Spiced Molasses

Chapter 29

Beth averted her gaze down so that Daryl wouldn't chance a look in her direction and know what she was thinking. Confessing the depth of her feelings for him would go against everything he had asked when he told her she could stay if they kept it professional. Then again, leaning in to kiss her also violated that agreement so Beth was a little uncertain where she stood. Her brain was a hazy fog of pain killers and until she could think clearly, but she wasn't going to make any sudden moves on her handsome but wary protector.

"How's Haley?" Daryl was asking and Beth guessed he was talking to Pete.

"That's good, man. And Karen?"

Beth sat up a little straighter, blatantly eavesdropping now.

Daryl's lack of reaction led her to believe that Karen was going to be fine. Daryl was nodding along and Beth wished the conversation wasn't so one sided for her.

"I'm thinkin' of doing the same," Daryl was saying and he cut his eyes to Beth, noting her attention and regarding her wryly. Beth blushed but it was too late to pretend that she wasn't interested.

Daryl shrugged. "I dunno, a week or so? Just until things die down. Any word on whether Dave made it? Yeah, sounds about right. Son of a bitch," Daryl cursed fluidly. Beth assumed that the instigator of the fire fight had survived.

"I'll call you when I head back," Daryl promised and then hung up. He opened his mouth to address Beth but was halted by his phone going off again. Daryl's glared at the contraption as if it was responsible for all the chaos of the evening.

"Yes?" Daryl answered aggressively. His expression turned sour, his demeanour became defensive.

"You've read the reports, you knew there was a possibility this would happen, Walsh."

Daryl's fingers tightened and then he said, "No one was hurt."

Beth's shoulder throbbed in retaliation to his lie.

"I'm gonna get out of Atlanta for a while to let everything settle down some. I'll take Beth with me and keep her safe."

Beth had to fight not to react to that comment. They were going somewhere? She had got the impression Daryl intended on laying low for a while but out right leaving? She figured it had something to do with the bullet getting too friendly with her arm.

Daryl was rubbing the back of his neck, looking a little nauseated. "Listen Walsh, about Beth. She-"

Beth stood up hastily and her head spun. Daryl was thinking of telling his superiors the truth. She didn't know why she was so sure but she just knew. Beth waved her good arm to get his attention and mouthed 'no' at him.

Daryl was wavering, his guilt obvious. Beth glared and shook her head. "You tell them this, you have to tell them everything," she hissed lowly.

Daryl covered the bottom of his phone quickly. "I get that,' he replied witheringly.

"You tell them I get hurt, they'll take me out and I can't help you."

"Maybe that's for the best?" Daryl was still covering the phone and Beth could hear an incomprehensible but angry voice from the other end.

"You try and side line me and I'll tell them you kissed me."

Daryl's eyes iced over and he took a neat step back and away from her. Beth's heart was pounding in her chest. That comment had been low but she could barely think through the fog in her head. She didn't want them to take her somewhere else; she wanted to go wherever Daryl was going.

"You play dirty, Greene," he muttered. He uncovered the phone. "Sorry, think I cut out. I was gonna say Beth's hanging in and doing just fine."

The conversation wrapped up quickly. Daryl's tension didn't evaporate once he was off the phone.