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Beth stepped down off of the RV steps in time to hear Lori say that going to the CDC was decided. She lifted her eyes to watch as Rick nodded in reply as Shane stormed off toward the quarry, obviously not happy with the decision. She stared after him for a moment and then turned her attention back to the group, her eyes locking onto a certain rednecks. Her cheeks flushed slightly as she started walking toward him, his eyes racking over her as he sat on a log that had been placed beside the fire. She tried to ignore the butterflies that took flight in her stomach when he gazed at her like that. It didn't happen all the time, but it was starting to become more frequent. She wondered what would happen when it was just the two of them on the road. Would he continue to look at her like that? Would he get tired of her? Would he just take her to the farm and just leave? Or would he ask to stay there too? Her heart sank just a little at the thought that he would leave. In just a few short days since the first time she had talked to him, she had grown attached. The thought scared her a little.

"So what was all that about?" She asked softly as she sat down beside of him. He snorted just a little as he watched the rest of the group discussing how they were going to work out the trip.

"They decided to go to the CDC. Take Jim and see if they figured anything out. They are hopin' that they can save 'em" Daryl said, shaking his head in disbelief.

"You don't think they can?" She asked him, looking over at the RV where they had moved Jim. She had taken care of the sick man the night before, his fever slowly rising. He was starting to have delusions now, thinking she was his wife, so Jacqui had taken over to make him less stressed out. She felt a lump in her throat forming, sorrow for Jim and fear that this fate could happen to any of her family, blood or bond.

"Naw, I think it's all a damn fairy tale" he spit out, Beth's face dropping just a little at his bluntness. His eyes locked on hers again for a moment, then he cleared his throat to continue. She noticed that the tips of his ears turned red before he spoke again. "The CDC might know what is goin' on, might know somethin'. But it's too late for 'em, Beth. It's too late. You know, he is already talkin' crazy"

"Yeah I know" Beth said softly as she twisted her fingers together and her gaze went back over to the RV. She let out a sigh as she heard Jim scream out, asking for his wife. She felt a trader tear slide down her cheek. She gently wiped it away as she turned back to look at Daryl, his brilliant blue eyes narrowed just a little at her.

"What's wrong? Somethin' happen?" he asked her, his gaze drifting to the ground for a second, almost shyly, then back up to lock onto hers. His face might have been stone, not giving anything away, but his eyes told a totally different story. She thought she could probably get lost in them forever, but now was not the time for thoughts like that. She didn't have time to get lost in his eyes. She took a breath and wiped another stray tear.

"I was taking care of Jim last night. He was ok during the night, the fever not that high, but this morning" she stopped, taking a deep breath "this morning he started calling me his wife, begging me to forgive him for not being able to protect me. Not being able to protect their kids. He didn't know what was going on and he was crying and grabbing for me. Jacqui came in and he ended up passing out from the fever. She said I should just let the rest of them take care of him, since he gets worked up when I am around" she took another breath as her lower lip trembled "I just wanted to help" she finished softly, bending her head down to wipe away more tears. She didn't want to cry in front of Daryl. She had done that enough already. She felt him move just a little beside her, then felt a strong hand just barely touch her shoulder.

"Ya didn't do anythin' wrong, Beth. Ya was tryin' ta help." He stated gruffly, a hint of sadness in his voice too. Beth sighed again and gently laid her head on his hand that was still resting on her shoulder. She felt him tense when she did and raised her head back up as he pulled his hand away.

"Sorry" she spoke softly, just above a whisper. He grunted something to her that sounded like "it's nothin'" causing her to smile just a little.

"So what is our plan?' she asked after a few moments, turning her head to face him, her eyes meeting his gaze again.

"Our plan?" he questioned, his eyes narrowed again

"Yeah, are we going to the CDC, or are we just going onto the farm?" she asked, her voice coming out sounding more unsure then what she actually felt.

"What did you wanna do? I promised you I would take ya to the farm and I will" he stated, his gaze watching her intently.

"I know. You would make sure I got there, no matter what" she said, her voice firm in her belief.

"You do huh?" he asked, his eyebrow raised at her

"Yeah, I do. You are a man of your word Daryl Dixon and you said you would take me and you will" she said with a small smile, which only grew when she saw him duck his head at her praise. She wanted his opinion though on the CDC, no matter what it was. If he wanted to go there first, she would go with him. "What is your opinion on the CDC? Do you want to go check it out? If you do, I am ok with that" she continued, his eyes looking back up at her. She could see the thoughts running behind his eyes, but could not figure them out. So many questions and unknown things about this man in front of her.

"I think it might be worth knowin' if they have an idea what this is. Maybe they have somethin' worth findin' out. But it's up to you Beth" he stated as he pulled his thumb up to his mouth and started gnawing on it.

"I think your right. Maybe they will have information we can take back to the farm to tell my Daddy. We can possibly help the people that live in the homes around the farm too" she exclaimed, her smile getting brighter with the excitement that was forming.

"WE can do that?" he questioned, causing the butterflies to crash into each other in her stomach. She hadn't realized she had included him on actually doing stuff after returning to the farm. Her wishful thinking spilling out. But hell, what did she have to lose right, life was short, might as well speak what you feel sometimes.

"Yes, WE! I don't plan on sending you away after we get to the farm. You will be more than welcome to stay, unless you want to leave" she stated as she looked at the ground, her words growing softer at the finish. She could feel Daryl's eyes on her again

"Yer Daddy might not agree! He won't want a no good redneck asshole hangin' around his house or his daughter" he mumbled out gruffly, causing her head to jerk back up so her eyes could meet his gaze.

"Daryl Dixon, you are not a no good redneck asshole!" she exclaimed firmly as she took his hand in hers. She felt him tense but she didn't care, she was going to get this out. "You are strong, brave, loyal and sweet when you want to be" she said as she held her gaze on her hand holding his.

"You know nothin' bout me girl" he gruffed out, but didn't try to pull his hand away.

"I know enough!" she stated firmly as she lifted her eyes back to his and nodded her head in agreement with herself as she let go of his hand.

"So you got yer stuff packed already?" he asked after a few moments of silence, both of them staring off toward the RV.

"Yeah, it's been packed sine you told me you would take me home. I wanted to be prepared if we needed to make a quick get away" she said with a small smile. She caught a smirk pulling on Daryl's lips while something that looked like pride spread across his face quickly.

"That's good girl, real good. Grab your gear and throw it in the back of the truck" he stated as he stood up. She raised her eyebrow at him when he turned to face her, smirk still on his lips growing bigger at her questioning expression.

"Well ya can't go back into the RV and we are leaving to go to the CDC. Thought you might want a ride?" he said with a chuckle as he turned around to grab his stuff. She smiled as she watched him, then stood to go head toward her stuff. She slowed just enough to whisper to him as she walked by.

"Would love a ride Mr. Dixon"