You're Every Bit As Good As Him

by DucksFan1510

Shane never had to worry about being a leader before. That was Rick. Always the one in charge. But Rick is gone now. Killed in that mix-up by the police. Rick had always been there for him like any other older brother would've been. He's never been the leader or the older brother, but now he's going to have to be both in the middle of the end of the world. Complete!

18. Chapter 18

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Chapter 18

Glenn left early the next morning and Shane was left with the rest of the group. "Ok guys. We need to find a place with water. Glenn and T-Dog went out to hunt but we are going to need water. So can I have Andrea and Maggie go out and do a mile radius search for some source?" Shane asked. The two women nodded and left the camp. Daryl sat down next to Shane when the group went on with their own business. "I don't know what you mean about not being a good leader. You're every bit as good a leader as you're friend would have been," Daryl said nodding. Shane shook his head, "No. He would've been better. He was always better at leading people. Better at giving orders." Daryl thought for a moment, "That may be so. But I wouldn't want anyone else to be my older brother." Shane realized that he was talking about him. He glanced over at the younger boy and saw the kid was looking away. "Thanks," he said. Daryl nodded, "Yea." Shane looked out to the fields, "But it would be helpful if he was here. He could help me figure out what to do." "I could help you," Daryl said quietly. Shane mentally hit himself. Why hadn't he thought of that. "Yea you could. If you want," he said. Daryl nodded, "Sure. So what's the first decision?" Shane grinned, "When I come up with one I'll tell you." Daryl smiled and then got up saying he had to go fix his crossbow. Shane sat in the grass and realized he had found his second in command. The guy he had meant to ask Glenn about being but forgot. He also realized that Daryl was thinking of him as his older brother now. He grinned and stood up.

Glenn and T-Dog should be coming back soon and if on cue he saw Glenn emerging from the woods. Glenn waved, "Sorry we're late we got a little caught up near the city down the street." Shane nodded. "It's fine," he called back, "as long as you got food." Glenn grinned, "I think we found something you'll enjoy a lot." He moved forward and T-Dog emerged with another guy. Shane squinted and fell back. The three men walked up the camp. The third man was dressed in a uniform close to his. "Rick?" he asked softly. The man grinned, "Glad you remember your buddy Shane." It was Rick. How was that even possible? "I-I thought you were dead," Shane admitted. Rick nodded, "Understandable. Are Lori and Carl here?" Shane nodded, "That tent over there." Rick jogged over to the tent and entered it. Shane let them have their privacy. Rick came back a few minutes later and gave Shane a hug which the other man returned. "Thanks for taking care of them Shane," Rick said. Shane nodded, "What else could I have done?" Rick smiled, "I was in the city and those two over there found me surrounded. We got out of that situation quickly after they showed up." Shane nodded still not believing Rick was really here. Daryl approached them and glanced at Rick, "Who's this?" Shane turned to Daryl, "Daryl this is Rick. The guy I told you about." Daryl looked at Rick, "Oh." Rick nodded his hello and then turned back to Shane, "The real thing that got us caught up was some guy raining bullets on us from the roofs. We ended up locking him up on a roof somewhere. Then your fellow over there, T-Dog, dropped the key down a pipe by accident so we couldn't unlock him." Shane shook his head, "Wow. Do you know who the guy was?" Rick shrugged, "Some smartass guy called Merle."

Shane's mouth dropped. He felt Daryl stiffen next to him. He slowly reached out to grab Daryl's arm but the kid was gone from his side. Daryl had launched himself at Rick and Rick was totally unprepared for it. Now his best friend and his half-brother were fighting on the ground. "You locked my brother to a roof?!" Daryl screamed, "And you left him there?!" Rick frowned as he dodged one of Daryl's fists, "How was I supposed to know?" He kicked Daryl off of him and pinned him to the ground. Daryl struggled underneath Rick's weight but couldn't get him off. Shane put his head in his hands. He was not ready for this responsibility. "Look," Rick said quietly, "We'll go right back and get your brother if it matters that much to you. I'll even take you myself." Daryl spat in his face, "You know where you can go?" Shane walked over, "Ok that's enough guys. Rick get off Daryl. Daryl don't move." Rick jumped up and went over to grab his gun. Daryl stayed on the ground his face contorted into that pained expression. Shane looked over at Daryl, "Me, you, and Rick are going to get your brother ok?" Daryl nodded slightly and got up, "Let me get my stuff." They started their journey an hour after noon.