Daryl took a seat next to Merle as he stared Rick down. Sophia was Brian and Hannah while this shit went on. He didn't want to be here. Hell he never dealt with this shit before leaving it to Martinez and Merle. This time though he had no choice was to grin and bear it. Mac was there next to him his posture that of a man relaxed and at ease but his eyes burning with a wrath that he knew too well. Mac was cocked and loaded not one to forgive.

Carol was across from him her eyes going between Merle and Rick. She huffed and Andrea next to her kept smiling shaking her head. The other man next to him he learned was named T-dogg looked nervous and Hershel looked to be at ease like always. It was all bullshit. These three men facing the Dixons when really it was none of their business or decision. It was Carol's. It was Carol's daughter.

"This place seems to be run smoothly." Rick started.

"It is." Merle snapped.

Rick nodded and never looked away, "Sophia is part of our group though."

Merle leaned forward his face contorting into a mask of rage. Daryl caught his wrist pulling him back his own anger peaking out and he felt eyes on him. He shook his head at his brother but he should have been watching both of them.

"Is your group often in the habit of abandoning kids?" Mac snarled.

Rick's eyes shot to him wide and angry, "We didn't abandon her."

"She was out there days." Mac snarled, "Daryl found her he killed those motherfuckers that were after her. He kept her fed, he kept her safe, he damn near died for her before ever getting back to us." Mac's voice was carrying loudly around the room. "BECAUSE YOU DON'T LEAVE FUCKING KIDS!"

Rick flinched and guilt slashed across his eyes, "We searched! We didn't give up."

Carol cleared her throat looking to Daryl. At her soft movements and eyes she studied him. He wanted to shift away from her but like her daughter she commanded his presence.

"I haven't got a chance to just talk to you." Carol's eyes were more aware than anyone else. He didn't like the look she was giving him. She was looking at him like she could see the pain behind this entire meeting. Like she knew how bad this was upsetting him and how the pain just kept growing and growing. "I think before anything else is said that can't be taken back that is something we need to do."

Daryl nodded at her words. It was true. Every time it would have been sensible for her to talk to him someone was there. He knew she was wanting him alone. Alone was something he got through with his brothers freaking out over him being hurt.

"Carol we need to get back. We've bee-" Rick started.

Carol turned looking at him, "Then go. You know where I am but I can't leave here until things are settled."

Rick visibly blanched and Andrea's eyebrow raised at the man. He got the idea that she knew about this before the meeting. Merle stood and motioned his brother's up.

"Talk. When you're ready Carol he'll be there."

They all turned walking out but not before Carol's eyes met his again. She had an almost pleading look that begged him to understand but he turned away from it. It could only mean one thing. He felt himself shutting down. He felt cold.

Stepping outside into the sunlight he closed his eyes and tilted his head back letting it warm his chilled skin. Mac was next to him glaring at the door.

"I want to hit that cocky bastard."

Merle snorted, "Felt good."

"Oh fuck you. Next time I'm the one who gets to punch someone."

Daryl snorted before walking away from them both. He figured they'd follow him. They didn't and he felt their eyes on him. Looking over his shoulder he seen both of them leaned in talking quickly. Their eyes kept going to him. They were up to something. He knew them to good to not know when they were up to some shit.

Daryl felt eyes on him and seen Karen. She smiled at him with some stupid dopey ass look. He really wished if Mac was wanting to punch someone he'd just go ahead and give and hit that bitch. He didn't believe in hitting women but Mac was always going on about how he didn't believe in it either but he'd beat a bitch. Shaking his head and smiling he walked on towards the back where the watch platform was. He climbed up seeing Carter lounging in the sun.

Daryl looked at him and Carter grinned, "And I free masta?"

"Is there a reason you're talking like that?" Daryl snorted.

"Fuck. Heat sickness." He grinned and jumped from the platform walking away.

Daryl stared out into the woods. He preferred the back watch to the front. The front showed you streets and houses that were over run. Here though he had woods to gaze out into . Woods to silently watch and track animals. It wasn't often walkers came this way but he'd take what he could get. It was more peaceful and no one really came back here.

Daryl done like Carter and kicked out his eyes cast to the woods still. The sun felt good against his sore muscles as he stretched and arched his back. He cut his eyes over seeing her coming his way. He kept his face passive waiting to see which fatal blow she'd deal him first.

"Can I come up?"

Daryl looked down at her and nodded. Carol walked up and took a seat next to him. She held a water out to him and he raised a brow.

"Your brothers said you would be back here. Mac shoved these at me saying you didn't take anything."

Daryl nodded accepting the water. Carol's eyes were still on him and he scowled as he swiped the water away.

"She loves you." Carol's voice was quiet."I didn't expect this."

Daryl smiled slightly it was barely an upturn of his lips but it was enough.

"She called you dad and she never called Ed that in all the years he was alive." Carol's voice held a slight tremble. "I want, no I need to thank you for saving my girl Daryl."

He shook his head, "Anyone would have done it."

"I'm sure a good number of people would have but not everyone has as good intentions as you did." Carol's voice held a profound sorrow that made him shift and look at her. "Her father wasn't a good man. She was always so stiff, tense, and quiet around him. Fearful of life and even being around. You wiped that away from her. She's what she should have always been. She told me you were the man she'd always wished for."

Daryl felt his chest tighten.

"She talked about you." Daryl's voice was low and quiet. "Always just you. Never anyone else really. She told me about her father once but nothing specific but it was enough."

Carol nodded at it words and smiled.

They were quiet for a while. The sound of laughter made him look over and sure enough Sophia and Brian were walking towards him. He watched silently and felt Carol shift next to him to be able to see as well.

"I've never seen her laugh or smile so much." Carol looked at him for a minute before her eyes went back to Sophia. "I guess thats something else I need to thank you for."

"No." He shook his head, "She just needed a chance."

Carol and him watched as Sophia and Brian raced off laughing loudly. He snorted before looking back out at the woods. Carol was silent for a while.

"Rick means well." Her voice was soft. "We've been through a lot out there."

Daryl nodded. He figured as much when he'd been at the prison.

"She told me you were her family...you and your brothers." Carol blew out a breath, "She didn't ask about the group we were with. She didn't ask about those people but she was so excited for me to meet everyone she's gotten close to."

Daryl licked his lips and took a drink of his water. He was stalling unsure what to say to her.

"She is family." His voice was rough, "There isn't a one of us that wouldn't do everything we could for her even if that meant dying to keep her safe. Came close a few times but we got here and she is safe."

Carol rubbed her arms both quiet as the sun climbed higher. "Rick wants to head back."

It was a statement of fact but he felt like she was asking him something. Daryl cut his eyes over to her and seen hers wide and scared. It was strange to see on her. She seemed so strong to him but like him she had a weakness, a very mouthy weakness that had the ability to break them both.

"Are you?"

Carol sucked in a breath looking at him. "I can't take her from here...I won't take her from-"

Carol's voice died off but he stared at her and her eyes focused on him even more. He knew what she was going to say. She would separate them. It wasn't what Sophia wanted. Sophia came to him even this morning tell him she'd be damned if she walked out those gates and he didn't go with her. She made him promise they'd stay together.

"I heard her talking to you this morning." Carol started. "I wasn't trying to spy but the more upset she got the louder she was."

Daryl rubbed at his face, "Yeah I'm use to that."

"You're good with her." Carol smiled at him.

He felt his face heat up and she grinned suddenly.

"She don't want you to leave." He spoke quietly.

Carol looked over sharply, "What?"

Daryl looked at her and the studied her. There was an unsure quality to her voice almost fragile. He stood and she did as well not letting him get away from her. Mother like daughter.

"She made me promise her the minute I killed those dead fucks that I'd find you. She cried for you and had nightmares. After everyone she always woke up and asked me to promise her I'd find you." Daryl looked over briefly. "I went out over these months looking for any sign of a woman I've never met because your daughter needs you."

Carol had tears in her eyes and she swiped at them. "She didn't tell me about her nightmares. She told me about your promise."

His face heated up again and he nodded crossing his arms over his chest, "Safest place for her is here Carol." His voice was determined. "I'm not going to lie and say some shit about how you should do what needs to be done because you're her mother. I've put myself between her and everything out there to keep her safe her life always before mine and I'm telling you that she's safer here. I'm telling you this but I don't want her to leave" His voice was hoarse.

Carol looked at him and he shifted again, "I'm not leaving. I can't."