Honorable Intentions

Chapter 5: Scar Tissue

"When I press my forehead to his back, the shape of his pain is alluring, almost visible. It forms him, tells him to protect himself, makes him everything he is. He needs to keep it." ― Brenna Yovanoff

The skin was stretched taut over her cheek, hot and tight beneath her fingers. She could still feel the blow, the roughness of his palm followed by the whip crack that snapped her head around. She tasted copper and salt as her flesh split, sending a warm stream trickling down her throat. The next few minutes were a blur, a confused jumble of images and emotions that she didn't have the strength to untangle. She let herself be led away, like a child trailing after her mother, as Miranda Morales slid a supporting arm around her waist and steered her toward the camp. She put one foot in front of the other by rote, her mind an unruffled pond too deep and remote to register the day's events. Two things were clear, her husband had put his hands on her again and Daryl Dixon had stepped in like an avenging angel to stop it.

As they entered the camp, Sophia immediately came running and wound her arms around her mother's waist, sobbing into her shirt. "We heard the shouting but he wouldn't let me get close. He told me he'd get you, momma. Are you okay? Is Daryl coming? Are you alright?"

Carol laughed, earning a startled look from the others who noticed the bruise riding high on her cheek. She winced, covering her swollen jaw with her hand, but couldn't contain the laughter bubbling out of her. "I'm fine, baby. I'm okay, Don't you worry." She knelt, pulling Sophia into a loose hug. "Don't you worry," she repeated in a fierce undertone, closing her eyes and breathing in the scent of her little girl's hair…a mix of lavender and sunshine.

"Carol," Miranda's gentle voice interrupted the moment. "We need to get something on your face."

She gave her daughter a reassuring smile before allowing the woman to pull her toward one of the lawn chairs sitting before the RV. Carol eased down, letting the aches and pains clamoring for her attention finally come to the fore. Her side throbbed and her jaw kept time with her pulse beat. They didn't have ice but Miranda scrounged up a cool cloth and tucked it gently into Carol's hand. "Thank you," Carol murmured. A kind pat on her shoulder was her only answer, allowing Carol a moment to gather herself. When the Cherokee pulled into camp a few moments later, she was able to keep her fear and disgust from her face. It didn't stop her heart from skipping a few beats when he rolled out of the passenger seat and moved purposefully toward the back with his crossbow unslung.

The others, who were unaware of what had happened down by the water, gasped audibly as Ed's prone form was pulled rudely from the back of the truck and shoved in the general direction of the tent. Daryl stood guard as Shane made his way to the RV for the rudimentary medical kit they'd scraped together. He gave Carol and the others a reassuring nod before hurrying back the way he'd come. As Ed ducked out with a bundle in hand, Shane shoved the kit into his chest with a low-voiced order to clean up his face. Ed shot her a venomous look, but took out a bundle of gauze and gingerly wiped at his bleeding lip.

Sophia knelt by her mother's side, her eyes wide and wondering. "Did Daryl do all that?" She asked in an awe filled whisper. Carol put a hand on her daughter's shoulder, not knowing what to say. The girl shouldn't see her father beaten and bloody but he'd never had the same concern about her seeing her mother that way. The irony wasn't lost on Carol, but she chose to ignore it. Sophia's gaze moved from the unfolding scene to her mother's concerned face. She touched Carol's swollen cheek softly. "I won't say that I'm glad he did it," the girl whispered. "I know it's wrong to be happy but I am. He hurt you, Momma. I couldn't help you but I'm glad somebody did."

Carol sucked in a breath, her heart heavy at the latent guilt in her girl's tone. "Sophia, baby, don't do that. You're a child, a smart and beautiful girl, but still a child. I won't tell you that you're wrong to feel the way you do but don't let it take you over. I don't hate your father. I hate what he did and I wish that you didn't have to see it but I don't hate. I wish you wouldn't either."

"I'll try, Momma," the girl promised. "I will but I don't want him to hurt you anymore. Can they make him stop? Can't he just go away and leave us here?"

Carol winced as she pressed the cloth too hard against her battered cheek. Could she promise her girl such a thing? It certainly looked like that's exactly what Shane and Daryl had in mind but that didn't mean that Ed would go quietly. The man was a coward at heart, a tyrant who thrived on having power over something smaller and weaker. He wouldn't give them up easily, nor would he forget that she'd walked away from him without a backwards glance. He would make her pay one way or another if he could. "I don't know, Sophia. I don't know what's going to happen but we're going to be okay no matter what. I promise you that. We will be fine."

"Damned right," a gravelly voice broke in, pulling Carol's head around in surprise. "I told you I'd take care of it, girl." She looked up into a pair of guarded blue eyes watching her intently. Carol looked past him to where her husband was tossing his pack into the Cherokee while Shane topped off the tank. Ed caught her eye, his look positively murderous. She recoiled, her hand tightening on the cloth, pulling another wince from her. Muttered oaths made her look up, seeing that Daryl had witnessed the exchange. "His sorry ass is asking for another beating," Daryl growled, hand tightening on his crossbow. "Don't let him bother you. He's leaving as soon as he gets his shit together."

"What?" Carol stuttered. "He's leaving? But how did…who?"

He raised a brow at her tone, turning his body to the side and looking at her from the corner of his eye. "He's leavin," he repeated. "I made it clear what would happen if he bothers you or your girl again."

She couldn't stop the tears that welled up, or the stupidly grateful expression she turned his way. His face flamed, a dull red climbing from the collar of his shirt to his hairline. He fidgeted, shifting from foot to foot as he avoided looking directly at her. "I don't know what to say," she mumbled. "I can't…"

"Don't," he interrupted, wide-eyed and red-faced. "Just don't. It ain't nothing. Just don't." He stepped away hurriedly, still avoiding her eyes. She opened her mouth to say something; anything but it was Sophia that brought him up short.

Her daughter darted after the man, her hand catching his arm and bringing him to an abrupt halt. "Thank you," she told him softly. An uncertain smile briefly quirked his lips up before he blanked his expression. He gave her a curt nod and shrugged off her hand before heading back the way he'd come.

Carol watched with interest as both he and Shane flanked Ed Peletier and hurried him into the cab. She couldn't hear what was said but the stiff set of Daryl's shoulders and the cold glare Ed turned in her direction spoke volumes. "Let that be the last time you lay eyes on her if you want to keep your fucking eyes," Daryl rasped loud and clear. Carol's jaw dropped as the color faded from Ed's face before he cranked the engine and slammed the truck into gear. She watched in disbelief as the Cherokee pulled out and disappeared in a cloud of dust with Shane's Jeep following closely behind.

Daryl spared her and Sophia a look before he headed back down the path toward the water. Sophia made as if to go with him, but stopped to look uncertainly at her mother. "Go ahead, baby," Carol murmured. Sophia tossed her a thankful grin and ran to catch up. Carol held her breath, waiting for him to send the girl away. Instead, she bit her lip to keep a smile from breaking free as he merely tilted his head, motioning for Sophia to come on already.

"He's good for her," Miranda said softly at Carol's side. "And she's good for him." She replaced the cloth with a fresh one and laid a gentle hand on Carol's shoulder. "The others should be back soon. I think we'll get supper ready, yes?"

"That sounds like a good idea," Carol smiled and climbed gingerly to her feet. "They'll probably be hungry."

The two chatted amiably as they lit the tiny camp stove and began preparations for the evening meal.

Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

The return from Atlanta didn't exactly go according to plan. The Korean kid, Glenn, came burning up the dirt road in a wailing banshee of a muscle car and shrugged when Shane asked him what the hell he thought he was doing. The box truck following behind held a few other surprises, not all of them entirely welcome. The tall man in a deputy uniform stumbled and then fell as the boy, Carl, plowed into him screaming "Dad" at the top of his lungs. The woman, Lori, stood at the edge of the group, her mouth working soundlessly as she watched her back from the dead husband and her son untangle themselves.

Daryl watched the show with a half an eye, flicking a glance toward Shane Walsh, trying to gauge his reaction to this unexpected appearance. The man stood frozen, a smile tugging at his lips but his eyes looked lost and confused. He looked like he'd seen a damned ghost and from what Daryl had heard of the story, that's what the man, Rick, might as well be. He made a mental note to keep an eye on the situation, which had all the ear marks of a shit storm if things didn't play out just right.

The only person who watched the joyful reunion with less enthusiasm than Shane was Merle. His brother stood back from the rest, arms crossed over his chest and a frown pulling his brows together. Something glinted at his brother's wrists, something that looked suspiciously like handcuffs. Merle caught his eye and shook his head warningly. Leave it alone, little brother. Daryl shrugged, letting his attention wander back to the woman and the girl instead of wondering what had happened in Atlanta. Merle would tell him when he felt like it, or not. He'd learned a long time ago to stay the fuck out of his brother's business unless invited.

The two of them had been quiet for most of the evening, sticking close together despite the celebratory air that hung over the camp. The successful run into town combined with a bigger than usual dinner had set a mellow mood for everyone except the woman and her girl. He watched as the girl edged closer to her momma, her thin arms encircling the woman's waist as she buried her face in her shoulder. Carol rocked her gently, her lips moving soundlessly as she tucked the girl's head beneath her chin. It took him a minute to realize she was singing softly, rocking in time with the tune. His breath caught an unfamiliar knot in his throat as he watched them.

He was so caught up that he didn't notice his brother making his way over until Merle elbowed him hard in the side and motioned for him to follow. Daryl swallowed hard but trailed after his brother without a word. Anything else would be asking for a slap to the back of the head if he was lucky, or an ass kicking if he wasn't. He knew from experience that it was best to let Merle have his say. He had a good guess what this little talk was going to cover. Ed Peletier's hasty exit had been covered a couple of times already. Merle hadn't let on, merely lifting a brow when Shane revealed Daryl's part in helping Ed along. That didn't mean that he was going to let it go, just that he was biding his time. Dixons didn't stick their nose in where it didn't belong. He was about to be reminded of that fact in true Merle fashion.

"Thought I told you to keep your ass away from that bitch and her kid," Merle wasted little time once they were out of earshot of the others. "You trying to play hero, boy? Want to be a big man for a change, is that it?"

Daryl's stiffened avoiding his brother's accusing gaze as he stared off into the tree line. "Fucker deserved what he got," he returned gruffly. "Shane woulda done it if I hadn't. He knocked the shit out of her, bro."

Merle snorted under his breath. "And how's that your problem? You got a soft spot for her and think she's going to be grateful enough to let you get your dick wet? Woman like that, she don't want a scruffy piece of shit redneck, brother. You busted up your knuckles for nothing. Best to let Officer Friendly and his sidekick sort out the trash. Ain't nothing to us."

"I know it ain't my problem," Daryl grated out. "Ain't gonna stand by and let that little gal watch her momma get slapped around if I can help it. That fucker deserved what he got. He comes back and he'll wish he was dead before I'm done."

Merle backed him against a tree truck, his fist knotted in Daryl's shirt and his eyes burning. "You listen to what I'm telling you," Merle snarled. "She ain't your problem. She's not your blood. Leave them be, Daryl."

The rough surface of the bark bit into his back as he shifted in a futile attempt to loosen Merle's grip on his shirt. Anger flared up, hot and bright; as it moved him to do something he rarely did…defy his brother. "No," he bit out, shoving Merle's hands aside. His brother's eyes widened, looking at him like he'd never seen him before. "You heard me, asshole," he continued. "I said no. I don't get in your way so stay the hell out of mine."

Merle bit back a smile, holding up a placating hand. "Don't get your panties in a twist, Darylina. I'm just looking out for you. Leave it to your dumb ass to set your heart on a lost cause." He chuckled softly, ignoring the mulish expression on Daryl's face. "You want to play house with the mouse and her kit, don't let me stop you. She might even take to you for a while. Don't count on that holding out for long. She'll jump as soon as a better offer comes along. Maybe ole Merle will show her what a real man looks like."

Daryl shoved his brother into the tree, his arm braced across his throat before he even registered that he'd moved. "You don't fucking touch her," he spat. "She just got rid of one asshole. She don't need another one." Merle's muffled laughter jolted him out of his anger induced haze. He dropped his arm and took a hasty step back but his expression didn't change. "Leave them be," he ordered tonelessly.

Merle nodded silently and watched in amusement as Daryl gathered up his crossbow before disappearing into the dark. Little brother got a little hotheaded when it came to the woman and her girl. Merle didn't understand the fascination but now his curiosity had been kindled. He wouldn't touch but damned if he wouldn't keep his eyes open.

End ch. 5…..

A/N Apologies for the wait for this chapter. Season 4 has caused me angst so I've had a few other things catch my attention. Hopefully, this chapter didn't disappoint. As stated before, this story will be mostly canon compliant with some AU tweaks. Let me know what you think by leaving a review if it pleases you. I appreciate you taking time to read my stories.