A/N This a little different than we usually see our loving Dixon family. I hope you like it.
Merle was on his way to work idly humming a tune to himself and thinking about his family. He had not a complaint in the world.
It had been three months since Suzy arrived and she was a little sweetheart. Oh sure, it had taken a couple of weeks to get her on a good schedule, but there had been no problems really, just baby stuff.
Tommy had accepted his baby sister completely and loved to help his Mama care for her.
Beth was a wonderful Mother to their two children, and a terrific wife to him. She was loving, attentive and affectionate.
Business was good; they had everything they needed, everything they wanted.
He got to work and began another busy day. Just before noon Tara told him he had a call from Edith, right away he knew something had to be wrong.
She spoke in a hushed whisper, obviously not wanting anyone to hear, "Mister Merle sorry ta call ya at yer business, but I's worried 'bout Mrs. Beth."
"What? What happened?" he was trying not to panic.
"Well I don't rightly know. She left 'bout 8:30 this mornin', I was watchin' the babies. She said she needed ta go ta the post office an' the grocery, but she come back in under 30 minutes. She was even whiter than usual, she looked like she done seen a ghost an she was shakin'. She ask me ta keep mindin' the children, then she went ta the bedroom, I heard her lock the door, and she ain't come back out. I knocked and tried ta talk ta her, but she just said 'go away please,' thought I'd best call ya Mister Merle." The woman sounded anxious.
"I'm on my way Edith, thanks for callin' me," He didn't know what was going on, but he was going to straighten out whatever it was.
He told Tara and Axel he had to take care of some business, he'd check in later, and he rushed home.
Edith took the children to the backyard to play, and Merle went to the bedroom door, "Beth, it's yer husband, I want ya ta open the door Beth." She didn't respond, but he heard her in there crying.
"Lil Darlin' whatever's wrong we're gonna fix it, now c'mon open the door," but she still did not respond.
He was just about to slam into the door with his shoulder when he thought better, went in the bathroom, got a hairpin, and quickly unlocked the door.
She was lying on the bed, her back was to him and he could see she was crying. He shut the bedroom door, went over to the bed and lay down beside her.
He gently wrapped an arm around her waist, relieved she didn't pull away. He softly whispered in her ear, "I love ya Darlin', ya know I do. Ya got ta tell yer husband what's happened so I can make this better. Please, Darlin' trust me."
Her body shuddered slightly as she let out a breath, and said in a shaky whisper, "I saw him. He was at the post office. I saw him."
It didn't register with Merle, "Who Darlin', who'd ya see?"
"Len, the man that hurt me," she whispered.
Ah fuck. "Did he say anything to ya Darlin', bother ya in anyway?" Shit, he didn't know what he'd do now, but he had to think of something.
It took a moment, and then she responded in a whisper, "No. He didn't see me, I saw him in line and I ran out, got back in the car and drove away."
"I'm sorry Darlin', so sorry, but yer husband is gonna get this taken care of, he ain't ever gonna hurt ya again," he pulled her closer, and she seemed to burrow into him.
He wasn't going to say it out loud, but he wondered just how was he going to fix it? Hell, how was he going to find the guy? When he did, then what? He wanted to kill him, didn't think he'd feel a bit of guilt about it. But he had to think about Beth and the kids. He couldn't risk being sent up, who would care for his family? He had to think of something, but first he'd wait while his wife calmed a little more.
While he was pondering his options she surprised him. She rolled over to face him, touched her hand to his cheek and whispered, "Make love to me Merle." And she lifted her head to kiss him softly.
"You sure Lil Darlin'?"
"Yes Merle, please."
He went to the bedroom door and locked it, came back to stand beside the bed, looked down at his wife and said, "You're a beautiful woman Beth, most beautiful woman I ever saw." And then he began to slowly remove her clothes.
Damn he loved this woman and swore to himself that as long as he lived no one would ever hurt her.
xxxx
He told Beth he had to go to the shop and take care of something real quick, and then he'd be back.
He also asked Edith if she could come every day the rest of the week. He didn't feel good about leaving Beth and the kids here alone.
When he got to the shop he told Tara he had to make an important phone call and he didn't want to be disturbed. He went in his office, closed and locked the door, and called Daryl.
He told his brother Beth's story, the whole story up to the time she and Merle had met.
Daryl never spoke a word until Merle was done, then he calmly said, "Sounds like this fucker needs ta disappear Brother. I gotta get a few things tagether, make a couple calls, then I'ma be on my way ta yer place. Tell my nephew him and his Uncle Daryl will be sharin' a room for a while. I ain't bringin' Michonne and the boy, not for this. Mishy don't ask questions, she'll just know she don't wanna know."
And he continued, "Don't tell Beth why I'm comin', just tell her I wanted ta come spend some time with my Brother and Mishy was busy workin', or whatever other kinda story you can come up with."
And finally he said, "See if you can find out from Beth the bastards' last name, approximate age, and a description – hair and eye color, height/weight/build. I got some contacts, I'll see if I can find anythin' out about him. See y'all in a few hours brother."
Merle just said, "Thanks little brother."
xxxx
They followed their usual routine when he got home. The family had dinner together, and it was during dinner that he told her and Tommy that Daryl was coming for a visit. He told her that Daryl wanted to have some time with his brother, see Beth and the kids, and that it was too bad, but Michonne was busy at work and wouldn't be able to make the trip. Beth was disappointed Michonne wouldn't be visiting, but she was happy Daryl could stay a few days.
He didn't want to lie to her, but he told himself it was best for her.
Merle helped her clean the kitchen, and then she sat at the piano and sang songs to their children.
Merle knew it wasn't just that he didn't want that bastard hurting Beth, he was also afraid the guy might try and claim Tommy. No way was Merle giving up his son, not ever.
After the children had been tucked in bed, Merle told her they needed to talk. She looked nervous, but nodded in agreement.
He told her he was going to try and find something out about the guy, maybe he was wanted by the law, maybe they could have him arrested and no one in town would ever have to know what had happened to Beth.
Again, she nodded in agreement.
So he asked her the questions and she answered them all. She was a little shaky, and she fought tears a couple of times, but she told him everything she knew.
In fact, she knew a lot about Len, he'd been at the farm for three weeks before he had done what he did to her. She said his last name was Schmid, he was tall and rangy. She told Merle he had shaggy dark hair down past his ears and a beard. His eyes were dark. She guessed him to be in his mid to later 30's. She added that he had a strong southern accent, a crude manner and he seemed to sneer when he smiled.
Merle took her in his arms and held her tightly, "Yer husband loves ya Lil Darlin', love ya more than anythin'."
"I love you too Merle, thank you for protecting me and our children," She leaned up and kissed him on the lips and he responded.
Then he stepped back a little, looked at her with a smile and said, "It's my job Beth, I'm yer husband. I got ta keep you and Tommy and Suzy safe."
Daryl arrived at 9:30 that evening. After Beth greeted him and told him the extra bed in Tommy's room was made up for him, she excused herself and went to bed.
Merle got himself and Daryl each a beer, and they sat in the front room and talked about work and hunting until Merle was sure she was asleep.
Then he shared with Daryl everything she'd told him.
Daryl just nodded a couple of times and said, "Don't worry brother, I'll take care of the threat. It's what I do."
And Merle, like Michonne, did not ask questions.
Tommy was thrilled to see Uncle Daryl in the morning, and Uncle Daryl was equally pleased to see him.
Daryl and Merle had agreed Daryl would stay home in the morning and accompany Beth on her errands to the post office and the grocery. There was a slim chance 'the threat', as Daryl called him, would again be at the post office, but mostly it was simply a way to protect Beth.
Once Beth was safely home, Daryl would begin his search for the bastard, but of course, he told Beth he wanted to visit with Merle at the shop.
He asked Merle to allow him some uninterrupted use of his office, just for a few minutes. Merle was only too happy to comply.
Daryl carefully scanned the office, checked a few things, and then called one of his contacts and gave him the information Beth had provided. He told him he'd check in with him again in the morning.
Then he told Merle he'd see him later at home, and went about his investigation.
He had a pretty good hunch he knew where the scum would be, or at least end up. He went out of town a little ways, until he was just about a mile from the roadhouse. He drove the truck off the road, hiding it in the woods. He had a throwing knife in a sheath at his hip, a pistol in an ankle holster, binoculars around his neck, and a crossbow on his back.
He proceeded on foot through the woods and toward the roadhouse, making certain he left no tracks or sign he'd been there.
When he got within glassing distance of the roadhouse he climbed a tree that had a branch he could sit on and observe the building.
He sat with the binoculars to his eyes, never moving, never taking his eyes from the building. At noon straight up, he thought he saw him.
The guys hair was too long and shaggy, just as Beth had described it. The hair and eyes were dark, and he had a beard. He was long, lean and looked like a fucking loser, just as Daryl suspected he would.
Daryl continued to keep the roadhouse in his sights, and two hours later the man emerged.
Daryl silently and hastily, climbed from the tree. He quickly stashed the crossbow and binoculars.
No one else was around, so he felt good about approaching the man, "Bill? Bill Fenn, is that you, it's me, Scott Jones." He spoke to the man in a drunken sounding slur so he'd think Daryl was just a confused drunk.
"Ya got me confused with someone else, I ain't no Bill Fenn." The man responded.
"Ya sure buddy? Cuz ya look jus like him," Daryl was waiting for the idiot to say what his name was, and he was rewarded.
"Nah, I ain't him, name's Len Schmid," The guy said as he was opening the door of an ancient Buick.
"Ah, shit sorry man, coulda sworn ya was Bill," Daryl shook his head side to side and walked away.
He let the asshole get in his car and drive off. He knew he'd be back, and Daryl would be waiting.
He went back in the woods and carefully surveyed the area closest to the roadhouse, while still being out of view.
When he'd figured the optimum location and best angles, he made his way back to the tree where he'd left his crossbow and the binoculars, and started back to the truck. Again, he was careful to leave no sign he, or anyone else had been there.
He got in the truck and headed back to Merle and Beth's place. He was there by four, plenty of time to play with his nephew and niece.
Merle was home promptly at 5:15. He kissed Beth and his children, and then he and Daryl retreated to the back porch for a beer.
Daryl didn't tell him any part of the plan except that he would be staying at Merle's in the morning for a while after Merle went to work. Daryl would see him at the shop about nine. Merle was to tell Tara that Daryl would be using Merle's office all day and he was not to be bothered no matter what.
Merle didn't ask, just nodded his head.
When they'd finished their beers they went back in the house. Beth had the table set for dinner, and she'd gone all out for their guest. There was a beef roast, mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole and cornbread. And she made Merle and Daryl's favorite dessert, Peach Cobbler.
Daryl enjoyed this time with his brother's family. There was nothing more important to Daryl than family, and just like Merle, he'd do whatever he had to in order to keep them safe. There was no way he was going to let anything happen to his brother's wife and son.
He spent the early morning enjoying his niece and nephew, and at just about 8:30 he said goodbye to Beth, Edith and the children.
He parked the truck two blocks from the garage, in an alley behind an old abandoned warehouse, where he felt pretty sure he could slip in and out without being noticed.
He arrived at the garage promptly at 9:00 a.m. carrying a black leather briefcase. Merle had taken any files he needed for the day out of his office. Tara had the desk cleared for Daryl, and had even made a sign for the door that read "Do Not Disturb."
Daryl was ready to begin work.
He opened the case and spread out some maps and old unclassified documents. Just part of the ruse.
He had scouted the office the day before to see if he could get in and out without being noticed. There was a small window, the kind that's up high near the ceiling. Daryl knew how to get in and out of tight spots, he'd already discovered that he was able to hoist himself up there from the filing cabinet, and maneuver himself out the window.
He then called his contact to see if he'd been able to get any information on the threat. It turned out the lowlife scum was a Navy deserter, bugged out just two months after the attack on Pearl Harbor. There was just no excuse for this guy.
Daryl slipped out at just about 11:00 am and made it to his truck without being spotted. He drove back to the spot in the woods, and again hid the truck.
He'd rigged the seat in that pick up a couple of years before. The seat part of the bench was now hinged, not noticeable to anyone but Daryl, because he'd done the work himself. He lifted the seat up, and from a compartment he'd made, he took out the throwing knife and the crossbow. He already had the gun in an ankle holster. He had military and civilian clearance to carry the concealed weapon, which was why he would try not to have to use it.
He repeated his pattern of the day before, except he climbed a different tree, it was closer, so it put it in range. He may be slightly more visible, but he didn't really expect the roadhouse crowd to be gazing up to the trees.
He got on the branch he'd chosen and he waited patiently. Less than an hour later the threat pulled in the small gravel lot, parked and went in the roadhouse. Yep, a creature of habit, just as Daryl suspected. He wondered how many other young women this fucking asshole had hurt. Well he wouldn't be bothering any more woman, or anyone else for that matter.
About two hours later the threat walked out of the roadhouse toward his car. Daryl didn't hesitate, just that fast he threw the knife, quickly followed by a shot from the crossbow.
The knife went directly in the threats' heart, and before he had a chance to fall, the bolt went right between his eyes.
Daryl quickly made his way out of the tree, rushed to the body, pulled the knife and the bolt out, and quietly and without leaving any sign, hurried back to the truck. He stored the crossbow back under the seat; he put the bolt and the knife in an old gunnysack on the trucks floorboard. He started the truck up and drove out by the river.
He didn't see another living soul at the river. He picked up a large rock and put it in the sack with the knife and the bolt. He secured the opening with a rope. He walked over to the edge of the bank and threw the sack dead center in the river. It sank immediately.
He headed back to the warehouse, parked the truck, and snuck back to the garage. He got back in the office, made certain the window was locked like it had been, and there was no shoe print on the filing cabinet.
The time was 4:30. He stepped out of the office and Tara smiled at him and said, "Wow Daryl, you must have had a mountain of paperwork, you poor guy."
And Daryl smiled back and said, "Yeah, ya wouldn't think the Marines would have me filling out reports all day, would ya? Is Merle in the garage?"
"He sure is, I think he's over at Axel's bay right now," she pointed toward the garage area.
Daryl nodded his head in thanks, made his way over to Merle and simply said, "I've gotten my work all taken care of brother. I'm gonna head ta the house and get a shower, I'll see ya there in a bit."
They gave each other a knowing look and Merle clapped him on the shoulder and said, "Okay, little brother, I'll see ya at the house in 'bout half an hour."
The news was all over the local radio and in the paper the next day. There had been a body found in front of the roadhouse, the victim had been stabbed through the heart and it appeared he'd also been shot in the head with an arrow from some kind of bow. He had I.D. on him and he was identified as Len Schmid, and it turned out, he was a wartime Navy deserter.
There didn't seem to be much sympathy.
Daryl stayed two more days and he and Merle managed to get out a couple of times and take Tommy fishing, and to set rabbit snares.
The morning he left Beth had fixed everyone a big breakfast, and packed Daryl a lunch for the road along with a Thermos of coffee.
He shook hands with Merle, and again they shared a meaningful look. He tousled Tommy's hair and kissed his little niece.
Beth handed the baby to Merle and went to Daryl and hugged him tightly. She whispered in his ear, "Thank you Daryl, thank you so much."
He didn't know how she knew. But he just gave her a slight nod of the head.
When he got home he went right to Michonne, put an arm around her and said, "I missed ya woman." And she just smiled.
A/N Well there it is, problem resolved. I always wondered what Daryl did on his "secret missions." Now we know, he eliminates threats. I see this fic wrapping up in the next two to three chapters. I'll miss this Merle and Beth, Daryl and Michonne, and Tommy and Suzy. But never fear, I have another Merle and Beth story coming along. Please review, and thank you all so much xo