Authors notes

Sorry for the slightly delayed update! The next chapter will be a real long one, but it'll be posted by the end of the week hopefully. Thank you for all of the reviews, favourites and followers! Appreciate it. Hope you enjoy this chapter.

Beth gasped in surprise as Daryl's lips pressed against hers, she reached out an arm to support herself, but his grip on her did not falter, one arm had snaked around her waist while the other was caressing the back of her neck, his fingertips brushing against her hairline. Beth began to respond to his touch – running the tip of her tongue against his bottom lip, seeking access. The sensation was like electricity, it had invaded the air as the kiss began to deepen. Time felt like it had stopped in that moment, she felt weightless as they softly kissed.

"Ahem," the noise distracted her and she squeaked in surprise as she was suddenly pushed away from the embrace, her back hit the metal frame as Daryl bolted upright, his eyes fixated on the doorway. Michonne was stood there, her eyes were locked with Daryl's in a cold stare.

"You asked me to wake you up for our watch tonight. Daryl. Seems I had a wasted journey,"

Wordlessly Beth flew up from the bed, avoiding eye contact with both parties, leaving the room hastily without looking back. As soon as Beth was out of earshot, Michonne's stare intensified; her eyes filled with anger, she leaned against the doorway, her arms folded across her chest. "Gon' tell me what in the hell that was?"

"Nothin'," Daryl hissed back, throwing the sheet back and fumbling for his boots, not bothering to tie them up properly, he slung his jacket on and grabbed his crossbow. Michonne's arm moved to stop him moving, her controlled and slightly disturbing stare made him uneasy, preventing him from shoving her out of the way to escape.

"That your final answer?"

"Yes," the anger boiled in his blood, he needed to get out of this cell and away from her. Away from Michonne and the inevitable interrogation he was about to endure.

Her arm bolted back down to her side, Daryl stormed past her and made a beeline for the exit of the prison, he needed some air; the events of the last few minutes threatened to choke him.

"I'll hold 'ya to that," She shouted after him.

The cold rush of the night hit Daryl's face as the doors opened, he gulped and ran a hand through his damp, matted hair. The sweat that formed a sheen across his skin cooled instantly, he shivered as he paced towards the tower, glancing up he saw the current occupant. Maggie. Shit. Why did it have to be her? Just been caught kissing her little sister and now he has to act like everything's fine. A hand grabbed his arm, he swung around to the owner; Michonne's steely gaze met his, but this time she hissed at him before he had the chance to retaliate.

"Stay away from her Daryl, she's a kid and you got no right messing with her head like that,"

"Git off'a me," He snarled, snatching his arm out of her grasp and storming away towards the tower, he didn't look back but she didn't make any attempt to stop him again. His heart pounded in his chest and dizziness threatened to overwhelm him.

Luckily Maggie left without any questions, she had seen his argument with Michonne but hadn't heard anything, she thanked him for taking over; receiving a grunt in response. She looked tired and obviously didn't want to intrude, if Daryl's facial expression said anything at all, then it'd be 'don't fucking ask,' he gripped the railing as she descended the metal steps and headed towards the entrance of the prison. He grappled with his cigarette packet from the pocket of his trousers, his shaky hand struggled to light the item with his temperamental matches. Taking a deep inhale of smoke, the open cigarette packet slipped from his grasp and tumbled over the edge of the railing. Swearing loudly, he slumped down against the floor – defeated.

What had he done? She woke him up from a fucking nightmare and he kissed her. His punishing thoughts ran amok inside his head as he struggled to come to terms with the events that had just disastrously unfolded. Daryl couldn't let himself succumb to actions like these, he couldn't think of Beth in that way, Michonne was right she was just a kid. Barely an adult. He took advantage of her because of a stupid dream. They had been caught, what if Michonne told someone? She was angry enough at him, he dreaded to think the reactions of the rest of the group if they knew what he'd done. Nausea crept up, he felt like a dirty old man. Leaning his head back against a metal panel, he shut his eyes and took a deep breath.

"Daryl?" a voice murmured quietly in the darkness.

His eyes shot open, Beth swam into focus. Where had she come from? Jumping to his feet, he darted away from her; knuckles turning white as he gripped the metal railing in frustration.

"Daryl, I..."

"Was a mistake," He hissed before she could finish her sentence, "Don't wanna hear what ya' gotta say,"

She didn't respond, simply fleeing the watch tower as his words ripped into her. The sinking feeling in her chest overwhelmed her as the sobs racked her fragile body, feet pounding against the hard floor as the tears misted her vision and ran down her pale cheeks. She was an idiot, he didn't want her.

Daryl began to pace the walkway of the tower, guilt overwhelmed him; he didn't look at her until he caught a glimpse of her vanishing through the prison doors, he didn't need to look to see her pained expression, he hadn't meant to sound so harsh. He began to curse under his breath as he tried in vain to convince himself that the feelings weren't there. Daryl's foot kicked against something on the grating. His cigarettes. She'd picked them up from the ground before she came up. How long had she been there? Had she seen his row with Michonne? Fuck. She'd gotten under his skin and now it threatened to tear them both apart.