#bethylfic

“Yes, Mama.” Sammy chirped as she pulled the little jean backpack trimmed in white lacy from the spot next to her seat. Sammy wrinkled her nose at the frilly bag, but knew better than to argue with her mama, especially when it was obvious her mama was feeling a certain sort of way. Sammy had no idea why her mama seemed so nervous, it wasn’t like she was the one who had a new teacher and needed to learn all her ABCs.

Beth straightened and smiled down at Sammy before taking her hand and walking her across the little school parking lot. She tilted her head up, chin out in determination. She could just about feel everyone’s eyes on her, but she chose to ignore them. When she’d come home from college she’d been the talk of the town: freshly twenty-two, unmarried, and pregnant. She’d had a steady college boyfriend (not that anyone who gossiped knew that) and they’d even talked about coming back and getting hitched. When Beth had wound up pregnant all those dreams had come crashing down on her. The boy had said he just simply wasn’t ready to be a daddy and had up and disappeared on her. She’d hidden away at her parent’s farm trying desperately not to hear the not so whispered rumors that started in the church yard and followed her around town. After Sammy had been born the gossip mill had moved along from the unwed farmer’s daughter to something else, but Beth hadn’t been listening. She just focused on raising her beautiful sweet baby girl as best she could.

Now it was the first day of school, and she could feel that rumor mill getting ready to start up all over again. Beth was dreading it, but knew she’d bare it and come out stronger because of it. The part that burned her up the most was hearing all the sympathetic mumbles of ‘Poor child, no daddy at home. Such a shame.’ It positively made Beth bristle when she’d catch the tail end of that statement. She was doing just fine by her baby girl without a man in her life to complicate things. Besides, Sammy did have her grandpa.

Hershel had taken some knocks in his life: son and wife passing too early, farming accident that injured his leg and caused him to have to hire outside help, permanent limp, and a stressful harvest season that he had to sit on the sidelines for. Yes, Hershel had had his fair share of hard knocks, but when Beth had arrived back at the farmhouse with the declaration of him becoming a grandfather, now that just simply wasn’t one of them.

Beth entered that kindergarten classroom and ignored how the conversation seemed to stopped when she entered. She followed Sammy to her little chair, with her name on the tag, and the little pencil box that had crayons and a pencil inside. Beth crouched down, helping Sammy take her little backpack off before hanging it on the back of her chair. Sammy looked at the little boy sitting next to her and wrinkled her nose. “Mama, Ms. West put me next to a boy. I don’t wanna sit next to a boy. They’re gross.” She whined.

“Samantha Abigail Greene you mind your manners and be nice.” Beth huffed, putting her hands on her slim hips. “For all you know he don’t wanna sit next to you none either. Now apologize.” Sammy pouted. “Go on now.”

“I’m sorry.” Sammy grumbled looking back to the boy. He gave her a shrug.

“S’okay.” He grinned at her. “I had Ms. West for preschool last year. Ms. West calls me her special helper. She told me she knows I can sit next to anyone and be their friend, even the naughty ones in class.” Beth stifled a snicker as Sammy gave a horrified gasp.

“I am not naughty!” She whined. “Mama, tell him I’m not naughty!” Beth just looked at her daughter for a moment before she opened her mouth to reply. She was stopped short when a man walked up beside her and spoke first.

“Dev, you knock that off right now, y’hear?” Daryl grumbled. “Ain’t no way to make friends in class, ‘specially not on the first day.” Beth jerked around to look at the rough and tumble man now standing beside her.

“Aw, I was just bein’ honest. You always say if a man ain’t honest, he ain’t nothin’ at all.” Daryl felt his ears start to burn red. His eyes flitted from his nephew to the blond standing beside him.

When Merle had showed up, panicked on his doorstep five years ago, Daryl had no idea what he was in for. Merle had blabbered on about how Cheryl (who the hell was Cheryl?) had gotten knocked up and had dumped the baby on him, but he had no idea what he was doing, and he knew he was gonna fuck up this kid, and he knew he couldn’t do anything right, and would Daryl please just watch the kid for a little while until he could get his shit together?

The kid was screaming and carrying on and Daryl did the only thing he could think of: he’d picked the kid up and started bouncing him until he was quiet. Merle took that as an agreement and shouted out his thanks as he all but sprinted down the hallway. Daryl was left alone with his nephew in the dark faster than you could count to three, and it had been the two of them ever since. He’d been trying his best to raise the kid right, but he had a streak in him that belonged solely to his daddy, and there was no taming that mouth no matter what Daryl tried.

That was how he found himself wishing the floor would swallow him whole in the middle of Devon’s kindergarten class while a pretty blond eyed him curiously. “I also say if you ain’t got nothin’ nice to say, you keep that mouth closed.” He grumbled as he watched Devon frown.

“But she started it!” He whined. Daryl was fixing to remind him it was disrespectful to argue back but was stopped by the pretty blond.

“He’s right.” She said, a small smile on her lips. “Sammy can be a handful and isn’t always careful with her words. He was just standin’ up for himself.”

“Mama!” Sammy shrieked from her seat. Beth smiled down at her daughter before ruffling her hair.

“Maybe you’ll think twice about what you say to others huh?” Sammy pouted before turning to the boy next to her.

“I’m Sammy.” She said grudgingly. “What’s your name?”

“I’m Devon,” He paused and looked at her, “do you like frogs?” Sammy’s eyes lit up and she smiled before nodding her head vigorously. Beth shook her head. From enemies to friends just that fast. She turned and looked at the man standing next to her.

“I’m Beth. Beth Greene.” She smiled at him, tucking some hair behind her ear.

“Daryl. Daryl Dixon.” He stuck his hand out to shake hers.

“I have a feeling, Mr. Dixon-“

“Just Daryl.” He cut her off. “Mr. Dixon was my dad.”

“Well, Daryl, I have a feeling we’ll be seeing a lot of each other.” She motioned to the two kids talking a mile a minute at their table. He felt his heart thump a bit faster in his chest.

“Think so?”

“Oh I know so.” He nodded as he looked at her.

“Well, in that case, wanna get a cup of a coffee?” Beth grinned that hundred-Watt grin.

“I think I’d like that very much…”

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“Beth…” She heard someone rumble somewhere far off, and felt arms go around her. Her brain flashed with images of Lori, desperate and in pain, explaining how to save the baby, and the blood. All of the blood. “Beth.” It was becoming like a chant falling on her deaf ears, trying to draw her out of the place in her mind that she was trapped. She felt herself swaying as she was pressed against something solid, or rather someone. Her eyes clenched shut as her free hand came up to clutch at the cloth before her face. She didn’t know who was holding her, but she sobbed into them, taking their comfort to try to soothe her devastated heart. The baby screeched in her arms, muffled as it pressed into her chest for comfort of its own. She heard movement around her, but couldn’t bring herself to pay attention.

Daryl stared down at the blonde head pressed against his chest. He’d seen Beth walk around the corner and collapse to her knees, covered in blood and in so much visible anguish, and it had felt like his heart had jumped to his throat and choked him. He didn’t know what he was doing until he found himself crouched beside her, calling her name, and wrapping his arm around her. He’d wanted to get her out of the hallway and to her cell, but the devastation in her cries had gutted him and all he could do was press her to him to try to comfort her.

His eyes darted to the group that seemed frozen in the hallway. He could see Rick standing in front of everyone, face pale and almost slack while he wobbled forward slightly. “We need…” Rick croaked out, his eyes staring at Beth, taking in all the blood, knowing what it meant. He cleared his throat. “We need to take care of the body.” He brokenly whispered. Hershel stepped forward.

“I’ll handle it, Rick.” The older man said softly, a hand coming up to rest on Rick’s shoulder.

“No.” Rick’s voice was pained, but determined. “I’ll go…” He took an unsteady step forward.

“Rick I don’t think-” Hershel began

“I-I need,” Rick’s eyes turned to Hershel, “to say goodbye.” It was a long, hard minute before Hershel released Rick’s shoulder with an understanding nod. Rick tucked his chin down, unable to meet eyes with anyone else as he walked around Beth and Daryl, still on the floor, and made his way towards the isolation rooms.

“Beth,” Daryl rumbled again, just above her ear. He felt her head shake from side to side, “Beth we gotta give the baby to someone else so it can get cleaned and you can calm down.” She was trembling in his arms, but finally her sobs had turned to hiccups. His eyes darted up to Maggie and saw her step forward while Carol moved behind her.

“I’ll take her,” Maggie said softly as she knelt down to disentangle Beth from Daryl’s arms.

“I’ll get the baby cleaned up. I remember finding some extra blankets that we can use for swaddling until everything has calmed down a bit.” Carol’s voice was soft next to Maggie’s.

For the first time since she laid eyes on the group and couldn’t hold back the pain, Beth’s eyes opened and took in her surroundings. She saw Maggie next to her, and Carol just beside her. Her watery eyes drifted up and looked to the chest she was still clutching with her blood soaked hand, and then up to Daryl’s face. She felt a mild surprise at noting the concern hidden in his face. She noticed the smear of dirt, mixed with sweat, noting the hard task they’d just returned from, and couldn’t help the feeling that welled up inside her. The moment her hand moved to wipe the mark from his forehead she froze, her eyes landing unseeingly on the deep red that coated her hand. Finally her eyes dropped to the crying bundle in her hands. She could see the little baby, pink from screaming and red from the blood on the cloth that surrounded it. Her shaking hand released Daryl before gently stroking the baby’s forehead. She frowned at the smear it created and moved to try to wipe it away before Maggie caught her wrist gently. “Beth, give it to Carol so she can clean it up.”

“No.” She whispered brokenly before her red eyes landed on Maggie. “I-I got-ta take care of her. I can do it, Maggie. I swear...I can.” She hiccuped uselessly.

“We know Doodlebug.” Hershel’s voice floated softly to her from just behind Maggie. “And you will, but right now, you need to get cleaned up, just like the baby.” Beth’s eyes looked up to Hershel and then down at her hands again, widening like she was only just comprehending what the dilemma was. “Carol will just go clean the baby and get it wrapped up. By then you’ll be clean and ready too.” Beth nodded before gently extending her hands to Carol. She watched numbly as Carol scooped up the baby and moved away. Beth felt Daryl moving beside her and before she knew it she was standing with him, his arm still around her like he was afraid she’d collapse again. Maggie reached out to take her but froze as the loud sound of the gunshot echoed through the corridor. Beth’s eyes stared down the corridor blankly. She felt like she was trying to put puzzle pieces together but for some reason they just wouldn’t quite fit and the picture just wasn’t quite right. She went limply when Maggie guided her down the corridor towards the showers.

Daryl watched, brow furrowed as Beth disappeared. His eyes went to Hershel who was standing beside him. He didn’t know what to say to the man, and Hershel just shook his head. “Sometimes, son, there ain’t any words to make it better.” Daryl gave another nod. “She’ll pull through. She’s stronger’n she looks.” His eyes stared at the doorway Beth and Maggie had disappeared. “She don’t get treated like it much, but she is. She’ll be a little bit battered, and broken, but who ain’t in this world?”

“She wasn’t.” Daryl rumbled, inexplicably saddened at the thought. Hershel gave an agreeing nod. Daryl stood there another moment watching the corridor like he was expecting someone to come back out. He looked down at his shirt and grimaced at the blood staining it. He shot one more look down the hallway before he moved forward.

“Son?” Hershel called.

“Rick’s gonna need help with...the body. Can’t expect him to do it by himself.” He called over his shoulder before adding softly. “At least, he shouldn’t have to with all of us here to help him.” Hershel nodded.

“We’ll start digging.” Hershel said and turned to Glenn. As the two disappeared outside to begin their work Daryl paused in the hallway outside the showers. Maggie emerged quietly and connected eyes with him.

“How she doin’?” Maggie gave a shrug.

“Gonna get a change of clothes and hope that’ll help a little.” He gave a nod and watched as Maggie walked away. He turned to leave but froze as a sound hit his ears. He could hear her again; Beth sobbing her heart out. He couldn’t explain why it hurt him as much as it did to hear it, but it did. He needed to get away. He needed to go help Rick.

Beth sat under the spray of the shower, fully clothed and let the water carry away the grime coating her. Her eyes were closed but she could feel Maggie watching her. Her mind was still foggy and jumbled, and she liked it that way at the moment. “Beth,” Maggie paused until Beth looked at her from her perch under the spray. “I’m going to go get you some fresh clothes and give you some time. Please,” she begged softly, “get clean, and when you’re ready come out. We’re all here for you.” Beth’s head tilted in a jerky nod and she closed her eyes to enjoy the spray. She heard the door shut and slit her eyes to take note of the empty room. She looked down at her hands sitting limply in her lap as the water mixed with the blood and dripped away. Her mind flashed back to the isolation cell.

“Beth, you’re going to have to take that knife and cut along the scar on my stomach.”

“No Lori...no!”

“If you don’t we’ll both die! Save my baby!”

“Lori!”

Beth covered her face as she cried. She cried long and hard as she remembered her friend. She’d been given one job and she’d failed it. She’d failed Rick, and her friend, and now her friend was never going to watch her baby grow up. That baby would never know her mama. Beth had known loss, but nothing like this. Nothing like this.

And so she cried.

~~~

“We gotta make an emergency run.” Daryl’s voice filled the hall where the group usually ate their meals. There was a somber and sad tension that filled everyone, rightfully so, but Daryl knew they didn’t have time to wallow. “Little Ass-kicker needs formula or she won’t make it.” Horrified eyes turned to him.

“Daryl, you can’t call her that.” Carol chided softly.

“That’s what she is. She strong, and she tough, and when she’s old enough she’s gonna kick ass, so that’s her nickname s’far as I’m concerned.” Carol rolled her eyes but looked down at the baby swaddled in her arms. “We need to find formula. We need to form an emergency run party. Who’s comin’ with me?”

“I’ll go.” Daryl whipped around and met eyes with Beth as she stood in the doorway. “I should go.” She added a bit more determined. She was fresh-faced and clean, but Daryl could still tell her eyes were a bit raw from crying. “It’s my fault Lori…” She paused to steady herself. “I couldn’t save Lori, I need to save the baby.” Carol stood and locked eyes with Beth.

“There is no ‘fault.’” She said quickly. “Lori had Carl by c-section. It was a slim chance she would be able to deliver naturally without complications. That isn’t your fault. She came early. That ain’t your fault either.” She came closer to Beth and held the baby out to her. “This baby needs you. She needs you here and with her.” Beth’s eyes flew up to Carol. “We found some powdered milk in the kitchen. We can use that to get by until the scouting party gets back in a few hours, but we need you here.” Beth’s eyes welled up as she looked defeated.

“Doodlebug,” Hershel called softly, “this ain’t a matter of you bein’ too weak to go.” Her eyes snapped over to him. “We’ll let you go if that’s what you really need to do. But that baby needs a mama bear to protect her right now, and with how fiercely you fought to bring her into this world, I couldn’t imagine Lori trustin’ anyone else to take care of her.” He touched her shoulder gently. “We all got jobs to do, Doodlebug. Is your job runnin’ or protectin’ that baby?” Her eyes searched his face, and she could see it. He wasn’t saying it because she was weak. He wasn’t saying it because he thought she amounted to little more than nothing. She looked to Carol who was still holding the little bundle out to her. And finally she looked down to the little bundle. The little pink child who had come into this world bathed in red. The little pink child who didn’t have a mom. The little pink child who needed her. She reached out and cradled the baby to her with a gentle nod. Her eyes landed on Daryl who cracked the barest of smiles in response.

“Who is comin’ with me?” Daryl turned back to the group.

“I’ll go.” Glenn raised his hand.

“And I’ll come.” Carol offered. She looked around. “We’ll hit up some of the abandoned grocery stores and see if there is anything. Even expired, formula would be better than powdered milk.”

“Agreed.” Daryl offered. “Alright, get your things together. We head out in ten.”

~~~

Daryl stared down the sight of his crossbow as they ensured they were clear. They didn’t find much but they found some containers of formula in an abandoned walmart not far from the prison. Having cleared the shelves of what was there Daryl found himself in the garden section. The plants around were either long since dead (those located inside) or extremely overgrown (those with access to the elements outside) but that wasn’t what Daryl was looking for. He rounded a corner and saw the old cardboard stands tipped over and packets scattered everywhere. He scooped up all the packets he could reach and shoved them into the pack on his back. He knew some of them would be flowers, but some of them would be edible seeds to help start that garden Beth had mentioned. They needed to get on their feet sooner rather than later, and this would help.

Something crunched behind him and Daryl swung around, drawing his crossbow up to stare down the sight at a stranger. Her hands were up and she froze just staring at him. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

“Like you could.” He retorted coming to a stand while never letting his weapon or guard fall.

“I’m not going to debate with you. I need a place to hide.” Daryl narrowed his eyes at her. “My name is Michonne.” She paused and looked at him, not dropping her hands.

“Whatchu hidin’ from Michonne?”

“You heard of the Governor?”

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“You gotta stay here and protect this area. If something happens and walkers get back here, we’re counting on you to keep Lori and Carl safe.” Maggie reasoned. Beth was seeing red (metaphorically).

“That’s just bullshit.” She spat.

“Language Beth!” Maggie scolded.

“You want me to stay back here because you know no walkers will get this far back. You don’t think I can handle it.” Maggie crossed her arms in front of her and gave Beth a stern look.

“I want you safe. That’s all.” Maggie looked at the very pregnant Lori sitting on the steps at the end of the cell block. “Between the three of you, you are the most capable. If something does get back here...we need someone besides Lori and Carl to protect this area.”

“But…” Beth’s eyes jumped to the haggard group behind her sister and she tried to make eye contact with someone, but so far everyone was steadfastly refusing. “Daddy, please…” She moved around Maggie. “I can help. I can do this.”

“Bethy, sweetheart. Look at Lori,” he replied beseechingly, “eight months pregnant, almost full term,  and if something gets back here she’s got to rely on her son to protect her. It’s a rock and a hard place of a situation…”

“I can do this.” Beth reaffirmed.

“Beth, do not make me lock you inside a cell. This is a prison, and I can do it.” Maggie growled behind her. Beth rounded on her ready to lay into her when she felt two hands settle on her shoulders. Beth turned again, her eyes landing on the grimey faded brown shirt of Rick’s sheriff uniform.

“Beth…” He started, his green eyes boring into hers. “I need you. I need you to protect my wife and unborn child. I need you to protect my son. I need you to do this for me. I won’t be able to go out there and do what I need to do safely if I’m worrying about them back here. Please, can you do this for me?” She wanted to argue, but knew, as she felt her stomach drop, that she couldn’t do it.

“I...I need a weapon at least.” She offered weakly. She was startled when Daryl walked up and handed her a knife in its sheath.

“Keep this.” He mumbled as she clasped the knife in her hands. She tucked it into the waistband of her pants and watched silently as the rest of the group turned and walked out. She huffed a sigh and moved to sit next to Lori on the stairs. Lori watched her with careful eyes.

“I’m sorry.” Lori said softly.

“It’s not-”

“I know. I also know you feel like you gotta prove yourself, and no one gives you the chance.” She smiled sadly. “It’s a special kind of helpless when no one will look at you twice.” Beth remained silent, listening. “I know it seems hopeless, like it’ll never come, but you will get your chance to prove yourself. Maybe not to everyone, but you’ll show them you are tough and can do what needs to be done.” Beth smiled softly and glanced up to Lori.

“Maybe.” She started but froze when Lori let out a gasp. Lori grabbed Beth’s hand and placed it to her swollen belly. Beth marveled at the rolling and movement coming from underneath. “It still amazes me, every time.” She sighed a little. “I can’t wait to meet this little one.”

“Won’t be long.” Lori said absently. “The more active he gets the more convinced I am he’s going to come early.”

“He?”

“Carl was just as active.” She supplied. “Of course I’m only guessing. Won’t really know until they come out.” Beth giggled and nodded before drawing her hand back into her lap.

“How was your first birth?” Beth asked.

“It was tough. I couldn’t deliver naturally. I started hemorrhaging and they had to rush me into emergency surgery. Carl was born twenty minutes later.” She smiled, “He was healthy and happy. That was all I could have asked for.”

Beth sat troubled. Lori had a difficult birth the first time. If she went into labor they’d need her daddy to help with a second c-section. Beth would be completely unprepared and might lose not just the baby, but Lori as well. She sent up a silent prayer asking for Lori to wait until the group came back. It was her best chance.

~~~

Daryl gripped the edge of the crossbow as he walked through the quiet corridor. They weren’t to the dangerous section yet, but it never hurt to be too careful. His eyes scanned over their little group. Hershel, Rick, Maggie, Glenn, Carol and him. Everyone had been decided to go. Everyone except Beth that was. She’d been forced to stay behind and guard Lori.

Daryl still marveled at the anger she’d been filled with when Maggie had told her she had to stay behind. No one had been able to calm her, except for Rick. Rick had been able to move in their and smooth talk the situation like she wasn’t being targeted for being one of the weakest links in their group. No one said it (well, Maggie said it all the damn time but for some reason she didn’t count) but everyone knew that Beth was in a dire need of training but would most likely hurt herself before learning anything.

Daryl tended to disagree. He knew she could learn, but he’d be damned if he’d be the one to sully her light with the training and danger of it all. She didn’t need all that on her. So, Daryl had stood by, silent, while she’d begged, and pleaded, and begged some more to be trained. Daryl had stood by silent as she’d thundered and raged (you couldn’t really call it that, to be honest) every time someone went out to clear the perimeter and told her not to leave her cell. He’d stood by silently as it seemed like her little spirit was being broken and she was accepting her fate. It ate at him, chewed him raw, to see, and he couldn’t stomach when they’d all stood there and she’d seemed so desperate to prove herself and protect Lori (after she’d accepted the fact that she was going to be left behind regardless of if she wanted to or not.) She was right. She needed a weapon if she was going to be successful at all in her ‘mission.’ He’d gotten some of the darkest glares from Maggie when he’d pressed that knife into Beth’s hands, but he hadn’t cared.

It was a funny thing; to understand why your soulmate was a certain way, but to disagree with it. It was just his luck to spend so much damn time around his soulmate only to watch her spend more time with someone else (she and Glenn were getting awfully close). It was just his luck to spend so much time around his soulmate only to find he really disagreed with a lot of what she did or thought. Hell, he was a Dixon afterall. Honestly, it was just Dixon luck for all of that.

Knowing Dixon luck, his colors would arrive and he wouldn’t really have a soulmate at all. The longer he spent around their little farm family additions, that was exactly what he thought was going on. Had to be. His Dixon luck had caused him to be broken; with colors and without a soulmate to share them with. It was a special kind of hell. All the colors that your mind can’t even imagine and no one to talk about or understand them with. The only positive was now he didn’t have to worry about keeping anyone alive because of sentimental reasons. He didn’t have to get attached.

He could focus on keeping everyone alive, no matter how angry they were at getting left behind.

“Alright,” Rick said softly, trying to keep his voice down. Just beyond the barred door in front of them was the hall to the kitchens. They needed to be tactical about this. Nice and quiet until they were in position. “I’m gonna unbar the door, and fire off a round. That’ll draw them over this way, but they’ll be funneled through this door. Hopefully we can take the majority of them out in smaller numbers before we have to move past this point to the kitchens.” His eyes scanned their group. “Any questions?” Daryl gripped his crossbow and shook his head in the negative. Rick gave a nod. “Alright, everyone take your positions.”

~~~

Beth was sitting in her cell writing in her little notebook when she heard Lori begin pacing the cellblock. She closed her notebook and stood to lean against her open door and watch. “You gettin’ restless?” She asked and watched Lori stroke her belly as she moved.

“Yeah...must be it.” Lori agreed distractedly. Beth frowned.

“You alright?” She walked to Lori’s side as Lori gripped the hand railing and began breathing.

“Yeah. Just weak...think I need to eat something…” Beth could tell she was lying.

“Lori…” Lori’s eyes landed on Beth and the fear was palpable.

“Beth…” She breathed, “I think the baby is coming.”

~~~

Daryl wiped the grime from his hands. Killing the walkers as they’d funneled through the door had been a good idea, but difficult to execute. Getting into the kitchen had been even harder, but they’d managed. There was a stock of cans they could use to help tide everyone over until their garden was up and functioning. He pulled the backpack and bag from around his neck and flung them over to Maggie as she started shoving the cans in. “Looks like we got some peaches, corn, beans, cans of chicken, and a large bag of rice down here.” Maggie said as she shoved things into the bag. “We won’t be able to take it all right now. We’ll have to come back in a few trips to get everything. Trying to secure this section would mean cleaning another cell block. Right now, it just ain’t worth it.” They all nodded.

“We can plan another smaller run after we get back. Just grab what you can carry and we’ll make our way back.” Rick supplied as she stuffed another bag full of cans. Daryl gave a grunt as he kept an eye out down the hallway for more walkers coming. So far, so clear.

“That’s all I can carry,” Glenn offered. Maggie made an agreeing noise. Grunts were heard through area before Rick made the signal for everyone to head back. Daryl tried his best to bar the door once everyone was out so that no walkers would get in, but there wasn’t much he could do to really secure the room.

He barred the door once everyone back through the safe zone and continued down the hallway back towards their cell block. When everyone entered it was deathly quiet, with an air that put everyone on edge.

“Beth? Lori?” Rick called out as he walked to the center of the cell block.

“Dad!” Carl cried out from inside his locked cell. Rick rushed over. “It’s mom...the baby is coming.” Rick’s eyes widened and he stood rushing to the end of cell block but stopped halfway down the hall and froze. He heard footsteps behind him but just watched.

The fear in Rick’s voice pushed Daryl into action, moving before he knew what was happening. He froze next to Rick as the sound hit his ears before the picture met his eyes.

Beth stumbled down the hallway, tears blurring her eyes as she walked. She cradled a bloodied sweatshirt to her, not caring of the blood spattered across her front and dripping down her arms. Her eyes landed on everyone’s faces as she rounded the corner and she froze just staring at everyone. A choked sob escaped her throat before she collapsed to her knees, clutching the bundle closer to her as it started wailing.

Her blue eyes darted up as she heard someone step close to her and she locked eyes with Daryl. It was half a breathe that she could hold his gaze before she broke and the baby’s wails were joined by her own.

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Daryl’s heart hammered back to life in his chest as the knot in his stomach loosened. The second this little slip of a girl had mentioned colors Daryl’s heart had stopped and his stomach had dropped to the floor. It would be his luck to get stuck with a girl who was more than likely going to get him dead than anything else. Hearing that she was only imagining helped to ease the fear and tension in his gut. Daryl stared at her for a moment longer, just studying her. He’d never really allowed himself a moment to do that; shouldn’t really be doing it now either if he was completely honest.

She was young. Really young. Blonde hair that shone like sunshine and blue eyes that were way too innocent and made his stomach tighten uncomfortably. She was way too sheltered, and it was going to get her killed. Daryl felt a moment of sadness touch him at that thought, but brushed it off. Lots of people die in this world, he’d do his best to see her trained properly, but after that it wasn’t his problem. His eyes watched as she nervously fidgeted with the pocket of her pants and for a fleeting moment he recognized how she could be considered pretty; by younger guys. He corrected. Guys her own age. He clarified in his mind. Definitely not him. “Y’really shouldn’t be out here.” She gave a quick nod before taking a hesitant step forward while tucking her knife away. “Go’on.” With that she scurried away. Daryl stood for a moment, trying to clear his mind.

His eyes scanned the area and he resisted the urge to smile. If she could see color, this definitely would be a good place to come. His eyes scanned over the greens and browns. Yeah, this definitely would have been the spot.

~~~

Beth wiped her brow as she scrubbed the dishes. Her eyes watched as people milled around the yard. She saw Daryl talking to Rick down by the barn and her heart thumped a little faster. Ever since her little slip up in the woods, three days ago, she’d been avoiding being around Daryl. It wasn’t that she liked him...heavens no. He just made her feel so off kilter. He seemed to keep to himself, and study. That was something new.

No one ever studied to make their own conclusion. At least not when it came to her. Everyone always assumed that she was helpless, and in need of protecting. He didn’t seem that way. He was keen on coming to his own conclusion. And that’s what made her nervous. He could possibly be the only one on this whole farm that would see her; truly see her. And she didn’t want to mess that up...if she hadn’t already.

She watched as her daddy approached the duo, sharing a few words before Daryl gave a few short, curt nods and stooped to pick up his crossbow and headed out into the woods. No doubt they were discussing the food stores. While the farm was getting by on the crops that daddy had planted, all the extra mouths were making those food supplies dip mighty low. They were going to have to go out for a hunt; see if there wasn’t some game they could flush out to help stretch the food a bit longer. Beth sighed. She could make something like spaghetti tonight. The pasta would feed a lot of mouths on a smaller supply. She could toss in a few of the tomatoes from the garden to help stretch the sauce. That might buy their little group some time until a proper hunt to help find more food.

~~~

“Afternoon, boys.” Hershel said as he neared Rick and Daryl. Both men tipped their heads. “I got kind of an odd request. Our food stores are running a touch low,” he hedged carefully, “I’ve been tryin’ to stretch the crops we got so far, but I’m afraid it ain’t much without some protein.” Both men nodded. “We got some livestock animals, but if we sacrifice one, there’s no tellin’ how that will hurt us in the long run.”

“Say no more, Hershel.” Rick offered. “I’m sure we can find somethin’ in the forest.” Hershel brightened as Daryl stooped to scoop up his crossbow.

“That would be mighty fine of you sirs.” Hershel nodded. “It’d be a nice surprise for Bethy what with her birthday comin’ up.” Daryl paused as he turned to leave the group.

“Beth’s birthday is coming up?” Rick’s voice rose in surprise.

“Yes sir. Day after next.” Hershel shoved his hands in his pockets gently. “We don’t do much for it, considering. But it’d be nice to have a full meal available. Kind of a celebration of sorts.” Rick nodded and cast his eyes to Daryl who gave a low grunt before moving off towards the perimeter fence and the forest.

Daryl thought as he quietly moved through the green and brown underbrush. She may be a small, slip of a girl, who was woefully unprepared for the world she lived in, but that didn’t mean she didn’t deserve to have a decent meal on her birthday. Hell, it might help put some meat and muscle on her frame so she could get stronger. He gave a snort.

He needed to find some game for the group anyway. Having Beth’s birthday was just an extra excuse to get out here and hunt. It wasn’t like he liked the girl. No...definitely not.

~~~

Beth groaned as she peeled her shirt up over her head. She’d had a hard day today. She’d woken bright and early intending to train before her chores, but Daryl was nowhere to be seen. She’d had to settle with doing some extra mucking in the barn, and plowing some of the fallow fields to get ready for their late summer crops that needed to go down. She’d worked clear through the day and felt about ready to drop, but she couldn’t she still needed to get down there and make dinner for everyone. She sighed as she swiped the cool damp rag along her neck and dropped it back into the sink. She’d give herself a better clean up after dinner, once everyone had settled for the night.

Without a second thought she pulled another shirt over her head and turned to leave the bathroom. Quickly she made her way downstairs only to stop dead in her tracks when she saw everyone piled in the kitchen around a dinner that was already made and smiling up at her.

“Happy birthday Beth!” Lori called, followed by Maggie, Hershel, Rick and most of the rest of their group. A bright smile lit up her face as she stared at everyone. Rick came up and slung an arm around her giving her a gentle hug.

“We know it ain’t much, but we put together a little something for dinner.” Rick swept his hand over the table that was just covered with food. Beth let out a small gasp.

“Oh my goodness.” She breathed staring over the meal. There were carrots, potatoes, green beans (canned of course), and rabbit.

“Snared us a couple a rabbits. Figured we could enjoy some today and then store the rest. Use them for different meals.” Beth’s eye shot up to Daryl and she smiled.

“That was very smart of you Daryl.” She breathed. “We can make jerky and maybe make some soups from the bones.” She offered. She had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep from giggling at the adorable shade of red his cheeks started to turn at her praise. The fact that he - that anyone - had gone to so much trouble for her was astounding. “My word.” She shook her head. “Thank you everyone. This is so amazing.” She looked around at everyone one more time. “Let’s eat. I can’t wait any longer.” She was met with a round of cheers as everyone milled around to start the festivities.

Daryl stood back, hunched against the wall, watching everyone. He hadn’t seen their little group this happy in a long while. Who’d have guessed that all it took was a few measly rabbits to put everyone in high spirits. His eyes darted to Maggie who was laughing with Beth at one end of the table. He noticed Glenn hovering a touch too close to Maggie, but for some reason couldn’t find it in him to be bothered. He didn’t have a swell of emotion within him like he would have thought he should if another man was sitting a little too close to his soul mate. Not like the swell of pride he’d gotten when Beth had paid him that compliment about the rabbits. If he was that way with a nobody, shouldn’t he have stronger feelings with his soul mate? Trust the Dixon gene to be so fucked up that even this soulmate shit didn’t work correctly.

He let out a sigh. It would just figure.

~~~

Beth smiled and sighed as she splashed cool water on her skin. Tonight had been amazing. So much fun and so much food. They hadn’t eaten that well on the farm in a long time, and it was nice to have one night where everyone was free to laugh and eat until they had to be rolled away from the table.

Gingerly she cleaned herself, scrubbing away the day’s grime and smells. She felt like a whole new person. It was amazing what a good meal and a night of laughing could do for a person, mind, body, and soul.

Beth tugged on a tank top, ready to climb into bed and sleep like the dead. She froze as sounds ricocheted off the walls from the windows as from inside the house. Her blood ran cold. Those were walkers. Lots of walkers. And they were close. She jumped as someone pounded on the door to the bathroom before flinging it wide. Her frightened eyes landed on Daryl as he surveyed her. He reached out, grabbing her wrist before tugging her out of the bathroom.

“C’mon girl. We gotta move.”

“Daryl, what’s goin’ on?” She cried as she heard gun fire from outside and the shouts of their group members.

“Walkers.” He responded as he pulled her downstairs. “A lot of them.” Her eyes widened. “We can’t stay here.”

“What?” He all but dragged her through the front door and the sounds seemed to become deafening. She froze on the spot at the bottom of the stairs to the porch. The sheer amount of walkers pouring in from the fences. Her eyes jumped from the walkers to the members of their group spraying them with bullets in a feeble attempt to hold them back.  

“Move Greene!” Daryl yanked on her arm, spurring her into action. He flung her towards a motorcycle before climbing on himself and kicking it on. He felt Beth climb on behind him. Her arms circled around him and he spurred the bike onward into the night.

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The sound of dirt crunching underfoot alerted him to her presence and he turned to watch her. Beth.

Beth Greene had been an unexpected turn his life had taken upon his arrival back into their sleepy little town. He’d always known who the Greene's were, but had never had any reason to cross any of their paths. Meeting her had just been a lucky happenstance. Good luck wasn’t something Daryl was used to.

He watched as she came up and gently took his hand, threading her fingers with his.

She’d bustled into his life in a crowded diner with a pot of coffee and had quickly decided right beside him was where she belonged. And that was where she stayed, much to the dismay of her older sister. Her daddy had been weary at first, but everyone knew: when Beth set her mind to something, there wasn’t a soul alive who could convince her otherwise. So, Hershel Greene had welcomed Daryl into the family fold.

It had taken a year before he’d shared his past with her. Curled up in their tiny little apartment, bathed in moonlight and the heat of summer clinging to their skin, he shared about his childhood and, for once, let her light chase away the dark within him. It had taken another six months before he’d been willing to even listen to her ideas about ‘healing old wounds.’

That was how he found himself here. At the sonuvabitch’s grave, Beth’s delicate hand woven with his. He took another long pull from his cigarette before dropping the damn thing to the ground and stamping it out with his foot. Together he walked them over to the small marker that read ‘Will Dixon’ and they just stared in silence for a moment.

“Been a while, ol’ man.” Daryl rumbled out. He could feel an unchecked emotion burning in the back of his throat and started when Beth gently squeezed his hand in reassurance. “I ain’t here to make amends or forgive…the shit you done ain’t worth forgivin’. I’m here to let you know, I’m leavin’ this shit here. All that bad and dark, I’m leavin’ it here, with you, where it belongs.” He felt Beth rubbing gently on his upper arm with her other hand. “You ain’t gonna color my future the way you colored my past.” He felt clever spouting off something he’d heard Beth tell him a time or two when he’d voice insecurities. He paused for a moment, feeling lighter, like the old man’s hold had finally losened. He smiled over at Beth. “I’m leavin’ this shit here…and I ain’t comin’ back. Got too much good with me to keep holdin’ on to all your bad. So, this is me, leavin’ it here.” He stood there for a moment awkwardly before looking to Beth. She smiled up at him, knowing how much this whole thing had affected him, and how important it was to him to get it done.

She kissed his shoulder before he grumbled that he was done and ready to go. She nodded and followed him back to their truck. She watched him silently from the passenger seat as he climbed into the driver side of the truck and buckled in. He looked at her. “What?”

“Nothin’. Just proud of you. I know that was hard for you. But you did it, and I’m so proud of you.” His hand moved from the steering wheel to rest gently on her rounding belly.

“I had to. Like you keep sayin’, we got too much good comin’ to let the bad keep colorin’ our future.” He smiled at her, “Still think this baby’s gonna be more Greene than Dixon.” She snorted as she felt a swift kick to the area where Daryl’s hand was resting and watched him smile at her. “Tough, just like her mama.”