Disclaimer: I do not own The Walking Dead.

Summary: The Dixon brothers are caught up in a drug deal gone wrong. The local police department gives Daryl one last chance to stay out of jail: work at the local veterinary clinic. A blond-haired angel should be the last thing on Daryl's mind, but sometimes not everything works out the way it's supposed to.

Warning: Language.

The flashing red and blue lights on the rearview mirror blinded Daryl as he sat cuffed in the back of the police car. All of those quotes about how good brothers are, can go fuck themselves, Daryl thought. That fucker is lucky I'm cuffed right now.

When Daryl had opened the door to the apartment both he and his brother, Merle, shared, he was ambushed by Scott, one of Merle's old dealers. Merle had been tied up to the couch with blood coming down the side of his face. Apparently, Merle hadn't paid his debt for two months. A jogger passed by the aged complex building and heard their screams, calling the police.

Now, Daryl was arrested and awaiting the impending lecture from Rick Grimes, the local sheriff. After what seemed like hours, Rick opening the driver's car door and sat down, turning to Daryl.

"What the fuck were you doing?" Rick asked.

"Wasn't my fault."

Rick said, "Well now it doesn't matter if it's your fault or not. Have you been using in the past few weeks?" Daryl shook his head. Rick breathed out.

"Well looks like if you pass a drug test and pay a pretty hefty fine, you can go back to doing whatever you're doing." Daryl felt a small weight lifted off his shoulders. Not going to jail today. Rick must have caught his breath of relief because he added, "But that doesn't mean you're completely off the hook. This guy has been wanted by several other counties. The big guys are startin' to look into this case. 'means that you might be facin' some pretty big charges in the future, bein' in contact with this guy an' knowin' he's been in contact with your brother." Daryl grunted.

"Look, Rick, this ain't my fault, I was just-"

"You have one more chance. One more chance to not fuck up. Merle's hope is gone; he's gon' be facin' up to ten years in the slammer. You on the other hand might be lucky 'nough to get off with 6 months to two years. But right now, with no job, you ain't lookin' at a very happy endin'. Not many places are lookin' to hire, especially someone with a track record with you." Daryl look at him, as if he had somewhere to be. Rick said, "But after you pay the fine, we're gon' let you out, and you need 'ta find a job an' quick. I'll look into it." Daryl nodded and thanked him.

Rick and Daryl were old high school friends. They were pretty close until Daryl had gone to jail for the first time during their senior year. It was only six months but it was still long enough to pull them apart. Rick's mom didn't approve of them hanging out. Daryl never went back to high school, thus never receiving his high school diploma. Rick knew everything about Daryl's childhood, or almost everything. Daryl's mom died early in his childhood and after that his dead took out everything on him and his brother. His dad didn't necessarily win father of the year.

Daryl's dad was gone, and now his brother was too. Great.

The doorbell echoed throughout the house, dragging Beth from doing her homework. Oh no. She prayed it wasn't Zach. It was Saturday morning and she had just woken up. She walked to the door, knowing no one else could hear, since the rest of the family were working out back.

Opening the door, she was greeted by Rick.

Beth smiled and said, "Good mornin', Sheriff Grimes. What brings you here? Oh Lord, please tell me no one broke in the veterinary clinic again." Rick shook his head, easing her worries.

"No, ma'am, not'in like that. Is Hershel home?" Beth nodded and gestured for him to come in. Rick took a seat on the couch as Beth went in the back to get him. Beth and Hershel emerged from the kitchen and Rick stood up for a second to shake Hershel's hand.

"How are you, sir?" Hershel sat down and Beth walked back in the room next to theirs to continue with her homework.

Hershel nodded, "I'm great, thank you for asking. What brings you to our part of town, Sheriff Grimes?"

Rick takes in a deep breath and said, "Well, I was wonderin' if you're lookin' for any help at the clinic."

Hershel said, "Of course, you know we're already understaffed as it is. I only have Bethy and Shawn now, since Maggie's out at college."

"Well, last night we arrested both of the Dixon brothers. Merle's gon' get locked up for good, but Daryl...Daryl's got another shot. He wasn't the one at fault last night, but the jury will see otherwise if he doesn't start bein' a productive citizen. Gettin' a job and all. And I've already gone to every other shop in town and they...they're not his biggest fans." Hershel mulled it over for a while.

"Alright. But I'm gon' treat him like any other employee. He gets two chances. You know my policy, Sheriff Grimes. Tell him he can start Monday, 8:00am."

When Rick had told Daryl the news on Sunday morning, Daryl almost gagged. He hated animals. Most of all, he hated Hershel and his whole family.

Like he had a good reason though. Not. The Greene family had been nothing but kind to him and his brother. And his brother. That's why he felt so bad when his brother robbed their veterinary clinic a while back. Merle had been so desperate for drugs that he raided the clinic's medicine cabinet. Hershel had called the police the next morning and had Merle arrested.

Daryl couldn't blame Hershel. Hell, if he caught someone stealing from him, he'd do a lot more than just get the police involved. In fact, it'd be better if the police never knew.

When he heard that the Greene family was going to be the people who were helping him, he felt something in his stomach churn. Whether he admitted it or not, he had always been envious of that family. They were practically picture perfect. A good, nice, nice, God fearing family. Everything Daryl's family, if you could even call them one, wasn't.

Daryl was about to tell Rick no thanks and that he'd rather try to find another job, but one look from Rick was all it took to convince Daryl that he best keep his trap shut.

Even though Daryl didn't want to admit it, he was thankful for what Rick had done.

Now I just gotta prove to the old man he didn't make a mistake.

It was 7:55am and Daryl was pulling up to the Greene farm.

Daryl knew he was early and he hoped Hershel would appreciate it. It took a lot of motivation to not down the entire bottle of whiskey last night, but he knew if he had, he'd be facing a lot more than just a bad hangover. Daryl made his way up to the barn and knocked on the door.

"Come in!" A sweet voice called out. It was definitely not Hershel's. Daryl opened the barn door, revealing the person who the angelic voice belonged to. Beth. Her hair was tied up in a ponytail and she was wearing a light green dress that complimented her blond hair. She was carrying two tins of milk which she was struggling with.

She smiled brightly and said, "Oh good, you must be Daryl! Good timing too, can you please take these to the fridge 'round the corner?" Daryl was still taking in her appearance, let alone her sweet personality, when her request broke his concentration. His name had rolled off her tongue as if everything was normal.

He muttered, "Give it here," as he took the tins away from her and went to put them in the fridge. When he came back, Hershel was there along with his wife, Annette.

Annette greeted Daryl with a smile and shook his hand, "Pleasure to finally meet you, Mr. Dixon." Daryl nodded at her. He shook Hershel's hand next.

"Thank you for hiring me, Mr. and Mrs. Greene." Hershel nodded at him approvingly.

Hershel said, "We're lucky to have you, Mr. Dixon. Sheriff Grimes told us about the situation you're in, and I hope you know we support you as long as you follow the law and our rules. Are we clear."

Daryl nodded and said, "Yes, sir." This is the most respectful I've ever been to...well, anyone. Damn.

Hershel breathed in and said, "Well, you best get to work then. There's some hay out front that needs to be taken in here and put in the stalls. Bethy can show you where they are when she heads out front to go to school." Beth kissed Hershel and Annette on the cheek before flashing Daryl a pearly white smile and gestured him to follow her. She stayed a few feet in front of him as they walked, and he couldn't help but look down, seeing the outlines of her perfectly shaped ass. He mentally cursed himself for thinking about her in that way, knowing if Hershel could read his mind, he'd be fired on the spot.

Beth broke the silence and said, "I hope you stay for dinner, mama makes the best green beans. I bet you do, she doesn't let any workers go home on an empty stomach. Then again, 'only workers we have are daddy, me, an' Shawn," she sighed and looked up at him, "I'm glad you're helpin' out, we sure can use you. Shawn works durin' the day with daddy and when I come home from school 'round two-thirty I work from then to dinner." Daryl didn't know what got into her and why she felt the need to tell him what seemed to be her whole life story. Something in him got him excited for 2:30.

Don't you dare, Daryl. Not Beth.

Author's Note: Alright, I've splurged and finally have written my first Bethyl story! I hope y'all like it, I tried to come up with the most original AU out there thus far including a small town and the farm. I just love those stories so much. I've also found that most Bethyl lovers also love Brick, and I have another story out there, Fifty Shades of Grimes ;) Anyway, it would mean so much to me for y'all to leave a review, favorite, and follow! I hope y'all enjoyed it, please tell me what you think!