Hello all – I boycotted TWD after Carol was kicked out, but managed to catch up on all of them tonight. So I'm sitting in my recliner crying over the last episode and I know the only way I'd sleep is if I can write some Meth tenderness. Enjoy!

Merle woke up on his feet in full alert, the hair on the back of his neck prickling and his breathing elevated. The piercing screams were bouncing off of the walls and he and Daryl almost ran into each other as they ran barefoot down the steps to the first floor of the cellblock. Merle's gun was drawn and Daryl's bow was ready in his hand. There was already a small crowd milling in front of Beth's cell from where the screams emanated.

Merle could see that Beth was kicking wildly at her blankets while Maggie tried to hold her shoulders down. "Daddy!" Beth shrieked. "Daddy NO!" Maggie gritted her teeth. "Beth calm down honey, it's a night terror!" Beth writhed and bucked out of Maggie's grasp and flew out of the bed. "Daddy's dead. He killed Daddy!" she screamed, clutching both sides of her head in terror then backing up against the far wall, staring with wide eyes at the people clustered in the doorway of her cell. Maggie tried to reach for her but Beth screamed like an animal and fought anew in blind panic.

"Get away from 'er," growled Merle and Maggie looked up in surprise. He was looking over the heads of the people in front of him. "Shell shock," he said, jerking his head towards Beth. "Seen it in the military. Let her alone a bit." Maggie looked at him distrustfully but then backed towards the doorway slowly. Beth was frozen, back against the wall in terror, staring at the crowd. "Y'all get back ta bed, ain't nothin' ta see," Merle ordered curtly. Glenn looked at Maggie and she nodded at him and the crowd dispersed. Now only Maggie and Merle stood in the doorway.

Beth's knees slowly bent and her hands remained on the sides of her head as she slowly slid to the floor. She was still rigid with shock. "Daddy, where's daddy?" she gasped. Maggie replied soothingly, "Honey, you know he's in D block tonight to take care of the sick kids. It's just for tonight Beth." Beth violently shook her head and her agitation returned. "He's dead, his neck is sliced and he's bloody and his head is on the ground," she quavered, her voice becoming louder with agitation. "HE'S DEAD, HE'S DEAD!" she screamed, drawing her knees to her forehead in the fetal position. She was losing control and Maggie knelt next to her to hold her. "Bethie he's here honey. I promise he's here. He's just in the next block. It was just a dream sweetie."

"No," said Beth. "I don't believe you. I could see it. I could hear it." Maggie crooned to her to try to calm her. "Shush baby," she said. "Do you want me to go get him?" Beth nodded violently and looked up at the doorway. "Don't let go of me," she said hoarsely. Maggie looked up to Merle and he nodded, coming in to squat next to Beth who locked her arms around his neck. "I got 'er," said Merle. "Go get Hershel." Maggie stroked Beth's hair. "Are you sure you'll be OK?" she asked and Beth nodded against Merle's neck.

When Maggie left he turned his head towards hers and said softly, "Gonna set up on the bed lil girl. C'mon." He straightened his legs and gratefully eased himself to sitting on the side of her bed. Her arms were tight around his neck, almost choking him and he arranged her to sit sideways across his lap, cradling her with a strong arm.

"Ya shakin'," he whispered and tightened his grip around her. She began to cry in deep sobs against his neck and he closed his eyes. He had been dancing around Beth for quite some time now, alternately teasing her then ignoring her like she was a fish on the line. His interest was good and piqued – he knew this one might be the record winnin' fish of his life but if he took her it'd be the last fish he'd ever get because this kinda girl would want somethin' permanent. And the people at the prison would damned sure expect it to be permanent too. He wasn't sure he wanted to make that kind of commitment but damned if he couldn't stop thinking about her, spying on her, maybe stealing the odd set of panties to stroke himself with. He knew she had it for him by the way she blushed and stammered when he was around so he worked it - maybe one day brushing his hips against her ass to make her gasp as he scooted behind her, the next day peacockin' it in front of the Woodbury women to get her dander up, then following it up with a gravelly whispered dirty comment close to her ear. He'd been enjoying the slow burn even though it seemed to confound her all to hell.

And now this sweet little piece of heaven was dissolved in his lap crying as if her heart was breaking and he was surprised at the mix of emotions in his formerly heartless chest. He liked it that she went to him for comfort but he hated it that she was upset. "Hey now," he said to her. "What's got ya all het up lil girl?" Slowly she choked out the dream in spluttering sobs against his warm neck: The Governor kidnapping Hershel. The Governor's group at the fence. Hershel kneeling in front of the Governor. The Governor sinking the katana blade into Hershel's neck, then hacking and hacking until the head rolled free. When she spit out the final part she fisted her hands in the back of his dirty wifebeater and screamed out the last hoarse sobs and Merle shushed her as best as he could.

Eventually she calmed. "Ain't gonna happen sugar, ya know why?" he said softly with head turned so that his lips were close to her cheek. "Cause any crazy somma bitch comes close he gonna have ta get through me first. Got it?" he said. Beth buried her face further into the hollow of his collarbone and he shook her slightly. "Got it?" he repeated. Beth nodded against him. Her face and his neck were drenched with tears and she realized she was just wearing an oversized T shirt over her panties, making it impossible to try to lift the hem to her face to wipe her nose. Merle seemed to understand her problem. "Ya snotted all over ma shirt anyway, might as well wipe yer face on it," he sighed and after she wiped her nose he gently kissed her under each puffy eye. "Ya calm down now and sleep so you can make my breakfast," he grunted and she gave him the faint semblance of a smile. Just then Hershel limped in followed by Maggie and Beth stood up, bringing her hands to her father's dear face and embracing him tightly. "Daddy," she said weakly. "I love you so much." Hershel chuckled patiently and smoothed her hair. "See Doodlebug, I'm OK. Just sleep deprived," said Hershel wryly to her as Merle made his way quietly out the door.

Merle made his way back to his cell and lay down on his bunk. When he got comfortable and closed his eyes he realized that the scent of her hair was on his skin. He breathed in, savoring it and when he licked his lips he tasted her tears. She'd felt so good sitting on his lap and he knew she liked it the way she melted into him. A man could get used ta that he thought as he drifted to sleep.

Thanks for reading and reviewing! This story was the only way I could mend my broken heart over our beloved Hershel.