I really have no words to express how sorry I am for the delay in getting my fics out to you. I am also sorry that this one is so short, but I do hope that you like it.

Beth let out a laugh as Aaron twirled her around on the dance floor. As she laughed, her eyes locked onto Daryl's as he stood on the other side of the room talking to Rick. The small smile he flashed her made her smile grow wider as Aaron started twirling her around again and a squeal of delight escaped her lips.

"I'm glad you're feeling better Beth" Aaron said as he pulled her back to him, the smile on his face wide as he looked at the blonde in his arms. He had heard the story of what had happened from Daryl that day when he had come over to pick up the bike. His heart had hurt for what Beth and Daryl both had gone through, but he couldn't figure out what surprised him more, the fact that Nessa had gotten away with it for so long, or that Daryl was actually telling him about it.

"Thank you" she said as he twirled her around again. As she did, her eyes locked with Daryl's again. She could see the happiness in them as he watched her and Aaron dance. He looked content, peaceful.

"I wanted to also thank you for Daryl" she said as he pulled her back to him. He looked down at her, puzzlement across his face.

"What about Daryl?"

"Thank you for everything you did for him. You gave him a job, a purpose. You also gave him friendship, let him know that there was still good people in this world. After everything" she paused, the sadness overtaking her eyes for just a second until she looked back up at him and took a breath. "After everything that he has been through, he needed that. You are a good friend Aaron" she said sweetly as she looked up at him. He smiled back at her and leaned over, kissing her forehead.

"Sunshine, I should be thanking you, not the other way around" he said, his smile wavering just a little. "Do you know what Daryl told me a few weeks back, before he knew you were alive?" He asked her. Beth shook her head and raised an eyebrow at him. "He told me that he would have shot me on sight, put a bolt through my head, but that somebody had convinced him that there was still good people in this world. That person was you, right?" He asked a little smirk on his lips. She felt her cheeks flush as she looked over at Daryl. He was watching them curiously, probably trying to figure out what they were talking about. When his eyes locked on hers, she gave him a soft, shy smile.

"Yeah, that was me" she breathed out as she held Daryl's gaze. Aaron looked over at the archer as well, who had abandoned the conversation he was having with Rick and Carol and was just staring at Beth.

"He cares so much about you Beth. Don't ever let anybody make you believe otherwise, ok?" Aaron whispered to her. She turned her head back to look at him and gave him another smile.

"I won't, never again" she replied then leaned up and kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you for the dance, and the talk. Thank you for everything Aaron"

Daryl watched her kiss Aaron's cheek and then start to walk over to them, her eyes never leaving his as she approached. She was his salvation. This little ball of light and beauty had saved him from himself, twice just by her strength and love. She might not know it, but she was everything to him and hopefully soon he would be able to find the words to really tell her.

"Hey" she breathed out as she reached him.

"Hey" he replied back as he reached up and placed a stray curl behind her ear.

"Do you happen to know a handsome man that would be willing to walk a girl like me home?" she asked sweetly, her eyelashes batting a little at him.

"Don't be lookin' at men like that" he growled out, a small smirk on his face. She smiled back at him and turned to look out at the room.

"Oh well I am sure I could find somebody" she teased "Maybe Spencer, he seemed really nice when we talked earlier" she felt the growl come from his chest right about the time he twirled her around.

"You aint funny Greene" he growled out as he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close to him.

"I happen to think I am very funny Mr. Dixon" she replied, feeling the rumble go through him when she called him that. "Why? Do you know somebody else that might want the job?" She continued cheekily, looking up at him with her eyes huge.

"Damn right" he growled again as he tightened the hold he had on her waist.

"Well, you are the most handsome man here. Are you saying you want the job?" she replied as she squeezed him tight. He smirked at her a little and leaned over, burying his face in her neck and hair. She sighed when she felt his lips trail soft kisses on her neck. But what caused her to shiver is when he growled low in her ear, so only she could hear "Always"!