Klreyes91: Thank you! I'm so glad you're enjoying it.
ShutxThexFrontxDoor: Aw, I'm so sorry you've had a bad day. But I'm glad I could brighten it up some. And thank you! I'm really anxious about this chapter. I really hope you'll enjoy it.
Author's Note: I hadn't intended to type up another chapter today, but I'm really bored. I'm gonna end up catching up to myself (I'm writing it out in a notebook first.)
After dinner, Merle, Daryl, Glenn, Rick, and Michonne sat in the living room. The TV was on; the news hadn't stopped broadcasting yet. They continued showing footage from throughout the day and announced the CDC had been quarantining sections of Atlanta, as well as in various other cities. That morning, all transportation in and out of the country had stopped out of fear of spreading the virus to other parts of the world. There was still no word on how it had started. People were advised to stay indoors and not to leave wherever they were. They were also warned to bar all windows and doors. "We will stay on air as long as possible," the anchor continued, "and we'll keep you updated and informed as the information comes in."
As Lucy and the others walked into the living room, Merle turned the TV off. She sat down in the over-stuffed arm chair with him. Merle groaned and shifted, adjusting himself more comfortably next to her. "How long do you think this is going to ask?" Marissa asked to no one in particular.
Daryl shrugged, "Could be weeks…months…hell, it could be tomorrow before it all blows over."
"Haven't you ever watched zombie movies before?" Michonne asked. "It never ends."
Lucy put her hand on Merle's knee, her grip tight. He covered her hand with his and squeezed it, her silent mantra.
"Things ended pretty quickly in 'Shaun of the Dead'," Glenn said. "'Fido' too, granted that scenario was a little different."
"Do deadites count as zombies?" Chanel asked, grinning, "Ash wiped all of them out; we just need to know what Bruce Campbell's up to."
Daryl smirked and shook his head, and Glenn chuckled.
"Doesn't matter," Merle told them, "Those are movies, this isn't."
There was a collective sigh as the lightened mood darkened again.
There was an uncomfortable silence as everyone tried to think of something non-depressing to talk about. Finally, Glenn spoke up, looking at Chanel and Marissa he asked, "So, you guys are strippers?"
Chanel laughed, "Marissa's just a bartender, and Lucy hasn't donned the name 'Cherokee Rose' in about a year and a half, so I'm not sure she counts anymore."
"Ya ever had a lap dance, China man?" Merle asked with a teasing grin on his face.
"I'm Korean," he said, looking at Merle before shaking his head, "and no, I haven't."
Chanel nudged Marissa and words were whispered. Marissa got up and walked over to the old record player, searching for something danceable. When she finally found one and put the needle down, Chanel stood and music filled the room. She walked towards Glenn with practiced ease and began the choreographed routine she'd done countless times. Despite the grin on his face, Glenn's cheeks turned bright red at the sounds of everyone clapping, laughing, and whistling.
As the song ended, Chanel noticed Daryl with his arms crossed over his chest, frowning, an eyebrow arched, "What's the matter, Daryl, ya aren't jealous, are ya? I'll give you one too, free of charge."
Daryl averted his eyes, staring at the floor he bit his lip as his cheeks turned just as red as Glenn's had been.
"Lighten up, little brother," Merle teased him, smiling, "Have some fun."
Lucy whispered to Merle, "I'm going to bed."
He nodded and she kissed his cheek. "I'll be there in just a minute," he told her, keeping his voice low.
She pushed herself out of the chair and walked to the bedroom.
Soon after, Merle got up to throw away his beer can. Daryl got up and followed him into the kitchen. "I was thinkin' earlier…" he started, leaning against the counter.
"Yeah?" Merle turned to face him, "About what?"
"Maybe we should set up a watch, I know we're secluded and everything, but just to be safe…"
"How're we gonna do that? Chanel and Marissa would be useless with a weapon, not that we really have any. And everyone else is crazy; you really wanna trust 'em with our safety?"
Daryl sighed, "Glenn's not really crazy, and Michonne seems lucid enough."
Merle rolled his eyes before arching his eyebrow, "And the others?"
Daryl shrugged, "I haven't really talked to any of 'em."
Merle sighed and shook his head slightly, "I doubt we have anything to worry about. If you wanna stand guard though, don't let me stop ya." Merle yawned, "I'm goin' to bed though."
Daryl grunted, "G'night."
"Night," Merle turned and walked to the bedroom. He shut and locked the door behind him. Lucy rolled over in bed to look at him. He smiled at her, "You ain't asleep yet?"
"I only just laid down," her voice was soft. She had changed into her pajamas and her hair had been braided back. The light had only been off for a minute or so before Merle walked in.
He kicked his shoes off and pulled his shirt over his head. He undone his pants, letting them fall to the floor as well, leaving him in just his boxers. Lucy watched him the whole time. He smiled, "See something you like, sugarplum?"
A grin spread across her face, "I might," she teased him. He walked over to the bed and she pulled the blanket back. He got in bed next to her and pulled her into his arms. She took a deep breath, "This is real."
"Yes, Lucy." He kissed her forehead and she closed her eyes, snuggling against him.
When morning came, Merle was the first to wake up. He got dressed and walked into the living room where Rick and Glenn were sleeping on the couch's pull out bed. Chanel and Marissa had the spare bedroom, and Daryl had given up his room to Maggie, Beth, Carol, and Michonne.
Merle walked outside onto the porch. Daryl was sitting against the wall, his eyes shut and crossbow in hand. Merle nudged him with his foot. Daryl startled awake and blinked a few times. Rubbing his eyes, he glared up at Merle, "What do you want?"
Merle grinned, "Any trouble last night, little brother?"
"Shut up!" Daryl got to his feet and Merle chuckled.
"I'll go wake Lucy up. You can sleep in our bed for a little while."
Daryl yawned sleepily, "Thanks." He had stayed awake most of the night. It had been about half an hour before sunrise when his eyes finally closed.
Merle walked back into his room and laid his hand on Lucy's shoulder, gently shaking her awake, "Rise and shine, sugarplum."
She rolled over and stared up at him, smiling sleepily. She sat up and rubbed her eyes while Merle shook her pills into the palm of his hand. He handed them to her and she swallowed them dry. They repeated her mantra and she quickly changed so Daryl could have the bed.