Chapter Fifty-One

The next morning Riley woke up as she heard a few people talking downstairs in their cell block, making her aware that morning had come and they were having breakfast soon. She slowly opened her eyes, instantly noticing that Daryl wasn't lying beside her. She frowned, wondering when he'd left their bed as she hadn't even noticed that he was gone since she'd been so fast asleep.

She yawned and rubbed her hand over her eyes, forcing herself to get up to start another day, knowing there was a lot of work to be done at the prison with the threat of the Governor looming. She placed her feet on the small rug that was situated in the middle of their cell, arching her back a little to stretch before she slowly stood up from the bed.

As she turned around, she almost screamed since she saw a large lump lying on the top bunk, nearly scaring her half to death before she realized it was Daryl as his mop of unruly brown hair peeked out from underneath the blanket that he'd covered himself with.

She realized he must've gotten out of bed during the night, knowing something was bugging him. She'd questioned him about it yesterday and he'd said he just discussed tactics with Rick and was worried about the Governor's threat. She had this nagging feeling in the back of her head however that he wasn't telling her the whole truth. She'd decided to let it go last night, knowing they both needed the sleep but she was determined to find out what was going on inside his head to make him lose sleep over it.

The fact that he wasn't being completely honest with her was making her worry even more. After a few incidents between them because of the exact same problem, they'd promised one another that they would always tell each other everything, opting to never keep secrets. So why is he doing that now? She wondered with a frown on her face.

She stepped towards him, carefully placing her hand on the back of his head before she slowly let her fingers glide into his hair, gently massaging his scalp. She heard him let out a few content groans before he slowly turned around. He opened his eyes, seeing her looking at him in concern as she'd noticed the dark bags under his eyes.

''Are you okay?'' She softly asked him as she kept on caressing his hair.

''Fine just got a headache, had problems gettin' to sleep, went out for a bit but it didn't work.'' He replied before closing his eyes as he'd enjoyed the sensation of her brushing her fingers through his hair.

''Why didn't you come back to bed?'' She questioned and he opened his eyes again.

''Didn't want to wake ya, took me a while to fall asleep again.'' He said and she slowly nodded in understanding. She saw how tired he was, probably having been tossing and turning in bed the whole night. She thought it was best not to ask him right now about what bothered him, she didn't want to make his headache even worse.

''How about you get a bit more sleep?'' She suggested instead but he shook his head.

''Nah, I got fence duty in an hour.''

''I can take over, let you rest up. I'll wake you at ten, okay?'' She said and he was about to protest but she covered his mouth with her hand. ''Two more hours of sleep will be alright, I'll tell Rick you have a headache.'' She mentioned and he frowned, not really liking that he had to stay in bed, but he wasn't looking forward to that bright daylight either, his head already felt like it wanted to split in half.

''C'mon Daryl, you're no good to the group if you're dead on your feet and that headache will just get worse.'' She told him and he sighed before he finally nodded, giving in. She gave him a small smile before she leaned towards him, pressing her lips against his. Daryl placed his hand on the back of her head, deepening their kiss as the troubles in his mind seemed to disappear when she was so close.

Riley pulled back from him after a moment, giving him a small smile before going over to the small makeshift nightstand next to their bunk bed and grabbed two painkillers along with a bottle of water. She gave Daryl the pills and while he was frowning, not really wanting to take any meds, the raised eyebrow Riley gave him surely made him quickly swallow down the pills with some water. He didn't want to face her wrath again when he would stubbornly deny medication since he knew how heated their arguments could become if he would do so.

Riley gave him a wink before she pulled his blanket all the way up to his neck and then grabbed a few pillows from the bottom bunk, placing them next to his head. ''Woman,'' he grumbled, knowing she was yet again fussing over him. He didn't want to admit out loud that he liked it though, not having a lot of experience with someone taking care of him like that.

''Oh stop being such a baby and let me take care of you mister grumpy,'' she smiled while he rolled his eyes. She gave him a kiss for good measure before she stepped away from the bed, walking over to the small table near the entrance of their cell where they'd placed their clothes.

While Daryl had meant to go to sleep, he watched how Riley got dressed, surely thinking it was a sight for sore eyes as she pulled off her top, giving him a grand view of those beautiful full breasts he loved, his hands automatically itching to touch them but he behaved for the time being. His jaw tensed as she slowly shimmied out of her panties, standing there fully naked in front of him. He noticed she was lost in her own thoughts as she was combing her hair, softly humming some unfamiliar song. Unbeknownst to him though, Riley was aware that Daryl was watching her every move but suppressed a smile as she started to braid her hair.

Daryl's eyes followed her hands as she slipped on a pair of pink polka dotted panties before grabbing a black bra. Riley always mismatching her underwear was something he would never understand but it always had him smiling like a stupid idiot. She pulled on some tight dark blue skinny jeans that surely made her ass stand out, or so Daryl thought, before slipping on a loose fitting dark green tank top. She put on some purple socks and stepped into her dark brown boots, tying the shoelaces together.

Daryl saw her grabbing her machete and crossbow from the floor before she stepped towards the entrance of their cell. She turned her head and he quickly closed his eyes, pretending to be asleep.

''Hope you enjoyed the show you sneaky pervert,'' he heard her say and he felt his cheeks flush, knowing he'd been caught.

As he opened his eyes again he saw that she'd already left and he rolled onto his side, his earlier worries slowly pouring into his mind again. He frowned as he caught himself doing it, quickly closing his eyes as he tried to push those thoughts away. It was already decided, Rick thought it was the best thing to do for their group and probably their only chance.

He rolled over on his back again, placing his arm over his eyes, trying to fill his head with the woman that just left the cell. He unconsciously had to smile when he remembered a particular night a few months again where they'd been having sex on the rooftop of the warehouse they'd been staying at before the prison. He could still recall how Riley was distracting him from his watch with her constant teasing before he couldn't take it anymore and nearly lunged himself at her. He could still hear her giggling as they were in the process of removing each other's clothing, telling him he was such a naughty boy to be doing it out in the open.

And after they'd made love underneath a sky full of stars, she told him stories of their future life together. He remembered how a smile lit her face at the mention of them having children.

'No matter if it's a boy or girl, I want you to teach our child how to track or maybe even hunt. It's good when a child spends those moments with their dad. And together we can go camping in the woods, swimming in the river, climbing trees. I loved that as a little girl, I want our child to experience that as well.'

Daryl could still recall her saying that to him. One day it will happen, he thought before he closed his eyes, the memories of that particular night filling his head as they slowly lulled him to sleep, seeing images of smiling babies with dark brown hair and bright blue eyes, their grabby hands reaching towards him, calling him daddy as they would give him their unconditional love, just like Riley was already giving him. What more could he want in life than his own loving family?

Meanwhile downstairs, Riley entered the common room, looking around before she quickly noticed something peculiar. At one of the tables Glenn, Carol, Michonne and Beth were sitting, having their own conversation as they were eating breakfast while Merle was sitting all by himself at a table at the far end of the room, his back turned towards the entrance as he was staring at the wall in front of him, not making any eye-contact. She knew he was probably feeling extremely out of place even though he was pretending he didn't care. Normally Daryl would already be seated at one of the tables since he was an early riser and Merle would just sit next to him.

Riley pursed her lips, saying a loud good morning to everyone before she went over the big kettle in the corner of the room where Carol had just made some noodle soup. She turned her head, seeing that Merle wasn't having any food in front of him, wondering why he wasn't eating anything. She frowned before she realized that the entire time that Merle had been at the prison either her or Daryl had given him his meals since he always sat with one of them. Even during their argument, they kept on giving him his share of food. They wanted to make a point at the time, not starve the man to death.

As she kept on looking at Merle and his rather uncomfortable posture, it instantly made her think back at how Daryl was in the beginning. He didn't come up and ask for food either and only took what was given to him by Carol or her. It saddened her that even though Merle was a loudmouth and outsiders thought he wasn't anything like Daryl, the Dixon brothers actually shared quite a few similarities in their behavior, all caused by their upbringing.

Ignore everyone, pretend it doesn't hurt and just radiate that you don't need anyone, everyone will just use you since you're a good for nothing piece of shit, a bunch of rednecks that people look down upon. This was probably some strange code that both Dixon brothers had ingrained into their brain as some kind of defensive mechanism.

It was something Riley became highly aware of in her relationship with Daryl. He didn't say it in so many words, but she knew that Daryl had this habit of thinking such things, especially in the beginning of their relationship. Constantly wondering what she saw in him, wanting to push her away before she would realize he had nothing to offer her, doubting if she was just with him for his survival skills. All kinds of assumptions driven by his low self-esteem and insecurity.

Well no more of that, I won't tolerate it from Daryl so I won't tolerate it from Merle either, she stubbornly thought, grabbing two metal soup bowls before filling them with a good amount of noodle soup. People need people and Merle surely wasn't any different, there just has to be someone that cared enough to break through his walls, nobody wants to be lonely.

''Here you go, it's noodle soup for breakfast today,'' Riley's voice suddenly cut through Merle's trail of thoughts and he looked up in surprise, seeing her holding out a metal bowl of soup for him. He was about to take the bowl from her hand but she pulled her arm back a little, raising her eyebrow at him. He frowned before seemingly understanding what she wanted as he rolled his eyes.

''Thanks,'' he said and she gave him a small smile before handing him his bowl of soup. Apparently that little trick didn't just work on one Dixon but the other as well.

''Where's Daryl at?'' Merle asked as Riley sat down beside him.

''Still in bed, he has been tossing and turning all night, not getting much sleep. He told me he had a headache so I made him stay in bed to sleep it off.'' She replied, not noticing that Merle was frowning as he surely didn't like hearing that particular news.

''I think something is bothering him but he isn't telling me what.'' She quietly mentioned to him after a moment and Merle actually seemed a bit surprised that she was sharing her concerns with him.

''Think it's got somethin' to do with that talk he had with Rick yesterday?'' He questioned and it was now Riley's turn to be looking at him in surprise before she slowly nodded.

''I know it is, he was fine before that talk. Well, as fine as he could be after we got that dead threat from the Governor.''

''I'll go talk to him,'' Merle said but she quickly shook her head.

''No, I don't want to make it worse, I thought it would be better if I would just let him come to one of us with his problem.''

''Riley, that ain't the way Daryl's mind works.'' Merle said and she frowned.

''It worked in the past. I just gave him more time to collect his thoughts and then he would tell me when he was ready.'' She mentioned to him and he shook his head.

''If it's somethin' really fucked up he won't do it, I tell ya now. And then he will just go sulk in his own shit.'' Merle grumbled and Riley looked at him in surprise but she figured Merle was bound to know a lot more things about Daryl than she did. He was his older brother after all, they grew up together.

''That headache he's got is already a first sign, my brother only gets that shit from either worryin' too damn much 'bout somethin' that he can hardly sleep or when he's gettin' sick. He didn't look sick, did he?'' He asked and Riley shook her head.

''No, just really tired from his lack of sleep.''

''See, so this time we gotta do it quick, it's like rippin' off a bandage.'' He said and she pursed her lips before she looked at him again.

''Okay, I'll do it.'' She said and he looked at her in surprise.

''Why? I can do it.''

''No. Knowing you, you'll just go all 'tell me what the fuck is goin' in yer head Daryl or I'll bust yer ass!'-kind of shit,'' Riley said, trying to copy the well known Southern pronunciation the two Dixon brothers had and Merle looked at her dumbfounded.

''The fuck was that? Daryl and I don't talk like that,'' he said and she smirked.

''Yes you do, you two have that whole Southern drawl going on. 'Ya need some beer with yer burger? Check out them chicks with them big tits blabla'-kind of thing,'' she said and Merle now barked out a laugh.

''Yer crazy,'' he said and she grinned.

''Thanks for the compli-''

''Good morning,'' Maggie's voice suddenly cut into their conversation and Riley looked at her friend in surprise, seeing that she was standing beside her with a bowl of soup in her hands.

''Can I sit here?'' Maggie asked as she nudged her head to the bench both Riley and Merle were sitting on and Riley smiled.

''Sure.''

Maggie smiled back and sat down next to her friend before she started eating. In the corner of her eye, Riley saw Glenn looking rather confused by his girlfriend's actions before he looked away.

''This is some nice tasting soup,'' Maggie said and Riley nodded while she could hear Merle grunt under his breath in response.

Even though Maggie didn't look at Merle, Riley did notice that her friend hadn't been glaring at Merle the way she used to do. Perhaps her friend was trying her best as well to start working together as a group, knowing they needed all the help they could get to defeat the Governor. Riley knew that if they all tried to be a bit more civil towards each other instead of constantly biting each other's heads off, it would already improve the situation in their group.


Only an hour later, Riley and Glenn were stabbing walkers by the fences. Riley had explained to both Glenn and Rick that she would take over from Daryl since the hunter had a headache and she wasn't allowing him out of bed before he'd slept it off. Both men knew better than to argue with her, knowing how protective she was of Daryl.

''So uh.. I wanted to tell you something.'' Glenn mentioned as he stabbed another walker in the head.

''What is it?'' Riley questioned as she rubbed the back of her hand across her forehead, the sun beginning to make its appearance which wouldn't make their job any easier.

''I haven't said anything to anyone about this yet but uh.. I just wanted to know what you thought about it.'' He nervously said which instantly got Riley curious, noticing Glenn's uneasy behavior as he wasn't looking at her.

''I was thinking about asking Maggie to marry me.'' He said and Riley looked at him in shock. Glenn rubbed the back of his neck with his hand, looking away from her face. ''I was uh.. going to ask Hershel first, you know, for permission and then uh.. just uh ask her.'' He said and before he knew it Riley pulled him into a hug.

''Oh my GOD!'' She said out loud as she was smiling from ear to ear. ''No way! Oh my God Glenn that's so great!'' She squealed and Glenn blushed as he hugged her back.

''You think so?'' He asked and Riley could clearly hear the doubt in his voice.

''Of course Glenn! Why not?'' She said as she pulled back from him, still grinning.

''Well, what if she says no?'' He frowned and she shook her head.

''She won't say no Glenn, are you kidding me? She loves you!'' She said as she shook his shoulders a little and he started to smile, reassured by his friend since he was clearly having doubts before.

''I've got her this,'' he mentioned before he grabbed something out of the pocket of his jeans and showed a ring with a glistering white diamond. Riley's eyes widened at the sight, her mouth unconsciously hanging open.

''Do you think she'll like it?'' He asked her, clearly wanting a woman's opinion as he gave her the ring.

''It's beautiful, she'll love it.'' Riley said with a smile as she inspected the ring. It was really beautiful, she knew Maggie would love it. Glenn gave her a nod as he smiled back, glad he asked Riley since he was nervous as hell.

Riley was still smiling at her friend as she gave him back the ring before she saw movement in the corner of her eye, seeing Michonne and Daryl at the entrance of cell block C discussing something. What is he doing up? It's only been an hour or so, she thought.

''Seems like Daryl is feeling better?'' Glenn wondered as he looked at the pair as well before the hunter motioned for them to come over.

''Let's go find out what he wants.'' He said to Riley who nodded and they made their way over to Daryl and Michonne.

''What are you doing out of bed? Thought you had a headache?'' Was Riley's first question to Daryl who rubbed the back of his head with his hand.

''Slept for a bit, headache's gone.'' He replied and he saw that she was looking at him in suspicion before she nodded, seemingly believing him and Daryl inwardly sighed, thanking God that she wouldn't argue with him over this. But even though he'd fortunately been able to get rid of his headache, the worries in his mind were still present, especially if the woman they would be delivering to the Governor just told him a smart idea to help their group. He felt guilty, this whole plan really wasn't sitting well with him.

''So, Michonne's got an idea.'' He mentioned to both Glenn and Riley who looked at the woman in surprise.

''I thought if we would put some barbwire there on the pathway in the field, it will blow up the tires of their cars if they try to drive up the gate again.'' She said and Glenn nodded.

''That's a good idea, it will at least slow them down, give us some advantage.''

''We could use some help, a few of us have to go into the field while the others have to distract the walkers when we're in there.'' Daryl said to them.

''Okay, I'll go ask around in the cell block.'' Riley said and Daryl nodded in agreement.

Riley was about to walk off but not before she grabbed Daryl's hand, making him look at her in confusion. ''When we're done here, can I talk to you?'' She asked him and he instantly felt like he'd been caught. Was he being that obvious to her? He gave her a quick nod and she smiled at him before she walked off, leaving Daryl alone with Michonne and Glenn.

''These fences have barbwire on top of them, do you know where they are stored? Or else we'll have to cut a few from the fences, but I don't think that's such a good idea, they provide better protection from the outside.'' Michonne mentioned to the two men.

''There's a small building attached to the left side of cell block D. It's stuffed with old gardening supplies that they must've used to keep the prisoners busy. We never had the chance to search it more thoroughly though, but it might be worth a shot to go check it out?'' Glenn suggested and Daryl nodded in agreement.

''We can attach the barbwire to some of them wooden planks we saw in there. I reckon if we hit those planks into the ground with a bunch of nails it will tear right through them tires.'' The hunter said.

''Okay, I'll go check out that building,'' Michonne said and before the two men could say anything more she'd already walked off.

Daryl watched the African American woman leave before he looked back at Glenn. This was actually the first time he'd been alone with the guy after he returned to the prison with Merle and Riley. He had seen the hostility of Glenn towards his brother, heck Glenn had also acted rather irritated with him as well which made Daryl lash out too, not always so good in handling his emotions. But after Riley's argument with Merle, knowing the details of Maggie and Glenn's kidnapping, he did understand the situation a lot better. He was thankful that Riley managed to get through to his brother though and made him apologize to both Glenn and Maggie since he was also getting sick and tired of the constant tension that'd been hanging around.

''Riley told me Merle apologized.'' He said to Glenn who looked at him with a frown on his face before he slowly nodded.

''He really is sorry ya know,'' the hunter added and Glenn pursed his lips in a firm line.

''He's gonna make it right, I'll make him.'' Daryl said and Glenn looked away, trying not to roll his eyes because Merle and ever making this right to him and Maggie was really too hard to believe.

''There's just gotta be a little forgiveness, that's all.'' The hunter added and Glenn's jaw tensed as he looked back at Daryl.

''You know, what he did to me, maybe I could call it even eventually when he helps us against that psychopath. But what happened to Maggie, that's just.. I care more about her than I care about me.'' He said to the hunter who frowned.

''But Merle, he didn't do anything to her, he would never have, he ain't like that.'' Daryl commented and Glenn scoffed.

''He took her to him, a man that terrorized her, humiliated her… touched her.''

''But Merle, he-'' Daryl started but Glenn shook his head.

''You just don't get it do you? Merle is as much to blame for it as the Governor, you just don't want to see it because he is your brother.'' Glenn said but Daryl now shook his head.

''Look I know what my brother did was wrong bu-'' he started to say but Glenn cut him off again.

''Do you? Do you really understand it? What if it were Riley?'' Glenn suddenly said and Daryl tensed at the thought already.

''What if it was my brother who took her to some psycho and he touched her like that?'' Glenn mentioned and Daryl stayed silent.

''You see? That's the exact same thing. And don't think I don't remember what happened to Tomas after what he did to Riley. And he didn't even touch her like the Governor touched Maggie, and look how you reacted? You beat that man to pulp, you went ballistic. That anger, that hate is what I also feel towards the Governor. But the fact that Merle had helped him to accomplish that, I don't think I'll ever be able to forgive him for it.'' Glenn said and Daryl frowned. He understood what Glenn was saying but he was still torn about the fact because Merle was his brother, he was supposed to stick up for him, it's what they always did for one another.

''So don't expect me to ever become all buddy buddy with him, it's not going to happen.'' Glenn bit out and Daryl's jaw tensed. ''I will tolerate him because we need him for this fight and we need a clear head. Like Riley said, this tension isn't doing our group any good and I understand that. But that's all I can do Daryl, tolerate your brother. But don't expect me to ever forgive or forget what's he's done.''

Daryl sighed, brushing his hand through his hair in frustration. There wasn't any way to solve this issue. Merle had gone too far and this time there was nothing he could do about it.


Back inside cell block C, Riley walked into the common room, seeing Maggie and Carl cleaning some guns while Beth was feeding baby Judith.

''Guys, we need your help outside.'' She said to them and they all looked up.

''What is it?'' Maggie asked her friend, laying down the gun she was cleaning.

''Michonne has this idea to place some barbwire in the field, so if they ever try that way again, it will blow up their tires.'' Riley explained and Maggie nodded in understanding before she got up.

''I'll go see where I can help. Carl, you coming too?'' She asked the boy who nodded, quickly following her.

Riley smiled at Beth and was about to leave the room as well before the teenage girl spoke. ''Uhm, Riley?'' She said and the young woman turned around to look at her.

''Yes?''

''I was wondering if.. well, if I could maybe help you out too?'' She hesitantly offered and Riley looked at her with a frown on her face. ''I mean, I want to help out more, just to.. well to show them I'm capable too.'' She explained and Riley thought about it. She realized that Beth wanted to prove herself some more towards the others, a feeling she knew herself all too well. She had been doing that too to show both Rick and Daryl that she could handle herself, that she was strong too and could fight to keep their group safe. She was glad that they eventually realized that as well, their trust in her skills merely growing day by day. She understood that Beth was trying to do the same and she just needed someone to give her a chance, just like Riley had been given as well.

''Okay, sure. I think Daryl and Glenn will be dividing the tasks, I'll tell Daryl that you want to join in as well.'' Riley offered with a smile and Beth stood up.

''Oh but.. uh, Judith isn't quite done with her bottle.. Carol is in the laundry room washing some clothes and I don't want to bother my dad.'' Beth said with a frown on her face before she looked at the baby in her arms, realizing that she hadn't really thought out her plan.

''Uhm, well how about this: I will take care of Judith while you help the others outside?'' Riley suggested and Beth looked up at her in surprise.

''You'd do that for me?'' Beth asked and Riley smiled.

''Sure, just tell Daryl that I've sent you, he'll understand.'' The brunette mentioned before she walked over to the teenage girl.

''Besides, to be honest I rather cuddle up with this baby for a bit instead of standing outside in that burning sun some more.'' She whispered to Beth who giggled.

''Okay, she will probably be tired after she finishes her milk.'' The blonde girl mentioned before she carefully placed Judith in Riley's arms.

''Alright, I'll put her to bed if she falls asleep.'' Riley replied and Beth smiled.

''Thank you so much Riley,'' the teenage girl said and Riley winked.

''No problem Beth, you kick some ass out there,'' she said and Beth grinned before walking out of the room, leaving Riley with Judith.

That same moment Merle walked down the stairs, seeing Beth nearly running out of the cell block with smile on her face. The fuck is she so happy about? He wondered before he shook his head, deciding he didn't give a shit. He had been rather on edge since yesterday, the news Rick had shared with them surely wasn't sitting well with him. He knew it was just a matter of time before the Governor would drive though those fences again, killing each and every one of them. He tried to come up with some kind of plan but wasn't having any luck which was infuriating the hell out of him. And when Merle would get agitated or tense he would look for a way to get rid of that feeling the only way he knew how.

There's bound to be some crystal meth hidden in one of them mattresses, he thought. He'd asked Daryl for cigarettes earlier to ease some of the tension but to his surprise his brother didn't have any, muttering something about cutting back.

He used to smoke like a damn chimney and now he's cuttin' back? Merle thought before he stopped dead in his tracks when he heard a familiar voice singing in the common room. He frowned before he quietly made his way to the entrance of the room, seeing Riley softly singing some unfamiliar song to the baby in her arms.

Rick's brat, he thought as he looked at the baby, or Shane's, who knows. Merle thought the kid looked so pale in comparison to the tanned young woman who was currently holding her. He knew Riley had foreign blood in her and the constant sunlight she was being exposed to surely gave her a rather nice tan.

Merle unconsciously had to smirk, wondering what his future nieces or nephews would look like. Shit, if Daryl's daughters will inherit Riley's looks, he'll be fucked for sure, he thought to himself in amusement. He instantly frowned as he caught himself thinking about that sort of thing, quickly shaking his head. He blamed it on Daryl and that whole white picket fence fantasy his baby brother had.

Then again, he knew Daryl was good with children. Merle had seen the way his brother was with those Grimes kids. He'd even caught Daryl one time dressing the baby after Riley had given the kid a bath, helping the young woman since she was heating up a bottle of milk. He wanted to joke around when he saw Daryl doing it, but Riley had shooed him away, telling him to keep his mouth shut or else she would kick his ass.

Merle frowned at the thought. He didn't have any idea how to act around kids, Rick's son was already getting on his nerves to begin with. Stubborn little brat, takes after his damn father that's for sure.

''What've you been up to, hm?'' He suddenly heard Riley say and he looked at her.

''Uh, nothin'. Was lookin' for fuckin' cigs,'' he half lied, knowing she probably wouldn't like hearing that he wanted to get high. Daryl would already look at him in a disapproving way when he would go out and get some drugs in the past.

''I asked Daryl earlier but he ain't got none on him, said he was cuttin' back or some shit like that.'' He grunted and Riley smirked.

''Well, that's sort of my fault.''

''Shit, don't tell me yer one of them chicks who hates it when people smoke?''

''I don't want Daryl to die of lung cancer. As a matter of fact, you should cut back too.'' She said and Merle rolled his eyes. As a smoker he didn't think it was that serious to get cancer from smoking. Not that he cared much about those sorts of things. If he died he died, probably not a lot of people that gave a shit about it.

''Man yer his woman, ya can boss him around any time ya want but that shit don't work on me.'' He grumbled to Riley who held back a smile at the way Merle called her.

''You just need some kind of replacement for it.'' She mentioned and he chuckled.

''Oh sure, and what does Daryl have for that then?''

''Me actually. He only smokes when he really needs it and I can't help him out.'' She said and he frowned at her in confusion.

''Can't help him out? The fuck ya mean by that?'' He wondered and he suddenly saw a small blush appearing on her cheeks, making him realize what she was saying and he barked out a laugh. ''Shiiittt, ya fuck my baby brother so he doesn't smoke?''

''So? He gets a good exercise, let's off some steam and it doesn't affect his lungs. What's not good about it?'' She wondered, feigning innocence. She actually loved it when Daryl would be seeking her out during those moments, letting loose that whole animalistic instinct of his like he was the hunter and she was the prey.

Merle saw the look on her face, just knowing she was thinking about some dirty memory that involved her and his brother and he chuckled, making Riley look at him again. ''What? If it helps him cut back on his smoking, why not? And I surely don't mind being a replacement for smoking.'' She winked and he shook his head in amusement. The way she was always so brutally honest in her answers caught him off guard sometimes but he liked that she was so easy to be around, not some prude chick.

''Well, ya can be my replacement for smoking too ya know.'' He said as he wriggled his eyebrows at her and she chuckled.

''In your dreams Merle, I wouldn't even think of cheating on Daryl and I don't do threesomes either.'' She said before she looked at the baby in her arms who was looking up at her in wonder. Riley was thankful the baby was too young to even understand what she was talking about with Merle, smiling at Judith as she wriggled her fingers in front of the little girl's face.

''Who said anythin' 'bout a threesome? I ain't into my brother, that's sick.'' He said in repulsion and she laughed.

''Thank God for that. But no thank you, you're old enough to be my dad.'' She mentioned as she placed Beth's empty bottle in a bucket of warm water to be cleaned later.

''Age don't matter, the plumbin' still works just fine sugar tits. And everythin' Daryl knows about the female body comes from me. I consider myself an expert in thoroughly pleasin' a lady.'' He grinned and she rolled her eyes.

''You're such a pervert.''

''Man, look whose talkin'. Sometimes that shit that comes outta yer mouth when yer aroun' my brother ain't exactly appropriate, is it?'' He said and she bit her lip in mischief, knowing exactly what he was talking about. During their time outside the prison, she had teased Daryl quite a lot which made the hunter's ears go as red as a tomato. It surely gave Merle a good laugh though.

''Whatever, I only like Daryl's plumbing, so thanks for the offer but I'll pass.'' She said and he chuckled.

''Alrigh', yer a decent woman, I get it. Gotta warn ya though, the rate the two of ya are goin' at it, I'm bettin' one of these days ya'll be havin' one of them too.'' He mentioned as he nudged his head in Judith's direction and the way Riley's face lit up at his comment surely made Merle wonder what in the hell was going through her head at the moment. ''That means sleepless nights, shit diapers and a lot less sex.'' He added and Riley just smirked.

''No it doesn't, we'll still have uncle Merle to babysit when we want to go at it like rabbits.'' She smiled before she walked away, leaving a rather stunned Merle standing there.

Uncle Merle? Babysittin'? Is she out of her fuckin' mind?!

''I don't think so Riley, kids annoy the shit outta me,'' he grumbled as he quickly followed her. A part of him was rather surprised that he was even allowed look after their kids. Fuck man they don't even have kids yet, he thought as he shook his head. Damn, why am I even thinkin' 'bout this?

Riley being oblivious to what was going on in Merle's head just smiled. ''It's completely different when they're your brother's children Merle, believe me.'' She mentioned and Merle rolled his eyes, surely not agreeing with her on the matter.

Riley leaned a bit closer to Judith to place a kiss on the girl's forehead and wriggled her nose a bit as the scent of poop suddenly hit her nostrils. ''Oh oh, somebody did a number two.'' She said to the baby in her arms as she reached Beth's cell.

''Oh fuck, get that thing away from me.'' Merle grumbled, quickly stepping back from Beth's cell, choosing the lean against the entrance of the cell instead. Riley rolled her eyes since he called Judith a 'thing', grabbing a new diaper from a small table in the corner of Beth's cell.

''Ya talk to Daryl yet?'' Merle then asked but she shook her head.

''No, he's busy outside. I told him I wanted to talk to him afterwards.'' She mentioned and Merle nodded in understanding before he looked back at her, seeing she was about to open the baby's diaper.

''I'm outta here.'' He grumbled, quickly looking away in disgust.

''Where are you going?'' Riley questioned as she cleaned Judith's butt with a few baby wipes.

''Uh just, check out cell block A, maybe there's some shit in there to smoke.'' He said while he still wasn't looking her way and Riley smirked before she held up Judith's filthy diaper.

''Well you can always have this shit if you want,'' she said to Merle who turned his head and was faced with a diaper full of baby poop.

''Oh fuckin' hell!'' He yelled in disgust at the monstrous sight in front of him, the smell of shit hitting his nostrils and he quickly took a few steps back. ''What the fuck did that kid ate! Holy shit!'' He exclaimed before he quickly walked away, not hearing Riley laughing in Beth's cell.

''He's so easy to mess around with don't you think?'' She said to Judith who was just looked at her in curiosity, probably wondering what that crazy woman in front of her was saying.


Half an hour later as Riley was helping Carol folding laundry in the common room, Rick walked in, not seeing the person he was looking for. ''Have any of you seen Merle? He's not in his cell.'' He said to the two women.

''Oh, he's in cell block A, looking for cigarettes.'' Riley replied and Rick frowned but nodded.

''Where are the others anyway?'' He asked since he had been busy with searching for usable supplies like a piece of rope or cable ties that he could use for his plan even though it wasn't really sitting well with him. The way Daryl had acted yesterday night when he'd told the hunter about his plan to deliver Michonne to the Governor had also been nagging at him. He knew it wasn't right, but it was worth a shot if it would get the Governor off their backs, if only for a little while.

''Oh, they're making some traps for the Governor. Beth just told me they were attaching barbwire to a few wooden planks near the shed. They want to place them on that pathway leading up to the entrance of the prison, might slow the Governor down.'' Riley explained and Rick looked at her in surprise.

''That's a good idea actually.''

''Yeah, it was Michonne's. She's been a good help that's for sure,'' Riley said and she noticed the instant frown Rick that appeared on his face at the mention of woman's name.

''Alright, well.. I'll go and check on the supplies.'' He vaguely said before he walked off, leaving a rather confused Riley sitting there which Carol quickly picked up on.

''What's wrong?'' She asked the young woman.

''I don't know. Rick's been acting rather vague and Daryl is just being.. weird.'' She said and Carol frowned in confusion, not having noticed a thing.

Riley sighed before she got back to her work. ''I'm sure Rick would tell us if it's something important.'' Carol mentioned as she was folding a shirt.

''I hope so,'' Riley replied, not really convinced though.

Meanwhile outside in the field, Daryl and Glenn were setting the traps they'd created for the Governor. Daryl had to admit that he was rather surprised that Riley had send Beth to help them out but he quickly understood what she was doing. Beth was eager to learn as she'd helped them attach the barbwire to the wooden planks they'd found in the shed.

She was now driving the car while he and Glenn worked on the traps. As Daryl was crouching to hold down a plank while Glenn nailed it to the ground, he saw Michonne in the distance, easily killing the walkers with her sword as they tried to near them. Daryl still wasn't fully on board with Rick's idea, heck to be honest he didn't want to send the woman off. Michonne was a great asset, a fighter that could help them in their battle with the Governor. Who knows what that psychopath would do to her if they would just hand her over? It was like they were killing her themselves.

''Hey? You with us man?'' He suddenly heard Glenn say to him and he looked up, seeing Glenn watching him in confusion since he was already finished with nailing the plank into the ground. ''I uh.. yeah,'' Daryl quickly replied, rising to his feet to get another plank full of barbwire. Glenn frowned at the hunter's peculiar behavior but said nothing, quickly helping the hunter with another trap.

It took them about half an hour to finish their work before they quickly headed out of the field, Rick opening the gate for them so Beth could drive their car into the courtyard.

Back inside the cell block, Carol was taking care of Judith while Riley was busy giving everyone's clothes back, holding a basket full of clean laundry in her arms. She just walked out of Carl's cell when she suddenly saw Merle entering the cell block with a clear frown on his face.

''Hey, did you found any cigarettes?'' She asked and he looked at her in surprise, not having seen her as he'd been rather lost in his thoughts after Rick came to him earlier to tell him about his plan for Michonne.

''Nah, thought I might find some booze or somethin' 'round here,'' he grumbled to her before he walked off towards the common room where Carol was with Judith. Riley frowned at his odd behavior, the easy going mood he had earlier clearly gone. She wondered if it had anything to do with Rick looking for him earlier. She was getting more irritated by the minute since they were hiding something and she didn't understand why. It was like only a few of their group members were in on it since Carol had no idea, nor Maggie or Glenn since she would've sensed a change in their behavior if they had.

Back in the courtyard after Daryl had his talk with Rick, the man saying that he'd informed Merle about the matter, he wanted to find his brother and have a word with him. He knew that probably the entire group apart from himself and Riley looked at Merle with distain in their eyes but he realized that if his brother would be helping them carry out their plan it would only just increase their hatred for the man.

Daryl saw Riley sitting in the common room with Glenn and Maggie as he entered cell block C, quickly heading into the other direction. He'd been avoiding Riley when he was finished in the field, knowing that she was looking for him. He had this feeling that she wanted to ask him about what was bothering him, but he actually wanted to hold this off until Michonne was already gone since they couldn't do anything afterwards.

He knew she probably wouldn't approve of the agreement Rick made with the Governor, neither did he if he was honest with himself. But if Rick was convinced that it was worth a shot, who was he to go against their leader?

He searched a few cell blocks, finding them empty so he decided to head into the tombs, wondering if Merle was trying to hide away from the rest. As he turned into another dark hallway, he suddenly heard some noises coming from the generator room, frowning as he quickly raised his crossbow.

''Merle? Ya in here?'' He called out as he slowly walked into the room, seeing Merle quickly turning around to face him.

''Hey there little brother!'' The older Dixon called out and Daryl lowered his crossbow, walking over to him.

''What'chu doin' down here?'' He asked and Merle shrugged his shoulders.

''Lookin' for some meth.'' He replied and Daryl's face instantly turned into a scowl. ''Ah man, don't give me that look. Just tryna ease my mind, ya know.'' Merle grunted and Daryl rolled his eyes, hating the fact that his brother was picking up on his addiction again.

''Rick said he talked to ya,'' the hunter said and Merle smirked.

''Yeah, told me all about yer little plan. I'm in.''

Daryl nodded and Merle frowned. ''He ain't got the stomach to go through with it though, ya know that right?'' He said and Daryl pressed his lips together in a firm line.

''Yeah, well, it's his call.'' He replied and Merle raised his eyebrow.

''Ya want him to?''

''Don't matter, whatever he says goes.'' Daryl replied and Merle scoffed.

''Shit man, what the fuck is it with ya crawlin' into that man's ass?'' He mentioned and Daryl just rolled his eyes, not even going to respond to that comment, knowing how his brother hated Rick. ''Just followin' him in whatever he says hm? What did ya call people like that again? Sheep, right?'' Merle then said and Daryl's jaw tensed, but kept his mouth shut. Merle just scoffed as his brother didn't reply and looked away.

''Man, everyone aroun' here looks at me like I'm the devil himself for snatchin' up those two lovebirds. And now mister friendly police officer wants to do the exact same thing I did, snatch that black chick and deliver her to the Governor. Now tell me Daryl, how is that any different than what I did?'' Merle asked and Daryl lowered his eyes to the ground, knowing his older brother was right.

''People do what they gotta do in this place or they fuckin' die. Maybe these people need someone like me aroun', hm? Someone's gotta be the bad guy in the group, do all the dirty work for them, be the outcast.'' He grumbled and Daryl saw this look on Merle's face that he didn't recognize. Was it sadness? It was gone however as soon as it came, Merle quickly regaining his composure.

''Don't matter, I'm used to it.'' Merle then said before he looked at his younger brother again.

''Ya ain't the bad guy no more, and not everyone aroun' here hates ya either.'' Daryl said and Merle frowned.

''Does Riley actually know about this plan?''

Daryl shook his head and Merle now rolled his eyes. ''Oh for fuck sakes, she'll hate me just as much as everyone else then.''

''Nah man, she won't, I'll make sure of it.'' Daryl assured his older brother who scoffed.

''Believe me Daryl, she ain't gonna agree with this shit, and be sure that she'll give ya hell when she finds out.''

Daryl's jaw tensed, knowing his brother was right but he was going to make Riley understand the position Rick was in if it was the last damn thing he tried. ''She'll get it,'' he said and Merle rolled his eyes.

''Like I said, it don't matter to me, I'm used to it.''

''It does matter man, it matters to me, matters to Riley and it also matters to you.'' The hunter said before he stepped towards his brother, placing his hand on Merle's shoulder.

''I just want my brother back,'' he told Merle who looked at him in surprise, seeing the affection radiating in Daryl's eyes which made him feel something inside that he'd thought he'd lost long ago. The love of his younger brother, the only family he ever had. The last time Merle saw that look in Daryl's eyes was when his baby brother was about five years old and Merle was taken to juvie yet again. Daryl was clinging onto Merle's leg, crying in hysterics that they couldn't take his brother away from him. His bright blue eyes showed the unconditional love he had for his older brother, tainted with sadness and agony. It was already too much to handle for Merle in the past, and it still was. He didn't deserve Daryl's love.

''Man, just get outta here.'' Merle grunted, not used to Daryl's current behavior, shaking off his younger brother's hand. Daryl looked a bit disgruntled by Merle's reaction but refrained himself from saying something more. The hunter turned around and walked out of the generator room, his shoulders slumped forward in defeat.

Merle stared at his brother's retrieving form, feeling a pang of guilt about the way he reacted. He knew Daryl was just looking out for him, something he'd done for most of his life already. Merle knew it wasn't right; it was his job to take care of his younger brother, not the other way around. But he was going to make it right, even if it would kill him.

He knew Rick wasn't going to pull through in the end; he wasn't that kind of man and neither was Daryl. And if there was one thing that Merle didn't want to happen was that Daryl had this shit on his hands, no, he wasn't going to be the bad guy, he couldn't live up to that role but Merle could, heck he always had.

''I'm gonna make this right little brother, you just see.'' He muttered before he walked towards the back of the generator room where he'd stashed all the supplies he needed to set his own plan into action. He grabbed a few wires and walked out of the room, quickly trying to come up with some kind of plan to lure Michonne into the tombs.


Back in cell block C, Riley was filling up a basket with dirty clothes, going from cell to cell to see if anyone needed something washed. She kept an eye on the door to the courtyard, knowing that Daryl was outside. He wasn't going to avoid her any longer, she would go to him the moment he appeared.

After she was finished collecting Maggie and Glenn's dirty laundry, she walked out of their cell, stopping dead in her tracks when she suddenly heard some hushed voices downstairs. She quietly walked over to the railing, frowning when she saw Michonne nod to Merle before they walked towards the back of the cell block together.

What in the hell is going on here? She wondered in confusion. She was getting more anxious by the minute, feeling that something was going on while she was being kept in the dark. The way Rick, Daryl and Hershel had been behaving the whole morning already was getting her suspicions up. She pursed her lips in a firm line as she thought about it. She was going to get to the bottom of this for once and for all.

Fortunately for her, only an hour of watching the door to the courtyard like a hawk, Daryl appeared after doing God knows what outside, and she quickly made her way over to him before he could disappear on her yet again.

''Can we talk now?'' She asked him and he looked at her in surprise.

''Yeah I just need to uh-'' he started, quickly trying to come up with some excuse but Riley just shook her head.

''No Daryl, you've been avoiding me the whole time already,'' she said before she grabbed his wrist and pulled him along with her, Daryl knowing that he was pretty much fucked right now. She led him over to their cell and told him to sit down on the bed which he reluctantly did and she pulled up a chair before she sat right in front of him so he couldn't avoid her eyes.

''Okay, so talk.'' She said and he frowned at her.

''What'chu mean? Ya said ya wanted to talk so-''

''Don't start with me Daryl, something has been bothering you since last night and I want to know what.'' She mentioned and Daryl looked away, instantly confirming her suspicions that he was hiding something from her.

His eyes snapped up at her again when she'd place her hands over his. ''Please Daryl; just tell me what's going on. This is eating at you and I don't want to see you like this, you're clearly upset with something.'' She said and he sighed, lowering his eyes to their hands. He couldn't tell her, he promised Rick he wouldn't say anything and he knew that she wouldn't agree to this.

Riley gently squeezed his hands, wondering what on earth was making him act like this. ''Please, let me help you. That's all I want to do.''

''This ain't about me,'' he mumbled and Riley frowned in confusion.

''But this is about Rick? Something he said?''

Daryl slowly nodded and Riley pursed her lips. ''Does Merle know?'' She questioned and he instantly looked up at her.

''How did ya know?''

''He was fine this morning before Rick mentioned that he was looking for him. I'm sure they talked afterwards and when I saw Merle again later on he was acting rather weird, just like you're doing right now.'' She said and Daryl lowered his eyes again.

''Rick isn't kicking him out, is he?'' She asked and Daryl looked up in surprise. ''I mean if that's the case I could just talk to him, make him see that Merle is capable of change, he just needs to be given a cha-''

''No, this ain't about Merle.''

''But what about then, Daryl? Just tell me, I thought we could say anything to each other.'' She said and his jaw tensed, feeling even more guilty. ''Don't you trust me or something, is that it?'' She frowned but he quickly shook his head.

''No, that's not it at all. I just.. fuck woman, I just can't tell ya.''

''Did Rick make you promise not to tell anyone? Not even me?'' She asked and he nodded.

''Especially you,'' he mentioned, clearly remembering how Rick made him promise not to tell Riley because they all knew she wouldn't agree with this.

Riley sighed, knowing how loyal Daryl was to Rick. Even if Daryl didn't fully realize it himself, Riley knew that he considered Rick to be his best friend and if a friend would ask you to keep something quiet, you did. She knew it would turn into a great big argument between her and Daryl if she would press on it even more. But she also knew that this secret Daryl was keeping from her was eating him up inside and that was actually her problem. So if Daryl wasn't going to say anything, she would go and hear it straight from the horse's mouth.

''Okay, that just leaves me with only one option then,'' she said before she stood up and walked out of their cell.

''Hey! Hey where are ya goin'!?'' Daryl called out, quickly getting up from the bed to follow her. Riley didn't say anything, quickly making her way into the common room before Daryl figured out what she was going to do. She saw Hershel and Rick talking to each other but they stopped their discussion the minute she entered the room, Daryl stopping dead in his tracks as well behind her.

''Oh don't stop on my account,'' she said to them and Rick and Hershel looked at each other in confusion.

''Riles, just leave it, this doesn't concern ya.'' Daryl tried, grabbing her by her wrist but she quickly shook him off.

''Oh like hell this doesn't concern me!'' She snapped at him before she turned back to Rick. ''What did you make Daryl promise not to tell me?!'' Riley asked Rick who looked at her in surprise now.

'Nothin', we were ju-''

''No Rick, the truth! I know that some of you have been keeping things from this group and I want to know what.'' Riley demanded and Rick shook his head again in denial. Riley really wanted to scream in frustration but kept herself in check. ''I know Daryl won't tell me because he's loyal to you, he doesn't break his promises but this is eating at him and that IS my fucking concern!'' She snapped at him and Rick's jaw tensed, knowing how protective she was of Daryl.

Rick looked back at Hershel, seeing the man giving him a small nod, indicating that he should be honest with the young woman. Rick sighed before he looked back at Riley. ''The Governor, he made us an offer. If we give him Michonne, Woodbury stands down.'' He mentioned and Riley's eyes widened in shock.

''What?'' She said in disbelief before looking at Daryl who gave her a small nod in affirmation. ''And you were actually considering this?'' She asked Rick who frowned before he slowly nodded. ''Are you serious!? Who knows what that psycho would do to her!'' Riley snapped at Rick, ''I can't believe this! Michonne helped us, and now you just want to hand her over like that?!''

''Riles, keep it down, the others don't know,'' Daryl grunted to the young woman who glared at him.

''Yes, God forbid that the others know about what you all have been planning behind our backs, just sending out a woman to be slaughtered to death! I can't believe you agreed with this, Daryl.'' She said to him and the hunter lowered his eyes in shame, knowing it was wrong but the look Riley gave him just now sliced right through his heart.

''It's my fault Riley, I told him to keep this quiet. I said to him it was our chance to get out of this mess with the Governor, Daryl already mentioned that this isn't what we do.'' Rick said in the hunter's defense, knowing that Daryl had already disagreed with the idea beforehand.

Riley sighed in frustration before she looked up at Rick. ''Do you honestly think that if we give him Michonne he will leave us alone? He will just kill us all anyways sooner or later. We'll always have to watch our backs,'' Riley mentioned and Rick frowned.

''I know, I had this hope that making this deal with him would fix it, but to be honest, after thinking about it for so many hours already.. I just.. can't. Daryl's right, this isn't what we do. We can't hand him Michonne.. it would make me the same as him.''

Riley pursed her lips, briefly looking towards Daryl before she looked back at Rick. ''So, what are we going to do now then?'' She asked and Rick looked at Hershel before he frowned.

''We're not going through with the deal, we'll take our chances.''

''I'll tell Merle,'' Daryl quickly said and Riley's eyes widened.

''Shit, I saw Merle talking with Michonne a while ago.'' She mentioned and Rick looked at her in concern.

''How long ago was that?''

''Uh, I think about an hour or so?'' She replied and Daryl cursed behind her, making Rick look at him.

''Do you think he took her?'' He asked him and Daryl frowned.

''He might, he told me already that ya were gonna change yer mind.''

''We have to find him, he can't give Michonne to that psychopath.'' Riley said and Daryl nodded in agreement.

''C'mon, I know where he might be.'' He said before he walked out of the room, Riley and Rick following him, leaving Hershel standing there with a frown on his face, hoping that they would reach Merle in time.

Daryl took them to the generator room, but Merle was nowhere in sight. ''He was in here, said he was lookin' for drugs.'' Daryl said and Riley frowned, realizing that Merle had been lying to her earlier when he mentioned he was looking for cigarettes, clearly wanting something a lot stronger than that.

''Shit, he was here alright.'' She heard Daryl say to Rick and she quickly walked over to where the hunter was crouching, showing Rick a pillowcase. ''He must've used this to cover her head.''

''Dammit! I need to go after him.'' Rick said and walked towards the exit of the generator room.

''Nah man, ya can't track for shit,'' Daryl grunted as both he and Riley followed Rick.

''Well alright, we'll both go.'' Rick said but Daryl shook his head

''Nah just me. Ya need to be ready for when we come back.''

Rick frowned but before he could say anything more Riley spoke. ''I'll go with him,'' she said and she saw Daryl was going to disagree with her but she glared at him now. ''Don't you dare, you've already kept shit from me. Consider this you trying to make it right,'' she grumbled as she jabbed her index finger into Daryl's chest, making the hunter tense up a little. ''I'll get my crossbow, meet me at the gate and don't you dare walk out of here without me.'' She added before she walked out of the door, leaving the two men behind in stunned silence.

''Sorry,'' Rick muttered, knowing the tension between Daryl and Riley was his fault but the hunter shook his head.

''Ain't yer fault, this whole thing is just messed up.'' He said before he walked over to the door. ''Get ready for when we get back, I'm sure the Governor is gonna make his way over here when he sees the deal's off.'' He told Rick before he stepped outside.


Both Riley and Daryl made their way outside the prison, Daryl taking the lead as he tried to track down Merle and Michonne. He knew where the farm store was located where the Governor would meet up with Rick but he hoped he could find his brother before the exchange would happen.

''They went left over here,'' Daryl said to Riley as they'd been running for at least fifteen minutes already.

''Look! It's Michonne!'' Riley suddenly said as she saw the woman walking in the distance and Daryl's eyes widened, quickly making his way over to Michonne.

''Where's my brother?!'' He demanded to know and Michonne frowned at him.

''He let me go.'' She replied and Daryl and Riley looked at each other in confusion. ''He's going to that meeting place, he's got a car though,'' Michonne said and Daryl cursed in frustration, knowing they would be slower on foot. It would probably take them at least half an hour to reach that place without a vehicle.

''Fuck! C'mon!'' He said to Riley before he started to run in the direction of the farm store, Riley following him. ''Don't let anyone follow us!'' He called out to Michonne who stared at the couple before turning around to head back to the prison.

As Daryl had already thought, it did take them about half an hour to eventually reach the farm store.

''What the hell happened here?'' Riley whispered, recoiling at the horrible sight on the ground, seeing at least five dead men with their intestines on display.

''The fight has already taken place, fuck, that Governor was gonna trick us. Look at how many of his men are out here,'' he grunted to her in annoyance as he saw that these bodies were still fresh. He should've known this whole deal was a pile of shit.

''C'mon, we gotta find him.'' Daryl said as they walked in a fast pace between the abandoned buildings, occasionally shooting down a few walkers that neared them. The hunter couldn't explain it but he had this bad feeling that was washing over him the minute they reached this place. He tried to refrain himself from panicking, not wanting to assume the worst, knowing he had to keep a clear head.

They searched around the place for at least twenty minutes, not finding Merle anywhere. ''Fuck!'' Daryl cursed under his breath. ''Where in the hell is he?!''

Riley stayed silent as she followed Daryl, noticing he was getting more agitated by the minute. She knew he was worried about his brother, seeing the panic flashing in his eyes when they'd opened the door of a building to check if Merle was in there.

Luckily for them, most of the walkers around the place had already been killed by the Governor's men or else that would've made their search even more difficult.

''Daryl, calm down. We just have to keep looking, we'll find him.'' She reassured him as he accidently knocked over a metal barrel in his haste. Daryl groaned in frustration, taking out his knife as a walker appeared from beside them due to the noise the fallen barrel had made and the hunter quickly stabbed the reanimated body in the head.

''He's gotta be around here somewhere, he gotta be.'' Daryl said as made their way outside again, his search becoming more frantic as he now even looked behind a big pile of hay to see if his brother was hiding there.

''Daryl, I don't think he wou-'' Riley started to say but Daryl already walked off, seemingly not hearing her in his frenzied search. She quickly walked over to him, cupping his face in her hands to make him look at her.

''Riley, what the fu-'' he started but she cut him off.

''No, listen to me. We're going to find him, okay? We just need to keep a clear head and thoroughly search this place.'' She said to him and his jaw tensed before his eyes left hers, scanning around the place again.

''Daryl! Look at me!'' Riley firmly said and his eyes snapped back at her again. ''We're going to find him, just breathe,'' she said and he took a deep breath, trying to calm down.

''Okay. We'll do it like this: you check the left side while I'll check out the right to cover more ground. Whistle if you see something,'' she said to him and as he was about to protest she pressed her lips against his for a brief moment before she pulled back, ''I'll be fine, trust me,'' she assured him before she moved over to the right side of the field.

Daryl watched her retrieving from, wanting to go after her but knew he had to trust her if he wanted to find his brother. He rubbed the back of his hand over his eyes before he turned left. Keep a clear head Dixon, he's gotta be aroun' here somewhere.

On the other side of the field Riley checked a few buildings, using her machete to make her kills quicker since she constantly had to reload her crossbow. As she walked out of another building she saw Daryl killing another walker in the distance. Their eyes briefly met and she nodded at him before she quickly turned left, seeing a door of a small grey building standing wide open. She killed a walker that neared her before she carefully made her way inside.

She saw a few metal barrels along with a table full of tools. She frowned, walking around some barrels before her eyes widened when she saw a pair of legs on the ground from behind a metal rack. She quickly made her way towards the body before she noticed it was a dead walker.

''Fuck!'' She cursed in annoyance and was about to make her way outside of the building before she suddenly heard a soft groan coming from the back of the building. She raised her crossbow, carefully making her way towards the open door at the back, now seeing a trail of blood on the floor. She poked her head inside the area, her eyes widening as she noticed Merle sitting on the floor in the corner of the room leaning against a wall as his eyes were closed while his shirt was covered in blood.

''Oh my God, Merle!'' She said in a hushed voice, quickly making her way over to the man, crouching down in front of him. ''Merle?'' She whispered not knowing if he was dead or alive. He suddenly opened his eyes at the sound of her voice, scaring her half to death by the sudden movement as she scooted away from him, thinking he might've turned.

''Fuck girly, what'chu doin' out here?'' He grumbled as he dazedly looked at her and she quickly moved towards him again.

''What happened?'' She asked, now clearly seeing the gunshot wound on his chest, instinctively pressing her hand against it to slow down the bleeding, making him wince in pain.

''Shithead shot me,'' he muttered and she slowly opened his shirt, seeing blood oozing out from the wound in his chest, it was only a few inches from his heart. ''The fucker thought he killed me, I played dead on the ground,'' he smirked before he coughed. He felt extremely cold since he was losing a lot of blood and the pain of his gunshot wound was excruciating but he tried to put up a brave front.

''Shit Merle, don't talk.'' Riley said to him, slowly leaning him forward to see if there was an exit wound on his back and her jaw tensed when she didn't see anything. ''The bullet is still in there, we have to get you back to the prison.'' She said as she carefully let him lean back against the wall again. ''Stay here,'' she said to him before she made her way out of the room.

''I ain't goin' anywhere,'' Merle mumbled, closing his eyes as his eyelids were getting heavier. He heard someone whistle in the distance before hearing some hushed voices and all of a sudden some footsteps neared him.

''Merle!'' He heard Daryl call out to him and he opened his eyes again, faintly seeing his brother approaching him. ''Merle shit, what the fuck?!'' Daryl said in panic as he knelt down in front of his brother, seeing Merle's shirt covered in blood.

''We have to get him back to the prison Daryl, he's losing a lot of blood.'' Riley mentioned to the hunter as she knelt down beside the both of them, quickly pressing her hand against Merle's wound again.

''I tried man, I tried.'' Merle mumbled to his brother, his vision blurry.

''Don't talk, fuck, don't talk.'' Daryl muttered, his eyes glazing over at the weakened state his saw his brother in. He quickly brushed his hand over his eyes as he felt the tears rolling down his cheeks.

''Daryl get a car, we have to get him back to the prison fast.'' Riley instructed the hunter who still looked at his brother in shock. ''Daryl!'' She snapped at him and he was pulled out of his dazed state. He quickly nodded before he ran out of the room to try and find a working vehicle.

Riley slowly pulled Merle down so he could lay his head on her lap, and his eyes fluttered open again at the movement, dazedly staring at her as she brushed her hand over his cheek in comfort.

''You're good,'' he suddenly mumbled after a moment and she looked at him in confusion. ''You're good, good for him,'' he muttered before he coughed again.

''Stop saying things like that Merle, save your strength,'' she softly said, her eyes glazing over at his words, knowing that Merle loved his brother. Whatever people thought, everything he'd done just now was for Daryl.

''He ain't alone no more,'' he whispered and frowned as he suddenly heard a soft sob, seeing tears rolling down Riley's cheeks. He slowly reached out towards her face, feeling the wetness on her cheek. ''Don't cry.. I ain't worth the tears, do-'' he mumbled before his hand suddenly fell limply to his side.

''Merle? Merle!'' Riley called out as his eyes closed but he didn't respond to her voice anymore and Riley felt an instant panic surging through her. She quickly pressed her index and middle fingers on the side of his neck, feeling a weak fluttering against her fingers.

Suddenly she heard loud footsteps nearing, Daryl barging through the room again. ''Shit no, is he..'' he started to say with widened eyes as he saw Merle lying limply in Riley's arms, but she quickly shook her head.

''No, he's unconscious. We have to get him out of here, fast! His pulse is extremely weak.'' She said and Daryl quickly nodded, moving towards her as he worked on autopilot, shutting off his emotions or else he would be a complete wreck.

''Found a car out back. We gotta carry him over there.'' He said to her and she nodded. ''Take his legs,'' Daryl instructed and they quickly moved positions, Daryl holding Merle's upper body upright while Riley took the man's legs. ''Okay ready? On the count of 3 we pull him up. 1, 2, 3!'' Daryl said and they pulled Merle off the floor before making their way out of the building.

The couple knew that they had to get Merle back to the prison fast, having the exact same thoughts running through their minds over and over again.

Merle can't die, he just can't.

~ TWD ~


A/N: Do you think Daryl and Riley will reach the prison in time to save Merle? A major twist happening right now I know, but Merle isn't out of the woods yet!

My apologies for the extreme long wait; this chapter was really difficult to write. I had to take a break from it for a while since I didn't want to mess it up. Hope I made up for the wait with this XXXL chapter lol.

Also, please don't worry about me abandoning this story if you don't see an update that soon, it's extremely unlikely for me to quit because I do have ideas for season 4 and 5 already! ;) Anyways, I hope you liked this chapter, I'm forever curious about your thoughts. :)

I thank all the readers who took the time to write me a review, as a writer I always wonder if my chapters are enjoyable. I'm also amazed by the amount of follows/favorites Armored Love currently has, I can't believe that so many people are giving my story a chance, thank you!

To the reviewers I couldn't pm:

* Bella87: Glad I could make your day! I'm happy to know that you like my version of Merle, he's such a difficult character. I clearly didn't exactly follow the show's storyline in this chapter haha, I hope you liked it. Thanks for your continuous support to this story. :)

* Mia: Thank you for the compliment! It's always a big guess if certain characters are behaving similar to how they are in the show, I try my best while adding a lot of my own things as well. I also do tend to stray from the original storyline to keep things unpredictable. Really happy to know that you like Riley btw! Thank you for your kind review. :)

* Lena: Thank you! I try my very best to keep Merle in character. I think he is willing to change if there are people that care enough to break through his walls. Thanks for your loyal reviews.

* xdiexromanticx: Great to hear from you again! I know how busy life can be sometimes. I hope all of your questions were somewhat answered in this chapter and that you liked it. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me. :)