Aspen, not even halfway through the parking lot of the bar, she was shoved forward. Someone from the bar that they had kicked out well before closing time that day was not very happy about it and apparently decided to come back and take it out on her. Once shoved forward, she spun around trying to use her momentum to punch the person in the face but her hand was caught immediately and she was hit with a solid fist. It caused her to fall backwards onto her butt. She raised her arms to cover her face for another hit, but it never came. There was a loud thudding noise as she uncovered her eyes to see Merle standing there, towering over the man that had just attacked her, almost in a mad fury "Get the hell out of here.. b'fore I shoot yah in your damn mouth boy… " he roared as the guy stumbled to his feet and made a break for it in the opposite direction.

Merle bent down to Aspen's level and reached a hand out to her face cupping her chin gently so he could see how it looked. It was already bruising, and that just made Merle get even more angry. " I shoulda knocked the guy around more.. " he spoke as he saw the damage to her face starting to appear more clearly.

"You ain't gotta car or somethin?" Merle asked, noticing that she had been walking instead of heading to a car.

Aspen shook her head quietly in return, yet to find her voice. Merle sighed, lightly grabbing her hand and placing his other on her back helping her stand again.

"What's your address doll face? "

"W-what? " she replied just barely above a whisper.

"Your address so I can drive you home…. "Merle insisted again as Aspen nodded in return, " o-oh…. 1327 Cornelius street… " she replied quietly in return.

Merle lead her to his truck and helped her get inside, before going to the drivers side and getting in himself. He was quiet for a moment before asking his question again..

" Do you not have a car or something… you should not be walking home. It's not safe… I'll drive you if I have- "

She cut him off, trying to reassure him " My cars in the shop… I have to get the rear differential replaced." she spoke cutting him off, she didn't go into detail on how she did so. Quietly she zipped up her jacket as he drove on, occasionally looking over at him, taking in his side profile She wondered why he would do something like that for her.

How in the hell had she done that, Merle hadn't the faintest clue how she could have possibly done something that damaging to her own car. Clearing his throat he went to speak again, " so how'd yah… "

Aspen interrupted him, speaking softly she replied, "I raced my friend down a hill… I won but, uh- " She paused embarrassed. "When I got to the bottom of the hill, it was slightly steeper then I thought it was and I bottomed out on a decent sized pothole, tearing the rear differential" she spoke, adjusting herself in the seat to sit more comfortably. Merle glanced at her quietly, there was something about her that drew him in. He just couldn't put his finger on it.

Pulling up to her house, he stopped in the driveway. "mm… its late and I do not want you driving home tired. So, you should spend the night here…" The last sentence came out rushed. Aspen didn't allow for an answer as she unbuckled herself and slid out of his truck.

Turning off the engine to his truck he got out as well, following her to the front door where she unlocked it for them to both go inside, " the guys should be home soon.. I can set you up on the couch.. Its got a pull out bed in it. " she spoke, tossing her keys onto a table as she walked into the living room. Pulling her jacket off she tossed it into a chair and went to pull the cushions out of the couch. She went to bull on the loop that would pull the bed up but merle came up behind her and tugged on it instead. "

" let me do that for yah doll face.. " he spoke, yanking it up and having the bed slowly unfold before them. An old clean sheet was already on the bed. Blushing softly, Aspen spoke up, "I-uh… I'll go get you a pillow and some blankets.. "

Quickly she disappeared into a room just off the living room, coming back out almost immediately she placed a pillow and a few blankets on the bed, "I got these from my room… I tend to take all the extra blankets for myself.. "she said giggling softly shaking her head, " everyone hates that,, or at least say they do.. " she spoke again before shaking her head out of embarrassment. He didn't need to know about that, he probably didn't even care.

" im sorry.. I'll let you get to sleep. " moving to go to her room that she had grabbed things from for him to use for bed, she felt his hand gently grasp her wrist. A completely different diminor than when he beat the crap out of the guy for her earlier. " Nothin to be sorry for… thanks for the bed. " he spoke as she turned to face him slightly before he spoke again, "G'night you sleep well doll.. " he spoke letting go of her arm, smiling softly as she said goodnight in return before going off to her room to sleep, leaving her bedroom door half open incase he needed anything.