Chapter Forty-Five

Warning: Last section of this chapter contains smut, so if that's not your thing, you can skip it and not feel you've missed anything. Happy reading!

"A week!" Carol squeaked, the blood draining from her face as she looked at the others. "Where are we going to go?"

Lori swallowed thickly, feeling sick. "It seems we just got settled here."

Merle shot to his feet and rubbed a hand over his close-cropped hair. "That's th' thing. Unless yer behind some sturdy walls, there ain't no such thing anymore as settlin'. But y'all got time t' get packed an' on th' road north."

"Hershel's not going to want to leave his farm. This is his home; it's been in his family for generations," Rick said. "We can't just leave him and his girls here."

Daryl, who'd been quiet up to that point, could no longer fight the panic clawing at his chest. "Y' do what y' want, Rick, but we're leavin' … Me, Carol an' Soph. I ain't stayin' around here t' let them get slaughtered!"
"No, Daryl, I'm with you, man. We have to protect our families, and the only way we're going to do that is by sticking together. We just have to try to convince him to leave."

Merle nodded approvingly, relieved the deputy wasn't going to be a stubborn ass and want to stick it out because one man didn't want to abandon his home. There were no homes anymore, not without a reliable defense. "Well, y' best get a move on. That was a rough estimate if I know those assholes reporting to Blake. Yer time might be shorter than y' think."

"In th' meantime, y' might wanna post a heavier watch," Marty suggested, her sharp eyes already taking in the outbuildings. "Y' already have one on th' camper. Put another at th' back o' th' house. Th' tree line is vulnerable there. Maybe another in th' loft on th' barn? At least until y'all get ready t' leave."

Martinez agreed with her. "I wish we could stay and help get you out of here, but if we don't get back soon, the governor is going to get suspicious."

"Y' worry too much, Paco. As long as we bring in supplies, he'll be none the wiser," Merle sighed.

Daryl bumped his shoulder with his own. "Time t' step up your game, brother. The less time we're out there, th' better."

"Call them in, Daryl," Carol said, squaring her shoulders as she rose from her seat. "We have to tell the rest of them what's going on and begin preparations."

"Carol –" Rick began in a placating tone.

She was quick to cut him off with an icy glare. "We are not keeping them in the dark about this. I know you don't want to create a panic, but this group is not going to keep vital information from each other. Between you, Shane and Daryl, the three of you will guide us right."

Lori reached over and twined her fingers with his. "She's right, Rick. Secrets don't do anything but make us weak, and we need to be strong to survive this."

He also knew it had the potential to cause a panic, and that was something he didn't want. On the other hand, Carol had unswerving faith in him to lead them with Shane and Daryl at his side. He could do this. At least he was trying to convince himself he could. Finally, he nodded.

Merle slipped his arm around Carol's shoulders and grinned. "Well, y' heard 'er! Y'all got plans t' make an' work t' do. Let's get started."

*.*.*

Merle couldn't ever remember seeing anything more pitiful in his entire life. And that was saying something, considering how many times he'd had to get between Daryl and their old man. Sophia stood before him at the edge of camp, her arms crossed over her chest as if she were trying to hold herself together. Her obstinate little chin was lifted, and she was fighting to hold the tears from spilling over her lashes. Didn't she realize how hard it was for him to say goodbye to her? He was a cold miserable bastard. Anyone who'd ever met him would say the same. He could walk away and not give a damn about the havoc he was leaving behind. He could walk away unaffected … from anyone but her. Or he would've been able to before she'd come into his life.

"Peach –"

"I don't want you to go," she mumbled, her little voice breaking on a sob. Those doe-eyed blues lifted to him, and it felt like a knife to the ribs. "I'm scared."

Merle dropped to a knee before her and opened his arms, pulling her into his chest as he buried his face against her shoulder. "There's no reason for y' t' be scared, Peach. Y' think yer daddy," and gawd knew he never thought he'd see the day his baby brother became a daddy, "is gonna let anythin' happen t' y'?"

She sniffled, her arms tight around his neck, clinging for dear life. "I don't want you and Marty and Martinez to go back there. It's not safe. What if that man finds out what you're doing and kills you? I'd rather have you with us on the road than dead behind a wall."

He took her upper arms in a gentle but firm grip and moved her back enough to peer into her face. "Stop that shit right now, girl. Who am I?"

"Merle Dixon," she frowned.

"Ain't nothin' can kill a Dixon but a Dixon," he said sternly. "I'm goin' t' take that town an' make it a haven for y'. For y' an' yer mama and daddy, for Marty an' th' others. It's gonna be a home I couldn't make for Daryl when he was your age."

Sophia was close to stamping her foot. "Can't you see all of that doesn't matter if I lose you? You are my home. You and mama and daddy and even Marty. It doesn't matter where we are. I'll run every day for as long and as fast as I can if it means having all of my family with me." The tears broke free to wash over her ashen cheeks as she cradled his stubbled jaw in her palms. "I love you, Merle."

"Then y' oughtta understand why I'm doin' this, baby girl."

"Merle, darlin', we really need t' go," Marty said softly, laying a comforting hand on his shoulder.

He nodded. "I promise I'll come back t' y', Peach. Trust me."

"I do." She swiped angrily at her tears. She couldn't even remember the last time she'd cried like that, and she hated herself for showing such weakness. She was a Dixon, and Dixon's didn't blubber like a baby. Sophia reached out and clasped Marty's hand in hers. "Take care of him for me? Keep him safe? He doesn't always think clearly when he lets his temper out."

"Y' know I will," Marty assured her.

Sophia dropped a kiss to his cheek and rested her hand over his heart. "Remember … be who you are here, not what the world tries to make you." She let him go and quickly buried her tear-stained face against her father, comforted when his strong arms wrapped securely around her.

Daryl scowled darkly. He didn't like Merle leaving any more than Sophia did. "Two weeks, Merle. If I don't hear from y' in two weeks, we're comin' after y'."

Merle took his pack from Marty and hefted it onto his shoulder. "Don't worry, baby brother. Jus' stick t' that map I gave y', an' I'll catch up t' y'."

*.*.*

Daryl kept everyone busy with training while Rick had the unfortunate chore of convincing Hershel to leave the farm before the end of the week. He certainly didn't envy the man. Maggie and Glenn had gone along with him to help smooth things over, but it didn't look good. He'd sent Dale back atop the Winnebago for watch, even though the man had pulled third shift the night before. He wanted everyone out in the field that morning, pushing them harder than he had before. Now it was imperative they honed their skills, not knowing what they would encounter out on the road, and Daryl didn't want to risk any of their lives. He knew what it would do to his girls to lose one of them.

Lori had balked, not wanting to run with the others, claiming she couldn't during her pregnancy. He'd pinned her with his most menacing stare, his posture threatening. It had caused her to shrink back a little, unsure how to take him like that when he'd never given her real cause to fear him before.

"Y' tellin' me if we got a herd comin' down on us, what? Y' gonna hide? Y' gonna hope somebody swoops in an' saves yer ass?" he'd hissed. "Y' might not be able t' run out there with th' rest o' us, but y' will give it a stiff walk. Jus' 'cause y' got yerself knocked up, don't mean you're an invalid. You're too soft, woman! Get out there an' limber up them muscles. Get!"

Her eyes had been the size of dinner plates by the time he'd been through with her. She'd grabbed Carol's hand and marched herself out into the field at a fast clip. Maybe she hadn't expected him to say anything because she was Rick's wife, maybe because she thought she was entitled due to her pregnancy. All he knew was that the walkers wouldn't discriminate once they'd set their sights on her.

Daryl pushed them all a lot harder than he normally would. He made it clear to them they were responsible for their own safety. They couldn't take a chance someone would be there if they faltered. They had to be able to take care of themselves and be proficient with their weapons. He was a bit worried about Beth. The girl was far too timid for his tastes. He gave her a baseball bat Carl had found in the barn, so she could build up some upper body strength against the dummies T-Dog and Randall made for her to practice on.

Rick seemed to perk up when he made it out to the field and saw the hard work the group was putting in. Daryl knew from the look on his face it hadn't gone well with Hershel. "He refused?" the hunter asked, nodding at Glenn and Maggie. "You two get on out there an' find a spot. It'd be best for y'all t' be paired together."

Rick shook his head in disgust. "Yeah, he thinks whatever comes through we should be able to fend them off. He has no idea what it's really like out there. The dozen or so we encountered in town was nothing compared to what's coming if Marty is right."

Daryl groaned inwardly as he moved along the edge of the field. "Carl, watch your flank!" he called. Andrea, Shane, Lori, Carol and Carl were fighting back to back in simulation, Randall, Sophia, T-Dog, Jimmy, Beth, Glenn, Maggie and Patricia playing the part of rabid walkers.

"My what?!"

Daryl threw up his hands in exasperation as Beth tackled the boy down to the ground. "Your flank!" he yelled, patting his right side. "Guard your fuckin' flank, boy! This ain't no game!" He turned back to Rick. "What're we gonna do about th' ol' man? We cain't just leave 'im here. If he stays, th' girls'll stay … Glenn. What a mess."

Rick winced as Lori caught Randall in the nose. "We'll have to make him see reason. Maybe if we all talked to him at dinner … I don't know. He's as stubborn as they come."

The redneck crossed his arms over his chest, a smirk forming on his lips. "I got some rope, an' y' never know … Carol might have some chloroform in that first aid kit o' hers."

*.*.*

That night, the atmosphere at dinner was enough to give them all indigestion. Except for Daryl. He'd skipped lunch and had worked up a healthy appetite running all over the farm. First with training, then with packing and prepping. Rick was more than capable, with Shane's help, to convince Hershel to leave with them.

The three of them sat at one end of the table, the farmer at the other. The rest of the group sat in the middle as the strained silence went on, only the clinking of china and cutlery breaking the stillness. Daryl jumped, his knee banging the table as Carol pinched his thigh. His smoky blue gaze swung to her, a dark scowl drawing his brows together.

"Say something," she mouthed, casting him a pointed look.

"Pass th' biscuits," he drawled. It was Rick's place to be the front man and do the talking. He wasn't going to open his mouth and take a chance of saying the wrong thing no matter how much his wife might want him to.

That seemed to be all the encouragement Rick needed to clear his throat and start up the discussion once more. "Hershel –"

Yet the man seemed to want nothing more to do with it. "Carol, you and Maggie did a lovely job on this pork loin," he changed the subject.

Maggie beamed at her father. "Thank you, Daddy," she said, smiling gently at him. "There's no telling when we'll be able to try this dish again once we leave here."

Beth winced as he slammed his fork down onto the table in a rare burst of temper. She and Lori had spent most of the afternoon – after an exhausting training session with Daryl – drying venison to make jerky to take with them.

"We aren't leaving," Hershel insisted. "I'm not going to give up my home to go on the road. I've worked too hard –"

"Fat lot of good that's going to do you when that herd sweeps through here like a plague of locusts," Shane grumbled. Andrea kicked him under the table, her pointy toed boots causing him to yelp.

Patricia spooned some sweet peas onto her plate. "I don't know why you're puttin' up such a fuss, Hershel. It's not like you can't come back after the herd moves through. Hell, if you shore up the livestock in the barns and stables, there's no reason why they won't still be here. Garden might not be much after they've trampled it though."

"You mean come back?" T-Dog said, a slow grin spreading over his face.

"Why not?" Glenn agreed enthusiastically. "All we know is the herd is definitely headed this way. We really don't know how large it is. There's always a chance it might change course before it even gets here."

Everyone joined in then with their own theories of what the herd would do. "This is all speculation at best," Rick said, raising his voice to be heard over everyone talking at once. "To be safe, I still think we should leave for say … two weeks …" He looked around to see everyone nodding in agreement. "Then we'll come back and assess the damage if there is any. Hershel?"

"I suppose that will be acceptable," he conceded albeit grudgingly.

"Let's take a vote then," Shane suggested.

Daryl shot him a look of disgust. "I don't give a damn what y'all are doin'. Day after tomorrow, we're gone … me, Carol and Sophia. I ain't gonna wait 'til th' last minute t' leave an' get caught on th' driveway while those geeks are headin' in."

Carol caught Rick's eye with her wide-eyed stare. She wouldn't argue with her husband when he was only thinking of their safety, but their leader needed to know he wouldn't wait. "We'll all have to make sure we're ready then, won't we, Rick?"

Rick sat back. "Show of hands." Everyone was in agreement, even Hershel now that he knew they'd only be gone a short time.

Shane rubbed his hands together in anticipation. "A'right!"

"Everyone, get some rest. We've got a lot to do tomorrow," Rick warned. This new system was going to work under his, Shane's and Daryl's leadership, and everyone's input to come to a decision. For the first time in weeks, he felt as if there was hope for the future. Hope for the chance at living as well as their continued survival.

*.*.*

Carol huffed as she heaved her belongings over the edge of the ladder to the hay-strewn floor of the loft. Only the light of the full moon was available to light her way as her eyes sought out her husband. He'd come out to the barn directly after dinner, the tense set of his shoulders worrying her. She knew he was coiled tighter than a caged panther with no outlet for release. He was trying so hard, had been since the quarry. It wasn't easy for him to curb his inner beast, but he was getting better. Situations such as these where he had no control seemed to test him to his breaking point, however.

"Should you be smoking up here? Fire hazard and all."

Daryl flicked the butt through the open bay doors to the dirt below and shrugged as he exhaled the thick blue smoke. He growled low in his throat as she made her way to him, his eyes heavily lidded, dangerous to all but her. She felt like prey caught in the hunter's snare. She swallowed thickly, unable to ignore the heat pooling low in her belly. "Are you ok?" she whispered, pressing the thermos of coffee into his hands.

"It's usually me asking you that," he said with an ironic twist of his lips. He leaned forward, his eyes searching hers through the darkness. "Carol?"

"Hmm?" she hummed nervously, her heart rate picking up.

"Why're we whisperin'?" he asked, setting the thermos at his feet for later when he'd need it to stay awake.

A breathy chuckle slipped past her lips as she lifted her chin obstinately and danced out of his reach to spread their bedroll over the hay. "I don't know. I suppose I still find myself a little leery of your temper. I know you'd never hurt me, so don't even think that. It's more like transference, I suppose."

He frowned. "Trans – transfer what?"

"Transference," she repeated. "When you get upset, it transfers to me and I feel it too." She came to stand next to him, looking out over the farm where it shone serenely under the moonlight. It was hard to imagine the horror coming. She sighed as he propped his crossbow against the wall and slipped his arms around her waist. It was absurd to think anything could harm her when she had him by her side.

Daryl rested his chin on her shoulder, some of the tension melting away from his coiled muscles. "It looks strange out there with th' camp broken down. Though I s'pose it's nice Hershel let th' group move into th' house."

"Except us," she smirked. Daryl had adamantly refused to be confined with the rest of them inside, packed in like a tin of sardines. "Sophia was excited to have a sleepover with Beth. They're becoming rather good friends."

His fingers slipped beneath the hem of the navy tank top she wore under her leather jacket, skimming feather light over the warm flat plane of her belly. "Good. Least she's takin' a break from Carl."

Carol snorted. "Are you still on about that, Pookie?"

He rolled his eyes as he peeled the jacket off of her shoulders. His nose settled in the crook of her neck, his nostrils flaring as he breathed her in, his body tightening in response. "Mark m' words, woman … another year an' y' ain't gonna think they're so innocent. Then I'ma have t' kill that boy."

She chuckled, finding pleasure in how protective he was over their daughter's virtue. "You never know; she might meet someone in the future to give Carl some competition."

He growled threateningly at the very thought of having to guard his daughter's honor. This fatherhood thing wasn't all it was cracked up to be. "Gawd help us! The fuckers'll be linin' up."

Carol leaned back against his chest, her head coming to rest against his shoulder as his fingers danced over her ribs. "Where will we go, Daryl? Have you a plan in mind for when we leave here?"

He shrugged. "Maybe Griffin or Carrollton … ain't decided yet. Rick trusts me t' get us out o' here on th' clearest path. Those were on th' map Merle gave us, so either way we won't have t' worry about Blake for a while." She moaned as his warm breath fanned over the delicate whorl of her ear. "Why … y' scared?"

"No. I'm never afraid when I'm with you," she breathed.

She raised her arms as he drew her shirt over her head, tossing it to the side. Carol stood before him in her lacy bra, the navy color a dark contrast next to her creamy skin. His eyes traveled down the length of her, taking in her jeans and boots, her gun belt causing him to raise a brow. She looked sexy as fuck and didn't even realize it. His woman … his wife in all her glory. The blood raced through his veins, straight to his cock. His warm palm wrapped loosely around her throat, his thumb caressing the pulse point fluttering rapidly beneath her jaw.

Carol bit her lip, reveling in the way his eyes darkened with desire. "Daryl …"

He cut her off, his mouth slanting hotly over hers. He could feel his inner beast clawing its way to the surface to claim his mate. His chest rumbled, his heart sped, his hands tearing at the buckle of her belt. One thought prevalent in his mind … need. God, how he needed her. Once they left the farm, who knew when he would be able to be with her like this again. He plundered the honeyed cavern of her mouth, drinking deeply of her sinful sweetness, unable to bite back a moan as his tongue slid sinuously alongside hers. It made him dizzy with lust.

Carol was drunk on his kisses, teetering slightly as she kicked off her boots and shimmied out of her jeans. Her own hands were frantic as they whipped off his belt and tore open the button on his cargos. God bless him, no underwear, but she wasn't going to let herself get distracted by laundry just then. She squeaked as he lifted her suddenly, her back pressing into the rough wood. She made a slight sound of protest in the back of her throat when he made no move to enter her, content to wreak a path of fire over her neck to nip at her collarbone.

His talented fingers dropped between them to tease her bundle of nerves, and he bit his lip, his eyes slamming closed when he felt how wet and ready she was for him. "Tell me whatcha want, woman," he whispered huskily. "Tell me."

It was too much and not enough. Her core throbbed with the need to be filled by him, and yet he teased her. His fingers dug into the firm globes of her ass as he pressed against her, the head of his cock sliding over her clit until she thought she'd lose her head and scream the rafters down. "Daryl, please … inside!"

Daryl's lips returned to hers, his teeth tugging gently at her lower lip as he shifted his hips and placed himself at her entrance. There he stayed as he leaned his head back enough to meet her gaze, the corner of his mouth lifting into a smug smile. He would never get enough of seeing her so frantic with wanton pleasure, knowing he'd brought her to such a state. She cried out in frustration as he slid forward another inch. Really, he didn't know where he mustered up the control not to slam himself into her wet, silken heat.

Carol locked her heels behind him and bit down sharply on the prominent tendon in his neck, though it earned only a growl instead of what she'd truly been seeking. He rested his brow to hers, his labored breath fanning over her lips as he withdrew. She could have wept. And then it was all worth the wait as he kissed her deeply and snapped his hips forward, seating himself fully. The impact stole her breath and sent a shiver tremoring along her spine from the pure pleasure of it.

"Mine!" he growled lowly, his voice akin to a physical caress. She fluttered around him, a fresh wave of moisture soaking his cock as he rocked into her. His control was slipping, yet he still maintained a gentle pace. No matter how much the beast within him hounded him to take, he wouldn't allow himself to hurt her. Instead, he gave her everything her body craved.

He held her gaze as he slipped an arm under her knee, changing the angle, needing to watch the shift and play of emotion on her lovely face, those deep blue pools of unmistakable love sucking at his soul. She keened, arching her back as his pace quickened.

Carol fisted her hands in his hair, clinging to him. "Don't stop … don't hold back. I need you, Daryl," she panted and moaned as he seemed to go deeper than before. He dipped his head, catching one stiff peak between his teeth and tugging, sending her over the edge with a long, whining cry.

His teeth sank into her shoulder to muffle a satisfied grunt as he felt her shatter around him, her tight inner walls clasping him, driving him over the precipice into his own orgasm. He dropped to his knees, tangled in his own pants, her legs still locked around his hips as he fought for breath.

Carol rested limply against him, in no better shape, a smile tugging at her lips. "I could sleep for a week," she murmured, brushing her lips to his damp brow.

"Uh-huh," he agreed, kissing her lips ever so softly. He dropped onto his back, pulling her atop him as his heart threatened to thunder out of his chest. "Y' can sleep if y' want, baby. I still got watch 'til Shane relieves me at one."

"Why d'you think I brought our blankets?" she chuckled. "You won't have far to go when your shift is over." She pulled her tank top and underwear back on, but merely tossed her jeans, belt and boots over next to their bedding.

He righted his own clothing and helped her to her feet. "G'on, woman. Get some sleep," he said, but refused to let go of her hand when she moved to pull away. Daryl caught her back to him and held her close for a moment, needing that one second longer before breaking their connection. "Love y'."

Carol hummed, a smile curling her lips. "Love you, too."

A/N: Please let me know what you think! Next time: Rick is impressed with the group's new skills. Time's up!