Author's Note: OMG! You guys, I totally forgot to tell you. You know those celebrity couple names? Well, thanks to ShutxThexFrontxDoor, Merle and Lucy have one. It's Mercy, because they have no mercy! And if I already told you guys, I forgot I told you. I'm drugged out of my mind on painkillers right now, I'm sorry.

Merle and Lucy ran into the backroom, then through another door, leading into a back alley. One end was blocked off by a fence, they only had one option. Merle grabbed Lucy's hand and they started running. When they came out onto the road he stopped, looking from left to right. "Are you kidding me?" she shouted, "There are no cars coming, we don't have to look first."

"Shut up before you attract 'em again! I'm trying to figure out which way to go."

She rolled her eyes and started to the left, he followed.

It didn't take long for more walkers to start making their way towards Lucy and Merle. He stopped and turned to face the growing horde. He lifted his gun, taking aim, and started firing. She turned back around, "What are you doing?"

"Buying you some more time."

She shook her head, "No, this isn't happening. Come on!"

He shook his head too, "Go."

She grabbed his forearm, and turned him to look at her, "I'm not letting you do this. If anybody should stay, it's me. I have a better chance, considering…"

"I can't let you do that, Cherokee."

"Well, I'm not leaving you."

He sighed, knowing he wasn't about to change her mind. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the rings. He slid hers onto her finger, "Til death do us part, sugarplum."

She smiled, "Until I die and die and die again," she slid his plain band onto his finger, and he pulled her into a kiss. She broke it quickly, "Save that for the honeymoon." She pulled an arrow from her quiver, knocked it to her bow, and took aim.

She used up her arrows, and he used up his bullets. She took out her gun and handed it to him, then used threw her knives, until they were gone. "What now?" Merle asked.

There was still more walkers then she could handle alone with her sword. "We run again."

They turned, and he took her hand in his, they took off down the street.

They ducked down another alley, hoping to put as much distance between them and the walkers as possible. "Starting to regret not letting anybody else come along, aren't ya? More people with us would've meant more ammo against the geeks."

She scowled

"You're bad luck, Cherokee."

"Shut up!"

He laughed as they came out onto another street.

"All of these different turns we're taken, I'm not sure we're ever going to make it back to the house."

He shrugged and looked around, "If we can at least find somewhere safe then they'll come looking for us. Daryl, probably Rick and Michonne too. They'll at least want to find you."

"If you didn't insist on fighting all the time, maybe they'd want you too."

Merle frowned, "They bring it on themselves."

Lucy rolled her eyes, but didn't say anything else.

"Come on!" he led her to another store. She drew her sword as he opened the door. He quietly shut it behind them, and they crept through the room, making sure it was safe and clear of walkers before they relaxed.

"Clear?" she asked, rejoining him in the middle of the store.

He nodded.

She sat down on the floor, and he sat down beside her.

"I told you something bad always happens when you leave."

She frowned.

He put his arm around her and she leaned against him.

"What do we do now?" she asked.

"Wait, I guess. Either for the walkers to go away so we can get back, or for the others to come find us."

Night was starting to fall; Daryl looked out the window and frowned. His eyes scanned the street in both directions, but he didn't see Lucy or Merle anywhere. "We have to go find them," he said, turning to face the others.

"If we wait a little bit longer—" Rick started.

Daryl shook his head, "I'm going to find them, y'all can join me, or stay, it doesn't matter."

"I'll go," Michonne said, standing and grabbing her katana.

"Anyone else?" Daryl asked.

In the end, it was decided Daryl, Rick, Michonne, Glenn, Maggie, and Martinez would be the search party. The others would stay there, in case Merle and Lucy made it back first. Carl wanted to come, but Rick wouldn't allow it. "But dad…"

Rick cut him off, "Stay here and take care of your sister."

"I can help though," he protested.

A frown touched the corners of Rick's mouth, "Carl, please, I know you capable of helping, but please stay here. If something were to happen…" he trailed off for a moment, upset by the thought, "If something were to happen out there, wouldn't you want somebody to be able to tell Judith about her parents?"

Carl frowned, but Rick had a point. He finally nodded in defeat, "Alright, but nothing's going to happen, right? It's just in case."

Rick nodded, "Just in case."

Daryl smiled at him, "Don't worry, I'll make sure your dad comes back to ya."

Carl smiled slightly, and the group left the house.

Lucy stood and walked over to the window of the store, scanning the street, "I don't see any out there," she said, glancing over her shoulder at Merle.

"What do you wanna do?" Merle asked. "You wanna stay here, or you wanna make a run for it?"

She shrugged.

He stood up and walked over to her. His hand rested on her hip as he peered out the window, "its night, you know Daryl at least is looking for us."

She nodded, "We ran pretty far though, it could still be awhile before they come this way."