A/N: Hi everybody, I'm really sorry for not updating sooner – there's a hell of a lot going on right now, so I haven't had much time to write. I hope this is okay.

A Case of the Blues: Chapter 14

The words made her eardrums vibrate and ring. She had a strange feeling in the pit of her stomach, like she was swimming and she wanted to put her feet down on something solid, but the water was deeper than she thought and there's nothing there to support her. She wanted to scream, to yell for somebody to help – but even if she could, nobody would hear her. She knew that much.

The cold steel of the gun was making its presence very noticeable against her temple; sweat trickled down her forehead and prickled her skin in the most disturbing way possible.

He didn't speak now. He just looked at her and smiled softly, love and admiration showing in his eyes. She felt sick.

His free hand began to stroke her cheek and travel down her neck, making her hairs stand on end. He ran his index finger lower towards the centre of her chest and down between her breasts. Beth scrunched her eyes closed – if Jimmy was going to rape her she could at least have the power to look away.

"Take off your shirt," he whispered.

Beth ignored him and lightly shook her head, fear pouring out of her when she felt the gun press harder against her head.

"Don't make me ask you twice, baby."

** DARYL **

Daryl headed towards the cabin – the only place he knew where to find Beth. I really should find out where she lives, he thought to himself. Whilst walking, he began to remember how he had finally found her again, singing her heart out. Beautiful songs could sometimes take a person out of themselves and carry them away to a place of magic. But when Beth sang, it was not about the song. She could sing the phone book for all he cared. Whatever she sang, whatever the words or the tune, it was so beautiful, so achingly lovely, that no one could listen and be untouched.

Finally reaching the opening and being presented with the cabin, he walked forward and opened the door. Disappointingly, the building was empty. Deciding to wait around for a while to see if she'd turn up, he threw himself down on the sofa with a tired thud.

Suddenly, the door was thrown open and Merle ran through the door. Daryl stood up instantly and looked at his brother expectantly.

"Beth…" he inhaled deeply, "Jimmy's threatened her…" another breath, "She wants to see you."

"Where is she?"
"At ours."

With the information he needed, he pushed past his brother and ran. His girl was in trouble, and he wasn't about to let that boy put his filthy hands on her.

** BETH **

With her shirt removed, she began to feel cold. Very cold. Each minute was ticking by tauntingly slower each time; she just wished that Daryl or Merle or anyone would walk through the front door and take him away.

So far he had barely touched her. Looking at her seemed to be enough for him at the moment – quite to Beth's benefit. She simply kept her eyes shut and stayed still. It was easiest for her.

Beth felt the hard metal disappear from her temple. Risking to open one eye, she realized he had taken the gun away and put it down beside her. Stupid move. He looked at her then and his eyes held so much intensity she wasn't sure what to think.

"Jimmy-"

"Shut up," he slapped her across the face, making her yelp. She lifted her hand to touch her cheek and it stung like a bitch. Tears welled in her eyes and she shut them again, debating her next move. It was now or never.

Suddenly he began frantically undoing her jeans and pulling the zipper down. He tried to yank them down roughly and before she could think, she had grabbed the gun and pulled the trigger.

"Fuck!" He screamed, clutching his thigh. He fell to the floor and began writhing in pain.

The front door slammed open. "Beth?!"

Daryl.

He ran into the living room and paused, taking in the sight of a shirtless Beth still holding a gun in shaking hands. She dropped the gun to the floor and stared at her hands and began to cry.

"You bitch!" Jimmy yelled from the floor and Daryl saw red. He charged forwards and pinned him down and threw his fist into Jimmy's face. The crunch and the splatter of blood that appeared was extremely satisfying for Daryl. But before he could deliver another blow, Merle had grabbed him and pulled him up, holding him back.

"Yer girl needs ya," he whispered so only he could hear.

Daryl took a deep breath and turned to look at Beth. He slowly approached her and felt his heart break as she flinched slightly when he reached out to touch her face. "Beth," he whispered, his eyes properly meeting hers as she trembled in front of him. He pulled her in close and held her there, covering her up.

He was angry. Really fucking angry. But for now, Jimmy could wait, because all that mattered to him in that moment was his Beth.