Alexandria was in mourning. They had won, but a great deal had been lost. A somber blanket had fallen over the town as families counted, mourned and set about burying their dead, the small make shift grave yard that had not existed before Beth's family had arrived in the town growing. Rick planned to hold a vigil for the dead, but not yet. Not whilst it was still so raw.

Carl lay recovering in the infirmary, his face bandaged but healing. He was broken, but he was alive, and for that, they could only be grateful.

As the night from hell ticked over in to the morning of shock and sorrow, Beth learnt what had happened out on the infested streets whilst she had protected Judith. Little Sam Anderson had panicked – frozen with fear as darkness had crept up on them, he had stopped for too long, and a walker had got to him. Knowing they needed to put him out of his pain and move on, Rick had raised his gun to shoot him, but Ron had panicked and knocked Rick's gun aside – sending the bullet in to Carl.

Beth had seen neither Jessie nor Ron since they had taken on the walkers in the streets, and whilst she intended to be there for her grieving friend, she wanted to allow them their own time to grieve together, as a family.

Her own heart was plagued by a sliver of guilt, as whilst the herd had irreparably broken Jessie's family, it had brought her own back together – amidst the chaos, both Daryl and Glen had returned.

Daryl had climbed down from the top of the truck and found Beth amongst the confusion, drawing her into his arms.

The sky was lightening by the time Beth found her way back to her own room – the night had ben spent taking out the remaining walkers, and through the chaos and the fear, time had fallen past them.

Exhausted, drenched in sweat and blood, Beth wandered into the strangely silent bedroom that she now called her own; the room held that strange light of early morning, where time seems to stand still, neither here nor there. The light from the still burning fire of the lake just reached the room, and the window let in the copper glow through the netting, but mostly the room was dark.

Standing there in her soiled boots, Beth took in a few breaths, grimacing at the stench of her clothes. She had discarded the gore splattered sheet poncho in the infirmary, but the fluids of the guts had still soaked through, and her clothes were saturated.

Slowly, she peeled them off and threw them to an abandoned corner of the room as she made her way across to her en-suite. All she really wanted to do was lay down and sleep for a thousand years, but there was just no way she could climb into those white sheets the way she was now.

Not wanting to lay in the filth, she activated the shower head that stood above the bath and waited for the water to warm up, then stepped beneath the surprisingly strong jet, letting the warmth and the power wash over her, soothing her sore muscles and peeling away the layers of filth.

She closed her eyes, her mind pouring over the events of the last 12 hours. How many had they lost? She wasn't sure. Sam, Deanna, those she knew. And her heart told her there were more.

Daryl had found her as she was pulling clean clothes on, her hair wet.

He sat on the edge of the bed, his eyes tired and swollen, and pulled her to him, his hands on her hips, just looking at her for a long time.

'What happened here?' He asked her after a while.

'We were attacked,' Beth said softly, looking down at him through her own tired eyes. 'The wolves you spoke of before found us. We held our own but the horn drew half of your herd.'

'It was them wi'the horn?' Daryl asked, his voice croaking with exhaustion.

'Yeah,' Beth said.

Daryl broke eye contact then, looking down. He shook his head.

'Never should'a left ya,' he grunted.

'Hey,' Beth said, lifting his head up lightly with her fingers. 'You had to. If you hadn't been out there we would have been in a whole lot more trouble back here.'

Daryl sighed, closing his eyes.

'Go and get in the shower, then come to bed,' she said softly.

Daryl pulled a face as if to protest, but Beth just shook her head.

'You're not getting into those sheets until you're clean,' she said, a smile playing on her lips.

He sighed, then hoisted himself up from the bed and gently pushed past her.

Beth was asleep by the time he joined her in the bed.

A week had passed since the attack, and the Alexandrian's had been hard at work reestablishing their security. Rick had gotten them to put up temporary walls in place of the ones that had fallen, but he figured now was a good time to begin expanding their territory. For this to succeed, everyone had been working flat out, plotting out the new areas and scavenging the right supplies. Beth herself had been working with Maggie in plotting out a large and sustainable allotment where they could grow not just fruits and vegetables but grains too, something that would keep them all going. There were even plans for a chicken coop.

With the work that had been taking place, the Alexandrian's had not had time to mourn their dead – they had buried them, but not given their respects, and now a week had passed and the temporary walls held out any imminent danger, Rick had decided now was as good a time as any.

Beth woke slowly in the large white bed, her heart heavy; she had not seen Jessie since the attack, although she had tried, she had had no answer. Beth knew she needed time alone to grieve, but she cared about and worried for her friend, and she feared how she would take today.

The plan had been to meet around midday, and the morning was looking to be hot. Beth, feeling a little unsure, dressed in the green dress Jessie had given her on that first real evening, pulling her hair back low.

'Y'look good,' Daryl said as he pulled his old faithful vest on over a dark blue shirt. Beth allowed her eyes to run over him.

'So do you,' she said.

The week had been tough on them all, and Beth and Daryl had not had much time to their-selves, often getting to bed at different times or being too tired to even talk.

They stood in the bedroom, looking at one another, and Beth felt her stomach twitch; the way Daryl was looking at her, she guessed he was thinking the same thing. Her heart rate began to pick up as she allowed her eyes to sweep back down over him, over the dark shirt that lay against his chest, his bare arms, muscled and tanned, his hands that could be anywhere on her body…

'Hey, are you guy's dressed? Uh not that I mean – are you – ahem,' Glen cleared his throat from outside the door to their room. 'Are you ready?'

Smiling, Beth opened the door to him, grinning as he stood there, blushing.

'Yes,' she said. 'We're ready.'

'Okay,' Glen nodded, not looking at Daryl as he appeared behind Beth. 'Maggie went over earlier to help Rick set things up.'

Beth had ditched her boots in favor of slip on shoes, so she descended the stairs lightly, with Daryl in tow – a man who always seemed to move lightly and silently no matter what.

'Hey,' he said softly, catching her by the waist before they entered the kitchen. 'You gonna be okay today?'

Beth smiled at him.

'Yes,' she said, 'are you?'

Daryl just nodded.

The sun was bleating down on the whole of Alexandria as the inhabitants gathered over by the little graveyard to the left of the lake. Beth saw a mixture of sad and sorry faces, some looking around and smiling at others, some just keeping their eyes low.

Beth saw Jessie with Pete and Ron, stood to the side alone. Pete had his hands on Ron's shoulders as Jessie stood beside him, her hands clasped in front of her. She glanced up as Beth approached with Daryl and Glen, and to Beth's relief, offered her a smile. Beth gave her one back.

Beth made her way to Maggie.

'Okay?' She asked her.

Maggie nodded.

Rick waited until everyone had arrived and the crowd was quiet, then he stepped into the clearing and cleared his throat.

'I want to start this by thanking you all for your hard work this past week,' Rick said. 'I know it hasn't been easy. Facing loss is never easy, let alone carrying on.' He looked around at them all, then sighed. 'What happened last week was shocking, we lost a lot of good people. Good, good people. One of which was Deanna Monroe, a brave, determined woman who even in the face of adversity did her best to build this place up, create a place for people to not just survive, but to live. To thrive. We carry on here, we make this place work, we do it together, and we do it for Deanna.'

A murmur of 'for Deanna' went through the crowd. Rick glanced to Maggie, who stepped slowly up to him.

'Deanna believed in this place,' she said. 'She had plans for this place. It was to be a community for all people, a place to call home. We can take our time to grieve, then we honour her memory by expanding and thriving, and we do it in her name.'

Murmurs went through the crowd again at that, and Beth felt her throat tighten. She swallowed past it.

'The Monroe family have suffered great loss this past week,' Rick said, looking towards Deanna's husband Reg and their surviving son, Spencer. 'Nicholas died whilst out on the quarry run. We honour him today too.'

Between them, Maggie and Rick mentioned the other fallen Alexandrian's, those taken by the wolves and the herd, pausing to say something about each one. Finally, Rick got around to Sam.

'The passing of a child is never easy,' he said, 'especially under such circumstances. Sam was a good kid. A kind kid. It is with a heavy heart that we say good bye.'

Beth glanced across to Jessie, who was looking ahead at Rick, her face impassive, but there were tears running steadily down her cheeks.

Rick looked over at the small family. Pete cleared his throat.

'Good night son,' he said, 'at least you wont be afraid no more.'

At that, Jessie burst in to tears, and Pete turned to take her in his arms.

Rick looked down at his feet, as the others around them stayed silent too.

Reg cleared his throat.

'I would like to invite you all back to our place,' he said. 'Deanna was a big fan of soirees, and of getting everybody together. It seems only fitting now.'

The crowd murmured again, and Beth heard a few people chuckle lightly. She linked her hand in with Daryl's, and he allowed her to.

A decent spread had been laid out across Deanna's large dining table, thanks to Carol and some of the other ladies from the town. Beth looked over the plates with an appreciative interest, but the lump in her throat prevented her from sampling any.

Maggie wandered over to her through the forming crowd, and leant her dark head own on Beth's shoulder.

'I'm glad that's over,' she said quietly.

'You did well,' Beth said. 'I couldn't have done it.'

'You could,' Maggie said. 'But thanks.'

'Maggie,' Glen said then, approaching them. 'Do you want a drink?'

Maggie breathed out heavily, straightening up.

'Yes please,' she said, gratefully taking the glass from her husband.

As people began to arrive, the large open space began to fill up, and the volume rose as people got to talking and drinking. Beth, unable to drink, kept her eyes on the room, spotting the people who came and wentl

Eventually, the person she had been waiting for walked in, her blonde head down.

Pete had his arm around Jessie's shoulders; he stopped and she leant in to say something to him. He nodded, but his face was dark. Letting his arm drop from her, he moved away from her through the crowd. Seeing she was alone, Beth carefully made her way to her, feeling strangely nervous.

'Hi,' Beth said.

'Hi,' Jessie said back, her voice weak.

'I'm really sorry about Sam,' Beth said, biting the bullet.

'I know,' Jessie sighed. 'I know.'

Beth watched her for a moment, taking in the dark circles beneath her eyes, set in her pale face.

'How are you holding up?' Beth asked softly.

Jessie sighed again.

'Not great.' She admitted. 'I can barely sleep, and when I do, every morning I wake up I can feel my heart breaking all over again, and sometimes I wish I just hadn't bothered. Hadn't bothered waking up. And then I feel terrible, because I've still got Ron, and he's grieving too. He won't speak to me. Won't speak to anyone. And Pete … Pete's just drinking.'

Beth followed Jessie's gaze to where her husband was, over by the kitchen counters, a beer in his hand.

'I should never have been so stupid to think he could do that journey. He was so scared. So scared all of the time. What kind of life did he have? His childhood taken over by fear.'

'You did your best,' Beth said, 'did everything you could.'

'I didn't do enough,' Jessie shook her head. 'I left him in his bedroom, left him to gnaw on that fear. No wonder he froze.'

'You can't blame yourself,' Beth said.

'But I do.' Jessie said. 'He was my son. I let him die.' She sighed, tears spilling over and down her pale face. 'His bedroom is empty; the house is silent. Even here, now, I still expect to see him come running past. He was a good kid. A kind kid. Loving.'

'Remember him like that,' Beth urged.

With a sigh, Jessie nodded.

'I can't say it will get better,' Beth said honestly. 'But it will get easier.'

Jessie looked down at her friend, and she nodded.

'You have your baby, Beth, and you protect it with all of your heart,' she said, making the heart in question contract in emotion, 'savour every moment you get. I wish I had.'

Beth moved in then and pulled Jessie in to a tight hug, feeling how skinny she felt in her dress. Jessie allowed herself to be held, then she wrapped her arms around Beth and hugged her back, taking several steadying breaths.

'Thank you,' she whispered.

Beth only nodded.

Jessie left Beth to go and find her husband, and as she did, Carl walked in. Beth made her way to him.

'You're up!' She exclaimed, pulling him in to a tight hug.

'Just about,' he said.

Beth let him go and looked at him; half of his face was covered by thick white bandages, and what was visible around it was pale – but he looked okay.

'How are you feeling?' Beth asked him.

'Okay,' Carl shrugged. 'I get headaches, and it still hurts, but I'm doing okay. Dad said you helped save me.'

Beth shook her head.

'It was Denise,' she said. 'You have her to thank.'

Together, the two of them wandered over to the table to grab some food – having spoken with Jessie and now seeing Carl, the lump in Beth's throat was dissipating, and she felt she could probably handle some food. She sat with Carl for a while as they ate, talking quietly together, saying their hellos to people who passed or joined for a while, offering their condolences to those they knew had lost people. Most people were interested in Carl more than Beth, and Beth could understand that. It wasn't every day someone got shot in the face and lived to tell the tale.

Beth let her eyes wander around the room whilst Carl spoke to someone Beth didn't quite know; there seemed to be a commotion over by the kitchen. As Beth looked, she recognized the raised voice as belonging to Pete – he was shouting at Jessie. Beth could not quite make out what he was saying, only that he was slurring. Jessie's cheeks were burning, her eyes sparkling with tears, as she looked back at the large man before her. Suddenly Pete thrust his glass at her, the contents spilling over and sloshing down the front of Jessie's dress.

'Fine. Have it your way.' He shouted, as Jessie stepped back, her hands going to pat the now wet stain on her dress. 'You killed our son, though. Just you remember that. You. Not me.'

Then Pete was pushing past people, shouting at anyone who tried to approach him as he stormed through the room; he yanked open the door then stormed out into the night, slamming it behind him.

People were quite for a moment as Jessie stood, shell shocked. Michonne put a hand on her arm but Jessie shook it off, then took off out of the room. Beth watched her go, her heart in her mouth.

'Beth, Beth! Come'ere girl,'

Beth turned to see Daryl summoning her through the crowd; he was standing in the light of the kitchen with Abraham, the two men sharing a bottle of whiskey, apparently forsaking glasses and mixers.

Beth made her way over. Daryl draped an arm over her shoulders.

'Wha'y'doing so far away?' he said, looking at her intently through narrowed eyes.

'I was talking with people,' Beth said, looking back up at him. 'Carl is here.'

'Resilient little bastard that kid,' Abraham said seriously, taking a swig from the bottle then handing it out to Daryl, who nodded seriously as he took it. Beth looked at him.

'Daryl Dixon,' she said, folding her arms across her chest. 'Are you drunk?'

Daryl looked at her, then offered her a grin. He shrugged.

'We're just honouring the dead in the best way possible,' Abraham said to her, 'it is a time-honoured tradition to show your respect at these things by getting shit-faced.'

Beth wasn't so sure, but she was pleased to see Daryl looking happy, and even relaxed, so she figured she could let this one slide.

'What're you drinking there little missy?' Abraham asked as he held his hand out for the bottle from Daryl.

'Soda,' Beth said.

'Well we gotta fix that up ain't we,' Abraham said, and before Beth could say anything, Abraham had leant forward and poured a generous amount of the liquor into Beth's glass.

'Hey she don't want none of that shit!' Daryl said, taking the glass away from her.

'Shit!' Abraham exclaimed, his red eyebrows raising to his equally as red hair line. 'Excuse you! This here is the finest damn piss water I ever damn tasted in this here apocalypse!'

'Maybe so,' Daryl said, 'but she ain't want none.'

Before Abraham could complain, Daryl had knocked the whole glass back in one go, spilling some of it down the corners of his mouth. He lowered the empty glass and wiped at his chin on the back of his hand.

'Now that just ain't playin' fair,' Abraham said, folding his large arms across his heavy chest. 'She ain't a child.'

'Nah, but she's havin' mine, and it don't need no piss water as it's first drink,' Daryl said.

Beth gasped, shocked, whilst Abraham looked at the other man, his face furrowed in confusion.

'Aye?' He asked.

'Yeah,' Daryl said, drawing an arm back around Beth and pulling her into his side. 'She's having m'baby.'

'You serious?' Abraham's frown changed into a look of incredulous surprise, and Beth felt her face growing hot.

Daryl just shrugged.

'Well, shit me,' Abraham said, shaking his head. 'I never would'a thought it – never. But damn. Damn!' He clapped Daryl hard on the back then, laughing heartily. 'Well done, brother! Damn! Now if this don't cause for a celebration fuck me sideways if I know what does!'

Daryl laughed at that, and Beth couldn't help but laugh with him.

'It's not – not everyone knows just yet,' she said, as Abraham wiped dramatically at his eyes. 'If you could – you know – keep it quiet.'

Abraham grinned.

'Alright,' he said, thrusting the bottle into Daryl's chest. 'Fine. But you gotta drink for me. Goddamn.'

'You're a liability,' Beth said as Daryl drank. Daryl just shrugged some more.

Jessie joined them then, followed by Michonne; her eyes were red and her shirt was discoloured, but she had succeeded in getting most of the wet out.

'Hey,' she said, her voice a little shaky. 'You fancy sharing that?'

Daryl looked at the woman for a moment, then handed her the bottle. Jessie took several large gulps then came up coughing. She shook her head.

Beth wanted to ask her if she was okay, ask her what had happened with Pete, but she figured the timing was perhaps not the best; Jessie looked on edge, like the wrong thing could send her over, and Beth didn't want to be responsible for that. Maybe strong whiskey was what she needed for tonight.

'Are we keeping level heads, boys?' Michonne asked, a sly smile on her full lips.

'Not tonight,' Rick said, approaching them from somewhere else in the room. 'Tonight we put everything away.'

Jessie poured herself out a glass of the whiskey and handed it back to Daryl, nodding.

'One night off. Forget about the pain.' She said.

'You're doing just fine,' Rick said, drawing an arm around her shoulders. 'Everyone is.'

Beth looked around the house, seeing faces she knew well, faces she recognised, most of them smiling. It had been a tough week, but it was a good idea to take one night off, one night to honour the dead and to honour everything they had achieved. And it was fitting to do it here, in Deanna's home, the woman who had succeeded in bringing them all together.

Stone cold sober, Beth was more aware of her family falling into drunkenness as they stood around her, even Rick. Despite the sombre occasion, there was a happy atmosphere in the air, and people seemed to be getting swept up in it, laughing and coming together as a community.

'You know, I'm glad I gave you that dress, Beth,' Jessie said to Beth as there was a lull in the conversation. 'It looks so much better on you than it ever did on me.'

'Oh,' Beth said, feeling herself blush slightly. 'Thank you, but I'm sure that's not true.'

'I'm sure it's not true either,' Rick said, 'it's a shame about your own dress, Jessie.'

Jessie shrugged, smiling.

'It's old,' she said. 'Doesn't matter.'

'Shouldn't let him talk to you like that.' Rick said, his eyes intense as he looked at her.

Jessie took another swig from her glass as she looked back at him.

'I'm used to it,' she said.

'You shouldn't be,' Michonne said then, her own eyes dark and serious.

'You deserve better,' Rick said.

Jessie smiled at that, her eyes lingering on him for a moment.

`We deal with what we're dealt,' she shrugged.

Daryl leant gently into Beth then, his arm warm against hers.

'Y'okay?' He asked quietly, leaning down to her.

'Mhm,' Beth smiled back. They were dealing with what they had been dealt, but Beth thought they were doing just fine.

'You know Rick,' Jessie was saying, 'I liked you with the beard you turned up with.'

'Really?' Rick asked, rubbing his chin as Michonne laughed.

'Oh yeah,' Jessie grinned. 'There was something rugged about it.'

'How about this?' Abraham asked, running his fingers down the red moustache that ran down the sides of his mouth. 'Is this rugged?'

'Hm,' Jessie looked at him, tilting her head to one side. 'That I'm not so sure about.'

Everyone laughed at that, and Abraham turned on Daryl.

'What about you then, wispy, reckon you're rugged enough?' He said with a grin.

Daryl scrubbed his hand over his chin in a way Beth had seem him do a hundred times.

'This is all I got t'offer,' he shrugged. 'Don't grow no more.'

Pleased, Abraham laughed heartily at that.

'You look like that you don't need a beard,' Jessie nodded to Beth.

'I like you just how you are!' Beth grinned, reaching up to cup Daryl's chin in her hand. Daryl pulled his head away from her, but he was smiling.

'You think I should let it grow back out then?' Rick asked, a look of sincere contemplation on his face.

'Maybe a bit,' Jessie shrugged, smiling at him. 'Maybe not quite so much as before.'

Rick nodded seriously as though what they were discussing was a matter of grave importance.

'With or without the beard, the uniform becomes you,' Jessie said then.

'Oh, you like a man in uniform?' Rick asked, breaking out into a genuine smile now.

'Well I married a doctor,' Jessie shrugged, 'but yes. One that looks good in one.'

'Y'do look good in it,' Daryl said gruffly, 'manly.'

'Shut up you,' Rick laughed.

'I guess everyone likes a bit'a Officer Grimes at some point,' Daryl said, looking pointedly at Beth. Beth gasped, hitting Daryl's bare arm.

'Aw you still hung up on that?' Maggie grinned, 'don't you worry yourself about that, Dixon. She likes them rougher these days.'

The clean-shaven Rick blinked in confusion.

'What?' He asked, smiling bemused.

'Oh so you know about these two?' Abraham asked Maggie as she laughed.

'Yeah,' she sighed, wiping her eyes on her hands, 'yeah. I know. Weird.'

Abraham nodded pointedly as he looked at Daryl and Beth – Daryl who was still smiling, clearly finding himself funny, and Beth who just looked awkward.

'It makes sense after time,' Jessie smiled, nudging Beth gently with her arm. 'You gotta find happiness where you can, right?'

'Right,' Beth said softly.

'Stranger things have happened,' Jessie said, and she offered Rick a smile. Rick picked up on it and smiled back.

'Another drink?' He asked her.

Jessie shrugged.

'Sure,' she said.

Daryl pulled Beth to him as Jessie and Rick left, squashing her face in against his chest. She wriggled free, pushing her face away.

'Stop it,' she giggled, 'I can't breathe!'

'Always knew I took ya breath away,' Daryl said, leaning down to rub his scratchy cheek against her face.

'You're such an idiot,' Beth breathed, but she loved that he was being silly, his guard seeming to have dropped.

'Mm,' Daryl agreed, leaning down to kiss her jaw, the scent of the alcohol strong on his breath. He kept kissing along her jaw, behind her ear, and Beth felt her heart rate pick up.

'Stop,' she murmured, 'not here.'

'Why?' Daryl murmured back, leaning back a little, his breath hot on her face. 'Why we always hiding?'

'You've changed your tune,' Beth said softly, leaning up to rub her thumb against his cheek. 'We're not hiding.'

Daryl lowered his hands down her body, resting them on her hips.

'Yer gonna have m'baby, ain't gonna be no hiding it much longer,' he said.

Beth laughed lightly.

'You seem to want everyone to know that tonight,' she chuckled. 'But, again, we're not hiding. Just don't need you kissing me like that in public is all.'

'Y'want me to take you and kiss y'like it in private?' He murmured.

Beth chuckled lightly, her cheeks burning.

'Yes,' she said.

'Hey.'

Daryl turned to see a man approaching, his cheeks rosy.

'Daryl, right? I just wanted to thank you man, without you and that tank we'd be goners.'

Daryl just gave him one serious nod.

'Here,' the man handed him a beer, which Daryl took.

'Cheers,' Daryl said then. 'I'm gonna take this home wi'me.'

'Oh, oh, of course,' the man said, nodding profusely.

'C'mon,' Daryl said, turning to Beth, 'gotta get ma girl home.'

Beth shook her head, but allowed him to lead her out.

The night was cooler outside, but still warm, and it was nice to get some fresh air after being inside. She followed Daryl down the steps, watching as he moved. He stepped out onto the path, stumbling a little as he opened the can of beer in his hand.

'Do you think you need that?' Beth asked him, knocking in to his side.

'Probably not,' he shrugged, 'but I'ma drink it anyway.'

Beth shook her head as he drunk. He linked his free arm in with hers, pulling her towards him.

The sound of voices reached them, and Beth turned in time to see her sister and Glen approaching.

'Damn,' Maggie breathed, 'I was gonna jump out on ya.'

'Need to learn to be quieter then,' Beth laughed as Maggie took a hold of her other arm, laughing.

The streets around them were quiet, but their voices and their footsteps were loud in the night time; Beth felt herself being pulled as her sister walked unsteadily beside her, laughing with Glen as he walked backwards in front of them, stumbling over his own feet.

'Why you leavin' now?' Daryl asked Glen.

'Came to cock-block,' Glen beamed. 'Saw ya leaving.'

'Cheers,' Daryl said as Beth laughed along with her sister.

'Daryl's bringing the party back with him,' Glen said, gesturing to the can in Daryl's hand.

'Nah Daryl's taking the party to the bedroom,' Daryl grinned.

'Hey!' Maggie cried; she leant around Beth to glare at Daryl, falling forward slightly and almost pulling Beth down with her. 'That is my sister!'

Glen turned around and climbed up the stairs to open the door to their shared house, flicking on the light inside. Maggie let go of Beth and headed to the kitchen counter island; she pulled out a stool and patted it, looking to Beth.

Daryl snaked his arms around her from behind, pulling her back into his chest.

Beth chucked her sister a sorry smile, and Maggie just rolled her eyes.

'C'mon,' Daryl purred in her ear.

Beth ran up the stairs, her laughter drifting down to her sister who began chatting with her own husband. Together they went to their own room, closing the door behind them.

Beth moved to Daryl, slipping her hands inside Daryl's vest, feeling the warmth of his body through his shirt.

'Mm, wait,' he said, then tipped the rest of the can into his mouth. Beth leant up on her toes to kiss his neck as he swallowed, entranced by the way his skin felt on her lips. Then he gingerly bent down and placed the can carefully on the carpet, swaying slightly as he moved.

'Mr Dixon I think you are drunk,' Beth said softly. 'I hate to think I am taking advantage of you.'

'Then let me take it of you,' he slurred, undoing the small belt around her waist, then pulling her dress up over her head.

'Goddamn,' he murmured as he let the dress drop to the floor, making Beth chuckle sheepishly.

Beth reached up and pushed his vest off his shoulders, then got to work on the buttons of his shirt, her fingers shaking with a mixture of excitement and nerves, which only grew as the buttons revealed his muscled chest. It had been too long since she had let her fingers roam over it, enjoying the hot touch as they tended beneath her.

As her fingers reached the last few, she leant in to kiss his exposed skin, hearing him take a breath. Shirt discarded, Daryl pulled her over to the bed, falling back on to it as it hit the back of his knees and pulling her down on to him, laughing. He rolled her over then and climbed on top of her, kissing his way up her chest and under her chin, eliciting breathy chuckles from her.

'Get these off,' he growled, thumbing at her underwear.

'Alright, alright,' she breathed, grinning, shifting her weight on the bed so she could clumsily pull them down her legs.

Daryl scooted her up, then moved down her body, pausing for a moment to kiss at her thigh before burying his face between her legs.

Beth cried out at the sudden and unexpected contact, the sudden heat that engulfed her, gooseflesh erupting all over her body as Daryl moved his tongue across her, moaning lightly into her flesh as he pushed her thighs further apart until they almost hit the bed.

She knotted her hands into the blankets beneath her, pulling the sheets up as she scrunched her eyes shut, her stomach rolling over and over as Daryl forced waves of pleasure through her again and again, the tickling sensation of his mouth against her almost too much. It mounted as he moaned against her, sending small vibrations up through her.

'God,' she breathed, already feeling the tell-tale sign of orgasm building up within her.

Daryl applied pressure, sucking her into his mouth, and Beth fell apart, groaning loudly as she arched her back up. She couldn't remember if she had seen Tara at the wake, but she hoped she wasn't currently sleeping next door as Beth gasped for air as orgasm broke through her and she pushed herself eagerly into Daryl.

As she gained her breath back, Daryl moved up her, kissing her feverishly against the neck as he pulled off his own underwear, then pulled her up so she was straddling his lap, pulling her tight against him, his own body hot and slick. He kissed her passionately, holding her against him as her body still shook from the come down. She could feel his hardness pushing against her crotch and felt herself inwardly cry out for him.

Carefully, with his skilled and deft hands, he turned her around and lowered her down on to him, holding himself steady with one hand. Beth gasped, then bit down on her lower lip as he pushed inside of her, his width always taking her by surprise. She groaned against him, leaning her back into his chest as he reached around to take her breasts in his hands, rubbing his calloused thumbs against her hard nipples. He allowed her to settled against him, leaving her to gently grind down on him as he kissed the back of her neck. Once she was settled, he thrust himself up in to her a few times, then gently moved her until she was on her knees, bracing herself on her hands. She gasped as he pushed himself further in to her, pushing himself up on to his own knees and steadying himself.

Beth had never been in such a position, and it made her feel a little vulnerable, but she was too overcome with pleasure to think too hard on it. Daryl's hands were hot and firm on her hips, pulling her back and forth as he plunged in to her, grunting from behind, his fingers digging in to her flesh.

Beth knew the alcohol was playing a big part in his sudden confidence with her, and part of her liked it. A lot of her liked it.

One of Daryl's hands found its way to her hair, where he took a handful and gently tugged, pulling her head back and pulling her further back on to him as he groaned, louder than Beth had ever heard him before. She spread her legs more as he pushed her forward, his forceful thrusts knocking her and the bed.

Beth could feel the sweat building up over her naked body, could feel the ache in her thighs and arms as she kept herself up, the tug of Daryl hand in her hair - but most of all she could just feel Daryl inside of her, pushing against her and driving her crazy. She squeezed her eyes shut and let herself live in the moment, body rocked back and forth, taking in Daryl's panting and occasional moans, pushing herself back on to him in time, until they were moving as one, the room dark and their breaths heavy.

One hand still in her hair, he reached down with the other in between her legs, where he began to stroke her most sensitive spot; Beth cried out, backing onto him, feeling him fill her up entirely as her body began to react, still sensitive from before. He was gentle as he circled her, and she began to moan loudly, unable to help herself, as Daryl began to swear under his breath, feeling her contract around him, his fingers smooth and quick against her throbbing area.

For the second time, Beth felt orgasm roll through her, sending waves of deep, intense pleasure through her, made stronger by Daryl inside of her, pushing back against her quivering walls. She came down hard around him, and Daryl held her in place, then pulled her back on to his lap as she stopped shaking, sitting back on his heels, where he bounced her up and down, his face buried in her neck.

'Turn around,' he growled, his voice shaking.

On shaking legs, Beth did as she was told, allowing him to fall out of her so she could reposition herself so she was facing him; she lowered herself and he slipped back inside her as easy as anything.

'Kiss me,' he demanded then, his voice a deep, sultry growl.

Beth did as she was told, leaning down to capture his lips, taking them with fervour as he kissed her back, his tongue entering her mouth and sweeping her own. He moaned in to her as he bounced her, her exposed breasts rubbing against his hot, sweat covered chest.

She pulled his lower lip into her mouth and sucked down on it, hard, making him growl against her.

He leant his head back against the wall as she let him go, his eyes scrunched shut tight.

Beth ran her hands up and down his chest, digging in her nails, grinning at the way he groaned, at the way his brows scrunched together. She squeezed her thighs against him and took one of his nipples between her fingers, squeezing lightly.

'Yer gonna make me come,' he growled, and Beth leant in and bit him on the neck. Hard.

Daryl pushed up in to her, hard, groaning deep in his throat as he came deep inside of her, his excitement and passion overflowing.

Beth, her heart pounding painfully in her chest, continued to grind against him as he came, and continued after he had finished, not wanting to let him go. As she continued to move, she could feel he was still hard within her, despite his heavy breathing against her shoulder, his head lowered.

Beth continued to move herself up and down, listening to him groan. He moved his head and leant it back against the wall, his eyes shut, sweat dripping down his face. Although it ached her legs, Beth carried on, pushing herself up and then back down, ignoring the wetness that slipped out of her, covering them both. He was still groaning, his eyes shut, his lips gently parted. Beth reached her hand to his mouth, running a finger along his lip as she gyrated against him.

'You're not done yet,' she purred, feeling him twitch inside her. His lips broke in to a lazy smiled and he opened his eyes to look at her.

'That so?' He growled.

'Mhm.' Beth offered him a smile, then bit her bottom lip as she kept her eyes on his, pulling herself slowly up before coming back down, revelling in the fact that he was still hard enough to do it. Daryl narrowed his eyes at her, and there was a glint in them Beth knew.

Suddenly, he pushed her back down on to the bed and drove himself into her, deep. Beth cried out in a mixture of shock and pleasure as he pulled her legs up, draping them over his arms as he meant back on his heels, watching her.

'You want this girl?' Daryl growled.

'Yes,' Beth whimpered, twisting her face so that her sweaty cheek lay against the bed sheet.

'What?' Daryl snapped. 'Can't hear ya.'

'Yes!' She cried.

Daryl pushed in to her again, harder.

'Yes!' She cried again.

'Yes who?'

'Yes, Daryl!' Beth half laughed, half cried.

'I ain't gon' stop til yer shakin' an' the whole damn neighbourhood knows my name,' he grunted, plunging into her again.

'Oh, Daryl,' Beth cried, laughing against the bed, 'Oh, yes, Daryl!'

With this scene playing out, it didn't take long for Beth to reach orgasm again, spasming around him as she climaxed. Daryl pumped into her a few more times, his breathing heavy and ragged, before he too reached climax for the second time.

This time he fell back from her, falling back against the bed, and Beth's leg fell lip either side of him.

'Jesus,' she murmured, unable to move.

'Damn straight' Daryl gasped. 'Ain't been able t'do that since I was eighteen.'

Beth chuckled lightly at that, but she was too exhausted to open her eyes.

The room was silent now except for their breathing, which was shaky and irregular, the smell of sex in the air. Beth thought she would be sore for some time, but she was happy to grin and bear it.

Eventually, Daryl dragged himself up, pulled on his underpants, and grabbed up his cigarettes. He was aware he couldn't smoke in the bedroom, but was too exhausted to go downstairs, so instead in his still pretty drunk state, he stepped out in to the hallway to light up.

As he stood outside in the dark hall, smoking in the much needed nicotine, Glen appeared in the doorway to his own dark room.

'What the hell are you doing man?' He whispered.

'Smokin'' Daryl said, his voice hoarse.

Glen just shook his head, and made his way to the bathroom. As he reached the door, he stopped and turned back.

'And thanks for that,' he said quietly. 'Gonna be scarred for the rest of my life.'

Daryl, still too drunk and on a post sex high to care, just grinned.