Merle and Michonne arrived at Tonya's house. Her house was equally as nice as Michonne's. Well...what used to be hers. He wondered what she or her husband did for a living. Hopefully her man wasn't an asshole to her too. Michonne pulled out her iPhone and dialed Tonya's number.

"Hey, I'm outside." She replied, then hanging up the phone. Minutes later a short black woman with long, black parted hair opened the door. She looked to be about Michonne's age. She was light-skinned but she was pretty. He hoped she was nice like Michonne was. She wore a simple white t-shirt and jeans, Andre' was attached to her petite body; his almond-colored eyes lighting up once he saw his mommy step out of Merle's truck.

"Thank you so much!"

Tonya being her nosy self completely bypassed her grateful friend, watching Merle as he opened his truck door and stepped out. He leaned against the metal frame of it, his eyes not departing from Michonne for one minute. A blind man could see how fixated he was on her. "Who is that?" She asked.

Michonne motioned Merle over to meet her good friend. "This is Merle Dixon," She introduced. "He runs the hunting shop down the road."

Tonya scrunched up her nose and mouth. "I'm well aware of the name." Shit here we go again. He once relished his infamy, but now it seemed to be bothersome in the area of romance. Michonne didn't seem to believe any of them...aside from the story of him stabbing that thief in the ass-cheek. Most of the stories were true, but he wasn't so proud of them now.

"What's wrong?"

"He's that racist sociopath everyone has been talking about!" Tonya said to Michonne, unwaivering in her alarm.

He rubbed at his chin. "Look lady," He said firmly. "I don't know what you heard but I really don't give a-," Michonne put her finger to his lips. Her finger was so soft and dainty, but had authority over him nonetheless. He grabbed her hand, kissing it. "Sorry."

She blushed, then looking at her. "He saved me."

Tonya was surprised to see that "racist sociopath" being pliant and eating out of Michonne's hand. Her response caught her full attention. "What happened?"

She broke down immediately, Merle caressing her petite body. "Mike tried to beat me-" She managed to say. She was ashamed and embarrassed, even mentioning it to one of her good friends.

Tonya was livid. "That son of a bitch," She snarled. She would beat his ass herself if he ever saw him again. "How long?"

"It doesn't matter,"

She looked at Merle. The hell if it didn't. Why wouldn't she tell her? How could that have flown above the radar until now. She felt guilty about not checking Mike out enough. "How did you save her?"

"I beat the living hell out of home boy." He said in a matter of fact way. "Me and my brother are helpin' her pack and she's movin' in with us." She would move in and he could protect her and her boy. He wanted to be closer to her .

She was shocked by all of this. "You have a place with me, Trent won't mind."

"I'm okay with this arrangement," Michonne mentioned with a light laugh. "I have a job at the shop too." She said excitedly. Tonya hadn't seen such life and happiness in her friend in a long time.

"Can I talk to you for a minute?" Tonya asked discreetly.

Merle's ears twitched. "You want me to take Andre' to the truck?"

Tonya was struck by a feeling of alarm while Michonne giggled like a love struck school girl. "Do you even know how to hold a child?"

"I do," He said confidently. "I took care of my brother for a long time," He reached for Andre', the young boy eyed him curiously but didn't cry. Tonya watched him with scrutiny in her eyes. The two women were surprised as they watched him hold Andre'. "Been a long time since I held a brat," He said with a gentle smile. "The technique is still the same though," Andre' blinked his wide eyes and watched Merle attentively. Tonya's expression softened. He was in awe of the boy, something as beautiful as him came from her. Hs reached in his pocket and pulled out Andre's beloved duck toy. He made a faint sound of glee as he latched on to the small toy with his nimble fingers. "Hey, kid. You wanna take a ride in my truck?"

He eyed the dark blue carseat sitting in the doorway. He picked it up, still waiting for an answer from Michonne and her critical friend. He effortlessly held Andre' snuggly against him with one arm, while holding the sturdy carseat in his other hand.

Andre babbled happily as he looked at the rough man. Andre liked Merle. Maybe he did remember him from the shop and the kindness of him giving him his duck toy. Young children were intuitive about people, and if Andre' was comfortable she could be too.

"We'll be in the truck if you need us." He said, not looking away from Andre's innocent gaze.

Tonya looked at Michonne. "Okay," She mused, still apprehensive. "S o he's good with Andre?" She asked, folding her arms.

Michonne smiled. "Apparently so." She was shocked when her typically vocal friend was silent. She looked back at Merle while he played with Andre'. He made a series of comical faces and gestures at the young boy. He laughed gleefully and eyed the gentle giant of a man. A rough man like Merle interacting so positively with a young child certainly got her engine purring. He didnt bat an eye when he invited her and Andre' to stay with him and Daryl.

Tonya could see the enchantment in Michonne's eyes. "Youd better not be falling in love with that man." She warned in a mtter of fact way.

Michonne laughed. "Oh please," She retorted with a huff. "we're just friends." her insides churned in protest of that statement. They were just friends. He was just looking out for her because it is the right thing to do. Yeah. She looked back at him longingly. That was the most interaction that Andre' had ever had with a male figure. It was nice. Merle didnt see Andre' as a burden either.

"Just friends my ass," She joked, nudging her. "He likes you."

"Friends." Michonne said in an effort to cut her persnickety friend off.

She shrugged. "Well if Andre doesnt mind him i guess i can let up a little."

Michonne blushed. "You act like I'm marrying the man!"

"Well you never know what the future holds," Tonya said with a wink. Only Tonya could go from not liking a guy for Michonne to condeming her to marry the man. "Wouldnt that be something?," She mused with a half-smile. "I mean, he's good looking in a country hick kind of way," Michonne laughed. "Seems like he has firm hands."

She attempted to stifle her sharp laughter. "I wouldn't know."

"Mmm hmm," She teased, eying her to the depths of her soul. This is what girlfriends were for...making fun of each other. "Im sure Mike knows after he beat his stupid ass." She said with a laugh.

"You shouldve seen him." Michonne said, still surprised by his reaction.

"He's protecting his woman." She teased.

Michonne shook her head and smiled. Oh please. Tonya was over the top at times and made inferences that didnt have any basis. Though she was attracted to Merle, very much so. But nothing can and will happen. Being single for a while would be best...not that he probably thought of her that way. He just felt bad for the now single mom. "I'll call you later tonight, girl. Him and his brother are helping me pack," She paused. "And then Merle is taking Andre and I out to dinner."

Michonne could see the wheels turning in Tonya's head. Perhaps she shouldve withheld that information. "Oh, he's trying hard," She teased. "Maybe you should give him a little bit?"

"Sex?"

"Yeah," Tonya replied, rolling her eyes. "I doubt that he wants to just play house with you without utilizing bedroom privileges." She mentioned with a wink.

She discreetly looked over at Merle. Damn. He made eye contact with her as he continued playing with Andre'. He was good with Andre', he was attractive, strong and overall delicious. He wasn't her type though but she did like him. She hadn't had sex in a while either and her hormones were a bit unruly. At this point she'd love to have hot and rough sex with the crude, kind-hearted man. "I'm leaving now!" Michonne exclaimed, very flustered.

Tonya laughed as she watched her walk away awkwardly. She made her way back to Merle. He smiled at her. "See, Andre' doesn't think that I'm a bad guy." He assured her.

"I don't either."

He licked his lips and gave her a look that drove her crazy. He batted his bedroom eyes at her, briefly parting his own lips. He was pretty attractive, and she caught herself staring at his lips. She wondered how soft or rough they'd be against hers. She dimly remembered that he was taking her and Andre' out to dinner. After that she wanted a piece of Merle Dixon. She was too hot and horny to deny her attraction to him at the moment. "You gonna go easy on me, then?" He teased.

She put her hands on her hip and eyed him up. "When have I been hard on you?"

He gently bounced Andre' against his chest. "That ain't what I was getting at."

"Well what is it?" She pressed.

"Nothin'." He was talking about her not being receptive to his attraction and desire for her. Surely she wasn't that oblivious. Or maybe she was. At any rate he realized that he'd have to be more aggressive, not in the sense of being coercive. But being a rock for Michonne. He wanted to get in her good graces, Andre's too. He wasn't the type to pander to any woman...let alone their brat; but Merle did want her and would do anything to have her.

He helped her into the truck and carefully installed Andre's carseat. He gingerly placed the giggling boy into the seat and fastened him in. Michonne couldn't help but be impressed by how he took initiative...and that Andre' wasn't screaming or crying at his presence. Because let's face it, the rugged man was pretty intimating. Merle got into his seat and started up the truck. He looked at her for a moment. She was surprised that he knew how to take care of a kid. He smiled smugly. "I know how to play daddy," He said, looking back at Andre'. Michonne was blushing. Merle Dixon playing "daddy"? How endearingly hot that was to a single mom. "Don't think that I can't." He asserted. Oh how he would love to show her the wonderful things that he could do.

He was silent as he started up the truck. He figured that he'd let her ponder his response. 30 or so minutes later they arrived back at Michonne's house and began loading up the cars with her possessions. After packing all of her and Andre's suitcases Merle took her back to him and Daryl's modest home. She took in every detail as they pulled up into the plain looking yard. Luckily Merle had bitched to Daryl about cleaning up so a bothersome weight was lifted off of his shoulders. Merle got out of the truck, grabbing a few suitcases in hand; he then opened her door. He hoped that she wouldn't hate his meager dwelling. Him and Daryl got that house together, as brothers. But Merle felt a pang of inadequacy as he began showing Michonne around the house. She didn't seem to mind...and at least the Playboys and random beer cans and trash were cleaned up; but the house certainly was a step down from what she had with Mike.

She took his room while he would sleep on the couch. It would be murder on his back but she'd be comfortable and would have room to sleep and tend to Andre' comfortably. He purified his bed and washed everything to the point of it being immaculate. He was rather pleased with himself in that aspect.

Merle got a nagging feeling in the pit of his stomach. "I get it's less than what you're used to...but-"

She raised her brow. "You think I care about the size of your house?" The tone of her voice was sharp and she felt a bit insulted by his words.

He looked at her in shock. "This ain't the Taj Mahal." He went on to say.

She was offended that he'd think that she'd judge him by his home or anything else. "Don't address me like I'm a spoiled princess!" She exclaimed in protest. Sure, she had lived in semi-luxury but that didn't mean she was an entitled city slicker like he thought of most of the city people in the surrounding areas.

He was a little perturbed. He scoffed, putting his hands in his pockets. He didn't want to fight with her, but she looked so damn cute when she was talking back and defending her pride. "I ain't tryin' to fight with you," He cajoled, unable to resist her beauty. "I'm just glad that you're here." He muttered.

She turned away from him, wanting to get started unpacking her and Andre's things. She also didn't want to see his sexy gaze. She could feel his penetrating blue eyes on her body and she was slightly aroused from it. Damn. Stop it. She didn't want to think about his look. She didn't want to acknowledge that he was in fact attracted to her. That would be dangerous.

"Glad you're here where it's safe," He said with his southern drawl. Why did he have to talk like that to her? He talked to everyone else the same way, but with her it was different. His brashness was toned down, he even seemed a tad softer and gentle. He walked towards her, then standing silently behind her. He gently smoothed his hands down her shoulders. "I wanna take care of you." He asserted. The feel of his heavy, firm hands tantalized her nerve-endings like a sharp electric sensation. She wondered where else would feel good underneath Merle's touch.

She tensed up after a few brief moments of blissful skin on skin contact. She whirled around to meet his gaze. She channeled her arousal into annoyance as she looked at him with her arms folded.

"I'm sorry." He said with penance evident in his rough and unyielding voice.

Her mind was ping-ponging all over the place. It was too soon for this. They had just met. And she's newly single. A roll in the hay with Merle Dixon would probably be as hot and otherworldly as she thought, but she had Andre' to think about. Opening herself to a man that wouldn't be a permanent fixture was stupidly at its' finest. But damn if it wasn't tempting. She was a mom, but she was a woman too. Being around Merle would be a challenge.

He shook his head. "Forget it," He said, exasperated. "I ain't sorry," He gazed at her longingly and unashamed. Merle was as hot as 9 Georgia nights. He knew this. He just had to, and her body willingly acknowledged his male presence. "Just unpack your stuff and be ready for dinner." He said gruffly.

"Don't talk to me like I'm a kid." She said begrudgingly.

He seemed likely to blow his top. What was her problem?! He let her into his home and she wanted to fight. "Why are you tryin' to fight with me?"

She turned away from him and began dutifully unpacking her clothes. "Thank you for letting me stay."

He whirled her around. "We ain't done, gal," He said, his voice strained. His mouth was dry, his head ached and his cock was hard. Despite her pliancy and control she was feisty and straightforward...except with her desires. He was alive long enough to know a woman. He hadn't met any like her before but he sure as hell would like to know her, in every way possible. "You need to say somethin'?"

Her body was pressed against his and she could feel his male desire pulsating against her. Damn that was hot. "No." She forced herself to say. He was hot. Andre' was sleeping in his crib in the living room and Daryl was out. If she did succumb to Merle's charm who would know? She boldly placed her hands against his chest, wanting to take note of each contour and ridge underneath his shirt. She was exhausted emotionally and unfulfilled sexually. He sighed in relief, feeling her gentle touch. He really wanted that.

He pressed his lips against hers and bought her closer. He parted her lips with his tongue, eager for a taste of her sweet breath. He grabbed a fistful of her course dreads, deepening the hot and needy kiss. The kiss was like gasoline and a flame. The feel of Merle's lips was to die for, while the feel of her lips was irresistible to him. Her perky breasts pressed against his chest and his aroused dick pressed against her thigh. Michonne had the habit of thinking things out too much, but it wouldn't do her any good now. Merle was sexy...and a good friend. What harm would a little adult interaction do?

She kissed him back, reaching down and massaging his cock. He was like newly cast steel against her gentle hands. A moan of approval escaped her full lips and she froze as she felt his hands exploring the front of her thin nightgown. His touch was greedy and uninhibited as he kept his lips against hers. He seemed to be out of breath but feeling her body and connecting with her like this was more important than air. Hell, at least if he died he would have known her lovely lips and curves. He could tell that she wanted him as much as he wanted her. Her hands were just as greedy as his and he loved every second of it. He lifted her gown and a low growl escaped his throat. "Don't look." She heeded.

"Why?" He pressed, putting his mouth to her neck and gently suckling it.

"Don't." She snapped.

He felt a patch of rough skin on her upper thigh. Against her wishes he stooped down and took a look. It was a large scar, it may have been a burn. It went from the width of her upper thigh, just the front of it. "Oh, darlin'...," He said softly. He instantly knew. Another scar courtesy of that shitbag. It just had to be. "Did he-?"

"Leave it alone."

Merle's temper began to boil. "He did that to you?" He asked in a frenzy.

"Yes." She said, ashamed as she looked down at him.

"Let me kiss it for you, sweetheart." He cajoled, looking up at her. She slowly nodded. He kissed the scar, gently below the right leg of her black silk panties. She moved up her nightgown, holding it up with a trembling hand. Her lower half was exposed minus her thin silk panties; and his lips did feel good on other parts of her. His lips were a welcomed stranger to her body. He was oh so gentle with her. He was so close to her clothed pussy he could smell her faint musk. The scent was hypnotizing and gripped the depths of his being. He wanted to move her panties to the side to get a quick taste of this Ebony goddess. But he couldn't. She was still hurting and the last thing he wanted was to take advantage. With her none of the rumors about him existed or were true. She seemed to have just thought of him as any other man, which was nice.

He stood up and met her gaze once more. "Get ready for dinner, sweetheart." He said, taking control of his primitive brain.

"You kissed me...and-"

And she touched him. And it felt so good. "It's okay if you didn't like it." He muttered, forcing out his words. Rejection was every man's fear but maybe it was best if he'd just play the good friend role. It would be harder but at least awkward things wouldn't happen. Well, actually it was too late for that.

She smiled at him. "I did like it.

A painful blush claimed his rough and prideful face. "Get ready for dinner," He barked, walking away from her. "I'll pick up some ointment for you later."

"The burn isn't fresh-," She hesitantly explained. "It's-"

"It'll help with the healing," He replied stoically, walking out of the room and in to the kitchen. She watched him go, wondering why he didn't keep kissing her. Maybe he was as conflicted as she was. He leaned against the counter. It was too soon. It had taken everything in him to not continue kissing her, and more. "Shit." He said through gritted teeth. He'd have to control himself. But she kissed him back...surely that meant she felt the same way. No. It was too soon. Most likely she was still upset about the whole Mike thing. He reached for a beer in the fridge, then thinking twice. He put it back. No more drinking.

After getting settled in she changed into a pink blouse and form-fitting jeans with black open-toed sandals. She eloquently put her dreads in a high ponytail. She found Merle in the kitchen, apparently in mental distress. "Taking your sweet time, huh?" She joked.

He grunted. "Where do you want to eat?" He asked, bypassing her joke. She did look good. Damn, why'd she have to look so good? He wanted to play nice but she was irresistible.

"Somewhere fancy," She said with a wink. She bat her eyes at the blushing Merle, relishing in his embarrassment and awkwardness at the moment. For such a tough man he had the tendency to blush like a prepubescent girl. He was something else. "But remember, it has to have chicken nuggets for my beloved." She said with a prim smile.

He smirked, then chuckling softly to himself. "Alright, gal."