A/N This begins very dark, had to be as Ed needed to suffer. Hope you enjoy this last chapter and thank you for all your support xx

A few weeks later Ed , was slowly mending he had enjoyed his day well as best he could. He had heard they had taken Philip in for questioning, which made him rub his hands in glee. His plan had worked, manipulate the men on to his side, then let them take the rap ,had him smiling with sheer joy, as far as he was concerned he was scott free. It was great being the boss, you get minions to do what you wanted, especially if you threaten them or their families. He felt annoyed that Axel was dead, the Dixon's had done a job on him of that Ed was sure, yet it had all be covered up. He was not sorry though, the bastard was a fucking wimp anyway, he didn't need him. Parking his car, in his allocated spot of his apartment, he locked the door, taking the lift up to his floor, he loved it here, so peaceful, no one to bother him. It was an old warehouse, he had brought, making the top floor, his domain, no one could get in and no one could bother him, Tonight he was going to find out, that no one could hear him scream either.

Opening the lift door he walked in, yes home, grabbing a beer from the fridge he looked out over, the town, seeing all the little people going about their business. A shadow in the window caught his eye, unsure what he was he leaned closer, what was that?. It looked, oh god it looked like a man, shit, his whole body froze, how had he got in?, he could feel a presence , dropping the beer he turned around.

"What the hell, whooo, ttthe fuck are you?" as he finished his question to the large man, another one appeared behind him dressed in black, holding a crossbow, seeing something catch the sun, he noticed both men had knives.

"Ed, welcome to hell" he knew the voices, the Dixon's had finally caught up with him.

"WHAT, YOU WON'T GET AWAY WITH THIS, THEY KNOW YOU ARE HERE" trying to judge the distance between the door and where he was, Ed knew he would make it. He just, had to keep them talking, then move over inch by inch, stupid fucking rednecks, thinking they could get to him. Of course they couldn't hurt him they would need him in for questioning and his alibi's were rock solid.

"Who knows we are here?" Daryl asked, he had never had the fortune to meet Ed Peletier, it seemed right that the day they finally met, was the day he would die. Others had always kept Daryl away when they brought him in for questioning, oh he had seen him from a far, but never really up close. He was a slimy weasel, a disgusting piece of shit that needed to be scrapped off the earth for eternity,The Dixon's were the right men to do the job. This little piss ant had hurt his pixie, the one who had beaten her, raped her, causing damage that would take weeks to heal, emotionally. Then he thought of what this shit had done to Jemma, Ed's time had come at last.

Ed, had to stay strong if he wanted any way of getting out of this, fuck was this to do with that damn Carol?, god he was only teaching her a fucking lesson, better to learn from him then a low down red neck.

"Your bosses, they know, you're after me for what I did to that slut" Merle put his hand out to stop Daryl from running at the bastard, he wanted this to be as painful as possible, he wanted this man to suffer like Carol and his sister-in-law, but if Daryl lost his shit, then it would be over in minutes.

"Nope, don't think they do boy" Merle said through gritted teeth, watching Ed's face pale

"Ya see Ed, Daryl here lost a beautiful wife, at your hands. Their little girl has to grow up not knowing her real mummy. Which to me is down right wrong. But god shone on him when he moved here and his little girl started at the school. You may know her teacher Carol?" he waited for Ed, to confirm this.

"Yes, I do, How the hell did you get in here?" inching, along the wall, slowly, the sun was setting behind him, maybe he could blind them for a few seconds get a head start.

"How we got in here is irrelevant don't you think, after all we are here for a reason" hearing that voice sent shivers down his back. Daryl had not spoken, but had moved closer than he was before. How the hell had he got that close, without him noticing, fuck he was in shit he knew that.

"Now as I was saying before you so rudely interrupted me boy, was my lil brother and Carol got together. And well you choose to fuck that up too"

"I knew she was a fucking slut, taught her a lesson she damn well deserved"

Daryl wanted to just kill him where he stood, how many other women had this bastard fucked up. How many had to live with the consequences, of his brutality, through no fault of their own.

"Would you like a taste of what you did? How would you like it if we took it in turns to rape you, as you beg us to stop" Daryl finally spoke, taking Ed's attention from Merle, oh god these men were crazy, fuck where had the older man gone?. He was just standing in front of him,feeling a hand wrap around his throat he had somehow got behind him between his body and the wall, feeling the breath slowly being squeezed out of him, he tried to remove the hand. Merle wanted to squash his damn windpipe, but knew Daryl had other plans for this piece of shit.

Ed saw the hatred in Daryl's eyes all directed at him, the crossbow now aiming at his heart.

"That's it you struggle boy, you may want to save your strength, we have a long night ahead of us, and we want you to feel every bit of pain, every mark, every bite, that you inflicted on her body" Merle whispered in his ear.

Ed. Almost wet himself, he knew tonight he would die, of that he had no doubt.

"Pllllee" trying to get his breath. Daryl held his hand up for Merle to stop. Releasing the pressure on his throat, he nodded for Ed to continue.

"I have money, I can pay you, anything" Daryl moved in close, his nose touching his, crossbow now on the floor.

"Do you really thing this has anything to do with money? WELL DO YOU?"

"No, oh god I don't know"

"No, boy this has everything to do with revenge, for what you did to someone. I only wish they were here to hear your screams and there will be screams, see this" Daryl pulled his knife out, as Ed's eyes went wide.

"I think this will hurt when used as a cutting device into your skin, what do you think?" Ed wet himself

"Ah, look at that he's wet himself, what's wrong do we scare you? How does it feel knowing you have no escape, no one to come rescue you, no one to hear you scream? I bet it scares you shitless, well that is exactly how you made my woman feel" Looking up Ed mouthed the words Carol. Daryl punched him.

"Don't you dare utter her name from your fucking lips"

"You raped her, you fucking raped her. Both her and Jemma. Do you have any idea what happens to rapists?" fingering the knife he moved along Ed's cheek, down his shirt, to his pants.

"I'm tempted to cut your fucking dick off let you bleed to death, but no that would be too fast, too easy" thank god Ed thought thank god.

"But there again I might" pulling his arm back he stuck the knife in deep, Ed screamed as it pushed into his balls, feeling it move up a little the pain, was excruciating. Daryl smiled as he pulled it back out, wiping the blood on Ed's shirt. Nodding at Merle, he moved away. Letting him deal with the bastard, seeing the blood now coming from the front of his pants, Daryl thought maybe he shouldn't have moved the knife around so much, shrugging his shoulders, couldn't change it now.

Watching his brother, squeeze the punks throat, hearing a crack, drat had he broken his windpipe oh fuck, no, Daryl wanted this to last awhile before he couldn't breathe. Yes, thank god, the fucker was still breathing, oh good there was some blood, chances are he wouldn't be screaming much, which was a pity, both men would love to hear his screams. Merle grabbed his knife and slowly pierced his back, letting him feel the blade sink in, then pull out, he did this several times, yet not causing him to bleed too much. The torture went on, as they slowly broke him down.

"This pain ain't nothing to what you put them through, be grateful we ain't into fucking you, we'd rip you apart. For every beating you gave them, I'm giving you, I know you can hear me you bastard, Wake up and feel it" Ed's body had gone limp, he had either passed out from the pain, or he was dead, neither man cared, they had done what they wanted to do, get revenge. Kicking his body to the floor, Merle checked for a pulse, damn slightly beating, yet he was out cold.

"What do you think, Daryl want to wait awhile see if he comes too?"

"Couldn't care less to be honest, if he comes to, he won't make it out of here, in fact" grabbing his knife, Daryl sliced down to the bone, there now he felt justice had been done. Ed was unrecognisable , just a bloody pulp. Through it all not one drop of blood fell on either man, going to the bathroom they cleaned their hands, the gloves, they had chosen to wear had a few splashes, but both had been careful, ensuring not a finger mark in that apartment would lead back to them. Grabbing their stuff, they headed down, just as Daryl's phone went off.

"Yes Dale"

"Well did you find the bastard?"

"I am smiling what do you think?"

"I will send in the clean up operation, he was spotted in Mexico did you know? Well that's what our story is. Carol never needs to know what you did Daryl, not from anyone. In time we will let people know he was found dead in Mexico" Dale chuckled, yes it was wrong what he had allowed to happen, but it had to be done, the man would have gotten out on a technicality, Philip had already confirmed this. There was no other way, Daryl deserved to ger the revenge he sort. Merle had wanted to help his brother, make sure that he didn't suffer with guilt.

"No I didn't Dale are you sending Shane out there to track him?"

"Yes for a few days make it look like it is all above-board. The good thing Daryl we got him, got both the bastards and Philip too. Go home to your women both of you, I don't want to see either of you back at work for at least a month am I clear"

"What?... I"

"I SAID AM I CLEAR?"

"Yes, will let Merle know, thanks Dale I owe you"

"I know nothing Dixon I know nothing" and with that he hung up

"What he say?" Merle asked as they walked towards their bikes

"We ain't back at work for a month and he told us to go home to our women" Merle clapped him on the back

"Well boy it's over, how do you feel?" He knew there could be a come down after all this, all the chasing, all the dead ends, and then finally they got it all, people were put away, others dead, who deserved it. The drugs off the streets for now, they weren't idiots, they knew some other gang would be stupid enough to try again. Most importantly though the ones they had been after for years, were now sorted. A month would mean a chance for the brothers to relax, take it easy and enjoy their life.

"It feels weird that it is finally over, feels good though" He lit up a cigarette, just enjoying the silence of the moment, Merle gripped his shoulder

"It will be ok ya know" Daryl nodded, yeah he knew, he had a few things to sort out, but yeah he knew it would be more than alright. Pushing Merle back he moved quickly to his bike

"Beat ya back bro" he smiled as he mounted his bike, it had been too damn long since the brothers had raced one another. Time to move on, rebuild a new life, revving it up, he hit the highway back home, Yeah he liked that back home, to his daughter and woman.

"Carol, is daddy going to be home from work soon?" Sophia twirled her hair round her finger, her teddy in her hand, pyjamas on and ready for bed, she wanted to see him before she went to sleep.

"I hope so sweetie" she pulled the little girl closer to her body, as they continued with the bedtime story, half listening out for the tell-tale sound of his bike.

Since coming out of hospital, Daryl had brought her home with him, looking after her, monitoring everything she did, out of love. It had been almost a month since she had come to the farm and she had no plans of leaving just yet, she loved the little family life they had. Carol had gone back to work a week ago, just a few days a week, just until she was ready to go back full-time. Maggie and Glenn had been on a couple of dates and things were progressing nicely for them. Beth and Rick were closer than ever, not that her dad approved with the age difference, but accepted you cannot help who you fall in love with. Even Shane and Lori became part of the gang, after all if they hadn't split up from their partners, Maggie would not have met Glenn and Rick would not be consoled by Beth. Even Merle and Andrea, who was now expecting had joined them when they all went out.

Daryl arrived home half an hour later, praying that Sophia was still up, he had gotten the gift that Carol had asked him too, they wanted her to have it tonight. Parking his bike up he headed inside, doing a quick check downstairs, it didn't take long to see it was empty. Creeping up the stairs he could hear Carol reading a story to Sophia, it wasn't the Faraway Tree, they had agreed that he would continue that with Sophia himself, so he had quality time with her. No this sounded like a Winnie the Pooh book, yes he had heard the word tigger, it was definitely Winnie The Pooh. Taking the stairs two at a time, he reached the softly lit room, quietly he shrugged his leather jacket off, throwing it on a chair on the landing area of the large hall. Folding his arms, he leaned against the door, as he took in the view. Sophia curled up on Carol's knee, her teddy under her arm, as Carol played with her hair, she looked so peaceful, so content, a lot like he was when he laid his head on his woman's knee and she stroked his hair. He took his fill in of his pixie, from her little pink sleeping shorts, to the pale cream tank top, he loved the outfits on her, even more so when he got to strip them off, from her gorgeous body. Moving in, he sat on the bed, listening to the story, the gift in a bag hanging from his fingers. Sophia felt the bed move and turned

"DADDY!" launching herself at him, he held his arms out wide for her to snuggle in. Kissing her head his eyes looked at Carol seeing the contented smile on her face, how he loved her. Loved both of them.

"Guess ya missed me today pumpkin?" he said into her hair, she was warm, yet sleepy.

"I did but Carol and I had fun, we built more snowmen, made snow angels. It was so much fun" her words would mumbling together, he laughed it always happened when she got excited

"So woman you been lying in the cold snow. ain't good for ya"

"I wrapped up sweetie, Sophia enjoyed it"

"And we had hot chocolate and cream" Sophia piped up as if suddenly remembering

"No I missed hot chocolate and cream, Now that is so not fair. Guess I will have to have some tomorrow" his eyes mischievous as he tickled Sophia, enjoying hearing her giggle.

"Daddy what is that?" she pointed at the bag in his hand

"What?" he pretended to misunderstand what she was asking

"That in your hand" looking around him he checked to see what she was on about, shrugging his shoulders he looked at her confused

"THAT!" she pointed at the bag, then grabbed on to it

"Oh this? Well this is a special gift for a very special girl, and Carol and I thought you may like it" her eyes lit up, her face all smiles. Daryl looked over at Carol, he could see she was nervous, biting her lip always gave it away

"That's my lip Pixie, only I get to bite it" his eyes now smouldering with desire, it always made him hot when she bit her lip, he couldn't wait to taste it, bite it hard and sooth it with his tongue, he was getting hard just thinking about it.

"Can I?" Sophia held her hand out, as she looked between her daddy and Carol.

They both nodded, as she opened the bag, Daryl moved up the bed, to place his arms around Carol, placing a soft kiss on her neck

"Stop worrying" he whispered as Sophia pulled the contents of the bag out, inside was a teddy, not too big not too small, it smelt of Lavender, the same smell Carol always had. Yet it wasn't the teddy that made her gasp, it was the wording on the front

"For my Big sister I cannot wait to meet you" Sophia jumped into their arms, her smile gave Carol the answer to the question she didn't have to ask

"When?" was all the little girl said. Daryl ruffled her hair

"In about right months" Carol whispered

"Oh wow, I'm gonna have a little brother or sister, oh wow. I will be the best big sister in the world,I promise" both laughed at her excitement

"Sophia can you pass the bag over, I am sure there is something else in there" giving it to her daddy, she climbed off the bed, cuddling her teddy.

"What else did you get?" Carol asked as he rooted around in the bag, her hand over her mouth when she saw him pull out a small box, no it couldn't be surely not. Daryl felt nervous as hell about what he was going to do Yet looking into Carol's eyes he knew he was doing the right thing

"I love you Carol, I love you for who you are, how you have mended me and my daughter. I love you for allowing me as your lover and friend. For giving me a wonderful gift of another child, for teaching me to love again. Will you marry me?" Tears fell down her cheeks, as she looked at the beautiful ring he had chosen, a white gold band, with a small diamond in the middle, it was perfect just like him

"Yes" she whispered.