I didn't even know I had fallen asleep until Alana's loud screaming woke me with a jerk. I'd fallen asleep leaning against Daryl, who at one point or another, had also drifted off. Blade's loud barking made my reach for my knife in the darkness, nearly punching Daryl in my haste to find the flash light.

"Alana, what's wrong?" I screamed over her cries. Daryl fumbled with his flashlight but finally managed to turn it on in time to see Alana's thrashing in her sleep, her screams still loud, urgent, vibrating off the metal walls.

Once I realized she was still asleep, I threw my arms around her, pressing my face against her head as I murmured soft words, rocking her back and forth, refusing to let the little girl's thrashes get any worse. After a few moments of screaming, she settled down, her heart still racing in her chest.

"Easy, Alana, come on, sweet girl, wake up," I cooed. Daryl's eyes were wide as he watched the scene unfold. Finally, Alana's eyes opened. Fear was written all over her face.

"Mommy?"

"Hey, pretty one, how're ya feeling?" I asked, smoothing back her hair.

"Sleepy," she muttered, rubbing her eyes. "What's wrong?"

"You had another night terror, honey, don't you remember?" I asked her gently. She never remembered. It was almost more terrifying than the walkers that crowded the fence. She'd have an episode every few weeks. Scared the hell out of me the first time it happened.

"Sorry," she murmured, already falling back to sleep.

"Don't be, doll," I said softly, kissing the top of her head. "Sweet dreams."

"Mommy?"

"Hmm?"

"Sing that song, please?" her tone was so innocent, I didn't have the heart to deny her request. I pulled her even closer, rocking her slowly back and forth as the words tumbled out of my mouth in the same soft, motherly tone my own mother once used with me almost 30 years ago.

"Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high
There's a land that I heard of
Once in a lullaby

Somewhere over the rainbow
Skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true

One day I wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far
Behind me

Where troubles fell like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That's where you'll find me

Somewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly
Birds fly over the rainbow
Why, oh, why can't I?

If happy little bluebirds fly
Above the rainbow
Why, oh, why can't I?"

By the time I finished the song, she was fast asleep, her head resting on my chest. I smiled down at her, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. Daryl watched in silence, his stance still tense.

"She's alright," I told him, my voice gentle. "Sorry she woke you."

"Don't be," he muttered, relaxing ever so slightly. "You two should go down and get some sleep. I'll finish the watch."

"Naw, I like it up here," I said, looking around. The cool spring air blew through the drafty window. "Besides, I don't wanna be down there when everyone wakes up."

"I know whatcha mean," he nodded, a small smirk pulling at his lips.

"How'd I end up on the floor anyway?" I asked. Last I remembered, I'd been watching the walkers claw at the fence, perked carelessly in the chair, not on the floor cuddling up with the dirty redneck.

"Ya practically fell outta the chair," he chuckled. "Decided ya needed some sleep. Guess I did too."

I pulled the thin blanket around Alana before standing up, stroking Blade's head to reassure him that it was alright.

"I'm gon' take the dogs down for a quick break, mind keeping an eye on her?" I asked. I knew by the look Riley was giving me, he needed a chance to stretch his legs and relieve himself. I figured Blade could do the same.

"What if she has another night terror?" Daryl asked me, glancing down at the sleeping child.

"She won't," I assured him. "They don't happen often. And if she does, it'll pass quickly. Just keep her from thrashing around too much."

"Uh…" he didn't look too convinced. "I can take the dogs out if that's what this is all about?"

"Daryl, she'll be fine," I assured him. "Unless you want me stumbling around in the dark with a sleeping child in my arms." I cocked an eyebrow. Daryl grumbled something under his breath but stopped arguing with me. At least he was smart enough to know better than to argue with a woman!

I hurried down the stairs before he could come up with another excuse, the dogs at my heels. Once we were outside, the moans of the walkers grew louder. I stiffened, allowing my eyes and ears a moment to adjust before letting both dogs take off into the darkness. I smiled at the pair as the frolicked across the prison yard, careless and free as dogs should be, not tethered and dressed to kill.

It amazed me with how calm the night was, despite everything that had happened the day before. Even Daryl seemed happier, despite his brother's status being up for debate. I couldn't help but wonder what was going on in that head of his.

And how he was with Alana. It was to die for, really. He was so concerned by her night terror, that it just felt right trusting him with her. Even though I barely knew the man, I'd known his brother for long enough to know that there was something special about the Dixon brothers, and it went way past their ability to survive in a world like this. It was something more. Something buried deep, deep down in those tough exteriors.

"Late night stroll?" a familiar voice asked. I jumped slightly, startled by the sudden break in the silence.

"The dogs needed a break," I chuckled.

"That lil' girl of yours woke up the whole prison," he said slyly.

"Did she really?" I groaned. Now I had to go face the group. It wasn't likely that Rick would let screaming like that slide.

"Don't sound so annoyed," he chuckled. "I explained Lanny's lil' night terrors."

"Thank you," I smiled. Merle rarely used his nickname for Alana. Only when he was truly concerned about the little girl's wellbeing. It was one of the nicer things the bitter, ex-drug addict had done. He had started calling her Lanny the same day he brought her the scrappy old teddy bear he found on one of our supply runs.

"She's a good kid," he shrugged. "A shame she has to grow up like this."

"A shame anyone has to grow up like this," I agreed. "Merle?"

"Yeah?"

"Why'd you do it? Back in Woodbury. That night I totally freaked out and left. Why'd you cover for me?" I asked. When the brothers and I had been walking back to the prison, Merle had filled me in on the night I'd made a break for it.

"Did it for selfish reasons, really," Merle shrugged. "Figured you might find my brother if I let you go."

"I didn't even know his name," I scoffed. "Really Merle, why'd you do it?"

"Cause ya taught me somethin' no one else could," he shrugged, looking at his knifed hand before looking me dead in the eyes. "Ya taught me how to care."

A/n - As always, thank you, thank you, thank you for the reviews! They keep me motivated! C'mon, I've been spitting out a chapter a day almost! Anyway, here's a fun fact for you all!

I've decided to make Merle a little, teeny tiny bit more human. Or Humane. Depends how you look at it. We never really, truly got to see the whole side of Merle, and I've taken the liberty to turn him into a nice guy. At least some of the time. Okay, rarely ever. But he has a soft spot for Harleigh, because she's so kick ass. No. Really.

I promise Merle's mean attitude comes back. This little sentimental moment was crucial. Without it, the next chapter (Kudos to mrskaz453 for fueling the fire!) wouldn't make any sense! 'Cause you know, I love making everything dramatic. And sweet. And horrible. Oh boy. xD

Let me know what you think and keep the little suggestions coming! I intend to use quite a few of them in the upcoming chapters!

Oh, and for the Caryl readers, please be warned, Miss "I must stalk Daryl because I'm broken and lonely and he cared about Sophia" will definitely meet her match later on in the story. Dun dun duuuuuuuuuuuuun!