Glenn and Rick it seemed were friendlier with Daryl than they were with Merle. Which was curious because while Merle was a lude jerk he was still nice. He still tried to help, he did help. Hell from what she seen he put himself in danger quite often for this place.

Maggie was quiet and sitting back as Glenn and Rick talked at Daryl. And that was what they were doing; talking at him. He'd already made up his mind to help her and she was grateful. BUt she also didn't enjoy hearing that Merle was enough to make the trip. Merle didn't even really want to go. He'd said so himself, he was willing but he'd prefer to not see Harlan again he'd said.

Daryl sighed heavily and his lip curled. "I said I was going."

"Daryl you're just going to leave Logan behind?" Rick begged. "What if something happens to you and Merle out there?"

"It would be impossible to keep him here if you all don't come back. He'd go looking for you." Glenn added.

"Our brother will be back by then." Daryl snapped.

When Rick seemed ready to speak again Daryl stood. Something about the way his shoulders squared and his head raised silenced Rick. He stood there for a second before he rolled his shoulders. Merle quit picking at his nails and Logan tensed.

"I went back for Lori." Daryl snarled. "I went back for Beth. ANd you both have the nerve to stop me from doing what I've done for you?"

"OF course they do baby brother." Merle heckled. "You hunt for them while they set here and reap the rewards of our work."

Rick glared in Merle's direction. "That's not true."

"Oh but it is. I think I'll take a break from hunting. Maybe Mac will too and Daryl." Merle barked.

Glenn flinched and Maggie sighed heavily. Rick looked ready to argue back but Daryl moved closer to his brother and it shut Rick up.

When he looked over at his son Carol knew something was different. Logan was watching his father with a steel resolve him.

"Don't leave these gates for nothing while I'm gone. No hunting, no looting."

Logan nodded and didn't bother to look towards anyone else. Merle clapped Daryl on the back and smiled.

"I think it best I stay here baby brother. Wait for our brother and you've got this. Carol's a fighter."

Daryl nodded and shot Carol a look. She tried to smile but his eyes were on fire. Something told her without a doubt that Rick crossed a line and so did Glenn. Dixon's didn't take well to being controlled.

Carol blew out a heavy breath at Merle's words. "Are you sure about this?"

Daryl eyed Merle and something passed between them before Daryl nodded slowly. Rick glared at them and Maggie stood. She glared at both Glenn and Rick. Carol was sure that they'd both being getting an earful. What a way to make some of your strongest players pissed off.

"We'll leave tomorrow." Daryl stated.

"Stay here tonight, Carol." Merle said.

Carol jerked at that, "Why?"

Maggie cleared her throat, "Have a safe trip. We'll be going for the night."

Rick and Glenn seemed reluctant to leave but followed Maggie anyways. Carol grinned at watching the whipped pup look they both got at her murderous look when they seemed about ready to stay and argue more. When the house was cleared Merle pivoted and looked at her. He seemed to be making a decision while looking her over.

"You'll have my baby brother out there with you." Merle's words were dangerous. "Don't try no stupid cowboy shit and get him bit or killed."

Logan eyed her too and nodded his head. "Don't get my dad killed."

"Then stay here!" Carol implored Daryl.

He smiled slightly but he was looking down and shook his head. Merle scoffed and glared at her.

"What?!" Carol hissed. "Why don't you go in his place?"

Merle's face reddened slightly but his eyes never lost their bite. Daryl stepped closer to his brother and shook his head. Logan got up and left the room. He walked up the stairs and Carol knew she was missing something.

"I can't." Merle snarled. "Daryl will know the area better than me."

"Why do I need to stay the night here?" Carol asked suddenly.

"I'll leave earlier than you might get up." Daryl's voice was low but sure.

Carol nodded and sighed. "I'll pack a bag and be back."

Daryl nodded at her as she left and she knew that a conversation between brothers was happening.

A thud behind her made her jump. Logan was on the roof to the porch and walking to the edge. He jumped and cleared the railings of the porch. He walked towards her after coming out of a crouch.

"Merle is a proud man." Logan began, walking with her.

Carol licked her lips and thought about what to say. Daryl was going to help her. He was leaving his brother and son behind to make sure her family wasn't left to die. What would she do if she got there and her grandmother was dead?

"He can't run like he use to." Logan started, "He got hurt awhile back. Held hostage and the person hurt his leg. It's still healing."

Carol sucked in a breath. "Someone held him hostage?"

"It was before we were here." Logan shrugged. "We got separated from Merle for a few months. Almost a year and someone else found him. He was delirious from dehydration."

Carol walked up her steps but wasn't blind to Cathy watching from her porch. Logan didn't pay the woman a bit of attention. The door shut behind them.

"When we finally got him back there was signs of torture. Merle's leg..." he blew out a heavy breath. "He can walk and run but he can't keep up for a long time. It gives out on him now. Weakened."

Carol packed quickly. She grabbed only a change of clothes and the few knives she had with her. Maggie had told her she'd have a go bag together for her at the gates before she left. So Carol wasn't too worried. No instead she was thinking about Merle. She would have never guessed he was wounded and still recovering. Did that mean the Dixon's weren't here to stay either or passing through? How long had they been at this place. So many questions.

"What happened to the man who hurt your uncle."

Logan padded around silently behind her. He rubbed his face. So much like is dad and looked towards her. He was striking even for his age and she imagined in time he'd grow into his lankiness and look even more like his father.

"My uncle and dad got him back."

"Is this man not around here...does he know of this place?"

Logan just smiled and shook his head. "His town is. He isn't."

Carol sucked in a breath at the danger that lurked in Logan's eyes. SHe didn't ask anything else and instead finished packing. She grabbed her things and headed for the door. When they got back to the house Merle was nowhere to be seen and instead Daryl was sharpening knives. He was slow and methodical at it. Lost in thought really, like this was a second nature.

"You can take my room." Daryl's voice was subdued.

Carol felt ashamed at the relief she felt to not be on the couch. Daryl was giving up his bed for her. She just nodded and went up the stairs. It wasn't worth being told no repeatedly in the argument for the bed to fight with him. Daryl was preoccupied as is.

When she got in his room she was surprised at how clean it was. Bed made and not a thing out of place. She could see he packed a bag but nothing more. It was a small comfort to not be sleeping in a pigsty. Getting ready for bed she was shocked at how good the bed smelled when she crawled in. It was Daryl, she was surrounded by the man downstairs and she felt her body heat up. It was almost shocking to have the reaction after so long of feeling nothing. She breathed deeply and let it roll over her.