The day started like always did in the prison yard , the kids from Woodbury running and laughing , just being kids. Madeline was washing Daryl's dirty clothes when one of the Woodbury kids ran up to her.

" Ms. Madee, told me that if I came an' told you that he wanted ya in the watchtower that he would give me a candy bar an' I haven't had a candy bar since in like forever , so is waitin for ya and I told momma fore' I came and told ya.'"

Madeline blinked all she got out of the conversation was that Merle promised the kid a candy bar and that he needed her . She crouched down and looked at the kid and ruffled his hair .

" Thank you for coming and telling me little one even if you did get a candy bar out of it " She put Daryl's washed shirt on the line wondering just where the heck his wife was then she remembered and shook her head honestly those two were worse the teenagers .

She climbed the last step and gasped there he was back to the door but she could tell that he was nervous she didn't know why though to her he was perfect to her no matter his faults. He slowly turned around and walked towards her.

'll never settle down, That's what I always thought Yeah, I was that kind of man,

just ask anyone

" Angel I uh ya' know I ain't good an' I don't know why you choose a old man like me , I ain't good for ya darlin' ya should find somebody who hasn't done the things that I have done " He said pushing away from her and shoving his only hand across his hair.

She shook her head " Now Merle you know I don't care about that -"

She didn't get to finish what she was going to say because grabbed her in a hug and started to sway with her and their song played in the background , she briefly wondered how he knew she thought this song was theirs as she had never had the chance to tell him after he left on that run a couple weeks ago and well that and the prison had no power.

I don't dance, But here I am Spinning you around and around in circles It Ain't my style, but I don't care I'd do anything with you anywhere Yes, you got me in the palm of your hand

Cause, I don't dance

"Darlin' do ya love me? " he whispered into her hair as they swayed to the song on a Georgia summer night with the crickets chirping in the background and the stars shining brightly with no city lights to block them.

She smiled softly " Of course Merle forever and always baby " she could feel him smiling in her hair.

" Darlin' ya' gotta let me go " he whispered suddenly.

"W-what do you mean Merle ? Let you go while we're dancing ? " Madeline asked her heart suddenly began to pound harder almost as if she knew what he meant.

"No baby like let me go in here" He said touching her heart "Ya' need to find someone else someone who could protect you"

No, I don't dance, but here I am Spinning you around and around in circles It ain't my style, but I don't care I'd do anything with you anywhere Yes, you got me in the palm of your hand, girl Cause, I don't dance

"Never Merle I don't want to , no one could ever replace you I would rather be single for the rest of my time then move on you're coming back I just know it !" She responded

"Madeline you already know that isn't true , I got bit on that run remember I got Daryl to bring you back my dog tags and I told baby brother to tell you that I'll watch over you wherever I end up? "

The cold metal of the tags suddenly came to the forefront of her mind , the song that was playing stopped , the crickets stopped chirping , the stars became cloudy and rain began to fall. She began to sob of course she remembers now , after all how does one forget that their love has died

He smiled sadly as he began to fade " Don't worry babydoll I'll save ya seat for when ya get here "

Yeah, you got me in the palm of your hand, girl

Cause, I don't dance

*I don't own The Walking Dead nor do I own the song "I Don't Dance " By Lee Brice