After a few minutes, Daryl knew her mind was somewhere else. "You're doing it again." He said pulling away. "Your head isn't into this." Even her body wasn't responding the way it usually did. Danni's hands should have been under his shirt by now and her breath was still even, not coming, in short, desperate gasps.

"What?" He heard that her voice was level, not shaking with want.

"You're worrying about something. Your turn. What's going on?" He gave up.

"Nothing." She mumbled, but she didn't draw him back to her mouth.

"Not nothing. Danni, I'm doing some of my best work here and you're just-"

"Daryl, you just told me all that stuff...important stuff. I don't want to take away from it."

"You know I'm just kidding, when I complain bout you talking all the time." He actually sounded concerned.

"I know. It's not that, it's just I don't want to move on so fast from what you told me. We need time to make sure its... it's processed."

"I process fast. Now talk to me."

"Daryl are you okay?"

"Gotta be."

She nodded knowing that was exactly how he processed. He moved on fast. She just hoped that opening up earlier had been healing for him, even if they didn't discuss it further. She supposed his admissions of feeling helpless made him need to take care of her now. All she wanted to do at that moment was give in and let him. Her worries about giving birth and then taking care of two infants gnawed at her.

"I'm scared. Really, really scared." She whispered.

"Why are you whispering?" He whispered.

"I don't know." She furrowed her brow. "Tell me I can do this. The troublemakers are gonna be here so soon."

"You are gonna be the best mother."

"But labor, Daryl how am I going to…that shit hurts." She tried to smile.

"You're tough. You can take the pain, shit you took a bullet. Nothing bad's gonna happen. You're gonna have those babies safe and sound. But being scared, that's okay."

"Really? You're not disappointed that I'm freaked out?"

He shook his head. "I know I can't get you to a hospital, make it all safe with medicine and doctors. I wish I could." He pressed his lips together and looked down. "I know doing it this way is...harder. I can't make it easy, but I can promise you won't be alone."

"You'll be there no matter what?" She stared deeply into his narrowed, concerned eyes above those deep circles. Those dark circles, his scruffy chin and messy hair made him look so tired lately. He works too hard, way too hard.

"Yeah, 'course."

"You won't be grossed out or-"

"Who do you think you're talking to? Can't keep me away. They're mine too."

"Promise? I can't do it without you. Promise?

"Hell yeah, I promise. I swear."

"Hey," She drew in a sharp breath and grabbed his hand, placing it under her thermal shirt, on her stomach. "They heard that."

He felt the movement, real karate kicks; this past month Danni was constantly feeling them move and it wasn't just kicking, they were shifting, twisting, wriggling, punching and even hiccuping. Daryl was used to her randomly yanking his hand toward her at any time, all day, every day so he wouldn't miss a thing. And he wouldn't. He'd been there every step of the way he wasn't going to miss them being born.

After he had fallen asleep, she got up, needing to move around. No position was comfortable for sleeping anymore.

Danni sat on the middle step, leading to the first floor gazing out over the silent, sleeping cell block. The silver and gray world of night in the prison always mesmerized her. The place had its own particular aura. In the daytime gray, dusty weak sunlight bathed block C and at night the silver shadows played across the walls and floor like her personal late night television show distracting her when she was too uncomfortable to sleep.

The air shifted behind her ever so slightly, but enough to make the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end.

"Shit you scared me!"

Merle saw her face and knew he really had, as he'd descended the steps behind her.

"You're just like Daryl you two could sneak up on anybody."

"Sorry, queenie. What, can't sleep?" He stepped over her and descended a few more steps before leaning back on the metal railing to look down at her.

They lowered their voices so they wouldn't wake anyone.

"No. Lately I can't get comfortable for more than an hour. And if I do lay down, I get this heartburn like you wouldn't believe. And they keep punching me I swear. It's not so cute anymore."

"Our momma was the same way." Merle chuckled softly. "I 'member she was carrying Daryl and that woman was miserable, didn't sleep for the last two months before the little sprout came on out. They must take after their daddy. Damn troublemaker before he even got on this earth." He chuckled again.

She did a double take. "Troublem…" but didn't finish.

"I know what you did queenie. I ain't stupid. Talking to Daryl, to Rick. I know you're taking heat from the rest of 'em too."

"My name is Danni."

"Okay, queenie. What I can't figure out is why? Why you stood for me?"

She smiled slightly. "You can thank me now if you want."

"Oh, can I now? I best figure you didn't do it for me, you done it for Daryl."

She remembered what Daryl had told her about the horrific game their father made them play.

"No, I did it for you."

"Why?"

"Because you're the oldest too. It's harder for us."

He looked at her puzzled. "You worried you're making a mistake about me?"

"No, I don't think it's too late for anyone."

Merle grunted not knowing what to say. He was uncomfortable. "You are nuttier than pecan pie, sugar. Know that?"

"I've been called worse." She smiled at him and he shook his head.

"I like it quiet like this." Merle's voice took on an introspective, pensive tone. "The light's different in a cell block. Being locked up didn't have too much good to it, but I always did like how it looked at night. I 'member staying awake, looking out my cage to watch the shadows. Light shining like silver coins, making them move." He stroked his chin. "Hmmm." He grunted pulling himself from the memory. "Hey, that cat belong to you? The one that's sleeping in my cell all the time?"

"Yeah."

"He keeps bringin' dead mice and leaving on my bed. Keep him out of my way, hear?"

"He likes you I guess."

Merle grunted. He became thoughtful again. "Thanks for bein' so good to my brother. You ain't much in the looks department, no offense, but you got something inside that Daryl likes, guess that can be enough."

"I think you're trying to compliment me, but fuck you."

Merle laughed. "Well, look at ya, short, pasty like ya never saw the sun a day in your life, black hair. Didn't ya ever try to lighten up? Mmm hmm, blondes make a man think of a good time, know what I'm saying? You're just not most men's idea of a wet dream honey. Though, you did have damn fine figure before ya got knocked up. I remember that, real nice and them pants always so low and tight. I'll give ya that."

She missed that too so she didn't bother to give him shit. She sighed. "Sorry, I never wanted to be a frickin' Barbie doll."

"Hey, I'm really getting you riled ain't I? didn't mean nothing by it, looks ain't everything darlin'. You're a smart cookie. Can't have both I guess. I'm trying say something nice to ya."

"Yeah, got it already. You made it clear." Danni tugged the sleeves of her oversized black thermal shirt down her wrists and gripped the cuffs in her fists. She clenched the fabric feeling agitated.

"Sweet dreams queenie." He turned and headed to the first floor. Danni swore he went to Andrea's cell. She didn't want to think about the implications of that. Still, she couldn't help but laugh out loud just a little. Merle had his Barbie doll.

She knew it was stupid, but Merle's words got to her. It was Merle! Like he had any taste at all? No matter how long and hard she worked to build confidence around her looks and how successful she'd been at honing her own style, living hard in an abandoned prison had stacked the odds against her. Having no makeup or beauty products and being seven months pregnant sucked. Merle's words stung and stirred up memories. Yes, she was grateful to be alive, have food, shelter, Daryl and a healthy pregnancy, but dammit she was a woman. Sometimes she had to admit she missed the luxuries of her old life. Eyeliner. Man, she mourned the loss of eyeliner. And books. What a combination. She shook her head. Memories invaded.

Danni crouched, balancing herself on the closed toilet seat in the locked stall of the girls bathroom so her feet wouldn't be visible. She took deep breaths but couldn't stop the hot tears from rolling down her angry flushed cheeks. She was quiet but wouldn't have been heard over the chatter of the high school girls gossiping, fixing makeup, smoking and generally making a teenage girl racket.

It had been a typical morning in class, the girls sitting behind her kicking her seat, jabbing her, calling her ugly.

Navigating the hallways around the giggling and pointing at her spiked hair and ripped black tights. She heard the calls of fat, freak, stuck-up, slut...not original insults by any means but the new one today was 'you're so ugly you went to the haunted house and came out with an application.' Points for that one.

She was used to it and usually just ignored it, but last night had been rough. Not only had her stepfather Jay beaten her back bloody but he'd come as close to violating her as he ever had. She shook with the feelings of powerlessness. She felt drained of her strength. Hunched alone in the bathroom stall, she heard the bell signaling the next class ring and then it was suddenly quiet, she was alone. She had a pint of vodka in her army backpack between her journal and a copy of the "Collected Works of Dorothy Parker" and "Journals of Sylvia Plath." She took a swig and decided to cut school for the rest of the day. She'd spend the afternoon reading in the park under her favorite tree. She thought of Tara. Her little sister needed her. She'd never be alone without her.

Danni pulled herself back to the present. Why had that memory been stirred up? Because Merle called her ugly? Because the rest of the group was looking at her like an outcast? Tomorrow she'd have to get it over with and talk to them all about Merle staying. She sighed and headed back upstairs. Like high school again.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you up." She apologized as Daryl shifted to look up at her in the shadows.

"Can't sleep again?"

She shook her head and carefully lowered herself to sit beside him.

"Whatcha wanna do?"

She heard that tone in his voice, and gently snaked her hand between his thighs, "Jesus Daryl…" she felt him already hard.

"I think I was dreaming about you."

She shook her head with a small smile and rubbed her palm over his growing bulge. When he let out a deep, ragged breath, she felt her belly twitch and tighten.

"Do you...think I 'm pretty?"

"What? You know I do. Hell, aint it obvious?" He put his hand over hers on his crotch.

She actually blushed "No I mean really."

"This ain't real enough?" He asked

She knew he wasn't good at talking about this kind of thing. "Merle just said I-"

"Hell you listening to Merle for? Merle thinks average is okay. You ain't average. Merle?...C'mon, you know better than that."

"What do you like best about me? In looks."

"Your eyes." He answered without hesitation. "And your smile."

She nodded.

"And your skin. Sometimes I think you look like a goddamned doll. So pale and perfect, goes with your hair real good, I love your hair too, love it down."

With that, she freed her hair from its knot at the back of her head and gave him a smile.

"Know I'm proud right? To be with you? Danni I think you're real pretty. Beautiful."

"Thank you, sometimes I jut need to hear it I guess."

"I know, I know you do. I don't always say it, but I think it." His voice was low, rough and sweet, all at once.

"So, what you wanna do?" He asked again hoarsely, knowing what he wanted to do

She stood up pulling him with her. It's time. He'd faced a fear earlier, now it's my turn.

"This," she said softly. Both sets of her slender fingers hooked underneath her shirt and she peeled it inside out up over her torso, revealing a black sports bra the only comfortable support for her pregnant breasts lately. She tossed the shirt to the floor and then turned her back to him, leaning against him, moving her hips backward while she slid her hands under the waistband of her leggings. He stepped around her and grabbed her wrists before she could push the fabric over her hips. He turned her around to face him. "What're you doing?"

"I want to feel you, really close like I used to. When I'm on top its good, but just so... I feel so far away from you. I want you on me again and this is the only way."

"But, what about needing to see me?"

"Its time, okay, please do this for me."

She continued shedding her leggings like a snake sloughing its skin, her movements fluid and sexy leaving only the black bra and tilted her head and gazed nervously but encouragingly into his eyes, her smile generating warmth in him only she could body was, gorgeous. Even pregnant he loved it; it turned him on more than ever. Every inch of her pale skin was beautifully illuminated by an even paler moon its silver light coming in through the barred windows above.

"That's why girls like me like guys like you," she said snapping him out of his daze.

"Huh? Why?"

"The way you're looking at me right now."

"How am I looking at ya?"

"Like you've just won the lottery, it's always like that," she grinned.

"Think I just did," He murmured, unable to keep his gaze focused on any one part of her body.

"Then come here and claim your prize."

He was still fully clothed as he slid his hands over her shoulders down the smooth contours of her naked back pulling her as close to him as her belly would allow. Their lips brushed, sending a surge of lust through Daryl's body and he shoved his tongue between her slightly parted lips, licking and sucking on hers. They kissed, tenderly at first, and then with a raw passion that ignited their need for one another.

"I want you so much," she whispered into his mouth, stroking him through his pants with a firm grip. "I want you more than you could ever know."

Breath, saliva, and unintelligible murmurs were exchanged with mutual affection. She continued to rub his erection against her thigh driving him crazy. All he wanted to do was lay her down on the bed spread her legs open and then slide all the way up inside her.

Her body craved his touch, wanting to feel his skin on her skin, while he wrapped her in his strong muscled arms, so she'd melt into him and they'd feel like one body. She needed him to hold her, to take over and be in control so she turned around again and pressed her back against his chest. He engulfed her in those arms that almost seemed bigger, his muscles were more defined, more solid somehow. Hard physical labor and low rations? Again the feeling that they'd become adults even though they weren't kids when they met struck her. Mentally, emotionally, physically they had continued to develop. She forced the lower half of his body to collide with hers. She reached behind for his hips and started to grind against him. She looked back and saw a mix of shock and desire on his face. She was just as shocked that she was doing it and felt okay so far. He placed his hands on her delicate shoulders and leaned in to kiss her neck through her hair. He was cautious and she understood.

"Its okay."

"You sure?" He whispered into her ear, his voice comforting her. The twinge of fear and the instinct to push him off battled her body's programmed response to his touch, as she felt the coil tightening low in her belly.

Daryl went for the strap of her bra, grabbed it with his teeth and slowly dragged it over her shoulder. She leaned her head to the left, and he did the same thing on the right side. A kiss behind the ear, on the ear, slowly, softly trailing his lips down her neck to the other strap. He reached underneath and pushed the garment up and off. He held her breasts and rubbed his thumbs over her nipples making her roll her head back on his shoulder and close her eyes while he massaged her breasts for a few moments. This was all so sudden, but the amazing thing was that all of his movements were gentle, slow and deliberate. He was patient, following her lead knowing this was a huge step for her. She bent over slightly palms against the wall. She peeked over her shoulder at him. He hesitated, still surprised, so she reached for his hand. He moved closer and took it. She put it on her hip and placed her hands back on the wall arching her back. He slid his fingers under her panties and pulled them down so she could step out of them. She turned briefly to help him remove his shirt wanting his skin on hers. She kissed down his chest as she unbuttoned, marveling at his arms and shoulders as he shrugged the ragged gray work shirt off. Danni slinked her way back against his chest with the grace of a feline, molding her body against his. Having his hands back on her hips was the best feeling in the world. He gazed upon the beautiful tattoos framing her scars and smelled her hair cascading over her shoulders. She looked back and their eyes met. Seeing her vulnerability and openness made him feel a part of himself growing more attached to her, if that were even possible. Again feeling how their attraction soared beyond the physical plane, a strange thought came to his mind and no amount of reason or logic could disable its overwhelming message: He and Danni were supposed to meet. Everything he'd gone through as terrible as most of it was led him to her and he knew she'd suffered as well. It had all been for this. They were meant to be as if they'd always been.

She reached back, grabbed his hands and put them between her thighs as she continued to move up against him and whispered, "Touch me."

Slowly, his strong, warm fingers traced the skin of her inner thighs and she exhaled. Time seemed to slow down. He dropped his head to her shoulder and breathed heavily against her neck. When he moved his palm between her legs, she automatically pushed forward into it. She began to lose herself as he started slowly circling and pulling on her clit with two fingers. He continued, upping his speed and pressure.

She inhaled sharply, let out a small sigh and lost her footing. He kept her upright, steadying her with his hand and his hips. "I got ya." He said.

"Please..." she gasped and fell forward on her palms.

He knew she wanted him inside. She felt him from behind pushing his growing hardness against her. As much as she wanted him, she started to feel a small swell of panic, that familiar helplessness. He pressed forcefully, but she knew he was trying to relieve the building pressure in his groin not trying to intimidate or hurt her. She swallowed hard and focused on his hot breath and sweet musky scent so that soon the pulsing ache began to throb between her legs and her thighs trembled.

"You want this? Cause I wanna give you this. I can..." He grunted, feeling desperate for her. He wanted to be gentle, but this position sent his primal urges into overdrive. His mouth was pressed against her ear, his heavy breathing comforting her. "You ready?" He rasped.

"Uh huh," she answered nervously. She listened to the clink of his belt and the rip of the zipper, and before she knew it he was guiding himself in. He used his knee to push her legs apart. "Okay?" He breathed. Within two slow, intense thrusts he filled her. As always he fit perfectly but the angle was so different that he was hitting spots she didn't know she had. She fell forward on her palms, digging her fingers into the wall. She let out a gasp or whimper. He wasn't sure what because she'd never made a noise like that before. He squeezed her hip and thrust forward while at the same time pulling her back against him controlling the pace. Danni knew she was in a position of complete submission, but she was allowing it, letting him take her and have his way with her. She trusted him, he felt familiar. She swore she recognized his skin, the contours of his muscles and his sweat mingling with hers. She started to push back on him as he fucked her deep and hard, but slowly, trying to be gentle. When he stopped, she looked over her shoulder and nodded "I'm okay, keep going. It's you, I know it's you." He put his hands on her shoulders and pulled her back as he thrust harder into her. He then slowly dragged his fingers over her back and sides. He gathered her long, beautiful hair and wrapped it around his fist pulling her head back and turned it to put his mouth on hers. He whispered "you are so beautiful like this. but stop moving or you're gonna make me come." He rasped in her ear.

She refused "Can't...you feel so fucking good." She was gasping now. He couldn't hold back after she said that. He grabbed both of her arms and pushed in hard and fast. "Fuck," she moaned with his every thrust. "Fuck.. fuck.. fuck..." until she lost her breath. Throaty sighs mixed with curses fell from her lips while her hands clutched at his hips. Everything about Danni turned him on. The chip in her right front tooth, her mesmerizing eyes, raven hair gleaming in the moonlight and luscious body even more beautiful carrying his kids. He loved her trust in him, sexy face, odd personality and right now her cursing. If he focused on any one too intently, his willpower would spiral out of control and he'd be done for in a matter of seconds.

"Hi," she offered turning her head back towards his wanting to see him as best she could.

"Hi, yourself." He panted "You okay?" He could hardly speak.

"Uh," was all she could manage as his left hand squeezed her shoulder and he started to thrust even harder. She felt him swell inside of her and then release with such force that it made her toes curl as soon as she felt it. Hiis low moaning and gasping of her name made her come so that they climaxed together. Knowing that he was the sole reason her body reacted in this fashion turned him on. And now her ultimate show of trust only increased it. He collapsed on her back as she leaned into the wall and all she could hear was their breathing. She started laughing.

"What's so funny?" He panted.

"I did it." She moved out from under him and turned to face him. "God I love you so much." She leaned against him sideways and he put his arms around her. She smiled into his chest. "I did it." she said again.

"You won, huh?" He asked understanding she'd faced her final fear. He figured he'd done the same earlier when he'd told her everything.

"I won. And I liked it." She smiled mischievously at him.

Exhausted both physically and mentally, they unceremoniously collapsed to the mattress. Daryl gazed up at the gray peeling ceiling while Danni kissed her way up his body, originating from his rapidly shrinking member, journeying across the barren landscape of his smooth stomach. Finally, she ended her expedition and used his stretched arm as a headrest. "And if my heart be scarred and burned, the safer, I, for all I learned." She murmured the Dorothy Parker quote that had been her mantra during high school. Soft strands of her hair caressed his skin, followed by her warm, smooth cheek. She twisted her body slightly and snuggled so close that her belly pressed against his side. He gently ran his palm over it, in a proprietary way. Danni had no words for the feeling she had about overcoming her fear. She knew she trusted him. She knew he would never hurt her. And sex that way made her feel complete; physically connected with him again.

He continued to stroke her pregnant belly, still marveling at how beautiful she looked in this state. She propped herself on her elbow and leaned in, her lips brushed against his and their tongues melted together. It was different from any other kiss they'd shared: filled with longing, sadness and a strange form of melancholic passion. Her cascading hair provided a silky canopy which threw them into darkness.

"Things are going to be different now." She whispered. "We're different."

He nodded into her neck.

"We're connected." She sighed.

"I know.'

"Really connected."

Trust that destiny is on its proper pathway.

A comfortable silence descended on them much like nighttime cloaking daylight, changing not only the mood but also the way Daryl perceived things. He was not the same person who stood on that highway outside Atlanta staring at the black-haired girl who was simultaneously off-putting and compelling in a way no other person had ever been. He was different, changed. He could finally break apart his shackles and face the real world for the first time. This new world was practically made for him. She believed in him so he could too. His mind had undergone a transformation that, after being with Danni could never be reversed. It was exciting and terrifying at the same time, knowing that the Daryl Dixon he had always been was now in fact an entirely new Daryl Dixon. Now he was with a girl who helped him become who was supposed to be. He couldn't go backward. They had laid themselves bare to each other tonight. He didn't ever remember feeling so at peace with himself. He knew who he was and knew he would love Danni for the rest of his life.

"What are you doing?" She asked seeing one of the most natural smiles she'd ever seen on his face. She could count them on her fingers there had been so few and this one took the cake.

"What?"

"You look ...happy."

He nodded at her, admitting it. Being the first and only one to fuck her that way made him feel a surge of confidence and masculinity only matched by the fact that he got her pregnant. She trusted him with her body completely. He remembered the fear and panic on her face at the CDC when she first told him about her abuse. So, now, fucking her tonight was almost like her first time. And it was with him.

Danni could feel the shift inside herself. It was time. She was coming into her power. She didn't know if it was being pregnant or finding true love or just her age, but the crows presence was a sign. She'd known if she accepted her Gift, the blessing would manifest eventually. It was now. The crows.

"You are gonna be the most ass kicking momma." He said.

"Back at you daddy."

The aroma of honeysuckle assaulted his sinuses. "You smell so good all the time." He whispered turning his head to gaze into her shadowy eyes.

"Meh, I'm kind of sick of smelling like honeysuckle."

"Why don't you change shampoos?"

"I can't," she stated matter of factly. "It comes with the territory," she replied cryptically. "I don't want to talk about it, okay?"

"I love your smell." He murmured looking back up at the ceiling. It was his favorite scent.

Brigid had endowed her with the flower and its scent as an infant. When the Cailleach did this, she sensed the innate flower or herb inside the child then called upon its full strength to manifest within for the rest of one's life. Danni was honeysuckle. She had blessed her with it knowing Danni would need its magic and what it represented. She remembered what she'd been taught and read in Bayerl's:

The flower fairies and elves of honeysuckle are powerful. They hold much knowledge about overcoming the past. Contact with them often stimulates powerful dreams and they awaken greater psychic energy. Honeysuckle is a shrub with energy that reminds us to learn from the past (present life or past life) so that mistakes will not be repeated. Honeysuckle blossoms remind us it is time to overcome the past and their fragrance and energy will aid us in doing so. They awaken the power in our lost dreams. It creates within the aura an air of confidence that affects others within your life. It helps awaken psychic energy and the ability to become magnetic in avenues desired. Its gentle spirit encourages a strong energy of change, and it sharpens the intuition. The fragrance will open the psychic energies of those who work with it.

"Thank you."

"It makes me feel like you're with me when I smell it. Hey, something else happened in Woodbury."

She looked at him concerned. What else did those bastards do.

"I, ah...I don't how to explain it without sounding crazy. When they put me and Merle together in that arena, you know to fight, I thought you were there, next to me. I heard you talkin plain as day and I smelled you, strong. I didn't turn to see if you were real cause I didn't wanna know it if you wasn't. It got me through it. You made me fight, made me survive it."

"What did I say?"

He knew she believed him, didn't think it was crazy in the least. He should have known this was right up her alley.

"One of them quotes of yours. The one about fear, facing fear and not letting it destroy you."

"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." She said it aloud.

He nodded. "How could that happen? How could you be there when you were here?"

"I told you we're connected. Daryl, sometimes I think we were meant to find each other. Like we are supposed to be together, like maybe we always were together somehow?"

He felt a chill race up his spine. He felt it too. "You dreamed us, right? You seen us together before it happened."

"More weird things like that might start happening."

"Weird?"

"To both of us. Promise me you'll talk about it?"

"Yeah." He couldn't say anything else. He felt that otherworldly energy from her again. Like she wasn't really of this earth.

... ... ... ... ... ... .

"Are we gonna ignore each other forever?" Danni asked approaching Glenn and Maggie at the breakfast table. She was surprised but glad to find them alone. She wanted to talk to Carol alone too. They looked up from their meals.

"You know how we feel about Merle. What is there to talk about?" Maggie spoke first, not lowering her voice knowing Merle and Daryl we sitting nearby, cleaning guns.

"I'm sorry about what he did to you Glenn. I feel responsible, you were out there that day because of me."

"You didn't beat me Danni, he did. You got me out of there. I just don't understand how you can be okay with this."

"I have to be. I trust Daryl to keep Merle in line. You can too. That's what it's about, trusting Daryl and giving him something he needs. He's done so much for all of us, he deserves this. And Merle can help out around here."

Maggie's face lightened a little. She understood that Daryl had done a lot for them. He was trustworthy. But Merle?

"Ever since you've been with Daryl, you...you've changed." Glenn admitted to Danni forgetting that Daryl was in earshot.

"A lot's changed,"

"But I mean you. You changed. You're all about him. Every decision you make, every opinion you have it all goes back to him. And now this Merle thing. You only want him here because Daryl does. Since you've been with him your like his PR person or something. Don't you even remember who you are anymore?"

Danni didn't know what to say.

"Back at the quarry we used to rag on Merle and Daryl. Remember? The stuff you used to say about them?"

"I didn't know Daryl then." She said quietly, almost ashamed.

"Oh come on. You'd laugh and call them a couple of Jethro's eating squirrel and drinking hillbilly juice waiting for the south to rise again. Remember?"

"You did?" Merle and Daryl both asked at once.

"Well..." she shrugged looking over at them, unable to deny it. "It seemed fitting at the time." She turned back to Glenn " We've all changed, a lot has happened to everybody. But I'm still basically the same me. I'm still your friend."

He grimaced.

"I haven't changed so much that I'd betray my friends and put their lives in danger." Glenn stood and stormed out.

Daryl saw Danni's bewildered, shocked face and walked over to her. He leaned in close. "I'll talk to him."

She couldn't even register surprise at his forwardness. She didn't say 'don't bother.' She didn't want to. "Okay." She managed. She thought she saw a spark in his eye. He was glad she wanted him to.

Before he left, he turned back

"Did you really say that stuff about me?"

She nodded. "Oh and a lot more than that too."

They both laughed. He shook his head. "We said some stuff about you too y' know."

"I bet you did."

She watched him walk after Glenn. What was it? Something looked different. He was standing straighter, pushing his chest out when he walked. It would have simply been cute if it weren't so much more significant. She knew it had something to do with last night.

... ... ... ... .. ... .

"Hay!" Daryl called walking up behind Glenn, squinting in the sun. He did have a different swagger to his gait, surer of himself. Glenn busied himself with clearing a corner of the courtyard. He continued to move debris aside ignoring Daryl. When Glenn didn't answer and started to try and secure the barred door that was coming off its hinges, Daryl slung his crossbow down onto a table and moved in to hold the gate up.

"Merle say he was sorry yet?" Daryl asked as they worked on raising the rusted gate into place. He stepped back after it was secure. He ran his tongue quickly across his lower lip and shifted on his feet. "Cause he is."

Glenn looked at him dismissively and walked back to the pile of debris he was clearing. Daryl followed.

"He's gonna make it right, I'ma make him. There's gotta be a way. Just needs to be a little forgiveness is all."

"He kidnaped me and Danni. Don't forget what he did to her, making her walk all that way. And me. He tied me to a chair, beat me and threw a Walker in the room. I'm supposed to just forget all that?"

Daryl looked earnest and genuinely sorry that Merle would have been so vicious, but couldn't answer.

"Look Daryl, just because your brother is going to be staying doesn't mean I have to like it or like him."

Glenn still wouldn't turn to face him.

Daryl shook his head and grabbed his crossbow. He was about to walk away, but he stopped. Glaring just a little said. "Danni don't deserve the way you're treating her. She ain't done nothing but try her best to help you and everybody else around here since the beginning. Since the quarry and back at the farm. I used to think she was crazy giving two shits about any of ya. She didn't listen to me, only herself. That girl has a mind of her own and you're wrong if you think I can make her do anything. She cares 'bout all y'all and hurting her ain't gonna do nobody any good."

Glenn realized Daryl had never said that many words to him in the entire time he'd known him.

... ... .. .. .. .. .. .

Later in the afternoon, Rick called everyone together to discuss the Governor with Merle. He was concerned about the lack of retaliation for the incident in Woodbury.

"The Governor, he's gonna kill me first." Merle sat on the bench in his cell, casually wrapping duct tape around his prosthetic to secure the blade. "Then queenie, then my brother. The rest of you, whoever's left will be next. He'll kill Sheriff Rick last, make him watch his friends and family suffer. That's the kind of man you're dealing with. The worst part is you never know when he's coming. Could be tomorrow could be next month or six months from now. He holds grudges and makes plans. Surprise attacks, yeah he likes those."

"If it's just Merle he wants, let's deliver him give him his traitor so he'll leave us alone." Glenn muttered in frustration.

"I heard that kid. You just don't get it. Sure he wants me, wants me bad but he ain't gonna stop there. He wants y' all wiped out, all dead."

"You believe him?" Rick asked Danni.

"Oh yeah, that guy is a psycho. Giving him Merle wouldn't do us any good. He'll come at us anyway. Besides we need Merle with us against that guy."

Daryl felt a pull toward her when she said it. "We ain't scared of that prick." He added

"Ya'll should be. He's got the guns, the numbers. Hell, if he takes the high ground around this place he could just starve us out if he wanted to." Merle went on.

"Lets put him in the other cell block." Maggie complained not wanting to hear it.

"No, he's s got a point." Daryl interrupted.

"This is all you, you started it!" Maggie shouted at Merle.

"What's the difference whose fault it is! What do you wanna do?" Danni asked Rick. She noticed Beth crying quietly in the corner. She was the only one who'd accepted Merle without any fuss.

"Well, nothing's happened yet. Merle said a lot of stuff, things that may be true. But for now, we stay put. Until I get a sign of something, we stay." Rick said decisively.

"And live like rats?"

"Merle, shut-"Danni started.

"Shut up, I know queenie. I should be grateful to be here. Well, I am, believe me, but y' all are gonna see what I'm talking about soon enough. Still your call sheriff. Your call."

Rick nodded then headed outside to the loading dock on the side of the block. Herschel moved to follow, but Danni shook her head. "Let me."

"Look at them still hanging around." She said of the crows.

Rick was staring out at the birds in the yard and perched on the tops of the fences. They cawed, breaking up the low hissing of the struggling Walkers below, outside the fence.

"We'll be fine for a while." She said.

"How do you-"

"I know. At least until I give birth. I know that much."

Rick nodded trusting her.

"But...there is going to come a day. Merle is right. It's going to be right around the time the babies come. I had a dream about an attack on the prison when I was in labor. I didn't see who we were fighting, but now it makes sense I guess. So two months? Rick, if we're staying, and you know we are, we need to reinforce this place. Use the time we have to get ready."

I know. Daryl up for it?"

"Yeah, he has a bunch of ideas already."

"Up for what?" Daryl joined them. He walked past them to a spot a bit further down the fence and drove his knife into the skull of a Walker draping itself on the chain link. As soon as the body fell, a few crows swooped down and landed on it to pick at the rotten flesh. They were so close and seemed to have no fear of people. One lifted its head looked sideways in Danni' s direction and cawed loudly. Danni nodded back. She knew they were doing the right thing by staying and reinforcing the prison.

Daryl's back was to her as he leaned forward into the fence so she looked at his vest with its familiar white stitched wings. Danni never asked him about it since it was so natural on him. It struck her that he always had angel wings covering his demons. The vest covered the tattoos. She knew that the fortune teller had to have been wrong about demons. Daryl had no evil in him. She smiled at her realization of the angel's wings over the demons. She was thinking about what he'd said last night, demons. Demons? So weird...then it hit her. Daemons, the winged gods who were benevolent nature spirits, similar to spirit guides. They serve mortals as their guardian spirits. What was that one of the Tuatha Dé Danann? It was Aengus the Celtic god of dreams who was always pictured with white wings. Daryl had dreams like she did. He had known about twins before she did. And he'd called her to him in Woodbury. Not demons, daemons.

"Hey," She said sliding down off the loading dock and walking over to him. She put her hand on his back tracing the wings with her finger. "Thanks for talking to Glenn."

"Don't know how much good I did."

"I know you did as much as you could. Now, do you think you could talk to Carol and Lori for me?" She smiled.