Enjoy

Beth places her towel on the vanity beside the sink, softly humming to herself while she turns on the shower. The water feels glorious as it hits her skin in tiny beads that cascade down her body and instantly warm her. Dirt pools at her feet as she stands under the steady stream, smelling the sweet soapy scent of strawberries and lavender floating up through the air. It seems years have passed, an eternity even, since last she's felt so clean.

Only when her fingers begin to prune, does she summon the will to pull back the curtain and reach for her towel. A shiver runs through her as the cold air hits her warm skin and the hazy cloud of steam separates, revealing the concrete walls of the tombs. She is dressed in blue jeans and a cotton top with no recollection of how they got there, and finds a knife is strapped firmly to her hip. Confused, she stares into the darkness, and as she does her hand instinctively moves to tightly grip the hilt of the blade. Faint voices echo through the blackened halls, luring her forward. She takes a tenative step, and then another, and with each step the voices grow louder.

She nearly jumps out of her own skin when Glen exits out a door she didn't know was there. Fresh blood covers his body neck to foot and he roughly grabs her shoulders, quickly glancing around her and down the dark corridor . "Beth, what the hell are you doing here?"

"I'm not sure. What's going on? Where are we?" Glen tries to block her view, but Beth leans around his body to watch Rick, in wide-eyed horror as he hacks away at her father's leg. Her daddy's screams are deafening.

"Daddy! No! Glen stop this!"

"Can't Beth," Glen calmly says as he restrains her. "Seriously, you need to leave. It's not safe."

"I can take care of myself!" Beth shouts through angry tears.

"With what... A baby. Really Beth, you should be more responsible than bringing her down here."

The knife that moments before she clutched in her hand is gone, disappeared, replaced with Judith who now happily wiggles in her arms. "How...? Glen you don't understand. I... I didn't... I had a knife."

Casually Maggie walks through the door and immediately frowns in disapproval when she looks upon her sister. "Tsk, tsk, tsk... You're so weak Beth. How could anyone leave you in charge of a baby. Don't you care for her safety at all."

Maggie's harsh words cause angry tears to roll down Beth's horrified face. How could Maggie ever doubt her love for...

"JUDITH!" The world is spinning and then the baby is gone.

Like fresh paint on a canvase doused in water, the landscape melts away to form something new. Beth is in a forest now, and she listens as birds chirp above her head in the leafy canopy. Her attention is drawn to the crackling wood from a nearby campfire, causing her to smile. She knows where she is, When she is... Beth knows Daryl sits just beyond those trees waiting for her return, and she is excited. No way is this a teenage crush. The last two weeks have been some of the happiest days in her life. Who would have thought that here at the end of the world she would find the man that compliments her perfectly.

Beth is about to run to him when a sharp blow to the back of her head scatters her thoughts. Instantly her vision is blurred, and stars dance above her head. Beth feels rough hands grab at her arms while two more lift her feet in the air. She thrashes with all her might, struggling to break free, but panic and fear consume her as the hood of the trunk slams shut, leaving her in darkness. There is nothing more she can do. The last thing she hears are the squealing tires on the dirt road, and Daryl's voice screaming her name.

Bang, bang, bang. "Maggie! Glen! Beth's in trouble, come quick!"

Maggie darts down the hall and into the small room, straight for her sister who is thrashing about on the bed. "Tara, how long has she been like this?"

"Minutes maybe. I heard her yell for help and found her like this."

Maggie shakes Beth hard. No response. Glen casts Maggie a worried look. "She hasn't had a night terror in weeks now. Thought this was behind us."

"Why isn't she waking?"

Sasha peeks in, and quickly leaves to fetch Bob. "Give her space," Bob says as he enters the room.

"She won't wake up!" Maggie says through worried tears.

/

Daryl burns a path into the concrete, pacing a steady loop around the steeple while he scans the grounds of the church and the small cottage that is tucked in next to it. So much has happened in the last eight weeks. Hell, so much has happened in the last eight hours, and he is grateful for the time alone to sift through his thoughts.

He can still feel Beth's small form pressed against his much larger frame, and the soft pressure of her lips as they connected with his. God, he could spend the rest of his life kissin' Beth. It's more than that though, so much more. Beth loves him. Never did Daryl think he would hear those words spoken in reference to him, but Beth did and she does, and he tresaures her words. They echo in his head, invading his every thought, and they leave him dizzy.

Like magnet to metal the hunter's eyes are once more drawn to the cottage below in which Beth sleeps. He takes comfort in the knowledge that she is warm and safe inside.

Daryl reaches in his vest pocket searching for a cigerette long since smoked when his hand comes to rest on the notebook he scooped up for Beth at the pharmacy. It is nothing special. Just some lined paper with a flimsey cardboard cover and a wire that sprials through the top. He thought maybe she would like to start journaling again, and he hopes that if she does it will help to release the pain he still sees lurking behind her eyes sometimes.

Beth rarely speaks of her two month absence, and Daryl refuses to push. He understands better than most that while the physical wounds may have healed quickly, the emotional damage left behind in its wake can linger, and be much slower to mend.

Daryl catches movement out of the corner of his eye and quickly turns to peer down at the main gates from his perch. "Phefft." Nothing serious, just a stray walker that has ambled too close to the iron gates and has gotten stuck. The hunter grabs for his crossbow in one fluid motion, swiftly notching a bolt into place before taking aim. Even under the cover of darkness the arrow cuts cleanly through the air with accurate precision, nearly slicing the creature's head in two. He can't help but smirk as he heads down the stairs to retrieve the bolt.

"Nice shot!"

Daryl turns when he hears Rick's voice. "Dumbass here got his foot stuck in the bars. Could've probably taken him down in my sleep."

"I don't doubt it brother."

"You here to take watch?"

"I was going to, but you looked to be mulling something over. I thought I'd give you a bit more time and do a perimeter check first, but since you're here... Is something troubling you Daryl?"

"Na man, s'not important."

"Fair enough." In an attempt to change the subject Rick looks at Daryl and says, "So Beth seemed happy tonight,"

Daryl's back immediately goes up with Rick's mention of Beth. He knows that sooner or later he will have to deal with it, but Rick's opinion matters, and Daryl isn't sure he wants to hear what the man has to say. "What goes on with Beth and myself is our business." Daryl snaps out. "I ain't gonna go messin' with a good thing, so yah got a problem... get over it!"

"Woo, hold on there. Who's got a problem? All I was going to say is that after everything that's happened to her, it's nice to see Beth smiling again. Call it a hunch, but I kinda thought maybe it was you that put it there. Girl's been through Hell, we all have. It's nice to see something good come out of it. Hershel would be proud."

Daryl gives his friend a sceptical glance, smirks, and shakes his head. "You and I both know that ain't the truth. If her Daddy were here, he'd be hobbling after my ass right now lookin' for a clear shot."

Rick laughs at Daryl's description. "Maybe so, but he would have gotten over it. Hershel thought very highly of you. Told me so himself. He would take comfort knowing you were watching out for his daughter."

"Beth and I watch out for each other."

"I believe you do." Rick's voice takes on a somber tone, and he eyes the hunter intently. "Take care of her Daryl. I wish I had done a better job with Lori. Should have showed her how I felt when she was here. Should have told her more often."

Daryl thinks on how they almost lost Rick to crazy-town after Lori died the way she had, and he is not surprised to hear that it still weighs heavy on him. "She knew Rick. It was a stressful time, but Lori knew you loved her."

"I just wish I could give Carl more hope for the future. Wish I knew what to tell him, you know. I feel like all I'm teachin' him is how to be distrustful. How to keep closed off. What kind of life is he gonna have?"

"Shouldn't doubt yourself Rick. Your boy's doin' just fine."

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh"

"What the hell?"

Rick snaps his head in the direction of the cottage, then back again only to find Daryl gone, already in a full sprint back to the rectory.

"That was Beth," he shouts over his shoulder, nearly running into Glen at the door.

"Just coming out to get you. Beth's having another dream. We can't get her to wake up!"

"Out of my way!" The hunter shouts as he pushes passed him in the narrow entrance. Glen and Rick are close on the his heels as he barges through the bedroom door. Without hesitation Daryl lunges at Beth's flailing limbs from behind, wrapping his much stronger arms around hers in a bear hug. He pulls her body tight to his and gruffly addresses the room. "Get out! She'll be fine! She just needs some space is all!"

"Like hell I'm leaving!" Maggie shouts back. "Beth's my sister and she's in trouble!"

"Beth doesn't need you right now Maggie." He can see the anger in her eyes, but he is too concerned for Beth's well being to care. "You weren't there! None of us were. I will pull her out of this Maggie. I promise I will, but it has to be on her terms. Beth's been pushing it down. I think this is the result. How she's coping with what happened to her. Please leave."

With a worried expression Glen gently wraps his arm around his wife's shoulders and wipes away a tear from her eye. "She'll be ok Maggie." He pulls her from the room and the others follow, leaving Beth and Daryl alone on the bed.

Daryl's arms hold tight against Beth's body, as she mumbles incorherent words and thrashes her torso forward in an attempt to break free of his grip. Avoiding her bobbing head, Daryl leans in close and whispers the first thing that comes to his brain. "Beth it's ok, you're strong and you're safe. You survived. Never forget that." Seeing no reaction, he repeats the words slowly, over and over in a desperate attempt to reach her...

A buzzing noise plays like static in Beth's ears as she is wheeled down a long hallway. The aching pain in her head is excruciating, and the constant pounding reverberates in her brain like a drum, making it hard to focus. She fights to sit up and is pushed back against the gurney. On the ceiling above her, flourescent tubes flicker and zap causing flashes that may as well be shards of glass shifting behind her eyes.

Beth listens in frustration to the many voices surrounding her, but her mind is fuzzy and she can't make out the words. Fear bubbles over, and Beth screams. There is a pinch and then nothing...

"Beep, Beep, Beep."

Beth's eyes flutter open. Her vision is still blurry as she scans the room for what is making that sound. She thinks the incessant beeping will soon drive her mad. Beth pulls the IV drip out of her hand. She sits up and looks down at the hospital bed and then the blue cotton scrubs against her skin. How long was I out, she wonders

"Click." Beth's eyes fly to the door. Her heartrate quickens as she frantically looks for place to hide, but there is no time. A woman with dark hair enters the room first, followed by two men. All three of them are doning police uniforms, but the way the man on the right is leering at her makes the hairs on her neck prickle with fear. He is practically undressing her with his eyes and Beth highly doubts if he wore that uniform before the turn.

The woman steps closer. "Hello. My name is Dawn." The brunette says, holding both hands out to show she means no harm, but Beth can clearly see the revolver at her hip. "There is no need to be scared." She takes another step, and in response Beth backs farther onto the bed so as to distance herself. "My men found you, rescued you."

"Rescued me?" It doesn't sit right with her. Beth tries to clear the cobwebs from her mind. She just can't seem to focus her thoughts.

"That's right. You were being attacked by those things. You would be dead now if it weren't for them, for us."

It is almost there, dancing just out of reach of her memory, and then... like lightening the image jolts to the forefront of her brain and Beth remembers. "No! That's not true! They took me! I was fine and they took me!"

Beth jumps out of the bed and lunges for a pair of sissors sitting on a surgical tray. She will fight her way out if she has too. Dawn points her gun.

"Tsk, Tsk, Tsk... Not smart Beth." She knows that voice.

"Daryl?!" Beth shouts. Where is he? Dawn and her men stand frozen to the spot. It is as though time itself has stopped. Beth pokes the strangers to make sure they arn't going to suddenly attack. Nothing... they don't even blink.

"How?..." Beth is being pulled from her body, floating above the scene when his rough hand joins hers. Daryl stands with her, but he looks disappointed. "Don't do it Beth. She'll kill you." The hunter gives her a smirk and then a playful wink. "Bullets fly faster than sissors. It's not time yet."

Beth shakes her head, desperate for his advice. "So what do I do," she pleads.

"You know what to do." The hunter cups her cheek for a brief moment then takes a step back. "I can't stay Beth. Remember who you are. You're so smart. Use that. Wait for your moment." Daryl lets go of her hand and disappears. "Please don't leave. I need you."

Beth pauses, then slowly looks up to see three sets of eyes glued to the instrument in her hand. She lowers the sissors and is rewarded with a hard jab to the face. The stinging blow cuts her reaction time in half and there is no way to avoid the second punch that sends her landing to the floor with a thump. Instantly Beth feels her cheek begin to swell. She doesn't see the kicks that come next. She only feels the sharp stabbing pain that shoots through her kideys as each one connects to her side. Battered and bruised, Beth doesn't resist when Dawn orders the men to and drag her limp body down a hall, and throw her in isolation. "Click," the door locks and Beth is once again left alone...

Weeks pass in seconds. A series of moments that flash before her eyes, none of them good. Then suddenly they jolt to a stop.

Beth feels him lurking nearby. Feels his eyes following her every movement as she mops the floor. He is dangerous. Her eyes close in dread when she hears the rattling of hand-cuffs that always seem to be dangling loosely by his side, alerting her to his presence seconds before he emerges like vermin from around the corner. Beth refuses to look up from her task and swallows hard. "What do you want Gorman?" She doesn't need him to see her discomfort. It will only encourage him.

Gorman smirks. "Thought you'd be interested to know that Dawn is no longer in charge of things 'round here."

"Why's that," Beth asks casually. Goosebumps now coating her arms and legs.

"Let's just say she's been relieved of duty," the officer throws out with a wicked sneer.

"Gulp." Beth's knuckles clench tightly around the handle of the mop, as she swallows the bile that rises up in her throat. "Oh..."

Shivers run up her spine, and Gorman moves closer, purposely invading her space. Her head turns to the side so as not to gag from his foul breath when he speaks again. "Think it's time you and I get better acquainted. The form of payment has changed." Beth can't help the angry tears that fall then, as Gorman begins to fondle her chest. He squeezes her breasts together, then rips the front of her shirt, pinching her nipples painfully hard.

"Beth, it's ok. You're strong and you're safe. You survived. Never forget that." The words whisper on the cusp of her unconscious mind.

Nobody is schedualed to be down her for another half hour, and so Beth leans in close, the mop still in her hand as she swallows down her fear, then tempts him with what she hopes is an alluring smile. Daryl's words ring in her head. "Follow through is the most important. Don't just hit your opponent. Hit through 'em." Beth snakes her thin arms around the officer's neck and using the weight of his body, pulls his head down while she thrusts her knee forward, connecting with Gorman's sack then straight up passed his groin and into his torso.

"Bi...tch, " Gorman blusters as he kneels on the floor in agony. Beth doesn't wait to find out what he will do next. Instead she quickly moves to kneel behind Gorman's back, planting the wooden handle of the mop under his chin. Using both hands to pull back on the stick, she firmly holds it to his throat until she feels the last breath of air leave his lungs. Gorman is dead, and she's a murderer.

/

"Beth, it's ok. You're strong and you're safe. You survived. Never forget that." Daryl gently rocks her on the bed.

/

Beth is falling, falling down a dark abysse. She feels the sting as her blade implants itself into her back when she lands with a thud. A hundred dead bodies breaking her fall. The searing pain eminating from the wound is her only conformation to the fact she is alive. Death and decay surround her, burning her sinus' and stinging her eyes. Reaching behind in the dark, Beth pulls the knife free of her flesh. She stumbles on wobbly legs, but somehow manages to get herself upright, then jumps back in fright when she sees Dawn's lifeless eyes staring up at her. Loud voices are heard at the top of the elevator shaft and faint groans can be heard in the tunnel that leads to the exit.

Beth quickly grabs Dawn's flashlight and gun, then shines the light down the pitch black tunnel, blasting her way through the walkers one by one.

Day light blinds her momentarily as she exits the tunnel, but she can't stop. She is almost free. Edreniline flows freely through her veins as instinct takes over. Beth kicks and claws her way through the swarming walkers that are trying to end her. A whistle blows. She can hear the others shouting for her to stop but she doesn't turn back. They Shout that she's a murderer. They Shout that they will kill her. Beth runs faster, harder. She squeezes her small body through the chain link fence surrounding the hospital, and for a brief and wonderful second she feels relief well up in her, then mind numbing pain as a bullet pierces her skin. With great effort she pushes herself off of the pavement and continues to run as best she can, pushing back the constant pain. She heads for a place she's familar. A place she's spent time. She knows that the thick folliage will act as the cover she needs to hide, but she fears it's already too late. At least she will die on her own terms.

Beth jumps out of Daryl's arms, wide-eyed and frantic. "Beth it's ok. You're safe."

She's practically convulsing beside him. Sweat drips off her trembling skin as she searches Daryl's worried eyes for answers, while simultaneously trying to orient herself to her surroundings. Where is she? Why is Daryl here and not on watch? Where is everyone else?

As if the hunter can read her thoughts he answers quickly. "You had another night terror Beth. I heard you screaming all the way from the church. You gave everyone a good scare. I was worried."

As Beth breathes she lets go a shudder, fighting her body for control over her racing heart. "I'm fine" she snaps defensively."

"It's ok if you're not fine Beth. You will be... but its ok if you're not right now." She pushes her damp hair out of her flushed face and scoots closer to the hunter. She hates that she caused him to worry, and tries to sound non-chalant when she says, "It was only a dream Daryl. I've had them before. No need to fret."

Before she can say another word Daryl cautiously cups her small face in his hand and stares intently into her beautiful blue eyes as if he can see into her soul. Then quietly he utters, "impossible." Beth shifts her body against Daryl's chest and he tentatively starts to draw small circles through her hair. They remain nestled together against the headboard, Daryl above the covers, and Beth beneath them. She finds the steady beat of Daryl's heart relaxing and her eyes become heavy. Softly she says, "Will you stay with me until I fall asleep."

"I'll stay with you forever," he replies.