***There is some violence against women in this chapter****
Stronger
We've been through the storm,
We've been through it all
We had some close calls,
But never would fall
We climbed all the mountains,
Walked through all the valleys,
And you never left me behind
I found my way through the clouds,
No more running scared and closing my eyes
I will be true, this love from my heart,
I'm laying my life on the line
Oh I will survive,
As long as it's you by my side
I will survive,
As long as it's you by my
Ide
I'm stronger, stronger, stronger
I'm stronger, stronger, stronger
They said we wouldn't make it,
But guess what, we made it
And deep down, I'm wondering how
You were always for me,
Never been the one to hurt me
You gave me peace of mind
I found my way through the clouds,
No more running scared and closing my eyes
I will be true, this love from my heart,
I'm laying my life on the line
Oh I will survive,
As long as it's you by my side
I will survive,
As long as it's you by my side
I'm stronger, stronger, stronger
I'm stronger, stronger, stronger
Sometimes I can't believe,
That you are with me
There's nobody lucky as me
So I get on my knees,
To make sure that He
Knows that I'm grateful,
For what He gave me
I will survive
I will survive,
As long as it's you by my side
I will survive,
As long as it's you by my side
I'm stronger, stronger, stronger
I'm stronger, stronger, stronger
Said I'm stronger with you babe
I will survive, with you by my side
Getting ready for school on Monday morning was almost a solemn affair for Daryl. He really didn't want to go, but knew he had too. The trip to Asheville over the weekend was a good motivator for him to keep focused on what he had to do. He had to finish his education and get through the next few months that he knew would be a total hell. The worse thing about today was the fact that Shane Walsh would be back at school after serving his suspension. Daryl wasn't scared of Shane, he just knew that Shane's main goal, for whatever reason, was to destroy him and Trinity.
The young couple walked hand in hand into the school and as soon as they got to their lockers, they noticed someone had written "Daddy's Boy" on Daryl's locker in permanent marker. He sighed and Trinity told him "Don't worry about it Daryl I will get someone to clean it off." She said.
"I can do that Trinity, you don't need to baby me. I knew this shit was coming. My guess is that Shane did it." He told her.
"God I hate that asshole" Trinity replied.
"Girl, your mouth is starting to sound like a Dixon. I might begin to think I'm a bad influence on you." He told her.
T-dog and Sasha came down the hall and joined them in front of the lockers. T clapped Daryl on the shoulder "Glad to see ya Dixon. Looks like someone is wanting to get their ass kicked," He said as he saw the graffiti on Daryl's locker.
"Most likely Shane. The fucker is really pissing me off." Daryl said.
"You wanna go have a talk with him?" T-dog asked.
"Not yet, but soon. I'm gonna get him when he least expects it." Daryl said.
The rest of the day was relatively uneventful. Daryl did get some strange looks from other students, and people had a hard time making eye contact with him, but other than that, not much else was said. He and Trinity headed home to work on a biology project together. They would be dissecting a pig over the next few weeks and Trinity was having a panic attack about having to touch the dead animal.
"Daryl, I don't think I can do it without getting sick." She told him.
"Fine then, I will do all the cutting, but you will have to help me with labeling all the parts and the systems of the body. It's not a big deal, you'll see Trinity." He told her.
"Easy for you to say, you're a man, you guys hunt and stuff, but I can't even take the giblet bag out of the turkey without gagging." She told him.
"What would you do if we had to survive in the wilderness? You can't always count on someone to be there to help you out" He told her.
"Yeah, like we would ever have to survive in the wilderness. What are the odds Daryl? Really?" She told him trying to use reason.
"Just so you know, when I get my arm in shape I plan on doing a lot of hunting with my crossbow, and we will eat what I kill" He told her.
"As long as it is a cow or chicken I'm OK with that." She told him back.
"Girl, you should try some venison, wild boar, or even some squirrel. That stuff is tasty if it is cooked properly." He replied.
"No thanks…I like cute little fuzzy animals too much to eat them." She said.
"I'm gonna make a mountain woman out of you if it kills me Trinity…don't knock it 'til you try it sweetie." He teased.
They continued to work on their homework until Carol got home from her shift at the hospital. She was working a twelve-hour shift from seven in the morning until seven at night. She looked exhausted when she got home, and Trinity assumed that her pregnancy was weighing on her. Carol was about ten weeks into her pregnancy and still hadn't begun to show other than a tiny bump that you really had to look for. Merle would refer to the baby as Tadpole until he knew what the sex was.
"Hi Carol, why don't you sit down and let me fix dinner for you." Trinity said.
"Trinity that would be incredible if you could do that, I'm beat. Merle will be home shortly but I don't know if I can even stay awake until he gets here." She said.
Daryl then spoke up "Just relax on the couch and watch some TV Carol, and we will get you anything you need. You got a baby Dixon in there and I am sure it's a handful already."
"There is a lot of truth in that statement Daryl. I imagine we will finally have to start telling people about the baby soon. My clothes are starting to get a little snug." She said.
"Are you worried about Ed finding out Carol?" Trinity asked.
"No, I doubt he would care anymore. If he was going to do something, I'm pretty sure he would have done something by now. Though I have to admit, I'm pleasantly surprised." She told them.
"Well at least we caught a break." Trinity said.
Carol yawned and then asked Trinity "Trinity honey, would you be willing to help me work on clearing out Gene's room this week. I think we need to completely gut it and make it into a proper master bedroom. There is actually quite a bit I would like to do to this house. It has potential, but has been in serious need of a woman's touch for a while." She said.
"Absolutely Carol. In fact, this week would be a good time for Daryl and I to pick out a bed for his room too. I was thinking we could take it with us, but maybe we will leave it here when we come and visit the baby. Daryl and I plan on coming at least a couple times a month to get to know the little one." She said.
"I tell you what Trinity, you pick out the bed and the decorations for the room and I will pay for it myself. I have contacted my attorney about the divorce, and according to him I am entitled to a large sum of money from Ed. He was too stupid to get a prenuptial agreement, and I think he never thought I would have the courage to leave him. I plan on getting every penny I can from him." She replied.
"Really Carol, you would let us do that?" She said.
"Yes honey, you guys are going to need every penny you can get to pay for fixing up the house in Asheville and paying for other school costs besides tuition." Carol informed them.
Trinity went to making dinner and Merle came home exhausted. He had been going to his outpatient treatment each evening after getting off at Jim's auto shop. The withdrawals had completely subsided and now he was in the process of being weaned off of the Methadone as well. He received encouragement each day from Trinity, Carol, and even Daryl and now had a greater purpose than himself to focus on. If Merle would admit it, he was pretty proud of himself.
As Trinity was setting the table and Carol was lounging on the couch, Merle called Daryl to go outside for a cigarette and a chat.
"I'm leaving out pretty early tomorrow for Atlanta and I will be gone until Thursday. Jim's got me picking up the two sports cars, and one will be ready tomorrow and the other will be ready on Wednesday evening, but Jim wants me to pick up parts also that will be ready on Thursday morning. So you guys are going to be on your own. I will call and check on things, but I predict you guys will manage."
"You ain't got nothing to worry about Merle. Carol was even telling us the ex-old man is leaving her alone." Daryl said.
"Don't say anything to Carol, OK, but the word is out that he has a new woman, and they are looking for revenge. That's why I'm nervous about leaving. I'm trusting you will keep this to yourself because I don't want her stressing during this pregnancy." Merle told him honestly.
"Shit brother, I'm glad you told me. You think I should have Trinity stay with her while you are gone?" He asked.
"No she will be working from seven until three, so you guys will be at school then, but just try to get home as soon as you can." He told his brother.
"I will make sure Trinity gets home, I have some tests to make up this week after school, so I won't be home until around five, but we will take good care of her." Daryl told his brother.
"Thanks Daryl. Just do the best you can. You seem to be doing a little better after last week. Are you still worried about testifying?" Merle asked.
"I just don't think about it. Have you talked to Michonne yet?" Daryl asked.
"Her and Jonah are coming over for dinner Thursday when I get back so we can talk about what our options are. You may just be able to give a sworn written testimony instead of having to testify in open court. I think that would be better for you." Merle said.
"Fuck yeah it would. Then I wouldn't have to see the pity everyone wants to give to me when they find out the shit that bastard did. Merle, I hate him with every breath in my body, and I swear I wish I could make the asshole suffer." Daryl told him.
"I know little brother, me too. The man is pure evil. I still don't know why you want to see him face to face." Merle inquired.
"I told you, I wanna say my peace, and then I'm done. It will give me closure." Daryl admitted.
"Well, I don't know if they are allowing him visitors but if they are, then WE will go see him. I don't want you alone with him. Do you hear me?" Merle said emphatically.
"I ain't no baby Merle I can handle…"
"You don't get it do you Daryl? He will play on any weakness he can sense. I want to be there to make sure he doesn't get in your head and fuck with it. He's a master of that. At least if I'm there I can run interference if he does."
Daryl nodded, and agreed that Merle had a point. "Thanks Merle. Look I just wanted to say I'm really proud of who you are turning out to be. You have really been there for Me when I needed you, and I think you are gonna be a kick ass father." Daryl confessed.
"Now don't go getting sappy on me little brother. We are still mean old Dixon's, just maybe a little less mean than the shit for brains we call our father." Merle told him, trying to push aside the compliment. In reality, what Daryl told him touched Merle down to his soul. It felt good to be complimented for his hard work and perseverance.
Merle left around five in the morning for Atlanta and Carol was up to make sure he got off OK and to make sure he had everything he was going to need. "Take care of yourself and little tadpole for me sugar, OK." He said as he kissed her.
"I promise I will." She said.
Trinity and Daryl were heading out the door for school when they heard Carol throwing up in the bathroom. "Let me go check on her Daryl" She said.
"Carol are you OK honey?" Trinity asked.
"Yes Trinity. It's just a little morning sickness. I will be OK. I might call in though." She said.
"Well I tell you what, I will come by at lunch and check on you then." She told Carol.
"That will be fine sweetheart. You are such an Angel Trinity." Carol said.
Trinity ran and jumped in the truck with Daryl and they headed off for school. Originally Trinity was going to have Daryl take her home at lunch, but he was caught up in Mr. Horvath's class working on a project, so Trinity opted to just walk home to check on Carol. It only took about ten minutes, and the weather was actually pretty nice so she would enjoy the walk.
When Trinity got to the house she noticed the front door was open and it concerned her. She went into the house and heard Carol screaming. She immediately ran to Carol's room and there was a masked man in the room beating the hell out of Carol with a baseball bat. Carol was trying her hardest to protect herself from the blows and Trinity immediately jumped into action and jumped on the man's back before he could strike Carol yet again. Unfortunately for Trinity, he ran backwards and smashed her into the wall full force.
Immediately she lost her breath as she slid off of his back. He then proceeded to come at her with the baseball bat and she stuck her arm up to stop the blow that was coming at her head. There was a loud cracking sound, and she knew he had just broken her wrist. Trinity grabbed for a marble ashtray that was sitting on the dresser and used it to clock the man in the head, but she missed and managed on hitting him in the chest instead. She heard him gasp and then he came at her again, this time he grabbed Trinity around the throat and began to choke her. She scratched and clawed with everything she had, but she could feel herself starting to black out.
Fortunately Carol was able to get to the nightstand and pull out Merle's pistol. She fired at the man, grazing him in the shoulder, but he managed to get up and get out of the house before she could manage to fire at him again. Trinity's head was spinning, and she hurt badly, but she was more concerned for Carol. Carol was bleeding horribly and her right eye was swollen shut. Trinity's biggest concern was for the safety of the baby. Carol collapsed onto the floor, and Trinity managed to call 9-1-1 before she passed out. After that, she didn't remember anything.
Daryl had expected Trinity to return after lunch and he had grown concerned when she still wasn't back for biology class. After Trinity still hadn't shown up he began to panic. Something wasn't right he could feel it. He was about to just get up and leave when her heard his name being called to the office over the intercom. He immediately went to the office only to find Jonah there waiting for him. "Daryl please remain calm but you need to come with me now. Carol and Trinity were attacked at the house and they are at the Hospital."
"What the fuck Jonah…what happened, Oh God, we got to tell Merle." He said in a near panic.
"I've already had Jim make contact with Merle and he is on his way. Just come with me now because Trinity is still unconscious and Carol is in danger of losing her baby." Jonah said in a tone that Daryl had never heard from him.
As they were leaving Mr. Horvath met them in the hallway, "Don't worry about your test this afternoon Daryl, I will talk to Mrs. Jenkins and explain what is going on. You can make it up another time. Go be with your family" the teacher told him.
"Thank you sir. I owe you big time." Daryl said as they sprinted out of the school to Jonah's car.
Jonah broke every speed limit from the school to the hospital and quickly parked outside the emergency room. The two of them bolted into the hospital and found both Carol and Trinity in adjoining ER bays with several police officers guarding them. As they tried to get to the ladies they were immediately stopped. Jonah yelled, "She's my sister and his Fiancée, and Carol is his sister in law, Her husband is on the way back from Atlanta now as we speak." Jonah explained, exaggerating the relationships a little.
Daryl immediately pushed his way to Trinity. She had bruises all over her neck and her wrist was bent at an awkward angle. It looked like the two of them were going to be one handed for a while. His biggest concern was that she still had not regained consciousness. The ER doctor told them she had a concussion and they were concerned that she had no woken up yet. They were going to admit her at least for the night for observation.
Daryl went to check on Carol and gasped when he saw her. She was beaten badly and her right eye was completely swollen shut. The doctor told him that she had managed not to miscarry, but the pregnancy would be touch and go for a few days. This couldn't happen. Daryl was sure Merle would fall to pieces if he lost his unborn child.
Suddenly something Merle said dawned on him. Ed Pelletier was looking for revenge against Carol and Merle, and this would have been the perfect opportunity. What if Ed was the mystery buyer of the two sports cars? He had the money and means to pull this off. But who was the new woman that was linked to Ed? You would think he would have been happy to have someone new in his life and to leave Carol alone. Something wasn't sitting right with Daryl and he had to find out whom the woman was that was involved with Ed. He would worry about it later, right now he had to focus on Carol and Trinity.
Hurricane Merle managed to make record time from Atlanta back to Clayton and came into the hospital like a Category five storm. There was no doubt when he made it to the Emergency Room because the cursing and shouting could be heard the next state over. Immediately he rushed in to check on Carol. He broke down when he saw how beaten and bloody Carol was as a result of the attack.
Carol took his hand and tried to calm him down "The baby is fine Merle. I did everything I could to protect it. Baby Trinity got there just in time to save me. The poor little girl is now hurt pretty bad and if anything bad happens I won't be able to forgive myself." Carol admitted as tears came to her eyes.
"Shhh baby. Trinity is a strong girl. I won't be able to thank her enough for what she did. Now you need to rest and heal up. Little tadpole needs his momma good and strong." Merle told her, as he tried to keep himself together.
They had decided to admit both Carol and Trinity in an adjoining room since they were family. It was obvious how much all three of the men cared for these two women. Merle refused to let Carol leave his sight, and Jonah and Daryl both were fussing over Trinity as well. Just as Trinity had stayed by Daryl's side when he was in the hospital, he did the same for Trinity. He held her hand and felt himself praying for her to wake up. He had never been a religious person, but his fear had gotten the best of him, and if there were any chance at all that God would hear his prayer, he was willing to talk to him.
A nurse came into the room and asked for Jonah. She said that he had a phone call at the nurse's station, so he excused himself to take the call. He assumed it was Michonne, as she was the only person that he had told what had happened. When he answered the phone, he was surprised to hear his mother on the phone, "Oh Jonah, I heard what happened to your sister and her friend. Are they OK? I need to come see her." She told him.
"I don't think that is a wise decision Quinn. I will let you know if anything changes, thanks for calling." He said before he let her say anything else. How could Quinn know what had happened? He knew she wasn't home when the police had showed up, and no one would have expected Trinity to be home during the day. Jonah thought for a minute, and then he asked Daryl and Merle to come out of the room so they could talk. Merle reluctantly left Carol because he knew Jonah really must have something on his mind to ask them to talk with him.
"What is it Jonah?" Merle said.
"I just got a call from my mother, and she knew everything that had taken place this afternoon. There is now way she could know that unless she had something to do with it." Jonah told them.
"Shit" Daryl said. "I know who Ed's new woman is now. It's Quinn."
"Fuck me. The two of them would be hell bent on getting back at us, and Ed has something Quinn loves." Merle said.
"Money, lot's of it." Jonah added.
Daryl then spoke, "So somehow we need to prove it was them. But I don't think Ed would get his hands dirty, so my guess is that he paid someone. Which means, someone who doesn't have a lot of money will now be flashing some cash, and a wounded shoulder."
The men now had something to focus on. It was time Quinn Murdoch and Ed Pelletier paid for what they did. Even Jonah was on board to do whatever it took to get Quinn behind bars where she deserved to be.
OK...so here we go, the beginning of Quinn's downfall...now how are they going to be able to connect Quinn and Ed to Carol and Trinity?
I Hope you enjoyed this chapter, I wasn't overly pleased with how it turned out. I promise to do a little better on the next chapter. Anyhow, as usual, let me know what you think or if you have any suggestions.
PLEASEReview, Review, and Review some more for me...
And a special thanks to my Guest Reviewer...I wish I could respond directly to you, but thanks so much for taking the time to review.
I appreciate every word you guys says!
And a special thanks to my sweet co-pilot sillygabby...Love you babe!
Missy
XXOO