Chapter 7

Daryl sat straight up in his bed, sweat trickling off of him.

He looked around, finding himself alone in the darkness of his cell. Daryl swore, jumped out of bed, and stepped into his pants, practically running out of his cell. He went two cells down, and threw open Beth's door, preparing himself for whatever was inside of it.

Beth looked up from her bed in surprise, moving to cover herself with her sweater. Daryl angrily peered around the room, eyes darting from Beth's desk to every corner of the cell. Looking, searching, for him.

Daryl looked at Beth, anger swelling in his eyes. "So where's Rick, Beth? Huh? Makin' love to him just to kick him out later?"

Beth looked dumbfounded at Daryl, then as realization set in. She got off of her bed, hurt spread across her face, and walked right up to Daryl. They stared at each other. Beth raised both of her hands and pushed his chest, sending him stumbling backwards.

"Are you kidding me Daryl Dixon?" She asked, her voice on the edge. "Who the hell do you think I am?"

Daryl bumped right against her chest, eyeing her up. "You really gonna pretend like you didn't kiss him? I heard ya'll!"

"What are you talking about?" Beth desperately yelled, trying to figure out what Daryl was talking about. "I went straight to bed after supper last night." Beth looked at his eyes, but only saw her own reflection. She snorted, crossing her arms across her chest. "But you wouldn't know, since you sulked up into your cell before sundown."

Daryl stared at her. "Sulked? Sulked! Beth what was I supposed to do? You know I hate everyone thanking me, and then the whole group decided to come down and worship at our feet. Like Carl. Rick."

Beth laughed, but with no humor. "You really think I'd forget everything we've been through for a moment of recognition? Daryl do you know me at all? I care about you." Beth urged, setting her palms on his shoulders.

He gazed down at her, then shook off her hands. "Tell me. Right now. Were you with Rick at all?"

Beth inhaled, closing her eyes. "I can't believe you'd think that less of me. But, no, to answer your question. He was at dinner of course, but I sat with Maggie, Glenn, and my dad."

Daryl looked at her in surprise. "I-I didn't know your dad was awake and lively yet."

"Yeah, well how would you have known?" Beth mumbled. "Too busy fantasying over Rick and me."

"Beth I'm sorry, I-"

But she cut him off, moving to wrap both of her arms around him. He exhaled and she snuggled her face into the crook of his neck.

"I know." She whispered. "I just wish you knew…"

Daryl moved his head back, looking with concern at her. "Knew what?"

"That I will only ever love you." She whispered, her voice smooth like silk.

Daryl stared at her, his mouth open in awe. No one he actually cared about had ever said those words to him. He couldn't believe he'd been so stupid, taking a vivid dream for reality, fighting with Beth over something pretend. Beth was watching him, her doe eyes beautiful and intense. Daryl realized how much he wanted her. She was a woman he never would have imagined being able to kiss, touch, or hold. And he sure as hell wasn't going to lose her. Daryl reached down, swiftly lifting Beth up on her tiptoes, and kissed her. Beth seamlessly melted into his kiss, lacing her figures around the back of his neck. Daryl wrapped a hand on the curve of her hip. Beth was always surprised how tender he kissed her. She never would have thought his lips would be so soft.

Beth pulled back, breathing heavily. "Daryl, if it's okay with you, I want to tell the group." She closed her eyes. "I was so wrong before. So wrong."

Daryl tilted her chin up, and she opened her eyes. "Nothin' could make me happier."

Beth kissed Daryl on the cheek, slipping out of her room before climbing the steps to claim Judith for the day. She found the baby in the basinet, sound asleep. Beth grabbed the baby bag, and Judith's extra clothes before moving to lift up Judith.

Beth had the child in her arms when she heard his voice from behind her.

"Mornin' Beth," Rick's voice boomed.

Beth's skin jumped. After her fight with Daryl, Rick was the last person she wanted to talk to.

"I can take Judy, I know you just got back." Rick said, moving to stand beside her. Beth's skin prickled with the feel of his elbow against her. She suddenly felt guilty, as if their skin touching was all the bad things Daryl had thought they'd done.

"It's fine." Beth said quickly. She just wanted to be back in her room with Daryl, mindlessly talking and being together. She could feel Rick watching her, so she pressed Beth close to her chest and started towards the steps.

"Beth? Did I do something?" Rick asked, clearly concerned.

Beth's cheeks flushed. "You're fine. Just me." Beth quickly thought of an excuse. "Just-just, it's really hard to be around someone who you know you shouldn't be with." She wanted to smack herself. She practically told him how uncomfortable she was around him, and now it obviously wasn't a secret.

Rick nodded, "I get it. If you ever want to talk…"

Beth smiled at him and descended down the steps towards her room.

Daryl heard her voice outside his cell, then Rick's. He tumbled off Beth's bed and slowly opened her opaque door.

"-did I do something wrong?"

Daryl looked up to see Beth and Rick engaged in a conversation, and felt his stomach drop. What was Rick talking about? Daryl thought to himself. Then he heard Beth's voice.

"Just-just, it's really hard to be around someone who you know you shouldn't with."

Daryl could feel his heart throbbing in his chest. Beth didn't want to be around me? He thought, a mix on anger and deep hurt bubbling up in his body. He saw her smile and Rick, and Daryl wanted to punch a wall. He was beside himself, Beth lied to me. She did sleep with him. He saw her turn and start down the steps. He darted to her door, and slid inside.