A/N Thank you all for your support of this crazy little tale. brady66 wanted a chapter where Beth does something nice for Daryl. Let's see how that works out for everyone.

The clouds were dark over Dixon-land. Merle had started noticing it about three weeks ago. Baby Brother seemed all tense, distracted, and generally outta sorts. Merle had ask him if he was okay, but he'd done that shruggin' n gruntin' thing he did, you know the one I'm talkin' about, the one that drives us all insane.

But tanight, when Merle came in the dive bar to have his weekly beer with his brother, he knew for sure there was big trouble in paradise. How? Well, see, Daryl did have a bottle a beer in front of him, but he was also powering down a shot a whiskey. That's right, and it's Wednesday, it ain't Saturday.

So Merle walks over ta the bar, claps his brother on the back and says, "Okay boy, I done put up with yer moodiness for three weeks now, what the fuck little brother, what's goin' on?"

The barkeep sets a beer down in front a Merle, cuz let's be real, dude is familiar with the Dixons.

So anyway, that's when Daryl says it, "I'm scared Merle, scared my Beth's got sumthin' goin' on the side."

Holy Fuck. Merle plops his ass down on the stool and says, "Nah boy, that can't be, Beth ain't that kind, and it's been obvious from the start that girl loves yer ragged ass. Why ya thinkin' like this boy?"

While Daryl was tryin' ta gather his words Merle texted Cindy, "Looks like it's gonna get drunk out tonight. Baby Brother's all manner a miserable. Catch up on your chick shows, I'll call ya later for a ride. Love ya doll." His phone beeped back at him, "Okay lover man, I'll miss you."

Damn his Cindy was a good woman, but this isn't about him and Cindy, so let's get back to the story.

"I dunno what the fuck Merle. I can just feel it, sumthin' ain't right. Its little things. Well like, ya know how she always cooked me real nice suppers? Well the past three weeks, unless it's Sunday or sumthin' and I'm home durin' the day, everythin's like sumthin' she just threw tagether at the last minute. And she's always been one ta take a bubble bath at night right after dinner, while I have my Daddy time with D.J., now she's showerin' right before I come home, like she's cleanin' up from sumthin'. And fuck Merle, a couple times I made a reach for her in bed and she told me she was too tired, that ain't never happened, well except for that one week when she was pregnant and thought she was fat, but that was different. But she ain't ever been one ta hold back the lovin'. All them things was adding up ta trouble, but when I knew for sure sumthin' was definitely wrong was when Tyrese come back from lunch taday, said he and a buddy met up at that college bar where Beth used ta sing n wait tables, he says they didn't stay cuz there wasn't a empty table in the joint, but anyway, she didn't see him, she was talkin' ta some college guy."

Merle was worried Daryl was gonna come apart right there, so he did the only thing he could do, he ordered 'em each a shot a Jack and another beer.

"Well ya know Little Brother; it ain't my way ta be the voice a reason, but I'm gonna just say it, there could be a reason for all this, ya know, a simple explanation."

But Daryl just shot the shot, chugged the beer, ordered another of each and said, "Nah, it's clear ta me. My Beth has got herself some college guy, she got sick a my ass, I'm yesterdays' news."

And when barkeep brought the next round, Baby Brother had that shot shot and that beer chugged practically before the poor bastard could set it down. Barkeep didn't miss a beat, he just brung more. Ya work in a bar long enough ya get ta know when a guy's just there for a drink, and when a guy's there ta drink someone off his mind.

But Merle, he knew Baby Brother wasn't ever gonna drink the little ballbuster offa his mind, cuz Baby Brother was hooked for life, there was no doubt. The boy was a one woman man, and his Beth? Well she was the woman.

Meanwhile in the woods…Beth was starting to wonder why Daryl hadn't come home yet, or at least called. He was always real good about that. She knew a lot of guys weren't, but Daryl was different, he knew she'd worry and he never liked her to worry. So, since it was his beer night with Merle, she called Cindy to see if she might have heard anything.

And Cindy read her Merle's text.

Now Beth didn't know what to think. Was there some kind of trouble at work? Was something wrong with him, a health issue, or had something else happened to upset him? She just couldn't imagine.

She went to bed at 9:30, like she and Daryl usually did, after all, they started their days around 5:00am.

Meanwhile, back at the bar our boy Daryl was on a mission, what kinda mission you ask? The kind where ya get so fuckin' shitfaced ya don't even remember how ya got home. For the record, Merle was pretty damn drunk his own self, but at least he was sober enough ta send Cindy a text. "Come get your lover man doll face."

Daryl did manage to make it to the car under his own steam, and in his front door under his own steam. He had no intention a gettin' in the bed with her. She didn't want his ass, she made that clear, so he just plopped that unwanted ass down on the couch, threw his arm over his eyes, and passed right out, just like the good little drunk he was.

Now Beth had heard him come in, I mean seriously, how can you miss that kind of a racket? But he didn't come in the room, so she went out to the living room and there he was, sound asleep on the couch, he hadn't even taken his jacket and boots off.

Well she did love her crazy, and suddenly it seemed, irresponsible, husband, so she wrestled the boots off of him at least.

She felt kind of hurt, and even got a little teary-eyed, because Daryl always came to bed with her, always.

She woke up at 5:05, went out to the living room to straighten this out with him, and he was gone. Why? His shift didn't even start until 7:00.

She started crying and she wasn't sure why, it's just that, you know, she knew something had to be wrong, and Daryl wasn't talking to her about it, and that hurt.

About 10 a.m. Merle got a phone call from Tyrese. Tyrese was concerned, ta say the least. See, he had told Daryl about seeing his woman at the bar n restaurant joint, hell, he didn't think it was any kinda big deal, but then he saw how Daryl stiffened right up, how his jaw set and he was chewin' that lip and his eyes got all hard n squinty. Y'all know the look.

So anyway, he tells Merle that he's pretty sure Daryl's headin' over there his self at lunch time, and he doesn't know whose blood it will be, but he's pretty sure blood will be shed cuz Daryl is actin' all kinds of insanely pissed off, and just generally crankier than shit.

So Merle thinks fast, which considerin' his head feels like there's a heavy metal band livin' in it, his mouth feels like a wad a cottonballs, and he's been on the verge a pukin' all mornin', is pretty good, so he tells Tyrese to meet him at the joint just as fast as he can at lunch. They may have homicides ta prevent and all.

Now let's pause here for just a minute and think about a few things. We know Daryl is, well Daryl is a hothead, there's just no other way of sayin' it. He's a reactor, you know how he just reacts ta things without always thinkin' them through. And we all know how he feels about his Beth, well, it's like Merle said. In fact, has anyone besides me noticed that Merle seems to be, out of the whole pile of players we've got goin' on in these chapters, the most chill? Well, except maybe for Beth's Mama.

Meanwhile, back at the bar n' restaurant, Merle is waitin' out front, hoping ta keep his Baby Brother and Little Ballbuster both outta jail. Whoa, speakin' a Baby Brother, here he comes now, and Merle's pretty sure the boy is about ta combust.

Thank the almighty, here comes Tyrese. Merle nods his head at Tyrese, and Tyrese nods back, and they're following Daryl into the bar n' restaurant joint n Daryl is so single minded he don't even notice them right behind him.

And Daryl stops, he scans the room and spots his Beth, she's settin' a beer down in front of some slick lookin' college guy.

Now the barkeep, none other than Beth's friend Amy, just knows this has explosive potential, but what the heck is she supposed to do? She's pretty relieved to see Merle, she figures he may be the only living person that can stop a train like Daryl Dixon once it leaves the tracks. But she says a couple of quick prayers.

That's when Daryl makes his move. It only takes him about four long strides to get up behind her, thankfully, Merle and Tyrese are still doggin' him, he grabs his Beth around the waist, one armed, and lifts her right off her feet, while saying pretty much in the most intimidatin' voice ya ever heard, "What the fuck Beth?!"

And she's kickin' her feet and she yells at him, "What are you doing Daryl Dixon? Have you lost your mind?"

About that time college boy starts to stand up, you know, to save the day and all, but Tyrese just says to him, all calm like, "Save a life taday boy, yours. Sit yer ass back down, we got this."

Well, seriously, who's gonna argue with logic like that comin' from a guy who looks like Tyrese, so college boy sits back down.

All those noisy ass college kids have gone quiet as church mice, just watchin' the drama unfold.

Merle, he hooks one a his arms up under one a Baby Brother's arms, while Tyrese hooks his arm under Daryl's other arm, and they lift up, carryin' Daryl, who's carryin' Beth, right out ta the parkin' lot. As they pass the bar Merle says ta Amy, "Beth quits," and Amy she just nods.

Now what you may not know is; well Daryl's kind of a big deal at work. Ain't no one in the Great State of Georgia that knows more about engines, particularly jet engines, than Daryl Dixon. Hell, might not be anyone in this whole part of the country knows more than Daryl Dixon about such things. He's what ya call a huge asset ta the company.

Well, and you know how he can focus, get things done that need doin', you know he shows up on time every day, won't hardly take a vacation, well ya may find this hard ta believe, but he never causes any trouble, and that's why he's the supervisor a the whole fuckin' jet factory. Only got the one guy above him.

Anyway, back to the story.

So they get out to the parkin' lot, Tyrese has both of his massive arms wrapped around Daryl's upper body, keeping him nearly in place, and Merle has Beth in the same kinda hold.

Poor Beth, she's cryin', wonderin' what on God's green earth just happened. What has come over her loving husband?

So the voice of reason, yep Merle, says, "Alright you two, yer gonna work this shit out, and yer gonna work it out now. Ya go on home and don't y'all leave home til ya done reached an understandin', that clear?"

And Daryl and Beth both nodded.

And Merle said ta her, "Now I know ya wanna kill Baby Brother, but don't do it Little Sister, please, for me."

Then Merle looks at the big man, "What about work Tyrese?"

And Tyrese smiled an said, "I'ma tell the big boss that the little boss come down with an ailment at lunch, had ta go home, probably won't be in tamorrow either."

And Merle asked her, "Where's my nephew?"

And she said, "Mama's."

And Merle said, "Okay, I'ma call Mama Greene and tell her ya both come down with some kinda sickness, sicker'n a couple a dogs, and D.J. best stay there. And I hope y'all appreciate that cuz I hate ta lie ta that sweet woman."

And Beth started cryin' harder. And Merle give her a squeeze. "It's all gonna be okay Little Sister, it's gotta be, K? I'll check in with ya later."

And Beth nodded and Merle got her in Daryl's truck.

Tyrese walked with Daryl over to the truck and the big man said, "Ya know ya love that woman, hell, I think everyone in the whole damn county knows how much ya love that woman, and dammit son, she loves you, you got ta know that, so get on home and work this shit out." And Daryl just nodded and got in the truck.

They didn't speak a word all the way back out ta the cabin, but Beth was cryin' softly the entire way. Daryl was feelin' like shit about that, but he didn't know why he should, I mean fuck, she's the one done him wrong n all.

Daryl got outta the truck, and like always, went around ta Beth's side and opened the door. He was relieved when he held his hand out for her ta take it, and she let him help her down from the truck.

They got inside and he plopped down in his chair, and she plopped down on the couch, and he just looked at her and said, "Why Beth? Why did ya do it?"

And she said, "I was just trying to earn a little money so I could surprise you."

Okay, now our boy is confused, "What're ya talkin' about?"

"What you asked me. Why I've been working during lunch hours again. I wanted to earn some money of my own, to surprise you. I was gonna buy you one of those big Stump's Smokers. I know you've admired them, and I wanted to give you something special Daryl, something I bought with my own money," and boom, she started crying hard now.

The really sad part was, Daryl got teary his own self. And he said it, oh shit, he said it, "Fuck Baby, I thought you was foolin' around with someone."

And she looked at him with those giant baby blues and she got up, and she walked over to him, and he stood, thinkin' she was gonna hug him and all, and she slugged him, smack in the jaw, and then she really started cryin' and she said ta him, "How dare you Daryl Dixon! Is that really what you think of me? I'm your wife, you're supposed to trust me. Maybe if you would have just come to me and asked me, we wouldn't both be feeling like crap right now. My God Daryl, I love you more than I love breathing. You're the love of my life, I try hard to show you every day how much you mean to me. I can't believe you'd think for one second that I would ever have another man."

And damn, he started cryin' and he said, "Please Beth, don't be hatin' on me, my heart was breakin', I knew sumthin' was goin' on, ya wasn't cookin' like usual, you was showerin' up right before I got home, you was tired all the time, didn't even want my lovin'. Shit Baby, I'm a dumbass, but I love ya, I thought I was gonna lose ya. I been a wreck, practically drank myself ta death last night, and I almost killed me a dumbass college kid taday. I know I'm a hot head but when it comes ta you Baby, sometimes my heart and my insanity, well they just outpace my common sense. Please Baby, don't be mad at yer lovin' husband, I don't know what the fuck I'd do without ya, that's a fact."

And then she did hug him and he hugged her right back, and pretty soon they was kissin', and then they was gettin' each other's clothes off, and then they was provin' their love of one another, right on the damn livin' room rug.

So anyway, once that part was settled, Daryl started ta wax poetic. No, I'm not kiddin'. He said to her, "Baby, I ain't been fair to ya 'bout money. I'm always callin' it my money, and it ain't, it's our money. You work just as hard, probably harder, than I do. Only difference is, ya work here and I go to a outside job where they give me a nice paycheck. Yer here workin' cuz that's what I wanted, not cuz that's what you wanted. Ya take good care a me all the time, ya take good care of our boy. Luckiest day a my life was the day I walked in that bar an you was there just singin' like an Angel, and you agreed ta be my Angel, an I been happier than I ever thought anyone could be. I don't want ya buyin' me nuthin', I don't want ya thinkin' ya owe me a present ta show me ya care for me, all I want is my Beth, right here with me, always. I love ya Baby."

Well, after that, they had to set about showin' their love for one another again.

After that display of affection, she said to him, "Daryl, I have to take some of the blame too, I shouldn't have been sneaking around to do anything. No one knows me like you do, and I should have realized you'd notice right away that something was different. But you have to know Daryl, I love you, you're my everything Daryl. And honestly Daryl, I have a real man, the beat husband and Daddy there is, why would I trade you in for a boy?" And they kissed and all.

But then she said, "If you ever accuse me of anything like that again, I swear to Heaven above, I will kick your ass."

And he said, "I hope ya do Baby cuz I deserve it."

About that time Daryl's phone beeped, it was a text from Merle, "Everything okay Little Brother?" And Daryl texted right back, "Better than okay Brother, thanks, I owe ya."

Then he thought he'd best text Tyrese, which he did, "Hey man, thanks for saving my ass from myself. Beth and me are good. I owe you lunch all next week." And he was thinking, shit, Beth packs my lunch, I guess she's off the job next week.

He fixed them each a grilled cheese sandwich and opened a fresh bag of Cheetos. All that makin' up they were doin' was makin' him hungry.

First thing in the mornin' they headed right out ta the farm ta get their boy.

Now, in case you were actually silly enough to think that anything gets by Mama, the first thing she said to them was, "Did you two work out your differences?"

And they both looked down at their shoes and they was a little red in the face, and then they said at the same time, "Yes Mama."

Then Mama said, "Why don't you two leave D.J. with me and Daddy next weekend and go down to Savannah, just the two of you?" That sounded nice.

They stopped by that college bar n restaurant, where Daryl was 100% sure neither one of 'em would ever set foot again, and picked up her car on the way home.

She asked him how he got home from the bar the night before, they both were set against drunk driving. "Cindy come and got us," he told her.

She asked him how he'd managed to leave before she even got up at 5 in the morning, and get to work with no truck. He couldn't help a smile, "I left at 4, walked all the way ta the bar and got my truck. Ya don't think a stupid and prideful S.O.B. like yer husband was gonna ask ya for a ride ta work did ya?"

And then they both had a laugh, which made D.J. laugh, which made them laugh harder.

Beth packed a picnic and they all headed down to the creek, where Daryl was givin' D.J. survival swim lessons.

A/N Phew! I hope you all enjoyed it, especially you brady66. Thank you for reading, please review. xo