Enjoy.

Carol watched the back and forth between the men. Hershel seemed to be getting flustered and Rick riled up while Glenn tried to soothe it all. She knew her group and knew that Rick would have game in here with a game plan laid out. From the way Hershel was reacting she knew that he'd strayed from it. It was frustrating but it was Rick and she couldn't help but to swallow when she got a look at Merle's face.

Martinez was next to him and the normally quiet and stoic man looked like he was getting ready to snap. Maybe that was the best indicator for how this was going. She knew that she wasn't going back to the prison and Andrea was staying here with her. Rick was making a mistake right now and not just for himself.

"Excuse me." Carol cleared her throat.

All eyes turned to hers but Rick's was last. He gave her a look that she'd seen before that demanded her to listen and follow him. It worked so well over the winter months when he was leading them but she wasn't his child or wife, she wasn't going to just roll over.

"I think you need consider the situation, Rick." Carol stared hard, "Things are different now and these men have done everything they can to protect these people here. They took me and Andrea in without thought." Carol looked to Andrea and she was nodding and smiling, "Daryl saved Sophia without batting an eyelash and they got her here. The soldiers here that served under Merle have went out and brought people back. They continue to help where they can and you can't discredit that."

Rick's eyes hardened, "I'm not discrediting what they've done." He snapped.

She seen every Dixon tense and Martinez lean forward. Carol swallowed thickly and felt her anger rising.

"Rick you need to shut the fuck up for once and just listen." Andrea snarled hands slamming on to the table, "They offered the group, the GROUP, a place to stay here. They done it because that prison isn't a home or safe. They have room here." She pushed away from the table crossing her arms and glaring down at the entire group before her, "This isn't just your decision as much as you'd like to believe that. It's all of theirs. You don't get to decide if they move on or not, just like it wasn't all Merle's decision to let you in here. "

Carol looked towards Merle but his eyes were closed off and his face just as shut down. She could imagine the military man that was looking down his rifle sighted in on a target. Carol followed his eyes and felt her throat dry up as he glared hard at Rick.

"Andrea has a point, Rick, this is a decision for each person." Hershel nodded, "You know where I stand on this." Carol smiled and Hershel rose from his seat, "Do what is best for your family."

The group broke up shortly after that and Carol was left stunned. She needed to talk to Daryl about what happened outside. She'd all but confirmed he was her husband. From what little she'd gathered and knew about him, that very well could have been a mistake. He'd been tense through most of the meeting and only interrupting his brother's and Rick when things got too heated. She also wasn't blind to the way Rick reacted to be silenced by him. It was visceral and angry.

"Carol."

Carol put a smile on and met Rick's eyes. "You decided what you'll be doing?"

Rick set his jaw and pinched the bridge of his nose. His head was tilted down as his hands went to settle on his hip, "I have. I won't break the group up, we've made it this far together."

Carol nodded sadly. "They aren't bad people."

Rick gave a disinterested snort, "They seem to like you good enough."

She wasn't sure where this was going but Daryl's words blared like a warning in her head. He seen right through Rick in what little time she'd been around him. Rick stepped closer to her as they started outside. She immediately felt eyes on her and growled seeing Karen. She didn't like that woman but she felt smug satisfaction seeing the darkening of bruise on her face.

Merle was talking to her as she waved her arms around like a lunatic. She was no doubt bitching about Daryl and Carol both. Merle's eyes turned to her for a second looking exasperated, they were soft though and she smiled. He smirked but it was gone when Rick stepped next to her again. He eyed them both and she seen something wash into his eyes that made her tense.

"What's this I hear about you being married?" Rick questioned. His face was concerned and he gripped her arm turning her towards him.

Carol chuckled, "Long story."

Rick made a face but covered it quickly, "We've got time."

Carol really didn't feel like explaining her or Daryl to him. Firstly because she was still confused not only from everyone else seemingly pushing them together, but because she was attracted to him in a way she'd never experienced before. It was startling. It boiled mostly down to it really wasn't his business. She knew that privacy wasn't much anymore but some things were still your own to keep and this was hers, and well Daryls.

Sophia thundered by suddenly with Brian. Rick's eyes went to her and she seen regret there. Her daughter hadn't so much as looked at Rick one time. There was no recognition in her eyes or even interest. Brian looked though and his eyes went to the hand Rick had on her arm. He sneered before meeting her eyes and looking away. She followed where they were going. She was always tracking Sophia around but here she didn't worry like she would have anywhere else. It wasn't these walls either that gave her that ease. It was Brian. He was always with her and like his dad and uncles he was a survivor built for this world. She seen it in the woods and the way they worked together. He'd put Sophia first if something ever happened. She was convinced all the Dixon's would, even Martines, and the soldiers. They loved her daughter.

"MERLE!" Sophia howled.

Rick's eyes shot over and Carol grinned. Merle was taunting her keeping her pinned to his shoulder. He didn't seem a bit bothered by all her thrashing. Daryl was there laughing and saying something to her. Daryl made a motion like throwing an elbow and Sophia done just that. Merle's head rocked to the side and Sophia kicked off him landing on her feet. She sprinted for Daryl and he smiled proudly.

Mac guffawed. He spun where he was at and his arm shot out catching Sophia across the stomach. Suddenly her daughter was in his arms as he took off. Daryl dodged Merle and trailed after Mac and Brian done the same. Merle was smiling though and went with them. Carol felt her curiosity piqued and followed after them. Rick was with her and she seen Carl appear. He looked excited and she smiled down at him.

"Where's Sophia? Dad said she was here..."

Brian was ahead clapping his hands and laughing elbowing Daryl and Merle both. Whatever was going on apparently had all the Dixon's laughing and Sophia struggling against Mac. Sophia's eyes went to Daryl again but this time she couldn't see his face. Whatever it was she smiled looking so much like him in that moment that Carol's heart thundered.

Sophia went to hit Mac but he caught her arm. "I think not little shit." Mac laughed, "Shit might work on Merle but you fucked up today."

Sophia whined, "But Macccccc Daryl told me to do it!"

Mac's eyes swung around onto Daryl and he shrugged. "Don't worry little DIxon he'll get his too."

Sophia squawked when was suddenly launched into the air. Legs and arms windmilling and Carol felt bile rise in her throat. What the fuck was he doing? She ran forward but it was too late and Sophia slapped hard. The splash of water that rocked up over Mac and her both standing there had Merle snorting.

Mac looked at her raising a brow, "You think I'd hurt that girl?" His voice was sharp, "Her ass started it."

Sophia came up sputtering and grinned. She paddled around before settling and laying on her back glaring at Mac. "This isn't over."

Mac hummed at her. He and Merle crossed their arms over their chest meeting each other's eyes. Daryl was close but not in arms reach but they were looking at him. Martinez walked up behind Mac and grinned at Daryl. He kicked him in the back of the knee causing it to buckle and Daryl moved quickly while Merle was looking at the others. Both brothers splashed theatrically into the water. The only other sound was a sharp laugh from Hannah followed by Brian and Daryl's thunderous laugh. Sophia paddled forward and climbed right up on Merle's shoulders.

"Mess with the bull get the horns." She hissed before forcing his head under water again.

Rick stood silently next to her but Carl was laughing. Sophia climbed out of the water and made a beeline for Daryl. He backed away from her but she caught him and soaked him while hugging him. Daryl snorted but didn't force her away and Carol felt her chest tighten. Daryl was smiling down at her and Sophia had all the adoration a young girl could ever have for a father.

"How can you think these men would be anything but good, Rick?" Carol whispered, "This place will be good for everyone.