Next morning they took a long time getting ready to face the day. Daryl was quiet and would hardly meet Rick's eyes. Rick didn't want to add to Daryl's feeling of misery so he left him alone for the moment. He'd told him that the detective would be back to take his statement soon, and that seemed to weigh heavily on Daryl's mind.

Rick showered and put on fresh clothes. He got a shirt on Daryl and made him comfortable on the sofa. Then he made them both breakfast, and badgered Daryl until he'd at least eaten some toast.

The detective came shortly after eleven. He was more gentle with Daryl than Rick had feared and showed no animosity or disapproval at Daryl's answers. The hardest thing for Rick to hear was Daryl's reply when asked what exactly Merle had wanted from him.

"He'd somehow found out that, for a while, I'd gone with men for money. It seemed an easy way to make some cash quickly at the time, and it worked out all right for a bit. But it got too scary and I stopped.

"When Merle barged in here with that other man I told them I might consider doing it again, and that I'd pay Merle back for the bike, but that I wasn't ready yet, and that I'd pick my own clients. Merle wouldn't listen and got angry real quick."

Daryl's voice had been almost emotionless throughout. He now looked up, meeting Rick's eyes briefly before focusing on the detective. "I won't lie. I am scared to get into trouble, but if it means that Merle and that other guy go to prison I don't care about what happens to me."

The detective held his gaze. To Rick, he looked sympathetic. "You won't get into trouble. Your brother is under investigation here, not you, and whatever you did or didn't do before last night, it won't have consequences."

The interview ended shortly after that. Rick saw the detective out and then came to sit next to Daryl, who'd been sitting up during the interview. He looped his arm around Daryl's shoulders and the other man leaned into him with a sigh. Rick didn't think there was much to be gained from rehashing the previous day just then, but he had something else to say now that might distract them both from the current state of affairs.

"Do you know why I came back so early yesterday?" Rick could feel Daryl shake his head against his shoulder.

"I came back to tell you some good news. While you were at Grady Memorial I arranged a meeting with the Chief of Police at Atlanta Police Department. I've known him for a long time, and a few years back he offered me a job, if I ever wanted one.

"After things started getting so difficult here, I decided to see if they had any openings. It so happens that they'd just had a senior officer retiring, and I got a call yesterday from the Chief himself, asking me if I would accept the rank of Captain, to head up the Downtown Atlanta precinct. I said I would."

Daryl pulled away and sat up. Rick was pleased to see the look of genuine delight on Daryl's face. Giving his man something to smile about now was even better that this career opportunity in itself.

"This is fantastic news, Rick! But it means that you'll move away…"

Before Daryl had even time to formulate any mistaken consequences of that thought Rick interrupted him. "No, it means we'll be moving."

From the look on Daryl's face Rick knew that he was struggling with a whole array of emotions. He pulled Daryl close again. He snuggled back in willingly, holding on to Rick.

"But what am I supposed to do while you go off to be the new sheriff in town?"

Rick had thought about that, too. "When we went to that gallery you told me you wanted to be an artist. If you want to explore that further, now is your opportunity. We can finally go back to Merle's, and get all your things, and you can show me your work. Or you could go to college, like Carol. Or anything else you like, really.

"The rank of Captain won't make me stinking rich over night, but even with alimony to Lori I'll be better off than I've ever dreamt I'd be. Whatever you want to do, Daryl, I'll make sure you get to do it."

There was no answer, but Rick could feel Daryl's grip tighten. Rick didn't need to hear Daryl say out loud that he was in on Rick's plans. His heart beating against Rick's chest and his hands gripping him hard was all the answer he needed.

Suddenly Rick knew that their future had never looked brighter.