Disclaimer: I do not own The Walking Dead.

a/n: This and the next chapter have both pained me a little to write, because I know it is the start of an end of sorts, and the start of something relatively new (although that is still quite a few chapters to come before even happening).

Incidentally, I have no idea how this Marol has come across-and for anyone thinking that maybe I have loved up the whole Marol pairing a little too soft and maybe a little...ooc? I will just say this-everything has its reason. Merle and Carol are both kind of screwed emotionally, and have little idea on how to handle what is going on between them. They will misunderstand each other and what is happening around them, and they will automatically react how they both know best, whether that is for the good, or the bad. And to quote my version of Michonne in the next chapter: 'If something appears to good to be true-then it usually is.'

There is going to be some relative peace and angst before the proverbial shit hits the fan after the next few chapters. And it will. And everything will change soon enough.

...

Carol woke quickly in the thin morning light streaming through the top of the cell bars, glancing at the sleeping man sprawled on her bunk, his stumped arm hanging off the edge of the cot. She edged herself away from him, freezing as he moved, his arm coming around her. Holding her breath, she moved his arm away, watching him fixedly, before easing herself off the mattress and onto the cold hard floor.

What Merle had said the night before-his brief warning of Scott had intrigued her despite herself, and she had felt the curiosity prickle at her restlessly for the rest of the night. She had every intention of finding out what exactly had happened at Woodbury, mostly because it didn't seem that Merle was going to tell her any time soon.

She paced across the cell, her bare feet hardly making a sound, and she drew out her clothing, quickly pulling her pants and shirt on, narrowing her eyes as Merle moved restlessly on her bunk. She spied her boots near to the bunk next to the back pack that she had packed the night before, and grabbing at a pair of socks, she grasped at the boots.

Carol knew that he wouldn't be happy if he had an idea what she was going to do, and she rolled her eyes at herself mentally, already envisioning his reaction. Sighing under her breath, she pulled the socks on, and was just about to tug the boots onto her feet-so focused on trying not to make a sound, that she didn't notice that he'd already woken and was staring at her curiously as he lay on the bunk.

"What are ya doing?"

She jumped and almost froze in her own skin at the sound of his low gravely voice. She ignored him for a moment, pulling up and buckling her boots, before rising to her feet, grabbing at his discarded pants and shirt.

"Get dressed, Merle." She tossed his clothing to him as he pushed himself to a sitting position. "Thought you'd said we'd have to be up early for this run?" She turned her eyes from his rigid gaze, hoping that he hadn't noticed anything amiss. She fastened her sheathed knife at her waist as she watched him.

He grumbled as he pulled his shirt on, reaching out and grabbing at her arm as she walked past the bunk. "Ain't ya got a little time for me?" he questioned, glowering as she shook his hand away.

"Right now, no. I need to catch up with Tyreese."

"Why the hell ya need to go talk to him?" he grunted irritably.

Carol sighed, "I have to explain that I'm not going to go with them, otherwise they will be looking for me."

"Let 'em fuckin' wonder," Merle said, pushing himself off the bunk and dragging his pants on. "I don't care what they think."

She pursed her lips tightly, "Well, I do. Don't be too long, Merle." Carol offered him a small smile, then turned pushing the covering from the door and stepping out.

She made her way quickly to D-block, looking for Tyreese and Sasha, but not finding either of them. She was wondering if they'd already gone and left when she felt her elbow being grabbed at, and looking up quickly, she saw Scott smiling down at her.

"You all set?" he asked, his eyes roaming over her. "I think you've forgotten something."

"Forgotten what?" she asked.

His hand slipped slowly from her elbow, "Your backpack?"

She shook her head, her feet falling into pace with his as they walked through the cell block. "No, I'm not coming," she said.

"Oh, let me guess?" Scott said sourly. "Your 'boyfriend' wont let you go? Well, that figures."

"It isn't like that, Scott," she said looking at him and frowning.

"Then what is it like, Carol?" he shoved the outer door open and strode through it, not bothering to wait for her.

"I don't have to explain anything to you. I'm not going-I've changed my mind," she retorted, shivering slightly as she stepped out into the cold air, her breath misting in front of her.

Scott paused, one hand tugging at the strap of the duffel bag slung low at his waist. "Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean anything by that." He watched her intently, his dark brown eyes fixed on hers. "Just feel a bit disappointed-I was looking forward to our trip together."

Carol looked across the courtyard and saw Tyreese waiting with Karen, his sister Sasha loading the trunk of the Hyundai. She tapped at Scott's arm, indicating them, and they walked together silently for a moment.

"I broke up with Andrea. It's just...oh, I don't know, it just wasn't working out for either of us."

Carol looked quickly at him, "I'm sorry to hear that, Scott."

"Yeah, me too. Although I'm not really too shocked about it, I guess," Scott replied. He nodded to Sasha as he handed her his backpack, watching as she loaded it into the trunk with the others.

Tyreese came over towards them, "You're not coming?"

She shook her head, "No. I'm sorry, Tyreese." She watched as Scott got into the backseat of the car, and saw him smile back at her.

Tyreese glanced over her shoulder, and looked back at her, blinking, "You gotta be where you gotta be, Carol."

She placed her hand on his arm, feeling the thick muscles through his jacket. "Just be safe out there, okay?"

Tyreese patted her hand, before moving away. "We will, don't you go worrying about us. We'll be fine."

Scott wound down the window and beckoned to her. She leaned in slightly, suddenly aware that they were being watched. She glanced up and saw Merle stood silently observing them, and she turned away from his gaze quickly, frowning as she looked at Scott.

"Say, when I get back, I'd like to catch up with you. I'd like a chat-you know; a friendly face, and an even friendlier ear."

"If we have time yes, okay. I'd like that Scott."

She stood back from the Hyundai, watching as it slowly moved across the concrete, and she saw one of the Woodbury men on duty, open the gate to allow them out.

She watched the car until it was out of sight, and sighed to herself. Perhaps that could possibly be an ideal time to broach the subject with him on what exactly was occurring between Merle and himself.

"What the fuck were ya talking to him for?" Merle rasped abruptly.

She turned to him, seeing anger flash across his face. His mouth was tugged down in a hard sullen line, and she sighed again, this time audibly. "I told you before, I had to explain-"

"That didn't look like you was explainin' shit. Ya gonna talk to him? When he gets back?"

"He broke up with Andrea," she said, starting to feel mildly impatient with him. "Have a bit of compassion, Merle."

Merle ignored her, "I told ya he's bad fuckin' news, and you ain't damn well listening to me."

"I think you're over reacting," she answered tersely, looking across as she heard footsteps coming towards them. Michonne was yawning widely, and as she caught Carol's gaze, she briefly covered her mouth with a gloved hand, before grinning sheepishly.

"Over reacting?" Merle rasped, staring at her. "Ain't doing that. Yer jus' fuckin' clueless, woman. But if ya wanna go listen to whatever fuckin' crap he wants to tell ya, then I'm saying-I'm done with this shit."

Carol narrowed her eyes at him. "See? You are over reacting, Merle," she said irritably.

He glared at her, his eyes narrowing to angry slits, "An' you don't know any damn thing."

"Is there something wrong?" Michonne asked, stepping between them, her eyes warily taking them both in.

"Ain't nothin' wrong," he hissed, looking away from Michonne and back to Carol. He shoved her backpack angrily at her. "You forgot this."

Carol took the bag off him, and watched as he strode across to where the SUV was parked, wrenching the passengers door open, and throwing his own backpack onto the seat. He leaned his back to the frame of the car as he impatiently watched them, his arms crossed over his chest, the blade on his prosthesis poking out. "C'mon, we ain't got all fuckin' day."

"Someone woke up on the wrong side of bed?" Michonne asked softly.

Carol raised an eyebrow at her, "More like the wrong cell."

"I'm not even going to ask," Michonne answered wryly.

Merle's mood seemed to lighten a little as soon as he saw Daryl. "Hey, baby brother. We 'bout ready to get this shit on the road?"

"Merle," Daryl nodded his head as he came over to them, stopping and glancing at Carol sharply. "Ain't ya got a jacket? It's gonna be cold. Merle?" He asked, looking at his brother. "You were gonna let her come out like this?"

Merle shrugged, "Weren't nothin' to do with me if she wants to come with her damned ass unprepared. She should'a known better."

Daryl frowned at him, dragging his gaze from him back to Carol. "Wait here," he said to her, and he turned quickly on his heel and walked back towards the prison.

"Where the hell ya goin' now, Darlina?" Merle barked loudly.

"Doin' what ye should have done, ya jackass," Daryl grunted.

"For fuck's sake," Merle glared at the two women, then climbed into the SUV, slamming the door loudly.

Michonne looked at Carol, and mouthed a silent 'wow', and Carol glanced away, suddenly wondering what the hell had gotten into him-although she half suspected, but there was nothing that she could, or would do about that right now. If he wanted to act like he was-she would just leave him alone and give him some space until he cooled down. If he cooled down.

"Carol?"

She looked up to see Daryl next to her, holding out a bundle in his hands. "What's this?" she asked curiously.

"I got it for ya before, on a run. It ain't nothing...it's probably too big for ya anyway. Yer a little thing," he said, shifting on his feet and glancing at the ground.

She took it from him, murmuring a quiet 'thank you'. He had gotten her a navy colored jacket, and it was a little too large for her, but that really didn't matter. It was perfect. She unrolled it, and smiled at him as she tugged it on.

Daryl smirked, "I told ya it wouldn't fit."

Carol reached out and touched at his hand. "It's perfect. Thank you, Daryl."

"Pffft. Weren't nothing."

"What did you get me?" Michonne asked suddenly, grinning as Daryl gaped at her.

"I ain't got ya-"

"Yeah, I know. Your gift to me was a whole bunch of fleas," she teased.

"Stop it, 'Chonne," Daryl said, rolling his eyes. He smirked at her before making his way to the SUV where an impatient older Dixon was staring at them through the window. He turned to them, calling over his shoulder, "C'mon."

"Did he really give you fleas?" Carol asked as they followed after Daryl.

Michonne laughed, her perfect white teeth gleaming in the thin morning sun. "Oh you bet he did. I thought I was going to have to ask Hershel for a flea collar."

Carol laughed softly at that. "For you, or for Daryl?"

Michonne opened the car's door, sliding into her seat behind Merle, watching as Carol sat next to her. "For Daryl-but don't tell him that I told you that," she said in a low voice.

"Daryl, ya still got that map?" Merle asked, ignoring the two women in the backseat.

Daryl fumbled in the back pocket of his pants, before pulling out a battered dog eared map, and tossing it to his brother before climbing into the drivers seat. He started the car, and pulled out slowly, waiting for the tall thin Woodbury man to pull open the gate for them. They drove down the dirt track, and Carol glanced at the few walkers moving eagerly at the main fences and gate.

"Got a plan where we're gonna go?" Merle asked, spreading the map over his legs, resting the top of it across his knees.

"We have pretty much tracked the areas that Daryl has marked out in red marker pen," Michonne said. "A thirty mile radius-give or take the odd mile."

"Huh," Merle grunted, looking at the map again. "Woodbury?"

"Yeah," Daryl answered, "But I'm telling ya brother-there ain't been no sign of nothin' there." He pulled the car up, waiting for Glenn and Maggie to open the main gate. He waved briefly to them, before pulling off and onto the main deserted road.

"I need to go there," Merle said, looking up from the map and glancing sharply across at his brother. "I need to see Woodbury."

Daryl shook his head. "There ain't no point, Merle."

"Maybe," Merle agreed. "But I ain't been an' gone seen it for myself. Not since..." he trailed off.

Carol glanced at him, and she saw the way that his shoulders slumped, and she couldn't help but feel her heart twist at the sight. Glancing out of the side window, she wished that he would just tell her what had gone on there, but he was too damned stubborn to say. It hardened her resolve. She would find out one way or another...from Scott if she had to. How could she help Merle if she didn't know what he'd gone through back there.

"A'right. We'll go," Daryl said reluctantly. "But ya need to know what he's done there."

"Reckon I got a fair idea," Merle answered tersely. He closed and awkwardly folded the map, tossing it onto the dashboard, and stared rigidly out of the windscreen.

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