War. That's what rang through the minds of every single person in the room. Deep down they had always known it would come to this, but now that it had came from Rick's mouth it started to hit home, to sink in. Skye looped her fingers into her belt loops to keep the others from noticing the shaking of her hands, especially the person who remained behind her. Daryl did, however, notice the change in her stature, but even without it he would've known she was frightened. They all were. Even though he wouldn't admit it out loud he was, too. They would be stupid not to be. The Governor had the numbers and not just in people. He also had numerous military grade weapons. They didn't stand a chance…

"Let's work on getting everything together," Rick spoke to the group, turning his back to the as he headed for the door.

"Where are you going?" his son asked, worry coating his words.

Rick turned. "The tower. Need to think over a few things." Looking past Skye to Daryl, he added, "Meet me outside in about fifteen? You, Hershel, Skye."

Daryl nodded and watched as their leader retreated outside.

Skye turned and looked up at him. "Can I talk to you a minute?"

Biting his cheek, Daryl nodded and followed her upstairs so they wouldn't be overheard.

Crossing her arms, Skye turned to face him. "We need to talk about Merle."

"What about 'im?"

"He's causing trouble, Daryl. While you guys were off handling the Governor he was busy fighting with Glenn." Skye shook her head and Daryl avoided her gaze, letting his eyes drop to the floor.

"Was it over what happened at Woodbury?"

"No. He wanted to go after you guys and kill the Governor. We wouldn't let him. Told him it was too dangerous."

"Yeah, well, that's Merle for ya. Always more worried 'bout revenge."

"He wasn't more worried about revenge, Daryl. He was worried about you. He didn't like that you were out there with that man. Same as me." She shifted, trying to get Daryl to look her in the eye, but instead he began pacing in front of her. "I'm afraid he is going to get someone hurt. He doesn't think. He just worries about you and-"

Daryl stopped in his tracks and stepped closer to her. "Merle doesn't worry about me. Never has," he told her, his voice firm.

Daryl's eyes finally met hers and she could see something in them that told her this went way back before the outbreak, though she didn't dare question it. She remained silent.

"Speaking of brothers," Daryl began. "Yours was nowhere to be seen at this meeting. Just Martinez, Andrea, and Milton." Daryl shook his head mockingly at the last name.

"Maybe he is still dealing with the loss of Kate and wasn't feeling up to it…" She shook her head, not knowing the answer, but was interrupted by Daryl.

"Or maybe the Governor is using him now to get to you."

"What do you mean?"

"You're his weak spot. The Governor may have thought you would come along and didn't want him seeing you to ruin everything."

"Ruin it how?"

"Think about it Skye… If he lets your brother believe you're dead, then he can use that rage he feels against us. Make Brady hate us even more. Rage makes people do some insane things. I know I wouldn't be thinking straight…"

Silence fell between them. Even though Daryl had let Skye in on his feelings towards her, it still was a new and awkward concept to him.

"Skye! Daryl!" Hershel hollered up to them. "It's time to meet with Rick."

Daryl placed a hand on her neck. "Come on…"

"It's the only way…" Rick stared over at Daryl. "No one else knows."

Walkers rasped out from the other side of the fence, keeping it from a dead silence.

"You gonna tell 'em?"

"Not til after."

Skye brought her gaze from the walkers and shot Rick an intense stare. "How could you not tell them?"

"It'll keep it simple. Easy."

"How is any of this simple and easy, Rick!?" she shot.

Hershel lowered his head, knowing she was right while Daryl stood idly by.

"We tell them Skye and everything goes to pieces."

She let out an incredulous sigh. "Rick, this isn't right and you know it."

"Sometimes you have to make decisions you don't like, Skye."

"Don't feed me that bullshit. This is someone's life we're talking about. Someone who has proven her dedication to the group. We're just going to sell her out!?"

Rick stood without saying a word.

Skye looked to Daryl and Hershel for support, but received none. Disgusted, she shook her head and stormed off.

After watching her go, Rick turned back to the two men. "We have to do it today. It has to be quiet."

Shifting in place, Daryl chewed his lip, knowing full well Skye wouldn't like his involvement in this, but nevertheless… "You got a plan?"

Rick stepped closer to his right hand man. "Tell her we need to talk. Away from the others."

Daryl thought back to Skye and looked over Rick's shoulder to Hershel. The two shared a knowing glance.

Returning his attention to Rick, Daryl shook his head. "It ain't honest, man."

"No," Hershel finally spoke up. "No, it isn't." Following Skye's example, Hershel stormed off, only he headed out into the courtyard.

Leaning into Daryl, Rick defended his decision. "We do this… we avoid a fight. No one else dies."

Daryl stared back into his leader's eyes, thinking back to his discussion with Martinez…thinking back to Skye. Giving in, he nodded in agreement.

"Good," Rick whispered. "We need someone else."

Without Rick having to say it, Daryl knew what he had meant. "I'll talk to him."

"No. I'll do it."

"I'll go with you."

"No," Rick stated flatly. "Just me."

Daryl watched him curiously as he headed off to the cellblock to look for the elder Dixon.

Skye's machete sliced through the air finding its target one after another as she made her way through the field. Taking down an old prison guard, she looked over to the fences where Maggie and Carl drew the walkers to them by banging pots and hollering. A walker fell to her right as Michonne's katana sliced into its head like butter. Her eyes left the woman and found their way to Daryl, who jumped from the back of the pickup truck with Glenn. His eye met hers just briefly before the two men yanked a plank with barbed wire nailed to it from the bed of the truck, nailing it to the ground. She hadn't spoken to anyone since the discussion with Rick. She didn't think it was right what they were planning on doing to Michonne, but she wouldn't step on Rick's toes and bring it to the group without him knowing. In her mind, it was ultimately his decision. What bugged her even more was the fact she was almost certain Daryl was on his side. Of course she wasn't one hundred percent sure and she hoped she was wrong, but the way he avoided her gaze told her he was on board. Jumping into the cab with Michonne and Beth, she rode back up to the courtyard.

The truck came to a stop and they all jumped out. Glenn and Skye made their way over to where Rick and Daryl stood.

"They try to drive up to the gate again maybe some blown tires will stop 'em," Glenn nodded towards their handiwork.

"That was a good idea," Rick nodded proudly.

"It was Michonne's," Daryl stated bluntly.

Skye looked between the two men, arms crossed, wondering what the next move was. Rick looked from Daryl to Skye, his feelings not clear.

"We don't have to win. We just have to make them getting at us more trouble than it's worth," Michonne stepped up to them. Skye watched Rick's face intently and she could've sworn she saw him shoot Rick a look of regret.

"Ain't no way." Merle stood at the balcony window, watching as the others finished with the truck and headed inside, Michonne included.

"What?" Carol asked from below, placing Judith in the crib.

Spinning around, Merle answered. "Nothin'."

"What happened here?"

Ignoring her, he asked, "We got any whiskey. Hell, I'd even drink vodka."

Carol shot him a disapproving glance. "Go to hell, Merle."

His lips cracked into a grin as he began to laugh, making his way toward the stairs.

"Are you with us?" she questioned.

He descended the stairs. "Sure."

"I'm not talking about occupying the same space." She paused loading the weapons with ammo and looked up to where leaned on the stair railing. "Are you with us?"

"I'm here for my brother."

She resumed the loading of the weapons. "Well, he's here for us."

"He's here for her," Merle corrected.

Carol ignored this and said, "It's not time to do shots. It's time to pick a damn side."

Merle smirked. "You ain't like you was back at the camp. Little mouse runnin' around scared of her own shadow."

Looking over her shoulder she said, "It wasn't my shadow… it was my husband's."

"Well, you don't seem scared of nothin' anymore."

"I'm not."

Merle nodded, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "You're a late bloomer."

Standing up, she gathered her things. "Maybe you are, too."

This caught Merle off guard, but still he caught her before she fled the room. "You know he'll always choose her. Ain't no way of getting around it."

Stopping at the cellblock door, she looked back. "We'll see."

Daryl found Glenn working on getting one of the broken down doors secured. Stalking towards him he hollered.

"Hey! You seen Merle around?"

At the mention of his brother's name, Glenn turned back to the door, ignoring the question. Not letting it get to him, Daryl sat his crossbow down on the picnic table and helped get the door fastened. As he worked with the chain he looked over to Glenn. "He say he was sorry yet?"

Glenn said nothing, just fastened the other chain.

"'Cause he is."

Grabbing up a container of bottles, Glenn made his way over to the picnic table, dropping it down with a clang.

"He's gonna make it right. I'm gonna make him. There's gotta be a way. There just needs to be a little forgiveness is all."

Glenn bit his lip and looked to the side, stepping over to Daryl. Looking into Daryl's eyes he said, "He tied me to a chair, beat me, and threw a walker in the room. Maybe I could call it even, but he- He took Maggie to a man that terrorized her, humiliated her." Glenn waited and watched Daryl's face. "I care more about her than I care about me."

Daryl's face softened, knowing where he was coming from.

Glenn walked back over to the bottles and snatched a towel. Wringing it in his hands he looked back to Daryl. "Maybe you should try thinking about it as if it was you and Skye."

Not saying a word, Daryl snatched his crossbow and walked off, leaving Glenn to himself. He knew he would feel the same way… maybe even worse. He probably would've beaten Merle within an inch of his life if it had been Skye, but what was he to do? Merle was his brother and he couldn't just leave him behind. As he crept through the tunnels with his thoughts, Daryl heard clanking coming from the direction of the boiler room. Crossbow drawn he called out, "Merle?"

No answer.

"Merle!"

Stepping into the room he found his brother leaning against the counter. Lowering his weapon he looked around for signs of what Merle had been doing.

"Hey, little brother! I was just about to holler back at ya."

As Daryl walked around the room, Merle moved with him, hiding what was on the counter behind him.

"Whatcha doin' down here?" Daryl asked.

"Just lookin' for a little crystal meth."

Daryl shook his head and turned away.

"Yeah, I know I- I shouldn't mess my life up when everything is going so sweet, right?" He laughed.

"You talk to Rick yet?"

"Yeah, oh yeah! I'm in. But uh- he ain't got the stomach for it. He's gonna buckle, you know that right?"

Daryl nodded. "Yeah. If he does, he does."

"You want him to?"

Daryl stared over at Merle, knowing he did. He knew why he was doing it, but it still wasn't sitting right with him. "Whatever he says goes."

Merle shook his head disapprovingly. "Man… Do you even possess a pair of balls, little brother? Are they even attached?"

Daryl shook his head and tried to ignore his brother as he went on.

"I mean, if they are do they belong to you? Or does that sweet little firecracker have your head all messed up?"

Daryl glared at his older brother.

"You used to call people like that sheep. What happened to you? You letting a girl get to you this way."

"What happened?" Daryl repeated, annoyed. "With you and Glenn? And Maggie?"

"I've done worse," Merle replied, not looking at all ashamed. "He gets a hold of your girl, he'll do much, much worse. You need to grow up. Things are different now." Merle straightened up. "Your people look at me like I'm the devil, grabbin' up those lovebirds like that, huh? Now ya'll wanna do the same thing I did. Snatch them right up and deliver 'em to the Governor. Just like me. Yeah… People do what they gotta do or they die. And I know you're only wanting to go through with this plan because you see it as a way to protect that girl. You know as well as I do that the Governor wants her."

"You can't do things without people anymore, man. You have to have something worth fighting for."

"Maybe you guys need someone like me around. To do the dirty work. Bad guy. Yeah, maybe that's how it is now, huh? How's that hit you?"

Daryl leaned in. "I just want my brother back."

Merle grew uncomfortable and shrugged his brother away. "Get outta here, man."

Stopping at the door and without looking back, Daryl said, "I have something worth fighting for. Maybe you should find something, too."

They had all been working so hard to get the place ready for an all out war that they were all terribly exhausted. Skye had been making her way towards the cellblock, but stopped when she heard the sound of Hershel's voice flowing from the doorway. Peering in she saw him sitting at the table with Maggie and Beth reading from the Bible. Not wanting to interrupt, she headed back outside as quietly as possible as to not disturb them. The sunlight surrounded her and as her eyes adjusted to the newfound brightness, Rick came into view. She found him kneeling down to the ground near the dumpster, wrapping something blue around his hand and wrist. Stepping up behind him, she saw what it was. It was cable and she knew exactly what he was planning to use it for. Seeing her shadow appear from behind him, he stopped and she gently placed a hand on his shoulder. She watched him as he brought a hand up to pinch the bridge of his nose. She knew the burden of what he was having to do was getting to him.

"You don't have to do this, Rick. We'll find another way."

He tilted his head back to look at her, but instead saw something on the balcony.

Skye watched him curiously as he began murmuring about whatever it was he saw.

"…not there. She's not there."

Skye looked to the balcony and saw no one. "Who, Rick?"

"She's not there…"

Finally it clicked. "Rick," Skye said softly. "Lori is gone. You're just upset. You're seeing her because you know she wouldn't be okay with this. She'd understand why you're considering it, but you just can't, Rick."

Pushing up from the ground, Rick looked down to his feet and walked off. Skye's heart went out to him and as her eyes dropped to where he had once been kneeling she saw the blue cord lying there abandoned.

It wasn't until awhile later that Skye saw Rick again, but now his demeanor was completely different. While before he was sullen and quiet, now he was determined and rushed. Catching up to him she asked, "What's going on?"

"Everyone is in the courtyard. I need to talk to all of you."

"About?"

Rick stopped and turned to her, thinking about how to word what he was about to tell her. Hands on his hips, he looked to her. "Daryl's left, Skye."

"Wait, what!? How could he-"

Rick held his hand up to stop her. "He went after Merle. Merle took Michonne."

"Wasn't that what you were going to do?"

"I changed my mind."

"And you just let Daryl go after them alone!?"

"I didn't have a choice. He told me to stay behind and get everyone ready."

Skye didn't like this one bit, but instead of firing a protest she followed him to address the others. One thing crossed her mind…. This would be a great time to call someone out…..

So sorry it has taken so long for an update! I have sooo busy getting ready for the baby I haven't had time. Everything is all set now so it's to the waiting game part. Lol. I'm trying to get some updates in before she arrives. There is a poll on my profile for which story to update next so be sure to let me know which you want updated!

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