Chapter Twenty-Six

"Damnit, that hurt!"

"Then move yer ass, woman!" he hissed, prodding her along in front of him again for good measure. "We ain't got time fer a coffee break."

Marty glared at him through jade eyes narrowed to slits in her ire. It was bad enough they'd found what was left of her brothers, she thought, pushing aside her grief. There would be time for that later when they weren't running for their lives. "Have we lost 'em yet?"

Merle leaned against the cool bricks on the side of the building in the alley and leaned out just enough to see across the street. He ducked back quickly and pressed her back, his body covering hers. His dark clothes blended with the shadows as the jeep passed, leaving them in relative safety … for the moment. "We need t' find cover fer th' night, girl. Any ideas?" he panted. His wrist throbbed like a bitch and his head was swimming from their earlier exertion.

The girl looked around, ducking her head out of the alley in an attempt to get her bearings. "Waterton Ave. Two blocks up there's a motel. Wanna try our luck there for th' night?"

"Fairly obvious. Maybe they won't look fer us there."

He could only hope. Merle let her take point, needing the rest he hoped they'd find in the meager shelter. The town they'd tracked the boys to wasn't very big and the population of walkers hadn't been bothersome yet, but he really didn't want to take any chances.

Marty picked the lock on the farthest room on the second floor. They'd have plenty of warning if anyone came up the stairs and the fire escape was right outside their window. It would do. He ushered her away from the door and locked it behind them before checking the windows and then collapsing onto the shabby bedspread which had seen better days. She set her pack down and sat down next to him, pulling his arm onto her lap. He immediately jerked it away from her.

"Don't be a baby, Merle. Lemme see. Y' already flushed and sweatin' like a stuck pig. Y' could prob'ly do with another dose o' antibiotics," she chided gently.

"Don't need y' coddlin' me, woman," he grumbled.

"We shoulda gone back t' th' bunker. I have better supplies there for this sorta thing," she said, unwrapping the bandages from his forearm.

Merle averted his gaze. He didn't want to see the mangled mess she'd had to stitch back together. There were going to be two jagged scars left etched into his skin for the remainder of his life, but at least he'd been able to keep his hand. He really hoped the numbness he suffered in his thumb would go away eventually once he'd healed. "Toldja … cain't risk leadin' them fuckers back t' th' bunker. Y' really want 'em lootin' th' store? Or gainin' access t' what y' got hidden below?" And what if Daryl had led the quarry group back there? He wasn't going to put his family in danger.

"We're gonna have t' go back, Merle," she muttered quietly. She was all too familiar with the man's stubborn streak, and didn't want to set off his temper to go with it. All she wanted was to go home.

He watched as she dug bandages and ointment from the pack. The wound didn't look too bad, even though it hurt like a bitch. It didn't account for the fever he was running. He needed his full strength back. He was a liability to her as he was. His thoughts swam back to images of his brother, of his little peach, of Carol. He'd be no good to them either in his present condition.

"Y' thinkin' 'bout y' little girl again, ain'tcha? Y' got that look."

He snorted. "I don't like not knowin' where she is or if baby brother's takin' proper care o' her. She's a good kid, smart. And she don't take shit from anyone. I like that."

Her full lips stretched into a grin as she found the bottle of antibiotics and shook two out into her hand. "I think it's nice. She looked like she'd been kinda sheltered. You boys can teach her an' her mama how to make it in all this mess. Daryl was kinda sweet on Carol. He'll watch after 'em, I'm sure."

He kicked off his boots and stretched out on the bed, pulling her close to his good side. "Y' always did put too much faith in th' likes o' us."

Marty curled up next to him and laid her head on his chest. "No, I didn't. Y' just don't give yerself enough credit, Merle Dixon."

His fingers carded into her long ebony locks and he sighed, relaxing just a bit for the first time in days. "G'on an' try t' sleep. Tomorrow we'll try t' head back t' the bunker."

"Y' think that Latino fucker an' his partner with th' dreads will have given up on us by then?"

Merle patted the nine-millimeter on his hip. "If'n he knows what's good fer 'im."

*.*.*

Daryl paced back and forth over the gravel parking lot, exerting herculean strength of will not to let his temper take over. "Busted water pump," T-Dog confirmed as he closed the hood on the church van. "This one ain't going nowhere."

All the supplies weren't going to fit in the RV, Cherokee and the limited space in Daryl's truck. He could see it written all over Rick's face. They'd already had to ditch Shane's jeep because of it's outrageous fuel consumption.

"You're going to have to leave the bike or ride it, Daryl. But we're going to need the space in the bed of the truck."

"I cain't take both my girls on the bike, Rick!" he sneered. "Fuck!"

Rick planted his hands on his hips and hung his head, trying to reason with the redneck. "There's no reason why Sophia can't ride in the Cherokee with me and Lori and Carl. Those two don't like to be separated anyway. Then Carol can ride with you on the bike and T and Shane can take shifts driving your truck."

"Sounds good to me, man," T-Dog said amiably.

Daryl let out a long breath and winced. Sophia was already upset they'd be leaving in just a few hours and Merle still hadn't returned. He didn't like the thought of her being so far away from him. She belonged in the truck with him and her mama, nestled between them where he knew she was safe and protected. And what would Carol have to say about being on the bike with him? Would she even want to ride with him? Not that he'd give her a choice. He didn't even want to think of the gnawing itch of anxiety which would plague him if he didn't have her near to hand where he was assured of her safety.

Rick put a hand on the hunter's shoulder. Daryl flinched and took a step back. He couldn't help it. He had promised Carol he'd try to get along with the man, but that wasn't going to make him comfortable with touch – any touch – overnight. The former deputy dropped his hand, seeming to understand Daryl's reticence. "Daryl, I promise I'll look after her as if she were my own. I'm not going to let her out of my sight."

"Cain't jus' leave Merle's bike. He'd kick my ass from here t' Macon," he gave in grudgingly. "Fine, Soph can ride with y', I guess."

"A'right, let's get the bike off the truck and finish loading the supplies," Shane said impatiently. "We don't want to get to Benning after dark."

"If we even make it t' Benning," Daryl sneered. Maybe once they got up there and the jerk could see for himself it was a waste of time, he'd shut his hole and they could find a real place in which to put their hopes.

*.*.*

"Sorry, Daryl," Glenn apologized as he raced up the stairs with another box of supplies, nearly mowing him over.

The bunker was a hive of activity, and if he didn't watch it, somebody was going to run right over him. He pressed his back against the living room wall as Andrea and Dale flew past carrying their own crates. "Carol!" he bellowed, afraid to move until the last of them passed on their way to the surface. "Woman, where are y'?"

"Kitchen!" he heard her yell from down the hall. He didn't expect to enter the room and find her scrubbing the countertops.

"What're y' doin'?"

"Cleaning," she replied as she tackled a pan soaking in the sink with a brillo. "I thought that would've been obvious. I can't have Marty and Merle come back and find the place not only wiped out of half of her supplies, but filthy as well."

He shook his head. She'd been the same way as long as he'd known her. Back at the quarry, his tent had never been so clean. And he wasn't even going to think about their laundry. "I need t' talk t' y'. Dog's van crapped out on us, an' we're gonna need to store our supplies in the bed of the truck."

"What about Merle's bike? Are you going to leave it here for him?" She asked, now drying the pan and storing it in the cupboard.

"Hell no! What if someone steals it? I'd get my ass kicked an' never hear th' end of it."

She arched a brow as he raised his thumb to chew on the nail. That never boded well. "Would you care to elaborate instead of mutilating yourself?" she asked, grabbing his hand and yanking it away from his mouth.

He almost forgot what he'd wanted to say as she traced her soft fingers over his hand. "Um … yeah. Sophia's gonna ride with Rick, an' we're gonna ride the bike. I'ma let T drive the truck, an' Shane's gonna ride shotgun."

"Just like that?" she asked, clearly annoyed.

Uh-oh …what'd I do now? he wondered. "Just like what?"

"Just like that you decide where you want us? We're not luggage, Daryl."

He frowned. This is what she was going to be upset about? "I know you're not luggage, woman. But did y' think I wouldn't have y' with me? And if Sophia can't ride with us, I know she'll be safest with Rick." He pulled her closer, his free hand coming to rest against her hip. "What's wrong?"

"I've never ridden on a motorcycle before," she admitted sheepishly.

His brows shot up. "Ain't nothin' t' fear. I been ridin' since I was thirteen. You'll be jus' as safe on the bike with me as y' would be in th' truck."

Carol bit her lip and nodded. She'd rather be with him than any of the others anyway. She'd just find her courage and put on a brave face. "Ok."

He dropped a kiss to her brow and let her go. "Where's Soph?"

"She's in our room … sulking. She's more than a little upset Merle didn't come back before we got ready to leave."

"Yeah … well I ain't too happy with his ass either, but we cain't keep th' group waitin' forever," he grumbled.

"Will you talk to her?" Carol asked. He groaned when he saw those big blue eyes wide and pleading.

"Carol …" he whined.

"Did you just –"

"NO!" he cut her off before she could finish, but he still felt his face flame. "Fine … I'll go talk t' her."

She rewarded him by pressing her lips to his in a soft kiss. His arms came around her of their own accord, crushing her to his chest. His lips entered a clumsy dance with hers, wanting more, but she pushed him away. "Talk now; kiss later."

"Why y' gotta be so mean?!" He left his giggling woman to finish up in the kitchen and padded quietly down the hall.

*.*.*

The lighthearted mood Carol had left him with evaporated as he knocked softly on the bedroom door and poked his head inside. Sophia was sitting on the edge of the bed in the dark, her fingers idly toying with an envelope in her hands. He couldn't remember seeing her so dejected since the night Merle had failed to return with him from Atlanta. "Can I come in?" he asked, opening the door a little wider.

She nodded, but didn't raise her red-rimmed eyes to look at him.

Daryl sat down beside her on the bed. "Y' ok?"

"No … not really," she sniffled.

What the hell was he supposed to say? He was crap at dealing with emotional females. Though he was getting better with Carol, he thought with a small measure of pride. "He'll catch up t' us, Soph."

"I know. He won't let us down. I was just really hoping he'd be with us when we left this place, y'know?" She showed him the envelope, Merle's name scrawled across the front in her loopy handwriting. "I wrote him a letter. It was Mama's idea."

He smiled faintly. "Your mama always has good ideas. What'd y' tell him … in your letter? Unless y' don't want me t' know."

She was quiet as she fiddled with the unsealed flap for a bit. Finally, when Daryl didn't think he could stand it any longer, she reached over and turned on the lamp. She pulled the letter from the pristine white envelope and unfolded it. "You want to read it? It's ok if you see what I wrote."

He took it from her, his brow furrowing in indecision. This letter was meant for Merle, not him. It was an invasion of privacy, and he didn't know if he should. But the hopeful gleam in her eyes made up his mind for him. It was as if she wanted his approval. His chest tightened. Stupid feelings!

Merle –

WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU?! Daryl, Rick, T and Glenn went back to Atlanta to get you. Why weren't you there? Why didn't you come back to the camp? It's all my fault … I should never have asked you to go. Please be ok. I miss you and I want you to come home. I know all we have is a tent, but it's still home.

If you found this note, you know we were here at the bunker. Daryl made Rick wait three days, but now we have to go. We're going to Fort Benning. Shane's got a bug up his butt about that place. We don't think it's going to have anything there for us, but maybe when Shane sees for himself he'll shut his trap about it. Please hurry, Merle. Come find us. I know you will. I want my friend back. I'll try to leave signs for you if we change direction. Almost like breadcrumbs :)

And, Merle …please remember to be good. Don't let what you see or hear out there make you mean again. Don't let people you meet keep you from finding your family. We need you. I need you.

And I love you. Don't forget.

-Sophia

Daryl hung his head and closed his eyes. "Christ, kid. He's going to tear apart half the state tryin' t' find y'." He handed the letter back to her and she sealed it up this time. Just before she threw her arms around him and started crying. He patted her shoulder awkwardly. "Aw, don't cry, Soph. It'll be ok."

"I-I might've had a mom and dad and a nice house and clothes and stuff, but I never had a family until you a-and Merle. He has to be ok, Daryl," she wept.

"Hey," Daryl mumbled, tilting her chin up. "Ain't nothin' can kill a Dixon but a Dixon. Merle's ok an' it ain't gonna be long before he's back with us. I promise."

"And you never break a promise, d'you, Daryl?"

"No. Now go wash up before we gotta hit the road. Carl's waitin' on y'. Where's your pack? I wanna check it real quick," he said as she got up to go into the bathroom.

"It's packed. You don't need to check it."

Which made him want to check it all the more. He did wait until she'd disappeared into the bathroom before he dumped the entire contents onto the bed … even the little compartments on the outside. Clothes, granola bars, four bottles of water, a familiar nine-millimeter Beretta with a box of shells, three rice krispies treats, some jerky, a bottle of Gatorade, four grenades … For fuck's sake, the girl was ready to go to war!

"Sophia!"

She poked her head out of the door, still drying her hands on a towel. "Daryl, you're invading my privacy," she deadpanned.

"Where'd y' get the gun?" he asked, checking to see if it was loaded. It was, with a full clip. He didn't give a good goddamn if he was invading her space. It was his job to protect her … even from herself.

"It's Merle's spare. I thought I'd hang on to it until you're ready to show me how to use it or until he comes back," she explained, coming to sit on the side of the bed to re-roll her clothes and repack her bag. "Whichever comes first."

"Sophia, what's your mama gonna say if she goes in this bag t' get something an' comes out with a grenade? She'll stroke out, that's what! This ain't safe for y' t' have an' y' know it," he scolded her as if she were his own. Gawd! He didn't want to think of what he'd do if something happened to the girl.

"None of us are safe, Daryl," she protested. "Mama never goes in my things because she trusts me. Which really makes me feel even worse for hiding stuff from her, but don't y'all want me to be safe? Merle says I have to be able to protect myself if one of you can't do it for me."

He raked his hand through his hair and paced the shabby carpet. "Never thought I'd see th' day I'd actually agree with m'brother."

"So, I can keep my things? You're not going to take them away from me?" she asked hopefully.

"Yeah, y' can keep 'em, but if your mama finds out, I don't know nothin' about it, y' hear?" She'd already saved them once at the CDC by being prepared. He couldn't in good conscience take that away from her.

"Deal!"

*.*.*

Rick pulled on the last board he and Daryl had nailed back in place over the front doors, testing it and finding himself satisfied with their work. "I don't think anything'll be able to get in here."

Daryl nodded and tucked the hammer up on the shelf in case his brother might find a use for it when they returned. They already had plenty of tools tucked away in Dale's toolbox in the RV. "Thanks, man. Y' can go on out t' th' car if y' want."

"You coming?"

"Yeah … jus' want a word with Sophia first," he explained.

Sophia, leaning against one of the display cases near the shaft entrance, perked up at that and watched Daryl with interest as he waited for Rick to go up on the roof before moving to her side. "What's up?" she asked as he took her pack from her.

He dug around inside until he found Merle's gun. "I don't like th' idea of y' totin' this thing around if'n y' don't know how t' use it." He dug a silencer out of his pocket. "I took this from Merle's pack. It's jus' like th' ones I gave your mama. That way y' won't be drawin' no unnecessary attention if y' have to use it."

Her impish smile caused one of his own to lift his lips. "You're really going to trust me with it?"

Daryl snorted. "I'm trustin' y' not t' shoot yerself, girl. Don't disappoint me." He screwed the silencer onto the barrel, showed her how to draw back the slide to put a round in the chamber, flick off the safety, and how to hold it until she was ready to fire. "How's it feel?"

Sophia swallowed some of her nervousness, wanting to appear brave. "Heavy. And my hand is sweating."

"First time jitters, s'all. Look," he instructed, "rest your finger here until you're ready. Do not put your finger on th' trigger until you're ready to pull it. Don't snap it. It's a rookie mistake and you're gonna knock yourself off your aim. Hold your hands steady, aim and then curl your finger back. Got it?"

"I think so. Merle was pretty vocal on 'deliberation' when he was teaching me how to handle my bow. Same principle it seems."

"That's m' girl," Daryl said proudly. "Ain't nobody gonna hear with the silencer. Fire off a couple shots into that target over there."

Sophia gaped at him in surprise, but stood ready for the task. The large Styrofoam doe with the target in its side was perched against the wall and really an easy shot. She staggered under the first, adjusting her footing for the next and fired four times. She didn't hit the bullseye with any of them, but she wasn't far off the mark.

"That's pretty good. Better aim than your mama," he snickered. She beamed under his praise. "A'right, Soph, let's go."

Carol stood with Lori next to the Cherokee chatting quietly when Daryl and Sophia began their climb from the roof. Her girl seemed over excited considering how maudlin she'd been just a few hours ago. It really shouldn't have surprised her. Daryl had an uncanny ability of making her feel better too. It made her happy to see Sophia growing closer to him.

Sophia wound her arms around her mother's waist and squeezed. "You're so lucky, mom. I wish I was riding with Daryl."

"Hey! What am I, chopped liver?" Carl snarked. "I thought you'd want to ride with me."

Sophia pulled away from her mother and tossed an arm over her friend's shoulders. "Dude, seriously? If you had a chance to ride with me or on the back of Daryl's motorcycle … honestly, which would you choose?"

"Motorcycle."

"See?"

Rick chuckled and ushered them into the back seat. "Alright, you two. Settle in and find something to do. It's going to be a long trip."

Daryl frowned as he watched Sophia climb into the back of the Cherokee with Carl. It just wasn't right for her to be so far away from him and Carol. "She's going to be fine," Carol whispered as she came to stand next to him by the bike. "It's me you need to worry about. You'll hit a bump and I'll fall off and crack my skull open."

"Stop," he growled. He checked her belt and zipped her jacket before climbing on and urging her to do the same. "Jus' swing your leg over, woman. Y' ain't gonna fall off neither, so stop your worryin'."

Carol swung her booted foot over the seat and settled in behind him as he came down on the kickstart. Her eyes scanned the tree line beyond the parking lot. The bike really did make a lot of noise. Yet nothing came shambling out of the woods like they had last time they'd been there.

The hunter shivered as she scooted closer, her breasts pressed flat against his back and her slender thighs cradling his hips. Maybe this hadn't been such a good idea. How was he supposed to focus on the road with his woman molded to his back? Fuck slow! Where had that idea even come from?! Her arms wound around him, her hands moving to rest just above the buckle on his belt. An inch lower and she'd find a part of him applauding her tight grip. Gawd, it was going to be a long trip.

A/N: MERLE! Gawd, I missed writing him. So, the bunker behind them, we're heading into canon …sorta. You know I'm going to bend it and twist it to suit my own plot :D. That's a good thing right? Lol. Hope you're all still enjoying the story. Lemme know what you think.