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Thanks to piratejessieswaby, Annelisa, FanFicGirl10, Emberka-2012, Brazen Hussy, Dino-SOAR and Zeyden.
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Chapter 12.
The next morning Rowan's words kept replaying over and over again in Merle's head. Merle wasn't stupid, the only reason Merle and Daryl initially joined the Atlanta group was because both he and Daryl knew that looking for Hope was going to be a hard task and they would need to have a group to watch their backs. The Atlanta group seemed as good as any other.
Merle looked at Hope she sat on the floor with Sophia playing tea party. Well Sophia was playing tea party Hope was just chewing on the plastic saucer. Sophia had placed three small plastic pink cups on the floor one in front of Hope that was now covered in Hope's spit, one in front of herself and the final teacup had been given too Sophia's doll. Merle couldn't hell but smile as Sophia poured imaginary tea into the cups. Hope had become attached to Sophia in such a short time but then so had Merle.
The front door flew open with such force it slammed against the wall making everyone jump. Merle instinctively picked up Hope and placed his body protectively in front of Sophia. The Governor entered the house with Crowley, Martinez and Rowan behind him.
Merle naturally looked at Rowan for answers the dark haired woman just mouthed. "Sorry." At Merle.
The Governor took a step towards Merle and the girls. As the man moved closer Sophia gripped the back of Merle's shirt.
There were a few moments of uneasy silence before the Governor spoke. "How are we all this morning?" He asked calmly. The Governor rubbed Hope's cheek.
A low growl sounded from the back of Merle's throat, it was threatening enough to make the Governor back away from the trio. "We were good till you lot stormed in, ain't ya heard of knockin?"
The Governor smiled. "Well Merle." He almost spat Merle's name. "Since your last two outings have ended in failure and lost me one man and injured another."
Merle looked over at Crowley the man had a large black bruise over his nose and a scar on his forehead. "He's healin' alright." Merle smirked.
"Not the point." The Governor barked, "Until you prove yourself to me I'm having someone watch you every minute of everyday and I'm having your house checked for anything suspicious." Merle held Hope tighter to him. "Martinez and I will check the bedrooms. Crowley you search the living room and kitchen."
As soon as Martinez and the Governor disappeared from view Rowan hurried to Merle's side and took Hope from his arms. She looked over at Crowley who seemed to be happily tearing the room apart.
"Sorry." She whispered. "I didn't know about this until the last minute."
Merle watched Crowley he hated the man. Crowley was now hovering around Hope and Sophia's toys. "No it's good, this way he don't suspect you. Like the prick says I'm gonna be under watch so you're gonna have to do most the work." Rowan nodded she wasn't going to let Merle down she had grown fond of him.
Crowley picked up Sophia's doll. "What's this playing tea party now Merle?" Crowley laughed. "I'll ask the Governor to get you a nice pink dress."
Merle snorted. "Greens more my colour." He wasn't about to rise to Crowley's bear baiting.
Crowley's eyes narrowed, he gripped the porcelain doll tighter. "Maybe you're hiding something in this dolly, best pull it apart and check." Crowley started to pull at the doll's arm
Sophia ran from behind Merle. "No! Not Dixie she's mine." Sophia ran at Crowley she tried to grab the doll out of his hands but she was to short. Crowley pushed Sophia over and laughed at the small girl lying sprawled out on the floor.
Merle saw red and snapped he bolted forward smashing his fist heavily against Crowley's face once again breaking the man's nose. Crowley fell to the floor and dropped the doll. Merle kicked the man continuously in the ribs until cracking of bone was heard. Sophia pulled herself to her feet and ran back towards Rowan.
"Merle stop!" Rowan screamed.
Merle didn't listen he carried on his assault kicking and punching the screaming man. Hope started to cry and Merle automatically stopped. Merle grabbed Crowley's shirt and raised him slightly off the floor.
"Next time you pick on a little girl you may want to make sure the man protectin' her ain't an asshole with anger issues." Merle dropped Crowley's body back to the floor and he cried out in pain.
Merle picked up the doll and turned to see the Governor staring at him. "Well I should punish you for that." The Governor walked over to Hope and played with her soft curls, Merle's whole body tensed up. "But Crowley did provoke you. Hmmm." The Governor looked at Merle. "Rowan will be keeping an eye on you today." Merle's body loosened up slightly. "Martinez, take Crowley to doctor Stevens."
Martinez walked over to Crowley and slowly pulled him off the floor each movement made Crowley whine in pain blood poured from his broken nose and every breath he took made him yelp.
The Governor moved towards Merle he was almost strutting. "Thank you Merle today you've shown your daughter what sort of man you are, I knew you couldn't hide the monster inside for much longer."
Merle felt sick the Governor had made Crowley purposely bait him so he would scare Hope. "She knows I'd never hurt her." Merle replied he couldn't hide the uncertainty in his voice. Merle looked back at Hope and Sophia both girls were clinging to Rowan and Hope wouldn't stop crying.
The Governor smirked. "Well she's a baby now but what about when she grows older? What then? You'll be nothing more than an embarrassment to her." Merle felt his anger starting to rise. "Oh and one last thing before I leave you, Haley will be taking watch with you tomorrow night."
"But the east wall only needs one guard." Merle protested. He knew having anyone with him would throw his plan to sneak the girls out off course completely.
"I told you I'm keeping an eye on you and Haley needs the training. Since you've become a father figure to Sophia you're the perfect candidate. Do you have a problem?"
Merle's jaw tightened once again. "No." Merle was just going to have to find a way around the unwelcome guest.
The Governor smiled. "Good. Now I had better check on Crowley." The Governor left the house and Merle let out a frustrated snarl, he was just waiting for the day he got to take revenge on the sick man.
Daryl had gathered anything he could find that would be useful for Hope's homecoming. Hershel had given Daryl some hand me down baby items from his children. The arrival of a baby seemed to give the old man a spark of joy and happiness. Daryl had placed all the baby items outside his tent.
"Is she going to fit?" Daryl cocked his head in the direction of Dale's voice.
Daryl squinted back to the tent and shrugged. "I figure Merle and I will sleep outside and Hope can have the tent."
Dale nodded towards his RV. "Or you boys and Little Miss Dixon could take the RV." Dale had always had time for Merle and Daryl. The Dixon men had kept them safe and fed back at the quarry and they had never asked for anything in return.
Daryl smiled. "Thanks." Daryl handed Dale a small box of baby clothes.
Both men walked towards the RV. "So how old would she be now." Dale asked.
Daryl took a deep breath he wasn't sure what month they were in anymore. It felt like years had gone by since he lost Hope. "Dunno maybe eight, nine months I'm not sure anymore."
Dale walked into the RV and placed the box on the table. "Well I guess dates and months don't matter so much now." Dale turned to start bringing in the other boxes when he caught the sad look in Daryl's eyes. "You okay son?"
Daryl sighed he hadn't spoken about Hope before and now everyone knew about the girl it felt like an emotional floodgate had been opened for him. "What if she don't remember me."
Dale removed his hat and ran his hand through his hair. "She's still young, she's learning as long as you're with her now you'll both be fine."
Daryl bit his nails he hoped the old man was right. "I'm just gonna collect the rest of the stuff." Daryl left the vehicle and made his way back towards the tent.
"Hey Daryl wait up!" Shane yelled after him. Daryl stopped and rolled his eyes, usually people left Daryl alone but ever since they found out he had a child they were all over him. Shane jogged towards him. "I wanna talk to you."
Shane stopped just in front of Daryl. "What?" Daryl grumbled he was bracing himself for an argument about how much of a danger Hope would be to the group.
Shane looked slightly sheepish he looked down at his boots and slowly looked back up at Daryl. "I just wanted to say sorry."
The apology came as a shock. Daryl could have been knocked down with a feather. "What?"
Shane watched Carl sitting next to Lori doing his school work. "You and your brother did what you had to for your girl." Shane gave a light sigh. "I know what it's like to do anything to protect the ones you love."
Daryl nodded Shane was always willing to do whatever needed to be done to protect both Carl and Lori. "It's okay." For the first time in a long time the world seemed right. Shane patted Daryl on the arm and walked off.
Several more boxes sat outside Daryl's tent all of them were filled with clothes and toys for children of different ages. A small stuffed toy dog caught Daryl's eye, the dog was mainly white with large brown spots over its body. Daryl squatted next to the box and picked up the dog, it looked like it had been loved by someone in the Greene household but it was still soft and in good condition. Daryl decided Hope would like the toy.
Maggie stood over Daryl her shadow blocked out the sun. Daryl looked up at Maggie and squinted. "That's Rolo." Maggie smiled. Daryl stood up and handed the toy to the farmer's daughter. "He used to be mine I loved playin' with him."
"Sorry it was in the box." Daryl could see Maggie getting teary eyed at the stuffed animal.
Maggie rubbed the dog against her face it still held all her favourite childhood smells and memories. "It was the last thing my mom gave me before she died." A lump formed in Maggie's throat she handed the toy back to Daryl. "I hope Hope loves Rolo as much as I did. He's a good dog."
Daryl gave a small chuckle his whole face lit up. "I'm sure Rolo will take down some walkers."
Maggie laughed she tucked her hair behind her ear. "I can't wait to meet the girl who makes you act like this."
Daryl smiled and looked up at the steadily setting sun just one more day and his girl would be home.