Author's Note: Surprise Visitor and now Oh, Brother are posted! Enjoy!

Theme Song: "Hey Brother" - Avicii

Sasha sneered disgustingly at him and Maggie looked repulsed. Everyone saw the shank he had replaced with the hand that he lost and Merle smirked, "Lost my hand that day.." Merle's words were laced with venom, but he was eyeing his own shank approvingly.

"Ya' lost yer' hand because yer' a stubborn son of a bitch." Daryl spit out loudly and the group tensed. Rick put a hand up as Merle was about to retort, "Alright, alright. We don't have time for this." He cut his eyes to Daryl pleading with him to stand down.

Daryl seemed to understand what he was saying and sniffed before shuffling back away from Merle. Daryl paced back and forth for a moment before coming to an abrupt halt and staring at his older brother.

"Yer right about that, Sherriff. Ya' really don't have time." Rick took a step forward, but watched as Calvin did as well, protecting Merle. Carl took a step forward and glared at the kid, who glared right back. "What. Do. You. Want." Rick emphasized each word, his country drawl coming out and his head tilting dangerously to the side.

Glenn swallowed and looked to Maggie who shrugged; they were both still leery about lowering their weapons all the way. Rightfully so, too. Merle looked torn for a split second, his mind mulling around everything he knew about Juno and he saw his opportunity to weasel his way back into a group that involved his brother.

"I'm yer' only hope at savin', Legs." Merle grinned widely now, his filling glinting in the sunlight that bared down on them all. Daryl's blue eyes narrowed as he took a step towards Merle, "Tha' hell you talkin' 'bout?"

Rick bristled and everyone looked at one another. Rick had a sinking feeling he knew exactly where Merle was going with this. The way he grinned at Daryl as if he knew something they didn't, dangling it over his brother's head.

Vicki!

Merle walked now, his arm around Calvin dropping as he paced towards Daryl with his hand and shank behind his back, "I see what ya' like 'bout her, baby brother. She is a fine lil' honey." He whistled now and Daryl dropped his bow, crossing the distance. Before Rick could get to Daryl he had thrown Merle into the side of the vehicle.

Calvin started to raise his gun, but Carl raised his first, "Don't!" Carl yelled and Calvin looked frightened for a split second, lowering his gun and raising his free hand in surrender. He was outnumbered and would be foolish to shoot any of them now.

Merle was thrust up against the humvee like truck as Daryl gripped the laples of his button down, "Where is she?" Daryl asked through gritted teeth, his country twang biting out in his anger.

Daryl knew exactly who Merle was talking about now. His chest heaved up and down like a rabid animal. Rick put a hesitant hand on Daryl's shoulder as Merle snickered.

"Damn, tha' girl really got yer' head on backwards, baby brother." He paused for good measure and addes, "Salivatin' over a piece of ass." Daryl slammed him again against the humvee, no words leaving Daryl's lips as they glared at each other.

"You know where Vicki is?" Rick asked and Merle smiled devilishly over Daryl's shoulder, "I don't jus know where she's at, Sherriff. I know all about that damn place. It's where I've been layin' low at."

Daryl loosened his grip on Merle's shirt and Merle took the opportunity to continue speaking, "I'm yer' only hope of gettin' 'em back alive." Merle glared at Daryl as he let go of Merle, fuming still, but digesting everything that was being said.

Daryl chewed on his thumbnail nervously before seeing Carol in his peripheral with Judith. She nodded silently to Daryl, letting him know that it was okay to stand down..no matter how much he wanted to hit his older brother.

Rick sighed heavily and couldn't believe he was about to rely on Merle Dixon to get the others back alive. Merle nodded to Calvin and he put his gun away, as did Carl. The boys nodded to one another before Merle grabbed Calvin and nodded towards the prison, "Alright, kid?"

Calvin nodded and Merle looked towards Rick as he eyed them both suspiciously, "He's with me. He ain't wanna' be in that place any more than I did. He'll help us too."

"Daddy.." Maggie muttered aloud and Glenn watched as she stared open mouthed at Merle as if he was her only hope of seeing her dad again. Merle put two and two together quickly, figuring the old man was her father, "The old man is still alive, keepin' him 'round as resident doctor, I suppose."

Maggie breathed out in relief and hugged Glenn tightly. Rick walked up to Calvin, who reached his hand out to shake Rick's as a show of good faith, "We know the place, in and out. We can tell you anything you want to know about Daniel and his men." Rick hesitated, "But, why help us?" Calvin looked down and then back up shyly, "They aren't good people."

Everyone wandered into the prison and Daryl hovered, watching as Merle led Calvin in. Rick looked towards Daryl as he stared at his boots, "I know this is tough on you, but he is our only chance at getting them back. We have to at least hear him out."

Daryl nodded, but he didn't meet Rick's eyes, his gravely voice muttering, "Jus' wanna find 'em, Rick."

He walked past Rick and into the quad, but Rick knew better than to think Daryl was okay. Though he was upset about the others being taken, he was also reeling from seeing his brother and he was torn on how he felt about it.

Merle and Daryl had all the time in the world to talk their problems out once Vicki and Hershel were safe, but for now, they needed to keep a clear head.

After a couple of hours of talking, everyone was in agreeance that heading towards the safe place that Michonne had seen signs for was the best plan of action after grabbing Vicki and Hershel.

Rick paced while Michonne sat twirling one of her swords and then proceeded to clean it off. Merle had been staring at Maggie for a minute until Glenn put his arm around Maggie's shoulder, pulling her closer to him and glaring at Merle who smirked in response.

Rick stopped abruptly, "Alright, then it's settled." Merle lounged lazily and Daryl sat in the corner, his eyes watching Merle and the boy the entire time. Carol looked upset that Merle was here and it was no secret the past relationship between the brothers.

And Rick found it still somewhat ludicrous that he was about to trust Merle Dixon, of all people.

"Merle can take out the two guards since they will recognize him and think he's back from the run. We all park a safe distance away from it and walk the rest of the way. We take them unaware and now we know they have limited firepower."

Rick looked to Calvin for confirmation and he nodded, "They have tents set up here and the warehouse is here, but it should be empty now." They made a makeshift map and Calvin stood, his arms crossed as he explained, "The house will be here and that's where Vicki and Hershel are being held."

Everyone nodded, taking in the map and listening with rapt attention to the boy's words. "What about the women?" Michonne asked in a whisper. Merle and Calvin both looked uncomfortable, their gazes far away.

Merle finally answered, uncharacteristically somber, "Ain't alive no more." They all were silent and Maggie looked white as a sheet. Sasha shook her head angrily and Tyrese bowed his head.

"I ain't had no part in that, don't look at me like that, damnit." Merle bit out as Daryl glared at him from across the room. Daryl looked away now, back towards Calvin and Rick, "Whatdya' wanna do about them?" Daryl asked, nodding towards Carl and Judith.

"I'll be damned, a baby. Huh, ain't that somethin'." Merle smirked tilting his head in curiosity at the baby. She started to cry and Carl glared before rocking her slowly and talking in hushed whispers to her. Her cries got softer and Rick answered Daryl's question, "Someone will have to stay behind in one of the vehicles with them."

Tyrese stepped up quickly, "I can watch them, if ya' want." Rick nodded thankfully, before Carol stepped up, "I'll stay with them too. Just in case.." She trailed off lightly and Tyrese nodded in understanding. Carol was back up in case something happened to Tyrese, and vice versa.

They had come up with the best plan they could, given the situation and truth be told, Merle and Calvin had been more than helpful.

Surprise, Surprise!

They had given them the number of men Daniel had and specifics about the place they wouldn't have known without them, "I have two flares left, if things go south, I'll shoot one off. That means you get the hell out of there and don't look back." Tyrese nodded and Carol asked, "We head to the train tracks? Try and find the safe place?"

Rick nodded grimly and his heart clenched at the idea of them having to go on without them, but he'd do anything to ensure Carl and Judith were safe. "We will do whatever we can to make it to the train tracks." Rick added, but Carl was looking at his dad with uncertainty and hurt.

Rick glanced at Carl again and he looked away, his blue eyes seeking out Judith. "Carl.." Rick whispered, but Carl got up with Judith and stalked off towards his cell. He sighed, watching Carl walk away, but Michonne placed a hand on his shoulder, "He'll be alright. He just wants to fight too."

Rick looked to her and nodded, but Carl getting into the fight wasn't an option. He had to keep Judith and Carl safe, and he trusted Tyrese and Carol to get the job done. "When we leavin'?" Daryl asked, standing up and getting ready to leave, "Easy there, little brother. We ain't about to leave just yet. I say we do it right at dawn, or before. Catch 'em unawares."

Rick looked to Daryl and he was silently mulling this over. Rick nodded and Daryl relented, nodding as well. Sasha looked to Tyrese and they were in a heated discussion on whether she would be fighting or not, but Sasha was adamant and she volunteered to go on the field with everyone else.

The only four that wouldn't be fighting would be Tyrese, Carol, and the kids.

Carol nodded to Calvin, "Let me show you to one of our cells, I can get you settled in for the night." Calvin looked to Merle and he waved him on to follow Carol. But, Carol abruptly stopped a moment, glaring daggers at Merle before looking to Daryl and saying in a loud whisper, "Don't let him drag you down, Daryl."

Merle glared at Carol before watching her walk away with Calvin. That left Michonne, Rick and the Dixon brothers. Sasha and Tyrese had long scattered and Rick figured the two siblings wanted some quiet time together since they were going to be split during battle tomorrow.

Michonne sheathed her sword, staring down Merle and he was doing the same, but he spoke up first, "See ya' glarin' girl. Ain't no reason ta'. 'Ole Merle is helpin' ya'll out. Should be thankin' me." His last words sounded a bit angry and Rick looked over at Michonne as she walked away without another word to Merle.

They had a long morning ahead of them and it would do them no good to argue. Michonne took the high road and disappeared from the cellblock. Rick looked at Daryl, their eyes meeting and they stared at one another. Rick wondered why Daryl lingered, but he quickly realized he probably wanted some alone time with his brother.

Rick nodded curtly, "Get some rest, guys. We leave before dawn." Before he could walk away, Merle piped up again, "After it's all said and done though, Sherriff, you and me gonna' have a little chat." He waved his shank at him in an attempt to intimidate Rick, but he merely stared at him before walking away.

Merle lazily looked up at Daryl, "Wha'? No hug for your older brother? No big homecomin'?" Daryl looked away and scoffed, "Ya' got left on tha' rooftop for bein' an ass. I know better now."

Merle's eyes widened and he was surprised that his baby brother had some fire to him now. He was usually the sweet, meek one, but now..now something had changed. Daryl had hardened to some degree. This woman that was captured was bringing him down.

Deep down, Merle was intimidated by Daryl's loyalty to the group. He looked to the shank and responded, "That wha' you know, little brother?" Daryl glared at Merle and Merle got up, raising his hand and shank up in the air in surrender, "Wha' ya' want me to say? I wasn't there for ya'? Alright, yer' right. I wasn't there for ya', but I am now."

Daryl still didn't buy into much of what was saying and it showed in his leery gaze. Merle just wanted his baby brother safe, to be honest, but he wouldn't be a pussy about it. "Wasn't there for ya' at times, I know that." Merle sounded angry, but he was only angry at himself.

Merle had an idea that Daryl suffered at the hands of their father and because he was always in juvie or jail, he wasn't always around to protect his baby brother. It was something he'd live with for the rest of his life..not being there for him.

He looked away from Merle, clearly uncomfortable with the subject and Merle decided not to push. He got his answer with Daryl's reaction. Merle felt a flush of something he wasn't used to..upset. Remorse. And maybe even guilt.

"Wha' tha' hell ya' want, Merle? After this is over.." Daryl trailed off and raised a brow at his brother. Merle shrugged and opened his mouth to speak, then closed it. "So hard ta' believe that yer' older brother just wants to help out, hm?" Daryl scoffed again and Merle changed the subject.

"Ya' think these people are yer family, huh?" He pushed this subject and if he could only hear himself he'd hear how jealous he sounded. Daryl picked up on it, but merely responded, "Done right by me so far.." Merle arched a brow, smirking lightly before adding, "That pretty little thing done right by you too?"

Daryl flushed and looked away, not comfortable talking about Vicki with Merle. Merle had always taught him women made men weak and if they were around they were only good for one thing and one thing only. Sex. And cooking meals in the kitchen was an added bonus.

Somehow, Merle had a feeling that Daryl didn't feel the same way as Daryl responded hotly, "Don' talk 'bout her, ya' ain't even know her." Merle chuckled, shaking his head, "And ya' do? Let me tell you somethin', yer only ever gonna' need yer' older brother."

Daryl shook his head ever so slightly and this made Merle flare up in anger, "Tha' hell this girl do to ya'? Scramble yer' damn brain, huh?" Merle shook his head in mock sadness, tsking lightly. "Besides all that nonsense, glad to see yer' alive, little brother. Dixons are tough sons a bitches." Out of everything that had been said, this earned a small smile from Daryl and Merle felt relieved.

They stayed quiet for a moment before Daryl abruptly got up from his spot and walked towards the stairs, "Better rest up, got a fight ahead of us." Merle watched as Daryl brushed past him and it was only then he saw the worry and concern in his brother's eyes.

The worried look of a man that had lost something important and would do anything to get it back.

Merle was stunned as to how much this woman meant to Daryl, "Daryl.." Merle's words were low and Daryl hesitated on the stairs, turning back to look at Merle one last time, "That girl.." Daryl gnawed on his cheek nervously, but Merle continued on even though it was hard for him, "She's strong."

Daryl just stared at Merle, his blue eyes holding fast to his brothers and not daring to breathe as the talk between them ventured into an area that made Daryl shift uncomfortably.

"She holdin' up?" Daryl asked quietly and Merle nodded before adding while pushing off the wall and heading towards his own cell, "Think she cares a lot more 'bout ya' then ya' know, little brother." It was the last thing Merle said before heading off towards his temporary bed. Merle could hear the footsteps of his brother as they clanked up the stairs.

Everyone retreated for most of the afternoon and once nightfall came, they all went to bed early. However, not one person in that prison slept like a baby that night. If anything, they tossed and turned, everyone on edge for the upcoming battle.

People could die. They could lose. But, one thing was for certain, they had two more people to add to their numbers. And not a single person in that prison would go down without a fight.

--

I was sitting on my bed at dawn to, pulling on my boots and readying myself for the day ahead of me. The sound of gunfire jolted me fromu thoughts and I felt my insides flip flop with nerves and adrenaline. The light in the hallway outside my door came on. My door flew open and I stood up immediately.

Daniel stood rigid, his eyes glaring at me as he came at me with a determined gait. He gripped my upper arm and wrenched me forward, "We've got company, Vicki."

I smirked, my stomach now heightening to sommersaults as I realized exactly who was outside, "I told you. You made a mistake taking us." A grin spread across my face like the Cheshire.

When Daniel turned to me it was the first time I'd ever seen a hint of panic in his evil eyes.

Author's Note:  Oh snap, it's about to go down! ^^