"For the last time, I am not letting you out of that cage." Rick paced back and forth on the landing in front of Merle's cell, glaring at the man stuck behind bars.
Merle stood facing Rick, his remaining hand wrapped around the cool metal bars of the cell door. The two men had been going at it for a while now. He'd been locked up, like a goddam stray dog waiting to be put down, since he and Daryl had returned from Woodbury. He had been stuck in that tiny cramped cell for days now. He'd had enough of this shit.
Merle Dixon wanted out.
He didn't expect a full pardon, not after what he'd done to that Glenn kid, but hell, he'd served his time in isolation. He'd been a good boy; hadn't tried sweet talkin' the women, in fact he'd kept his mouth shut 'round everyone except his brother. He hadn't even laid a hand on anyone since his arrival.
What more did they want?
He was not a man used to pleading his case to get what he wanted. Well, not unless you count putting on some puppy dog remorse-filled eyes when he'd feed a judge some line about how he'd learnt his lesson and he'd never do nothing wrong ever again. God, those times had been a complete crock of shit. He thought with the world going to shit his days of pleading for his freedom from a concrete cell were long behind him.
The gun toting good sheriff had other ideas though. He had been pacing back and forth in front of Merle's cell for the last half hour arguing the many reasons why the man would never see the light of day again.
Merle wanted out of this cage. He longed for the good old days when the Dixon brothers would get into a bar fight in some shithole in the middle of nowhere. Merle would have been high as a kite and three sheets to the wind, but those were good times. Listening to his brother strutting and stomping about the prison for the last few days had given Merle cabin fever. He was imprisoned while his brother was free to do whatever he goddamn liked. If only the other members of his precious new family knew Daryl used to be a two-bit crook, just like they all thought Merle was, they wouldn't be so eager to let his baby brother walk freely amongst them.
Merle was just itchin' to get out there and stomp around with his brother. He'd been locked up too long; he needed to do something, anything, to stop him from going stir crazy. To get rid of the tension he felt weighing down his shoulders. He needed a good fight; a way to release that tension. Exchanging words with the man pacing before him wasn't cutting it. He needed to do something.
He hadn't killed a walker in days.
Merle missed the rush he got from slamming his steel stump into some geeks decaying face. He missed fights alongside his brother too. Nearly been a year since they raised hell together. No one had his back like his brother.
He wished he'd seen his brother in action with that douche bag Axel. Sounded like Daryl had torn that dick a new one for messin' with his woman. Not that Daryl would admit to his brother that anything was actually goin' on with that woman. Merle had seen the looks his baby brother gave that Carol when she wasn't looking. He'd seen the way his brother watched her when she came to check his stitches. Damn fool couldn't take his eyes off her.
He'd been disappointed he hadn't got to watch Daryl beat the shit outta that boy Axel. He'd heard something about Daryl punching a wall out while dealing with the asshole. From the whispers and strains of gossip he'd heard it was a damn shame he missed the show. Merle didn't want to miss the next show. And there would be one, mark his words. That Axel prick would try something again; he looked too stupid to stay away from Carol. Merle would gladly help his brother beat the ever loving shit out of that prick. He could see Carol had been good for his brother. The woman had looked after his baby brother when Merle wasn't there to do it.
Merle had seen the way his baby brother had reacted when that Axel had come sniffin' 'round Carol. Damn near had to put a muzzle on his brother to stop him ripping that hippy-looking son-of-a-bitch in two for trying to talk to that woman.
Initially, Merle couldn't see the attraction, but in the last few days he'd come to appreciate the woman's kind smile and pretty eyes. Didn't hurt she had a great ass too.
His little brother had finally gotten a woman…about damn time too. Only took the end of the world to make it happen. Problem was, the damn fool didn't even know he had a woman. And Merle was sure as shit his brother wouldn't know what to do with her when he worked he actually had her.
All the things Merle had taught his baby brother to make him into a man…apparently he'd missed the lesson about wooing women. Truth be told, if she wasn't his brother's woman, Merle would have tried his own brand of Dixon charm on her. She had spirit. A woman who'd put up with a Dixon was hard to find even before the dead started rising from the grave to make a meal of the living. A good woman like that was even harder to find nowadays.
Merle put on his most endearing smile for the agitated cop pacing before him. "Come on Officer Friendly. Have a heart. Better yet, give a brother a hand," Merle's smile instantly changed to a snarl. "Oops…forgot. I already gave you one of those." He tapped against the cell door with his metal stump, the sound echoing loudly though the empty cell block. "You already took my hand, don't take my freedom now. That's goddamn un-American of ya if you do that."
Rick stopped pacing, fixing his anger filled stare on the older Dixon brother. "Understand this Merle, you are not welcome here," Rick stepped closer to the cell bars, eliminating the distance between himself and the imprisoned man. "No-one wants you here. You nearly killed one of my men. Maggie wants to put a bullet in your brain. That girl don't even need a gun at this point; she'd be happy to insert the bullet manually. Glenn has every right to beat the shit outta you; repay you for what you did to him in Woodbury. And Hershel, well…you tried to kill the man he's come to think of as a son," the sheriff paused, his eyes never leaving Merle's. "By your own admission, you shot Michonne. She wants to cut you up, piece by dumbass piece. Now you tell me, why should I let you out of this cell? Seems to me that as soon as I let you out there'll be a queue of people linin' up to kill you. I'd have to issue numbers to make sure no one cuts in line."
Merle stared at the angry man before him. When the imprisoned man spoke, his voice was thick with determination. "You let me out, I'll stay clear of everyone, 'cept my brother that is. I ain't going anywhere without Daryl. I won't go causin' no problems. I ain't lookin' for revenge; you got my word on that. I'll be a good boy and play nice with your people. Scout's honour." Merle held his stump in front of his body to swear. He'd performed the gesture enough times in court, he knew the drill. Swinging his head, Merle tried to look past the imposing man blocking the doorway. "You got a bible 'round here Friendly? If I'm gonna swear I wanna do it right."
Rick snorted in disbelief. "You gonna avoid every last person in this prison? 'Cause that's the only way I see you stayin' clear of everyone who wants you dead." Rick leaned closer to the cell door, his voice dipping lower as he spoke. "You in a cell is not for our protection; it's for your own. So don't you start thinking anyone here is scared of you. The only reason you're still alive is because you're Daryl's brother. Make no mistake; if you weren't his blood, I would have shot you myself before we even left that town."
Merle eyed the sheriff's deputy before him carefully as he dropped his stump back to his side. He hadn't expected the cop to be so frank. He knew the man couldn't stand him, but to admit he wanted Merle dead just as much as the rest of those idiots here surprised him. Officer Friendly had a knack for surprising him. Had done since the bastard cuffed him to that rooftop.
Merle Dixon didn't like surprises.
"I don't know where your allegiances lay Merle. I let you out, what's to stop you running straight back to Woodbury and the Governor?"
Merle's voice was low as he answered. "My allegiance is with Daryl. After what the Governor did to us," he shuddered involuntarily at the memory, "I got no loyalty to that psychotic asshole. I ain't going back there. Where Daryl goes, I go. You make no mistake about that. I'll do whatever I need to do to protect my brother. If that includes putting a bullet though the Governor's head sometime in the future, let's just say I wouldn't be overly opposed to the idea." The thought of killing the Governor, the man who had betrayed him and tried to kill his brother, left Merle with an evil smirk on his face and a menacing glint in his eyes.
The man behind bars shook his head, clearing the thoughts of revenge as he did so. "Daryl's hell bent on stayin' here with you folks, so I ain't goin' nowhere." Merle stepped back from the cell door, eyeing Rick thoughtfully. Maybe the good sheriff didn't fully understand Daryl's motives for returning to the prison instead of taking off with his brother like he should have. "He's got a good woman here…even if's he's too much of a dumbass to see it. He'll be following her wherever she goes, so I guess for the moment it's the two of them I'll be protecting. The rest of you can all go fuck yourselves, but I'm looking out for my kin first and foremost. Daryl ain't leavin' her, and I ain't leavin' him. Simple as that."
Rick stared at Merle with disbelief. "What woman?" The former sheriff's deputy thought for a moment. "You mean Carol?" The man didn't try and hide the surprise from his voice.
"Yeah, Carol. Little brother's got it bad for that woman. She's the reason we came back with you. It'd been up to me, the Dixon brother's would have been out, just the two of us. But my soft hearted little brother hadda come back here. For her."
The sheriff held up his hands in protest. "They ain't like that Merle. Yes, there's a friendship there," he paused, considering his words, "I'll admit it's a close friendship, but it ain't like that. Carol is a good woman, but her and Daryl…together?" Rick took a step backwards, giving some space between himself and the imprisoned man. He folded his arms against his chest as he leaned back against the railing. "I knew you were a stupid bastard; didn't know you saw things that weren't there too."
"You jealous or somethin'?" Merle snorted a laugh. "Y'all may have chained me away up here away from the general population, but I still go ears. I hear things. Like a certain inmate who ain't too shy 'bout spending some quality time with my brother's woman," Merle looked at Rick with fierce determination. "You best be doing somethin' to protect the women from that punk. I've known guys like him. He ain't foolin'; He want's Carol he ain't gonna stop 'til he gets her.
"I heard the story goin' round 'bout the Dixon Brothers and their woman too," Merle chuckled at the thought. "Funny shit, the idea of me and Daryl sharing a woman. I never shared a woman in my life, and I ain't about to start now," He shook his head at Rick, focusing on him intently. "I got eyes too. I see the way those two look at each other. Like two teenagers wantin' to jump each other's bones. You sure musta been a shit cop if you can't see what's happenin' right there under ya nose."
The man leaning against the railing continued to shake his head in disagreement. "You're wrong Merle. It ain't like that."
"You're the one that's wrong Rick. I know my brother, better than any of you assholes think you do. Fact is, I ain't ever seen him so stuck on a woman like he is with her. I love my brother. Just want what's best for the little bastard. Being here, with her, is what he wants. Seems like the only one seein' what's going on 'round here is the Chinaman."
"Glenn," Rick correctly absently.
Ignoring him, Merle continued. "When we first rolled up at the prison, I watched my brother with that woman. The way he only spoke to her and didn't give two shits 'bout anyone else, I knew there was something going on. But when ya'll brought me inside, and I saw her pick up that baby and bring it to Daryl, well, I thought…" Merle trailed off, reliving the memory as he sunk down on the cell bed.
"You thought what Merle?" asked Rick, exhaustion heavy in his voice.
The one-handed man met Rick's gaze again. There was a dejected expression on Merle's face. "I thought Daryl had gotten himself a new family, whelp and all. Saw the way that woman carried the young'un 'round, like only a mother does. I guessed the only reason Daryl would wanna come back here is if it was for a new family." Merle knew now that the baby wasn't his brothers, but that moment when he had first been lead into the prison, and he laid eyes on the scene before him, Merle had been convinced Daryl had gotten himself a new family. That he didn't need just Merle anymore.
He'd watched as that Carol woman had picked up a baby outta a crate with 'Lil' Asskicker' written on the side, turning with a huge grin on her face towards his brother. Merle had been too shocked to speak as he watched Daryl tickle the baby's stomach affectionately, smilin' all the while. His brother smilin' like that? Merle had never seen such a sight before in his life.
"I mean, the kid was sleepin' in a box with 'Lil' Asskicker' written on the side! I thought to myself, weren't no way that kid didn't belong to Daryl. Who the hell else but a redneck would call their kid that, 'sides my dummy of a brother?" He threw up his arms in frustration. "I always knew that boy was stupid, but callin' a kid that? Damn fool's lost what little sense he had in the first place."
"You though Judith was his?" The surprised look on Rick's face spoke volumes.
Merle nodded his head in affirmation.
Rick shook his head in opposition. "She ain't Daryl's; she's mine."
The older Dixon brother had worked out that fact pretty quickly. Right about the time he'd seen Daryl jump away from the woman when she asked for his pants the other day. From the way Daryl was acting 'round that woman, there was no way he'd hit that before. He'd be surprised if his brother had ever hooked up with a woman. Plus, he'd watched Rick pluck the baby from Carol's arms after he'd strolled into the cell block with that brat son of his. He saw the look that man gave the baby. It was a look only a father gives his child. Merle knew the score.
Wasn't gonna stop him messin' with the good sheriff's mind for a spell though. He knew the cop wasn't gonna let him outta this cage. Merle had nothing left to loose. Might as well have some fun at this asshole's expense.
"You and her?" Merle shook his head with mock disgust. "That's cruel, knockin' up a woman who belongs to another man. Even I ain't enough of a heartless bastard to do that. Thought you and my brother were tight? Maybe it should be you and Daryl sharin' that woman in the chink's story," Merle rubbed his chin with his remaining hand, sneaking a glance at Rick as he spoke. "Explains why he's so pissed off at the thought of you and her together though."
Rick signed, staring at the floor intently. "Carol's not her mother."
Merle smirked. He could tell he was getting to Rick. He knew damn well Carol wasn't that kid's mother. Wasn't gonna stop him from still messing with the man though. He planned on pushing the sheriff's buttons some. "You mean you and that lil' blonde angel I seen carrying that kid 'round? Officer Friendly, I thought you was a man of the law. Didn't think you were into little girls. She looks barely old enough to be liftin' that child, let alone birthin' it. I may be the one in a cell, for no good reason I might add…but hell, I wouldn't even go there. I got the good sense to know that girl's jailbait."
The look of disgust that instantly appeared on Rick's face almost caused Merle to crack a smile. Almost.
"Beth's not her mother," the look of pain that washed over the broken man's face was devastating. "My wife…Judith's mother was my wife."
All his life Merle had been accused of being stupid. He'd been called inbred hillbilly white trash amongst other things. But he was far from stupid. Merle was a man who paid attention. And right then, he heard one word from the sheriff; was. Judith's mother was my wife. So his woman was dead. Merle almost felt sorry for the guy then. The sheriff had known pain. Recent pain too. Damn kid was so tiny. Can't have been out of its mama long. Few weeks at best, not that Merle was too familiar with babies to judge.
But sorry don't grow you a new hand.
He wanted to make the cop uncomfortable. And damn near if this wasn't a perfect way to do just that.
"Three women?" Merle's voice tipped between awe and envy. He entertained the fantasy for a moment and then shook his head ferociously against the idea. No way in hell would you catch him being that stupid; one bitch was crazy enough. "You got three women? You got a goddam harem following you. You takin' all the women here? Don't exactly believe in sharing the wealth, do ya?"
Two sets of heavy footsteps on the metal staircase interrupted the men. Merle lifted his gaze to find Daryl and the Chinaman standing at the top of the landing. Glenn was eyeing Merle with unconcealed hatred. Daryl on the other hand… he looked pissed.
'Little brother's been eavesdropping,' Merle thought to himself.
"This a private party or anyone invited?" Daryl's voice was guarded as he address the two men; one his brother in blood and the other his brother in arms.
"Daryl, Glenn," Rick inclined his head in greeting.
"Hey little brother!" Merle stood from the bed, returning to the cell door. He casually leaned against it, resting his metal stump against the bars. "Officer Grimes and I were just having a friendly conversation; nothing to worry your pretty little head about. Speaking of pretty heads…where's Carol?" Merle smirked as his brother shot him an irritated look through narrowed eyes. "I ain't seen her all day. Startin' to miss that smile of hers."
Daryl grunted in annoyance, folding his arms tightly across his chest. "She ain't smiling for you Merle. She's too busy laughin' at your ugly-ass face is all."
Merle's eyes flicked down to his brother's fists balled under his armpits. If he knew his brother, Darlena's fists would be white from clenching them tightly. Tryin' to control his rage. The boy did that when he was pissed. Couldn't hide his tells from Ol' Merle.
"Aw, now come on brother, that ain't true and you know it. Before the world ended, the ladies were linin' up for me," he sighed at the happy memory. Merle had had alot of women. "Been said Ol' Merle could charm a nun from Christ."
Glenn snorted. "You look like you'd take whatever was left at the bar come closing time."
Merle growled at the younger man. Damn little shit was just askin' for an asskickin'. "Watch your manners chow mein. I was an artist. Weren't just the skanky bitches neither; I had me some high-class tail."
"Pretty sure the only way you'd get high class tail Merle is if the dive of a strip club you went to was called 'High Class Tail'." Glenn made air quoted with his fingers as he named the imaginary strip club.
Daryl barked out a laugh, but the sound dried on his lips as he caught the venomous look Merle instantly shot him.
Merle eyed Glenn; the skinny kid was leaning against the railing. "Well, we all can't be as lucky as you with humanity going to hell in a hand basket, can we? Seems to me like the end of the world has certain perks for some." Little fucker had a smart mouth, and he radiated anger whenever he looked in Merle's direction, but Merle was finding he was actually starting to like the kid. He liked someone who had the balls to stand up to him.
Glenn's anger gave way to confusion. "Perks? What the hell are you talking about Merle?"
The older Dixon brother smiled knowingly at the Korean man. Just 'cause he was starting to like the kid don't mean Merle was gonna take it easy on him. That wasn't his style. "I mean perks like your girl. You can't tell me that before all this happened short round you'd have had a shot with that sweet little southern belle?" Merle watched the doubt flickered over the kid's face. "A girl who looked like that wouldn't look twice at your Chinese takeout ass before the world went to shit and she ran outta options. The pickings are pretty slim now; not much fresh meat round 'ere," he looked around his cell, holding his arms wide as he did so. "Guess she got a cravin' for fried rice instead."
Daryl smirked at his brother's joke; clearly he'd had the same thought before. "He's right. Maggie wouldn't of looked at your scrawny ass twice before all this shit."
"Like you with Carol," Glenn casually added, leaning back against the railing as he did so.
"WHAT?!" The one word yelled by Daryl echoes amongst the prison walls. Somewhere outside the compound, the wailing of baby Judith could be faintly heard.
Both Rick and Merle's heads snapped up in unison to watch the furious redneck standing on the landing. He had dropped his arms from across his chest and had started moving towards Glenn. Merle noted that his brother's fists where still clenched and bone white. Chinaman was in for one hell of a beat down.
Glenn's eyes grew wide as he started backing further down the walkway, away from the enraged redneck. "Daryl…buddy. What I meant to say is, uh…a woman like Carol wouldn't of looked twice at a guy like you before this. You know, 'cause you're a hillbilly redneck and she's, argh, more white collar that blue collar. Shit…that still didn't' come out right. I, um…I didn't mean it like that…" The cowering young man was now pressed up against the railing with no escape in sight.
Merle chuckled loudly. "Sure you meant it boy. You meant it just as sure as my brother's gonna try and deny it. Mark my words, that woman's lookin' alright."
"She ain't lookin' at no one! Best get that through your thick heads," Daryl huffed.
Rick moved forward, placing himself between Glenn and the menacing redneck. "Glenn didn't mean anything by it. What he said just came out wrong, ain't that right Glenn?" The man turned from Daryl to Glenn as he spoke.
"Tha-that's right," stammered Glenn as he hurriedly nodded his head in agreement. "Sorry man."
"Person you should be sayin' sorry to is Carol. You're too damn caught up in that dumbass story you've been spreading 'round to know what's what," Daryl glared at the trapped Glenn through narrowed eyes. "I still ain't forgotten we need to have a discussion about that."
The sound of Glenn loudly gulping bounced off the grey prison walls. Merle could of sworn be saw the panicked kid mouth "Oh shit."
Rick turned his attention squarely on Glenn, still leaving his arm up to hold Daryl at bay. "This story you've circulated Glenn, I need to know what you told Axel. Why did you and my son think it was a good idea to start spreading rumours? About Carol of all people?" Rick shook his head in frustration. "What the hell were you thinking?"
The young Korean man shifted his weight on his feet, trying to avoid the three sets of eyes watching him "I had a really good reason, just remember that ok. It wasn't just something I did for fun," Glenn smirked slightly. "Well…maybe it was a little fun."
A fierce growl escaped Daryl's lips.
"Ok, ok. The thing was, I, ah…noticed Axel hitting on Carol. Like really hitting on her. Worse that what lefty over there," he pointed towards Merle's cell, "probably did with his 'high class' tail."
The older Dixon brother flipped Glenn off with his remaining hand, a scowl etched on his face.
Glenn continued, ignoring Merle. "I watched her turn him down flat, but the moron wasn't getting the message. Maybe he just didn't want to get the message. You and Daryl were still in Woodbury," Glenn gestured towards Rick, "and I was injured, so I made up this story that Carol belonged to the Dixon brothers. I figured the threat of you two would keep Axel away from Carol 'til we could come up with a more permanent solution."
"Why'd you add me to the story," Merle questioned as he dropped his hand back against the cell door bars. That was one thing he hadn't been able figure out since he'd heard that woman tell his brother what was going on. "I ain't ever touched her."
"You ain't never gonna touch her, best remember that," Daryl barked as he stared at his brother.
Glenn chuckled nervously. "I figured it'd be funnier with the two of you?" The chuckling instantly stopped as Daryl took another menacing step towards the younger man. Rick was still situated between the two men, separating them, but he was having trouble containing the pissed off redneck. Glenn's hands flew up in front of his body in surrender as Daryl loomed closer.
"You're lookin' a might angry there little brother," Merle smirked, interrupting the tense standoff. "I got a spare boot if you want somethin' to throw." He'd laughed when Daryl threw that boot at that douche bag the other day, but throwin' a shoe was a bitch move. He'd taught Daryl better than that.
"Shut up jackass." Daryl didn't even look at his brother; he kept his eyes firmly trained on his cowering friend.
The Korean boy look genuinely scared. "Look, just hear me out ok? What I mean is, you know you're scary as hell," Glenn nodded towards Daryl, "Axel found that out already. But your brother's on a whole other level of crazy. And I thought, well, the threat of the both of you would keep Axel away."
Rick sighed, raking his hand though his hair as the thought. "So let me get this straight. You and my son basically thought it'd be funny to make Carol the meat in a Dixon sandwich?"
Merle chuckled heartedly at the thought. "Dixon sandwich? I don't know 'bout you Friendly, but that ain't something I'm looking to experience with my brother. Even though the thought of that sweet little Carol-"
"Shut ya fuckin' mouth Merle!"
"That's enough." Rick's booming voice silenced the brothers. "With the threat of the Governor looming, we don't need the distraction of you two at each other's throats as well. We need every man on deck, do I make myself clear?" Rick waited as each man nodded his understanding. "For now, we keep the myth of the Dixon brothers alive. If that'll keep Axel occupied, but still give us the manpower he supplies, I can deal with that. I ain't lockin' up a man just 'cause he's giving Carol a little more attention now than he did before. We need every able bodied man free to fight at this point.
"As of now, we use the myth of the Dixon brothers to our advantage."
"Myth my ass," Daryl chimed in gruffly. "That bastard goes anywhere near Beth or Carol I'll put an arrow in his ass."
"I don't know about that brother. I don't think an arrow in his ass would do the trick." Merle leaned against the cell door, lazily tapping at the steel bars with his metal stump. He fixed his gaze on his brother, staring at him intently. "If it were me, I'd be aiming 'bout three feet higher than his ass."
Glenn chuckled lightly. "Wow, I never thought I'd say this…but I actually agree with Merle." The young man shuddered. "Makes me feel dirty just saying that."
"Welcome to the winning team chow mein." A thought had suddenly occurred to the older man. Merle eyed Glenn questioningly. "Who had her first?"
"What?"
"It's a simple question. Though you people were supposed to be smart. Who had her first, me or Daryl? That prisoner starts asking details I gotta know what's going on with me and my woman." Merle grinned as he spoke. He could see the effect the words my woman were having on his brother. Daryl looking like he was ready to punch something. Or someone.
Glenn looked nervous and unsure as his eyes flickered from Daryl's face to Merle's. "Um…you first," he pointed to Merle, "then Daryl."
The older Dixon brother thought about this for a moment, nodding his agreement with this. "Good, 'cause Ol' Merle don't do sloppy seconds."
Daryl's narrowed eyes shifted to this brother's smiling face. "You ain't doin' nobody Merle."
"Just sayin' baby brother…just saying." Merle grinned at his brother with amusement. Daryl needed to man up and do something about Carol. Claim her himself. Merle was only too happy to help his brother out. If pretending to show an interest in Carol was what it took to get the dummy to finally act like a man, then damn well that's what Merle was gonna do. If Daryl didn't make a move soon, some other motherfucker would sweep in and steal that woman right out from under his nose.
Merle dropped the grin from his face as his tone turned serious. "You outta do something 'bout that Axel. That cat ain't right in the head when it comes to women," Merle ignored the other two men standing outside his cell. What he had to say was aimed directly at his brother. "I told you, you need to fix that boy. Permanently. Dixon's take care of their own."
"And what do you suggest Merle?" the sheriff asked.
"All I'm saying is that no-one would miss that bastard if something was to happen to him, would they? Maybe he has a fall, maybe he comes under 'friendly fire'. Dumb fuck's too busy following Carol 'round, he ain't exactly payin' attention to his surroundings is he? Maybe he gets bit." Merle thought for a second, scratching his chin with his remaining hand as he did. "He don't do nothing to help ya'll 'round here anyway."
"Say's the guy who also doesn't do anything to help either," Glenn said sarcastically.
"Let me outta this cell, I'll do something for the group; call it a public service if you like. You want Axel gone?" Merle pointed to his own chest. "I can make that happen."
Rick's jaw tensed. "That is precisely the reason I can't let you out Merle. You're too much of a loose cannon. I can't trust you."
"I don't know Rick, it would kill two birds," Glenn said thoughtfully.
Rick turned his head back to towards Glenn. "How exactly do you figure that?"
"Merle takes care of the, ah… Axel situation; we don't end up waiting for him to do something stupid. We can focus our attention on preparing for the Governor's next move. Plus, if Merle's out, then he can lend a hand. Just one though, for obvious reasons."
"Fuck you short round!" Merle spat with venom.
Glenn eyed the prisoner warily. "You want out of that cell or not asshole?"
Merle thought for moment, getting a handle on his rage. He jerked his head once. "Continue."
"Maybe Merle could just threaten Axel. The guy would be less inclined to try anything with two Dixon's stomping around the prison. Two Dixon's are scarier than one. I can't believe I'm even going to say this…but maybe we should let Merle out of his cell," Glenn caught the angry look Rick was directing his way. "Just for a few hours a day, not permanently."
"See, even Chinaman here thinks I should get yard time."
"I know what Merle did to you in Woodbury," Rick stared intently at Glenn's bruised and swollen face. He leaned forward completely ignoring the older Dixon brother as he spoke only to Glenn. "You haven't exactly been subtle about your feelings on his being here. How do I know you're not just gonna kill Merle first chance you get?"
"This isn't about me; it's about protecting the group. Merle can help. That's all it is. I won't kill him…not today at least," Glenn added with a slight smirk.
"Just try it short round, just try it," Merle countered with his own smirk. He was really starting to like this cocky little shit. The two enemies regarded each other silently; finally having reached a shaky truce. So long as Merle provided a valuable service, Glenn wouldn't lay a hand on him.
Glenn sighed, switching his attention from Merle to the sheriff still standing in front of him. "The Governor isn't our only threat anymore. You said we need every man on deck, right?" Glenn paused as Rick nodded his agreement. "Well, we need to start watching things closer to home. Our problem isn't just shit-for-brains in the cell over there. Carol seriously needs to watch her ass while Axel's around."
"I don't know 'bout ya'll, but if Carol's ass needs watchin' I'm happily take that job. It'll be a long…hard job, don't get me wrong, but someone's gotta do it," Merle smiled sweetly at Glenn. "And you said I don't do anything 'round here."
"You best shut the hell up and keep your eyes off her Merle." Daryl growled in a low voice at his brother. He still leaned against the railing, his arms folded tightly across his chest again.
'Little bastard wants to sock me one,' Merle thought to himself with a silent chuckled. 'About damn time too.'
"I hear what you're sayin' Glenn, I do, but I can't take the risk of letting Merle out yet. I'm pretty sure Michonne would kill him within five minutes, not to mention Hershel. That man can be viscous when he wants to be."
Glenn winced as he absently rubbed the back of his head. "You don't have to tell me that twice."
"Merle will stay locked up for the moment, but we'll keep the myth of the Dixon brothers alive. Use it to our advantage. Mention the plan to Hershel. To keep Axel deterred, Carol is off limits to the rest of us," ordered Rick.
"Not that much different from any other day," Glenn muttered under his breath. Rick and Daryl didn't hear the younger man speak; Merle did though. Weren't much Merle didn't miss.
"Come on man, don't do this. Let me outta this cage. Bird's gotta fly," Merle pleaded, his arms outstretched.
"Until further notice your wings are clipped," Rick said as he descended the staircase. Daryl followed in his wake, shooting his brother a final menacing glare as he walked away.
"Asshole," grumbled Merle sourly.
Glenn pushed off from the railing, moving towards the staircase to follow.
"Glenn, hang back for a minute. I need to talk to ya." Merle's voice was quiet as he spoke to the younger man. What he had to say he didn't want no-one else hearing. Couldn't be too careful in here; even the damn walls of the joint had ears.
"Glenn? What, no short round? No chow mein? I don't have the keys man; Rick and Daryl have the only sets. I can't let you out."
Merle snorted. "That ain't why I wanna talk to ya. What I gotta ask is serious, so don't bullshit me," he paused as he leaned further against the bars. "This Axel guy…he as bad as you say he is, or are you just fuckin' with everyone's heads?"
The Korean man eyed Merle carefully before answering. "He hasn't done anything yet, but the way he looks at Carol…he's not just checking her out. The way he was staring at her the other day…I'd kill him if he ever looked at Maggie that way. He had this look in his eye," Glenn shuddered slightly. "Axel's bad news, trust me."
"Yeah, I got the same feelin' the other day when I saw that little punk watchin' her. I've known guys like him…done time with some bad motherfuckers. That Axel prick…he's definitely not just enjoyin' the view. He's gonna try sampling the merchandise, whether it's on sale or not."
Glenn shuffled from one foot to the other. Something was obviously bothering him. "Why this sudden concern with Carol's safety? The Merle Dixon I know doesn't give a shit about anyone other than himself or his brother."
Merle eyed the younger man warily, deciding whether he could trust him or not. The little shit was proving to be an honourable man as far as he could see. Ballsy too for a chink. Bout time Merle started dealing with someone honourable for a change.
"I ain't interested in my brother's woman if that's what you're thinkin'," Merle glanced up, staring Glenn straight in the eyes. He wanted the younger man to know what he said was genuine. "I know there's something going on between the two of them, even if they don't realize it. I figured you knew that too, I mean, why else would you make up that shit 'bout them?
Merle took a deep breath before continuing. "Problem is…I know my brother. He ain't gonna do shit about her. Dumbass won't make a move. Only way Daryl's gonna do something is if he thinks someone else is trying to hit that. He'll keep Axel from her, but Daryl won't try anything on her himself. Don't think he even knows how," he admitted. Merle cleared his throat before continuing. "If I gotta give my brother a kick in the ass to get him moving in the right direction, I'll do it. Me showin' an interest in Carol will make that dummy realize he'd gotta do something. Light a fire under his ass. That woman's been good for him, I can tell."
"You're right; she has been good for him. He doesn't act like the asshole he used to be when you were at the quarry together."
The older man chuckled. Glenn really was growing on him. "I weren't always an asshole. I had my moments." The laugher died on Merle's lips as he remembered what they had been talking about. "I was serious 'bout Axel. Something needs to be done about that boy. I've done a lot of shit in my life, mostly bad I'll admit, but I ain't a rapist. Never treated a woman like that. You and me Glenn, we ain't exactly on good terms. That's on my head, I own to that. But I'll do whatever it takes to keep that bastard away from her. I need your help with that."
Glenn stood silently, his hands jammed into his pockets as he regarded Merle. The older Dixon brother watched the younger man carefully as he spoke, waiting for a reaction. Finally, Glenn nodded his head in understanding.
"Ok Merle. I believe you. Never thought I'd say those words either," Glenn smiled slightly with amusement. "I'll work on Rick; try and convince him to let you out. I can't promise anything though, but I'll try." He walked back towards the staircase, turning to speak to Merle before he descended. "Carol's my friend too; I'm not going to let anything happen to her."
Something had just occurred to Merle. "Hey short round." He smirked as an irritated look flashed over Glenn's face. "How long were you and Daryl standing down there listenin' before you walked up?"
Glenn coughed nervously. The kid hadn't realized they'd been sprung eavesdropping. "Ah…long enough to hear you think Beth's jailbait."
The older man scowled. "She's still a kid. I might be a many things, but I don't mess with teenage girls. Piece of ass like that woulda landed me in jail before the world went to shit."
Glenn chuckled lightly. "You're already in jail Merle."
"I'm well aware of the situation asshole. I'm just sayin' I prefer some miles on the clock. Some experience. Don't want to have to teach them everything. Woman's gotta know what she's doing."
"Like your 'high class tail'?" Glenn quipped as he eyed Merle. "So what kind of experience do nuns have then?"
"A nun don't have experience, but that there's a challenge. You nail a nun, that there's a first class ticket to hell." Merle grinned at the man standing outside his cell. "I figure I'm headed in that direction anyway, so why not? Ain't gonna make any difference."
"Look around man; we're already living in hell."
"Huh," Merle huffed. "I ain't even had my nun yet. This new world is fuckin' bullshit!"
Horrendously long A/N: There are several things I feel I must address. Firstly, I actually feel terrible with what I've done to Axel. Don't get me wrong, he's still going to be a creep in this fic, but after watching his fate, I did feel a tad guilty for my treatment of him. Lew Temple did a wonderful job of giving the shifty inmate a golden heart, and for that gift I thank him.
Secondly, I thank you all for the wonderful reviews I have recieved. I'm glad that everyone seems to be enjoying the ride and having some laughs along the way. I have pulled back the funny slightly in this chapter. The reason for this is that writing humour is a delicate process. There's a fine line between hilarity and Daryl chasing Axel round the cell block while the Benny Hill theme music plays in my head. I was raised on a steady diet of British comedy, so I naturally gravitate to that sort of humour.
Thirdly, I'd like to take a moment to write to a couple of my reviewers who I can't PM.
lokislady: Thanks for the lovely reviews. I hope you're still with me after what Merle said about Beth. I know you've been with me since the beginning, and I know you're a Merle/Beth shipper. The thing is, I don't ship them, so I'm sorry to say you won't be seeing them together here. If it helps, the last line in the previous chapter about in-laws was inspired by your M/B love :)
thinkwritedelete: Thank you for your comments about Daryl's quiet reaction to the Axel situation. All I can say is that I may study the characters too closely; this is part obsession, part me being a perfectionist. I feel this season we have seen a real character development in Daryl's emotions. I re-watch S1 & S2, and I see Daryl react with bluster and anger to any emotional situation his is presented with, whether it's loosing his brother, the CDC ticking time bomb or his inability to find Sophia. But by S3, these new emotions he's never had to deal with before are all interalised. His dealing with Carol's 'death' for example. One of his closest friends; he grieved for her in silence. No anger or bluster that we saw, aside from ramming her knife into the floor constantly. He kept his pain quiet. Completely different to his handling of the Sophia situation. For me, Daryl would only react one way with presented with the problem of Axel, hence quiet, menacing Daryl. I'm glad you appreciated what I did, it means alot!
