Daryl was halfway to the gate when he stopped. He walked back and forth unable to make up his mind whether to continue to the woods or go back to Danni. If anyone was watching they'd think, he was batshit crazy like a dog in a hubcap factory.

She was right, he couldn't shut her out anymore. He'd said it himself, what he did mattered now. Running away wouldn't do a damn thing. Deep down Daryl knew she'd always need him. More than that, she'd always want him. Maybe that was more important. Hell, she might be pregnant again and that was a good thing but he'd just left her, leaning over the railing and he didn't even look back. Shut down and ... "Dammit it, he said under his breath and with a half-smile started to jog back to the cell block wanting her to give him hell. Yeah, she'd have plenty to say and he wanted to hear her cuss him out. Then maybe he'd take her and the kids to their tree, spend some time just the family and sort all this stuff out with her dad, his mom, her being scared of having another baby. That was how he wanted to handle this. She'd like that.

"Daryl what are you doing?" Merle's voice came from behind him.

"Nothing." He stopped in his tracks.

"Finally figure out which way you're goin'?" He chuckled.

Daryl winced and shook his head. Merle always had a way of making him feel stupid, even now after all this time.

"I heard you and queenie just now. Hell, everybody heard you two."

"Got a point?"

"As a matter a fact, I do."

"Figures," Daryl muttered.

"Lemme tell you something little brother. I didn't stay awake during too many of them AA meetings they made me go to in prison and all that big book bullshit went in one ear and out the other." He pointed to his head for emphasis. "But one thing that stuck with me is this. They say if you keep bashing your head against a cement wall expecting one of these days it ain't gonna hurt, you're an asshole."

"What the hell do you know? And why are you trying to give me advice all the time now? Never cared before."

"I'm looking out for my niece and nephew is all. They need a momma and daddy with their heads screwed on straight. " Merle answered not admitting he was trying to make up for lost time with Daryl. "You and queenie can't keep fighting over the same damn things over and over. I'm sick and tired of listening to you two. At least fight about something new for a change. And if its her dear old deadbeat dad that's got your panties in a twist right now then do something about it. Seems to me a good old fashioned dick measuring contest is in order."

"Jesus Merle."

"You want my take on all that?"

"No."

Merle ignored Daryl and kept talking. "Queenie's a grown woman. What in the hell does she needs a father for now? She got herself a husband. If you don't think, there's room for the two of you in her life then do something about it Daryl. The hell, did I teach you?"

"She wants him here."

"Do you?"

"Naw, naw I don't. But she thinks she needs him."

"If you buy that, you might as well shove your money up a wolf's ass and watch him run over the hill." Merle scratched his chin and added, "Imma say it again. Do something about it. Ain't you the man here? The truth is queenie don't know what she wants or what's good for her. Women need to be told what to do…they don't know. "

Daryl almost sighed with relief hearing good old classic Merle. He wasn't completely transformed into the voice of reason. Danni would love to hear him say that…sexist son of a bitch, she'd belt him right here right now.

"What's he ever done for her anyway? Looks to me like he's ridin' a gravy train on biscuit wheels about now."

Daryl nodded. "That's what I'm trying to tell her."

"Tell him."

"Maybe." He looked up and squinted at the sun, bright behind Merle and changed the subject. "Hey, where you been off to every day? Hunting?"

"You could say that."

Daryl winced. "Trail's cold. You know if there was any sign of him I'd be out there with you."

"I know little brother I know. You just tend your own crops hear me? Leave me to mine."

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

"Nobody. It's nothing" Danni said as Kieran took his handkerchief and wiped the tears from her face while she held the twins tightly against her chest.

"Was it that fella of yours? Did he do something?"

"No of course not." Danni put the babies back in their beds.

"Then what love?"

His sympathetic tone started more tears. "it's just sometimes I feel so alone. He won't talk to me…when stuff bothers him."

Kieran hugged her and she put her head against his chest, dampening his shirt. "Most fella's don't talk. Don't worry yourself so much about it."

Daryl stopped halfway up the stairs when he saw Danni sobbing in Kieran's embrace. There was no image he needed to see less at that moment than his wife being comforted by that no good bastard. He backed slowly down the stairs, before he could see Danni pull away from her dad. She'd held him tightly waiting for that feeling of calm comfort; the 'everything is fine I've got you' feeling. It didn't come. She was confused and disappointed so she moved back.

I'm fine, really. Not crying.'

"You were always like that, never admitted to needing help. You are still my tough girl aye?"

Danni realized her dad's embrace felt a bit awkward, not like what she'd imagined. She knew he meant well, but the warmth she'd fantasized about, the security of daddy being there to take care of her was lacking. She'd watched how natural it looked for Herschel to hug Beth and Maggie and noticed how safe they obviously felt with him. She was thrown for a minute. She realized she only felt secure when Daryl held her.

She smiled weakly. "It's you. He's still having a hard time with you being here."

"Aye he doesn't hide the fact. I don't mind for myself but if it's upsetting you let me sort it."

"No. I-"

"Don't worry love." He said cutting her off.

Danni made a move to stop him, but the babies started wailing, needing her attention. Daryl was out hunting anyway. She'd talk to her dad again before he had a chance to sort anything.

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

Daryl stepped out of the building's shadow as Kieran turned the corner to the back courtyard beside the loading dock. The older man raised his chin and called "You're just who I was looking for lad."

Daryl narrowed his eyes.

"What's this about upsetting my Danni then? Leaving my little girl crying like that?"

"She's my Danni and you don't know what the hell you're talking about."

"Then why don't you fill me in?"

"I don't want you here, don't want you around my family."

"Danni might have something to say about that."

"Yeah, she will alright. I know her better than you." Daryl looked down at his clenched fists.

"Now Daryl, you and me are going to communicate for a little while."

"I ain't telling you shit." Daryl hissed roughly shouldering past his father in law. Kieran grabbed Daryl's arm causing him to swing around automatically throwing a defensive punch from being touched. His fist landed square on Kieran's jaw. He reciprocated by slugging Daryl one harder. It was on.

Daryl heard Merle's voice giving him fighting advice when he was a kid. 'You can't just whoop their ass, you gotta hurt their pride. That way if they see you again you know they're not gonna fuck with ya. They're gonna remember it and it don't matter if there's ten of 'em they're still gonna leave you alone. They don't want that embarrassment again. You do that and it's a done deal, it's over. When you hurt a man's pride, it's a different kinda pain, one they can't ignore. '

Daryl charged in and dropped low to Kieran's left side, delivering a hard punch to his abdomen then rebounded and stood back, feeling fierce pride and giving a smile when Kieran winced and doubled over.

"How's that feel, old guy?' Daryl sneered. "Cocksucker." He spat gruffly. Daryl waited expectantly

Kieran reeled, back-stepping once, twice, then clutched his right side and gnashed his teeth. Daryl charged for a finishing shot. As he closed in Kieran suddenly dropped his upper body down low and rushed him, shoulder checking him square in the chest. Daryl's feet left the ground and he fell hard, landing on his back. His breath left him in a harsh cough. The next thing he knew Kieran was standing over him with a boot planted in his chest. He was rubbing his side and chuckling to himself.

"That was a good one, kid, I'll give you that. But I'm afraid you're tapping a dry well there. And if you're gonna fight dirty, don't fuck around." Kieran lifted his boot and Daryl rolled to his right and stood, turning around with a dramatic spin and stopped in fighting stance.

"What's the matter son?" Kieran asked. "Not what you were expecting from the old guy?"

Daryl wiped the blood from his lip.

"Should have warned you lad, I was a bare knuckle fighting champ back in the day." He caught his breath. "Word of advice son, never underestimate Irish Travelers. Or Irish drunks. Or drunk Irish Travelers for that matter." Kieran chuckled at his own joke. Daryl remained stone faced and ready to continue the brawl

He suddenly reached into his pocket causing Daryl to almost lunge again.

"Take it easy son," he said pulling an old chain watch from his pocket. "It's older than the both of us put together." He remarked. "It would be a damn shame if it got broken like." The man's calm was confusing Daryl. "Belonged to my da. Always wanted to give it to Danni someday."

Daryl steeled himself, trying to regulate his breathing and read Kieran's face. "I ain't your son."

Kieran continued to look at him in a way that left Daryl baffled as if he was someone in a museum studying a particularly detailed piece of art. There didn't seem to be any apprehension or fear about him; instead he was just standing there watching him with an old pocket watch in his hand like their fistfight had never happened.

"So can we talk now lad?" Kieran moved to a wooden crate by the fence and sat there for several moments, gathering his thoughts. He wanted Daryl to believe he was serious about making things up to Danni.

"So you love my daughter?" The man asked, staring at the watch. "It's just yes or no."

"Yeah," Daryl whispered and then repeated louder, "Yes. I done more for her in a year than you did her whole life. You don't deserve to be around her. Or my kids."

"I'm her da. Now you don't have to like me, but face it lad I'm sticking around and I'm gonna try and be a father to my daughter."

Daryl spit to the side and grunted sarcastically. "You ever hold her when she wakes up from a nightmare shaking and crying, thinking she's gonna die? So scared she can't breathe, so panicked she throws up thinking that sick son of a bitch has his hands all over her again? "

Kieran looked bewildered. "Who...wha-?'

"I'm the one, I hold her when she has one of them dreams. Every single fucking time. I take care of her. She don't need nobody else. I never ran out on her. Never will."

"Who had his hands on my baby? How-"

"Hell, you don't even know what happened to her do you?"

"I think you've something you ought to let me know then, son. Aye?"

Daryl hadn't wanted to be the one to tell him about the abuse. Danni obviously hadn't had the conversation yet. She might not want him to know, but damn it if Daryl wasn't gonna let the bastard off the hook.

"What do you think happened? Goddamn, stepfather didn't just rape her you know, he terrorized her with years of it. Beat on her threatened her sister afterward to keep Danni from talking or even fighting back. He had to shame her, made think it was her fault. She was a kid."

"Is there more?" Kieran could hardly pronounce the words.

"Yeah, a lot more. Before that guy, was the one who beat her up. Her mom sure knew how to pick em."

"All her life?" Kieran cleared his throat.

"Until she ran, yeah. And then her sister. That's another thing." Daryl's voice trailed off and when he continued he stared hard into Kieran's eyes. "You don't know nothing about Danni. You say you're her dad but what kind of man leaves his little girls?"

"You don't know the whole story." His voice was tinged with shock.

"Aint no story that can make what you did right."

"I wanted to go back."

"We're done talking." Daryl turned and headed inside.

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

Daryl snuck up behind Danni pulling her into his arms and spun her around.

"Hey."

He lowered her to the floor.

"What are you doing back here? Thought you'd be out all day, with so many mouths to feed." She repeated his words from earlier.

"C'mon." He said.

"I got tons of laundry to do, the kids need baths-"

"Do it later."

She stepped away and headed to the corner to gather the laundry. "You can't just come back and act like nothing happened this morning. I hate when you leave like that. You know I do." She wouldn't look at him.

"Pack them up." He gestured to the babies. "Let's get out of here for a while. C'mon."

"What do you mean? Is something wrong?"

"No, just come on. I'm sorry about this morning. And I just... you know-"

"What?"

He grunted.

"No uh. What? Say it."

"Want to spend some time with you and the troublemakers on our own. Away from everybody else. Need to be with you Danni, things got messed up since your dad came and I wanna figure all this out. We need to talk. I-"

Danni bolted across the room and leaped into his arms wrapping her legs around his waist. She covered his face with kisses. He reached under her sweatshirt and his hands moved up and down her warm bare back. "Sorry." He murmured into her ear.

Danni pulled him in tightly and leaned her head down by his neck. "I love you Daryl and I… need you. I'll always need you." That's what he was worrying about.

She began kissing him gently around the perimeters of his lips and then brushed her mouth across his stubbled cheeks before moving down and nibbling at his jaw line.

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

Daryl lay stretched out on his side next to the babies on the blanket Danni had spread out over the grass beside their tree. She sat resting her back against it. It might have seemed risky to be outside the gates with the babies, but Daryl made sure he had a clear view of every direction. His crossbow was within reach and Danni had the new buck knife and holster clipped to her belt Daryl had gotten her his last run. It was family picnic Walker time version.

"What got into you this morning?" She asked.

He shifted with a throaty grunt and reached into his pocket to hand her the Polaroid. Danni nodded taking in the image of his mother with her Nan and Daryl as an infant.

"She, my momma, had it. That thing we have. I heard her in my head like I hear you. I did until...I couldn't anymore. She stopped and told me never talk about it like it was a real bad thing. So I never did. But I wondered why she stopped, what I did to make her shut me out. I musta let her down. That's when she changed, started drinking, checked out."

"You didn't do anything Daryl. You were just a little boy. Some of us don't want the responsibility of the gift. It's too hard... too scary. I think your mom chose your dad over her abilities. She must have had a reason. But you? You didn't do anything."

"Merle said my dad made her stop, said he'd take me away if she kept up her devil worshipping. That's what he called it. But if I protected her, stopped him she wouldn't have...shut me out like that. Shit...hate remembering all this." Daryl sat up and ripped a long stalk of grass from the ground and began chewing on it.

"You couldn't have saved her Daryl. She was the parent, not you. You know I'd never do that right, shut you out?"

He shrugged.

"Well, I wouldn't... I won't."

He stared over at her. "Guess sometimes I need you to remind me is all."

"I can do that. I'll remind you every fucking day until it stays in that thick head of yours." She smiled. "We're solid and we are not our pasts; we are not our families. We are our own family. Do you remember the night I told you what I wanted to name the kids? When I said Ryder and Scout?"

"Think so."

"When I was first pregnant we decided we wanted to do all this our way, no connection to either family cause we are making our own family. I was wrong to name Keira after my dad. He doesn't deserve it. I'm not saying that to be petty, it's true, that's all. Daryl, I wanted us to start fresh and make our own memories, our own legacy. Scout Finch was my favorite character from any book and I want my little girl to be as badass and smart as Jean Louise Finch. That was my decision. Then I let Nan tell me to change it to Keira for my dad. It wasn't my choice and she's our daughter. Daryl, she's Scout to me. She's not ...not the namesake of a man I don't really know."

"That's all I'm trying to say. You don't really know him. Now you sound like my Danni."

"So you don't have to feel threatened by him. I know he's not perfect. In fact, this is a lot harder than I thought it would be. I was stupid to think he'd be everything I built him up to be in my head. But he's here and I have the chance to resolve something. I need your help Daryl, not your anger."

"I get it. I'll try. For you." He paused and added, "So if we're making our own family, what about Ryder Merle. You picked that."

"Merle deserves it and he sorta ended up part of our family didn't he?"

Daryl shook his head "Yeah never could let up, that Merle. What about the new one?" He put his hand on her stomach. "If-"

"If. There's still a chance I'm not.'

He nodded. "But if, you want a girl or a boy?"

"Either. You?"

"Boy, I think."

"Why?"

"Not telling you."

"Why not?"

"You won't like it."

"C'mon-"

"Want Scout to have two brothers to protect her."

"I'm gonna pretend you didn't say that." Danni smiled anyway and added. "Scout's not going to need boys to protect her. Look who her mom is. "

Daryl knew better than to argue and Danni playfully punched his arm. Scout would always be his princess.

Daryl sat up. "Hey, something I always wanted to do."

Danni tilted her head."To me?"

"Just set up, cross your legs if you want to, but close your eyes."

"What are you going to do?"

"Close 'em and you'll find out." Danni closed her eyes. She could hear Daryl rummaging through his pack. He then sat down beside her on the blanket next to the sleeping babies, both basking in the gentle warmth of the late autumn sun filtering through the trees. "Keep your eyes shut."

With that, Daryl untied the bandana holding up her hair and it spilled down over her shoulders. He took her brush and started to run it through Danni's long raven locks. Stroke after stroke, he pulled the bristles through her hair, gently tugging it back and smoothing it out with his hands. It felt silky between his fingers as he guided them through the thick soft strands, pulling them taut as the brush flowed across her scalp. The brush pulled her hair back over her ears and down her back, flowing like water from a creek. He caressed the crown of her head with the bristles and slowly massaged the back of her neck. She shivered as he pulled the brush over the sides of her head gently tickling her ears and neck causing her to sigh softly. Danni's eyes were closed and she appeared to be in an almost trance-like state, then she breathed the words "Oh my god Daryl."

He put his face against her cheek. "Love your hair." He murmured breathing in the honeysuckle.

He worked that brush for almost an hour. After some silence, Danni said, "We waited for him to come back you know. Every day I had hope. I'd tell Tara, daddy would come anytime to take us away. It could be any day so we always had a suitcase packed under the bed. Ready. Waiting. But he never came."

"Then why? Why ain't you mad?"

"I think I have to be sad first."

Daryl considered her words and kissed her forehead.

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

Kieran did not join the group in cell block B for supper for the fist time since his arrival. Danni was surprised, but Daryl knew it had something to do with their confrontation that morning.

After dinner, Daryl was watching the twins while Danni led her first reading group with Sophia and the rest of the kids. He'd changed them and settled them into sleep. He started to sharpen his knife when he saw it again, her journal, laying open waiting for him. Like Danni herself. He'd made a habit of reading it lately. It comforted him and deep down he knew she wouldn't mind. He flipped back to an early entry.

I remember my goals. I wrote them in an old journal but rewrote them here after that day on the highway. The day when my life changed forever. When the world ended and I found Daryl. I wanted to have dignity and bravery. Above all else, dignity, especially with him.

I will be unapologetic for who I am.

I will walk slowly and deliberately into a room like I belong there.

I will look people in the eye when I speak and hold my ground.

I will hold my own in the way I carry myself and the way I handle myself with others.

I could never go along with the norm, punch the clock at the same time every day, wear things that everyone else wore. It would have been safer to tone myself down, but I had to be true to myself. I had to do the things I ached for like making that leap and quitting a job I hated, by wearing clothes that were different. I dared myself to do music and not care how people might judge me. When I let go, I was dangerous. And I loved it. I did it all on my own. I never had anyone to show me the way or answer questions. I made my own mistakes and garnered my own victories. Self-made. I feel Daryl is the same way. Daryl and I are both self-made. We never had anyone until we found each other. It's like this quote,

"Everyone, at some point in their lives, wakes up in the middle of the night with the feeling that they are all alone in the world, and that nobody loves them now and that nobody will ever love them, and that they will never have a decent night's sleep again and will spend their lives wandering blearily around a loveless landscape, hoping desperately that their circumstances will improve, but suspecting, in their heart of hearts, that they will remain unloved forever. The best thing to do in these circumstances is to wake somebody else up so that they can feel this way, too." — Lemony Snicket

We'll never be alone as long as we have each other and I'll never let him go. We are made of the same stuff, we understand each other, always have.

As long as we have each other. Never let him go. He stared at the lines and knew at that moment, he had nothing to worry about. There was no one else in the world like her and she was his, his girl. She changed him. It wasn't just how the world was now. Sure, he thrived in this new environment, had a sense of purpose but he'd never have come so far without her. She was his light.

He heard her and quickly put the journal back on her pillow. "Hey, how'd the reading group go?" Daryl asked as she climbed the last couple of steps into view.

"Really good. The kids love it so its gonna be a regular thing. Did you see my dad tonight? I think he's avoiding me."

"Probably still getting settled."

I guess, but it seems weird. We still have to talk. Tomorrow I hope." She yawned and asked "How were the troublemakers? Did you miss me?"

"Always." Daryl's voice was serious when he said it.

She turned her face back to him. "I'm here.'

He nodded. "They were sleeping for a while."

Danni sat down on the mattress joining him. She was exhausted and leaned back against the wall.

"Any sign of you know-" he ventured.

"Of what?"

"You know." He glanced between her legs. She swore he blushed.

"My period?" She held back a laugh but then sighed. "No. I'm giving it another day or two though."

"We're gonna be fine."

"I know, baby, I know."

"Could you do something for me?"

"Yeah, anything."

"Could you... would you sing something?" He asked almost too quietly for her to hear.

She shifted back a bit and pulled him down so his head was in her lap. She began stroking the hair away from his eyes. "Shhh... Has anyone ever written anything for you? In all your darkest hours have you ever heard me sing? Listen to me now, you know I'd rather be alone than be without you, don't you know...

She began singing, her voice was soft with affection. Its husky depth made his spine tingle.

Has anyone ever given anything to you in your darkest hours?

Did you ever give it back?

Well, I have, I have given that to you

If it's all I ever do this is your song

She caught his eye, then leaned down kissing each one closed before continuing.

And the rain comes down

There's no pain and there's no doubt

It was easy to say, I believed in you every day

If not for me then do it for the world

Has anyone ever written anything for you?

And in your darkest sorrow did you ever hear me sing?

Listen to me now you know I'd rather be alone

Than be without you, don't you know

So, if not for me, then do it for yourself

If not for me, then do it for the world

Poet priest of nothing.*

When she'd finished, he was breathing evenly in a light slumber. "You were amazing today." She whispered softly. "Amazing."

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

The next morning Daryl was in the woods before dawn. It paid to get an early start. He was already tracking a deer he'd spotted from a distance. He felt a sense of calm control. The talk he had with Danni and reading her journal reinforced their bond. He ruminated on her words about family. They were their own family free from of their childhoods, but it didn't excuse what happened. Her Nan was in the middle. She knew his momma and she knew what happened to Danni. Why didn't she help them? For some reason, the deeper into the trees he went, the more unfamiliar his surroundings became. He knew the area, he'd been hunting out here for months but today he felt disoriented. He dismissed the feeling and focused on the deer.

He walked further but the deer was gone and he found himself in a clearing looking at an unfamiliar house. The air felt warmer when he entered this clearing, the autumn chill disappeared. He moved closer to the old white house, through a garden. He could smell the pungent herbs and recognized those yellow flowers Danni always had around. "Yarrow, right?" He murmured aloud.

"Yes, that they are. Very good." He heard a woman's voice behind him. A voice with a thick Irish brogue. "Thought you'd never get here lad. Bout time, we had a speak don't ya think?"

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

*Has Anyone Ever Written Anything For You -Stevie Nicks