Sunday, January 31, 2010

Rick, Carol and Sophia swung by his house to pick up Carl. As Rick pulled up, Carl dashed out of the house to the car.

"Where's your Mom?" Rick asked.

"She went back to bed when I did, said she didn't sleep well last night. I told her you got called in." Carl replied.

Rick sighed. "We can't just take off without telling her. I'll go in and leave a note. She knew we were going fishing today anyway, so she won't be surprised we're gone."

Nobody was listening, Carl and Sophia were too busy happily greeting each other. Carol smirked at him and Rick shook his head back at her and walked into the house. It was quiet and when he peeked in at Lori she didn't stir.

He could see the twisted blankets that told the story of her restless night. He hoped she wasn't up all night stressed about them, about their relationship. He'd loved Lori, truly, and had mourned her no matter how difficult their relationship had been at the end. But he'd let go and had moved on. He'd had to. They couldn't be who they were before, he just wasn't that man anymore. He'd had to let go for his own sanity and he didn't think she'd much like the man he'd become. If he was completely honest with himself, he wasn't sure he could ever forgive her for her betrayal with Shane either. Not enough to move on as a couple anyway. There just wasn't any coming back from that, even though she hadn't done any of it yet. He rubbed his thumb and forefinger on either side of his head against his temples. This all still gave him a headache whenever he thought too hard about it.

He added having a frank conversation about their future to his growing mental to-do list. He owed her that much. He had to put an end to their formal relationship while still assuring her that he still loved her in his way and would protect her and make sure she survived this time. That was going to be some conversation, especially since she didn't remember. He was sure there would be nothing less than fireworks. He put that thought to the back of his brain to work on later.

He quickly wrote the note saying they'd gone fishing as planned, pinned it to the front of the fridge and then grabbed the fishing gear before returning to the car and opening the trunk to stow it. Might as well avoid questions about how they could fish without their gear.

The drive went quickly since they were able to travel at normal speeds and didn't have to watch for walkers and debris in the road. Or human threats. The company was good as well and Rick finally felt like he could relax a bit since he'd woken up the morning before. He wasn't alone and they were going to come up with a plan to save all their loved ones. They were going to be prepared this time damnit! He wouldn't waste this precious time. He just had a few more vital people to find.

Soon he found himself pulling off the highway at the familiar Greene mailbox and heading down the lane toward the house. Not too far down the lane but before coming into sight of the house sat an old Ford F-250 with a motorcycle in the back pulled off to the side. As Rick came to a stop beside it, Merle hopped out of the driver's side with Daryl slowly getting out of the passenger side.

"Tol' ya we'd be here. Daryl don' remember, but I do an' dragged him 'long," Merle said while gesturing at his brother. "Boy thinks I gone 'round the bend, but I tells him this ain't no joke and no high. This here, this's real life an tha dead are comin'."

Rick's heart fell to hear Daryl didn't remember. How was he gonna do this without his right hand man, his brother? He glanced at Daryl and could see his defenses up already, higher than they were then they'd met last time, if possible.

Daryl said, "Sorry 'bout him. I tried ta stop him but when he gets high like this I cain't talk him outta no thing. We'll go now that he can see ya don know 'em. Sorry for tha trouble." He turned and tried to grab Merle's arm who was quick to shake him off. "Come on Merle, let's leave these folks alone."

"Whatcha talkin' bout Darylina? Did they tell ya I's high and they don know me? Stop jumpin' tha gun."

Daryl turned back around exasperation all over his face. Rick stepped forward. Enough time mourning his brother, if he wanted to save him and get him back he had to get him on board. If that meant sticking up for Merle, of all people, then he'd do it.

"Nah, we know him and were expecting him. Whatever he's been telling you bout the dead people? That's true, all of it. We all remember too." Rick gestured at Carol, Sophia and Carl. "So do people at this farm. We're gonna plan out how we prepare and how we survive what's coming."

Daryl stopped short, staring at Rick in disbelief. "Ya'll don know what shit he's been sayin' but you say you believe him? That people are gonna go all cannibal?!"

Rick cringed at that. Daryl really had no idea that the dead eating people was just the start of it. There was worse out there.

Carol stepped forward then. "We don't just believe him, we remember it. It happened. For whatever reason, it's happening again but we have a chance to do it different. To do it better. Come with us to talk to Hershel and his family. We'll explain what happened. Hear us out and then decide."

Daryl snorted. "Ya want me ta come listen ta ghost stories? Cause that's all I been hearin' from my damn brother all day."

"If that's what you want to call them right now, then yes. Please." Carol gave him that look, the one she'd always used on him when trying to convince him to do things he wasn't sure he wanted to. Apparently it still worked now, even when he didn't think he knew her--he only held out a few seconds before he scoffed, flipped around and made his way back to the passenger seat in the truck, muttering to himself. He slammed the door and Merle cackled and hopped into the driver's seat, ready to follow them.

Their small caravan continued down the lane and soon approached the house. The first thing Rick saw was an old beat up toyota with a pizza delivery topper sticking up. Rick grinned, looked like Glenn remembered, he didn't see how he'd be here otherwise.

The screen door opened as he parked the car and Hershel stepped out. Right after him came Maggie who was almost directly attached to Glenn with their arms around each other's waists. Then Beth and a blond boy who looked around 20. Shawn, Rick remembered. That must be their brother Shawn. In a surprise he then saw Michonne step out with a small boy on her hip. She was followed by an older woman with greying blond hair. Her resemblance to Beth is uncanny so Rick is certain this is Annette, Hershel's much-loved wife.

Rick exited the car quickly but was passed by Carl who ran up to the group giving hugs all around. Beth looked confused, but amused as Carl hugged her after he had already hugged Hershel, Maggie and Glenn and then moved on to Michonne after Beth, leaving her with a bemused expression on her face.

Rick clapped Hershel on the back and was quickly pulled in for a hug. Words don't even express how happy he is to see him alive. Blinking back tears, he turned to Maggie and Glenn to be sandwiched between them. He could hear Carol talking as she introduced Sophia and Carl as he talked to Andre and told him how happy he was to meet him. Nothing felt better than this very moment, being with many of his family members again. Then he saw Merle and Daryl awkwardly standing back by their truck, giving them some time. Right. He needed to take care of that.

He looked at Maggie and Glenn with a serious expression. "We need to talk about Merle."

Their gazes shot over to the truck as they noticed him for the first time. Maggie took a breath and Rick could see she was gathering steam.

"Merle remembers, Daryl doesnt," Rick said, heading her off. Their gazes shot to Rick again, questions in their eyes.

"Merle says things won't be the way they were before. He's looking for a second chance. He's gonna get clean and needs some help with that. He said he wants to be a contributing member of the group, he plans to earn our respect. He saw how Daryl earned his place and he wants that. Daryl thinks he's crazy, talking about dead people eating people. The only reason he's here is cause Merle dragged him along," Rick explained.

Maggie huffed and Glenn eyed Merle contemplatively. Merle stood there looking about as penitent as he guessed Merle was capable of looking.

"He did some unforgivable things," Maggie stated.

"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you," Annette Greene quoted in a soft voice.

"Mom, you don't understand," Maggie retorted, "He did some horrible things."

Hershel spoke then. "Maggie. We all did horrible things just to stay alive. Forgiveness isn't just for those you love, but for those you don't as well. And I do know what he did. Desperation brings out the worst in people. He was trying to change at the end though, you know he was. If we can help him to change faster, who are we to deny him the chance."

Maggie nodded although her face was conflicted. Merle stepped forward then, sensing his chance to plead his case and add to Hershel's endorsement. "Imma changed man, promise. Ole Merle don wanna go it alone this time." He flexed his right hand. "And iffn I can do it without losin' a hand this time that's preferable. I did you wrong before. Ain't gotta good excuse other than yous holdin me back from findin ma brother. I didn't know what tha Governa' was gonna do ta ya." His gaze went to Glenn. "An Glenn? I's sorry bout the walker. If it makes it any bettah, I knows ya could take 'em. The others were watchin', I had ta treat ya the same ta avoid suspicion. Imma sorry ta ya both."

Silence. Merle left them all speechless with that apology. He didn't even call Glenn china man, but used his actual name. Rick was impressed and just that more convinced that Merle was serious about changing. He glanced at Daryl and saw him with his mouth hanging open at Merle's speech. Daryl noticed Rick looking and snapped his mouth shut and started gnawing on a cuticle on his thumb. Some things never change.

"Well, I can't say that I understood most of what was referenced there. Losing hands, people being eaten, Governors and walkers?" Annette shook her head in confusion. "But that sounded like a mighty sincere apology to me. From the heart, don't ya think Maggie?" She gave Maggie that look that Mothers give that say 'you'd best be agreeing with me right now.' Maggie nodded and looked to Glenn. Annette's gaze followed Maggie's to Glenn. "And I just know that this boy you've apparently been seeing is going to agree with your Mother." Glenn looked down upon receiving the full impact of Annette's intense look and just nodded.

"Well then. Since that's agreed, I have brunch all ready to go. Everybody get washed up and we'll eat. Some of you look like you could use a good meal." Annette gave Hershel an intent look of a different kind. "Then after we eat, maybe we can talk about what's got you all in such a tizzy and you can explain what's going on."

"Yes'm," Maggie replied and pulled Glenn with her, headed inside the house.

"Yay, food!" Carl exclaimed and ran inside with Sophia close on his heels. Beth followed them, still looking bemused by all that was happening.

"Go on, get washed up," Annette nudged Shawn as he stood still staring in confusion.

"You really didn't have to go to all this trouble," Carol said as she went up the stairs.

"Of course I did, Hershel said you'd all be hungry when you got here. Go on and follow Shawn, he'll show you where you can wash up," Annette said motioning Carol inside with Michonne right behind her.

Merle loped up the steps and stopped in front of Annette. "It's mighty kind a ya ta feed us. An I appreciate ya speakin' up for me."

Annette looked him up and down, taking him all in. Then she nodded as if a decision had been made. "Just don't ya make me regret it. I expect good things from you."

Merle nodded with the most serious expression Rick had ever seen on his face.

"Ya won't. I'll pull ma weight. Imma changed man."

That left Rick on the porch and Daryl still standing by his truck, teeth worrying the skin of his thumb. Annette's gaze went to him next. "Come on, your brother looks like a man who'll eat it all before you get there if you let him. Get in there and get washed up before it's gone."

Daryl looked shocked that she was talking to him. It's like he expected to wait outside while the rest of them ate. Rick's heart hurt for his friend. He'd gained a lot of confidence in the old world, but he was back to the Daryl who was wary of everyone and everything. He gave a short nod and then walked up the steps and into the house as Annette ushered him inside. Rick brought up the rear and shut the door.

Soon, Annette had them all seated at the big farmhouse table along with a small kids table she'd had set up close. Rick hid a small grin as he watched Carl fight between being pleased to be chatting with Sophia and Beth with Andre between them and his chagrin at being seated at the kiddy table. Regardless of his mental age, he couldn't really argue that he was small enough to be seated there.

Rick looked around the table with satisfaction. This house contained some of the most important people to him in his life and it looked like Annette was fast on her way to burrowing into his heart as well. They had time to plan, to prepare for what was coming together. Many of his other family members would be on their way soon and their chosen family would be almost complete. He just needed to find Sandi now.

A/N  I'm so excited to see them *almost* all together. We're getting closer to having the whole group here. I'm also sad about Daryl not remembering--who thought it'd be Merle and not Daryl of all people--but this is just the way it worked. Hopefully we'll see some progression with Daryl and maybe he'll remember eventually. Not sure yet to be honest. I have a vague outline but this work comes together chapter by chapter and sometimes they surprise me! Originally Daryl was going to remember but he's being stubborn and wants to be all doubting Thomas for a bit I guess. ;)