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Chapter 37.

Time seemed to slow down for Rick as he watched his friends trapped on top of the two vehicles. T-Dogg, Glenn and Omid had started shooting any walkers that came too close to them. Milton didn't know what to do, he didn't carry a weapon but he was starting to wish he did.

"We need to distract the walkers." Rick turned to Shane.

Shane stood with his mouth open. Why would they want to bring a group of walkers to them? It was suicide. "You're kidding me?"

Rick looked around for something that could help him. "Those people are our friends...our family."

"See, this is what I'm talking about." Shane grabbed Rick's shoulder. "They're as good ad dead Rick. We don't go back. We established that rule back at the quarry, until you..."

"Went back for Merle Dixon." Rick pulled away from Shane, he glared at the man. "You were going to leave the group in the mall for dead."

Shane's jaw clenched a little. "There's no point in risking all our lives."

Rick shook his head; he pulled his gun from its holster. "I'm going to save them, like Glenn saved me. Are you coming?"

Shane stared hard at Rick; he knew he wasn't backing down anytime soon. "This is suicide." Shane muttered. "What if you die, what about Lori and the kids?" Rick turned away from Shane; he crouched down low and made his way towards the group.

Shane huffed in frustration. Rick didn't understand. Shane wasn't being heartless or mean, he was surviving and by him staying alive, Lori, Carl and Judith would survive. Rick had to learn not everybody could be saved. Shane silently followed Rick towards the men. Each car had been surrounded by hungry walkers grabbing for the men on top of the vehicle.

"Do you have a plan?" Shane hissed as he watched Glenn fire a shot at a walker who got too close.

Rick looked around he couldn't see anyway to help his friends. "We need to draw as many of them away as we can." Rick he aimed his gun and took down a walker. The gunshot made a small group of walkers turn in their direction.

"You've got to be kiddin' me." Shane looked at Rick as if he'd gone crazy. "We're gonna end up dead." Shane took aim and started shooting at the walkers that had broken away from the group.

Rick took another one out. "We just need to keep shooting 'till the others can get into the vehicles." Rick replied.

More walkers grew tired of trying to catch the men on top of the cars and started to lurch towards Rick and Shane.

"And what about us?" Shane snapped back bitterly.

Rick took down walker after walker. He looked away for a second to check on the others. Rather than heading straight to the vehicles the other men had fought their way off the cars and started to help Rick and Shane. Even Milton had picked up a screwdriver and started slaying any walkers that came towards him.

Looking away from the oncoming walkers was a huge mistake; before Rick knew it one of the hideous rotting creatures grabbed his arm. Rick tussled with the creature, he lost balance and both he and the walker hit the floor. Rick's gun flew across the ground landing just out of his reach. He grabbed the walker's wrists to stop it from scratching him, but he couldn't stop its gnashing jaws coming any closer.

Shane had seen Rick fall. He watched as the walker tried to take a chunk out of his throat. Shane raised his gun, and for a second he hesitated. He thought about how everything would change if Rick had this unfortunate accident. With Rick out of the picture Lori would be his once more, he could raise Carl and Judith. Shane would protect them all. He watched Rick attempt to push the walker away. Before Shane could decide what to do Glenn raced forward and buried a knife deep in the walker's skull. He pulled Rick to his feet.

"Thank you." Rick patted Glenn on the back. He couldn't even bring himself to look at Shane, his friend had betrayed him.

The men looked at the sea of dead bodies around them. Omid gave a little whistle. "That was a lot of geeks. We should go in to walker waste disposal." He jested.

T-Dogg scratched the back of his neck. "And I bet all the gunfire has attracted more of them."

Rick nodded in agreement. "We better call it a day, come back tomorrow." Rick and Shane both glared at each other. Each man knew their conversation was far from over.

The group returned to the farm just as dusk was setting in. The tension between Rick and Shane was apparent to anyone who was near the men.

Sasha was standing on watch with Daryl. She didn't need to be there, the redneck had it covered, but she had decided he needed food and in the cold night air a hot drink wouldn't go amiss. She watched the group unload the cars; even from this distance Sasha could tell there was a heavy atmosphere between Rick and Shane.

"They don't look happy." Sasha pulled her cardigan tighter around her.

Daryl chewed on a chunk of meat. "Never are lately." He gave a small snort. "Women, more trouble than they're worth."

Sasha scowled; she gave Daryl a gentle slap on his arm. "Hey, don't base all women on one person's mistake."

Daryl finished the last of his meal. "I ain't. It's the truth, you put a woman between two men and holy shit will break out." Daryl stated bluntly. "Women want to be protected, it's not their fault it's how nature programmed them. Look at Beth and Merle."

Sasha felt somewhat offend by Daryl's views on women. She found herself wondering if this is why he was currently alone. With his trust issues and views on the female race, Daryl had no reason to want to enter into a romantic relationship.

"You know, I could say the same about men. All I see is a group of Neanderthals banging their chests, and fighting with each other over who owns the most." Sasha turned away from Daryl. "Me man, me hunt and take care of women folk." Sasha grunted like a caveman. "Maybe us woman can take care of ourselves. Not all of us want men fighting over us or fighting for us." Daryl stood still; he didn't know what to say. He hoped by standing still and staying silent Sasha would stop her rant and they could go back to talking about other things. Daryl was greatly mistaken; his silence seemed to anger Sasha more. "I'm going inside. Don't worry I'm sure I can find my way back without a man to guide me." Sasha climbed down from the platform and stormed off towards the house.

Daryl watched her go, he wasn't sure what he had said or done wrong. He highly doubted if he would ever understand women. He scratched the back of his neck, he should find some books the next time he went on a supply run. Hope was going to turn into a woman eventually, and he could do with having some sort of information on how to deal with them. Surely there was a book out there that explained how girls worked.

Daryl's thoughts were interrupted by Rick climbing up the ladder. He joined Daryl and stood silently for a few moments. "I want you to come with me tomorrow. Is that going to be okay?" Rick asked.

Daryl nodded. "Merle should be fine to watch Bug." Daryl glanced sideways at Rick. "Things didn't go well?"

Rick placed his hands on his hips. "It's just easier. Ty or Sasha can take night watch."

Daryl scowled. "You may wanna ask Ty. Sasha is a bit...hormonal at the moment."

"You didn't say that to her, did you?" Rick replied at lightening speed.

Daryl started to bite his finger nails. "No." He muttered between chews.

A small smirk spread across Rick's face. "Women huh?"

"Amen." Daryl sighed.

"So about Carl." For the first time in the day Rick felt relaxed. "Thank you. Tyreese said you handled him well."

Daryl felt pride swell inside him. "Ain't nothin' he's a good kid, he's just learnin'."

Rick chuckled. "Well according to Lori he went to bed early, but not before showing off his very first blister on his hand."

The sound of walking could be heard below them. "Rick you wanted me?" Tyreese called up.

Rick looked down at the burly man. "Can you take over watch tonight, I need Daryl tomorrow."

"Sure thing." Tyreese was happy to oblige.

Daryl and Rick climbed down they met Tyreese on the ground. Tyreese placed his hand on Daryl's shoulder stopping him from walking away.

"Listen D, I'm not sure what you said but you may want to apologise to Sasha. She's royally pissed at you."

Daryl sighed. How could he apologise when he didn't know what he'd done wrong?

Daryl and Rick walked towards the house both exchanging small talk about the days event. As the entered the house both men said their good nights and went their separate ways.

Daryl walked into his room to discover Sasha sitting on the end of the bed with a grumpy Hope in her arms.

"She woke up. Beth asked me to keep an eye on her whilst she went to check on the sick people." Sasha rubbed Hope's back.

Daryl placed his crossbow on the floor. "Uh...thanks." He took Hope from Sasha and slowly rocked the grumpy toddler in his arms. "Look about what happened earlier...I..."

"Dada shh." Hope moaned into her father's chest.

Sasha stood up, she walked over to Daryl. "It's okay." She didn't expect Daryl to understand why she was upset, but the sorry look on his face was enough for her.

Sasha ruffled Hope's hair. "No." The girl squealed. "Sleep."

"Okay little miss." Sasha smiled at Daryl. "Night Daryl." She had no idea what had happened in Daryl's past to make him so uncomfortable around people, all she knew was she wanted to help fix him.

"Night." Daryl returned the smile. Once Sasha had left the room he turned his attention back to Hope. "What's the matter Bug, did you have a bad dream?" Daryl cooed at his child.

Hope didn't answer she buried her face deep into Daryl's chest and with a few more gentle rocks she slipped into a peaceful sleep.

Morning arrived and Merle was greeted by the sound of birds chirping outside his trailer. He kept his eyes closed and smiled contentedly as he listened to the soft chirps. Merle was happy; he doubted he had even been happy in his life. His girls and Daryl all together safely under one roof was all he needed. It was better than any high he had ever been on.

"Hey Merle, you awake?" Daryl slowly entered the room, he didn't want up disturb a sleeping Merle.

Merle opened one eye to look at his little brother who was now hovering over him. "You better have a good reason why you're here and not Peach." Merle sat up in bed and rubbed his face with his hand. "'Cause y'know she has a way of wakin' me up in the morin' that you just can't do baby bro."

Daryl rolled his eyes. "I'm out at the generator today. They had walker issues yesterday."

"Say no more." Merle swung his legs out of the bed. "Squirt needs her Mine."

Daryl looked at Merle with a touch of concern. Merle still looked pale and clammy. "You sure you're okay." He went to help his brother up off the bed.

Merle slapped Daryl's hand away. "I'm fine, I don't need ya help." Merle snapped. "I'm gonna grab a shower and I'll meet you at the house. Now I'm as naked as a new-born under these sheets brother. So unless you want to get cock envy I suggest you take your scrawny ass outta here." Daryl turned to leave. "Hey, Daryl."

"What?" Daryl asked only turning his head in his brother's direction.

"Don't do anythin' stupid." Merle's usually hard face was now soft and filled with emotion. "Squirt needs ya."

Daryl gave a light nod. "Be back before nightfall." Daryl left Merle to prepare himself for the day.

After a quick wash Merle made his way down to the farmhouse. He quietly entered and slunk into the kitchen. Beth had her back turned to Merle; she was preparing Hope's breakfast and humming to herself. Hope had spotted Merle but before she could say anything Merle placed his finger on his lips. Hope giggled and mimicked her father; her chubby finger went straight to her lips.

Merle slowly moved forward, he looked like a tiger stalking its prey. Once he was close enough Merle made a grab for Beth. His arms wrapped themselves tightly around her waist. Merle spun Beth around making her squeal in surprise.

"Merle." Beth laughed as she threw her head back exposing her delicate neck.

Merle took full advantage of Beth's position. He placed small kisses all the way up her neck until her reached her ear. Merle nuzzled his face into her soft, sweet smelling hair. "The General and I missed ya this mornin' sugar."

Beth's body seemed to melt into Merle's; he had complete control of it. "I'm sorry, Daryl wanted to see you."

"Well what ya doin' now." Merle asked in his seductive husky tone.

Merle's smooth voice made Beth's knees go weak. She had almost forgotten what she was doing before he got hold of her. "Making Hope's breakfast, and if you don't let me go she won't be getting any."

A small banging sound made both Merle and Beth turn. Hope was banging her tiny fists on her highchair.

"Hungy." She yelled impatiently.

Merle let go of Beth and walked slowly towards his daughter. "Aww c'mon Squirt, I need a little lovin'."

Hope shook her fist at Merle. "No."

Merle's brow furrowed and he put on his best puppy dog face. "C'mon now baby, you love me don't ya? You wouldn't hit me?"

Merle placed his face close to Hope's, her little fist made contact with the side of his face. "Hungy Mine."

Merle barked in laughter at his daughter's fire, Beth however was disgusted. "Hope no, hitting is bad." Beth scolded.

Merle held the side of his face. "Hey, the girl needs to learn how to hold her own." Merle ruffled Hope's hair. "Isn't that right my princess?" Hope made another swing with her fist, she gave a little growl. "Growlin' now as well, you best be careful we don't mistake you for an animal." Hope's other fist flew. Merle placed his hands up in a mock display of fear. "Hooooly shit. We got fuckin' Rocky Balboa in the room."

Beth pushed past Merle; she pulled Hope out of her chair. "Merle it's not funny. We should be punishing this sort of behaviour."

Merle scowled. All he was hearing was an attack on his parenting skills. "You sayin' I ain't raisin' my baby right?" All the playfulness had left Merle; he was now in his natural defensive mode.

"I'm not saying you're a bad dad, I'm saying Hope needs to learn the difference between right and wrong." Hope wiggled around in Beth's arms trying to break free. "And punching people is wrong."

Merle snatched Hope from Beth's arms. "Then I guess I'm wrong." Merle placed his face close to Beth's his voice was no more than a growl. "Maybe you should settle for a wrong man."

Beth pulled her body away from Merle. If being with him had taught her one thing, it was sometimes she needed to be tough. Merle's body language screamed anger, but his beautiful eyes just showed hurt and fear. Beth had hit him with his one and only fear, the fear that he wasn't a good dad.

"Merle no." Beth kept her tone light and firm. "You're not wrong in anyway. You're a good man. What you've been through is wrong." Merle took a few steps back he kept a tight grip on Hope who was now pulling on Merle's ears. "Yes, Hope needs to learn to look after herself, but she can't go around using her fists when she doesn't like something she hears." Merle looked down at his little girl. For the first time in his life he was lost for words. He was thrown off by Beth and her newly found bold, strong attitude. Beth slowly moved towards Merle, making sure she didn't spook him. Beth placed her hands either side of Merle's face. "You've made me stronger and more able to take care of myself without even knowing it." She placed a kiss on Merle's lips. "I can now stand up for myself and be strong, without using my fists, and it's because if you."

Merle didn't know how to react; he had never had anyone be grateful to him before. So Merle dealt with it the only way he knew how to, he ignored it.

"Damn Peach don't go gettin' all girly on me. Now we can stand around here all day actin' like a bunch of damn pussies, or you can feed us and we can go clean out out home." Merle wiggled his eyebrows at Beth. "Maybe when Squirt takes a nap me and you can get some alone time in."

"Hungy!" Hope yelled as she tugged on Merle's ear. "Mine, peas."

Merle kissed his little girl's face. "Well ask Peach."

Hope swivelled her head in Beth's direction. Her eyes were watery and wide. "Meth, peas hungy."

Beth stroked Hope's cheek. "Time for eggs."

Merle took a seat at the table; he placed Hope on his lap. "Eggs." Hope moaned.

"Y'know I could do with some bacon." Merle said wishfully.

"You get me a couple of breeding pigs and we can all have bacon." Hershel replied as he entered the kitchen. He looked at Merle. "Are you sure you should be up?"

"Strong as an ox me." Merle answered. "You serious 'bout wantin' a few pigs?" Merle enquired.

Hershel sat at the table opposite Merle. "A boar and sow wouldn't go amiss, we could start breeding them. It would mean more food for the farm."

"I'll keep my eyes open next time I go out on a hunt. Never know our luck." Merle jiggled Hope on his knee making her giggle.

Hershel smiled at the young girl. "I found something for Hope, I'll go get it." Hershel got up and left the room.

It only took a few second for the farmer to return. He carried with him a wheel with animal stickers on the outer edge. On the inside of the wheel was an arrow with a picture of a farmer on it. He placed it in front of Hope.

"What's that?" Merle looked at the strange object.

Beth walked over with breakfast. "It's my old Say 'N See." She placed the food on the table. "Look Hope."

The arrow was pointing to a picture of a dog. Beth pulled down the bright yellow lever on the side of the wheel and the arrow span around. "The dog goes Woof." The wheel spoke as it span around. The arrow landed on a cow.

Hope's eyes lit up. All of a sudden breakfast wasn't important anymore. Her chubby hand pulled on the lever and the arrow span around. "The cow goes Moo." The toy told the girl.

Hope clapped her hands "More." She screamed at the toy.

Beth took her place next to Merle. She fed Hope a spoonful of scrambled egg as the little girl kept playing with the toy.

"This is a pig. Oink Oink." The machine spoke.

The pig noise made Hope spit out her eggs in surprise. She heard a similar noise come out of her Mine once before. Hope looked up at Merle and giggled, she swung her legs back and forth kicking Merle's knees. "Mine." She pointed at the picture of the pig. Hope made a snorting noise.

Beth covered her mouth to hide her smile. Hershel laughed along with Hope. "Does Mine sound like a pig?"

Hope nodded and grunted again. Merle pouted. "I don't make them sounds."

"Doooooo." Hope yelled grunting some more.

"Don't." Merle protested. "Peach?"

Beth bit her bottom lip. "You do snore something fierce when you sleep."

Merle just pouted. "Stupid toy." He muttered. "All I had growin' up was a stick and a length of rope and I did fine."

Lori and Maggie entered the room carrying the babies. Hope looked up at the women. "Moo." She yelled.

Lori frowned. "Excuse me?"

Merle turned his head in Lori's direction and shrugged. "Hey, get over it, I'm a pig and you two are cows. At least none of us are jackasses."

"Hope's been playing with my old See 'N Say." Beth explained.

Maggie smiled. "I'm surprised the battery's still going."

As Merle finished the last of his breakfast the rest of the group started to enter the kitchen. Carol, Andrea and Dale were all still too sick to attend the morning ritual. Martinez's smiling face entered the room with Sasha by his side.

"The rooster says Cock-A-Doodle-Doo!" The toy spoke again.

"Cock a poo." Hope clapped her hands.

Martinez laughed. "Man, my little girl had one of them." He squatted down next to Hope and Merle. "This was my favourite." He moved the arrow to the picture of a turkey.

"Here's a turkey. Gobble gobble gobble."

The long loud gobbling noise made Hope jump. She looked at the wheel in utter shock. Martinez mimicked the turkey noise. Hope's head swished in his direction at top speed, she looked down at the man as if he was crazy.

"Cock a Poo." Hope crowed.

Martinez stood up ruffling Hope's hair. "Hey Merle, you wanna take watch today?" Martinez could see Merle was still a little under the weather, and morning watch was an easy job. "Shane's already asked for night watch."

"Sure thing." He handed Hope to Beth. "Once I'm done on watch we can start on our trailer." Merle kissed both his girls.

"Cock a Poo!" Hope yelled as Merle left the room.

The day past in a blur, The Dixon's home was now near perfect. Merle had pulled out all electrical products from the trailer and placed them to one side for Milton.

Hope's room had been the first room Merle had started on. Her crib had been placed in the room along with a small amount of her stuffed animal collection. The little room that had once been used as a study had now become Hope's personal play room.

Beth had sorted out the pull out sofa in the living area and dressed it up for Daryl. She had even made Merle and Tyreese carry a chest of drawers down from the house so she could place Daryl's clothes in there for him.

The cupboards had been emptied and the salvageable food had been placed in the farmhouse pantry, all except for a box of Poptarts. Merle, Beth and Hope had eaten the whole box, saving one pack for Daryl. Hope had been on a sugar high for the rest of the afternoon. She sat in the doorway of the trailer with her new toy copying all the animal noises. Anytime someone past by she would randomly make an animal noise. Merle had panicked when his girl became silent. He rushed to the doorway only to find Hope curled up sleeping, her See 'N Say clutched close to her chest. It was Hope Dixon's first sugar crash.

The group returned just as night started to set in. Milton proudly told the group the generator was up and running.

Rick stood back from the group as he watched them celebrate. He looked out the window. Shane was standing on watch, Rick decided this was it; he needed to settle everything with Shane. Rick silently left the house; he made his way down the yard and towards Shane.

Rick climbed the ladder and stood on the platform. The men squared up to each other, this was going to be the final showdown and they both knew it. The winner would take it all.

"We need to talk." Rick said sternly. "You either need to back away from my family or leave."

Shane didn't take the ultimatum well; he pushed his body close to Rick's. "That baby is mine, so how about we let Lori decided."

"She already has." Rick growled.

Shane snorted. "No way man, she picked you out of loyalty. She doesn't love you, she asked me to stay." Rick balled his fist.

Something whizzed past Rick's head and landed on the ground below them. Both men looked down as smoke started to fill the yard.

"Smoke bombs." Rick looked at Shane in disbelief as two more flew by.

"Get everyon..." Shane got cut short as an arrow flew through the air and caught him in the throat. Shane's body fell from the stand and disappeared into the smoke.

"Shane!" Rick called down. He was about to climb down when another arrow came soaring towards him. This arrow hit Rick in the back; it became wedged deep in his shoulder. Rick tumbled to the ground screaming in agony.

The smoke and pained cries had brought the rest of the group out. Merle pushed Beth back into the farm house. "Stay inside with Squirt until I say otherwise." He pulled his gun from his waistband and handed it to Milton. "Milty, protect my girls."

Daryl grabbed his crossbow. "Merle, c'mon."

"Brownie, Shorty, make sure nobody's snuck in. The rest of you with me." Merle gave his orders and to his surprised no one argued. The men joined him, all except for Milton who was left to protect the house with Hershel.

Merle led the group with Daryl by his side. They slowly moved through the smoke keeping their eyes opened for any danger. Tyreese coughed as the smoke burned his eyes. As the men moved deeper into the smoke a slumped mass came into view.

"Daryl." Rick moaned. Daryl ran to Rick's crumpled body. "Carl..."

"Shh now." Daryl motioned to T-Dogg and Tyreese, the men each took one of Rick's arms and slowly led him towards the house.

"Where's Walsh?" Merle asked trying to pinpoint the other man through the smoke.

"Merle, look out!" Daryl yelled as he loaded his crossbow. A reanimated Shane came lumbering towards Merle through the haze. He made a grab for Merle; a low pitched moan came from the dead man. Merle turned with catlike reflexes, he raised his bayonet and jammed it deep into Shane's eye.

Merle dislodged Shane's body from his knife. He knew they couldn't do anything until the smoke cleared. "Back to the house!" Merle yelled.

The group stood in the house, everyone was silent. The news of Shane's death and Rick's injury had shaken most of the group. Hershel was tending to Rick with the help of Patricia. Carl and Lori stood outside the bedroom door just waiting and hoping for the best.

As the smoke cleared Merle, Daryl and Martinez went to make sure the farm was safe.

"What the hell was that?" Daryl asked Merle.

Merle crossed his arms. "No idea, someone must have been planin' that for a while."

Martinez came jogging towards the brothers with a piece of paper in his hands. "Found this." He handed it to Merle. "It was stuck to the front gate with an arrow."

Merle read the note.

"This was just a friendly warning to show what we are capable of.

Bring half of your supplies to the old bar in the main town in three days time. If you don't then next time we won't be so friendly."

The three men looked at each other. They had no idea who these people were, or how they'd found them but they were dangerous.