Helloooooo Bethyl readers! Who's excited for Slabtown on Sunday? THIS GIRL! The reviews are amazing, guys. Seriously, I am floored by the amount of positivity. You guys are incredible!
-A
Chapter 4:
It had been two months since Beth had begun her residency.
Two months. Twenty dead people. One new Caucasian Shepherd puppy. And fifteen dates with Gareth.
Things were going swimmingly, if Beth Greene did say so herself. She was enjoying everything about her present situation.
Except, of course, that she was living across the hall from a potential serial killer. It seemed that, though he was extremely charismatic, he was also, as Rick liked to say, "bat-shit insane". The problem was, though, that they were still investigating him. That's partially why Beth had just gotten the Caucasian Sheperd two days ago (paying $800, and why Maggie and Glenn had been spending an awful lot of time over at Beth's apartment. And, why Gareth was sleeping over quite a bit.
Today, it was Saturday. That meant it was Maggie/Beth day. They'd set it aside to get dog toys for Jake From State Farm, and, for Maggie to take care of some important business.
"Mags, seriously, why couldn't you do this at home, with Glenn?" Beth asked, outside the bathroom door.
"Because, Glenn would freak out. You know he would." Maggie said through the door. Beth knew it had been coming; they'd gotten married a year and a half ago, and it seemed like neither one of them could keep it in their pants.
"Come on, Mags. Just tell me! Yes, or no?" Beth asked, pacing in the hallway. She was nervous. She knew Glenn and Maggie weren't trying to have a kid of their own, but Beth wouldn't mind getting acquainted with a new potato-looking thing. That's what freaked Beth out the most about babies; they all looked like potatoes, in her opinion.
Soon, Maggie emerged from the bathroom, quiet as a mouse. Beth bit her lip, she was afraid that would mean that Maggie was, as Glenn called it, "with child." Beth wasn't sure what to do, she grew more nervous as her sister said nothing.
"Well?" Beth asked, fidgeting. Maggie didn't answer, she just stood there, making Beth's anxiety grow.
"Mags! Tell me!" Beth exclaimed. Maggie then jumped into the hallway, giving the Heisman pose and screaming loudly.
"NEGATIVE! THREE NEGATIVES! This girl is not pregnant!" Maggie screamed, dancing in the hallway. Beth breathed a sigh of relief, hugging Maggie tightly.
"Well, now that that's over, I say we go get somethin' to eat." Beth suggested.
"Right-o, Bethy-Bee, I'm starvin'." Maggie said. The two put Jake in his crate, and went off in search of a restaurant. They settled on an Irish pub, both girls looking for some comfort food. Hershel himself was the grandchild of Irish immigrants, so Beth and Maggie felt right at home eating traditional Irish food. Beth always joked that Maggie got the drinking gene of the Greene family, while Beth got the musical side. Both girls, however, had the patience of their father, a trait which Shawn never seemed to pick up.
"So, goober, how is it havin' a hot, successful boyfriend?" Maggie asked, taking a giant swig of beer. Beth shrugged, eating a piece of rye bread.
"He's a cool guy. We have fun together." Beth replied. She was never one to "kiss and tell", as Maggie had joked. Beth was always extremely and utterly private.
"You gotta give me more to go off of than that." Maggie declared.
"Uh, he smells nice. And he likes Faulkner and Tennessee Williams." Beth said.
"This is the first boyfriend you've had in over a year, Bethy. I'm dyin' to know!" Maggie teased.
"The last one was a great big ol' bag of dicks, Mags, and I told you everything. How I wouldn't sleep with 'im, how I cared about him, how he slept with that slut whore nurse he met..." Beth growled recalling the memory, catching Shane in the act, and promptly, in true Beth fashion, told Shane that since he felt the need to copulate like a rabbit, she couldn't date him, because she wasn't into beastiality. He'd said that it was an accident, and she'd told him politely that she hoped he'd gotten the clap.
"Gareth doesn't seem like he'd do that though, right?" Maggie asked.
"Dunno. Still don't completely trust 'im yet." Beth replied coolly. She really didn't think she'd be able to trust him fully for a while, but she kept that all to herself.
"You're so...Blase about all this, Beth. Really." Maggie said.
"Well, I ain't holdin' my breath for Gareth to propose or anythin'. Not with all the work I've been caught up in." Beth said. For the past two months, Beth had been neck deep in paperwork, death certificates, and autopsies. They'd been so busy the past two weeks that Beth was usually there thirteen hours a day, which made it difficult to see Gareth. Though, as busy as she was, it was nice to have dinner with him on the nights she worked extra late.
As the girls ate, Beth felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around, not knowing who it could possibly be, and saw Rick, Glenn, and Daryl, all grinning from ear to ear. Beth rolled her eyes, grumbling. Rick and Glenn she'd love to hang out with, but Daryl...He annoyed her beyond all reason.
"Of all the gin joints in all the world..." Glenn teased. He greeted Maggie with a kiss, and Beth with a hug.
"Glenn! You're ruining girls night." Beth joked.
"It's our favorite place. No girls allowed." Daryl replied. Beth rolled her eyes, sticking her tongue out at the detective.
"We come here two Saturdays a month. We like to shoot the shit and hang out." Rick explained.
"Ah. Well, guess y'all can join us." Maggie said, pulling Glenn close to her, "We were talkin' 'bout Bethy's new boyfriend anyway."
"Oh? Who's the guy?" Rick asked, genuinely surprised. He'd caught a lot of hell because of Shane the last time. He'd vowed since then to stay out of Beth's love life.
"Dr. Gareth Turner, literature professor at Georgia State University." Beth replied.
"That prick? Geez, you sure know how to pick 'em. I 'spose next it'll be that fruit Mamet, huh?" Daryl asked.
"Excuse me? How do you know Gareth is a prick?" Beth asked.
"He's a man whore, ladies in an' out his apartment all hours of the night. Well, they stopped 'bout a month and a half ago, but they were there. I can tell, though, he's a liar. I don't trust 'im far as I can throw 'im. Plus he struts 'round, thinkin' he's better than everyone." Daryl said, taking a long sip of his beer.
"I'm givin' 'im the benefit of the doubt, Dixon." Beth said, "Besides, he may just think he's better than you, not everyone else."
"'Scuse me? I have a college degree too, ma'am." Daryl replied.
"Let me guess: criminal justice?" Beth teased.
"Wrong. Sociology." Daryl replied.
"Oh, excuse me." Beth said, rolling her eyes.
"Jus' sayin'. If ol' Shane Walsh is a 'great big ol' bag of dicks', then Gareth's at least a half bag, maybe more." Daryl shrugged.
"Why are you so involved in my personal life?" Beth asked.
"You're my second favorite morgue person." Daryl replied, "Carol will always be number one. But, she's my sister-in-law now, so I kinda have to like 'er."
"She an' Merle got married?" Rick asked.
"Yep. Yesterday. Seems Dr. P, well, now Dr. D, has 'erself a bun in the oven. They were plannin' on it anyway." Daryl said.
"Look at you, gossiping like an old church lady." Glenn said. Daryl narrowed his eyes.
"Carol didn't tell me." Beth said.
"Ain't told nobody else yet. Merle's got 'imself a big ol' gaggle now though." Daryl smirked.
"When you guys gonna have your own?" Rick asked, looking at Glenn and Maggie.
"Not for a while, hopefully." Glenn said.
"Yeah, ask us in a year or two." Maggie laughed.
"I'd like another niece or nephew." Beth said quietly.
"If ya keep runnin' 'round with ol' Gareth, might just wind up with one of your own." Daryl said under his breath.
"Butt munch." Beth grumbled.
"What was that?" Daryl asked.
"Butt munch. You're a freakin' butt munch." Beth growled. Maggie, Glenn, and Rick were stifling their laughter at the two, as Daryl leaned in close, looking at her beer and then her. Quickly, he grabbed the bottle of Blue Moon from her hands and took a long swig.
"Ew! That's how diseases spread!" Beth yelled.
"Why don't ya quit worryin' 'bout what I did an' go pick out your dress for prom." Daryl replied. Beth rolled her eyes, growling, and stomped Daryl's foot as hard as she could. He let out a sharp breath of air as Beth stood up, grabbing her purse.
"Well, Mags, Rick, Glenn, it was a lovely evenin'. I believe I'm gonna go home, before I punch this asshole casserole and then have to be someone's prison wife." Beth said, trying to smile. The three didn't say anything as she walked out; for that she was grateful. She began to walk home, trying to find a taxi or bus. Luckily, she'd made it to the bus stop, and she knew that the number 15 could get her home. She'd decided to call Gareth, and see what he was up to. She surmised he'd probably be with Alex or his friends, but she'd still call. She dialed his number and it rang twice. Beth thought about hanging up, but then he answered.
"Beth? Hey! Girls night end early?" Gareth asked.
"Yeah, I'm takin' the bus home. Glenn, Rick, and Dixon showed up. Dixon stole my beer and now I'm thinkin' I just wanna go walk the dog or somethin'. I figured you'd be busy, I guess I still wanted to call." Beth replied.
"Actually, I've just been grading papers. If you want, I could meet you at your apartment. We could go walk the dog together." Gareth suggested.
"I'd love that! Thanks!" Beth exclaimed.
"Alrighty then, Bethy. I'll see you soon." Gareth said, hanging up.
"Bye." Beth replied. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but the way he called her "Bethy" didn't sit well with her. Her father had called her that since she was a little girl; Maggie, Shawn, Rick, Lori, Annette, everyone that was close to her called her that. Even little Judith had known her as "My Bethy", and for Gareth to call her that, after Shane had called her that, made her a little uneasy. She arrived at her apartment fifteen minutes later, walking up the three flights of stairs until she reached apartment 330. Gareth was waiting by the door, smiling widely.
"Hey, beautiful." He greeted, kissing her forehead.
"Hey yourself, handsome." Beth replied.
"So, you never did tell me how you got the name for Jake." Gareth mused, as Beth opened the door and let the puppy, Jake, out of the crate.
"Well, me an' Mags and Glenn were thinkin' up names, and we saw the State Farm commercial. His ears perked up when he heard 'This is Jake, from State Farm'. Plus, he's got little khaki paws, so we just started callin' him Jake From State Farm." Beth explained. The Caucasian Shepherd puppy, with fuzzy ears and a silver looking coat, came up to her, his tail wagging furiously.
"You ready to go for a walk, Jake?" Beth asked. The dog pranced around furiously, tripping over his large puppy paws. Gareth brought her the puppy's leash, and the two set out for a walk.
"I just always saw you as a fish person." Gareth quipped, walking down the street next to Beth.
"I've got creepy neighbors, figured I might as well get a dog that'll look scary one day." Beth chuckled, "Plus, I enrolled him in obedience school. He's going to learn all his commands in Russian."
"Why Russian?" Gareth asked.
"His breed is a Russian breed. Used to hunt bears." Beth said flatly. Gareth's eyes grew wide as he looked at the puppy.
"He's what? Six months old?" Gareth asked.
"No. He's twelve weeks." Beth replied.
"You got a dog that hunts bears? What if he eats you?" Gareth's voice was filled with concern. Beth reached down to pet the puppy, who was happily prancing along the sidewalk.
"Nah. He wouldn't eat me. It's the other people he'd have problems with. That's why I got 'im." Beth explained, "My neighbor is a creeper. If this little guy gets huge, no one will mess with me."
"Sound logic." Gareth said, petting the puppy, who seemed to be basking in the attention.
"And, if Daryl Dixon shows up to my apartment uninvited again, the dog might deter him." Beth added.
"He still bugging you?" Gareth asked.
"Partially." Beth replied, "I don't understand why he picks on me so hard."
"You're new. He picks on Alex, but Alex squirms easily. You just get irritated. The guy's not stupid, there's a reason every federal law enforcement agency wants him." Gareth mused.
"Why doesn't he just go? What's holdin' 'im back?" Beth asked.
"Well, his brother, Merle lives with him, and Merle told me that Daryl wants to take care of their dad. Stay close to home, ever since their mom died a couple of years ago." Gareth explained, "Merle said they were both adopted by Dale Horvath and his wife, came from a rough home. Daryl feels like he owes it to Dale to take care of him. He's moving into Daryl's apartment soon, anyway. What with Merle getting married and all."
"How'd you know? I didn't find out till today! Carol didn't tell me!" Beth groaned.
"The whole gang was over there last night, they had a celebratory reception. Three little girls make a lot of noise." Gareth chuckled.
"Yeah, those are Merle's stepdaughters." Beth said.
"He's adopting them." Gareth replied.
"How do you know more about them than I do? Are you that creepy?" Beth asked.
"Beth, when you live in an apartment complex with paper-thin walls, and Merle Dixon is the friendliest neighbor there, you pick up things." Gareth teased.
"I've never met 'im. Heard good things, though." Beth said.
Gareth nodded, rubbing circles on Beth's back. "The Dixon brothers are like night and day. Merle is really, really social. Daryl isn't."
"Well, he is, but he's an ass." Beth replied, laughing.
"True." Gareth laughed. Beth and Gareth held hands as they walked back to Beth's apartment, where the two walked up the third floor, catching Brian Heriot on the way out.
"Evenin', Dr. Greene! Who's the lucky gentleman?" Brian asked, extending his hand for Gareth to shake.
"Dr. Gareth Turner. I'm a professor at Georgia State." Gareth said, introducing himself.
"Well, hello there, Dr. Turner. It's nice to meet you." Brian said, "I'm Brian Heriot."
"I know who you are, Senator. It's nice to meet such a celebrity." Gareth said, smiling slightly.
"Oh, I'm not a celebrity, Dr. Turner, just a man tryin' to do right for his community." Brian said enthusiastically.
"How's Meghan and Lilly?" Beth asked.
"Oh, just fine. Meghan has a dance recital next weekend. Lilly's workin' late, I'm goin' to go get 'er some dinner." Brian explained.
"That's really sweet of you. It was nice seeing you again, Senator Heriot." Beth said. He patted her arm, looking far too enthusiastic.
"Please, call me Brian. We're neighbors." Brian said.
"Thanks. We'll see you later." Beth said, walking into the apartment. Gareth followed her, taking the leash off of Jake.
"He seem nice." Gareth said, taking an apple from the counter.
"Yeah." Beth muttered, quietly trying to keep her opinions to herself.
"You don't think so." Gareth sat matter-of-factly.
"He's got skeletons in his closet. You work for the cops, you pick up things." Beth replied.
"What's he hiding?" Gareth asked.
"He's corrupt. From what I hear, his bread ain't quite done." Beth explained. Gareth seemed to be thinking about her words.
"What's with the eyepatch?" Gareth asked.
"Accident a few years ago. Apparently, it killed his first wife and kid." Beth told him.
"You sure he's got skeletons in his closet? If he does, maybe you should be careful." Gareth said.
"I'm fine, Gareth, really." Beth said, kissing him, "It's nothing I can't handle."
"Okay. If you're sure. Listen, it's getting late. I'm gonna head on home. I'll see you tomorrow?" Gareth asked.
"Yeah, yeah. I'll see you tomorrow." Beth said. Gareth kissed her goodnight, hugging her tightly as he left. Beth closed the door behind him, sitting on the couch with Jake. She had to admit, having a puppy made the place a lot less lonely. Jake snuggled into her lap, a goofy look on his face. Beth scratched his belly, and he rolled over. Beth loved her new dog; she'd always had dogs on the farm. It was getting late, and Beth was feeling the stress of the past few weeks. She started to close her eyes and drift to sleep, sitting on the couch. Until there was a knock on the door. She didn't even bother to get up, she knew who it'd probably be.
"Come on in, Dixon." Beth growled.
"Wow, you psychic or somethin'?" Daryl asked, coming in. Jake jumped off the couch, growling at Daryl until Beth called the dog to her.
"You got a dog." Daryl said.
"I did. What do you want?" Beth asked.
"Forgot your wallet at the pub." Daryl replied, handing it to her. How had she forgotten it?
"Uh, thanks." Beth mumbled, taking the wallet.
"Hey." Daryl said, making Beth sit up.
"Yeah?" Beth asked.
"I'm sorry I was a dick earlier. I can be a dick, when I drink." Daryl apologized sheepishly.
"It's alright. I'm not the easiest to get along with." Beth said, motioning for him to sit down.
"I, uh, didn't mean what I said. Jus' don't really like Gareth, that's all." Daryl explained quietly.
"It's really okay, Daryl. To be honest, I don't know if I'm gonna get serious with 'im, I'm still testin' the waters." Beth admitted, "Shane put a bad taste in my mouth."
"You ain't the only one." Daryl huffed, "He's an arrogant sonbitch."
"Yeah, yeah he is." Beth mused, "I can't believe I didn't see that at first."
"It's alright. My first girlfriend—my last girlfriend too—shot me once." Daryl told her.
"What?!" Beth asked.
"She's got a temper. An' she's workin' for Brian Heriot now. She's his spokesperson, I 'spose. His new campaign manager." Daryl explained.
"Andrea? Andrea Harrison?" Beth asked.
"Yep. That'd be her." Daryl replied.
"Oh wow. Wow. I'm sorry." Beth said.
"Ah, it's nothin', really. Datin's too messy for me." Daryl joked.
"It's almost too messy for me. But, I appreciate you bringin' back my wallet." Beth said.
"No problem. I'd better get goin'. I'll see ya round." Daryl said, leaving. Beth closed the door behind him, sitting back on the couch. Beth closed her eyes again, smiling widely. It had been an eventful day, certainly, but she didn't mind the bustle, as long as she got to spend time with her family and friends. And, she surmised, that Daryl Dixon wasn't completely terrible, he could be nice when he wanted to be. She supposed she could be a good friend, and that they could get along very well. Beth closed her eyes quietly, drifting to sleep, resting for the first time in weeks. Jake was curled next to her, and Beth slept peacefully. Things were going well for Beth Greene, and she guessed that they could only go up from there.