Here's chapter 9 my lovelies :)


Beth opened the text from Dr. Morris with a cringe while she walked out of a coffee shop, squinting to read the screen so she wouldn't be immediately assaulted by her professor's reprimanding. The thing was, Beth hadn't been as on top of keeping her graduate school mentor as 'in the loop' as she was supposed to have been. She had promised Dr. Morris that she would text each time she met up with the seedy fighters and after she was done. Perhaps she just didn't want to admit how often she and Daryl had been meeting.

It was with pleasant surprise that Beth read Morris's text.

-Hey Beth, just checking in to see if you've gotten started on the preliminary paperwork for your research. If you need help you can come by my office in the next few evenings.

Beth kept forgetting that Dr. Morris had no clue how deep she was into this and the real reason why she was even attempting this research. To Morris, it would be a few interviews and some observation to collect the data he needed for a case like this. But for Beth, if she really wanted to turn this shit of a situation into some positive fruits, she would have to keep doing what she was doing; meeting up with Daryl to train and eventually fight.

After she sent Morris a text back thanking him and telling him that she'd be in touch, her phone began to buzz with a name that had started to make Beth's muscles ache just by seeing it. She lifted the phone to her ear. "What, Daryl?"

"Hello ta ya, too, darlin'." Beth could hear the smirk in his voice.

"Sorry, it's just that I thought you said I had the night off from training. You know, since I've barely slept all week and I've spent more hours hitting your hand than hitting the books," Beth rolled her eyes, sipping on her hot coffee carefully while she walked toward her apartment.

"Yer right, I did give ya the night off from trainin', but that don' mean ya git the night off entirely," Daryl replied in a clipped tone.

Beth paused briefly, a loud scoff coming from her and startling a nearby dog that had just lifted its leg to pee on a tree. "Daryl, it's Friday night, I don't have class tomorrow and all I want to do is sleep until I die."

"Seriously, grandma, we need ta git ya out more," Daryl laughed through the phone. "There is more ta life than sleepin' an' studyin'."

"Right, like beating people up for sport. Sure, that's a great alternative to what I like to do," Beth replied dryly.

Dar was no longer amused when his voice shot back, "Ain't no sport, it's business. If ya keep makin' light o' it then yer stock is goin' ta sink. Look, t'night's not an option. Yer goin' ta watch a real fight from the new perspective o' a fighter in trainin'."

Beth's legs became a little shaky as she walked up her apartment stairs. "W-What?"

"Ya seen me fight 'fore an' ya had a lucky break when ya fought Michonne, but there's still so much ya need ta learn 'bout technique. I want ya ta see how it's done by two professionals." Daryl's voice had an edge of excitement and Beth gulped.

"Is one of them on our "team" or in our "gang" or whatever?" Beth struggled with her keys while she listened to Daryl laugh.

"Nah, neither o' them is wit' us, but we could very well be up 'gainst these girls in the near future. They're names Lady K an' Swift an' they are supposed ta be the toughest gals in the city."

Beth plopped down on her couch, her brow creasing. "Girls, huh? Why do all of these names sound like they come from some sort of demented children's tale? Anyway, are you sure it's safe for us to be watching when they might be our competition?"

Daryl chuckled lowly but genuinely and Beth's lips quirked up into a pleased smile.

"There's kinda an unspoken rule that ya don' fight unless it's scheduled. Not ev'ryone follows it all the time but ya gotta hope that they will. Listen, I ain't a 14 year old girl so my phone call limit don' usually exceed 15 minutes. I gotta go. I'll pick ya up at 10 tonight."

Before Beth could say anything else the call had ended. She dropped her phone on the couch next to her, gnawing on her lower lip. It was kind of weird to be going out with Daryl on a Friday night when it wouldn't lead to them punching each other.

Standing up and stretching her long arms above her head, Beth started to put together in her mind an appropriate outfit to watch a fight with Daryl. She wouldn't end up looking like an old woman that night, she knew that for sure.
_

"Whooaaa, where are you going?" Maggie asked around a mouthful of spaghetti.

"Mags, why do you always have to talk with your mouth full? It's disgusting," Beth wrinkled up her nose while she checked to make sure her makeup looked alright. She had to admit, she'd gone a bit dramatic with the eyeliner, which she hadn't done in years. Her eyes were lined thickly with precision and her blonde hair was purposefully messy into soft waves.

Maggie swallowed pointedly before talking with her eyes rolling. "Are you going out tonight? I want in. I've carbo-loaded and I've already pre-gamed." Maggie patted her belly with one hand while lifting her beer with another. "I'm good to go."

Beth tried to conceal her look of distress, wetting her lips before turning to her sister. "I um.. Have a date," Beth lied and immediately regretted it when Maggie's eyes nearly popped out and landed in her pasta.

"How did I not know about this before now?"

"Because it's none of your business?" Beth said back, tugging gently on her leather coat.

"Oh, come on! I tell you every detail of my dating and sex life," Maggie whined, crossing her arms.

Beth cringed and cleared her throat. "I didn't tell you because it honestly slipped my mind. It's just.. A casual meet up. I'm not expecting anything from it, so," Beth replied as truthfully as she could.

Maggie's eyes traveled over her appearance. "I mean this in the kindest way possible but, you look like you're ready to kick someone's ass. You're super intimidating in all of your made up glory. Are you sure that's the impression you want to give off tonight?"

Hiding her smirk and the fact that it's exactly the impression that she wanted to give off, Beth shrugged a shoulder. "I mean, the guy should know I'm not putting out."

"Alright, that's true. If he tries anything then you let me know and I'll take care of it for you," Maggie cracked her knuckles in her most threatening way.

Beth really had to work hard to fight back a laugh on that. As ironic as it was that Maggie was implying that she would beef it out with a trained fighter, Beth was touched by her caring. "Thanks, you're the best." Beth patted his shoulder, looking down at her vibrating phone that signaled Daryl was outside.

"I'm probably gonna go over to Carl's if you wanna meet me later. Apparently he taught his lizard to do backflips or something," Maggie said casually, twirling some more spaghetti around her fork.

Beth knew she would never want to see something like that, but she waved jovially as she left the apartment with a nod, trying not to think about what the fight night might bring.
_

A crowd was already gathering although the fight wasn't set to start for another twenty minutes or so. Beth bit her bottom lip when she felt Daryl's eyes on her for at least the tenth time since they'd met up. "Why are you looking at me like that?" Beth mumbled under her breath so only Daryl could hear.

Daryl's eyes snapped down to the ground and he cleared his throat. "Don' flatter yerself so much, I'm jus' surprised ta see ya lookin' yer age."

Beth smirked lightly, able to tell that Daryl was lying. "Do you even know how old I am?"

"Too damn young." Daryl mumbled, looking at Beth curiously.

Beth would have retorted but she knew her ass was snarky and wasn't going to try to deny it. "So, uh, are you sure we shouldn't watch this from a balcony, somewhere more private?" Beth was beginning to grow a little worried when she started to see women show up who really looked like they belonged behind bars.

"As cute as it is that ya want ta be alone wit' me, I want ya close enough ta smell the blood," Daryl whispered near Beth's ear, making shivers travel quickly down her spine. Beth just nodded in response, afraid that a quiver in her voice might betray her cool.

It wasn't hard to spot who the fighters were. The combination looks of determination and fear on their faces were immediate tip-offs. Beth was sure that no matter how confident a fighter might be, there would still be the nagging thought in their mind that they could get their jaw broken or their ribs shattered.

Daryl was mumbling the fighters' information in Beth's ear. "Swift is great on her feet an' at defense, but her punch can be weak. She mainly relies on kicks. Lady K, is, well.." Daryl trailed off, pointing to the burly woman with the tattooed face dressed in all black. Her arms were bulging with muscles and her fist was nearly as big as Beth's head.

"Yeah, I think I can guess her strengths," Beth nodded, her head bobbing with a big gulp.

"Ya gotta know that it ain't impossible ta beat a gal like that. Ya just gotta hit them in their weak spot, even if it seems like they don' have one."

Beth's eyes traveled over Lady K's body and face, narrowing them when she saw her stumble a little over her big feet. "Aha, she is clumsy."

"Exactly," Daryl replied in a pleased tone. "So what we got here is two opponents, each havin' what the other lacks. Or in other words, we got a great fight."

Beth flashed Daryl a small smile, feeling a little rush of adrenaline. "If they had the same strengths and weaknesses, what kind of fight would that be?"

"Never endin'..." Daryl's lips turned downward. "That's when ya really have ta find a unique approach.. Or else ya kill each other slowly."

Beth blinked and nodded, her mind racing. She knew that if she ever found herself in a situation like that, she would have to get inside the opponent's head and rely on her inner weaknesses rather than her outer.

Her thoughts were interrupted when she saw Merle step to the center of the opening of the crowd with a leggy brunette on his arm.

"What the hell is he doing here?" Beth asked near Daryl's ear.

"Merle likes money, so he'll do whatever gig gives it. He fights, he runs our crew but he also announces fights," Daryl tensed up a little.

"Oh, I see.." Beth pursed her lips, trying not to flinch at Merle's gruff and crude way of introducing the fighters and grabbing his date's ass while he did.

"It don' matter much if he sees ya, but.. Jus' try ta blend in," Daryl urged lowly.

"Does he not know that I'm here with you? I thought this was part of his 'curriculum'," Beth replied.

"It's um.. My idea. He pro'bly wouldn't approve o' us bein' outside the warehouse together," Daryl admitted reluctantly.

Beth simply nodded, not really sure what to say in response to Daryl's risky move, ducking her head to seem more inconspicuous.

"Ya look stupid, stand up like a human," Daryl shoved her back a little, smirking.

"You're an asshole and I can't wait to train again so I can punch you," Beth grumbled back and Daryl's eyes lit up before his gaze turned back to Merle while he stepped back to let the fighters approach.

With that look and the fight beginning, Beth was becoming more and more aware of how twisted this situation was. Her stomach dropped when Lady K made the first swing and she felt like she might be sick. But then Swift dodged it and kicked Lady K square in the back with the flat of her foot, making her fall forward on her face.

Excitement rose inside her chest and Daryl's commentary in her ear only added to the thrill of watching it go down. She wouldn't admit it easily but she was enjoying this. It was sick, it was deluded, but hell it was captivating.
_

"God, I wanna fight right now!" Beth clapped her hands together while she and Daryl walked down the street a safe distance from the festivities.

"It's normal ta feel like that after watchin' a fight," Daryl smirked faintly, his hands stuffed in his pockets. "'specially one that was so close. I seriously thought Lady K was gonna win it."

"Please, I knew Swift had it in the bag the whole time," Beth responded surely.

"That's jus' 'cause she's a little skinny an' ya felt a connection ta her wit' yer bony ass," Daryl laughed while licking his chapped lips.

"Look, I'm skinny and I know that, but there is nothing bony about my ass. Got it?" Beth walked purposefully in front of Daryl to show off her asset, her finger flipping Daryl off in the process. She didn't expect it when Daryl grabbed her hand, roughly pushing her up against the nearby brick building, a dark look in his eyes.

"Don' fuckin' tease me, Beth," Daryl's voice was low and slightly menacing, making Beth's heart race.

"I was just joking.. " Beth swallowed hard, her eyes traveling over Daryl's tense jaw.

Daryl relaxed a little, dropping his hands to his sides but still standing in front of Beth in a way that she couldn't move away from the wall. "I.. " Daryl looked down, pursing his lips to the side. "I'm sorry.."

"What was that..?" Beth dared to ask.

"Yer jus' fuckin' wit' my mind," Daryl shook his head, stepping away from Beth and pulling out a pack of cigarettes, lighting one smoothly.

"Can you explain that a little better?" Beth hedged, knowing she was walking a thin line.

Daryl blew some smoke out from his lips, shoving his lighter and pack back in his pocket. "Ya'll think I'm a freak," Daryl replied sardonically.

"Ah, that would be too late," Beth smiled a little, trying to lighten the mood.

She was gifted with a brief laugh from Daryl. "It's.. Ah, fuck it. It gives me a rush when I watch a fight. Then hearin' ya talk 'bout fightin' an' bein' such a goddamn smartass.. It gits ta me an' it pisses me off that it does."

Beth listened carefully, her mind going to one conclusion and her eyes darting quickly downward to Daryl's crotch and back up while she spoke, "All of this is like foreplay to you.."

Daryl's eyes met Beth's briefly before looking down the street, giving Beth the confirmation she was seeking. "You are a freak, aren't you?" Beth couldn't help the smirk that grew on her lips.

"Seriously, fuck you. I saw how pumped ya were gettin' 'bout the fight, ya liked it too," Daryl glared hard, turning his back to Beth.

"Hey, hey, I understand it now.. You're right, it's a big rush. I just didn't realize I was part of the reason you're all keyed up," Beth fought a blush from rising on her cheeks.

"I think ya knew a little bit.." Daryl turned around, watching Beth lean against the wall, taking an inhale of his cigarette while he slowly stalked toward Beth.

"What are you doing?" Beth raised a brow, feeling her entire body buzz in anticipation.

Daryl held the smoke in his mouth, licking his lips and putting them mere centimeters from Beth's. Beth parted them instinctively and Daryl slowly and fluidly blew the smoke into Beth's mouth, pulling back to watch the reaction.

Beth blinked a few times, her eyes darkening as he blew the smoke slowly back out to the side, her eyes not leaving Daryl's. Daryl bit down on his lips while he watched the smoke exit Beth's full lips, a shaky sigh coming out.

"Fuck ya fer lookin' so good tonight," Daryl shook his head, his resistance visibly melting when he braced his hand on the wall next to Beth's head.

"Screw you for making fighting so sexual," Beth replied in a barely audible voice and Daryl smiled crookedly.

"It sounds like we'd both like ta fuck each other.. Don' it?" Daryl's voice was so smooth and his cologne mixed with the cigarette smoke in the most delicious way. The combination hit Beth harder than a punch could, so Beth responded defensively to the hit and pushed her lips hard against Daryl's.

Daryl took a deep breath of surprise through his nose before pressing his body firmly into Beth's his hand moving to grip Beth's jaw without any gentleness. Lips parted and their tongues fought for dominance just like their bodies would.

It took a moment of heavy breaths and wet lips and tongues before Beth realized what was really happening. Her hands pushed at Daryl's chest but Daryl simply dropped his cigarette and grabbed both of Beth's hands, pinning them to the wall while he bit down on Beth's lower lip, tugging on it with his teeth and sucking on it soundly.

A low moan escaped Beth's throat and Daryl snapped out of it, backing up quickly with wide eyes and Beth started to panic before speaking. "I'm.. Fuck, I'm sorry."

Daryl wiped his lips with the back of his hand, his body tensing up. "Didn' I tell ya that this ain't goin' ta happen?" Daryl's voice was harsh and Beth was speechless. She might have been the one to initiate the kiss but she knew she wasn't the only one that wanted it.

"I.. I thought.. " Beth started shakily, brushing her fingers over her swollen lips.

Daryl shook his head quickly, holding his hand up. "This didn' happen. I'm fuckin' dead if Merle finds out that I compromised yer trainin' by gettin' involved wit' ya."

"Daryl, it was just a kiss. Nothing is compromised," Beth voiced, her words laced with confusion. "I don't get the big deal.."

"Of course ya don'. Yer jus' a prissy kid who never had hard times in her life. Ya don' understand how much I need this, how much I don' want ta fuckin' go back ta the life that I had," Daryl growled, turning his back on Beth and walking away from her.

"So what? You're done with me?" Beth called out and held her arms out to the side exasperatedly.

Daryl turned around in his walk. "We will still train bu' that's it. No more o' these kind o' meetin's. From now on it's strictly business an' if ya can' handle that then I'll find someone else ta take over the trainin'. See ya tomorrow night at 9 at the warehouse, Beth."

Daryl's back was to her again and he walked swiftly away, leaving Beth's head swimming with confusion but mostly disappointment. She staggered back to the very wall that she'd just been kissed against, sliding down it to sit on the ground, her head in her hands.

The whole night had been surreal and then reality came crashing down harder than an ass-kicking. She really hadn't realized how serious Daryl had been about them not crossing that line, and Beth couldn't help but wonder what the hell Merle had on him that would make him so serious about this.

A pang of regret was settling in Beth's stomach. As much as she told herself that she didn't want Daryl like that, it was becoming painfully apparent that she did. Not only that but Daryl wanted her too, even if it wasn't possible.

With the taste of Daryl still on her lips, Beth walked home with not the faintest clue of what would happen when she and Daryl met the following night. All she knew was that she was itching more now to fight than ever. She needed a release.