Chapter Fifty-Two

''Uncle Mer! Uncle Mer?!'' Merle heard a child's voice call out to him in the distance and he felt himself frowning in confusion, not seeing anything as he was surrounded in complete darkness.

''Uncle Meeerrrr wake up!'' He suddenly heard the same child squeal before two small hands slapped him against his chest. Merle instantly opened his eyes, seeing this young boy leaning over him with a big smile on his face while he was missing his two front teeth.

Merle was momentarily frozen in place as he looked at the child in front of him. The boy looked almost like a young Daryl, having the same bright blue eyes and nose, heck even the same ears and mouth. But he wasn't Daryl, this boy had mop of dark brown unruly hair and a lightly tanned skin. So how come he looked so damn familiar? He had never seen this kid before.

''You sleep long enough uncle Mer, we wanna play!'' The kid squealed before he got off of Merle and the man himself sat up in confusion.

Uncle Merle? What the fuck?

He looked as the toddler, dressed in a pair of dark blue overalls, wobbly made his way to some sort of play mat that was situated on the floor. It was barely visible as it was full of toys, even though there seemed to be more toys off the mat instead of on it.

Merle's eyes widened when he saw a young girl already sitting on the mat, dressed in a yellow summer dress with a big pink flower on the front, her thick dark brown braid slung over her shoulder as it was tied with a small pink ribbon. Merle thought she looked a lot like Riley, but her nose and those big blue eyes that watched him in curiosity reminded him so much of Daryl.

The young boy finally reached the play mat and sat down beside the girl, grabbing a green toy car from the mat. Merle thought that the children seemed around the same age, heck they even looked alike. Same blue eyes, same nose, same hair color, the exact same skin color too. Twins? Merle thought to himself in confusion as he scratched the back of his head with his right hand. His eyes widened when he felt his fingers against his head and he pulled back his arm, seeing that his hand was still there.

The fuck? He thought to himself in confusion, looking around to see where he was. He seemed to be in some kind of apartment, sitting on the couch in the living room while the children were playing on the floor.

''Hey kids, the hell am I?'' He grumbled to the children who both looked at him, not at all fazed by his grunt comment.

''You are at your house uncle Merle,'' the small girl replied, clearly having a better vocabulary than her brother.

''Uncle Mer forget.'' The boy said to the girl with a look of mischief on his face, and his sister softly giggled as she was holding a Barbie doll in her hands, combing through the doll's thick brown hair with a small purple brush.

''The fuck man, why they keep callin' me uncle?'' Merle grumbled to himself in confusion, getting up from the couch. He was about to go over to the front door before someone attached himself to his leg and Merle looked down, seeing the boy clinging onto him.

''Where are you going uncle Mer? You said we play cars together when you no sleepy anymore.'' The boy said, looking up at him with his big blue eyes. Merle was momentarily stunned into silence, remembering this exact same scene happening in the past between him and Daryl, only this child was showing unconditional love and happiness in his eyes, no trace of sadness or agony in there.

Merle got uncomfortable by the whole situation as it was confusing the hell out of him and he was about to tell the kid to get lost before the doorbell suddenly rang, pulling him out of his thoughts.

''Mommy! Daddy!'' The young girl squealed in excitement, making her way over to the door as fast as her small legs could carry her, the boy quickly following her. She wanted to open the door but the doorknob was too high up, the girl clearly being too small as she was reaching out towards it with her hand. The boy beside her was trying the same thing, also failing. He got frustrated and started to jump up and down to reach for the doorknob, his sister trying to pull him up by his overalls. Merle would've thought it was pretty comical to watch if he wasn't so confused by everything that was happening.

All of a sudden they heard a key being shoved into the keyhole from the other side of the door before it opened and Merle didn't know what the hell to think when he saw his younger brother standing in the doorway in a black tuxedo, looking pretty sharp while he had apparently loosened up his tie as it was limply hanging around his neck.

Daryl had a smile on his face, quickly getting down on his knees to pull both kids in a big hug. ''Daddy!'' They both cheered, giving him a kiss on his cheeks.

''Hey kids,'' Daryl greeted them, taking them both in his arms as he stood up.

''Where's mommy?'' The boy immediately asked with a frown on his face as he looked over Daryl's shoulder to see where his mother was.

''She's comin' right up, Ms. Bakers saw us. I managed to get away but yer momma wasn't so lucky.'' Daryl explained to the child who pouted, clearly not liking the fact that his mother wasn't there.

''Ms. Bakers smells like old feet,'' the girl said with a look of disgust on her face, thinking about the old woman who lived a few doors away, always wanting to hug her and her brother when they would visit their uncle.

Daryl laughed at the child's comment. ''Don't tell her that though,'' he said to the girl who grinned as she shook her head.

''So you two been good?'' Daryl asked them as he walked over to the couch and sat down, each child sitting on one of his legs.

''Yes daddy, uncle Merle took us to the zoo.'' The girl said to her father.

''And we also got ice qwuam, and I saw a tiger!'' The boy said, waving his hands into the air in his excitement.

''That was a lion, not a tiger,'' the girl corrected the boy but he shook his head.

''No it was a tiger, I sa-'' the boy started to babble, Merle tuning him out the moment he saw a figure appearing in the doorway and he looked to the right, his eyes widening as Riley stepped into the apartment.

She looked exactly the same, only her hair was not in its familiar braid but falling down her shoulders in long curly waves. Merle cocked his head in confusion as he looked at her, something was off about her. She was wearing a black cocktail dress that surely accentuated her nice curvy figure, not that Merle said such things out loud though as he didn't want to get wacked in the head by his brother, but the big surprise came when she suddenly turned around to close the door behind her and he noticed she had a rather big belly, a big pregnant belly that is.

''Shiitttt preggars,'' he said without thinking and Riley looked at him after she closed the door, a smile on her face.

''Yes, thanks for reminding me Merle,'' she said with a wink before she walked up to him and to his surprise she gave him a kiss on his cheek in greeting, making him flush a deep shade of red. The fuck?

''Thanks for looking after the kids, we tried to get here sooner but we couldn't disappear on the party before we said hi to Daryl's boss,'' she said as she lightly patted him on his chest when she'd pulled back from him.

''I uh..'' he merely mumbled, not knowing what to say. Riley smiled at him before she walked over to the couch where Daryl was sitting with the two children.

''Mommy!'' The boy in Daryl's arms yelled out loud when he finally spotted Riley. She gave the boy a hug and a kiss on his cheek before she gave the same greeting to his sister.

''Thanks for leaving me there with that woman,'' she grumbled to Daryl who smirked.

''Man, that old hag always undresses me with her eyes!'' He said to her and Riley chuckled.

''I have realized that yes, can't say I blame her for doing it though.'' She said with a wink and Daryl rolled his eyes, not being able to prevent the blush that was forming on his cheeks.

''Mommy, when is our little brother coming?'' The girl suddenly asked her as Riley carefully sat down beside Daryl, the small boy on his lap quickly going over to his mother when she was properly seated.

''Just two more months,'' she said to the small girl before giving the boy in her arms another kiss on his cheek, making him giggle.

''You gonna be a good big sister?'' Daryl asked his daughter who eagerly nodded.

''Uh-uh, I'm going to teach him how to color and how to ma-'' the girl started to babble while Merle was still standing there in the middle of the room, dumbfounded by what he saw unfolding in front of him. He was about to open his mouth but Riley cut him off as she started talking to him.

''So, Daryl is going to be managing that new garage which will open down the street in a few weeks, isn't that great? His boss told us earlier that he wanted to give him more responsibility since he knew he could trust Daryl to take the lead on things. I knew he could do it! I always said to Daryl it was just a matter of time before Tom would open his eyes and see what a valuable employee he is,'' Riley beamed as she squeezed Daryl's knee who blushed a little at the compliment she was giving him.

''Well, Riles is gonna be doin' some new stuff too. The principal asked her if she could give some extra lessons after school to kids who are strugglin' with grammar and such. It's just an hour longer durin' the day so our kids won't be affected by it, but it's gonna freakin' pay extra too,'' Daryl mentioned to put the attention on Riley and away from him.

''Yeah, so that renovation on the house we've been planning since forever will happen even sooner now that we both will be receiving more income.'' She mentioned to Merle who was still frowning.

''Makin' some extra room for this little man,'' Daryl said with a small smile as he placed his hand on top of Riley's belly who was grinning at him in return, placing her hand on top of his.

''Can we get a swimming pool too daddy?'' The little girl asked Daryl.

''Yeah! And a slide?!'' The boy said out loud to his parents who both laughed.

''We'll think about it, alrigh'?'' Daryl said to the kids who both nodded before they winked at each other, they had wanted a swimming pool since forever.

Merle scratched the back of his head in confusion and was about to open his mouth to ask his brother what the hell was going on before this souring pain gripped his chest and he fell down on his knees.

''Oh my God Merle!'' He heard Riley call out to him in the distance. His vision was getting blurry as he saw Daryl running over to him.

'What's goin' on, are ya alrigh'?'' He heard his brother ask but Merle couldn't speak, the pain in his chest was getting too much.

''Mommy what's happening?!'' He heard the young girl ask in panic while the small boy was crying in the distance.

''Merle! Merle stay with me man!'' He heard Daryl say to him before he slipped into darkness.

''Merle!'' Daryl yelled again and Merle blinked, seeing that his environment had changed as he was back inside a familiar concrete cell. He saw Rick pressing him down on a bed, looking at him in concern before he turned his head away to look beside him.

''Hold him still Rick, I need to get all of the bullet fragments out of there!'' Merle heard Hershel say before he felt a sharp sting inside his chest again.

''Aaaah!'' Merle cried out in pain, he felt like his whole body was about to split in half.

''Merle!'' He heard his brother call out to him and he turned his head to the side, seeing Daryl standing by the entrance of the cell, Riley right there beside him, her hands pressing against Daryl's chest to hold him back.

''Daryl don't, let them help him.'' Riley warned Daryl who was trying to hold back his tears at seeing his brother in so much pain. Merle had always been the strong one out of the two of them, he'd never seen Merle like this. His older brother was indestructible, this wasn't happening, this couldn't be real.

''Daryl,'' Merle whispered, reaching out his hand, noticing the bandage wrapped around it as he was briefly reminded that the Governor had tried to bite off his fingers, the crazy fucker.

He tried to fight the dizziness and the extreme pain he was feeling as he was reaching for his younger brother, needing to talk to him before it was too late. He needed to know, he needed to know Daryl would be fine, that his family would make it out okay.

Daryl's eyes widened at Merle's actions, quickly making his way over to Merle, kneeling down in front of the bed. ''Yer kids, are they alrigh'?'' Merle asked him, reaching for his younger brother's shoulder to keep himself grounded as he tried to push back the excruciating pain he was feeling.

''What? Kids?'' Daryl said in confusion, quickly brushing away the tears he felt rolling down his cheeks, not wanting to show his older brother any sign of weakness.

''The twins,'' Merle croaked out, his vision starting to get blurry again, he knew the darkness would be coming for him soon.

''I, the..'' Daryl stumbled, not knowing what to say.

''They're fine Merle, the twins are just fine,'' Riley's voice suddenly cut in and Merle saw her crouching down beside Daryl, feeling her soft hand on top of his forehead, an instant feeling of calmness surrounding him.

Daryl looked at Riley in confusion but she shook her head at him, not wanting him to ask about it now. She realized that the meds Hershel gave Merle earlier were slowly kicking in and the older Dixon was probably hallucinating.

''Baby, the baby boy.'' Merle mentioned and both Daryl and Riley looked at him again, seeing him blinking as his eyes nearly rolled into the back of his head.

''He's alright, everyone is okay Merle,'' Riley assured the older Dixon while she lightly brushed her hand over his cheek. Merle looked at the couple in front of him, seeming to imprint their faces into his memory. His eyes then focused on Daryl, needing to say something to him before it was too late.

''Ya gon' be okay, ya got yer family. I'm proud of ya man, don't ever let them go, fight for them, ya fight to keep them ali-'' Merle mumbled before his eyes suddenly closed and his hand fell from his brother's shoulder.

''Merle? Merle!'' Daryl yelled out, trying to reach out towards his brother but Riley pulled him back as Rick suddenly moved in front of them, pressing his hands down on Merle's chest to give him CPR since the older Dixon's heart had suddenly stopped beating.

''Carol he's crashing! We need your help!'' Rick called out and the older woman quickly made her way to his side and started to help Rick by breathing air into Merle's lungs.

''He's losing a lot of blood!'' Hershel said as grabbed another clean pair of bandages to replace the already soaked ones as he'd been trying to pull out another piece of the bullet inside Merle's chest.

''We need more blood! Daryl, what's his blood type?'' Rick asked the hunter who was still sitting motionlessly on the floor, looking at his unconscious brother while Riley had wrapped her arms around him to try and give him some comfort. ''Daryl!'' Rick yelled since the hunter didn't respond and Daryl's eyes snapped towards their leader in realization.

''O negative,'' he said to Rick whose eyes widened since the only person who had that exact same blood type was the person who hated Merle's guts.

''Glenn,'' Riley whispered and Daryl's jaw tensed at hearing the guy's name, no way in hell was Glenn ever going to donate his blood to Merle.

''Fuck!'' Daryl cursed, hitting his fist against the concrete floor in anger, feeling helpless that he couldn't help his brother.

''Don't worry, I'll go ask him,'' Riley assured the hunter and before anyone inside the cell could say anything she'd already ran off, searching for her friend while Rick, Hershel and Carol were trying their best to save Merle's life.

''Glenn! Glenn where are you?!'' Riley yelled throughout the cell block, running towards the stairs where Maggie, Beth and Carl were carrying a few bags since they were working hard to clear out the cells, knowing the Governor would pay them all a visit sooner or later since Rick hadn't gone through with the deal of delivering Michonne to him.

''Maggie! Where's Glenn?'' Riley asked her friend.

''He's in the courtyard prepa-'' Maggie started but before she could finish her sentence Riley had already run off towards the door leading to the courtyard. She ran outside, seeing Glenn standing by one of the fences, loading a few guns while in the corner of her eye she saw Michonne standing in one of the guard towers keeping watch.

''Glenn! Glenn you have to come help us!'' Riley shouted towards her friend who turned around and looked at her in confusion as she stopped right in front of him, panting a little as she was out of breath.

''Riley, what's going on? Is Merle de-'' Glenn started but Riley shook her head.

''No, no but he needs, he needs your help.'' She explained after taking a few breaths and Glenn frowned.

''What?''

''He's got O negative, please Glenn you're the only one in our group who has that blood type too.'' Riley said and Glenn's eyes widened. No way.

''But Riley, you can't expect me to just he-'' Glenn started to protest but Riley grabbed his shoulders, looking into his eyes.

''Please Glenn I beg of you, please help him. If.. if not for him, please do it for Daryl, he's losing his brother, you have to help him please.'' Riley pleaded, tears pricking in her eyes. ''Merle is willing to change, what he already did earlier showed he is capable of it, please Glenn. I know he's not an innocent man and he's done so much wrong, but please give him a chance.''

Glenn swallowed the lump in his throat as he looked at Riley, she was begging him to save the man he loathed but he realized that he would be even worse than the Governor if he would just leave Merle to die like that while there was a chance he could survive. He would never be able to look into Daryl's eyes, nor Riley's either. He knew how much his friend loved Daryl, she would do anything for him, even trying to change his older brother to become a better man. He'd seen her do it and she had already made progress. He had seen the bond she was starting to form with the older Dixon, she could still see the good in people, even in the ones that most people didn't see worth saving.

And Daryl had always risked his life for each and every one of his group members. He did everything in his power to protect them, he had even gone to Woodbury to save him and Maggie, no questions asked. He had even been captured at the time but he would probably do it all over again in a heartbeat, it was in the man's nature. Glenn knew he couldn't just turn his back on Daryl now, he was family.

''Please Glenn, please don't let him die,'' Riley pleaded and he sighed before he slowly nodded.

''Okay, I'll do it.'' He said to her and before he knew it she flung her arms around his neck.

''Thank you! Oh my God thank you!'' She cried out, hugging him close for a moment before she pulled back and grabbed him by his wrist, pulling him along.


Meanwhile back in the cell where Merle was treated, Carol was pushing in the syringe in one of Merle's veins to prepare for the blood transfusion while Rick was pressing down a few bandages on Merle's open wound to prevent more blood from pouring out.

''We need more blood now! His heart is beating but it's weak!'' Hershel said as he grabbed another pair of bandages.

Daryl was standing in the corner of the cell, helplessly looking at his brother's unconscious form. He was desperately trying to keep up a strong front, not wanting to let the others see the panic was raging inside of him, almost breaking him down as it was swallowing him whole. He wasn't the one to pray but he prayed to God that Riley was able to convince Glenn to help Merle.

''He's here!'' He suddenly heard Riley call out before she appeared in front of the cell with Glenn and an instant relief coursed through the hunter.

''Good, sit over here son.'' Hershel said to Glenn who quickly walked over to the man so he could be prepped for his blood donation.

Riley went over to stand by Daryl's side, holding his right hand firmly into both of her own hands for support, knowing that he needed it even though he was not giving any indication of his current feelings other than a tense jaw and concern edging his features. ''Thank you,'' he mumbled to her and she pressed her lips against his bare bicep in response.

As Carol was making sure the blood transfusion was properly done, Rick was helping Hershel to get the last fragments of the shattered bullet out of Merle's chest. Carol was constantly checking Merle's pulse to see if his heart was still beating, knowing this was a dangerous operation they were doing.

As Hershel was busy with retrieving a very small piece of the bullet Merle suddenly woke up again, screaming out in pain. ''Get off of me! Get off!'' He yelled, trashing on the bed he was lying on.

''Hold him still Rick!'' Hershel said to Rick who grabbed Merle by his shoulders to push the man back down on the mattress, Carol helping him to keep Merle's arm steady so he wouldn't tear out the syringe she had placed inside one of his veins. Glenn was about to get up and help but Hershel shoved him back on his chair. ''Stay there, the blood is already flowing.'' He said and Glenn stayed put.

''Get off of me! Daryl! Daryl help me!'' Merle now screamed out in pain, feeling disorientated as he wasn't realizing what was going on around him since he was only feeling a burning pain while someone was pressing him down.

''No he's in pain, stop it!'' Daryl frantically yelled at both Rick and Hershel, not thinking clearly at the moment as he was reacting to his brother's pleas. He was about to go over to his brother but Riley pushed him back with all her strength since she knew that Rick and Hershel would do everything in their power to save Merle.

''Riley get him out of here!'' Rick instructed her, pushing Merle back on the bed who suddenly went unconscious.

''His heart stopped again!'' Carol said and everyone saw blood pouring out of Merle's wound.

''Goddammit!'' Rick said in frustration, pushing against Merle's chest to start CPR while Hershel tried to stop the bleeding.

''Merle!'' Daryl shouted, seeing his brother limply lying there on the bed.

''Riley get him out of here NOW!'' Rick yelled and the young woman did what he said, pulling at Daryl's hand.

''Please c'mon Daryl!'' She said to him and after some pulling she finally managed to get him out of the cell.

''Press the bandage down on his wound Carol! We need to stop this bleeding or else he won't make it!'' They both heard Hershel say before Riley pulled Daryl away from the cell. She led him over to the stairs, seeing in the corner of her eye that both Beth and Maggie were looking at them in concern while they were emptying Beth's cell.

When the couple reached their own cell, Riley closed the grey bed sheet behind her to give them more privacy and turned around, seeing Daryl standing with his back turned towards her, not moving. She quickly went over to him, standing in front of him to look into his eyes. His blue eyes were glazed over, a few tears rolling down his cheeks before he quickly brushed them away again. She had noticed that he had been doing that constantly as if he seemed embarrassed to be crying, not wanting anyone to see his tears.

''Hey,'' she softly said, placing her hand against his cheek to gain his attention. ''It's okay to cry.'' She mentioned to him and she saw his jaw tense up, knowing he was holding back not to break down in front of her. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer and he leaned his head in the crook of her neck, breathing in her calming scent as he wrapped his own arms around her.

Riley glided one hand into his hair while the other brushed gently over his back, closing her own eyes to prevent herself from crying, her heart breaking because she could feel Daryl's pain, the sadness was quite overwhelming. His brother was in a critical condition and they didn't know if he would make it or not. Merle didn't deserve this, he just needed someone who cared about him. Daryl had always been doing that and Riley realized that in the short amount of time that she had known Merle, he had grown on her as well and she had unconsciously already let him into her heart. Even after the things he'd done, there was still good inside him, he had so much to live for, he just needed people to be there for him to show him the way.

As the couple stood silently in the cell for several minutes, Riley suddenly heard Daryl take a sharp unsteady breath before he started to sniffle a little, his right hand tightly fisting the back of her top to seemingly keep himself grounded. She knew he was slowly letting his locked emotions out, something that he had a real hard time doing.

The trust he was giving her in this exact moment was enormous but Daryl knew that he could depend on her, their bond was that strong. Even though he was letting out his extreme sadness, it felt as a relief to finally open up instead of letting it swallow him whole like he normally would do, time and time again.

Riley pressed him closer against her as his body started to shake and before they both knew it, Daryl broke down, tightening his hold on her as he started to cry. Riley felt her own tears falling down her cheeks at his behavior, hating to see him in this state but she knew he needed to let it out instead of tightly locking it up inside of him, weighing him down which would do even more damage in the long run.

They both sank down on the concrete floor as Daryl couldn't hold himself up anymore and Riley leaned her back against the wall, tightly holding Daryl in her arms as he cried against her shoulder.

''M'sorry,'' he said in between breaths, feeling discomfort by the weakness he thought he was showing her. Riley shook her head, brushing her hand soothingly over his back.

''You don't have to be sorry about anything baby, I'm here for you.'' She whispered in his ear before placing a kiss against his cheek, feeling the wetness of his tears against her lips, ''you're not alone.''

Daryl sniffled as he stared at the grey bed sheet that was hanging in front of the entrance of their cell, feeling comforted by her words while her arms were wrapped tightly around him.

''What if.. what if he dies?'' He whispered so softly that she almost didn't catch it. She heard the fearful tone in his voice, something she had never experienced from him before and it made her want to shield him from all the bad in the world.

''We have to keep faith, he'll make it through. He's a strong man Daryl, just like you,'' she said to him and Daryl scoffed at the thought since he didn't exactly feel strong right now.

''More like a weakass pussy cryin' his eyes out in his momma's arms, ya stupid little baby, get a fuckin' grip! How old are ya?! Two? Gonna pee in yer pants again huh?! Gonna make us regret havin' a second child even more, ya useless piece of shit! You're only costin' me money! You're a fuckin' disgrace to the Dixon name!''

His father's harsh words were yelling at him in his mind and Daryl closed his eyes to will away his father's voice, pressing his nose deeper into Riley's thick braid to breathe in the familiar strawberry scent of her hair, trying to use it as an anchor to keep himself grounded to the present even though his past was pulling at him. He had learned at a very young age already to not let his emotions show, never show tears, never show any signs of weakness or else his father would beat him even harder than he already had a habit on doing.

''Not yer belt daddy! I promise I won't cry anymore, don't, please! Daddy no!''

Before Daryl could cower into himself, haunted by his past that came crashing down on him in his weakened state of mind, Riley's soothing words were heard, pulling him away from the dark place that would almost swallow him whole.

''You are strong Daryl, but you don't have put on a brave face all the time,'' she said to him before pressing a kiss against his forehead. ''Crying isn't showing weakness, it shows you're human and capable of feeling. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that.''

Daryl let out a sharp breath at her words before pressing himself even closer against her, seemingly wanting to bury himself inside of her to hide away from the world. Riley frowned at his behavior but didn't say anything, merely tightening her arms around him.

''Merle dreamt we had kids, you know that right?'' She suddenly said but Daryl didn't reply, not having the energy to respond anymore. ''Twins, and another baby on the way. Even your brother knows you will be a good father, you will show our kids so much love.''

Riley heard that Daryl's sobbing toned down a little at hearing her words and she decided to sooth his mind by telling him more positive things. ''I sometimes wonder how they will look like, you know? If they will have more of your facial features, or mine, or perhaps a mix between the both of us, that would be cute right? I don't mind how they look like though as long as they are healthy. But secretly I hope they will get your beautiful blue eyes,'' she started and Daryl listened intently, hanging on her every word while images flashed through his mind of their happy family life, his father's harsh comments being shoved away into the back of his mind to be replaced by Riley's soothing voice.

The two of them sat there on the concrete floor for what felt like forever. Riley kept on caressing Daryl's hair as he'd positioned his head on her lap, listening to her stories before he slowly fell asleep, drained by his emotional outburst. Riley was listening to his soft and slow breathing before she suddenly heard footsteps nearing and a shadow appeared behind the grey bed sheet hanging in front of the entrance of their cell.

''Riley? Daryl?'' She heard Rick whisper.

''You can come in,'' she answered in a hushed voice, careful not to wake the sleeping hunter. Rick pulled the bed sheet aside, frowning as he saw Riley sitting on the concrete floor while Daryl was fast asleep on her lap.

''It's a lot for him to take in,'' she whispered to the man who nodded in understanding before he crouched down beside her. ''How is he doing?'' She asked him and Rick pursed his lips in a firm line before he spoke.

''We managed to stabilize him. Hershel was able to take out all of the bullet fragments but he lost an extreme amount of blood during the process. His heart stopped three times but we were able to get him back. We really need to keep an eye on him, Glenn was able to provide a good amount of blood so at least that is one less of a problem, but his heart has suffered a lot of trauma.''

Riley frowned, knowing Merle wasn't out of the woods yet but at least he was stable. ''Hershel has given him some medication, he will probably be out of it for at least a few days after what his body has been through.'' Rick explained in a hushed voice and Riley nodded in understanding.

''Thank you,'' she said and Rick shook his head.

''Don't thank me yet, it can still go either way.''

''That's not what I meant Rick. I saw what you did in there, Hershel and Carol too, even Glenn. I know Merle has done many things that has damaged this group, but still you all went out of your way to save him. That means something Rick, especially to him,'' she said, casting down her eyes to look at man she was talking about, brushing her hand through his hair which caused Daryl to stir a little but he didn't wake up.

Rick looked at the sleeping hunter before he spoke. ''Even though Merle can be an asshole, what he did earlier, letting Michonne go, trying to take on the Governor on his own, that's shown me that he's capable of change. I know you've been trying to show us that sooner, I heard what you did for Glenn and Maggie,'' he mentioned, ''but now, he sacrificed himself for others, for his brother, that's something, you know?''

Riley nodded. ''I know, I just pray to God he makes it out of this alive. He deserves a fresh start and Daryl should have the chance to see a different side of his brother as well.'' She said and Rick frowned as he looked at the sleeping hunter again, knowing Daryl had put on a brave front while he was hurting.

''I will try my best to make that happen,'' he said and she gave him a smile in gratitude before placing her hand on top of his.

''I know that you do a lot for this group, trying to keep us all safe, I'm grateful for that.'' She said to him but he scoffed.

''I did a lot of stupid things.'' Rick mentioned but Riley shook her head.

''You try your best Rick, you're not perfect, we're all human and humans make mistakes.'' She told him and Rick frowned as he processed her words, a feeling of comfort washing over him. Was this what Daryl constantly experienced with her too?

''I still owe you an apology about what happened earlier, with Michonne,'' Rick said but Riley shook her head.

''What's done is done, I guess in your own way you thought you were doing the right thing. But perhaps you should try not to do everything by yourself and try to include us a bit more in what you do, you know? I know you're our leader, but you don't have to carry that burden all alone on your shoulders, we're all here to help out.'' She said and he pondered over her words.

''I have to admit, that vote we had earlier, about us staying here or going did have me surprised though.'' She mentioned and Rick pursed his lips, knowing that she hadn't heard what he'd told the others earlier.

''I said this to the others when you and Daryl were away, but.. remember what I said that first night after the farm?'' He asked her and she nodded, still knowing his exact words. 'This isn't a democracy anymore.'

''It can't be like that, what we do, who we are.. it's not my call.'' He told her and she frowned, wondering where he was going with this. ''It can't be. We are all the reason that we're still here, not me. I don't want to be the next Governor. The choices this group is going to make, it's not just on me. That's why I wanted everyone to vote on it, I needed to have everyone's opinion on the matter because you're right, we're in this together.''

''So, we're going to be voting on big decisions from now on?'' She asked him and he nodded.

''Yeah, I can't do this alone anymore, making all the decisions for everyone else. If we're a group, we have to decide on things as a group.'' He explained and she nodded, giving him a small smile.

''I can work with that,'' she said and he smiled before they suddenly heard a few of their group members talking downstairs in their cell block. Rick realized that they had to get going, knowing that the Governor would sooner or later appear at their doorstep, guns blazing.

''I don't want to rush you two, but we're almost done packing.'' Rick mentioned to her and she nodded in understanding, knowing Daryl and her had to be packing their things as well. They all knew that Rick not following through on the deal he made with the Governor would have its consequences.

''Okay, Daryl and I will clear out our cell.'' She replied and Rick nodded before he stood up straight again.

''We'll have to hide Merle in one of the cars, it's not the ideal situation but it's the best I can do for now. Hershel, Beth and Judith will be there as well. I'm going to ask Carl to go too, I don't want him here when the Governor shows up.'' He mentioned to her and she nodded.

''Yeah you're right. I'll fill Daryl in on things.'' She told him and Rick gave her a final nod before he walked out of the cell.

Riley sighed before she looked back at the sleeping hunter in her lap. She hated to wake him, knowing he was drained but she knew they had to hurry. She gently placed her hand on Daryl's cheek before slowly brushing it back and forth over his skin. ''Baby? Baby you have to wake up,'' she gently said to him and Daryl stirred a little, frowning as he'd heard her soothing voice enter his unconsciousness.

It took him a moment before he slowly opened his eyes, feeling Riley's soft hand brushing over his cheek. ''Merle?'' Was his first question as he rolled over on his back and looked at her, seeing her giving him a small smile.

''He's stable, they managed to take out all of the bullet fragments but his heart has suffered a lot so Hershel has given him more medication, he'll be out of it for at least a few days,'' she told him and he frowned as he processed what she'd said. ''He's strong Daryl, he'll make it.'' She assured him, trying to ease his worries a bit. He slowly nodded before rubbing his hands over his eyes as they felt quite dry.

''We have to get packing, Rick is expecting the Governor to show up any minute now. We'll have to carry Merle into a car so he's safe, a few of the others will go with him so he won't be alone out there,'' she mentioned and Daryl nodded in understanding before he sat up, his limbs feeling a bit sore from sleeping on the concrete floor.

He suddenly felt her hand on the small of his back and he turned his head, seeing her looking at him. ''You okay?'' She asked and he thought about saying his usual answer that he was fine but as he looked into her eyes, he couldn't get it out of his mouth.

''Will get there,'' he said to her instead and she placed her hand on top of his, squeezing it gently in comfort.

''I'm here,'' she said and pressed her lips against his bicep for a brief moment before pulling back, knowing they had to get ready.


Two hours later, everyone was packing their final things. They had gone over their plan, discussing all possible outcomes, knowing that they needed to do everything in their power to protect their group. They had agreed that Rick, Daryl, Michonne and Carol would be inside the tombs, knowing that the Governor and his men would most likely be checking the inside of the cell block to see where they were.

Maggie, Glenn and Riley would be outside, hidden away to ambush the Governor once Daryl would throw in a bunch of smoke grenades and Rick would turn on the prison alarms to get them running out of the prison's dark corridors in panic.

Hershel, Beth and Carl would be hiding in the woods, keeping Judith and Merle safe in a car, knowing they were easy targets for the Governor and Rick wanted to do everything in his power to protect each and every one of his group members.

Riley was just putting away her final bag inside one of the cars when she noticed in the corner of her eye that Carl was turning away from his father in anger, stubbornly walking off with his bag slung over his shoulder before heading over to Beth who was putting away her own bag. He angrily shoved his bag inside the trunk, Beth giving him a confused look but he didn't say anything to her as he stomped off again. He was stopped however when he came face to face with Riley.

''Why are you so angry?'' She questioned him and Carl sighed.

''Because my dad treats me like a kid, he doesn't want me to stay here and defend the prison, that's why!'' The boy replied in anger, glaring at his father who was looking at him from a distance with a worried look on his face.

''Carl, he just wants to protect you.'' Riley said and Carl rolled his eyes, crossing his arms.

''That's bullshit, he ju-''

''Don't you dare finish that sentence. No matter which way you turn it, you will always be his son, his child. Doesn't matter if your ten, twenty, thirty or forty, he will always do everything in his power to protect you.'' She firmly said to him but he just rolled his eyes.

''I need to stay here as well, I ca-''

''Stop being so stubborn. You're acting like you're a four year old child who isn't getting his way.'' She said and he looked at her with widened eyes, surprised by her harsh comment since she was always so nice to him but Riley merely crossed her arms.

''You always want me to be honest with you, treat you equally? So that's what I'm doing, I'm telling you the truth as it is. Stop sulking like your dad isn't giving you a brand new bike, he is protecting you from getting killed.'' She mentioned and Carl was just stunned to silence.

''And it's not like you will be standing there all useless, there are some people coming along with you as well who you'll need to protect and you know it. Your dad trusts you to take care of them and so are the rest of us,'' she said to him and Carl lowered his eyes to the ground, knowing she had a point. Hershel, Beth, his baby sister and even Merle now who was injured and still unconscious. They needed someone to look after them.

''So you go over to your dad and say you're sorry. He's your father, show some respect.'' She half ordered him and Carl was about to protest but she cut him off. ''Go,'' she firmly said and he sighed, giving in.

''Ugh, alright already.'' He grumbled to her before he walked away. Even though Carl could be stubborn as hell, especially towards his father, he didn't want Riley to be mad at him. He made his way over to his father, muttering a quiet ''sorry'' to the man before he walked over to cell block C and collect his final things. Rick was rather surprised by his son's apology before he looked back at Riley, seeing her giving him a knowing smile before she walked away.

That's one amazing woman, Rick thought to himself, not understanding how Riley had been able to make Carl apologize like that. Then again, he knew his son held the young brunette close to his heart. She was one of the few people in this group that actually got through to him.

''Don't even think 'bout it, Grimes.'' He suddenly heard a familiar voice drawl out, pulling him out of his thoughts. He turned around, seeing Daryl standing behind him with his arms crossed.

''What are you talking about?'' He wondered and Daryl narrowed his eyes.

''I already gotta keep my eye on yer son, don't tell me I gotta start keepin' an eye on ya as well. I saw ya were checkin' out my woman.'' Daryl grumbled and Rick's eyes widened in shock.

''What I-I wasn't.. I mean, she's a beautiful woman of course,'' Rick stuttered which made Daryl raise one of his eyebrows. ''But I would never, no, not.. I mean, no..''

Rick was now fully red in his face since Daryl had made the assumption that he'd been checking out Riley in that way. He knew that Riley was an attractive woman, he wasn't blind, but he'd never seen Riley like that to begin with. His wife had always been his one true love, even if things hadn't been picture perfect between them, especially after the outbreak. To be honest, he was still mourning the loss of Lori, he didn't have the heart to even think about another woman like that. And especially since Riley was Daryl's woman, it clearly meant off limits.

Daryl looked at Rick, seeing him blushing like an idiot, trying to form words but he just kept on mumbling unintelligible shit. The corner of the hunter's mouth rose a little before he shook his head.

''Ah fuck, that was worth it.'' Daryl said before he slapped Rick's back and walked away, leaving the man behind with a rather stunned look on his face.

What the hell?

Back inside the common room, Glenn, Maggie and Riley were putting on their body armor that Rick had brought back from his supply run with Michonne and Carl. Riley smiled as she saw Maggie's engagement ring on her finger when she was fastening her bullet proof vest, realizing that Glenn had gone through with his word and asked her friend to marry him. Maggie was just about to put on her helmet but was stopped when Riley suddenly wrapped her arms around her, pulling her into a hug.

''Congratulations,'' Riley said to her friend who looked at her in confusion before she looked at Glenn who gave her a small smile and she realized what Riley was referring to.

''Thank you,'' Maggie said as Riley pulled back from her.

''When this all is over, we need to hold a ceremony or something,'' Riley said to Maggie who blushed a little.

''No, I don't want to make such a big deal out of it,'' she mentioned but Riley shook her head.

''It is a big deal Maggs, it's important to you and to Glenn, but also to the rest of us. It's a cause for celebration, God knows we need some joy after everything that has happened.'' Riley mentioned before the three of them heard footsteps nearing and Daryl entered the room.

''What's a cause for celebration?'' He asked as he'd overheard Riley's comment. The brunette smiled at him before she grabbed Maggie's hand, showing the ring on her friend's finger to Daryl, the small diamond glistering in the sunlight that was peeking through the windows of the prison.

''Glenn and Maggie got engaged, cute right?'' Riley said to him and Daryl was momentarily stunned to silence at the news before he seemed to snap out of it.

''Uh.. yeah, congrats.'' He said to Glenn and Maggie with a small nod of his head and they both smiled at him.

''Thanks, thought I would ask her before she gets away.'' Glenn said before he kissed Maggie's cheek and she chuckled, patting him on his chest. Riley was grinning at the sight in front of her, finding it adorable to see her two best friends so in love with each other.

She was so lost in the moment that she didn't notice the look on Daryl's face as he stared at her, seeing the big smile on her face. The news of Maggie and Glenn getting hitched did get Daryl's thoughts running, wondering if Riley was also interested in such a thing. They had discussed their future together of course, living together, getting a house in the woods, creating a family with at least two or more children but the marriage topic had never popped up between them.

Daryl had thought about it quite often but never had to guts to actually ask her if she was interested in such a thing. Heck, he had never imagined himself thinking about it before, he'd always thought something like that wasn't cut out for a man like him. It had always seemed a bit confining to him before he started his relationship with Riley. Especially with Merle always telling him that it was this trap set by women to get their claws into a man. But yeah, what the hell did the two of them know of married life or how a good relationship should be? The only example they had were their parents and that surely wasn't a good example to begin with.

But with Riley, he had actually dreamt about it on occasion. Not that he had told her about that of course. Marriage nowadays couldn't really be done officially anymore, but both Glenn and Maggie still seemed to value it, even if it wasn't written down on official documents. And shit, it would make him damn proud if Riley would call herself a Dixon. Part of it was something primal inside of him that reared its head when she would be carrying his name, stating to the world she was his.

Daryl was pulled out of his thoughts when Rick entered the room, asking if everyone was ready. The hunter quickly nodded and walked away, heading off towards the cell Merle was lying in so he could start making the preparations for moving his brother carefully into a car.

An hour later, Hershel, Beth and Carl along with Judith and Merle were safely inside the woods near the prison while the others were going over the last preparations in the courtyard.

''Okay, you two go hide behind those metal table tops while Glenn will be over there on the right,'' Rick instructed both Maggie and Riley, wanting everything to go as planned. ''You have to be prepared for them to come out running once we turn on the alarms.''

Maggie and Riley both nodded and Rick turned towards Carol and Michonne to give them their final instructions before they would head into the tombs.

As Riley checked her machine gun one final time, Daryl walked over to her, nervously biting his lower lip out of habit. ''Ya gonna be careful alrigh'? Keep yer eyes open and don't let yer guard down,'' he said to her, being anxious to be separated from her during the fight that was bound to happen. On top of that he was worried about Merle, hoping that they had safely hidden him and a few others of their group inside the woods, away from all the danger that would take place at the prison.

''I'll watch out, I promise.'' Riley said, knowing how he was feeling because she felt it as well. She didn't like to part from him either but she knew they had to in order for Rick's plan to work.

Daryl gave her a quick nod and Riley grabbed his wrist, pressing her lips against the back of his hand. ''Be careful,'' she said, her big brown eyes looking up at him with so much love and devotion, making him want to take her away from this place, hide her away from all the danger in the world but he knew it was impossible. Instead he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pressed her close against his body, breathing in the familiar scent of her hair.

''We gon' make it outta this, that Governor won't know what hit 'em.'' He said and she smiled, looking up at him before pressing her lips against his for a brief moment.

''Let's go kick some ass,'' she said as she pulled back from him and he smirked at her.

That's my girl.


''Do you see anything?'' Riley asked Maggie as they were both hiding behind a metal table top, peering through their binoculars.

''No, how long has it been already?'' Maggie asked her friend who looked at her watch.

''About thirty minutes or so,'' Riley replied and Maggie nodded, lowering her binoculars.

''I hate this waiting, it's getting me even more on edge,'' Maggie said and Riley nodded, feeling the exact same way. She looked at Maggie's hand, still not being able to fight the smile that would appear on her face when she saw the ring Glenn had given her friend.

''What are you smiling for?'' Maggie asked her friend in confusion, wondering what Riley was thinking.

''That ring, it just makes me think that there is still good in this world, you know?'' Riley replied and Maggie gave her a small smile, viewing the ring on her finger.

''You have any idea when Daryl is going to ask you?'' Maggie then asked Riley who looked at her in shock.

''Oh, I uh.. I don't think that Daryl is interested in such a thing.''

''Are you?'' Maggie asked and Riley shrugged her shoulders.

''Well, it's not like I'm jumping for him to ask me, I know he loves me, he doesn't need to give me a ring to show me that, but.. I guess.. it just..'' Riley trailed off and Maggie smiled.

''It would be nice, right? Something extra special?'' She hinted and Riley nodded. ''Have you ever said anything to him about it?''

''Well, we have talked about the future you know, the what if's. Living together, starting a family. We want at least two kids and a house in the woods.''

''Oh my God, you seemed to have talked about such things in a lot more detail than Glenn and I have even done Riles,'' Maggie chuckled and Riley bit her lip. ''Don't worry about it, now that you told me this I surely see potential.''

''Well, it if happens it happens, I don't want to give him any pressure or anything. I especially don't want him to think he needs to pop the question just because you and Glenn got hitched.'' Riley said and Maggie nodded in understanding.

''Yeah, I get it. But still, would be a very nice prospect, hm?'' She said and Riley nodded.

''Yeah, it wou-'' she started before they suddenly heard a few cars nearing in the distance. Both women quickly sat up straight, peering through their binoculars.

''Oh my God, look at all the heavy artillery they have.'' Maggie whispered, seeing one car that had a big machine gun on top of its roof. Her eyes widened when she noticed a rather familiar looking Mexican man stand up from the bed of a truck, seeing him holding a rocket launcher.

''Holy shit Maggie get down!'' She heard Riley urgently whisper to her before the man fired his weapon right at one of the guard towers, creating a massive explosion. Another one of the Governor's men started to fire a heavy machine gun, shooting at another guard tower.

''Rick was right about them hitting the guard towers first,'' Maggie said to Riley as the two of them made themselves as small as possible to not be detected, knowing they had to stay hidden in order for Rick's plan to work.

One car drove straight over the traps that had been set out on the field that was still swarming with walkers, coming to a complete stop. The other vehicles made their way into the field as well, the men that were standing on beds of the trucks mowing down the reanimated bodies. There was another big explosion heard behind the two women, another guard tower being blown apart.

''C'mon!'' They heard a man call out, knowing the Governor was commanding his men to storm into the building and Riley quickly sat up, peering between two metal table tops to see what was going on.

''How many do you see?'' Maggie whispered to her friend, not being able to move up without being detected.

''Around twenty people, a lot of men and a few women,'' Riley replied, frowning at how the people were hiding behind a car that slowly made its way towards the entrance of the prison. They used a car with a metal hook to tear away a metal gate before heading straight towards cell block C.

''They are heading straight to our cell block, how in the hell did they know we used that one?'' Riley whispered to Maggie who frowned, not knowing the answer to that question either.

''Okay, they entered the cell block. There are only a handful of people still standing outside. Now we just have to wait for the alarms to go off,'' Riley said to Maggie who gave her a quick nod.

The two women were laying down low on the floor, their hearts pounding in their chest as the wait was nerve wrecking. They hoped that Rick's plan would work and the Governor would do what they expected him to do.

Suddenly the alarms started to rang throughout the prison before the two women heard people yelling. They both looked at cell block, seeing all of the Governor's people running out of the building.

''Okay, our turn.'' Riley said to Maggie who nodded and they both got up from their hiding place, starting to fire at the people who were running out of the building. They were able to shoot a few people in their heads, but the others had quickly hidden away behind some cars. Some had spotted the two women and started to open fire at them, making Riley and Maggie quickly duck behind the metal table tops again.

Glenn was on the other side of the courtyard, firing to take the pressure off of Maggie and Riley. ''There's the Governor!'' Maggie shouted before she opened fire again, trying to hit the man but he was too fast, quickly ducking away behind a car.

''Goddammit!'' Riley cursed as she missed a few men that ran after the Governor.

''They're leaving!'' Maggie yelled as she saw the Governor's people quickly getting away in a few cars. The two women stood up from behind the metal table tops, firing at the cars that were making their escape. Maggie managed to shoot a few tires before the vehicles disappeared into the distance.

''Yes!'' Maggie cheered before she head bumped her helmet against Riley's who smiled in relief.

''Holy shit! That was freaking insane!'' Riley said to Maggie as her hands were shaking from all the adrenaline that was pumping through her body.

''We did it!'' Maggie shouted and fist pumped into the air when she saw Glenn waving at her.

''We did it!'' He called out as well. ''C'mon, let's get down!''

Both women nodded and quickly walked down the stairs to head into the courtyard. To their relief, Rick, Michonne, Daryl and Carol made their way out of the cell block and Riley ran over to her hunter, wrapping her arms around him in relief.

''We did it!'' She said to him and he gave her a quick nod but he kept on frowning as he noticed Rick was looking at the entrance gates in concern.

''We should go after them,'' Michonne suddenly mentioned and everyone looked at her.

''She's right, we should finish this.'' Daryl said as he'd wrapped his arm around Riley's waist who frowned at their suggestions.

''If we don't he might retaliate again, who knows what he might do if we give him some time.'' Carol then said, slightly out of breath since they had been running through the tombs.

''You want to go back to Woodbury again? We barely made it back last time.'' Maggie said with a frown on her face, not liking where this was going.

''He can regroup and return,'' Daryl told her and Maggie bit her lip, realizing that he was right. They had to finish this once and for all.

''Okay, we'll discuss this inside. C'mon, we need to check on the others as well.'' Rick said to them before they all headed back towards their cell block.

Fifteen minutes later, a familiar car made its way back inside the courtyard, Daryl and Riley quickly running towards it to check up on Merle.

''How is he doing?'' Daryl asked Hershel, quickly opening the car door to see Merle still sleeping on the backseat where they'd placed him a few hours earlier, wrapped in thick blanket to keep him warm.

''I've been checking his pulse, it's still beating strongly.'' Hershel told him as he slowly walked over to the couple on his crutches.

''Thank God,'' Riley sighed in relief, placing her hand on Merle's forehead and she felt Daryl slowly relaxing beside her as well, knowing he had been worried about his brother.

''C'mon, let's get him back inside. We need to regroup and discuss how we're going to do this.'' Rick mentioned to them and they quickly nodded. Thankfully Maggie and Carol already came walking towards them, pushing forwards the steel work table on wheels that they would use to roll Merle back inside the building.


When they made sure that everyone was safe and sound, Rick decided that they would go to Woodbury to finish this fight with the Governor once and for all. They couldn't keep living like this, always looking over their shoulder. Daryl, Rick and Michonne would be going while the rest would stay back to protect the prison. Riley wanted to go with them as well but Daryl had asked her to stay at the prison, wanting her to look after his brother while he was away.

''We'll be back in no time, I just need ya to look after him. I want to know that he's safe while I'm out there.'' He said to her and she nodded, not going to argue with him on this. She knew he was worried sick about his brother and he wanted nothing more than to stay by Merle's side but Rick needed him out there. She would take up his place at Merle's side for the time being, wanting to ease his mind a bit to know that she was there if Merle would wake up.

As they got one car ready for Michonne and Rick while Daryl would go on his motorcycle, Riley frowned when she saw Rick talking to Carl in the distance when she was handing Daryl a machine gun, wondering what was going on. She had heard a small piece of the conversation that Hershel had with Rick earlier in the common room about Carl shooting down one of the Governor's men. However, Hershel insisted it had been a just a teen, willing to surrender.

''What's going on over there?'' Daryl suddenly asked her as he had seen her looking at Rick and Carl.

''I dunno, something about Carl shooting down a kid who was willing to surrender.'' She mentioned and Daryl looked at her in surprise.

''He did what?''

''Yeah I don't know what's going on with Carl. I think he's still upset about not being able to help out earlier and now that he's not allowed to go to Woodbury as well, he's acting out. But just shooting down a kid like that? I don't know what's going on in his mind anymore Daryl, I feel like he's slowly slipping.'' She mentioned, concern edging her voice and Daryl frowned as he looked at Carl and Rick in the distance before the boy suddenly walked off, leaving Rick alone with an evident frown on his face.

''That kid is growing up way too fast,'' he grumbled and Riley bit her lip in concern, knowing he was right.

Only fifteen minutes later, Riley hugged Daryl one last time before he drove off, Rick and Michonne following after him in a car. She watched them go and anxiety filled her body, hoping that they would all make it back safely from their journey to Woodbury, not knowing what they might be encountering there.

She sighed as Daryl disappeared from her sight and quickly went back inside cell block C to check up on Merle. They had moved him upstairs in the cell next to the one she shared with Daryl, the hunter wanting his brother close to him in case of an emergency.

As she stepped inside the cell, she saw that Merle was still sleeping, his chest slowly rising and falling. Hershel had checked on him a few minutes ago and replaced his bandages again, not wanting his stitches to get infected by any soiled material. She moved the blanket that covered him a bit higher up his chest before grabbed the bag on the floor that was filled with a few of Merle's stuff and decided to unpack his things for him.

She heard a few footsteps nearing and looked behind her, seeing Beth appearing, holding a blanket, a pillow and a bed sheet in her arms.

''Hey,'' the teenage girl softly greeted and Riley smiled at her in return.

''Hey Beth, what are you doing up here?'' Riley asked as Beth stepped inside the cell.

''I thought Merle might like an extra blanket and a pillow? It's getting pretty cold around here.'' She mentioned before she placed the items she was holding on the top bunk. ''I also brought along a bed sheet that he can place in front of the entrance for more privacy.''

''Oh thanks Beth, I'm sure he would appreciate it.'' Riley mentioned as she placed Merle's clothing on a small table in the right corner of the cell.

''Do you know what Merle likes?'' Beth suddenly asked and Riley looked at her in confusion.

''Well, I have a few posters hanging in my cell, and you and Daryl have those pictures. Even Maggie and Glenn have some personal pictures hanging on their walls. I thought perhaps Merle would also like to have something hanging on his wall to.. well, I don't know, make it a bit more, homey?'' The teenage girl wondered.

Beth had actually never talked to Merle and stayed away from him because he was so loud, arrogant and grumpy. She'd heard what happened to her sister and Glenn in Woodbury, knowing what Merle had done to them, which made her even more on high alert around the older Dixon. But she had noticed how Riley was going out of her way to make sure Merle was being taken care of, and it made her change her opinion on the older Dixon, if only just a little. She considered Riley to be her friend and Beth was convinced that you should help friends whenever you can. If Riley thought he was alright, maybe she should ease up on the man a bit too and just try to help her friend, knowing she was worried about the Dixon brothers.

''Oh that's a great idea actually. Merle never asked for something like that but I'm sure he would like it.'' Riley said before she looked back at the sleeping man.

''So, do you know what he might like?'' Beth asked and Riley frowned while she thought about it

''Uh, perhaps one of those other cells have like those.. you know, posters on its walls.'' Riley said in a knowing voice and Beth looked at her in confusion.

''Posters? Like what kind of posters?''

''Those dirty posters Beth, you know, with naked women on them. I'm sure Merle would just love those.'' Riley laughed and Beth started to blush.

''Oh, well uh.. I can go check in one of the other cell blocks if you want to?'' She suggested but Riley quickly shook her head.

''No! I mean, I don't want Hershel seeing you with some of those posters,'' she said and Beth chuckled. ''Maybe some with like, motorcycles on them? Daryl's motorcycle is actually Merle's so I'm sure he's into that stuff as well.'' Riley then said and Beth nodded.

''Sure, I'll go look for some of those then.'' The blonde replied before she walked out of the cell.

''Thanks Beth!'' Riley called out.

''No problem!'' She heard Beth call back and Riley smiled before she looked back at Merle.

''I'm sure you will feel right at home here,'' she whispered to him before she made her way over to the entrance of his cell with the bed sheet that Beth had provided her with, getting to work.


Riley had busied herself for a few hours with making sure that Merle's cell looked more like his own private space, Beth thankfully offering to help her. They had put up a few motorcycle posters and Beth had to giggle when Riley was placing a poster of a half naked woman on a big tractor at the foot of Merle's bed, something she'd taken with her when Beth had said she saw it hanging in one of the cells in cell block A.

''I guess this is as far as I can go, Merle will have decorate the rest himself.'' Riley mentioned when she was finished with the poster and she looked around the cell in satisfaction since it wasn't so bare anymore. She hoped Merle would like it when he would wake up. Then again, she knew he would never say that out loud though. Getting him to say thanks to her face was probably the same as pulling teeth.

When they were finished Beth had gone downstairs again to take baby Judith from Carol so the older women could start their dinner, knowing that everyone was going to be hungry when the others would return.

Riley had turned towards her own cell she shared with Daryl after making sure that Merle was alright and started to unpack their things. She tried to push back the worries in her mind when she was sticking the pictures she had made on one of the concrete walls, hoping Daryl was alright. She had no idea what he would be facing out there in Woodbury but she trusted on his skills that he would make it back to her in one piece. She knew he was worried about leaving Merle behind but she was thankful that she could give the hunter one less thing to worry about by staying at the prison and keeping a close eye on his older brother.

''They're back!'' She suddenly heard Carl yell downstairs and she instantly dropped the duct tape she was holding in her hand, quickly running out of the cell.

She saw Hershel stepping out of the door that led towards the courtyard as he followed his youngest daughter and Carol outside. She went over to Carl's side who was looking towards the field, watching Maggie and Glenn make their way over to the gates of the prison.

''What's that school bus doing here?'' Carl wondered and Riley looked to the side, seeing the school bus Carl mentioned in the distance and frowned at the sight. Relief however filled her when she saw Daryl making his way into the courtyard on his motorcycle, safe and sound.

The hunter drove his motorcycle to where they'd parked all of their cars, shutting off the engine before letting it lean against the kickstand he'd pulled out. He just had time to get off his motorcycle before a soft and familiar body nearly crashed into him.

''Oh thank God you're okay, I was so worried!'' Riley said in relief as she wrapped her arms around his torso, pulling herself closer to him to breathe in his familiar comforting scent of grass, gasoline and just him.

''I'm alrigh','' he said to her before wrapping his arm around her shoulders, pressing his lips briefly against her forehead, relief filling him as well when Riley looked up at him, smiling while her eyes showed many more emotions that were left unsaid but he knew exactly how she felt because he felt it too.

''How's he doin'?'' He asked her as she leaned into his side and she knew he was talking about his brother.

''Alright, Hershel checked on him again and cleaned his bandages.'' She mentioned and he nodded. ''I worked on his cell,'' she then added which made him frown at her in confusion but she just smiled. ''I'll show you later,'' she said and he gave her a nod before they both heard the engine of the school bus being cut off.

''So, what's this?'' Riley then asked him as they looked at the bus and Daryl frowned.

''Some people from Woodbury, Rick is gonna take 'em in.'' He mentioned and her eyes widened at the news.

What?

Just as she was about to ask for an explanation she saw the door of the bus opening, seeing some elderly people carefully stepping down the small stairs with some help of an African American woman. They were followed by a few children and some teens, and Riley's eyes saddened when she even saw a woman carrying a toddler in her arms, the small girl brushing her pink security blanket against the side of her face.

Riley noticed an African American man at the front of the group, motioning for the people to follow him towards cell block C before he shook Hershel's hand by the entrance, the older man seemingly knowing him. Riley wondered who the man was because she'd never seen him before. Her eyes widened however when she noticed a rather familiar looking woman with black curly hair stepping out of the bus as well. Riley knew for sure that she had seen the woman earlier amongst the group of people that the Governor had with him when he'd attacked the prison.

''But.. how.. I mean, where's the Governor? And where is Andrea?'' She then asked Daryl, confused by all she was seeing.

''Rick will explain everythin' later,'' the hunter said to her and she frowned but nodded, knowing now was probably not the time to be asking Daryl all of these questions, seeing that he was dead tired as he stifled a yawn.

''C'mon, let's go check up on your brother again before you get some rest.'' She said to him, grabbing his hand before pulling him along towards cell block C, not seeing the corners of Daryl's mouth turn upwards a little by her fussing over him yet again, his previous worries being pushed to the back of his mind by her calming presence.

What Daryl had witnessed earlier on their way to Woodbury, all those walkers on the road and mangled up bodies torn to shreds, it was insane. The woman named Karen told them that the Governor went ballistic earlier and killed his people just like that. If that wasn't enough of a shocking revelation, when they finally arrived at Woodbury they saw that Andrea had gotten bit after that psycho had tied her to a chair, leaving her alone with a walker. The Governor was clearly one sick bastard and Daryl hated his guts. He'd almost lost Merle because of him.

All these thoughts had been plaguing the hunter's mind before Riley had wrapped her arms around him when he'd returned from Woodbury, filling him with warmth and comfort just by her big brown eyes that would look up at him, showing the unconditional love she had for him. It made Daryl realize that whatever happened in this world, he would always have her to come home to.

My woman.

~ TWD ~


A/N: And this is the ending of Season 3, I hope you've enjoyed it! Now it's up to Season 4, I hope you're all ready for it! Merle made it out alive; do you think he will be a great asset to the group in the next Season? I would love to know what you all think! :)

Last week was Armored Love's one year anniversary (yes it's been that long already lol). I wanted to get this chapter out sooner, but my inspiration had been being hiding from me grrrr! Anyways, I'm grateful to each and every one of you who has given this story a chance and for some readers that have been with me for so long. I'm hoping to write at least another more year (or more!) if you all are up for it?! ;)

Thanks to everyone who has reviewed, it's great to read your thoughts on this story and a real big help to me as well. Also, thanks to the nice people who've been pm'ing me, I love talking to you guys! :) Moreover, I'm grateful for all the follows/favorites!

To the reviewers I couldn't pm:

* Bella87: Haha Merle lived! He's not out of the woods yet, but he has survived the Governor! Great to know that you're excited for more. I hope you liked this chapter, sorry for the long wait. Thanks for being such a loyal reviewer; you always put a smile on my face with your nice comments!

* xdiexromanticx: Thank you! I'm happy to know that you liked the previous chapter; I hope you liked this one as well. Merle wasn't conscious to fight the governor, but I'm hoping he will be a great asset in the next season! ;)

* Lena: Riley has grown fond of Merle, even though she hasn't been that aware of it at first. Glad you liked the twist; I always thought Merle should've lived. Thanks for your review!