Daryl knew these guys. Grown up surrounded by scum just like them. Hell him and Merle'd been just like them once. Once upon a time but not anymore. Daryl'd left that part of him behind just like the burning shit hole him and Beth had torched. But he knew better than to show any weakness to these assholes.
"So Daryl," Joe spit some blood out. "What you doin sittin in a crossroads? Joe laughed. "Contemplatin life?"
The five guys with Joe all laughed. Laughed like even if they didn't get it they knew better than to not laugh at Joe's jokes. Daryl made a split second decision. Hopefully that decision wouldn't rear up later and bite him in the ass. "Trackin a girl."
"Oh ho!" Joe leered and the guys obligingly chuckled along with him. "She a looker?"
Joe and these guys wouldn't get near Beth if Daryl could help it but like Joe said he was at a crossroad. Three directions converging on one. He knew where he'd just been and he knew where Joe's gang had just come from.
Daryl'd have to be careful how he played this one. Beth would hate the way he was about to talk about her but he knew how these guys thought, knew what made them tick and he'd use that if he could, "prettiest honey ya ever saw." He said pushing his chin up defensively. He stood there for another moment feeling cornered by Joe and his guys circled round him. "Got away though."
"Hm best kinda prey to track." Joe smirked. "You a tracker Daryl? Could use a good tracker and bowman."
Daryl ignored the question and asked one of his own. "You see a late model sedan, greyish, tail fin, pass you in the last hour er so?"
"Can't answer in the positive to that Daryl." Joe said rocking back on his heals as if contemplating.
"Then that's the way they went." Daryl pushed his way past Joe's guys starting down the only road left unexplored. He ignored the unease he felt turning his back to them but the hope that Beth had instilled in him glimmered at his first lead since hitting the three way stop.
Joe knew that car and knew where they'd find it. And he was down right intrigued by a new piece of pussy that might have fallen into their hands. But he needed men too. Lost two a few miles back on their supply run. Needed guys like Daryl.
Joe stepped up walking at Daryl's side giving his guys a look over his shoulder that clearly said 'watch him', "So tell me bout this woman whose got you wanderin about on your own son." Joe said as they all trudged down the road.
"Ain't yer son." Daryl grunted out keeping his eyes down but always vigilant.
"Hey there," Joe said laughing holding up his hands in surrender. "Just makin chit chat. Must be somethin else though, guy like you. Chasin after some tail."
Daryl knew what Joe was doing…testing him, ferreting out a weakness, evaluating his strengths. "She's mine! All you need to know." Daryl spit out standing square and looking Joe straight in the eye. Something he had learned to do since Beth and the group.
He wasn't the shit little brother or the shit son anymore. He was his own man now. He had worth and he'd prove it by finding Beth and doing a better job of keeping her safe when he did.
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Beth wrapped hope around herself like it was the warmest of blankets on a cold Georgia night. She wouldn't cry, wouldn't think on what Daryl's face had looked like as she'd squirmed around in the confining arms holding her in the backseat.
She refused to think that Daryl standing in the road behind them calling out for her would be her last image of him. If it was she hoped Daryl wouldn't remember her saying 'you're gonna miss me when I'm gone Daryl Dixon.' Because if they never saw each other again she didn't want him to miss her. She wanted to think he'd go on being the man he was now, a man with hope, a good one.
They'd tied her shortly after pealing out from the mortuary but she'd kept her wits and taken careful note of any turns they'd taken. Only one she thought. To the right at a three way stop. That only left two directions Daryl could take if he was following them. A fifty fifty chance she thought.
The car pulled up in front of a ranch style gate with acreage surrounded by cattle fencing, reinforced with spike similar to the ones they'd put out around the jail. The scruffy man driving got out of the car and opened it, drove through, then hopped back out to shut it.
They followed a long gravel drive up to a single story brick ranch house sprawling with mix and match add on additons. Every fiber of her being told her she didn't want to get taken into that house but she'd be strong. She'd learned to be strong and she'd remember everything Daryl had taught her. She owed it to him to survive.
The driver went in the front door hollering to someone one inside, "Sue! Get yer ass out here we got company." He turned back to them with a nasty grin, "Common Ned bring'er on in." He walked through the door muttering, "Godamn woman teach you a lesson not common when I says so."
Ned pulled her roughly towards the door and into the house, shoving her the rest of the way in to stumble into a living room area. Three women entered a second later she guessed one of them was Sue.
They had a familiar look about them. A look she'd seen before, like Miss Howard after her husband'd gone missing a few days on a bender. Like Carol when she'd arrived at the Farm. Timid, beaten down by life by their men and so damn scared themselves that Beth knew she wouldn't be able to count on them for any help.
"Sue!" The driver said dragging one of the women out of the cowering threesome. "get'er washed, fuckin stinks." He pushed Beth forward and Sue took her arm in a crow like grasp leading her away. Beth wouldn't struggle with this woman she could easily break away from her. But Ned and the driver would also easily catch her again and something made her loath heaping down any more wrath on this woman's head.
"Just do what they tell ya honey," Sue said as she scrubbed Beth head to toe in a tub the other two women had filled with an inch or so of water. It was cold but Beth didn't think she was shivering because of that and she tried to wrap her arms around herself. "Joe's away fer now, Ned n Frank won't touch ya till he gets back." Sue trickled some more cold water over her head. "Joe always gets first dibs." She finished faintly.
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Joe and they guys stopped at a ranch gate and fiddled with the latch to open it. "Home sweet home." Joe smirked at Daryl. "Mi casa fuckin su casa."
"Gotta keep movin." Daryl went to turn away from the group hoping they wouldn't challenge him but knowing deep down they would.
"Lookin for a late model sedan? Greyish? Tail fin?" Joe eyed him and then pointed drawing Daryl's attention down the gravel driveway. Daryl squinted in the direction Joe was pointing, a calculated look in his eye as he watched Daryl.
Daryl'd thought Beth had started him seeing hope but at that moment, he knew. Knew he hadn't really believed until that moment. At the sight of that car hope slammed into him with a vicious force that nearly knocked him on his backside.
He started to tear up the drive but a strong hand on his arm held him back. "Son of a Bitch," Daryl snarled out throwing a punch held back by yet another hand. Fucking son of a bitch had known all along Daryl thought seeing red.
"Now calm the fuck down!" Joe said getting in his face. Daryl struggled against the arms holding him back. The rage he felt comparing only to that moment he'd found out Merle'd been left on that rooftop to die.
"Couldn't just let you wander in here now could we?" Daryl stopped struggling knowing he had to be smart, had to think. If Beth was in there he needed these men to think he was someone he wasn't anymore. He just hoped that when the time came Beth would see through the role he'd have to play now.
"Good now." Joe said satisfied, nodding his head to they guys to release him. "We got rules here Daryl. Follow the rules and you'll be jus fine." Joe clapped him on the back like an old buddy as they started down the driveway.
"Yeah what rules?" Daryl grunted his voice strained.
"Well now, figure you'll know when ya break one of em." Joe chuckled and the guys behind him chuckled too.
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When the group walked in the door Joe called out "honey I'm home," then a second later angry, "where the fuck are ya Sue!"
"Joe," a meek woman said coming into the room, "you weren't with Ned and Frank,"
Daryl could see the terror in the woman's eyes, one sickly yellow from a healing bruise. Daryl shifted from one foot to the other wanting to break someone. Holding back, waiting though, waiting to play this out.
A few more women crowded behind her. Huddled more like Daryl thought. Another man pushed past the group of women. "Joe!" He said noticing Daryl standing with them. But before he could say more Joe stepped up and knocked him upside the head.
"Where the hell were ya Ned, we got to the crossroads to meet up and you weren't fuckin there!"
"Hell Joe," Ned said rubbing the back of his head. "Ran inta some trouble tryin to get to the stash."
"Don't explain you missin the meet! Had to walk damnit." Joe said collapsing into a threadbare lounge chair.
"Thought you'd gone on…thought we'd catch up to ya on the road man." Ned whined. "But we got somethin for ya." Ned grinned evilly. "Sue! gett'er now…"
Daryl had been watching the scene impatiently, evaluating each man. Doing his own examination of the situation looking for their own weaknesses. He wasn't stupid enough to think they'd accepted him yet. Was sure he'd find out their agenda soon enough.
He spun at the sound of a scuffle as another woman was pushed into the room. He was on guard ready for whatever these assholes wanted to dish out. He'd stay that way too. He knew these types, hung out with them and Merle. He knew not to let his guard down around them. Ever.
A feeling of relief knifed through him as he saw Beth stumble in. He quickly masked the expression turning it to one of anger instead. God he hoped Beth saw through this, understood what he was doing. He strode toward her begging her with his eyes to go along with this charade. He knew what he'd have to do now. Knew how this was gonna have to play out if him and Beth had a chance in hell of getting out of her alive.
"Goddamn it Beth! When I fuckin tell you to stay put, you fuckin stay put." He pulled her into him roughly and took her by the back of her hair shaking her a bit as he said it. She gasped out and he hated that sound. Hated that she'd made it because of him no matter that he was just trying to put on a good show. Would she feel that he was holding back, didn't want to hurt her? He could hear Joe chuckling and some snickers from the other guys to his back.
Yeah Daryl knew what he had to do watched it play out countless times with his Dad with Merle. Before Beth could betray them by saying or doing anything that could compromise this play Daryl bent his head and pulled Beth's mouth into his for a punishing kiss. She struggled against him for a moment startled and probably scared as hell Daryl thought. His wide shoulders were shielding them from the group behind and he took the brief opportunity to ease back a bit to whisper, plead, "Please Beth."
Those crystal clear blue eyes looked into his briefly and he could see bewildered fright turn to understanding. Then she shocked the hell out of him by wrapping her slender arms around his neck and beautifully surrendering her lips to him again. The moment drew out as he felt her pressed against him, sweet and pliant against his length.
He'd never let himself think of Beth this way. Never would have allowed himself to dream of her. He had too much respect for Hershal to think of polluting his precious daughter with his mouth, his body. She was young and so pretty that it made his heart hurt in his chest. He deepened the kiss; let his tongue slide into her hot wet mouth, tasting unbelievably of mint toothpaste.
He told himself that this was just power play. A way to mark Beth as his therefore protecting her from the other men. Men he hoped like hell had some kind of code amongst them. But when Beth moved in tighter to him and made a funny little noise in her throat he pulled away from her slightly, worried that she'd begin to feel the hardness pressing against his pants.
As he moved a hand down her slender back to cup and possessively squeeze her butt, he knew he could tell himself it was all a power play but he knew it in that instant it was a lie. Knew he'd been lying to himself for a while about what he wanted with Beth. He just hoped he could keep those feelings to himself. There was no need for Beth to know that this was more than just a power game to him.
He came back to himself realizing that those around him were closely monitoring their actions. He could hear the guys making cat calls and whistling urging him on. "Need to teach you a lesson girl." He growled down at Beth just loud enough for the others in the room to hear.
"Bedrooms down the hall boy," Joe called out chuckling. "Make it good cause tomorrow it's my turn." Daryl herd him say as he pulled a dazed Beth out of the room.
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Daryl urged Beth up on the bed arranging her with her back against the headboard. She could barely believe it when she'd seen him standing in that room surrounded by those guys. He'd looked good so good, like home, like hope.
He'd scared her to death at first but she'd figured out what he was doing real quick. They'd gotten used to communicating with few words. At least she'd gotten used to Daryl communicating with few words, could almost see what he was thinking most days now. She touched her bruised lips wonderingly; thank god he didn't look too close at what she might be thinking.
She knew Daryl had a plan, could guess what it was but for just maybe this short time he'd let her put her fingers in his hair. Smooth it out of his eyes. She wanted to touch that fierce man so gently she knew he had gentleness inside. Maybe he'd let her run her hands across his broad shoulders the way she always wanted to.
She squeezed her eyes shut shuddering remembering the kiss they'd shared a few minutes ago. Remembering the feeling of him pressed against her. She hopped she'd never forget, wished she could write it down. Maybe he'd let her kiss him again she thought, she hoped. It hadn't hadn't wanted just a before but she knew Daryl didn't think of her that way. So lost in her moment of dreaming she startled when Daryl finally spoke.
"Take this," he handed her the crossbow. Thank god he'd taught her how to use it he thought. It was an advantage; they'd never know she could use the weapon. He helped her load and position it, "keep it aimed at the door," He slipped a small knife out of his pocket and tucked it into hers keeping the large one for himself. "I'll knock quick before I come back in, anyone comes through that door but me, you put a bolt through their head."
Beth nodded and he knew he could count on her. Count on her to keep herself safe. She was a survivor he reminded himself as he walked with the stealth of a learned tracker back down the hall. The guys were all there swilling found liqueur and smoking cigarettes they'd probably taken off walkers. Seemed homecoming was somethin to celebrate he thought with a disgusted huff as he watched Ned pull one of the battered women into his lap and fondle her roughly.
Satisfied that everyone was accounted for and busy he knocked quick and soft on the bedroom door then slid back inside. He stood with his back to the room for a moment and rested his head against the door. "I'm sorry Beth." he husked out.
He heard her cross the room behind him and knew what she was going to do. Knew that he was helpless to do anything but accept the arms she twined around his waist. He wasn't sure this time if she was comforting him or if she was comforting herself but he let her hold him. Let himself feel her small body wrapped around him. Her clean smell of soap and toothpaste. He didn't want to dwell on how she might have gotten so clean but he was glad she'd had that if it was something good.
He shuddered as he felt her warmth leave his back. Her hand snaking down his arm to twine their fingers together. "Nothin at all to be sorry for Daryl Dixon." she whispered.
Beth tugged him by the hand over to the bed and laid down dragging him with her so they were both lying on their backs staring up at the ceiling. "Gotta do somethin," Daryl said turning his head towards her. She looked at him questioningly. Of course she wouldn't know what those ass holes expected. She'd probably only kissed her boyfriends in quiet private places. "Just shout out a couple times." He didn't explain further but kneeled up on the bed grasping the headboard and banging it against the wall a couple of time. He looked at Beth and she smiled back understanding "Daryl!" She screamed in a very good imitation of someone reaching climax. They heard lewd laughter from the front room. Daryl fell back to the bed satisfied. Beth plopped back down stifling a giggle next to him.
"Where'd you learn to do that?" Daryl smirked at her.
"I don't kiss and tell Daryl Dixon." She smirked back.
They'd lain there silently a few moments when Beth said hesitantly, "Daryl?"
He turned his head and looked at her waiting.
She thought she might die of embarrassment if he denied her, "Would you do something for me?"
He huffed out a breath as if he thought she was crazy and maybe she was.
"Will you kiss me again?"
"Beth." he said pained looking away.
"If I ever get to write about a kiss with you I don't want it to have been with a room full of ugly men Daryl." she said softly.
He looked back at her on those soft words. Wondered if she knew how much he wanted to kiss her again and more. So much more. Wanted to feel her body pressed up against his, wanted her sweetness her gentleness, wondered if she understood what a fine line he was holding to right now.
He couldn't let her think this was a part of the game plan. If he kissed her, and he couldn't believe he was entertaining the thought, he had no right to. But if he did he wanted to make sure that just this one time it was him kissing her. The man she'd helped him be. Not some angry guy playing a role.
He was looking into her crystal blue eyes when he nodded his head against the bed. Didn't think he could say it out loud. A shy smile bloomed across her face as her hand came up to smooth the hair away from his forehead. Her fingers were cool and dry feathering across his brow.
He sucked in a breath at the tenderness of her touch at the wonder in her eyes. No one had ever touched him like this. As if he were something dear something precious and valued. He waited still and breathlessly as she brought her mouth to his.
Beth rose up over him and placed her hands on either side of his head. She looked down at him, his beautiful hooded eyes and rugged face just below hers. Her eyes drawn to the little beauty mark above his lip. She smiled as she thought he'd hate it that she thought of it as a 'beauty' mark. Knew he thought there was nothing beautiful about himself.
Slowly Beth lowered her mouth to his. She wanted to remember this forever, wanted this one kiss to last in her memory. She brushed her lips over his feeling the soft hairs of his scruffy beard against her chin. Felt his indrawn breath as it lifted his chest to brush against her breasts. This man was worth having she thought. Worth caring for. She'd keep him if she could but she knew this was just a moment. One perfect moment in a world perfect had no place in anymore.
Beth tilted her head to deepen the kiss. Daryl lay still suppressing a grown, his chest rising and falling beneath her, brushing against her breasts. Like a sweet torture he couldn't help loving. It was everything he could do not to turn her over and take control. Slide his tongue into the heaven of her mouth and take it like his body was urging him to do. But this was her kiss. Her way of erasing the ugliness he'd forced on her out there in front of those men. He wanted it to be everything she needed it to be and he didn't want to admit but he was afraid that if he moved she'd end it, pull away. He didn't think he could stand her pulling away from him right now.
Beth skated her tongue across the seam of his lips, hot, wet, and womanly. She kissed like a woman. Breath panting into him as her she swirled in the depths of his mouth. He couldn't resist sucking gently on her tongue. Reveling in the small satisfaction of hearing the tiny whimper in her throat at the sensation. Without realizing he'd done so he drew a hand up her back to tangle in her hair at the base of her skull. Pressing down deepening the kiss. The second he realized what he was doing he dropped his hand. "Beth stop," he husked out. If he didn't stop now he knew he never would.
Beth pulled back just enough to rest her forehead against his. Her moment was over. Her one kiss and she'd remember it forever but she'd never let him know how much it meant to her. "Now that was a kiss to write about Daryl Dixon." She smiled down at him before lying back down on the bed one arm across her eyes as if to keep the memory sealed in.
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Daryl knew when Beth slept. Turned and watched her sleep on her side with a hand tucked beneath her head. Silently he curled himself around her feeling lecherous that he took advantage of her in her sleep. They'd have to go soon. Sneak out while everyone was passed out. But he wanted this moment for himself. This moment when he secretly held hope in his arms.