Chapter Forty-Four

Merle sat next to Sophia on the log she'd dragged him over to, much like the others in a large circle around the fire. He rubbed a hand over the stubble on his jaw, scratching idly as his eyes took in the camp, the farm, and surrounding land. They were just asking to be invaded, in his opinion. If not by walkers, then by the living out to take what they wanted in a lawless and merciless world. Carol had offered to run up to the house to fetch him some leftovers, but he'd declined. He didn't expect his brother to be receptive to the news he had to share, and it was better done on an empty stomach.

The low burning lantern in the deputy's tent was still burning, so he knew it wouldn't take long for Rick to heed Daryl's soft call. Merle shook his head. The man stepped out of the tent, his boots unlaced and not a weapon in sight. What the hell was wrong with the former deputy? Was he so confident in his watch detail he would just let his guard down? Even Sophia, surrounded by the protection of her family, had her knife on her. Daryl had his crossbow, and Carol her belt loaded down with her own weapons. Idiot, he thought in disgust.

Merle's eyes narrowed as his brother spoke to Rick, relishing the way the officer's eyes widened slightly when Daryl explained the reason for his visit so late in the evening. The man visibly gulped as he followed Daryl over to the fire. Merle stepped out of the circle of logs to meet them, a wide grin spread across his lips. It was calculating, to be sure, but only his brother knew him well enough to sense the menace of that simple gesture.

Before Rick could say anything, Merle's fist shot out, catching the man square in the mouth, much like Daryl had done to him when he'd caught him unawares earlier. He chortled in satisfaction as Rick landed on his ass in the dirt.

"Damnit, Merle!" Daryl cursed, glaring at his brother. "How d'you expect 'im t' listen t' a fuckin' thing y' got t' say if y' keep knockin' 'im down?"

Merle leaned over Rick, bracing his hands on his knees. "That's fer Atlanta. Now that's done, what say we get past it an' have ourselves a little chat?"

Rick fingered his split lip – identical to the one Merle himself sported – and eyed the redneck warily. His gaze swung to Daryl as Merle held out a hand to help him up off the ground. The younger Dixon nodded. Rick trusted Daryl, but doubted he'd ever find himself trusting Merle.

Merle helped him to his feet and instantly dropped his hand, moving back to sit between Carol and Sophia. Daryl – antsy little fucker that he was – wouldn't be able to keep still and decided to pace behind him. He ignored Carol's disapproving glare and got right down to business.

"Y'all ain't safe here." He gestured around to the wooden fences. "That shit there … it might keep th' animals corralled in th' pasture, but it ain't gonna do no good if'n a herd comes through here."

Rick shook his head. "We haven't seen the first walker since we've been here." Aside from those Otis and Jimmy had corralled in the barn, but Dixon did not need to know that, the deputy thought.

Merle arched a brow at the man as Sophia leaned in against his side and slipped her hand into his. He didn't remember her being so clingy, but what surprised him was he didn't mind her closeness a bit. "How long was y' out there, sheriff? Not long from what m' fam'ly tells me. That herd out on th' highway? That wasn't nothin' compared t' what's comin'."

"Merle, get t' th' fuckin' point some time tonight, would y'?" Daryl growled. His brother had a sense for drama. Anything he could laugh about later.

"Th' point, baby brother, is that no one is safe outside of fences or walls. Some type of barricade t' keep th' deaders out!"

"Tell us something we don't already know, Dixon. We're doing the best we can with what we've got. We were lucky to have even found this place," Rick hissed quietly. The last thing he needed was for his wife to come looking for him. Her incessant input would only complicate matters. "Why don't you tell us where you've been."

He was barely holding on to his temper when Carol and Sophia both laid a hand on his arm. "Stop bein' an asshole. I'm here t' help all o' you fuckers. Otherwise, I woulda just convinced Daryl an' th' girls t' leave with me." He sighed heavily. "When we were out there lookin' for Marty's brothers, we were chased by this pair o' yahoos. At first, I thought they were jus' out t' take what little we had, but they were on a scavengin' run. Th' one guy, Martinez, he recognized me, said he wanted t' recruit me."

Carol frowned. "Recruit you for what? Did you know him from the service?"

Merle shook his head. "Naw, Mouse. Seems me an' 'is brother served time together. Anyway, t' get 'im off m' ass, I decided t' look into his proposition. He led me an' Marty t' this town – Woodbury. Y' wouldn't believe this place. It's an entire town – homes, shops, whatnot – fenced in. With a little reinforcement t' the fences, a thousand head herd couldn't penetrate it." He glanced down at Sophia, the look on her face assuring him her brilliant little mind was going a mile a minute. "See where I'm goin' with this?"

Carol didn't want to get her hopes up. "What's the catch, Merle. There always is with you."

"Th' town's run by a snake oil salesman. Think Jonestown."

Daryl stopped his pacing and crouched down on his haunches next to his daughter. "Fuck. Those are th' worst kind. What's he got y' doin' in this little town," he sneered.

All trace of amusement fell from Merle's face. "Every madman needs a general, don't 'e?"

Rick stared at him incredulously as he shot up off the log and paced behind it, his head hung low, hands on his hips. "And you want us to go here? I'm not putting this group … my family in danger."

Merle's upper lip curled in disgust. "Not yet. I'm not here t' offer up an invitation t' get slaughtered. I'm here t' warn y' t' stay away. I mean as far away as possible. This sick fuck is out there gatherin' up as much artillery as 'e can get 'is hands on. On th' surface, he's got a select few 'e rescued where 'e puts on this show for 'em, makes 'is little speeches t' 'em where he's th' reason they're safe. Those idiots worship th' ground 'e walks on. Then there's 'is soldiers."

Carol shivered. "Which you lead?"

"Not all of 'em. Marty an' I have been seekin' out th' ones who come there who don't exactly like his tactics, those who can see through 'im."

Daryl's penetrating stare settled on his brother, studying him intently. "You're amassin' your own army."

Merle's lips spread out in a wide grin. "Exactly, little brother. I'm gonna take it." He wrapped an arm around Sophia and pulled her into his side. "Peach deserves somewhere good to grow up."

"How can we help?" Rick asked. He and Lori would need somewhere safe to help raise their own child, and he knew there would be a fight on his hands if he ever tried to separate Carl from Sophia. Hell, from Daryl too, for that matter.

Merle laughed outright. "From you? Forget it, Deputy Do-Right. Y' ain't even close t' being ready t' take on Blake an' 'is men. From what I've seen, y' couldn't plan a raid on a snowball stand. Y' might have a mind for strategy, an' some skills which served y' okay in th' old world, but y' ain't equipped t' handle what's out there now." He gestured between himself and his brother as he watched Rick bristle. Merle wouldn't have liked someone questioning his leadership either, but this wasn't a fantasyland. "This is our world. Y' ain't gonna last long if y' cling t' your high an' mighty moral code. Y' gotta be prepared t' get yer hands dirty t' protect those y' love."

Rick's lips parted on a silent gasp. "It was you … out there at the tree line. I thought I was seeing things."

"I gotta keep an eye on what's mine there, officer," he smirked. "I cain't say I trust y' all that much."

Rick sat back down and rubbed his hands together, not at all comfortable under Merle's gaze. He felt as if the man were looking right down into his soul and found him lacking. "Look, I'm sorry about what happened in Atlanta. I should have found a way back up to that roof to get you out. Daryl, T, Glenn and I went back for you, but you were already gone. We don't leave our people behind," he said earnestly. "It's not likely we'll ever trust one another, but I want us to be able to work together."

Merle rubbed a finger between his lip and chin, his eyes narrowed on the former deputy. The man was grasping. He was scared Merle would convince his family to leave the group, and it would be hard as hell to survive without Daryl there. He looked over at Carol. Her soft azure gaze was pleading with him to accept Rick's apology. For some reason, she loved the members of this group and wanted them all to stay together. Daryl was in so deep; the boy didn't know where he ended and she began. He'd do as she wanted to keep her happy.

His rough hand stroked gently over Sophia's golden hair. "Whatcha think, Peach?"

She blinked up at him, surprised he was asking her opinion. It filled her with pride. "I think we need to stick together."

"A'right, Officer Friendly, we'll give it a shot." He pulled a map from the inside pocket of his leather jacket and handed it to Daryl. "I've marked Woodbury on th' map."

Daryl sat next to Rick, so they could look over it together. "What's these other markings?"

"Th' red X shows where y' are now. That's th' farm. Th' green circle is Woodbury, and the blue squares are towns th' governor has already raided. Those should be safe enough for y' t' scavenge for supplies, if needed, without runnin' into his mercenaries." He smirked lazily. "Marty went kinda ape shit with the colored pencils."

"And the orange star?" Rick asked, squinting in the low light of the campfire.

Merle shrugged. "A last resort."

"What do you mean?" Carol asked.

"I mean, if y'all do have t' leave th' farm an' head back out on th' road, you're t' only go there," he jabbed a finger in the direction of the map, "if y' cain't find no place safer. It's a prison, and it's overrun with walkers. This group ain't strong enough or trained enough t' take on clearin' it out."

"I'm workin' with 'em, Merle," Daryl said gruffly. "They ain't useless, no matter what y' think. Even Lori's a decent shot now."

Carol fidgeted beside him. "How are you planning on dealing with this 'governor' person? If he's as bad as you say –"

He reached over and squeezed her hand. "Don't y' worry, Mouse. I got some good people watchin' m' back. The trick is I'm goin' t' have t' lure 'im out. I cain't kill 'im in view of those sheep in town. Otherwise, they ain't gonna wanna accept new leadership when our group takes over."

"You really think this place is best for us?" Sophia asked softly behind a yawn.

He grinned down at her. "Th' best, Peach. Clean water, hot showers, fences t' keep th' dead out. Yeah, it's a good place. And there's potential t' expand where we can eventually become self-sufficient."

Rick shook his head. "It almost sounds too good to be true."

*.*.*

Daryl mirrored his brother's position, lying on his stomach facing Merle as they talked in muted whispers. Carol had barely made it to their bedroll before she'd passed out from exhaustion, curled up against his back. Sophia was much the same, clinging to Merle's back like a little spider monkey, her arm around his waist and her face pressed between his shoulder blades. She was terrified he'd leave again without saying goodbye.

It was strange having Merle back after so long. "Y' sure this ain't another one o' your schemes, Merle. If it is, an' it blows up in your face, it's gonna crush Carol and Sophia."

Merle shook his head where it was propped up in his hand. "I'm tellin' y', baby brother. This is th' real deal. I ain't doin' this for me. I'm doin' it for them … our girls. Who knows how long this shit is gonna go on, or how long th' dead are gonna roam th' world before they start dyin' off for good? They need a safe place where we can protect 'em."

"What about Marty?" Daryl asked, a knowing grin curling his lips.

"Shut up, asshole," Merle sneered, reaching over to steal Daryl's pillow.

He let it go, not wanting to disturb either of the girls. "How's she doin' anyway?"

"She's good. Without th' drugs muddlin' us up so bad, we're both different people. That girl is fierce, an' I'm glad I got her t' watch m' back," Merle replied. He knew that wasn't what Daryl wanted to know, but he wasn't going to be dragged into a conversation about his fucking feelings. Oh, hell no!

Daryl yawned and rested his cheek atop his crossed arms. "She yours now, or has she run off with one o' them soldiers y' got followin' y'?"

Merle narrowed his eyes in warning. "None o' your damn business!" He whacked Daryl with the pillow. "An' y' ain't got no room t' talk. I cain't believe y' run off an' married Mouse. Why th' hell did y' do that for? She was already yours."

Daryl smirked. "Because I love 'er, dumbshit. An' I ain't afraid t' tell 'er so, either. You an' Marty ain't th' only ones who's changed."

"I worried about y', little brother, for a long time. Thought y' was queer."

Daryl snorted. "I ain't no queer, jackass."

Merle dropped down onto the pillow beneath his head as Sophia twitched behind him and mumbled in her sleep. He liked what he saw in his brother now. Some of the tension and anxiety which used to rule his actions seemed to be missing. He was healing. Before, Daryl had never wanted anyone in his personal space, and lord forbid someone tried to touch him. Now he wore Carol like a second skin on their bedroll, and he didn't pass up an opportunity to touch her even in passing. He couldn't deny how much Daryl had changed, and it was all for the better. It would make him stronger and give him something to fight for.

"It looks good on y'."

"What?"

"Being pussy whipped," he chuckled.

"Gawd, Merle, shut th' fuck up!"

Merle closed his eyes, feeling sleep creeping up on him. "Y' happy?"

Daryl sighed as Carol's arm wrapped around his waist, pulling herself closer to him. "Yeah, I am," he admitted, even against his better judgment. It was fuel to the fire of Merle's warped sense of humor.

"I'm glad, even though you're a pansy motherfucker for bowin' t' a woman's whims."

"Merle?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm kickin' your ass before y' leave tomorrow."

Merle chuckled. "Y' can try."

*.*.*

Merle woke the instant Sophia stirred next to him, quickly shaking the sleep off of him. Even with her late hours, she seemed to have adapted his brother's internal alarm clock. His arm snaked around her waist and pulled her onto his lap with a giggle. "Whatcha doin' up so early, huh?"

"I was going to ask Dad if we were going hunting this morning," she replied, laying her head against his chest. She couldn't remember how many times she'd fallen asleep like this at the quarry. Her mama thought Daryl was a teddy bear. In her opinion, no one was like Merle. Even if he didn't want to admit it.

He shook his head. "Rick's gonna wanna talk t' th' farmer today. See if y'all can't start buildin' some walls."

Sophia looked up at him. "It's not going to work."

"Why not?"

She didn't miss his calculating look while she took her time to answer him. He looked deeper than the others, and she thought it was why he expected so much more than them. He didn't just think she was smart for a kid. He thought she was smart for a grown-up. "The farm is too big. I've heard them talking about this lumber place in town, but it's going to take more than that. We need lumber, yeah … but we also need steel to reinforce. Even if we find an abandoned construction site, there wouldn't be time before another herd made its way through here."

Merle poked her nose. "See? That's why I like y', Peach. Smart as hell."

Sophia smiled sadly. "I worried about you out there. I was afraid you wouldn't find us, no matter what Mom and Dad said."

His gaze wandered to Daryl where he lay with his face buried in Carol's pillow before settling once more on her. The sun was already beginning to lighten the sky. "I'll always find m' fam'ly. Ain't nothin' gonna stop me from makin' a safe place for y'all," he whispered raspily.

She nodded down at her fidgeting hands before she raised her clear blue eyes to his. "Just don't lose yourself while you're doing it, okay?"

If he could only make her understand what he'd gone through since receiving her letter, the gut-wrenching pain he'd suffered trying to understand why this little girl made him want to be a better man. Not just for her, but for Marty, to be all he could for her. For Daryl and Carol as well. Nothing mattered more than them, and if he had to burn the world down to keep them safe, he'd damn sure do it. "Don't worry, my littlest Dixon, I'll be th' same loveable bastard I always was."

Sophia seemed to be okay with that, for which he was relieved. She wasn't stupid; far from it. She knew he'd do what it would take. Satisfied, he reached out and kicked Daryl with his bare foot. "Mornin', Sunshine!"

Daryl kicked back, somehow winding up tangled in the blankets. "Miserable fucker," he grumbled under his breath. "Why don'tcha go nag Carol for some coffee an' leave me th' hell alone." He glared at Sophia. "Should've known you'd have your partner in crime there with y' too."

"Yeah, well I jus' thought it'd be wise t' have y' out there before th' rest of 'em," he drawled.

Daryl didn't waste any more time grabbing his pants and changing once Sophia skipped out of the tent to help her mother. "Jus' try not t' start no shit with T-Dog an' Glenn, Merle. Y' got your licks in on Rick. That oughtta be enough."

"Long as they behave," he smirked.

Daryl stopped him as Merle moved to put on his jacket. "Th' hell is that?" he asked, pointing at the cuffs.

Merle flicked his thumb across the button on the right cuff under his long sleeve, and Daryl jumped back as the blade sprung free. "Little gift from Marty. She made it in 'er workshop. Got all kinds o' little gadgets up there."

Daryl pulled his vest on over a long-sleeved shirt. "Then what's she messin' around with your dumb ass for?"

He shot out of the tent before Merle could swat him in the back of the head. The camp was already stirring, and Rick was talking quietly with Carol next to the fire. Merle could practically feel the tension radiating from his brother. Daryl might be the sweet one, but he was possessive as hell. He took the seat Daryl was aiming for and slid in smoothly next to Carol, earning a glare.

Merle didn't have time to wonder about it when Carl came out of his tent and stared wide eyed at him. It was even worse when Lori stumbled to a halt behind him and wrapped a protective arm around his neck. He arched a brow in her direction, daring her to say something. She looked from Rick to Carol, and eased her grip. It was evident they were both comfortable there with him. It surprised her to see Rick completely at ease after what he'd told her had happened in Atlanta. Lori nodded at Carl and let him go … as long as she could keep an eye on him. He might not try to hurt them, but his particular brand of mischief could get them in trouble without him even trying.

T-Dog came out buttoning his shirt and yawning widely. "Carol, you think I could have some of that coffee before I go on watch …" His fingers froze on the buttons as he got a look at Merle. "Oh shit!"

Merle grinned smoothly as he took a bowl of oatmeal and began eating calmly. "Hiya, Dawg."

Daryl shook his head and shoveled down his own food.

"That's it? You ain't here to slaughter us all for leaving you in Atlanta?" T asked, inching closer to where Carol held out a bowl of oatmeal and a cup of coffee to him.

"Not especially," he shrugged, angling a sideways glance at Rick's purpled jaw and split lip. "Got all o' that outta my system last night."

"No wonder he waited until I was asleep before he came back to the tent," Lori quipped. Rick shot her a pained grimace.

Carol pressed her lips together in a thin line to keep from laughing.

"Merle Dixon?" Shane asked as he and Andrea finally came out of their tent. "I'll be damned. Thought you were dead," he said, pulling the blonde to sit next to him.

T-Dog wasn't taking chances. He grabbed his bowl and high-tailed it to the RV to relieve Dale and Randall. Merle was better taken at a distance. Dale actually reached out to shake his hand when he made it to the campfire.

"Good to see you, son. How is it out there?" Dale asked, motioning Randall closer so he could get something to eat.

"Worse than you'd expect. People ain't too resilient if'n y' know what I mean. They take chances, get bit, an' then there's more of 'em." His eyes narrowed on Randall. "Now, who's this squirrely little fucker? I don't remember 'im from th' quarry."

Daryl shot his brother a look, one he didn't take kindly to, and pointed his spoon in the boy's direction. "One o' Carol's charity cases."

"Daryl, stop," she admonished lightly. "Merle, stop scaring him."

Randall scooted closer to Dale and buried his head in his bowl. "Oh, I ain't even begun t' scare 'im, Mouse," he drawled lowly, feeling his hackles rise.

"Regardless," Rick said, "he's part of our group now."

Merle took in the unease in his brother's posture. If Daryl didn't like him, he didn't either. His brother was a damn good judge of character, and he wasn't going to just brush it under the rug. That one would need to be watched, despite what Carol might think.

Daryl handed Sophia his bowl. "Where th' hell is Glenn an' th' girls. They're supposed t' run with th' group before trainin."

"Y' got 'em trainin?"

Daryl shrugged. "They're soft."

"Um … that isn't Glenn, Maggie OR Beth," Sophia said, pointing off towards the trees at the back of the house.

*.*.*

"We're going to get shot, querida," Caesar hissed as he and Marty stepped out of the trees. He'd left his rifle strapped to his back and held his hands out at his sides in a non-threatening manner, but he still didn't feel at all comfortable with a group this size. "They're going to shoot us, and then no one will ever know what happened to us."

Marty pressed her lips together, but still wasn't able to stifle her laughter. "What is wrong with you?! They're a group o' survivors, Martinez, not a band of guerillas in a third world country fighting for their independence. Gawd!"

"Merle's going to get us all killed."

She arched a raven's wing brow in his direction. The poor man was actually sweating. He really wasn't cut out for this kind of work. He'd be better off helping her fashion weapons in secret back in her workshop. "It's fine, darlin'. Stop your worryin'. The worst y' can expect is catchin' th' skinny brunette's eye."

"What?" he asked, his head swinging to her sharply. "Why? Is she the leader or something? I can't see Merle's brother following a woman."

"Naw," Marty grinned, "but she might want t' keep y'."

He sputtered, his face turning red. That was how Merle found them when he got close enough. She forgot about her teasing in an instant as his large hands cradled her face and swept over her, looking for injury. Merle didn't like to be parted from her. As capable as she was, he didn't think anyone could keep her better protected than he could.

Her slender arms went about his waist, tugging him closer as he rested his brow to hers. "Breathe, baby," she whispered. "Y' can be angry later, but right now, breathe."

"What are y' even doin' here!" he snapped, not even a tenth of the tension he was feeling draining away.

"Got some news I thought I'd share," she shrugged.

"Marty," Carol greeted when Merle pulled away. She and Daryl had followed him over to greet his people. "It's so good to see you again."

Martine shot her a brilliant smile before pulling her into a hug. "Mouse – er … Carol. Sorry, it's what Merle calls y'. Mouse and Peach, not Carol and Sophia. You know how he is."

"Oh, yes," she said with a roll of her eyes. "And this is?"

"That's Martinez. He's a friend."

"Daryl, stop pointing that thing at him," Carol whispered furiously, laying a hand on his arm. She wasn't so presumptuous as to actually touch his bow.

"Y' don't even know him!"

"But Merle does, and he trusts him."

"Y' say that like it's a good thing!" he grumbled.

Rick smiled stiffly, not at all sure how to take the newcomers, but he wasn't going to alienate them when Merle had come all this way to help them. "Why don't you both come on back to camp and have some breakfast. Surely, you've both come all this way with something important to share with us."

"It's ok, Sugar. Rick's on our side," he whispered as they started walking.

"That ain't th' same asshole who left y' on the roof? That what you're telling me, Merle?" she drawled in a dry tone. She hadn't missed the blooming color on the cop's jaw. She pulled the string of her bow back. "I can still get 'im from here, y'know."

Merle chuckled. "That won't be needed, girl." He showed her a seat while Carol began fixing them a bowl. Thankfully, Shane had taken most of the group off to run before training.

Martinez grinned wolfishly at Carol as he dug into his food. "Thank you, mi belleza. I can't even remember the last time I had oatmeal that tasted good."

Both Merle and Daryl glowered at him. "Stop flirting with m' brother's wife, Paco!"

"Daryl got married!?" Marty squealed, abandoning her food to get a gander at Carol's ring. "Oh, I never thought I'd see th' day! I wish we could have been here."

"Marty!"

She rolled her eyes at Merle. "Fine! Is there a time o' day where y' aren't an asshole?" She took several bites, letting his temper rise a bit before she answered. "When we were out yesterday, Blake brought in a new group. Nasty lookin' fellas too. I think we might have some trouble."

"How many?" Rick asked. "Merle said the town already had close to forty."

"'Bout fifteen," she murmured sourly.

Merle leaned forward and rested his forearms against his knees, sighing. "What'd y' get from 'em?"

Marty handed Carol her bowl when she was done and turned those jade eyes on him. "They don't look like they'd want t' join th' cause. I know personally, I wouldn't want t' be caught in th' same room alone with 'em. It was bad enough when we got back an' I had t' give m' report. If Blake suspects y', this would turn th' tide in 'is favor."

The elder Dixon chuckled dryly. "Yeah, well 'e don't, Sugar. He ain't gonna suspect a thing 'til m' blade is at 'is throat." He reached over and laced his fingers with hers, not liking it that she'd had to go into the viper's den alone. No more. He was keeping her with him from now on. He wasn't going to let that bastard get his hands on her. "Did 'e ask where I was?"

She nodded. "I told 'im you an' Martinez were checkin' out a town west of here. I figure we could scrounge up somethin' from th' bunker an' bring in t' cover your ass."

Daryl paced behind the chair where his wife sat listening intently. "Maybe we should go with y'. Our group, along with th' men y' already have, we should be able t' take that town, Merle."

Merle shook his head. "An' what about th' innocents livin' there? Kids, elderly … people who ain't never even been out in this mess? We cain't take th' chance an' y' know it."

"That … um … that ain't th' only problem y' got," Marty said, hating to be the bearer of more bad news. "That handful o' scouts he sent out … they're back."

"What scouts?" Rick asked, swiping a hand over his face as he tried to interpret the loaded looks they shared.

Merle huffed out a breath, knowing from the look on his woman's face it couldn't be good. "Th' governor sent out some scouts as far as Atlanta. He wanted t' see what kinda buildup those geeks were makin'." He looked at Marty. "I take it there's not much good news, huh?"

"No," she stated flatly. "They're comin' in from the west an' buildin' up. Soon as th' food runs out, they're gonna be headin' east."

"Damnit!" Daryl cursed. "We need t' head north. How much time y' think we have?"

Marty shrugged. "They couldn't tell us for sure. This ain't like bird migration, y'know. But if I had t' guess … a week."

A/N: Reviews are love! Next time: The group prepares to leave the farm.