katie93319: Thanks so much for your review & Merle's to good of character to kill him off like they did.. Love me sum' Merle c: 3

Carol's sobs at nagging to Rick and I about "why we shouldn't have left her out there, she as twelve." And "my baby is gone!" were getting on my nerves. I refused to listen to her any longer so, I made a fast walk dash to the RV. I couldn't help but, think that little Sophia that I'd come to love over the past week would be out there, I had a few opinions of where and what she could be right now A) barely alive. B) bitten C) a walker D) hiding in a tree or cabin. I tried my best not to believe the child was dead, but those thoughts entered my head. I was so in thought I didn't notice anyone in front of me. I bumped right into someone.

"Oof!" I fell to the ground, I looked up to see someone I didn't want to see at the moment. I frowned, I noted the concern and guilt in his eyes right away. He opened up his mouth to say something, but quickly closed. I rolled my eyes, and brushed my knees off, while he tried to help me up, I just pushed him away. I was still very mad at how much of a douche he was earlier..

"Fine, don' accept mah help. Stubbornness gets ya in trouble o' killed, jus so ya kno'." Daryl replied to my attitude much more calm then I imagined he'd react. I'd usually get a "Stupid Bitch." or something worse. My heart wanted to give in to him and tell him I was sorry for the cold shoulder but, my mind told me hell no which sounded like Taylor, doing some kind of head roll. I shook my head out of those memories.

"Coming from the most stubborn of all." I spat at him with pure disgust. "You know, that's the smartest thing I've heard you say.." I fake laughed and got up and started to leave when he grabbed my wrist.

"Don't do this." he murmured looking down. His feet looking very interesting at the moment. He looked up into my eyes, and I felt myself caving in. He was making this very difficult.
"Don't shut me out, Izzy." he licked his chapped lips and I bit the inside of my cheek. "Let me atleast apologize, I-"

"Let you apologize? Why? So you can go do it again?." I shook my head and looked to my right, not wanting to look in blue piercing oceans.

"Izzy I know... I'm sorry. I've been a dick lately, more Merle than anythin but, I need ya.. Yer tha' only one I got left.. Merle's hell knows where." He cupped his neck and looked away. "I jus' wanna-"

"I forgive you." I crossed my arms over my chest and began fidgeting. I looked up to see a dumbfounded Daryl.

"Wha'?" he asked leaning his head in closer with his eyebrows furrowed.

"You heard me, cowboy. I said I forgive you." I shrugged. He started to speak but, I put a finger up. "Now, I'm exhausted and we gotta look for that little girl in the morning. We'll talk tomorrow." I gave a small smile. Once again, he wa about to talk when I cut him off again, not wanting to start a conversation. This was so unlike him; I thought. "Goodnight, Daryl." I kissed him on the cheek and walked off. Not staying to see his reaction. I went in the RV and prepared my makeshift bed for the night.

"Thanks for letting me sleep here." I gave a smile to Dale and Andrea. Andrea smirked, and Dale nodded.

"What happened between you and Daryl? After you left him hanging with a lil' peck, you left him there looking like a geek." Andrea gave a knowing smirk. I tried to play it off.

"I don't know what you're talking about." I closed my eyes and shrugged. "It was just a little kiss on the cheek." I rolled my eyes.

"Keep tellin' yourself that." she gave a little laugh half scoff. "Well, goodnight. May your dreams be filled with your crossbow wielding squirrel catching Prince Charming." Andrea flailed her arms dramatically and laid down. I laughed.

"So charming." I snorted. "Night, Andrea." I stifled myself from laughing again. I slowly fell into a deep slumber which were slowly woken by Carol's "quiet" crying. Oh brother. This is gonna be a lovely night.

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Daryl's P.O.V

I stood there confused by what just happened. Izzy forgave me so easily? I felt the heat rise to my cheeks and the last thing she did. Why'd she do that? I thought about all the other times we had kissed before. At the CDC, the outside. Back in our home town, many many times. Would I ever get the confidence to tell her how I feel? I bit my lip, Merle's judgemental words ringing in my ears. I closed my eyes and remembered that day.

16 year old Daryl climbed up the makeshift "ladder" set up as something to climb up to his window. I opened the window and slid in, trying not to make a noise incase my daddy was awake. I plopped my bag onto the bed, and thought about what I'd say to Izzy when I gave her the flowers, I could barely afford. If my dad or Merle saw these I'd be screwed.. I looked at the flowers and laid them gently on the bed.. There was a knock on the window.. I peered thru the blinds and saw my older brother, Merle with that same idiotic smile. I unlocked the door and sighed.

"Hey baby brudder, whata' welcome I get huh?" Merle wiggled his eyebrows, and nudged me in the elbow.

"What are ya doin' here?" I asked running my fingers thru my hair. He started looking around in my room.

"Well, I came ta' see mah brotha'" he rested his hands on his hips. "Is tha' such crime?" he asked leaning in closer.

"What d'ya want?" I rolled my eyes.

"Like ah' said I came ta' see ya." he raised his hands defensively.

"Dad'll be pissed yer here." I explained to my dumb older brother with big worried eyes.

"Calm down, Darylina. I don't give a flyin' fuck what he sees o' thinks." Merle laughed and fell to the ground. I took a step back.

"You're drunk, aren't ya?" I gulped..

"Jus' a lil' buzz." he replied sheepishly. I raised my eyebrows.

"So wha's in tha' bag, baby brudder?" He stood up and took a step closer. "Drugs?" Merle smiled.

"No." I replied annoyed by how addicted and crazy my brother had gotten. "It's a present for someone." Merle scoffed and opened the bag before I could fight against it.

"Aw, Darylina. Ya really are a lover boy." Merle started laughing. I frowned.. "Do ya think she cares bout' ya? Me an' ye both kno' Izzy would never want someone like ya." Merle scoffed and grabbed the flowers.

"Hey! Giv' em back!" I tried my best to grab them. Merle took out his lighter and lit my one hope to show Izzy how I felt on fire.. It slowly withered along with a few stomps from Merle. I just stood there frozen letting all the words sink in. Maybe Merle was right; I told myself..

"I'm doin' wha's right fo' ye, baby brudder." Merle's words repeated in my head.

AN: Okay, first off.. Merle isn't mean. Merle is just trying to tough Daryl up, this might not be how Daryl grew up but, I think as a teenager, say 16. He wasn't as closed off as he is now so, Merle is doing what he thinks is "protecting" Daryl. Just wanted to explain c: