Two chapters today! Lucky/unlucky you!

Chapter 11.

Daryl.

The following week Sarah avoided me and I knew exactly why. No one was happy that Merle was here.

I was burning to talk to her, to find out what exactly happened to her. But another part of me was fearful to know. And I didn't want to ask for Merle's version of events.

Rick came to me one morning while I was tuning up the bike.

"A meeting's been called between the Governor and I. We leave in an hour. Find Sarah and bring her along."

"Sarah isn't coming." I said gruffly. He rested his hands on the seat of the bike.

"Look, I know you care about her and want to keep her safe but we need her." he tried reasoning.

"You don't understand. She's met the Governor before. He killed her friends and he... It ain't safe for her." I tried explaining and after some time he nodded.

"Fine. One hour." he left.

I followed Rick back inside and went in search of her. I needed to talk to her before I left.

I found her in the library, quietly reading. She didn't notice my entrance so I just watched her.

She looked exhausted. She had dark rings under her eyes and her skin seemed paler. A frown spread across her face and she chewed on her nails. The book in her hand snapped shut and she threw it on the table and rubbed her face.

"Sarah." I raised an eyebrow at her and she smirked slightly. "What's going on? You gotta talk some time."

"I don't know. Just frustrated. I haven't slept much since we got back." she yawned as if on cue as I slumped on the seat opposite and observed her.

"You've been avoiding me." she groaned.

"I know. I'm sorry." she smiled at me apologetically.

"I'm going with Rick to meet the Governor. Try to make a deal. We'll talk when I'm back?" I asked. Her back straightened.

"You can't deal with men like him. A deal implies you both get something out of it. He'll want what we can't offer." she spoke in a rush. "Don't go." She stood and hesitated slightly before she perched on my lap and hugged me

"I gotta." I paused a moment before I enfolded my own arms around her shoulders.

"I know. But what if it's a trap? What if he tries to kill you?" her voice was muffled against my shoulder as she rested her head on it.

"I'm not that easy to kill. I'll be coming back to you." I spoke softly as I leaned my head against hers and embraced her tightly.

"I'm coming too." I held her back slightly to look her in the eye.

"I'm not letting him anywhere near you. You're staying here." I said not unkindly.

"But..."

"No buts. I need someone to keep an eye on Merle." she raised an eyebrow at me and huffed.

"Really? You want me to babysit?" she scoffed.

"I need someone I trust not to kill him." I smiled slightly at her and she chuckled.

"What makes you think I won't?" I ignored her and pulled her back to me.

"Please?" she leant up and kissed my cheek.

"Fine. But come back to me." she stood and I followed suit.

"We'll talk later." I left to prepare for the meeting.

Sarah.

I had thought about following him, insisting that I come along. But he said he would come back and I believed him.

He'd left me to watch Merle, make sure he didn't cause trouble. Like I'd be able to stop him if he did. I had more reason then anyone to despise him after what he did.

Sure, he didn't kill me but he left me in a worse state. Merle's presence here forced those horrible feelings to the surface and I wasn't dealing with them very well.

"Fancy seeing you here." my stomach knotted at his voice.

"Go away Merle." he leaned against the table in front of me and smiled.

I ignored him and walked down the aisles, pulling books out at random. He followed me, picking the books out my hands and putting them out of reach. I refused to show him how irritated I was with his actions.

"How I see it is you owe me your life." And just like that, my resolve snapped. I swung the heavy book in my hand and it connected with his face but he was fast and had me pinned against the bookcase in no time. "That's not very nice."

"I owe you nothing Merle." he grinned while I glared. "Get away from me." I wouldn't let him see the fear I felt. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing me squirm.

"What is it that my brother sees in you? You've turned him soft. Weak." he surveyed my face, trying to figure me out.

"Daryl isn't weak. You are." I snarled in his face, he didn't like that.

"Watch your tongue girl." his hand clenched my neck, his handless arm across my chest, keeping me pinned.

"Or what? What you gunna do?" I dared him with my eyes. His grip around my neck tightened. "Do it. Do what you should have done all those months ago." I choked out, never breaking eye contact as I struggled to breathe.

"So that's what he sees. You're not scared of death." he searched my eyes for confirmation.

"I'm not scared of you." I lied. "You're poison. A weed that no matter how many times we cut it out it just grows back. I would have loved to end your life that day. Nothing would make me happier to see your life drain away. Maybe then Daryl would be free of you!" I realised I was shouting at that point. He narrowed his eyes slightly.

"You really think I'm evil don't you?" I nodded slightly. "You don't remember what I did that day. I saved your life."

"You're lying..." I whispered, but I wasn't sure.

"Nah." He released me and pulled my gun out. I didn't flinch as he tossed it to me. "Go one then." he spread his arms wide and smiled. "I'll tell you anything you want and if you don't believe me then you can shoot me." I raised the gun slightly.

"Then speak. Tell me your version of events." I said shakily. "And skip to the bits I was in too much pain to remember."

"Didn't sit right with me, what he did to you. He knew that." he spat on the ground and leaned against the bookcase, my gun still trained on him. "I couldn't stand the screaming so he sent to me kill your friends. I came back when the screaming stopped. Thought you were dead."

"I remember that part well enough. Skip to the end." I spoke barely above a whisper. The memories were forever burned in my mind.

"He's one evil son of a bitch. I never killed a woman. He wanted me to prove my loyalty. So I did." he raised his handless arm and gestured to his knife.

"You... It was you?" He nodded. My hands were shaking now. Maybe I should pull the trigger and stop him from hurting anyone else.

"I know how to kill a man. What I did wouldn't kill ya if someone patched you up. He didn't know that." Angry tears slid down my face at his words.

"So because you wanted a cushy bed I was left with this?" my hand rested over my scar. "Every time I see your handiwork I'm reminded of that day. My friends dying. Someone forcing themselves on me. Thank you for clarifying how you saved my life." I aimed higher, between his eyes.

"I came back to ya. Stitched you up. Got you pills in case the Governor left a part of himself with you." all humour had left his expression.

Memories stirred. When I had come to my senses all those months back Jeff was sat beside me. I had presumed he had looked after me. But thinking back to that night I remembered he was so close to turning. He must have exerted too much strength just to get by my side.

"How can I believe you?" I breathed.

"If you don't then shoot." his face was unreadable. None of his usual cocky attitude was present.

We stood there, watching the other. Waiting. Until I lowered the gun and started walking away.

"Does this mean you believe me?" he called after me.

"No."

"They why didn't you shoot?"

"Because I love your brother."

So Merle can be a good guy. Sarah said she loves Daryl. Romantic or platonic? We shall see :) Please review! I'd like to know what you think.