Night Watch
Chapter 3 - Quiet Words
Beth Greene

Everything was soon back to normal after a few hundred walkers were killed and the fence was reinforced but if we get another cluster like that I don't think it would hold. I don't know what the plans were but daddy called an emergency council meeting and he told Rick to go, no arguments, Rick didn't argue. He went to the meeting and I was left with Judith as Daryl went back to night watch in the tower with Tyreese. I think that was the end of my night watch career. I was back to being the babysitter. Well I at least had the chance to spend some time with Daryl and figure him out a little more so it wasn't a complete waste I guess.

Judith slept through the whole thing thankfully so I didn't have to worry about trying to get her back to sleep. Judith was a good baby and a heavy sleeper, it took a lot to wake her up. She didn't cry much unless she was frustrated. She has tried walking and talking but she's got a little way to go yet. It's hard to believe that she's nearly a year old already… I've made a small calendar counting down the days. It was important to keep track of her age and her milestones. Rick agreed it was important and it would give him a chance to go to Lori's grave and tell him when their baby did these amazing things. He used to spend a lot of time down there but now he hardly even mentions her name.

I've caught Carl sneaking away with Judith sometimes to go down to the grave. I know he has the picture of Lori, Rick and Carl from that café of the three of them. He shows it to Judith all the time and tells her that Lori is 'mommy'. It's sad to think that Judith is never going to know her mother and has to go on stories from everyone else, I know she'll feel guilty when she's older that Lori died giving birth to her. I know Carl feels guilty for being the one to shoot Lori in the head but he didn't want anyone else doing it. I get why but he was too young to take on such a burden.

Daryl spoke with Carl and spoke his own mother. I think he wanted to let Carl he wasn't alone and that he was there if he ever needed to talk. Daryl was like an uncle figure to both Judith and Carl, I know Carl looks up to Daryl and idolises him. If Daryl asked Carl to jump, he would ask how high. I get why. Carl wants to be the protector of the group and be the one to help everyone… like Daryl does. There will be one day when Daryl won't be as young and strong as he is now and that's when Carl will take over. I know Carl will do a good job, he does it now.

I looked over at Judith fast asleep. She looked so peaceful and so beautiful, she looked like Lori. I know there's debate about whether Judith is Rick's baby or Shane's but when you look at her you can see she has Rick's eyes. Andrea doesn't agree. Before Andrea killed herself she came to the prison to meet Judith and she commented that she looked like Shane. I thought she was wrong and Carol told Andrea to not say such things, Judith was Rick's daughter and that was the end of it. I know Andrea didn't mean to anger and upset us with the comment but she doesn't know what happened, she wasn't there.

"You good?" Daryl's recognisable voice asked from the doorway.

I looked up at him and saw the sun shining through the windows. I didn't know it was morning "Yeah" I replied and turned back to Judith.

"Liar" He stated.

"Sorry for messing up" I told him.

"You dint" He replied.

"Yeah I did. You had to come save me. You were trying to fix the fence. What if a walker managed to take down that fence and that walker got in and hurt somebody whilst you were helping me. It would've been my fault" I explained "I guess I'm not on watch duty anymore" I said.

"If I dint' help you, you woulda been killed. I don' think your daddy woulda liked that" He told me "If you wanna c'mon watch with me, you can. I won't stop you" He added.

"Thanks" I replied "Just need to get out for a while sometimes. Being stuck in here isn't exactly ideal" I told him.

"I get that" I responded "I'm gonna get some sleep. I'll grab you later" He promised before walking away.

Judith soon woke up and I did her normal morning routine with her but I was exhausted from being up all night. Once she was dressed I took her out to the C Block meeting area and saw nearly everyone sitting around the metal table with Carol handing out breakfast. Everyone had returned from their council meeting and Rick looked particularly grim. I took a seat next to daddy and Sasha, Judith was in a good and playful mood and kept laughing at my dad, all he was doing was sticking his tongue out at her. She turned to Sasha to make her laugh and Sasha started playing pee-a-boo with her and it made her laugh more.

Rick took her off me whilst I had my breakfast but I was so tired I didn't even really want it but I know my daddy wouldn't let me leave the table until I had eaten a meal. I forced the food into my stomach and started yawning "You look tired Darlin', did you sleep last night?" My dad asked.

"Not really" I answered

"I got Judith. You go sleep" Rick told me.

"You sure?" I questioned.

"Of course. Go get some rest, we'll be ok for a few hours" He promised.

I made it back to my cell and laid down on the bed. I kicked my shows off with the last bit of energy I had and then before I knew it, I drifted off to sleep.

Daryl Dixon

When I heard Beth call my name I knew she was in trouble and then I saw her. A walker had hold of her hair and had her face an inch away from his teeth. I ran over to her as fast as my legs would carry me to her, I picked up the knife she dropped and cut off the walkers hand before stabbing it in the head. I probably shouldn't have asked her to lead the walkers away on her own, I knew it was a risk and something could happen. I should have made her stick to me like glue until the others came and they could us. It was all my fault that Beth nearly got bit, it was my plan and she was just doing as she was told. Beth hardly ever listens to me and does what she's told and the one time she does what I tell her and she nearly gets killed.

Once I had some sleep I went outside and saw Hershel meeting Maggie, Glenn and Michonne who had obviously just arrived back from their run. They seemed like they had a few things, including some warmer clothes for Lil Ass Kicker. She needed some warm clothes, Beth would be happy. I went over and greeted them before asking Hershel if he had a minute to talk.

"I just wanna say sorry for last night. Beth nearly got bit 'cause I told her to do somethin'" I told him.

"Daryl… you saved her life. You know she woulda put herself in between danger and the group whether you told her to or not. That's just who she is" He said to me and gave me a warm smile "I appreciate you letting her go on watch with you by the way. I know she's been looking for something to do other then look after baby Judith" He told me.

"You ok with her comin' up there still?" I questioned.

"Of course. She's in safe hands" He replied.

Nightfall rolled around and I went and got Beth. The two of us walked in silence to the watch tower where we took Maggie and Glenn off relief, Maggie was shocked to see Beth coming for night watch. Beth explained to her sister that she was going stir crazy sitting in the prison day in and day out. She said she needed some air and time to be away from everyone and this was how she did that. Maggie seemed apprehensive about the whole thing but then Beth said she would be fine and Glenn eventually dragged her away from us. Did Maggie not trust me and Beth out here together? Or did she just not trust her little sisters life in my hands?

"Can I ask you something?" Beth asked me.

"Sure" I replied. I know it's going to be something personal but I guess I could answer a couple of questions every now and again.

"How do you know if a boy likes you?" She asked.

I definitely wasn't expecting that "Why? Someone showin' some interest?" I questioned.

"I'm not sure" She answered.

"Well, do you like him?" I asked.

"Yeah. More then I probably should. He's a little older then me and I don't know if he likes me and if does I'm not sure if my daddy would like me being with him" She told me.

"How much older?" I questioned.

I swear to God, if Axel is pushing the boundaries with her again then I'm gonna kick his ass. I've had a quiet word with him before and told him to leave Beth alone. I saw how he was with her and I didn't like it, it wasn't right. He was all over her and she seemed uncomfortable. Now she's saying she likes him… when I get my hands on him I'm gonna shoot him.

"A little bit" She replied and looked away.

"How much older?" I repeated.

"He's in his mid thirties" She answered.

"He's too old for you. Find someone else, you need a boy your own age not a middle aged man" I told her and she nodded and turned away from me completely "Is it Axel?" I asked her, my interest peaking.

"God no" She replied instantly.

"Good" I muttered under my breath.

"Didn't know you cared so much" She stated.

Of course I cared about her! I wouldn't save her life and let her come on watch with me if I didn't care about her. I've known the girl to long to not care. How dare she accuse me of not caring "Whatever" I said quietly and put a bigger gap between the two of us "You wanna be with an ol' man then go ahead" I told her angrily.

"On second thoughts… I don't think he likes me" She said and she sounded kind of sad "I'm just being stupid as always" She added.

"You're not stupid" I told her but she didn't reply for the rest of the night.

Well I wonder who Beth could be talking about? :p

For all of those that have been waiting for the sequel of 16 and Pregnant, you need not wait anymore. I have now posted the first chapter. I ho-e you all enjoy it as much if not more then 16 and Pregnant. If you have not read 16 and Pregnant then please do give it a read, I'm sure you'll enjoy it!