A/N: This is a multi-chapter in case anyone was confused, when I said it was complete, I meant that Magenta and I finished it before we decided to post. Not the random update on the fly I usually do because my life gets in the way of my writing sometimes. There will be daily updates or every other day updates. This is not a one shot.

Showers pounding out a new beat, I trade my old shoes for new feet.

My Number-by Tegan and Sara

Daryl stood outside the airport terminal leaning against the side of the building with one foot against the wall behind him. His bags were at his feet, which consisted of a duffle bag and a back pack. He lit a cigarette with his zippo and waited for Merle.

Having his feet on dry land again was strange.

But he was glad to be home and glad to be seeing his brother again, he had been gone a good long while. The last time he had the opportunity for leave he had declined, preferring instead to continue on and now he had been gone over a year.

Daryl had been in the Guard since he was nineteen, trying to get out of the house just like Merle had done with the Army. The difference was, Merle did his four years and didn't re-enlist. Daryl did, and he had over ten years in, he could retire. If he so chose, but he didn't, he really knew no other life now.

But there were a few things missing from that life that he would be glad to have on dry land, like cheeseburgers and women. Not in that order.

It would be easier to get the cheeseburger first he supposed, but he hadn't been laid in months.

He threw down the cigarette as he saw Merle's car pulling up at the curb and he pushed himself off the wall and headed to the car, lugging his bags behind him.

Merle and Daryl didn't hug, a throwback from when they were kids and their old man saw affection as weakness. They nodded to each other as Dixon men had been doing for centuries, probably.

The old man had been in the ground a long time, their mother before him, but some things never left you.

As they drove Merle talked about his girlfriend Tammy, who Daryl had met via skype only and now would be sleeping in the guest room of their house. Merle and Tammy had been together a while and Daryl was happy for his brother. Maybe someday it would happen for him, but he wasn't holding his breath.

He was bad luck in that department, he knew.

Merle also was telling Daryl about his new secretary, who was a friend of Tammy's and according to Merle was the greatest thing since sliced bread. Merle didn't know what he ever did without her and she was just a princess among women.

Merle made point of turning to Daryl, though and telling him, "Don't even think about it, she is off limits to you." Which made Daryl wonder what the hell was so special about this girl. Usually Merle was the exact opposite, always wanting to introduce him to girls and get him laid.

He was a regular cockblocker over this one, and he just made her all the more interesting to Daryl now. Just his luck too, they were on the way to the office where this princess was right now. Probably making this award winning coffee Merle was going on about.

/

Carol was sitting at her desk eating her lunch when the phone rang. She answered it in the usual manner.

"Dixon Construction this is Carol, how may I help you?"

"It's me." She smiled when she heard Tammy's voice. Tammy was probably the best friend she had in this world.

Or she was on her way to being, Carol didn't let people in easily, but it was changing slowly. She belonged to a book club, which was where she met the guy who wouldn't share dinner with her. She started running again and making a life now that she was free of Ed.

Tammy was a big part of it and she cherished the friendship they were building.

"Hey, Tammy what's up?" She said sipping her soda.

"Hey Carol, how are you?"

"Awesome, you?" She answered.

"Just fine sweetie, I know Merle isn't there and he isn't picking up his cell, but could you let him know I talked to Sasha about next Saturday."

"Sure, but what's next Saturday."

"He was supposed to tell you, that man, I tell you, he would forget his name if it wasn't on his work shirt."

Carol laughed at this because it was so true. Merle was a great employer and friend, but he needed these two women to run his life or he would be lost.

"He got the contract on that new building down town, it means he's going to be doing all the city work now, and this is a big thing for him."

"Oh, I know, he has been talking about it all spring when he was putting in his bids."

"Well, he got it and he's taking us all out next Saturday, to Sasha and Bobs Tavern, he rented the whole place, he's throwing a big shindig." Tammy said. "Oh, god you don't have plans do you, Merle will be crushed."

Carol looked at the calendar, twelve days from now. She had a standing date on Saturday nights with Netflix, she would have to rearrange her busy schedule.

"I think I can cancel my date with Supernatural for one Saturday night." She said laughing.

"Oh, ok. " Tammy said. "Good thing I called then. Can you tell the crew, because they will need time to tell their families, Merle wants the guys to bring their wives too."

"I'll check with Merle, I can send out a mass email to everyone."

"Good idea."

"Hey Tammy?" She said

"Hmm." Tammy hummed into the phone.

"Do you know Merle's brother?"

"Skyped with him and Merle a few times, but I don't know him too well, guess I will though, because he's moving in."

"He's cute, Merle showed me a picture of him the other day."

"Think so? Hmm." Tammy said, her wheels turning now, Merle's little brother already had someone noticing him and he wasn't even here yet.

"Hmm what?"

"Nothing." She said. "Nothing at all."

"Oh, I think they're here, I'll have Merle call you in a bit ok?"

"That's fine sweetie, take care now."

Carol hung up the phone just as Merle and Daryl were walking in the door.

/

Daryl walked through the door and he would be a liar if he said the air didn't change in that room the minute he laid eyes on this girl. Of course his brother would warn him off the prettiest girl he had seen in fourteen months. She was just his age and just his type.

He didn't go for blondes, he liked girls with dark hair and hers was dark red and long and pretty. He could see his fingers running through her hair.

Merle had even said it again just before they pulled up as if he didn't hear him the first time. The message was crystal clear, do not touch.

Fuck if he didn't want to touch.

A/N: Please let us know what you think, this was so much fun to do together and maybe we will collaborate again. Thanks for all the love from Magenta and I.