AN: Well, after last night's episode of TWD, I decided to wait and post this tonight. Because we all needed a moment to reflect on the fact that last night confirmed… HE LOVED (S) HER! Hang in there and live through fanfiction! We'll be alright no matter what!

Also, I need to send a special should out to Kem who decided to surprise me with AWESOME fic art for this story. I love it so much! Thank you! Check it out on my tumblr (you might need to scroll a bit… I reblogged a lot last night) at BrandyLynn1013.

Ok, the quick thank you to those reviewing and then I'll let you get to it! Thank you to DarylDixon'sLover, An Amber Pen, 2carlaa, Carowen, BetaGirl09, EPQS, heatherrk, Mirsa, SirensCalling, UltimateBethylFicList, Klutz-z, rckyrk, Trixieviv, Stacey . Coonan, Reignashii, and fieryandpassionate. You guys are amazing!

Chapter 20

Daryl spent two days at the cabin, contemplating just what he planned to do once he got back to New York. He'd never been through anything like this so he didn't know the proper etiquette on what to say to someone he'd killed for, slept with, and ran out on. A whole range of ideas passed through his mind from flowers, to asking her out on a date. Every idea made him feel foolish and terrified at the same time.

Friday night he bit the bullet and called in a favor and asked Rick to get him a plane ticket to New York. To Daryl's surprise, Rick seemed happy to oblige the request and was even nice enough to take the cost of the ticket out of his last check. Daryl didn't care about the money, as long as he had a plane ticket and a chance to explain everything to her. Rick didn't mention how Beth was doing and he'd be lying if he said he wasn't disappointed. She hadn't tried to call him since he ignored her call in Atlanta and he was regretting that decision more as every second of every day passed. He hoped he hadn't screwed up to terribly.

Once Rick called him back with his itinerary for his flight, he called Dave and asked for a ride to Lexington which Dave agreed without question. He would be flying out of Bluegrass Airport and didn't want to leave his bike there for god only knew how long.

Dave arrived the next morning at the cabin at six am to pick him up and hit the road. The drive to Lexington was blissfully quiet. Dave never asked him what he planned to do and Daryl didn't tell him he was completely clueless.

Dave dropped him off with a simple 'Good luck' and pulled away from the drop off area quickly. After he was checked in, he made his way to the gate with the handful of other people that were planning on getting on the small plane to Cincinnati. Daryl was thankful that this airport was exponentially less crowded than Atlanta.

After a short layover in Cincinnati and surprisingly quick flight into JFK, he found himself nervously sitting in the back of a cab asking to be taken back to the hotel he had recently been staying at. He'd asked Rick not to tell anyone he was coming back and he wasn't sure now if that was a good idea or not. He knew that she was scheduled to open for some band tonight but he had no idea when she would leave to get ready. He glanced down at his phone to see that it was a little after two in the afternoon so he assumed he had a little time.

Twenty minutes and a few bills later, he was standing in the lobby of the extravagant hotel trying to decide on calling her or just going up and knocking on the door. He knew if Michonne answered the door she'd likely punch him in the face for being a dick so he resorted to calling her and praying like hell that she answered. After a few rings, a sickening feeling began to creep its way into his gut.

"Daryl?" Her soft voice sounded shocked as his voice drifted on the line. He realized he still had no idea what to say. "Hello?" He must have taken too long to respond.

"I'm here." His chest suddenly felt tight and his pulse was racing.

"Where are you?" She didn't sound mad, but concerned.

"I'm here." He repeated again. He felt like smacking himself. "I'm down in the lobby, I mean." He stuttered.

"Oh! Rick said you quit." The concern gave way to what he guiltily hoped was sadness.

"Yeah… can ya come down? Don't think I should come up." She paused for a moment before responding. He held his breathe the entire time, his heart rate pounding in his ears.

"I'll be right there." The call disconnected and Daryl made his way over to the elevator to wait for her. He wondered what he would expect. Would she be pissed and feel used? Would she be happy to see him? He had no idea and not knowing was more terrifying than anything he'd ever experienced. He tried to remember if he was ever this scared when his father would come at him with the buckle end of a belt in a drunken rage. He didn't think he had been because he'd always known what to expect. Even before his old man first raised a hand to him, he knew what he'd done to Merle.

His thoughts were interrupted by the ding of the elevator and the doors sliding open. She looked up with her bright blue eyes and smiled simply at him. If anything, she was always kind even if she was upset. He glanced over her body and the simple shorts and a tank top again, her curves accentuated by the tight outfit. His hand itched to reach out and touch her but he kept himself in control. She stepped out of the elevator and walked up to him.

"Let's go sit." She said as she pointed to one of the couches in the lobby. He nodded and followed her closely. It didn't go unnoticed to him that several men followed her movements unabashedly. His fist clenched as his sides at the looks they gave her but he turned his focus back to her and she sat and waited for him to join him. As he sat down, she spoke softly. "Michonne told me Zach died. I'm sorry. I can't imagine how you feel." She placed a hand on his forearm.

"Was either him or you." He shrugged.

"Have… you ever killed anyone before?" She said with a gulp.

"Na, never killed anyone. But knowin' you're alive cause I killed him… guess it makes it easier." He admitted.

"I wish you hadn't left. I never apologized for that night." He watched a blush cover her face and he felt that sickening feeling bubble up again. He knew she would regret it.

"I get it. Ya don't need to apologize." He moved started to pull his arm away from her touch but she tightened her grip on him to stop him.

"I don't think you do. When you left, I kinda got the feeling that you felt like I'd been repaying you for saving me. I felt horrible. But then Michonne told me about… how she heard… and what she said to you. I'm sorry; I know you didn't take advantage of me." She paused for a moment and he kept quiet, understanding that she had more she wanted to say.

"I don't regret it though." Daryl's mind stumbled to catch up with her words and he was sure he had just imagined that, heard what he wanted to hear. His eyes searched her face with desperation. "I don't know why I came to you but I don't regret it." She said more firmly and Daryl felt a weight lift off of his chest. "I've never done anything like that before." She paused again and took a deep breath before continuing. "My fiancé was killed in a car accident a few years ago. We'd been together since we were fifteen. I haven't been with anyone else since then. I guess I'm telling you so you didn't think…" She trailed off and removed her hand to place them both in her lap. He thought about his words for a while before finally opening his mouth. He figured he owed her his apology and understanding.

"Guess I need to apologize, too. I didn't think ya were like that. I've known plenty of women like that and you aint' them." She looked up and smiled meekly at him. "I've been where ya were that night and needed something to make me feel alive. Been in bar fights, car accidents, laid the bike down, and then looked to sex to remind me that I lived. So I get it.

"I left because Michonne was right." Beth looked like she wanted to cut him off but he stopped her. "I did take advantage in a way cause I didn't stop it. I was hired to protect ya an' I let that happen." He fought with himself for a moment if he should say the rest of it out loud or not. He took a deep breath and decided to bite the bullet. "I wanted it to happen and needed it, too. I'm not as selfless as ya think."

"Why'd you come back then?"

"I ain't no saint. The women that I went to meant nothin' to me. Never stayed long enough to learn their names. It was different with you… meant something to me." He looked away, terrified that he would see the subtle hints of rejection and disgust on her face.

"Oh." He barely heard her whisper but it did make his eyes turn back up to her. She looked like she did on the plane, like she was unraveling a big secret or reading him like an open book. He sat nervously waiting for her to say something and the seconds passed by like hours. "Are you staying?" She finally asked. He hadn't actually thought about it but he wanted to.

"Ya want me to?" He countered. He needed to be sure she wanted him here. If not, he'd leave and try to put the pain behind him. Without answering, she stood up and reached a hand out to him. He looked at her cautiously for a moment and took her hand and rose in front of her. She dropped her hand from his and lifted herself so she could wrap her arms around his neck. His body didn't hesitate to react as he wrapped his around her waist and pulled her to him, his face buried in the hair on her shoulder.

"I want you to stay. But promise me something." He nodded against her. "Talk to me before you run." He couldn't help the chuckle that broke from his chest. She pulled back and looked up at him with a smile. She looked beautiful staring up at him, admitting that she wanted him here with her. He'd never felt so relieved and terrified in his entire life. Before he could contemplate his fears any further, he dipped his head down and kissed her lips softly, chastely, before pulling back seconds later.

"Yeah, ok." He smirked. Her smile brightened and she dropped back down with her arms at her side. He hesitated a moment before reluctantly letting her go.

"I need to start getting ready for the show tonight. Come on, I'll make sure you're still back stage if you want." She started to walk back to the elevator with Daryl close behind her.

"Guess that means I gotta talk to Michonne about this…." He gestured between the two of them and Beth let out a soft giggle.

"You could start by asking me on a date. Might make it easier for her to accept we weren't using each other for sex." Daryl stopped and looked at her as if she had grown another head. A date? He had no idea what to do. He'd never been on a date before.

"Here?" He asked ignorantly. She giggled again.

"There is a place called The Dove. Seems appropriate." He nodded quickly.

"A'right. Just say when." Daryl was once again confused when Beth laughed fully and stepped inside the elevator while trying desperately to control herself.

AN: Hope you enjoyed! Let me know! Octavia is beating me up right now and they might keep me warm!