I do not own any rights to the walking dead.

Thanks for reading ad reviewing.

Thanks too Emberka-2012 and Straight Edge Queen.

Straight Edge Queen you're so lucky we're a week behind you in the UK I can't wait until Merle returns. There's going to be trouble for sure.

Please review.

Chapter 10.

In one week Merle had taught Anya how to track and hunt, the girl never failed to impress Merle. Anya's quick wit and her light feet made her an excellent hunter. Merle had started to teach Anya all about snares and traps and yet again she was quick and eager too learn.

Merle and Anya were now making their way through the woods collecting their prey from the snares they laid the day before. Merle had a rope looped around his body with three rabbits tied to it. "Last one to collect girl and then home." Merle traipsed through the undergrowth with Anya hot on his heels. They approached the small clearing where they'd placed the last snare and Merle's face twisted in pure frustration. A dirty stinking rotting walker was bent over making a meal out of his catch. Anger coursed through Merle's body but it was Anya who seemed more upset at that sight.

Anya grabbed Merle's knife from its sheath and walked over to the walker and gave it a firm boot in the backside sending the rotting beast tumbling to the floor. Anya gave the walker another kick the beast gave a disgusting groan and rolled onto its back. "That's mine." Anya yelled driving the knife deep into the walker's eye hitting its brain. Anya pulled the knife out and kicked it in the stomach. Anya was pissed off both her and Merle had spent hours tracking the rabbits and laying snares to catch them, she hated these creatures and the virus they carried they'd ripped her life apart and now they'd stolen her dinner. "Look at it." Anya pointed to the torn apart carcass of the rabbit. "All torn apart by that...that...sick fuck!"

Merle walked over to Anya and took his knife off her. He shook away the excess blood and wiped the blade clean. "C'mon kid let's go home." Anya watched Merle disappear into the woods and gave a grin. Merle had said home, it was the first time he'd ever said that before. Anya ran after Merle.

Belle sat on the front porch in an old rocking chair sewing a pair of Merle's socks. A shrill whistle made Belle look up to see Merle and Anya bounding towards her. Belle stood up to greet her brave hunters. "Mom we got rabbit." Anya called pointed to the rope looped around Merle's large body.

Belle walked towards the pair and Merle handed her the rabbits. Merle smiled at Belle he couldn't help but notice the difference a week had made too the woman. A few good meals and decent night sleep had made Belle sparkle. Belle had put weight back on and it had gone to all the right places, she seemed happier as well and Merle liked it. "Well I could get used to bein' greeted by a sweet ass every time I come home." Merle gave Belle a smirk and pinched her butt.

Belle swatted at Merle. "Hands off Dixon." Belle smiled. "I'll start gutting and skinning the dinner." Anya looked at the couple and raised her eyebrows, when Merle was around her mom didn't seem so sad, she didn't seem to miss her dad so much. "And you young lady get clean before dinner." Belle waggled her finger at Anya who was caped head to toe in dirt.

Anya pouted and looked at Merle for some form of help. "But mom Merle's dirty too." Anya protested.

Belle gave her daughter a gentle push towards the door. "Yes and I'm not Merle's mom am I?"

Dinner was a rabbit stew and each and every morsel had been devoured. Merle leant back in his chair his right arm moved behind his head, he rubbed his stomach with his left hand and let out a huge yawn. As Merle sat up straight in the chair he winced.

Anya caught the pained expression in the man's face. "You okay?" Anya asked removing the bowl from in front of Merle.

"Fine." Merle rolled his shoulder back and forth. "Just a stiff muscle."

Anya placed the bowls in the sink and looked at Belle. "Mom you used to massage dads bad shoulder all the time can't you help Merle?"

Belle gave a slight blush and Merle laughed. "Was that the only stiff muscle you used to massage honey bun?" Anya looked confused and Belle felt her cheeks start to burn with embarrassment. "C'mon now girl I know you ain't shy."

Anya looked at her mother with slight confusion. "Mom just sort him out it's his good arm." Anya's whiny tone made Belle throw her head back and groan.

"Fine." Belle gave in. "Take off your top." Merle grinned and stood up removing his shirt. Belle's eyes fell to the scars that were all over Merle's chest, they all looked old but they still made Belle's stomach churn. How could anyone do something so vile to another human? Belle turned the kitchen chair around. "Sit." Merle did as he was told. He sat on the chair his chest rested against the back of the chair. Belle noticed more scars covering Merle's back and she ran her finger down one long large scar. Belle wanted to hug the man and tell him how wonderful he was but she knew it would just end in him yelling at her.

Merle raised an eyebrow and rested his chin on the top of the chair. "C'mon woman I'm watin' here." Merle closed his eyes and then felt Belle's soft firm hands start working. Belle kneaded and rubbed the shoulder making Merle release a small soft groan, his shoulder muscle started to soften and Merle felt his body relaxing. "Ohhh god woman that's good." Merle moaned as Belle kneaded deeper.

Belle gently moved Merle's shoulder and gave it a couple more gentle rubs. "There we go. You feel better." Belle ran her fingers across the back of Merle's neck.

Merle tilted his head towards Belle, he gave her a soft look that Belle had never seen the man use before. "It's all good now. Everything's good." Merle muttered.

Anya looked at Merle and Belle and gave a sly smile and forced a yawn. "Well I'm super tired so I'm gonna go to bed." Anya stood up and kissed her mom and then gave Merle a quick hug before he could protest to it. "Night." Anya called as she left the kitchen.

Belle gave Merle a smile. "So...you wanna get drunk?" Belle reached into the cupboard and pulled out a large bottle of Southern Comfort.

Merle stood up and grabbed the bottle off Belle. "Now you're talkin'" Merle unscrewed the top and took a large swig.

Merle and Belle sat on the couch. Belle had her legs draped over Merle and she passed the nearly empty bottle back to him. "You know what." Belle slurred pulling her body slightly towards Merle. "I really didn't like you when we first met."

Merle gave a wheezy laugh and pointed his large finger at Belle. "Yeah and I thought you were a class A stuck up bitch." Both Belle and Merle laughed.

Belle pulled her body up and knelt on the couch she swayed slightly and Merle steadied her with his handless arm. "No...no...listen. Anya wanted you to stay cause you reminded her of poncho."

Merle looked confused. "I'm a poncho?" Merle burped loudly making Belle cackle.

"Nooooo." Belle lurched forward her sandy blonde hair shone in the dim light. "Poncho was our three legged cat." Belle placed her palms on Merle's chest and splayed her fingers. Merle laughed and Belle was mesmerised by the rise and fall of his giant chest. "I miss him." Belle whispered sadly and tears started to fall as she thought about Jake.

Merle grabbed Belle's wrist. "I know but he's gone." Belle raised her head and a tear ran down her cheek. Merle moved his hand to her face and wiped away the tear. "Ain't no use cryin' over the dead girl." Merle whispered.

Belle nodded and placed her forehead on Merle's, she let her lips dance above his for a few second and then they made contact. The kiss was light and soft unlike any kiss Merle had received before. Belle gave a soft moan and broke the kiss her large brown eyes looked into his grey ones. Neither of them moved for a second then Belle became pale her eyes grew wide and her body heaved forward and she vomited all over Merle.

Merle shot up sending Belle spilling to the floor. "I'm sorry." Belle giggled as she laid star fished on the floor.

Merle was about to start screaming and shouting but it would have been useless as Bell had passed out on the floor. Merle walked into the kitchen and wiped his chest off with a cloth. He then went back into the living room and threw Belle over his shoulder and started to climb the stairs with her. Merle gently placed her in the bed and left the room, before going back downstairs Merle quickly checked in on Anya the teenage girl was sleeping soundly. Merle gave a small smile and went back to his couch.