In this chapter I don't really describe Mike in any real detail. 1) because I am lazy (haha) and 2) he's an extremely minor character. It is referenced that Mike's incapacitation while being under the influence caused the death of Andre'. Mike was too high to defend his son from the hordes. Michonne hinted on her distain for him when she stated "he got what he deserved". That's just a side-note if you weren't familiar with the brief mentioning of his character.

Michonne was awakened by the sound of the gravel in her driveway shifting. A sense of panic flushed over her. "He's home," She said with widened eyes, then looking at Merle who was still sleeping soundly. She urgently shook him. "Merle!," She whispered. "Get up!"

After a few brief mumblings he woke up. "What's wrong?" He asked, stretching out and yawning.

"Mike is home!" She said frantically. Her heart was beating a mile a minute. What would she do? This wasn't good at all.

Shit. This'll be a doozy. He shouldn't have fallen asleep with her, he just should have persuaded her to give back his keys and left. He looked at her for a moment, fear and anguish was in her eyes. "Hey," He barked, firmly grabbing her arm. She looked away from him. "If he thinks you're seeing me what's he gonna do to you?" She was so panicked and scared and Merle could feel it as he touched her, as strange as that sounded. He felt closer to her after last night.

"He won't do anything." She assured, her voice unable to sound convincing to herself. She knew what he might do. Everything was one-sided after all.

He didn't believe her. "He'd best not be beatin' on you," He said ominously, releasing her arm. "I won't let him do that to you," He said firmly. He knew about abused people, his shithead of a father going to town on him with everything he could find; then he just up and left. Then Daryl began enduring the brunt of their father's wrath after Merle fled. The first time he found out Daryl cussed at him, said he hated him. That was years ago but he still feels the sting of running and leaving his beloved baby brother behind. So he sure as hell wouldn't leave her. "I'll break his neck."

"Calm down!" She whispered.

He narrowed his eyes. "I know what this is, girl," His eyes penetrated deep into her. "And it dont jive with me!" He was protective over her without a doubt, he was very attracted to her too. He was the typical male wanting to defend his female friend and potential partner. The hell if he didn't want to be her partner. Her man seemed like a joke. She seemed neglected emotionally, and he wondered if she was neglected sexually. He started thinking about sex again, at the most inappropriate times.

"I need you to hide." She said, nearly begging him. She was completely unaware of the flames of desire building in Merle.

Jesus. She was in deep. He scoffed. "If he ain't gonna do nothin' why you gotta hide me like I'm a fuckin' secret?," He pressed. "We didn't do nothin' wrong." She was an honorable woman, a woman who was probably too good for him. He tuned out and put the desires of his cock and male mind on the back burner. This was important.

"Please." She said, gently placing her hands on his heaving chest. He was as tense as could be, from adrenaline and from the endless stream of testosterone flowing through his veins in full force.

He looked at her briefly, then sighing. "Where?"

"Andre's room," She quickly said. "Mike never goes in there anyway. It's beside the master bedroom."

He shook his head. He didn't like this one bit. "Okay." He said, swallowing any other argument that he had. He made his way to his room, quietly closing the door. He was hard for her and angry at her mistreatment. If he was her man he would sure as hell treat her like a queen. He'd fuck her like one too, and put her boy on a pedestal. Fuck yeah he would. He felt the crippling urge to claim and possess.

Mike opened the door, throwing his disheveled briefcase on the ground. "Michonne," He called out in anger. "Where are you?" That snapped Merle out of his primal trance.

She emerged from the master bedroom. "Good morning." She said pliantly.

Merle was listening in. She didn't sound right, she was scared. But she wanted him hidden and he begrudgingly complied.

"Who's truck is that outside?," He asked suspiciously. "Is it a man?"

She swallowed hard. "It's Merle's truck," She replied. She looked at him and could tell that he was livid, his eyes were bloodshot. He had to be jacked up on something. Going on his fake business deals just so he could score some coke or God knows what else. He was paranoid and controlling without them, but with them life was pure hell. "He broke down a half a mile away," She said. "Him and his brother pushed it here."

He laughed. "Merle, huh?," She nodded. "You let him in?"

"Just...to use the phone." She replied, her voice trailing off in uncertainty.

He scowled. "That your thing now? That racist fucking redneck?"

"He's not-," She stopped herself mid-sentence when she saw the scathing look on his face. She slowly backed away. "And I didn't do anything with him! We're just friends!"

"Be honest with me," He pressed, walking towards her. "What did I tell you before?," She was silent. "Speak up, since I know you were having a good time." He mocked.

She tightly shut her eyes. "You...you said you'd take Andre' and leave me," She began crying. "That you'd...have someone kill me if I left you."

That was it. Merle felt rage coursing through his veins. All he needed was a concrete reason. Then he'd be on him like flies on horse shit. He eased out of the closet, putting his ear to the door. "Give me a goddamn reason." He growled, listening in closely. Merle Dixon didn't need a reason, but for Michonne's sake he needed one.

He smiled. "Glad we understand each other," He replied. "It's the same consequence if I find out that you're sleeping with him." He warned.

"He's my friend!," She said back. "And you wouldn't be accusing me if you were actually here with me and Andre'!," She went on. "All you care about is that stuff-"

"The hell do you know?," He snarled. "You got a nice house, don't you?," He was seething. "I paid for that while you raise our fucking kid. You get off easy while I actually fucking do things!"

"That's not true!," She yelled. "I may not work but I do everything for you!" Damn it. What was the point of pleading with this man? He was too sadistic but she thought of what he might do to Andre'. If she left he'd take him. And having Mike raise Andre' would be a death sentence. She didn't want that life for her beloved son.

Merle had listened to the estranged couple argue for minutes at a time before hearing Mike scowl. He immediately knew, and before Mike could bring back his hand to strike her he was behind him, tightly gripping his arm. He gripped his arm so tightly that you could hear the sounds of cracking bone. "What the fuck?!" Mike exclaimed angrily.

Michonne looked at Merle as if he was her savior. Merle whirled him around and punched him in the gut. Mike tried fighting back, but as much rage as Merle had in him for this man he overwhelmed him easily. "You wanna hit on your old lady?," He slammed him on the floor, then putting his hands around his neck. "How bout' you fight on a man," He yelled, squeezing at his neck. "Do it," He pressed. "Give me a goddamn reason!"

"O-Okay man!," Mike exclaimed through shallow breaths. "Okay!"

Merle thought about what Daryl went through and he wouldn't let that be her. "No, I'm gonna beat the living shit outta you," He raised his fist and furiously punched him in the face. "Stand up," He demanded, yanking him up by his collar. Merle had no mercy in him for this man. Beating on a woman was for weaklings, they deserved to be dealt a harsher beating. But the thought of Michonne being beaten sent him over the edge. He was volatile and could only see red. He punched Mike in the face over and over and over again until he lost the will to do anymore. Until he was tired of his blood pooling into his bruised fist. Until his blood lust was quenched. His fury subsided. He couldn't remember beating up a man that badly since a few of the neighborhood boys were picking on Daryl.

He looked back at Michonne, she raced to the kitchen. She felt liberated, but nauseous. He wiped his bloody hand on the comforter and followed after her, leaving an incapacitated Mike laying on the ground coughing. The asshole wouldn't be a threat to her anymore. His pride was hurt more than his bones...but the pain was probably pretty damn close. He saw her leaning against the table, in clear anguish. "You're okay." He soothed rubbing her shoulders from behind.

She turned around in alarm. "Y-You didn't kill him...did you?" Oh God.

He chuckled. "No," He paused, putting his hand on his hip. "Did you want me to?" Lord knows he was so captivated by her that he'd just might do anything to keep her safe.

He got a smile out of her. "No," She looked at him with gratefulness in her eyes. "I...don't want you to go to jail."

He shrugged. "Been there, done that," She seemed surprised by his candidness. But again, such a quality was difficult to find in a man. She felt blessed to have a man like Merle Dixon in her life. "I done a lot of things in my past," He said with conviction. "But I never raised my hand to a woman," He grabbed her hands, looking her unbashedly in the eye. "You don't deserve that."

She bowed her head in shame, fighting back tears.

"How often did he hit you?" He asked, moving her face to his glance. Such a beautiful creature such as herself shouldn't be hurt or tainted. He wasn't a saint but he'd stake his life to keep her safe.

She sighed, pulling away from him. "It doesn't matter." She was unsure of Merle but could definitely feel tension. She was acutely aware of his brooding body language and male desire. That didn't mean that she didn't want to address it. She had never seen a man beat a man like Merle beat Mike, not only did he fight for her honor; but he fought for dominance. She couldn't lie to herself, it was kind of sexy. But she was still hurt and embarrassed by her circumstance.

"It does," He pressed, bringing her gaze back to his. "You need to take Andre' and leave his ass." He urged.

She looked at him in desperation. "And where am I going to go?" Surely her and Andre' would be on the streets or worse.

"You can stay with me and Daryl." He said without thinking. He wanted her and her boy safe. And he could have her where he wanted her, in his house and in his longing gaze.

She laughed, his suggestion sounding preposterous and humorous to her. "I don't think so."

"And why not?" He pressed.

"I'll be crashing the bachelor pad." She replied, a bit weary of staying with two single guys. Imagine what goes on in there...it's probably a mess...and a damn hazard.

He smirked. "What do you think we do, have wild parties in there?," He joked. "I'm a hell of a lot older than I used to be." He assured her. "I don't have no time," He laughed. "Plus Daryl is boring anyway."

She stifled a smile.

"It isn't much but it's safe." He assured her.

She looked at him in apprehension. "Why open up your home to me?"

"You're my friend, ain't you?" He asked, putting a hand in his pocket and leaning against the table. He looked at her hopefully.

"I...I am a housewife...," She replied, a bit embarrassed. "Minus the wife part." She kicked herself for not sticking with her career. Now she would be out of a home and other assets because of that.

He looked at her impatiently. "And?"

She paused. "And I'm not looking to be taken care of anymore," She asserted. "I want work." Their was no way she'd fall into that trap again. Letting a man do things for her. Merle was rugged and sexy, a good ol' boy to the core.

"You're doin' my books, right?" He inquired.

"Yes, but-"

"I can pay you," He said, cutting her off mid sentence. "And I'll take care of you," He looked at her closely. "I can keep you safe," Her arms were folded and she was obviously ashamed of her predicament. She was strong, but the right shitbag or floozy would bring down any woman or man's confidence. He wanted to protect this woman with every resource he had. "No strings." He could see the wheels turning in her mind.

"No strings?"

"No strings," He repeated. She could sense the honesty in his voice. He desperately wanted her near. "Now what things can you take?"

"Our clothes...my car."

He rubbed his chin. "Alright, that's a good start. I'll call Daryl and we'll help you load up your stuff."

Meanwhile...

Daryl was cursing up a storm. He tried calling that dumbass Merle, only getting voicemail. And his damn voicemail was full. He was swamped with customers and that shithead was nowhere to be found! He would definitely kick his ass for that.

Andrea and Philip made their way into the crowded shop. "Hey, Daryl!" She called out amongst the cluster of people walking around the shop and gawking at items. They made their way to the counter. "Business is booming, huh?"

"Yeah," Daryl replied, a bit on edge. "You seen Merle around?"

She smiled.

Daryl looked at her with a side eye. "Whatchu smilin' for?"

"Philip and I were at Texas Roadhouse last night and we saw him and Michonne."

Daryl grinned. "Really now?" His annoyance with his brother subsided with relief and amusement. At least he wasn't dead or in trouble. He was just getting cozy with Michonne. Good. Maybe he won't be such a shithead. Daryl chuckled.

"We talked with them for a while actually," She paused, almost forgetting to introduce her handsome beau. "Oh, and this is Philip Blake."

Daryl reached out to shake his hand. "Daryl Dixon," He said gruffly. "Nice to meet ya."

Philip smiled, gripping his hand firmly. "Likewise."

Daryl's phone began to ring. He pulled his phone out of his back pocket. It was Merle. He answered. "You sneaky son-um-bitch," He teased. "I was about to kick your ass for leavin' me high n' dry down here but since you're with your lady-friend-"

Merle's mouth dropped. As much as he'd like for Daryl's assumption to be true he had to set his fervent younger brother straight. "Ah, you have it all wrong," He scratched the back of his neck. He sighed. "I'll explain later," He pressed. "You know where Michonne's place is right?"

Daryl leaned against the counter, thinking for a moment. "Yeah I do," He muttered. "What's goin' on?"

"I'll explain later," Merle said with urgency in his voice. "Just get down here."

"Alright," Daryl mumbled. "I'll be there," He promptly hung up the phone and looked at Andrea and Philip. "Ya'll know how to work a cash register?"

Andrea and Philip looked at each other awkardly. "Um...I don't think we're suited to do that..." Philip replied apprehensively.

Andrea looked in alarm as Daryl jumped over the counter. She shook her head. "Don't you dare leave us here!" She chided. Surely he wouldn't.

Daryl looked back at her and smirked. He would. "Y'all better learn how to operate a cash register fast," He heeded. "Nothin' like angry rednecks." He said with a faint chuckle. He ran outside and hopped in his black, 1974 camaro. He started up the car and sped off. He wasn't sure what was going on, but he was sure as hell gonna find out. He smiled, thinking about his cantankerous brother getting sweet on Michonne. A date last night...AND a sleepover. Hot damn. Good for him.

"What's with your friends, Andrea?" Philip asked with a half smile.

She shrugged, then sighing. She messaged her temples as she observed the hordes of people lining up with a variety of hunting items. "Oh come on-!" That idiot Merle Dixon owed her big time...so did Daryl.

"Daryl's on his way," Merle said, watching Michonne attentively. She was still shaken up, but she was alright. He was enamored by her, she had such strength to endure such treatment for the sake of her son's safety. That was a sacrifice of a mother that he had never seen from his own. Andre' was lucky to have a mother like her. She was a mother that would protect over maintaining her emotional well-being. He saw her weakness and wounded beauty. He reached for her. She jumped, then slowly accepting his firm touch. She relished at the feel of his arms bring wrapped around her. "You're safe," He cajoled. "I ain't gonna hurt you." God he wanted to kiss her. And so much more. He wanted to make her feel good and numb to all her stress and burdens. Damn, he really desired that woman.

She looked up at him with her gleaming brown eyes. Contrary to all of the rumors Merle Dixon was pretty gentle, and kind too.

"Start packin' your stuff, sweetheart," He urged, pushing back his primal desires. The last thing he wanted to do was scare her more than she already was. "I'll follow behind you to make sure that Sir Asswipe doesn't try anything."

She fearlessly walked into the master bedroom where Mike was laying there knocked-out and disheveled. She felt safe with Merle. He was so kind and strong...and compassionate. He readily defended her and he wanted to take care of her. Surely their had to be a catch. She didn't sweat it though, Merle was a good man, and so was Daryl. Her and Andre would be in good company. She quickly emptied out her dresser and loaded up her neon pink suitcase. She grabbed another suitcase and cleaned out her closet and was able to fit her makeup and accessories. She scurried to Andre's room and packed his clothes and toys. Merle was always intrigued seeing women pack. They can always force their whole wardrobe into one or two bags or suitcases.

"You need to go get your boy, right?"

"Yes." She said with a quick nod.

"When we're done here you can load up your car and follow me back to my house."

She put her hand on her hip. "Why are you being so nice to me?" She questioned. She wasn't stranger to the rumors around the area. Merle Dixon was a man to be feared; strong foul-mouthed...and racist. It was strange, she hadn't really gotten that vibe from him but it's something to be addressed.

"Didn't I tell you before?" He said impatiently, looking down at her. Despite having such rumors swarming around him his cock wasn't racist in the least bit.

She parted her lips, about to reply. She had no idea how sensual that was to him."People talk." In an area like theirs it was a given.

He eyed her curiously, turning his head to the side. "Bout' what, gal?" He licked his thin lips and cracked a grin.

Merle was kind of handsome, she thought while admiring his jagged gestures. But he was a crude country man. "About you." She finally said. But his body looked nice in his dingy clothes. She faintly wondered how his skin would taste against her starving tongue. Lusting after a man like Merle was uncharted territory. He was a good friend and that was all it could be. She pushed her mind's inquiries deep into her being, tuning in for his response.

He chuckled. "Well let the fucks talk."

She eyed him seriously, her hand on her hip with narrow eyes. "I'm serious."

He sat on the bed, kicking Mike's unconscious body out of the way. She looked at him in surprise as he smiled and patted the area beside him. "Talk to me then."

She sat beside him. "So you're...," She paused. "Prejudiced." She remembered their talk last night but she still couldn't believe it. She was attracted to him and she could tell that he was to her.

"Yes."

Her eyes widened. "What?"

"I am," He replied in a matter of fact way. "Does that answer things?" He was prejudiced but he certainly liked himself some Michonne. He was all but falling over himself for her. She was a beautiful sight to behold. His beliefs were the subject of many talks and stories. He simply accepted it.

"Why are you helping me then?" She pressed.

He smiled again. "Why's the sky blue?" He asked her, standing up. Truthfully he liked her and didn't want to see her in any bad situation. Maybe she forgot that little blurb. Yeah, she was a black woman. But she was a damn fine one, a good one too. Seemed like they clicked as friends from the beginning, with no effort. It was refreshing, besides the brief moment in the shop he hadn't seen her color since then. He was only aware of the beauty and strength she possessed. She was a pistol in silk. He'd love to feel her beneath his hard fingers, to stroke her trigger until her glorious eruption.

She looked up at him. "I'm serious."

They heard a knock on the door. Merle immediately became alert, his ears twitching at the piercing banging on the door. Oh thank God. He didn't have to explain the secrets of life with her. His semi-hard on was on the way out too. "Daryl, that you?" He yelled back.

"Who else would it be, shithead?!" Daryl yelled back. Typical Daryl and Merle interaction.

Merle chuckled to himself, running to the door and opening it. Daryl looked at him. "The fuck is goin' on?" Michonne emerged from the bedroom. He looked at Merle.

"I need help packing her things," He replied. "She's moving in."

Daryl scratched his head. "Movin' in where?"

"With us." Daryl chuckled uncontrollably. Merle gritted his teeth. "What in fuck's name is so funny?!"

"This is so sudden!" He said with a smirk. Hot damn. Michonne was moving in. Merle was definitely sweet on her.

He hit Daryl upside the head. "It ain't like that, jackass."

"Fuck you too," A perturbed Daryl muttered. "Now where's the stuff at?," He paced around the living room, then walking towards the bedroom. "In here?"

Merle attempted to stop him, to no avail. "I wouldnt go in there if-" He heard Daryl cussing furiously. "I were you." He finished the sentence.

"Did I just walk in on a murder scene?!" He exclaimed, ranting and raving. What the fuck did Merle do?! Why did he have to walk in on crazy shit like this?!

"No," Merle quickly said. "Let me explain," Daryl shook his head, then looking at him attentively. "After dinner she drove me home cause' I was drunk-"

"Shit, Merle-," He sighed. "Well Andrea and Philip are at the shop, she mentioned-"

"They're at the shop?!," He nearly fell out. "What in fuck's name did you leave em' there for?!" Now the pretentious Merle was ranting and raving. The poor man's blood pressure nearly spiked, between his raging hard-on and the stress of having to calm down his nervous brother.

"Cause' some dumbass called me down here," He retorted, shaking his head in disappointment. "Shit, you think the shop is gonna run itself?!"

Merle opened his mouth to rebut his snarky younger brother, but was silenced. Michonne stepped between the bickering brothers. "Can we not do this?"

"Nobody answered my question!" Daryl said in frustration. As usual he was the last to know anything. If he was going to be an accessory to a crime he'd at least need to know who he needed to bury and how!

Merle ran his hand down his face. "Long story short I was hidin' in the closet and heard him about to beat on her, I busted out and beat the livin' hell outta the bastard." He hadn't regretted it either.

Daryl snorted, then looking at Michonne with narrowed eyes and a crooked grin. "Want me to skin him?" He asked, his voice devoid of feeling.

Merle laughed, seeing Michonne look worriedly at him. "You ain't used to the Dixon humor yet." It would be something to get used to, that was for sure.

She breathed a sigh of relief. "At any rate, I'm glad you're both here."

"You mind packing up the rest of her stuff while I take her to get her boy?"

Daryl shrugged. "Go on."

Merle leaned into him. "Don't touch her panties though," He said with a wink. "I'd like to see those."

Daryl chuckled. His brother was something else, he was definitely sweet on her; but he expected that his cock would get him into some strange situations. Daryl then looked at the unconscious Mike. "Let me tie this bitch up first." He replied, reaching into his back pocket. He pulled out a small bundle of rope.

"That's my baby brother," Merle said, impressed. "Always prepared," Michonne didn't want to know why Daryl had that rope in his pocket. The Dixon brothers were rather quirky so any guess would suffice. He looked at her, gently grabbing her hand. "Come on gal." He said, dragging her outside, barefoot and still in her nightgown.

She gasped. "Wait...I'm not dressed!"

"I ain't offended." He said with a grin, helping her into the passenger side of his truck. He closed the door and quickly opened the driver's door, jumping in. The bolts and joints of the old truck whined in protest of his rough treatment. She wondered what he'd do to women. He hadn't been the most gentle...well, sometimes he was.

"I never thought I'd know what the passenger's side looked like." She joked, putting on her seatbelt.

He rubbed his chin, then starting up the truck. "I'm sorry bout' that," He said with penance in his voice. "Do you want to go to dinner tonight?" He asked hopefully.

"But-"

He could already read her mind. "You can bring your boy too," He started up the truck. "You gonna give me directions?"

"Yes," She replied, still thinking about his question. Not to mention the fact that he said she could bring Andre'. "Really?"

He put the truck in gear and began driving. "Really what?"

"I can bring Andre'?" She asked, surprised by his suggestion.

He shrugged. "Why would I say no?"

She sighed. "Never mind."

"It's alright," He assured. "He's a part of you," Her eyes widened. She then shut them, nervous about the feelings she just experienced. Why was he such a good-hearted man? After beating the shit out of Mike and comforting her, and now accepting Andre's presence. She had never been more attracted to a man than she was to him at that moment. "He ain't annoyin' or nothin' so he's alright." He mentioned with a grin. Merle Dixon liked kids, but wouldn't admit it. She laughed, her sounds of happiness fading by a genuine smile of content.

Thanks for the reviews everyone! I'm having writer's block on my other stories but this one is chugging along pretty good! I received a lot of emails about my Abe/Michonne fanfic. But the Merle/Michonne relationship is where I'm emotionally invested in at the moment. I'm still tweaking the Abe/Michonne story as well...so don't give up on it yet guys! :P stay tuned! Thanks again and wish me luck on the other chapters! Lol. My mind is going all over the place!