Sorry guys for the late posting! My cars broke and I've had a massive migraine over the stress of it!

But none the less, thank you for all of your reviews and alerts.

Hope you like this next chapter.

Chapter 6

"Morning, Hershel" Enid greeted as she entered his room a few weeks later.

She watched as he lifted his head heavily, as if he used every ounce of his energy to do so, before a smile lit up his face at her entrance. Seeing she had his attention, she waved the large, white envelope that she clutched in her hand for him to see.

"It came?" he questioned.

Enid nodded and approached his side so she could hand him the letter, "Finally!" she stated before continuing, "What is it, anyway?"

Hershel perused the envelope but didn't open it. Instead he laid it down on the arm of his chair.

"Just a little something for Beth's birthday" he explained gently.

Enid couldn't help but be a little curious as to what the envelope contained but allowed Hershel his privacy. He'd asked her a few weeks ago if he could arrange for something to be delivered to her house and she'd happily obliged his request. Since then, each time she'd arrived for work, he'd asked if it had arrived and each time she'd told him it hadn't she'd watch his shoulders deflate. But now that it was here, he seemed relieved.

"How was boy's night?" Hershel quizzed with a chuckle as Enid moved around his room completing her chores.

She dropped the clean sheets she'd already collected from the cupboard to change his bed and shook her head before turning to face him, with one hand resting on the hip that was jutted to one side.

The boy's night that Hershel was referring to consisted of her father and her boyfriend going out to watch the latest football game at the sports bar down town before shooting some pool. But somehow it had resulted in each of them being arrested; something neither herself or her mother had been able to find out why. Both men had remained quite tight lipped about the whole thing.

"Sore subject" she stated as she recalled how angry she'd been most of the weekend. She caught his eyebrows as they shot up to his hair line before she released an exasperated breath, "Can you believe they got arrested?"

"They did?" Hershel exclaimed as Enid nodded her head and turned back to the bed, muttering a "mmhmm" under her breath signalling that it was all she was saying.

For a few moments, Hershel sat watching as Enid lifted the cover making sure each corner fitted it properly before tucking it in.

"I remember when Daryl's brother got arrested" he blurted.

His words caused Enid to jump slightly after so many minutes of silence, before she turned in his direction; the pillows now in her hands as she changed the covers.

"It was a few weeks after they returned to school, when it happened" he explained, "Some petty misdemeanour, but the sheriff had already warned that boy if he stepped out of line again he'd be doing some time"

Finally finishing the bed, Enid bent and scooped up the sheets before pushing them in to the laundry bin near the door.

"Daryl didn't take the news so well, it was his brother after all" Hershel explained, "he started acting out some, skipping class, getting drunk that sort of thing"

"Then what happened?" Enid asked as she brought over his medication.

Gripping the bottle of water in a shaky hand, Hershel took the tablets with a grimace before handing the bottle back to Enid who placed it on the table in front of them.

"Merle had been in jail around two weeks when I got a call"

"Hello, is this Hershel Greene?" the unknown voice asked.

"It is" He confirmed before pulling the receiver back to stare at the phone as if it was an unknown object. Whilst he had a phone, it rarely rang and he only really kept it for emergency's.

"This is Deputy Shane Walsh" the voice now known as Shane stated before continuing, "We have Daryl Dixon here at the station and he's listed you as his contact"

Hershel sucked in a breath at the news. He knew the boy had been pulling away from himself and Beth since Merle's arrest, but he hadn't known how badly he was suffering until that moment.

"Mr Greene?"

Clearing his throat, Hershel answered, "I'm on my way"

Within ten minutes Hershel pulled up at the small police station that sat in the centre of their small town. He couldn't help but gaze up at the structure before entering and felt as if it loomed over him, tall and foreboding. Straightening himself up, he stood tall and marched right up to the small reception desk.

After explaining who he was and showing his identification, Daryl was brought out from a side room. He could see the tell tale signs that Daryl had been drinking, as well as a fresh bruise on his cheek.

As if not realising that Hershel was present, he watched as Daryl struggled against the officer's grip as they moved him to a seating area.

"Get ya fuckin' hands off me" he snapped as they manoeuvred him in to the chair.

Still standing at the reception desk, Hershel couldn't help the feelings that were beginning to swirl around him. He wasn't angry with the boy, only with himself for not intervening earlier.

As if Daryl could sense his thoughts, his head snapped to where Hershel stood and for a moment he saw remorse flit across Daryl's face, before an officer blocked his sight as he made his way in Hershel's direction.

"You Hershel Greene?" the man asked.

Hershel leant forward and squinted slightly as he read "Deputy Walsh" on the man's badge before nodding.

"Where'd you pick him up?" Hershel asked as he tried to glance back to Daryl.

Shane shook his head in apology, "Picked him up at the park, luckily a passer-by noticed he was drinking and we were able to pick him up before he could get on that motorcycle of his"

Hershel simply nodded and grimaced, "Listen Hershel" Shane started as he put an arm around the man's shoulders to turn him so that their backs were to where Daryl sat, "I know he ain't like Merle, which is why we ain't gonna charge him; this time!" Hershel moved to speak, to express his gratitude but Shane cut him off, "It's gotta be hard for the kid, a deadbeat dad and now a felony for a brother, but if it happens again he's gonna be heading the same way as that brother of his and truth be told" Shane lowered his voice "I don't want to see that happen. He's a good kid and he needs to know there's still good people in the world."

When Shane finished, both himself and Hershel looked back to where Daryl sat. Whilst he still had a slight scowl on his face, Hershel assumed it was likely more from the headache that was obviously starting due to the alcohol than it was because Hershel had come to collect him.

"Is he free to leave?" Hershel questioned as he gestured to where Daryl sat waiting.

Shane flicked two fingers to his colleagues, motioning for them to escort Daryl towards them. As Daryl approached, he hung his head at the look he saw on Hershel's face.

"It's your lucky day, Son. You're free to go" Shane announced before stepping forward, "Don't make us regret this, Daryl" he told him quietly before moving so that they could leave.

Two officer's helped to lift Daryl's bike into the bed of Hershel's truck. After thanking both, Hershel gestured for Daryl to get in before climbing in himself. For several moments, they drove in silence and Hershel considered how his wife would've dealt with the situation, before an idea arose.

"Hey, ya missed the turnin' for the farm" Daryl stated as his head whipped around, looking back towards the road that led to the farm that they'd now passed.

"Ain't going to the farm, Daryl" Hershel explained.

Folding his arms across his chest, Daryl let out a whoosh of air. If they weren't going to the farm, Hershel was obviously taking him back to the trailer park and for the hundredth time since drinking that moonshine he'd found in his father's room, he felt regret at his actions.

His eyes widened as they then passed the entrance for the trailer park and he wondered where the man was taking him. Trying to get his bearings, he jumped when Hershel spoke.

"Where'd you get that bruise?"

Daryl's hand automatically moved to his cheek and he noticed Hershel's eyebrow raised in question. The truth was since Merle had been sentenced, there was no one at home to protect him from his father's fists; not that Merle had always been able to save him.

"S'nothin" Daryl muttered before facing forward.

As Daryl grew more and more frustrated with where they were going, he noticed a change in the speed and the smoothness of the road as Hershel turned down a track before the trees opened up to reveal a large pond.

Jumping down from the car as soon as he shut off the engine, Hershel reached into the truck bed and grabbed his fishing gear. He always kept it in the truck for that 'just in case day' and right now he was grateful.

"You gonna sit there pouting all day or are you gonna come and help me catch supper?" He questioned.

"So, let me get this straight" Enid said with a confused look on her face, "He got arrested and you just took him fishing?"

Hershel simply chuckled, "I know what your thinking, but the thing with Daryl is that he already got shouted at and I knew that wasn't going to work. He didn't need to be berated for his actions, he needed someone to talk to"

They'd sat for a few hours, their shoeless feet pruning in the water as their trousers were rolled to just below the knee. Their fishing poles sat next to them as they enjoyed the sun, heat and nature around them.

"You want to tell me what happened?" Hershel asked.

He watched as Daryl's shoulders slumped, "I dunno what happened" Daryl admitted, "I just saw that jar of moonshine in my old man's room and I just thought it'd make me feel better, ya know"

"Did y' know that bad moonshine can make you go blind?" Hershel explained, hoping it may deter the boy from drinking it again in the future.

Instead he watched as Daryl looked down to the water around their feet, "Ain't nothin' worth looking at sometimes anyhow"

"You know" Hershel started, "I wasn't always this man" Daryl looked at him as if he was lying, "It's true! Knowing your father, I would say we pretty much have the same scars, both inside and out. Like your brother, I got in to trouble and like you today, I started drinking. The difference was I didn't have anyone willing to help. Well, not until I met my Annette anyway."

Resting a comforting hand on Daryl's shoulder, they both looked out across the water, "I'm worried about you, son, and I know Beth is too"

At that, Daryl's head snapped in his direction. The truth was, Hershel had been the one that Beth had been seeking comfort in when she'd arrive in tears at how Daryl had been acting.

"You're a good man, Daryl" Hershel continued but stopped when Daryl cut across him.

"How can y' say that?" he snapped as he stood quickly, sloshing water all over them, "Ya jus' picked me up from the damn police station and y' think I'm good. Pfft, ya ain't got a damn clue."

Standing himself, Hershel found his strength and faced Daryl head on, "How long have you been coming to my farm now?" Daryl stayed quiet, "I like to think I'm a good judge of character and if I thought you didn't have an ounce of goodness in you, I would've let you go home that day without a backward glance"

Daryl opened his mouth to speak, but Hershel raised his hand slightly to silence him, "But, I didn't! I saw something in you that day, in both of you. If my Annie was alive, she'd be saying the exact same thing, but do you know your problem?" Daryl shook his head and looked to the ground, his toe stubbing the dirt.

"You think cause of how your daddy and brother are, that you're destined for the same life"

Hershel bent and collected his rods and the large fish they'd caught before turning on his heel and heading back to his truck.

"You're not them, Daryl" Hershel yelled over his shoulder without turning around.

He was nearing the truck when he heard the boy's footsteps sounding behind him. Turning slightly he saw an unsure look on Daryl's face, "How d' ya know I'm not like them?"

Hershel smiled, "Because, Beth and I have both seen a goodness in you that neither your brother or that father of yours could ever possess, you just gotta have faith in yourself, Daryl"

Daryl chewed his nail nervously as he contemplated the words. Whether it was the moonshine still in his system he will never know, but he suddenly leapt forwards and hugged the man that had come to mean so much to him. The words of apology slipping from his lips on a whisper.

Anyone would tell you that Daryl was not a person that liked physical contact. Sure, he allowed Beth close, but they had grown up together. However as he embraced Hershel under his young teenage arms, he couldn't help but allow himself this moment, unsure if he would ever have the chance again.

As a breeze blew, Hershel swore he heard Daryl speak the words he'd longed to hear for so long, "I wish y' were my dad" but kept quiet; he didn't want to frighten the boy off when he'd finally made progress, so instead he simply tightened his arms around him before pulling back and announcing that they should head home to cook super ready for Beth getting home after school.

Hearing Enid blow her nose into a tissue had Hershel turning his head in her direction, "Are you crying?" he questioned.

Enid blushed and chuckled slightly, "I can't help it" she admitted, "he was just a kid" Hershel nodded in agreement, "He was lucky to have you" she added before glancing at her wrist.

"Shoot, I need to head down and make you some lunch. You feeling hungry today?" she quizzed.

The truth was he didn't feel hungry but he knew he needed to eat something, "Sure" he replied before watching as she flounced out of his room to prepare their lunch.

Eyes lingering on the door, he noticed his photo album sitting on the shelf that lined the wall near the doorframe. Reaching over to the side of his chair, his hand gripped his walking stick as he began to pull himself closer to the edge of the seat.

Getting his feet underneath him, he shuffled slowly across the floor to the direction of the shelves. Wrapping his fingers around the cool spine, he tugged it slightly but stopped when a wave of pain swept over him before spots swam in his eyes.

"Enid" he croaked before another stab of pain had him crumpling to the floor, blackness filling his vision before the world disappeared.

Hearing a thump from overhead had Enid frowning at the ceiling before she placed the knife back on the side and moved towards the door to investigate. As she walked up the steps her eyes spotted Hershel's legs laying on the floor in the doorway to his room. Rushing the last few stairs, she quickly knelt next to him and checked him over before pulling her phone from her bag.

Her fingers shook as she dialled emergency services and requested ambulance.

Wondering why Hershel was so close to the door, she glanced around him and noticed his photo album now laying slightly away from him on the ground and suddenly tears filled her eyes as sirens sounded in the distance.

…

"Beth, phone call for you honey" Karen, of Karen's Café, called over the counter towards where Beth wiped down the tables in her section.

Frowning, Beth quickly moved to take the phone from where Karen had placed it.

"Hello?"

Straight away she heard a breath of relief, "Beth, thank god. It's Enid… Hershel…"

It felt like her heart fell through her stomach at the words Enid spoke and she couldn't help but crumple to the floor. She was only vaguely aware of the phone clattering to the ground next to her and the white pump covered feet that stepped in front of her.

"Tyreese?" Karen called as she bent to help Beth up from the ground. Immediately, Karen's husband Tyreese flew from the kitchen, his eyes scrunching as he took in the scene.

"Grab your keys" Karen directed him as she gestured to his car keys on the hooks behind the counter before turning back to Beth, "C'mon honey, we need to get you over to Sanctuary Memorial Hospital"

"Is he dead?" Beth whispered as if in a daze as tears fell down her cheeks.

Karen's face showed concern for the young girl in front of her, "No, Enid said he's stable"

Nodding, Beth allowed Karen and Tyreese to direct her outside and to the car. It was only as they closed the door that a thought registered, "What about Annie?"

"Don't worry" Karen stated as she leant over the centre console to where Beth sat in the back to squeeze her hand, "I'll ring Eric and get him or Aaron to pick her up from day care. If they can't make it, me and Ty will swing by and we'll take her back to our place"

The rest of the journey passed in a blur and before Beth knew what was happening, she was stumbling out of the car and into the hospital in front of her. The hallways were busy and several people bumped and jostled her as she looked to where she needed to go.

"Beth" Enid's familiar voice greeted. Beth turned in the direction and quickly rushed to embrace the woman that had become her friend. For several moments they stood as if providing the strength that the other needed was flowing between them.

Finally pulling apart, Enid led the way to the ward and floor that Hershel was on.

As Beth entered his room, she couldn't help but gasp at the wires that covered his body and the greyness of his skin.

Moving slowly, she approached the side of his bed and slipped her hand into his free one; that wasn't obstructed by wires or needles. As if sensing her he opened his eyes and tried to smile but winced slightly instead.

"Miss Greene?" A voice asked from the door. Enid leant forwards to whisper in Beth's ear, "We had to tell them you're his daughter." Nodding, Beth moved to the concerned doctor that stood in the doorway before turning back to Hershel and Enid.

"Go" Enid advised, "I'll stay with Hershel".

Following the doctor, Beth wiped the tears from her cheeks as they stepped in to the hall.

"Your father has been admitted with a high temperature" he explained as Beth stared at him but didn't really see him, "We've looked over his notes and think it's best for him to stay here until…" he trailed off.

Beth knew what he wasn't saying, 'until he dies' she thought and her eyes filled with tears. "How long?" she whispered.

He sighed, "No one knows" he admitted, "it could be a week, it could be a month. We just need to take it one day at a time"

Beth nodded and glanced back to the room where Hershel waited, "Go" the doctor told her, "be with him"

Moving stiffly, Beth entered the room and took her seat next to the bed. Enid moved to grab another chair and the two of them sat either side of the man they'd both become so fond of.

Several hours later, Hershel woke as his medication wore off. He glanced to the window and saw that night had already fell before his gaze found Beth sleeping in the hard plastic chair next to his bed.

As if sensing him, her eyes fluttered open and for a moment she forgot where they were until the memory came rushing back. Sitting upright, she smiled as best she could and swallowed the lump in her throat.

"You should head on home" Hershel stated, "it's getting late" he gestured to the window, where Beth could see the dark sky.

Shaking her head, she took Hershel's hand in her own, "just a while longer" she replied.

Hershel grimaced but allowed Beth to stay. Within a few short hours, Beth had fallen back to sleep, her head resting next to her hand that was still holding Hershel's on the bed.

Enid entered the room with a fresh cup of coffee in her hand. Knowing Beth had no way to get home other than a cab, she'd hung around until Beth was ready to head home. Blowing on the steaming cup, she slipped into her seat and smiled as Hershel inclined his head to where Beth was sleeping.

"I remember when I used to find her asleep with Daryl out on the porch swing" he whispered before he moved his hand to stroke her blonde hair gently.

"If it wasn't the porch swing, it was the barn" he admitted.

"Tell me" Enid urged.

"Beth's father, Simon, didn't approve of their relationship and did everything he could to stop them being together at times, but they always found a way. From what Beth told me, Simon didn't want her getting pregnant like her momma did. He thought he'd have another mouth to feed, something he reminded her of often."

Enid nodded as he paused, "Of course, they would just sneak out and meet at the swings before coming out to the farm. I caught them several times and would just cover them with a blanket before heading on back to bed" he chuckled at the memory.

"After it happened a few times, I decided to start leaving the door unlocked and the spare room made up. Made sure I dropped a hint about it as often as I could too"

Enid looked at him with shock, "It wasn't like that" he explained, "I trusted them and I knew they weren't carrying on like some of the kids back then."

"Of course, it wasn't just me that tried to help them sneak around from time to time" he added.

Beth glanced at the clock for the millionth time and whilst she knew Daryl would be waiting for her at the swings all night, she wished she didn't have to act like a maid when her father's friends came round.

She often hated game night, not just because of the fowl language and drinking, but because of the way some of his friends would stare at her.

Heading down the hall towards her bedroom, she couldn't help but glance longingly in the direction of the swings when a familiar voice startled her.

"Why are you still here, Beth?" he sighed.

Beth smiled, Negan was one of the only friends of her father's that didn't frighten her. As if recalling his question, Beth's smile fell as a frown took over her face.

"What'd y' mean?" she asked nonchalantly. If Simon knew she was sneaking out to meet Daryl, she knew she'd pay for it.

Negan chuckled before moving Beth to one side, "That Dixon kid" he stated with a low voice so as not to draw attention from her father, "he's waitin' at the swings for you, ain't he?"

"How did y-?" Beth started.

Negan shook his head, "Lucille saw you both" he stated and Beth gulped, they needed to be more careful. "You know, you two remind me of me and my Lucille when we were younger" he explained pulling her from her thoughts.

Hearing Simon's laughter come from the end of the trailer they both glanced in the direction before Negan spoke again, "Go" he told her, "he ain't gonna wait all night"

She felt her resolve growing as she made to move, "Go, just don't do anything I wouldn't do up at ol' man Greene's farm" he chuckled.

Her lips parted as her mouth formed an 'o' at his words. Finally finding her voice, she smirked, "Is there anything you wouldn't do?" she quizzed.

Negan let out a laugh before Simon's voice floated through the small trailer. Taking Beth's wrist he pulled her towards where Simon and his friends sat. Immediately her father frowned at their entrance, until Negan spoke.

"Lucille just called, seems she needs some help with the kiddoes tonight" he stated, "You don't mind if Beth here heads on down to the house to help out do you?"

Simon stuttered for a moment before nodding. No one goes against Negan's word and for once Beth appreciated it.

As she opened the door, she didn't miss the grin or wink from Negan in her direction. After that night, Negan often called or stopped by and told Simon that Beth was needed for babysitting duties, when in fact he was giving her the alibi she needed to see Daryl.

As the memory came to an end, Enid watched Hershel yawn and fight the sleep that tried to consume him.

"You should rest" Enid told him as she stood to cover him up so he could settle.

She felt him resist and move the covers as he proclaimed that he wasn't tired, even though it was clear that he was.

Frowning as he fought her, she sank back into the chair, "Hershel, what's this about?" she quizzed.

She watched as tears filled his eyes as his head turned to face her, "What if… What if I go to sleep and I…." he started before trailing off.

Realising where his thoughts were going, Enid finished his sentence for his, "if you don't wake up?"

He nodded at her words as a tear slipped from the corner of his eye, "If I fall asleep you might never get to hear the end" he explained as he looked towards where Beth slept, "and I might never get to say goodbye"

Enid couldn't help the lump growing in her throat at his words. They all knew his time was coming to an end, but it didn't make it any easier.

Standing up, Enid began tucking him in once again, this time he remained still.

"You're in good hands here, Hershel" she stated as she tried to reassure him, "and I promise, we will be back tomorrow. You will finish your story and don't even get me started on goodbye's, okay?"

Hershel smiled, "Okay" he replied before closing his eyes as sleep consumed his frail body.