His Light in the Dark

AN: So, after careful consideration, I have decided that this story will be wrapping up very soon. I already have the ending written. I know how I want this to end. Please let me know what you all think of this newest chapter by leaving me a review :)

Chapter 8

Daryl stalked down the street, disgusted with himself. He had kissed Beth. He had kissed Beth and he had liked it….

Calling himself every vile name he could think of, he felt the strong urge to hit something with either his fists or his crossbow.

Why did he do it? What demon had possessed him and made him kiss her? She's pregnan' for fucks sake! She's having a baby with some asshole who left her alone and vulnerable. She was in a fragile place and Daryl felt like the biggest dick on the planet because he was entertainin' thoughts he had no right to entertain.

He wanted her…

Daryl stopped in the middle of the street. He stared ahead at nothing. His chin dropped and he practically fell to the ground. He chewed on his nailbed and fought the truth he knew was in his head.

He was fallin' in love with Beth. She was pregnan' with another mans baby, and he was fallin' in love with her. She was way too young for him, too pure, too good.

Daryl wished he could remember more. His memory still wasn't coming back and he was extremely frustrated. Why couldn't he remember? Why was his mind fighting against him so hard? He was tired of the void in his head. He just wanted his memory back.

Beth sat on the bed, tears in her eyes as she stared at the door that Daryl had just run through. Why didn' I tell him the truth from the beginning? Why did I keep all this from him? Now he probably hates me. Even if I tell him the truth now, he will definitely hate me for keeping him in the dark.

A knock on the door startled her. She brushed the tears away and cleared her throat.

"Come in," she called out, trying to keep her voice steady. Maggie poked her head inside.

"I saw Daryl run out of here. What happened?" she asked with concern.

Beth shook her head. "It's no use, Maggie. I screwed everythin' up so bad. I should have tol' him the truth right from the beginning. Now, it's too late."

Maggie came over and sat on the bed. She took Beth's hand. "Why is it too late? Did somethin' happen?"

Beth nodded. "He kissed me…" she mumbled. Maggie's eyebrows rose. "He kissed me and then ran away because he thinks he isn' good enough for me. He even said he doesn't want me to clean anymore because it isn' good for the baby. He's pushing me away."

Maggie sighed. "Oh Bethy…I'm sorry sweetie."

Beth shook her head. "Ain' yer fault. It's mine. Should have tol' him sooner. Now… I think I've lost him fer good."

"You don' know that, Bethy. He's scared. He's scared cause he can't remember you or your time together. If he could, you know that he would be right here with you."

"But he doesn' and he isn'! It's been months Maggie! MONTHS! He still can' remember anythin' and I don' know that he ever will. It's hopeless, Maggie!" Beth railed at her sister. Beth started sobbing again, and Maggie pulled her forward. She stroked Beth's hair as she cried.

"I know its hard. I know you want him back. I know it seems like the world just fell out from under ya, but ya gotta remember too that Daryl is confused right now. He can't remember anything and for him, all these feelin's are brand new. He can't remember your history. Do you remember when everyone first showed up at the farm?"

Beth nodded. "Course I do…"

"I remember the way he would watch you when you weren' lookin. He was tryin' to be all covert like, but I caught him several times."

Beth shrugged. "He doesn' remember any of that."

Maggie sighed. "Beth, listen to me. He may not remember, but he still has those feelin's fer ya. Do ya know how many times I've caught him starin' at ya in the last month alone?"

Beth swiped at the tears on her cheeks. "He's just tryin' to figure out why I help him so much, that's all. No one else is as involved as I am, and it's confusing him."

"You are one of the most stubborn people I've ever met, ya know that?" Maggie exclaimed. "He can' remember, but somethin' in him still does. That's why he is so drawn to ya. That's why he is runnin' scared right now. He's feelin' things he don' understand and he don' know how to deal with it."

"Doesn' matter anymore. He don' wanna be around me now. He tol' me so before he ran out a here. Said he was too old fer me and a bunch of other things."

"He's always been too old fer ya. Never stopped ya'll before," Maggie said.

Beth scoffed. "It's too late Maggie." Her chin dropped. "It's over. I know I've lost him. He freaked out when he found out about the baby. Thinks some asshole up and left me to raise a baby alone."

Maggie laughed. "Well… he ain't far off the mark."

Beth sighed and rolled her eyes. She shook her head. "Yer terrible, ya know that?"

Maggie feigned innocence. "What? He said it first. I'm just agreeing with him."

Beth laughed quietly. Then, she sighed again. "I don' know what to do now. If I tell him the truth about everything, he may never look at me the same way again. But, if I don't tell him, he won't ever come round me again. I feel like I'm gonna lose either way, no matter which way I do something."

Maggie took Beth's hands. "You know him the best of all of us. You know how to reach him. Keep trying Beth. Don't give up just because of a little stumbling block. You two have been through too much to just give up now. Isn't he worth fighting for?"

"Course he is, Mags. I love him. I have for years. We're havin' a baby. He's mine in every way that counts. But I don' think we can survive this. I don't think he's ever gonna be my Daryl again…"