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I don't own the walking dead, its characters or storylines. I just play with them.
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Merle lay there listening to Sam breathe softly, her breath ghosting over his chest. Her head lay heavily against him, her tiny hand griping his t-shirt. Merle rested his cheek on her forehead and closed his eyes as he replayed the feeling of her mouth against his. Her stitches had been removed and the split lip had healed except for a small seam of rough skin in the center.
'Such soft fuckin' lips,' he groaned inwardly. 'Goddamn.'
Feeling himself harden at just the thought of touching and kissing her, Merle took a deep calming breath. He hadn't planned on kissing her and stroking her but couldn't stop himself. She had been crying in her sleep and when she woke, Merle felt his throat close up at the terror in her eyes. Sam's face was stricken and the fact that she said no words only climbed into his bed, clinging to him like a life raft in the deep dark sea, shook him. He wished he could make it go away. All the bad shit that chased her at night.
'Gotta kill the sumbitch,' he thought while playing with a lock of her hair.
When he held her face and looked into her eyes Merle felt like things fell into place. Kissing her wasn't just something he wanted to do. It felt like he needed to. Needed to touch her, taste her. Needed it like air.
Merle had kissed women before and truthfully hadn't really given a shit about the particular act. He usually did it to appease the women, get their motor running if you will. Mostly he wanted to pump, dump and move on.
Sam though?
He could picture himself just kissing her. Merle would never admitted, even if tortured, but if all Sam could ever do was kiss him, if that son of a bitch had ruined her ability to be intimate… Merle would be perfectly happy kissing the ever-loving fuck out of her forever.
'Fuckin pussy Dixon,' he thought but smirked just the same. 'Girl's got ya all kinds of twisted up.'
Turning his head he placed his lips against the warm skin on her forehead. He breathed her scent in and let his lips graze over her. Laying there, feeling her wrapped up against him, her scent around him and the memories of her lips and taste… it was all so intoxicating. It was as close to feeling high as Merle had gotten in a year. Merle wouldn't say that the intensity of kissing her scared him, because well he wasn't a pussy but it was definitely staggering. Not enough to deter him but enough for him to pause and take her well being into account. He didn't want to pressure her or make her feel obligated. Sam hadn't seemed pressured but Merle made it his mission to never ask for more than she was willing to give.
Trying to shut his mind down he focused on her soft breathing. The way her body pressed against his with every inhale. That line of thought though made him distinctly aware of her breasts and the way they felt against his ribs. He could make out the soft curve of them and would swear on a stack of bibles ten feet high that he could feel her nipples and the heat from between her legs.
'Fuckin hell,' he groaned inwardly while clenching his eyes shut. Now his mind swirled with images of her breasts, which he had seen... sort of, and how they would feel and taste. 'Goddamnit you dirty old man, stop it.'
No matter what he did he couldn't get his head on straight. Finally giving up on sleep he just lay there feeling her, thinking about her and what could be if he played his cards right. That if he could be a better man and if he took care of the bastard that did her wrong that maybe, just maybe he could keep her. Keep her, care for her and hopefully kiss her more.
Sam woke slowly, her head feeling heavy and her eyes gritty. Blinking several times to clear her eyes she finally focused on what she was seeing. Merle. Well Merle's chest to be more accurate. She could see the tips of a few long scars on his chest peeking out from his wife beater. Her mind flashed yo images of Daryl's back.
'God humans are such horrible bastards,' she thought.
Tilting her head up she saw he was looking back down at her.
"Mornin'," Merle rasped his hand brushing hair out of her eyes. Sam smiled, "Morning old man." Merle smirked and shook his head at her nickname.
His arm tightened around her making Sam hum and press herself even closer. Curling into him Sam felt good, safe, at home.
"Ya ok?" he asked quietly, his voice hesitant. Sam glanced up and saw a glimmer of worry. Nodding she stretched her neck up and kissed his jaw lightly. She watched his eyes close slowly as if reveling in the sensation. Sam didn't blame him, kissing him the night before had been memorable. It was one of those occurrences that a person memorizes and relives. There was nothing torrid or abnormal it was just… good. Very good.
"Are you?" she asked after pulling her lips away. Merle looked down with his cocky grin and a glimmer in his eyes. "'course. Always am Sugar."
Smiling she reached up again this time he met her in the middle. They kissed gently, teasingly. Pulling back he lay his head down and let his hand stroke her face and hold her neck, his thumb trailing over the scar on her jaw.
"Gotta get up girl. Got lots to do." He rasped his thumb still tracing the edge of her face. Sam nodded, turning her face into his palm and kissing the heel of his hand. She sat up and swung her legs around to sit at the edge of the bed. Merle joined her and started getting ready to head out. Sam stood and stretched, her back feeling tense but overall feeling well rested. "Ya sleep ok after?" he asked not bothering to mention after what.
"Yeah. You?" she asked as she moved to the cell door. Merle nodded but she could see the darkness around his eyes. He hadn't slept after she joined him. Guilt flooded her and she could feel her face fall slightly. Merle noticed and shook his head. "Ain't you're fault. Had a lot on my mind s'all."
Sam chewed her lip and looked down. She felt like shit for pushing herself into his bed like some overgrown child, to scared to sleep by herself.
'Pathetic baby,' she growled inside.
Feeling him approached she tried to avoid his gaze but he tilted her head up. Sam's eyes were slightly blurry but she ignored it.
"Ain't your fault got it?" he asked firmly.
She nodded but still bit her lip nervously. Merle's thumb traced over her lip freeing it from her teeth. "Don' bite that off. Grown to like it some." He drawled before kissing her chastely. "Now git girl," he pushed gently toward the cell door. Sam smiled at him and poked her head out carefully seeing who was up and about. Seeing the coast clear she headed into her own cell to change for the day.
The group sat together in the common room and laid out all the weapons they brought back. Rick spoke of his friend Morgan, who they ran into. Michonne whispered a few details to Sam, which made her eyebrow rise to her hairline. Spikes, animals in traps, holes filled with broken glass and point sticks. It all sounded insane.
With the scout seen in the forest Rick decided to hold off on getting the outer gates up. He didn't want anyone shot by a sniper. The group began to prepare for a possible firefight but also for an emergency exit. It all depended on the meeting they were having. Sam had no faith in the meeting providing anything of value. She hoped that no one died going to it. They decided it would be Rick, Daryl and Hershel. Merle was pretty pissed off about being left at the prison but after some convincing he realized his presence would turn the meeting into a warzone. They all knew the Governor would be asking for his head so there was no need to deliver it to him on a silver platter.
Most of the day was spent indoors away from the spying eyes of the forest. Sam took up guard duty on the catwalk that evening. Rick had found night vision binoculars, which made night watch easier and more effective. She had been sitting for a few hours when she heard someone join her. Looking over she saw Merle stroll towards. Her heart sped up just watching him approach. 'Goddamn you're like some teenager,' she thought with a snort.
"Evenin' Sugar," he rasped while looking out into the dark forest around them. "Anythin?"
"No. It's been quiet." She said looking back through the binoculars. She scanned the forest line and watched for any movement. There was a pack of walkers at the upper yard gate and a dozen roaming around the previously contained lawns. Merle shoulder brushed hers causing her to glace over at him. "Lemme see those," he said reaching his hand out.
Sam watched as his eyes narrowed while looking through the gear. She felt so short standing next him. The top of her head barely hitting his shoulder.
'God those shoulders,' she moaned inwardly. Merle had a barrel chest and broad shoulders. Everything about him screamed man and Sam found herself increasingly distracted by it.
"Watcha lookin at girl?" Merle asked shaking Sam out of her revery.
"Nothin'." She said quickly and looked about toward the forest, "Just thinkin'."
"Ya worried?" he asked gruffly. Sam shrugged and said, "I think it's impossible not to be. Especially with the Governor aiming for us."
Merle grunted and leaned his fold arms against the edge of desk.
"Ain't touchin ya again," he said without looking over at her. Sam chewed her lip and said, "I'm not just worried about myself. I just don't want anyone to get hurt."
Merle looked over and nodded. Sam could see his mouth open and close a couple times before he said quietly, "It'll be ok."
Sam looked over and smiled. "Ol' Merle the optimist?"
Merle snorted and bumped her shoulder with his. "Shuddup girl." Sam continued to look through the binocular but rest her head against Merle's warm shoulder. She could smell cigarette smoke, his leather and the gun oil he used to keep his apparatus moving smoothly. Her eyes slide shut for a moment just allowing her senses to memorize him. When she opened her eyes she glanced up and saw him looking down. Merle leaned down and kissed her forehead, "Ya lay with me when your done ya hear?" Sam smiled and tilted her head up, giving him a chaste kiss. His warm palm stroked over her cheek and held the side of her neck for moment before he left her to head in.
"Hey Merle," she said causing him to turn around and look at her. "Thank you."
"For what?" he grunted while scratching the back of his neck nervously. Sam smiled at his discomfort for gratitude. "For reassuring me it'll be ok." Merle nodded and went back inside.
When her shift was over she changed into bedclothes while in her cell and snuck into Merles to lie down. He woke as soon as she began to climb into bed.
"Just me," she whispered.
"I know," he rasped, "C'mere." Sam felt his arm rise allowing her to tuck herself into his side. Her head lay against his chest, her arm and leg draped over him. Merle's hand stroked up her body and tilted her face up. His mouth lowered to her, kissing and sucking her lips. Sam moaned as his tongue trailed across her bottom lip.
"Fuck girl the noises ya make," he grunted while nuzzling into her neck. Sam exposed more of her neck letting him leave open mouth kisses up the length of it. She couldn't help but move against him, the heat between her thighs getting difficult to ignore.
"Girl stop squirmin'." He warned, his arm tightening around her. Sam nodded and slowed down her mouth against his. They kissed until they both were out of breath.
"Sorry," she mumbled feeling embarrassed for getting so worked up.
"For wha'?" he asked sounded confused.
"For getting us both so worked up." She said with a laugh. Merle snorted and squeezed his arm around her. "Ain't gotta apologize for kissin the shit outta me."
Sam smirked and kissed his chest before settling against his body. He trailed his hand up and down her arm causing her to get drowsy. His breath evened out and soon they both slept deeply.
The day of the meeting.
The Governor watched them pull up. He'd hoped for Merle to come with. The man was bullheaded and arrogant enough to show up. The Governor hoped he would so he could just skip the whole peaceful meeting and murder everyone but alas they seemed to have wrangled in the redneck. He knew the bowman was Merle's brother though. The amount of time Merle would blather on about how great his brother was with the crossbow tipped the Governor off but the man also had the same air to him. 'Fuckin Rednecks,' he snorted
Their leader came into the barn, his gun raised as he scanned the building. The Governor waited a moment before stepping out from the shadows.
"Hello Rick," he greeted him strolling comfortably toward the bearded man his hands raised. "We have a lot to talk about."
Rick walked closer, his gun still drawn. "You attacked us. Makes things pretty clear."
The Governor smiled and drawled, "I was trying to make things clear. I could have killed you all. I didn't. And here we are." Rick kept his gun trained on the man as he approached the table in the center of the room. "I'm gonna remove my weapon. Show that I mean to negotiate in good faith. I'd like you to do the same." Rick didn't speak only watched him with calculating eyes.
The Governor cut his eyes to his gun holster, "May I?" Rick nodded stiffly but tightened his grip to his pistol. The Governor slowly pulled out his gun laying it on top the table next to the bottle of whiskey and glasses.
"See? No trouble. Now you." he raised an eyebrow and saw Rick holster his gun rather than set it aside and stayed standing.
"Well... suit yourself." He smirked at Rick. Raising his leg slightly under the table he felt the glock he hid before they arrived.
'Idiots didn't even clear the room,' he scoffed inwardly.
The Governor was about to comment on his standoffish attitude but the door flew open and the nosy blonde stomped in. "What's going on?" Andrea asked her hands on her hips.
"Nothing. Your friend isn't much for small talk." The Governor said leaning back casually in his chair.
Rick scoffed, "You want to talk, talk." He stayed standing his hands still loose enough to draw his gun easily.
Smiling the Governor replied, "I wanted you to talk." Andrea stood between them, leaning her hands on the table, "Too many people have died for no reason. Let's end this. Save the bullets for the real threat. We can solve this. That's why I asked you to come here."
The Governor just ignored her and stared at Rick. He had to hand it to the man, he had a steely eye. There was no flinching or weakening under the Governor's intense gaze. Most people buckled under the heat of it.
Rick began speaking, ignoring Andrea also, "I know what you've done. I heard about the raids, the heads, Sam." The Governor smirked, "Merle helped with those raids."
He kept his calm demeanor but wanted to punch the man. He didn't need Andrea getting riled up hearing more intimate details about his life.
"No. You know what I'm talking about." Rick replied coolly his jaw clenched. The Governor couldn't help but smile, "Don't know what you're speaking of. People tend to exaggerate to get sympathy."
Rick's eye hardened and he said harshly, "Scars don't lie."
The Governor set his jaw and looked over at Andrea who was still listening intently. Reeling in his anger he said, "You know all about me and I know all about you. I don't care about any of that. We're here to move forward."
Rick slowly pulled out a map and spread it out on the table top. "Woodbury takes west of the river. The prison takes east. No one crosses, no one trades." He said pointing and the lines drawn on the map. The Governor raised an eyebrow and stared at the paper. Andrea nodded and stated, "He's right. We should hammer out boundaries, then leave each other…"
The Governor jabbed his finger at the map and said tightly, "I'm sorry, what is this?
Rick replied evenly, "It's a solution."
He couldn't contain the laugh bubbling out of his chest, "Absolutely not."
Rick hands tightend into fist and he growled, "What the hell am I doing here? You told me.." He turned to Andrea and pointed at her.
"Told him what?" The governor narrowed his gaze at Andrea. He saw her flinch stlighty under the intensity.
Rick ignored his question and said, "You told me he was willing to talk."
"I am, but the truth is, Rick, she's in no position to make such an offer anyway." Shaking his head while still looking at Andrea shrink from him, "I'm here for one thing only- your surrender." He stayed stiff in his chair but leaned back again.
"Oh, you want surrender?" Rick chuckled and crossed his arms, "Come get it. You think we hit you hard last time?"
Andrea stepped forward and tried to mediate, "Just take it easy, all right? We're here to settle this." The Governor kept his eyes on Rick now. Without looking toward the nosy bitch to his left he said, "You're right. Would you step outside?"
She scoffed loudly and put her hands on her hips, " What?"
He cut her off, flashing his eyes toward her angrily, "Rick and I, we got a lot to talk about."
She apparently felt the need to show back bone in front of her one time friend, "I'm not leaving." Rick surprising backed up his decision, "I came to talk to him." They both sat silently until she stomped out of the barn. Staring for a few moments Rick sat down stiffly, his hand still loose enough to draw.
'Idoit, I got a gun pointed at your gut as we speak.' He thought with a smirk.
Rick let his eyes gaze over him and drawled, "So you're the Governor."
Laughing he smiled widely, "That's… that's their term, not mine."
Nodding and shifting in his seat Rick stated, "Oh. But still, you're beholden to your people."
"Well, of course." The Governor agreed his leg brushing the gun slightly. The deire to pull it and blow the mans head off battling with his need to take things slow.
"You have responsibility to them." Rick stated with a raised eyebrow.
He was already getting tired of the conversation, "Mm-hmm."
Rick watched him closely. "Wasn't Merle your lieutenant?"
"He was helpful, yeah." He replied while trying to fiure out where he was taking the conversation.
"Yet he left because of you're tactics, rescued a woman who you were assaulting?" he said evenly yet his eyes flaring in anger.
"He's a wild card, but he's effective. He gets the dirty jobs done. He is far from innocent. I couldn't count how many people he's killed for supplies. He was in charge of all those raids you speak of." He said not acknowledging the statement about Sam.
"I thought you'd take responsibility. You aren't going to even deny beating and raping women?"
"The days of law enforcement are over. No need to pretend to be a sherrif deputy anymore. " he smirked. The man was pissing him off. He didn't need to be questioned about his extracurricular activities. It wasn't anyones business who he fucked and if they actually wanted it. He took and he destroyed. No one was going to stop him, let only an ex small town sheriff deputy.
"At least I don't pretend to be a governor." He scoffed and smirked.
The Governor sighed, "I told you, I'm their leader."
"You're the town drunk who knocked over my fence and ripped up my yard, nothing more." Rick nodded and replied flatly.
The Governor's anger flared, hot coals burning bright inside his chest. He decided to use some interesting information Andrea had provided. "I never told Merle to kill everyone he cam across. Didn't you ever misjudge someone? "
Rick looked confused for a moment, "Hmm?"
"Andrea told me about your baby. That it might be your partner's." he smiled widely inside at the man's discomfort. He wanted to see how far he could push before Rick blew up. He needed to see how hot headed he was. "But you're caring for her and I admire that. Restitution for your own lack of insight. For failing to see the devil beside you."
Rick's jaw was tight but he did raise his voice, "Oh, I see him all right."
The Governor smiled easily at the jab. Nodding slightly he jutted his chin to the bottle on the table, "I brought whiskey. There's no reason not to use this time we have together to explore the issues ourselves."
Prison
Everyone is sitting in the common room waiting to hear about the meeting with the Governor. Everyones waiting nervously, hands wringing and eyes jumpy. Merle watched Rick pace in front of them quietly for a moment.
"So, I met this Governor. Sat with him for quite a while." He told them, his hands resting on his hips. His face furrowed with worry.
"Just the two of you?" Merle asked is arms crossed.
"Yeah." Rick responded and rubbed the back of his neck.
Merle sighed loudly, "I shoulda gone when I had the chance, bro. I could've just killed 'im."
Rick ignored Merles comments and explained, "He wants the prison. He wants us gone. Dead." He paused as everyone gasped and shifted uncomfortably. "He wants us dead for hiding Sam, Michonne and Merle, not to mention the men we killed when they attacked."
Everyone started talking but Rick put his hand up to quiet them. "We're going to war and we got to prepare ourselves."
Sam watched everyone talking over themselves. She scrubbed her face angrily before standing up and walking out. The stress of the situation was eating away at her. Making her way into her cell she grabbed a change of clothes and decided to shower. She couldn't think straight and all she wanted was to not worry for a moment. Merle was climbing the stairs when she headed toward the showers.
"Gonna shower, I'll be back," she said her face drawn and tired.
"Ya ok?" he asked his brow wrinkled. Sam nodded and patted his arm as she passed him. She washed up slowly, cleaning her hands and arms thoroughly. The fear they would have to flee or that she may be captured had her more than anxious. All the nervous energy making her anal-retentive. The bathroom door opened and she saw Michonne peak her head in. "Can I come in?" she asked while sliding inside. Sam smiled and said, "Yeah"
While finishing up she dried and waited for Michonne to talk. Sam had realized the woman was quiet but always thinking, always planning.
"Do you think it was so cut and dry? Give us the prison or die?" she asked while Sam pulled on her clothing. Sighing she shook her head. "If I were to guess the bastard probably demand you and me, maybe even Merle."
Michonne nodded and looked away, "You think they'll turn us over?"
Sam shook her head, "No. Merle won't allow it."
Michonne scoffed, "Maybe you but I don't know if you noticed but your boyfriend's isn't exactly fond of brown folk."
Sam shook her head, "He's not my boyfriend and he's a old redneck. Of course he's going to be racist. That doesn't mean he wouldn't defend you or anyone else from the governor. He knows what he's capable of."
"He knows because he used to help him," Michonne commented, her arms crossed.
Sam sighed and rubbed her face, "I'm tired. Can we not do this? I just want to get some sleep before we're all murdered."
Michonne chewed her lip and nodded, "Sorry. I just… I wish I knew what the fuck we were doing and what was going to happen." Sam nodded and squeezed her bicep before walking out without another word. The whole situation was too much and Sam couldn't deal with it anymore.
She walked toward her cell and heard voices coming from Merle's. Pausing in the shadow of a nearby cell she listened intently when she heard Rick and Merle speaking.
"He wants you to deliver Sam and Michonne. He'll walk away from this place if we do." Rick said.
Sam stood frozen waiting for Merle's response. Swallowing thickly she heard nothing but silence. The seconds ticked by before Merle said, "You're cold as ice, Officer Friendly. When's he expectin' this?"
Sam squeezed her eyes shut as she listened from the shadow she hid in.
'He didn't refuse… you're so stupid Sam. You actually thought he cared.' She thought angrily.
Moving further away from cell she fled down a hallway into an administration area. Finding an empty office she sat down and took deep breathes as panic filled her body. The urge to pack a bag and run was strong.
'Fuck, you're so dumb Sam. Jesus Christ.' She berated herself while rubbing her eyes.
Sam should have been used to being fucked over. Her whole life was one shitty experience after another. She grew up with a drunk mom and a string of drunk step dads. Leaving home young she spent time on the streets, on couches and running from one terrible relationship to another. None of them treated her well, none of them were dependable. None of them really cared. She had some stable time with her uncle and taking care of her grandfather but that fell through soon after his death. No longer being needed her uncle kicked her out once she started to get back into drugs. By then she had given up. Settling for a relationship with a minor drug importer, Sam took the delivery jobs he offered her. No one else was going to take care of her. She had to learn to do it herself. And what did that get her? It got her ten years in prison when her boyfriend got pinched and rolled on her. He pinned his whole business on her.
'How have you forgotten Paul? No one is who they say they are. Don't fuckin' trust anyone Sam! How have you not learned your lesson yet?' she screamed inside.
Wiping her face roughly she decided she needed to figure out her next step. If they were trading her for their freedom she needed to be ready. No one was going to get their hands on her again.
'Try me fuckers. You have no idea what I am capable of.' She seethed inwardly.
Merle didn't even know what she was capable of. He knew where she got the scar but she lied about two things. The fight wasn't over jello. It was assassination attempt. Fellow drug cartel looking to take out who they thought was competition.
The other lie?
The other woman didn't walk away. Sam gutted her in a shower stall and walked away without anyone finding out. She felt no guilt for it. And to top it off it was not the first or last act of violence Sam had committed. She fought her way through prison and was truly lucky to even get out when she did. If it weren't for the rush to get prisoners out of the overcrowded system she would've been there at the time of the fall, probably for life.
Sam sat there until her heart calmed down and she felt like her face was less puffy from tears. Making her way quietly to the cellblock she went into her cell rather than Merle's. She wasn't sure if she could even look at him with out screaming or killing him. Her chest hurt at the thought that what they had wasn't real. That it wasn't what it felt like. Sam was angry but not even at Merle really. She was furious at herself for opening up to someone. Opening up to a man that was going to walk her back into a torture chamber.
'So fucking stupid Sam. You're so fucking stupid.' She sighed before rolling over facing the wall. Pulling her blanket up she hoped Merle would just leave her be if he came looking for her. She even tucked a knife under her pillow just in case.
Sam lay there and at one point she heard someone at her cell door but she didn't acknowledge them. Figuring it was Merle seeing where she was, Sam kept her breathing steady and listened intently. The person left after listening to her for a few minutes, their shoes scuffing quietly on the metal walkway. Letting out a slow breath Sam stayed alert all night, her hand tightly gripping hunting knife. No one was going to sneak up on her. No one was putting their hands on her again.
Sam snorted at the absurdity. She was back in a prison pretending to sleep just waiting to get jumped, hand on a blade. It was like coming home.
'Home Sweet Home.' She thought.
Don't Hate me! I promise it'll work out. Thanks for reading!