Starting a Meth one-shot/ short story thingy. Here's chapter1!

As normal, I don't own walking dead otherwise merle would be alive and there would be more weed :P

Drug use and attempted rape scenes coming up.

SPOILER AT BOTTOM

Beth waved as Maggie hopped into the car beside Glenn, Daryl and Randy. As the car pulled away Beth let out a happy sigh; finally some time to herself. Ever since Beth had confessed to Maggie who her crush was, Maggie had done everything in her power to prevent that crush from growing. Randy had come to the prison 2 days after Maggie and Beth's conversation, and Maggie jumped at the chance to push Beth towards someone she approved of.

Beth sighed as she carried Judith inside to Carol. Maggie was a good older sister, but she definitely had a problem accepting that Beth was now 21, and she could make her own choices in life. Beth knew who she liked, and she certainly did not like Randy.

Ever since his arrival at the prison Beth had done everything to avoid the 23 year old. Randy always stared after Beth, leering and suggesting. He had gone so far as to tell Beth he was loosing his patience, that she needed to get over her self and move into his cell. But Beth had zero intentions of doing that. Randy set off all kinds of alarms in Beth's head, he creeped her out. All of Beth's instincts were telling her to avoid Randy, but Maggie was determined the two of them would be together.

Beth smiled as she handed Judith over to Carol, the baby would serve as a good distraction for the older woman. Carol always hovered and watched when Daryl was out on runs, and Beth smiled as she watched the woman glance back out at the road. Daryl and Carol still were not an item, but they were getting very close. If it wasn't for the fact that Daryl was so clearly hung up on Carol, Beth would almost think he was the one leaving her the gifts. Starting a month ago, a CD player, batteries and a few CDs had shown up on her bed one night. Ever since then about once a week 2 more CDs would show up, of Beth's favorite artists. She had no idea who was leaving the gifts, but she certainly appreciated them

while everyone else went back to work, all Beth really wanted was to spend some time with the man she really liked. And thankfully Randy was selected to go on the run with Maggie, so Beth finally had some time to herself, to visit him.

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Merle smirked as he saw the team leave on the run from his position underneath a car. He was changing the oil on a few of the vehicles, a job he had planned out. In reality Merle had already changed the oil, done a few other things. And now he was just waiting, because he knew very soon he would have a visit.

Randy wasn't picked for the run team by random, Daryl had chosen him after Merle asked his younger brother to. Daryl asked why and Merle commented that Randy was annoying as shit and he wanted a few hours with out the little creep bothering him. But that wasn't the truth. No Merle wanted Randy out of the prison so he could get a few hours with out the little creep bothering Beth.

Merle had the good fortune one night 2 months ago of discovering he had a very conveniently placed cell. While on bed rest recovering from the governor's attack, Merle was reading one evening when voices started floating up thru the vents. Merle ignored it for a while, until he heard his own name. And once he started listening, it became very clear. Beth had a crush, and Maggie wasn't happy that the object of her little sisters affections was Merle Dixon himself.

Merle chuckled as he heard soft foot steps approaching. Beth had no idea that Merle knew she liked him, and Merle wasn't going to tell her. Nope, Beth was coming on her own volition, even if Merle knew that.

"Merle?"

Merle smirked, right on time. "under here sugar."

Beth crouched down, smiling at Merle as he pretended to adjust something underneath the car.

"Everything going good?"

Merle chuckled. "yeah, oil changes are easy. The run team left?"

Beth nodded. "headed to that mall you helped clear out."

Merle smirked. "they'll be gone for a while, there's plenty of supplies there."

Beth smiled as Merle made his way out from under the car. Merle smirked as he took in her smile. He knew they were going to be a slow burn, and he was just fine with that.

"Merle?"

Merle raised an eyebrow. "yeah sugar?"

Beth bit her lip before she looked up at Merle. "can...can you teach me how to do self defense?"

Merle nodded. "sure. Why though?"

Beth shrugged. "i never learned and I figured it would be something good to learn."

Merle chuckled. "alright. Here, let me wash up a bit and we'll get started."

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Randy smirked as Maggie took a detour into the sex shop in the mall. He followed her in and pretended to be clearing the room, but grabbed a few things and shoved them down in his bag.

Maggie heard Randy come up behind her, and smirked as she tossed him a box of condom. "here."

Randy raised an eyebrow. "i don't have a girlfriend Maggie."

Maggie snorted. "Beth's just playing hard to get, you'll need those soon."

Randy tucked the condoms away. "Beth doesn't seem to like me much."

Maggie sighed. "you just need to get some time alone together. I'll work it out at the prison so tonight you can get some time to get to know each other."

Randy smirked to himself as he followed Maggie out of the store. His plan was going to be even easier once Maggie got involved.

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Hershel made his way around the side of the prison, looking for Beth. He hadn't seen her in nearly 2 hours, since she had left Judith with Carol.

Hershel thought about his youngest as he came over to the car park. Beth had been a quiet shy girl at the start of the apocalypse, but she was changing. She was becoming a young woman, and finding her own way into adult hood. Maggie wasn't very impressed by the changes in Beth, not being used to Beth standing up for her self. But Hershel knew Beth was a good person, she just needed time to become who she really was.

Hearing Beth's laugh, Hershel stopped at the edge of the car park, watching. Merle was standing behind Beth, apparently teaching her. Merle was motioning to his abdomen, before lightly taking Beth's elbow and showing her how to hit back as she stood in front of him. Beth nodded and Merle stood tall, holding Beth back against his chest before Beth elbowed back. Merle shook his head and spoke.

"gotta hit harder then that sugar, love taps won't scare off no one."

Beth nodded and hit harder, and Merle told her to do it again, and again.

Hershel watched the two, and noticed something. Even as Beth appeared to be fighting off Merle, it was very clear she was enjoying the process. Beth was smiling even as Merle told her to hit him harder, and laughed as Merle told her good job. Merle was smirking as Beth hit him, but was gently holding Beth back.

Beth turned and looked at Merle. "what if I can't get my elbow free?"

Merle smirked. "if nothin' else head butt them in the nose, bite them. Think about it, walkers have the same muscles and teeth we do. If they can rip open someone's throat then you can too. Just gotta commit to it. Remember, if ya ever find yourself in the position to use self defense, commit to it. Do damage, don't worry about the consequences. Defend yourself and handle the fallout later sugar."

Beth nodded and the two went back to practicing as Hershel watched. Hershel chuckled lightly, self defense. That was something he should have had someone teach Beth a long time ago, and now Merle Dixon was taking time out of his day to do so.

Hershel made his way back to the cell block, thinking. Beth had mentioned that she didn't feel safe around Randy, the only other person her age at the prison. Maggie had blown Beth off, saying she was being silly. But maybe Beth was right, maybe there was something to Randy to be worried about.

Hershel sat down in his cell to read, but his mind kept coming back to seeing Merle and Beth. Any father would be worried about a 37 year old man getting up close and personal with his 21 year old daughter. But for some reason, even after everything Merle had done, Hershel trusted him with Beth. Merle clearly had an opportunity to hurt Beth earlier, but he had not taken it. In fact he was teaching her how to get out of bad situations, how to defend herself. Maybe there was something there with Merle and Beth, maybe something more.

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Beth gritted her teeth at Maggie over dinner that night.

"Maggie I told you I don't want to spend time with Randy! I don't trust-"

Maggie cut off Beth. "oh grow up Beth! Randy is the only one here your age! You're just going to the library to catalog the books, you're not marrying him yet!"

Beth fumed as she stood up. "Maggie you are not my mother!"

a cough behind her caught Beth's attention, and she turned to see Randy waiting.

"ready to work in the library?"

Beth sighed as she glared back at Maggie. "this isn't over Maggie. I'm so sick of this!"

Beth stomped out of the cell block, ignoring Randy as she headed towards the library. She had been in such a good mood yesterday, and now this? She hadn't even seen Merle since the run team came back, since he had watch and was supposed to be off at any moment. Beth walked threw the neighboring cell block into the last cell block before the library, when Randy spoke up.

"well now that we're alone-"

Beth spun around and glared at Randy. "we're going to work in the library, and that is it! I'm not interested in you Randy, I made that perfectly clear."

Randy smirked. "that's what you think."

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Merle stretched as he came into the cell block, yawning as he came up beside Hershel and Carol as he grabbed some water. Merle wasn't paying particularly close attention to what Hershel and Carol were saying until he heard something worrying.

"Beth's furious and Maggie set it up."

Hershel sighed. "Maggie? Foolish girl, she just can't accept that Beth is her own woman."

Merle frowned as he came over to the two. "what's goin' on here?"

Hershel looked up at Merle. "Maggie set it up that Beth and Randy are working in the library together today, but Beth has made it very clear she's not interested in Randy. And she mentioned to me that she didn't trust Randy."

Merle frowned before he nodded. "I'm open right now, I'll go down and keep them company."

Hershel smiled as he nodded. "I'd appreciate it. Thank you Merle."

Merle shrugged as he walked out of the room. "ain't a problem for me. Besides, I needed a new book."

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Beth's head swam as she tried to get a hold on her surroundings. The last thing she remembered was Randy moving towards her fast, and then her head exploding in pain. For a moment she blacked out, and when she came to she felt something hard and rubber in her mouth, and her hands were tied tightly behind her back.

Beth tried to scream as she was flipped over, and Randy was above her smirking.

"screaming won't help you now. No one is coming, and we have several hours to our selves, or as your sister said, get to know each other. I don't know why you're fighting me so much Beth, hell your sister set this up so we could have some alone time. She even gave me condoms at the same time I grabbed the ballgag."

Beth sobbed as Randy pulled out a knife and cut open the front of her shirt, and then her bra, leaving her exposed as he groped her chest. Beth struggled before remembering back to what Merle taught her.

Beth kicked Randy hard in the side and as he looked up at her, Beth slammed her forehead hard into his nose, blood instantly spurting everywhere. Randy roared in pain and rolled away and Beth flipped over, and struggled to her feet. Randy grabbed at her ankle and Beth slammed her other foot down on his wrist, causing him to scream in pain again. Beth ran out of the cell bock and into the neighboring one, before she slammed into a warm body and fell to the ground.

Beth screamed again around the ballgag, before she looked up and realized who she had run into and sobbed in relief.

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Merle was halfway thru the neighboring cell block when he heard a muffled scream. He broke into a run when suddenly someone slammed into him. Merle was knocked against the wall by the impact, but when he looked down his blood boiled.

Beth was on the floor, a ballgag in her mouth, her arms tied behind her back, shirt and bra cut open, blood on her forehead and tears streaming down her face.

Merle opened his mouth to speak but before he could Randy ran around the corner and came to a screeching halt. Randy looked at Merle for one second before turning and running. Merle was on him in an instant, tackling him to the floor. Randy struggled as Merle wrapped his right arm around Randy's throat, lifting the younger man and dragging him backwards. Merle threw Randy into a cell and slammed the door shut, locking him in. Randy threw himself at the bars, before Merle grabbed him by his throat once more, slamming Randy's face into the bars.

Merle growled as he stared at Randy. "you die today mother fucker."

Merle dropped Randy to the ground, and turned and ran back to Beth. Beth had curled into a sobbing ball on the floor as Merle ran up to her. She flinched at Merle's touch, before he spoke.

"Easy sugar, it's just me, just ol' Merle."

Beth looked up at Merle and he used his arm knife to cut off the ball gag and to cut off the ties that held Beth's arms behind her back. Beth sobbed as Merle leaned back and took off his shirt, wrapping it around Beth before leaning up and wiping away the tears that ran down her face.

"you're okay sugar, you're gonna be just fine."

Beth wrapped her arms around Merle's neck, hugging him tightly as Merle lifted Beth up princess style. Merle strode out of the cell block, into the neighboring home block and into the main room.

"Hershel!"

Hershel looked up from where he sat with Rick, Daryl and Carol; everyone jumping to their feet as Merle came in carrying Beth. Hershel hurried to his cell.

"Bring her in here, Carol I need you're help."

Merle carried Beth into the cell she shared with her father, and laid her down gently on the lower bunk. As he pulled away Beth grabbed at Merle.

"please don't leave!"

Merle shushed Beth as he rubbed her head, noticing the goose egg developing on the back of her scalp.

"easy sugar, I'll be right back. Just gotta take care of that mother fucker okay? I'll be right back."

Beth nodded lightly as Merle pulled away and Carol took his place, gently washing off Beth's face, wiping away the blood and tears.

Merle grabbed Hershel's arm, catching the man's attention.

"she's got one hell of a lump on the back of her head, may have a concussion."

Hershel nodded and grabbed Merle's shoulder. "Thank you Merle."

Merle shook his head. "thank me when the job is done."

Merle turned and strode out of the cell, Rick and Daryl following close behind. Merle turned as they walked and looked at Daryl.

"give me ya keys."

Daryl nodded and handed them over as Rick frowned. "who attacked Beth?"

Merle snorted as he lead them in front of the cell where Randy was struggling to open the door.

"who do ya think?"

Randy sneered. "that stupid bitch, she-"

Merle punched thru the cell bars, hitting Randy in his already shattered nose. As Randy stumbled back, Merle quickly unlocked the cell and tossed the keys back, not caring who caught them. Randy looked up wide eyed as Merle stepped into the cell and grabbed Randy by his hair, dragging the younger man behind him out of the cell.

Rick and Daryl silently watched as Merle dragged the protesting Randy into the bathroom and into a stall. Randy struggled but was no match as Merle slammed his head against the toilet stall wall, and then slammed his head down in the disused and stagnate toilet. Randy screamed as Merle held him down, the disgusting water filling Randy's lungs.

Merle held Randy down as Rick and Daryl watched, until Randy stopped struggling and went still. Merle plunged his arm knife into the back of Randy's head, and stood up. Merle turned and walked out of the cell to the sink and washed his hand and arm knife off, as Randy's blood ran down the toilet and across the floor.

Rick cleared his throat as Merle finished up.

"not saying that he didn't deserve it, but what happened?"

Merle turned and looked at Rick before walking back to the home cell block, pointing at the ballgag on the floor as he past it.

"Hershel was worried about Beth and Randy being alone together, Beth had told her father she didn't trust Randy. So I volunteered to go keep an eye on them. I was halfway here when Beth comes running around the corner, ball gag in her mouth, arms tied, clothes cut open. From the goose egg on the back of her head, I'd say Randy knocked her out, tied her up before Beth came to. earlier Beth asked me to teach her self defense, and one of the things I taught her was ta head butt the fucker in the face if nothin' else. From the look of Randy, I'd say when she came to, Beth did exactly that, and managed to get away before she ran into me. Randy was close behind, but once he saw me he took off. I chased him down, threw him in a cell and came back and got Beth."

Rick sighed and nodded. "alright. Thank you Merle. Daryl and I will take care of the body, we'll toss it in the walker burn pile. Randy doesn't deserve a burial."

Daryl nodded. "lets go get a tarp. Merle I got a spare shirt in my cell if ya need it."

Merle nodded. "let me check on Beth then I'll grab it."

as the three men came into the cell block it was total chaos. Glenn was trying to calm Maggie who was in an out right screaming match with Carol as the Woodbury people watched confused. Judith was screaming in Carl's arms as he handed her to Michonne to try to calm the screaming child. Rick, Merle and Daryl watched the chaos when an ear shatteringly loud metallic banging sound started.

Everyone went silent as Hershel banged his crutch on the bars of his cell, the man looking furious.

"Michonne!"

Michonne nodded to Hershel, wisely staying silent as the woman often did.

"take the children, Carl and Judith outside for now."

Hershel turned to the Woodbury people.

"back to work! Now!"

the Woodbury people scattered at the anger that was rolling off of Hershel in waves, running out of the cell block.

Hershel turned next to Glenn.

"take Maggie on watch. I don't want to see her in here for at least 8 hours."

Maggie gaped. "What did I do?! I want to see Beth!"

Hershel glared. "Randy tried to force himself on Beth. you set your little sister up to be raped Maggie! Even after Beth told you she didn't feel comfortable with Randy you pushed it! get out of my sight now!"

Maggie slunk back, clearly startled at Hershel's words, and left the cell block, Glenn following.

Carol snuck back in to tend to Beth as Hershel turned to Rick, Daryl and Merle.

"i assume Randy is dead?"

Merle nodded. "drowned the fucker in a toilet myself."

Hershel sighed and nodded. "thank you Merle. For everything."

"Hershel?"

the men turned as Carol came up to them, clearly still upset.

"Beth's in a total panic, between everyone screaming, Maggie and what happened, she's about to have a total melt down and I can't get her calmed down at all. She just keeps saying she wants to be left alone."

Merle cleared his throat.

"i can help with that."

Hershel nodded. "how?"

Merle smirked lightly. "been growin' weed down in the tombs. Have a fair amount right now. That would calm Beth down, plus I can take her up on the roof, get her away from everyone where she can process the shit that's gone down at her own speed."

Hershel bit his lip before nodding. "i checked her for a concussion, but she's refusing pain meds, so the marijuana will help with that too. Alright, just be careful with her, she's never done drugs of any sort."

Merle nodded. "you can trust me with Beth Hershel, I ain't gonna let nothin' happen to her. But she trusts me, and some time away from everyone will help too."

Rick coughed lightly. "you've been growing weed?"

Merle chuckled. "yeah, got 10 plants. Think about it officer friendly, pain meds, anti-depressants? We're not gonna be able to make more when the supplies run out. Weed will help greatly, plus the plants I've got are producin' fast."

Rick sighed and nodded. "okay, Daryl and I will go take care of Randy's body. You're taking Beth to the roof?"

Merle nodded. "full moon tonight, clear night. I'll get some blankets and get her calmed down enough to sleep."

Merle smirked at Daryl. "gonna need some of ya chocolate stash."

Daryl groaned. "fine, it's under my bed. Grab that shirt while you're in there."

Merle nodded and went up to Daryl's cell as Hershel and Carol went in to help Beth change clothes, and Daryl and Rick went to move Randy's body. Merle grabbed a shirt and slipped it on, before reaching under Daryl's bed and dragging out the bag of chocolate. Merle chuckled, Daryl really was a chocolate fiend. Merle grabbed a few chocolate bars before putting the stash back and leaving Daryl's cell for his own.

Merle grabbed the sleeping bag he had waiting for winter, and placed it on his blanket along with the chocolate and his lantern. Merle lifted the corner of his mattress, grabbing the bag of weed, and lighter, and tossed everything on the blanket. Merle then grabbed the bag containing the rest of the CDs he was giving Beth and the 2 pillows he had. He then dropped to the floor and reached under his bed for his own private food stash, containing canned teas, chips and the plastic bong he had hidden. Tossing everything on the bed he pulled the blanket together to hold everything before heading up to the roof.

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Beth was curled up on Hershel's bunk, still shaking. The screaming match between Carol and Maggie as the older woman prevented Maggie from coming in the cell combined with the events of the day shook Beth to her core. Her head was throbbing and her jaw hurt from the ballgag. Her heart was pounding and she had no idea how to handle this.

Hershel and Carol were sitting quietly with Beth as she trembled and cried when Merle came into the cell. Merle caught Beth's eye and gave her a smile before turning to Hershel.

"where's her CD player?"

Hershel stood up and grabbed the CD player from where it sat on Beth's bunk and handed it to Merle along with the headphones that were attached. Merle took the CD player and knelt beside the lower bunk.

"here sugar, mind holdin' this?"

Beth took the CD player as Merle gently scooped her up in his arms and walked out of the cell to the stairs leading up to the roof. As the door shut behind the two of them, Beth looked up confused at Merle.

"where are we going?"

Merle smiled as he walked around a vent to where he had set up the blankets and sleeping bag in a nest along with the pillow and the rest of his supplies. Merle laid Beth down on the sleeping bag before laying the blanket over her and sitting down next to Beth.

Beth watched as Merle pulled out a bag with green material inside and small plastic tube thing with water in it.

"what is that?"

Merle chuckled lightly. "weed sugar."

Beth blinked. "marijuana?"

Merle nodded. "been growin' it in the tombs. It'll help calm ya down and help with ya head ache."

Beth sat up a bit. "I've never smoked weed before."

Merle chuckled. "well honey, let's give ya your first taste of Mary Jane."

Beth watched as Merle placed the weed in a small metal bowl attached to the plastic tube. He grabbed the lighter that was waiting before he looked up at Beth.

"I'll show ya how to do it first, then you give it a shot, okay?"

Beth nodded, and watched as Merle held the flame to the weed and breathed in thru the tube, the tube filling with smoke. He then pulled the lighter away and lifted out the metal bowl, before breathing in the smoke. Merle held his breath for several seconds, before exhaling, the smoke curling up in to the air as the sun began to set.

"your turn honey, go slow at first okay."

Beth nodded and tried to copy what Merle had done, but ended up in a coughing fit. Merle watched as she coughed, handing Beth a water bottle as she coughed. As Beth got her coughing under control, Merle smirked lightly.

"this shit's pretty strong, wanna try it a different way? It'll be easier on ya, if ya comfortable with it."

Beth nodded. "what's the other way?"

Merle smirked. "shot gunin'. When I exhale the smoke, you breath it in. it's smoother, easier for ya. But we gotta be pretty close for this ta work."

Beth nodded and Merle moved to beside Beth, who blushed at their closeness. Besides earlier when Merle had been teaching Beth self defense, this was the closest they had been, kissing close. Merle took another hit off the bong before putting it on the ground and turning to Beth. Merle placed his hand lightly on the back of Beth's neck and leaned in, and Beth stayed still as Merle got close enough to kiss her, stopping a hairs breath away from Beth's lips before he exhaled. Beth breathed in the smoke and held it, coughing only a little before she was able to hold her breath. When she exhaled Merle smiled.

"that work for ya?"

Beth blushed as she nodded. "i liked it."

Merle smirked and took another hit from the bong, but this time as he leaned in Beth placed her hand on his shoulder, pulling him closer as she breathed in. they stayed that way until Merle finished off the bowl, tapping out the ashes on the ground. He turned back to Beth.

"we'll let that settle in ya a bit before we smoke more. But here, this is for ya."

Beth took the plastic bag Merle handed her and looked in. the bag was full of CDs, several dozen of them. Beth blinked before she looked up at Merle.

"it's you! You're the one who's been leaving the CDs for me!"

Merle chuckled as he nodded. "got them the same day I gave ya the player. Been givin' them to ya randomly, figured it would take ya a bit ta figure out it was me."

Beth blushed as she smiled and started up the CD player, turning the music on low. "thank you! Wait... how did you know what artists I like?"

Merle bit his lip as he snickered before looking up at Beth. "gotta confession angel. Ya know the air vent in ya room?"

Beth nodded. "ya, right beside my bed."

Merle nodded. "well that air vent leads right up to my cell. When ya talk in there and i'm in my cell I hear everythin' ya say. I heard ya tell Maggie that ya missed your music, and so I got ya some."

Beth blinked before blushing furiously. "wait, so...you heard me tell Maggie I like you."

Merle smirked as he nodded. "that was the first time I heard ya. Also heard Maggie's reaction. I get that ya sister hates me, I wasn't a good person in Woodbury, in fact I was pretty god damn bad. But I've changed Beth, I ain't the same man I was before."

Beth nodded. "i know. I can see, you're different. When you woke up after the governor's attack, you were different."

Merle nodded. "i didn't expect ta live thru that attack sugar. I fully intended on dyin' that day. But when Michonne saved my ass, she proved ta me that I could be forgiven, somethin' that I ain't never had before. Daryl's got a family here with ya guys, and I don't want to pull him away from that, but I ain't about ta abandon my brother. So I need ta fit in here, so I had ta change who I was."

Beth smiled. "I'm glad you changed. I'm really glad you're here."

Merle smiled as he leaned back and loaded another bowl in the bong.

"me too. Aside from ya sister, most everyone else is at least okay with me. They may not like me but that don't matter ta me. There's two people here who's opinion of me I care about; Daryl's, and yours."

Beth blushed as she leaned back against Merle.

"i have a pretty good opinion of you."

Merle chuckled. "i can tell."

Beth bit her lip before she looked up at Merle.

"what are we Merle?"

Merle paused before looking down at Beth.

"we're what ever you want us to be. I can be ya friend, ya protector if that's all ya want. I can be more too, but I ain't gonna push ya sugar. I'll protect ya 'til my dyin' day, ain't nothin' gonna change that. Even if ya want nothin' more from me. All I want is you safe."

Beth watched as Merle lit up, and when he turned to shot gun to her, Beth breathed in the smoke. But before Merle could pull away, Beth pulled him closer, pressing her lips to Merle's. It was a short, sweet kiss, that left both Merle and Beth smiling as they pulled away.

Beth exhaled before looking up at Merle. "can we go slow? Figure out what we are as we go?"

Merle nodded. "we go at your speed sugar. You're in charge here."

Beth smiled as she kissed Merle again, this time holding it longer before she pulled away. Merle smiled at her and lit up again. They shot gunned the rest of the bowl, sharing a kiss after each hit. As Merle put the bong down, he grabbed another bag, opening it.

"weed does have one side affect, the munchies. What's ya poison sugar?"

Beth giggled as she grabbed a chocolate bar, a bag of chips and a raspberry tea. Merle grabbed some spicy peanuts and a tea before leaning back against the wall as Beth curled up against him.

Beth hadn't realized how hungry she was until she opening the chocolate, and quickly wolfed down the sweet treat. Merle chuckled as he watched her eat.

"hungry?"

Beth giggled as she nodded. "more then I realized."

Merle chuckled. "that's the munchies. This one time Daryl and I were smokin', and I thought he had gone to the store, he thought I had. We had no food in the house, I mean none. And we both had the munchies from hell. We ended up findin' some squirrels and eatin' them raw."

Beth smirked. "Daryl seems to have a habit of that."

Merle raised an eyebrow. "how so?"

Beth chuckled. "did Daryl ever tell you how he got hurt at my family farm?"

Merle frowned. "naw, I asked him if he got hurt at all while we were separated and he said no."

Beth laughed. "well your little brother lied. He almost died."

Merle sat up as he opened his tea. "come on sugar, give me the story."

Beth nodded. "so you know how Carol's daughter Sophia went missing?"

Merle nodded. "yeah, Daryl said he searched high and low for her but she was already gone."

Beth nodded. "Daryl told me the story one day when we were on the move. one of the days he went searching, he took one of our horses. But he didn't ask before he borrowed it. My dad would have told him which horse to take, unfortunately Daryl took Nelly, as in nervous Nelly. She'd thrown pretty much every member of our family at that point. Daryl got a few miles into the forest before something spooked Nelly, and she threw him. But he was at the top of a ravine."

Merle groaned. "oh god this is gonna be bad."

Beth giggled as she nodded. "end result, Daryl fell all the way to the bottom, and its a long way down. He landed at the bottom with a cross bow bolt thru his side and got knocked out. He woke up a bit later, used his sleeves to tie off the bolt and tried climbing, but he fell before he made it to the top."

Merle winced. "Jesus Christ!"

Beth nodded. "then he's passed out at the bottom of the ravine, and he hallucinated about you."

Merle raised an eyebrow. "me?"

Beth smiled as she nodded. "apparently you annoyed him awake just in time to keep 2 walkers from munching on Daryl. He put down one with a branch, then pulled the bolt out of his side and put down the other. Then he ate a raw squirrel, took the walkers ears, climbed back up and headed home."

Merle pursed his lips. "yeah lil' bro is gettin' it in the mornin'."

Beth laughed. "it gets worse."

Merle blinked. "how the fuck can it get worse?!"

Beth smirked. "Daryl got shot in the head."

Merle sat up. "What?!"

Beth laughed. "sit down!"

Merle grumbled as he leaned back, grabbing the bong again. "gonna need another bowl after this."

Beth chuckled. "Andrea was on watch at the time and when Daryl came back, he was in such rough shape he was confused for a walker. Thankfully Andrea only grazed his temple."

Merle shook his head. "I'm gonna kick his ass."

Beth laughed. "it was rather impressive though."

Merle snorted. "impressive or not, the fidgety little fuck didn't tell me about it."

Beth leaned in as Merle shot gunned to her, kissing him as she pulled back. They sat in silence, working their way thru the bowl in no hurry. When they finished, Beth looked up to see the sky now dark, and the stars shining brightly.

"it's a beautiful night."

Merle nodded. "i figured you'd like it. Not to mention some time away from everyone."

Beth smiled as she leaned against Merle's chest. "thank you Merle. For everything. For this, for saving me. For teaching me."

Merle kissed the top of Beth's head. "any time sugar."

Beth and Merle sat and watched the stars, Merle occasionally pointing out constellations and stars. As Beth fell asleep against his chest, Merle smiled. This wasn't the way he planned on spending the night, but it was a hell of a lot better then anything else he could have done. A full belly, warm blankets, soft music, good weed and his woman curled up against him.

M/B M/B M/B M/B M/B M/B

Daryl quietly opened the roof door as the sun rose the next morning. Not seeing Merle and Beth he walked around the edge of the vents before he spotted them. Merle had rolled over onto the pillow and curled around Beth, keeping his arm over Beth, protective in his sleep. Beth had curled around him, resting her head on his side. They were hold each other, and both smiling in there sleep.

Daryl chuckled before he spotted the bong. Sneaking a look back at the roof door, he snagged the bong and the bag of weed and lit up. As he took his hit, Merle woke to the sound of the water bubbling, and smirked at Daryl. Merle sat up and took the bong when Daryl offered it, Beth slowly waking up as she rested on Merle's lap. As Merle took his hit Beth looked up. Daryl snickered as Beth and Merle shot gunned, a little surprised when Beth kissed Merle before falling back asleep on Merle's lap. Merle chuckled as he handed the bong back to Daryl.

"how's everythin' goin' down there?"

Daryl shrugged. "Maggie wants to know how Beth's doin', but Hershel swore me, Rick and Carol to secrecy as to where she is. How's she doin'?"

Merle smirked. "calmed right down when I got her up here. She just needed to get some space."

Daryl chuckled. "and that kiss? What are ya two now?"

"boyfriend and girlfriend."

the brothers looked down as Beth was waking up on Merle's lap. Beth sat up and gave Merle another kiss, as Daryl smirked.

"Merle and I are dating now."

Daryl chuckled. "oh Maggie is gonna hate that."

Beth smirked. "damn right she will. And I do not care one bit."

Merle chuckled. "well sugar, how ya feelin'?"

Beth smiled at Merle. "hungry, lets go get some breakfast."

Merle nodded and stood up, helping Beth up and they followed Daryl down stairs. As they came into the cell block, Beth took Merle's hand and held it tightly as over a dozen eyes settled on them as Maggie stood up. Merle gave Beth a smirk and a kiss on the cheek as he whispered to her.

"ya got this sugar?"

Beth smirked. "you're damn right I do."

Merle chuckled as he stepped away, turning right into a furious Maggie.

"You asshole! You kept her away all night after that creep-"

SLAP

the entire cell block was just as stunned as Maggie as Beth smirked after slapping her older sister. Beth stood in front of Maggie, staring her dead in the eye.

"You screwed up Maggie, you still need to earn my forgiveness for that. And you certainly will not be doing so by insulting Merle. Now back off and let me, and my boyfriend get breakfast."

Beth stepped around Maggie and smiled at Merle as he put his arm around her shoulders as they went up for their plates of food. Merle gave a short whistle to Daryl.

"by the way, I'm kickin' ya ass later."

Daryl gave Merle a confused look. "what the fuck did I do?"

Beth giggled as she sat down. "i told him about the ravine incident."

Daryl groaned as Merle nodded. "kickin' ya ass later bro. Count on that."

Hershel chuckled as the brothers spatted back and forth and Beth smiled. Maggie was still in shock from the turn of events, and wisely sat down. As Hershel watched Merle give Beth a quick kiss, he knew that he had a new son in law, and couldn't help but feel proud.

SPOILER ALERT!

Any one else think that on sunday night Rick maybe just had the munchies and wanted a bite? LOL