Daryl Dixon looked out of the attic window at the approaching storm. It would hit before sunrise, pretty much mucking up everything. Still, they'd keep looking. He wouldn't stop until he found his niece. He wasn't going back without her. Didn't sound like Rick was getting much rest himself, not by all the noise he was making, tossing and turning. Shit, Daryl thought he even heard the man mutter Amanda's name in his sleep. Maybe they oughtta go on and head out now before the rain started. Had to beat sitting up in this musty attic one more minute. At least they'd get something done.
About an hour outside of Woodbury, the skies opened up, drenching the little group of fugitives to the skin within seconds. Amanda was having trouble keeping up with the others. Her entire body ached and she just wanted to crawl into warm bed and go to sleep. Maybe the past twenty-four hours was all a bad dream. Except for the part were she found her dad. She stumbled and fell, again, but that woman, Rowan, was always at her side helping her up, urging her on. She didn't want to go on anymore. "Hang in, there, Amanda."
"I'm trying," she answered weakly, wrapping an arm around the taller woman's waist for support.
"You're a Dixon, aren't you? I thought Dixons didn't give up?"
Amanda just snorted. "You heard that, huh?"
"You're dad's a proud man and he's quite vocal about it," she chuckled.
Dixons don't give up. Dixons don't give up. Dixons don't give up.
Merle led them through the torrential rain, keeping to the shadows the best he could. He wanted to get them as far away as possible tonight but the weather wasn't helping the situation. Martinez, who had been covering the rear, caught up to him. He had to shout to be heard over the storm. "We gotta stop, Dixon! Your girl needs a break."
"I know!" He shouted back. Damn it! He was frustrated, not at his daughter but at damned Mother Nature. Just like a woman. It hadn't rained in a fuckin' month and now the bitch decides to bless, or curse them, depending on how ya looked at it, with a downpour. On the positive side, the rain would slow the Governor. There's no way they could be followed. Merle suspected they'd be missed by now. Ladybug told him that bastard Crowley had gone to get the Governor. When he discovered she was gone, the first thing he would do was lockdown the town and look for Merle. What sort of twisted tale would the Gov spin to get the men to come after one of their own? He didn't really give a shit right now. The only thing that mattered was getting his daughter to safety.
Martinez threw a wrench of his own into the works. Merle chuckled and shook his head. Crafty motherfucker. After gathering his own supplies from the armory, the man scattered the remaining ammo and took apart as many guns as he could before leaving Woodbury. Martinez was a quick thinker. He liked that. Gave them extra time and they needed every minute of it.
The Governor also didn't know where Dixon was heading. Only he knew that very important piece of information. The West Georgia Correctional Institution...and Daryl was there.
"Over here, Dixon." Martinez pointed to a house on a corner lot. "What you think? It's small enough so there shouldn't be too many biters to clear out. Plus, it has windows facing each street. We should be able to see anyone coming from those directions."
Merle agreed. They quickly dispatched three biters and barricaded themselves in the corner room that also had a window balcony in case they needed an alternate escape route.
The women changed into ill-fitting but dry clothes that they scavenged in the vacated home. Rowan hung their wet clothes in the bathroom though she had little hope of them actually drying before they left this temporary refuge.
Amanda smiled for the first time since they escaped Woodbury when Rowan handed Merle a tacky Christmas sweater complete with jingle bells. "Ain't wearing that piece a shit, ya crazy bitch!"
Martinez laughed. "C'mon, Dixon. Red and green are your colors." He ducked just in time when Merle threw hideous thing at his head. "Hey! Watch it! You could take an eye out with one of those bells." Both girls giggled hysterically.
Merle let loose with a string of curses that made them laugh even harder. He finally settled on a simple white t-shirt from the pile of the clothing Rowan had gathered. There were no pants in the pile that would fit either him or Martinez. The younger man chose a pair of baggy sweatpants, rolled down at the waist. Merle picked out a pair of khaki cargo pants cinched tight with his own belt. Apparently the folks that had lived here hadn't been used to any kind of physical labor.
"I'll take first watch, Dixon, you've been up over 24 hours..."
"I'm fine." Dixon retorted gruffly.
Martinez jerked his thumb toward the bed. "Shut up man and just get some rest. I'm don't wanna have to carry your ass if things get tough," The younger man shot back.
"Fuck you, Martinez."
The other man laughed, settling into a chair, with his rifle across his knees, beside the window that faced toward Woodbury.
Merle lowered himself on the king-sized bed beside his daughter. Amanda had already fallen asleep. He brushed her hair back and place a soft kiss on her forehead, She snuggled against his right side. Rowan sat down next to Merle on the other side. He noticed the young woman's face in a flash of lightning. She looked disheartened. "Having second thoughts, girl?"
She shook her head. "No...It just that...I was born in Woodbury. Growing up, I always wanted to leave...to move somewhere more exciting, anywhere..." her voice trailed off. "Well, I guess I finally got my wish." She blinked back tears and smiled sadly at him.
Merle didn't know what to say to that so he patted her hand awkwardly. He really hoped she wouldn't take that as an invitation to talk some more. He hoped she wouldn't cry even more than that. God, but he couldn't stand a crying woman.
The young woman did neither. Rowan stretched out on the bed, right up against him. Just like that. Didn't even ask. She snuggled into side, cradling her head in his left shoulder. What the fuck?
"Thank you, Mr. Dixon." She said and rested a slender hand lightly against his side. For what? Fuck! He didn't know where to put his hand. He tried laying it on the bed but that wasn't comfortable. Neither was resting it on the headboard. He was so fuckin' tired. He didn't feel like dealing with this. If this was really anything. Finally, he settled it against her hip. If she didn't like it, she could move. He was there first.
Merle blinked hard trying to keep his eyes open. He should just give in to sleep. This bed was really cozy and warm. He trusted Martinez as much as he could anyone who wasn't kin. Shit. Maybe he'd close his eyes for just a minute...
Daryl kicked Rick in the foot. "Get up, man." Rick jumped up, gun in one hand, knife in the other.
"Easy there, Grimes." He gave the man a moment to get his bearings.
"Shit, Daryl," he said as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes. "What's up?"
"If we leave now, we can reach this place by sunup." He pointed to the next mark on the map.
Rick nodded. "Alright, then, let's go."
Merle woke up to the pleasant feeling of a warm hand pressed against the bare skin of his stomach dangerously close to his waistband. He felt a familiar tightening in his groin. Must be dreaming. Damn fine dream, too. He smiled and reached down to adjust himself. His eyes flew open. There really was a hand on him! Under any other circumstance, this would have been one of his favorite ways to wake up. But Amanda was asleep on his right side and on his left was...Fuck! Rowan was on his left. Her silky, long dark hair tickled the sensitive skin under his chin. Her left hand had snaked its way inside the bottom of his shirt, somehow, without wakening him. He removed it carefully and eased himself off the bed trying not to wake either woman.
Martinez was watching him with a smirk.
"Shut the fuck up," Merle snapped at him before the man could even open his mouth.
"Hell, Dixon, What's the matter? I'm jealous," the younger man admitted. "Here we are, running for our lives, and you get felt up by a hot chick. What's up with that?"
"Dixon charm," he answered offhandedly as he rubbed his eyes tiredly. "Don't make me regret lettin' you tag along." Merle walked over to the window. Still raining. "See anything?"
"Out there or in here?" The older man cuffed him but Martinez just laughed. "Nah, man. Can't see shit in this rain."
"Get some sleep," Merle ordered. "But don't you dare touch my daughter."
Rowan woke up when Caesar settled into the big bed. "Want some help, Mr. Dixon?"
"Damnit girl, drop the mister, will ya," I ain't that old. "Nah, I got it. Go back to sleep." Merle answered turning back to the window.
She sat down on the floor beside him, wrapped up in a blanket. "Think we're going to make it? I mean get away from him?"
"Yeah." Merle had no doubt. It wouldn't be easy but they would do it. Failure was not an option.
Rowan stared out at the rain, her voice barely louder than the rain hitting the glass of the window. "What if they catch up to us?"
"We kill 'em." He touched her shoulder. "You gonna be able to do that? Kill 'em'? These are people ya know."
She looked down at her lap and nodded. "I think so."
"Ain't no thinking about it. Just do it cuz if ya don't, they gonna kill ya or make ya wish they had."
"I'm scared," Rowan admitted softly, looking up at him in the dark.
The flickering glow of the storm revealed her delicate features. She looked so young, Merle thought. "I know ya are, girl." He squeezed her shoulder. "Jus' don't let it keep ya from doing what ya hafta."
She scooted closer and leaned her head against his knee. He froze as her hand slid up his bare skin her fingertips drawing a meandering line through the coarse hair of his calf.
Merle picked up a tendril of her slightly damp black hair that lay across his thigh and let it cascade wistfully through his fingers.
Rowan turned to look up at the older man who she was now seeing in a different light. She turned toward him and he cupped her cheek with his large calloused hand. Moving between his knees and she rose up to press her lips to his. He slipped his hand behind her head and pulled her to him, pushing her lips apart to plunder her sweet mouth. She moaned beneath his gentle assault and slid her hands around his waist and under his shirt to feel the hard muscles of his back under her palms. He growled against her lips as she pushed her firm breasts into his hard chest.
Skimming his hand down her spine and inside the elastic band of the "borrowed" pants she wore, he cupped her small bare ass. Fuck! No fuckin' panties. Merle shuddered with the great effort it took not to come right then. Exhaling slowly, he lifted her slender body enough to rub his straining cock against her center. Rowan slid her hands around his neck and began to move against him of her own accord. He captured her groans with his mouth. The hand cupping her ass shifted forward enough to touch the wet hot flesh between her thighs. She pushed down against his hand trying to urge him to explore further. He circled her entrance with his rough fingertips, holding her against him with his right arm, trying not to hurt her with the apparatus' metal brace on her back.
Fuck, how he wanted to be inside her. He glanced over at the bed. Amanda was sleeping, buried in the comforter and so was Martinez. Could he chance it? Fuck, yeah.
"We gonna do this, darlin'?" he asked huskily, nipping at her collar bone as he pulled her t-shirt up enough to take a taut rosy nipple in his mouth.
Rowan hastily unbuckled his belt, jerked down the zipper of his pants. "Easy there, girl." he murmured. He wasn't wearing anything underneath either.
"Sorry," she whispered in his ear. "Can't wait." Her wet tongue dipped inside his ear. "I want you, now." She wiggled out of the loose fitting sweatpants.
"Fuck!" Merle hissed through clenched teeth as he helped Rowan position herself over his straining cock. She pushed down at the same time he thrust up, filling her completely. Damn she felt good, so hot, so tight. She met his every thrust with one of her own.
She buried her face in his neck with a long, low moan. "Oh god, Merle..."
"Shhh! Fuck, girl, don't wake 'em," he whispered in her ear. They moved together silently in perfect rhythm gradually picking up the pace until Rowan's breath came in short harsh gasps. Wrapping long strands of her hair around his hand, Merle held her head tightly against his stubbled cheek. Her short nails dug into his shoulders. Suddenly, his entire body tensed as she tightened violently around him. He grunted into her mouth as she cried out in to his.
"Hushhhh, baby! Fuck!" His body jerked and he thrust hard into her. Once, twice and once again. "Jesus H. Christ, girl!" He collapsed against her sweaty limp body.
Merle eventually regained his wits, kissed her on top of the head and leaned back in the chair. Rowan stood up between his legs and smiled down at him. He helped her pull the pants up but not before stealing a quick kiss on the triangle of soft curls between her legs before covering her up. She squealed and jumped back but he caught her, pulling her back into him.
"Damn it, girl!" he hissed, glancing over at the king-sized bed with his sleeping daughter and friend. "Hush up." Then, he traced her kiss-swollen lips with his finger and tenderly pressed his own lips against hers. "Now, git back to bed, darlin'."
Rowan trailed her fingers along his arm. "G'night, Merle."
He turned back to the window continuing his watch for the Governor's men with a small satisfied smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
Rick drove slowly down the dark flooded streets. They couldn't see much but they could cover some of the distance to the next town. Occasionally Daryl would hop out of the truck to check something out but found nothing so far. Even the walkers were scarce in this weather. He guessed the mud and water slowed them down too. The dead stumbled and fell and seem to have trouble getting firm enough footing on the slippery surfaces to stand back up so they either crawled or dragged themselves along in their never-ending quest for flesh.
Amanda lay awake, sandwiched between Rowan and Martinez, listening to the steady rhythm of Caesar's breathing. She wished it was Rick's breathing. She wished he was here, holding her against his chest in his strong arms. Kissing her. Taking the pain away. She bit back a sob. She was safe, now. She had her daddy and his friends and they would be at the prison soon. Maybe a day or two, that's what Daddy said, depending on the weather...and if the Governor's men caught up to them. He didn't say that but it was understood by all. Amanda wanted, no, needed Rick, now. She covered her mouth to hold her cries in.
"Hey," Caesar rolled on his side to face her. He made sure he was far enough away that Daddy Dixon couldn't misconstrue his actions for anything other than innocent. "It's okay. You're safe. Your dad's just over there, by the window."
"Sorry," she whispered. "I didn't mean to wake you."
"No problem. I'm a light sleeper." He covered her hand with his. "We're not gonna let anything happen to you."
"I know," she said softly.
"You have someone waiting for you?"
Amanda nodded and smiled, "Yes. I was just thinking about him."
"He'll be happy to have you back." Caesar squeezed her hand. "Go to sleep and dream about your man, then. Maybe you'll be reunited tomorrow."
"Thank you, Caesar." I hope so.
The old truck without its lights on, rolled to a stop at the edge of a new town that didn't look much different from the ones they searched through yesterday. Without speaking, Rick and Daryl exited the vehicle and began to methodically search the street, house by house, taking out walkers quietly and only as needed.
While the women slept, Merle armed himself. "Going after transportation, Martinez. We ain't getting anywhere like this." He looked out the window at the rain. It had slowed but not stopped completely. "I'll be back in a couple of hours. Do what ya gotta to keep the girls safe."
Caesar didn't like it but he understood the rationality of Dixon's decision. Once they had a vehicle they could get far away from Woodbury fast.
"Daddy?"
Shit! "Go back to sleep, baby girl." Merle had planned on getting out and back before she woke.
Amanda pushed back the comforter and swung her legs to the floor. "Where you going?"
"Don't worry, Ladybug, I'll be back in a bit."
Rowan sat up, pushing back her tangled hair. "What's going on?"
Fuck! Merle and Martinez exchanged glances. Merle's was one of disgust and the other man's one of amusement.
Caesar filled the women in on Merle's plans.
Both protested. "Don't leave us."
Martinez said, "I feel like I should be insulted."
"Can't we all go together?" Amanda asked rising from the bed.
"No!" Merle barked, then lowered his voice at the startled look on his daughter's face. "I'm faster on my own."
Rowan had come around to stand beside him. She had already put her boots on and slipped into an oversized raincoat she had found in the downstairs closet. "I'll go."
"Fuck, girl! Ain't you listening?" Damn pushy women.
"Won't hurt to have someone to watch your back, Dixon." Caesar added.
"Fuck both of ya!"
"I'll stay if you take Rowan with you, Daddy."
"You're stayin' either way, baby girl."
He stomped down the steps with Rowan on his heels. "You ain't goin' neither."
"But I..."
"Get your skinny ass back up there and make sure everone's ready to go when I get back with the truck."
"Mr. Di..." Rowan almost ran into him when he pulled up short.
Turning to look at her, Merle raised an eyebrow. "You still gonna call me mister after last night?" His voice was softly teasing.
"S-sorry," she blushed, remembering last night very vividly, "but Merle..."
"But nuthin'," He tangled his hand in her hair, pulling her against his chest and kissed her breathless. Then smacked her ass sharply and said, "Now git up them stairs, girl."
Without looking back, Merle Dixon stepped out into the drizzling rain, slamming the door behind him.