A/N: This chapter is coming sooner than it was supposed to. I've uploaded it early so you guys can take a deep breath and chill, because this chapter is everything you guys have been asking for.

A Case of the Blues: Chapter 8

Daryl woke up at dawn; his legs intertwined with Beth's, her back pressed against his chest. He nuzzled his face into the hollow of her neck and kissed her tenderly. The events of the night before were etched in his memory: a night he would never forget. He thought about her soft lips massaging his, her eyes a pool of desire, her touch sending electric pulses through his entire body.

He kissed her once more and whispered into her ear. "I have never loved anybody the way I love you."

Beth stirred slightly. "Daryl?" she whispered, her eyes beginning to flutter open.
"Yeah girl?"
"Nothing," said Beth, taking Daryl's hand that was draped over her stomach. "I just wanted to be sure of you. To be sure this wasn't a dream."

He smiled and ran his thumb over the top of her hand. "I'm right here, baby girl. Ain't goin' nowhere."

She smiled as his voice ghosted her ear, making her skin prickle at the warm air that cruised along her neck. The sunlight was only just beginning to stream in through the old windows and the gaps in the cabin walls, and it was just enough light for the two of them to be able to see each other. Beth turned in his arms and placed a gentle kiss on his lips.

"I need to get back home… Before Jimmy gets suspicious," she said quietly, not meeting his eyes. She hated that she had to leave. To her, the cabin was home – well, whenever she was near Daryl she was at home.

It felt like the words bounced off the walls, echoing through his head causing him discomfort. He never wanted her to leave him, but he knew she had a difficult job to do.

"Are you goin'ta leave him?"
"I'm going to try. I promise, Daryl."

He sighed. He felt guilty as fuck. He didn't want to force her to leave her fiancé for him – an old redneck who spent most of his time stuck in the past. But, he hadn't pressured her into anything; she seemed willing to leave Jimmy.

He removed his arm from underneath her and sat up, reaching for his boxers and jeans. He slid them on, aware of Beth's watchful eyes on his back and ass. "Enjoy the view while you can, Greene," he grinned, "Gon' have to go through a helluva break-up 'fore you get to see me 'gain."

"Mhmm," she smiled, still looking at him. He shook his head and chuckled, reaching for his shirt. He slid it over his shoulders and began to button it up, suddenly remembering the buttons being ripped off. He looked around the floor and sure enough, there were buttons scattered all around the floor. He looked up at Beth, and she simply smiled and winked. "I'll buy you a new one," she giggled.

"Hmph," he groaned, humour lining his voice. He threw Beth's hiking gear towards her and headed outside. "Off to take a piss, be back in a few."

Beth began to dress in her clothes she walked in yesterday, worry beginning to fill her mind. She was terrified. She had no idea how to break up with Jimmy – he hadn't done anything wrong that she could use against him. Could she accuse him of cheating? No - she had just cheated. That would be hypocritical of her.

The entire situation was just a mess. She decided she would speak to Maggie first.

After she dressed, she stuffed her belongings into her hiking bag. She laced up her boots and opened the cabin door, bumping straight into Daryl's chest.

"Easy, tiger," he chuckled. Beth laughed out of embarrassment, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"I best be off," she said, looking at him with guilty eyes.
"Yeah, I guess so."

They looked at each other for a few seconds and said nothing, one simply enjoying the appearance of the other. And suddenly they were kissing.

He grabbed her face and gently stroked her cheek whilst massaging her lips with his, desperate to feel her one last time. She felt immensely guilty to have to leave this man – the man of her dreams – to go back home to another man to break his heart, to come back to this man and hopefully live life in peace. She didn't think it would be that easy. But right now, kissing him was complete bliss.

She ran her tongue across his lips and they parted in response, allowing entry. They gently kissed each other for a few seconds, before he finally pulled away, resting his forehead against hers.

"Good luck," he whispered.

She smiled at him and held his hand. She gave it a reassuring squeeze before heading off, not letting go of his hand until she had to. She let her fingertips brush against his before her hand fell down to her side, and she began the long trek home.

**ONE HOUR LATER**

"Maggie! Open up!" Beth shouted through the door, hitting her fist against the wood. On her way home, she had received a text from Jimmy saying he was heading out for the day and he'd come and visit her in the evening.

She had set out to unlock her door only to realize she hadn't taken her keys with her. Now she was just praying that Maggie was in there, dragging herself out of bed.

Sure enough, she heard the lock click and the door opened, revealing her sister with a look that could send her six feet under.

"Did I wake you?" Beth teased, walking past her sister and into the apartment.

Maggie only yawned in response, shutting the door before collapsing onto the sofa. "Where you been?" She mumbled, rubbing her sleep-filled eyes, "what time is it?"

Beth checked her phone. "It's almost eight. And I was with Daryl."

Maggie shot up, staring at Beth. "Overnight?!" She grinned widely. Beth nodded, laughing at her sister's excitement. "Oh my god, Bethy… Wait – does Jimmy know?"

She shook her head. "I told him I was going on an overnight hike. Oh Mags, I feel so awful. I've been unfaithful to my fiancé – my fiancé!" She put her head in her hands. "What the hell do I do?"

Maggie looked away, thinking about the best thing to say to her sister. "How does he make you feel?"
"Daryl?"
Maggie nodded.
Beth sighed. "He makes me feel like… Like my existence is necessary for his survival. He makes me feel like nobody has ever made me feel my entire life," she began, "but, I made a promise to Jimmy to be his wife. And here I am, falling in love with another man." Maggie grinned at her sister. "What are you smiling for? This is serious!"

"Oh Bethy… My little sister's in love!"

Beth stared at her sister in disbelief. Maggie was actually okay with all of this? What the hell was going on?

"Beth, listen – the way you're talking about Daryl… I've never heard you speak about Jimmy that way. You need to go after him. Tell Jimmy the truth. It's going to be hard, it's going to hurt and you're going to feel god damn awful… But trust me. You're going to be so happy that you didn't marry Jimmy."

Beth shook her head and sighed. She scrunched her eyes together and rubbed her temples. "I doubt it's going to be that easy, Mags."

"I'll be here. I'll be in my room and I'll listen, and if it sounds like he's going to lash out or you're going to get hurt, I'll come out and stop him."

"You promise?" Beth asked, looking at her sister.

"Cross my heart," she replied, doing the action across her chest. Maggie smiled at Beth and opened her arms, inviting her in for a hug.

"I also see that you're not wearing your engagement ring," Maggie whispered in a teasing tone. "You are such a bad fiancé."

Beth laughed. "I love you, Mags."
"Love you too, Bethy."

** DARYL **

Daryl headed back inside the cabin once Beth had disappeared into the treeline. He sat down on the sofa with a grunt and sighed. He felt a grin arising on his face, and he let out a soft laugh.

"Beth fuckin' Greene."

He ran his hand across his face and lightly shook his head, still unable to get her out of his mind. He couldn't believe she had come back into his life. Twenty fucking years. So much time had passed, and yet here they were, acting like it had been barely a week.

But was this the right decision? Would he feel guilty for making her leave her fiancé? Would she even be able to do it, or would she run off and leave him again?

He picked up the phone and dialled Merle's number. After a few rings, he picked up.

"Sup, baby brother?"
"Merle, meet me at the cabin?"
"Sure thang, I'll be there soon."

Daryl hung up and put his phone back into his pocket. He looked around the room, at the drawings on the wall; at the books strewn across the floor. He looked at the scatter of shirt buttons that now joined the mess, when something that glimmered caught his attention. He stood up and walked over to the object, picking it up only to realize it was Beth's engagement ring.

It had fallen out of her pocket last night.

"Shit," he mumbled to himself, shoving the ring into his pocket.

** BETH **

Jimmy would be home any minute. This was the night she would break up with him. She'd be straight with him, and she'd walk out the door and return to the cabin. Maggie poked her head from around the corner and gave Beth a silent thumbs up.

Sure enough, five minutes later, there was a jangle of keys outside the door and it opened, as Jimmy walked in.

"Hey Beth," he smiled, closing and locking the door behind him.

Beth stood up and walked over to Jimmy. She was about to fiddle with the ring on her finger, only to realize it wasn't there. She quickly shoved her hand into her pockets, frantically searching, but she had no luck.

Jimmy watched as she rummaged through her pockets. "You lost something?" He asked, looking slightly concerned.

"Uhh.. No, I just – I forgot where I put my phone, that's all," she let out a nervous giggle, subtly hiding her hands behind her back. "Listen, Jimmy… We really need to talk."

Jimmy nodded and walked past her, sitting down on the sofa. He patted the area next to him, inviting Beth to sit beside him. He angled himself to face her, awaiting her words.

Okay Beth, you can do this. Just say it.

"I don't want to marry you, Jimmy."

The eerie calm on his face was terrifying. He seemed to be looking past her, his eyes lost.

"Jimmy? Talk to me, please."

Still, nothing.

"Jimmy?!"

He slowly turned his head away from her and looked at the ground. "Is it that dirty redneck you went to see last night?" He asked, his voice so quiet she almost didn't hear.

"Jimmy… How do you know about him?"
"I followed you."
"You what?!"

Jimmy stood up suddenly, walking away and angrily running his fingers through his hair. "I can't fucking believe this, Beth! You fucking lied to me, cheated on me, and now you have the cheek to break up with me?!" He yelled, turning to face her.

"Jimmy, it's not what you think – please, I didn't mean to hurt you, I – we are just friends, I swear Jimmy!" Beth felt bad for lying again, but she really had no clue as to how the situation could get any worse.

He stopped in his tracks and a smile slowly crept onto his face, except it wasn't friendly. "Then why was his tongue in your mouth? Was he conducting a clinical test of your gag reflex?"

"Jimmy, be reasonable– "
"No, Beth. How can I be reasonable? To me our love was everything and you were my whole life. It is not very pleasant to realize that to you it was only an episode."

She understood his anger. Of course she did. But she couldn't let her guilt get to her. She had to leave him.

"I'm sorry Jimmy, but I'm leaving. Don't try to contact me," she said sternly, pushing past him and heading towards the door. Before she could grab her keys off the counter, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her to face him.

"You can't leave me, I won't let you," he said through gritted teeth, his face inches away from hers.
"Let go of me." His grip hardened.
"No."

She tried to pull her arm free from his grip, but it was no use. She went to shout for Maggie, but his other hand covered her mouth before she could make a sound. Her eyes went wide with fear.

"Beth, you WILL marry me. You ain't got a choice."

Luckily, Maggie had heard the whole thing, and was peeking around the corner. She ran into her bedroom and grabbed the bat she had hidden under her bed. She sneaked up behind him, making eye-contact with Beth, and hit him over the head, sending him crashing to the ground. He was out cold.

"Maggie-" Beth whimpered, but her sister cut her off.

"Go to Daryl, now, I'll sort this."

Beth nodded and gave her sister a quick hug before running out of the door and heading for the cabin. All she could think was it was so hard to leave—until she left. And then it was the easiest goddamned thing in the world.

A/N: So they've broken up! You guys happy now? Hahaha :) I hope this chapter was okay for you. It's Bethyl from here on out!