Odd Pairings

Carol leaned against the porch bannister not quite believing that Rick was here in Morgantown. Morgan led Rick and Merle toward the cabin. Carl ran ahead of the others and hugged her and Andrea.

Rick hugged them too but Merle's crafty blue eyes stayed focused on her. Rick gave them the sad news that Lori had died giving birth to a little girl that Carl had named Judith. Rick's group was being threatened by a local war lord called the Governor and he had come back to Kingsborough looking for weapons and ammunition.

Merle sidled closer to Carol. "That belong to my brother?" He made a gesture with his left hand toward her belly. His right hand was missing and there was some sort of apparatus attached to his arm with a blade on it.

Carol nodded, "Yes, is Daryl okay?"

"He's wounded. Hershel took the bullet out but he ain't out of the woods yet. Needs antibiotics. Needs to get the hell out of that prison."

Andrea turned toward Rick, "You don't need more guns. Merle's right. Go back and pack up. Bring your group here. We'll make room." Her eyes sought Morgan's, "Do you think that the others would agree?"

"We'll call a meeting now. I'll bring everyone together and maybe you could find some food and water for our guests?" Morgan walked to the deck and rang the bell.

Rick seemed irritated, "We have a safe place. Plenty of room. Just need the guns and enough ammo to hold off the Governor."

"What you got to eat? The prison food tastes like prison food." Merle headed into the cabin.

Carol followed him. Andrea began talking to Rick.

Merle eyed her belly again. "You sure that is a Dixon in there? Your husband hadn't been dead all that long when you seduced my sweet little brother."

Carol wanted to take the iron frying pan and knock Merle's brains out. "I'm sure, and I don't give a flying fuck what you believe. You need to convince Rick to bring his group here." She made him a bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich and cut them into four pieces. There was some sweet tea left from lunch and she poured him a glass.

Merle took a bite. "That is so good. Where did you get the bacon?"

"The farmers around here let their animals go during the Turn. We've been able to round up a milk cow, a sow with piglets, four goats, chickens, and horses. Jesse killed a wild boar last spring and that is the last of the bacon." Carol made more sandwiches. Carl and Rick were probably hungry as well. Merle still looked hungry and she made him another sandwich. "Is he feverish?"

"He's weak. I'll bring him here if your group will let us come. Rick is a tad deranged since the passing of his wife. I'm hoping Blondie can talk some sense into him. He won't listen to anything I say. He just brought me along because he don't trust me at the prison." Merle bit into his sandwich. "I can't lose Daryl. He's all I got."

Carol wrapped the sandwiches up in a clean cloth. "You can take that with you."

The meeting was almost over when Carol and Morgan got there. There were concerns about overcrowding but Jesse pointed out that they could bring camping trailers for temporary housing until more homes could be built. The Morgantown alliance formally extended an invitation to Rick's group.

Rick agreed to return to the prison today to get his people. Andrea, Michonne, and Jesse volunteered to go with him. They were taking two vans, one a soccer mom van and full size one that could haul more people. They put a bed in the back of the truck for Daryl. Carol found an infant car seat for Judith to travel in. She sent antibiotics and hoped that they were the right ones.

Carol waved them goodbye and then fired up the generator to run the washer. She wanted to be busy. She needed time to process that those people that she thought that she would never see again might be here tonight. How would Daryl react to finding out about the baby? It was all too much and the laundry needed done.

Her quiet time was interrupted by Merle and Morgan. They helped with hanging up the laundry and then they disappeared with Tyreese and Allen to start bring the camping trailers in.

Michonne and Jesse

Michonne drove the soccer mom van and tried to keep up with Rick. Jesse had his favorite automatic rifle cradled in his lap and he wasn't laid back and all cheery. He was on high alert and she realized that she didn't really know this man very well.

"Michonne, I want to run something by you. There is a house site about five miles away from Morgantown. All the logs for the entire house are sitting there waiting for us to pick them up. We need to start building permanent homes. The logs are still on the trucks. We could build a foundation and start on that house in a week or so."

She glanced at him and then put her eyes back on the road, "People just live day to day now. Nothing is permanent."

Jesse shifted in his seat, "Some things are permanent. Men and women being together and having babies is permanent. Men and women protecting their children is permanent. I don't want to just survive. I want to live and find some measure of happiness. Don't you?

They were in a long straight stretch without a walker in sight. Michonne kept her eyes on the road. "I want Carol's baby to be safe. Not all daddies protect their children, you know." She hated the tears flowing down her face. Mike didn't protect our son.

The man did know when to shut up. He waited a long time before he spoke again, "I'm not him." He shut up then.

Michonne gave him a side eye glance. Jesse was staring out the window. I should never have gotten in this vehicle with him.

"I think the big log house is a good idea. Where do you want to put it?"

"Johnny and I want to put it about a hundred yards away from the east fence. We build the wall that way first. Cut in a road that way and cover it with gravel. Do the foundation that should include a full basement. There is a good spring over there for drinking water. Good angle on the sun for solar."

Michonne bit back a smile, "Sounds like you have it all worked out."

"My grandmother used say you can shit in one hand and wish in the other and see which one gets filled up first. She preached the gospel of setting goals and working toward them." Jesse drank some water from his canteen. "You want some water?"

Michonne nodded and Jesse got a bottle of water out of his pack and put in cup holder by her side. "Tell me more about your family?" Why did I ask about his family?

"My father was white. A Graham from West Virginia. Met my mother while they were both officers in the army. They got married and had me. My father was killed in a training accident which was Ranger Speak for getting killed in some shithole that the US army wasn't supposed to be in. I was nine. My mother left the army and got a job in Virginia. Married again within the year to a man who just never loved her light skinned blue eyed son. He wasn't mean to me but I think I just reminded him too much of my white father." Jesse took another drink of water, "I joined the army when I graduated from high school. Spent four years in and when I came out I went to college to study electrical engineering. Graduated and got a job. Got married, got divorced. No children. My mother died last year. I don't know if any of my family is still alive."

Jesse's voice was matter of fact. He wasn't bitter or filled with self-pity. He never complained about anything. He would shrug his shoulders and say, "It is what it is."

Andrea and Rick

Andrea kept Rick talking as they drove toward the prison. A small herd blocked the road and all four of them jumped out with their weapons and cleared the path. They were soon on their way. Rick glanced at her, "You did good back there. I'm sorry we left you behind. Patricia and Beth said that you and Carol were surrounded by walkers. We thought that you were bitten."

"Michonne saved us. She taught us how to defend ourselves. Carol wanted to come to Kingsborough. It was almost winter when we found Morgan. He was starting to lose it, but I guess having us around brought him back. Then, when we found out that Carol was pregnant we buckled down and started building better defenses and we added people to our group. We needed them and we need your people too, Rick."

Rick confessed, "I'm losing it. Seeing Lori everywhere. I've tried to keep everyone safe, but I lost Lori and TDogg anyway."

"Maybe you need a break from all the responsibility. You've got Carl and Judith to think about. You won't be responsible for everyone. Just them."

Rick nodded, "We need to make a quick turnaround when we get to prison. It's June and the days are long. We can get back to Morgantown by dark. Carol said that you all have stocked up everything we'll need for Judith."

"We'll get Daryl and Judith loaded quickly and we'll be out the door in thirty minutes."

Glenn opened the gate to let them in and Andrea jumped out to hug him close, "What the hell happened to you?" Glenn's face was badly bruised.

"Merle and the Governor happened. Where is Merle?"

"I'll tell you about it on the way up to the prison. We're getting all of you out of here right now."

The next few minutes were organized chaos as Jesse and Rick carried Daryl to the bed in the van. Hershel got in with him. Jesse grabbed the wheel and Michonne took the passenger seat. Glenn drove the full size van and Jesse led the way. Andrea sat beside of Judith's car seat marveling at how beautiful she was. Judith was so tiny, so innocent and so vulnerable. No wonder Rick was breaking under the strain.

Maggie and Beth sat in the seats behind her. Patricia was in the last seat. Glenn and Rick up front. Small group and Andrea thought of all the people they had lost. They were stronger and smarter now. They would have to be.

Carol, Morgan, and Merle

There was a small bedroom on the first floor of Morgan's cabin and Morgan and Tyreese cleaned it and put a bed in there. Tyreese and Sasha gave up their house to the Grimes family. The single men moved in the portable trailers so that the Hershel's family could be together. Merle helped move them in and was given his own personal trailer. No electricity or water hookups but Merle seemed to appreciate the thought of having his own space. Sasha moved in with Carol and the other women.

Merle sought Carol and Morgan out, "They'll be back tonight. Rick won't rest until he can his family together again. He's an asshole but he does love his kids."

Tyreese and Sasha cooked extra food for dinner. Allen and Donna took clean linens to the houses. Carl and Morgan set up a crib in the Grimes house and Carol and Merle carried over baby formula, bottles, diapers, and baby clothes. Carol put sheets on the crib. Merle carried over a rocking chair. "Your baby going to have everything he needs?"

Carol had to smile at Merle's question. "We have been scavenging for babies for months. My baby will have what he or she needs."

He frowned at her, "What do you expect from Daryl? He hasn't seen you in nearly eight months. He don't know nothing about being a daddy."

"I was prepared to rear this baby with the help of my friends. I don't expect anything from him. Daryl will have to decide how involved he wants to be. I am not trying to force him into anything." Carol arranged some baby toys on the dresser, "Let's just make sure that Daryl gets well and back on is feet."

"What do you want from my brother? You want him to take care of you?"

Carol met his eyes, "We were together for a few days months ago. We created a child together. I'm not the same woman that I was. Daryl may not like the woman that I am now. I have had to some things that I don't like but I may have to do again. The baby comes first with me. I'm very very pregnant. I just want to deliver a healthy baby and I don't have the energy to seduce your brother away from you right now." She grinned at him, "Not saying that I won't make a move later on."

Merle smirked, "You are pretty fat right now, but you got a certain voluptuous beauty. So if Daryl don't want no big girl? Well, I like a little cushion for the pushin'."

She had to laugh, "Shut the hell up, Merle. No woman should have more than one Dixon in their lifetime. I appreciate the offer though."

Merle and Morgan were up in the gate tower as the sun went down. Carol and Carl waited in the deck area. It was nearly dark when they heard Merle's shout, "They are vehicles coming this way."

Morgan gave a cheer, "They're back."

Allen and Tyreese opened the gate and the two vans swept in. Carol and Merle watched Tyreese and Allen move Daryl to the cabin. Hershel looked at them, "He's wore out. I started him on the antibiotics but I think you two are his best medicine. Come on in with me."

Daryl was propped up in the bed when they went in. He looked thin and pale. His eye met hers and then slid down to her belly. "Carol, what the hell?"

Carol wanted to burst into tears or laughter. She steeled herself to do neither, "You don't look so hot yourself, Daryl."

He gave an almost smile, just a little upturn of his lips, "Guess we have a lot to talk about."

Hershel stuck a thermometer in Daryl's mouth, "You can talk this out in a couple of days. You need to concentrate on getting better." The old veterinarian gave Carol an assessing look, "I want to check you out tomorrow morning. Right now I am sending you out of here to rest. Merle and I will take care of Daryl."

She turned to Merle, "You know where the chicken soup is. See if you can get him to eat something. Hershel, we have food ready for all of you on the dining deck. There is hot water in the shower building." She gave him a hug, "We're all so glad that you joined us." Carol patted Daryl's arm, "I'll see you tomorrow." She resisted the temptation to hang on. Hershel was right. Daryl was exhausted. He didn't need baby drama.

Daryl looked up at her, "Tomorrow morning?"

Carol patted his arm again, "Tomorrow morning."

Carol walked toward the dining deck. Her back hurt and she knew that she had pushed herself too hard today, but she wasn't going to bed until she saw Lori's baby. Rick was trying to feed Judith and Carol held out her arms, "I'll take her while you eat."

Glenn hugged her, "Carol, seeing you and Andrea alive is a miracle. We didn't get found, we got rescued,"

Carol took a seat and unfolded the blanket from Judith. Judith looked tired and cranky. Lori's baby had made it to Morgantown and Carol promised her that she would be safe here. "You're home, sweet girl. We'll take care of you." Judith decided that she wanted her bottle after all and she finished it, gave an unladylike burp, and went to sleep.

Rick took her from Carol, "I think I had better put her in bed." Carl was at his side.

Carol stood up. "Andrea and I will walk you to your house. It isn't much. Four small bedrooms and a larger living space in the middle. We have hot water for showers ready in the bath house. Carl took a shower this evening. We'll hold the fort down while you get a shower."

Andrea seemed fascinated by the baby and Carol handed Judith to her. "On second thought, I think I'm going to bed. Rick, make sure that Andrea knows the correct way to put a baby to bed."

Rick grinned, "Think I can tell her anything? She's pretty much a know it all."

"You might know more about babies than me. I'll listen to you about this." Andrea followed Rick down the gravel path and Carl ran ahead and opened the door for Andrea. Carol went inside her house and got ready for bed. She eased herself into her bed, "Tomorrow morning, Daryl."

AN

Patricia survived the farm in my story.

I'm trying to get back on track with this story. Holidays get in the way.

What do you think?