Safe and Sound


Chapter 4: Eyes Open


The next morning Grace was helping Carol hang up some wet clothes on the clothes line with the sound of sirens could be heard echoing through the mountains. For a moment, she thought maybe it was a rescue squad. That the group in the city came across them and sent them here to get the rest of the group. She could feel hope bubbling in her heart as both her and Carol stopped moving and walked to where everyone else, excluding Daryl, was standing.

"Talk to me, Dale." Shane said.

Dale was standing on the top of the RV, binoculars in his hand. He was quiet for a moment.

"Well, I'll be damned." He muttered.

"What is it?" Amy asked.

"Stolen car is my guess." He said.

Suddenly, a red Dodge Challenger pulled into the campsite. The alarm was so loud; Grace covered her hands with her ears. It wasn't a rescue group all right, but seeing Glenn get out of the car brought immense relief to her. On impulse, Grace darted forward and launched herself on Glenn, hugging him tightly. His face turned a light pink at the contact but a happy smile was present of both of their faces.

"Shut that thing off!" Shane yelled at Glenn.

"I don't know how!" Glenn yelled back over the blaring noise as Grace let go of the boy. Amy ran to Glenn, demanding to know what happened to others, particularly Andrea.

"Pop the hood." Shane said.

Between Amy yelling at him and Shane's commands, Glenn appeared flustered. Grace giggled at the look on his face and took it upon herself to open the hood for Shane while Amy interrogated Glenn. Shane quickly took care of the noise and then proceeded to yell at Glenn for being his "stupid" move. Dale stood up for the boy but quickly backed down when Shane turned his intense gaze on him. Grace could care less about any of that, she was just happy to have Glenn back.

Glenn told the group about what had happened in Atlanta and everyone was relieved to hear the rest of the group was on their way back. Another car pulled up shortly after, a large van. Andrea's face appeared from behind the van and Amy quickly pulled her in a tight hug, expressing her concerns. Morales also appeared after Andrea and his family looked very happy to have him back in their arms.

"How did you guys manage to get out anyways?" Shane asked.

"The new guy." Glenn said, happily.

"Yo', helicopter boy." Morales called out. "Get over here and meet the group."

A middle-age man stepped out of the driver's side of the van. He was in a cop's uniform. He looked a bit thin and worn but Grace was happy to see another living face. He looked around the group, skimming over their faces. When he saw Shane's, emotion popped into his eyes, recognition. He stepped back for a second, and suddenly he caught sight of Carl. Grace turned to look at Carl who slowly turned his head to look at the new guy. The same emotion appeared in the boy's eyes and he ran towards the new guy, full speed.

Grace's eyes began to tear up as she realized this was Carl's dad. Him, Lori and Carl were locked in a hug, all three looking so relieved and so full of hope. It ate away at her heart, seeing them so happy. So she teared up, feeling so grateful that Carl had his dad back. She silently thanked her Lord for the blessing he had bestowed on the family. Glenn, noticing her expression, grasped her hand lightly in his, giving it a squeeze. She returned it with a smile.

She knew from the moment on, that no matter what happened, she would never lose hope. God worked in mysterious ways, she knew that. And she knew that his grace, his love would never die out. It had been a long time since she had prayed, or even thought about God, but witnessing this reunion, there was no way she could ever deny his presence.

Glenn let go of her hand and ran back to the van. She watched him confused but than realization hit her as he walked back with a large bag in his hand. He gave the bag to her, a big smile present of his face. She took it gratefully and pulled the boy in another hug.

"I managed to grab some clothes I thought would fit you." He said. "Oh! And I found some shoes as well."

"Let's bring this back to our tent and I'll take a look." She said and he walked with her back to the tent.

While he had been gone, she had cleaned all over his dirty clothes and folded them nicely on his side of the tent. She also washed his sleeping bag and set that up nicely as well. He looked a bit surprised when he entered the tent and noticed the neatness. He gave her a quick smile and she just shrugged.

"Least I could do." She said.

She emptied the bag of clothes on her side of the tent. The first thing she noticed was a big pair of boots. They were a dark brown, and chunky. They'd be incredibly useful. She slipped them on quickly. They were a little big but she tightened the laces to keep the secure. They went up to the middle of her calf. She looked at the rest of the clothes. There were about three pairs of jean shorts, white and two blue ones. He had also grabbed her a few tank-tops, she particularly like a blue and white stripped one, and a few t-shirts. She noticed some jackets in the pile as well.

"We don't know how long this will last." Glenn explained. "And it might get cold out."

Grace smiled at his consideration and folded all the clothes nicely on her side of the tent.

"I don't know what I can do to thank you." Grace said, trying to think of something she can do for him in return.

"Don't worry about it, Grace." He said.

"No, Glenn." She replied. "You risked your life for this. I'll make it up to you, somehow."

Glenn just shrugged. He really didn't mind getting Grace some clothes. The poor girl, who had become something of a sister to him, didn't even have shoes and all she had to wear was that ratty dress. And he had managed to make it out of the city safe. He didn't feel she was in debt to him. Just having her here as a companion for him was all he needed.

Grace suddenly looked confused and Glenn glanced at her.

"Where's Merle?" She asked, realizing he hadn't been a part of the group that had came back.

Glenn looked down at his lap.

"Did he get hurt?" She asked, shocked.

"Not really." He said.

"Dead?"

"I don't think so."

"Glenn, what happened to Merle?" She asked, thinking about Daryl. Merle was all that man had.

"Look, Merle...he attacked T-dog. They got in some stupid argument about race and he started beating on him. Rick-he, uh, handcuffed him to a bar on the roof to keep him contained. He gave T-dog the key to the handcuffs when we went to find a way out of the store. When we were overrun by the walkers, T-dog panicked and dropped the key down the drain." Glenn said. "Merle got left, handcuffed, on the roof."

"He's still alive?!" Grace asked.

"As far as we know." He said. "T-dog chained the door to the roof so those things couldn't get inside. But who knows."

"Oh gosh." She said. "Who's going to tell Daryl? That is his brother after all. He's going to be so mad."

"I don't know." Glenn said, "I don't know."


It was the next day and Daryl had never returned to camp from his hunting trip. Grace was a bit worried and wondered why no one else had even mentioned him besides their little conversation last night about who would tell him the bad news about Merle.

Grace didn't particularly like Merle. He was rude, perverted, racist and just a little creepy. But she couldn't believe what they had done to him. Tied him up to some roof of a building as though he was a dog who had peed on the carpet. And then to leave him up there. Merle might be mean-but she knew that he had to be provoked or he wouldn't attack. He might say some cruel things, but she knew that if you ignored him, he would calm down soon enough. So she couldn't help but feel sad about what happened to him. No one deserved that to be left like that. Not to die easy and fast. Merle was a rude man, but she couldn't help but like the spirit he had inside him, even if he had it for all the wrong reasons.

Grace was tempted to go look for Daryl. But she had no idea what direction he had run off to and she figured she would just get lost looking for him. Besides, if she did find him she knew he would ask if the group had returned and she didn't have the heart to tell him what happened to his brother. Especially when she knew he had been worrying about him the night before. And she dreaded the moment he would find out.

Suddenly the screams of the children made her jump in surprise. Rick Grimes, the new cop that arrived yesterday, Lori, Carol, Glenn, Shane, T-Dog, and Morales all jumped up and began running towards the direction of the screams. Grace followed close behind.

"Carl!" Lori yelled. "Carl!"

Grace was definitely not ready for the sight they stumbled upon. One of the walkers was up on the hill, feasting on a dead deer. It's skin was gray and decaying, its hair stringy and falling off. He was wearing what looked like a business suit. For some reason, that saddened her. This poor guy had probably been at work when the attacked happened. She wondered who he was before this all happened. What his name was, if he was married, if he had kids.

The walker noticed them behind him and stood up, snarling. Shane took the first hit. And then Glenn brought down his weapon on the poor creature. Soon all the men were bashing the walker with their weapons. It fell to the floor as they smacked him and the sight broke Grace's heart. Maybe they didn't have to kill him. Maybe they could tie him up somewhere he couldn't escape. They had no idea if a cure was being made right now and maybe it was. Maybe this man could be saved.

Without thinking, she threw herself in front of the thing lying on the floor.

"What are you doing?" Shane yelled at her. "Get out of the way!"

"Stop! Please, stop hitting him!" She yelled back in response. "We don't have to kill him!"

The walker was struggling behind her, obviously hurt.

"I'm not going to tell you again, Grace." Shane said. "Get out of the way."

"Please!" She begged. "We can tie him up, handcuff him! Anything! He can be cured. We can't kill him. We can't."

Glenn, aware of the frustration and anger of the men around him, pushed Grace away from the thing. The walker was getting too close to her for his comfort and he didn't want her hurt. With the new opening, Dale slammed down his axe, cutting the head off instantly.

Grace let out a little gasp as the head rolled to a stop by her leg. Tears sprung into her eyes as she looked at his face. Despite the blood and the rotting flesh, he still looked like a person.

"This is the first one we've had up here." Dale said. "They never come this far up the mountain."

"They're runnin' out of food in the city." Jim said. "That's all."

A twig snapped nearby and the group could hear footsteps getting closer. Shane raised his gun, getting ready in case another one of the walkers decided to show up because of the noise. When Daryl's face appeared through the leaves and he walked out from behind a boulder, he dropped his gun.

Grace could feel the tension from the group.

"Son of a bitch!" Daryl said, angrily. "That was my deer."

He walked past and the deer and to the body of the dead walker.

"Look at it, all nawed up." He said, pissed. Then he started kicking the dead body.

"By this filthy, disease-bearing, motherless poxy bastard!"

"Listen son, that's not helping." Dale said, softly.

"What do ya' know 'bout it, old man." Daryl screamed, getting in Dale's face. "Why don't ya' take that stupid hat and go back to On Golden Pond?"

Daryl walked back over the deer and began pulling the arrows out of its dead body, "I've been tracking this deer for miles. Gonna' drag it back to camp and cook us up some venison. Whadda' think we can cut around this chewed up part righ' here?"

"I would not risk that." Shane said, holding his gun behind his head.

"Damn shame." Daryl muttered. "Still got sum squirrel. 'Bout a dozen or so. That'll have ta' do."

As soon as Daryl finished his statement, the dead walker's head came back to life, biting at the air around it. Amy looked absolutely disgusted and walked away with Andrea. Grace, who was still on the floor besides the head, covered her mouth with her hands to keep her scream quiet.

"What the hell, people?" Daryl exclaimed, quickly sending an arrow into it's eyes. "It's gotta' be the brains. Don't ya'll no nothing?"

Grace let out a small gasp as the arrow impaled it's eye. Daryl noticed her on the ground and looked confused for a second.

"What the hell ya' doing down there?" He asked harshly. "Lookin' ta be killed?"

He grabbed her by the upper arm and hoisted her up. She stood on shaky legs looking pale and Daryl was worried she would puke all over him. He quickly walked away from her and began yelling to Merle to get his ass out to the campfire to help him gut the squirrels. Merle, of course, never came out so Daryl called for him again.

Shane took after him, telling him he had to talk to him. Glenn strung his arm around the shaken Grace and helped her walk back to camp. The whole group was standing around the pair.

"It's about Merle." Shane said. "There was a problem in Atlanta."

"He dead?" Daryl asked, his voice quieter.

Grace bit her lip, almost not wanting to hear what was coming next.

"Not sure."

"He either is or he ain't." Daryl snarled.

"There's no easy way to say this, so I'll just say it." Rick said, coming up behind Shane.

"Who are you?" Daryl asked, his defenses up.

"Rick Grimes."

"Rick Grimes." Daryl bit out. "Ya' got sumthing ya' wanna' to tell me?"

"Your brother was a danger to us all." Rick said. "So I handcuffed him to a roof to a piece of metal. He's still there."

Grace felt her body tense as the news was finally blurted out. Glenn tightened his hold on her.

Daryl turned away from him and wiped at his eyes. Grace couldn't tell if he was wiping off sweat or tears, and she felt her stomach drop.

"Hold on." He muttered. "Let me process this. Ya' say ya' handcuffed my brother to a roof? And ya' left him there?!"

"Yeah." Rick said, looking down.

Daryl was pissed. He huffed for a moment before throwing the string of squirrels at Rick, who ducked out of the way, and began to barrel towards him. Shane stepped in his path and knocked him to the ground. He pulled his hunting knife from his pants and got up quickly, swinging it at Rick. Rick, obviously trained, grabbed his arm and shoved it behind his back. Shane grabbed his other arm and grabbed him in a choke whole.

"Best let me go." He yelled.

Grace could see Daryl's face turning red as he tried to breath.

"Chockholdins' illegal." He muttered, out of breath.

"File a complaint." Shane snapped.

Rick bent down to talk to Daryl as his face grew more and more red. Grace suddenly felt scared, not wanting him to pass out.

"Shane, stop!" She screamed, pushing her way forward. Everyone looked at her in surprise, but Shane released him from his grasp. Daryl stayed on the floor for awhile, trying to catch his breath.

"What I did was not on a whim." Rick said. "Your brother does not play well with others."

"So you just tie him up like some sort of animal?" Grace exclaimed, surprising the group once again, "And then leave him? That's no way to treat a human being. Merle might be dangerous, but he does not deserve to die like that."

"Look, it was my fault." T-dog said, coming to Rick's defense. "I had the key. I dropped it."

"And ya' couldn't pick it up." Daryl snapped, standing up.

"I dropped it, down a drain."

"If that's suppose to make me feel betta, it don't." Daryl said, walking away.

"Maybe this will." T-dog said. "I chained the door to the roof so the geeks couldn't get at him with a padlock."

"That has to count for something." Rick said.

For a moment, it seemed as through Daryl was going to cry as his face scrunched up and he wiped at his eyes. The sight tugged at Grace's heart.

"To hell with all ya'll." He said, half-heartily. "Just tell me where he is. So I can goes get him."

"He'll show you." Lori said, from her place by the RV. "Isn't that right?"

Rick glanced down and seemed conflicted for a moment, "I'm going back."

Daryl walked away, picking up the squirrels from the ground and walking to his tent. The group dispersed, everyone going off to do something else as the scene was over. Grace bit her lip, pausing for a moment, before following Daryl. Glenn looked at her confused as she passed him, but she refused to meet his gaze.

She stood outside his tent for a moment, wondering if she should just leave. She knew he was probably going through hell right now. But she felt for him. She wanted to say something, try to comfort him if only a little.

"Daryl?" She called out lightly.

She heard some things shifted around before he answered.

"What the hell do ya' want?" He called out. "Can't you people just leave me alone?"

"I just wanted to talk to you for a second." She said, fiddling with the pink tank-top she had on that Glenn had brought back for her.

When he didn't answer, she hesitantly opened his tent and stepped inside cautiously. Daryl was sitting in the corner holding what looked like one of Merle's shirts in his hand. She placed her hand on his shoulder but he flinched from her touch so she quickly let it drop to her side.

"Look, what they did wasn't right." She said, "But Merle's a strong man. He can hold his own. I bet he's sitting on that roof right now, cussing us all out. He'll be just fine until you guys go get him. I don't doubt that."

Daryl still didn't say anything and for a moment, the tent was silent.

"I know what you're going through." She said softly. "When my town was hit, I was at my dance. Everything was chaotic and I just wanted to make sure my parents were okay. So I ran all the way home, risking death just to make sure they were okay. But they weren't. I found them. My dad was dead by time I got home and my mom…she-she tried to attack me. I had to kill her. My own mother. The woman who cared for me day to day, my bestfriend."

Grace could feel tears start to form in her eyes, "But Merle isn't like my parents. He's strong. He'll be okay."

She saw some of the tension leave his body as his shoulders slumped forward but he remained quiet. Feeling as though she had helped if only a little, she rubbed his shoulder once more before turning to leave the tent. Just as she was about to step out of the tent, his voice stopped her.

"Merle, he, uh, he taugh' me everythin' I know. My dad, well, he wasn't around much. Merle, that bastard definitely ain't no lovin' boy, but he cared for me more than my asshole dad ever did." He said, drawing her attention. He didn't know why he was telling this girl about his past life, but for some reason, they words just seemed to slip from his mouth.

"Merle is a tough son of a bitch." He said. "Nothin' can kill that dick. Not even me. Only Merle can kill Merle. But bein' chained up like that, he's not as strong as he can be. We might not get along well, but that bastard is still my brother."

"You'll find him." She said. "And you'll bring him back. He might not want to come back after what they did to him, but you bring him back. It's safer here than anywhere in that city. And Merle, he might be a little rough, but he's still one of God's children and he deserves to be protected just like the rest of us."

"Ya' really are a preacher's daughter, ain't cha'?" He muttered under his breath. "But hey, don't ya' be tellin' people shit. I don't want no one to look at me as though I'm some lovey-dovey, touchy feely pussy, like ya'. I'm not. Dixon's are tough bastards. So ya' best keep your mouth shut."

Grace couldn't help but smile as Daryl turned back to his normal self.

"Sure thing, Daryl." She said, before turning around to leave the tent again.

"Grace." Daryl's voice stopped her again. She turned back around to see him looking at her this time.

"Yeah?" She asked.

He tossed her the cut up, flannel shirt that he was holding in hishands. She caught it and glanced at him confused.

"It's Merle's." He said. "Fer some reason, that son of a bitch liked ya'. Can't tell ya' why, but he did. Now leave me the hell alone, girl."

Grace held onto the shirt tightly and gave him a small smile before leaving the tent.


A few hours later, Daryl was sitting by the fire cleaning off his arrows as they prepared for the trip. He thought back to Grace, the preacher's daughter with the innocent smile. She had stood up for his brother to the group, which had surprised him greatly. He remembered Merle mentioning something about her-liked her, actually liked her for some reason or another. Ever since they joined this group, they had been treated like outcast. He knew they were close to being friendly, but they pulled their weight for the group, hunting and getting food for everyone. So it pissed him off the way they treated his brother in Atlanta.

His thoughts floated back to Grace. She had come talk to him in the tent briefly. He remembered the shock he felt when he heard her say she killed her mother. The girl was stronger than he thought she was. She was a survivor, he decided, just like him and his brother. Maybe that's why Merle liked her.

And Daryl wouldn't speak a word of this to anyone, but he did feel a little better after her talk with him. Him and Merle might not have the best relationship, but he was his brother and all he had left in this world. Merle had taught him everything he needed to know-stepped in and took their father's place who didn't give a rats ass about what happened to them. Merle wasn't loving, not at all. But Daryl still cared for him.

"Why-Why would you risk your life for a douche-bag like Merle Dixon?" Shane asked, as him and Rick walked over by Daryl.

"Hey! Choose your words more carefully." Daryl said, standing up.

"Oh I did." Shane said. "Douche-bag is what I meant. Merle Dixon, guy wouldn't give you a glass of water even if you were dying of thirst."

"What he would or wouldn't do, don't matter to me." Rick said. "I can't let a man die of thirst, thirst and exposure. We left him like an animal caught in a trap. That's no way for anything to die, let alone a human being."

"So you and Daryl?" Lori said. "That's your big plan."

Rick turned towards Glenn, looking at him with pleading eyes. Grace stepped in front of Glenn, glaring at Rick. She did not want Glenn to go into the city again. They barely got out the first time and she didn't want him to risk his life again.

"No." She said, crossing her arms. "Glenn is not going on this trip."

"What are you guys together now?" Shane asked from behind Rick.

Both Glenn and Grace turned a bright red.

"No!" She exclaimed. "But I'm not letting him risk his life again."

"You know the way. You've been there back and forth, in and out. You said so yourself. I know its not fair for me to ask. I know that. But I would feel a lot better with you by my side. And I know she would too." Rick said, gesturing to his wife.

"Don't try to guilt him into this!" Grace said.

"It's his decision, Grace." Rick said calmly.

Grace turned around and looked at Glenn, pleading to him with her eyes not to go. He looked conflicted for a moment. Not sure which side to pick.

"That's just great, you're going to risk three men." Shane said.

"If Glenn goes, I go too." Grace said, not eager to sit at camp listening to everyone worry about the group again.

"No way." Shane said. "No way in hell. You can't handle yourself. And after the stunt you pulled today with that walker."

"I can handle myself just fine." She said, stubbornly. "I know how to use a knife and I can handle a gun. I grew up with this stuff."

"No." Daryl piped up, surprising everyone. "Yer not goin'"

She might not be as weak as he originally thought, but he knew how dangerous the city was and he knew she wouldn't be able to handle herself. And he didn't want to have to keep her and his ass safe while he was out there.

"And why not?" She snapped.

"I said no and I meant it." He said harshly.

She pouted her lips and glared at nothing in particular as she walked away angrily. Glenn followed her. Daryl could care less that she was upset. He was just satisfied that she was not going with them.

"I'm going too." T-dog said from behind him.

Daryl grimaced, "My day just keeps getting better."

He left to go get in the van, eager to get going. Glenn was already sitting in the driver seat with the door open and Grace leaning against it. He hopped into the back of the open van as he waited for Rick and T-dog to get inside so they could go get Merle back.

"Glenn, I really don't want you going." He heard Grace say.

"I'll be fine, Grace." The Asian boy said. "I've done this plenty of times. I'll be back before you know it."

"Promise me you'll stay safe." She pleaded.

"I will, Grace. Don't worry." He replied and she leaned over and gave the boy a kiss on the cheek.

Daryl rolled his eyes at their little moment.

"You too, Daryl." Grace said and he glanced over at her. "Promise me you'll stay safe."

"Don't ya' be startin' that shit with me, girl." He said, looking impatiently and Rick and Shane.

"Just promise me, Daryl." She said. "Please."

Daryl rolled his eyes again but nonetheless responded, "Fine, fine. I'll promise if ya' shut up."

She smiled lightly before walking off, probably to go talk with Amy or someone. He couldn't help but be baffled by the girl. He couldn't understand why she was so emotional. It drove him nuts.

He looked down at the Asian who was watching her walk away.

"Is she ya' girlfrien' or sumthing, chink?" He asked.

Glenn's face turned red, "No! Grace…Grace is like a sister to me."

For some reason, that little comment lightened Daryl's mood.


Author's Note: I know some of you are probably yelling at Grace for being stupid enough to try to protect one of the walkers, haha. But as I said before, she's definitely naive. She was raised to believe that everything is God's creature and to only kill if necessary. You'll definitely see her grow as the story continues and she continues to adapt to the new world. ANYWAYS, I managed to find some time to write last night so I decided to upload this new chapter earlier than I figured I would. I want to finish up the first season so we can get a move on with the plot. The next chapter is currently being written and there should be two more chapters that will finish up season 1 of the show's plotline. I will then move on to season 2. There will be a lot more Daryl-Grace interaction in the next few chapters so I hope you guys continue to stay patient. I don't want to make Daryl out of character so it will take a some time to build up their relationship as you all know he isn't very emotional haha. I hope you guy's enjoyed this chapter. I want to thank my loyal followers who continue to review and read my story. THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH! It definitely means a lot (:

lme13: I'm really glad you've enjoyed the story so far! And I hope you continue to enjoy it! And don't worry, Grace will definitely grow as the story continues. I'm not really a fan of weak girl characters, but based of her previous life, she must start out as a naive girl who will have to learn how to survive in the new world. The next chapter will definitely bring out a different side of her, so stay in tune for that! Thank you for the review (:

Peperina: I really appreciate your support (: And Merle may or may not pop up in future chapters ;) And I'm glad you found him thinking about Shane to calm himself down funny, because I was laughing to myself when writing that haha. There were be a lot more interaction between the two in the next coming chapters, so definitely keep watch for the updates! Thanks for reviewing, as always! (:

Emberka-2012: I'm glad you enjoyed Merle's scene! And I agree! Daryl might say rude things but he would never hit a girl. Sure, he'll get in quarrels with his fellow men, but I don't think he would ever put his hands on a girl, besides the walker girls haha. Thanks for your review(: I appreciate it!

SPEEDIE22: Thanks for the reviews! I hope you enjoyed this chapter as well! (:

Jen Drake: I'm really happy that you've enjoyed the story so far. Hope you like this update as well! Thanks for reviewing (:

Leyshla Gisel: Haha, thank you so much! Reviews like this always inspire me to keep writing more (:

Once again, thank you to all who read and review! Appreciate it so much! Next chapter is almost finished and will probably be uploaded in a day or so. Let me know what you think of this chapter in a review! (: