It had started to rain heavily as Daryl headed out to the guard tower. Himself and Beth had parted somewhat awkwardly at the infirmary, both of them aware of the danger they could potentially face if they continued on the path they had some how stumbled on to.

Daryl was well aware of the danger. He had been for some time, and he wasn't sure whether Beth knew it too, or whether she was too wrapped up in it to care. He couldn't understand what she could see in him, but she seemed drawn to him none the less, and her smile, her touch, her voice, it stirred something in him. There was no denying that any longer. And he couldn't seem to stop himself from kissing her.

He met Glen in the tower, relieving him of his guard duty. They exchanged quick pleasantries before Glen left to get back to the prison, leaving Daryl to bunker down in the tower and ride out the rain.

He wandered out onto the surrounding deck, where Beth had kissed him so passionately only days before. He leant out onto the railing, ignoring the rain that fell down from the clouded over sky. Sighing, he let his head drop down onto his arms.

'Think we're in for a storm.'

Daryl stood up, turning round to see Rick standing in the doorway to the tower, his arms folded across his chest as he looked past Daryl to the sky.

'Mm.' Daryl looked at him.

Rick stayed quiet, still looking out and up to the sky.

'Rick,' Daryl said, clearing his throat, ''bout earlier-'

'D'ya think I'm stupid?' Rick asked, leaning his weight against the door-frame.

Daryl swallowed.

'You gonna tell me there's nothin' goin' on?' Rick said.

'There's not – we're not - ' Daryl shook his head, frowning.

'Beth is a good kid,' Rick said, his eyes narrowed on Daryl, 'you treat her right you wont find a problem from me.'

Daryl swallowed, his throat restricted. Rick was watching him closely.

'I -' he didn't know what to say. The way Rick had said kid made him uncomfortable, but he seemed genuine in his sentiments.

'You think I don't know about everything that goes on around here?' Rick said, gesturing out around them, 'I've been able to read th' tension between the two o' ya for a while now.'

Daryl cocked his head, frowning.

'Look,' Rick sighed, 'we gotta find happiness anywhere we can now.'

Slowly, Daryl nodded.

'Cheers,' he said gruffly.

Rick nodded back, smiling. He wandered out to Daryl and put his hand on Daryl's shoulder.

'If y'could – y'know – not say nothin',' Daryl said, shifting his weight from foot to foot.

Rick shook his head.

'It ain't my place to.' he said.

Daryl nodded.

Rick stood beside Daryl for a while looking out over the grounds which had become bathed in an eerie grey light. The rain was getting heavier.

'Think we should get inside,' Rick said, stepping back under the rooftop of the tower.

Daryl looked up at the sky through squinted eyes. The wind had picked up around them and was blowing through the air in loud, wailing echoes, whipping back his hair and forcing the rain into a diagonal slant.

'There's gon' be a storm.' Daryl said.

Rick looked up into the sky with him, frowning.

'Mmm,' he nodded.

'Bad one,' Daryl said gruffly. He looked down to the fencing around the prison, watching it sway dangerously. His instincts as a hunter were fine tuned to pick up on things like this, and he could feel the oncoming storm in the air, the way the wind swayed around them, the crackle that seemed to permeate the atmosphere.

'Reckon we can strengthen tha'?' he said, pointing towards the fence.

Rick looked down with him.

'Yeh' he said, 'better be quick.'

. . .

Beth was sitting on the cold floor of the common room, Judith in-between her legs. The inhabitants of the prison had all convened within the common room or surrounding cell blocks, staying out of the rain which continued to pound down.

Carl was sitting on his knees before them, absent-mindedly rolling the tennis ball Zach had found between his hands. The ball rolled further away from him as his father entered the room, his hair plastered to his face, his clothing sticking to him.

'Looks like a hurricane,' he said, slightly out of breath 'everyone needs t' stay inside, bunker down 'til it passes.'

Concerned voices rose as people looked to one another in worry. Beth glanced around at her father, who was sitting with Maggie a little ways back. He nodded at her, smiling, which helped put her at ease. They had experienced hurricanes before, one had all but destroyed the barn on their home land, ripping up and knocking down trees. That had been scary enough then, without the added threat of walkers.

She turned to look back at Judith who had picked up the tennis ball and was dribbling over it. Beth hoisted her up off of the floor and handed her to Carl who had stood up at his father's arrival. She wandered out of the common room to the cell block, looking for Daryl.

Wet footprints led her to him, leaving a sodden trail to his room. She followed them, avoiding stepping in them as the sound of the wind outside picked up. She turned at the doorway to his room, stopping.

Daryl had his back to her, his wet hair stuck down his neck and leaving wet trails down his back, falling and tracing its way down the muscles of his back which was unclothed. His shirt and vest were discarded in a soaking pile on the floor, creating their own puddle on the grey floor beneath it.

Beth stood, her breath caught in her throat. The muscles of his back moved beneath his tanned skin, an array of deep, mottled scars lining the skin along with two tattooed devils.

Suddenly he turned around, catching her there. He looked at her, his eyes wide.

'Sorry!' she stammered.

He shook his head, droplets of water falling from the ends of his sodden hair onto the floor, running down the bridge of his nose.

'Wait,' Beth said, ducking out of his room and heading down to her own where she grabbed a towel from her bedside.

She took it back in to him, walking into his room. He was standing by his wall, a plain t-shirt now covering his body, his hands awkwardly rubbing together in front of him.

'Here,' Beth said, walking over to him. Gently, wrapped the towel around his neck, soaking up the wet that still lingered there.

'What's happening outside?' she whispered.

'Hurricane by th' looks o' it,' he said, watching her, 'looks bad.'

'Are we safe?' she asked.

'Y'know y'ask me tha' a lot.' he said, looking down at her and tilting his head.

'Hm,' Beth mused, watching the towel run across his skin, 'I trust you.'

'I dunno' he said honestly, 's'gonna be rough.'

Beth looked up to his face as he gently took her wrists in his hands, then took the towel from her. He stepped away from her as he tousled his wet hair with it, rubbing it over his head. He brought it down, shaking it out.

Beth giggled.

He turned to face her, raising an eyebrow.

'Wha'?' he asked.

'Y'look gorgeous,' she said, grinning.

Daryl rolled his eyes, turning away from her.

'No really,' she said, stepping towards him.

She ran her hands down his back, feeling the skin tighten beneath her touch, her fingertips ghosting lightly over the thin fabric between her hands and his back. She thought to the scars she had seen cover the skin, and she felt her heart in her throat.

'You gotta stop.' Daryl breathed. He turned around to look at her, taking her face in his hands. He leant down and kissed her gently on the cheek.

'Go make sure everything's okay,' he said, his breath caressing the skin of her face.

Sighing, she nodded.

'I gotta get dressed,' he said.

'Do you have to?' Beth asked, stepping backwards towards the door.

'Stop it,' he said.

. . .

Beth wandered back into the common room to find Rick in the midst of a speech, the faces of her family looking concerned. She headed to her sister, linking her arm in hers.

'What's the matter?' Beth whispered.

'Rick thinks this storm is going to be bad,' Maggie said, leaning down to speak to her sister, 'he thinks we should bunker down somewhere safe encase the perimeters go down.'

'Is that likely?' Beth asked, panicking.

'Not sure,' Maggie said honestly, 'but if it does I guess we don't want to be near any windows.'

Beth nodded slowly.

'The cell blocks and the lower sections will be fine,' Rick was saying, 'but we're best t' stay put.'

'Is there anyone on guard?' Carol asked.

'No,' Rick shook his head, 'I can't guarantee the safety of the guard towers in this weather. Right now we need to stick together.'

Maggie squeezed Beth's arm, offering her a reassuring smile.

Daryl wandered into the room, Beth's towel still round his shoulders, catching the stray drips of water from his dark hair.

'We stick t'the cell blocks and those regions of the prison,' Rick said to him. Daryl nodded his agreement just as the lights began to flicker.

. . .

The electricity cut out a little while later, leaving the prison in its own inky darkness. Bathed in the foreboding darkness with nothing but the howling wind all around them, the prisons inhabitants found their-selves holed up in one of the smaller rooms of the prison, a wash of candles set up around them, casting their flickering orange glow about the room. Some of the younger children from Woodbury were frightened by the storm, remaining close to their parents and the candle light.

Beth was sitting on the floor a little out of the pool of light, her back against the wall, her knees drawn to her chest. Maggie was beside her, resting her head on her younger sister's shoulder, her eyes casually wandering around the room of people. Carl and Zach were throwing the tennis ball to one another in front of them, while Patrick sat on Beth's other side, leafing through one of the prison's library's books, his eyes squinting against the dim light. Beth and Maggie's daddy was sat in a chair not to far away from them; his eyes were shut, but Beth thought he was awake, listening to the room around him

There was a loud, shattering crash from outside all of a sudden, and all of the flames from the candles suddenly blew erratically to one side, threatening to extinguish. They straightened back up and calmed down just as Judith, who had been sleeping in Carol's arms, began to cry. Several whimpers and moans from the younger children joined Judith's cries as Carol began to pace the room with the baby, rocking her gently in her arms.

Zach and Carl stopped throwing the ball and turned to look around the room, their faces hinting at the fear they were both trying to subdue.

'Why don't you sing for us?' Maggie's husky voice rose up from Beth's shoulder.

Beth tilted her head to look down at her sister.

'No-one wants me to,' she said.

'It'll calm people, the kids.' Maggie said.

'Always calms me,' Beth's father murmured. His eyes were open and looking at his daughters.

Sighing, Beth nodded, repositioning herself to better allow the air into her lungs.

Softly, she began to sing. The sweet melody drifted out over the room, earning her smiles from fretful parents and worried children.

The room began to relax again, children settling into their parent's laps, and even Judith's cries quietened into soft murmurs. Beth wasn't sure it was her singing, but she thought maybe it helped. If she was relaxed enough to sing, she supposed that showed there wasn't too much to fear.

That wasn't entirely true, however, and she knew that. This was only confirmed when Glen entered the dimly lit room, the candles elongating the shadows so that they accentuated the grim set of his face.

'Fences have gone down,' he whispered, dropping to his hunches in front of Maggie, 'and a tree has gone in to the A block. It should be okay, but we're making sure there's no security breeches.'

'I'll come help you,' Maggie said, sitting forward.

'Be careful' Beth said, putting one hand on her sister's shoulder.

Maggie placed her own hand on it and squeezed, giving her a smile.

'See you in a bit,' she said.

Beth leant back against the wall as her sister left, stopping briefly to talk to their father before leaving the room.

It wasn't much longer before Rick came into the room, clearing his throat and asking for attention.

'A tree has hit the wall of A block,' he said slowly, 'we're trying to reinforce the structure, but there's a chance it will cave in. Therefore I think it's best if those of you who had set up base in cell block B-' he looked around at the Woodbury newcomers, 'if you stay here, or in cell block C. C should be fine.'

People looked around at one another, worry on the faces of most.

'It's okay you can bunk with me.' Carl said to Zach and Patrick.

Beth pushed herself up from the floor, heading over to Rick. She gently caught his arm before he could walk away, making him turn to look at her.

'Is Maggie okay?' she asked.

'She's fine,' Rick said, 'Her Glen and Michonne are just making sure no-where else is breached.'

Beth nodded, biting her lip.

'And Daryl?' she asked.

Rick looked her up and down, smiling.

'He's fine too.' Rick said, 'he's gone to make sure C is still good.'

Beth nodded.

'You wanna go see him?' Rick asked, his lips pulling up into a smirk.

'Oh no, no,' Beth said, sticking her hands in her pocket.

'Go see him.' Rick said.

Beth looked into his eyes, swallowing. She nodded.

. . .

Beth walked slowly through the corridor, gingerly holding a burning candle in front of her, watching the way the orange glow of the light sent the shadows skittering down the walls and further away from her. She reached the cell block, her footsteps drowning beneath the sound of the howling wind outside. She found Daryl in his own room, sitting on his bed, fixing up his crossbow across his lap. He glanced up as she appeared in his doorway, framed by the dark door frame around her.

'Y'okay?' he asked, frowning.

'Yeah,' she said, feeling a little awkward, 'I just – Maggie's gone to check things out. I didn't want to be alone...' she trailed off, looking around his room.

'S'okay,' he said, putting his crossbow down on the table beside his bed, 'come in.'

Grateful, Beth wandered in, putting the candle down carefully beside the crossbow.

She sat on the bed beside him, her hands in her lap.

'You wanna get some sleep?' he asked.

'I don't think I can,' she said, the sound of the wind still heavily penetrating the prison.

'Lay down,' he said, 'I'll stay with ya.'

Beth looked at him, her eyes searching his face. It was strange how much he had changed in such a short space of time, how relaxed and open around Beth he had grown. Slowly, she nodded, then gently lay herself down on his bed. He stayed sat at the end, one leg curled up on the mattress, the other hanging over the edge of the cot, foot resting on the floor.

Beth lay on her side for a while, slowly stroking the rough fabric of the blanket beneath her.

'If the fences have gone down,' she said slowly, 'will they get in?'

'Nah, shouldn't do,' Daryl said, 'we got people keeping check o'things anyways. Don't worry.'

But Beth couldn't help but worry.

'Y'cold?' he asked.

'A little,' she admitted. The sound of the wind and the rain was almost chilling in itself, making her want to curl up into a ball and hide. She had never been a fan of storms, often spending the nights of them in her parents bed.

'Get in th' cover,' Daryl said.

Beth propped herself up to look at him.

'I can't,' she said.

'It don't bother me none,' he shrugged, 'I ain't sleepin'.'

Beth stayed where she was for a moment, then gently moved herself up the bed to face him.

'Are you asking me to get in your bed, Mr. Dixon?' she whispered.

Daryl ducked his head down, not looking at her. The innocent gesture made her laugh.

'I'm joking,' she said, cupping his chin and propping his head back up.

'Y'make m'head spin,' he said back, so softly and quietly Beth almost didn't hear him.

'Do I?' she breathed.

'Mhm.'

Beth leant in, gently pressing her lips to his jawline. He tilted his head away from her, but didn't move. She kissed softly along his jaw, her hand slowly moving down his chest, resting where his heart lay.

'It ain't a good time,' he breathed.

Beth leant back, looking into his face, biting her lip. Slowly, she nodded, then laid back down.

She stayed there for a while, watching his face in the dark, before a loud bang from outside made her jump. She sat upright, her heart pounding.

'S'okay,' Daryl said, reaching out to stroke her cheek, 'Rick's on it.'

'Can you lay with me?' Beth asked, her voice breathless with fright.

Daryl looked at her, his eyes searching hers.

'Just lay.' She said, her eyes wide, 'please? I'm scared.'

Daryl sighed.

'A'right,' he nodded.

Beth moved herself over, creating a space for him on the single bed beside her. She lay down on her side as he lay too, facing her. Their faces barely inches apart, Beth could feel the soft touch of his breath in the dim candle light.

She reached out to move his hair from his eyes.

'I like being around you,' she whispered.

'Why?' he asked.

'I feel safe with you,' she said, 'I like you.'

She could see Daryl frowning in the candle light, his forehead scrunched down, narrowing his eyes.

'Really,' she whispered.

'I don't understand what you want from me,' he said softly.

'I don't want anything from you Daryl,' she said, stroking his face, 'I just want to be with you.'

'I – I can't be wi'ya' he said, his face pained, 'it ain't right.'

'Aren't you bored of this conversation?' Beth asked, 'Rick is fine with it, whatever it is. '

'It's not down to Rick,' he said.

'No, but I know you respect Rick's opinion.' She said.

'What about yer dad? Maggie? They ain't gon' be cool with nothin'.' He said.

'Look,' Beth scooted closer to him so that their bodies were almost touching, 'we're doing nothing wrong. Okay so you kissed me – I kissed you too. But what does it matter? I really like you. Life is hardly the same any more, is it? Do the rules from before even apply?'

Daryl was struck by the thought, a thought he had fretted over himself before.

'I think they pro'a'ly will to y'dad,' he said.

'Forget my dad,' she whispered, moving her head closer to him, 'it doesn't matter.'

'It does,' he said, but Beth moved in and closed her lips over his.

If it did matter, he seemed to forget about it as he kissed her back. Beth had this uncanny way of taking away his self control. He found his hands moving to her own body, roaming their way down her side until they found her lower back, pulling her closer to him until their bodies were pressed firmly to each other. He felt her moan against him, her lips parting against his. Her own hands roamed his body just as freely, as eagerly, as she pushed herself into him, her leg finding its way over his own, moving itself up until it rested across his hip. Daryl ran his hand down her thigh, his fingers greedily digging into the soft flesh there. He pulled her until she was on top of him, her legs straddling him, his hands running their way down her back. She writhed against him, her hips bucking into his own as she kissed him fiercely, her tongue battling his own.

Suddenly Daryl pushed her off, shoving her aside and sitting up.

She looked at him, her face flushed. He jumped up from the bed, turning his back to her.

'Daryl,' she breathed.

'No,' she said, his back still to her, 'bad idea.'

Beth sat on his bed, panting heavily. She pushed her hair back.

Slowly, he turned to look at her. He leant down and took her face in his hands, his lips capturing hers roughly.

'Not here. No' Now.' he said, stepping away from her. He paced the room for a moment, running his hands through his hair.

'Okay,' Beth breathed, 'Okay.' She straightened her shirt down, steadying her breathing. 'just lay with me then.'

Daryl looked down at her.

'Just lay.' She said.

Daryl sighed, then nodded. Slowly, he sat back down beside her. Beth lay herself down, putting her arms behind her head. Daryl lowered himself next to her onto his back. Beth lay looking at his profile, seeing the way his chest rose and fell as he breathed. The light flickered over him – Beth's eyes fluttered shut.