A/N: Hello all! Sorry for the delay in updates. I had quite a busy weekend. Thank you to all those who commented and follow. FanFicGirl10, thank you for your constant feedback, you rock! This chpt switches POV because there is a lot of chaos and I wanted readers to experience happenings beyond Lake's POV. This will probably be a one time thing, so if you hate it bear with it. Also, just a warning, there is one section that has racist remarks. (Merle will be Merle) Anywho... I am extremely excited for February 10th, anyone else? ;)

-Six-

Daryl woke abruptly to a feather light kiss at his temple. As he yanked his head back, Lake set a quick hand on his arm.

"Woah there," It took Daryl a moment to realize they were alone in the car. "Nature called." Lake nudged towards the woods.

"How long I been out?" He asked as he slid a rough hand down his face.

Lake smiled; that girl's smile was somethin' else. "We're only a couple miles from the prison."

Daryl was shocked that he had slept the entire ride back. He hadn't gotten much sleep or any at all, since they left Woodbury. Something about Lake made him comfortable. He had fought like hell to avoid her but in the end, he lost to the intense attraction he had to her.

As images of their hot sex flashed through his head, Daryl shifted in his seat trying to take some of the pressure off his dick.

The front doors opened as Merle and Rick returned. Once the car was moving, Merle started being Merle.

"So how many we got back at the prison now?" Merle could be a fuckin' asshole when he wanted. "We still have the chink? What about that damned nigg'r, he better be dead."

Rick slammed on the brakes sending Merle into the front dash. With a slew of curses, Merle fell back into the seat.

"Now you listen here," Rick leaned inches away from his brother, finger pointed in his face. "I have the peace of mind to leave your sorry ass on the side of the road. I know you are nothing but a racist prick who doesn't have a ounce of knowledge going for him but if I ever, and I mean ever, hear you speak of T-Dog or Glenn in that way again…" The veins in Rick's throat threatened to burst. "I'll kill you. You understand?"

The car was silent for a few moments and Daryl prayed like hell his brother would keep his damned mouth shut.

"He understands." A small voice at Daryl's side confirmed. "Isn't that right Merle?" Lake leaned forward and placed a hand on Merle's shoulder.

Shrugging away, Merle huffed as he turned to his window. "Yeah, I got it." He then mumbled about how 'the black still better be dead' but thankfully Rick ignored him.

Daryl grabbed Lake's hand and squeezed it tightly in thanks. As his girl always did, she nodding in silent understanding. His girl? Is that what Lake had become? Daryl nodded to himself. She was good for him, he couldn't imagine letting her go now.

Lake felt sudden serenity as they pulled into the prison. She was successful in rescuing the one person she doubted she could live without. Together, they were returning to the place they've called home. Minus Merle, everything was running smoothly and Lake was thankful.

Lake bounced in her spot as she spied Carl and part of the group running to the car. Beth held Judith and Lake didn't bother to fight the tears.

As soon as the car came to a stop, she threw the door open and ran to Beth. Not waiting, Lake pulled both Beth and Judith into a huge hug. She felt others patting her back but she couldn't let go. The happiness was overwhelming, happiness she was sure she'd never feel again.

Taking Judith, Lake bounced her in her arms as she watched the others welcome home Daryl. As her eyes scanned the crowd, she realized someone was missing.

"Is Michonne inside?" She asked and was immediately met with everyone's gaze. "What?" Suddenly unsure.

Rick cleared his throat, "We lost Michonne." Lake gasped and Rick threw up his hands. "No, she isn't dead, not that we know of." He pulled Judith from Lake's reluctant arms. "She never showed up at the car. I was out looking for her as well when I found you all. We'll look for her again in the morning."

Lake nodded. It was then that Carol threw herself into Daryl's arms. Crying, she stumbled over her words. Lake smiled at Daryl's face as he held on to the hysterical woman.

"Alright, get off my broth'r." Merle made himself quickly known. "He ain't dead." Carol stepped back immediately and wiped at her eyes.

Glenn, who was silent until now, stepped forward. "What the hell is he doing here Rick? He tried to kill me." Maggie spit at Merle's feet.

"Either he leaves," She started. "Or we do." Glenn voiced his agreement as did Hershel.

"Now listen here, I think it's best that we stay together at this point." Rick laid a hand on Carl's shoulder. "The Governor knows where we are. We need to unity now more than ever."

"Fuck unity!" Maggie shrieked through her tears. "That man is a monster. I won't feel safe with him about."

"Well, I can see ya still got that mouth of yers." Merle goaded.

Glenn jumped at Merle but Daryl held him back.

"He's my bruth'r. I jus can't let him go out alone." Daryl stated in an attempt to calm Glenn.

"Then you go with him!" Maggie was almost frantic. Lake, now frightened at the course the argument was taking intervened.

"What if we locked him up?" She asked.

"The hell—" Merle started but Lake held up a hand.

"You would have your own portion of the prison. Just not access to the part that the rest of the group resides in." She watched as Merle thought her words over.

"We'll stay with ya." Daryl added but Lake elbowed him. "Ow, what?"

"We?" She asked politely but the edge in her tone could not be mistaken.

Daryl stepped away from Glenn and crossed his arms over his chest. "Yeah, we. Where I go you go." Lake arched a brow. With an exasperated sigh Daryl added, "He's my brother Lake."

Throwing up her arms in defeat, "Fine! Fine, but mark my words Daryl Dixon," She pointed at him. "You keep your brother's nose out of trouble or I go, K?"

Daryl held up three fingers, "Scout's honor."

"You weren't no scout." Merle shot. Daryl glared.

"We good?" He asked while turning about the crowd. Maggie and Glenn said nothing as they turned and made their way into the prison. Hershel walked up and patted Daryl's chest.

"Good to have you back, son." Daryl nodded. Lake took his hand and looked to Merle.

"You coming?" She demanded. They didn't wait for his answer before they started walking. "I swear, it's like we have a very bad, very old child."

"I heard that." Merle shouted. "I ain't forgot about you punchin' me neither."

"Shut up Merle." Daryl and Lake called in unison.

Michonne watched silently as The Governor ordered his men about. She had been watching them for days. They were preparing for a battle and she knew just where they were heading.

Andrea pushed through the small crowd and took hold of The Governor's arm. She was shouting and was caught off guard when he backhanded her across the face. The men chuckled around at the show of their leader's authority.

Michonne gritted her teeth and fought the urge to take her saber to the bastard's neck. After an hour, Michonne curiously witnessed Andrea leaving the compound. She waited until the coast was clear before she followed Andrea into the woods.

Lake woke curled into Daryl's side. His eyes were closed and his mouth slightly agape. God, he was handsome. Lake trailed a finger down his chest, stopping more often than not, over each scar that marred his body.

"Don'cha ever rest?" Daryl mumbled causing Lake to jump.

Grinning, she placed a kiss over one of his hard pecks. "You sound like you're complaining." She stated.

Daryl's chuckled deeply. "I ain't complain'in." Pushing Lake on her back, he crawled over her. Kissing his way down her neck, he continued. "You may…run me…until I die from exhaustion…but I ain't complain'."

Lake laughed aloud as Daryl's beard tickled her collarbone. Daryl grinned before replacing his mouth with his fingers. Lake fought to breathe as she laughed.

"Daryl, stop!" She screamed. "Please!"

Tears slid down her cheeks just as a voice echoed through the cell. "Damn, who knew ya had such a playful side baby bro."

Lake screamed as Daryl struggled to cover her naked body. "Tha'fuck Merle! Get out!"

Merle roared in laughter. "Hey, ain't my fault she's in here screamin' like a banshee. Yer lucky it was only lil ol Merle who came a lookin'."

"Little is about right." Lake muttered causing Daryl to choke.

"What'ya say?" Merle asked as he clanked his arm against the metal bars.

"Merle, get the fuck otta here." Daryl stared down at Lake, his back rigid.

"Fine, fine." Merle turned to leave. "May wanna cover that ass 'fore someone else sees it and dies of the shock." His laughter followed him as he left.

"I'm going to kill him." Lake blew a hair out of her face.

"Get in line." Daryl jabbed her in the ribs making her jump before climbing out of bed and dressing.

Lake watched him through hooded eyes. Grabbing him by the front of the pants, she pulled him to her. "You are a really great guy." She kissed him roughly before pushing him away and smacking his ass. "Now go get momma some food."

Daryl smiled before leaving Lake alone. Lying back on the cot, she stared up at the ceiling. She sat for a few moments before shouting forced her to shoot up. Clutching the blanket around her body, Lake looked over the edge of the second floor.

Below, Merle shouted up, "Come on miss 'merica. Seems we have visitors." Lake ran back into the cell, pulling on her clothes as she went.

Outside, she took note of the others. Everyone was fully armed, and Daryl was at Rick's side. A white sedan was parked at the fence. A blonde woman climbed out of the driver's seat. The passenger side opened and out stepped a familiar face.

"Michonne!" Lake yelled. Hershel handed her his gun as she passed. Daryl held up a hand and Lake froze.

"Walkers!" Axel shouted from the watch tower. Lake swung to see about two dozen walkers making towards the prison. Her eyes met Daryl's just before the first shot rang out.

Daryl fought to keep on his feet as he carried Lake through the forest.

Merle nudged him. "Lemme have her." He offered but Daryl shrugged him away.

"I've gott'er. When she wakes, I wanna be who she sees." Merle nodded and silently took the lead.

Daryl tried to push the attack on the prison from his mind. Every time he closed his eyes, blood and screams assaulted him.

Daryl tore his gaze from Lake's as Rick dropped the first walker. Michonne and Andrea screamed through the fence. Michonne pulled her sword and took down as many walkers as she could before the fence opened. Andrea unloaded her pistol as she turned to run to safety.

Another gunshot sounded and everything went in slow motion. Andrea pulled a bloodied hand away from her stomach as she stared ahead into nothing. Michonne screamed as Andrea fell into her arms. Dragging her, just as the gate shut, Michonne placed pressure on Andrea's wound. Blood poured through her fingers as Andrea eyes fell dim. Lifting her head to the clouds, Michonne screamed in angst.

The walkers began pushing against the prison fences just as a hum-vee sped through the yard outside the prison. Gunfire erupted as the jeep unloaded on them. Daryl yanked Carl up and took off towards the prison. When he looked back, Rick was pulling Michonne off Andrea and they followed closely behind.

Daryl frantically searched for Lake. Unable to find her, he shot at the jeep and surrounding walkers. It was then that he saw it, his bow, lying next to Andrea's dead body. She brought him back his bow? Daryl dropped Carl at the door of the prison and pushed him inside.

Without thought, he tore down the hill dodging bullets as he went. A scream sounded from behind and he knew Lake had spotted him. He slid in the dirt as his hand closed over his bow. Shifting onto his back, Daryl locked and shot an arrow into one of the shooter's chests'. Scrambling to his feet, he ran. Using his pistol, he'd shoot over his shoulder taking out as many walkers as possible.

Rick, Lake, Merle, the new black man, and two of his men were all that remained outside.

"What do we do?" Daryl shouted as he approached.

"We take cover." Rick yelled over gunshots. "We run if we have to."

"Like hell!" Lake shouted as she dropped another one of The Governor's men.

"Atta girl!" Merle hooted as he sought his revenge on the man who had turned on him.

From within the prison, screaming erupted. Bullets slammed into the brick around them as the sound of metal hitting metal pinged sharply.

The young man from Tyreese's group grunted as he was hit. His father, screamed his name but was hit as he turned to aid his son.

"We gotta go!" Lake screamed. "We won't last at this rate."

The front gate tore open as walkers climbed over themselves to enter the prison yard. "Go!" Daryl shouted after giving a knowing nod to Merle. "Rick, take Lake!"

Rick grabbed Lake as she fought like a wildcat. She screamed his name and Daryl felt sick. He and Merle continued to mow down walkers as they came, giving the rest of the group a head start. Giving Lakely a head start.

"Well baby brotha! Looks like we gave em a run for ther money eh?" Merle shouted. Daryl looked to his brother before pulling yet again another pistol. Opening new fire, Daryl whooped as the Walkers fell like potato sacks.

Unable to push them back any longer, Daryl grabbed Merle and pulled him as they ran around the prison. Exiting into the woods, Daryl looked back to the prison.

"Ain't nothin' we can do for em now. We'll find em after things die down." As true as Merle's words were, Daryl couldn't leave Lake. He couldn't leave the others.

"Nah, I gotta go back." Daryl's eyes plead with his brother. "I can't jus leav'em."

Merle cursed. Daryl turned and took off in the direction he came. Entering through a side door, he crept silently through the halls. He tracked his way to an open door on the second floor. Sighing, Daryl felt a rush of relief. They had escaped.

A gun cocked with a click. Daryl swung around just as The Governor pulled the trigger.