Sorry for the delay but I've been busier than usual. Hope you enjoy this chapter and, as always, thanks for reading!

Chapter Twenty Two

Carol stood in front of the table, leaning on her arms and speaking low to Merle and Daryl. She didn't want to say what she had to say. She knew that Daryl wanted those people gone but that really wasn't an option anymore. "She needs antibiotics," she said quietly.

She tried to meet Daryl's eyes but his attention was focused intently on something else. When she looked down she felt her face flame. The low cut shirt and the fact that she was leaning over the table so she could speak to them was giving both men a show. Merle's eyes were zeroed in on her chest just like Daryl's were. She stood up straight and crossed her arms over her chest. Both men looked up. Merle grinned, Daryl blushed deeply, they both had her rolling her eyes.

"What's wrong with her?" Daryl asked.

"I'm not sure. I'm thinking she must have some kind of infection but she isn't talking. She hasn't spoken since all this started. We have to try to do something."

Daryl cursed under his breath. "I fuckin' knew some shit like this was gonna happen." His head came up suddenly, his eyes wide. "You don't think one of those things got her, do you? You sure she ain't been bit?"

She shook her head quickly. "I made sure myself. She's just sick, and I know that you two don't want any responsibility to these people but if you think about it, it isn't like this is a one time thing that can only happen to the little girl. Any of the kids could come down with something and we should think about getting some medicine up here."

Merle ran a hand over his face. "I spose we can go. I've been lookin' for an excuse to stock up on supplies anyhow. The weather is gonna get colder soon and it wouldn't hurt to haul up as much food as we can. Those folks have that trailer hooked up. We can fill it up with shit we need."

She wanted to suggest Merle and Richard go but she knew that if his brother was leaving the mountain, Daryl would go with him. He looked up then, meeting her eyes, and she was surprised at the indecision she saw there. She understood it. His choices were, let his brother go alone with a man that they didn't know and they didn't trust. Or leave the cabin to be defended by women and children.

He stood up and motioned towards the door.

She followed him out to the porch, speaking before he had a chance to. "You're going," she stated, not needing to ask. He couldn't let Merle go out there alone with Richard.

He nodded reluctantly. "I can't let him go alone with that guy."

"We'll be okay. Damon will be here and I don't really think any of those things could make it all the way up here easily." She didn't want him to go. Knowing what was down there waiting for them scared her to death. But she knew he would go regardless and she didn't want him to be distracted by worry over what was going on up here. "Besides," she shrugged and smiled slightly, "I'm not a bad shot. If anything happens, we'll be fine."

He seemed relieved at her words but he didn't look completely convinced. "Make sure everybody stays within earshot until we get back."

She nodded. That was her plan anyway.

"If something happens while we're out, Damon is a better shot than you. You've killed one rabbit one time. He was raised in the woods. I ain't sure those things would bother comin' this far out but if they do, you know where the guns are."

When they went back inside Piper was throwing a fit. She was pacing, glaring, arms crossed tightly over her chest. Her mouth was set in a grim angry line. "If you're going then fine but I'm going with you!"

Merle shook his head and, not for the first time, Carol was amazed at how quickly he went from one extreme to the next. Right now he was all father, staring down at her with a disapproving look in his eyes. "I already told you that we can make it there and back before dark. You're gonna keep your ass here where it's safe."

She threw her arms in the air in exasperation. "This is bullshit! We've only all been together for a week and you're gonna run off! Let that creep go alone! It's his kid that's sick!"

"Girl, you're out of line," Merle growled. "Calm the hell down. The only thing you're managing is makin' yourself look like a spoiled ass brat. A fit ain't gonna get you nowhere. You think we have enough food to last? You think we have enough supplies up here for all of us? Use your damn head, girl, or shut it. This ain't an argument you're winning this time."

She glared at him and then snarled something unintelligible, storming towards the ladder without a backwards glance, mumbling under her breath.

Carol shared a look with Daryl and then he shook his head.

"Don't worry," he muttered, "She won't give you any shit."

Carol ran a hand through her hair and blew out a heavy breath. "She's scared. I don't blame her because I'm scared too."

He frowned. "I done told you. Damon is damn capable of keepin' this place secure while we're gone. And I really don't think those things would come up here. If I thought they would then I'd stay."

She smiled grimly. "I'm not scared for us. I'm scared for you."

He snorted, shaking his head. "What the hell are you talkin' about? I can take care of myself. Like I've told you a hundred times before."

They were standing in front of the window now and she looked out at the rain. It was easier than looking him in the eye. She knew that it shouldn't bother her this much that he was going to leave. It wasn't like he wasn't coming back but the truth was, she wouldn't know what she would do without him. She wasn't about to say that, of course, but it was true. She cared about him. She cared about him a lot, actually. More than she had any right too. She enjoyed their dynamic. She enjoyed their stunted conversations and the rare smiles he gave her and the way he scoffed at her all the time. "I know that you can take care of yourself. It's just going to be strange, you not being here. We're always together except for at night. I'm used to it now. And anything could happen out there."

She heard him sigh and finally turned her head to look at him. He was looking down but he raised his eyes. "Somethin' tells me that this is your version of a Piper fit."

She rolled her eyes. "Can't you just be happy that you have someone to worry about you? And I'm not throwing a fit. I just figured maybe you'll be more careful out there if you know that there's someone here worrying." She felt heat rise from her neck to her hairline. She needed to shut up before she scared him off. She was acting like he was her husband.

"It's a trip to the nearest town. It ain't a big deal," he said, keeping his voice low.

Meeting his eyes again she shook her head. "Any time any of us leave here, it's going to be a big deal. Maybe you should stay. I could go with Merle and Richard and that way we'll know that-"

"What! No!" He snapped, glancing over because he knew he was a lot louder than he had meant to be and now everyone was staring at them. He growled and then grabbed her arm, hauling her back outside and slamming the door. "Are you serious?"

She smiled and shook her head. "Of course not. We both know that I'd only be a liability out there. Some day I'll be ready but it isn't today. But it doesn't feel very good, does it? And you can't just tell me no. If I wanted to go in your place there wouldn't be a damn thing you could do to stop me." She gave him a pointed look, her hands on her hips.

He pursed his lips together and crossed his arms over his chest. They stared at each other for a long time and then the door opened quickly and Merle stepped out.

"Here," he grumbled, handing Daryl his bow on his way past. He stalked down the porch steps and towards the SUV.

Daryl cursed under his breath. "This is gonna be a fun ride."

Richard came out next, nodding at both of them before he followed Merle. Neither one of them acknowledged the man and as soon as he was past their eyes met again. She suddenly had the urge to kiss him. She bit her lip and silently chastised herself.

"Please be careful," she said, wishing he wouldn't go.

He nodded. "You too." He didn't make a move to follow the others and they both jumped when a sharp blare of the horn sounded. He glanced over and scowled. Before she let herself think about it too hard her arms quickly wound around his neck.

His hands went to her waist and then his lips were next to her ear, sending a shiver down her spine that she was sure he'd be able to feel. "You keep doin' this shit and he ain't never gonna leave me alone," he grumbled but the tips of his fingers flexed over her and then he gave in and slid his hands around.

"Try to hurry," she said quickly, stepping away when she realized that she didn't want to let go of him at all.

He gave her a strange look but he didn't say anything. He adjusted the bow on his back and then he was stalking off into the rain. She leaned her back into the wall next to the door and watched until the SUV pulled out of site.

She stood there under the short awning for a while, staring out at the rain, reminding herself over and over that he was strong, he was smart and he was capable. So was Merle. They would be fine. When she went back in Kathrine was there, on her knees beside the makeshift bed that her daughter was sleeping on, a cold wet cloth to the girl's head.

Carol joined her, running the back of her hand over the little girl's cheek and offering the other woman an encouraging smile. "I remember when Sophia was this young. Any time she came down with something I felt so panicked. Actually I still do."

Kathrine smiled slightly but her eyes stayed on her daughter's face. "So, you're telling me that it doesn't get easier when they're sick, even when they're grown?"

Carol nodded. "That's just one of the burdens a mother must bear I suppose. I'm sure you still feel like that when your son is sick, even though he's older now."

Kathrine's smile crashed so quickly that Carol found herself frowning. The woman looked up, towards the table where Brody was sitting. Her eyes lingered there for a few long moments before she looked back down at the little girl. "Of course," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Carol felt a sense of unease fill her at the look on the other woman's face. Something wasn't right here. Something was even more off than she originally thought. He had only been gone a few minutes but already she was desperately wishing Daryl were still here. She wanted to talk to him about this.

She looked over her shoulder at the boy. He was leaning back in the chair and seemed to be staring right at her. He smiled and Carol felt a chill crawl up her spine.