Chapter Fifty-Seven

"Martine … so lovely to see you returned to us safe and sound."

Marty suppressed a shiver as Blake pressed a kiss to the back of her hand, and forced a smile to her face. Gawd! The man made her skin crawl. She hated being in the man's personal space, but she wasn't likely to let Merle face the man on his own to give his report. Merle wasn't happy about bringing her along, hating to put her in the governor's presence. "Good t' be home, sir."

Blake rounded his desk and resumed his seat, motioning them to the chairs set before it. "How was the run? Were you able to locate this group the scouts mentioned?"

Merle clenched his fists in his lap. "There was no group, sir. Jus' a shit storm o' walkers," he grumbled, meeting the man's cold stare with one of his own as he fought to keep his emotions in check. "We walked into an ambush, an' lost a good many men. I'm thinkin' these scouts y' got out there prowling about ain't as trustworthy as you'd like t' think."

Philip leaned back in his chair and pinched the bridge of his nose. "How many casualties?"

Marty cast a fleeting look at her lover before answering. "Fifteen. We were checkin' out th' last known location y' gave us when we encountered th' herd. Russo an' his men were loose cannons. He didn't want t' follow Merle's orders. They were sloppy an' careless."

Blake picked up the silver letter opener on his desk and picked at his nails, seemingly unaffected by the loss of his men. "They were a liability, I'll give you that. And your own men … your team?" he asked, a note of barely detectable sarcasm coloring his tone.

"All accounted for," Merle responded. "I trust 'em, they're good at followin' orders an' don't give me no shit about my decisions out there. Anyone else y' want t' send out with us … I'd like t' work with 'em, train 'em up a bit before a run like that."

The governor rose to his feet, his oily smile in place once more. "That sounds like a novel idea. We don't want a repeat of this in future. This town is only as strong as those who protect it. I expect a full written report within the next several days, Dixon."

Marty slipped her hand into Merle's as they were dismissed, finally able to take a deep calming breath as they gained the corridor. She could feel him vibrating with tension and couldn't help but be a bit relieved when they were safely back in their apartment. Then, she unleashed her worry upon him, pushing him back against the door, her hand braced against his chest. "He's beginnin' t' suspect. This latest stunt … gawd, Merle! Y' knew it was a risk t' take out his men!"

"Lower yer voice, woman!" he hissed, his jaw clenched. "Would y' have rathered have that scum walkin' th' streets o' Woodbury, havin' t' watch yer back constantly? It was necessary!"

He pulled her into his arms and some of the fight drained out of her. "I love you, Merle. I can't stand th' thought o' losin' y'. Please," she cried, burrowing her face into the crook of his neck so she could breathe him in. "Please."

His fingers delved into her long ebony locks, his other hand curved over her trim waist. "Y' ain't gonna lose me, Marty."

"Y' cain't promise me that! Blake's a sneaky bastard, an' won't hesitate t' put a bullet in your head if he thinks you've betrayed him," she wailed, pressing closer to him, her breathing erratic as she was overwhelmed with fear. "This is a dangerous game you're playing, an' I'm not gonna watch y' die … I cain't."

Merle sighed heavily, his gut clenching to see such panic in her lovely jade eyes. He cradled her face in his hands, his thumbs brushing away her tears. He'd never imagined before the turn that it would be her to claim his heart so fully. He'd scoffed at Daryl for his interest in Carol, knowing he'd just be burned. Women weren't to be trusted with feelings and shit. And now, he had fallen victim to love, and couldn't imagine his life without her. Martine Comeaux was just as much his family as Daryl and his girls. She must be protected at all costs.

He brought his lips to hers, his heart fluttering madly at the sob which broke against his mouth. The elder Dixon hadn't known gentleness before the turn, but he couldn't imagine being any other way with her as he poured his love into their kiss. "I love y', Marty. Ain't got no plans for leavin' y' behind, either. You're stuck with me, woman."

"You have t' be careful," she insisted as he lifted her into his arms and carried her towards their small bathroom to wash the stink of walker off of them. "Please, Merle."

"I promise."

*.*.*

Shumpert stood before Blake's desk, crossing his arms over his massive chest as he waited for the governor to speak.

Blake didn't keep him waiting. "Merle Dixon and his team are becoming quite the problem," he sighed, staring down his most loyal soldier. "I have a job for you, Shumpert."

"Sir."

"Watch them. I want to know every move they make. Assemble as many men as you need to keep track of their movements," Philip snarled, slamming his hand down upon the polished oak surface of his desk. "I will not tolerate treachery of any sort."

The big black man shifted nervously. "How're you so sure Merle is a traitor? He's been by your side for a long time now, carrying out your orders."

"That's what I want you to find out. Make sure he's still loyal only to me."

"It would be easy to get him to talk. His woman is the key," Shumpert replied as he shuffled his way to the door.

Philip leaned back in his chair and retrieved a bottle of whiskey from the bottom drawer of his desk. He had no doubt in his mind he could torture Merle and the man would never betray his team or the motivation of his change in allegiance. But he was equally certain Dixon would die rather than seeing his woman harmed. Yes, Martine was the key … and once Merle was dealt with, there would be nothing to stand in his way of possessing the emerald-eyed warrior.

*.*.*

Carol slid her arms around her husband's waist from behind and pressed her face between his shoulder blades, her cheek rubbing against the angel wings on his vest. "You're going to really miss this place, aren't you?" she asked, content just to hold him as his eyes searched their room for anything he might've missed.

Daryl sighed. "It ain't th' house so much," he grumbled, his chin dipping towards his chest. "More that it reminds me you an' Soph were happy here. Y' had hot water an' the generator t' provide electricity. There was a fridge an' freezer t' keep my kills fresh." He pulled her around him, so she was facing him. "All your needs were seen t' here, Carol. We ain't certain what we're gonna find at th' prison."

His wife burrowed against him as his arms wrapped around her back. "It's just a house, Daryl. Not our first and probably not our last before all is said and done. You are my home. You and our daughter. This is just four walls and a roof, but my family … our family is my home."

"We'll probably be sleepin' in th' tents tonight."

"More room to snuggle to stay warm," she argued, pressing her lips to the hollow of his throat. She refused to allow him to sink into a surly mood if she could avoid it.

"No shower after we put down that first wave o' walkers in the outer prison yard," he grouched.

"Won't be the first time you came to bed a little ripe."

His eyes narrowed as she shot him down again with her optimism. "Goin' t' bed hungry."

"Pfft," she scoffed. "There's plenty of food to tide us over."

Daryl threw his arms up in surrender. "Woman, it's dangerous out there!"

"And it's dangerous here with no walls, no fences, no way to protect us if a herd blows through. Why don't you tell me what's really bothering you, Dixon?" she asked, stubbornly crossing her arms over her chest as she glared at him.

He grimaced at her tone. He didn't want to fight with her, and he knew it would come to that if he didn't talk to her. "Merle."

"You're afraid he's going to be angry because we're leaving?"

"Naw," he protested. "I can hold my own against that asshole. I'm more worried he won't find us there." He pointed to the drawing he'd left on the wall.

It was four circles, the last to the east with a big X drawn through it. "Why does this look strangely familiar?"

A smirk curled one corner of his mouth as he felt her arms slide unconsciously over his waist. He was happy her pique hadn't lasted long. "Cain't leave him a note like we did at th' bunker. What if someone else found it before he could? So, I drew th' places he'd circled on th' map, the X showing him where we'll be. I jus' hope his dumbass sees it for what it is."

Carol raised up on the balls of her feet and pressed a sweet kiss to his lips. "You're so clever," she stated with pride. He blushed beneath her praise, wondering if he'd ever get used to it. "Only Merle or one of his team would be able to decipher this."

"Guys!" Glenn yelled from the top of the stairs. "We're loaded and ready to go. Rick sent me to find you."

Daryl sighed and retrieved his crossbow from the corner where he normally kept it. "A'right, we're comin'," he called back.

Carol hesitated on the bottom step when he made no move to follow her.

He grinned at her sheepishly. "Y' think there's room in th' truck t' bring th' bed?"

His wife giggled. "No. If we bring our bed, everyone else is going to want to bring theirs, and then we'll be another day getting out of here." She arched a brow. "Don't tell me our fearsome hunter has gotten a bit spoiled."

"Stahhhhp."

*.*.*

"Looks like a goddamned caravan," Daryl yelled over his shoulder to his wife as he caught sight of the vehicles behind him in one of the Triumph's mirrors. "Anyone sees us, an' this could turn ugly fast."

Carol snuck a peek behind her at the trucks trailing them. Rick waved from the driver's seat of the Suburban, Lori, Carl, and her precious Sophia tucked in safely with their leader. Behind him was Shane and Andrea in Patricia's old blue pickup. T-Dog and Patricia were in the silver Dodge they'd found in Griffin on the ill-fated run which had gotten Daryl kidnapped. He hadn't been too happy when he'd been forced to leave behind his old blue and white pickup, but there was nothing for it. He hadn't had the time to fix the carburetor. Besides, she thought, they had more than enough room for everyone in the remaining vehicles. Glenn was driving the green Hyundai, Hershel, Maggie, Beth and Randall his passengers, and the spa group bringing up the rear in their own trucks. She was grateful they had so much room for their supplies, though the fuel consumption seemed to worry her husband.

"It can't be helped, Daryl. You were outvoted." Daryl hadn't wanted everyone to make the move in one go, but he'd been shot down. Rick and Shane weren't comfortable taking so many to the prison to clear it out and leaving the rest behind to fend for themselves. It was agreed upon they all had to stick together. The group wouldn't be returning to Griffin.

Daryl grunted, letting her know he was still peeved with the council's decision. Why put more of them in danger than necessary? Though, with Carol and the kids not ready for another run after their last close call, they would have been left behind, and that wasn't an option for the hunter. They were his whole world, and he wanted to have them close to him. If he had to worry over their safety, being hours away from him, it would make him sloppy and careless. He wouldn't be good to anyone if that were the case. He couldn't afford to let his people down because his head wasn't in the game.

A four-hour trip from the colonial took them nearly six – and not because the roads were filled with walkers or abandoned cars – but because of the frequent rests to relieve themselves or grab a bite to eat. By the time they reached the prison, Daryl was surly and quick to temper, the afternoon sun and lack of time to clear the yard before nightfall having him snapping at anyone who looked at him wrong. He tried to rein in his temper … for his girls, but it wasn't easy.

Rick grabbed a bottle of water and brought it over to his friend as everyone began to exit the vehicles for a long stretch to work out the kinks after such a long ride. They'd parked on the side of the fence where a wide fresh water stream ran several yards from it. The heavy foliage would keep them hidden from prying eyes until they could move the trucks into the courtyard, and the stream would slow any walkers down which tried to cross it to get at them. Daryl took the bottle from Rick and drained it, watching as Carol moved to the Suburban to check on Lori and the children. Ever the mama, his wife.

It wasn't long before Shane joined them by Daryl's bike. "Looks like we've got more walkers since we were here last," he commented worriedly, drinking from his own bottle. "Should we do a perimeter check before we try to get in there?"

"With as much noise as those dead bastards are makin' inside, it don't surprise me none that it's drawn more of 'em." Daryl squinted against the late afternoon sunlight, hoping the glare wouldn't hinder their mission. He looked off to where his wife, Lori and the children were gathered around the Suburban and whistled for them. He couldn't help but notice how close the boy was sticking to Sophia, especially after what had happened the last time they'd been there.
Rick turned to his former partner. "I don't know that we have time to do a perimeter search right now. Not if we're going to take the yard before dark hits us."

Daryl leaned over, his hands braced on his knees as his scrutinizing gaze focused on the children. "Y'all a'right? Y' ready?"

They both nodded. He could see the fierce determination in his daughter's eyes. "Y' sure, Soph?"

"I'm ready, Daddy. We can do this," she assured him, tightening the grip on her bow.

"What's the plan, Dixon?" Lori asked, certain he hadn't called them over for nothing.

He rummaged for a moment in his saddlebags and retrieved a Beretta, silencer firmly attached to the barrel which he thrust into the brunette's hands. "The kids are in charge o' your safety, so you're gonna stick close t' them. Don't mean we ain't gonna need them to cover our asses until we get inside the outer fence," he explained, pleased to see Rick and Shane paying attention. "Carl an' Sophia are gonna take point. We're gonna need silence, an' they're spot on with their bows. You are t' stay between them an' Randall. Don't want no harm comin' t' that baby. Got it?"

Rick called Tori over. "Split up some of your people – teams of three – to take a walk around the perimeter. Check for breaches and take out any walkers you might find. Any buildup, have them back off until we can send in more of our group to handle it. Do not risk yourselves. Use your knives or any guns which have silencers. Try to make as little noise as possible to keep from drawing more."

She gave a stiff nod. "And the rest of us?"

"The rest of you are with us. We're all going to have to work together to get this done."

Shane checked the chamber on his Mossberg as Andrea stepped to his side. "Alright, people, let's do this!" he whisper-shouted.

Knives were drawn, and weapons were readied as they stepped out of the tree line and approached the fence. Everyone had a job to do, and the concentration between them all was focused. Glenn handed Rick the bolt cutters, enabling their leader to cut through the chain link. As soon as there was a big enough space, they began herding their people into the walkway between the outer fence and the one which enclosed the yard. Daryl took off at a run, his crossbow resting on his right arm and a quiver of arrows slung across his back. Carol waited with Glenn, ushering Lori and the children through while Glenn went to work on wiring the breach closed.

They were allowed a breather as they reached the main gate leading into the yard, an overturned bus lying almost flush with it. No doubt, the guard's way of attempting to keep the walkers out. Too bad they'd had no idea what was facing them from within.

"It's perfect," Shane breathed, his eyes narrowed on what lay before them.

Rick nodded, agreeing, and pointed to the gate leading into the courtyard right outside the cell block. "If we can shut that gate, prevent more from filling the yard, we can pick off these walkers. We'll take the yard by tonight."

Hershel rested a hand on Rick's shoulder. "How do we shut the gate?"

Glenn gulped, his voice cutting through the silence. "I'll do it. You guys cover me," he offered before anyone else could volunteer.

Maggie shook her head. "No … it's a suicide run!" she protested.

"I'm the fastest. It should be me," he argued.

Rick didn't take his eyes off what was in front of him, measuring the distance and the clearest path to the gate which needed to be closed. "No, I need you here. Me and Shane will take the gate." He turned to his friend. "I trust you to cover my back."

"You got it," the former deputy nodded solemnly.

"Daryl, take Carol and the kids to that tower," he said, pointing to the one to the far left of the field. "Go easy on the ammo. Make every shot count, because we don't know when we'll find more. Hershel, you and Randall take tower two. Everyone else, I want you along this fence drawing them to you. Pop them through the fence."

Rick's eyes widened when he turned towards the gate and found himself face to face with his wife. "Lori …"

"Someone has to be here to let you in and out. Everyone else has a job to do … well, this is mine," she insisted. The chain in his hand rattled as she stepped into his personal space and pressed her brow to his, her voice a mere whisper. "You come back to me, Rick Grimes. Stay safe. Do you hear me?!"

Rick caught her to him, burying his face against the crook of her neck. He closed his eyes and breathed her in. He didn't want the think of how troubled their marriage had been before the turn, the arguing, the fights, the long days where she wouldn't speak to him at all. The chaos of the new world had only made them stronger and given them time to re-evaluate what was important … one another and their children. "Don't I always?" he whispered, his warm breath ghosting over her ear. "Trust me, Lori."

"I do," she murmured, her fingers fisting in his hair. "And I love you. Now go." She released him, holding his gaze as she opened the gate to let them in, returning the nod Shane tossed her way. The brunette moved to the fence to take a stance with the others, but she had eyes only for her husband as he moved swiftly across the yard towards the inner gate. Her lips danced in cadence with the prayers in her heart, knowing without a doubt God was listening.

Rick and Shane ran, fleet of foot, firing off several rounds into the walkers flooding the yard when they ambled too close. In the tower, Daryl stood with Carol, Sophia and Carl between them, doing their part to keep the walkers off their runners. He couldn't help but notice the slight wince his wife made with every round she sent down into the horde below. He would have to remember to ask her about it later. It could be she wasn't used to the rifle she'd been handed. Carl wore a look of pure concentration as he and Sophia steadily worked through the quivers on their backs. He was proud of how far they'd come since Merle had begun their training at the quarry.

"Move with 'em. Compensate for th' fact that they ain't gonna stand still for y'," he coached when Sophia missed one and cursed under her breath. He leaned closer so only she could hear. "An' y' better not let your mama hear that word, baby girl."

Daryl had just straightened from drawing the string back on his crossbow when he saw Rick stumble, avoiding the bullet which barely missed his foot. Carol cringed, yelling down, "Sorry!"

"Daddy!" Sophia cried, pointing to his right where Shane was being cornered by two walkers in inmate coveralls. He didn't hesitate to let the bolt fly, giving the former deputy time to send his knife forward into the remaining walker's eye.

Rick had reached the gate, his booted foot swinging out to push a walker back who was reaching for him. He slammed the gate shut and quickly locked the chain in place. But it wasn't over yet. He grabbed Shane by the scruff of his neck and hauled him over to the door leading into the remaining guard tower, climbing the stairs quickly to the catwalk above to join in the fray.

Carol reloaded, laughing joyfully as she waved to their leader. "He did it!"

Daryl cupped a hand over his mouth to amplify his voice, shouting, "Light it up!", giving the signal the rest of the group had been waiting for to open fire on the remaining walkers. Even Lori had her gun out, taking out as many as she could. The rotted forms of walkers dropped all over the yard, the sight filling them all with hope. It didn't take them long to clear, and Daryl was relieved to see they still had a few hours to get their camp set up for the night before darkness fell.

"A'right, you two," he said to the kids, "let's get down there an' start collectin' bolts. I want 'em cleaned before dark."

He couldn't bite back a tiny grin at his wife as they exited the tower to be joined by the others. "Fantastic!" she cried, throwing her arms around him in her elation. He was still smiling as she ran through the gate with the kids. "Oh! We haven't had this much space since we left the farm."

There had been at least three acres surrounding the colonial, but after what had happened at the farm, none of them had felt comfortable with the open space.

Daryl slung the crossbow onto his back and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind. "But y' got fences now, baby … t' keep y' safe."
Carol chuckled softly, hugging his arms closer to her as she turned her face up to his for a kiss. "Who needs fences when we have a Daryl."

"Pfft!" he scoffed. She had entirely too much faith in him. "It'll do until Merle comes through."

"And if he doesn't … we'll have a place to make into a home." She was distracted as Glenn took out a walker they'd missed, her eyes crinkling at the edges in a worried frown. "I worry about him, Daryl. Maybe we should convince him and his team to just join us here. It's not like we don't have room now."

He sighed heavily and rested his chin against her shoulder. "Y' know how stubborn m' brother can be, woman."

"That's what I'm afraid of."

A/n: Hooray! They're in! On the other hand, Merle is in a world of shit and doesn't even know it. I hope y'all enjoyed the chapter. Please let me know what you think :D Thanks for reading.