A/N: so just another stupid silly little idea that popped into my head. Hate to say it because I feel like authors shouldn't do this especially if they love to write which I do, but this story might have to be put on hold, the feedback has slowed to an all time low and if you all aren't into these one shots and short stories I want to know so I can focus on and write stories that you want. Anyway let me know, sorry if that was a total Debbie downer. I hate doing that! Please don't hat me but for some of these I really put a lot into them and to get nothing in response kind of stinks not going to lie!

Story Twenty-Four: Please Don't Leave Me

Riley watched from the corner of the room as Beth sat in the middle of the floor surrounded by paper, crayons, toys and kids. Children were drawn to Beth like moths to a flame. Riley's small smile turned into a frown; Beth would never be able to experience having her own children, sure the children she took care of were her children as she once told Riley and made the point very clear...very clear. It didn't stop the sadness from seeping in that this was one thing Beth would never have the joy of witnessing….there would never be any little Beth's running around. Riley bit her lip thinking over this new-found discovery; sure the world was a piece of shit now so that was at least half of the reason Beth would never be able to call herself a mother but then the other part the nagging part that made Riley stop and question everything that she thought she knew thought she wanted and had figured out….Beth was involved with a girl; that girl being her and the last time Riley checked two girls couldn't have a baby. Riley knotted her eyebrows together and watched as a red-headed girl named Claire came to relive Beth from her duties.

Beth glanced up as Claire approached letting her know she was free from her post as babysitter; a term which Beth despised. Beth smiled up at her as she slowly got to her feet she filled Claire in on the different information involving certain children and let the young girl know how grateful she was for her help before looking over and noticing that Riley was still in the corner of the room waiting and watching.

Beth could tell from where she stood that Riley had something on her mind; she could tell by the way the Dixon stood, how her eyes were far away and distant and how she absent-mindedly bit on her lower lip

"penny for your thoughts"

Riley re focused her attention on Beth and released her lip giving the girl a half-smile before reaching her hand forward. Beth gripped it and was instantly pulled forward her body crashing into Riley's the girl placing a light kiss on her temple

"we should talk"

Beth silently walked behind Riley as the girl led them to an unused quiet section of the cell block. Beth wasn't stupid she knew what the phrase 'we should talk' meant. Maggie had used that saying more times then she could count on boys that she used for a short time before moving on to the next. When Riley stopped in front of the cell that had become the 'talking to cell' in their small family her heart fell into the pit of her stomach. Riley walked in first Beth slowly following after her. Beth refused to be the first one to start the conversation so she nervously waited for Riley to turn around and tell her what she was already dreading

"did….do…..did you want kids"

Beth was thrown off by the question she was totally unprepared for that and it caught her completely off guard so much so that she opened and closed her mouth a few times before the ability to form sentences came back to her

"I did, and I think I still do…."

Beth answered watching Riley's face….her eyes for any change in mood or demeanor. She wasn't sure what brought about this line of questioning but she was scared that one wrong answer….one wrong word and their relationship would come crashing down

Riley let Beth's words sink in she knew the answer before Beth even opened her mouth. It was obvious every time Beth held Judith or played with another child that this was something that was a part of her something that she was meant to be…..was suppose to be….

"maybe…..I've been thinking…..our plans…the things we want…..what you want we can't do together…..I want you to be happy; your happiness your safety is the most thing to me. I want….need you to be safe, happy…. alive….I just…I think….maybe…"

Beth watched as Riley fumbled over her words, watched the heartache behind her eyes, watched the internal struggle between what she wanted, what she knew or thought needed to be done and what she knew or thought Beth wanted

"maybe we should take a break…."

After the words left Riley's lips Beth's world seemed to slow down; she wasn't sure what had just happened; was this all over Beth wanting children, thinking about wanting children, Beth no longer wanted children hell she didn't even want to look at another child all she wanted was for Riley to wrap her arms around her and tell her everything was going to be okay, to pull her into her side and kiss her temple, mumble stupid silly things in her ear that made her smile and made the others in the group give her that 'you both are so nauseatingly cute' look. Once Beth was able to process what was happening that was when the water works began, her eyes filled with tears and her bottom lip began to tremble

"you're….you're breaking up with me…"

Riley looked at Beth the girl she loved and knew loved her back and that fact scared her, she watched as Beth's blue eyes filled with tears and her chin started to quiver.

"I just think we both need sometime to figure this out" Riley spoke gesturing between them "figure out how this is going to work, figure out what we're willing to give up…."

Beth took a step forward she was panicked at this point she didn't know if she could go on without Riley, she had fallen for this girl and fallen hard and at this point there was no going back, there was no rewind, there was only moving forward and moving forward together

"there's nothing for me to figure out….I love you…..I love you Dixon and this….this" Beth spoke quick and more alert then ever "….this works, I'll give up everything, anything; to hell with kids I don't need them…..I don't want them…..I want you…..need you…please Riley don't…please…."

Riley stared at Beth trying desperately to mask her own emotions her own fear, panic and heartbreak

"see that's it Beth, I don't want you to give up the things you want because of me...you deserve to have the things you want you should never settle"

Tears fell down Beth's cheeks like waterfalls, her vision blurred but in one quick motion she had her arms wrapped around Riley pressing her body tightly against the girl

"please Riley...please...I'm not settling; its you I want...it's always been you and always will...please don't do this..."

Riley looked over Beth's shoulder to see a pair of matching blue eyes staring back at her

'you're making the right call little one...ain't no one gonna love you like big brother Merle'

Beth could sense a change in the way Riley stood, the way she was breathing and the way the grip on her altered, pushing herself closer into Riley she turned her head the tears still falling quietly; it now all made sense, Riley may have not even realized it but in that one moment Beth understood and she refused to let him break them apart

"it's you and me...always you and me"

It took a few moments but Beth finally felt Riley's hand snake up her back under her shirt, felt her breathing change, felt her lips on her temple, felt her warm breath as she mumbled against her ear

"let's settle down"

Beth chuckled and gripped Riley even tighter

"I would settle anywhere with you"

I know a little lame I'm running out of ideas. I think maybe it's time to switch gears hmmmm...