A/N: Hey friends, so I know I said on tumblr that I was going to take a hiatus on writing this after the disappointment that was Sunday's mid season finale (I still have faith that Beth will come back, Beth Greene delusional squad who's with me) Anyways, technically I did take a four day hiatus from writing, before I decided that I needed to keep Beth's memory alive and continue writing. So, here's the next chapter, feel free to leave me a review and let me know what you think.
p.s I started a new TWD/Boondock Saints crossover fic with a Beth/Murphy pairing that takes places after 5.08, so you should go check it out, just throwing that out there... okay enough shameless self promotion, next chapter.
Daryl was exhausted. He had walked all night and long into the morning carrying Harley when he finally stopped, opening the can of green beans for them to share. She wrinkled her nose at the vegetables, sticking her tongue out in disgust.
"Yuck." She said, crossing her arms over her chest. Daryl rolled his eyes, pushing the fork closer to her.
"Eat 'em, they'll make ya big and strong." He said, nudging her slightly. Harley looked up at him with a big smile before glancing down at her beans.
"Big and strong like you?" She asked, cocking her head to the side and brushing her tangled hair out of her face. Daryl chuckled, nodding.
"Yeah, just like me. Now eat up, we'll be back home before dinner if we can get a move on." He said, scooping the last few green beans out of the can for her. She ate them quickly, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand when she was done and standing up. Daryl tossed the can aside, taking a swig from their water bottle before giving it to Harley. "Let me look at your hip, see if it's doin' any better."
Harley sighed, lifting up one side of her shirt to show him the bruise. It had only gotten worse, swelling and turning an even more sickly shade of green and purple. Daryl hung his head, guilt consuming him. He should have never left the prison, Beth had been right. Taking Harley out only put her in danger and had gotten her hurt. He was an idiot.
"Come on, let's get home." He said, clearing his throat and spinning around so Harley could climb onto his back. Once she was secure Daryl started walking again, knowing that with every step he took he was a step closer to his home.
When they finally approached the prison in the afternoon, Daryl immediately knew something was wrong from the loud gunshots. He took off running through the trees, only to find Rick outside the fence struggling against walkers while another group fired into the prison. Daryl somehow managing to shoot his crossbow with Harley on his back. Rick's eyes got wide as the walker slumped against him then fell to the ground as Daryl ran to him, yanking the bolt from it's head.
"What's going on?" Daryl asked, only to be cut off by a van's running through the main gate. They watched in horror as the van opened and walkers stumbled out, groaning and hissing loudly. Rick swore as he started running for the hole in the fence as Daryl followed, scrambling for the gun he kept in his bag.
"Hershel's in the field." He explained breathlessly as they forced themselves through the tiny hole. Daryl exhaled loudly, they could never have one good day. Bullets started flying around their feet and Daryl looked up to see a man in one of the guard tower. Gritting his teeth, Daryl raised his gun and fired, getting the man down in a few shots. He kept running as he felt hot tears hit the back of his neck as Harley cried into his neck. He quickly shifted her around to his front, shielding her with his body as best he could.
"You get her inside, I'll get Hershel!" Rick yelled as they entered the field and ran straight into the crossfire. Daryl's heart was pounding as he ran, firing the gun every so often at a walker as the shots from the Governor's group slowed. Daryl looked over his shoulder to see them retreating into the woods. Of course, they scare them, ruin their defenses, then leave.
Finishing the trek to the courtyard he set Harley down gently as Rick closed the gate. Hershel gave him a curt nod as they quickly made their way into the cellblock where Daryl could finally check on Harley. He looked her over, checking her for scrapes or scratches. When he was sure she hadn't been hurt he pulled her into a hug, burying his face into her dirty hair in relief.
He almost missed the strangled sob that came from the other side of the cellblock, and when he glanced up all he caught was a flash of blonde hair as Harley was pulled from his arms. Beth hugged her tightly, pulling away in shock when the little girl yelped in pain. Shooting him a questioning look, the blonde set Harley down and surveyed her, taking in the busted lip and scrapes from the car crash. Then she gently pushed up Harley's top and saw the bruise.
Daryl didn't know it was possible for someone's face to get so red so fast. Before he could even explain himself Beth was standing chest to chest with him, an accusing look on her face looking as if she could spit nails.
"What the hell did you do?" She yelled, and Daryl swore he saw fire in her eyes. He had never been so scared of someone who was about as intimidating as a bunny rabbit. Now though, Beth Greene could have scared the Devil himself.
"Got in a car wreck, it ain't as bad as it looks." He mumbled, taking a step back. Beth scoffed, taking another glance back at Harley.
"Not as bad as it looks?" She laughed humorlessly. "Yeah, you sure knew what was best for her, getting in a fucking car wreck!" She yelled, pushing him backwards as her eyes got glossy. That's when he noticed how bloodshot and puffy her eyes were, it was obvious she had been crying.
"Enough Beth, and you watch your mouth." Hershel scolded, setting a hand on her shoulder and gently pulling her backwards. "Yelling at him isn't going to help Harley, why don't you go with me to take a look at her, see what we can do?"
Beth huffed, sending Daryl another death glare as she marched out of the room, taking Harley with her. Daryl sat down at one of the tables, resting his head in his hands. Of course she was pissed at him, he was surprised he thought she would react any differently.
"Hey pookie, glad you're back." Carol said sweetly, setting her hand on his shoulder. He grunted, glancing up at her. She took that as an invitation to sit down next to him, placing a bowl of stew on the table. "Thought you'd be hungry."
"'M fine." He mumbled even though his stomach ached from hunger. "How'd that shit storm start?"
"The Governor, obviously, just started shooting. Killed Axel, shot him right in the head." She said quietly, looking down at her hands. Daryl sighed, the last thing they needed was to start fighting the living along with the dead.
"No one else got hurt?" He asked, looking at his friend. Carol chuckled, shaking her head.
"Beth scraped her elbow diving for cover, but other than that we're fine. Just a little spooked is all." She said, sending him a small grin. He snorted, resting his face in his hands again. "She was crushed when you left. You didn't hear this from me, but she was up all night crying after you left, last night too."
"Great, just the thing I wanted 't hear." He deadpanned, exhaling loudly. He heard Carol chuckle but before she could respond another voice.
"Daryl, can you come here so I can look at you for a minute?" Hershel asked. Daryl huffed, standing up and crossing the small area to where the older man was standing.
"How is she?" He asked in a low voice once he reached him. Hershel chuckled, patting Daryl on the shoulder as he led him to his cell.
"Depends on who you're asking about, son." He gave Daryl a knowing smile before pulling out a bottle of peroxide and a paper towel. "Harley bruised her hip bone, worse than a normal bruise but if she keeps off of it she'll be fine. Beth on the other hand, she's usually very level-headed and rational. Probably the most out of all of my children, really. Despite that, I don't think I've ever seen her this angry before."
Daryl snorted as Hershel started to dab at the cut on his head, wincing at the sting. "Can I see her? Where is she?" The younger man asked as Hershel situated a bandaid over the cut.
"Again, that depends on who you're askin' about." Hershel chuckled. "Harley's in her room restin' and knowin' Beth she's probably there too, watchin' her like a hawk. I wouldn't advise tryin' to reason with her now though, she's mad as a hornet."
Daryl sighed, setting his head in his hands. He was an idiot.
"Now I know better than to meddle too much in my daughter's business, but being her father I have to ask," Hershel spoke up again, making Daryl look up from his hands. "What did you say to her that made her so upset?"
Daryl chewed on his cheek, not knowing where to start. "I was an ass, said anythin' I could that would get her away. I thought I was doin' what was best for Harley, but I was wrong. Didn't mean any of it." He admitted. Hershel nodded knowingly, setting his hand on Daryl's shoulder.
"We're only human Daryl, I've made my fair share of mistakes raisin' my kids, and you're going 't make a lot more, so will I. That's okay, but because of your wrong decision you've hurt both your little girl and my little girl, and that's not. The thing about makin' mistakes Daryl, is that once you make 'em, it's your job 't fix them."
The hunter nodded solemnly, looking down at the dirty floor of the cell. "Alright, but I'm not sure she's gonna want 't listen to me right now."
"I reckon so, why don't ya start with Harley. Beth'll simmer down in the next few days, you can talk to her then I suppose." Hershel said, giving Daryl's shoulder another pat before standing up and grabbing his crutches. Daryl followed him out, giving him a nod in thanks before going separate ways.
Finding his way to Harley's cell he found her on the bed, sleeping with her head on Beth's chest. Beth's eyes were closed, but from the slow movement of her fingers over Harley's back told Daryl that she was awake and was probably searching for rest just as much as the little girl was. His heart skipped a beat at the sight of the two of them together, and despite his better judgement he stood and watched them for a minute, not wanting to ruin the peaceful atmosphere.
When he shifted his weight to lean against the bars of the cell door Beth's eyes popped open and darted to where he stood. They instantly narrowed when they landed on him, glaring at him as she gently sat up so she wouldn't wake Harley.
"What do you want?" She asked lowly as she crossed the tiny cell, blocking his view of Harley with her body. To Daryl she resembled a mama lion protecting her cub, but he didn't dare say it out loud.
"Was comin' to talk to Harley, check on her." He answered, holding his hands up in surrender. Beth huffed, eyeing him up and down before sticking her nose in the air.
"She's sleeping right now, you can talk to her when she wakes up." She said coldly, turning on her heel to go back to the bed. Daryl reached out and took hold of her upper arm, forcing her to spin around.
"I wanted 't talk to you too," He mumbled. "Wanted to say that I was sorry. Shouldn'ta said what I said, didn't mean any of it."
Beth ripped her arm from his grasp, looking at him with fire in her eyes. "I don't forgive you. Now stay away from me you stupid asshole." She seethed, turning again and settling down in bed next to Harley again, leaving Daryl standing helplessly in the doorway, just like he had left her standing in the driveway just days before.