A/N Daryl is a man of his word… and he looks good in sleeveless t-shirts! Thank you all.. you make me smile and I appreciate all the kindness!
Beth's stayed busy all week. Besides the library, she checked back in at the E.R and Dr. Edwards took out her stitches and recommended a couple of creams to minimize scarring. She'd also volunteered to go out on two calls with Maggie and her daddy. She wanted to see first hand how her dad was getting around with his prosthetic leg. Both calls were foaling mares with high-risk pregnancies. Hershel and Maggie were just there to assist as needed. But the deliveries were both successful. Beth could tell this was a huge boost for Hershel's confidence. And Maggie didn't throw up. But she called Beth out on coming along pressing her little sister for the truth.
"And don't give me some lame excuse like you were bored, had some free time on your hands. I'm sure any free time would have been taken up by Daryl. What gives?"
"You're leaving, moving out with Glenn and I just, I don't want to stay there again. Like that, like… So I came to see how daddy's doing. How he's getting around and all that." Guilt made a home inside of her all those years ago and even knowing what she knows now it's a hard habit to break. She didn't cause her daddy's accident. None of it is her fault and she can stop paying a penance that was never hers to pay.
Because she's been thinking about her future and what she can do now. For herself. Things have changed, but the fact of the matter is the farm will never be the home it once was. And when she thinks about being there, without Maggie she feels a weight settle in her chest and she can't live like that.
She's been thinking about Daryl too and that drawer her gave her. She knows what it means to him, what it represents. It's a future with him. At least that's what she's hoping. And they'll get there. It's where she wants to be but there doesn't need to be any rush.
"Are you moving in with Daryl?" Beth had expected her sister to ask this. It would have been weird if she hadn't.
"No. I, it's too soon and I don't want that yet. I'm still figuring out what I'm gonna do Mags. I don't know but, I need to do this."
"You should. Daddy will be fine. I think he'll learn to love it. Having his own space. Unless of course, Shawn ends up there." Maggie frowned and then shook her head. "Can't-do nothing about that though… hey you know Glenn and I are seriously looking at this old house that's been converted into three apartments, well two apartments and a loft. What if you could afford the loft? How much do you make at the library?" And then she was off, her sister loved to dream big and although it wasn't really all that big of a dream, her own loft space seemed like such a long shot. But maybe.
As busy as she's been Daryl's always there in her thoughts. She'll stop what she's doing and wonder what he's doing right then. Is he having a cup of coffee? Maybe cleaning up from working on cars all day? Is he thinking about her and missing her like she's missing him?
The hardest times are laying in bed at night. She knows what it's like to be with him in his bed, curled up in his arms, his heartbeat a lullaby she swears she could pick out from a million others.
By Wednesday morning she's tired of feeling so miserable after their late night phone calls. And she just wants to see him.
Want to meet me for lunch today?
Yes. His one-word response makes her smile. Because it's definitely a Daryl response.
Come to the library at 12.
Ok. I miss u. He misses her.
I love you. And she loves him.
The morning goes by incredibly fast and the best thing about it, besides Daryl coming to meet her, is Mr. Monroe's offer of extra hours if Beth wants them. They need an assistant to help with filing and reshelving in the afternoons. Extra hours? And a loft.
"And I'd like you to take a look at the scholarships the library is offering. I don't know what your plans are as far as school but there's a pretty decent amount of money that we give to anyone looking to further their education."
Money for school? She has a college fund that she hasn't ever talked to her daddy about. Something that was set up years ago. But a scholarship would help too.
"Aren't those just for high school kids or something?" She can feel herself blushing and she knows there is absolutely no shame in not having gone to college yet. Her life and everything that had happened had made college seem like a pipe dream.
But it isn't. It really isn't.
"To be honest I don't remember the last time a high school student even applied for the scholarships we offer. It's usually young adults or single parents, people who want to get an education but can't afford it or have only just decided what they want to be when they grow up." Reg laughs like he knows exactly how that is. "The money isn't just for school. It can help with other things that come up, rent, bills, school takes time away from having a job and that can be a hindrance for people who need to make a living."
She takes everything he tells her to heart and before she knows it the children's section of the library is quiet and she's cleaning up. With everything on her mind, she isn't paying attention to what's going on around her and she jumps when Daryl clears his throat.
xxxxXxxxx
After Daryl dropped Beth off at the farm he'd headed to Paula's trying not to think about leaving Beth and Hershel's question.
You don't think I can protect my daughter?
He'd wanted to yell 'fuck no!' right in the old man's face because it was the truth. Daryl can't deny losing his wife was devastating, but his kids were still there and they needed him. His little girl needed him and he hadn't been there.
So no, Daryl did not believe Hershel could protect Beth like he should, like Daryl himself would, will, is. He'd stopped off for a bottle of whiskey. And yeah maybe he was being a hypocrite by turning to the same vice that the Greene men seemed to favor. But there was a difference, Daryl knew when to stop. He knew his limit and right now he just needed to take the edge off of everything.
A little whiskey did the trick. He took care of the issue at Paula's and when she giggled and kept touching his arm he was brave enough to tell her his girlfriend Beth told him to make sure and thank Paula for the nice compliments. The touching stopped and Paula retreated to the backyard and left him alone.
True to his word Merle had jobs lined up and it kept them busy in the garage from sun up until just before sundown. Unfortunately, it didn't completely occupy Daryl's mind. Most of the repairs he was doing were things he could do with his eyes closed. His hands took over and he was left to think about Beth.
They'd talked on the phone last night until her voice was soft with sleep and his body was doing all kinds of crazy things because of it. He'd gotten into the habit of thinking of her when he was sleeping alone. That's what it was now, sleeping alone. Not just sleeping, not after having her next to him.
He'd think about her, how it felt having her pressed up against him, her soft skin and warm breath. It didn't take much and with his fingers curled around his cock and her voice in his ear whispering things she hadn't said yet, but might, maybe. It almost hurt with how good it feels. But he's left wanting because she isn't there.
Thinking about her made him miss her and missing her made him grumpy and he didn't like being grumpy. He was short with Merle and dismissive of the boys even snapped at Carol. He knew the minute he did he was wrong but Carol just smiled at him, folded her arms and told him to go see his girlfriend.
Sophia, who'd been sitting at the dining room table, overheard the conversation and she'd giggled. His glare hadn't phased her.
"She lives next door uncle Daryl! Jeeze if my boyfriend lived that close I'd just walk over and see him, get a kiss so I'd feel better."
"Ya ain't allowed ta have no boyfriends! Ain't allowed ta kiss 'em either!" He'd stomped off leaving Carol and Sophia giggling. But later that night after the house was dark, he'd left his apartment and wandered through the woods until he could see the farm and Beth's window. It had been dark and he'd been too nervous to go any further.
Besides missing her there's the whole issue with the condom or lack of one. She'd hardly seemed worried at all. She did have a whole lot of other things on her mind though.
But this.
It could be a big deal. It might not be anything. But it could. Right now he's having all kinds of anxiety and he's well aware of the fact that it's mainly because he wants to see her. All of the time.
And he'll give her all the drawers she wants.
xxxxXxxxx
She turns and he's there and for a few seconds she just looks at him and everything they've been through together flashes through her mind like a video on fast forward.
"Hi."
"Hey."
Tentative steps. Hers and his. And she smiles at him, his hands stuffed in his pockets like he's nervous or something, but when they're close enough it's like a magnet, like an invisible force pulling... His hands find their way out of his pockets and they're cupping her face, thumbs brushing her cheeks and lips and then he trades his thumbs for his lips and this is everything.
The way he tastes, the feel of his scruff on her face, how he holds her in his hands like she's a priceless artifact. He sets everything inside her on fire. She wants to wrap herself up in him. He makes her feel capable and strong, even when he's standing on her daddy's porch making it clear he's gonna protect her.
But he's let her see him break too, the words of a love letter from a little boy to his daddy opened him wide and he didn't try to hide his vulnerability then, he accepted the comfort she offered and he's been showing her those sides of him, the ones he keeps to himself, the ones he's afraid of. He shows her and he lets her in. Not completely. Not yet. But she gets the feeling he's never let anyone get this close.
She hasn't either for that matter, not for a very long time anyway.
Maybe somehow her heart knew he was coming and she was just waiting.
Pulling back just a little, just enough to catch her breath because breathing went out the window the minute they touched, she tilts her chin to look up at him and he rests his forehead on hers.
"Girl," he exhales a heated breath against her cheek.
"I missed you," she murmurs her fingers curling into his hair.
" 'S only been three days." His eyes are a deep blue and she wants to kiss the crinkles at the corners of them.
"I know… it's just-" Three days feels like too long.
"I know. Me too." And he leans down and kisses her again, softer this time but the intensity is still there just under the surface. "Where we goin'?"
"Oh! Hang on." Letting go of him, reluctantly, she hurries behind the circulation desk and grabs ahold of the handle of the little cooler. And suddenly she's self-conscious. She'd packed a lunch and maybe he'd think that was silly.
"Ya brought us a lunch?" Daryl asks. She had. And there's a park across the street and a blanket in her car.
"I did. But I mean if you wanna go-" He's shaking his head and looking from her to the cooler.
"Ain't never had a picnic with a pretty girl before." Reaching for her hand, he takes the cooler and they walk out of the library into the afternoon sun.
xxxxXxxxx
There are a blanket and food and Beth. Sitting on the ground is awkward and he's been shifting around trying to find a comfortable position. One where he doesn't look like a complete idiot. She looks like she has picnics every day. Even in the little lace dress and cowboy boots she's wearing.
She's beautiful and she's his.
"Are you okay Daryl?" She's unpacking a bunch of things from the cooler. Sandwiches, chips, carrots, pickles, bottles of water.
"Mmm hmm," he shifts again trying to get his legs and his boots to cooperate so he can sit Indian style. Like her.
"You look a little uncomfortable. We can sit at a table-"
" 'M fine." She's perfect right here on this blanket and that's where he's gonna stay.
While they eat Beth tells him about the job offer and scholarship possibilities. The hope is rolling off of her in waves and it's about time she's catching a break. That's what he thinks anyway. He tells her about Paula's and how he got a phone call this morning from Glenn. Apparently, Paula was raving about her new floors and countertops to Glenn's mother and she's interested in doing something similar in their restaurant.
"You're doing it right?" She sounds like Merle, all the faith in the world in him. He doubts he'd get out of it if he could. Which he doesn't want to. And it isn't a done deal yet. Just talk so far.
Beth tells him about the house Maggie and Glenn are looking at and the loft apartment. He wants to tell her to just come live with him, but maybe she needs this, at least for a little while. She has a drawer at his house though. And she can have more, he'll give her whatever she wants when she's ready.
"I could come stay the night at yer place then…" Her eyes sparkle and she leans into him. She'd scooted over next to him when she made him a plate and he didn't feel so awkward sitting there with Beth close enough to brush up against.
"Could sneak over to the farm any night… climb in my window…" She's giggling and he thinks about the other night when he walked through the woods and stood there looking at the farm and her window.
He could've…
They're busying themselves, finishing off lunch when he brings up the talk she had with her daddy.
"Oh. It was good, it was... He apologized for Shawn and for everything again. He, he can't fix it, Daryl, you know? He can't take it back. But I think that the older I get the more I'm able to understand it. Doesn't make any of it right, but I understand it. Losing my mama broke him. He loved her so much and without her, he didn't even wanna live…" Her voice gets soft and Daryl slips an arm around her waist.
"Com'ere…" Pulling her in closer he brushes a kiss on her temple.
"He has us and he didn't even wanna live… I don't think that I could do that to a child, my own child even if I lost the man I loved," She stops talking and looks at him, then sighing she keeps going. "I guess that loving you has maybe… I can't imagine... I love you so much Daryl, I don't even want to think about what it would do to my heart to lose now or twenty years from now…" Twenty years? She's thinking about forever? And she's blushing and sputtering excuses. But all he heard was forever. "I mean you know if we, if… and if there was a baby, a child, that's something you can't just give up on right?"
Parents are supposed to love their kids, maybe even more than they love each other. Although how that could even be possible, he doesn't think he could love anyone more than he loves her. But a child, that they made together? He'd protect it as fiercely as he's gonna protect her.
"Can't give up. Nope," he says and then because he needs to hear it from her, "Ya ain't worried about, ya know? Shit, Beth, I fucked up, was jus' wantin' you." She rests a hand on his cheek and looks at him, really looks.
"This is bothering you?" He ducks his head but she won't let him look away. "Daryl I think it'll be fine. I mean I know my body and," she's blushing again and he has no doubt he is too, "it's not impossible, but I, I'm pretty regular so by tomorrow I should… but if I was?" Turning the tables. Sneaky girl. Shrugging he reaches for the rest of her pickle.
"We'd make it work."
"So you'd want kids someday?" Shrugging again he looks at her. He'd never thought about this kind of someday. Until her. Now this kind of someday is one he imagines he'd be happy with. More than happy.
"With you." That seems to please her, she laughs and it's a soft, delighted, little laugh. They don't say anything else about it or her daddy. She reprimands him for eating her pickle and he even dares to kiss his her. On a blanket in the middle of the park.
xxxxXxxxx
Digging through her closet she's trying to keep her anxiety at a minimum. It's just that walking around town on a day when everyone is going to be out is making her nervous.
But her job, going shopping and out to dinner, that's all been fine. She's been doing it. Just not like this.
Pretty shirt, cut-offs, cowboys boots, bracelets dangling on her arm, she's ready. She may have worn the boots because she kind of thinks Daryl likes them. He hasn't specifically said so but they way he looks her up and down when she's wearing them has her thinking. She hears the roar of an engine, a motorcycle to be exact.
And there's only one person she knows who would ride up on a bike.
Grabbing her bag and running to the front door what she finds has her smiling. Daryl's climbing off of his bike with a helmet in his hands.
"Daryl! Is that for me?" His hair's a mess, helmet hair and she loves it. He's wearing jeans and a sleeveless t-shirt with his leather vest. And oh he has the best arms! He's smiling that crooked smile she loves as he holds out the helmet.
"Toldja I was. Try it on, make sure it fits," he says huskily and she sees his eyes are trained on her boots. Yep, he likes them.
"But my shorts? Should I change?" She may not have ridden a street bike before but she imagines that shorts are not the best choice of clothing.
"Nah, we're just going into town. Anywhere further though ya gotta wear something that covers you up." Before she tries the helmet on she slides an arm around him and leans into his body for a hug.
"Thank you, Daryl. I'm so excited!" He takes her bag while she pulls the helmet down over her blonde head. When she struggles with the strap he does it for her. He gives her the thumbs up on the helmet's fit and then climbs on the bike. Before he starts it he reaches down and lowers the pegs.
"Ready for this?" His smile and the glint in his eye are proof that he's probably just as excited as she is. Nodding she steps on the peg and gets on behind him, wrapping her arms around him, her feet bouncing on the pegs. He starts up the bike, she feels it vibrating through her entire body and they're off.
Daryl's right, riding a motorcycle is like flying. She thinks he's probably taking it a little slower than he would if was riding alone, but they're still eating up the road and she grips him with her thighs and holds her arms out to her sides so she can get the full effect.
Flying.
His hand on her knee gets her attention and even through the tinted faceguard of his helmet she can see his steely eyes and she lowers her arms. He'll get used to her being her behind him and then maybe she can try a few other things. Things he probably won't say no too. Wrapping her arms around him again she lets one hand slide down between his legs and she gives his inner thigh a squeeze. He eyes her in the little circle rear view mirror and clamps a hand over hers, but he doesn't move it. Keeps it there.
It'll be okay. No matter what. Even if everybody stares. She isn't just the Beth who cut her wrist anymore. And in reality that was never all she was, she just needed to find the girl inside of her, the one who hid when everything fell apart.
She's doing that now and Daryl is a big part of it. He's not the reason, he'd probably say that himself, tell her she's doing it all on her own. Coming back. But he's here too and that means something. It means a whole lot of something to her.
So she makes up her mind not to let any of this bother her. She's got him beside her and if it gets to be too much she knows all she has to do is say the word and he'll take her away from it.
She has to live in this world too.
xxxxXxxxx
Daryl has had enough of the carnival. He expected looks, he's a Dixon. That's how it's always been. He's used to it. But they aren't looking at him.
They're looking at her.
And she's trying so hard to pretend it doesn't matter. But it does.
Main Street is shut down and there are booths and food vendors. The lot that sits empty the rest of the year is home to carnival rides. The Ferris Wheel the boys were looking forward too and the cheesy midway games that are almost impossible to win.
They rode his bike over and parked on a little side street. Beth had been excited then. Pulling off the helmet he'd bought her and trying to fix her hair, tuck the unruly curls back into the braid that rested on her shoulder, she'd been laughing and smiling.
In her cut off jeans and a pale purple shirt that keeps sliding off her shoulder, she's beautiful. But that's not what the little sidelong glances are. The whispers between people. All of them younger, she probably went to school with them and they know what happened.
Or some version of it anyway.
That's what the stares are all about.
Merle, Carol, and the kids had come a little earlier for the parade. And Daryl was intent on finding them. Merle would be Merle, loud and maybe not as obnoxious as he once was but enough to keep Daryl's nerves on low burn. Merle is his big brother. He handled things. At least when he was around he did.
They maneuvered through the other people walking up and down checking out booths. Their hands brushing and bumping together until Daryl took a hold of hers, weaved their fingers together and pulled her just a little closer. He could tell from the expression on her face that she was forcing a smile.
"Want somethin' ta drink?" Pulling her even closer he slides an arm around her shoulders because she just looks lost. And he won't have that. It seems to help because she gives him a smile that's real and genuine and he'll keep on doing whatever she needs him to if she'll keep smiling.
They line up at a booth that's selling bottled water and soda behind a woman that can't be much older than Beth. There's a stroller next to her and a tiny kid with a runny nose hanging onto her leg. Another one, not much older keeps darting out of line.
"Caleb get back here or ya ain't getting no soda!" The woman yells. She happens to glance back at them and Daryl sees the recognition in her eyes when she sees Beth.
"Beth? Beth Greene? How are you?" Beth seems taken aback at first, but then in true Beth fashion, she puts a smile on her face.
"Oh hi Amber, I'm good. How are you?" Looking at the kids at her feet and one in the stroller Daryl doesn't think she's all that fine. She looks miserable.
"I'm okay. Busy-" She gestures to the children.
"You married Pete didn't you?" She's good, his girl, making small talk acting like she's got this. And maybe she does. Moving in behind her he rests a hand on her shoulder.
"Yeah, football captain and the head cheerleader, it's like a dream come true." The sarcasm is evident and she leans over and wipes the nose of the small child tangled in her legs. Beth leans down and smiles at the little girl.
"Hi, sweetie." The little girl smiles back at her.
"That there is Scarlett. And River," she says pointing to the stroller, "and Lucas is, somewhere out there. His daddy can find him." She smiles at Beth again and eyes Daryl. "It's good to see you, after everything…" Everything. Daryl sees it in the way Beth's shoulders droop. Just with this little insinuation. But it isn't little and they've been on display since they got off the bike. He's about ready to take her hand and get her out of there when he hears a loud chuckle and his name.
"Daryl, yo partner!" Turning he sees Abraham headed in his direction with a very pretty, very young Hispanic girl.
"Hey, Abraham." He takes Beth's hand and smiles down at her nodding towards Abe. Get her away from all that mess, he thinks looking over Beth's shoulder at the woman and her kids.
"Was hoping I'd find you here! This is my girl Rosita, Rosita this is Daryl, he's gonna be my partner one day! Hell, he'll probably end up my boss!" Daryl takes her hand when she offers it, but she's looking over her shoulder at Beth. Of course.
"Beth?"
"Rosita?"
The girls immediately hug and fall into a conversation that doesn't sound anything like the one she just had with the head cheerleader.
"I'm guessing they know each other! Probably went to school together." Abe says and Daryl can't help but think about that for a minute. Rosita is Beth's age and Abe, shit he's at least 5 years older than Daryl. Well.
They drift away from the booth selling beverages and head for the Irish pub. Abe wants something with a little kick and Daryl just wants to get away from anyone else who's gonna take away Beth's smile.
Daryl and Abe talk business and Beth and Rosita laugh and talk and from what he gathers from the conversation Rosita knows about Beth and something must have happened to Rosita, something the town decided was scandalous enough to have an opinion about too.
"I have a scar," Rosita's saying. "I had a c-section." The girls notice that the boys are quietly drinking their beers and watching them. Rosita raises her chin a little and looks at Daryl. "I got pregnant when I was fifteen, had a baby boy. He was adopted by a really nice family in California." The way she says it, it's like she's daring Daryl to judge her.
"My girl is tough. I'm just glad she came back so's I could charm her into my life!" Abe laughs and Daryl knows there's more to the story but when he looks at Beth, sees the look of recognition, he's not the only one that feels it. The familiarity.
They can't stay long. Rosita has a family thing she's 'dragging my ass too', Abe says but he doesn't look all that put out. He buys a round of shots before they go. Beth tips the little glass of brown liquid back and Daryl is mesmerized by the expanse of her throat as she swallows. Giggling, she slams her glass on the table.
After exchanging numbers with Rosita and a promise to hang out, Beth takes his hand and squeezes it smiling up at him.
"That was nice," she murmurs leaning her head against his shoulder.
"Mmm hmm." Better than what they were getting. "Think we better get some food lightweight?"
They decide on Best Burgers because the food vendors booths are packed with people and people aren't what either of them really wants right now. So the less the better. They're passing the lot full of carnival rides when Daryl hears his brothers whistle. He scans the crowd and sees Merle and Carol standing in front of the Ferris Wheel, smirking he glances at Beth.
"Better check in with this asshole before we go eat." She's smiling at him and looking all dreamy eyed. Yep, she's a lightweight!
Carol and Merle both look miserable. Merle's holding a giant teddy bear and a couple of scrawny green monkeys in his arms and Carol's clutching two plastic bags full of water each with a little fish inside. Their tiny bodies flash in the sun as they swim in circles in their plastic prisons.
"Get me outta this hell! " Merle grumbles shifting the load in his arms.
"This is the last ride, I told them. These fish are gonna boil if we don't get them into some shade!" Carol isn't much happier.
"Did you win all of those Merle?" Beth asks. Merle glares at her.
"Ya hush now or I'ma make ya carry 'em all home on the back a Daryl's bike!" He gives her a little smile and a wink.
"We're going over to that burger place come on down when yer done." Daryl loves seeing Merle in full dad mode and he loves it, even more, when Merle is being tortured by his kids. Giving his big brother a little finger wave and getting a middle finger in return he and Beth walk the rest of the way to the burger place.
It's pretty crowded, seems like other people had the same idea as they did. There are a few tables though and Beth snags one while Daryl heads to the counter to order. A large group files in behind him and he loses sight of Beth sitting at the yellow picnic table in the shade of an orange umbrella. After an excruciating discussion about what they should eat the couple in front of him finally agrees and places their order and moves on. Daryl's order is simple and shoving his change in his pocket he grabs the ticket and navigates the group of people. There's shouting from somewhere and he hears Beth and disregarding everyone around him he pushes through the crowd.
She's standing up by that yellow table, right under the orange umbrella and Shawn's got a hold of her wrist. Daryl sees the beads of her bracelets glinting in the sun as she twists her arm in her brother's grip. There's an older man standing beside Beth trying to intervene. Daryl feels the bile rise in his throat and all he sees is Shawn's fingers wrapped around Beth's wrist.
He's there in a couple of strides and he grabs Shawn from behind dragging him down to the ground. To his credit Shawn immediately lays into Daryl, fighting back but Daryl has the upper hand.
"You fuckin' touched her.. you fuckin'.. yer dead boy!" Daryl growls into Shawns face. It's red and he's sweating and the odor of whiskey is coming off of him in waves. Of course, he's drunk.
"Yer crazy! Get off a me redneck, get off.." Daryl slams him back to the ground and then he hears it. The distinct sound of a siren, just a chirp, like a warning.
Fuck! Who called the cops? His first instinct is to run but he can't. He's got Beth and he's not in the wrong. Even if he's a no good, redneck, Dixon.
"That's him, this girl's boyfriend came over and it was just in time too. He pulled that drunk man off of her!" The elderly gentleman is explaining all of this to a deputy. Grimes. Daryl knows of him. They even went to school together.
Rick comes over and looks down at Shawn.
"Shawn Greene." He smiles but it isn't a hey how ya doing smile.
"I was jus' tryin' ta talk to my sister Sheriff-"
"Last time ya talked ta her ya put yer hands on her, pushed her-" Daryl leans down his grip on Shawn's shirt tightening.
"That so? Go ahead and let him up.. Daryl, Daryl Dixon, right? I got him. Go check on your girl okay?" His girl, Beth. Fuck. She's standing not far behind Rick the with the elderly man and his wife.
"My wife called the cops. Couldn't stomach how he was treating this young lady!" He moves aside, giving Daryl room to get closer to her. Taking her hands, he looks at her wrist but its fine, no marks. Then he looks into her eyes and there is where he finds the hurt.
"Hey, com'ere. Did he hurt- what the hell was he doing? Dammit, I wasn't even gone fer more than a couple minutes, Beth…" Reaching out she rests her hand on his chest and gives him a small smile.
"I'm okay. I'm… you're here." She takes his hand and they head over to Rick.
xxxxXxxxx
"The caller said you were harassing Beth, is that true?" Shawn's sitting on a bench his white t-shirt covered in dust from rolling around on the ground. And it's obvious he's not sober, not at all.
"No, hell she's my sister! Tell 'em, Beth, tell 'em!" Beth moves back a little when her brothers eyes land on her. She moves back against Daryl. "He started it! He's a fuckin' Dixon man, ya know what they're like! Him and his brother-"
"Daryl and his brother aren't the problem here," Rick says and Beth feeling the anger rising inside of her because how dare he, how dare he say anything about Daryl and Merle.
"He was harassing me, Sheriff Grimes," Beth says stepping forward and pushing her shoulders back. She won't cower in front of her brother anymore. He may have a problem but bullying her wasn't going to be an option. Not anymore.
"It's Rick, Beth, just Rick. Did he push you down, Daryl said something…"
"Yes-" she starts but is quickly interrupted by Shawn.
"It was a misunderstanding, a family discussion." Rick's aware of what's been going on in the Greene household. He's been a family friend for years. It was his daddy that brought Maggie and Shawn home many nights when he should have taken them in.
"Did you push her?" Rick asks Shawn again.
"Yeah, but I didn't mean it, I…"
"She could press charges. That's assault, Shawn." Her brothers face pales and Beth feels a whole bunch of emotions she can't even begin to process. Daryl's behind her and she feels someone come up beside her. Carol. Looking over her shoulder she sees Merle and the boys and Sophia. Turning back to Rick she shakes her head.
"I'm not gonna, I'm not-" Rick takes her hand. Holds it gently in his and smiles at her and she notices his eyes are blue too. A soft blue like a worn out pair of jeans. That strikes her as funny but she doesn't have it in her to smile right now.
"You don't have too. I'm taking him in now though. For the harassment and being drunk in public. Time he's held accountable. My daddy was too easy on him." Rick says this to her and only her although Daryl is right there listening too. Looking over her shoulder Rick nods at him.
"Don't suppose I'll need to question any of you. The witness' gave me all I need. Y'all go home, watch some fireworks, relax." Daryl nods and Merle, who's made his way over thanks Rick and shakes his hand.
Once the sheriff's car drives away with her brother in the back Beth's composure crumbles. She felt it slipping, tried to hang on to it but the elderly couple who were so kind and Carol coming up and standing there with her.
And Daryl.
She knows exactly what Daryl was thinking when her daddy said what he said.
You don't think I can protect my daughter?
And she knows that this man, who held his tongue, respected her father at that moment is doing more for her than anyone else has in a very long time. If it's at all possible for a person to be a safe place, like a house with four walls and a roof, then Daryl's just that.
He's her home.
A/N I wanted her to press charges! I really did! But this is Beth. Seems like Rick understands her too and he did as much as he could because he knew how hard it was for her. Welcome to my story, Rick Grimes… promise me you'll stay awhile!
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