Your Love Echoes

Warnings; Mentions of past self harm. Mild course language.

My beta spitfire47 is helping with editing of chapters.

The ties that bind Pt 2.

It had been 2 days since Beth's collapse and the news of Beth's state spread around the farm fast. Rick and some of the group offered to lend a hand around the farm and with house duties, much to Shane disbelief and disgust. Not only was Rick sweet on Beth but some of the group was siding with him including Lori? Shane can't let that happen he just needed his plan to work and the right time to put it in motion all he needed was an opportunity.

Maggie was grateful for Lori, Carol and the others help, even Carl was pitching in a lot where he could for someone who was shot not 2 weeks before he was was recovering well and helped as often as he could, he got tired a little easier than the others and stopped after a bit to rest so his parents wouldn't fuss over him, but Maggie was grateful to him all The same. She could also see Rick was worried about her sister and had his focus was on Beth. Leaving Maggie wondering again if there is anything between them – and if there was to what end? But she found it was the wrong time to mention anything to anyone especially to her father who hasn't slept since she has told him about Beth. Maggie was rotating between the farm chores and making lunch for her father making sure he eats, when she wasn't watching her father Patricia was.

Hershel has refused to leave Beth side since Maggie had told him, the state of his youngest daughter. He still remembers the sweet, caring Beth and the changes that had been in his daughter since she had met Liam. Still not fully understanding how someone could change his daughter like he did and his suspicions of someone else involvement had also remained, but thinking of the boy made anger rise once more in Hershel and he forced it down he needed to remain calm if not for himself, he needed to for his daughters. Hershel still remembered the day he found Beth in the bathroom with a piece of mirror in her hand.

xxx flash back xxx

Beth had been short tempered all day. First at Jimmy when he simply asked if she needed any help suddenly she backed away like he burned her. Hershel watched her closely throughout the day, he even followed her, than she disappeared into the woods.

Sighing Hershel went back to the house, where Patricia confronted Hershel. '' We all love Beth. But her behaviour... she is short tempered, she screams if we get to close to her, and she pushed Jimmy on several occasions, first into the fence and then locked him in the barn. He is unharmed... Otis got him out," Patricia quickly reassured him when he saw disbelief and concern on Jimmy's part. "The point is Hershel, she has changed, something has happened to her that is changing her.…"

Otis stepped behind his wife putting a hand on her shoulder.

"I think what Patricia is trying to say is Beth needs some help, with what has happened to her. We have all have seen the changes in her and one way or another it will end badly." Hershel nodded sighed knowing they were right something had to be done.

"I know, but getting her to realise it as well will be almost impossible," Hershel knowing perfectly well where she got her stubbornness from. The three in deep conversation trying to figure out what was the best option was for Beth.

Beth had slipped past them and up the stairs. What worried them the most was had gotten worse over the last couple of months, she was afraid of being near any of them the worse part for Hershel wasn't the tempers or the screaming and slamming of doors. It was the fact his own daughter was afraid of him, of coming to him for help from whatever was happening to her.

Suddenly Beth came back down stairs screaming.

"I DON'T NEED ANY HELP! I JUST WANT YOU TO LEAVE ME ALONE. I AM JUST FINE AND I DON'T NEED TO BE BABBIED AND WATCHED 24\7. NOTHING HAPPENED TO ME! I AM JUST SICK OF SIGHT OF ALL OF YOU! "

Hitting the door on the way out of the room Beth ran up the stairs and slammed the bathroom door shut. But moments later cries came floating down the stairs leaving everyone in the room stunned for words, wondering how long Beth had been there.

Hershel ran is hand over his face, his daughter is impossible even at the best of times, but this was going to be harder then he thought. Ignoring the sad looks Patricia and Otis offered him. Hershel rose out of his chair and headed up the stairs, thinking of ways to calm his daughter. He heard smashing of some sort making him break into run. He searched Beth's room finding nothing as panic in him rose he reached the bathroom door, the door was lock and blocked with something on the other side.

Hershel knocked loudly on the door. "Beth, please open the door… Beth...!"

By that time Otis had arrived with tools to work the door open Hershel froze at the sight in front of him, Beth had a piece of mirror it was cover in blood.

Looking to Beth wrist there was a deep diagonal cut on the other steady flow of blood, look as If she may have gone through some of the muscle Beth was exhausted and step one weakly stepping forward.

"I'm so sorry Daddy I didn't know what else to do," her voice was barely audible as she fell forward and collapsed. Hershel rushed forward to catch her, but Otis beat him to it, picking her up carefully he cradled her and waited for Hershel to lead the way back to Beth's room.

xxxx

Hershel ran his hand over his face sighing and held his daughter's hand with the other. He never forgave himself for that day, not seeing the signs of distress in his youngest daughter. As much as it pained him, he had to take Beth to the hospital, there was no permanent damage which was a relief but Beth did have to do up to almost 6 months of therapy to help strengthen her wrist. Beth had to wear a brace for half of that time.

Hershel also encouraged Beth to talk to someone but it didn't last that long and they hardly got anything out of her. So there was no point for it to continue.

Then there was Rick in the two and a half weeks he has been here, the change in his daughter has been rapid to say the least. The Old Beth -sweet, caring, gentle, strong and somewhat stubborn – has been seen more and more especially with Carl and mainly towards Rick himself. He did admit something died in his daughter. But to see the old Beth seeing her smile a genuine smile and one that wasn't forced was a blessing to him, which made Hershel more interested in how and why. If Rick had got his daughter's friendship and trust, how much she had told the man and whatever Rick was doing was working for Beth and for him. Was he was healing her maybe? Getting her to open up in ways he could not. Again this made him wonder once again If there was more to it than friendship? But seeing his Beth happy around Rick and the love Beth has started to show to his self and Maggie without fear she was starting to let them in but then something happened..something that caused her only not only shut them out but build a wall around her, and Rick some how manged to start to break through that wall, Rick gives them hope to get his sweet beth back. Against his better judgement he is starting to like the man more than he did. If he is genuine in helping his daughter and is offer friendship it may be a good thing to keep Rick around, but first Hershel would talk to Rick and soon.

xxxx

Andrea had watched Rick over the last couple of weeks since they first arrived on the farm at first she want to believe what Shane was telling her about Rick and Beth. But after she had seen and how Rick acted like no one had his full attention not even his own family and the way he acted around her. Andrea had seen the tension between Lori and Rick and seen them in what like an argument but didn't pay much attention.

But she also saw Carl. He wasn't blind he knew there was something going on with his parents and Carl also knew there was something with Beth and Shane as well. If anything he was too observant for his own good and was smart kid just like his dad. If he knew something was going on, something must be wrong he wouldn't be upset for no reason even if he was only 12 years old there was always a reason.

Andrea watched as Rick spent time with his family, but she could see his attention wasn't fully with his family, even Carl was trying to get attention but it was somewhere else or should she say someone else. Andrea noticed his glaze went to the windows or – her window. Then she saw Carl yelled at his dad and ran off his mom calling after him, Andrea sighed.

She started to question to where Rick loyalty lies with his family and group or was his judgement being clouded by his feelings? Shane had made it clear what he planned for Rick.

But Andrea again wondered if she could be a part of it? Or will she be best off putting her faith in Rick?

Watching Carl disappearing out of her sight, the promises Rick had made had fallen apart the day his attention went to Beth. Andrea could understand why Carl was so angry. But also realised this was going to be harder then she thought.

Knowing it could always get worse before it got better, she just hoped Shane or Rick she would make the right choices. Leaving the camp site and working her way over to dale's camper van she took a riffle and place herself on the roof, starting her watch for walkers.

xxxx

Carl ran from the farm ignoring the calling of his name form some of his parents the group and any questions he didn't care he just needed to get away from it all. it was another day of his parents acting like everything was fine nothing wrong. His Dad spent half the time staring up at Beth's window not even paying attention to anything around him not even his Mum or himself he yelled and hit the tree with his fist twice before wincing and slummed at the base of the tree he shuttered at the pain he felt and as sobs left him.

He opened and close his fist to see if he broke it or worse he winced his fists as pain shot through it but nothing seemed to be broken but had cuts and it will need some dressings but Carl didn't care he needed to get away from his parents, away from it all.

He had seen big tree at the back of the farm He had seen Beth at a few times before he needed somewhere to escape to breathe and not pretended every was fine just like they did, he knew something was up with is parents he wasn't stupid.

Furthermore Carl saw the attraction between Beth and his Dad, Beth was different with his Dad than when she was with her own family, he knew something bad happened to her he just didn't know what.

It started even before his dad met Beth. He overheard his Mom and Dad one night when his Dad came back from the hospital, they were arguing about his dad getting too close to a patient. It wasn't until later that he figured out it may have been Beth that they were arguing about, now it was months later and his mum and dad were back where they started? What did it mean for his parents? And his dad, if he takes his interest in her further, will his family survive it?

He knew his parents didn't want him to know or see it, but Carl knew his parents were having problems. He has seen it for a while now, but Carl usually had music to block out his parents arguments. it would be fine for a while then they would be back where they started a few months later. Carl usually would go to a friend's place until the next morning when the bad fights happened.

The funny thing was that his mom would start the arguments and his dad wanted nothing to do with it no matter what his mother did, his dad never lost his cool with her or showed any anger. He saw the signs he just didn't want to believe it. He guessed the bigger question was if his parents is or was going to separate and his mom and dad found other people like Beth to move on with, would he alright with it? He wasn't sure how he felt about Beth. Was it just friendship or other was did he have a crush on her, But no matter how he felt about Beth he liked her, really liked her but did he like her the way his father did? No matter what, he didn't like the interaction between the two and the attention his dad was giving Beth.

He did feel a lot of anger or maybe jealousy towards both of them or maybe just towards her. Why didn't anyone he liked, like him in return? Not only that but everything going on with Sophia. He has also noticed something between his mom and Shane. Shane was going after his mom and the fact he saw them arguing more than once only to break away quickly maybe too quickly when his mom saw his dad, pretending nothing happened. Just like his dad did when he asked or his mom when she asked about Beth he said it was nothing to worry about or made an excuse. Oh no he wasn't blind to any of it. But he knew if his parents did separate not because of their problems but because of them? His anger towards his both parents wouldn't go away any time soon or if he ever will forgive them. He wanted his parents together and Beth to like him was that too much to ask? He sighed looking at his bruised hand he winced again at the pain. He guessed only time will tell. He just knew whatever happened things would never be the same.

xxxx

Patricia was well aware of Beth's fondness towards the man, she saw it every time Beth looked at Rick or was around him. She acted like her old self around him and felt safe enough to do so, he gave her the comfort and understanding she wanted and needed, all from Beth actions. Patricia had known Beth for years her and her husband – God rest his soul -, were a large part of her upbringing before they lost their house and came to stay with the Greene's for a while, but by then it had all change and the dead took over. She would never say that to Hershel though.

Patricia knew well when Beth was fond of someone, and it was clear that it was with Rick Grimes. That girl had it for him and was confused on what to do. Beth didn't let in or trust many people but she want to with him that was a big thing for Beth. Patricia could see her wanting to open up to him, she has been trying and if anyone could get through to Beth it is Rick.

Okay maybe it's not love but there was something there, anyone with eyes could see it, their attraction and the interest they had to each other. Against her better judgement Patricia started liking Rick more and more. If Rick could get Beth out of her shell and talking and loving again like she use to she was all for it, Patricia just wants Beth to be happy find love again and move on from the past, if Beth finds it with Rick Grimes she will be happy for her – for them. She will even help Beth where she can. But convincing Hershel that is another story.

xxxx

It was later that afternoon when Rick finally went to the house to see Beth, Hershel was waiting for him. He stood in front of Rick for a few moments as if he was judging the state of him taking in how tired and warn down the man looked. He had even caught Rick on the porch keeping an eye on things but said nothing letting Rick pass. "We need to talk Rick, but first go and see Beth." Rick nodded grateful to the man.

xxxx flash back xxxx

Beth was facing the darkness with nothing but manic laughter of his. She couldn't will herself to move. She couldn't – it was like something was holding her in place. She was feeling tired and dizzy everything around her was blurry the only time she felt like this when he was with him. Suddenly she felt something started to enter her.

''That's it, Beth take everything I give you. You are here alone with me, no one to help you or can hear you – it's just you and me. You're going to be good to me aren't you Beth. Don't fight me, you remember what happened last time don't you? That's it, take what I give you, that is the deal Beth take it or I will give you back to my son to do what he pleases. That it such a sweet tight pussy and all of it belongs to me, I'm not done your, tight ass is next, that it Beth ride my cock''

Beth cried out, more tears escaped done her face, this pleased him more as he entered deeper groaning and growling in pleasure and that was all she remembers before getting tossed into another memory. Maybe this is what she deserves. Maybe this is where she belongs. No one can or will help her.

xxxx end flashback xxxx

Hershel watched Rick sit with Beth, taking his daughters hand into this own, and kissing her forehead. That's when Hershel realised this was different... genuine was it possible?

"Beth...I want to be here for you to help you, your friend, a shoulder or more whatever you need. You're a fighter Beth, don't let him win, you have your family and... Me if you want me to be. You're strong Beth please fight through it come back to us... back to me" He kissed Beth's hand.

Then he looked up and saw Hershel in the door way he didn't see him.

''How long of you been standing there?...I 'm guessing you were there long enough to know there are...things between Beth and I.''

Hershel nodded and suggested they took it elsewhere. Rick hesitated but followed Hershel downstairs, not before Hershel kissed Beth's forehead and close the door.

xxxx

In the kitchen they both took a seat, making sure there was no one else around. Patricia made some tea, than left them to talk. Rick cleared his throat he knew he had to have this talk with Hershel just as he needed to have it with Lori.

"So... there is something between us but we don't know what is... are we are drawn to each other? Yes we are. Is there history between us? Yes. do I have some feelings for Beth? Yes but we just don't know if we will... if it will turn into anything more. I will not push Beth in anything I'm only here for her as a friend, if it turns into anything else I promised myself that I won't... not until I spoken to you and Lori, only when Beth is 18 years and only when and if she feels the same of course."

Rick looked at Hershel he hesitated but thought it is best if he was honest.

"We have kissed a few times but it was when Beth was... I was trying comforting her but I don't think she was ready for any of it. But she started telling me bits and pieces of it , what she was comfortable with but enough to know she is really hurting... ,"Rick sighed and shifted in the chair . "I won't never take advantage of that ... I meant what I said, she does need you and Maggie and she wants to let you in but she doesn't how or where to start. Also I want to be here for here for Beth, as a friend but nothing more unless she feels and wants the same".

Hershel was silent maybe a mixture of shock , anger and awe, he never expected Rick to be so honest with him especially his feeling. Studying the man he saw Rick on edge and was probably waiting for him to punch him, but Hershel was wondering the opposite . Rather he was wondering if he had misjudged Rick. He watched how Rick and Beth acted around each other, he saw something in his daughter he hadn't seen in a long time and thought he would never see again. So he tried to put the man at ease

"You're a smart and descent man Rick. You made my Beth feel safe, she wouldn't have opened up to you if she didn't trust you, and I want to thank you for that. I have seen something in her, I haven't seen in Beth for a long time. However I don't like the fact that you have kissed my daughter."

Rick nodded in understanding but Hershel raised his hands. "But you're not taking it any further and I appreciate that. May I ask what the situation is with Lori? I thought ….but I guess it has been … between you two it was … it won't be anything with Beth would there?" Rick sighed and shifted in the chair but shook his head.

"No things have been... rough for a while. Lori and I had a long talk and we have decided it would be best if we separate. We haven't told Carl anything but that's part of the reason I can't...would think about how I feel about Beth. Carl comes first that and the fact his is in a bad place right now, it will just anger him and make things more complicated if not more difficult."

Hershel moved forward and put his hand on Rick's shoulder.

"I am sorry to hear that, that is the reason I respect and admire you Rick... you always put others a head of yourself and Beth sees it too. My daughter likes you and trusts you for the man you are Rick and like I said she wouldn't of let you in if she didn't. So I am going to say this perhaps maybe against my better judgement but I hope you prove me wrong … but work out things with Lori. It might be best if you talk to Carl first but if my daughter feels the same I … I will allow you to see where it will goes but not until she is 18 Rick and not unless she wants the same. Till then I will appreciate it if you will stay around for her... but be discreet around the others especially Maggie and Carl it will hit them the hardest." Rick nodded.

Hershel and Rick sat in silence not sure what else to say. Knowing that they had come to a silent agreement, before anything else was said Beth woke with her scream echoing through the house.

xxxx

Rick left the house to give Beth and Hershel some privacy, as Hershel made sure Beth was okay and gave him time with his daughter. He watched Maggie running towards the house and walked up to meet her on the front stairs. Gently putting a hand on her shoulder and nodding before taking his leave as Maggie ran into the house to find her father and Beth.

Heading towards the camp site Rick eyes narrowed as he saw Carl and Lori in what looks like another argument. Rick figured Lori was trying to look at hands cover in blood it had began to dry from hitting the tree, he had left some blood on the tree and he guessed Lori had found it, his wife had found carl and grabbed his hands to check them only to have the boy snatch it away he was angry and rick knew he was. Carl suspected it, them seprating for a while now, he knew and saw the signs, Rick sighed he will need to talk to him. How will he explain to his son not only their separating but his mom is pregnant? Rick was not sure if or when his son will forgive them.

Glenn rushed past Rick almost knocking into him looking nervous and tense muttering, "I can't... I have to"

Rick stopped Glenn putting his hand on his shoulder. "Glenn are you alright?"

Glenn ran his hands over his face and through his hair. "What if you were asked to not say anything … if you didn't say anything it would put the group in danger? Maggie will never forgive" trailed of ending in a rush.

Rick kept his hand on his shoulder, "okay, Glenn take a breath, okay, look at me, what are you talking about? What won't Maggie forgive you for?"

Glenn hesitated but took a deep breath. Rick he could talk to him can't he?

"There's something I need to talk to you about... it will affect everyone staying here… even cause chaos with some of the group. I might lose Maggie," before Rick could ask, Glenn took a deep breath.

"Walkers... Rick there are walkers in the barn, I found them the other day when I tried to meet Maggie. She said it was something Otis did, that it was complicated. I didn't say anything at first but Carol won't leave until Sophia is found. With Carl, Daryl and T dog... well I don't know if Carl is ready to travel and well Shane... I thought it best if you knew…"

Rick was silent, Glenn was right. Carol would never leave without her daughter, neither will Carl even if he was ready to travel. Rick head went slightly to the side then the was the matter of Shane... he would never let it go. He will get what he wanted at best to or try to get the group and his family to doubt him, at the worst shoot first and ask questions later... causing more problems and loss of trust.

Either way it would need his attention, he would have to talk to Hershel before Shane found out and took things into his own hands.

A/N, what did you think? Can Rick keep things under control? Next chapter is the big one of finding of Sophia and questioning of Shane's loyalties, it will be a little different to the show, why will be explained in later chapters. Till then lovely readers, keep reading. Reviews welcome. Deadlove ox.