"What the hell happened between you and Shane? He said you attacked him!" Rick hissed.

Daryl's body went rigid and Mac sneered, "Next time Shane thinks it's smart to walk in on someone when there pants are down and think that invites him to fuck them maybe he should think about who is making that motherfucking move towards. Kira isn't Olive Oyl." Mac stepped into Rick's face, "She aint your bitch and she aint gonna spread her fucking legs for him, he comes near her or my brother again and you're gonna have one less man."

Rick's eyes went to Daryl then Mac again, "You can't just attack people!" His voice took on a hard threatening tone.

"Aint fucking attacking anyone!" Mac snapped trying to force his way past Daryl, "If I had attacked that motherfucker he'd be laying in a puddle of his own piss, shit and blood!" Mac bellowed causing Rick to flinch.

"He didn't!" Daryl snapped stepping in front of Mac and blocking his body. Mac watched as Daryl reacted to the threat in Rick's voice and he was reminded of his earlier words about not killing Will for himself but for Mac. Something happened out in those woods that caused him to get left behind but in the same moment he had moved to defend Kira. Mac growled and Daryl's hand came back meeting his stomach pressing hard.

"You get him under fucking control or you take him with you when you leave. You don't want to be here aint no one making you stay Rick." Daryl barked, "I came here cause I knew my brother would look here. I knew him and Kira would come here. YOU followed him. YOU showed up here. No one made you."

Rick nodded pinching the bridge of his nose, "He didn't tell me that he done that...He didn't-"

Mac barked out a laugh, "Why would he?"

Rick sighed and nodded, "I'll watch him. Some others are worried about him as well."

Mac stood by as Rick smoothed things over with his brother. His eyes lifted as Carol, Maggie, and Beth walked by heading for the basement where Kira and Andrea were. He felt his lip curl looking at Beth and thinking about how she had acted towards Kira at the farm. He wanted to slap that song bird jesus freak but could only imagine the reaction that would get from the group. He hadn't even noticed her before Kira had mentioned something in passing and after that little shit had annoyed him to no end. Shit that Daryl quickly found out bothered him and made a point to prod. Fucking hell his brother could be right cold bastard.

"Mac."

Looking back to his brother he seen Rick and Shane walking away leaving them alone. "What?"

"I'm going hunting."

"Let me get my shit."

Daryl caught his bicep, "No. I move quicker on my own and I know the property. Stay here and keep an eye on Kira."

Mac studied him not saying anything and Daryl shifted on his feet swallowing. He was tense but not the kind of tense that Mac was worried about, nah he needed to breathe. Something he was use to from Daryl when people were around or he was getting stressed. "You better bring your goddamn ass back. If I have to come looking for you it aint gonna be pretty brother." Mac's voice challenged.

Daryl said nothing else and was out the door leaving him standing there watching as he moved swiftly for the line of trees. Turning on his heel he thundered down the stairs and listened to pack of cackling hens that was taking up to much of the basement. He had always considered this his and Daryl's dwelling place. Fuck it was though. Jay and Norman had set this up for them back in the day and more often then not both of them had been there.

All of their heads turned as he burst through the last door putting him in what was considered the living room of the basement apartment. He sneered and walked for the bedroom hearing soft foot falls coming for him.

"Where is he?"

"Hunting."

"You didn't go with him?" Panic was in her voice.

Mac flopped back on the bed his feet planted, "He's a big boy." Her eyes were wide and he shook his head throwing his arm over his eyes. "He's not running...this isn't about earlier when he was wanting to get out."

Kira raised an eyebrow, "You stayed to watch me didn't you."

Mac grinned, "I am fond of watching your ass."

"Oh fuck you." Kira grinned at him kicking his shin.

"Go do whatever it is those whores need so they get the fuck back up stairs." He growled, "Don't like them being down here."

Kira nodded at him and stepped between his spread legs leaning over him. Mac watched as her hair spilled over her shoulder. His eyes went to the door seeing it open and a pair of creepy fucking blue eyes watching them. He really couldn't stand her. Moving quick and sliding his hand up into her shirt Mac jerked the cup of her bra down exposing her breast to him but only her back to anyone looking. Pulling her to him his mouth caught the ring and he tugged with his teeth causing her to whimper.

"You like watching him fuck Shane up." He didn't need her to answer he had felt the way she tightened around his cock and flooded him with warmth. "You like knowing I've killed people, he's killed someone."

Kira met his eyes and nodded, "You make me feel safe." Her hand slid up his throat to his jaw, "I love you Mac. I need you and I needed you before the world went to shit but wasn't lucky enough to find you then." She paused as his hand continued to roam over her her eyes far away. "I needed you both but I got you now. I don't plan on letting go Mac."

Mac's breathing deepened as she talked to him, "What happened to you?"

Kira stiffened but climbed up in his lap straddling him. The women continued talking and laughing out there and from he could tell they were folding clothes. The sight of something so normal bothered him and he really wished they'd fucking leave, leave the house entirely. "I had it rough. My father was gone all the time. He worked day in and out and when he wasn't working he was cheating on my mom until he left. She was just as bad though always cheating and bringing other men in."

Mac set up his hand fixing her bra but tracing across the designs on her body, "What happened?"

Kira met his eyes head on, "I ran as fast as I could from that house. She was a whore Mac a complete whore and when her men showed an interest in me she welcomed it." She visibly recoiled from her own words and her body shifted closer to him like she had seen her do to Daryl time and time before.

Watching pain race through her eyes Mac felt his anger spike at what she was saying "She whored you out?" voice dropping. Kira looked off but Mac caught her jaw jerking her head around forcing her to meet his eyes, "Don't you ever look away from me."

She nodded and tears slipped from her eyes, "I hate that woman and she hated me. She did from the time I was born. There was NO maternal connection with her. It was numbing."

Mac's mind was racing with what she said and he felt his chest heave wishing fucking Daryl was there again to deal with her tears. He wanted to slap her in the mouth and knock her to the floor and tell her to shut the fuck up. He didn't want to hear it. He needed to hear it. Pulling her tighter against him instead of shoving her away like he knew she expected her face pushed into his neck and she silently cried for something he couldn't fix.

"I've never told anyone about this." Her voice was hoarse from tears.

He wasn't sure how long she had set curled around him like a vine refusing to allow him to move an inch. He had seen the women coming and going with loads of clothes. Some had peaked into the room only to quickly disappear. He didn't speak. Didn't push her too. He wasn't the best person with dealing with this shit and just let her do what she needed.

The sounds of heavy boots some time later had his attention going to the door. Waiting on Daryl as Kira softly breathed against his throat and his arms were around her making sure she didn't fall to the floor. He had set rigid after finding out that her mother allowed shit like that to happen. She had told him she fought back against it but there was one man who fought her just as hard. He was the one that had ruined her childhood and from the things she said more than even that. He didn't ask not sure he wanted to know without the option of bloodying his hands. She had been able to fight those advances and her mothers persistence but she was a small girl, and a young child it counted for nothing when she was held down and everything was taken from her. That name was seared into his mind and he gritted his teeth.

Daryl came through the door his shit dropping to the floor almost as silently. He inclined his head at Kira in silent question and Mac jerked his head. He needed out of this room. He needed to make something bleed. Daryl moved to him stripping his sweaty nasty shirt from his body and tossed it. As soon as he was close enough he passed Kira off like a limp doll and Daryl took her raising an eyebrow.

Not saying anything he was out the door and gone. He needed to clear his mind. He hadn't been there that night when Will had attacked Daryl and done the worst of the damage to him, he hadn't been able to stop that from happening to his brother. Now he was eat alive with guilt for not being there and it was eating his throat raw. He had done it for Mac? For him? No. Shaking his head he leaned over pulling in deep lungfuls of air thinking over everything he'd learned in the last few hours. They were trying to fucking kill him.

He could only hope the greasy motherfucker that had raped Kira was dead. He refused to think about the shit he had done to people. He might have killed and done some terrible shit but he had never raped a kid. Never. Anyone who would put their hands on a kid deserved to eat a bullet. Closing his eyes at the cool night air kissed his sweaty skin he let his heart settle and understood why she cried out in her sleep at night sometimes.

Those times he thought she might have been calling out for someone, a brother, a father...it had been the motherfucker who had raped her. She had always been fighting in those dreams trying to get away. And just as quick as they started it took a touch from either of them to silence them. How long had she fought with them, with him wanting to stay with them every night and him being a dick. She loved them? She felt safe? Loving Daryl he could see, fuck he did. But himself? Mac spit to the side his body jerking with each of his breaths that were betraying him. Mac wanted to keep her safe. He wanted to keep her where he could see her at all times. Swallowing thickly against the unknown emotions swelling in his throat he turned and headed back for his brother and Kira.

Stepping through the door Kira was sprawled across Daryl drawing patterns on his chest as she talked. Her voice was rough from having cried and he heard soft panted sniffles every so often. Instead of tensing like he had Daryl's fingers just flexed on her back as he rubbed along her spine up to her shoulders soothing her through her story. She was clearly telling him what had set him off and working through her past with him, but she wasn't wrecked like before. Daryl was keeping her solid, he was keeping her clear and pulling her pain from her with each stroke of his fingers along her spine tracing the roses that covered her shoulders and shoulder blades. Each tracing touch over those roses had her burrowing into him more as if his touch was pulling poison from her soul. Mac looked off not sure what to say for having dumped her off him like that. Goddamn he just about a piece of shit sometimes.

He hadn't even said anything. Instead he had forced her to face him and spill her painful past like it was supposed to be the easiest thing there was. He knew that was a line of bullshit. Maybe he could look someone in the eye and tell them he'd carve their heart out and smile around the blood but others...Daryl? No. Daryl wasn't a murderer. Not in the same sense as him. Kira wasn't a victim. He refused that fucking reality.

Copying Daryl he stripped down but went further and was in his boxers digging through his bags. If they had power he was taking a shower, he was washing this fucking day away. He was washing her fucking tears off his body that felt like needles burrowing into his bone and blood making ice run through him. Turning he seen Kira watching him as her head laid on Daryl's chest. His breathing was evening out and her eyes were wide and puffy. It pained him to see her so vulnerable. That wasn't her. She had always mastered and commanded her emotions and body. This woman had let her walls down and showed a part of her he hadn't realized was there. She felt safe with them, with him. She had done this to him without Daryl around. She had opened up and spilled all that even knowing how he was. She loved him? Is that what you done told painful fucking secrets and horrendous back story in some kind of macabre bonding experience. Swallowing despite himself and the way he felt at the thought of her doing such a thing he stood up.

Tilting his at her she slipped from the bed easily and padded after him. Mac didn't wait on her and had nothing really to say. He learned quick enough there was no way to take someone demons from them. Stripping he stepped into the shower and let the water run over him not sure how he felt about the hot water burning over his skin. He'd always been particular more for cooler showers where as Daryl would melt your fucking skin off.

"What has you smiling?" Kira's soft voice was just off to this side. She was setting outside the open shower door her legs pulled tight to her chest.

"Daryl."

"DO you ever not make fun of him for something?" Kira smiled at him.

Mac turned his head as the water washed over him, "I'm not making fun of him." He shrugged and motioned to her. She stood up letting her clothes fall and stepped into the shower shutting the door. She yelped once the cool water met her skin and backed up looking at him causing him to laugh, "I was laughing cause he prefers showers that melt you while I.." he motioned to the water.

"You prefer to freeze your dick off." She hissed her body shaking.

Mac sighed and motioned to the nobs, "Adjust it then whiny ass."

"I fucking will." She stepped in front of him dodging the water but Mac caught her around the waist and hoisted her up forcing her into the cold water. "GODDAMN IT MAC!"

The water rushed over her battered body and despite the coolness of it she relaxed against him and Daryl stepped through the door. He groaned and Kira was struggling against his hold.

"Daryl get your fucking brother." She hissed elbowing him.

He snorted and the jingle of his belt met her ears, "Can't hear you...taking a piss."

Mac leaned in, "He aint gonna step into this cold water if he can help it." Her hand came around gripping him and pulling off quick hard strokes and his grip loosened. His hips lifted into her hand and she continued till he only had one arm around her. His hand was cupping her breast and his mouth was climbing her neck.

The water scalded across his back causing him to stumble backwards hitting the wall. Looking up Daryl leaned in the shower door crossing his arms over his chest.

"You cock sucking bastard." Mac snapped his skin red where the water hit him.

Daryl shrugged as Kira leaned back under the water. Both men silently watched her as she reveled in the feeling of running water over her skin and she cleaned herself up. She smiled at them but otherwise took over Mac's shower. Mac leaned back against the way his eyes taking in the script tattooed into her pale skin. The serenity prayer lacing her spine was fitting for her and the beautiful blooms and buds running through, vining and lacing gave it a new meaning after her words from earlier.

"How many times have you came in and flipped the hot off on me freezing me to death?" Daryl raised an eyebrow at him.

Mac eyed the water and glared at him, "Fucking burns."

"Want me to get you a bottle to go with that hissy fit?" Daryl chuckled.

"Want me to rip your dick out through your throat? No? Didn't think so princess." Mac snapped, "Fix the goddamn water so I can move without losing skin."

Daryl leaned in adjusting and Mac tested the water and nodded. Kira was smiling to herself and her lathered up hands hit his chest, "How hard do you think it'll be to get him in here and let me cut his hair?"

Mac eyed her, "Shower I can see. You ask him and he'd hit the shower. Cut his hair? Better off not opening your mouth."

She nodded stepping around him and running her hands over his back and tattoos. "Mac what do these mean?"

Looking over his shoulder he met her eyes and stared for a moment, "Story for a different day Kira."

"Was all our families bastards?" Her voice was soft.

Her hands were working over his muscles and he groaned tipping his head forward. He felt his body relaxing and decided fuck the hot water he didn't care so long as she kept doing what she was.

"I didn't want to upset you earlier Mac. I got out...I ran when I was thirteen never looked back and took care of myself till the day the world went to shit." Her arms came around his torso.

Pulling her with him under the water and rinsing off he cut the water and just stood there letting his skin dry some. "You dream about him when you aren't with us?"

Kira stiffened against him but nodded, "I have since it happened. First time I didn't have a dream was the first night we were together."

Getting dressed Kira burst into the room on Daryl finding him sharpening their knives, "Your turn!"

"Not right now."

"Your turn Daryl! Me and Mac can do this.." She kicked his shin causing him to look up.

His eyes went to Mac and he shook his head dropping down pushing his wet hair from his face, "Kira."

Looking over she grinned at him and strode over her hand combing through his hair, "What?"

"Cut it."

Her fingers ran through it again pulling looking at the length, "How short?"

"Like it was when you first met me."

Kira was buzzing all around him seeming lighter after her earlier conversation. Daryl shot him a look and Mac looked down knowing what Daryl was saying to him. He wanted to know why he ran but he didn't feel like dealing with it. Not with that name flashing behind his eyes like a siren. Growling Daryl stood as the snick of the scissors continued. He was jerking clothes out of nowhere and Mac had forgotten that they actually had clothes here. Fuck they stayed here more than other places. He was gone from the room just as fast leaving his knives spread out.

"He's mad at me..." Kira's voice was soft. "I shouldn't have said anything to either of you."

Mac looked up at her and she straightened his head as she continued cutting his hair. "He's not mad at you."

"Yes he is."

"If that snappy motherfucker was mad at you you wouldn't have been able to sprawl out on him like you were painted across his skin when I came in here." Mac chuckled, "He's pissed at me."

Kira met his eyes, "I didn't tell you to get sympathy."

"I know."

"Do you?"

Mac set back as she put the scissors away and he ran his fingers through his still damp hair enjoy the feeling of it back to rights. He studied her and sighed, "I don't have sympathy for you. Shit fucking happens woman. Do I wish it didn't, yeah. Would I have killed him? Without question." Mac stood up and felt his anger spiking, "You said it yourself you got out. We all did."

Kira chewed her lip and shifted, "I told Daryl the rest of what happened but didn't think to tell you." She let her eyes go to his but looked down as shame slid over body. "From everything that happened to me and going without care for so long through that all..." Her voice remained strong but there was that shame again, "I can't have kids."

Her body slumped and Mac again wanted to slap her and ask her where the woman he knew was. What the fuck did he care about kids for? Forcing her to meet his eyes again he studied her, "So?"

"So?" Her voice was low.

"Is there a point beyond reliving old memories to that?"

She smiled at him and shook her head, "I didn't think you'd be bothered."

"Then what's the problem?" Kira shrugged as the shower cutting off in the other room met their ears. Mac's eyes flicked to hers and seen apprehension in her eyes. Shaking his head he claimed her mouth and she wrapped her arms around his bare torso her nails biting into his skin.

Daryl walked into the room and shook his head rolling his knives up and Mac eyed her watching as she avoided Daryl's gaze. Knowing clicked through his mind and he looked right at Daryl. "Baby brother?"

Daryl's eyes lifted to his at the term his full attention on him. Mac squatted down in front of him, "Have you ever found yourself wanting to continue our fucked up blood line?"

Daryl cringed and met Mac's eyes, "I killed the man that gave us these demons why would I want to put that evil on a kid."

Mac shot Kira a look and Daryl followed his eyes and watched as understanding colored his baby blues. Daryl stood up and walked over dropping to his knees in front of Kira. Mac smiled as Daryl unlike him waited her out. He didn't force her to meet his eyes he didn't make her, he waited. His voice was low and with each word her body sagged more with relief until she was almost in his lap her arms wrapped around him tightly.

Mac dropped back on the bed and stared at the ceiling as the lights were flipped off. Daryl dropped back much like him and Mac kicked out hitting him before he could react Kira was there blocking them. Her back pressed into Mac's side as her arm wrapped around Daryl's torso her leg settling over his groin.

"The way I look at it Kira." Mac felt a smile break over his face, "Those roses around those hip bones and lower stomach that Daryl is so fond of marking..." Mac rolled over her body fitting in the curve of his as his fingers traced the roses, "Well they wont expand to a rose bush."

Daryl barked out a laugh as his body shook them both, "Goddamn Mac."

Kira turned her head, "You saying you don't want to see me looking like Lori?"

"I'd really rather not." Mac dropped his head to his pillow.

Kira nodded and laid back down and Daryl shifted, "You're still Kira." Daryl's voice was a low timbre that carried his cadence like southern sweet tea.