My head pounded and I lay weakly in the soft bed Hershel moved me to after he patched me up. I looked awful, on top of my already blackened eye, my head was noe bandaged tightly. Daryl had only left my side when they forced him away so Maggie could stitch him up. He met Hershel at my door as he was leaving.

"Is she-"

"She is fine, just grazed her. I'd say she's very lucky, only a few stitches. She should be vertical in a few days, with restrictions of course." Hershel raised an eyebrow at Daryl, but the hunter barely heard him. I glanced over at the two men, smiling and sitting up slightly.

Daryl visibly relaxed, waiting for Hershel to move. Hershel looked back at me, then to the man in front of him. "It was foolish of you two to go on your own without telling anybody." Hershel scolded, stepping to the side. Cautiously Daryl entered the room pulling a chair up to the bedside, sitting in it quickly.

"Hey…" I whispered. He forced a tight smiled and I held my hand up. He took it, squeezing it. Mt head was still throbbing and my body ached. Slowly I laid back down onto the pillow, breathing deeply. Daryl's face dropped as he watched me, biting his lip nervously. "You heard the doctor, I'm gonna be fine." Daryl still did not speak. I noticed his grip on my hand had tightened considerably, as if he didn't want to let go.

There was a knock at the door and both of our heads snapped up. Rick and Shane were standing there smiling tightly at us. I returned the smile weakly, laying back into the pillows that Hershel had set up for me.

"Can I come in?" The Sheriff asked. They question was meat more for Daryl than for me and slow the hunter nodded his head. Daryl leaned back in his seat, pulling his hand away. I frowned, watching him rest it on the bed, inches away from my knee.

Rick cleared his throat, crossing into the room awkwardly. It was silent for a few minutes as he went to sit in a chair in the corner. He took a seat, looking up at both of us before speaking.

I hadn't noticed until now that Rick had been holding something in his hand, and he held it up for us to see. It was Sophia's doll. Slowly he placed it on the table next to the bed and he cleared his throat.

"I don't think I have to tell you how dangerous what you two did today was." I nodded my head and Daryl sat silently in his chair. We both stared at the Sheriff and he rubbed a hand down his face. "But if you hadn't done it, we wouldn't have found a key piece of evidence. Where was it found?"

"We found it washed up on the creek bed." Daryl said quietly. The hunter cleared his throat, sitting up in his chair. He winced as the stitches on his wound pulled, but he continued.

"She must have dropped it crossing there somewhere." I chimed in bringing my hand to my head. My ears were still ringing but the pain medication that Hershel had given me was beginning to kick in nicely.

"Cuts the grid almost in half." Rick stated, looking over to his deputy. Shane raised his eyebrows in agreement.

"Yeah, your welcome." Daryl said bitterly, his eyes darting to me. I frowned at him, fidgeting under the men's intense stare. Hershel had reappeared in the bed room, handing a few pills to Daryl and then to me.

"How're they looking?" Rick asked the old man after we'd taken our medication. Hershel sighed, walking over to me. He grabbed my face, prying open my eyes to look with a small flashlight.

"I had no idea we'd be going through the antibiotics so quickly." Once he was satisfied he walked away, leaning on the dresser across the room. "Any idea what happened to my horses?" Hershel asked us with raised brow. Daryl scoffed.

"Yeah, the one who almost killed me? If it's smart he left the country." I blushed, ashamed and looked away.

"We call that one Nelly. As in Nervous Nelly. I would have told you she'd throw you if you'd bothered to ask." Hershel looked at me, almost disappointedly, before looking to Rick. "It's a wonder you people have survived this long." Hershel threw another pointed look at me, shaking his head, before he left the room.

"I need you two to rest up." Rick said as he too looked disappointed. "We'll have to double peoples duties until your fully recovered, Beau. But I think Daryl can handle some light work." I knew the sheriff was upset at us, but he smiled warmly at both of us.

The door shut behind them as they left and I sighed, closing my eyes. Daryl fidgeted in his seat, looking at me worriedly.

"You don't have to sit here, y'know." I said, not looking at him. Again I heard him fidget in his chair.

"I know." Daryl's words were quiet and I opened my eyes looking at him. The room was silent, we had been left alone to recuperate. He watched me intensely, his hand migrating to mine.

"Hand me that mirror?" I asked, gesturing to a hand mirror on the desk. Daryl eyed me suspiciously, slowly retrieving it. he hesitated before handing it over. I looked at, frowning at my reflection. I was dirty and sweaty, my black eye was merely a small bruise now. Where my stitches once were from that run in with Shane now sat a fresh, pink scar.

I grimaced, and those were only the old wounds. I didn't even look at all the new scratches that appeared on my face from fighting my way out of the creek bed. Nor did I look at the bullet wound. Hershel had stitched it up, but he'd had to sacrifice a patch of my hair to do so. The locks on the side of my head hand been shaved and I counted fine stitches on the side of my head.

I sobbed and Daryl looked up at me. I covered my mouth, trying to force back my exhausted tears. He cleared his throat, sitting forward in his chair.

"I like it. Ya look like an ass kicker." He said quietly. I narrowed my eyes at him and he smiled. "I wouldn't fuck with ya if I saw ya." It was his way of telling me I still looked pretty. I smiled at him, laughing lightly before placing the mirror on the bed.

We didn't speak for a long while after that, it was nearly nightfall when there was a knock at the door. The door opened and Maggie stood there quietly, looking at each of us in turn. She cleared her throat, giving me a warm smile.

"Dinner is ready, if you would like to join us." Maggie said. I Sat up a bit to quickly and again my ears began to ring. Daryl grabbed my arm, slowly helping me to my feet. He let me go after he was certain I wouldn't fall and I took a few cautious steps to the door.

"It was a very awesome thing you guys did today. I don't know how many people have told you that." Maggie said honestly. Her words took me back, I hadn't expected her to be so forth coming. She grinned at me mischievously before looking back at Daryl. "I don't blame you about the horse either. She broke my arm a few years back when she threw me at a show. Hopefully she made her way to a glue factory."

I bit back a laugh, and Daryl chuckled from behind me. Her optimism about the situation really helped to lessen how I felt at the moment, something I greatly appreciated.

She led us down the hallways to the dinning room where three tables were set up. Everyone was gathered for dinner and as we entered the room went silent. All eyes were gathered in me and I smiled tightly at them, whatever good feelings Maggie had just given me gone.

Dinner was awkward and quiet. The only sound that could be heard was of silverware on plates. Daryl and I had been sat at the table with Glenn, Maggie and her kin. We ate quietly, every now and then looking up at each other as we chewed. Daryl sat next to me, his foot constantly touching mine under the table, and I smiled, relishing in its touch.

After a while Glenn sat back in his chair, turning to look at the big table. I watched him curiously.

"Anybody know how to play guitar?" He asked innocently. Maggie and I exchanged awkward glances. The entire large table stopped eating, turning to look at the young man. "Dale found a cool one, somebody's gotta know how to play."

"Otis did." Patricia said. Another layer of awkward descended on the room and slowly everyone looked back to their plate. I watched Glenn wilt, turning back in his chair and slowly I raised my hand.

"I play…" As soon as I spoke everyone's eyes found me and I wished I would've sat quiet. I cleared my throat as they all watched me and put down my knife and fork. "Uh… bar chords and… stuff…"

Daryl smirked at me, taking another bite of his food and Glenn smiled, picking up his cutlery as well. Maggie chuckled, along with her sister and cousin as they all returned to their plates silently. I grinned, feeling less awkward about the random outburst as I cut into my steak again.

Everyone dispersed rather quickly after dinner that evening. Hershel lent Daryl and I two separate rooms for the evening (emphasis on the word separate) not wanting us to be too far from the house until he was sure we were okay. I frowned as I sat alone in my room.

I heard the house quieting down, the last of them retreating upstairs for the evening. After a few minutes I stood, quietly crossing to my door. I placed my hand on the handle, but couldn't find the strength to open it.

My intention was to go to Daryl's room. I didn't want to sleep alone, not after today, but as soon as I stood, my courage waned. I bit my lip, weighing the pros and cons. What if Daryl didn't want to see me?

Without any further thought I turned the handle, opening my door into the hallway. It was darker than I expected, all of the lights had been turned off to save the generator and I fumbled for the wall.

My hand found the opposite wall and I followed it down the hall and to the left where I came to another door. Taking a deep breath I knocked lightly, my hand finally resting on the knob. The light was on under the door, so I assumed someone was home and slowly I opened the door. Daryl was laid out on the bed, shirtless and he seemed surprised to see me.

"Fuck I'm sorry." I blushed as we met eyes and I turned to leave.

"Wait." He commanded. I stayed, frozen my spot, trying desperately not to look at him. He watched me silently, raising his eyebrow. I felt my cheeks growing redder. Daryl gave a slight tilt to his head, signaling for me to come in. slowly I shut the door behind me, taking a deep breath before turning to look at him again.

"I uh… I don't know why I'm here." I chuckled, putting my hands into the pockets of the pajama pants Maggie had leant me. Again Daryl cocked his eyebrow at me. "I couldn't sleep." I blurted.

"Bed not comfy enough for ya, darlin?" Daryl teased. I glared at him, crossing my arms in front of my chest.

"No." I scoffed, wishing I'd just stayed in my room. The room went quiet and I shifted my weight. Daryl patted the bed beside him. I hesitated and he sighed impatiently.

"Get in." He held up the blankets and I sat awkwardly on the bed next to him. There was at least half a foot between us and I shifted uncomfortably under his gaze. I eyed him from the corner of my eye and Daryl laid on his back, his arm extended behind me. I watched him quietly, unsure what to do. He cleared his throat, looking at his shoulder and slowly I got situated in the bed next to him.

He repositioned, getting comfortable next to me, and sighed. I didn't know what to do with my hands so I placed them awkward at my side. Daryl reached over, grabbing my arm and draping it over his chest. I didn't move, almost afraid of what was happening and he chuckled.

"I ain'y gonna bite ya." My face flushed and I buried it into his chest. I didn't know what to say so I said nothing, only adding to my embarrassment. I moved my hand, grazing his puncture wound and he cringed, inhaling sharply.

"Oh god, I'm sorry." I began to shy away but he had a firm grasp on my shoulder.

"I'm fine, surprisingly had worse. How's your head?" he asked, looking down at me. I still wore the bandage, Hershel said tomorrow I could removed it as long as I kept it clean. I shrugged finally getting comfortable in bed.

"It's okay. Doesn't hurt anymore." Daryl grunted in reply, reaching over to turn of the bedside lamp.

"You're lucky Andrea is a piss poor shot. She coulda taken your head off." I hadn't truly thought about it like that and it sent shivers down my spine. I was about and inch away from dead earlier today. Twice. I felt the room growing cold and I shrugged again, putting on a smile.

"You woulda missed me." Daryl went rigid and I was afraid I'd said the wrong thing. I felt his lips kiss my forehead through the thick bandage and I relaxed. He pulled my closer to him, settling into a comfortable position before he spoke again.

"Like crazy."

Poor Beau, the girl is a hot mess. But Daryl though ;) the fluff was real that chapter. And I don't apologize.

Reviews are always appreciated! I love reading them, they really help to push me to write more!

Stay Beautiful!