Running. They were running. Running through the woods. Running as fast as they could. Running from the burning prison; running from the small army that took their home; running from the ever present walkers. Running, running, running. There was little time for anything else.

They stop to catch their breath at last, safe for the present. In silence he begins to build a fire. The nights are cold in the Georgia autumn. She watches his arms flex as he lefts the small logs, watches his chest move up and down as he blows the small flame to life.

He settles with his back against a tree and watches her over the flames. His eyes burn into her soul, sending goose bumps down her arms. He beckons to her to move to his side, "Com'on girl, sit down. I don't bite."

His rough, heavily accented command is hard to resist. In silence, she moves to the log and settles down near to him. "Go on get some sleep; I'll keep watch."

With a nod, she lays down next to him, her head inches from his lap. Truth be told, she would rather put her head in his lap, but Daryl Dixon was not the cuddly type. Still, she knew she was safe with him, secure. He might say things in his anger sometimes, hurtful things, but who didn't? He was rough around the edges and didn't socialize easily but over the last few days he had begun to open up to her. She had learned he had good reason for shutting people out. She hoped he'd never shut her out again. She thought back to the brief moment he allowed her to hold him, to comfort him. She had a feeling it was the first honest, tender moment of support and affection he had ever accepted. She hoped it wouldn't be the last. She held that memory in her mind as she drifted off to sleep.

She woke to Daryl shaking her arm, she began to speak when he covered her mouth and pointed to the trees on the other side of the burning embers of the fire. She could see the walkers, moving slowly in their direction. They hadn't noticed them yet. She sat up slowly and silently, grabbed her bag and together she and Daryl slipped over the log on which they had been resting. They began to creep through the underbrush then they were running again. Running quietly, running quickly, running, always running. The sun was just peeking beyond the trees when they finally stopped again, before they were finally safe again. Exhausted and breathless they sunk to the ground leaning against each other for support.

Beth took a few moments to look around while catching her breath. A few feet away was a small pond, the water clear and sparkling in the early morning light. The clean water reminded her of just how dirty she was. At some point in the night, they stumbled on some uneven ground, sliding down a small hill and covering themselves in mud and dirt. Her skin began to crawl with the realization. Then she was struck by an idea, a dangerous, wonderful idea.

Slowly, so as to not knock Daryl to the ground, she stood and held her hand out to him. He looked at her a moment before taking it and letting her help him up. She held on to his hand and lead him to the pool.

"How about it, it looks safe, right?" she asked as she stepped behind a tree.

"What are you on about girl?" he replied confused.

"We're filthy. I don't remember the last time I had a bath." With that she began taking her clothes off and tossing them over a bush. When he saw the garments he turned his back. "Damn girl, next time warn me."

Beth laughed a little at his shyness but decided to leave her bra and panties on- they needed a wash as badly as did her body. "Yes, MR. Dixon."

Bracing herself for the cold, she stepped into the water. Thankfully the temperature was a bit warmer than expected. She walked in until most of her black bra was covered, then turned to see Daryl still facing the other direction. She squashed her unbidden disappointment at not catching him peeking." Hey, check my bag for some soap, will you?"

He turned and mumbled something that sounded like, "cover yourself up girl," but he went to the bag and soon had a small sliver of soap in hand. He walked to the edge of the water like a shy duckling that hasn't learned to swim and tossed the soap to her. She just managed to catch it. "Thanks. Ain't you getting in."

He shrugged, "Someone's gotta keep watch."

"You watch and bathe at the same time Daryl. Come on, it's not too cold."

"You tryin' t'say I smell bad or sumtin?"

"Well, you're no Cherokee rose." She thought she saw some emotion flash across his face but he hide it instantly. "Come on, Mr. Dixon. It'll do you good."

"Fine, you want me t'smell purdy. Let's do this then." With that he began to remove his shirt. When he began to unbuckle his pants, Beth turned around to watch the sun rising. She heard a splash and tuned back to find him, but there were only ripples. "Daryl? Daryl where are you?" She turned in small circles looking for some clue that would give away his position. "Daryl? Come on now." After a few more seconds she started to get worried. How long can he hold his breath? "Daryl, this ain't funny no more. Daryl?" Just then, he shot up out of the water, right behind her.

"So, you gonna share that soap or what?"

She splashed water in his laughing face, "don't you ever do that to me again Daryl Dixon."

Daryl was shocked at how angry she seemed, had he really scared her that badly? Were those tears on her face, or just water drops? He looked down, abashed, "Sorry, I was just messin'."

Beth felt bad for getting so upset, "no, I'm sorry. I shouldn't get so angry. Just, just don't do that again. Okay? I can't lose you Daryl Dixon. I just can't." Shocked at the words coming out of her own mouth, Beth clammed up quick. She risked a look up at his face, he was staring at her again, this time with a bemused expression. "What, what is it?"

"Nothin'." He said then looked away like he'd been caught with his hand in the cookie jar. "So, are you gonna share that soap?"

She handed it over smiling. "Save some for the clothes. Ain't no sense getting' clean, if we gotta get back in those dirty clothes."

He grunted in response and started lathering up.

Beth left him to it and swam around for a while and letting her cares float away. For a few moments she was just a girl swimming with a boy, a man she corrected. She didn't think Daryl Dixon had ever been a boy. After a few more moments, she climbed back up on the bank and grabbed an oversized shirt out of her bag. She put it on and slipped her bra in panties off from under the shirt. She picked up their clothes from where they had fallen and took them back to the bank. She looked up and was surprised (and secretly excited) to find his eyes n her. Again. This time he was staring in earnest. This time was different from the others. Suddenly she was very aware of the shirt clinging to her wet body. She coughed, "You done?"

He looked shocked and began to stutter an apology.

"With the soap, I mean."

"Oh, yeah. Here." He tossed it to her again and looked away quickly.

The soap fell to the ground and she collected it as she looked around for a good place. She finally settled down on the rockiest part of the bank and got to work. She finished her clothes then started on Daryl's t-shirt.

"You ain't gotta do that. Here gimme that."

She jumped; she hadn't heard him get out of the water and now he was standing right next to her, wearing just his boxers. "I don't mind. Really it's okay." She continued scrubbing, trying not to stare at his crotch so close to her face.

"I been washin' my own clothes long as I can remember. Don't see no reason to stop now."

"Fine, here." She handed him the soap and the shirt, gathered up her own clothes and walked around him. He turned his body with hers, careful not to let her see his back. The last thing he wanted was to see pity in her eyes. He had opened up to her, but there were some things her preferred not to share with anyone.

He could hear Beth humming behind him as she hung her clothes over the low hanging branches of a tree. He listened deeper to be sure he didn't hear anything else. All was quiet. They were safe. For now.

He turned back to his task allowing himself to enjoy the simple act of working with his hands. All his life the only peace he could find was in working with his hands.

Behind him, the humming stopped, he heard a small gasp and waited for the inevitable question, but it never came.

His entire body was still tensed when Beth walked over to him her hand extended, "You want me to take that? You're gonna wash a whole in it."

He handed her the shirt and picked up his pants. "You saw?"

She wrung the shirt out as much as she could. "Mm-hmm."

"You gonna ask?" He couldn't look at her.

"You want to tell me about it?" She walked back to the tree.

"No." he whispered as he leaned back against a rock.

"Then I ain't gonna ask." She hung up the shirt then turned back to look at him. He was so tense, so afraid. She'd give anything to make that fear go away. She walked over and sat down next to him. Without looking at him she picked up his hand and put a gentle kiss on the back of it then moved up and took up the task of washing his pants.

He sat back, breathing heavily, trying to relax again. "I said you ain't gotta do that."

She smiled back at him. "I don't mind really. Makes me feel useful."

Her smile helped him relax further and he found himself smiling in return. She looked away and began scrubbing and he climbed up on the large rock he'd been leaning on and lay out in the sun to dry.

When she was done with the work she climbed boldly up on the rock, "budge over will ya, it's getting cold." He grunted but moved over. "You should get some rest. When was the last time you slept?" He looked up at her. "Go on, I'll watch."

He closed his eyes and in a matter of moments was snoring peacefully. True to her word she watched. She watched his chest rise and fall. Watched his eyes move restlessly under his closed lids. She took advantage of his unawareness to return the stares she'd been receiving. She let her eyes rack the length of his strong, muscled body. If anyone was meant to survive the apocalypse it was this man. He began to whimper, like he was having a bad dream, Lord knows he had plenty to dream about. Without thinking she reached up to smooth hair out of his face and comfort him."Don't go, please don't go," he whispered out as he reached out a hand. She took that hand and gently said, "sh, it's okay, I'm here."

His hand gripped hers in a vise like hold and she couldn't have gotten away if she wanted to. She looked around carefully to make sure they were alone then slowly laid down next to him. As soon as she was settled with her head in the crock of his arm, he quieted and slept peacefully.

She wanted so badly to wrap herself around his body, wanted to snuggle down deeply and feel him on ever possible square inch of bare skin. Somehow she thought if he woke and found her in such a position he would retreat from her entirely. She ha worked hard to open him up and would do nothing to lose that trust now. Besides, she was on watch. She allowed her self one more moment to lay next to him then climbed down from the rock to retrieve Daryl's crossbow. She climbed back up next to him and placed the crossbow in her lap. For several hours she watched the sunrise over the horizon, slowly moving so that she and Daryl were eventually shaded by a large oak nearby.

Then she heard it, the leaves rustled as dead feet shuffled through the brush and groaning, rattling breaths reached her ears bringing her out of her reveries. Daryl looked so peaceful, and there was just the one, so with shaking hands she lifted the crossbow. Just like Daryl showed her she aimed at the walkers head, she breathed in and shot. The bolt sailed through the air and pierced the decaying skull of what used to be someone's loved one. With a small splatter of blood, the walker fell.

In her excitement Beth squealed, she had done it! Unfortunately, her squeal woke the man next to her. He sat up quickly, "What's happening, what is it You Okay?"

"Oh, sorry. Sorry, I just..." she glanced at the walker, "I did it! I got it!"

Daryl smiled as he looked from the celebrating Beth to the walker. He noted the perfection shot with pride and got down to get the bolt. "Waste not want not. Nice shot Green!"

"Thanks!" She practically shone in her pride. Maybe she wasn't such a burden after all. "Maybe we can find another crossbow somewhere?"

"Maybe. We'll hafta keep our eyes open."

"Sorry, I woke you up. You were sleeping so well."

"'s'alright, Green. Burnin' daylight anyway. Come on, best get dressed now."

"Right, 'course." Beth hoped down off the rock and cried out in pain as she sliced her leg on the uneven surface.

He was at her side in an instant. He lifted her gently back on the rock and gently took her leg in his hands. "Hols still, think I got some clean bandage somewhere." With that he went to rummage around in his bag for a few minutes before producing a length of bandage and a rag. He wet the cloth in the the pond then came back to her. She hissed in pain as he lifted her leg. "Sorry, but we gotta keep it clean. Don't want to lose it do you?" he stopped his ministrations at her sniffle and looked up to see a small tear roll down her face. "Sorry, again." He began wrapping her leg with the bandage, his rough, work worn hands deft and gentle on her delicate skin. He began at her lower calf and stopped just above her knee. "your daddy, he was a good man. You're lucky you had him."

"I know. I just miss him. And the others." Another tear escaped and ran down her check. Maybe she wasn't quiet so done crying.

Daryl stood awkwardly in front of her, not really knowing what to do. Give him a walker to kill or a deer to hunt and he was fine. Give him a crying female and he was lost. Finally he worked up his courage and took her into his arms. Just a gentle embrace to let her know he was here and he wasn't leaving. It didn't take her long to return the embrace. With all the strength her skinny little arms could muster she held on to him. Too long she had kept her feelings in check. Too long she had held back her tears. She let them go now. She put her head on his neck and just let it all rush out, and he held her, solid and strong. After a while she began to calm but wasn't ready to break the embrace. Before she could think to much about it, she kissed his neck. He smelled so good, like woods and soap. She felt him tense up as her lips touche his skin. He moved his hands away and placed them on the rock to either side of her. She wouldn't let him leave though. "Daryl?"

"Hmm?" he grunted still tense.

"Daryl, can I tell you something?" she held him a little tighter.

"Hmm." he grunted his affirmative.

"Daryl Dixon, I know I'm younger than you," another grunt at that, "but I ain't a kid. We're all we have now. Just you and me. I can't lose you, do you understand me? You gotta promise me, you'll never leave me."

He raised his head back, just enough to look at her. He stared into her eyes and swallowed hard. "I promise Beth Green. I ain't ever gonna leave you. You couldn't lose me if you tried." She smiled as he rested his forehead against hers. They stayed that way a few more minutes before finally breaking apart. They could hear more rustling in the woods. "Come one. We gotta get dressed and find somewhere safer."

They dressed quickly, gathered their few belongings, and hand-in-hand left the pond behind.