Search and Rescue

I own nothing! Everything belongs to Robert Kirkman and AMC.

Just a warning I know the punctuation is a little off. I've had to live with open office and let me tell you it SUCKS!

I speak like a Dixon therefore I write like one. There will be swearing. Also for sack of arguments, Merle is 35, Daryl is 29, carol is 32 and Beth is 20.

56. that's how many chairs were in the waiting room at mercy general. Daryl had counted them while waiting to hear how Merle's surgery had gone. So far they knew next to nothing, just that Merle had been rushed into surgery to prevent brain swelling, fix a broken leg, and to try and save his right hand.

That had been 3 hours ago. At this point Daryl just wanted to know- would Merle live, or was he here to say good bye? The thought of losing Merle tore at Daryl as he leaned back in the uncomfortable chair.

The waiting room did nothing to calm his nerves. The coffee was terrible, the sanitizer smell overwhelming, and some crazy woman with 4 kids was letting them rampage all over. Daryl looked over to Sophia, who was yet again impressing him. While the other kids around her were screaming and tossing toys, Sophia was sitting quietly, drawing in a coloring book Beth had brought her.

Carol was sitting next to Daryl, looking worriedly at Beth. She knew something had been going on between Merle and Beth, but seeing Beth's face now, she had to rethink what she thought was going on. Carol had only seen Merle flirt with Beth, but now, Beth looked like death warmed over. She was pale and seemed trapped in her own mind.

Carol turned to Daryl who looked at her.

"There's a coffee and sandwich stand down stairs. I'm going to take Beth to get us some drinks and food. Are you okay staying with Sophia?"

Daryl nodded and walked over and sat down next to Sophia.

Carol walked over to Beth and touched her shoulder, startling the young woman.

"let's go get something good to drink. This coffee up here stinks."

Beth gave Carol a weak smile as she stood up and followed.

As they stood in the elevator, Carol turned to Beth.

" I hope I didn't keep you from anything you had to do today."

Beth shook her head. "no, I'd rather be here right now."

Carol looked at Beth, who looked like she was about to burst into tears. As they stepped off the elevator Carol grabbed Beth's hand and sat her down at a small table.

"Beth, I know Jimmy isn't your boyfriend. And I know Merle's been flirting with you, but what's going on sweety?"

Beth started to cry as she looked up at Carol.

"i don't know. I thought he was just flirting with me but somewhere along the way...i think I fell in love with him. I didn't even realize it until last night. I mean...i really like Merle. More then just the flirting and I think he feels the same way."

"what makes you say that?"

Beth wiped her face as more tears came.

"Last night, well yesterday, Jimmy made me realize I like Merle and he told Merle that. After Ed, I went over to thank him and Merle asked me when I was going to stop fighting what I was feeling for him. He didn't say it in those words, but...you know."

Carol smiled gently at the young woman.

"I do know. Daryl's the same way."

"I've never had a boyfriend. Never been kissed either, until last night. Merle's so different then anyone else I've ever met. I really like that. And I guess somewhere in all his flirting, he started to really like me too. And last night, he kissed me. My first kiss, and it was perfect. Merle didn't try to push anything, he even told me to think about it. About stopping fighting my feelings. And... I was thinking today, before you called me, that I was done. I want to stop fighting my feelings, I want to be with Merle. But now..."

Beth started crying as Carol hugged her.

"The doctor's are doing everything they can. All we can do now is pray."

D/C D/C D/C D/C D/C D/C

Sophia smiled up at Daryl as he sat on the floor next to her. Daryl gave her a kiss on the forehead, and looked at the page she was drawing on. Sophia had turned to one of the blank pages in the back of the book, and had several characters drawn.

"what are you drawn'?"

Sophia picked up a new crayon as she answered. "Our family. See- there's you, mommie, Beth, Merle and Manny."

Daryl looked at the characters, seeing them with title attached and actually seeing the people in the drawings.

"that's a massive chew bone ya gave manny there."

"yep. He's a good dog, he deserves lots of treats."

Daryl chuckled. "Well when we get a chance, you and I can run over to the pet store, pick him out somethin' nice."

Sophia smiled and continued to work on two of the characters, drawing their hands held together. Daryl took a closer look and realized she was working on Beth and Merle, not himself and Carol, who were already holding hands.

"you playin' match maker ta Beth and Merle now?"

Sophia giggled. "nope, Beth likes him already."

Daryl looked curiously at the little girl.

"What makes ya say that?"

"Jimmy said so. Last night. After Ed left and Merle went home, Jimmy locked Beth outside and said he wouldn't let her back in until she went and told Merle she liked him. Beth came back a few minutes later and couldn't stop smiling. Then I heard her tell Jimmy Merle had kissed her."

Daryl chuckled.

"So that's why he was in such a good mood last night."

"yep. And that's why Beth's here now. She's worried about Merle, like all of us. But he's going to be okay, you know that right?"

Daryl hugged Sophia close and gave her another kiss.

"i hope so sweety. I hope so. Thank you for behavin'."

Sophia gave him a questioning look.

"i ain't really spent time with kids before you Sophia. Honestly thought you was all snot nosed whiners."

Sophia pointedly looked over Daryl's shoulder at the latest tantrum being thrown. Daryl looked with her and laughed. Sophia giggled along side him, then got quiet.

" what is gonna happen to Ed?"

daryl sighed. "he's dead baby. Somethin' happened after he attacked Merle. Ed's gone."

Sophia was quiet before responding. "i should feel bad. But I don't."

Daryl shrugged. "he was a bad man honey. If ya miss ya dad that's okay, but just know he ain't gonna touch ya again."

Sophia smiled up at Daryl. "i don't miss him. He wasn't my daddy, you are."

as Sophia returned to her drawing, Daryl was shocked. He knew he cared about the little girl, but being called daddy? After a few seconds, Daryl smiled.

"i love ya. My baby girl."

D/C D/C D/C D/C D/C

Carol and Beth walked back into the waiting room, to see Daryl helping Sophia with her drawing. It appeared Daryl was helping draw a cross bow on a stick figure.

"We got some sandwiches and drinks. Daryl, here's your black coffee. Sophia sweety, I got you a chicken salad sandwich like you like and a hot chocolate. Daryl, do you want roast beef and cheddar or turkey and provolone?"

Daryl stood up and walked over to Carol.

"Ain't a fan of provolone. Mind if I have the roast beef?"

Carol smiled at Daryl, and gave him a kiss.

"Nope, I prefer turkey."

as Daryl sat down to eat and drink, he took a look over at Beth. It was obvious she had been crying, and was just now starting to regain her composer, as she picked at her sandwich. Daryl felt for the girl. Hell he had had Merle for 30 years, Beth had only just met Merle. And from what Sophia said last night, only just started to act on her feelings for Merle

The four of them sat eating and drinking, when a doctor called out "Dixon."