A/N: Hi all! Hope all is well wherever ya'll are. Thank you to all my comments and followers. You guys rock! Enjoy!
-Thirteen-
"I'd kill for a damn burger." Merle finished securing a new knife onto his makeshift hand. "One fully loaded. With onions and bacon."
"And with chocolate syrup." Lake muttered into her hands. They were sitting on the side of an abandoned highway. After finding the road leading away from the psycho hillbilly's trailer, they traveled for hours on this highway. The fact that they rarely ever passed a car made things increasingly difficult.
"Chocolate syrup?" Merle jumped from the hood of the first car they had seen in the last hour. "That's just nasty." He jutted out his chin. "Ruined my damn fantasy."
Daryl laughed; his eyes remained closed under his arm.
"I can't help it." Lake whined. "And that isn't even the worst one. I-" Merle threw up his hand.
"Don't! I don't wanna hear it." He waved dismissively at her before checking his bike. The car they found still had gas so they split it. Merle yanked the hose they stripped from underneath the hood and tossed it aside. "Should get us a bit further," He turned to where Lake sat with Daryl. "But we need to find cars soon. We ain't gonna make it another two days."
Lake turned to see Daryl peeking out at her from beneath his arm. "What?" She asked.
His face was swollen and bruised. He sat up with a huff before leaning on his knees. "We need ta find a store or somethin'." His one eye was swollen shut but the other shined bright blue. "We need medicine."
Lake knew he meant medicine for the baby. Prenatal vitamins and such. Smiling gratefully over at him, she stood holding out her hands. Daryl groaned as he stood, reaching to keep his ribs from moving. "Looks like we could all use some TLC."
Merle leaned against the car again. "You gonna play nurse?" He tried to waggle his eyebrows, but with one side of his face swollen, he ended up looking like a perverted man with a bee allergy.
Lake laughed at her thought making Merle look at her oddly. She shook her head before stretching her arms above her head. Her shirt rose as a hand reached out and cupped the growing swell of her belly. Lake felt Daryl's body mesh into hers from behind.
"It's growin' fast." He mumbled in her ear. "Soon, I ain't gonna be able to fit ya on my bike." Lake playfully smack at him before turning and wrapping her arms around his neck.
"You could always find one of those carts that attach to the side." Lake smiled against Daryl's lips. "For your whale of a woman."
"Merle'll never let me live it down." His beard scratched against her face as he spoke.
"Neither would I." Lake pushed off his chest before sending a flirty glance over her shoulder once she reached the bike. "Come," she opened her arms. "Come put your fat lady on her chariot."
Merle howled, "Oh boy, ya called her fat?" He pulled on the sunglasses he found in the abandoned car as he shook his head.
"I did not." Daryl groaned as he sat on his bike holding it steady for Lake to climb on. Looking over to Merle, he smirked, "And shut up, I ain't the one wearin' pink glasses."
"They're red." Merle huffed; adjusting his prize find.
Lake hugged Daryl from behind, kissing his cheek before sitting back. "Let's hit the road boys." She cheered. Merle whooped as the motorcycles roared to life.
They pulled off onto an large property just as the sun began to set leaving orange streaks across the sky. Lake ran her fingers through her tangled hair as she climbed off the bike.
"Are you sure about this place?" She asked as the guys pulled their weapons.
"Ain't gonna be many walkers around this area." Merle spit into the dirt. "We're in Louisiana now and them gators don't give a shit if yer dead or not."
Daryl nudged her forward as they made their way to the old plantation styled home. The boards groaned under Merle's weight as he climbed the stairs to the front porch.
"Be careful." Lake tightened her hold her gun, one of the many weapons they confiscated from the hillbilly's torture chamber.
Daryl edged around her as Merle reached the door. "Open it and step back." Merle nodded before reaching out and throwing the door open.
The door hit the wall with a thud shaking loose dust. Daryl held his bow high as he stepped through the threshold. He swung around a corner as Merle took another. The brothers made quick of clearing the home before lowering their weapons at the front door.
Leaning against the frame, Merle scratched his arm. "This is as safe as we'll ever be. I'd rest up you can." Lake frowned as she walked into the old house.
"Am I going to fall through the floorboards?" She turned to the men.
"Nah," Daryl smacked his hand against the wall. "These old places were built sturdy." A crash behind them sent Lake running forward. Turning, she saw an old picture frame on the floor behind where she stood.
Glaring at Daryl, she put her hands on her hips. "Sturdy you say?" The brother's laughed.
"Girl, yer as bad as a mother hen." Merle patted Lake on the back as he walked around her. She couldn't help but grin.
Daryl moved to follow Merle, but Lake threw a hand up. "Not you." With a mischievous gleam, she took his hand and kissed the inside of his palm. Grabbing his shirt, Lake pulled him to her and roughly kissed him on the lips. She swatted his ass before pushing him away, "Okay, go help Merle."
Daryl looked shocked before a grin settled across his face. "Yes ma'am." He mock saluted her before turning to leave. Lake leaned against the wall to watch him go. Daryl looked over his shoulder before shaking his head and walking into the other room.
Lake blew out a deep breath as she looked up towards the ceiling. "Making me crazy." She laid a hand on her stomach. "Momma's gonna kill your daddy if we don't get these hormones in check." Shaking her head, Lake walked out onto the porch.
As she looked around, she noticed a small building off to the side of the property. Walking across the yard, Lake used her shirt to wipe away the dirt from the window. Cupping her hands around her eyes, she peered into the dark room.
A crash sent her back on her ass. Lake looked around to see if the guys heard the sound but no one came to her aid. Brushing off her pants, she listened to the clanging and banging from inside the room.
"Hello?" The noise stopped at the sound of her voice. "Hey, anyone in there?" The double doors burst open and a young kid fell out into the dirt. He scrambled before tearing off into the woods.
"Hey!" Lake screamed after him. "Wait!" She jogged after him for a couple feet before throwing her arms down at her sides.
"Lake!" Daryl's voice boomed as he ran from the house. "What the hell you doin' out here alone." He panted when he reached her side.
Lake pointed in the direction the boy went. "A kid." She searched the trees for any movement. "He was in the shed thing and just ran off."
"A kid?" Merle asked as he walked into the conversation. "Ain't no kid gonna survive out here alone." Lake gave him a frustrated look.
"I know what I saw." She turned back to the woods. "No walker would run away from me."
"Aww shit." Merle kicked up dirt. "He ain't alone then. There goes my good night's sleep."
Daryl grabbed her elbow, "You okay?" Lake nodded before rubbing her arms.
"He was just scared." She looked up at Daryl. "What if he isn't alone though? Should we leave?"
Daryl seemed to mull over the thought of leaving for some time before answering. Looking up at the now dark sky, he cursed softly. "We can't leave with it being dark."
"We will have ta take turns on watch." Merle looked between Daryl and Lake before adding, "Or at least me and you will." He said to Daryl.
"I can watch." Lake pouted. They started for the house.
"That comin' from the chick who drooled down my brother's back on a motorcycle." Merle shot.
"Oh that was one time!" Lake gave an exasperated sigh.
"Told ya he don't let nothin' go." Daryl added. He then turned to Merle as they stood on the porch. "I'll take first watch. You sleep downstairs just in case I miss anyone."
Merle pulled an old, tattered couch from the living room and sat it in front of the stairs. He turned and noticed them watching him, "I ain't gonna risk nothin' happenin' to my niece or nephew."
Lake threw her hand to her heart. "Merle!" She cried. "How sweet are you?" Merle grumbled at the mock in her voice.
"Whatever." He dropped down on the cushions which suddenly enveloped him in dust. Waving a hand back and forth as he coughed, Merle stopped when Lake cleared her throat.
"Merle." She ignored Daryl's laughter as he kissed her cheek and walked out onto the porch.
"Yeah?" He sneered. Lake stepped onto the couch and over onto the stairs.
Crouching down, she hugged Merle by the neck. It was something she never thought she'd ever do. "Thank you." She smiled when he dramatically pulled away.
"Just get yer ass in bed so I can sleep." She obeyed but not before she caught the slight twitch in the corner of Merle's mouth.
Upstairs, Lake pulled back the sheets on the bed in the master bedroom. Dust floated into the air making her cough. Stripping the sheets, Lake shook them out before fixing them back over the mattress.
Shimming out of her new pants that had acquired a hole in the knee and were beginning to fit snugger, Lake climbed into bed. Throwing her shirt on the floor, she shook out her pillow before lying down.
She was asleep the moment her eyes closed.
The door slammed open putting a hole in the bedroom wall. Lake shot up before noticing Daryl at her side.
"What the hell?" Daryl yelled as he jumped to his feet wearing only his underwear.
Merle stood in the doorway holding a muddy kid by the collar.
Lake scrambled to pull the sheets over her half naked body as Merle tossed the kid to the floor at Daryl's feet.
"Caught this lil shit tryin' to boost one of our bikes." Merle crossed his arms over his chest. Daryl rubbed the sleep from his eyes before shrugging.
"Okay?" The kid scrambled until his back was against the wall where he wrapped his skinny arms around his legs.
Merle smirked at Daryl. "It was yer bike." Daryl scowled before looking over to Lake who still sat in bed.
Adjusting the sheet, she met Daryl's gaze. "That's him." She leaned forward to get a better look. "Yeah, I'm pretty sure that's the kid."
"Ain't many kids just walkin' around in the middle of nowhere." Merle returned sarcastically.
Daryl pulled on his pants before grabbing his crossbow and aiming it at the huddled child.
"Daryl…" Lake started but stopped short when he glared at her over his shoulder.
Turning his attention back on the kid, Daryl kicked out at his feet. "Eh, you." The boy didn't look up. "You think it's okay to go around stealin' from people?" Daryl moved closer and waved out his hand. "Hey."
The kid slashed out with a blade of some sort sending Daryl backwards. He caught his footing and made an aggressive step forward.
"Go ahead!" The boy's voice was hoarse and cracked. "Shoot me! Sees if I care." His native accent was extremely thick.
Tears streamed down his face as he waited for what he thought would be the end. Lake whimpered as she watched Daryl and Merle stare at the boy, their minds both far into the past.
"You got spunk." Daryl finally said as he lowered his bow.
"Yeah, reminds me of someone I used ta know." Merle sent to Daryl before leaning back against the wall. "What we gonna do with 'im."
"Ain't no way we can trust 'im." They watched as the boy's eyes widened.
"What's your name?" Lake asked softly. The boy craned around Daryl's body until his brown eyes met hers. Lake smiled in reassurance.
He watched her for a moment. "Mason." He finally admitted. "And I can too be trusted. I ain't nothin' if I ain't loyal." His attention was strictly on Daryl.
Merle scoffed, "Ain't that the damndest thing to hear a kid say." Lake could tell he was impressed.
"Ya tried to steal my bike," Daryl narrowed his eyes. "How can I know you won't take off with it first chance ya get."
Mason stabbed at the floor with his knife. "It's survivin' mister." Lake sucked in a quick breath. "I don't know ya from Adam, so I had ta look out for me." He looked between the Dixon brothers. "If ya'll take me in, I'd never fail ya. I ain't got nobody left."
The room was silent except for Mason's heavy breathing. Lake watched Daryl's bare back, waiting for what he'd say next.
It was Merle who finally spoke up to everyone's surprise. Pushing away from the door, he motioned to Mason. "Come on then, you'll take what's left of watch with me and we'll see yer worth." Mason jumped to his feet.
"I won't fall asleep; swear." He walked out of the room. Merle rolled his eyes before pulling the door shut.
"Sure ya won't." His voice rose from out in the hall. "Hey, don't slide down that!"
Daryl stood still in the center of the room, his head turned to the closed door. Lake climbed out of bed and wrapped her arms around his back.
"You are such a good man Daryl Dixon." She confessed. "Don't let anyone ever tell you any different."
He remained tense as she walked around and pulled his head down for a kiss. Only then, did he relax and groan into her mouth.
He sat back onto the edge of the bed allowing Lake to step in between his legs. Cupping his head in her hands, she was careful as she kissed the broken, tender skin of his face. Daryl leaned forward and placed his face into her stomach. He mumbled something, but Lake couldn't catch it.
"This child will be lucky as hell." Lake ran her fingers through Daryl's long hair. He grabbed her around the waist and tossed her over on the mattress before settling on top of her.
"You say that like ya know." His eyes held pain and uncertainty. Lake grabbed him roughly by the waist of his pants.
"I know. I'd bet everything I had on it." Daryl laughed out loud.
"Damn, this pregnancy is makin' ya bossy." She blushed and turned her head away. Daryl grabbed her chin and turned her back. "It's sexy as hell." He finished.
Lake grinned before pushing him onto his back and straddling him. Her hair fell like a curtain as she looked down at Daryl. A sly smile fell into place as his hands gripped her hips.
It was going to be one hell of a night.