AN: And yes, he IS that Stephen Holder- from The Killing. I didn't make this an official crossover story between the TWD and the Killing because he's the only character/ element I include or reference at all from The Killing for just a small section of this entire story.
Six years, prior Seattle WA
Rain drummed on the window behind the couch in Stephen's apartment. Danni thought the steady drops looked like a crystal beaded curtain in the spotlight of streetlamp outside.
"Okay," Danni said standing and swaying as the room spun a little. "Okay, let's go. It's time."
Stephen looked up from the tv where he'd been intently focused on a Discovery Channel show about the social hierarchy in lion prides. He loved these documentaries; he learned more about human nature from watching animals in the wild doing their thing than any psychology class. He hadn't noticed Danni staring at him with a determined expression for the past ten minutes, as she took shot after shot of Jim Beam.
He looked at the bottle of bourbon on the coffee table. "Damn girl, you 'sposed to be easing up."
"I know what you want." Danni batted her thick black lashes trying to look seductive, but as she tried to snake out of her shirt she got twisted in the material and fell forward. Stephen stood and caught her. "C'mon, I'm taking you to bed."
"I want to take you." She slurred and she awkwardly wrapped herself around him. He picked her up.
"Let's go." He steered to the bedroom.
She fell backwards on the mattress. "Go ahead officer, tell me to spread 'em."
He knew what she was doing. They'd been hanging out for a few weeks, not going any further than occasional kissing. When she stayed overnight, he'd sleep on the couch. She'd talked a little about her past and he told her he was fine taking it slow. He meant it. Danni was different. He liked hanging out with her, talking, just looking at her was enough half the time. She possessed an unexpected beauty. So pale. Jet black angled bob, heavy black eye makeup allowing her to say more with her eyes than with her dark stained lips. Like a silent movie star. He'd never met a girl like her. She was only around twenty one, but her soul was the oldest he'd ever come across. And one of the most troubled.
He realized she was insecure and thought she owed him at this point; he could tell by the way she'd started drinking more again the past few nights. When she'd talked about her past, he knew sex was a confusing, loaded issue for her. He wanted to show her it didn't have to be, but that would take time.
"What's the rush?" He asked
"You want to fuck me so go ahead."
"Not now I don't."
"What? Is there something wrong with me?"
"Right now, yeah, you're wasted. Its not how to do this."
She ignored him. "You don't think I'm sexy?" She started to crawl across the mattress to where he stood at the end of the bed. He watched her, trying not to laugh.
She managed to get her ratty Misfits t-shirt off over her head this time, then shimmied out of her black miniskirt leaving her in a black lace bra, matching panties and garters holding up her black fishnet stockings. "I'm the sexiest woman you've ever met. Just look at me." She slurred.
"And modest too, just what I like about you." He smirked unable to himself.
She kneeled in front of him "You want to take off this sexy bra don't you.…" but before she could say another word, she puked on him then passed out.
"That's real sexy, babe." He said out loud. He cleaned them both up and put her under the covers. Stephen sat beside her watching her sleep, thinking about what she'd told him of her mother and that scumbag stepfather of hers. He pushed the hair off of her face. He'd only known this girl a month and was already getting attached.
The next morning she dressed hurriedly, her pounding headache fighting her panicked thoughts for room in her head. Those thoughts somersaulted: What am I still doing with this guy? I'm so outa' here. I fell for him, that smart ass charm. He's all shifty eyes and defiant slouch, he got to me. This is wrong I can't go any further. I actually think I like him. No it's all too much.
She was on the way out the front door of his apartment, just pulling her hood over her hair, when he caught her.
"Where are you goin'? These are my only days off for a while. I thought you were staying til the end of the week?"
"I threw up on you."
"So?"
"Obviously this isn't working. I know now, it's okay, You don't want me like that I get it."
"You a mind reader? You know what I want? You have a real problem with projection. Do you know what that is?"
"Look, it's okay, I'm not your type or whatever."
He moved in front of her blocking the door. "I do want you. I just don't want to rush it."
She looked up at him. At a bit over six feet he towered over her. "Bullshit. No guy means that. I don't believe it."
"I can tell you don't. Now sit down." He motioned to the small kitchen table. "If you go now you won't get coffee. It's the good shit, I got the expensive kind for you. C'mon."
She did.
"The guys you're talking about are kids, they don't know anything about how to treat women." He was merely 25 himself, but being raised by his strong, independent, older sister taught him to respect and relate to women.
They were silent while the coffee brewed. He handed her a bottle of ibuprofen and a glass of water. She looked at his thin frame, all long, lean muscled arms and chest under his white t-shirt. When he turned to pour her coffee. She did feel something physical for him. The first guy ever, she realized with surprise. She thought her mother's men had obliterated that part of her.
"I'm never drinking again."
"Sure, sure."
"I'm sorry. I feel like such an idiot.' She shook her head. "Why do you bother with me?"
"You're a damn fine-looking idiot."
"Then why won't you fuck me? It's been a month."
"You ain't ready for me yet."
She wasn't; how did he know?
He handed her a cup and took one for himself, then sat back down beside her at the table
"Look I've never...come before okay?" She admitted, glancing quickly up then back down, not believing she was telling him this. He didn't say anything. "With a guy. For a guy...however you say it. "
"You will with me." He was so sure of himself, so obnoxiously confident that she shivered when he said it.
"I don't even know if I can. I'm messed up okay? Really messed up about that stuff. You don't want to get into this with me. Trust me. I'm just a street rat running from my rapist stepdads."
"You really believe that?"
"I've never done it sober. I can't stand being touched unless I'm drunk."
"I've touched you."
"A little." She admitted. "I like...kissing you."
"I know you do."
She didn't laugh "I...never wanted anyone before. I think I want to with you. Bu .I don't want to be drunk. I want to look at you, see you, feel something. I just don't know if I can."
"You are over thinking this. Girl, you're the one in a rush. I want you too, but I don't care how long it takes. It's got tobe right. It happens when it's supposed to happen. "
She looked away. He took her chin between his thumb and forefinger and tilted her face up to his. "Its gonna happen. And it's gonna be good."
The way he said it made her tremble a little again. She wasn't going anywhere. She was a sucker for him. He was addictive. He was affectionate, cocky, self-assured, sarcastic, sometimes insensitive, a little dangerous and he made her feel like the only girl in the world.
"Stephen!"
"What?" Danni's panicked yell brought him running.
"You're here? I thought you went-"
"Change of plans. Rick told me to stay, keep an eye on things here after all. Now what are you doing up. What's wrong?"
She was fully dressed, boots on, looking like she was ready to go somewhere. She was tying her hair up into a bandana as she spoke. "I'm so glad you're here. I need your help. We have to go. We have to get Daryl. Something's wrong."
"What?"
"Stephen remember those dreams I used to have?"
"The ones you told me never to mention again. I used to give you shit and tell you to start a psychic caller phone line. Those dreams?"
"Well they've been back and Sophia has them now and she saw Daryl in trouble and its all my fault. He wouldn't be there if I wasn't so stupid. Why did I go? Why didn't I just trust him?" She was talking a mile a minute and getting hysterical. He knew there was no convincing her to change her mind.
He put his hands on her shoulders "I'll go. You stay here and take calls from your psychic friends, okay Miss Cleo."
"Dionne Warwick was the psychic friends one. God….you are such an ass. Miss Cleo worked alone." She shook her head realizing how stupid she sounded. "I am going with you."
"No way, you barely recovered from earlier. I got this. Hey, are you crying?"
She nodded. "I'm scared."
"Aw, hey let it rain baby."
"You are such an idiot," she sobbed.
"I'll go find him."
"I can't just sit here. You don't know how to get there. I do."
"Bullshit. You never had a good sense of direction, always getting us lost. Besides, I'm 'sposed to be taking care of things, keeping everyone safe. Especially you. I'm not walking you, holding hands right into the middle of a fight."
She stared at him, her eyes red and puffy from crying. He couldn't say no. He never could say no to her,
"Fine, I'm driving." He relented.
"Whatever, let's just go.
"Remember that time you puked on me?"
She looked at him horrified. "Why would you remind me of that? Why now?"
"Trying to lighten the mood. My specialty."
"My finest moment, yeah I remember."
He was starting to remember a lot of their years together. Stuff he'd buried for the past six. They drove through the darkness, the headlights cutting a path before them on the road.
"I wish I had the dream, not Sophia. I need more details. How bad is it? Why can't he see?" Danni didn't have pictures but she had an overwhelming sense that Daryl needed her. She was almost nauseous with the feeling that he was calling on her and she wasn't there.
"We'll be there soon and you'll know everything."
"I'm freaking out."
"I know you are."
"Say something zen." Before he could, she asked, "What if he's dead?"
"He's not dead."
"How do you know?"
"I know."
"Oh, you're psychic too now? You're suddenly getting visions while you're driving 20 miles per hour in the oldest truck known to man?" She stopped. "Shit, I'm sorry, you're killing yourself to get me there and I'm yelling at you. I don't mean it."
"I know."
"I hate feeling helpless. I hate not knowing what to do. I can't lose him, Stephen. I can't."
"You won't. I'll make sure." He said. She had a way of making him do anything for her; it was always 'anything for Danni'. He suspected it was the same for Daryl.
"You know Daryl's not a bad guy." She said.
"I'm sure he's not." Stephen swallowed regret and tried to put memories out of his mind. "So where to from here?" He asked.
Danni noticed they'd reached the depot. It was dark and truthfully she had no idea which way to go.
"I have no fucking clue." She admitted.
"Good thing I have a map, then isn't it? Rick had Merle draw out out the route if they didn't make it back by tomorrow." Stephen had told her before she got too uncomfortable.
... ... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . .. . .. .. .. ..
Someone ripped the cloth sack from Daryl's head and shoved him forward in front of Merle. His frantic eyes darted around squinting, trying to figure out where the hell he was.
Merle's stomach churned as he saw his younger brother's shoulders rising and falling rapidly. He was gasping, his face turned to the ground, his hands tightly bound behind his back. Daryl raised his head to look at the crowd that judged him to be scum of the earth. Fiery torches illuminated an angry, shouting mob under the dark night sky. His eyes caught Merle's before he let out a shaky breath. Looking down he focused on the dirt under his boots. Wooden bleachers held more of the irate crowd on one side of the outdoor arena, while makeshift barricades fashioned from junked cars wooden pallets and other discarded debris walled off the place in every other direction. It resembled a violent, twisted high school pep rally where the crowd wanted blood.
What is this, "Thunderdome?" What was Daryl doing here? What happened? Merle realized that the Governor had seen through his act the minute he'd re-entered Woodbury. He'd thought he'd pulled it off, thought he'd stalled enough so that Daryl and Rick could grab Glenn and get the hell out. Merle had walked right back into town, right to the Governor and his men explaining that Danni had tried to escape and he'd chased her half the day before finally killing her. Now he was back to finish with Glenn.
Merle was sure his plan worked when the small shootout and tear gas explosion at the warehouse occurred. The Governor told him and his guys to check it out and secure the rest of the town against the terrorist attack. Business as usual. When they'd reached the warehouse, Glenn was gone. Merle felt relief and accomplishment. Then the Governor ordered him to this 'community gathering' where he would reassure the citizens that everything was under control. Merle, head of security, would make a speech. Business as usual.
But standing in this lion's den surrounded by the rabid citizens of Woodbury, screaming for his blood, for Daryl's blood, Merle now saw that he'd underestimated his boss. The Governor set him up and was making him a scapegoat to relieve the fear and panic in his citizens. Merle knew how dangerous the Governor was; under all his fine manners, fancy words and charm he was a depraved psychopath. Still, that knowledge hadn't stopped Merle from lying and hatching this plan. A plan that didn't work out too well, like most of Merle's plans.
"I didn't bring anybody here." Merle growled, as one of his own men ripped the bayonet attachment from his prosthetic and stripped him of his gun.
The Governor scoffed, "That's behind us Merle, now my people want justice. I intend to deliver it to them."
Daryl exhaled and tried to clear his throat. His shoulders rose and fell with each short breath. Merle had seen their old man push Daryl to this point in the past when he was a teenager. It's been years since he'd seen him panic like this. Merle took a step towards Daryl, speaking low in his throat, "Daryl, get your shit together."
Daryl took a slightly deeper breath before glancing at Merle, giving him an incredulous look, but understood he had to settle down. Think. Just think. Suddenly, he smelled her, smelled honeysuckle. He swore if he turned he'd see Danni beside him. Then he heard her voice comforting him, encouraging him. She whispered in his ear "I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain."*
It was one of those quotes she was always writing in her journal. She showed them to him sometimes and she read this same one aloud the night he'd rescued her from those sons of bitches Tony and Dave. She said it got her through. She was trying to help him now like she was right here with him. She was here, in him.
The Governor took a step forward and reached for Daryl, who pivoted out of his grasp. He backed into one of the Governor's men and they all laughed as the man restrained him "I aint afraid of you pricks!" Daryl shouted struggling in the guy's grip.
That's more like it. Merle thought.
"Take them away." The Governor commanded before turning to his town spreading his arms wide and declaring, "People of Woodbury you have spoken and justice will be served! We will find out where the rest of the terrorists are then we will execute them. Starting with these two." He looked satisfied.
When they were roughly dragged away from the mob, Merle felt more anger well up within. He had done a lot for Woodbury and not a single person came to his defense. Two of his own men were holding his arms and pressing a gun to his side. What were they names? Mike and Justin or Jason or something like that. Fucking pansy ass traitors. He could hear Daryl being pulled along behind him, hear his labored breathing and grunts as he tried to pull free from the man holding him. The man whose grip bruised Daryl's arms was Jack, a dishonorably discharged ex-marine. They used to drink together and shoot the shit on watch duty. Any other day Merle would have considered him to be an alright guy.
"For fucks sake." Jack cursed, before delivering a quick punch to Daryl's gut, sick of his fighting. Daryl grunted and sank to his knees coughing. The man then pummeled his face hard with both fists. Daryl couldn't fight back, his hands still tied. He took the punches and spat out blood.
"Come on boys y'all know me. Know I wouldn't lead that group here. Let up a bit." Merle pressed, watching his brother catch his breath. The men snorted and scoffed while shaking their heads, laughing.
"If the Governor says you are a threat, then that's what you are," Jack stated, pulling up on Daryl's arm. "Cut that struggling shit." Then to Merle, "This your brother? If he's one of them, you must be too. Close family huh? It was his girl you raped yesterday right?"
Daryl jerked his head up staring at Merle, who gave him a 'don't be a stupid' scowl. Daryl hadn't yet found out exactly what had gone on between Merle and Danni the day before.
Merle and Daryl found themselves in a holding room in the basement of Woodbury's community safety building. The police station had become the center of security operations. This room had hooks that Merle himself has drilled into the concrete floor a few months earlier. Jack threaded some thick chain through them before fastening cuffs to both Merle and Daryl's right ankles. Merle took the opportunity to headbutt Jack's face. The other man retaliated by hitting the side of Merle's head with the end of his rifle. Merle just laughed off the forceful blow, his vision blurring a little as he smirked watching Jack wipe the blood from his nose and lip.
Merle's amusement pissed the man off so Jack grabbed Daryl by his hair and pushed him to his knees. He smiled at Merle while pulling Daryl's head back and placing his large hunting knife to the shaking man's throat. Daryl felt helplessness physically wrack his body. He had no weapons, no use of his hands; he could do absolutely nothing while this prick was about to cut his jugular.
"Sit down Merle, no more shit." Jack growled. Daryl's breathing became more labored, and he grunted out strangled noises of protest as Jack made a long, superficial slice across his throat with the blade. The cold steel stung and a stream of blood ran down his dirty, sweaty, grit covered skin. The cut may not have been deep, but it bled profusely.
Raising his one hand in a gesture of surrender, Merle sank down to the concrete floor. One of the other guys bound his arms to his sides using a thick rope. Merle's eyes didn't leave Daryl, who seemed only able to focus on his short intakes of breath.
"You know I'm gonna break your fuckin' face when I git outa here. You do know that?" Merle warned Jack.
"Don't say?" The other man answered and roughly shoved Daryl to the floor.
Once Merle was safely secured, Jack looked over at the other two men. "Governor say anything about not roughin' these two up good?"
"Fuck you." Daryl spat. The blood was still running from his neck wound.
Merle could tell that his brother was becoming light-headed by the way he swayed slightly when he had finally pulled himself upright and onto his knees. His shoulders still rose and fell with his short panic filled gasps.
The men laughed, while Jack viciously kicked Daryl in the ribs, slamming him back into the floor.
"Better not do anything else without orders. You two stand guard outside, I'll report back to the Governor."
The men left the Dixons alone. Daryl lay on his side, arms still tied behind his back. His breathing had become unbearably difficult, his vision went in and out of focus. Merle crawled forward the best he could, finally able to talk to his younger brother. He knelt beside Daryl, careful not to touch him. He knew Daryl was tough, even if he did give him shit about being a pussy. Hell, he had seen him take down countless Walkers, give a beating, hold his own. However, when it came to people the boy was weak. Daryl couldn't stand to be touched and his panic now stemmed from all this contact. The helplessness of being a kid returned. This vicious manhandling at an unfair advantage replicated their old man's abuse. Merle could see it plain as day. Hell, Daryl couldn't even handle people touching him in a quick, kind or comforting way. He couldn't accept a casual hand on the shoulder or arm. Nothing. Damn boy would tense up or shy away even with them girls at the bar back home. Not with queenie though. For some reason he lets that girl all over him. Merle had noticed that back at the prison and it shocked the hell out of him.
"Daryl sit up." Merle commanded. He'd been beaten pretty badly and the way he was just lying there on his side wasn't right. Merle did the only thing he knew how.
"Like me to get your pillow? Maybe rub your feet?"
"Screw you." Daryl muttered.
"Huh-uh. You're the one screwed from the looks of it. All them years I spent trying to make a man of you, this is what I get? Look at you. Lying on the floor like a used rubber. You're gonna die in here, brother. Hell, you had any damn nuts in that sack of yours, you'd be helping me get out of here an' go out there and shoot our pal Governor in the face."
"Jesus Merle, look at us. Can't do nothin'."
"Now you listen to me. Get up before I have to kick your teeth in. Let's go."
Daryl turned over, but his sore ribs stopped him from pushing further.
"What's the matter, Darylina? That all you got in you? Hey, kick off them damn high heels, throw away that purse and get up girl."
"You'd best shut the hell up."
"Or what? You're gonna come over here and shut my mouth for me? Well, come on over and do it then, if you think you're man enough."
Daryl didn't move. Just snorted and groaned in discomfort.
"You know what? Never mind. If I were you, I'd take a pause for the cause, brother. 'Cause I just don't think you're gonna make it outa this mess."
"Jesus just stop. Leave me alone."
"Come on, little brother. Get your damn head straight and be a man. Dammit, think of queenie. What you think she'd say seein' you bein' a weak ass pansy crying on the floor like a little bitch, huh? She wants a man not a pussy like you. Get up boy!"
Daryl shifted with difficulty, but brought himself slowly and painfully to his knees. Dried blood crusted on his neck and the front of his shirt was soaked through with red. He spit more blood from his mouth. Merle laughed and moved away from his brother, sitting against the concrete wall. He knew bringing up queenie would do it. He waited for Daryl to get his shit together, before he gestured to the spot next to him. Daryl and sat and leaned back exhausted, shifting to put less pressure on his ribs.
The thought of Danni forced a last pulse of adrenaline to rush through Daryl. He pictured her face, her smile. He had promised Danni she'd never lose him. He'd promised. More importantly he needed to see her. He sure as hell wasn't gonna die here and never be with her again. No one would keep him from her. He grunted shakily, "Some group you found for yourself."
Merle looked away and shifted on the concrete floor. A couple of moments of silence had passed before he said, "First group left me handcuffed to a roof like some damn animal."
"Are we doing this again? Shit Merle what do you want me to say? We came back for you. You lit out first chance you got. Shoulda' waited. They're a good group. Rick's a good man, done right by me." Daryl looked at the ceiling.
"Leaving yer kin on some roof in Atlanta is doin' right by you?" Merle growled.
"Let it alone. You never been anything but a self-centered son of a bitch know that? Never changed. It was your own damn fault, gettin' high all the damn time. Just like before the world went to shit. And something else I gotta say. You said Danni was a piece of trash not worth my time, you said she was laughing at me like everybody else. You were wrong She's treated me better than anybody in my whole life. I don't know what you got against her or what the hell you said to her out there the other day, but it ends now. You respect her, hear me?"
Merle chuckled, causing his younger brother to stop mid-rant and shoot a perplexed look at him. Mentioning queenie had brought Daryl back to life.
"So she puts a rise in your Levis. Boy, doesn't mean ya gotta ruin your life."
"Just forget it. I don't know why I even try an' talk to you."
"Okay, okay, so she done somethin'." Merle relented. "She's making you stand up to me, huh? I didn't think you had it in ya. Still, don't get too full of yourself. Just remember she aint your kin."
"She's kin alright, she's my wife. Get used to it." Daryl moved the fingers of his bound left hand feeling for his ring.
Merle shook his head and fell silent. Resting his back against the concrete wall, a smile darted across his lips. It felt good to be back with Daryl even in this hellish circumstance.
Daryl was breathing easy again. He leaned his head back. "Got a plan?"
"I'll get you back to queenie. Don't ask me how yet, but that's what I'm gonna do." Merle conceded, wanting to do right by his brother at least once in his life.
"Her name's Danni."
Merle scowled and looked at Daryl with disdain. "Queenie's good enough for me." He didn't have to like having her around.
Daryl nodded and pressed his lips together. He still felt vulnerable without his weapons. He'd been stripped of his knife, gun and crossbow and the restraint prevented him from any fighting what so ever. This was foreign territory he didn't know how to navigate. At least Merle was here. They'd get out of this mess together.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... .
Rick paced back and forth between T-Dog and Stephen in the dark behind the tree cover, out of site of Woodbury's rear barricade. Glenn looked shell-shocked and one eye was still swollen shut from his beating.
"I think we should head back in; all of us. We'll cover more ground." Rick stated.
"But they'll be waiting for us, expecting it. Especially if they do have Daryl. It's a trap Rick." T-Dog answered.
"I can go in by myself." Stephen interrupted. "Look, it's what I do. Undercover. Rick I got this." He wanted to do what he was good at. Feeling like the new guy out-of-place and not altogether trusted was getting to him. "I'll go scope the place out. I'll find Daryl and Merle. Get them out of there. I'll get into the back by walking right through the front door."
"That could take a while. We don't know how much time we have. Or if they're even sti-"
Stephen coughed interrupting Rick. He shot a glance at Danni. She knew what he was about to say. Still alive.
"Rick you said yourself the amount of firepower they have is ridiculous. We can't beat them that way. We can beat them by being smart."
"I'm coming with you." Danni interjected.
"No way." Rick dismissed her immediately. "Daryl wouldn't want it. I don't want it."'
"No, wait. She'd make it better. Yeah, I'm just an average guy looking for safety trying to take care of my helpless pregnant wife here." Stephen explained.
"But some of those guys might recognize her. " Glenn added.
Stephen stood in front of her. "They didn't notice you were pregnant right?"
"No." She stated.
"And the Governeor dude never saw you?"
"He didn't."
"Okay then, lose the baggy clothes." He took off the sweatshirt leaving her in a form-fitting t-shirt under one of Daryl's flannels. "She is now pregnant." He took her hair out of the ponytail and removed the bandana, letting it hang long and full around her face and down her back. It hid her features somewhat and did give her a different, more feminine look.
"Now attitude. Act helpless and scared, got it? That's probably the opposite of how you were yesterday. Right?" He laughed knowingly.
"Right." Glenn and Danni said together.
"Half of undercover is the act as much as anything else. Those guys won't remember you."
"I was mostly with Merle anyway. Only a couple of them saw me at all."
"Her face, the swollen lip, the bruise." Rick mentioned.
"Hey, we been out fighting the bitin' dudes for months feel me? She could have messed up her face anywhere."
Rick nodded, impressed. "Looks like you have this all figured out."
"Like I said man, it's what I do."
Rick was still worried; he never liked to split up the group. This plan was highly dangerous. He knew in his gut that if it didn't work they'd all die. None of them would leave Woodbury. "Danni, what do you think, honestly?"
"Rick its the only way to do this with minimal risk of anyone getting hurt. I think we have to go in."
He continued to look at her. She knew he wanted another kind of reassurance. "I have a feeling it's the right thing. You need to go back to the prison. Like you said, it might take us a while and they need you there. Stephen and I can do this. We'll bring Daryl back. He's not dead. Rick he's not."
"I'm sorry about that. I didn't mean to say-"
"I know, it's okay." Danni touched his hand.
... ... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
The Governor studied the young couple through the two-way mirror in the interrogation room of the Woodbury police station. The tall man with the short messy blond hair in the oversized hoodie and flight jacket sat on the bench his long legs stretched out in front of him. His pregnant wife lay beside him, her head on his lap, asleep. They looked exhausted and like they had been through hell out there. After the attack by the terrorist group earlier, he'd been hesitant to allow his men to bring these two strangers in after they'd approached the front barricade asking for a safe haven. The fact that they were unarmed and seemingly unthreatening wasn't enough to convince him to let them stay. Finding out the young woman was pregnant, however, was. The governor felt a sympathy when he learned of her condition; he had a soft spot for children. He was a father himself. Besides, populating Woodbury was a priority. Looking at the id he pulled from the man's wallet he was glad he'd gone with his gut. It was a police id badge. He was a detective from Seattle. The Governor was in the market for a new chief of security. Merle had betrayed him. He had taken a chance on the ex-military, thuggish, former drug addict thinking he could harness Merle's attitude and criminal element for his own use. He'd been wrong. The rest of his men were all like Merle. He didn't feel he could put complete trust in any on them. It was time to go in the opposite direction. Real law enforcement might serve him better. It was as if this guy was dropped into his lap. Good fortune comes to those who deserve it. He'd always believed that.
"Let me apologize for the initial, security check, as I like to call it. " He strode into the room genially addressing Stephen. "But you can imagine how careful we need to be."
Stephen nodded.
"I imagine a man like yourself with your background in law enforcement would understand. Detective Holder."
He handed Stephen's police id back to him.
"I do, don't sweat it."
"That's the wonderful thing about meeting the right people these days. Your old world experience can be quite useful, even now."
Danni sat up rubbing the sleep from her eyes. They'd been in this room all night. She could see the daylight through the small skylight in the ceiling. She looked at the tall man with dark hair clad in all black. His voice was deep and he had the air of an accomplished public speaker. Did this guy have Daryl?
"I know this might be sudden to bring up but, I have an opening in my security force. I'm actually looking for someone to head it up."
"I'd be interested in talking about that."
"Good. My former head of security well, let's just say wasn't quite suited to the job."
Stephen and Danni kept heir expressions neutral knowing he was referring to Merle.
"We just appreciate finding this safe place and you taking us in like that. It's hell out there."
Well, you've found respite here. The first order of business is to get your-"
"Wife."
The Governor smiled "Wife to our medical doctor. We've maintained a fully functioning facility. A few of the other citizens here are also pregnant. Dr. Londen is an OBGYN as well as general practice physician."
"Lucked out, didn't we honey?" Stephen nudged her.
Danni looked up shyly and nodded. She was trying to act demure. "I'll have someone take her right over. You and I can talk."
Stephen nodded. This was going better than he could have hoped.
... ... ... .. ... ... .. ... ... ... .. ... ...
Danni lay back on the exam room table after the doctor collected blood and urine samples. The small woman in the blue hospital scrubs and white lab coat had introduced herself as Dr. Susan Londen. She had a kind, concerned bedside manner. Danni noticed that she had twisted her long auburn hair into a high bun with two ordinary pencils.
"We'll have your results within the half hour since we still have our in-house lab functioning. "You're a little underweight, especially for carrying twins. Multiples put you at a higher risk for anemia. You are quite pale so I'm also concerned about that."
Danni nodded, feeling overwhelmed. She never expected to see a real doctor.
"Are you sure it's twins? You said this was your first medical exam since you got pregnant right?"
"It's strong intuition that's all. And it runs in my family."
"Mother's intuition, hmm? Well, today you'll see how right on your intuition is."
"Really? An ultrasound? I never thought...I mean I never expected to meet a doctor the way things are now. I'm really gonna see them? Really?"
The prospect overwhelmed and excited, but also terrified her. What if there was something wrong? She was underweight, Dr. Londen had said it herself. And she'd done stupid things, pushed herself, overdone it. The cramps ….but what hurt most was that Daryl wasn't here. He should be here to share this with her. It was her fault that he wasn't. This whole thing was her fault for being angry and impulsive and... No, she wouldn't let herself go there. She wouldn't.
"Yes, you really will see them." Dr. Londen smiled raising the back of the table enough for Danni to see the computer monitor she had wheeled over.
"This gel helps transmit the sound waves from the transducer into your body." Dr. Londen explained, her gloved fingers smoothing the slippery substance on Danni's stomach. "Ready to start?"
She switched on the machine. The gel was cold and the movement of the instrument put a little pressure on Danni's belly. She heard the sound waves through the monitor. Then she heard something else. "Is that their-"
"Your babies' heartbeats. Both of them. That's some intuition."
She pointed to the computer monitor and explained what Danni was looking at.
"White or gray areas in the images show bone and tissue while dark areas show liquid. Here is amniotic fluid around the babies. The growth and position are normal, and the blood flow between them is perfect. They share a placenta, see." She pointed to the black and white pulsing swimming figures on the screen. "Danni, this looks great, really good." She said continuing to move the cold gel covered instrument over Danni's belly.
Danni could hardly hear the doctor's words. All she registered was their beating hearts. These were their babies, conceived on the night of the full moon on a day when Daryl had cheated death. Ryder and Scout were healthy, strong and growing normally. She'd done it . So far, she was already taking the best care of them she could. She started to cry with relief but also pained longing, wishing Daryl was here.
"Their size is perfect for 24 weeks along. Looking at this I'm thinking your lab tests will be normal but… hey, are you all right?' Dr. Londen asked when she saw Danni's heavy flow of tears.
"My husband should be here."
"Yes you're right, why don't I send someone for him, I know he's still in with the Governor.
"No, no that's okay." Danni's voice lowered and she pulled herself together. She, of course, meant Daryl, but she and Stephen were still playing their parts to save him. What if he never gets to see them? "I'm fine. Really I am so relieved to know everything is okay."
"You can show him the copy after I print it out."
"I can keep it?"
"Of course." And we'll plan another one in four weeks okay?"
Danni nodded.
"Well, you must be doing something right. For being out there with no medical care all these months, your babies are in very good health.'
"Strong Irish genes." Danni smiled. Wiping tears away.
... .. .. .. .. .. .
Danni sat on the bed in the small temporary apartment she and Stephen had been given. She held the doctor's report. Blood pressure normal, no sign of anemia, UTI, gestational diabetes or pre-eclampsia. She didn't understand what most of that meant, but she knew that the results were normal. She couldn't stop staring at the ultrasound picture. Dr. Londen pointed out the sexes of the babies. Ryder was there and Scout up higher. She never thought she'd ever be in this position. She never thought she'd love anything so much in her life -love completely with a physical, emotional and spiritual connection she'd never thought possible. She had it with Daryl and with her babies. She'd never considered raising them without him. Never.
The sound of the doorknob turning interrupted her thoughts. She whipped her head toward the sound and stood quickly. "Oh it's you." She said relieved, as Stephen entered the room. Danni hadn't seen him since early that morning. The Governor had kept him most of the day, enthusiastic to recruit him.
"They're alive." He said as a greeting.
"You saw him? Daryl's okay?" Relief washed over her face.
He nodded. "He's holding them in the police station basement." Stephen didn't describe Daryl's physical condition. Danni didn't need to know how badly he'd been worked over.
"Did they see you. Do they know-"
"No. Its a two-way mirror, but if I play my cards right, this Gov dude is gonna make them my problem. Practically has my name replacing Merle's on the desk plaque."
"Kind of fast don't you think?"
"These days time is crazy you know that. Besides this guy is desperate and pissed. Merle screwed him big time."
She nodded vigorously. "Good, this is really good."
"Yeah, don't worry, I'll get your boy back for you. The boss man needs me. He needs someone to head up his dirty work squad. So look, why don't you just chill. Daryl's okay for now. Don't worry."
Danni tried to distract herself by exploring the kitchen area of their small living quarters, which reminded Danni of a fancy hotel room.
"Coffee, can you believe it?" Danni examined the coffee maker on the granite kitchen counter top. It's been months. "Want any?"
He shook his head. "You still feel guilty don't you?" He knew she was still edgy.
"Well, Daryl's a prisoner right now and its my fault."
"Can't do anything more about it tonight. He's okay and he'll be okay when I get further with Gov dude tomorrow."
"I might take a shower." Danni relented. "Shit there's a real bath tub, running water-"
"Some fancy crap in there too, that name brand stuff you was always into."
She went to check it out.
"No, frickin' way, Kiehl's?" Danni yelled from inside the bathroom.
When she emerged from the bathroom after showering, he was stretched out on the bed wearing his white sleeveless undershirt and trousers. She noticed the word Serenity tattooed in large gothic script across his upper chest and collarbones. It was new since they'd been together.
"That must have hurt like hell." She commented. "Its beautiful." She approached and sat next to him, looking closer. "Sandra did it, huh?" She recognized the work of the tattoo artist they'd shared back home. The same woman had done the cherry blossom branches on Danni's back. "Beautiful." She commented again.
"You know I dated this girl a while back. She saw it and she asked me if it was a stripper's name. Believe that? I said, no honey I'm an addict, this ain't just some pretty picture. Shit," he sounded down. "She didn't last. No one did."
"Sounds like you scared that girl away."
He snorted. He looked over at Danni. He took her hand and put it on his chest, above the inked letters, drawing her fingers over them tracing lightly.
"Stephen don't."
She waited, but he didn't stop, so she pulled her hand back but he didn't let go.
"I never found anyone like you again. I was an idiot to lose you. You don't know how much I missed you. I thought I was fine. But seeing you, being with you-"
"Please don't do this."
"Damn it what am I doing? I'm risking my life to get the guy back who took you away from me. Am I an asshole or what? Must be-""
"Stephen he didn't take me away from you. I was gone a long time ago. I'm sorry if I did anything to make you think-"
"No, you didn't do anything."
"If you want to go and forget about this I understand. But I can't. I have to get Daryl back. Stephen I love him."
"I know, I'm sorry, I'm- He turned away running his hands through his hair. He took a deep breath and stood. "Its cool. It's cool. I'm cool." He saw the sonogram pictures on the bedside table. He stood and pulled his sweatshirt on over his head. "I need to get out of here for a while."
"Isn't there a curfew or something?"
"Not for the next chief of security." He didn't laugh or make a joke the way he usually did. He grabbed an unopened bottle of Jameson's whiskey from the well stocked bar.
"What are you doing? Stephen ..." Danni knew he was sober. She felt like she'd driven him to drink. "No worries babe, this ain't for me. I'm planning on making a couple of new buddies tonight." He explained shutting the door behind him.
Danni realized he was risking everything for Daryl, for her.
She hated to hurt him. She owed so much to Stephen. She had loved him once. She still did but not the way she loved Daryl. It had never been that complete. She knew Daryl was her soul mate.
... . .. .. .. . .. . .. . .. .. .. .. .
She felt sticky and the film covering her hands and chest smelled metallic like a rusty pipe. It was blood. She was covered in blood; his blood. She pounded on his chest with her fist. "Get up! Get up!' He wasn't responding. "You can make it! This is nothing!" She lied as blood gushed warm and slippery through her fingers as she pressed her palm against the bullet wound in his abdomen. She was crying now, tears falling on the face beneath her mixing with crimson. She couldn't make out his features; her vision blurred as she continued to cry and yell. She felt a hand on her shoulder pulling her back.
"It's no use. You know I have to, right?" A voice behind her said as she heard the cock of a pistol. Who was that? Danni couldn't see anyone"s face clearly and the voice was familiar but she couldn't remember who anyone was. Was Merle speaking? Holding the gun?
"No! We can get him to Herschel, he 'll be okay please, please..." She kept on.
"It's too late. Too late, too late." the voice repeated
Danni woke empty, spent and terrified. She wiped the dream's tears from her face still confused as to who she was with and what exactly happened. Before she had another second to process, Stephen burst into the room. "We gotta move on this now!"
She jumped up and put her boots on. She shoved the ultrasound envelope into the breast pocket of her flannel and buttoned it. "What's going on? How-"
"I got the guards drunk and the keys in my hand." He held up the jingling ring with a 'told you so' smile. "So let's get your man outa' there huh?"
As she followed him to the police station through back yards and alleys, he explained the immediacy of the rescue. "Found out the sick fuck running this place is planning a slaughter for your boy tomorrow."
"What?"
"Yeah, he's putting the two of them in a fight ring or something. Merle won't have a weapon, not even that fucked up cyber hand of his. Daryl will be unarmed too. Sick fuck. Brother against brother to the death. Its fucking "Thundedome" up there." Stephen had talked with Jack and the others as they guarded Daryl and Merle. He plied them with whiskey assuring them he'd take over watch if they wanted to over do it. They let him in on the Governor's plans for the following morning. After Jack and his fellow guard had passed out, Stephen handcuffed them together and took the keys.
They hit the armory room of the station first. Danni saw the crossbow, on the floor. She'd never actually held it before and it took both hands to pick the damn thing up. It weighed a ton. How does he lug this thing around all the time? Daryl's knife lay on the bench along with the bayonet attachment from Merles's prosthetic arm. Danni grabbed Daryl's weapons, Stephen took a couple of shotguns and pistols and they headed down the stairs.
"You go get the guys, I'll watch here okay?" He said as he unlocked the heavy steel door. He tossed her the key to the ankle cuffs. She shoved the door open and rushed over to Daryl sitting on the floor against the wall. His face was dirty and bruised, his expression was incredulous. She didn't let herself register his bloody neck and chest. Somehow she kept breathing despite the horrific site.
"What the hell...how did you?" he started to ask his voice breaking, as she slowly eased herself to her knees and put the crossbow in his lap. She reached behind him and cut the bindings with his knife.
"Queenie brought the Afro Saxon cavalry huh?" Merle commented seeing Stephen at the door.
"Daryl, don't be mad. I had to come. Please don't be mad." She said plaintively unlocking the cuff around his ankle.
She was about to stand up when Daryl surprised her by grabbing and holding her in a tight hug; the unlikely gesture made her nervous. He was breathing heavily into her neck, and she felt him start to shake. He was holding her so tightly she could hardly breathe. She felt moisture on her neck from his tears. "Daryl, get me the fuck out of here." She said sternly against his ear. "Now, baby." As much as she wanted to hold and comfort him and block out the world, she knew he needed to be on his game and could not afford her emotional distraction. This was bad; whatever had happened to him was really bad.
It worked. He pulled her up with him and focused. He swiped at his eyes quickly and Danni saw them flash confidently. He had this.
"Helloooo, I'm still here ya know." Merle called out. "Am I 'sposed to sit here an' wait for you two love birds to-"
"Shut up Merle!" Danni and Daryl said in unison.