Beth's POV

Beth was worried. Carl said he'd catch up with Jimmy after they had their talk and its been 15 minutes since they all arrived at Dale's.

"Do you think their talk should be taking this long?" Beth asked.

"Nah, their probably just goofing around and apologizing to each other for being jerks" Randall said with a mouthful of pizza.

"I think I'll go check on them to see if they're okay" Noah suggested.

"Thanks Noah" I smiled and nodded at him.

He got up and started walking towards the exit.

"Don't worry about it their probably gonna walk through that door...now" Sophia said and at the same time the door flew open, only it wasn't Carl with Jimmy...

"What the heck?" Noah cried out in confusion.

We were all shocked to see Daryl pinning Jimmy's arm behind his back and roughly shoving him forward. When Jimmy's eyes landed on us I saw his lip all bruised and throbbing.

"See there they are!" Jimmy exclaimed at Daryl.

"Alright beat it" Daryl shoved him again and Jimmy ran out of the diner.

"Uhh...what's going on?" I can feel my voice quiver feeling that Carl is somehow involved.

"Your boyfriend got beat up by that asshole," Daryl explained my eyes widen and I covered my mouth quickly when I gasped

He continued, "Luckily Glenn and I were just passing by when we saw their fight and stopped it before it could have gotten any worse."

I was stunned and speechless. Tears started to form in my eyes as I tried to process what Daryl just said.

"Is he okay?" Noah asked in equal worry.

Daryl made a hiss-like inhale and closed one of his eyes like he felt hurt himself, "Itssss...pretty bad, he's all black and blue" he turned back to me, "Glenn is taking him to your old man just so they can be near his parents."

"Well what are we waiting for? Let's go to them" Eliza persisted as she and Sophia placed their hands on my back and tried to calm me.

We took a taxi and head towards my house. When we got nearer, we saw the look on Rick's face like he was ready to kill someone, (specifically Jimmy) he was charging out of the house and angrily trudging towards his car. We also saw Glenn trying to stop Rick but he was too late and the policeman drove off. We got out of the car and Glenn gave us an exhausted look.

"What happened?" Daryl asked.

"Rick's gonna kill that kid, I'm telling ya," Glenn breathed heavily and threw his head down.

"I'll go after him, you take these kids inside" Daryl got back in the taxi and followed Rick.

"Is Carl...?" I asked.

"He's...uhhhh...better than before...but still n-not doing good."

Before he could explain further I was already running towards the house. I open the door and quickly ran to the nearest bedroom which was mom and dad's room. As soon as I saw Maggie and Shawn by the door frame I knew they were inside. My tears suddenly overflowed when I saw what happened to Carl. His face was all bruised, and blood was coming out of from nasty cut on the side of his forehead. His shirt was off and his torso was also heavily covered in bruises, especially by the his stomach. Daddy was checking his pulse by his neck and Lori was crying beside her son while holding his hand. I started to cry too and Maggie held me as I looked pitifully at Carl. Noah and the others came up behind me and saw the scene to.

"Holy shit," Noah whispered, threading his fingers through his hair.

"Oh no," Sophia cried and Randall held her while he looked at Carl too.

We all stayed for a while, but mom insisted that Lori needs to rest so she took her to the kitchen. The rest of the gang decided to come back and check on Carl tomorrow, Maggie and me stayed a little longer while I placed an icebag on Carl's head and laced my hand with his.

"I'm gonna help prepare dinner, you sure you can handle this?" Maggie asked in concern.

"Yes, I got him" I smiled and nodded at her.

When she went out of the room I tightened my grip on Carl's hand. I started to cry and I placed my forehead on his arm, I knew this was my fault. Jimmy already attempted to ask me out but I refused countless of times because I was with Carl, even before I was with him I still refused because I liked Carl better than Jimmy. Now, Carl had to suffer Jimmy's wrath just because of me.

"I'm so sorry, Carl" I stood up and placed a long, lingering kiss on his lips before heading towards the door.

"N-no...unghg...d-don't go," I heard someone groan behind me just as I was turning the doorknob.

I turned and saw his eyelids weakly rising and he tried to reach his arm out for me. I was elated seeing him up again and I went back to his side. He still can't talk properly due to his busted lip but his words are still understandable.

"How are you feeling?" I cupped his cheek and he smiled, but then suddenly winced.

"Like I took a blow to the gut," his voice was hoarse and I knew he was tired.

"You should get some rest, I'm gonna get you some water" I kissed him again and he kissed back weakly but lovingly.

"Please stay until... I...until I...sleep," he mumbled drowsily and a few seconds later he was already fast asleep.

I smiled and kissed his cheek, and watched him sleep as I held his hand.

Maybe...just maybe...I can start doing the intimate scenes next week. Hehehe! Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Leave any suggestions if you like.

PEACE OUT! :)