His Light in the Dark

AN: So sorry I've been away from my fics for so long. Work has been long and longer. Hope you all are still interested in these stories. Review if you like it!

Chapter 6

Daryl walked around Alexandria, his crossbow on his back. Realistically he knew he didn't actually need it. But years of survival instincts wouldn't allow him to leave it at home. Several people waved to him as he walked by. Absently, he raised his hand, but wasn't really looking at their faces. He was lost in his head.

Another month had passed, and he still had no memories of his life before. Daryl was becoming very frustrated at the entire situation. Something…anything would be better than the huge cloud of nothingness that was left in his brain that was the last five years of his life.

Rick, Glenn, Maggie and several of the others had tried to fill in as many gaps as they could. But, even then, Daryl found there was still so much left unsaid. It was glaringly obvious that all of them knew more than they were saying. Why did he feel like they were deliberately withholding information from him?

He had even asked Beth many questions when she came to clean. He found that she seemed to know more then the others, almost as if he had shared much more information with her then anyone else. But even with her, he found many things left unsaid.

As Daryl prowled the streets, he noticed that Rick and Michonne were sitting on their porch, laughing quietly. He changed course, veering toward them. They stopped laughing when he walked up, and instead smiled brightly.

"Daryl! Hey man! How're ya feeling today?" Rick called out happily. Michonne grinned when she saw his crossbow.

Daryl shrugged, dropping his head. His hair flopped into his face and he pushed it back, irritated at the length. He needed a haircut badly. "Feel fine," he muttered. Rick nodded, knowing he wouldn't get a long answer out of Daryl. "Ya plannin' on goin' on a run soon?" Daryl asked, his gaze just above Ricks head.

"Yeah. Gonna go do a supply run real soon. Need to start stocking up before the cold weather starts up," Rick said.

Daryl nodded absently. "Need a hand? Could use a change a scenery."

Rick and Michonne exchanged a look that Daryl couldn't interpret. Must be a couples thing.

"You sure you're up to it, brother? Don't want ya getting tired out too fast," Rick asked.

"Nah, man. I'm good ta go. Don't got them damn headaches n'more, and 'sides that… feel like im'ma crawl out a ma skin if I don' start doin' somethin' 'sides stare at the walls. Feel useless enough as it is," Daryl told the other man, not liking showing the weakness he was feeling.

Rick could understand how Daryl felt. When he had first woken up from his coma and realized the world had gone to shit, he had questioned his use in the world too. He knew exactly where Daryl was coming from because he had been there too. He couldn't deny him the opportunity.

"You haven't been outside the walls since your accident, have ya?" Michonne asked him, knowing the answer already.

Daryl shook his head. Damn doc wouldn't let him back outside till he could prove he was strong enough. Well, like it or not, he was gonna get out of here soon!

"Yeah brother. Can always use another hand. Denise clear ya to go? Cause we don't wanna step on her toes," Rick asked.

"Not yet, but she will. Can' keep me locked up in here forever."

Rick smirked. "Don't tell her that. She'd probably tell ya no just to spite ya."

Just then, Maggie and Beth came out of their house next to Ricks. They were talking animatedly, and Beth didn't notice Daryl right away. She glanced up and their eyes met. She stopped talking, the words trailing off as she stared at him.

"Hey Beth! Hey Maggie! How's it going today?" Michonne asked cheerfully, trying to cover the sudden quiet.

Maggie answered her, but Daryl wasn't listening. He was too focused on Beth. She looked tired, and a little pale. She also seemed to squirm under his perusal.

"Ya alright, Beth? Ya lookin' a little pale today?" Daryl asked her quietly. Beth nodded, her eyes meeting his. Daryl was struck again by how pretty she was.

"Just tired. I haven't been sleeping well. I'll be alright," Beth told him.

"Why ain't ya sleepin' well? Bad dreams or summin'?"

Beth looked at him again. Truthfully, she didn't like sleeping alone. She had slept next to Daryl for so long, that not being able to now was messing with her sleep. She would wake up all hours of the night, her hand reaching over, expecting to find Daryl there. Then, when her brain realized he wasn't there, she would lay in bed, her hand curled into the empty space next to her. She knew it wasn't good for the baby, but her head and her heart seemed to be in two different spots. Also, the baby apparently didn't understand that morning sickness was supposed to be in the mornings. She would find herself puking off and on… all… day… long. This pregnancy was much harder on her then she wanted to admit to anyone. She really wanted Daryl to be involved. She knew he would help her.

But… she couldn't tell him any of that.

"Just… lots of stuff on my mind. You wouldn't find it interesting," Beth said, a dismissive tone in her voice.

Daryl stepped closer. "Why don' ya tell me and find out. Might surprise ya," he told her. Beth gave him a small smile.

"Maybe some other time," Beth told him. He nodded, accepting her answer for the time being. His eyes remained glued to her.

He liked talking to Beth. She was not pushy and didn't expect much conversation. He hadn't noticed the others had stopped talking and were watching him and Beth. He glanced up when the silence became noticeable. Realizing everyone was staring at him, he cleared his throat and stepped back from Beth slightly. Suddenly, she inhaled deeply, her hand going to her mouth. Her eyes went wide.

"Excuse me!" she exclaimed before running back into her house. Daryl didn't even think. He just ran after her. "Beth?" he called out. He heard the sound of retching and followed it toward the bathroom. Daryl rounded the corner and saw Beth leaning over the toilet, heaving. He walked in, reaching for her hair. She tried to swat him away, but he held her hair back anyways. His other hand rubbed circles on her back. She continued to dry heave for a few more minutes.

Finally, she sat back, her eyes weary. He grabbed a washcloth and wet it down. He ran the cloth over her face and around her neck. She didn't fight him, just allowed him to do what he wanted. Then he grabbed a cup and filled it with water. He grabbed the sink, using it for leverage. He held the cup to her lips. "Jus' a couple a sips now. Don' wanna see ya hurling chunks again," he said. Beth just shook her head minutely, not wanting to move. "Come on now, girl. Need ta get somethin' back in yer stomach." He pushed the cup against her lips. This time, she took a couple of small sips. "Good girl," he praised. Her head fell forward, and for a second Daryl thought she had passed out. Then he realized she was using his extended arm as a pillow. Her head rested on his bicep, and he could feel her slow breathing against his skin. Did she fall asleep?

Daryl held as still as possible, not wanting to disturb her. Obviously, this had taken a lot out of her, and he would give her the time to recuperate. He dropped his arm from the sink but kept her head against his body. His other hand crept behind her knees, and he slowly got to his feet, lifting her gently. Her hair made a curtain around them, and Daryl pulled her closer unconsciously. He turned toward the door and was startled to see Maggie standing there. The look on her face was unreadable.

"Her room's over here," Maggie told him quietly. She led the way down the hall. Opening the door, she stepped back, and Daryl walked through, placing her gently on the bed. He brushed her hair back, his fingers feather light.

"This ain't been easy for her, ya know," Maggie told him. He looked at her, a question in his eyes. "You bein' like this, I mean."

"Summin' ya wanna say ta me?" Daryl asked her. Maggie shook her head. "Ain't my story to tell."

Daryl opened his mouth to say something else, when he heard Beth breath in sharply. He ignored Maggie and looked back at the small woman on the bed. "Beth?" he asked softly.

Maggie backed off, disappearing down the hall soundlessly. Maybe now she'll tell him.

Beth opened her eyes slowly. "Daryl?"

"It's me," he said. Her fingers reached for his, and he took them, entwining their fingers. "How ya feelin'?"

"Better. Always happens at the worse times," she said. He raised an eyebrow.

"This been happenin' a lot? Ya should go see the Doc. Bet she could help ya," Daryl told her.

Beth shook her head. "Don't need the Doc. Already know what's wrong with me. Nothin' she can do ta fix it. Only time can do that."

Daryl shook his head again. "Ya get sick all the time, and ya think time is gonna fix it? What if it's summin' serious?"

Beth tightened her grip. She looked away. "This wasn't how I wanted ya finding out," she muttered.

"Findin' what out?" Daryl said. He began to panic. Was she sicker than she was lettin' on?

She looked him in the eyes. "Daryl…I'm pregnant. I'm gonna have a baby in about 6 months."

His eyes went wide. He looked down at her stomach. "Pregnant?"

"Yes. This wasn't how I wanted you to find out. I wanted to tell ya, I just couldn't figure out how."

"Beth…who's the father?"