"Never Give Up (On Each Other)"

Author: carmen_085

Disclaimer: I do not own any Walking Dead Characters. I do own all original characters.

Summary: In the months before the beginning of the apocalypse, Daryl finds himself homeless, alone, and with no direction. An adult Beth is struggling to balance her job, sick parents, and the farm. Feeling like the world is suffocating her, will taking a chance on a stranger change everything ? Can these two find what they need in each other before life as they know it ends and they must do anything to survive. AU but eventual ZA with full cast.

Chapter Thirty-One

There was nothing in the world that would stop Beth from getting to Maize and rescuing her. She must have been in the window of Beth's room because as soon as she caught sight of her lady racing across the pasture the dog's barks became more frantic and excited. At first the walkers seemed confused; they'd been wandering around for hours looking for a meal and now suddenly one appeared seeming not to care for their presence at all. They lunged teeth bared and hands reaching, the smell of fresh meat almost too tantalizing to resist.

The sight of it made Daryl's stomach flop. What the hell did this girl think she was doing ? He heard the bark clear as day too- the dog, Maize- trapped in the house somewhere and Beth intent on getting to her even if she died in the process. And she just might the way she was running into a pack of walkers like the damn things couldn't gang up on her and take her down without a second thought. When this was over Daryl was going to tell her how stupid this was, stupid and reckless. Taking off after her he had no choice but to use the gun, mowing down any walkers who got close.

The noise drew them instantly and by the time the two of them made it to the yard a pack of walkers was hot on their tails lunging from every direction. For as mad as he was at Beth right now, Daryl also couldn't help but to feel a little proud too. She didn't hesitate to slash at walkers who came at her, taking a few down by herself close up. The ones she couldn't get, he cut down with the rifle before either of them could think twice. Despite his focus on Beth, Daryl couldn't help but to see the absolute destruction around him. Save for the house nearly everything else was destroyed. The barn where all their animals were kept safe was burnt to the ground and he could only assume anything that didn't get out beforehand had perished along with it. The RV was also burnt out with just the shell and the rims remaining, a smoldering heap of metal that was unrecognizable.

What got him, though, weren't the big things but the little things- the small projects that him and Beth completed together that were now gone. Their smoker, that they'd built over Memorial Day weekend before the world had gone to shit, was toppled and crushed. The outdoor stove that Daryl threw together the morning after the gas and power went out was knocked over and the bricks were scattered. The fence that he'd worked so hard to build around the house, nearly all from wood he found laying around the farm, has been pushed down. Slats were still standing here and there, but it was essentially useless with too many panels destroyed to even think about putting it back together. Daryl would have never guessed that little sides projects he'd made from shitty, old wood could cause such a lump in his throat. But that was when he and Beth were falling in love with each other. He may not have realized it at the time but now looking back he could see it all so clearly.

The front door to the farmhouse had been barred with two boards nailed haphazardly across the frame. It gave the impression that whoever had made it out perhaps intended to return after the herd moved on. In the heat of the moment it made sense, but in reality what meager defenses they had were destroyed and the place was wide open for another attack. When the farm was safe it was great. As it was now it was too large a swath of land to protect, especially for only two people. In front of him, Beth yanked at the boards straining every muscle in her little body trying to get through the front door. Daryl's mind raced, there had to be an easier way. Mowing down a crowd of walkers he saw the window to the guest bedroom shattered.

"The window !" He damn near had to yell to be heard above the din of a hundred gathering walkers. The sound of gunfire had them all riled up as they hissed and groaned. Once they got into the house he wasn't sure they would make it back out again. There was no way he was going to change Beth's mind, though, if she had to die getting in there it was apparent to him that she would.

Thankfully it was chilly last night and they were both dressed for fall with long pants and thick jackets. Hoisting her up he pushed her through the window raking the front of her coat on broken glass. She landed with a gasp on the hard wood floor, jumping back up almost immediately to clear the window frame so that Daryl could then push himself up and over. She used her knife to clear the glass away and when he hauled himself inside she grabbed him by the belt giving him a tug. The two of them sat there on the floor catching their breath and looking around.

Daryl didn't know the situation in the house but he did know that he didn't want any walkers crawling in behind them. The guest bedroom was sparsely furnished and as he stood he noticed the bed and the lump of bloody sheets on the floor. Briefly his eyes met Beth's who lingered on the scene for a second before shaking her head. "It's from before. Lori." That was all she said, all she needed to say. He knew something wasn't right with that woman; she'd been thumbing through Beth's medical books like she had a clue what she was even reading. Then he'd seen her wandering around in the woods, picking through the garden, and crying alone behind the barn. The others were completely ignorant to most everything, her husband included, but Daryl didn't miss much. He'd known she was up to something long before Rick came to him with wild eyes and begged for his help in finding the old man. Daryl hadn't thought a miscarriage though, he assumed the dumb bitch was trying to kill herself and ate the wrong damn plant.

The armoire was large and heavy, nothing like you'd go buy at IKEA- when IKEA was even still a thing-, but a piece of solid furniture that stayed in the family from one generation to the next. With Beth's help they drug it across the room and placed it directly in front of the window. After that was done Daryl gave Beth the barest of nods and she tore through the house straight up the stairs. It hadn't occurred to either of them that there could be a walker in the house, seemed too secure and too damn quiet. Daryl chided himself, though. That was stupid and reckless to just tear off like that without checking, he wouldn't let it happen again. Familiar places that had previously been safe lured one into a a false sense of security. He couldn't be fooled- not by the farm or any place else- the world was dangerous and the only thing he cared about was keeping Beth safe.

When Beth burst through the door of her room, Maize nearly leapt into her arms with relief. The two of them toppled to the ground with the dog licking her face frantically and Beth breaking down and crying tears of joy. Out of all the things she'd loved and lost, two of the things she loved the most were still right here. She was lucky, damn lucky, and she knew that.

Her room was just the way she'd left it. The bed wasn't made, clothes were on the floor and the window was cracked ever so slightly. Her dresser, with it's trinkets from another life- jewelry, photos, her work ID, and that bottle of Lexapro she never got around to taking. A part of her was holding out foolish hope that they would be able to stay, make the place safe again and this would always be her home. Realistically though she knew this was it. If she and Daryl stayed here the herd of walkers outside would rip the house down. Maybe not right now or tomorrow but their noise would draw others which would draw others and before they knew it, they would be surrounded with no hope of ever getting out. A fresh round of tears came to her eyes as she looked around. Her entire life, all her memories; they were all right here. The farm wasn't her daddy's anymore and it wasn't hers either. It belonged to the dead now.

Daryl waited for Beth to come downstairs. When she finally did, he could tell that she'd been crying and Maize was absolutely glued to her side, terrified of being left behind ever again. Giving her a bottle of water he'd found downstairs he took the other bottle and poured it into a bowl, the dog licking it up greedily. It was the fist time Beth had gotten a proper look around the first floor of the house. Everything was a mess, furniture pushed against doors and windows, make shift weapons left behind, supplies half packed and then forgotten. The herd must have come on them quick and any plans of making a stand were swiftly abandoned. Still, Beth could not help but to wonder what in the world had happened here last night.

12 hours earlier

The Hyundai disappeared down the driveway, its taillights fading into the night as Hershel leaned against the railing and sighed. How everything had gotten so mucked up he had no idea; he had however noticed that Lori was up and about and took note of her pale appearance. The entire purpose of Rick and Daryl coming to get him was because Lori needed a surgeon, and he'd surely asked Beth the nature of her issue as soon as he returned. Admittedly he was drunker than normal and the thought of performing surgery like this was certainly not the best. Wasn't like they had another option, though, and despite his misgivings he would have been willing to at least give it a try. Much to his relief, however, Beth assured him that it was done. He'd not had the courage to ask what 'it' was but judging but the amount of bloody bed sheets he could only assume.

Shaking his head, he ascended the porch stairs and disappeared inside the house the screen door slamming behind him. It seemed that one thing led to another these days and since Annette had passed and Carl had shown up their heads had yet to be above water. Now Daryl was gone and a boy was being held hostage in the shed. The boy was bleeding and hurt and against his rather weak protests, Beth had given the go ahead for him to be tortured until he gave up the information they needed. Of course that's not what was said but it was what they had done. He'd seen that boy when Rick pulled him off the stake and he surely hadn't looked as he did when Hershel went out to see to his wounds and stem his bleeding. It was against everything their family stood for and how they'd all become so far gone he couldn't understand.

Till this day he couldn't understand the obsession his daughter had with Daryl Dixon. Yes, over the last few months he'd come to see that he was a good man and an asset to the farm as well as to their survival. But this fanatical obsession, her willingness to throw all caution aside and risk her own life time and again for him. He just didn't understand it. How could she love him ? This was Beth, she was a good girl and she always did just as everyone asked and expected. But since Daryl had shown up not only had she all but thrown herself into his arms, she also began to push back against him- harder than she ever had before. He knew what she thought of the drinking and her general disdain for the way he lived nowadays but she'd never said a word about it. She smiled every morning and put a plate of eggs down in front of him and ignored the stench of bourbon. Something about Daryl changed all that, though, and suddenly she was empowered to speak her mind. To tell him where to get off and how to do it. He supposed he always had that coming, yet it stung nonetheless.

The house was still warm despite the chill of the autumn evening. Sitting down at the kitchen table, Hershel was quiet as he reached for his bible thumbing through it in the flickering candlelight. He doubted there was a passage that could have predicted or made sense of all this. Still, he felt as if he needed to occupy himself in some way. The rest of the group was out searching for Carl. Well, everyone but Lori and Carol who sat on the porch worrying themselves sick; Lori too weak to go out searching herself and Carol having promised Rick she would look after her. That boy was barely on his feet and roaming about in the dark already. Yet another thing he could barely understand.

He contemplated going downstairs and seeing if there was a bottle of anything left that he might have missed. Was he weak and foolish ? Absolutely, but closing the Bible he realized he could think of nothing else to do. No other way to cope with the rapid changing around him. The roar of an engine and the squeal of brakes caught his attention, though, and it wasn't long before heavy thudding footsteps were on the porch.

The door and slammed shut and Hershel was genuinely surprised to hear Maggie's voice "Daddy ! Daddy !" He himself couldn't have been happier that his eldest had once again returned but equally he knew that once Beth was also back there would be a problem. Still he couldn't contain his happiness and the second he saw Maggie round the corner he pulled her into a tight hug. She had always been his pride and joy, his first born. Maggie was the first to pull back as their eyes met. "Daddy we have to go. There's a herd of them headed this way."

Hershel stared at her as if she was speaking another language. Where would they go ? The farm was his home- their home- and he refused to believe that anything was so bad they would need to abandon it. "What ? Honey you're upset…" Behind Maggie, Glenn shook his head.

"There's thousands of them…we barely made it back." Outside there was a commotion punctuated with screams of joy and relief. Carl must have been found in one piece and from what Maggie was telling him not a moment too soon.

"We need to get out of here…." Maggie was bordering on hysterical which left him no choice but to agree with her. If it was truly that bad then the farm would be lost. His heart sank at the notion although he would concede it was more important to get everyone out alive. Briefly he thought of Beth and what she would think if she came back and they were all gone. The farm she worked so hard to protect in tatters. "Daddy we need to go !" His attention turned back to Maggie as he forced a nod.

"Go where ?" Rick appeared behind them. His jacket was splattered in blood and Hershel could only assume that it had been a fight to get Carl back safely.

"There's a herd headed this way…thousands maybe." Glenn contributed from the back. Rick taking in Maggie's panicked expression and instantly knowing it was true. He bit his lip looking to the floor for a moment. Beth and Shane were out there somewhere searching for Daryl and if they fled the farm now and they came back looking…well that would be terrible. No…they had to make a stand not just for the ones who were still out there but also because the farm was as good as it got nowadays. If they lost this they would be on the road without so much as a roof over their head and a pot to piss in.

"No…we make a stand here. We can't just give up and go." Maggie squared herself toward him, a mix of fear and confusion on her face.

"Why can't we, Rick ? There's too many of them, me and Glenn barely made it back." Those two were still relative unknowns as far as Rick was concerned. Whereas Beth and Daryl were logical, steady, and calm; Maggie was a bit emotional and hysterical at times and let's not forget her mother in the law tucked away in the trunk. He'd still not gotten his head around that nor had he forgiven her for what happened to poor Dale. Still, this was more her land than it was his and his pragmatic side won out.

"Because there's no where to go." It was all fine and well for her and Glenn to take their chances on the road. The same couldn't be said for the rest of them; Hershel, Lori, Carl. They needed the safety this place provided and Rick vowed they wouldn't give it up without a fight.

From that moment forward there was no more talking. Rick made a beeline to the barn, gathering his people and anything they had of value including the bag of guns he'd toted around since Atlanta. They boarded what windows they could, nailed a few 2x4s across the door, and barricaded what they could with furniture tearing up the downstairs how they saw fit. Hershel was silent throughout most of it, watching his beloved home turn into a rudimentary fortress.

After they'd done all they could they waited. Silently in the dark with nothing but the moonlight reflecting their uncertain faces. Rick stood by the window keeping lookout not just for walkers but also for their people. At first it was just a couple, here and there milling about and then more, and more until the pasture looked like it was moving. He knew right then that this was useless, they would knock the house down before they moved on. They needed a diversion if they had any prayer of saving the house. So it was quickly decided between Rick, Hershel, and Maggie that the barn was their best bet. Before they'd evacuated it for the houser earlier, T-Dog had the presence of mind to open all the stalls letting the animals run free. It was empty now and it didn't take more than a few homemade torches to set it alight.

At first it seemed like it was going to work, the tide turning toward the fire. But like as he first wave crowded around the second and third pressed onward toward the house. So many living people gathered together, their scent hung heavy in the air. Walkers slapped at the door, punched the windows, and shattered any glass they got their rotting fists on. There was no amount ammo or diversions that could save them, and it was then that the decision was made.

"We have to go." Hershel refused to believe it, though, taking a shot gun and breaking the window to the guest bedroom. Reloading the old pump action again and again he proclaimed that he would die here. Rick got the others into cars and went back for the old man all but dragging him away. It was just past dawn when they stopped to catch their breath, all of them reuniting on the highway. It was then they realized Andrea was gone. Carol saw her last, taken down by a pack of walkers and then nothing after that.

It wasn't a question, they had to go back. To find Andrea, to meet back up with Beth, Shane, and Daryl, to take back what was theirs. One look at Carl shivering and Lori pale as a ghost, though, told Rick he had other priorities to see to first. Thankfully Maggie and Glenn had scouted a safe place nearby. Once they had a roof over their heads again he could double back- regroup- figure out what the hell do to next. Reluctantly, he sighed as they consolidated into Maggie's Subaru and the red bronco and headed north.

The longer Beth stood there trying to figure it out, the worse it was getting outside. There was no blood in the house and she didn't recognize any of the walkers so she had hope that the others had gotten of the farm.

"We gotta get out of here…." Daryl peered through the boarded up window. Walkers were starting to build up around the house, getting all riled up and attracting even more in the process. Beth stared at him a bit helpless. Her mind was reeling, she couldn't even begin to formulate a plan.

"Why can't we stay ? They'll pass." She wanted that to be true so very much, but a part of her- a large part- knew it could never be. The farm was lost taking everything they worked so hard for with it. Daryl bit his lip knowing this couldn't be easy or her to hear.

"They'll rip the house apart. We'll be trapped." Beth crossed her arms and looked side to side as tears welled up in her eyes.

"We can go downstairs…be real quiet." Daryl took a step toward her resting his palms on her shoulders. Lightly he began to rub her arms up and down as their eyes met. In a small, emotional voice she insisted once more. "It could work…" He didn't speak and instead pulled her into him. Only when Beth's forehead came to rest against his chest did she let out the sob that had risen in her throat.

The situation was dire and worsening by the second, however, he couldn't find it in himself to rush her through this moment. The realization of loss dawning and suffocating her all at once. Grasping onto the front of his shirt she trembled.

"What are we going to do ?" She whispered the words just loud enough for him to hear. Sighing long and deep Daryl just stood there for a moment, at his feet Maize looking up at him and whined softly. How many times had Beth been there to pick him up, take care of things, and set them all right again ? How many lives had she saved since this all began, his included. Girl had done more than her part and now it was time for him to do his. Squeezing her he nodded.

"Alright." Meeting her eyes he reassured her with his confidence alone. They could do this. "Find a duffel bag big enough for Maize-we're going to carry her out." She looked at him like he was crazy at first. "Then I want you to pack another bag with water, food, and medical supplies and your plant and herb books. Make sure to get some warm clothes too and as many socks as you can find."

"Daryl ?" Beth stepped back wiping her face. Tenderly he touched her cheek leaning in and pressing a kiss to her lips. It was uncharacteristic of him and it warmed her from the inside out, reminding her that as long as she had this man she had everything she would ever need.

"I'm gonna take care of you, Beth. You just gotta trust me." She nodded offering him the little smile she could muster.

"I trust you, Daryl." This time it was him who was warmed from head to toe. "And I love you." His own lips twitched up.

"Love you too." Briefly he tangled his fingers in her hair, this time kissing her harder and more insistent than the time before. His efforts earned him a little moan that sent his head spinning into thoughts he couldn't be having right now. Pushing her away gently he nodded. "Go. We don't have much time."

From that moment forward they both set themselves to task knowing what they were doing was what was needed in order to survive. Beth gasped when she found a large duffel bag in Shawn's closet, complete with back pack straps she knew her brother was watching over her in that moment because there was no way she was leaving this house without her girl. Since the start of everything Maize had learned to be quiet and rarely barked unless something was seriously wrong. She stayed next to Beth almost religiously and seems to innately know this was what she also needed to do right now. Some others may have harbored doubts about getting a German Shepherd into a duffel bag but not Beth. If she told her girl to get in she knew that was exactly what the dog would do.

Also in Shawn's closet she found his old backpacking gear. Nothing special he'd used it to go on overnight hikes with some of his friends. Sending another silent prayer of thanks she began to pack methodically. Daryl was right; clean socks and underwear were a priority, in addition to that she packed long johns, a heavy sweater and another pair of jeans. In Daryl's room, she grabbed the same for him before going to the basement. Thankful that she preserved so much food when she had the chance she found most of it untouched downstairs. A shame they couldn't take it all, she wondered why Rick and the others hadn't thought of it too. In any case she took jerky, dehydrated apples, and a jar of peanut butter. They had a small cast iron skillet she took as well securing it to the outside of her pack. Beth added two bottles of water and then searched a box labeled "camping" for a small hand pump filter she was pleased to find just where it ought to be. Looking around the basement she sighed knowing she would need to leave her jams, jellies, and canned vegetables behind. Too heavy to carry she hoped that they would be able to return for them once things settled down. Lifting the pack she acknowledged it was heavy but once they got far enough away and Maize could walk they would take turns with it. It was hard to believe that this was really it and they were abandoning the farm for good. Biting her lip she closed her eyes and exhaled steadying herself.

As Beth packed things up, Daryl rolled his sleeves up and squared his gaze on the broken living room window. There was only one way to get out of here. Whoever had nailed the planks over the window had done a shitty job and he was able to pry the two lowest free with his hands. Instantly two walkers leaned in and lunged toward him, the barrier between them now released they had nothing on their mind but a meal. Sinking his blade into both their heads he pushed one out and drug the other in. Making a wet thwacking sound on the wood floor he was quick to nail the boards back up. Even now he hated to do this. The farm house was the nicest place he'd ever lived. Beautiful hundred year old wooden floors that had been lovingly restored by Annette in her better days. Desecrating them like this almost felt like a sin.

And yet this was survival- messy, unapologetic, emotionally detached. Taking a deep breath he sliced the corpse open spilling its black, fetid blood everywhere. He'd noticed some time ago that if one smelled and looked like the dead it offered some measure of safety. It was one of those quiet observations he'd made and slipped into his back pocket for later. Now was later- and the only conceivable way he saw to get out of here alive was to become one of the dead. A few bed sheets would help them stay relatively clean underneath with no telling when they would have the opportunity to shower or change their clothes again. Covering himself first he didn't hesitate to slather the blood allover the sheet and onto his face. It smelled and he was happy that he'd kept his hair short and neat all this time hopefully making this mess easier to wash off once they got away.

"Daryl ?" She appeared at the bottom of the stairs. He met her eyes and shrugged knowing what this all must look like.

"It's the only way." She was still for a moment before she nodded and came to stand beside him. "We'll put Maize in the bag and I'll carry her on my back." No other man would volunteer to carry an eighty pound dog on his back besides Daryl. He knew, without question, how much she meant to Beth and he hadn't considered for a moment leaving her behind. Beth nodded agreeing with the plan as she donned her own sheet and slathered herself much the same as Daryl. When he came to doing her face she let him gently smear her cheeks and forehead before she did the same for him. Just as Beth had assumed, Maize needed very little coaxing to get into the bag. Hefting the dog up onto his back, Daryl settled the straps so that the weigh was evenly distributed. "It's good…real good."

The worried look on Beth's face dissipated slightly. "Thank you for doing this…"

"Ain't doing nothing. We don't leave our own behind." She smiled at his words as his own lips twitched up slightly. Beth smeared the duffel bag with blood and pulled the draw strings closed leaving just a tiny opening for some air. Inside the dog was completely still her brown eyes blinking up as Beth pet her once more and assured her that she was the good girl. Across Daryl's back between him and the bag, she secured the rifle and around the front his crossbow and knife. He nodded, not at all deterred by the extra weight he was carrying. "Now you."

Under Beth's own sheet he lifted the pack onto her back and secured the straps around her front. Securing her hand gun to one side of her belt he placed the knife on the other and the rifle slung around the front. Thankfully she was muscular from her work not only at the hospital but also on the farm. He knew she could take the weight and still move about. When they were both ready he nodded toward the back door.

"Alright. Now just follow me real close. Move slow just like they do." She was terrified and he knew that but she refused to show it putting on a brave face.

"Got it." She bit her lip looking down.

"We're gonna be ok, Beth. I promise." Beth met his eyes, if Daryl made a promise she knew that he always kept it. Taking one last look around the house she fought the rush of memories. She grew up here and this was her home. Her mama was here, all her memories of Shawn, and even her daddy in happier times. That was then, though, and this was now. The only thing that mattered now was surviving and staying together.

"Let's go."

The minute he opened the back door they were there, sniffing and surveying, trying to decide if it was a meal or nothing at all. Walking slowly and carefully they weaved through the crowd toward the forest line on the other side of the property. Every once in a while a walker would lunge and Beth would hold her breathing knowing this had to be the time their luck ran out. But it never did, they didn't stumble or stutter, and Maize remained quiet and still. When they got to the woods line a strange combination of sadness and relief came over her. Turning around once more she looked at the farm knowing in her heart that it would be the last time.

6 months later

He'd been by himself on the road all winter. Keeping his promise to Beth and Daryl, he didn't let off the gas until he hit the Alabama state line. It was dawn by then and he hoped they'd found their way back to the farm and all was well. They deserved that; Beth and Daryl were good people. He couldn't say the same for the rest of them, but that wasn't his concern any longer. Now it was just him, on the road and going place to place. He ran into a few people but avoided them for the most part. He didn't know what the was looking for, or if he was looking or anything at all. Longer he was out here he began to even forget who he was.

And then….

"Claimed." The voice came out of no where as Shane zeroed in on a snare with a rabbit caught in the noose. Five men appeared from the trees, all rough looking with the dirtiest of them lunging for the cottontail as if his life depending on it. Shane himself had not been that desperate and refused to be. He kept one round in his front shirt pocket for that purpose entirely. Should things get too desperate or too hopeless he didn't want to find himself without a bullet to end it all.

He stood staring, these assholes actually waiting for him to throw down over a rabbit that wasn't his to begin with. Turning wordlessly he began to walk in the other direction.

"Oh hey now…there's no need for hard feelings." The voice of someone who thought they were the leader, someone who thought they were in control. Shane stopped walking but didn't turn around. "Name's Joe. What about you ?"

Shane closed his eyes for a moment. "What's it matter anymore ?" The man - Joe- laughed a humorless, dry laugh.

"Come on now…you know all a man's got anymore is his name, that and his word." Shane turned around eyeing them up.

"Shane." Joe took a step toward him something of a smile spreading across his face. "Well now that's more like it."

TBC….

Don't worry Beth, Daryl, and the dog are right as rain and back with their own flash forward next chapter

Shane has fallen in with a rough bunch but MUCH sooner than they appear in the show so don't expect the same storyline there

4 or so more chapters