AN: and here is the monster chapter. I was going to split it in two but thought you guys had earned it. Its super long so I expect super long reviews in return everyone lol. Seriously though I want to hear what you all think. Also I'm Australian, we don't have Wal-mart here so I may have taken some creative license – please just go with it.

If Beth had known how much fun it was riling Daryl up, she would have started a long time ago.

She felt confident and powerful as she left Daryl spluttering in her wake. Beth may have been a virgin but sex didn't make her nearly as uncomfortable as it did him.

She wasn't sure if it was the topic in general or if it was because she was the one saying it.

Daryl caught up to her quickly and his stern demeanour was back. It was getting late in the afternoon, the drive had taken longer than it was supposed to.

"No tellin' how many walkers have infested this place," he said squinting up at the building.

"Hopefully none," Beth muttered. The severity of the situation was setting in and she was beginning to get a bad feeling. Beth had forgotten just how big these places were. Plenty of places for things to hide.

"Normally I'd suggest splitting up but I want you right behind me the whole time," he fixed Beth with a hard stare.

"Yes sir," she said and Beth wasn't mocking him. Her nerves had made her fall back on old habits.

"Let's move." Daryl took the lead. His crossbow was up and armed. The parking lot was deserted. Cars had been left open and shopping abandoned where it dropped. These desolate scenes were eerie and a shiver went up Beth's spine.

The decaying bodies in the cars weren't helping. Daryl cast a wary gaze over them to make sure they weren't a threat to him and Beth. His expression didn't shift as he took them all in. Beth kept her stare straight ahead. She wasn't completely desensitised to seeing what had happened to half of the human race.

They approached the front entry. The glass doors slid open as they got close. Beth looked surprised.

"Back-up generator," Daryl explained, catching her bewilderment. "Not uncommon for big chains to have 'em. Glad we don't have to break the glass."

Beth glanced at the crowbar in her hand and was glad she would have to either.

Beth knew what Rick had asked them to get back to front but she still asked Daryl, "What do we need?" just for something to say.

Keeping his voice low he said, "Baby stuff for Judith. Food and clothes too. It's gonna get cold soon. Winter's not far away now."

There was some scuffling in the aisles ahead of them. Daryl placed a finger to his lips and crouched low. Beth followed him, her hands trembling.

There were three walkers in the next aisle. Daryl sighted down his crossbow and took out one. It thudded directly into the walker's eye socket. The impact spun it round so that it fell on top of the arrow, pushing it all the way through the skull with a squelching sound.

Beth didn't have time to grimace. Its companions had focused on the smell of live flesh and were coming for them. Daryl had his knife out in one smooth motion. It slid up under the walkers chin. It emitted one last snarl before it died.

The other walker made for Beth. She tensed her grip on the crowbar and waited for the perfect moment. Her adrenaline had kicked in and time seemed to slow. As soon as the walker was within striking distance, Beth side stepped its grasping arms and smacked it in the side of the head.

It wailed at the loss of its prey, not from pain, and wheeled back. Beth kicked it in the knee hard and heard bones snap. It fell to the ground and from that angle Beth delivered the death blow.

She brought the crowbar sailing down hard. Using every ounce of strength she had, Beth cleaved the walker's head in two. She hit it again for good measure. A fine spray of blood had misted on her shirt.

When she stood upright Daryl was watching her. He hadn't put the knife away and she could tell he had been ready to intervene if Beth had struggled.

"I'm impressed," he admitted. Beth felt a surge of pride.

"Had a good teacher," Beth responded. Daryl raised an eyebrow but didn't comment. He went over to retrieve his arrow from the corpse. It came away with gore still clinging to it. Daryl wiped it on the walker's clothes. Pragmatism outweighed any sense of reverence.

They found the baby section and Daryl deferred to Beth's expertise. She wanted to point out that she wasn't particular experienced with babies and she knew as much as he did probably but Beth didn't see the point of being argumentative.

She filled her bag with clothes and anything else that she thought might help.

Once they were done there they found food. There wasn't a lot of variety left but it would still help during the months it would be harder to grow things.

Daryl decided to do another sweep of the store to see if they had over looked anything. Deep inside there was a sense of timelessness. The lack of natural light meant there was no hint as to how much time they had spent in there. It didn't feel like long but Daryl was being thorough.

"Rather not have to make a return journey if I don't have ta," he told Beth.

The more time they had spent in there the more comfortable Beth was becoming. She was still alert but nobody could function with the level of adrenaline she had felt in the first attack for as long as they had been there.

Beth was about to round the next aisle to examine it for spoils but at the last minute an arm wrapped around her waist and jerked her back.

Daryl's hand was splayed flat against her stomach and Beth froze, uncertain. His skin was hot and Beth wondered if this was payback for the car.

Beth quickly realised something else was going on. His body was tense next to hers and he was listening attentively. Daryl gently pushed Beth behind him and put the bags down on the ground. He gestured to Beth to do the same. He carefully cast one eye around the corner.

His expression was grave and Beth knew of only one thing that could make Daryl that concerned.

With a balancing hand on his shoulder she leant up to whisper in his ear. "How many?"

Daryl shrugged, indicating he wasn't sure. "Maybe fifteen," he breathed. Beth pointed behind them, suggesting they go back the way they came.

Daryl nodded. Beth took a step back, forgetting the bags Daryl had put down. She tripped and landed hard. Cans rolled out of the bag loudly.

Daryl bent down to grab her by the back of her shirt, yanking her upright with a look of consternation on his face.

"Get your knife out." He didn't even bother whispering now.

When the first walker rounded the corner, Daryl was ready with his crossbow. The walkers were so close together that one arrow took out two of them at once. Daryl was still blocking their path to Beth, his body directly shielding hers.

She knew he was good but Beth had never seen him move that fast with that much ferocity. He had a knife in each hand now, letting the crossbow clatter to the ground. Daryl took out four, maybe five, in quick succession.

The problem was that he had to keep moving around and a walker got behind Daryl. Beth was startled that she hadn't seen that coming. The walker lunged for Daryl's shoulder but Beth was quicker. She slashed it across the throat so deeply that the head was basically severed. The body came crashing down but the head, tenuously attached, still snapped at Beth. She stamped down on the head with her boot, leaving mush in her wake.

Daryl hadn't noticed her intervention. He was too busy destroying their attackers.

Beth appreciated his attempt at protecting her but he needed help too. Beth launched herself into the fray. She stabbed one walker between the eyes and when her fingers, slippery with blood, couldn't pull the hilt free, she switched to her crowbar.

With a swing she sent one walker into the direct path of Daryl's knife. Daryl didn't miss a beat as he stabbed down. They moved intuitively around each other, as if they had been fighting together for years.

When the last walker lay dead, Beth slumped forward, her hands on her knees. Daryl looked equally worn.

They caught each other's eye over the pile of corpses. Beth felt Daryl's gaze sweep over her body, checking for injuries. Instead of the normal electric thrill, she felt a comforting warmth. She was doing the same to him. Once she was certain that he was unharmed, she relaxed.

"We make a good team," Beth noted, conversationally.

Daryl's eyes darkened. "Yeah, we do."

...

They had survived and were making their way towards the door.

Daryl's arms were aching. When the walkers had rushed them he hadn't even paused to think. He had needed to protect Beth and himself. But he wasn't as young as he once was and living in the prison meant he was a little out of practice.

Daryl was so consumed with getting out of there that he didn't notice that Beth wasn't right behind him straight way.

Panicked, he whirled around. Beth was a few meters behind him.

Furious that she was being less than obedient, he stalked back.

"Beth," he snapped.

Beth looked up at him startled. She was standing in the jewellery section, running a small chain through his fingers.

"We're shoppin' now?"

Beth blushed. "I'm sorry this just reminded me of a charm bracelet my mother gave me."

Daryl looked over her shoulder at the bracelet. It looked like cheap plastic to him but Beth was touching it with awe.

Daryl knew they were wasting time but Beth didn't seem to be able to drag herself away from this little trinket. The look on her face moved him.

Dropping the bags he reached over her; plucking it out of her grasp.

"Hey!" she protested.

Daryl ignored her. "Hold out your wrist."

Beth hesitated then did what he was asking. "Isn't this stealin'?"

"Call it a birthday present. You're eighteen soon, right?" With surprising dexterity he clasped the bracelet around her wrist. Daryl gently took her fingers in his larger hand and stretched her arm out so the bracelet could catch the light.

"Pretty," he observed. His voice was a little raspy.

Beth's eyes were wide when they met his. Daryl broke contact abruptly.

"Just don't wear it on runs; you don't want it catchin' on stuff."

Daryl picked up the bags and headed for the door. Beth's footsteps behind him assured him that she was following this time. He managed to catch a brief glimpse of her face in the glass doors before they slid open. Beth was grinning, happily looking at her new wrist adornment.

The knowledge that it was him that had made her that joyful put a smile on his own face.

...

The arrow sailed cleanly through the air and hit the centre of the target.

Daryl let out a low whistle.

"Nice shot, Carl!" He was impressed despite himself.

The boy had worked hard, followed instructions and was showing real promise with the crossbow. Daryl made a mental note to try and track down a new crossbow for Carl on their next run into town.

"Maybe we could try moving targets next?" Carl asked hopefully.

"You askin' me to volunteer?"

"I wouldn't be the first one who wanted to shoot you," Carl pointed out jokingly.

Daryl, leaning against a tree, shook his head. There were no traces of menace in Carl's suggestion. It was just friendly banter.

"Fine, I'll just run back an' forward until y'nail me then."

"That or we could find some walkers."

Daryl did not want to go hunting through the woods to find walkers for Carl to practice. He wanted the boy to get better but Daryl would be responsible for making sure things didn't get out of hand. His shoulder still ached from his tumble with walkers on the last run.

"Maybe next time," Daryl said.

Carl looked disappointed.

"Hey, I ain't sayin' no! Just not now. Let a man get some rest."

Carl nodded. "Alright, alright, you are old." Carl's smile turned mischievous.

Daryl shot him a withering glare. He knew he was old compared to Beth but he didn't think he was ancient.

"If I'm so old where's the respect?" he demanded of Carl. Since they'd started working together Carl had gone from fearing him to friendly irreverence.

"Hey, I listen to what you tell me." Carl pointed to the arrow as proof.

"You do," Daryl admitted. "You're much less a pain in the ass now."

He heard Carl sniff and realised that he was tearing up.

Daryl regarded him steadily. "Wanna tell me about it?"

"Not really."

"Might help," Daryl said casually, not wanting to push him.

Carl looked at Daryl with disbelief. "Because you're such a sharer?"

Daryl conceded that this was fair. "Might be I could stand to get a little better at the sharin'. 'Sides, I ain't the one crying."

Carl angrily swiped at his eyes. "I wasn't crying."

"You say so," Daryl agreed amicably.

Carl was watching Daryl warily as if expecting the man to run away from him. "I'll make you a deal."

"Uh oh," Daryl said automatically.

"I tell you what happened but you gotta tell me something."

Daryl hesitated. "What do ya wanna know?" He feared that Carl would ask him about his childhood, maybe about his scars, but he wasn't a coward. If this would get Carl to purge the last of the poison from his system then so be it.

"I'll tell you what happened after you tell me what's going on with you and Beth."

Daryl was struck dumb. "There's nothin' going on with me and Beth!"

"Fine, deals off." Carl began to walk back to the prison.

Daryl fortified himself. "Wait, Carl."

Carl turned back to Daryl and crossed his arms expectantly.

Daryl shrugged, at a loss for words. "I don't know what you 'spect me to say?"

"The truth," Carl suggested.

"Don't you have a crush on her?" Daryl tried to shift the spot light off of himself.

"I did once," Carl acknowledged. "But she never seemed that interested in me. She's interested in you though."

Daryl didn't know where Carl was getting this crazy idea from. Beth was his friend; she teased him and was kind to him but nothing more.

"It can't happen," Daryl said simply. It was as good as confessing that everything Carl suspected of him was true. "It ain't right."

Carl didn't understand. Daryl envied him the blessings of youth. He truly didn't see why Daryl couldn't pursue Beth.

"There's the age difference and I don't see people acceptin' it easily."

"I accepted it," Carl said.

"You ain't her daddy," Daryl pointed out dryly. "I'm no good for her."

"But you like Beth don't you? She's so sweet."

"She is very sweet. That's half the problem," Daryl grumbled. Seeing Carl's blank look he added, "Give it a few years and you'll understand why I said that."

"You could explain it now."

"Nah, I'm not corrupting the youths of the prison any further."

Carl opened his mouth with more questions but Daryl cut him off. "No, we're done talkin' 'bout me. Your turn, buddy."

Carl's colour left his face a little. "I shot someone."

"I shot a lotta people."

Carl's bottom lip quivered. "He wasn't that much older than me. He was giving up his gun."

"You thought he was dangerous."

"See that's the thing. I don't think he was."

Daryl felt profound empathy for Carl, who looked younger than he'd ever seen him. "Carl, we all make mistakes."

"I liked it, at the time," Carl whispered. "I felt powerful."

Daryl grabbed the boy's shoulders and forced him to face him. "You listen to me. At the time you thought you were doin' right! All of us here gotta path littered with actions we regret. And you do regret it don't ya?"

Carl nodded wordlessly.

"Well then stop standin' there like you're the evilest son of a bitch to ever draw breath. Things I did when I was young would make your nose hair curl."

Daryl caught the faintest hint of a smile on Carl's face at that imagery.

"You made a mistake," Daryl repeated. "That don't mean we write you off forever. That's not what family does."

"So you're family now?" Carl asked.

"You're damn right!"

"I always wanted an uncle," Carl said.

"Uncle? How about badass older brother?"

"You're lucky I didn't say second-dad, you get uncle."

Maybe Daryl missed the days when Carl feared him, just a little. "Fine. Now we got all this touchy feely crap outta the way, let's get back home and pretend we did manly things!"

Carl laughed a little at that. "Like build fires."

"And beat our chests and hunted. Y'know, to impress the women folk."

"That's what you think impresses girls? No wonder you haven't gotten anywhere with Beth." With that parting shot, Carl walked off, leaving Daryl to stare after him open mouthed.

...

Sasha was writing something in a little book outside. Beth, holding Judith, took the seat opposite her.

"How can you see what you're writing with the sun glarin' off the pages like that?" Beth asked.

Sasha looked up startled. She'd been absorbed in what she had been writing. "I can't really," she said with a smile.

Sasha reached across to affectionately squeeze Judith's foot. "How is the little princess of the group?"

"I'm fine. Judith's good too." Beth winced, "sorry, bad joke."

Sasha laughed all the same. "That's pretty," Sasha said. It took Beth a minute to realise she was talking about the bracelet she wore.

"Thanks, it was a present," Beth answered, not telling her who the present was from.

The charm bracelet reminded her of one her mother had given her. It was still tucked away in her jewellery box at the farm, Beth supposed with a pang. The one she was wearing was a weak imitation compared to her mother's gift which had been delicately wrought out of silver but Beth still felt her heart expand when she looked at it.

The only thing was she wasn't thinking of her mother. The sight of it reminded Beth of Daryl. Of the look of concentration on his face when he gently clasped it round her wrist. His eyes had been a dark cloudy blue when he'd met her gaze. It made her breath come faster and Beth imagined what it would be like having those eyes bending over her in other circumstances.

"You alright, Beth? You're a little flushed."

"Fine," Beth stammered out, embarrassed to be caught fantasising about Daryl like that.

Beth shifted the attention off of herself. "What are you writing?"

Sasha now looked a little self-conscious. "It's my journal."

"Really?" Beth asked curiously.

"Yes, I'm keeping an account of what happens."

"Do you write in it every day?"

Sasha nodded. "More or less. I figure it's a good way to keep track of the days."

Beth was stunned. "Wait a minute; you know what the date is?"

"Yeah I do. I mean, it sounds insignificant but I think it's important to chart the passing time."

"It is," Beth breathed. "Can you tell me what the date is?"

Sasha glanced down at the page. She read the date to Beth. Looking up, she caught Beth's face. "That date mean anything to you?"

"Yeah, I'd say so."

...

Daryl frowned when he heard footsteps on the stairs. He'd come up to the guard tower to clear his head. He also remembered Merle stashed a few cigarettes up here when he'd been alive. Daryl had been considering them his emergency stash but after his conversation with Carl, he thought this constituted a crisis.

It was upgraded to code red when Beth appeared. She waved shyly.

"What are you doin' up here?" he demanded, harsher than he intended to.

"Couldn't sleep," Beth said. He noticed the muscles around her mouth were tight but he didn't comment. Seemed everyone was carrying a lot of weight on their shoulders these days.

"Lotta that going around."

"Do you mind if I stay up here with you a while. I don't wanna be alone." Beth wrapped her arms around herself self consciously. Daryl was tempted to tell her to spit out whatever was bothering her but he figured that would be inviting conversation. He'd had enough of that today.

"So long as you don't mind a little passive smokin'," Daryl relented grumpily.

He didn't want to notice that she had wandered out in what she'd been sleeping in, the little shorts left most of her legs bare, but he couldn't help it. Daryl hadn't seen that much of her creamy skin since he'd walked in on her in the shower blocks. Her soft golden hair was hanging around her shoulders. Daryl saw that she was wearing her bracelet. Seeing his gift on her wrist gave him a sense of propriety. He reminded himself that he had no claim to Beth and pushed those thoughts aside.

Daryl hurried to light his cigarette. It was too cold to be on the outside balcony so the smoke was going to fill the room fairly quickly if he had anything to do with it. He reached to put the cigarette packet up on the ledge, hiding it back where Merle had left it.

The stretching aggravated the tender shoulder muscle. He winced at the pull in his back. He just wasn't in his prime any more. He'd fallen down one too many cliffs since the world had gone to shit.

"Are you alright?" Beth asked, concerned.

"Just my shoulder."

"What did you do to it?"

"I got old," he answered dryly. He hoped if he kept emphasising their age difference it would sink in for her or him - hopefully both.

Beth clucked her tongue sympathetically. "Turn around."

Daryl eyed her warily. "Why?"

"Probably just got a knot in your muscles. I can get it out for you."

Daryl really didn't want to but Beth was getting all matronly and he didn't want to argue with her when she was using that tone.

He let himself be pulled to a chair, trying not to tense up. Beth was business like though and he had to admit when she dug her thumbs in he experienced a blissful pain so acute he moaned.

Beth giggled and Daryl cursed. Beth's tiny hands were deceptively strong and her kneading his shoulders sent shivers up and down his spine. As time went by Daryl could feel himself relax under her ministrations.

He got the sense he wasn't the only one working something out.

"You wanna talk 'bout it or you content takin' it out on my back?"

"What do you mean?" Beth sounded confused.

"I get the sense that you're upset 'bout somethin'."

Beth sighed. "Just something that Sasha said."

"Sasha upset you?" Daryl was equal parts confused and mad. Sasha was kind and thoughtful; he didn't imagine her ever saying anything to hurt Beth. On the other hand, if she had, she'd have him to answer to.

"Not Sasha. She's been keeping track of the days and I realised today was my birthday."

Daryl's body felt taut like a bowstring. "You sad no one remembered?"

"Stupid ain't it? To worry about something as silly as a birthday? But it was my eighteenth. I'm not angry at anyone. More at the situation."

Beth's hands had stilled on his body. Daryl got out of the chair so he was facing her.

"It ain't stupid. It's important to you, then it's important to me." He meant it. Beth gave so much back to their group; the least they could do was have someone mark the occasion.

Beth smiled weakly. It wasn't good enough for Daryl.

"I'll get you a birthday present, anything you ask for."

"My old life back?" Beth's voice was so jaded that Daryl raised his eyebrows.

"How about somethin' I can actually give you," he suggested mildly.

Beth was looking at him speculatively. "Fine. Then I want a kiss."

"What?" Daryl was stunned.

"It's my eighteenth. I'm officially a woman. What better way to mark the occasion than with my first adult kiss?"

"Beth-" Daryl began; his mind racing.

"You said anything," Beth pointed out, taking a step closer.

"I don't think you've thought this through."

"I've thought about it a lot."

The comment floored Daryl. She met his eyes steadily and Daryl could see no hint of hesitation or indecisiveness.

"Please Daryl. It's just one kiss."

Maybe to her it was just one kiss but for Daryl it was slippery slope. He was turning ideas over in his head, frantically thinking about how to get out of this without hurting her feelings. Daryl was also wondering why he was sabotaging himself when he wanted to do it more than anything in the world.

Struck by inspiration he said, "okay," and took a step forward.

"And not a kiss on the cheek either."

Daryl knew his expression revealed that's exactly what he had been planning. Beth smirked, having caught him out.

"One kiss?" Daryl asked hoarsely.

"One proper kiss and I'll never ask anything of you again," Beth promised.

"Never?" Daryl took a step forward.

"Never." Beth closed the distance with a step of her own. There was only an inch separating their bodies. Beth was looking up at him and this close Daryl could see her breathing was fast and shallow. His wasn't that much better.

Keeping his hands at his sides, he bent his head at the same time Beth tilted her chin up. He pressed his lips softly to hers.

Daryl swore that he would restrain himself, that this kiss would be as chaste as he could make it. Beth's lips yielded to his and a soft sigh escaped her. Her top lip was caught gently between his. Daryl couldn't help but run his tongue lightly along her captured lip. Feeling this, Beth's mouth opened under his and her tongue tentatively touched his.

The world exploded for Daryl. One hand fisted in her hair and the other went to the small of her back, crushing her to him. Beth's arms were around his neck and her hands in his hair, clutching him to her. For all her virginal innocence she was kissing him wildly.

Daryl bit down on her lip and the little cry that escaped her just urged him on. Their bodies were flush against each other and Daryl was reacting to the taste of Beth, the feel of Beth and the sound of Beth.

His hands slid down her back to her thighs. Daryl picked her up and Beth automatically wrapped her legs around his hips. At the same time Daryl was thinking that this was so wrong, his body thought this was the most right thing he'd done in a long time.

Beth arched her back and she was pushing against him hard. Daryl moaned against her mouth. He walked them back until they were next to the bench going around the wall.

Daryl set Beth down. Her legs stayed where they were, binding him to her. The bench was elevated but their height difference was still a problem. Daryl had her head tilted at what he supposed was a painful angle but he couldn't bring himself to release her and she didn't protest. Beth's face was cupped firmly between his rough hands.

Her hands raked down his chest. They darted under his shirt, charting the hard planes of his stomach.

With superhuman effort Daryl tore his mouth from Beth's. He pressed his forehead to hers. Both of them were panting hard. He could feel her cool fingers, under his shirt, on his warm skin.

"Just one kiss. That's all you wanted."

Beth's chest heaved as she struggled to get her breathing under control. "I lied." Her voice was ragged and needy. Her legs were still locked around him and he was finding hard to think, pressed up against her in this manner.

Daryl gently took her wrists and lifted them off him.

"You don't know what you're askin', Beth."

"I do know. I know I don't want to die a virgin." Beth looked up at him imploringly. "I'm asking you to help me."

"You're a beautiful girl Beth. You could find any man to give you what ya want."

"But I trust you. I want you!"

His heart skipped a beat when she said that. Her lips were swollen from the ferocity of his kiss and it was taking all his strength not to bend down and kiss her again.

He needed some distance to think clearly. It pained him to step away from Beth.

"I'm a lot older than you Beth," he pointed out, running a hand through his hair.

"It doesn't matter to me," Beth argued.

It'll matter to everyone else, he thought darkly. Maybe he could scare her off. Keeping his face serious he stepped closer, looming over her and invading her space.

"You realise what it'll involve? It'll just be me an' you, no barriers." He tugged the hem of her shirt to illustrate his meaning.

Beth blushed. "I know the theory behind it." She lifted her chin up defiantly refusing to give ground.

"It's your first time. It'll hurt."

Beth swallowed, "I'm expectin' some discomfort."

"That all you're expectin'?" He arched an eyebrow at her.

Beth's blush deepened. "I trust you," she repeated.

Daryl couldn't think of another single reason to refuse her. Not when she was looking up at him like that. Not when she was all he ever thought of these days.

Daryl looked down, wishing he had more self control but he'd been fighting this for too damn long. "Ok," he agreed quietly.

There was a stretch of silence. Beth eventually broke it, "what now?"

Daryl snapped his head up. Beth had gotten off the bench and was standing closer to him, her pulse leaping in her throat. He could almost taste her apprehension.

"What d'you mean?" he demanded.

"Well I'm inexperienced, I was kinda hoping you'd take the lead," she said wryly.

"I'm not havin' you right this second in the guard tower!"

Beth tried to look annoyed but nerves made her voice shake. "But you said yes."

"I said yes but I have conditions."

"You have conditions?" Beth was incredulous.

"You wanna take sexual advantage of me and you don't think I should have any say?" He was deliberately testing her.

If he thought Beth was embarrassed before he had underestimated her. She turned a shade of red that he had never seen before. "What are they?"

"First, this stays between us. I don't want your daddy blowing me away with his shot gun when I'm trying t'eat breakfast. I'll do this but I want you t'take a fortnight and think about it. If you still want to then, we'll make it happen."

"A fortnight is a long time. I could be dead by then," Beth said.

"We do this, it can't be undid but it'll be my life's mission to keep you alive so when you change your mind in a fortnight it won't be 'cause you're dead."

"I won't change my mind," Beth said quietly.

"We'll see," Daryl said simply. "Now go get some sleep."

Beth nodded. As she walked by she leant up and brushed her lips against the very edge of his mouth in a lingering goodnight kiss.

Daryl clenched his fists to restrain himself from grabbing her and violating his own conditions. He didn't know if her resolve to do this would wane in a fortnight but he wanted her to make the decision with a clear head and not in the heat of the moment.