~+~Author's Note~+~

Disclaimer: I do not own The Walking Dead.

Okay! Sorry I didn't post yesterday. It might be a tad bit more intermittent now than an everyday thing, just for the time being, so I apologize. I haven't even had time to practice, so I'm prioritizing you guys! Hahah. That and I love reading your reviews and seeing how many views there are. You are my motivation, guys. Please please please listen to The Civil Wars' version of "You Are My Sunshine"! If you can. I know that's random; and I know not everyone can. So there's that random bit out, and here's my little disclaimer of not owning the lyrics to Skillet's "Whispers in the Dark"—sadly, I don't. Epic song, though. Thank you to the following awesome people: SaraiVe for always, always reviewing for me (LOL! I loved the whole Sweeney Todd comment; and no, no spoilers shall I give even though you consistently review for me. Sorry!); An Amber Pen for a consecutive review; TWD withdrawl for yet another review (and I think this chapter might bring back what you missed; it was hard to put her accident-prone-ness in with all the other things I crammed together); wewak for being the new addition to my reviewers; and everyone who reads this story. I hope you all enjoy!

Over the next couple days, thoughts of Ian's proposed motives and incessant worry over the group's return plagued Beth. She lay listlessly in her bed the third morning since their departure and sought her diary for comfort.

"Dear diary, the group still hasn't returned. I'm so scared that something could have happened or could still happen to them. I know they have Michonne and Daryl, and they're the best we have in my opinion, and Glenn and Sasha are present as well and have been on runs before and can hold their own, but... If Ian really is a bad person like Carol thinks, then the group could be in trouble.

Something's been playing in the back of my mind this whole time—did Daryl want Ian to go on the run with them to keep him from being alone with me here or for something else? Like... I dunno. I hate to even write down what I'm thinking, but I wonder if he and Daddy planned to take him out... That seems really excessive. He hasn't done anything to me; I mean, he is really creepy and I know he likes me, but I don't think killing him is the right answer to this.

I could be getting this all wrong, though; maybe I'm reading into it a little too much.

My watch shifts were uneventful—I mean, that's really a good thing, but I've had nothing to do but stir around all these thoughts in my mind and get some more exercise and aiming practice in (not that I waste shots. I still just aim and pretend to shoot).

Maggie's been watching me like a hawk, and it's kind of annoying. At least when Daryl was doing it, I couldn't tell who was doing it or from where, but it's pretty obvious with her. She's always around me now, and it only bothers me because I know she won't out and tell me what she knows. I asked her, and when she refused to tell me, I didn't even let her know what Carol is speculating and what I secretly am too.

I've been hanging out with Rick and Carl more often lately, and Mika has almost become my shadow. It's like we're a regular group now, the four of us. Carol hangs out with us, too, and I've noticed Tyreese coming around to hang out with the children also. He and Carol both really prioritize the care of the children, even above themselves. I'm kind of selfish, personally—I want to take care of them, but I also want to take care of me, too. That's partly why I wish I could go on runs with everyone else instead of just staying here to babysit.

Sorry, I'm rambling yet again."

Her writing was cut short by a knock to the side of the opening to her cell room. When she turned, Carol was smiling at her a little.

"They're back," she stated simply.

Shuffling haphazardly to a sitting position and casting aside her diary in the meantime, Beth questioned, "All of them?"

As her eyes closed, Carol gave a single slow nod of her head in response. She waved her hand across her to escort Beth out of her room, and Beth, once she finally could cast her sheets aside, fumbled to a stand and shot past her, running through the prison and out to the grassy lawn outside. Carol's confirmation of the whole group's return relieved her in that Daryl couldn't have done anything radical and Ian couldn't have done anything to sabotage the others. She jogged past one of the vehicles that had already been sitting there and turned around the corner of it to meet everyone when she instantly felt her face and arm connect with another body. Halted in motion, she grabbed her cheek and rubbed it a little.

"Sorry," she mumbled.

"Couldn't wait to see me, hm?" a familiar voice responded cheerfully.

Her heart stopped as her face grew hot at the accusation, and when her eyes took in the somewhat disheveled-looking, blond-haired occupant of her worried thoughts, she cringed a little.

"Did it hurt, love?" he asked softly, reaching out to touch her face, but she backed up in recoil into Daryl's open palms. A wink was thrown Daryl's way before the one instigating walked off, and Beth felt her face burn even more hotly than it had been just a moment ago.

After a second, Daryl relinquished his hold on her as he turned to unload their vehicle. Rather than standing there watching him and the rest, she came over to help lift things and bring them inside. She was pleased and actually surprised at her own strength as she moved things from one place to another; she honestly felt amazing to no longer be as weak as she had almost always been. Still, the image of her bumping into Ian and his reaction kept playing in her mind and causing her to flush uncontrollably. The others would keep telling her not to push herself, and she continued to persuade them she wasn't until they ordered her to take a seat.

A glass of water was forced into her hand, and she looked up to thank the giver when a blush hit her face again at the same replaying memory. The offering hand touched her forehead in worry.

"Are you feeling all right? You look rather unwell," Ian spoke tenderly before she batted away his hand uncomfortably. "Make sure you drink that."

He pointed to her water before he ambled his way back to the rest of the group outside, updating them on her status as well as popping in a little joke that she couldn't hear that they laughed at. Amusement was the last thing shown on her or Daryl's face, however.

Lunch was made up very soon thereafter for all the starving individuals from the run and those involved in the unloading process, and Beth found herself seated alone in the corner of the dining area in an attempt to dissuade company—Ian's, specifically. Unfortunately, it seemed as though he was gaining favor with many others within the group for going out on the run as well as for his jovial spirit. It was hard to ignore the fact that he was very sociable around others; but it was also difficult to ignore his infatuation with her.

Although she had made a valiant effort to remain alone for the duration of her meal, Ian strode over to her and sat across from her with a wide smile on his face.

"Hey, Annie," he greeted her. "You have enough this time?"

Beth felt like her face was going to remain in a fierce glow for the entire day at this rate, and she turned away further into the corner. Even though she was supposed to be watching herself with him, supposedly, she felt more like she needed to guard herself from further embarrassment.

"I'm sorry. I genuinely adore teasing you; you just look so cute that way," he admitted with a sympathetic yet unrepentant glance. His words reminded her of when Daryl had teased her that one time outdoors and said something rather similar, and she flung her spoon down uncomfortably. "Oh, please don't be upset, love."

"Ian, I'm interested in someone," she stated boldly while staring reproachfully into his eyes.

"Well..." he started and ate a few bites of his food. "I can fix that."

His eyes flashed at her, and she felt a chill which made her shiver.

"He won't win this time," he said as he stood up and walked away.

When she glanced up, she noticed Daryl's gaze in her direction, and she leaned against the table, burying her face in the crook of her arm. Ian's words played back in her head, and she wondered about what he meant by "this time"—but she felt discomfited at the knowledge that Daryl had been watching her as her newest and most persistent pursuer flirted with her.

"Beth," she heard after a few moments, but she didn't lift her head. "Beth!"

Her eyes locked with her sister's as she turned her face upward.

"Were you just hanging out with Ian?" she inquired with a scowl on her face.

"Maggie, I'm trying to avoid him. It's not working," she mumbled and wrinkled her nose at her now-cold food.

Still, she continued to shovel it into her mouth while her sister went on about how Hershel had warned her to stay away from guys—not that she had been so worried before—and Beth just nodded absently the entire time. She knew what her sister wouldn't tell her; she didn't have to keep making up fake excuses. It was really starting to frustrate her, and her sister would not let up.

"Look, Maggie," she finally interjected, "I'm not gonna let Ian get me, okay? Or whatever he's thinkin' about doin'. None of you have to tell me what's going on; I'm not stupid. Now, excuse me."

Sliding out of her chair, she strode to the kitchen, leaving behind a dumbfounded Maggie. Making her way outdoors again, she started up her training regime and pushed herself to her limits. Her sister's words had only confirmed her suspicions that what they were keeping from her was what Carol had already surmised. She threw her body up in the air after her last set of crunches to go on yet another round of sprints, and when she turned to run, she almost tripped over someone's shoe which stopped her in her tracks.

"What are you—" she started angrily at whoever was the culprit for nearly causing her to stumble.

"Be careful," the dreaded voice warned. "Don't want you falling—well, for anyone but me, that is."

"Ian," she began in agitation when she witnessed him winking down at her.

He took her face in his hands suddenly and stared longingly into her icy blue eyes with his own frosty green pair. She seized up at the uninvited and unexpected touch as she stared at him in shock. An eery pause fell between them before his voice suddenly shook the silence.

"You are my sunshine—my only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are grey," he sung chillingly, and she somehow managed to pull herself away from his hands. "You'll never know, dear, how much I love you. Please, don't take my sunshine away."

His voice sent shivers up and down her spine especially since he slowed the tempo toward the end; oddly, the tone of his voice was sweet and pleasant, but there was an undercurrent of hostility that alarmed her, augmented by the melancholy version he sang. Reaching out again, he locked her fingers in his and brought her knuckles to his lips, staring at her as he kissed them each slowly. She was sickly mesmerized by him as her stomach turned circles inside her.

Before she could remove herself from him, she felt her hand yanked away as she watched Daryl pull Ian off her. He then grabbed Beth and shielded her against his body as he glared menacingly at Ian, who in return laughed, the smile never reaching his eyes.

"Oh, dear," he said between chuckles, "it seems someone doesn't care for us to be happy. Don't worry, Annie; our time will come."

Parting with one last smile, he whistled the chorus one more time as he slowly walked to the prison. Tears sprung to her eyes at the realization that if Daryl hadn't come—if no one had been watching her—something more could have happened. Holding her body to his and her head to his chest, Daryl soothingly petted her, but his hands were shaking.

"Nothin's gonna happen to you," he breathed, restating his promise in her ear.

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

Her evident weakness against a figure larger than herself crushed her confidence in her own strength. She thought she could almost handle herself out there, but if Ian had been someone from another group while she was on a run and off on her own to collect something for the group, they would never have seen her again unless Daryl rescued her like he had. The tears finally escaped her eyes at her frailty, and Daryl's grip became firmer.

"I'm gonna get that son of a bitch," he growled angrily. "Should've f'in fed 'im to the walkers."

"No, Daryl, it's okay," she responded and leaned back to look at him. Rubbing away her tears, she collected herself and added, "I promise I'll be careful."

"He touched you," he mumbled, feelings of guilt evidenced by the slight wavering in his voice.

Beth reached her arms around him tightly and said, "Daryl, it's not your fault." As she felt his arms loosen around her slightly and his breathing regulate again, she looked up into his eyes. "I'm okay."

When the two went back into the prison, they hardly were able to spend much time together the rest of the day. It seemed that everyone else was moving along as usual, and Ian had a list of appointments with the group set up to start the following morning since he now had the right equipment. Dinner went by without incident, but after, as Beth was walking off to find Carol, she heard the acoustic guitar Glenn kept around strummed slowly and quickly in a steady rhythm from the library. She peeked in just as the performance began.

"'Despite the lies that you're making, your love is mine for the taking. My love is just waiting to turn your tears to roses,'" that same clear and sweet, somewhat husky voice hit her ears from the other side of the room, and she looked up.

Ian had adapted a much more harsh-sounding song to that of a lonesome, haunting piece. Although his voice was like that of an angel's, it seemed tainted by the curse of demons. It was mesmerizing to listen to, but she felt sick to her stomach. The quoted Skillet song was continued through to the end, and when he noticed her figure there by the door, he gave her a wink before he turned to one of the other prison-occupants who spoke to him in awe.

"You're so good! I've never heard you sing before," the person said excitedly.

"I'd given up music," he replied, "but my muse has returned."

Beth darted away when his sharp gaze fell on her, and she heard his next song slowly soften to nothing once she was out of earshot. She closed her eyes and tried to stop thinking about what was happening. She couldn't reason out why he continuously kept following her or just randomly showing up and causing her so much trouble, nor could she give clear meaning to his words just then or from before. It was like she was a part of a play of his that she didn't have the script (nor desired to have one) to.

Sighing, she fixed her resolve to find Daryl, so she crept her way over to his cell. As she neared it, she tried to remain quiet and muffle the sound of her steps, but a tap on her shoulder caused her to almost jump out of her skin.

"Hey, Annie," Ian gently called. "You didn't stop by to sing with me. I thought you loved singing."

Her eyes widened as she moved back from him a few steps.

"Well, I suppose I can't expect you to jump right into it. We can practice together, you know; I'm a little rusty, too," he added.

"M-maybe some other time," she replied with a slight bob of her head. "My throat's a little sore."

Now she was just flat-out lying, but she didn't care. He needed to leave her alone.

"Ah, okay. Well, do you want to play cards? Some of the children want to play Go Fish," he offered.

"I'm tired right now; might be getting sick, so it's better if you go," she said dismissively, trying to coax him away.

He nodded and turned, but before he left, he gently stroked her hair and planted a kiss to her head.

"I missed you," he whispered before he walked away.

Beth stood there in shock as she gripped the collar of her shirt in both hands while stepping backwards, even though he was already gone. Daryl wasn't there in his cell, either, so she sat on his bed in contemplation, feeling her heart's every single beat.

"Dear diary, everyone's back. I've been on edge because of Ian all day, and I feel so humiliated with his antics toward me and my own clumsiness causing me problems with him; it even makes me want to just avoid Daryl, too, because I'm too afraid to tell him about everything that goes on.

I'm glad Daryl is back, but I wish Ian would leave me alone... Unfortunately, I have to see him tomorrow at least once; he has an appointment set up for me in the afternoon. I honestly don't even want to go. I hated going to the dentist as it was, but now it's going to be that much worse...

At least I have watch after that, so I can hide away from everyone. If he tries to bother me there, I can always just tell him I need to focus on my job to make him leave. Maybe Daryl will come and see me. I want to just go to his cell and cuddle in with him all night, but I'm beginning to think that was a one-time-only thing. If I can force my mind to stop thinking about all this, I'll be sure to sleep as much as I can. I have a feeling tomorrow is going to be a long day..."

~+~Author's End Note~+~

I imagine Ian's voice as sounding similar to the male vocalist in The Civil Wars in that song. (I don't plan to do very many end notes, but I just didn't want to spoil the beginning yet still give you an idea of what he should sound like!)