Carol turned and caught his attention as he walked over to the table. "Hi, peanut," he said as he sat down between her and Sophia. "What are you eating?"

"I having oatme and nana," said Sophia as she showed him her bowl.

"Looks yummy," he answered as he turned his attention to Carol.

"Daryl?," said Carol questioningly. "I? You? You're an agent with the Witness Protection Program? Have you been watching Sophia and I?"

"Let me explain," answered Daryl as Rick's phone began to ring.

Rick stood and made his way to the front door, "I have to get this, excuse me."

Carol and Daryl maintained eye contact and hadn't even acknowledged the fact that Rick had left. "I am not directly linked with the program, but offer my services when they have a special case."

"What does that mean?"

"I am technically an employee of the F.B.I., but I am under a contract with them. They need me, I show up."

She stood up and went to the counter to pour herself more coffee while she tried to process what he had told her so far. He could tell she was upset about everything so he went to her. She could feel his heat as he walked up behind her and put his hands on her shoulders. "I took this case because I knew the two of you needed protection. I don't know a lot of the details, but I can tell you one thing." He turned her around so they were face to face. He tipped her chin up to look deep into her eyes as he continued, "I will not let anything happen to either of you. I promise." His fingers trembled as she gently grasped his wrist. They leaned towards each other and as their lips brushed they were suddenly interrupted.

"Momma, I done!," yelled Sophia as she held up her bowl.

Jumping away from each other, Carol quickly went over and got Sophia out of her booster chair. "Let me get you cleaned up, love."

Daryl shook his head and tried to refocus his thoughts as he watched Carol wipe up Sophia's hands and face.

"We are going to be leaving in a little bit, Sophia. Put some books in your Frozen bag and grab Elsa and Anna."

"Okay, momma," replied Sophia as she went to her room and began talking to her dolls.

"What now, Daryl,"Carol asked as she began to wash dishes.

"No time for cleaning. We have to be leaving pretty soon. Do you have a bag packed for each of you?"

Shutting off the water, she shook her head as what was happening to them really began to sink in. Tears filled her eyes as her voice trembled, "I don't know if I have the strength to keep doing this over and over, Daryl. I am tired and frustrated and want to just kick the shit out of Ed. He was a total bastard in life and continues to haunt us in death."

He grabbed her hand and spoke quietly, "I know it is hard, but just take all of this one day at a time. I will be with you every step of the way. Agent Grimes is good at this job and will get the information he needs to put this scumbag away for good."

"I hope so." Withdrawing her hand, she went to check on Sophia.

Rick came back in and looked at Daryl with doubt in his body language. "Dixon, could I talk to you in the living room for a second?"

When they were in private Rick said, "We found out who is behind all of this with Carol and it is not good. This guy is sitting in prison and still has minions out here working for him. We know his henchman are Philip Stan and Gareth Jones. Either of those names ring a bell?"

"I have heard the names, but that is about it. Who is the guy in charge?"

Rick rubbed the back of his neck as he hesitated. "I don't know how to tell you this, but you do know the top dog. It's your brother, Daryl...it's Merle."

Daryl froze once he realized exactly what Rick had told him. "Wait. What!? Merle is responsible for what Carol is going through right now?"

Rick nodded as he replied, "Yes. I'm sorry to have to tell you this."

Daryl tried to think back to the last time he had even seen or heard from Merle. It had to have been at least fifteen years ago. They had fought when Merle had called from jail, yet again, asking to be bailed out. Daryl told him he was heading off to basic training for the Army and that Merle was on his own. When he got out of the Army, Daryl tried to find his brother but to no avail.

Not wanting Carol to hear him he hissed, "I can't believe Merle got himself involved in shit as deep as this! He was always getting himself in trouble when we were growing up, but I had always secretly hoped he had pulled himself together."

"Daryl, I need to know if you can handle this job. If you don't think you can, let me know now, so I can assign someone else to them."

"I got this," said Daryl as he tried to get his anger under control.

"That is what I want to hear," said Rick as he slapped Daryl on the back. "I am going to get the car to come and pick you three up, but I need to know one more thing."

"What's that?"

"Are you going to tell Carol that Merle is your brother?"

Daryl stilled as he heard her voice behind him say, "Tell me what?"