Author's note: As the title suggests, I'm going to reveal where Merrick grew up at and how he lived before Go City, which will also finally add some action scenes to the story. Very long chapter.
Warning: Also, some more not to detailed sexual content. Let's just say the ice between Shego and Merrick will be broken to a point. So, all readers have been warned.
Chapter 7: Toyah
The couple spent most of the first day of their trip riding down the interstate while the only times they stopped was to get something to eat or when nature called. After it got dark, Merrick continued to drive until he felt he was getting tired. When he stated he was getting sleepy, Shego offered to drive while he either stayed up with her or snoozed in the back seat. Merrick took up her offer and pulled over to the side of the road. Merrick climbed into the back to sleep because he knew he wouldn't be able to stay awake.
Before Merrick fell off to sleep, he turned the overhead light on and handed Shego a map of all the roads she needed to take to get to Toyah. He then turned the light off and cuddled up in the back seat to sleep. While Merrick fell off into the dream world, Shego drove on down the lonely interstate and she would peer at the map Merrick gave her or she would peek a look at Merrick sleeping in the back seat. She giggled at him and Jake sleeping away with no cares. Shego wished she was curled up with Merrick and snoozing too but she had to drive for now.
She wasn't worried over falling asleep; she had stayed up all day and night before and she had grown accustomed to the lack of sleep. If she wanted to, Shego could go for several days without sleep. Her reason for lack of sleep this night was, she wanted to get as close to Merrick's hometown as she could before he woke. She wanted to surprise him with what she was capable of when she makes up her mind to do something.
Before long, Shego could tell the landscape had changed. What was once lush forest on the side of the interstate, turned into sparse woodlands and before it was dawn, Shego was driving across flat desert land, which only had cactuses and shrubs for flora. She was taking in the view while she drove because this was a first for her. Shego had never been on a trip to anywhere, even when her parents were alive. So for her to see how different the world could be caused her to like the idea of traveling. Just to see what laid beyond Go City caused Shego to yearn for adventure. To see the world in its beauty and even its ugliness.
The predawn sunlight started to bathe the landscape for Shego and she fell in love with the idea of adventure while she took in the views. She had just proven that Go City didn't own her. She could leave if she felt like it and she enjoyed leaving the city for her own personal desires. The only reason she left was because of Merrick. She had been waiting for him to ask her to go with him to his hometown since he came back from his last trip. Now they were on the vacation together and if Shego loved the trip, she might try to persuade Merrick to stay another week. Maybe even the whole summer. But Shego knew she would have to go back to Go City eventually because the city needed her. If she wasn't there, innocent people might get hurt and Shego knew their pain and deaths would be on her shoulders. A guilt Shego wasn't about to carry with her for the rest of her life.
Shego checked the map, Merrick gave her, one last time and she could tell they were close to Merrick's hometown. She felt anxious over seeing Merrick's life before he came to Go City. Even though he told her about his past, she wanted to see how he lived. She wanted to see the simplicity of Merrick's life first hand. To get the feeling of how Merrick became like he was, which ended up causing her to love him. Shego finally saw a town sign that said, "Welcome to Toyah, Texas, population 501."
A few minutes later, after Shego spotted the sign, Merrick stirred in his sleep and he eyes popped open. He rose up and looked around in the truck then out the windows. He sighed happily and climbed into the passenger seat. Shego watched him in the corner of her eye while he got comfortable beside her. When he was settled down, she turned her head to him and smiled at him.
"Welcome home, sleeping beauty," Shego said while she went back to staring down the road.
Merrick chuckled and said, "I need some coffee," while he rubbed his eyes.
"Know of any good places to stop at when we get in town," Shego asked with a giggle at Merrick still being asleep.
"Sure, there's a place called Danny's. It be on the right side as we go into town. It's kinda an old man's eatery but they got great coffee there," Merrick said in a groggy tone.
"Well, alright. So are you proud of what I did while you were out," Shego stated right as they entered the outskirts of Toyah.
"Yep, very. Now, Danny's should be coming up in a second," Merrick said with excitement while he finally woke up and peered out the passenger side window.
Shego finally spotted a weathered sign that said Danny's while it hung above an old restaurant. She pulled the truck right into the parking lot of the place. While Shego got out of the truck, she had an unnerving feeling. The town was quiet, too quiet. She was use to the sounds of the city but here nothing was heard except an occasional squeaking sound of the Danny's sign when the wind would blow against it. Merrick, however, caused Shego relax by his smiling face. She smiled back and let Merrick led her by the hand into the restaurant.
The second the couple stepped inside of the restaurant, several old men hollered out Merrick's name while they sat in booths with other old men. About everyone of the old men asked Merrick who his lady friend was. He told them her name was Sheila and she was his girlfriend from Go City. When the old men found out who Shego was, they kid with Merrick by telling Shego that she should watch out for him. Shego got a laugh out of the old men and Merrick had to led her away from them to keep them from embarrassing him any farther with their jokes.
Merrick led Shego to the counter and sat down on one of the stools while Shego did the same. They were only sitting there for a second, when the man that was running the restaurant walked up to the couple and Merrick introduced the man by the name Danny to Shego. Danny took the couple's order for breakfast and went into the kitchen to start the orders. Every now and again, Danny would look through a window the wall that divided the counter and kitchen. He would say things to joke with Merrick because of him having a girlfriend now.
Not long after Danny disappeared out of the window for the last time, Merrick said in a near whisper, "Oh no."
Shego was looking around the restaurant but turned her look to Merrick because of his statement. She saw Merrick was looking past her with his eyes peering toward the parking lot.
"What's wrong, Mal," Shego questioned in a whisper while she squinted her eyes at Merrick.
Merrick's only response was him nodding at whatever he was looking at while he looked mad. Shego turned her head to see what it was and she saw two guys, her and Merrick's age, were standing at Merrick's truck. They would peer into the truck then walk around the truck while they looked into the bed of the truck. After a few minutes of them doing this, they looked right into the restaurant and saw the couple looking right back at them. The two guys flashed the couple a smile and headed to the restaurant.
"Friends of your's," Shego asked while she watched the guys nearing the front door.
Merrick let out a light chuckle and whispered, "Nope, their hardly friends. Sheila, whatever happens in the next few minutes, don't help me unless I need it."
Merrick's statement caused Shego to turn her look to Merrick and she saw they had gotten the breakfast he ordered for them. Shego was puzzled why Merrick was pretending not to pay the two guys any attention while they opened the front door and entered the restaurant. She shugged her shoulders and started to enjoy her food like Merrick was doing. If their weren't Merrick's friends then she didn't have to look at them either. Though she was curious about why Merrick was acting like he was.
Before Shego could take a single bite of food, one of the guys spoke up and said, "Well, isn't our good old buddy, Merrick. So what dragged you back into Toyah?"
Merrick, however, continued to ignore the guys while he ate his food. The scene caused all the old men to go quiet and they watched the teenagers. Merrick being quiet and not answering, the guy that spoke to him, caused both of the guys to let out a laugh.
After the guys were to the couple, one of them placed a hand on Merrick's shoulder and said, "Aww, come on, Merrick, don't be like that."
"Leave us alone, Jonny," Merrick finally spoke up and said with annoyance while he lowered his fork to the counter.
"Us? Oh this hot thing is with you. I bet Tina will have a fit when she finds out your back in town and have a girlfriend with you," the other guy said while he eyed Shego.
Shego cut her eyes at the guy and balled up a fist. The way Shego was acting caused the guys to bust out in laughter. While the guys laughed, Shego turned her eyes to Merrick and saw he was truly mad.
After the laughter died down, Jonny said, "She's sure a feisty thing. I bet she's something in bed."
Merrick let out a growl and said while he held his stare in front of him, "Jonny, if you and Eric knows what's good for you, you both would leave us alone."
"Not until you tell us how good she is in bed. We might want to share her," Eric said with a smile.
Shego watched Merrick tense up and in a flash, grabbed a hold of Jonny's hand that was on his shoulder. Jonny screamed out in pain at Merrick's grip crushing his hand while Merrick jumped off of the stool. Before Jonny knew what happened, Merrick had twisted his arm behind his back and slammed him face first into a table. Jonny laid there pressed against the table while he screamed at the pain Merrick was causing him by twisting his arm even more while it was pressed against his back.
"I said leave us alone! By god I meant it," Merrick screamed before he let Jonny up off of the table, only for him to shove Jonny across the restaurant.
Jonny lost his footing and landed in the floor. The second he landed in the floor, he slid into tables and chairs that came crashing down on him. During this display, Eric had a scared look on his face and he watched Jonny crash into the table and chairs. When Jonny went still and started moaning under the tables, Eric turned his look to Merrick, who looked ticked off beyond anything Shego ever seen. For some reason Eric didn't back down from Merrick but instead rushed Merrick. Right at Eric got to Merrick, Merrick grabbed Eric by the throat and lifted him off the ground with just one hand. In an instance, Merrick choke slammed Eric into the table he had Jonny pressed into.
The room continued to be silent except for the two guys moaning from pain while Merrick stood there and took deep breathes. After a minute, Merrick settled down and returned to the bar stool he was sitting at while Danny came out of the kitchen in a hurry to see what the commotion was about. At the sight of the restaurant in a mess, Danny looked right at Merrick, who was back to enjoy his food. Danny shook his head at Merrick and told him that he would have to pay for anything he broke. Merrick stopped eating and pulled out his wallet then started pulling out money but he was stopped by the old men. They told Danny what happened and Danny said he was going to take the replacement money out of Jonny and Eric. But he told Merrick not to fight again in his restaurant. Merrick let out a laugh and went back to eating.
After the couple finished the food, they left the restaurant after the old men said their goodbyes. Shego was still curious why Merrick fought the guys like he did. He could have continued to ignore them but she figured something happened in the past for Merrick to hate the two other guys to the point he couldn't ignore them.
While the couple was nearing Merrick's truck, Shego asked, "So, what was that all about?"
"Jonny was the guy Tina dumped me for," Merrick said with a hint of anger while he unlocked his truck.
"Oh, so its a grudge between you two," Shego said while she climbed into the passenger side of the truck and she strangely felt happy over learning the name of Merrick's ex.
Yep, I'm going to learn alot about you on this trip, Shego thought while she watched Merrick get into the truck.
"Not really, he has always hated me because I had money. I only fought him today because of the way he is. He's kinda like your Duncan back in Go City. I had to make the point of leaving you alone," Merrick said sadly while he got behind the wheel.
"Oh, well I'm glad you did then. But don't worry about me, I think I could break his jaw as easy as you could," Shego said happily while she snuggled up to Merrick.
Merrick let out a chuckle and asked, "Want to see where I grew up at?"
"Yes, please. I been dying to see what the place looks like," Shego said with excitement while she took a hold of Merrick's right hand and held it.
"Well, alright but don't get too excited. The home looks depressing at first but keep in mind I lived there mostly alone---since mom and Susie died---for over thirteen years," Merrick said while he tickled Shego knee with his hand, which caused Shego to giggle.
"Well, thirteen was your lucky number. Wonder if that luck applies to you meeting me," Shego stated while she continued to giggle at Merrick tickling her.
"Yep," was all Merrick said while he laid his head on Shego's shoulder for a second before he straight his head to continue to watch the road.
The couple rode down a long deserted blacktop road. Every time they past a farmhouse, Shego got worried at the idea of the home being Merrick's because the homes would be run down. Some didn't even have roofs anymore. Shego felt a relief when Merrick would past the homes and continue down the road. After they had past several of the abandoned homes, Shego wondered how far did Merrick live out in the desert.
Finally, Merrick pulled off the main road and onto a dirt road, which they rode down for a long time. After awhile, Shego spotted a home over the horizon that the road they were on, was leading to. When they got to the home, Shego let out a sad sigh at the sight of the place.
The tin roof of the home was rusted all over and the paint on the sides were cracked and chipped while some columns, for the wrap around porch, were either laying out in the yard or missing. The only thing pleasant about the place was the green lawn that was surrounded by the desert. Shego saw what Merrick meant by the home looking depressing but she was upbeat because of the smile on Merrick's face. He opened the truck door when the truck stopped and hopped out in a hurry. She knew he was happy to be back home and she was going to overlook the sad looking house just for him. Merrick wasted no time with getting his bags out and he stood in front of the truck while he waited on Shego to get her's out.
While they walked to the home, Jake ran by them and went around the house. Merrick chuckled at Jake leaving them and turned to look at Shego, then he said, "My home away from home."
Shego was smiling at him and tried not to to look at the house while she repiled back, "I see what you meant by this place looking depressing."
"Well, Sheila. Looks can be deceiving. It looks sad but I'm happy here and I hope you will too, city girl," Merrick said with a smile while the couple neared the stairs that led up to the porch.
"I'm happy with just being with you but I might get bored. So, what's fun around here for a city girl like me," Shego stated with a laugh at Merrick poking fun at her.
"There's lots. We could find something to do in town, go to any city around, or just stay here and find something fun to do. I might end up at the lake later just to take a swim," Merrick said right at he started up the steps.
The second the couple put a foot on the steps that led up onto the porch, the steps squeaked under the weight of the couple and every step made the same sound. When they got to the front door, Merrick sat his bags down at the door and dug in his pockets for the door key. After he found the key and unlocked the door, he swung it open and waved Shego inside while he knelt down to pick his bags up.
When Shego entered the home, the look of the inside of the home surprised her because she thought it would look as run down as the outside. But it wasn't, instead it looked like the inside of a new home. Shego heard Merrick chuckling behind her and she turned to look at him.
"Looks can be deceiving, remember? I having my uncle fix up the place. He's done with the inside, all he likes now is the outside. That will take awhile," Merrick stated at he entered the home.
"You're full of surprises," Shego stated while she sat her bags down beside the doorway.
"Yep," was all Merrick said while he passed Shego and started down a long hallway that had pictures all over the walls.
Shego followed along behind Merrick while she looked at the pictures. She stopped walking at one of the pictures and stared at it because of a little boy smiling in it. Shego cocked her head to one side and giggled because she knew who the little boy was.
"Mal," Shego stated softly after she stopped giggling.
Hearing his pet name, Merrick stopped walking too and turned around in the hall. He stared at Shego for a second and started walking to her when he saw her staring at a picuture.
When Merrick was to her, she turned her look to him and said, "You were cute when you were little---seems you being cute didn't grow out of you as you got older."
"Oh, that's me when I was five, my first day of school," Merrick said with a smile while he stared at the picture too.
Shego giggled again and exclaimed, "You were so cute smiling like that."
Merrick chuckled and said, "Yeah, I was smiling like that because a girl in my grade kissed me on the cheek at school and dad took that picture of me while I was telling him about it."
"Well, let's see if you still can smile like that," Shego said while she turned and wrapped her arms around Merrick's neck.
She kissed Merrick on the cheek and he smiled like he did in the picture just for Shego. Shego giggled at the smile and came out of her embrace.
Merrick was about to say something but the sound of something sliding to a stop outside caused him to look like he was trying to catch flies with his mouth. He then shook his head while he shut his mouth and he sat his bags down in the hall.
While he was standing back up straight, he said with annoyance, "I can guess who that is."
"Who," Shego asked while she watched Merrick walk to the front door and peek out of the window that was in the door.
"Yep, it's Tina. I figure she would show after our encounter with dumb and dumber," Merrick said while he looked back at Shego.
"Want me to get rid of her," Shego said while she gave Merrick a evil smirk.
Merrick smiled at Shego's look and nodded to her. He then waved her to him and when she was standing with him, Merrick whispered, "I'll go out there and get her to say something to get you mad---if she's doesn't do it on her own. I'll then call you outside and let you talk to her."
Shego gave Merrick an evil grin and walked over to her bags. She dug around in them and started to pull out the gloves Merrick gave her for Christmas. But Merrick stopped her by waving his hand at her.
"Sheila, you can't use them," Merrick said while he stopped waving his hand at her.
"Why not," Shego said with a frown.
"Because I don't want to help you hide a dead body. Besides, you won't get in trouble with the law around here unless you use a deadly weapon. Fights around here are lawless until you use a weapon. Didn't you notice me not getting in trouble earlier," Merrick said while he peeked in the door's window again.
"You mean I can hurt her in anyway with just my martial arts and never get in trouble," Shego questioned while she slide the gloves back into one of her bags.
"Yep," Merrick said with a smile.
Shego popped her knuckles and smiled while she said with excitement, "This is going to be fun."
"Ok, stay here until I give you the cue. Rough her up anyway you want," Merrick said while he returned Shego smile and went outside.
As Merrick left the house, Shego inched to the door so she could hear anything said while she stayed out of sight.
The second Tina seen Merrick, she said, "Where is that slut? Me and her got to have a talk."
"You need to look in the mirror for the slut your looking for," Merrick said calmly.
"What!? How dare you!? That bitch is a bad influence on you. Where's she at," Tina screamed at Merrick which got Merrick to chuckle and look back at the house.
"Hey, Sheila! Tina wants to talk to you," Merrick hollered at the house and a second later Shego came outside while she popped her knuckles again.
At the sight of Shego, Tina said, "Alright, you tramp. What right do you think you have to come here with Merrick?"
Shego never answered Tina but looked at Merrick, who motioned to Shego that she had the floor. Shego gave Merrick an evil smile then turned her look back to Tina.
"Merrick's told me alot about you, Tina. How much of a slut you are and why you're always after him. You can't stand another girl dating him because you're afraid that girl would get a cut of his money," Shego said calmly.
"Do what!? Bitch, your asking for it," Tina screamed while she took a step closer to Shego.
Shego paid Tina no attention and looked back at Merrick. He was smiling at Shego and he said calmly, "Sheila, whatever you do, don't kill her."
Tina snapped her look to Merrick because of his statement and when she turned her look back to Shego, she saw a fist coming at her she couldn't dodge. When Shego's punch connected against Tina's nose, a sound of a bone breaking came from Tina while her head snapped back and she staggered backwards. Tina finally regained her footing and held her nose in her hands while blood poured through her fingers. While she stood there holding her nose, Shego kicked Tina in the gut which caused Tina to bend forward. This opened Tina up to be struck by an uppercut from Shego, which caused Tina to be lifted off of the ground and her to fall on her back.
While Tina moaned on the ground, Shego walked over to her and grabbed her by the hair and she pulled Tina to her feet. Shego led Tina by the hair of the head to the beat up truck Tina drove to Merrick's home. When Shego had Tina at the truck, she took Tina by the head and started pounding her head against the hood of the truck. With each thud coming from Tina's head, she started to get weak in the knees. Before long, Tina collapsed to her knees and Shego had to use the bumper of the truck instead of the hood. Finally Merrick stopped Shego before she actually killed Tina. While Merrick pulled Shego away from Tina, she gave Tina one last kick in the head.
When Shego went out of her rage, she let out a laugh and said, "That was fun. Now Tina do you understand what happens to a girl who has the nerve to kiss my man."
Tina only let out a whimper while she struggle to her feet. The couple stood where they were and watched Tina stagger to the driver side of her truck. She struggled to get into the truck and had to pull herself up into the seat. Tina collapsed at the steering wheel and rose her head up to see the couple smiling at her. She shook while she cranked the truck and put it in gear. Merrick waved bye to her and Tina hammered down on the throttle, causing dirt to fly up while she left.
The couple watched the swerving truck until it was out of sight. Shego laughed again at what she did and took Merrick by the hand. She was surprised at Merrick enjoying what she did. She figured he was glad for once because he got to see Tina get what she deserved. Shego heard Merrick chuckle and turned her look to him. She saw he was looking at her with a smile.
"What's so funny, Mal," Shego questioned while she smiled back at him.
"Remind me never to make you that mad, you're dangerous when you are. But I don't mind, you just did the one thing I wish I could have done but I couldn't because I'm a guy," Merrick said while he let go of Shego hand and laid his arm over her shoulders.
"I don't think she'll trouble you anymore," Shego said with a giggle while she lean in and kissed Merrick.
Shego didn't know why but the second she kissed Merrick, she started to make out with him. But Merrick stopped her and told her there was time for that because they had seven days still and he hoped after the seventh day, she wasn't dragging him out of the house in a body bag. Shego giggled at the idea of kissing Merrick to death, though the way she was feeling right now, she just might.
The couple stood where they were for a second then they decided to go inside. While they walked to the house, they threw their arms around the other and Shego slapped Merrick on the tail for no reason. Merrick chuckled at what Shego did and he returned the favor. Shego was surprised by this but she like the hand whipping for some reason. She dared Merrick not to do it again because he be sorry if he did. He laughed at the warning and slapped Shego on the tail again. Shego giggled this time because Merrick didn't move his hand. While they entered the house, Shego giggled again at Merrick squeezing her with his hand.
When the couple was inside, Shego stopped Merrick in the doorway and walked around so she would be standing right in front of him. She gave him an evil grin then kissed him, which resulted in them making out. Merrick tried to stop her again but Shego only shook her head and told him, she warned him, he be sorry if he slapped her tail again. Shego went back to kissing Merrick and he didn't resist her while she made him walk backwards into the living room of the home. She made Merrick back step right into the couch and he tripped over the arm of the couch. He fell backwards into the couch and Shego fell with him while she continued to kiss him.
The couple laid on the couch while Shego punished Merrick with kisses for not listening to her. After a moment of the kissing, Shego stopped and leaned her head to Merrick's ear and whispered that she wanted him to give her a massage. Merrick went wide-eyed for second because he knew what that code phrase meant. He nodded to Shego while she lifted her head to continue the kissing. Shego went into a frenzy of kisses when she felt Merrick's skilled hands and she lost her senses.
Before long, Shego lost all sense of what she was doing and she snapped back to reality when she realized her hands were betraying her again. She stopped kissing Merrick and looked back at where one of her hands was but she didn't hint to Merrick to stop her, instead she went back to kissing Merrick. When Merrick noticed Shego didn't want him to stop her, he brought a hand out of her shirt to stop her but she shook her head while she continued to kiss him. His hand froze in mid air and he squinted his eyes at Shego for a second but Shego only shook her head again. He and Shego both went wide-eyed for a second and Merrick tensed up while Shego stopped kissing him and looked back to what she was doing. When Shego looked back at Merrick, she had an amazed look on her face and she smiled at the look on Merrick's face. His eyes were closed and he looked like he was past out. Shego giggled at his look and went back to kissing him.
After a moment, Merrick moaned in Shego's mouth and Shego stopped everything she was doing. Merrick opened his eyes after a second and looked up at Shego's smiling face.
Shego brushed hair out of her face with a hand and lean her face down to Merrick's ear and whispered, "Did you like that? Just a sample of what we can do on our trip. Mal, I know you don't want to go all the way, me neither. But that shouldn't stop us from enjoying our time together in other ways."
Merrick only nodded to Shego's statement and she giggled at him being speechless while she whispered in Merrick's ear, "Mal, if you're not comfortable with what I just did, tell me and I won't do it again until you want me to."
Merrick sighed and turned his look to Shego's face by his head. He looked her right in the eye and smiled at her. She smiled back at the answer she wanted and kissed Merrick on the cheek.
The couple laid there for several minutes without saying a word while they smiled at the other. Finally, Shego got off of Merrick and stood over him while he sat up in the couch. When Merrick was settled, Shego sat down beside Merrick and snuggled up to him. She sighed happily when Merrick wrapped his arms around her and hugged her.
A lull of silence entered the room for a second until Merrick chuckled and asked, "Sheila, what came over you?"
Shego giggled and said, "Well, I guess it was me wanting to show you how much I love you. That fight earlier made me go over the edge for some reason or it's us being alone with no one else around. I really don't know why I just did what I did but I could tell you liked it."
"Yep, but we need to slow down things a bit before we really lose it," Merrick said while he hugged Shego again.
"True. We're not going to make out again today if I can help it but if not stop us, ok? We got seven days to pace ourselves," Shego said coyly while she wrapped her arms around Merrick.
Merrick chuckled and said, "I know what can keep us from getting in a kissing frenzy and beyond."
"You do," Shego questioned while she snapped her look up at Merrick.
"Yep, give you a tour of the place. Maybe that won't turn you on," Merrick said with a laugh while he came out of their embrace and rose from the couch.
Shego giggled at the idea of her getting turned on by the tour. It be a very strange way to her. She got out of the couch too and followed Merrick around the home. Their tour ended at the bedrooms, which caused Shego to give Merrick a disappointed look because he told her, she would have to sleep in one of the bedrooms alone.
Merrick chuckled at Shego's look and he said, "I know what you want but you know how I am. I really wouldn't feel comfortable with us sleeping in the same bed. But tell you what, after I go to bed and I'm fast to sleep, you're welcome to slip into my room and climb into bed with me. I won't know you're there until I wake in the morning because I'm a heavy sleeper. So we both get what we want."
Shego gave Merrick a smile for what he said and she said, "Alright."
With that said, Merrick led Shego outside because he said he had things he wanted to show her in the garage behind the house. They went into a small side shed beside the garage and Merrick walked right up to something that was covered in a tarp. He looked back at Shego and smiled at her while he pulled the tarp off, revealing a 1940's Harley Davidsons motorcycle was underneath the tarp.
While Merrick laid the tarp beside the bike, he said, "Sheila, this was my grandfather's. It's amazing this thing still runs, it's like the thing will never stop going."
Shego was amazed at the bike and she questioned, "So, do you ever ride it?"
Merrick let out a chuckle and shook his head, then he said, "Oh no, I'm scared of the thing. I tried once and it nearly killed me. Sheila, I want you to have it."
"I can't take it, Mal. It means too much to you, besides I end up getting myself killed on it," Shego said with surprise at Merrick giving her the bike.
"Sorry, Sheila, but you're going to own it. I'm going to load it into the back of the truck when we go home and I'm going to leave it with you. From there, you can do whatever you want with it," Merrick said while he started to place the tarp back onto the bike.
Shego only shook her head at Merrick being stubborn but she like the idea of finally having wheels, well two of them. She wondered what people would think about her while she rode the relic in Go City. Would they laugh or be amazed? She didn't care because she would enjoy the freedom Merrick was giving her.
After Merrick had the tarp back on the bike, he told Shego, he had something else to show her. After he said that, he walked to the doorway that led into the garage and disappeared through it. Shego let out a light laugh at Merrick enjoying his trip and followed Merrick into the garage. When she got in there, she saw Merrick standing by what looked like a car under a tarp. Merrick flashed Shego a smile when he saw her looking at him and he threw the tarp off of the car. Shego's eyes brighten at the look of the car and she fell in love with the black with white racing stripes, 69' Shelby GT 500.
Shego giggled at Merrick running a hand over the hood of the car and she laughed at the stickers stuck to the windshield that read 'Lawless.'
"Mal, may I ask why the car is called Lawless," Shego questioned while she watched Merrick walk around the car.
Merrick chuckled at the question but never answered her, instead he asked a question of his on, "Want to go for a ride," while he opened the driver side door.
Shego nodded to Merrick and said, "Sure," while she walked to the car.
After Shego was in the car, she looked around in of it while Merrick cranked the engine. The second the engine came alive, it shook Shego and she was amazed by it. While she giggled at the surprise, Merrick reached up on the dash and press a button on the remote laying there. A second later, the garage doors rolled up and Merrick gunned the engine while he shifted gears. The car lurched forward and took off with such speed it surprised Shego because the power of the car pressed Shego into her seat.
The car shot out of the garage and Merrick steered it around the house and onto the only road that led to the home. While they traveled down the road, Shego looked over at the speed odmeter and was surprised at them traveling at an excess speed of 70 mph. She looked up at Merrick with a scared look but her look relaxed at seeing Merrick was smiling. Shego only relaxed at the idea of Merrick knowing what he was doing because she figured he had traveled the dirt road at these speeds before.
When they reached the blacktop road, Merrick spun the wheel and the car turned a 90 degree angle while the tires squealed. Merrick chuckled at the sound of the tires and hammered the throttle while he shifted gears. The next time Shego looked at their speed, they were going over a 100 and for some odd reason she was getting into the excitement, to the point she hollered at Merrick to go faster, which he did. When Shego peeked at the speed odometer again, their speed wasn't even being registered because the pin was below the 150 mark. Shego smile with glee at the excitement and she looked out the window, only to catch glimpses of the farmhouses she seen earlier. A few moments later, Shego looked right down the road and in the distance, she saw a white and tan patrol car heading toward them.
Shego snapped her head at Merrick and said, "Mal, that's a police car."
Merrick chuckled at Shego's statement and said, "Sheila, buckle up because your about to find out why this car is named Lawless."
While Shego buckled up, she felt Merrick press the accelerator to the foot and she looked up at the every nearing patrol car. She continued to watch the patrol car as they shot right by it and she followed the patrol car with her eyes until it was behind them. Shego giggled at the patrol car whipping around in the road and the cop turning the lights on while he started to chase after them. She turned her look to Merrick, who was looking at the rear view mirror. He chuckled at the cop chasing after them and he turned on a CB radio he had in the dash of Lawless. While the high speed chase continued, the couple heard the cop, chasing them, talking over the CB.
"Dispatch...this is Sheriff Dimpsy...I'm on highway 21 south, between Oaks Bend and the Lawson residence...in a high speed pursue with Lawless, repeat Lawless...I'm going to need every unit available on my low cal, now," the couple heard over the CB, which got them to laugh madly.
Shego finally stopped laughing and said, "They seem to know you."
"They do. This was a every weekend event when I lived here. They have never caught me, which ticked Dimpsy back there. County law states that they have to pull me out of this car to fine me with anything," Merrick said with a laugh while he shifted gears and Lawless went faster.
While Lawless sped faster down the road, Shego looked back at the patrol car and saw they were out distancing it while several police lights were catching up to Sheriff Dimpsy. When Shego turned her look to Merrick, she saw he had an evil grin on his face. She smiled at his look because she was seeing the bad boy in Merrick coming out. She liked this side of Merrick for some reason and she knew even if Merrick was like this all of the time, he would still treat her like he had since they started dating.
While Shego smiled at Merrick, he snapped his look to Shego and said, "Watch this."
Shego felt Lawless slowing down and seen Merrick shifting down gears. She was disappointed about the car slowing down while Merrick whipped the car around to face the on coming patrol cars. Shego looked at Merrick with a wondering look then back at the police coming at them. In the next instance, Shego was driven into her seat while Lawless took off right at the police. When Shego was able to see over the dash again, she saw Merrick was playing chicken with all of the patrol cars.
Shego snapped her head to Merrick and questioned, "Mal?"
"Trust me, Sheila," was all Merrick said while he shifted gears and made Lawless go faster.
Shego looked back at the patrol cars getting closer at an increible speed and she braced her hands on the dash while she questioned again in a scared tone, "Mal?"
Merrick only chuckled at the question and stomped the throttle to the floor. Right as Lawless neared the patrol cars, Shego shut her eyes and held they shut until she heard squealing tires and several things skidding in sand. When she realized they didn't have a wreck, Shego opened her eyes and looked behind them. She saw every one of the patrol cars had steered out of the way for Lawless and all but one was stuck in the loose sand at the side of road.
Shego snapped her look back at Merrick and laughed like a mad woman. This was too much excitement for one day but she was enjoying herself. Like always, she had fun with Merrick. Merrick, however, wasn't laughing and stated to Shego, the sheriff was still after them. Shego looked back after Merrick's statement and sure enough, the first patrol car that started the chase was still after them.
While Shego watched the determined man chasing them, she heard the sheriff say over the CB, "Dispatch...send wreckers to low cal between Little Gorge and Knight's Bend, several units have wrecked...I'm still in pursuit of Lawless...I think he's heading home...I'll catch him there."
Merrick chuckled at hearing the sheriff and shifted gears to make Lawless go faster. When it seemed Lawless wasn't going fast enough for Merrick's liking, he let out a groan and shook his head.
After Merrick got over his disappointment, he looked at Shego and said, "Sheila, switch that red toggle beside the CB," while he nodded to the red and silver switch.
Shego looked at Merrick for a second then did as he asked. The second she flipped the switch, she was thrown into the seat again and Lawless burnt tires as it flew down the road. Shego fought to sit up straight and when she managed to, she looked behind them and saw the patrol car was miles away from them now.
After a minute of Lawless streaking down the road, Merrick turned his look to Shego and said, "Switch the toggle back. The nitros about to burn the motor."
Shego smiled at Merrick and nodded to him while she did as he asked. When she flipped the switch, Lawless slowed down a bit and Merrick continued to drive the car at it's unaided top speed. After a short time, Lawless made it to the dirt road that led to Merrick's home and Merrick made Lawless slide at a 90 degress. Merrick shifted gears and sped down the dirt road while Shego looked out of the back of the car. She giggled at the idea of the sheriff not being able to follow them because of all the dust Lawless was kicking up.
When Merrick got them back at the house, he drove Lawless back to the garage and spun the car around so he could back it into the garage. He shifted into reverse and floored the car into the garage. The second Merrick had the car inside, he reached up and pressed the same button that let the garage doors up.
While the garage doors were lowering, Merrick hopped out of the car and said, "Come on, Sheila. We going to get a laugh out of Dimpsy in a minute."
Shego smiled at Merrick and got out of the car. The second she was out, Merrick went in a hurry and covered up Lawless with the tarp. When he was finished, he took Shego by the hand led her out of the garage. After they were outside, they heard police sirens off in the distance and Merrick took off running while Shego followed along behind him. The couple ran all the way to the front of the house and onto the porch. Right as the couple sat down on the swing to act like they did nothing, they spotted the patrol car speeding down the dirt road. Shego snuggled up to Merrick to help with their delusion of being at the home the whole time. They both laughed at the patrol car until it skipped to a stop in front of the home.
A middle age man in a police uniform jumped out of the car and walked briskly toward the home while he placed a cowboy hat on his head. He walked right up to the house and looked through the handrails at the couple sitting in the swing.
"Well, hello, Sheriff Dimpsy. What brings you to these parts," Merrick said with a smile while he waved the sheriff up onto the porch.
"Don't act so innocence, Merrick. Where's Lawless at," Dimpsy snapped while he looked to both sides of the home.
"Sorry, sheriff, but I haven't seen that black car drive up this way," Merrick said while he continued to smile at Dimpsy. Which Shego knew was true because Merrick was driving Lawless, so he couldn't see himself driving the car and she fought the laughter building in her.
"Merrick, we both know you own that car. Now tell me where it is," Dimpsy demanded while he walked up onto the porch.
"Oh I do, but you know the rule. I'm not in the car now," Merrick said which got Shego to laugh and the sheriff let out a growl.
"Someday, boy, I will catch you and throw you in jail," Dimpsy said while he stormed off the porch and headed to his patrol car.
While Dimpsy left, the couple bust out in laughter and continued to sit in the swing. They stayed in the swing a long time after the patrol car was out of sight and Shego sighed happily at Merrick telling the truth about them having fun on their trip. If the rest of their vacation was like their first day, Shego would want to stay right where they were for a few more days. Even though she knew they might end up going beyond either of them expected.
After the couple sat in the swing for awhile, Shego giggled at the sound of Merrick's stomach growling. She came out of her embrace and climbed out of the swing. Merrick started to follow her but Shego stopped him and force him to sit back in the swing while she told him, she going to go fix them lunch and he was to stay right where he was. He gave her a funny look then a smile while she gave him a sheepish grin. She then turned and walked toward the front door. While she neared the door, she heard Merrick bust out in laughter and she giggled lightly at the reaction she wanted to get out of him. She had purposely walked toward the door a certain way.
Shego, later, came back out of the home with the food she cooked and she saw Merrick was swinging while he stared at the endless desert. She cleared her throat and Merrick looked at her. The second he saw her standing there, his eyes widen and his mouth dropped at the sight of Shego standing there in a two piece bathing suit. She giggled at his reaction and walked to him.
When Shego was to him, she said, "I thought about changing into something more comfortable in this desert. You like?"
Merrick only nodded to Shego while he kept the same look he had when he first saw her. Shego giggled again at his look and placed his plate in his lap in a certain way so she could tell how excited he was over her in a bathing suit. She held her hand were it was for a second then finally let go of Merrick's plate while she blushed. Merrick, however, was transfixed to staring at Shego. She sighed happily at Merrick acting like he was, while she sat down beside him, because she was hoping for him to act like he was now.
Finally, Merrick shook his head and asked coyly, "Are you trying to seduce me or something?"
"Nope, I'm letting you see every look you think I'm sexy in," Shego said with a smile before she started to enjoy her food.
"I know, but you do know that this calls for paybacks," Merrick said which caused Shego choke on some of her food because she tried to laugh.
After Shego managed to swallow the food, she pointed a fork at Merrick and said, "Just for that, you earned a payback as well."
The couple laughed together and started to enjoy the food while they sat in the swing. After Merrick was finished, he sat his plate and cup at his feet then watched Shego enjoying her food. She blushed at Merrick watching her because she was sitting there in a bathing suit. Shego never thought she be bashful about a guy looking at her while she wore one. But this was different to her, the guy sitting beside her, she loved. Finally, Shego joked with Merrick to turn his eyes elsewhere before she gave him something to really stare at, but Merrick continued to watch her eat. She let out a giggle and sat her plate in her lap. While she watched Merrick in the corner of her eye, she started to pretend to take her top off. At the sight of Shego doing this, Merrick snapped his head the other way and stared at the desert. Shego laughed at Merrick doing this and went back to eating while Merrick continued to look away from her.
After Shego was finished eating, Shego did like Merrick did and sat her plate and cup at her feet. She giggled at Merrick still looking away and she told him, he could turn his head because she wasn't topless.
"I wouldn't dream of being caught out in the open like that anyways," Shego said with a laugh while Merrick turned his head to look at her.
"You know, you've gotten crazy since we got here. But I don't mind," Merrick said while Shego snuggled up to him.
"Maybe because I have freedom here, nothing has me tied down," Shego stated while she enclosed Merrick in her arms.
"Well, don't worry about what I think, you can act anyway you want here. I kinda like you being like this," Merrick said with a chuckle while he hugged Shego.
"Kinda," Shego questioned while she looked up at Merrick.
Merrick chuckled again then stated, "Ok, you being this way, I really enjoy."
Shego let out a happy sigh and hugged Merrick. After a moment, Shego giggled then brought her head up to Merrick's ear and nipped his ear with her teeth. She was surprised at Merrick's reaction to this because while she started to bring her head back down, Merrick lended in and started to kiss her, which resulted in them making out. Shego giggled between kisses at Merrick tickling her bare stomach with his hands. She stopped the giggling when she realized where Merrick's hand was going. She pulled away from Merrick and shook her head which got Merrick to nod his head while he went back to tickling her stomach. She smiled at him and they started kissing again. Finally, Merrick broke off the kissing and sighed.
Shego giggled at knowing a way to turn Merrick on and said, "Well, I have to remember to do that more."
"I didn't know that would make me go crazy," Merrick said with a chuckle.
"Yeah, very crazy. Do you know what you about did," Shego said coyly while she hugged Merrick.
"Yes, and I'm sorry about trying that," Merrick said sadly while he looked away from Shego.
Shego let out a sigh and said, "Mal, don't say sorry about that. I'm going to let you but not today because you said we need to slow down a bit. You were right. If we keep this up, we'll end up doing what neither of us want to do right now," Shego said with a hope to comforted Merrick.
"I still ashamed of acting without permission," Merrick said while he lowered his head.
"Mal, what I did earlier was without permission. If you resisted I would have stopped but you didn't. I'm grateful for you wanting my permission because you will listen to me. But all you need to worry about is when I don't want you to. I'll let you know which way to go like I just did. We love one another, nothing's wrong with what we're doing. I'm ok with what you tried to do but like we both said, we need to slow down a bit," Shego said tenderly while she placed a hand on Merrick's face.
Merrick turned his look to Shego and smiled at her. She smiled back because she knew he understood. The couple sat in their embrace for a while longer until Merrick let go of Shego while he said he was going for a swim. Shego giggled at the idea and told Merrick she might as well too because she was dressed up to get some sun.
The couple then packed everything they needed at the lake and piled into Merrick's truck. When they got to the lake, Shego was surprised that the place being deserted. After she asked Merrick about why no one else was around, he explained that his dad owned the lake and only allowed vistors during the weekend. Shego giggled at the idea of having the place to themselves.
While Shego waited for Merrick to change in a building beside the lake, she walked up and down the lake. It amazed her that out in the middle of a desert there was a lake surround by forest. The place reminded her of a picture she seen in a magazine once. She loved the place and wondered if the world had as wonderful scenes in it. The yearning to travel came to Shego and she made up her mind to see the world one day. If it was nothing but just a round trip around the world.
Shego sighed at how Merrick made her future look brighter by him just showing up out of nowhere. But where she was right now was a somewhere. Not some busy city where you had to watch crossing the street because of some craze driver. She could relax and do nothing while she enjoyed herself. Which she was doing while spending time with the man she loved.
Though she wasn't crazy about getting too intimate with Merrick during the seven days, she was going to let what happens, run it course. She knew Merrick was doing the same. When the thought of what Merrick about did earlier entered Shego's mind, she giggled and shook her head. Deep down she wanted him to but she had to control what went on between them as much as he had to. Though she failed to control herself, she knew she could if she kept reminding herself not to get to close too soon.
The last thing she needed was to scare Merrick off by letting her desires dictate her actions. He was perfect to her and treated her like she wanted a guy to treat her. She knew they would eventually go all the way with their initmacy but she didn't care if they did because Merrick was the love of her life. But it would fall back on her to direct how far they went; she had to because Merrick never took the initiative except that one time while they were making out on the swing. She, however, knew she caused him to indirectly and she would cause him to more often when she wanted him to.
Shego giggled at the thought of how excited she made Merrick and stopped by the building Merrick was in. She let out a sigh at him making her wait and she got impatient. Her impatience caused her to knock on the door and she ask him did he need any help. Shego laughed at Merrick stuttering out he can manage. Finally after a minute, Merrick came out of the building wearing his swimming trunks and smiled at Shego blushing while she stared at him. He chuckled at her look and said, he knew he would get to pay her back for the bathing suit, which caused Shego laugh while Merrick walked to her.
When Merrick was to her, he took Shego by the hand and started to led her to the dock that stretched out over the lake. While they walked onto the dock, Shego poked Merrick in the ribs which got a laugh out of him. He returned the rib poking for a minute which caused Shego to giggle and squrim beside Merrick. Before they made it to the end of the dock, Merrick let go of Shego's hand and took off running at the end of the dock.
When he got to the edge, he jumped up into the air and went into a forward flip. He twisted in mid air and waved goodbye to Shego before he went back into his flip and disappeared into the water with a splash. Shego laughed at the display and shook her head while she walked to the end of the dock. She looked down at where Merrick disappeared into the water and shrugged her shoulders. Shego backed up from the edge and took a deep breathe before she ran toward the end of the dock. She dived gracefully into the water and came back up a moment later. While she wiped the water out of her eyes, she wondered where Merrick was.
She knew he should have came back up after she dived into the water but he was nowhere to be seen. Shego then got worried and looked around the lake frantically to spot Merrick while she twisted her body in every direction and splashed water about her. She was beginning to panic until she felt something brush up against her foot. Shego let out a sigh of relief and giggled while she tried to see Merrick under water. The water was not clear enough for her to see so she lit up her hands which helped her see deeper into the water but still she didn't see Merrick. While Shego was peering into the water, Merrick surfaced behind her with everything above his nose out of the water. The second Shego turned to look behind her, Merrick went back under water with a splash. The sound of the splash caused Shego to spin all the way around but she wasn't fast enough because she only caught a glimpse of Merrick before he went under water again. She let out a laugh and she pleaded for Merrick to come back up so she could see him.
He finally did but behind her again. Shego was surprised at first when Merrick wrapped his arms around her because she let out a gasp. But she then let out a giggle and spun around in Merrick's arms to face him. He was smiling at her and seeing the smile caused Shego to smile. Shego learned Merrick could be sneaky in the next instance because he tried to get Shego to go under water with him while he continued to hold her in his arms. She pleaded for him not to while she giggled and fought in his arms. But she gave up and took a deep breathe before they went under. While they were underwater, Shego lit up her hands so she could see Merrick. When she did, she saw Merrick looking right back at her with a smiling face while he held his breathe. Shego tried to smile back but the air in her mouth started to escape and she got frantic in Merrick's arms. She nodded her head up, hinting she had to surface and Merrick shook his head. Shego gave him a puzzled look and tried to fight out of his arms. But Merrick held on to her and leaned his head to her then kissed her.
Shego felt Merrick blowing air into her mouth while they kissed and she sucked in the air while she giggled. She knew Merrick wouldn't let anything happen to her and she panicked for no reason while he knew to keep her safe. With that realization, Shego wrapped her arms around Merrick while she kept her glowing hands away from him. After a moment of kissing, Merrick pulled away from Shego and she closed her mouth shut. After the kiss, Merrick let go of Shego and pointed up while he surfaced. Shego stayed under water and watched him surface then float back down to where she was. When he was back to her, he wrapped her in his arms again and waited for Shego's cue for air. She giggled again at Merrick kissing her and blowing air into her mouth.
This went on for a minute until Shego nodded that she wanted to surface. While they swam to the surface, Shego felt the bottom of her bathing suit nag on something floating under water besides them. She looked back to whatever it was and she went wide-eyed for a second. Shego snapped her head back to Merrick and saw he was looking at the water's surface. She blushed at what just happened while being grateful that Merrick hadn't noticed.
After they surfaced, Shego pushed away from Merrick for a second. He showed Shego a puzzled look while she continued to blush.
"Mal, I'm bottomless now," Shego said with a giggle which caused Merrick to look even more confused.
"I, umm, lost the bottom of my bathing suit down there," Shego said while she lifted at hand out of the water and pointed at the water's surface.
Merrick eyes widen for a second then he started look over the lake like he was searching for what Shego lost. Merrick acting this way caused Shego bust out in laughter. She reassured Merrick everything was fine until they got out of the water. The realization of Shego being bottomless while they left the lake, caused Merrick to turn red in the face and he continued to look around the lake for Shego's bathing suit bottom. The only thing that stopped Merrick's search was Shego wrapping her arms around his neck and her telling him everything be fine as long as he didn't go under water again. He laughed at the notion and pretended to go under water while Shego giggled and held him in place. After they floated in Shego's arms for a minute, Shego leaned in and kissed Merrick. She fought the urge to make out but she gave up the fighting.
After they kissed for several minutes, Shego broke off the kissing and let go of Merrick while she stated, "Might as well be done with it."
Merrick went wide-eyed at the sight of Shego undoing her top and he turned his head from her. Shego giggled at Merrick's reaction while she threw her top onto the dock. She then swimmed back to Merrick and wrapped her arms around his neck. The second Shego had her arms around Merrick, she felt him tense up and heard him let out a gasp. Finally, Shego felt Merrick relax and he wrapped his arms around her.
After they floated in their embrace for a minute, Shego giggled and said, "Your turn," while she let go of Merrick and reached her hands down to his trunks. Merrick finally looked at Shego when he felt what she was doing.
He tried to stop her by placing his hands on her's, but Shego smiled at him and said, "Mal, we're not going to. We're just skinny dipping."
Merrick relaxed his hands and stared at Shego's smiling face. When Merrick smiled back at her, Shego took that as a cue and yank his trunks off then she threw them onto the dock. While Shego snuggled back up to Merrick, she giggled at him tensing up again but he relaxed faster than the first time. After Merrick wrapped his arms around Shego, she placed her hands on his shoulders and used him to lift herself out of the water until the water was only covering everything below her belly. She looked down at him and giggled at his wide eyes transfixed to her chest. Shego then lowered herself back into the water and Merrick chuckled then shook his head.
"You little tease," Merrick said which caused Shego to giggle.
"I'm no tease and I prove it," Shego whispered while she lowered a hand down Merrick's side.
"What do---," Merrick said before he went speechless and closed his eyes.
Shego giggled at Merrick's expression and stopped what she was doing after a minute. While Merrick opened his eyes, Shego leaned over to his ear and whispered it was time for them to go. When Shego's face came into view of Merrick, she saw he had a disappointed look but he nodded to her. She giggled at his look and told him she would get out first. She then swimmed over to the dock and took her bathing suit top.
While she put it back on, she turned her look to Merrick and saw he had turned away from her. She giggled again and swam to the shore. After her feet touched bottom, she stood up and looked back at Merrick, who was still turned away from her. She smiled at him and looked around the lake to make sure no one else was around. When she was sure Merrick and she were the only ones there, she ran out of the water and right to Merrick's truck. After she was at the truck, she pulled a towel out of the bed of the truck and tied it around her waist. She then hollered at Merrick that he could get out now and he did after he took his trunks from the dock and put them on while he was still in the lake.
After he was out of the lake, he told Shego, he was going to go change, while he smiled at her. She returned the smile and sat down on the tail gate of Merrick's truck to wait on him. While she sat there, she wondered what was going to happen next between her and Merrick if their first day on their trip already had several unexpected events.
Well, I came to have fun and I am on the very first day, Shego thought before she heard the sound of a vehicle pulling up to the lake.
Shego narrowed her eyes at the sound of the vehicle and she looked back the building Merrick was in, hoping he was coming while she stared at the building. She wasn't worried about who it was because she could handle herself. Just she was in unfimilar territory and she didn't know what to expect. Shego sigh sadly at Merrick not appearing through the door and she turned her head back to the sound of the vehicle. A moment later, a old beat up truck came pulling up in front of Shego and she saw the two guys from the restaurant were in the truck. Shego let out an annoyed groan and went about tying the towel around her so it wouldn't come off if she had to deck them.
When Jonny and Eric saw Shego sitting on the tail gate of Merrick's truck, they flashed her a smile and got out of the beat up truck. They walked over to her and stared at her all the way to her. Shego returned their stare with a look of hatred which the guys smiled at.
After they were to Shego, Jonny asked while he looked around, "So, where's Merrick at?"
"He's around and be back any second," Shego said with annoyance.
"Well, ok. Hey, we didn't catch your name," Jonny said while he relaxed his nervous look and stared at Shego.
"My name is none of your business," Shego said while she was getting beyond annoyed at the two guys continuing to stare at her.
"Oh come on, what harm will it be to tell us your name. We could become good friends," Eric said while Shego could tell what he was staring at.
Shego let out a growl and said, "Eric is it? If you don't want those eyes poked out you better turn them somewhere else."
Shego's statement caused both of the guys to laugh and Jonny said after his laugh, "That's right, you beat the tar out of Tina. We just heard about it earlier. Like to see you do the same thing to us."
Shego flashed Jonny an evil grin and jumped off of the tail gate while she said, "Alright."
At Shego wanting to fight, Jonny and Eric backed away from her and looked at her for a second. They then started to laugh until their laughter was cut off by a door opening and closing. When Shego heard the sound of the door moving, she looked back at the building and saw Merrick standing there staring at her and the guys standing in front of her. Merrick then started toward them until Shego winked at him and flashed him an evil smile. He looked puzzled for a second then he smiled back at Shego.
Shego turned her attention back to the two guys in front of her, who were still staring at Merrick. She smiled and drew back a fist. When Jonny caught movement of Shego, he turned his look to her and she struck him the mouth with a fist. At the sound of Shego punching Jonny, Eric looked at him then at Shego. He went wide-eyed at Shego had a foot drawed back and before Eric knew it, Shego kicked him in the groin. While Eric collapsed to the ground, Shego grabbed Jonny by the head and bashed his head against the tail gate of Merrick's truck. With a thud, Jonny's head stuck the tail gate and he collapsed to the ground beside Eric, who was moaning in pain.
While Shego stood over the guys moaning in pain, Merrick walked up to her and threw an arm over her shoulders. He stared down at Jonny and Eric for a second then took his arm off of Shego. While the guys laying on the ground continued to moan in pain, Merrick knelt down beside Jonny and grabbed him by the hair of the head. When Merrick forced Jonny to look at him, he flashed Jonny a smile and pulled Jonny to his feet by the hair of his head. Merrick then led Jonny by the hair of the head to the beat up truck and opened the passenger side door. After Merrick flashed Jonny another smile, he threw Jonny into the truck. Merrick looked at Jonny laying in the truck for a second then he went back and did the same thing to Eric.
After Merrick told them to leave before he had them locked up for trespassing and shut the truck door for them, he walked back to Shego and wrapped her in his arms. Shego's look of anger relaxed at the touch of Merrick and she snuggled up in his arms. They held their embrace long after Jonny managed to get in the driver seat of the beat up truck. The couple heard Jonny cuss them before he cranked up the truck and left. Shego and Merrick watched the truck leave and Shego bust out in laughter.
While Shego laughed, Merrick said sadly, "I'm sorry I didn't get out sooner. I about killed myself trying to get my clothes on when I heard the truck pull up."
"That's ok, Mal. I can handle myself but I admit I was worried there for a second. Seeing you standing there helped my fears," Shego said with a smile.
"I'm glad you know how to fight because of what those guys are capable of. They have beaten a girl before and raped her because she wouldn't give them what they wanted. They never got convicted because the girl was too scared to testify," Merrick said bleakly while he hugged Shego.
"Oh," Shego said with anger while she looked back to where the beat up truck disappeared at, "if I knew that, I would have beaten them to a pulp."
"Well, maybe you finally made the point of leaving us alone. That's one of the reasons I fought them this morning. But it looks like it took you making that point clear," Merrick stated while he smiled at Shego.
Shego laughed then said sadly, "You mean your ex dumped you for a guy like that. Why?"
"Isn't it obvious? He gave her what I wouldn't," Merrick said while he let go of Shego and took her by the hand.
"Makes sense, I guess. I know I wouldn't dump you for a guy like that. I wouldn't even date Duncan because he's the same way as Jonny. Well, not as violent but I see what you meant by them being similar," Shego said while Merrick led her to the passenger side of his truck and opened the door for her.
"Yep," was all Merrick said before he shut the door for Shego.
Shego smiled happily at Merrick while she watched him walk in front of the truck. She was laughing over Merrick nearly killing himself to get his clothes on so he could come to her aid. That was the first true sign to Shego that Merrick cared about her. She giggled at the idea of what Merrick would have done to Jonny and Eric if they tried to harm her.
He might have went berserk on them if either of them laid a hand on me, Shego thought while she watched Merrick get into the truck.
After Merrick was settled into the driver side of the truck, Shego asked him what were they going to do next. Merrick shrugged his shoulders at the question and told Shego, it was up to her because he already did everything he planned for the day.
"You mean getting into a fight and car chase then going for a swim was your plan for the day? Mal, you're so simple but I admit I'm having fun," Shego said while Merrick cranked the truck.
Merrick let out a chuckle and stated, "Well, the swim was all I had planned for the day. Everything else happned on its own."
"I'm just here to spend time with you, so it doesn't really matter what we're doing as long we're together," Shego said while she slid across the seat to sit by Merrick.
"We could go into town for awhile. I have to head that way sooner or later to get some gas for this truck. Might was well ride around a bit then we head back home so you can at least replace that towel with something else," Merrick said while he watched Shego take him by the hand.
"The towel's fine for now but I do need something better to wear. It might come off at the wrong time. I was scared to death it would fall off before I roughed up dumb and dumber," Shego said with a giggle because Merrick tickled her knee again.
"Luckily it didn't," Merrick stated sadly while he turned his attention back to the road.
"Yep, there's only one guy right now that can see me that way but he won't until later," Shego said while she laid her head on Merrick's shoulder.
"Later," Merrick questioned while they pulled onto a blacktop road.
Shego let out a giggle and stated, "Mal, I didn't mean on our vacation unless by accident---even though you already seen half of everything. I meant later on after we're together for awhile. We'll eventually see each other in the nude, you know that yourself."
Merrick chuckled lightly and said, "Yeah, I know but please warn me about surprises like the ones in the lake. You can give a guy a heart attack."
"I will when I feel like you need a warning but I like to surprise you," Shego said which got both of the teens to bust out in laughter.
The couple spent the rest of the daylight hours riding around in Merrick's truck. While they rode around, Merrick gave Shego a tour of Toyah and it's outlined areas. Shego learned alot about Merrick's hometown and she began to understand why Merrick was like he was. Compared to Go City, Toyah didn't have much for teenagers to do except to get into fights, which was the only entertainment for the teenagers besides the high school football games. There were bars and saloons everywhere but the age limit was enforced. So, there wasn't much to do in the town and Shego finally understood why Merrick stayed home and did nothing when they weren't out on a date. He was use to it.
But the farther the teens traveled from Toyah, the more Shego saw they could try out on their vacation. After it got dark, the couple decided to call it the night and head back to Merrick's place. While they traveled down the lonely highway, they came up on a a broke down truck and a wiry old man standing beside it. Merrick stopped at the truck and asked the old man did he need a lift. The old man gratefully took the offer of a lift to Toyah and thanked the teens while he climbed into the back seat of the truck.
While the three rode in the dark, the old man thanked the teens again for their help and stated that there wasn't many like them around anymore. Merrick chuckled at the compliment and asked the old man what his name was. The old man told him and Merrick slammed on the brakes then looked back at the old man with a scared and surprised look.
"You can't be him. He died years ago," Merrick stammered out while Shego looked at him with a wondering look.
The old man chuckled at Merrick's reaction and said, "Easy, kid. I'm no ghost. I just faked my death so I could get away from it all."
"Oh, sorry, Cleborn," Merrick said sadly while he turned to go back to driving them to Toyah.
"That's alright, kid. You're not the first to react that way," Cleborn said while he chuckled at bit.
Merrick let out a chuckle too while he started driving again. Along the way to Toyah, Cleborn asked the teens if their were dating, which the teens answered in unison a, "Yes." Their answer caused Cleborn to ask about how they met and the teens took turns telling their story but they left out the parts about Shego being a crime fighter and having supernatural powers. Before long, Cleborn curled up in the back seat and fell asleep. While he snored, Shego peeked back at the man and wondered he meant about faking his death to get away from it all.
She wanted to get away from it all too and that's why she went with Merrick to Toyah. Shego never thought about faking her death in order to escape from the hassle of everyday life but the idea appealed to her. She, however, knew if she ever ran way from her old life, she hoped Merrick came along with her. She was too attached to him now to be without him. The only problem she had with running away was the fear of something bad happening back at Go City, which she knew she would blame herself for.
Shego let out a sigh at the fake guilt she would feel and she heard Merrick's stomach growl. She giggled at him being hungry and asked him did he wanted to stop in Toyah for a bite to eat before they headed home. He nodded to her and told her, he would stop at Danny's and go in to get something for all three of them while she sat in the truck with Cleborn.
She was surprised at Merrick willing to leave her with a stranger and she had to ask, "You want to leave me alone with this old coot?"
Merrick chuckled at the question and said, "Sheila, Cleborn is harmless until he's angered for the right reason. Those reasons involve something someone did that was wrong---like what Jonny and Eric did. I trust the old man with you more than your own brothers."
"Well, ok if you put it that way but you better not make a habit of leaving me with strangers," Shego said while she hinted it still bothered her to be alone with Cleborn.
"Trust me, Sheila, its only for this one time," Merrick chuckled while the town lights of Toyah could be seen through the windshield of Merrick's truck.
After Merrick pulled into the parking lot of Danny's and left Shego alone with Cleborn, who was still asleep, Shego would peek back at him asleep and look around the parking lot. The only thing that amazed Shego about Toyah was how simple everything was. People knew each other here and knew who to trust and who to punch in the mouth. Shego understood completely now why Merrick was like he was. He had to be and even Go City he acted the same. The only difference between Go City and Toyah was the number of people that was around.
Shego hadn't seen a single person walking down the streets since Merrick pulled into Danny's. She was starting to like how still and quiet the town was. At least she wouldn't get a headache from blaring sirens or car horns. While Shego thought over not wanting to go back to Go City, Cleborn stirred in his sleep and rose up behind Shego. She watched him the corner of her eye while he looked around in the truck and out of the windows.
"Dear lady, may I ask where the kid went to," Cleborn questioned while he looked right at the restaurant.
"He stopped here to get us something to eat for dinner," Shego stated while she continued to watch Cleborn in the corner of her eye.
"Oh, he shouldn't get me anything. I'm fine, but he's always been a strange fellow," Cleborn said grimly while he shifted in his seat.
"So, you know Mal," Shego asked while she turned her head to look Cleborn straight in the face but she only could see his eyes shining from the street light.
Cleborn chuckled at hearing Shego's pet name for Merrick and stated, "Yes, every since he was a lad. He had never fit in around here. But I rather everyone was like him. At least he cares. There was several cars that passed me on the road tonight without stopping and several of the people inside either flipped me off or laughed at me. 'Mal' was the only one that stopped."
"Hey, I'm the only one that can call him that," Shego stated with a smile while she started to feel easy around Cleborn.
"Oh, sorry. The thing I'm wondering about is the gaps you two left out in your story of how you both met. Not everyone goes out on a date a week later after they walk into one another on the street. You don't have to fill in the gaps but I know there's more to the story then you two let on," Cleborn said which caused Shego to look at him with a scared look.
"How did you know," Shego stammered out and she realized she revealed there was more to the story.
"When you two started the story, your eyes flinched. A tell tale sign of fibbing. Dear lady, what ever you do in life never lose the kid. He's a once in a life time kind of guy and your lucky to be with him," Cleborn stated in a near whisper while he laid back down on the seat.
Shego narrowed her eyes at him for a second because she couldn't figure out why he was acting like he wanted to hide then she heard someone knocking on the door window beside her. She turned her head to the sound and saw Jonny's brusied and battered face smiling at her through the window. Shego let out a growl and locked the truck's doors; she wasn't scared of him but annoyed with him. She hoped her locking the doors would give him the hint to leave her alone. When Shego locked the doors, Jonny let out a laugh and waved to the back of Merrick's truck. Shego looked to the back of the truck and saw Eric was back there.
"Just great," Shego whispered while she heard Cleborn shifted his weight behind her.
"Want me to get rid of them," Shego heard Cleborn ask in a whisper.
"Are you sure you can handle them," Shego whispered back while Eric walked up to Jonny and looked at her too through the window.
Shego never got a reply out of Cleborn while she stared at Jonny and Eric. But the second Jonny tried to open the passenger side door, she heard Cleborn unlock the back door and then the back door open and shut. While Shego continue to stare at the creeps, she saw a wrinkled fist come into view and strike Eric in the jaw. Shego went wide-eyed at the surprise then smiled at the old man coming to her aid.
While Eric went out of view of the window, Shego watched Jonny be struck the same way and disappear out of view while Cleborn walked by the window. She watched Cleborn bent down and lift one of the guy's legs up then stomped the guy in the groin. Shego giggled at the thought of two teenagers getting a beating from an old man. Before it was over, Cleborn stomped both of the guys in the groin several times then kicked them like soccer balls until he saw Merrick come running out of the restaurant. He ran all the way around the truck to where Cleborn was standing while he held onto their bagged dinners. When Merrick was to Cleborn, Cleborn slipped away from Merrick and climbed into the back seat of Merrick's truck.
After Cleborn was inside, he said in a whisper, "I been wanting to do that since the day they violated my grand-daughter. The bastards got her pregnant and neither of them would own up to being the daddy."
"Wait, the girl Merrick told me about was your grand-daughter," Shego questioned while she spun in her seat and looked at Cleborn.
"If it was the one they beaten and raped, then yes. Those two bastards made her look like a tramp. That's the reason I faked my death, I would have killed them both if I stayed around," Cleborn said with anger while he sat in the seat and shook because of the rage he was put in at the sight of the creeps.
Shego let out a sad sigh at how troubled the old man was and turned her look back to Merrick, who had sat their dinners down on the hood of his truck and was taking over what Cleborn started. She was frighten at the of rage Merrick was in because he was only gave the guys a second of rest before he started pounding their faces with his clenched fists while he would straddle one of them. Shego was surprised at Cleborn chuckling while he watched Merrick beating the guys into a pulp. Before long, Cleborn was cheering Merrick on and was hollering out which fist he should use next.
After it seemed Merrick's anger subsided, he got off of Eric and took the dinners off of the hood while he walked over to the driver side of the truck. Shego's fear of Merrick's rage had disappeared after she realized Merrick went in a rage over the creeps still trying to bug her. She knew she could handle them even if she had to use her powers to do it but she was grateful now over Merrick fighting for her. The first time he did, she admired him for it and deep down she knew Merrick started to care about her on that day. She was just being stubborn.
When Merrick got settled into the driver side of the truck, Cleborn said, "Thank you, kid. I really enjoyed seeing them get the beating they deserved. Michelle would have loved to seen that too---if she wasn't dead."
"I know, sir. Eventually those two will end up running into the wrong one and they'll end up getting killed," Merrick said sadly while he handed Cleborn his dinner.
"If I stayed, they would have got just that from me," Cleborn said with anger before he started to enjoy his food.
"Wait, you your grand-daughter is dead? How she die," Shego questioned with a sad face while Merrick handed her food.
Cleborn stopped eating and let out a sigh before he said, "She killed herself two days after those bastards' trial. They traumataized her so bad that she lost it and she cried everyday after what they did to her."
"Oh, I'm sorry," was all Shego said while she lowered her head to her chin.
"Yeah, well let's get going. Kid, you can drop me off just on the other side of Toyah. I'll manage from there," Cleborn said while he went back to eating.
Upon Cleborn's request, Merrick fired the truck up and drove out of the parking lot while Shego and Cleborn ate their food. As they pulled out of the parking lot, Shego peeked back at where the creeps were laying and saw they were still laying on the concrete where Merrick left them. She smiled evilly at them getting a taste of what they deserved and she had to fight back the laughter of an old man working them over. Shego made up in her mind if she and Merrick ran into them again, she will not how back her powers. They will get a major hint to never hurt another girl again because when she got done with them, they will be scared of any woman.
After the couple dropped Cleborn off at a gas station just outside Toyah's city limits, he thanked them again for their help and and slipped around the gas station then disappeared into the desert. Shego thought it was odd how quick the old man said his goodbyes and disappeared. She figured he didn't want anyone to know he was still alive and Shego shrugged it off as another stranger she'll never met again. But seeing how free the old man was now that he was considered dead made her yearn for such an adventure too. Just to get away and never come back to grind of her old life. The very thing that held her in place but now she is miles from Go City and enjoying herself because of Merrick.
While Merrick drove them home, Shego asked him questions about Cleborn and she found out a lot about the old man. The most surprising thing she found out was Cleborn being Merrick's great-uncle on his mom's side, which made Michelle his cousin. Shego now understood why Merrick hated the creeps, they hurt his family with their sick ways. After Shego learn how related Cleborn was to Merrick, she laughed at the memory of Merrick being scared at knowing his great-uncle was alive and she got him to laugh by poking fun at him for being scared of a dead man.
They laughed at the memory all the way home because Shego wouldn't let up making fun of Merrick for being scared. When they got home, Shego jumped out of the truck and ran into the house while leaving Merrick at the truck. She told Merrick before she went inside that she was going to take a shower and change. Merrick only replied back that he would be in the living room enjoying his cold dinner. Shego giggled at Merrick having to wait to eat and she went into the home. After she was inside the home, she picked up her bags where she left them when they first got there and headed to the bedroom Merrick said she was to sleep in. She, however, was only going to stay in the room until she thought Merrick was asleep.
The thing that amazed Shego about the inside of the home was how well furbished the home was. She couldn't imagine why a home out in the middle of nowhere would have everything someone would need to live there. But she figured Merrick liked it that way and if something got stolen he could replace it if he wanted to. Then the thought of being a thief entered Shego's mind again and she shook her head at the thought. She couldn't understand why she was thinking like she was but she guessed the reason was because of her being around thieves better part of her crime fighting life. It was appealing to her like the yearning of adventure.
When Shego entered her supposed bedroom, she sat her bags beside the king size bed and flopped onto the bed. She laid on the bed for a long time staring at the ceiling while she thought over how much her life has changed in so few of months. She was in a place that wasn't in Go City and she wished she could stay where she was now. The boredom of the city had ate at her for years and now she wasn't in the city. She was free from the bondage of saving people who only cared about her while she was saving them. They never thanked her for being there when they didn't need saving. No gratitude was shown to her nor her brothers in many years. So what if they got into the paper, that happened on a regular basis.
Shego, finally, got up and went into the bathroom, that went along with the bedroom, to take a shower. After her shower, she went about the room while she unpacked her bags in the nude. It was exciting for her to walk around the room while she had no cloths on. She wouldn't have if she knew someone could see her but they were out in the middle of nowhere, Merrick was in the living room, and she was alone on the other side of the house. She stopped once during her unpacking to look in the mirror at herself and she blushed at the thought of Merrick seeing her this way. It made her curious about what would he think about her in the state she was. He had complimented her about her looks before but never without cloths.
After Shego had everything unpacked, she got dressed in cloths she was going to wear to bed and started out of the bedroom. Along the way to the living room, Shego looked at the pictures that hung in the hall. She tried to figure the age Merrick was, in some of the pictures and she wondered why Merrick stayed at this home alone most of the time.
Maybe its for the same reason he stays home alone in Go City, his dad had to work, Shego thought as she entered the living room.
When she entered the living room, she didn't see Merrick at first until she spotted the top of his head laid to one side while he sat in a recliner and while a TV blared away across the room from him. She walked around the chair so she be in front of him and Merrick's eyes widen at her standing there in nothing but a shirt that hung just below her hips. She giggled at his reaction and sat down in his lap. Merrick's surprised look faded into a smile while he wrapped his arms around Shego and she snuggled up to him. She started to listen to the music Merrick's heart made while Merrick held in his arms. Before long, Shego started to get drowsy from listening to Merrick's heart and she lifted her head from his chest. She stared him right in the eyes for a second then she leaned her head to his ear and whispered she was going to bed. Before she got up, she giggled in Merrick's ear and nipped his ear with her teeth. Shego giggled again at Merrick hugging her tight after she bite his ear. She knew he was fighting his urges and she nipped his ear again. The second she lifted her head from Merrick's ear, he planted a kiss on her lips, which resulted in them making out for a moment. Shego stopped them and told Merrick, that she didn't want to make out anymore for the day. Merrick only nodded to her and Shego smiled at him for doing as she asked. She then gave Merrick a goodnight kiss and Merrick let her slip out of his arms. Shego watched Merrick stare at her leaving him and giggled at him turning in the chair to watch her.
After Shego was out of sight of Merrick, she let out a happy sigh and smiled at the way Merrick treats her. All she had to say was she wanted to stop and he would, even when she makes him go crazy. She smiled all the way to her bedroom, which she wasn't planning on staying in that night or any of the other nights. Shego went straight to the bed and laid down on it. She wasn't going to go to sleep but to lay there until Merrick went to bed and was fast to sleep. She would then slip into his room and climb in bed with him. He said she could and she was going to show him respect until he was asleep, then she would get what she wanted, which was sleeping in the same bed with him. While Shego laid in the bed, she started to think marriage thoughts again and she wondered if everyday of her life with Merrick could be as fun. Before she knew it, she had drifted off to sleep and started dreaming about walking up the aisle of a church while Merrick looked back at her with a smiling face.
Shego woke up right as she got to Merrick in her dream and she saw Merrick walk by the door that led into her bedroom. He never stopped and looked in on her, which caused Shego giggle silently at him continuing to show her respect. After Merrick went out of sight of the doorway, Shego heard him open the door to his room then him lie down on his bed. She laid where she was for a long time after Merrick went to bed just to make sure he was asleep but she didn't plan to fall asleep herself. She woke again around midnight because the sound of a coyote howling. While she laid in the bed, she peered out the window and the coyote howled again. Shego would never admit to it but to hear a coyote howl for the first time, scared her. She was about to get out of bed and head to Merrick's room but Jake stopped her by coming into her room while he growled. Shego about lit up her hands at the dog but he ran by her bed and jumped onto the window seal while he continued to growl.
The dog acting like he was protecting her, caused Shego to let out a nervous laugh and she said in a whisper, "It's ok, Jake. We'll go into Merrick's room and he'll protect us from the boogie man."
Jake took Shego's statement as a cue and jumped off the window seal. He sat down on his hunches and waited for Shego to get out of bed then he followed her out of the room. Shego giggled lightly at the dog inching with her to Merrick's room. When they were to the door that led into Merrick's room, Shego stuck her head into the doorway and Jake did the same. Shego looked down at the dog for a second copying her and she smiled at the dog before she peered into Merrick's room. She saw the lower half of Merrick was lit up by the halls light and she giggled at Merrick laying on the covers while he wore nothing but boxers. Shego inched into the room and whispered her pet name for Merrick all the way to him. He never responded to her nor did he give any hint that he was awake. She looked down at Merrick sleeping for a second then she poked him in the ribs. The only reaction she got out of Merrick was him taking a deep breathe. Shego giggled and climbed into bed with Merrick with caution. After she was laying beside him, she snuggled up to him and laid her arm across his stomach then her head across his chest. She laid there for a minute listening to his heart then she sighed happily while she drifted off to sleep.
Shego woke the next morning with her face inches from Merrick's. She smiled at him being asleep still and she moved her face closer to Merrick's. Shego studied his face for a second then planted a kiss on his lips. The kiss caused Merrick to stir in his sleep and he started to wake up. While he was waking up, he stretched his arms out and he unintentionally caused one of his hands to slid between Shego's thighs. Shego giggled at Merrick doing this and when she giggled, Merrick's hand stopped where it was and squeezed her thigh for a second. Merrick's eyes popped open and he looked down with surprise at where his hand was. He snapped his hand away from Shego's thighs but she stopped him and placed his hand back where it was. Merrick looked back at Shego with a confused look but Shego only smiled at him and kissed him on the lips again. After her kiss, Shego lean her head by Merrick's face and nipped his ear with her teeth. When Shego brought her face back within sight of Merrick's, she was met by a kiss from him, which resulted in them making out. Shego giggled between kisses at Merrick tickling her thighs. She went wide-eyed at feeling Merrick's hand traveling up her thighs and she pulled Merrick's face from her's for a second. Shego looked him in the eyes and nodded to him before she let him kiss her again.
A moment later, Shego let out a moan in Merrick's mouth and she closed her eyes. She had to stop kissing Merrick and she laid her head on his shoulder while she nipped at his ear with her teeth. Shego lost all senses after a few minutes and went limp in Merrick's arms, who stopped what he was doing when Shego went limp. The couple laid where they were for a minute and Shego started to giggle as she opened her eyes. She cut her eyes at Merrick and smiled at him while she rubbed his face with a hand. He smiled back and Shego kissed him again.
After the kiss, Shego giggled again and asked in a near whisper, "Now, are you happy that you got to pay me back?"
Merrick only nodded at Shego while he smiled at her.
She returned the smile and said, "This is as far as we go on our trip. Nothing farther, ok?"
"Fine by me, but your the one that's been controlling what we do," Merrick said with a sheepish grin while he wrapped Shego in his arms.
"I know, but you can control what I do when you want to. That's why I'm telling you nothing farther," Shego stated while she snuggled up to Merrick.
"Alright, I'll see to it," Merrick said while he hugged Shego.
Shego giggled again and said, "Well, I'll go fix us breakfast," but she didn't try to get out of Merrick's arms. Instead she snuggled up as close as she could to Merrick and laid her head on his chest. Shego finally came out of Merrick's arms and laid beside him while she stared into his eyes.
"While your doing that, I'll go take a shower," Merrick said while he sat up in bed.
"I might join you later," Shego said with a sheepish grin which caused Merrick to look at her with a scared look.
Shego laughed at Merrick's look and said, "I'm kidding."
Merrick chuckled and got off of the bed then he went into the bathroom that was with the bedroom. Shego laid where she was for a second while she smiled ear to ear. She giggled again and shook her head while she got off the bed and left Merrick's bedroom.
Shego nearly skipped down the hall because of her being so happy. Though she was serious about not going any farther while they were alone, deep down Shego didn't mind if they went all the way to the final step. Now that they went beyond hugging and kissing, Shego wanted Merrick to be the guy she spent that final step with, unless they broke up. But Shego doubt they would because she didn't want to and Merrick told her, she would have to be the one that does it. She loved him now and she was emotionally attached to him. It would break her heart as much as it would his. The only way she could avoid such pain was never to break up with Merrick. She couldn't, wouldn't, do such a thing because she was starting to feel like Merrick was her soul mate. Far fetched still but deep down she knew he was.
After Shego started cooking the breakfast for her and Merrick, she heard him walking down the hall while he hummed a sad tone. Shego giggled at how terrible he sounded with his humming and before she knew it, she felt Merrick walk up behind her and wrap his arms around her waist. He started making her sway side to side like he wanted her to dance while she tried to continue to cooking. She giggled at the way he was acting then she felt him lay his chin on her shoulder. He chuckled softly in her ear and asked her what she was cooking. She told him then she gasped at Merrick nipping her ear with his teeth. Merrick chuckled at her reaction and told her that was another pay back. Shego let out a soft growl and spun around in Merrick's arms. She gave him an evil grin then attacked him with kisses. Before long, Shego felt Merrick started acting without permission then stop only for her to give permission with nods and they fell into the floor while Shego went into a frenzy of kisses. Finally, Shego settled down and they stopped what they were doing. They both let out a sigh and Shego giggled at Merrick knowing a way to drive her crazy. While she was getting out of the floor, she swore to Merrick that she will pay him back later and he will be sorry for making her go crazy.
Merrick only chuckled while he looked up at Shego standing over him. Shego smiled at him then stepped over him to get back to the stove. Right as she was stepping over him, she noticed he turned his head from her and she blushed at realizing why he turned his head. She giggled at Merrick still laying in the floor and he finally sat up while he joked about her breaking his back. She laughed off the joke and said she'll break his back one these days. Merrick went red in the face at the statement and got out of the floor. He went back to standing behind Shego while he had his arms wrapped around her waist. Shego danced along with Merrick while she cooked and she blushed at Merrick saying he loved seeing her without make-up. It was true that Shego didn't have any make-up on, even what she puts on her skin to hide her green tinted skin. She took it as a compliment from Merrick that he liked seeing her without make-up on and she planned to let him see her that way more often if she could.
Finally, Shego finished the breakfast which would had been done sooner if Merrick didn't interrupted her. The couple sat at the kitchen table and enjoyed the food while they talked about what they were going to for the day. Merrick didn't have any plans because it was Shego's turn. All she wanted to do was go to some of the places she seen while Merrick was giving her a tour. They agreed to Shego's plan for the day and Merrick suggested her go get ready.
"Why, I feel like running around like this today. You said you liked seeing me without make-up," Shego said coyly while she snuggled up to Merrick.
"Oh, I'm not telling you to do anything but wouldn't it better to at least put some shorts on," Merrick said before he hugged Shego.
Shego smiled at Merrick not telling her what to do, which was something she loved about him. He always let her do whatever she wanted to do. To give her freedom to run and do stuff on her own in Go City. He never asked questions and she would tell him what she done while she was away. It was a trust both of them had for the other and Shego learned first hand at Merrick's faithfulness on his last trip to Toyah.
"True, an updraft may reveal only what I will let you see," Shego said through a giggle before she got up and left the kitchen.
When she came out of her bedroom, she saw Merrick had placed an old baseball cap on his head and was waiting at the front door for her. She smiled at him looking cute in the cap and she took him by the hand while they left the home. The couple spent the entire day doing what Shego wanted to do and when they finally came back home, the couple was exhausted and Merrick collapsed on the couch and Shego fell on top of him. They stared into each other's eyes for a moment and Shego kissed Merrick, which resulted in a brief make out secession. The only reason they stopped was because of someone knocking on the door.
Shego rolled off of Merrick and sat beside him after he sat up in couch. Merrick looked at Shego with a puzzled look for a second then left the couch to head to the front door. A moment later, Shego heard Merrick laughing and talking to someone. After the home went silent, Merrick came back into the living room with a blonde haired, blue eyed girl their age following along behind him. The second Shego saw the girl, she wondered what was going on but she relaxed when she saw a guy their age behind the girl. Merrick walked back to Shego and sat down beside her while the new couple sat down in the recliners.
Merrick wasted no time in introducing the couple by the names of Randy and Sara. No introduction was needed for Shego because the couple told her, they finally get to meet the girl of Merrick's dreams. Shego was curious about what they meant by the girl of Merrick's dream. She felt it was a compliment and she wondered if Merrick has had the same wedding bells thoughts.
The room went silent after the couples' compliment then Merrick spoke up by asking, "Well, Randy. I imagine you want to hit the weights?"
"Yep," was all Randy said while he stood up and started to leave but he stopped walking at the sight of Merrick still sitting. Merrick chuckled at the look Randy was giving him and he asked Shego in a child's tone, could he go play with his friend. Everyone in the room laughed at Merrick's silly question and Shego got a laugh out of everyone by acting like his mom and told him, he could but if he stayed gone too long, she was going to give him a whipping.
After the guys left, the room returned silent for a moment until Sara said, "I can tell you two belong together."
"Well, thanks," was all Shego said. She wasn't sure if Merrick planned this girl to girl talk but she really didn't feel like talking to a complete stranger.
"Your lucky to have him in your life. I should know," Sara said while she shifted her weight in the chair.
"What you mean," Shego questioned while she wondered what Sara was hinting at.
"Sheila, don't get mad about this but I dated Merrick long before he dated Tina. It was only for two weeks but I grew to love how he was. I imagine you have too. We only broke up because we felt more like friends and we saw we never were going to be anything else but friends. Me dating Merrick caused me to run into Randy. Merrick introduced us to one another because we both were his friends. I admit Merrick's a great match maker," Sara said while she looked Shego right in the eyes.
"Oh, I'm not mad and thanks for telling me that. It means something to me for a girl Merrick dated to tell me what he meant to them," Shego stated while she started to enjoy the girl to girl talk. She never had may of those back at Go City because she hated how the other girls were.
"I imagine so. I'm the only ex he has that doesn't cuss him or say bad things about. Tina was the worst one to do such things. I tried to talk Merrick out of dating Tina but that girl had him brainwashed it seemed. Luckily they broke up because of how Merrick is. Sheila, mind me asking something," Sara said calmly while she hinted she hated Tina with the tone she used when she said the name Tina.
"Ask away, no secrets here," was all Shego said while she started to get worried over what the girl would ask her. She was a friend of Merrick's and just proved by her words that she wanted Merrick to date the right girl.
"Since this is girl to girl talk, I'm just wondering if you and Merrick have---you know," Sara said while she blushed at what she was referring to.
"Have what," Shego questioned back while she felt it was none of Sara's business to know what her and Merrick have done.
"You know...umm, what me and Randy hadn't did yet," Sara stammered out from the embarrassment.
Shego smiled at Sara's look and shook her head while she said, "If you mean what Merrick nor me cares about then no we haven't. Far as I know, neither of us wants to either."
Sara embarrassed look relaxed into a smile and she said, "Yep, you're the one, alright."
"What do you mean," Shego questioned while she began to enjoy Sara's company.
"Mind if I sit by you," Sara said while she gave Shego a naughty smile like she had something to tell Shego.
Shego nodded to her and smiled at her while she said, "Be my guest, it looks like you got something to say."
After Sara sat down beside Shego, she leaned in so Shego could hear her whisper, "Merrick told us everything about you. Course me and Randy are still trying to fill in the gaps on the night you two met. Anyways, he told us he thinks your the one he would like to propose to when you two graduate. Merrick was worried sick over how you would take his thoughts of wedding bells. Sheila, he loves you more than he puts on. He has trouble showing his entire feelings but I been around him long enough to tell what he's really thinking."
"So, you think I'm the one for him," Shego questioned while she felt happy at knowing Merrick was having marriage thoughts too.
"Yes, he's always said he wanted to marry a girl who loved him no matter what. Sheila, you love him like that. You just proved that you rather be with him because he doesn't want to than be with a guy that bugs you into it all of the time," Sara said with a smile while she leaned away from Shego.
"Well, thanks, and its true I don't care for it. I'm like Mal, he's has to make the decision as much as I do. If he doesn't want to then I don't either," Shego said while she felt proud over how she was.
"That's good, me and Randy's the same way, we been together for over four years and we only went to what Randy called third base. We are ok with where we're at because we know we can always go farther later but for now we're just enjoying our time together without trying to convince the other into going farther," Sara said with a smile, showing Shego she was proud of what she said.
It was strange to Shego how a girl she just met sounded just like herself. She could tell why Merrick dated Sara but it puzzled her why Merrick didn't see her just as a friend too. Her and Sara was too similar while was the case for Merrick and Randy. All of it was just to strange to Shego at the moment but she had to admit she was enjoying the talk with Sara.
"So, can you tell me something about Mal that he wouldn't never tell me," Shego questioned while she hoped Sara could.
"Well, I do know Merrick keeps a journal. He usually leave it under a pillow on his bed. I know because I happened upon it once while he and Randy were out in the barn weight lifting. I read some of it and found out a lot about Merrick. I won't spoil it for you but if you get a chance, read some of it yourself," Sara said while she showed a sly smile.
"I might just do that," Shego stated while she matched Sara's smile.
The ladies busted out in laughter at scheming to take Merrick's journal. Shego was going to look for the journal now and she was excited at learning Merrick's mind. She just hoped she don't learn something that stops her from loving Merrick. But for some reason, she doubt Merrick had ever acted fake around her. He was to genuine to her.
Shego and Sara spent the rest of their time together learning more about one another before the guys came back. Shego was amazed at how similar she was to Sara. They both had annoying brothers, hated school because it was dull, and yearned to get way from the norm of their life. Sara complimented Shego again at being the prefect girl for Merrick. Just having Sara's approval meant something to Shego for some reason. She guessed it was because out of everyone that knew she was dating Merrick, one of them at least hoped they stayed together.
The thing that amazed Shego was how frank Sara was to her, especially when Sara said, "Sheila, I'm like a sister to Merrick now. So don't think anything going on between us if me and Merrick laugh and carry on. Course, he didn't do it that much the last time he was here. I wondered why at first until he told me and Randy he had a girlfriend. That was a shocker for us because we never dreamed he would date again because of Tina. She about turned him off to dating all together."
"Well, I think Tina got what she deserved yesterday," Shego said while showing an evil grin.
"Yep, me and Randy saw her today and we asked her what truck she walked out in front of. She had a fit and cussed us and you two. Then she told us her version of what happened. She even had the nerve to tell us that Merrick cheated on you during his last visit. I would have believed her if I didn't know Merrick that well. Sheila, never worry about him looking at another girl to be more than just a friend while he's dating you," Sara said with laughter while she thought over the new look Shego gave Tina.
"Mal, told me what happened on his last trip here and I believed what he said. I trust him," Shego stated happily while her felt proud of dating a one woman, man.
"That's nice, Merrick's always been honest and he'll let you know right away about something that's really bothering him," Sara stated before the guys came back into the living room.
"So, did you ladies have a good talk," Randy questioned which told Shego either Merrick had the girl to girl talk planned or Randy and Sara did. She wasn't sure but she was going to find out after the couple left.
"Yep, so you ready to go, Randy," Sara stated happily while she rose from the couch.
"I am," was all Randy said while Sara took him by the hand and they started to leave while Merrick walked them to the door.
Shego sat alone in the living room while she listened to Merrick say his goodbyes to his friends then she heard him shut the front door. She watched him come back into the living room with a smile on his face and she knew he was happy over seeing his friends again. Right as Merrick started to sit down beside her, she let out a sigh and snuggle up to Merrick.
"So what did you two talk about," Merrick questioned while he wrapped Shego in her arms.
Shego replied back by asking a question of her own, "Did you have that talk planned?"
Merrick shook his head and said, "Nope, Sara must have. She usually heads out with us to the barn but with you being here, she wanted to give you approval. Sorry if she's that way but she's a friend and all."
"Well, she likes me and to answer your question. We talked about you while Sara told me how she got to know you," Shego said while she nuzzled her head in Merrick's chest.
"She did," Merrick questioned in a scared tone.
"Yep, she was your girlfriend for two weeks. Mal, I don't mind you have a friend that's a girl that you use to date," Shego stated while she listened to Merrick's heart skip a beat for a second. She laughed silently at him being scared for a moment.
Merrick let out a sigh of relief then he chuckled while he said, "She's the only one, I promise. The other three hate me but Sara became like a buddy and gave me advice on women. She's like a sister now."
"She told me that too, along with other things. Mal, what's this about wedding bells," Shego said slyly while she looked up to see Merrick's reaction.
"Well...I umm, just think, you're maybe the one...I like to spend the rest of my life with," Merrick stammered out while he showed a scared look on his face.
Shego giggled at his reaction but she said soberly, "Mal, it's too soon to start that kind of talk."
"I know and there's no point in giving you this," Merrick said sadly while he pulled a small black box out of his pants pocket.
Shego looked at the box that was in Merrick's hand and she asked, "Mal, you didn't get an engagement ring, did you?"
"No, this is just a promise ring I was going to give you tonight but you said it was too soon, you can have it anyways. You can put it own when you think its time to talk about marriage," Merrick said while he placed the box in Shego's hand then he unwrapped his arms and rose up in the couch.
Shego looked at the box for a second the she stated, "Mal, I didn't know."
"It's ok, Sheila. I'm going to bed now," Merrick said sadly with his back turned to Shego.
"Mal, please wait. We need to talk about this," Shego said when Merrick started to leave the room while tears started forming her eyes.
Merrick let out a sigh and said, "We'll talk about it in the morning," before he slipped out of the doorway.
Shego burst in tears after Merrick was out of sight. She knew she just made a mistake because Merrick was hoping she would act happy about his thoughts of marriage. But she bluntly told him it was too soon. She didn't know what she was going to do now because she hurt Merrick's feelings. While she sat on the couch crying, Shego opened the box and looked at the ring. The emerald ring was beautiful to her and she wished she had kept her mouth closed. But she didn't. Instead, she hurt Merrick by telling him she wasn't have marriage thoughts but she did.
What are you going to do now, Shego questioned to herself while she took the ring out of the box and tried it on.
She felt the most despressed she had ever felt while she looked at the ring on her finger. She got what she wanted and now she wasn't sure if she would get everything else she wanted. It was the first time she ever saw Merrick walk away from her while she tried to get him to stay. Shego let out a sad sigh while she wiped tears from her cheeks. She knew she would have to make it up to Merrick for what she just done. But she was afraid he wouldn't let her. He didn't even want talk about it after she supposely crashed his dream.
Shego let out another sigh and got off the couch and headed straight to her room. Her plan for the night was still the same. She was going to wait for Merrick to be sound asleep before she slipped into his room and climbed in bed with him. She just hoped his mood would change in the morning when he saw her wearing the ring. Shego was going to talk to him about wedding bells and reveal her thoughts. She hoped that will maybe make him happy again until then she was going to cry her eyes out over hurting Merrick.
That night, Shego slipped into Merrick's room after she thought she gave him enough time to fall asleep. As she entered the room, she saw him laying like he was the night before. She eased over to his bed while saying her pet name for him. Shego never got a response out of him and she climbed in bed. She laid beside him for a second and studied his face. Right before she snuggled up to him, she caught the sight of something brown under his pillow. Shego strained her eyes at whatever it was and she made out what looked like a small leather book. Her eyes brighten at seeing Merrick's journal. She eased her hand up to the journal and carefully slid it out from under Merrick's head. She rolled over on her back and flipped through the pages of the journal. But the lighting in the bedroom wouldn't show Shego what was written in the journal. She let out a sigh and looked at Merrick for a second before she slipped off the bed and headed to the living room with the journal in her hands. Shego knew it was wrong of her to read the journal and Merrick might have a fit but she was going to learn about the man she was dating.
After Shego was in the living room and sitting in a recliner, she opened the journal to the very first page and she saw the date of the entry was one week after Merrick's third birthday. What amazed Shego about the entry was how well the three year old Merrick could write.
Decemeber 31,
It's been one week since mommie and Susie died. I miss them. Daddie stays gone all of the time. He stays mostly at work. The rest of the time, he spends at friends or at a bar. I am alone here. All alone. The nights scare me. I have nightmares and mommie isn't here to comfort me. Why did they have to die and me live? I'll never forget my birthday. How could I, mommie and Susie were killed on it. I hate my birthday, if I didn't want ice cream then they be alive. Their dead because of me. It's my fault, all of it's my fault. Daddie doesn't blame me to my face but I know he does. My family blames me, the pallbears, the preacher, everyone blames me when I'm not around. It's my fault. All of it's my fault. Why did this happen to me? Why?
Merrick
After reading the entry, Shego understood why Merrick blamed himself for him mom and sister's death. She never knew how hard it was on Merrick after their death. Shego felt sorry for him because he believed people blamed him for their deaths and she started to feel worst at what she done earlier. Shego started to cry again while she flipped through the journal. She happened on an entry that was dated one month before Merrick moved to Go City.
June 7,
Well, big day next month. Dad and me are moving to a big city. That's a first for me. I wonder what it be like. I hope I can fit in at the school there, unlike here where I have to fight people because I'm abnormal they say. I hope I at least make a friend there. If not, it really be boring and I will want to move back here. I'll miss this place even though I grew to hate everything about it. Randy and Sara came by earlier to see how I was doing. Its funny, they seem to think I'm losing it. Maybe its because I'm being seen less around town. I just lost all interest in doing anything that was fun to me long ago. At least Randy and Sara still cares. Their good friends. I'll miss them most of all.
Merrick
Shego sighed at how much of a change Merrick went through from three year old to a sixteen year old. A sad kid became hopeful teen. She knew him being alone most of his life caused him to turn into the guy she fell in love with, which she would have to show her love for him in the morning. Shego flipped through the entries again and ended up on the very last entry that was dated during his Spring break trip. This made Shego curious about what he thought about her then.
March 15,
Been several months since I been here but I miss the city. It grew on me because of a special girl I met there. I admit it was odd how we met but that's what makes it special. I love her to death even though I don't show it. She's my world now and I wonder if she thinks the same way. I'm missing her more by the hours and I long to be back in the city to see her again. I just might cut my trip short to run back to her. Though she doesn't know it, I plan to tell her my dream of her being with me the rest of my life. I might even get her to come here so I can get the nerve up to tell her. Sure its maybe a little too soon but the way she makes me feel, I don't care. I just hope she be ok with what I tell her. I don't know how I'll react if she doesn't act thrilled. I know it will hurt alot but I'll still love her. Maybe I'm just a fool with my thoughts. I could be just a fling for her during her high school years then she'll run off to college or somewhere and find someone better. I'm just might be setting myself up for some serious pain. But I don't care. Just her saying she loves me is enough for me to return that love anyway I can. Still, I hope she's ok with my dream.
Merrick
Shego let out another sigh over how much Merrick loved her. He would willingly leave his hometown for her because he missed her. She felt sad over knowing Merrick had the idea of wedding bells for months just like she did. He even had it planned out where he wanted to tell her at, which was where they were now. Shego closed the journal and held it against her chest while she burst in tears at the thought of her hurting Merrick. She knew she had to make it up to him in a great way. But she didn't know what to do. At least she knew he would still love her but the guilt of what she done would hurt her whenever she looked at him. Shego finally stopped crying and headed back to Merrick's room while she still sniffled at what she done to Merrick.
When she got to his room, she continued to sniffle while she whispered her pet name and inched to his bed. She didn't get a response out of him and she climbed in bed with him. While she laid there, she studied his face and let out a sigh at him being the perfect guy for her while she hurt his feelings. Right as Shego started to put his journal back where she got it, Merrick took a deep breathe and rolled on his side, pinning Shego's hand under the pillow. Shego on most panicked over the thought of Merrick waking to catch her with her hand under his pillow. She already done enough for one night to upset him. If he caught her now, she was afraid he would have a fit over her wanting to look at something personal to him.
Shego tried to ease her hand out from under Merrick's head and she on most succeed until she heard Merrick chuckling. Her hand froze where it was until Merrick stopped laughing and she let out a sigh at Merrick's eyes still closed while she went back to getting her hand out from under the pillow.
Right as her hand was out from under the pillow, Merrick chuckle again and asked, "Did you find anything interesting?"
At Merrick speaking, Shego froze in fear because of Merrick talking to her. She wasn't sure if he was awake and she hoped he wasn't but when Shego said nothing, Merrick's eyes popped open and he stared back into Shego's eyes. He stared at her for a moment then flashed her a smile.
"Mal...I...umm," Shego stammered out in a scared tone at Merrick catching her in the act.
Merrick continued to smile at her after her statement and he reached under his pillow, pulling his journal out while Shego got worried over her hurting his feeling and making him mad in a single day. He didn't say anything else to her while he rolled onto his back and opened up the journal.
After he looked at the pages for a minute, he turned his head to Shego and said softly, "Sheila, you don't have to be sneaky. If you want to read what's in this, all you had to do is ask. I figured you would want to read it after your talk with Sara. So, I left it out for you. I know Sara has read it while she doesn't know that I know. I don't want any secrets between us. Feel free to read as much of this as you want."
When Merrick was finished speaking, he flashed Shego another smile and handed the journal to her while he rolled back onto his side. Shego reached out for the journal while her hand shook. Her nerves were shot over Merrick catching her and her having the fear of him getting mad. At the sight of Shego's hand shaking, Merrick's smile turned to a frown and he wrapped Shego in his arms.
Shego busted into tears while she snuggled up to him and she said through the sobs, "Mal, I'm so sorry."
"Hey, hey, now. It's ok. I'm not mad at you for reading it," Merrick said softly while he carcess Shego's back with his hands.
"No, Mal. It's not that. I'm sorry for hurting you earlier," Shego said while she buried her head in Merrick's chest.
"Sheila, it's ok. I understand your not ready to talk about getting married," Merrick said sadly while he pulled Shego closer to him.
Shego shook her head and lifted it from Merrick's chest. She stared him in the eyes while tears streamed out of her eyes. While she wiped the tears way, she stated, "Mal, I been having the same thoughts. I thought it was still too soon to talk about it but after earlier, I realized I feel the same way about you like you do me. I don't see you as a high school fling. I love you and want to be with you too."
Merrick lowered his eyes from Shego for a second after her statement then he turned his stare back to her eyes while he smiled happily at her. Shego tried to smile back while she continued to cry.
"Come here, I'm so sorry for making you cry," Merrick unhappily said while he pulled Shego right up to him that her face was inches from his.
Shego stared at his eyes for a second then flashed him a smile before she kissed him, which resulted in them making out. They only made out for a second before Shego stopped them and she smiled at Merrick's smiling face.
After she smiled at Merrick, she laid her head on his shoulder and whispered, "Mal, I love you and I'll wear the ring until you get me a new one," while she held the ringed finger in front of Merrick's face.
Merrick chuckled at her statement and hugged her the hardest she ever felt. They held the embrace in the moonlit room for a long time and they laid there in silence. Before long, Merrick had drifted off to sleep while he still held onto Shego. She didn't mind. She had just fixed a problem by telling Merrick what he wanted to hear and she was enjoying him holding her while she knew he was happy again.
Though it would be uncomfortable for Shego to use Merrick's head as a pillow, she did. But only for a minute because she couldn't fall asleep. She let out a sigh and lowered her head into Merrick's chest. She pressed her ear against his chest and listening to his heart's lullaby while she drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, Shego woke before Merrick and saw they hadn't moved an inch since Merrick enclosed her in his arms. She giggled at the sight of him sleeping away with no cares while he held her in his arms. She nuzzled her head in his chest to wake him but he kept on snoozing. Then an idea hit Shego and she giggled at the notion while she ran a hand down his side. She knew it would wake Merrick. A moment later, Merrick started stirring in his sleep and started squirming in bed while he held onto Shego. Shego giggled at him reacting like he was and she continued to do what she was doing until Merrick let out a moan and his eyes popped open while Shego realized what she done.
Shego giggled at Merrick's look and planted a kiss on his lips. She held the kiss only for a second and pulled away from Merrick while she stated, "Good morning, sleepy head. Now on if you don't wake when I want you to, what just happened will happen everytime."
Merrick gave her a sleepy grin and nodded to her while he said, "Now, that's some wake up call."
"You better believe it. Now I'm going to fix us breakfast. I think you need a shower," Shego said with a giggle while Merrick let her out of his arms.
"Yes, because someone wouldn't let me sleep in peace," Merrick stated right as Shego took his journal and started to leave the room.
Shego laughed at his statement and left the room while she felt happy over them making up over a silly fight. If Merrick called it a fight then the couple were both agreeing it was a fight. Shego felt it was, though she wasn't sure what they were fighting over. They have never had an arguement over anything like they did the night before. They ended up hurting one another over the same thoughts they were having.
Shego sighed at how good Merrick was to her. He didn't even get mad at her for reading in the journal he now gave her. She now had all kinds of personal thoughts Merrick had while he lived in Toyah. It thrilled her to learn about Merrick without him showing or telling her and she was doing just that while she cooked breakfast. She was searching for any entries that dealt with Tina because she was curious how Merrick felt about the girl. Finally, Shego happened upon on an entry that caught her eye because she seen the name Tina written bigger than the rest of Merrick's writing and it had no date. Shego narrowed her eyes while she read the entry and smiled at what Merrick wrote because he meant her without ever meeting her.
Well, isn't that a shocker. Tina just dumped me. Her excuse was me not being a man. It's funny, I thought I was. Or I was the last time I went to the bathroom. If she's hunting for someone to sleep with, she really got that with the guy she dumped me over. I hope she likes the sick, perverted type because that's what she got now. I be lying if I say the break up isn't bothering me but I'll get over it. I know one thing, she lost a great chance, which I'll give to any other lucky girl. Well, I be lucky too if I find a girl that could put up with me being like I am. I might have to move away to find a girl that will love me for me. I plan to never put up a fake front to impress a girl. That way I won't be lying to her and I can tell what she's really after. Until the day I met such a girl, I decided to stop dating. Really, what's the point? All the girls I dated besides Sara has either gave me a bad name or cussed me everywhere they see me. It's hard for me to describe the perfect girl. I guess she has to be special in some way compared to the other girls, someone who doesn't want us to sleep together. Strange for a guy to think that way but that's how I am. I rather go swimming or sit in the house watching TV besides laying naked in a bed with a girl. I guess she has to be different than the girls around here. Kinda sick of the blonde hair, blue eyes. Maybe the opposite, like black hair and any colored eyes besides blue. My mom had green eyes, so I guess green eyes be the first pick on colors. So a black hair, green eyes will be the first on my list to find. If I find her, maybe she'll like me. But I still have to leave here to find such a girl because there's nothing but blonde hair, blue eyes everywhere I go.
Merrick
While Shego read the entry, Merrick slipped up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist while he laid his chin on her shoulder. Shego giggled at him doing this while she continued to read and re-read the entry. When she wouldn't pay him any attention, Merrick started to make her sway back and forth which caused Shego laugh again.
"So, what entry you got your eyes glued to," Merrick asked happily while he made Shego dance with him.
Shego let out a sigh and turned her head to look at Merrick laying his head on her shoulder while she questioned, "Mal, did you ever believe you find a black hair, green eyes?"
"Honestly, no. That's kinda the reason I started to like you from us first meeting," Merrick said while he peeked over Shego's shoulder to see the entry he wrote long ago.
"Well, you have me now and after we get out of school, we'll be together, always," Shego said while she closed the journal and spun around to face Merrick.
She smiled at Merrick for a second then kissed him on the lips. But she held Merrick back to keep them from making out. Merrick was puzzled by this and Shego giggled at his look.
"Sorry, Mal, but I want us to stop fooling around. We can still kiss and hug like we did before we came here. I just want to save all our energy for our honeymoon," Shego said while she winked at the word honeymoon.
Merrick smiled at the wink and stated, "Ok with me as long as you don't bite my ear again."
"I promise I won't. We have experienced our pleasures for now but wait until we're married. I'll make your head spin," Shego said while she enjoyed how Merrick was capable of understanding things.
"So, what you got planned for today," Merrick questioned after he chuckled at Shego's notion of what it be like after their married..
"Well, what did you do when you were here alone," Shego said while she turned in Merrick's arms to go back to her cooking.
"Sitting in the house, watching TV or go for walks and---get in high speed car chases," Merrick said with a laugh while he peeked over Shego's shoulder and watched her cooking.
"Oh, well today either you are to go for a walk or get in a car chase because I want to be alone so I can read your journal," Shego commanded while she giggled at herself telling Merrick what to do.
Merrick laughed as well as at what Shego said and he stated, "Yes, ma'am. I'll leave you alone so you can learn about me from my point of view."
The couple laughed at the silliness while they stayed in their embrace and Shego finished cooking. After they were finished with the breakfast, Shego reassured Merrick she wanted to alone and he left her at the kitchen table while he stated he was going to go see what Texican's up to. Shego had to ask who Texican was and Merrick explained he was a thoroughbred Mexican who was born in Texas. Shego scowled Merrick because she thought he was making fun of whoever Texican was.
Merrick laughed off what Shego said to him and he explained, "He's the one that said his name was Texican. I don't know him by any other name."
"Oh, well ok. Go on now so I can read this journal," Shego said with a smile while she waved Merrick on.
Merrick only nodded to her and slipped out of sight. While Shego was clearing the table, she heard Merrick fire up Lawless and head off into the distance. She shook her head at how crazy he was while driving the car. She knew he would get in another high speed chase before the day was over. At least he left her the keys to his truck, she might want to go somewhere too or so she could go get Merrick out of jail. After Shego finished what tasks she thought she had to do, she settled in a recliner that was in the living room and started reading Merrick's journal from beginning to end.
The journal became like a novel to Shego. She was amazed at how many pages Merrick filled. Shego figured if Merrick had added an entry once every month since he was three, there would be over a 156 entries but it looked like it was at least four times that. It still amazed Shego that a kid Merrick could write as well as any high schooler. Just by reading what Merrick wrote told Shego that Merrick was smarter than he put on. He described his thoughts and feeling with such detail that Shego felt the same feelings Merrick was feeling while he wrote the entries. She would laugh, cry, get upset, and happy by what went on in Merrick's life. The funniest thing Shego read about Merrick's life was him trying out as a rodeo clown, which caused him to have several close calls with bulls. He gave up being a clown because he felt it was too dangerous for him.
Shego learned alot about Merrick by what she read and she was only half way through the journal when she realized it was past noon. She was going to finish the journal before Merrick came back. Though she wanted to spent the entire week with Merrick, she wanted to learn anything about him that he never told her. But everything she read in the journal describe the Merrick she was already dating. She only doubted Merrick was for real when they started dating but after reading his journal, her thought of him being genuine concreted her thoughts of him being perfect. Shego finally finished the journal while it started getting dark outside and she started to grow concern over where Merrick was.
She started to pace about the home while she got worried over the thought of something happening to Merrick. Knowing how he drove Lawless didn't help ease Shego's fears. Shego then thought of an idea while she was near panicking. She sat down at the kitchen table with Merrick's journal in one of her hands and a pen in the other. She flipped to the first blank page she came to and she started writing. Before long, Shego got lost in her writing and she forgot what was bothering her until she finished her entry. She closed the journal and let out a sad sigh. But before she could leave the chair she was sitting in, she hear the sound of a car motor rush by the house and go into the garage around back.
Shego wondered about this for a second then she heard police sirens in the distance. She giggled and shook her head at Merrick being crazy. While the sirens blared in the distance, Shego got out of her chair and eased to the back door. She waited out of sight for Merrick to enter and when he did, Shego tackled him to the floor.
The only thing Shego said before she kissed him was. "I missed you."
Merrick chuckled during the kiss and they started to make out while the police sirens came up to the front yard. The couple continued to kiss while the police came up to the front door and banged on it while they hollered for the couple to open the door.
Shego stopped the kissing only long enough to look back at the front door and she hollered at the police, "Go away! We're busy right now!"
She then went back to kissing Merrick while the police obeyed the law that was going to chance someday. They left the front door and the police cars sped back down the only road that led to Merrick's home. Between the kissing, Merrick chuckled and he rolled in the floor with Shego in a fight over who was going to be on top during the kissing. Shego finally won the fight and she finally stopped kissing Merrick after she had him panting for air.
While they laid there looking in one another's eyes, Shego bluntly asked, "So, where you been all day?"
"Well, I went and seen Texican this morning and I decided to come back here after the visit but Sheriff Dimpsy got after me and all day they been chasing me. I got worried that they were finally going to catch me. I had to run through four different counties. They pulled out all the stops this time and my uncle wondered why I couldn't sell Lawless," Merrick said cheerfully.
"Think its time you retired lawless. Want to see what I done while you were away," Shego stated while she pressed her hands in Merrick's chest to get out of the floor.
"Sure," was all Merrick said while Shego helped him out of the floor.
Shego then led him by the hand into the kitchen and made him sit down in a chair at the kitchen table. She giggled for a second while she picked up the journal and handed it to Merrick.
"I hope you don't get mad with what I did," Shego stated while Merrick took the journal from her.
"I wouldn't have gotten mad if you burnt it," Merrick said while he opened the journal and flipped through the pages.
He flipped to the very last page and looked at it for a second before he looked up at Shego standing beside him. She smiled at him and he smiled back before he started reading the entry.
June, 14
Mal has found his black hair, green eyes. Though he doesn't know it, I love him just as much as he loves me. I never told him this but from our very first date I thought he was the perfect guy for me. The way he treats me is more than any girl deserves. I still feel bad about hurting his feelings last night but today I'm wearing his ring. I'm going to continue to wear it until he replaces it with a better ring. That day I will be wearing a white dress and he will be wearing, (hopefully), a tux. Mal is my world now as much as I am his. He took me away from the things I hated. He was the one guy I have always wished for and now I have him. He got me to do things without trying. One was a burnt cake. I love his company, his laughter, the way he makes me laugh, the way he makes me feel when we kiss, and I especially love the way he is. Because he was differnet I fell in love with him. I started to love him after our fourth date. I even whispered it to him while he drove away. Though he doesn't know it, I want him to be the first and only. He knows what that means. I don't plan for it to happen anytime soon but someday it will and I want Mal to be the guy I spend that time with.
Right now he's gone and I'm missing him while I'm worried something has happened to him. I hope not. I be heart broken if something ever happens to him. I love him too much to move on after him and I doubt I ever find another guy that could replace him. I think Mal's my soul mate.
Sheila Gosset
After Merrick read the entry, he closed the journal and sat it down on the table. He sat there for a second before he reached over and pulled Shego to him. Merrick sat her down on his lap while he smiled at her. After Shego was sitting in his lap, Merrick wrapped his arms around her and hugged her.
While Shego wrapped her arms around Merrick's neck, she said tenderly, "Do you like that? It's the truth."
"Yes, Sheila. I'm sorry I never share my feelings like that but I feel the same way," Merrick said while he sounded like he was about to cry.
"Oh Mal, I don't want to see you cry. I will too and you hate to see me cry," Shego said softly while she started to nuzzle her head against Merrick's.
Merrick chuckled at Shego rubbing his head with hers and he hugged her harder. They held their embrace for a long time without saying a word. Shego stopped nuzzling Merrick during their embrace and laid her head on Merrick's shoulder. She sighed happily several times in Merrick's ear and before long, she started to drift off to sleep at the comfort she felt in Merrick's arms. Merrick stopped her from going to sleep by saying he was going to take a shower then call it the night. Shego giggled for a second then gave Merrick a goodnight kiss before she climbed out of his lap. After Merrick was standing, he took Shego by the hand and led her to her room, which he knew she wasn't going to stay in because he stated to Shego to wait there until he was fast asleep. Shego only smiled at him before she went into her room.
Shego knew they would never break up now while she flopped down on her bed. She stared at the ceiling for a long time thinking over what it be like after they were married. She knew everyday wouldn't be happy and they might get mad at one another for something but deep down they would love each other while their were mad.
That's what make ups are for, Shego said with a giggle while she opened up Merrick's journal and re-read some of the entries.
She had some favorite entries that she kept reading over and over. All of them dealt with Merrick telling how he would love a girlfriend and later a wife. It amazed Shego how well Merrick planned ahead. Even when he stated in some entries that he might never find anyone who will marry him, he still thought out how he would love a wife. Shego came to realize Merrick always looked on the brighter side of things, even in the times when everything was dark to him. The only touchy subject he never got over was the death of his mom and sister. He had several entries that he blamed himself for their deaths and he would state he wished they were still alive. Shego read only one bright side of Merrick over the issue and that was when he was thankful for things happening like they did because it made him who he was. She loved that entry because Merrick's life made him into the guy she loved. Shego thanked whoever or whatever came across Merrick's life and now she was in his life. Maybe even forever after they graduate. Shego wanted to move back to Toyah or somewhere like it because her life in Go City will be over once Merrick slips the ring on her finger.
After Shego thought she gave Merrick enough time to fall asleep, she slipped into his room for a fourth time since they been on their trip. The rountine was the same, her whispering her pet name for him then climbing in bed with him once she knew he was asleep. Shego was waiting the day that she didn't have to show Merrick such respect by doing as he asked. Deep down, she knew Merrick wanted her to come right in and fall asleep with him when he did but she knew he was right. It be wrong of her to do but she wanted to at the same time. While she can just slip in after he was asleep, she will and cuddled up to him while he dreamed. She didn't mind, she would get what she wanted someday. They will be happily married then. As Shego drifted off to sleep, she started to dream about a life after they were married.
The next morning and the all the others after on the couples trips, Shego would wake before Merrick did and she would give him a good morning kiss to wake him. They would lay in bed for a minute before a make out secession happened. After the kissing, Shego and Merrick took turns fixing breakfast. The rest of the day, and all the other days on the couple's trip, they spent in the living room cuddled up in the couch watching TV and occasionally a make out secession happened. When the couple got bored with staying in the home, they would take a ride in Merrick's truck and usually end up at the lake for a swim.
Shego enjoyed the simple activities they were doing. She said she didn't care what they did as long as she was with Merrick. She was telling the truth because she was enjoying herself while she spent an entire week with Merrick. It gave her a taste of how life with Merrick all of the time would be like. The only things they didn't do was go for a ride in Lawless and intimate things they started to do at the beginning of their trip. Neither Shego nor Merrick tried to go beyond where they were and they didn't cause the other to lose it. By them holding back their urges, they grew to love the other more and they found out how much fun they could have together without sexual interest. Shego saw why Sara and Randy were together for some long without going beyond where they were. She enjoyed being in the same state her and Merrick were in and she could tell Merrick was too.
He would laugh and carry on without a hint of wanting to do anything but hug and kiss Shego, which she didn't hesitate to return back in kind. They spent the remainder of the last night on their trip cuddled up on the couch talking about marriage. A subject they agreed to talk more about after they got home. They knew it was still too soon to get serious in the talk but they were in true love and they were looking forward to spending all their time together after they get married.
On the morning the couple started to pack and leave Toyah, Shego left Merrick's journal under the pillow from where she first took it. The journal was hers now but she wanted to leave it in it's rightful place until they returned to Toyah on another trip or after they were married. She wanted the next entry to be the last and the most happiest one in the entire journal. While the couple started leaving Toyah, they agreed to never speak of what happened there on their trip. Just like a slogan from a major city to the northwest of them. They weren't ashamed of what they did but it was no one else's business to know anything personal to Shego and Merrick.
The couple spent their time on the road stopping at any landmarks along the way and enjoying themselves while they headed home. Shego knew Merrick was delaying their arrival back to Go City and she was glad he was. She would have to deal with her brothers when she got home because she didn't tell them she was leaving on the trip with Merrick. It was none of their business and Shego knew she was going to get fighting mad when she came into the tower. She didn't care because she got what she wanted on the trip. A ever growing love from the one guy she thought was perfect and who wants to be with her for the rest of their lives. A guy who took her away from it all and loved her unconditionally. The very thing she wished for before she met Merrick.
Author's note 2: It took me about a week to get this story in order and I'm on the next chapter already. Not sure if the next chapter be as long but it might be. I know this chapter got a little mushy. Well, a lot but I wanted to show a side of Shego in love. She's still human after all and a teenager in this story.