Beth knew Daryl heard that night. He was silent in his response, he didn't even move a muscle, but his heart gave him away. As soon as the words that had been sitting on the tip of her tongue slipped out, it began to beat faster. She had imagined that maybe he'd pull her closer to his chest and there would be a silent understanding between them. Or perhaps in the morning, when he dropped her off at work, he'd kiss her a little longer than usual. Beth hadn't excepted much from a man whose main downfall was words, she didn't except him to say it back to her. But, she had expected more than nothing.

Everything just carried on the same.

But, separately, they each had anxiety building within them. She couldn't fight the encroaching thought of how he might really feel about her. But, Daryl was too distracted by the future to worry about the present. Which meant she couldn't even gage how he might be feeling. With each passing week, Daryl's fear of Jax's revenge increased. For a while, she thought they were in the clear, with no retaliation for months. Daryl, however, thought more time passed meant bigger plans – which meant a worse outcome for them.

Beth had asked Merle what they were going to do, knowing that bringing it up with Daryl wouldn't help his anxiety. Merle assured her Blake would handle it. Jax had a price on his head, and now he was trying to steal Blake's "merchandise", which he wasn't going to get away with that. Beth felt a slight reassurance from the response…maybe the long weeks of waiting only meant that Jax had been quietly dealt with.

As for the heroin, Daryl was dead set on its eviction from the shop, where it seemed to take up permanent residents. Rick had been sniffing around, knowing Merle couldn't have been the only one involved. Lori's was closed, dramatically taped off as a crime scene, and it was only a matter of time before he convinced a judge he needed some search warrants. Beth had made an offer to Merle to take it back, seeing as she didn't look like a drug runner. But, the idiot immediately told Daryl, who put an end to that idea.

"I don't want you anymore mixed up in this than you already are." He told her, quite angrily. "I'd dump the supply in the river before I let Blake anywhere near you."

. . .

The next day, Beth was being run off her feet, with half of the waitresses catching colds from their rugrats. She didn't mind being busy though, it kept her mind off of Daryl's silence. She couldn't fathom how he could just ignore what she said, and let it pass for as long as it had. Did he think she'd just forget it? He couldn't be that stupid. Her wound had heeled into a nice scar, fall was waning and the morning frost lasted longer, and still nothing. She couldn't bring herself to say anything to him, she'd already said enough, and it was his responsibility to respond now. So, she did was she knew best, and executed everything with a smile, even when she could feel herself falling apart inside.

Near the end of her shift, Beth only had two tables left, and was dreading going home. The customers were pleasant, and had no anxiety attached to them. One table held an elderly couple – regulars – and the other a man who said he was just passing through. He was in his early to late thirties maybe, he was handsome, and his blue eyes twinkled when he talked. He'd been the ideal customer, chatting with her about the Christmas lights Carol has gotten her to hang up and talking adoringly about his daughter. When she brought him his bill, he tipped her an extremely generous amount.

"Thank you very much, Sir." Beth smiled at him as she slipped a few twenties into her pocket.

"Oh, Darling," He said. "There's no need to call me sir. My father was a sir."

"Well thank you...?"

"…Philip." He said, as he stood up and shook her hand. "Philip Blake."

Beth immediately felt her stomach sink as she dropped his hand. She tried to keep a smile, as she matched the face to a face. Could it just be coincidence? How many people had the last name Blake? There was nothing even remotely alarming about him. In fact, the person standing in front of her had to be the single least menacing person she had ever seen.

"What'd you say you were in town for again?" Beth blurted out.

"Business." He replied. "Pharmaceuticals, to be exact."

"Oh wow, that sounds interesting." Beth laughed, now wanting nothing more than to go home. "Well, my shift it up, I hope everything goes well for you."

"One last thing." Philip reached for her shoulder, stopping her before she could walk away.

"Yes?" Beth replied, she could feel her hands getting clammy… his grip on her shoulder was far stronger than it needed to be.

Philip reached into his pocket and handed her, not another twenty, but a fifty dollar note. "Could you tell me where the Dixon's are living these days?"

She shook her head, pushed the hand holding the bill away from her, and spoke quickly. "Sorry, no."

"Well, I don't know what Daryl did to deserve such loyalty, but it refreshing." He laughed and stuffed the bill back in to his pocket. Beth thought he was going to let her go for a minute as his grip loosened, but then his hand slip down her shoulder only to give a tight squeeze to her arm. "How's the cut?"

"Better." Beth muttered as her body stiffened. She'd been wearing long sleeve sweaters over her uniform for weeks, so no one would see it. Which means he was exactly who she thought he was. "Thanks."

And, of course, Blake knew exactly who she was. He probably had a few more little birds than even Daryl and Merle knew about. He found her, watched her all afternoon, and probably moved when he saw which section was hers. For what? To see where her loyalties laid? To intimidate her? Well, if it was intimidation it was working. Now that he was standing above her, with his hand placed firmly on her, he seemed less like a doting father and more like a man who knew what control and power were.

"Now, Elizabeth," Blake started. "Why don't we go to the garage together? Remember, I'm the good guy."

Beth could feel her eyebrow arch and she couldn't stop it. Good guy? Pfft.

"Well, the better guy."

She wasn't entirely sure what she was supposed to do. She could very well remain in the middle of the diner in a gridlock with Blake forever. She couldn't attract attention. Daryl wanted the drugs gone, he was here to get them. But she didn't feel safe with Blake. Daryl had been right shutting down her offer. She was a lamb, and he was a wolf in sheep's clothing.

"You can follow behind me."

"I believe I said together." Blake tilted his head. "Wouldn't want you driving daddy's old beater while you're so...nervous. I think one repair is more than enough."

"Fine." Beth swallowed and jerked her arm away from him. She turned toward the door and took quick steps. She guessed the shiny white sedan outside was his. Expensive and luxurious, but not so much that one couldn't get it confused with a soccer mom's car.

"Get in." Blake ordered, opening the passenger side door for her. "Please."

Beth's chest tightened and she slid inside. As Blake took his place at the wheel, her nails dug into the leather. They drove the speed limit. Not drawing any attention as they headed toward the edge of town. Beth could hear her heart pounding in her ears and wondered - in such quiet - if he could hear it to. She carefully looked around, trying to see if she could have an exit strategy...in case Blake had different plans.

CLICK!

She practically jumped out of her skin when car doors automatically locked. She could feel her vision blur. It was instinct to want to protect Daryl, and she feared for him. But, in that moment, she was more scared for herself. All she could picture was passing the garage all together and her and Blake disappearing into the unknown. Like a real run away. Like someone who's face was plastered on milk cartons, and them or their body never found. Blake was calculating enough to get away with it too. He could send a message by getting rid of Jax, but he could send a stronger one by getting rid of a bystander too. After all, no one was safe from the casualties of war. As much as Daryl was convinced she didn't care about her own life, she was scared shitless of dying. She was scared of everything left unsaid, and of heaven and hell.

And which one she'd be going to…if she'd ever see her…

Suddenly the car came to a smooth halt and Beth blinked furiously, trying to get her vision back. When her eyes began to focus once more, she thought her most terrifying experience to date may actually be over; and relief flooded through her as she saw the familiar bay doors of the garage, and Daryl's bike sitting next to them.

Without warning, Blake laid on the horn and unlocked the doors.

. . .

The sound of the horn got Daryl's attention immediately and he stepped out from the garage door. He didn't have any time to look at the driver as he watched the blonde scramble out of the passenger side. He automatically assumed the worst as he saw the look on her face.

"Daryl" Beth cried as she broke out into what was almost a sprint to get to him.

The moment her body collided to his chest he wrapped his arms around her — not knowing what was a matter but wanting to protect her. "Beth?"

"I'm so, so sorry..."

"What? What are you talking about Beth." Daryl lifted his head in confusion. Which was quickly replaced with anger as he saw Philip Blake step out of the car. Daryl looked around quickly, not knowing what to expect next. But he was definitely alone.

"Shall we go inside." Though Blake phrased it as such, it wasn't a question. Still, Daryl nodded in agreement and let him in to the shop, and led him to the office. He sat a still shaking Beth as far away from Blake as he could get her, and immediately grabbed her a beer to calm her nerves.

For a while they sat in silence. Blake examined Beth as she sipped from the beer, and Daryl could feel his temper rising with every passing moment. How dare he scare to like that. And what the fuck did he want? It was a little too late for him to be waltzing in, after letting Jax get away with what he did and letting the drugs sit in the garage like a target on their backs.

"What are you doing here, Blake?" Daryl grumbled.

Blake finally took his eyes off Beth to answer. "My curiosity got the best of me."

"Meaning?" Daryl knew Blake loved to play games, but he wasn't in the mood.

"I wanted to see her."

"Me?" Beth asked, and Daryl shot a look at her. He'd hoped she'd learned to shut up. But, perhaps it was safer to answer this time.

"Well, yes." Blake spoke to no one particular. "I wanted to see the pretty little girl everyone went on about when we heard about Jax."

"You knew about her before that." Daryl said. "So why now?"

"How much do you know, Elizabeth…about what Daryl and his brother do?"

"…All – all of it…" Beth replied.

Blake looked at Daryl, like it was his fault she found out. Like Merle didn't spill the beans and she didn't wade herself in to the storm he'd tried so hard to keep her from. "And you still feel protected? Safe?"

"I think so…" Beth glanced at Daryl and nodded. "I was told you'd take care of it…"

"And perhaps I have."

"Have you?" Daryl interrupted, wanting nothing more than to hear good news.

"I don't think he'll be bothering you any time soon" Blake said. "And I would like my property back."

"Take it." Daryl tried to not sound as relieved as he truly was.

Blake stood up and examined the room, almost as if he could feel it was hiding in there somewhere. "I'm not happy the cops are involved."

"Couldn't be helped." Daryl shrugged.

"That being said I want Elizabeth to join the team…for future endeavors."

"What?!"

Beth and Daryl spoke over each other. She was confused, but he was furious. What good would she be to his cartel if she almost got herself killed the first time she dealt it. It wasn't like she was a strategic member. So, what did Blake want with her exactly? Well, Daryl knew the answer was obvious, it was to get back at him for everything that had gone down. He wouldn't kill her, but he'd put her in the line of fire more than she already had herself. Bringing Beth to the shop was an example. Blake was trying to torture Daryl with the idea that, at any moment, she really could disappear, and be used as a weapon against him.

"Not a chance in hell."

Beth shot a look at him, like it was his temper that would get the best of them that time. "I appreciate the offer, but I think I've had my share of thrills."

"We'll revisit the subject on a later date then." Blake said. "When you're looking for another rush."

"I don't think I will be." Beth smiled graciously. 'But thank you."

"As you wish." Blake nodded at her. "I'll take what's mine now, and leave then."

Not more than half an hour later was he getting back into his car with everything that belonged to him. To any passerby, he looked nothing more than like an old friend who came by for a visit, no one would ever know, ever even he suspicious of what he was carrying with him.

As they watched Blake drive away with the drugs, Beth moved in closers to him, and he enveloped her in yet another hug. Beth was still shocked that Blake had asked her to join, and shocked that he actually took no for an answer. Daryl was filled with and overwhelming sense dread. He wasn't sure what to believe.

Her safety was never guaranteed.

Even if Jax was really gone, was Blake really going to give up that easily on Beth? All he knew was that once Blake had set his eye on something, the obsession didn't stop until he got what he wanted, or it was out of his reach. He didn't see why Beth would be any different.

They needed an out. Or at least to disappear for a little while.

Daryl rested his chin on the top of her tangled head of hair, and almost stopped himself from saying what he did. But, if she really did want to feel protected and safe, she'd understand his reasoning. "We should go to Senoia."

Guess who's back...back again..Shady's back..tell a friend (can you tell I'm white? hahaha) anyway hello my loves, I'm back with more Bethyl goodness because studying for my finals may actually kill me. I LOVE BEING A UNIVERSITY STUDENT. Literally like a million little things have imploded in my social, love, and school life from the age of 18 to now (almost 21). I think I'm going to write a memoir next dear lord.

ANYWAY i hoped you liked this chapter because guess where we're going next.