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Chapter 10.

Izzy had spent the morning attempting to hobble around the small apartment. Doctor Stevens had paid her a visit and given her a pair of old crutches. Izzy learnt fast that pregnancy and crutches did not mix well. Three light knocks came from the apartment door Izzy hobbled towards the door and slowly opened it. The bowman from the woods stood in the doorway.

"Merle's back he wants me to take you to the infirmary."

Izzy slowly moved out of the apartment on her crutches the word infirmary made her feel on edge. Was Merle injured, Izzy couldn't lose Merle now not after she had just found him.

"Is Merle okay?"

The bowman noticed the worry in Izzy's voice he gave a small nod.

"He's fine he found his brother in the woods."

Izzy felt overwhelmed with happiness by the news of Daryl's arrival. Now all she needed was the rest of her group and her life would be close to perfect, well as perfect as life could be in an apocalyptic hellhole. Izzy slowly walked beside the man who brought her the joyous news.

"I'm sorry I don't believe we've been introduced. I'm Izzy."

The man seemed taken aback by Izzy's manners. Manners were rarely seen in now; most people would stab you in the back before they shook your hand.

"I'm Shumpert."

Izzy cocked her head Shumpert wasn't exactly a talker. As Izzy slowly limped through Woodbury she couldn't help but fall in love with the normalcy of the town. People talked and gathered in the street, children played with each other and there was even a dog. Izzy smiled Daryl would love the dog, maybe they could find their own stray and bring it back to Woodbury. Izzy's attention had been solely on the dog that she failed to notice The Governor walking towards her.

"So you're Izzy." The Governor's voice was smooth and low.

Izzy took a good look at the tall dark haired man he smiled politely at Izzy, he seemed nice enough. Izzy didn't understand why Merle would be so careful around him. Shane seemed more intimidating than this man and Merle had no problem mouthing off in front of him.

"I am."

The Governor kept the smile on his face as he held out his hand.

"Well pleased to meet you, I'm The Governor. Merle said you were pretty but he never mentioned just how beautiful you were."

Izzy blushed and shook the charming man's hand it had been along time since Izzy had been in the company of such a gentleman.

"I take it you're off to see Merle and his brother."

Izzy nodded enthusiastically she couldn't believe how fortunate she had been over the last few days.

"Yes I am. I want to thank you for letting us stay here for the time being."

The Governor's smile dropped and his eyes became cold.

"Well I hope you stay here for the long term." He chuckled. "I mean it's not safe outside for a woman and a baby."

Izzy placed her hand on her stomach.

"I'm sure we'll manage somehow. I need to find my family."

There was no way The Governor was letting Merle slip away from him.

"What does Merle think?"

Izzy gave a small shrug she didn't see what it had to do with this man who stayed or who left.

"We haven't discussed it yet but I know Daryl will be keen to find the group."

The Governor let his mask slip for a moment his once kind face became hard and cruel, he corrected himself and planted a smile back on his face but it was too late Izzy had already noticed.

"It was very nice to meet you but I really must go, I don't want to keep Merle waiting."

Izzy removed herself from the conversation and carried on walking towards the infirmary. The Governor gave an ice cold stare at Shumpert.

"Shumpert get Martinez and meet me in my office, we need to discuss our latest problem."

When Daryl first opened his eyes he thought he was hallucinating. Merle's face was hovering over his.

"Merle." Daryl croaked.

Merle gave Daryl a relived smile.

"Well it's about time you woke up sleepin beauty."

"Izzy."

"She's fine." Merle replied.

Izzy limped in to the room Merle automatically grabbed a chair he placed it next to Daryl's bed. Izzy didn't sit she was shocked to see Daryl's bandaged forehead and torso.

"What happened?" Izzy lightly brushed her fingers over the top off Daryl's head.

"He fell off a horse smacked his head and speared himself with his own arrow." Merle smirked at his accident prone brother. "Always been clumsy, ever since he was a kid."

Daryl felt a peacefulness rush over him as Izzy ran her long fingers through his hair. Daryl looked at Izzy's crutches.

"You okay?"

Izzy slowly sat down in the chair Merle had gotten for her. Once she was seated Izzy Merle stood behind her placing his hand on Izzy's shoulder.

"I'm fine thanks to Merle. How are the others?" Izzy was concerned about the group after the walker attack. All she could remember was screaming and madness unfolding around her.

"They're all good."

Daryl wanted to reach out for Izzy's hand, he wanted to hold her close to his body and feel her warm soft lips on his own but he knew he couldn't. Izzy was no longer his, Izzy was now off limits to him and Daryl had to shake off any feelings he had for her.

"We need to get back to the farm." Daryl looked up at Merle.

Merle looked shiftily towards the door he knew this sort of conversation wouldn't sit well with The Governor.

"No way baby brother not with Izzy the way she is and you all banged up."

Daryl groaned in pain as he pulled himself in to a sitting position.

"We have to the group will be worried and Dale is Izzy's family."

Merle's legendary temper started to flare up.

"Izzy's place is with me and our baby. I'm Izzy's family."

Anger flower through Daryl, his brother could be so stubborn sometimes.

"Izzy is."

"Sitting right here!" Izzy yelled. "I'll decide what I want to do."

Izzy used her crutches to pull herself up Izzy stared daggers at both men. How dare they not include her in decision that involved her, Izzy was angry to say the least.

"As soon as I'm fit to travel I'll be returning to the farm with or without you both."

Izzy tried her hardest to preform a dramatic exit but found herself hobbling pathetically out of the room. Merle turned his attention back to Daryl he needed to set the record straight with his dear brother.

"Izzy told me about you and her." Merle got straight to the point.

Daryl sat with his mouth open he was surprised Izzy had been so honest with Merle. Daryl would have denied everything to Merle if Izzy had asked him to.

"What did she say?"

Merle sat in the chair that Izzy had once occupied.

"That you stepped up and took my place that you kissed." Merle leant forward in his chair. "Now I'm going to thank you for lookin after Izzy and my baby but you can step down now. My baby has a daddy but it still needs an Uncle."

Daryl nodded he knew one day Merle may return. Izzy and the baby were Merle's and Daryl knew it he had to back away from his brother's woman and child.

"Izzy still needs her family." Daryl grumbled. "You prepared to leave this place for her?"

Merle sat up straight in his chair he wiped his hand over his face. Izzy was as stubborn as a mule there was no way she would back down.

"I'm prepared to die for her." Merle answered.

Merle knew he was going to have a fight on his hand leaving Woodbury but he wasn't dumb by any means, he could outsmart most of the men in the town it was just The Governor who would pose a problem for Merle. Daryl laid back down in the bed he was tired and in a lot of pain.

"You want to rest?" Merle watched Daryl try to find a comfortable position.

Daryl yawned. "Yeah."

Merle stood up and walked towards the door. Just before he left the room Merle turned to his brother and just watched him sleep for a few moments. Merle was happy to have his family back now all he had to do was keep them together and alive.