A/N: I really apologize for this chapter. I went through a small spurt of really writing shit down, and then a long couple of weeks where I was tempted to just unleash the zombies and let it all go to hell. Writer's block is a bitch.

THEN, after I finally wrote this chapter, I wasn't in love with it, so I re-wrote the whole thing, and after that happened… I couldn't decide which one to use. There were things I liked about each, and things I disliked about each, but I couldn't combine them because the locations and situations were slightly different, and… yeah.

So, it is what it is… and honestly, my slow burn turned into a long one because, as this is my first fanfic, I'm really not comfortable writing smut. So when it happens eventually….. I might just extend an advanced apology for that, too. I have no idea how it's going to go down. But hopefully it's nothing that pitchforks and tar won't fix. ;)

Life has been insane. BUT thank you for all of the awesome reviews, the kind words, and welcome to all of the new followers! I hope you guys enjoy whatever this is.

Chapter 26

Once Daryl had climbed into her Jeep, he told her to keep her eyes closed.

Relieved that he was already back to his bossy, grumpy old self after the incident in the diner, Beth grinned and complied with his wish.

After he'd caught her with one eye open as they rounded the square in town, though, Daryl had huffed in exasperation and pulled off her scarf to use as a make-shift blindfold. Despite his scowl, his hands were gentle as he wrapped it over her eyes and tied it on behind her head.

"Don't take this off until I tell you," Daryl warned.

"Well, this is a kinky turn of events," Beth blurted, giggling. Daryl didn't respond, but he coughed like he'd choked on something, and she was thrown back against her seat and then forward again as he'd accidentally hit the accelerator instead of the brake, and rammed the Jeep into the curb in front of some of the shops. He then reversed back off of the curb, muttering to himself under his breath, and threw the vehicle into park.

He proceeded to make four different stops around town, and at each one, Daryl commanded her not to peek before he hopped out and ran his errand.

At each stop, she peeked; Beth had always been terribly impatient when it came to surprises.

Unfortunately for her, Daryl apparently knew her all too well, since he had parked away from each of his intended destinations in an attempt to throw her off; he must not have trusted her keep her blindfold on while he was out of the Jeep. So even after all of her sneaky attempts to see what her crazy huntsman was up to, all she ever saw was his nice ass in those cargo pants rounding corners of buildings, and Beth was no closer to figuring anything out.

They finally left town and she felt the Jeep reach a quicker cruising speed; they must've gotten on the stretch of highway leading away from the city.

About half an hour later, their quiet little road trip ended as the Jeep came to a stop at the end of a long, bumpy road. They'd pulled off of the highway some time ago, and Beth couldn't imagine where they'd ended up. She could, however, smell the crisp forest air as Daryl shut off the Jeep and hopped out.

Beth heard him open the door to the back seat and begin grabbing his purchases.

"We're here," he said bluntly.

Beth opened her door and attempted blindly climbing out. She, naturally, miscalculated the placement of her foot on the running board, slipped, and for the second time in as many hours, she found herself sprawled on the ground with every molecule of air forced out of her battered chest from the rough landing.

Her subsequent laughter only came out as wheezing, and she heard the dirt crunching under Daryl's heavy work boots as he ran around the Jeep.

"Beth! Are you a'right? What happ… Are you still wearing tha' blindfold?!"

Beth could hear the tone of his voice shift from concerned to incredulous as he finally reached her and took in her condition on the ground.

"You told me I had to leave it on until you gave me permission to take it off," she croaked out a little sardonically as she slowly sat up.

Cold air hit her warm skin as the make-shift blindfold was pulled off of her face. Beth blinked a few times, readjusting her eyes to the cold air and the brightness of daylight. She grinned as Daryl, who'd crouched in front of her, wound the scarf back around her neck where it came from. He kept both hands on either end of her scarf once she was properly wrapped again, and stared at her with an expression she couldn't read.

They were almost nose to nose, and Beth felt her heart leap into her throat at their extended close proximity.

"Are you talking yourself out of kissing me, Daryl Dixon?" she whispered to him.

"No," he answered, his voice equally as low and husky. "I'm talkin' myself outta stranglin' your stubborn ass with yer own damn scarf…"

They stared at each other a few more pounding heartbeats; the situation funny but seemingly somber all at once. She watched Daryl's icy blue eyes flick to her lips and back to her eyes.

Then his face tightened with some unspoken decision on his part.

"Lunatic," he grumbled under his breath as he stood up, releasing her and breaking the spell.

He strode back over to pick the bags with his purchases off of the ground, and Beth slowly climbed to her feet. She wasn't too surprised to find that her legs felt more like jelly than muscle and bone.

Beth had never before understood the term of one feeling "eye-fucked."

Now she did.

Holy shit.

As Daryl got his surprise for her situated throughout the bags, throwing things back into the Jeep and mumbling all the while, Beth took the opportunity to take in her surroundings. The 'road' they'd come in on was nothing but two sets of tire divots worn into the ground, and looked rarely travelled. The Jeep had come as far as it could go, though, because the trees had grown very densely packed in this part of the woods. The air smelled crisp and unpolluted, though, and the scent of snow loomed over them.

Daryl finally locked up the Jeep, and made his way to a small break in the trees that was a thin trail Beth hadn't noticed. In fact, she'd probably never have seen it for what it was at all if Daryl hadn't started down it and then turned back to look at her expectantly.

Resigned that they were footing it the rest of the way, Beth zipped her jacket up and began following.

"Ready?" he asked her, his gravelly voice sending shudders throughout her. He shifted the two brown bags more comfortably under his arm.

Not really.

"Sure," she said, sounding much more put together than she felt. "Lead the way, huntsman."

Daryl cocked an eyebrow at the nickname that she'd assigned him, but said nothing as he turned and they began their trek.

O~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

After what felt like many miles, hours, and hundreds of unanswered inquiries, Daryl finally halted their journey. He set the bags down in the middle of the narrow trail, which was caked over with a bit of frost and had been nearly overtaken by bony twigs and branches, which had reached out and grasped at the duo every step of the way.

Beth panted slightly from the exertion of hiking through an elevating forest trail while trying not to trip. And it wasn't like they'd gotten much sleep the night before. Daryl was crazy, she'd decided. Absolutely nuts.

Noises natural to the forest had gotten louder the deeper they'd gone, and now Beth could hear the roaring of what she could only assume was a river not too far off. She put her hands on her hips, surveying the area for any sort of clearing or a stump to sit on, but there was nothing of the sort. This couldn't be their destination!

Just as she had the thought, though, Daryl momentarily shocked her by clasping his hand in hers and leading her off of the trail and through the crunchy underbrush.

"Where are we g…?" Beth broke off mid-question as they finally broke through the last barrier of thicket; the roaring that had been rising in volume along their trek was even louder without the trees and bushes to muffle it. She stepped out further, and there they stood like two insignificant ants on a gigantic flat rock, which was perched in the elbow of a beautiful, cascading river.

She had known that the sound in the woods was flowing water of some sort, but nothing had prepared her for the sight that met her eyes. Never had she been anywhere so breathtaking.

Standing with her mouth open in awe, Beth stood watching the water hurl itself relentlessly down the mountainside, splashing and ricocheting off of boulders covered in a variety of colored mosses ranging from yellows to greens to blues. Some rocks peaked out of the riverbed at odd angles, creating mini waterfalls here and there as the water rushed along its course. Occasionally, shimmery fish sprang from the icy waters, squirming and twisting through the air before colliding back into the river with not even a splash amid the quickly moving water. The trees at the edge of the bank were still clinging to their fall foliage, boasting a gorgeous bouquet of orange, gold, and crimson leaves.

Beth turned to look at Daryl, wondering if he, too, was marveled by such splendor. Instead of the river spread out before them, though, Daryl was focused only on Beth. She stared back at him as he stood assessing her; their moment back at the Jeep played through her mind, causing her heart to pound. Before long, she couldn't decipher the roaring in her ears from the roaring of the river.

So, she said nothing, did nothing; just watched him watch her. This was the longest she suspected he'd ever really looked at her, too. Normally, his intelligent, tundra blue eyes would stray and come back to her again before shifting to look at something else entirely. He always glanced away before too long, as though she was the sun and staring at her would blind him.

The intense look he was giving her now, though, was bold. Perhaps, even a little smug. Everything seemed minutely different about the man, even down to the way he was carrying himself; solid and sure of himself. Usually, his posture was hunched and protective like a jungle cat being led through town on a leash. Today, though… today, he was confident. Relaxed.

Then Beth realized what it was; the forest. This was the environment he was the most comfortable in; this was Daryl Dixon in his natural habitat. Sure, she'd been out in the woods with him on numerous other occasions, but always because of some formidable reason; getting chased by the hell hound, him falling into a river, everyone needing to find Sophia, as was the case just last night. But this was different. There was no urgency, no one was truly injured, and there were no other agendas. Just both of them and the raging river; as thought they were the last two people in the world after an apocalypse.

Just like always, though, Daryl was the first one to break their connection. He crouched near the bags and began pulling things out.

First came two quilts. There weren't any large department stores in their small town like what Beth was used to, and missed, back in Chicago; which meant that Daryl had apparently stepped into the quilt shop during one of his frequent stops. He haphazardly spread one of the patchwork blankets out across the rock and sat on it, putting the other bag in his lap, from which he began digging out various food items. He'd gathered quite a spread, too, it looked like. Sandwiches wrapped in cellophane, containers of potato salad and macaroni salad, bags of chips, a couple of drinks, an entire jar of pickles…

Beth just stood and watched him, with tears burning the back of her throat and blurring her vision. He knew where this place was without getting them lost once, which suggested he came there quite often. It could have just been a great hunting area, but Beth suspected the untamed beauty of the place had a lot more to do with his visits. She had been right all along; Daryl was an amazing person with a big heart. Lori, Tyreese, Sasha, and even soft-spoken Karen had cut Daryl down at one point or another and none of them seemed to harbor any redeeming qualities or positive judgments about him. And yet, here she stood, in the most beautiful place she'd ever been, while the 'terrible,' 'cold-hearted,' 'no-account,' 'white-trash' Daryl Dixon unpacked a goddamn picnic for her birthday. The overwhelming nature around her mingled with her sleep deprivation, and all at once her heart swelled and shattered.

Daryl glanced up as she unsuccessfully tried to stifle a sob, and he froze at the sight of her tears as they burned hot paths down her cheeks. She reached up and wiped her face, but to no avail; he'd already seen them, and anyway, more fell to take their place.

For the first time since they'd gotten out here, Daryl's face fell. "You don't like it."

Beth opened her mouth to answer him, to tell him how much she loved it and how absolutely amazing he was, and that everyone in the world was wrong about him… but there was a lump in her throat. Instead, all she managed was a swallow, and then she swiped at more tears.

He bit the inside of his cheek, looking embarrassed, and began putting food back into the bag.

Before she knew what she was about, Beth strode forward. She pulled the paper bag off of his lap and dropped to her knees between his outstretched legs. She saw the shock register on his face briefly before she cupped her cold hands along both of his warm, rough cheeks and then firmly crushed her lips against his.

He made a startled noise and put both hands on her shoulders to push her away, but she leaned in, wrapping one arm around the back of his neck and pressing her body flush against his. He lost his balance, falling onto his back, and her body contoured itself to his, her stomach flat against his abs, her breasts pressed up against the hard planes of his chest, and the most intimate part of her body deliciously straddling one of his firm thighs.

His whole body felt taut, so she shifted her weight and gently bit down on his bottom lip. She opened her eyes to find his already boring holes into her.

"You don't wan' this," Daryl whispered, his voice gravelly like a man parched. As he spoke rejection, though, he absentmindedly rubbed his nose against hers, and she could feel his chest expand as he inhaled her scent.

"I do want this," Beth whispered back, pressing her lips against his again. This time, he responded, kissing her back, opening his mouth to invite her in; to taste her.

He ran his hand across her cheek gently and then fisted it in her blonde, wavy hair. Breaking their kiss again, he panted, pressing his forehead against hers. She could tell he was still fighting it.

"We can't do this, Beth," he pleaded.

He released her hair as she shifted her head, kissing his temple near his ear. She ran her nose delicately down the side of his face, her breath coming out in white puffs to caress his skin.

"We already are," she whispered, using her tongue to plant a small kiss on his earlobe.

"Then we need t' stop…" Daryl said, although his voice trembled despite his resolve.

"All I need right now, is you," Beth said firmly, leaning her head back to stare down at him.

Daryl clenched his jaw stubbornly and frowned up at her. "All you need," he repeated in a similarly hard-headed tone, "is some damn common sense."

"Why is this so crazy to you, Daryl?" she asked, although she suspected she already knew the answer.

When he opened his mouth to reply, though, she leaned down and kissed him again. Lost momentarily in the feel of her, his eyes slid closed, and he wound one arm around her waist to press her further against him.

She could feel the way he needed her, too, as evidenced by what was flush against her thigh.

"Damnit," he grumbled, moving his face away from hers so that she couldn't get at his mouth again. "I'm serious!"

Grinning, Beth planted kisses up the side of his exposed neck, stopping to nibble on his stubbly jaw. "So am I," she replied.

Turning his face back to her, he glowered and removed his hands from her body, letting them fall out beside him like he had resolved to quit touching her.

"I don't wan' you t' do anythin' you regret on your birthday, Beth," he said, softening his gaze and shifting his tactic to get her away from him.

"Alright, then I won't," she said.

Daryl gave her a small smile, looking both saddened and relieved that he'd finally gotten through to her… until she leaned down and locked her lips onto his again.

Like before, he turned his face, breaking off their kiss, and scowled at her.

"I never regret being with you, Daryl, and this is no different. "

He frowned and opened his mouth to argue, but she put her hand over it to stifle him. "You talk too damn much, has anyone ever told you that?" she teased.

He glowered at her, but made no attempts to remove her hand from his mouth. Finally, smiling, she moved her hand and ran it through his hair, watching his shaggy bangs fall backward to mingle with his other hair with each brush of her fingers, leaving his forehead and upper face free of fringe. For someone so rough, Daryl's hair was incredibly smooth and soft. She ran her fingertips lightly down the front of his face, causing his eyes to flutter closed. She repeated the motion, running her fingers all along the contours of his face, brushing across his eyelids, tickling the thick dark lashes fanned out against his cheek. She hadn't ever noticed that they were so apparent, since he always hid his face behind a mask of indifference and unkempt hair. She brushed the pad of her thumb against his lips, which earned her a light kiss on her fingertip.

He slid his eyes open to look at her; his expression was too controlled, like he was trying to solve an extensive math equation. So, before he could talk sense into himself again, Beth leaned forward and brushed her lips against his.

"You're making this too hard on yourself, Daryl," she whispered against his mouth. "Just. Kiss. Me."

For a moment, both stayed still and silent as their breath came out in white puffs and mingled together before dissipating in the chilly air.

Then, Daryl rested both of his rough, calloused hands against Beth's chilly cheeks, staring into her face for one last confirmation. All of her senses were flooded with him; he smelled like engine grease and leather, and all she could seem to hear anymore was his ragged breathing, and she could feel him trembling beneath her. He was always holding back so much, and she couldn't understand why.

"Kiss me," she repeated softly.

Daryl lifted his face and crushed his lips against hers firmly, yet gently. As he opened his mouth so that her tongue could dance with his, he wrapped both arms around her and rolled them so that she ended up underneath him. The cold from the rock seeped up through the quilt and through her jacket, causing her to shiver. The rest of her body was already shaking with the anticipation and excitement of finally having Daryl positively respond to her efforts. Above her, Daryl's warm weight pressed down wonderfully against her body and she arched her back in an effort to feel closer.

She wrapped one leg around the outside of his thigh and pressed herself against him, causing him to groan against her mouth. He slid his hand down to cup her ass over her knitted skirt.

The pressure built as they explored and grinded against each other, Daryl's hands leaving scorch marks wherever he dragged them. Breaking away from her mouth, he nipped and kissed his way down her throat and tugged her scarf off so he could have better access to her collar bone and shoulder. Those, too, he kissed his way across, occasionally brushing her over-sensitive skin with his stubble, igniting tremors throughout her body.

Lifting himself onto his elbows, he looked down at her under a heavy gaze. "This 's ridiculous. 'S too damn cold out."

"That's what the other blanket is for," Beth mumbled as she continued kissing and tasting his skin.

She paused when she felt Daryl go still, and when she looked up at him, his cheeks were tinted and he looked embarrassed. "I didn't… tha's not why I bough' two blankets… I never meant for this to…"

Beth smiled to show that she was neither serious nor judging his intention when he made the decision to buy two blankets.

Returning a small smile, Daryl shut up and raised himself to his hands and knees so that he could stretch out as far as possible in an attempt to grab the blanket without actually having to untangle himself from her completely. Beth craned her neck back so she could stare up at his face as he stretched over her. His shirt extended with him, leaving his stomach exposed to the frigid air. Beth grinned as she slid both hands up under his shirt and raked her nails gently down his chest.

Daryl froze while reaching for the blanket and closed his eyes to her onslaught. When he opened them again, they glinted at her in the fading light of dusk.

Beth smiled up at him, sliding her hands down to brush his skin right where his boxers clung low on his hips.

"You're gonna be the ruin o' me," Daryl said hoarsely.

Beth bit her lip from all of the crazy emotions bubbling up through her, but she didn't bother to hide her huge smile as she stared up at him and continued drawing circles on his flushed skin with her fingertips, occasionally dragging them through the soft curls of the trail traveling south from his naval.

His phone vibrated in his pants pocket for what seemed like the tenth time already since they started their endeavor. This time, Daryl seemed to notice it, and suddenly, he lifted his head and looked around at the fading light, as though breaking out of a trance.

"Oh shit," he said, climbing off of Beth like he'd been scalded.

"What are you doing?" She asked, sitting up on her elbows.

"It's gettin' dark, we shoulda been gone by now," Daryl said, tossing all of their untouched food back into the bag. "Come on, we gotta get goin'."

He held a hand down to help her up, and she let him pull her to her feet in a daze.

"Why are we suddenly in a hurry? It's not like there are zombies in the woods that come out at night," she joked half-heartedly, feeling a little dejected and resentful.

"There's, uh," Daryl pulled his phone out of his pocket and checked the screen, cursing under his breath before stuffing it back into his pocket.

"There's what, Daryl?" Beth said, hoping to get some sense out of him. What the hell just happened?

"Bears," he finished lamely.

"Bears?" Beth repeated incredulously. "That's what you're going with right now? Bears?!"

"Yeah," he said simply, obviously still distracted. He rolled the quilt up under his arm without folding it and slung the other one over her shoulder.

"Let's go," he said, taking her hand and pulling her along back through the thicket and onto the trail they came in at. In the cover of the trees, it was already dark, but a small beam of light appeared as Daryl procured a small flashlight from one of the cargo pockets in his work pants. Beth clung to his hand tightly as he pulled them through the woods in a rush. She stumbled and got tangled in quite a bit of forest debris, but Daryl never let her fall.

Beth didn't grill him on why they were leaving already; she was a little beyond that. She knew, somewhere in the back of her mind, that sleeping on a hard boulder next to a freezing river in the middle of nowhere without even dry wood to make a fire would prove to be catastrophic, and not her idea of a night well-spent.

But wow was that timing ever bad! As they strode through the forest, Beth could still feel herself throbbing at her center; her body trembled all over from the unused energy she never got the chance to burn. Her lips felt pleasantly bruised, but the rest of her ached for more of him. What the hell was the difference between leaving now and staying out there another ten minutes?

She felt her anticipation spike to whole new uncharted levels, and that's when her aggravation swelled, too.

Daryl Dixon was going to pay for this, she decided. He was going to pay dearly.