Merle

It's all sorts of wrong. I'm playing with fire just looking at the girl. There's a special kind of hell just for me cause of the thoughts I got going through my head about her. I don't have any right to be looking at her. I must be fucking crazy. Her daddy would get out his shotgun if he knew what kind of thoughts I was having about his little girl.

I can't keep my eyes off her. Baby brother has warned me away from her too. Saw me looking at her.

"Leave 'er alone, Merle. She's jus' a kid,"

"She ain't no kid any more, Darylina. Ain't no body a kid in this world,"

"She's to good fer ya. An' her daddy'd shoot ya no questions,"

"Ain't nothin' gonna happen, with 'er," I reassured him, walking away.

"Make sure it don't, Merle!" He hollered after me.

Every time she sees me she looks down at her cowboy boots and blushes something fierce. I can't help it. Whenever I'm near her I make some sort of comment, making her blush more. I like seeing her cheeks bright red cause of me.

Evenings she likes to sing to the group, or when she's taking care of Officer Friendly's baby. I act all surly and pretend I don't much care for her singing. But I find some reason or the other to stick around and listen till she's done singing. Or I'll go around some corner, little ways away and listen. I must be getting soft in my old age.


Beth

He's older than me. I don't know how much older, exactly. I'm not even sure how old I am, anymore. Probably 19 by now. I keep blushing every time I see him. He probably thinks I'm some pathetic teenager. If anyone knew that I have a crush on Merle Dixon, bad boy, redneck biker they'd call me crazy.

I want to just march up to him and tell him that I like him. He'll probably laugh right in my face, though. Next time I get the chance I'm going to tell him.

I got my wish to talk to him, that's for sure. I literally ran into him in the prison yard, by the cars. Bounced off his chest, would have fallen on my behind on the floor if he wasn't quick and grabbed my arm to steady me.

"T-t-thanks," I stammered.

His eyebrow quirked up, and he smirked at me. "Cat got yer tongue, girl?"

"Something like that," I managed after a moment. His smirk got bigger and there was a glint in his eye.

"I seen the way ya look at ole Merle,"

"How do I look at cha?" I asked, pretending to not know what he's talking about.

"Blushin', an' gettin' all sorts o' shy. Ya got a crush on ole Merle, don't'cha?"

Well, that was unexpected. I didn't really expect him to call me out on having a crush on him. "So what if I do?" Don't be flustered. Don't be that typical schoolgirl with a crush on an older guy, c'mon Beth. Play it cool. Look at me, giving myself a pep talk.

"'S cute," He grinned, making me glare at him.

"Screw you, Merle," I said, turning away from him. I knew he'd just be a jerk. I started to walk back towards the prison but I was yanked backwards. "What the heck's that for?"

"Ain't done talkin' ta ya, suga," I scowled at him. He laughed at me.

"Then talk," I said, frustrated.

"Aww, don't be cranky, lil girl,"

"I'm not a little girl," I told him, hands on hip.

He raised his arms up, hand out in front of him. "Didn't mean ta offend ya, Darlin', I know ya ain't a little girl,"

I glared at him and said, "I'm goin' inside. Leave me be,"


Merle

The little thing went on up into the prison. I was on watch a couple of days later, sitting inside the tower polishing my blade and I heard light footsteps on the metal stairs outside. I paused in my cleaning to look up at the door. I was surprised to see her walk in. She paused with the door half open. "'M sorry. I was jus' lookin' for Daryl," She said sounding flustered and her cheeks bright red.

"What'cha need my brotha fer?" I asked.

"Gonna ask him to train me, more," She said, looking like she's about to start crying.

"Now, suga why are ya bout ta start cryin' all over the place?"

She shook her head mumbling, "It's nothing," I stood up and walked over to her. Now I'm really curious why she's upset.

"What's got ya all upset?"

"Some people don't understand what no means," She mumbled, and I almost didn't hear her.

"What'cha mean? Someone lay hands on ya, girl?" I asked, my vision going a little red. I'll kill anyone who touches what's mine. Mine? She isn't mine, far from it. Her head tilted down, and I barely saw the tears hit the floor. I'm glad I took my blade off, cause I shocked myself and pulled her into my arms. She stiffened and then wrapped her arms around my waist. "Who hurt ya, sweet thang?"

She sniffled into my chest and I felt my anger rising. "Zach," She finally murmured.

"He ain't gonna touch ya again. Why don't cha keep me company up here, my shifts almost over," I suggested as her cries quieted. Soon as my watch is over and she's back with her family that boys going to regret touching her and making the little angel cry.


Beth

I stayed with Merle in the watchtower till Michonne came up to relieve him. We didn't talk too much. He walked me inside and to my cell. Before he left he said "Don't worry 'bout nothin', suga," I fell asleep pretty quick.

The next morning everyone was talking about Merle beating up Zach. No one knew why, except for me. Merle and Daryl are sitting over by the stairs, looking tense. Rick started talking about kicking Merle out.

"It's my fault," I announced.

"What are ya talking about, Bethy?" Daddy asked, hobbling closer to me.

"It's my fault Merle beat up Zach," I clarified.

"I doubt it was your fault, sweet heart,"

"It was. I told him that Zach wasn't listening to me when I told him no and he hit me,"

"He what?" Maggie asked, her voice rising, "Where'd he hit ya, Bethy?"

"My stomach," I told her.

"Show me," Daddy said, voice quiet. I lifted my shirt up a little and showed him my stomach. I was surprised at how big and dark black and purple the bruise is, right above my belly button.

"Where is he? Merle's gonna be the last o' his problems when I'm through wit' him," Maggie hollered. Her face is bright red.

"Calm down, Maggie. We're gonna find a just punishment for that boy. But we'll do it when tempers aren't high," Daddy said, ever the voice of reason.

Everyone agreed and went back to eating and talking quietly. Daddy told me not to worry much about the bruising, it'd go away after awhile.

I saw Merle leave from the corner of my eye. I waited till the group wasn't paying attention to me before I followed him out of the room. He was standing in his cell when I caught up to him. "Merle?" I asked.

"What'cha need, suga?" He said, not turning to look at me.

"Thank you," I said, and he turned around. I could tell he was surprised at my words. I took a step forward, then another. One more and I was directly in front of him. I tilted my head up to look him in the eyes. I took a deep breath then I stood on my tip-toes and leaned in.


Merle

She's standing right in front of me, is this slip of a girl going to kiss me?

She stands on the tips of her toes and tilts her head back a little. I blinked and suddenly her lips are on mine. Fuck, her lips are soft. I kissed her back, shouldn't have, but I did. I broke away from her. "You were right, I do like ya," She said when I pulled back from her.

"Fuck," I said, running my hand through my hair. "Girl, I ain't what cha want,"

"Ya don't know my mind, Merle,"

"I know ya don' need an ole man kissin' on ya. Yer daddy'd have my hide if he saw me kissin' his baby girl,"

"Daddy trusts me ta make my own decisions, an' to do what's right," She crossed her arms in front of her chest. "Ya like me, too, don't'cha?"

"Don' matter none if I like ya or not, darlin',"

"That's not what I asked ya,"

"Tell ya what, suga. I'll make ya a deal,"

She tilted her head, "What kind o' deal?"

"Ya talk ta yer daddy, an' if he don't come an' try ta kill me, we'll talk again, bout what ya want," I explained, watching as her lips quirked up in a damn smirk. The fuck did I just get myself into? That little smirk of hers is telling me she knows something I don't.

"Deal," She agreed quickly. She leaned up and pressed a kiss to my cheek and before I could blink she turned around and walked right out of my cell. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. This girls got me going crazy.


Beth

He wants me to talk to Daddy without Daddy going and killing him. I laughed quietly to myself and made my way to Daddy's cell. I stopped at the cell door and watched Daddy for a minute. He's sitting there reading his bible.

"Daddy?" I asked, quietly. He looked up from his bible and smiled at me. "Can we take a walk down to the library?" I don't want anyone hearing our conversation, now that our family is slowly settling down for the night. I watched as he slowly set down his bible and turned his body towards me.

"Everything alright, sweet heart?" He asked.

"Ya, Daddy. I just want to talk to you," He nodded before standing up, using the top bunk to hoist himself up. He waved me away when I reached out to help him. We walked in silence to the library. I checked to make sure no one was in there before I shut the library door.

I ran through what I wanted to say again before sitting down next to him on the couch. "I like someone. But he's scared of anything happening with us, cause your gonna shoot him."

Daddy sat in silence for a moment. "Would this mysterious man be Merle Dixon?" I felt my eyes widen and Daddy chuckled. "Sweet heart, I've been watching the interactions between the two of you for a while now. I couldn't help but wonder when you two would see it for yourselves. He's not the man I would have envisioned you with, but this is not the world it once was. Merle proved himself to care for you, and that he's willing to protect you,"

I was stunned. I knew daddy would listen to what I had to say, but I didn't expect this. "Nothing's happened yet, Daddy. I kissed him, but he pushed me away,"

"Merle's a good man. He's led a hard life. You have my blessing," Daddy said. I reached over and hugged him.

"Thank you, daddy!"

"One more thing, Beth. The two of you have to tell the rest of our family. I don't think your sister won't be as understanding as I am,"

I walked with Daddy back to his cell and then went to Merle's cell.

He was lying on his bunk, reading.

"I talked to Daddy," I announced. He set his book down and sat up.


Merle

"I talked to Daddy," Fuck if she isn't determined. Things must have gone in her favor, since she's here instead of her daddy, carrying a shotgun.

"Should I be worryin' bout yer daddy hobbling after me wit' a shotty?" I asked, causing her to giggle.

"Nah, daddy gave his blessing,"

I knew my eyes were wide. Her daddy gave permission for his baby girl to anything with a dirty, redneck like me? "What'd ya tell 'im?

"That I like someone an' he asked if it was you. He said he approves but we gotta tell everyone. No hidin',"

I ran my hand across my face. "What exactly ya want, girl?"

"You."

"That so?"

"Yup,"

She's barely an arms length away from where I'm sitting on the edge of my bunk. I reached my hand out and grabbed her waist, pulling her close to me. I put my stump arm around her waist and move the other arm up to her neck, pulling her face down to mine. I kissed her. It wasn't one of those soft kisses, it was a hard, fast and deep kiss. She kept up, lips moving against mine.

"So, what're we doin'?" She asked pulling away slightly.

"Guess we'll tell yer family tomorra we're somethin'," It felt like pulling teeth out, saying those words. I've never been one for relationships; they're too messy. I've always preferred fucking then skipping out. This girl's worth more than that.

"Okay," She undid her hair from its ponytail just to tie it back up. "I'll let ya go to bed now," She said starting to turn away.

"Now, hold up a damn minute, suga," I said, keeping my arm around her waist. She looked at me, confused. This girls all sorts of innocent. "Climb in," I motioned towards the bed and before her little eyes could go wide I tacked on, "Ain't gonna do nothin' ya ain't sure 'bout. Jus' gonna sleep," She wants to be mine; she's sleeping in my bed. She nodded and pulled her boots off. I moved over so she can climb in. I took my shoes off and climbed in next to her, pulling her against me.


Beth

First thing in the morning Merle and me went down to the common area.

We were the first two people downstairs, so I set about making breakfast. Oatmeal with dried fruit in it it's a simple breakfast. It's not like we have the options for a big breakfast. I got half way through heating up the water when I heard Judith start crying from the cellblock. I pointed at Merle who's been watching me go about making breakfast and said, "Keep an eye on that. I'll be right back,"

He humphed and agreed saying, "Yes Ma'am," I smiled at him over my shoulder as I went to grab Judy from Rick. Rick gratefully handed her to me, following me downstairs. I shifted Judy on my hip and went back to the oatmeal. I could feel Merle's eyes on me, watching me move around the space. Every now and then I'd lift my eyes up to his and smile at him, but mostly I paid attention to what I was doing and talking to Judith. When the oatmeal was done I put some in bowls and set them in front of Rick and Merle.

Slowly the rest of our family wandered in. As they came in I filled up a bowl and handed it to everyone. The last person to come in was Daddy. He smiled as he walked in, and came over to me to grab a bowl of oatmeal. He gave me a side hug. He gave me a kiss on the side of the head, mumbling as he did so, "How're things going?"

"Fine, Daddy," I smiled up at him. He took his bowl and went to sit down. I noticed he sat at the same table as Rick and Merle. Now that everyone's gotten food, I dished a bowl for Judith and myself. I sat down in between Merle and Rick, setting Judy on Rick's lap and leaning my back slightly into Merle's left arm. I alternated between feeding Judith a bite and giving myself a bite of the food. When I finished I got up, grabbing the empty bowls on the table and putting them in the bucket to get washed later. I sat back down and Merle whispered in my ear, "Ya ready fer the drama that's bout ta happen, Suga?" Before I had the chance to answer Maggie stood up and made her way over to us.

"What're we goin' to do wit' Zach? He ain't gettin' away wit' what he did ta Beth," She stood directly in front of Rick, looking back and forth between him, Daddy, me and Merle.

"He won't be getting away with anything, Maggie. We'll put it to a vote what we do with him," Rick told her.

This is not the drama I had planned for this morning. I had already forgotten all about Zachs punishment.

"Take him an' leave him high an' dry away from 'ere. Give 'im a knife an' some water, leave 'im ta find 'is own way." Daryl suggested from where he's leaning against the wall.

"That's to good fer him!" Maggie exclaimed, and Glenn walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, murmuring in her ear. I noticed her visibly relax some.

"Any other suggestions?" Rick asked, looking around the room before his eyes landed on me.

"Kill 'im." Carl suggested.

"That ain't right Carl, an' ya know it. We don't kill people, not unless we have ta," I said, trying to stay calm.

"What's gonna keep him from comin' back here to hurt ya again, if we jus' let him go?" He asked.

"I got you, Merle, Daryl, yer daddy, Glenn, Ty an' everyone here ta keep me safe, an' I'm not completely defenseless, Carl,"

"Cause Merle's gonna protect ya real good," He sneered.

"Watch yer mouth, boy. Ain't nothin' gonna happen ta her. Fucker's gonna have ta get through me ta hurt her again," Merle growled, and his arm came around my waist, pulling my back against his chest.

The room got real quiet during our exchange, and I knew everyone was looking at Merle's arm wrapped around me.

"Ah, fuck. I thought I tole ya ta leave tha girl alone, Merle!"

"It ain't none o' yer business, lil brotha,"

"What's goin' on with you an' my little sister?" Maggie questioned.

"I'm wit' him, Maggs," I said, looking into my sisters eyes.

"The fuck ya are. This payment fer him takin' care o' Zach yesterday?"

"Screw you, Maggie! It ain't like that! Merle's a good man. I made the first move. He pushed me away. It's all been my choice. I'm not a little girl anymore,"

Her eyes narrowed and anyone could say anything Tyreese spoke, "Life's too short for the old worlds rules. We gotta find happiness wherever we can. I don't see nothing wrong with them so long as he treats her right. Besides, isn't she 19 by now? The old world? That would be almost normal. Back then it would have been a pairing for a whole different reason, but I don't see anything but purity in this. I've seen the differences in Merle since he left Woodbury. I knew him there and I know him now. I'd like to say the changes came from his knowing Beth. Don't judge to harshly. All any of us want in this world is to find some sort of happiness. Look't you and Glenn, Maggie. I heard the stories of how you two came to be together. Unless you want people to frown upon you for your choices don't judge them for theirs. Let them live their lives. Who knows how long any of us have?" That's the most I've ever heard him speak, and the fact that he said that much to defend me and Merle was something special. Maggie looked shell-shocked at his words. I looked around at our family, seeing various looks of shock, acceptance, upset and pride.

"I gave them my blessing," Daddy said, still sitting, his voice quiet. I waited for Maggie to say something, anything. All she did was turn around and walk out of the room. "She'll come around, Bethy,"

"I know, Daddy," I smiled at him before leaning more into Merle's arms. I'm kind of surprised he hasn't said anything. I turned around, eyes searching his. His eyes were stormy. "It's jus' you an' me, Merle," I whispered so only he could hear. I watched as the storm passed, and his heart beat against my shoulder slowed. He smirked.

"What're we doin' bout that punk ass kid?" Merle said, switching the group's focus away from me and him and back to Zach.

"Guess we're taking him a ways away, and letting him loose. No need to vote if there isn't another option on the table. We are not killing him. Beth's right, there," Rick replied, rubbing his hand over his scruffy face, suddenly looking exhausted. "An' far as I'm concerned about their relationship, it's up to them, and Hershel. It is none of our business. Tyreese is right, the old rules don't apply. I won't begrudge any one their happiness,"

"Thank ya," Merle said, the words sounding like they hurt him a little to say. I echoed his words, looking around at our family again. No one looked shocked or upset anymore. More or less everyone was smiling, now.


Merle

Today has not gone the way I planned in any way. I didn't expect Tyreese of all fucking people to stand up for mine and Beth's relationship, and then Officer Friendly to back his statement up. I sat there like a moron with my mouth hanging open while that guy defended my wanting to be with the girl, to her sister. I knew they'd be pissed, expected them to be pissed. Especially my brother, but I didn't expect anyone to justify it.

Then she had to see that I was raging an inner battle, trying to figure out what to say to these people, and remind me that it's just me and her, that nothing else matters. I wanted to kiss her more than anything in that moment. Instead I turned their attention as far away from me and her as I could and reminded them about that punk who tried to touch my woman. There I go calling her mine again. Guess she is mine, now. Nothing's going to keep her from me now. I'm not letting her go. I need that girl more than I've needed anything in my life. I just tightened my hold on her a little bit, and followed the discussion about what to do with the kid. I don't care what they do with him so long as he isn't here to hurt her again.

I keep thinking about how much I want them to hurry up and figure out what they want to do with the fucking kid so I can hurry up and be alone with her. I want to feel her lips on mine, again. As much as they all seem to be accepting of us now, I doubt her daddy would be to keen for me to start kissing her in front of him, especially if I started kissing down her neck like I want. Instead, I kissed the side of her cheek, and counting the moments till we're alone.


So, what do you guys think? Honest feedback!

This was supposed to be a part of my Music Drabble series based on the song Baby It's You by Aaron Carter but it quickly morphed into something for Baby It's You and Face Down by The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, and eventually it just took on it's own life and just wouldn't fit into the Drabble series. It became this long ass one-shot, that I had no intention of writing. It took over my muse and kept me from writing anything for The Dixon's or Music Drabbles.

I had some help with it thanks to beyondmythoughts. I strongly suggest you go read her story Seven Layers. I adore her, and her writing.