AU Note: sorry for some misspelling in the last chapter. On with the story remember read and review. Enjoy

Disclaimer: Look at first chapter.

Chapter 3

Daryl carried Beth's suitcases into his and Merle apartment and let her follow him to the guestroom. He placed both of the suitcases at the foot of the bed and turned to Beth. " Well this is your room while you stay here. The second bathroom is through that door over there and its separate from ours so you can put whatever makeup, hair ties etc. Extra towels are in this closet." He said as he pointed in each direction he described. He saw her nodded and sighed. "You hungry?" He asked. Beth shook her head.

"I'm just really tired, I think I'll just lay down." She said softly. Daryl nodded.

"Okay, then I'll leave you be and I'll see you in the morning." he said as he walked to the door. He stopped and looked at her. "Good night." He added seeing she nodded again before closing the door. Beth took a deep breath as she opened one of her suitcases and took out a clean night shirt and pants before heading to the spare bathroom. She turned on the hot water removed her blood stained clothes and stepped into the cascading water. She scrubbed her skin til it was red and raw as she started crying again as she watched the blood go down the drain. She fell to her knees and cried for her family and the life she would no longer have. After being in the hot water for several minutes she finally turned off the water and wrapped herself in the dark green towel on the towel rack. She changed into the soft green tank top and white pants before slipping between the soft brown sheet and comforter. She laid in bed just staring at the ceiling before remembering an old song her mother use to sing to her to help her sleep.

Goodnight, my angel
Time to close your eyes
And save these questions for another day
I think I know what you've been asking me
I think you know what I've been trying to say
I promised I would never leave you
And you should always know
Wherever you may go
No matter where you are
I never will be far away

When we went sailing on an emerald bay
And like a boat out on the ocean
I'm rocking you to sleep
The water's dark
And deep inside this ancient heart
You'll always be a part of me

Goodnight, my angel
Now it's time to dream
And dream how wonderful your life will be
Someday your child may cry
And if you sing this lullabye
Then in your heart
There will always be a part of me

Someday we'll all be gone
But lullabyes go on and on...
They never die
That's how you
And i
Will be

Daryl sighed as fell onto his couch. He threw an arm over his eyes as he tried to block out the images from the scene only instead of seeing Annette he saw Beth in her place. He felt the couch dip and removed his arm to see his brother handing him a beer as he sat next him. Daryl took a drink while keeping an eye on Merle who was just staring into the wall. "We have a meeting with Rick in the morning. Lori is going to be there along with Lil' Ass-kicker so Beth can be with them while we talk with him." he said. Daryl nodded as he lit a cigarette. Merle watched him in the corner of his eye. "Something on your mind little brother?" he asked. Daryl gave a frustrated sigh as he pinched the space between his eyes.

"Yeah I just made a promise to that girl in there that she could return to the life she had before this shit happened once we catch the Governor. Only problem is I don't know when that will be because he is the most elusive son of bitch of all time." Daryl ranted. " She has lost everyone she has here and she asks me if she can have the only family member she has left to be here so she doesn't feel so alone and I had to tell her no." he continued. He looked at Merle who just took the beer out of his hand.

"You need something stronger." Merle said before he stopped and heard Beth singing from the guestroom. He and Daryl made eye contact as they listened. Merle silently gave Daryl a glass of whiskey before rejoining him on the couch. When they heard Beth's voice fade Merle turned to Daryl. "I will help you keep your promise to the little songbird." he said.

"Songbird? seriously Merle." Daryl said. " How about calling her by her name?" he asked as he swallowed his drink in one gulp.

"Relax Darlena, You know I give everyone nicknames. I'm going to bed see you in the morning." Merle said as he drank the last of his beer before heading to his room. Daryl smoked the last drag of his cigarette before putting it out in the ashtray before getting up and heading to his own room.

(next morning)

Daryl awoke the next morning to the smell of bacon, pancakes and coffee. He got up quickly and went outside of his bedroom to the kitchen to see Beth plating the last of the pancakes. She was wearing a light blue short sleeve blouse and blue jeans, her hair was straight and held by a sky blue headband. She looked up in surprise. "I...I thought I would make you breakfast to thank you." she said softly. Daryl closed his mouth and nodded.

"Uh thanks. I'm going to go shower real quick." Daryl said as he went back to his bedroom before grabbing a clean pair of clothes and headed to the shower. He came back out about thirty minutes later wearing a green shirt over a black tank top and blue jeans. He nodded to Merle who wore the same except the shirt was red with a black tank top. Daryl down one cup of coffee before pouring a second and started digging into the food Beth had made. "Thanks for this Beth and you didn't have to say thanks." He said between bites. Beth shrugged.

"When I'm nervous or unsure I bake or cook." She said twisting a dish towel in her hands. Merle chuckled.

"We may have to keep you Little Lady this is good. All we usually have is take out." he said. Beth smiled unsure.

"I think I'll take that as a compliment." She said softly. Daryl chuckled lightly.

"Do. Merle never compliment anyone on their food except one, his girlfriend Carol." he said. Beth looked thoughtful.

"This Carol wouldn't happen to have a little girl by the name of Sophie would she?" She nodded. "I know her. Sophie use to come to the farm alot with her dog before he passed. Even after she still came over." Beth said.

"Huh. Did you use to give music lessons?" Merle asked. Beth nodded.

"Yeah then the holidays hit and...well you know...the cabin." she said. Merle nodded.

"Beth I am sorry about what happened and I echo my brother. We will catch this guy so you can get the life you had back." He said. " Or as close to it as we can." He said. Beth nodded as she swallowed.

"Thank you. Both of you." She said.

Third chapter done and up. Enjoy and don't forget to review. More to come soon