Hello everyone! This next chapter I had a lot of fun writing, but hopefully I kept everyone in character and didn't just do things because I would like for them to happen. Sometimes when I write I get carried away and later when I read it, I'm like what in the world did I do? Btw, if you have anyone's POV you would really like to see that I haven't done yet, please let me know and I will definitely get around to them. Hope you enjoy!
Bob's POV
Bob breathed a sigh of relief as he finished the last stitch. It was hard preforming surgery; it was even harder still when you didn't have all the supplies you needed. However, it was out of his hands now, if Beth was going to make it, it would have to be on her strength alone.
On first sight, Bob had thought that there was no way Beth was going to make it. However, with Daryl glaring him down, he knew he had to try. After cleaning and disinfecting the wound, Bob had gotten to work. Beth was one lucky person. The bullet had gone straight through, but because it had hit the side of her head rather than the middle, she mostly had a shattered skull. From what he could tell, her brain looked fairly undamaged. He had to carefully extract the shards of bone before stitching the skin over the wound. If Beth survived, she would always have a hole in her skull, which troubled Bob. He wished there was more he could do, but he had limited resources and experience for brain surgery.
Carol had assisted him throughout the two hour process. Bringing him alcohol to disinfect the wound and medicine that she collected from others in the group. Bob wished he could drink some of the alcohol after the tiring procedure, but now was probably not the best time for that. He hadn't forgotten Daryl's threat. But that wasn't the only thing holding him back. He was trying to be a better man, a man that Sasha deserved.
"All done," he told Carol, who smiled at him and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I will go get the others," she said.
Bob nodded, too tired to reply.
As soon as Carol left, others came flooding in, Daryl and Maggie among the first.
"Is she going to be okay," asked Maggie.
"I don't know, I cleared up the wound and patched it up," Bob informed them, "it didn't look like a lot of brain damage, but I am no brain surgeon."
"What do you mean you don't know," snarled Daryl, getting right up into his face, "I thought you worked as an Army medic? Didn't you handle gunshot wounds all the time?"
"Yes," assured Bob, "but we had specialty doctors who handled brain injuries. I would patch them up in the field and they would get looked at by other doctors later. Even they often don't know exactly what to expect with brain injuries. Every person is affected differently when it comes to broken bones or torn muscles, but with the brain it is even more specific to the individual."
"She is strong," Daryl insisted, "she will make it."
"I really hope so," Bob said, before stepping out for some fresh air.
"How is it going in there," asked a voice. A smile came to Bob's face when he saw Sasha. He went over and wrapped his arms around her.
"Bad, but it is going to get better," he said.
Daryl's POV
Daryl sat in the makeshift tent with Maggie, who had fallen asleep hours ago. It was a bit crowded, but he really didn't care. All that mattered was the blonde angel who lay on the ground. Even so close to death, she looked like some kind of heavenly being. Despite the dirt and blood in her hair, her skin pale from blood loss, and her body covered in bruises, she was the most perfect thing he had ever seen. She had to make it, if she didn't, Daryl didn't know what he would do. She was the one person he had chosen to truly trust. She was the one person who had given him hope.
She deserved so much more than this life she had been stuck with. She should have grown up and gone to college and met a nice guy and started a family. Instead, she was constantly on guard against death, had been kidnapped several times, and had an old crass redneck with a crush on her. He was able to admit it to himself by now, he had a crush on Beth Greene. It sounded silly even in his head and he never planned to act on it, but he admitted it to himself. The moment he had seen her in the woods and thought that she was dead, his whole world had spun off kilter. After that he couldn't keep denying the feelings he had. However, like every other feeling, he would keep it locked inside. It wasn't like she would want his feelings anyway. It was enough that they were friends and that he could protect her, even though so far he had done a pretty shitty job of it.
He carefully ran his callused fingers over the soft skin of the back of Beth's hand, thinking back to the time when she intertwined her fingers with his own hand. She was his complete opposite. Every gesture and touch was easy for her, it came so naturally. Daryl had never been one for human touch, his home life had made sure of that. However, even if it hadn't, school would have done that. At school, Daryl was always the kid with the hand-me-down clothes and too long hair who had to stay late because his parents forgot to pick him up. That had made him an easy target. He learned early on just how mean kids could be.
One day in 7th grade, he had been walking to class when Charlotte Davenport, one of the most popular and beloved girls in his grade, had dropped her binders. Papers had flown all over the floor and she had looked so flustered trying to pick them up. A young Daryl had decided to help the girl. He had picked up several of the papers and brought them over to her without a word. She had looked up at him with big hazel eyes peeking out from behind curly red hair only to say something that would stick with him forever.
"I don't want anything you have touched," Charlotte had said, causing several nearby boys to snicker, "Everyone knows you are weird, so don't try to be my friend."
After that, almost anything he touched other kids would make fun of. They would say, "This has Daryl germs" or "Gross Daryl touched it". After a few years of putting up with their taunts, Daryl finally knocked one of the kids on his butt, just like Merle had told him to do. His actions had got him sent to the principal's office and a beating from his dad, but no one messed with him after that. Occasionally as he grew up, he would see Charlotte in the hall. He didn't think she ever even realized what one comment had done to his life. It had never bothered her, she still went on being popular and grew up to date the star quarterback and get accepted into college. She never even bothered glancing at Daryl again.
That instance had made an impression on Daryl, it had taught him a lesson. Pretty girls with big eyes were not to be trusted, they would seem sweet but hurt him the instant they got the chance. That is why Daryl had never bothered even talking to Beth in particular until after the herd had destroyed her home. Out on the road it was necessary, but he never stayed around longer than to ask what she needed for a run or to give her water. However, as he had come to know her more, he found her to be nothing like Charlotte or any of the other kids from his childhood. She never found him repulsive or called him the names that his dad had called him. As a matter of a fact, she almost seemed to like his touch, which just meant that he must be going crazy. When he helped her, she said thank you in a way that felt like she genuinely meant it. Beth was a one of a kind, it was like she had been made for Daryl, even if he didn't deserve her.
Looking down at Beth's pale face, Daryl felt guilt. He had failed to protect her father, and now twice he had failed to protect Beth. The archer's free fist clenched in anger at himself. He was strong enough to protect himself, but what good was that if he couldn't protect anyone else. Like Beth, or Zack, or Sophia.
"I know what you are thinking," a small voice said interrupting his thoughts.
Daryl's head wiped up to find a pair of sea-blue eyes staring at him.
"Beth….I….you…,"Daryl sputtered as her hand caught his, keeping him from jumping up from his spot.
"Now we have both been shot," she said plainly, "You can't use that one on me in a Never Have I Ever game now."
"Beth," Daryl breathed, amazed at how she took things in stride. Then, suddenly, the words were slipping out in a way they had never done before.
"It was you Beth," Daryl told her, entwining his fingers with hers.
"What," the blonde girl asked, her brow creasing as she tried to understand.
"What changed my mind," Daryl managed to say, "it was you."
Beth's POV
Beth felt herself being dragged back into consciousness. Everything hurt. She could feel every bruise and every splinter, but the worst part was her head. A migraine had nothing on what she was feeling right now. She didn't want to open her eyes and see Seth staring down at her or Gareth's dead body. Beth didn't know if she could handle that, so she didn't open her eyes.
After a few minutes, she realized that her hand was very warm. A callused thumb ran across the top of her hand. The touch felt so familiar, but Beth couldn't bring herself to believe it. Slowly, she opened her eyes to find Daryl Dixon holding her hand and staring at it like it was a life-line. He was obviously deep in thought and image was so perfect it took her breath away. She watched as his brow creased and his jaw clenched. Beth didn't have to ask what was on his mind, she knew him well enough now. He always blamed himself for everything that went wrong.
"I know what you are thinking," Beth whispered, her voice hoarse.
She watched his head snap up, his topaz eyes wide with surprise. Eyes that she had thought she might never see again. It was a shame Daryl didn't even realize how good-looking he was.
"Beth….I….you," he began, his chest heaving and probably already trying to think up some apology that was completely unnecessary. The blonde grabbed his hand, which was easy since he was already holding hers. The contact immediately made him freeze and shut up just like she had anticipated.
"Now we have both been shot," Beth told him, trying to joke to show him that she wasn't angry with him, "You can't use that one on me in a Never Have I Ever game now."
"Beth," Daryl breathed, looking relieved and amazed all at the same time. It was crazy to remember that Beth used to think Daryl was so cold and detached from everything that happened. But then again, who wouldn't with his words and actions doing everything to suggest that. However, it was his eyes that gave him away. Daryl could pretend like he didn't care or yell curses but what he was really feeling was always apparent in his eyes.
"It was you Beth," Daryl told her, his voice husky and his eyes becoming a shade darker. His fingers came to life in her hand and wound their way into hers.
"What," Beth asked, trying to figure out what he meant. She had been so caught up in his eyes, had she missed something he had been saying to her?
"What changed my mind," the hunter told her, staring straight into her soul, not avoiding her gaze like always, "it was you."
With that simple sentence, Beth was transported back to a table eating peanut butter in the candlelight. The only difference was that then, he had been avoiding her gaze and now he was staring straight at her as if she were the only thing that mattered.
Daryl's eyes dropped from hers and she felt sure that they were on her lips. Her stomach tingled and Beth could feel herself leaning in, trying to get just a little bit closer.
"Beth," moaned Maggie tiredly as she awoke, "is that you?"
Instantly, Daryl dropped her hand and leapt away before storming right out of the tent. Beth thought she could see some red coloring his neck as he exited.
"Damn what is his problem," Maggie said before turning her attention to Beth, "I am so glad you are awake. How do you feel? Do you want me to get you something? Medicine? Water? Food? Oh, I am just so relieved to see you awake."
"Umm, some water and pain relievers would be nice," Beth said, stopping her sister from what she was sure would be a long list.
"On it," the older Greene girl said as she almost sprinted out of the tent.
Beth watched her go. She was a bit annoyed at Maggie for interrupting her moment with Daryl. She had to wonder what would have happened if it had just been the two of them. She was positive that he had at least been thinking of kissing her.
Sometimes she missed their time at the house, where no one else was around to bother them. It was mostly for Daryl's sake because he could be so sweet, but the moment someone else was around, he withdrew into himself. Beth sighed, it was unlikely in their current situation that her and Daryl would get much one on one time. At any other time, this thought would have bothered her more, but right now she was happy to just be alive and back with the group.
"Here we go," said Maggie as she came through the flap of the tent, "two Advil and a bottle of fresh water."
"Thanks, Mags," Beth told her as she took the pills. As soon as she had swallowed them, she realized how tired she felt. "I'm going to get some sleep."
"Alright," Maggie said, touching the side of her head that wasn't wrapped in guaze and laying a kiss on her forehead, "I'm just glad you are still here."
"Me too," Beth replied, before falling asleep.
Daryl's POV
Daryl walked straight out of the tent wanting to punch the next person that talked to him. How could he have been so stupid? There was no way in hell that Beth, sweet Beth, would ever want his filthy lips on hers. He had been so close to making a horrible mistake. After him losing her again, he didn't even deserve to talk to her, much less to be holding her hand and daydreaming about kissing her. He had gotten so caught up in how he was feeling. For once in his life, words just seemed to flow out of him. After he had practically thrown his feeling at her, Daryl had expected her to look disgusted, but there had been something else in the blonde's eyes. The redneck could have almost sworn that she had leaned in closer as he focused on her lips, as if she wanted him. The idea that Beth wanted him was outrageous, surely Daryl was misinterpreting things or imagining things or he was going crazy. Any of those was more likely than Beth actually returning his feelings.
"Stupid," he muttered to himself as he made for the forest. He had to get away, Beth was safe and now he could distance himself and stop fucking things up. Once she started moving around again, he would stay away from her because he just couldn't seem to control himself.
On his way to the tree line, he saw Logan, Aidan, and another teenager lighting up some cigarettes and coughing up a storm. He had to give it to them, they were persistent. Despite looking like they were about to cough up a lung, they kept raising the cigarettes to their mouths.
"Hey," Daryl barked at the boys, causing them all to jump, "what you got there."
"Cigarettes, you want some," offered Aidan with a dopey grin that reminded Daryl of Glenn.
"Yeah," growled Daryl as he snatched the box before heading back into the woods.
"Hey," Logan shouted at him, "you can't just take them all."
"Y'all sure as hell don't need them," Daryl yelled back, "just about killed yourselves smoking one."
He ignored the boys' muttering as he slunk into his element. Instantly, everything felt better. The trees, the animals, the tracks, it all made logical sense and didn't mess with his emotions. He recognized some deer prints and started tracking them, anything to get his mind off Beth. However, even tracking now reminded him of the bubbly girl. He could see her excitement at being able to figure out that she was tracking a walker. The archer could remember her comment about not needing him at all. She was pretty close to right. Anyone could teach Beth to fight or shoot, but only Beth could get through to Daryl when he was in a dark place. It scared him how much he needed her, especially since he was sure that she wouldn't stick around long if she ever figured out how dependent he was on her.
Daryl had changed a lot since the apocalypse, but that didn't make him even near worthy of Beth Greene. Heck, he shouldn't even be allowed to hold her hand like he had been doing. Piling on and on all the reasons why he shouldn't be with her didn't stop Daryl from still wanting it. He remembered what she looked like curled up beside him in bed and how she felt when he carried her down the stairs. There had to be something wrong with him for thinking of her like he did. Maybe all the beatings his father had given him had caused some kind of brain injury.
He growled and continued following the tracks. Hunting was so much simpler than relationships. He knew exactly what to do and what was expected of him. He would follow the tracks, find the deer, shoot it, clean it and take it back to camp. Afterward, he would relax and smoke some cigarettes. It was familiar and logical and it gave him a peace of mind.
Aidan's POV
Aidan coughed a little bit on the dying embers of his cigarette as he listened to Logan rant about Daryl.
"Who the hell does that guy think he is," Logan growled, throwing his cigarette on the ground and stomping it out. "Orders everyone around and is a total ass about it."
"Hey man," Aidan said, "we came out here to relax, not get worked up about shit."
"I know," Logan said, but then he continued his tirade, "but I mean, how did he even manage to gain Rick's trust? Plus, he creeps around alone in the woods all the time, I mean what is up with that? The guy is a dick…."
Aidan began to ignore Logan and just nodded when it seemed necessary. He personally had nothing against Daryl. Sure the guy could be rude, but he obviously pulled his weight. Aidan zoned out and stared off into the trees, not really paying any attention. That is when he thought he saw a flash of movement.
Aidan realized that Logan had stopped talking, so he nodded, which caused his friend to continue. Aidan went back to staring out into the trees. Suddenly, he made out a face hiding behind a tree. It was a young woman with long black hair and hazel eyes. He couldn't tell if she was naturally dark or if she was just covered in dirt like most people nowadays. The moment she realized that he had seen her, a look of fear crossed her face like Aidan had never seen before. He was about to step forward when she fled into the trees. He didn't go after her, because he got the feeling that that would just frighten her more.
"Hey, you there," Logan asked, interrupting Aidan's focus. Logan and Brian both turned around to where Aidan was staring.
"You see something man," questioned Brian.
Aidan felt like he should say something, but the woman had seemed so scared that he couldn't imagine her being a threat.
"No, nothing, just a trick of the light is all," Aidan said, "I think I'm going to head back to camp."
"All right man," Brian told him, "I need to go carry back water for the group."
With that, the three men left their spot and went to get work done.
Carol's POV
Carol was rationing out food for dinner when suddenly a huge slab of fresh meat was in front of her.
"Here," grunted Daryl, who stood there covered in blood.
"Oh, that's great Daryl, we are going to eat so well with this," Carol praised, even though she knew her friend wouldn't accept it. As expected, he grunted and shrugged his shoulders.
"You are going to make a fine husband someday," Carol teased, "what woman these days wouldn't want a man who can bring back such a good meal. You are going to have all the girls in camp swooning over you."
"What the fuck," Daryl spat out, "no woman in her right mind would do that."
The older woman knew that Daryl was sensitive, that is why she purposefully provoked him, but usually he didn't reply so aggressively. Something had to be off, the hunter always lashed out or put himself down when something was wrong.
"Daryl," Carol said, "I was joking. I don't think the girls are going to literally be swooning over you, you can relax. Although they have no reason not too, you are a good man."
"Hmmph," he snorted, "I don't need any fucking women swooning over me, they are more trouble than they are worth."
"What's wrong," Carol asked as she stopped counting rations.
"Ain't nothin wrong," the redneck snarled, "just don't need no fucking women messing with my life."
"So that is why you are so tense," Carol guessed, "some woman has gotten you all riled up. Did they say something mean to you, or worse, did they complement you?"
"No! Ain't nobody I told you," he growled, reminding Carol of Sophia, who would vehemently refuse ever having stolen candy out of the special jar she used to keep in the kitchen.
"Someday you are going to have to learn to let people in Daryl," Carol told him, "not everyone wants to hurt you."
"Well, they sure as hell won't hurt me if I don't let them in," the hunter replied bluntly.
Carol thought back to Daryl's reaction the other day when he had seen Beth lying on the ground. He had looked so worried when Carol and Bob had finished the surgery and had stayed by Beth's side until she had woken up. It was all starting to make sense. Carol had also grown closer to Tyreese after the prison attack, so had Daryl and Beth. Beth was a little young, but maybe her bright cheerful side was just what Daryl needed. They were complete opposites in some ways, but they both held the group together, physically and emotionally.
"So," Carol said, changing the subject, "Beth is doing well."
"Yeah," Daryl muttered, looking away.
"She is a sweet girl," the older woman pushed as she watched her friend's reaction.
"Hmmm," he mumbled, looking down at his feet. Carol knew for sure now.
"Here," she said, shoving a can of soup in his hand, "you should take this to her, she needs to eat."
"I'm all dirty," Daryl objected, staring at the food in his hand and looking trapped.
"Well, then go wash up Pookie," Carol told him before swatting him on the arm, "I've got things to do, run along now."
Beth's POV
Beth woke up to Maggie shaking her shoulder.
"Bethy, it's time to get up, Daryl has brought you some food," her older sister told her.
The blonde opened her eyes to find the redneck standing just outside the tent looking very uncomfortable. His hair clung to his face, it looked like he had just taken a dunk in the river. It was rare to see Daryl clean, not that Beth was complaining, he looked great. His shirt was sticking a bit to his chest, showing off how muscular he was.
"Daryl," she said, which caused him to look like a caged animal with no way of escape.
"I'm going to go get you some more pain medication," Maggie said, squeezing her hand before walking away.
"Umm," Daryl muttered as Maggie left.
"Well," Beth demanded, "are you going to stand outside all day or come in?"
"I'm coming," Daryl said, crouching down to enter the tent, "you must be feeling better if you can sass me already girl."
"I have never sassed anyone in my life," Beth said in the most innocent voice she could manage while batting her eyelashes, which caused Daryl to snort and his mouth to turn up at the edges.
She watched as he opened the can and poured the contents in a bowl. Her mind kept going back to earlier and how she had felt sure that they had almost kissed. It could all have been in her head, she had lost quite a bit of blood. If she asked him about it, there would be no going back or pretending like she didn't care about him. Even if he did have feelings for her, a direct question about it could very well scare him off for good. Beth had learned that the one thing that did scare Daryl Dixon was a talk about feelings.
"It's cold, but better than nothin," Daryl said, looking around for a spoon, "I could go warm it up if you like."
Beth just stared at him. Of course he was going to act like nothing had happened. She wanted to bury her head in her pillow with frustration.
"Beth," Daryl asked again.
"I want to talk about this morning," Beth blurted out before her nerve failed her.
She watched as Daryl froze in his tracks, every muscle in his body tensing.
"Ain't nothin to talk about," he said after a moment's pause.
"Yes there is," Beth demanded, her more stubborn side showing, "this morning when you told me that I changed your mind and …."
"Yeah," Daryl cut her off, "you changed my mind, here eat your soup."
Beth frowned as the bowl was shoved in her face.
"I will eat my soup if you talk about it," she said, crossing her arms. She looked up to find Daryl scowling at her. They became locked in a contest of wills when Maggie suddenly broke into the room.
"Oh, am I interrupting something," the brunette asked, looking between them.
"No," Daryl replied firmly, "Beth was just about to eat her soup."
"I told you I am not eating the soup," the blonde argued, sending a glower in his direction.
"Why do you got to be so freaken stubborn," Daryl growled, his blue eyes sending daggers at her.
"Why do you have to act like an idiot," Beth replied, unintimidated.
"Okay," Maggie said, trying to calm them, "Beth is recovering, she should be taking it easy."
"That's right," the hunter agreed, "she should be."
"Maggie, can I have a moment with Daryl," Beth asked.
Her sister looked between them, but seemed to decide that she didn't want to be in the middle of whatever was happening.
"Okay, just don't kill each other while I'm gone," the brunette said, before walking off.
Beth struggled to sit up, which only caused Daryl to freak out and set the bowl of soup aside. He put a hand on her shoulder to keep her from sitting all the way up.
"Hey," he barked, "don't be stupid, you are still recovering."
"I will be as stupid as I want," Beth said, mostly because she could and because she was mad that Daryl was pretending like there was nothing between them.
"Look," Daryl said, getting right up in her face, "I just ran all around the woods looking for you girl only to find you with a bullet through your head. I thought you were fucking dead."
Although Daryl was yelling and his face was bright red, she could feel the fear in his voice when he talked about her being dead. Beth stopped feeling so angry at him, she couldn't imagine how much emotional turmoil she would be in if she had thought that Daryl had died.
"Now," continued Daryl, "if you think I'm going to just let you do whatever the hell you want before you have healed then you are fucking wrong because I didn't carry your skinny little ass all the way back to camp just to have something happen to you now, you got that?"
And suddenly, Beth did get it. He was being protective of her because he cared and her near death experience had scared him. It was just how he was. She couldn't expect him to start spouting poetry or love confessions, she had to accept the care that was shown in his actions.
Without another thought, Beth leaned forward and almost sighed with relief when her lips met Daryl's.
Well people, it is about time they kissed. But what will Daryl's reaction be….dun, dun duhhhh! Yeah, it was kind of a crazy scene, but when Beth or Daryl get fired up, they just kind of go at it. I feel like it was bound to happen with how internally confused Daryl is at the moment. He hates being close to people and unfamiliar situations and now he has both and doesn't know what to do with it except try to push people away or lash out. It would have been sweet for Daryl to be the one to kiss Beth, but I just couldn't see that happening with how unsure he is of himself. Or maybe he could of, like 5 years later. Anyway, I look forward to writing more and seeing how their relationship falls into place. I would love to hear if you thought that last scene was a little too silly or if it was in character, so feel free to leave comments.