Chpt 6: (What May Come) Choices and Changes

They cut through the fence and run down the long gravel road to the gate. Rick is barking orders. "Glenn… You, Maggie, Beth, and T-Dog draw the walkers over there. Daryl, you go back to the other tower. Carol… you and Hershel take that tower. Carl, go with 'em. Take your time, make the shot. We don't have a lot of ammo… I'll run for the gate."

Daryl grabs Beth's elbow on his way to the tower. "Don't put your hand through the fence. Let 'em come to you, then stick 'em through the eye. Got it?" His eyes are locked on hers. Dark gray, dilated, and deadly serious. Beth nods, and Daryl squeezes her elbow. His gaze lingers a second more before he turns and runs.

It takes the rest of the day, but they take the yard. Then they take the block. There are men here. Five prisoners. Rick doesn't trust them, but he uses them to learn the layout of the prison. He and Daryl and T-Dog go with them to the kitchen and down to the laundry. They open a supply closet full of walkers. One of the men, Tomas, their leader, tries to kill Rick in the middle of a skirmish. He throws a snapping walker at him. Then he tries to stab him. When the men return, there are three prisoners left. They will stay in A block for now. Daryl warns Beth and Carol to stay away from them.

They take stock of the food inventory. Discover there is clean, running water. Mend and reinforce the fences. C-Block will be their new home. They each take a stack of bedding, two towels, a blanket to hang over the door, a blanket to sleep under, and a pillow. They walk together down the block row and peel off, one by one, into a cell to call their own. Beth and Daryl keep walking toward the end of the block. He stops at the bottom of the stairs and grabs her sleeve to pull her back. She watches him climb to the top to the guard tower. He drops off his supplies and trots back down the steps.

"That your new perch," Beth teases.

Daryl hums in response and flicks his wrist in the air, giving her shoulder a little nudge to get her moving. Beth giggles and starts walking to the last cell on the row. "Guess I'll be right here underneath ya' then," she says. She's fascinated by the pink stain that tips his ears at her remark.

Daryl follows her into the cell and looks at anything but her. Beth sets her supplies on the desk and puts her hands on her hips. She surveys the room. Thinks about how she can make it a home. "Can you help me push the bunk to the other wall?"

They push the bunk out and over to where Beth wants it. They can hear the others moving furniture about as well. "Is there a bed up there where you put your stuff?"

"Nah, I'll just grab a mattress or two and put 'em on the floor."

"I bet Rick and Glenn would help us move a bunk up there, if you want."

Daryl shrugs, "Maybe."

"You think we can make this work?"

"What," he asks.

"This place. Think we can make it a home?" Beth spreads the fitted sheet across the bed. Daryl pulls on the end nearest him and tucks it under the corners.

"Dunno… Hope so. Ought'a be safe here… at least for a while. Ya' did good findin' this place."

"I didn't find it. You did."

"Yeah, but I didn't see we could use it. You did that."

"Guess we both did good then, huh?" She smiles so sweetly, Daryl's heart actually aches a little in his chest. He can't help the small up-turn of his lip he shoots her in return.

"Let's go get your room set up," she says.

TWD

Maggie and Glenn don't return from Woodbury. Beth volunteers to go and find them. No question. Maggie is her sister. She will do whatever she has to, to get them back from the Governor. Rick looks to Daryl, then to Hershel. Beth follows his line of site. It sets her off. "I don't need their permission, Rick. I don't need yours either. I'm goin' to get my sister. You figure out who's going with me."

"Beth, I need you here. Carol's still recoverin'. I need you here to protect Judith and Carl. You brought my little girl into this world. What you did for her… for Lori. I never thanked you or your sister for saving her. Please, Beth. Stay here. Let me and Daryl go get Maggie. Oscar and Michonne are goin' too. We'll bring 'em home."

Beth softens at the mention of Judy. She looks at Daryl. He nods, and Beth relents. Daryl holds his arm out, and Beth goes to him. He doesn't exactly put his arm around her. He waits for her to get close then he gives her lower back a gentle nudge. His arm immediately drops to his side, and they walk together back to her cell. Daryl stops by her door and leans against the wall. "We'll bring 'em back, Beth."

She's standing with her back to him. She nods. Then her shoulders start to shake.

"Beth," Daryl whispers.

She crosses her arms over her chest, holding herself together. "I'm okay. I just…"

Daryl pushes off the wall and pulls the bandana from his back pocket. He taps her on the arm. Taps again and she turns halfway around. She takes the bandana and pulls it through her fingers. His kindness is the tipping point. She breaks down completely. Daryl catches her before she drops to her knees and lowers them both slowly to the ground. He scoots them back against the wall and holds on to Beth while she cries it out. Long, ugly-cry, sobs that shake Daryl to the core. He runs his hand up and down her spine, feeling the ridges of each vertebra under his fingertips.

Beth's sobs slow to jerky sniffs and shaky breaths. She lifts her head from where it rests against his stomach, sits up, and stretches her legs. Daryl keeps his arm around her shoulders. Tucks her into his side.

"Your shirt's a mess. I'm sorry."

"Nah, you probably made a clean spot with all them tears."

Beth pulls her knees back to her chest and wraps her arms around her legs. "Daryl"

"Hmm"

"I lied before. After Lori… when you asked me if I was okay." She shakes her head. "I'm not okay… I killed her, Daryl. Judith was dyin' inside of her. Lori said ta'… ta' cut. I was so scared. I was scared they'd both die if I didn't do somethin'… Maggie handed me her knife and sat down behind her. She held her while I cut. Carl was huggin' Lori, hidin' his face against her neck. She was so brave. She didn't even scream when I made the cut. She was so brave… and I killed her. Maybe there was somethin' else I coulda' done."

"Beth. What you done… bravest damn thing I ever... They'd both be dead if it weren't for you and Maggie."

"You gotta' get her back, Daryl."

"I will."

Beth turns into Daryl and snakes her arm around his middle. "Bring yourself back too."

Daryl squeezes her shoulder. They sit together until Beth's breathing evens out and her eyes slip closed. "Beth," he whispers and gives her shoulder a little nudge. When she doesn't move, he gently scoops her up and deposits her on her bed. Before he leaves, he takes a second to run his eyes over her face and her hair. "This girl," he thinks, not for the first time.

TWD

She avoids him like the plague. Rick and the others forgive Daryl for running off with his brother. They even make peace with Merle. Merle's going to help them beat the Governor. Daryl and Carol have found their rhythm again. Merle likes her. Lets Carol boss him around without giving her much sass in return. He sees how Daryl watches Beth. Asks him if she's the reason he was so hell fire determined to get back to his new family.

"Glad to see you finally found somethin' that makes your balls itch. Startin' to wonder if ya' actually had a pair, little bother."

Daryl tells him to, "shut the hell up. Beth's off limits. Ya' got me?"

Merle throws his hands up in mock surrender. But he doesn't tease him about Beth anymore. Senses Daryl might lose his shit if he did.

They're all in the block together, out in the hall, just breathing. Still reeling from the Governor's attack on the prison. They're lucky they survived the truck full of walkers he sent barreling through the prison fence. A reminder that they will never truly be safe. Hershel tells them that he believes Merle. The Governor's coming back, and they need to get ready. Carol sits down next to Beth. "Why don't you sing something, honey? We could all use a break from this silence."

Beth looks back at Maggie. She encourages her with a smile. Rick is walking with Judith, bouncing her gently in his arms. He, too, smiles and asks her to go ahead.

Beth takes a deep breath and clears her throat. She doesn't much feel like singing right now. But she taps the beat with her fist on her thigh and opens her mouth.

They hung a sign up in our town

"If you live it up, you won't live it down"

So she left Monte Rio, son

Just like a bullet leaves a gun

With her charcoal eyes and Monroe hips

She went and took that California trip

Oh, the moon was gold, her hair like wind

Said, "don't look back, just come on, Jim"

Oh, you got to hold on, hold on

You gotta' hold on

Take my hand, I'm standing right here, you gotta' hold on

Daryl is leaning against a cell next to Hershel. He's lost in the sound of Beth's voice. Watching her sing. Wonderin' what the hell he was thinkin', runnin' off with Merle like that. Leaving Beth and the rest of his family behind. He talked to Carol about it shortly after he got back. She said she understands. Knows a thing or two about loving somebody who isn't good for you. She told him to talk to Beth. To apologize. Said he hurt her heart. That's something he knows a thing or two about himself. He's tried. More than once, but Beth won't let him anywhere near her.

Well he gave her a dimestore watch

And a ring made from a spoon

Everyone's looking for someone to blame

When you share my bed, you share my name

Well, go ahead and call the cops

You don't meet nice girls in coffee shops

She said, "baby, I still love you"

Sometimes there's nothin' left to do

Oh, but you got to hold on, hold on

Babe, you gotta' hold on and take my hand

I'm standing right here, you gotta hold on

"Talk to her, son." Daryl's head whips to the side. Hershel is looking at him with that half smile of his. The one that says, "I know what you're thinking." "You hurt her when ya' didn't come back. Just apologize. Promise her it won't happen again. And mean it."

Daryl isn't sure how to respond, so he doesn't. He just looks at Hershel and waits to see if the old man has anything else to say. Hershel chuckles under his breath. "I know ya' care about her. She cares about you too. We all do. I think it just hit her the hardest when you chose not to come back. I think that might mean somethin', don't you?"

"Ain't nothin' goin' on 'tween me and Beth."

"I'm sure that's true. But you care about each other. Trust me, Daryl. Ya' want to make things right sooner rather than later. We don't know what's comin'. Don't wanna' wait too long."

"I won't let anything happen to her. You know that, right?" Daryl's eyes confirm what he's saying.

"I do. And I thank ya' for that. She's my baby girl. She will always be my baby girl, but she's changin'. She's tough and stubborn. And she's learnin' how to take care of herself. Pretty sure I got you to thank for that, too."

Daryl takes a sudden interest in the floor under his boots.

"We're all glad you're back, son. We're infinitely better… stronger, with you here." Hershel claps him on the shoulder and gives it a little squeeze. Daryl peeks at him through his lashes before they both turn their attention back to Beth's singing.

She closed her eyes and started swaying

But it's so hard to dance that way

When it's cold and there's no music

Oh, your old hometown's so far away

But inside your head there's a record that's playing

A song called "Hold On", hold on

Babe, you gotta' hold on

Take my hand, I'm standing right here, you gotta' hold on

Quiet blankets the cell block again, but it's peaceful this time. The air is lighter.

"That was beautiful, Beth. Nice choice," Carol says

Beth scoots over next to her and leans against the concrete wall. "Thanks."

"You doin' okay?"

Beth nods. "You?"

Carol smiles, that knowing little smile. It makes Beth squirm. "Better every day… I thought I was gonna' die, down there in the tombs. Been close to dying a couple of times. Suppose we all have. But this was different. It was slow and lonely. Put a lot of things in perspective…"

"Thank, God, Daryl found ya'. He knew you were still alive. Refused to hear otherwise."

"Yeah… I think when Daryl lets you into his heart, you're there for good.

Beth glances at her out of the corner of her eye.

"He cares about you too. You know that, right," Carol asks.

"Yeah, but there's nothin' goin' on. I mean… I know you two are close. I wouldn't…"

Carol puts her hand on Beth's arm. Interrupts her awkward monologue. "Beth. Daryl and I. We're close. We're friends. Really good friends. If we weren't, I don't think he'd let me call him Pookie." She angles her head to catch Beth's eyes and smiles.

Beth snorts. A delicate, little huff. "Probably not…"

Carol pats her arm. "He cares about you… differently… than he cares about the rest of us. I think you know that… Just be patient with him. Merle didn't give him much choice in leaving. He regrets it. Maybe cut him a little slack?"

Beth purses her lips. Glances at Carol and sighs. "I already forgave him. The minute he came back. It just hurt, him takin' off like that."

"I know… Trust me. But he came back. He's not gonna' leave us again."

TWD

Rick, Michonne, and Glenn head out to look for ammunition. Supplies. Anything that might help them make a stand when the Governor comes back. Rick tells Daryl to watch over their family at the prison. He is up in the tower with Merle, keeping watch, when Beth climbs the stairs to find him.

"Well, well, well. Look who's come for a visit, lil' brother."

"Knock it off Merle," Daryl warns.

"Didn't come to visit with you," Beth snips and looks Merle up and down.

Merle throws up his hands and backs away. "I think I'll head back inside. Leave you and this hellcat here to it. Be easy with ol' Daralina here, darlin'. He ain't used to handlin' merchandise as fine as you."

"Merle…" Daryl growls.

Beth continues to glare at him while he makes his way to the stairs. Merle just smiles. A wicked, flash of canines before disappearing back to the yard.

Daryl starts chewing on his thumb, eyes locked on Beth. She looks him over. Searches his face. Then walks to him and gently pulls his hand away from his mouth. "You'll make it bleed."

She almost giggles… almost, when he starts chewing on the inside of his lip instead.

She turns to walk to the railing, but Daryl grabs her forearm. " 'M sorry."

Beth stops, but she doesn't turn back to face him. "I know… I get it," she whispers.

Daryl shakes his head. He wants to scream at her. Tell her how she doesn't get it. How it tore him in half having to choose. How he knew immediately, he had made a mistake. "Was wrong ta' leave."

Beth turns back to him this time. "Yeah… but you came back," she says and offers him a soft, timid smile. She looks down at their clasped forearms. "I, um… I owe you an apology too."

"Fer what?"

"I shouldn't 'a ignored ya' when you came back. I was just so… I don't know…" She drags her eyes from their arms and looks up to find him staring at her. Her train of thought completely derails when her eyes lock with his. There is so much unsaid in those eyes of his. He's staring at her so intently. Willing her to understand. She shakes her head and regroups. "All I wanted to do was hug you… and, and thank you for comin' back." A lump sticks in her throat. A ball of unshed tears that's been building since the day he returned. She can't talk around it.

Daryl gently tugs her toward him. One step and he's pulling her arm around his middle. Her other hand land on his chest. Her ear lands over his heart. He's hesitant, a little awkward, but when Beth snakes her other arm around his middle too, he can't help but wrap her up completely. Beth sighs and Daryl squeezes her a little tighter.

"Promise me you won't run off again."

"Promise."

TWD

It isn't long before Rick and the others return with a bus full of Woodbury folks on the run. The family accepts them into the fold. Willing to try and build a community. Daryl is a rock star. He has is own set of groupies in the Woodbury camp, and it makes him nervous. Beth and Carol think it's hilarious.

Beth is feeding Judith at the picnic table outside. The Woodbury people and her family are making it work. Becoming friends. Beth has been helping Carol and Karen with the kids and their school lessons, but Judith is still her top priority.

"Cute baby."

Beth looks up into the sun and squints. She can't see his face, only his form. But she assumes it's the boy from Woodbury. The one that keeps smiling at her.

"This seat taken," he asks and flops down across from her at the table.

"Have a seat then," Beth mumbles under her breath and goes back to feeding Judy.

"It's Beth, right? I'm Zach." He wipes his hand on his shirt and extends it to Beth.

Beth shakes his hand and smiles. "Nice to meet ya'," he says.

"You, too."

"What's her name?"

"Judith"

"She yours?"

Beth shakes her head. Feels her hackles rise although she isn't quite sure why. "No. I just take care of her."

"Where's her mama?"

"She died. Giving birth. She's Rick's daughter."

"That the Sheriff or the crossbow guy," he asks before shoving a big piece of deer meat in his mouth.

"Daryl's the crossbow guy. The one who killed that deer your eatin'." She narrows her eyes at him. Wants to be sure he understands who it is that's keeping him and all the others fed.

"Right. He your boyfriend? I see you guys together a lot."

"What the hell," she thinks. "We're close."

"Yeah, but is he your boyfriend," he teases and leans in a little toward her. He reaches over to pat Judith, but Beth subtly angles her away before he can make contact.

A crossbow hits the table between them with a loud thud. Zach jumps back, and Beth smiles up at Daryl. "You eat yet," he asks her.

"Not yet," she answers sweetly, her tone a far cry from the defensive it was a moment ago. "I will when Judith's done."

"Here, let me take her. You go get ya' somethin' fore it's all gone…" He reaches for Judith and takes her carefully into his arms. Rocks her back and forth before giving her more of her bottle. "Hey there lil' asskicker. You want some more ta' eat?"

Beth watches him. Wonders if he even knows he has a smile reserved only for the baby he cradles in his arms. "You eat yet," she asks.

"Nah, not yet."

Beth slings her leg over the bench seat, and Daryl offers his hand to help her up. "I'll make ya' a plate… Be right back."

Zach watches the easy exchange between the two. He squirms a little when Daryl plops down across from him. Slows his eating to a crawl, but Daryl completely ignores him.

Zach clears his throat. "Thanks for the deer meat."

Daryl looks across the table at Zach. "You always stuff your face 'for anybody else gets a chance to eat?"

Zach stops chewing and swallows hard. "I didn't know others hadn't got any food yet."

"Maybe you ought 'a pay a little more attention. Start helpin' out 'round here. Earn yer keep."

"I… I've been killin' walkers on the fence. Takin' shifts in the tower with David."

"You been spendin' a lot of time watchin' Beth too."

"I… I didn't know you two… I mean… I meant no disrespect. She's a beautiful girl, you know? Pretty smile. Hadn't seen one of those in a long time."

"I think you better stop talkin' now," Daryl all but growls.

"Yeah, I'm just gonna'…" Zach picks up his plate and heads across the yard.

Beth sits down next to Daryl and hands him his dinner. "Where was Zach goin' in such a hurry?"

"Iunno," Daryl mumbles.

Beth looks at him and her bow creases with suspicion. Daryl ducks back behind his bangs and starts talking to Judith again.

"You on watch tonight?"

"Yeah, tower two," he says. You got Judith?"

"No, Rick's watchin' her tonight."

"'Bout time. You need a break."

"I love watchin' Judy," she whines.

"I know, but Rick needs to step up some too, ya' know."

Beth answers with a shrug. She's more than happy to take care of Judy. They all have their jobs to do.

"You wanna' come on watch wit' me tonight?"

Beth just looks at him for a second. She's caught completely off guard by the invitation. The tips of Daryl's ears turn pink. Beth smiles, all the way to her eyes. "Yeah… sounds good."

Daryl nods, one stiff nod. "A'ight"

"Alright," Beth echos.

A/N Sorry it took me a bit to get this posted. Writers block and trying to save my shop from this Corona Crisis has slowed me down a bit. Appreciate you reading! Reviews are always appreciated!