The walking Dead isn't mine...

Rick looked across the table, taking in the new people. Tyreese seemed alright. Carol trusted him. He found himself glancing to his right and wishing for Daryl's opinion.

Instead he caught Michonne's glare. He knew her opinion without asking. She was on Glenn's team. He turned his attention firmly to his plate and continued to eat. The silence was oppressive.

"We should take them something to eat." Maggie said finally.

"We're offering room service now?" Glenn asked.

"Stop." Rick said immediately. "I can't even calculate how often Daryl was the difference between us starving or not. Of course we're feeding them."

"Help me, Carol?" Maggie asked, getting up from the table to locate extra bowls.

"I've got watch." Carol said, shaking her head. They all looked up at that. It wasn't like Carol to pass up an opportunity to feed Daryl.

"I'll come with you." Axel said, leaving the table. Carol rolled her eyes, but just walked on ahead of him.

"You know, not even Daryl is making a case for Merle. He hasn't asked to stay." Glenn pointed out. "Maybe now that he has his brother back, he'd prefer it if it were just them."

"I don't believe that for a second." Maggie said, looking where Carol had just been. Glenn shook his head, not buying her recent theory. "Daryl just never asks for anything for himself."

Rick shook his head. "He did, though. Back at Woodbury when we were trying to get out. I shot him down. I should have known he'd go for Merle on his own. He made his choice. He's not going to ask me again."

"Can I have a word?" Hershel asked Rick, standing from the table and grabbing his crutches.

Rick followed the older man to the corridor, bracing himself for another argument. He understood, as a father, how Hershel must feel about Merle at this point.

"Look, Hershel, I know what you're going to say." Rick began, defensively.

"I don't believe you do." Hershel cut in.

Rick paused and looked the man in the eye.

"I have to tell you that the idea of cutting that boy loose pains me." Hershel began.

Rick felt relief flood him.

"He's quiet and keeps to himself." Hershel continued. "But he has tells. Little things he does when he's upset or uncomfortable. He doesn't like to be touched and he laughs off any moment of genuine affection. You and I have both seen his past written all over his skin. I don't want him going anywhere with that man."

"I'm not sure I can stop him if he wants to go." Rick confessed. "And no one is comfortable with Merle staying."

"Maybe I can talk to Glenn." Hershel suggested.

"Merle tried to kill him." Rick sighed. "What could you say?"

"Maybe we should focus on the bigger picture." Hershel suggested. "This Governor knows we're here now. Are we going to make a run for it, or are we going to fight for what's ours? He turned on Merle. Let's make that work in our favor. We have a common enemy now. And he looks like he could be useful in a fight."

"As long as I'm not fighting on two fronts. I'm not sure I could turn my back on him." Rick admitted.

"Daryl has your back." Hershel reminded him. "And it's not a democracy anymore, remember?"

Rick let out a soft snort and nodded. "Okay, I'll talk to them."

"I'll come with you." Hershel said. "And bring Judith."

"Isn't that playing dirty?"

"I think we should play all our cards." Hershel said plainly.

"Then shouldn't we bring Carol?" Rick asked, raising an eyebrow.

"We'll need something for plan B." Hershel almost smiled. "I'm on your side, Rick. But I'm not much use in a fight these days. We need Daryl, no doubt about it. And I'm certain he needs us. Let's surprise him by not letting him down. I think he's had his fair share of disappointment."

"Agreed." Rick said firmly. "Decision made. The Dixon brothers aren't going anywhere."