Thanks so much you guys for the lovley reviews and for following and favouriting! It means so much to me!

aliceweekes- Thank you! I'm very much a slow burn kind of girl! I like to take my time to develop characters and plot so it's really nice to find someone who appreciates that rather than people just wanting characters to make out in chapter 2!

rippedjeans and recklesskellie - I'm so pleased that you both found it tense and got caught up in the chaos, I hoped that would be the effect but you're never really sure until someone reads it! And Daryl isn't the type to sit around and watch so get ready for him to spring into action!

Dany and let awa - Teehee well here it finally is, I'm sorry it's taken so long!

mrskaz453 - thanks so much for the lovley comments! I just hope that what follows doesn't disappoint!

I'm sorry this has taken a while. I'm trying to make sure I update once a week with a fairly decent sized chapter. In the real world away from fanfiction I'm a teacher so spare time doesn't come easily and writing is my relaxation, but I don't want to let you guys down so I really hope that that works for you guys. I know myself I prefer a good long read rather than tidbits. Anyway heres the next chapter, again if you can drop me a review it will be really appreciated!

Also I have a few drabbles/one shots to do with Daryl and Beth. I'm wondering how best you woud like them? SHould I continue to post them as stand alones or should I make a collection? Let me know what you think would be best.

Lexi x


Chapter 2

He'd take care of it, he gave them his word. Told them to go and head the coast just like they planned. That he had this, but as he came closer to the fence he couldn't help but wonder how he was going to live up to his promise. There was so many of them and damn it, there was the case of a fence in the way. Riding closer Daryl impatiently scanned the fence for some kind of break, some weak spot where he could take out a post. Anything. Something.

Swearing he prayed that he had time. Just a few moments so that he could get her down to the opening they had made previously. He hoped to hell that the trigger didn't blow before he got there. Speeding up on his bike swerving on the uneven ground he reminded himself to keep his cool. Getting closer he calculated that he had a minute max. Throwing any caution to the wind he called out at the top of his lungs, her name burning his throat as it erupted from within. Slowly the shaking figure turned their head, the gun still aimed. Her pretty pale face tear stained and shocked was a mess but still very much alive.

"The gap kid, the gap!" he bellowed, pointing to the red wire that claimed the fence like an x.

If she still had it in her to run, maybe a couple of bullets, he could get to the opening further along, unthread it, get her out. It was all he had. It just had to be enough.


Speeding off, fumbling for his knife to get ready to start cutting he could see her falter ridden with fear but sure enough her feet began stumbling in the same direction and he nodded with encouragement, as if she was a child taking those first precious steps. Walkers were close on her heels as she limped, her ankle dragging whilst they're blood thirsty claws lunged at her limbs, teeth bared ready to rip the pretty thing apart. It made Daryl's stomach churn. Reaching the wire he dismounted swiftly and began hacking at it with his knife, pulling and tearing savagely to try and make a gap big enough whilst thanking the lord that Greene girl was only a little bit more than pint sized.

Hearing her now frantic footsteps approach he pushed the wires apart. Feeling it burn and scrape against his sweating palms he reached his arm inside looking up and meeting her wide blue eyes. Grasping upwards towards her he let his hand clasp around her tiny bicep and pulled her roughly, his fingers embedding themselves into her skin, unprepared to let go no matter what. Thrusting her towards the fence, she let out a blood curdling scream into his ear, making him wince as his ear drum vibrated violently and the sharp shriek. Scowling he looked on in horror as a walker reached around the front to clasp her hip, it's fingers in her denim belt loops trying to drag her backwards.

"Not today!" Daryl growled through clenched teeth, using his knife to slice through its decaying fingers, its hold became redundant, black blood oozing onto Beth's hips. Still clutching the knife Daryl grasped hold of the edge of her thin jacket, steering her through the wire and thrusting her forward into his arms, her legs buckling and scraping into the earth. "Come on, get up!" he spat gruffly, taking her by both elbows and hauling her to her feet. Pulling her away from the opening he quickly held her at arm's length. "It scratch you?" he demanded scowering her for claw marks. Grabbing her at her waist to turn her around he quickly gave her a once over and breathed a sigh of relief at her seemingly unmarked body.

Beth lowered her gaze to the gun that had only seconds before been held to her skull. Her skin paling, she felt herself stiffen as if she was starting to freeze, the reality of it all crashing down upon her in an instant.

"Christ." Daryl muttered snapping his head back at the fence and being drawn back into the task at hand. Walkers were already trying to force their way out. Grabbing her pistol from her loose grasp he quickly fired the remaining bullet straight into an eye socket of the first Walker. The close proximity of the fire caused flesh and blood to shower their skin like heavy rain as the bullet pierced through. Wincing Daryl watched on as its body fell flat and heavy over the opening sealing it from the others, but he knew it wouldn't remain there for long.

They had to make a move, get back on the road.

Taking her firmly by the shoulders Daryl leaned in close, so close that Beth could feel his words fire against her tear stained skin. "Get on the back. Wrap your arms around me tight, don't let go! You hear?" Beth nodded slowly at Daryl's words, her feet clumsily stumbling around the bike, her body quivering. Feeling Daryl's hands upon her she let him willing direct her, swinging her leg over the bike.

"Hold on." he instructed firmly grabbing her hands and wrapping them around his sides. Beth found herself locking her arms around him with an iron grip as the bike started up the power jolting through her body, rocking her closer into him. Coiling her fingers into the worn leather of his jacket she peered blearily up at him through damp, clumped lashes only to have his heavy eyes turn away with flicker. Letting her forehead press against his back to shield her vision, he sent them flying out of the prison grounds as fast as he could.


It was nothing short of a miracle, Daryl thought as they speeded quickly up the abandoned roads, dodging the branches and debris that littered them. It felt like leaving the farm all over again but he wasn't going to be losing or leaving any members behind. They were a unit, a family and he wasn't going to let another one of his family die because of the Governor. That's why, he realised, he'd flown off in Beth's direction without thinking, without a single thought to his own safety. Get the girl out was all he knew he had to do and he would have done it any cost. Glancing back at her wrapped against his body sheltering from the now damp drizzle of rain he wondered what the hell she had been thinking or if she even thought at all.

It was getting dark. They had been riding for a while into thick rain clouds with no signs of the others. The light mist of water had begun to fall hard like pellets and he could feel the tyres slip and swerve against the water that was forming on the road. Driving like this in these conditions wasn't safe. Not when he could barely see his own hand in front of his face.

Frustrated he gripped the bike tighter his knuckles whitening. He couldn't understand where the others had gone. They couldn't have gotten that far. Seeing a cross roads ahead he leaned closer peering through the rain at the faded lettering on the sign post. One way to the coast, another long, wooded route, the other to a town less than half a mile. Chewing his bottom lip and looking back once more at the responsibility that wrapped itself around him he turned the bike in that direction. Beth's body shifted and he caught sight of her eyes flutter upwards towards him quizzically.

"We ain't ridin' in this no more tonight. We'll find a place, crash and catch up with them in the mornin' early." Obediently Beth nodded. There was no point in arguing against Darryl no matter how desperately she longed to be with her father and sister. He had saved her life. Her chest clenched uneasily at the reminder. Letting her head fall back against him wearily she felt his muscles tense slightly but let her eyes close sleepily, the motion and whirr of the bike lulling her to sleep.

Daryl looked down at the sleeping girl around him, her grip loosening. Swatting her side to jolt her awake he felt her stir and mumble. "Stay awake, not long now." he instructed spotting what appeared to be a strip of abandoned and run down motel rooms snaking up on the left hand side. Committing on his decision Darryl stopped the bike a few meters back, waiting and watching the area to see what or who was around to greet them. The place was silent and he wasn't sure if that was a comfort or not. Swatting Beth's side again he motioned for her to untangle herself from him before jumping off and walking the bike further towards the motel."You stay behind me." Beth nodded gingerly her trembling fingers reaching for the replacement pistol Daryl had given her on route. Hearing her hand rummage against her belt Daryl shot her a warning look and shook his head. That girl needed some survival skills. How could she have gotten this far along without any sense? "Put it away, you gonna draw us attention." he hissed from the corner of his mouth watching her lip curl anxiously inwards, grazing along her teeth, hurt by his demand. It was better a bruised ego than walker bait he told himself as her eyes lowered to the ground. Shifting uncomfortably he pressed onwards leaving Beth to follow silently behind.

Beth watched simply, her clothes sticking to her skin, as Daryl stalked along the edges of the motel rooms, kicking open doors and looking for their best available option. Wrapping her arms around herself in the center of the parking lot she felt so small, so lost, so completely and utterly overwhelmed. Her mind was constantly being bombarded by a series of jumbled horrifying images that looped continuously and refused to lie dormant even for a second. It made her stomach twist and turn the need to vomit rising in her tight gut. Catching sight of Daryl's beckoning arm she forced her unsteady feet to guide her into the direction of the room at the end that awaited them.

Stepping inside she winced at the musty damp smell of the room whilst her insides recoiled at the slight blood stains on the wall nearest the door. A free standing chest of drawers stood opposite them with half crescent moon shaped nail marks and deep scratches lining its light pine top. A broken side unit with stains of crimson barely stayed standing in one corner whilst a door which hung on its hinges covered in dust and cobwebs led to the bathroom. Remarkably a double bed stood strong. Although un-made it looked to contain reasonably clean, yet crumpled sheets that seemed to suffer only from tears around the edges, whilst two previously plumped pillows leaked feathers across the grey looking mattress.

"Ain't the Hilton." Daryl muttered, slinging his bow by the bed on to muddied carpeted floor, having parked his bike out front.

"It's fine." Beth murmured softly, her arms still wrapped around her as Daryl closed the door, scoffing at the lock and chains that were supposed to provide protection before shunting the chest of drawers over and across the door way . Beth watched helplessly as he adjusted the curtains and double checked the bathroom until he came and perched himself on the edge of the bed satisfied with the amendments he had made.

Slinking forwards Daryl let his head rest on his hands as he let his fingers push his sweat covered hair from his face trying to collect his thoughts as his body buzzed with adrenaline. Letting out a low whistle from his dry chapped lips Beth cowered uneasily as his eyes suddenly raised and burned into hers.

"What the fuck were you thinkin'?" he spat slowly, one finger motioning up and down her body before pressing against his own skull. Lowering her head she brought her bloodied hand to her mouth and began to chew frantically on her nail beds, shifting under the spot light Daryl had put her under. "You trying to go all Rambo?"

"I'm sorry." she mewed anxiously her body quivering at the tone of his voice. She'd heard Daryl angry before and it unsettled her, but it unsettled her in a whole new terrifying way now that it was directed at her.

"Sorry?" Daryl repeated his eyes narrowing, pinching the bridge of his nose. The look of anger and disappointment upon his face was enough to make Beth break, tears sliding down her cheeks, her whole body fell to the floor in heavy, heart wrenching sobs. "Shit!" he cursed to himself watching the girl crumble before him.

"I messed up." he heard her explain through her tears. "It all happened so fast and," unable to keep any composure Beth felt her whole being begin to break down, her shoulders slumping forward in defeat with no strength left to support herself.

Jumping up from the bed at the eruption of noise Daryl uneasily stood in front of the young farm girl, as he tried to decipher his next best move. With his knees clicking stiffly he squatted down to her level, his hands quivering uncertainly in front of her as he slowly reached out and placed one blood stained hand upon her shaking shoulder. Clenching it firmly but not hard enough to hurt, he battled with his urge to shake her silly. "I just wanted everyone to be safe." she sobbed finally, her words striking a chord deep within his own heart. That's all anyone of them wanted. "I wasn't thinking. I'm so stupid." she agreed defeated, leaning in to his touch.

Daryl realised his grip, had transcended into a subconscious rub upon Beth's shoulder and he starred at his alien movements against her skin. She too found herself studying the grazed fingers that gentle soothed her. They had known each other for a long time but Beth couldn't recall any real time spent together, especially not alone. Hearing her swallow hard Daryl quickly retracted his touch, clenching and unclenching his fingers to reclaim them as his own.

"You are stupid." He mumbled under the heat of the silence that had formed. "But yer safe and so are the others. That's what matters." Beth looked up and blinked seeing the sincerity in his eyes and nodded slowly mulling over his words.

Rising to his feet and stalking towards the drawers, Daryl lent against them momentarily awkwardly watching Beth out the corner of his eyes as she sniffed back the tears. He felt at a loss unable to decide what to do for the best. He was sure that if they were with the others they would have comforted her some more, maybe sat down and tried to talk things over but she had broken into tears so easily and he couldn't deal with girls crying. She was too fragile for his hands.

"I'm gonna search the reception, see what's lurking." He eventually announced. By lurking Beth guessed he meant supplies, at least that's what she hoped realising her outburst of emotion could have easily alerted walkers to their where abouts. "You barricade this door and stay put. You hear?" Daryl added firmly. It felt stupid to say and Daryl felt stupid saying it but he didn't want the girl running out and following him in fear causing all kind of trouble. She would be safe in the motel room, that he was certain. Behind lank blonde hair Beth nodded solemnly.

Pushing the drawer out the way Daryl fiddled with the lock, the chain slipping and sliding between his fingers. Shaking his head he forced himself to concentrate harder and think past the unfamiliar feeling his hands still possessed. Looking back briefly at the young girl he was leaving behind, he felt his chest constrict tightly. Throwing himself out through the door he embraced the rain water that collided heavily against his face cooling the slight flush to his cheeks. Taking a deep breath he sighed. This, he decided as he looked around the deserted parking lot, was definitely less than ideal.