The silence rang thru the forest. Nothing. No walkers, no deer, no birds. No life.

Merle gritted his teeth as he moved on, ignoring the pain in his leg as he limped thru the woods. 3 days of misery with a heaping helping of pain was wearing Merle down. The festering bullet wound was seeping blood again, but Merle had nothing to bandage it with aside from the torn remains of his shirt.

Merle sighed as he came to another cross road, and checked the map. Terminus, 1 mile ahead.

Merle took a good look around before he bit the bullet and trudged down the train tracks. He didn't want to go to Terminus, the whole thing stank of a trap. How ever not everyone in the group had instincts, and Merle knew rats in a sinking ship jump on the closest life boat. They may have scattered from the prison, but most likely the survivors from the governors final attack were heading to Terminus, so there Merle was going. Because what little hope he had left, relied on survivors; Beth, and Daryl. And at some level, Merle still had hope for Carol.

Returning from the run to find Officer Fucking Friendly had struck again, leaving Carol to her death, Merle had been preparing to go out with Daryl to find her, when the governor appeared, Hershel within his grasp. Merle's heart had sank at that moment, and he knew that he would never see Hershel alive again. Phillip Blake was a psychopath, Merle knew that by heart. Merle shook at the memory of Hershel's last look at him. Hershel had given Merle a nod, and Merle felt the weight of responsibility fall on his shoulders. Hershel was finally giving Merle his okay. His blessing, to a relationship he had been weary about.

Merle knew Beth was too young for him, knew she was too good, too. But the attraction between them had been stronger then anything Merle had felt before. He was drawn to that girl like a horse to water, once he had a taste, Merle found he wanted her more then life. It was Beth that had stopped his suicidal plan to take out the governor, even if she hadn't realized it.

After he had knocked Michonne out and hidden her away, Merle had snuck back into the cell block to steal a rifle. But before he had snared one, in walked Beth, the baby on her hip. Beth had smiled at him, and after a few minutes of awkward silence the girl opened up, talking about how Daryl had been with the group. How Merle's brother had hunted and protected the group, when asked how he got his skills, Daryl would only say his brother taught him. How one night the group had huddled close around a fire, talking about who they missed. Daryl had answered he missed Merle more then anyone could understand, how Daryl knew that Merle was alive, because he knew Merle would never stop looking for him.

Beth had smiled then, and told Merle how she admired Merle, for coming back to a group that had abandoned him to his death, how he had returned for his brother. She called Merle a good man, and said that she was glad he had chosen to stand beside Daryl, that she was glad Merle was at the prison. Beth had slipped away then, quietly back to the rest of the group as Merle stood pondering her words. After a moment, he had returned to his plan, but instead of grabbing one rifle, he grabbed two. And later that day, he and Michonne had struck, taking out most of the governors men before the snake himself slipped away.

Now three months later and the man who Merle had thought dead returned with vengeance, destroying the new life Merle was trying to build within the prison walls.

~at least that fucker's dead.~ Merle thought as he continued down the tracks.

In the confusion and chaos following the attack the group had scattered, running into the woods like rabbits dashing from foxes. Merle spotted Daryl grabbing Beth, leading her into the woods away from the walkers, and he took off after them when his leg exploded in pain. Merle collapsed to the ground before shooting the man who had shot him, and when he looked up he saw Michonne run the governor thru with her sword. Merle watched as Rick got up, stumbling back to the prison. Merle looked and saw Tyresse take off into the woods, Judith in his arms and the two girls behind him. Merle struggled to his feet before following into the woods, but his injury slowed him down greatly, as did the walkers called to the prison by the explosions and noise of the attack.

Three days later, Merle was on his own, slowly making his way to Terminus, having seen no signs of the group, other then the messages Maggie left for Glenn If Beth had seen them, she would have gone to Terminus as well, and Daryl was with Beth. Merle had seen the prints, most of them aged and dry, but two sets he was following were new, and one he had some hope in-Carol's.

Merle had no idea how the woman managed to make her way to the train tracks, but he didn't care, he was following after his brother's woman and that was that.

Merle was nearing Terminus when he hear a soft, familiar cry. Merle froze, before letting out a loud hunting whistle. For several moments there was silence, before a return whistle came from around the bend on the train tracks. Merle held back a smile as he gained new speed as he walked down the tracks.

Carol walked out of the bush carrying Judith on her hip, smiling before she saw how Merle was limping. Carol ran to Merle's side, Judith protesting as she was jostled.

"Merle! Are you okay?"

Merle shook his head. "took a bullet woman! Course I ain't okay!"

Carol rolled her eyes. "come on, Tyresse and I are set up here for right now, Tyresse went ahead to scout out Terminus, he should be back soon."

Merle groaned as he sat down next to the fire Carol had going, pain radiating up his leg. Carol frowned and handed Merle Judith, who giggled as she smacked Merle in the face with her tiny fist.

"here hold her, I'll check out your leg."

Merle smirked as Carol rolled up his pant leg and removed the tied on remnant of Merle's shirt before she gasped. "Merle what the hell?! Did you use a machete?!"

Merle raised his right arm, shaking his bayonet. "besides an empty gun, this is all I got Mouse. Movin' slower then all y'all, ain't exactly had a first aid kit."

Carol tutted as she grabbed a water bottle, washing away the blood, revealing the torn and red streaked wound. Carol sighed as she looked up at Merle.

"we need to find you some antibiotics. Maybe Terminus will have some."

"Terminus isn't going to help us."

Merle and Carol looked up as Tyresse came thru the trees, a hollow look on his face and a bag on his back. Tyresse nodded to Merle.

"got some fight left in you?"

Merle eyed Tyresse. "what did ya see?"

Tyresse sighed. "watched as Rick, Daryl, Carl and Michonne were all ordered to drop their weapons and walk into a train car. They were herded in by a lot people with a lot of guns, and whats worse, they're cannibals. I found an open grave, with bones, all separated from each other. And one of the assholes that was packing, he made a comment that Carl looked delicious."

Merle growled. "any sign of Beth?"

Tyresse bit his lip before nodding. "as Rick and the others were trying to escape, I heard some screams for help. Sounded a lot like Beth. Id bet Maggie is there too, you saw her signs. We do have one good thing."

Merle raised an eyebrow. "whats that?"

Tyresse dropped the bag to the ground, opening it to reveal the guns inside.

"my guess Rick and Daryl hid this, there's extra bolts inside."

Merle nodded as he shifted Judith into his other arm, as he picked up a rifle. "well then, what are we waitin' for?"

SUGARSUGARSUGARSUGAR

Merle crept forward, Carol beside him with the gun bag and Tyresse behind her, Judith wrapped tightly in Carols sweater and tied to Tyresse, sleeping thankfully. Merle moved silently thru the forest, the fences of Terminus coming up in the distance. A sound to the right caught Merle's ear, and he dropped to the ground, Carol and Tyresse copying him as a man walked thru the forest in front of them.

Merle looked back to Carol, whispering quietly. "silenced pistol."

Carol handed it to Merle, and he lined up the shot and pulled the trigger, the man dropping a moment later. Carol grabbed his guns, and added them to the bag, and the trio continued on. By the time they had nearly reached the fences, the box car Tyresse said contained the group insight, Merle had taken down 5 more patrols. Merle froze as 3 more men walked up behind the fence, each pulling a rifle up and thru the fence. Merle motioned for Tyresse to pull off with Carol and the three separated, Merle to the left as Carol and Tyresse went to the right. Merle pulled his rifle up, preparing to shoot when a commotion below caught his attention.

"Archer, come out slowly!"

Merle gritted his teeth as the three men pointed their rifles up, and the box car door was pulled open as the man who had called out stood with four more people in front of the door. Merle growled as Daryl came to the door of the boxcar, his face set in stone as he look down at the man. Merle couldn't let Daryl get out of the box car, that would put him right in the path of friendly fire.

Merle smirked before he let out a bird call, one that the Terminus people wrote off as a bird, but Daryl clearly didn't. Daryl froze in the door way of the box car, before smirking.

The next instant Merle fought the erg to let out a booyah as Daryl proved once again it would take more then a few pussys with guns to take out the Dixons.

Daryl grabbed the top of the box car door and pulled up as he kicked out, his boot connecting swiftly with the jaw of the man in front, his head snapping back with a sickening crack, throwing his body back into the others in the front of the boxcar. The next instant Merle, Tyresse and Carol let the bullets fly.

Merle quickly took down the remaining people in front of the boxcar as Daryl swiftly pulled the box car door shut. Carol proved her snipping skills as she took out the men on the roofs of Terminus, and Tyresse let loose a barrage of bullets into the men behind the fence. As the bodies fell Merle ran to the fence, Carol and Tyresse hot on his trail.

Merle hit the fence and swiftly returned to shooting, taking out the people that ran out of Terminus to discover their fallen members. Tyresse spotted and shot two men running thru the woods towards them, and Carol continued to pick off anyone they spotted moving. After several minutes of pegging off anyone they saw, Merle motioned for Tyresse and he moved forward, using the pair of bolt cutters they had been lucky to find in a near by house's tool shed. As Tyresse held open the hole in the fence, Merle and Carol slipped thru, Tyresse following them, Judith still strapped to his back, awake but quiet.

Merle motioned for the box car, and the trio moved forward, watching carefully for any other Terminus survivors. A motion to the left caught Merle's eye, but before he could shoot at the man raising his gun, Carol took him out with a single shot to the head. Merle smirked as they came up behind the box car, Carol was proving just as if not more lethal then Merle himself.

As they reached the box car, Merle let out another bird call, and the door opened slightly.

"Merle?"

Merle smirked at Daryl. "Who the fuck else were ya expectin'? Santy claus?"

Daryl rolled his eyes and cautiously opened the door as Merle, Carol and Tyresse came around the front of the box car. Merle kept an eye out as Carol and Tyresse jumped into the box car and rolled his eyes as he listened to the reunions. Daryl and Carol quickly kissed before Carol handed Daryl a rifle, and Tyresse handed Carl Judith, the young boy shocked as he once again held his little sister. Rick stared at Judith, as if expecting her to disappear.

Merle growled at Rick. "officer friendly, we still got a job ta do! Come on!"

Rick, Glenn, Maggie and Daryl climbed out of the box car, each taking a pistol or rifle from Carol as they left. Merle eyed the four new people, righting off the exhausted and injured young woman before looking at the two men. The one with the mullet looked next to worthless, but the other woman and the military man looked useful.

Merle eyed the man in his cameos "can ya woman shoot?"

the man nodded. "damn good shot too. who the fuck are you?"

Merle smirked. " Merle Dixon, specialist, United states Army, dishonorably discharged. Older brother to the archer."

the man eyed Merle. "Abraham Ford, Sergeant 1st class, United States army, active duty."

Merle chuckled. "Carol give him a rifle, lets get this shit done."

Abraham jumped out of the box car, taking the rifle before looking over at Merle.

"whats the plan?"

Merle smirked. "same as always. Stay as a group, shoot anything that moves in the head."

Daryl came up beside Merle. "how bad ya hurt?"

Merle eyed Daryl. "i ain't stayin' behind. Beth's still missin'."

Daryl bit his lip before looking up at Merle. "we got separated a few days ago, but I think she's in one of the other box cars, heard screamin' that sounded like her."

Merle nodded. "Tyresse heard it too, come on, lets get this shit done."

Merle and Abraham took point along side Daryl as Michonne and Carol stayed behind with the new girl Tara, the man with the mullet Eugene, Carl and Judith in the box car. The rest of the group moved thru Terminus, taking out one or two stragglers before coming around a corner to Merle's worst nightmare.

A man with 4 others with rifles behind him stood by a box car, a familiar blonde in his arms. Beth had tears running down her face as the man held her arm painfully behind her back, a pistol pressed to her head. Merle's blood ran cold as the two groups faced off, each side frozen as sunlight glinted off of opposing rifles.

The man with Beth in her arms chuckled darkly. "well now, how about you drop your weapons and this pretty little blonde doesn't get a bullet in her head."

Merle growled as he stepped forward, training his rifle on the man's head. "how about you let her the fuck go and I may let ya live."

the man shook his head, wrenching Beth's arm up, causing her to whimper in pain, the sound cutting like knives thru Merle's chest.

Merle growled but a sound to his sides caught his attention, as Daryl, Abraham and Rick along with the others formed a firing line on either side of Merle. The men behind the asshole holding Beth began to look nervous, as Merle took a step forward.

"let her the fuck go."

the man sneered before he chuckled. "you know, I don't think I will. She sure is a tasty little treat wouldn't you know."

Merle smirked. "oh I do know. And I also know that I have the numbers, and the skills. Let her go."

the man glared before he pressed his nose into Beth's neck, as Beth struggled as she swore at him.

"get the hell off me you creep!"

the man chuckled. "come on now darling. Seems to me you like older men, how about you and me go and-"

Merle didn't even register his finger pull the trigger as the bullet flew, striking the man square between the eyes, dropping him in an instant. Beth dropped to the ground as the group let the bullets fly, quickly taking out the rest of the Terminus survivors.

as the air went silent, Merle froze and listened for more threats, but the buildings and box cars were silent.

Beth looked up from where she laid on the ground, quickly getting to her feet and rushing to Merle.

Merle shoved his gun to Daryl as he met Beth half way, wrapping his arms tightly around Beth as she crashed into his chest, sobbing. Her tears fell to his skin as Merle held Beth close, whispering into her ear.

"easy Sugar, i'm here. You're okay baby, you're okay."

Beth sniffled as she looked up at Merle. "i was so scared...Merle, they put me in there with three guys...they...they didn't do anything but that was only because they had me separated by some fencing. If it hadn't been there..."

for the third time in a day Merle's blood sang with rage, and he nodded. "which car?"

Beth sniffled as she pointed to one against another building, and Merle nodded before he gave Beth a kiss.

"be right back Sugar, my job ain't quite done yet."

Beth nodded and Merle lightly pushed her towards Maggie, who gave Merle a nod as she hugged Beth close, having heard what Beth said.

Merle stalked past the rest of the group who hadn't heard what Beth had said. Daryl, Abraham and Rick followed Merle, each wisely staying quiet as Merle threw open the box car. The three men inside jumped, but one stepped forward smiling.

"about damn time, thought we'd never-"

the man screeched as Merle pulled him from the car, stabbing him 5 times in the gut before dropping him and climbing into the box car. The two remaining men scrambled to run, but Merle was quicker as he stabbed one in the head, and grabbed the other by his throat.

Merle wrenched the man up off his feet, dangling the man in the air before dropping him out of the box car. The man hit the ground and crab scrambled back before Merle jumped down in front of him, ignoring the pain that soared thru his leg in favor of grabbing the man again, glaring in his face.

"no one threatens my woman. No one."

the man shook his head as his eyes went wide, but before he could speak Merle slammed him face first into the pavement. Merle slammed the man down 4 more times, feeling bones break and give each time, before Merle stabbed the fresh body in the head.

Daryl stepped forward, stabbing the last body in the head before he looked at Merle.

"they threatened Beth?"

Merle nodded. "damn good thing there was a barrier in that car. If not, then Sugar would have been left in there with no weapons against these three."

Rick growled as he stepped forward. "i don't know about you, but I'm getting really fucking tired of assholes."

Merle chuckled. "holy shit, the world really did end. I'm agreed with officer friendly."

Rick smirked. "i won't let it happen again."

Abraham gave a low whistle as he nudged one of the bodies with his foot. "damn, you weren't kidding Rick when you said they didn't know who they were fucking with."

Rick snorted. "believe me, no one knows who their fucking with when it comes to our group. This is far from our first rodeo."

Merle chuckled as he looked over Terminus. " ya got that right."

Daryl walked up beside Merle, gesturing to his leg. "come on bro, we gotta find ya their medical supplies."

SUGARSUGARSUGARSUGAR

Merle hissed as the iodine hit his torn and infection tissue. Maggie gave Merle a soft smile as she poured more on.

"sorry, I know it hurts but we gotta."

Merle chuckled. "hurts less then pullin' out the damn bullet."

Maggie nodded. "i bet. You really are something else you know that?"

Merle smirked. "ya only sayin' that cause ya like me now."

Maggie snorted. "i don't know if I'll ever like you Merle. But after everything, I can at least live with you."

Merle chuckled. "aw ain't that sweet."

Maggie rolled her eyes as she began stitching shut Merle's wound. Merle looked around, watching as Glenn and Tyresse organized the supplies the group had found and collected. They had found a few working cars and were getting they ready to leave in the morning. The answer of where exactly they were going was still up in the air, but at least for tonight the group was staying in Terminus.

"found our shit."

Merle looked up as Daryl walked in, Rick beside him carrying various weapons and bags. They dropped everything on the table next to Merle and Maggie and everyone came over, picking out their possessions from the pile.

Abraham chuckled as he grabbed a bag and tossed it at Eugene.

"may wanna radio ahead, let Washington know we ran into some trouble."

Merle spotted a radio in the pile and snagged it, turning the radio over in his hand before looking up at Abraham.

"this radio? I don't know about you Sarge, but I'm pretty damn certain a radio needs batteries ta work."

Abraham caught the radio as Merle tossed it to him and examined it before looking up at Eugene glaring.

Merle rolled his eyes as the two men argued, ignoring them in favor of snagging a familiar buck knife from the table. Merle looked around and spotted Beth coming over from where she, Carol and Rosita were cooking with what they had found in Terminus, being very carefully to not use anything that looked even remotely like meat.

Merle smirked up at Beth as he handed her the knife. "lost somethin' Sugar?"

Beth smiled as she took the knife and bound it to her hip where it normally stayed.

"they took it after they grabbed me from Daryl."

Merle raised an eyebrow. "was wonderin' about that Sugar, what the fuck happened?"

Beth sat beside Maggie as she watched her sister stitch up Merle's leg.

"when the walkers came Daryl told me to run. I got out side and was dealing with a walker when this car pulled up. These two guys grabbed me and threw me in the trunk, before driving off. When we got here they pulled me out of the trunk, took my knife and threw me in the boxcar. Was in there until the shooting started. When the Terminus guys found they were pinned down, they pulled me out as leverage."

Merle growled. "fuckers got what was comin' to them I can tell ya that woman."

Beth smiled up at Merle. "and we're back together as a group again! Do we know where we're going yet?"

"not Washington."

Merle and Beth looked up as Rick came over, the man glancing back to were Abraham was fuming as Eugene appeared to be trying to imitate a statue.

"turns out the whole Washington thing was a scam Eugene came up with. So we have no idea where we're headed, but I'm figuring not towards cities."

Merle thought as the group discussed their options before he started laughing. The group looked at Merle questioningly before Merle got a hold of himself and looked up at Daryl.

"remember where dad took us the one time we went ta savannah with him?"

Daryl was confused for a moment before his face cleared and Daryl look stunned.

"why the fuck didn't we think of that sooner?!"

Merle chuckled as he shrugged. "cause its the one good memory we have with the fucker?"

Daryl shrugged. "that's true. God damn, we can get there in a few days."

Rick cleared his throat. "and where is here?"

Daryl looked over at Rick. "Fort Jackson. Its a historical sight, but its brick buildings, got a moat around it too if I remember correctly."

Abraham nodded. "that would work. It's small, but plenty of space for everyone we have here. Plus its not the biggest of attractions, so probably no one, or not many people at least, headed that way when everything went down."

Rick looked back at Merle. "how far is it?"

Merle shrugged. " 3 days, easily doable."

Rick nodded. "okay, Fort Jackson it is. We'll head out in the morning, for now, everyone get some rest and eat up."

the group dispersed as the call for food went out. Beth rose to get her and Merle a plate, but Merle grabbed her hand and pulled Beth down for a quick kiss before she smiled at him and slipped away.

Merle watched as Beth left, barely catching the light laugh from Maggie. Merle looked down at Maggie as she dried off the skin around the now neatly stitched wound.

"what?"

Maggie shrugged. "nothing. Just wondering when you're going to tell Beth that you love her."

Merle glared. "and how do ya know I ain't done it already?"

Maggie rolled her eyes as she pressed a bandage against the wound and wrapped up Merle's leg.

"we're sisters, we tell each other everything. Speaking of which, brush your teeth after you have a cigar. Beth doesn't mind it when you smoke cigarettes, but the smell from the cigars drives her crazy."

Merle chuckled. "I'll remember that."

Maggie smiled as she picked up the trash from stitching Merle up and moved away. Merle leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes, feeling every one of his 38 years hit him as the last few days finally took their toll.

"why ain't ya told her?"

Merle didn't bother to open his eyes, knowing exactly who it was behind him.

"ya know why."

Daryl sat down where Maggie had been, giving Merle a smack on the back of the head as he sat down.

"dumb ass."

Merle lightly glared at Daryl. "watch it fucker, I'm injured."

Daryl snorted. "that didn't stop ya from stompin' ass today."

Merle chuckled. "that's true."

Daryl eyed Merle. "seriously bro, why ain't ya told her? I ain't the only one who can see ya love Beth."

Merle sighed as he fiddled with his bayonet. "just...don't want the same shit ta happen ta Beth like it did mom. Seems every time I tell someone I love them they drop dead at the next chance."

Daryl bit his lip before looking up at Merle. "I'm still alive."

Merle eyed Daryl. "you're a very different person then Sugar. If it weren't for ya, she'd already be dead."

Daryl shrugged. "so teach her. Beth's a good shot, she can learn."

Merle sighed. "shit happens in this world."

Daryl nodded. "and that's why ya need ta tell her. Jesus Merle, what if Beth hadn't made it? What if that fucker today put a bullet in her head? Do ya want her goin' out not knowin' how ya feel about her?"

Merle thought about that as Beth walked back with two plates of food. "naw brother, I don't want that."

SUGARSUGARSUGARSUGAR

Merle groaned as he laid down on the bed after placing his lamp on the side table, the stiffness in his joints making themselves known. The group had spread out for the night, separating into the bedrooms they had found around Terminus. Eugene was on watch all night, a punishment handed down from Abraham. Others would work shifts thru the night, switching off. But it had been universally decided that Carol, Tyresse and Merle would all get a full nights sleep.

Merle had left Daryl at the door way of the room beside the one he was in now, his brother following Carol into the room. Beth was still back with the group organizing the supplies they would take with them, but she had given Merle a smile and nod when he told her which room he was headed to.

Merle laid back on the bed after taking off his arm piece, rubbing at the stump. 4 days of hell had taken a toll, Merle was a mass of aches and pains.

Merle heard the click of the door opening and looked up as Beth slipped into the room, a bag in her hand. Beth smiled as she came over into the lamp light.

"how are you feeling?"

Merle chuckled. "like shit ta tell ya the truth. "

Beth nodded as she sat on the bed next to Merle and opened the bag. "i figured as much. Here, these will help."

Merle took the pills, raising an eyebrow. "Tylenol?"

Beth shook her head. "Oxycontin, Daryl gave those to me, told me to make sure you took at least 2. well...he didn't say those words but you get the point."

Merle smirked as he took a water bottle from Beth and swallowed the pills. "damn little bro, always tryin' ta baby me."

Beth smirked lightly. "that's my job. Next step- sit up."

Merle swung his legs over the edge of the bed and sat up as Beth worked her way behind him. Merle leaned forward, cracking his neck and stretching as he heard Beth pull more things out of the bag. Merle felt dampness against his back, and the smell of wet wipes as Beth washed his skin as best she could. Merle was silent as Beth's fingers ran over his scars, he was no longer ashamed of them around her. Beth had never judged Merle by his scars, something Merle loved about her.

As Beth tossed the wet wipes to the side, she handed Merle a pack of cigarettes and a lighter.

Merle chuckled as he tore open the package. "god damn Sugar, ya spoilin' me tonight."

Merle lit a cigarette as he felt Beth press a kiss against the top of his spine.

"you deserve it. You've had a rough few days, and we'd all be in trouble if you hadn't been here."

Merle took a drag before he smelled a new scent. Looking over his shoulder Merle watched as Beth squirted some cream on to her hand from a tube, the pungent scent of menthol and camphor filling the room as Beth rubbed the cream along Merle's shoulders. Merle dropped his head and groaned as Beth rubbed his shoulders, seeking out the knots and gently but firmly rubbing them away.

Merle smoked one cigarette and lit another before he spoke.

"I'm sorry about ya dad."

Beth stilled for just a moment before resuming rubbing Merle's back. "it's not your fault."

Merle shook his head. "it is. I should have kept after that fucker, should have kept lookin'. Should have known that asshole wasn't dead."

"Should haves are couldn't haves."

Merle looked back at Beth. "what the hell does that mean?"

Beth smiled sadly as she moved around to face Merle, taking his right arm in her hands, rubbing his bicep with the cream.

"Something my daddy used to say. Basically means that looking back at things, all we see are the should haves, instead of the couldn't haves. You couldn't keep hunting the governor Merle, you had no new information, no signs that he was alive at all. My daddy dying isn't your fault."

Merle sighed as Beth moved to rub his left arm. "suppose so. Doesn't mean I ain't feelin' guilty."

Beth smiled as she looked up at Merle. "the real question is what you're feeling guilt? Or grief?"

Merle thought about that as Beth put away the cream and stood from the bed, taking two sets of clothes out of the bag, handing Merle a fresh pair of boxers as he changed. Merle slipped off his disgusting and worn clothes as Beth slipped out of her own clothes, so she could into another pair of boxers, and a fresh shirt. Merle watched as Beth stripped, and stepped up behind Beth, pulled her into his chest as she dropped her used shirt to the floor. Beth leaned back into Merle as he pressed his face into Beth's neck, breathing deeply her scent. Merle wrapped his arms around Beth as she turned in his arms to kiss him. Merle kissed Beth back, before pulling away and rest his forehead against her own.

"never been more scared in my life then that moment I saw ya in that fuckers arms. Not when Daryl was in woodbury, not in any of the fire fights, not when I was trapped on that fuckin' roof. Naw, ain't nothin' as scary as seein' the woman I love in danger."

Beth looked up at Merle, her doe eyes wide and blue as Merle chuckled lightly.

"should have told ya a long time ago. I love ya Sugar. Think I have since the day ya smiled at me in the cell block. Knew it at the prison, but I was too much of a fuckin' pussy ta say it."

Merle dropped a kiss on Beth's lips, before pulling slightly away.

"i ain't a pussy now though. I love ya Beth. I always will woman, I'm yours for life."

Beth's eyes filled with tears as she hugged Merle close, burring her face in his chest.

"i love you too Merle. I was so afraid in the boxcar, I wanted you there so badly. I kept thinking of when I was going to see you again, it was the only thing that kept me going."

Merle held Beth tightly as he kissed the top of her head. "you're the reason I fight woman. I love ya, ain't nothin' gonna keep me from ya."

Beth looked up at Merle, smiling as she pressed a hand against Merle's jaw.

"you know, the last thing my daddy said to me was that I shouldn't underestimate your feelings for me. We had been talking about the future, how Maggie wants to have a baby with Glenn, and daddy asked if you and I had talked about children. I told him we hadn't, that I didn't know if you would even want children. And all my daddy did was smile and tell me that you were a man that was rediscovering himself, and that what you felt for me would surprise everyone, especially you."

Merle chuckled as he nodded.

"ya daddy was a smart man Sugar. Ya want kids, then as soon as we got a safe home, someplace stronger then the prison was, then I'll give ya kids, as many as ya want."

Beth smiled at Merle as she leaned up to kiss him. "I'd like that."

SUGARSUGARSUGARSUGAR

10 years later

"come on Merle, Hershey. Dinner's ready."

Merle looked up from where he and his 8 year old son wrestled on the lawn outside the kitchen. Beth smiled at him from where she stood, her long curly blonde hair shining in the sunlight.

Merle smirked as he stood up, lifting Hershey up to his feet before the young boy took off running towards his mother, his hair a mess of grass and curls. Beth tutted as she picked the grass out of Hershey's hair, sending the boy off to wash up for dinner. Merle dropped a kiss on Beth's lips, resting his hand against her belly which was rounded with the fourth of their children. Pounding foot steps signaled the entrance of the rest of the family as Daryl came in, carrying his 4 daughter in his arms, his 9 year old son following Carol closely. Daryl Junior was just as shy as his father, liking to stay in the background versus his little sister Andrea, who was already proving to be quite the little princess, loving the spotlight. Following their cousins, aunt and uncle, came Merle and Beth's 5 year old fraternal twins, Merle junior and Patricia.

Merle and Daryl caroled the children as Beth and Carol served up dinner. As the family sat down around the massive table Merle and Daryl had worked months on, Merle gave Beth a smile. Things were working out for the Dixon in the new Fort Jackson.