Chapter Ten

Home.

Something seemed to relax in each of the time-travelers as they took in the looming walls of the place that had been their home for so long, reveling in the grimey walls and the walker infested yard. Only Daryl seemed to remain tense, his storm-colored gaze flitting from place to place as they set up camp in the part of the yard they'd cleared. Paranoia lined every inch of his slim frame and even as the others settled around the fire, it didn't calm in the slightest.

Surprisingly…or not depending on who you asked, Merle was the first to comment on it.

"Darylina, wha's got yer panties in a twist?"

His younger brother glanced at him.

"Someone else has been here. Look at th' yard, less Walkers. Someone's been cleanin' house."

The time-travelers tensed and looked around finally noticing what their hunter had. When they had originally arrived at the Prison the yard had been crawling with undead, now however, there were only thirty or so of them mulling around with their haunting groans and grunts.

Who had been in their home?

Were they still in it?

"Glenn, Shane, Daryl. Come with me. We need to sort this out now."

The three men nodded, the latter sending a nervous glance at the tree line. As they went Merle stared after them with a scowl.

"Why's m' brother so nervous?" He asked Judith and she bit her lip.

"This didn' happen las' time. Mama's pro'ly got 'n idea."

He nodded, glancing at the forest just in time to see a flash of something vanishing back into the darkness. He frowned and pulled his little niece closer. The girl smiled gratefully and sighed, falling into a fitful sleep.

Meanwhile, the other time travelers were tense staring off into the forest as the tension they had released upon seeing their home returned with a vengeance. Even Hershel wore a deep frown, his lips pursed as he stared off into the forest.

Shockingly, it was Carol that broke the silence a soft but strained smile on her lips.

"Did Pookie ever tell y'all how Rick lost his beard?"

Everyone stared at her, and Maggie shook her head curiously.

"Rick had a beard?" Lori asked and all of the time-travelers nodded.

"Yep. There wasn't a way to shave and he kind of liked it so he let it grow out. Daryl didn't like it though, especially after it revealed their relationship to the entire prison."

Merle raised an eyebrow. "A beard revealed their relationship?"

Carol nodded, chuckling softly. "None of us know exactly how long they were together before we found out because they hid it from everyone, even Carl. We only found out because Rick left a beard burn on Daryl's throat without him knowing. When Carl asked him about it, you'd a thought he would pass out with how bad he was blushin'."

Michonne nodded in agreement and took over. "Right afterwards, Daryl marched him up to their cell and forced him to shave his beard with a hunting knife. Couldn't have minded to much because he started letting him have a little stubble."

Everyone laughed and looked up as their missing members reappeared, a very familiar pancho cladding Daryl's slim frame.

Each of the time-traveler's grinned at the familiar cloth.

"It was still there?"

Daryl nodded, removing it and wrapping it around Judith with a glare that dare anyone to protest.

"Our prison seems to have merged with the one in this time. All of the traps and rooms are still in place, so we can just go on in."

"Any clue who was here?"

Rick shook his head.

"They didn't leave much to go on so nothing concrete." He gathered Judith in his arms.

"Let's go. We can talk about it in the morning."

"Sir, a group has taken the prison."

The Governor frowned deeply. It couldn't be Rick's group, it was too early for them to have arrived.

So who?

"How many are there?"

"Four children, and eighteen adults."

No, definitely no Rick's group. There were entirely too many people for it to be and his people.

Looks like he had to go secure the Prison again.

"Ready our men. We leave at dawn."

The man in front of him nodded, respectfully and bowed his head.

"Yes, sir."

Once he was gone, the Governor narrowed his eyes and clasped his hands together beneath his chin.

Would they even be necessary in wiping out this new group of players? After all, eeven if he didn't like Grimes he had to admit that the traps the man set surrounding all of the Prison's resources were something to be admired. Even he hadn't been able to disable the stupid things.

Whoever was at the prison now didn't stand a chance.

Still, his lips quirked into a dangerous smile, it wouldn't hurt to help the traps along.

"You lied." Daryl murmured softly as he lay curled in his husband's arms for the first time since this entire time-travel madness had started. "You and I both know exactly who was here."

Rick's arms tightened around him.

"Yes." The elder responded, knowing better than to lie to the hunter. The archer had an uncanny ability to catch him in even the smallest lie and it would only enrage him if he lied about something this serious.

"Why?"

"Would you rather deal with the madness that would be created if I tell the truth?"

"Carl and Michonne are gonna be pissed."

Rick sighed quietly and cupped his lover's face, forcing him to look up.

"They will be…but they'll get over it. We've waited too long to kill him and it needs to be done."

Daryl glared at him. "Ya think I don' know that?" He hissed. "I know better th'n anyone exactly what that bastard is capable of!"

A guilty smile crossed his husband's lips before the kissed him chastely. "I know. I'm sorry."

"His spy was in the woods." Daryl whispered and Rick nodded.

"We'll be up and ready before Dawn."

Michonne frowned deeply as she took in the pacing form of her leader, keen eyes watching as he continued to send furtive glances at the gate. Her and Daryl were both positioned in the West guard tower with Merle, while Shane, Dale and Glenn waited in the East tower, both towers having been ordered to keep their guns trained on the forest.

"What's going on Daryl?"

"He's coming." The archer whispered. Fear and hate thick in his voice and she stilled, while Merle glanced between them warily.

"Who?"

Daryl turned back to the trees, the color draining from his face as nine men emerged from the tree line armed to the teeth. The younger Dixon's gaze never left the leader, who stood mounted on a small armored truck.

The man raised an eyebrow, his sole visible eye taking in Rick, who stood with Maggie, Morgan, Jacqui, T-Dog and Carl just behind the inner fence, all of them armed and ready to fire.

"Well, well, well," The man began. "Looks like you've found your way home. Now where is he?"

He asked, his deep voice carrying easily over the silent yard.

Daryl trembled were he stood, yet the gun in his hands remained steady, aimed directly at the man's head and his expression was grim.

Merle's eyes narrowed. This was The Governor then. The man that had tortured his baby brother. The cause of those horrific dreams that left him fearing for the younger man's wellbeing. His own fingers itched to pull the trigger.

Grimes gave him a pleasant smile, as if they were old friends.

"Currently hidden and aiming a sniper at your head." He replied.

The governor's lips twisted into a vicious snarl, visible eye searching until they met storm cloud blue.

He smirked.

"Hello, Daryl."

TBC…