Ahhhh you guys are so awesome for following and favoriting and reviewing. So just a little back story here since I haven't explained the time line to much Beth is 18 in this story and in this chapter we are kind of leaving season 3 and going to the start of season 4. This chapter is a little wordy but it was necessary for whats to come up next. Also kind of to give to a thought on how often I'll update Mon-Thurs I'm going to try and put out a chapter everyday but on weekends there is no way I can update with work. Anyways onto the reading! Enjoy :)
Run
Beth's body was on fire after her intense session with Daryl. She could still feel the spark he left on her slightly swollen lips and for the first time in a long time she felt alive. When she brought him the coffee she wasn't sure how'd he take it but she was more than ecstatic it went the way it did. When Beth was finally free from Maggie's questions, she made her way down the guard tower to find Rick to take Judith for the day. When she got to his cell she could see Rick was still in deep sleep and to no surprise Judith was in her crate cooing away. As quietly as she could she grabbed the pinked cheek baby and set off to the common area to get food for both of them. When she entered the kitchen she was a little surprise to see Daryl there, face scrunched in deep thought, deciding to be spontaneous Beth snuck right behind him and just as she was about to cover his eyes for a game of guess who he swiveled on his heel and grabbed her wrist a little more forcefully than Beth was ready for.
"You stalkin me girl?" he asked her with weary eyes.
"Maybe I am, whatcha gonna do about it?" she said with humor in her voice.
As they stood there Beth could see a spark lite in his eyes and for the second time that morning Daryl surprised her, pulling on her wrist slightly he pulled her in, pecking her on the side of her mouth, much softer than earlier but she still felt that fire in the pit of her stomach as his lips left hers.
Pulling away slightly he smirked at her and whispered "You gotta stop startin things you cant finish" and before she could come back with a witty remark he was shuffling out of the kitchen and into the common area leaving her shivering.
Beth was at a loss with him, some moments he was shut off and lashing out at her other moments he was taking her by the wrist and kissing her softly, the man was a roller coaster and Beth was more than happy to be on the ride. As Beth went along with her morning she couldn't help as her mind kept wandering back to the surly man. Not only did he set her body a light with just a small touch he also made her heart flutter a little faster, he made her feel alive in a world so dead and she made the decision there to take Daryl on emotionally. A hard task she knew but even if he denied it to his grave he needed a girl like her in his life and she needed him in hers. She knew most people in the group would be shocked and stuck on the age difference and would miss the fact that they balanced each other. She was strong emotionally and she knew without a doubt she could give love to a man that had seen so little of it and he was strong physically, he could show her how to protect herself in this kill or be killed world. Then when he was ready she knew with out a doubt that he could reciprocate the care she would show him. Beth was no fool though and knew she would have to approach him slowly, one miss step and he would run off like a skittish cat. Lost in thought Beth barley noticed as Rick, Michonne, and Daryl walked into the common area, clearing his throat Rick called for everyone in the prison walls to come around. Her eyes met Daryl's and she gave him a questioning glance but in Daryl fashion he just shrugged his shoulders and focused his attention on Rick.
"We gotta make another run, we've been scoping out the big lots about 30 miles from here and we are going to need a small group to go out today and gather up supplies."
Looking over at Beth, Rick gave her his full attention
"If you could make a list of all the things we'll need for Judith that would be great." and before Beth could back out she asked in a small voice "Could I go out with the group? It would be easier for me to just go."
The minute the words were out of her mouth Maggie and Glenn were both protesting.
"Bethy it's sweet you want to go but it's a lot different out there than it is in here." Maggie said to her and Beth couldn't help the blush that arose in her cheeks, it would be like her sister to underestimate her.
Ducking her head slightly she whispered "It was just a though."
Then just as she was about to get up and leave from the embarrassing situation she heard the gravely voice she's come to seek out.
"I think she should go. Don't do her no good to keep her in here like some princess."
Everyone around focused their attention on the rough man and as Beth locked eyes on him she couldn't help the smile that took over her face.
Taking the lead Rick focused on Daryl and said, "You think she can handle it?" nodding slightly Daryl never let his eyes wonder from hers.
If there wasn't so many pair of eyes on them Beth could have jumped up and hug him, to know that he saw the strength in her that so many ignored made her heart sore.
"You can't be serious" Maggie all but yelled as she stepped closer to the group in the front "She aint ready for this, she could be killed!" as Maggie continued her assault on the men Beth finally found her voice, putting Judith down she walked up next to her sister and said with as much force as she could muster "Maggie I love you but Daryl's right you cant keep treating me like glass, I'm not going to break. I can do this, have faith in me."
When Maggie turned to her, Beth tried to put as much fierceness in her eyes as in her words, then with a sigh Maggie shook her head slightly and said, "Fine. But I'm going with you." It wasn't exactly what Beth hoped for but it was a start and smiling brightly she hugged her sister and said, "Im going to go find Carol and get my pack together."
As she turned to leave she could hear Rick talking to the group as more volunteers stood up to get their stuff together as well. Once Judith was handed off Beth headed to her cell to get a backpack and to make a small list of things she couldn't forget for Judith. As she scavenged her cell she heard the small clearing of a dry throat, turning she saw Daryl holding a pretty large hunting knife.
"That for me?" she asked eyeing the knife excitedly.
Nodding his head he stepped into her cell holding out the knife for her. As she went to grab it his calloused hand wrapped around her wrist gently and with a fierceness he locked into her eyes
"I want you in my line of sight at all times, no funny games and if you get into trouble you yell like hell. Got me?"
Beth nodded her head softly and as she was grabbing at the knife a second time he gripped on her wrist a little harder
"Beth I gotta hear you say you got me."
Beth was taken aback with how open and raw his eyes were, reaching her hand up to brush his cheek lightly she locked on him unwavering "I got you Daryl. I promise to be in your sight at all times."
With a loud sigh she saw his chest deflate and could tell he was holding onto that breath for a while. Without caution Beth grabbed his face and kissed his soft mouth. She but every inch of honesty in that kiss, she wanted him to feel how much she trusted him and when she pulled back his mouth rose in a slight smirk, God she loved that fucking smirk.
Satisfied with her words he cleared his throat awkwardly and jerked his head towards the door, "I gotta pack up the car meet us down there in 20."
Just as he was leaving he turned back to her and handed the knife over with a sheepish shrug then made his trek out of her cell and to the cars. With a wide grin Beth packed the knife in her jeans and finished getting everything she needed and headed out to the cars. When she got there Maggie and Glenn were packing the jeep and Michonne was talking to Carl. As her eyes swept around the area she found Daryl finishing up packing his bike and as if he could sense her eyes on him, he turned his head to her and nodded for her to come over. When she got there he handed her a helmet and asked,
"Ever rode before?"
Nodding her head no, Beth eyed the bike wearily. Chuckling a little he gave her the run down "Just hold tight and when I lean you lean, takes some getting use to at first but you'll pick up quickly."
With another nod Beth put on the helmet he handed over and started to strap it on her head and for the second time today her sister was there to try and stop her
"Daryl she can't ride on the bike with you." Beth knew her sister had nothing but good intentions but Beth was furious, she could take care of her self if just given the chance but Maggie wouldn't see it until she proved it.
"Maggie I want to ride on the bike, I'll be fine, trust me."
Maggie eyed her wearily but finally gave in with a small nod and headed back over to the group going in the jeep. Looking back at Daryl with an excited grin she watched him shake his head and then in a graceful sweep he settled on the old bike
"Ready Greene?" with a more excited shake and little less gracefully than he, she clambered onto the bike and whispered close to his ear
"Ready Dixon."
