The Stranger Upstairs Chapter 9, a walking dead fanfic

A/N Thank you all so much! This is a big chapter, Daryl gets advice from a friend, we see Merle again, and our couple have their first meeting at the park – and there's another big first. We pick up right where we left off.

He couldn't have made his feelings for her any clearer. It wasn't his intent to be so bold, or so honest. He only meant to talk with her, to maybe take a chance on holding her hand, but he never meant for the rest of it to happen.

The way he held her and the words he said, it was like he knew all about that romantic stuff. It felt good too. Being so near to her as they talked, holding her hand and whispering in her ear. Then when she was leaving it was like another feeling had come over him and he couldn't stop himself. When he took her in his arms he knew it wasn't just because it felt good, it meant something. And it wasn't only that he was having feelings, it was that he told her what he was feeling. Once again he gave her a window to his heart. A smile spreads across his face because there's something else, she gave him a window into her heart too.

Just thinking about their brief rendezvous has his heart thumping as he climbs the stairs to his room.

He's never been this way about a woman, but then it's not like he's had a bunch of gals, or a bunch of feelings. It's not something he's proud of, but the few women he's been with, it was never like romance or anything.

For him spending time with a woman has been a rare occurrence, but there are times a guy gets restless and looks for a little companionship. It was never about serious feelings. It was always just about two people satisfying a need.

There are only two times in his life he can recall telling someone he loved them. When he was a little fella he told his Mom that. He's glad he did because it turned out to be the last time he saw her. The other time was about eight years ago. Merle got out of jail and they celebrated by drinking way too much hooch. Merle told him he loved him and Daryl told his brother the same. Neither had ever said it before, neither has said it since. Never have they spoken of it again.

Tonight he was as sober as could be and yet there he stood telling her how pretty she is and that he wants to be with her every day. It's true too. Is that love? He has no idea about that, but he knows what was the best part of the evening. It was when she let him hold her, and it got even better when her slim arms wrapped around his waist and she held him tight.

He's feeling a little overwhelmed, he can't understand all he's feeling. He only knows for sure that something's happening to him, to his heart. She's the sweetest, the purest and by far the prettiest thing to ever come into his life, and he meant what he told her. He does want to see her every day. And so much more.

He hasn't been in his room a full minute when there's a soft knock on his door. For a split second he dares to hope, is it her? No, he knows better than that. Beth wouldn't come up here at night when the men are all home. No matter what happened in private this evening she's not the kind of woman to be so forward.

He opens the door to find it's Aaron who knocked. The man looks a little jittery when he asks, "Hey Daryl, can I come in and talk to you for a minute? It's something private."

Daryl can't imagine what in the world this could be about, but he opens the door wider and invites, "Yeah, sure, c'mon in."

He asks his visitor, "Ya wanna sit?"

"Really?" Aaron's surprised to be so freely welcomed into this man's room, after all, Daryl knows his and Eric's secret.

For his part Daryl can't imagine what the guy wants with him, he just hopes it isn't about borrowing money. He's not a believer in that shit and he hates being put on the spot. He points to the chair, "Yeah, go on, sit."

Aaron is nodding and says, "Thanks Daryl," as he sits at the desk.

Daryl sits on the edge of the bed and asks, "So is there sumthin' I can help ya with Aaron?"

Aaron shrugs and answers, "Actually, there's something I was going to help you with."

Now Daryl's completely confused, "Yeah? What's that?"

"I wasn't spying or anything, I don't want you to think I'd do that. But earlier I was standing at my window getting a breath of fresh air when I saw Miss Beth come walking out from around the back of the shed. Then I saw her stop and I saw you hurry over to her, and then I saw the two of you embrace."

Daryl's face shows the deep concern he's feeling but Aaron assures him, "I'm not going to say anything to anyone, not even Eric. I promise. I was just going to suggest, if you don't want to get caught, be sure you keep that stuff behind the shed."

Daryl's on his feet pacing, and his heart is pounding when he looks at Aaron and verifies, "You're not gonna say nuthin' ta the other guys, or Horvath's?"

Aaron stands and with a small grin on his face answers, "Well, like someone once said to me, if I was to have seen anything, and I don't recall that I did, it wouldn't be any business of mine or my place ta tell."

Daryl manages to smile, reaches his hand out and as the two men shake on it, he tells Aaron, "Thanks."

"Thank you, Daryl. See you at breakfast."

Daryl holds the door and responds, "Yeah, see ya then."

He tells himself it'll be okay, him and Beth will figure it out. They have to because whatever this is between them, he's not walking away from it.

She hurries into the house as quickly and quietly as she can and into her room. She can't understand why she's giggling as she shuts her bedroom door, leans against it and thinks only about him and the time they just shared.

Oh my.

She feels a little twinge of guilt as she thinks of her own behavior and the behavior she permitted. No, she simply won't allow herself to ruin what was so wonderful with thoughts of guilt and shame. She even says the words under her breath, "no more Beth Greene." She and Daryl both deserve to find their happiness, and she's more convinced than ever they'll find it together.

She gathers up her gown and robe and quietly makes her way to the bathroom. Her usual Monday evening routine would have been to have a bath after dinner, but she had other places to be this evening. It's too late now, she'll have to have one tomorrow. She settles for a fast sink bath, washing her face, under her arms and her private area. It will just have to do.

Once back in her room she briefly writes in her diary about the evening she and Daryl shared. She'd like to spend more time with it, but it's been a long workday and an emotion-filled evening. She's having trouble keeping her eyes open.

She hears him up in his room and she wonders why he's so noisy tonight, then she realizes there are two people up there. He must have a visitor. Even though in her heart she knows it could only be one of the other men, she still feels a little jealous thinking someone else gets to share time with him.

She slips under the covers and picks up her book, opens it to the page and then sets it back down on the bedside table. She smiles and shakes her head, there's no way she'll be able to concentrate on anything in that book unless there's a story about Daryl.

She lays there with the lights out and her eyes wide open as she thinks of him. She has so many feelings and she's not sure what they mean. The only thing she knows for sure is that she cares for Daryl so much, and she's sure he cares for her.

Those are the last of her thoughts before drifting off to sleep.

She's up early making a special breakfast. Although they would never complain to her, the men don't ever seem very enthusiastic about their Tuesday morning oatmeal. She knows they'll be very pleased to see there's been a little change to the menu. She's honest with herself. Although she's making this breakfast for all the men, there's one man who she most hopes to please.

He's up early, washed up, dressed and ready to go, but it's way too early to go down for breakfast. He's just so anxious to see her. He absentmindedly begins to straighten up his room, he even dusts off the bureau and his writing desk and he wonders, should he write her a note? Nah. He doesn't know quite what he'd say. Maybe he'll think of something later. For now he'd just like to be able to look at her pretty face.

Finally it's time to make his way downstairs and he's the first one, but it's only five minutes later that every spot at the table is taken. It's only a minute or so after that when she walks in the room with the coffee pot in hand. In a warm sweet voice she greets them, "Good morning gentleman. I have your coffee, and there's plenty more where this came from."

He'd swear she's looking right at him when she speaks, but maybe he's just hoping that's the case. Then he feels Aaron's knee nudge his. He glances over to see that although the man is looking down at his cup he's smiling knowingly. That's when Daryl's sure he's right. Her eyes really were on him. There's an almost imperceptible smile on his lips, but Beth notices it.

She returns a few minutes later with the breakfast cart smiling as she sets the big baking dish, steam still rolling off it, at the center of the table. She asks, "How about a little change of pace gentleman? Thanks to Mister Daryl we're having something different again, venison casserole."

Even though the casserole consists of far more potato and onion than it does venison the men are so happy she thinks they might start clapping. It's such a simple dish, a small portion of deer burger mixed with chunks of potato and grilled onion, with a generous helping of poor man's gravy mixed in before baking. The gravy's not even the kind made with butter, she simply used the fatty meat drippings and a little extra suet. They had it regularly when she was still with her Daddy and her uncle, and more often than not with nothing more than a slice or two of bread.

For this group of single men, all hardworking fellows who have found themselves suddenly without money in the bank. Men who are trying to figure out how they'll navigate their way through the current crisis, it's a rare Tuesday morning treat and they're grateful to have it and ready to enjoy.

There's a big basket of biscuits and a dish containing the last of the peach jam, and she knows when the meal has ended there won't be one morsel of anything leftover.

Daryl finishes his meal; it was so good and for some reason he feels proud that all the other fellas seemed to enjoy it as much as he did. Yet he feels a little sadness too. It's not fair that he has to go without giving her a proper goodbye. Before leaving home in the morning a man ought to be able to gently caress his Sweetheart's elbow and tell her he looks forward to seeing her that evening, then give her a kiss goodbye.

The thought startles him, is that what she is to him now? His Sweetheart?

This parting isn't any easier for Beth. She makes a very poor excuse to Miss Erma about having forgotten something, and hurries back in the dining room. All she wants is to see him before he goes. It's just not fair. They should be able to say goodbye. She should be able to tell him she hopes he has a pleasant day at work and to please be careful, and that she'll have his dinner ready when he returns.

Instead they simply look briefly into each other's eyes and he says, "Thanks again for breakfast Miss Beth. It was a real good one."

And she replies, "Thank you Mister Daryl. I'm glad you enjoyed it."

It's just not enough.

He rushes home like he's rushing home to hold her, instead of like he has to quickly get his dinner eaten so he can get out to his place and check on Merle. At least he'll get to see her for a few minutes.

He hurries up the back stairs, washes up and he's back down and seated at the table just in time to see her push the dinner cart in the room. She smiles as she begins to set the dishes on the table and greets everyone with, "Good evening gentlemen. I trust you all had a very good day at work today. We've strayed from our meal routine again this evening. I hope you won't mind."

No one's complaining as they see what she's prepared. There's chicken fried venison round steak and mashed potatoes and gravy, along with creamed corn and a basket of dinner rolls. No one would think of complaining they're being served potatoes and gravy twice in one day.

It happens two or three times during the meal, they manage to catch each other's eye. But as happy as they are to see one another, it's just not quite enough. There's no point stewing over it, he has other obligations and now's the time to take care of those.

He does manage one small touch. He makes a move to help her with the big bowl of mashed potatoes and his fingers lay over hers for the briefest moment. Later, as he's on his way out the door he manages to mouth the word, "Bye," to her knowing her smile will have to keep him going until morning.

He gets in the truck and behind the wheel, slaps it hard with the heel of his hand as he mutters, "Dammit," under his breath. There's got to be a better way.

When he gets to his place Merle's got a small fire going out front and Daryl sees his brother's got a couple of fish cooking on sticks. That's one thing he never worries about with Merle, his brother always finds a way to get by.

Merle calls, "Hey little brother, ya come ta see if I'm bein' a good boy?"

"Sumthin' like that. I come ta check on ya cuz you're my brother and ya been known to do more'n your share of stupid shit. How's it goin'?"

"Well Daryl, I'm glad ya asked."

"Yeah?"

"Yep. Got me a job brother. A good un at that. I lucked into it. Right place right time."

"Tell me."

"It happened this mornin'. I heard about this joint that does boiler sales, repairs, rebuilds, all that stuff. They even got the city contract. I decided ta give it a try. Turns out, they got an old boy who's worked there forever and he's callin' it a day." He snorts out a laugh as he continues, "The sumbitch must be 80 so it's high time. Anyway, they had me work with him a while this mornin' so he could see if I knew what I was doin'. He told em I did and now I take over his job Monday mornin'."

"That's good brother."

Merle nods and gets down to some serious business, "I ain't gonna pull no punches or dance around it Daryl, I need some help."

Daryl's not at all surprised, he's been waiting for this shoe to drop. "What's that Merle?"

"I wanna drive over ta Valdosta and get my wife and girl before I start workin', they belong here with me. I looked at places this afternoon and I found one that's close ta work, it'll be just fine for us. Real nice. It's one bedroom but I can partition off a space in the livin' room ta make a nice little room for Sophia. She don't need much. She's only seven."

First things first, "Whoa brother, your wife? Ya didn't tell me ya got married."

Merle shrugs and admits, "As far as the law's concerned she's got a husband. We gotta wait til he's been missin' seven years, then Carol can have him declared dead and we'll make it legal. In the meantime no one around here needs ta know it ain't me she's married to. I gotta protect her and the little girl from the kind of gossip that would come from the three of us livin' together. So, me n Carol made each other some serious promises and as far as I'm concerned she's my wife, Mrs. Dixon. She calls me husband and our girl is Sophia Dixon. That's the way we aim ta keep it."

It's a lot of big news for one Tuesday evening and Daryl's going to need time to think about it all. For now he asks, "So whaddya need me for?" As if he didn't know what it's going to be about.

"I'm pretty sure ya already know brother. I ain't got enough dough ta make the rent and get us food right now. I'ma need a little fuel for the truck too. What I got is a grand total of five bucks ta my name."

Daryl's biting his lip, then he asks, "What's the rent?"

"Rent's $12 a month and that's all of it, gas, lights, water and it's furnished. We'll make Sophia a nice bed on the sofa til I can get her one. We brought the kitchen wares, bed linens and such with us when we left Columbus. Everythin's in boxes at my buddy's place in Valdosta."

Daryl doesn't answer right away, he has another question or two. "What're they payin' ya?"

"$9.95 a week. Once I get my first couple paydays we'll be fine. Boss man said if I prove myself, then in six months I get a two dollar a week raise and in a year another a dollar more. Carol wants ta try and make a little money too. Sophia will be back in school in a week n a half and she's gonna look into getting some kind of daytime work. Maybe take in ironin' or mendin', maybe do cookin'. I don't know. I'd just as soon she didn't do that shit, but damn that woman can be headstrong."

Daryl's laughing now, "Headstrong, huh? I guess you two was made for each other." He changes the subject, he has his reasons, "Ya make any progress on the boiler yesterday?"

"Oh hell yeah, that was no strain. By nightfall I had it and the generator hummin'. What ya need now though is electrical wiring ta get power ta the house, and the house itself is gonna need ta be wired. It's gonna be a big job but I already got all the materials ya need. They're in the livin' room just waitin'."

Daryl knows what stuff costs and now he's concerned again, "Merle you…dammit, what did ya do?"

"Don't worry, if anythin' illegal happened I wasn't there. I went ta see a guy this afternoon who owed me a lotta dough from a certain job we done a couple years back. He didn't have the cash so I told him ta go find the stuff I need. I waited at his place, with his wife and boy, so I knew he'd come back. As soon as he got home we loaded it in my truck, shook hands and called it even."

"Does your wife know about the shit ya do?"

"I told her I turned over a new leaf and I did. Today was the last time. Anyway, he was happy ta do it for me and now it's all here and I's hopin' you n me would make a trade. I could spend two or three weekends gettin' all that wirin' done for ya in exchange for a little help."

Merle sees the look on his brother's face and he knows what Daryl's thinking, "Listen kid, I don't blame ya, I'd doubt me too. Truth is, I's gonna do your electrical anyway. It's the least I owe ya for what I done, but if ya don't wanna give me dough for rent there ain't gonna be hard feelins. I'll just wait and move my girls after I get a couple paydays."

No one needs to mention any details about what it was Merle did or why he owes his brother. They both know. They've had their knock down drag out fight and their yelling and cussing over it. Nowadays they mostly try to keep it all in the past.

Still it's a wound that hasn't quite healed and something both of them wish had never happened.

That Saturday morning five years ago Daryl had taken fifty dollars out of his hidey hole and tucked it in his wallet. He had it earmarked for rent, groceries and a new pair of desperately needed work boots. His wallet was in his bureau drawer, and there was a brand new 12 gauge under his bed.

He was out changing the oil in his truck before running his errands, when Merle slipped in the apartment. He stole the cash from the wallet and the gun from under the bed. The money, and what money he got hocking the shotgun all went for opium. It caused a bitter rift that took years to heal, and obviously it's still at the front of both their minds.

However, for the Dixon brothers one fact always remains, family is family. Merle is the only family Daryl has and he wants to believe that this time his brother is going to make it. He wants it for Merle and for himself. But there's more to Daryl's inability to say "no" than just the fact that Merle is his brother. It's not that simple anymore. There's a little girl and her Mama.

Daryl's got $75 left in the jar. To him that's as good as being broke, but he did get free rent this week because of the buck, and he plans to pay very little from here on out. He answers, "I'll tell ya what. I'll give ya twenty bucks. That's enough for your rent and a few groceries. Ya come get all the meat and fish your family can eat right here on the land. Ya take that five dollars in your pocket and ya get the little girl a new dress and a new pair a school shoes for school."

"When you're done wiring this place and it's all workin' right, I'll consider us even. But ya screw this up Merle and not only will I never give ya another fuckin' dime, ya won't be welcome here no more."

Merle nods, it's more than fair. It's more trust than he deserves to have anyone put in him, "Thanks brother, I promise ya won't have regrets. I'll be workin' here every weekend til I get it done."

He's got the can of 3-in-One oil in his pocket, and as he opens the side door he gives that squeaky hinge a good dose, then he glances at the door that leads down a short hall to her room. He'd like to go to her and give her a kiss goodnight, and he makes a promise to himself that someday he will.

He climbs the stairs and as he's opening his bedroom door he gives that hinge a dose of the oil too. Better. He doesn't take long getting ready and soon he's slipping in the bed, but sleep doesn't come quickly. His mind is working double time. He hopes to God he did the right thing trusting in Merle, and he can't wait to see Beth's pretty face come morning.

She's been fighting sleep, trying to keep her eyes open until she knows he's home. It's five minutes before eight and she's thinking surely he'll arrive soon. And not a minute later she hears the door quietly open, followed by the sound of his footfalls on the stairs. Finally he's in his room. Now she can rest. Her eyes close and she dreams of him.

In her dream they're beside a beautiful little pond. They're fishing, or at least about to fish. She's wearing a yellow dress and he tells her how pretty she looks, he says it's his favorite dress. She thinks he's the one who looks good. He's wearing his overalls and a dark shirt, but the sleeves appear to have been torn off the shirt and the sight of his bare arms is enough to take her breath away.

She smiles at him and tells him she doesn't want to touch the worm, it's so slimy. She asks him if he'll bait the hook for her and although he teases her, he smiles while doing as she asked.

Wednesday evening he's waiting patiently behind the shed while she finishes her work. If he could he'd be in their helping her. She shouldn't have to work so hard.

He hears the crunch of a footstep as it lands on a fallen leaf and it brings a smile to his face. She's here. He doesn't think about it, he does what his instincts tell him to do, the minute she's behind the shed he takes her in his arms. She makes no attempt to push him away or tell him to stop. Instead she hugs him back and all he can think about is how good it feels to be with her.

When they break the embrace, he doesn't let her go completely. His hands rest lightly on her shoulders as he looks at her pretty face and mentions, "Ya know, I's thinkin' bout sumthin'. It might not be a good idea for ya ta wait til I get home Sunday ta leave for the park." He shrugs his shoulders adding, "It might look suspicious. How 'bout we set a time ta meet, say three o'clock Sunday afternoon? Ya think that's okay?"

"Yes, that's perfect. I'm free to go anytime." She looks down and bats those pretty lashes, then looks back at him and says, "I'm so excited Daryl."

They talk about last evening, but he doesn't go into detail. There will be a better time to tell her all about Merle Dixon. For now he wants to give all his attention to her. They chat about their day and make small talk, and never is there a time he doesn't have hold of her hand.

When it's time to part they make their promise to meet again the next night. He wants so much to kiss her before she goes, but he thinks she might object. She's so good and this is so soon. He forces himself to settle for a warm embrace, happy as her slim arms wrap around him and she holds him as tightly as he's holding her.

She turns to go and he says, "Wait up Beth."

He's removing something from his pocket, it's a 50 cent piece that he hands to her and says, "That's for your streetcar fare on Sunday."

"Daryl that's too much."

He smiles "I drove by there this mornin'. There's a soda fountain across the street from the park, go early n have yourself a malted milk." Then he adds, "For now ya best get ta bed. Ya need your rest."

Saturday comes and her work is completed by noon. She's officially off duty. She goes to her room and picks up the photograph from the top of her bureau. It's the picture of her family and she looks at it wistfully for a moment before carefully removing the back. Nestled inside are a few bills, her life savings. She takes three dollars and secures the frame again.

It's been on her mind since she had the dream about them fishing, she's going to get fabric and make herself a yellow dress. She doesn't plan to spend the entire three dollars on sewing supplies but she wants to ahve enough and she can always put back what she doesn't spend. She pulls the bureau drawer open and takes out one of her old socks, dips her hand inside and retrieves the coins she'll need for carfare.

He gets to the boarding house just before two Sunday afternoon. He's brought four rabbits already cleaned, skinned and wrapped. He knocks softly on Horvath's private door and Mister Horvath answers, "Hey sir, I brung ya some rabbits. Should be good eating."

"That's wonderful son, you sure have kept us well-supplied with good meat. We're grateful and I know the men are. You just adjust your rent this Friday."

"Yessir, and thanks."

"No, thank you."

He already had his mind made up. He's getting his bath before meeting her at the park, why wouldn't a fellow? It's a date, isn't it?

He makes it a fast bath and trim, splashing on just a little Aqua Velva aftershave when he's done. He hurries back to his room to dress, but not in his overalls. He wears a button up shirt, rolling the sleeves to just below his elbows. He steps into the brown trousers, fastens the buttons at the sides of his waist and at the fly, then hooks the suspenders. He slips on his good brown ankle boots, combs his hair back with his fingers and dons his good cap. He's ready.

She left home early and she's quite nervous. It's not at all what she always imagined her first date would be. She expected to have a potential suitor visit her at home. It would be a front porch meeting with lemonade and cookies, and of course, it would all take place under Daddy's watchful eye. This is so different, and so much better. It will just be her and Daryl.

She's still wearing her Sunday dress, her best dress. Her shoes are freshly polished and it took her half an hour to get the waves in her hair to fall just right. She's wearing her Mama's pearls and a little dab of perfume, a sample she got at the drugstore. She hopes he likes the fragrance.

After a short walk she sits on the bench closest to the sidewalk, he'll surely see her right away.

He's just about to get in his pickup when he thinks of one more thing. He hurries to Mister Horvath's garden, looks around to make sure no one sees him, and quickly plucks a small handful of daisies for her.

He feels the smile on his face as he approaches the park and she comes into view. She's so dressed up and looking so pretty. Should he have worn a tie? He probably should have. He'll tell her he's sorry he didn't.

He pulls up to the curb, shuts the motor off and practically leaps from the pickup. The flowers are in his hand and she's on her feet smiling at him as he walks toward her. He smiles back as he pulls the cap off and extends his arm. Handing her the flowers he says, "Ya look so pretty today," and his finger softly glides along her jawline.

His touch sends a shiver through her and she closes her eyes as she leans into his hand and quietly says, "Thank you for the flowers Daryl."

It's so good, it's just not enough, there's never enough. He invites, "Wanna take a walk around?"

Her smile is all sunshine when she answers, "Yes, I'd like that."

He takes her hand as they silently walk through the park. Eventually he steers them off the footpath and behind a large oak tree. He takes her pretty face in his hands and looking into her big, expectant blue eyes asks, "Can I kiss ya Beth? Will ya let me kiss ya?"

She softly whispers, "Yes."

He doesn't hesitate, his body moves close to hers as he leans in and tenderly kisses her sweet lips.

A/N There it is, her first kiss. We'll pick up right there next chapter. In the meantime please leave a comment. The chapter photo is on my tumblr blogs gneebee and bethylmethbrick, please check it out. I'll be back next Friday with more of The Stranger Upstairs and I hope to see you here. Until then remember, I love ya large! xo gneebee