Hello all. Chapter 7 has arrived after a long wait.

Well, I am late with my update and I apologize for that. I have finals coming up so I've been studying for them. My next update probably won't be until after my finals are over which is the 10th of May. So, after this update don't expect another one until after that date. I apologize ahead of time. Thank you for your patience with me.

I would like to thank those who have reviewed chapter 6...mrskaz453, texasbelle91, igottoomanyloves, electrogirl88, and ifrickinlovenarwals.

Thank you who have favorited and followed my story!

AN: I have decided that this story will be longer than 10 chapters so it isn't going to be a short story like I thought it would be. So, expect 10+ chapters for this story.

Please Review!

Enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own The Walking Dead or the characters. They belong to their respectful owners. I only own my OC(s).


Chapter 7

The prison was quiet, except for the light snores of two people occupying one of the cells. Daryl slept peacefully, his nose inhaling an everlasting sweet smell. His arm tightened around the owner, pulling her flusher against him. MaryJane moaned in her sleep, her fingers reflexively moving along Daryl's own digits. The sun had risen, bringing a new day with it. There were things to do and mysteries to solve, but the two were happy to just sleep, sleep like they used to.

All of a sudden, there was a screeching noise of metal scratching against metal. A continuous bang followed, stirring the young couple in the cell. MaryJane moaned and pressed a hand to her ear. Daryl growled and placed a hand on his head, eyes narrowed at the cell entrance. Once it stopped he dropped his head against the pillow and wrapped his arm around her waist.

"Wha...?" MaryJane groaned, barely opening her eyes.

Daryl just sighed in response and closed his eyes. Seconds later, when they were almost asleep, the banging screech happened again, waking the two again.

"Cut that shit out, Merle!" Daryl yelled from his pillow.

MaryJane turned in Daryl's arm and buried her face in his chest, her hands gripping the front of his shirt. All of a sudden, sunlight came through the entrance. Merle stood in the entrance, leaning against the cell door frame, arms crossed and smirking.

"Wakey, wakey, my little lover birds! It's a brand new fuckin' day so let's not let it go ta fuckin' waste, yeah?"

Daryl and MaryJane groaned at the same time and Merle mocked them.

"Get yer lazy asses up. E'ryone's startin' ta wonder..." He trailed off and wiggled his eyebrows at them.

Hearing that made MaryJane sit up, wide awake. Her whiskey eyes were wide with panic. She rolled from the bed to Daryl's disdain and began searching through her bag for her brush.

"What time is it?"

Merle's eyes moved up and down her skin tight clothed form then winked at Daryl who growled warningly at her.

"Well, while ya'll was snoozin' ya'll missed breakfast. Yer fuckin' loss on that right there. Now, I'd say the Mouse'll be startin' lunch by now."

MaryJane stood and looked at him as he spoke, running a brush through her tangled hair.

"God, I'm sure everyone else must think I'm lazy." She sighed sadly.

Merle made an exasperated sound. "They don' dare say a goddamned word like that. Yer Daryl's woman, so ya ain't lazy."

The dark haired girl gave Merle a grateful smile and kneeled down to pull some fresh clothes from the backpack. After she had her new clothes picked out she stood up and gave Merle an expectant look, a smile following along with it.

Merle returned with an innocent smile. "Wha'? Go ahead and change I ain't gonna fuckin' mind."

Daryl growled and slid from the bed, stalking towards his smirking older brother. Merle grinned at his brother and held up his hand in surrender.

"Easy, little brotha, I'm fuckin' goin'."

Daryl's dark eyes narrowed as Merle sent MaryJane a wink and left. The tracker glared brother's retreating form and, with a rough hand, he jerked the curtain back. Clenching his hands in irritation, he turned back around to only feel the irritation vanish and his hands uncurl. Deja vu set in as she pulled denim jeans on. She glanced back at him and smiled. Daryl averted his eyes and walked past her, opening a drawer and pulling out a fresh cut off.

MaryJane slipped her black long sleeve shirt and dark green cargo vest as she watched Daryl unbutton his shirt, his back to her. The stirring in her gut returned, the stirring she remembered feeling as a teenager. It was that churning of desire. She knew his skin, she knew what it felt like and what it tasted like. Her whiskey eyes had seen, first hand, his father's handy work.

She watched greedily as he slipped his shirt off, exposing his muscular back. Like every time she saw the scars, her heart fell into her stomach. She knew the pain he went through and she wished she could've taken it for him. The scars marred his flexing back, one even cutting into one of the demon tattoos on his back. Though, she didn't recoil at scars, MaryJane loved them for they told a story and Daryl's story was a tragic one.

They helped make him into the man he was in the present. Despite what he believed, he was a good man, who cared for people even if he refused to admit it. The scars weren't a symbol of ugliness, but of beauty and he was just that to her, beautiful.

She took a few tentative steps closer to him and reached out, brushing her fingers against one of the scars that marred his tan skin. MaryJane felt his body shudder under her touch. A tiny, fond smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she traced it. Daryl stood still, dark eyes closed as he reveled in her gentle touch, a touch he'd missed so much. Her fingers left a trail of fire in their wake as they ghosted across his scars. Ancient tears pricked at the corners of her eyes as she recalled the stories he told her about what happened when he received them.

She knew that even though it was all over and in the past, he still hurt. He still hurt from the physical and emotional pain of his past. There would always be an ache in him every time something reminded him of his earlier life. She knew that all his scars wouldn't heal fully, but she hoped she could at least contribute a little power to heal him. Her hand stilled on his back and Daryl let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. That breath only hitched when he felt her warm lips press against his back. His heart jumped a little as his jaw clenched at the feeling. MaryJane laid tender, butterfly kisses on his back, a reminder that she was there to help him carry his burden and that she loved him for everything he was, scars and all.

Short moments passed before she lifted her lips away, Daryl's back seeming to arch at the loss. MaryJane wiped her wet eyes quickly and grabbed the abandoned shirt on his desk. She held it open for him as he slowly slid his arms through the cut off shirt. Once the material was draped over his broad shoulders he turned to face her, his dark blue eyes hooded beneath his long bangs.

MaryJane's heart skipped a beat as she gazed at his rugged handsomeness. With a swallow, she went to work on buttoning up his shirt. Her whiskey eyes skimmed over his bare chest, blood rushing up to her cheeks. She'd always liked his chest because it was muscular, but lean, nothing too intimidating. She found it perfect and completely desirable.

Daryl felt his skin prickle as her brown eyes slid over his bare skin. Goose flesh rose along his arms and on his chest as his body remembered what it felt like for her hands to touch him. Anxiety rose in MaryJane as she felt his gaze sear into her face with such intensity. Her fingers began to fumble on the buttons and a new blush rose on her cheeks. She left it unbuttoned three buttons down like he usually did and stepped back, missing the frown that ghosted across his face.

MaryJane averted her eyes to his bow, studying it, remembering when he's told her about it, even let her shoot it. Daryl watched her study his bow she slipped on his jacket and leather vest. His hand instinctively reached up to his breast pocket and felt an instinctual panic strike in his blood. He turned from her and dug into the pocket of his discarded shirt.

As he pulled it out his eyes froze on it, his eyes studying it. He suddenly remembered something she had told him before he went away to college. He had hung on to that promise for so long and still did to that day. He had imagined scenarios in his head to where her promise came true. Before the chances were slim of it ever playing out, but now...Daryl had hope it would. Daryl stared at the picture as he found words to vocalize in his deep, gravelly voice.

"A long time ago ya once told me that ya loved me and that once ya was free from school and yer parents that ya'd come back ta me and we'd be together..." Daryl slipped the picture into his pocket and turned around to face a solemn MaryJane. He walked up to her, lowering his head towards hers. "...did ya mean it?"

Heart racing in her chest, MaryJane licked her lips, her brown eyes locking with his.

"Yes..." She inhaled deeply, never breaking eye contact. "...and I still mean it."

MaryJane's breaths came out in nervous shudders as Daryl's hand reached out to cup her cheek, stepping even closer to her. She felt his hot breath graze against her face as his got closer.

"That is if you still want me." She managed weakly, furrowing her brows with that sliver of fear.

"I'll never stop wantin' ya." Daryl answered firmly, without missing a beat, determined truthfulness in his gravelly voice.

"Promise?" She nearly begged, her eyes wide, gazing strongly into his.

Daryl made no verbal answer, but he his lips pressed hard and desperately against hers, MaryJane didn't need a verbal promise for his kiss was enough to seal it for both of them.

MaryJane and Daryl exited the cell hand in hand. He glanced over at her from under his bangs. MaryJane glanced over at him at the same time and they shared ghostly smiles, squeezing their hands. They walked until they came to the end of the hallway where Daryl pulled her to a stop with their intertwined hands. MaryJane gazed back up at him.

"I gotta make rounds tha prison ta check tha fences. I'll be done in a few hours. Afta that…" He trailed off, averting his eyes in his own uncertainty.

"Come and find me?" She inquired, finishing for him.

His dark blue eyes locked with hers and his head nodded. She smiled and it faded as they stared at each other for a few moments. The air around them grew humid, their breaths growing heavier as something sparked between them. MaryJane quickly lifted on her toes, her face moving closer to his. Daryl met her half way, quickly, their lips meeting urgently. The tracker inhaled sharply as their lips moved over the other, closing his eyes tightly, pressing his nose hard against her cheek.

MaryJane lifted her arms, her hands gripping the front of his vest desperately as she kissed him back feverishly. Daryl's free hand grasped her hip tightly, pulling her flush against him. The two got lost in the kiss, unaware that a pair of hard hazel eyes watched them from an empty cell.

Daryl pulled away hesitantly, breaking the contact of their lips to gaze into her desire hazed eyes. He pressed his forehead against hers, exhaling in something akin to contentment.

"I gotta go." He murmured, his voice deep and gravelly, making shivers shoot involuntarily down her spine.

"I know…"

Daryl's lips twitched at his inner amusement upon hearing her annoyed tone.

"Go hang with Carol or Beth…I'll see ya."

MaryJane opened her eyes, gazing up at him under her eyelashes and Daryl felt his knees weaken in the slightest. She gave him a sad smile, but nodded.

"I'll see you."

Daryl laid a soft kiss on her forehead before walking away, clomping down the stairs, situating his cross bow on his shoulder. MaryJane watched him go, shaking her head gently at his retreating form. Her whiskey eyes spotted something from the corner of her eye and when she glanced in that direction she found nothing there. She furrowed her brows, swearing she felt someone watching her. Shaking her head, putting it from her thoughts, she ascended the stairs Daryl had, heading towards the mess hall to find Carol.


The figure stepped from the empty cell, betrayal riling in his gut, his blood boiling in his veins. He knew the day would come when MaryJane finally had her love, Daryl, back. For the young man, that day had come too soon. If it had been only a few more weeks MaryJane wouldn't be looking twice at the redneck. She would've been his and she wouldn't feel anything for the ugly hunter. When he watched them kiss he felt that overwhelming despair of losing her. She kissed the redneck with such passion and longing that it sickened the young man. And that hick practically tried to eat her face off which disgusted him.

Why couldn't she kiss him like that? Why did she try to deny him? Why did she seem to forget the kiss they shared? How was it different from the one she shared with that disgusting hick?

No, he wouldn't lose her to that man. Jeremy wanted her and he was going to make sure he got her. He wouldn't do anything rash so he would start out slow and careful and if she didn't see reason then she would force his hand.

She was his and despite her past with the redneck...it was the past and Jeremy would see that he made her future with him outshine the past with Dixon. He would burn the memory of the country hick from her mind.

How would he start? Well, that was going to be what they were going to find out.

The handsome young man let an evil grin spread across his lips. He had plans, but the effectiveness of them remained to be seen.


After a few minutes of searching MaryJane found Carol with Bev, Katie, and Emily dumping clothes into water to wash.

"Hey," She greeted with a warm smile.

Carol greeted her along with the other three women. MaryJane glanced around for Emily's boys to find them absent from the room.

"Where's the boys?" She inquired as she let her eyes rest on Emily.

"They're outside with Charlie and Carl. Rick's kid has grown on them even after this short while." Emily informed, sending Carol a smile.

Carol thought of Carl as one of her own. He was a good kid and having those young one around seemed to make him feel more grown up. Those little boys didn't adore Carl as much as Charlie, but it was getting close to a tie. MaryJane just grinned, picturing the two little rascals running circles around Carl and Charlie.

"That's good. A little vitamin D never hurts anybody."

The smile Katie gave to MaryJane turned into a mischievous smirk. MaryJane gave her a funny look and glanced at Bev who shared Katie's expression.

"What?"

"So, how'd it go with Daryl last night?" Katie inquired innocently.

The dark haired woman's eyes narrowed at Katie.

"Wouldn't you like to know."

Katie and Bev gave her disappointed frowns. Emily just shook her head.

"Come on! Give us some details!" Carol urged as she dunked a shirt in the water.

MaryJane bit her lip. "Well, there's not really much to say. We kind of caught up and what not, but nothing really...steamy happened if that's what you're wondering."

Katie gave her dramatic sigh of disappointment. "That's too bad. I figured you woulda jumped all over him last night."

MaryJane grew beet red and it made it worse when Beverly piled on.

"Oh, yeah, we thought something good happened last night from how you two slept in so late."

Carol smirked at MaryJane's expression. She looked like she was choking on a frog. After the women laughed at MaryJane's embarrassment she was quick to defend her and Daryl. She crossed her thin arms over her chest, giving the four women stern looks.

"Daryl and I did not partake in any dirty activities and quite frankly, it would seem wrong to."

Carol frowned at that, ceasing the scrubbing on the clothes in the bucket. Everyone else lost their amusement and offered her apologetic and sympathetic looks.

"I understand perfectly. It would seem like you're rushing your relationship, too desperate to have it again and that rushing could ultimately lead to the downfall." MaryJane gave Emily a grateful smile which the blonde returned before continuing. "James was the same way after he came home from his tour is Iraq. It was like we were relearning each other and like we were just starting out from square one before we were married. It was like dating again and being a teenager."

The other listened curiously while MaryJane sat in an empty chair, eagerly listening to Emily. This wasn't a story she'd heard before and it was relevant to her current situation. Maybe Emily would give her insight as to what to do next with her and Daryl. God knows she needed the guidance.

"What did you guys do? Just take things slow?" Carol asked as she resumed washing the clothes.

Emily nodded as she rung wet clothes that would need to be hung out to dry. "We just took one day at a time. We even slept in different rooms. Those were the hardest nights of my life, but we both knew that it would be for the best and for a short time. We still loved each other and the boys, but I know things were different for him since he'd experienced and seen things I couldn't dream of. We didn't even have sex for a few months because, for me, it would feel like sleeping with a guy you barely knew on a first date. It wouldn't feel right so, we relearned each other and the romance we had came back, it had just been dormant, but once James could put down his shields and let comfort in he was almost back to his normal self. I had my husband back and we didn't have any regrets."

MaryJane inhale quickly as Emily concluded and set some wet clothes in a basket beside her.

"So you don't think that Daryl and I are doing wrong by kind of keeping it cool right now?"

Emily shook her head. "Not at all. I think it's the smartest thing actually. Any move too soon could be costly and I know you don't want to lose him again." MaryJane shook her head feverishly, her heart falling at the thought. "A lot has happened in between the time you've seen and been with him. Neither of you are the same as you were so, it's like with James and I, relearning each other. If you take your time and do that...you'll do just fine."

Katie, Bev and Carol momentarily felt that they were in on a subject that they shouldn't be, but realized that it was good they knew where the younger couple stood. MaryJane thought of it as a plus since, now, they might leave her alone when it concerned her and Daryl's romantic life.

"I agree with Emily. Take your time, be smart and I know you are, MJ." Katie winked at the younger woman who grinned.

"Daryl's a good man and I know he doesn't wanna lose you either...I can tell." Carol added, giving MJ a soft look.

MaryJane returned the sentiment and with the silence that fell between the five of them, she asked if they needed help. Carol, who was the leader of ragtag laundry ladies, shook her head, but told her she could hang the wet clothes on the laundry strings outside. With an eagerness in her to feel useful, she took the partially full basket and headed outside where she saw Carl sitting with Emily's boys and Charlie sitting on an old crate, his hurt leg spread out straight in front of him. With a small grin she walked towards the laundry lines and set the basket down, grabbing the first article of clothing.

She hummed to herself, humming the song that was her favorite back when she was a teenager. Every time it came on she would squeal, startling Daryl at times. She moved down the clothes line, glancing at the growling walkers that lines the fence, their gangly, sickly pale arms stretching through the holes in the fence, desperately clawing at her.

An involuntary shiver went down her spine and she turned her back on them, concentrating on tuning out the rather grotesque sounds behind her. It was difficult because she knew they were all regular humans once that had a real voice instead of the one that they had in their undead form.

Shaking her head of such thoughts, she focused on pinning the shirts and pants up that had been scrubbed clean of blood and dirt.

"Got ya all fuckin' slavin' away, eh?"

MaryJane gasped and practically jumped ten feet in the air, snapping her head towards the owner of the voice. She placed a hand over her jump started heart and sent the man a chastising scowl.

"Merle Dixon, you nearly gave me a heart attack!" She hissed, earning nothing but an amused smirk from him.

"I think ya mighta peed yer damned pants too." He added jokingly, winking at her.

MaryJane stuck her tongue out at him childishly which he barked in laugher at. She rolled her eyes and continued on with her work, clipping the wet clothes onto the string.

"I'm not slaving away. I'm helping." She corrected matter-of-factly as she bent over to grab a shirt.

Merle held up his only hand in mock innocence. "I stand fuckin' corrected."

It was MaryJane's turn to smirk in his direction. "Have you seen Daryl?"

He nodded. "He's goin' round tha prison with tha China kid. The Mouse got ya stuck doin' laundry, huh?"

MaryJane nodded. "Yep, I'm glad I can help. I don't like feeling useless...you know that better than anyone else apart from Daryl."

Merle scoffed, crossing his arms, his blade arm resting above his left. "Hell yeah, I do. I's jus' glad it was my little brotha an' not me."

Whiskey eyes narrowed at him playfully which he returned. She smiled fondly and silence grew between them as his icy eyes went to study the walkers. MaryJane was fine with the silence, but something in the back of her mind told her that something was up with Merle. He just seemed...a little off. MaryJane wondered if it had anything to do with Beth or their gazes at one another. She risked a glance at him before taking a deep breath.

"You know you can come to me if you want to talk."

Merle's sharp blue eyes shot to her quickly. His expression hardened in the slightest, but he nodded in affirmation. "Yeah...why ya fuckin' tellin' me shit I already know?"

MaryJane ignored the anger in his clipped tone and kept her voice soft. She shrugged in response, but made a verbal answer. "You just seem conflicted is all. Like you're holding something back. I know that once you've got something on your mind and you hold it in it starts to fester and grow unbearable to keep holding in. You just want to explode and tell someone...I know that feeling. I had it before I told Con and his group about Daryl. They knew I was hurting and when I decided to come out and tell everyone my situation it made my life so much more bearable. I could concentrate better and stay alive for Daryl."

"What's yer point, MJ?" He growled, a muscle in his eye twitching in the slightest.

She sighed heavily and clipped a pair of shorts into the clothes line.

"My point is...if you have something that's bothering you and you need someone you can trust to tell it to...I'm your person. I won't judge and I won't breathe a word no matter what it may be. You're like a brother to me, Merle and I care for you like one. I just want to help..." It seemed like he was trying to if ignore her, but she needed to get it off her chest. "...I'm not going to force you to tell me anything, but just keep me in mind when you do need someone to talk to."

MaryJane have him a half smile as she pinned the last article of clothing up. She picked up the basket and walked away from the brooding Dixon. Even though she knew she was probably wrong about the whole Merle and Beth thing...she still wanted some form of confirmation for her own benefit. When she got an answer she would be satisfied and leave it alone.

She didn't know why she had just made such a connection from the glances between her surrogate brother and the blonde girl, but she could feel that draw, that forbidden fruit draw. She had with Daryl in their youth and look how it turned out. Maybe she was just seeing things that weren't there and she should just butt out and keep her mouth shut. Though, for some reason, she didn't want to be wrong about Merle and Beth.


After contributing with the laundry MaryJane headed back into the prison without a successful sighting of Daryl. After getting lost a few times, MaryJane finally found the cell that Judith and Beth occupied. She craned her head in and smiled to see Beth finishing up changing the infant's diaper. She strolled casually into the room, gazing around the cell quickly.

"Need any help?"

Beth jumped a little, zipping her wide eyes towards MaryJane who gave her an apologetic grin.

"Sorry,"

The blonde just shrugged. "It's okay and not really, but you're welcomed to stay. Durin' the day it's usually just Judith and me and I don't get many visitors."

The older woman's heart soared. She felt bad for Beth, who was forced into solitude with nothing but a babbling baby for company. MaryJane's plan was going to be easier to unfold than first thought.

"Well, I don't have anything to do and I'd like to get to know you better. I think I can make a little contribution to the group by keeping you sane." She joked, earning a grin from the blue eyed blonde.

"I appreciate that. I'd like ta get ta know you better too."

MaryJane plopped down in a lone chair next to the changing desk and gestured for Beth to take a seat as well.

"No time like the present. Fire away any questions." She offered willingly.

MaryJane saw the excited, almost too eager spark in the teenager's eyes. The whiskey eyed woman had a few of her own questions.

"How about we go back and forth a question for a question?" Beth suggested as she situated Judith in her arms.

MaryJane nodded, crossing her legs. "Sounds fair to me. You can start."

The blonde didn't waste any time in firing a question. "How long have you known Daryl and Merle?"

The question didn't surprise MaryJane in the slightest. "Hmm, let's see. I met Daryl near the end of my junior year and we kept contact through my four years of college so I'd say almost five or six years. How old are you?"

Beth grinned, eagerly soaking in MaryJane's words.

"I'm eighteen now. What about you?"

The older woman let out a laugh of amusement, earning a wider grin from Beth. "Well, last time I checked it was thirty two, maybe I'm thirty three, but after a certain age in times like this all that matters is that you live another day."

"True that." Beth agreed. "You said before that you were a student teacher. What in?"

A ghost of a smile formed on her lips from the mention of her old job. "English. I wanted to teach middle school kids. Any ideas what you wanted to be before the apocalypse."

Beth shook her head. "Nah, I didn't know and I still don't. Like you said, all that matters is survivin' another day."

MaryJane nodded, switching legs to cross. "Indeed, so do you like caring for Judith all the time?"

Beth glanced down at the baby who was content with sucking her thumb. The blue eyed girl kept her gaze on the baby as she answered. "Sometimes, sometimes I just get tired of bein' her babysitter, but I'm considered the weakest link and I'm the one who's more able to do so since Rick runs our group, Carl follows right behind him and Carol takes care of other things. So, with my sister being the stronger of us two I'm the one taking care of Judith. Then again, there are times when I enjoy it, having an escape from reality. She's like fallin' into a whole new world where it's nothing but peace and security."

"I understand that. It can be wearisome worrying about surviving and what not so having an escape is good. I'm sure she's good therapy at times too." MaryJane replied, smiling adoringly at the calm baby.

Beth just nodded before looking over at MaryJane. "So...what was it like...knowin' Daryl back then?"

MaryJane felt the conversation take a sharp turn in another direction. She had to play her cards right to win the hand. "Well, he's almost the same, but the change in the world has changed him, like it's changed us all. Back then he was a little bit more...relaxed and less angsty." Beth giggled at that. "He wasn't my ideal boy when we first met, but he's like an acquired taste, he grows on you despite his rough, tough, hard ass exterior. He's always been a good man on the inside with good intentions, but it's been hard for him."

Beth frowned, true pity in her blue eyes. "Yeah, I've heard about their father's abusive nature from Me—uh, through the grape vine."

Mary Jane didn't miss her almost mistake and pretended like she didn't notice. "I'm sure everyone has. Though, somehow he's been wired differently than Merle obviously and I think him being different is what attracted me to him. He wasn't like the other "rednecks" in our school. He was very reserved and quiet actually. He never went out looking for trouble, it found him usually."

Beth listened, leaning forward in her seat slightly. Such information was interesting. MaryJane was a treasure trove of information about Daryl and Merle before anyone else in the prison knew them. It was rather exciting.

"Have you ever had a boyfriend?"

Beth felt a twinge of pain in her chest that used to be more painful, but another man had helped dull that pain. She nodded, her lips turning downward.

"He died, but I think in the long run it wouldn't have worked out."

MaryJane wanted to ask why, but it was Beth's turn to ask a question.

"Was it like an instant connection between the two of you or was it one that came gradually?"

Good question. MaryJane thought.

"I'm not going to lie and say that I adored the ground e walked on. No, at first we didn't like each other because we butted heads. We had no connection, but when we started to get to know each other better I think the connection grew stronger."

Beth nodded, considering the older woman's words.

"What's your thoughts on Merle?"

Beth froze and MaryJane waited anxiously for an answer. She made sure she isn't notice Beth's change of expressions from the mention of the elder Dixon brother.

The blonde shrugged carelessly. "I respect him because he's a strong man with powerful insight about the Governor..." MaryJane's brows furrowed in confusion, but Beth didn't seem to notice. "...and he's been a big help with runs and what not. He trained me with guns and what not and he was a pain in the ass 'bout it. I don't think he's that bad of a guy, just that he puts himself out in a bad way. Does that make sense?"

MaryJane nodded wordlessly, her mind spinning. What did Merle know about the Governor? Why would he know something of great value? MaryJane made a mental note to ask Daryl later and she focused on another thing Beth said that involved her current investigation. Merle trained her? With guns and physical strength? No doubt that's where the attraction started for both sides. It happened with her and Daryl, why not with Beth and Merle?

Quickly grabbing for words MaryJane replied. "Well...he can sure be a pain in the ass, but that's why I like him. Always finding a way to make a person forget about their problems with his asshole remarks and perverted jokes."

Beth flushed red and averted her eyes as she scrambled to find words. MaryJane averted her own whiskey eyes towards the baby.

"Uh, what was it like...bein' without him?"

MaryJane glanced back at Beth who was recovering, but intently watching the older woman. MJ felt a tightening in her chest as the mentor of the past without Daryl. She bit the inside of her cheek before answering.

"It was rough...really rough. I think I cried myself to sleep every night. I felt like my heart had just been ripped in two. I felt incomplete, like I was missing a part of me. Daryl was and still is my best friend and with him being more than that...it was ten times worse. I missed him, his presence and his protectiveness. Every day I was alone I prayed for Daryl, I begged before God on my knees for Him to bring Daryl to me. Quite frankly, after a while I felt no different than a walker. It just felt as if I was living in a hollow shell with no soul. There were times where I didn't care if I lived or died, but I always tried to remind myself that there we hope and that was what kept me going."

Beth smiled admiringly at MaryJane. "'Hope is the only thing stronger than fear.'"

The two women shared a giggle.

"'And may the odds be ever in your favor.'" MaryJane added with a fake British accent.

They chuckled into the silence and both pairs of eyes rested on a dozing Judith. After a few moments MaryJane broke the silence and asked another question. For the next hour they exchanged questions and answers, both learning more about their personal lives before and after the apocalypse.

"Tha way I see it, is that we're just a big family. Everybody labels it as a group, but we're really a family and we protect our family." Beth answered passionately.

"So, even Merle's a part of the family?" MaryJane tested.

Beth's eyes sparked with a passionate blue fire. "Yeah, he is. He may not wanna to be, but he is. Despite what he did to Maggie and Glenn he is."

Again, mentioning of something she knew nothing about. She didn't want to ask Beth in fear of starting something and decided to wait and ask Daryl, but she had a funny feeling she wouldn't like the answers she was going to get.

"I'm glad. Merle's always needed a proper family unit to make him mellow out."

"It seems that, at times, all he cares 'bout is Daryl." Beth frowned, a frown that MaryJane didn't miss.

She shrugged. "Their blood, the protectiveness is always going to be stronger with blood."

Beth stared at her with slight glazed consideration. "He treats you like he does Daryl. You're not blood but he thinks of you as a Dixon."

MaryJane scoffed, but was rather touched by her words. "He wouldn't feel that way if I didn't know him or I didn't help Daryl when I did."

"But you did and you do know him." Beth emphasized. "You're basically a Dixon."

MaryJane sighed and offered her a weak smile. "A Dixon without the name."

That struck a thought in Beth. "Would you marry Daryl? If ya had the chance?"

It was MaryJane's turn to freeze. She bit her lip in thought. Would she? Would she marry Daryl if he asked? It was doubtful he would, but what if?

"Yes, I would. I doubt he would ask, but if he did...I'd say 'yes' because it's always been him. If the apocalypse hadn't happened we probably would've stayed the way we were, if not me moving to live with him. I doubt he'd want me that much, besides...it's almost pointless now."

Beth shook her head, seeing the older woman's depressed expression, shifting a sleeping Judith in her arms

"Nah, that ain't true. Maggie and Glenn are married, daddy married them. There's no point in stoppin' anyone from getting' married in this world just because of the walkers. Besides, I think Daryl would want to if he ever thought 'bout it. And don't worry 'bout him not wantin' you enough. I've seen the way he looks at ya. I've never seen that look I'm his eyes…that look of bein' complete and...happy. I can't say I've ever seen Daryl look happy. You make him happy and give him a real reason to fight, MaryJane. Never believe that he'll stop wantin' you."

MaryJane's thoughts flashed back to what he said earlier that day.

"I'll never stop wantin' ya."

She pulled from the memory quickly and focused back on Beth.

"I don't doubt him, but I doubt that the idea of marriage would ever cross his mind."

Beth shrugged, smirking. "Aw, ya never know."

"Yeah, the future's still ahead, isn't it?"

"MJ? Beth?"

Both women's head snapped towards the entrance to the cell to see Maggie standing there in all her raw beauty. MaryJane's eyes fell to her left hand to see the dull shine of a wedding band on her ring finger. She felt a dose of envy towards the short haired woman. She had full claim over her man. Shaking her head, she reminded herself that she already had Daryl. He was hers and she his. Why does anything else matter?

Beth smiled warmly at her older sister who entered with an equally warm expression.

"Lunch's ready. I'm gonna watch over Judith till ya get done. Looks like my job'll be easy though. Ya'll put 'er right ta sleep." She informed, gazing softly at the snoozing baby.

MaryJane and Beth stood. The blonde gently handed the baby over to Maggie who immediately began rocking the baby. She sent the other two women a departing smile. MJ and Beth left the cell quietly, walking side by side in companionable silence.


Daryl was already there when they walked in. He turned towards her, his dark, hard eyes softening at the sight of her, but they narrowed when he saw her smiling at Beth. The tracker's spine straightened, a scowl tugging at the corners of his lips. MaryJane's whiskey eyes flickered over to him and she noticed the scowl which he quickly replaced with a blank expression. Her dark brows furrowed in the slightest, and made another mental note. She and Beth parted ways temporarily as she went to sit across the table from her.

The tracker's woman slid into the seat next to him, showering him with an adoring look that made Beth's heart swell. MaryJane slipped her hand into his, lacing hers through his calloused ones. Beth watched the two secretly, glancing at Merle every now and then who was purposefully avoiding eye contact with her.

As she ate the small lunch she let her blue eyes scan over the table. She was glad to see that Rick seemed to find a friend in Con who was talking adamantly with the cop. Beth's eyes found the young boy who had been an actor at one time. He was handsome, worthy of the camera and his eyes were dead set on MaryJane. The teenager's blonde brows furrowed slightly as she studied the older boy. His eyes were full of longing and was that...jealously?

Her blue eyes flickered over to MaryJane who was oblivious and whispering to Daryl who watched her speak to him. She averted her eyes towards Merle who was glaring at the staring boy. Moments later his icy orbs shot to hers, giving her a somber expression, one she knew to fear. Obviously, the actor rubbed Merle the wrong way. But why? And what did MaryJane have to do with it?


Beth walked back into Judith's room to find Maggie watching the sleeping baby in her makeshift crib. The elder sister looked up and smiled.

"She's down for 'er nap."

Beth smiled warmly at her. "Thanks, Maggie."

Her sister just nodded with a smile, then her light eyes flickered to someone behind her.

"Hey, MJ,"

MaryJane greeted her with a beaming grin. Maggie and Beth shared a knowing glance before Maggie left, whispering a goodbye. MaryJane tiptoed over to the crib, smiling down at the sleeping baby. Beth stood a few feet away, crossing her arms over her chest as she gained confidence to ask her question.

"Can I ask you a question, MJ?"

Said woman nodded, stepping away from Judith. "Sure. What's up?"

Beth hesitated. "Well, uh, you know that Jeremy boy?"

MaryJane nodded expectantly. "Yeah, he's a friend. Why?"

"I know it's not really my business, but I saw him staring at you..." Beth noticed how MaryJane seemed to stiffen in the slightest. "...I didn't know if...well..."

MaryJane relaxed, sitting in the chair she occupied before lunch. It was obvious Beth was uncomfortable and MaryJane knew actually what she was getting at. Merle had been the same way only more direct.

"Jeremy was actually the one of Con's group that found me and led them to me. So, I owe him my life. He's my friend and he's been there for me, especially during the separation from Daryl. So, he was a support system for me." MaryJane answered honestly.

Beth nodded in understanding. "Yeah, that's good...I was jus' curious is all."

MaryJane shrugged. "It's only human nature to be curious. I would be too if I caught someone staring at you."

Beth didn't catch the flicker in MaryJane's eyes or the tone of her voice, but she did stiffen a little, flustered.

"Well…I-I ain't had no boy stare at me in a while." She defended, keep her eyes from meeting MaryJane's.

The older woman saw the immediate lie, but once again pretended not to notice. It only made her even more suspicious of her and Merle.

"Well, maybe you'll meet someone who will, someone who won't stop at staring." MaryJane mused, causing Beth's blue eyes to meet hers.

MaryJane offered her a smile before standing, running her hands down her pant legs before straightening up to full height, which wasn't much taller than Beth.

"I'll see you later, okay?"

Beth nodded, seeming to have a loss of words. Her blue eyes followed the woman out. When MaryJane's steps faded Beth set her eyes on the floor, thinking about her words. The words moved her in a strange way. Her gut told her something was up. She curled her arms around her torso, feeling strangely vulnerable and exposed.


There we have it. In character? I feel like this is more of a filler chapter, but it was necessary.

AN: As said, this story is longer than I planned so it will be a 10+ chapter story. Please be patience with me for finals are around the corner and I need the extra time I use to write to study. So, my update will take longer than usual.

I have a Walking Dead one-shot called The Man Comes Around and it has a hint of DarylxBeth and those of you who haven't read if you would go check it out and see what you think. I have re-edited it and most likely will again in the future if I read over it again and find any more errors.

More to come soon. Please review! I love feedback!

Happy Writing!