A/N Rick and Beth are infatuated with one another, but things definitely go wrong that first date. Can they, and will they, try to start again?

He's sitting on the edge of her bed thinking he's the world's biggest asshole. No, that's not quite right, he knows he's the world's biggest asshole, a low-life bastard.

He can hear her in the bathroom crying softly. In her tiny apartment it's the only place she can try to get away from him. He should just go but that would be the ultimate asshole move, wouldn't it? Just put his shoes back on, get his jacket and leave, while she's in the bathroom crying? No, that wasn't going to happen.

Instead, he got his shoes on, got his jacket on, went to the bathroom door and knocked softly, "Beth? Can we talk, please?"

She didn't answer, there was just the sound of her crying and that was tearing him up. He blamed himself 100%. Talk about a major fuck up. You're Guilty Sheriff Grimes.

Before

Rick

I stop in that little bakery every morning on my way to the station, and every day I order the same thing, a large black coffee and a blueberry muffin. It's what I like and I see no reason to change it up.

She's the baker, she's been there about three months now. She seldom works the counter, she's always busy in the back baking up whatever. But I can see her through that little window.

She's a beautiful woman. That long blond hair is gorgeous. She wears it in a ponytail and it gives her a cute, kind of peppy look. When she waited on me the first time I thought I might drown in those eyes, they're big and beautiful, the kind of eyes a man could get lost in. I know it's a cliché but it's true. Yeah, when she worked the counter that day, she seemed so shy and kind of nervous, but when she gave me my change she also gave me a little smile and softly said, "Thank you Sheriff." Oh man, she stayed on my mind all day. Well, maybe into the night.

I was a little disappointed the next morning when the regular counter girl, Rosita, was back, and she was back in the kitchen.

I was wishing there was some way I could talk to her, maybe even ask her out. Shit, since Lori died I haven't dated or anything. I'm no lady's man, and I just haven't met someone I'm interested in enough to spend the time, energy and money on to date them. But this woman, she's so different, there's just something about her I can't even explain, I just know I want, I need, to know her better.

I started stopping by at lunch too, getting a ham and Swiss on rye. Not every day, I usually pack lunches for my son and I, but a couple of times a week. I just wanted to see her. I'm happy just watching her make a damn sandwich.

I've noticed she smiles when she's baking, smiles when she's done making a sandwich, just to herself, like the work makes her happy and she's proud. It's an endearing little habit.

I finally learned her name one day when Rosita called back to the kitchen, "Beth are there any more blueberry muffins?"

She'd come out to the front carrying one that she handed to me, she looked at me shyly and said, "I saved one back for you Sheriff." And I knew I was smiling so big I damn near broke my face.

Before

Beth

I finally left the farm and moved to town, that doesn't seem like much, but it was a real big deal for me to leave home, my comfort zone. I know, for heaven's sake I'm 22 years old, it was high time. I'm just so gosh darn shy. My sister Maggie is always telling me I need to get over it, get out there and conquer the world. I don't think I'm the type to conquer the world, I don't know that I'd want to.

I love my little apartment, it's just a studio but it's perfect for me, cozy. There's a small kitchenette area, and I have a very pretty bed, well I guess it's the bedding that's pretty. Mama made it for me, a floral patchwork quilt with matching pillow shams, I just love it. And I have two cozy upholstered chairs, and what must be the world's smallest dining table with two chairs. It's all just right. My tiny sanctuary.

I got a job as a baker, it was the job I'd prayed for. It's really all I ever wanted to do. I guess I could have more lofty ambitions, but baking is what I love. It's such a creative profession, like singing. I get to put a little of myself in everything I make. I know a lot of people think cooking is work, for me it's just pure joy. Corny, I know, but that's me, I'm corny.

The first time I saw Sheriff Grimes I just about stopped breathing. Oh my gosh, he's so handsome. Those beautiful blue eyes and that smile that just lights up the entire building. I've always been so nervous around guys, but it's worse with him, I know it's because I have a crush on him. I can't help it, it's not just that he's the best looking man I've ever seen, but he's also so nice and so polite.

Rosita mentioned he's a widower, his wife died in a car accident along with his partner, who was also his best friend. And he has a son, a 10 year old boy. That must be so hard, my gosh, I can't even imagine a loss like that.

xxxx

Now

He usually did a weekly shopping on Saturday morning but Carl must be about to have a growth spurt, he was eating everything in sight. Here it was only Wednesday and Rick needed to stop at the grocery store after work.

He was picking out some apples when he saw her, she was picking out peaches. Could she be more beautiful? He didn't think so.

He told himself, here's your chance, who knows when you'll get another one? So he walked over to her, put on his best Officer Friendly smile and said, "Hi there Beth, what a pleasant surprise to run into you."

She looked up from the peaches and her cheeks immediately flushed bright pink, "Uh, yes, um Hello Sheriff." She was sure she sounded like the village idiot, but not only was he the most handsome man she'd ever seen, he'd also caught her completely off guard.

"Please just call me Rick," Oh my gosh, that smile and the little tilt of his head, it had her heart racing.

"Okay, hi Rick." She smiled that shy little smile and it made his chest tighten up.

"I've been wanting a chance to talk to you Beth, I was hoping you'd let me take you to dinner. If you haven't got other plans, maybe we could go out Saturday night." As confident as he thought he was, that hadn't been easy, something about this woman definitely got to him.

He watched as that bright pink color spread to her ears and her neck, and he saw her swallow hard, "Oh, well, yes that would be nice." And she gave him a smile and then quickly turned her attention back to the peaches.

Everything about her was just so damn sweet, and he could see she was having a hard time. He reached in his pocket for his notepad and pen, and handed them to her, "If you'd write down your address and phone number for me, I'd appreciate that Beth. I could pick you up at seven Saturday evening, if that would be alright with you?"

She took the pad and pen and wrote down her information, when she handed it back she smiled, "That would be just fine, thank you." She was wondering how she could possibly wait that late to eat dinner. She usually ate at five, by seven she was in her pajamas and either watching TV, playing her music, or reading a book.

"Thank you Beth, and I'll see you in the morning at the bakery." He smiled that million dollar smile, and she wondered if she'd ever be able to think of anything but him again.

xxxx

He picked her up promptly at seven. She had a cute little place, really little, but it seemed perfect for her, dainty and a kind of old fashion. And wow, she looked terrific, she had on a pretty dress with a flowery pattern, nothing too fancy, a strapless sundress with a fitted bodice and a full skirt. She had such a small slim build, it was the perfect choice, and it was so feminine, just like her. This was the first time he'd seen her hair down, it was beautiful. She was sweetness this woman.

She'd been a nervous wreck, a starving nervous wreck. Thinking back on it now, she should have eaten a snack, but she didn't want to spoil her appetite, and she also didn't want to throw up, and as nervous as she felt, that was a definite possibility. He was right on time and oh my he looked so handsome. He had on slacks, an open collar sport shirt and a sport jacket. He looked well-dressed and yet casual.

"Hi Beth you look lovely tonight," He smiled so warmly, and those eyes they were so blue, and that smile, she was sure there could never be a man more handsome than Rick Grimes.

"Thank you Rick, you look very nice too," He could tell she was making every effort to look him in the eye. Her cheeks were flushed pink and she'd let out a nervous little laugh. She was just so pretty and in such a natural way, a true beauty, not all make-up and crazy hairstyles. And that smile, it was gorgeous.

What had he been thinking? Why had he brought her to a sushi restaurant? He was nuts, that's why. Shane had given him some bullshit years ago about women loving sushi, and being all impressed with sushi restaurants. Shane had always been the quintessential lady's man, while Rick had such minimal experience with women. So Rick had listened and he'd learned to eat it, and he'd even come to like it, but shit, this woman, she made bakery delights and ham and Swiss sandwiches. Why hadn't he taken her out for a nice American style, or even Italian meal?

"Would you like a drink?" he'd asked her, and she'd obviously been embarrassed when she told him she really didn't know anything about drinking or what to order. He'd been really nice about it though, just smiled and offered to order her something she might like. And she did like it, it was called a lemon drop martini. She could taste a little bit of alcohol, but it was also quite sweet, like lemonade, there was even sugar around the rim of the glass. She felt kind of sophisticated drinking it, but then she started to notice she was feeling a little lightheaded, almost woozy.

What had he been thinking ordering her those drinks? Shit, she'd told him she didn't drink, didn't know anything about drinking, and he orders her two martinis. But fuck, she was so cute, and she was finally acting like she was a little comfortable, talking and laughing and they were having a good time.

He could tell the sushi was completely out of her comfort zone, and even though he heard her stomach growling, she'd eaten almost nothing. "I'm so sorry Beth, I don't know what I was thinking. I promise I'll never take you for sushi again. We could stop somewhere else, get you something you'd enjoy."

But she'd just smiled that sweet smile at him, "No really, I'm fine. I filled up on the edamame." Yeah, right.

I knew I should try to eat something, but it was just so unappealing to me. I know I'm picky but I can't seem to help myself. Now Maggie, she would have just gone for it, but I'm not that way. And I was so hungry, I hadn't eaten since noon and I was drinking those drinks. I was trying so hard to be cool, act grown up and worldly. I should have just been myself, I should have told Rick I was hungry, he offered to get me something else. But I was so embarrassed, I didn't want him thinking I'm a baby. Everything that happened, the fact that it all went so wrong, that's my fault.

By the time he'd gotten her back to her place she was definitely intoxicated, but she was happy and smiling and sweet and loving. And he wanted her. He hadn't behaved like a gentleman, he'd behaved like a horny frat boy, and with a woman he thought the world of, a woman he wanted to get to know better. Yep, asshole should be his middle name.

It had started with a goodnight kiss, and her lips had been so soft and she'd felt so good in his arms. The kiss had turned passionate and somehow they'd wound up on the bed. He'd continued to kiss her deeply and she had been responsive. He was rubbing her back and arms, and he slipped that zipper on her dress down like he was some kind of Don Juan.

She was braless. Truth be told, she didn't need a bra, and her small breasts were exposed. He put a hand to her breast and she seemed a little startled, but she hadn't stopped him. Still, she was a 22 year old woman fresh off the farm and naive, and he was a 34 man who'd been married for eight years. He should have thought more, not let his hormones be his moral compass.

He moved his mouth to her breast and she gasped, "What are you doing Rick?" And he'd asked her, "Is this okay?" And she'd said "I don't know, I'm not sure." And that's when he should have stopped. It was obvious she was inexperienced, she was uncomfortable, and a little intoxicated. But it didn't really seem like a protest, and he'd continued to kiss that pretty little breast. But when he tried to slide a hand up her skirt she jumped from the bed, obviously embarrassed, and ran to the bathroom.

And now here he was. A young woman he cared for locked in her bathroom crying, all because he hadn't behaved like an honorable man.

He knocked at the door again, "Please Beth, please talk to me, I'm sorry, this is all my fault, please, can we talk."

And his heart broke into about a million pieces when she answered, "Please just go, I don't want to talk, please."

A/N Is there any hope they can fix this? Let me know what you think. Thank you for reading xo