A/N All characters belong to the writers and creators of The Walking Dead. Except those that arose from my own twisted imagination.

Chapter 37-Obey

"How long have all of you been here?" Greg asked in awe as they walked through the gate. Carl closed it behind them.

"About a year or so. Most of this though," Rick said indicating the shed, the picnic area and animals. "This all went in about six months ago." Greg nodded. Rick noticed that Cassie hadn't yet said a word and wouldn't leave Greg's side and called to Carl. He introduced Carl to Cassie and the girl smiled shyly.

"Why don't you take Cassie into D block and help her get settled, maybe introduce her to some of the kids?" Carl nodded.

"Sure." He looked at Cassie. "C'mon, let's go." Cassie looked up to Greg who nodded at her. She left with Carl, still hunched in on herself and refusing to speak. Greg shook his head.

"I feel bad about that kid. She's barely talked since this whole mess started." They were coming closer to C block and Rick didn't want Greg too close to Dani.

"That's D block," Rick said, pointing. "Most of the new people are staying there." Greg motioned towards C block.

"Is that where you live?" Rick nodded. "And Danielle?"

"Yes. That's why I think it's best you get settled in D. Talk to Janet over there, she kind of manages the place. She'll get you and Cassie bedding, clean clothes, food and assign your room. She's got a system over there and I don't want to really interfere with that." Greg looked over at C.

"I want to talk to Danielle." Rick shook his head.

"I don't know if this is the best time…" Greg narrowed his eyes.

"Look, I know she must have told you some things about me. I know she hates me. I just want to talk to her and find out what happened to Abigail. That's all." The tone he used raised a red flag with Rick. This guy was used to bullying people to get what he wanted. Rick looked over his shoulder at C block and saw Daryl standing just outside the door, watching them.

"Why don't you go get settled, check on Cassie and then we'll see about that, alright?" Greg looked over at Daryl then back to Rick.

"I don't really have much of a choice on that do I?" Rick shook his head and looked him square in the eye.

"No, you don't." Greg shrugged.

"Alright. We'll talk later then I guess." Rick nodded and Greg headed in the direction of D block. Rick watched until he was inside and then walked over to Daryl.

"So he's stayin' then?" Daryl asked, obviously not happy. Rick nodded.

"He's stayin' for now. I'm keeping him away from Dani until she's ready. He doesn't like it but he's gonna have to deal with that. How's she doin'?" Daryl narrowed his eyes.

"How do you think she's doin'?" Rick sighed.

"Daryl, I'm sorry. If I could have just brought the girl back here without him I would have." Daryl shook his head and the two men started walking down towards the water pump. Too many people were coming around and neither one wanted their conversation overheard.

"Has he said anythin' about Dani yet?"

"Other than making some comments about her family on our way back, no. Look, Daryl," Rick stopped walking. "I think we need to sit down with this guy. There's somethin' he's not tellin' us about that other group. Now maybe they were with them and somethin' happened to that girl, I don't know, but we need to get that information out of him and soon." Daryl nodded.

"Dani said she'll talk to him today, just to get it over with, but I'll be damned if he gets to talk to her alone."

"I think it's a smart move if it's you and me in the room with her when they talk, maybe even Hershel. Try to keep things from getting confrontational." Daryl smirked.

"You afraid I'll do somethin' if you're not there to watch me?" Rick shook his head.

"No I'm just hoping that by havin' people there he won't be as likely to go off on her like I think he wants to. And he's the type that'll say somethin' to you, especially when he finds out you and Dani are together. But maybe with me and Hershel there we can keep him from getting' too out of hand. Hershel loves Dani like a daughter. He's as protective of her as he is of his own girls." Daryl nodded.

"Good idea. I'll talk to her and let you know when she's ready." Rick nodded.

"I'm gonna try to see if Carl can get Cassie to talk to him, maybe find out what happened to her parents. She might respond better talkin' to another kid than an adult." Daryl looked behind him to see Greg back in the picnic area, drinking water and watching them. He jerked his chin in Greg's direction.

"We need to get her into C and away from him. I don't trust him, Rick. He's lookin' for a fight with Dani and she'll give him one if he baits her. You know how she gets when she gets mad." Rick turned and saw Greg.

"I think you're right." He turned back to Daryl. "I made a mistake bringin' him in here." Daryl shook his head.

"This mistake you can fix. You were tryin' to do right by that girl. Now that she's safe, we can kick him out and not even feel bad about it." Rick laughed.

"The old Daryl would have killed him for even thinkin' of sayin' something about Dani." Daryl shook his head.

"No he wouldn't. Because the old Daryl wouldn't have Dani at all." Rick nodded, thinking back to the time when he first met Daryl and the dirty, angry redneck threw a stringer of squirrel at him and pulled a knife on both him and Shane. No, that Daryl wouldn't have taken care of Dani, let alone fallen in love with her. Rick laughed.

"You're right on that one Brother."

Dani walked in to the library later that afternoon with her head held high. Greg had intimidated her for years but no more. Daryl was right behind her and she reached back to take his hand when she saw Greg's eyes widen as soon as he saw her. She came to a dead stop, her heart pounding. Daryl kept his eyes on Greg and leaned over Dani's shoulder.

"I'm here. You're gonna be fine." Dani nodded and walked to the table, sitting down across from Greg.

"Danielle." His voice was surprised. "You look good." She pursed her lips.

"Thanks." Greg glanced over at Daryl sitting close by Dani and eyeing him hard. Greg turned to Rick and Hershel.

"Look, I'd really like a few minutes alone to talk privately with my wife." Daryl snorted.

"She ain't your wife." Greg glared at Daryl and Dani recognized that look. It was the look he had always given to waiters, cashiers and pretty much anyone in any service related industry that told them they were of a lower class than he was.

"I'm sorry but I don't see why this is any business of yours." Daryl leaned forward on the table.

"Oh it's very much my business. Anything to do with Dani is my business. And anything you have to say to her, you'll say in front of us." Greg looked from Daryl to Danielle and then grinned.

"So, you've decided to slum it, huh sweetheart? Guess I shouldn't blame you right? I mean, he looks like he could be your cousin so that's probably close enough." Dani reached over and put her hand on Daryl's arm as he moved to stand up. Rick was on the edge of his seat, ready to get in between Greg and Daryl if necessary. It was Hershel that spoke first, his voice firm.

"Don't you think it's a tad foolish to insult the people who've given you food and shelter? I believe you said you had a specific question to ask Danielle concerning Abigail. Now, if you want to ask that question, go ahead and do so otherwise, I think we're done here." Greg pursed his lips.

"Fine. I'll ask my question. What happened Danielle? How did Abigail die?" His voice had more accusation than concern. She knew that he hadn't shed a tear about Abigail but looked at her little girl's death as just one more thing he could hold over her head. Dani jerked her chin towards Rick.

"Thought Rick and Daryl already told you that. She died of pneumonia." Greg clenched his jaw, frustrated. Dani knew he was annoyed both at her not telling the guys to leave the room but also at hearing her slight southern drawl, the one he had insisted she lose, had returned.

"Yes I know that. How? Why didn't you get her something? Pneumonia's treatable, especially in someone her age." Dani rolled her eyes.

"Sorry Greg but the corner pharmacy was closed." His eyes flashed. Dani knew she was making him angry and she didn't care. It wasn't that she wanted him to scream at her or for Daryl to start beating him to death but she wasn't about to cooperate with him just because he wanted her to.

"Danielle," Greg's voice was strained. She could tell he was trying really hard to not lose control. "I am asking you again. What happened?" Dani closed her eyes and shook her head.

"We ended up living in a walled community not far from here called Woodbury. Guy running the place called himself the Governor. When Abigail got sick, he gave me a placebo and told me it was penicillin. By the time I found out, it was too late and she was dead." Greg waited for her to continue but she was done. She wasn't going to tell him why the Governor did what he did or about what she had to do to get that fake medicine or what happened to her after Abigail was gone or that Abigail was now buried at the prison. That was none of Greg's business. This wasn't about concern or grief for Abigail. This was about Greg trying to control Dani once again.

"So, that's it. What did you do about it?" Dani glared at him.

"There was nothing I could do Greg. The Governor was a sick, twisted man. When she died, I escaped and came to the prison." Greg nodded and glared at her.

"I always knew you were a stupid bitch." Daryl shot up out of his seat.

"I'm gonna kill you mother…" Rick jumped up the same time as Daryl and held out his hand.

"Daryl, don't." Daryl turned on Rick.

"Get him out of here. He ain't stayin', not even in D. Give him a sandwich and send his ass packin'." Greg ignored Daryl and continued to glare at Dani.

"Goddamn you, if you had brought her to the hospital like I told you to she could have been on that helicopter with me and she'd still be alive!" Dani took a deep breath and got to her feet, staring Greg down.

"You heartless son of a bitch. You never wanted to be a father, never were a father and the only reason you wanted to take Abigail was to hurt me because I wouldn't do as I was told anymore!" Greg didn't back down.

"Once you took my last name it was your duty to honor me, respect me and obey me." Dani's jaw was clenched. She had heard this shit for years. That he owned her from the day he married her. That for as long as she had his name, she forfeit all rights to her life. She didn't hear Rick or Daryl or Hershel. All she could focus on was the man who had done his best, the entire time she knew him, to see that she was verbally beaten into submission. She drew back and spit in his face.

"You can have your name back, asshole! Robertson isn't mine anymore, hasn't been for a long time!" Hershel slammed his hand down on the table.

"Enough! Daryl, get Dani out of here." He turned on Greg. "And as for you, gather your belongings and leave. You are no longer welcome here." Daryl and Dani both continued to stare at Greg for a moment before Dani finally turned around. She felt Daryl's hand on her back and she knew he was right behind her. They had barely taken two steps when she heard Greg's mocking voice.

"You ever wonder why I picked you Danielle, you stupid hick? Way back when you were young and still pretty? Because you were the best lay there was. Always ready to fall on your back and spread your legs. Is that still true there Cletus?" Dani turned around in time to see Daryl jump over the table and plant his boot in Greg's face. The smaller man fell over backwards and Daryl jumped on top of him, grabbing him by the collar and slamming his fist into Greg's face. Blood spurted under his fist from Greg's broken nose but Daryl didn't notice. He punched him again, enjoying the feel of bone breaking under his fist.

"Daryl!" Rick wrestled Daryl off of Greg. "He's not worth it, dammit! He's not worth it!" Daryl broke free from Rick and caught Greg again, splitting his knuckles open on Greg's busted teeth. The argument had been heard by Tyreese and Abraham who ran into the library and helped Rick drag Daryl off of Greg.

"Get off me!" Daryl struggled against the three men until they finally hauled him across the room and Rick forced Daryl to look at him.

"He's not worth it Daryl. Keep it up and you'll kill him." Daryl pulled away from Rick, took a deep breath and pointed to Greg.

"I want him gone. I see him again, I won't stop, you hear me?" Rick nodded. Daryl turned quickly and ushered a stunned Dani out of the library. Tyreese and Abraham looked from the unconscious beaten and bloody man on the floor to Rick and Hershel.

"What the hell was all that about?" Tyreese asked. Rick shook his head.

"Help me get him to the infirmary before he wakes up. I'll explain everything then. Hershel, can you see to him? Just get him cleaned up enough that he can walk out of here." Hershel nodded.

"What about Daryl?" Rick shook his head.

"I'll go with you to the infirmary and then I'll go check on Daryl."

Dani made Daryl stay in their cell while she went to check on Jesse. He was still with Beth and sleeping peacefully next to Judith. Dani grabbed a roll of gauze, antibacterial cream and water before heading back. She pulled the sheet down in the doorway to give them privacy, turned up the lantern and knelt in front of him, sitting back on her heels.

"Let me see," she said, taking his hand. He winced as he unclenched his fist. The adrenaline was starting to wear off and his right hand was throbbing, the middle knuckle split wide open. Dani washed the blood off his hand and inspected his wounds.

"You should probably have Hershel or Alice put some stitches in that." Daryl shook his head.

"Nah. Just wrap it up. I'll be fine." Dani applied the first aid cream and carefully wrapped his hand in gauze. When she was done, he tilted her chin up to look at her.

"I'm so sorry Dani. I should've known…" Dani cut him off.

"Don't. It's not your fault. Let me see your other hand." His left hand wasn't as bad as his right. She cleaned the blood off and applied the first aid cream but didn't bother to wrap it. "I think you're good." Daryl took her hands in his.

"What did you mean when you said 'Robertson' hasn't been your name for a long time?" Dani shrugged and gave him a half smile.

"I just don't have a last name anymore. I'll be one of those first name only women like Cher or Madonna." Daryl smiled, bit his lip and looked down.

"You know there's a name you can have. If you want it that is." Dani's heart skipped a beat.

"Oh yeah? What's that?" Daryl wouldn't look at her. Instead, he held her hands in his and ran his uninjured thumb over the knuckles of her right hand.

"You can always use Dixon if you want." Dani took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

"What are you sayin' Daryl?" Daryl shrugged, his head still hung down and Dani reached up to make him look at her.

"I'm just sayin', we already have Jesse and he's a Dixon. No sense why you shouldn't be one too." Dani brushed his hair out of his eyes.

"Daryl, are you sure?" He nodded.

"I already told you I don't want to live without you. I don't know how much more sure I could be." Dani nodded.

"I'd be happy to be a Dixon if it meant I get to spend the rest of my life with you." He cupped her face in his hands and leaned down to kiss her. She rose up on her knees and buried her hands in his hair. She felt his hands drop down to start unbuttoning her shirt when they heard a throat clearing at the door. Dani pulled back and turned to see Rick, embarrassed, standing in the doorway. Dani and Daryl both got to their feet.

"So what'd you do with him?" Daryl asked. Rick put his hands on his hips.

"He's unconscious so he's in the infirmary right now. Abraham's watchin' him to make sure when he wakes up, he stays put. Hershel and Alice said he's got a broken rib, busted jaw and nose. Both his eyes are swollen shut. His cheek may even be fractured but Alice can't tell with all the swelling." Daryl nodded.

"Good. He deserved every lick he took." Rick motioned towards Daryl's bandaged hand.

"How's your hand?" Daryl raised his hand and flexed it slightly.

"It's alright. It'll heal." Rick nodded and looked at Dani.

"Dani, I'm so sorry. I thought with Hershel and I there maybe he would…" Dani shook her head.

"Rick, Greg's an asshole who has to feel superior to everyone. I guess livin' in a world without dry cleanin', Starbucks and manicures hasn't changed that. Once I set foot in that room and didn't make all y'all leave, it was over and there was no changin' that." She walked towards Rick. "I know you just brought him in to get Cassie in here. I understand and I don't blame you for makin' that decision. I hope you know that." Rick nodded.

"I guess we'll just see what happens when he wakes up then." Dani walked back to Daryl.

"Just so you know Rick, I won't talk to him again. However long you have to keep him here, you keep him away from me and my son. If he starts wanderin' around here unsupervised, it won't be Daryl that kills him, got it?" Rick looked from Dani to Daryl.

"I think I do Dani." He turned and moved the sheet back from the doorway. "I'll leave you two alone then." When Rick was gone, Dani leaned back against Daryl. He put his arms around her and pulled her tight against him.

"Manicures huh?" Dani smiled at the barely suppressed laughter in Daryl's voice. "You married a guy who got manicures?" Dani shrugged and turned around.

"Bad move on my part, I know. Especially since it turns out, I like my man dirty." She unbuttoned his shirt and then wrinkled her nose. "Though you could use a shower. Just sayin'." Daryl chuckled.

"My hand's all wrapped up. I shouldn't get the bandage wet." He slid his hands down to her ass and pulled her hips against his. "You gonna come help me?" His voice was low and husky. Dani bit her lip and nodded. They hadn't been together in months and after today, they both needed it.

They got to the shower room and checked to make sure it was clear. The group had rigged up individual curtained stalls months ago to give everyone privacy. When the curtain was closed behind them, Dani stripped off Daryl's shirt and quickly unbuttoned his pants. At the same time, Daryl unbuttoned Dani's shirt, kissing down her neck as he unfastened her bra with one hand. He slid the straps of her bra down her arms and threw the garment aside before struggling with the button on her jeans. He finally opened them and pushed her jeans and panties down over her hips. When they were both naked, Dani pushed their clothes under the curtain to keep them dry and turned on the water. The hot water took a moment as it always had since they fixed the water heater and Dani knew it wouldn't last long. Daryl came up behind her and cupped her breasts, pressing up against her but Dani moved away.

"Wash first, then sex." She said, playfully. Daryl narrowed his eyes and smiled.

"Bossy little thing aren't ya?" Dani raised her eyebrow.

"You know it. Turn around." Daryl complied and Dani moved out of the way, letting the water hit him square in the back before moving in with the soap. She quickly massaged his neck, shoulders and arms before working her soapy hands down his back. She wrapped her arms around his front, pressing herself against his back as she washed his chest and stomach. She worked her hands lower and he dropped his head back when she grasped his erection in her hand, moving up and down his shaft. Smiling, she backed away.

"Now you can get rinsed off." Daryl turned and quickly picked Dani up, pushing her back against the cool tile wall. "Daryl, your hand!" He looked her in the eye.

"I don't give a damn about my hand. I need you girl." Without another word, Dani wrapped her legs around his waist, reached between them and guided him inside her. He didn't move for a moment and kept his eyes on hers. Then he gritted his teeth, grabbed her hips and thrust deep inside her, causing Dani to cry out. She clung to him, trying to keep a grip on his still soapy shoulders as the water washed down over them. He kept up the pounding rhythm, both of them moaning and breathing hard. Dani let her head fall back and Daryl attacked her neck and shoulders with his lips, tongue and teeth. The sensation was so intense that Dani came quickly, crying out and digging her nails into his back but Daryl didn't stop. He continued to thrust hard inside her, deeper, pushing her back against the wall. She kissed him but they quickly broke apart, panting. Dani was calling his name, her voice getting higher with each utterance. Daryl couldn't hold back any longer and came inside her, adding his own breathless moans to hers as he felt her tighten around him again, her legs trembling at his waist. He held her against the wall, partly to catch his breath but mostly because he didn't want to lose the physical connection.

"I've missed you Dani." Dani kissed him.

"I haven't gone anywhere." He pressed his forehead to hers.

"You know what I mean." Dani nodded and Daryl reluctantly put her down. The water was cold though not the ice shower it used to be. They quickly rinsed off and turned off the water. After they had dried off and dressed, Dani took Daryl's hand and led him back to Jesse. Beth had just changed him and looked up when she heard Dani at the door.

"Perfect timing. He just woke up." Dani hugged Beth, surprising the girl.

"Thank you for watching him." Beth smiled.

"Anytime." Daryl took Jesse and they headed back to their cell. While Dani was nursing Jesse, Daryl sat next to her and softly stroked his son's hair. Dani watched Jesse, his big blue eyes focused on her.

"Daryl, you know if we're not careful this time, he won't be an only child for long." Daryl chuckled.

"Yeah I know." Jesse stopped nursing and Dani put him on her shoulder, rubbing his back through his sleeper. Daryl reached over and carefully took him from her. "I'll take him, if that's ok. I don't spend as much time with him as I should." He sat back against the wall and put his bare feet on the bed, laying Jesse against his legs. Dani watched for a moment, a faint smile on her lips, then stood up.

"I'll leave you boys alone and get some chores done." Daryl looked at her.

"Don't be gone too long, ok?" Dani nodded, leaned over and kissed both Daryl and Jesse. After she left, Jesse looked at Daryl and smiled up at his father as he stretched and shoved his fingers in his mouth. Daryl smiled back at him. "You like hangin' out just the two of us?" As Jesse cooed in response, Daryl took his hand. Jesse grabbed Daryl's finger and held on tight, grinning at Daryl around the fingers in his mouth, his big blue eyes shining. Daryl's smile grew and his vision blurred as he blinked away tears. "Yeah, that's my boy." Dani, who had been standing just outside the door, listened as father and son talked to each other, smiled and headed outside to help get dinner ready.