A/N: I own nothing of TWD nor the characters - I just enjoy using them for my own fun. Hopefully, all of you have found it fun too! This is it... we've finally reached the end of this story. This is the last chapter. ENJOY!
Beth inhaled deeply, taking in the lingering scent of hay, animals, and soil. It was so familiar, soothing to her really. It made Beth think of home, family, and lazy days in the sun. She smiled softly, wrapping her arms around to hug herself as she stepped into the empty barn. It was her first stolen moment since they had arrived ten days before. Beth had a few hours to herself before she was needed for evening watch. She found herself gravitating here, the large empty structure. The animals were long gone since the herd had run through the farm last summer; the few lingering chickens were in a coop on the outside. The barn was bare and open, sunshine pouring in and glittering on the dust and cobwebs. A few pieces of equipment occupied a couple stalls along with some hay in the loft in hopes of having animals again someday.
The days since their arrival had been long and hard. Everyone pulled together to ensure the farm was more secure and the fields were ready to produce food. There had been one run; Terrance, Daryl, Beth, Wayne and Sherri had gone in search of more diesel and a car for the impending departure. They had located no more diesel, but a working Ford Escape for the trip made the day not a total loss. They had gotten two more pits dug with another under construction. Crowd control along the fences was a bit of an annoyance, but the walkers were nothing the group couldn't handle. Many more of the pit traps were needed, but the progress they were making could already been seen. Even Tigo was impressed; the surly young man's scowl actually had lifted. Today was the first day they had taken a break in construction to rest weary muscles and allow for good-byes.
Her hands went to the ladder that led to the loft above. Her fingers traced the fine grooves of the wood, loving the feeling of the grain against her skin. So many memories, ones of laughter and family, were linked to the feeling beneath her fingers. Helping her father with the animals, playing in the loft with her brother and sister, early morning chores, all of these memories skimmed along the surface of her mind. It felt real, all of it, and it allowed her soul to settle in way that had been missing for a long while. This place, the fields, the farm, the dormitory, this was going to their home, her and Daryl's home, a place to continue to build memories.
Beth's hand clenched around a rung, then another as she lifted her foot to the bottom step. She was halfway up when she heard the slightest noise behind her. Beth looked over her shoulder, seeing Daryl in the barn doorway. He was leaning against the edge, his bow down at his side. His predatory eyes watched her with intense accuracy. The look sent a warmth to pool between her legs. She knew that look; a half empty box on their nightstand was evidence enough. A shiver travelled down her spine, the knowledge that each night had been better than the previous and tonight would leave her wanting due to her turn at watch.
More than a moment had passed, Beth not realizing how long her thoughts had strayed in her mind. "Where you goin'?" Daryl asked, his hooded eyes lingering on her lower half. She supposed the angle gave an advantageous view of her rear.
Her lips twitched, a mischievous light gleaming in her eyes. "Gonna check out the hay. See if it's… rollable. Wanna help?"
Daryl's answering smile was hot and utterly male. He wasted no time moving to the ladder as Beth hurried up. Beth only had a second to take in the loft, full of spare hay and an open baling window. Daryl was up and on her before she could notice much else. It didn't matter one bit as his body pressed against hers from behind, feeling his hardness poking against her backside. His hand brushed the loose tendrils of her hair from her neck, his lips nipping at the tender flesh he found there. Beth leaned back into his strong embrace. His other hand roamed down her body, gracing her breasts and caressing her stomach through her shirt as a honeyed moan escaped her lips.
Beth reached a hand back, clutching to his hip for steadiness as Daryl's fingers shifted to the button of her pants. He released it with a flick of his wrist. The attention at her neck increased, his teeth dragging gently against the flesh there. Daryl pulled at the edge of her pants, the zipper opening. Beth felt his finger slide teasingly along the edge of her underwear. Her breath hitched when his long finger dipped under the lace band, a gift from Kayla out of extra storage. His other hand moved up her shirt, cupping her breast fully. Her mind went blank as his finger traveled down her middle, pressing against her clit momentarily before dipping further into her growing wetness.
"Damn woman," Daryl groaned in her ear, his finger gliding easily against her. Once, twice, and a third time, his finger slid slowly and purposefully along her aching slit. It was agonizingly amazing, causing her thighs to tighten together to increase the pressure.
It hit her then, she hadn't thought this through. The image of a very large belly belonging to the chipper and pregnant Kayla burst to the front of her mind. A disparaging groan escaped her; Beth didn't want to stop, but her hand went to his wrist, stilling all movement below. It hurt her to stop but it wasn't safe. Their safety was back in their room in a box on a nightstand. Damn it.
Heat and confusion burned in his eyes as she turned out of his arms, taking a step away from her lover. "Beth?" Her name was a husky whisper from his lips.
"I'm sorry I teased but… well, we don't have anything," Beth answered, her shoulders dropping dejectedly.
The confusion disappeared as a smirk grew across his mouth. "Lots of things you can do without one of those in an hour."
"Oh, you think we have an hour up here?" she smiled, her teeth biting into her bottom lip at the thought. Oh, the things she still didn't know and Daryl was a fine teacher.
Daryl nodded slowly, his eyes on her mouth. "Everyone is either packin' or on watch or in the kitchen. No one here but you and me."
"Well, might just have to try one of those things if we have an hour."
"Could…" His hand slid into his back pocket and pulled a small foil square out between two fingers in front of her. "Or not."
"Where'd you get that?" she asked, unable to keep the eagerness out of her voice.
A little redness tinged the tips of his ears. "Had one since the first mornin'. Better to be prepared."
"My boy scout," Beth teased, her laughter chiming like bells.
He returned the smile before moving to take hold of her again as his lips captured hers. They took their kiss to the floor below. Beth found it didn't matter they were making out on the wood planks with straw poking at her back. The only thing that registered with her was the way Daryl fitted his hard body to her soft curves. The contact felt amazingly good, creating the need for more. Daryl seemed to feel the same way, his kisses becoming more demanding as he brought his full weight to bear against her. Beth threw her arms around Daryl's neck to encourage him to fill the little space left between them.
Daryl's hand found its way up and under her shirt, impatient fingers pushing her bra out of the way and then his palm was cupping her naked flesh. Two fingers found her pebbled, rosy nipple, rolling it between them. Beth stifled herself from crying out, arching her back into his touch.
Her hands lowered and moved under his shirt, moving her hands up his back and down his shoulders. The map of scars were beautiful to her, a reflection of the complex man over her. Beth enjoyed the feeling of his strong muscles and detailed body under her palms. All of him for her to enjoy.
His hand went between them, his demanding mouth never leaving hers. There was a fierce hunger to him, a roughness that wasn't there before in the way he touched her, burning her skin with his want. Daryl ripped her pants open further, forcing them down roughly. Beth knew Daryl had been holding back before, the gentle touches and light kisses were for her. She was grateful; it was new, so going slow and exploring had been what she needed. This was reminiscent of a whirlwind and animalistic encounter in the storage room, a memory that still made her wet. Beth was glad to remove this barrier, to allow Daryl to get what he needed too.
Beth lifted her hips, accommodating him, and felt her jeans grate against her skin as Daryl swiftly swiped them down. She kicked her boots off as she pulled at least one leg free of the clothing. It hurt a bit but Beth was beyond caring, she only wanted one thing. His lips finally left hers as he pulled his pants open with frantic need. Beth watched with wanting eyes as he pulled his hardened cock free, simultaneously pushing his pants from his hips. Daryl used his teeth to help rip open the necessary package. Beth helped him roll the condom on, his body jumping under her eager touch.
Neither removed any more unnecessary clothing, there wasn't need or time for that. His lips returned to hers to deliver more mind blowing kisses. Daryl shifted his hips low, seeking her wet center. Her breath caught as Beth felt herself stretched and filled while he slowly entered her. It wasn't what she wanted, she needed more.
"Harder," Beth cried to him once fully locked, her breathy request in his ear. "More."
Daryl grabbed her calf, pulling it behind him and opening her more to him. Beth followed his motion and locked her legs behind his waist, creating a new angle that sent her eyes rolling back into her head as he pressed into her once more. Daryl did as he was told with eager ferocity. Beth hung on, trying to meet each gratifying, pounding thrust. She bit down on her lower lip, trying to keep each blissful cry of pleasure from escaping. It wasn't long before her walls began to tighten and that tingling feeling started low in her stomach.
"Daryl, " she whimpered desperately, a hand tightening his hair.
He understood, his mouth covering hers as her orgasm sent her soaring and capturing her cries of release. Daryl lapped up the passionate noises, continuing to slam into her with a renewed force as her body arched with pleasure. It was her first without the help of his nimble fingers, a plus one for barn sex despite the soreness that would most likely find her bared rear later.
Once her trembling body recovered enough to respond to her again, Beth propelled her hips up to meet his increased thrusts. The space between them was slick and wet from sweat and passion. Beth grazed her nails up the exposed skin of his lower back and up his ribs like she knew Daryl liked. He growled deep and throaty, his mouth leaving hers to bite at the hollow of her throat. She loved the feel of his teeth against her skin, usually nipping and teasing, but this was different. Daryl locked onto her sensitive flesh, a gasp of pleasure escaping her parted lips and sending a shiver down her body to where they were connected.
It was starting to build again, low and throbbing at her center. Daryl entered her again and again, deeper and harder each time, and Beth knew it wouldn't be long. She took his lead and dragged her nails down his back, harder than before. She elicited a deep moan from her lover, his mouth leaving her neck. His dark eyes locked with hers, sweat collecting on his forehead. He slowed and pulled back fully before slamming into her once and then again. Each time her body accepting more than before and shaking with need. Daryl surged forward a final time, pressing fully into her and holding there. The pulsing of his release was evident as a guttural groan escaped him. Her own body allowed another release, her walls quivering in time with him as she gasped for breath, another orgasm claiming her.
It was a panting, breath-catching moment before she could speak. "Oh, God. That was… was…"
"Fuckin' great," Daryl finished for her, pushing off her but still hovering over her. He was smiling again, the corner of his mouth quirked up. It was almost as if it was easier for him now somehow. Beth had seen the man before her smile more times in the past week than she thought she'd seen in a year. It warmed her to hope it was partly due to her.
"Yeah," she chuckled as he rolled to the side and off of her. Beth sat up, adjusting her clothing back into place. Daryl did the same, tossing the condom to the side to be dealt with later.
"Think anyone heard us?" Beth asked a little wary and looked over to the window.
Daryl shrugged and snorted, zipping his pants up. "Does it matter?"
"I guess I don't want to get the same reputation as Maggie and Glenn. You could always hear them." Beth went to the open bale window to see if anyone was around, if they were found out. There was no one within hearing distance. There was a group gathered around the SUV, readying for the departure of Karl, Terrance, and Jonah.
Beth lowered herself to sit on the ledge of the hay loft, her legs dangling down in front of her. She looked over her shoulder and beckoned Daryl to her with a smile. He sat down next to her, his legs swinging next to hers. His bare arm touching hers, sending a sizzle through her despite what they had just finished.
"They still leaving today?" Beth asked.
"Yeah. Couldn't talk 'em out of it. Marie tried t' last night again. Can't say I blame them," Daryl answered her in a low voice as he watched the distant scene.
Beth took in a deep breath. "I know," she answered dryly. Their own lost group jumped to the front of her mind. A twinge of sadness crossed her face. "I understand why but we've looked for so long without ever finding anyone. I hope… they understand how hard it's going to be."
She tried to stop the hitch in her breath, the thought of never finding her sister stinging her hard and never lessened. Beth thought Daryl was going to reassure her, perhaps take her hand or give her a hug but nothing. That wouldn't be her Daryl. He sat still next to her, his eyes focused out on the distant fields.
Instead there was a comfortable stretch of silence between them for several minutes. It made the words he spoke, breaking the quiet, all that more surprising to Beth.
"Did I ever tell you 'bout the time Glenn was taken?"
Beth gave Daryl a curious look. "You mean by Merle? Yeah, Maggie… she told me what happened."
Daryl shook his head. "Nah, mean in the beginnin', 'fore we was at the farm."
"Wait, what? Glenn was kidnapped more than once?"
Daryl let out a deep chuckle at Beth's high pitched question. "Yeah, I guess he's an unlucky little bugger." He shifted his position, rotating his leg up and bent as he leaned back against the opening; his body turned mostly towards her. "See, Glenn was taken by this gang in Atlanta, the Vatos. Rick and me and T-dog, we almost went to war over gettin' him back. We thought he was bein' beaten or tortured or somethin' and here he was in this old folks home, hangin' with the elderly people and some damn taco bell dogs."
"What?" asked Beth, choking on the laughter that was escaping her from the imagery.
The sound of her laughter brought a quirk of a smile to Daryl's lips. "I guess the point I'm tryin' to make is, well, Glenn, he's unlucky… but lucky, you know. And Rick, he found his family once after returnin' from the dead. Carol, she's so much stronger than she looks. Michonne, she's survived on her own before. They can be out there. They can survive. If'n you want to believe they are out there, they are out there. If'n you want to believe we'll find them, we'll find them."
Beth looked at the man she loved, staring into those dark blue eyes and heard what he was telling her. She heard the hope in his voice. "You believe?"
He rolled the thought around for a moment. "Yeah, they're out there. Somewhere. We'll find 'em. I know it."
Beth nodded her agreement and looked back out at the leaving vehicle. Her hand found Daryl's, their fingers entwining. They would find the rest of their family, they would. She believed.
A/N: Okay, okay... I know what you are thinking - WHAT?! They don't find the group? There is no reuniting of the family, we don't know what happened to everyone... but hey, at least we have a happy BETHYL right? At least I gave that to you - even if I did make you work really, really hard for it! I have one last tidbit, a little mini chapter to offer up if anyone is interested. Review for me - let me know what you think. I've started the second story already so you won't have to wait long if you are interested... OFFICIAL should be started sometime next month.
