I Made It!

Chapter 22: Odd Behavior

Waking up to a semi darkened room, Daryl becomes slightly frightened when he notices Beth isn't beside him.

Was it just another dream?

Sighing, he kicks his legs of the side od the bed and sits up. Placing his feet firmly on the groun, he's about to stand up when he just feels weak and sick to his stomach.

That couldn't have been a dream. Please tell me it was real.

Tears pool from his eyes and he jusy props his head in his hands as he braces his elbows against his thighs. His tears become more violent as he thinks of all he still didn't get to say. He didn't get to hold her long enough. His sobs are full of so much pain, that they seem to hit the floor faster than normal tears. Opening his eyes for a mere second, he notices two petite feet catching his tears. Following them up, Beth is standing over him in his flannel. Bending down, she gets on her knees and holds him around his stomach. She knows. She knows he isn't coping with this yet. She doesn't blame him though. If she saw someone die in front of her and them come back from the dead-but not as a walker- she'd be pretty nuts too.

"Daryl...are, you okay?" His arms slowly wrap around her shoulders and scoops her up on his lap-holding her tightly around her waist. Holding onto his neck, Beth buries her face into it and plays with his hair that lays over her fingers.

"I thought..."

"I know. It's going to get some taking used too." She smiles and turns her face away from his neck to look out the window. In the street she notices children playing and people sitting, calmly having morning conversations. She isn't used to this and she knows he isn't either.

"Beth."

"Hmm?"

"About last night...you said I was breakin' yer heart...I, huh, I'd never want to hurt you." He almost sounds like a little kid who is appologizing for saying they hate their mother or father.

"I know. I know you wouldn't."

"Beth." Daryl pulls slightly away from her and looks her deel in the eyes.

"What is it?"

"Is...is this wrong?" It's a hard for Daryl to understand what this feeling is, along with the age difference and if old rules still apply.

"Is what wrong?" Looking at him, Beth notices the pain and confusion in his face. "Daryl? Can I ask you a question?"

"I guess."

"Have...have you...have you ever had a girlfriend?" His eyes glaze over and he shifts his gaze toward the ground.

I figured he never has. Is that why he nervous? Maybe he doesn't really know what he feels for me.

"It's okay. Dating isn't for everyone."

"Beth, is it wrong how I feel about you?" She's puzzled. She's frustrated with her own emotions.

"Do you think it's wrong?"

"I...I don't know."

"Are you ashamed of it? Are you ashamed because of how you feel about me?"

"NO!"

"Okay, calm down. I'm just trying to firgure this out." She has her palms flat against his chest and they both seem to be taken back by their very brief argument.

"I'm sorry..." He places his head on her shoulder and feels safe. Safer than he does behind these walls- he just doesn't understand what she's doing to him. "Beth, I don't want this to be wrong."

"What exactly is this? Like what do you want? I know what I do, but I wanna make sure it's what you want." Looking up at her, Daryl takes a deep breath and then kisses her on the lips- taking her by surprise. She hasn't kissed anyone since Zach and that was usually just a peck on the lips. This kiss with Daryl is different- more passionate, more sincere.

"I want you." He quietly says after they pull apart. "I never thought I'd feel this way...I started feeling it a long time ago. You were changing me for the better and then I lost you. I never thought I'd get you back and after you died...I lost myself even more. Let's just say, I never want to lose you again."

"Oh Daryl. I feel the same way." They kiss again, just as Carol comes up stairs and drops a tray of food that was for Beth- she didn't know Daryl was back and she really didn't expect to see this happening. "Carol?!"