Chapter 12

The brothers walked out of the room to the smell of bacon and eggs. Johnny was sitting down gleefully gnawing on a cracker. Merle walked passed Lina eying her ass as he went by, just to get a rise out of his brother.

Daryl scowled at him and stopped to take Lina's wrists in his hand.

"Why'd ya do this?" He looked at her closely, if this was just for attention, they were going to have some serious problems.

"I didn't mean too…I was just," Lina shifted around nervously. Daryl usually avoided touching her, almost as much as Merle went out of his way to touch her. "I was just remembering and when I looked down…." She hoped Daryl wasn't angry with her, and she was embarrassed he had just seen his brother kissing her. They were practically living together right now and it made things awkward.

Daryl rubbed a thumb over the bandages, Merle had done a good job patching her up, he'd had lots of practice. Letting go of her wrist he gave her a small nod.

"Alright then, no more of this right?

"No, I …..no."

"OK, So what's the plan for today?"

"Well, I bought a ham and some stuff to make apple pie for dinner." She began plating their breakfast.

"Apple pie? Did ya get ice cream?" Daryl's sweet tooth perking up at the thought.

"Yes," She smiled

Merle snorted from the couch "You're gonna get fuckin' fat. Hey, did ya get me stuff for mac and cheese? You know I like me your mac and cheese, woman." Lina could hear the threat in his voice, if Daryl got what he wanted and Merle didn't, it wouldn't be pretty. Luckily, Lina had remembered how much he loved mac and cheese and gotten everything to make it just how he liked.

"Yes, Merle, I even got extra cheese."

"That's my girl." Merle smiled and turned his attention back to the tv.

It was Daryl's turn to snort. "Yeah, I'm getting' fat."

"In a bit Johnny and I will get ready and go to Church, then when I get back I'll get started on dinner."

"Church?" Daryl moved to sit next to Merle on the couch. "I ain't goin' ta that."

"mmmm me neither." Merle mumbled out.

Lina laughed as she put their plates down in front of them. "Don't worry, didn't expect you too. There's a couple of Christmas movies on top of the TV if you guys need something to watch."

"Jesus woman, now what we gonna watch." Merle got up and grabbed the two movies from on top of the television.

Grinning he handed them to Daryl. "Gremlins and Die Hard," he let out a booming laugh and threw his arm around Lina's shoulders. "I think I might love ya baby girl."

The Dixons went immediately into an argument as to which movie to watch first. Daryl won and they popped Gremlins into the DVD player. Lina could not possible eat and watch that movie at the same time so she retreated into her bed room to get Johnny and herself ready for Church.

She dressed Johnny in brand new slacks and a black shirt, complete with a bright red tie. He looked very handsome and seemed to know it giving Lina a smirk that reminded her of Daryl.

Shaking her head she began to dress herself. She had splurged a little and bought herself a dress. She'd never really gone to Church before but it was something she felt she should do now. She wanted to thank God for her son. Her dress was a deep blue wrap around with silver accents around the neckline and side tie. She only had one pair of black high heels so she slipped those on as well before applying some make-up. She never wore much, just lipstick, eyeliner and mascara, but today she applied some foundation in an effort to hide the bruises around her neck. It wasn't entirely successful but as long as nobody looked too close it would work. She was never one to like the way she looked in anything, but she thought she did a good job on this outfit. It was nice enough for their first trip to Church. Picking up Johnny she felt throbbing in her sides and walked out into the kitchen to take some pain medication.

Daryl looked up "How many times do we have'ta tell ya not to pick Joh…." He stopped mid-sentence as he took her outfit in. He smacked Merle on the arm and nodded toward Lina. Merle turned to look at him annoyed until he caught sight what his brother was staring at.

Lina looked beautiful, she could be on the cover of a magazine as far as Merle was concerned. Daryl was amused to see Merle with his eyes wide and mouth slightly open. Lina was unaware of the reaction to her outfit as she searched around the small kitchen for the pain killers and Johnny's traveling snacks.

"I think the services is only an hour, I'll come back and start on dinner after. It might take a while." She called out as she rummaged around the cabinets over the kitchen counter.

"NO!" Merle barked out. Daryl and Lina both turned to look at him startled at the tone of his voice.

"Ya ain't goin' out like that."

Lina looked down at the dress she had been somewhat proud of just a moment before.

"Your tits are all hangin' out! What the fuck Lina?" Merle growled out at her.

Daryl couldn't believe his brothers reaction. He usually loved showing off the women he fucked. Merle didn't do jealous, but here he was pissed that Lina was showing the tiniest bit of cleavage.

"She looks fine, Merle." Daryl told his brother softly

"Bullshit! She goes out like that an Im'a have ta beat another fucker who's tryin' ta rape her."

Lina's eyes widened in shock and hurt, she opened her mouth to say something but her mind was a total blank.

"I'll fuckin' go," Merle got up and headed to the bedroom, "I'm not goin' in though!" he yelled over his shoulder.

Lina stood with her hand over her mouth as she studied her outfit. She felt horrible, she had really thought she did a good job. The dress had been on sale for half off, maybe now she knew why.

Daryl could see the self-doubt creep into her eyes and moved quickly to fix what Merle had done.

"Ya look good, Lina. Merles just being Merle. He… ya know… wouldn't be carin' if ya looked like shit."

Lina looked up at Daryl. "Do you really think so…I…I don't look like a…you know?"

"A slut?" Daryl laughed "No Lina, ya don't."

"Your gonna have to get useta us Lina. Merle…..fuck…me too, we don' hand out compliments. You're a good girl; we know."

"Not really, I slept with both of you." Lina whispered, "I wouldn't blame you, if you guys thought I was a slut."

Daryl rubbed his face "Naw Lina, we took advantage of ya cause we could. Ya didn't know shit, ya still don't. I told ya we ain't nice. Don't forget that."

Lina looked down as he gave his speech. She thought they were nice, they had been nice to her. Maybe they had taken advantage of her but they could have been so much worse. The bedroom door slammed open as Merle marched out with a bundle of clothes under his arm.

"I need a shower, be ready in 20." He made his way to the bathroom.

"But, were gonna be late." Lina stammered

"Then we'll be fuckin' late Lina!" Merle bellowed from behind the bathroom door.

Daryl laughed and took Johnny out of the carrier Lina had put him in.

"Might as well relax, if ya go without him there'll be hell to pay."

"Why does he care?" she mumbled

Daryl didn't answer her, it wasn't his place. He and Merle were going to have to sit down and work some shit out. He watched as Lina sat on the couch her leg bobbing up and down nervously. He knew that whatever he and Merle decided they wouldn't get much fight from her. She was happy to have them in her life, while any other woman would be tearing her hair out. He was pretty sure if the Dixons decided to pull up stakes now and leave her, she would be devastated. The first woman in history who didn't want to see the back of them. Lina would accept all of him if he offered it, what Daryl needed to figure out was how much of Lina he wanted in his life. Sharing himself with any woman for more than the hour, or so, it took to fuck was a strange idea.

They were ten minutes late for Church so Lina had to stand in the back with Johnny, which she wouldn't have minded so much if she hadn't been wearing heels. Merle stayed outside smoking a cigarette with Daryl, who decided at the very last second that he should go too. Lina tried to ignore all the looks she was getting. She figured that rumors of her and the Dixons where running around town already and the glares she was getting from Jennifer warned her that the gossip was traveling fast. She was use to the looks and snide comments and kept her head held high. Johnny babbled in his carrier, he seemed to love the music and Lina decided she would come to Church more often.

Once Mass ended she picked the carrier up wincing slightly at the pain in her ribs. She really should listen to the brothers and take it easy. As soon as she got out the front door Daryl took Johnny from her and they began making their way to Lina's car.

"Well looky what we have here." A high pitch voice rang out across the parking lot. Lina didn't bother turning around, she knew Jennifer wasn't going to let her go without some remark.

"The freak and her brat." Merle stiffened up beside Lina and turned around, Daryl who had been walking in front of her also stopped in his tracks.

"I'd be careful if I were you Jennifer." Merle warned her slowly, with his eyes he motioned to Daryl. Lina who was staring at Jennifer didn't notice. Jennifer got the message, assuming the baby was off limits but Lina was fair game as usual. She felt relieved, the kid must be Daryl's. She didn't want Merle, not really, but he had always been there. He gave her drugs and they fucked. Sure he let his brother fuck her too and he messed around with other girls in the club, but he always took her home if she approached him. She felt he was hers in a way, and mistakenly thought Merle felt the same way about her. She focused her attention on Lina

"What the hell are ya wearin'? Ya really think anyone want ta see ya tiny titties?" She giggled at her own joke, sticking her ample chest out.

Lina sighed in relief, Jennifer was going to start in on her. She could ignore that, it was Johnny who was off limits and she was feeling too sore and tired to fight right now. Turning around she began to head towards her car again, but stopped when neither brother followed.

"Shut it Jennifer." Merle was glaring daggers into Jennifer's skull.

"Ya can't tell me ya gonna defend that bitch, just cause Daryl fucked her?"

Merle felt Daryl move forward and considered taking Johnny from him and letting him handle Jennifer his way. He mentally shook his head, Daryl would feel like shit after, it was the one thing he'd inherited from his father, the one thing he avoided at all costs. Merle had inherited every other bad habit their daddy had, except this one, it was the one good thing about him. He stepped in-between Daryl and Jennifer. For both his and Daryl's sake he needed to take care of this.

"I got her," he told Daryl. Jennifer was staring at the younger Dixon with wide scared eyes. She hadn't expected the look of hatred that marred his features. When Merle turned to look at her she was shocked to see the same look in his. For Lina? Why?

"I ain't gonna tell you again." Merle stood in front of Jennifer. "Last warnin' Jennifer, Lina and Johnny are off limits." Turning he grabbed his brother by the arm and began to lead him away.

"Fuck her," Jennifer screamed, embarrassed that Merle had cut her down in front of the whole church, which consisted of most of the town, it being Christmas. She rushed at Lina and shoved her into the side of the car. Lina screamed in pain as her ribs crashed into the passenger door. That was all it took for both Dixons to snap. Daryl who was nearest, grabbed Jennifer by the arm with the hand that wasn't holding Johnny and threw her violently. Merle who was about ready to do the same thing watched her land two cars down with satisfaction. Before he could really appreciate the spectacle of Jennifer on splayed out on the asphalt in her too short skirt, her brother and father made a run for Daryl.

"Watch Lina and Johnny!" Merle shouted out to Daryl as he stood in front of the two charging men. He quickly stuck out his leg in front of Sean, Jennifer's father, using his momentum her grabbed the man by the collar and slammed him down on the ground, causing him to get the wind knock out of him. He left the man gasping on the floor, reaching out quickly to grab the second, younger man by the arm as he tried to run past him. Merle yanked him back around throwing him over his hip and dropping him on top of his father. He leaned down and gave him one good punch on the side of his face, knocking him out cold. He got up gasping and looked around at the crowd that had gathered.

"Let's get it clear, leave Lina and Johnny the FUCK alone, unless ya wanna answer to me and Daryl." He didn't bother to wait for an answer before turning to help Lina up. Daryl was holding the baby carrier and glaring at the crowd, until they began to slowly walk away. Nobody even dared to help any of the people still lying on the floor.

"Lina are you OK," Merle's concerned voice brought Daryl out of his anger.

Lina was still on the floor, trying desperately to regulate her breathing through the pain. Merle reached into his pocket and brought out one of his "magic pills"

"Here take this," He handed her the pill and she swallowed it dry, desperate for some relief.

"Let's go home and check her out." Daryl said with a hint of panic. "That fuckin' slut might have done more damage."

They quickly loaded up Johnny into the back seat and sped home.

Merle helped her into the bedroom and sat her on the bed as Daryl took the sleeping Johnny from his carrier and put him in his crib. He went into the bed room to find that Merle still hadn't looked at Lina's ribs. She was seated on the edge of the bed, her breathing becoming much more normal.

"We still gotta check her Merle. " Merle looked up at Daryl with a pained look on his face.

"You check, I'm gonna get something from the car." He stood up quickly and exited the bed room.

Daryl was surprised at Merle's reaction and looked to Lina to see if she was comfortable with this arrangement. Lina was so out of it with the drugs and the pain she wasn't very aware of anything that had been happening since Jennifer slammed her into the car.

"Lina? I need to check you, OK?" She gave him a slight nod that sent her swaying.

Daryl undid the knot on the side of her dress and opened it up leaving Lina exposed in her black bra and underwear. He took a deep breath and tried to focus on her ribs. He felt along the left side where she had hit the car, she hissed in pain but he did not feel a severe break.

"I think you just bruised them again, maybe a fracture." She didn't bother answering.

Daryl looked at her and felt his cock stir. She looked so vulnerable and sweet, being half naked didn't help matters either. Daryl understood now why Merle had taken off, she elicited a strong reaction in him, a mixture of pity and arousal, and restraint was never Merle's strong suit. He laid Lina gently on her back and covered her quickly with a throw blanket.

"Sleep for a bit, the drugs will help." Lina closed her eyes and he walked out the door. Merle was not inside the trailer so he went outside to look for him.