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Sam walked with Carl as Rick and Michonne spoke in the front. Daryl was taking the rear, his eyes scouting their surroundings. She couldn't stop glaring at the scratches on Carl's cheek. The angry red cuts splashed across his pale face. He glanced over and then cut his eyes to the ground. Sam saw a flash of shame and couldn't stop herself from squashing it.
"Don't." she said firmly her eyes shooting to Rick and Michonne's begging them to ignore the conversation. They turned back around but she could tell they were listening.
"Don't what?" he asked his brow furrowed.
Sam held his arm, stopping him in his spot. She tipped her chin to Daryl silently telling him to go ahead of them. She watched them walk further before allowing Carl to follow. They walked slower, the distance growing only slightly but allowing for some privacy.
"Don't feel ashamed or guilty. You did nothin' wrong." She answered carefully. Carl glared and snapped, "Shuddup. You don't know what I'm thinking."
"Carl I know exactly what you're thinking. You're thinking you shoulda done something. You're thinking its your fault, that you shoulda fought harder, shoulda been able to stop it. Shoulda helped your dad or Michonne."
Carl swallowed thickly, his throat bobbing as his eyes dropped to his shoes. Sam pulled him into her side, her arm across his narrow shoulders. She kept them walking with the group but spoke quietly, "I know because its happened to me before. The Governor…. I know cause I felt it. Felt I shoulda been able to stop it. I felt weak and stupid."
"How…. How do you stop thinking that then?" Carl whispered his expression pained. Sam squeezed his shoulder and said, "You can't completely. I can't anyways. It's always in the back of my mind but I know that there's nothin' I can do to change it now. What's done is done and the only thing I can do now is move on and know I did what I could and try to stop it from happening again."
"Dad….. he lost it." He whispered his eyes shooting to the back of Rick's head. Sam nodded and said, "He saw someone trying to take something from you, to hurt you. He saw red. Sometimes people lose it, lose touch but he's not a bad man, he's not like those men."
"How do you know?"
"Because he didn't do that for fun, he didn't enjoy it. He did it because he loves you so much the thought of losing you was too much. Don't be scared of him." She explained taking in the kid's worried eyes. "If you need to talk about what happened back there… anything or any questions I'm here. Always." she informed him her tone soft and understanding.
Carl nodded, biting his lip before he stopped suddenly and wrapped his slim arms around Sam. She rubbed his back a few times and pulled away, "You good?"
Carl sniffed and nodded firmly, "Yeah. I'm good."
They joined the others who were watching the pair warily. Sam walked with Daryl as Carl joined his dad and Michonne. Daryl's eyes kept cutting to her as the walked side by side.
"What Dixon?" she asked quietly, her hand rubbing her sore ribs. He looked down and watched the motion, "Ya' ok?"
"Just dandy why?" she deadpanned and then smiled wearily.
"Your ribs? They broke?"
Sam shook her head and dismissed his worry, "Nah. Just bruised, how 'bout yours? They were stompin' on you pretty good." Daryl shrugged, "m'fine."
"So were you by yourself?" Sam asked her eyes looking at Daryl's bruised face nervously. His eyes dropped and mouth turned into a deep frown.
"Was with Beth… got overrun and then she got taken. Saw a car take off. I ran... She was just gone.." He said roughly, his voice cracking. Sam chewed her cheek and hooked an arm through his, her hand gripping his bicep and head resting on his shoulder.
"M' glad you stumbled onto us." Sam tried to comfort him seeing the broken look in his eyes. Daryl looked down and gave her a nod but she could see the guilt.
"It's a'right Daryl. Just happy we all found each other. However it happens as long as it happens." She said giving his arm a squeeze. He grunted and turned back to their surroundings. Sam let go and kept in step with him.
They followed the train tracks until they hit a large sign overturned on the ground. Looking down at the map glued to it Rick said, "Now we head through the woods. We don't know who they are."
They all agreed and moved through the dense woods quietly. Soon the group could see a fence line circling the compound. Through the wire fencing they saw it was an old train depot and warehouse district. The word Terminus painted across the worn brick.
"We all spread out, watch for a while, see what we see, and get ready." Rick whispered looking at Carl, "You want to stick with me?"
"Nah. I'll go with Michonne." His son responded causing Rick to look down while nodding. Sam watched the two walk away and looked over at Daryl tipping her chin to follow her. "You good Rick?" she asked quietly watching him nod stiffly and follow Michonne and Carl's path.
After getting a view of Terminus they met up to bury the large bag of guns they had taken from the Claimers. "Just in case." Rick said as he shoveled dirt with his hands back onto the bag. "A'right, stay close, eyes open. Do not let your guards down."
They looked at each other for a long moment, Rick giving Carl a hug, before heading to fence line.
Merle was taking point in front of the Tyreese who was holding Judith and Carol who took up the rear. They were close to arriving at the sanctuary and Merle was pushing them hard. He wanted to have plenty of time to scope it out before entering. Merle was not taking any chances with the few people he had finally found.
As they walked the tracks Carol spoke quietly, "We're close. I'm gonna get you both there. Make sure you're safe."
She looked at Merle and Tyreese, her hand stroking Judith's back, "But I'm not gonna stay."
Merle furrowed his brow and demanded, " n'why the hell not?"
"I… I need time away from everything. Lizzie." She choked back a sob and shook her head before waving them off, "Just can't."
Merle opened his mouth to protest but the sound of gunfire broke the surrounding forests silence. It was automatic rifle fire and it was calling all the walkers in the woods their way.
"That gunfire, it could have been from Terminus." Tyreese said, his arms holding Judith slightly tighter.
"Someone attacking them?" Carol offered her teary eyes cutting to Merle's.
"Or they're attacking someone." Merle muttered pulling out his handgun, double checking his ammo.
"Do we even want to find out?" Tyreese asked tiredly, his eyes wary of the others response.
Carol and Merle looked at each other for a moment before replying at the same time, "Yeah."
Merle pointed toward the woods and drawled, "There's another track due east. It'll get us there." Carol nodded and started walking in the direction of the other railroad tracks and added, "We'll be real careful. We're gonna get answers. If our people are there, they're in trouble."
After walking for a few minutes they came upon a cabin. In the front yard they saw a man kneeling next to a stack of fireworks. Merle held up and hand stopping the others and snuck along the side of the house. He listened intently as the guy spoke on a static filled walkie-talkie.
"See, I knew the chick with the sword was bad news. Bitch looked like a weapon with a weapon. Yeah, I told Albert I want the kid's hat after they bleed him out." the guy said with a cheery tone. Merle looked over at Carol who had joined his side. Both of their eyes were burning and he could see her jaw set in anger.
"Keep your finger off the button and drop it." Merle sneered his gun pressed into the man's head.
They circled the guy on his knees who started stammering instantly, "Listen, y'all don't have to do this. Whatever you want, we got a place where everyone's welcome."
"Shuddup fucker." Merle growled his gun pressed into his temple. Carol crouched down into his face, her large knife pressing into his throat, "We're friends of the chick with the sword and the kid in the hat."
They drilled the guy for information and got a feel for what kind of place they were walking into. Carol and Merle spoke quickly coming up with a plan. Tyreese was going to stay with Judith and their prisoner. Merle felt unsure about leaving the little girl with an enemy despite Tyreese caring for her. He had become attached to thee kid after traveling with her.
"How are you guys gonna do this?" Tyreese asked quietly his eyes flicking to the man tied up on the floor.
"We're gonna kill people." Carol answered dryly, her hands checking her rifle magazine. Merle and Carol took the fireworks and other guns from the man's car. They both had assault rifles now as well as a dozen bottle rockets.
"Go slow, see what we see." Merle rasped as they walked up to sanctuary. Carol paused at a dead walker and yanked out her poncho. She cut into the corpse and began covering herself with walker gore. Merle scrunched up her nose and drawled, "You sure 'bout going inside?"
"Yeah. You keep watch outside. Give us all cover fire." She replied standing up and taking the fireworks. "Good luck."
Merle nodded and drawled, "Be safe Sweetcheeks. Don't get ya'self killed. Run if ya gotta." She gave him a tiny smile and took off toward the fences.
Merle followed the fence and peered into the complex. They had a large compound with a lot of buildings. Merle could see a courtyard and several train cars lined up on the rusted tracks. He found a tree to perch in with a view of the train cars and direction Carol headed. Climbing up awkwardly he used his riflescope to watch the compound. His keen blue eyes flitted along the concrete jungle.
A flash of color passed his scope sight making him snap his attention back to the rails. Merle saw men pulling people out of the train cars and felt his throat close up. He recognized Glen, Daryl and Rick right away. There were a few other people being tied up and he couldn't get a view of them. He saw a guy screaming at one of the prisoners, his fist rearing back and slamming into them. He growled at the sight and settled in to wait for Carols sign.
Earlier that afternoon
All five of them were being rounded up. Shots were being fired from above hitting near their feet. Sam took cover and shot one rooftop shooter in the neck. A fountain of blood shot out as she ran to the next cover. Shouting from all around rang out as they jogged through the staged barriers. They end up in a room painted with names, candles burned bright. 'Never Again, Never Trust, We First Always' painted on the walls.
"What the fuck is this place." Daryl drawled his eyes skimming over the names spread across the cement floors.
"A grave yard." Sam said. "They're rounding us up. We can't follow their fuckin' maze."
"Why don't have much choice." Rick said his eyes racing over the large brick room looking for an exit.
"They're fuckin leading us to deaths goddamnit." Sam hissed her pulse racing.
"Ain't got a fuckin choice Sam!" Daryl shouted throwing his hand up in frustration.
"Le's go. Try to hit a few more Sam." Rick said moving them to an unlocked door.
Running through the next obstacle course Sam turned, knelt behind an oil drum and shot one more rooftop sniper in the chest. Three shots hit near her and she ran after the others, tripping over her feet. They ended up cornered at a train track, surround by shooters at the fence line and rooftop.
"Fuck," Sam panted her body thrumming with adrenaline.
'Probably not gonna be too pleased with you Sam.' She thought to herself, wiping her sweaty brow. Sam gripped her rifle tightly thinking of some way to get free. There was nothing she could do. She wasn't fast enough to get them out of the situation they found themselves in. 'We're fucked' she muttered.
"Weapons done." Gareth shouted from the roof. Sam glanced over and watched as the others laid down their guns and knives. She wrung her hand on the rifle grip, everything in her being screaming not to give it up.
"You too Annie Oakley." He shouted.
Sam hesitated. "Sam do it." Rick said through clenched teeth his hands raised. Sam huffed a frustrated breath and laid her rifle down.
"Knives too." He shouted dryly.
Sam pulled her machete and hunting knife out, laying it down on the ground. They didn't find the knives in her boots. She wanted to stab them into the pompous ass's neck.
They had Rick, Daryl and Michonne move toward the train car first. Carl was next leaving Sam standing there. Daryl hesitated to enter all the way until they sent Sam over. She made eye contact with him but then focused on a man stalking toward her. Clenching her jaw she waited for what might be coming. She was pretty sure they were especially pissed at her for killing their men.
The man stopped in front of her. He was tall but not especially muscular, more gangly than anything else. His dark hair was shaved short and his beard trimmed neatly.
"Get inside bowman." Gareth hollered from the roof. Daryl wouldn't move though as he saw the large man glaring down at Sam.
"Those men you killed were my friends." The man growled as he moved closer to Sam, his eyes drilling holes into her. Sam steeled herself to be hit. She knew it was coming, she could see it in his eyes.
A quick punch to the gut had her bending over grabbing her stomach and dropping to her knees. She could hear Daryl and Carl yelling. Someone fired a shot but Sam couldn't focus on who was shooting.
Sam greedily sucked in air as she kneeled, weakened from the hit but she couldn't turn off her inner fighter. She slid her hand into her cargo pocket, the brass knuckles she swiped off a walker felt cold on her fingers but gave her some security.
The training Merle instilled in her wouldn't allow her to sit there and wait for the next hit.
Grabbing the hollow of the guy's knee she yanked him off his feet, his head slamming onto the ground. He grunted in surprise when Sam jumped in his chest with her knees knocking the air out of him. Using the fist with the brass knuckles she began slamming her fist into his face. Blood splashed onto her arms and face.
Someone tackled her from behind, her face skidding across the rough concrete. They wrapped their arms around her and picked her up. She couldn't move her arms and her feet weren't touching the ground. Sam struggled against him while the man she hit was screaming at them to kill her and approached her again, his fist raised to hit her. Sam brought both her feet up and kicked him the face and chest. Blood exploded from his nose and he screamed out in pain. Sam smirked while still struggling against the man holding her.
There was shouting as the guy carrying her brought her to the train car. Daryl and Rick were watching as he hauled her toward them.
"Stop struggling bitch," the guy holding her growled in her ear.
"Fuck you" Sam snarled as they tossed her into the car. Rick and Daryl caught her as she slammed her fists into the door as it slammed shut.
"Fuck you. You assholes. You punch like a fuckin BITCH!" She screamed while kicking the door.
"Shit. Stop!" Daryl hollered pulling her away from the door wrapping an arm around her waist and dragging her backwards.
Sam yanked away and walked to the metal wall while her chest heaved. "Fuck bullshit. Goddamn metal fucking box. Fuck those ASSHOLES." She yelled while kicking the wall.
Daryl pulled her away, "Jesus you're as bad as Merle. STOP!"
"Rick, Daryl?" A voice from the other side said. Sam stopped, her chest heaving and turned toward the other people in the train. Glenn, Maggie and Sasha stepped forward. Sam's heart stopped as she prayed for the face she really wanted to see. Walking forward she made eye contact with Maggie silently asking if Merle was there. Maggie shook her head and Sam deflated, her shoulders dropping heavily. Looking at the ground to stop the others from seeing the crushing disappointment. She sucked in a sharp breath and swallowed a sob that suddenly grew in her chest. Moving away as everyone hugged and greeted each other she tried to squash the overwhelming pain that she had been ignoring. Sam leaned her forehead against the hot metal walls of the train car, taking steadying breaths.
She watched as they all spoke and heard Rick say in his calm rational voice, the one he probably used many times as a cop, "They're gonna feel pretty stupid when they find out."
"Find out what?" the tall redhead man named Abraham asked, his thick arms crossed.
"They're fucking with the wrong people." Rick growled, his eyes looking through the crack in the door. Everyone broke up having quiet conversations catching up with each other.
Daryl approached Sam who was standing to the side grinding her teeth and clenching her fists, her nails digging painfully into her palms.
"Ya ok?" He asked looking toward her stomach and the scratches down her face.
"I'm fine the pussy punched like a girl. I just... saw them and hoped..." She shook her head and looked away before adding quietly, "I don't like being in metal boxes in the dark."
Daryl nodded and seemed to realize it was too similar to Woodbury for her. "We'll get out."
"Fuckin knew this place was a con. Goddamnit I'm so fuckin' stupid." She exclaimed before muttering, "Should've only sent in a couple of us. Shoulda stayed out there and watched. Fuckin' shitfest." Sam walked toward a thin sliver of light and sat down heavily, unlacing her boot.
"What the fuck ya doin?" Daryl asked while the others looked at her like she was nutcase. She looked up and kept working, her hands nimbly untied her shoes.
"Got blades in my boots," Sam whispered as she pulled out the thin knife she had sewn into the leather strip along her calf. It was mainly metal, no handle. It wasn't the most comfortable blade to hold but it would be a lifesaver in their current situation just like it had been before.
She stabbed it into the wood flooring and then slid her foot out as she removed the insole of her boot. The blade she placed under it came next. She stabbed it into the ground next to the other.
"Jesus Sam," Rick said crouching down in front of her, his elbows balanced on his knees.
Sam looked up and said, "I never wanted to get caught without a weapon again."
He looked at her for a long moment as if remembering how she came to live with his family before rasping, "Good thinkin'."
Replacing her boot Sam moved to her other leg. After she was done unpacking her weapons they had three knives and two razor blades.
"Fuckin' hell who is this girl?" She heard someone ask.
"Sam you're like inspector gadget," Glenn joked his face grinning widely.
Sam snorted at him, "Missed ya Glenn."
Daryl sat next to her as she replaced her boot. "Merle put those in for ya?"
"Helped but it was my idea. He said I'd regret having them rub but truthfully I got used it. Almost forgot 'em." Sam said as she finished securing her shoe.
"Ya shouldn' have fought 'em out there. Coulda shot ya." He rasped gravelly while leaning against the wall.
"Couldn't help it. All those training session. Mere always tellin' me to fight until one of us was dead. I wasn't gonna let him keep hittin' me. Did you see his nose explode? Fuck Merle woulda loved it." Sam laughed lightly remembering the man's surprised face.
Daryl snorted and shook his head, "Ya he would."
"Besides I have a feelin' being shot in the head will be a blessing compared to what these fuckers have in store." She muttered while handing a knife to Rick. Everyone stopped talking and looked at her.
"What do you mean?" Abraham asked his large frame blocking the sunlight.
"Well did you see the amount of meat they were grilling? The huge pile of picked clean carcasses? Those weren't deer." She hinted while looking up at them. "Herding us like cattle, Packing us in metal cars like cattle."
Daryl clenched his jaw and stared at her, his piercing blue eyes almost scalding her.
Sam shook her head and said, "Sorry but we gotta prepare to fight our way out or we're dinner."
They started carving out weapons for everyone, sharpened wood stakes wrapped with t-shirts for handles. Sam's head was still pounding from the hit she took the night before. Exhaustion and dehydration kicking in caused her to lean heavily against the train car wall.
"Lay down, get some rest," Daryl said sitting down next to her. Sam shook her head. "Not askin'. Lay the fuck down 'n rest. If we're runnin' ya gotta sleep." He growled patting his leg. Sam raised an eyebrow but just did as he said, her head resting on his thigh. She felt her eyes slide shut almost instantly. The warmth of his leg was making her sleepy, his hand resting on her arm grounding her.
Sam woke up in the railcar. Looking around she saw she was alone. Sitting up instantly she felt her eyes jump around the dark corners looking for anyone else. "Hello?" she whispered her heart speeding up. "Daryl? Rick?"
She stood shakily, her legs feeling like wet noodles. Stumbling along the wall she felt the hot metal and rough wood. The sound of a scuffing shoe made her stumble forward. "Daryl? That you?"
Sam made it to the other side of the train car and squinted her eyes.
"Fuck," she muttered while reaching out toward the shadow. A hand grabbed her wrist making her yelp. A moan rasped out as the hand tightened its grip. Sam yanked away but only pulled the person with her instead of freeing her hand. Sam's breath hitched as she saw Daryl grabbing her, his pale milky eyes shining in the dark. Dark blood oozing from his mouth as he stumbled toward her. Mouth gaping and grinding teeth at her. The smell of rot making her queasy.
"No!" she gasped as she frantically tried to get away. Falling back on her ass she scooted away while screaming, "NO….. no. Daryl!"
He was on her then, gripping her shoulders his mouth opening wide as he tried to bite her neck.
"SAM!" a loud voice near her said. Sam tried to push away but the grip tightened. "Sam, jus' a dream wake up!" Sam blinked her eyes, her mind racing and heart pounding in her skull.
Daryl leaning over her while she clawed his arms. "Just a dream." He reassured her. Sam panted and felt her body shaking uncontrollably. Feeling eyes watching, she glanced around and swallowed thickly. Sam sat up quickly and scrubbed her face, taking deep breathes like Merle taught her. Daryl sat next to her, his hand on her lower back.
"That's it, 'nother deep one." He rasped quietly. Sam felt his hand rubbing her back in circles. The whole situation was too much like Merle but it was not him.
Not who she needed. She felt her breathing pick up again, the sorrow and loneliness hitting her harder than the nightmare.
"Nuh uh. Keep it slow," Daryl drawled, "Stop thinkin'." Sam swallowed and took another breath before saying, "Shuddup Dixon."
Huffing another frustrated breath out she stood up suddenly and moved away from everyone. Pacing at the end of the train car, her hands were clasped behind her neck. She could feel their eyes on her but no one spoke. Getting out of the metal box was all she could think of. The walls felt like they were closing in and the air felt suffocating. Sam couldn't be in there one more minute.
Meanwhile
Merle looked through the riflescope his piercing blue eyes spotting Carol moving along the fence line, her shoulders hunched as she watched a few people walking inside. He followed her line of sight and saw the giant propane tanks and smirked.
'Damn Sweetcheeks has got a huge set on 'er.' He thought with snort. Merle watched as Carol began firing her rifle at the tanks and lighting the fireworks, the flammable gas ignited with a earth shaking explosion.
Merle hooted loudly as he saw the fireball rise and brick raining down on the ground.
"Holy shit woman." He muttered as he saw people running around like chickens with their heads cut off. Merle began shooting anyone who looked like they lived there. Walkers began flooding the compound from the fences downed by the bomb. Merle took out snipers on the roof and a few people inside the courtyard. He avoided shooting walkers to keep from accidentally shooting Carol. He was watching the long alleyway that led to the train cars when he saw Daryl and Rick running. They went to the large car marked 'A' and unlocked the door. Merle watched as many familiar faces hopped out of the dark railcar. He scanned the crowd holding his breath just waiting to see his girl. Just waiting to see those blue eyes and dirty blonde hair.
They started running and then Merle's breath released with a huge gust. His chest constricted and expanded all at once. Sam was a hundred yards away, running for her life. Merle's eyes burned and he blinked away the blurriness as he focused on keeping her safe.
'Hold it together Dixon,' he scolded himself angrily, his finger squeezing the trigger killing walkers who approached the others.
Sam was running next to Rick providing cover fire as the others jogged towards the fencing. Merle watched her take a knee and shoot at someone of the roof. Soon she followed the others her small frame disappearing over the fence. Merle ground his teeth trying to keep himself from running like a mad man toward her. He needed to make sure Carol got out before he took off in search of Sam. Merle scanned the grounds and finally caught sight of Carol's poncho. She was carrying a few more weapons, most recognizable being Daryl's bow. Merle grinned and watched her exit the fencing easily and head into the woods.
He scaled down the tree almost falling to the ground in his haste. He had to get to Sam before they disappeared. Merle had to fucking hold her before he burst into flames. He needed her arms, her mouth. God Merle would take holding her fucking hand. 'M'comin for ya Sugar'.' He thought as his feet hit the ground running.
Earlier inside Terminus
They pulled Glenn, Bob, Daryl, Sam, and Rick out. Sam's arms are tied behind her back and she had a gag in her mouth. Her breathing was rough after getting punched in the stomach and ribs a few more times for killing two of their people. They walked into the large warehouse and saw a butchery. Two men were cutting up a corpse. They had them kneel in front of a large metal trough with a few others tied and gagged people. Sam was the only female and had an inkling as to why. 'Trouble makers.' She thought.
They began slamming a baseball bat into the head of the men at end of the trough before cutting their throats. Sam watched as blood poured down the trough towards her.
Every 'thwack' made Sam jump, her eyes flinching shut. Daryl's shoulder was pressed against hers making her look up at him. They made eye contact, a silent good bye passing between them. Squeezing her eyes shut as a keening gurgle came from another slaughtered prisoner.
'This isn't the way. Not now. Not before I find him,' she thought swallowing bile that churned in her throat.
Gareth strolled into the room interrupting the executioner from hitting Glenn in the back of the head. Sam watched him speak calmly as if they weren't murdering people in front of him. Her eyes were burning and she kept chewing on the gag nervously. Daryl shoulder bumped her and she watched his eyes flit toward Rick. They had weapons stashed up their sleeves but it was looking pretty dreary. They needed a distraction.
Gareth stared her down after speaking to Bob, "You killed two of our men. Two." He said his voice barely controlled. "They were good men."
Sam couldn't help the smirk that slid onto her face under her gag. She suspected she'd been hanging out with Merle too much because only he would smile at the person about to murder him. He'd do it just to fuck with them.
Yanking her gag down he said, "You think that's funny?"
"I think it's funny you can call yourself good men. You eat people for Christsakes." She sneered her eyes hard.
Gareth backhanded her making her head snap to the side. Pain blossomed on her cheek but she didn't let it affect her. She turned back to him and bared her teeth, spitting blood into the trough.
"What was in the bag you buried Rick?" he asked turning his attention to the man kneeling next to Sam.
"What was in it? I'm curious. It was a big bag." Gareth asked again his eyes showing amusement at Rick's silent treatment, "Need me to kill someone to get you chatting?"
Rick shrugged and drawled, "Let me take you out there. I'll show you."
"Not gonna happen. This might." Gareth replied his knife going to Sam's throat, the blade tip biting into her skin.
Rick gave in, "There's guns in it. AK-47. .44 Magnum. Automatic weapons. Nightscope. There's a compound bow and a machete with a red handle. That's what I'm gonna use to kill you."
Gareth chuckled loudly and stood up, "That's good Rick." He turned to the other men and told them to get the task done and gave them directions for after they finished butchering.
He was about to leave when gunfire broke out from somewhere in the complex. Gareth started calling out to people in the radio and only receiving static or echoed gunfire. "Stay here. I'll go see what the fucks going on." He ordered while jogging out of the room.
Sam and Rick start cutting their ties with their hidden blades. Her hand yanking at it while Daryl blocked her actions from the guards view. Rick got free first, jumping to his feet and stabbing the man with the baseball bat in the neck with a wooden stake. Daryl tackled the second guy while Sam got free her blade sinking into the butcher's face. Rick got Bob and Glenn untied and they started searching for weapons.
"We gotta get back to the car and get the fuck out 'ere." Daryl drawled while picking up a large knife from the butcher table.
The group was running through the tiny alleyways and mazes of shot up cars. Rick relieved a man of a rifle and began shooting anything moving. He tossed another rifle at Sam who shot a few incoming walkers.
Explosions were going off and rapid gunfire was filling the air. The whole complex was filling with walkers. She watched Rick mow down a large group of Termites and walkers alike. Soon they reached the train cars and broke open the lock, letting the others out. Everyone ran as fast as they could, dodging walkers and shooting at the remaining Termites. Sam saw Gareth on a rooftop and took a knee, her scope sighted in on his moving shape. Her shot rang out, the bullet clipping his shoulder. Growling she pulled the trigger three more times but couldn't catch his running form.
Rick had them jumping a fence and once on the other side he began searching for the bag of guns they had buried. Sam was on edge, her nerves frayed and heart racing. Movement behind them made Sam raise her rifle.
Carol came walking through the trees her feet unsteady at the sight of everyone. Daryl ran full speed into her, hugging her and crying. Sam felt her chest constrict at the sight and dropped her chin to her chest. People from the prison kept popping up which was amazing but Sam kept having her hopes dashed. 'Where the fuck is Merle!?' Her mind screamed while clenching her fist.
Carol put her fingers to her mouth and let out a loud whistle. Sam walked toward Carol to hug her when another person came jogging through the brush. Sam's heart stopped and all the air rushed out of her body. Dropping her weapons she stumbled forward on shaking legs. He was sporting his normal cocky grin but she saw the wateriness of his eyes.
"Well ain't that sweet. Officer Friendly and his merry band o' pussies." Merle drawled with a cheeky grin and nodded to his brother, "Darylina."
Sam leapt onto Merle, her arms wrapped around his neck and her legs around his waist as she sobbed. Her body was shaking under the intensity of her cries.
"Samantha." He rasped quietly his mouth pressed against her ear. "Oh Sugar, I gotcha ya, I gotcha Sam. Oh sweetheart."
Merle walked them away from the others, his body rocked back and forth as he held onto her shaking frame tightly. She brought her lips to his, kissing Merle hard and deep while crying.
Merle pulled back tucking his face into her shoulder and pressed his lips into the curve of Sam's neck. She could feel his shaky breathes ghosting across her sweaty skin. When he looked up Sam could see tears escaping his pale blue eyes. Cupping his cheeks she wiped them away while he held her closer.
She rested her forehead against his and whispered, "I'm missed you so fuckin' much, old man."
Merle chuckled gruffly the sound vibrated through his chest, "Hop down Sugar. This old man's got old knees 'n I been searchin' for your sexy ass forever."
When Sam was back on the ground she saw everyone smirking. Merle gave Daryl a tight bear hug picking him up off the ground and drawled roughly, "Good to see ya baby brother."
Merle clapped Rick and Glenn on the shoulders. "Glad ya ain't dead fellas." Which was the closest thing to a 'Happy to see you' Merle gave. He nodded to the new comers and went back to Sam's side.
Carol smiled and tipped her head backwards saying, "Well come on, we've got somewhere to be."
They all walked toward a cabin that Carol said was their destination. Sam was glued to Merle's side, her hand gripping his shirt like he'd disappear.
"Ain't goin nowhere girl." He assured her. Sam felt her heart seize at the nickname and she stumbled over her own feet. The disgusting feeling from the night before hitting her in the chest. Merle looked down at her panicked face. "What's wrong Sugar?"
Sam shook her head and said quietly, "Don't call me girl anymore... please."
His eyes narrowed and he started to ask why when Rick and Carl saw Judith with Tyreese. Sam watched them reunite, Rick collapsing to the ground while hugging his daughter, cupping her fuzzy head. Sam smiled softly, "You were with them?"
"Yeah... Sam what happened? Why can't I say that?" Merle asked his voice low and eyes concerned.
"Just... Later ok?" She begged her hands gripping his forearm. Nodding he pulled her against him. Tucking her face into his chest Sam inhaled his scent. The one she'd been craving. The leather and cigarette smoke. A spice and musk. The gun oil he used for the hinges of his metal sleeve.
Pulling back Merle looked down at her, his thumb skimming over her black eye and scratched cheek. "They do this in there?"
"Yes and no."
He growled, "Who else?"
"Just a group of dead men." Sam replied flatly, her eyes hard.
Merle nodded and kissed her forehead resting his chapped lips against her sticky skin. Her body relaxed at the feel of the man she loved pressed against her. It was as if everything fell back into place and she could breath again.
"Good." Merle's cadence rough and worn. "Hope those boots were made for walkin' Sugar." He smirked down at her, the relief in his eyes plain as day.
"As luck would have it, it's all their fuckin' good for." She joked with a soft smile and kissed his scruffy jaw.
Merle walked next to Sam along the dirt road. He kept glancing down at the top of her head hoping she didn't disappear. She was tucked into his side and Merle could feel her warmth radiating into his ribs. The weight he had been carrying on his chest was suddenly gone. When he saw Sam running through the riflescope Merle's heart leapt into his throat and when he burst through the trees, seeing her up close had never felt so good.
Merle saw everyone and spoke but he couldn't remember what he said. All he could see or hear or focus on was the woman he loved. Sam's face was bruised and cut. She looked like she had been to hell and back since he last saw her. Merle couldn't breath until he got a hold of her. His arms reaching out as she jumped from the ground. Feeling her wrapped around his torso and her mouth against his rough lips brought him back to life. He cried like a little girl and he didn't have one shit to give. Sam was everything and he had gotten her back. There wasn't a man on earth who would not tear up after getting back what Merle just had. Sam was his again. She was everything and she was tucked back into his side. Right where she belonged, right where he needed her.
YAY! The damn reunion finally arrived! I didn't mean for it to take so long but I wanted to space out the major events they experienced without cramming it all into one chapter.
Anyways I hope it lived up to the wait!
Thanks for reading!