Disclaimer: I don't own 'The Walking Dead'.

Stockholm

Ch.4

Beth stopped just short of the door leading into the common room, keeping a corner between her and Glenn who was standing there rather boredly with a rifle in hand. She remembered his reaction to keeping Daryl around and alive, she didn't blame him for his animosity towards the mountain man. She was just a tad wary of him too, but that wasn't going to stop her from trying to get to know him. Appearances weren't everything even in this day and age, can't be judging a book by its cover, it's only a third of who the person really is. Glenn really must of drawn the short straw this time to be standing watch, unfortunately standing in her way.

She knew without a doubt that he wouldn't let her go through on her own, or at all for that matter. He easily fitted the mold of older brother for her that her real brother, Shawn had once filled. If her Daddy and Maggie wouldn't let her go do this then Glenn would surely agree with them. Beth nibbled on her bottom lip, trying to figure out a way to get in there without causing too much of a scene. Everyone just keeps treating her like she's nothing but a child.

'I'm 'bout to be eighteen years old now, it's time they all realize I'm no child anymore!' Beth thought moodily, she sounded so confident in her mind but on the outside she was shaking like a leaf. Her nerves were getting the better of her.

Slowly she sucked in air through her mouth tightly, willing her nerves to settle down before she confronted Glenn. She needed to be stern and strong, not to mention appear bigger than she is. She could do this, everyone mistakes her for being weak and though that may be true-when it came to walkers-yet that was not true when it came to people. Nodding her head once, she shook her shoulders a little to loosen them up then proceeded around the corner to see Glenn.

He was picking at dirt or something underneath his finger nail when her approaching footsteps alerted him that he had company. He looked up with a slight smile, obviously expecting Carol since that smile turned into an instant frown when he saw it was Beth and not the older woman. She tried to not let that deter her from continuing on her mission.

"Beth? What are you doing here? Where's Carol?" Glenn said in rapid fire, giving her a once more. She smiled lightly, hoping it didn't look as strained as it felt.

"Judith was givin' me a hard time, so we switched." Simple as that.

Unfortunately, nothing is never as simple as it seems. Glenn frowned as he took in the bowl of food in her hands then shook his head.

"I can't let you go beyond this point, Beth." She wanted to frown but held the facial expression at bay. She had some authority here, she best use it.

"Carol told me I could, what is he gonna do Glenn? Spit at me through the metal bars?" Glenn snorted at her little joke, loosening up a little.

"He isn't exactly nice, Beth. You heard the things he said to Carol." Beth merely shrugged her shoulders.

"Sticks and stones, Glenn. The most he'll do is glare at me and probably push my food away or worse, throw it against the wall again. I'm not a little baby." Beth stated sternly at the end, giving him the stink eye. He rolled his eyes with a sigh.

"Is your Dad okay with this?" Oh, he was going for the underhanded move. Beth shrugged again, walking closer to him with all intentions of entering the cell block whether he allowed her to or not.

"I just told ya I ain't a little baby anymore." She then lightly patted his shoulder indicating that he needed to step aside; he wouldn't budge though still watching her carefully as though she was going to pull a weapon out on him or something. Beth pushed away the bit of hurt from seeing that expression on his face, to know that what happened back at Woodbury still stayed so close to his heart. Beth then softly pleaded, "Please Glenn."

He watched her for a moment before sighing deeply. He pushed his hair back from his forehead then unlocked the door to let her go into the common area. Beth walked through first then watched as he unlocked the second door to the cell block stepping back but not going further. She stopped and gave him a look.

"Glenn…"

"Yeah, yeah you're not a baby anymore. I know. Doesn't mean Maggie won't kill me later though." Glenn gave her a cheeky smile, just a bit of his old self showing in the gleam in his eyes. He then brushed the ridge of his nose before handing her the key. "Holler if anything goes wrong." She nodded, waiting to let him go back to his post.

It was silent aside from Glenn mumbling to himself that Maggie was going to rip him a new one later. Beth bit her tongue to keep from giggling; sadly he was telling the truth…

She walked over to the door slowly opening it to allow herself to slip in with the bowl in one hand and the key in the other. It was darker in this cell block than her own, looking up to the ceiling she could see at least two lights were broken. They were already dim enough altogether, it was even worse when one or two of the lights were broken. There were shadows upon shadows in every corner; a shiver ran down her back as she peeked into each cell to see which one he was in.

Right by the stairs she found him.

Daryl Dixon was lying on his back staring up at the ceiling like he was counting the cracks up there. He very well could be, had there been enough lighting for him to see with that is. Beth approached the cell door placing the key in the lock and twisting it open. He jumped at the sound of the door opening but made no move to bum-rush her like she had thought he would do at first chance, instead he turned his eyes upon her, watching her curiously.

Beth gulped at the burn of his eyes on her skin. They were intense and dark; it took everything in her to look away so she could place the bowl down on the ground by an empty cup and an empty water bottle. Glancing back up at him she quickly snatched both up to get cleaned and to get the bottle refilled. Once the door clanked shut the blonde just stood there staring in at him. She wasn't entirely disappointed that he didn't verbally abuse her like Carol, but she was a little miffed that he hadn't said a word to her. Daryl glanced between the bowl of food than back up at her.

"Its vegetable soup, we didn't have any meat to add with it." Beth rubbed her arm, waiting for him to respond to her words. He sat up as the smell of the soup wafted towards him, but still kept his mouth shut. Her heart started to pound in her chest as she stood there, she sort of felt stupid to still be standing there but her iron, stubborn will kept her in place. "It's really good, I helped make it…"

'That sounded like a little kid!' Beth berated herself, hoping to keep the embarrassment off of her face. Daryl arched a brow at her, wondering why she was still standing there. It was like she waiting for him to converse with her.

Pfft, fat chance that would be happening…

Reluctantly he got up to grab the bowl of soup, maybe if he made a show of eating it then little miss Blondie here would shove off and leave him be. He bent down to grab the bowl, glanced back at the pretty, little blonde girl standing there then pushed the spoon aside to slurp up the soup from the edge of the bowl. Fuck utensils, ain't need them.

Beth felt her face scrunch up in slight disgust as she watched him gulp down the entire bowl in under a minute, veggies and broth without so much as choking. An interesting feat, but a disgusting one nonetheless. "I brought ya a spoon for a reason." Beth suddenly stated with just a hint of humor in her tone.

Daryl just grunted his answer to her as he pulled away the bowl from his lips to chew on the veggies. The best thing about that soup was the broth; the vegetables were clearly hitting the expiration date, or probably passed it. It wasn't unusual to eat expired food these days; it was better that than dirt. As he wiped away the broth from his mouth, Daryl bent down again to set the bowl by the door so she could retrieve it.

He turned his back to her afterwards and plopped back on his bed with his legs crossed at the ankles and his arms propping his head up from behind. A yawn echoed loudly around his small cell, letting her know he was tired and she could go now.

"I don't think I've ever seen someone eat soup quite like that." Daryl shrugged, what did he care? Why was she still here? Was it like visiting the zoo or something, did she get a kick out of feeding the animal?

The more he went down that thought pattern, the angrier he got. His muscles rippled from straining himself from jumping up from his bed to throw himself against the cell door and scare Blondie away. Her weak attempts at conversation were pathetic and aggravating at best. He had more than enough of it.

"Do you want more?" Beth inquired as she turned the key into the lock to retrieve the empty bowl. The air had somehow gotten tense around them and she was pretty sure he was the one with the tension. She had heard from her sister before about men getting so angry you could feel it in the air and see it in not only their expression but their body language.

His body language spoke of barely held back anger and Beth didn't know why her being there angered him. She thought about asking him just that, but the fear of a verbal lashing kept her mouth shut. She glanced back at him as her fingers touched the bowl sliding it back to her, right next to the other items she got from his cell.

"Yer food taste like shit, I ain't want more." Daryl muttered darkly, glaring over at her. Beth bit the inside of her cheek to keep from telling him it was either the shit she made or nothing at all.

"Sorry it isn't five star quality. I'll aspire to make it better next time." The blank stare she got back from him told her that he hadn't been expecting that from her. Beth may look gentle and nice, and really she is, but she also wasn't going to take anyone's shit either. Having two older siblings may have enabled her to be the baby of the family, but it also taught her how to defend herself as well. She could fight her own battles with and without anyone's help. Her siblings had at least taught her that much.

After a minute he snorted in amusement, the air suddenly not so tense anymore. She felt like she could breath just a bit easier now.

"Blondie got some bark goin' on. The real question is if she has any bite to go wit' her bark?" Beth frowned at the question, feeling like he was now mocking her for his own amusement.

"First of all, my name is Beth. Second, why don't cha come over here and find out." Daryl arched a brow at her words, willing the chuckle choking him in his throat to stay put. Little Blondie definitely had some bite with her bark. Usually when blonde's are like that (natural and non) they were usually much older and with more knowledge about themselves. Then again he was comparing this squirt to some of the bimbos he had fucked around with or hung out with at the bars. It wasn't a fair comparison he supposed.

"I like Blondie more, fits ya." Beth cocked her hip to the side.

"You're just lucky I'm the only blonde here." She'd let his name for her slide for now. It was mocking but if it was going to get him talking then she wasn't going to complain about it.

"How old are ya anyway?" He was curious for the fact that most of the young'uns sadly die out fast, hell he was surprised that boy was alive but then with men like Rick and women like Carol, he supposed anyone could survive.

"How old do ya think I am?" Beth countered, crossing her arms over her chest as she waited for his answer.

"Too damn young." His answer made her laugh. Hearing the light, almost beautiful noise escape her lips for him to hear brought a shiver down his spine. There was a slight smile on her lips and he wasn't sure why she could be smiling at him, he wasn't trying to be funny or likable.

At least not on purpose…

"Close enough; I'll be eighteen this month…I think…" She looked a bit perplexed as she seemed to be counting the days and months on her fingers for a moment.

"Ya know what month it is?" Curiosity killed the cat, he knows.

"I sort of got it. It's either early April or late May and if it's late May then I'm already eighteen." Beth shrugged with a smile towards him. She wasn't sure why everyone was so apprehensive of Daryl, he was a bit vulgar but overall he wasn't all that bad, at least to her he wasn't. "How old are you?"

"Too damn old." Beth snorted in laughter again, this time Daryl could feel his face heating up in a blush. He was just lucky that it was partially dark in his cell and outside it; nothing would embarrass him more than letting this squirt see him turning red like a sissy or something.

"No, my Daddy is old. You're not." Daryl was pretty sure he was almost old enough to be her father's age, but upon closer inspection of her face (or as much as he could make out) he started to see a resemblance of a certain older man who played doctor on him earlier that day.

"Yer Daddy old 'nough ta be my Pa." Beth rolled her eyes. She was mildly impressed that he figured out who her father was; maybe he wasn't such a lowlife, backwoods redneck like Glenn had said and seemed to think he was. At least he was much smarter than some of the rednecks she had came across in her lifetime.

"Not everyone has their kids young." Beth countered back.

Daryl closed his eyes for a moment to suddenly collect himself. A small part in the back of his mind had always wondered, maybe if his parents hadn't had him and Merle so young then maybe they wouldn't have turned out the way they did. Daryl pushed back the thoughts though, right now wasn't the time…actually it was never the time because he was never gunna make the time.

Fuck 'em.

"Ya know, you're not as scary as everyone has made ya out to be." Beth said breezily, picking up the bowl, cup and bottle.

"Ya don't know shit 'bout me, Blondie. Ya best watch what ya say ta me." She could hear the warning in his voice, a little darkness in his tone but otherwise she wasn't afraid of him. He was unpredictable which in this world was rather scary, but overall he didn't ignite fear into her very soul. Sure she would still be wary of the guy, but he didn't scare her.

"Ya can't play tough guy after all that." Beth waved her hand out indicating their previous conversation. "A scary guy wouldn't have made me laugh, twice."

"Beth, time to go." Glenn came over to the cell door to push it wide open for her. She nodded towards him then turned back to Daryl to smile brightly.

"Bye, Mr. Dixon." Daryl grunted not sure if he should say anything at all. As she disappeared from sight, a young Asian man appeared in her place. He looked at him with slightly hard eyes, eyeing him over but seemed more curious than hateful though there was definitely some anger in him. Daryl was sure this guy feared him.

Good, at least somebody did.

As abrupt as the Asian man's arrive was he disappeared all the same, leaving Daryl to his thoughts as the door outside his cell clanked shut. He could just barely make out their voices as they left him there, then it was all silent once more.

Reaching down Daryl brought his bottle of water to his mouth to take a long gulp. The girl, Beth (Blondie) had left him feeling extremely confused. That whole encounter was just beyond strange and bizarre, normally he wouldn't give anyone the time of day even if she was a pretty girl, it ain't made no difference before so why now? He released a deep sigh as he stared up at the dark ceiling, hoping for sleep to over take him so he wouldn't have to think anymore today.

Maybe it was her eyes…

They were just like her father's, Hershel's non-judgmental eyes that looked to him like he was a human being and not some scary monster like his other daughter, Maggie had. Beth hadn't looked at him like that, he could tell when she first showed up that she was nervous of being alone with him, but once he opened his mouth 'bout the damn food she was quick to bite back. A smirk started to curl at the corners of his lips, but he stopped the process. She was something else, he'll give her that.

The way she said 'bye' though, it was like she was indicating that she would be back with a 'hello' soon. Daryl wasn't sure how he felt about that, if he wanted to see that squirt again or if he'd rather shoot himself with his crossbow again. She did help to take away the utter boredom he had felt before she appeared. Still he feared that he would start to enjoy talking to these people, his jailers. And he shouldn't, he should give them hell and much more for the bullshit and pretention of keeping him locked up.

Merle would have told Blondie that he knew a great place she could put her mouth on. Merle would have been raising hell all through the night and during the day; he would have made these people fearful of his mere presence.

Merle was also an epic asshole too.

Daryl, as much as he hated to admit it, was not…

At least not completely…

A/N: So they finally meet! I hope it came out like y'all wanted! I know Glenn gave in a little easily but this Beth isn't gonna take crap from anyone over her age, lest of all Daryl Dixon. Now that I know a little bit more of her character, I can use more of that strength we saw in 'alone' and 'still'. I feel like the more I dive into Daryl's character of old, the more I feel in tune with his personality. His snarkiness and cynicism is like the inner workings of my mind at work. I love giving assholes big smiles while tearing them a new limb inside my head, I found my inner Daryl y'all! Hahahaha.

Next chapter will be out as soon as I got it written and my beta has approved of it! Let me know whatcha think!

*Again this chapter has yet to be beta checked.

Check ya later…

ALCzysz17