Mia woke early the next morning finding it difficult to sleep as she worried about her camp mates who were travelling into the city later on that morning. She had tossed and turned most of the night waking in cold sweats every few hours after having multiple nightmares.

Mia didn't feel right not going into the City with Glenn. Her ankle was fine and she was a little angry with herself for agreeing to Glenn's demand so quick. They had argued too much over the last few days and she thought it best to not start another one with him.

There were plenty of people going into the city but Mia wasn't sure all of them knew what they were getting themselves in to. Jacqui and Andrea sure as hell shouldn't have been going with the rest, they didn't know how to use guns or protect themselves from Walkers. No one could really protect themselves from Walkers, just run as fast as you could in the opposite direction but Jacqui and Andrea shouldn't have had to deal with it.

And Merle? Mia worried about him the most. He would surely get the rest killed. He didn't care about anyone but himself and he'd cross every one of them to save his own ass. Mia couldn't understand why Shane had decided that Merle should go with the rest; he'd more than likely be under the influence of some sort of substance or alcohol while heading into the city and the rest of the group would end up paying for it.

Mia's stomach felt sick thinking about the supply run. A part of her was relived she wasn't going when she thought about Merle. She pitied the members who had to deal with him and his shit all day long, especially seeing as Merle was a racist prick and most of the group going were a different race to him. This just couldn't end well.

She decided there was no point in trying to get back to sleep, she wouldn't rest well until the group had come back safely. They hadn't even left yet and she was already counting down the hours until their return. She hated these supply runs.

She embraced the warmth of her small bed for a few more moments before struggling out of her blankets and pulling herself up to change her clothes. She rummaged through one of her bags finding black combat shorts and a grey tank top before putting on her black and white converse. She sighed thinking about how much she missed nice clothes like jeans, dresses and even her stilettos. Once she was dressed, she exited the tent to begin what she knew was going to be a long stressful day.

As she walked out of the tent she saw Lori and Shane quickly jump apart from each other. She rolled her eyes and ignored them both. Mia was sure she couldn't be the only person in the group who believed they were having sex. It was so obvious to her that Shane was sleeping with Lori but no one else ever talked about it. Mia wasn't one to gossip and she only ever discussed the situation with Glenn and Daryl. She liked Lori but she hated that she was letting that creep touch her. Mia believed Shane should have known better, Lori was his best friends wife but Shane didn't seem to mind filling in in Rick's absence. In fact he seemed a little too comfortable with it. Mia was still pissed off that Shane never volunteered to do the supply run; he just pressured others in to doing it instead while he played happy families with Carl and Lori and everyone else risked their lives. He really was a selfish jackass and she hated that no one would stand up and say it.

As she sat in the middle of the camp, more and more people began to rise from their tents. She could sense a state of unrest around the camp, everything was uneasy. It was obvious a lot of people were worried about this supply run and she was one of them. As more of the group were waking up Mia decided to start breakfast to take her mind off of her worries.

"Need some help?" Carol asked smiling walking towards Mia and the small cooking space.

"Sure, if you don't mind?" Mia answered.

"Not at all. Its quiet here this morning huh?" Carol asked looking around at the group.

"Yeah it is. I think everyone's just worried. This is the biggest group to ever go in to the city; it's usually just Glenn. I don't know what's going to happen." Mia admitted biting her lip. She wanted to believe her friends would be fine but Merle was just a ticking time bomb waiting to explode at any given minute.

"You don't think it's a good idea, all of them going in?" Carol asked as they continued to prepare the food. Mia didn't want to be negative but she didn't want to lie to herself either.

"I think some of the people going in aren't prepared enough for the city. Andrea and Jacqui? They can't even use a gun. Shane sending them in is crazy and as for making Merle go with them… its just plain suicide." Mia admitted as Carol looked at her with concern. She really was worried that Merle would get the rest killed; the man was just completely unstable.

"What about his brother, he doesn't seem so bad?" Carol asked.

"Daryl's nothing like Merle. He's a good man." Mia stated giving Carol a small smile. She really did believe Daryl was different from his brother. She knew he was, his actions proved it.

"Well he's kept my little girl fed since his arrival so I tend to agree with you there." Carol said smiling at Mia. As they cooked breakfast, Carol pulled her long sleeves up over her elbows. Mia couldn't help but notice the fresh bruises on Carol's arms. She knew abuse when she saw it and she knew this innocent woman probably along with her little girl were being abused by that lazy bastard Ed. As Mia scanned Carol's arms, Carol quickly pulled her sleeves back down seeing Mia's concerned face.

"Carol is everything…"

"Everything's fine! Can you finish up here?" She said quickly walking away before Mia could even respond. Mia couldn't understand why Carol wasn't speaking up about the beatings she'd been receiving from her own Husband. Surely she knew she didn't have to put up with it? There were plenty of people to protect her here if she would just tell someone.

After breakfast, the group heading to the city began to prepare and ready themselves for the supply run. Glenn talked through everything with Jacqui, Morales, Andrea and T-Dog but Merle was nowhere to be seen. Mia secretly hoped Merle would opt out of the run but something told her the older Dixon wouldn't back down that easy. She knew he wouldn't want to prove Shane right.

Mia could see the worried look on Amy's face as Dale tried to comfort her. She looked like she was about to throw up and Mia couldn't blame her. She wanted to get sick herself but she knew she had to be strong for the rest. Worrying wouldn't help anyone.

Once Morales and T-Dog finished packing up the jeep that the group would be travelling in they were ready to go.

"Ya'll be careful in there. Get yerselves back here in one piece." Shane said giving the group a hopeful smile. Mia's anger built up inside of her as the former police officer gave the group a pep talk. It was easy for him to talk seeing as he never had to step foot in to the city or sacrifice himself, he just got to stay at the camp and hand out demands. How was that fair?

After Shane had said his few words, the Dixon's emerged from their tents, Merle looking surprisingly sober. Although Mia guessed he would cause problems sober or not, she still tried to look on the bright side however difficult that was proving.

Before they left for the city the group said their goodbyes to their friends and families. "Don't worry Mi, I'll be back in no time." Glenn said wrapping his arms around his best friend.

"I know you will. Just be careful?" She said squeezing him tighter.

"Always am." He said smiling. Mia knew Glenn was more worried than he was letting on. She knew if anything happened to the rest of the group going in to the city he would blame himself. It was just the kind of guy Glenn was and Shane should never have put this pressure on Glenn in the first place.

"You need anything in the city?" He asked letting her go. Mia shook her head. "Just need you all to come back."

"I promise you we will." He said taking her hand.

"I should be coming with you." She admitted frowning.

"No, you need to be here. There is already enough people coming and if something happens here while we're gone, I'd feel better knowing you were here to protect people." He said hugging her once more.

"I'll see you when you come back." She said not wanting to let her friend go.

"Not if I see you first." He said heading for the jeep. As she looked around the camp as everyone said their goodbyes, Mia saw Merle and Daryl talking before they shook hands. That was clearly their way of saying goodbye, It was easy to see that the brothers weren't good with emotions.

"Mia?" Andrea called as Mia walked towards her.

"Yeah?" She asked giving Andrea a smile.

"Can you do me a favor?" Andrea asked as Mia nodded.

"Sure, what is it?"

"Can you look after Amy when I'm gone? I know she's worried about me but you're like another sister to us now and it would mean a lot if you would look out for her while I'm in the city." Andrea admitted. Mia was honored that they saw her as a sister. She never had any siblings of her own so it was nice to hear that someone thought that highly of her.

"Of course I will. I'll make sure she's okay." Mia said giving Andrea a hug.

"Thank you so much. Look if I for whatever reason don't make it out of the city, will you tell her how much I love her and how proud of her I am?" Andrea asked as Mia frowned.

"I will. But I won't have to because you are all coming back. Glenn will make sure of it." She said as Andrea let out a small tear.

"I better go." Andrea said letting Mia go.

"Stay safe." Mia said waving at her.

Andrea nodded. "You too."

Mia watched as Dale embraced both Amy and Andrea before the older sister joined Glenn in the jeep. Jacqui was saying goodbye to Jim, Lori and Carol as T-Dog and Morales headed for the jeep.

"Hey sugatits." Mia heard the southern man say. She really thought she'd get away without having to say anything to Merle but she was clearly mistaken.

"Shouldn't you be leaving?" She said rolling her eyes as the older Dixon walked towards her.

"I'm goin', jus wanted to say goodbye to your pretty lil face first." He said grinning at her.

"Ok well goodbye?" She said giving him an odd look as she tried to walk away.

"Wait a minute girly." He said putting an arm around her. "You gonna look after ma lil brotha when I'm gone?"

"I'm pretty sure your brother can look after himself." Mia said trying to wriggle her way out of Merle's grasp.

"That ain't what I'm talkin' bout." He said looking at her laughing.

"What are you talking about?" She asked getting annoyed by Merle's presence.

"Talkin' bout you an ma baby brotha gettin' it on while I'm gone. Think he could use a piece of ass to keep him busy while I'm in the city with those idiots." Merle said smirking at her.

"You're disgusting!" She yelled.

"Don' deny it girl. See how ya are with em, wearin' next to nothin', flutterin' your eyelashes at em. How bout you open yer legs an jus let em have it. Here take this, never know where a whore like you's been." He said huskily whispering in her ear throwing a condom at her. Had he really just done that?

Mia's blood boiled inside of her as she tried to calm down but she couldn't. Her whole body was shaking with anger as the tall man in front of her grinned. "You know what Merle, I hope those things tear you apart, I hope you don't come back here because your brother is better off without you, you sick son of a bitch!" She growled throwing the condom back at him before pushing him away.

"Oh don' you worry girly. I'll be back, don' miss me too much when I'm gone." He said blowing her a kiss.

"Go to hell." She snarled as he headed for the jeep. She couldn't understand how he thought he could get away with speaking to people like that, just because the world had gone to shit didn't mean his manners should have too and why was he always bringing Daryl into their confrontations? Mentioning the younger brother is what made her tick, that and being compared to a whore. Merle was able to get into her head and he knew it, it was like a game to him now. Thankfully he'd be gone for a few hours and she wouldn't have to put up with him. She needed a break from him but a couple of hours wouldn't be enough. A part of her hoped he really wouldn't come back but somehow she doubted that miracle would happen. Merle would come back just to spite her.

Ok guys probably not my best chapter but at least the dull part is out of the way. You can expect the next chapter to be full of fireworks too. What's gonna happen when the group return without Merle? Will Mia feel bad for hoping he didn't come back? And how will she help Daryl when he finds out his brother hasn't come back?

I tried to give other characters a little time in this chapter so you could see how Mia is with others like Andrea and Carol. Mia is trying to look out for Carol and she is worried about the abuse her and Sophia are receiving, you'll see her try to get Daryl to help her out in the next chapter but it won't go down too well. There's a reason why Mia is so worried for Carol and Sophia but you'll eventually find out why she cares so much.

I'm sorry that there was not much of Daryl in this chapter. I'm finding it a little difficult to write up his feelings towards Mia because Daryl and feelings don't mix. That's why I couldn't write him much in to this chapter because he's not an emotional guy and he wasn't saying goodbye to anybody only Merle and even that was only a lousy handshake. I had to allow Merle have one last jab at Mia because it'd be his last appearance for some time. I'm actually gonna miss him.

BUT on the bright side Merle being gone now gives Daryl and Mia a chance to get closer and as well for Daryl to get closer to the group.

I'm so sorry for the long wait. I've been super sick the last few days and I'm only getting my strength back now. Thanks for your patience! X