A/N Thank you all so much, I know this can be a tough story and I appreciate you hanging in with me. I also thank you for the reviews/comments and PM's. If I could, I'd have you all over for fried squirrel and a beer. Let's see how Daryl and Beth are coping.

Maggie

Beth is the world's sweetest person, I can't decide if that's good or bad. Probably somewhere in the middle. It's just that she worries so much about other people sometimes she forgets to think about herself.

Anyway, she called me yesterday morning so excited about Daryl. She finally asked him to meet me and Glenn and he wants to. Glenn and I have heard plenty about Daryl. And I've heard plenty Glenn hasn't, like all about the sweet little sleepovers. Well the circumstances aren't so sweet, but the fact they seem to find a lot of comfort in each other is comforting to me.

She's told me before about Daryl's PTSD. Beth and I have both had our own struggles with it, Beth's by far the more serious case. The thing is, you don't just lose three of the most important people in your life one morning, and then you're fine the next morning. How can you not go a little sideways? I can't even comprehend how being in a war affects someone.

So I know he has problems, but she said he meets with a support group three times a week, and he has someone else he's talking to. I just felt like that was all good, he was working on it. You can't ask much more than that.

Then this morning she called me and she was so upset. She told me what had happened and it sounded scary and just plain awful. I feel terrible for Daryl but Bethie is the only family I have left, I'm most concerned about her and her safety.

Still, for Beth to be so crazy about him he must really be something special. She's never been very social, and she's sure never fallen head over heels for a guy. She dated the kid down the road when she was in high school, Jimmy was his name. It lasted a while, but I sure never got the idea it was some hot n heavy romance. Then she dated that guy Zach who worked at the feed store. I thought they made a cute couple, but after a few dates she said he just wasn't her type.

Since we lost Mama, Daddy and Shawn she hasn't even mentioned guys. Until Daryl.

He must be really special in spite of his troubles. Glenn and I are trying to approach the whole thing with open minds. We want to see Beth happy, if he makes her happy then we're good.

But I've been concerned about Beth lately, it seems like she's neglecting her own therapy and it's so important, she needs to stay concentrated on her recovery. She's so much better when that's what she's focused on, getting better. She's a lot better than she was but she still has a lot of work to do, she knows that. I know she does. She and I are going to have to have a little talk real soon.

Anyway, I'm anxious to meet Daryl, see who this guy is that my sister is so crazy about. Hopefully they can each work on their issues, everything will resolve itself and they can both be happy.

Boy, that sounds like pie in the sky, doesn't it?

xxxx

He hadn't expected her to kiss him but he wasn't complaining. He knew he must look stupid just standing there staring at her, and he wanted to say something meaningful. Damn, what does a guy say in a situation like this? And why did he always feel so awkward?

He took in a deep breath, "I'm tryin' real hard to figure out how to say what I'm feelin', but I just don't have the right words." Now he'd started to chew on that thumb and he was checking out his shoes. She gave him a smile and reached for his hand, waiting for him to find a way to say what he was thinking. Finally he told her, "I'd like to spend my time with you, you know, as much as I can, before I go."

She squeezed his hand, "That's what I want too."

"I ain't gotta leave until Monday mornin'. I'm not s'pose to take my own vehicle or get a ride from anyone. I guess it's part a provin', mostly to myself, how much I want help. So anyway, I'll be takin' a Greyhound Bus at 5:30 Monday morning. That gives us a few days."

She spoke softly, "I can call the shelter, tell them I can't work for the next few days, maybe we can spend some time in the woods and stuff, what do you think?"

He seemed to perk up at that, "That would be real nice, but do you think it's okay? I don't wanna take you away from your work." He'd feel a little guilty, but dammit, he wanted his time with her.

"It'll be fine, I'll make it up to them while you're gone. I'll pull some extra hours and give them a couple of Sunday mornings. They have a hard time finding any help for Sunday mornings."

Daryl

I can't hardly believe Beth just reached up and kissed me like that. I mean, it was an innocent kinda kiss, but still, we ain't ever kissed on the lips or anything. Not that I haven't wanted to. Shit, I've wanted to do that n a whole lot more, but it don't seem right. Don't seem like sumthin' we oughta be doin', not 'til I get my head screwed back on straight. Truth is, since the Sandbox I hadn't had any kind of interest in that stuff, didn't even think about it anymore.

It was like I didn't wanna let anyone that close, even if it was just a drunken hook-up. Beth changed that.

Yeah I wanna have that physical thing with her, but still, I'm tryin' to be a good man, do the right thing. It's important to me. Beth ain't just some hook-up, she's someone I care about, a lot. I wanna have sumthin' real with her. You know, where there's serious feelin's, you take care of each other, look out for each other, you share them feelin's, and yer thoughts, that stuff. I hope that can happen, and I'm thinkin' she wants it too. But I ain't bettin' on anythin'. And the deal is, this damn program has gotta work, gotta help me. I'll do whatever they tell me.

If it don't work I gotta move along. I'll move outta this place and just cut her loose. It'll be real hard, but it's only right. I care about her too much to let her strap herself to a broken man.

I have gotten better 'bout some things though. Like bein' able to sit on the porch with Beth and just talk 'bout everyday stuff, like regular people do. I remember when I first came to rent the place, I couldn't look at her, couldn't look at the place, n I couldn't even hardly talk.

I was so pissed off at Doc for tellin' Merle I needed to get out on my own, start takin' care a myself. I hated the bastard for that. I's mad at Merle too, but I didn't blame him. I knew he was just tryin' to do the right thing, hopin' I'd get better. I know he worries about me like I'm his kid. That used to bother me, you know, before I went in the Army n stuff. I was yer typical smart ass teenager when he'd tell me stuff, I'd be yellin' at him, "You're not my Dad!" But I always knew he was just tryin' to do right by me, raise me right. For a real long time Merle was the only person in the world who gave a fuck about me.

And I worry about Beth cuz she spends all her energy, well it seems like it anyway, worryin' about my fucked up self. I know she's hurtin'. I ain't missed it on her. She thinks I don't know, she thinks she hides it real good. But I ain't that easy to fool. I know she's got her pain. Shit, she's been through a real tough thing, it's been bad, them scars tell the truth. It scares me to think about it. Anyway, I'ma talk to her a little 'bout that before I go. I don't wanna tell her what to do, just like she don't tell me what I gotta do. I'ma try to be more like her, make it sound like a suggestion that she go back to therapy. I want us both to be at some kinda peace with what we been through.

Anyway, I'ma just try to relax the next few days. Have fun with Beth, visit with Merle, Carol and them kids, and try not to think too much about how much I'ma miss 'em all.

xxxx

"Even if I wanted to I can't shoot the damn bow with this hand, but at least I'ma carry it for you. I thought maybe you'd get us some squirrel for supper." He was serious, rubbing that patch of facial hair on his chin as they tried to be quiet walking through the trees.

"Well, uh, I am from Georgia, and I am a country girl, but I've never eaten a squirrel. I don't know, are you sure they're good to eat?" All he could think was, she's so fuckin' cute.

"Well heck yeah, they're real good and I'll tell ya what, my hand ain't so bad I can't clean 'em n cook 'em for you. If you can get two we'll have us a regular feast tonight." He was laughing now. That happened so rarely that when it did, she couldn't help but laugh with him.

"Okay, you're on. I'll show you Mister Dixon, I'll get you two squirrels and you cook them. If I hate them you're taking me out for Chinese."

"Fair enough. I'll eat squirrels n you can eat all them vegetables."

And the hell if she didn't get two.

Now he gave her a real smile, "Wasn't that long ago I thought I's never gonna be out in the woods again, now I'm just followin' you around n watchin' ya make me look bad. Damn girl, you got skills."

To her surprise she enjoyed the squirrel. It wouldn't be her go-to choice, but it wasn't bad at all. Of course, the fact that Daryl had cooked it for her, that's probably what made it taste better.

Thursday they went to the lake, threw in a couple of lines, went for a walk, picnicked on a blanket, and avoided talking about how much they both dreaded the idea of being apart.

They'd been invited to Merle and Carol's for dinner, and that helped get their minds off things. Daryl was busy in the backyard running off steam with the chaos, Merle was manning the grill, and Beth was helping Carol with the salad and mac and cheese. Carol lightly touched her arm, "I'm sorry Beth, I know you and Daryl have grown close, it's going to be tough on both of you, him being away and all. I do think it's for the best though, don't you?"

"Yeah, I'm happy he's going to do this for himself. It's going to be sad being away from him, but I'm just going to stay busy and focus on the fact that when he gets back things are going to be so much better. I don't want to see him suffer any more."

They had a casual dinner on the porch and then Merle asked his brother to come out to the garage with him for a few minutes. Beth figured it was going to be some kind of man to man talk, especially when the children tried to follow and Merle said, "Nah, now y'all got ta let Daddy take some time with yer Uncle Daryl, ya had lots a time with him 'fore dinner. Y'all go help Mama clean up that kitchen, we'll be back in 'fore ya know it."

Merle

Damn I hate ta see Little Brother leave. I told him it's hard on this old brother ta say g'bye to him again. Shit, I's the one drove him ta the recruiter's office the day he left for boot camp, I flew ta Germany the second time he was there, when they transported him from Iraq. That was fuckin' awful, seein' my little brother like that. And I made more trips ta that VA hospital in Atlanta than I could keep track of. This here is gonna be as hard too.

Feels like everythin's on the line this time around. Ya know what I mean? It's like this is the last chance for things ta get set right. I don't like ta be negative, give up hope n shit, but damn, it does feel like it's all ridin' on this DC deal.

Daryl knows I'd do anythin' for him, knows how much I want him ta get better, but I had ta tell him again. And I had ta tell him how proud I am a him for takin' this step. I know it's gonna be hard on him, n I know he don't wanna leave. He don't wanna leave us, hell he don't wanna leave work, but I got a strong feelin' he especially don't wanna leave Beth.

I'm real glad she's hangin' in there with him, n I'm glad he didn't run her off like he planned to. They can be good together, I feel it.

Seems like as much shit as they both been through, there'd be no damn hope left at all for either of 'em. But they both got a strength to 'em I don't think they know they got, they're bringin' that out in each other.

Anyway, it don't happen but once in a blue moon, Dixons just ain't that way, but I put my arm around Little Brother n I told him I loved him and that no matter what happens, I's always gonna be there, always. An I told him I'd be goin' by a couple times a week checkin' in on Beth, n we'd be invitin' her ta join us for Sunday dinners.

I don't recall that I ever have prayed, but I might have ta start.

xxxx

They got back to the little duplex and he took her arm, "Will you come to my house Beth? Let's have a drink."

They were sitting in the living room and although it still needed work, the furniture was all back in place and the glass and other debris was cleaned up off the floor.

He handed her a glass of wine, set his beer down on the coffee table, reached in his pocket and took out a roll of cash. "This here is my rent for the next two months."

"You don't have to pay the rent Daryl, I don't need it and you won't even be here." She smiled sweetly.

Now there was a time he'd a been all pissed off at her for saying something like that to him, thinking she was treating him like some kind of charity case. But now he understood, she was just being Beth, always so damn nice. "I know you don't need it, I figured out when I first moved in you must have some money. You don't work and you own this place. But I gotta pay it for me. As screwed up as I am, I still got my pride." She just nodded and put the money in her pocket.

They sat on the couch in a comfortable silence, and after a few minutes he took her hand. She knew by the way he was working that bottom lip he had something he wanted to say, and finally after a few minutes he did, "I ain't got no right ta ask ya this Beth, it's stupid, and shit, it's probably dangerous," he took in a deep breath. "Do you think you could stay here with me, you know, 'til I gotta leave Monday? I ain't tryin' to force nuthin', n I ain't gonna be mad if ya say no, but I just want you close. Gonna miss you layin' that pretty head on my back."

She felt the emotion swell in her, but she was determined to stay calm. "Yes, I'm going to miss laying my head on that strong back." He couldn't help but smile.

"K but here's the thing, you gotta get up the minute you hear me, you know what I'm talkin' about. You run to the bathroom n you lock the door, don't you come out 'til you hear me talkin' to you in a normal voice. Promise me Beth."

"I promise Daryl."

They went to her place and she packed a small overnight bag. He asked if she'd bring her guitar. "I sure do like listenin' to you sing girl, I don't care what it is, sumthin' about that sweet voice helps me feel peaceful."

They were lying in his bed, he'd rolled over and she scooted in next to him, she put her arm around his waist and laid her head on his back. He took that hand in his and brought it up to his lips, kissing it softly. She snuggled in as close as she could possibly get, and they slept.

Beth

I know I surprised him when I kissed him, but I just had to. I've wanted to for a long time. But that little kiss was really more about letting him know I care. I think that's important. I know he's insecure, I don't want him to think he's going away for two months and I'm going to just forget about him. I don't think I could ever just forget about Daryl.

I know it's crazy to want to stay the night with Daryl, after what happened the other night and everything, but I can't help myself, I do want to. I was going to ask him if I could, and then he took my hand and it was so sweet how he said it. I promised him I'll be careful, and I will. I've seen proof of what can happen, I know we've been lucky.

But gosh, when we lay in bed together it's like we're close in other ways besides just physically close. I can't really describe it, but it just seems so right, so comforting. I don't know what I'll do when he's gone, I'm going to miss having that closeness with him, and I'll miss the feel of his body. I can't deny that part. I've never wanted a man the way I want Daryl. There's no body pillow or teddy bear that's going to make up for him not being with me.

I'm praying so hard that the program works, that it helps. Then I hope Daryl really does want to move on to the next step with me.

I'd wait for Daryl for however long it takes.

xxxx

Maggie and Glenn arrived at exactly 5:30. Beth had to smile to herself, Maggie was usually running late, but obviously she was anxious to meet Daryl.

The introduction part went just fine, and when she and Maggie stepped in the kitchen to get everyone drinks, her sister leaned over and whispered in her ear, "Holy hot hunka man Bethie, I never would have guessed he'd be your type. Good for you." Beth swore she could feel her face catch fire.

Daryl and Glenn fell easily into a conversation about motorcycles, while Maggie and Beth got the pizzas in the oven, and had a whispered conversation about what Beth and Daryl had been up to all week.

Beth had made the pizzas herself. A meat lovers for Daryl and Glenn, and a barbeque chicken and veggies for her and Maggie. She almost fell off her chair when, after finishing his first slice, Daryl put his hand on hers, just for a moment, and said, "Damn Beth, I don't think there's anythin' you can't cook. Best pizza I ever ate, no kiddin'." And then he ate three more slices. She didn't miss the way her sister smiled.

After dinner Daryl asked if she'd sing, and she nodded, "Yeah, we could all sit out on the porch, oh, but my guitar, it's at your house." And she and Daryl both blushed now, while Glenn and Maggie tried hard not to smile.

Saturday morning Daryl told her he was going to finish up the painting, and she almost told him not to worry about it, but she caught herself. He was going to want to do this. "Alright I'll go eat pancakes and see you back here later."

She hadn't expected Maggie to be ready to lecture her. Okay, so it wasn't a lecture exactly. Maggie loved her, cared about her, she knew that. Maggie was the only family Beth had. But her sister was always a little bossy and since Mama and Daddy had died, she'd taken on both their roles.

Glenn was concentrating on those pancakes, hoping no one would notice he was in the room.

"I'm sorry Beth, I'm not trying to be mean to you, or pick on you, so quit acting like I am. I'm trying to make sure you don't slip down into that dark place again. What did you call it, your Deep Blue Funk? And you know what I'm talking about, you've been slacking. Just answer these questions for me, when was the last time you went to group? When was the last time you saw your doctor? When was the last time you wrote in your journal?"

"Okay, okay Maggie, I get your point. I just, well, I just haven't wanted to give it my time. I've wanted to save all my time for Daryl." And now she felt her cheeks turn red again.

"Sweetie, I understand that, believe me. But don't you want to get better? Daryl's committed himself to what sounds like a helluva tough program. Don't you want to make a commitment too? You've got time while he's gone, so there's really no excuse." Maggie was trying to be sweet about the whole thing. She put her arm around Beth and she saw a tear slide down her little sister's cheek.

"It's just that, we got to some real painful stuff in group, and the doctor asked me about it, and I just didn't want to have to face it." And she wrapped her arms around Maggie and began to cry.

Glenn stuck that plate of pancakes in the warming oven and went out to the garage.

She didn't get home until nearly three that afternoon. Daryl had started to get concerned, and when he saw her he was more concerned. He could tell she'd been crying, those pretty blue eyes were red and swollen.

He looked at her dead in the eye, and she glanced down. He'd been pretty sure she'd been having trouble, this proved it to him. He wasn't going to say anything, he wanted to give her the chance to talk to him.

He put a hand on her cheek, "Wanna go for a ride on the bike, maybe just up to the lake and chill for an hour or two?"

"Yes, please Daryl."

After their ride they stopped for burgers, and then headed back to the house. They drank some beers and wine, they watched a movie at her place, and she sang a few songs for him.

When they got in bed and she cuddled up next to him, lying that head on his back, he could tell that whatever it was, it was right there between them. When she wrapped her arm around him and put that hand on his stomach, he took it too his lips and he told her, "I'm right here girl, you got sumthin' weighin' on you, you know you can tell me about it."

"It's just life, sometimes it gets to be a little more than I can handle." Yep, he'd been afraid of this. He'd known she was hurting. "Maggie totally called me on it today, told me I have to work on myself, get back to my therapy, my doctor, my group, my journal. I knew she was right, but I just wanted to think I was better, that I didn't have to face all that painful stuff."

"I know about that Beth, I've wanted that in my life too, it just don't work like that. And I don't want you to hurt, I don't wanna be gone n be worried yer not okay."

"Oh my god Daryl, no, don't you worry, please, please. I promise, I'm going to the doctor and to group Monday. I'm going to work hard. While you're working hard, I will be too, we're both going to be so much better in two months."

Sunday they had dinner at Merle's. It was tough for Daryl to say goodbye to Carol and the kids, but they'd all gotten through it. Merle would be taking him to the bus station in the morning, that would be a rough one.

Tonight, damn, this was his last night with Beth for two months. He could feel the anxiety start to build, and he was trying hard to keep it under control.

They got back to the house, had a couple of drinks and got in bed. But tonight was different. He had his back to her, she had her pretty head on that back, and she put an arm around him. That's when he rolled over and faced her, he started to kiss her and his hand moved to her low back, he pulled her closer. They were getting lost in each other when he pulled back. "Damn Beth, I want you, I have wanted you, but we gotta wait, I gotta wait,'til I'm better, and shit, you gotta get better too." And they both knew it was true.

They spent that last night together just hanging on tight.

A/N Thanks so much for reading, please review/comment xo

I am not an expert in PTSD. I do know there are many different symptoms, and no two people are the same. It's my intent to respect those who suffer, but please keep in mind, this is a work of fiction.