It's Never Goodbye With Us

Summary: Rick and Daryl's relationship is strained after Daryl shows his loyalty to Merle. Hershel & Merle have a heart to heart. Takes place immediately after "Home." Rick/Daryl, AU, Angst, Same-Sex Pairing, Slash.

The group is gathered around planning what to do next after The Governor and his henchmen have impaired the prison. Rick has Merle locked in one of the cells. Merle insists that the Governor will be back to spill blood. Hershel wants to leave the prison. It's been too compromised. He insists that Rick clear his head and stay the leader that they've come to know so well despite Rick's grief. "You once said this wasn't a democracy anymore. You've got to own up to that." He looks at Rick with sad and tried eyes. "Rick I know how you feel. I almost turned this group away from my farm just like you turned away Tyreese's group. But I know now that was the wrong decision." Rick can't bear to listen anymore so he turns to leave. Outside and alone he can clear his thoughts, he thinks to himself. Daryl lets Rick leave at first but then quickly goes after him. He finds Rick outside surveying the prison through his binoculars. Rick hears Daryl's footsteps approaching from behind but doesn't react. He keeps a steady lookout, binoculars in hand close to his eyes. He still feels torn that Daryl would ever decide to leave the group for Merle. More importantly he feels betrayed that Daryl would ever leave him for Merle.

"I remember when I picked those up for you out on the road."

"Yeah" Rick says as looks across the prison field.

"You fell in love with them the minute I put them in your hand."

"They are really nice ones." Rick says as he pulls the binoculars away from his face and shakes them in his hand.

"You're not mad at me cuz of Merle are you?"

Rick looks at Daryl. He doesn't know how to answer because he's not sure how he feels.

"There's nothing to say about it now. Merle's here. It's done."

"Then you are mad?"

"I'm not mad, Daryl. I get it. He's family. He's not the best of character but he's your brother."

"Merle's blood, he's my friend." Daryl interjects.

Rick looks into Daryl's sky blue eyes., "I'm your friend too, Daryl. If you only knew how I feel about you."

"But I do know. Why else do you think I've got your back all the time?"

"But..you were gonna leave me."

"I wasn't really gonna leave." He reaches up and tousles Rick's hair. "I dunno, maybe I was just tryin to teach you a lesson."

"What lesson?"

Daryl places a hand on Rick's shoulder, "That together we make the best team, me and you." Daryl says, his face stern, "And no matter what, it's never goodbye with us."

Rick smiles, "It isn't is it?"

He places a hand behind Daryl's head and pulls it towards his. Their lips meet and Rick feels those wonderful sparks that he's come to know so well. The feeling is mutual as Daryl's toes curl. Daryl moves placing kisses on the side of Rick's face.

"You came and got me without a second thought." He whispers into Rick's ear, "You saved me." He says as he places kisses on Rick's neck. Rick leans his head back and enjoys the sensation of Daryl's mouth all over him. The mixture of soft caresses and the scratchy beard is breathtaking.

He grabs Daryl's head in his hands and looks deeply into his eyes. "Daryl, promise me you won't ever leave me." He pleads, breathing heavily.

"I promise Rick. You have my word." Daryl says softly. Rick places a deep kiss on his lips aggressively. Their heart rates increase as their passion unfolds for each other. The bond between them is unbreakable. Nothing can disconnect them now. No apocalypse, or walkers, or Governor. Rick knows Daryl's face, every curve, every crease. He knows his heart and his mind. He knows his touch. The two men are like polar opposites but indistinguishable from one another at the same time.

Merle is in his cell tinkering with his knife that covers his stump.

Hershel comes into his cell and they are introduced to each other for the first time. The two men share their stories of how each lost his limb. In some odd way it gives them an unexpected commonality. "If Rick hadn't acted quickly I would have turned. I owe him a lot for that. It allowed me to spend more time with my girls. What Rick has done has allowed you more time to spend with your brother."

"Yeah the two of them have gotten real close I can tell. Snug as two bugs."

Hershel turns and looks out the prison bars. He and the rest of the group know of Rick and Daryl's relationship by now and no one is judgmental here. "They are close but it is not for us to judge. I am a man of God and if I can accept two men who love each other then so can you."

"Yeah well, Rick has made my baby brother weak. Turned him into a pansy."

Hershel takes out a bible. "You know I lost a lot more than my farm. At one time I lost my way. He opens the bible and looks down at the page, "Samuel 1:26, David and Jonathan." He says aloud. He begins to read a quote. "I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; You have been very pleasant to me. Your love to me was more wonderful than the love of women." Merle finishes the quote at the same time and Hershel looks at him surprised.

"Woodbury had a damn fine library. About the only thing I miss about it." Merle explains.