That night after Rick had sent off Andrea in an old beat up car they used for runs the group resided on the first floor of the prison. Josephine came out of her cell feeling somewhat uneasy about the upcoming events.
She walked into the room only to hear Beth's beautiful voice echoing through the prison walls. She took a stance next to Carol, who was swaying a uneasy Judith in her arms. Josephine looked down at the small child and felt a pain in her heart. She kept staring at Judith as her face scrunched up and then their eyes met, seemingly calming the child down.
"Want to hold her for a bit?" Carol asked, as if to want a break from the squirming child for a bit. Suddenly she felt her body tense up at the thought, but she nodded quickly. This would be the first real chance she had to hold her baby niece.
She held her hands out and Carol gently placed Judith inside of them. Josephine walked slowly over to the stairs and took a seat. Suddenly she felt the stairs shift a bit as she felt someone making their way slowly down the stairs and sat next to her.
Josephine glanced over to see Daryl beside her, eating a piece of what looked like beef jerky.
Josephine smiled at him as he looked between the baby and her. She felt something in that moment. The feeling of Daryl beside her, a baby in her arms and a group that felt so much like family… it was happiness.
Judith slowly started to close her eyes as Josephine rocked gently in her place on the stairs. Josephine looked up at Beth and in the distance she could see Merle standing on the opposite side of the prison, staring at her and Daryl as they sat together admiring the baby. She wasn't helping her argument about not making him soft, that was for sure.
She then watched Rick walk over to Hershel and Josephine gently got up, making sure not to alert the sleeping baby in her arms, and she felt Daryl get up as well and they both made their way over to the men in discussion.
"Some reunion, huh?" Daryl said, moving closer to Josephine.
"She's in a jam," Rick replied, talking about Andrea.
"We all are," Hershel responded. " This fella is armed to the teeth. Bent on destruction."
Suddenly it got quiet, Josephine could feel Judith start to stir and she quickly started swaying as she stood. Something about that warm child laying in her arms made her feel so powerless, but so perfect it almost didn't feel real.
"So what do we wanna do?" She asked, quickly looking to her brother.
"We match it," Rick stated, looking down at his daughter and then back up at his sister. "I'm going on a run."
"I'll head out tomorrow," Daryl stated, placing a hand on the small of Josephine's back quickly, as if to let her know that was his plan and that she was invited along as well.
"No, you stay here," Rick replied. "Keep an eye on your brother."
With the mention of Merle's name Josephine shot him a look, his eyes still plastered on hers, which was starting to make her slightly uncomfortable.
"We're glad you're back, I am. But if he causes a problem thats on you," Rick stated, starting Daryl down.
Daryl nodded, "I got him."
"You should take Michonne," Josephine called out, knowing the woman was actually not as bad as they had thought.
Daryl's eyes darted to hers and she looked between the three men and then down at the baby.
"You sure thats a good idea?" Daryl asked curiously.
"We'll have to see, but I think she's shown enough that we can trust her," Josephine replied.
"OK, its settled. I'll take Michonne….And Carl," Rick said, shooting his glare over to his son who sat quietly next to Beth. "Hold it down here."
Josephine nodded, feeling Daryl's hand finally slide from the small of her back, which had made her feel so relaxed.
They broke off, and she looked to Rick and then to the baby, finally she handed her over to him and he thanked her and walked off towards his cell, as did Daryl and Josephine.
It was slightly awkward as they entered the cell together. She felt him staring at her as she kicked off her boots in the corner and swung up her hair into a messy bun.
She reached in her bag and took out a warm sweatshirt and wrapped herself inside of it. By the time she turned around, Daryl was already in his side of the small bed, his face towards the wall.
Josephine sighed, getting inside of the clovers and suddenly the lanterns from outside had turned off and they lay there in the pitch black.
"Daryl?" Josephine spoke in a soft and calming voice.
"MMM," he grunted as a response.
Josephine wondered if this was a good time to tell him how she felt, but suddenly she felt a wave of fear wash over her.
"Goodnight," She said, annoyed with herself.
"Yeah Jo, night," He called back, shifting a bit to get more comfortable. She noticed that his face was now turned towards her back and she felt his arm slip under her pillow and his hand lay palm down off the edge of the bed. She drifted off to sleep soon after, wondering what the days ahead would hold.
The next day, Josephine awoke to the sound of arguing coming from outside.
She hurried awake, throwing her hair up in a messy bun, she exited the cell where she found Daryl and Merle going at it in the middle of the common room.
"Hey, what the hell's going on here? You two are going to wake Judith," She hissed at the two brothers. They both turned to her and Daryl seemed to ignore what she was saying and Merle laughed.
"Hey Daryl, your little wifey over here told us to be quiet, you gonna listen to her?" Merle laughed, pointing his good hand and Josephine.
"What are you talking about Merle?" Josephine questioned, crossing her hands over her chest and looking back and forth between the two men.
"You see darlin, me and Daryl here were fightin about why we never robbed your little camp blind in Atlanta," Merle stated blankly. Josephine scrunched her face up in confusion.
"IT NEVER HAPPENED MERLE, THESE ARE GOOD PEOPLE WHO NEVER DONE ME WRONG," Daryl shouted, getting up into Merle's face angrily.
"Thats because you're wrapped around this bitches finger and listen to her rather than your own blood!" Merle shouted back.
"Woah now," Josephine called out, pushing her hands on each of the boys chests to pull them apart. "Daryl what does he mean you were going to rob the camp?"
"First month we got to the camp…we wanted to take all your food and guns from ya, but thats before I even knew ya Jo," Daryl stated quietly, looking down at the woman he cared for so much. Her face seemed a bit confused still and then she nodded, turning back to Merle she smiled. This was something that Daryl was not expecting out of her.
"You know whats funny Merle?" She said, walking slowly over to Daryl's brother.
"Whats that princess?" Merle grinned.
"That you think making a scene about this 'robbing the camp' deal would probably make me upset, get me all frustrated and evil towards your brother huh?" She narrowed her eyes to Merle.
"Well, I think if I didn't know some random strangers, that hell yeah i'd rob that camp… I'd rob it blind to protect my family, and you know what, thats exactly what Daryl has done for us. Protect us. He has robbed places dry for me, killed to protect me, sacrificed a lot to be right here with me and these people." Josephine's grinned turned cold and she pointed her tiny finger into Merle's chest.
"Know what I think? You're jealous, that he did more for this group and for me than he ever has for you, because you just ain't good people Merle and surprisingly your brother is. Grow up Dixon, face it that your brother ain't always going to do what you tell him to do."
Josephine stepped back and turned to leave the room, leaving Merle and Daryl to argue once again, but to her surprise Merle shut his mouth. She was sick and tired of him bashing Daryl all the time because of what he did or didn't do because he found a family with this group, with Josephine. She wished so badly Merle would decide to leave, letting Daryl off his leash but she knew that wasn't going to happen.
The next day, Rick had decided that they were to meet with the Governor after what Andrea had said. Josephine felt uneasy, but she would join him and Daryl on the mission, knowing that they might need all the backup they could get.
Josephine road quietly in the back seat of the car as they drove out to a small farm where they had decided to meet. Josephine knew Andrea was going to be there, helping find some dumb middle ground as she kept referring to. She didn't see the big picture, but then again she never had even when she was attached at Shane's hip following his every move. Josephine felt sorry for the woman, always attracted to the evil ones.
They safely made it, getting out of the car slowly. Hershel was in the front seat, Josephine gave him a nod before following her brother and Daryl through some old and rusted grain bins. Josephine had one hand on the back of her axe and the other holding a shot gun. She was ready for anything and she walked slowly behind her brother, Daryl taking the lead.
They finally made it to the barn. Daryl and Josephine looked to Rick as he quietly pointed for them to wait outside the window until he said otherwise.
They both nodded in understanding, making their way onto the other side of the wall and stood there, weapons ready. Josephine glanced at Daryl who stared back at her, he could tell she was a bit concerned with her brother going in there with the Governor. He held onto his crossbow tighter, as if to tell her that whatever happens, he had Rick back in there.
She rested her head on the hard barn wall and took in a breath, as Daryl made his way over to the window and peeked in. She waited a second before following. In the distance, they could hear Hershel pulling up to the barn and Daryl motioned for her to follow him as they walked towards Hershel.
"He' s already in there," Daryl called out as the older man drove up to them. "Sat down with Rick."
The three of them looked around curiously, a little confused as to why none of the Governor's men were around.
"I don't see any cars around," Hershel exclaimed, making Josephine grip her gun tighter as if to prepare to go in there right now and shoot the Governors head clean off.
"This doesn't feel right," Josephine said slowly, looking between Daryl and Hershel.
Suddenly the three of them heard a cars engine making loud sounds as it plummeted towards them. Daryl reacted quickly, getting his cross bow ready and Josephine placed both of her hands on her gun as she watched the large SUV approached from across the street. Daryl pulled up his cross bow and Josephine raised her gun as two men got out of their vehicle, along with Andrea.
"What the hell, Why is your boy already in there?" Daryl asked Andrea, but keeping his cross bow and his eyes peeled on a darker skinned man who jumped out of the divers seat.
"He's here?" Andrea said, in a bit of a shocked tone.
"Yup," Josephine said, staring her down.
Andrea sighed and walked towards the barn where Rick and the Governor were.
Josephine moved around Daryl, telling him it was safe to lower their guns for a second. They watched as a nerdy looking man in a plaid shirt stared at them and then started writing something down in a notebook.
"Maybe I should go inside," Josephine said, looking to Daryl for some kind of answer.
"The Governor decided it would be best if he and Rick talked privately," The man in the plaid called out, making everyone turn to him once again.
"Who the hell are you?" Daryl shot out.
"Milton Mamet," the man called back.
"Great. He brought his butler," Daryl said looking to Josephine and then to Hershel.
"I'm his advisor," Milton replied, still scribbling in his journal.
"What kind of advice?" Daryl asked quickly.
"Planning. Biters. You know I don't think I need to explain myself to the henchman," Milton spat out, making Josephine raise her eyebrow.
"You better watch your mouth, sunshine," She called out.
"Look," The tanner man called out. "If we are going to be sitting here pointing weapons at each other all day, the least you guys can do is shut your mouths."
Daryl walked up to him, chest to chest and stared at the man with evil in his eyes. Josephine felt a sense of anxiety as she watched the two men have a stare down.
"We don't need this!" Hershel finally broke the tension. "If all goes south in there we will be at each others throat in no time."
Daryl stopped glaring at the man and walked back next to Josephine. They all stood in silence for a moment before a sound came from the barn, they all turned to see Andrea exiting from inside. Her face was stone cold, and that worried Josephine.
Josephine walked over to the car, leaning on it as the hot sun beat down on her face.
"There is no reason not to use this time together. Explore these issues ourselves." Milton called out, walking towards Daryl and Josephine.
"Boss said to sit tight and shut up," The tan man said from his seat next to his SUV.
"Dont you mean the Governor," Daryl called back, smirking.
"Its a good thing, they're sitting down, especially after what happened. They are going to work it out, nobody wants a battle." Milton said, shooting a look at Hershel who was now hobbling his way next to Daryl and Josephine.
" I wouldn't exactly call it a battle," Josephine huffed.
"I would and I did call it a battle," Milton replied. "I recorded it," he said as he help up his notebook.
"For what?" Daryl asked.
"Somebody has to keep a record of what we've gone through. It'll be a part of our history." Milton explained.
Josephine looked to the ground at let out a laugh, Milton turned to her.
"I've got dozens of interviews and —," he was cut off by the snarling sounds of walkers behind them. Josephine pulled out her axe from the holster on her back and prepared herself, standing in front of Hershel and next to Daryl.
Josephine followed Daryl and the tan man into the grain bins where they came across two walkers.
"After you," Daryl motioned for the man to do the deed of killing the two nasty bloody evil bastards.
"No way, you first," The tan man called out, pointing his baseball bat towards the now too close for comfort walkers.
Josephine sighed, walking in between the two men and pulled up her axe, swinging it into a walkers neck. She pulled it out and flung the axe into the middle of another walkers head, its body pressing hard agains the grain bins and blood spattered on her shirt and all over the metal bins.
She quickly pulled her axe out of its skull and watched it sink to the ground before turning to face the two men. More walkers were approaching, and it was almost like the two men were competing on who could kill a walker better and Josephine wanted to pull Daryl aside and tell him nobody could compare to him and to just quite the tough guy act.
She sighed as she realized the could probably handle the last of the walkers by themselves, so she turned to leave them be while she went to find Andrea.
Daryl pulled out a pack of cigarettes from a dead walkers and holding them up towards the tan shirted man.
"Look what he's got," Daryl spoke out. He got up from the ground and placed one into his mouth.
"Your old lady let you smoke?" The tan man asked, pointing his baseball bat to Josephine who was walking away with her axe placed gently at her side.
Daryl didn't know how to respond, just grunted and lit his cigarette and offered one to the tan man.
"I prefer menthols," he responded, waving his hand away.
"Douchebag," Daryl replied as the cigarette hung from his mouth. " You army or somethin'?" Daryl asked looking them man up and down.
"Nah, I just hate these things, after what they did to my wife, kids." The man spoke softly, staring down at his bloody baseball bat. Daryl shot a look at Josephine, who was now leaning against the car cleaning her axe off with a rag. He could imagine losing her now, not after everything that had happened between them.
"You never answered me, that your old lady?" The man said, watching Daryl staring at Josephine.
"Nah," Daryl stated, embarrassingly.
"Coulda fooled me, you two seem to work well as a team," the man replied, looking to Daryl.
"She's a tough bitch," Daryl responded, taking the cigarette out of his mouth and blowing out smoke.
"This is a joke, right? You know they aint workin' shit out," The man spoke out, referring to Rick and this Governor character.
Daryl shot a look of concern at the man speaking.
"Sure, they will do a little dance, and tomorrow… the next day they'll give the word."
"I know." Daryl said softly, his worst fears finally confirmed.
They stood there in silence for a moment before the man asked for a smoke and Daryl handed him the pack, not really sure what the next move would be.
Josephine looked over at Daryl, smoking a cigarette and realized it was probably fine between the two men now sharing a smoke break. She decided to go find Andrea, which she rounded the corner of the barn to find her slouched on a bench outside.
She walked over to her old friend, standing in front of her she placed her hand on her hip and Andrea looked up at her.
"How's things in there?" Josephine asked.
"They kicked me out," Andrea stated blankly, and she seemed rather annoyed as well. "I don't know what I'm doing here."
"You think you're trying to help," Josephine said sympathetically. "What exactly do you see in that man Andrea?"
"Same as what you see in Daryl," Andrea shot out, looking down at her feet. Josephine huffed and pushed some dirt around on the ground. "He protects people, he's kind when he wants to be I swear it."
Josephine wasn't buying it. "Do you know what he did to Maggie?" She asked Andrea. She shot her head up at Josephine's words and she had tears in her eyes.
"No," She replied.
"He's a sick man," Josephine stated.
"What am I going to do now?" Andrea called up at Josephine. " I cant go back there."
"You belong with us," Josephine shot back, remembering all the times that Andrea had been with them and had helped them through hard times. She was one of the them, and she deserved a second chance, and Josephine saw that now. " But if you join us, thats it Andrea. It's settled."
Andrea sighed, tears in her eyes and she smiled up at Josephine, nodding.
The stood there in silence as they both wondered what was going on inside.
She heard Daryl and the other man wandering back from the grain bins, both walking beside each other like they were buddies.
Josephine turned away from Andrea and walked up to Daryl, a worried look on her face.
"They've been in there for an awful long time," Josephine whispered to Daryl who stood close to her.
"Patience," he said to her, placing a hand on her shoulder.
Josephine sighed and finally the door opened up and the Governor walked out, along with Rick. Josephine watched as her brother walked over to the car, climbing into the front seat. She watched the Governor do the same in his vehicle and suddenly Andrea was in the passengers seat of his car, driving away with him and Josephine narrowed her eyes as it drove away, disgusted at Andrea's actions.
"Jo, get on!' Daryl shouted, pulling her out of her thoughts and she glanced at Daryl who was revving up his motorcycle. She walked towards him, slinging her body onto his bike and they drove off.
Josephine felt her heart in her throat the entire ride back to the prison. She was terrified at what was going to happen next, and she was eager to talk with her brother about what had been said in the barn.
They made their way back to the prison. Huddling in the common room, Rick spoke.
"So, I met this Governor. I sat with them for a while."
"Just the two of ya?" Merle asked from in the distance.
"Yeah," Rick spoke quietly, nodding his head.
"Should have gone when we had the chance, bro." Merle said quickly to Glenn walking away from the group into his own cell.
"He wants the prison," Rick called out again. Josephine felt her body run cold and she leaned back to the wall, Daryl close to her.
"He wants us gone," Rick continued, looking around at the confused and scared individuals. "Dead. He wants us dead."
Josephine took in a deep breath, knowing her deepest fears were now a reality.
"For what we did to Woodbury… We are going to war." Ricks words echoed in the Prison. Josephine felt her jaw tighten as everyone gripped their weapons a little tighter.
Josephine looked to Daryl who was staring back at her already, calmly as if to let her know everything would work out.
She knew deep down that something bad and scary was ahead.