I do not own any of the characters I am using, except for my OCs. All rights go to their respected owner.

For the next couple days, Merle avoided Beth, stayed out of her way, and if they had to be in the same room, he kept his eyes off her, as if she wasn't there. He worked hard with the others, but kept to himself like usual. He needed to keep himself distant, and away from her. Reward her, and then leave for a week, give or take a couple days. Repeat, until she cracked. He wasn't sure how she would crack yet though.

Beth began to push Merle away, she stopped searching him out, stopped searching every room for his face. She just went back to normal, but her stomach had a constant dull ache, and she couldn't get rid of it. It was there because she realized Merle just teased the once and then figured out she was a child, who got stuck unable to protect herself.

After a week of no contact with each other, Beth had enough of everything. She stopped thinking about Merle. He didn't want anything to do with her, he thought of her as a young girl, a baby. She went through with all her normal chores, which was most often taking care of Judy.

That was what she was doing when Merle entered her cell, and leaned against the wall, just silently watching her. His presence filled the room long before you knew he was there. Beth stayed silent and kept feeding Judith, not looking up or acknowledging him.

"Ignorin' me now, baby girl?" He drawled, chuckling under his breathe. He had to admit, she had drive. He had noticed her searching him out in rooms, and then abruptly stopping one day. She had given up. Poor thing had no idea what was coming.

"Go away," she said, setting down the now empty bottle, and began to soothingly rock the small child, her heartbeat speeding up.

"Oh don' be like that! Ya mad at me?" He chuckled out, before continuing," why would such a sweet thang like you be mad at ol' Merle for?"

"Just go away, I don't want you here," she tried again, her face heating up and her hands starting to sweat. What was this man doing to her? She needed to calm down. She shut her eyes, and instantly the farm appeared, before everything went bad. She was with her mom on the porch. They were chatting, about nothing and everything. Once she calmed down, she opened her eyes.

she squealed as she saw Merle crouched down in front of her, his trademark smirk set on his face as he watched her. She had to admit, he was fast. Her heart quickened again and a soft blush covered her cheeks. She opened her mouth about to speak when he leaned close, only an inch away. She stared down at his lips, imagining how it would feel to kiss them. He leaned closer and simply, and surprisingly soft, kissed her. It was a chaste kiss, and it ended as quick as it started.

"Have a good night, baby girl," he drawled into her ear. He was gone right after, and she found herself alone with Judith, who was now fast asleep, oblivious to what had just taken place.

Setting Judith in her crib, Beth sat on her bed, softly touching her lips. What had just happened?

Merle had been avoiding her for about a week, an then suddenly he's in her cell, and then he kisses her? What was that all about? No contact for a whole week and then suddenly she had his full attention. It was like he was toying with her, leading her on, then making her hate him, and then he was in her personal space again. She hoped this wouldn't become a regular thing, she wasn't sure she would be able to take it.

Deciding to deal with it tomorrow, she slipped into her bed and fell into a dreamless sleep

Beth woke up to Judy crying, and no sunlight coming from the prison windows. the sun hadn't risen yet. Yawning and stretching out her arms, she silently got out of her warm and somewhat comfortable bed to walk up to Judith's crib. Picking up the restless child, she began to rock her. She hummed to calm her down, and for once, it worked. The baby slipped back into sleep, and Beth went back to bed.

She couldn't sleep though, all she thought about was Merle. The feel of his lips on her's. His scruff brushing against her cheek and chin. She squirmed in her bed, causing a squeak to erupt around her. She stilled, hoping she hadn't woken anyone.

Not hearing any movement from anyway else, she let out a breath and relaxed, unknowingly slipping into a dreamless sleep.

Beth woke up like any other day, rushing around with Judith and helping with breakfast, which consisted with making and passing out. Seeing Merle walk in, she grabbed a plate and handed to the one handed male, who nodded in thanks.

"Couldn't sleep last night, baby girl?" He drawled softly, so only the young Greene could hear.

At his words he froze, a red tint engulfing her cheeks before she scurried away to hand more out, which caused old Merle to smirk and begin eating.

The rest of the day there was no contact between the two again. And Beth got more annoyed. He was toying with her emotions and he knew it. And she was not happy about it. The blonde wanted revenge, but if she knew what was on Merle's mind, she'd go running for the hills.

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