Chapter Eight

Something had changed.

The Governor frowned deeply as he sat in his study, gazing out the window of his office with a contemplative expression.

He'd gone to Atlanta as he had the first time, hoping to find Merle Dixon again but his search had turned up nothing. Even the Quarry where he'd driven the walkers the first time around was empty and looked as if those that had occupied it had left only days previous.

Obviously something was different. His mind briefly entertained the idea that this was an alternate universe, a universe that was similar yet different to his own but he quickly dismissed the idea. No, it had to be something else. Something he was missing.

But what?

Was it Rick?

He shook his head. No if it were Rick the man would already be here, trying to kill him before he could become a threat.

Daryl?

Again, no. The hunter would rather be thousands of miles away from him, but he too would've come to killed him the second they arrived in the past, all to protect Rick's children.

His dark eyes narrowed and he growled lowly in frustration.

What was he missing?

Had he gone to the wrong place?

Had he been too late?

A hesitant knock sounded on his door and he turned, scowl twisting into a faux friendly expression.

"Come in."

Penny entered the room, smiling brightly, her lips curled into a happy smile. His faux smile melted into a real one and his heart warmed in his chest.

"Hello, Princess. Is everything alright?"

She nodded and started to ramble about one of the kids in their tiny community, her airy voice forcing his dark thoughts away. He'd think on it another time. For now, he would immerse himself in the presence of his beloved baby girl.

"What's wrong with m' brother?"

Rick looked up at the oldest Dixon, who was glaring down at him with an expression that spoke of pain if he didn't answer. The former cop sighed, putting down the stuff he'd been using to clean his gun. He had been expecting this inquisition sooner and honestly, he was surprised that Merle had held his tongue so long. Beside him, Judy scowled putting down the bolts she'd been carving for her crossbow and turning so she could listen in.

"Alot of it is Daryl's story to tell." Rick responded and Merle's glare deepened.

"Really? I think I have a right to know when I wake up to find my baby brother hysterical and asking me why I didn't save him from something I had no idea about."

The younger man closer his eyes pained, his heart clenching because he knew first hand how painful it was to see the powerful archer so broken after one of his nightmares. To see his strong shoulders shake with silent sobs that he tried so hard to keep to himself and hear the quiet whimpers that left his lips despite his attempts to stop them. The dreams had calmed over the years since his rescue but when they did appear they were horrible and they always left Daryl shattered.

He glanced at Judith, who pursed her lips and turned her gaze to Merle.

"He was kidnapped." She responded softly and Merle inhaled sharply. She continued as if she hadn't heard him, her blue eyes angry and full of grief as she reflected on those horrible two years that Daryl had been gone.

"There was this man, who hated Daddy and he kidnapped Ma to get back at him. He had him for two years. No one knows what exactly happened but we know it wasn't good. Ma was so..."

"Broken." Merle finished for her and she nodded while Rick looked away guiltily. No matter what anyone said, he would always blame himself for the pain Daryl had endured at the Governor's hands. The pain and the terror he still felt with every mention of the man.

Seeing this, Merle sighed and ran a hand over his head wearily.

"Wipe that look off yer face, Officer Friendly. If Daryl got kidnapped and he still wit' ya den it obviously wasn't yer fault. Blamin' yerself will only piss 'im off."

Blinking the former sheriff nodded slowly, watching as his brother-in-law stretched, uncomfortably.

"Daryl and Carl should be back soon. I'll talk to Daryl and see if I can help him a bit."

Judith shook her head.

"I'll do it. Wanted to talk to Carly 'nyways."

Rick nodded, as did Merle, both men knowing the archer would just clam up, not wanting to burden the little girl but unwilling to refuse her. Then exchanging a few more words, Merle turned and walked away with a troubled look in his eyes.

Just as Daryl had promised both He and Carl came strolling into the camp only thirty minutes before sunset, each carrying a wire holding four rabbits and covered in dirt.

"Good hunt?" Merle asked and his brother nodded, grinning a tiny grin of pride.

"Carl's a good hunting buddy unlike his pa." He said, throwing a teasing smirk in Rick's direction.

The sheriff pouted slightly, then chuckled, kissing his husband chastely. Another flash of insecurity graced those storm colored eyes but was quickly smothered and Lori gave an aggravated snort.

The couple ignored her, pulling away so that Daryl could embrace Judith.

"Mama, c'n I sit with you on watch tonight?" The child asked and he smiled warmly.

" 'course. Yer my Lil Asskicker, remember. That means ya c'n come on watch whenever ya want to as long as me or yer daddy are there."

She giggled, shocking the campers who had seen her snap on Lori earlier that day.

"He isn't your mom." Lori sneered. "I am."

Daryl glared at her, lips curling into a violent snarl.

"I've raised her since she was but a newborn pup. She is mine. Not yours. Not Shane's. Not Rick's. Mine. Carl is mine. And you would do well to remember that."

Lori glared back, fury dominating her delicate features.

"No! You may have stolen my husband, you filthy whore, but you will not take my children! I may not have had her yet but she is still mine! Whether you like it or not, you will never be their true mother."

Something dark and dangerous flashed in the hunter's stormy gaze, although his face remained blank.

Rick placed a hand one his husband's shoulder.

"Daryl-"

"Whore." The soft spoken word made everyone stare at the younger Dixon, who's lips slowly twisted into a dark smile.

"You fucked your husband's best friend while he was lying in a hospital dying then left him in a hospital full of Walkers with no protection but a door with his gurney pushed up against it. While he was thought to be dead you continued to fuck his friend, a union which in my future led to the birth of my daughter. Even now, after Rick has returned married you continue to chase him. I have been married to Rick for six long years and I've known him even longer. I've never willingly been unfaithful, nor have i willingly borne another man's child. If anyone is a whore here, Lori, it's you. Stay the fuck away from my children, or you'll find yourself unable to wake in the morning."

TBC...

Lori just doesn't learn does she?