Daryl throws Andrea's things into the back of Dean's truck, being careful of Dean's bike. "So who am I riding with?" Andrea asks. "Amy's probably riding with Eli, so..."
"You're riding with me, sugar tits." Merle says, winking at her.
"Oh really?" Andrea says as she raises an eyebrow. Merle smirks and eyes her over. "Hey, Dean?" Dean looks over at her as does Eli and Amy. "I'm riding with you, baby Dixon." Dean raises an eyebrow and shrugs.
"Sure thing sugar tits." Andrea smiles at Merle.
"I think I'll chance it with the younger version." She says with a wink leaving Merle staring at her shocked.
"Did you just get rejected for your son?" Merle glares at Daryl.
"Shut the fuck up. Just wait until it happens to you, baby brother, it won't feel too damn good." Daryl chuckles as Shane walks over with the mysterious stranger that they learned was Lori's husband, Rick.
"Are you really leaving? After last night?" Shane asks with his usual douche voice.
"Yup." Merle says as he crosses his arms. "We are, dick lips." Shane glares at Merle.
"You should stay with the group, safer in numbers." Rick tries to reason with Daryl. He learned all about them from Shane.
"Or rather meat to eat with us Dixons around." They turn as Eli walks up. "Right?"
"It's not safe out there. The world isn't what it used to be." Rick tells them, causing Daryl to raise an eyebrow.
"I think we'll manage on our own." Daryl says, causing Dean to fight the urge to laugh.
"Are we heading out soon?" Amy asks, causing Daryl to nod.
"We're leaving in a minute."
"Look, the CDC is supposed to be safe and it's-"
"We ain't putting our trust in what the radio has to say. They said Atlanta was safe and now it is filled with those things." Dean says. "We're heading to Drewberry and you ain't invited. Head to the CDC if you want, but we're heading to Drewberry."
"Leave it, Rick, these men aren't worth the time." Merle chuckles
"I'm sure you're real glad he's back, huh? I'm sure your time is spent differently now."
"What the fuck did you say." Rick holds Shane back as he tries to go at Merle.
"Shane. Shane, stop. Let's go. I said let's go."
"Good luck out there on your own. You're gonna need it. You Dixons are unlucky." Eli shrugs as he leans against his dad's truck.
"I don't know, we've been getting lucky lately." He glances over at Amy who is talking with Andrea. "Real lucky."
"Come on, let's take the tents down." Daryl says as he heads to the tents, which they did last.
"Are you really leaving?" The two turn just as they got to the tent to see Carol and Sophia standing there.
"Yeah." Eli says before seeing the look from his father.
"This place isn't safe."
"Rick says the CDC-" Eli laughs, causing them to look at him.
"The CDC is a joke just like Atlanta is. Nowhere that is promised to be safe is ever safe."
"Where are you going then?" Sophia asks, but Carol gives her a look.
"Be safe." Carol tells Eli who smiles.
"You can come with us." Eli offers. "We're heading to our grandfather's hunting cabin." He tells Sophia. "That place is safe."
"Why don't you tell Rick then?" Sophia asks.
"Because we don't want them come with." Eli moves and crouches in front of her. "Did you see what last night was?" She nods at him. "That will only keep happening with Rick or Shane in charge. Shane, he's too busy..." Eli goes to say 'fucking Lori' before catching himself. "He's too busy following Lori around like a lovesick puppy, while Rick is too busy with being happy to see his family to really lead. He may have road in like the lone ranger, but he ain't no hero. In the end of the day, he is just a man that is trying to protect his family and if it came to protecting them or you..." Eli shakes his head. "He'll save them."
"Would you?"
"I won't lie, family's important, but that doesn't mean we're interested in only saving family. I'd try and save everyone if I could."
"And if you couldn't."
"I'd save you." He scoops her up and she wraps her arms around him.
"Promise?"
"Always." He turns and looks at Carol and his dad who was watching them.
"Soph's riding with me. Amy can ride with Dean. I wanna this little one with me." Sophia's eyes widen.
"Can I mom? Can I ride the motorcycle." Carol looks like she's debating it.
"I have a helmet that could fit her." Carol looks over at Daryl as he says it. "Used to be Eli before he got old enough to refuse to wear a helmet."
"I hate helmets." Eli shrugs.
"Yeah, who doesn't want brain damage?" Eli snickers and looks at Sophia.
"Brain splatter's cool." Sophia looks at Daryl.
"Helmet." Eli laughs.
"You're no fun."
"Ready to go?"
"Yeah, we'll get this tent down and head out." Daryl looks at Carol. "Go on and get your things."
"You don't have to-"
"Carol!" They turn and see Ed walking over. Daryl snorts as he sees how bad Ed looks.
"Was half hoping his ass was chewed on last night." Daryl mumbles under his breath, but they heard.
"Me too." Daryl looks over at Carol, their blue eyes meeting. She smiles before looking at Ed.
"I'm going with Daryl, Ed."
"The hell you are."
"Ed, just stop." Carol took her rings off and put it in his hand. "Sophia and I decided either way that we weren't staying with you. I won't let you break her like you did with me. The Dixons are giving Sophia and I a chance to be away from you for good and I'm taking it." Carol nods at the father and son before heading off to grab her things.
"You heard her, Ed, fuck off." Ed snarls and Eli turns quickly to face him.
"Snarl at my father one more time and I'll rip your goddamn vocal cord out." Eli snaps, letting Sophia slips to the ground.
"Watch your tone boy."
"Daryl, aren't going to stop it? Ed will hurt him?" Sophia whispers.
"Nah, he got it." Daryl crosses his arms, a wide grin on his face.
"Or what, Ed?" Ed punches Eli, causing him to stumble, blood runs down from his lip and fills his mouth. Eli laughs and looks at Ed. "One hit. It's the only thing I let anyone get. Just like my father." Eli punches Ed in the face, causing his nose to give off a sickening crack. While he stumbles Eli goes and pulls his knife out.
"Elijah." Eli ignores his father and puts his knife to Ed's throat.
"If you come anywhere near Carol, Sophia, or anyone I will slit your fat fucken throat. If you even think their names I will hunt you down and rip you limb fucken limb. I'm a Dixon I have no problem killing. Don't give me a reason." Eli growls before stabbing Ed in the shoulder, causing him to cry out in pain. Eli pulls it out and slips the knife back into its slot. "Remember Ed because I never forget." He looks up and sees the whole camp watching him. "Let's go Soph. You got the tent, dad?"
"Yup." Eli picks Sophia up and heads for the trucks.
"And you're supposed to be the sweet one like uncle Daryl." Dean says.
"I am until you pissed me off."
"All Ed did was snarl at Daryl." Amy whispers.
"Oh, trust me, sweet innocent, Amy, Ed did a lot more to Eli."