Ok I think I will continue this fic for a little while longer. Most of my readers seem to want more Sam and Merle, which is awesome because it means they still enjoy the fic. Updates may still lag because despite my love of Sam and Merle my muse has been elusive. I don't like forcing myself through a chapter, it makes it more work than fun.

Anyhoo

I don't own the walking dead etc etc.

OC and non canon is mine.

ENJOY!

The group was sitting in Rick's house after everyone took advantage of the showers and fresh clothing. Well everyone except Daryl of course, who seemed to be planning on staying as dirty as possible for as long as possible. Sam sat in between Merle's legs, her back against his chest while eating a plate of ramen Carol had whipped up. It was the first meal Sam had eaten that she didn't have to force down passed nausea. Merle was stroking her arm while talking to Abraham who stood looking out the window, the men speaking of strategies to defend the house.

Michonne strolled out of the bathroom and asked with a grin, "How long was I in there for?"

Rick answered with a smirk, "20 minutes."

"God, I could not stop brushing."

Sam smirked at her bright smile and quipped, "You got any teeth left after that?"

Michonne snorted and nodded, "A few." She looked over at Rick, "Huh. I've never seen your face like that." Michonne was the first to mention the drastic change of beardless Rick. He was a completely different person without his mountain man pelt. Sam had never seen him without at least a short beard and she wouldn't have recognized him in a crowd looking like he was now.

Rick rolled his eyes and drawled, "That's what I felt before and after." The room was quiet, a few adjusting their bedrolls for the night and couple others taking advantage of the newly acquired entertainment, reading material.

"Look... I get why we're playing it safe. We should. I just.. I have a good feeling about this place." Michonne spoke quietly to Rick while Sam was listening in. She wanted to know everyone's thoughts on the place. Sam felt like it was a good option but was also pretty wary about trusting it. They'd seen too many false prophets with hidden agendas to walk blindly into the town without planning. Rick shifted uncomfortably and rasped, "Well, I hope you're right."

"Yeah, me, too." Michonne muttered before sitting down next to Sam and Merle. "What about you two?" she asked while stretching her legs out in front of her, leaning back on her palms. Merle grunted behind her but didn't voice his thoughts. Sam knew he was reserving his thoughts until they saw more of the town and more of the people. From what Sam saw they seemed weak and ill prepared for the real world.

"We'll just have to see." Sam mumbled through the last bite of her food.

A knock on the door had a few people standing up and gripping the only weapons they were allowed, knives and machetes. Merle was about to stand when Rick opened the door to unveil Deanna. Sam felt him relax slightly but still tighten his arm around her stomach. She wasn't sure if it were subconscious or not but it was pretty endearing.

"Rick, I.. Wow. I didn't know what was under there." Deanna exclaimed with a grin taking in Rick's smooth cheeks, "Listen, I don't mean to interrupt. I just wanted to stop by and see how you were all settling."

She looked into the living room and saw the entire group camping out together on the floor. Sleeping bags were strewn across the dark wood and others were lying on the two couches. Daryl was perched in the window watching the perimeter while Carol paced with Judith.

"Oh, my. Staying together. Smart."

Rick's frame was tense and he rasped, "No one said we couldn't."

Merle grumbled quietly behind her, "Like t'see 'em try to separate us."

Sam patted his leg and turned slight, kissing the underside of his jaw, "They won't."

Deanna spoke about them all being family and how amazing it was that they had all come with different backgrounds but were still able to live together. Sam had to agree but remembered all the troubles they had when they first arrived at the prison. Merle had been an outcast because of his checkered past but eventually the others grew to trust him again. Sam wasn't really disliked but since she had shown up with Merle she held a certain stigma. Abraham had butted heads with both Dixons and Rick while his mission in life was to deliver Eugene to DC but after that was blown to shit he'd fallen inline.

Rick changed the subject, his mind apparently still figuring out how the town worked and what to expect. "Everybody said you gave them jobs."

"Mm-hmm. Yeah. Part of this place. Looks like the communists won after all." Deanna joked but no one laughed.

"Well, ya didn't give me one." Rick drawled crossing his arms almost defensively. Sam hadn't been given one either but didn't speak up. She wasn't sure what she would want to do in town. Part of her wanted supply runs or something outside the confining walls but she also liked the idea of not being chased by the dead or avoiding the living. That didn't even take Merle's opinions in the matter. God help Deanna if she assigned her somewhere even remotely dangerous.

Deanna nodded and told them all, "I have. I just haven't told you yet, same with Michonne. I'm closing in on something for Sasha and Sam. And I'm just trying to figure both Dixons out, but I will."

Merle snorted behind her and muttered, "Bes' not expect me t'be no school teacher."

Sam laughed under her breath and she quipped, "Maybe you can teach 'em how to curse and stab things."

"More like how t'not be a bunch o'pussies."

Deanna headed out after a few more words that Sam didn't bother hearing as exhaustion began to hit her hard. Merle felt her body getting heavier and he rasped into the side of her neck, his breath warm on her skin, "Lay down Sugar. Need your rest."

Sam couldn't agree more and maneuvered herself to lie next to Merle, her head lying next to his thigh on a pillow of all things.

"I missed pillows." Sam murmured loud enough to get a few laughs from around the room. Merle raked his hand through her hair and drawled, "Never thought I'd miss my jail cell before we hit the road."

Daryl snorted and joked, "Once a con always a con brother."

Sam pressed her forehead into Merle's thigh and inhaled, smelling fabric detergent for the first time in forever. She rested a hand on his leg while his palm stroked up and down her back soothingly. It had been a longtime since she'd felt comfortable and despite still laying on a hard floor it felt luxurious.

The next day brought a short meeting with Deanna where Sam was told she would be part of the security team they were soon assembling. Rick had informed the community's leader of Sam's rifle skills and had advised she be utilized securing the town. Merle had been giving a position on the runs teams and Daryl had still yet to be assigned. Sam had noticed he was spending most his time on the porch of the house they were staying in and he had still yet to take advantage of the home's running water. She rolled her eyes at the idiot's stubbornness. Merle wouldn't stop giving his little brother shit for it either.

Sam watched as Rick, Carol and Daryl spoke quietly before the group's leader waved her over.

"They said explore, let's explore."

Giving him a nod she decided she would locate the doctor's office for future reference. She wasn't too sure she wanted anyone to know about her condition yet, especially the town's people but it couldn't hurt to know where it was. More than anything Sam wanted to see the ins and outs of the safe zone. She didn't want to get lost if there was an emergency.

Daryl grunted and sat down, "M'stay here." He started working on his bow, his eyes not rising from the task, thus ending the conversation. When Sam walked past he did look up though to ask, "Ya got a blade?"

Giving him a nod she assured him, "I'll be fine."

The town was fairly small consisting of a few residential streets as well as empty plots being used for crops, solar panels and new construction. The center of the safe zone had a small manmade lake and a couple gazebos. Everything was manicured and clean. It was so drastically different than the world beyond the walls that it was disconcerting. It felt like walking onto the set of some family sitcom.

Sam found the building labeled infirmary. It was a home converted into a medical office. Through the window she could see a few beds, storage cabinets and a woman with a clipboard. On the back porch she caught sight of a tall man with blonde hair drinking from what looked like a beer bottle. His white coat hinted at his role in town. 'Great. The Doc's a drunk.' She thought wryly, losing her confidence in the medical care available.

Continuing on, she strolled the whole perimeter looking at the fence and the houses surrounding them. A few curious people watched her pass but she ignored their looks. Eventually she ended up at the gate, the entryway being guarded by a woman who's nose was shoved into a book. Her rifle was lazily propped against the fence, completely forgotten. Sam sauntered over, her shadow crossing the woman's page being the only reason the oblivious woman looked up.

"Oh hi there. I'm Holly."

"Sam." She replied blandly before peering out the fence, "are you the only guard?"

"Yeah. Why?"

Sam's eyes widened but then instantly narrowed, "So no ones really on watch then.. Since you're reading." The other woman's mouth dropped open and she stood up, her shoulders becoming tense.

"Excuse me?" She growled, "How dare you speak to me that way."

"No, excuse me for pointing out that you are the only line of defense between my family being killed and eaten and you're reading a fucking trashy novella." Sam growled stepping into the woman's personal space. It had been a long time since prison but Sam still knew how to throw down. Part of her kind of wanted the woman to throw first punch because hitting something seemed like it would be stress relieving.

The sound of others approaching had Sam's back tensing but she kept her glare firmly on the female guard. Holly sneered, "Well since you're new here I'll excuse your stupidity but we don't have to worry about that. Our walls are impenetrable."

Sam snorted her anger turning into disgust, "Fuckin' clueless."

Backing up she noticed a few residents as well as Daryl and Glenn. Daryl stepped forward to cup her elbow, pulling her away from the area. He huffed out a irritated breath, muttering, "Damn trouble maker."

"Well I am a Dixon now right?" She quipped with a cocked eyebrow. Daryl snorted, "Jus' makes ya even crazier 'cuz ya chose to be."

They walked slowly, Daryl chewing his lip while wringing a hand on his crossbow strap. She could see him contemplating something and couldn't help herself. "What Dixon?"

He glanced at her with narrowed eyes, his hair blocking some of the nervousness but not all. "Nothin'."

"Come on. Tell me."

He opened his mouth and then snapped it closed. After another second he blurted, "Merle tol' me about... ya know." His eyes flit to her stomach and then away.

Sam sighed, crossing her arms while rooting her feet to the ground. She knew some may have an issue with her being pregnant. Not only was it a drain on resources since she would need more food, more medical supplies and be less helpful once huge but it was also dangerous. There was great risk in giving birth nowadays not to mention then having a screaming infant to care for. She tapped her foot anxiously waiting for what might pour out of the man's mouth. Daryl turned back, noticing her no longer next to him and cocked an eyebrow.

"That a problem Dixon?" she asked with a challenging look.

His lips curled slightly and his shrugged, "Nah."

"Good." She snipped walking towards her now brother in law informing him, "You'll be a great uncle." Daryl smirked and laughed quietly, "Never thought I'd see the day Merle was a daddy."

"Never thought I'd be someone's mom." She huffed but without real upset. Sam had her worries but more than anything she felt excited. Daryl bumped her shoulder and assured her, "Ya'll do good. Both ya."

When they returned to their new home Merle was pacing on the porch and sporting a rather evil eye. Rolling her own, Sam walked up with crossed arms and warned, "Don't start with me."

"Ain't said nothin' yet Sugar."

"Yeah well don't start. I needed to stretch my legs and find my way around this place. I'm not going to be caught unaware of where shit is." She spoke firmly and cocked an eyebrow challenging him to argue with her logic. Merle bobbed his head once and pulled her into his chest muttering into her hair, "A'right. Makes sense."

"Smartest man I know." She teased with a grin.

Merle, Daryl, Carol and Rick stood on the porch of their new home surrounded by the quiet darkened street. Rick had been given a position as constable while Carol was some kind of neighborhood casserole machine. Merle cocked an eyebrow at her floral sweater a pressed khakis.

"Look like a goddamn schoolmarm Sweetcheeks." He rasped with a wolfish grin. Carol rolled her eyes at his nickname and explained, "I'm hiding in plain sight Merle."

Giving her an appreciative nod he asked Rick, "So.. we stayin'?"

"I think we can start sleeping in our own homes. Settle in." Rick drawled adjusting the stiff looking uniform he was wearing. Merle smirked, "Don't really look like a pig no more Sherriff. Think you're more of a con playin' dress up."

Rick's mouth curled on one side and he rasped, "Just don't tell the locals." Merle snorted and listened to Carol return to the topic at hand.

"If we get comfortable here, we let our guard down- this place is gonna make us weak." Carol spoke quietly, her arms crossed and brow furrowed.

Rick nodded, "Carl said that too. But it's not gonna happen. We won't get weak. That's not in us anymore. We'll make it work. And if they can't make it... then we'll just take this place."

Merle pursed his lips and scratched his jaw. He was perfectly at ease with the plan. The man was still the same selfish redneck asshole except he aligned his needs and wants with the group not just himself. They needed and wanted the safety of the town. Their group came first before the current residents and if that meant taking it from them, Merle would happily do it. He most likely had a kid on the way and there wasn't anything he wouldn't do to keep his blood safe.

"Alright. Let's split everybody up. Half and half." Rick instructed nodding to the house to their left, "I'd like ya to be in that one Merle, Daryl with me. We'll get a plan together for back up. Place to meet up. Merle you'll be in charge of gettin' everybody from that house to the rendezvous spot if shit goes south. "

Merle gave him a nod and assured him, "No problem. I want Abe and Rosita."

"A'right." Rick nodded and gave them a quick goodnight before entering the home. Merle smoked a cigarette with Daryl while his brother settled onto the porch. "Ya stayin out here?" he asked with a raised eyebrow, "Got plenty of room inside brother."

"To fuckin' crowded." Daryl complained, his fingers scrubbing his chin roughly. Merle rolled his eyes drawling, "Sure ya ain't just bein' moody?"

"Fuck you Merle."

Snorting Merle taunted him jokingly, "Jus' sayin'. We got runnin' water and roofs to sleep under but you're out here stinking like road kill and sleepin' on hard wood floorin'."

"Jus'… ain't ready yet." Daryl murmured, his squinting eyes flicking to Merle's calm gaze. He could see his baby brother struggling to put into words what was clouding his head. "For what?" Merle asked.

"Don't trust this place and ain't gonna get all comfy inside these death traps. Gonna keep watch."

Giving him a understanding nod Merle broke the tension by teasing him, "Ok Darylina but ya can still shower."

"Fuck off." He grumbled laying down with a thump. After a few minutes of quiet Daryl asked, "Ya freakin' out about Sam?"

"Fuck yes I am. How can I not? This fuckin' world ain't easy as it is."

"No I mean, aren't ya worried about being like…" Daryl didn't finish the sentence but Merle knew what he was getting at. Wasn't he afraid of being like their Pa. For a split second he was when he realized the possibility of Sam being pregnant but it passed almost instantly. There wasn't a moment where he thought about hurting Sam. No matter how incredibly frustrating she was he never wanted to lay a hand on her. Merle knew there wasn't anything in him that would hurt a little kid let alone his own blood. 'Ain't never happenin'.' He growled inwardly, his fist tightening at just the thought.

"No. We ain't nothin' like him brother. Ain't nothing and no one layin' a finger on Sam or our kid."

"Holy shit." A voice spoke from the doorway that happened to open at the exact moment Merle admitted the pregnancy. Michonne stepped outside as her grin grew and her eyes sparkled. "Are you fucking serious?"

"Shut your mouth." Merle snapped speaking low and quiet, "We don't know for sure and we don't want to tell everybody yet."

"That's fine but I'm going to go give her shit now." Michonne quipped, moving towards the house Sam was currently settling into.

"Don't," Daryl rasped from his spot on the ground, "she's worried enough Mich."

"Oh come on. How can I not give her shit?"

"Ain't kiddin'." Merle snapped, "Leave 'er be."

"I'll help her out Merle. You know I'd never do anything to hurt that woman."

Sam picked out their bedroom, choosing the one with a corner view of both the front and side of the home knowing Merle would approve of the vantage point. As she unpacked their supplies a knock on the doorframe had her turning around to find Michonne. The woman had an odd look on her face and a tiny grin. Sam rolled her eyes and muttered, "Fuckin' big mouth."

"He didn't mean to tell me. I overhead him with Daryl." Michonne explained while closing the door behind her. Sam sat heavily on the bed and held her head in her hands. Sitting next to Sam, Michonne put a hand on her lower back before asking, "Ya worried?"

"Fuck yes. How can I not be?" she asked with wild eyes, "I mean yeah we found this place but how long 'til it goes to shit. These people are weak."

"Yeah but we aren't. We can keep it standing."

"If they let us." Sam replied and sighed loudly. "You gotta tell me what to expect. I have no idea about mom shit."

Michonne chuckled and asked, "Do you know how far along you are?"

Shrugging Sam tried to think of the timing. "No idea. I haven't even taken a test yet. Probably after the prison sometime I think. I don't even no how long ago that was."

Michonne leaned back on her hands and crossed her ankles, "It's been like two months I think."

"Jesus. Ok well 7 weeks or something. I guess I should see their doctor, make sure I am."

"We can go in the morning." Michonne suggested but watched Sam shake her head.

"Not yet. I just… I don't know. I saw the doctor drinking on his porch in the middle of the day."

"Great…" Michonne deadpanned then offered, "But the sooner you do it the sooner you'll know for sure and get the things you need, like vitamins."

"Ugh fine, tomorrow." Sam sighed rubbing her temples trying to quell the throb of a migraine.

"I can't believe you're having a tiny Merle." Michonne spoke with a dry chuckle.

Rolling her eyes Sam muttered, "Me neither. I'm probably going to lose my mind trying to keep up with both of them now."

Michonne snorted and asked, "You want a boy or a girl."

"Fuck if I know." Sam laughed and shook her head, "Merle suggested Merle Jr."

With a sharp gasped Michonne begged, "Jesus. Please don't do that to a poor defenseless baby."

"Yeah that won't be happening." She assured with a crooked grin. Sam rested her head against Michonne's shoulder and whispered, "Do you think I'll be a shit mom?"

"No. You're great with Carl and Jude."

Sam sat up and spoke tensely, "But those aren't my kids, they can always get handed back. I can't just pawn off my kid when I'm doin' it wrong. I'm gonna fuck 'em all up."

Michonne wrapped an arm around Sam and spoke with certainty and confidence, "You'll be a great mom. You love and protect your family. That's all you need, the rest figures itself out."

Sighing Sam nodded and smiled slowly, "I think I want a boy."

Michonne grinned widely and bumped her shoulder against Sam's quipping, "Another hotheaded redneck Huh?"

Laughing with her, Sam joked, "Yeah probably but at least I can train this one to have table manners."

Merle curled around Sam, her back firmly pressed into his chest while his large palm splayed across her stomach. He couldn't stop touching the still flat expanse of skin and wondering what it would be like to feel it curve outwards. Merle had never really been around pregnant women, let alone felt a sucker moving around inside. The thought was more than intimidating but also intriguing. He wanted to feel the life growing inside her, he wanted to look at Sam and see her growing their family.

'Turnin' into a giant pussy Dixon' he scoffed inwardly.

Sam hummed as he let his hand slid further down in between her naked thighs. She was still soaking from their frantic interlude as they entered their bedroom for the evening. It was so rare to have personal space that a whole bedroom to themselves was more than indulgent, it was gluttonous and they both seemed to take advantage of it. Both had pulled off clothing and devoured each other within seconds of being alone.

Merle's thick fingers trailed through her lips, the hot skin gliding along. He groaned deeply, his teeth scraping the length of her neck up to her earlobe. Sucking the soft flesh into his wet mouth before nipping it he rasped, "Goddamn Sugar, so fuckin wet still."

"Merle," she gasped, his digit curling into her tight walls. Every thrust was met with a whimper or moan, her hips rocking into his palm. "Oh god." She groaned, her fingernails biting into his forearm currently pressed in between her legs.

Moments later Merle felt her muscles clutch him desperately, his fingers dragging along the rippled walls as she came hard and fast. Her hips jutted erratically, thighs pinning his hand between her legs as she drained every ounce of pleasure out of his movements.

"So hot." He groaned pulling his hand away. Sam rolled to her back, looking up at him with blown pupils and parted lips. She watched him slowly slid his wet fingers into his mouth, his tongue swirling around them, licking up her juices. She tasted like vanilla and honey, all sweet and warm.

"Sweet as pie." He drawled pulling her mouth to his, the taste lingering on his tongue. Sam moaned into his mouth, her hands gripping his neck tightly. He felt her yanking on his shoulders, pulling him on top of her. Sam smirked widely as he sunk into her, his hard-on seeking out her core instantly.

Holding his weight off her on the blunt ended forearm, he let his left hand stroke up and down her body, his fingertips tracing lazy circles on her stomach while his hips rolled into hers. She moaned when he plunged deep and hard, her hands gripping his waist. "Fuck Merle."

"Yeah Sugar." He gasped, the feeling of her muscles clutching desperately had the man losing control. Merle didn't want the feeling to end, he wanted to stay buried deep inside her forever but the way she was rotating her hips and moaning his name had the man on the edge of breaking. Sitting up, he rested on his heels while yanking her upright. With an arm wrapped around her lower back and another holding her neck, Merle kissed her deeply. Sam used the new position to rise and fall onto his lap, his grip helping her find a smooth rhythm.

"Fuck woman." He gasped as she rolled and circled her hips into his lap, a singe-worthy heat building between the two. "Sugar. Fuck you're gonna make me cum."

"That's the idea Merle," she gasped her hands bracing herself on his shoulders as she raised up only to fall onto his cock again. The feeling of her wet heat encircling him, tightening and squeezing with every thrust had Merle breathless. She sucked his neck and bite his shoulder as another orgasm ripped through her tiny frame. Keeping her moving Merle used his forearm to lift and lower her until the tight coil building in his gut snapped. With seized lungs, his head was thrown back as he groaned through the pulsing throbs emanating from his groin.

"Fuckin' shit." He snarled, his hips thrusting irregularly into her. The sound of heavy panted breaths filled his senses while Sam's hands stroked up and down his back soothingly.

"Mmm." She hummed into the curve of his neck, her lips and tongue tasting his skin, "Feel good?"

"Good?" he chuckled, lowering her to the bed before flopping down face first next to her. Mumbling into the pillow, "Felt more 'n good Sugar."

"Good." She murmured sleepily, "Because I'm passing out now."

Merle snorted, lifting his head to kiss her softly, his lips brushing across her temple before landing on her lips. "G'night baby-mama." He rasped hoarsely.

Sam chuckled, mumbling, "Night night baby-daddy."

Thanks for reading and reviewing!