Spiced Molasses

Chapter 42

Beth was a little bit annoyed. She was confined to a hospital bed; no one would listen to her when she said she was fine. No one had answered her many questions regarding Tyreese, Karen and Haley beyond saying they were alive. For a few minutes there she could have sworn she had heard Merle shouting outside but it passed quickly.

Aside from a sore head and some shaky hands, she was feeling pretty good physically. Fatigued but when she thought about what she had managed to escape from her heart fluttered with excitement.

The only reason she stayed put and endured it all quietly was Daryl. He was slumped in a seat by her bed, watching her carefully, practically glowering. It would have been disconcerting but she knew the scowl wasn't meant for her. He looked a million miles away, eyes warily drifting to the closed door to make sure there was no danger.

She wanted to ply him with half a dozen questions but as she studied the worried lines in his forehead she found she didn't have to ask. In fact she didn't want to say anything. What had happened by the ambulance had made Beth conclude that in her absence their relationship had been revealed. She was content just to stare at him, savouring the warm beating of her heart. Even with his mouth pinched and his eyes hooded with exhaustion Daryl was still every inch the man she loved.

He blinked and he focused on her properly, his stare softening.

"Hey," he said, reaching forward and taking her hand. His palm was warm and soothing against her skin. That slightest contact made her blood thrum and anchored her.

"Hi," Beth replied quietly, suddenly shy. It hadn't been all that long that they'd been separated but a lot had happened.

"How're you feeling?" he asked intently.

Beth managed a half-shrug. "I'm fine. I've told everyone I'm fine."

Daryl snorted, leaning forward to gently brush her cheekbone with the rough pad of his thumb. "Yeah, you keep saying it and maybe one day I'll buy it."

"One day I will be fine," Beth retorted contrarily, unable to fight the affectionate smile that crossed her features.

"Yes you will," he agreed immediately, his fingers tightening around hers. There was an extended pause during which their eyes locked. Something rose in her chest like a pressing wave.

"I can't do it anymore, Daryl," she burst out, her throat suddenly tight and her eyes hot.

"Do what, darling?" His blue eyes clouded with concern.

"I can't live a lie, I can't live in fear! This needs to end." She expected him to fight her on it but he nodded, his expression contemplative.

"We need to find the Governor," she pressed on. "I want to take this fight to him and end this once and for all."

"Whatever you decide you need to do, I'll be right behind you every step of the way."

"Do you promise?" Beth asked.

"Promise," Daryl repeated seriously, lifting her hand up so the he could press the back of it against his lips.

There was a knock at the door and Rick's head appeared in the open space a second after.

"How're you feeling?" he asked, eyes flicking downward to where her fingers were entwined with Daryl's.

"She's fine," Daryl informed him hotly, not dropping Beth's hand.

Rick shifted uncomfortably and it was clear that he wasn't much pleased about his reason for being there. His discomfort caused a blush to flare up in Beth's cheeks but she didn't loosen her own hold on Daryl's fingers.