I don´t own them

At the age of 42, Daryl Dixon considers himself as a very lucky man.

He runs his own car shop, is about to marry a beautiful, talented young woman and he had survived the horrors of his past.

He´s the lucky guy.

He got away from his abusive father with scars on his back and on his soul. The day, his father died,had been the first day of his new live. Suddenly, he was free. He started to work at Dale´s place after school, earned his own money. Was able to live his own life. A decent life.

And when Dale retired, he asked Daryl to run his place. Daryl happily obliged.

Life was good.

Daryl has always been a loner. Not much of a talker. Alone was better. Alone couldn´t hurt you. Alone wouldn´t hurt you.

His brother spent most of the time of Daryl´s youth in jail. In and out. He never was there when Daryl needed him. He never could rely on him.

He never wanted anybody to know about his past.

He never wanted to show anybody his scars.

He´d never been intimate with anyone.

A fuckin´virgin. That´s what he is.

And than, he met her. And his world turned upside down.

He wanted to be with her.

He wanted to share his life with her.

But still, he flinchs, everytime she touches him.

It is hard. But he tries.

The bell over his shop door rings and like a whirlwind young Beth Greene enters his shop.

" Hi honey, miss me?" she asks and leans forward to kiss him.

"Always", he smirks and lets his lips met hers.

Their first kisses were awfully awkward. Daryl hates kissing. It feels wrong to him. But Beth insists. That´s what couples do, she says. Kissing and touching- even in public.

And so he swallows his unease. And tries.

Daryl wants to be the man, Beth wants him to be. So he does things, that doesn´t feel right for him. He always wants to please her. She´s his princess.

"How was your day, sweetie?"

"Aktually quite good. For me and maybe even for you." he says.

"For me? I don´t understand." she answers.

"You will, I promise."

"Than spit! Pleeeease!" she begs.

"Well. There was this car, that broke down a few miles up the road. I towed it, brought it here. I have to wait for some spare parts. I don´t do brand new mercedes´so often."

"Whow, but what has this to do with me?"

"I´ll come there. Wait. The repair will take some time. The driver and his family were on their way to Atlanta. Now they decided to take a vacation in our little town. They´ll stay at your sisters house." Maggie Greene-Rhee owns a well-known bed and breakfast.

"Good for Meggie! But I´m waiting."

"Good things come to those who wait."

"Phht!" Beth snorts.

"The driver gave me his card. And it says, he´s a music producer!"

Beth squeaks and starts to jump up and down.

"I told him, that my beautiful fiancee is a very talented singer and happens to perform tonight at Tara´s place and he said, he wants to come and see you!"

Beth throws her arm around Daryl´s neck, causing him to flinch, but that doesn´t bother her. She peppers kisses on his face. He doesn´t really like it, but he´s happy, when she´s happy.

"I have to go. Do some shopping. I must look absolutly breathtaking tonight. It´s going to be so great. Bye!" And with that, she´s out of the shop again, a bundle of nervous energy, singing and jumping and squealing.

Daryl smiles.

He doesn´t really like that producer, something about him has made his skin crawl. But he might be chance for his Beth. She always wanted to become a famous singer, maybe her career will start tonight. That´s her dream and he is determind to help her. At all costs.

Even though something was odd about that guy.

He remembers the jittery movements of that little girl, about eleven years old, all freckles and long legs and arms, like a foal, ready to race.

And he remembers the sunglasses the wife wore, even inside of the shop. And her long sleeve shirt, despite of the heat.

Daryl takes the card in his hand `Ed Peletier`it says. Maybe he should use his spare time and do some internet research, before he goes to Tara´s place later that evening.