Disclaimer: I don't own 'The Walking Dead'.

Iris

Chapter 3

I folded the shirt in my hands sighing wistfully. It had been two days since I last talked with Daryl about my training. I hadn't seen much of him since though. It was like he was going out of his way to avoid me but I wasn't sure if that was truly it. My father came in thirty minutes after that day to lecture me on my attitude and how ungrateful I was being with my sister. Of course I ended up crying and apologizing to him like a baby. We hugged before he left telling me to remain in my cell for the rest of the night. Maggie came by later with dinner for me and we ate while I told her of my success with Daryl.

I had only seen glimpses of the man after that. I guessed it was fine for now considering I had other duties at the moment with the baby, and helping out with the children of Woodbury and the elderly. Still it stayed in the back of my mind as I worked. The fear that he was going to back out stayed in the corner of my mind and every time I caught a glimpse of him the thought grew bigger. I trusted that Daryl wouldn't back out, but I still didn't know him well enough to know that. Right now I was doing laundry with Carol who was humming merrily to herself as she worked. I wished I could feel like the older woman was feeling, so stress free and in a good mood.

I sighed again setting the shirt I just finished folding to the side to start on another one.

"Sighing awfully hard over there aren't you?" Carol commented lightly. I looked over to her to see a smile on her lips while she eyed me over. "Something on your mind dear?" I shrugged my shoulders going about folding again.

"Sort of…well," I looked back over to the older woman biting my lip in thought, "I asked Daryl if he could train me on shooting and stuff, but I haven't seen hide or tail of the man since. It's been two days already…" Carol nodded seeming to think to herself for a moment. I quickly folded the shirt and added it to the pile. If anyone could help me with Daryl it would be Carol. The woman practically has him wrapped around her finger. I withheld a laugh at the thought.

"I'm sure Daryl is just figuring things out, like a lesson plan. I'm surprised he said yes to be honest." I nodded. That would make sense, from what I noticed of him Daryl did think critically about everything he did at least when it came to killing walkers, hunting and runs. He didn't leave things up to chance.

"Yeah me too. We kind of had a yelling match before I convinced him to help me…though I don't think it did much. I think I guilt tripped him into it to be honest." Carol laughed. I giggled a little but I did feel like I guilt tripped the man. He was so set on not helping me, what changed his mind? 'Maybe I truly looked that pathetic that he took pity on me.' I thought though I quickly discarded that idea. Daryl hated to be pitied himself so it wasn't realistic that he would pity me.

"Wish I had been there for the yelling match, sounds impressive considering I've never seen you raise your voice." I shrugged my shoulders again feeling my cheeks heat up. Carol was right though. I never raised my voice to anyone at least not till recently. The memory of telling Maggie 'to go to hell' came to mind. Actual that day I yelled twice, that must be some sort of record. I rubbed a hand on my right cheek as I connected eyes with Carol.

"I don't like yelling, it reminds me of chaos and our life is filled to the brim of that." I dropped my hand and leaned back against the wall behind me. "How do I talk to Daryl?" I watched as Carol almost dropped a pair of pants to the dirty ground. She looked back at me like she wasn't sure how to answer that. I agreed to that. I didn't know how to answer it myself. I just didn't want to screw up again and cause Daryl to go on a yelling tangent with me or worse give up on me. I blinked before turning my eyes up to the ceiling.

"I understand how hard it is to talk with Daryl. He isn't exactly easy with conversations, but I think just sticking to topic works best then the rest will follow." I raised an eyebrow. The rest will follow? I looked back to Carol in question. I got the whole sticking to topic deal but I didn't really get what more could come from it.

"What do you mean? Is that how you two got so close?" Carol smiled almost secretively and I bit my lip to keep from frowning. I had always wondered if something more went on between those two, though I know it's none of my business I was still curious about it. I shook my head. It really isn't my business plus I had the feeling Daryl wasn't much for relationships beyond what he had. He didn't seem the type to go on dates and be a boyfriend.

"Well, there's that and there's an almost intimacy when it comes to protecting people and having each other's back. Kind of like you and Carl." I frowned openly this time. Like Carl and I? I got the connection she was making though but I didn't quite get what Carl meant in all this? Carl protected me and I knew he use to have a boyish crush on me too but I never really had his back. I guess Carol noticed I was struggling to make whatever connection she was talking about because she gave me a sympathetic smile before coming to a stand. She walked over to sit beside me on the crate.

"Daryl and I have a sort of bond that came to be when…Sophia got lost…" Carol's voice darkens for a moment along with her eyes. I reached over to grasp her hand in comfort and the woman almost squeezed the life out of my hand. Her grip was so tight I think my hand was going to go numb before she let go and regained herself. Another smile directed towards me though this time it was apologetic. "After we found her…he tried to push everyone away but we wouldn't let him. Then on the run for all those months helped strengthen that bond. Sometimes you just have to push through and force him to listen before you actually have a conversation with him. Beth, you are a sweet girl and easy to talk with so I don't see you having that hard of a time, you just have to give it time is all."

I nodded feeling her hand push back my low ponytail that went over my shoulder then her arm came around in a half hug. I smiled lightly at her and leaned into her. Carol reminded me so much of my Mama and it gave me great comfort and sense of security talking with her and being held by her. If not for Carol I would be worse off especially after running away from the farm and having Patricia torn from my hand. During those times she stuck by me and Lori giving us both strength and I even grew to like Lori more too. It still broke my heart every time I looked too deeply into Judith's eyes. It was like having Lori's eyes staring back at me.

"Thanks Carol, I think I get what you mean now." She pulled back smiling brighter now and less like she was going to a dark place in her heart. I worried about her from time to time. There were moments where she would just stare off into space or look at one of the younger girls from Woodbury longingly. I have no idea what it was like to lose a child, but I knew what it was like to lose family members close to your heart. It's not easy to just get over or forget. You just make room for it like Andrea had said so long ago. Sometimes I feel like Carol has more demons she's hiding from all of us than we realize and that worries me for her. As Carol walked back over to her basket of clothes to fold I rubbed my fingers over my scar again. I don't even know if I've really faced my own.

I liked to think of the scar as a reminder of how low I had gotten but I don't really know if I ever faced myself for what I had tried to do. Everything happened so fast back then that I guess I just never had the time, or was given alone time to figure it out. My eyes lingered on my wrist seeing a dark blue vein go right through the scar and continuing on down my arm. As confusing as it was it still gave me strength to know I beat that depression and got better, mostly anyway. There are times I feel very low and times I just wonder why I even bother but I know I have people here even if one day my sister and father are gone that can help me. I just wished I could do the same for her…

I laughed at a joke Carol told me as we walked back to our cell block to drop off the clean, folded clothes. Sasha came around the corner with Judith in her arms. The instant the baby saw me she started struggling in her arms trying to get to me. Sasha laughed as I walked towards them. I grinned at Judith before dropping the basket to the ground to take her from Sasha.

"Thanks Beth, she's been so fussy lately. I think this is the happiest she's been all day." I snuggled her in my arms ignoring the tug on my hair from her tiny hand getting caught up in it. I pulled away then to give her a big kiss on her forehead.

"Yeah I know, we're runnin' low on teething gel and I'm trying to use it sparingly you know." Sasha nodded running her hand down the side of Judith's face.

"How about I finish putting this away, if you don't mind being on babysitting duty?" I knew I could always say 'no' to Sasha. She never had a problem looking after Judith even with her being extra fussy than normal, the woman loved being around her because it gave her hope. It did much the same for me too. Instead of rejecting I nodded my head. Judith seemed to settle down more now that she was in my care anyway.

"Yeah sure," Carol came down from the catwalk with an empty basket to see Sasha picking up my full basket. She turned to see Judith in my arms and smiled.

"Sasha once you're done can you help me with lunch?" Sasha nodded as she walked pass Carol to finish up. Carol kissed Judith on the cheek as I bounced her in my arms.

"I swear sometimes I think Judith believes you're her mother, she never acts that way with me." I laughed trying to lighten the mood but that dark cloud from earlier was hanging over Carol's head again. My heart started thumping louder against my chest as I watched her get that far away look in her eyes as she stared at Judith like she felt betrayed.

"Um well it's probably because I've been around more than you in the beginning ya know? You were busy helping with defending the prison while I had nothing better to do than tend to the baby…" I bit my lip and held my breath as I waited for her response back. After a minute or so she nodded seeming to shake herself out of that state.

"You're right Beth. I'd rather be thought of as the cool aunt who spoils anyway." I felt extremely thankful that she broke out of her gloom. Sasha came to join us soon after and I watched as they both walked towards the kitchen. I went to my room to pick up a stuffed bunny that has become Judith's favorite toy lately. She made to grab for it once she noticed I was picking it up from my bed. I let her have it before turning to walk out of my room.

I had my eyes on her so I didn't notice anyone standing at my entrance before I ran head first into them. My head bumped right into a firm chest and a blushed immediately spread from my face to my neck. A grunt greeted me as I pulled back quickly. "I am so sorry!" I looked up to see Daryl standing there rubbing his chest where my head bumped him. He looked disgruntled but otherwise fine.

"'s alright. Ya watchin' Ass kicker?" I nodded looking down to Judith who was making baby goo-goo eyes at Daryl. She adored him practically as much as she adored me. Suddenly she was making grabs for Daryl almost dropping her bunny in the process. He opened his arms for her as I handed the baby girl over.

"Yeah, well I was supposed to help with lunch but Judy was becoming a handful for Sasha so…" He nodded poking his finger into Judith's tummy to make her giggle. I couldn't help the smile on my lips as I watched him handle her. He looked to be a natural which was saying a lot considering who Daryl was, but I guess even the toughest of men would fall for a sweet baby girl. I vaguely remember his brother, Merle, staring at Judith with the same look Daryl was giving her now. "Was there something you wanted?" I asked after a minute of watching him with her. I was hoping he was coming by to talk about my training. I felt giddy and excited as I waited for Daryl to answer.

"Yah, I was comin' by ta see when's a good time for yer trainin'." I nodded scrunching my face together like I was thinking but really I was trying to hold back a smile. I knew I should never have doubted him, Daryl always followed through on his word; be it a promise or a threat.

"I guess after lunch would be fine, that way I can drop Judith off with someone." Daryl nodded bouncing her much like I was earlier. He looked over at me like he felt my stare similar to the other day. I wonder if he has a sixth sense or something. I rarely ever feel anyone staring at me; I guess I'm oblivious like that while he was more aware of his surroundings. He had this look on his face like he wasn't sure what to make of me but it was here and gone in a flash.

"Sounds good ta me. After lunch then." I nodded in agreement taking Judith out of his arms. My hand brushed against his as I pulled her into my arms and felt goosebumps erupt on my skin. I blinked at the strange reaction only to find Daryl taking off from me. I peeked around the entrance to my room to see him high tailing it out of there. Strange. I rubbed my arm to get rid of the goosebumps as a chill ran down my spine.

"What was that Judith?" I asked her though I knew she wouldn't be able to answer me. She only looked disappointed and squeezed her bunny in a death grip. Strangely I too felt disappointed but I had no idea why…

Lunch was nothing special; just veggie soup with canned vegetables. It was somewhat bland without salt and I started to really miss it too. I also missed sugar. To be honest I missed a lot of food, I feel like I took everything I use to have all the time for granted like apples and oranges. My mouth watered as I forced myself to swallow a spoonful of the bland soup. I was sitting near Carl but he was off in his own head while eating. Carol had taken Judith off my hands after I mentioned about my training with Daryl. She was almost as excited about it as I was but I was far more nervous than excited now.

What if I screwed up like with Maggie? She was teaching me real simple basic stuff and I couldn't even comprehend it, what if I just piss Daryl off too? Oh crap what if I tell him to go to hell? I stared down at my soup, there wasn't much left in the bowl but I lost my appetite already. My nerves were starting to get the best of me. I looked back over to Carl before pushing my bowl towards him. He snapped out of his mind to look at me in question.

"I'm done, you can have the rest if you want." He stared at my bowl then looked up to me. It was like he didn't trust me. I tried my hardest to not frown at the look but it hurt to see his eyes look at me like that. Carl's eyes then dropped to the bowl before lifting it up and pouring the rest into his. He managed to mumble out a "thanks" before zoning out again. I sighed deeply knowing I was looking at him with concern in my eyes. I was worried about him too.

I decided to let my eyes roam around the cafeteria to help think of something else for the time being. Maggie and Glenn weren't here since they were on watch at the moment. Glenn had come down to get them food before leaving soon after. I watched the kids from Woodbury for a moment as they sat eating and talking. There was a girl about Carl's age sitting there chatting animatedly. I glanced back at him then to her again. Maybe if Carl hung out with kids his age he would get out of his funk? I brought my hand up to hold my chin as I thought about it. Nothing brings the best out of you better than friends, I remember goofing off and acting like a kid around my friends.

Carl needed friends.

I felt like I had a mission now for him. That helped to ease my nerves for the time being. I looked over to Rick sitting by Carol holding Judith as he fed her. I smiled at the sight. It was nice seeing Rick make an effort with Judith I can only imagine how hard it must be for him to look at her, at her eyes that resembled Lori's. He was also trying to reach out to Carl again but the boy just wasn't bothering anymore. Luckily Rick is stubborn as a mule so he wasn't going to give up, but then Carl got his stubbornness from his father.

That was a very vicious cycle.

My eyes then roamed to Michonne sitting near Rick and Carol but still more on her own. Her shoulders looked tense as though she was ready for something to jump out at her. I felt like Daryl did the same exact thing at times. He always had a hand on his crossbow, ready for action at any point. It made me wonder if I would become that way once I got trained properly. Would that be a good thing or bad thing? My shoulders gave sympathy aches as I stared at her. She looks like she needs a massage.

Then there was Daryl himself. He was near Rick but not sitting next to him, my father was actually seated there with Daryl beside him. From the looks of it Daryl must of wolfed down his soup because he was listening to my father talking to him and Rick but he had his bowl set aside. I swear one of these days he was gonna choke on something with the way he ate so fast. Again like he could feel my eyes on him he looked from my father to make eye contact with me. He raised an eyebrow at me inquiring why I was staring. I knew my cheeks were heating up and that bugged me. I wasn't doing anything wrong, I was just…staring…which is rude.

I sighed looking away while biting the inside of my cheek to keep from biting my lip. For the last few days I've been doing that so much that my lip was sore and bruised from the abuse. When I looked back Daryl was coming my way.

"Come on, if yer done let's go." He commented going right pass me. I got to my feet quickly to go after him feeling my nerves jump to attention as I realized my long awaited training was finally here. My heart raced as we made our way out of the prison. Daryl led me further away from the front of the prison towards the far right so we could have privacy. I was glad for it too; I didn't want people to watch me screw up like I feared.

Daryl looked completely composed as we came to a stop. He looked around himself like he was figuring out if this was a good spot or not. I glanced around us to see nothing but grass and a few walkers at the outer fences. I looked back to Daryl only to see he was watching me. I felt like a deer in headlights suddenly underneath his powerful stare, he looked me up and down that sent another chill down my back. I wanted to say something but my throat felt dry and I didn't think I would be able to speak at the moment. His eyes then connected with mine with this calculating stare that somewhat eased me since he wasn't checking me out, but…disappointed me again? I pushed back the thought.

"Shootin' is all about aim, got it. Ya have ta feel the shot so ta speak." Daryl started off coming over to me to hand me the BB gun from before. I frowned at the offending weapon as it weighted down my hand. "Heard ya already tried shootin' before with this so I thought we should stick wit' it." He then pointed over to my left. There was a wooden post in the ground, I wasn't sure what it had been used for before but I guessed that would be where I would practice my aim. "That's yer target." I nodded. It was only ten meters away from the looks of it, a decent ways but not too far plus the wooden post was an easier target to see than an empty can.

"Whatcha waitin' fer? Go on, show me whatcha got." I breathed out softly trying to will my heart to slow its quick pitter patter as I got into the stance Maggie showed me before. I aimed at the plank and pulled the trigger. My gut dropped to the ground when the shot veered off to the right missing the plank completely. I felt my face heat up and more disappointment enter my chest. I was almost afraid to look over at Daryl in case he was pissed or annoyed with me.

"Sorry…" I mumble out lowering the BB gun. I hear a cough at my side.

"Try again." I nodded bringing my hand back up. I repositioned my grip trying to make as direct aim as I could. Honestly there was no way I could miss this time, the target was in my sight and I think I might cry if I miss again. A breath escapes me and I shoot.

"Shit." I curse before smacking a hand to my lips. What was wrong with me? Cursing was just not something Beth Greene did, ever. Slowly I peered over to Daryl to see him staring off at the plank. I don't know what he's contemplating but I hope it's something akin to a miracle because that would be the only way I would hit something. Frustration gnawed at my insides as I waited for him to criticize me.

"Who taught ya that stance?" I blinked in surprise at his question. I wasn't expecting him to ask that, more like tell me I suck and I was wasting his time.

"Maggie did." He nodded bringing his hand up to scratch in chin thoughtfully.

"Where the hell did she learn ta shoot? Stance may work fer her but not for you." Okay, that makes sense considering I wasn't hitting the target no matter how good my aiming and centering was.

"So what do I do then?" Daryl mumbled something under his breath but I didn't catch it. I assumed he was talking to himself which before all this I would have thought to be creepy, now though I even find myself talking out loud to no one but me at one time or another. Really it's lucky none of us have lost our minds already, or yet.

"Copy me." Daryl said simply. I eyed him over as he pulled a gun from his waist. He then glanced at me before raising his arms up like I've seen everyone do many times before. I noticed his arms weren't as strained as Maggie had showed me and his stance looked far more relaxed. I raised the BB gun up glancing continuously at him as I tried copying him completely. I felt more relaxed holding my arms at a bended position. I looked to his legs to see them slightly spread apart like Maggie had done but he had his right foot just a bit ahead of the other. I quickly copied that too.

Daryl watched me the whole time as he held his stance for me to copy. Once I got to where I thought he was at I aimed at the plank and without being told I pulled the trigger. My eyes went wide as the little BB struck the wood a bit further down than I would have liked, but I hit it! I jumped up in happiness, smiling from ear to ear. "I did it!" I squealed turning to Daryl quickly and flinging my arms around him. It only last a second before we both jumped back from each other.

He looked at me with this strange twitch in his eye, for a second there I thought he was going to yell at me for touching him but he didn't. Instead he coughed uncomfortably rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly while taking another practically cautious step back from me. Embarrassment didn't even begin to describe how I felt at that moment. What the heck compelled me to hug him? I assumed in my excitement of actually hitting something made me forget who was teaching me.

"Good job kid. Do it again." Daryl managed to say though it looked like he was having a tough time speaking as it was. I knew my face was nothing but beet red so I just nodded to him instead of speaking and got back into the stance. I pulled the trigger again and again I hit the plank but this time lower than before. I frowned at that wondering what I was doing wrong now. "Again." Narrowing my eyes I pulled the trigger again. I hit the same place as last time only maybe an inch further up than before. I dropped my shoulders and looked to Daryl for guidance.

"What am I doing wrong now?" I hope that wasn't me whining? I tried not to sound like it. Daryl was frowning while staring hard at the plank. I bit my lip out of habit and flinched as it throbbed in pain. Crap.

"Ya should stop doin' that, just gunna split yer lip." I brought my hand to my lip looking up to see Daryl's blue eyes looking at me before turning to the BB gun in my hand. He sighed deeply. "Get back into the stance." I rubbed my lip gingerly as I turned to face the plank again. I sighed too and raised my arms back up into the stance. Suddenly I felt a hand on either side of me lightly touching my shoulders. I sucked in some breath focusing my eyes on the plank. "Loosen up yer shoulders." Daryl said tapping his fingers on my shoulders for emphasis.

Slowly I relaxed my shoulders though it was harder than I thought with him touching me. This wasn't exactly abnormal for me though, I was equally tense with Jimmy when we first started dating…wait? What does that have to do with Daryl? As if my face couldn't get any hotter. I forced myself to breathe through my nose to keep from stuttering or choking on air. Daryl then moved his hands off my shoulders which would have helped me relax more if he hadn't moved them down to my forearms locking me in his arms. I could feel the heat of his chest right at my back but there was still space between us. I snorted through my nose.

"Bring in yer arms more, prolly the risen yer aim is off." I nodded letting him bring in my forearms a bit closer to me. I felt like I could finally breathe once he stepped back from me just as a nice breeze came by helping to cool off my overheated skin. I must resemble a tomato by now. "Shoot again." Relaxing my body I aimed and took the shot. I felt extremely uncomfortable throughout the whole thing though so I couldn't even enjoy the fact that I did make the shot at head range. Goosebumps littered my arms up to my neck and all I wanted to do was rub myself all over to get rid of them.

I don't know why but I couldn't bring myself to turn and look at Daryl after that, I just kept aiming and shooting when he told me too. He didn't touch me again either which helped. Yet it confused me. Why would I react to him like that? That didn't make sense to me, I barely knew him so I shouldn't be reacting like this. It was similar to how I reacted when my school crush would come by me or accidently touch me during school. I guess I can admit if only to myself that Daryl is rather good looking, in a rough, scruffy kind of way.

And only in the dark recesses of my mind would I admit that his voice sometimes sent shivers down my back, his southern accent wasn't as thick as some but just the right balance. I almost choked on air when I let myself think about it. Guh what is wrong with me? Teenage hormones. That's what Maggie would joke about, though I had a feeling she wouldn't find me crushing on Daryl very funny. Not in the least. Thinking about it though there wasn't exactly a whole abundance of men for me to look at romantically, it made sense that I would see Daryl as an attractive male but he is so way out of my league. I shouldn't even be thinking about it.

So I won't.

The rest of my training was just me shooting and Daryl giving me advice and little comments here and there. I practiced for probably an hour or so, I don't know exactly because someone never taught me how to tell time by the sun. I can't believe I'm still sore about that but I am and I end up telling Daryl too.

"Why didn't you ever teach me how to tell the time of day by the suns positions?" I questioned as we started heading in. Daryl was walking further ahead of me as we rounded the corner of the prison back to our cell block. He didn't say anything at first and I thought maybe he didn't hear or just wasn't going to answer me.

"Don't know, why didn't ya ask?" I felt baffled by his answer. He didn't know? What do you mean I should have asked? How the heck was I suppose to know to ask him?

"Okay, will you teach me how to tell time by the sun?" Daryl came to a halt turning only half way around towards me. He had an eyebrow raised with a smirk on his lips. Sadly the first thing that popped into my mind was that he looked incredibly cute. Ugh.

"Some other time kid." I pouted like a child which wasn't very endearing of me. It only made his smirk all the wider though like he wanted to laugh at my face but didn't. Actually I don't think I've ever heard Daryl laugh before? I pondered that for a moment. Did he even have a funny bone in his body?

"So when's my next training session?" I walked up to his side looking at him with the sun facing me, almost blinding me. His smirk was gone now and he looked confused.

"Whatcha talkin' 'bout girl? This was it." My jaw dropped. Please tell me he's joking!?

"Wait! It was only one day!" Daryl snorted crossing his arms over his chest.

"Yah and ya only asked ta learn ta shoot better and now ya do. Trainin's over wit'." He then turned to walk away from me but I wouldn't have that. Déjà vu. I have to convince Daryl again to train me further. I hadn't really thought this was it, I swore he was gonna teach me far more than just that. I quickly ran ahead of him to block the door into the cell block. Daryl sighed running his hand through his hair while glaring at me.

"Please Daryl let's not go through this again." I heard him mumble 'damnit' under his breath. I waited patiently though, I had a feeling I was breaking him down faster today than I did two days ago.

"Fuck, fine! I'll have ta get back ta ya on yer next trainin' session tho." I frowned but nodded letting him walk pass me. His arm brushed against mine and a little shockwave went through that arm. I pulled back but he was already gone leaving me with this strange tingly feeling all through my arm. This time I was able to rub it. That was really weird. I've never had that feeling before, not even with school crushes.

Crap. Don't think about it…don't think about it…

Just don't…

A/N: There you have it! Chapter three is done with! Yay! I hope ya guys enjoyed it and I hope Daryl acted like himself too. There will be tons more interactions between them too! As for Beth sort of coming to learn that she's crushing on Daryl I feel like girls figure this shit out faster than guys do, I mean seriously guys can be damn near oblivious sometimes. Also for Carol I think she would be more affected by Sophia's death still than they ever dived into in season three (mind you I haven't seen season four yet) so I wanted to add that in there as well. Hope ya guys enjoyed it, let me know whatcha think! I'm out…

ALCzysz17