I'm still planning on writing a sequel to Damaged People, it's already started, but I just couldn't get this out of my head. It's not the most original plot, but I think it has a little something. Let me know what you think!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything...except Sugar!

Her name was Sugar, because she was the sweetest girl in the place. The glitter on her skin made her sparkle like her namesake. Her artificial honey blonde hair was pulled back in pigtails with large ringlets cascading down to her shoulders. It was always a wonder how she was able to keep herself upright on the six to eight inch platforms she danced around in.

She was Merle's favorite, mostly because she was the only one in the joint that wouldn't take his shit, another reason might have been the coke he slipped her most nights in order to get free drinks. Sugar was a legacy, her mother and sister were dances at one point. Everyone in town knew where she was headed and she didn't disappoint. At the ripe age of sixteen she ran for Atlanta to try and break the mold only to come back with her tail between her legs, ready to take the stage.

"Sugar, do me a favor?" Merle slurred into her ear as she leaned against the bar.

"Fuck off, Dixon. I'm off the clock." She sighed as she pulled her sweater tighter around her to keep his wandering eyes off of her chest.

"Tomorrow's my baby brother's birthday." He told her.

"Well that's good for him, make him a cake."

"Come on, Sug. Can't you give him one of your special private parties?"

"I don't do those, Merle. You've asked me enough times to know that." She sighed as she pulled a cigarette out of her pocket. "I didn't think Daryl was into this shit like you."

"Do this for me, Sugar." He whispered hoarsely as she slipped a small vile into her hand.

Sugar's eyes shut tightly as she fisted the vile. She knew exactly what was in it, and hated herself for wanting to cave because of it. Her green eyes slowly opened, catching his deep blue ones. With a slow nod, she gave him a weak smile. Her fingers trembled as she brought the cigarette to her lips and she moved out of the club and onto the street.

The next night she walked into the club with a little more wobble to her step than normal. She slumped into a chair in front of the mirror, her curls falling into her face. Any other night, she would've made sure she was in pristine form – you get more tips the better you look. Sugar remembered her mother telling her those words when she was still in middle school.

She pinned her hair back, on the sides before fixing the make up running down her eyes. A part of her wanted to admit that she wasn't nervous, that the lines she did throughout the afternoon had nothing to do with what was waiting for her at work. Any other girl would take it for what it was, a job, a way to make ends meet. Normally, she felt the same, but not tonight.

"Sugar, your boy's waiting in the diamond room." She glanced in the mirror to see one of the bouncers leaving the door.

On shaky legs she stood up and pulled her jacket off. She thanked whoever was listening that the room wasn't that far. Within ten steps she was gripping onto the velvet curtain and pulling them to the side. Before she could move into the room, a strong hand gripped her upper arm, pulling her backwards.

"I'm paying you good money, Sugar tits. Don't make me regret this." Merle said as he gave her a once over. She did her best not to flinch under her his heavy eyes.

"This ain't my first rodeo. He'll have a good time." She said as she pulled away from him, almost falling off of her heels.

Her grip on the curtain steadied her as she moved inside. If he'd been expecting her, it didn't show. The moment she came into the room, her heart nearly stopped when his clear blue eyes landed on her form. Those eyes made her feel more exposed than the skimpy outfits she wore for work.

"Jesus, I didn't know…" Daryl said as he started to get off the plush couch.

"It's okay, he told me. Wanted it to be a surprise." She said as she sat on the stage in front of the couch. A small smile graced her lips, as she lightly kicked him in the shin. "You seem surprised so I'm gonna say he got his money's worth."

"He paid you?" Daryl asked as he leaned forward, placing his elbows on his knees.

"In a way." Sugar pushed herself up, standing on the stage as her hand wrapped around the pole. "So birthday boy, what do you want?"

"You don't have to do this, Em…"

"Sugar," her voice cut him off sharply. "Here, it's Sugar. Come on, one dance. Pole or lap?"

"I don't…"

"There's gotta be something."

She could see him thinking it over. The way his eyes traveled over her body subtly from under his eyelashes. His thumb went up to his mouth, chewing at the skin while he thought over the options. It was difficult for her to keep the smile from breaking across her lips. She had always found him to be cute while growing up, and she was surprised at how much of the boy she knew was still evident in the man.

Finally, with a small tilt of his head, he motioned for her to come towards him. This time she did let the smile break across her face. He was more nervous than some of the youngsters she got on occasion. She couldn't touch him, not right away. This wasn't just some John that rented out the room- she'd never take it if he were. This was a guy she'd known since they were both young kids. She knew going in, which was way she'd prepared herself with a little help from Merle's stash.

Sugar placed her arms on the back of the couch on either side of his head as she slowly rolled her body over his. She'd done it a million times in her life, but she couldn't help but feel inexperienced as he turned his head to the side. His breath hit her forearm as she settled over him, standing over his legs.

"If this isn't…" she stared as she pulled away, but his hand came up to her hip.

"Turn around."

He met her gaze for a moment before she turned, leaning back against his chest. She felt him relax a little and thought that was her cue to continue her routine. As she fell against his lap, she was beginning to understand why he couldn't have her facing him. It was difficult enough when the perverts from town came in to get a dance from her, but Daryl was a friend, someone she'd known before she was Sugar.

Her hips grinded against his, as her hand wrapped around his neck and her fingers slipped into his hair. Usually, she would ignore the feel of the men hardening under her, but Sugar actually found herself increasing her speed to get a reaction out of him. For a moment she risked a glance back at him, finding his head leaned back against the chair and his eyes screwed shut. Trying to mask her frustration, she continued to move along his body until the song ended. With a sigh of relief she stood up and reached for the stage again.

"Well, I guess that's it then." She said as she adjusted her outfit. "I'm gonna go."

"We have the room for the night." Daryl said, freezing her actions.

"There's no way you could afford that." Her eyes narrowed on his. He slid forward on the chair, closing some of the distance between them.

"Merle's good at knowing the right people."

"Fuck," she let her head fall in her hands. "I can't, Daryl. I'm sorry. I'll get you another girl, but I can't do a whole night of this. I'm already losing my buzz."

"Come here." She moved off the stage to stand in front of him.

He let his eyes move over her body, taking in all the little details from the freckles on her hip to the small scar she had on her side, knees, and arms. If he thought hard enough he could probably remember being around for some of them. Glancing back up, he wasn't surprised to see her staring off to the side. If she wasn't so caked with make-up, he was sure she'd have flaming red cheeks. With cautious hands, he reached out and took hold of her slender hips.

His touch got Sugar's attention back. In the small space between them, he stood up to his full height. She was close to eye level with him in the six inch heels she wore. Her green eyes connected with his blue and for a moment she felt like she was eight years old again, realizing that boys might not have cooties after all.

For a fleeting moment she thought he was going to kiss her, but she should've known better than that. Instead he reached behind him with one hand and pulled his jacket off the back of the couch. In a swift motion he had the material behind her and wrapped securely around her shoulders. She was practically swimming in the heavy material. Standing in front of him, she waited for what he wanted her to do next. He stepped back and sat in the same spot, putting a cigarette to his mouth.

"Got one for me?" She asked as she slipped onto the couch next to him.

He passed the one already lit and put another in his mouth. Sugar let the smoke invade her senses as she relaxed into the sofa. She pulled her feet up, toeing off her heels as she folded her legs under her. Daryl glanced at her from the corner of his eye, but didn't say anything. Reaching across him, she grabbed one of the beers off the table as sucked the bitter liquid down.

"Why'd you say yes?" Daryl finally asked.

"I owed you're brother a favor." She said as her head fell back again.

"You've gotta get off that shit." He said with a little more bite than he'd intended. She sat back up and eyed him carefully.

"Ain't really your problem is it, Dixon?"

"Might be," he said turning to look at her fully as his hand reached out and rested on her collarbone. "Used to be."

"Don't need nobody's help." She said as she pulled away, but there wasn't a lot of room on the small love seat they occupied. "Why would you want to fix me anyway? No one else in this town thinks I can do anything better. I was born into this."

"You ain't your mama."

"You ain't your daddy, either. Don't seem to help you any."

She watched his features harden at her comment, if she didn't know him as well as she did, she'd think he'd have hit her. Instead he stood, moving quickly to the curtain keeping them hidden from the rest of the rest of the club. To his credit, he gave her a moment of hesitation. She could've taken it back, said something else to make him stay, but nothing left her lips. Violently, he pushed the curtain back and stormed out of the club.

TWD

"Sugar, what happened?" She blinked away the moisture that was building in her eyes. "Hey, you alright?" Finally she was able to break away from the memories and focus on reality.

"I had a problem with one of the cars." She said as she scrubbed the little spots of oil on her arms. Moving away from the sink, she gravitated towards Philip's waiting arms. "Where've you been?"

"Went out with a small group to sweep the area, you should've been with us." He said as he ran his hand through her chocolate colored hair.

"Sorry, I had a busy day. I'll make it up to you." She said with a smile as she stood up on her tiptoes and placed her lips over his.