A/N Thank you, thank you! Daryl got Beth a little shook up, let's see if he can fix that, AND we have to find out who these other people living at the prison are. I hope you enjoy!
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Dammit, now he's upset her. He can hear the sadness in her voice when she asks, "What are you talking about Daryl? I thought this was home, I thought we were safe here." He's worried she might cry when she whispers, "I didn't think we'd have to run again."
He knows he can be a negative guy, it's hard not to be with a history like his, but he feels guilty for spoiling the moment they just shared. He gently cradles her face in his palm and tries to explain, "Hey now, I didn't say we was gonna just up n leave. I'ma do everythin' I can ta try n make this stick, make it a home, but shit girl, we both seen enough of this new world ta know how fast stuff can change. One minute everythin' is cool n goin' along good, the next minute everythin' goes straight ta hell."
He kisses her forehead, "I didn't mean it ta sound like we're leavin' right away. I's just thinkin' out loud that whatever happens, I'ma try'n make sure we're ready. I'ma keep the van loaded with things we need an keep it gassed up." There's no question he's serious when he says, "If I think we gotta split, I won't hesitate ta grab you an get the fuck out. It might never happen, but I lived my whole bein' ready for the worst."
Everything he's saying makes perfect sense, but she doesn't want to think about things going wrong. Isn't it time things just went right for a change? "What about Merle and Carol and Sophia? And what about Amy?"
He tries to be comforting, shit, he could use a little comforting himself. He wraps his arms around her and pulls her close to his chest, rubbing her back with an open palm while his chin nestles in her messy blond curls, "Don't worry about Merle n them, he grew up same as me, and he's been fightin' the same battle you n me have. You can bet his pickup n camper are good ta go if the time comes. That don't mean we're gonna have ta leave, it means we're ready if we do."
He shrugs then and says, "As for Amy, it looks like she's with Rick now, an it seems like the deputy would have a plan for him n Carl, and now her, but even if he don't, she's covered. Merle ain't gonna leave Amy behind."
Beth let's out a weary sigh, "I know you're right about all this Daryl, it's the smart thing to do, be ready. I guess I just didn't want to have to think about any of that stuff, but now that we're talking about it, do you think it would be good if the group discussed all this too? Maybe we should have a meeting place or something in case we all have to leave in a hurry."
"Yeah, Merle n me thoughta that too."
"Oh really? I guess there's a lot of discussions I'm not part of."
"Hey, hey c'mon now Beth, it ain't like that. There was no big discussion. We were just sayin' if it all blows up we oughta have a place we meet up. I's thinkin' we go back ta the campground where everyone got fixed up with RVs. It'll take some time ta get there, but that means it'll also be far enough that we'd be clear of whatever trouble happened here. There's water there, some game around, and it was pretty remote. That's all we were thinkin'."
She admits, "That is a good plan, I just hope we never have to put it into action."
The tone of her voice tells him Beth's not so happy with him. He pulls her even closer, nuzzling his face into her neck while whispering, "C'mon now girl, don't be mad. I'm just try'n ta look out for ya."
That's right, that's what this is, him being his protective self, and she should be grateful Daryl's smart enough to have a plan. She turns in his arms, her hand reaches for his hair and she tugs at it softly when she smiles, "I'm so lucky to be here with you Daryl."
This time the love they make is slow, tender and it brings them the love and comfort they crave.
Over their morning coffee Daryl and Beth have a lively discussion about the day ahead. She's adamant about going with him to find out just who this other prison group is. Daryl is just as adamant about her staying back, "Please Beth, please no. Besides, you're needed on the inside. There's alotta people, includin' them three kids, that are gonna need ta be protected. You're the one who can do that. You know how ta stay cool in a fight." He almost sounds like he's pleading when he adds, "Please Baby, please."
She's not surprised he wants her to stay behind, but she's stunned he called her by a pet name. She doesn't mind at all. She kind of likes it, but while she's trying to fully appreciate it, Daryl's still talking, "I'll make it up to ya, we'll go on a run in a day or two when things settle. Just you n me."
"Oh yeah, what are we looking for on this run?"
"All the usual shit, plus I wanna get a better idea of this area here, everythin' that's around us." His voice has a soft tone when he says, "We can get whatever ya want ta fix up our new place, but for today, just wait for me here, please."
She might have continued pushing to go with him if she weren't so intrigued by the idea of the run. She's been curious too, what the heck is out there. Besides, Daryl looks so tormented, she can't take it. "Okay, Daryl, I'll stay behind this time. But from now on you have to start letting me be more involved in the things that are important."
He has some ideas of his own about what's important, and he's honest with her, "I think you stayin' back and keepin' the camp safe, keepin' our home safe, keepin' our people safe, especially them kids, that's what's really important."
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Nerves are tight, everyone is on edge, today's the day they're going to track down and expose whoever else is occupying the prison.
They've discussed all the various possibilities. It could be that these are good people, the kind of people who could help them build this place into a community. It could just as easily be bad people, people they wouldn't want around the kids, hell, people they wouldn't want to be around themselves. They've all run into plenty of assholes since the turn. It could even be people somewhere in-between, not necessarily bad, but not the sort you build a future with.
They could also be volatile and murderous and a danger to all.
That's not all they've discussed, Beth brought up the idea of everyone being ready to leave with only a few seconds notice. Keeping vehicles packed with essentials and gassed up, and laying out exactly where they would all meet up if they have to scatter. The family has agreed, but thinking about it put nerves even more on edge.
The group decides the place to begin their search is with a perimeter check of the prison building and grounds. The mystery group has to have found a way in somehow, and it's not the same way the family got in, that's apparent. The family would have seen signs if other people had been in their cell block before they arrived.
Rick, Daryl, Merle and Glenn are the ones who will go. Those left behind will stay together and close to the cells. They'll have a full cache of weapons and if trouble comes, they can lock themselves in cells if that seems safest.
As they double check weapons and ammunition, Rick has a breakthrough with Oscar, finally appreciating the man when the inmate single-handedly picks Herschel up and carries him from the infirmary to one of the cells. Then the big man looks at Rick and says, "I should be goin' with you fellas just like Merle is, I know this prison."
Rick nods, "Okay, but follow my lead and don't make me regret this."
Rick turns to the group and instructs, "We'll lock the entry door, you've got the keys. If we're not back in a couple hours it's probably safe to assume we're not coming back. The vehicles aren't far and they're ready to go. Don't waste time looking for us, if we're alive we know where to meet you. Is everyone clear?" It seems like overkill, like they're almost being too cautious, but they just don't know what to expect and they don't want to regret not having a plan.
The big door locks and Herschel, Dale and the kids get busy with a game of gin rummy. T-Dog is pacing back and forth in front of the cells like he's on patrol. Carol is tidying things up that are already tidy, and folding and re folding laundry. Axel strikes up a conversation with her, while Beth, Amy and Maggie sit together in a far corner of the big room, out of earshot of the others.
Their backs are leaned against the wall, knees up and they're doing something they've all missed doing, having "girl time." The only difference nowadays is, they all have a gun at the ready.
Beth calls out, hoping to break Carol free from Axel so she can join them, "Hey Carol, c'mon over here a minute, there's something we need to ask you."
Axel's not a terrible guy but there's nothing for him here, and before Carol joins the other women she makes sure he knows that, "You need to back down, Axel. There are no single women here for you."
He shrugs, "Maybe there's one in that new group."
Carol smiles, "Never give up hope."
The women don't want to think about what's going on outside so no one mentions it. Instead they talk about the things they miss. Amy shakes her head, "I would do just about anything for a good facial and a hot stone massage."
Beth smiles, "Shoot, I'd settle for a decent mani pedi, I had a plan to go bold on my next trip to the nail salon, bright red."
Maggie smiles, "That would be hot on you, Daryl would probably love it." She looks at her own nails and shrugs, "I think black for me, it works in this environment."
They all softly laugh, but the laughter ends abruptly when Carol asks, "What are you ladies doing about birth control?"
Maggie shrugs, "I ran out of pills right before this apocalypse started. When Glenn and I got, well, you know, intimate, he raided the local pharmacy. He took every last raincoat they had." There's giggling from the group and Maggie adds, "I don't know what we'll do when we run out. Let's hope we find more."
Beth feels funny discussing this particular topic, but gosh, they're all in the same boat and this is life, "Um Daryl…he has lots of…he helped himself at a couple of stores and a couple of houses we scavenged."
Carol may be the one who asked the question, but her face is bright red, "I guess that's Merle too, he has a giant box of them."
Amy looks and feels like she's on the spot, but she's honest, "I kind of depended on Rick to protect us, but Rick didn't have a…you know, and to be honest, we didn't let that stop us."
Eyes are wide but no one comments except Beth, who only says, "Oh, well, um…"
They quickly change the topic, getting back to the things they miss, like bubble baths, yoga class, eating out, and then Carol lets it slip, "I was really missing my vibrator, but now with Merle, he knows what to do so I guess I won't need it."
The women can't control their laughter, Maggie actually tips over sideways and half-howls, "Oh my gosh, TMI!" But a good laugh is just what they've all needed.
With weapons at the ready the searchers slowly walk around the big prison building, checking every inch for any kind of breech. They also check the various vehicles parked in the lot. Carefully opening doors, ready to fire if need be, and the need does arise. They find more than one walker occupying a vehicle.
There a parking lot with about 15 vehicles, and it's assumed they belong to the guards and other employees. Daryl's mind drifts to his upcoming run with Beth when he decides that a big black dually, parked at the end of the lot, would be just the rig to take. He can get all the shit she wants in the bed of that thing.
They're about two thirds of the way around the building when Oscar comes to a dead stop and says, "Hang on, sumthin' ain't right." He points, "See how them trash barrels are butted up against the wall over there, pallets too? That ain't the way it's done, someone's tryin' to camouflage the entry. There's a door behind there, the guards entry door. Cell block A is right on the other side of that wall."
Merle says to no one in particular, "Cell block A, death row."
They quietly walk single file to the spot, and once they're close it's apparent, someone worked on that lock for a while. They're not dealing with expert lock pickers, but whoever did it was patient. They even took the time to fashion a small fenced in area around it, and they also killed walkers. What's left of the bodies are in a burn pile about 2O feet from where they're standing, so the other prison residents have been here for at least a few days or the family would have seen or smelled the fire.
The question now is, do they try to surprise the occupants, throw the door open and rush in with weapons drawn demanding to know who they are and what they're doing here. Or do they approach in a somewhat more friendly manner.
They decide now is not the time to take a chance on being friendly. Daryl throws the door open with his loaded and cocked crossbow pointing straight ahead. The rest of the group, weapons at the ready, follow right behind him.
There's screaming and scrambling as the unknown occupants begin to clamber for their weapons and Rick barks, "Freeze right where you are."
The members of the other group comply, hands in the air and eyes focused on Rick and his group. There's a mountain of a man right up front wearing a knit watch cap who asks, "Who are you folks and what do you want with us?"
It's Oscar who recognizes him, "Ain't you Tyrese Williams from the Atlanta Falcons?"
"Yeah, in my last life. In this one I'm Tyrese Williams living in a prison. Now, I'm gonna ask again, who are you folks and why are you threatening us?"
The group doesn't seem violent. They're a mix of men, women, and a young boy not much older than Carl. Rick's group lower their weapons, except for Daryl and Merle. They'll wait and see.
Rick introduces himself, "We're the group who owns this prison. We fought for it, we killed for it, and it's ours."
A woman speaks up, "What do you mean it's yours, we're not in your way. There's room for everyone."
Rick looks at her and asks, "Who are you?"
"I'll answer that right after you tell me who you are."
"Fair enough, I'm Rick Grimes, I'm the leader here."
She gives a dismissive sniff, "Well I'm Sasha Williams and the leader I follow is my brother. He's the one who's gotten us this far."
Rick turns again to Tyrese, "Let's try this again, just how did you wind up here?"
To show good faith and his willingness to get along, Tyrese pulls the only weapon he carries, a huge hammer, from his belt and sets it on the table. Rick looks to Merle and Daryl and although they lower their weapons, they'll raise them again at the slightest provocation.
Tyrese makes his position clear, "I ain't here ta fight. I'm just looking for a safe place for our group." Then he stuns with his next remark, "We've had real bad luck, we lost a lot of our friends just before we found this place. So, if your group and our group are like-minded we might be interested joining you."
Rick asks, "Well before we start talking about that, how about you tell us something about where you've been."
Tyrese starts at the beginning, "when this all started I was living in my hometown, Jacksonsville, Sasha wasn't far from me. She was a firefighter. I had a neighbor there, Jerry, who was one of those survivalists. He was prepared for the worst, he had an underground shelter, like one of those old bomb shelters and it was well-stocked. When the worst did happen, after the turn, he let me and Sasha stay there with him, but eventually supplies ran out."
"Jerry died in a street fight when he was out looking for supplies. Sasha and me got away and decided to head out on the highway and try'n find a place to live. We had a few folks that came with us, neighbors and friends, and we picked up a few more along the way. 25 of us in all. What you see here is all we got left, and a couple of these folks just joined up with us recently."
"The road took it's toll on us. We lost good people and we went hungry a few times, then we found a community, a place called Woodbury. At first it seemed nice, we were sure we'd finally found a home. They had real streets, real houses, real schools, there was food and medical care, all of it. Most important was, it felt safe, there was so much security and sturdy walls." He shakes his head in disgust, "We thought that was a good sign. It turned out not to be so good."
"They put us to work, but that was okay, we didn't mind. We were happy to earn our keep, but then we started noticing that not everything was what it seemed to be. The leader, a guy name Phillip Blake, who likes to call himself The Governor, turned out he was cruel, evil, and not everything was on the up and up. There were some weird medical experiments going on, and he liked to put on fights like those old Roman battles, except these were men against men, complete with cheering crowds and carnival snacks. Everyone hoping to see someone get beaten to death."
"We decided the place wasn't for us, we'd rather live in a dugout cave somewhere, but when we tried to leave they made it real hard. Finally we got out, but we lost two people in our group."
Rick's on high alert now, a camp close by that's run by some egomaniac calling himself the governor? It sounds like trouble, but all he asks Tyrese, at least for now, is, "Why don't you introduce us to your group."
Tyrese nods, "Sure, ya met my sister, Sasha, this is Karen and Tara, this young fella is Patrick and over there is David."
They're not a big group, and they don't seem to be looking for a trouble. What Rick and his men are thinking is, a guy Tyrese's size would be an excellent addition to the group. And his sister's a firefighter, that means she's got skills and strength. If they ever have to do battle with someone like this governor guy and his people, they need more soldiers. Merle does have a question though, "I see ya got ya big ass framin' hammer, but where's your gun?"
Sasha smiles and Tyreese snorts a laugh, "Man, I can't hit the broad side of a barn, I'm the world's worst shot. Sasha's the sharpshooter in the family, she's a regular dead eye Dan. I manage just fine with that hammer."
Daryl asks, "It's workin' for ya, huh?"
Tyrese shrugs, "Must be, I'm still here."
That leaves it opened for Rick's questions, "How many walkers have ya killed?"
"Walkers? You mean biters?"
Rick nods and Tyrese answers, "Hard ta put an exact number on it, we were on the road awhile. I'm gonna guess 20."
Rick's lips are tight as he nods and asks his next question, "How many people have you killed?"
Tyrese is so serious, fierce looking, when he answers, "I don't kill people, even bad ones. There's better ways to deal with things and I always was a peaceable man."
"Alright." Then Rick states, "We're gonna step outside, don't get any bright ideas."
As soon as they're out of earshot Merle smiles, "Bright ideas, huh?"
Rick shakes his head, "Don't start with me Merle, they know what I mean."
Oscar throws in, "I probably don't have a vote, but they seem like nice enough folks ta me and that big guy, Tyrese, he kicked ass in the NFL, I bet he does real good at swingin' that hammer in a fight."
Daryl nods, "I vote we take em back with us. We can keep em locked in the holdin' area at night if you don't feel safe Rick, but we need em. We need ta find out everythin' we can from these folks about this governor asshole, and how to get to him before he gets to us."
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Mouths drop open when they return to the family cell block with the newcomers, but not because the group doesn't want them, they're just surprised that after the fuss Rick made about Axel and Oscar, he would let someone else stay. And that big guy, holy cow, he looks like he could rip a person apart with his bare hands.
Carol smiles at Tara, Karen and Sasha and invites, "C'mon, you can help us with dinner, it's Tuesday and Herschel's making his famous spaghetti."
After dinner the group sits around the table, the children are no longer excluded, like Merle said, they need to know what's going on so they can defend themselves. Tyrese, Sasha and Tara talk about the governor and Woodbury. Tara may know the man best, her sister was romantically involved with him for a while, "As far as I'm concerned he's a rotten SOB who got my family killed, but what you need to know about Philip Blake is he's smart, clever and he knows how to make everything work in his favor."
Rick shrugs, "He hasn't approached us yet, maybe he doesn't know we're even here."
Sasha speaks up, "Oh you better believe he knows; nothing gets by that guy. He's got soldiers everywhere. Expect him to turn up sometime soon. He'll have a real nice offer for you to join the Woodbury community, in the meantime he'll steal this place right out from under you, and kill whoever gets in his way."
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Back in the van there's a lot of nervous anxiety and a weird kind of energy. What the newcomers had to say left everyone worrying and wondering what would happen next, including Daryl and Beth. He's trying to act like it's not such a big deal. He doesn't want her upset, he just wants her.
They make a kind of high energy love that leaves them both happy, mellowed, satisfied and breathless.
They're cuddled up in each other's arms when Daryl suggests, "Let's leave at first light. We'll take a drive around, then circle back this way an find a house where we can get a bed an a dresser for our new room. I know I said I'd make us a bed, but I think I need ta take care a some other stuff til shit settles down, and if there's trouble we'll be safer inside."
"Daryl, are you thinking about finding this Woodbury place?"
He tells her the truth, "From what them new people was sayin' I got a pretty good idea right where it is. I think it's a little town just over 20 miles from here."
"What's your plan Daryl?"
"I don't have any plan other than ta find the place, sneak around n see what they're up to. We won't stay long."
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A/N I hope you enjoyed, please leave a comment. The chapter photo is on my tumblr blogs gneebee and bethylmethbrick, please check it out. I'll be back next week with more of Love's Long Road, and I hope you'll be here too. Until then remember, I love Ya Large! xo gneebee