Homecoming

Not too far from where the tracks left off, Daryl and Merle just about caught up on the trail. Sweat dripping off Daryl's hair and chin. Merle was out of breath carrying a rucksack of weapons behind them, while Daryl had the rest of the equipment in his own rucksack. Still they were able to keep up.

"Of course" Daryl whispered out of breath to Merle, they were lead to the gates of Woodbury. The pair of men were in the woods directly to the side of Woodbury.

"Hell this better be worth it baby brother. Ain't savin' a stranger to die" Merle said out of breath.

"It's her, I know it. Gotta thing 'gainst our group anyhoo" Daryl explained. Merle snorted.

"Who doesn't?" He joked.

"This really the time ta' be jokin' Merle?" Daryl looked back at him. Merle gave him his devilish grin and took out weapons from the rucksack.

Back at the camp, Rick had his hand on the fence looking beyond the fortress. "You were inside by then?" He looked over at Shane.

"Hell yeah man, if I were there to witness it you think I'd let her get taken?" Shane asked in disbelief rubbing his head with one hand.

"Daryl's not here, Merle's with him. People we needed" Rick growled at his own selfish mistake.

"I didn't make the call" Shane clarified. Rick looked over in regret. "I know I know. I'd do anything to change it. I was too overprotective" Rick started. "But Maggie's gone and we have numbers. If Daryl knew he'd kill me and regardless we need her."

Shane nodded. "Rick ya' know we can't keep doin' this man. Keep going out there to no man's land. It's dangerous, anything wrong could happen if we don't build up better" Shane warned.

"I know, all we need is Maggie. Then we'll fix all this up" Daryl too, Rick thought.

"Wanna load up the truck with Glenn?" Rick looked over. Shane nodded and walked back.

Merle handed his younger brother a beretta 92 with a silencer. Then pulled out an AK47.

"Leave your bow here. It's not for this move" Merle ordered. Daryl nodded and put his crossbow in the bag.

"A'right you go in with this pistol so we keep it quiet. In and out. Silent. Otherwise you got your big gun to use if things get outta' control" Merle explained.

"Wha' about you?" Daryl asked strapping the assault rifle. Merle pulled out his own silenced pistol and strapped an M4A1 around him. "I'm good too baby brother. You ready?" Merle stood.

"Yeh" Daryl said swallowing hard. "Gotta spot Michonne found an opening, we'll go through there. Leads to the holdin' rooms" Daryl explained. "Okay, let's go."

"You ready to go?" Rick looked over to Tyreese and Shane. The two nodded. "Michonne is gonna take a sec, I'm gonna say my peace to Lori and Carl" Rick walked off.

Shane was nervous, the strongest soldiers they had were going out. Chances of survival were always anonymous going out there. Glenn walked over to him. "Don't worry man"

Shane looked over at Glenn and smirked. "You'll make it fine with them. Back here, Andrea, T, Sasha and I got things covered" Glenn assured.

"You better" Shane chucked along with Glenn.

Rick walked out the cabin and Shane patted Glenn's shoulder. Walking over to the Hyundai Tucson, he stepped in the passengers side.

Michonne and Tyreese sat in the back, as Rick started the car and pulled out.

Daryl and Merle moved swiftly through the abandoned house, and rushed through a couple shrubs to get to the short destination. "This way" Merle motioned to turn down the nearest alley which had no lights or footage.

Training their pistols straight down the hall of the interrogation rooms, the pair slowly walked down the hall.

The sound of footsteps were heard and Daryl grabbed Merle's arm and turned down the hall instantly. "Nice save baby brother" Merle admitted breathing heavily.

The man had a white leather jacket on with baggy blue jeans and black winter boots. Also a baseball cap covering his head. He was tall and skinny, but had some definition.

Walking into the room, Daryl had known it was Maggie when the man started talking.

"Hello there beautiful" the man whistled. "What's a fine thing like ya' doin' in the holdin' rooms? Should be in my bedroom" he smirked down at Maggie.

The fire in Daryl's heart was rising to an extent. Breathing heavily and getting veiny, Daryl looked down the hall to see that there were no other victims of his.

Merle saw that there was no time to waste because Daryl was about to explode. And now was their chance, seeing there was no one around. He nodded over at Daryl and Daryl nodded back.

The group of four made it to Woodbury loaded. "Just like last time" he ordered holding the M1911. Shane aimed his shotgun into thin air prepared. "Michonne, Tyreese, straight for the rooms" Rick confirmed.

"So whatcha say I cut you loose and we sneak back into my place eh?" The man smirked down at Maggie.

Maggie shot him a glare, "I'm into men, not pretty boys behind gates" Maggie spat out. "Daryl Dixon" she stated.

"Daryl Dixon? Oh and where's he now?" The man laughed aloud.

"Right here" an angry, raspy voice answered behind him.

The man turned around and was held point blank by Daryl. The man fidgeted for his gun before Daryl pulled the trigger, and the man dropped lifeless. And before Maggie was Daryl Dixon.

"Daryl?!" Maggie's voice cracked as she shouted his name in disbelief. He rushed over to her and cut off all ties and helped her up from the chair.

Maggie saw that Daryl wasn't alone. The older Dixon was watching over them and was on the lookout.

Maggie stepped up to Daryl and wrapped her arms around him and squeezed tightly against him. "I can't believe you're here" Maggie was shaking against him.

"Hey it's a'right now" Daryl assured wrapping his muscular arms around Maggie's small shoulders pulling her closer than possible.

"Hate to break the moment here, but we're gonna have people on our asses soon if someone walks in here" Merle mentioned. Daryl nodded and stepped back, cupping Maggie's cheek with his hand. "Let's get outta here okay?" Daryl's words were softly spoken. He handed her the Desert Eagle from the man's holstered jeans. Placing it in her hands, she nodded and the three moved out through the alley.

Beth looked over to Glenn. "Are they gonna be okay?" The look of fear and worry stuck on her.

"Of course Beth. I don't even need to explain this. Everything's gonna be fine" Glenn lied. He didn't know if he could believe that, but he needed to keep Beth's hopes high as well as Hershel's. He took her hand in his, and looked up into the woods.

Andrea looked down at the couple and smiled a sad smile. She was on watch and the last thing she needed was to eavesdrop. Dale stepped up to the flat top. "Everything fine?"

"Yes" Andrea answered and smiled. "Just want them to hurry back. With Maggie" Andrea added.

Dale nodded. "I'm sure Rick and Shane know what they're doing. Especially without Daryl, they have to be in top form" Dale stated. The mention of Daryl and Andrea upset. She missed him a lot. He was a great addition in their group. Probably the key.

Merle quietly led the trio back to the entrance without shedding any bullets. The area was pitch black, and the only sound ahead within close proximity sounded not too nice.

"Hands" a familiar voice ordered and the three looked over at each other. "Rick?" Daryl asked in confusion.

Rick almost holstered his own weapon, 'Daryl?' He thought. Suddenly a flashlight was pointed on Daryl's group. "Maggie?" Rick got more confused.

"No time we gotta move, before they get here" Merle whispered harsh and rushed ahead. The group of seven now rushed into the woods out of sight.

Making it to the backroad, the group stopped walking and stopped by a cover area. "How did it happen?" Shane asked for Rick directly to Daryl.

"Saw one of em' cars pull off wit' Maggie in the back. Ran after em' like hell" Daryl remembered. "Found 'er at the holdin' rooms."

Shane nodded. "I was on watch before you. Got taken when I was gone-" Shane was cut off by Maggie. "There was a noise down there, as soon as I knew it, there were two men armed" she explained. "Daryl and Merle got me back in time" she added smiling back at the Dixons.

"So they've been watchin' us" Rick concluded, everyone staring at him puzzled. "Huh?" Tyreese looked over to him.

"Michonne was on first watch. Then Shane, and they knew when Michonne was on watch people would still be up and about. Then Shane without Daryl, was the hardest target to get. Then they lured Maggie out as soon as everyone was asleep" Rick started putting the pieces together.

He then continued. "They took her hostage, but they couldn't have waited that long. Four and a half hours, they'd be asleep or retreat" Rick added. "They had to be watching us. Seeing what the plan was. But we've got you two so we can change it up. If you're with me" Rick looked over to Merle.

Merle and Rick looked each other in the eye for the first time since they'd first met days before.

"I was wrong, and I'm sorry for what I did. You have the right to course me through hell if ya' need to." Rick apologized.

"Well officer friendly, How're we gon get to punishment when we gotta fight on our hands" Merle smiled and put on his serious face. "We need each other partner, now more than ever" Merle admitted.

Everyone looked over to Merle, especially Daryl widening his eyes. He'd never seen Merle to be forgiving with a side of teamwork. Maybe there was a team player in his big brother.

Rick looked at Merle a bit longer, then snapped out of it. "Alright we're gonna have you on first watch Shane, keep an eye out. Once you get off, Merle, me, and then two people for last watch" Rick confirmed. "That's when things get worse."

"I got it" Daryl stepped up. Rick shook his head. "Wha'?" Daryl looked confused at Rick.

"I would've had you do it earlier but we need you to lead runs, if not with me. Andrea and T will take that shift. They work good" Rick finalized.

"Now let's go home"

By the time night hit, Merle was introduced and the group had fallen together. Merle would be taking the second floor of the third cabin.

It had been a day since the whole incident. Things had calmed down and fallen into place. Rick, Daryl, and Sasha were going on a supply run.

Daryl strapped his crossbow and left Merle's bedroom with a nod. Sasha and Rick were by Hershel's red truck. The red Ford was the biggest thing they'd got.

Daryl stepped went downstairs to see Beth, Maggie, and Glenn eating gushers on the dinner table.

"Where'd ya get gushers?" Daryl suddenly started craving and the room giggled.

"Weren't here for that run. Found all sorts of candy which the three of us hid" Maggie mischievously grinned over to Beth and Glenn.

Daryl raised an eyebrow, "Could go for a Sour Patch. Em' watermelon ones" Daryl said mouth watery. Entertaining the young people before him, Daryl looked over to see that Sasha and Rick were ready.

"No time gotta go" Daryl said quick and grabbed the last gushers bag from the table. "Hey" Maggie yelled over to him. Daryl turned around and shot her a quick glance, smirking at her. Giving her the look she loved. Looking back at her beauty.

Daryl stepped over to the driver's seat in Hershel's truck, he'd been too busy planting and farming to speak with Rick this morning. He'd acquired help from Carl and Carol.

"Haven't been riding your motorcycle?" Rick looked over to Daryl's parked Harley.

"Eh, not too safe to use at the moment" Daryl answered. Rick nodded and Daryl drive down the back roads a bit faster.

Maggie stepped up to the flat topped cabin for watch. When the three got back she said she would give it over to Carol. She was ecstatic to see that Daryl was back. It had been hell already without him. She'd gotten kidnapped and they'd had to dispatch their strongest soldiers.

Now they had both Dixons, two skilled survivalists and hunters. Rick would need only one of them rather then taking three of the others. He'd only taken Sasha with them to see what skills she would prove. And of course for backup if Woodbury folk came.

But Maggie thought deeper, about Daryl. Her feelings for him only got deeper but there was no way to express them. He didn't know how to talk to Maggie for real and Maggie didn't wanna startup a relationship or argument at a time like this. They were basically at war and everyone needed to focus on that.

Maybe when it ended, she thought he would come after her. Well they were gonna have to find out.

Daryl was the first to step out of the car. "What's the plan?" He looked over to Rick as he took a look around the small empty town. His crossbow never drawn down.

"I'm gonna go around back and see if we got any company" Rick started off to the side of the general store in front of them. Never dropping his guard, training his Colt Python straight ahead.

Daryl and Sasha waited for Rick up at the front doors of the tiny store. There Wasn't much to worry about considering there was only one small room of goodies in the wooden place.

Rick returned shortly. "Two windows and the back view say there's no one around" Rick nodded.

"A'right" Daryl grunted taking a peek through the store before opening the door and stepping in training his crossbow with Sasha aiming her Astra-A60 straight ahead. Rick trailed just behind them into the store and they took a walk around the whole store.

"It's clear, still keep your guard up, get all the essentials then the things we'd want" Rick whispered aloud and started to look around. Daryl and Sasha nodded going through the area.

Sasha dug deep into one of the counters two find two full bottles of painkillers. "Think we'll need this in your bag" Sasha looked over to Daryl. "What's it?" Daryl raised an eyebrow at Sasha.

Sasha tossed the painkillers over to Daryl. "Ah sweet, will come in handy" he rattled the pills and put them in the rucksack.

Rick found Advil and ammunition from the front counter's register. Daryl had found a bag full of melee weapons and a well packed stock of canned food. "Jackpot" he smirked.

Bagging all the cans and melee weapons, Daryl stepped outside to pack them up with the things Rick and Sasha scavenged to find.

Closing the trunk a walker appeared beside Daryl and latched onto him, wanting his fresh meat. Daryl grabbed hold of the walker until a bullet went straight through its skull, and the walker fell lifeless.

He looked over at Rick who just rushed out the store alert. Then looked over at Sasha who had her pistol up and holstered it.

"Damn that's a good shot" Daryl looked over at Sasha. His way of thanking her. She smiled and nodded. "We're done here so let's get a move on back home" Rick stepped down to the truck.

Daryl nodded and stepped over to the passengers side. Rick would be driving, now through the snowy streets.

Beth lay next to Glenn on the couch in Hershel's cabin. Maggie walked by and noticed them hand in hand. Smiling at the cute display, she grabbed the camera from her father's room and rushed over behind the couch and captured a picture making a clicking noise. Then a snap.

"Hey! Maggie!" Beth squealed running after Maggie. And she busted out laughing rushing away from Beth to the bottom floor, avoiding her sister's wrath.

Merle sat watch now since Maggie was on for at least an hour and a half. She told him she would until the three got back, but Merle didn't want her exhausted so he'd taken watch on the flat top. He wanted to see how his baby brother's run went with officer friendly and the woman he had to leave behind on his search for Daryl.

As Rick Daryl and Sasha approached the perimeter, something hit Daryl's mind. Maggie. Maggie was on Daryl's mind, he had to confess. He knew something had to be up With her still. She acted like she'd had deeper feelings than a friend for him. He had to admit he was confused about that too. But the feeling made him more jittery and excited than ever. Maybe it was just the gushers.

Hello there! Sorry it's been months I've been sooooo busy but here's an update and more to come! :)xx