Chapter 10 – Definitely Changes

The sound of someone groaning caught Beth's attention as she squeezed back into the room. She looked over to see Daryl tossing his head, arm coming up to cover his face as the sun light shined on to him. Beth stood still, watching as he turned over with another groan, away from the light as he covered his head with the blanket. Her breathing heavy as she waited for some kind confirmation that the serum either worked or it didn't. That she had her Daryl back, or maybe she would have to live with this new version of him.

She could. If she had to.

It wouldn't be such a horrible thing to be living with Daryl as a vampire. Sure they would be living in the night time and she wasn't sure how they would get the money to live off of, of they would be finding other ways to survive. But she would still have some version of Daryl and they would be together and that would be better then not having him at all. Because she knew what it was like without him. Sure she could survive on her own, and she had for a while at the hospital, but that was just surviving. Where as with Daryl, with her family, she could live a little. Get a little taste of something that she missed out on all together on before her life went to shit.

No, she would rather spend her life in the dark with a man that she knew she could love one rather then leave without him. That's why she took on hesitant step into the room as she looked at the figure lying on the bed and said, "Daryl," in nothing but a whisper, not wanting to alert Blade and Whistler just yet. She feared that they would come in with guns loaded, ready to throw him into the burning street and right now she just needed a moment with him.

"Mmm" he moaned, flipping the blanket back to stare at her. The sun spread out across his skin, definitely touching him but not burning him. Not even seeming to phase him as they stared at each other. Beth let out a breath she didn't even know she'd been holding before rushing toward the bed. She crawled next to him, curling close as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and she wrapped an arm around his front where she could bury her head into his neck and inhale deep. His usual smell of smoke and spice filled her nostrils and she cracked a smile, resting her head against his chest, happy to have his warm arms surrounding her and the sound of his regular heart beat pounding in her ears.

"You're alive," she whispered, snuggling closer to him.

"Did you expect somethin else?" he asked, pulling back to take her in. Blue met blue as Beth stared into his gaze. Taking him in, memorizing the angles of his face, the color of his eyes. The way his mouth seemed to be in a permanent frown that was already starting to cause wrinkles on his face.

Shaking her head, she looked away from him. "I didn't know what to expect."

Daryl pulled her closer, his lips kissing the top of her head before resting his chin there. "You shouldn't worry so much."

Beth giggled, a small sound that was almost stifled by Daryl's chest as she mumbled. "Right. Like that's ever goin to happen."

She looked up at him again, her gaze going to his lips that were mere inches from her own before flicking up to his gaze. There was a small smile on his lips and amusement in his eyes and Beth found it to be the best thing ever. Her hand came up, caressing his cheek for a moment before she pushed herself forward to kiss him. A slight pressure at first until Daryl's fingers tangled in her hair and he held her head closer. Applying more pressure as he tilted his head, deepening the kiss even further. Beth felt her body heating up, small tingles starting across her lips that spread her to her spine. She pushed herself closer to him, not wanting the kiss to end until the sound of someone clearing their throat caught their attention. Daryl yanked back, his eyes flying to the door way as Beth took a moment to breath before looking up to meet Whistler's gaze.

"How you feelin, Skid?" Whistler asked, ignoring what he walked in on. Beth was grateful, even as her face heated up.

Daryl ignored Whistler's nickname for him as attempted to push himself up into more of a sitting position as he replied, "like a damn train ran me over."

Whistler nodded, not bothering to respond as he grabbed Daryl's arm, looking at his watch as he counted out his pulse before placing the back of his hand on Daryl's forehead. "Well you feel a little warm, but I guess that's to be expected."

His eyes flicked to Beth, and again her face heated up. One look at Daryl and she could see his own cheeks turning colors on the comment. Still they ignored the old man and looked instead to Blade who was now standing in the door way. He had his arms crossed, the usual glower on his face as he looked at the two. Beth looked away from him, taking a glimpse at Daryl who met her stare for a moment before looking toward the other two men.

"Should probably rest another day or two, just to be on the safe side," Whistler continued, glancing at the two on the bed before turning toward Blade. They gave each other a quick glance, Blade shrugging like something passed between the two.

"Ya really gonna let us stay that long?" Daryl asked, pushing himself further up. He winced a little when he attempted to sit and Beth placed a hand on his shoulder to gently lay him back down. He complied, resting his back on the wall so that he was some what sitting up and able to face them.

"We said we'd help, so we are," Whistler said, pointing at the both of them with a determined stared in his eye. "Besides, do you even know where you are going?"

Daryl shrugged, his eyes going down to a strand coming off the blanket. Twirling it in his fingers, he replied, "Got some contacts. They'll be able to help me find Merle at least."

"Familiars?" Blade said, bearing his teeth at the thought. Daryl nodded, barely glancing up at Blade before his focus was back on that piece of string. Winding it tighter around his finger, until the tip turned red and then it snapped and he let out a huff of breath.

"Vamps said they'd be able to hurt him if I didn't cooperate so I'm assumin they know where his at."

Beth sucked in a deep breath. Just thinking about coming across any vampires again sent a shiver through her body. Daryl must have felt it, because he glanced at her, squeezing her hand tight like he was trying to pass some message on to her. She gave him a small smile, letting him know she was okay before looking toward Blade and Whistler again.

"We could probably head south after that," she said, looking between the two older guys first before gazing at Daryl. "Boston, or Florida."

"Georgia," he mumbled, making Beth suck in another deep breath as she thought about going home. Being even with an hour of her farm, being able to even glimpse her family was something she only dreamed about. Didn't know if she was strong enough to keep away from them.

"Maybe," she said, looking away from him. He gave her hand another squeeze before looking at the other two that were watching them a little too closely. "We'll figure it out."

Whistler nodded, looking toward Blade before looking back at Daryl. "Guess that mean's you're going to have to recover first," he said, letting out a deep sigh. "That means getting some actual food in you."

Beth nodded, releasing Daryl's hand, ready to scoot off the bed as she said, "I'll get it."

Whistler stood as well, limping toward the door. "I'll come with you."

Beth stopped, one knee resting on the bed and the other foot resting on the floor as she paused to stare at the man, ready to argue with him before he stopped in the door way to look at her .,"You have a big red 'X' on your back right now, going outside by yourself is out of the question." He pinned her down with a hard stare. Beth's mouth snapped shut and she looked toward Daryl for help.

"Don't argue, Z. It's better if you have someone with you anyways."

"Fine," she muttered, pushing herself off the bed and heading out the door. Whistler followed along with her. His limp more pronounced on the metal stairs as they made their way down. Halfway through the warehouse, he paused at a shelf and started digging around it. Beth stopped as well, curious what he could be after before he shoved a small gun in her hand.

"Just in case," he said in way of explanation and Beth shrugged, tucking the weapon in the back of her pants. The fact that she would never be rid of weapons in the past life or this one bothered her a little. Made her wonder if she would ever live a normal life. One where she wasn't running from one place to the next. Fear driving her from her home yet again. With a heavy sigh, she thought about the farm. About the short time she had as a normal child. How she almost had a normal childhood until she turned sixteen and her mother and brother died.

Maybe going back to Georgia wouldn't be a bad thing. There she could turn back the clocks. Find away to warn them, could even save them if she put enough effort into it. How much would her life change if she decided to do that? If she saved her family?

She'd have Shawn with them when Rick and them showed up to the farm. He'd be able to talk Daddy into doing what needed to be done with the walkers without Shane having to barge in on the situation. He could possibly even save Otis, because with Shawn there, they wouldn't need Shane to head out with Otis for the medical supplies to save Carl. Which meant more focus on Carol's little girl, and maybe they could save her as well. So many possibilities opened up with just one thought of saving her brother. Of keeping him and her mother alive.

The end of the world wouldn't be so gloomy, and maybe, just maybe, they wouldn't need Daryl. She wouldn't have to feel so guilt ridden about keeping Daryl away from Atlanta. There could definitely be some changes, if she'd just give it a shot.

She focused in time to see Whistler punching in a new code on the security system, the doors unlocking the moment he did and Beth pushing the numbers to the back of her memory. When they walked into the day light, the sun shone straight in her eyes. Blinding her for a moment until she was able to adjust. Whistler didn't wait for her, already he was reaching the end of the ally, even with his limp and Beth realized he was a quick one. Smiling at the old man's back, she followed along, remaining silent until they reached the edge of the block and Beth moved to head toward the Krispy Kreme's.

Whistler grabbed her arm, pulling her back as he nodded toward a burger joint a few more blocks down.

"But the donuts are right here, and Daryl likes his donuts," she said, waving toward the shop.

"He needs food, not sugar," Whistler commented, heading toward the burger joint he originally planned on. Beth sighed, glancing at the shop one more time. "Sugar could be considered food. He'd consider it food." she mumbled, not sure if the man heard her until she heard him scoff at her words. They walked a few more blocks, Beth slowing down a bit when she came across the turn off that led to her apartment building. She could see the yellow tape hanging limp on the side of the door, telling her the police came in, investigated and came up empty handed. It was better that way. No one really needed to know the truth, and all the neighbors knew she'd moved. They believed she left just in time.

No one would really need to know the difference anyways. She was just about to continue following Whistler when a familiar mop of hair stepped out of her apartment. Looking first up one way and then Beth's direction. She spotted her as well and rushed up the street. "Z," she hollered when she was close enough.

"Hey," Beth replied, feeling a little nervous now. Whistler stopped when he heard the name hollered, and looked back to see Beth glancing at him. He kept his distance though as Christina drew nearer.

"Was starting to get worried about ya. Ya said you would be over the next day and then...nothing," she said, holding her hands arm up.

Beth swallowed, her throat suddenly dry as she looked to the ground. "Yeah," she started, nodding her head. "Scud showed up and well...shit happened."

Christina took a step back, understanding forming in her eyes as she looked from her to Whistler. "You got a place to stay?"

"Yeah," Beth replied, glancing at Whistler who was now taking a smoke out of his pocket and lighting it up. He kept glancing toward Beth, looking a bit impatient and a little irritated to be held up. He didn't say anything though and Beth focused back on Christina. Trying to decide what she should and should not tell her. Christina knew about the vampires, knew Beth worked with them, but did she know about Daryl's deal or his own work. Or even Blade. It was part of the relationship that Beth had never bothered to bring up. Sighing, she gave Christina a quick smile before saying, "we're good."

Christina gave her one more considering look, her head turning behind her for a moment before looking back at Beth. The slight flash of what could have been a plea could be seen there before Christina took in a deep breath and nodded her head. "Alright well. Still got you're stuff at that new apartment, whenever you get the chance."

Beth nodded, giving her a grateful smile before saying, "thanks." She looked behind Christina. Trying to figure out what she looked at. What could have brought that look of fear in her eyes before she gave up and focused on her retreating friend. The girl was already jogging back up the street, and Beth turned to Whistler who was studying the woman a little harder then she believed to be necessary.

"Friend of yours?" he asked, nodding toward Christina. Beth nodded, her gaze going to the girl's retreating figure one more time before she looked toward Whistler. "And she knows about vampires?"

Again Beth nodded, not sure where he was taking this. He gave her one hard glance before shaking his head and walking away. Leaving Beth utterly confused as she looked back to see Christina ducking into a small laundry mate across from her old apartment.

Her brows furrowed at that, not getting why Christina would be hanging out at the laundry mate when her own place has one, but she blew it off. Following Whistler again as he headed into the burger joint. Between Whistler's silence about the girl and Beth's own observation, she felt a knot forming in her stomach. Making her lose focus as they ordered their food and then headed back to the warehouse.

Walking toward the back of the garage, she was surprised to find Daryl sitting at the old computer desk. One of his smokes lite up as he leaned back into the chair there.

"What the hell you doin?" Whistler asked before Beth could. The man rounded on the younger man, glowering at him as he looked over his computer station. Noting the newly acquired mess of papers and a bag of Daryl's stuff laid out.

"Searchin for my brother," he replied, raising an eyebrow at the man like it should have been obvious. Whistler placed the food on the table and placed a hand on his hips as he looked toward him.

"You should be restin, not smokin that shit," he muttered, shaking his head at the boy. Beth stood beside Daryl, giving him her own glower as he looked from the old man to her.

Throwing his hands up at them both he said, "it helps with the pain alright."

Whistler scoffed, his eyes rolling as he looked around the building. "Where's Blade?"

Daryl nodded up the stairs toward Blade's room "Hittin up his own shit."

"Huh," Whistler said, his hands coming up to cover his face. Beth noticed the weariness that seemed to settle in the man. Like he'd been carrying the world around for far to long and was just now starting to feel it. Maybe he felt it all along and it was just now catching up to him. Whichever it was, Beth felt a wave of sympathy for the older man and she stepped forward to rest a hand on his shoulder.

He gave her a quick glance before waving his hand toward the food and headed up the stairs. Beth gave him a small smile of understanding before turning toward Daryl who was now punching in a number.

Shaking her head, she pulled out the burgers that they brought back, handing one over to Daryl who placed the phone between his shoulder and ear and took the offered food. He didn't open it though because the next second she heard him say, "hey man, long time no talk."

Beth settled herself against the table, opening her own food and taking a quick bite as he asked about his brother. Beth held her breath, her head cocking to the side as she strained to hear the other end of the conversation. She knew that the first few phone calls would probably be empty leads. It would be too easy to come across him like that. Especially seeing as this was Merle they were talking about. The same man that decided cutting his own hand off was a better option then waiting for Daryl to come for him. What ever made him believe that Daryl wouldn't come.

When she head Daryl say "alright man. Yeah keep me posted if ya hear anythin." Beth's own shoulders dropped. Not really understanding what made her hope it would be that easy. Daryl hung up the phone, his own head shaking as he unwrapped his burger and took a bite.

"How many people have you called so far?" she asked, keeping her gaze on the burger. She looked up when he held up two fingers and didn't bother looking at her. Looking back at her food, she took another bit to remain silent as he put his food down, grabbed up his smoke and dialed another number.

It went on like this for several minutes. Call, hang up, and try again. Beth found another chair close by and sunk into it as she pulled out a small notebook from her back pocket, writing in it as she finished her fries and sucked down her drink. When he hung up the phone the last time, he looked to her with a smirk on his face.

Beth paused with a handful of fries ready to go into her mouth, eyebrow raising up as she looked at him. "What?" she asked, looking at her food and then back up at him.

"Don't look like much has changed, huh?" he asked, still smiling up at her. Beth looked around her. Taking in the dark warehouse, desk where her notebook and pen rested with a pile of food in front of them before her own lips turned up into a smile. "Never will."

Daryl picked up the phone one more time, shaking his head as he continued peeking at her while dialing the number. Beth grinned back, turning back to the small notebook that she'd been writing in as he talked on the phone. It wasn't anything special, just a place for her to write down any songs that came to her mind, even a few thoughts. Things that she felt would need to be remembered one day. She was in the process of wiping her hands on her jeans when the alarm started going off. Beth froze, her hands flying to her ears as she looked first to Daryl, who had a finger shoved in his ear as he attempted to hear what the guy on the other end was saying, and then upstairs. Whistler and Blade both came flying down the room, one heading toward the computer station and the other heading for the weapons.
Beth tucked her notebook away as she swung around, trying to figure out what was going on.

"What is that?" she asked, looking toward Whistler who was shoving Daryl to the side to get to the surveillance system.

"Someone's trying to get in here," he muttered, flipping through the cameras. His eyes rested on the last one of the front door and barley noticed the figure running around the corner. Any thing they could use to identify them was covered with a hoodie pulled low over their bodies, and Beth looked up in time to see Blade cock his gun.

"I'm on it."

"B," Daryl hollered, finally hanging up his phone and followign along. Beth moved after him, grabbing a hold of his arm to stop him from going outside.

"You can't," she said, forcing him to turn and face her. "You're barely-" she started, looking him up and down when Daryl talked over her.

"Someone's got stop him," he said, pulling out of her grasp and heading toward the door. He grabbed one of he automatics off the shelf as he passed by, and Beth ran her fingers through her hair. Wondering who the hell was going to stop him from killing himself.

"Arrgh," she hollered, running after them. She glanced Whistler out of the corner of her eye looking to follow along, but stopped to go back to the computer. The alarm was still going off and no doubt that was probably the bigger issue. Rushing outside, she turned in time to see the hooded figure jumping into a van and driving off before the door was even shut.

Blade attempted to run after them, his gun being holstered to make it easier when Daryl grabbed a hold of him. "Let it go, B."

The big man shrugged him off, moving to follow the van again when Whistler's voice rang from the ally way. "Stop, Blade. They'll be back."

Blade turned to him, bearing his teeth for a moment before he turned to Daryl and then Beth. "Which one?" he asked, glaring at the both of them. Beth took a step back, her breath hitching in her throat she felt the mistrust seething from Blade.

Daryl shook his head. "We wouldn't, man. Not after everything you've done."

Blade narrowed his gaze at him, taking a step forward looking like he was ready to take Daryl down. Beth moved closer, ready to move between the two men again when Whistler finally came to the edge of the ally way.

"I think it might have been that little girl we ran into earlier," he said, nodding toward Beth. Beth looked at him, her brows furrowing even as she shook her head. Ready to defend her friend from the likes of these two.

"Who?" Daryl asked, turning toward Beth for an explanation.

Again she shook her head, still denying it as she said, "Not Christina." Looking to Daryl for confirmation. She was his friend too after all. Daryl's mouth gaped open, his eyes going wide as he looked toward Whistler and then up to the sky. Beth let out a heavy breath, not fully understanding the meaning of defeat that came into Daryl's eyes as he looked back at her.

"Chrissy," he said, emphasizing the nickname like she should remember it. "Works for the vampires"

Beth shook her head, not wanting to hear what he had to say, "so did you."

"No Beth," he said, coming to stand in front of her. Grabbing her hands, he ran his thumb's across the both of them as he licked his lips. "She's the one that got you involved with the suck heads. She's the one that pointed you out to them."

Beth stared at him, slowly loosing the ability to breath as she heard the words. "But she..." she started, her eyes going distant. "you..." she started again, unable to form a full sentence. Daryl wrapped an arm around her shoulder's pulling her close as he nodded his head.

"Yeah, I introduced you to her and I'm sorry."

"She was my friend," she muttered, dumbstruck now that it was starting to sink in. Her eyes going distant as she thought about how nice Christina been to her.

"Because they wanted her to be," he explained, smoothing out her hair. Beth sucked in a deep breath, willing herself not to feel the betrayal as she grabbed a hold of Daryl's shirt. Taking in a deep breath of his familiar smell, she looked up at him and nodded. "Guess we gotta go then."

It was a statement, not a question. Ignoring the resignation in her voice, Daryl nodded in agreement. as he muttered "yeah."

Looking toward Blade and Whistler who was staring at the both of them before they headed back inside. None of them said a word. The place remained eerily quiet now that the alarm been shut off and no one was really talking. Daryl was busy grabbing up a bag and pulling some weapons inside of it. Blade was doing much the same thing before heading up stairs and disappearing into his room. Beth looked over at Daryl, noting they were both still in the same clothes and headed back up the stairs to see if there was anything useful from the last time he was here.

The routine wasn't all that unfamiliar to Beth. Grab what you could, throw it into the car and jump in. The same thing over and over. Here when she thought she could have something normal, she was doing something so familiar all over again. It's not like it was Daryl's fault. Wasn't anyone's fault really. She should have known better then to trust someone so easily. To get so attached to someone that she let her guard down and let them into her life without a second thought. Because her time in the hospital taught her nothing. Didn't teach her how to keep people away. Didn't drill into her head enough that the only people you could trust was your own family.

When she had the bag packed up, she made her way back downstairs in time to hear Blade ask if Daryl knew where they were going. She stopped halfway down, looking toward Daryl as he looked at her and nodded his head. "I have an idea where Merle is. We'll go get him and then head out of town."

Blade nodded, his eyes going over Beth before looking over the warehouse. Beth followed his movements, taking a moment to memorize the place. It'd been good to her. Blade, and Daryl taking her in, even though they didn't have to. She still didn't understand why they didn't just call the police in and let them deal with the crazy girl and her wild story.

"Z," Daryl hollered, catching her attention. Beth looked toward him as he nodded toward an old pick up truck. On her way to the truck, she stopped in front of Blade, looking him up and down for a moment before wrapping an arm around him. He stiffened at the contact, though Beth didn't pull away until she said, "take care"

Blade patted her shoulder, giving her a brief "hmm" before pushing her away. Then she turned to Whistler and hugged him. The older man actually hugged her back saying, "watch yourselves out there."

"You too, old man," Beth said, pulling back with a smirk on her face. Whistler narrowed his gaze at her, though the gesture was pointless with the amusement in his eyes. When Beth opened the car door to get in, Daryl leaned over the hood and looked to the two still standing in the middle of the warehouse.

"What about you two?"

Blade shrugged as he turned away, and Whistler looked around. "We'll be ready to leave in a few hours. Point is you two need to get out of town, and you need to be seen doing it." He pointed a finger at Daryl and the younger man nodded his head.

"Don't worry. They'll know we're gone."


I know this chapter is slow. Nothing really going on except to move the story along. Next chapter we get to see Merle again and Daryl and Beth move a bit away from the the Blade universe. Thanks again for all those that have commented, favorited, and followed this story. It means a lot to know that people are actually enjoying it. And thanks to whoever it was that added this story to a Daryl and Beth community. That definitely made my day to see that.

Until next time.