The sun was just cresting the horizon. Daryl figured they'd been traveling mostly north for the last two hours. He looked down at the still quiet figure beside him once again cupping a protective hand around the head nestled in his lap.

He'd done that many times during the last hours of their flight from the ranch. He was pretty sure Beth had come out of unconsciousness and was now just sleeping. She hadn't said a word or moved a muscle and that worried him. They'd have to stop soon, he needed gas and he needed sleep and he needed to take care of Beth.

A few minutes later the solution seemed to present itself as they passed into an old town. The drooping sign pronouncing 'Historic Downtown Collins'. It looked like many of the old downtowns that were abandoned through out Georgia and then later restored. The two blocks of brick buildings on either side once groceries, barbershops, pharmacies and such becoming restaurants and touristy stores.

Daryl pulled the car over in front of what looked like used to originally be a bank but now proclaimed itself to be an antique store. It was solid brick, two stories and looked like a secure place they could hole up in for a while. Maybe. Nothing was ever what it seemed these days.

There was no way no how Daryl was taking any chances. He came around to pull a limp and unresisting Beth into his arms, and then placed her gently into the open trunk of the car. He secured the lid with a bit of rope, making sure it was nearly closed but wouldn't trap her, he didn't want her to panic if she should wake and find him still gone.

He took the rifle and slung the cross bow over his shoulders and peeked inside the still building. It was difficult, as most of the windows on the ground floor had mostly been boarded over. He didn't detect any movement, no moans and groans of walkers trapped inside.

Daryl shouldered the solid wood door and it gave way with a reluctant crunch of the lock. He readied his bow and made a little whistling sound, just enough to rouse any walkers within but not loud enough to attract any horde that might be close by.

After a few seconds of waiting Daryl took a last look at the car with a sleeping Beth secured in the trunk then stepped in. What greeted him was a shock. A pleasant shock for a change. Inside there was every luxury a person could need pre-electricity or batteries, which suited their current situation well, he thought with a huff.

There was a collection of kerosene lamps complete with fancy scented oil along with them for sale. He made note of them and continued his exploration alert for anything that might come at him. There were old military items including knives and canteens, racks of vintage clothing, various bits of furniture, vintage tools. It was hard to comprehend the treasure trove of useful items that had just been sitting here waiting for someone to happen upon them.

He wondered as he passed by what looked like used to be the banks vault why it hadn't been looted then again the main people that shopped in these places were probably mostly women and hadn't seen the significance that these items would mean in the future. Who could have? A future with no electricity, no running water, no utilities what so ever.

He passed by what looked to be the old mahogany teller booths still standing the test of time and found the flight of stairs that led to the second level. He could tell it was once a grand staircase but was now cheaply carpeted and a bit stained and worn. As he climbed the stairs he got an excellent view of the floor below and pictured in his head where he could stand if he needed to defend the second level.

When he reached the top of the stairs, he looked around at the vast space that encompassed the entire top floor. It was mostly larger pieces of old furniture without all the nick knacky shit crowding the downstairs. Again he did the little whistle and waited bow still at the ready. Again he heard nothing, detected no movement. Could it be that they'd finally gotten lucky? He thought with a derisive sniff. Naw he wouldn't say they had any kind of luck.

A lucky person wouldn't have had to run from one tight situation to another tighter situation only to end up here in the condition they were in, the condition Beth was in. He felt the burn of rage that had been on a slow simmer while he'd been in the car with Beth. He'd been careful to let it stew he didn't want to alarm Beth with any kind of outburst that might frighten her. But he fuckin wanted to break somethin that was for damn sure. Break somethin because he was pretty sure Beth was broken and he had no idea in hell how he was going to help her.

Daryl slung his cross bow back over his shoulder and jogged back down the stairs anxious now to get back to Beth. He stepped outside swiveling his around taking in the street in both directions. He could see a lone walker some distance away staggering along towards them but it was alone and too far off to worry about. If need be he could pick it off from the window upstairs if it collected friends.

He slit the rope with his knife and pulled open the trunk lid. Beth's crystal blue eyes met his but she remained mute and still. He didn't like that vacant look in her eyes but he was glad they were open at last. He scooped her up and hurried her into the vacant bank slash antique shop, hustling her up the stairs.

He laid Beth down on a bed that had been set up as a display complete with a quaint coverlet with matching nightstands and an old armoire. It was a girly set up and he imagined that it might look similar to what her farmhouse bedroom might have looked like. Not that he'd ever gotten close to her bedroom at the farmhouse. He'd barely gotten close to her back then.

He gently brushed the hair out of her eyes and spoke quietly to her as if she were a deer in the woods that might bolt at the crack of a twig. "Goin down for the supplies. All clear here. Be right back." Beth didn't so much as nod her head at this news just laid there with wide dry vacant eyes. Those eyes scared the shit out of Daryl.

He was back in moments setting the jugs of water, bread, liquor bottle and peanut butter Sue had given him down on one of the nightstands. Then darted downstairs and back again carrying a she she bar of soap he'd found in one of the displays, a few old dishtowels embroidered with little puppies and kittens, a white enameled bowl with red trim and a patchwork quilt.

Daryl set these items down on the opposite night stand dreading what was to come next. He poured some of the water into the bowl, opened the liquor bottle preparing. He took a deep shuddering breath before he husked out, "Beth honey you need to clean yourself. I'll go downstairs and see what I can find in the way of clothes." He backed away then turned to head down the stairs.

Downstairs he found a rack of pretty, totally impractical vintage dresses he wished he could see her in. He then moved on to a section of the store that had musty old military uniforms. Yeah that would be better. They were smallish in size more suited to a man not used to modern conveniences and fast food. He selected a white navel uniform and hoped they would fit her he sure as hell knew they wouldn't fit him so ok that's what he'd take up.

He shook out the garment that smelled of dust and mothballs. A damn improvement on walker guts and blood. When he made it back up to the top floor Beth hadn't moved an inch. Still wrapped in the vile quilt and staring wide-eyed at the ceiling. Shit Daryl though desperately. Worried as hell and wondering what to do next.

Next was blatantly clear when he came to her side, "Beth it's not safe for you not to clean up." He didn't want to spell out why it wasn't safe, didn't want to bring back any of the ugliness of the ranch house. Yet it was clear that in this impassive unresponsive state Beth was not going to be able to take care of herself.

He didn't say a word just went to work. He couldn't think about it too hard as he gently unwrapped Beth from the soiled quilt. She immediately began to shake, but she remained withdrawn and unmoving other than the tremors that rocked her slight frame.

He dipped one of the dishtowels into the bowl of water and lathered it with the she she soap. As he wiped the reminders of her ordeal from her pale skin, gently brushed over the blooming bruises on her breasts and hips he concentrated on the smell of the soap. She would normally have liked its scent, something girly and floral.

He wished he had thought to bring her things like this from their supply runs from the jail. Little luxuries that she would have loved. Little things that he wasn't sure she would ever love or appreciate again.

His hands shook as he washed away the men that had been between her pale supple thighs. Barley suppressed fury stinging the backs of his eyes. He felt the burn of tears on his cheeks as he parted her legs gently and cleaned between them. God damn it, there were no morning after pills at the local pharmacy they could just jaunt down to. They had been rough, she'd bled, and they hadn't been careful about where they'd buried their seed. He wondered brokenly if she realized that this could be a lasting reminder of what had happened in that fuckin house.

Daryl reached for the bottle of liquor and a clean dishtowel choked on his words, "This might sting, I'll be quick." He took a healthy swig of the bottle and felt a slight trembling hand on his arm. It was the first time she'd moved and he was so damn relieved to feel that wisp of pressure on his arm. He looked into her wounded eyes, understood immediately and tipped the bottle to her lips. She swallowed and squeezed her eyes shut as the liquid burned down her throat.

Picking the towel back up he quickly tipped the bottle over her swollen folds and let the liquor burn a path hating the little shriek and moan that came from Beth but it was the quickest way to get the job done he reasoned. He took the dishtowel and palmed it against her drying the remaining liquid. When her breathing calmed down, he touched her pale cheek with his callused fingers bringing her eyes open. "It's done Beth." She nodded her head infinitesimally in understanding.

Daryl shook the clean quilt out and gently covered her. Then sat on the edge of the bed and let his head sink into his hands. He felt Beth reach out for him again and saw the silent look in her eyes. They were good at speaking without many words now so he knew what she wanted. Shit he'd give her anything he could now there was so little he could offer though. He lay down beside her and pulled her unresisting body into the shelter of his body pulling the quilt back over both of them. Eventually the healthy sound of regular sleep reached him and he closed his eyes exhausted.

WDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDW

Beth woke up to sunlight streaming in through dusty windows and a feeling of safety she hadn't felt in forever. She attributed that to the fact that Daryl was tucked up snugly behind her with an arm draped protectively about her waist. Then she started fully awake as the memories of her assault came rushing back. She squeezed her eyes shut convulsively shaking her head back and forth trying to knock them loose and effectively waking Daryl. He instantly turned in the bed and brought her into his wide chest shushing and holding her tight. A nice tight the kind of hold that told you that you were safe. As her shaking subsided she heard Daryl whisper, "Beth?"

"I'm ok," she reassured him softly. But she wasn't ok, didn't think she'd ever be ok again. But she didn't want to worry him. She remembered how worried he'd looked yesterday. The things he'd had to do to help her, she just couldn't seem to move to help herself. She didn't want him to worry like that again. Not because of her.

"Got some clothes for you," Daryl pushed his chin in the direction of the sailor suite he'd collected for her. He pushed up out of the bed and ran a hand along his jaw then pushed the sleep from his eyes with the backs of his fists like a little child would. There was a lot of child in Daryl still Beth thought fondly.

She didn't give a shit about herself, not now maybe not ever again, but she would not put that on Daryl. He'd gotten them out of that house. They were alive and they were safe. He'd done all that by himself. She didn't want him to feel all by himself now.

"You shopped for me Daryl Dixon," she said with a small grin. It was all she could muster and she promised herself she'd do better.

Daryl smiled back almost shyly and looked at her out of the corner of his eyes as if he was truly embarrassed bout shopping for a woman. "There were pretty dresses too." he added looking at the sailor suite looking like he'd wished brought one of them instead.

"I think it's cute." Beth said dipping her head to catch his eyes. She sat up pulling the quilt up around her breasts. Daryl bolted as if just realizing that she was naked beneath it. But she knew he knew, knew because he'd taken care of her yesterday when she hadn't been able to take care of herself. She squeezed her eyes to dispel that thought.

"There's some water and sandwich fixins." Daryl nodded his head towards the nightstand with their meager supplies. "Didn't get a chance to look for anything else downstairs." He said to her as he made his way to the stairs then bolted down as if he couldn't get away fast enough.

Beth took the opportunity to don the white sailor suite glad to have something clean to put on for once. She winced as she pulled the pants up. Still sore, still a reminder, she let them drop and lay back down on the bed pulling the quilt around her shivering.

Daryl came back upstairs waiving a bag of stale cookies triumphantly a smile on his face. When he saw Beth back in the bed, his head swung to the navy uniform she'd dropped to the floor. "Didn't fit?" he asked his smile dropping.

"hurts." was all Beth could choke out and swallowed hard at the look of anguish that entered Daryl's eyes.

"right." was all he said as he dropped the cookies next to her and dashed back down the stairs. She'd have to try harder she thought. She didn't want to see that look in his eyes. She was a survivor. She was lucky to be alive and though she wanted to shut back down and sink into oblivion again she wouldn't. Wouldn't do that to Daryl. He had suddenly become her reason for going on she realized.

Daryl came back solemnly with a pretty pastel dress probably vintage 50's she thought taking in the wide skirt. He also had a couple of patterned china plates and a silver plated butter knife. She plastered a smile on her face willing him to believe it as she reached with an "oh" towards the dress he held out to her.

He studiously began making them peanut butter sandwiches as she donned the dress behind his back. Would he ever be able to look at her again with out remembering she thought? She came in front of him and did a little twirl. The dress was a bit large in the chest department. She doubted there were any undergarments to help her fill it out but the dress was () with a soft cotton lining and it felt wonderful.

She watched as Daryl swallowed convulsively as he watched her skirt flare out as she spun. She felt pretty. She wondered if Daryl thought she looked pretty or if he was just remembering her stinking and dirty from the men at the ranch house. Her smile started to droop when Daryl handed her one of the pretty plates with a sandwich and cookies on the side.

"There was coffee with the cookies, musta put them out for customers," Daryl said tonelessly.

"I would kill for coffee." she said taking the plate with a smile. It looked similar to the china Annette had had at the farm. The good stuff. The stuff they only got out for holidays or special occasions.

They devoured their food chasing it with water from matching china cups he'd come up with. When was the last time she'd sipped from a cup? They were lucky she thought again. Lucky to find a safe place. Lucky that they were still together.

"So what else is downstairs?" Beth asked Daryl when there was nothing but crumbs on the plates.

"Damn near anything ya might want." Daryl said a little in awe. "Common I'll take ya." He carefully twined his fingers in hers and gave a little tug. She used to love antique shops. Wandering through, sometimes trying to guess what somethings where if they weren't familiar. Dreaming about a past that just didn't exist in the modern world anymore. A past with grace and simplicity. Daryl seemed like a kid in a candy shop as he pulled Beth down the aisles, excited and curious. She decided she liked an excited and curious Daryl. It was a side she hadn't seen before, a side she wanted to see more of.

Beth started picking things out. Her eyes skated over an old cradle and swallowed hard but refused to let her worries mar their fun. Fun was such a hard thing to come by. Fun was an indulgence they hadn't had in such a long time.

So she picked out an old hand crank phonograph and thick vinyl records, a little potbelly kerosene stove, a few lamps, a pretty lace tablecloth and more flowered china and cups. He never questioned a single thing the picked out, just ran them upstairs when his arms got full.

She stilled as they came across an old vintage wedding gown still beautiful but turned ivory with age. It had a flowing veil along with it and she sighed eyeing it. Daryl quieted next to her watching the emotions playing over her face. She knew he was watching her so she turned with a bright brittle smile and said "Maggie would love that dress."

Daryl nodded, his arms full of stuff she wanted to take upstairs. "Gonna have to go out for supplies soon." He said gruffly. "There's a few houses down the block look promisin." She nodded silently and they took the stuff upstairs.

"Be back soon." was all he said as he slung his cross bow over his shoulder indicating that the rifle was being left for her. Beth stilled him with a tentative hand on his arm and reached up on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. She promised herself that every time they ever had to separate no matter how briefly she'd do that. Make him remember that he wasn't alone, remember that she cared. He was her reason for living after all. She'd do what she could, every little way she could to make him know that.

Beth went about pulling a beautiful mahogany table near the bedroom set up. She covered it with the lace tablecloth and set the dishes on it. She tilted her head admiring her handy work. It was getting late so she lit a few of the lamps they'd brought up filling the air with the vanilla scent of the she she kerosene they'd gathered downstairs. Daryl had set the phonograph on a dresser they'd pulled up to their area and she cranked it, delicately placing one of the thick vinyl records on it and setting the needle. The sound of some long gone symphony wafted through the space. It was pure joy is what it was and she began to sway to the sound of music she hadn't heard in god forever.

She was still spinning slowly when she noticed Daryl standing in their space. A look of pure adoration on his face. A look she wanted to see there forever because it was for her. "I made coffee." she motioned to the little stove they'd brought up now burning merrily with the vanilla kerosene.

He didn't say a word just dropped the jugs of water he'd obviously found and came to her silently. God how could she want this man, any man, after what had happened? But it was true. No amount of heartache or trauma could make her stop wanting him. The only thing that marred that thought was wondering if she might be pregnant. She hadn't wanted to worry him about it, he had enough to worry about but she couldn't stop the thought swirling in her brain and it never failed to bring a bit of nausea with it.

"A house few blocks down still has a workin well." he muttered cutting his eyes from her to the table she'd laid out.

She came up to him and tiptoed to place a gentle kiss on his cheek again and he stood stock-still and let her. "Dance with me?" she reached down to take his hand but he pulled away.

"I stink." he said warily as if that was an excuse not to dance.

"You smell like life Daryl Dixon." she smiled up at him coaxing.

"Here," he thrust a bag of spam and peaches at her. "Be right back."

Beth sighed and went about placing spam and peaches on pretty plates and setting the pretty table as if it was a thanksgiving feast.

When Daryl came back up he was clean scrubbed and smelling like she she soap. He was wearing a pair of old army slacks he'd obviously found downstairs, his slim hips a perfect fit for the vintage duds. But he was bare chested, likely not able to find a vintage shirt that would stretch across his broad shoulders and chest. She fanned herself internally for a moment as she took him in. Good lord she thought that man could certainly do something crazy with her insides even after all she'd been through.

He sniffed at the t-shirt he'd brought back up with him then tossed it aside in disgust rather than put it back on. He took in the fancy table set up with the peaches and spam and took a tentative seat at the table as if he'd never been at a fancy table before. Beth kicked herself. He probably hadn't been at a fancy table before and here she was makin him feel uncomfortable. Damn it.

They ate quietly letting the music swirl around them until it reached its end. Beth got up to put another record on and the strains of 'Moon River' drifted out. "I love this song." Beth said coming back to the table sighing wistfully. "Momma and daddy used to dance to this in the livin room when I was little." She knew her eyes were filling with tears at the thought of her parents.

Daryl seemed to understand exactly what she was feeling without her havin to say it. He took her hand and pulled her up. "Don't know how to dance." he said gruffly.

"Know how not required." she whispered into his chest as his arms came around her way to close for a proper fox trot. "Just gotta feel the music and move." and they did. Swaying in each other's arms to the sweet swells of the crackling music on the old phonograph.

Like heaven on earth, Beth thought moving in Daryl's arms. She'd dropped her head to his naked shoulder and they were barely moving to the music that wound down needing another crank. When it stopped, Daryl looked down at the fathomless emotions in her eyes. She knew he didn't know what she was thinking so she tipped her head back, "Yer a natural." Beth said smiling up at him.

Beth poured them both a cup of coffee into the little china cups and put a cookie to the side of each saucer. Daryl looked like he'd rather be a bull in a china shop as he took the cookie and dunked the stale bit into his coffee.

Beth eyed him quietly as she sipped her coffee. "We could stay here." she said looking sideways at Daryl.

"could." he agreed.

Beth put her cup and saucer aside with a sigh and began struggling with the zipper on the back of her dress. How women used to dress themselves were beyond her, she huffed to herself blasted things. She peeked around her shoulder to see Daryl watching her. "Little help here?" she questioned.

She kept looking over her shoulder at the trepidation evident in Daryl's eyes. He must have come to some conclusion because eventually he got up and helped her. It was a slow unzip, his fingers grazing her spine as the metal tongue moved down the teeth to her lower back. She didn't think he was doing it on purpose but the feel of his knuckles down her spine as he lowered the zipper made her catch her breath.

He turned his back as she dropped the dress and climbed into the bed pulling the quilt up to her chin. "It's safe," she called knowing that he was waiting for an all clear.

Daryl cranked the phonograph again and put another record on. Such a thoughtful thing. The scratchy melody soothing her as she watched Daryl snuff the lanterns and join her in bed. He might be unsure of himself but he was protective to a 't' she thought as his strong arms curled around her naturally and pulled her into his chest. She thought again of the cradle downstairs and not for the first time anguished over the shameful fact that she did not want a baby filling in. Not a baby sprung from such hate anyways.

Beth woke with a start in the middle of the night. Daryl's arm instinctively tightening about her. She recalled her awful dream. A baby that looked like a baby but had the full-grown face of Joe. She felt the cold sweat that trickled between her breasts and knew that the nightmare had gone on much longer than she'd thought. She snuggled deeper into Daryl smelling the she she soap and smiling that a man could still smell like such man even with flowers scenting his body.

There was no way she was goin back to sleep even with Daryl's arms around her keepin her safe. She tilted herself up on an elbow to look at the sleeping man beside her. So strong and sure yet so vulnerable in his slumber. She brushed his longish hair away from his face and wondered at the softness between her fingers. Soft and hard. That was Daryl. Her Daryl she thought possessively. She'd keep that possessiveness to herself. He didn't feel that way about her and she sure wouldn't put any additional pressure on him. But she couldn't help letting her fingers roam his jaw, down his now vulnerable neck to his collarbones. There she stopped placing a soft kiss at the juncture of his neck and shoulder. He was asleep he wouldn't know her fancy.

"Beth?" Daryl whispered out groggily.

Apparently, she hadn't been so stealth. He looked at her now in the darkness questioningly.

She didn't choose to say it, it just came out and if she'd had a moment to think straight, she wouldn't have said it at all. "What if there's a baby?"

He turned to her fully, still keeping her within his arms. "Then there will be a baby." he said as if he'd been anticipating the question. As if he knew it could happen and he probably did.

She hiccuped on her next serious question. "Is it bad that I don't want that baby? It's innocent and I know it's wrong but I don't' think I could stand knowing where it came from. I don't think I could love it." She hadn't meant to burden Daryl with this but in the middle of the night with him holding her safely the words just tumbled out.

WDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWD

Daryl woke with the memory of Beth's tortured words in his mind. He'd hoped she hadn't gone there with her thoughts while also worrying contrarily that she hadn't. Now he had his answer. She was thinkin about it and that thinkin was givin her nightmares.

He pulled back from her slightly not wanting her to feel his morning arousal. God knew what she would make of that, he shuddered. Fuckin dick he thought. Had a mind of it's own. Snuggled up snug behind a warm female it wanted what it wanted and he reached down to tug it firmly away from her embarrassed.

The movement must have awakened her and he cursed silently to himself. "Daryl?" she asked softly.

"Sorry Beth." he whispered starting to pull away from her warmth.

"stay." she said simply curling herself around him, trapping him.

"Can't stay," he groaned out, hating himself for the want belied in those words.

He looked at Beth wide-awake now, crystal blue eyes boring into his. "Make it yours please?"

He growled in frustration. "What?"

"Make the baby yours." she begged on a whimper. Apparently the nightmare was still with her. "If I thought it might be yours I could do it. "

Daryl looked down at her, at the need, the desperation in her eyes and knew he could not deny her that solace but he had to be sure.

"You could do what Beth? He questioned softly watching every emotion passing on her features. Wanting desperately what she had to say but afraid she wouldn't say what he wanted.

"Love it." Beth said simply. "I could love it if it might be yours." she ended softly. "Please?"

He knew what she was asking for. Knew it was her way of obliterating the horror of birthing a child she hated on sight. Knew what hating that child would do to her. But how could he grant this wish selflessly? Because he was selfish. He admitted to himself that he not only wanted Beth but also wanted a child to share between them. It didn't much matter to him who had sired that child because it would be Beth's. Only Beth's in his mind. But her mind was tortured on that point. He could make it better. She was asking him to make it better. She souldn'ta had to, he thought kicking himself.

"You sure you want that?" he husked out.

"Ya, I'm sure, sure as I ever could be." Beth returned.

Daryl brushed the back of his hand down Beth's cheek wondering how it could still feel so soft after all the wrong that had happened to her. He tucked a tendril of blond hair behind her ear and said. "Be right back."

He bolted down the stars, knew exactly where he was going and stopped in front of the ivory wedding gown. He tugged it from the mannequin then opened the case on the vintage jewelry at the front of the store. He picked out a simple delicate wedding set. Just a chip of a diamond some WWII vet had probably spent his wages on to place on his bride's hand. But it fit. It fit him and it fit Beth. It was probably all he'd ever been able to offer her apocalypse be dammed but it was pretty and he wanted her to wear it.

He came back up stairs with the gown looped over his arm and set it down at the foot of the bed Beth was still snuggled in. "get dressed." he said gruffly.

"But that's a wedding gown." Beth said in awe not understanding the significance of it and her request.

"Just put it on Beth." Daryl said softly. Imploring her with his hooded blue eyes. She didn't understand but she nodded. He stood giving her space to dress and ran back downstairs.

Daryl struggled into a shirt and military jacket. They stretched tightly across his chest and shoulders but it was better than nothing. He grabbed up a couple of silk flowers from a display and whished he'd gone out to pick fresh.

When he got back upstairs in his ill-fitting finery, he came to a sudden halt. There Beth stood in her wedding gown lookin as if it had been made for her. All ivory over cream and her pretty blond hair pulled up in some comb she'd found.

God what if she laughed at him. Rejected him. He was nothin just a dumb ass redneck he thought.

"What are we doin Daryl?" Beth asked quietly.

Daryl didn't answer just went to crank up the phonograph with some music and lit a few of the candles they'd brought up filling the air with a sweet scent. Then he turned to her before he could think on it much longer and dropped to a knee in front of her.

"Marry me Beth." he husked out and tentatively extended a hand to her with the engagement part of the ring set to her. That was the way it was done wasn't it? The way they did it in all the movies he'd laughed at with Merle. Hadn't ever thought he'd do it but here he was and it sucked waiting. Just like in the movies. Those tense moments where you were shouting at the screen for the girl to say 'yes'. He'd laughed then but he wasn't laughing now. Now he was sweating under the tight fit of the old military uniform jacket.

"You sure Daryl?" Beth whispered looking at the extended ring.

"Sure." Daryl said waiting, hoping, feeling so god damn stupid.

Before he could get up Beth had grabbed the ring from his hand and flung her arms around him. "Yer so stupid Daryl Dixon." she said simply. He didn't know what to make of that but her lips at his ear had him understanding. "Yer my reason for livin."

Daryl stood up, took her hand slipping the engagement along with the wedding portion of the band over her slim finger, and said quietly not quite looking her in the eye. "Yer my reason for hoping."

Daryl found two champagne goblets and filled them with the remaining liquor Sue had given them. He wrapped his wife in his arms and tipped the glass to her as she giggled and sputtered as some of it trickled down her lips. He dipped his head and drank from them. They were his now. Daryl Dixon had a bride. She was his, he was hers, and that filled him with such awe it shamed him. He lifted another glass and toasted. "To Hershal." It wasn't much of a toast but he wasn't' much of a talker and he thought Beth probably got that by now.

They made love that night. Their honeymoon. Soft and slow. Daryl didn't think he'd had soft and slow in him but when it came to Beth she brought out surprises in him he didn't think existed. He didn't want to miss an inch of her, kissing her softly from chin to toe. Making many stops in-between to see where she would giggle and where she would moan.

He liked the giggles but loved the moans more. Loved when she cried out his name and took him into her body. There was no shame, no reluctance as if he'd wood her for a year and then engaged her for another and talked about all the things they'd do to make a life together. None of that mattered now he guessed as he strained atop her. Her lithe legs snug around his waist as he carefully pumped within her.

So careful, always mindful of scaring her. "I won't break Daryl." Beth said on panting breaths as he moved atop her.

"Wrong thing to say Beth." he grunted as he surged into her flinging caution to the wind. Thankfully, she didn't seem to mind it as she grabbed his overlong hair and hung on for the ride. When her walls tightened around him and spasmed in her climax he let out a low moan. Fuck he thought. His wife, his life, mine, he finished thinking as he sank beside her on the bed.

Sweat mingled as they pulled each other into their arms, sweetly kissing, stroking, and reassuring. "Gotta weddin present for ya." Daryl whispered.

"Ya what is it?" Beth breathed curious yet sorry she hadn't been prepared for a wedding gift of her own.

"Tomorrow." Daryl said sliding into sleep tightening his strong arm about her.

Beth Dixon nei Greene fell asleep with her husband's arms around her. Perhaps a new life growing inside her. There was no doubt in her mind that any baby would be Daryl's baby and she already loved it. Treasured it as she did her husband that lay sleeping beside her. She hugged a spare arm around her abdomen protecting any precious life growing within and smiled at the thought of a baby with hooded blue eyes and a beauty mark above their lip.

The next morning Daryl pulled a groggy Beth from sleep. He could hardly believe he was doing it but he was kissing his wife awake. His wife he thought feeling a rush of cold fear. "Beth." he shook her awake.

"mmmm" was all she said as she pulled on his naked shoulder to bring his warmth back to her.

"Wake up," he chuckled as she opened her beautiful crystal blue eyes and looked at him. The rings on her left finger twinkling in the morning sun reminding him that she was really his. His to protect. His to want. His to have. His to please.

"get dressed Beth. " he whispered in her ear knowing now it would give her goose bumps and bring her awake. "I want to give you your present."

"mmmmm" she said again sleepily but turned to sit on the edge of the bed and reached for her dress.

"No baby the pants are better." He knew she was healed now. Had taken extra care last night to make sure. He packed up a bag with some water and what remained of their food supplies.

"We're goin far?" Beth questioned.

"Only as far as you want." Daryl smiled with a secret grin. He'd been dying for her to see this since yesterday. But yesterday they'd had things to take care of. Things that only counted between the two of them.

Intrigued Beth dressed quickly lookin so damn cute in the white sailor suite. She cuffed the overlong pants and rolled up the sleeves on the top, making them both fit. Daryl dragged her downstairs by the hand and out the door to the grey sedan. It was the first time she'd been outdoors in over a week and the sight of the sedan made her shiver.

"Just a car baby. don't mean nothin," Daryl said as he opened the passenger door for her and let her in.

He came around the driver side and took her hand as he started the engine fingering the ring on her finger as he did so. His ring he thought. They rolled down Main Street and paused at the railroad tracks that intersected the major town roads. Daryl sat patiently waiting for a response from Beth. Finally, the impatience wore off as he looked at her questioning face. "You see it?" he asked.

"See what Beth squinted." Daryl huffed but drove the car square in the middle of the tracks and pointed to a sign. Beth squinted again then gasped as her hand left his and she sprinted out of the car. Now this is more as he'd expected Daryl thought watching her.

He watched her eyes land on a map that read 'terminus, those that arrive survive.' She questioned a look at him and he motioned to another sign written in blood. He saw the exact moment when she understood. When hope was with her again. It read 'Glenn gone to terminus, Maggie."

Beth dropped to her knees and wept into her hands. Daryl didn't know if this was good or bad but he knew now it was his job to make sure it was good. Only good for Beth. His Beth. "You ok?" He asked wrapping his arms around her.

"Are we going?" Beth asked. How she could ask that he didn't know. It was her call. It was her family. Ya he wanted to go. Hopped they'd find more than Maggie and Glenn but happy for Beth if that's all they found.

"I go where you go Beth." he grunted. It was a highly emotional moment he knew it would be but he didn't do emotion well and he thought his new wife knew it.

She did. She flung her arms around his neck and whispered in his ear. "I love you Daryl Dixon."