Walking Dead is not mine.

"We've searched that entire area multiple times. There's no sign of our mystery attacker." Maggie spoke as she gestured at the map of Georgia they had spread out on the table.

"Ain't no mystery to it. Don' know why we pretendin' any different. Was the Governor, or one of his lackeys." Daryl piped up from his spot in the gathered circle leaning over the map they were using to lay out a search grid. It was a constant thorn in his paw that everyone seemed reluctant to acknowledge his return.

"Daryl's right. Its time we stop beating around the bush and admit to what we all been thinkin'. He's back." Rick declared solemnly, hands planted firmly on his hips.

There was a weighted pause as everyone absorbed this and thought on the coming confrontation. The entire group ' tonight, except for Clara, who had graciously offered to take up sentry duty, despite it not being one of her normal responsibilities. He had told her about the meeting and she immediately volunteered to stand guard. As she had put it with her usual air of grace, "I got no place on a war council. The only thing id be good for is the occasional supportive nod. Y'all say what needs to get said and I'll play eye in the sky." God, he admired that plain-spoken old hippie.

It had been almost two months since the attack and they were no closer to catching up with the criminal responsible. It boiled Daryl's blood that despite all the Governor had done, from his initial assaults on the prison to his most recent attack which almost cause Beth her life, that Devils spawn still managed to elude his recompense.

"Fine. Its him. That fact don't bring us any closer to finding him." The ever wise Herschel pointed out.

"So what do we do now?" Carol aimed the question at Rick.

Rick appeared deep in thought for a few moments before giving Daryl and Tyrese seeking glances. They both answered him with nods of support. Daryl was behind Rick. One hundred percent, and he knew Tyrese felt the same. "We go on."

"What do you mean?" Glenn asked.

"We keep living like we were before. No more hunkering indoors or sending out search parties of our best fighters far from home. It's what he wants - to run us into the ground and split us up. We're dangerously low on supplies and need to make a run. We can't keep being afraid of our own shadows anytime we step outside. This is our home and if we stay pinned down like this, then he's already won." Rick responded.

Despite Rick's valid points, Maggie was obviously incensed. "So we just give up!? He almost killed my sister, Rick! He needs to go down."

Daryl couldn't agree more. But he conceded that Rick was right. They were probably playing right into the sick bastard's plan by remaining in a dormant pattern of searching and hiding out of fear.

Glenn grasped his wife's shoulders gently and brought her into his embrace for a consoling hug, then motioned Rick to continue.

"I'm not suggesting we grow complacent. We all know that's a suicide wish when dealing with the Governor. I'm just sayin' we need to refocus. On us. On the family."

A new voice chimed in from the top of the stairs, "Rick's right."

Daryl straightened his stance and watched as Beth climbed down the rickety stairs. She made her way to him and stood at the table gazing almost lazily at the map. He stepped up behind her and caged her in his arms, both of his hands resting comfortably on the table. No one commented on this display. They had become commonplace in the past few weeks.

Having planted herself comfortably, Beth continued, "The crops have started to produce and we can begin harvesting. Take it from me and Daddy and Maggie. Harvesting is a team effort. Its gonna take all of us if we want to do this right and begin preserving for winter. It's also something to celebrate. We can't let that...man... ruin this for us. We've worked too hard." Daryl placed one hand on her hip and squeezed in an encouraging gesture.

Rick gave her an appreciative smile, "You're absolutely right Beth. Thank you. Judith go down okay?"

Beth nodded and answered, "Sure did. First night in her own room. I cant' believe it. My cell feels empty without her." The tension that had permeated the air for the entire meeting receded at this reminder of blessings within the group.

"That's right. I forgot you were gonna move her into her own room today. Little one is getting big, fast." Tyrese commented fondly.

"Yes she is." Rick states proudly.

"All right, enough with the mush. Before we break up this little love fest, I believe Officer Friendly was saying something about a supply run?" Merle finally put his two cents in, pulling the meeting back on track.

"Yeah...food may be coming in, but we are still in need of other things: batteries, baby food, toiletries, etcetera." Sasha said.

"I'll go," Daryl volunteered. He felt Beth twitch against him and knew that she was extremely uncomfortable with him putting himself in danger. But she also knew that it was part of his job, one of his roles in the group. As she had already reminded him several times though 'it didnt mean she had to like it'.

"Yeah, me too." Glenn said.

"Count me in," Merle this time.

Rick shook his head. "No, Merle, I need you here. I may be willing to stop direct searches for the Governor, but I still think the prison needs some heavier fortifications against any future attacks. I could really use your military expertise on this and figured we could spend tomorrow brainstorming ideas."

Merle looked ready to protest at first, but eventually shrugged in acquiescence. "Sure thing, Sheriff. I reckon ole Merle might have a notion or two."

"Good. Its settled then. In the morning, Daryl and Glenn will head out early and try to hit that Mom and Pop store a few towns over. On the last scouting mission, Sasha said she passed it and it didn't look cleared out. Merle, Sasha, and I will work on more defenses here on the home front and everyone else will begin harvest preparations. Understood?" There were nods all around and Rick ended the meeting with a dismissive "G'night".

Everyone dispersed to their individual quarters except for Daryl and Beth. They remained together at the table, Beth still facing away from him, her posture rigid. Silence reigned until Daryl couldn't take it anymore. He spun her around but she refused to look at him, staring resolutely at a point over his shoulder.

"What's the matter? I've been on riskier outings before and you've never been this upset. I've got Glenn comin' with me and he's a solid man to have at yer back. 'S just a grab and go, nuthin' special about it. We've done ones like it a hundred times before," Daryl knew he was rambling but found he couldn't stop, wanting her to snap out of her trance like state. The reaction he got from her however caught him completely off guard.

"Come to my cell tonight." As she said this, she finally focused on him and he saw a burning passion in her expression that both humbled and excited him.

He paused to consider his response even though his male awareness was screaming at him to accept immediately. Over the past month, they had shared many physical encounters, nothing beyond extended kissing and some heavy petting, but Daryl knew she was suggesting more.

He didn't know if she was ready for that most intimate of acts between them. Hell, he didn't know if he was. The few brief dalliances he had experienced after drunken bar trips hardly qualified as worthy practice for someone as innocent, as important, as Beth.

Fuck it. She was a grown woman, responsible, and capable of making her own decisions. She appeared anxious now, fidgeting and biting her plump lips. His silence must have given her the wrong impression.

"Nevermind, I didn't mean to be pushy, I'll just g-" he interrupted her by grabbing both of her biceps, yanking her to him, and bringing his hard mouth down upon hers in a demanding kiss. God, her taste was addictive, half cinnamon, half mint, and all Beth. She let out a startled moan and shivered in his fierce embrace. He released her arms and pulled back, giving her one last chance to change her mind.

"You sure, Princess?"

His kiss had left her beyond breathless, so she responded the only way she could, with a determined nod.

His lips curled up in a purely male smile of satisfaction before scooping her up into his muscled arms, bridal style, and carrying her stealthily out of the commissary.

"This isn't the way to my cell."

"No, not enough privacy there for what I intend." A shiver coursed up Beth's spine at his words. Daryl felt it and squeezed her in response.

A few minutes later found them at their destination and he set her on her feet. "The library? Hinky." Her playful banter did nothing to cool the sizzling tension between them.

"Beth, I want to be clear about somethin'. You don't have to do this. I want it," a rushed exhale of air from him, "Gods, do I want it, but I can wait. I'm fine with how things are between us. You don't have to rush this for my sake."

In response, She pushed him into a chair and straddled him, with very little resistance on his part.

Her hands trembled as she cradled his face. "Well good for you Daryl. But I'm not rushing anything. I want this too. I have wanted it for some time now in fact. Remember, I was the clever one and knew we were something special before you did."

He caressed her sides lovingly in a repetitive motion she didn't even think he was aware of. "Are you ever going to let me live that fact down?"

"Hmmm..." She played at applying a fair amount of consideration to this question before shaking her head. "Nope."

Play time was over. She leaned in to press her lips against the corner of his mouth, his cheek, and lower to his neck, then returned to brush her lips fully against his. As before, the mere contact of his lips with hers made her breathy with abandon. She tilted her head to deepen the kiss, setting into him, licking his lips, his tongue.

She pulled back and grasped his scruffy face between both of her hands. "Make love to me, Daryl."

He nodded. Good enough for him.

She made to draw off her shirt but his hands beat her to it. It seemed he wanted the pleasure of undressing her all to himself. Once her top and bra were removed, she glanced at his face to find his gaze rapt on her bared breasts, his jaw slackened. He swallowed thickly, seeming to memorize the sight. As if he believed he'd never see something like this again. Which was ridiculous. As right and good as this already felt, she could guarantee it would be happening again and as often as possible.

His expression flared when her nipples pebbled right before his eyes. He couldn't resist their sweet little temptation for long and took one into his mouth, flicking it repeatedly with his tongue, then drawing lazy circles around its peak. She bucked in response, creating a delicious friction where their hips met. He continued this torture, paying careful attention to both breasts, for several minutes before Beth finally broke.

"Daryl, please, I need..."

"Say it, Beth. Tell me what you need, baby." His deep Southern twang had never been sexier, especially since it sent his hot breath coursing along the raised skin of her over-sensitized flesh. He was at her neck now, nuzzling her, and then delivering open mouth kisses to soothe the skin his facial hair had reddened.

"More."

He didn't need any more encouragement than that. Lack of refined experience did not seem to be an issue. His body knew exactly what to do- and that was anything to please this woman- his woman.

He lowered his hand to below their waistlines. He realized suddenly that she was wearing a skirt. It granted him easy access to his goal. Had she planned this? The thought made him impossibly harder and he rewarded her ingenuity by finally grazing his knuckles along her core. He bit out a curse at how wet she was.

"For me, Beth. Tell me," he said, his voice hoarse. It wasn't a question, but she knew he was demanding a response.

"For you Daryl. Always for you." Her voice was low in pitch and almost foreign to her, but she had apparently provided the right answer, because he began a slow rhythm against her that had her panting within seconds. He moved her panties aside and slowly, ever so slowly inserted one long callused finger into her. He stilled, waiting for her to adjust to the intrusion, but it didn't take long. He began pumping his finger, his mouth returning to her breasts, working her into a frenzy. An almost animalistic sound escaped his throat, and she writhed, feeling his shaft pulse beneath her. She felt a growing...something...within her and realized she was seconds away from bliss. This lasted for several minutes, and then, at the very edge of insanity, his thumb found the tight little bundle of nerves at the top of her slit and lights exploded behind her eyes. She tossed her head back as she was thrown into orgasm, making sweet little mewing sounds of pleasure, that were like heaven to his ears.

He captured her lips with his own in a gentle kiss as she came down from her high, slowly removing his hand. His other hand, which had been pressed against her back to steady her, joined its brother in cupping her bottom and lifting her up easily onto the table behind them and gently pushing her back.

He leaned over her and brought his hand covered in her juices up to his mouth and with extreme efficiency began licking her essence straight off of his own fingers, moaning in pleasure. She almost came again from the sheer eroticism of the act. Once he finished his tasting, she grabbed his vest and brought him down for another searing kiss and began trying to shimmy out of her panties. It was admittedly no easy task in this position. He stopped her again and she couldn't help a breathy chuckle.

"Daryl Dixon, should have known you'd be the dominant type in this arena."

At this he looked almost abashed, and she rushed to assure him, "It's a good thing, too. I'm finding it to be exactly what I need."

All traces of embarrassment vanished from his face as he practically ripped her panties from her, a growl escaping his throat with the force of it. He pushed her skirt up to her waist, quickly unbuckled his belt, and simultaneously pushed his pants and boxers down, his impressive erection springing free, its tip already weeping.

He gave her one last questioning glance and she merely opened her arms to him, welcoming him into an embrace as old as the human species. He wasted no more time in bringing the head of his shaft to her still soaked core and began to ease in. Beth had been on the verge of asking to study him in every intimate way he had previously studied her but the sensations assailing her postponed those plans. He began pushing into her and she almost whimpered at the sudden discomfort of his large manhood invading places in her that had never before been breached.

Daryl felt no barrier that he knew most virgins had, but Beth had grown up on a farm riding horses, so this did not surprise him. He had absolute faith in her. She had never lied to him. Besides, her reactions were innocent and unpracticed, and he relished every one, burning the memory like a brand into his mind.

Finally, after easing his way for well over a minute, he was seated fully inside her. She was breathing heavy and he used every ounce of will power he possessed to remain still as she adjusted to his girth. But eventually she began to squirm beneath him and her nails ran lightly down his back. It was a true testament to how lost he was in this woman, that he didn't even register that she was caressing him where he usually didn't even allow anyone to look. She tugged at the shirt and vest, craving as much skin to skin contact with him as she could manage. He pulled back just long enough to remove the offending articles of clothing before returning to her, never disconnecting from her fully.

He gripped her hips and began to move then. In and out. Slowly at first, but soon picking up the pace, finding a rhythm that satisfied them both. Her skin was flushed all over and her breasts bounced enticingly with every thrust. He was transfixed by the sight of the woman laid out before him. Trusting him. Loving him. Letting him love her. He felt her tight little sheath beginning to clamp around him and was glad for it. He knew he couldnt hold back much longer.

He increased the pace and pounded into her with such force that he worried for a brief moment at the table's ability to hold them up. "Let go, Beth. Come for me. I've got ya."

His gruff demand sealed the deal and Beth plunged willingly into the abyss of pleasure, his name on her lips, Daryl joining her swiftly in abandon.

After a few moments of labored breathing, sweat cooling on their bodies, Daryl gently pulled out of her. Inch by inch. She let out a small whimper.

He cupped her face, "You okay?"

She smiled sweetly up at him. "I'm beyond okay. Just a bit sore is all. I like it though."

She heard him grunt and saw his chest swell a bit with pride. A flood of affection swept through her for this man. This strong, caring man who never asked for thanks and always put her and the others first. He managed to manuever them both onto the floor and scooped up his shirt and vest to make a little pillow for them. He gathered her up into his arms and she curled up laying her head in the crook of his arm and chest. She drew lazy circles on his abdomen and enjoyed watching his muscles flex in response.

Her nest words were soft spoken, but genuine, "Thank you, Daryl. That was...amazing. 'Id always thought my first time would be painful and awkward, but you...wow."

"Sorry your first time had to be on some dusty ass table in a prison library. I didn't hurt ya?"

"There was a bit of discomfort at first, I mean you're a BIG man." Truth was, there was a deliciously aching throb in her lower regions, but it was a beautiful reminder of what they had just done together, so Beth relished it. His skin flushed at the compliment but he didn't comment so she continued. "But it was nothing compared to the rest. And as for the setting, I can assure ya, it didn't bother me one bit." They continued softly petting each other for a while before Beth began yawning. Daryl moved to stand up, but Beth stopped him.

"Stay with me."

"Oh I'm not going anywhere, Princess. I'm all yours for the night."

"Just the night, Dixon? What kinda girl do you take me for?" She swatted him playfully.

He grasped her hand and brought it to his mouth to deliver kisses to each fingertip, a gesture that settled into her like warm molasses. Then he released her and stooped to gather all of their clothes and indicated for her to get dressed while he did the same.

"No, darlin'. Not just the night. And you know it," he spoke this with complete conviction, sending small flutters through Beth's stomach. It wasn't a shout to the heavens declaring his eternal love for her, but for a Dixon male, it came pretty damn close.

"Then where are you goin'?"

"WE are going to your cell. I find my perch seems damn near inhospitable tonight and I believe I received an invitation earlier." As he spoke he finished dressing and pulled her closer into him, her hands clasping behind his head, lightly tugging at the mane there.

"You know, I think you're right." She squeaked in surprise when he swooped her up into his arms once again and made for Cell Block C. "I can walk you know." She laughed and the throaty sound went like a lightning bolt straight to his groin. He could feel himself hardening again. But that was just too damn bad. No matter how enjoyable her first experience was, it would still leave her sore and he would never risk hurting her by making love to her so soon after.

"Yeah, well... I happen to enjoy this method of transportation, so shut yer cute little mouth and get over it."

"You find my mouth cute, hunter?"

"Not really. I find it to be a damn distraction. But one I'm willing to live with."

Their playful banter continued until they reached her row. They peeked in on Judith resting soundly in the cell next to hers and continued on until they found themselves just inside Beth's cell door. She wasted no time in plopping down onto her cot, exhausted. It had been a wonderfully tiring day. He seemed a bit unsure with what to do with himself so Beth tugged his hand until he crawled in beside her. She snuggle dup to him in an exact copy of their post-festivity repose from earlier.

He stroked her spine, and that combined with the steady thump of his heartbeat underneath her ear, and his warm reassuring presence all around her, lulled her into the most peaceful slumber she had experienced in a very long time.

Daryl was content. He was happy, plain and simple. The Governor was out there, still a threat to Beth and the rest of his family. But her feminine softness and heavenly scent sent him into slumber not long after she succumbed. His last thought before sleep claimed him was that they had not used protection. It was risky and down right foolish of them, of him, to have forgotten. But despite some half-hearted attempts, he just couldn't bring himself to care all that much. He would be sure to stock up on condoms on he and Glenn's run tomorrow and they would be careful in the future. For now, he was content in the knowledge that she was his and she was safe and he was damn well going to make sure it stayed that way. In a rare moment of fancy, he thought maybe the distant moans and gurgles of the walkers at their gate indicated a challenge to his determined thoughts. But his response to that? Fuck off.

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