Author's Note: Hey guys! Umm…before I start I just want to apologize for it practically being a year since I've updated. A lot stuff has happened in my life since I've last seen you guys, and only a few of them good. So between that drama and the major writing block of trying to figure out how to write this chapter, it easy to see I've had issues. Anyway I know is perhaps one of the shortest chapter in forever, but I hope you guys enjoy it nonetheless.
In brighter new, next chapter is planned to come out no later than Thursday since I've already have half of it written (it would have been attached to this chapter, but it simply just didn't work) Anyway, thanks for all the love and support I've gotten from you guys, it really makes my life easier. So hopefully I didn't let you down this chapter. Love!
~Cassandra
Mara felt her breathe get caught in her throat as she watched Rick and Shane drag the unconscious Daryl to the farm house. He was bloody and covered in dirt-looking like a walker more than a human. The sight was enough to make Mara pause in fear. Was he dead? No, he couldn't have been. Daryl survived onto season three from what her brother's told her. There was no way he could be dead-unless the plotline changed. Just like it had when she intercepted that bullet from Carl. "Is-Is he dead?" Mara couldn't help, but croak.
Her hands shook slightly at her side. For the first time ever Mara was scared. She had seen people get eaten alive, the dead rise back from the grave, and a whole bunch of other gruesome sights, however they never really connected with her. The fact that these were actual people-that she cared about, never really hit until now. Sure Mara would warn them of danger when a vision came up, but she never actually felt too panicked about it. Knowing the plotline of the show halfway through season three helped with that.
"No, just unconscious. The bullet thankfully skimmed him." Rick informed her.
"Bullet? What bullet?" Mara felt her voice rising as she followed them into the farmhouse. "Why was there a bullet shot at him-who shot him?"
A small chuckle escaped from Shane, making Mara glare up at him. She wanted her answers now! Unfortunately, her glare did nothing, but cause Shane to give her a fond look. "I ain't ever seen you this worked up about somethin'. Not even with the CDC exploding or the walkers attacking camp."
Her frown deepened at his words. While Shane and her were now on friendly terms, they weren't friendly enough terms for her to feel comfortable with him noticing things about her. That was strictly a Rick and Daryl area only. "That's not true. I was plenty scared back at the CDC and when the walkers attacked camp, I nearly froze with fear."
"But you didn't." Rick reminded suddenly taking part in the conversation. "You came swinging at those walkers, just like you do every time you face danger."
"Just like everyone does whenever they face danger." Mara corrected. She honestly had no idea how this conversation went from Daryl to her, but she wasn't liking it. If either Shane or Rick thought they could distract her with small talk, they were wrong. One way or another Mara would find out what happened to Daryl. Even if it meant forcing it out of someone somehow. "Now quit stalling and tell me what the fuck happened?"
"Actually I'd liked to know, myself." Hershel's voice came from behind. They turned slightly to see the older man frowning at them. Besides them stood an equally enraged Easton, who finally decided to make his appearance for the day. Though Mara was pretty sure her brother's anger stemmed from a different reason than Hershel's. Not that she cared. If this was indeed scripted, then Easton knew all along Daryl would get hurt. Moreover he knew and didn't tell her.
Rick and Shane shared a look trying to figure out what to say. Or at the very least Rick was trying to figure out what to say. Despite being bedridden Mara knew all about Hershel's anti-gun laws as well as him wanting to deal with walkers not them. They were slightly outrageous, but simple enough to follow, until someone could convince him otherwise. Yet here they were less than two days at the farm and someone already broke rule numero uno. And if Mara had to guess it was most likely they'd break rule numero dos as well. "Hershel, if I may make a suggestion…" Easton said softly, "Let them get Daryl inside first and looked over before we start the integration. From what I can tell he's just bloodied up, but you know as well as I do that seeing isn't always enough."
Hershel gave him a sideways glance, but nodded none the less. "Put him in the room across of Mara's. I'll be there to look at him in a second. Just going to grab some supplies, since it appears that I'll be taking care of your friend."
"We very much appreciate it." Rick replied.
Hershel gave another disapproving glance, but made no remark. He simply turned on his heels and walked to wherever his supplies where at. Letting his silence speak in volumes for him. A sigh escaped Mara was she watched the old man disappear. This was definitely not going to make anything easier for them. "Thanks man." Shane suddenly spoke to her brother. "For a minute there I thought I'd have to force our way inside."
"Then you obviously don't know Hershel that well." Easton stated, a pinch of coldness in his tone. "He's a good man-a pious one. Even if he disagrees with your way of living, Hershel is too good to let a man die."
"Yeah well, our way of living is what's kept us alive so far. And we ain't going to trade it just because Farmer Joe believes he knows better." Shane muttered softly.
A frown made its way onto Rick's face. Instantly Mara was reminded of earlier that day, when Rick came up to her. The fury in his eyes was nowhere on the same volume as it had been earlier, but the fear was. The fear that Shane would somehow ruin their chance at shelter. "Shane-" Rick started to warn, but Mara intervened.
"Let's get Daryl inside first, before we all start talking on what's the right way of living." Mara suggested, though her tone left no room for argument. They were already in hot as it was with Hershel. There was no need to put them even further in it, because of Shane unwavering view point. Especially when Daryl's life could be hanging by a thread for all Mara knew.
She glanced over to said man. A frown beginning to mar her face at the thought. No...Mara had already been through this. Daryl was too stubborn to die over something so stupid. Besides the show wouldn't do that to such a popular character as Daryl-would they? Mara was sure they wouldn't. Not with all those 'if Daryl dies, we riot,' shirts going around. It would be like giving one of the Winchesters a girlfriend…a.k.a end with someone getting killed. Only instead of it being Sam's love interest burning or being shot, it would be an actual human being… "Season three. Season three. Season three." Mara chanted to herself as she followed them into the spare bedroom.
If anyone heard her, they didn't say anything. All probably figuring it was just another weird Mara habit like when she kept telling Rick her visions would stop half way through episode four. Ha! Like that happened. They were well passed episode four and Mara was still seeing shit-well, she was actually truly seeing shit instead of making it up. Between the attack on camp, the CDC explosion and Lori being pregnant- "Shit!" Mara cried, suddenly remembering her previous mission.
She was trying to hunt Lori down, when gunshot interrupted her search. And like any person living in a zombie apocalypse, Mara immediately dropped everything to find out what the hell was going on-though if Mara thought about it that would be anyone's reaction, zombie apocalypse or not. Either way, the point was between the gunshot and a near death Daryl, Mara had completely forgotten about her original mission.
The urge to let out an exasperated sigh was strong. With Daryl in surgery or whatever medical practices needed to keep him alive as deemed by Hershel and Easton, there was no way Mara would be leaving his side anytime soon. Which meant speaking with Lori would have to be filed under her 'things to do' list, alongside find Sophia. A list that Mara felt like was growing in extreme proportions every day. "He's going to be okay, Mara. Don't worry about." Rick's gentle voice assured her.
Mara nodded taking one last glance at Daryl. He was out could currently, but with the lack of anesthesia due to her surgery, there was no doubt he'd be up when the switching started. Her dark eyes flashed over to her brother and Hershel at the thought. Daryl was a tough man. There was no doubt he could handle the pain. Hell, it was Daryl himself who commiserated with Mara after she got a concussion back in Atlanta. Telling her that concussions could be a bitch…still that didn't mean Mara wanted him to have to man up through the pain of stitches.
"We're going to have to clean him up first. The boy has more layers of grim on him, than one of my pigs." Hershel stated. "I can't even tell what is a bruise and what is dirt."
"I'll start to undress him, if you ask Patricia to fill a bucket?" Easton offered, earning a nod from the older man. He reached down to pull off Daryl's shirt, when a realization hit him…they had an audience. And while Easton had no problem with Shane, Rick or anyone else seeing Daryl's anatomy. There was still a part of Easton-a very large part of Easton-that didn't want his little sister to see it.
It was the same exact part that didn't want to realize Mara was a grown woman. Let alone realize that Mara was a grown woman who could handle herself. But more than anything it was the part of Easton that still wanted to believe Mara was that five year old girl, he used buy Legolas posters for. The one who went through about two fictional characters a year, but never looked twice at real men. No, that Mara's eyes never glanced towards real available men. It was only now when in a different reality, where the lines of imagination and realism were blurred di Mara begin to notice the opposite sex. And after years of not noticing the men around her, his dear little sister found herself attracted to two. Perhaps the worst of it all was that the feelings were mutual.
"You guys should leave. Sitting around here worrying isn't going to help anyone. And if Daryl does need surgery, we'll need it to be absolutely quiet." Easton partially lied. From what little he could see with all the dirt covering Daryl, it appeared that the man wouldn't need surgery. Just some stitches and maybe a splint or two for his ribs. Nothing real drastic like when Mara was shot thankfully. Luckily though none of them seemed to catch on-
"Oh please, you just don't want me in the same room as a naked man." Mara snorted, causing the two other men to give him curious looks. "What are we? Twelve? I know what a penis looks like for Pete's sake, and before you freak out-yes I am still a virgin. Now for the love of god, either undress him so you can begin work or I'll do it myself. Army strong my ass."
Both Shane and Rick snorted amused looks breaking out onto their faces. Easton sighed, wanting to disappear. That was just a little too much personal information for him. Plus leave it to his sister to turn a serious situation into a circus. "Come on, Mara. He's right, staying here will do us no good." Rick mentioned, placing a hand on her shoulder.
Slowly the Sherriff's deputy guided Mara out the door. Shane followed quickly after with a snort. "Even if the real reason is because he's worried about your chastity."
"What's there to worry about?" was the last pipe Easton heard from her as Hershel entered the room with the bucket, soap and washing cloth. Silently the man closed the door behind him, giving Easton a questioning look as to what he just walked in on. Easton shook his head signaling that Hershel did not want to know, then back to work to undress Daryl. Thinking the whole time, how happy he was Mara wasn't there. If she was…lord only knew the chaos she'd bring with her.
Special thanks to all those who reviewed. Normally here is where I would take the time to thank you all, however it's two AM and I have a ten hour shift tomorrow. So next chapter will have to make up for it, but thank you everyone who reviewed. I am overwhelmed by the sheer amount of you who like this story and hope you continue to review. After all it is because of your reviews that this story stays alive.