Something was seriously wrong with his brother. Daryl watched Merle, his concerned gaze concealed under his his long bangs. Merle was laying in their driveway working on Shane's bike, or at least that was what he was supposed to be doing.

What he was actually doing was just laying next to it looking pensively into the engine. He hadn't actually moved in the last 20 minutes. And to top it off, he hadn't said a word in over an hour. And everyone knew that Merle liked nothing better than the sound of his own voice, he always had something to say about everything.

Yes, something was definitely not right with his brother.

Carol came out of the house carrying drinks in both hands, walking over to hand Merle a cold beer, she had to all but force it into his hand because he was so lost in his thoughts that he hadn't noticed her approaching him.

He looked up at her with a frown creasing his troubled face. "Jeez, you don't have to be so frickin' forceful." he barked at her. Shaking beer foam off his hand.

She sighed and shook her head, "Merle, I said your name three times. And you were too busy gathering wool to notice...and you're welcome by the way." she said as she walked away from him to bring Daryl his drink.

Daryl reached up for his drink, but she held it up and away from him. And leaning down, she offered him her lips. He quirked a smiled and gave her a quick kiss as a thank you, and in return she handed him the beer. "How much longer?" She asked, looking at the assorted parts on the ground in front of him.

"About another hour at least, maybe two. You sure you want to wait here? I can always come get you at your place when I'm done if you want." He asked, even knowing that she would choose to stay.

"Nope...I'm going through your refrigerator & pantry and throwing out all the expired condiments. The OCD in me is finding it immensely satisfying, and I NEED to finish it. I might even find time to do the spice rack too!" She said, and he couldn't tell if she was really excited or just joking. "Besides, Sofia is spending the night at a friends house tonight. I don't want to waste any of our time together. I want to be with you, even if it's just watching you work out of your kitchen window." She said as she smiled down at him as she ran her fingers through his hair.

Glancing over at Merle, she paused and watched him. "Have you noticed that your brother is acting a little bit weird lately?" Looking back down at Daryl she whispered "He hasn't said one sexest thing to me today...maybe even all week now that I'm thinking about it."

'You just noticed? He has been acting off for weeks." He said, looking meaningfully at her.

She looked puzzled, "What?" She said looking back at Merle, who was drinking his beer and staring into the motorcycle engine as if it held all the answers to life. "What am I missing?"

"He has been a real douche, for about 5 weeks. Even grouchier than the time he had the clap ." He said, expectantly waiting for her to catch on. Carol looked perplexed for a moment before the awareness lit her face.

"Beth?" She whispered questioningly.

Daryl nodded and took a swallow of his beer, "That little girl done broke my brother." he said with certainty. "Oh, he hasn't said anything about her...that's how I know that this is 100% about her. Otherwise I would know about every second that he had her in his room that night by now." He said nodding his head in agreement to his own statement.

"And have you noticed that anytime Maggie is here, he disappears like he's a fireman that has a 5 alarm fire that he needs to go put out? And when you even mention your new friend, he suddenly has nothing to say? But he always stays to listen."

She did find that she would mention Beth alot, she and Beth had hit it off, Tara had even invited them both out for coffee a few days after that party, and they met several times in a week if they had the time. The three of them were now thick as thieves.

"That's ridiculous, Beth wouldn't have done anything to Merle! I'm telling you...that girl is the epitome of kindness. Besides I'm positive that nothing bad happened. I was awake when she left early the next morning. Merle even walked her out and gave her quite the kiss goodbye. Besides, Beth has had only good things to say about him the few times that he's even been mentioned." Carol, defended her new friend.

Daryl shook his head, "Ya, remember that he left a few days after that party where he met Beth? Went for that week long bike ride?" She nodded her head in agreement.

"After they came back the guys said he was acting really weird. Shane said that the first night Merle was acting normal, probably even in a better mood than normal. They were laughing and joking around all day during the ride. That night he was flirting with a few women at a bar, just like normal. He even took one back to his hotel room that night. But the rest of the ride they said he seemed withdrawn and moody, and they don't remember if he even talked to anymore women after that."

"Any little thing sets him off...I've had to drag his drunk ass home so many times this past month I swear the bouncers have me on speed dial. He's causing even more trouble than normal, and getting into fights every fuckin' night. He even got banned from Gears." He said gesturing to the bar across the street. "Sam's sick of his shit, and told him he isn't allowed back for the rest of the month." Daryl looked back at Merle and then up at Carol.

"I can't even imagine what you would need to do to get kicked out of Gears, let alone banned." Carol said in a surprised tone.

"Fighting with the regulars, being rude to the girls working the bar. I think he may have even picked a fight with Sam after he was told to knock it off or leave." Daryl rubbed the back of his neck in frustration. "He's lucky that Sam likes him, or he would have taken Merle out back and beat the shit out of him on principle alone."

"And even more suspicious, he hasn't chased any tail since he's been home. I'm sure that there hasn't been a woman in his bed after Beth. Fuckin' longest dry spell he's ever had." Daryl hastily looked down as Merle glanced in their direction.

"What the fuck y'all lookin' at?" Merle yelled belligerently at them. Daryl glared at him and threw him the bird, but turned his eyes towards Carl and they continued talking in a softer voice.

"So what makes you think that it was Beth that has him like this? Maybe this is all about the woman that he met that first night on his road trip that has him all torn up."

He pulled his beer up to drain the rest. "I'm not sure...I'm not positive…" he started and seemed to falter, "It's just a feeling. But, I'm almost sure that he's pining over that little girl. He just don't know what to do about it. I honestly don't think Merle has ever really liked a girl enough to pursue any kind of relationship with her. Sure he will chase them if he rally wants to sleep with them, but after...no. No after sleeping with a girl she seems to lose that mystery that made him chase her in the first place."

"Well then, maybe if we put our heads together we can think of some way to fix this." Carol mused.

But that was easier said than done. Merle had the tendency to disappear without any notice. Last minute rides with the boys that could last for a week or more. Tattoo conventions, Mechanic Conventions...any excuse to leave, Merle took it.

And Beth seemed oblivious, as Carol had been trying to discreetly gather information from her. To her, it seemed as if Beth genuinely liked Merle. But that Beth had scratched that particular itch...and it appeared that she wasn't itchy anymore.

Finally, tired of beating around the bush, Carol had asked her point blank, "Has Merle even called you? Have you called him?"

Beth looked up, her eyes going round. "No, was I supposed to? I did drink that night, but I think I would remember if I told him I would call." She said, her big blue eyes round with concern.

"No, No...I don't think so. But I just thought that you and Merle were kinda, I don't know...if perfect together is the right words. But good for each other at least, with the potential to be perfect for each other. Aren't you even curious to see if you could be good together?" Carol asked putting her cup down and leaning forward.

Beth shrugged her shoulder, taking a drink before answering. "Don't get me wrong, I like Merle...I do. But I'm so busy between school and and the two jobs, that I don't have a whole lot of time for anything else."

She shrugged again. "Would you laugh if I said he's not part of my 5 year plan, so therefore I haven't stopped to even consider it?" And stopped to laugh at herself. "I only have a semester left, I'm a 6 months early in my estimation. Then maybe I can rethink my plan." Beth reached across and put her hand on Carols. "I'm not saying it will be Merle...but I know that I would like to have someone in my life, at least at some point. Anyway, Merle strikes me as a man who really, REALLY likes his freedom, and he wouldn't want me chasing after him even if I was inclined."

"Normally I would agree with you...and he's been so busy running around himself. I can't say for sure but he's been just acting a so strange, not a bit like his normal self. Even Daryl is worried, and that makes me worry."

Beth sat back, "And you think it's because of me? You think that maybe I somehow did Merle wrong?" Beth seemed equally bemused and hurt that Carol would think that she had that kind of power over Merle Dixon.

"No, God no Beth! That is not what I'm saying. I'm not sure what to think, but he started acting off right after that party where we all met. And he has seems to keep himself unusually busy on purpose. I think he is trying not to leave himself any down time, like maybe it would allow him to much time to think."

"Why do you assume it's because of me? I'm almost positive that Merle Dixon wasn't a monk before or even after me." She said with a grin on her face, in fact I can assure you that Merle Dixon has taken a lot of time and practice to get as good as he is." She told Carol, and laughed at the expression of mild disgust on the other womans face.

"Really, I'm not lying! The sex was great...better that great, it was magnificent. He was the perfect mix of gentle and aggressive, and coarse and charming. He was just what I needed when I needed it. And he certainly didn't seem like he wanted anything more than a good fuck." She said with a slight blush on her cheeks. "So thank you for asking, but I think I'm good...for a little bit at least. If Merle wants to call me, then he will. And if I start to feel the need for another night with a big, badass biker, well, then, he will definitely be the first one I call." She teased her friend.

"Okay." Carol said, putting her hand up in surrender. "But I can't help feel disappointed, because I happen to think that you are just what Merle needs in his life." She sighed, "But I guess it's up to you to decide if he is just what you need in yours."

Beth had been busy with finals and work so she hadn't had time to worry over Carol's concerns. There wasnt enough time to even squeeze in 30 minutes to have coffee with the girls most of the time when they called her to meet up.

Work was the same, so busy that the nights flew by. She really loved it there, but now there was an issue with one of the customers...he was too attentive, too friendly, too instant that they go on a date. She told him "thank you, but no thank you", she told him she didn't date customers. Finally she ended up telling Abe and the bouncer Ty what was going on so they could intervene if necessary. He was a good customer, and spent a good amount of money at the bar, so she didn't want to cause any problems...but at the same time Philip Blake was just so smarmy.

A few times she was sure that he was waiting in the parking lot after their shift was over, but she would always grab a ride with one of the girls she was almost sure that he didn't know where she lived yet.

Abe and Ty had taken the man aside and talked to him. And he had apologized profusely for frightening her. When Beth found out that the man had lost his wife and daughter the previous year...her tender heart went out to him. Then when Ty told her that Mr. Blake had told him that she reminded him of his wife that had passed away...and he didn't mean to frighten her, he just was worried about her working so late and he just wanted to make sure that she got home alright. She decided to let the matter drop.

They told the man in no uncertain terms that his attentions were unnecessary. And that they would take care of Beth from now on, and if they noticed him hanging around after hours again they would be calling the cops.

Blake agreed that they wouldn't be seeing him after hours anymore, and the agreed that having on of the other girls wait on him from now on was probably better for all of them.

Beth had missed her friends, and was ready for some down time. And maybe after a few weeks of rest she could consider her next steps, maybe reconsider her 5 year plan...make some room for a man...or maybe a dog.

She had been living frugally, that combined with her scholarships and because they had never replaced her at the music store until it was time to buckle down for her finals. She had a lot of money saved up from her duel income. Now that she had some time and money, maybe she could plan a little vacation. A day at the spa, get her hair done, a massage or maybe even go do a little shopping.

The next thing she had to get through was Maggie's 28th birthday party. Maggie was all about celebrating the day she was born, and allowing everyone else the pleasure of celebrating it with her. She always had a big blowout on her birthday, you never knew what Maggie was going to plan and her parties were legendary.

This year all her friends were invited to celebrate the awesomeness that was Maggie in a biker bar...a real dive...her sorority sisters were deliciously scandalized, even the married ones.

The girls from Fords...not so much.

And because the possibility of them all getting a night off together was slim to none. They were going to celebrate by having brunch at a upscale restaurant. After All they could have vulgar badass bikers, and filthy disgusting biker bars any old time.

They wanted to see sophisticated businessmen in expensive three piece suits. To sit at a fancy table that had too many pieces of silverware that they didn't know what to do with "...how many frickin' forks do you need for one meal anyway?" They joked, and practiced drinking with their pinkies in the air.

Beth...she had to do both...Maggie's orders. At least Tara would be at both parties too, she consoled herself. And she would be seeing Merle there for the first time, that thought made a pleasant quiver run through her body. Maybe she could convince him that a second round of hide and seek with little Merle would be a good thing.

She was definitely going to the spa, maybe she should get waxed. A new sexy outfit was defiantly in the cards.

Merle would have missed the party...given the option he would have gone on a weekend ride. Nobody would even think about it twice, he was always going away for the weekends these days.

But Short-Round had made it clear that he wanted he and Daryl there. That was that, there was no getting out of it. Glenn could be a real bitch if you messed up his carefully orchestrated plans. Glenn was going to purpose to Maggie, and he needed them there for moral support.

Who in their right mind would think he would be any good at giving moral support?

Who in their right mind, would think he would offer it in the first place?

For being so smart, sometimes Glenn was amazingly naive.

It would be the first time he had seen Girl...and he wasn't sure he was ready. What if she wasn't as perfect as he remembered?

Even worse, what if she was?

Just the thought of smelling the scent of Girl and her perfume again had him salivating.

This was not good...NOT good!

She had done something irreversible to him. He hadn't even noticed until a few nights later. He and the boys went on a ride, and stopped at a bar. He was having a good ol' time flirting with a big buxom redhead, she was just his type too. What was her name, Sandy? Mandy...Candy? Whatever.

But the moment he got Candy(?) back to his room everything changed. Away from the bar, with her laying spread out across his bed wet and ready to go, all of sudden he had to go and think about Beth, and then all he could smell coming off Sandy(?) was was cigarette smoke and stale body odor.

It almost turned his stomach, he literally felt sick. And to add insult to injury, his...his hard-on was suddenly not so hard. He was disconcerted to find that he could barely even raise to the occasion.

Fuck that! He took himself in hand and with determination made himself be ready. There was no way in hell he would admit defeat.

But he had been on autopilot...and if he had to fuck her from behind and picture Girl under him? Well then that was his business and no one would be the wiser.

And afterwards he couldn't wait to get her out of the room, every second that she stayed was pure torture. And almost but not quite as bad, he felt like a real shitheel. Felt like he had cheated on Beth...even though there wasn't even any talk of them seeing eachother again.

Even had to call the front desk and have them send someone in to change his bedding...telling them that pillowcases and sheets stink of cigarette smoke...and they needed to come fix it now or he would be moving hotels.

After that, frankly he had been hesitant to try again, It pissed him off that he should have been out chasing pussy, but seemed unable to make himself do it. Frustrated and full of pent up testosterone...the only thing he could do was to let off steem by engaging in as many fistfights as he could manage to washway his humiliation.

Fistfights were manly, he was still the cock of the walk.

What if he couldn't do it? What if he couldn't get it up when it was time to perform?

He wasn't a big believer in other religions, but he kind thought Girl just might have Voodooed him, he was sure that she managed to steal his MoJo.

But maybe all he needed was to work her out of his system...get her back into his bed and prove to himself that he was still the man...and underneath her perfect exterior that inside she was just like any other chick that he took to his bed.

There was no way possible that she was as perfect, as funny as he remembered her to be. He had been drinking, it was well known that he wasn't as choosy about his women when he had a few drinks in him.

There was no way that she smelled so fuckin' good that the scent of all others women made him feel like his stomach was full of ashes. That she had smelled so good that he, who was a fanatical clean freak...at least in regards to his living space, had resisted washing his "her" pillowcase until her scent had faded.

But what if he got her into bed for the second time, and all that he remembered was true, or worse what if she was even better than he remembered?

Fucked...that's where it left him, really and truly fucked.

This is for Athlete Girl, who said she wanted to know what happened next in this story line. I told her Beth was satisfied and Merle was freaked out end of story...she said "sounds good to me!" So here you go...I hope you like it!