Mac moved swiftly through the woods never slowing down as he raced back to the highway. He shifted Sophia in his grip on the run and she was over his shoulder quickly as he picked his pace up. His brother was out there, out there fucking alone.

He could see the changes in the woods as he got closer to the highway and let outa breath the second he crashed through the stream he had originally packed Sophia through. She was whimpering over his shoulder but he didn't stop. He knew she wasn't hurt just upset. She had gotten closer to Daryl than anyone, especially him had expected.

Starting up the incline he burst through the trees and almost tossed Sophia over the rails. The group whipped around suddenly locking onto his sweat soaked form and Sophia. His eyes immediately went to Sophia as she stood in place looking up at him all wide eyes and broken heart.

"Mac figured you would be back later." Rick acknowledged moving closer to him, "Where's Daryl?" His voice changed and he shifted closer to them. Worry creased his brow.

Mac shook his head and looked back down the incline and double over his hands on his knees. Sophia was openly crying albeit silent but her eyes refused to break away from him. Carol and Andrea were there now and trying to soothe her while trying to figure out what was going on.

Mac raised up, "I need to get back out there. Daryl needs me."

Shane bristled, "Where is that brother of yours?"

"Someone came up on us in the woods." Sophia's voice cracked, "Daryl distracted them so Mac could get me back."

All eyes whipped to him and he growled, "Wasting fucking time."

Shane stepped forward blocking Rick as he moved to go with him, "Aint safe man. Could lead them back here to Carl you want that on your conscience?"

Rick jerked free and looked at him hard, "He saved our lives Shane, they kept Carl alive."

"Sure as fuck didn't Lori." Shane roared.

Mac was over the guard rail in a split second knocking Shane back hard, "You don't want to fucking go that's fucking fine with me. You don't want to set around here waiting then hit the fucknig road."

Shane shoved Mac and snarled, "You got her killed and you think we should give a fuck about your piece of trash brother?"

Mac moved faster than anyone anticipated and he had Shane's body pinned and his knife against his throat the blade teasing his jugular. Chest heaving he kept him there his eyes wild, "You say what the fuck you want motherfucker about me but you leave him the fuck out of this." Pressing his knife forward he seen blood blossom along the fine edge, "He's the only reason I aint gutted you yet. The only reason you made it out of Atlanta. If I was you dick lips I'd be praying he makes it out of those woods."

Just before he stepped over the rails Andrea appeared next to him her eyes burning. She didn't say anything as she climbed over her eyes bright and already on the woods. "Don't start with me Mac. I'm going." She spoke low so only he could hear.

Letting his eyes set on her as he seen Sophia coming his way, "Would it do me any fucking good to tell you to get your ass back over there?"

"No."

"Didn't think so."

"Good we understand each other. "She smiled at him lightly.

Amy hugged her and her eyes met Mac's, he could see the worry lacing them thickly. This was her sister and he knew what that would feel like for her to lose that. He'd lost Merle. He doubted with everything in him that he was dead but the fact remained he lost him regardless. He nodded at her and her eyes cleared. Her hand touched his forearm briefly before she went to the group.

"You know that mouth of yours makes me want to fuck the shit out of you." Mac growled to just her. Even now with his mind racing she had the ability to make him want to sink into her wet heat. She hummed her approval her smile secretive as her eyes roamed over him hungrily and her tongue tasted her full bottom lip. Fuck she was going to be the death of him.

Mac made quick time through the woods as he retraced his steps for Daryl. His mind was racing and the more he thought about it the madder he was getting. He should have never let Daryl stay. He should have sent him with Sophia no matter what the fuck happened. Blowing out a breath his eyes searched harder for his brother, he needed Daryl in this world to keep him from murdering people on a mass scale. He hated the group and without Daryl there he would either kill someone or take off on his own.

Mac stalled out hearing voices in the woods moving towards them. There was a man and woman again but they weren't speaking like they were talking to each other. He dropped to one knee and Rick and Andrea mocked his stance immediately and he let his head drop forward closing his eyes and letting his hearing focus in.

Whoever was with them was moving silently through the woods and it was better than if Daryl had called his name. Smiling he lifted his head his eyes focusing on the spot they were going to break through. Motioning Andrea and Rick on where to go he whipped his head around at the sound of a laugh his blood racing and he stood swiftly.

Turning towards where he knew they were walking he took off at a fast pace crashing through the brush. He didn't give a fuck for anything but getting to Daryl. How the fuck had this come about? Was his mind playing fucking tricks on him right now? It had to be.

"Mac!" Andrea hissed behind him. "Mac what the hell are you doing?"

Not slowing down he burst through the brush and his heart started hammering at the sight in front of him. Daryl lifted his eyes meeting Mac's very own as he tilted his head at him. Andrea crashed into his back knocking him forward and a strong hand flashed out righting him as he stumbled forward.

"Still just unstable as always there brother?" The loud cackling laugh taunted him.

"Fuckin' christ what the fuck." Mac swore looking into his older brothers eyes. "Where the fuck you been Merle?"

Rick appeared suddenly and Merle growled his eyes blazing, "Fuckin' friendly no good seeing you out here. Was hoping your ass had got bit by now." Merle sneered.

Daryl gave Mac a knowing look and both of them looked at Merle, "Didn't think to come back to the quarry brother?"

Merle's eyes flickered, "We'll talk about this shit later." His voice took on an edge, "Was walking Darylina up there gonna collect your ass."

"Now Merle Dixon quit hogging your brothers." A sharp feminine voice interrupted getting Mac's attention. "I aint seen you in forever Mac!"

Merle snorted and stepped aside letting the woman pass and Mac finally got his first full look at her and smiled. "Fuck Greene!" She stepped into her arms wrapping around him in a tight hug before releasing him. "What the fuck you doin' walking around the woods with Merles sorry ass?"

"Later brother." Merle snapped.

They started back towards the road Mac automatically shifting to walk next to Daryl with Merle walking just in front of them. Mac snorted when he realized it was how they always ended up walking when together and Maggie turned grinning at him over her shoulder. Her eyes flicked next to him in curiosity before she turned her head. Andrea was walking on his other side her small frame brushing his with each step she took, she was quiet not speaking.

Rick was talking low and quick to Daryl. He was nodding along chewing his thumb and Merle started talking to Maggie again both of them a good pace ahead. Mac knew Merle needed to talk to them he kept shooting looks at them both that had Mac bristling and on edge. He knew enough to know that if he was with Maggie right now then he'd already seen Hershel., Mac smiled at the thought of the old bastard.

Climbing up the steep incline Mac was the first over the rails and turned when he felt a hand close around his wrist. Meeting Andrea's eyes he seen the questions in her eyes and grimaced. Sophia slid past him the second Daryl was over the railing and was already launching questions at him a mile a minute oblivious to Merle's questioning glances. He smirked at Merle the second Sophia latched on to Daryl and started pulling him towards his truck.

"Wanna fuckin' tell me what the shit that was?" Merle questioned stepping next to him.

Mac smiled, "You remember Kit."

"That foxes pup?" Merle's eyes started flashing around the group while ignoring Shane and Ricks argument. Maggie walked up next to Merle her hip bumping his and Merle looked at her, "What?"

"Daryl have a kid I don't know about?" Maggie was all smiles her green eyes bright.

Mac and Merle barking laughs had Daryl looking over his shoulder as he was pulled further away. He was glaring at the pair of them as if he knew they were talking about him. He flipped them off and Merle's laughter got louder giving no fucks for how loud he was being. Maggie slapped his stomach causing him to grunt but he was still smiling his eyes following Daryl.

"So if Kit is following his ass around does that mean him and Fox are together?" Merle was watching Carol.

Mac looked to her and seen her trying to get Sophia to let go of Daryl. Sophia was stomping her foot and jerking on the solid frame that was Daryl while he was shaking his head.

"Honestly I have no fucking clue what the hell is going on anymore." Mac chuckled. "I know that he'll rip your fucking head off over those two though."

Merle sucked his teeth humming in the back of his throat his eyes flicking to Andrea who kept glancing at Mac and snorted. "Goddamn get ya shit together brother." Merle's voice dropped, "Hershel is gonna be happy to see the two of you alive and breathing."

Mac shot a look at him and turned facing him, "What's going on?"

Merle shook his head, "We'll talk later get ya goddamn brother wrangled and snag his fox and pup."

Maggie stepped in, "Merle what about the rest of them?" Merle growled looking at her and she shot him a look before looking to Mac, "The rest of your group is welcome to come to the farm."

"Aint my goddamn group." Mac growled.

"All the same you surly ass." Maggie grinned. "Don't forget your blonde."

Mac turned on his heel, "Fuckin' christ harass Daryl not me." Whistling loudly Mac motioned Daryl in a well known signal and Daryl's eyes shot to Merle before nodding.

Mac kept walking for his brother enjoying watching him fight for control of his arm against Sophia. She was talking up at him and Daryl was scowling at her despite the girls smile.

"Sophia leave him alone." Carol was sighing, "He told you why he done what he done."

Sophia stomped her foot, "NO! He promised me and then sent me away."

Daryl growled and started walking forcing Sophia along with him. Carol looked after them then to Mac as he stepped next to her and gave him a weak smile. "She cried the entire time you were gone looking for him."

Mac watched Sophia as she finally released her hold on Daryl but kept pace with his long strides. Watching them like this made an ache in Mac's chest start he hadn't expected. If they hadn't had such a fucked childhood he could see Daryl being the brother out of all of them to be a father, to settle down. Daryl had loved kids and people had often though Noah was his when the boy had been alive. When the boy was around he was attached to Daryl's hip from the very beginning. There had been more nights than he could remember Merle getting madder than fuck and having to call Daryl to come over. Daryl never bitched, he always climbed his ass right out of bed and went over. Most nights he ended up there anyways after work knowing Merle was going to call him.

Mac shook his head and looked at Carol, "You wanna tell me what's going on with you and my brother?"

Carol's face flushed and she looked off, "Nothing is going on."

Mac chuckled, "So him telling me y'all kissed is nothing?"

Carol's head whipped around searching his face and she frowned, "He wouldn't tell you about that."

"Really?" Mac challenged, "Don't fuck with his head Carol. He's had enough shit to deal with in his life, if you you're serious then great. If not let him fucking know."

Carol face hardened, "You're brother is a grown man Mac."

"I know what the fuck my brother is. I'm just letting you know you got him confused as fuck from what he tells me." Mac reigned in his temper knowing he was close to shaking her, "My brother aint the best with words, fuck none of us are. But if he's made effort to say something then know he is serious."

Carol nodded, "I know Mac, I know." Her eyes followed after Sophia again just as Daryl lifted her over the side of the truck. Sophia's laughter washed over them even from the distance and Mac chuckled along with Carol as Sophia fought against Daryl. He could tell his brother was smiling despite himself, his body was shaking with silent laughter at whatever Sophia was saying to him. "She's talked more around him and with him than I ever have seen her with anyone besides me."

Mac smiled, "Fuckers always had a way with kids."

"Did he have kids?"

Mac sighed rubbing his face, "Nah but Noah could have been his for as much as he was with Daryl." He chuckled, "No one believed half the time that Noah was Merle's most of everyone thought he was Daryl's son."

Carol hummed and smiled, "I can see that."

Mac clapped her on the shoulder and took off after his brother calling over his shoulder, "Get ya ass down here and wrangle your kid we're heading out woman."