All You Need Is Family

by xoxo_SnowBunni

Summary:

The Dixon family. No good redneck SOBs but family means everything to them. Then the damn zombies started to appear, and everything went to shit. But together, there might just be a bright light at the end of this dark tunnel… Hopefully.

 

**** This is my very first-time writing Walking Dead Fanfiction and disclaimer; I do not own The Walking Dead series. The plot for this story is my own and any of the OCs. ****

Notes:

Some things are going to be the same and some are going to be different. A big one is Merle; he isn’t going to a racist dick but a dick, nonetheless. Noah is going to be aged up to 26 years old and be introduced early in the story. Also, I will only be covering the first 3 seasons of the show up to the prison because I never liked the others after season 3. Then after that, the story will be new. Chapters will most likely been different lengths and please bear with me as updates might be kind of slow.

So, I hope you enjoy it. :)

Chapter 1: Chapter One

Sirens. Red and blue lights flashing behind the truck that Merle Dixon was driving while in the truck passenger seat sat his brother Daryl. Merle knew it would be him that would get caught and go to jail.  He heard Daryl give a sigh as he started to pull the truck over to the side of the road. Any other time, Merle would just high tail it down the road giving chase, but Daryl was with him, and he didn't want his brother to get into any trouble. 

“Why do you do this Merle?” Daryl asked.

“Shut the hell up Daryl. You don’t know shit!” Merle got out his wallet as the cop came up to the driver's side window.

“I see we meet again, Dixon.” The officer said. “Driver's license and registration.” 

“Whatever officer dick.” Merle grumbled and gave the man his information. The officer was Shane Walsh, and the guy didn’t really like Merle or Daryl Dixon. To be honest, Merle didn’t really give a flying one about the dude either. Merle didn't really see the point in giving Walsh his info, he knew he was going to be going to jail for a while anyways once he was searched. 

Shane Walsh gave Merle back his items then stood back. “You know the drill Dixon, out of the truck.”

Merle got out of the truck, turned and placed his hands on the truck then spread his legs. Officer Walsh started to pat him down and Merle, even though he wanted to fuss about it, he couldn’t because he knew this was what was going to happen anyways. He knew what was in his pants pockets, so he wasn’t shocked when Walsh pulled out a bag of weed from his back pocket. Though Merle made sure that he didn’t keep any of his hardcore drugs on his person or in the truck. Walsh gave a sigh and handcuffed Merle.

“Why do you always do this to yourself Dixon? You just got out of jail two weeks ago and already you’re going back.” Shane walked Merle to the cop car and placed him in the backseat. “The other Dixon’s in your family actually have some common sense.” 

“Fuck you Walsh!” Merle didn’t need to explain himself about the issues that he had.

Rolling his eyes, Shane walked back over to the truck to talk to Daryl. “Now I don’t have to make you come step out and pat you down too Daryl, do I?”

Daryl gave a grunt. “No Walsh, you know me. I’m not crazy enough to do drugs. Trust me, I have to set some sort of example for Eli and Toni. We’re not all like Merle and his stupid ass.”

Shane nodded his head. “Well, you can take the truck and be on your way. And tell Toni I said hello.” Then he walked away back to the cap car and drove off with Merle is the backseat looking like he wasn’t sorry at all. 

Daryl rubbed his hands against his face and gave a heavy sigh. Getting out of the passenger side of the truck, he walked around and climbed into the driver's side. He started her up, driving back to the Dixon household. Neither Eli nor Toni would be all that surprised when Merle wasn’t with him. Nothing really surprised them when it came to Merle.

********

Going down a dirt road and passing some thick trees, Daryl pulled up to a cabin that was sitting on two thousand acres of land. Toni was sitting on the front porch steps with her legs crossed at the ankle and leaning back on her elbows. Toni was the baby of the family and the only girl. Their father was fuming mad when he was told he was having a daughter. He didn’t like it one bit. He wanted all boys, so to fix this problem, he gave her a boy's name and made sure that Tonin was a bonafide tomboy. Their mom tried to get Toni to be and act more girly but that didn’t go very well in the end. Their mom was beaten and left for dead at a local hospital for defying her husband on how he wanted to raise his children. The one thing that their father made sure of, was teaching Toni how to fight and to use a weapon of any kind. Toni was good too.

The truck pulled up to the side of the cabin and once stopping, Daryl climbed out. Toni looked over at the sound and stood up.

“Let me guess, Merle got his stupid ass arrested again.” Toni just had to shake her head.

“Of course, he did. Merle has no damn common sense sometimes. At least he only had some weed on him. So, he should get out of jail in a few days.” Daryl put his hands into his pockets and headed for the front door. He felt Toni walk behind him. “So, where’s Eli?”

Once inside the cabin, Toni walked over the couch that was lumpy as hell and sat down. “Where he always is. In the woods doing some target practice. He's been going at it since you and Merle left earlier. He also said that he'd bring home some deer for dinner tonight.”

“That’s good because we barely have any food in the house.” Daryl said as he grabbed a beer from the fridge and took a drink from it. “I might actually go out and join him.”

“You do that bro. I’m going to go take a nap.” She gave a yawn and headed for her bedroom.

While she was doing that, Daryl took his beer and headed back out to the living room. Grabbing the remote, he turned on the tv and just started to flip through the channels while he drank. There really wasn’t anything of interest that caught his eye. So, he finished his beer, went to toss it in the trash and then went to grab his crossbow and bolts. Daryl would have to make some new ones; he was starting to run low. He then went out the back door and started to walk into the heavy dense woods where he knew Eli would be at. Hunting was the only thing that the siblings did to relieve stress. 

Chapter 2: Chapter Two

Notes:

Decided to post chapter two early :) Enjoy

Eli was the younger brother but unlike his older brothers, he was more adventurous. When he was younger, he would leave the cabin all the time by himself and wouldn’t come home until days later. To him it was better to be away from the cabin than with his abusive father. 

Eli shook his head as he cocked back his compound bow and let it sore, hitting the target. It wasn’t a bullseye, but it was close. After a couple more shots at the target, Eli decided to go hunting. He needed to find something to eat for dinner or they would be going without again. So, taking his bow and arrows, he made his way deeper into the woods. He made sure to keep quiet to not scare any of the animals that may be out and about but also following any tracks that he comes across.

One. Two. Three shots later, Eli had already had two squirrels and a rabbit hooked to his belt. Still, no deer in sight yet but if the track he had found then maybe there was some luck after all. A little farther out the deer tracks went from there being one to at least two more. Maybe a mated pair. He was getting close, he could feel it.

SNAP!!

Eli turned around quickly with his bow loaded and ready to shoot at whatever decided to come up behind him. Though he put his bow down when he saw who was behind him coming out of the woods. It was Daryl.

“Fuck bro! I could have shot you.”

“Yeah well you didn’t.” Daryl said and walked forward, hitting Eli on the back as he went. “Cause if ya did, I’d shoot you right back and in the ass too.”

“Yeah, Yeah.” Eli followed after Daryl showing his brother the tracks that he had found and was following. He knew that his brother was the best hunter there was besides himself of course but he wasn’t bragging or anything.

Both Eli and Daryl followed the deer tracks and finally found them in an open field just grazing. There were two doe and a large buck. Looking over at each other and without even saying a word, they both loaded up their bows and took aim at the buck. They knew that this buck would be able to feed the family for a few days or maybe a week at most with how large it was. Arrows flew and hit their mark but it was Daryl’s bolt that downed the buck. Eli was way off on his shot and the look on his face said it all.

Daryl Smacked Eli on the shoulder. “Better luck next time bro.” He grinned and made his way over to the now dead buck. It was pretty big so it was going to take a while to grab the carcass back to the cabin. Giving a sigh, Daryl took out the arrows and gave the buck a once over and gave a smirk. “I’ll take the head and you can have the ass end.”

“Why the fuck do I have to grab the ass?” Eli glared, not impressed at all. 

“Cause I killed the damn thing so you get the ass end.” Daryl grabbed the buck by the antlers and hiked the large head over his shoulder. Eli on the other hand was not having a fun time. On the ass end of the buck was a mess with blood and Eli knew he was going to get Daryl for this. He would also probably need a shower as well. 

So Eli sucked it up for now and lifted the back end of the buck the best he could without dropping it. It took both men all afternoon to get the carcass back to the cabin. The sun was even almost down when they got there. Waiting for them on the back porch was Toni. She was wearing an old pair of shorts that belonged to Daryl and a black tank top. With her short hair she did look just like one of the guys and she was okay with that. It never caused her any grief about it. She saw them coming out of the wood and towards the porch and she went to go help them. The look on Eli’s face made her crack up.

“What’s wrong bro?” She asked.

Eli grunted but said nothing.

“He lost.” That was all Daryl had to say and Toni understood what had happened.

Toni just couldn’t help but start to laugh at her own brother. Laughing even harder when she heard Eli groan in annoyance.

“Shut the hell up Toni!”

“And if I don’t?” Toni challenged.

“Then I’ll kick your fucking ass!” Girl or not, Eli would take her down.

“Please. You haven’t managed to kick my ass since we were little and that was a cheap shot cause you came out of nowhere.” Toni explained but still helped her brothers sit the buck down on the back porch once they made it there.

Eli, once he was free from the dirty part of the job he rounded on Toni and tackled her. Toni was ready for him but Eli was still bigger than her so they ended up on the ground. Though being a small girl, she was flexible and was able to twist around Eli like she was a snake. She wasn’t a kid anymore so she could handle herself now. Daryl just looked at them giving a shake of his head as he started to skin and cut up the deer. Toni flipped around Eli with ease wrapping her legs around him then used her weight and the force to flip Eli on his back, wrapping her legs around his head. She pulled his right arm behind his back hard, causing him to yelp in pain. 

“Toni! Fucking hell! You’re going to break my damn arm damn it!” Eli yelled.

 “Well surrender or I will break it you dumbass!” She pulled back even more, making Eli scream out.

“Fine! You win, just let me the fuck go.” His arm was killing him as soon as Toni let go. He tried to move his arm around but it was painful. “Damn.”

Toni stood up and did a victory dance. She was just so childish sometimes. “That’s what you get Eli.” She gave him a punch to the arm as she passed him to help Daryl or really to just “supervise”.

“Crazy ass bitch.” Eli said with a joking smirk. He headed for the back door to go inside. “I’ll go tell Merle about the buck. I don’t know why he hasn't come outside yet.”

Toni tried to call after him but was too late and he already went inside. She looked over at Daryl. “Did you not tell him about Merle?”

“Eh no… I was huntin’ and forgot.” Daryl didn't even lift his head. He almost had the whole buck to its bare bones.

Toni had to roll her eyes.

Eli came back out. “Where the hell is Merle?”

“In jail.” Toni said, looking down at her shoes.

“Oh hell.” Eli sat down right next to his brother and started to separate the different pieces of meat.

“Well his dumbass has weed on him so what did you expect?” Daryl wiped his hands and stood up. He grabbed freezer bags from the outdoor cabinet for things like this and started to put the cut of meat into different bags. He handed all of the full bags except for one to Toni so she could put them in the freezer. “Start the grill Eli.”

Hearing that Merle was in jail made Eli shake his head. Merle sure was a real dumbass. He started the grill like he was told and started to think about taking Toni down again whenever he wanted but if it was between him and either of his brothers then he would surely get his ass kicked. Once the grill was hot and ready, he plopped down 3 large deer meat slabs listening to it sizzle.

“So how long will he be in jail this time around?” Toni asked coming back out of the house with forks, knives, plates and a couple beers in a cooler. 

“I don’t know, but when he does I’m gonna give him a kick in the ass.” Daryl said throwing the deer carcass into the trash but hanging the skin on a line to dry. He then took the water hose to spray the blood from the porch.

Once the meat was done, they each got a plate of meat, a beer, and started to chow down.

Chapter 3: Chapter Three

Being processed was a no brainer for Merle. He’s been to jail many times since he was just eighteen. So, getting patted down, piss tested and everything else was like breathing. By now he should just live in the damn jail house at this point. Once everything was done, Merle was placed in a cell with 4 other people. Though he did have a sit down in the corner away from the other men. Merle was waiting to see how long he was going to be behind bars this time.

It felt like forever but eventually officer Walsh came over to the cell with some papers.

“Well Dixon, good news is you won’t be in jail for very long. Bad news, you’ll be in jail for six months.” Walsh had a small smirk on his face, and it made Merle huff in annoyance.

Six months? Really? Merle knew that he couldn’t have that sentence but this was officer dick who didn’t like him so what was he to do really. He sighed agitated. “Whatever man. Just give me my one phone call and my own damn cell.” 

Unlocking the cell door, Shane placed some cuffs on him so his hands were in front of him and took him over to the phone for his free call. Merle dialed his number and waited. It rang a few times before someone finally picked up.

“Is this you Merle? What the fuck man.”

It was Daryl who picked up.

“Yea it’s me bro. Ya won’t be seeing me for the next six months.”

“Damn it Merle! Really!” Daryl gave a sigh into the phone. “I would say you should learn your lesson but that’s a load of shit so I shouldn't even say that.”

Merle gave a chuckle. “Well you know me brother.” He looked over and saw Walsh point at his watch. “I gotta go, I’ll call you again in a few weeks.”

“Yea, yea.”

The phone went dead after Daryl hung up the phone. Merle on the other hand officer Walsh took him to go get a jumpsuit then took him to his own jail cell. He changed clothes and went to lay down in his bed. All he now had to do was wait.

Once Daryl hung up the phone, he went to tell Eli and Toni what was going on. Toni just shook her head and went to watch TV. She just didn’t understand Merle. Though the man will never learn to just cut the shit and have a normal life, Toni still loved him. Eli was really upset. The poor guy looked up to Merle, none of his siblings understood that. No he didn’t like the drugs Merle did but he liked the toughness Merle showed and his no shit attitude. Eli was the youngest brother, Daryl hoped he’d also grow up and pick a new role model cause Merle wasn’t the best choice.

“Can’t we just like, bail his ass out?”

“Oh yea, and where the hell would we get the money? We can’t even keep the cabin as it is. There isn’t enough money to get Merle’s stupid ass out.” Toni said, flipping through the TV channels. “Besides, the jail is Merle’s home away from home apparently.”

Anyone could see that Toni has just completely lost hope in her own brother but they were family so she couldn’t be mad at him for too long. Plus Merle was always there when she was bullied at a very young age.

“Nothing we can do Eli. We’ll just have to wait six months for his dumbass to get out.” Daryl said going back to his room to change for the night.

“Guess so.” Eli was still disappointed while he sat on the recliner.

Toni just rolled her eyes. She really hoped that there won’t be any crying from Eli that night. She didn’t think she could handle a crying grown ass man. Eli was such a sensitive person.

********

The next morning, Toni was the first one to wake. So being a nice sister, she decided to make breakfast. Though if you called cooked diced deer meat breakfast but they were the Dixons, they grew up on the stuff.

Men being men, both Daryl and Eli came out of their rooms in only boxers. Toni sighed and gave both her brothers each a beer to drink. You would think with her being a girl they would at least put some clothes on but she didn’t think they cared very much. Once the deer was done she plated some on each of their plates, added a few slices of bread and she carried them over to the table. Placing a plate in front of each brother, Toni took her plate and sat down at the table.

After eating a few bites Daryl wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. He then took a swig of his beer. “By the way, Walsh says hello.” 

“Uhh… Come again?” Toni had a shocked look on her face and stared at Daryl. That was the most random thing he ever said to her.

“When Merle and I got pulled over and he was caught with weed by Walsh, the man told me to tell you hello. Though I forgot.” He shrugged and went back to eating.

“Yea well, I don’t really care. Shane is not my type. Besides, rumor around town is that he had an affair with that Lori Grimes woman.” Toni wasn’t all that fawn of gossip but this small town is full of it.

“The hell.” Eli had finished his food and started working on his second beer. “I thought Lori Grimes was a faithful woman.”

Toni just shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know. Like I said, it's just a rumor. But if it is true then the woman’s husband doesn’t know.”

“It's a good thing you don't have a thing for him cus I’d kick your ass.” Eli huffed.

“Trust me Eli, you don’t have to worry.” Toni stated and stood up taking the dirty plates over to the sink to wash them. “Besides, I’m kinda seeing someone.” She said quickly finishing up the dishes then made her way into her room to get ready for the day. 

Daryl and Eli both looked at their sister as she left the kitchen in shock. Never have they ever thought that their sister would ever see someone and date them. Eli stood up and was going to go after Toni and talk to her but Daryl stopped him and shook his head.

“Just leave it Eli. Nothing we say will change her mind.”

Eli just sighed. “If Merle was here, he’d have a fucking fit and cuss up a storm.”

“Ya well he ain’t and we won’t be telling him either until after he comes out of jail.”

“Okay, fine. Whatever.”

Both men left the kitchen and headed for their bedrooms to get ready. Toni, after hearing the doors shut, she quickly made her way out of the cabin and down the road until she got to the nearby gas station where a black jeep was waiting for her.

Chapter 4: Chapter Four

Jumping into the jeep, Toni gave the best smile she could make. “Hi Noah.”

“Hello Toni. Was it hard escaping your brothers?” He asked, then started the jeep and began leaving the gas station and down the road. They were going to hang out and have a small date.

Noah was a guy that she had met a few months back while she was out and about. Toni practically ran into the poor dude… Literally. She had her license, but it was the first time ever driving Merle’s busted truck and let's just say she hated it. Even though she was watching where she was going the truck had a mind of its own and decided to just continue driving backwards until it hit something…

- Flashback -

Toni had decided to go out to the nearby convenience store to grab a few small items and some more personal items as well. She grabbed the keys that were on the coffee table and had to pass by the high ass Merle who was laying on the couch. He was out of his fucking mind. She hated him when he got so high that he couldn't even talk so he would just lay around until he came down. Daryl and Eli were out hunting that day and she was NOT babysitting her high as a kite brother. So she left the cabin. 

Getting in the busted old truck that Merle didn’t want to get rid of to buy a better one but he was not going to. He always thought he could just fix what was broken so she didn’t say anything about it. She tried to start the damn thing a few times and it just wouldn't roll over. Giving a sigh, she just kept trying until finally the stupid truck’s engine began to start. Piece of crap truck. 

Toni wished she could get her own car but with no money she’d just have to suffer for the time being. Pulling out of the drive, and down the dirt road, she made her way to the road. She wasn’t even going to attempt turning the radio on. The truck might explode with how old it was. And she didn’t want to risk her life. 

When she got to the store, Toni pulled up the front and she was the only one there so far. Except for the store clerk of course. She walked in and started to go around the aisles grabbing what she needed. Her brothers needed more shampoo, razors and cologne. While she needed more feminine products that she was embarrassed to talk about. It was the one thing that her father couldn’t stop to make her more boylike and reminding him that yes, she was a girl. While she went around the store, more customers started to make their way into the stare as well. Some she knew, others she didn’t and some that just gave her a look because she was a Dixon. She paid no mind to them. She didn’t have the energy to have a screaming match with someone.

Once she was done, Toni made her way over to the counter. She sat her items down and waited for them to be rung up. She took her wallet from her pocket and once everything was bagged, she paid for the price. Toni gave a small smile at the clerk and headed outside towards the truck. Setting the bags on the passenger seat, she got into the driver seat and started the truck. And again, the stupid thing just wouldn’t start. She tried everything and when it did start, backing out of the parking lots was trouble. The damn truck just kept rolling backwards even though she was hitting the breaks.

“Damn it! What the hell!?” Toni was freaking out now, stomping on the breaks. 

BANG!!

Toni’s body jerked forward fast and when she looked into the rearview mirror she saw that she hit someone's jeep. She gave a loud groan of annoyance and climbed out of the truck. She walked behind the truck to look at the damage that she did. It was a good thing she wasn’t like Merle. If it was him, he would have done a hit and run. The owner of the jeep must have been inside the store because she didn’t see them. Toni waited for them to come. The damage wasn’t all that bad but she still wanted to apologize. 

She didn’t have to wait long because a shadow went over her. Toni went to look up but froze. In front of her was a tall, dark and handsome man that made her stop breathing. She never felt like this before and maybe she should feel like this more often. She just kept staring at the poor man and when the guy gave a smile, Toni could just melt. 

“Miss... Are you alright?”

Toni looked like a fish. Her mouth just opened and closed trying to speak. 

“Uhh.. No... I mean yes.” A blush formed on her face. She shook her head and took a deep breath. She straightened up and motioned to the man’s damaged jeep. “Sorry about your car. I didn’t mean to hit it but my brother’s stupid truck just wouldn’t stop backing up.”

She was so embarrassed.

The guy placed his one bag into his jeep then went to look at the front of his jeep. There was only a small dent and a scratch. It was nothing to really worry about. Toni was waiting to see how much she would have to pay the guy for the damage that she caused. As she waited, the other people at the store were just staring at her. She already knew that the gossip was going to start about her, and she just rolled her eyes. Toni just couldn’t take the looks, so she turned her back on them. Soon the man came towards her.

“Don’t worry about the damage. It’s not really that noticeable.” He said with a sincere look. 

“Thanks, that really helps me out to know that your jeep wasn’t that badly hurt. By the way, names Toni... Toni Dixon.” She held out her hand for a shake.

The guy grinned and took her hand, giving it a firm handshake. “Toni.. What a nice name.. Noah Hawkins.”

The feel of his hand was so soft that Toni didn’t want to let it go but she had too. She had a blush on her face.

“Again, I’m sorry about your jeep Noah.” She looked at the watch that was on her wrist. “Damn... I gotta go. Sorry.”

Noah had a small, disappointed look on his face but he didn’t want it to let it show. It was just something about this girl that he actually kind of liked. He just couldn’t put his finger on it. 

“It’s alright Toni, no problem.” He said and they both made their way to their vehicles and got it. Nosh backed up and pulled up right beside the truck. He gave her a smile. “Will I get to see you around again? I’m new in town so I’m going to need a tour guide.”

Toni gave him her own smile back. “I sure hope Noah and I’ll be more than happy to show you around.”

“You hold you to that. See you around Toni.” Noah nodded at her and drove off down the road.

She leaned back into her seat and gave a shaky breath. Her heart was pounding like it ever did before. She had to calm down because she wasn’t going to go back to the cabin acting like she was in front of her brothers because she didn’t want to explain to them what was going on with her. And that was a fight that she was not going to get herself into that mess at this time. If she could keep Noah a secret as long as possible then she’ll keep everyone happy. The truck started up with ease this time and she drove off back to the cabin.

- End Flashback -

Toni jumped when she felt her hand being grabbed and she looked over at Noah.

“Toni babe... Are you alright? You were lost in thought.” Noah said while he drove. They were headed to Atlanta to the mall and maybe walk around the park. It was a warm out. 

“Sorry about that. I was just thinking about the first time we met.” She gave a giggle and squeezed his hand. 

“Yes, you sure did make an apprehension that day but I think it was the best day ever because I got to meet the most beautiful girl in the world.”

A blush formed on her face and she playful smacked his shoulder. “Oh be quiet you. You had my heart beating up a storm that day as well. I thought I was looking at a god.”

He smirked.

“Besides, you still never got that dent and scratch fixed either.”

“Why should I? It will always be a reminder that something wonderful happened that day. I’ll always want to remember that for the rest of my life.”

Toni couldn’t believe how great Noah is. He made her laugh all the time that they were together. Sneaking around all these months was hard work sometimes. Daryl was just too observant most days and would always ask her questions. Eli was out hunting so he was never around. Of course, Merle so always fucking high on something that he was always sleeping or having some random floosy in his room doing god knows what. She gave a shiver just thinking about it. She was so grossed out.

She wouldn’t see she was in love with Noah, but she was sure getting there. Hopefully he felt the same way too.

When they finally made it into Atlanta, they drove around a while just seeing the different things that were around. Toni hasn’t been to Atlanta in a long time and it has definitely changed over the years. They pulled up to the large parking lot for the mall and parked. Noah got out first when around the jeep and opened the door for Toni before she even got the chance to get it herself. She always told him that he didn’t have to do that but he always just shook his head and did it anyway. He was such a gentleman. If Merle saw this, he’d probably call Noah a pansy. Shaking Merle from her mind, she thanked Noah and grabbed his hand. They both made their way into the mall and went from store to store. Buy some things but mostly just window shopping.

Notes:

Polite and honest feedback is always welcomed.