A/N: Just a treat for all my readers, favoriters, followers, and, especially – and because they truly make my day with their kind and interested reviews - my reviewers! *.*

Creepy Mary and her equally creepy redhead sidekick had come to check up on them at sunset. They had opened the door, entered the room unannounced, and walked unceremoniously towards Beth's side of the bed after dropping the bag of fruit, bread and cooked pigeons on the woodened floor. Daryl, who woke up just in time, was on his feet at once, yelling at their infuriatingly calm grins about all the reasons why they should not be bothering them at that moment. Because he stood up so quickly, making his head dizzy, he babbled for the most part, but he was sure there was something about how the mother of his child was not to be disturbed while she was resting. Both women left the room without conceding to losing the battle, their smug smiles never faltering, and making it sound as if they were leaving on their terms.

They were not, however, and that small victory made Daryl feel almost hopeful. One step at a time.

TWD

The sun had disappeared for quite some time when Daryl woke up for good. Beth had merely stirred during all the commotion with the two women, and he was pleased to notice how much cooler her hands were now that she had had a good afternoon's sleep. Though he would have never admitted it, he kind of liked how the moonlight allowed him to trace the lines in her face. There was no frown, no grimace of pain, no scowl at him or at anyone else; she just breathed lightly, a faint smile tugging at her lips. It was nice to finally feel as if he had done something good.

They had got used to sleeping together during their time alone in the woods. First, it had been all about convenience. The cold was too much for one person to bear, so they would hug all night to conserve the heat. Then, after an endless number of nights of convenient company, they started enjoying each other's presence, sneaking a touch every now and again. He knew that because not only had he felt her, in more than one night, gently brushing his hair off his face, but because he had, more often than not, knowingly placed a hand over hers and pretended to know nothing about it the next morning.

He wondered if she had become so dependent on his presence to sleep as he had on hers.

TWD

It was still well into the night when he felt her move.

"You awake?"

Beth hummed in confirmation, stretching a bit, her eyes still closed. She snuggled closer to him. "If you take everyone else out of the picture," She mused sleepily. "we could actually be happy."

Daryl chuckled. "Ain't you the philosopher t'night."

" 'M serious." She smiled a tiny smile in his direction, finally opening her eyes. "I could stay in here forever. Couldn't you?"

"Yeah. Yeah, I could." He gave in, more in response to her silent plead than anything else. He was far too damaged to ever think of complete, blissful happiness coming his way. "I mean, this bed's quite comfy, I'll say. And the room ain't half bad, either. Only thing I'm not too happy 'bout's the company, though…" He laughed as she removed the pillow from under his head in mock annoyance.

"You jerk." She held the pillow close to her chest, intent on not giving it back.

"Even without the pillow, I'm still more comfortable'n I've been in years, so…" He shrugged, nonchalantly, and crossed his arms under his head, relaxed. "I'm much too lazy to try'n take it from ya."

Beth giggled quietly. "What, you like it here better than that spooky coffin?"

"There's no comparison possible, missy." He grinned.

"How so?"

Daryl wanted to answer truthfully, but he just could not bring himself to say the words. No matter how hard he tried, there was always that voice in his head saying he was getting carried away by the sudden relief over getting her back, over not having got her killed, and confusing it with happiness. There was always a part of him that would fear that the rug would be taken from under his feet with no notice whatsoever.

"Y'know." He mumbled noncommittally.

He had thought she would press him further, but she just acquiesced. "I do. Me too." She added, shyly.

Daryl was getting almost good at figuring out whenever she needed comfort that involved physical touch. Proudly, he recognized the signs, as he stared into her eyes and saw her eyebrows frown so subtly she wanted him to miss it. He knew she would never ask for it.

"Let's sleep some more, shall we?" He told her, his voice hoarse. "I want you perfectly healthy tomorrow."

"Watc'ha talking about, Dixon? I'm already perfect." She grinned.

"But healthy not so much. Or modest." Daryl rolled his eyes at her teasing.

"Pff, you're no fun. G'night." She pouted and closed her eyes.

"G'night, sweet'art."

He gently placed an arm over her shoulders and let it rest there the entire night. He knew it was not much, but it was all he could muster at that moment. She wanted to feel safe, and that he could do. He would never let anyone lay a hand on her again. And he would be damned if he was not going to kill – quite painfully – those who did.

TWD

The morning came too soon. With the sun, came the responsibilities. It was as if the clarity of the sun made everything seemed clearer, including everything they did not want to think about.

Beth told him of their routine there. She had been kept with other prisoners in the basement, but they always woke them up roughly after the tractors started their morning jobs. She supposed they would be better treated now that her circumstance had changed, but she could not be sure.

"What're we supposed to do?" Daryl asked through his usual sit-ups routine.

Beth, still on the bed, shook her head, uncertain. " 'M not sure, actually. I mean, they must wanna talk to you about your chores around here, but exactly when, I don't know."

"And what about…?" He gestured towards her, and she blushed quite visibly.

"My made up baby, you ask?" Beth fidgeted with the sheet, trying to keep it light, but then sighed. "I dunno… they'll wanna keep track of the pregnancy, if not at least to make sure it's goin' the healthy way. What did I get myself into?"

"We'll find a way." Daryl reassured her, although he was coming up short of ideas.

"They'll find out I lied." She said quietly, trying to pass it off as if she was not bothered by the idea. "And they'll… I don't know, but they could, uhm, kill me."

Daryl stood up, panting from the effort and from the rush of adrenaline he had got from her statement, and sat down by the bed. "That, Beth, is about the one thing I know they won't do."

"You sound sure." She eyed him, challenging.

"That's 'cause I am."

At his pretend-smug look, she groaned in frustration. "Arghh, I'm never gonna leave this bed."

"Fine by me." He smirked.

"Or this room."

"Still fine."

"And neither are you."

He raised a eyebrow at her. "Now you're just teasin' me."

She scowled at him, hiding her face in her pillow. She then opened just one eye. "Seriously, though, Daryl."

" 'M serious, Beth." He sat down on the bed. "I don't joke with'ya safety."

"I know you don't." She replied quietly. "I'm just worried."

And he could see she really was. He would never be able to understand the kind of life she lived before the walkers first started appearing. He had no idea what it meant to live such a blissful life that she could still see the good in guts-eating, blood-sucking zombies. He would never fully understand her, not in that respect, anyway. But what he knew was that in a short amount of time, she had been robbed of her trust, her purity of spirit, and God knows what else. And it was killing her. He was battling his inner demons, but so was she. And the difference was she did not have as much practice as he did.

"I know you're." He laid down, facing her. "And so'm I. And I can't promise you it'll be okay. Not with me, not with you, and now even with the others. Someone might get hurt… actually, life's full of shit, so I'm quite sure someone'll get hurt. What I can promise you, though… is that I'll do my best to keep you safe."

Beth smiled, and he relaxed.

Clearing his throat, he added, in a much quieter voice. "I dunno what happened with us in the woods. I don't understand a bit of it." He fidgeted with the soft fabric over the mattress. " 'N I won't try to understand it now. We got too much on our plates. But what I do know is that you make my life better. There's no better way to put it. You, an'your shiny hair, and shiny eyes, an'all that chattin'in the mornings… I dunno, I just know I can't lose ya again."

And he hoped she could see how serious he was. There was no bigger truth.

"Mmm." Was all she answered, staring him right in the eyes, an amazed smile gracing her lips.

"Don't Mmm me." He teased, pinching her cheek playfully.

"Thank you." And he knew she meant it. The teasing smile she answered him with was proof enough. None of them was going to rush anything; none of them was even going to wonder about what there was to be rushed.

A knock on the door made them sigh. Their little haven was about to be breached. There was no more pretending shit did not happen. 'Cause shit always found a way.

A/N: So, this was just a little bit of fluff to get you going. I probably won't be able to post anything tomorrow, hence the second chapter today. I really want to hear your opinions. Is there anything you'd like to see happen in this story? Please, tell me! I love hearing what you think, and you have been amazing so far *.*

Kisses***