This is my first Fanfic. It is based upon Dethyl Shipping love. Reviews welcome.

I have no ownership interest in the characters or show. I simply ship. Rated MA

CHAPTER ONE

Beth breathed raggedly into the bag covering her head, trying not to panic. She had been running, just like Darryl said to, and she stole a glance over her shoulder to make sure a walker was not on her heels when she was suddenly snatched off her feet and a large, calloused hand covered her mouth. The man growled into her ear, "Don't make a sound, girl, or I will cut your throat and leave you for the walkers."

Her heart was pounding so loud in her ears she almost couldn't make out the words. But the sharp blade at her throat made his meaning clear enough. She froze, other than nodding her understanding. She dropped her arms, allowing her bag to drop soundlessly to the ground. Please, please, please, please She silently pleaded.

Surely Darryl would see it and realize what happened. Surely he would come for her.

The man dragged her effortlessly a short distance where he had hidden his car. As they approached the passenger door opened. "Did you get her?" the man's partner demanded.

"Yeah, I got her. Load up and let's get the fuck out of here. Darryl may already know she is missing." The man yanked her closer. "Do I need to remind you to be quiet?"

She shook her head, eyes wide with fear.

He shoved her roughly toward the other man. He quickly zip tied her hands and feet and yanked the bag over her head. He pushed her into the car and jumped in the driver's seat. They sped into the darkness.

Darryl ran to the road, eyes searching for walkers, but also for Beth. Truth be told, mostly for Beth. "Beth? Where you at, girl?"

The adrenaline was still pumping from battle with the walkers. His instincts told him that something was very wrong. His eyes suddenly spied the bag in the road. Beth's bag. "Sweet Jesus, no!" He raced over to it searching in all directions. He saw the vehicle's taillights in the distance, with the cross in the window. His eyes turned to ice and his mind emptied of all thoughts but of catching his prey. He began sprinting after the car.

At every curve, he used all of his hunting and tracking skills to try to determine if the car had left the highway. He continued running mindlessly after it, using the detachment he had learned at the hands of abuse to numb himself to the paralyzing fear of what was happening to Beth. He had learned well how to be empty, just a shell, until he could make his move. He was hunting for her and he would get her back. And kill whoever had taken her.

Beth tried to clear her mind and pay attention to the path the speeding car was taking. Her captors hadn't said a word since they had taken her. She silently pleaded. Darryl, please please, please find me. Or let me find my way back to you. Please.

"Fuck!" yelled the driver, struggling to maintain control of the car. The front left tire had exploded, causing the vehicle to abruptly steer toward the left. The driver overcorrected and the vehicle began to yaw across the road. Beth fought to roll herself into the floorboard.

"Stop the fucking car!"

"I can't, asshole!"

The car left the roadway and skidded into a tree. The airbags burst out, dazing both men. Beth had the wind knocked out of her. She struggled to get air, finally succeeding, gasping. The men stirred.

"You stupid motherfucker. What the fuck are we supposed to do without a car?"

"How the fuck would I know. I saved your ass. At least your still breathing." The man who had snatched Beth yanked his door open. "Get out of the

goddam car. Darryl's probly right goddam behind us. He's too fucking mean for the walkers to have gotten."

His partner called out on the CB. "Dead in the water with the package. Milemarker 68. Rendezvous spot J. Get your asses over here."

The response was quick. "10-4"

The driver ripped open the door, scooped Beth out and bent down, quickly slicing the zip tie binding her feet open. She staggered as though her feet had gone to sleep, trampling a small scrub brush with her size 7 shoe. Darryl would know she had gotten out of the car. The man jerked her by the arm. "Stand up, bitch. We are gonna have to walk until they can get us. You gonna have to keep up."

The two men frog marched her between them, weapons drawn and flashlights scanning the perimeter. As they reached a side road, they headed toward it.

"Where are we going?" The words croaked out. She felt like her throat was coated in dust.

"None of your fucking business. Just walk." Emphasis was added by shoving her forward. She allowed herself to fall forward with the momentum, the asphalt ripping through her jeans digging into her knee.

She was pulled up roughly. "Goddam you are a clumsy one. Keep on your feet, bitch. We got to move. They continued on their hurried trek.

Darryl dove into the ditch. The car was jammed up by a tree on the side of the road. Steam rose from under the hood. He sank into the ground and made his way to the wood line. His senses were now hyper-sensitized. The prey was in his sights. He silently worked his way to the vehicle. Empty. He risked shining his flashlight on the ground and saw the boot tracks from the men, counted two. Big guys. Military boots. And a small bush trampled by a size 7 foot. He could see where she had staggered. He smirked. Good girl, baby.

He walked toward the road figuring that they would know they could make better time on it than trying to pull her behind them on uneven terrain in the dark. His eyes scanned the horizon. He was running, again clearing his mind.

A walker lunged out from behind a bush and came at him, followed by two more. Darryl didn't even break stride, drawing up his bow shooting the last two in the forehead and through the face and knifing the first one as they met. He pulled the arrows out of the walkers' heads and continued to track his prey.

When he saw the side road he slowed down, using his flashlight. His eye caught the glint of blood and saw the torn denim left on the roadway. He turned and began sprinting again.

"Where the fuck are they?"

"How the fuck would I know?"

"They should have been here by now."

"Well, I goddam well know that. They aren't."

"Jesus. I'll check the perimeter. Don't want a walker or Darryl fucking Dixon strolling over here."

"Yeah you go do that. I'm gonna see if I can find them on the portable."

The man melted into the darkness, his long gun on his shoulder. She knew Darryl would be wary but that he could take care of himself. But her heart pounded with fear for him nonetheless.

She listened to the man on the radio talking to his team, but couldn't keep her mind off Darryl. God, Darryl. They knew his name. She was a tool they were going to use to try to get to him. Please, please, please. After losing her daddy, and maybe Judith, Glenn and Maggie, she couldn't bear to lose someone else she cared about.

The man checking the perimeter moved silently near the wood line. Darryl made him at about 100 yards, seeing the branch move opposite the direction of the wind when the man brushed too close to it. Long gun. Probably a pistol and definitely a clutch piece on his right ankle. He stepped behind an oak and began moving in the woods, his years spent in them aiding him in silencing his footfalls. He could hear the frogs in the water, croaking, and the rustle of the night animals. But his mind was on one living creature. He controlled his breathing as he moved toward the man, pulling an arrow out of his quiver pulled back the string, moving his weapon to his shoulder. The man materialized out of the night and Darryl didn't hesitate. He released the bolt. It was true and clean and the man dropped to the ground. Darryl bent to insure he was dead, pulled the arrow out. He heard the radio's low volume, with the man's partner wanting a sit-rep. He grabbed the pistol from the man's waistband and tucked it into his own and scooped up the radio, turning the volume even lower. He continued on the edge of the woods, knowing he was close.

Hang in there, baby. I'm coming. I'm coming for you.

The man was starting to get nervous. Beth could see his eyes darting around. She felt a surge of hope. Darryl was coming for her. She knew it. The man rose up and pulled her up with him. "C'mon girl. We got to move. That sumbitch is on our trail."

He began pulling her along with him. She tried to walk slower and make him carry more of her weight. He jerked her toward him and clamped a hand over her right breast, digging his fingers cruelly into the tender flesh. "Move your ass or your last memory will be of me fucking you on the side of the road. And while I might enjoy it," He leered at her, his eyes tracing her form like rough hands. "You won't. I will hurt you. And then kill you."

Her eyes widened with pain and shock. Her stomach roiled. He released her breast and began to walk, pulling her in his wake.

Darryl's eyes narrowed in the dark. He had heard the words the man said and could imagine what he had done. That motherfucker had put his hands on her and scared her. Darryl felt the urge to kill flow through his mind and body. He sped up, following the sounds of their movement.

He caught up with them within a mile. He sensed them rather than seeing them. He could see moonlight glinting off Beth's hair. Relief coursed through him which he quickly quelled. You ain't got her yet, he reminded himself.

He drew back the string, subconsciously making adjustments for distance, speed and wind and released the bolt. The arrow sliced through his target's chest, felling him. His grip on Beth did not loosen and he pulled her down with him. Darryl was on top of them by the time he hit the ground and launched himself onto the pile, pulling Beth free and behind him as he pressed his knife to the man's throat.

His eyes were frigid. "You ok, girl?" His eyes didn't move from being locked with the man's.

"Y-y-yes," she stammered.

"I didn't hurt her none, Darryl. Ask her—she'll tell you." The man's eyes were apprehensive. "I'm just a foot soldier doin' my job."

Darryl reached with his other hand and moved the arrow minutely, eliciting a gasp of pain. "Fuck! Fuck that hurts! Goddammit stop!"

Darryl moved it slightly again, and the man's eyes rolled back. "Who are you a foot soldier for, asshole?" The man stared back, mute. He reached for the arrow again.

"Goddam—I work for Todd. Merle turned on him during a heist and cost him 10 fucking years in lockdown. He's been lookin' for payback for damn near all of that time. It's fucking payback."

"Ok. Ok, then. Nothing personal is what you saying."

"Right," he said eagerly. "Nothing personal. Just payback for Todd. I'm just part of his crew."

"Got it," Darryl said, almost smiling. But then his eyes turned to flint. "No, man. You put hands on Beth. THIS is fucking payback." He slit the man's throat. Blood sprayed up onto his shirt and skin. He stood up, swiping his sleeve across his eyes removing the blood and wiping his knife on his pants. He turned to look at Beth, who was shaking with reaction. He turned her around, cutting the other zip tie and then turned her back to him. He crushed his mouth to hers, holding her body close to his with a hand on the back of her head and the other on her hip. It shot through her hot and need rose in her. He released her before she could react.

He turned to the woods held out his hand to her and said, "We gotta go, baby."

She reached out and took his hand without hesitation and they ran into the woods.