Farms and Fatherhood

Warning: Shane is an asshat

The group ran to greet them when the truck finally pulled up to the farm.

"We were worried when y'all didn't come back yesterday," Rick said, "What happened?"

"Ran into a herd," Daryl replied, "An'... somethin' else..."

He lifted Harley out of the truck and the whole group fell silent, staring at the little boy who was shifting nervously on his feet, sticking close to Daryl.

"Who is this?" Andrea asked. Daryl opened his mouth to answer, but Harley beat him to it.

"I'm Harley Dixon!"

"Dixon?" Lori looked at Daryl in shock, "You never said..."

"Didn't know until yesterday there was anythin' ta say," Daryl admitted and then looked at Rick uncertainly. How would their unofficial leader feel about having another kid in camp? Rick stared back at the hunter, taking a moment to look between Daryl and the boy.

"You said your name's Harley?' he asked, bending down so he was closer to the boy's eye level.

Harley nodded.

"Well, that sounds like a perfect name for a Dixon," Rick said and the boy smiled widely. "My name's Rick."

Harley shook his hand enthusiastically. After that everyone went around introducing themselves and, if it was even possible, the boy's smile got wider. Glenn, Lori, Dale, Andrea, T-Dog, and Carl were all happy to meet him. The only one not in sight was Shane.

"Well, you're right on time, we were just getting ready to eat," Andrea said.

"We made dinner for Hershel and his family," Lori told them. "To say thanks for letting us stay. You hungry?"

Harley nodded as the group walked up to the house.

"You're back," Maggie said when she saw Daryl and Carol. "And who is this?"

"Yes, who is this?" Hershel asked, walking over.

"Harley, this is Hershel Greene and his daughter Maggie," Carol said.

"They own the farm," Daryl added. Harley stared at Hershel for a moment before stepping forward, his hand outstretched.

"Nice to meet you Hershel Greene, I'm Harley Dixon."

Hershel looked at the boy in surprise before he started laughing, holding out his own hand.

"Well," he said, "You may just be the most polite member of your group yet."

Harley beamed at him and the group moved into the dining room where Harley met Beth, Jimmy, and Patricia. They were all eating the best dinner they'd had in ages. All of them, including Daryl, were getting to know their newest member and they couldn't help but notice how similar he and his dad were. The whole group was laughing when the door suddenly closed loudly and when they turned, they saw Shane standing there.

"Who the hell is this?" Shane asked.

"I'm Harley," the boy piped up.

"He's Daryl's son," Rick told him.

"Dixon has a kid?" Shane said, scoffing. "No way. Hope he's nothing like his uncle otherwise we're all trouble."

"Well Shane, why don't you sit down and talk to him for a few minutes and you can find out for yourself," Rick suggested.

"Yeah, great, sit down and eat dinner with another mouth to feed," Shane said sarcastically. "We lost one now we got another kid to cause trouble. You sure he's Dixon's kid and not just a replacement for Carol?"

"Shane!"

"What the hell is wrong with you?"

"C'mon," Daryl said, lifting Harley out of his chair and grabbing Carol's arm so she'd follow him. "Ain't gonna hear this shit. Thanks." He directed the last part at Lori and he knew she was referring to the dinner.

She nodded and watched as Daryl, Carol, and Harley headed outside before turning to glare at Shane.

"He's a good kid," she said and Shane snorted.

"I don't particularly want you in my house right now," Hershel said. "But I'd rather you were here than out there with that boy."

Outside, Daryl and Carol were showing Harley the camp for the first time.

"He didn't like me, did he?" the boy asked.

"It's just Shane, what he says and thinks don't matter," Daryl said.

"There's been a lot going on before you got here," Carol went on, "And Shane has the tendency to take his anger out on other people. He won't talk to you like that again."

"An' if he does, if he does anythin'," Daryl said, "Ya tell me, a'right? Or Carol or Rick. Got it?"

"Got it," Harley nodded. They stopped outside Daryl's tent.

"You'll be in here with me," Daryl said and Harley removed his shoes before jumped into the tent. Daryl snorted. "Good thing I still got Merle's sleepin' bag."

Carol laughed slightly, but it seemed forced.

"Hey, don't listen ta Shane," Daryl said, "I meant it, what he says and does means nothin'."

"I know," she sighed, "I'm not trying to replace Sophia."

"I know that," Daryl said, "'sides, there's nothin' ta replace cause we're gonna find her. I'm gonna bring her back."

Carol smiled and nodded.

"Well good," she said, "Cause there's a little boy here now that she needs to meet."

They looked in the tent to see Harley lying on top of Daryl's sleeping bag fast asleep.

"I'll let you take care of him," Carol said with a smile as she began walking over to the RV for the night. "And Daryl?

He turned to look at her.

"You're not alone in this, alright? Everybody here already adores that boy, even Hershel and his family, and he's going to be well looked after."

Daryl nodded his thanks and entered his tent, staring at the sleeping child. His child. He had no clue how to be a father, but maybe with Carol and Rick and the others help, it wouldn't be so bad.

There we go! 'Harley' is finished! What did you think? Did you enjoy it?

Thanks so much to everyone for reading and let me know what you think!