Things slowly started to become more easy between them after that night. Daryl didn't want to admit to himself that things should have been more awkward. He probably should have been ready to run for the hills but there in that cabin with her, in that bed all of those feelings dissipated.

Being around her no longer made him feel jumpy or anxious, but somehow strangely content. Her touch leaving him more relaxed than he'd ever been in his entire life. The ease in which she moved around him. Speaking of their past and present as matter of fact details, not with sadness or grief but only a staggering amount of hope. Something about that fueled the blood pumping in his veins even more so.

Her words, her kindness had become his fuel. It made him feel even stronger seeing that honest to god eagerness shining in her eyes. Determination to survive on what he had taught her and ever eager to learn more. Sometimes to the point where he'd have to slow her down, assuring her that there was plenty of time to hunt and track, butcher and smoke. They'd have all winter to get her into fighting shape.

Preparing for winter wouldn't be easy but they had a place to stay when winter came and that was enough. Minimal runs before the snow fall came would insure they had everything they needed, but Daryl still worried about her ankle. Didn't want to risk the chance of reinjuring it and bringing that up to Beth would only make her want to go with him that much more. If anything he'd have to find a map, scout out areas and try to make good time.

Heading back from checking the snares Daryl sees her waiting for him on the front steps, the slender hunting knife held tightly in her hand.

"Hi," she beams at him as she stands to meet his gaze.

"Hey," Daryl grumbles awkwardly giving her a forced grin.

"Any luck out there?"

He nods his head, holding up the rabbit and two squirrels he'd nabbed that morning.

"What have you been up to while I was gone?"

Setting the game down on the ground, he takes a seat on the porch next to her and pulls out a cigarette.

"Organized the canned stuff we've got, boiled some drinking water and washed the extra clothes. Although they're all full of holes now. Hung them in the cabin with some wire I found."

"Mmm," he nods exhaling a cloud of smoke.

He wants to tell her she did a good job. That he's glad that it's just the two of them out here. Even if they never found their families or their group ever again he's glad they've got each other, but those words never come out. So he takes another drag and another quick glance at her.

The cold brisk morning had her pale skin so white, so translucent he swears he can see her icy blue veins and her pulse pumping in her temple. She has a far away look in her eyes. Her mind far away from him, as far as he is from her right now.

Quickly moving her head to catch him staring, she beams back at him. "Thank you, Daryl."

"Fer what?"

"For everything," she sighs, leaning her head against his shoulder.

"Ain't nothin'," Daryl shrugs. "Just tryin' to keep ya safe. Get us through the winter."

He takes his free hand and intertwines it with hers because he can't find the words but he hopes she knows. Hopes she can read him well enough to know what he's thinking. Squeezing her hand tightly he wishes he could explain these stupid mixed up feelings inside. He'd told himself that he'd let this shit go and just feel it. Enjoy this, enjoy her and leave his nagging insecurities back in the woods with the walkers he'd killed.

"Thanks fer takin' care of shit here, while I was gone," he says looking away from her. "Ya did real good, Beth."

"Thanks," Beth blushes as she nuzzles further into his shoulder, laying her head on his chest. "We make a pretty good team, huh?"

"Wait till ya see what I found in the woods," he grins at her escaping from her grip to retrieve a large, beat up looking duffle bag he'd gotten from a walker's back.

"What is that?"

"Got ya some goodies in here," he put out the cigarette, stomping it into the dirt. "Best not sit outside anymore though. Let's get inside and I'll show ya."

Inside the cabin she plops down on the bed and he follows behind her, barricading the door. The walkers he'd gotten the bag from had been trapped inside an overturned vehicle on the side of the road just on the outskirts of the the forest. From what he could tell it was a man and his son. The boy looked to be about Carl's age and he figured Beth could probably wear whatever spare clothes the kid had. She'd be appreciative for anything at that point.

"Let's see what we got here," he mumbled unzipping the duffle bag.

Pulling out a couple of flannel shirts and a pair of thermal long john's that belonged to the kid, he hands them to Beth. Digging deeper he finds a few pair of thick, wool socks and some painkillers, toilet paper, a multi-tool and a couple of knives. From inside the car he'd nabbed what canned food they'd had.

"Perfect!" she hummed stripping off her jeans and panties before he could even stop her. He reminded himself that it wasn't necessarily sexual. Or at least it didn't have to be. Beth was comfortable around him and he didn't want her to feel like she couldn't be.

Being in such close quarters already having been so exposed to each other even before the prior night, something like this should be natural.

"A little long but I think they fit okay!"

The red long johns had to be cuffed up a couple of times but all in all they fit her well enough. Along with the wool socks at least she would be warm enough for the night.

"They're long johns ain't they?"

"I don't think that's why they're called that, Daryl," Beth laughed softly.

Casting a sweet smile in his direction she settled between his legs, both hands on his knees. She rubbed her thumb in small circles not saying much of anything. Just standing there looking into his eyes grinning from ear to ear.

"What?"

"What do you mean, 'what'?"

Giving him that cheeky grin Daryl couldn't help but smile back at her. No matter how hard he tried to hold back she always had a way of working her way under his skin. Everything about her was infectious and no matter how much that little voice inside told him to get the fuck out there was no way he could. She had him pinned. Cornered again.

"Can't sleep naked all winter, girl. Yer gonna be thankin' me 'cause ya got somethin' else to keep ya warm."

"You're supposed to use body heat to keep warm in the winter," she laughed at him, her face coming dangerously close to his. "Maybe I want you to keep me warm."

"Don't gotta play games with me no more," Daryl said quickly darting his eyes away from her.

She lifts an eyebrow at him and pulls back slightly removing one hand from his knee and moving it to his shoulder. Letting out a deep sigh she doesn't say anything. Just stands there looking at him with this amused look on her face.

"I've never had to play games with you, Daryl. Maybe beat around the bush a little but…"

Daryl leans in to kiss her then suddenly sure about his feelings and it's sweet and slow and exactly what he'd wanted to shut her up. She hums happily against his lips, tumbling head on into his lap pushing them both back against the bed abandoning the game and the dufflebag completely.

Intensifying the kiss it's a jumble of mouths and limbs, quickening breath jarring Daryl's mind. Wrapping himself up so wholly in this woman that he'd only recently been able to comprehend as someone who could ever want him nothing could seem more unrealistic. Whatever it was that this was.

Men like him could never end up with someone as sweet and genuine as Beth Greene. He was trash who had amounted to nothing even before the world went to shit. Under what bizarre circumstances had he gotten lucky enough to be here with her?

Back at the prison she hadn't crossed his mind many times until Zach had died. It was as if she existed in his peripheral view. Living and breathing as a unit of his family, his group but so rarely as someone he saw as someone other than a caretaker and a babysitter. The shining light in the darkness in all the turmoil that existed within those walls. Her voice echoing through the prison late at night, soft songs lulling him to sleep her velvety voice was able to cut through his nightmares.

Even then she had power over him although he did not know it.

Rolling over to straddle him Beth takes control of the situation this time, pulling her shirt over her head swiftly only to crash right back into his lips again.

"Guess ya don't gotta play games then, huh?" Daryl growled pulling away to bite at her exposed neck, pawing hungrily at her breasts.

"No," she sighed against his touch arching backward as he tweaks at the stiff peaks of her nipples. "I can have you whenever I want."

"Is that so?"

"Yes," Beth barely breathes out, grinding her hips against his hips again and again. Rolling into him with vigor, the thermal underwear now visibly seeping with her juices.

"Get these off then," he huffs, pulling her off him to dispose of the long johns. "Ya ain't had me yet, girl."

Obeying his orders she helps him get them off her feet giggling when they get caught. Her laughter cracks his nerves into pieces reminding him that this is Beth. Someone sweet and genuine and so goddamn good that he can't help but soak up every inch of her. And she was right because she could have him whenever she wanted and he'd be there in a fucking heartbeat.

"C'mon then," he mumbles against her lips pulling her under the blanket, running his rough fingers along her bare legs doing his best to warm her.

But she isn't cold, in fact she's burning up. Burning up inside, her core smoldering against the denim of his jeans. Against his cock straining at his zipper begging for release. She's so close he can almost remember the way she felt against his fingers. Soft and slick, so impossibly hot and tight he couldn't think about that right now. Not before he even got the chance to taste her again.

"This what you want, girl? Huh?" he chuckles traveling towards her center. Beth hums in response nodding her head furiously.

Tilting her hips up in anticipation of his arrival he uses one arm to anchor her at her waist while the other continues it's search upon her body. Licking his lips he carefully blows along her thighs, teasing her as he gets closer.

"Daryl…"

"Shhh...," he whispers between gentle kisses as he pushes her legs further apart. "Gotta stay still, hmm?"

Within a few moments he finds himself lost in her folds, lapping up the moisture because she's dripping all over him like she had before but now he craves her. Wants her from the inside out, to claim her and make her his own. Thrust inside her and spill his seed deep within her womb. As risky and stupid as he knows that is it only gets him harder thinking about it.

She gets lost in it too and it's as if time stops for the both of them. Her soft whimpers transform into needy cries for more as she wiggles beneath his steady grip.

Never has he worshipped a woman in his life the way he's prayed, kneeled upon Beth's body. Every inch of her a holy, sacred thing his filthy, soiled hands feel unworthy to touch. But somehow still she begs him, eggs him on to continue.

She comes in spurts crying out his name, biting her lip, trying anything she can to stifle the moans escaping from her mouth with every swipe of his tongue.

Before he can even catch his breath she's already lunged at him again, tasting herself on his lips, pulling at his shirt and vest, eager to get them off.

"Whoa, slow down," he chuckles as she fumbled with the buttons on his shirt. "Got plenty of time for everything."

"Not letting you get off that easy this time, Dixon."

"What are you talkin' about?"

"You don't get to eat me out and run away or fall asleep this time," she whispers sliding his shirt off his shoulders, her small incredibly soft hands exploring his chest, the scars on his back he was no longer afraid to hide from her any longer.

"I ain't," he gruffly responds, hoisting her up against the backboard as she begins to fumble with his belt buckle.

"Daryl…"

Giving him that knowing glance she gently caresses his ribs, slender fingers gliding along the place where he'd gotten himself with his own arrow so long ago.

"Don't, Beth."

It was hard to run away from her. Hard to run from his past and his insecurities when she already knew everything there was to know. All his demons, all his secrets. There was no hiding from Beth at this point. If he did it would only ruin them both in the end.

"Daryl…" she says his name again but this time her voice softens and she takes his hand, pulling him closer to her in the middle of the bed.

Undoing his belt and kicking his pants to the floor he curls himself against her body, savoring the feeling of her bare skin against his. In his mind things were harder and rougher, so much more complicated than the most simplistic form of beauty in front of him. Beth didn't want anything from him but just to be with him. That much he could understand but actually experiencing it, her, was another story entirely.

"I want this…" she whispers barely turning her face to watch gauge his reaction. "I want...you."

He nods then unable to put up any more wall between them because she'd broken down every single one. One by one, brick by brick. There was no hiding from her. Not anymore.

Painstakingly slowly he runs his hand along her body as he strokes himself. Kissing her neck, her back, the soft spot between her shoulderblades he discovered was a ticklish spot. Something he'd have to make a note of for later. She sighs against his touch and they both begin to relax again, falling back into the place they were before his emotions got the best of him.

How easy would it be to lose himself in her completely? He wonders as she begins to push her ass against him, not vocalizing her need but showing, encouraging him to keep going. Gulping hard he tries to keep those soft pants and sighs she keeps making from pushing him over the edge.

"Please, Daryl…"

He rolls her over on her side a little more, pushing her legs apart to get better access. Never in his mind had he imagined it would be this difficult for him he tries to push those thoughts out of his mind.

"It's okay…" she whispers sweetly before moaning as the tip of his cock comes in contact with her slick folds. "It's okay, Daryl."

"Shh...I know, girl. I know."

After a couple more minutes of agony he guides himself into her and the second she contracts her muscles around him they both yell out, now clinging to each other desperately. Getting used to the tightness he slowly starts moving, thrusting into her, cupping her breast with his free hand.

They stay this way for a moment still getting used to this new sensation. Daryl desperately trying to keep his head straight, wanting to make this good for her in any way he can but he can feel her tensing beneath him. Does she still want this? Had he already disappointed her?

Pulling out he tries to find the words to explain what it is he's feeling but before he can formulate a sentence she's already on top of him. Stroking his cock with vigor, blue eyes cast upon his face, intense and hungry. All consuming like she's wanted him, had him set in her sights this whole time.

"Fuck, Beth…"

"Shh…"

Within moments she's on top of him again, straddling him, moving her hips to meet his, riding out any insecurities he'd had before. She takes a hand and moves it to her clit without a word, showing him exactly what it is she wants. He feels bashful, feels stupid but knows that she isn't judging him.

"Stop thinking so much," she pants out in heavy breaths. "I want this. I want you."

Because she's always been able to read him even if he hides from her every chance she gets. Beth knows. She's always known.

Eventually he relaxes and forgets about the things that are haunting him because the only thing, the only person who matters now is Beth. It all falls away and he only sees her. Only feels the emotions she's dragged out of him one way or another.

She comes again within moments of him letting go, tensing around him her body suddenly unable to stay upright. He catches her, rolling them over to plant kisses on her face, anywhere and everywhere he can reach without ever having left her. Their bodies still connected, he swears he can feel everything she does.

Already having forgotten about himself, he's only reminded when she begins rolling her hips into his again and the sensation almost makes him laugh.

"Too selfless," she laughs against his cheek as he thrusts against her harder than he had before. "Always worrying about everyone but yourself, Mr. Dixon."

"Hush, girl. You got yours."

She laughs back at him and things become easier then. He's no longer than dirty old redneck who didn't amount to anything because he's got her. He's got her to remind him of all the things that could be, now that they've got each other.

Holding onto her hips tightly, his moments become quicker and quicker and the soft sounds of her little breaths and moans drown out all the thoughts in his head. She's everything. She always has been and she always will be, but now he knows. Now he knows better than to doubt the strength this girl has inside and the ability to bring that out in him too.

Pulling out quickly he spills himself on her thighs, thankful to have had enough sense not to make a mess of things. Not to put her in any more danger than she's already been in. She's got that far away look in her eyes only this time he knows she's right there with him.

Cleaning them both up with some rags they'd found around the cabin, he convinces her to change back into the long johns, a thermal shirt and socks, they clean the game together in silence. Every once in awhile he will show her where to cut, nodding in her direction. They eat in comfortable silence but something about it has him at ease in a way he never knew was possible.

Climbing back into the bed Daryl carefully piles on the quilts and blankets, tucking them under her body to keep her warm. He puts another log on the fire and joins her, pulling her closer to him. The winter would be long and hard, arduous and tiring but with this girl in his arms he's pretty sure they're capable of just about anything that might be out there waiting for them. Walkers and humans alike.