A/N: I luv you all so much ans thank you for reviewing and favoriting. I hate to sound like a whiner but I am still hacking these stories out on my iphone. Fingers crossed for a laptop fir Xmas. I want to thank you all personally, but just thus messagw makes my fingers cramp. But I luv and appreciate u all and hope u forgive. Very mild smut...but a tad!
"Lane? How the hell did you do this?" Rick stood behind her staring in awe at her laptop screen while surrounded by Michonne, Daryl, Oscar and Hershel.
"I was able to use the RV satellite to connect straight to the DOD satellites, bypassing the internet. I was afraid I might to 'need' to work on my vacation, so I had ...well, let's just call it an upgraded dish installed. It's the sorta thing I used for my NSA work before things changed." she answered humbly, immediately feeling embarrased like when she would have all the answers in fifth grade.
"Michonne? Is this Woodbury?" Lane changed the subject, looking over into the woman's eyes and pointed to the screen.
Everyone else also looked at Michonne for confirmation, who after staring at the screen for what seemed like forever, said, "Yep, that's Woodbury." Lane chilled at the icy tone of her voice.
"Do you know where Glenn and Maggie might be?" Rick demanded from Michonne, sounding like a Sheriff questioning a suspect. Lane picked up on Rick's interrogatory tone and how quickly it was alienating Michonne. And they desperately needed her on their side.
"Michonne, you implied this Governor had taken an interest in Andrea, right? Romantic?" Lane could tell Rick's approach would never be effective with Michonne.
"How likely is it that he'd want Andrea to know he had kidnapped Glenn and Maggie? I don't know, but to me, that would be a huge turnoff," Lane connected to Michonne. "Kidnapping and torturing my friends?"
Michonne's head shot up in clear admiration of Lane's quick acumen, her lips actually curling at the corners.
"Smart Girl aren't ya!" she nodded at Lane. "Governor's all about how things look...impressing folks and appearances. When he and his crew killed this group from the National Guard, they came back with all their equipment and trucks, then told the town they were killed by walkers. Gave them a real moving ceremony. But I found fresh blood on top of the truck. Didn't make sense or jive with his story and the Governor didn't much appreciate me questionning him either. So, to answer your question, NO the Governor wouldn't risk Andrea finding out. He might make up a lie to the rest of the town...say Maggie and Glenn attacked the town. But Andrea would know different...and that would really mess things up for him!". Michonne still remembered how the Governor looked at Andrea, like the way a lion looks at fresh meat.
"You were there a couple of days, right? So where do you think they might be holding them?" Lane nudged Michonne to keep talking. Rick had apparently picked up on Lane's tactics, so he held back and let her continue.
Michonne took a few more looks at the satellite images before she continued.
"He couldn't risk them possibly escaping and running off inside the town...too risky. Andrea or someone else might see them. Word would get out. That's why only a dozen men or so are allowed out of town... EVER. So, my guess is they have some place just outside the town, where they can have more freedom." Michonne's face exhibited only a fraction of her disgust.
"What's this?" Lane pointed to a large fire lit circle on the far side of the town's borders. There was so much firelight in one of the images she could actually make out some 50+ people gathered around a clearing... Almost like...no exactly like... An arena!
"Don't know. I never saw that!" Michonne admitted, but felt a chill up her spine. What was happening to Andrea in that fucked up town?
"Well, it's good news if Michonne's right. If they're not in Woodbury, it will mean fewer people we're up against,"
Rick pointed out.
But Lane was in no way comforted by Rick's surmisal. She was very afraid that this Governor not only knew about them by now...but also where they lived.
"I hate to be the one to say it, but we have to at least consider that they already know where we are!" Lane didn't want to spell out the details, especially with Hershel there, but there was a good possibility that they had been tortured. And Glenn and Maggie would talk, it was just a matter of time. Everyone talks.
Rick and Daryl looked at each other, and, with a disgusted look, Daryl nodded to Rick, silently telling him torture by Merle was not only a possibility, but a probability.
"Then we need to be smart in deciding who stays and who goes," Rick swept his hand through his hair as he struggled to decide. There were so few of them even left to choose from.
"I'll go!" Oscar was the first to speak up which earned him a smile and a quick squeeze of his hand from Lane. Oscar liked Lane the best out of everyone, not just because she had brought him food but he knew she had stood up for him after the assholes he'd been holed up with attacked these folks.
"Thanks Oscar! I'll take you up on that! Michonne, we'll also need you and your knowledge of the town.. Are you up for it?" Rick queried, still cognizant that the woman had just been shot.
"I'll be fine... If ya can spare some more of then painkillers and antibiotics, I'll be good to go " Michonne left out that she too had a score to settle... With the Governor and with Daryl's brother, Merle.
"Ok Daryl, I'll need you too. Let's grab some supplies and then we'll head out!" Rick commanded and Oscar led the way out of the RV.
"Rick? Can I have a minute?" Lane called out just as he was about to join the others. But Daryl and Hershel also stayed.
"I think I should go instead of you!" Lane just blurted out. She couldn't look at Daryl, afraid she might back down. But she could already feel the fury.
"Fuck that all ta hell! Ain't No way!" Daryl stormed forward as he heard her, his entire body vibrating with fury. "You can't possibly consider this?"
"No listen! If you go Rick, that leaves only me, my aunts, Carol and Hershel to defend this entire prison. Oh yeah, plus Carl and Beth," she added, her point lost on nobody-
"We have to assume they know about us by now. And a guy like this Governor? He's not exactly the type to lead the 'Welcome Wagon' and bring us a gift basket or a pie," Lane brought the reality to their attention.
"There's no way he's not going to try and take this prison away from us! You know it!" Lane also knew how guys like this thought. And if someone on the block had a bigger, better toy, then he'd stop at nothing to take it...or smash it.
"They live in a town with a makeshift wall made of tires and duct tape. We have all of this! Land to farm, food, medicine, weapons, and a generator. Not to mention what they did to those National Guardsmen, and they didn't have anywhere near what we do," Lane continued, and Daryl's stomach sank.
"So, if you don't let me go, we need to seriously reconsider if we are prepared to fight and keep this place, or do we load up the RV and run? Just let them have it and hope we find something else?"
Daryl's teeth were grinding and his fists clenched furiously. Not because she was wrong, but because she was right.. .Again!
Even Rick sat down in exhaustion as he digested her well thought out argument. They'd spilled so much blood...lost lives for this place. He'd lost Lori here. T-Dog too. And almost Carol.
But could he make this prison everone's coffin because of his own stubborn pride? And hadn't Lori's primary complaint always been that he was always running off to save others and not staying to care for his family? And now, he didn't even have Lori. Or did he? Rick's mind went immediately to the black telephone he still kept.
"I'm just saying, you have Carl and Ass Ki..,, Judith to think of," Lane quickly corrected herself. Since everyone had already started calling her Ass Kicker, it was now actually a chore to call her Judith. Daryl couldn't help smirking at her involuntarily slip.
"No way. I don't need neither of ya!" Daryl insisted, preferring Lane and Rick both stayed here...especially now the prison might be under attack. Granted he didn't know this Michonne lady from Satan and Oscar was still relatively green, having never been 'out there' in the real world, but still. Still, he'd rather go get Glenn and Maggie on his own than have Lane go with him.
"Daryl, Lane's right. This is a well-armed group. I've seen her handle herself and I've seen Michonne handle herself." Rick pulled Daryl aside, trying to calm him.
"Yeah? And you'da sent Lori out on something like this?" Daryl snapped but then saw Rick immediately cringe and instantly he regretted the words the second they left his mouth. He couldn't have sunk a lower blow on Rick, and the flashes of pain on Rick's face reflected the direct hit he'd never meant to inflict.
"Fuck! Rick, you know I didn't mean..." Daryl stood there helplessly, not even remotely equipped for apologies. Completely ill prepared to care about someone else's feelings.
"I know, S'ok," Rick gripped Daryl's arm, and gave him a brief squeeze. "But Lane still goes and I am going to stay and protect the prison...with my children." And with that Rick walked away and Daryl was left standing there, staring at Rick's retreating back, struggling to control his emotions, which were now all over the place.
As Hershel left to catch up with Rick he looked back to give Lane a look of what might have been either pity or understanding. Then Daryl grabbed her and spun her around.
"Are you trying to get yerself killed?" Daryl reached for her to jerk her up by her arms, his fingers digging in.
"I'm thinking strategically, trying to keep us ALL alive AND still keep this prison... Which we spilled blood to take! It just might mean the difference between us living and thriving...or dying!" Lane never backed down or let him intimidate her.
"I can handle myself out there against my brother!" Daryl yelled at her.
"Daryl? I am more concerned about the ones we leave here. I've read files about scenarios like this. If these people think and behave the way you and Michonne describe, then they already know where we are. Now, they likely kept at least Glenn or Maggie alive, but likely not both and they will come for us. Sooner rather than later." Lane implored. Daryl listened to her, fascinated by how logical she was and her calm rational voice strangely soothed him, despite the content of her words.
"I'm thinking, if they only let a handful of people out of Woodbury, they either have to split up, which isn't something you'd do to takeover a prison, or choose. Cover prisoners, or take the prison." Lane brainstormed her thoughts aloud. I'm hoping they either waited or decided to split the difference and we get Maggie and Glenn fast, then double back here. Then we put the squeeze on them. Get 'em coming and going so to speak," Lane finished.
Daryl stared at her in fury and a bit of awe, yet still not able to accept she was insisting on going into danger. But now, after listening to her he wasn't as convinced the prison was even the safer option.
All he wanted was to shut her away in a safety deposit box and go and get her when it was safe. Which meant he'd likely keep her there forever.
How the hell did Glenn deal with Maggie going on such dangerous runs all the time? How was he handling it now? If Merle had hurt Maggie, or worse, Daryl didn't know what he would do. What Glenn would do? What he'd help Glenn do?
"OK...fine. We get in and get out and you stay behind me. At all times!" Daryl was shaking her now.
"Daryl? The point of me going is so someone has your back, while you have everyone else's back," she explained quietly.
"What the fuck do I need ya covering my back fer?" Daryl ground out, unable to look into her eyes.
"We all need someone covering our back. Weren't you planning to cover Rick? The others?" Lane asked, her voice coaxing not accusing.
"S'different," he opposed.
"It's not. You know it won't be easy for me to leave my aunts, but they know why I have to do this. I just want all of us back together...and alive. And I'm willing to do whatever it takes..." she couldn't continue. She didn't want to even put any negative energy out into the universe.
Daryl looked up at the ceiling, still unable to look at her. At least not and be able to think at the same time.
"Daryl," Lane stood up and strolled over, pressing her body close and purring into his ear. "Are we going to go into this angry?" she let her tongue linger in his ear.
"Gerl!" he ground out just before he captured her lips. "This ain't gonna work every time," he warned, in spite of his responding body openly betraying him.
"That's why I asked Rick and not you," she reminded him as she threaded her fingers in his hair. "So?" she propositioned and wrapped her legs around his hard hips as their tongues began their own dialogue. BANG BANG BANG!
"Yo, we all ready to leave when you are!" they both heard Oscar bang on the door.
"Grrrrhh, I swear to God!" Daryl muttered under his breath, reluctantly extricating himself from Lane's arms.
"Don't put an arrow in his ass... please?" Lane leaned forward to peck him on the cheek.
"That's twice now. Once more, and that fat ass is mine," Daryl actually teased her back... At least she thought he was teasing.
Lane was leaning her head against the car window as she remembered her discussion with her aunts. Miriam seemed to understand, but it was Aunt Ethel who begged her not to go...pleaded with her to stay. She was afraid for her and begged Lane to stay. And it tore Lane apart. What would she do if anything happened to Aunt Ethel because she wasn't at the prison to protect her?
And Lane's dark mood cast a pall on the entire group as they drove.
"This reminds me of a really bad double date," Michonne broke the silence after thirty minutes of silence. "cept we ain't headin' to the drive in."
"I've been on worse," Lane admitted in all truthfulness and Michonne and Oscar cracked up laughing...but not Daryl.
"Tell!" Oscar insisted. Lane turned to laugh, realizing she continued to be surprised by his friendly and warm personality.
"No way! You first. What's the worst date YOU ever had?" Lane turned it back around on Oscar.
"Well, actually it was this one night I finally got up the courage and asked this hot girl out. I met her at the club. And she was so smokin', ya know what I mean?" Oscar shot a knowing glance at Daryl and a friendly shove from behind.
"This was before I met my old lady of course," he added which Lane found ironic and amusing. The man was in jail for manslaughter and he was worried about being considered a cheater?
"Her figure was the bomb and she had a wicked sense of humor...and she even knew football...like a Goddamn encyclopedia which shoulda been my first clue. I asked her out the very next night. That's when I found out she was a he!" Oscar chuckled, strangely not even close to being pissed.
"Whatdya do?" Michonne was actually surprised at how easily she'd been drawn in, not just into the conversation but in these people's lives.
"After I got over my shock, we ended talking and laughing and then up popped a coupla brews and watched some football," Oscar still laughed, wondering whatever happened to Sean, knowing he was either dead or a zombie transvestite. "Ended up setting him up with this other dude I knew that was a little more 'bi-curious' than myself."
"Michonne? What about you? Any horror stories to add to the mix?". Lane asked unsure if she would even join in. To Lane's surprise the woman chuckled as she remembered.
"Well, I'll qualify this as also happening before I was married," Michonne prefaced.
"So stipulated," Lane replied, in her best 'Law and Order' tone which also earned laughter from everyone...again except Daryl.
"There was this prosecuter... he'd been asking me out for ages. I'd whooped his ass everytime we went up against each other in court, but my roommate at the time convinced me I should give him a chance." Michonne lost herself in the nostalgia.
"We had dinner but when the evening was finally over, he started talking to me in baby talk. Crazy fuck, didn't even want sex. Wanted me to go home with him and feed him a bottle then change his diaper," Michonne laughed as she remembered his shocked face with her wine splashed all over it.
"No Way, Michonne! You're lying!" Lane convulsed in laughter. "Sorry Oscar, I'm afraid Michonne wins...hands down."
"Bullshit! But we
still haven't heard from you or Daryl," Oscar protested. Daryl gripped the steering wheel tighter and tensed up. He didn't have any bad dates. He'd had no dates.
"Sorry Oscar. My worst date was a setup and all the guy did was talk about his mother...whom he still lived with. She must have called him 20 times during the date...and he picked up every single damn time." Lane answered as she still felt the annoyance. But annoyance was all it was. She still sensed Daryl's anxiety and was doing her best to diffuse it, yet also not draw attention.
"No way Girl! Rule #1, Never date a guy that still lives with his mother," Michonne surprised herself by reaching forward and patting Lane's shoulder.
"We done socializing or do ya maybr wanna tell us if we are anywhere near the place?" Daryl snarked grumpily.
"Pull over in maybe another mile. They have watch posts all over so we're better off if we go the rest of the way on foot," Michonne immediately switched back into warrier mode, still shocked by how easily these people had drawn her in...even after how the Governor had tried so hard. Maybe it was because they were the first truly good people she'd met since Andrea? Or maybe she just desperately wanted to be part of a group that so obviously cared so deeply for each other.
Daryl felt Lane's eyes on him and he suddenly regretted being so snappy before. It was a reflex as much as anything but still he never wanted Lane to feel like she had to walk on eggshells around him. He'd seen that often enough from his mom around his dad his entire life and he didn't wanted that in his life ever again.
Daryl got close to where Michonne indicated and pulled over deep into the bushes, turning the car around for faster egress. Lane waited for Michonne and Oscar to exit before reaching over to grab Daryl's hand which still rested on the gear shift. His grip reflexively stiffened, but she slowly threaded her fingers with his.
His hand snapped around at her surprisingly simple gesture. Her large eyes reminded him of forest grass first thing in the morning when the light hit it and her smile made him believe they just might succeed. And for a millisecond he considered throwing her into the back and tasting every inch of her.
"Let's GO and get our family back!" Lane leaned forward to kiss him softly on the lips. The shock in his eyes, only turned her on more.
He led the way through the woods and remained even more on edge and alert after their close call at the cabin. He hadn't wanted the crazy old guy to die but when he went berserk and drew on them, his yelling only made all the walkers surrounding the cabin even more frenzied.
He could tell Lane was directly behind him by the floral scent of her hair and the cadence of her footsteps ...which comforted him yet also told him she was getting tired. But Michonne's footsteps seemed to grow lighter and quicker as they got closer to Woodbury. What the fuck was her hurry?
They'd lost the light about a half hour ago. And the more tense Lane became, the looser Michonne seemed to be...almost like she was excited.
"The town is right over there," Michonne pointed to the glow maybe 100 yards away. "They'll be looking for walkers. They have a well-armed team walk the wall every night. They aren't prepared for people sneaking in," Michonne finished in a hushed voice.
But they still had to find Glenn and Maggie. Lane pulled her handgun, the Sig Sauer that she'd attached a silencer too, and flipped the safety.
"Lane... The map," Daryl requested quietly. She immediately ran over and unfolded the map against her raised knee, while Oscar shone a light on the exposed pages.
"The towns here," Daryl pointed. "So this cabin must be there. Ya'll ready?"
Without waiting for acknowledgement, Daryl headed forward. They'd almost reached the edge of town, when they heard a flash of gunfire a couple of hundred yards in front of them. Lane raced to keep up with Daryl, frustrated by how Michonne easily raced past her. At least she was still ahead of Oscar. But silently she scolded herself and swore to get in better shape.
Lane raced behind until they reached the source of the noise. To her shock, they found a small shack and five armed men had two people on the knees, each with a rough hewn bag over their head.
One of the guards yanked the bag off both the prisoners, revealing a scared but furious Maggie and a bloody, beaten Glenn.
Lane froze! She felt a white hot rage build and fury roared in her ears. Without even thinking or planning and fueled by such a fury that she'd never known and she ran forward, blasting her way through the darkness. Daryl covered her as best he could, but Lane was like a crazed woman. Only then did he realize Michonne had left them and slipped away into the darkness. Fuck!
"Maggie? Are you ok?" Lane gripped her cousin's arms, then embraced her tightly. Only then did she take in the full horror of what had just happened, the bullet ridden bodies of the guards strewn about. Dead by her hand. But one look at Glenn's face tempted her to shoot them all over again.
Glenn's face was bloody and bruised, but the void in Maggie's eyes held the true horror.
"Merle! He did this," Glenn croaked out, accusing Daryl as if to dare him to question his word.
"Merle's the Governor?" Daryl asked, afraid to hear the answer.
"No," Maggie spat. "He's more like a Lieutenant or something...an enforcer."
Lane picked up on every subtle inflection vocal hitch and realized Merle and the Governor had inflicted much more than physical pain on Maggie and Glenn.
"We gotta go," Oscar was terrified and antsy, kept shifting his weight side to side. "Now!"
"I cain't! I gotta go get Merle," Daryl stormed off on the other direction. "He's my family!"
"Daryl?" Lane sided up close and pleaded in his ear. "We've got to get Glenn and Maggie back. Glenn's hurt far worse than he's admitting. We will come back for Merle," Lane promised. She saw the doubt, anger and frustration cross his face.
"Let's get outta here then," Daryl gave in, resigning himself to the situation at hand. Oscar helped Glenn move and Lane handed Maggie one of the guns she picked up from the deceased guards.
But before they'd gone thirty feet they were assaulted by gun fire. Lane looked to Daryl, who suddenly swerved and they all headed toward the nearby building. He smashed open the door, and Oscar hauled Glenn inside.
"What the hell is this place?" Daryl stood and took in their surroundings. It appeared to be a store or something, but strangely it was not in disarray nor had it been looted judging by the neatly arranged cans. That was when Michonne emerged from a darkened hallway, beaten and bloody.
"Michonne, dear God, are you ok? Are you hurt?" Lane raced forward to check on the woman, but Daryl raised his weapon...and Maggie did the same.
"Where the hell have you been? Is this some kinda setup? Did you lead 'em here?" Daryl barked his accusations and Maggie followed suit, her weakened arms quivering. But Lane simply couldn't draw on her.
"I had some personal business with the Governor, that'sall," Michonne said simply, a look of pride taking over her striking features.
"And? Did ya get what ya came for?" Daryl turned to face her, staring into her eyes looking for any sign of lies. And with a nod, she told him all.
"For now anyway," Michonne said, remembering the way the Governor cried out when she shoved that glass shard in his eye.
"Ok, Glenn ya still ok to make a run for it? We got a car about a mile away. I'll lay down some cover fire and you all haul ass outta here," Daryl ordered.
Lane rushed forward, not liking this plan one bit. "And what about you? Who's gonna lay cover for you!" She pulled him around to face her.
"Lane! Just Go! I'll catch up! I'll find you!" Daryl ground out, refusing to let his feelings for her obscure his decision to find Merle and make sure they got outta here safely.
Lane looked at him, desperate for any indication that he wanted her to stay... That he needed her to stay. But instead of looking at her, he looked to Michonne who was pulling Lane along with her. The warning in his eyes was all Michonne needed.
"Come on, there isn't time and this sure as hell isn't the time for the kind of talk you two need to have," Michonne yanked Lane into the darkness, and Daryl forced himself to fight the pull of her last glance. And then he rained automatic fire down towards the town, and watched them run off into the forest.
Lane ran backwards half the time, trying to provide cover whilst also looking out for Daryl. And at that moment, Oscar's head jerked to the side spraying Glenn with blood and brain matter. Immediately they all hit the dirt and crawled another fifty feet before venturing foreward.
When they finally reached the car, she and Michonne helped get Glenn settled into the back seat and she pointed to Maggie. "Keys are under the back left tire."
And Lane began to run back towards Woodbury.
"Lane, come back here! Get back here now! Right this instant !" Maggie yelled, begging her to come back while Michonne stood between them.
"I have to go back and get Daryl. You know why. You get Glenn back to the prison. We'll meet you there," Lane answered. She had no idea what she was doing, but she couldn't ...no she wouldn't leave Daryl. That was the one thing she knew for certain.
"You know the way! Now go!" Lane took the moment to drop her empty clip and load another.
Maggie looked helplessly at Michonne, waiting for her to get in the passenger seat. But Michonne looked at Maggie, shook her head in frustration and headed back out after Lane. This crazy white girl had saved her ass, and she'd be dead by tonight if she didn't help her. Lane had the drive and skills...just not the experience.
"You should have gone back with Maggie," Lane glared like an impetuous child at Michonne, feeling suddenly like a idiot who everyone felt needed a babysitter.
"I shoulda done alot a things." Michonne responded snidely. "But I have a strange need to see you get back alive...and if I can square off again with the Governor ...well, that's just a fricken bonus!."
Lane looked back at Michonne's profile as Michonne took in the glow from the fiery torches of Woodbury. From the sound, it appeared things had died down in the town. The walls were now double guarded, but the ricochet of gunfire had silenced which actually made it harder to sneak in.
"Where should we start first?" Lane whispered.
"Shush," Michonne quieted her, holding a finger to her lips. Just then they caught the roar of cheers and the flare of fire on the far end of town.
"What's that?" Lane ignored the previous directive.
"Not sure. They have this large area where they keep biters locked up," Michonne answered.
"That doesn't make any sense? Why go to so much trouble securing the town but keep walkers inside?" Lane shook head.
"Maybe its time we go find out?" Michonne led the way.
"Hey! Michonne! I just want to...No, I need to thank you," Lane pulled the woman back, forcing her to acknowledge her. Lane still didn't know why the other woman stayed to help her, but still, for whatever reason she was grateful.
"Don't thank me yet white girl," Michonne warned, but unable to stop the small curl of her lips, forming a reluctant smile. "Let's go get yer boyfriend back from this crazy fuck!"
Lane grinned at the odd endearment, knowing Daryl would rather have bamboo shoots rammed up his nail beds than be called anyone's boyfriend, much less hers.
The walls around the warehouse seemed to be under a little less protection. Lane stepped up on the stacked tires and peeked over the fence and saw a large circle well lit by torches. At the end were another set of fences, which explained the lax security. Any walkers that got in would just end up trapped. And any humans would also end up trapped and surrounded by walkers.
"Come on," Michonne stayed in the shadows and snuck between the boards and tires. Lane followed, doing her best to ignore the moans of the walkers penned up nearby.
"They're gathering in the arena," Lane looked to Michonne.
"Shit! There's Merle!" Michonne pointed him out to Lane. Most of the town had now congregated in the arena, an excited hum reverberating in the air. Michonne knew she would never be able to sneak in and blend. Most of the town had already seen her and knew she had left. But Lane? Maybe?
"Come on. I've got an idea," Michonne pulled her along, making sure they both remained hidden in the shadows. Michonne broke the glass on the rear door of a small clappord house and waited. When she eventually felt comfortable no one was there, she entered.
Lane followed Michonne into the house then upstairs to the small bedroom. She watched as Michonne efficiently snapped through the clothes still hanging in the closet.
"Here! Put this one on," Michonne threw a sturdy blue cotton shirt dress at her, then grabbed a large canvas handbag and threw it on the bed before looking for more appropriate shoes. Lane's boots would have been a dead giveaway.
"Michonne? What are we doing?". Still Lane took her clothes off and slipped the dress on, belting it snuggly in spite of being horribly confused. "I really don't think that's a town dance they're having."
Michonne's answer was to throw a pair of ugly chunky heels at her.
"Really? Aunt Ethel wouldn't even wear these," but Lane slipped them on anyway. They didn't fit great, but she could walk in them without them sliding off her feet.
"I'll be recognized in two seconds flat, but you?" Michonne pulled the band out of Lane's hair to fluff it around her shoulders. "You look like Woodbury! Now!" Michonne finished adjusting and fluffing.
"I am not taking that as a compliment," Lane replied sarcastically.
"It wasn't meant as one," Michonne stuffed Lane's clothes in the large purse. Then she hiked up the billowy skirt and knelt down in front of her, pulling Lane's leg forward.
Lane remained utterly silent while Michonne fashioned a thigh holster out of a canvas belt, efficiently cutting off the excess. With the remaining belt length, Michonne managed to make another tie on Lane' other leg and slipped a butcher knife in it. Lane shoved her handgun into the holster and let the skirt fall about her legs.
"Can you see it?" Lane spun around.
"No, it's good. Now I'll be watching you at all times. If you're in trouble swipe your fingers through your hair with your left hand. If you're just suspicious use your right hand, got it. Left hand, all hell breaks loose, right is, something's up but I stay on guard," Michonne repeated until Lane nodded in agreement.
Michonne continued to watch Lane from the shadows as she walked the streets of Woodbury, doing her best to act like she belonged.
"Hey, I aint seen you here before," a handsome man approached Lane, actually licking his lips as he took her in.
"I don't usually like to come here for this," Lane's voice trembled with actual fear, which she wasn't faking. She ran her right hand through her hair, signalling Michonne.
"Naw, I suppose a lady like you wouldn't," he smiled a gentle smile back.
"It's just, after what happened tonight? All that gunfire? I was so scared. I just want to know if we're safe," Lane batted her eyes, and played along, seeing Michonne nod her head in approval.
"You'll be just fine! I'll see to it. I promise," he placed a possessive arm around her. "You wanna tell me your name?"
"Sure, umm, Elle," Lane shortened her name, deciding it best to stick close to the truth.
"I'm Pete. Pete Dunby," he smiled down at her, still bewildered how a hottie like this had escaped his attention. But then, many of the 'quality' women stayed inside at night.
"Look, the Governor's here! Holy shit!" Pete took in the bandages wrapped around the Governer's head and eye. Suddenly he wasn't quite as sure as he had been that they were so safe after all.
He felt 'Elle' looking up to him, and forced a confident smile on his face. He reached down and gave her hand a comforting squeeze, surprising even himself.
"Look, the Guv's going to explain all this. It'll be fine, I promise," Pete nudged her, drawing her attention to the tall man with the bloody bandaged eye.
She listened to the Governor spin quite the yarn full of lies to explain how they were the victims of a vicious terrorist attack. He spun up the townspeople who were soon yelling and chanting for someone's blood. Lane saw Michonne point to a pretty blonde woman, sitting calmly in the bleachers and mouthed 'Andrea'.
Just then the Governor's men grabbed Merle and shoved him in the middle of the arena, one of the Governor's henchman removing his prosthetic.
"Oh my God," Pete exclaimed when the Governor charged Merle as being a traitor. But then another hooded man was shoved in the middle. And when the hood was removed, Lane saw Daryl looking beaten and bloody.
"Oh my God!" Lane panicked and covered her mouth, while the chanting grew louder. Daryl spun around looking dazed and obviously disoriented...and scared.
Lane could tell by Andrea's face that she recognized Daryl. But whose side was she on now?
Daryl also caught sight of his brother... standing right in front of him. He stood there taking in the crowds and flames, shaking his head and rubbing his eyes to make sure he wasn't hallucinating. Then he caught sight of Lane standing in the crowd with some dickhead's arm around her. Still he turned his head so as not to give her away... In case she was real and not just a figment of his imagination.
What the hell was she playing at? Why hadn't she gone back with Maggie and Glenn? But now he had to buy time?
"Nice group of people ya been hanging with," Daryl accused Merle as he circled and spat on the ground, his voice barely audible to anyone other than Merle over the chants.
"Well, none of them ever chained me to a roof... To be eaten by walkers, Baby Brother," Merle shot back but at least looked a bit sheepish, considering his current situation. Merle also knew deep down he'd done this to his brother...and also to himself. Only difference now was Merle knew what was coming.
The crowd grew quiet and the Governor began to speak.
"We were attacked tonight because Merle betrayed us. And he, and only he, brought this vengeance to our town. Even after we welcomed him into our homes...and our hearts. Now Merle has served us well, and it pains me to see this happen. So, as an example of the kind of people we are, we will give him a chance. A fight to the death. The winner gets the privilege of leaving Woodbury and never returning!" the Governor proclaimed benevolently. Except Merle knew that would never happen. Daryl did too.
"So let the games begin!" and the crowd roared back to life screaming and chanting Merle's name.
"No," Lane yelled and lurched forward, earning a consoling glance from Pete. "This isn't right."
"It's not supposed to be this way," Pete admitted and a frown was burrowed into his forehead. He'd seen the fights before, but it was always for fun. Never like this. He knew this would change Woodbury forever.
To Lane's surprise, Andrea suddenly ran forward begging the Governor to stop. But the Governor merely pushed her aside.
She watched Merle then rush Daryl, pulling him into a choke hold and rolling him around on the dirt. But Lane also noticed Merle whispering in Daryl's ear.
Lane managed to slip away from Pete, making her way to the far end of the spectacle. She had to get to Andrea.
"Escuse me," Lane stood next to a visibly shaken Andrea. "Are you ok? Andrea?". Lane lowered her voice.
"How do you know my name," Andrea spun around, blue eyes blazing.
"Our mutual friend Michonne. The Governor attacked her, I think you know that," Lane took a chance. "I'm planning on getting Daryl outta here now. I was hoping you might help?"
"What can I do? We can't take on the crowd. And if we could, then what?" Andrea admitted helplessly.
"They must have cars here. If we can start a diversion, do you think we could get to the cars?" Lane asked.
"There are some trucks in that warehouse. If you bust through the wall, they'd have to stay and re-secure the opening to protect the town from walkers. I think there's a Humvee in there."
Andrea looked around desperately, still not able to believe Phillip could do such a thing.
"Andrea? Daryl and I saw them murder those men from the National Guard. They just slaughtered them," Lane continued. "Help us. Come back with us!" Lane could see the fear and doubt in her eyes.
"Come on, lets do this then," Andrea finally decided and turned back to the arena. They stood side by side as Merle and Daryl thrashed around while the crowd cheered. Daryl looked up into Lane's eyes and she knew it was time. Now or Never! She mouthed 'Now' to him and ran her left hand through her hair.
Suddenly gunfire echoed all around and grenades and flash bombs went off, releasing enough smoke that it was hard to even see a foot in front of herself.
"Grab the prisoners," the Governor yelled helplessly while everyone else panicked around him. People were running everywhere, unsure of where the threat was coming from.
Lane saw four armed men move to grab Daryl and Merle. And as if on autopilot Lane pulled her gun from under her dress and pulled off four clean shots. She still hit two of them right in the back of the head, but the other two reacted so quickly she ended up shooting one in the shoulder and the other in the gut.
"Daryl, come on!" Lane raced forward. "We've got to go!" She caught up with him just as he and Merle were relieving the dead guards of their weapons.
"Andrea said there were some cars this way!" Lane yelled as they bobbed and weaved between the shadows, crowd and smoke.
"I know where to go," Merle huffed and lead the way.
"Michonne," Lane called to the woman standing behind the building.
"Did you see Andrea?" Michonne asked as they raced toward the black Humvee.
"Get in ladies," Merle yelled, quickly opening the doors.
"We have to go back and get Andrea!" Michonne yelled to Merle who had already started the car.
"We ain't got time. Besides she'll be alright. The Gov likes tapping that blonde ass way too much to feed her to the freaks!" Merle responded crudely, yet revealing the towns true depravity.
"Buckle up everyone!" Merle gunned the engine and drove the Humvee straight through the wall of the building. "It's gonna be a bumpy rode!"
Lane was jolted and jerked then the large vehicle lurched forward, and with another gun of the engine they drove up and over the wall debris and off into the night.
Daryl looked at his brother's profile curiously, then spun back around to look at Lane, not able to really believe it was her. He wanted to crawl into the back seat and hold her in his arms. But instead he lashed out.
"Ya wanna tell me exactly why ya ain't back at the prison," He snarled angrily at her, like a disappointed husband.
"I'm so glad you're here," Lane completely ignored Daryl's anger, and instead unbuckled her seatbelt to reach forward to wrap her arms around his shoulders and kiss his cheek.
"Well Well, Darylina. Ya been tapping that fine piece of assss! Way to go! I didn't think ya had it in ya?" Merle swatted the steering wheel good-naturedly and with pride.
"Shut it Merle!" Daryl gave his brother a withering glare, which didn't phase Merle a bit. He also tried that same glare on Lane, but she was making it so damn difficult. Her long hair swirled along his neck and her breath was warm on his cheek. God she smelled so good.
"Why didn't ya go back with Glenn and Maggie back to the prison." Daryl's tone lost his prior sting.
"I told you I would cover you and I meant it. Sorry I was a little late!" she insisted. "But we had to stop for a wardrobe change," Lane looked disparagingly at the dowdy dress she was stillnwearing.
"Ya coulda got yerself killed, Dammit!" Daryl shook his head as the vision of her pulling that handgun from under her skirt still made him hot. He hadn't decided whether he was more terrified or turned on.
"Well, I sure as hell wasn't going to leave you there to fight your own brother to the death," Lane snapped back at him and pulled away, throwing herself back into her seat, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Always did have a way with the ladies, didn't ya Darylina," Merle said sarcastically. "Now I didn't catch yer name yet pretty lady, but if ya want to be treated like a real woman by a real man just come see ol' Merle," Merle cracked himself up, but then struggled to keep the car on the road after Daryl punched him...at least as forceful as you could punch someone trapped in the confines of the car.
"Ya don't touch her Merle! EVER! Ya don't talk to her. Ya don't even think about her!" Daryl ground out.
"Alright Alright. Don't get your shit all up in a wad. I was just teasing ya and yer gal! Seems like old times if ya ask me!" Merle reached over to shove Daryl back, one step above ruffling his hair.
Lane looked over at Michonne and silently shrugged her shoulders in question. Lane didn't know Merle had shot Michonne but Michonne sure as fuck had not forgotten. She was just smart enough to bide her time.
"Meee-Shone! You must have what? 12-13 lives by now?" Merle's words were snarky and casual but his eyes were ice cold and black as he looked back at Michonne in the rear view mirror. Still she was pissed and she was still alive.
"You couldn't kill me, could ya! And how many of your men did I take down? Three or four? No it was 3 wasn't it, Now I remember. You killed Julio though didn't you. He was such a sweet kid! He actually looked up to you. But with your own man. What did you do? Lie and tell the Governor you killed me? And I killed the others? Is that why he threw ya to the wolves?" Michonne snarled, shoving the nose of her gun into the back seat behind Merle.
"Daryl? Merle can't stay with us, You know that?" Lane began to panic, instinctively knowing not only Glenn and Maggie, but also Michonne was telling the truth. Merle already tried to kill Glenn, Maggie and Michonne... and now? what about Rick?"
"Merle! Ya ain't gonna cause no trouble, right? No weapons. We can keep him in "F-block," Daryl looked back to Lane to see if she was in agreement.
"OK! He is your brother," she reached forward to squeeze and rub his right shoulder, pleased when Daryl reached his left hand up and threaded his fingers in hers...admittedly outta sight of Merle..
"Hey! Now I was only acting on orders. The Governor saved my life. I was in a world of hurt...bleedin' out and tweakin'. I woulda left my sorry ass. But the Governor didn't. Instead he picked up my sorry ass up and saved me. Dried me out and he let me stay! He gave me a home at Woodbury," Merle left out that he led those walkers to the quarry camp after he stole the box van. He left out a lot of other things, as well.
"OK...OK! And now you have a new chance. But for now, just stay on your side of the prison until we can smooth this over with everyone. Please Merle？. Don't screw things up," Daryl rubbed his pulsating temples and tried to ignore how badly his head ached.
Lane could also feel how incredibly difficult this was for Daryl. This couldn't have been the reunion he'd imagined or possibly hoped for with his brother. She leaned forward and whispered in his ear, "It'll be ok!"
But still Daryl grew more tense with every mile that passed. How could he possibly look Glenn in the face now? What would they see when they looked at him now? What would Lane think? Her aunts?
He was ashamed to admit that a part of him considered that his problems were one well placed bullet away from being solved. But still, Merle was family. His only family left.
By the time they pulled into the prison Daryl was sweating bullets, dreading the reunion.
Rick and Carl rushed to open the gates and Merle followed the dark path to the yard, parking near the RV.
"Daryl? Glenn and Maggie said there were problems," Rick ran up to the black Humvee. That was when he saw a one-handed Merle exit the driver side.
"Well, Well if it ain't Officer Friendly here to greet me! Did ya bake a pie? I do love pie!" Merle cackled at Rick before Daryl could even begin to explain. Rick immediately reacted by pulling his firearm and Carl followed suit.
"Hey, Hey, no need fer all that Sprout," Merle raised his hand and stump, waggling his stump a little at Carl.
"What the hell is he doing here?" suddenly a bloody and beaten Glenn ran towards Merle, prepared to pull the trigger...and Daryl realized he actually contemplated moving out of the way.
"Hey Chinaman, you looking good," Merle taunted Glenn who lunged forward, a furious Maggie providing cover.
"He's my brother? Glenn? Please... ?Daryl ran foreward at the last minute and grappled Glenn to the ground. "I know what he did...you have no idea, still we need to accept why he'll be staying locked up in block F." Daryl spun around, wild
eyed and crazy as he asked his friends to put aside the atrocities his brother committed.
"OK Daryl... We'll get Merle situated and then we'll talk," Rick ordered calmly.
"Hey You," Lane whispered after waiting over an hour for Daryl to leave Merle locked up in F-block.
"Whatya doin' here?" Daryl snapped and pushed her roughly aside. But Lane jumped in front of him and shoved him back against the cement block walls.
"Don't you do this? Don't you fuckin' dare?" Daryl's eyes widened at her uncharacteristic profanity.
"I stayed to get you back!" Lane yelled at him.
"Yeah? And I told ya not to," Daryl lashed back, standing there clenching his fists despite how much he wanted her in his arms.
"I swear to God, Daryl Dixon!" Lane lashed out and started pummeling his chest. "You Fuckin' infuriate me!"
He let her pummel his chest until she eventually grew exhausted, her tears dampening his shirt. He meant to pull away from her...he really did.
"I thought I'd lost you, Daryl! I've never been so terrified!" and Daryl was the one person who knew the extent of the terror she had known. He looked down into her eyes which were puddled with tears and knew he had no words...he never would. So he acted.
He roughly gripped her hair, threading his fingers in the silky mass so he could turn her face up. He bent down and roughly attacked her lips, hunger and desperation and need driving him. He could actually taste the blood, unsure whether it was his or hers, but not caring.
It was when he felt her hands in his hair that he lost it. He completely expected her to shove him away, so when she responded it pushed him over the edge.
"Fuck!" he groaned and pressed her flat against the wall, lifting her thighs around him so he could get closer.
He felt so amazingly good, more so after almost coming so close to losing him.
"I need you so much! I was so afraid!" she attacked him with equal measure, sliding her hands up under his shirt and raking her nails down his back then snaking her hands down his pants to grip his exquisite ass.
Daryl was turned on beyond anything he'd ever imagined. He wanted to throw her down and take her on floor...Now...or anywhere.
"I want you! Now! Take Me!" she begged/ordered. Daryl stared at her through blurry hazed eyes. Still, the floor was NOT His Lane. He picked her up and started carrying her through the hall.
Lane had never been so desperate and turned on in her entire life. She needed him inside her more than she wanted life at this moment.
"Hurry! I need you inside me now!" she breathed her words into his ear, then licked his pulsing neck.
Daryl looked down into her eyes, filled with desire and heat and he knew he would never see a lovelier sight.
"I'ma make ya pay for that," he looked down at her with desire as he kicked the door open and the interior of the RV was now in sight.
"I am SO counting on it," she purred into his ear and continued torturing him with her tongue.
But when he threw her on the bed and left her to lock the RV door, her confidence suddenly abandoning her. Now she just felt alone. Then he sauntered back.
"Take off yer clothes!" he ordered. If it had been anyone other than Daryl, she'd have been terrified, might have even fought. So she decided there were two ways she could play this: As a victim, or a seductress. She chose option B. and decided he would pay.
He stood at the doorway as she lay sprawled on the bed, half expecting him to order her out. Instead, she slid off the bed and stood in the corner.
While maintaining eye contact, she raised her leg up on the bed and slid the ugly skirt up...not to remove those chunky shoes, but to unstrap the makeshift warrior garters. Daryl struggled to swallow, having never experienced anything so hot. She was his perfect fantasy. He lunged forward.
"Hey! Hey! You gave me an order! You don't want to be considered a man whose orders are not obeyed," she let the ugly skirt fall back around her as she sauntered toward him, biting his chin in challenge.
"I swear to God Gerl!" he warned as his teeth ground together.
"I thought you told me to take off my clothes?" she countered with mock innocence as she fingered the next button.
"Hurry the fuck up," he begged, his dick twitching so uncontrollably in his pants.
"Ok," Lane maintained eye contact with Daryl, then licked her lips. Slowly she unbuttoned the wide belt and let it drop to the floor. Then she slowly fingered the top button, pretending to have trouble.
"Geeerrrrl!" Daryl groaned, knowing he could rip that hideous dress of hers in less than a second. Hell, he couldn't decide what he wanted more. To see her strip, or yank that shit off her body. For the first time in his life it was 'Win Win'.
Lane threw him a bone, and leaned forward to thread her tongue with his. But then reluctantly she pulled away,
She watched his face contort with pleasure and confusion. And she slowly unbuttoned the dress, tossing it on the floor.
Daryl had had enough teasing. He rushed forward to grab holda her, gripping her tight. But Lane thrust her hands against his chest in protest.
"Nah...Nah! You said undress! I'm not nearly undressed...Yet," she replied with a sexy taunt, eyeing her bra and panties.
That was Daryl's snapping point. He grabbed his hunting knife of the counter and sliced her panties and then her bra, watching her face as the fabric flittered to the ground.
Without a sound he hoisted her up and threw her on the bed, shoving his own pants down to the floor. He ran his palm along her spine, gripping her neck then her hips. But he still needed her to say this was OK. It felt too raw, too rough.
He needed to look at her. He reached down and gripped her chin so she would look at him as he entered her.
The fiery need her in eyes drove him over the edge. He never meant to go there, but that look...it pushed him. He held her down and he thrust wildly. He was out of control. He knew she hadn't come yet, but still he came inside her...his dick pulsating. Then he collapsed. Right on top of her.
"Baby? Please Lane? I'm so sorry?" Daryl turned her over and pleaded with her to forgive him.
"What can you possibly be sorry for? For making me feel like the hottest, most desired woman in the world?" Lane raked her nails down his biceps, looking back at him expectantly.
Daryl dove down to devour her lips, as much in relief as desire.
"But it doesn't mean you don't owe me an orgasm," she tortured him a bit more. "I'll start ya a tab? How 'bout that?" she held him so tight, afraid she might die of happiness.
She eventually relaxed when Daryl's breathing finally still and flipped her over to his side, his eyes finally closing and his breathing finally rhythmic.
Lane was half asleep, snuggled securely up into his possesive arms. And she whispered, "I am so in love with you," and she gripped his forearm a bit tighter before she fell asleep.
Daryl knew she was half asleep, but still she had said 'IT'. The 'L' word. Something no-one had ever said to him? He wanted her, that he couldn't deny. But she couldn't possibly love him? Not after tonight? Not after what he'd done to her? And Merle? But still! She was still here, wasn't she? Daryl continued his inner debate even while his hands roamed her naked body.
But Lane had never fallen asleep. She was still way too high from all the adrenaline...and she was still fucking horny as hell. She felt Daryl's hands glancing all over her body, aching for him to grab her harder. She undulated uncontrollably against him in desperate need.
Frustrated beyond belief, she turned around to grind her hips against him.
"I'm sorry...but I just need you so much...Inside me," Lane insisted and begged. She felt Daryl dip two fingers inside her, barely able to control her moan, which Daryl absorbed with his mouth.
"My woman never goes to bed unsatisfied," Daryl moaned into her ear.
"No...I'm not! I mean, I wasn't..." Lane protested, curling away and suddenly feeling ashamed.
"Lane...please?" Daryl begged and forcibly pulled her tight against him, placing his palm against her stomach.
"No Daryl...No, My God Fuck Me," Daryl spooned Lane completely so he could feel every involuntary tremble. Then he cupped her and thrust his middle finger inside.
'Fuck! She's so moist and warm!" Daryl thought then collapsed and moaned into her neck. But Daryl took one look into her desire filled eyes and never felt so loved...so wanted. And in that moment he surrendered.
"Daryl, I want you inside me ...now... when i cum," Lane pleaded. "I know you don't feel the same. But I love you," Lane quivered and held him tight and clamped down. And Daryl thrust, his only way to prove her wrong. Daryl refused to cum, not until she did. But it wasn't until he looked into her eyes, that he fell off the abyss. And they both crashed, tangled in each others arms.
"Yer wrong," were Daryl's last words before he ran his hands down her body and pulled her close.
-rhe walkung daeaf. -/-