Somehow I got back down to 13,000+ I thought I'd have more than this, but I actually fit everything in to it that I wanted. (Cheers!) To me, this feels like a filler chapter at times, but it has big significance to the story. Drama is ahead!

I would like to thank those who have reviewed chapter 16...mrskaz453, Hiiri 25, NRIASB, Katnthe box, thewalkingdestroyer, igottoomanyloves, hippielicious, and anonymous reviewer guest.

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Disclaimer: I do not own The Walking Dead or the characters. They belong to their respectful owners. I only own my OC(s).

AN: I have a poll on my profile that asks what franchise story I should write.

Chapter 17

MaryJane fell asleep, she didn't know when or how, but her body finally caved in to the exhaustion caused by the horrific occurrences of the day. At some point before she fell asleep Beth had come in and tried to speak to her. Her mind was floating in and out of reality, her body numb and unresponsive to everything around her. She was, in a lack of a more appropriate word, in shock. She'd already cried herself dry and all that remained was just the hollow feeling inside. With no more tears to cry, MaryJane found little else to do except lay there and do nothing. If she tried moving her arms or legs, she found it was difficult due to how they felt heavy like lead. Besides, she had no desire to move, even as her hair soaked the pillow beneath her head until it started chilling her neck and shoulder. Somewhere, deep in the back where her subconscious was buried, she knew that she was acting weak and needed to push through. She knew that she didn't need to lie down and act like the victim. She needed to rise above it and show Jeremy that he couldn't rule her by making her fear him.

Though…that mind set was buried deep, locked away from her main thoughts. All that swam in her head was numbness, fear, emptiness, and disgust. Images of Jeremy over her, touching her, violating her as she begged for mercy kept flashing across her vision causing bile to rise in her throat. The center of her thighs would begin to throb uncomfortably when she thought about the attempted rape. She wanted to think of happier things, but a dark cloud had descended over her brain, making her relive everything that happened. Her swollen cheek would ache when she remembered the slaps he awarded to her for trying to fight back. She was well aware that she was lucky she got away when she did. If he had been successful in actually raping her…she doubted Jeremy would still be alive at that moment. If not by Daryl then Merle or even Rick because she'd been told stories about how Rick's character changed as the months passed.

He was more willing to kill another human being to protect the people he cared about. She admired that about him, his strength and lack of guilt to kill someone else. If she were in his shoes, being a leader twenty-four seven then she'd be the same way, but she was hardly leader material. The thoughts vanished as soon as they came. The fact was that it didn't happen, she managed to get away before anything worse could happen, but when you get violated and touched without your permission the feeling is hard to forget. It's difficult to forget someone's fingers inside you as you struggle against them. That mortified feeling of weakness never leaves.

Even as she slept, she was haunted, but it wasn't as much by the forceful act of a supposed friend, but of the man that so passionately defended her honor. Daryl's face and eyes taunted her, his voice, vows of death towards the person who hurt her echoed in her ears. Her heart cracked against the numb shell when she realized that he did it all to protect her, but the crack was filled when she realized it wasn't because he loved her or cared about her, but because he hated Jeremy. When Daryl had nearly plunged the knife into his chest MaryJane had felt a rush of giddiness that she scolded instantly. He wanted to protect her, he would kill for her. Though, it was merely a façade for herself. She knew the real reason he did it and it wasn't for her. Not anymore at least.

Beth frowned at the ceiling as she listened to MaryJane toss and turn in the bunk under her. The metal frame would creak when she jerked, her breaths coming out in gasps at times. The teen was having trouble holding back tears as she tried to wrap her mind around what happened to her friend. Jeremy had attacked her and tried to rape her, then Daryl almost killed him because of it. Even though Beth wasn't familiar with attempted rape she understood how traumatizing it could be. She was almost catatonic when her mom died, but she found her reason to live thanks to Andrea. She knew the next few days would be rough on her since the whole story was going to inevitably come out within said days. Knowing Rick, the main men in the group would come together and try to decide Jeremy's fate and to do that they would need the whole story from MaryJane, Daryl and Jeremy.

She wished MaryJane wouldn't have to relieve the darker days of the past, but if Daryl wanted true justice then he would have to tell his side and take responsibility for his own actions. The same would go for Jeremy. Beth had spoken with Carol briefly before bed and Carol hoped they would either kill Jeremy or feed him to the walkers. The blonde was rather surprised by her since Carol wasn't one who condoned killing another survivor, but her blue eyes showed her passion for her decision.

One nail in the Germ's coffin.

Beth didn't get a chance to speak to Merle, but she knew what his choice would be.

Nail number two.

Daryl would want to kill him. That's a no brainer and Beth wanted him dead too.

Nails number three and four.

The others would be hard, especially those in Con's half of the combined groups. Jeremy was a son and worker for them and no doubt was in big help in their survival. They were probably attached to him, but they couldn't look past his attack on MaryJane. Even they would see that some kind of punishment was needed, but she was sure they wouldn't vote death. Then again, the final decision would be up to Con in the end and from what Carol told her Con didn't look too eager to jump to the Germ's defense when Daryl nearly killed him. Honestly, Beth would've been surprised if he had, Con seeing MaryJane like a daughter and all. No father, adopted or not, would want to see her attacked and violated by someone they knew and trusted.

If it were fully up to Rick he would've put a bullet in Jeremy's head the second he realized why Daryl was beating up on the kid. Rick didn't let that kind of shit go easily. Beth had a feeling that he'd go for the death sentence, but even then he could always surprise them. She just hoped and prayed that whatever they decided to do that the Germ would suffer for what he did. She nearly choked when she heard they were actually giving him dinner. The little bastard should starve! That was almost like patting him on the back!

Beth's thoughts were cut off when she heard MaryJane mumble something from below. Her ears caught the soft sound of sheets moving as the brunette's legs kicked about. She pitied her friend who was suffering from night terrors. MaryJane wasn't deserving of such a thing and it only added insult to injury since Daryl wasn't speaking to her. Beth considered what went through his mind earlier in the day, when he found MaryJane all bruised and disheveled. She could only imagine, but even then she was uncertain because he acted so nonchalant towards the whole thing, even wary. Not to say that she couldn't blame him, but it was obvious that MaryJane was hurting so why not comfort her? For Daryl, it would be the perfect opportunity for him to reinsert himself back into her life when she needed him the most, but he stayed away for whatever reason and Beth wanted to kick him in the nuts. No doubt MaryJane thought he hated her even more, but how would he be justified? He wouldn't. He would just be stupid and arrogant. A tragic Dixon trait, it seemed.

"Daryl…"

Beth froze, her eyes staring at the ceiling. She barely heard her friend's desperate plea for the man she loved. The pain in MJ's voice was raw and Beth felt her heart clench at the sound. Although she had an idea of what MaryJane was dreaming about she couldn't help but wonder if it was about what happened today or the day that split them up. She probably wouldn't ever know and she wished she could help the older woman. The blonde sat up in her bunk, the sandman seeming to have skipped her tonight. She decided to write in her journal a little to help pass the time by. Carefully and as quietly as she could, her climb down and sat on the floor facing the door with her journal in hand. Maggie had given to her after a run and she hadn't hesitated to use it. In fact, she wrote things about Merle, things that she wouldn't want the others to see. With using what little light the moon outside provided, she began to write about the day and how she felt about the whole thing.

"Daryl…"

Her blue eyes shot up to MaryJane whose face was curled with desperation, her hands grasping the sheets with a white knuckle grip. Her chest rose and fell with heavy, nervous breaths, her head shaking back and forth. Beth bit the inside of her cheek to hold back the tears that slowly began to surface in her vision. She wrote some more and MaryJane continued to whisper Daryl's name.

"Please…"

Beth's heart cracked and she held a tight grip on the pen. Daryl needed to be there. MaryJane needed him and he should've put his own anger and resentment aside to comfort her. When she was better he could go back to giving her the cold shoulder, but…God! She didn't understand him! How could he be so selfish?! The bastard!

"I love you…"

She closed her eyes as a lone tear slipped down her cheek. Intensity grew in her chest as the angst in the room grew thick in her mind. Daryl had no idea what he was throwing away. Did he not realize that what he had was special? Once in a life time? No other woman could love him as much as MaryJane did. Beth would kill to have what he had and he was just so carelessly throwing it away like it was yesterday's newspaper. To Beth, in the past, Daryl didn't seem like the guy who took anything for granted, but when MaryJane came and the fallout happened she realized how wrong she was. When it came to MaryJane he was different, but when they were together Beth saw the utter devotion in his eyes, eyes that always seemed to be emotionless. How could one little secret ruin everything so easily? Everyone had secrets and Daryl wasn't a pure, clean angel either. What right did that give him to so easily reprimand MJ for something she had no control over? She wished she could just smack him until his sense returned. If it returned, that was.

Once finished with her journal entry she returned to her bunk, fitfully napped here and there, MaryJane's mournful whispers haunting her own dreams.

Daryl paced his cell, the candle reflecting his shadow across the concrete room. Restlessness plagued him, his mind, heart and body keeping him from rest he knew he needed. He ignored the throb in his bruised knuckles, having no regrets from where the pain was concerned. His long bangs fell into his eyes, his gaze hard on the floor. He was fighting with himself, something he found he did a lot in the recent days. His mind was telling him one thing and his heart and body was telling him the complete opposite. He wanted to listen to one, but the other made him rethink what he first initially thought. It was giving him a headache, but he fought through it, needing to finally choose a side.

His mind was telling him to stay away from MaryJane because she hurt him, betrayed him. His body urged him to go to her, embrace her and tell her that he was sorry and his heart yearned to be in her presence, see her smile, gaze into her brown eyes and feel her body against his. He wanted that, he admitted, but an inkling of hurt still stung deep within. He already told himself that he was going to get her back, but he was at a loss at how to do so. He'd been ready to do it earlier that day, but a roadblock came up with the name of Jeremy.

Jeremy. Daryl spat the name in his head like it was a curse. He wanted to do more to the kid than beat his face in, he wanted to break him, mind spirit, body, soul before finally killing him. The tracker wanted the little sick bastard to suffer like he had and like MaryJane was. He wanted the kid to know just how evil a Dixon could be when you fucked with what belonged to him. Yes, MaryJane was still his and he would always consider her as such. He couldn't let her go even if he wanted to. That's what made him conflict with himself. If he couldn't let her go then he couldn't stay away. He was already painfully aware of what that did to him. Daryl could take a lot of pain, but that pain was something he didn't want to feel again.

If Merle hadn't tackled him he would've killed the boy and slept like a baby that night. Oh, how he wanted to watch the life fade from the kid's eyes as his blood covered Daryl's hands. He cursed his brother for having robbed him of that opportunity. The kid touched his woman, did things to her that made Daryl sick. When she had run into him and he saw her tears, panic, then looked down at her body to see her pants unbuttoned he'd completely lost it. First, the kid had kissed her, two he hit her and three…he tried to rape her. That was the last straw and Daryl snapped. He found the kid heading back the way MaryJane came, probably trying to chase after her. He wasted no time in lunging at him and slugging his pretty face. The red in his eyes blinded him as he began to beat the kid's face in, cursing him, calling him names. The kid only whimpered and Daryl beat him harder, wanting to hear him cry and beg for mercy.

He had a pair of balls because he kept quiet, but Daryl didn't feel any impressment. It only pissed him off more. He drug the boy outside, not hearing MaryJane's protests and there he planned to gut him, make him bleed and beg for his life. Jeremy had only begged a little, but the tracker was just getting started. Instead, Merle stopped him and Rick ordered him to stand down. He was tempted to disobey that order, but when the red vision began to fade his eyes froze on MaryJane, his insides clenching with pain that made him almost double over. He failed her because of his own stupidity and stubbornness. If he'd only acted faster than none of it would've happened. MaryJane would've been safe at his side instead of violated mind and body.

Daryl didn't protect her, he broke his promise again and that guilt is part of what kept him awake that night. He knew what he had to do tomorrow and it would be a pleasure for him to dirty the squeaky clean reputation of the kid he nicknamed 'The Germ'. That is if Rick asked it of him. He preferred to not speak in front of everyone, but if it ensured the kid's death then he would. But he didn't know if it would be enough, enough for him to find the strength to go to her and beg for her forgiveness. Would her hearing his side of the story make her understand him? Would hearing her side of the story make him see what went on with her? Somehow, the idea uplifted him with confidence and eagerness for the sun to rise. Though, his only issue with the whole thing was he was going to have to expose himself to others, he'd have to voice his emotions and reasoning for his actions. He wasn't used to that. With MaryJane he was because he trusted her and felt comfortable around her.

It wasn't that he didn't trust Rick...it just wasn't the same thing. He would be judged by his friend and his group. He would be considered weak and opinions of him would change. He didn't want that. It was obvious to everyone that MaryJane was his weakness and they had all been certain he didn't have one. A thought that chilled him was that if MaryJane withdrew further from him his strength would only corrode away until he was left with a short fuse and bravado. In other words, he'd revert back to who he was in the beginning. She'd been his weakness then and to hide it he pushed others away with his temper and sharp words. He could only imagine returning to be that man, the one MaryJane had tried so hard to tame and soothe. He was honest with himself, he didn't want to return to that phase. He had a good thing going, he had stability, he had a group of people who actually cared about him and he had a beautiful woman who loved him. That is if she still did.

Frustrated, Daryl plopped down on his bunk and ran a hand through his long hair. There wasn't anything he could do. 'It was in God's hands' as MaryJane would say. If he and MaryJane were meant to be together again then it would be so, if not...Daryl didn't want to think about that. He spent most of his teenage youth dedicated to her, the first person who showed she actually cared and loved him. He couldn't throw all those years and precious moments away so easily. He wouldn't. But it wasn't up to him and it scared him to be out of control of something like that. He hated that he couldn't change things he knew were beyond his control. What could he do? An idea popped into his head. He'd done it only a few times before and it turned out to actually work for once in his life. Closing his eyes, he braced his elbows on his knees, laced his fingers into a double fist and then rested his forehead against his fists. He did the one thing Dixons didn't do.

He prayed.

When the sun rose, MaryJane woke the next morning, she was surprised to find that she didn't feel as bad as she did the night before. Of course, she still felt numb in some places and the dark cloud still obstructed her sun, but she felt...stronger. She was well aware that Rick would come to her, asking for every little detail on what happened and she was determined to tell him. She would be strong and fight the racked nerves inside her. She could relive the horrors of yesterday if it got Jeremy punished for what he did. With a string of confidence she rose from the bunk, forgetting how she managed to end up in Beth's bunk. It dawned on her what happened when she spotted said girl sleeping in the top bunk, her right cheek buried into the pillow. MaryJane quickly changed tops, wincing when she accidentally knocked her fist against her bad cheek while pulling the wrinkled shirt over her head.

She pulled on her clean, cobalt blue shirt and pulled her hair back into a low ponytail, pushing the loose strands behind her ear. With a small hand she picked up Beth's compact mirror and gazed into, wanting to see the damage Jeremy did. She cringed when she saw the swollen, black and red lump that was her cheek. Luckily she didn't have a black eye, but if he had hit her just a few inches higher then she would be sporting said black eye. Frowning at the mirror, she took in her pale skin and the dark circles that formed overnight under her eyes. She looked worse for the ware and as she studied her reflection she began to feel how she looked, beaten up and weak. Setting the mirror down with minute disgust, her thoughts went to Daryl. What he must have thought of her. He was probably more disgusted than he was before. Her stomach churned uneasily when she realized that she may never have him back after that day and even though it hurt she resigned herself to that. She couldn't fight it anymore. She would have to give him up because after what Jeremy did to her no one talking or convincing Daryl could make him want her again. Her body wanted to cry, but no tears came, only the internal, agonizing pain of loss and longing. Her life was about to change and she doubted it would be for the best.

She let out a heaving, pained breath of her, her hand shooting up to clutch the place over her left breast where the pain originated. She didn't know how she could get used to such burning, especially if she saw Daryl again. She would always love and want him. Nothing would change that and she wouldn't trust another man because Jeremy broke that trust. Never would she try to get to know a male stranger again.

"MaryJane?" A groggy voice inquired from behind her.

MaryJane zipped around and gazed at Beth who was rubbing her eyes with the back of her hand, her right arm holding her body up. She offered the young blonde a weak smile.

"Sorry I took your bed." She apologized meekly.

Her apology seemed to make Beth come fully awake, her blue eyes narrowing at her, her jaw clenching and MaryJane winced.

"Don't apologize ever again, not ta me, not ta anyone, MaryJane. You're not tha one who needs ta apologize 'bout anythin'." She grumbled.

MaryJane lowered her eyes with shame. "Sorry,"

Beth sat up and gave her a look. "Don't,"

The older woman just offered her an apologetic smile and Beth smiled back. The teen climbed down from the top bunk and hugged her friend tightly. MaryJane hugged her back, soaking in the strength and comfort her young friend offered. She would need it.

"I'm sorry 'bout what happened."

MaryJane winced again, her thoughts flashing involuntarily to the day before, her skin crawling in the process. Beth felt her tense and hugged her tighter.

"Don't let it rule ya, MaryJane. You're stronger than this. You're gonna be jus' fine. It'll all be okay. I've got yer back, Merle's got yer back, Carol's got yer back, hell, I think all o' my groups got yer back. You're not gonna do this alone."

Feeling slightly uplifted by her confident words she felt more strength well up inside her. Beth was right. She could do it. Her heart grew in her chest as she embraced the girl she grew to consider as her best friend. It helped her to know that she had a lot of people behind her, especially Carol. If anyone could get anything done it was Carol. They pulled away from each other and Beth gave her the most dazzling smile MaryJane had ever seen.

"I'm here for ya." She promised.

MaryJane sniffed, a lump rising in her throat. "Thanks, Beth...that means so much to me."

Beth took the brunette's hands in hers and squeezed. "Be strong. Show them that he hasn't broken you or your love for Daryl."

MaryJane opened her mouth to respond when a familiar voice spoke from the open cell door.

"MaryJane?"

Their eyes turned to fall on Rick who looked regretful and sorrowful. He nodded to Beth then offered MaryJane a friendly smile.

"Ya ready?"

She glanced at Beth who took one of her hands and squeezed it. Taking in a deep breath, MaryJane's brown eyes locked with Rick's.

"I'm ready."

Beth held onto MaryJane's as Rick led them away from the cells and into the mess hall where the entire group was convinced, excluding Jeremy. MaryJane's eyes swept around the room and, almost instantly they found Daryl whose blue eyes were staring at her, brows furrowed, arms crossed and leaned causally against a wall with Merle at his side. She averted her eyes quickly, flushing, just missing the flicker of longing in Daryl's eyes. Everyone from both groups seemed to be there, whispering to each other. Rick gestured for MaryJane to take a seat. Without invitation, Beth plopped down beside her, keeping her hand tightly around hers. MaryJane kept her eyes on the floor before her, unable to meet anyone's eyes. She could do this. She could do it and prove to Daryl that she didn't betray him.

Suddenly, she felt weight on her shoulders and jumped, zipping her head around and up to gaze at the person who stood behind her. Carol smiled down at her, squeezing her shoulders encouragingly, a motherly warmth in her eyes. Katie sat a few feet away with Bev and Emily next to her. Slim and Charlie sat at a table across the room from her, Daryl and Merle stood against the wall adjacent to them. Maggie, Glenn and Hershel sat at the table next to Charlie and Slim. Michonne stood in the corner, alone and watching MaryJane closely. Carl and Emily's boys were absent and internally hoped they were keeping an eye on Judith. Rick and Con stood in front of the last table to MaryJane's right. Rick took a step forward and asked attention from the groups who quieted down and averted their attention to the former cop.

"We're all convened here this mornin', not for a normal mornin', but for somethin' I wish we wouldn't have to do. Yesterday one of our group members assaulted another member and I have asked you all here so we may decide what punishment would be best. So, to begin I think it would be best to enlighten those who were unaware of what occurred yesterday." Rick glanced at MaryJane softly before turning his eyes back to the group.

"Yesterday, Jeremy attacked and assaulted MaryJane in another cell block, nearly raping her in the process. She got away before it could actually happen, but there is more to this than just that..." He glanced at Daryl who averted his eyes with a scowl on his face. "...Con and I ask MaryJane to tell us her story from the very beginning up until now."

"Then we'll ask others ta speak either for 'er or against 'er. E'eryone will have a say in this, but we ask ya'll ta wait 'till e'eryone's done with their sides befer jumpin' in." Con added, showing his stern authority in his words.

Con looked at MaryJane with a soft expression and she met his eyes. He walked over and kneeled before her, taking her free hand in both of his two large, tan ones.

"I know this'll be difficult fer ya, but no one's judgin' ya. Ya gotta be strong an' push through tha storm. Ya got friends 'ere ta support ya..." He glanced at Beth and Carol before returning his hazel eyes to her brown ones. "...Yer gonna wanna stop when it gets ta be too much, but we gotta know e'erythin'. We gotta know wha' made Jeremy do this."

MaryJane gazed into her surrogate father's strong eyes and pulled from it, tightening her grip on his hands. With one hand he cupped her cheek and leaned forward, kissing her forehead affectionately. Swallowing the lump back she sniffed and nodded when he pulled back. After squeezing her hand he straightened up and walked back to Rick who nodded warmly at him. The whiskey eyed woman took in a deep breath and gazed at everyone in the room. None of them wore accusing looks, but ones of worry, curiosity and softness. Her eyes briefly met Daryl's, not wanting to think about the emotion that pooled in those eyes she fell in love with. She locked gazes with Merle who nodded to her, a confident gleam in his icy eyes. Picking up on her adopted older brother's confidence in her she trained her gaze to the floor and took in another deep, shaky breath before diving into the story, starting back months before, where it all began. The start of the apocalypse.

"As everyone is pretty much aware that Daryl and I have known each other for a long time, we were close...since high school and the years after that." She kept their relationship brief, not feeling comfortable with going into emotional details. "After I graduated college and found a student teaching job we kind of lost touch, not because we grew apart, but because of our lives ruling us. I hadn't talked or seen Daryl in maybe three months when the apocalypse broke out. I managed to get away from Atlanta and into the rural counties where my car broke down and I had to run into the forest to escape the dead that began chasing me. I wandered the forests alone, hungry, frightened for I think nearly a week. It was the longest week of my life. I missed my family, I missed my friends...I missed Daryl most of all." Her eyes lifted towards Daryl momentarily to see his stare was soft.

"He was my best friend, one of the few guys I knew the actually accepted me for me, a bookworm, straight A student, Shakespeare lover and hater of most sports. Every other guy would dislike something about me and it usually ended up being the sports, but Daryl didn't care. He accepted me because I helped him and kept trying to even when he told me to go away. I saw potential in him because he was so intelligent so I had to help him. I couldn't let a good mind like his go to waste. We became friends after a lot of sweat and tears and it was a good friendship."

Daryl watched her, his mind flashing the images that she so fondly spoke of. Good times that he hadn't realized were good times. His blue eyes stared at her, assessing as her fact lit up at times when she spoke of him. Every time she smiled Daryl felt his heart leap.

"Then after I left for college things changed. Our relationship took another step forward and we...we decided to date. Neither of us was fond of the idea that I was all the way in Atlanta and he back home. We kept in contact through letters and whenever I got one my entire world just seemed to grow brighter. I lived for those letters and I waited impatiently for them, wanting to see some semblance of him and his handwriting was personal enough for me. I went through college while he stayed home and I came home for my breaks and we spent most of that time together. I like to think we were inseparable." She frowned for a moment before continuing. "Those days when I was wandering the forest alone I prayed to God that Daryl would find me. I missed him so much it ached in my bones. While I knew Daryl and Merle were busy looking out for each other I just had an inkling of hope that maybe he would show up. So, I prayed that someone would find me. I prayed for salvation and I got it. It happened to be in the form of Jeremy."

Daryl stiffened, his hand tightening around the handle of his crossbow. Merle glanced at Daryl and nudged his arm. His baby brother just sent him a cold look before returning his eyes to MaryJane. The thought of that pervert so close to her and alone made his hackles rise. He could just imagine it and he didn't like it at all. Daryl didn't try to push away the burning jealously like he used to. He let it run free and it felt like it was punishing him for not going after her. That archaic guilt he'd forgotten resurfaced through the cracks and his gut knotted. If had come after her then Jeremy wouldn't have found her. He wouldn't have kissed her and developed and obsession with her. If he had told Merle to fuck himself and went to find her they would've never been separated for long, she would've been there with him, safe and they wouldn't have had the falling out they did. They would still be together and she would still want him. He lowered his head and felt self-disgust tear at his innards. The only person that was to blame for this whole charade was him. Daryl Dixon.

"He was so nice, sweet and caring and led me to Con, Katie and the others who were holed up in an old farmhouse. I was beside myself with hunger and grief. In those days of loneliness I tried to forget what was happening, the dead rising, and think of something to keep me going. I thought of Daryl, of us and I think I drove myself mad by begging for him so much. I felt like an empty shell, my heart in pieces and my thought stings pulled so tight I felt they might snap at any second. Jeremy helped nurse me back to a relatively healthier form than what I was. I liked Jeremy. He always brought me my food and sat and talked with me. Our talking helped take the edge of pain away."

Inside, Daryl was kicking and hitting himself in every which way possible. God! He drove her into the kid's arms without even knowing it!

Fuck me!

"We talked about everything and I mostly talked about Daryl and Jeremy listened when expressed my grief over losing Daryl. I think I about drove him mad talking about Daryl, but he was all I could think of. My entire being missed him. I got better with the loving care of Katie and Bev and I started to accept staying with them and helping them. I knew that Daryl was out there but there was no way I'd find him on my own. Though, I only talked their ears off about him and never suggested asking them to help me look for him. They hardly knew me and I them. I just spoke of him and they began to understand me and my story. They all told me to have hope that I would find him again. So, I did...but there were times when I missed him so much, those strings in my head snapped and I had dreams and visions while I was awake." Her voice got deeper and cracked from the lump that made its home in her throat.

"I was tormented, like Heathcliff was tormented by Catherine's death in Wurthering Heights. In that time Jeremy would always comfort me, try and wake me from the dreams and trances. He tried to keep me grounded on earth and focused on surviving instead of daydreaming and getting myself killed. I was grateful for his care towards me. He just usually shrugged and said it was his duty. After a while, when we went on runs I started to notice that he began to become more protective of me, jumping in my way if a walker came at me, one I could've easily handled on my own. He started following me around more, staying in my presence as long as he could. At first I didn't think much of it since I was eternally grateful for what he did for me."

Typical MaryJane. Daryl grinned. That was his girl. His grin dropped when her expression changed into one of shame. Carol squeezed her shoulders and Beth patted her hand.

"I guess I was too blind to see Jeremy's feelings for me grow...I was too hung up on Daryl to even see past the end of my nose. There was one night when Jeremy woke me up from a dream about Daryl, but I hadn't fully awoke and I was in his arms, I looked up and saw Daryl in Jeremy's place. I started to cry that he found me and then he kissed me. I kissed him back, thinking it was Daryl."

Guilt flooded through Daryl like a waterfall. He knew she was telling the truth, she wouldn't lie to Rick or anyone else. So, he really did make himself look like a royal dick to her that day. He should've listened and it all could've been avoided. Why didn't he? If that was all why didn't he let her explain? Why did he let himself drive off the deep end like that? Because he thought she betrayed him...and she didn't.

"I snapped out of it when it occurred to me that this person didn't kiss like Daryl so I broke it off and I realized it was Jeremy. I freaked out and told him that it was a mistake and that it shouldn't happen again. I could tell it hurt him, but I didn't want him so he agreed to forget it and never mention it again. I thought things would go back to normal. He was my friend and I valued his friendship because he sat and talked with me and made me feel like I was understood. I felt like things were back to normal, but he remained protective over me. We never told anyone about the kiss and I hoped I never had to. But I think he didn't let it go that day. He held on to it and it made him become the man he is today. I broke his heart and he decided that he was going to have me and no one was going to stop him. He planned on keeping me all to himself since he barely met any other survivors and the odds of finding Daryl were limited so he could handle just being my friend. So, when we came here and I found Daryl a monkey wrench was thrown into his complete ownership of me when we were wandering in the wilderness. While here, with me, he was completely normal, but it was when he and Daryl got into a fight almost a week ago he spilled what happened between me and him. I realized then that he hadn't let me go and wouldn't." She glanced at Daryl again who wore an unknown expression of shame and self-disgust. Her gaze softened despite the wince she bit back.

"What happened in this fight?" Rick asked softly, his eyes encouraging.

MaryJane bit her lip, feeling the conversation take a very personal turn. It was only going to get worse from her. Especially when Daryl found out that she spent a night with Merle. She had to do it though and make sure Jeremy never touched her again.

"Jeremy tried riling Daryl up by claiming possession over me, but Daryl only thwarted that with his own and it angered Jeremy to a point where he snapped and said some very nasty things and Daryl punched him to defend me. It was after that did Jeremy say that he'd already kissed me. Daryl demanded for me to know if it was true and I said 'yes' and he blew up. I don't take it personally now because he was hurt and felt I betrayed him. He yelled at me and I tried to explain to him what really happened, but he only walked away in his rage and left me alone. He said he was through and I felt he wouldn't speak to me again. I sunk into a deep depression and stumbled back into the prison and found myself in Merle's cell."

Daryl knew that MaryJane went to see his brother, but he had no idea that she went to see him that night after their fight. He glanced at Merle darkly, demanding an explanation and said man only raised his eyebrows challengingly. Daryl narrowed his eyes on him before looking at MaryJane who cringed away when he looked at her. Inside him something dropped.

"Apparently I was in a catatonic state, soaking wet and cold so he took the appropriate measures to make sure I didn't catch cold. He stripped me down and wrapped me up in blankets and tried raising my body temperature." She purposefully left out Beth who squeezed her hand in thanks. "I knew Merle wouldn't hurt me because he's like my big brother. I knew I could go to him and he'd help me. So, he stayed with me, using his body to get my temperature up. I finally woke and he explained to me what happened. Then I explained to him how I got in the situation and he grew angry at his brother's lack of trust in me. He said he would talk to him and I just hoped that it would make a difference, but Daryl's a very strong-minded person. I was depressed to say the least, but Jeremy kept away while Merle and Carol tried talking to Daryl. I wanted to but I feared another lashing out from him so I gave him his space."

Everyone in the room looked surprised by what she was saying. Daryl and she were so close that it seemed impossible for something bad to come between them. They had a hard time in accepting what MaryJane was saying, even if it was true. Jeremy was a hard worker, he protected the group and went on runs when they needed it. Though, a few were realizing what they had pushed aside when MaryJane explained some behavior. Katie was starting to see that maybe the boy she considered a son wasn't exactly what she thought he was. She knew he was unstable from watching his mother and girlfriend try attack him as walkers. He had to kill them and she saw that it left a very large mark on him. Maybe losing MaryJane too made him snap. There was no maybe about it for Katie. It was fact.

"It was only yesterday after a few days of not seeing Jeremy did he catch me while I was walking in another cell block. I was pretty irritated with him, had been since the day he broke his promise to me. He tried to apologize, but I just blew it off, not wanting to hear anything he had to say. I asked him why he did it and he said that it was because he had feelings for me and I had them too for him. I told him that the only thing I felt was betrayal and I told him that I was planning on telling Daryl about the kiss the day he got into a fight with him. He advanced on me then, turning into someone who scared me. He wasn't himself and he tried to convince me that I wanted him and he wanted me. I just felt my entire body grow cold when I said I was sorry for not feeling anything by friendship for him. He exploded and told me…he told me that I wasn't sorry…not yet and that's when he attacked me."

MaryJane cut off, wincing when she remembered how he did attack her. Daryl was tense, watching her emotions as she spoke and he saw what she went through. He was starting to live it with her and it only enhanced his desire to go and throttle the kid in his cell. MaryJane held onto Beth's hand tightly as she began to go into detail about what happened per request of Rick.

"I, uh," The lump broke her weak voice as her heart began to race with the ghost of the panic she felt the day before. "He grabbed my throat and shoved me against the wall. On instinct I brought my leg up and kicked him in the knee. In my excitement of doing it, it only hindered me getting away. I went to run, but he recovered and grabbed my arm and pulled me against him. I panicked and began hitting his chest, hoping he'd let me go. He backhanded me and I fell to the ground, shocked. I tried to crawl away, but he pinned me to the ground…" Fresh tears welled up in her eyes as her mind showed the event frame by frame, allowing her to describe exactly what happened.

Daryl's own heart raced, his blood running cold.

"I shoved him and he hit me again on the same cheek and it stunned me because my head hit the concrete hard and stunned me. I felt him grab my face and made to scream, but he covered my mouth with his hand. I felt completely numb and I tried to fight him off, but my head hurt so bad I lost feeling in my limbs. Then he…he slipped his hands down to my pants and…he loosened the button and I knew then that something bad was about to happen to me and I couldn't do a thing about it."

Jaw clenched, it took all of his will power not to push from that wall and run to the kid and put an arrow in his dick. Every nerve in his body was alive and all he felt was the fury that was slowly starting to craze him with a murderous desire. His hand curled into a fist at his side, his short nails digging into his palm and he enjoyed the hiss of pain in his palm.

"He just looked so out of it with lust and I knew what would happen to me. I begged God for it not to happen to me. I begged for him to help me. He stopped when he lowered my zipper and he…he started to…"

A sob broke from her chest and she curled over her stomach, wrapping her free arm around her abdomen as the mortification of having to reveal it to everyone became so real. They knew…they all knew what he did to her without her saying it. Maggie understood what it felt like to be violated against your will and she wanted to go over and hug the sobbing older woman. Only, Maggie didn't have to tell everyone to their faces what happened. She could only imagine MaryJane's shame. She swallowed and held onto Glenn's hand tighter, her husband feeling what Daryl must've felt. The Asian glanced at Daryl to see him seething, his jaw so tight Glenn winced. Yep, Daryl was feeling exactly what he felt.

Rick and Con shared a glance of indignation. Con was obviously sold and it surprised Rick. He figured he'd be the one to stand against him. Despite what they just heard they all needed to hear the rest of the story and even though Rick didn't want to force her, he knew he might have to.

"What happened next, MaryJane?"

Her water filled brown eyes shot up to him, her face stained with tears. The flashes of her muffled crying only made her stomach crumple painfully. She shook her head, pitifully denying.

"I-I can't…please…" She begged

Rick kneeled before her, but not touching her. "I know this is hard, but you gotta finish this."

Daryl snapped, taking a few sharp steps forward. "For fuck's sake, Rick! Ya can't fuckin' make 'er finish that!"

MaryJane's heart leapt giddily in her chest at the protective tone in his gravelly voice. Merle stepped up beside Daryl, backing his brother one-hundred percent on that. MaryJane was on the verge of another mental breakdown and neither Dixons were going to let that happen, but…she surprised them by lifting her head, wiping the tears away and taking a deep breath to calm herself. Daryl's sudden plea for her made a sudden confidence spark inside her. He still cared…he still wanted to protect her. She wiped her nose with her sleeve and sniffed, looking Rick dead in the eyes.

"I can do it."

Rick inclined his head to her and smiled weakly. MaryJane swallowed, ignoring the tears that refused to be held back. She straightened her back and curled her fingers around her knee. Carol replaced her hands and MaryJane took in another deep breath, staring at the wall, pretending that no one else was there except Beth and Carol.

"When he was done touching me…I thought of Daryl and it inspired strength in me. My feeling returned and adrenaline cleared the pain in my head. While he tried pulling his own pants down I lifted my leg and kicked him in the face. I don't know how I did it, but I didn't question it. When he fell back in pain I ran. I think he started to chase after me, but I didn't stop and wait to find out. I was near the cell block entrance when I ran into Daryl who took me in and realized what had happened. He threatened to kill Jeremy and went after him after I begged him not to. Carol and Katie were just dumbfounded by what was going on and when Daryl came back he had Jeremy with him. Did a number on him too." She sounded almost proud. "And we followed him outside where he almost killed Jeremy, but you, Con and Merle stopped him."

She concluded quickly, knowing everyone knew where it went from there. She gazed at Rick and Con confidently, her jaw clenched, the pain slowly returning to weaken her. Silence rang like death in the room. Everyone was dumbstruck by what she confessed and it seemed that most of them already made up their minds. Maggie, Glenn, Con, Katie, Carol, Beth, Merle and Daryl had. Now, her testimony was out there, but it was up to Rick, Con and the groups to decide what would happen to Jeremy. Con kneeled before her moments later, took her hand, and kissed it fondly. His warm hazel eyes shined with pride.

"Thank ya, MaryJane…I'm proud o' ya." He whispered.

She nodded, another tear falling from her eye. "Thanks, Con,"

He looked over her bruised face once more before standing. MaryJane didn't release his hand until she had to. Her eyes drifted to Daryl who wore an expression that she couldn't really read. She just hoped he wanted to come over to her and hold her. That's what she wanted him to do and Daryl wanted to do just that…but he didn't. Rick did the same thing Con did, minus kissing her hand.

"Thank you, MaryJane."

She just smiled weakly and nodded. The former cop stood and turned to the group.

"Now, we have MaryJane's story and with it we all need to decide what option is best for Jeremy's punishment. I want y'all to keep in mind that despite this boy bein' family…he committed a heinous act against another innocent member of tha family. He nearly raped her." He turned to Con. "I know that MaryJane is in your group, Con, but MaryJane's with Daryl…" He pointed at Daryl who glanced at Rick. "…and that makes her a part of my family and every single one of us want a fair say in what happens to him. You know how I operate and how I feel 'bout people like him, but it will still be your final decision."

Con studied Rick for a few moments before nodding. "I wouldn't 'ave it any other way, but if my family knows me then they already know what I would do."

Every expression in his family's turned grim. Slim lowered his eyes and Charlie glanced at Emily who sat close by. MaryJane knew very well too how Con operated. Katie looked at her husband with those loving eyes that made every cold heart melt.

"Con…despite my agreement with you we can't just cart 'im off like he was jus' another walker. He's a human being! He has jus' as much right to defend himself as we do." She argued.

It seemed that the debate had started.

"I woulda said that too before." Hershel said from his table.

The white bearded man shared a knowing glance with Rick whose jaw clenched in return. Everyone in Rick's group lowered their eyes in remembrance of Shane and Lori.

"We've had bad apples too and we let 'em live." Rick said, looking straight at Katie with a hard expression. "And it only led ta heartache for us. I don't want tha same ta happen for ya'll."

His words sent a child throughout the room and Katie's expression softened. Rick swallowed and glanced at the floor, resting his hand on his pistol.

"In saying that…we're gonna talk ta Jeremy and get his side of the story before doin' anythin'."

That was all they could really ask for. Katie glanced between Con and Rick.

"What would you do, Rick, if Jeremy was in your group?" She asked.

Rick glanced at MaryJane then to Daryl who was watching his woman with a lost expression. He finally rested his eyes on Katie.

"I'd kill 'im."

The meeting had tapered off after that. Con and Rick released the groups and would let them speak with each other before coming back, asking questions, debating and finally voting. But first, a visit to Jeremy was in order. With orders by Rick, Merle and Daryl were forbidden to go with them. Daryl almost had a fit, but Rick justified his reasoning and neither Dixons could argue with him. The youngest of the two just stalked off and Merle went outside to catch in some fresh air, unknowing that he was being followed.

His feet took him down beside the fences, walking along the fence row, sneering at the walkers that lined the outside fence. The sun was high, large clouds floating along with big marshmallows. He was deep in thought over the events that occurred only minutes earlier. MaryJane's story was out there and everyone would have to make a decision based on it. Merle was confident that Con wouldn't just beat him until he choked up blood, he wanted death. Though, morals would get in the way, but it would be from the leader's own wife. Merle's opinion of her changed when she'd protested at a just punishment. Any man who sodomized a woman against her will deserved to die…in his opinion. Now, even though he was a lady's man and slept with too many to count, he never forced himself on them. They were always willing.

He despised that Rick wouldn't let him go hear the Germ's confession himself, but he had to obey his orders like a good soldier. Shaking his head in disgust, he laughed to himself. It was out of his hands and he hated it when it was like that. He hated not being in control. He knew he, Beth, Daryl and MaryJane should've up and left when they had the chance. They could've avoided the entire thing and could avoid having to tell her daddy and sister about their secret affair.

"Merle,"

Startled, he zipped towards the sound and his tense body relaxed when he saw it was only Beth. She wore a look of complete fear and his instincts flared. He stalked towards her, eyes widening with panic at her expression.

"Wha's wrong? Ya a'ight?"

She nodded. "I'm fine…it's just…he'll tell 'em."

Merle stiffened, his eyes narrowing. Beth stepped closer to him, her eyes never leaving his. Dread pitted in Merle's stomach.

"Since we've defended MJ, he'll tell 'em all then we'll be separated."

The former military man's hand curled into a fist. He looked away, jaw clenching as he glared at the watch tower behind Beth. Everything inside him wanted to stop the kid, to protect Beth from the onslaught that her family would rage. He knew the day would come when they would all find out, but he'd hoped it would've been when Beth was ready, but now it was inevitable. He just waited to get shot.

"They won't let us be together." She added in a pained whisper.

His eyes darted back to hers, his chest rising up and down heavily with the want to deny it. He couldn't lose her. She was everything to him, that little, barely an adult teenager. She rocked his world like no one else had and, with her, he finally found someone he wanted something permanent with and he couldn't have her. She was going to be torn from him like everything else he found happiness with. He didn't want to let her go, his heart wouldn't let him, but had to release her physically. She was right. They couldn't be together. Merle slid his eyes up and down her body, soaking in every inch of her, storing it away in his memories. She was so beautiful with that wheat colored hair, lightly tanned skin and big blue eyes that just shined with adoration for him. He'd just expressed his feelings towards her only to have her ripped away. Where was the fairness in that? Suddenly, Merle knew exactly what Daryl had felt. The pain inside was barely bearable.

"Nah…nah, they won't…but it ain't gonna stop me from wantin' ya." He said gravelly.

She swallowed, her insides tightening. "I can't lose you, Merle. I can't be without you. It kills me jus' ta have ta think that they'll keep me away. It kills me that they might kick ya out and I'd lose ya fer good. I can't do it, Merle. I can't…"

Something inside Merle broke and his brows furrowed deeply as the agony burned in his chest. He stepped closer to her, wanting to feel the power of her presence next to his. He cupped the side of her neck, forcing her to look up at him. His eyes were deadly serious. He meant it when he said he wouldn't let her go.

"I ain' gonna lay down an' let 'em fuck us up, Beth. I ain' gonna go down without a fuckin' fight. I ain' gonna let ya go jus' 'cause they hate my ass." He vowed.

Beth's eyes grew watery with tears and with a quick intake of breath she lifted up on her toes, cupped his face and pressed her mouth to his. Merle closed his eyes, wrapping his arms around her, pulling her small form flush against his own. She conformed to him perfectly, he remembered those naked curves against his bare skin and he loved the way her lips meshed with his. Beth kissed him passionately, their lips parting for the other. She moaned against him, furrowing her brows as the ache of longing boomed in her tummy like a drum. Merle held her close, his arms like metal vices around her, those limbs never wanting to let her go. It felt to him that if he let her go then she'd vanish without a trace. The world around them faded away, their bodies feeling and knowing only each other. Their ears hummed contentedly with their moans, heavy breaths, and sounds of their lips moving against the other.

"Merle!"

They broke apart, a wet sound signaling the abrupt departure of their lips when a pissed voice rang out, breaking the romantic spell the forbidden lovers were under. Their heads zipped around to see Maggie running towards them with her eyes on Merle. Glenn, Rick, Con, Michonne, Carol and Carl were chasing after her, Glenn shouting at her to stop. MaryJane and Daryl were hot on their heels, dread ripping on the whiskey eyed woman's face. Hershel hobbled after them, disbelief coating his aged face.

Maggie knew and she was pissed.

MaryJane stepped outside, wanting to catch fresh air. After taking in large, deep gulps she found herself relaxing, dropping her arms that she had wrapped protectively around her body. She spotted Merle at the fence line, walking along the perimeter, seeming lost in thought. A small smile graced her features as she watched him. They were so much alike, the brothers, so much more than either one of them wanted to admit. That might've been why she loved them both.

"MaryJane?"

She jumped, her heart skipping to a race as she turned towards the owner of the voice. Her racing heart skipped a beat when she realized it was Daryl that stood before her, crossbow in his right hand, the tip of it touching the ground. Her lips parted on their own accord, her body yearning to go to him, her heart soaring at the sight of his ruggedly handsome face. His own mouth was parted, his breaths coming from his mouth. She stared at him, stunned.

"Daryl," She breathed, a smile cracking on her face.

Daryl's heart stuttered as a delighted expression passed her features, but it faded as she pulled herself in, her eyes falling to the ground. He frowned slightly and took a step closer to her.

"What do you want?" She asked, glancing up at him from under her eyelashes.

He opened his mouth to speak, but a familiar female voice cut through the air like a gunshot.

"Merle!"

Gasping, MaryJane flipped her head to see Maggie charge from the prison door and make a dead run towards an embraced Beth and Merle. All the blood drained from Daryl and MaryJane's faces. They knew. Without looking at him, MaryJane took off after Maggie and the group of people that followed her. Daryl sprinted after her, lifting up his bow. Shit was about to go down.

Rick, Glenn, Maggie, Con and Slim walked towards the cell Jeremy was being held in with dead silence ringing through them all. They shared glances, but no words were exchanged. Con and Slim wore grim expressions, pissed that one of their own would do something like that to another one of their own. Con already knew what he wanted to do, but he did want Jeremy's side before making a done-deal decision. When they reached the only occupied cell their shoes slid to a slow stop before it. Jeremy sat in his bunk within, his back against the wall, just staring at the opposite concrete wall across the room. His eyes looked vacant, his body so still he almost looked dead, but the pink flush in his cheeks alerted them that he was, indeed, alive. Rick stepped up towards the cell and Con followed suit seconds later.

It was then that the boy moved, turning his head towards them. A mirthless smile grew on his thin lips, his blue eyes void of emotion.

"Hey, guys, ya'll come to beat me up like Dixon did?"

Rick shook his head. "No, we just want your side of tha story."

Intrigued, Jeremy stood up and walked towards them, leaning his forearms against the metal bars of the door.

"I didn't think you'd care about my side…I'm obviously guilty. MaryJane would've told you everything."

"Yer not denying it?" Con asked darkly, his eyes glaring icily at the kid he considered a son.

The dark haired boy just shook his head nonchalantly. "Nope,"

Stunned slightly by his confession Rick glanced at the group around him who returned his gaze. He looked at Con who looked ready to explode, his long, silver mustache twitching in his irritation.

"Why? Why would ya do that ta 'er?" Con asked sharply, stepping closer to the metal door with fury.

Jeremy's lips spread with amusement. "Because she's mine…I had to show her and Dixon that she's mine."

Rick's lips curled into a snarl in defense of the man he considered his own brother. He took a deadly step forward, glaring at the kid.

"She ain't never been yours." He snarled.

The Germ glared at Rick, his hands curling into fists. "Who does she belong to? Dixon? That worthless piece of shit redneck?"

Brotherly protectiveness flared up in Rick, a desire to lash out at him flaring up, but held himself back. He crossed his arms before answering.

"She ain't yours to possess or protect, she never was. Her heart belongs ta Daryl, it's never belonged ta you and it never will. She'll never forgive you for what you've done, you realize that don't you?" Rick asked, taunting and he earned the reaction he wanted.

Silence, fuming, red hot rage that made the young man's face flush red, his jaw so tight Rick swore his teeth would snap under the pressure, but moments later his face relaxed, his lips turning upward in a very Batman's Joker way.

"Well, now she won't ever forget me, neither will Dixon. I'll always be there and he'll suffer knowing what I did to her every day for the rest of his life and he wasn't there to stop me. So, you're wrong. She belongs to me and there ain't nothing any of ya'll can do about it." He said calmly…too calmly.

Maggie hissed at Jeremy with a great amount of loathing that startled Glenn and Rick. "Yer sick fer what ya did! She didn't deserve what ya did! Are you so sick that ya would violate tha girl ya claim ta love like that?!"

Jeremy only chuckled at her outrage, seeming to feed off of it. "So you've been sodomized too, huh?"

Her face fell and Glenn stiffened beside her.

The kid's eyebrows rose. "Oh, I can tell. My girlfriend had been molested by her step-father when she was young. She had that gleam in her eyes, that look that showed her innocence had been stripped away in the worst way possible, a damaged look. You got it too…now MaryJane's gonna have it."

Maggie glared abhorrently at him with wide eyes and Glenn stepped forward and shielded her from Jeremy's eye. Rick glanced at Con who casted a look at Slim who looked at Jeremy with surprised revulsion. Jeremy smirked at the small group, giving off an aura of superiority, like he knew something they didn't. Rick narrowed his eyes at him. What was he up to?

"I'm not the only monster here, ya know. Dixon's older brother Merle's just as sick as I am." Jeremy grinned.

Con's eyes grew hard. Now he was attacking Merle? The Germ's eyes landed on Maggie who grimaced at him. He tilted his head at her, tauntingly.

"Merle Dixon's been playing house with your little Bethy."

Rick's eyes widened, Glenn's mouth dropped and Maggie lunged at Jeremy suddenly, grabbing the collar of his shirt with a no-shit face. With a surprising amount of force, she slammed him against the bars, but he only laughed with revolting amusement.

"Oh! I've riled her up!" He teased, his once emotionless eyes full of life.

Maggie roared and banged him against the bars, he only howled with laughter.

"You're lyin'!" Maggie yelled, throwing Glenn off as he tried to peel her away from the boy.

"Maggie, calm down!" Glenn tried to soothe.

"You're lyin'!" Maggie hissed in Jeremy's face, her eyes protective and deadly.

Jeremy grinned at her, his voice slick. "Am I? You think Bethy's the sweet, innocent little girl, don't you? Oh, trust me, she's not innocent. Dixon's done dirtied her up. He's fucked her. He's fucked her real good and it looked to me like she was enjoying every second of it."

Maggie lost it, everything nerve inside her flaring into hot molten rock and it started to build. She was a volcano getting ready to explode and wreak havoc on all those who stood in her way. She slapped Jeremy who stepped away from her, pulling his shirt from her grip. Maggie threw herself against the bars, screaming at him and Glenn who struggled at getting her away from the cell door. Rick's hand rested on his pistol.

"You bastard!" Maggie yelled as Glenn, with the help of Slim, pulling her away from the door.

Rick grasped the bars and hissed at Jeremy with an intimidating tone. "You're lyin'."

Jeremy stepped close to Rick, their faces inches apart.

"No, sir, Officer, I've seen them with my own two eyes." He said, pointing with his pointer finger and middle finger towards his eyes. "They were going at it like dogs in heat. So, if you're looking for a real monster, look at the cradle robber, Merle Dixon."

Rick's breaths came out heavily. "I'm not done with you and don't think this'll justify what you've done. You're still in hot shit and if I had my way I'd put a bullet in between your eyes right now, but it's my decision. Ya better hope that Con doesn't do it for me."

Jeremy's pleased expression faded and Rick felt his chest swell with inferiority and satisfaction. Though, the feeling was short lived when Maggie shoved Glenn and Slim away and running down the hall.

"I'll kill 'im!" She roared.

"Shit!" Rick hissed and the others took off after her.

The leaders glanced at Jeremy one last time, glaring at him as his lips slipped upward into a slimy, mischievous grin.

"Have fun." He said sarcastically, mock saluting Rick.

"Shut yer mouth, boy!" Con snarled before, nudging Rick and taking off into a full run after a charging Maggie.

Rick didn't glance at Jeremy as he followed Con. The former cop caught up with them quickly, yelling at Maggie to stop and calm down. She wouldn't listen. She was in all-out protective sister mode with bloodlust in mind. Her target? Merle Dixon. They caught up with her when she nearly ran into her father, briefly telling him what she learned. She avoided getting caught by Glenn and ran out the door, charging towards Merle and Beth who were locked in a passionate embrace. Something in Rick fell when he saw it. It was true, just seeing that proved that Jeremy was right. He didn't know what to think as they pulled away from each other.

"Merle!" Maggie yelled and only bad feelings radiated from Rick.

He could feel a terrible storm about to hit.

Maggie skidded to a halt a few feet away from Merle and Beth, Merle standing nearly in front of her little sister. Beth stared at her sister with a bloodless face, dread pitting inside her. This was it.

"Tell me it ain't true, Bethy!" Maggie pleaded, ignoring Merle at the moment.

Beth stepped away from Merle, the older man stiffening, his hand nearly shooting out to pull her behind him. Rick stopped beside Maggie, ready to jump between them should something happen. Beth's eyes found MaryJane and Daryl who joined the group of people. Her heart raced in her chest as she met her sister's enraged, pleading eyes. She couldn't and wouldn't lie. They were found out anyways.

"I'm sorry, Maggie," She breathed.

Swallowing, Maggie snapped, her hands shooting out and grabbing Rick's pistol right from his holster and pointed it at Merle. Rick and Glenn jerked back, holding their hands towards Maggie.

"No!" Beth screamed, jumping in front of him.

"Get outta tha way, Beth!" Maggie ordered, both of her hands holding the pistol as steady as she could.

Merle held her glare, unfearful. If she shot him then he wouldn't mind. He deserved it. Beth was so short that Maggie could still shoot Merle to kill him without hurting Beth.

"No!" The blonde shouted, her arms spread out back towards Merle protectively.

"Dammit, Beth! Get outta tha way right now!" The dark haired sister hollered.

The eldest Dixon grabbed Beth's arm and pulled her out of the way, ignoring her protests. He stepped towards Maggie, his eyes never leaving hers.

"Merle!" Beth pleaded as she started towards him.

He turned his head towards her, giving her a look that froze her in her tracks, then he turned his icy blue eyes back to Maggie who eyed him suspiciously.

"Ya wanna shoot me?" He raised his arms a few inches and put his palm towards her. "Go ahead."

MaryJane's heart fell into her stomach and she lunged forward when she saw Maggie's finger inch towards the trigger. What was he doing? Was he trying to prove something? Don't, Merle!

"Noo!" She screamed, jumping in front of him, taking a protective stance similar to Beth's.

Maggie's cold expression didn't change. Her eyes were dead trained on Merle who kept her gaze without wavering. He seemed so eager to be shot. Was this his way of showing his utter devotion? It was a stupid way to do it in MaryJane's opinion. She was not about to let him get shot because he loved Beth. Maggie would just have to stand down.

"I don't wanna hurt ya, MaryJane." Maggie seethed.

MaryJane suddenly forgot all of her problems. She threw aside all of her issues, Daryl, her inner feelings and Jeremy. Merle was family and she protected family just like he protected her. She might've not been blood, but she felt they were nearly so. He would be doing exactly what she was doing. Daryl tensed, lifting his crossbow into both hands, his heart sputtered in his chest like a bad engine with panic. Protectiveness blazed in body as she stood before the gun, protecting Merle with her body. His body coiled. He'd be damned if he let her get hurt.

"Get outta tha way, MJ." Merle ordered with a strangely military tone.

"No," MaryJane retorted. "I'm not going anywhere."

"I ain't wantin' ya ta get hurt." Maggie uttered, her hard eyes softening in the slightest.

MaryJane squared her shoulders and lifted her chin defiantly. Nothing could move her from this spot until Maggie calmed down.

"If you shoot him, then you'll have to shoot me too, Maggie." MaryJane pronounced, finality to her voice.

Daryl's stomach pitted.

"No," He snarled, leaping in front of MaryJane, pointing his bow at Maggie.

MaryJane's heart stopped for a few seconds as Daryl's back blocked her view of Maggie, his back stiff, arms tense, his legs spread in a protective stance. Something akin to giddiness sparked in her gut, the angel wings of his vest inches from her face. He still cared. He still cared about her. Daryl's hard dark blue eyes were trained on the scope of his bow, the crosshairs pointed directly between Maggie's eyes. Rick let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.

"Stand down, Maggie, put the gun down." Rick ordered gently, realizing that nothing good would come from the standoff.

Daryl's arms were unwavering as he held the bow to Maggie, not letting an inch of weakness show. All he felt was the raging craving to protect what was his. His jaw was clenched tight, his boy taut with tension and challenge. Rick took small, calculated steps closer towards Maggie who looked less than eager to shoot Merle as she locked eyes with Daryl. His eyes were emotionless, but the protectiveness shined bright in his eyes. It occurred to the eldest Greene daughter that when someone threatened what Daryl loved he would return in kind. She was looking into the eyes of a man who would kill in cold blood to protect what was his. Seeing that dead look in his eyes made Maggie lower the gun, her jaw clenching tightly. Rick slipped the gun from her lean fingers, his eyes watching her closely. Glenn took her shoulders in his hands and pulled her a few feet away.

Daryl finally lowered his bow, his hard eyes watching Maggie suspiciously. When his bow was parallel with his body he nodded to Rick who breathed a sigh of relief. They both knew that this was only the beginning of a whole new problem within the group. Daryl turned around towards MaryJane who gazed up at him, stunned and completely surprised. Her whiskey colored eyes were wide on him and for a moment he was breathless by her beauty. Merle turned his head to look at Beth who looked ready to collapse with worry and relief. Daryl opened his mouth to say something, but he was once again interrupted.

Katie came running out with Emily behind her. Everyone turned towards them.

"Con! Rick!" She called, panicked.

Con hurried to his wife, his eyes widening with concern. He held a hand out to her and it ended up grasping her arm, pulling her to him. Emily stopped before Rick who began looking around for walkers or other danger. Katie glanced between them, gulping in the breath she lost from running.

"It's Jeremy," She heaved, grasping her husband's arm tightly.

"What's happened?" Rick asked uneasily.

Katie trained her eyes on him and Rick was surprised to see fear in them.

"He's gone."

MaryJane's face went white and Daryl tensed with vehemence as he stepped closer to her instinctively. Everyone went silent and Merle went to Beth, not caring if Maggie glared at him. He stood close to her, his large body towering protectively over her. Rick glanced at Daryl then everyone sprinted towards the prison. It felt like hours as they ran into and through the prison to get to the cell that Jeremy occupied. They all skidded to a stop, every pair of eyes wide with terror as they gazed at the ominous sight of the cell door ajar, swinging with a breeze that didn't exist.

He was gone.

Cliffhanger! Where has the Germ gone and why? Will he return? What will happen with Merle and Beth? What will happen between Daryl and MaryJane? Tune in next week to find out.

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