A/N - Wow, thanks for the great response to the story, I'm so excited to keep writing more for these two. This chapter was quite long, so I split in in to two, will post the next half very soon.
"I got it," Beth said excitedly, clutching Daryl's beloved crossbow in her hands, screwing her left eye closed, concentrating intently on the sight of the wild deer innocently chewing on some greenery in the distance.
"That's it, just over to the left a little," Daryl said patiently, coming up closely behind the young blonde, tickling the side of her neck with the ends of his long hair, causing a small shiver to run across her with the sensation of his soft warm breath on her skin. "Take your time, concentrate," he instructed further, his body pressing gently against hers.
Beth shivered some more, trying to shake off the feeling of Daryl's presence and focus only on shooting the poor unsuspecting animal in front of her. Slowly, confidentiality, she pulled the crossbow back, releasing the deadly weapon in to the air as it flew in a single straight line striking the back of the animal neatly on the back of it's head, causing her to break in to a wide grin as it collapsed to the ground.
"Told ya I didn't need your help anymore," she said playfully, raising her eyebrows at Daryl, flashing him a triumphant smile, darting off in to the distance to retrieve her prize.
Daryl shook his head, his eyes following her, unable to stop himself from smiling too as he took off after her.
….
Beth stood frozen to the spot, a lump forming in her throat as she stared up at the once beautiful building, appearing out of no-where in front of her. It wasn't too dissimilar to her old home, except this place was completely run down and considerably smaller, but it was still a traditional two storey with a white picket fence, pretty windows and wide front door.
"What you waiting for?" Daryl said, reaching where Beth was stood motionless over the dead animal, his eyes sweeping over the house in front of her too. He bent down without saying anything, pulling his arrow out of the dead deer lying on the ground.
"You think we should go in?" Beth said still wide eyed.
Daryl stood up, turning his attention fully to the building in front of them now. It was just another deserted house, there could be something of value in there, but more than likely not."Might as well take a look, but we'll have to be quick, I told the others we'd meet them back at the car," he said moving forwards to the front door, signalling with his hand for Beth to follow him.
"Stay close," he said in a low voice, forcing the door.
Beth felt her heart race, full of anticipation as she followed Daryl's orders, leaning her slight body into his as she shadowed him. It wasn't that she couldn't take care of herself and he knew that, she certainly wasn't the same scared little girl she had been back at the prison, but somehow it just felt more comforting to stay close to him. It wasn't the first time Beth had offered to join Daryl and the others on a run. Since they had rescued her from the hospital she had become an invaluable member of the group in more ways than one, she'd changed, she was stronger and braver, more willing to take risks. Despite that Daryl still felt the urge to protect her, more so than any of the other members of their group. He'd nearly lost her once and he wasn't about to let that happen again. There was very much an unspoken close bond between them still, they were friends, but the lines were blurred, their deep friendship had been unexpected but was growing every day, and slowly it was becoming more and more acceptable for them to get in to each others personal space.
Beth sensed Daryl's intense concentration, his chest slowly breathing in and out as he carefully stepped inside, crossbow raised. Her small fingers curled tightly around the pistol tucked in to the waistband of her jeans. Still following closey behind him Beth drew in a small breath, inhaling Daryl's familiar manly scent, it was deep and musky, mixed with sweat and leather, it was just Daryl. It made her feel safe and secure.
"Don't look like anyone's been here for a while," Daryl said moving further in to the house as they broke apart, stepping over a pile of old junk in the hallway leading them in to the main living room.
She didn't say anything, her eyes moving across the debris and broken furniture in the room, feeling strangely emotional. Normally she was desensitized to this kind of thing now, destroyed homes, crushed lives, and shattered dreams, they were the norm in the world these days. But there was something about this place that got to her. The décor was just as she would have had it had this been her own home. The peeling wallpaper and ripped up sofas would have once been snug and cosy, the pretty little fireplace covered now with dents and red blood stains, would once have been warm and inviting.
She moved a little closer to the fireplace as something caught her eye, a flash of silver, rifling through the layers of dust and rubbish she picked out an old photo frame. She held it up to the light projecting through the dirty window, the glass on the picture was cracked and it was splattered with red and brown marks, but she could just about make out it was a young couple, a blonde woman and a dark haired man, they didn't look very old, this was probably their first home. They were smiling in the picture, they looked happy and relaxed, they were probably full of excitement for their future, maybe they had wanted to start a family here she thought, and just for a moment Beth thought about breaking her no crying rule as she played out an imaginary fantasy life for the tragic strangers staring back at her from the faded image in her hands, her thoughts drifting to the cruel way their story must have ended. Why shouldn't she shed a tear for what could have been? But she choked it back, quickly remembering there was no place in the world for crying anymore.
She turned her head to see Daryl noisily searching through drawers on the other side of the room. He stopped what he was doing and looked back towards her, "Nothing much of any use here, just some old candles and matches, these batteries might be okay though," he said, walking over to where Beth was still stood clutching the photo frame tightly in her hands. He glanced at it over her shoulder without saying anything.
"You think they were happy here?" Beth said dreamily.
Daryl just shrugged, "Maybe, before they became walker meat," he said smirking, snatching the frame from her hands, slamming it face down roughly on the top of the fireplace to remove the glass, tearing the photo out before handing it back to her, saying, "It's real silver, could make a good weapon."
Beth shot him a wounded look, almost disgusted.
"What?" he replied, confusion appearing on his face, trying to work out what he had could have said or done to have upset her so much.
"You don't get it, do you? These were real people, real living breathing people, just like us, they didn't only exist to provide us with supplies, they had hopes and dreams for the future, a future that was snatched away from them, from us, from everyone." Beth said raising her voice passionately, her eyes flashing with emotion at Daryl, moving closer to his face.
Daryl looked back at her still confused. His gaze swept to her big blue eyes, creamy white skin and golden blonde hair, she had to be the most beautiful creature he had ever laid eyes on. She was so pure, so innocent still. He didn't completely understand, but he sort of did. This place, the people that had once lived here, they represented something to her, a life that could never be now. He felt her pain.
She remained in the same spot, her face flushed as she searched the depth of his dark blue eyes, taking in everything about the way he was looking at her, full of concern. Feeling something rocket through her, electricity of some sorts. She was experiencing that sensation more and more when he was around her.
Daryl was her friend, her companion, they enjoyed spending time together, they had a connection, he looked out for her, he cared about her deeply after their time alone together and he had risked everything to rescue her. But was it? Could it be? Could they?
She bravely took a step closer to him, holding his gaze, feeling another strong sensation she could only put down to arousal spreading through her. Looking straight in to his eyes some more for affirmation he felt it too.
Daryl was unsure what to do at first, watching the face of the hot young blonde in front of him, moving dangerously close to his. She did things to him, he was aware of that… but this was Beth. Could he really? Was there actually a chance that?... He drew in a breath, his heart beating fast with an entirely different type of adrenaline to the one he'd experienced previously on entering the building.
Slowly he brought his hands up to cup the sides of her face as she reached up and wrapped her arms around his forearms. He gently ran his thumb from her cheek to just under her chin.
Beth felt as though she was about to explode with the anticipation. Was he really going to kiss her?
Staying like that for a moment more, Daryl eventually gulped, abruptly looking away and Beth's heart sank as he stammered awkwardly."We- we best be getting back the others will be wondering where we are, I told Glenn we wouldn't be long."
Beth held the phone to her ear, hugging her bare knees to her chest from where she was seated sunk back into the sofa dressed in a pair of denim shorts and a baby pink top, her eyes a little red and swollen from crying.
The line crackled at first, she breathed in with anticipation, sometimes it connected sometimes it didn't, the phone lines like all other technologies these days could be pretty unpredictable still.
Eventually she relaxed a little, hearing the buzz of the dial tone. She put her thumbnail up to her lips and chewed just as she always did when she was anxious, quickly letting out a small sigh of relief as she heard a familiar comforting voice pick up from the other end.
"Maggie, it's Beth," she said, the line was faint but she could still make out her sisters voice at the other end.
"Beth, hang on a minute," Maggie said, her voice sounding a little distant not quite her usual upbeat self. "It's Beth," she yelled to someone at the other end, probably Glenn, Beth thought, "Glenn says hi," Maggie said returning to the line.
"Oh, tell him I said hi too," Beth said with a smile. It had been months since she had seen her sister and husband and she missed them.
"So, how is everything in Atlanta? " Maggie said trying to sound a little more enthusiastic, although Beth could still tell something wasn't quite right, she knew her sister, she was hiding something from her, forcing herself to sound cheerful.
"Good…really good," Beth lied, before quickly blurting out, "Maggie, I got accepted in to med school. I start next month. I'm going to be a doctor." Her sister being the one person after Daryl, Beth had been bursting to share her news with.
"Really?" Maggie said letting out an excited squeal. "Beth, that's amazing, really amazing. Daddy would be so proud," responding with genuine enthusiasm, real emotion protruding from her voice.
Beth couldn't help but beam down the phone. She had known her older sister and only living relative would be excited for her and it really picked her up. Beth also knew Maggie was right, their father would have been desperately proud if he could see her now. Perhaps he could, she thought philosophically, a single tear sliding down her pink cheek at the idea of her father at peace somewhere watching over them.
"So, Daryl must be real happy?" Maggie questioned.
Beth went silent for a second, her stomach churning, glancing out the window to their empty driveway, "Yeah, I guess," she said slowly, pausing, the line going quiet before she suddenly said, "We had a fight, he's taken off somewhere." Beth couldn't even remember what the fight had started about, something to do with her not double locking the yard door. But he'd been off with her all day, speaking to her only in moody one word answers, she'd put it down to him being tired, but she couldn't help but think it coincided with her telling him about her acceptance letter the night before. She drew in a deep breath, she loved him but sometimes she just couldn't figure him out.
"Well y'know, Daryl, he aint the best at showing his feelings," Beth's older sister said kindly.
"I know, but he don't seem at all happy about my news, he's almost acting like I've done something wrong," Beth responded, her voice wobbling a little.
This time Maggie let out a sigh, she liked Daryl a lot, with him she felt certain her younger sister would be safe, she knew he made Beth desperately happy too, but his behaviour still left a lot to be desired at times. "Listen, Beth, Daryl will be happy for you, real happy. He probably just doesn't realize it yet. He's not big on change you know that." Maggie said as Beth silently nodded down the phone, agreeing with her sister. "You going off and doing something like that, it's a big deal, he's worried how it's going to change things, because, Beth, it will change things," Maggie said wisely.
Beth shook her pretty blonde head, "No, it won't, that's stupid," she said firmly.
"Maybe to you, but not to him, he loves you more than anything, you're his world, you know that and the thought of losing you would terrify him." Maggie went on to explain.
"He aint gonna lose me," Beth said even more firmly. A wave of nausea hitting her as she couldn't help but think Maggie was partly right, it made sense. She thought back to a couple of occasions when Daryl had nearly started fist fights in bars, over other men simply looking in her direction. It had infuriated her a little, made her feel like she was a possession. None of her previous boyfriends had ever behaved like that. But then again none of her previous boyfriends had ever loved her like Daryl did, Beth knew that and she'd come to accept that his behaviour was simply a sign of that. But if he seriously thought that her becoming a doctor would change a single thing between them, he was insane, no matter what she loved him and that would never ever change. Since they had married and the outbreak had ended, they had been blissfully happy and Beth would do everything in her power to make sure things remained that way. But she was slowly starting to realize that the life they had longed for for so long, didn't come without it's own complications.
She reached for the light switch to the lamp rested on the small table beside her, filling the room with a subtle warming glow. It was amazing how quickly you went back to taking things like electricity for granted again Beth thought, as another silence followed and the line crackled, for a moment Beth wondered if it was going to go dead. "Maggie, you still there?" she said, glancing out the window to see blue neon lights flashing by, thinking how it was still so surreal to see emergency services or order of any kind, as she waited for her sisters response.
"Yeah, I'm still here," her sister replied, her voice slightly flat again.
"I'm sorry, I haven't even asked how you are?" Beth said, she'd been so wrapped up in her own little bubble for a moment she'd forgotten the concern she had felt when she had first heard her sisters voice.
"Oh, I'm fine," Maggie said, the tone in her voice suggesting otherwise.
"Well, no offence but y'don't don't sound fine," Beth responded.
There was a painful pause before Maggie eventually said, "I saw a doctor."
Beth felt her heart racing; patiently waiting for her sister to continue.
"He said there is no chance." Maggie said quietly
Beth felt her body flood with emotion for the second time that day, detecting the heartbreak in her sisters voice. Maggie and Glenn had been desperately trying for a baby for the past couple of years; they had both wanted it so badly. But Maggie had worried due to a collection of injuries she had picked up during the outbreak that she wouldn't be able to have children. Beth had tried to reassure her that wouldn't be the case, but as time had crept on, it had become more and more apparent there could be a problem. A problem that could quite possibly have been easy fixed once upon a time, but sadly not now with things the way they were in the world still.
She ran her hand through her long hair, desperately trying to think of the right thing to say to her older sister. Maggie had had her heart set on having a family with Glenn, helping to raise the next generation, a whole new beginning; she had felt certain that was her calling now. This was crushing news.
"There are still ways," Beth said gently.
"No there aint, that's it, it weren't part of our journey, that's all." Maggie said strongly, choking back a tear.
A/N - Next chapter will be more from Daryls POV. Thanks again for reading, as always ideas welcome :)