Hello everyone! I am glad y'all enjoyed the last chapter. An extra thanks to Tania Ibarbia. Your comments were super sweet. I had my roommate (who has taken 3 semesters of Spanish) translate them and I think she got about 40% of it translated but I got the general idea. Also, I loved the idea of having Judith's POV so I went ahead and did it in this chapter and may do it again in the future. Part of this writing comes from my nervous energy over tomorrow's finale, hope nothing bad happens to Daryl, my heart would just break. Enjoy!
Beth's POV
Beth gritted her teeth as she took another step forward. Her head pounded in time with her footsteps. The blonde focused on her breathing instead, trying to find a way to block out the pain. Rick had decided that they needed to move on and she didn't want to hold the group back. If they got attacked by walkers out here, they were an easy target. They had been in the open for a while now and it was starting to show. Everyone was worn out and if they got tired enough, mistakes could happen. In the apocalypse, mistakes were deadly.
"Hey," a warm gruff voice grunted from behind her. Beth turned to see Daryl holding his hand out. He was staring at the ground and hiding behind his long dark hair. She stared at him, unsure of what he wanted but desperately wishing that she could intertwine her fingers with his like they had done in the graveyard.
"Give me your stuff," the archer said, practically groaning at having to explain his intentions. Beth could have sworn that his neck had taken on a slight pink tinge.
"No, I'm fine," Beth replied, the lie slipping out before she had even thought about it. Even if she had thought about it, she would have had said the same thing. Everyone was already carrying all they could, she couldn't add her belongings to that weight. They had to be tough, that was the only way to stay alive.
However, Daryl just cocked an eyebrow at her and continued holding his hand out. One look at his face told Beth that he wasn't going to back down until she gave in.
"Just for a little while," Beth said sternly, more of a promise to herself than to Daryl. Knowing him, the selfless man would carry all the group's things and not say a word all day even if it was killing him.
The moment the weight was lifted off her shoulders, Beth felt a little better. She breathed in deeply and stretched her back.
"You okay," came Maggie's voice from up ahead.
"Yes," answered Beth, even as she was trying to keep her head from reeling.
"Well you look like your about to pass out," Maggie insisted, looking her little sister up and down.
"I can keep going," Beth maintained, not wanting to be the reason the whole group had to stop for the day.
Her older sister still looked concerned.
"She's got it," interrupted Daryl, "she's a tough."
Having said that, Daryl placed a hand on her shoulder before walking off to talk to Rick.
"Well I'll be," exclaimed Maggie once the redneck was out of hearing range, "I don't think I have ever heard Dixon tell someone that they are tough. Usually I hear something like 'fucking sissy, can't do shit'."
"He's just being nice Maggie," Beth told her older sister, but she had to grin at Maggie's impersonation.
"If you say so," the brunette replied, "by the way, do you know what's up with Glenn? He has been acting kinda funny lately."
"Funny how," questioned Beth, "he was always a bit of a goofball."
"You know what I mean," Maggie said, "we will be talking and suddenly he will clam up randomly and start muttering about something completely different. I am sure he is hiding something. I just don't know what yet. "
"I'm sure you will figure it out," Beth assured her, "I mean, he has never been able to keep a secret from you in the past."
"True," agreed Maggie, "but since we are so busy out here, I don't have time to work my charms and weasel the secret out of him."
Both girls giggled at that last statement.
Maggie put an arm around her sister and the two walked side by side.
"I was so scared," Maggie said suddenly, "when I saw that you had been shot, I thought that was the end of you."
"I'm okay Mags," Beth comforted, "I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere."
"Maybe Daryl is right," Maggie said with a smile, "you are tough, I don't think just anyone could have survived that wound."
"Maybe I'm just too stupid to know to die when I'm shot," joked Beth.
"Either way," Maggie said with a grin, "I'm not going to doubt you again."
Both sisters smiled and walked hand in hand the rest of the day.
Judith's POV
Judith's stomach hurt, she wanted some of that mushy orange food that she had been given recently. She reached her hands up to the boy holding her, a silent order to be fed. She had learned to be quiet, the people holding her always freaked out when she started crying. She didn't want to worry them, but sometimes she had to because they couldn't figure out what she needed. However, this time more food appeared and there was no need to cry.
"You like these potatoes Judith," asked Carl, smiling at his younger sister.
Judith babbled at him, trying to make those sounds that he made, but they just didn't come out right.
"Can't believe they feed kids this mashed up crap," came a rough voice.
Judith clapped her hands in joy. She knew that voice, it was one of her favorite people. Suddenly, large arms were pulling her out of Carl's hands and she felt safer.
"What's that little asskicker," asked the man, "you want to eat squirrel? You a squirrel eater?"
"She is going to get more than enough squirrel once she finishes teething," said a sweet voice. It was the girl with sun in her hair, the one who sang pretty things to Judith.
"Be…bbbb….," jabbered Judith, who was in a talkative mood and for once wasn't being shushed.
"Here ya go," Daryl said as he spooned the new food into her mouth. Judith ate it happily, enjoying the new texture that was so different from what she had been drinking for as long as she could remember. She looked up into her holder's eyes and smiled. They were blue, just like Beth's eyes, just like the sky. Right now they flickered as they reflected the small fire that they were standing by.
"Can I hold her," asked a musical voice.
"You ain't too tired," cautioned Daryl.
"No, give her here, don't keep her all to yourself," demanded Beth.
Judith felt herself being transferred and waved her arms up and down happily. She loved being the center of attention. It was much better than when everyone was yelling and moving and not watching her.
"Hey sweet baby girl," cooed the blonde woman who bounced Judith in her arms.
The child smiled and reached up to feel the braid the girl's hair. Judith wanted her own hair to do that, but it never did.
"Judith, Judith Grimes," sang Beth, "your daddy loves you and your brother too….Judith, Judith Grimes, your Beth loves you and your Daryl too….Judith, Judith Grimes, your Maggie loves you and your Glenn too…..Judith, Judith Grimes, your Carol loves you and your Tyreese too…"
The little girl giggled, enjoying hearing her name and the pretty voice.
"Be…be," she squealed, "Beff!"
Immediately, Beth's voice stopped and all the talking faded away. Judith frowned, that wasn't what she wanted to happen. However, soon enough it was more exciting than before.
"She just said your name," exclaimed Carl, "Judith talked!"
Her father came over and smiled at her.
"Say it again Judith, say Beth," he asked.
"Beff," Judith repeated, enjoying how everyone jumped up and down and smiled at her.
"I'm willing to bet that she says Carl's name next," said Glenn, nudging her brother in the shoulder.
"Beff," exclaimed Judith, enjoying everyone's reaction. She felt Beth giving her kisses on the top of her head and Daryl's hand patting her foot. This is how she wanted every moment to be. She had her family all together and they were laughing and not being quiet and she had been feed.
Judith continued repeating Beth's name, happy to hear the approval of everyone, until her eyelids dropped and she fell asleep in Beth's arms.
Aidan's POV
Aidan focused his view on the dark trees. He tried to nudge off the sad feeling in the pit of his stomach but he couldn't. It had been so sweet at dinner, hearing the youngest member say her first word. However, it also brought back memories, ones that he wanted to forget.
Ariana had been adorable in her little green onesie with pink polka dots. Aidan could still remember how his sister had smiled when he had bounced her on his knee. She didn't have to grow up quiet like Judith did, so with every bounce she would yell in delight. Her brown curls framed her face and sprung up and down in time with the child.
"Ah…ah…ah," she had shrieked. About then, their Russell terrier, Jack, had raced into the room.
"Ahk," Ariana had said, pointing at her favorite member of the family, "ack! Jack!"
Aidan tried to hold back tears. He was on watch, he couldn't go and get distracted. The young man pulled his gun a bit closer to himself, as if it would comfort him. In this day and age, it almost was a comfort to feel that cold heavy steel against his skin. It meant that he was safe and alive.
A rustle came from his left and the Hispanic man spun around, pointing his gun at the trees.
"Who's there," he asked.
No walker came stumbling out so it had to be an animal or a person. Aidan's finger tightened on the trigger and he considered going to ask Bob, who was also on watch, to help him check out the area. Before he could, two hazel eyes appeared. Aidan stopped moving, but didn't lower the gun. It was the girl from before and she looked ready to flee at the slightest noise. She had a dirty bandage wrapped around her wrist and the top of her arm. She appeared to have hurt her leg from the way she was standing awkwardly.
"Hey," Aidan said softly, "it's okay."
She stared at him and backed off a little.
"What's your name," the Hispanic man asked.
The young woman continued to watch at him but didn't make a sound.
"No one here is going to hurt you," Aidan tried, "you can come out."
The woman's eyes darted towards the camp but quickly came back to him. They stood in silence, taking each other in. Aidan noticed that while she had a good amount of muscle, her bones were still showing in some places.
"Do you want something to eat," he tried, keeping his voice as calming as possible.
A spark appeared in the girl's eyes and she focused more on him. At least now he knew that she spoke English.
Slowly, Aidan reached into his pocket, where he had stashed a granola bar earlier because it hadn't fit in his backpack. Pulling the snack out, he held it out to the stranger. When she didn't make a move to come closer, Aidan set it down on the ground. Cautiously, he backed a few yards away. The girl glanced between him and the food, obviously caught in indecision. As quick as a snake, she darted forward and snatched the package off the ground. Before Aidan could blink, she was sprinting off into the night.
Daryl's POV
"Hey, brother," called Rick. Daryl took a moment before he realized that Rick was addressing him. He looked up to see his friend making his way over to him.
"What's up," he asked, knowing that Rick rarely came to find him just to talk.
"Aidan saw someone last night," the leader confided.
"Who," demanded Daryl, tensing up at the idea of other people being in the area.
"Just some girl," Rick explained, "from Aidan's definition she doesn't sound like she is with another group or is hostile. More like she is alone and following us because she doesn't have anyone else. However, before we head out, I would like you to check around, just see what you see before we head out. I want to make sure no other groups know about us."
"Alright," agreed Daryl, willing to do almost anything Rick asked, "I'll do that right now before anyone wakes up."
"Thanks Daryl," Rick said, laying an appreciative hand on his shoulder, "I really appreciate all you do for the group."
"Mmm," the redneck muttered, not feeling worthy of his friend's gratitude. Luckily, Rick was used to his taciturn ways and left. Daryl went to get a gun, just for emergencies, before he headed towards the woods.
"Where are you going," came a musical voice that he knew well.
He turned around to find Beth standing there and looking at him expectantly.
"Just checking on things," he said vaguely, "and maybe hunting a bit. Want to come?"
As soon as the words left Daryl's mouth, he regretted them. Nothing good could come from the two of them being alone, yet at the same time that was exactly what he wanted.
"Of course," said Beth, her classic smile appearing on her face. Despite all the time they had spent together and their kiss last week, the hunter still expected her to refuse such offers and was always left in surprise at her acceptance. It amazed him that she wanted to spend time with him.
"Com'on then," he muttered and before he could change his mind, he slipped into the woods with her little footsteps following along behind him. They quietly moved through the trees and made several loops around the camp.
Daryl focused on the ground and soon found small sneaker prints that could only belong to the girl Rick had spoken of.
"Another person," breathed Beth behind him. Daryl felt what could only be pride in his chest at how well the blonde could track. She was a natural.
"Yeah," he told her, "Aidan saw a girl the other night."
"A girl," Beth gasped, "what does she look like?"
"I dunno," mumbled Daryl, "all Rick said was a girl."
"Oh," said Beth, sounding disappointed, "she must be very scared, being out here all alone."
"How do you know she is alone," asked Daryl.
"Well, there is no other footprints," Beth pointed out.
"Don't mean there won't be," the redneck cautioned.
"Ever the optimist I see," Beth joked.
"I am very optimistic, I didn't bring a mob out here to manhunt her, just gonna see what she looks like and what the situation is," he defended.
"You are a really great man," Beth said, suddenly serious. She turned her blue gaze on him, pinning him in place.
"Nah," he said, brushing her comment off, "just doing what Rick asked me."
"I know you," she said quietly, "if you didn't care, you wouldn't be out here."
"Keep tracking girlie," he ordered, abruptly changing the subject, "ain't gonna help no one if we don't find her."
"Yes Mr. Dixon sir," Beth said in a tone that Daryl thought was flirtatious. He glanced at the blonde to see her gazing at him intensely.
"Uhm, so," Daryl began, clearing his throat, "just keep following the tracks the way you were."
The blonde stared at him for a little longer before she smiled at something he could only wonder at. Then, she turned and went back to tracking. Daryl watched her as she worked, but that was extremely tempting. His eyes kept resting on the skin of her neck that was mostly hidden by her hair. He tried to drag his attention away but only ended up looking further down to her slim waist and smooth hips.
"Can't get distracted," he reminded himself, "remember what happened last time. Goddamn stupid wolf trap."
"Daryl," whispered Beth, breaking his thoughts and suddenly right in his personal space bubble, "I lost the tracks, they just disappeared.
"K," he said shortly as he took a step back. Then, he scanned the area to see where Beth was having trouble. It was a more rocky area that was almost impossible to find footprints on, but he noticed a snapped branch a ways to their right.
"See this," he indicated to the branch, "tracks aren't only on the ground, gotta look everywhere."
She nodded, soaking in the information. When Beth was being serious, she was a quick learner. They continued following the trail until they came to a river where the tracks ended.
"Goddamn," Daryl cussed, "must have walked in the river, she must have known it wouldn't leave tracks."
"She is hiding," Beth observed, "she is scared of us or someone else. She wouldn't need to hide her tracks for walkers."
"Yeah," agreed Daryl soberly, "let's hope she is just being cautious of us and doesn't have people chasing her."
He looked around a bit more but found no hints of where the girl had gone. They could follow the river till she got out, but that would take time.
"Ain't gonna find much more," Daryl finally decided, "Let's go hunting."
"I'm going to shot something all on my own this time," bragged Beth, hoisting up his crossbow, a grin gracing her face.
"Someone is cocky," Daryl commented, but felt his spirits lift at her enthusiasm.
"It's all about attitude, gotta believe you can do something before you can do it," the blonde quipped.
"Well, let's see that attitude of yours can find us some lunch," Daryl challenged.
After that, Daryl followed behind Beth, letting the young woman find tracks all on her own. She had definitely begun following prints that looked like a deer, a big one at that. When the animal first came into view, he could just barely hear Beth's slight gasp. She lined up the crossbow, just like he had taught her and inched closer. He could tell that the blonde was about to shoot by how her finger tensed up. Just as she was about to pull the trigger, she misstepped and a small twig cracked, sending the deer running off. Trying to save their prey, Beth fired after the retreating animal, but it was too late.
"No," Beth groaned, the happiness on her face falling away, "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to. That would have fed our whole group and I just let it get away."
"Hey," Daryl told her, "Your learning, gotta make a few mistakes to learn. You have been picking things up pretty well, but you aren't going to be an expert all of a sudden."
That last comment only made her stick out her bottom lip in what could only be called a pout.
"So much for your attitude," proded Daryl, "now go retrieve my bolt."
"Alright," sighed Beth, handing over the crossbow before trudging off to look for the ammunition.
Daryl was reloading his weapon when he heard her squeal. Immediately, he was rushing to Beth, his bow ready to kill any threat. However, Beth had a huge smile on her face and was jumping around.
"What the hell girl, you trying to scare me to death," snarled Daryl, annoyed at his own jumpiness.
"You saying you were scared," taunted Beth, all of her sassiness returning.
"No," he automatically responded.
"Look Daryl," Beth said, suddenly holding a raccoon in his face, "I didn't hit the deer but I hit this."
"Woman," Daryl breathed in relief, "you are squealing over some damn coon."
"But I shot it," defended Beth, "all on my own."
"Yeah, cuz of damn luck that's what that was," argued Daryl in disbelief.
"No, it is because I had the right attitude," contended Beth, "told ya it would work."
"Hmph," the redneck snorted.
"And a good teacher," finished the blonde smiling at him. Suddenly, the young woman bounded right up to him and wrapped her arms around him.
"Thank you for teaching me," she said, "you didn't have to, but I am really glad you did."
"Ain't nothin," He brushed off as he tried to figure out what to do with his arms.
"It is something," Beth said, looking up at him like he was some superhero.
Daryl looked down at Beth and all he could see was how the flecks of lighter blue in her eyes mixed with flecks of darker blue. He never would have pictured such a sweet beautiful girl in his arms staring at him like that but he couldn't say he didn't like it. And here Beth was smiling like her whole world had been made just by having some mangy coon in her hand and him by her side. She deserved so much more than him, but if she wanted him, he allowed himself for a second to think that maybe that would be okay.
"Beth," he breathed, leaning in closer to her. Her eyes were so inviting and her pink lips parted just a fraction of an inch, as if inviting him closer. Leaning in, Daryl wrapped his arms around Beth and brought their lips and bodies together. He could taste the peaches and something that was more Beth. For once, he didn't hear his brother or his father in his head, he just heard his heart pounding. When they finally drew apart, both were breathing raggedly.
After a moment Daryl broke the silence.
"Is that okay…I mean did you…," he started only to be cut off.
"If you're going to do that everytime I shoot something, I'm gonna have to get a lot better," she breathed, a huge grin plastered on her face.
That's all for now. I had fun with all the different points of view. I really enjoy Beth and Daryl, but I don't want that to be all that happens with this story. Finally, Daryl has semi-figured things out and kissed Beth. Doesn't necessarily mean it is smooth sailing from here, but it is a step forward. So yay for Bethyl!