A/N Thank you everyone, I hope you all had a wonderful New Year. Since I can't respond to "guest" comments, I'd like to say it here, thank you so much. And to gillyflower34, thank you for your comments here and on Moonshine Romance.

All of you make me smile.

We're going to the farm, and oh my, so much more. I hope you all enjoy it.

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Merle's wheels are already spinning when he asks, "So what exactly you thinkin' brother?"

Daryl shrugs his shoulders, "Just thinkin' we go see what's lefta the place. We know them walkers mostly keep walkin', right? They're lookin' for sumthin' ta eat, sumthin' livin'. Beth n me were talkin' and we think once the food's gone, they're gone. Well the food's gone by now n we oughta go get what's still there."

Merle's intrigued, "Keep talkin'."

"Her Daddy has medicines, most are for animals but Beth says that in a pinch a lot of em can be used for people. Herschel could tell us everythin' about that. There's also a buncha that antibiotic Shane took from the Fema trailer."

Merle and Rick are all ears as Daryl continues, "There's more too, good stuff. The old man had huntin' rifles n shotguns n ammo."

Beth speaks up, "Mama kept a root cellar, natural refrigeration and it's dry. There's potatoes, apples, onions, cabbages and sealed 10 gallon buckets of flour, coffee, and oatmeal, five pounds of sugar and two pounds of salt. She also kept a full pantry just off the kitchen. Even if the walkers got in the house, and just the force of so many of them broke stuff and ruined most everything, I'm sure they wouldn't have been opening cabinets, and there's no way they got in the root cellar."

Merle asks, "Was your Mama one a them preppers?"

Beth smiles, "No, my Mama was a farm wife."

Rick's thinking about all the possibilities, "Yeah, yeah it makes sense. There's probably tools and things too."

Beth agrees, "There should be. Some were in the barn and we know that's gone, but Daddy kept good garden and hand tools in the tack shed too."

Daryl looks at his brother and suggests, "We can roll the bike outta the back a your pickup n take it, that 8 foot bed'll hold a lotta shit."

Merle's in agreement, "A'ight. When're we doin' this, n who all's goin'?"

Daryl quickly glances over at Beth and answers, "We go right away, tomorrow mornin', just you n me brother. We keep it quiet that we're goin' at all. Beth's worried her Daddy might wanna go, or he might raise a fuss, shit, maybe both. I say we tell the others we're goin' huntin', that way they won't ask why we're leavin' so early. Once we get back with the goods, there's nuthin' anyone can do or say."

Beth is looking at him like he's lost his mind, "Daryl, I'm going too."

He's not going to get into it with her now, not in front of Rick and Merle, "Yeah, yeah."

She's not going to get into it with him now, but she will when they're alone.

Merle nods in agreement, but Rick doesn't sound so happy. The deputy cocks his head to the side and with hands on his hips voices his displeasure, "I'm supposed to be the leader of this group and now you're telling me I've got to wait around here, that I'm not included?"

Daryl expected Rick would be upset, he's ready, "I'd say ya got the most important job of all. Someone's gotta protect the camp while we're gone. Besides, your boy's here n I didn't think you'd wanna leave him."

There's no arguing with that, Rick agrees, "Okay, that's fair, I don't want to leave Carl just yet, but Daryl, you're asking me to do a big job by myself. If there's serious trouble I'm not sure one man alone can take care of all these folks."

Merle asks, "Does Glenn knows his way around a gun?"

Rick smiles at the memory of Glenn referring to himself as a gunslinger, "Yeah, he's pretty good too."

Beth speaks up, "If you have to, you can put a gun in my Daddy's hand. He spent years hunting deer, and he's shot plenty of varmints that were raiding the chicken coop, he can hit whatever he has to hit."

Daryl smiles, "Yeah but he's still a little mad so how bout we don't put a gun in his hand til we gotta. Rick, as soon as we leave you can explain ta Glenn what's goin' on, and maybe ya might wanna give some firearm lessons ta these folks. I bet ya done that kinda thing before."

"Yeah, I guess I could. These days everyone needs to learn to defend themselves, and each other."

Merle nudges Rick with his elbow and says, "Remind me ta give ya sumthin' when we get back ta camp."

Daryl's been dreading the moment he and Beth get back to the van. He knows she's not happy with him and he tries to make her staying behind make sense, "Beth, I don't want ya goin' tomorrow, it could get dangerous. We got no idea what it's gonna be like or what's goin' on. You'll be safer here. Me n Merle plundered a few places back in the day, we know how ta get in and out in a hurry."

She's not having it, "Let me remind you Daryl, I managed to survive getting out of Atlanta and some pretty threatening stuff on the road. It's ridiculous for you to act like I can't handle this trip to the farm. You're not being fair, and besides, it's not smart to leave me here. I'm the one who lived there my whole life, I'm the one who knows exactly where everything is and I can lead you right to it so there's no time wasted; we can get everything and get out in a hurry if that's what we have to do. I've proven I'm perfectly capable of defending myself and you."

Ouch, she got him there, "I ain't sayin' ya can't I'm just…"

She gets it, he's scared and she does appreciate that he worries about her, but she's not going to stay behind, "Yeah, just what are you saying Daryl?"

"Fuck this. I guess I'm sayin' I don't wanna take chances with ya. If anythin' happened to you Beth…shit. Just stay here, you can help Rick, k, please?"

Okay then, he's being honest now.

She gets closer, wraps her arms around his waist and promises, "Nothing bad is going to happen to me Daryl. I'll be with you and Merle, between the three of us I'm sure I'll be safe." She holds him more tightly and reminds him, "This is the world we live in now. You can't keep me safe by trying to keep me hidden away somewhere."

"Yeah, but I don't hafta put ya in the line a fire either."

Then she speaks from her heart, "Please don't fight me on this Daryl. I want to see my home, I need to know what's become of it. And…Mama had a jewelry box, there's nothing expensive, just trinkets really, but I'd like to take a small memento for myself and one for Maggie. I'd also like to get the anniversary picture of her and Daddy for him to keep."

Shit, how can he deny her? He's chewing his lip, fighting with himself about what to do, then she looks up at him with a soft smile and suggests, "Maybe if you make love to me it will take your mind off your worries."

Her words nearly knock him off his feet. Where did that come from? They've...they've come close to it but always held back, why? And why now when her eyes are so soft and warm, her smiling so willing...yeah, it's time.

There's no need to discuss it. It's something they've both spent a lot of time thinking about. They're quiet as he flips the switch on the small electric candle, placing it next to the bed. He puts up the blackout curtain, then reaches into the bag on his seatback and removes a packet. She's aware he's trying to be a little sneaky, and he doesn't want to make it embarrassing for either of them, she smiles, it's so Daryl. She's happy he's prepared, it's time for them to show their love in a more physical way.

Beth doesn't do a thing but stand and watch him as he sits on the edge of the bed and pulls off his heavy boots, then gets to his feet, loosens his belt, button and zipper. He lets his pants fall to the floor, kicking them aside. Finally he reaches for the hem of his shirt and in one quick move yanks it up and over his head. Only his shorts remain.

They've been this far before and the sight of his nearly naked body never fails to excite her.

He reaches for her, takes her in his arms again and kisses her warmly, deeply and she can feel his need expressed in the kiss. He steps back, tentatively grasping the hem of her t-shirt and asks, "Okay?"

She's nervous and self-conscious but she wants this with Daryl, as much as he wants it with her. "Yes, okay."

He's far more careful with her than he is with himself, he slowly slips the t-shirt over her head and draws her close to him. His fingers begin to softly skim along her pale skin and he nuzzles his face into her neck. She shivers from the chill in the air and the sensual feel of his skin against hers. He draws back and his fingers begin to work the button on her pants. His coarse voice has become quieter and she can hear the nervousness in it when, as he slides her pants down he smiles, "I guess I better get ya under them covers n warm ya up."

It's not long before they're completely naked together, and at first there's a little nervousness and inhibition, but the intensity of their desire and the depth of their feelings for each other soon have them touching, exploring and tasting in all the ways they only dared to imagine before.

When the time comes and neither can wait another minute, he slips the condom on and asks again, "Okay?"

She answers, "Yes, we're done waiting."

He feels the need to ask again, "Ya sure?"

"Yes Daryl, I'm sure."

He's seen her at her toughest and most fearless, yet she always seems so delicate to him. He's careful with her, gentle as he enters her, and he's shocked when he feels her natural barrier give way, "Beth, I…ya shoulda said…"

"I guess I've been waiting for you."

00

Merle lifts up the bottom seat cushion in his pickup to reveal a large lockbox. He spins the lock, opens the box and removes two pistols and two hunting knives. He wraps a shop rag around them and walks over to where Rick is camped.

The deputy is sitting with his son and this isn't exactly a family conversation. Merle tips his head to the side and asks, "Hey Officer, can we talk in private a minute?"

Rick gets it, gets up from his camp chair and he and Merle walk a few yards away. Merle hands him the guns and knives, explaining, "For that class tomorrow, these here are for Carol n Amy. Amy's gotten pretty damn good with a knife, but I'm not sure either of em has ever fired a pistol."

Rick nods, "Got ya, I'll see if I can't at least cover the basics with these folks while you're gone tomorrow."

Merle agrees, "And your boy too. Carl's old enough ta hunt, old enough ta protect himself. He needs ta learn how ta survive in this world."

Rick asks, "What about Sophia?"

Merle shrugs, "I'd say yeah, but that ain't up ta me, that's her Mama's call."

Merle feels the quick rush of adrenaline in his system, he's looking forward to this little road trip. He rolls his bike out of the back of the pickup, checks the guns in his gunrack and the pistol on his hip, it's all good. He's as ready for tomorrow as he can get. He's just pushing the tailgate shut when he feels her presence behind him and hears her quietly speak his name, "Merle?"

He turns to her, "Yeah, hey Carol. Ya need sumthin'?"

She's concerned, "What's going on Merle? You're not leaving are you?"

"Nah Honey, I ain't leavin', not for good. Me n my brother are just gonna head out early n do a little huntin' is all. We'll be back here before ya know it."

She takes him by surprise when she wraps her arms around his neck and lays her head on his chest. He whispers, "Whatch doin Honey? We already talked about this."

"No, not really. You talked about it. You were right, I do need your protection for me and Sophia, but you were wrong to think I don't care. I do care. A lot. I don't want you to leave."

He feels her words as much as he hears them. His big hands clasp her hips and he says, "I told ya Honey, I said I'd be back n I will be back. We're just goin' out for the day." His hands move from her hips to cradle her face, "You n me are gonna talk about all this then, k?"

"Yes, good."

He doesn't want to push her away but now is not the time for this. He needs to think. A woman like her, with a child, that can't be taken lightly. It's not a sometime thing. A man has to be willing to make a commitment, and that's a lot for a man like him to think about. He's never been the forever kind. But right now he has to give all of his attention to the task at hand. "Ya best get ta bed now, I'll see ya tomorrow afternoon n we can talk some more."

He notices the tears in her eyes when she nods her consent, he pulls her a little closer, kisses the top of her head and says, "Go on now, get ta bed."

00

It's 5:45 am, the pickup has a full tank of gas and there are two five-gallon cans of extra fuel in the bed, just in case. They shouldn't need it, they calculated the distance from the campground to the farm at just 45 miles, but they're not taking chances.

They're all riding up front with Beth in the middle between the brothers. Merle's at the wheel and as he's about to shift into drive Carol hurries over to the driver's side window and pleads, "I don't know where you're really going Merle, or what you're doing, but be careful, please. All of you."

Merle reaches his hand out the window, quickly strokes her hair and replies, "Promise. See ya real soon Honey."

As soon as his brother rolls the window up Daryl asks, "So brother, what ya got goin' on with Carol?"

"Hell if I know, I'm still tryin' ta figure it out myself."

They leave it at that, there are so many other things playing on their minds.

The cab is quiet, each of them lost in their own thoughts as they bounce along the side road leading to the highway that will take them to the Greene family farm.

Daryl's mind is consumed with thoughts of Beth. What they have together and what's happened between them is more than he ever could have hoped for, or dreamed was possible. How could he have known that after they did what they did he would love her even more. Now he knows.

He's not just overwhelmed with feelings for her, he's worried about her safety. He wishes he could have talked her into staying at camp, but he knew she had her heels dug in. He doesn't blame her, he would have fought to come along too.

Beth's thoughts are filled with all things Daryl, the night they shared and the love they made. It was more special, tender and loving than she ever imagined it could be. She glances up at him with his rough, unshaven face and shaggy hair and it's kind of unbelievable to think this coarse and rugged man could become so gentle and loving in their bed.

She moves her hand over, taking his hand in hers and he smiles down at her. They don't speak the words out loud, they don't have to. Their eyes communicate the message, I love you.

The strength in his touch makes her feel braver, but what they're about to do is scary on so many levels. She's more afraid to see what her home has become than she is of walkers. The house, and the land too, are filled with childhood memories. She knows it's going to break her heart to see it all a shambles, and yet, it would hurt her more to never see it again. At least now she'll have a chance to say goodbye to it for good, from there she can move on.

Oh man, and what's coming when they get back, there's going to be hell to pay. Her Daddy is going to be furious with them, but especially her. Maggie will be raging. Yep, it's going to be bad, but if this works out like they hope it will, then it's going to be worth it.

They've gone twenty miles when they see them up ahead, a loosely formed band of walkers. Maybe fifteen of them. Merle's got his foot on the brake, "Probably some a the same bunch from the farm. They ain't movin' too fast and they ain't headed for the campground."

Daryl's thinking out loud, "So, do we try'n kill em all, or do we find another way ta get ta the farm."

Beth has an answer, "There's a backroad we can take," She points, "See up there, mile marker 238, turn off there."

As they travel along the rough old gravel road Daryl teases, "So ya spend a lotta time out on this backroad growin' up?"

She smiles back and shrugs, "No, not really. My Daddy would go this way sometimes, just to look at the views and stuff, and one time Maggie brought me out here to do some muddin'."

Merle chuckles, "I can't see you out muddin' girl."

"I never did, but well Mama and Daddy were out calling on a neighbor one Saturday afternoon and Maggie loaded up Daddy's four-wheeler in the back of the old farm truck. She asked me if I wanted to come with her and have some fun. I realized later she only asked to keep me from telling my parents."

"There was a big group of kids Maggie's age, some were drinking beers or wine coolers and they were really kicking up the mud, it was a mess but it looked fun too. There was a guy, Randall, he wouldn't leave Maggie alone, he wanted to ride with her or have her ride with him, but she kept saying no and she told me to get on the four-wheeler with her. I did and at first it was fun, but I guess he was mad at Maggie for turning him down and he started acting crazy, trying to scare us."

She feels Daryl's body tense and his grip on her hand tighten as she continues, "He actually bumped into us a couple of times like he was trying to knock us over. I was so scared. Some of the other guys had to kind of rein him in, he was a real ass. He came out to the farm a couple of weeks later and Shawn ran him off. We didn't see him again, thank God. Anyway, the most important part of the story is we got Daddy's four-wheeler and ourselves cleaned up before Mama and Daddy got home, and Daddy never caught on, or at least he never said anything."

All the while Beth is telling the story the small group never stops checking their surroundings, they've all seen enough to know there's never really any peace or safety.

The closer they get to the farm the more stray walkers they begin to see, aimlessly shuffling along like they've lost their way. They don't fire weapons at the dead, they know the noise will only attract more, but Daryl does put several down with his bow.

When they're within a mile of the farm they smell the still smoldering wood and gross creatures, Beth even holds her sleeve over her nose, but no one says a word. They just take in the sight when the farm comes into view. There's a black burnt skeleton of the barn, and the eve on the side of the house closest to it is black from the smoke and fire. The porch supports have been completely knocked down on the left side, no doubt by a crush of walker bodies. The porch awning and porch have given way and it gives the appearance the entire house is listing to one side.

There are still a couple of small outbuildings that look unscathed and Beth points to one, "There Merle, that's the tack shed. You'll find some tools in there."

"K, good. Where we gonna find guns n ammo?"

"In Mama and Daddy's room, he kept a gunsafe in there."

Daryl suggests, "Let's start with that n then the food n medicine. Everythin' else is just a bonus."

It's not all easy access though, first they have to put down the walkers milling around. Daryl hates to separate from her, even if it's only a few feet, but they have to do what they have to do, and besides, he knows she won't hesitate to plunge a knife in the skull of one of those nasty things.

The brothers follow her to her parent's bedroom and as Merle picks the lock on the gun cabinet Beth retrieves her Mama's jewelry box from the dresser drawer. She chooses a delicate necklace for herself and puts it on. For Maggie she takes a simple chain and crucifix, slipping them in her pocket.

The small framed portrait of her Mama and Daddy sits on the dresser and Beth places that in her canvas scavenging bag.

She helps the brothers pack the guns and ammunition out to the pickup, then leads them back in the house and into the kitchen.

Beth moves a scatter rug over and they see the door, like an old style trap door, and she announces, "The root cellar." Beth wasn't kidding, there's a lot of food in this cold storage room." She smiles, "we spent more than one tornado warning down there, it's definitely cold."

While the brothers are deciding the best way to get the buckets of food up the wooden stairs and loaded into the pickup, Beth makes a quick trip upstairs. There's more women now and she doesn't think Carol has anything in the way of clothes. There are still plenty here so she might as well take them. She stuffs some panties from her room and Maggie's into an overnight bag and adds some t-shirts. She gets Maggie's barn coat from the closet, Carol can that. Then something occurs to her and a smile crosses her lips, Mama was a notorious pack rat.

She walks to the hall and pulls the rope to drop the attic stairs down. Once up the stairs she takes a look around and sees the boxes neatly stacked at the far left side of the mostly empty space. All of their clothes that weren't completely worn, Mama thought she should save. The siblings never knew why, but Beth has good use for them now and silently whispers, "Thank you Mama."

The boxes are marked by name and age span, and the first one she raids is, "Shawn, 9 to 11." She opens it and takes a coat, jeans, a couple of shirts and a pair of boots for Carl. From the one marked "Beth, 9 to 11" she takes a shirt, a sweater, a warm jacket, heavy pants and a pair of winter boots for Sophia. She feels a tremendous sense of gratitude and success, everyone has a winter coat.

The bag is heavy, but she's got it, and she's just making her way to the stairs when a hand covers her mouth and a snarly voice whispers from behind, "Why you're little Greene, Maggie's sister. I see you're all grown up now and ready to play, huh?"

Beth recognizes the voice and a cold chill runs down her spine. She struggles to break free of the foul-smelling jerk, but he's a lot stronger. Still, whatever happens she's not going to make this easy for him. She's kicking, reaching back grabbing at his his hair and pulling it, and stomping at his foot, while he laughs at her efforts.

Daryl hears the scuffling and hurries up the stairs. Those piercing eyes shoot a fiery glare as he scowls in fury at the asshole pawing Beth. She hears him holler to her, "Beth, hold still a fuckin' minute." She freezes, there's a "thowp" sound and Randall's body falls away from her.

She looks up to see Daryl and hurries to him. He grabs her so tight it hurts and she hangs onto him just as tightly. He sounds both scared and pissed when he says, "Never run off from me like that again."

She doesn't teasingly remind him he's not the boss of her. Not this time. Right now all she feels is love, gratitude and the need to stick close to him, "I won't, I'm sorry, thank you and I love you." Her words don't calm him, but her kiss does.

They make one last stop in her Daddy's office, and between Merle and Daryl they quickly have all the locks picked on the medicine cabinets. They have no idea what any of the bottles contain, but Herschel will know. Daryl goes with her when Beth gets the people medicines, aspirin, Tylenol and over the counter cold and cough medicines from her folks' medicine cabinet.

The back of the pickup is almost full, the last things they take are shovels, an axe, a hoe and a spade from the tool shed.

They're in the truck, about to drive away when Beth says, "Wait! There's something important I almost forgot."

Daryl follows her as she makes another trip into the root cellar and tries to lift a 3 foot by 3 foot solid oak box. It's an old-fashioned apothecary with 27 small drawers all with individual locks, but the key's taped right there on the side. Daryl grabs it from her and asks, "Whaddya doin', lemme me get that. What the hell is it, anyway?"

"My Mother saved everything Daryl, including seeds. Seeds for every kind of vegetable and plenty of fruits and flowers. Mama harvested the seeds off our plants and trees every year. We could start many, many gardens with all the seeds she saved. I hope someday we'll be able to."

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A/N We had some big developments this chapter, I hope you enjoyed how it all played out. Please leave a comment. There's a chapter photo on my tumblr blogs, gneebee and bethylmethbrick, please have a look. I'll be back next week with more of Love's Long Road and I hope you'll be here too. Until then remember, I love ya large! xo gneebee