Chapter Thirteen

When Daryl woke, it was dark. He kept his breathing shallow, unsure of what was going on. Glancing down the length of his body, he heard the soft breaths of another person, the spill of golden blonde hair over his chest. A pale shoulder peeked out from beneath the dirty blanket that covered them. He sighed, momentarily relieved. But that was short lived, as guilt seeped into his concious. Guilt, happiness, shame, joy - it was a cocktail he'd rather not swallow, but he'd made his bed and was currently laying in it. With deep breath, he slipped back the blanket and turned to move out of bed. However, a surprisingly strong grip on his hip kept him in place.

"Stay," Beth commanded, though her voice was sleep-gentle and not the least bit firm. But he couldn't deny her that. Shaking his head, knowing that nothing good was going to come from this, he lay back in the bed and felt her snuggle up against him. Daryl Dixon was not a cuddling man, had never really had the opportunity - then again, his previous bedmates weren't the kind of women that he wanted to hang around once the deed was finished. Most the time, he wanted to get away as soon as he came.

Let alone fall asleep next to them, then let them snuggle up and hold onto him like a goddamn life-raft.

"She's sleepin' through the night now," Beth mumbled. She shifted, chin resting against his chest. Sleepy blue eyes, framed by thick eyelashes that were longer than he recalled, found his face, studied him.

"Thank God for that," Daryl grumbled. "Wasn't lookin' forward t'it."

"So... how is it out there?" Beth asked. She was awake now, and eager to chat. Daryl wished he could just kiss her back to sleep, give them a bit more time together, alone and peaceful and happy, before the details changed it all. He wanted to keep the bubble intact - she wanted to burst it. Persistant little thing.

"Not good," Daryl admitted. "We almost lost Tyreese - it was too damn close."

"But he's safe?" she asked him. Daryl nodded. "Good. That's what matters. After what happened to Karen... I don't know what I would have done."

Daryl mutely agreed. If it was Beth sick, if it was Beth that someone had dragged out to burn... He couldn't think of the bloodshed that would follow. She was his, and that meant so many different things. His to protect, to keep safe and keep her belly full. To love her, take care of her... Vaguely, he remembered that little girl tell him he was supposed to be taking care of her, if he liked her. He smiled at the unexpected insight and wisdom of a child.

"Got what we needed - hopefully it'll do the trick." He stroked rough fingers against her temple, threading his fingers though her hair. In the darkness of the office, the makeshift bedroom, he was more at ease than he had been in his entire life. Beth was curled against him, physically safe in his arms. She pressed a light kiss to his chest, dangerously close to his sensitive nipple, and he felt his stomach churn with lust and heat.

"I hope so too." She tucked her head into the crux of his neck, fingers trailing over his belly. It was so soft, so perfect in that moment. Daryl held his arms around her, crushing her probably uncomfortably to him, but she didn't make a peep. Beth must have sensed his need to keep her close, hold her to him. Maybe she needed it, too.

Maggie had fabric wrapped around her face, and the gloves on her hands, but she wasn't about to keep away from her man now. She was thankful, beyond that even, that the group had returned in one piece. She wanted nothing more than to get the medicine to Glenn, to keep him safe and get him well. Entering the quarantined cell block, the stench of body odor and sickness permeated the air, straight through her mask. She resisted the urge to gag - smelled worse than some of the walkers she'd run into. Shaking the thought from her head, she instantly spotted Glenn on the cat-walk, hunched over and sweaty. His skin was pale, hair matted and curled on his skin. She was relieved that he was still alive, but worried, instantly, at the state of him.

The others would worry about the sick folks below. But Glenn was her husband, and she wasn't going to worry about anyone else until she'd give him the medicine.

"You shouldn't be here," he wheezed. It was obvious that he was getting worse, and dried blood caked his lips. Maggie bit her tongue, holding in the disagreement. Instead, she handed him a bottle of water and two of the big green pills.

"Best antibiotics in the world," she said. She smiled at him, reassuring, though he couldn't see her lips. He could read it in her eyes.

All that they had been through, the people they'd loved that had died and the horrific things that had happened to them... Maggie knew that if Glenn died, there would be no one else. She might be young, but in this world... They were all years older than their physical age. If there was no Glenn, Maggie would become like her father, or Rick, or Daryl. Do what they had to do to take care of their people, keep them safe. Help Judith and Carl grow into good, strong people. But if there was no Glenn, Maggie would lose her heart, and that would be it.

"You're gonna be fine," she insisted. She ran a gloved hand through his damp hair, feeling the burn through the thick material. "Hurry up and take that, please."

The tone of her voice gave no room for argument, and he obliged. With a shuttering breath, he hung his arms on the lower-run of the railing. "People dyin' left an' right in here, babe. I'm trying to hold on, but I feel so goddamn weak. If the governor -"

"Shush," Maggie said, rubbing every inch of him as delicately as she could. "You don't worry about anything but getting better. We need you - I need you. You focus on gettin' yourself healthy, and then we'll worry about what comes next."

Glenn smiled weakly, but nodded his agreement.

"Plus," Maggie said, playfully smiling at him, "bed's gettin' awful lonely without you..."

"I love you," Glenn said.

"I know, honey. Me too."

Beth yawned and stretched. Judith was fussing, but to her surprise, Daryl was the one the climb out of bed and snatch her up. He looked far too good, in just a pair of plain boxer shorts, cradling the baby like she was his own. He was talking to her in a low voice that Beth couldn't make out, but she smiled all the same. It was almost normal - if not for the disarray of the office they were in. Sunshine, bright and lovely, filtered through the window, and for a moment, Beth relished in it's warmth on her nude form.

"You keep doin' that, and I'm not gonna be responsible for what happens to ya," Daryl drawled. Beth stuck her tongue out at him, making him laugh, before standing and slipping on a pair of panties and his button-up flannel. Hooking only a couple buttons, she stepped over to him and the baby. Judith was picture-perfect, smiling and watching her favorite guy with big eyes and rosy cheeks. Thank goodness none of the infected had come into contact with her. If something had happened...

"You ok for a few more minutes?" Beth asked, and Daryl arched an eyebrow at her quizzically. "I gotta use the bathroom - get some water for a bottle."

"Yeah, me 'n Asskicker'll be jus' fine. Won't we girl?" he asked, and Judith giggled at him. It was too sweet.

Slipping into the hallway, confident that she was alone in the early morning, Beth smiled to herself. She was a woman now - in every way. The dull ache between her legs was proof enough, but it was more than that. Since Daryl came back, since they stayed the night together - it felt official. They may not be boyfriend-girlfriend, because honestly - that really wasn't Daryl's style... But they did belong to each other now. He would protect her, and she would care for him. The thought made her heart clench and warm simultaneously.

"Beth!" a voice hissed, making her jump a foot. It was just Carl, peeking out of the doorway of a room a few down from her own. He was wearing his sheriff's hat again. It was a welcomed sight.

"Ya'll ok?" Beth asked. She was glad that Daryl's shirt was long enough to cover her most private parts, but was also very aware of the fact that she was wearing it. If anyone saw her... Well. She'd have a bit of explaining to do. However, Carl did not seem to notice.

"Yeah, we're fine. Just bored and worried and wonderin' what's going on." He seemed edgy, nervous, and she couldn't find it in herself to blame him.

"I'm going to use the bathroom - if any of ya'll need to go, come on," she said, instead of answering his unasked questions. It would be impossible - all she knew was the medicine was there, her man (her man - her heart skipped a beat at the posessiveness of her emotions) was in her room with the baby...

"I do!" Lizzie chirped, pushing Carl out of the way. He sent her a disgruntled glare but allowed her, and Mika, to slip through the cracked doorway.

"Me 'n Tommy can make do in here," he replied, before shutting the door.

The two little girls were adorable, and they jabbered on as the group walked to the bathroom. It was small, but it would do. Beth did a quick sweep before allowing them inside, and stood against the door while they took turns on the toilet.

"Guess what," Mika said, smiling her two-front-teeth toothless grin. Her dirty blonde hair was half-braided, slipping from it's restraints. Tenderly, Beth swept it off her face.

"What's up, sweetie?"

"Lizzie and Carl are in looooove," she said, singing the last word. From inside the stall, Lizzie made a protesting noise. "I saw them hold hands last night," Mika confided in a low tone.

"Is that so?" Beth asked, eyebrows raised. She'd seen the two together often, attached at the hip like Siamese twins. But Beth had never expected any romantic to come from it. They were kids - yes, kids with a gun, kids at the end of the world... Shaking her head, she settled Lizzie with a serious gaze when she exited the stall. "Am I gonna have to seperate you two?"

"No!" Lizzie cried, emphatic. "We're just friends - really, really good friends. Carl was... Carl was one of the only friends I had here, at first, and he didn't like me much then. Sometimes we hold hands, but only when I'm scared. He doesn't like it," she added.

"Uh-huh," Beth said suspiciously. She locked herself in the narrow stall and did her business, thinking of how she would describe her relationship with Daryl. Minus the sex, it was kind of the same... But they were grown ups, older and wiser, and free to do what their hearts desired. When she came out of the stall, sanitizing her hands, she gave both of the girls hard, appraising looks that was rather out of character for the sensitive, gentle woman.

"I'm glad that you have friends. But you two are sisters - just like Maggie and me," she added. "You're the best friend either has got, no matter what, and you keep each other safe. I'm glad that you have Carl, Lizzie - I honestly am. But you two are young, and I don't want to have to worry about what you two are getting up to on top of everything else that goes on here. So be a good girl, think with your head, and take your time... It may not seem like we have a lot of it, but with everyone lookin' after us all, we have a lot."

Lizzie nodded, then frowned. She pointed at the dirty flannel Beth wore - of course, sans-sleeves. "Is that Daryl's shirt?"

"Nevermind that," Beth said, shooing them from the rest room. The corridors were dark and empty, papers strewn about and the benches that had been lining the walls were tipped over and ravaged. It would have been eery, but Beth was growing used to the normally frightening things these days. Nothing was as scary as losing someone you cared for, nothing was more scary that waiting.

Later that day, Daryl made his way down to the main cell block. Those who weren't ill were mainly there, waiting with anxious looks on their faces for any kind of news. Good or bad, they didn't really care. As long as it was something.

Hershel ambled down the hall, pulling the handkerchief mask from his face. The bandana made him look like a bandit, almost, and Beth would have chuckled normally. He gave the room a general smile, before disappearing into the kitchens. Stomach grumbling, Daryl left Beth to sit with her sister and went in search of some food.

"Mornin'," he said, and Carol smiled at him behind her food station. She had egges scrambled, and pieces of their recent hunt - venison - fried up as well. Her gray hair was a disheveled mess, but it somehow suited her. Daryl gave her the biggest smile he could muster.

"Good job," she said, dishing him up a big plate. "Heard you guys almost lost Tyreese - thank God," she added, "that nothing happened."

"Damn right," Daryl agreed. The two had been close since he first joined the camp, since her daughter disappeared and Daryl damn near lost his mind searching for her. It had seemed so fruitless, and though he knew it was a longshot... He wasn't gon' let a little girl get lost and eaten in the woods. Just wasn't right to have her mother there, and him not doin' nothing. So he had helped, and it had made them bond, and they were close. Good friends.

"I hear it's helpin'." Carol gave a curt nod, and Daryl felt some of the tension ease out of his shoulders. It wasn't much, but it was enough. Good enough for him to know that he risked his ass - risked never seeing Beth again - not for nothing. "Glenn's fever started breaking, few of the kids are starting to keep things down. Coughs are getting better."

"Thank God." Daryl was solemn, and Carol was surprised at the gratitude in his voice.

"Ya'll right, Pookie?" she asked. It was a gentle way of teasing him, but he still shot her a quick glare. He gave the nicknames 'round here, and Pookie was not one he was willing to accept.

"Uh-huh," he grunted. "Thanks for breakfast - prolly should find Rick and Hershel and see what's going on."

Carol's eyes followed him as he exited, and there was suspicion in her steely gaze. Something was definitely different about him, something that Carol couldn't exactly put her finger on. With a defeated shrug, she moved on to dish up the next plate for the next hungry folk, but her eyes and thoughts were still on the rugged redneck.

Beth felt his eyes on her the entire day. They weren't out of each other's sight for more than a second, but rather than annoying and over-protective, Beth felt safe. She knew that he was there, ready to swoop in like a badass Robin Hood if needed. She knew that in the old days, his jealousy or possessiveness would have been tiresome. Now, it just made her feel safe, protected, cherished. Every chance they had to be alone - like when she went to the bathroom to relieve her bladder, he was waiting for her. Before she could even wash her hands, he was crushing her into a hug, burying his nose in his neck to inhale her scent. He was touching her skin, calloused fingers scraping over her sensitive neck, swatting her bottom, making her smile at his sweet kisses. He didn't speak much - he didn't need to. For Beth, Daryl was becoming a book that she had read a hundred times, and it was comforting to have him so near.

Unfortunately, people were beginning to notice.

It wasn't that Beth cared, really - if they hadn't been so far apart in age... If folks didn't think she was a child, needed to be looked after, it would have been fine. Maybe a few raised eyebrows, a few jokes about Daryl catching the youngest of the flock - he and Rick would probably have fist-bumped and then went out to shoot some deer, or whatever. But things weren't like that. Not yet.

Beth was determined to make sure that things were good, that people understood. She knew that they would view him as a lecherous older man, taking advantage of her youth, her innocence. But it wasn't that way, had never been. Yes, he'd taken her virginity, but she had laid herself out, naked and doing her best to be come-hither and seductive. But the others hadn't seen it that way, and they certainly wouldn't be so understanding. She wanted it to be quiet, discreet, until the time was precisely right.

She needed to figure out a way to make the group realize she wasn't a child. Beth knew there were only a few limited options - going on the run that one time hadn't been enough. Though the thought of the hot leather pressed between her thighs, and her arms wrapped around the strong, muscular body of the man she... loved? It was sensual for her.

Not helping, she chastised herself at the fantasy that unraveled in her mind.

Shaking the thoughts off before she entered the big room, where everyone was waiting with anxious, worried expressions, she had to figure something out. Another time, when her face couldn't be scrutinized by everyone. She'd find it on her own time...

Another chapter for your reading pleasure! I hope you enjoy - also, realized there were a few loose ends that I need to tie up so I'll most likely be extending the story. Also, I started working on my Carl/Lizzie piece, which is set in this universe and a few years into the future... Not many. But I'm liking where it's going, and those two are somehow so hard and so easy to write. I know a lot of people on the interwebs are not big fans of my favorite characters, but I love them, where the season is going, and where my stories are. I hope you guys do!

Please review if you read! Keeps the updates coming faster :]