Beth woke to Maggie sitting down on her mattress, "Beth?" She whispered touching her shoulder. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes she slowly sat up. She had gotten maybe three or four hours tops.
"Yes Maggie? What is it?" She said worried at the sad expression on her sisters face.
"Just be careful out there today. Please? I couldn't imagine losing you." Maggie whispered wrapping her slender arms around her baby sister.
"Don't worry Maggie I'll be alright."
"I know, I know, besides you are going with Daryl." She sighed, "If anyone, he is the one I would feel the most comfortable with. I know he would never let anythin happen to you. He wouldn't take you out there if he thought it was too dangerous." Smiling sadly to herself she kissed the top of her head.
"I love you, be careful." She whispered holding back unshed tears, "Also I would start getting ready, he will be up here in about ten minutes." Maggie smiled at her panicked expression, and left quietly.
Jumping out of bed, quickly pulled on her tank top and a pink flannel button up. She never really cared what she looked like, their way of living always left you with a layer of sweat and grim. Looking at herself in the cracked mirror she shuddered. Her lack of sleep left small circles under her eyes. Quickly dismissing the thought, she pulled her hair up in a messy pony tail. Oh how she wished they had running showers! Grimacing she wiped the oil on her thigh.
"Are you ready?" Daryl gruff voice, pulling her out of her mini pity party.
"Uh- yea!" She said as she watched his eyes look her over. Her breath caught in her throat for a second.
"Um, you might need some pants," He whispered, smirking as the blush took over her face. She had removed her damp night shorts shortly before falling asleep last night
"Oh my gosh!" She whispered horrified. Yanking on her jeans, as fast as she could, she could hear her heartbeat drumming in her ears.
He shrugged at her, watching her face go from horrified to red then to- wait was the disappointment? Shaking his head at the thought he reached over to open her backpack. He hadn't meant to sneak up on her. He was just naturally quiet. He never expected to find her pant less. To be honest he figured she would still be asleep. He should have announced himself then, but he couldn't help but watch as she pulled her hair up. Smiling at the face she made as she wiped the oil on her bare thigh. Trying to shake the thought of her in her panties out of his head he looked into the bag and noted the items. Hoping he could distract himself enough to get his bulge to go away. 'God she's Hershel's daughter! And way to young for you! Fuck! Think of Grandma!'
"Sorry, I know it's not much. But it's all I have." She said over her shoulder, buckling her belt. Trying her hardest not pout over the fact that he was not checking her out. She knew he got excited last night too, but she also knew that guys could get hard without being turned on. She hoped he was, at the time she thought he was but the more she thought about it, she worried she had just imagined it. She hoped he was. She heard him grunt a response as she turned to put her boots on.
"Do you have a knife? A gun will only draw more out." Shaking her head no she glanced over at him. He was sitting on her bed watching her. Trying to shake the vision of her straddling him out of her mind, she folded her arms under her small breasts. She should not be thinking about that right now. Not when they were about to go on a run and risk their lives. Shaking her head again, she stuck her hands in her pockets. Waiting for his orders.
"Okay, I'll be out there waiting. Don't take too long we're wastin daylight. Also grab a hat or somethin to keep the sun off your face." He mumbled walking out of her cell as fast as he could.
She reached into her bag to grab her small revolver, to place it in the back of her waist band. She liked having it on her even if she didn't necessarily use it. The only time she's ever even shot the gun was when Rick gave everyone target practice at the farm. Any other time she had always just used a sharp stick or a barrowed weapon. Pulling her backpack on she hurried outside. Not wanting to risk him leaving her behind.
Daryl found it amusing watching her approach. She looked so timid at first, but after a second or two she picked up her pace. Side stepping the small hole in her way she let a small smile played on her lips. He noticed right away the carefree bounce in her step. Something he knew for a fact he never had. She was so innocent so pure. Just another reminder at how young she truly was. 'Too young for you Dixon' He leaned up against the fence, trying to pay attention to what Rick was saying. Something about the pigs and chickens.
She spotted Daryl and Rick over by the gates talking, more than likely about the town they were going to. She really hoped that she didn't slow him down too badly. Biting her lip, she studied his face, his eyes seemed brighter in the sunlight. The deepest blue she had ever seen. As she studied him she giggled at how much he resembled the stereotypical bad boy, his arms crossed over his broad chest. Wearing his usual sleeveless shirt under his angel wing vest. Hell he was even leaning up against the fence. He gave her an amused look as he pushed himself off the fence.
Rick turned her way once she got close enough and gave her a soft smile, opening his arms. "You be careful out there," He said pulling her into a hug. "And listen to Daryl, he'll keep you safe."
"Of course." she said eyeing Daryl over his shoulder. Rick gave her another quick hug then turned to walk away.
"You forgettin somthin?" He asked walking up so close to her, her breath caught temporarily. She quickly looked down at herself worried that her pants had some how disappeared like in those silly before school dreams, pants check, boots check, backpack, gun and extra ammo, check, check and check. She looked up at him slightly confused.
"Um, what?" She tilted her head questionably up at him.
The confused look she gave him almost made him lose his straight face, he quickly let out a fake exaggerated breath and placed the light pink baseball cap on top of her head. A small smile threatening to take over his face. He enjoyed surprising her.
"Oh," She said, reaching up to confirm what was in fact a ball cap.
"Thought I told ya to grab somethin to keep the sun off your face" He mumbled smugly, at her expression.
"I didn't have anything!" She stated defensively as she pulled her ponytail threw the hole in the back. Her heart pounding hard in her chest. Trying not to smile like a fool over the fact that Daryl thought about her.
"Well now ya do," Daryl said letting a small smile light up his features. Swinging his leg over the now growling bike, he turned to watch her attempt to gracefully climb on.
"It's just a bike." She whispered, awkwardly swinging her leg over, blushing fiercely when she slid flesh up against him. And continued to each time she tried to move back. Each time causing her to tremble.
"Ya good?" He asked with amusement over his shoulder. He could feel her trying to put a distance between them and her being quite unsuccessful.
She nodded nervously, wondering what she got herself into.
"Alrighty" he said in a way that brought a silent question to her lips. Daryl motioned for Rick and Michonne to open the gate.
Eying the three walkers who were stumbling their way, she slowly gulped. Realization hit that they no longer had the fence to protect them, and it made her pulse quicken. Daryl put it in gear and with out warning took off. Gasping as she grabbed at his shirt to keep from falling off the bike.
"Daryl!" She giggled over the loud engine and his laugh. And they rolled on. The beautiful Georgia scenery blurred past them. The blue sky spotted with gently wispy clouds. She found herself slowly wrapping her arms around his waist, as she took in the scenery. She slowly looked back again at the big blue sky, not a walker in sight. She sighed happily and Daryl glanced over his shoulder at her. He flashed her a genuine smile that caused her heart to flutter. It was almost as if all the bad in the world never happened. And they were flying through the trees, as worry free as a bird. Not a care in the world. She swore to hang on to this feeling, for the rest of her life. When things became to hard or she felt like giving up. She would cling to this. Right here right now, they were free.
She had never heard of the small town they were traveling to, but from the way Rick was talking it wasn't very big at all. And for that she was grateful. She knew things didn't always go as planned, but she would rather inch herself into this. And the smaller the population the better. Daryl eased his bike in front of the first building they came to, and he shut the engine off. Slowly she swung her leg off the bike. She caught his small grin as he watched her, sending butterflies straight to her stomach. Stretching she rubbed her sore inner thighs.
"First ride?" He asked, trying desperately not to watch her hand.
"Yes," She smiled sweetly, "It was so exhilarating, so freeing!" She bubbled, "But I think I'm gonna be a little sore, I'm not used to having anything like that between my legs." She quickly covered her mouth as the last word rolled off her tongue. She couldn't stop the bubbling giggles as they escaped her lips. Looking up she saw Daryl trying to cough away his own laughter.
Daryl couldn't look away, 'God she was beautiful when she laughed' Frowning at that thought, he really needed to stop thinking that way. Things couldn't keep going on like this. Beth was off limits. Sobering up quick he gave her a stern look, telling her it was time to get serious. They were in the middle of no where with millions of flesh eating monsters a mere thought away.
"Okay, now this is serious." He started, as he pulled the bow back to load a bolt. "There are rules you must follow out here." Beth gave him a nod, her eyes traveling down the road, searching to see which store would best suit their needs. Her eyes slowly spotting a lone walker in the alley between a Pick an Save and Tool store.
"This is important! ," He hissed, grabbing her face in his hand. Her wide eyes meeting his. "I'm not fuckin kiddin!"
"I didn't say you were!" She whispered taken aback, "I was just trying to scope out our whereabouts. There's a walker in the ally over there." She said looking down guilty.
Now he felt like an ass, "Sorry just stay in my line of vision at all times!" He emphasized, "If something goes wrong, you can't scream. It'll only attract more of them. Do anything you can to get my attention as silently as possible. Okay?"
"Yes, sir." She whispered as he released her face. He hated himself for grabbing her like that. But she needed to understand the severity of their whereabouts.
"Were you able to get a knife before you came out?"
She shook her head gently, her eye wondering back to the slow moving walker. He had made his way into the street. Quickly turning her attention back to Daryl before he could scold her for not paying attention. "I was afraid that you would leave me behind, if I took too long."
"Try not to use your gun unless its absolutely necessary. The noise will only attract more." He watched as her eyes darted past him again. She nodded her head slightly to the walker that was slowly picking up pace as he caught their scent. She squealed as her heart started racing way to fast to be healthy, and the walker started right for her. Stepping a few feet back she tripped over a rock. She landed on her bottom, fighting a scream. She watched Daryl step to the side and aimed his crossbow breathing in then sent the bolt flying as he exhaled. She squealed once more as the black sticky blood splattered on her..
"Are you ready?" He asked calmly reaching for her hand to help her up. She gave him a quick nod as she grabbed his hand. He scanned their location once more before motioning her to follow him.
She slowly dusted her self off, watching as he continued to walk away. Panic quickly gripped her when he didn't pause to wait for her. She still had her hand resting against her racing heart when he banged on the stores window. When no walkers appeared, he motioned for her to follow.
Daryl went through the isles first, arrow ready, daring something to pop out. Once he deemed it safe, he lowered his crossbow and gave her a quick nod. It was so exciting yet terrifying at the same time, she had never taken anything before. And yet there they were searching the shelves for anything they could scavenge. Beth glanced over at Daryl, she had no idea how he had no fear. He was so calm and collected while her hands were shaking. She slowly started her way through the isles. Searching for anything relatively useful.
Daryl turned down the last isle wiping his forehead of sweat. It was hot out side, but inside, it was scorching; they were both covered in sheens of sweat. He tried not to notice of how sexy she was sweaty, but it was hard. Especially with how her clothes seemed to cling to ever curve.
She was nervous being so far from him, but she had a job to do and she didn't want to let her family down. They were counting on the two of them. Looking around the small shop, she worried that they might not have baby clothes. By the looks of the place it had been picked through once or twice. She tried not to get discouraged as she turned down the next isle. And finding what looked to be a decent amount of infant food. Along with clothes ranging from newborn to twenty four months. Her heart leaped and she couldn't stop the excited squeal as she started stuffing her backpack with everything Judith would need and more. Making sure to grab the larger sizes as well.
"You findin anythin?" Daryl asked, finally finding what he was searching for. Quickly stashing it away in his bag he looked up to find her pink ball cap bouncing down the isle two rows down from his.
"Yes!" She said standing on her tip toes to give him a smile over the shelves. He gave her a half smile, still in disbelief at how much joy this brought her.
She felt the adrenaline rushing threw her veins, it felt so nice to be finally helping them back at home! There was still room in her bag, so she continued down the isle, grabbing a couple of toys, a pacifier, a teething ring and a blanket. Looking down and seeing there was still some space yet, she turned to walk to the next isle. Her heart leaped once more when she saw there were pens and pencil's along with notebooks. Bending down she scooped up as many as she could fit in her bag and as she was reaching for the last two composition notebooks, a dark turquoise corner caught her eye. Quickly retrieving the faux leather journal, she admired the darker swirls of turquoise as they formed flowers across the front. Looking under the shelf she found a similar black one. Smiling to herself, she tucked her findings into her bag and reached up to wipe the sweat off her forehead.
It took all Daryl had not to shout when he noticed Beth wasn't anywhere to be seen. "Beth!" He hissed under his breath, no answer. "Goddamn it, Beth! Where are you?" He hissed slightly louder. That's when he finally saw her pink ball cap pop up from a few rows over.
"Oh, shit!" She jumped up from where she was crouch down. And raced towards him, "Wha-"
"Are you fucking kidding me!" He hissed, his anger bubbling over. He wasn't really mad at her but she scared the living hell out of him. "I told you to stay where I could see you!" He looked down at her, trying to resist the urge to hug her. He was pissed but he was so relieved that she was safe. He thought his heart stopped when he looked up and couldn't find her.
"I found a journal under the isle," She said slightly confused at his outburst. "So I bent down to get it."
"Why didn't you answer when I called out!"
"I didn't hear you," She replied, "I'm sorry."
"Sorry is not going to cut it, when I have to explain to your sister and daddy that your dead!" He hissed turning toward the door trying to get his anger in check, he was being an ass to the poor girl. All because he got scared.
"Daryl I'm fine." She said gently grabbing onto his muscular bicep. "Please, don't be mad at me." Her brow furrowed as he turned toward to her.
"Doesn't matter Beth!" He hissed, catching a glimpse of two walkers as they moved towards the store.
Beth's anger started to flare then, "It does matter Daryl!" She hissed back, her voice getting louder with every syllable. He quickly clamped his hand over her mouth and slowly backed her against the wall. Which only ticked her off more. She fought against him, still attempting to yell at him. Her small hands trying to pry his hand off her face.
"Alright, Beth, hush! Okay, I'm sorry. Just calm down!" he had to keep her quiet or she would bring all the Goddamn walkers in a ten mile radius right to them. "Elizabeth!" He growled holding her as tightly as he could with out hurting her. He felt her instantly still. He looked down into her now tear full doe eyes, and sighed both of their angers gone. She trembled against him, as if she was about to fall apart. Slowly removing his hand from her mouth he saw her lip start to quiver. He did the only thing he could think of to comfort her and pulled her to his chest. Not even sure if she would let him. He didn't expect her hands to grasp tightly onto the back of his shirt and pull him closer as she buried her face into his chest. He sighed gently as he patted her back. He wasn't going to lie, it felt incredible to have her wrapped in his arms. Shaking his head he laid his head down on top of hers.
"Shh, it's gonna be okay, Beth."
He smelled so masculine, like woods, gasoline and sweat. And it was absolutely intoxicating. He held onto her tight, until all of her shakes subsided and even a little after. "Well, I guess I'm done going on runs now, huh." She whispered slowly letting go of him. She had no excuse at all for losing it like that. He didn't deserve her shouting at him like that, even if he was being an asshole. She was so embarrassed.
Daryl's hands grabbed her shoulders and she reluctantly looked up at him. "Beth, you're gonna be okay. I'm sorry for being a dick. I just panicked when I couldn't find you."
Defeated and humiliated, she whispered, "I got clothes for Judith. We can go," Slowly looking up to his eyes, that cold hard glare gone replaced with teasing look while he pulled down the bill to her hat a bit harder then needed on purpose. She batted his hand away playfully trying not to smile.
He eyed her bag and laughed, "Looks like you got a lot more than that! Anythin' in there for me?"
She couldn't have suppress the laugh that sneaked up on her if she tried. "Maybe," She replied playfully.
"Alright, come on we got one more stop to make," He said turning towards the back door.
"Really? Another stop? Where?" She was absolutely shocked that he was willing to take her anywhere but straight home.
"You'll see," he said over his shoulder.
She smiled and glanced thankfully at his back, following his lead, "Yes sir," She could almost hear him smirk.
As they crept down the small store alley she was memorized by the easy confidence he held, even with the simplest tasks. She watched his strong biceps flex as he adjusted the bolt. Impressed by how graceful he handled it. As if the weapon weighted no more than a feather. Biting her lip, she let her glaze slip down to his behind. Doing her best not to let mind wonder to far, now was not the time to be thinking that way. They could die at any second, and here she was thinking about a naked Daryl Dixon. She slowly bit her lip. Just thinking about how his body felt against her. He had growled, he had to of been excited last night right? Why else would he have growled? Sighing to herself softly she looked down at her feet.
Daryl was aware of her soft gaze on his backside, knowing how wrong it was. But he couldn't help the smile that crept onto his face. He shook his head at himself. She was a little spit fire. He never would have guessed that about her. She was always so quiet and happy to please. He couldn't deny the fact that she was definitely full of surprises. Shaking his head once more, they rounded the corner. As expected the two walkers he saw earlier stumbled their way. One was about Beth's heighted, his jaw seemed to just be hanging. The other was an older woman whose ankle faced the wrong direction. Their death moans getting louder as they caught their scent. His arm swung back protectively, his palm against her stomach. Pushing her slightly back into the alley. He tried not to think about how her breath caught when his fingers brushed against the soft skin of her hip.
"Stay behind me," He whispered, planning out his next move. The first walker stumbled by his motorcycle, while the closest one shuffled closer. Daryl had his plan figured out when he felt her small hands on his shoulder. Using him as leverage, as she stood on her tiptoes. Straining to see ahead of him.
She wrinkled her nose up immediately, the decaying flesh of the closest walker seemed to be peeling back from her skull. Sinking back down to her feet she hid her face in his shoulder. She was never going to get used to seeing things like that. Nervously she placed her hand over his Busse. Silently asking his permission.
Daryl gave her a quick nod, trying not to grin. But the idea of the tiny girl using his knife amused him.
Hastily she unsheathe the knife and clutched it tightly to her chest. Hoping with everything she had that she wouldn't have to use it but knowing she would if needed be. Stealing a quick glance behind her she released a small breath. The alley was clear so far. But knowing that could change at any moment kept her on her toes. Instead of focusing on the two walkers ahead she found herself drawn to Daryl's face, how his eyes narrowed just a bit as he aimed. Then the intensity of his focus right before he started to pull the trigger. Her admiration was interrupted when something caught her eye in her peripheral vision. Two more walkers were stumbling towards them from the alley. She quickly tapped on his back as the first arrow went flying. Landing directly between the walkers eyes.
"I know, I got it," He answered simply without even glancing, seamlessly lining up another bolt, and shooting the second walker in the head. Beth gripped the Busse tighter, with every step the walkers took. Each inch bringing it closer to them. 'Okay Beth you can do this!' She thought to herself trying to talk herself up. She felt Daryl reloading his crossbow as the walker made its first attempt at grabbing her. She watched in slow motion as she took a few steps towards him and stabbed the walker in the head, his cool black blood covering her hands. She fought a scream as it started to topple over on top of her. Who would have thought a decomposing corpse would be so heavy? Falling to her bottom for the second time today she quickly scrambled away. Taking in the mess it made as it laid on the ground. 'Three hundred and twenty five' Looking up at Daryl as he took down the last walker. She couldn't wrap her mind around how easily he manipulated the weapon to do his bidding. He made it seem so easy. So flawless. She couldn't help but to admire the way his muscle's rippled as he drew yet another bolt. The hot Georgia sun beaming down on them. Sucking in breath, as he turned his soft gaze back to her.
"You alright?" He asked holding his hand out for her, she nodded getting to her feet.
"You are really good," Was all she could say even though she knew how much of an understatement that was. She felt the blush creeping back up to her face.
He gave her a small smile, "Thanks, you are not to bad yourself." He motioned to the downed walker a little ways away from the bike. "Grab that bolt for me will ya?" He asked, quickly grabbed the two from the alley and started walking towards the one next to his bike. He watched her hurry ahead without any hesitation. Once he reached the walker by the bike he quickly yanked the bolt put before glancing back at Beth. As expected her pace had slowed dramatically the closer she got, just like she did with the bike. He slipped the arrows back into his quiver and took his seat on the bike. Getting comfortable he smiled as he watched her grab the end and pull with no success. Her small arms straining while the whole head came up. Daryl grimaced from his seat, as he watched her plant her foot on its neck. That wasn't going to end well. Chuckling to himself he had to admit, watching her wrestle the bolt out of the walkers head was pretty amusing. The cute little faces she made as the stench started getting to her, the way her nose scrunched up. He quickly shook his head, and pinched the area between his eyes. What was wrong with him? Since when did he start thinking things were cute? Judith being the only exception. Though when her foot sank he couldn't help but smile at the determination in her eyes.
Beth yanked the arrow out with all her might and she felt her foot sink into the decomposing body. It's black tar like blood covering her boot. Ignoring the churning she felt in her stomach she focused on the task at hand. She would get this bolt if it killed her. Gripping the bolt once more, she yanked. Relieved when it finally gave. As the bolt sprung free she couldn't help the triumphant grin that took over her face. She did it! Looking down to inspect the damage done to her boot, her nose immediately scrunched up. It was still covered in walker bits. The rotten flesh laying casually across the top. Kicking off the walker chunks, she cleaned the bolt by wiping the excess blood onto her thigh. Making sure it was clean before glancing up to find him watching her. His chin rested on his folded arms. A slightly amused smile playing across his lips. Arching her eyebrow at him, he leaned up from his spot and brought his arms off the handles.
"Not too bad was it?"
"It could have been worse," she admitted, rubbing the rest of the walker blood on her pant leg. "I'm never gonna get used to this though." She glanced back down to the walker she had just decapitated with her boot. Feeling the guilt at what she had just done start to form in her stomach. She had taken out over three hundred walkers but she hated killing no matter the reason.
"It's not really somethin you get used to." He mumbled looking down, "But you did good in the alley." He said glancing up to study her face.
"Thanks," She said smiling up at him, "Oh here," she said handing him his Busse and bolt. She forgot she still had it. The knife looked so foreign in her small hands, but she kind of liked it. He quickly returned them before he noticed the walker blood close to her eyes.
"Hold still." He mumbled standing up. Closing the distance between them. He licked his thumb then slowly wiping the gore away from her eyes.
Beth sucked in a breath as their eyes met. His blue eyes never left hers as he wiped the rest of the blood off her check. She could hardly breath with him this close. Was she even breathing? She bit her lip, all but begging to be kissed. Oh how she wished he would close the gap between their lips.
"There. Wouldn't want walker blood gettin in your eyes." He whispered stepping back. breaking their eye contact. Slowly shaking his head he climbed on his bike and starting the engine.
"I'm never going to be a badass though, not like you, Michonne or Maggie." She mumbled shyly, staring down at her gore covered boots..
He actually smiled at that, "A badass, huh?"
She hid her blush with the bill of her hat. "Where else are we going?" She asked trying desperately to change the subject. But she knew she wouldn't be able to get off that that easy. Not when he enjoyed teasing her so much. That thought made her smile. Maybe she wasn't crazy.
"Sure you don't wanna stretch before round two?" He asked teasingly, smiling at her slackened jaw.
"Dixon!" She giggled swatting his arm.
He revved the engine, "Ready?" He felt her slid up flush against him and momentarily tensed. Trying not to think about her perky breasts pressed against his back, and how badly he wanted to find out how it would feel if he was facing her, with her legs straddling his. 'Fuck!' He felt his dick stir, 'Think of Grandma, Grandma, Grandma.' Then he felt her small hands rest on his hip. 'Shit.'
"Yep, I'm ready this time." Squeezing his hips in between her thighs to emphasize. She tried to ignore the warming sensation that seemed to generate in her core. Shaking her head she hid her face behind his shoulder. His scent invading all her scenes. Sighing into the leather she closed her eyes. God she wanted him. .