Merle walked closer as Carol tried put Sofia further behind her.
"You can keep pushing her, but that doesn't mean I can't get to the both of you," Merle laughed.
Carol watched as Merle stepped over the unconscious body of Daryl as blood continued to pool on the floor from the bullet wound he had received to the stomach.
"I can't believe you shot your own brother like that."
"Sure I shot him but just wait till you see what I do to you and that little punk kid of yours," Merle sneered.
"Leave her alone! She didn't do anything to you," Carol cried out. As she began to reach for Sophia, Carol tried to push him away from the both of them. He reached towads them just as Carol woke up realizing it was a dream. She began to take deep breaths and calm herself. She didn't want to wake Daryl or Sophia up so she tried to remain calm. Her thoughts were consumed by Merle and what he was capable of doing.
Feeling the bed jolt Daryl spoke quietly and said, "Carol, what's wrong?
"I don't know how much longer I can do this. He is going to come and get us! I need to do something."
"I know you're scared but I promise to get to him before he gets to you."
"I know you will," she whispered as she looked his direction. "It's not that I don't feel safe, it's that I wish there was something that I could do."
Reaching over Sofia, Daryl caressed her shoulder as he said, "I know this is tough but let's try to get some sleep. Maybe the morning will give everyone a new perspective on things."
"I know what you're saying is right but it's hard to sleep when I am dreaming about what he is going to do."
"Let me see what I can do about that." Gently,so he didn't wake Sophia up, he climbed out of bed and came around to Carol's side. Carol slid both her and Sophia over and Daryl climbed in behind her. Snuggling in he wrapped both her and Sophia up in his arms. "Try to get some sleep, love."
Carol settled into him and was instantly surrounded by his warmth. Thinking it would take her awhile to fall back asleep she didn't even notice as her eyes began to droop closed.
The next morning Daryl's phone began to ring causing them to wake up. Sliding out from behind Carol, he stepped around the bed and grabbed his phone off the nightstand. Not wanting to wake Sofia he went into the hallway before he answered.
"Dixon," he said as he cracked his neck trying to wake himself up.
Walking down the stairs and heading toward the coffee pot he listened as Rick said, "I wanted to let you know that we still have an eye on your brother but some decisions need to be made before something happens. We need to be proactive at this point."
Counting scoops as he talked, Daryl responded, "Yes, I know we need to make a plan. I'm still thinking about what could be done to draw Merle out and in another direction without putting anyone in danger."
From behind him Carol spoke up, "Why don't I become the bait? I'm tired of sitting around wondering what is going to happen next. You two need to come up with some kind of plan that includes me. I can handle it, I know I can."
"No; absolutely not! There is no way I'm going to let you use yourself as bait to draw them out."
"Daryl, I know you're worried, but I really think that I can do this."
"I know you want to help, but you have never done anything like this before. I know it has been a while since I have had any contact with my brother, but I know for a fact, that he can be very sly and one step ahead of things if we are not careful."
Trying not to look disappointed, Carol turned away as she heard Sofia call for her upstairs.
"It might not be a bad idea to let Carol help in drawing Merle out. We could set up a fake location for her to be at with our protection and that way she would have coverage and Sophia would still be safe."
"Rick, I know we are trying to come up with the best possible solution, but I don't see how putting a member of the witness protection program in the line of fire would be in our best interest. Let me think about it for a little bit and I will get back to you."
"Okay, but don't take too long we don't have a lot of time."
Hanging up, Daryl looked up in time to see Carol holding Sophia's hand as they made their way down the stairs. He knew in that instant both Carol and her daughter had become more than just a case for him.
"Morning, Arro," said Sophia as she greeted him with a grin. "How come you were seepin' with me and mommy in the bed?" Daryl looked up at Carol as she tried to hide her laugh. "I waked up and you was holdin' momma's hand. I wanted to hold hands, too, so I put mine on top of yours. You were makin' a loud noise out of your nose. How come you were makin' noises? Mommy says we are suppose to be quiet while we seep."
Bending down he scooped her up as he said, "Morning, Soph, that sure is a lot of questions first thing in the morning."
Ignoring his comment she leaned over and gave him a big hug as she continued, "What's for breakfast? I want pancakes. With lots of syrup. Do you like lots of syrup, daddy?"
Carol was following behind them when her and Daryl both stopped suddenly. He turned to look back at her to gage her reaction at what Sophia had just called him. Carol smiled at him and said, "I think we will all have lots of syrup, my girl."
After they ate breakfast, Daryl took a walk outside to think about what Rick had told him and what Carol had offered to do. He knew they had to come up with a plan quickly, but he also knew there would be a major risk no matter what decisions were made.