her face quickly. He was reminding her that something living was inside of it.
"I know I can't go, but I want to just do something to help. This isn't really an ideal situation." She replied putting her hands inside her dirty ripped washed out jeans. She looked down at herself. She wished so badly for a shower and maybe a pair of converse that didn't have 8 billion tiny holes and were not covered in thick brown mud from walking around the water edge to help the women clean laundry.
"I mean risking our men's lives for Merle Dixon, yeah, thats not an idea situation…" Shane replied looking at Josephine with disgust in his eyes. He never understood why she had taken a liking to Daryl Dixon since the group had formed. He figured it was not for his looks clearly, Josephine was the definition of beauty, with her long brown hair and piercing green eyes and slender figure and Dean was a much more attractive and put together man than Daryl god damn Dixon, the sweatiest dirtiest hillbilly he had ever seen. She and him were the only two who didn't really have their own voices at times. He remember Josephine as a child, always getting in trouble for skipping school and always outside in her garden. She used to always be outside reading or on her bike when Shane would be over. Then she grew up and dated Dean, an asshole who's parents basically pushed them onto each other. Dean never treated her right and she weirdly enough didn't seem to care. She was quiet and it was hard to read what she was thinking. She was just a tougher shell than her brother and Shane never understood why. He figured Daryl was the only one that understood how she feels when it came to hiding emotions and keeping yourself emotionally protected. In a way they were more similar than meets the eye.
"Merle is a part of this group," Josephine hissed back. She couldn't believe she was defending Merle, the man who would always whistle when she walked by and would try to grab her ass. The man who wouldn't lift a finger for this group unless it was to profit himself.
"Just leave it be Jo," Daryl's voice shot out from the crowd and she looked directly at him. He knew that she was just saying that to make Daryl feel like someone was on his side, but he knew his brother was a useless piece of shit and that he was nasty to everyone in their group, including Josephine.
"I'm going." T dog said as he approached the group conversation.
"I am too," seconded Glenn
"Merle Dixon…man wouldn't even give you a glass of water if you were dying of thirst!" Shane blurted out.
"I cant just leave a man out there like that. Its no way to die, not even an animal deserves that." Rick responded then his eyes flashed to Lori who had a look of anger across her face.
"I don't like this at all, but I…. I understand." She grabbed Ricks hand and kissed it. "Please just come back with everyone, Merle included…"
Everyone was silent for a bit until Daryl spoke up
"Well lets go, I aint got all day," With that he picked up his things and started to walk towards the box truck. Josephine wanted to follow him and maybe try to apologize to him about everything that happened but she decided against it. She looked to Rick after watching Daryl leave.
"You be careful, and I'll see you when you get back." Rick nodded and placed a hand on her shoulder like he always did to comfort her, he had done it since they were children. It was their thing and she always felt comforted when he did so.
"You were right about everything, we are doing the right thing here," Rick told her and smiled before removing his hand from her shoulder and turning to say goodbye to his wife and son.
Then as fast as they returned they were gone again.