AN: Ok, so I don't normally do two POVs in one chapter but I felt the need to get Daryl's reaction to the bed thing out there. Also, I know I said New York was coming but I got this idea and NEEDED to run with it!

As always, thank you to all the tremendous support with this story! All the favs, reviews, and follows make me so happy! I appreciate it so much! Shout out to DarylDixon'sLover, 2carlaa, Trixieviv, Carowen, Katiegirl99, BetaGirl09, suzisnowflake, rckyfrk, UltimateBethylFicList (who has an amazing tumblr page by the same name, go check it out!) weshallflyaway, heartherrk, Guest, and Reignashii! Wow, I knew there were a lot of you guys last chapter but typing them all out has me ALL SMILES!

Here's to a little bit of a longer chapter for you guys to enjoy!

Chapter 13

To say Daryl was shocked at the body in bed with him that morning would have been the understatement of the century. As he had jumped up to get away from the body next to him, the events of the night came back to him as if someone had opened the flood gates to a dam. He remembered Beth in his arms, the pleasant feel of her body against his, the panic attack, and the sounds of her breathing lulling him to sleep.

When they had come to their senses and she began to laugh, he couldn't help but see red. He was reminded of all the times his father had laughed at him growing up for his clumsiness, mostly when his body was being flung backwards as a result of a smack to the face; or when his brother would mock him for missing his prey in the woods. Daryl did not take kindly to mockery. He quickly left her home and stomped over to his all the while his anger bubbling over to near dangerous levels. He knew he needed to get the hell out of there before he snapped. He quickly showered and ran down to the garage and got on his bike. He had no destination in mind when he got on the interstate and just rode out his annoyance.

About twenty miles later his mind because to rationalize the events and saw them for what they were; nothing more than an awkward awakening between a man and a woman. Guilt began to settle in the pit of his stomach as he pulled his bike off the highway and turned around back to the city. He didn't know if he could talk to her, or if she'd want to see him after he'd reacted so poorly, but he knew he needed to go back to be there for her. Last night was proof that she needed him as much as he seemed to need her.

He parked the bike back in its new home and took the stairs two at a time to the fourth floor. He stopped by her door and heard voices floating out between the cracks. He decided he'd leave the group alone and return to his apartment. They would get him if they needed him.

Michonne knocked on his door an hour later to give him the details of the New York trip for tomorrow. She let him know that they just needed to board the plane and get checked into the penthouse the record label was putting them all up in for the duration of their stay. Michonne didn't go into much more detail and just informed him to be packed and ready to go by six am. He escorted her out and fell back to the emptiness and guilt he felt almost immediately.

Once a few of his belongings were packed, he sat down on the couch and threw his head back trying to recall anything that might have happened while they were asleep. He was a light sleeper, thanks to late nights of his father sneaking in to his bedroom to beat him senseless, so he should have felt her move closer to him but he had no memory of stirring in the middle of the night. He did remember waking up to a heavy feeling on his shoulder and something warm on his chest.

He rubbed his face at the realization that not only had she managed to not wake him in his sleep but she managed to 'snuggle' with him in the middle of the night or early morning. Daryl Dixon didn't snuggle. Hell, he'd never slept in the same bed with another woman in his life but he went against his better judgment last night because she was afraid. All doubt was erased from his mind when her panic attack started. He wanted to be there and he wanted to hold her while she slept. He groaned out loud and paced around his apartment wondering if she would ever forgive him for his reaction this morning. And how the hell would he explain any of this to her?

The next morning Beth awoke bright and early. The excitement bubbled up in her chest as the biggest leg of her journey was about to get underway. She scrambled around her bathroom and bedroom, haphazardly throwing last minute things into her bag all while singing along to a song playing over her iPod. She heard a knock on her door and ran to open it, assuming it was Maggie and Glenn. She wasn't surprised, though, to see Michonne standing in the doorway.

"Glenn and Maggie are going to meet us at the airport. Maggie apparently couldn't find something to wear for the plane." Beth burst into giggles and held the door open to let her in. "Dixon should be headed over in a minute." Beth's steps faltered and she was sure that her friend saw it before she could correct herself. She tried to play it off like she stubbed her toe but the look on Michonne's face said she wasn't buying it. However, to Beth's astonishment Michonne said nothing.

Beth put the finishing touching on packing and tossed her bag into the hallway which was grabbed up immediately and put by the door. Beth had learned a long time ago to never argue with Michonne when she was in work mode, so she let her act like her assistant rather than her hired gun. Deep down, Beth hated it. She was capable of carrying her own bag.

Another knock on the door at six am sharp announced the arrival of the third member of their party. Daryl. Beth gulped hard at the idea of seeing him for the first time since yesterday morning but decided to put it past her and pretend like she wasn't bothered by the way he ran out on her. It's not like anything serious had happened.

Michonne opened the door and let Daryl in. There was an unspoken conversation between the two and Daryl grabbed Beth's bag and everyone silently left her apartment behind. Beth wondered what that was about but asked nothing.

Daryl drove them to the airport where they met up with Glenn and Maggie by some strange miracle. For six thirty am, the airport was still a hub of human activity. They made their way to the check in counter and were given everything they needed to board the plane at eight twenty five am. Daryl had to be reminded to put his gun in his bag before check in which caused Beth to smirk at the look of annoyance on his face. They made their way up to the waiting area at the gate and discussed seating arrangements.

The plane was a 737 so the first class seats were in pairs of two meaning someone would be at the mercy of God that whoever they shared a row with wouldn't talk their head off or sleep on their shoulders. Glenn and Maggie, of course, elected to sit together. No one expected anything else. What did surprise Beth is when Michonne volunteered to be the solo party saying something about a book she wanted to catch up on during the two hour flight. Maggie ignored the obvious decision being made and moved to ask Michonne when Andre and the sitter would be joining them in New York. Michonne donned a bright smile as she talked about her son and his impending arrival while Glenn stepped off to the side to make a phone call. Beth looked over at Daryl who looked less than thrilled than to be paired with her. She'd be lying if she said her heart didn't fall at the look on his face. She decided to let it go for now. There would be plenty of time to pick his head when they were tucked into the two seat row on the plane.

For the next hour Maggie, Michonne, and Beth gossiped while Glenn punched away on his phone and Daryl sat twiddling his thumbs and pacing in boredom. Finally, a sweet southern voice floated around the room around them.

"Thank you for waiting, Delta Airlines flight 1654 nonstop to JKF International Airport will begin boarding. All Preferred boarding guests and first class seats please step forward with your tickets and IDs ready and we will begin seating shortly. Thank you for flying Delta Airlines." The speaker clicked off and the five got to their feet and headed to the gate. After a few moments of waiting they were allowed onto the plane and took their seats quickly to get out of the way of the other passengers. Daryl entered their aisle first and Beth blushed.

"Do you mind if I sit at the window? I love looking out?" Daryl shrugged and got as close to the seat as he could to let her pass. Her face turned a deeper shade of red when she felt her hip brush against his manhood and she heard him let out a soft groan. "Sorry…" She mumbled and took her seat. Daryl ignored it and sat down next to her. It didn't go unnoticed to Beth that Daryl adjusted himself as he sat down.

Beth decided to keep quiet until all the passengers had boarded and they began to taxi down the runway. The flight attendants took their seats and the plane began its quick acceleration across the tarmac when Beth finally couldn't take it anymore. She leaned in closer to him so he could hear her.

"Sorry about yesterday morning. I didn't mean to offend you." She pulled herself back into her seat and after a moment she saw him shift closer to her.

"Nah, I should be apologizin'. Shouldn'ta ran out on ya." She was shocked to hear him apologize to her. She felt the tires come off the ground and the plane because its upward climb to the appropriate altitude and Beth shifted to look out of the window and watch the Atlanta fade away into a tiny speck on the ground. From the reflection in the window she could see that he was watching her. She could also see that he looked tense.

"You ok?" She asked as she turned back to him. He shook his head tightly and looked away. "Have you ever flown before?" She knew the answer but waited until his head moved back and forth. She looked down to see that he was white knuckling the arm rest between them. She placed her hand on top of his and rubbed her thumb over the top of his hand soothingly. "Once we get high enough it will level out and it will be smooth sailing. Just relax." She felt bad that she had never taken it into consideration that his feet had never left the ground.

"Be a'right. Just so long as the plane doesn't shake or whatever. What's it called?" He looked around nervously.

"Turbulence. And it's not that bad. Just a bit of bouncing but you hardly notice it most of the time." He looked over at her and she flashed him her best reassuring smile. The plane finally started to level out after a few minutes and the fasten seat belt sign dinged off. Beth moved her hand and placed it back in her lap while the flight attendants began to serve beverages. When the pretty redhead came to them, Beth placed a hand on his leg and smiled sweetly. "First timer. I think he's going to need something to take the edge off." The redhead smiled knowingly and set two small bottles of Jack on the tray table with a freshly poured coke for the both of them. Beth thanked her and she moved on down the aisle.

"Don't think it's a good idea to be drinkin'" He grumbled but still took the bottle and poured it into his own cup.

"Relax. We have no where we need to be. Nothing actually starts until Monday but the label wants us to get comfortable before the acoustic set on Monday at XM studios." She smirked when Daryl took a pull from the drink and it was practically gone. "I never got to properly thank you for what you did the other night." She said, once again leaning closer to him. He looked over at her, their faces seemingly inches apart. She felt a burning in her stomach when he didn't pull away from her.

"Ya have those dreams often?" He asked.

"Not usually. But I normally never get back to sleep so fast when I do. I guess I have another reason to thank you." She smiled softly and then she remembered the reason for her panic attack. "Can I ask you something?" He nodded, his gaze never breaking from hers. "Does Zach scare you?" She saw a look pass over his eyes that she didn't quite understand but it was gone in a flash.

"Nah. I've handled dipshits like him before at the bar and bein' around my brother."

"I like to think I can read people pretty well. I've seen you look afraid." She pushed on.

"I ain't afraid of him." He responded, his gaze piercing as he stared at her.

"Then what are you afraid of?" Daryl broke contact and sighed heavily. She absentmindedly took a sip of her Jack and Coke and waited for him to respond.

"Grownin' up the way I did, ya see people treat women all kinds a ways that ain't right. I don't want that happenin' to ya." He explained. His eyes found hers again and she saw what she was looking for. Realization hit her like a freight train and she felt the air rush out of her lungs.

"Oh…" It was all she could say. He was afraid she was going to get hurt. The fear at the idea was dancing across his features at that very moment. Before she could say anything else the fasten seatbelt sign dinged again and the flight attendants rushed back to their seats.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, this is your captain. We have a rough patch of air just ahead of us so these next few minutes are going to be a little bumpy. Please stay seated until we have turned off the fasten seat belt sign. Thank you." Beth watched Daryl gulp down the rest of his Jack and Coke and clenched his eyes shut to prepare himself for the turbulence.

Moments later the plane began to shake heavily and Beth's hand quickly sought out his. She felt his fingers lace with hers and grip it tight. This was a bit more turbulence than even she was used to so she told herself they were just seeking comfort in each other. When the turbulence passed and they didn't release their hold on each other, Beth knew it was more than comfort. She wondered how in the world something like this could happen to her. She was so grateful to know that she had someone in her corner, that was just as scared of what Zach could do to her as she was and not just because he had to be, but because he seemed to genuinely care about her in his own, unique way.

As the flight attendant made her way back down the aisle Beth caught her attention. "Excuse me, ma'am? I think my friend here is going to need another." The woman smiled again and Beth downed her drink quickly. "And if you don't mind, I'll have another with diet this time." Daryl smirked at her and happily accepted the bottles and opened both with his one free hand for them.

AN: The burn is starting to take hold… EP! Tell me what you think!