A/N Thank you all so much. This chapter we'll find out who else is coming for Len. We'll get a big slice of Daryl and Beth's life as they grow closer, experience some tension, and then Mick, oh my goodness Mick...

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He discovered the identity of the dark-haired man long before the police knew. Maybe it was because it meant so much more to him than it did to the cops.

The truth was the guy wasn't that tough to track down. He was a brainless creep who hung out with a group of equally brainless creeps. The only one who appeared to have any intelligence at all was the leader of the group, a fellow named Joe. It was like all these other guys were simply his stooges, and as if they all thought their very survival depended upon Joe.

They were dumb, mean, violent and perverted. A volatile and dangerous mix.

As he sat in the back of the Greyhound bus with a bible in his hand and anger in his heart, all he could think about was how the woman he loved had been brutalized by this soulless punk. This worthless piece of excrement.

The bible told him vengeance was the Lord's, and he was well aware of the extent to which he'd lost himself in his quest for revenge. For now he'd turned his back on his belief system. Vengeance may indeed be the Lord's but he simply didn't have the patience to wait for the Lord. Not this time and not just for himself. He needed to avenge the woman he loved.

His relationship with her was already challenging. It was difficult to nurture and maintain. Not because they didn't love each other, love was never the problem. Rather it was because of archaic, prejudicial laws and small minds. Old laws and old prejudices would take time to change. Until the brutal incident he'd made himself accept it as simply the way things were.

For all of his adult life he'd smiled and he'd tolerated while he quietly and peacefully worked to change the laws that kept him and the woman he loved not only from marriage, but from even attending a movie together.

All of that stopped when she was so viciously attacked, so seriously injured that she nearly died and he wasn't even able to visit her in the hospital.

He tried, the Lord had to know how hard he tried. But the policeman guarding the door to her room refused to believe that a Negro priest would have any legitimate reason for calling on the Spanish woman. He couldn't very well tell the guard that Rosita was his woman. They'd both end up in jail for racial mixing.

At first he asked God why life would be so hard. Why was he being tested in this way? Then he made his plan.

He promised himself if he managed to pull it off without being caught him and Rosita would quit hiding. They'd take the baby and move north to DC or New York. They'd find somewhere, some place where they'd be allowed to be in love and to marry.

That's what he prayed to God would happen. It would all work out and he and Rosita would start a new life together.

For now he had a quest.

He arrived in King County and he kept his head down, making his way directly to the Negro side of town. He called at the humble home of a local minister he'd been in contact with, a fellow who ran a small bible church and had graciously offered the traveler a place to stay.

He was welcomed into the man's home and was pleased to have an opportunity to speak with the minister's grown son. As it turned out the young man was a janitor employed at the King County Courthouse. He enlisted the young man's service. For the promise of a crisp new twenty-dollar bill the minister's son would be advising Father Gabriel as soon as a decision was made regarding transfer of the prisoner.

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She woke from her nap to find the little girl tucked in close to her. Mick was softly humming and her small arm lay across Beth's tummy. Beth smiled, gently ran a hand over the child's hair and whispered, "Hi there Mick."

The little girl looked up with a smile, "Hi Beth."

Beth was still stroking the child's hair when she asked, "Did you have any good dreams?"

"Yep, I did. I dreamed you an me an Daddy went fishin' up ta that big lake he likes, an guess what?"

"What?"

"While Daddy was busy kissin' ya I catched the biggest fish ya ever seen! Daddy said, 'well I guess we don't need ta catch no more fishes, Mick got lunch.'" Even though Beth could feel her cheeks heat up it was so sweet, and then Mick asked, "What about you Beth, did ya have a dream?"

"I did. I dreamed you and I were all dressed up and we went to church. You played the piano and sang a hymn and everyone said how beautiful it was."

"Really?! Can we play peenano now? Can ya teach me more?"

Mick was so serious as she practiced her scales, trying hard to get everything just right and Beth encouraged her, "You're doing so well Mick. You're a natural. You'll be playing at church in no time."

"Really? Cuz I ain't ever even been ta church."

Beth felt terrible, she'd made a bad mistake of assuming and she wasn't sure how to make it better. She simply said, "Well maybe someday Daddy will let me take you. It will be up to him though, okay Mick?"

"Yep, everythin's up ta Daddy, but if we ask him nice he'll say yes."

After half an hour or so at the piano Mick's attention span was done. Beth meant it when she told the little girl, "You did so good. I think you have a real knack for piano Mick."

Mick was all smiles and asked, "It makes me real thirsty too, can I have some juice?"

She hoped he wouldn't be mad that she'd just taken it upon herself, but when she opened the fridge to get Mick her juice and saw the package of fish thawing on a plate, she decided it was a good day to cook for him. It was the least she could do and he deserved to come home to a hot meal.

"Mick, we're going to have to clear all our sewing things out of the kitchen. We don't want the smell of food to get in the fabric and besides, it's in our way. If you think you're strong enough to carry my sewing box I can carry everything else. We'll take it all to Daddy's room, alright?"

"I'm plenny strong. Uncle Merle says I'm dang near as tough as him."

Back in the kitchen Beth was feeling a little excited to be preparing him a meal. She checked and yes, he had cornmeal and everything else she needed to make hush puppies.

Although there was a bowl of corn in the fridge from the previous night's dinner, it wasn't enough for another meal. She checked around and didn't find all the ingredients to make succotash but there were enough to come close. There were tomatoes, onions, lima beans and bacon. Yes, it would work.

She was making herself hungry just thinking about it all. She smiled at the little girl and said, "I'm going to give you a choice Mick. You can help me make dinner or you can go get your book, sit here at the table and read it to me. What do you think?"

"I wanna help ya Beth."

Meanwhile down at Dixon's, Merle walked in the garage and said, "I got the skinny little brother. It's gonna happen at ten Monday mornin'."

Daryl looked up from his work, nodded his head once and stated, "Monday's gonna be a good day."

Abraham was operating an earth mover, cutting in roads for the county when his walkie went off. He pushed the button and answered "Yeah?"

The only thing the voice on the other end said was, "Monday, ten." That was all Abe needed to hear.

The janitor arrived home from work and when he and the priest had a moment alone he told the visitor what he wanted to know, "Monday mornin' at ten." He held out his hand and the priest laid a crisp twenty in his palm.

He walked the short distance to the house and as his foot landed on the porch the aroma hit his nose, he smiled, dinner. Then his brow furrowed. Wait, he was supposed to be taking care of her. He slipped his work boots off, walked to his kitchen and there they were. Beth and his little girl cooking dinner.

The pretty blonde turned toward him smiling that million-dollar smile as Mick said, "Guess what Daddy, me n Beth are cookin' dinner. She showed me how an I'm doin' a real good job. You're gonna see I am."

He laid a hand on his daughter's shoulder when he told her, "I don't doubt ya Mick, you're good at anythin' ya set your mind to."

He looked at Beth, happy to see she was still smiling at him and asked, "Do I got time for a quick bath? It was a real greasy day at the garage."

"Of course."

He stood in the tub and washed off as much of the dirt and grime as he could with the sprayer, then flipped the lever and began filling the tub. He was trying to make it quick, she had dinner waiting and he'd much rather spend this time with her and Mick than in the bath.

Beth was all he could think of as he washed up. He'd been worrying about it a lot lately, what was she going to think of him when he told her about Mick's Mom? But worse, what would she think if she knew he didn't have any problem at all planning to kill a man? Well not exactly a man, more like a fucking lowdown piece of shit.

She could get a little feisty sometimes but she had such a mild way about her. He was sure she didn't have a mean bone in her body.

Then he started worrying and wondering how things would be if he went to prison. What would happen? Who was going to take care of Mick? Would it be Beth? Why would she want to take a child on? And who was going to take care of Beth?

He scoffed at himself, ya kiddin' dumbass? The men would be lining up for the privilege.

He walked in the kitchen just as she was setting the plates on the table. Empty plates. She had Mick putting the flatware next to them and Beth was telling her how they were supposed to go, "The fork goes here on this side Mick, and the knife goes here."

She smiled at him in that sweet way and he couldn't help smiling back. Damn this was nice to come home to. "Can I help?"

"No, please, you and Mick sit. Let me just get the food on the table."

He looked at the food she'd set before them with raised brows, "Hush puppies? Man, I ain't had em in a while. Thanks Beth," He took her hand in his, gazed in her eyes like he was thinking about something entirely different than dinner, and softly said, "It all looks real good."

Mick just sat glancing from one to the other, waiting anxiously to see if they would kiss.

The kiss didn't happen like Mick hoped, like they all secretly hoped, but the child did notice how her Daddy looked at Beth and the way Beth looked back at him. It made her smile to think that maybe Beth might stay for good.

After dinner Mick did her part. She brought the dishes she was big enough to carry from the table to the sink then she asked her Daddy, "Can I go play in my room 'til my bath? I ain't played with my dolly all day an I think she misses me."

"Well then I guess ya better. We don't want no broken hearts around here." And he thought of his own heart and how it would break if Beth decided he wasn't the man for her.

He picked up the cast iron pan from the stove, carrying it to the sink where she stood. He set the pan down on the drainboard and didn't stop to check himself. He didn't want to.

Instead he wrapped his arms around her waist as he moved his body close to hers, leaning into her he nuzzled his face in the delicate curve of her neck. She let out that "mmm" sound and that little noise had him cozying up closer. She was not pulling away.

She could feel his warm breath on her skin when he whispered, "Thanks for dinner Darlin', I ain't used ta bein' spoiled that way. Best meal I ate in a long time." As happy and content as he felt, he couldn't seem to keep himself from reprimanding her just a little, "I appreciate everythin' Beth, I do, but you're supposed ta be restin' an lettin' me take care a you."

She was surprised how much she liked it when, as if on its own, her body leaned back into his, nestling even closer, "Daryl, you deserve so much more than just having someone cook you a meal." She took his hand, held it to her cheek and whispered, "I don't think I could spoil you enough."

He had no words, his only response was to begin sucking tenderly at her soft warm skin. It seemed they'd both forgotten where they were, until they heard Mick's footsteps as she ran down the stairs and through the hall.

He quickly backed away from Beth while still looking so longingly in her eyes. He lightly grasped her wrist and whispered, "Sorry."

She gazed back into his eyes just as longingly and whispered back, "No. Please don't be sorry," as Mick came bounding into the kitchen.

There was bath time and there was story time, and after Mick went to bed Daryl and Beth sat together in the living room. They managed to have a conversation without feeling embarrassed about the closeness they shared earlier. Even more amazing may have been they didn't start back up with that behavior they'd been forced to stop in the kitchen.

Daryl had made a promise to himself, "no." It didn't matter how much he wanted to touch her or how much he wanted to let that touching go further than it had. He was going to make himself wait until he was sure she was sure.

There was one other thing holding him back, he needed to wait and see how it all happened at ten o'clock Monday morning.

With those thoughts weighing heavy on his mind he walked her to the bedroom. He even managed to smile as he pulled the covers back and stood waiting while she slipped in the bed. He didn't lay down with her. He only covered her, bent and kissed her forehead, "Night Beth."

She was confused, "Aren't you going to lay down with me?"

"No, um, I can't."

"You can't? Why can't you? Do you have something you need to do? Will you be in later?"

"Nah, I'ma sleep on the couch tonight."

Her mind went to the worst of thoughts, had she done something wrong? Or did he simply regret what happened between them earlier and how close they'd gotten? She looked at him and whispered, "Oh."

He didn't want to admit to his reasons but now he felt he had to. She looked so sad and he wasn't going to let her think he didn't want to be there with her. He told her the truth, "I want to Darlin' but I don't think I should. I don't think I can keep from touchin' you in ways I know I shouldn't. Not yet."

Her mouth and her throat felt so dry and she swallowed hard before trying to speak, all she could say was that word again, "Oh."

He bent and kissed her forehead once more and then he was gone.

She was exhausted but sleep wouldn't come. All she could do was lay there and think about him and how much she missed having him there with her. She missed how tightly his big strong arm held her to him. She missed the warmth of his body, she missed the smell of him and the feel of his scruff on her shoulder. She missed everything about him.

He lay on the sofa an arm flung across his forehead as he stared at the ceiling. It had been a long day and he was tired. He wanted sleep, he needed rest, but sleep wouldn't find him. He knew why. He missed the feel of her small body nestled into his. He missed the fragrance of her hair, the softness of her skin and the sweet sound of her breathing while she slept. He missed everything about her.

It wasn't long before his resolve crumbled. "Fuck it" he muttered to himself as he stood, tossed the blanket aside and went to her. Beth heard his footfalls as he walked down the hall toward the bedroom, but she didn't turn toward the door. She only smiled as she lay waiting for him. Her smile grew as he quietly, carefully pulled the covers back and slipped in next to her.

His arm wrapped around her and drew her close and as he kissed her hair he whispered, "Night Darlin'. Sweet dreams."

She took his hand in hers, kissed it softly and whispered back, "Goodnight Daryl."

He pulled her a little closer, holding her and wanting her but keeping a promise to himself not to take it any further than it had already gone. Still he couldn't seem to get quite close enough and it was as if he was burrowing his face into her hair when he whispered, "Maybe I can sleep now."

She smiled at the warmth, the closeness and how good it felt to have him there, "And maybe I can."

She woke in the morning to the smells of breakfast cooking and the sounds of Daryl and Mick in the kitchen. She smiled as she wondered if she'd ever beat them awake. She'd always been such an early riser but since the incident she seemed to need so much more sleep.

She put on her slippers and her robe and made her way to the kitchen, "Good morning you two. You seem awfully busy."

Before her Daddy could speak Mick was telling Beth all about it, "It's washin' day Beth. Daddy gots my sheets in the washer an his go next. When we come home for lunch his sheets go in the dryer an the towels go in the washer. When we get home from work tonight he's gonna wash my stinky clothes then his stinky clothes." She turned to her Daddy who was shaking his head and asked, "When ya gonna wash Beth's stinky clothes?"

He gently pinched Mick's nose and answered, "Beth's clothes ain't stinky."

Beth was enjoying every minute of it, "Wow, well that's a busy day. I'd be happy to help."

His voice sounded so stern that if she didn't know better she'd think he was mad at her, "No. How many times I gotta tell ya Beth? You're s'posed ta be restin'. Besides, can't ya tell by the way Mick knows it all by heart? It ain't anythin' different than what we do every Thursday."

She wasn't going to argue with him but her mind was made up. She simply went along "You know, you're right. This morning when I woke up I laid there a minute and thought, I don't have the energy I usually do. I should probably just stay here and rest this morning."

"Good." The answer sounded abrupt even to him and he didn't want her to think he didn't want her there, "I like havin' ya around the garage but ya need ta get better Beth. Remember, tomorrow ya see the doc."

"I remember. I'm sure he's going to say I'm just fine and that I can go back to work on Monday." The words were out of her mouth when she realized going back to work meant going home. Instantly the sadness wrapped itself around her like cold, heavy blanket.

She wasn't alone in that emotion. Daryl quickly turned back to his work at the stove as he silently breathed out a "fuck." While Mick said, "I gotta go ta my room an see dolly."

He didn't hide his feelings from her. As soon as Mick was gone he slid the pan off the fire, went to Beth and wrapped her in strong arms. "I wish ya never had ta go," that wasn't all he had to say, "and Beth, I ain't happy about ya goin' back ta that apartment. I got bad feelins about it, too much went wrong there."

She felt almost too weak to stand. It didn't matter, he was holding her so tightly there was no danger she'd fall. But she felt the tears in her eyes and she admitted to him, "I don't want to go there either. It scares me now."

Even though he had no idea how, he told her, "We'll work somethin' out."

He insisted on taking Mick with him to work, "She's a good girl but ya can't really rest if ya gotta worry about what she's gettin' up to. We'll be back at lunch and if you're feelin' up to it, you can either come back ta the shop with us or I'll leave Mick here. That sound alright?"

"I wouldn't mind having her here with me but whatever you think is best Daryl."

Mick gave her a big hug and kiss goodbye, Daryl leaned in kissed her cheek and said, "Rest. We'll see ya for lunch, and I'll be making it."

She didn't exactly agree with what he said, she only told them, "You two have a wonderful morning and don't worry about me."

As soon as he was gone Beth got busy. She got dressed then swept the kitchen and did a little dusting while she waited for Mick's sheets to dry. When they were ready she put his sheets in the dryer and the towels in the washer, then she went upstairs and made Mick's bed.

She couldn't believe how exhausted she was after such a simple task. She lay down on the little bed to close her eyes for just a moment and didn't wake for half an hour. She grabbed Mick's hamper of dirty clothes and made her way back to the porch.

She put the towels in the dryer, Mick's things in the washer and walked down the hall with the sheets for his bed. Making that bed wore her out all over again but she had one more chore she wanted to complete before the next load of wash was done. She cleaned the bathroom.

She was exhausted and thinking she'd lay down for a quick rest. She was walking toward the bedroom when there was a loud knock at the door.

The caller knocked again and she heard Maggie ask, "Anyone home?" Beth couldn't help smiling, Maggie, she was always a big presence.

Her sister had a casserole in one hand a jar of tea in the other. "I've come bearing gifts. Let's sit and try this tea."

Maggie stayed to visit for a half hour or so and by the time she left Beth was so tired she thought she could fall asleep standing up. Still she forced herself to get the towels out of the dryer, put Mick's clothes in it, and Daryl's work clothes in the washer.

There was only half an hour before Daryl and Mick would be home.

She began to fold the towels on the kitchen table but she couldn't finish the task, she was just too tired. She thought if she could lay down for five minutes she'd be fine.

She felt so wobbly she wondered if she'd even make it down the little hallway to his room. She couldn't wait to crawl in under the big quilt, and when her head hit the pillow she was out.

He walked in the front door and called, "We're here." When there was no answer he began to worry. He went to the kitchen, saw the load of half folded towels on the table and muttered "damn" low enough Mick wouldn't hear him.

He did something he'd never done before, he gave his daughter a cookie before her meal. "Ya be good. Sit up here at the table and I'll be right back, k?"

Mick wasn't going to question her good fortune, she simply answered, "Yes Daddy," as she happily scooted up in her chair.

He walked to his room and saw the bed had been made, and he saw her laying in it. She was sound asleep and she looked pretty and peaceful, but he saw something else. There were deep blue circles under her eyes. "Damn," he whispered again.

He was sure he was right but he went upstairs to check anyway and yes, Mick's bed was made too. He went to the porch, saw Mick's empty hamper and his work clothes gone from his hamper, surely in the wash.

Maybe he shouldn't be mad. Maybe he should appreciate all that she'd done, but he was angry. She was jeopardizing her health and doing work she didn't need to do. He had half a mind to wake her up just so he could scold her. But no, he'd never do that.

Instead he folded the towels and put them away before making Mick and himself some lunch. When they'd eaten and washed up he wrote a note. "We were home and we ate. Be back when the shop closes. You and me are going to talk. Daryl."

"C'mon Mick, time for Daddy ta get back ta work and you gotta have your nap."

"What about Beth Daddy?"

"Beth needs her rest. We'll see her when we get back."

He spent the rest of the afternoon agitated and going over in his mind the things he would say to her, like that she had to stop this shit or she was going to end up in the hospital.

She didn't wake up until nearly four and she lay there for a while in a kind of daze. Her eyes felt so heavy and her body was aching. She finally admitted it to herself, Daryl was right, she shouldn't have tried to do so much. It all just seemed like such easy everyday stuff. Stuff she felt like she'd done a million times. It was hard to believe it would wear her down the way it had.

She rolled over determined to get up and make herself presentable, that's when she saw the paper on his pillow. She read it, lay back and closed her eyes. He was angry with her and that wasn't at all the way she'd hoped things would go.

She managed to get herself up, get to the bathroom and do a little freshening up. She started with her hair, doing what she could to try and improve her appearance. She didn't think there was anything that could hide the bruises, the cuts or the look of exhaustion.

She went to the kitchen, lit the oven and took Maggie's casserole out of the fridge, thinking, "Thank goodness for Maggie," at least no one had to cook.

She was putting plates and flatware on the table when he walked in the room with Mick at his side. She could tell by his face he was upset and when he spoke his voice seemed so much rougher than usual. It was almost like it had a grittiness to it when he asked, "What the hell did ya think you was doin' Beth? I told ya ta knock it off, that I'd do this stuff. You're supposed ta be restin' and gettin' better. You're makin' things worse by wearin' yourself out."

She couldn't answer him. She didn't know what to say. She was as angry with herself as he was with her. And she was mad that she'd upset him so much. She felt the tears well up in her eyes as she tried to respond.

Suddenly Mick was at her side, the little girl's tiny arms wrapped tight around Beth's leg when she said, "Don't cry. Daddy just gets a bad temper sometimes, but he loves ya Beth. You'll see he does."

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A/N Well...out of the mouths of babes and all. Please leave a comment and let me know what you think. As always the chapter photo is on my tumblr blogs gneebee and bethylmethbrick. I hope to see you all back next Friday when we find out what happens with this little moment, what happens at the doc's and what in the world will become of Len? Until then remember, I love ya large! xo gneebee