Merle's Right Hand - Shumpert, man. He's bringing it to the wall, that's for sure.
Azzkick4Ammo - Good question. I don't see why Daryl and Carol wouldn't be made Parrain and Marraine, because the Lt. and Grace both seem to adore them. I think they would actually be the logical choice. Also, I appreciate that you've finally come out of your shell to give me a kind 'hey'. I'm glad to hear that the Lt. is believeable enough to pass the test. ^_^ Thanks for the review.
itsi3 - I do too! ^_^ Thanks for the review!
Supfan - Some Caryl in this chapter to tide you over...but mostly it's plot and such. But with some Caryl, I'm sure you'll be happy (it's more than AMC ever gives us...bastards).
Brazen Hussy - Charity is on the way! Nun style! (I intended that to sound dirty, but now I'm just ashamed of myself for typing it...ah well).
MollyMayhem84 - I agree. Merle really deserved to be redeemed more than he was. It was kind of a cop out on the show. Poor Merle...
Lilone1776 - You did indeed see SEQUEL in the last chapters reply section. I've been giving a sequel serious thought...mapping out a plot and everything. ^_^
HGRHfan35 - Damn, sweet bread is delicious! (I just baked cupcakes and they were all fancy and stuff, I was proud of myself)...also, I apologize for sharing random baker stories like we're war buddies, but it's true. I baked! ^_^ Thanks for the review!
AFishNamedSushi - Well, if you have the zombie flu thingy that's going around I'm going out to find my own personal Daryl Dixon to protect me during the ZA that's sure to follow. Thanks for ending civilization as we know it, Sushi. Thanks a bunch. (P.S. - In all seriousness I hope you feel better soon).
Ms Q - I dislike flat characters too. It's why I'm struggling so hard to figure Merle out. He was good on the show, but with no explanation for why he was the way he was (other than child abuse, but Daryl isn't quite like him so it's not just that) it's kind of leaving me with a big ol' hole to try and fill in his character.
SilverWolf84 - I love the Milton-Merle dynamic too!
GG - I once ate a chocolate Easter bunny I found in my closet...I don't know how long it had been there, but it was delicious. True story. (speaking of old chocolate) And no, I haven't forgotten about the turkey and neither has the Lt. It's always on his mind, playing there in the background, gobbling, taunting him with it's turkey waddle.
LL - Romance is a lovely thing to have in fiction, I find. I just hate sappy romance, realistic romance or eff off in my opinion. Glad to see you're okay, I worry when reviewers disappear on me! ^_^
Seventy-Two: Sans Coeur
**Daryl**
"The back wall is usually scantily patrolled."
It was just after supper later that night, that they had gathered around the campfire, most of the group off to the side going over battle plans with Milton providing helpful information. Of course everyone was looking to Merle to confirm the information provided by the new man.
"The back wall is a lot higher than the front one," Merle said. "It's not a weak point at all for biters."
"Can we scale it?" Rick asked.
"Could. You'd need a ladder, but beyond that is scaffolding for the patrols to walk on."
"What about the mall idea? It could still work," Michonne suggested.
"I agree, I think it'd be safer leading them where we want them," Tyreese added.
"There's a poetic statement in striking them at home," the Lieutenant said, idly shifting on his feet. "But there's also more of them to fight back when you're the visiting team, yeah? Is there a third option we're not exploring?"
"Yeah, taking them all out," Daryl growled darkly.
"I won't allow that," Milton objected.
"Yeah, well you're not in any position to argue, tan suit."
"It's almond."
"We're not going with that third option," Rick stated. "We don't kill children or the infirm."
"Like we don't kill the living, Rick?" Andrea asked from where she sat on the back of a nearby truck. "I say we try peace talks, they could still work."
"You want to talk, you go ahead," Rick said. "Go talk until you're blue in the face. Now is the time for action. Talking ended when he shot at my people and chased us out of our home."
"Rick, you're being unreasonable," Andrea went on. "There has to be a better way to end this."
"You want to argue this, fine," Rick growled. "Let's take a quick vote. Anyone here going to lose sleep over killing the Governor? Let's see some hands."
There were a lot of folded arms and still people standing around.
"You don't even know him," Andrea argued. "He's a human being, he can be reasoned with."
"Isn't that the argument Dale tried on us?" Glenn asked. "As I recall it took you a good long time to make up your mind on that one."
"It's easier to stick up for a man if you're sleeping with him," Michonne added darkly.
Andrea glowered at her. "I'm just trying to be the voice of reason."
"If I may step in here for a moment?" The Lieutenant said calmly, "and play Devil's advocate for a moment. I realize that the man is flesh and blood and not some beast you hunt in the woods, but that being said, Andrea, the time for talking has passed. The man opened fire on your people first, he drew first blood, I think it can safely be assumed he doesn't want to talk."
"Yeah, well, with all due respect, Lieutenant, what the hell do you know about the situation? We're just staying with you, you're not really a part of this." She replied.
"Andrea, everyone is entitled to their opinion on the situation," Rick sighed, rubbing his face wearily.
"Except for me, right?"
There was a chorus of groans and sighs from those gathered and Rick stepped closer to Andrea.
"Look," he said, "you don't want us to kill him, fine. But it's happening, you don't like it, the gate is just over there. We're talking about protecting our own people here. We're not talking unjustified murder, we're talking about taking out a killer, a threat. No one wants to do it, none of us are eager to put him down—"
"I am," Merle interjected calmly. "Hell, if you even knew half the things he ordered us to do to people, Andrea. Survivors just like your group here, people just looking for a little humanity. The man just takes with no regard to life."
"And you just pulled the trigger for him without question, right?"
"I did what I did to survive, the fact that I'm here means I'm trying to make things right. Do right by you and yours."
"Not me." She said.
"Think what you want, ol' Phil is on his way out."
"Milton?" Andrea tried one last time to get someone on her side.
"I can see where you'd think I'd be your best choice for back-up," the man began, "and as much as I respected Philip, he's not the same as he once was. He's starving people slowly, Andrea. He's become unbalanced and unpredictable. Frankly, I think he's lost his grip on reality. While I don't condone murder, I'd much rather see the people of Woodbury flourish and survive then waste away."
"Fine," she stated rising to her good foot carefully. "I can see Dale was right, we've lost our humanity."
"This isn't the Randall situation," Daryl rasped.
"Daryl's right," Glenn added, "this is a man who has brought pain and suffering on himself. I won't lose sleep over it."
"Rabid dog like that comes near my people I'll put it down, won't even hesitate," the Lieutenant said.
Shaking her head, Andrea hobbled off.
"I say the mall is our best choice then," Sasha said. "If we can lure them there, it'll be safer, easier on us."
"I agree," Rick went on. "We just need some way to lure them there. If the Governor's killing people who go to Woodbury then we'll need a new plan."
"Like a trail or something?" Merle suggested. "Make Phil think you're at the mall somehow."
Sighing heavily, Rick scuffed at the ground with his boot. "We'll take a powder on this one. Get back at it in the morning, clear our heads of some steam." He suggested.
As the group broke up, Daryl found himself lingering with the Lieutenant and Rick who both seemed eager to be rid of the others.
Kicking at the grass with his boot some more, Rick sighed. "What do you figure?"
"I'm just the hired gun," the Lieutenant said.
"Yeah well, you're opinion as a Marine would be nice."
"You want my opinion on warfare? Don't do it," the Lieutenant said. "But if you have to, always try and hit the target at military outposts. Since this one happens to be a civilian base as well, I wouldn't recommend it. Didn't end so well for Nagasaki or Hiroshima."
"So?" Daryl urged.
"You lead the soldiers out of their home, far enough away, then strike. I'd say the mall is your best bet, course I have no idea on how to get them there. But to all things there is a season. But," the soldier paused, "the thing is if you kick the military leg of Woodbury out from under it, the entire group will collapse in on itself and they probably won't make it to winter."
"What are you saying?"
"I'm saying they'll be defenceless, open prey to uggies or hell even another group that's looking for trouble. That'll be on us."
"Jesus, we don't care about Woodbury," Daryl growled.
"I do," the Lieutenant said. "Call it a protector's urge, but I don't like the idea of leaving them without the means to stay alive."
"What are you proposing then?" Rick asked. "Because I'm all out of ideas on how to make the people of Woodbury happy." His tone took on a slightly sarcastic tint.
"We expand the convent grounds, it's still early enough, we can plant more garden, put up a few more buildings."
"You want us to take them in?" Rick demanded. "The people who want us dead?"
"The old, the young and the infirm, yeah I do," the Lieutenant stated. "Look, I'm not trying to make your lives harder, believe me I don't want to be that man, but I'm a Marine first and foremost. You want a bad man killed, I'm there, but innocents, people just trying to survive, they're mine to protect and I won't leave them to starve or to die at the hands of uggies."
Rubbing his hands over his face, Rick seemed to grow more frustrated with the Lieutenant than he had with even Andrea. "There's no way in hell we're taking in the Woodbury people. Allowing them to live is one thing, but caring for them is a whole other game I'm not ready to play."
"Well, I hate to pull rank, Rick, but this is technically my convent and I'll bring in whomever the hell I want."
"This convent belongs to the nuns," Daryl snarled. "You're just visiting."
The Lieutenant glanced at him, grey eyes reading shock at his tone. "The nuns are all for helping innocents, this is a sanctuary, after all."
Unable to believe the Lieutenant would want to offer shelter and more importantly food to the people who once brayed for his death, Daryl took a step close to the tall man, invading his space. "Man, look around you! There ain't no country left! You ain't a soldier anymore! Those people weren't so innocent when they were cheering me and Merle on in a death match! We don't want them here and if you're going to be a bitch about it, then we'll leave your coonass behind!"
Daryl winced internally when he realized what he said, but he remained firmly in his spot, staring down the man. He knew how much it really bothered the Lieutenant when Merle called him 'coonass', which was why Daryl made the conscientious choice to never call him that, not even in jest.
The Lieutenant blinked. "Coonass?" He whispered quickly, as though reminding himself of the word that had slipped off Daryl's tongue. "Yeah, well, this Cajun boy is out. Fuck you and fuck your plans. Texians like you lot running around shooting people, not caring about the consequences or who you're leaving behind. Nothing but a trail of tears will follow, but you all don't seem to care. Sans coeur." He touched his chest. "That's all you are, sans coeur."
..-~-..
..-~-..
"Damn dog won't stop following me."
Carol smiled down at Judith as she changed her. "That's because he likes you."
"Yeah," Daryl growled from the door to their home, "knows what kind of sucker I am."
Easing onto their bed beside her, Daryl draped his arm over her ribs, moving to grip Judith's little hand gently with his. He was trying to forget what he said to the Lieutenant and how it actually seemed to wound the man. He hadn't felt that bad about hurting someone since he snapped at Carol just after Sophia and the barn. But nothing was working, not when he stalked the forest looking for something to kill, not when he walked the wall, nothing. Every now and then he was reminded of the small, faint twitch the Lieutenant's mouth made, pulling into a straight, grim line quickly when Daryl spat 'coonass' at him. He didn't like that feeling he was getting.
"You know she ain't ours, right?" He growled as Carol continued to fuss over the baby.
"Rick needs the break and Carl's on the wall," she said. "Besides you love her just as much as I do."
Turning her attention from Judith, Carol eyed him quietly for a moment, before asking, "what's wrong?"
"Nothing." He lied.
Releasing Judith, Daryl placed his hand on Carol's side in the dip between her ribs and her hip and leaned down to press a kiss on her bare shoulder. She was beginning to regain some healthier weight after their slim winter and he liked it, recalling how stunningly beautiful she looked with a healthy weight at the Greene's farm.
Feeling her hand curl around his on at her waist, Daryl leaned against her shoulder, resting his chin there to watch Judith kick and gargle happily.
"Grace was in here earlier," she said.
"So?"
"What happened between you and the Lieutenant?"
"Nothing."
"Then why is he skulking around too?" Carol pressed gently.
"I don't know, got his panties in a bunch about something. Don't ask me."
Scooping Judith into her arms, Carol sat up on the bed and scooched her ass back so that she could look at him in the eye properly. "Grace says the Lieutenant wants to bring the people of Woodbury here. She thinks they could use the help from us."
"Yeah, stupidest thing I've ever heard. No way in hell that's happening." Daryl snarled pushing to his feet.
"Why not? The nuns and the Lieutenant took us in when we needed help the most."
"Yeah, but we aren't bloodthirsty savages," Daryl replied.
"We're about to wage war on human beings," Carol replied calmly. "Sounds pretty bloodthirsty to me."
"We're protecting our own! They started this!"
"Doesn't matter who started it, we're still going to kill people. Living, breathing, human beings. The nuns, they never killed anyone, they still hold hope that man is good at his very core and," she sighed, "and I believe them."
"What?"
"I think we should try to offer aid to Woodbury."
"Think about this," he stated. "We kill their men, you think they're going to be grateful?"
"Why do you have to kill anyone?"
"Because the Governor—"
"The Governor is just one man. Isn't there some kind of peaceful way to end this?"
"No. Hell no. I'm sick of diplomacy," Daryl stated. "To hell with Woodbury. I'll kill them all if I have to just to end this."
"Women and children too?" She asked.
"If that's what it takes."
"Babies like Judith? In their cribs?" Carol pressed eerily calm. "How would you do that? Hm? Put a pillow over their little faces? Press a gun to their head and pull the trigger?"
Daryl took a sheepish step back from her.
"That's not you, Daryl. The Governor is a cruel and evil man, but he's got to be damaged in the head to be as vicious as he is. The people of Woodbury aren't. They're scared and they're human and they're struggling to survive just like us." She swallowed. "I've kept quiet about this for too long. I think it's time you know how I feel about this silly war you and Rick are trying to wage. It doesn't have to end badly. There has to be another way."
Feeling like he had been verbally slapped, Daryl shifted on his feet.
"And for Godsakes, whatever is going on between you and the Lieutenant needs to be cleared up. The man could be dead tomorrow and you'd never forgive yourself if he died on bad terms with you." She said, offering him a small smile. "I know how much he's come to mean to you."
For some reason those words resonated with Daryl more than anything had so far and he backed away from her, nodding his head almost imperceptibly. "Yeah."
Moving in close, Carol pressed a kiss to his cheek, just by his mouth, over his mole. "I know he's become like a brother to you," she said. "Grace says you're almost all he talks about anymore. I think he looks up to you in a small way, like a younger brother looks up to an older brother." She smirked, before adding playfully, "or maybe it's vice versa."
The Cajun Dialect
Sans coeur – Without heart.