A/N Thank you all so much. Rick made a quick decision regarding Dave and Tony, and has told the group they're going to the prison. Let's see what develops.

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There were just two of them, but the group knew Dave and Tony meant them harm and members of their family could have easily been killed. Tonight's experience showed them once again how vulnerable they are. No one questions Rick's decision to take the action he took, or his decision that the group will go to the prison.

Carol and Beth keep the children busy, there's no point in Carl watching as his Dad and the Dixon brothers drag off the bodies of the bandits. They know these children will see plenty of unspeakable horrors in the weeks and years to come, but they see no reason to rush it.

The men consider burning the bodies but they worry it may attract more trouble. They decide instead to drag the bodies far enough away that curious animals will not come wandering through camp looking for a meal.

The men are antsy and agitated and anxious to leave this place, and when they return to camp they see the signs, the group wants out of here as much as they do. Several have already begun packing things up. Amy's strapping camp chairs to the back of the camper she shares with Dale and Herschel, Glenn and Maggie are rearranging the contents of their trunk, and Beth appears to be securing all the loose items in the van.

Merle notices Carol folding the clothes Beth gave her and trying to find room for them in the small trailer. It gets him thinking about him and Carol and Sophia and how in the hell they're gonna make this work, all cramming themselves into that little teardrop trailer. Shit, he's not even sure he'd fit.

They have no idea what the situation will be like at the prison, if they even make it to the prison. They could be staying in the RVs for a while. If him and Carol are going to get together, does he really want to be sleeping in the cab of the pickup while Carol and Sophia sleep in the trailer? No. That wouldn't work for him. If Carol's going to be his woman then he has every intention of sleeping with her.

There are plenty of campers around here, he could put a cab over pickup camper on his truck, similar to what the older men and Amy have. Him and Carol would have a big bed and privacy upfront, and there'd be some kind of hide-a-bed for Sophia. He'd make sure to find one where they'd all be comfortable.

The problem is, what to do with the bike.

He needs to think about this.

As he passes by Carol he gives her a quick hug and a kiss on the head, and says, "I gotta go talk ta Daryl a minute, you go on n get in the trailer now. It ain't a good idea for ya ta be out here at night."

For years Carol had a husband who bossed her around but it doesn't feel that way coming from Merle. With him she knows he's genuinely concerned about her. She agrees, "Okay but you be careful too."

Merle knocks on the van door and when it slides open Daryl says, "What's up brother? C'mon in."

Merle's mumbling, "I's hopin' we could talk about sumthin'. I need your opinion."

Daryl's stunned, not only do the brothers never sit around and talk about stuff, Merle has never asked Daryl's opinion about anything. His brother is much more of a man to state plans, plans to get dope, plans to run a scam, plans to disappear for a while until the heat dies down, but they never "share" like other people do. Beth asks, "Do you need privacy? I could go visit Amy and Daddy."

Merle insists, "No, ya ain't gotta go Sweetie, maybe you can help."

This is weird, but Daryl's quiet while Merle presents his dilemma. A cab over would be the best bet for him, Carol and Sophia. Him and Carol would have their privacy, there would be a nice bed for Sophia and even a bathroom. He shrugs, "Nowadays I guess ya dump them toilets wherever." Beth scrunches her nose, but he's right.

"With the cab over, I wouldn't be draggin' sumthin' behind me, screwin' with my maneuverability n such. I'd be heavier, but it'd be practical. Trouble is, what about my bike?"

Daryl shrugs, "A lotta guys stow smaller bikes in their camper van when they're on the road, rather than trailer 'em, but brother, that thing's a hawg. I wouldn't have room for it even if we weren't packed tight with all this other shit."

Beth suggests, "Could you just ride the bike and maybe Carol could drive the pickup?"

Daryl smiles. He's been itching to get back on a motorcycle, "Now there's a thought, and maybe I could spell ya once in a while if Beth would drive the van. Would ya Beth?"

"Sure, I could do that. I guess that means you have to talk to Carol and Rick about all this Merle." She smiles at him, "I'd get the okay from Carol first, I think there's a good chance she'll go along."

"Ya do huh? Okay, thanks."

He knocks quietly on the door of Carol's trailer, "Hey Honey, it's me, Merle."

She opens the door and he sees both Carol and Sophia are still awake, and both of them are smiling at him, at least for now. Well here goes, maybe it will all work out. Carol asks "So, to what do we owe your visit this evening Merle?

He smiles too, "Well, the truth is ladies, I got an idea but I need ta run it by the two a you first. Gotta see if ya agree."

Carol can't even imagine what this is all about, and my gosh, he cares what she thinks? That's something very different than what she's used to.

Merle shares his idea and he's pleasantly surprised when she responds, "I see, well, it would sure be nice to have a little more room, and for all of us to be able to stay under the same roof, and oh my gosh, it would be really nice to have an indoor bathroom. So yes, I love the idea of a bigger camper. I'm just not sure about driving this big truck with a camper on it," she's thinking though, that bike is a big part of who he is and yet he's willing to give it up if she asks him to. She can't let him do that, "But shoot, it's only until we get to the prison. I'm sure I can handle driving it that far."

Sophia's all happy smiles when she asks, "Can I ride on the motorcycle with you Merle? Please."

Merle chuckles softly and answers, "I tell you what young lady, you ask your Mama n if she says yes, then one a these days when I think it's safe I'ma take ya for a little ride. First though, we gotta check n see a what's out there. K?"

She's still got that big smile when she nods her agreement.

Dale and Herschel are into a game of gin and Amy's doing her best to concentrate on a paperback, but she's not having much luck. She has way too much on her mind. What she never saw coming is Dale looking up from the cards in his hand and casually asking, "So Amy, I can't help noticing you seem quite fascinated with Deputy Grimes."

Amy almost drops the book and she has to take a minute to breathe before answering, "What're you talking about Dale? There's nothing going on between me and the deputy."

"Well I didn't say there was, what I implied is that I think you wish there was."

Now Herschel is throwing in his two cents, "I noticed it too, ever since the farm. You need to be careful Amy, Rick just lost his wife and that can make a man lonely. You wouldn't want him to confuse that loneliness with true feelings."

And Dale's back at it, "Herschel's right Amy, you might want to give him a little time to grieve, then start the flirting."

"Oh my gawd, who are you two? Do you write advice columns for the lovelorn or something? I'm going for a walk, hopefully that'll give you two a chance to get over your fixation with my love life."

Dale tries to stop her, "Now don't be mad Amy, the whole camp knows you've got a little crush. That's nothing to be ashamed of. Herschel and I are just trying to give you a little fatherly advice is all."

"I'm sure my father would appreciate it, too bad I don't. And what do you mean, everybody knows?!"

Herschel shrugs, "I mean everyone knows, everyone except Rick." An amused grin crosses his face when he shakes his head, "He sure isn't very observant for a cop."

The men lose control then, they can't help themselves. They start laughing, and Dale chokes and snorts the words out, "Maybe you should find yourself a smarter fella."

That remark has Hershel laughing even harder, but Amy's not laughing. She's perturbed with them "Fine, you two just keep cackling, I'm going for a walk."

Herschel immediately turns serious, "No, don't do that. It's dark, you don't know who's out there. It's dangerous Amy."

"I'll be fine." She doesn't quite storm out, but she doesn't go quietly into the night either. She's a little too embarrassed and a little too annoyed with the men for teasing her. Maybe Beth has a minute to talk.

She walks over to the van and taps on the door, Daryl slides it open and says, "Hey there Amy, this must be our night for company. C'mon in."

Amy responds, "Oh, um, gee, I was hoping to talk to Beth."

Daryl gets it, "Yeah? Don't worry, I don't stay where I ain't wanted. Besides, I was just goin' out ta have a smoke n a couple pulls off the bottle, talk away."

He grabs a pack of smokes and a pint bottle from the drawer, looks at Beth and says, "I'll be back soon."

As soon as he slides the door shut Amy looks at her friend and states, "I wish I had a drink."

Beth smiles, "No problem, we have a lot more of those bottles. Let me get you a glass."

"Really? Okay good, thanks Beth."

Amy sits on the edge of the bed while Beth pours her a glass, then sits next to her, smiles and warns, "Just so you know, when you get back to the camper smelling like whiskey my Daddy's probably going to lecture you on the evils of strong drink."

"Your Daddy and his pal Dale have already been talking at me tonight, that's why I left. They wouldn't lay off."

That's a little startling to Beth, "Really? Wow. So what's this all about Amy?"

Amy takes a healthy swallow of the liquor and answers, "From what they say, I guess I'm the talk of the whole camp. Everyone knows I've been crushing on Rick, huh?"

Beth can't keep from smiling, "I think it's kind of obvious Amy, but I don't really think anyone's talking about it, not exactly. I mean no one's saying anything bad about you if that's what you're thinking. It's…well it's just kind of funny that you make it so obvious you're interested in him, but the man just can't seem to catch a clue."

Amy giggles then, "Gosh I know, I finally told him he's dense."

Beth giggles too, "Well that's what a few people have been laughing about Amy, that he's dense."

"Geez the whole world ends, everything we ever knew is gone, but that doesn't stop people gossiping."

Beth takes her friend's hand and assures her, "I don't think it was the evil kind of gossip though Amy, everyone thinks the world of you and Rick. Maybe we shouldn't go around talking about others and speculating about romance, but it sure is a nice break from worrying about dead people all the time."

Amy laughs, swallows the last of the liquor and agrees, "I guess you're right."

That's when Beth offers a little advice, "I'm not going to tell you what to do Amy, I know you can handle yourself, but I think my Daddy might be right about this. Rick just lost his wife so, um, you might think about taking it slow. Give him a chance to heal."

"I know Beth, it's just…gosh, he's such a good guy and I'm not going to pretend I didn't notice how handsome he is the second I first laid eyes on him. I remember back at the quarry I kept wondering what the hell Lori was thinking. I mean I get it, she thought he was dead at first and she thought she needed Shane to protect her, but Rick came back and she was still doing the same thing."

"That's something he might still have to get over too, you know, like he might have to learn to trust again. Just keep being your sweet self and keep being patient Amy, sooner or later Rick's going to come around."

Beth refuses to let Amy walk home alone, so she slides open the van door hoping Daryl's close by and can walk her. She can see him and his brother, they're illuminated by flashlights as they check out a campers, but there's someone else closer.

He looks over when he hears the van door and nods his head in greeting, "Hey Beth."

"Hi Rick, what are you doing out and about in the dark?"

"Just checkin' on things"

"Um, could I ask you a favor?" She hears Amy behind her whisper-yell, "Beth!"

Rick starts walking closer, completely oblivious to Amy's panicked embarrassment, and Beth tells him, "Amy's been here visiting and I hate to send her home alone in the dark. Do you think you could walk her over to her camper?"

"Oh, yeah, sure, no problem."

As she begins to step from the van Amy turns her head to look back at Beth, and playfully sticks her tongue out at her friend. Then she feels Rick take her hand to steady her and she's suddenly all smiles.

They start walking toward the camper she shares with the older gentlemen, and Rick quietly stares at the ground as he speaks, "I'm not as dense as you think, or as everyone else seems to think. I know you've been being flirtatious, I liked it, I like you. You're pretty and nice and I…it just wouldn't be fair. It's too soon. I have to work through the loss and the bullshit…" he makes a sweeping motion with his arm indicating the campground and sighs, "and all of this."

She's so grateful for his honestly. Rather than giving her any idea of giving up on him, she sees a little ray of hope. But she tells him, "I get it, it's too soon. I guess I tend to think there may not be much time, and maybe none of us should wait for anything. But I'll wait for you Rick." Then she makes the same sweeping motion with her arm that he made, "As for all of this? Maybe I could be a big help to you."

He smiles so shyly it seems almost out of character, then he hugs her, "Thank you Amy. You make me feel better about myself than I have in a long time. I…I am interested. Just give me some time, please."

"I will," and before he can draw away from the hug, Amy leans in and kisses his cheek, adding, "I hope it won't be too much longer."

Daryl and Beth are cuddled up in bed and he tells her all about the search for Merle's new home, then strokes a hand over her hair and asks, 'Ya sure ya ain't gonna mind drivin' the van by yourself while I ride the bike? I mean, it'll be fun for me n all, but only if you don't mind."

"No, I don't mind. Merle said the prison is 75 miles a way, so it shouldn't be that big a deal. Besides, it'll be a good chance or me to listen to a couple of those books on tape I got at the library. I have a feeling you're not really into romance novels."

He smiles, "Shit, I wasn't into any kinda romance at all til I met you." He kisses her forehead and says, "Seriously though, if ya ain't happy after tomorrow we'll leave the bike behind. Merle already agreed."

"I think I'll be just fine Daryl," Then she gets honest, "The truth is, I'm looking forward to seeing you ride that bike. I just know you're going to look so hot."

She can see how embarrassed he is when he mumbles, "Yeah right," then a warm and sexy look appears on his face as he promises, "I can show ya hot right now."

"Oh really Mister Dixon? I like the sound of that."

Daryl's feeling happy and lighthearted, it's not his usual way, but a lot of things are different about him since Beth came into his life. The love they make is playful, but the van isn't insulated and sound carries in the camp so they try to keep the giggles, the screeches, the little yelps, and those deep satisfied moans as quiet as they possibly can. In a way, trying to be quiet and sneaky makes it even more fun, and when they come together they smile, hold each other close and his tone is so sincere when he whispers, "Bein' with you Beth, it makes me happy."

She runs her fingers through his hair and smiles, "You make me happier than I ever thought I could be," and the words she speaks hit his heart so hard he needs her again.

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Merle and Daryl are the first ones up, they've got things to do. They unhitched the small trailer from Merle's pickup last night, and the bike has been rolled down the ramp, out of the bed. They try to be quiet but it's impossible. They're going to have to start up the pickup Merle's new camper is currently mounted on to get the camper off, and his pickup has to be running to mount the camper in the bed.

Once they make the switch, and the camper is secured on Merle's pickup, he notes, "I'm takin' the battery outta this other pickup too, and the guy's got chargin' cables and a trickle charger that might come in real handy."

By the time they're done the camp is awake and everyone is hurrying about, the group is anxious to get on the road. It's not that they look forward to a drive into the unknown, it's that all of them have lost nearly everything. What they crave now is to find some place safe that they can call home.

Maggie and Beth help Carol get things transferred from the teardrop trailer into the bigger camper and Maggie jokes, "Merle really knows how to provide for a woman, this is like a palace compared to my trailer." The women laugh not because it's particularly funny, but because they need to reduce the tension they're all feeling about what's waiting for them "out there."

Daryl checks with Beth one more time, "Ya sure you're alright with me ridin' the bike while you drive? If ya ain't, we'll drop the sumbitch right here."

She smiles, "I promise, I'm fine, but if after today I change my mind then we'll think of a new plan. Okay?"

"A'ight, if you're sure." He's not nearly as okay with this arrangement as she seems to be.

By 7:30 a.m. the group is on the road. Daryl takes the lead on the bike, followed by Rick, then Beth, Merle and Carol, Dale, Herschel and Amy. Bringing up the rear are Maggie and Glenn.

They keep a tight formation and try to maintain a steady speed. Periodically Daryl rides ahead to see what waits for them, then he rides back, checking on the group and looking for signs they're being followed. They've all begun to worry almost more about the living than the dead.

They've only been on the road a couple of hours when Daryl rides back from checking the road ahead. He holds up a hand with his palm out indicating everyone should stop. The group immediately complies and the drivers, Rick, Beth, Merle, Glenn, and Dale step from their vehicles to find out what's happening.

"It ain't nuthin' too serious, bout a mile up there's 10 walkers in the middle a the road, shufflin' along and headed right for us. Might be easier if a couple of us just took care of em right now."

Rick agrees, "That sounds best, and let's keep the noise down, bows and knives. Daryl, Merle let's go."

Beth's not having it, "I'm going too," and climbs on the bike behind Daryl. He wishes she would have waited with the others, but damn it feels good having her right here with him, and her arms wrapped around him so tight.

The next time Daryl stops the bike the group is ready. Daryl's bow is loaded, Beth's pulling back her bowstring, Rick's got a knife in each hand and Merle's got his K-bar knife in one hand and a crowbar in the other. In just one very bloody minute the walkers are dead for good, and their being moved far enough to be out of the way of the vehicles.

It's about 11:30 a.m. when they pull over again, this time into a truck turnout to grab a bite to eat. They've got cold roasted potatoes from the night before, raw carrots and apples. It's not a meal any of them would have chosen a few weeks ago, but they don't eat for pleasure much anymore. They eat to survive.

They're just wrapping up the quick meal break when they hear a rustling coming from the trees. Guns, bows and knives go up as they wait to see who or what emerges. A man and a boy walk out from the cover of the trees with their hands in the air. The man's eyes scan the group and when they land on the deputy he exhales the question, "Rick?"

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A/N I hope you enjoyed it, and please leave a comment. The chapter photo is on my tumblr blogs gneebee and bethylmethbrick, please have a look. I'll be back next Thursday with more of Love's Long Road, I hope you'll be here too. Until then remember, I love ya large! xo gneebee