A/N I know the last chapter was a rough one, and really bad timing, so I thank you for coming back for more. This chapter is also going to be hard on us, but we'll see some light and some resolution, and then we'll be moving forward. I thank you all again for the follows, favorites and comments. And to those "silent readers" I appreciate you too.

Trigger Warning: Child Abuse and Description of Resulting Injuries.

ooo00ooo

He just kept running as hard and as fast as he could, but it wasn't working. He couldn't get away from it. Two things owned his mind, fear that he'd never see her again, and the knowledge that he was worthless. Both of those things were causing this pain and he knew no matter how fast he ran he couldn't get away from it.

Eventually he could run no more, he was beyond exhaustion as he fell to the ground. Almost numb but not quite numb enough. He could still feel and he didn't want to feel.

He had nowhere to go and only two people he knew that truly cared for him. One was in prison and the other? He was sure after what her Dad said they'd keep her away from him, probably lock her up and throw away the key.

He couldn't go to his "home" in the woods. His Bike was there and broken and he'd left the truck at the farm. When her Dad said those words Daryl knew he couldn't keep the truck. He'd loved that truck but now he didn't want it, now that he knew what her Dad really thought of him.

He could have hitchhiked to the woods and stayed there but he couldn't risk missing work in the morning. He needed his job, it was all he really had left. He wished she was with him, he wished Merle was there. He wished he wasn't so alone. He was glad no one was there to see him cry.

Once he'd caught his breath and the tears had quit falling he got to his feet and got to the highway. He caught a ride with a guy who dropped him off not far from his old man's place, just another half mile to go. Hopefully his Dad would be passed out and he could get a night's sleep, before he hitched into town for work in the morning.

ooo00ooo

The young couple had talked about it plenty when they were stuck in the woods. They'd sat by the campfire holding hands and deciding what was best. As much as they hated the idea they knew they couldn't keep their secret any longer. They also knew they were going to be in big trouble, there was just no way around that reality. Her parents would place a lot of restrictions on them, and probably for a very long time. But they agreed it was time to just own up to the truth. They'd tell her Mama and Daddy how they'd disobeyed the rules and taken those motorcycle rides, and about the place in the woods. They'd be adults about it and accept the responsibility and their punishment.

They planned to be both mature and contrite, and they'd make a point of assuring her folks they hadn't done any of those things they'd had all those "talks" about.

But when her Daddy yelled at Trouble that way, when he'd spoken those cruel words, all of those plans they'd made that seemed so good and so solid were quickly forgotten.

As protective as Daryl Dixon was of Beth Greene, Beth Greene was just as protective of Daryl Dixon. The perfect daughter was filled with anger and she hurt so badly, not for herself but for Daryl. She was firm in her rage. No one would ever be mean to him that way again, ever. He'd had to endure too much meanness and cruelty in his life.

She was in fighting mode, fighting for him and fighting for them. And sweet little Beth Greene was fully committed to do whatever she had to do to ensure she would not be kept away from him. She'd been prepared to be on restriction, thinking they would be kept apart for a couple of weeks. But she wouldn't accept that now, she'd run before she'd accept that. When her Daddy had yelled those words at Trouble the girl had made a choice, a choice named Daryl Dixon.

Mama was not nearly as surprised by her daughter's level of anger, or the voice she was giving that anger, as was her husband. That was because Mama could see herself in Beth. It was so easy to misjudge women like them, most people did. They were the quiet ones, the sweet ones, the ones who tried hard to keep the peace, to get along. They were perceived as being weak, that was a mistake. When it came to fighting for the people and the things they believed in, they were unwavering.

Beth's raised voice exuded every bit of the anger she felt, "How could you say those things to Daryl? He's proved himself to you over and over! You've never liked him, you had your mind made up against him the first time he showed up here. We were so ready to apologize to you, to explain everything, to be adults and to accept whatever punishment you decided on. Well guess what? That's all changed now. I don't care what you say, there's nothing you can do to keep me from seeing Daryl! Nothing!"

With that she turned and ran up the stairs to her room.

His wife just looked at the devastated man. She knew him well enough to know he already felt enormous guilt over the words he'd said to Daryl. She knew he hadn't meant them, but that didn't seem to matter now. And his baby girl, his pride and joy had let him know in no uncertain terms, she would chose that young man over him.

So Annette Greene didn't bother to say those things to him, or to tell him all of this was happening because he had let his anger and emotions guide him. That he hadn't acted in a mature manner. She knew she didn't need to tell him, just like she knew no one could ever punish him like he was already punishing himself.

"I'm going to give Beth 15 minutes to calm down a little, then I'm going up to talk to her. In the meantime maybe reading some of your meditations will help you."

He just looked at his wife, "I wish it was that easy."

She knocked softly on her daughter's door, "Bethie its Mama, I just want to talk."

"Come in." As soon as her mother entered the room and closed the door her daughter declared in no uncertain terms, "I meant what I said Mama, you can't change my mind."

"I'm not here to change your mind I'm here to find out where you were. I was worried sick and I knew you wouldn't just let me be that scared. So tell me now."

And Beth did tell her, just like she and Daryl had planned. She admitted to Mama how they'd sneaked around every Saturday they'd been allowed to go to a movie. How they'd taken the motorcycle up into the woods. She told her Mama about the fishing and the crossbow and the tracking. And she told the woman that Daryl lived there much of the time. She told Mama the conditions Daryl lived in, that he slept under an old blue tarp to stay warm and dry. How he hunted for small game and fished, and cooked the foods he harvested over a fire and an old grate.

She told Mama how his bath was cold creek water and how all of that was better than going home to his father's house. But still she didn't tell Mama why he wouldn't go there except when he had to, she didn't share with Mama about the way Daryl's Dad was. She'd promised not to tell and she would never betray him, ever.

She told Mama how she had ended up falling in love with the beauty of the spot, and how the way he was living had broken her heart. And she admitted to Mama that they'd talked about getting married and having children and that they wanted to live there or in a place just like it.

Finally she made every effort to reassure her Mother. "Mama even though we were up there alone so often, and just last night for a whole night alone, nothing happened. Daryl and I did sleep together, and we did hold each other all night long. But we never did what you've been so worried about us doing. I wasn't ready and Daryl never pushed that with me. It was always going to be my choice, my decision. I don't care what Daddy thinks Daryl's an honorable man. And he is a man Mama, he's a man because that's what he's had to be to survive."

Mama hadn't spoken a word she'd just listened to her daughter's story. Parts of it made her angry, the parts about sneaky behavior and lying. Parts of it broke her heart, she hated to think of the young man she'd grown to love believing he had no options but to hideout in the woods and try to survive. Parts of it made her feel relieved, there would be no unexpected baby.

"Bethie, when I was so scared worrying for you and Daryl I did something I would never do otherwise. I was just looking for a clue, anything to help find you. I searched your room and I found the notebook and the picture under your mattress." Her Mother just looked at her expectantly, waiting for her daughter to speak.

Beth felt her face warm; she treasured that beautiful picture of them Daryl had drawn, but it sure wasn't the kind of thing a girl wants her Mama to see. They were there in their spot; behind them in the distance was a small cabin. They stood in each other's arms, holding on tightly and kissing deeply, and they were naked from the waist up.

She'd gone this far, she might as well just tell it, "Mama it didn't happen, it was a dream Daryl had. We've both had a lot of dreams Mama, dreams about what everyone seems to be the most afraid of. But that was all it was. I was embarrassed when he gave it to me, he was more embarrassed. But it's what we both want someday, to be married and to have a small place of our own in the woods and to just be together. That's what he drew, what he wanted it to be. Mama me and Daryl love each other. That's all I can tell you."

Mama was without words. This was all just so much, way too much to think about. There were so many things going on and they were coming at her all at once. She'd spent the whole night worried sick. She'd witnessed her husband yelling at a boy she knew the man loved and respected, and she'd watched her daughter yell at her husband. Now she'd come face to face with a new reality. Her daughter was no longer a child. She was a woman feeling the things women felt when they loved a man.

"I love you Beth and I think you know I love Daryl, and I hope Daryl knows that. I can't say its' okay that you lied, that you deliberately disobeyed me and Daddy. It's not okay. But what am I to do? I'm sorry his motorcycle is broken and I'm so sad he has to live the life he does. And I was horrified when I saw the picture, and yet I understand about love and desire. I just need some time to think Beth."

"I know Mama I'm so sorry I lied to you, and I'm really sorry you worried. We tried to call and Daryl left for town as soon as it was safe to go. But I know if we hadn't been there in the first place none of it would have happened. I can't give Daryl up Mama, I won't."

"I know that too." They did hug but Mama's heart was heavy, she was scared about so many things. Mostly she didn't want her family torn apart.

Her husband was in his office and she didn't disturb him, she had a mind that was full of her own worries. She took two aspirin and then went to her room. Maybe if she just laid down in the quiet and gave herself some time to think and pray answers would come to her.

It was about a half hour later that the call came in on Hershel Greene's private line. He was more devastated than ever, "Yes, yes, I'll take responsibility. Yes. Do what you have to do for him. I'm leaving now, I'll be there shortly."

He called up the stairs for his wife and daughter, "We have to go now, it's an emergency."

ooo00ooo

The town was getting ready for the big 4th of July festivities and folks were already filling the park. Jim, a volunteer fireman who lived out passed the Dixon place was heading to town. He'd be part of the crew that set off the fireworks display later that evening.

He hadn't gone far when he spotted something just off the highway. At first he thought it was a pile of old clothes someone had just dumped, but something made him slow down and pull over. That's when he saw it was a body. It was just a boy, he thought he looked like Will Dixon's son but his face was so battered Jim couldn't tell. He checked for signs of life and found a pulse, but the boy was so badly beaten he was afraid to move him. He got on his radio and called dispatch to send paramedics, and to make it fast.

They got him to the ER and cut his clothes off as the doctors and nurses began trying to stabilize the young man. One of the nurses checked his pants pocket and found a wallet that had been cleaned out, everything gone. But the nurse noticed an almost invisible slit had been made in the lining, probably with a razor. There were three things hidden between the lining and the leather, a 100 dollar bill folded into an impossibly small square, his driver's license and the card Hershel Greene had given him with his private number.

Beth was insolent at first, "I'm not going anywhere with you."

All Daddy had to respond was, "It's Daryl, he's hurt." Mama wasn't sure her daughters' feet had even touched the stairs, she moved down them so quickly.

When they arrived at the hospital they were directed to the ER. A nurse explained that the doctor was still with the young man, and that he'd be out to speak to Mr. Greene just as soon as they had Daryl stable. Daddy asked, "What happened? Was he in a wreck?"

She looked at the chart making certain she could speak freely to this man, and it appeared to her he was indeed the emergency contact. "No it wasn't a wreck, he's been severely beaten. When the man that found him asked who'd hurt him he named his father. The Sheriff is looking for his father now."

Tears were flowing from his wife's and his daughter's eyes, and Hershel felt the sting of his own tears. He cried for the boy and he cried for his daughter, and he cried for himself. Because the level of guilt that Hershel Greene felt could not be measured.

Beth managed to choke out the words, "I need to see him, I need to see him right now!"

"I'm sorry Miss, the doctor is treating him now. As soon as he's stable we can check with the doctor, okay?" The family sat together waiting in silence for two hours.

When the ER's double doors opened and the doctor walked through them, the small family rose in unison. The doctor spoke to Hershel, "We've gotten him stabilized for now. He's suffered some serious injuries typical of this type of abuse case, but he's a fighter, I can see that. He has several fractured ribs, and one of his shoulder blades is fractured, his kidneys are bruised, two fingers are broken, his spleen is badly bruised but didn't rupture so I'm leaving it for now. I don't want to add the trauma of surgery if I don't have to. Most of his organs have suffered some kind of trauma. In addition to all that he has bruises over most of his body resulting from being both kicked and punched, including both sides of his face and on the upper surfaces of his hands and feet."

The doctor took a deep breath before continuing, "There are also many telltale signs of previous abuse. There's an old fracture to his left arm that looks like someone tried to splint it themselves. There are old burn scars, and his back has several scars consistent with him having been beaten with a strap, probably a belt. I'd say it's nothing short of a minor miracle this young man has survived as long as he has."

Daddy could barely speak, "You're right, he's a fighter."

When they were allowed in his room her Daddy and Mama stood back while she hurried to his side. He was nearly unrecognizable, his face so bruised and puffy. As they watched their daughter gently touch his hand and heard her whisper, "Oh Trouble I know you told me to keep your secret but I wish I hadn't. I wish I would have told everyone about your Dad. I'm so sorry, I love you so much."

His hand moved just a little at her touch, and his eyes were so puffy it was difficult to tell, but he'd opened them. He wanted to see her so badly but between the beating and the medication they'd given him, his vision was blurred. Still he'd know her anywhere. It was barely audible but she heard him say, "I love ya Sunshine."

Daddy went to his side then, "I'm so sorry son, I know I can never make this right and I'll never get over the guilt. I just want you to know I didn't mean a word of what I said. I care deeply for you and I respect the man you are and the courage and resolve you have. I hope someday you can find it in your heart to forgive me."

"mmmm."

"I know it's never going to be okay but I'm going to do whatever I can to try and somehow make things better."

The young man just lay there quietly.

They left their daughter with him while they went to the cafeteria. Daddy called Dale Horvath and told him what had happened. While they waited to meet with Daryl's boss, Mama told her husband everything their daughter had said about what they'd been doing and where they'd been. She never told him about the drawing, she could see no point in it.

Thirty minutes after Daddy had called him, Dale Horvath was in the cafeteria having coffee with the Greenes. Hershel told him everything he knew about Daryl's injuries. They discussed a plan, some way they could all help Daryl, and they came to an agreement.

They quietly walked back in his room. Daddy had to bite his lip, he wasn't going to say a thing, he'd said too much already. But it was a little tough on the man seeing his daughter lying in bed with Trouble.

Two days later Beth went with Mr. Horvath and another man from the shop to retrieve Daryl's motorcycle from the woods. Mr. Horvath could have had the bike fixed but he knew Daryl better than that, he knew the young man would want to fix it himself and so he'd just taken it to his place and locked it in the garage.

While visiting at the hospital one day Daddy tried hard to talk Daryl into taking the truck back, "It's yours son, you earned it and I want you to have it."

"Nah it don't feel right no more. Ya keep it, I'll get sumthin' else sometime." Daddy could only hope he'd change his mind. He was grateful that at least his daughter and Daryl were speaking to him. It wasn't the same kind of relationship he'd had with either of them before, but it was something and he hoped it would eventually get better.

A week later Daryl was released, but still not able to work. The doctor said he had to wait at least another week and even then only light duty.

He wanted to see his brother. As next of kin they'd notified Merle and told him what had happened to Daryl. They even allowed Merle to call, "I'ma make this right for ya little brother. I'ma make it right."

"Nah don't Merle, don't take no chances, I want ya here, I want ya with me, that's all."

He wasn't real comfortable with the idea, but he didn't have a lot of options. It was just that he'd never lived with anyone except his bastard father, Merle, and for a very short time his Mother. The only other person he'd ever imagined himself living with was Beth.

Dale and Erma Horvath seemed to understand all of that when they'd opened their home to him. They knew the full story now; that he'd been taking care of himself, that he'd been living up in the woods most of the time. They had no inclination to put a lot of rules and restrictions on him. He was too old and had been independent for too long. He was a good kid who'd been given an almost impossibly difficult life that he'd somehow risen above. Dale Horvath knew Daryl was a responsible person. The young man knew where he had to be and when he had to be there. He wasn't afraid of work and took it more seriously than anyone his boss had ever known.

Dale and Erma's main objectives were to give him a safe and comfortable place to stay, a place where he could feel at home and know there were people that cared about him. And they wanted to make sure he had the opportunities he deserved to have.

Mrs. Horvath was sweet and he'd always liked her fine, all she'd said was, "I don't expect too much Daryl. I want you to keep doing your best in school and I want you home with us by ten on school and work nights. You've always looked so tired to me Daryl. I want you to rest. "

"Yes ma'am." With his injuries and his body trying to heal he was more tired than he'd ever been, sleeping sounded good. They were real nice folks and he did appreciate them being so kind. They didn't want much from him and he was relieved to have a place to stay. At least until he could get his own place.

Later that week Mr. and Mrs. Horvath drove Daryl and Beth to Atlanta so he could see his brother. Beth waited with the older couple while Daryl went in.

Merle was fighting it hard, the rage and the pain at seeing what had happened to his young brother. He'd never wanted to kill so badly. Even he knew it was a good thing he was locked up, because if he wasn't he knew who he'd kill and with no remorse, not an ounce of guilt. For right now though he had to be a big brother to the only person in the world he gave a fuck about. "Hey there little brother, you're a tough sumbitch ain't ya?"

"I don't feel all that tough right now Merle."

"Well ya are kid an don't ya never forget it. Now listen here ta ya your brother, ya testify against that bastard, ya hear me? Ya don't let him get away with this shit no more. If I'da done that he'd a been sent up a long time ago an ya wouldn't a had ta get hurt."

"Ain't your fault Merle, don't say that. I just want ya back, I want my brother back."

"You're gonna get him kid, just two more months and they're lettin' me go. I ain't gonna be havin' my own place right away. I gotta 'transition' they call it. I'll be spendin' three months in a group home, they're still gonna be keepin' a real close eye on me. After that, if I do right I can get a place. I'ma do right kid, I'ma try an be a good man like you are."

Things had changed so much in such a short time, two of the best ways they'd changed in Daryl's eyes were his Dad was in jail and Merle would be out in just two months. And he'd be back at work in just a few days, earning money and adding to his stash.

The biggest change had been with her parents, they'd loosened up on the reigns so much. They were treating them like they could be trusted, like they deserved to have time together. Like they were a couple in love.

It wasn't quite enough though. It was too little and too late. Trouble and Sunshine had their own ideas, they're own plan, they were going to do things their way. After all, doing things everyone elses' way hadn't worked out so great.

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A/N We got through it, thank God. I know these last two chaps have been rough, but we're moving on now. We'll fast forward a few months and our couple will be back in school next chapter, making big decisions and big plans. I thank you for reading along. Please comment / review. Happy New Year! x gneebee

The chapter photo is on my tumblr blog bethylmethbrick and I appreciate you "visiting" me there. If you have a chance please check out my newest Bethyl story One Cold Night. I wish you all a Very Happy New Year and I hope to see you back here next Saturday for more Trouble. Until then, remember I love ya large! xo gneebee