A/N: I just have to thank you all so much for your continued support. This story is up to 124 follows and 103 reviews. You have no idea how much I look forward to those email notices that someone had reviewed.

So glad to see some old friends back. Sarcupcake, so glad you are writing and reviewing again. If you haven't already read her, I highly recommend. And to all those that have stuck with me, even thru the dry spells

Anyway, I'm not loving this chapter but hopefully I'll make it up to u soon. Sometimes I have to get thru it to get where I wanna go.

30 more minutes until more Walking Dead and Daryl Dixon.

Chapter 11: Preparing for Attack

"We've been out here for hours," Daryl leaned against the tree while Merle pissed. Daryl was pissed, cranky and something worse. It was an uncomfortable and unfamiliar feeling. Loneliness. He didn't know that was what they called this awful, uncomfortable feeling of desolate hopelessness... But it was like he'd lost a part of himself.

They'd holed up in an old abandoned cabin last night, then simply headed further into the woods at first light.

"Ain't nuthin but ants and mosquitos out here. We'd be better off raiding them houses back by the highway." Daryl finally spoke while Merle took a piss.

"Is that what them pansies taught ya. To loot yer bootie? Always did fine on yer own before. Ya sure ya ain't just trying to get me back over towards the prison?" Merle zipped his fly up and spun around, glaring at Daryl.

"At least there was food, shelter...a pot to piss in," Daryl had gotten used to his way of life and the idea of sleeping in trees, eating nothing but squirrel and wiping his ass with leaves lost a lot of its appeal. Suddenly surviving just to survive didn't seem so great.

"Yea...fer you. Me? All I got ta look forward to is a life sentence in lockup," Merle snarled, not taking kindly to continually being incarcerated by Rick Grimes or Daryl's preoccupation with returning.

"I did plenty of time before all this shit. Don't plan on doing more. Yer just itchin to get back to that piece of ass ya was tapping? Cain't say I blame ya. I'm actually proud of ya, cuz she was hot. But there'll be others. Always are." Merle chuckled and slapped Daryl on the back.

"Shut the fuck up Merle! You don't know what the hell yer talkin' 'bout!" Daryl grunted. Merle's perception was much to close to the truth.

Everything had all happened so fast yesterday and he still couldn't believe he'd just left her...to go off with Merle.

He'd been the closest to what he thought might resemble happiness yesterday morning. He could still smell her hair and remember how it tickled his chest. And now he was out here stuck listening to Merle and putting up with his bullshit. He'd somehow managed to forget just how annoying his brother was.

But the way Rick had barged in with his rigid stance and ultimatums, sounding more like Shane than the Rick he'd grown to like and respect had left him with no choice. Rick hadn't seemed like himself but once Merle was free he had just been dragged along...caught up in the momemtum.

"Don't matter none anyway, Bro. They're all already dead by now. Governor was planning a nice little house warming party. So unless yer itchin' ta hurry back and break yer back buryin' dem pussies, I suggest we go check the river...look fer some fish," Merle didn't even wait to see how his words affected Daryl. He just walked ahead and spitting at the dirt, expecting Daryl to follow dutifully behind.

Daryl sighed as he thought on Merle's words. What was Lane doing today? What did Rick tell her about why he left? Would she have come with him if he'd asked? Could he have asked her? And subject her to this? The dialogue in his head made his temples ache.

But he couldn't live with himself if he did nothing, that he knew. The thought of Lane and the others being slaughtered turned his stomach. And by the Governor? And Rick, Carl, Judith...Carol. They were more than family. They'd called him family and treated him better than his own ever had. And the images in his head of Lane being killed by the Governor .,,,no way!.

"FUCK THAT! I'm going back! I ain't gonna let 'em just be slaughtered...not by that fucker! If ya know what this asshole's plan is ya best tell me now," Daryl stopped walking and turned and started heading back in the direction of the prison.

"Are you fuckin' shittin' me Darlina? Yer really wanna go back? After what they did ta us?" Merle accused as he stormed forward to catch up with his brother.

"I ain't just lettin' 'em die! No way!" Daryl stepped forward to face Merle, fully prepared for the impact of Merle's fist. But it wasn't going to change what he was gonna do.

But Merle held back and simply stood there, reading and processing the changes in Daryl. The set of his jaw...the glint in his eye. He was no longer the submissive younger brother he'd always known. Daryl was a much different person than when he'd left. He'd become a man.

"And what do you think yer gonna do about it?" Merle shoved down his automatic response and instead chuckled as he taunted.

"Kill the Governor!" Daryl looked Merle right in the eye as he promised. "Plan to do it before he attacks. But either way, I'm gonna kill him."

"Sorry Bro. If we go back, that's my prize. But do ya really think yer gonna save yer gurlie? Ride in an' save the day like yer some Prince Fucking Charming?" Merle continued pushing, instinct telling him much of this 'new' Daryl was because of the girl.

"Fuck off! If ya ain't gonna help then get outta here," Daryl spat on the ground and started marching back.

Merle stood back, more than a little shocked and worried. If he didn't help, Daryl'd be walkin' into an ambush...and then he really would be alone. He was under no illusions. Nobody other than Daryl could stand to be around him. And for the first time since all this began Merle actually felt afraid.

"Like I told Blondie. Ya always were the soft one." Merle ran a little faster to catch up with Daryl before he continued. "If ya wanna get there in time we gonna need ta get us a car. Suppose we need ta head back to the highway."

Merle caught Daryl's look of suspicion...as if he was waiting for the catch. Obviously wondering what Merle really did want.

"Whatever. Just don't be fuckin' with me Merle!" Daryl's voice was so strong and forceful. It was so different than normal that Merle's head snapped up. What the hell had these folks done to his brother?

-/-

"What makes ya think they'll even let us back in?" Merle was still pissed about the change of plan. Daryl drove the old beater truck they'd 'borrowed' down the railroad tracks behind the prison.

"Fer once Merle. Just keep yer trap shut and let me do the talkin'." Daryl grunted, unable to admit how scared he really was that they wouldn't take him back. Not that he and Merle couldn't survive on their own. But these past two days he'd come to realize there was a hell of a difference between surviving and living.

They slowly drove up to the, now familiar, rear gate and Daryl cautiously waved his crossbow out of the window in the hope they would open the gate. To his relief the gate opened immediately.

"Daryl! Thank God you came back!" Carol was on guard with one of the new guys and she immediately raced to open the gate. Her eyes were flooded with tears and she hugged him tightly when he got out of the truck to help her resecure the gates.

"Rick's being sedated again. We really need you." she whispered into his ear as she held on for dear life. "It's bad! Really bad!"

"Hey there Carol! Don't I get one of yer personal greetings too?" Merle was convinced he was charming, and in no way repulsive. But the way Carol recoiled, told him otherwise. Which pissed him off. It had been the same thing his whole life...,and why he stuck with skanks and whores. What were a few STD's afterall?

"Merle says the Governor and his men are coming. Get the new guy and fall back," Daryl eyeballed Alan who hurried to Carol's side immediately. This guy might be ok, he thought.

-/-

"Daryl's back!" Beth and Carl came running into the cell block, literally vibrating with excitement. "With Merle! Carol just let them in."

Ethel and Miriam both screamed aloud with joy...but not Lane. Lane's lungs suddenly refused to work and so many conflicting thoughts were firing in her brain. She felt euphoria, relief, raging fury, worry, terror...it was all just too much. The strength began dissipating from her legs and she had to hold onto the table for support. She couldn't deal with this now.

"That's good news. Ya'll welcome the Dixons and get them settled...if they're willing to stay. I better take these to the rear towers," Lane swallowed the confusing emotions that suddenly consumed her, and focused on the tasks at hand.

"But Lane?" Ethel ran to her niece, disturbed by the empty look in her eyes.

"Go on. We'll handle it," Miriam stepped up, sensing that Lane needed some time to compose herself.

Lane hauled up the canvas bags on her now slender shoulders and hurried out the back halls to race toward the rear towers. Her only thought...He came back.

-/-/-

"Daryl...Merle! We are so glad you came back," Ethel welcomed Daryl with open arms and a huge hug, never once mentioning his abrupt departure. She patted his back then shoved him in front of her to run her hands down his arms, sizing him up.

"Young man...you need some food. And rest!" Ethel clucked and scolded, but Daryl knew it was out of real concern. It felt strange to have someone so concerned for him for no other reason than they cared.

"Leave the boy alone, Luv...we need them to take a look at what we have to work with, now," Miriam quickly took over and lead Merle and Daryl to see the newly acquired arsenal.

"Merle...you are most familiar with what we're up against. Does this even out the odds?" Miriam ignored everything she'd heard about Merle and treated him no different than anyone else she'd just met.

"Damn Fuckin' Straight!" Merle whistled appreciatively, easing his sinewy arm around Miriam's shoulders. She'd grown up around men like Merle and knew the things they were most interested in were weapons, booze and sex. Often all three simultaneously.

"How? These weren't here when we left?" Daryl reached for the nearest semi-automatic, all too familiar with their previous lack of weapons and ammo.

"Lane and some of the new folks. They went out yesterday and found the prison armory," was all Miriam offered.

"Everyone make it back?" Daryl asked quietly, his voice barely a whisper. And his use of 'everyone' fooled nobody. He needed to know if Lane had made it back. And why she wasn't here.

Miriam nodded yes, her heart aching for them both. To hopefully find their way back to each other.

"Where is she?" Daryl's head snapped up, suddenly abandoning any pretense as to who he was talking about.

"She's delivering weapons and supplies to the towers," Miriam answered but had to grab Daryl and pull him back when he tried to leave and go after her. She turned him so she could look him in his eyes.

"Daryl, I suggest you wait...she's gonna need some time," Miriam's sharp blue pierced his in warning.

Daryl pulled away but only to pace. He spun around at least five times as he tried to sort his torrent of emotions. He longed to go catch up to her...to act like the last day was nothing more than an awful dream. That it never happened. That he had never left her to face an army with nothing more than cripples, children, and the insane. To apologize!

But it had and he did. And now he had to live with it. Carol, Hershel, Glenn and Maggie and the others all finally entered the block. To his amazement, he was welcomed with open arms. They'd seemed to come to terms with the fact that if they wanted Daryl to stay, then they would have to make room for Merle. That room would still be cell block F, but he could stay.

But while Carol, Maggie and even Glenn welcomed him back, it was Beth that seemed not ready to forgive him. She just held Lil' Ass Kicker and glared at him.

"The Governor is planning to attack. Prob'ly today! It's why we came back," Daryl explained to the group that had congregated.

"Is this just a warning or were you planning on staying with us?" Beth stepped forward, still furious with Daryl.

"Beth!" Lane scolded and walked in, all eyes suddenly on her.

"We ALL need to thank the Dixons for coming back and letting us know what we might expect." Lane swallowed her anger and tamped down her emotions.

"It's up to them if they want to stay. Regardless of what you two decide, we will appreciate any assistance or knowledge you have to share. You've seen our recently acquired artillery. Any brilliant ideas ?" Lane stepped up as the de facto leader, her tone firm and conciliatory.

"Well, I can tell ya right now, this is gonna surprise the shit out of them. They also don't know there's this many of ya." Merle admitted, recalling how shocked he'd been to learn this rag-tag bunch took the prison.

"He also figures ya'll are beaten down and weak so that it won't matter when they attack." Merle seemed to transfer from redneck asshole to decent soldier ...when he was treated as such.

"Woodbury and the Governor took some hits as well. What kind of numbers could we be talking about?" Lane asked, pleased when Michonne finally joined them.

"Maybe twenty max!" Merle and Michonne both were aware of another four men that died while Merle was trying to kill her.

"But one thing the Guv likes to do is wave the white flag...then ambush. It's how they took the Guardsmen down," even Merle felt shame for that.

"Thanks for that Merle. Ok... This is the plan. Two to a tower so take naps and such. You'll likely be there until they attack. We keep walkie chatter to a minimum and we rotate channels every hour or after we initiate in case they are listening." Lane rattled off instruction, her old CEO self emerging.

"I left lists in each tower so we are all on the same page. But if all hell breaks loose, we go to 40. Assume all ears are listening!"

"Hershel, Beth and Carl? We need you to take Judith to the infirmary and also to take care of Rick. You don't leave until one of us comes to tell you its safe." Lane continued.

"Tyreese and Sasha, have tower 1, Alan and Ben 2, Maggie and Glenn 3. Merle and Daryl are ya'll staying for the fireworks?" Lane asked Merle rather than Daryl.

"Sure thing, Sugar. Ya want us ta take 4? Oh and where are you gonna be?" Merle asked more for Daryl than his own need to know.

"The roof. Hopefully I'll see them first. Was there any talk of a split attack? Hit us on one side and come at us at the other?" Lane again conversed just with Merle.

"I'd bet on it!" Merle whistled again, this time in admiration.

"In light of this...no one leaves their position. Michonne and myself...plus my aunts and Carol will be prepared to swing in and reinforce when the real action starts without anyone else abandoning their posts," Lane ordered, no one even questioning her plan.

Most of them just stood in awe, accepting that this young woman had somehow prepared them for battle better than Sun Tzu's Art of War.

"Hours may be long and tedious. Those of us on swing will rotate around to relieve individuals for breaks, and food." Lane insisted. "I've set weapons and ammo in every tower so grab what else you might need and head out." Lane finished, relieved by new looks of optimism on everyone's face. They actually believed they would win...and that was half the battle.

-/-/-

"Yer gerl don't seem so keen on ya no more? Guess ya should have kissed her goodbye" Merle cackled as soon as they took their positions in the southeast tower. He thought he'd be happier about the cold distance between Daryl and Lane. But to see her step up... giving orders...passing out those HK's. Hell, he'd thought it hot. He hated to admit it but he kinds liked her...and her lesbo aunts.

"Fuck you, Merle. I left her alone to face all this with nuthin' but cripples and orphans. What the hell'd she want with me now?" Daryl spit over the window and grabbed the gun a little tighter. "We're just muscle!"

"So that's it then? That's what ya really think?" Merle frowned as he asked.

"That's it," Daryl mumbled, hating to admit it to himself much less out loud. But what other choice did he have? So, he would do what he could. And make sure she made it out alive.

-/-/-

"What's with giving Daryl the cold shoulder?" Michonne took up position beside Lane on the roof. They'd had to fashion a rope ladder to climb out of the third floor window to reach the top. But it gave them a tremendous 360 degree view. Lane lifted the binoculars to check on each of the towers, pleased that everyone seemed to be settled in.

""I was very polite. More so than some others. Besides, what does it matter?" Lane raised a brow as she looked at Michonne. She hardly knew her...or Daryl.

"Cause it seems stupid to throw away something really good ...especially when you never know when it's going to get TAKEN from you," Michonne tried not bring her own losses into the equation, but it was impossible. Lane dropped the binoculars to look at Michonne, perplexed by the change in the woman. She was usually so stand-offish.

"In case you missed it, I was the one being thrown away." Lane shot back, immediately faced with the crushing hurt of the memory.

"And he came back," Michonne reminded quietly. "And we really don't know what happened do we? Just what Rick told us." she continued to make her point. Michonne wasn't sure what it was about these people but they seemed to have this ability to snake their way into her heart.

Lane was quiet as she thought about what Michonne said. Hadn't she herself accused Rick of running him off...not really giving him a chance. He chose his brother. What would she do if Rick forced her to choose between Daryl or her aunts?

"Yea," Lane muttered. "I don't know. But it may not even matter if we get our asses kicked."

"Don't know about you, but I have no intention of getting my ass kicked. Least not by that fucker that calls himself Governor " Michonne glared over the yard, her eyes filled with retribution.

-/-

All the sitting and watching...and incessant thinking was getting on Lane's nerves. She was desperate for a break from herself.

"Hey. Any action?" Michonne slid back into position next to her, bringing more water and some sandwiches.

"Nope! Nada! Nothing. This waiting is driving me nuts. We can't sustain this level of intensity for very long," Lane brushed the hair from her eyes and took another sweep of the tree line.

"Go take a break. Plus I think the Dixons could use a spot of relief as well. See...they hung the the rag," Michonne pointed out in the distance. Sure enough, one of Daryl's red rags was hanging out of the tower window.

"Can't you go?" Lane begged, then immediately shrank back in shame. What the hell was wrong with her. Daryl's brother had just shot Michonne...tried like hell to kill her. And all she had was hurt feelings?

"Sorry! I'll go," Lane nodded to Michonne who stared back at her with a strange look of pity and understanding.

-/-

Lane stopped by to check on her aunts and Carol and then by the infirmary, dropping off fresh food and water. Ethel and Miriam already had food baskets packed and ready to deliver so reluctantly grabbed one and a thermos of coffee and headed toward the Dixon tower.

To be continued...