Chpt 9: Streamers

Daryl finds Beth in the kitchen with Carol and Merle.

"Hey, Babe," she says, and Daryl plants a quick kiss on her cheek.

The gals are working on supper for the prison. Canned chili and stale saltines, an easy fix for this evening's meal. Merle is down on all fours, head in one of the ovens, scrubbing the inside of it clean. Daryl snags a cracker, stops behind Merle, and pops him on the ass. A muffled, "Damn it, Daralina," floats from the oven.

"Be quicker to feed ya' to them walkers out there on the fence," Daryl hollers back.

"Daryl!" Beth scolds him with mock indignation. Daryl shrugs and shoots her a, "what'd I do?" face. Carol chuckles at the banter even if Daryl's joke is entirely inappropriate. Death, self-inflicted or otherwise is no joking matter, especially with the way things are now, but lighthearted moments are few and far between these days.

"Council set a date for the run this mornin'. Headin' back to the Big Spot day after tomorrow. Anything ya'll need?"

"I already gave my list to Maggie, but thanks," Carol says

"Anything you need, Beth?" He figures she'll just say no like always, but he goes ahead and asks her anyway. Just in case.

"Actually yes, there is something I need. Well, not need, I guess, but"

"What is it," Daryl asks. He didn't mean to cut her off, but Beth never asks for anything. Don't matter if she needs it or not. If there is something she wants, he's determined she'll have it.

"If you can, look in the party section. I need streamers. All different colors, if possible, please."

Daryl's eyes narrow to nothing more than slits. "The hell you need streamers for?"

"We've been working on a cake recipe, no eggs, no milk," she says and flicks her wrist back and forth between her and Carol. "We wanna' have a birthday party."

"For who," he asks, wondering who could be so damn important that Beth is asking for streamers.

"Everybody," she says emphatically as if it's that obvious. "Everybody sits at their birthday month table so we can celebrate everybody's birthday all at once. It's a good way to get know each other too. But we can't have a birthday party without streamers… Well, I guess we could, but it wouldn't be near as much fun."

Daryl stares at her for a long second. Shakes his head. "I'll find ya' some streamers."

Beth bounces on her toes and Daryl can't help the little spasm in his upper lip.

Rick joins them in the kitchen, carrying baby Judith on his hip. "You mind if I go ahead and grab a bowl? Was gonna' try to eat a little somethin' before she's ready to be fed."

"Sure!" Carol says and dips out a bowl of chili for him.

"Here, let me take her," Beth offers. "I've got her supper ready right over here."

Beth opens her hands to Judith and the little girl falls forward, right into her arms. She's gnawing on her fist, working hard on getting that first tooth to pop through. Daryl hands Carol two more bowls to fill and Beth grabs Judith's oatmeal and rice.

The three of them slide into their usual spot in the commons just as the rest of the prison inhabitants start to file in for supper.

"Hey," Beth says, "when's your birthday?"

"October. You?"

"May… What month you think we're in now?"

Daryl thinks about it for a second. Glances at the narrow windows that line the top of the concrete walls. "Dunno'. April, maybe?"

"Yeah, that's what I was thinkin'. Means Easter's comin'. I wish we had some plastic eggs and candy for the kids to hunt." She looks genuinely sad at the notion of Easter with no eggs and chocolate.

"I can look for some at the Big-Spot."

"Nah, no candy left, I'm sure. Not what Easter's really about anyway."

"You still believe in all that? Even after all the shit we seen?"

Beth shrugs. Scoops up another bit of oatmeal for Judith and glides it through the air like an airplane. She makes a silly face when the spoon reaches Judith's mouth. Smiles big and wide when the baby girl scrunches her nose in a silly face of her own. Judith opens her little mouth and takes the oatmeal like a champ. "I suppose I do. Can't imagine this life is all there is."

"You mean heaven?"

Beth takes a focused interest in stirring the oatmeal and rice. Taps the spoon against the bowl and watches the thick, off-white glob drop back into the mush. She finally nods and looks back up at Daryl. "Yeah… I was taught that heaven is the goal, ya' know? The reward. Love God. Believe in Jesus… I was baptized when I was 12. Made a commitment to God with my heart. Can't just walk away from that. There's still good in this world, Daryl… Look at Judith. She's a miracle. And our family? What we've built here? It's not just random. Neither are we… me and you, I mean."

Daryl is chewing on the inside of his lip. Listening to Beth stand up for what she believes in. She's loyal and kind, and he thinks again how damn lucky he is to have her. Or maybe it ain't luck at all. Maybe Beth's right and them being together ain't random. Either way, he'll take it. And be grateful for it. Beth is the best damn thing that's ever happened to him… by far. He isn't sure what to say to her. Not sure he needs to say anything at all. So, he walks around to her side of the table, takes Judith from her lap, and plants a kiss on her forehead.

"Eat yer' chili. I'll finish feedin' Lil Asskicker." He sits back down across from her and feeds Judith the rest of her food. Beth watches the two of them. She loves watchin' him with Judith. Makes her wonder if maybe she and Daryl could have a little one of their own someday. Probably a crazy dream with the way the world is now, but the thought warms her heart through and through.

Daryl heads to the showers when Judith finishes her supper. He's been reinforcing the fences all day. Walking the perimeter, making sure there are no weak spots. He always does this before he goes on a run. Feels compelled to do everything he can to leave his family as secure as possible while he is gone.

Beth spent her day with Rick and her daddy and Carl in the garden. They sorted through the remnants of what was left from the prison's garden last year, pulled weeds, and tended to their new rows. Daryl found a garden hose in storage a few weeks back. It reaches the old garden, but not the new rows they've planted. They still have to fill buckets and hall water, but not quite as far as before. She likes spending time in the garden. Doesn't mind the hard work one bit. It reminds her of her mama's garden, and hours spent with her mama working the soil and watching it grow.

When Daryl leaves, Beth wonders over to sit with Maggie and Glenn. She hasn't seen the two of them much in the last few days. Figures they've been sneaking off to be together as much as possible before one of them heads to the Big-Spot. They ask her how she's doing and what she's been up to. Maggie tells her she looks happy. Tells Glenn to remember to find Beth a bottle of sunscreen before he leaves the Big-Spot. Glenn chimes in. Says something about needing to find Beth and Daryl their own stash of protection too. He's just joking, but his off-color remark earns him a slap from both girls.

"Glenn, would you mind to take our dishes to the sink, please? I wanna' talk to Beth for a second."

"Sure thing," he says and gives Beth a wink.

Beth knows what Maggie wants to talk about. Figures that's where Glenn's little joke came from. He walks away and Maggie leans in close across the table.

"I'm sorry about Glenn, but seriously Beth, are you and Daryl being careful? You have to be careful, Beth. I know it's easy to get swept away, but you tell Daryl I'll kick his ass if he doesn't use protection."

"Maggie, stop. We aren't… I mean, we haven't been together yet. And you might be surprised to learn that Daryl's the one puttin' the whammy on that whole situation."

"What do ya' mean," Maggie asks.

"I mean… every time it feels like we're there, he pulls back. Says we gotta' stop before we get too carried away."

Maggie's lips pucker while she thinks on that for a minute. She crosses her arms on the table and cocks her head to the side. "Maybe he's just tryin' to be careful with ya'."

"He is. I think this is all pretty new for him too. Not that he's never been with anyone. Just, I don't know, I think it's different with me. I think he's different with me. Does that make sense?"

Maggie smiles warmly at her baby sister. "Yeah… I get it. Makes perfect sense." Her smile grows even wider, "Who would have ever thought you'd be the one to tame Daryl Dixon, redneck extraordinaire."

"Maggie, that's not nice. He's not that guy anymore."

"I know," she says. "I'm just kidding. I'm happy for ya' Beth. Daryl's a good man."

Beth smiles at that, and Maggie reaches over. Squeezes her hand. "I'm here for ya', Bethy. If you wanna' talk about anything." When she stands up to leave, she kisses Beth on the head. "Glenn was only half jokin'. I'll make sure he adds those to the list," she whispers and taps her finger on a little square package she has left on the table.

Beth looks closer at the package. Realizes what Maggie has left behind and slams her hand down on top of it. She can feel her cheeks heat up. Suspects she looks like she might have a fever at this point. She shoves the packet in her pocket and looks at Judith. "I'm sorry you had to see that," she says flatly and makes a silly face at her baby girl. Judith keeps gnawing on her fist. Smiles around it back at Beth. Beth gives her a quick kiss and looks around for Carl or Rick.

Rick is still talking to her daddy, and Carl is nowhere to be seen, so Beth takes Judith outside where it's quiet. Judy spent the day with Carol and a few of the younger kids in the group. Beth suspects she either didn't get a nap or else her nap was cut short by the noise and chaos that generally surrounds that group. Judy's even too tired to fuss. They're sitting on a picnic table just outside the commons. Beth's singing an old Bread tune that her mama used to sing to her, rocking Judith side to side against her chest. Rick spots them. Stops to listen for a minute when he gets within ear shot.

"And when my love for life is running dry, you come and pour yourself on me. If a man could be two places at one time, I'd be with you. Tomorrow and today, beside you all the way…"

"Hey," Rick whispers. "Thanks for takin' her and feedin' her. She's a tired girl tonight, huh," he says and takes a sleepy Judith from Beth. He tells her to enjoy her night. Thanks her for taking care of Judith and Daryl and everybody else too, for that matter. Beth just smiles. Kisses Judith on the head and hops down off the table.

The commons is quiet when she walks back through, just a few folks from Woodbury wiping down the tables and cleaning up the floor. Normally Beth would stop and offer to help, but tonight she's ready for a shower and a little cuddle time with Daryl.

After a less than hot shower, Beth drops her things off in her cell, and climbs the steps to Daryl's perch. He is lying on his bed, eyes closed, both arms behind his head. He looks completely relaxed, stretched out on top of the covers in a dark t-shirt and a thin pair of pajama pants. Beth shuts the door behind her without a sound. But when she turns around, Daryl's watching her with a lazy smile on his face.

"Oh," she says. "I thought you might be sleepin'." Her thick waves are still wet from her shower. They nearly reach the center of her back now. She's wearing a red Def Leppard t-shirt, what he thinks might be an oversized pair of men's boxers, and white tube socks pulled up to her knees. His idea of sexy-as-hell is re-defined in an instant. Beth tip toes across the room and crawls over him. Grabs the extra blanket at the foot of the bed and stretches out half on top of him. Her ear settles right on top of his heart where it always seems to land. Daryl wraps and arm around her waist and pulls her snug against him. He's always so warm. Her own personal heater.

"Missed you today," he says, low and quiet. The words scrape across the gravel in his throat, and Beth's belly does a little roller coaster dive at the sound of it.

"I missed you too," she whispers.

"Was thinkin' 'bout what you said at supper. 'Bout God puttin' you and me together."

"Yeah? What about it?"

Daryl shrugs beneath her. She's figured out he always does that right before he gives you his opinion on something. It's sort of a "take it or leave, but this is what I think," intro. "He knew what he was doin'. Figured I oughta' thank him for it."

"You mean you prayed?"

"Prolly' didn't do it right. Didn't get on my knees or nothin'."

"You don't have to get on your knees. You don't even really have to talk. He already knows what you're thinkin'."

"Shit. Then I'm in some real trouble," he half-heartedly jokes.

"Nooooh," she assures him. "He knows your heart. And you have a good heart, Daryl Dixon."

He answers with a hum, not quite believing he agrees with that.

"I was thinking about all that too… in the shower," she says and props her chin on the back of her hand so she can see him. "Wonderin' how He would have put us together if the world had kept on spinnin' like before."

"What do ya' mean?"

"Like, how we would've met. What would our story be?"

"You're crazy, girl," he says. "No way in hell you'd notice me."

"That's not true!"

"Pfff," he answers.

"I'm serious," she says in earnest. "We woulda' met in that world too. And we'd be together, just like we are now. I bet… we would have met on my way to Nashville," she says and smiles like she's figuring it all out in her head. Her wheels are turning. He can see it in the way her eyes are dancing with an idea. "I'm drivin' down the highway when my car... No! When my Jeep, my bright red, two door Wrangler, starts makin' a funny clankin' sound. The engine sputters out, and I break down on the side of the road. I call for a tow truck, and you show up. You're wearin' dark jeans and a sleeveless flannel. You take a look under the hood, and I take a long look at those arms of yours. Tell myself this day might not be so bad after all."

"Wait. What?" Daryl says.

Beth giggles and watches the tips of his ears turn pink. "Stop interrupting," she scolds him playfully. Figures she'll leave the discussion about his arms and the way she feels about them for another day.

"Anyway," she continues in mock annoyance, "you take me and my Jeep back to the garage you own in town." Beth sits up on her knees and frames an imaginary sign with her hands. "Dixon's Autobody Shop." Daryl smiles at that. Marvels at the confidence she has in him, even if it is just a story.

"I don't have much money," she says, "and the part you need has to be ordered. It's Friday, of course, late afternoon, so I'm stuck until Monday at least, maybe Tuesday. I'm freakin' out about how I'm gonna' afford to fix the Jeep and afford a hotel for that many days. But, you and your kind heart calm me down and walk me across the street to the local diner for lunch… to Carol's Diner," she declares.

A mischievous grin spreads across her face. Daryl smiles back at her. He's enjoying listening to her story. Mostly he likes watching her tell her story… Their story. Loves the way her blue eyes are shining and her petite little nose wrinkles when the next idea hits her.

"You buy me a piece of pie and ask Carol if she minds lettin' me stay with her for a couple of nights. See, Carol is your sister-in-law…" Daryl snorts at that. Shakes his head good naturedly at Beth's nonsense. "She and Merle own the diner together," she says through a smile, "and you live in the apartment upstairs. She offers me the guest room at their house, but she and Merle won't be headed home until after the diner closes. So, I offer to help out and Carol smiles that, I-know-somethin'-you-don't-know, smile of hers and asks me to sing during the supper run. You come back after work to eat and end up hangin' around until I'm done singin'. When it slows down, Carol sends me upstairs with you until they're ready to leave. Over the next couple of hours, we talk and laugh, and you fall madly in love with me," she says dramatically and falls to her side. Daryl's laughing now, actually laughing. It's a quiet, airy sort of chuckle that rolls out from the back of his throat. Beth thinks it's the best thing she's ever heard.

"Then what," he asks and Beth's heart sores. She scoots over to him and pillows her head on his belly.

"Then…" she sing-songs, and takes a second to think about what happens next. "You get my Jeep fixed. It's Wednesday, though you coud've had it ready to go on Monday afternoon. You're out of excuses, and you're a terrible liar so… I'm hanging out at your shop. Taking my time loadin' up the Jeep. Wonderin' how I'm gonna' be able to say goodbye because, truth is, I've fallen madly in love with you too," she says and turns her head to look at Daryl. The way he is staring at her causes her to stumble on her words. A pleasant warmth spreads from her belly to her cheeks. There's a buzz in the air, like static electricity. They both feel it, and Daryl's heart starts to pick up speed. Beth takes his hand, pulls it to her, and ghosts her fingers up, down, and in between each of his.

She swallows hard and continues with their story. Tells it a little slower now. She almost sounds sad, like maybe she has a lump caught in her throat. "You haven't even kissed me yet," she says, "but I already know in my heart you're the one. Then, like you can read my mind, you ease a little closer... Tuck a wisp of hair behind my ear and lean in real slow… I take ahold of the hem of your shirt. Lift up on my toes, and you kiss me… Slow and easy... At first. it tastes like a new beginning, but the longer we kiss, the more it feels like goodbye. It's like my heart is wakin' up and dyin' too, all at the same time. Your arm slides around my waist, and you pull me in as tight as you can against ya'. We keep kissin' and kissin' until neither one of us can breathe..."

Beth's feeling a little winded in the present too. Can't keep her voice from dropping into a heady whisper. She's still playing with his fingers. Tracing every line and callous like she' memorizing the lay out of his hand. She glances at Daryl again and sees he's breathing a little quicker too. She feels like she's burning from the inside out. Her belly is doing that dip and flip it always does when he looks at her like that. Like he's barely keeping himself together and it's all her fault. She can't look away from him. Finishes their story on a whisper. "I ask you to come to Nashville with me… Or maybe you ask me to stay and make a life with you here. Doesn't matter where we are. Five kids, one long and happy life together, and the rest, as they say, is history."

Daryl stares at her for a second. Rolls their story around in his head. Beth's watching him watching her, wondering what he might be thinking… "Come 'ere," he says, voice deep and commanding.

Beth rolls to her knees, and Daryl pulls her across him to straddle his thighs. He tucks her hair behind her ear, just like in their story. Slides his hand behind her neck and pulls her in for a long, languid kiss. Things are heating up quickly when Daryl pulls back suddenly, sending Beth a little off balance. "Five kids, huh?" He says it like he's actually considering it as a possibility.

Beth is caught completely off guard. She opens her mouth to speak, but words won't form.

"I'm thinking we ended up in Nashville," he says. "You musta' been the next damn Garth Brooks to afford five kids." His lip does that jumpy, twitchy thing it does when he's trying not to smile.

Beth bursts out laughing. A full-on belly laugh that forces Daryl to release that smile he's trying to hide. She gives him a quick kiss on the lips. Says, "I love you, Daryl Dixon."

He's feeling playful. Says, "I love you too, Beth Greene." He's never seen this side of himself before. Didn't know he had it in him. Just another thing he owes this beautiful woman in his lap.

"I wish you didn't have leave so soon," she says. "Day after tomorrow, right?"

"Yeah," he says "Going with Michonne, Glenn, and Sasha."

Beth is playing with the hem of his t-shirt, sliding her fingers back and forth across his belly. "How long you think you'll be gone?"

"Not sure. Prolly' gonna' take the backroads this time. Figure two days there, two days back…"

Beth doesn't answer, but a deep, sad sigh lets him know she isn't happy about it. He squeezes her knees. Lets her know he gets it. He doesn't like the idea of being away from her for that long, any more than she does. Truth is, he doesn't like being away from her for more than a few hours these days. He wonders if that makes him weak. Figures Merle would say it does, but Daryl would call him on that bullshit real quick. He sees the way his brother acts around Carol. Merle's as whipped as he is. The way Daryl figures it, Beth makes him stronger. Makes him better. He's not sure how they happened, but if Beth thinks God is responsible, he's sure as hell willing to thank Him for it.

"Where'd you go" she asks.

"Hmmm?"

Beth's face swims back into focus. She's studying him curiously. Wearing a little worry crease between her brows.

"Just thinkin'," he says.

"You worried about the run?"

"Pfff. Nah," he gruffs and pulls himself up a little straighter in the bed. He bends his knees behind Beth so she can lean back against them. He's the picture of relaxed, but Beth knows him better than that. He's scratching at his thumbnail. Choosing his words. "Just don't like bein' away from ya's all."

Beth smiles at that, soft and sincere. Looks him over. Sucks the corner of her lip between her teeth and searches his face. He loves it when she does that thing with her lip. It heats him up. Makes his toes tingle. Beth brushes his hair back from his eyes. "I don't like bein' away from you either. I don't like it one bit" she says.

It's his turn to look her over. She's an open book, laid out before him. Honest and kind and so damn good. He wishes he could find all those pretty words people use, when they're in love, to tell her exactly how he feels. Wants to scream those words from the watchtower. "I love you," just doesn't seem like enough, even though those three little words would have been impossible for him just a few short months ago. He is completely in love with Beth Greene, and nobody is more surprised by that fact than him. Even crazier, he thinks, is the truth that she loves him too.

Overwhelmed by everything he feels for her, he shoots forward. Captures her lips in a searing kiss. Pours everything he can't say into that kiss. Beth gets it. Gives as good as she gets. Her hands tangle in his hair. Scrape across his scalp. Daryl slides his hands heavy up her thighs. Pulls her center flush against him, and Beth presses into him on instinct. She rocks her hips and groans. Daryl's hands slip beneath her t-shirt. Journey up and down her back, callouses scraping against skin as soft as lamb's wool. Beth claws at his shoulders. Throws her head back and arches into him when he sets to work on her neck. He makes his way back to her lips, and their kisses slow. Less frenzied, more intentional and thorough. Beth rocks against him again, and Daryl's breath catches in his throat. He drags his lips from hers, and braces his hands against her shoulders.

"We gotta' stop, Beth."

Beth slumps and pouts. They're both winded and flushed. Daryl cups her cheek. Runs his thumb across her bottom lip. It's dark and swollen. Her hair is a wild riot of waves and curls, still damp from her shower. His hands fall heavily back to her thighs.

"If we don't stop now…"

"I don't wanna' stop," she says in a rush.

"Beth," he almost pleads.

"I want you to touch me, Daryl… I wanna' be with you because I love you. Because I'm ready… We're ready."

Daryl starts chewing on the inside of his lip. There's a war raging inside his head. He knows what his heart wants. No debate there. But more than anything, he wants to do right by Beth.

"Ya' ever done this before?"

Beth shakes her head, "no" and shrugs. "I've never been in love before."

"You know it hurts… the first time." He's not trying to scare her, but he wants her to know the facts.

Beth nods. "I know, but I trust you… You'd never hurt me on purpose."

Daryl starts chewing on his lip again. Takes his time studying her. "Ever been touched," he asks softly.

Beth shakes her head again. "Jimmy tried. Especially after the turn. He got pretty pushy, but…"

Daryl sweeps her hair back from her face. Wraps it up in his fists at the back of her neck. "One thing at a time," he says and gently nudges her forward. He meets her halfway and kisses her tenderly. Kisses her so thoroughly, Beth thinks she might shatter. They part and Beth's eyes float open. Daryl's eyes are locked onto hers looking for any sign of doubt, but Beth knows exactly what she wants. She leans in and kisses him again. His hands drop to the hem of her tee, and Beth keeps kissing him. She shudders when his knuckles scrape against her ribs as he lifts her tee. He moves slowly to give her time to change her mind, but Beth lifts her arms and Daryl obliges. Her shirt hits the floor and Daryl presses his lips to hers again. He teases the straps of her dingy white bra from her shoulders and trails soft, open-mouth kisses down her neck and across her collar bone. He tugs at the straps again and, one by one, Beth frees her arms from their constraints. She fiddles with the hook in the back and lets the bra fall to her lap. Daryl steals a peek, but Beth has her hands crossed over her chest, one covering each breast. He looks at her questioningly. Thinks maybe she's changed her mind. "We can stop, Beth," he says gently. "Ain't gonna push ya' ta' do nothin' you ain't ready for."

"No, it's not that," she says. "It's just… they're so small… they've always been small. Not like Maggie..." she trails off.

Daryl's shakes his head. Can't imagine Beth would ever worry about how she looks. Prettiest damn thing he's ever seen, inside and out. There's more to her worry than she's saying. He's sure of it. He's no stranger to emotional scars. Figures dumbass Jimmy said something hateful to her when she wouldn't let him have his way with her. He scowls at her. Wonders how she can think she is anything less than perfect to him. He twists on his rear and drops his feet to the floor. Beth's hands fly to his shoulders leaving her chest completely exposed for his scrutiny.

"Perfect," she hears him mumble before he sets her on her feet and yanks his t-shirt over his head. Beth barely has time to register the cut of his abs before he spins around exposing his back and all its puckered scars for her scrutiny. It's dark in the perch, but the moon is just bright enough through the window to illuminate the shiny, corrugated strips of skin that litter the length of his back. His chin is tucked, and his fists are balled at his sides. Beth steps toward him. Runs her fingers lightly over what must have been deep, deep cuts at the beginning. Daryl tries not to flinch when she touches him.

"Your father?" she whispers.

Daryl hums his reply and side-eyes her over his shoulder.

She realizes he has "one-upped" her on purpose. Shared something deeply private and painful with her for the sole purpose of helping her move past her self-conscious doubt. She slides her arms around his waist from behind. Presses her cheek and her bare chest to his back. She is speechless. Daryl relaxes into her. Remembers to breathe.

"I love you, Sweetheart," he whispers. "All of ya'," and covers her hands with his.

Beth slides around to his front. Lays her palms flat against his chest. She does that thing with her lip that sets him on fire.

"I love ya', Beth," he says again. Louder this time so she knows he means it. He likes the way it feels on his tongue. Thinks he could get used to saying it. "I'm always gonna' love ya'."

Beth nods. Rises on her toes and slides her hands to the back of his neck. "I know," she says. "I'm always gonna' love you too, Daryl. Every bit of ya'."