Here's an update, Rick was aimed to be douchey and Merle was one of my favorites when he returned. We all knew when he let Michonne go, he was a good guy. But of course he died(tears)
Taking off
Rick had a lot on his mind already considering the fact that they'd started a war. Not to mention, Daryl was gone. And Merle, why did the conflict really have to go this way? He should've known he was being overprotective of his family and Daryl was too. They were brothers after all.
Shane pulled Rick over to the side and bowed his head along with Rick. "What the heck happened out there that Daryl left willy nilly?" Shane rushed. Glenn stepped beside them and tried to part in, seeing that Rick was already in pieces. "Merle was dangerous to Rick and T. Rick was dangerous to Daryl, so he left" Glenn's voice trailed. Shane ran a hand through his hair and looked back at the camp with his hands on his hips.
"Daryl and Merle are gone. And this asshole and his lackies are out there. Damn fine" Shane growled.
Daryl continued walking down the same woods pathway with Merle. It hurt to know that his group let him go. He wanted to feel accepted the way Shane or Andrea or anyone did after mistakes. He was a changed man after all, and so was Merle. It hurt even more to know what he left behind. Lil' ass kicker, Carl, Sophia, Glenn, Beth. Maggie.
Merle looked over at his crossbow wielding brother and studied his face intently. He knew exactly how Daryl felt. Raising him since he was a baby, Merle knew how Daryl felt just by looking at him. And he was slump, dejected. Merle thought he was cold, but they gave Daryl no choice. It was basically exile.
Especially being the only one knowing of his scars, Merle thought Daryl had the lonely feeling again. Of course he was happy that he had his brother, but he felt like everything he worked for just turned on him.
Merle put a hand on Daryl's shoulder and cleared his throat, "You okay lil' brother?" Merle let go of his shoulder. Daryl looked back at him and straightened up his posture. "Yeah bro, jus' a bit tired from last night" Daryl lied. Merle knew it. He'd said the same bullshit excuses when his own father put scars on his back. Mentally and physically.
"Daryl" he said and stopped their tracks. Daryl looked over at him and looked down. "Wastin' daylight" Daryl whispered, voice ragged. Merle snorted and then stopped in front of him. "I know you, I raised you for years baby brother" Merle started.
"You ain't okay, that means we ain't okay. I've changed since the last time, couple years ago" Merle promised. "I know you did too kiddo, ya' learned to forgive" Merle smiled and Daryl looked up, straightening his stance.
"I know through some tough times, you'd been alone man, but I'm here now and if you want sheriff Rick and that lil cupcake girlfriend o' yours, I'll bring ya' back" Merle said slowly.
Daryl's eyes hit Merle's straight and read him. "Never" Daryl whispered. "We're kin and nothin' keeps us from each other no matter what no more" Daryl finished, continuing to walk. Merle smiled as Daryl took point, his brother had really changed.
Maggie sat in her bed, in Daryl's bed, their bed. For a man of silence, Daryl did quite the number positively. She didn't want to lie down, because she wouldn't feel the warmth registered by him. His strong arms promising her safety and security.
Maggie stood from the bed and walked over to the rack they hadn't set for their clothes. Daryl's already worn leather black jacket was on the couch. He'd worn it throughout winter with his vest. She walked over to it, putting her hand over it, on the sofa.
Lifting the jacket, Maggie inhaled its scent and hugged it tightly to her chest, closing her eyes. It smelt like tobacco and cologne. Just like Daryl, and that was when tears started to stream down her face. She didn't know if it was normal to miss a friend you loved this much, or if she was just crazy mad in love with him.
That had to be it, ever since their sex session. They'd acted like it never happened, but she loved it and remembered it. Wanting more. Now all she'd wanted was the archer. She'd do a number of things, deadly or suicide just to get him back. But they'd let him go, she'd let him go. Maybe if she stayed, maybe if they talked. Maggie put her face in her hands and sighed again.
T-Dog walked into the second cabin where Beth was sitting beside Glenn on the couch. They both were a bit too quiet. "Uh Glenn, you're on watch" he called. He received a nod and made his way outside.
"I miss him, and I think we're weak without him" Beth said hugging Glenn tighter at the thought of Daryl. He was like the groups' babysitter in disguise. Glenn sighed, he missed Daryl too. He was one of the people that not only saved him but taught him half the things he knew.
"We may be weak, but we still have enough to take on this Governor" Glenn said standing and lifting the sniper rifle in his hands. Beth stood and began to walk outside with him. "Be okay without me?" Glenn looked over. Beth smiled and pinched Glenn's belly. "Ask yourself that question" Beth kissed Glenn's cheek and walked down to Hershel's cabin.
Andrea and Carol walked over to Rick by the gate, who seemed to be deep in thought. "Rick" Carol called and got no response from him. He was simply looking forward into the woods, he hadn't said a word in hours. She looked over to Andrea and she shrugged.
Rick was beginning to question his leadership. None of this was supposed to happen. Daryl was supposed to be here and well. And for Merle, there were alternatives that could've been reached. Now all he was doing was staring into the woods he wished Daryl would be in. Instead Rick thought of another plan. 'Get Daryl back' ran through his mind. Devising this search, Rick blocked everything from his mind.
Out of no where, Rick felt a hand touch his shoulder. He quickly looked behind to see Carol and Andrea. "Everything okay?" He asked. No, to them it wasn't, just by his facial expression and attitude. Andrea cleared her throat "Everything's fine, just wondering when you were gonna talk to Sasha and Tyreese" Andrea said. "You never asked the questions" Carol added.
It wasn't like Rick to make simple mistakes like that. He was a smart and strong leader. He shook his head in disbelief. "What's going on Rick?" Carol asked concerned. "I'm sorry we lost Daryl, we all are. But he left and there's limited choices for you" Carol admitted. Rick nodded.
"That's why we're getting him back" Rick promised. Andrea and Carol looked at each other than Rick, "What?" They asked at the same time. Rick stood up straight and looked both of them over. "We're getting Daryl back, and Merle if we have to" Rick declared.
"Merle? You sure that's a good idea?" Andrea didn't mind him, but they had to ask. With Rick's head spinning in every direction, they didn't know what to expect. "He's different now" Rick honesty said. "We load up the SUV, Andrea. Glenn's on watch, so we'll bring Shane and one of those two people. "Rick pointed to the cabin. "Carol, you and T-Dog keep this place safe. We got ten minutes, let's move" Rick ordered, walking into the third cabin. Sasha and Tyreese sat on twin chairs by the entrance.
"Sasha, Tyreese" Rick kindly called. They stood and greeted him. "Rick" Tyreese replied.
"You guys good with weapons?" He asked. The pair nodded and he looked up. "Need one of you to come with us on a search, you up for it?" Rick looked at both of them. "I'll go" Sasha stepped forward. "If you look for a better shot out there" she added. Rick nodded.
"How many walkers have you killed?" He asked them. They looked at each other then Rick. "Over a couple dozen" Sasha answered. "How many people have you killed?" He began leaning in. "One" Tyreese replied. "Why?" Tyreese huffed. "Because she was dying" he looked down.
"I'm sorry, really am Tyreese" Rick apologized. "Take care of things here" Rick and Sasha walked out towards the Hyundai. Andrea and Shane were already standing by the doors. All sitting in the SUV, Rick drove off onto the road.
Stepping out of the shower, Maggie slipped into an old white T-shirt Daryl left behind. There were her own pair of dark blue jeans. Combing her short hair straight, she walked outside to see Glenn and Carol on the roof. "Where's Rick?" She asked looking up at them.
Glenn scratched the back of his head and looked down. "Rick went with Andrea, Sasha, and Shane to get Daryl back" Glenn tiredly said. Maggie looked back up at them with wide eyes. "He what!?" Maggie called, bewildered. Glenn mentally smacked himself. "Oh, hey it's Beth!" He changed the subject as Beth walked out. "Everything okay?" Beth looked up at her older sister.
"Yeah, they went looking for Daryl and forgot to bring me" Maggie crossed her arms and now Hershel came out. "Yeah, there's a reason for that" he said exasperated. "Oh? And what is that?" Maggie raised an eyebrow. "Better left unsaid" Hershel said walking back inside.
Maggie glared into the woods and and took a quick stroll. Carol smacked Glenn's back. "Leave the talking to me from now on" she suggested.
The woods were serene for Daryl and Merle. Birds, squirrels, and other animals were heard from afar. "Hear some squirrels, say we move north" Daryl pointed ahead. Merle nodded and the two men started their track passed the woods.
Daryl was still at his woods/hunting prime. He spotted three squirrels within the perimeter. Easily taking one squirrel dead with the speed of his bow, the other two scrambled up the tree. "Guess we'll have to make due for now" Daryl explained motioning to the one dead squirrel.
"Yeah baby brother, save em' other two fer' later. Got a huntin' rifle somewhere in this damn bag."
Daryl nodded, taking out his knife. "Ya' want it baked, smored, or raw?" Daryl teased, smirking at his elder brother. Merle smiled widely, classic Merle smile, to Daryl. "I'd like to roast that bitch man" Merle chuckled and Daryl snorted as he began making a fire. It was no problem when their uncle taught them to make fires out in the woods with just reflection.
It was getting dark and Rick found no sign of Daryl as they reached deep into the woods across the next two streets, about a quarter mile from the cabin fortress. Shane walked up behind him while Andrea and Sasha were on the lookout. "Hey brother, never said it ain't hard to find Daryl in the woods, but it's nightfall. We should head back, and come by first thing in the morning" Shane suggested.
Rick looked down at the ground and tightened his grip on the branch he was holding. Out of aggravation, Rick snapped the branch and dropped it. "It isn't right. What happened" Rick whimpered, the guilt trip set in.
Shane put a hand on Rick's shoulder and gave it a squeeze. "You did what you thought was right, and I already told you, you've gotten our group this far" Shane explained. "Sleep in, I'll get Glenn, T, and Maggie to lookout-"
"Maggie" Rick cut him off. "You think Maggie should go out there? She's a survivor, but she doesn't have Daryl anymore. It isn't safe for her" Rick shook his head. "I have to go, it's on me, so I have to.." Rick finalized, voice falling. Shane nodded and patted Rick. "Okay brother, let's go."
"Not nearly as bad as I thought" Merle said licking his fingers. Daryl nodded in agreement and stood quickly. "Town a couple streets from this road, should be a house we could stay in" Merle started walking and Daryl stepped beside him.
"Couldn't find him, but we're going first thing tomorrow" Shane said, sitting in between Carol and Glenn. "You want us to come?" Glenn asked Shane. "Uh yeah, we planned that maybe Carol too" Shane said.
Rick walked over to his cabin and saw Carl and Sophia playing with the baby beside Lori. "She have a name yet?" Sophia played with her nose. Lori bit her lip and sighed. "No honey, it's been hard to think about" Lori admitted and Rick walked in. Holding Lori's hand, Rick sat beside her in the bed.
"Well remember that lady across the street that lost her husband in the war? We'd have her over a lot and she used to take care of me when you were busy" Carl told his parents. "Yeah, Mrs. Mary?" Rick narrowed his eyes. "Mary?" Lori echoed. "Well it was Judith Mary, I was thinking maybe we could.." His voice faltered. "Name her Judith? I'd love to" Lori finished for him. "Judith it is" Rick smiled looking over at the baby, cupping her little cheek.
Maggie climbed up the roof where Shane, Glenn and Carol were for watch. "I'm on watch now" Maggie said, grabbing the sniper rifle set beside Glenn. He and Carol stood with Shane and we're ready to leave. "I'm taking people out tomorrow to find Daryl, don't worry" Shane said turning and walking beside Glenn. Carol gave Maggie's shoulder a squeeze and began walking too.
Daryl and Merle stopped in town, going east. "Woodbury territory's about a mile and a half from here, so we keep it low" Merle ordered. Daryl stealthily walked in front of a blue house. It seemed stable and untouched. "A'right, we doin' this one? Seems safe" Daryl pointed to the small light blue house in front of him. Merle nodded and took out a silenced pistol out of his duffle bag.
There were three bedrooms and two bathrooms. As well as a basement, so they cleared each room individually and of short time. "Let's take a perimeter check and lock up em' doors" Merle said walking out the door with Daryl following.
Watch was silent for Maggie, only the sound of trees rustling. Everyone was asleep, well almost. She noticed Rick sitting out back with his face in his hands. When she heard a twig snap, she automatically trained the gun into the woods and noticed the sound of Rick sprinting towards the gates. Looking out, she saw a walker. A young walker, which was once a woman that would be your everyday news reporter. Whatever happened to this world.
Maggie didn't want the risk of Rick getting infected so she used her silenced sniper rifle to good use. She had become one of their best shots. Well after Rick and Shane. And Daryl. Then there was Carol and Sasha, but regardless, she was a good shot.
She fired a bullet straight through the skull of the walker and let it collapse to the dirt. Rick turned back and nodded at her, walking towards the cabin. He wasn't one for words at the moment, he was lost in his own guilt, but here he was before her.
"I'm sorry for the choices I've made and how it happened. I should've let Merle back, you'd still have Daryl" Rick had his hands on his hips.
Maggie put her hand up to silence him. "I understand Rick, it's just a little grieving in between. I miss him and there's nothing you could've done" she sat back down. Rick sighed and looked back up. "I know how you feel, I felt that way before. When I woke up to this shit."
"You loved Daryl, and he loved you"
"You don't know that"
"But everyone else does" Rick started. "We've all seen it. The way he shares with you, talks to you" Rick explained. Maggie looked up at him and he continued. "That might be one of the main reasons I'm getting him back. Cause I know" Rick confirmed.
Maggie smiled at the optimism. "Thank you" she said truthfully happy and Rick nodded, making his way down to his cabin.
After checking the whole street, Daryl and Merle began to fortify the house they were staying in. They made short work of it, seeing there were only two blind spots. "Ready lil' brother?" Merle asked about to tie the last string of cans to either side of the front rails.
"Jus' wanted a couple minutes out here, that okay?" He looked over his shoulder. "Yea' jus' bring your ass inside when you're ready" Merle ordered and walked by the first room.
Maggie was staring out into the night, she felt Daryl would be doing the same. She looked up to the sky, mentally asking for a sign. Just a piece of Daryl. Because it was even worse that she had all of his things except for him. Maybe, Maggie would just flee with him.
Merle still had his duffle bad strapped around him walking outside. "Everything A'right Daryl?" Merle looked down at his brother sitting on a step. He sighed, "Jus' don' like this shit. Wish we could all just get along. They wouldn't be worried and we wouldn't be alone" Daryl said, tired.
Merle moved to sit beside him. "It's survival now, and that was a sanctuary. We're Dixons. We were born to be disadvantaged. We just grind, and it made us tougher than all of em' bastards. That's why they begged for ya'" Merle explained. "I know you miss uh..uh"
"Maggie?" Daryl looked over to him. Merle snapped his fingers, "Yeah her, I know how it is" Merle said lowering his voice. "Well it ain't her" he denied the fact.
"Yea', it actually is her" Merle argued. Daryl huffed, "Why would ya' think that?" Daryl asked truly curious. "Well, she was the first name you mentioned and I could just tell. Shoulda' defied them baby brother" Merle answered with proof.
"Some things we can't take back, but we'd do anything to" Merle said in shame. "Yea'" was all Daryl whispered in his ragged deep voice.
By now, everyone was asleep and Maggie had chosen to now wake Shane for watch. She wanted to stay outside and feel this way. It made her feel connected to the woods, something Daryl was. It made her feel connected to Daryl. Like he knew she missed him. Like he missed her too. And it felt great to know she had this effect on him, that got him to always be there for her. To put her before anyone, and himself.
Maggie spun out of attention when looking into the woods. Twigs snapped and she wondered, just maybe this could be Daryl. Cautiously, she stepped out the gate and tracked the footsteps. When she found no sign, Maggie turned back to walk to the cabins.
It wasn't until her shock wore off, she noticed a pair of hands on her. One hand around her neck, and the other pressing a pistol against her temple. Not to mention, the man holding an MP5 in front of her. It was those assholes from Woodbury.
Dragging her out of the woods, they threw her in the back of their truck swiftly, and drove off. Did she really just get kidnapped? She would've never guessed that the man she thought was Daryl would turn out to be two soldiers from Woodbury. This was gonna be an awful night.
"Maybe we should head inside now" Merle said, sticking his hand out to give Daryl a hand up. Daryl took it and the pair looked back. "Maybe we'll find a place and we could let em' stay, well think o' somethin'" Merle shrugged and Daryl just nodded.
At the sound of tires screeching, Daryl ran over to the back and noticed a short haired girl in the back. Not to mention a man in dreads. If was Maggie, it had to be. "Merle!" Daryl called to the steps and started sprinting towards the car. "Hell, brother!" Mere yelled in his worried tone.
"They got Maggie!" He cried, not stopping his run to the truck pulling ahead. How did this happen? Maggie was taken and Daryl wouldn't think too hard on it. He was gonna track that car, and get his Maggie back. And this time, he wouldn't let her go.