Daryl had been back in the room for a couple of hours and still had not woken. Carol had been in to check on him before her shift ended and assured Davia, Beth, and Zach that it was normal for him to be sleeping because He had been through quite a traumatic ordeal and his body needed to rest. He appeared to at least be resting comfortably and at this time it was the best that Davia could hope for.

Beth and Zach made sure that Davia ate dinner and then left shortly thereafter. Once again Beth agreed to go by and pick up some clothes and bring them back to Davia. She knew that Davia would refuse to leave Daryl while he was in such a vulnerable position but also knew the girl would completely neglect herself in return.

Around ten that night Daryl began to stir and Davia gripped onto his hand so he knew she was with him. Because of the swelling from Merle's beating, Daryl's eyes were barely more than slits. He looked confused at his surroundings but it didn't take him long to realize where he was and that Davia was with him. He tried to speak, but his throat was raw as a result of the tube that had been there earlier. All he managed to muster was a very raspy whisper. "Davia you need sleep."

"I promise I will get some, don't wear yourself out trying to talk." Whether it was the exhaustion or relief she didn't know, but tears once again flowed down her cheek. Daryl struggled, but reached his hand up to wipe the tears from her cheek. He then took her hand and brought it too his parched lips and gently kissed it. "Don't cry for me Davia…I'll be fine." He tried to assure her.

She nodded and continued to hold onto him. His hand was her lifeline to him right now. She longed to be in his arms or to be able to wrap her arms around him, but Daryl was a long way from any of that happening. He began to drift back to sleep, but before he did he whispered on final thing to her "Driving lessons are going to have to wait."

Davia had Daryl's cell phone and as he slept she made a call to Tyreese to tell him what had happened. Tyreese told her he would stop by the hospital to check on Daryl after work the next day, and for her not to worry about anything. Daryl would be eligible to collect short-term disability (at a reduced salary) during his recuperation and that meant that he would still be getting a paycheck. He was also blessed to have decent health insurance, which meant the hospital bills would be taken care of. At least that was one stress that would be relieved.

Davia was also surprised when Dale and Irma stopped by to check on Daryl late Sunday night. Dale insisted that Davia take the week off from performing, and she said she would consider it. Davia really didn't want to forego her paycheck though, especially now that Daryl would be collecting a reduced income while he convalesced. She was willing to do anything to make sure he was taken care of. What had happened to him was not his fault, and she didn't want him to suffer financially, especially since he had just purchased the house and had yet to make his first mortgage payment. She knew it was going to kill him to not be able to work on the house to get it in live-in condition, but his physical limitations at the current time were going to prohibit him from doing any construction.

Daryl awoke again close to midnight and saw that Davia hadn't moved much. She was still holding onto his hand and looked uncomfortable in the chair beside his bed. Speaking was difficult for him, but he still managed to issue a hoarse whisper "baby you gotta get some rest."

"Shhh Daryl, don't try to talk." She told him.

"Pull the reclining chair over beside the bed and sleep." He told her. Even in his weakened condition he was still concerned for Davia's well being.

She did as he told her and within a few moments he felt he hand slacken and she was fast asleep. It was as if she was waiting for permission from Daryl to rest. Daryl took in his surroundings and realized he had been catheterized. "That's not gonna feel good coming out." He thought to himself. He couldn't see his abdomen, but he could feel it and he knew it must have been a mess. He felt incredibly weak and just the slightest movement both hurt and exhausted him. Daryl had always been a very physically active person and being injured like this was not something he wanted to deal with.

There wasn't one part of him that didn't hurt or ache and if he barely attempted to move his torso he was overwhelmed with a burning pain that radiated through his body. "Another fucking scar to add to the collection" Daryl told himself. He began to replay the events of the previous day in his head and his mind quickly went to Merle. He wondered where Merle was and if he had been apprehended. Daryl felt like a traitor by doing what he did to Merle, but Merle's present state of mind was dangerous, and Daryl didn't want to risk any harm coming to Davia. Had it just been him involved, he would have let Merle go about his business, but this was different and the one person he began to think about more than himself was worth protecting, even if it was from the only family he had left. He reckoned he was a disloyal piece of shit, but when it came to Davia, he didn't care.

He moved his head to take in Davia's sleeping form. To him she looked like a beautiful angel, so full of love and kindness. His body longed to hold her in his arms, to kiss her, and one day soon he hoped to make love to her. What? Daryl Dixon wanted to actually make love to a woman, and not fuck her senseless so he could gain a quick physical release. He wanted all of Davia for himself, and even after knowing her for just a short period of time, he couldn't imagine what it would be like not to have her in his life. She was his saving grace, and he wanted to reciprocate to her. If this was what love was like he finally understood why people spoke so highly about it. Daryl couldn't carry a tune in a bucket, but Davia Longstreet made his heart sing. His last thoughts before he drifted back into sleep were of the two of them walking hand and hand at the beach, watching a sunset as warm water encompassed their feet.

Davia was woken up by a light knock on the door to Daryl's room. She quietly answered for whomever to knock to enter, and was surprised when a feeble looking older man entered, accompanied by an African American woman.

"Hello Miss, My name is William and this is my wife Jacqui. We heard about the trouble on the news and the Lord led me here to pray over the young man." He said kindly.

"Um OK, I just ask that you don't wake him up." She replied. There was something familiar about the man and she wondered if she had gone to church with him at some point in her past. He seemed to be kind and gentle, but it was obvious that life had taken a toll on his body.

William and Jacqui made their way to Daryl's bedside and gently laid hands on him and began to pray. She couldn't quite place her finger on it, but the look that William gave Daryl almost looked pained. She wondered if he had suffered a loss of a child at some point in his life. As if he could read her mind he spoke "Lost my boy's about twenty years ago, seeing this young man like this brings back a lot of painful memories." Davia noticed the man had tears in his eyes and his wife had reached out and placed her arm on the older man's shoulder, trying to comfort him.

Shortly thereafter, William and Jacqui left, but Davia had a feeling that there was more to the story than what he had told her. Her thoughts were interrupted when Carol came in the room to check on Daryl. "Not in a million years would I have thought that Will Dixon would stop by to check on his son. He's been gone from these parts for nearly twenty years. It looks like he has changed drastically in that time."

Davia was speechless. That was Daryl's father? The evil man who had placed all those vicious marks on Daryl's back and the man who had destroyed any sense of self-worth that Daryl ever had. Davia couldn't help it, as she was suddenly overcome by rage.

"Will Dixon…I'm glad Daryl wasn't awake for the visit. That man doesn't deserve to share the same air that Daryl breathes." Davia said firmly. Apparently a little too firmly as her voice roused Daryl from his sleep as he caught the tail end of her conversation.

"Who was it" he croaked out. His battered throat refused to let him speak in anything other than a weak whisper.

Davia and Carol both turned to look at Daryl and he suddenly felt very uncomfortable. Apparently something had happened while he was asleep and he picked up on anger on Davia's face and curiosity on Carol's. Carol looked to Davia letting her know she needed to tell Daryl.

"You had a visitor while you were asleep. It was your father and his wife." Davia said flatly.

Daryl couldn't have been more shocked at the news Davia just delivered him. She noticed a gambit of emotions rolling over his bruised face. However, he remained silent.

"Daryl are you OK?" Davia asked concerned about his lack of reaction.

He simply nodded. Speaking was too painful. To be honest, Daryl wasn't sure what he was feeling at this moment. It had been over twenty years since he had last seen or heard from his father. The man had never given a damn about him in the past and had caused him unspeakable harm physically and emotionally. Daryl didn't know how to process the news that one of the biggest ghosts from his past had come to check up on him.

Carol spoke to him calmly "Daryl I need you to relax so I can draw some blood. Your too tense right this minute and its going to make it difficult. If you want I can make sure he doesn't return unless you give him approval."

Daryl didn't move or say anything. Davia guessed that he didn't really know what to say or how to react. She did notice that his knuckles were white and he was grasping the sheets tightly. Quickly she took his tensed hands into hers and began to rub them gently. She moved so she was close enough to whisper in his ear "Daryl, relax and breathe so Carol can draw your blood. Don't worry about your father another moment, I will make sure that he doesn't return. If I had known it was him in the first place I would have never let him in here." She assured him.

Daryl whispered "How did he look?"

The question surprised Davia, why would Daryl care? "Old, like he had lived a rough life."

Daryl nodded again. Carol quickly finished drawing his blood "Daryl make sure you get plenty of rest today. A respiratory therapist will be in to go through some breathing exorcises with you in a couple of hours. We can't have you developing pneumonia and they also want to make sure the laceration to your lung isn't going to cause any prolonged problems. Dr. S will be in later to check on you as well. Your blood pressure is a little higher than I like it, so you need to relax or we will need to sedate you. Right now you need to focus on healing up and worry about the other things later."

After Carol left Daryl motioned for Davia to come over and sit beside him again. Holding her hand gave him a calmness that had always been difficult for him to achieve. Daryl finally asked the question Davia had been dreading "Merle?"

"I don't know all the details Daryl, but he was brought in shortly after you. They said he cut off his hand in some drugged out state."

Daryl tried processing the news that Davia had just told him, but not in a million years would he have expected Merle to try to cut off his hand. Merle loved Merle too damn much. He didn't get too much time to process that thought before Rick Grimes knocked on the door and entered the room.

"They said you were awake Daryl and I wanted to talk to you and get your official statement." Rick said.

Davia spoke immediately "Can it wait Rick? He can barely speak."

"It won't take long, and we really need to get the official statement while it is still fresh on his mind." Rick replied.

Daryl nodded in approval. Rick could see how tired and weak Daryl looked, and he really hated to do official business with someone in Daryl's current state, but he also didn't want the state's case against Merle to weaken because of the length of time that had passed since the incident. He decided he would ask the questions in a manner where Daryl wouldn't have to speak too much.

"OK Daryl let's begin. When you called me from your phone how much time had passed between first encountering Merle and you making the call? I heard the conversation and I do have it recorded." He informed Daryl.

"Immediately" Daryl replied, still only able to muster a whisper.

"Did he disclose where he had been hiding out?" Rick asked.

"No"

"Had you had any contact with him prior to the incident at Dale's bar?" Rick inquired.

"No…I think he was at Davia's the night before watching us. I called you about that too." Daryl managed to croak out. Davia was watching Daryl struggle to get out his answers and it was killing her. She hated seeing someone as strong as Daryl so weak at the moment.

"OK Daryl, I need you to tell me exactly what happened when he first approached you in the parking lot at Dale's. Take your time because I know it's difficult for you to speak right now." Rick said.

"Went out to smoke, he showed up…" Daryl took a few breaths then continued "called me pretty boy."

"And how did you react to that? Did you instigate anything with him?" Rick asked.

Daryl shook his head. He drew another breath "Told me I was disloyal and I told him he wasn't worth a shit strung out. He was fucking higher than a kite" Daryl informed the officer.

"The toxicology report came back and confirmed that he had Methamphetamine and heroin in his system, so your observation of his condition was correct. At what point did he attack you Daryl?" Rick inquired.

"When he heard the sirens. He knocked me to the ground, began to beat me, then he gutted me with his knife." Daryl said, wincing in pain as he recalled Merle's violent attack.

"Did he say anything while he attacked you?"

"Told me I made him do it. That's all I remember. I crawled into the bar and collapsed." Daryl told him, the last words trailing off as Daryl fought hard to remain conscious. The conversation had worn him out and Rick knew Daryl had met his limits.

"Thanks Daryl." Rick said.

"Rick, I wanna see him" Daryl managed to get out.

"I don't think it's a good idea, but I will see what I can arrange." Rick told him.

Davia then spoke "I agree with Rick. Daryl you can't even walk or sit up, I don't think you should get yourself worked up over Merle."

"Something I gotta do." He said as he slipped into a hazy sleep.

After Rick had received Daryl's deposition, Daryl had fell into a deep sleep and remained there for the next two days. He woke up briefly when Carol or any of the other nurses would come in to draw blood or check his vitals, or if the Respiratory Therapist would come in and have Daryl do breathing treatments, but other than that, he slept. Davia remained faithfully by his side the entire time and had relied heavily on Beth and Zach dropping by each day to bring her a change of clothes or anything else she needed. She was greatly indebted to the young couple and made a mental note to do something-extra special for them once Daryl was healed up.

Tyreese had dropped by to check on Daryl on Monday night, and there had been various other visitors during those couple of days. Some church people that Davia had known back in the day, including her old pastor. Hershel even stopped by to check on Daryl and to offer any support that he or Davia would need. Davia was truly touched by the kindness everyone had shown. Dale and Irma dropped by again and Once again Dale offered to let Davia have some time off, but she decided it was best if she would perform. She really could use the money to help Daryl get through this tough time.

On Tuesday afternoon Daryl woke up for good. He was healing remarkably well and Dr. S said they should try to get him up and on his feet. Movement would be difficult with his staples, but he hadn't developed any signs of infection and after a quick scan it looked like there were also no signs of any internal bleeding. Daryl Dixon was a lucky man.

He had regained his voice, albeit roughly, and he asked about Merle. Davia said she hadn't heard anything on his condition, but she knew he was still a patient at the hospital. Rick had been unable to clear a visit for Daryl and Daryl was less than happy about that.

Tuesday evening Carol arrived for her shift and informed Daryl that they were going to have to remove his catheter. The look of horror on Daryl's face spoke volumes and Davia almost wanted to giggle as she thought about the poor individual whom would be tasked with removing the medical device. After a tense discussion, Daryl told Carol he would feel more comfortable with a male attendant handling the chore, and Carol actually looked relieved.

Davia decided it was a good time to go grab a coffee while Daryl went through his little personal hell. There wasn't any way he would want her there while they took care of removing the catheter. The lucky Medical intern who had been selected to perform the procedure was a little nerdy looking man named Milton. Davia just gave him a look of pity as he entered the room and she exited it to retrieve her coffee. She wasn't very far down the hall before she heard a stream of obscenities that would make a sailor blush. At least Daryl had gained his voice back.

She returned to him about fifteen minutes later with coffee in hand. He looked a little more comfortable now and she guessed he was probably relieved to have the catheter removed. He even managed a smile for her when she sat down next to him. "How did it go?"

"Don't want to talk about it. Worse thing is now I gotta piss which means either I figure out how to get myself up or I pee in a jug." He said. Davia was fighting hard not to laugh. As bad as she felt for Daryl's dilemma, she found it amusing that he was still holding onto a bit of vanity.

"I can help you try to get up, but we may need someone else. You want me to call Carol?" She asked.

He shook his head "yes" and she hit the nurse call button. Carol made her way to Daryl's room and the two of them managed to get Daryl up on his feet. His legs barely held his weight, but after some patience and some colorful swearing, they managed to get Daryl to the bathroom, and left giving him his privacy. Miraculously he managed to do his business and open the door so Davia and Carol could get him back to the bed. Getting back into the bed was a bit trickier than getting out of it, but after a few grimaces and much help from the women they managed to get him in the bed and sitting in an upright position.

"Thanks" he told them both. All three of them were surprised when there was a knock at the door and both Rick and Shane entered the room.

"What is it?" Davia quickly asked.

"It's Merle. Daryl if you want to see him it has finally been arranged. We don't have much time though. He has developed Sepsis and the doctor doesn't think he is going to make it through the night." Rick informed them.

The room was overcome by a stony silence, as no one was able to speak. "Take me too him now." Daryl insisted.

"Daryl I…"Davia said before he raised his hand and let her know that no matter what she said his mind was made up.

"Gotta see him. Can't let him leave this world alone. Ain't right, I'm all he's got left." Daryl said. Davia was trying to gain an understanding of how Daryl could forget all the horrible things that Merle had done to him. Maybe it was true about blood being thicker than water.

Carol then spoke. "Daryl do you think you could manage to go down in a wheel chair? We'll have to move you again and I'm concerned because your trip a little bit of go about wore you out."

"Don't matter. I can rest later. I gotta see him. Take me now or I will walk down there myself."

Davia quickly intervened "Carol if you can get us a wheel chair I'm sure Rick and Shane can help get Daryl out of bed." Daryl gave Davia a nod of appreciation and Carol quickly returned with a wheelchair. Shane and Rick both helped Daryl get situated. Shane looked peeved but he didn't say anything, but he did managed to flash a sweet smile at Davia. Rick caught it, but Daryl didn't thankfully.

When they made it down to Merle's room Rick and Shane chose to wait outside the door. Davia wasn't sure what to do so she looked to Daryl. "Do you want me to come in there with you or wait out here? It's your call." She told him.

He weakly reached for her hand "Need ya with me."

She nodded and she pushed him inside the room. A nurse was at Merle's bedside and acknowledged Daryl and Davia "we are doing all we can to make him comfortable. I'm sorry things didn't turn out better. When they found him his wounds were already infected and we have tried everything possible to get it under control, but unfortunately he was already too far gone." She said sadly.

Merle looked like a shell of the person he had been just over a week ago. The male bravado was completely gone and Davia couldn't believe how much he had aged in such a short period of time. He was as pale as a ghost and Davia wasn't convinced he was even alive when they arrived in the room and she felt Daryl tense when he first saw his brother.

Merle opened up his eyes and spoke "You made it. Thought I finished ya off. They wouldn't tell me a fucking thing."

Daryl didn't say much "Yeah. You came close but I'm a tough son of a bitch."

"Sorry man. I ain't got no excuse other than I was fucked up. You know they say the only one who can ole Merle is Merle himself…Reckon I did a good job this time." Merle told him.

"Don't talk like that, maybe the antibiotics will kick in a little later." Daryl said, his voice was tense and Davia could tell he was trying to keep his emotions in check.

"Naw…not this time baby brother. Look, I ain't got much time left but I wanna tell ya a couple of things before I check out."

"No Merle…don't say it." Daryl said, no longer able to hold back his tears. It broke Davia's heart to see him hurting this way. She may not of had much respect for Merle, but he was Daryl's brother, and regardless of what had happened in the past, Daryl still loved him.

"Quit being a girl Daryl and listen to me. First of all, back at the house in my closet, there's a box. You need to find it. It's a bunch of letters from Momma…I kept them from you. Wanted her all to myself I guess and it won't fair to ya. She didn't leave ya baby brother…she left him and tried to get us, but he threatened her. Hell of a thing ya know. Find them letters and then find her."

"OK, I can do that."

"Secondly, I'm sorry. I'm sorry for all I did to ya. I was wrong about Davia. She is a good girl and you deserve to be happy. Kinda makes me sad I'm checking out and I never found what you seem to have found. You were always the sweet one boy, and I always thought that made you a pussy, but now I think it made you the better man."

Daryl was about to completely break down, and it was wearing him out trying to fight of sobs. Davia gently wrapped her arms around his neck and shoulders, avoiding his mid section. She whispered into his ear "You don't have to fight off the tears Daryl. It's OK to let it out."

Daryl took a deep breath and gained his composure. "Merle, I gotta know why you did this to me? You almost killed me man and I don't want to live the rest of my life not knowing why."

"Daryl I was fucked up on Meth, and I was jealous. I don't like to lose and the first time I saw you with Davia I knew I couldn't compete. I tried to convince you she wasn't worthy of you, but that was me trying to convince myself."

"Davia is the best thing that has ever happened to me Merle. She ain't left my side once since we've been here. Merle, I'm falling in love with her."

Davia couldn't believe what she just heard. Here Daryl's world was falling apart and one of the last things he was telling his dying brother was that he was in love with her? No one had ever told her that before, not once and here this beautiful man was telling big bad Merle Dixon he loved her.

Merle's breathing was getting raspy and he was pulling breaths now in between each word he spoke. "Happy for you Daryl, and it ain't the drugs talking anymore. I'm sorry for all the shit in the past, but I can't make it up. And Davia…promise me you will take care of him." Merle's words faded at the end of his sentence and his heart was slowing drastically. Davia and Daryl knew it wouldn't be long.

"I promise Merle. I will take care of him as long as I have breath in my body." She told him. Now she had tears rolling down her cheeks as well. He had been cruel to her and had almost killed the man she cared deeply for, yet she now found herself regretting that he would be gone soon.

Daryl then spoke, "Merle I ain't leaving ya." He said as he reached out and took his brother's good hand into his. Merle was too weak to speak or open his eyes, but he squeezed his younger brother's hand as a form of acknowledgment.

Daryl held onto his brother as he drew his last breath and slipped away. Daryl could no longer hold back the sobs and his body began to shake with the heartbreak of losing Merle. It was a broken relationship at best, but for Daryl, it was the only type he knew. If it wasn't for Davia he wasn't sure what he would do. In that moment Daryl realized he no longer was going to have to meet life's challenges alone. He had admitted out loud that he was falling in love with Davia, and he knew without a doubt at this moment that he was no longer falling, he had fell hard and fast and he wasn't going to let her go.

"I gotta do one thing." He told her.

"What's that Daryl?"

"I need to call our old man and tell him. He at least deserves to know before it's on the news." He told her.

Davia wasn't sure why, but she agreed with him. She found his cell and Carol had his phone number from the visitation register.

Davia helped him dial the number and handed the phone to him. He didn't even know what to say when the voice on the other line answered. What did he call him? Dad?

"Hello"

"Um yeah, Will Dixon?" Daryl said gruffly.

"This is him."

"Yeah, this is your son Daryl. I don't know how to tell you this, but Merle passed a little bit ago. Thought you deserved to know."

Silence. Daryl spoke again. "You there?"

"Yes Daryl. Thank you for calling. Will you let me know what the final arrangements are going to be?"

"Sure. Bye." Daryl said.

"Daryl…Look, I'm sorry. Maybe we can get together and talk." Will told him.

"We'll see" was Daryl's response. At this moment he didn't know up from down and his body was so exhausted he didn't even know how he was putting together coherent sentences.

Davia took the phone from him and gently kissed him on his battered face "We'll get through this Daryl, together I promise."

And she would make sure she kept her promise to Merle to look after Daryl as long as he let her.

Was it too much? I wanted Merle to leave with a bit of dignity. He did drop quite the bombshell on Daryl about his mother. There is going to be some interesting family dynamics in the next few chapters...

Sorry that I killed Merle off, but there is a story twist coming and you will see why I did it...I promise.

Anyhow, one more week before Season 5 and I am bouncing off the walls waiting! The reviews have been amazing and the previews on AMC look mind-blowing...So can't wait.

Please Please Please leave a review...they are my source of encouragement. I LOVE reading them and I thank each and everyone of you who take the time to do so...the reviews are what get other people to read the stories and they are like great big hugs from all of y'all.

Take care my sweeties!

Missy XXOO