"Tell me a story" Beth says sleepily as she lazily drew circles on Daryl's chest. Daryl looks down at the top of her head and slowly smiles.

"Once there was a turtle named Anthony. He was a great turtle, brave and strong" he said as he softly ran his hand up and down her arm.

"He's mushy" Beth whispered, as a small smile crept across her lips. She knew from listening to his stories with Judith on those nights that one of Anthony's enemies called him mushy and when Daryl would tell Judith about it, he would act all angry and defend Anthony. Daryl looked down at her, a fake, shocked expression on his face.

"Take it back! Take it back right now" he said as he reached around and started tickling her. Beth squealed as he rolled her over and continued his onslaught.

"Ok, ok. I'm sorry" Beth pleaded as she gasped for air. Daryl stopped and looked down at her, her hair sprayed out all over the pillow, her cheeks flushed.

"Good" Daryl said as he leaned down and kissed her softly. As they pulled apart he laid back down and pulled her back to him. She rested her head back on his chest and curled herself into him. She fit next to him perfectly and it still astonished Daryl that two people so different could also fit together so well.

"You still want a story?" he asked after a few minutes as he threaded his hand thru her hair. Beth sighed and snuggled into his embrace more as she mumbled "yes". Daryl thought for a moment and then smiled.

"There was this warrior woman, when you would look at her, you would be taken aback by her beauty. She was as stunning as a Georgia sunrise and as sweet as sugar cane. But people would mistake that beauty and that sweetness for weakness and that would be their downfall. " he stopped as he heard Beth's breathing even out and soften. She looked so peaceful, so content sleeping on his chest.

"She stole the heart of the archer that lived in the woods, and there was nothing that he would not do for her" he said just above a whisper as he kissed the top of her head. He got a glimpse of her backpack in the moonlight that was shining thru the window. Seeing the ripped pocket in the front and remembering the hurt in her eyes when she saw she had lost the necklace, he knew what he had to do. But first, he needed to get a few hours of sleep. He leaned his head on top of hers and let her soft breathing lull him sleep.

/

Daryl got up before run rise and quietly searched for a piece of paper. Not being able to find one, he grabbed Beth's journal off of the nightstand and flipped to the back, ripping out a piece. He didn't think she would mind since he was leaving her a note. After a few minutes of thinking he remembered a song and began writing. After he finished, he placed the journal on the nightstand, folded the note and sat it on top. He looked over at her, he wanted to kiss her cheek, but he could not risk waking her up. She would not be happy knowing what he was doing. He slowly walked over to the chair, picked up his cross bow and knife and gently opened and shut the door. As he got to the porch, he saw Michonne and Rick both sitting out there. He curled his lip up in a little smile as Michonne looked up at him.

"You feel like going on a mission with me?" he asked her. He figured Beth might not be as mad when she found out if he took Michonne with him.

"What kinda mission?" Rick asked as he looked from Daryl to Michonne and back again.

"I'm goin to get Beth's necklace that she lost yesterday. It was her mother's and Hershel gave it to her when she passed away. When her backpack was ripped yesterday, it fell out. So I am thinking it's in front of the church." He looked back from Rick to Michonne, who now has a smile on her face.

"Sure Casanova, I'll go with you" she teasingly replied. Daryl grunted at her but smiled, then looked back at Rick.

"Shouldn't take more than a few hours, if that. If Beth asks, tell her we went on a run" Daryl asked Rick.

"She doesn't know your going?" Rick asked, Daryl shook his head.

"Nope, and I don't need her knowing till I get back." Daryl answered and Rick nodded.

"She won't hear it from me. If she asks, which you know she will, I will tell her you went on a run" Rick said as he held out his hand. Daryl smiled and shook his hand.

"Thanks Brother" Daryl said as he clapped him on his arm.

"No problem. I wouldn't want to tell her anyway, she would probably rip me apart. That Greene temper" Rick laughed softly. Daryl laughed back, he loved that fierceness she had.

"You both be safe" Rick said as they started to walk toward the bike, looking from Daryl to Michonne. His eyes lingered longer with Michonne and she smiled, and nodded. Daryl nodded as well in reply.

/

Beth woke to what she swore was the sound of the motorcycle starting. She reached over for Daryl, when she didn't feel him there, her eyes flew open. She looked around in a panic till she saw the note sitting on top of her journal. She opened it and read…

There's a lot of ways of sayin'
What I wanna say to you
There's songs and poems and promises
And dreams that might come true

But I won't talk of starry skies
Or moonlight on the ground
I'll come right out and tell you
I'd just love to lay you down

Lay you down and softly whisper
Pretty love words in your ear
Lay you down and tell you all the things
A woman loves to hear
I'll let you know how much it means
Just havin' you around
Oh, darlin', how I'd love to lay you down

There's so many ways your sweet love's
Made this house into a home
You've got a way of doing
Little things that turn me on

Like standin' in the kitchen
In your faded cotton gown
With your hair all up in curlers
I still love to lay you down

Lay you down and softly whisper
Pretty love words in your ear
Lay you down and tell you all the things
A woman loves to hear
I'll let you know how much it means
Just havin' you around
Oh, darlin', how I'd love to lay you down

When a whole lot of Decembers
Are showin' in your face
Your blonde hair has faded
And silver takes it's place

You'll be just as lovely
And I'll still be around
And if I can't I know that
I'd still love to lay you down

Lay you down and softly whisper
Pretty love words in your ear
Lay you down and tell you all the things
A woman loves to hear
I'll let you know how much it means
Just havin' you around
Oh, darlin', how I'd love to lay you down

I love you Beth
-D

Beth sighed as she held the note to her chest. She wiped a stray tear from her eye as she stood up and hurried to put her clothes on. She folded the letter and stuck it in her jean pocket and she made her way down the stairs. She thought she would find him out on watch, but found Rick instead.

"Good Morning Beth" Rick said, his voice gravely from the early morning.

"Good Morning Rick" she replied back as she stepped out onto the porch. She looked down the lane and saw that the bike was gone. So it wasn't a dream, she did hear the bike.

"Where did Daryl go? I thought I heard the bike." She asked as she leaned up against the railing, looking out into the fields. The morning dew making everything look new.

"He and Michonne went on a run. They should only be a few hours" Rick said, not looking up at her. Beth looked at him with a raised eyebrow for a moment, sensing something was up, but she knew that if Daryl and Michonne were actually in trouble, Rick would not just be sitting there, so she nodded and turned to go back into the house.

"Are you hungry? I think we have a few cans of peaches left" Beth asked before she opened the door.

"Sure that would be great Beth, thanks" Rick answered with a smile. Beth smiled back and walked back inside. She was worried about Daryl and Michonne, but she knew if anybody could handle themselves, it was them too. She said a silent prayer to her Daddy and walked into the kitchen.

****The song that Daryl writes to Beth is called "I'd Love To Lay You Down" by Conway Twitty****