Thanks againt for the support! Soon we will get into some action. I wanted to lead up to it with some relationship growth. Haha.
I don't own the walking dead, its characters or story lines.
OC and non canon story lines are of my own imagination.
ENJOY!
Sam was dreaming again. Merle heard it start and thought he'd leave her to it but couldn't stop himself. Walking into her cell he saw her curled into a ball, her breathing hard and fast. Kneeling down he placed his hand flat on her back. Tremors were running though her tiny frame, her shirt damp with sweat. She looked so small all curled up.
"Sam, sugar." He rasped, his hand shaking her slightly. Another ragged gasp shook her before her eyes popped open to his voice. "That's it girl. You're ok."
Her mouth opened and closed as she sucked in air greedily. Panic still running through her; Merle could see the terror in her eyes. The dark blue iris's black and clouded.
"Got ya Sugar." He drawled standing from his spot on the ground before sitting next to her. "Sit up." He told her before lifting his legs unto the bed. Sitting next to her, legs out stretched, both leaning against the bed frame Merle felt her warm arm next to his. "Deep breathes," he instructed, his voice low and rough.
"'I'm s-sorry." She mumbled though a shaky exhale.
"t's fine." he said leaning his head back against the bed. Merle was tired. He could feel his eyes getting heavy again. 'Just sit here 'til she's ok,' he thought his eyes closing as he listened to her take another deep breath. Her head lay against his shoulder and it felt nice. Comforting even.
Looking down at her, Merle saw her eyes half closed, her chest rising and falling easier. He thought about getting up and going back to his cell but she seemed comfortable also. So he stayed.
'Just a few minutes 'til she's sleepin'.' He thought while resting his head against the bedframe again. With heavy eyes he sighed. 'few more minutes.' He repeated.
Sam woke up slowly. The sun was up and she felt disoriented. She hadn't slept until after the sun rose since before Woodbury. It was warm and pleasant though, more comfortable than she had been in a long time. Blinking to clear her eyes she looked over and saw the source of the warmth. Merle was lying in her bed, his head and shoulders propped against the bedframe. She had scooted down to her pillow. Her head lay against Merle's side while his arm wrapped over her head and hand lay on her arm.
'Hmph this is different.' She thought with a smirk. 'Bet the gruff redneck is gonna flip his shit when he opens his eyes.'
Stretching her frame, her muscles vibrating with the pull, Sam felt him begin to stir. A low groan sounded as his head rolled to the side. His eyes blinked and then widened. Merle looked at her, his mouth parted slightly as if trying to figure out what to say.
"I think we crashed," she said. "Your necks gotta hurt like that."
He cleared his throat and sat up, moaning as he rotated his neck. Gripping it he massaged the muscles in his neck and shoulders. "Fuck." He grunted in pain.
"Sorry," she said sitting up, pushing her bedhead hair out of her eyes. Merle stood and grunted, "Didn' mean to sleep. Was waitin' for ya to stop freakin out."
"Yeah. I'm sorry. I think it'd be best if I moved far away from you. You aren't gonna sleep well if I stay." She said swallowing hard feeling weak and stupid.
"Nah. It's fine." he said gruffly. "Jus gotta get you a teddy bear to cuddle or something." He smirked and nodded his head to the door. "Gonna go 'fore people think somethin' torrid happened last night." Winking he strolled out and toward his cell next door. Sam bit her lip and felt a blush rise. She wouldn't admit to him or anyone else but waking up next to him wasn't the worst thing in the world. It was actually kind of nice.
Merle shook his head as he sat down in his cell. 'Shit now ya cuddle like a woman?' he berated himself. 'Dumbfuck. She don' need no dirty ol' man in her bed.'
Rubbing the terrible kink he had in his neck, Merle groaned in pain. He'd probably suffer all day from it but he'd be lying if he said he didn't like seeing her first thing when he woke up. Her hair was all messy and she had pillow creases on her cheek. It was adorable.
'Adorable? Really asshole?' he thought while mentally slapping him.
Merle changed his shirt and the sock for his arm, buckling up his metal sleeve. Once put together he walked out to get some breakfast. Carol was standing in the common room stirring a pot of grits.
"Hey there sweetcheeks." He drawled walking up to her. Carol rolled her eyes and asked, "Sleep well?"
Merle narrowed his eyes trying to decide if she happened to see where he slept but she looked at him blandly. "S'pose so." He said feeling like despite the neck ache it was the best sleep he'd had in a long while.
Sam spent the afternoon helping Carol with laundry and food preparation. Her back was getting much more comfortable and she didn't bleed like a stuck pig after scrubbing clothing. She saw Merle working the fences and moving bodies. Letting her mind roam, Sam thought about the morning. Waking up next to him was more pleasant than she would've thought. She knew it wasn't anything like that for him. He flirted with her but Sam felt it was just his way. Merle flirted with anything with tits. He seemed to generally be bothered by her nightmares and interruptions to his sleep. Sam would take the banter if that were all it was though. It was fun to have someone to rib. Their conversations and petty arguments entertained her. Smirking Sam rung out a pair of pants and stood to hang them up. "How'd you sleep last night Sam?" Carol asked. Sam cut her eyes to her and swallowed thickly.
"Ok." She responded slowly while looking closely at the woman. Sam was trying to determine if she had seen Merle in her room. She hoped not because if word got out it would piss Merle off.
"I used to have nightmares also." Carol said scrubbing a nasty bloodstain. Sam chewed her lip before responding, "I'm sorry I woke you."
Carol smiled sadly, "Its ok Sam. Don't worry about it. Some people may seem inconvenienced by it but in reality they secretly like helping you."
Sam narrowed her eyes at Carol and tried to decipher her expression. It was a combination of mischief, amusement and understanding.
Sam cleared her throat and said, "I'm not sure I know what you mean." It was so obviously a lie that Sam actually rolled her own eyes at it. Carol laughed and patted her hand. "Sorry. I couldn't help myself. It's just….. so not like him that I find it adorable."
Sam scoffed and said, "I'm going to tell him you called him adorable." Carol looked aghast. "Don't you dare."
Sam laughed and bumped shoulders with her while she chuckled. When she looked up she saw Merle and Daryl coming up from hauling walker bodies. Sam watched them walk up, Merle punching Daryl in the shoulder while obviously fucking with him. Daryl was scowling and shoving Merle away from him. Sam smirked and looked down back to her washing tub.
"Ladies," Merle drawled a wolfish grin on his face. Sam shook her head in amusement. Carol snorted next to her and elbow her in the ribs. Sam couldn't hold in the chuckle. Both guys stopped and stared at them.
"Wha the fuck's with y'all?" Daryl asked his brow wrinkled.
Carol shook her head and said, "Nothin' Pookie." Sam guffawed and held her stomach while laughing loudly. Through blurry eyes Sam watched Daryl stalk off. Carol smirked and said, "We're all done Sam. Go on get somethin' to eat." Sam clambered to her feet and wiped her eyes dry. Merle was still standing there looking slightly perturbed.
Sam wandered toward the prison common area. Merle followed her up the steps and asked, "Wha' was that all 'bout girl?"
Sam smirked and shook her head. "Nothin'."
He grunted in response but didn't question her anymore. Sam grabbed a cup of noodles and added hot water once it boiled. Sitting down next to Merle who was cleaning weapons, she watched him work with one hand.
"Did it take a long time getting used to?" she asked nodding to his missing hand.
"Yeah. Still am." He said while scrubbing a barrel.
"I've only heard a condensed version of what happened…" she said through a mouthful of noodles.
"So?" he replied flatly. Sam raised an eyebrow and waited for him to explain. "Ain't one to reminisce about cutting a limb off, ok girl?"
Sam nodded, "Yeah I guess I could see how that'd be uncomfortable."
"Uncomfortable? Shit girl it hurt like a motherfucker." He snapped.
"I meant talking about dumbshit." She chuckled, sipping the salt broth. Merle looked embarrassed and chuckled dryly. "Shuddup."
Sam picked up a sheath with two throwing knives in it. Pulling them out she raised an eyebrow. "I used to be able to throw knives. Well my uncle taught me a little. I wasn't strong enough to sink 'em though."
Merle grunted, "I could teach ya. Simple 'nuff 'n ya got the guns for it now."
Sam smirked, "Oh do I?" Merle grinned, " 'course sugar. Lookit 'em."
Sam flexed her arm, "Yeah I guess I've toned up since being scrawny kid."
Merle grunted again before packing away everything he was doing. "Le's go."
Sam looked at him surprised, "Right now?"
"Hell yeah. Less ya got other pressin' to-do's." He joked as he held the door open for her. They walked outside and around the prison. Merle found a piece of pressed particle board and leaned it against the wire fencing. He had the sleeve with two throwing knives in his hand. "This goes around ya thigh," he drawled handing it to her. Sam took it and wrapped the knife sheath tightly around her thigh, the knives at easy access level. When she looked up Merle was smirking. "What?" she asked.
"Looks hot," he muttered and nodded to the wood panel. "Have at it. Wanna see what ya got."
Sam stood in front of the board and tried to recall all the tips her uncle used to give her. She positioned herself and held the blade in her hand. Bringing her arm back and letting it go it flew through the air and bounced off the wood.
"Damnit," she muttered and pulled out the second blade trying it again. Another failed throw making her growl. Merle chuckled, "Don' get bent outta shape. t's your first try." He strolled over to the target and picked up the blades. Sam watched him stroll back. He had a swagger that made her stomach clench. 'Fuckin hell woman. Get a hold of yourself,' she scolded inwardly.
"Ok try it again 'n then I'll tell ya what your doin' wrong." He said while stepping back. He stood behind her to the side. She could feel his eyes on her. After missing both shots she sighed loudly and looked at the sky. "I suck," she mumbled which made Merle laugh. Merle finally gave her tips. He told her how to stand and how to hold the blade. After a few more throws she got one to land but the rest fell without purchase.
"Throw it like ya mean it." Merle exclaimed as Sam's blade hit the target but didn't sink.
"I'm trying." She growled throwing another knife into the wood panel propped against the prison fence. Finally it sunk into the pressed partial board.
"Good girl," he remarked and removed the blade. Strolling over to her, Merle tapped her blades against the metal sleeve of his arm. "Keep that up."
"I'm trying." She grumbled.
"Don' fuckin try. Jus do it. Ya got the muscles for it. Fuckin' use 'em." He scolded her.
Sam sneered, "Fuck off Merle."
"That's the second time ya told me to fuck off 'n there ain't gonna be a third." he warned his eyes angry but also amused.
"Oh really? What'll you do?" She taunted her hands on her hips.
Merle walked closer, his large frame and height dwarfing hers. Sam held her ground though, not backing down or losing eye contact. He towered over her and leaned down, giving her a wolfish grin, "Maybe I'll just fuck off then. Ain't gotta waste my time on ya. Could be doin' a whole lotta better things."
"What like killing walkers and digging trenches?" She snarked throwing a blade into the target again. It sunk into their destination. Sam felt Merle behind her, his chest almost touching her back, the heat from his body making her skin prickle.
"Got a smart mouth on ya 'n ya got shit posture. Ya need to stand up straight in order to throw right." His voice hoarse and close to her ear.
Sam snorted and looked over her shoulder. Merle's face was darkened, his eyes hooded. "I landed that one with this posture. What's your explanation for that?"
"Luck Sugar. Pure luck." He drawled, his hand grabbing her hip. Sam squeezed her eyes shut as he pulled her against him. His firm body pressed against hers. Sam's heart rate kicked up to eleven.
"Ya need to stand like this." He rasped his lips almost touching her ear, his hand pushing on her lower back, sliding up her spine and straightening her shoulders. After getting her into what he considered the appropriate stance he stepped back and took her hand. The path his hand took up her spine was tingling.
"Hold the blade like this. Loosen your wrist." He told her his voice still rough and low. Sam swallowed, her mouth and throat dry. She could still feel him against her. The warmth of his body pressed against hers. His muscular thighs and been pressed against her. She could feel her ass pressed into his groin. 'Oh God, I wanna grind against him.' she moaned inwardly.
'Fuck what's he saying to me?' She thought while trying to focus.
"Ya with me girl?" He asked his eyes amused and a cocky smirk painted on his face.
"Yeah, yeah old man. Stand straight, loose wrist, throw shit." She muttered. Merle laughed gruffly and stepped back. Sam threw her last blade. It sunk deep into the wood panel with a satisfying thunk.
"Good girl," he rasped, his long legs taking him to the target quickly. Sam couldn't stop her eyes from roaming over his body, the body that had just been pressed against her. Closing her eyes she rubbed her temples. It was getting harder and harder to be around him without jumping on him. Sam was pretty sure he was all talk with her. He flirted and was physical with her. Arms over shoulders and hands grabbing a bicep here and there. Merle helped her when she was having nightmare, rubbed her back. He hadn't made a move toward a physical relationship though and Sam wasn't sure he even wanted that with her.
'Hell you've know him like a week Sam. Give it a rest.' she scold herself.
"Got a headache?" Merle's voice brought her back to the field they were training in.
"Oh yeah. Kinda need a break I think." She said feigning illness. Sam needed to get away from his muscular body and damn swagger.
Merle walked over and slide the two blades in the sheath attached to her thigh and said, "Le's go then sugar." Her breathing hitched as his fingers grazed her jean-covered thigh. They wandered back up the yard to the courtyard and saw everyone else was inside. The sun was getting low and soon it would be dinnertime.
"If ya practice ya'll be good at it. Got the strength for it." He remarked as he held the door open for her. Sam walked under his out stretched arm and said, "Thanks for showing me."
"Anytime girl," he replied with a nodded. "Gotta talk to Daryl. See ya later?" Sam smiled and nodded before toward the kitchen supplies. Carol and her were cooking some kind of pasta for the night. Daryl brought back rabbit so they'd have a fresh protein with it at least.
Merle went to his cell instead of finding Daryl. He had a rock hard dick and needed to deal with it. His body was thrumming from being close to Sam. When his hand moved on its own accord and pulled her against him, Merle thought he'd die. Her tight body pressed against his. The curve of her ass pressed against his groin. Merle barely contained the loud groan he felt clawing it way out of his chest. Closing his eyes he thought about the curve of her neck, the softness he could see and almost touch. She smelled good and felt even better.
'Oh god I wanna taste her too,' he thought while clenching his eyes shut.
Sitting in his cell he made sure the sheets were closed and listened for anyone hanging out near his cell. After a few moments of silence he unbuckled his pants, pulling out his hard-on and gripped himself tightly. Biting his lip he laid his head against the wall.
'Goddamn,' he moaned inwardly. 'Girls gonna kill me.'
A loud knock on the cell door made him jump. "Fuck off," he barked while yanking his zipper up and straightening himself. 'Fuckin assholes,' he muttered to himself before standing up.
"What?" he growled opening the sheet. Daryl and Glenn stood there with wide eyes.
"Need ya bro," Daryl said before turning and leaving. Glenn cleared his throat, "Sorry. We just need to talk about the new people."
"Why me? Huh? I ain't even got a spot here yet right?" Merle said harshly. "Rick made that clear last night."
"Don't worry about Rick right now. He's living in crazytown. We got shit to plan." Glenn said before walking away also. Merle huffed and looked down at his dick. 'Later big guy,' he muttered with a cocky grin.
Hershel, Glenn, Daryl and Maggie sat in the library. Merle was standing near their table, leaning against the wall. "Merle we spoke and want you to stay on here. We need your experience with the Governor and you military experience."
Maggie let's out a huff and says, "Daddy how can you think to trust him?"
Merle snorted but didn't reply.
Hershel patted her shoulder and said, "Maggie, he may be erratic, but don't underestimate his loyalty to his brother and Sam."
Merle narrowed his eyes at the addition of Sam to the equation but couldn't deny the accuracy of it. He would fight against the sick bastard because of what he did to Sam. She wasn't his girl but she was his responsibility. Merle felt he needed to enact some kind of vengeance against the guy for hurting her.
"Now Michonne?" Hershel asked. "Merle you knew her a little from Woodbury?"
Merle shrugged a shoulder. "She came in a couple days before I left. Pretty sure she kept Andrea alive all winter. Seems to handle her shit well. Deadly with that pig sticker of hers."
Hershel nodded and looked at the others. "Thoughts?"
Daryl grunted and shook his head, "Don' trust her."
"What brother she too quiet for ya?" Merle snorted and said, "We need bodies. She hates the guy. Enemy of our enemy is our friend baby brother."
Daryl scowled and looked away, biting his thumb. Hershel said, "Well she can't travel yet so let's see how it goes the next couple days. Decided then?" Everyone agreed with that idea.
"Sam?" Hershel asked avoiding Merle's glare. Glenn looked over at Merle nervously. Maggie nodded, "She's helped since she got here. Workin' the fences, helpin' Carol. Carol been keepin' an eye on her. Says she's a good one."
Merle shifted uncomfortably waiting for what the others were going to say. He didn't want to flip his shit and show truly just how fucked he was over the girl. Glenn cleared his throat and said, "She'll be an asset. Carl told me about the shot she made. She'll be good for guard duty, sniper details."
Daryl grunted and looked away. "She's fine."
Hershel smiles and said, "Good, good. I agree with y'all. Now Tyreese and Sasha. I've spoken to them in length. I believe they have no affiliation with the Governor. He is a fighter. She is good with the rifle. I say yes with a probationary period."
Merle wrinkled his nose and looked away. He wasn't sure about the two newest visitors. They didn't seem to be infiltrators but he didn't trust them.
"Merle what do you think?" Hershel asked.
"Like I said. We need the bodies. I don't trust 'em but we ain't got much choice. We can't let 'em go. So we use 'em, risk it, or keep 'em in a cell. Reckon we can keep 'em locked up when we can't keep eyes on 'em." Merle stated while fiddling with his metal sleeve, bored with the conversation and the company.
The group spoke longer about the newest arrives and decided to give them a trial period just like the others. When they were finishing up Hershel questioned the seriousness of the Governor situation. "It's been almost a week since you left the town, since Michonne escaped. What're the chance he won't come?"
Merle grunted and replied, "He ain't the type to lose nothin'. Bettin' man would say he'd be here any minute now."
"What about Rick?" Glenn asked, "We can't keep him locked up."
Hershel sighed and rubbed his chin. "Rick's troubled."
Merle snorted and said, "Guys fucked Doc." Hershel glared at him and said, "The man lost his wife, lost friends. He's been weighed down taking care of all of us. We have to give him some leeway."
"Daddy he was waving a gun around," Maggie said quietly and concerned expression. The four argued about Rick's stability and decided to talk to him more and see if they can get him to agree with letting the new people to stay. Merle finally got away from the group stating he was done 'chit chatting about bullshit that didn't concern him.'
Merle went to the common room where Carol and Sam were serving dinner. He grabbed a plate of noodles with smoked rabbit meat. Sam sat down shortly after everyone was served. Her hair was wet from washing up and she wore a black tank top with worn cargo pants. Her belt had the hunting knife and her hand gun was tucked at the base of her back. Merle swallowed the pasta with difficulty when he got a glimpse of cleavage. The bandage over the wound on her chest was poking out slightly over the collar of her top. It made his blood boil slightly but the feeling was subdued because she had a nice rack.
'Dirty ol man Merle,' he grunted internally. Sam ate silently her eyes watching Rick sitting with Carl. Merle watched her keep him with in her visual field. 'Fuckin bitch's smart.' He thought with a smirk
"What're you smirking at?" Sam asked with a raised eyebrow. Shrugging he just grunted "Nothin'".
"Mmmhmm. Ok then." She responded sounding less than convinced. "So tonight… if I wake you up just ignore me. Maybe I'll just wake up on my own."
Merle looked skeptical. "Ain't gonna wake up. Ya'll start freakin out and wake every one else up."
"Well I can't fuckin keep at this shit." She huffed and looked away. Her brow wrinkled with worry. Merle chewed thoughtfully and said, "Just don' worry 'bout it. If ya wake me up, ya wake me up." Sam chewed her lip and looked at her empty plate. He could tell she was upset that it was even an issue. She seemed to be the type to see things out of her control as a weakness.
She nodded finally and said, "I'm gonna go lay down. Still got that headache. I'll see ya later I suppose," she smiled wryly before leaving to wash her dish. Merle sat there for awhile as he thought of a way to help her sleep. He used to drink to stop his but that wasn't exactly healthy. Drugs and booze just subdued them, it didn't cure them. The only thing he could think of was her talking about them but it seemed she wasn't fond of that option. Merle didn't blame her, it wasn't like he was talking about his private shit. Deciding to have a smoke and head to bed early to take care of some sexual frustration Merle left the common room.
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