A/N: Sorry it's so short but this felt like the natural place to stop. I'm already working on the next chapter so look for that soon. Thanks for all the love and don't forget to review. :)
It had been a few days but Beth still glared at Daryl every time she saw him. Each time it made him angrier. What right did she have to be pissed? She didn't put herself out there. She didn't put her pride on the line. She wasn't the one that got rejected. The only thing Beth lost was her fuck buddy. It wasn't like she couldn't find another one. There was always Zach if she needed to get laid that badly. He shook the thought away, trying to ignore the sting of jealousy.
Daryl was acting pretty fucking pathetic at the moment. 'Like a damn pussy-whipped bitch.' Merle's voiced echoed in his head as he took another generous mouthful from his jar of moonshine. He had snatched it from a shack in the woods he and Michonne found a while back. He had already downed over half of it with no plans to stop anytime soon. Numb. That's all Daryl wanted to feel. The moonshine was helping numb his body but the pain was still there. So he took another gulp, the burn barely noticeable. His mind was hazy. The last time he drank was at the CDC so the alcohol was hitting him pretty hard. He was going to regret getting this lit in the morning.
Daryl fumbled in his pocket for a cigarette, finding his nearly empty pack. He was smoking more and more lately thanks to all the stress. Damn girl was driving him to drink and smoke. He pulled out his lighter and let out a string of curses when he got no flame. it was fucking empty. He threw it against the floor of the catwalk, where he happened to be hiding out, and watched as broke into pieces. He was too preoccupied to hear the door open and close. It wasn't until a lighter was shoved in his face that he realized he was no longer alone.
Daryl looked over to find Emma sitting beside him, her own unlit cigarette in her hand, waiting for him to take the lighter. He did and lit his before handing it back. She lit her own and stuffed it back in her pocket. Daryl stared straight ahead, ignoring her and hoping she would get the hint that he wanted to wallow in his misery alone. He swallowed more of his drink.
"You know, pouting is not very attractive." She gave him a small smile.
Daryl didn't respond. Didn't even bother to glare at her. He just took another drag of his smoke and stared out into the night.
"Who is she?"
This time Daryl glared at her. He must have been more drunk than he thought since Emma just laughed at him, not at all intimidated.
"Oh come on. You're pouting, drinking, and you've been moping around since the day I got here. If that doesn't scream women trouble, I don't know what does. Plus, you haven't checked me out once, which means you're in love. Or gay." She eyed him curiously.
Daryl growled. "I'm not fucking gay. And it's none of your damn business." It's true. He hadn't checked her out. She cleaned up nice. A lot different than the mess of a woman he and Rick found. But she wasn't his type. Not anymore. All he could see was blonde hair, blue eyes, small perky tits, and soft gentle curves. Emma was the opposite. Tan skin, fuller figure, brown hair and eyes. She was pretty but she wasn't Beth. She wasn't beautiful. Not to him at least. He heard some of the other men talking about her. He didn't much pay any attention to gossip or locker room talk but some of it reached his ears. Too bad they were all in for a surprise.
"Okay. Okay. Sorry." Emma held up her hands in mock surrender.
"It ain't like you care if I'm not checking you out anyways." Daryl's words were slightly slurred, but he ignored that and took another drink.
Emma looked at him surprised before narrowing her eyes at him in suspicion. "Why do you mean by that? Who says I'm not out here to seduce you?"
At that Daryl snorted unattractively. "Right," he said sarcastically. "It means I'm observant. I noticed that you aren't checking out the men."
Emma grinned, not upset he figured her out. "You caught me. You're the only one who's even noticed. Not like I hide it though."
She was right. It was obvious if you bothered to pay attention. Most didn't. Daryl didn't give a shit though. He had his own problems and it wasn't his job to inform people of her orientation. Not his place. He went to take another swig of his white lightning only to find his jar empty. Fuck. He really drank the whole thing. The morning was not going to be fun.
"Well I better get back inside. Word of advice though." She paused waiting for his attention. "I don't know what the problem is, but moping isn't going to fix it. Get off your ass and do something about it." Before he could respond she was up and gone. Daryl used the end of his cigarette to light another one and decided he would stay outside for a while.
Daryl stood up and nearly fell from getting so dizzy. He hadn't realized just how drunk he was until he did that. His vision blurred and nausea twisted in his gut. He stumbled to the door and it took a few tries to open it. He was so fucking stupid. It something happened he wouldn't be of any use. He made his way towards his cell using the walls to brace himself. He didn't get very far before he turned a corner and Beth was in front of him. She watched him stumble before she ran forward calling his name. Was he dreaming? She went in and out focus and he couldn't be sure what he was seeing.
"Daryl!" Beth yelled as he stumbled again. "Are you hurt? Are you bit?" She asked him frantically until she reached him. She was just about to grab him when she stepped back.
"What the hell Daryl! Are you drunk? You reek!" She huffed at him not amused.
Daryl mumbled, "moonshine" before trying to take another step.
When he fell Beth reach forward and helped him up. She threw his arm around her shoulder and put hers around his waist helping me forward.
"Are you insane? My daddy says bad moonshine can make you go blind." She struggled with his weight. Daryl couldn't help it. His limbs weren't doing what he told them.
"Ain't nothing worth seeing anyway," Daryl slurred.
They didn't talk again as they slowly made it to his cell. He should be embarrassed that he needed help but he was too busy trying not to puke. Once they got into his cell Beth helped him into his bed. She took off his boots and left. She came back a few minutes later with a bucket that she placed next to the bed. She then sat down by his knees.
"Are you okay?" She asked him softly.
Daryl nodded then instantly regretted it. His head spun.
"Just go Beth." He hold head wearily. He just wanted to sleep.
That took tbe pity out of her eyes and it was replaced with anger. "I noticed that new chick, Emma, was out there for a while. You screwing someone else already?" Her toned was laced with bitterness.
Daryl suddenly felt a little more sober. "That the kinda guy you think I am? No wonder you don't want me." Daryl didn't mean to say the last part out loud but he must have because she looked at him shocked and saddened.
"Daryl... it's just... I..." she didn't seem to know what to say.
"Please just go Beth." Daryl pleaded. He wasn't something he ever would have said sober but the alcohol had loosened his tongue.
She looked at him miserably for a few moments before getting up and leaving. Daryl fell asleep trying to pretend he didn't see a few tears escape her eyes as she left.
