It was past 2 am when Buck pulled back up in front of the old house, Daryl behind him. Walking up to the truck, he joined his son at Carol's side. The hospital had given her some heavy duty pain killers, and now the lithe woman was dead to the world. Sophia had dozed on and off, but had falling completely asleep curled up next to Daryl during the truck ride.

Daryl chuckled as he looked at the two girls, both asleep in the truck.

"Mind carryin' Sophia? I'll get Carol."

Buck nodded as he lifted up Sophia, who was tightly clutching her stuffed dog. Buck pulled Sophia close as she mumbled in his arms.

"Easy honey, I got ya."

Buck watched as Daryl easily lifted Carol in his arms, being careful to support her cast.

"Come on boy, you and Carol get my room for now. Sophia can go in your old room, I'll take Merles."

Opening the front door, Buck carried Sophia to Daryl's room as Daryl took Carol into Buck's room. Settling the young girl down, he laid the blankets over her, making sure she had her dog beside her. Sophia opened her eyes and looked around the room.

"Grandpa Buck, where are we?"

Buck stood up as he tucked the girl in. "my old house. Where your daddy grew up. This used to be his room. Your dad and I will be up for a little bit, if you need us, we're here. The bathroom is right across the hall. And your mom and dad are goin' ta be sleepin' in the room at the end of the hall. I'll be right next to the bathroom. If ya need anythin' honey, I'm right there."

Buck looked up as Daryl came in the room. Nodding to his son, Buck moved so Daryl could crouch beside Sophia.

"Hey baby girl. Get some sleep for me okay? Be good and when ya wake up I'll take ya down to the swimmin' hole. Sound good?"

Sophia sleepily nodded as she pulled her dog close. "Good night daddy. Night grandpa Buck."

Buck smiled to the girl. "Night honey. I'm right across the hall if ya need me."

Daryl gave Sophia a kiss and stood and walked out of the room behind Buck. As they walked into the kitchen, Buck saw Daryl rubbing one of his fingers. Grabbing an ice pack from the freezer, he handed it to Daryl who nodded to him.

"Thank you for all this."

Buck shakes his head. "It's not a problem for me. Glad I'm able ta help. What's your plan from here out?"

Daryl shrugged as he sat at the table. "Haven't gotten too much of one yet. The best I got was headin' for Seattle. Good schools for Sophia and Carol grew up there, but far enough away Ed won't find the girls."

Buck sat across from his son. "I gotta another idea. I can give you someplace safe for the girls, a home. Space for Sophia to run, for her to have that koi pond she wants. I can give you a job, probably makin' way more then you is used to."

Daryl eyed Buck. "What would I be doin'?"

Buck sat forward leaning on the table. "Ya know me son. Bikes as always, but I've been makin' a shit ton of them, big time customs. They're sellin' real well. I bought the new house with cash. And it's big, 6 rooms, 3 car garage for the business."

Daryl shrugged. "I've worked on bikes, drawn some out. But I've never built them, just worked with Merle."

Buck nodded. "I was gonna hire on some new guys but I would much rather work with you. Merle too if I can swing it right."

Daryl sighed. "Merle ain't gonna go easy. He's a serious addict Buck. I give him a week before he finds me, but what from there?"

Buck shrugged. "I got clean, he can too."

Daryl looked up to Buck. "Ya think that'll work? Every time he tries it seems to get worse."

Buck nodded. "Merle ain't gonna do well not knowin' where ya are. Tell him if he wants ta find you, he gotta get clean."

Daryl sighed. "I hope this works. Fuck, what if he overdoses while I'm gone? Shit I need to go back to Atlanta." Daryl said as he ran his hand threw his hair.

Buck shook his head. "You're stayin' right here. Those girls need ya. Merle can handle himself for long enough ta realize ya missin'. Once that happens, he'll show up here."

Daryl looked up to Buck. "What makes ya so certain he'll come here?"

Buck leaned back. "Cause he knows if he lost ya, I'd flip shit. That was my deal with him, I'd stay outta your lives, as long as he kept ya safe."

Daryl raised an eye brow. "All he told me was that you got out of prison and were still in the old house."

Buck shrugged. "All true. I kept the old house for this long hopin' at some point one of ya would come lookin'. Had planned to rent it out, makin' sure if ya came, you'd get my new address. Waited and hoped."

Daryl leaned back. "I wasn't ready ta come home yet. I was drivin', saw the freeway turn off, took it. Figured I could at least get a night for my girls."

Buck chuckled lightly. "Boy, how about a new life? Merle will come, I promise ya that. Might take the stubborn asshole a few days, but he'll be here. I got money Daryl, more then I need. And now I got a grandkid ta spend it on."

Daryl smirked. "Grandpa Buck. Never thought I'd hear that."

Buck smirked right back. "Daddy Daryl?"

Daryl chuckled. "Ya know, 5 months ago I swore up and down ta Merle I'd never want kids. Now I can't imagine life without my little girl."

Buck smirked. "That's how it goes. Sometimes they're annoyin' as hell, but you'd take a bullet any day to protect them."

Daryl nodded before he looked up at his father. Ed gonna come. I know it. He'll figure it out somehow. That won't end well."

Buck leaned back. "When Sophia called ya, what happened?"

Daryl shrugged. "I remember knockin', Ed answered, I asked him what the fuck he was doin' with my woman. He punched me once, after that, he was out on the floor and Carol was barely able ta get me off him."

Buck chuckled. "Yeah, you're all Dixon son. A smart ass who that packs a punch. Ed comes, you'll be ready. Hell you're ready now. Proved that earlier."

D/C D/C D/C D/C D/C

Merle broke out laughing. "So ya got the shit beat outta ya, and you don't remember how?"

The phone growled in his ear. "Just get your ass over here Merle! I need a ride to the hospital. The asshole broke my arm! And my fuckin' cunt wife disappeared somewhere! "

Merle chuckled. "Fine, gimme a minute and I'll head over."

"Hurry up!"

Merle smirked as he tossed his phone down and picked up his stash. Hell if he had to baby sit a beaten Ed for the next few hours, Merle wasn't going to do it sober.

As he finished up, Merle walked to his brother's room and knocked on the door.

"Hey little bro, gonna borrow ya truck. Ed got his ass kicked and needs a ride to the hospital."

There was no answer, leading Merle to open the door.

"Daryl?"

The room was empty. That was odd. Daryl worked most mornings, so why wasn't he in bed? Looking outside Merle saw the truck was gone. Shrugging, he figured Daryl had finally found a girl to fuck, probably spent the night there. Merle would see him tomorrow.