Title - Bodies And Souls Collide
Chapter title - The Death Of A Good-ish Man
Author - OblivionsGarden
Genre - Hurt/Comfort/Romance/Family/Horror
Disclaimer - I do not own The Walking Dead in anyway shape or form. I only own the plot points surrounding my oc's, not recognized from the show or comics.
Chapter Word Count - 2807 words.

A shuddering breath escaped Teddy's lips as she shot up in her bunk. Another nightmare. She could still feel the burning sensation on the back of her neck and absentmindedly lifted her hand to touch the sweat soaked skin there. She slipped out of bed, padding to the cafeteria to get herself a small glass of water.

"Oh, hi." She hadn't expected to see Merle sitting at the table, rubbing the skin around his arm. He wasn't wearing his prosthetic and now she could see, even in the dim lighting, how red and sore his skin looked. "We might have something you can put on that." She hummed. "Just to ease it a little. Can't imagine that metal thing is comfortable."

"It ain't." Merle nodded. "But it's got a knife on it and it serves me well."

"Get you a gun attached and you can be the new robocop." She teased, sitting opposite him. "You want anything?" She asked again, nodding to his arm but he shook his head.

"I already told you, you worry about other people too much."

"It's a cover." She drank some of her water as he watched her. "Inside, deep down I'm actually a heartless asshole. This whole caring thing is a cover. Whereas you... Are the opposite."

"That right?"

"Yep." She popped the 'p' with a smile. "You're just a big 'ole teddy bear, Merle Dixon. Just like your brother."

"You're the Teddy bear, by name and nature."

"Jesus, don't." She grimaced, running a hand over her tired eyes. "Dad used to call me that when I was a kid... His little Teddy Bear."

"Aww, now ain't that sweet."

"Shut it." She stood from the table, waving to Merle and heading back to bed, taking two of the ambien Daryl had brought her, hoping for at least a few undisturbed hours.

Teddy was pacing, watching as the others sorted through the various weapons and ammo collected on the table. Rick, Hershel and Daryl had left earlier that morning after hearing from Andrea that this Governor wanted to meet. Teddy had wanted to tag along but both Rick and Daryl insisted she stay behind, watch Merle and Glenn and make sure no fights broke out whilst they were gone.

"The three of them are right in the middle of it. No idea we're coming. They could get taken hostage or killed. A thousand things could go wrong." Glenn said, pulling Teddy from her reverie.

"And they will."

"My dad can take care of himself."

"Sorry, son, but your dad's head could be on a pike real soon."

"Dixon!" Teddy snapped, pulling Merle's focus. "Don't say that shit to him."

"You telling me that you're wearing a hole in the floor just cause you like walking?" Merle moved closer to her with his usual arrogant smirk. "Or is it cause you're worrying about dear old daddy?"

"Of course I'm worried, be dumb not to be. But like Carl said, the three of them together can handle it."

"It's not the right move. Not now. Can't take the risk of putting them in the crossfire. That's my decision. It's final."

Glenn left the room, Maggie following close behind as Merle dropped back into his seat.

"Who put China man in charge?"

"Korean." Carl corrected.

"No one is in charge." Teddy murmured. "Glenn's just doing things that need to be done."

"And you're ok with that?" Merle tilted his head as he watched her. "You know you're following pretty closely in Officer Friendly's footsteps."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I mean it won't be long until you're calling the shots, making orders... Like father, like daughter."

"I'm not like my dad." Teddy frowned, looking down at the floor. "I'm not a leader. Never will be."

"I think you'd be good." Carl smiled and Merle nodded his head in agreement.

"Hell, even I'd let you boss me around. And I don't take orders from nobody."

"Except the Governor." Michonne finally spoke up, a dangerously mischievous look in her eyes.

"She's got a point, Dixon." Teddy chuckled when Merle huffed and left the room, shooting a wink at Michonne who seemed to quickly replace her impassive mask.

It wasn't too long later, as Teddy was cooing over Judith to see if she could raise a smile, that a gunshot sounded from the cafeteria sending the baby into hysterics. Teddy gestured for Carl to watch her whilst she headed down, pistol in hand.

She approached Beth from behind, glancing at the gun in the blondes hand. Glenn and Merle were both panting on the opposite side of the room, Michonne and Maggie close by. Teddy made a noise of frustration as she replaced her gun in her belt.

"Can you guys act your damn age for five minutes. We do have a baby upstairs you know."

Glenn and Maggie left the room, Beth following behind. Teddy watched Merle and Michonne for a moment until Merle nodded to here, letting her know that he was calm now. She left them alone, returning to her siblings whilst they waited for the others to get back.

Teddy was scared. Not of the Governor, that wanted them all dead, but because of Carl's reaction to the news. This young boy who had already grown up far too fast was insisting that they stay and fight. Teddy had been so focused on keeping Beth's innocence that she'd forgotten to do the same for him. Could she have really saved it, after he had to kill his own mother? She shook her head, leaving Carl in one of the cells to head outside, spotting Hershel and Rick having a quiet conversation.

Sensing it was something she shouldn't intrude on she wondered around the courtyard aimlessly until she found Merle. He was smoking, sat on top of a bench. She joined him quietly, wondering where he got the cigarettes from.

"Daryl snatched 'em off a walker this morning." He spoke before she could ask. "Here." He held the cigarette out to her but she shook her head.

"Don't smoke."

"You're really worried about cancer in this world?"

"No. Just seems pointless to start an addiction when I know I'm not gonna be able to keep it going."

"Suit yourself." Merle shrugged, placing it back between his lips. "So what's on your mind Grimes Junior."

"Can I ask you a question about you and Daryl? When you were kids..."

"Depends on the question."

"Hypothetically, say Daryl was Carl's age and he wanted to fight someone you knew you wouldn't win against. Would you stand by him?"

Merle was quiet for a minute as he thought the question over and Teddy saw a hundred different emotions pass on his face that she'd never seen on him before. For a moment she thought he wasn't going to answer, but finally, he spoke.

"Yes and no." He took one last drag of the cigarette and put it out on the bench. "I'd let him know I agreed with him wanting to fight, hell I would too no doubt. But I'd put him in his place about the when and how. Remind him he ain't as experienced as me."

"Sounds like you've done this before."

"Once or twice. Daryl always hated kids at school when they'd say shit about our family. Shit that no snot nose little brat ever really understood."

"Kids can be horrible." Teddy nodded. "Not sure Carl's gonna listen to me though. He's been through so much already."

"Just needs someone to guide him right, that's all."

"Are you serious?" Teddy was staring incredulously at her father. "She just helped us get Glenn and Maggie back and you just want to hand her over to that psycho?"

"Keep your voice down." Rick placed his hand on Teddy's arm, trying to calm her but she shook him off.

"I don't trust her yet and I would think anyone who does is an idiot. But I'm not about to send her to her death... He assaulted Maggie and they were only there for less than a day. If he does that in such a short time what do you think he's gonna do to her?"

"If we don't do this, everyone here will die."

"If we do do this, everyone here is just as bad as he is. And honestly dad... Death would be better."

Teddy stormed off, heading out into the courtyard. There were walkers at the fence again and so she picked up a discarded crowbar and began to kill them, letting out her anger as she did. She could feel Daryl's eyes on her but refused to turn and look at him. He'd probably side with Rick on this one, he hadn't trusted Michonne for a second since she got here.

She knew Hershel would have no part in this, Glenn and Maggie wouldn't either. In fact, the only people who would were Rick, Daryl and probably Merle. Hell, if Rick was about to ask Merle for help then he really was desperate. Rick would never do that out of choice.

"Fuck!"

Teddy yanked the metal tool from a walkers eye socket, dropping it onto the ground and turning back to prison. She headed inside to see Rick heading up the steps to where she knew Merle was. He really was desperate. She clenched her fists absentmindedly, wondering what to do. She didn't want to give Michonne up but if Rick was this desperate, maybe there really was no other choice. Her mind wondered to Dale, wondering how he would've decided on something like this. She chuckled bitterly. Dale would've left the group long before they ever got to this point.

"You're angry." Michonne was in the doorway of the cafeteria, watching her with curious eyes.

"Mostly." She nodded. "You're guarded."

"So are you."

"Yeah." Teddy moved to take a seat at the table, watching the older woman with interest. "Are you planning on staying?"

"No." Michonne tapped the top of her leg, the bullet wound Hershel had patched up for her. "Once I'm back to regular health I'll be gone... I am grateful for the help but I don't want to impose on your family."

"Hm." Teddy smirked, understanding at least that lie from her lips. "You don't want to impose on us or you don't want to get attached to us?" Michonne opened her mouth to reply but remained silent. "I was the same at the start. So was Daryl. You won't be able to help it. People have a way of getting under your skin and anchoring you to them. If it's not us it'll be someone else. Someone like Andrea."

"Don't."

"Don't bullshit me, you and her were close. She seemed happy when she came here and saw you. Haven't seen her that happy since Amy." Michonne tilted her head, confused. "Her sister. Got bit. Andrea put her down."

"She never said."

"She wouldn't. She's Andrea... Miss, I don't need no help, I can handle it myself. It's what she does. It's what I do, what you do too no doubt." The two women shared a nod. "Look, if you really want to leave then I won't stop you. But I also wouldn't mind having another bad ass lady around, you know. We've been lacking since we lost Andrea."

"We'll get Andrea back." Michonne said softly as Teddy stood to leave. "She's not stupid. She'll realize who he really is sooner or later."

"Teddy? Teddy?" Rick's voice echoed along the walls, to the cell that Teddy was sat in. She sighed, heading down to him, wondering if he was going to try and get her to help take Michonne again. She would have no part in this, she'd already decided.

"What?"

"Plans off, but Merle and Michonne are gone." He was panting, clearly he'd been running to find her. "Daryl's gone to find them, but we need to be ready here. I need your help."

"No, you need Glenn's help. Get Glenn, Maggie, Carol, shit get everyone. I'm going after Daryl."

"But-"

"I'm not letting him go off alone, he'll get killed. Has he gone already?"

"Courtyard..." Rick watched her rush off, murmuring a 'be safe' despite the door already closing behind her.

She ran as fast as she could down the courtyard, through the gate, hollering for Daryl to wait as he was climbing on his bike. He hesitated, turning to look at her as the engine rumbled to life beneath him. She didn't stop to talk, just hopped on the back, gripping his shoulders and huffing a quick 'let's go'. Knowing arguing would be pointless, Daryl headed off out of the prison gate, towards the barn.

He stopped when he spotted Michonne coming down the street, the two of them climbing off the bike and rushing up to her.

"Hey! Where's my brother? You kill him?"

"He let me go." Michonne carried on up the street, Daryl going off ahead.

"Don't let anyone come after me."

"You going back?" Teddy asked and Michonne nodded. "Tell them we'll be back soon... I gotta make sure he's ok." Another nod and Teddy was back on Daryl's heels.

She wasn't too far behind him, both walking with weapons drawn given the amount of walkers surrounding the barn. Teddy was frowning, something was wrong it was obvious. The Governor wouldn't still be here with all of the dead around like this. And she was almost certain she'd seen some of these men before, at Woodbury.

Hearing Daryl's voice she ran quietly forward, stopping short when she saw him shoving a walker away. She raised up her gun, taking aim as she wondered why he hadn't killed it himself, until she heard his sob. The sound took her off guard, arms lowering for a split second and she finally saw the walkers arm, or lack thereof. A metal hand where his right should've been. Where it would've been had Teddy just been quicker onto that damn roof.

She took aim again, ready to finish Merle but just couldn't pull the trigger. Carl's words echoed in her head as Daryl finally pulled his knife and plunged it into Merle's head. 'It should be family.' She replaced her gun, taking out her knife for the few walkers that were still wondering as she let Daryl mourn, too fearful of straying whilst he was unfocused. She could feel the tears prickling the back of her eyes but she sniffed them away, looking up at the sky to keep her eyes dry.

Whilst she waited for Daryl to be ready to leave, she thought about Merle and all he'd done for her. People looked at him as though he were a monster, pure evil... But she knew different. She knew the man who had saved her life, took her to shelter, taught her how to fight and how to shoot, how to stand up for herself. She owed him so much and she only wished she had had the chance to repay him.

She heard Daryl's shuffling footsteps coming closer and she finally looked up to meet his eye. He didn't say anything, didn't look at her. Teddy reached out for his hand, used her fingers to grip his chin and make him look at her.

"We can bury him, if you'd like." She said softly, waiting until he nodded before heading into the barn to find a shovel.

Daryl attempted to help but she told him to sit, keep watch for walkers or anyone from Woodbury. Really it was just an excuse to make Daryl take his time rather than rushing off with a head full of shit. It took an hour or two, but eventually the grave had been dug. Daryl lifted his brothers shoulders, Teddy took his ankles and together they lowered him into the grave, wrapped in an old tarp they had found in the barn. Another hour and the grave was filled in, marked by a hastily made grave marker. It was a crude chunk of wood, hammered into the ground with 'Merle Dixon' carved into it. As a last thought Teddy knelt back at the marker carving the words 'friend and brother' beneath.

"You wanna say anything?" She asked but Daryl shook his head. "Ok. I, uh... I don't really know what I should say. Merle might not always have been a good man, but he went out one. He's got us a shot, and we'll make damn sure we use it right."

Daryl remained silent, all the way back to where they had left the bike and all the way to the courtyard of the prison. It was only as they were about to walk through the door that he finally spoke.

"Thanks." It was quiet, she would've missed it had he not caught her elbow first.

"Anytime." She nodded. "It's family."