Sweet Dreams Are Made Of This

Chapter 144

Author's Note: I was going to attempt and stay away from last night's episode since I won't be home next week and could catch up with two when I got back. I'm so weak! I couldn't do it. Oh well. Anyway, please review. It makes me happy.

Joey, Summer and Merle, Jewel's POV:

Merle arched an eyebrow as he watched from the corner as Joey and Summer stood kissing right outside the cell block. "That's far enough with those hands London," he said as he made his presence known.

"Uncle Merle," Summer said as she rolled her eyes.

"I know you didn't just roll your eyes at me, girl. I know how men his age things, starts with kissin, then down the neck, then finding' some secluded spot to be alone. Not on my watch, no way no how. London need your help with the fence," Merle said in a voice that left no room for argument.

"Uncle Merle I'm not a kid, I can take care of myself," Summer said as she glared at him.

"Yeah, I know, but it's not you I'm worried bout. London, now," Merle said again.

"He's just lookin' out for you, nothing' to worry about. I'm not going to be walker bait," Joey said as he kissed her again.

"You got a death wish London? Summer go check on your mother, or go see how they're doin' in A Block, just..find somewhere else to be but here," Merle told her.

Summer shook her head. "Don't let him scare you, he's a big old grumpy teddy bear," she told Joey as she walked off.

Joey shook his head. "Seriously Merle? You know that I'd never do anything to hurt her. That wasn't necessary, and you embarrassed her."

"You and I needed to have a talk, and this is best time to have it," Merle said. "Pick up a log, we need to reinforce this fence," he ordered.

"I already had this talk with Rick," Joey said as he picked up a log.

"Well that's good to know, but you aint had it from me. Kinda feel like I need to do it you know? I was a shitty big brother, least I can do is be a better Uncle. You're a smart kid, so I know I'm only gonna have to say this once, without my fist. Now if we were in the real world, I'd tell you that Summer was to good for you," Merle told him.

"I'd agree with you, hell she's to good for me out here," Joey answered.

Merle let out a laugh. "Have to agree with you there, but there's one thing you need to remember about Dixon women."

"Exactly what is that?" Jewel asked as she came up behind him.

Joey tried not to laugh as he watched Merle turn and look at his sister. "Don't be shy now, Merle," he said.

"Shut up kid," Merle hissed. "How the hell can you sneak up on me all quiet like carrying butter ball?" he asked Jewel.

Jewel his arm. "I'm still a Dixon, still can sneak up on a person. Obviously. Now, big brother I'd love to hear this sage advice that you were about to give Joey on us Dixon women."

Merle glanced at her then at the bag she had crisscrossed across her body. "You get smart about Officer Friendly and decided to bug out. Hate to tell you though, not exactly safe out there."

Jewel rolled her eyes. "Just bein' prepared. I was gonna put in the bus. Now Merle Dixon, stop beating around the bush and ignoring the subject. Don't leave Joey hanging, he needs to know this wonderful piece of advice you were about to give him about us Dixon women. I'm real interested in hearin' it to."

"Was supposed to be a private conversation, between me and the young man interested in my niece, little sister. Why don't you go put the bag on the bus, and let us finish it. Privately," Merle told her.

Jewel raised an eyebrow as she rubbed her pregnant stomach. "Has it been so long since I had to yell at you Merle Dixon that you forget what I'm like? As a Dixon woman, and the mother of the other Dixon female, I do have a right to know what you think. I use the word think very loosely, in this case, Merle. Now, go on and don't hold back."

Joey tried to keep a straight face. "Please Merle, I'd like to know what I need to remember."

Merle sighed. "First they are stubborn as stubborn can be," he said as he glared at Jewel.

"Yeah, I think he probably figured that one out on his own, Merle. Got something better?" Jewel questioned.

Merle glared at her again before turning his attention back to Joey. "They are passionate about what they care about, and who they care about. They'll tell you right to your face if they think you're wrong about something, and nine out of ten times, they're usually the ones right," Merle responded.

"Try ten out of ten times, big brother," Jewel said with a smirk.

Merle rolled his eyes. "Another thing, they are annoying as hell. I had to put up with this one, she was my sister. Now you, Joey, you can save yourself some of that pain, and don't get involved with one of them," he said with a wink.

Jewel hit his arm again. "We're only annoying when somebody says stupid things. In your case, Merle that's a lot," she said.

"They're also violent," Joey added with a small grin. "But that's what makes the whole package. I'm sure if I went to Rick and asked him what made him fall for Jewel, he wouldn't say her beauty, not that you aren't pretty…I mean…well you are," he said.

"Would you like to sit down and let me help you remove the foot out of your mouth, it went pretty far down," Merle told him as he tried not to laugh.

Jewel laughed. "I know what you mean Joey. Now, I got to ask, just because I am Summer's mother and well the time we are living in, do you think you are in love with my daughter?"

Merle looked at Jewel then at Joey then at Jewel again. "Love? She's a teenager, she don't know what love is, neither does this one. Way to young to be even discussin' a dumbass notion like that."

Jewel looked at him. "Under normal circumstances, I'd agree with you Merle. Hell's bell's did I just say that I agreed with you. The world must really be endin'," she said with a shake of her head. "Wait it is, and that's exactly why I'm askin' him. My God, Merle, we all could have died because of this flu. There's a whole lot of walkers' out there that want to take a bite out of us every single second of every single day. This isn't the time not to tell someone how they feel or express there feelings," she said as she turned to Joey. "Now, that absolutely doesn't mean I want you to go have sex with my seventeen year old. I'd actually have to kill you for that, and I like you. I know you are a good person Joey, and as a parent, I know that Summer could do worse then you," she said.

Joey arched a dark eyebrow at her. "I'm not sure if I should take that as a compliment or an insult," he told her.

"Take it either way Joey," Jewel said. "Now you don't have to answer me if you love Summer, I think I know that answer. But, if you ever do anything' to hurt her, you don't have to worry bout Rick, Merle, or Daryl hurtin' you, they'll get what's left of you. It won't be a lot, but enough that they can hurt you for hurtin' her," she said as she patted the side of Joey's face. "We understand each other Joey?" she asked. Jewel didn't give him a chance to answer. "Good, I'm glad we do," she said as she walked away.

Merle glanced after her. "I was goin' to give you the same speech, but a little bit more vivid. I think she covered it," he said with a smirk.

Sasha and Summer's POV:

Summer gave a small smile as she entered into Sasha's cell. "So a little birdie told me that you were just ready to make a prison break….ok really bad pun since we live in a prison…"

Sasha laughed. "Lexi is the little bird huh? And yes, really bad pun, but she's right, I am about ready to go insane if I don't get some sunshine."

"Have you talked with Hershel or Ronnie yet?" Summer asked.

Sasha nodded. "You just missed Ronnie. She said I could go out if I didn't stay out to long. I'll still be weak but it'll definitely be good to see something other then these four walls. So, while I was up here, what were you doing?"

"I went with dad on a run…to the local town," Summer answered, leaving out the part with Carol. "Just to get stuff to try and help Hershel and Ronnie, til the group got back."

"I appreciate it," Sasha said as she gave a small smile. "Alright, so, any movement with Joey?"

The blond looked at her. "Noisy aren't you?" Summer teased her friend.

"Oh come on, I have no romantic interests and I've been stuck up here for days. You and Joey kissed at the Big Spot before the roof started falling in on us. I was going to tease you about it, but everything happened. So, now spill it," Sasha told her as she sat up.

"Easy," Summer told her friend. "We've kissed a few more times….Uncle Merle just interrupted us a little while ago, wanting to have a conversation with him, acting like we were going to tear each others clothes off right there."

Sasha laughed a little. "Oh what I'd pay to be a fly on the wall for that conversation."

"Uncle Merle, Uncle Daryl and dad have nothing to worry bout," Summer assured her.

Sasha gave a small smile. "They are family, they are going to be concerned and they are going to threaten love interests. If I think he's doing anything that you don't want, I'll hurt him. That's what families do, we watch out for each other. You may not be consciously thinking about having sex with Joey, and that's alright. But, maybe one day, and it may not be him, you will have that urge. It has to be the right time for you, and only you. And, Beth and I are going to be right in your face asking you about it, wanting all the details. That's what sisters do," she teased.

Summer shook her head. "Do you think there's any other groups out there like us?"

"What do you mean?" Sasha asked.

"Groups that have bonded like us?" Summer asked.

Sasha shrugged. "We've survived because we have bonded. We look out for each other, we mourn when we lose people. Look at Rick and your mom. They would have never talked to each other before this. Now they've blended a family, which wasn't easy before, but now? I am sure that it could be worse, but because you all were family at the quarry. Now they are expecting a baby, and just like Judith, that's an amazing wonderful thing. And just like Judith, this baby is going to be a light in the darkness for all of us. So now, will you help me outside? I can't take being inside anymore."

Summer laughed. "Fine, but I'm helping you," she said as she helped the other woman up.