Author's Note: Alright I know this is incredibly short and that there are like twenty million other problems with it, but it was extremely hard for me just to write. I created Mara during a point in my life when I was struggling with depression, and now that I am managing it, I have sort of lost my connection with her. So I am trying super hard to reconnect with her, that way I can keep Mara herself, but it won't be easy. Anyway I hope you enjoy this small blurb. Thank you all for your support!

~ Cassandra

"Daryl? Darry? Dare-bear? Wake up."

With a groan he opened his eyes to see a worried Mara peering over him. Her dark eyes filled with concern as they searched him for any injuries, though he was sure they weren't hard to find. He did just fall into a ravine twice after all; one in which he must've broken his ribs from the feel of them…at the very least Daryl knew he a concussion. "Lil'bit." He moaned, trying to focus better on her image. "What are you doing here? You're supposed to be back at camp."

She gave him a weary smile, but before Mara could answer a new voice spoke. One that was more than just familiar to Daryl. "You're supposed to be back at camp, Lil'bit? That's what you're worried about? Some broad that don't even care about you? Why don't you worry about what's actually important like that damn arrow in your side?" the raspy voice mocked.

Daryl blinked as the familiar image of his brother appeared next to Mara. He tried to lift his head to do a double take, only for pain to flood his brain. Yeah…he was definitely concussed, especially if he was seeing his brother around. "Why don't you stop worrying about the broad and take that damn arrow out?" Merle suggested, tilting his head silently. "You could bind the wound better."

"Merle." Daryl finally whispered, causing his brother to smirk.

"What's going on here? You taking a siesta or something? Last time I checked you weren't a lazy Mexican like this bitch here." Merle taunted. His eyes sharpening as he stared at the dark haired woman, only for Mara to return it with an add middle finger.

Another groan escaped Daryl as he plopped his head back onto the ground. As annoying as it was, he had to admit the accuracy of his hallucinations impressed him. After all, Daryl couldn't imagine his brother and Mara ever getting along. Between Merle's racist/sexist ass and Mara locking him up on that roof, the chances of forming a friendship were none. "Having a shitty day, bro." Daryl muttered.

Merle gave him a snide look. "You'd like me to get you a pillow? Maybe rub your feet?"

"I highly don't anyone wants you to rub their feet." Mara muttered, just as a soft 'screw you' escape Daryl. A small smile twitched on Daryl's lips at her words. Always rushing to his defense with some witty comeback, even when she was just a figment of his imagination.

"Huh-uh. You're the one screwed from the looks of it." Merle replied, not bothering to take Mara's bait. "All those years I spent making a man out of you. This what I get? Look at you. Lying in the dirt like a used rubber. You're gonna die out here little brother. For what?"

"A girl." Daryl rasped. "They lost a little girl."

"A little girl?" Merle questioned, before turning towards at Mara. A sadistic smirk on his face as Merle eyed her knowingly. She blinked at him. Her face contorting into that same goddamn innocent look, she always wore when confused about something. If they weren't hallucinations, Daryl would have told Merle to back off. Hell, he still had half the mind to do so. Real or not, Daryl didn't want to Mara to even get a hint of his attraction to her. Mainly, because he knew…knew that the moment Merle spilt the beans, it would become real. So much so that he would no longer be able to avoid the truth from himself. "Since when are you into little girls? I always thought you had a thing for Latina women. Specifically ones who like to lock people on roofs-"

"What's your point?" Mara snapped.

"My point is he's out here searching for some little girl, when he should be looking for his own flesh and blood." Merle replied. "And for what a pair of average size tits? I mean if she were some bombshell, I'd get it. But this…this is pathetic."

"Shut up." Daryl murmured. He tried to ignore the guilt flooding him at Merle's words. For as much as Daryl didn't want to admit it, Merle was right. After what happened in Atlanta between the vatos and the camp being attacked, Daryl really hadn't made much of an effort to find his brother. Sure he worried about him often, but Daryl had his own survival to worry about. And unlike Merle, Daryl knew his chances of survival were better in a group. Besides …. he was tired of doing things on his own. "Tried like hell to find you, bro."

"Like hell you did. You split man. Lit out first chance, you got." Merle pressed.

He shook his head slightly. "You lit out. All you had to do was wait. We went back for you. Rick, Mara and I, we did right by you."

"This the same Rick that cuffed me to the rooftop in the first place? Forced me to cut off my own hand? And the woman who saw it all coming before it even happened? The woman who did nothing to stop it? This them we're talking about?" Merle questioned. "You his bitch now? Or hers?"

"I ain't no one's bitch." Daryl answered.

"You're a joke is what you are. Playing errand boy to bunch of pansy-ass niggers and democrats. Pussy whipped by a woman who doesn't even think twice about you." Merle chuckled. "You're nothing but a freak to them. Redneck trash. That's all you are. They're laughing at you behind your ass. She's laughing at you back your back, while fucking your beloved Rick. You know that don't you? I got news for you, son. One day they gonna scrape you off their heels like you was dogshit."

Having enough of his words, Daryl looked away. He didn't want to hear about it. Didn't want to hear about that he already knew. That a girl like Mara didn't fall for a man like him. That despite their distance, Daryl could still see Mara's attraction to Officer Friendly. But moreover that Daryl had already been down this route and knew its endings. "Don't listen to him." Mara said, now crouched down next to him. Her hand brushed gently against his cheek. "We don't think you're trash. Let alone a freak. In fact, if anyone is a freak, it's me. I mean I have visions for Pete's sake, tell me something freakier than that."

"He's right. You don't see me." Daryl whispered. "You only see Rick."

Her mouth quirked slightly as amusement filled her eyes. "I see both of you. If I didn't we wouldn't be best friends now would we?"

"We ain't friend anything Lil'bit." He muttered, closing his eyes.

"Whatever you say Dare-bear." Mara replied. Her foot kicked the side of his boot playfully. "Just do me a favor a stop stealing horses will ya? They're bad luck."

"Will you knock it off with the damn nickname?" Daryl snapped. Besides them, Merle snickered obviously getting a kick out of the disgustingly cute nickname she bestowed upon him. Silently Daryl swore. Hallucinations or not, he'd definitely be having a talk with that damn girl about her pet name for him. Forcing himself in an upright position, Daryl opened his eyes to glare at Mara only for his vision of her to disappear. There in her stead was something way worse than an annoying woman with unruly hair…

Thank you all so much for your support. I know this is really short and you've all been waiting forever, but I finally gotten into a university and it is seriously kicking my butt. I can go on and on about all the homework I have, but I won't. I want to thank you all once again for all your support. I'd thank you all personally, but there are so many of you it's overwhelming! :') Thanks once again and I'll work hard to update the next chapter.