Next chapter is up! Hope you guys are enjoying the story! Updates might get a little slower because I want to see if Season 4 gives me any ideas. Don't worry though. I'll still be on top of things.

Chapter 21

Merle let go of Daryl and let him lay back down. He got up and ran into someone that he also wasn't expecting to see.

"Oh sorry I was just coming down to check on Daryl," the man said. Merle looked at the guy in front of him and then a grin formed on his face, "'Tinez? Thought you were dead too." Martinez looked at Merle, "Merle? Oh shit. This is awkward. How did Daryl take it?" Merle shrugged, "About as good as expected after that leader of yours tortured him." Martinez continued walking, "I'm the one who brought Daryl here, Merle. Don't go making accusations at me."

Merle stopped, "What do you mean you brought him here? The Governor said you were overrun by walkers. He said he was with you when you got attacked." Martinez scowled, "He didn't even come with me. I took Daryl out to kill him but I brought him here instead. I fired off five shots like the Governor told me too and then jumped in the truck and left. Course the Governor probably thinks I'm still alive cause the truck is gone but I really don't care." Merle nodded, "Well thanks for saving his life."

Martinez nodded, "Glad you're alright. I would've been in the room with you but the Governor said that he had private business." Merle nodded again, "I don't care. My brother's ok. That's what I care about." Martinez nodded, "Well, I'm going on watch so I'll see you around." Merle glanced over at him, "What do ya mean watch? You're part of the group here?" Martinez nodded, "I think so. I've been carrying my weight." Martinez left Merle to head outside and Merle was left by himself.

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Rick wasn't sure what to tell the group. So he decided to talk to Carl first. His son was sitting in Martinez's room. Carl glanced up at him when he came in, "Hi Dad. What do you need?" Rick leaned against the wall, "Merle's back. He's alive somehow. He and Daryl were together when I left them. He came back late last night." Carl smiled slightly, "Well that's good isn't it?" Rick nodded, "For you, me, Daryl, and Martinez at least. I'm not sure what the others are going to think about it. Especially Glenn." Carl nodded, "I'm sure you'll figure it out. I'll back you up." Rick smiled, "Alright then. Martinez is on watch again…" Carl nodded again, "I got it." Rick watched Carl grab his gun and then run off towards the guard tower.

He then made his way to the main room where most of the group was. The problem was that Merle and Martinez walked in at the same time as he did. They were talking about something. Martinez nodded once and then walked off towards the guard tower. Merle froze and Rick knew that the situation was going to get worse.

Glenn stalked forward, "What the hell is he doing here?!" Rick stood in front of Merle so no fights would break out, "He's here for Daryl." Glenn glared angrily at Rick, "Rick, we're not going through this again. He can't stay here. He's not safe. He beat the shit out of me." Rick nodded, "I know he did and he won't do it again. Daryl needs all the help he can get right now and Merle can help him." Glenn's temper flared, "You're putting the whole group in danger because of one man. He's fine without Merle."

Carl and Martinez came running through the door. They'd both heard the yelling. Surprisingly Merle hadn't said anything yet. Rick held fast, "Look Glenn, this is Daryl's brother we're talking about. I know that he's caused us a lot of trouble but we have to help Daryl get better. That's our major priority right now." Martinez walked over to Glenn, "You didn't see him, Glenn. When Merle was supposedly 'dead' he couldn't take it. So shut your mouth and stop acting like you know what's right." The group was silent. Glenn glared at Martinez who glared right back at him. Rick had seen Martinez only a few times but he knew that Martinez was not a guy to back down from a challenge.

He stepped forward before another fight could take place. "Listen guys, we can't fight over this. Martinez, I need you to leave right now. This is business between the group. You're not part of it yet." Martinez nodded and stalked out of the room. Rick turned to the group who had gathered in the main room. "Here it is. Those of you that think Merle should stay here with us, raise your hand," he said. He watched as hands went up. Hershel. Carol. Michonne. Carl. That was over half of them since he wanted Merle to stay as well. Glenn didn't want Merle there. Maggie hadn't said anything this whole time and Beth didn't want to vote. Rick nodded, "That's it then. He's staying." They all nodded, some more reluctantly than others. He nodded satisfied. The group dispersed and then Merle was there. "I'm allowed to stay then huh?" the older Dixon said and Rick nodded. "Any trouble and you can leave right away," Rick warned and Merle leaned against the wall. Rick walked away. Sure he had let the group vote on the issue but he had already made up his mind. Merle wasn't going to leave unless he chose to.

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Carl wanted to talk to Merle. The guy couldn't be as bad as everyone thought he was. He passed by Daryl's cell and saw the hunter sleeping peacefully. He was glad that it wasn't like that one night. That had scared him to death. He heard his dad talking with Merle and decided to wait until the older Dixon brother came towards him. Carl sat up on the perch and smiled slightly when he saw Daryl's makeshift bed was still there. The first night at the prison, Daryl had claimed that spot for himself. No one was allowed up there unless it was Rick or Hershel. He saw Merle finally come through the room and Carl waved to him. Merle glanced up at him, "What are you doin kid?" Carl just shrugged, "Waiting for you to come through." Merle looked at him for a little longer, "Why the hell do ya want to talk to me?" Carl looked down at Merle, "Cause I don't think you're a bad guy." Merle laughed slightly, "Believe me, I'm a bad guy." Carl shook his head, "You take care of your brother." Merle shook his head, "He's family, kid." Carl nodded, "But you came back to tell us he was supposedly dead. When I first met you, you never would've done that." Carl knew he had made his point when Merle didn't respond at first. He waited for Merle to talk again but the man just walked away. That conversation hadn't been as productive as the conversation with Martinez was.

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Merle growled under his breath as he walked away from Carl. Stupid kid. What did he know? Nothing. Merle headed back to Daryl's cell. His little brother was sleeping soundly, for once in his life probably. The old man came by the cell. Hershel? "How's he doing?" Hershel asked. Merle shrugged, "Ok. I guess." Hershel nodded, "His wrists and cuts stopped bleeding a day ago. All that has to heal now is his arm, leg, and his mind." Merle nodded, "Yea. Just how hard will that be?" Hershel started to move away from the cell, "Depends on how much we can help him."

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Rick met up with Glenn in the guard tower. Glenn was leaning on the railing. Rick walked up next to him, "I know you don't like my decision, but try and cope with it." Glenn continued to stare out at the trees, "I know. You did it for Daryl. It'll help him. I'll have to deal with it. It's my fault he's like this anyway." Rick looked over at him, "What do you mean?" Glenn shook his head, "I convinced you to kick them out. If I had said differently, Daryl wouldn't be like he is now." Rick shrugged, "We all played a part in this." Glenn turned to Rick, "He told me. Rick, Daryl told me it was my fault." Rick nodded, "Yea, and he was also out of control at the time. He forgives you. He was just a little different." Glenn sighed but nodded, "Yea. I guess you're right. I need to apologize for real. Last time it didn't work out well." Rick smiled slightly, "I heard. But we'll get there."

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