Chapter 2 - Recognition

When Beth woke up, she felt disorientated. She rubbed her eyes and had to adjust to her surroundings before she slowly sat up. She looked around and realised she was just led out on a fluffy, maroon rug, in the living room of the funeral home. Alone, she panicked. "Wh- Daryl? Are you here?" She paused, trying to remember what happened before she clearly passed out. Then it all came flooding back. She rubbed her eyes with her palms. "I had the weirdest dream tha-" she trailed off. She could hear a rustling sound and then the wolf from her dream appeared in the doorway, looking up at her with concerned, puppy-dog eyes; holding a water bottle between it's teeth.

She gasped slightly, shocked that her dream wasn't a dream anymore and that Daryl was this creature. He stepped towards her haltingly; not wanting to freak her out even more. When he approached her he gently lowered the water in front of her as if to say "drink it, Greene" and she watched him; she was fascinated by Daryl in this form... Not that she wasn't when he was a human but she couldn't quite process this. She smiled at him and reached out to stroke him. He would still flinch at the contact, but she wanted him to know she was grateful.

He backed away from her as soon as he gave her the water. Even in wolf form, she could still read his emotions just by gazing into his eyes. She noticed that Daryl was reluctant to come close to her and she figured that it was because of his sudden change and he was probably worried that she would leave him.

"I- I get why you didn't tell anyone about this Daryl... But please don't shut me out. I'm not going to judge you and I swear I won't tell anyone.. I care about you." She paused, smiling shyly and looking up into his eyes again. "Thank you for saving me, again."

He gave a small nod and she picked up the water bottle and started to drink. Once finished, she sighed and smiled at him. "So that's your secret to surviving the zombie apocalypse, huh?" She teased. "I always wondered how you were made for things now." She laughed lightly.

He moved closer to her slightly still looking vulnerable in this form. She reached out and lightly brushed her fingertips over his silky, brown fur. "You're so soft." He moved his head back and she laughed. "Sorry, that was weird.." He made a noise and she had to stifle a yawn. She realised it was getting late and Daryl could obviously sense her tiredness; he also felt exhausted because of the long day they had both had.

"So... When do you turn back? I mean... You do turn back, right?" She asked the timid animal curiously. He nodded his head and she felt a calming sensation knowing that she was talking to a wolf; this beautiful creature that was Daryl, in this screwed up world. And he understood her!

"Alright, well i'm gonna go upstairs.." She said with a sleepy expression on her face. Beth walked over to the door and turned. "Come up whenever, Daryl. I don't want to be alone." She added before hobbling out of the room.

Daryl stepped through the hallway and went outside to collect his clothes. He picked them up in his mouth and went back into the hall where he then shifted back to his human form. His muscles ached from all the running and being that he hadn't changed in a long time. He stood up and sighed before stretching. He went back outside to retrieve his bow and then came in, making sure everything was locked up.

Beth was getting into the Queen sized bed when Daryl walked up. He lingered in the doorway, unsure of whether to join her in the room or not. She turned around when she heard the light knock on the wood.

"Hey." She beamed up at him.

"Hey." He delicately stepped into the room and was gauging her fave for any kind of rejection. "Beth.." He breathed. "M' Sorry I freaked ya out.."

"Don't be." She stated simply. "At first I was scared a little, I mean... I had to process it; It's not something that happens every day but it's still you Daryl, Nothing's changed. Your secrets safe with me." She whispered sincerely.

Daryl started to place his pack on the floor. Beth looked at him like he had two heads. "Daryl... We can share the bed, it's huge. And besides... I'd feel safer that way." She blushed, looking away. Daryl walked around the other side of the bed and carefully lowered himself down on the overly comfy mattress, trying not to jostle her too much. She felt the weight shift and turned to face him, still looking up at him in awe.

"Did you get anything, hunting?"

"Yeah. Got some squirrels and a rabbit." He said. "M' Sorry I left ya all by yerself."

"Daryl Dixon. Stop apologising." She fake scolded. He smirked and replied with a "Yes M'am."

"Good." There was a long, comfortable silence until Beth spoke up. "Will we go look for the others tomorrow?" Her eyes were filled with hope which was something he admired about Beth.

"Can't wit' that ankle. Ya need ta rest up fer a bit, maybe the day after."

Beth nodded. "Do you miss it?" She asked, anxiously.

"What?" He looked down at her.

"Being a wolf... I guess you don't get to do it as much.."

He shrugged. "I like being outside, but It's not good ta change too much."

"Oh." She paused. "Daryl?"

"Yeah?"

"I like that you're a wolf. It's beautiful." She gazed up at him and his lips turned up into a small smile.

"Beautiful? Girl I think ya hit yer head too hard when ya fell." He chuckled.

She moved closer to Daryl and rested her head on his chest, under his chin and wrapped her arms around his torso; pulling the blanket over them both. He was shocked at first, and unused to the physical contact. This was very intimate for Daryl. But Beth was different, he cared about her and she cared about him. He wouldn't lose her.

"No, Daryl. You are." She replied softly before falling asleep in his arms.

He carefully wrapped his arm around her waist. He smiled at her last sentence, not really making sense. She was a fighter, Beth Greene. Damn stubborn, too. He admired her for that. That was his last thought before he fell asleep, comfortably for the first time in a long while.