A/N I'm apologizing right now, right up front. I could have continued this chapter and had over 10,000 words! But it needed to end here. The rest that I have (so far) just moves the story forward. Focus on the good here. (There is some.) And I appreciate everyone who is here reading.. and I'm seriously not doing this to piss anyone off or because I'm too lazy to keep writing.. promise!

The drive to the hospital is quiet. Beth's thinking about everything that happened that morning. It feels like a dark cloud just settled right over their sunny day even though the sun is still shining. The gun that Daryl has tucked in the back of his jeans is making her nervous. She wants to say something, but she doesn't know how to say what she's feeling without it sounding accusing. Which isn't her intention at all. She understands why he has the gun, knows what it means to protect the people you love. Her daddy had a shotgun under his bed for as long as she can remember. From a very young age, she learned that guns were important, but also that they were dangerous. Her daddy took that shotgun when he hunted and brought home food for his family. He carried that same shotgun with him out into the night when coyotes raided the hen house. He leveled that shotgun in the face of an intruder who came onto their property and tried to take what didn't belong to him. He also threatened to use it on every boy that Maggie dated. But of course, he was mostly kidding about that.

Beth doesn't think that Daryl is kidding at all. He has the gun and he'll use it if it comes to that. And that terrifies her because it's not just the target that's in danger when a gun is pulled. Everyone involved is at some sort of risk. You have to decide if it's worth it. As far as she's concerned Daryl's life is not worth the risk.

"Daryl?" Beth's voice is soft, barely loud enough to hear over the rumble of the engine. But he hears her. In fact, he probably has a pretty good idea what's going through her head. He's very intuitive. She noticed that early on. Back when they sat on the barstools at the bar and talked or just sat together in that silence that was comfortable in a way silence rarely is unless you're with the right person.

"Mmhmm." He gives her a side glance and then puts his focus back on the road in front of him. She takes a deep breath before saying what's been going through her head. And in the time it takes to draw in that breath and let it out, she decides not to say anything unless he does.

"Nothing. I hope Merle's okay." She fiddles with her bracelets, slides the beaded one around her wrist.

"I ain't planning on using it, Beth. Just feel better with it on me." So he did know what she was thinking. It's overwhelming how all of this feels. She should be scared for herself and she probably will be when this all sinks in. But right now all she's thinking about is him and how important he is to her, how much a part of her life he's become. She looks out the window at the scenery passing by and feels Daryl's hand settle on her thigh. The warmth and the weight of it give her a little comfort. She wraps her fingers around his wrist and feels his pulse beat against her palm.

"I don't want anything happening to you. This, us, I never thought I'd get this, didn't really believe it could happen, ya know. It's kinda like a fairy tale." She laughs, just a bit, but it isn't a happy laugh.

"I ain't no prince girl," Daryl grumbles.

"No, you aren't. You're better because you're real."

X X X

The hospital's in Peachtree City and the parking lot next to the ER is empty. There's a shimmer in the air above the asphalt. It's early, but the day is already warm and humid. The heat shimmer is proof of that. They should be sitting by Rick's pool. Daryl didn't see the entire bikini that Beth had in her overnight bag, but he saw enough to know he really wants to see her in it. He maneuvers his truck into a parking space just outside the entrance. Before he can even unbuckle his seat belt, Beth has her door open and she's sliding out into the morning sunshine. Coming around the back of the truck he reaches out and takes her hand in his.

"I was gonna get yer door." She was mostly quiet on the drive, but what she did say hurt his heart as much as he could tell it hurt hers. And she held onto his wrist like she didn't want to let go. Right now with everything that's going on he doesn't want to get into a debate about guns. He hopes that it's not gonna be an issue. She shrugs her shoulders a little, but squeezes his hand and starts to walk towards the ER. Daryl doesn't move though. He watches as she looks back over her shoulder, brow furrowed.

"I'll be keeping that gun on me, Beth. And I want ya ta have one in yer apartment. Fer protection if I'm not aroun'." He's putting this out here now before they get inside and Merle starts in. The Dixons take care of their own.

"Daryl what about the cops, that's what they're here for-"

"They ain't-" Daryl starts to cut in and she holds up her hand which efficiently shuts him up because she has a little bit of fire in her eyes.

"And I do have a gun in my apartment. My daddy believes in protecting his family to Daryl and I agree with him and you. But I don't like to think of ever having to pick up that gun and point it at another person." He's definitely surprised but in a good way. And a little relieved. She isn't ignorant, she's good. She's so good and kind and now she's in this fucking situation because of him.

"If it means life or death, you'll pick it up," Daryl says it with a finality in his tone. He continues walking because standing there looking at her, she's so beautiful and he loves her so much and he can't even fathom anyone hurting her, it's just too much.

X X X

The waiting room for the ER is empty too and the AC has it nice and cool. Daryl seems to tense up beside her as they head towards the intake desk. Beth squeezes his hand again and looks up at him.

"I'm sure he's fine. It's gonna be okay Daryl." What she wants to do is stop him right there and slide her arms up around his neck and kiss him. But she won't. Right now she isn't that confident and the PDA he's shown in the past has led her to believe he'd rather not put their relationship on display for the rest of the world to see.

"Ain't that. Jus' don' like hospitals much." His voice is low and he keeps his head down. Of course, he doesn't like hospitals. The scars and the things he told her about his dad, it makes perfect sense. Thinking back to the fight at the bar neither Merle nor Daryl wanted to be seen by a doctor.

"Hi, there! Can I help you?" This woman is the most cheerful employee Beth has ever encountered in an ER. It may have a lot to do with the fact that there's no one here, but maybe she's just a happy person.

"We're here for Merle Dixon." Beth takes the initiative to talk to the woman. Daryl is still hanging back, chewing on a thumbnail and hiding behind his hair.

"Oh you're not gonna take him away from us are you?" She has a genuine smile and Beth glances back at Daryl, her eyebrows raised.

"He ain't causing a problem is he?" Daryl steps up beside Beth.

"Not at all. He's hilarious, been keeping us entertained all morning. Go on back, he's in room 2." She picks up a phone and notifies staff that they're coming and Daryl looks even more nervous than he did when they first walked through the front doors. They both hear Merle's laughter before they get to the room.

"What in the hell is he doin'?" Daryl mumbles more to himself than to her.

Merle is sitting up on a hospital bed with tape across his very swollen nose. The front of his shirt's covered in blood, but otherwise, he doesn't look too bad.

"Little brother! Come ta gimme a ride home?" There's a nurse making notes on a computer screen and she glances over at them.

"I'll start the discharge process, Mr. Dixon. You sit still ok. Those pain meds tend to make a person a little loopy. You've had enough injuries for today." She smiles at him and then at Beth and Daryl before leaving the room.

"Ya look like hell," Daryl says stepping up next to the bed. Merle laughs again and winks at Beth.

"Hey, there darlin' I see yer still hanging out with this asshole!" He winces and lays his hand against his nose. He does look like hell, but he's smiling and Beth moves in beside Daryl.

"Is it broken?" Beth figures it has to be. He's got the beginnings of two serious black eyes. He had to have been hit pretty hard.

"Ah, hell my nose's been broken so many times. Tol'em jus' ta pop it back into place and send me on my way."

"Wha' happened?" Daryl's grip on the railing on the bed is so tight his knuckles are turning white. He and his brother are so different. Merle seems to take everything in stride where Daryl is so intense. Beth watches the interaction between the two and beneath it all she can feel the loyalty they have for one another.

"I know wha' yer thinking, but I didn't do shit. Was mindin' my own business in tha parking lot over at the Kroger. I was takin' Carol a soda." There's a little smile on his face when he says her name.

"She's got sodas, works at a damn grocery store," Daryl grumbles.

"I know that! This one was from me though." Daryl snorts and Merle ignores him. The little smile on his face didn't escape Beth's notice. And she thinks it's sweet how Merle is putting in an effort to get Carol's attention. He goes on to explain what went down. Basically, he was jumped by two guys when he got out of his truck at the store.

"Saw the patches, prospects. Jus' babies ain't even members. They was young and sloppy, said they were doing it fer their boy. Stupid fucker hit a cop. Goddamn punks! No respectable MC would have that shit makin' 'em look bad." Merle was off on a tangent, grumbling about the downfall of motorcycle clubs and bikers.

"Who called the cops? Was Rick that called and tol' me you was here." Daryl's thumb is back up next to his mouth and Beth wants to do something to ease his anxiety, but she's beginning to feel her own amping up.

"I dunno. People in tha' parking lot. They was all quick to come ta my defense though. Yer boy Rick was pretty decent too."

"He tol' me 'bout the threats. Threatened Beth." Daryl says and that gets Merle's attention.

"And you baby brother."

"Don' care 'bout that." His eyes flick to her and his hand is on the small of her back. That fear she saw earlier in his eyes is back.

"Ain't nothing gonna happen ta either of ya. We're gonna handle it." Merle said all the playfulness gone from his demeanor.

X X X

Beth's cell phone rings and she steps out into the hallway to answer it leaving the brothers to talk. The call is from Maggie. The cameras at Glenn's restaurant caught the vandals in action and it turns out that they are affiliated with the MC from the bar. The same MC whose prospects jumped Merle in the Kroger parking lot. Maggie tells her that the cops said it's more than likely retaliation, but it's sloppy and not the usual MO for this club. Beth holds her breath the entire time Maggie is talking.

"Beth? You there?" There's concern in the tone of her sister's voice.

"Yeah. We're at the ER. Merle was jumped in the Kroger parking lot this morning. I think it was the same guys who were at the restaurant." Beth shivers and at last, the weight of this whole thing is settling on her shoulders. With a promise to keep each other in the loop Beth ends the call and slips back into the room.

X X X

Daryl watches as the door closes behind Beth. He wonders how he's gonna let her go home if watching her step into the hallway to take a call is making him nervous. But being home and away from him might be safer for her for now. At least until they figure all this crap out.

"Hey, get that fuckin' look off yer face! Ain't nothin' gonna happen ta her." Merle sits up on the bed and lowers the guardrail.

"Ain't ya supposed to stay still?" Daryl asks Merle as his brother pushes off the bed ad stands up.

"Nah, we're gettin' the hell outta here. We got some shit ta handle." He reaches for a plastic bag that contains his personal items.

"Ya can come home with me, least fer tonight. I'll take care of yer ugly ass." Daryl gives Merle a small smirk. As much as his brother annoys the fuck out of him, he doesn't like seeing him hurt.

"Ain't ya gonna keep yer girl with ya?" Merle is laughing and stuffing things from the bag on the table in his pockets.

"Nah. She's probably better off far away from the likes of me right now. I'll keep an eye on her. Ask Rick to have a patrol car swing by her place." Daryl takes a chance and glances over at his brother. Merle is shaking his head. "Wha'?"

"Gonna go ahead a push her away ain't ya? Ya ain't the problem here Daryl. Hell, even I ain't the problem. 'S a buncha punk ass kids an we set 'em straight an they go away. Don' ya fuckin' ruin a good thing cause yer so sure yer a piece a shit. Ya ain't. Ya ain't at'll. But ya will be if ya let her go." Merle's up in his face now, finger poking him hard in the shoulder and if his nose wasn't already broke, Daryl would make it hurt. The two men are staring each other down when Beth comes back in the room followed by the nurse.

"Oh." Daryl sees the look on Beth's face, the confusion and he gives his head a little shake.

"Mr. Dixon I thought I told you to stay put!" the nurse stands in front of him with her arms folded across her chest. She has what looks to Daryl like discharge papers in her hand.

"Yeah, he don't listen none," Daryl says moving away from his brother so the nurse can go over the discharge procedure. He stands beside Beth and even though he's trying not to look at her, he can't stop himself. Her beautiful blue eyes and soft pink lips and oh the things those lips do to him.

"Is everything ok?" she asks gently. And he wants to yell,

"No, it's not okay please come home with me Beth and stay there where I can see you and keep you safe, cause I love you so much and I don't want anything to happen to you either!'

Her words from earlier in the truck are still ringing in his head, 'It's kinda like a fairy tale.' And it is. But fairy tales are just stories in books. They don't come true. Especially not for him. Merle doesn't know what the fuck he's talking about.

"Mmhmm. 'S fine. I'm gonna bring Merle back ta my place, for tonight," he says. He swallows hard because he's not done and she's smiling and laying her hand on his arm.

"Oh good. He acts like he's so tough, but he's gotta be hurting." Her smile disappears and she lets her hand fall to her side. "That was Maggie, on the phone. The cops were able to ID the vandals from the security cameras. They're the ones from the bar, so-"

Daryl felt his heart start to pound, "Fuck! 'S all connected then. A fucking mess. When we get back I want ya ta get your stuff and go home. Lock yer doors and make sure that gun is loaded." She doesn't say anything. Just looks at him and nods her head and he's absolutely sure there are tears in her eyes.

X X X

Beth figured she would go back to her apartment at some point. It's only Saturday, she just thought they'd spend as much time together as they could. But he's been distant all morning, ever since he got the call from Rick. She might be reading more into this than there really is, but it feels like he's pushing her away. And that hurts. She's been on the verge of tears since they left the hospital. Merle's been filling the silence with what he intends to do. Without the cops. She doesn't like that much but she isn't going to tell him that. He's good with the local MC. He'll go talk to the president, have him pass on the word that they're gonna have trouble with the law if they aren't careful. And that actually sounds like a good idea to Beth. Especially if Merle is friends with them. It can't hurt maybe then things can go back to normal. What she now considers normal anyway. Because this, Daryl pulling away, isn't normal.

"Let me have yer cell phone darlin' I'ma put my number in it in case ya need something. You just call ole Merle and I'll help ya out." Merle reaches over the seat and takes the phone she's holding out to him.

"Merle!" Daryl growls a warning at his brother. Beth isn't sitting anywhere near Daryl, but she felt him tense up when Merle asked for her phone. It's like something in the very air around her changed.

"Yer sendin' her home, I'ma make sure she can get aholda someone." Merle snarls right back.

"I'll fuckin' take care of it." Daryl hasn't taken his eyes off the road. And she's glad she hasn't had to look at him when he's obviously angry and for what reason she isn't sure.

"Yeah, yer fuckin' takin' care of it baby brother. Might be ya need ta take yer head outta yer ass-"

"Jus' shut the fuck up Merle. Giver yer number if that makes ya feel better. But I ain't lettin' nothin' happen ta her."

The words slip out before she can stop to think about them, "Then why are you sending me home Daryl?" She isn't accusing him of putting her in any danger. She probably doesn't have anything to worry about. These guys are young and stupid, just trying to look tough. They've done enough already. Made their point.

The tension in the truck is thick, but it's tinged with something else, something softer. He's looking at her now and she can see it in his eyes that what she said hurt him.

"Safer there than being with me." Right then a little light bulb goes on in her head. After the fight at the bar last Saturday night, he tried to push her away, said he was nothing but trouble. He's made little comments here and there about her being too good for him. He isn't good with relationships. But that's not an excuse to hurt her. And he is hurting her. They're hurting each other. He told her he loved her yesterday, has he forgotten that?

If this is what he wants, even if it's not, she's tired and scared and she just wants to go home and cry. Because she isn't gonna cry in front of him. So she'll give it to him.

"Okay, Daryl." She says it softly, curls her hands in her lap and stares out the window. But she doesn't really see anything because her vision is blurry. Those tears she wasn't gonna let him see have a mind of their own and they're falling faster than she can wipe them away.

Daryl forces himself not to look over at Beth, afraid of what he'll see. This is for the best. At least for now. He turns off the main road towards his house. Everything has been going so good. More than good. Perfect. Maybe that's the problem. Daryl Dixon doesn't get perfect. He barely has the truck in park and she's out. Again. She's lingering near the front door because it's locked and now he has to walk right by her. Taking a deep breath that hurts his chest, his fingers find the key by touch and when he steps up to put it in the lock she's looking down, away, anywhere but at him. Pushing the door open he stands back and lets her go in first. Merle mutters behind him, something he can't make out.

"Wha' you say?" he asks his brother. Merle pushes past him, heading for the kitchen. No doubt the fridge and beer inside it.

"Said yer a fuckin' idiot." Grabbing a beer he makes his way to the couch and sits as if he's waiting for something. And he is. Seconds later Daryl watches as Beth comes back into the living room with her overnight bag. This time he looks at her. Forces himself to search her face and not look away because it hurts. And it does hurt, it fuckin hurts like hell.

"Beth…" If she heard him, she doesn't acknowledge him. And of course, she heard him. He's less than two feet from her when she walks past him, but she keeps going until Merle stops her.

"Now don' ya worry darlin', we're gonna handle this, me and Daryl'll fix it. Then fuckin' dickweed over there's gonna fix everythin' else." That's when she glances over at him, where he's just standing like a dumbass, hands at his side. And she smiles. It's small, just a little upturn at the corners of her lips, and it's sad. But it's a smile. Is that gonna be his smile now? He wants the other one back. The one that makes him feel like he's as good as she says he is. Maybe it's gone for good now. Because he really isn't the man she thinks she sees.

"Bye Daryl. Thank you for last night." And then she's gone. Merle stands at the door, tips his beer back and watches her go. And that pisses Daryl off.

Last night. The stars. Their bed. He stomps across the room, out the back door, yanks the bed up off the porch, and searches for the stopper to let the air out. When he's unsuccessful in his search he pulls his pocket knife out, pops it open and slashes the side of the air mattress. It falls from his hand as it deflates into a pile of pillows and blankets. Stepping back inside the door he grabs his crossbow from the wall mount where it's hanging. Then he goes to the cabinet above the stove and gets the bottle of whiskey.

"Going out ta get drunk an kill things? Coulda just kept her here, she gotta be a lot more fun ta hold than that damn crossbow baby brother." Merle says none too gently from where he is now sprawled on the couch.

"Fuck off Merle," Daryl growls as he heads out the back door again.

"Y'all keep sayin' that an I am, I'm gonna fuck right off and y'all won't know what the hell ta do," Merle yells at the now closed door.

X X X

Beth's had this feeling in her chest the entire drive home. A burning. Like she's been running too fast and too long. Once she parks her car she can't get out of it and into her apartment fast enough. Stepping inside, she closes the door, turns the deadbolt and stands there for a minute trying to catch her breath. She glances in the little mirror by the door and chokes back a sob. They had stood here, Daryl behind her, telling her how beautiful she was. Now it hurts to look. Forcing her feet to take her up the stairs and into her room, she drops her overnight bag on the floor, toes off her shoes and crawls across her bed. Sinking down into the pillows she wraps her arms around herself and lets the tears fall for real. She cries until she's hiccupping and her head is pounding. Feeling hollow and empty, she rolls over and sits on the edge of the bed. She's been here before, but she'll be damned if she's going to let another guy reduce her to an emotional mess.

But then Daryl isn't just another guy, is he?

After a long, hot shower, Beth pulls on cutoffs and a tank top. Standing in front of her full-length mirror she puts her hair up in a ponytail. And if she looks closely she can kind of see the girl that Daryl sees. She may not be curvy, but when she's wearing something besides scrubs, she's not half bad. Pulling up her shirt she finds the small finger-shaped bruises that she noticed in the shower. Small, purplish marks in the indent of her hip bones where her shorts sit low on her waist. Sucking in a breath she remembers how he held her, what they were doing when he made those bruises. She bruises easily, she always has. She finds she likes them. The ache in her chest burns a little warmer, reminding her it's still there, but she's determined to ignore it for now. There's plenty she can do around her apartment to keep her mind off of him. And she really needs to go out and get a few things. Taking the stairs two at a time she comes face to face with her couch, covered in those damn yellow pillows and her heart sinks. Okay, maybe she can't just jump up and keep going with a smile plastered on her face. Not yet. Racing back up stairs she grabs her purse and journal and heads out the front door without looking back at the offending yellow pillows.

X X X

Daryl is dragging his feet and he hasn't managed to get a squirrel or a rabbit. Oh, he's seen plenty, but his aim is off and his heart isn't in it. Reaching into his pocket he pulls out his cell phone and looks at the screen. Nothing. He doesn't expect her to call or even text. Why would she? He toys with the idea of texting her but instead slides the phone back in his pocket and shoulders his crossbow. He's been stomping around the woods for a couple of hours now. Coming out here with his bow was supposed to take his mind off of everything. Off of her. But she's been here in his head the entire time. He never brought her out here. Should've. She would love it. All the trees and wildflowers, and the way the sun falls through it all making moving shadows on the paths he's walked hundreds of times. She would understand why he loves it. She would get it. Swallowing the lump in his throat, he turns and heads back. It's useless to keep wandering around out here.

Merle's still on the couch. The tv's on some mindless sitcom complete with canned laughter. And there are four empty beer bottles on the coffee table next to where Merle's boots are resting.

"Get yer fuckin' dirty boots off my table!" Daryl growls at his brother as he hangs his crossbow back up in its place on the hook.

"Jesus Christ, ya in a bad mood or something?" Merle laughs at his own joke but puts his feet on the floor. "What we doin' tonight?" If Daryl was in a better mood that question would probably make him smile. Merle, with his bandaged nose, black eyes and swollen face would certainly turn a head or two.

"I'm takin' the bike out. Don't know what yer doin'." Daryl heads back into his bedroom and stops just inside the door. The ceiling fan is on low, stirring up the air a little and he can smell her, the shampoo she used or her laundry detergent. His bed's made but he hasn't changed the sheets. He glances over his shoulder and pauses for a second listening, before walking over to the bed and sitting down on the side where she'd slept Thursday night. Pulling back the comforter, he picks up the pillow and before he chickens out he holds it to his face. She was here. And it pisses him off more than it comforts him. He drops the pillow back on the bed and goes to his closet. When he finds what he wants he leaves the room without looking back at the only other bed that he's shared with her. Only this time he couldn't just get rid of it.

X X X

Beth slides into a booth in the back of Tara's Place. The little diner is empty and that's exactly what she was hoping for. Setting her journal and pen on the table she picks up a menu and scans it.

"Not having your usual?" Tara is smiling down at her, a glass of ice water in her hand.

"You scared me!"

"I'm sorry Beth! So no mac 'n cheese?" Beth shakes her head and lays the menu on the table.

"What do you recommend?" Beth asks her.

"Well, that depends," Tara takes out her little order book and a pencil, "on what brings you here tonight. I'm guessing someone broke your heart." Tara's smile is sympathetic and Beth is at a loss for words.

"How did you…" Biting her lip, she looks down at the table and does her best not to break into tears. Tara has that effect on people. She's like the bartenders that sad drunks spill their guts to when they're on their 5th shot of whiskey. She feels the bench seat move as Tara scoots in next to her.

"Okay, first we'll start you off with a chili bowl, extra cheese. And then a gooey brownie sundae, no caramel or Oreos, I promise!" Tara takes the menu from where it sits in front of Beth. "Guaranteed to take your mind off of him for a little while anyway, either that or give you indigestion and heartburn that makes you forget everything but the proximity of the toilet." This makes Beth laugh and when Tara stand back up she smiles at her.

"That sounds perfect. Oh and Tara, don't tell Maggie I was here okay?"

"Not ready to have her kick his ass yet?" Tara raises her eyebrows. She knows Maggie so well.

"No. I think, at least I'm hoping it's just a temporary setback." And when she says it, it makes sense. At least for right now. And that's all that matters.

A/N Do you see why I apologized in advance? Okay, I admit this is an angsty filler chapter.. but there are places we have to go on the journey in order to get to the destination. They aren't always pretty places. And I am the first to admit I like the darker places. I'm a bit dramatic, at least in my head. Where do we go from here? I guess you're going to have to come back to find out. And please don't hate me… I've never done you wrong yet!