a/n - Thanks for feedback, you guys are awesome. I have some new inspiration to explore some more with this story.
Blood was pulsing through Beth's veins at an alarming rate as she sat up with a start.
Daryl was up and out of the room, before she'd even had the chance to process what was going on. From the loud noise and Daryl's reaction a big part of her was on the alert that something bad was coming their way again. But another part of her was still in total shock and slightly high. Because she was pretty sure that she had just had the most incredible kiss of her life and with surly Daryl Dixon of all people.
It wasn't that it hadn't been a long time coming, over the past few days Beth had taken a small thrill every time Daryl had got just that little bit too close to her. She'd experienced a flutter of butterflies every time he had looked at her a certain way even.
But now after that kiss, it had taken things to a whole new level. Even in her fantasies Beth had never quite envisaged he would be able to kiss her like that. He had started off lightly, before it turned more passionate whilst keeping it slow as it graduated to something deeper, quickly becoming much more intense as their chemistry had heated up and time had stopped. It had ignited some hormonal reaction in her body that Beth hadn't known she had. Producing a rush of electricity between them, that he had felt too, Beth had seen it in his eyes.
But thoughts of that were quickly cast to one side as still alone; Beth realized Daryl had been gone for well over a minute.
Something was wrong.
She managed to hobble up and out of the kitchen, her slight wrist twisting the small knife behind her back that she kept on her at all times theses days. Adrenaline once again taking her over. She couldn't hear anything, but that wasn't necessarily a good sign.
She started to panic; she didn't know what she would do if something happened to Daryl now.
"It's just a bunch of kittens," she suddenly heard him yell out at her, not realizing how close she was as she approached the front door
Beth picked up her pace as she hobbled even faster towards the front door, breathing a small sigh of relief as she saw Daryl crouched down in front of her a small black bundle of fur in his hand.
"Thought I told you to stay put," he said as he looked up, two bright green eyes peering out of his hand.
"You said there were kittens," Beth said excitedly grinning as her eyes sparkled magically.
She crouched down next to him, to see to the left of the doorstep slightly hidden by the edge of some large dark green bushes, looking terrified, was a huddle of four maybe five jet black kittens. Probably no more than around eight weeks old.
"Yeah, I did," Daryl replied.
Shaking his head, he watched her with slight amusement. She was taking it in turns to stroke their smooth soft young fur with her fingers, her lips making a soothing noise which seemed to instantly calm them.
She seemed to be lost in a world of her own for a moment as she fussed over them. It reminded Daryl a little of how she had been with baby Judith back at the prison. No-one had soothed the tiny motherless infant like Beth had. Making him feel sad, as he thought back to the beautiful baby they had all raised together, she had made it in their cruel world, despite the odds stacked against her. They would probably never find out what had happened to her now.
"Come on," he said a little gruffly, his mood shifting as he glanced around him and in to the shadows. He didn't have a good feeling about this. Kittens didn't just land on the doorstep like this lot had. Something wasn't right.
"Where do you think they came from? Do you think their mother is still alive?" Beth asked, looking up at him.
"I dunno, but aint much we can do for em, even if it aint," he replied, still clutching the same kitten in his arms as he looked at it making a face. It had been the first one to approach him, the bravest, he liked that, he thought, as he noticed a small white patch of fur under its chin.
Beth watched him, from where she was still sat on the ground. He was so gentle with the baby cat, he held it like it was a precious butterfly. Beth couldn't help but smile a little at what a softie he could prove to be at times.
"What?" Daryl asked, frowning at her amused smile.
"Nothing," she replied, as she turned her attention back to the litter on the floor.
Taking a more serious tone, she said, "There weren't here earlier. You think someone put them here on purpose as a message or something?"
Daryl shook his head. He didn't want to freak her out, not yet.
"I guess maybe their mother left them here, while she went out hunting or something," he said instead, as he carefully put the warm little black fur-ball he'd been holding in his hands, down with the rest of its brothers and sisters.
"You think we should take them inside, what if she doesn't come back?" Beth said with a worried expression on her face.
She was concerned about the kitten's welfare first and foremost. But she also, couldn't help but crave their company in this dark world too. The quiet comfort animals gave her was something she had really missed since she had left her family home on the farm, having always been surrounded by pet cats and dogs.
But Beth knew she had to be realistic. She'd had plenty of experience raising kittens back on the farm. But back there she'd had all the resources to raise young animals, something they didn't have here. Daryl was right, there really was nothing she could do for them. Except hope their mother was close by.
"Well, we'll leave them for now, see if they're still there in the morning, they look healthy enough, someone's been taking good care of them," Daryl said as he stood up, gently touching Beth on the elbow to encourage her to follow him.
Touching her again, making him feel a spark.
As awkward as he felt about it, Daryl hadn't forgotten what had taken place between them, right before they had been interrupted by the kittens. He was aware that he couldn't just go on pretending nothing had happened for much longer. But he also knew he was hopeless when it came to communicating his feelings.
"Yeah, I guess so, they'll be alright until then," Beth said a little sadly, agreeing with him, as she stood up too, smoothing down her ruffled hair, following him back inside.
He lowered his hand to the small of her back to prop her up, giving her a small rush of excitement in the process at the sensation of his hand on her back again.
…..
Back inside, Beth watched Daryl as he wedged the front door firmly shut.
She shivered, forcing a smile.
She wasn't an idiot, she knew this place probably wasn't as safe as it seemed. But just for one night at least she wanted to pretend that it was. Pretend that it could be their home. That there wasn't a whole bunch of bad stuff going on in the world outside and at anytime now their lives could be snuffed out in an instant.
Right now Beth simply couldn't contemplate anything else happening to them. So she decided, just for one night, she was going to pretend everything was okay.
"We should try and get some rest, there must be some beds upstairs," she said, smiling again, as she continued to watch Daryl double checking and then triple checking the front door.
He had barely even looked at her since they had come back indoors as he busied himself with the task of securing the house.
"Umm..well you go on ahead, I'll keep watch down here," he said, avoiding eye contact still, as he picked up his cross bow throwing it over his shoulder.
Beth bit her lip anxiously; she knew he was feeling as uncomfortable as she was, probably more so.
Taking a deep breath, she said forcefully, "We both need to rest, Daryl. I think you have done just about as much as is physically possible to that door now, ain't no zombies getting through that tonight. Now I am willing to bet upstairs there are some big ol comfy beds with real mattresses and clean sheets. We might not get the chance again, so I for one am going up there….you coming?" she said, her twinkling blue eyes catching his darker blue ones straight on. Before she turned limping a little still on her bad ankle, to make her way upstairs.
Daryl remained still and silent for a second, just looking at her, confusion darting across his eyes. Before, cross bow still hung over his shoulder, he found himself slowly following her up the large, wooden, rounded stair case.
Beth felt a huge surge of relief as she heard him behind her. Partly because she knew he needed to get some rest too, but more so she didn't really fancy the idea of sleeping alone up there in the big creepy funeral home, not that she would have admitted it to him, but with him beside her she knew she'd feel safer.
…
"Told ya," Beth said her face lighting up, to see a large double bed in the first room she tried.
It appeared to be un-slept in too, with crisp clean sheets a colourful bed spread and big fluffy white pillows. Like most things about this place, it seemed almost too good to be true.
Daryl looked around a little uneasily at the immaculate room with the big inviting double bed at the centre. He wasn't sure he would be completely comfortable sleeping next to her on it. Something had made him follow her upstairs, but it was just to make sure she was safe he told himself, it was better if they were together, he thought, as he remained glued to the spot in the doorway.
Beth looked back at Daryl tentatively, she was grateful he was here, but she wished he would say something, anything, just some small sign to indicate what he was thinking.
She knew he was a man of few words, sometimes what he didn't say meant more than what he did. But even so, right now she needed him to talk to her. Did he regret kissing her earlier? Had he followed her up, just to make sure she was safe, out of a sense of duty? Or did he, like her, want to spend the night together.
"Looks good to me," he eventually said as he walked in to the room and set his crossbow down on the side.
As awkward as he was feeling, he couldn't deny that the sight of the big comfortable bed didn't look overwhelmingly appealing to him after their time sleeping on the road, the narrow hard bunks at the prison, having not been much better either.
Beth looked at him, slight relief flooding her face as she sat down on the side of the bed, falling back against one of the soft plump pillows. "So, come on what ya waiting for," she said playfully. Looking across to where Daryl was still stood watching her.
Looking at Beth, Daryl knew he was still confused about what had happened between them earlier in the kitchen. He liked her, a lot. He knew that much and it wasn't just in the way he always thought he'd liked her too. Because she was sweet and kind, fun to be around, a little ray of sunshine. It was more than that now. He liked her, in the way a man liked a woman. He desired her. Right now, more than anything he had desired in his life. He could see she wasn't a girl anymore, she was a woman. She was his for the taking.
But as much as those feelings were starting to overpower him, Daryl was also aware he needed to protect them both.
As good as it seemed, there was just something not quite right about their current home. Danger would find them wherever they were now and it was up to him to be ready when it did. He knew he had to put any other thoughts out of his mind, it was imperative to their survival, he thought, as he made himself say, "You go ahead, I'll take the floor."
Beth looked up at him a little surprised from where she had just lit a small candle by the side of the bed, "Seriously, Daryl?" She exclaimed, unable to hide the slight look of disappointment creeping on to her face.
She knew he was trying to do the gentlemanly thing and she shouln't take it personally, but this was no place to be a gentleman, they both deserved a decent night's sleep in the bed if nothing else. She wished he didn't feel he had to be so strong all the time, so reserved. He deserved something good.
"I'll umm…take a couple of these pillows or something," he mumbled, unable to look her in the eye again.
He knew he was doing the right thing. Sleeping next to her and not allowing himself to touch her in that way, would be a nightmare. It seemed now he had given in to his confused feelings, he only had to think about her in a certain way, for his body to got turned on.
"Just get on the bed, Daryl, we both need to sleep, I really don't mind sharing," Beth insisted.
A quick search of her face made Daryl realise she wasn't taking no for an answer this time.
Not that he exactly needed to be asked twice either, he thought, as he gave in. Flinging himself back on to the bed too. Stretching his legs out, putting his hands behind his head, as he let out a deep sigh.
"Sure feels good," he said, as he stared up at the ceiling.
He knew he wouldn't sleep a wink tonight though. His system was too full of adrenaline. Partly at the thought of who might occupy the seemingly perfect place they had now found themselves in, and partly because he was lying inches away from Beth.
Beth shuffled on to her side to try and get comfortable, her back to Daryl as she inhaled and exhaled deeply a couple of times, realizing how stiff and tense all her muscles were. She closed her eyes. Sensing Daryl breathing beside her. She longed to reach over to wrap her arms around him, rest her head on his shoulder, press her lips to his again even. But she had no idea how it would be received now that he seemed to be acting weird again.
Eventually, she turned to lie on her back, edging a little bit closer to him. It was too dark to see anything now, but she could tell he was still awake too. She sucked in a small breath and said, "Wonder how those kittens are doing?"
He didn't answer at first, before he finally said, "I'm sure they're fine, they wouldn't have made it this far, if they weren't survivors."
"True," Beth replied, before adding softly, "I wish my Dad had been here to see them, he always loved cats before, I mean he loved all animals of course, but he always had a thing for cats, said they were smarter than other animals."
They both went quiet, an air of sadness lingering as they thought about Hershel Greene.
Beth thought about the loving father she had lost.
Daryl thought about the wise and kind old man he had been lucky enough to have known. He hadn't deserved to die the way he had and Beth hadn't deserved to see it either, Daryl thought.
Suddenly he felt himself reaching for her hand next to his in the darkness, her small trembling fingers instantly lacing with his big strong ones perfectly. It felt so natural to them both as they took comfort from each others touch in the cold silent room, staying like that for a while, as their grip tightened.
Her father might be gone, but Beth still had Daryl, she always would, he knew that. A wave of emotions washing over him.
Being so close to him, Beth no longer felt confused.
Daryl might be unsure about what he wanted to happen between them, but she wasn't. She'd had no idea that Daryl had known how to kiss a woman like he'd kissed her earlier and suddenly it became very clear to her, as she lay in the dark next to him. She wanted to be with him more than anything. She wanted to take things further, to give herself to him fully.
Eventually their fingers broke apart and Beth found herself on her side again, only this time she was resting up against Daryl's side, her head nestled in to his shoulder. She could feel each breath he took, every move he made.
She was unable to properly sleep at first as a surge of arousal rushed through her at how close he was to her. A feeling she she had never fully experienced before.
Sensing Beth finally drifting off to sleep Daryl stared in to the darkness, being next to her was stirring something in him more and more.
Just like the kiss from earlier. It was slowly awakening something that had been lying dormant for a very long time. A deep rooted sexual desire.
He was a man and he had needs. But he had somehow managed to keep a lid on them until now.
It was a while since he had been with a woman, kissed one even and an even longer time since he had kissed one like he had kissed Beth earlier. Now that he had opened that door, his mind might be having reservations, but his body was aching for her. He could no longer pretend otherwise as he closed his eyes, allowing himself to rest for just a second, knowing his crossbow was close enough to grab in an instant should he need to.
…..
Daryl woke a good eight hours later, the room flooded with bright sunlight.
He had to do a double take at first, before everything came rushing back to him. The funeral house, the kitchen full of food, the kittens, Beth!
He suddenly remembered what had happened with Beth, and he glanced over to see she was still there lying next to him. Her light blonde hair spread out messily across the pillow, her eyes closed contently as her lips mumbled something he couldn't make out.
She glided back to push her body closer in to his.
Daryl was unable to stop his body responding to her as he tried to pull away a little. The ends of her hair tickling his face as he breathed in her sweet scent, was this how it was supposed to be? Waking up together on a peaceful, sunny morning.
Beth woke gradually, to the sensation of something pressing up against her as she realized Daryl had his arm half draped around her. She smiled a little giddily.
They were both still fully dressed and it was day light, but it still gave her a head rush to be waking up in an actual bed, with Daryl. She wasn't experienced with men, but she knew enough to know she was having an effect on him too.
"Morning," she said a nervous smile crossing her lips as she looked over at him.
She knew she probably wasn't looking her best, but she didn't care. They'd been roughing it on the road in the worst conditions together, so there was no reason she should feel self conscious about her appearance here.
"Err..Morning, you sleep okay?" he replied, moving away from her, his cheeks flushing a little.
He knew he was completely out of his depth. Were they sleeping next to each other as just friends, companions even, or more now?
"We made it through the night and nothing happened," Beth remarked, her smile growing.
"Think we can still stick around here for a bit?" She asked, her eyes flashing at him shyly, as her face hovered dangerously close to his again.
"Don't see why not," he replied in a low voice, as his features softened slightly, making her smile grow even more.
"Ssshhh.. What the hell is that?" Beth quickly said, in a panic, her tone changing, holding one of her slim fingers up to her lips.
There was a rustling noise coming from the corner of the room.
Daryl froze, reaching for his crossbow as he heard it too.
But before he could act, the rustling stopped, and instead they were met with a distinct mewing sound, as the small black kitten with the white patch under it's chin from the night before came bounding in to the room.
"She found her way in somehow! Must be a good sign," Beth said excitedly, as she leaned down, to scoop the purring kitten up in to her arms.
Daryl face remained serious, as the heavy uneasy feeling he had experienced the day before returned. Something wasn't right!
A/N –Sorry the cat lover in me couldn't resist this chapter. Plus I was reading an interview with NR the other day where he says he loves cats, which gave me the idea for this chapter. As always thanks for the support for my writing. I am slowly getting back in to it. Oh and next chapter, things are going to start to heat up for our favourite couple ;)