A/N Thank you all so much! We've got ducks, but that's not all we've got. Big changes are coming.

Merle's Decision

Beth is dishing herself up a scoop of mashed potatoes while Merle is happily munching on duck, but as hungry as Daryl is, and no matter how good everything smells, before he puts a bite of food in his mouth he has to ask, "How the hell did you manage ta catch eight ducks?"

She smiles, "It's an old game my brother Shawn and my sister Maggie taught me. You know, life on the farm isn't always super exciting, you have to be able to make your own fun. So one thing we did was, when a flock would land near our pond we'd see who could catch the most ducks."

"Yeah? So how?"

"You have to be super quiet and crouch low, or belly crawl, and when you get close enough you have to be fast and grab them around the neck, then pull them close to your chest. You wrap your arm around them to keep their wings right next to their bodies. That's how you keep them from getting away, and also make them a little easier to move."

Merle's chuckling, "Shit, I wished I coulda seen ya in action Sis. I bet you were sumthin' ta see grabbin' ducks and hustlin' them to the cabin."

"I probably looked like a crazy person. It was a lot of work, but what was worse was getting them clipped."

Daryl has to know, "Where'd ya learn ta do that?"

Beth shrugs, "Well, I've never clipped wings before today but I'd seen Mama do it a few times. She always liked to keep some ducks and geese at the farm, they mingled with the chickens, and the ducks were actually the friendliest of all." She softly laughs adding, "Anyway, I am a nurse so it's not like I've never done a procedure on a patient that they didn't like." She sighs and adds, "But I never had patients who hated a procedure as much as those ducks hated getting their wings clipped. The worst part for me was the mess it made. I tracked in so much dirt and mud, all the way through the cabin and into the bathroom. Then the ducks did their part, they pooped all over that bathroom. What a gigantic disaster. Once I got them in the tool shed and calmed down a little, it took me a good two hours to clean up after this whole adventure."

Her smile grows big then, "It's all going to be worth it though because you know what this means? In the spring we can start incubating some of the eggs and we'll be hatching baby ducks. We'll end up with a big flock that will keep us in eggs and meat, and when we have domesticated ducks they should taste so much better."

She shrugs her shoulder and adds, "I actually think they're probably a better bet for us than chickens anyway. As long as we keep things clean, ducks shouldn't be nearly as prone to diseases that can kill off the whole flock, not like chickens are."

Merle's smile is a mile wide when he says to Daryl, "You really did get ya a farm girl, didn't ya? Smart move little brother, not only is she a doll, but she knows how ta run a farm."

Daryl's looking at her like he can't quite believe what he's hearing, and the admiration in his tone is obvious when he says, "I've killed quite a few ducks in my day. Cooked em and ate em too. I never once thought about capturin' the damn things and makin' egg layers out of them," and his hand glides lightly over hers when he adds, "Lady, you're sumthin'."

She smiles, touches him back, then warns, "You know, this is going to be a lot of work, trying to run this mountain like it's a farm. Any farm is a 24 hour a day job, but at this altitude and with such a short summer, it's going to be more difficult. I'm convinced we can do it though." Then she smiles at Merle, "We're so blessed you found us and that we have you here to help us."

Merle's taken aback by her statement, but all he tells her now is, "Well thank ya sugar, I believe that's the nicest thing anyone ever said ta me." Shit, he was already feeling guilty about what his plans and Beth's words just put a big exclamation point on that.

She pats his hand, "It's true, I meant what I said." Then she glances at each of them and asks, "Now, tell me all about what you guys found today."

She can see that little twinkle in Daryl's eyes, the one that tells her he's happy, "Well shit lady, compared ta you, we didn't do shit. We drove over ta that resort place, killed twenty or so walkers. We hauled the wood stoves outta two different cabins and in one of them cabins we killed a couple doper walkers. We went scavenging and found a few things we thought we needed, then we came home ta you."

Merle simply offers, "I got me some household furnishins, and I even got a toilet seat for that bathroom I been talkin' about buildin'." He wonders why he bothered to bring that stuff. Well, he doesn't dwell on it now, "I'd say we all had a real good day takin' care of business, but what you did Sugar, now that was sumthin. I never woulda thought of it."

She nods, "Me too. Once the ducks have been eating a good diet for a while their eggs will be delicious."

That's when Daryl questions, "What do we feed em?"

Beth's face shows a little concern now, "In a perfect world we'd have some birdseed, duck pellets, and a little bit of chicken scratch to feed them. We can also share any fruit and veggie scraps we have with them. Since we don't have seeds or pellets, we could give them oats, rice, almost any of our fruits and veggies, but of course, the problem with that is, we need those food for ourselves."

She's biting her lip while she thinks of something else, "We can let them loose around the place so they can forage for their own food, but we may never find their eggs. We'd have to keep a close eye on them too. They need to learn this is home and they're going to get treats if they stay."

Merle looks at Jack and asks the dog, "Hey boy, how ya feel about becomin' a duck herder?"


They've all put in a very long and busy day, and while Daryl and Beth sit with their backs to the kitchen area and chat about plans for the next day, Merle is taking his birdbath in their kitchen sink. It's just too damn cold in the bathroom. It doesn't take him long, "A'ight you two, see ya in the mornin'."

"Sleep well Merle."

"Thanks Sis.

"'Night brother."

"'Night."

While Beth gets ready for bed Daryl takes Jack out. He doesn't have to tell the dog to hurry, it's crispy cold outside and Jack's as anxious to get back to the warmth of the cabin as Daryl is.

It's not long before the dog is settled in front of the fire, and Daryl and Beth are snuggled under the covers. They cuddle up close to each other and Beth admits, "I can't imagine it being any colder than it is tonight, but I know it will be and I'm hoping I can handle it."

Daryl runs the tip of his index finger softly over her jawline, smiling when he admits to her, "Lady, I ain't one bit worried about you. You've proved at least ten different ways how tough ya are. I'm pretty sure you're tougher'n me or Merle, and a damn site smarter too. You're the one who's gonna be teachin' us how ta survive." He means what he says, except the part about not being worried. The truth is, he worries about her all the time. He's afraid that now that he's found his happiness with her, something or someone will try and take it away from him. Shit. He pulls her closer and hangs on tighter.

It's been a long ass day. He's too tired to do anything more than give her a kiss goodnight and just keep holding her, but it doesn't work like that at all. It only takes one warm kiss to have him needing more of her.


They'd all like to simply stay inside for the day. They're still tired from their big day yesterday and it would be so nice if they could just drink coffee, play cards and stay warm. But they don't get to take this day off. There's far too much that has to be done and they need to take advantage of the relatively good weather.

Everyone has a job to do. Daryl and Beth get right to work on the pen for the ducks, and they've taken a chance on letting the birds out of the tool shed. It's true they can't fly off, but they still want the ducks to stay close by, so they know the birds are safe from predators. That's Jack's job. Beth says, "I know it's not something we have to worry about too much during the day, but still, i just don't want anything to happen to them. And at night…it would only take a couple of raccoons, some skunks or fox for them all be gone in one night."

Daryl isn't going to argue her point, he's sure she knows more about this shit than he does, besides, there's no time for talking. There's too much work to get done. Right now the weather is cold and crisp with plenty of sun and no wind, and no sign of impending rain or snow. They're working as fast as they can to get this task completed before dark. However, they know that more than likely, it will be tomorrow sometime before the job is fully completed.

While Daryl and Beth work on the duck pen, Merle is working on the roof of the outdoor kitchen. Like his brother, he's done plenty of construction jobs in his life, so this is nothing new. He doesn't care for working on a ladder, he never was a roofer, but it's his job to do and he wants to do it for his brother and Beth. In just the short time he's been on the mountain he's learned, it gets real fucking cold up here and a person needs to do whatever they can to try and keep as much of that cold outside as possible.

Working by himself the way he is, with no one talking to him and him not being able to bullshit around with anyone, he's had a lot of time to think about what he wants. Maybe more time than he should. It's gone from being a fleeting thought to a real idea, changing a little here and there, then growing a lot, until now. It's become a full blown plan.

He's got to do this. He's got to try. Fuck him, it's what he wants to do. He wouldn't be gone more than a few days, and while he is gone maybe he can get some other shit done too. Of course he's fully aware, all of that would hinge on whether or not Daryl let him come back. There's a good chance his brother will say no.

If his brother agrees, he's sure he could bring back supplies for the farm. There's got to be plenty of bird seed still around. No one is picking that shit up at WalMart thinking about survival. At least not yet. And besides all of the big box stores stocking that shit, every hardware and grocery store has birdseed for sale. He might even hit the vets office Daryl and Beth went to too. They didn't bother with birdseed. Duck pellets? He's not so sure about those, but he's more than willing to check out the tack and feed store for some.

He'd be more than glad to slip around scavenging for all that shit, whatever his brother and her think they need or want. He'll do it all. But it's not all he wants. He has something very specific in mind he wants, and he'll talk to them about it after dinner tonight.


Lunch time rolls around and they're all as hungry as if they hadn't eaten a bite all day, but they're keeping things simple. There's been a dutch oven full of deer meat and beans cooking all morning. They'll be eating on it now, and later tonight too.

Daryl stokes up the fire, hands a plate to Beth and one to Merle, sets his plate on the stump, and then pulls the oven up from the ground. He holds it, handing Beth the ladle first and she scoops out her share, followed by Merle and then himself. Merle jokes, "We're eatin' like real cowboys. YeeHaw!" But he doesn't sound like his usual jokester self.

They waste no time cleaning their plates, and Beth offers, "I'll take these inside and wash them. We'll need them again for dinner."

While she's gone Daryl asks his brother, "Sumthin' botherin' ya Merle? Ya look like ya got the weight a the world on your shoulders."

He's not going to lie, but he's not talking about it yet. They've got work and he thinks if he continues going at that fucking roof full speed, he can get all the shingles repaired or replaced today, "Nuthin' for you ta worry about little brother. I'm just thinkin' about life n shit. We'll talk after dinner."

Daryl nods, "Sounds good." But it also sounds worrying. Daryl knows when something's not right with his brother, and something's not right with Merle.


They work until it's too dark to work. As soon as that sun goes down it's black as pitch on the mountain. Merle's roofing job is complete, but Beth and Daryl still have a few things to finish on the duck pen and coop. For now, and with Jack's help, they get the ducks back in the temporary pen Beth devised in the tool shed. They feed the birds a mix of oats, carrots and brussels sprouts, and carefully lay a blanket over the top of the pen. Beth smiles, "That will help keep them warm and calm."

When they're finally done and heading back to the cabin Daryl grumbles, "Shit, havin' them eight ducks is like havin' eight kids."

Beth giggles, "I think the ducks might be a little bit easier than kids, but let's not find out for sure, okay?"

He chuckles too, "Yeah, 10-4 on that."

By the time they've all washed up and sat down for dinner, the three are starving and there's no mealtime conversation. That doesn't stop Daryl's mind from working overtime. All day he's seen it and felt it. Something's going on with Merle and some kind of something is about to go down. Good? Bad? Neither? It's hard to know for sure, but Daryl's expecting the worst. It's his way.

He doesn't want to waste anymore time thinking about it, and for once he doesn't care about dishes. He pours everyone a drink, and as badly as he just wants to crawl in bed and get some sleep, he opens up that can of worms, "A'ight Merle, ya said you'd talk about whatever's eatin' at ya after dinner. I'm as ready as I'll ever be, so let's have it."

Beth is caught by surprise, this is the first she's heard of a talk and she wonders what it's about. She sits quietly and waits to hear, praying it's not anything bad.

Merle shrugs then gets directly to it, "I didn't tell ya everythin' about when I found them guys n gals in the hippie van." He shrugs a shoulder again, "I told ya the main parts, and it was all true. I couldn't make that shit up if I wanted to, but there was more."

Daryl's sure now, something's coming he doesn't want to hear. He waits for it and Merle continues with his story, "I knew them two assholes was keepin' them women against their will, and I knew they'd been roughin' the ladies up. I seen it plenty a that kinda shit in my life and I can't miss it. It was bad and…" he glances at Beth and tries to word it in the least offensive way he can, "and them guys was makin' the women do…favors for em."

Beth notice's Merle biting his lip the same way his brother does, it must be a Dixon family trait, and then she's fully focused on his words when he begins to speak again, "Anyway, I'd had my eye on one a them ladies in particular…"

That's when Daryl jumps in with, "Fuck man, here we go. The fuck you say Merle!"

Beth is 100% confused and Merle's on his feet, "Don't start that bullshit with me Daryl, it ain't like that."

Daryl's on his feet too and he responds with, "It's always fuckin' like that Merle, ya can't keep it in your pants long enough ta think about what yer doin'."

Merle's voice has raised another octave or two, "I knew exactly what I was doin', and why the fuck can't you just shut up long enough ta listen ta what I have ta say?"

Beth is sad, scared, overwhelmed and still completely confused. What the heck is going on? "Daryl, please. I have no idea what's happening here, but I'd like to hear the rest of Merle's story and maybe I can figure it out."

Her voice calms him, at least a little bit, and he agrees, "A'ight, you listen ta what this dumbass says n lemme know what ya think."

Merle huffs, "Ain't no reason for name-callin'. I thought we grew outta that shit little brother."

Daryl's just plain pissed and growls, "Go on then, tell yer story."

"K, Sis, I'ma just be lookin' at you when I tell this part. All them ladies was scared, tired, used n abused, and desperate for some help. I've seen abused women n it don't sit well with me, so I was determined ta help em. We all got inta that hippie van and the first thing I did was hit up a place I thought we might find em clothes n such. They was all dressed like they were goin' to a cocktail party, jewelry, high heels, all of it."

"Anyway, there's a group home at the east end of town, it's for recoverin' addicts. I knew about it cuz I been a guest there once or twice." He takes in breath before continuing, "We got there n I pulled in the driveway and around the back. I had a pistol n a knife, and while the women waited in the van, I went in. There was just about six or seven addicts in there. Men n women both, and they was all turned. I seen the leader of the place too, he'd been a real nice fella. Patient and all. He was turned too."

"I got em all put down, piled in a corner, then I got the ladies. People donate pretty nice hand-me-down clothes ta the place, ya know, drug addicts usually come in with nuthin' but the clothes on their back and a bad habit. Anyway, the ladies went through the bags and boxes of that stuff in the utility room and all of em found jeans, t-shirts, flannel shirts and sweatshirts. All what they needed. I had ta pull a pair or two of sneakers offa them dead things, but all the ladies all got some sneakers too."

"I ain't sure how the place got missed by scavengers, maybe just cuz it had so many walkers inside, and they musta turned soon after the end of the world, cuz we found food. The counselor was a Costco shopper. There was a shit ton of peanut butter, jelly, granola bars, nuts, ya know, addicts like ta replace dope with snacks and he had them well-supplied. There was the biggest bags a coffee I've ever seen plus powdered creamer n sugar. That's another thing addicts who are gettin' clean like ta do, drink a lotta coffee, and they load it about half n half with sugar."

"Except for any mess the walkers had made, it was clean in there, there was bedrooms and whatnot too. The ladies decided it was as good a place as any ta hunker down for a while til they figured out what ta do next, but I didn't leave right away."

Daryl grouchily mutters, "Here it comes."

"That's right brother, here it comes." Merle's shaking his head and it's clear he's pissed, but he continues anyway, "So me n one a the ladies, Frankie is her name, we'd been gettin' closer n stuff, she's real sweet, a nice lady who got caught up with some bad players. Anyway, I stayed there a few days. I stayed with her."

Daryl huffs in disgust, while Beth whispers, "Oh my goodness," then quickly looks to Daryl and says, "Just let's listen, please." He shrugs an "okay" but the look on his face makes it clear he's not happy.

"I told her I had ta go, that I had ta find my brother, and I made a promise ta her that I'd come back if I could. If I heard about a place that might be safe, a good camp, I'd take em all to it. When you was talkin' about the prison I got ta thinkin' that would be a good place for the ladies."

Beth's worried now, "But what about you Merle?"

He smiles but it's not a happy smile, it's one of resignation, "Daryl won't let me bring no one up here, I get it. He don't want anyone but family ta know this place exists. It's safer that way. It's just that, for me? Well I keep askin' myself, what the hell kinda life is there here for me? Sure, I wanna help out all I can. I wanna be with the family I got as much as I can be, but I gotta tell ya, every day I'm watchin' the two a you n I know what I'm missin'. I'm thinkin' I want what you got for myself, and I ain't ever gonna be able ta have that just sittin' up here on this mountain."

Daryl half growls, "You been through a wagon load a women Merle. What makes ya think this Frankie chick is the one that you're gonna stay happy with? What makes ya think ya won't do what ya always end up doin', and get the itch for a new one?"

Merle doesn't think he'll be able to change Daryl's mind, but he's still going to tell him what he thinks, "I guess I know Frankie's the one for me the same way you know Beth is the one for you. A man just knows. Anyway, I ain't arguin' with ya about what a shithead I've always been, and I ain't expectin' you ta believe what I say about how I'm feelin' now. I'm just lettin' ya know, the roof is done, it should hold for years. Tomorrow I'ma help ya get that wood stove in your bathroom, all installed n workin'. After that's done, I'm outta here. I'ma go get Frankie n the ladies and I'll take em over ta the prison. Hopefully that sheriff, whaddya say his name is, Grimes? Hopefully he'll agree ta let us settle there." He snorts a humorless laugh, "Prison will be like goin' home for me."

It's then that Beth starts a type of crying neither of the Dixon men have ever seen. It's physical, her shoulders are shaking, it's loud, the crying and the sobbing, and the verbalizing, "No, no no. You can't go Merle, we're family. Don't leave, please don't leave. Daryl! Can't Merle just bring Frankie here? He doesn't have to bring all the ladies." It's got both brothers a little paralyzed, not knowing what to do or say next.

Daryl wants to hold her in his arms and tell her they can do whatever she wants them to do, but no, instead he argues, "What about when Merle gets sick a her, and trust me on this one lady, Merle always gets tired of a woman after a week or two. Better yet, what happens if she gets sick a him and marches down the mountain? She could get us all killed if she ever talked about this place. We can't risk it Beth, we just can't take them kinds of chances."

Merle accepts that. He expected it, "He's right little sister. I been a rounder, a doper, a womanizer and an asshole in general since I was thirteen year's old. Daryl's got no good reason ta believe any a that has changed."

He heads to the cabin door and says, "I'll see y'all first thing in the mornin' so I can get goin' on that wood stove."

Even after washing her face, getting her pajamas on, brushing her teeth and getting in bed, Beth can't stop crying. It's calmer now, but it's still heartbreaking to hear. Daryl crawls in next to her, hoping she'll still let him hold her, and relieved when she does, but he knows she's mad at him, "I don't want it ta be like this either Beth. I thought we were all three dug in here, a family. I guess I wasn't realistic. Merle don't stay away from women for long. Unless he's in prison."

She doesn't argue with any of that, she simply tells him, "Do you have any idea what I would give to have my family here with us? I miss them all so much. You have a brother and maybe you could have a sister too, but you're afraid. Sometimes we have to take a chance Daryl."


The next morning the men get the wood stove moved into place while Beth continues the work on the duck coop. Once the stove's in place Daryl joins her. There's not any talking today, there's no jokes about ducks and no talking about winter and all the things they need to do. No one's mad anymore, but everyone's heart is broken.

The three of them share lunch, and it's not long after that when Merle announces the wood stove is installed, "That bathroom's gonna be a lot more pleasant for ya Sis."

"Thank you Merle." She does something then she hasn't done before. She gives him a hug. Her head is on his chest, she sniffles a bit and says, "I'm going to miss you so bad Merle Dixon."

"I'll miss you too Sis, gonna miss ya a lot. I appreciate how ya always treated me so nice. You're a good lady and I hope all your babies look and act like you."

He goes to his place and packs up a small duffel bag, heats water and washes up as best he can. He thinks about this big move he's making and he feels no doubt, this is right for him. Before he knows it, it's time for dinner.

The dinner table is as quiet as the breakfast and lunch table were, and Merle leaves as soon as the kitchen's been cleaned.


Merle doesn't show up for breakfast in the morning, and soon Daryl hears the truck start up. He runs out to the yard, flags his brother down and Merle pulls over. Daryl scolds, "Weren't ya even gonna say g'bye before ya left?"

"What makes ya think I like g'byes any more'n you do? Besides, I think we said all we got ta say."

"Nah, not really."

"What is it then?"

"Take them ladies over ta the prison camp, they'll be safe there, but you n your girl, Frankie, the two a you come back here with your family."

Merle smiles, "That pretty blond a yours has really softened up your edges, hasn't she little brother? I appreciate it. Hopefully the ladies are still where I left em and I can get em ta that prison. I'll tell this Officer Friendly fella that ya sent me. And shit, I still gotta see if Frankie will wanna make it permanent with me. If she won't, I might come back by myself."

"Come back either way."

Merle nods and drives off as Beth's running out of the cabin, "Stop Merle! Stop!"

Merle sees her in his peripheral vision and although he doesn't stop, he slows down, waves and calls to her, "You take care a them ducks and I'll see ya again soon Sis."

Beth's got big tears in her eyes when she turns to Daryl, "I didn't get to tell him goodbye! What did you say to him Daryl?"

"I told him to bring his woman home with him."

"Back here?'

"This is home ain't it?"

"Yes, yes, thank you. I love you so much," she throws her arms around his neck and he picks her up and carries her back to the cabin.

00

A/N Well, well, well. Please let me know your thoughts. The chapter photo is on my tumblr blogs, gneebee and bethylmethbrick, please have a look. I'll be back next week with more of The Man on The Mountain, and I hope you'll be here too. Until then remember, I love ya large! xo gneebee