Beth watched as Daryl stormed down the stairs, madder than she's ever seen him. 'What got him all riled up?' Following his angered glare she spotted Merle Dixon strolling out of the cell and lean on the guard rail. He gave her a nod and winked. She shuddered quickly turning around. She didn't know much about the older Dixon but she knew and heard enough to not like him. She hated how he strolled around like he owned the place, he was the exact opposite of Daryl. In everyway possible, he was rude, disrespectful and loud. God was he loud, and inappropriate to the extreme. He always had a nickname for the women, she remembered one time, he hadn't been there for maybe three days. He made a comment towards her and Daryl over heard. His face turned hard, and he damn near dragged Merle out of the prison. They got into a huge bloody fight over it. She never did find out what he had said, but she wasn't one to pry. Bouncing Judith she peeked over at Daryl, Rick had stopped him before he had a chance to escape outside.
"Thank you for takin her out today. How did she do?"
"She did good. Took out a good size walker all on her own."
"What you said really got me thinkin, we could really use her out in the guard towers. She could learn how to use a sniper rifle, and take out some of the strays. Michonne and Glenn came across a couple sniper silencers that would work perfect. This way she could be able to help and still stay some what safe, ya know?" Rick said giving him a small smile.
"You want me teach her that too?" Daryl grumbled, his anger fading some. He really needed to put some distance between the girl, but damn did his heart speed up at the thought.
"Nah, I'm gonna see if Carl or Glenn will do it."
He had to bite down hard on his tongue to keep from laughing, Carl was a horrible shot. He really shouldn't be teaching anyone anything unless he was teaching lil' asskicker to talk or something. Hopefully Glenn would have a chance to help her. Rick patted him on the back before turning to walk towards Judith who was half asleep on Beth's shoulder. She was so good with Judith, Rick really lucked out. When Lori passed Beth pretty much became her surrogate mother, not to mention Judith absolutely adored her. Carol tried to care for her at first, but Judith took to Beth as if she were her own mother. 'Poor thing will probably grow up thinkin Beth's her mama.' Though there was no doubt Beth would be a great mother. 'Maybe it wouldn't be a bad thing.' Daryl shook his head vigorously, 'What the fuck is wrong with you! You're getting soft!'
Daryl caught a glimpse of Merle staring at Beth who quickly shuddered and turned away. Smiling at her action to his attention, he watched as she peeked her blue eyes at him. His heart sped up when she gave him that smile. Her smile disappeared just as quickly when Carol said something. Beth's eyes grew wide as she turned around. He couldn't help but wonder what she told Beth to cause a reaction like that. Shaking his head he pressed his back against the door and welcomed the fresh air.
"You are too young for him." Carol's annoyed voice, brought her back from her thoughts. She watched the older woman place a bottle on the table next to her.
"Excuse me?" Beth asked slightly confused at her tone of voice, Carol has never talked to her like that before.
"I've seen the way you two have been lookin at each other. I'm not stupid." She sat down beside her and leaned in. Her eyes cold and hard, "He deserves to be with someone mature. Someone who can handle him."
'Like you?' She resisted the urge to roll her eyes, Daddy had taught her to respect her elders. "Carol, there is nothing going on with Daryl and I?" Sure she had a major crush on him, but that didn't mean anything. He didn't see her as anything but a kid.
Carol eyed her coldly, "Keep it that way." She felt Rick approach from behind and just like that, Carol was back to normal.
"So I've been thinking Beth, and I think it is about time you started learning how to shoot from the guard tower."
"Really?" She couldn't have hid the excitement in her voice if she tried.
"Yes really," He chuckled, "Starting tomorrow Carl will teach you your way around the rifle." He reached down and rubbed Judith's head. "You don't mind watchin her do ya Carol?" Beth dared a small peek at the older woman, who seemed to jump back from her strange episode. Maybe she was still trying to get Daryl? She knew from a couple of girls back in school that jealousy could make even the smartest girl crazy.
"No of course not!" She smiled at them and turned towards her cell.
"Good deal it's set then," He smiled down at her then quickly placed a kiss on Judith's head. She watched him walk towards the kitchen area to get a plate of food. Beth took a deep breath. What did Carol mean by I've seen the way you two have been looking at each other? Has he been looking at her too? She tried to tame the butterflies that crept into her tummy. 'What was up with Carol though.' That was very strange, maybe she still thought something would come of their relationship. Even though Daryl had been quite clear when he told her no. She didn't have too much time to sit on that thought when Maggie handed her a plate of food. The aroma of squirrel stew making her stomach grumble.
"How did the run go?" She asked studying her little sisters face.
"It went fine? Why?" She tilted her head to the side, wondering what was wrong with Maggie, her eyes were sad.
"No reason, I was just so worried about you." She pushed a couple of Beth's fallen strands of hair behind her ear. She gave her a small sad smile.
"What's the matter Maggie?" Her sister had been through a lot lately, with all the crap that happened with the governor..
"Nothin' I was just worried about you." She whispered hugging her sister to her chest. Tears pooling into her eyes.
"I'm alright Mags, don't be sad. Now you know how I feel every time you and Glenn go out there," As if on que Glenn sat down next to Maggie, their fingers automatically intertwine. Maggie's ring glittering in the dim light. Glenn had become her big brother, in every way possible. He gave her a quick smile.
"Well we were worried sick!" Glenn's eyebrows scrunched together. "We didn't expect you guys to be gone that long."
"We went swimming," Beth said giggling, "I'm sorry we worried you. How do you think I feel when you guys are gone two three nights at a time?"
"Fair enough," Glenn said smiling at Maggie, "She does have a point."
"That she does," Maggie smiled at her again resting her head against Glenn's shoulder.
Beth smiled at them as she awkwardly ate the stew, Judith's soft snores caused Maggie to look longingly. She knew her sister had always wanted a baby of her own. Especially now that her and Glenn were together, but she couldn't bring a baby into this screwed up world.
"I'm gonna go lay her down, I'll be right back," Beth whispered to her sister as she slowly stood up. They nodded at her as Michonne, Rick and Carl sat down. Walking over to her cell she grabbed Judith's favorite pink fleece blanket and tucked the baby in her pack-n-play. They hit the baby jack pot once she was born. Daryl had found a Babies-R-Us. They had everything they could possibly need, they had gone back twice, now. On the last run Daryl even thought to grab a comfy rocking chair for her. Thinking about it now made her heart flutter, it may not have meant anything to him but it meant a lot to her. He had thought about her comfort. Smiling at the memory, of red face Daryl Dixon when she hugged him. Shaking her head, she tucked the little girl in and placed a small kiss on her check. She whispered I love you and walked back over to the table.
"Bethie, why don't you sing somethin for us?" Hershel asked, sitting next to her. Wrapping her in a huge hug. Beth quickly hugged him back. She knew he was probably worried sick.
"What do you want me to sing?"
"You pick Doodlebug." She nodded, and wracked her brain for a song. Smiling softly she looked up at her Daddy and started singing. It was one of his favorite songs.
When I find myself in times of trouble
Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be
And in my hour of darkness
She is standing right in front of me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be
Let it be, let it be
Let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be
And when the broken-hearted people
Living in the world agree
There will be an answer, let it be
For though they may be parted
There is still a chance that they will see
There will be an answer, let it be
Beth smiled as Maggie joined her. Singing for everything they believed in, for their family sitting around them. For everything. Slowly one by one everyone chimed in. Locking eyes with Daryl as he walked back into the building. He leaned against the wall. His arms folded across his chest. He was fighting a small smile, as he watched her. She could tell by the way the sides of his mouth kept twitching. She through him a dazzling smile and continued to sing.
Let it be, let it be
Let it be, let it be
Yeah, there will be an answer, let it be
Let it be, let it be
Let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be
Let it be, let it be
Ah, let it be, yeah, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be
And when the night is cloudy
There is still a light that shines on me
Shine on until tomorrow, let it be
I wake up to the sound of music,
Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be
Let it be, let it be
Let it be, yeah, let it be
Oh, there will be an answer, let it be
Let it be, let it be
Let it be, yeah, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be
Everyone stopped singing for her to finish the song. Daryl's eyes never left hers. He could not get over how beautiful she was. How happy singing made her. And he knew for a fact that it did. A complete stranger could see it. Her eyes became brighter, the never ending grin that lit up her face. Shaking his head he slowly pushed the door open with his back. Her mesmerizing voice trailing behind him. He quickly retreated to walking the fences. 'What the fuck was he doing? Thinking about Beth Greene like that? Hell Hershel would have his head.' He had to distant himself from her. But would he be able too? God he hoped so.
He started his shift early letting Sasha and Tyreese off. It was a quiet night, only one or two walkers around any they were still in the tree line. Sitting down on the metal picnic table he lit up a cigarette. Breathing in the nicotine. Trying desperately to get her out of his head. To think about anything other than her.
He started to focus on what they were going to be needing on the next run. They were getting low on meat, so he would have to go hunting again soon. He breathed in a sigh at the thought of going out in the woods to hunt. It was his escape and he desperately needed it right now. He couldn't help but wonder if she would be a good hunter or tracker. 'Get out of my head girl!' He mentally yelled at himself. Being around her was a bad idea. He couldn't help but wonder how a girl like her would even notice a nobody like him. "Doesn't matter! She's young enough to be my fuckin' daughter!" He growled to himself as if repeating it, would some how make it stick. 'What the fuck am I going to do?'
A couple of hours passed as he walked along the fences, taking out a lone walker here and there. He was making his way back when he heard the prison door open. Then saw her little blonde head, the culprit of his distractions. She had left hair down, and it blew lazily in the light wind. He couldn't help but smile, she was standing on her tiptoes looking all over for him
Smiling when she finally saw him, she started his way. Her heart beating faster with every step. She knew it was close to midnight by now. And she should be asleep, but seeing him was worth the lack of sleep. Thoughts of last night flew through her mind. Blinking them away, she gave him a small smile. As she closed the space between them.
"Brought ya somethin," she said, her hands still behind her back.
"What's that?" He asked arching his eyebrow. Swinging his crossbow to his back, his heart pounding with each second that ticked by.
"Food," she giggled handing him the plate. "I didn't see you there for dinner, thought you might be hungry."
"Thanks." He mumbled. He was hungry, now that she had mentioned it. He had been too riled up earlier. And he didn't want to run into Merle just yet. They walked silently to the metal picnic table.
"Do you think we could train again?"
"Right now?" He teased, motioning to the plate of food in front of him.
"After you eat." She said rolling her eyes, playfully nudging his shoulder with hers. His eyes crinkled when he laughed. She remembered how her momma's friends would spend hundreds of dollars on special creams that "supposedly" got rid of them. Her momma always fretted about hers, but on Daryl they were so becoming. She fought the urge to reach over and touch his face. Sitting down at the table she sat across from him. While he ate with his fingers.
"You alright? You seemed really mad earlier,"
He shrugged, he wasn't about to tell her that he was mad at himself for not deserving a chance with her.. "Merle just pissed me off."
"Oh okay. Sorry I didn't mean to pry." She looked down at her hands then slowly up at him. The moonlight shining on his face.
"It's no big." he shrugged again. "What ya doing up so late though. Figured you'd be beat from today." he watched her shrug, and stifle a yawn. He couldn't help but chuckle.
"You didn't eat, and besides I want to train some more."
"So ya can be a badass like me?" He teased, he loved watching her face go from porcelain to cherry red in a matter of heart beats.
"Duh," she said giggling. Her eyes met his, he was a sloppy eater, but she found it adorable. He quickly sucked his finger clean before standing up.
"You sure you wanna do this?" He teased, "You gotta be sore from goin what three rounds earlier?" He laughed as her jaw dropped. Walking over to her he hopped up on the picnic table. "So where do you wanna start?"
"Uh- you're the teacher here. Why don't you tell me." She said all but sticking her tongue out. Giggling at his expression she walked closer.
"Alright you little smart ass!" He laughed hopping off. "I'm gonna be a little rougher, that way you can try to build some muscle."
"Um I have muscle!" They both laughed at her attempt to show off her pitiful arms. "Well some." She rolled her eyes. "Fine! But I'm not gonna take it easy on you." She did stick her tongue out on that one. He just chuckled.
"Just leave my balls out of it aight?"
"Deal!"
She laughed, his blue eyes sparkling with mischief, "What do you wanna start out with?"
"Hmmm," she tapped her chin, "Walker. Lets see if your acting skills have gotten any better." He growled a response trying to hide a grin. Walking a couple feet back, he exaggerated walker noises and shuffled towards her. Slightly faster than before. She took a couple steps back, pulling out her pretend knife and stabbed him in the head. Without giving him the chance to bite, scratch, or grab her. Standing back proudly she gave him a triumphant smile. "Got you,"
"What if there are two walkers and while you are doing your little happy dance sneaks up on you like this?" He asked darting behind her grabbing onto her shoulder, mimicking a walker. She quickly twisted, coming face to face with him as he "Stumbled" against her. Trying to ignore the way her body reacted to his, she tried to push him away. But he kept pressing against her, his face coming closer to hers. She had to remind herself that he was supposed to be a walker. Taking a deep breath, she pushed him to arms length the way he had shown her and stabbed him in the head.
"Alright good job. But you'll have to be faster than that. Walkers wont be nearly as nice as me." He kidded. "Lets try again but be faster." She nodded and took a few steps back. Carefully calculating his moves as he shuffled towards her. Quickly putting her fake knife to his head before he could cause any issues. Then took a step back as he darted to the left. Not letting him come any closer she took him out. "Good." He said smiling at the proud look on her face. "Okay, now close your eyes. You won't always be able to see your attacker." He tried not to grin at the slightly frightened look on her face. But obediently she closed her eyes. He quickly circled her, planning his attack. Watching her ears twitch as he passed. Positioned right behind her, he quickly put her in a light coke hold and covered her mouth. She gasped as she tried to pull his arms off. Before throwing up the time out sign. He let go of her mouth, but kept his arm around her neck.
"That's not fair! You said to leave your manly parts out of it!"
"You can do more than kick them in the balls." He chuckled, "You could head butt their nose, or elbow them in the kidney's. Heck you still have your arms free. You could attempt to stab them in the gut or groin. Depending on which is easier to access."
She nodded as he replaced his hand on her mouth. She tried to ignore how sexy this was, but it was hard. She heard his countdown. "Three, two, one." Then his arms tightened, she quickly tapped her head on his nose, then elbowed him in the side. He let her pull away. And she drew her "Gun".
"Got you," she teased, as he pretended to take a bullet and fall to his knees.
"What if he has friends? And since you shot your gun you will have attracted walkers. What would you do then?" He asked laying on his back, with his hands behind his head.
"Run like hell?" He nodded proudly, "I'd probably go for the woods, and climb a tree until I knew it was all clear." she admitted. She used to spend a lot of time as a kid climbing trees, it was almost second nature. Sitting down next to him, he turned on his side to watch her.
"That's actually very smart." he admitted, nodding. "As long as his friend don't see you." She laid down beside him, looking up at the stars. "Tomorrow we will work on blocking attacks."
"Mkay," she said smiling. "Thanks again for doing this. I hate how dependent I am of everyone."
"Just don't go puttin me out of a job," he teased, "Don't get too bad ass on me kay?"
"Deal," she laughed looking over at him. Now facing face to face. Their faces mere inches apart, "Why did you agree to it though?" She had been wondering about that since he agreed to take her.
He turned to lay back on his back, and shrugged. "You need to learn somewhere. We ain't always gonna be around to protect you. And besides, you were probably going nuts. Bein locked up here and all. I know I would be."
"Well thank you," she whispered, staring at his face. She felt that slight pull at her heart, that either meant she was about to cry or something else… She had serious feelings for him, she never felt this way about Jimmy or Zach. Blinking she looked back at the sky. "So Carl is gonna teach me how to shoot from the guard tower tomorrow."
He couldn't help but snort. Shaking his head he turned to find her watching him. "That'll be fun!" He teased rolling his eyes. Carl has had the biggest crush on her since the farm. But she never noticed him that way. She never really looked at anyone that way. Even when she was with Zach. He figured she just wanted to be close to someone. Hell she didn't even cry when he told her that he didn't make it out. Closing his eyes, he remembered it like it was yesterday. It was the first time he really noticed her, and the first time she hugged him. He was making fun of them for being a 'Damn romance novel,' He'd never admit that he was just jealous of their relationship. He remembered how she refused to tell him good bye. Poor kid pouted about it the whole way there. He was obviously way more into her than she was him. Daryl had been so worried about Beth when they returned. He didn't know how she would take it, so he had decided to tell her himself. That way if she tried anything like at the farm he could stop her. Even though she had been taken off suicide watch ages ago he knew they all still worried. He expected her to cry, to wail and ask him why. But when she just nodded and said that she was glad that she didn't tell him goodbye. He was shocked, even more so when she hugged him. He wasn't sure what to do. So he gently held her elbow. "I hate goodbyes," She had whispered. "Me too," he said back. That was when he actually started noticing her. Noticing how great she was with Judith and how her hips swayed. Blinking that thought away
"You should probably get to bed. Morning will come faster than you think." He said standing. Holding his hand out to help her up.
"Okay." She looked a little bummed but turned to walk towards the prison. "Good night." She called over her shoulder before disappearing into the building.
Shaking his head at himself he looked up at the stars. He was growing more fond of her each passing day. This needed to stop. Before his heart got involved. If it wasn't already…
Daryl sat up, slightly moving to grab the black journal from his back pocket. Opening the book, he just stared at the blank page. As if waiting for words to come to him. He had plenty he wanted to put in it. But the words just wouldn't come. Sighing at himself he closed the book and returned it to his pocket. . .
The song is called let it be by the Beatles