Beth Greene was a 24 year old single mother with a four year old son. Bentley Ryder Greene was his name. The guy who took Beth Greene's virginity and left her pregnant and alone, she couldn't stand. Dillon Grimes, he was the town sheriffs brother. It was hard going to college and caring for a child but thanks to her family for the support and help, she did it. She was close to Rick, which was Dillon's older brother. Rick was married to Lori and they had three kids, Carl, Lucy, and Judith. Lucy would watch Bentley for Beth when Maggie or Shawn couldn't. Even though Dillon never saw Bentley, Dillons family was in Bentley's life. It was hard being a doctor taking care of a child by herself. Beth stood at the door frame of her son's room just admiring the perfect brown haired boy. It was early in the morning and she was about to head off to work. Lucy would be here any minute to watch Bentley. Beth hated that she had to leave him with a babysitter all the time but with her job she had no choice. It killed Beth when her son would beg her to stay home but she couldn't. She loved her son but she never wanted this life. She wanted to be married and happy before she ever had kids. Beth let out a sad sigh as her doorbell rang. She walked downstairs to open the door to a tired Lucy. They said their goodbyes and Beth grabbed her car keys and left. Hopefully today would be calm.

"Daddy can I go with you?" Elly asked her dad.

"You wanna shoot a big gun?" Merle chuckled.

"Yeah, can I?" she asked.

Merle didn't care that she was small, if she wanted to shoot he was gonna let her. Daryl was out doing some shopping for the house. Merle never did shit for the house or Elena. Daryl thought that Merle could just watch Elly for a few hours for once in his life, she was his kid after all. He never took care of his daughter ever since she was born. Her mom died during birth. Elena Skylar Dixon was her name, Elly for short. Daryl treated her more like a daughter than Merle ever did. Merle was barely home, if at all. That left Daryl to take care of the little brown haired girl. He didn't mind it because she was his niece, but it pissed him off that Merle never did anything for her. Daryl picked out some of Elly's favorite food and approached the cash register. He paid for the grocery's and packed them into the car. Daryl drove the five minute drive home and unpacked the supplies into the house. He had just sat down when his phone rang. Merle showed up on the caller ID.

"What Merle?" Daryl said in an annoyed tone.

"I was letting her shoot the 22 and it cocked back and split her head open. She's knocked out and I dunno what to do!" Merle shouted through the phone.

"Fuck, where are you dumbass?" Daryl hissed.

"At Ace's house." Merle slurred out.

Daryl slammed the phone down and grabbed his keys. Merle was probably drunk and wasn't watching Elly, at all. He drove with his fists clenched to the steering wheel. Man did Merle piss him off, he was so tired of his brother and always having to clean up after him. Daryl arrived and ran to an unmoving Elly. Anger filled Daryl but he didn't have the time to curse his brother out, he had to get Elly to the hospital. Daryl scooped her up and carried her to the car, buckled her in and sped off. He was speeding but how could he not. Who knows how long she had been out. Merle is a fuck up and was drinkin. Fear washed through Daryl as he came to the emergency room.

"I need help!" Daryl shouted as he carried a lifeless Elly.

"What happened?" A nurse asked as she led him to a room.

"My brother let her shoot a 22 and it cocked back and hit her in the head. She's been out for about ten minutes or so." Daryl croaked out.

"Okay, I'll get the doctor." the nurse replied.

Beth was sitting in her office drinkin her coffee when her name came upon the intercom. "Doctor Greene, we need you in room 72 right now." Beth got up and moved as fast as her legs would carry her to the room she was called to. She approached the room and saw a little girl in the hospital bed, blood running down her head, her face as pale as a white piece of paper. Beth's heart started to pound as she started telling the nurse's to get her supplies to stop the bleeding. "Sir, can you tell me what happened?" Beth said in a calm voice. Beth grabbed some gauze and pressed it to the open gash. As Beth applied more pressure the man's raw voice came through "My uh brother let her shoot a 22 and it cocked back and knocked her out." Beth cleaned the gash and she got her kit to close up the gash. It would take about 10 stitches to close it up, Beth had guessed do to past accidents. The gash was on the side of her head, it was on her face so Beth didn't have to shave any hair. Daryl sat quietly as he watched the blonde stitch up his niece. Once Daryl got home he was gonna scream at Merle. He couldn't handle his older brother anymore. Daryl had custody of Elly so it wouldn't matter if Daryl kicked Merle out. Not like her was ever home anyway. Merle was a drunk and it wasn't safe for Elly to be around him.

"Doctor, is she gonna be okay?" Daryl looked the doctor in her big blue eyes.

"Yeah, she will be sore a few days or so but she will be fine." Beth smiled to ease his mind.

"When will she wake up? and Thank you." Daryl blurted out.

"Within ten minutes or so. No need to thank me it's my job." Beth replied.

Daryl walked up and pulled a chair up next to his niece. Beth turned to leave but his voice stopped her. "I'm sorry your dad is not here for you. I wish he would own up and take care of ya but I guess you're stuck with me." Beth's heart ached as she listened to him talk to that little girl. Why couldn't every guy be like him? Beth thought to herself. Before he noticed she left the door frame to get some medicine to help heal the wound and ease the pain. Daryl sat next to Elly her tiny hands in his. So many thoughts ran through his head. Would she be okay? Would she be better off without Merle? As much as it pained Daryl he had to do what was best for her but was kicking Merle out the best? He was so confused, never in a million years would Daryl have thought Merle would become a father. Never would he have thought he would be taking care of his older brother's kid. You would think he would be a lot more wiser since he was older than Daryl.

Beth coughed as she entered the room. "I am here to give Elena some medication to help with the pain." Beth said. Daryl stood up to give her room to do what she needed too. "I know what you're feeling. My son Bentley fell off his bike a year ago and hit his head on the pavement. There was blood everywhere. Scared me to death." Beth said. Daryl looked at her with pain in his eyes. "The thing is she ain't mine. She is my niece and my brother doesn't take care of her." Daryl mumbled out. Beth extended her hand, "I'm Beth Greene, by the way." Daryl shook her hand. "Daryl Dixon." he murmured. Beth checked Elly's pulse as she carried on her conversation with Daryl. "How old is she?" Beth asked. "She is four." Daryl signed. "How old is your son?" he added. Looking up from Elly to meet his gaze, "My son is four also." Beth smiled warmly at Daryl.

Daryl's heart pounded as her big blue eyes pierced his dull blue ones. She was probably the most beautiful doctor he has ever seen. He wondered if she was married. He didn't see any ring on her finger but then again it could be due to her job. He was just a mechanic. Nothing too special. Beth finished up and left. She had other patients to care for and it kind of disappointed Daryl because he wanted nothing more than to hear her babble about her life. It was late and Daryl was going to stay overnight with Elly. Beth said that she would be able to go home tomorrow. This day had been long and Daryl needed a cigarette. He hadn't had one all day because he had been here with Elly. Daryl walked out into the dark night. The cold breeze cooling his face. He walked around the corner to light up a smoke. Within a minute or so Beth came out of the door digging in her purse probably lookin for her keys. She pulled her keys from her purse and unlocked her door. She smiled and waved bye to Daryl. He waved back and leaned against the wall. A weird sound filled his ears and looked up to see Beth turning the key in the ignition. Daryl walked over to her.

"Car trouble?" he mumbled.

"Yeah." she replied.

"Pop the hood and i'll take a look. I'm a mechanic and can probably find the problem." Daryl chuckled.

"Oh, you don't have to do that." Beth said in a sweet voice.

"I want to. Pop the hood." Daryl tapped the top of her car.

Doing as he said the hood flew up. Daryl's body was leaned across the car. Beth watched as he moved his hands around quickly. Trying to take in all the information he said about cars and such, she couldn't keep up. Daryl wiped his hands on his jeans and told her to start the car. Beth walked to the driver's side and turned the key, nothing. Daryl made one more small adjustment just as Beth leaned forward pressing her arms on the horn. She heard a thump and saw Daryl holding his head. Beth flew out of the car.

"Oh my gosh, are you okay. That was a total accident. I am so sorry." Beth rambled.

"It's fine, I am okay. It was just a little bump." Daryl breathed out.

"You're bleeding. Let me clean it up for you." Beth blurted out.

"Nah, you don't have to." Daryl murmured.

"I want to. Please." She pleaded.

"Okay, if it will make ya feel better." he chuckled out.

Beth walked to her car and pulled out her first aid kit. Pulling a pad and alcohol wipes from the box. She ripped the wipes open and pressed on to his forehead. He cringed at the sudden sting. Wiping it clean, she put the little pad on his forehead. Being inches away from his lips Beth was tryin hard not to lose her cool. "I'm sorry about that." She mumbled out. Daryl moved back to finish his work on her car. "It's fine." he returned. "Try it now." he added. Beth moved into the driver's seat and turned the key. The engine roared to life. Beth jumped out and hugged him. "Thank you." she shrieked. Daryl stood still. "No problem." he choked out. Beth kissed his cheek and got in her car excited to go home to her son. Daryl smiled as he watched her drive away. That kiss on his cheek gave him a weird feeling, but the thing was he liked it. Was he starting to like this girl?