The bottom dropped out of the clouds just as they got to the gates. The beat of boots rolled with the thunder and both brothers panted for breath waiting for the gates to swing open for them. Mac's head was tipped back the rain crashing down over them and he was pulling in deep lungfuls of air. Daryl tipped his head down his hair shielding his face as he gasped for breath. There were more walkers now but they had a second before they were going to need to worry.
"Fuck." Mac panted. "Fuck."
"Fuck." Daryl nodded agreeing.
The gates were open and Daryl caught Mac's bicep thrusting him forward while he carried the woman. She was dead weight in his arms now her head lolled against his chest and the rest of her hanging limp. Daryl slid in behind him with the groans of walkers and stumbling steps chasing him. The crash of the gates coming together was welcomed with lightning lighting them up. Carter's eyes widened and he jumped down closer to them.
He spared a glance for the woman but he moved towards Daryl. "What the fuck happened?" He spun and let out a loud whistle, "GET MERLE!"
"He aint here." Martinez called walking up. His eyes landed on Daryl and he cursed. "Fuck, what the hell. Are you hurt? Bit?"
Daryl waved away their concern, "We need to get her to doc."
Mac was fatigued still holding her and Carter shifted over to him. "Let me help."
Mac started to try to shift her weight from him to Carter but he flinched suddenly. Boots were pounding pavement coming towards them. Daryl looked over and was met with scared brown eyes. She was shaking in Mac's arms and Daryl stepped forward shaking his head. They should have seen this coming. One woman now surrounded by strange men- it didn't look to good.
Martinez understanding reined in the men and sent them back to post. Merle strolled up then his face murderous. A look of relief shot through his face before his mask slammed in place. He'd been worried that much was clear. Daryl raised a brow at him but Merle was already taking control of the scene.
"With me." He ordered.
Mac fell into step with his older brother easily. Daryl moved behind him. Martinez and Carter were there again. Martinez was looking him over and Daryl scowled.
"I'm fine."
"You're soaked in blood dude." Carter lamented. "Almost every time I see you you're getting covered in blood. I think it's a fetish."
"Blow me."
Carter grinned and then disappeared going back to the wall. Martinez chuckled at him but it was off. They made it into the infirmary and Merle had Daryl pulled over and shoved down on the table just as Mac put the woman down. He stepped away quickly and rolled his shoulders. He looked like he was trying to limber up and groaned as his back stretched. He looked over and his eyes widened looking at Daryl.
"What the fuck happened out there?" Merle questioned.
The doctor and Hershel were already coaxing the woman into letting them check her over. She seemed to be relaxing now that she realized they'd been serious about having someone that could help her.
"Shit, you're soaked in blood." Merle muttered, "Carol's going to flip her shit and so is Sophia."
Daryl slapped his hands away, "It isn't mine."
"Looks fresh." Mac eyed.
Daryl scowled and unbuttoned his shirt showing them his chest and tilting his head to expose his throat. He regretted it immediately. Merle whistled lowly and Mac's smile turned wolfish. He'd forgotten how badly Carol mauled him. He scowled at them buttoning his shirt but they just kept grinning at him. It seemed his discomfort was doing wonders for both of their fucking moods.
"It was when we were heading back. The first of the herd came up on us and Mac had to go ahead. One got close-" Daryl gestured at himself and huffed. "That's all she wrote."
Merle eyed him and then looked over to the woman. Mac took a seat next to Daryl and leaned heavily into his brother. Daryl shifted and Mac's head dropped on his shoulder. Merle eyed him and met Daryl's eyes as Mac's slid closed. Daryl gave Merle a look that said later. Mac was more than exhausted. He'd been run through the wringer here lately. Hannah wore him out mentally and he'd been pushing himself to begin with before they'd had to come back. With Mac packing that woman and running damn near the entire way he was killed out.
"What's her story?" Merle prodded.
Martinez was there suddenly and looked on with interest. "Grimes is here."
Merle raised a brow as Rick walked in. He stood there a second before finally walking over to the group of men. His eyes landed on Daryl and he seen something flash in his eyes. Looks like seeing Daryl soaked in blood bothered him. He should store the image ready and good in his mind because if he kept pushing Carol or him it'd be his blood on his hands next time.
"Where did you find Michonne?"
Merle turned to Rick and arched a brow, "Excuse me?"
"Michonne, she was with us for about three days before."
Daryl shifted and Mac's head lolled more and he huffed in his sleep. He was damn near draped over Daryl.
"She came up on us in the woods. She'd been cut on a fence. Needed help." Daryl yawned, "Shit happened fast and we couldn't just leave her out there. She wouldn't have made it away from that herd."
Merle nodded, "Get his ass home-" He stopped suddenly and eyed Mac, "Well back to your place. Carol is still up."
Daryl stood and Mac startled awake his hand shooting out and grabbing ahold of Daryl. "What!" His eyes swept the room and then he started to relax.
Merle walked with them out of the room while Rick walked over to Michonne. The three brothers stepped out into the night air. Martinez stood with them for a minute before clearing his throat.
"I'm going to talk to the lady and see about getting her something to eat, maybe something not blood soaked to put on." He rubbed his chin, "And see how well she knew Rick's group."
Merle nodded but his eyes went to Mac again. Martinez shot him a look to and his face softened. Daryl scowled at them and Merle snorted.
"Lower your hackles baby brother. That bitch ain't said shit since he walked out those gates. In fact she's been damn near invisible." Merle snarled, "Brian's sick but Carol and Andrea are with him."
Mac sobered up instantly. All signs of fatigue were gone from him and he looked every bit the concerned father. "What do you mean sick?"
"Fever and shit." Merle spoke evenly. Daryl watched him. He was making sure to measure his words. It'd been bad. "Done like mom always done for my ass and I done for y'all. His ass should be sweatin that fever out by now."
Mac licked his lips and his eyes went down the road. He slapped both on the chest and took off at a fast jog. Daryl stood there for a second and shifted on his feet.
"Couldn't find her could you."
"Bitch is shacked up somewhere."
"Fuck." Daryl muttered.
"Fuck." Merle agreed.
Daryl took off then. Mac was going to go from worried to rage in mere minutes when he learned Hannah hadn't been there. He might not get along with her and he might fight with her but the one thing Mac did depend on her to do was be a mother. In his eyes she just dropped the ball and he was unforgiving when it came to his son. Brian hardly ever got sick and that just made it worse.
"HEY!" Merle barked. Daryl turned slowing and walking backwards looking at his brother, "Make sure Carol cooks enough for my ass in the morning too."
Daryl nodded and spun on his heel throwing his hand up at his brother. He didn't listen to what else was said. Sophia was going to be like a damn wild cat protecting Brian. He already learned she didn't handle threats to them very well. He got to the house and was through the door. Carol looked up at him and he looked around for Mac. Carol jerked her head and seen Andrea there. She had him by the bicep holding him in place. She was speaking low and confidentially to him. Mac was nodding along his eyes going to his son every few seconds. It looked like Andrea was holding him up with force of will and Daryl stepped over there. Mac immediately leaned into him fatigue hitting full force now that he seen his son was in fact okay.
Sophia walked over sleepily and wrapped her arms around Mac, "Don't worry I made a room for you. Even gave you a special pillow this time to go with the blanket."
Mac chuckled and Sophia released him and then she leaned into Daryl too. His arm came around her briefly before he shifted. Mac looked at him his eyes dark and tired. He was furious. A storm the likes of which they'd yet to see was about to hit. Daryl just nodded at him in understanding and Mac slid his hand through Sophia's hair.
"Don't know why you're so worried. Andrea and mom mothered him so much. Andrea was basically packing him around and I think Merle got him drunk." Sophia made a face, "Merle would not be a good mom. Who gets their kid drunk to cure a sickness." Both brothers chuckled and Mac nodded but Sophia scowled, "If you don't line Hannah out I will. He needed a mother, his mom but I guess it's a good thing Andrea was here to fill in."
Andrea made a noise in her throat and then flushed. "I'm going to go get ready for bed. Good night Carol!" She called making a quick escape.
"It's the truth. Merle had mom hunting for liquor while Andrea was all covered in puke and helping Brian." Sophia shrugged. "I'm going back to bed. You two stink by the way. Daryl you should clean that blood off mom is going to think you're dying."
She was gone suddenly and disappeared into the living room sprawling back out on the couch. Mac pulled his shirt over his head, "I'm going to get this special pillow then I'm sleeping in the living room tonight where he's at."
Mac slipped away and Carol appeared, "You hurt?"
Daryl swiped at the dried blood feeling it flake up. "Nah."
"Run into trouble."
"Ran into a woman and a herd." Daryl started stripping his and Mac's packs finally off him. He groaned as the weight fell from his body. His muscles burned, "Rick said she'd been with your group once. Michonne."
Carol nodded and smiled, "She was but it was just a few days. She was passing through and traded a few supplies for other things she needed."
Daryl grunted noncommittally at her words. Mac appeared then packing a huge pillow shaped like a kittens head. He grinned at Daryl and he shook his head. "What the fuck is that?"
"Hello Kitty." Carol snorted. "Sophia was pleased with the find."
