The prison had become their home, whether temporary or permanent and the one resident who knew the place like no other was Beth Greene. Her little footsteps went unnoticed as she snuck around the prison halls, many stirring in their sleep but not hearing the soft tread of Beth as she snuck around night after night. No one noticed but Daryl Dixon.

He grew accustomed to hearing her nervous breathes as she passed his cell; to hearing her small feet smack the concrete lightly as she walked quickly, but silently, around. He didn't know where she went, he hadn't bothered for many nights but as it does, curiosity got the best of him.

So one night, when the young girl's footsteps passed his cell as he pretended to sleep, he rose from his cot. The prison was as familiar to him as the back of his palm, and navigating it at night was like second nature. It didn't take long to lose track of her blonde hair pulled into the ponytail and the unmistakable scent of youth and soap.

However, he was much louder than her, despite his years of tracking and hunting. Then, his life had depended on it, but now, his curiosity was eating away at him, acting as anchor.

Where, he wondered, could such a girl go? There was few private places in the prison, not after the Woodbury people took residence without the old walls of the group's home, and the only place that would provide any interest to such a girl was outside the safety of the walls. She wouldn't be that stupid, he reassured himself. The library might offer some comfort and even if Daryl had not taken much notice of the place, he knew Merle liked spending time there; doing God knows what.

Daryl stifled a laugh at the sight of his brother reading a book and shoved the thought into a corner of his mind for later.

"Blondie," a voice chuckled.

Daryl froze, his heartbeat quickening. There was only one person his brother called 'Blondie' and she wasn't in her cell, instead she was wandering around a crowded prison at atleast midnight. So what was she doing in the middle of the night talking to, of all people, his brother?

"Daryl told me to stay away from you," Beth dryly noted, her voice sounded tired yet curious and he was sure he heard his brother scoff softly.

"Yeah, I did," Daryl grumbled, stepping into the library, the two coming into his sight.

"Daryl," Beth squeaked, "What are you- you doing here?"

He watched the two for a while, studying them. How much trouble could a girl like Hershel Greene's youngest daughter get into? Not a lot, he was willing to guess.

"I'll leave ya to talk to the young one, little brotha," Merle laughed, releasing his hold on Beth's arm and taking the gun she offered him.

As Merle left the room, not before purposely shouldering Daryl on the way out, Beth made her way after him.

"We need ta talk," Daryl grumbled, grabbing her shoulder and forcing her back.

"If you're going to tell me to be careful, Daryl, I already know that. I know what Merle's like," she stated, "and it's not like you can stop me. We aren't doing anything, he's just showing me how to clean and strip a gun."

"I hope that's the only thing stripping," Daryl said under his breath.

Beth punched his arm playfully, grinning at him. "You know I'm not like my sister, or you, but that doesn't mean I can't try. I was just trying to learn atleast, to impress everyone. I just wanted to make Maggie and my dad and Rick proud... And you."

"There's only one thing a guy like ma brother wants with a girl like you, Beth," Daryl sighed, running a hand through the mop of oily dark hair on top of his head.

"Yeah," Beth smirked, straightening up, "And what's a girl like me?"

Daryl scratched the back of his neck, staring at the ground to avoid her gaze. "Ya know," he mumbled, motioning at her but she only laughed, making his face turn bright red. "Y-You-" he stammered, struggling to speak. He wasn't sure himself what he meant to say but even if he had, he knew he wouldn't be able to say it.

"Thanks for looking out for me," she said, folding her thin arms across her chest, "But I can do it myself, okay?"

Daryl stared at her, waiting for her to walk out of the room or sit down but she didn't, instead, she stared back, willing him to talk. Finally she yawned, quickly covering her mouth to hide it.

"Well, goodnight, Daryl," she said gently, letting her arms hang loosely by her sides. "Just, promise me not to tell anyone, okay? The last thing I need is a lecture from Maggie."

He nodded, avoiding her gaze.

Beth chewed the inside of her cheek, diverting her gaze to the doorway as if finding an excuse not to retreat back to her cell. "I really appreciate you keeping this between us, and of course Merle. Though, you know, I wouldn't mind if you taught me to shoot your crossbow."

Daryl stared at her, raising his eyebrows in surprise. The girl has nerves, he admired, smirking.

"God, I'm kidding," she said in a frenzied panic, waving her pale arms in front of her to wave off the joke. "I wouldn't even think about touching that... Thing."

Beth froze, her eyes on the doorway. She rubbed a hand up her arm, goose bumps evident as she shivered. It was a cold night, colder than many but with his thick jacket he barely noticed, the only sign of the cold night was the unnatural shade of red his nose had turned.

"I should go," she ,"I have to look after Judy tomorrow but I appreciate you keeping quiet."

"Night," Daryl mumbled, watching as she turned towards the door.

She turned to him and smiled, tilting her head slightly.

"Night," she replied softly, her hand grasping the door frame. "See you tomorrow."