Interactions II

Beth bounced Judith in her arms, walking around outside in the warm night air. She was so tired, she just wanted to sleep, but Judith wouldn't go to sleep, she just kept crying, and fussing. Beth didn't know what to do. She wasn't hungry, she didn't need to be changed; she just wanted to walk around. Beth couldn't remember the last time she'd slept for more than a few hours at a time. She didn't want to complain though, it was just about the only thing she could do to help out, so she kept quiet, but she really, really wanted to go to sleep. She was about to start crying. She sighed and looked down at Judith as she finally yawned and started to settle in. She slowly started to make her way back into the prison, putting Judith back to bed. Hopefully she would sleep for at least a few hours. Beth tucked her in and crawled into bed, nearly asleep before her head hit the pillow.

…

She was falling asleep at the table, she was trying not to, but she couldn't help it, she was exhausted. Judith had slept for about an hour before Beth had to get back up to feed her, and she hadn't gone back to sleep. Beth was trying to feed Judith a bottle but it kept slipping from her hand and Judith was just getting frustrated. "I'm sorry," she whispered to her, picking up the bottle again and holding it back so she could eat. Judith huffed and tried to finish her bottle. Beth tried to keep her eyes open, but it wasn't easy. Hopefully after her bottle she'd be ready for a nap and Beth could get a few hours of sleep.

"Beth?" she jumped and looked up at Daryl. He'd just gotten back from a run.

She forced a smile even though she just wanted to cry. "Welcome back." She frowned, seeing the rage in his eyes. He walked out without saying another word to her and she sighed, looking back down at Judith. "Well that we weird."

She jumped, looking up when she heard the door slam open. "Daryl, what the hell has gotten into you?" Rick asked as Daryl pushed him into the room.

Daryl pointed at Beth. "Do you see what I see?" Rick looked over at Beth and Judith and Beth quickly hid her face. Daryl was not doing what she thought he was. "That girl is killin' herself takin' care of your baby." Daryl walked over and took Judith and the bottle from Beth gently and passed them to Rick. "It's your kid, not Beth's." He picked Beth up and carried her out, not caring that everyone was staring at them or the fact that Beth was blushing.

"Daryl, you didn't need to do that," she whispered as he carried her up the stairs, which didn't make sense to her. Her cell was down stairs.

"Yes, I did." He took her into his cell and gently put her down on the bed. "They don't give a shit, they ain't payin' attention like I am. You're gonna kill yourself." He sat down on the bed beside her and looked down at her. "Sleep, you need it." Beth nodded her head, already halfway there. She curled onto her side, her hand brushing his. She'd have pulled it away if she hadn't been so damn tired.

…

Daryl stared down at her and ran a hand through his hair. What the hell was everyone's problem? How could they not see how tired she was? He shook his head and moved some hair from her face. He was going to have to keep a better eye on her. She hadn't been eating either; again, he'd noticed the change in her weight when he'd picked her up. Nothing but skin and bones. He sighed and got up, quietly leaving. He walked back down to the kitchen and everyone stared at him as he grabbed his own food.

"Daryl, we didn't realize," Maggie said softly.

"I'm fuckin' aware," he snapped. "Bet you didn't know she wasn't eatin' either, just like the winter."

"What are you talking about?" Glenn asked.

"She was starvin' herself so Lori, Carl, and Hershel could eat. Now, she's starvin' herself and about to keel over from lack of sleep because she's takin' care of your baby." He glared at Rick. "Ya'll want her to pull her weight around here, fine, but don't dump that baby on her twenty-four seven." He stalked out, taking his food back up to his cell and sat on the floor, across from Beth. He sighed as he ate and watched her sleep. He was gonna look out for her now.