"Get up, Possum." A harsh whisper disturbed her sleep. "Let's go huntin'." Daryl tried not to wake Rowan, who was sleeping on the top bunk.

"Go away," his niece mumbled, pulling the cover over her head. "Don't wanna go."

Daryl lifted the corner up, and whispered in her ear, "I need you."

She rolled away from him, facing the wall. "Bullshit. You don't need anyone, said so yourself."

"C'mon, Amanda!"

"I said get lost, Daryl!"

"Would you two at least shut up until sunrise?" asked Rowan, grumpily.

"Shit, I need talk to you," he said loudly, shining his flashlight in Amanda's face.

"If it's about Atlanta..." she said covering her eyes. "Get that light outta my face!

"Damn it!" Rowan climbed down from the bunk with her pillow and blanket. "If you're here," she snapped at Daryl, "then it must be safe for me to sleep on your perch." She stomped off.

Daryl waited until he heard her bare feet on the steps then he turned back to Amanda. "No...it's about Beth."

She was immediately wide awake. "Did you?"

"What?"

"You know," she said.

With a huff, he pulled the blanket off of her bed. "Shut up and get dressed I'll meet ya outside."

Daryl refused to say a word until they were deep in the woods away from the prison. He shot a few squirrels just to cover his tracks.

"Okay, Daryl, talk!" she said, catching up to him. Her strength was coming back now that she was getting out of the cell and moving around but she wasn't quite ready for the marathon of keeping up with her uncle.

He looked like he wanted to change his mind about talking but Amanda was relentless, like a dog with a bone. If he knew her like he thought he did, she would hound him until he caved in. So he spit it out, "Beth wants me to..." Not as easy to say out loud as he thought. "She wants me to...you know..." he shuffled his feet and looked anywhere but at his niece.

"I do?" she asked innocently, knowing full well what he was going to say. She just wanted to hear him say it.

"Fuck, Possum!" he cursed in frustration. Women were supposed to be intuitive, weren't they? Did he have to spell it out for her?

"Beth wants to you to fuck what, Uncle Daryl?" his niece asked, unable to hold back the giggles.

Daryl looked up and caught the amusement in her face. "Shit, you're as bad as Merle!"

She laughed. "I'm sorry, really. I couldn't help it. Must be my Dixon blood. Please, go on, Uncle Daryl," she said, biting her lip to stop the giggles that were bubbling up.

"Bitch," he muttered and inhaled deeply, needing a little more oxygen to get his nerve up. "Yeah, she wants me to f-, er have sex with her...for the first time."

She put her arm around his waist and gave him a little hug. "How sweet Daryl. I didn't know you were still a virgin. You picked a very nice girl to pop your cherry."

He twisted out of her embrace. "Goddamn it, Amanda! Do ya have to be so thick? I ain't a virgin, she is!"

Amanda was laughing so hard she had to sit down.

Daryl looked at her and shook his head. "Possum, ya just ain't right, crazy bitch." He laughed in spite of himself. It was nice seeing her laugh again even if it was at his expense. "Already knew, didn't ya?

She nodded, restraining her laughter enough to apologize. "I'm sorry, Uncle Daryl. I really am but you should have seen your face."

"How long?" He chewed on the end of his thumb.

Amanda wiped the tears of mirth away from her eyes. "A month or so, I guess."

"A fuckin' month and ya didn't say shit to me!" Daryl kicked at a tree in frustration.

She shrugged. "Wasn't my place to tell you."

He whirled around, running his hands through his hair. "Well, goddamn...Is there anyone who don't know?"

"Judith and Carl? Maybe Herschel, but I think he suspects it."

Daryl looked ready to punch something, hard. He was pissed. "Fuckin' hell. This group is fuckin' crazy!"

Her uncle was pretty pissed, maybe she should have been a little easier with him. "Calm down, Daryl."

"Don't like everyone knowin' my business," he mumbled, sitting down on a log beside her.

"Too late. Just make the best of it," she said, patting his knee.

"Fuck," he said, laying his crossbow on the other side. "So what do I do?"

Amanda shrugged. "Fuck her."

"What the..." He couldn't believe he heard that right. When did she start talking like that?

She nudged his arm with hers, making him look at her. "Why not?"

"She's just a kid."

Amanda snorted. "No she's not, not anymore. Carl's not even a kid anymore...well may just until he hits puberty but this world changed all of us. Everything is different now."

"I don't know, Possum." Daryl rested his head in his hands.

She couldn't believe she was asking her uncle this. "Do you not want to?"

"Ain't what I said," he muttered, really not wanting to go down this path with his niece.

"Either you do or you don't."

"Ain't that simple, Possum."

"Yes, Daryl, it is. She doesn't want to die a virgin. She chose you for the honor. So what's the problem?"

He didn't say anything...he didn't know, never had to make that kind of decision...all the girls he fucked before hadn't been virgins for a long time. With them, it was just sex, nothing more. This couldn't be just sex...not with Beth. She would want a relationship and he didn't know if he was ready for that.

Amanda pushed herself up off his shoulder. "Don't make her wait too long while you decide. You may have competition. Caesar's younger and hotter..."

He looked at her hard. He hadn't thought about Caesar. Fuck. "Shut up, I'm tryin' to think."

"Stop thinking so hard. A girl should be able to choose who she wants to be with her first time. For reasons beyond my understanding, Beth chose you. At least give her that much." She gave him a peck on the cheek, then asked, "Ready to go back?"

He rose, slinging his crossbow over his shoulder. "What about Herschel?" He offered a hand to help her up.

She smiled to herself. Finally, the heart of his problem. "So that's the real issue, is it? Scared of him?"

"Hell yeah. I ain't stupid. He may only have one leg but I've seen him shoot." Daryl took the lead back to the prison, bagging a few more squirrels on the way.

Merle rolled away from Rowan and onto his back as the sunlight began to filter in through the small windows that lined the top of the prison walls. Damn, he was getting old. His muscles were sore, his bones ached and he would have liked to stay in bed all day, not even to fuck. He'd be happy for a little extra sleep. But, as always there was work to be done.

It had been a nice surprise when the young woman crawled onto his mattress before sunrise. He heard Daryl and Ladybug slip out but he couldn't bring himself to see what they were up to. Hunting most likely. Baby Brother pretty much had a one-track mind.

Rowan snuggled against him and he guessed she must've had trouble going back to sleep because after a few minutes, he woke again to her hand in his pants. Naturally, his body reacted instantly. He wasn't so damned old that he couldn't get it up. He knew she didn't like fuckin' where others could hear but she started this and he sure as hell wouldn't pass on it, no matter how many aches and pains he had this morning.

He rolled on top of her and she pulled the blanket over their heads. She pushed her own sweats and panties down and he slid smoothly into her slick heat. Her arms went around him, stroking him from shoulder to ass...nice and comfortable. They moved together, slow and easy. She felt so damn good.

Merle propped on his elbows wishing there was enough light to see the look on her face. He imagined her watching him and smiling, eyes soft, lips parted. Rowan cupped his face, bringing his mouth down to hers. Yeah, her lips were parted. She pressed her delicious hot mouth to his, running her tongue over his lips, darting inside to tease his with a sweet loving kiss.

Her hips moved faster and he knew she was getting close. He could feel the familiar signs, her breath quickening, hips urgently pressing into his. She bent her knees and spread them wider to allow his thrusts to sink as far as her pussy would allow. Her hands gripped his arms, nails digging into his skin. He slid his hand between their bodies, down to where they were joined and he felt her breath catch in her chest as he found her clit, rubbing it gently...just enough...Fuck! She tightened, squeezing, arching against him, sucking him in deeper. She bit down on his shoulder, trying not to make any noise, as he pumped hard and silent until he finally came. He collapsed on top of her. Her legs fell limply to the side and she wrapped her arms around him flattening her palms against his lower back. He kissed her neck, the only place he could reach without moving until he could slide off enough to take his weight from her chest so she could breathe. She cuddled up against him and fell asleep in his arms.

If he didn't know any better Merle Dixon would have thought he was...pussy-whipped. Ain't no way in hell. No bitch could tame him. He brushed the hair from Rowan's forehead. He'd only been with her...how long...must be at least a month now. Fuck, maybe waking up to the same woman everyday ain't so bad. That is, if you had the right woman...

Carl was waiting at the gate when Daryl and Amanda returned from their morning hunt. "Hey, Daryl! Hey, Possum!"

He ducked away, laughing, when the woman swung a string of dead squirrels at him. "Don't call me that, you little brat!"

Daryl snatched the game away from her. "Cut that shit out, Possum! Don't mess up dinner."

"Need some help?" the boy asked, eager, as always.

She reached out a hand and ruffled his hair playfully. "Thanks, Carl, but I'm pretty sure it's my turn."

Both man and boy looked at Amanda, speechless and wide-eyed with shock. Her distaste for cleaning the daily catch was legendary in the prison. Her uncle hadn't asked her to help since her return and she had never, ever volunteered for the duty.

"That's okay, Amanda," her uncle said warily. "Ain't got that much anyway."

"No, I want to help. Take a break Carl. Go play with your sister."

Carl looked at Amanda like she was crazy but went off with only a couple of backward glances unless she changed her mind.

Her uncle wasn't buying her willingness to help out. "What's up?"

"I want to talk to you."

He started skinning the first squirrel. "Already did."

She continued, "About Atlanta."

Fuck. "Okay, whatcha want to know?" He didn't look up from his work. He sure as hell didn't wanna talk about it but he owed her that much.

"Tell me what really happened?" She picked up a dead squirrel and turned it on its back, reaching for her knife.

Daryl sighed heavily, pausing only a moment before grabbing the squirrel from her hand and started on it himself. "Ain't for sure, just know what I heard from Rick and Glenn. A group of 'em, mostly dead now, went to the city get supplies. Your daddy was one of 'em. Guess he took a stash or found some shit there but he was high as a kite and out of control. Rick...that's where they picked 'im up, took Merle down and cuffed 'im to the roof. T-Dog, ain't with us no more, dropped the key down a drain and left your daddy cuffed to a piece of metal. T chained the door to the roof shut. They was overrun, had to leave in a hurry." He tossed the clean squirrel in his hand to the pile by her feet.

"Next mornin', me, Rick, T-Dog and Glenn went back for 'im. Cut the chain with bolt cutters but Merle weren't there. Done cut off his own fuckin' hand." Daryl shook his head and paused for a moment. The image of his brother's severed hand still hit him like a punch in gut. "Tried to find 'im, followed 'is trail, saw where he even cauterized the damn thing...Your daddy still took out more walkers than I could count, one-handed and bleeding...I lost 'is trail." He still felt guilt over that. He was a damn good tracker but Merle was better. Taught him everything he knew. "Then the camp at the quarry was overrun and we had to leave. Didn't know where to start looking after that."

Amanda and Beth watched Judith while Carol and Rowan prepared the evening meal. The little girl was quite a handful now that she was trying to walk.

"Amanda?" Beth asked a little hesitantly as they watched the baby play with the stuffed toy Daryl had brought back for her. She gnawed on it, squealed at it, and tossed it through the air crawling to retrieve it again.

"Yeah," she answered absently, recalling the words her uncle has said about her Daddy. She wasn't surprised by his behavior, not really, drugs did that to a person. Still, they shouldn't have left him with no way to defend himself. Did they have a choice if they wanted to survive themselves? She had so many unanswered questions.

"Amanda?" Beth's voice yanked her out of her thoughts, making her realize she was ignoring the girl.

"Sorry, Beth. What were you saying?"

The blonde girl looked at her with somewhat shy smile. "I told Daryl."

Amanda met her gaze. "I know."

"He seemed okay with it at the time but I think he's avoiding me." Beth watched Judith crawl over to Amanda, throwing the toy at her legs.

Probably is, the big chicken. "Why do you think that, Beth?"

She sounded sad. "He's always on his way somewhere or not to be found at all. Why would he avoid me?"

Amanda shrugged and held the toy for Judith to take. "Nervous, I guess...It can be a lot of pressure on a man."

"You think so?" The young woman hadn't thought of it that way.

"Maybe. He's kind of shy around women, in case you didn't notice," she smiled, reassuring her friend. Then she brought up the important question. "What does your dad think about this?"

"Pft...he's an old fossil, Amanda." The younger girl rolled her eyes. "Why would I talk to him about sex? He probably doesn't even remember it."

Amanda was not going to argue that point with the teenager. "You two have always been close."

"He's just going to say I'm too young or tell me to wait for the right man, which Daryl is but I'm sure Daddy won't think so. He probably thinks he's too old for me but look at your dad and Rowan. He's waaay older than she is and they seem happy."

Amanda didn't want to think about that too much either but there was no denying that fact. "Did you talk to your sister, Maggie?"

"She's always with Glenn. Anyway, I can't talk to her like I can to you."

Amanda wasn't giving up. "You should try."

Beth just shrugged. "Do you think Daryl's a virgin too?"

"What?" Amanda was glad she wasn't holding Judith when Beth threw that question out. She probably would have dropped the baby.

The young woman went on. "Maybe that's why he's so hesitant. I know I told you that I wanted someone who knows what they're doing but that's okay if he doesn't. We can work it out together." Beth smiled and Amanda could almost see the wheels spinning in her head.

"Beth, honey, I don't know a thing about Daryl's sex life." Thank goodness, but I do know he's not a virgin. She kept her mouth shut about her opinion on the matter...wasn't her place. She smirked. She'd love to be a fly on the wall if Beth decided to broach that subject with her uncle.

"I know he wants me, Amanda." Amanda raised her brows, hearing that. Beth had her full attention. "I mean the way he kissed me and touched me...I could tell," she said dreamily, like a girl with her head in the clouds.

"Excuse me...slow down, girl. He kissed you?" And touched you? Oh my God, how much did I miss hiding away in my cell?

"I didn't tell you? No matter. I had to make the first move but he kissed me back and he put his hands...you know...on me." The girl's blue eyes were wide with the implied meaning of his actions.

"No!" Amanda's brain was having a bit of trouble processing that piece of information. Oh my God! He didn't!?

"On my...behind," she whispered conspiratorially.

Whew. Not where I thought. When did I get such a dirty mind? "Okay..."

"And he was...hard, really hard." Beth blushed when she said it.

Daryl, Daryl, Daryl, you dog! Amanda chuckled. "Sounds like he's interested to me sweetie."

"You think so?" she asked hopefully.

"Yes, I do. But, I think he has held back, out of respect for your daddy." That's what she said but she really meant out of fear.

"Oh pooh, Amanda. Daddy's gonna ruin this for me, isn't he?" She stomped her foot then snatched Judith's hand right before the little girl shoved a bug in her mouth.

"Now Beth..."

The pout was evident in her voice, even though Amanda could see it plainly on her face. "I won't let him. I'll talk to Daddy and tell him it's my choice and I'll have sex with whoever I want. He has no say in the matter." She picked up the baby and balanced her on her hip, wiping her grubby little hands on her shirt.

Shit! "No! No, Beth. You can't do that. It..."

She interrupted, "Well, why not?"

"Listen, please. You don't want to make Daryl...how do I put this...feel like less than a man. He has to face your daddy everyday, hon, and he's not going to go behind his back." At least, I don't think he will.

"Oh," she said thoughtfully, considering this information. "Well then, Daryl can just tell him that he is going to be with me and I will tell Daddy that's what I want...problem solved." She smiled.

Oh, fucking hell, how did I get myself into this? "Beth, sweetie. Let Daryl handle it by himself. It's a man thing. I'll talk to him if you want." What the fuck did I just say?

"Would you? Oh thank you, Amanda!" Beth hugged her. "You are definitely my BFF!"

Daryl relieved Glenn and Maggie from watch duty and was enjoying the solitude of a quiet night. The moon was full and the stars were bright. A perfect night for sleeping outside. He just might do that when his turn was done. Beats sleeping next to Merle, especially when his bitch joined him.

The sound of soft footsteps assaulted his ears. Fuck, not tonight. One night alone, was that too much to ask for?

Amanda joined him at the top of the tower. "How about some company?" she asked, putting an arm around his waist and leaning into his shoulder.

"Gotta choice?" He tried to sound gruff and grouchy but he was happy to see his niece up and around. He was glad she was finally getting out more. The sun and the exercise made her look so much better than when she was holed up in the cell. He was worried about her, hell everyone was. He was afraid she would never come out again.

"Nope."

"Figures," he said, laying his arm across her shoulders and giving a light squeeze. "How ya feelin'?"

"Okay I guess. Can't sleep."

He kissed the side of her head. "If ya want, go grab a sleeping bag and you can sleep here while I'm on watch."

"Thank," she said. "I love you, Uncle Daryl."

"Don't start that shit, brat." He smiled, gently pushing her away.

She laughed softly. "Can't help it, you big bully." She playfully punched him in the side.

"Don't start nothin' ya can't finish," he warned, pulling her in a tight hug.

She stilled. "Do you think Rick had no other choice?"

"Fuck, Possum, I don't know," he started. He wished they could put this shit behind them but he knew it wasn't gonna be easy. Nothing ever was. "Like I said before, I wasn't there. They said he beat the shit outta T-Dog and put a gun to his head. Did you ask Merle about it?"

"No. He only said Rick cuffed him like an animal and left him to die. Daddy doesn't talk about it."

"Did ya ask Rick?"

"No. I can't talk to him."

"You need to, Possum."

"I thought you didn't want me to be with him."

Her uncle shrugged. "Grimes cares for ya. He barely held his shit together when ya didn't come back." I barely held mine together. He sighed. "The man wanted to tell ya about Atlanta but I told him not to," he admitted ruefully, putting the blame on his own shoulders.

Amanda looked at him hard. "Why would you do that?"

"'Cause I didn't want to see ya hurtin' like that over your daddy. Thought I was doing the right thing. Guess not."

Rowan's words echoed in her head. He did what he felt he had to do to protect you. Plain and simple. It didn't feel so plain and simple. It felt complicated. She didn't say anything to that, just hugged him.

"Sorry, baby girl, guess I messed everythin' up."

"You were just trying to protect me," she said. It was nice not being totally mad at Daryl anymore. She didn't realize how much she missed his surly company. She sort of got where he was coming from but doubted that she could ever completely understand. "Hey Daryl?" she asked.

"Yeah, Possum."

"You better talk to Herschel, before Beth does."

"What the hell?" That pissed off look he had in the woods earlier, when he realized the whole group knew about him and Beth, was back

She smiled up at him. "The girl is getting impatient so if you don't hurry up and do something, she will."

"Fuck it all! What the hell is wrong with all you women?"

"We have needs..."

"Shut the fuck up!" He pointed a finger at her. "You're not helpin'."

"Just talk to Herschel or the two of you can go to him together, you know, to explain the situation."

"Get. Out. Now."

Amanda knew she overstayed her welcome and skipped off before he came after her. She couldn't help smiling. Daryl was so easy to tease. It was fun, too. She shouldn't get so tickled at him but she did. She was still in her own little amused world when she ran into Rick. He caught her by the upper arms. "Hey, be careful, hon."

"Oh, uh, sorry," she said. His steel blue eyes were mesmerizing in the moonlight. She couldn't pull her gaze away.

Rick loosened his grip but didn't let go of her arms. "You okay?"

"I think so," she answered quietly.

He smiled.

God, the man was so beautiful when he smiled.

"Are you heading back to the cell block?"

She nodded.

He let his hands slide down her arms to take her hands in his. She didn't pull them away. He was afraid to say anything, afraid she'd run away. Her clear blue eyes reflected the moonlight and he thought he caught a glimpse of a smile in them.

"I guess I should go." She looked at her hands but left them in his larger ones. His hands felt...safe. I'm not ready for this, am I? She swallowed.

His grip tightened just a little, just enough. "Let me walk you back, Mandy."

"No, that's okay. It's not that far," she said softly, her voice almost cracking.

He dipped his head down to catch her eye again. "I want to."

She looked at him and nodded. He let go of one of her hands but held firmly on to the other one. He walked with her to her cell and lifted her captured hand to his lips, lightly kissing her fingertips. "Goodnight, Mandy."

She watched Rick leave. Smiling to herself, she let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding.

Her daddy's raspy voice interrupted her thoughts. "What the fuck was that all about?"

"Shit, Daddy, you scared me." She didn't have the energy to deal with him right now. She sank down on the bed.

"I asked you a question, girl," her daddy growled.

She really wasn't up for this. "Goodnight, Daddy."

"Amanda!"

"I said goodnight!" She got up and closed the cell door in his face.

Merle stormed out of the prison after Rick. If that goddamn prick thinks he's gonna touch my daughter again...

"Merle!" Rowan ran to catch up to him, grabbing his arm. He jerked loose and kept heading in the direction of the guard tower. He assumed that was where the mother fucker was going. When he saw that bastard looking at Ladybug like that...then kiss her hand...Fuck...the blooded pounded in his head so hard he literally saw red.

"Merle, please stop!"

He turned around so fast, she ran into him. "Get back to the fuckin' cellblock, woman." His voice was cold and hard.

"No," she said shakily, not backing down.

"Then stay the hell outta my way."

She stepped in front of him. "Please don't do this Merle." she begged.

"Whaddya think I'm gonna do?"

"Kill Grimes."

His laughter was chilling, sending shivers down her spine. "I ain't gonna kill 'im, darlin'...just gonna beat him so he wishes he was dead."

"Merle, honey, you can't."

"Watch me, baby doll."

"Amanda will never forgive you. She loves him."

He grabbed her arm and she yelped in pain. He loosened his grip a bit. "Did she tell ya that?"

"Not in so many words."

He snorted.

"Merle, she does. I know by the way she talks about him. She was in love with him before you ever found her."

Fuck. The man deceived her. How can she still love him? He was squeezing Rowan's arm again.

"Ouch!' She winced. "That hurts, Merle."

He dropped his hand to his side. "Fuck, sugar. How do I do nothin'? I gotta look at the fucker everyday and play nice. It's fuckin' eatin' away at me. Don't know how much longer I can do it. Don't know if I can stay here."

"I don't want to have to leave here, Merle." Rowan had seen the outside world close-up when she left Woodbury and it scared the hell out of her. Woodbury had been to sheltered and she forgot, maybe she never even really knew the terror and total devastation that waited on the other side of the wall. She'd taken their safety for granted.

"Never said ya had too." Hell, didn't even invite ya to go.

"I'm not staying without you. If you go, I go." She hugged him and felt him relax a little. He put his arms around her. "Please, baby, wait 'til morning and talk to Amanda." She rubbed his strong back and shoulders. "You're all knotted up. Come in and let me give you a massage."

Tempting. Woman had strong hands and gave a damn good back rub. She leaned into him, placing an open-mouth kiss on his strong jaw line, tracing a path to his lips with her tongue. He held the back of her neck angling her head for a hot deep kiss that about took his breath away. "Ya ain't playin' fair, darlin'," he growled in her mouth. He felt her smiling and a slender hand slid down his back to squeeze his ass. "Fuck, girl." He kissed her hard and then pushed himself away.

He had to catch his breath. He looked at the smug smile that spread across her face and shook his head, a half-smile touched his own lips. "I still hate the fucker."

"I know you do, baby." Rowan ran a soft hand over his cheek.

"But I guess I'll let him live another day." He motioned to the cell block entrance. "Get on back. I'm gonna talk to my brother."

She looked at him with uncertainty. "Merle?"

"Ain't gonna do nothin' tonight."

"Okay." Rowan smiled and pressed her lips to his for a slow, lingering kiss. When she was satisfied with the lust in his eyes, she turned on her heel and went back inside. He watched her until she disappeared behind the heavy metal door.

Again, thanks to Siarh for her unending patience in proofreading this lengthy chapter. I am forever grateful for your sharp eyes and helpful suggestions.

Thanks to all my readers and welcome to my new followers. Please leave a review and let me know what you think.

Happy reading!