Two days in a row! I've gone over this chapter again and again and it still isn't sitting right with me for some reason. I hope you guys enjoy it better than me. I wouldn't be posting so soon but it's EnglishPoet18's Birthday so I figured I would give her something to read. She shares a Birthday with my kid so that's pretty awesome XD. Anyway, I've already warned you about this one so be gentle with me. My ego is all fragile and such ;) Thank you all for reading! Hope you have a great week!

Bitter Men

Chapter Twelve

The bar wasn't even open yet so it didn't surprise him that her car was the only one there in the parking lot. That was, until another pulled in beside it.

"You gotta be fuckin' kiddin' me," he growled as he planted his feet on the ground and turned off the bike.

Ed got out of his car and then walked over to Carol's, leaning against the hood with his arms crossed. Ed didn't seem to be in the mood to go anywhere and there was no way in hell Daryl was going to leave her there with Ed alone. He didn't care if she was armed. He wished he could just kill the son of a bitch right there. But he'd have to wait.

She climbed off the bike and, without looking at him, took off in the direction of her asshole husband. He grabbed her hand and pulled her back towards the bike that he was still straddling. She gave him a questioning look. "I can get rid of him, Daryl. You don't have to protect me, you know. I'm a big girl now. I can handle him myself."

He snorted and then looked past her to where Ed was still leaning against the car, glaring right at him. "I know that," he muttered, tugging her even closer. He didn't have a clue why he felt so compelled to try to emotionally torment the man. And then he realized that that wasn't what he wanted to do at all. What he wanted to do was let the son of a bitch know that she was his now. She wasn't Ed's and that needed to be known. The man didn't deserve a woman like her and although he knew better he couldn't help but be just a little afraid that she would fall for Ed's shit and go back to him regardless of what her feelings for him were. And he couldn't let that happen.

Sure Ed had made her miserable. He had beat her down physically and mentally and emotionally. But at the end of the day he was still the man that had fathered her daughter. That had to mean something. When he looked down at her she looked concerned. There was a frown forming between her eyebrows. "Daryl?"

He sighed and then climbed off the bike. He knew he was being ridiculous and he knew that anyone could drive by and see him and he knew he would never hear the fucking end of it if Merle somehow found out, but he laced his fingers through hers and walked with her towards Ed.

She gave his hand a gentle squeeze, knowing this was hard but also knowing he was trying like hell. It wasn't lost on her. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" She hissed when they finally approached Ed.

Ed looked from her to Daryl, his eyes narrowing. "I wanna see Sophia," he said evenly.

Carol shook her head. "No. The girl hates you, Ed. There isn't any reason for you to see her."

"She's mine, ain't she? That's reason enough. And you can keep playin' your games, you bitch. You'll be back as soon as he beats your ass one good time."

"Watch your mouth asshole." Daryl growled. "Choose your words more wisely before I feed you your own teeth."

Carol moved a step closer to him and then laughed in his face. "How many different tactics are you going to try, Ed? First threats, then you beg and now this? You're pathetic."

He narrowed his eyes and then moved back towards his own car. "I'll be there tonight to see my daughter, Carol. And there ain't a damn thing you can do to stop me."

Daryl's legs were moving before he even told them too. He grabbed Ed by the back of the shirt and then slammed him into the front of Carol's car before he threw him to the ground. He stood over him and grabbed him by the front of the shirt. "You best stay the fuck away from them, Ed. Cause I'll be around. I'll kill your stupid ass before you get near either one of'em, you got me?"

And it was true. He would have killed the man and he would have enjoyed every second of it. But all too soon he felt her hand on him and he stood up quickly, ignoring the urge to kick Ed in the face while he was down, just to show him how it felt. He backed up until he felt the car behind him. Ed heaved himself up off the ground and she didn't even glance back at him. Daryl leaned against the hood of the car as she stood in front of him. He was breathing heavily again. He didn't take his eyes off her.

"You know he'll have the cops here in a second if you touch him again," she said in a low voice.

Daryl knew that she was right and sure as hell couldn't afford to get himself locked up considering everything that was about to go down. Instead of even looking up at the other man, who wasn't even smart enough to get into his car and leave them be, he grabbed her by the hips and pulled her closer. "Can't have that now, can we?" he asked a little breathlessly. He needed to calm himself down and the only thing that would was her.

She shook her head and forced a smile. She placed her hands flat against his chest, like she just knew that he needed some kind of reassurance. God, he was a fucking mess.

Ed made a disgusted sound and then stormed off towards his car right as her lips met Daryl's. So there he stood, in broad daylight, kissing a married woman in front of her husband. And this wasn't even the craziest thing he'd done in less than a twenty four hour period.

Her lips parted, allowing him to kiss her deeper, seeking her tongue with his own. She complied eagerly, probably as surprised as he was by his bold public show of affection. He hardly heard the sound of Ed's car pulling out and then, with tires screeching, pull away. Daryl was completely focused now, images flashing through his mind. The two of them on watch together, her teasing him constantly, the way her eyes lit up when he'd come back from a run or hunt, the mischievous smile that she saved just for him. And then last night. Jesus, the things this woman could could do to him. The things she had already done.

He pulled her even closer as more memories ran rampant. That moment in the tunnels when he thought she was dead, the moment he found her unharmed and alive, the small touches, the gleam in her eye when she knew she had ammo to tease him with.

The heat of her mouth as she tasted and tormented, and the way her hands had ran over him like she had to memorize every inch of his skin. The way her body responded to his when he was inside her.

He was running on some strange high now. He was no longer aware of where they were or what he should or shouldn't be doing. His own memories swirled around with the memories of his dreams, creating an intoxicating haze that took over.

Her nails dragged across the back of his neck, causing his pulse to quicken even more. This wasn't him but it felt like him. He hated feeling so conflicted but he almost lived for these moments when the other version of himself took over. He was able to be more bold. He was able to be more like the man he thought she needed him to be.

When he had woken up that morning he had been afraid to open his eyes. He was afraid that it had been another dream and she would be gone. But then when he had actually felt her there he had been afraid of that too. There was no middle ground here. There wasn't anything to not be afraid of. Everything was completely flipped upside down. So he leaned further into the car, drew her closer and kissed her harder. There wasn't any real reason not too at this point.

He was more sure of himself now. Last night he was acting on the wants of a version of himself that wasn't real but now he was starting to act on his own wants.

"Jesus, boy. Ain't never in my life thought I'd see the day I'd catch your ass makin' out on a car. Lucky I came when I did. Looks to me like you're about to fuck this little lady in broad daylight."

Goddamn it!

He pulled his face away from hers but didn't even think to let her go. Somehow he was sitting on the car with her between his legs and his hands were all over her ass. He didn't remember putting them in this position but it was pretty obvious that he had. Now he felt the blood rushing up to his face. She unwound her arms from around his neck and stepped away, a sly smile on her lips.

He blew out an angry breath, gave her an apologetic look and then glared at his brother. How the fuck had he not even heard his own truck? The thing was damn near as loud as Merle's bike.

"What the hell are you doin' here?" he asked, pushing himself off the hood of the car.

Merle sauntered over and, to his dismay, draped an arm over Carol's shoulder. "Came to make sure my bike was alright. And I had to see it for myself. I heard it, ya know. But I wanted to see it." He gave her shoulders a gentle squeeze, sending Daryl's teeth on edge.

"What the hell are you talkin' about, Merle? You high already or somethin'?"

"You sounded like a satisfied man this mornin', baby bro. I had to see it for myself. And no, I ain't high. Yet." He grinned and then smacked Carol's ass before he walked towards his bike.

Daryl met her eyes and knew what she wanted him to do. He just didn't want to do it. Not yet anyway. He didn't know how the hell to talk to Merle about this shit. He didn't want too. He knew his brother and he knew how he would end up reacting. He would think they were both crazy. And it was probably true. What had he said last night? They were just a couple of looney birds?

"Merle!" he called.

Merle turned around, hands going to his hips. Daryl was about to say something else but Carol beat him to it.

"Merle, I need a favor," she said quickly, walking towards him. Daryl sighed and then followed.

"I don't do favors, little lady," he grinned.

"We're buying a farm. I need you to help us find a good one," she deadpanned.

Daryl didn't see it often but Merle was shocked. He openly gaped at them as Daryl shifted from one foot to the other nervously. There was no way in hell this was going to turn out good. This was going to be bad.

"What?" he asked, his tone matching the disbelief on his face.

"I said we're buying a..."

"I heard what the fuck you said," he muttered as he held up a hand to stop her from going on. He stared at them until Daryl was ready to get in his truck and drive the hell away from the parking lot as fast as he could. He hated when Merle looked at him like he was a goddamn idiot. "You two?" he cocked his head to the side, "are buyin' a... farm?"

Well now he was just making it sound stupid.

They both jumped as Merle's howling laughter pierced the quiet. He doubled over and braced his hands on his thighs. "This is fuckin' perfect."

"Not us two. The three of us." She corrected as she crossed her arms over her chest. She wasn't as quick to give up as Daryl was.

He finally straightened up and then gaped at them again. "Oh, hell no. No way in hell. I would follow ya to the gates of hell and back, little brother. You're my blood. But I'll be damned if I'm gonna run off with the two of you and live in some secluded house where your crazy asses could cook me up for dinner. Maybe offer up a Merle rump roast to your leader, Rick." He was gasping now as he once again cracked himself up at their expense. "You're crazy, ya know that? Both of ya. You really are gonna run off to share a cuckoo cage!" He howled with more laughter.

"Merle, this is serious. If you don't change then you're gonna end up with your hand cut off or worse. I know it sounds crazy and you can make fun of us all you want but you have to help us. Please."

Daryl groaned. There was no way in hell Merle was going to go for any of this. He was Merle, after all, and Merle wasn't in the habit of making things very easy for others.

"How the fuck do you expect me to believe any of this shit?" Merle asked as he placed his hands on his hips. "All jokin' aside, and believe me that's hard to do considerin', how am I suppose to take any of this shit seriously? You just told me I was gonna get my hand chopped off if I don't do what you want."

"You sawed off your own hand, Merle," she said, a desperate edge to her voice.

Merle blinked and then gave her a hard look before he slid his narrowed eyes over to Daryl. Daryl waited as Merle looked at him but he didn't say anything. Finally his eyes slid back over to Carol, shooting her a dangerous look and then crossed his arms over his chest.

"Stay away from my brother," he growled. There wasn't a trace of humor in his tone and he looked ready to kill. "I don't know what the fuck you've done to him but this shit stops now. It ain't funny no more."

Carol shook her head, eyes wide. "You don't understand..."

He stalked over to her with a murderous look in his eye. Daryl got in front of her, hands up. "Back the fuck up, Merle."

Merle glared at him then. "Are you listenin' to this crazy shit? You ain't right in the head boy! And all she's doin' is makin' it worse!" He roared.

Daryl shook his head. "You ain't listenin'. We gotta get somewhere. We gotta secure a place for when..."

Merle shook his head angrily and then kicked at the gravel. "Listen to yourself! You're gonna have to figure out where your head is! You stay away from her or you don't come home. I never thought I'd say it but you need help."

"Man, fuck you Merle! You're a fuckin' drug addict and you say I need help? We're tryin' to save your life, you idiot."

Merle crossed his arms over his chest again. "She's fillin' your head with bullshit, little brother. You don't see it but it's true. She's like... I don't know. She's the goddamn devil or somethin'."

"Then how do you explain how I knew you both?" Carol said quickly, moving around Daryl, refusing to hide behind him.

Merle snorted. "We're Dixons. It don't take much for people to figure things out about us, lady."

Carol shook her head. "You don't understand."

"I understand that I meant what I said. You stay the fuck away from my brother or I'm gonna make what Ed did to ya seem like a walk through the park." He glared at her.

That was it. Daryl launched himself at Merle and they both hit the ground hard. Merle was under him but in a real fight that didn't mean a damn thing. Merle proved it too when Daryl felt his fist connect with his jaw, knocking him off of him and scrambling over him, landing another hit to the same side of Daryl's face.

Daryl was able to land a blow to Merle's nose before Merle froze and then a few seconds later Daryl heard Carol's voice.

"Get off of him, Merle," she said calmly.

Daryl could tell by the look on Merle's face that this wasn't over but the man crawled off of him and then stood up. When Daryl jumped to his feet Carol was behind Merle, gun to his back. This wasn't going to be good. As soon as that gun was put away Merle was going to take Carol's head off. What the fuck had she been thinking?

"You gonna shoot me, lady?" Merle asked in a deceivingly calm voice.

"You tell me. Am I crazy enough to shoot you, Merle?" she asked innocently.

Daryl groaned. This was going to end badly. Very badly. She knew Merle! She should have known better than this.

~H~

Carol hoped she was on to something. She remembered at the prison, after she had brought Merle his food and chatted him up a bit, she had threatened to slit his throat in his sleep if he hurt Daryl. After that he had regarded her with a whole new respect.

She lowered the gun and took a step away. He spun around and glared at her. For a few seconds she was afraid she was actually going to have to shoot him. Of course she wouldn't have killed him but she would have to do something if he tried to hurt her.

"Ain't too smart, Carol. Pullin' a gun on a man like that." His eyes met hers and just like with Ed she refused to look away. "You know, I done some diggin' around. I know all about you. I know about how you let that pig husband of yours beat'cha into oblivian."

"Merle, you don't know shit. Just go home." Daryl spat angrily but Carol kept her eyes locked on Merle.

Merle ignored him. "You was active in church. Active in the P.T.A. Did a little volunteer work at the library when Ed gave you the okay."

"What's your point?" she asked as she stuffed the gun back in the back of her jeans.

"What happened to you after that accident? You're out of it for three months and then you wake up a different woman, didn't ya? Kickin' Ed outta the house, buyin' yourself new clothes..." he grinned wickedly, "Then you start slippin' my little brother here some of that sweet stuff."

"Goddamn it, Merle," Daryl growled.

"Bump on the head knocked some screws loose, huh?"

She shook her head. "Tell me how else I would know things I know. I knew your names, I knew where to find you. Merle, you have to trust me."

He stuffed his hands in his pockets and tilted his head to the side. "Trust a woman who just put a gun in my back?" he snorted. "I'll figure it out. I don't know what you're tryin' to do to him but I will. You believe that one."

She rolled her eyes and stepped around him. "I hope so, cause the only damn thing I want to do is keep you both safe."

He grabbed her arm and pulled her back against him, leaning down so his lips were by her ear. She froze, her wide eyes met Daryl's as he stood there, to surprised to move himself. She felt half sick with her back pressed against his chest like that.

"I really hope you're tellin' me the truth, Carol. I ain't gonna let ya hurt my brother. You understand that?" He whispered so only she could hear.

"Merle, let her the fuck go!" Daryl growled.

Merle let go of her and she instantly spun around, glaring. "Why Merle? Afraid somebody might come along and take the job from you?"

Nostril's flaring, eyes flashing he spat on the ground before he strode back over to his bike. Without a word he tore out of the parking lot, pelting both of them with gravel as he left.

Daryl was leaning against his truck by the time she finally turned around. She joined him, crossing her arms over her chest, mimicking his stance. She nudged him with her shoulder as she stared off at the spot Merle had disappeared around a corner.

"Well, that went better than I expected," she said, sounding like she meant it.

Daryl snorted, causing her to finally look at him. He was staring at her like she was crazy, his jaw already starting to bruise. "Ya put a gun in his back, Carol. That didn't go well at all."

She shrugged. "It's better than putting a bullet in his back. I understand Merle more than you know, Daryl. He'll come around."

"I'm thinkin' he was on to somethin'."

She narrowed her eyes at him. "What?"

"If you think he's ever gonna go for any of this shit then maybe you are a fuckin' looney bird."

She reached up and kissed him lightly on his bruising jaw. "We need to go. We have a lot of work to do today."

He frowned. "What kind of work?"

She hoped he wouldn't throw any kind of fit because she needed his help. "Finding the others."

His frown deepened into a scowl. "What the fuck do you need me to do that for? You can do that on your own!"

"Daryl," she made her voice sound extra pleading. "Don't make me do all of this on my own. I've spent weeks thinking I would never see any of you again. I need you to help me on this one."

The scowl stayed in place and he let loose with a colorful tapestry of swear words like she had never heard before, causing her to laugh. "You have a really dirty mouth, you know that?" she asked, still grinning as he stomped over to her car.

He whipped his head around and then held out his hand, demanding the keys. She dropped them into his palm and he turned away once more. "Not as dirty as yours, woman," he grumbled under his breath.

See what I mean? Okay, I wanted to bring something up real quick. I had to change some things around for this story to work. I know that they weren't all from the same town but for this to work I do have to make most of them be local. I hope that doesn't turn anyone off. There are still going to be several that aren't but we will get to that soon enough. Thanks again for reading and I'm sorry if this chapter seemed... not quite right... to you guys like it did me. lol