She couldn't do it. Why had he even suggested this? It was against every instinct left in her body to do this. It was dangerous- reckless of him. Beth had never done this before. Sure, Daryl had surely been in this position many times in his adult life, but Beth had lived a very different, very sheltered life. It just wasn't the right step right now.

So, she stayed where she was. On the inner edge of the forest, Beth was safe. Yes, a group of bandits could surround her at any moment or a bear could appear from nowhere at all, but Beth still felt safe. The trees around her were silent, aged knights standing guard over her. She wasn't safe where Daryl was standing. So, she would stay where she was.

"Come on, Beth. Ain't got all day, girl." Daryl said in a hushed voice from the road. Thankfully, Beth knew him much better now and didn't fall for his baiting.

"It's not safe. Just go without me." Beth whined.

"You can't stay in that forest forever, Beth. What'd you do? Run away just to hide?"

Well, yes. Beth thought that had always been the plan before.

Wrapped in her only tunic, the same one she'd been wearing the day she'd met Daryl, Beth rocked back and forth on the heels of her feet. Part of her was embarrassed by her fear. She'd certainly gotten stronger in some ways since meeting Daryl. She could physically defend herself given the chance, which she doubted would ever come if Daryl had his way.

As distant as he had been when they'd first met, he was two times as open and trusting with her now. Perhaps a bit too trusting if he thought this trip to the village was a good idea.

He'd brought it up as they'd cuddled up to one another at the fire the previous night; everyone else had gone to bed and they'd simply been enjoying the quiet with one another. Beth loved the small, quiet sounds of the forest. It felt freeing, as opposed to the prison of silence that home had always felt like. The man on whom she was resting on assuredly accounted for her content to. Beth knew that what she felt for Daryl was deeply rooted in her soul now, that much was made obvious by her very public display of affection at the wedding, but she couldn't quite put a name to her feelings and, therefore, their relationship hadn't progressed any further than kisses and cuddles. So much had changed for Beth in such a rapid time that she just wasn't ready to complicate her life with physical intimacy at that level.

It wasn't easy though,especially with her and Daryl sharing a tent. At the time, Beth had only made the suggestion out of common decency and sense. He had been sleeping just outside her tent the entire time she'd been in the camp. Sue couldn't bunk with Carol, for obvious reasons. Why not just sleep in the same tent? She hadn't figured on the lack of space being an issue. She had definitely given herself too much credit. Her innocent movement caused a spike in breathing. Daryl was a restless sleeper. His body must have known it was not being worked, and fought to maintain its constant usefulness. More than one night, she had gingerly tapped Daryl a few times when he'd accidently rolled himself on top of her. The first time it had happened, Beth couldn't stop herself from screaming. She had been sound asleep when she felt the weight of another person on top of her. She'd panicked and the whole camp had rushed in and around their tent. Daryl didn't speak to her the rest of the day, for all the teasing he got from his own men.

The huff of frustration from Daryl pulled her mind back to the present. He was know walking down the road away from her. She was either going to follow after him or he was leaving her.

"Oh, I'm coming, you bully." Beth yelled towards his back, marching out of the trees. She didn't receive anything more than a small smirk that had a peculiar way of frustrating and exciting her all at once. "What are we going to the village for anyways?" Beth hadn't forgotten her nervousness about this trip.

"The camp is running short on a few things." Daryl said, still walking.

"And you needed to get away from Carol and Merle." Beth said, finishing his sentence with a smirk of her own.

"That too, princess, that too." He replied, bumping her shoulder with his own. Beth smiled and looked up ahead. She was shocked to realize they were coming to the village entrance already and she slowed her pace. Daryl noticed and stopped altogether, pulling on her arm to halt her as she made her slow progress. He didn't pull her to him. He didn't whisper words of comfort. He just clenched her hand and held her gaze for a moment. His gaze gave her strength. Daryl wouldn't let anything bad happen to her today.

He kept his hand in hers as they walked confidently into the village. Beth kept her head low, but couldn't stop herself from sneaking a few peeks at her surroundings. Beth was surprised that there were very few people, even in the business square and those milling around were constantly looking around like mice ready to run from a prowling cat. As they passed the couple, they still managed a quick nod Daryl's way. Their fear was not of him that was clear.

"What's wrong with all of these people?" Beth asked Daryl, quietly. "Why are they so fearful?"

"Your fiance, princess." Daryl said, shaking his head. "Every time he comes around here, something bad happens. Lately, it's been a frequent occurrence." Daryl winced quickly, and tried to cover up his mistake. He hadn't meant to reveal that last part.

"Why is he here so often?" Beth asked, even though she knew the answer. Daryl didn't answer; he just kept walking towards a building that had a sign hung above the door post that read 'Mead's Tavern.' "It's because of me. He's looking for me and these people are suffering for it." Beth stopped in her tracks and let go of Daryl's hand to bring it to her face in shock and anguish. Shane was making these people's lives terrible, and it was her fault. She had ran away from her problems, and now people she didn't even know were suffering. Children were suffering because of her. Beth sank down in the middle of the road.

"Beth, get up." Daryl said, coming back to her quickly, as people began to take notice of the young woman having a breakdown in the middle of the town. "We can't do this here. Up, now!" He said, pulling her up to her feet. "You are stronger than this, girl." That did the trick. She was strong. She let Daryl lead her to the side of the tavern and she rested her back against the hard, wooden surface, taking a deep breath to calm herself.

"I need to fix this, Daryl." She whispered. Her intent was clear.

"It is not going to happen, Beth," Daryl said, vehemently shaking his head even as he kept a small smile on his face. The smile told her how crazy he thought she was, but it was also so familiar. She had seen that same crazed smirk before. Shane. They were brothers, after all.

"This is not your decision." Beth said, with passion.

"Damned if it's not, girl. You are not offering yourself," he stopped for a moment, seemingly unable to even think of such a moment, "...up to him."

"He is hurting people!"

He will always hurt people! It's in his blood!" Daryl said, loudly. "I should know."

That stopped Beth flat. This wasn't just about her returning to Shane. This was about a connection between the two brothers that Daryl couldn't withstand. "You don't hurt people, Daryl. You're a good man." Beth said, reaching up and resting her hand against his whiskery cheek. Unable to take any affection in public, Daryl pushed himself away from her hand. Goodness, his self-hatred irritated her.

"You can't stop me." She said, tipping herself forward as he took a step back from her in shock at her gumption. Beth turned her back to Daryl and looked back over the main road. She could find her way home, if she didn't run into Shane before she even left the village. She took half a step forward, but was ignorantly shocked when a vice-like grip tightened on her elbow and spun. Even in his anger, Daryl couldn't hurt her. Gently pushing her against the grain of the wood wall, he lowered his lips to her in a kiss that was more forceful. He put every ounce of his frustration in the kiss, and she matched him. His tongue tickled against her bottom lip, begging entrance. She couldn't resist the temptation, even to prove her point that she didn't need him. She let him in, wrapping her arms around his neck as his fingers tightened at her hips. It was exhilarating, exciting. Too soon though it was over. Daryl had been making a point, even if he had gotten out of control just a tad bit.

As Daryl rested his forehead against her own, they both caught their breath. "Please, don't do anything I can't save you from." He whispered as he breathing returned to normal.

"You can't always be my savior." Beth whispered back, sadly. "You said it yourself. I can't keep running."

"I know," he replied, resigned. "But, you're not doing it alone, princess….ever again, girl." It's the closest they'd ever gotten to a proclamation. The sentiment affected Beth deeply, and her eyes welled. "We will figure this out, but right now I have to go in there and deal with the tavern owner. Are you coming with me?" Daryl said, changing the subject and the mood.

"Can I have just a minute?" Beth asked. Daryl looked at her critically; he didn't trust her not to run, even after his passionate display. Beth tried to push the hurt from that realization away. "I'll be here, Daryl, I promise."

Daryl didn't move for a moment, but something in Beth eyes must have told him she was being truthful and he walked forward and around to the tavern entrance.

Beth's heartbeat was catastrophically pumping in her chest. That kiss had certainly not been their first. Since the wedding, Beth didn't feel the need to honor propriety as strongly as her life had taught her to. They certainly weren't meaningless with their kisses, never flamboyant, but Beth no longer denied herself the pleasure of Daryl's physicality. The moments before, though were beyond even the basest moments the two had shared lately. The raw sensuality and passion, the love, of the quick pairing brought a warmth and redness to her cheeks.

"Beth?" Beth knew the voice, but she didn't turn around; to hear that voice thrilled and terrified her at the same time. Many questions and decisions would now need to be made, all thanks to the owner of that voice. So, instead, Beth closed her eyes tightly and wished with all her might that she was dreaming and that she could wake herself up in the woods. Her new family was waiting for her there, her new life and she'd just promised Daryl she wouldn't leave him.

What was she going to do now? Resigning herself, she planted her feet firmly in the dirt of the alley, and turned.

"Maggie."

The two sisters stared at one another a moment. Neither one seemed capable of moving even an inch towards each other. Beth knew her fear was what kept her in place. She didn't want to know if it was anger or shock on Maggie's side of the imaginary line that separated them. She would entirely understand her sister's anger. She had left home without a word to the woman who had essentially raised her, comforted her when she missed having a true mother, and stood tall for her when her father's disciplining words had left her ashamed and too meek to speak up.

"Maggie, I-" Beth began to stutter, but she was forced to stop speaking when a familiar arm snaked its way around her throat and pulled her back against a firm body.

"Leave her be." The owner of the tightened, muscular arm growled. Beth was confused until she realized Daryl wasn't talking to her, but to her now simmering sister in front of her. "You can't have her."

"Daryl, it's o-" Beth started to say, reaching up to gently remove his arm. But, for the second time in less than a minute, Beth was interrupted.

"Get your hands off my sister, you heathen!" Maggie growled, taking a step towards them. Maggie exuded power in that moment, and Beth felt pride rise up in her. And, perhaps a bit of fear for Daryl's personal safety.