... Chapter 52 ...

Shoving the key grudgingly under the door, Daryl was left standing outside of the bedroom now completely locked out by his own doing. Lingering there awkwardly, he knew he should just leave it at that... he should just walk away and go downstairs so not to purposely torture himself further. For some damn reason his legs refused to cooperate.

If he listened hard enough he could hear the two of them talking even though the conversation itself was too quiet for him to make out what was being said. Beth began crying softly, the sound of it unmistakable. It was like a knife to the gut that he couldn't evade no matter how much he wanted to or how hard he tried.

Stuck in the narrow hallway and having no choice but to hear it, he started anxiously pacing the small space allotted to him. Every slight noise had his stomach clenching to the point where it was starting to become annoying. Christ sakes, what the hell was taking so long? What was Merle doing with her, discussing the goddamn weather? His brother kept the cadence of his voice soothing and calm despite the tears, doing so until an eerie silence gradually came over the room. The palpable energy of it seemed to radiate through the door and Daryl found himself subconsciously holding his breath if only to quell the noise his own heart was making in his ears…

A sharp cry tore painfully through the air, the anguished sound of it hitting him like a hammer. Muffled sobs soon followed and it was then that Daryl knew that the bolt was finally out.

When the tears continued unrestrained, he found himself reaching for the doorknob, unable to help himself as it all became too much. His brother's stern warning rung insistently in his ear and it stopped him dead in his tracks. With the proverbial rock on one side of him and a hard place on the other, he slowly backed away. Without the key to get in, what good could come of it anyways? It was either that or boot the damn door down and he reckoned that he'd had just about enough.

Needing to clear his fucking head somewhat, Daryl went downstairs, avoiding the mess of the kitchen to go straight outside. He breathed heavily at the damp air as if doing so could somehow stop him from dwelling on what was happening. His fingers were gripping the strap of the Horton so tightly that his palm was sweating and his knuckles ached. Jesus, what he wouldn't give for a cigarette right now. The stress had him jonesing hard and he wanted nothing more than for this day to be over.

How the fuck had it come to this? On the outside looking in, he had been relegated to the sidelines while his brother got to stay and take care of business. Feeling temperamental and grudgy about it, he stewed on it for longer than he wanted before realizing deep down that he already knew the reason why.

It was because Merle wasn't as emotionally invested in the girl as he was, allowing him to have a much steadier hand and a far more level head if for some reason something went wrong. As grateful as Daryl knew he should be, he still found it hard to reconcile with. Merle was Merle after all, and he didn't do a damn thing for another human unless there was something substantial in it for him. If Beth survived the ordeal then he would try and be grateful. Until then his guarded mentality about it was about as far as he was willing to go.

Pissed off and out of sorts, Daryl did a sweep of the property's perimeter for lack of anything else better to do. When he returned to see that his brother still hadn't emerged, he did it again, only this time checking the pool area he had purposely gone out his way to avoid the first time. The damn thing was still chock to the brim with walkers, most of them sluggish and slow for the weather being as damp as it was. Only a few looked up as he approached, their dead eyes eerily following his every move despite having lost the capacity to see a thing.

Wanting to take his pent up aggression out on something that could handle it, Daryl pulled his knife and unlocked the gate to the enclosure. The scent the walkers gave off was overwhelming but it provided an invisible shield that protected the house and prevented others from approaching. Still needing it to do so for the time being, he reckoned that killing off a few wouldn't make too much of a difference. Besides, the pool was right under Beth's bedroom and he was having a hard time knowing that she'd wake up to see such a grotesquely disparaging thing.

An hour or so later and he had managed to clear at least half of the walkers, the fact that they were starved beyond measure helping significantly. It made them weak and easier to manage, which suited him fine because his injured arm was throbbing like a son of a bitch. Stabbing each one, he pulled the corpse from the rest to drag it into the woods, leaving it there to continue rotting in a makeshift pile.

Completely engrossed with the task, Daryl didn't even care that it had started to rain again. The stormy weather just matched the turmoil in his mind. Worrying about the girl and the hell she was going through only served to remind him of why he had chosen not to get emotionally involved with her in the first place. It hurt as much as a physical blow… either to the heart or the gut, he couldn't even fucking tell anymore… and it went without saying that he found it about as damn confusing as it could possibly be.

He emerged from the trees to see Merle stepping out onto the porch in the distance, an expression on his face that had him looking ten years older than he actually was. He had fresh blood stains on his shirt that stood in glaring contrast to the gloominess that hung heavily on the air between them. Daryl swiped his dirty hands down his pants and headed straight towards him, dreading what he was about to hear but needing to hear it none the less.

He flew up the stairs two steps at a time and rounded the corner of the house. ''Well?'' He said without preamble, not much caring that his brother looked exhausted.

In the process of stretching out the kinks in his back, Merle spared him a brief glance before muttering, ''Well what?''

Daryl just glared at him, his patience and fortitude already stretched beyond capacity. ''Don't fuckin' test me Merle, ya know good an' well what!''

''Put ya fire out, Darylina…'' His brother drawled in response, sitting himself down on the porch rail to make himself comfortable. ''I'm jus' poking some fun at ya expense. Can't rightly say that I've ever seen ya this worked up over a girl before. Ya makin' it almost too damn easy ta do.''

He flicked a rag from his pocket and began cleaning the blade attachment to his prosthetic, doing so like he didn't have a care in the world. Daryl gritted his teeth in barely contained fury, having participated in this game more times than he cared to remember. This was so like his brother… every goddamn time… managing to make matters worse only to somehow prove his point. Finding the ruse as irritating now as he did back then, Daryl's fists tightened up on themselves, leaving his nails digging painfully into his palms.

''Is she gonna be a'right or what?!'' He demanded, this close flying off the handle, ''I've been stuck out here waitin' like a fuckin' asshole while you've been in there doin' whatever it was ya were doin' with her, an' now ya gonna come out here ta try an' play this bullshit game with me?! Fuck... you!''

Merle looked up from what he was doing, his gaze narrowing pointedly for it. Easily reading between his younger brother's lines, the elder Dixon amended himself accordingly, ''Jesus, ya best calm tha fuck down or I ain't tellin' ya jack shit."

Beyond done, Daryl stormed away to go find out for himself, his hand snatching for the screen door handle when he heard Merle say from behind him, ''She's banged up an' bruised but she's gonna be a'right, is that what ya wanna hear?''

The words managed to cut through the anger induced haze Daryl was in and he ground to a halt for hearing them, his heart hammering away at his ribs. Pulling a calming breath, he grudgingly turned back around…

''Damn bolt was stuck in her like it had a score ta settle,'' Merle finished, going back to cleaning the blade now that he had his younger brothers undivided attention again, ''...but it came out clean with some good ol' fashioned gumption an' a lil' elbow grease. The girl buckled down an' took it, I'll give her that much. She's got more spunk than most people I know.''

Daryl slowly made his way back over, the wave of relief he felt instantly quelling the fire raging within him. Having stewed on his own caustic thoughts for hours, the ill tempered tendencies that came to him naturally had all but snapped under the pressure, doing so without thought or reason. Now that he knew that Beth was going to be alright, he couldn't help but regret it… if only because it made his personal feelings that much more obvious. If his brother was looking for confirmation that he had them to begin with, the unintentional outburst more than likely just provided it.

''Yeah, well… I done told ya she was tougher than she looks.'' Daryl grumbled as he slumped back against the adjacent wall. The calloused skin around his thumb nail found its way habitually between his teeth, much as it always did when he felt uncomfortable. He watched as Merle worked the rag into the contraptions nooks and crevasses, removing the last traces of Joe's blood and anything else he felt the need to eradicate.

''I weren't doubtin' it,'' Merle shrugged in response, ''Still, best that she stays her ass in that bed, at least for a while. She's stitched up but she's gonna be sore in tha morning. I gave her some pills so she's crashed out sleepin' it off.''

Daryl regarded him for a moment before asking cautiously, ''How long do ya reckon she'll need before… ya know… she can travel again?''

His brother's gaze flew over to where he was standing. ''Why? Ya in an all fire rush ta get somewhere?''

''We ain't stayin' here, that's for damn sure.'' Daryl imparted, having figured it was a given.

Merle stood up, his full height giving him an imposing advantage that he wasn't even aware that he had. He shoved the rag back into his pocket before moving in closer to say, ''So what? Ya just gonna up an' take off like a fuckin' ghost in tha wind? An' what, drag her in ya wake even if she ain't up ta it?''

''What tha fuck does it matter ta you what I do?'' Daryl bit out, unknowingly pushing away from the wall himself to meet his brother head on, ''Ya already said ya weren't stickin' 'round these parts anyways, feel free ta take off! It's what ya good at! Way I figure, any debt ya had with Joe got cancelled tha moment ya snuffed his lights out so I reckon there ain't a damn thing keepin' ya here.''

With the tight line in his jaw ticking into overdrive, Merle's steely gaze narrowed. ''One of these days ya gonna have'ta get over that guilt trip ya insist on takin' me on lil' brother, shit's gettin' old. Everythin' ya sayin' ain't nothin' but water under my bridge so I ain't feelin' to damn poorly about it. Don't see what ya got ta complain about anyways. Ya obviously done alright for ya self.''

Daryl backed away, not even sure now himself why he was suddenly feeling so antagonistic and resentful. Maybe Merle wasn't the only one that had unresolved issues to hash out. With so much of his life spent feeling sore at his brother, it was like he was purposely trying to instigate a reason to continue doing so, despite everything Merle had done for Beth and for him as well. Pushing the underlying issues he had with him now was only fueling his own misgivings, blowing any chance he might have for a reconciliation by not leaving the past in the past where it belonged.

''I guess,'' Daryl conceded grudgingly, not sure where to begin now the opportunity had presented itself, ''...but it ain't like I had much choice in tha matter… ya weren't around. You're tha only damn family I have left.''

Merle sniffed regrettably and shook his head. ''Looks ta me like ya got a new family now Darylina an' I reckon there ain't nothin' wrong with that. I always knew you'd be alright, ya always were tha sweet one after all. Now look at ya self… damn near a settled man… with a woman an' obligations that go far beyond ya time with me.''

Daryl just shrugged uncomfortably, finding it strange to hear about himself in such a way. He wasn't going to deny it though, realizing that by doing so he would just be undermining everything he had worked so hard to achieve for himself over the last year or so. He had battled, fought and bled his way to where he was now… for himself and for the people around him. If his brother was looking for him to apologize for it, he was going to be waiting a long damn time.

Seeming to realize it for himself, Merle gave a resigned smile. ''Guessin' it don't much matter in tha long run. Tha two of us were never meant ta walk tha same path. Turn or no turn, it weren't in tha cards. We should jus' consider ourselves fortunate that we came across each other now an' let bygones be bygones, whaddya say?''

Daryl took a moment to gaze out over the yard as he thought about it, years of feeling bitter and resentful towards his brother requiring it. The rain had finally stopped for the first time that day and glimmers of sunlight could be seen just past the ridge that lined the horizon. The faint glow they gave off struggled to break through the heavy cloud covering that blanketed the area. With the gloom that had accompanied the storm alleviating, he felt the emotional weight he'd been carrying ease up for seeing it, leaving him nodding soberly in agreeance for something that was long overdue.

Considering the matter settled, Merle cleared himself of any residual feelings he might have about it as well to ask, ''Where ya plan on goin' anyways?''

''Don't know. We'll figure it out. Her sisters still out there somewhere an' I reckon we're still gonna go look for her.''

Merle's perceptive gaze sharpened. ''Ya mean look for Rick.''

''Yeah, him too.'' Daryl muttered unapologetically, ''Much like tha two of us, he ain't tha same person that he was in Atlanta. He's done alright by everyone an' he proved himself ta me.''

''Like I said… always tha sweet one.'' His older brother smirked in response, sniffing knowingly to himself.

Daryl pulled a deep breath, realizing immediately just how risky his next words were going to be. ''Ya could… I don't know… always come with us. Tha prison Beth told ya about ain't around no more but I'm sure Rick found somewhere else suitable. Tha man always does, no matter how damn long it takes.''

With his normally unreadable features drawing into a thin line, Merle frowned and said quietly, ''I don't know 'bout that, lil brother… maybe not this time.''

''Whats that supposed ta mean?''

Sighing, the elder Dixon ran his hand down his face and looked over. ''Tha day before I came across Joe an' tha other fuckers that lived here, they had jus' finished comin' across another group themselves… a bunch'a assholes from a place called Terminus.''

Shrugging indifferently, Daryl just said, ''Yeah, I've heard of it… so?''

''So, Joe an' them were searchin' for someone… a fella that had killed one of their own right here in this house. They'd been out there for weeks lookin' for this bastard only ta finally catch up with him jus' as them Termites were takin' him there...''

Daryl couldn't help but wonder just where the hell his brother was going with all this. Wherever it was, he wished he would just hurry the fuck up and get there.

''Him… some punk kid in a sheriffs hat… an' a black chick carryin' a samurai sword…''

With his eyes widening, Daryl could only stare at Merle incredulously, barely believing what he was hearing. ''What? An' ya jus' feelin' tha need ta tell me this now!?''

Merle looked indignant. ''How was I supposed ta know? Ya forget that I only had one run in with the man an' it wasn't under tha best of circumstances. Tha only thing that put two an' two together for me was tha hat so ya lucky ta even know at all. Besides, be it now or later… it ain't gonna make a lick'a difference. Ain't a single person who's ever gone ta Terminus that has left it ta tell tha tale. Tha whole damn thing's a fortress, one that'll make ya prison look like afternoon walk in tha park. I don't know what goes down in it but I'm thinkin' Officer Howdy is in tha process of findin' out.''

Daryl was too shocked to be pissed. Rick's version of his brief interaction with his brother came searing back to the forefront of his memory, doing so now he had a need to recall it. The two of them must have made an indelible mark on each other if Merle was able to piece together that it was Rick being spoken of based on a loose description of a hat.

''Ya should'a told me earlier.'' He groused, still feeling the need to do so despite it not helping matters any.

''Yeah well, what can I say… what's done is done.'' The elder Dixon muttered, the defensive set of his shoulders backing him up on it. ''I ain't gonna beat myself up about it. 'Sides, I had my reasons. I guess I was hoping that ya might wanna come down south with me… both you an' tha girl. Some of our ol' friends from Fayetteville are holed up near Tallahassee, at an abandoned army base jus' off the 319. It's fortified an' they got food an' weapons, most of it stockpiled since tha turn. It's a solid option an' as good as it gets these days… anyways, whaddya say?''

The faint glimmer of hope apparent in his brothers eyes was extinguished when Daryl said regretfully, ''Man, I can't. If Rick, Carl an' Michonne are there, then maybe her sister an' tha others are there as well. Can't jus' up an' leave without knowin', especially considerin' that they wouldn't leave without knowin' about me. I already told Beth we'd be checkin' tha place out once tha weather clears up… what ya tellin' me jus' gives us more of a reason ta do so, is all.''

''Well... I reckon ya gonna do what ya gonna do.'' Merle said, his gaze dropping, ''Can't say I ain't disappointed.''

His usual mask of indifference quickly locked back down into place, effectively dispelling the disappointment spoken of. Daryl watched as his brothers defensive mechanisms reassembled, feeling guilty as all hell but unable to do a damn thing about it. If there was the slightest possibility that Rick was alive then he owed it to his friend to find out. He could only hope that it wasn't too late, especially with Beth laid up like she was and him refusing to leave without her.

''Ya should probably take care of that arm.'' Merle said as he pointed over, ''She's gonna be laid up at least for tha rest of tha night, don't need her gettin' all pissed at me when she wakes up ta find that ya ain't been takin' care of ya self.''

Daryl looked down as though suddenly remembering that he was in pretty bad shape. Len's bolt had torn through the upper tendon of bicep, rendering clean out the other side to leave a deep gash running its width. He had used a strip of his shirt to bind it, the makeshift bandage sufficing for a while… but now the damn thing was back to bleeding and making him painfully aware of its presence by throbbing angrily.

''Yeah... Christ…'' Daryl hissed, peeling his jacket away to see the wound bleeding more profusely than he thought. ''Shit hurts like a son of a bitch! Always wondered what it would feel like ta take a bolt. Guessin' this is what I get for puttin' tha thought out there..''

Merle sniffed back a smirk, obviously harboring no ill will. Maybe they were both just ready to move on, having now cleared the air enough to remind each other of who they were and what they stood for. Just because they weren't together didn't mean that they were any less brothers. For his part, Daryl felt as though he was now at a place where he could appreciate that, rather than look upon it regretfully. It was just a testament of how far he had come under Rick's leadership and was something that he knew Beth would approve of.

''Bandages an' everything else ya need are still up in her room.'' Merle said, walking away to head towards the kitchen's screen door, ''Ya should go upstairs an' grab 'em… see for ya self how she's doin'. When ya done, meet me down here in tha kitchen an' I'll stitch ya up over a couple 'a lukewarm beers. I can't wait ta hear tha surely fascinatin' story of how my lil' baby brother came about ta find himself a woman that'll put up with his shit. Guessin' tha suns gotta shine on a dogs ass every now an' then. Besides, inquirin' minds wanna know an' I reckon ya owe me... seein' that I saved ya life an' all...''

He chuckled to himself and disappeared into the house, the sound of his own humor trailing along behind him.

Daryl shook his head in disbelief as he watched him go, not sure if this new facet of their relationship could withstand such a tale.

He went inside himself and headed upstairs just the same, making his way quietly down the hallway to her room. Even though he was beat up to shit, he felt better than he had days. With things on the mend with his brother, he could now focus all of his attention on Beth, which was fine by him because taking care of her was the only thing he wanted to do. When she was better, the two of them could leave this place together, having somehow managed to survive against the insurmountable odds stacked against them. They had fought their way through to come out the other side, bloodied and bruised but definitely not broken.

Plus she had told him she loved him… and for Daryl, that was enough.

…..

I know it's been a little longer than usual since I posted a chapter but I having been trying to focus only on writing for a while. This story consists of two ongoing things for me - writing of new chapters while revising the old ones. It is always easier to do the latter so I needed to take some time to do the former! I am currently starting on Chapter 57 and am very happy where it is going. Writing something like this is hard so I give credit to any writers out there who do this all the time and for multiple stories. With WSLA being my only one, I don't know how y'all do it!

Thank you for taking time to read "What Still Lies Ahead" as always. Please take a moment to drop a comment or review!