A/N You guys continue to put a smile on my face. Thanks to all of you for reading, commenting, following and for the faves. See how happy I look? As promised, this chapter begins exactly where chapter six ended.

He took in a deep breath, "I think ya know I would. Ain't nuthin' I know of I wouldn't do for ya. But I got some thoughts on all this."

And she saw he was chewing that lip again and she started to feel a burning in the pit of her tummy, was he going to tell her now that he felt they shouldn't pursue this thing between them? Because if he did she was certain her heart would break right in two.

The woman could see he had thoughts he wanted to express to her, so she kept quiet while he searched for his words.

It took a while and she felt bad for him because she could tell he was struggling with whatever it was he wanted to say. After several minutes he finally began, "I'm 32 years old, I been on my own takin' care a myself as long as I can remember. I'm a healthy man an when it comes ta women I got my needs like any other man. I ain't gonna lie n tell ya I'm pure as fresh snow. But that's about the only thing I really know about what goes on between men and women, the physical part. What I'm tryin' ta tell ya is I don't know nuthin' about what a man n a woman…well about the relationship stuff, the whole ya know everythin' that goes along with that, the really bein' together part. I ain't never been in any kinda thing like that. Truth of it is Beth I don't think you have either. Ya been taken by a man, n ya been taken advantage of by a man, and that ain't the same as really bein' with someone. Shit, even I know that an I don't know nuthin' about it."

"I guess what I'm gettin' at is I'd sure like ta think you n me could have sumthin' like that together, but I don't think it can happen fast. As much as I'd like ta take ya in that bunk right now n let ya know how much I want that with ya, I wouldn't do it. I care too much for ya n I don't think we're ready. I'm thinkin' we gotta start off a little slower if it's gonna mean sumthin'. If we're gonna mean sumthin' together. Especially cuz a Claire n all."

And the woman was just watching the trucker as he spoke and she knew he was having trouble saying these things that he'd been thinking, and she appreciated every bit of it. She understood exactly what he was telling her. And what that was, well it made the woman care for him even more deeply than she had just a minute or two before. This man before her he was simple and honest, and he understood what was important in life and what was important for her, her daughter and him. What was important was doing this the right way.

"I agree with you Daryl. That would make me much more comfortable too. I don't want us to jump into anything and spoil it because we moved too fast. I want to have that with you but I don't think I'm ready yet either. I know I'm still healing on the inside, in my heart and in my head and I know it will take time."

Now his lips were pursed and he nodded his head a couple of times, then he looked to her again and smiled, "Sing ta me some more, please Beth. I like it so much when ya do."

And she was happy to do as he asked because she appreciated how much he seemed to appreciate her.

He was listening to her sweet voice and thinking, wondering to himself if it was even possible. Could he really have a woman and a child with him, could he live that life? At the heart of him he wanted it but at the same time he feared it. He questioned whether he could be a good man to her and to Claire. And he wondered if after all that had happened to her would she ever really be able to be close with a man?

One thing he did know, hell he didn't even know how it was that he knew, but if he was going to have this thing with her he would have to put himself out there. And that was so not his way of being, but he knew enough to know he had to reveal himself to her if he wanted her to let him in her life, and if he was going to let her into his. She'd shared things with him and he knew it had been hard for her, now he had to do the same.

They'd driven as far as Lordsburg, New Mexico when again the woman grew quiet. That's when the trucker began to speak. He told her about his father and the way he'd been, and he told her about his Mama and how she'd ended it all with a bottle of wine and a lit cigarette. "Everyone said it was an accident that she just fell asleep, but I ain't ever really believed that. Merle was off runnin' somewhere with his buddies that day, I was eight years old out runnin' the street, just stayin' away. The old man was passed out on the couch in the other room. I always thought it was her plan ta take the two a them outta the picture and maybe Merle n me would have a chance."

"My father didn't die that day though, he got his worthless ass out but he didn't get her out. Merle he had his way a copin' with trouble an he started ta play around with the speed, he 'specially liked the crystal. He was mostly gone n I can't really fault him he was just runnin', stayin' loaded ta keep from feelin'. That made me the old man's one an only whippin' boy and I got my share n way more."

"When I's fifteen I went to the county and petitioned for emancipation. I had a full time after school job an a small one room place at the back of an old lady's house. My petition was granted n I became an official responsible adult at fifteen. I been on my own since."

"The truth of it is I ain't never lived with anyone since Mama died. I avoided my father as much as I could because anytime we was in the same general vicinity, he felt the need ta kick my ass. Merle is Merle and I love my brother, but he's had his troubles. It don't mean he's bad but he may have made some bad choices an he just wasn't around. I've lived a mostly solitary life. Alone in this truck, alone with my woodworking, alone in a cabin in the woods. It ain't like I'm a hermit or nuthin', it's just that I'm mostly alone and I've always liked that just fine. It suited me. This time I've spent here in the truck with just you n Claire, that's the longest I been with anyone since Mama."

"I don't know if I know how ta live with someone else. Hell maybe ya won't want me for long."

She didn't let him get away with it. "That. The way you did right there at the end, acting like I wouldn't want you. It's what you do, it's what you say, it's what you think about yourself. What I think, what I've seen is that you're a fine man and I'm so proud that you care about me enough, trust me enough to tell me these very personal things because I know how hard it is for you."

"You already know I've never really been in a relationship either. Like you said neither one of us knows. I just know, I feel, we both want that and want to try, and maybe that's what it takes. Wanting it, being willing to work hard at it, to learn from each other. I want to try, but I only want to try with you. Just because we've been hurt by bad people that doesn't mean we're bad people, I think we're good, I know you're good. And spending these few days with you I've begun to believe there are still good people out there Daryl."

And it was probably a blessing that in the midst of all this honesty and heavy talk, a tiny voice called to her from the sleeper, "Mama?!"

She went to her daughter, the little girl had awakened from some kind of unsettling dream. Her Mama lay down with her to try and give her some comfort, and soon the little girl was again sound asleep.

Daryl was lost in his thoughts thinking a lot about all the things that could go wrong with this, and all the things that could maybe, just maybe go right.

She knew he thought she was sleeping but she was just lying there, warm, snuggling her daughter and thinking about how things had changed so much since she and her child had made it to that big truck stop in Tennessee. They'd been so hungry, so exhausted, and for her, well every part of her body had hurt from that last beating. But the worst thing was the fear, the not knowing what would happen next. The fear she couldn't care for herself and her daughter. The fear that he would find her there, take them back to that hell hole, and fear of the punishment he would dole out when he got them there. And worst of all, the fear that he may begin to hurt Claire.

She'd been so desperate, so alone, so fearful. But he'd walked in and he bought them food, he offered to take them with him, he'd been kind. It amazed her then and it still amazed her, he asked for nothing in return.

Her feelings for him were real, she knew that down deep in her soul. It wasn't just that he'd rescued her and her daughter. It was more, it was that good man that he was, that kind man, that gentle man, that man that who was so full of love to give and he didn't even know it.

At the same time she knew he was the toughest, the strongest and the bravest man she'd ever known. You didn't live through everything he had if you weren't strong.


Something was in the air, something ominous, he could feel it. It was a feeling that went right through him like a bitter wind. The feeling that today was the day something was going to happen, something life changing, and the most disturbing aspect of this disturbing feeling was, the trucker didn't know what side of this thing the three of them would end up on.


Somewhere about a 115 miles east of Tucson, just west of San Simon, AZ, she and the little girl woke and nature would not wait. There was a rest area just a mile ahead and he got them to it. He kept a hard eye out as he helped them from the truck and walked them to the bathroom. He looked in her eyes, "I'll be right here."

Sure enough as he stood there waiting for them he saw that Chrysler drive by. There was no way now, he wasn't taking a chance of going into the men's room and leaving them anywhere alone, not even in a locked truck. He looked around quickly, all seemed quiet, no one near, and so he did what he had to do, right out there near the ladies room.

He got them back in the truck and he tried to put on a happy front, he didn't want them worried, especially the little girl. He was already upset she'd had a bad dream. "So Claire can ya make that noise for me, the one like Peppa n them make in your cartoon?"

And the little girl gave him that tiny grin and did her best to snort. "Dang girl I think ya might be part pig, ya sound exactly like Peppa."

And when she giggled it somehow helped to ease his mind, just a little.

And he saw her Mama was smiling too, it all seemed so good, so perfect to the trucker.


The woman had noticed something different, a small thing but she thought it may have big significance. The trucker had that knife in the sheath hanging from his belt now. She didn't ask him about it, she just told herself he was being protective of her and her daughter. She didn't want to think about the trouble that might come.

She handed the little girl a small bottle of orange juice and a banana muffin. "Can I get you some juice or anything Daryl?"

"Sure I'd have some orange juice an a muffin with Claire. Thanks Beth."

She set the juice in his drink holder, and the muffin on a napkin next to that. He reached and took her hand, squeezed it gently and spoke softly, "It's good ta have ya here with me Beth, I want ya ta know that, know that I'm happy you n Claire are with me."

And it sent a warm rush through him when she softly replied, "I can't think of anyplace I'd rather be than here with you and Claire."

But as good as it all sounded and felt, he couldn't shake the ominous feeling. And he knew he couldn't let his guard down.

50 miles east of Tucson he asked her, "We got enough fuel and if you gals think ya can last another three hours before usin' a rest room, I'll power through the city and wait ta stop at Gila Bend."

She smiled over at him, comfortable enough now to know he'd understand her answer, "I can wait but with Claire I'm just never sure."

He gave her the half smile back, "Yeah I get that, we'll try for it n see how it goes."

He didn't tell the woman about the worry he had in mind. But he was sure the less they had to stop the better it was for them. He just wished he had a better feel for the guy, knew the bastard's way of thinking so he could maybe think of how it was all going to happen.


Claire was lying on the bunk coloring in her books, Beth was riding up front with him just looking out the window and humming along with the radio. He hadn't expected they'd be this easy to travel with, especially the child. He'd thought there would be more tears, more drama, more acting up. But it had been pleasant and it had made the time pass more quickly for him. He found that he enjoyed being with people, these two people.

When they made their way onto I-8 there near Casa Grande the woman noticed the difference, the lack of people, less vehicles and less structures. It was almost desolate. She knew then she was truly in the desert.

Again she saw the difference when they stopped for fuel at Gila Bend. No big truck stop with restaurants and all the facilities truckers and families might be looking for. No, this was more of just a fuel stop.

He got out, filled the tank, checked the fluid levels, checked the tire pressure. He seemed to be giving everything a good once over. He'd explained to her they'd be going through long stretches without facilities, if worse came to worse he could get help via the CB but that could take quite some time, and so it was best to be prepared. He preferred not to call on others for help.

When he was done he took them to the rest room inside the small pay station / store. He told her to wait until he called for them and he quickly used the men's room. He bought two more gallons of water and cokes. He looked to her, "Sometimes I just like a good sugar rush. Why don't ya pick ice creams outta that little freezer for us, any flavor will do, I like all ice cream."

And she didn't question, she was just that little bit more confident. She chose chocolate ice cream cups for all of them and he gave her that little smirk of his, "I see where Claire gets that now." And the tiny girl looked at him and just said, "Chockyet."

"Them small cups oughta fit in the little freezer compartment in the fridge. We should have some regular food before eatin' ice cream."

He pulled the truck over to the far end of the asphalt lot so other folks would be able to get to the pumps. He closed his eyes for a few minutes while she made them food, and then they all sat up front and ate together.

When they'd finished their meal and their ice creams he told her. "I'ma get up in the bunk and rest for 45 minutes or an hour, then we're gone again. You two might wanna play on the computer an watch cartoons or whatever. I think you'll get a hotpot, I seen a tower just before we pulled in here. Or you could color, or whatever ya want, ya ain't gonna disturb me."

"I'm not sure I can make myself get on a computer Daryl."

He didn't need further explanation, he understood. He took the laptop, turned it on, found a hotspot, found Peppa Pig and set it on the bunk for the child. Before getting up in his own bunk he lightly touched the side of the woman's face, "I'm coverin' ya Beth."

She marveled at how he did it, he must have the world's best internal clock, 50 minutes later he woke and hopped down from the bunk. "Let's see now, I had coke, Mama had tea and Claire had juice, I think we best all use that bathroom again 'fore we head out."

As they eased back onto the highway he told her, "We're gonna be stopped again right up here ahead, gonna be diverted through another U.S. Border Patrol Inspection Station." Now that she'd been through one, she wasn't so nervous about it.

She did notice right away that lots of passenger cars seemed to get waved right through, but all big trucks were required to stop.

The agent asked, "Your name sir?"

"Daryl Dixon outta Georgia."

"What're hauling Daryl?"

"Small motors, takin' 'em into San Diego."

"And these ladies are family?"

"Yessir, my wife and daughter."

"Ma'am what's your name?"

And she answered, "Beth Dixon."

Claire didn't wait to be asked, "Peppa."

The agent laughed then, "Peppa Pig?" And the little girl just nodded.

The he got serious again as he turned back to Daryl, "Any agricultural products?"

He lied just a little when he said, "No sir." But hell those bananas and a couple of apples shouldn't cause any bug problems.

The agent asked to see his CDL and his manifest and then said, "Okay big trucker, stay safe out there."

Once they'd passed through the Gila Mountains Beth couldn't believe how the road just seemed to go on and on and straight ahead. Like he'd told her way back in Tennessee the scenery didn't change. It seemed to consist mostly of a very different kind of tree she wasn't at all familiar with. He told her they were called Palo Verde trees. It seemed there were only a few of those, lots of dirt and lots of sand. She found it different and interesting, but she wondered what had long ago possessed folks to settle in this seemingly dry, barren area.

Claire was sitting up front with Mama, dolly nestled between them, and they were coloring princesses in one of her books. She was thinking how glad she was he'd insisted on getting these things for Claire. Her little girl enjoyed the coloring so much and she loved that doll. And the little gifts so helped to pass the long hours in the truck.

It was then the car blew by them at what must have been 90 miles an hour. He quickly glanced her way to see if she'd seen it. The panic in her eyes left no doubt, the woman had seen the Chrysler.

"Breathe easy now Beth, I been waitin' on this. When he shows himself, when the time comes, we're gonna be okay. Ya just keep the piece real close, ya gotta be able ta grab it quick if ya gotta, and do what needs ta be done. Don't ya hesitate, ya just think about that little one right there with ya, k?"

"Yes Daryl, I promise I won't hesitate." She noted his pistol was no longer under his seat, but sitting there on the floor next to him, an easy right hand grab.

But things seemed to go smoothly. They were keeping their pace and had not seen the Chrysler again.

There was something about that long lonely road that made a person's eyes heavy, made sleep want to come. That's how it happened for Claire. Her Mama waited until she was soundly out, and then moved her to the bunk.

They were somewhere between Mohawk and Tacna when he loudly yelled, "Ah shit!" And suddenly she felt the movement of the truck, almost like a lurch, and she heard the terrible noise that seemed to come from underneath them.

He was obviously trying to slow the big rig down and pull over, just as fast as he could. "What happened Daryl, what's wrong?"

"Goddamn if I didn't get bit by an alligator. Shit!" He'd pulled over to the side of the road now.

"What? An alligator?" She was completely confused.

He tried to smile but he was just so pissed off and worried there might be damage. "It's a big chunk of blown tire in the road, not mine, it was just left behind. Trouble is ya just can't stop or maneuver a big rig fast, ain't like a car, so when ya see 'em it's usually too late to avoid 'em. It ain't like a rig this size is gonna crumble or nuthin', but that alligator can jump right up to the undercarriage and cause problems. That's what ya heard and felt. Don't worry, I'll figure it out."

She noticed he slipped the pistol into the back of his pants, and he grabbed a big black flashlight and his work gloves from behind the seat. "I'ma lock the door, ya stay in here with Claire unless I tell ya otherwise, k?"

"Yes, yes of course." The little girl was still sound asleep in the bunk. The jolt and the noise hadn't woken her.

He walked around in front of the rig and over to the passenger side where he'd be out of the way if traffic came by. If he hadn't been so focused on what may have happened to the rig, he might have noticed that glimmer of sun reflect off the Chrysler, stashed off the road in a small grouping of Palo Verde trees.

He slid under the rig and shined the flashlight up on the undercarriage, searching for signs of trouble. He was relieved to note everything seemed fine, no trouble. He slid back out from under bringing the alligator with him.

He had just tossed it as far as he could out off the road, trying to save the next guy from hitting it. And then it happened and it happened fast. By the time he sensed the movement behind him his knife had been pulled from the sheath and the trucker had been stabbed twice in his back.

The woman had been nervous anyway, she was always nervous when he left them alone, and he'd been upset and she didn't like to see him like that. When she heard him yell, "The fuck!" and heard the scuffling she knew the time had come. As he'd told her more than once, she didn't hesitate. She grabbed that pink handled pistol, the one she wasn't confident she even had the skill to use, and she opened the truck door and held to the handle while she jumped down.

Her worst nightmare was being realized. She saw the blood on Daryl's back, and she saw that bastard had him in a headlock, Daryl was struggling against it and Phillip had the knife poised ready to strike again. In what must have been a split second she noticed the big black flashlight lying there on the asphalt. She quickly picked it up, and with every bit of strength she could muster she hit the bastard as hard as she could in the back of the head.

Both men went down then. Phillip falling backward and taking Daryl down backwards and on top of him. She hit the bastard again as hard as she could, this time on the forehead, and this time his arm slid from around Daryl's neck, freeing the trucker. She pulled the knife from Phillip's grip and handed it to Daryl. He didn't hesitate, he slit Phillip's throat.

Only then did she fully realize how badly Daryl was hurt. He sat slumped on the pavement head down, and his voice was weak as he told her, "We can't let my blood get on this roadway. Get in the truck quick, get a bunch a them wash rags and get the duct tape and the zippo lighter outta my tool box. Hurry now Beth, hurry please."

She couldn't believe what he wanted her to do, but he'd made it plain in that steadily weakening voice and she didn't question him, she did as he asked. She covered those bleeding wounds with the wash rags and secured them with the duct tape.

"I gotta finish this Beth. You n Claire stay in the truck, doors locked. Ya get one a the big towels, ya lay it over my seat."

She started to protest, not wanting to leave him there. "Ya do like I say Beth, please. I ain't got the strength ta fight ya right now."

Too late he'd seen where that Chrysler was parked. He removed his boots, setting them there on the asphalt. As hot as he knew his feet would be walking without shoes, he didn't want to take a chance of leaving his boot prints in the dirt and sand. He slid the body down the small rise from the road to the dirt below. That small rise was a godsend; any passersby wouldn't see he was dragging a body. And somehow with the adrenaline rush and the concern he felt for the woman and the child, the trucker gathered the strength to drag the body to the car. As he'd hoped, the keys were still in the ignition.

He got Phillip Blake into the passenger seat and himself behind the wheel. He drove straight out into the desert, as far as the car would go before it became bogged down in the soft sand. He breathed in deeply and exited the vehicle, pulling Phillip's body behind the wheel. He took the bandana from his back pocket, opened the fuel door to the rear of the vehicle and stuck the bandana loosely into the fuel tank opening. Leaving just enough of it still sticking out.

He set fire to the rag with the zippo lighter, quickly peeled off his work gloves and threw the gloves in that open passenger window. And he moved as fast as he could to get back to the big rig.

He didn't see the explosion, but he heard and felt it and it made him move all the faster. He got to the rig and quickly slipped back into his boots. She'd been watching for him and had the door open.

She hadn't expected him to get behind the wheel and put the big truck in gear. "My God Daryl are you okay, are you sure you can drive?"

He barely nodded and she could see it was taking close to his last bit of strength to pull the truck onto the road. "Only gotta go about 10 miles." She didn't press him to talk anymore; she could see he was fading.

It was a very small rest area, more of a turn out off the highway really. There was a small cinderblock restroom building and a trash can, that was it. He pulled in and parked but as usual left the motor running. Claire was up by then sitting next to her Mama. The child knew there was some kind of trouble, and even a little thing like her could tell he was hurting bad. She just kept quiet.

"Get me water, a lotta water please Beth. And up in the high cabinet, behind where them wash rags are, the bottle a whiskey." He knew the blood loss was dehydrating him. She brought a large plastic cup and one of the gallon jugs, and she just kept pouring for him while he drank. When he'd had his fill of the water he asked, "Pour me a couple or three fingers a the whiskey, please." Again she did as he asked, he drank it one swallow.

Then he told her. "I can't make it to the top bunk, I'm sorry."

"No Daryl please don't worry about that, we're fine we can sleep up top."

"Nah the both of ya lay with me, please." He barely made it into the bunk and she and the little girl crawled in next to him. He asked her then, "What's the combination Beth?"

She was in a panic now, was it that bad? But she answered his question. "Where's Merle?" She took a steadying breath fighting back tears, "Georgia State Prison."

His eyes were closed and he just barely nodded his head, "Ya know what ta do." And he was out.

But he was breathing, she was so grateful just for that. Claire had her tiny hand resting on his arm, Beth had her arm around her daughter and her hand on his cheek. She couldn't take her eyes from him. And she just started to pray because it was the only thing she knew to do.

A/N I know I'm leaving you hanging and I'm sorry, but heck that's more than 5000 words. And I've got to tell you, that took the wind out of me. Let's focus on the good. Together Daryl and Beth brought down Phillip Blake. Next chapter we're picking up right where we're leaving off. I hope you liked at least most of the chapter. Our couple did grow closer and there was a lot of honesty between them. I'd really appreciate hearing your thoughts / comments / reviews. Thanks so much for reading along xo gneebee

To see the chapter photo please visit my tumblr page bethylmethbrick if you need something a little lighter after this, I'd appreciate you checking out my collection of Bethyl short stories, Little Love Stories. I'll see you here next Saturday. Thank you all so much. I love ya large, xo gneebee