Author's notes: I've had a lot of free time this weekend, surprisingly, so I managed to work on another chapter! I want to say a big thank you to everyone who's been reading the story and following it for more. If you have any comments or criticisms just leave a review! Now on to chapter 3!
Again, I don't own anything you may recognize in the story!
Chapter 3:
"I-I've been what? Shot? When, how, who…." Beth began to panic. Her hands started moving across her body, trying to find the hole she knew must be there.
"Hey, hey! Calm down, relax. You're gonna be ok." Beth looked at Daryl again, he looked about 10 years older than he normally did. His eyes were tired and his face was caked in worry. She went to ask him what was going on but was stopped.
His lips brushed hers. It took half a second and then they were gone. Feather light. She couldn't even be sure it had happened.
The car stopped and doors popped open. The young girl was in his arms again being carried into an old store. Daryl gently laid the girl down on one of the sleeping bags Maggie grabbed from the back of the car.
"Let's go see what we can find. We also need to be sure we're not being followed." Rick looked around while some of the others made sure the shop was clear.
"We need to stop the bleeding." Maggie said touching Beth's right temple. Beth's own hands flew to her head; she poked around until her fingers found something warm and sticky. She pulled her hand away and examined it. Blood. Her blood. Red and warm and flowing from her head.
The room began to spin. "Beth? Beth are y-"
Spinning. Bright lights. Then darkness once again.
Beth stirred. She opened her eyes and blinked. She felt arms around her and soft steading breathing. She looked up and smiled. Daryl looked so peaceful sleeping. His eyes were shut and his face was smooth, lacking the usual worry or stern look that seemed to be stuck there. Here in the sunlight streaming in, he looked carefree and normal.
Wait sunlight? "Shit" She swore and she pushed out of the sleeping mans arms. She moved to the window. Yeah the sun was definitely up, probably close to 10am.
"Daryl get up, we have to go!" Beth said turning to the corner. Daryl was up though having been shook awake when she climbed out of his lap.
"We needed to be heading back hours ago, the other, they'll be so worried…" Beth made a move for the door on the floor. "Hold up." Daryl's hand appeared on the hatch. "Needa make sure it's safe first."
Daryl scooted to the window and looked out. Everything seemed quiet and still in the rising sun. "Ok. Seems safe enough." He moved for the door first.
Landing on the ground, the pair looked around in every direction. He couldn't see or hear anything. Beth broke the silence first. "Which way is home?" She was looking in every direction but nothing seemed familiar, all the trees looked the same. She turned around and saw Daryl looking at the ground.
"Tracks are runnin' this way, means we musta come from up that way a bit." He pointed over her shoulder. "We follow 'em and I should be able to find our original ones from last night."
They took off, walking in silence. The last thing they needed was more walkers. They moved quietly but as quickly as possible. Both knowing they needed to make it home before people started looking for them. Beth's hand brushed Daryl's.
'What was that last night?' she thought to herself. 'He's been so distant lately and yet there I was in his arms again.' She sighed, apparently a little louder than she intended.
"What?" Daryl asked looking at her walking beside him. Beth kept her eyes forward, what was she suppose to say? "Spit it out. I ain't never known you to bit your tongue." He sounded a bit harsher than he intended to and he saw her tense up at his words.
"Daryl, that night. In the car. You, you kissed me didn't you?" Daryl froze in his steps as Beth turned to look at him. When her eyes found his they were wide and anxious. His walls were down and he had not been expecting that. Then in the blink of an eye his wall was back up. "I don't know what youre talkin' bout."
He started walking again leaving Beth standing there. She turned and caught back up with him, grabbing his arm and turning him around.
"Like hell you don't!" Beth was glaring at Daryl and he was glaring right back. "Am I supposed to believe that you didn't last night either?" Daryl didn't say a work, just kept glaring at her.
"Fine. Have it your way then." Beth stomped off in the direction they were going, not even bothering to look back.
They walked in silence. Painfully awkward silence. Beth was seething; Daryl could see the emotion and frustration rolling off her back as she walked in front of him. What was he suppose to do? Admit to kissing her twice now? While she was less than conscious? Hell no, that sounded fucking creepy. Even to him. Besides there was no way she could feel the same way, just no way…
She saw it, finally. The little shed next to the cabin came into view. She threw a glance back at Daryl and jogged toward the house. The cabin came into view. Everything looked to be ok and untouched by walkers. There wasn't a body in sight, living or not. She kept jogging and just as she rounded the corner to the back of the cabin the door bust open.
"Where the HELL have you been?" Maggie rushed through the door and embraced her sister. She held her at arms length and examined her. "What happened? Where did you go and why are you just now getting back?" Maggie was a mix between screaming and sobbing.
Beth moved out of her sister's arms and looked at the group gathering on the porch. "We" she looked at Daryl who was rounding the corner now, "we went to check the woods last night after the attack."
Daryl walked up, "Ran into a buncha walkers. Too many to take out so we ran. Beth didn't want to lead 'em back here so we ran and hid out for the night." Daryl looked at the ground and around the clearing, even to his ears "hid out" sounded…odd.
"Thank goodness you guys are alright." Carol said walking over to Daryl.
"When you two didn't come in last night, we wondered if something happened." The way Rick looked at Beth made her think it was less about walkers and more about something else that left them wondering.
"We're fine." Beth said moving for the door. "Can I get something to eat, I'm starving."
"Rick, you wanna clear that shed or what?" Daryl started walking to the shed and Rick followed.
"Maggie, I swear I'm fine." Beth said as she finished up her meal. She could feel her sister's eyes on her without having to look up. "It was an accident but we're fine now, we're back."
"I'm sorry, I was worried that's all." Maggie said, staring at her sister. "C'omon let's get you cleaned up."
Beth followed her sister down the hall to the bedroom. Once inside Maggie pulled out some clean clothes from one of the dressers. "Not sure these will fit perfectly, but they'll do. Carol is going to find some people to help wash clothes later today, maybe you can help." Beth scoffed. "Well whatever" Maggie huffed, "C'omon let me show you the bathroom."
Beth let the warm water fall over her head. She still couldn't believe this cabin had a water tank and pump system that with a few short pumps created a make shift shower. She washed the weeks of dirt, blood, and grime off of her arms. She stood under the shower until the water ran clear again, she felt a lot better. With a sigh she pulled a towel off the sink and dried off.
She poked around the bathroom a bit and found a brush. Moving the brush through her hair she was taken back to a time before this one, when her mama would brush her hair before bed. Her eyes welled up for the second time in two days. She set the brush down and wiped her eyes as the door to the bathroom opened.
Daryl was met with an unexpected sight, Beth stood at the sink looking in the mirror in nothing but a faded blue towel. She turned and their eyes met. "Sorry, thought you were done."
"I was just leaving." She pushed past him, brushing her still warm arm against his. She wasn't ready to apologize for earlier, for fighting. Not yet.
Night came quickly on the cabin, it seemed to be coming quicker and quicker as the summer came to an end and fall began full swing. Soon snow would be falling again.
The group sat huddled around the living room eating and listening to Rick. "So we need to decide. Do we stay here and try to build it up for the winter, or do we move on and try to find somethin' else?"
There was a low murmur from the group as people started discussing. "Do you think we can build it up? Glenn asked. "We would need some more resources but I think it could be possible." Maggie said.
"We could do a few runs? See if we spot any places to look for supplies." Sasha said. "And make sure there aren't any other settlements around." Tyreese added.
More murmur and more discussion. Beth sat on the couch next to Carl, holding Judith. It was getting late so Beth decided to move to the bedroom and try to get her down for the night.
Standing in the dark room, listening to the conversation through the open door, Beth began to sing to Judith. Low and slow, she rocked the girl back and forth. Beth adored Judith, and looking at her falling asleep gave the blonde some much need peace in her heart. Judith was one of the best things to happen to this world. Beth was so focused on her sleeping face that she didn't even hear the meeting end and the group disperses for the night.
"You're real good with lil ass kicker, you know that?" Daryl said softly, standing in the doorway. His eyes falling on Beth's face.
Beth laid Judith down on the bed and made sure she was tucked in safe and secure, Rick and Carl would be along soon. "You know, one day she just might kick your ass when she learns that was her nickname growing up." Beth said teasing.
"hmm, that'll be the day."
"What do you want Daryl?" Beth said, finally facing him. "I've got first set of watch, was wonderin' if you wanted to sit with me for a while." He looked at the floor, he usually didn't feel this awkward. Beth bit her lip and thought for a moment. "Sure, let's go." Beth said grabbing a blanket from the closet and walking out of the room.
They sat down on the porch, both scanning the trees for walkers. The wind blew and Beth shivered, pulling the blanket on her lap. They sat in silence together for a while, and slowly the candles in the cabin went out. They were the only ones awake.
Beth moved closer to Daryl and draped the blanket over his lap as well. He looked at her. "No use getting sick. I don't want to hold your hair back while you puke." Beth teased. Daryl gave her a small smile. She rested her head on his shoulder and looked out to the forest again. Time passed and the night stretched on.
"Yes I did." Daryl said breaking the silence.
"What?" Beth asked sitting up, her eyes had begun to droop but she was wide awake now.
"What you asked earlier, in the woods. Yes, I did kiss you that day after" He paused but continued, "..and yeah last night too" Daryl couldn't meet her gaze. He hadn't ever been this open with her before and he honestly wasn't sure what was making him do it now. "It's just, I don't want to lose you. I don't want to lose anyone else."
Beth's heart was beating fast, she was sure he could hear it. She didn't know what to say. He was being so open with her, she was scared to say the wrong thing and have him close her out. She brushed the dark hair from his cheek. He turned and finally looked at her.
Blue met blue again. Hearts were pounding. Daryl reached a hand to Beth's face and brushed her cheek. Their eyes never moved.
Time stood still, and then all at once it was moving again. His lips were on hers. Gentle at first but growing with heat. Her arms found their way around his neck and she pulled him in closer. One of his hands was on her cheek while the other was holding her hip. This wasn't a fleeting kiss that would make Beth wonder if it really happened, she was sure she'd never forget the feeling of his lips on hers now.
She moved her hands to his chest and he sighed into her kiss. She bit his bottom lip gently. More heat. He pulled her onto his lap as his hands ran up and down her back bringing her closer to him. She ran a hand through his long black locks and gave a soft moan.
They broke for air, but she didn't more and neither did he. They sat there holding each other in the night.
Once their breathing had returned to normal Daryl cleared his throat. "One of us is suppose to be on watch." Beth laughed. "My apologizes, I probably shouldn't be so distracting then huh?" She smiled at him. Their eyes met again and she knew she had found her answer.
"I think I'm going to head inside, someone should be out soon to trade spots I imagine." Beth said standing. Daryl caught her wrist, she turned.
"My packs o'er behind the couch, figured it would be out of the way and somewhat private." She met his gaze. "If you want, you can uh wait up…"
She smiled and squeezed his hand, he brushed his lips against her fingers as she turned to go inside.
Beth snuck into her room with Glenn and Maggie and pulled an extra pillow and blanket from the closet, being careful not to wake them. Looking over at the two cuddled together, she smiled. She snuck back into the living room and looked at the area behind the couch. She unrolled Daryl's sleeping bag and added the pillow and blanket to his. She made sure Carol was asleep on the couch and she laid down in the mess of blanket and waited.
She didn't realize she had fallen asleep until the sound of Sasha's voice woke her. "My turn Dixon, go get some rest." "Huh soun's good to me."
Daryl came in and took off his boots. He laid down his crossbow and took his vest off. Beth watched him change his shirts and trade his jeans for a pair of sweats he found in a closet somewhere. She blushed.
He finally laid down next to her. She rolled over and met his gaze. He kissed her once softly on the lips then pulled her in close. She rested her head on his chest and took a deep breath in. He smelled like Daryl. Rough, woodsy, and something that was all his own. He kissed the top of her head. "You know, we better make sure we're up before Maggie in the morning." Beth whispered. "Yeah, somethin' tells me she'll be a joy to deal with if she catches us like this."
Beth smiled and closed her eyes.
Daryl smiled a small smile and did the same.
Let me know what yall think!