Chapter 45: Andrea's Return

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I wish we could stay wrapped up in each other forever. Daryl looks like he could use a long nap, but noise keeps building downstairs and whatever it is, we should be there. Daryl has just gotten to his feet and started pulling his boxers and pants back on when the door to the cell block slams shut and Rick's voice rings out.

"Take watch," he says. "Eyes open, head down. Field's filled with walkers. Didn't see any snipers out there, but we'll keep Maggie on watch."

Daryl grabs one of the sleeveless shirts in his pile and I'm suddenly extra glad I gathered them up. He throws it on and, as I stand up, he steals another kiss from my cheek before he pushes the cell door open and heads out.

"Daryl?" Rick calls.

"Heard you," Daryl says. "I can get up in the guard tower, take out half them walkers, give these guys a chance to fix the fence."

"Or use some of the cars to put the bus in place," Michonne adds.

I finish up and move out onto the landing, looking over the railing at where Daryl now stands with Rick, Michonne, Glenn, and Hershel.

"We can't access the field without burning through our bullets," Hershel says, grave.

"So we're trapped in here," Glenn says. "There's barely any food or ammo."

Daryl exhales, running his hand down his mouth and chin before he nods. "Been here before. We'll be alright."

"That's when it was just us," Glenn retorts. His anger hasn't calmed at all, not that I expect it to. I lean on the railing, arms folded. "Before there was a snake in the nest."

"Man, we gonna go through this again?" Daryl asks. "Look, Merle's staying here. He's with us now. Get used to it."

"Hey—" Rick starts, moving forward.

"All y'all," Daryl retorts.

He glances up at me, purses his lips, then goes back to the stairs. I touch his arm lightly when he reaches me and he shakes his head, glaring down at the others for another moment before going back inside my cell.

I purse my lips and look back over the railing.

"Seriously, Rick, I don't think Merle living here is really gonna fly," Glenn says, voice low and harsh.

"I can't kick him out," Rick insists.

"I wouldn't ask you to live with Shane after he tried to kill you," he snaps back.

"Merle has military experience," Hershel says as both men glare at each other. They look at him. "He may be erratic, but don't underestimate his loyalty to his brother."

Glenn's jaw clenches, then he lowers his voice enough that I can only hear a few words here and there. I back up to my cell and Daryl's on the bed, fiddling with an arrow, jaw clenched.

"Dampens the mood a bit, huh?" I ask. He shrugs. I move to him, leaning down to press a kiss to his forehead. "If you need to talk, I'm here."

"You don't want him here, do you?" he asks.

"I'd rather have both of you than neither of you."

His lips purse. Maybe it's not what he wanted to hear, but I won't lie to him.

"I'll get you some food, okay?" I offer. "You must be hungry."

He shrugs, but he nods a little too, and I head towards the common area.

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Daryl looks up when someone appears at the cell door, expecting Hope, but Carol's there instead. She smiles as she leans against the door.

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