A/N Thank you everyone! You're the best. Once again we had a lot going on, and right there at the end Merle Dixon came rolling in.

All hell is about to break loose in more ways than one. Enjoy!

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"Merle's here." He's wrapping his hand around hers as he says the words and gives a gentle tug, "C'mon."

Beth hasn't had a chance to fully grasp what's going on. For now, she's simply following his lead. They hop out of the van just as the engine of a big pickup shuts down.

It's one of those models with a full-size cab, two full rows of seating and four doors. Beth's eyes immediately track to the gunrack mounted in the back window, it's fully loaded with two shotguns and two rifles. One of those rifles looks like an assault weapon that could knock down an elephant.

That particular accessory item, combined with the size of the pickup and it's solid black color add an intimidation factor to the vehicle, and there's something else that seems a little threatening. There's an old school black on chrome chopped motorcycle strapped down in the pickup bed.

Most intimidating of all is the fellow driving.

Daryl's brother steps from the pickup and Beth hopes her mouth didn't just drop open. She's not sure what she expected, she just knows she didn't imagine someone quite like him. Rough hewn comes to mind. He's big and brawny with a lined and weathered face, and his chiseled jaw is set. He's older than Daryl by several years, his coloring is more fair, and unlike Daryl, he wears his hair close-cropped. There are also unmistakable similarities, he has the same broad shoulders and muscular build as his younger brother.

He's dressed like someone she'd expect to see riding the chopper, right down to his leather wrist bands, leather vest and big boots with chains wrapped around the ankles. Like Daryl, he seems to prefer his shirts with the sleeves ripped off, and his eyes are the same piercing blue.

Something she never would have expected happens next, a huge smile crosses the man's face as he grabs Daryl in a kind of one-armed hug. It's clear the action makes Daryl uncomfortable, but it doesn't last long. Just as quickly Merle lets him loose and bellows, "Little brother! How the hell ya doin' kid? And who's this little bit of sweetness you're hangin' on to?"

He doesn't wait for an answer, he looks at Beth with that big grin still on his face and says, "Hey there Little Darlin'."

Daryl's first words to his brother come out as a low growl when he issues a warning, "Best watch yourself Merle, she's special."

Merle's hands go up like he's praising the Lord when he promises, "Just look at me brother, I'm bein' a real good boy."

He turns to Beth again, that enormous smile still plastered on his face but now he's all-gentleman, "Hello there Miss, my name's Merle Dixon, n who might you be?"

Beth tries her best to look and sound like this is no big deal, even though she can't recall ever being more nervous meeting someone, "Hi Merle, I'm Beth Greene."

"Beth! Well I'll be damned, your Amy's friend. She told me all about ya n this place here. She said if you was ta get outta Atlanta this'd be where ya headed." His expression suddenly becomes more serious, "Well it's real, real nice ta meet ya, n I know this is home, but I'm sorry ta say, we gotta get the hell outta here, fast."

Daryl appears restless and agitated, it's obvious he has no patience with his brother, "What the fuck you talkin' about Merle? What's goin' on?"

Merle snorts a laugh, and says, "C'mon now, don't be like that little brother."

Daryl recognizes it then, something serious really is going on. Behind the grinning, the bluster and the thundering voice he can see the seriousness in his brother's eyes. He calms down a little and asks again, "What's goin' on Merle?"

Merle explains, "Ya probably heard me n that dumbass deputy had a little fallin' out back at quarry. I don't mean Officer Friendly, the other one. The one who's shaggin' Friendly's old lady."

Daryl shakes his head, "Yeah, I heard ya got your ass kicked outta there, that ain't surprisin'."

Beth has the urge to tell them to stop this and talk like civil human beings. My goodness, Daryl wanted so badly to find his brother and now he acts like he can't stand the sight of him, and Merle seems to be feeding off that.

Beth just wants to know what the heck is going on. Why do they suddenly have to leave? What's the big emergency?

Merle's brows are furrowed and there's a dark look in his eyes that worries Beth, are the brothers about to fight, an actual physical confrontation? Then Merle snarls, "Watch yourself kid, ya might wanna take a step back til ya heard the whole story."

Just as quickly his mood changes again, he's back to being caring and concerned, "Lemme just tell ya, I did have a run-in with Deputy Dickhead over there, and yeah, I took off outta their camp, but I been keepin' track of where they're at."

Daryl's confused, "Why the hell would ya follow that bunch around?"

"Simple, I was lookin' out for Amy, the widow lady and her girl too. I ain't lettin' that bastard get em killed." Then he nods his head and admits, "I did wander away for a bit though, yesterday, just before the little girl went missin'. I needed gear n I remembered a campground about 30 miles east a here. When I got there I seen they got hit hard, no one was left. I got me a good tent, sleepin' bags, all kinda camping gear. It's all right here in the back a the pickup with the bike."

"If they wanna go, I plan on takin' Amy, that woman Carol n her little girl with me. What we got ahead of us is gonna be hard on women n the little ones. They won't make it on their own, lest ways not til I teach em how."

Daryl asks, "When did you get so protective Merle?"

"Since I met some nice ladies who deserve ta be protected. Besides little brother, I never done such a terrible job lookin' out for you. You aint' dead, are ya?"

Daryl's been listening closely to every word, but he still doesn't know what the hell his brother thinks the big threat is, "Merle, what the fuck is goin' on? This seems as safe as any other place, why do we all gotta leave?"

Merle laughs but there's no humor in it, "Shit little brother, did I forget ta tell that part? I was scoutin' and I came across a whole army a them dead bastards headin' straight for this farm. Best guess is, there's at least 500 of em. They're tight, damn near like a military unit on the march. At the pace they're keepin', I'ma guess they'll be here in about three hours. There ain't no way this group can fight em off, everyone needs ta pack their shit n get outta here."

The words are no sooner out of his mouth than Amy comes running from the farmhouse and straight to him, "Merle! Merle you're here!"

"I am indeed Sugar, didn't ol Merle promise ya he'd be back ta take care of ya?"

Amy's giggling like a school girl, "You did, but I thought it was just one of those man promises."

He chuckles at that, "A man promise?"

She turns red and says, "Yeah, you know the kind men make when they plan to run off and never see you again."

Now he starts to belly laugh, "Yeah, I know about them kind a promises, kid. I mighta made one or two of em myself over the years, but I didn't make one ta you. I never would. C'mon now, you're gonna ride with me in the pickup. Ya get ya some warm clothes. I got a knife n a gun for ya."

Amy's confused and concerned, "What's going on Merle?"

He quickly runs the whole story down for her and promises, "You just stick with me Sugar, I'll make sure nuthin' bothers ya."

That's what she plans to do, stick with Merle. This man has saved her before, and there's no one she'd trust more to do it again, "Okay." She looks to her friend, "You're going too, aren't you Beth?"

"Yes, me and Daryl."

Amy and Beth are sharing a spontaneous hug when Merle encourages, "That's real sweet, but ya hurry now n get your things."

Amy smiles at him, "I will."

Merle turns to his brother, "You got the hippie wagon loaded n ready?"

Daryl starts off with a quick, "Fuck you, Merle," but continues, "Yeah, me n Beth was gonna head out in the mornin' ta look for you. Why the hell I'd bother I got no idea. Anyway, I guess we'll just go a little sooner than we planned. The rig's gassed up, I just gotta check the oil and the tire pressure. Then we're set."

"A'ight, I'ma go find the widow and the little girl. The rest a them folks can follow us, or they can go piss up a rope for all care."

When Merle turns and begins walking toward the camp, Beth turns to Daryl, "Oh my gawd Daryl, this is so scary. Do you think it's true? Could 500 walkers really be headed this way?"

"80% a the time Merle's fulla shit, but he ain't lyin' about this. I'd know if he was. You're ready right?"

"Yes, I'm ready."

"Ya be sure'n keep your gun n your knife right with ya, n ya stick by me. K?"

"Yes, but Daryl, I need to talk to Maggie and Daddy. I have to convince them to leave too."

"K, but stay close ta the house, in the van or next ta me. I'ma talk ta Rick. He can let his group know what's goin' on and then it's like Merle said, they're either comin' or they ain't, it's their call."

Maggie's as horrified by the thought of 500 dead people converging on the farm as Beth is. She promptly agrees, "Okay, there's still some gas in the farm tank. I'll fill up my car, then I guess I just pack up everything I can fit in it."

Beth's not new to this, she explains, "Maggie, chances are you'll be sleeping in your car, we have to think about that. You should maybe try and stick with the bare minimum, food, a warm coat and weapons are the priority."

"Okay...oh my gawd Beth, is this really happening?"

Glenn suggests, "If you ladies have it covered, I'll go see if I can help at the camp."

Maggie nods, "Good idea, we've got this."

Beth reminds him, "Take a knife or whatever kind of weapon you've got Glenn."

He nods, "I never thought I'd be a gun owner, but since all this started I've managed to get myself a pistol and a Bowie knife."

Herschel Greene remains as stubborn as an ox, "I'm staying right here. I'll fight, I'll die if I have to, but I will not be forced from my home by anyone or anything."

Beth tries to get through to him, "Daddy, be reasonable, how in the world are you going to fight off 500 of those dead things? Please Daddy, it's not worth dying over and there might be a chance that if we leave now, once the dead move on from here, maybe we can bring you back."

Daddy won't hear it and Beth decides to let him be for now. Maybe she and Daryl together, and with Maggie's help too, can talk some sense into him.

As Amy gathers a few things she gets a little teary-eyed remembering how she used to pack for a business trip. She'd have just the right business suit and the perfect silk blouse, and beautiful accessories right down to the designer heels she gave herself last Christmas. Packing for this trip is all about minimalism and practicality. She's grateful Beth has given her full access to her closet, "Take whatever you want."

Like Beth, Amy knows what it's like out there, she needs to keep it simple. She chooses Beth's old high school backpack and fills it with some clean underwear, a couple of fresh t-shirts, socks, her toothbrush and a hairbrush. She'll wear a warm sweater and take a coat for the colder weather that will be coming soon.

Meanwhile, Beth helps Maggie get her Subaru wagon ready for the journey ahead. They fold down the rear seat and lay a thick comforter over the now flat surface, like a mattress. They add a nice warm quilt and a couple of bed pillows and acknowledge that, although it's not exactly home sweet home, it will make a much better bed than sleeping on the ground. Beth thinks of one more thing. They take the drapes from Shawn's room, there's no time for tailoring, they simply trim them with Mama's sewing scissors and tack them up to cover the vehicles back windows.

Maggie does her best to stay positive, like this is an adventure to look forward to, "Yay, endless camping with my man."

The sisters try not to think about what they're doing when they take Mama's carefully stored Christmas decorations out of a large Rubbermaid storage bin. There's no question they need the bin, but they can't look at each other as they set their mother's things, and their own childhood memories, aside. They know they'll break down if they do.

They fill the now empty bin with some food from the pantry, two flashlights and some batteries. As well as a few personal items like clothing for Maggie and Glenn. He arrived at the farm with just the clothes on his back, but thanks to Shawn there's a warm coat they take from the hall closet for him. Winter's coming.

They manage to get the packed tub on the Subaru's luggage rack and secured. Maggie sighs heavily, hugs her sister and says, "I guess now that I'm ready to go I'll take my turn trying to talk some sense into Daddy."

Rick asks Merle one more time, "So you're sure? You saw this with your own eyes and you have no doubt they're coming this way?"

Merle doesn't have much patience on his best day, and what little he had today is long gone, "Listen Friendly, I told ya three times. Either ya believe me n ya come along, or ya stay here n die. Up ta you man."

Merle spots Carol and her little girl, they're over by a small tent folding a basket of laundry. Shit, great, the world's about to end again but that's okay, the clothes are neatly folded. He walks over to them and she turns her eyes downward, like if she doesn't look he'll go away. It doesn't work like that with Merle, he cuts to the chase, "Hey Carol, listen, I know ya don't think much a me, that's okay. The deal is, there's danger comin' and I want ya ta let me get you n your little girl outta here. It ain't gonna be just us, Rick and Maggie and Glenn, Daryl and Beth, Amy, we're all goin'.

"Why? What danger"

He explains what's coming and she can feel the magnitude of what he's saying, she watched walkers attack and kill her husband and Andrea. She looks at her little girl hugging the ragdoll and she knows she has to try and get her to safety, "Yes, all right."

"Good, good now. Ya pack up just what ya need, not too much, just be sure ya both have a coat." Merle smiles at her, nods his head and promises, "It's gonna be all right."

Merle sees his brother talking to Rick and heads that way. He asks the deputy one more time, "Ya goin'? Last chance officer."

"I'm going. If you're right, I can't risk Carl. The question is, what about transportation? I haven't got a car."

Daryl shrugs, "How bout goin' with that guy in the motorhome? Amy's gonna be ridin' with Merle, that just leaves him in that big ass thing, besides, it'd be best for Carl, he could lay down." Daryl's frustrated, anxious to get this show on the road, "Shit, if he won't take ya, we'll figure out sumthin'. Besides, once we put some miles between us and that herd we can find ya your own rig, there's plenty of abandoned vehicles out there."

Glenn speaks up, "I was just at the motorhome, I didn't see Dale. I'll go check over by that little river, he likes to drop a line in."

Rick says, "I'll go with you, I should be the one to ask."

Before they can take a step out of camp Shane comes storming over and he's combative, his tone derogatory, "What the fuck Merle? What's with you getting the whole camp worked up over some imaginary herd of dead people? What are you trying to pull you big stupid redneck."

Merle seems so calm when he responds, "Well, let's see now. The first thing on my agenda is ta knock ya on your ass," as Merle's speaking those words his fist is already flying. Shane Walsh is caught off guard and hits the deck.

Lori is down on her knees next to the deputy, "Oh no! Shane, are you all right?"

Merle doesn't give much thought to her feelings, "Maybe ya oughta go ask that boy a yours if he's all right." He takes a sweeping look around at the gathering group and says, "Me n my brother are cuttin' outta here. Danger's on the way n we ain't waitin' around here ta die. You got a choice, you can follow us, or you can stay here. It don't matter ta me one way or the other."

Jimmy pipes up, "I'm no chicken. I'm a man and I'm going to stay here and fight like one."

Merle just shrugs, "Suit yourself kid, I ain't got time ta argue."

Shane's back on his feet, "Step up Dixon, you n me are gonna settle this now…"

Again Merle hits him without warning, and again the deputy falls. Merle looks down at him and says, "I ain't got time ta settle with ya right now deputy. If ya got any brains at all you'll quit tryin' ta start shit with me n get ta packin' up yourself n the woman ya poached."

Rick gives Lori a tentative look when he asks, "What are you gonna do?"

She looks at with eyes as cold as ice and answers, "Whatever Shane decides we're doing."

Rick just nods, "Got it." He's already made up his mind Carl's going with him, Lori doesn't need to know quite yet.

Rick and Glenn see it as they're approaching the bend in the river, Dale is casting a line, oblivious to what's going on around him. What's going on is a walker bearing down on him. Rick doesn't hesitate, he takes a shot and hits the walker, but he misses the head.

Dale is startled and quickly turns to see the creature, while Glenn is running up on him. Glenn's head shot is true, the walker falls and he's all smiles, "Shit, I can't believe I actually hit something. I guess I'm a gunslinger now."

Rick smiles and agrees, "That you are, better than me for sure."

Dale's still shook when Rick turns to him and warns of what's coming. "There are several of us leaving, a caravan like before. I'm hoping you'll agree to come with us, and that you'll let Carl and I ride in the motorhome with you.

Dale's agreeable, "Yes, and please let's hurry." He looks down at the dead walker and says, "This was close enough for me. I don't want to be anywhere near this place when an army of them arrives."

Rick runs ahead, hurrying to the farmhouse to get his son and move him to the motorhome. Herschel Greene argues against it, "He's better off right where he is Rick. No one's going to get in here to bother him and he's resting."

Rick tries reasoning, "Herschel, 500 of those walking dead will mow this place down. We don't have enough people and weapons to fight off a herd like that."

"Oh nonsense, I expect to lose the cows and the chickens, but those things aren't going to walk through a house, they'll just stumble around it."

Rick tries two or three more arguments but there's no getting through to the old man and the officer is anxious to get Carl to safety, "Alright Herschel, you do things your way." He places a hand on the older man's shoulder and says, "Thank you for saving my boy and for all the kindnesses you showed us. I hope to see you again."

He picks a sleepy and sore Carl up in his arms and carries him to Dale's motorhome, laying the boy down on the bed in the back. From there he hurries to the tent he once shared with Lori, and the sight of her things hurts him. God how he wishes he just didn't care.

He thought he was done with her, just like she made it clear she's done with him. He's felt so angry and so hurt he was hoping those feelings would help him stop caring. It's not like that though. These things don't end so quickly or so easily, but he can't think about all that right now, he has two people he has to put first and get to safety, himself and Carl. They're going, Lori made her own choice, she's taking her chances with Shane.

He grabs a few personal things he and Carl will need, along with his rifle and Carl's knife, and hurries back to the motorhome. Dale's anxiously pacing and suggests, "Let's pull over by Daryl and Merle's rigs."

"Sounds good, and hey, Dale, thanks again."

"You bet, I'm glad for the company."

There's some commotion at the farmhouse, no one can talk Herschel Greene into leaving. Beth's crying, "Please Daddy, I don't want to leave you here."

Maggie's downright angry with him, "Stop it Daddy, just stop it. The longer we wait the more danger you're putting all of us in, now c'mon, let's go."

Daddy won't budge and Merle's heard enough, first he tries to be forceful, "This is it old man, we gotta get the hell outta here," but he can see that tactic's not going to work.

He quiets down, slowly and casually walking himself behind Herschel. Daryl gets what's going on and moves to stand in front of Beth's Daddy. Daryl speaks calmly to him, shrugging, "Last chance Mister Greene, ya comin' or not?"

The older man begins to answer, "No…I…" and Merle strikes a blow to the back of the head of Herschel Greene, rendering him unconscious. Merle quickly slides his strong arms up and under the older gentleman's, catching him before he hits the floor, while Daryl grabs his ankles.

Together the brothers carry Herschel to Dale's motorhome, laying him on the small sofa. Merle nods to Rick and smiles, "Okay Friendly, I guess you're on babysittin' duty."

Rick nods, "Got it."

The vehicles line up, Merle in the lead, Amy, Carol and Sophia riding with him, Daryl and Beth are next, followed by Maggie and Glenn. Dale, along with Herschel Greene and Rick and Carl Grimes are in the motorhome.

The group is just about to roll out when the motorhome's engines dies and Dale can't get it to turnover. Shit.

Rick jumps out and pops the hood, trying to locate the problem. In the next heartbeat Daryl's standing next to him. The wires appear to have been chewed through, a damn mouse or squirrel probably got up in the engine compartment to stay warm. Daryl's got Dale's toolbox out trying desperately to get the problem at least temporarily fixed.

They hear, see and smell the dead all at once. Oh my gawd it really is an army of walkers cresting the small knoll and headed in a straight trajectory for the farm, just like Merle said they would. Daryl hollers toward the other vehicles, "Y'all go, go! Beth go! Follow Merle. Go!"

Merle hollers, "We'll meet up in thirty miles." Figuring that will put enough distance between them and the herd, at least for now.

Beth calls back to him, "Daryl, I won't leave you!"

"I'll catch up, just go! Get the hell outta here now!"

The small caravan reluctantly pulls away as Daryl works on the engine and the hoard of undead descend on the farm. Rick is in a panic, there's no way him and Daryl can defend themselves against this mob of undead. He's got to try and at least slow them down. He spots Shane and Jimmy over by the farmhouse, standing there like sentries with their rifles trained on the oncoming walkers. As if the two of them can hold off a group like this. Lori, Lori's just standing there with those two, like she's daring the dead to come for her.

Rick has no idea how the undead respond to fire, all he can do is hope it might either drive them away or distract them long enough for Daryl to get the motorhome started, and these other three to come to their senses and join them in their escape.

He remembers when he and Daryl moved Annette Greene's body out of the barn. He saw two old kerosene lanterns hanging on a nail over a pile of straw. At the time he thought what a fire hazard it was. All he can hope for now is that there's still kerosene in those old lamps. He makes a run for the barn, grabs the lamps and throws them on the pile of straw, then lights a match and the dry straw instantly ignites, the flames begin spreading quickly.

He hurries out and looks to the motorhome where he sees Daryl desperately waving his arm, letting him know to come on, hurry.

The entire barn is now ablaze, the flames must be visible for miles, and the fire has attracted the dead. The result isn't everything Rick had hoped for. There are just too many of those things and although some migrate toward the fire, others just keep marching on.

As he and Daryl scramble inside the motorhome Daryl yells at Dale, "Step on it! Go! Go!" The older man hits the gas just as Rick turns to look and sees Shane and Jimmy both being devoured. Lori turns, running toward the motorhome screaming, "Rick! Rick!"

Rick's about to jump out and try to save her, but the motorhome is quickly becoming surrounded by walkers, and one is already grabbing Lori's shoulders. Daryl's grabbing Rick, restraining the deputy as he states the obvious, "You can't help her, sorry man. " Rick's sobs fill the night air along with the smoke and falling ash.

Herschel Greene comes-to just in time to see the horrific sight of his beautiful farm destroyed, and the gruesome way lives are being lost lost.

Dale can feel the racing of his heart and the knot in his gut as he drives the vehicle into the dark, hoping the damn thing keeps running long enough for them to catch up with the group.

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A/N Holy Mole, all hell really did break loose. Please leave a comment. The chapter photo, burning barn and all, is on my tumblr blogs gneebee and bethylmethbrick, please check it out. I'll be back next week with a new chapter of Love's Long Road, I hope you'll be here too. Until then remember, I love ya large! xo gneebee