Katelyn and Daryl lay in bed, her head resting on his shoulder as she studied his face.
"What are you thinking about, Daryl Dixon?" Katelyn asked softly, stroking his cheek lovingly.
Daryl turned his face, looking down at her, and smiled sadly. He couldn't explain what was wrong but he had a bad feeling in his stomach concerning Merle and it made him sad. There was a part of him that was mourning the loss of his brother already. Inevitably, Merle was either going to have to change, or he'd have to go and he knew which one Merle would choose.
"You look so sad." Katelyn said, her smile turning into a frown as she sat up to look down at him.
Daryl turned his head into the crook of her arm and kissed it without answering and Katelyn began to worry.
"Tell me what's wrong." She whispered, worry beginning to take hold.
He didn't know how to explain Merle to her. Hell, he couldn't even explain him. There was a part of him that was afraid that she would see Merle and suddenly come to her senses. That she'd know that Merle and Daryl were cut from the same cloth. That he was a stupid, ignorant redneck, hateful and angry. Just like his brother.
"Hey." She nudged gently, running her hand through his hair.
Daryl looked up into her eyes and wondered if he dare tell her about their childhood. Would she run away? Would she hate him? Stop loving him?
Daryl sighed.
"It's Merle." Daryl explained quietly, not wanting anyone to overhear.
"What about him?" She asked, searching his face for the source of his mood.
"It's just that Merle…he's messed up. He's always been like that. He thinks all women are…" He couldn't bring himself to say it.
"…whores?" She supplied, knowing exactly what type of guy Merle was and wondering how Daryl managed to survive their childhood with his soul intact.
"Yeah." Daryl said, laying his head on her arm, seeking comfort in his quiet way.
Katelyn played with his hair absently, smiling sadly at him.
"You love him though." She stated softly. "He's your brother."
"Yeah." He answered.
"You guys must have been through a lot when you were young." Katelyn was guessing now because she saw how reluctant Daryl was to discuss this and thought it might help.
"Yeah." He answered again, his eyes drifting off to somewhere far away.
"You feel loyal to him." She supplied, knowing exactly the kind of feelings that a life like that can evoke in people. She realized that was why Daryl understood her relationship with her father, and smiled sadly.
Daryl merely nodded this time.
"And since he doesn't think highly of women, he won't be happy you have someone else in your life." She started putting the clues together and suddenly understood what the fight in the courtyard had been about.
Daryl nodded again.
"I'm sorry." She whispered, kissing him on the forehead, realizing how boyish he looked laying on her arm.
"I don't want you to have to choose." She said, laying her cheek to his.
"Me neither." He said quietly, sighing with sadness.
Wrapping her arms around him, he let her hold him until they both fell asleep.
############################################################################
Merle stood outside Daryl's cell, his back pressed against the wall, listening to their intimate conversation. At first, he'd come to offer the olive branch so he could get a better idea of how to split them up, but he'd stumbled on them talking and couldn't resist.
Damn, his brother had gone soft!, he thought to himself, anger beginning to surge inside of him. He needed to get that bitch away from him fast.
Back up, Merle quietly walked back down to the main floor and into the cell they'd given him, but he was startled when he saw Michonne standing there glaring at him.
"What the fuck you want?" Merle snapped. He hated that woman.
"You stay away from them." Michonne warned, narrowing her eyes.
"I don't know whatchur talking 'bout." Merle drawled, turning on the "smooth".
"You know exactly what I'm talkin' about." Michonne stated coldly. "You're brother ain't the same as you. He's a good man. Leave 'im be."
Merle sneered at her.
"Stay out of Dixon business." Merle snapped.
"This group is my business and that includes your brother. I intend to keep everyone safe…even from you." Michonne threatened in a low and deadly voice.
"You better watch yoself missy. You might have an unfortunate accident one day." Merle threatened back.
Michonne just glared at him as Merle walked out of the room.
Michonne waited until he was gone and went to find Rick.
He was easy to find, standing in the middle of their "living room" with the others. Holding his baby, he looked more like a father and less like their ferocious leader. Michonne actually felt a pang of pity for him. Rick was an honorable man. Maybe a little ragged, but his strong sense of goodness was still present and he was fiercely protective and loyal to his group. She admired that.
"I'm thinkin' Merle's gonna be a problem." Michonne was abrupt, cutting straight to the chase.
The room paused what they were doing, turning to stare at Michonne's revelation. Rick looked at everyone, and stood. Taking Michonne's arm, he guided her to the side before replying.
"What d'you mean?" He asked, quietly, trying to keep their conversation under wraps.
"He's dangerous. A killer. He's already got Katelyn in his sights." She explained.
"Katelyn?" Rick was confused. He wasn't sure why Merle would go after her.
"He doesn't like that Daryl cares about her. He wants Daryl to himself, so to speak." Michonne stated.
"What makes you think that? Why would Merle care who Daryl cares about?" Rick didn't understand the way evil men thought. He didn't understand someone forged in hatred, prejudice and rage. Merle Dixon was such a man. He hurt, so he wanted the rest of the world to be miserable with him.
"He's just that kinda guy." Michonne bit out tightly, feeling the anger toward Merle settle in her hands making her flex her fingers.
"He threaten her?" Rick asked in his straightforward manner.
"Doesn't have to." Michonne said, realizing that Rick was too earnest and honest. He would never move against Merle based on intention alone. He'd need proof, but unfortunately, if they waited for proof, it'd be too late.
"Well he does with me. Unless he does somethin', I can't do much." Rick explained.
"He tried to kill me. He beat Glenn nearly to death. Isn't that enough?" Michonne asked.
Rick paused for a moment, looking over at Glenn, his mind racing through the facts.
"You're right. He did. I can't move against him without talking to Daryl though. Wouldn't be right." Rick stated, resting his hands on his hips.
Michonne's mind sharpened. Rick was fair-minded and she respected that so she was willing to do it his way, she just hoped that it wouldn't get someone hurt or worse.
"Fine." Michonne agreed, nodding at Rick, "You let me know when you're ready to move and I'll be there."
Rick nodded.
He didn't really know what to think of Michonne. She was a killer. A predator in a woman's skin. She wasn't murderous or enraged, but cold and calculating. Deadly. She wasn't uncontrollable or unstable which made her an asset to the group and they needed her now, more than ever. They had lost too many of their group.
Rick watched as Michonne strode away from them, thinking that he was almost glad she was here.