A/N Thank you so much everyone. This is a very busy chapter for our couple, and I hope you enjoy the changes ;)
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The old man invited him to eat with the family and although Daryl feels awkward and out of place, he's glad to have Beth sitting right across from him and dinner looks real good. Beth's sister Maggie fixed it.
Not being treated quite so special are the quarry people. They're out at their campfires cooking their own dinner, of God only knows what.
Everything looks and smells delicious and Daryl's anxious to eat, but first the old man is going to say a blessing. Daryl's not complaining, he's thankful for a lot of things too, it's just that he's used to diving right into his meal.
He does his best to be patient, but then, before the old man can even start the prayer a tall lanky guy comes hurrying in the room, apologizing, "Sorry I'm late Mister Greene, I couldn't find the old mama cow. Finally saw her way out beyond the east pasture. The fence was down and it looks like something got to her, a coyote or worse."
Daryl's sure he knows what got to the cow, Beth does too and they exchange a knowing look. Nowhere is really safe from those things.
Hershel nods, "All right Jimmy, you wash up and come sit."
Jimmy. Daryl knows who the guy is now, Beth's high school boyfriend.
Jimmy glances toward the group at the table and spots her, "Beth! You're home!" He hurries over and wraps an across her shoulder, then leans in and tries to kiss her on the mouth. She turns her face just enough that he gets a cheek instead.
She's sweet, it's her nature, but she's not encouraging, "Hi Jimmy, it's nice to see you too. Hurry and wash up now, we're all starving."
Yeah, like she's talking to a kid. Daryl's not really jealous of the guy, she obviously isn't interested. Still, he didn't like the way the guy was so familiar with her, like he thought he had the right to just walk up and kiss her on the mouth. He'll let it slide for now, only because this is her Daddy's table and he's a guest.
Finally, Beth's Daddy wraps up the prayer and they're just starting to pass the food when the door to the downstairs bedroom opens. The room where the young boy is recuperating. It's her. The tall, slim dark-haired woman named Lori comes walking toward the dining room and Herschel Greene tells her, "Maggie left plates for you and Rick in the kitchen."
"Thank you Hershel, and thank you Maggie."
Things around here just seem to get more uncomfortable by the minute, and Daryl's getting more and more anxious to get the hell out of this place and go find Merle. Then his eyes turn to Beth and he knows why he's still here.
He'd take her with him in a heartbeat, but that wouldn't be right. These people are her family, she belongs here with them. Besides, what does he have to offer her? A life on the road in a van? What about when he finally finds Merle? Shit, he can barely put up with Merle himself, could he really expect her to?
No, he'll do what he said he'd do, teach her all about the bow, he'll show her how to make the arrows, he'll teach her to use the rifle and how to care for it. Then he's gone.
It can't happen soon enough.
Except he'll miss her.
Her Daddy stirs him from his thoughts, "That's quite the setup you have son, you were well prepared for this…this, apocalyptic event I suppose we call it."
Daryl nods his head, "I was real lucky sir. When I converted that cargo van I thought it was gonna be my huntin' vehicle, and it was for a while," He shrugs his shoulders at the reality, "I guess that ain't what it is anymore. It's home now and I'm glad ta have it."
That opens another door and her Daddy asks, "That was fortunate, and speaking of home, where was home before all this?"
Daryl expected Herschel Greene to have more questions for him. He decides what the hell, he'll keep the interrogation short by just laying out the basics. All he wants is to get this over with so he can have something to eat and get the hell out of the house, "I was livin' down in Valdosta, had a little house there and a pretty good thing goin'. I's workin' for road n bridge…" he runs it all down.
He thinks it's done, he's just about to put a forkful of potato in his mouth when Jimmy comments, "That must be really boring, working on roads all day."
Daryl has no use for his dumb ass, "They ain't Tonka trucks kid. If ya get bored while you're operatin' heavy equipment you're probably gonna end up killin' yourself and a couple other guys too."
Hershel Greene looks over at Jimmy and sternly instructs, "Eat your dinner."
That's what they all proceed to do and Daryl's glad to finally be enjoying the food and some quiet.
The meal is just wrapping up when there's a timid knock on the front door. Maggie starts to rise but Herschel says, "You finish, I'll get it."
From where Daryl is seated he has a clear view of the door and the visitors. He recognizes the woman who knocked, her husband was the one beaten by Shane back at the quarry. She seems hesitant and nervous, while Herschel Greene seems unusually friendly and welcoming. Maybe he knows about the abuse and has some sympathy for this woman and her child, "Hello Carol, Sophia, how can I help you ladies this evening?"
The woman's voice is shaky from nerves when she responds to Herschel's question, "Hello Herschel, I'm sorry to bother you. Sophia was wondering if she could see Carl. She won't bother him, she just wants to see him and know that her friend is all right. I told her I didn't think we should disturb him, but she's been so worried." The little red-haired girl is clutching a ragdoll to her chest and she looks shy and nervous like her mother.
Herschel doesn't object, he even manages a kind smile for the little girl when he tells her mother, "I think that would be just fine, in fact it might do Carl some good to hear the voice of a friend. Please, follow me."
Daryl's thoughts wander to a dark place, how will a timid woman like Carol and a shy little girl like Sophia ever survive in this new world?
After dinner, while Maggie, Beth and Amy clear the table and clean the kitchen, Herschel explains to Daryl why he can't invite him to stay in the house, "The bedrooms are all in use. Maggie's in one, Beth and Amy will be in Beth's room, the Grimes' boy and his folks are in the guest room, and then we have Jimmy. His parents are gone now and I'm responsible for him."
Daryl's not offended, and he'd be relieved to have a built-in excuse why he can't stay in the house, except for one problem. He doesn't like the idea of that Jimmy character and Beth sleeping under the same roof. It's not jealousy, he just doesn't trust the guy. "I understand. I got everythin' I need in the van."
Damn, it's going to be strange sleeping in the van without her there.
She insists on walking him to the van and he jokes, "Why ya wanna do that? You walk me there but I ain't lettin' ya walk back alone, so I walk ya back. Then what are ya gonna do? Walk me back ta the van again? We're just gonna walk back n forth all night?"
She shrugs, "Maybe." They're already halfway there.
He slides the van's side door open and grabs something from the drawer before hopping back down, "I need a smoke."
Being around all those people has Daryl craving privacy, so they walk around the other side of the van and out of view of the house. He lights up, takes a long drag and tells her, "I'ma do like I said I would Beth. I'ma teach ya everythin' I can about the bow tomorrow, the next day we'll shoot the rifle," and then he tells her what she doesn't want to hear, "after that, I gotta go girl. I wanna find my brother. Merle don't do anythin' in a hurry so he's probably still in the general area. Anyway, I'm just lettin' ya know."
He doesn't want to leave her here with that crazy bastard Shane, or her old boyfriend Jimmy, but what's the point in asking? He's sure she'd never leave her Daddy. But if she told him she wanted to go he'd take her with him in a heartbeat.
He takes another long drag and waits for her to respond. She's silent. Say something dammit, anything. Nothing. Another minute that seems like an hour goes by and then she announces, "I'm going back to the house."
"K, I'll walk ya."
"You don't have to."
"I want to."
"All right, up to you." The air around them seems to suddenly have gotten so much colder.
They get to the house and she doesn't stop at all, she never looks at him, she just mutters, "Thanks," like she doesn't mean it, and he just stands there watching as she walks up the porch stairs, into the house and the door shuts behind her.
Well fuck him.
Shit. Back at the van he's full of nervous energy and he starts moving things off his bed, there's so much stuff they scavenged. He's trying to organize as he gets it out of the way, making a pile for Beth and stowing his share away.
He notices them stashed in the corner, her backpack and that canvas duffel bag she carries when they scavenge. His mind is fully occupied by her again. It's only been a few days, but every day with her has been good. It's going to seem so strange not to have her with him.
Once he has things half-assed organized, he lays down. His arm is draped across his forehead and he's thinking. Thinking too much. Shit. He wants to get away from these people, he wants to see Merle, even though he's the world's biggest pain in the ass, Merle's still his brother and he doesn't want to lose contact with him for good.
Then there's the crazy fuckers around here. He wants to get away from these people, especially that son of a bitch muscle man. Shit, and what's with the sheriff's wife? What's her name? Lori. What's she doing messing around with that scumbag, practically under her husband's nose and while their boy is wounded and fighting for his life.
That shit is bound to blow up soon, Daryl doesn't want to be around when it does.
Yeah, those are all good reasons to go, but he can't stop thinking how hard it's going to be to live without Beth. Shit, and now just to make things even tougher, she's mad at him. Fuck it all, and fuck him.
Up in her room Beth's pouring her heart out to Amy, "It's not like he owes me anything. I mean, my gosh the truth is he saved my life, took care of me and the only promise he made was that he'd get me home, and here I am. He didn't have to do any of it, and he never asked me for a thing in return."
"My head knows that, but my heart's a different story. I can't help it Amy, I feel something for him, something strong. I thought he felt something for me too. I guess I'm just disappointed that he doesn't. I have no right to be angry with him though, it's not his fault he doesn't care."
Amy's at a loss. "I could have sworn he cared too. The way he looks at you Beth, shoot, we all want a man to look at us like that." She drapes an arm across Beth's shoulders, "I'm so sorry Beth, I know what getting your heart broken feels like. I can't make it better, but a nice warm bubble bath seems to help just about anything."
"That does sound really good Amy, I kind of hurt all over."
"Then that's another great reason to soak in the tub, besides, I have a feeling things like nice warm bubble baths are about to become a thing of the past, a fond memory. This...this apocalypse or whatever you want to call is going to get worse long before it gets better."
"Really Amy? Even here?" She knows Amy's right, but she's tried so hard not to believe it. She'd hoped the farm could somehow be a safe haven.
"Yes really Beth. Look what happened in Atlanta. I think this disease and all the horrors it brings with it are going to spread all around the world. I'm not the only one who feels that way."
Beth nods, "You're probably right, I know Daryl thinks that way." She tries to lighten the weight of what they both know is bound to happen with a little joke, "I guess the rural areas, like always, are just a little behind the cities when it comes to the latest trends."
The bath does help. She feels more relaxed and her achy muscles feel a little better. It's as she's stepping out of the tub it starts and she realizes this is what no-doubt caused those achy muscles. Her period may be a week late, but it's suddenly shown up with a vengeance. Some things haven't changed.
Thoughts of her kept him up damn near all night. On top of having trouble falling asleep, he just couldn't stay asleep. Shit. He's up way too early.
As he sips on his coffee he decides he's going to do just what he said he'd do, no change of plan. If she's still mad and backs out of these "lessons," well then she backs out and he'll hit the road. Yeah, like it's going to be easy to just go.
He grabs the bowstring, the fletching, the points and the shafts, along with everything else he'll need to show her how to make arrows and restring her bow when it needs it. Hopefully they'll get some shooting in too, and he's especially hopeful that doing all this will take his mind off what's coming.
He doesn't forget his own bow, he never likes to be without it, not these days. He slips his arm through the strap and when the bow is resting across his back he walks the short distance to the farmhouse. He doesn't ring or knock or otherwise let his presence be known. She'll be going to feed chickens and when she does, he'll be here waiting for her.
It's not more than 10 or 15 minutes before the door squeaks open and he hears her pretty voice say his name, "Daryl? What are you doing sitting here?"
"Just waitin' on you. I got everythin' we need ta string the bow, make arrows, or if ya want, we can just go shoot shit up."
She's so glad to see him and even happier he's not mad at her. She smiles, "This is great, thank you Daryl. Let me just feed the chickens and gather the eggs real quick."
"I'll help."
They're walking toward the big walk-in coop when she stops, he stops too, looks at her and questions, "What? Sumthin' wrong?"
"Yes, I was wrong. I was rude to you last night Daryl. I was mad, but what I was mad about wasn't your fault. I just want you to know I'm sorry."
He shrugs, "I'm glad ya ain't mad at me. I felt bad all night."
He can be so sweet in his rough way, darn him, doesn't he get it? And why does she have to care so much? She lightly punches his shoulder and smiles, "I promise if I'm ever mad at you I'll be sure you know why, and just how mad I am."
Whatever it was he's glad it's over, he's seen her get a little fiery.
As they get closer to the coop they hear it, the tell-tale growling noises accompanied by the frantic screeching of the chickens. Someone must have left the door open. Daryl has his bow cocked and ready, Beth has her knife drawn, and when they get to the door they see the gruesome site. The walkers are feasting on chickens as Daryl pulls the trigger, reloads and pulls it again. Two walkers and several chickens are dead.
Daryl drags the bodies away while Beth does the best she can to set the coop back in order. She knows the few chickens that are left are traumatized and will not be laying for a few days. She feeds them, fills the water, gathers the eggs that weren't destroyed and they make their way back to the house.
They tell her Daddy what happened and he acts so nonchalant, "It was a one-time incident. There's nothing to worry about. We're safe here." No matter how hard they try, they can't convince him.
Daryl's more determined than ever to show Beth everything she needs to know about the bow and the rifle. They leave the fresh eggs in the kitchen and gather the recurve from the porch just as Carol comes running their way, frantically calling out, "Sophia! Sophia! Has anyone seen Sophia?"
Daryl grabs a hold of her and asks, "What happened?"
Her voice is heavy with desperation, "I don't know what happened. I was hanging laundry on the line and when I got back to our camp she was gone. I've looked everywhere, I can't find her."
Daryl's totally focused now, "A'ight, lemme go look, I should be able to follow her tracks."
By now a small group has gathered. Shane apparently heard Carol's cries and he's among the group. He can't resist commenting, "Pfft, Follow her tracks? Who the hell do you think you are Dixon? Daniel Boone? You're nuthin' but a douchebag just like your brother. "
Daryl bumps the man's chest with his and warns, "Be careful ya sumbitch."
Beth doesn't want a fight and my God, there's a little girl missing. She gets up close to the two of them and with her hands on her hips and her face pink with anger she snarls at Shane, "Hey, if you're not going to help find the little girl get out of the way of the people who are."
The sheriff agrees, "Back off Shane, we've got to find Sophia."
Carol looks at Beth and the sheriff and whispers, "Thank you." Then to Daryl and says, "Yes, please try, and hurry."
Rick instructs Daryl and Beth, "You go ahead and do what you do. I'll get some volunteers together and we'll fan out." Then he looks to Carol, trying to be comforting when he says, "If she's out there, we'll find her."
Hershel Greene calls out, "Beth, Beth you come wait in the house."
She calls back, "No Daddy, I'm going with Daryl. We'll be back soon." In that moment her Daddy knows, his little girl isn't a little girl anymore.
Daryl's been following the tracks for about a half hour, Beth's right behind him watching and listening as he rubs his chin and half mumbles, "See the way them tracks go one way, then the other, then back again? That little girl is confused, got herself turned around and can't figure how ta get back. See this flat grass, looks like right here she sat down a while, probably had a good cry. I done that when I was about her age."
"Oh no, the poor little thing, I'm sure she's scared to death."
"Yeah well, as long as nuthin' got to her we're gonna locate that little girl n get her home."
"I know you can Daryl."
He glances over his shoulder at her and nods. Her words have him more determined than ever.
The afternoon sun is starting to dim and he's having trouble seeing the the child's tracks. He's frustrated and mutters, "Fuck, we been goin' in more circles than a merry go round."
Beth's exhausted, she's had terrible cramps all afternoon, and her breakfast wore off so long ago she doesn't remember being full. But she won't complain. She's not a lost and frightened child, and she's not this man who feels enormous pressure to rescue a lost little girl.
"You'll find her Daryl, I know you will."
He wishes he believed in himself as much as she does. He's worried they won't find her, or worse that something else found her and she's gone for good. It's like a miracle when they hear it, a child's whimpering. Daryl follows that sound toward Sophia.
They're not the only ones who heard the child's crying. They've almost reached the sound when something bumps against Beth and she screams and turns. No! It's got her boxed in and she can't get to her knife, it's barring it's disgusting teeth and just as it's about to bite her, Daryl's knife pierces it's skull.
That's one down, but there are three more and their savage growls grow louder as they come at Beth and Daryl. Beth pulls her knife managing to stab one in the middle of it's forehead, while one of Daryl's arrows impales itself into the skull of another.
With knives drawn they're both poised to spear the skull of the last one. Daryl smiles at her, "Go for it." And as she stabs the snarling beast and it falls to the ground, Beth feels intense relief that for now, the threat is gone. She also feels the thrill of knowing Daryl trusts her.
The little girl is more scared now as she burrows even deeper into the hollow of a tree, clutching the little ragdoll to her chest. Daryl and Beth are careful, they don't want to scare her more. Beth walks closer, but not too close. "Sophia, it's Beth from the farm. I'm Mister Hershel's daughter, remember? I met you last night. This man is Daryl. We've been following your footsteps all the way from the camp and I'm so glad we finally found you, now we can get you home to your Mama."
"Mama?"
"Yes, your Mama's been worried about you, we're going to take you to her."
The little girl begins to sob and that's it for Daryl, he can't take anymore. He tells her, "Yeah and she's gonna be real proud when I tell her how smart ya are, that ya found yourself a real good hidin' spot. C'mon, let's go tell her."
Sophia crawls out of the tree's hollow and he picks her up in his arms, cradling her to his chest as they walk along. Within five minutes the little girl is sound asleep. Daryl smiles, "Ya get tired walkin' around in circles all day."
Then he and Beth discuss the reality of what's going on, "Since we been here it's more a them things all the time Beth. The place needs ta be fortified somehow. Your Dad needs lookouts and good shooters guardin' the place."
She agrees and adds, "I'll try to talk some sense into him, wish me luck with that."
By the time they arrive back at the farm the tension in the air is so thick you could cut it with a knife. Something's going on besides a missing child. They ignore it for now him and keep walking toward the farmhouse. There's Hershel pacing on the front porch. He calls out, "You found her?"
Beth smiles and calls back, "Yes Daddy, Daryl found her."
"Nah, it wasn't just me Sir, it was us."
Beth smiles, he never likes to take all the credit.
She tells her Daddy, "Sophia's hungry and thirsty but she's fine."
The child's Mama is so grateful and relieved she just keeps saying over and over, "Thank you so much. Thank you for bringing my baby home." Hershel checks the child's vital signs and all appears to be just fine.
Everyone else had their dinner hours ago, now Daryl, Beth and Sophia sit to eat. The rest of the family, as well as the sheriff and Amy sit with them. The child's mother holds her daughter close as the little girl eats, and Beth tells the story.
Between bites Daryl offers, "She's a smart one, your girl. She knew she needed shelter for the night and she found it."
The child still looks so scared and nervous. Beth smiles and offers, "You know Sophia, last night I took a bubble bath and it was like it washed away everything that might be bothering me. If you want, you can take a bubble bath in my tub tonight, your Mommy too."
Beth walks Daryl out to the porch and as they say their good nights they agree, this was a hard day but it turned into the best day, and she tells him again, "I knew if anyone could find that little girl, it would be you."
"Hey, you helped plenty, I was glad ta have ya there with me."
He's reluctant to leave her but it's time, it's been a long day, "I'll be here in the mornin', we'll see if we can work on that bow."
She smiles, "Okay, see you then." Oh how she wishes he would ask her to come to the van with him.
He lies down on his bed, exhausted yet unable to sleep. Twenty minutes later and he's still wide awake.
He hears light footsteps approaching the van, he'd know the sound of those footfalls anywhere. Seconds later the van's side door slides open. It's her, it's Beth.
He starts to speak, "Beth…"
She cuts him off, "Shush."
He doesn't move, he just watches as she slides the door shut behind her and walks the short distance to the bed. He's not sure what's going on so he just lays quiet as she gets on her knees next to the bed and lays her head on his chest.
She softly nuzzles her face under his chin and he feels her warm breath on his throat. He gently wraps an arm around her shoulders and his strong hand softly strokes her hair. He asks, "Whaddya doin' girl?"
"I don't want to stay here without you Daryl. I want you to take me with you."
He's about to make a half-assed attempt at an excuse why he can't, "Beth…"
"No Daryl, don't try to talk me out of it, it's what I want and I think it's what you want too."
He doesn't have the right words, he has no idea what those might be, he simply does what he's been longing to do. His strong hands gently caress her face as he leans to kiss her. The kiss is tentative, cautious at first but the things they feel won't be denied, the kiss quickly deepens as the fire they've been working so hard to keep tamped down quickly builds.
He scoots himself over, making as much room as he can while urging her, "C'mere Beth, lay with me." She doesn't hesitate to do as he asks, and he holds her so close and so tight their bodies are practically one.
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A/N Oh geez. I hope you enjoyed the chapter and that you'll leave a comment. Also, please check out the chapter photo on my tumblr blogs gneebee and bethylmethbrick. I'll be back next week with the new chapter of Love's Long Road, I hope you'll be here too. Until then remember, I love ya large! xo gneebee