When they came back to the house, Beth murmured "I have to talk to my father."

What about?" Asked Maggie.

Daryl grumbled, "Want me to go with you?"

"No," Beth said. "I think it's better if I tell him and Maggie on my own. But… thanks." She smiled a little bit, but it didn't reach her eyes. Daryl could see her hands were still trembling. Maggie had so many questions she wanted to ask, but she didn't. Beth mostly seemed to need her support so she caught her hand and squeezed it lightly.

"I'll talk to the others" said Rick.

Beth nodded and entered in the house with Maggie.

Rick started to follow them but Daryl stopped him. "You can't say… it was her. They'll look at her weird and she don't need that."

Rick raised an eyebrow. Saying, "I was a cop before the ...apocalypse. I don't really know what to call this. What's important is I know how to deal with this kind of situation. Tomorrow we'll come back and burn his body. It could attract walkers."

When they entered in the house, Merle told Daryl, "The old man's knife? Really?"

Daryl answered, "Now's not the time, Merle." He knew Merle wouldn't let it go, but right now he needed to calm down. When he saw that piece of shit attacking Beth, he saw red. Seeing her crying, so vulnerable and delicate. If he could, he'd bring Shane back just so he could kill him again. Slowly, painfully.

Rick called everyone, except Carl, together in the kitchenl.

"Where's Shane?" Lori asked.

Rick waited a few seconds before answering. "Shane attacked one of Hershel's daughters, tried to rape her. He added, "I had to kill him."

Everyone stood silently. They couldn't believe it. Hershel saved their life by welcoming them at the farm, and Shane thanked him by attacking one of his daughters.

After a few seconds, Glenn said. "Scumbag. That kind of guy doesn't deserve any pity."

"For once I actually agree with Bruce Lee," said Merle.

Glenn protested, "He's Chinese! I'm Korean."

Merle said. "Whatever, I agree with Kim Jong-Il."

"I preferred Bruce Lee," Glenn sighed.

"Don't be a diva," answered Merle. "Tomorrow, we're gonna' deal with the body."

Rick lowered his head and Lori linked her arm around his neck, while the group returned to their previous activities. Before leaving Daryl heard Rick say "I don't know how Hershel is going to handle this. He might consider me responsible. I mean, we brought Shane to the farm!"

"You didn't know," Lori protested.

Rick sighed, "I should have. He was my best friend. But, I didn't know he could do that. Now, we have to tell Carl."

Slowly, Daryl went back out on the porch, taking a quick look up the stairs. Beth and her family were probably in her father's room. From here he couldn't hear anything.

Sitting on the porch, he felt incredibly stupid. Now that she was safe, she certainly didn't need him. But he still felt like he should be with her, to protect her, reassure her. He hadn't felt the need to protect a woman since… his own mother. When he was a kid, he always tried to protect her from his dad. Now that felt like another life. With a heavy sigh, he lit a cigarette.

"Hey, you got one for ol' Merle?"

Daryl gave him one.

"Soooo…the old man's knife?" Merle said.

"None of your business." Daryl said.

"Don't be such a prude, Darleena! You always had a soft spot for blondes." Chuckled Merle.

Daryl sighed. It was going to be a long night. Merle wouldn't let that go, he was like a dog with a bone. "It's just for safety."

Merle grinned. "Safety my ass! Come on! Admit you got your eyes on her. Honestly, I can understand why. A little too sweet for me, you know. But still, she ain't bad. Now, her sister's a real spitfire. Trust me, she might be… interesting. And you know what people say about quiet ones…"

"Shut up, Merle!" Daryl said.

Merle started to laugh. "Ooooh, sweet Darleena defends her little girlfriend."

Sometimes, Daryl felt like Merle's brain stopped developing during high school. The most efficient way to deal with him was to ignore him until he got bored by his own game. Just like a kid, he was always looking for attention. Daryl heard steps on the stairs behind him and looked back. Maggie was coming down and her eyes reflected anger and pain.

"Thanks Daryl, for saving my sister today."

Daryl said. "Anyone would have done the same."

Maggie looked skeptical but didn't say anything for a moment. Then, looking at his cigarette she asked. "Can I have one?"

Daryl gave her one and said. "Didn't knew you smoked"

With a humorless smile, Maggie said. "I stopped."

They smoked in silence. For once, even Merle seemed to understand both Daryl and Maggie needed some silence pretty badly. After a few minutes, Maggie went back into the house after announcing that since Daryl and Rick had saved his daughter, her father was letting them stay. Daryl felt a little relieved, knowing he would still have a roof over his head the next day. But he couldn't help but feel a little nervous. If he had been a different person, he probably would have gone to see Beth. He would have found the right words her to comfort her.

During his life he had never felt the need to communicate with people any more than necessary. But tonight was different. He heard Maggie and Merle leaving, but he didn't care. He remained out on the porch, even though his cigarette was finished. He didn't know how long he had been out there when he heard light footsteps behind him.

Beth was standing behind him, wearing an old Black Sabbath T-shirt which must have belonged to her brother and tiny blue shorts which highlighted her beautiful legs. "My brother was a fan, especially of Dio. He used to listen to the album for hours, turned up really loud. When he learned that Dio sang "Love is all", he almost had a heart attack. It was so funny."

Looking up at the sky, she sat next to him on the swing. The moon illuminating her pale face.

Daryl said. "The song with the singing frog?"

"Yeah." she nodded.

Daryl grimaced. "Honestly, the video of that song is the scariest thing I ever saw."

She didn't seem to believe him. "We're in the middle of the apocalypse and you think that the scariest thing ever is the "Love is all" video?"

Daryl said. "Seriously, I'd rather fight a whole herd of walkers than see that again."

She laughed a little bit. It wasn't her usual laugh. She sounded a little bit broken, but it was better than nothing. After a few seconds of silence, she added, "I couldn't stay in my room. It felt like I couldn't breathe up there anymore."

Daryl said "Stay here as long as you want." Well done Dixon, real champion, regular Don Juan. She's in her OWN house, why wouldn't she feel free to stay where she wants.

But, smiling at him, Beth didn't seem to mind. They didn't need to say anything else. The silence between them was comfortable. After a few seconds, he felt a weight on his left side. She'd fallen asleep leaning against him, and he couldn't bring himself to wake her. She looked so peaceful. Daryl slowly took off his vest, and covered her legs with it. He didn't mind staying here all night, as long as she was sleeping peacefully.

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this chapter submitted by Hiiri25