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We walked for miles. My arms felt numb and I couldn't even begin to feel the souls of my feet. I didn't want to move Addie from my hold, she fell asleep an hour ago and I just craved her in my arms more than the annoyance of the pain.

The sun was up too, just barely. The main question of the hour was, 'where's the car?' But Rick claimed that it was just a ways away.

"I can carry her if—" 

"No...I got her." I argued, not daring to let her out of my sight or arms for that matter. 

"Blake, come on...I'll take her." I shook my head, continuing to battle the soreness of my arms. But every attempt they managed, it just pushed me to keep her. 
I doubt she's even still asleep, but she didn't request anything more than my arms. So this was the final result. Only until Rick placed his hand out did we slow down our walk.


"Glenn!" Rick called out, big hunters code to not scare anyone. And as Glenn repetitively said the name of our leader over and over again, I realized what had happened.

"Now we got a problem here. I need you to back up..." As Glenn removed his pistol, I was all too quickly yanked away from the line of fire from Daryl. Stubbing to catch myself that I had to let Addie down to the ground now. But even then did she hold onto my stomach, not daring to move.

"What the hell is he doing here?!" Glenn shouted, and my eyes completely looked to Merle as un-entertained as ever. 

"You lied too?" He didn't respond. Instead, his glance just looked towards Addie as he was forced to nod.

"Put it down!" 

"He tried to kill me!" A new voice popped up, but it was the first time in a while that Addie pulled away. And I let her. "Michonne!" She screamed, almost at the same rate that she introduced herself back toward Rick.

The women before us lowered her sword, and I realized that this was the women she escaped with...This is the women who offered her services to help my daughter find me.

"He helped us get out of there!" Daryl defended as Glenn and Maggie's rambling, and I realized that all weapons were aimed towards Merle. Expect Rick's, his was aimed towards Michonne and only dropped because Addie was hugging her. But once she removed herself, she returned to my side, and all I could do was hide her behind my back.

"Yeah, right after he beat the shit out of you!" Rick reminded, and I shivered at the image so much so that Daryl nudged me to open my eyes once more. 

"Hey, we both too our licks man." 

"Jackass." Merle incited the defense against his brother, and Daryl's only defense was a one worded reply. "Hey shut up!" Merle beat the head on the drum, and I honestly couldn't stand their bickering any longer.


"Enough!" I yelled to them both, looking at them both individually as I wanted to know what the hell the god damn problem was and what the hell happened. But just as I was about to question it, Michonne rose up her sword once more to Merle, and that made Addie flinch in the sightings.

The second I felt my pistol being removed, she aimed it towards Maggie. And the women before me looked more than worried. 

"Drop it." She spoke, and I swore my fucking heart, especially when Glenn aimed at my daughter as well.

That's when I looked to Merle.


"Is that what you taught her?!" I yelled to Merle, before ripping the gun right out of my daughter's hand and bringing her back. Away from the fight before us all.

"Get that thing outta my face!" Daryl yelled, brutally I might add. It was all because Glenn aimed the gun towards him, he was blocking the shot of Addie.

"Glenn?" She questioned, trying to pivot the view from behind me. And that's when the gun was completely and utterly lowered down as my bruised up friend realized who he had pointed his gun off to. 
"Man, looks like ya've gone native brother." 

"No more than ya hangin' out with that psycho back there." Daryl's rusty accent matched his brother's. They were influencing each other already that it pained me to see them fighting.

"Oh yeah, man...He is a charmer, I got to tell a that. Been puttin' the wood to ya girlfriend Andrea. Big time baby..." I covered my daughter's ears as she did need to hear that, or see the action Merle followed through with. I know he didn't like this around my daughter, it was because of the large group and his brother watching that he turned into a different person.

This was the same person who told me he felt heartbroken that Addie called him out on not being her real father. And that is a crucial fact that he will always have a soft spot for her.

"What? Andrea's in Woodbury?" Glenn questioned, and I nodded along. Daryl explained the relationship, and I realized that is why she never intervened. It was all Addie who screamed and shouted. That didn't work though.

Once more did Michonne attempt to pick up her sword towards Merle, and as cocky as ever did he just lean against a tree with a smug look on his face.

"I told you to drop that!... You know Andrea?" I saw my daughter nod towards Michonne, as if she was looking for clarification in telling him. Merle's voice popped up again, "Yep, she does. Her and blondie spent all winter together cuddlin' up in the forest. My Nubian queen here had to pet walkers...No arms, cut off the jaws, kept 'em in chains...Kind of ironic now that I think 'bout it..." He stated, mocking her tactic to survive. So I shook my head to the eldest Dixon, trying to get him to be quiet. But Daryl attempted once again, and it felt like I was about at their house once again... 

"Hey man, we snagged 'em out of the woods... Andrea was close to dyin'." He claimed, and Maggie chimed in. Questioned their relationship further.

My friend didn't even bother to look at me now, and it was because of my daughter threatening her. So right after this is done, do I have to set the boundaries. Tell her to apologize for her wrongfully accusation.

"...So what ya gonna do now Sheriff, huh? Surrounded by a bunch of liars, thugs, and cowards." I groaned into the air, leaning into Daryl as I whispered 'you've got to get him to stop...' and he growled. And regarding his speech, that meant 'I know.'

But it didn't feel like he knew.

"...Oh man, look at this. Pathetic. All these guns and no bullets in 'em..." As Daryl had gotten into his brother's face once more. I felt the weight of the gun in my hands. Knowing what I needed to do, and although I was going to hear a mouthful from Addie.

It was the best thing I could think of, and it's better me than Rick.

"...Shut up ya-self! Bunch of pussies ya roll—" Gripping the handle did I rise it above Merle's head and slam down. Making his body grow weak as it fell to the floor. 

"MOM?!" My daughter screamed, and I was startled at her voice being so high pitched. Gave me a damn heart attack. 
"Mom why did you—" 

"Addie...I need you to wait in the car." I strictly said, placing the pistol back into my jeans as she looked to me with wide eyes. And just as she was about to shake her head, her mouth opened "Mom—" 

"I want you to apologise to Maggie, and go sit in the car." I pointed, and gritted her teeth before walking towards Maggie. Her head hanging low as she's realized what she did. 

"I'm sorry Miss Maggie..." She mumbled before continuing off towards the car.

Opening the back door and slamming it shut.

My fingernails dug deep into my eyebrow as I just swore once more. "Fucking hell..." I breathed, looking towards everyone as I just shook my head. Sighing to everyone as I can't even explain her behavior any more than my own outburst.

Just as I was about to speak, Glenn removed himself from the conversation. And that just reminded me I didn't want to be anywhere near Merle when he wakes up. 

"What happened?" I asked, looking to Rick with demanding eyes. But his main focus was towards Michonne.

But once she saw the desperation in my eyes, she lowered her sword and followed the train of people removing themselves. "Maggie said that he picked all you guys up, they haven't seen you since." He breathed, his eyes following after the new girl before he wrapped his arms around me. Pulling me so close that I almost felt claustrophobic in his hands.

And soon after, I went towards Daryl. Who was so consumed to look to his brother that it took my hand caressing his cheek to get him to look at me. 

"Are you alright?" I asked, honestly. Scared for the response of 'no,' or anything brutal in that regard.

I saw the kicks, I saw how deeply invested Merle was into putting on a good show. Even if it was fake, Rick was right. Merle beat the shit out of him.

As him and I followed Rick back towards our group, did we circle around Glenn who was pacing a good ways away. While my daughter was talking to Michonne, I did tell her to stay in the car. But spiteful as ever did she have her body in the car but the door open to talk.

She's smart.

"...It won't work..." I frowned towards Rick, we were discussing the matter of Merle coming back with us. And just as I was about to place my input was I interrupted. "It's gotta..." 

"It'll stir things up." My hands disconnected from my waist as it was offered up. How the hell will it stir things up?
"Look, the Governor is probably on the way to the prison right now. Merle knows how he thinks and we could use the muscle." The darting eyes from both Glenn and Maggie had me feel vulnerable, that and utterly guilty that my daughter scared her in that way.

"I'm not having him at the prison..." Maggie started, but even she was interrupted by Glenn. 

"Do you really want him sleeping in the same cell block as Carol or Beth?" My mouth gawked open as I planted my foot down on the ground. 

"He's not a rapist," I argued, and that's when the attention was drawn towards me now. "Well his buddy is." He attacked, and I just shook my head peering towards Maggie.

Is that what happened? Is that why she's wearing a different shirt?


"They ain't buddies no more. Not after last night."
"There's no way Merle's gonna live there without putting everyone at each other's throats," Rick stated calmly, but I was angry. Angry as Daryl is right now, or Merle is after waking up with that head trauma I created for him to quiet down. 


"We need to get back now...Our people are vulnerable right now. We should just—" 

"So ya gonna cut Merle loose and brin' the last samurai home with us?" I sighed, Daryl cut me off and I just went to pitch the brink of my nose once more.

This arguing was upsetting my head quite loudly, the troubles of last night and not getting any sort of rest through the night is giving my spinning head the run around.

"...That's right. We don't know who she is...Merle. Merle's blood." I smiled at the thought, bringing me back to Addie's plea of calling us all 'family,' but look where we're headed?

Merle lied and cheated his way to ruin the relationship with the rest of the group. Addie became hostel, something I was scared of before and now look. I was right. 

"No. Merle is your blood. My blood, my family, is standing right here and waiting for us back at the prison." Glenn stated, pointing out the apparent rebound. 

"And you're apart of that family...But he's not. He's not." Rick added. Daryl took one long look towards me, and I knew by the burning glares of everyone else that they were waiting for me to look to him.

But once I did, I knew I didn't have to listen to his words. I already knew what was coming.

"Fine...We'll fend for ourselves." I trailed back, taking my head in my hands as the choice laid out before me. My hand cupped over my mouth, and whatever hand offer to hold my shoulder. I shrugged them off entirely. "That's not what I was saying, I—" 

"No him, no me." 
Rick was already looking towards me with his desperate eyes, he knew what I was thinking. And the glances between us both rendered me completely useless. "Daryl, you don't have to do that." 

"...It was always Merle and I before this..." I didn't react, didn't allow myself to give him that satisfaction at all. I looked around towards Glenn. 
His hatred for Merle is probably what put those scars on his face now. The black eye, the cut up nose and jaw. All of that was because of Merle, so I understand their hesitation in allowing back into our lives. But I can't leave them alone...

"You're just gonna leave like that?" 

"You'd do the same thing." I held in my breath as Glenn eyes were directed towards me now, pointing his finger in my general direction. "You're going to leave Blake?" He let out a sarcastic 'pff,' then a nick of his head.

He offered me to come with him.

"Say goodbye to ya pops for me." Was the last words he said to Maggie, stepping towards the cars. But my feet were frozen, and only until the circle closed further did I remove myself from them.

Their beating eyes and them calling my name did I realize my choice was so clear.

"Hey...Hey, there's gotta be another way." Rick stated to the both of us, but I just let my head tilt to the side. Nothing Rick could say would change my mind, but Daryl's look of fear struck towards me.

"Don't ask me to leave 'im. Already did that once." He said, picking up the pace once more. I was just behind Rick, not walking the same speed. 

But enough so that I was in the general area.

I need to get my daughter, and I need to get my stuff. 

"We started something last night. You realize that, huh?" Daryl just glanced over my way as he pulled up the trunk. My daughter already was looking over to see what he was doing, and he let out a little smile towards her as he grabbed his backpack.

"No him, no me. That's all I can say...Take care of ya-self. Take care of lil ass-kicker...Carl...He's one tough kid." He stated, and as he held out his hand towards me did I move past him to get my daughter. She didn't understand the entire conversation, or who ass-kicker is. So she followed through, backpack still over her shoulders as she followed me towards Merle. Our names being yelled out once more, and as Merle opened his arms to his brother, did the two of them start walking arm in arm.

"Ya forget ya bag sweetheart?" Merle questioned, and I shook my head. Looking to the both of them with intense conviction, I can't believe I'm doing this. Again.

Fucking again.


"We're not going with you..." I spoke, and that's when Daryl's arm around his brother dropped as he looked to me. 

"The hell ya mean ya ain't comin'?!" Daryl yelled, and I held my daughter's shoulders as she too looked at me with concern of my choice. 

"Blake, hun...I ain't lettin' neither of ya die out there like that." I shook my head once more, but neither one of them could convince me otherwise.

Rick couldn't change my mind before, because I never intended on leaving.

"Rory, ya nuts? Ya...Ya can't leave...Ya—" 

"You're the ones that are leaving." I simply put, and he shook his head. His mouth trying to form words that his brain couldn't even condemn that fast. So I placed my hand up and offered it to Merle.

"Thank you...For watching her, for taking care of her like you said you would..." I spoke over his shoulder, I could feel his anger rise. But he couldn't control my choice, nobody could.

She's my daughter. And he wasn't about to make Daryl take claim now. 

"Rory..." I shook my head, offering my hold once more. "You watch each other out there...I mean it. Can't fight anymore." I breathed over Pookie's shoulder, kissing his cheek once as I removed myself.

Not allowing anything more than that, even if he tried to. 

"Addie...Say goodbye to—" She broke down, not even letting me finish my sentence did she pound both her two fists towards Merle. 

"Why are you leaving?! Don't go!" She cried, but Merle just took the liberty of going down one knee before my daughter.

"Now listen here princess...I ain't gonna be 'round no more. So ya gotta promise me somethin'. I need ya to take good care of ya ma, aight? Promise me...Ya take of these people back there. Ya listen to ya ma...Comehere." He stated, pulling her so very close that he picked her up for a good second before setting her down on her feet. His one single hand held my shoulder sternly before he nodded.

He looked to Daryl and nicked his head, that was the silence of 'ya need fuckin' talk to her now,' sort of face.

I've seen it before on Merle. At least three time. 
"Rory...Please...Ya gotta come." I shook my head on last time, and he sighed. Looking down towards Addie in hopes of leaving the same imprint Merle had on her. 

"Addie ya—" She turned away, crying into my hold as I couldn't force her to talk to him.

So I offered the next best thing, one more solid kiss on the forehead before I picked up my daughter. Turning around to go back to the group.

My group.

"Why ya doin' this?" Daryl called out, and I stopped in my tracks. Addie wasn't even looking over my shoulder, her face was pinned into my hold so tightly that I couldn't pry her off even if I wanted to. So I turned back, looking to him as I saw something I thought I destroyed.

The cold eyes. The cold and fearful eyes that I am so deathly afraid of. 


"I told you...my daughter comes first..." Was all I said, continuing towards Rick as he opened the door for both myself and my daughter. He looked relieved to say the least, but that didn't stop me from feeling hatred towards him or anyone in the car for not allowing Merle into the prison.

I chose to stay. I just hope I'm making the right chose.

_____

Date Posted:  11-16-18

Time: 9:07

Word-Count: 3300

______

I know this is a rough chapter...But quick author's note: I have a few days left of cramming for exams after that I get a week break! Thanksgiving! I hope everyone eats a LOT of food.

But I have been working on the 'what if' series, what will happen is different stories will be featured with it. At the moment the two biggest ones are a scenario of Blake and Addie getting into some trouble that alerts the Dixons (Pre-apocalypse).

The second is if Blake was stuck in D.C and managed to get picked up by Negan. I am VERY excited to share this story in particular :)