Mara sat on the dirt watching the dead on the other side of the fence. She felt like they were all on the precipice of something big. Daryl and Richard had returned from their scouting mission with information regarding the Governor and the pair of them had been closeted with Rick, Cheiny, Nathan and Hershel, discussing strategy. Everyone else was guarding or getting some much needed rest. Mara felt too wired to sleep and since Daryl would be busy for the foreseeable future Mara had slipped outside to gather her thoughts.

There seemed to be more and more walkers gathering in the one spot. Almost like they were having a group meeting. They weren't pressed right up against the fence but if they did it might be enough to make it sag. Mara made a mental note to tell someone about that. She already knew what could happen if big groups of walkers breached their defences.

She heard footsteps behind her and swivelled to see Eric walking towards her. He sat down beside her with the same ease and comfort that he always had.

"I never get used to seeing that," Eric said.

"Seeing what?"

Eric gestured toward the fence with his chin. "The dead, up and walking around like that." Eric sounded more curious than horrified and Mara put it down to his medical background.

"You think there is anything left of the person they once were?" Eric asked.

Mara opened her mouth to immediately dismiss the possibility. She'd never seen so much as a spark of humanity in those creatures. But she didn't say that. "Rick saw a little girl pick up a toy," Mara said instead, surprising herself. She had almost forgotten that story until this moment. Why had that girl done that?

"A dead little girl?"

"Ninety percent of the population is dead, what do you think?" Mara said harshly. Eric was still watching the movement by the fence with fascination, not looking at her.

"It's more like ninety five," Eric corrected with a wince. Mara was relieved that the deaths weren't just facts and figures to him.

"What made you come here, Eric?" Mara asked the question that had been on her mind since he'd shown up. She half dreaded the answer.

"It wasn't because of you," Eric said with a crooked smile, reading her thoughts. "Well not just because of you."

Eric's boyish grin made Mara smile too. "I'm glad to hear it."

"I wanted to help people but I'm no fighter," Eric shared, "and when they offered me a position in the medical unit, I accepted."

"What do you think of the prison?"

"I like it," Eric professed genuinely. "I've been talking a lot with Hershel and Carol about their medicine and knowledge. They're practically self taught, at least when it comes to human medicine, and they're very impressive."

Mara liked that he readily complimented the prison occupants. Cheiny had obviously been looking to be the hero and to experience overwhelming gratitude. But this group of survivors had made it this long without any outside help. They were more than capable in their own right.

"Do you regret it?" Mara pressed, meaning his decision to enlist.

"Not yet. Why, do you?"

Mara considered. She had seen a lot of horrible things and she'd been on the edge of death more times than she could count but no she didn't regret it.

"Not yet," Mara echoed.

"Because you met Daryl?"

"It's not all about guys, you know!" Mara retorted.

"Never said it was," Eric countered.

Mara sighed. "He made it feel like home."

"So no chance we're ever going to happen?" Eric gestured between the two of them.

Mara grimaced. "I don't think so, Eric."

Eric nodded slowly. "I already knew that but I had to ask. I guess I'm just addicted to being rejected by you."

"I didn't reject you!" Mara spluttered.

"What did you just do?" There was a gleam in Eric's eyes to let her know he was teasing.

"Yeah well, if I could have loved you, Eric, I would have. You would have been easier."

"Whoa!" Eric pressed a hand to his heart, pretending to be offended.

Mara punched him lightly in the upper arm, relieved that the tension had dissipated. She and Eric had been friends before they had dated. If they could go back to that, Mara would be grateful.

"I'm not easy," Eric protested.

"Have you met Daryl? He's got more trust issues than I could name, not to mention a past that'll make you cry," Mara explained to Eric.

"I'm not sure I'm ready to gossip with you about your new boyfriend. That's too emasculating."

Mara bit her lip. Eric was right. He wasn't her friend like Christine was.

"Sorry," Mara offered.

"Its fine," Eric assured her. "Is he your one?"

Mara had never put as much stock in the idea of soul mates as Eric. "I don't know," she started to say. There was a noise behind them and Mara instantly turned but they were all alone. She was too on edge these days.

"I don't know," Mara repeated. "But probably. You know what, yes. I'm pretty sure he is."

The words came tumbling out of her mouth in a rush and then Mara inhaled shakily.

"It's scary, isn't it?" Eric said softly. "Admitting how much that person means to you."

"Yes," Mara agreed.

"Have you told him all that?"

"I'm sure he knows. Oh wait, no he probably doesn't. He can be kind of oblivious," Mara said with an affectionate smile.

"Well you should share that with him. You never know what's going to happen," Eric said wisely. He got to his feet and brushed off the back of his pants. He offered a hand to Mara to help her up and she didn't hesitate to take it.

"And I'll respect your right to be in love with a difficult, old, redneck."

"Thanks," Mara said sarcastically.

"Sorry, just some residual bitterness. I'll get it out of my system soon," Eric promised with a grin. Mara was going to have to keep him away from Yussuf. The pair together would be nothing but trouble.

...

Daryl didn't know how many times he had to explain what he saw before they'd be done with him. Rick accepted his word on face value, trusting Daryl's ability to tell one gun from the other. Cheiny and Nathan had a hundred more questions. Nathan asked them gently and patiently. Cheiny asked like he thought Daryl was short a brain cell or two. The only thing stopping Daryl from leaping on Cheiny and punching him for his smug attitude was the fact he was asking Richard in exactly the same fashion.

Richard, or Dick as Daryl had dubbed him in his mind, looked surly and miserable. He kept shooting glares at Daryl like their association might be what was calling his ability into doubt. Not likely, Daryl wanted to snort. Dick was efficient and all but he was nowhere near as good as Daryl had become.

They wanted to know the layout of the town; where the guards were heading, did they look physically fit or did they rely on guns?

"You wanna know their horoscope too?" Daryl eventually muttered, looking murderous. Hershel covered his amusement by ducking his head. He'd been sitting there silently, taking notes.

Rick gave him an apologetic smile but Daryl wasn't much interested. He wanted to lie down. His throat was hoarse from talking.

"The smallest detail could help," Cheiny said patronisingly. Daryl had never felt his age until Cheiny had started talking to him like a child. Now he wanted to remind the smug captain that he was a grown ass man. He bit his tongue and held his temper.

"You've been able to answer every question we've asked," Nathan pointed out, his tone a lot more neutral than Cheiny's. "You took all this information in and we just want to record it before it begins to fade."

Daryl nodded once, stifling a retort out of respect for the sergeant.

"Don't you think we have enough to start working out a plan," Rick intervened.

"We do," Nathan hurried to say, before Cheiny could ask another question. "You gentlemen should get some sleep."

"Not gonna be much time for it in the coming days," Hershel added, looking up from the paper.

Daryl didn't need to be told twice. He hated being asked too many questions, it always ended up feeling like an interrogation. Dick followed hastily on his heels.

"Damn," Dick grumbled.

"You say a lotta stupid shit," Daryl stated, "But that I agree with!"

"Fuck you," Dick responded, but it was too weary to be venomous. "Point me in the direction of the shower blocks would you."

Daryl did and the pair separated.

"Catch ya later, Dick," Daryl tossed over his shoulder.

"Inbred hillbilly asshole," came drifting back. Daryl had to smirk at that string of insults. Whatever Dick was, he could turn a phrase.

In the common area, he found Yussuf and Beth. He had a deck of cards and he was amusing her with small tricks.

"'Course you know magic," Daryl said, shaking his head.

"How else are you supposed to impress the chicks?" Yussuf asked, receiving a glowing smile from Beth. Daryl had no idea when this situation had manifested but it was going to be trouble when Hershel caught on.

"I don't," Daryl retorted.

Merle stepped into his path. Daryl resisted the urge to throw his hands up in the air in frustration. He settled from crossing them.

"What do you want?" he demanded roughly. He could always tell when Merle had gotten it into his head to do some trouble.

"Can't I just check in t'see if my baby bro survived the day?"

"No."

"I might be concerned."

"That don't sound like you," Daryl countered. "If you have a point, get to it."

"Just saw your lady love," Merle said casually. Too casually.

"And?" Daryl pressed. He'd seen Mara briefly when he had returned. He wanted to make sure she was alright before dealing with the bureaucracy of the Australian army.

"She was with the other guy, what was his name?" Merle pretended to think, feigning ignorance.

"Eric," Daryl answered curtly.

"He asked if she loved you, if you were the one. She said she didn't know." Merle tried portraying sympathy but it was diminished by the gloating in his tone.

Daryl's throat felt tight. "You're lying."

"I don't lie, baby brother, I protect you."

Daryl shook his head but a tendril of doubt uncurled within him. Merle didn't lie to him. He would twist the truth until it was a bastardised version of reality, one that suited his purposes, but he'd never out and out lie to him.

"I'll leave you alone with your thoughts," Merle said, making it seem like a favour but knowing just how dark Daryl's self doubt could become. He didn't want Merle's words to matter but they were burned into his brain.

AN: ah goodness. I'm about to do something I never thought I'd do; defend Merle. He isn't exactly lying and in some twisted way he is protecting Daryl. We resolved Mara and Eric's side of things but I couldn't let there be no drama. So I'm sorry about that.