Maggie, it turned out, wasn't pregnant. Beth was unsure whether her sister was upset or happy with the news. She had claimed relief, smiling, but Beth wondered whether she saw a glimpse of disappointment in her eyes. She knew better than to push her, however, not wanting to risk upsetting or overstepping.

In many ways she was pleased Maggie had asked her to come with her, for it had allowed the two sisters some private time to chat and talk as sisters should, something they had not really been able to do since the world had changed. The years which had passed since the fall had altered them both drastically, and Beth wondered what their lives and relationships would be like had life continued on the way it should have done, whether her relationship with Jimmy would have progressed, whether they would have sat up in one another's room discussing it, discussing boys, Maggie introducing Beth into a more grown up world.

Instead Beth found herself falling into this new world with a man twice her age in a world full of horror and terror, and there were no late night gossips or revelations with her sister, who was so often out protecting their community and not being allowed to be a young woman herself.

One good thing that had come from all of it was Glen, Beth believed, as she watched him hug her sister to him and kiss her. He loved and worshipped her the way Beth believed she deserved to be, and despite everything that happened to them now, it was almost worth it to see that.

She walked into the canteen a few mornings after their town trip, with Maggie and Glen, trailing a little behind the couple, who held hands and playfully ribbed one another. Beth could see the way Maggie's eyes gleamed when she looked at him, could see the way Glen grinned back at her, watching her every move, hanging on to her every word. As they entered the canteen, she spotted Daryl, sat alone, and her heart ached. Part of her wished she could go over and be with him the way Maggie was with Glen, to have the freedom to be close to him, to hug and to kiss him with no backlash.

But even if that freedom was bestowed upon them, Beth was unsure whether Daryl would ever act like that with her anyway. He was a quiet, solemn man, and she couldn't imagine him ever opening up to public displays of affection.

She was quietly pondering this, considering what his reaction would be if she strode over to him now, flung her arms around his neck and kissed his grubby beard the way she so desperately wanted to, when Zach caught her off guard, appearing in front of her, seemingly, from thin air.

'Mornin' Beth,' he said, nodding to Maggie and Glen as they headed their own way, Maggie glancing down to Beth, who purposefully ignored the look.

'Come site with us,' he said, 'there's a space for you.'

'Alright,' Beth shrugged, chucking one last longing glance in Daryl's direction. He wasn't looking at her.

. . .

'So guess what,' Maggie said, putting her plate down on the table in front of her. Herself and Glen, having gotten their breakfast, had headed for the nearest and emptiest table, the one Daryl himself was sitting at. He glanced up as they approached, acknowledging their presence, but offering no spoken recognition.

'What?' Glen asked as he climbed down onto the bench beside his wife.

'My little baby sister isn't such a baby no more,' Maggie said gleefully. She had come to terms with what Beth had told her a few days prior, and now the whole situation only amused her.

'What?' Glen frowned, smiling slightly at the joyful look on Maggie's face.

'She's in love,' Maggie cooed.

Daryl, trying not to take any notice of the two of them, kept his eyes on his own plate, but his ears had picked up the conversation. A strange string of feelings coursed through him, an uncomfortable mixture of shock, fear and confusion heating his body as he ducked his head down behind his hair.

'Zach,' Maggie said, grinning, 'she's been secretly running off with Zach.'

'No way!' Glen gasped, laughing, 'well, makes sense, he's a good guy, Beth's a pretty girl.'

Maggie nodded, smiling.

'How did you find that out?' he asked.

'She told me,' Maggie chuckled, 'yup. Been scuttling off like naughty school kids all along.'

'Now you say it, I do see it.' Glen nodded, looking over to the table at which the younger generation of prison inhabitants sat, laughing and talking loudly amongst themselves. Daryl couldn't help but follow his gaze. Sure enough, Beth was sat beside Zach, her head leaning idly on one hand propped up on the table, her body turned to face him as he apparently told a hilarious story to the rest of the table.

His blood running cold and his face running hot, Daryl got up from the table.

'You off man?' Glen asked him, turning to look at him, his voice completely nonchalant. Daryl wanted to punch him.

'Guard duty,' he grunted, grabbing up his crossbow.

He didn't see Beth turn to watch him as he left the room.

. . .

Daryl stormed out into the courtyard, his heart beating faster than he expected it to. He had been coming to terms with his feelings for Beth, had been beginning to accept them – this had thrown him aside so painfully he didn't know what to do.

As he walked, his crossbow hanging down beside his legs, his head ducked down against the frigid cold air, he smacked into a warm body. Jumping up and raising his crossbow, he came face to face with Tyreese, who was staring at him.

'Y'mind where ya going!' Daryl yelled, the feeling of resentment and anger bubbling so suddenly to the surface he didn't have a moment to reconsider them.

'You walked in to me, man!' Tyreese said, his eyes widening.

'What yer can't fuckin' see where y'walk ya stupid, fuckin' jack-ass!' Daryl snapped. Electric energy bounded through him, causing him to jump from one foot to another, like a caged animal getting ready to pounce, his eyes sweeping over Tyreese's frame.

'This place aint big enough for ya?' he yelled, wildly throwing his arms out, 'yer gotta be walkin' up all up in other people's space?'

Tyreese, his face darkening, stepped back, shaking his head and frowning.

'Yer ain't even got nothin' t'say f'yourself?' Daryl yelled, throwing his crossbow down onto the floor with a sudden menace, squaring his shoulders towards the other man.

'Hey calm down man!' Tyreese shouted, 'no need to go shoutin' off like this!'

'I ain't gotta do no goddamn thing you tell me to!' Daryl snapped, rounding on him, 'whoever the fuck made you king o' the fuckin' prison grounds?'

Suddenly, Rick was between them, his hands on Daryl's chest, hauling the man back away from Tyreese.

'Get off'a me!' Daryl yelled, spinning away from Rick.

'Get going Tyreese.' Rick said, his voice firm.

'He just snapped on me man!' Tyreese said, his voice angry and offended.

'I'll deal with this.' Rick said, turning back to face Daryl.

He waited until Tyreese had walked away before speaking to Daryl, watching him through guarded eyes as Daryl's chest rose and fell in heavy succession with each heaved breath, his face flushed from anger.

'What has gotten in to you?' Rick asked quietly, his voice low but stern.

'Ah y'don't know me man,' Daryl growled.

'No. I do.' Rick said, stepping back to lean his weight on one leg, leaning back to take in Daryl's face. 'This ain't you. Not no more. Y'can't go around startin' fights with people.' He looked Daryl up and down. 'What's going on?'

Daryl ran a hand down his face, visibly shaking from the physical exertion he had just forced himself through. He shook his head.

'Need t'get outta here.' He grumbled, dropping his gaze to his boots.

'You need to call of some steam, you do that.' Rick said, watching him, 'but you wan' t'tell me what that was all about, first?'

'M'head jus' ain't in the right place man.' Daryl sighed, kneading at his eyes. 'M'sorry. Tell Tyresse I'm sorry.'

'You should tell him.' Rick said.

'When I'm back.' Daryl grabbed up his crossbow from the floor and slung it over his shoulder. 'I need t'get out f'a'bit.'

Slowly, Rick nodded, watching him.

'Alright.' He said.

. . .

Beth was helping Carol hang up washing in the courtyard, making the most of the wind, when Tyreese and Sasha walked past. The two women's intuitions prickled at their arrival, sensing a form of conflict.

'Everything alright?' Carol asked, looking between the brother and sister. She asked brightly, but her eyes were dark.

'Damn redneck attacked me,' Tyreese muttered, rubbing his neck.

'Attacked you?' Carol frowned.

Beth put down the basket she had been holding and walked over.

'Daryl?' she asked.

'Who else?' Sasha snapped.

'He hurt you?' Carol asked.

'No – but I think he came close. He walked in to me – he wasn't looking where he was going! Walked straight into me then snapped, went crazy, began yelling and squaring up to me. I'm a big man but I'm a lover, not a fighter...' Tyreese ran a hand over his short hair, shaking his head, 'For a minute I was worried.'

'He's a liability.' Sasha said, folding her arms across her chest. 'He shouldn't be here. He's volatile. Can't be trusted.'

Beth looked across to Carol.

'No,' she said, 'he's not like that.'

'You're blind.' Sasha snapped, then pulled her brother by the arm towards the prison.

Beth blinked. She looked at Carol, who was frowning.

'He does have a temper,' Carol sighed, taking her washing back over to their makeshift line.

'He wouldn't hurt anyone.' Beth said. 'Something must have upset him.'

Carol hung up the shirt she was holding, then turned to face the young girl, folding her arms.

'You've grown close to him, haven't you.' She said. It didn't sound like a question to Beth, and if it was, it was loaded.

'Yeah,' she breathed.

'He gave you those marks.' Carol nodded to Beth. Again, it wasn't a question. Beth felt her cheeks flush.

She swallowed, raising her hand to gently touch her throat. The marks had faded but were still very lightly visible. She nodded.

'I love Daryl,' Carol said softly, 'he's a wonderful, good man. But he is, as Sasha put it, volatile. He's been through a lot, Beth...' Carol tilted her head slightly, regarding the younger girl with reverence. 'Can you handle that?'

Beth frowned.

'I love him too.' She said, locking her eyes onto Carol's.

Carol nodded. The two women stayed watching one another, each one trying to figure out the other, when Rick approached them.

'Rick, have you seen Daryl?' Carol asked him instantly.

'He's gone out,' Rick said, glancing sideways at Beth, 'needed some time out.'

'Rick' Beth said, forcing him to look at her, 'is he okay?'

'He seemed pretty riled up,' Rick sighed, 'but he's alright. Have the two of you fallen out?'

Beth frowned, taken aback.

'No,' she said. 'Not at all.'

'Maybe he's realising he can't deal with this, with the two of you.' Carol said softly. Rick turned to look at her.

'Okay.' Beth said, feeling the heat rise in her cheeks. 'I understand you both care for him, I get that. But I do too. Neither of us meant for any of this to happen, but it has. And okay you're all so grown up and wise and in charge, but I know Daryl, I understand Daryl and honestly - I love Daryl.'

She was breathing heavy, her heart beating heavily in her chest whilst Carol and Rick regarded her in silence.

'I'm not a fan of this,' Carol said, her eyes narrowing on Beth, 'but you wont get any flack from me.'

'Nor me,' Rick shook his head, smiling. 'You do what you gotta do. Do what makes you happy. Whatever's riled him up, we'll find out if he wants us to. And your relationship with him - that's your business.'

Carol nodded.

'Alright.' Beth said. 'Where has he gone?'

'I don't know,' Rick said honestly. 'But he'll be back.'

'And I'll be waiting.' Beth nodded.

The two of them watched her before nodding. Rick patted her gently on the arm before leaving them.

'I never meant to upset you,' Carol said softly as she resumed her job, 'I care for the both of you.'

Beth nodded, sighing.

'Happiness is a rare thing around here. Grab it when you can. Where you can.'

Beth looked up at Carol, and smiled.

'Thank you.' She said.

. . .

Daryl returned to the prison as it was beginning to get dark. Beth, stood on the top floor of the common room, rocking baby Judith to sleep in her arms, saw the gates open to allow him in, although he was little more than a silhouette against the inky sky. Beth put Judith in her crib, relinquishing the care of her to Sasha, who was in the room.

Beth headed out of the common room and towards the cell bock, anticipating Daryl's arrival to his own room. She found him there, as she had expected she would, his back to her as he rummaged in his bedside cabinet.

'Daryl,' she said, stopping in his doorway.

Daryl stood up straight and turned to look at her. His hair was damp and his face looked darker than Beth had seen it for some time. She noticed the blood on his hands and arms as he looked at her.

'Are you okay?' She frowned.

Daryl picked up his crossbow from where he had placed it on the bed and nodded.

'Fine,' he grunted, pushing past her.

Confused, Beth turned to look at him, feeling physically struck by him.

'Daryl!' she called, but he was already walking away from her down the corridor, his back to her.

Beth stood rooted to the spot, confused and upset. She watched him walk away from her. Swallowing her pride, she ducked into her own room to grab the leather jacket he had picked out for her, shrugging it on, then headed out to follow him.

. . .

Daryl trudged out of the prison and across the grounds to the guard tower, his crossbow swinging wildly beside his legs. He entered the tower and ascended to the top, where he found Rick out on the walkway, leaning and looking down at the walker infested grounds below.

He turned to face him as he stepped out.

'Y'calmer now?' Rick asked, raising an eyebrow.

Daryl nodded.

'M' sorry 'bout earlier,' he grunted, shouldering his crossbow.

Rick shook his head, sighing.

'Forget it,' he said.

Daryl walked out onto the walkway, pulling a pack of cigarettes from his pocket as he did so. Rick kept a sideways eye on him, but he seemed a lot calmer now, and the nicotine he was drawing in to his lungs would undoubtedly help.

The two men stood out there in silence for some time, Daryl dragging on his smoke, Rick idly watching the world below pass by. He was soon alerted to the sound of someone entering the guard tower however, and turned in time to see Beth appear within the doorway to the outside.

'Hey Rick,' she said, sounding a little breathless.

'Beth,' Rick nodded.

'Can I speak to Daryl, please?' she asked. Her hands were pulling at the sleeves of her sweaters frayed edges beneath the leather jacket she wore, as she worried at her bottom lip with her teeth.

'Sure,' Rick shrugged. He glanced to Daryl, who was leaning back against the railings, cigarette hanging from his lips. He nodded to him as he passed Beth, gently patting her shoulder as he passed her. Beth stayed where she was, silent, until he had disappeared down the hatch.

'Wha'dya want, Beth?' Daryl asked through a breath of smoke. He sounded fed up.

'I want to know what the hell your problem is.' Beth said. She tried to sound strong and firm but her voice shook slightly as she spoke.

Daryl just looked at her.

'One minute you're kissing me with your hands down my knickers – then you storm past me without so much of a glance. If I've done something to offend or upset you just tell me!' Her chest was rising and falling rapidly, her cheeks burning.

Daryl looked at her through narrowed eyes, the cigarette run out as it hung from his mouth.

'Please,' she said quietly.

'Why d'ya care,' Daryl growled, taking the cigarette and flicking it over the balcony.

'What?' Beth frowned, 'why do I care? Because I care about you! And I thought – I thought you cared about me, too.'

'Y'care 'bout me?' Daryl's voice was dangerously low. 'y'sure 'bout that?' he stepped forward, rounding on her.

'Yes!' Beth gasped, 'what's going on!'

'Well it sounded t'me like it aint me yer caring for – nah.' he shook his head angrily, 'from sounds o'it you'd rather be sneakin' of wi'that Zach.'

Beth stared at him, dumbstruck. He was standing less than a foot away from her, his face dark and heavy, his hair falling into his eyes. Beth stared at him as the gears of her brain ground into motion.

'Zach?' she breathed.

Daryl jerked his chin up once in a nod.

'You think – what are you talking about?'

'Y'know wha' I'm talkin' 'bout.' He snapped.

'Daryl,' Beth stepped forward, placing a hand on his arm. He instantly jerked it away from her, walking around her and into the guard tower.

'I really don't know what you're talking about!' she cried, following him.

'Yer sister!' Daryl snapped. 'She goin' on 'bout how you 'n' Zach been seein' one another, how in love y'all are!' He waved his arms around, above his head as he spoke, the animation emphasising his anger.

'Maggie?' Beth said, confused. She stared at Daryl as he paced the small room, his hair falling into his face.

'My sister,' she repeated, her mind racing over everything.

'Daryl,' she said suddenly, stepping out in front of him and forcing him to stop pacing, 'Daryl I told her I was seeing Zach because she saw the marks you left all over my neck!' she shouted, sudden realisation having dawned upon her. 'Daryl I didn't think it would do anyone any good to say it was you! Do you!' Beth was angry now. He mistrusted her. He was judging her. She reached out and shoved against his muscular chest.

'Would you rather I said it was you, huh? You're the one always going on and on about how no one can know about us, how everyone will hate it – hey shouldn't I be the one angry here? Seeing as you're so ashamed of me!'

'Why'd you say Zach for?' Daryl shouted back, shoving back at her shoulder, knocking her back a couple of steps.

'Well who else am I gonna fucking say?!' Beth yelled, having reached her threshold for swearing. 'Rick? Carl?!'

She shoved him back, this time forcing him to stumble back a little.

'Don't hit me!' he shouted.

'Don't treat me like I'm fucking trash!' Beth yelled back, her face flushed, 'what you're gonna cut all ties with me 'cause you're jealous?!'

'I aint jealous!' He spat.

'No you just treat all women like shit do you?'

'No!' He shouted, squaring up to her, towering over her small frame. 'I opened m'self up t'ya, let ya in – I thought yer'd gone an' - '

'Yeah well I hadn't!' Beth cried, 'I lied to my sister to protect you! And you're punishing me for it!'

Daryl visibly swallowed hard, frowning.

'You have to trust me, Daryl. Don't push me away. Don't turn your back on me.'

Daryl ran a hand through his hair, puffing. He shook his head.

'I'm a'idiot.' He huffed.

'Too right.' Beth said, folding her arms across her heaving chest.

'I should'n'a...' he trailed off, running his hand over his face.

'You can't lash out like that without knowing the full story,' Beth said. She stepped closer to him, putting her hands on his arms that hung limply by his sides.

'I'm sorry,' he said, looking down at her. His deep blue eyes connected with her own, melting her.

'You really think I would run off with Zach when I have you?' she chuckled softly, running her fingertips up and down his arms.

He shrugged. It hurt Beth to see that he did think that. She pulled herself up on her tip toes to kiss him, planting her lips lightly against his. As she pulled away, he leant his head down on hers, pressing their foreheads together.

'You're so stupid, Daryl Dixon.' Beth breathed, gently reaching up to move his hair out of both their faces. 'I told you in that cinema, I want you.'

Instead of answering, he moved in to kiss her again, putting his arms around her and drawing her close to his body. The kiss deepened until their lips began to feel bruised, Beth's jawline chaffed from the scratching of his stubble. Daryl wrapped his arms tighter around her, picking her up and sweeping her around until her back was against the wall of the building, his body holding her there. He took her hands, drawing them up the wall and holding them up above her head as he kissed down the length of her neck.

'I want to be yours, Daryl,' Beth breathed through shudders.

'Can I trust you Beth?' he asked, his breath tickling against her neck.

'Yes,' she breathed.

He captured her lips with his, forcing his tongue into her mouth again, Beth tasting the cigarettes on his breath. Holding her arms above her head, Daryl nudged her legs apart with his thigh, fitting it in the gap created.

'Y'wouldn't rather be with no Zach,' he said as he nipped at her ear.

Beth melted, buckling under his touch, shivers drawing their way down her spine as she felt her crotch grow wet against his thigh.

'No,' she shook her head, breathy and hot.

Daryl let go of her hands and moved his own down to her stomach, slipping his hands beneath the fabric and drawing it up, his fingers running over and digging into the soft flesh as she wriggled against him, small moans escaping her lips.

Beth moved her own hands down to his shoulders beneath his vest, forcing it back off of him. He moved slightly to allow it to fall to the floor behind him while she mimicked his move, pushing up the fabric of his tshirt up across his chiselled chest. Daryl took his own arms to grab at the neck of his shirt and pull it off over his head, leaving him bare chested in front of her. She pulled her own top off over her head, breathless and panting as Daryl took her still covered breasts into his hands, following with his mouth as he kissed along the curvature of her body above the fabric.

Daryl wrapped one firm arm behind her lower back and swept her down onto the floor, her back coming into contact with the cold, hard wood. He leant over her, kissing along her collar bone, stopping now and them to bite down, making her wince, her hips bucking.

'Y'sure y'don't want no high school kid,' he growled, his tongue flicking against her hot skin.

She shook her head, watching him.

'Y'wanna see how a real man does it?'

Unable to bring herself to speak, Beth bit down on her lower lip, nodding.

He began to kiss down her chest, a direct line through the middle of her breasts down to her belly button, feeling her squirm and wriggle at his touch as his hands massaged her breasts through the bra. His mouth worked its way down her body, taking in every inch of the soft, supple flesh of her belly, causing her to groan as the heat between her legs rose, forcing her to squirm her thighs together as the ache grew.

Daryl reached the top of her jeans, running his tongue along the skin there, his fingers running down her sides, his nails digging into her skin.

'Daryl,' she breathed, suddenly propping herself up on her elbows to look at him.

He looked up at her, blazing blue eyes so intense the words were almost swallowed in her throat.

Slowly, he moved back up her body until he was leaning over her.

'Y'wanna stop,' he said.

Biting her lip, Beth nodded.

'I can't do this now – not here.' She looked around the cold guard tower.

Daryl nodded. He leant down and caught her lips again, drawing her in to another passionate kiss.

'Ain't a good idea is it,' he said, smiling slightly, his lips damp from their kiss.

Beth shook her head. That didn't mean she wasn't upset about it.

'M sorry – almost lost control.' He said, his voice low and rough.

Beth nodded; she understood the adrenaline from the fight was still pumping through him, clouding his judgement.

'I can't keep kissin' you like this then walkin' away, though' Daryl said quietly as he moved back onto his heels.

'I didn't say you have to,' Beth breathed, stroking his face, 'I just said we can't take that next step here, in the guard tower. Rick might even be downstairs.'

Daryl nodded. He looked at her for a while before sitting up and grabbing their tops. He was perfectly aware that the situation had escalated too rapidly between them until they both found their-selves panting, topless on the floor. He doubted either one of them had expected such a scenario, but it was wise of them to stop. He cared for Beth – his anger and bitterness at the belief she had moved on to Zach showed him just how true that was – he didn't want their first encounter to be out in the cold guard tower.

He held out his hand to help her up from the floor, pushing her hair back from her face.

'I'm sorry,' she said, kissing him on his cheek.

'Dun be stupid,' he said, cupping her chin in his hand. 'yer right.'

'We'll figure something out,' Beth said, her blue eyes on his face, her lips redder and fuller than usual.

'We sure will,' he said.