With Tattered Wings Chapter 3.

Daryl knew it was too good to last; this peace they'd found. So he wasn't completely surprised when, on a run over a day from the prison, he ran into Merle. They stood, on opposite ends of an aisle, facing each other with lines of empty shelves between them. They sized each other up for a long minute and Daryl was afraid it was going to come to weapons. Then a grin bloomed across Merle's face and Daryl knew it was going to be ok. They met in the middle of the aisle and exchanged backslaps, and 'what the fuck happened's. There would be talking, and it would have to happen soon. But not right now. Right now there was celebrating to be done. They made their way back out onto the street after Daryl had collected what little was left in the well gone over pharmacy. They met up with Rick who gave a shocked once over to the older Dixon then they climbed into the vehicle and headed back to their temporary campsite. They worked together securing the area and the truck. Then they split their rations between them and ate in silence.

"What the hell happened, Merle? I assumed you were dead." Daryl opened the conversation when he was done eating.

"I was out of my head with pain and withdrawal, about to give myself over to a herd when these men came out of nowhere and pulled me away. Took me to a safe zone, got me patched up. But man I been looking for a way to get away from there ever since I could think straight. The man in charge, calls himself The Governor, he's batshit crazy, little brother. I'm surprised you two haven't run into him and his merry band. Is it just the two of ya?" Merle asked taking a swig of water from the bottle Daryl offered him.

"No. We lost a few at the quarry, and picked a few up, along the way. We're holed up at a prison about a days drive from here. Is this 'Governor' gonna come looking for you?" Daryl offered hoping he wasn't making a mistake telling his brother all this information.

"Probably, I wouldn't put it past him. Sum'Bitch is crazy. But if you got a prison and people to guard it I think we'll be ok." Merle looked like there was more he wasn't telling, Daryl wondered what it would take to get it out of him.

"Listen, I have no beef with you. I'd like to keep it that way. If you're coming into the prison I can't have you going off like you did on that roof in Atlanta. Is your ride loaded up? Do you wanna follow us back to the prison, or ride with us?" Daryl was surprised Rick was being as magnanimous as he was; but he wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth. He had good people waiting for him back at the prison, and his brother was with him again. The rest they could deal with as it came.

"If it's all the same to you, Officer Friendly, I need to talk to my brother. So he can ride with me, we'll follow you back." Ok then, Daryl had his answer. They'd talk on the road. Daryl nodded once to let Rick know he was okay riding with Merle. He was half tempted to suggest they start back right now. Rick must have seen it in him because he recommended it before Daryl could open his mouth to ask.

As they drove Merle filled Daryl in on his short time with The Governor. He'd given Merle time to heal, and come off the cocktail of drugs that had kept him from feeling anything for well over 20 years. "After I was back on my feet though, I was told I'd be going on scavenge runs. I thought it'd be like with the quarry group. You know, going for supplies, just what was needed; and that would have been ok. But that weren't the way of it. We was expected to kill anyone we came across. Walker, or not; men, women, little kids. I refused; got the hell out. Been running for months, trying to keep a head of his men. Haven't seen hide nor hair of 'em for a couple weeks. So I'm thinking I lost 'em. But I'm not getting my hopes up."

Daryl took in what Merle had said and worried. This Governor didn't sound like the type to just give up on a person like Merle. A person he thought could be used, and molded as the Governor saw fit. But that wasn't Merle at all. Merle knew his own mind, and he had scruples; even if they were a little lax on occasion. "Well you're back with us now, and we ain't letting you go for nothing."

As soon as they got back to the prison Daryl could tell something was wrong. Even though they were back early he expected Sophia and Carol to greet him. What he got was a frantic Sophia who looked like her world had ended. Something had happened to Carol. Daryl felt the bottom go out of his stomach. Carol was gone and he hadn't been here to stop it. As soon as she saw him, Sophia latched on and her tears fell even harder. He knew she was trying to talk, but he couldn't understand her though her crying. "Sophia, you have to calm down. I can't understand what you're saying. Take a couple deep breaths. Calm down, and tell me where your mom is." Daryl requested softly, trying to sooth the girl who'd come to mean so much to him.

"She went with T-Dog to check out the rest of the cell block. He found a map, or something, in the warden's office, and said there was an infirmary, and a library. They went looking as soon as they figured it out. That was a little bit after you left. And they're not back yet." She started sobbing again, and buried her face in Daryl's neck. Daryl sought out Rick and saw the same thoughts that were in his own mind. Missing for two days, God only knows what else is running around the prison. Not a good situation. Daryl would get Sophia calmed down, then go looking for Carol. They'd come so far, the three of them, from who they'd been at the quarry, he couldn't lose either one of them now.

He got Sophia calmed down, and made her promise to stay in her room until he came for her. "I need to know you're safe while I'm looking for your mom. I can't be worried about you running around too. You got me?" He asked making sure she had the doll that was given to her just before they left the quarry.

"I got you, I'll stay here. Just, please find her." Sophia asked, teary eyed as she lay back down facing the wall.

As Daryl left the little girl's room and headed for the stairs that would take him back to the common room, he was met with his brother's questioning gaze. "What's all that about? That the little girl who's dad was beatin' on his wife? The little mousey one? Why ain't he here?" Merle asked matching Daryl's stride as they made their way down the steps.

"Walkers attacked the quarry, he didn't make it. I've been looking out for 'em ever since. Found Sophia when she got separated from the group. There's a lot's happened since we saw each other last. But if I hear you been giving either of 'em trouble Walkers will be the last thing you have to worry about." Daryl promised, and made his way over to where Rick was looking over a faded blueprint of the prison.

By the time he found her Daryl feared the worst. She was sitting on the floor of a solitary cell, head tipped back against the wall. She looked as faded as the walls around her. Daryl crouched down next to Carol, knife still held at the ready. "Carol, woman; d'ya hear me? Need you to say something. You best not be thinking of turning here. Come on, Carol. I need you; Sophia needs you." Daryl stayed crouched he wouldn't leave until he knew for sure. Several long moments passed before Carol turned her head. She opened her eyes slowly and Daryl let out a breath when he saw they were their normal, vibrant blue; and not the clouded over white of the Walkers. She looked like she wanted to say something. "Don't try to talk. I'm gonna get you out of here."

Carol was insistent, "T-dog's gone. He let himself." She couldn't finish whether from emotion or exhaustion Daryl wasn't sure.

""I understand. Hush, now; woman. Save your strength. Your little girl's all worried about you." Daryl responded lifting Carol into his arms. As he carried her out of the tombs Daryl realised he'd carry this woman out of Hell if he had to, and he'd fight every demon along the way.

There was a tense silence hanging in the air when Daryl made his way back to the common room. He wondered how his brother could have ruffled feathers in the couple hours he was gone. Daryl kept a firm hold on Carol and gestured that he was taking her to her room; Hershel followed saying something to the group that kept them in place. He watched while Hershel made Carol comfortable and moved away when the older man started issuing orders for his daughters to bring him the items he would need to take care of her.

Daryl moved to Sophia's room and knocked, lightly before entering. "I found your mom. She's fine. Hershel's looking at her now. I'd imagine he'll say she needs plenty of rest over the next few days. So tomorrow you'll come hunting with me. That sound good to you?"

"She's ok? She's not gonna turn? You promise?" Sophia asked rolling to face Daryl.

"I promise, 'Phia. I will never lie to you. Your momma's gonna be just fine." Daryl reassured. Then, making sure the girl was tucked into bed; he left and headed back to his and Carol's room.

It had been almost a month since Daryl had brought Carol back from the tombs, and things had gotten back to an even keel. Everyone was on edge waiting for the other shoe to drop. When it did no one was expecting it.

Daryl and Merle were in the tower on watch; Merle was trying to make a point about something or other, Daryl had lost the thread of the conversation several minutes before; when the bottom dropped out. Someone was making their slow, shuffling way up to the gate. They weren't a Walker, yet; but Daryl could tell they were bad off. Daryl ran to the gate while Merle kept watch. It was Lori.

"Take the baby." She said even before the gate was open. "I was scratched two days ago, I've been fighting like hell, but I know I've got a fever. Just take the baby and take care of her." Daryl wasn't even sure Lori realized she was giving the baby to someone who knew her.

"Lori, it's Daryl. Come on inside. Rick and Carl will want to see you." Daryl said as he got the gate open. She seemed to perk up at the mention of her husband and son.

"Oh my god, Rick and Carl are here?" Lori said, Daryl could tell she wasn't completely with it. His goal right now was to get her inside.

"Yeah come on. I'll take you to them." Daryl said leading the woman up to the big concrete building.

Merle had come down from the tower after Daryl got the gate closed and was in the right place to catch the baby as Lori stumbled and almost dropped it.

Rick had put Lori down about two hours later when she fell into a coma that Hershel said she'd come back dead from. Daryl could tell Rick was devastated, he held the baby for a minute then handed her off to Carol before blindly making his way out to the yard.

"We're going to need supplies. Daryl, will you run to the truck if I make you a list?" Carol asked rocking the baby gently, in an effort to get her to calm down.

"Yeah, sure. But you gotta promise, no exploring while I'm gone this time." Daryl teased easily. He'd been thinking about making a run to the truck for a very specific non essential for a little while. So this would be the perfect opportunity.

"I'll go with ya. If that's ok?" Merle asked. Daryl was more than ok with it. He'd just gotten his brother back; he didn't want to risk losing him again.

"Yeah that's fine with me. We should leave right away; it'll take us a while to get there and I'm assuming the stuff you'll need is pretty urgent." Daryl directed the last statement to Carol.

"Yeah, I'll get to making that list. Beth can you take the baby? Crap, Lori didn't mention a name to anyone did she? Does anyone know what she was thinking of calling the baby?" No one spoke up as Carol had really been the only one that had been close with Lori; so she was likely the one that would have been privy to name choices.

"Maybe Rick'll have some idea of what they would have named a girl baby." Hershel offered moving to where his youngest was shifting from foot to foot, like carol had done; in an effort to also comfort the child.

It took them the better part of three days to get to the truck and back. Mostly because of a walker herd, and some of the Governors men, looking for Merle. The Governor was with them, apparently not trusting his men to get the job done. When Merle saw the man he snagged Daryl's crossbow off his shoulder.

"Damn it Merle. What are you doing? You can't fire that thing one handed!" Daryl whispered as loudly as he dared.

Merle looked at the weapon, disgruntled. "Shit. You're right, little brother. You gotta do it. Take him out; he's a bad man. He'll hurt your new little family, sure as I'm standing here." Merle gave the bow back to Daryl pointing out which man was the one to be taken out. "You sure you're up for this? I'm just worried that group done made you soft."

With those words ringing in his ear Daryl took aim and fired. Taking the governor down, with a head shot, before he even knew what hit him. They made quick, quiet work of the five men that were with him and were quickly back on their way toward home. It was weird that Daryl thought of the prison as home, but he felt like it could be that for him; for them.

They'd gotten a good haul of baby stuff from the truck and Sophia, along with Rick had managed to bring down what she thought was the buck she and Daryl had seen their first time out. So there was a bit of a party atmosphere when the brothers finally made it back to the prison. Daryl felt the weight of the little velvet box in his pocket a hundred fold all night long. But now wasn't the time to give it. He spent the better part of the evening surrounded by Carol, Sophia, Carl, and baby Jude (or Judith as was her full name), and he enjoyed himself more than he ever thought possible. Daryl watched, and nudged Carol curiously as Merle seemed to single out the younger Greene girl to bestow his attentions upon.

"Is this something we should worry about? He seems a little rough for her." Carol mused just loud enough for Daryl to hear.

"Nah, he's really a big ole Teddy Bear underneath the gruffness." Daryl responded pulling Carol closer to him with an arm around her waist. Daryl had everything he needed, and he wasn't going to let it get away.