AN: Long time, no update. I know, again I suck. But I just watched the latest episode of Bitten and decided to give you guys this piece of… well, whatever this is. Lets just say it's a bit of then and a bit of now. Also… (SPOILERS) who's excited for this week's Walking Dead? Was that handholding I saw there for a microsecond? Lets hope the relationship is taking a more romantic walk.

Two: Reunion

Daryl followed Hershel up the stairs, down the hallway that held photos from years past. "Glad to see you back again," his pack master stated, "after so long."

"Needed a break," Daryl said sternly, shrugging his shoulders. Hershel chuckled and stopped in front of a door. Her door, her room.

"She doesn't deserve this, she's innocent in this Daryl."

"I know."

"No, you don't. Her life in the human world is over, she's trapped."

Daryl wanted nothing more than to beat the door down and take the young girl in his arms. Hershel wouldn't allow it, he knew, so patiently, he waited. "He's coming after her – all of us, to get to her. He'll kill me and you and everyone we hold dear, just so he can claim her from you." Turning, he eyed Daryl sternly. "He'll take her in front of you and make her watch as he kills you."

Daryl clenched his fists. No one would touch her, not after last time. "It won't fuckin' happen," Daryl stated, stepping forward and grabbing the doorhandle. Hershel clamped his hand down on Daryl's shoulder.

"You will look after her. As her husband and as her pack-mate." Nodding gently, Daryl turned the doorhandle and let himself inside.

The sound of the door closing made her jump from her position at the window. She turned her head and her eyes widened. Five years had changed him. Beth knew every line, every curve and every hair but seeing his longer hair, eyes that looked dark and tired and a body that went on for days made the years seemed welcome. "Hey," she whispered, leaning her back against the window-frame.

He stepped forward, unsure on if to join her at the window or stay where he was. "Yer dad's still on this husband thing," Daryl said, crossing his arms over his chest and smiling gently when the corner of her mouth lifted.

"Technically he's right," she replied, "even without the real vows and rings and the piece of paper of the human celebration, we are married by pack, Daryl. You claimed me, and I you. Don't get me wrong; I always wanted the big white wedding and was waiting for you to ask, before you left."

Daryl shrugged; sitting down on her bed – their bed – he eyed her. "I never claimed you," he whispered, "I loved you."

"Past tense I see," she whispered, showing a sad smile. Slowly, Beth grasped the edge of her sundress and lifted it slightly, just above her knee. Daryl winced when he saw the mark, the bite, which he had placed there six years earlier. It was healed now, only a faint scar marred her perfect creamy skin and could only be seen if someone had known it was there.

"Beth… I… "

Eight years earlier

Night had fallen and Beth had come home early from school. In one week she would graduate high school and her father had pushed and pushed for her to finish. Maggie and Shawn, her older siblings, were already off at college and Beth, being the youngest, knew better than to worry her father.

As Beth rolled into the estate that she had lived on her whole life, her old beat up car (a birthday present from her father) rumbled down the drive and parked in the front. Hoping out, Beth took her bag and made her way inside.

"I don't like him, pack master," a voice rang out from the living room. Beth knew it was the voice of Shane Walsh, one of the pack. She peaked her head around the corner and spotted her father, Rick Grimes and Shane standing in the middle of the room. "He comes from no where and just wants to join us here."

"Your point is taken Shane, but he's one of us. Better him here than out God knows where."

It was then, as her father stepped aside to pour himself a glass of brandy that she noticed a young man, probably no more than twenty-three sitting on the couch. He looked tired and she could tell he hadn't yet had the change. Beth had been three when her father had been bitten and he had changed almost a week later. At the age of seven, her father was the pack master of the strongest pack in North America. Each time they changed, a new scar or lined stayed where it had been. This young man, before them all, had no scars. Not yet.

"He's young Shane, like you were once." Beth took that moment to leave and run upstairs to the sanctuary of her bedroom.

"Daryl, I'm not asking anything of you as my husband," she whispered, "but I ask you as my pack-mate to help protect us, my father included. I know he likes to act tough and brave but I know that deep down he's scared. Scared that something will happen and soon."

"He's not fuckin' touchin' you," Daryl replied, standing and making his way over to her by the window, "I don't care if I have to kill each and every single one of his men, no one is going to touch you."

Smiling and lifting a hand to his cheek, Beth whispered gently, "That means killing your brother."

Eyes locked with hers, he replied sternly, "Yes."

OK… What? What just happened you may ask? Who is "he" and what has Merle got to do with anything? Hmm…. Just means that things are going to start getting a lot more interesting. Thanks for reading everyone.