Your Love Echoes

Chapter 6; strength.

Rating M

warnings for chapter; mentions past sexual abuse, mild course language, mild violence.

Beta helping me with chapters.

Maggie followed Hershel in the house.. .Hershel asked Jimmy and Patricia to finish the chores leaving the two alone to talk.

Maggie sighed looking at her father. "I know what you want to ask, but I can't Dad. I promised Beth, Beth is slowing opening up to me, but I know she will close up if you keep on pushing her. Beth knows you love her and you just want to help but if you keep pushing her to talk to you she will close up completely."

Hershel was taken back by what his Maggie said Beth was opening up to Maggie? Talking to her about Liam but not to him? Hershel knew Beth was hiding things from him he knew she wasn't tell them everything she was holding back he sighed running his hand over his face, was he pressing her too hard? Was that why Beth wouldn't talk, or come to him for help?

But he was relieved, proud even to have his daughters so close that Beth could go to Maggie for anything, when she couldn't go to him that is what he loved most about his daughters they were always there for each other. Then there were times like this where they hid things from him.

"I need to know the truth Maggie, is Beth in pain? Is she the one taking the bottles of pain killers, and sleeping pills? Counting the bottles I found 3 of each missing now either I miss counted or..."

Maggie sighed she knew her father would noticed eventually and she would have to tell him. But she also knew and feared if she told him he would push Beth to tell him what she not telling him and she will close up even distance herself even more, but he will keep asking until she told him.

"I took them for her she was in pain and not sleeping. Beth has pain and aches from her old scars and nightmares, they help a little but not always, she only takes them when it is really bad. Beth didn't want to worry or bother you. But dad please... you have got to give her space and time, Beth will come to you, she just isn't quite ready yet. Beth wanted to get away a just for a little while to clear her head, she didn't know…"

Hershel sighed and hugged Maggie, "alright I will wait until she is ready, can't I worry about my girls?" Maggie sighed returning his hug laughing a little, "that the problem dad you worry too much."

xxxx start of past memory xxxx

Nathan sat in his chair, beside him Beth was removing her jeans and underwear once done she moved on top of him, he then spread her legs. They were in his office, no else at home, he spread her legs wider his hand between her legs rubbing her and working his pants open he lowered Beth onto him. Beth grabbed and held on to the back of Nathan's desk as he worked he way slowly into her,

"Still so tight Beth, you're going to ride my cock until I cum, then I am going to bend you over and fill that tight ass of yours. You're such a good little slut Beth you ride my cock in your pussy so good, so good".

He took Beth hands putting them around his shoulders. Beth gasped as he went deeper, lifting her up and down with ease. Nathan then laid her on the desk he started to moving his hips up further into her, quickening the pace, Beth whimpered and bit her lip Nathan smirked groaning his satisfaction before he sat her down on him again Beth started to move up and down on length.

Then she felt his hands under her ass to speed up the pace, '' that's it Beth ride me, felt it, feels good doesn't it? Such a good and tight little slut aren't you, you will feel even better when I fill you with my cum."

xxxx end memory xxxx

Beth jolted up suddenly caused her to hit her head against the table, wince and quietly whimpered in pain trying not to make noise. She must have climbed under to try and get some rest when she had first come into the cabin.

The sun was setting, and it had been quiet for a while, it made Beth to think maybe all was clear? Then she heard voice outside:

"Find anything? This is around where Maggie and Hershel said she would be"

Rick was worried, he knew something wasn't right with Beth he just wasn't sure what it was. He knew she had pain and suffered nightmares, he had seen Maggie with Beth the night before giving pills when he was checking on Carl. The way Beth jump at small things and moved away from any sort of human touch, accept Maggie or Hershel was suspicious, but Rick hadn't said anything because it wasn't his place. What he was concerned about was the group and the questioning looks at the family, no one had said anything yet, but if Shane pushed it they would have a problem, he knew Shane too well. He might have talk to Hershel and warn how Shane to be, just talk about some things, but he also knew there a fine line with Hershel and if he crossed it the could lose the safety of the farm, some, if not all of the group were get too use too.

"Maybe she ain't here," one look at Rick and Daryl sighed he knew Rick won't leave without her,

A sudden banging and moaning of walkers got her attention, Beth had tried to check thing out but she knocked some cans off the shelf and found herself cornered again.

Rick and Daryl straightened as a faint noise caught their attention. From behind the bushes they saw something strange.

"All those walkers in one place something drew them."

There was smashing of glass and a scream, Rick and Daryl both started running towards the corner store.

xxxx

Carl had woken up to see his dad missing, Lori had come to see Carl earlier and Carl asked where he was what his mother told him surprised him, but he understood. He knew what his dad was doing was the right thing to do and what Hershel did for them he should be grateful. But he couldn't help but feel a little angry at his dad, Sophia was still missing and they should still be looking for her but his dad is out looking for Beth and not his friend. He didn't what anything to happen to Beth he wouldn't want that for anyone, but this was Sophia, and his dad promised him he wouldn't stop until he found her.

Carl spent the rest of the day not talking to anyone he just wanted to be left alone, his lunch his mother brought him in earlier still untouched. This worried everyone because of the bullet wound on his stomach was still infected and he needed to keep his energy level up. Shane had tried to talk to the youth but Carl remained silent, leaned back and closed his eyes signalling to the former officer that he didn't care what he had to say.

Hershel was worried it was getting dark and were still not back, losing his wife was more than he could bare, losing his Beth would break his heart. Maggie came in putting her hand on his shoulder kissed he the top of her father's head.

"They will find her, she will come home; it will be alright you know that right? Just give it time." Then Maggie left to help Patricia in the kitchen.

xxxx

Rick and Daryl reached where Beth was. Beth was being pulled out of the window by two walkers, Rick reached where she was Daryl shot one walker rick stabbed the other in the head. Beth fell forward into Rick's arms only to have him steady her, Beth gasped grabbing on to Ricks arms her aches were catching up to her. Her knee and wrist was cut and was painful she must of hit some glass or something she couldn't quite remember, and from the incredible pain running though Beth's side was pretty sure three of her ribs were either cracked or bruised from the fall. Realising what she was holding on to long she let go only to feel dizzy and immediately held up for support by Rick and Daryl, Beth winced in pain.

Rick placed his hand on Beth lower back, she flinched a little but after a few moments Beth leaned into Rick touch. The man asked in concern, "you alright?"

Beth took a few moments to answer looking at Rick, the genuine tone in his voice surprised her, 'he really was concern about her?' Rick was different. Beth closed eyes could she trust him? But considering how hurt she was and where she was.

"No I am not. It hurts, I fell off my horse, my knee and wrist is cut I wrapped them up the best I could and I think I have cracked or bruised a few ribs, I need to get out of here."

Rick and Daryl look at each other but it was Rick who spoke, "let's get you out of here."

Daryl looked behind him raising his bow, "Rick, we gotta move."

Rick pulled his knife turning to Beth, "stay close to me and Daryl."

Beth nodded and moved between them Rick and Daryl moved in formation Daryl shooting one in the head pulling out then moving next to Beth Rick putting his knife though another walkers head

Before grabbing a hitting another walker, before two grabbed Rick pushing against a car Rick dropped the knife and couldn't quiet reach his gun.

Daryl cursed 'shit 'when is bow got stuck and couldn't reload it Beth saw a metal bar nearby, picking up she drove it through the walkers head with all her strength, narrowing missing the right side of Rick face. Daryl managed to reload by then and shot another in the head, Beth dropped the bar shaking, blood running down Beth's wrist and knee making her feel light headed her knees buckle.

Rick and Daryl rushed to hold her up, Daryl looked at Rick, "she ain't looking to good, gotta get her out of here."

Rick nodded and picked up Beth, Beth too weak to protest but for some reason she felt safe in Ricks arms. Daryl moved in front, they had moved through most of the walkers, Daryl shouldered his bow he couldn't risk it jamming again pulling out his knife he will have to check his bow back at the farm.

They managed to get to the car without any more trouble. The ride back was quiet with Beth sleeping most of the way but every now and then whimpered in pain a little. Rick glanced in the mirror every so often first he thought it was from the pain, but then thought came to his attention 'was she dreaming?'

xxxx

Hershel and Maggie was waiting outside when they pulled up, Beth got out and ran straight them, "I'm sorry daddy."

Hershel hugged Beth tightly "I'm just glad you're alright."

The farmer looked Rick and Daryl and nodded, "thank you both for bring my Beth home."

Both nodded in return before Hershel and Maggie led Beth into the house.

Beth let her father check her over she had minor cuts and bruises from the fall, her cut knee being the worst of them, Hershel cleaned and dressed her knee,

"I am really sorry dad I just needed to get away for a while. It was stupid of me not to tell you where I was going." Hershel kissed Beth's forehead before leaving the room.

Maggie pulled her in to in embrace, "he not angry at you, you just scared him. If he is angry at anyone it's me, I told him an out the pills." Beth glared at her sister, Maggie raised her hands, "I didn't tell him, he it did a recount of them the morning and figured it out on his own but I told them it was me. He is worried about you Beth."

Beth sighed, "I know. I want to tell him I do, I'm just not ready yet."

Maggie hugged her, "I know but you have start letting people in sometime".

Hershel stood outside the room where his daughters were in, he sighed before walking away. He knew Beth would eat the food that Maggie would bring into her room later. This was another time Hershel was thankful they were close as they were.

Lori walked up to Rick later making sure he was all alright she bought up Carl.

"You need to talk to Carl, he's angry you left after you promised him about Sophia, he's been shutting people out all day"

Rick sighed and kissed Lori "I will talk to Carl." But first Rick need to talk to Hershel if Shane raised to many questions about Beth, he could stir up the whole group that was the last thing they needed. Not wanting to admit himself but he was concern about Beth. Why was she so familiar to him? Ever since he came to the farm he was something about Beth that was familiar about her, like he knew her from somewhere but didn't recall from where. There was something there that drew him to her but was it just concern or was it something more?

A/n; next chapter Rick over hears Beth speak her thoughts to a sleeping Carl, what does he over hear? Stayed tuned to find out, until then lovely readers, keep reading. Reviews welcome. Deadlove ox.