Authors note: Help wanted - beta reader. I'm new at this so, critics welcome; reviews wanted .
Chapter One: Discovery
Merle sat in his cell while Carol collected his and Daryl's dirty clothes. She smirked at him, motioning for the shirt he was wearing. Grumbling, Merle pulled it off just as Maggie walked into the cell block. They spun around, hearing her horrified gasp. Merle looked confused. Maggie was staring at Merle's chest. Thejagged scars an what looked like knife cuts had Maggie gasping as tears formed in her eyes. She ran, Carol calling out to her as Merle quickly put on a clean shirt.
Maggie ran straight to her sister, who was with Daryl. Maggie fell against Daryl, sobbing. Daryl looked to Bethfor help, who shrugged. Daryl rubbed her back and asked what happened. Maggie sobbed out Merle's name and something Daryl couldn't make out. The rest of the group soon surrounded them except Carol and Merle.
Merle shrugged on his wife beater and frowned atCarol. "What's wrong, mouse?" he asked.
"I think Maggie saw your daddy's handiwork," she whispered.
Merle cursed under his breath. "Women, so emotional," he tried to joke. Carol lightly smacked his arm.
Rick looked at Maggie and knelt in front of her. "What did Merle do? Did he touch you, hurt you?" Rick asked ignoring Daryl's hateful glare.
Maggie lifted her head, her eyes red, her face tear-stained. "No! He … I saw him with Carol. He wasn't wearing a shirt ..." she said causing Daryl to stiffen. So, that's what hurt her. She saw Merle's scars, Daryl thought. Maggie moved, sitting up and looked at Rick.
"That's no reason to cry ... what did you see?" Sasha asked as Rosita and Abraham looked on.
Merle walked out of his cell, heading to where he saw Maggie run off to. Walking closer, he heard Sasha ask her what she saw.
She saw the scars on my chest," he rasped out. Everyone spun around to look at him.
Rick stood glaring. "You touched her!" he growled, moving towards Merle, only to be stopped byDaryl's tight grip on his arm.
Maggie looked at Rick, disgusted. "No, I saw his scars there all over his chest," she whispered.
Merle looked at her softly. "Don't pity me sugar. Don't need it," Merle snarled.
Maggie stood and walked to him. "I forgive you," she said and then yanked his head to her crushing his lips to hers. Merle dixon lifted her up and slammed her back against the wall. Once he set her down, Maggie looked at Rick "There ... now he touched me!" she snapped, causing Daryl to try and stifle a laugh.
The next day, things between Rick and Merle were still pretty tense. Merle was staying clear of the cell block, not wanting any part of Rick's group at all. Maggie and Glenn were fighting due to the kiss Maggie gave merle. Frankly, she was pretty shocked at herself. All she knew was she didn't want him to be accused of something he hadn't done. So, for the remainder of the day, Maggie stayed clear of MerleDixon. She chose to spend her time with Beth, and itwas almost night fall when she bumped into Merle. Merle just grunted waiting for her to speak.
Hi, Merle," Maggie said, looking down at the floor. Anywhere but at the man she hated.
Merle grunted again before replying. "Hey, sugar," he grunted before quickly moving away from her.
The next morning, Carol was in the cell block with Daryl and Glenn. They were getting ready to go on a runfor more supplies. Daryl was having a little tiff, not wanting to leave Merle at the prison alone. After whathad happened with Maggie, Daryl wanted to keep acloser eye on his brother. Merle, on the other hand, was having none of that. He didn't feel like havingDaryl watch his every move because the farmer's daughter decided to plant a kiss on him, But Rick didn't want him near Maggie, so he ended up having to go. Snarling to himself, Merle headed out to get ready to go.
Stomping to his cell, Merle cursed, seeing Maggie sitting on his cot. "What ya want, gal, gonna getme killed," he snarled at her as he watched her stand.
Maggie stood, hugging herself. "Just to talk … I swear. Merle, I'm sorry for kissing you. It was wrong and it won't happen again," She said looking at him. Merle just stood there, arms crossed defensively over his chest. "Yeah, good. Look girly I gotta get ready fer a run so I'll talk to ya when we get back," Merle drawled out, not really in the mood for this talking shit. He let her move passed him, watching until she was out of sight, then he started getting ready.
*twd*
Merle headed down to the prison yard where Daryl,Glenn and Michonne waited for him. Jogging over to his brother, Merle slapped his back lightly in greeting before they all piled into the car. Glenn decided to drive while the Dixons sat in the back. They headed to the store where Merle had first found Glenn andMaggie. Stopping the car, Glenn got out first, followed by the rest. "What're we here fer again?" Merle asked, breaking the silence between them. Glenn glared at Merle, refusing to answer.
Daryl rolled his eyes. "Judith needs formula and we need better food, so start moving, Merle!" Daryl growled, pushing Merle towards the store. Merle cursed under his breath about being pushed around but said nothing. Moving into the store, Daryl stayed close to Merle while Glenn and Michonne went towards the other end.
Merle looked at the food, just throwing whatever he saw into the cart. Daryl was doing the same on the other end. Moving toward another aisle, Daryl tossed a variety of over the counter medications into the cart. Merle came over with an arm full of candy, grinning like a fool at Daryl. "What's wrong, Darylena?" Merle laughed.
Daryl just shook his head at the nickname and finished. "So, what took ya so long getting to the yard?" Daryl asked as they moved to another shelf.
Merle looked at him, frowning. "I didn't take that long!" Merle snapped getting defensive .
Daryl smirked. "Yeah, ya did," Daryl said matter of factly.
Merle grunted before speaking. "Maggie wanted ta talk. Told 'er I'd talk when we got back," Merle said quietlyas they met up with Glenn and Michonne.
Soon they left the store, putting everything in the trunk. Merle was getting antsy. It was too quiet for him. No sign of walkers or the governor. Merle shut the trunk as Daryl got into the car. "Let's go; it's creepy quiet!" Merle said, sliding into the back seat. Glenn took off, driving back towards the prison.
Driving to the prison was quiet. not that Daryl didn't like it, but it was too quiet. "That was weird, huh? No walkers anywhere." Daryl murmured, breaking the silence.
"Yeah ... way too quiet fer my liking," Merle said, nudging Daryl's shoulder. Daryl frowned at Merle, but said nothing.
Michonne however did not. "Too quiet for you, Dixon? No way," she joked.
Merle flipped her off, laughing. " Nah, it was. That area is what Philip calls the red zone. It was deserted though. Way too quiet," he muttered.
Glenn was listening as he drove. "Do you think he's collecting them again?" Glenn asked.
Merle looked up, meeting Glenn's troubled eyes in the rearview mirror. "Could be, never know with him."
When they got back, it was almost dusk, so they quickly got everything inside before it got too dark to see. Merle headed straight for his cell, wanting to be alone. He fell onto his cot, falling asleep almost instantly. Maggie went looking for glenn.
*twd*
She found him in his cell, sitting on the cot they shared . Walking in, she leaned against the doorway. "Can we talk?" she asked.
Glenn looked up at her, sighing. "Yeah, but let me gofirst. You kissed merle, out of the blue, in front of me. I know it was partly to get back at Rick for accusing him of hurting you. But it hurt me and I don't know if I can forgive you," Glenn said sitting down looking at her. Glenn took a deep breath as tears fell from Maggie's eyes.
"Glenn … I ... I," she started, but glenn stopped her with a wave of his hand.
"This is what I want us to do. I want you to answer me truthfully. Did you enjoy the kiss?" he asked.
Maggie sat still, looking at the floor. Had she enjoyed Merle's kiss? Granted, she'd kissed him first, but he had kissed her back. Shifting through her thoughts, she knew the answer. Yes, she had; she couldn't get the kiss out of her head. Looking up atGlenn, Maggie breathed deeply before answering. "Yes, I did," she whispered. Looking at him. Glenn nodded, sighing.
"Okay, I'm not mad. I'm hurt and upset. I think you need to sort out your feelings for Merle which seem to be growing," Glenn said touching her hand. "We rushed into this when we first met because we had no other options." Maggie nodded. They had rushed things. She smiled at him. "Promise you'll take it slow with Merle, don't rush," Glenn finished, proud of himself for taking this so easy. Frankly, he hated Merle fucking Dixon, but they needed to see other people to see if they were meant to be, as it were.
The next couple of weeks seemed like a blur to Maggie. She stayed in her cell mostly, still adjusting to her break up with Glenn. Sighing, she laid back on the cot. Sorting through her thoughts were hard. Her feelings for Merle were confusing. He was sexist, racist and a complete asshole at times.
The only person Merle seemed to care for was Daryl. Thinking back to when she kissed him after she'd seenhis scars, she felt sadness at the hard life he musthave had, but what good would that do? He hated people pitying him. As she laid there thinking, she tried to come up with why she was so suddenly attracted to him. Growling in frustration, Maggie sat up. "Guess I'll just have to be friends and see where it goes," she thought aloud. So she stood up and headed off to find the eldest Dixon.
Merle was cleaning his guns when glenn approached him and took a seat in front of Merle. Glenn sighed, breathing in and out. "I wanted to talk to you," hesneered at the redneck.
Merle shrugged at him. "Alrighty, start talking," Merle drawled without looking up, still cleaning the guns.
"Okay, first off ... you kissed my girlfriend! You beat the crap outta me!" Glenn snapped listing off all of Merle's offenses.
Merle just shrugged again. "Yeah, I did. You wouldn't tell me where Daryl was. So, I kicked yer ass. But I didn't touch lil' Bo Peep. She kissed me and I don't know why nor do I really give a shit. I'm here for Daryl!" Merlehissed, looking up at Glenn.
Glenn nodded. "I'm sorry for my part in leaving you on the roof," Glenn whispered.
Merle glared. "Yeah, I'm sure ya are. Look, I was high so I deserved it . But I didn't deserve being left!" Merle snarled. Glenn nodded, knowing they all needed to apologize to Merle.
Merle set the guns aside and looked at Glenn again. "Okay," Merle said. Glenn moved to stand, leaving the man alone.
*twd*
The next day, Maggie was finally able to find Merle. He was with Daryl working on his bike or rather Daryl was working and merle was playing referee. Merle would snap if Daryl touched the bike wrong, making his brother want to smack him. Merle would just laugh. Maggie approached slowly before clearing her throat. " Can I borrow Merle, Daryl?" she asked . Daryl just shrugged. Getting up off his knees, Merle sighedwearily.
Maggie led them over towards the cell block and sat down. " We need to talk."
"Yeah, I guess we do, girly," Merle agreed, leaning against the wall.
"We kissed merle! I kissed you, I..I don't know what that means to you but ..." Maggie spoke as she tried to breathe.
Merle looked at her. " What ya want from me sugar? Yeah, we kissed. It ain't no big thing really … unless ya liked it?" Merle said quietly.
Maggie smiled before shaking her head. "I … I did, but I'm confused. I hated you! But now, suddenly, I want you," Maggie whispered.
Merle could hear the confusion and outright bewilderment in her voice, and his gaze softened a bit. "What do ya want right now?" Merle asked.
Maggie took a breath as she collected her thoughts. "I wanna be friends to start ... and see where it goes," Maggie said, touching his arm.
"Okay, darlin," merle nodded.
*twd*
So for the next couple weeks, Merle and Maggie would hang out. Sometimes with Carol or Daryl, though Daryl was always laughing at Merle. So that hadn't really helped. Maggie smiled as she remembered when Daryl and Merle got into it over something stupid. Rick had been involved due to him asking Daryl to watch Merle around the girls. And Merle lost it . She kept forgettingMerle had a temper. A nasty one at that. So for those weeks they got to know each other. Merle told her little bits about his life before everything died and she talked about the farm. They were slowly becoming friends .
Merle still pushed people's buttons. Rick had refused one of Merle's ideas simply because it had come from Merle. With the governor still out there, nowhere was safe. Merle wanted to find a more secure building for them. Rick wanted to stay, and as always with those two, they'd gotten into a fight.
Merle won, but still lost. "It's a good plan! We can't stay here! " Merle snapped. Daryl looked at him, agreeing. Carol and Hershel nodded. Rick was having none of it though. Glaring Merle leaned against the back wall.
"We can fight! We don't need to run!" Rick shouted.
Merle just scoffed, looking at Grimes with hate-filled, icy blue orbs. "You're gonna get us all killed." Merle spoke calmly .
Later that day, Rick took Daryl aside, wanting to speak with him about Merle. Daryl wasn't looking forward to this talk. Walking towards Rick, Daryl sighed when he saw the whole group minus Merle." What's this about,"Daryl asked as he approached. Rick was looking at the ground. "Well!?" He demanded.
Moving toward daryl Hershel tried to reason with him. "Your brother is a danger to us all. He kissed Maggie and now she and Glenn aren't together. He threatenedRick," Hershel finished.
Carol was the next to scoff at that. "He threatens Rickbasically every time they're near each other. Never follows through though," Carol snapped, clearly tired of Rick's hatred for Merle.
Rick sighed crossing his arms over his chest. "Daryl, you don't need him. You're doing great without him in your life," Sasha spoke up.
Daryl glared at Sasha but Tyreese beat him to Merle's defense . " So what, you don't need me!?" he demanded. Sasha was taken aback by Tyreese's outburst.
Sasha looked ashamed of herself. "I'm sorry, Daryl," she said before sitting down again. Daryl grunted, ignoring her.
"Merle and me ... we're a package deal, Rick," Daryl said flatly. Daryl was tired of choosing the group over his own blood. Shaking his head, Daryl moved, wanting away from these people. "Y'all wanna kick my blood out all cause you don't like him. You left him to die! Course he's gonna wanna kill ya! Y'all are all assholes!" Daryl was shouting now and the group shrank back.
Maggie had been quiet for the whole shouting match. She didn't agree with Rick or her father, not really knowing why her daddy was suddenly against Merle. With the governor still out there, they could use all the help they could get.
Merle had been a sergeant in the Army before all this. Maggie thought they could use his training . Maybe even secure the prison better. She could still hearDaryl and Rick at each other's throats, yelling and fighting. Sighing, Maggie sat down, glaring at theground. This was getting them nowhere! Fighting with each other instead of dealing with the Governor.
Everyone froze hearing a gunshot. "Is this a private party or can anyone join in," Merle's thick southern drawl echoed through the yard. Merle walked toward them and Rick raised his gun only to be punched by Merle.
He knocked Rick down, stepping over him as he headed for Daryl. "Now, I don know 'bout y'all, but if I go, baby brother comes with," Merle started, glaring at everyone but Carol, Maggie and Beth. Sasha went to move towards him, but Merle's gun went to her temple. " I don't think so sugar," he drawled out.
Tyreese froze, pulling his sister back, away from the pissed off Dixon. Merle looked around at the group. "The dang governor is at our damn door and y'all are fightin' 'bout how to kick me out!" Merle growled.
Glenn glared, stomping toward him. "I'll never forgive you for beating the shit outta me! Rick told me not too! And I'm not going to. I want you gone! You gave Maggie to a rapist! " Glenn yelled.
Merle punched him so fast, no one saw it coming. Daryl had to yank Merle back into him. "Merle, he ain't worth it!" Daryl said, pushing on Merle's chest.
"I'll stomp yer ass, chinaman!" Merle yelled, but letDaryl push him away.
Rick was slowly standing. "Glenn's right, you gave Maggie to a rapist! " Rick said, gun aimed at him.
Merle looked at Rick, narrowing his eyes. "Whose fault is it that the sick bastard found me?" Merle asked calmly. Daryl thought he was speaking too calmly. Rick looked at the ground.
Beth was the one to speak. "He's right, Rick. It's your fault the Governor found Merle. If you hadn't left him behind, he would have been with you and the governor never would have found him," Beth said, her arms crossed.
Authors note **********
Chapter one done , chapter 2 will be up once I find a beta reader hope every one likes my story
