Megan Grimes, thirty two years old and pregnant with her first child. It should be a happy time for her but instead she's fighting to survive with her sister in law and nephew. What happens when Daryl becomes overly protective of the mother to be?

-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-

Many were shocked to learn it was Merle that had killed Ellie, when the Woodbury people found out they instantly wanted Merle to be kicked out.

Rick gathered everyone in the seating area.

Megan stood at the back of the room with Matthew on her hip. Beside her Daryl stood with Judith. Carol had even turned up with the assistance of Merle.

"Come on then Rick. What's so important?" Hershel asked.

"Merle has to leave." Rick replied simply.

Merle just chuckled. "I knew it."

"You can't kick him out." Daryl protested.

"It's alright baby brother. We will be fine. Best pack ain't we darlin'." He told Carol who nodded.

"Only Merle has to leave Carol. Your the victim." Rick said softly.

"If Merle leaves I leave-" Carol began.

"And I leave too." Sophia cut in crossing her arms.

"If my brothers going then I am too."

Rick clenched his jaw getting more and more annoyed with the situation.

Megan laughed to herself before speaking up.

"If Daryl leaves I go and I'll be taking the kids with me. Carl included if that's what he wants."

Rick looked at Carl who stood up angrily and stood beside Megan.

"You've changed." He whispered to his father.

"You can't take my kids." Rick shouted.

"Kids? Plural?" Megan asked angrily. "You have to be kidding me."

"Carl is mine and Jud-" he began but paused.

"Go on say her name.." Megan urged.

"She is as good as mine too." He hissed.

Megan laughed. "Really? Go on take her.." Megan said Daryl gave her a confused look before she nodded. He began walking towards Rick with Judith in his arms.

"Here." He mumbled.

"Go on! Take her!" Megan snapped.

Rick looked anywhere but at Judith.

"You can't can you? You can barely look at your own son! You know the child that is actually yours!" Megan snapped. "You're loosing it Rick. You need to get a grip because one day, with the way you're acting you're going to get either yourself or one of us killed!"

Daryl came back to her side and placed a hand on her back to calm her down.

Everyone was stunned silent until Andrea spoke up.

"So what's it going to be Rick? Loose half of your group? Because if they leave I will too and I'm sure more will follow. Megan's right. You're loosing it, you don't lead anymore you just wonder off doing your own thing. It's been everyone else making the decisions about the Woodbury group, supply runs, Tyreese and his group." Andrea said.

"You know what? Leave! All off you leave!" He snapped. "Go pack and leave."

"Dad.." Carl called.

Rick ignored him and walked out once again leaving the group.

"Are we really leaving?" Beth asked quietly.

Hershel didn't know how to answer his daughter. He wasn't in a fit state to be travelling on foot for long.

"Rick should be the one to leave." Merle muttered.

"I agree." Megan replied. "So that's what will happen. He ain't leading us anymore so we will lead, all of us, I say we take a vote. Rick leaves for a certain amount of time. During that time he has to change. He may be my brother but he's seriously lost the plot and if he continues this way we will all end up dead and it'll be his fault. We've all lost people some more than others but we are keeping it together. Why can't he?"

"I think Megan's right. Let's say two, three months. Let him take his anger and grief out on whatever is out there but I think we should pretend we have kicked Merle out too." Andrea said.

"What he did was wrong of course but Ellie had it coming to her." Carol said bitterly. "I think pretending to kick him out is a good idea. Maybe he could leave for a few days on a hunting trip to make it believable." She suggested.

"I can deal with that." Merle answered. "I ain't going for good though. My family is here."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

"Although I don't agree with what he did, I agree with the idea of him spending a few days out along with Rick having his time out too. We need to sort this group out, the governor guy is still out there too probably plotting revenge again. We should be planning for that not arguing with one another." Hershel explained.

"Agreed." Several voices said together.

•••••

"You'll regret this Megan." Rick said as he walked out of the gates carrying a knife and his gun. Merle was just behind after saying goodbye to Carol and Sophia.

The Woodbury lot watched on confused by Rick leaving but Megan soon put them in the place. If they didn't like how things were being ran they could pack up and follow them. Of course they soon backed down.

Rick hadn't put up as much of a fight as everyone thought. Megan believed deep down he knew this was what was needed.

"Are you sure about this?" Daryl asked breaking Megan from her thoughts as she watched Rick retreating form.

She nodded. "Yeah. It needs to be done. He can't continue this way."

Daryl nodded. "What if something happens to him out there?" He asked.

"If he gets his act together it won't." She said before turning back towards the prison and heading inside.

••••

Two weeks past without Rick. Merle returned after a week of being away with a decent supply haul after raiding stores further out than they had been before. The Woodbury lot weren't happy by him being there but once again they were put in their place but by Michonne and Andrea that time.

The group worked as a team rather than individual leaders. They made many plans, everything from defending the prison from the governor, organising supply runs, to growing crops in the bottom field.

They just hoped Rick would return and be his old self. They had no idea if he was still alive or not but it was a risk they had to take. He was constantly putting himself and others in danger, he didn't seem to care for the group, he just wanted to annoy those he disliked.

Six weeks to go...

•••••

So I know this may cause a few questions but like I've said in past author notes. I always wrote things for a reason.

I think you will be surprised by what is going to happen though. Any guesses?

Let me know what you think.