AUTHORS NOTE:

Thank you for taking time to read this. It was meant to be a oneshot but when I started writing I ended up 14 pages in so I thought I'd split it up. Please review and let me know what you think.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own the Walking Dead or anything associated to it. It all belongs to AMC and Robert Kirkman

CHAPTER 1:

No one could have prepared her for the way she felt every time she saw him. She knew that he was much older than her and he had just lost his wife. There was no way he would ever see her as anything other than Hershel's baby girl. But that didn't stop Beth from feeling all giddy and warm inside when Rick happened to be standing close to her or when they accidently touch one another as she handed Judith over to her daddy. She knew deep down that Rick would only ever see her as a girl with a crush on him. But she knew it wasn't just a crush, Beth knew that her feelings for the older man was a lot more than just that. She sat on her bunk watching over Judith who was fast asleep completely oblivious to what was happening in the world and the turmoil in her heart.

"I wish it could be that easy for me," she thought to herself.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Beth looked up to see Carol standing in the entrance watching the young blond who appeared to be deep in thought.

"Just thinking." She flashed a quick smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

Carol took a few steps and sat down beside the young girl she called her friend. "What's got you so worried? I've been watching you the last few days and you seem to be sad."

Beth looked back at her friend, wanting to tell someone about her feelings. She started to speak but quickly thought better and closed her mouth. She knew what Carol would say, that she was just a naive little girl who was crushing on their leader and that nothing would ever come of it. As much as she knew that Carol would properly be right, a part of Beth wanted to hold onto hope that one day Rick might see her as something more. That part wanted to keep the dream alive.

Carol could see that something was weighing on her young friend's mind and as much as she wanted to help Beth, she knew that if she didn't want to talk, there was no way she was going to force her. "Well whatever it is, just know that when you wanna talk, I'm here."

"Thanks Carol." She smiled once more.

They sat in silence for a moment before hearing voices trailing from downstairs and both women could tell that something was wrong.

"You could have gotten him kill!" Rick's voiced thundered from below them.

Both Carol and Beth looked at each other before quickly making their way out of the cell to see what was going on, quietly so as not to wake little Judith. Stopping just above the stairs Beth could see Rick pacing back and forth with a look of anger on his face. Carl was sitting at the table, every now and then throwing a look of contempt towards his father.

Karen, one of the Woodbury residents was holding on to her young son Noah, who was shaking, tears in his eyes. "You need to control that boy of yours!" she said to Rick as she glared at the younger Grimes.

"I'll handle it Karen. Please just take Noah back to your cell, I'll deal with Carl," he looked at her almost pleadingly. She nodded briefly before leading her son in the direction of their cells.

"Rick," Hershel began from behind them.

"Not now Hershel," he begged finally taking a seat opposite his son. "Carl, what happened?"

Carl looked away from his father and stared at the floor, refusing to answer him.

Rick slammed his fist on the table in frustration. "I'm trying Carl. But if you refuse to show me any respect and you continue to have this attitude then I'm afraid you can't do watch duties anymore."

"You can't do that!" Carl looked up at him in anger.

"Try me! You want to be treated like an adult then you need to start acting like one, and that means dealing with the consequences of your actions. From now on I want you helping out in here."

"Doing what?" Carl practically yelled.

Rick looked around the room, his eyes landing on the two women who were watching the scene in front of them in silence. "I want you to help Carol and Beth. Whatever they need, you do it."

Carl glared at his father not caring if Rick saw. "For how long?"

Rick ran a hand through his hair, "As long as it takes for you to realise that you can't go around doing what you like damning the consequences."

"But dad..."

"NO! That's my decision and I'm not changing my mind!"

Carl got up from the table and turned on his heels, "I hate you!" he mumble as he walked away.

Watching his son walk away and hearing those words come out of his mouth stung. After everything that he had gone through, Rick didn't want to lose his son as well. "I don't know what I'm gonna do about him." He sighed placing his head in his hands as Hershel sat down at the table.

Beth shook her head in disbelief, how could Carl say that, to his own father. She hated seen Rick blame himself for something that wasn't even his fault. She admired Rick for everything he had done to protect this group, their family. She knew that Carl understood what had to be done yet she feared that the Carl she had once known was no longer there. This world had changed him, turned him into someone scary and she feared that they would never get him back. "It aint your fault Rick." She stated from above him, Carol silently nodding in agreement. "Maybe you just need to give him some time."

"I appreciate what you're saying but how much time do you think I should give him? I barely recognise him anymore. Ever since we lost Lori, he's..." Rick stopped.

"Losing your mom is hard," Beth began as she slowly made her way down the stairs and taking a seat next to her father. "The fact that Carl had to be the one who..." she stopped not wanting to say the words out loud. "All I'm trying to say is show him that your here and that when he's ready you'll be waiting."

"Bethy's right Rick. Carl just needs to know that his dad is there when the time comes." Hershel added before getting up. He bent down and kissed Beth on the cheek before turning his attention to the younger man. "We're all here for him. He knows that." Rick nodded. "Well I'm off to bed, this old dog needs his sleep."

"Night daddy," Beth smiled at her father as he turned towards his cell.

"Night," Rick added from behind him. As Hershel walked away Rick turned his attention to the blond in front of him. "How'd you know what his feeling? Carl?"

Beth turned to look at him, taking a deep breath before answering, "I've been there. When mamma died, I didn't want to go on. I wanted to give up," she unintentionally looked at her wrist seeing the faint scar there.

Rick reached out and touched her hand lightly, causing her to take a sharp breath at the way her body responded to his touch. If he noticed, he didn't say anything. "Thank you," he smiled.

She returned the smile blushing as he continued to look at her. "I should go check up on Judith." She reluctantly got up and Rick withdrew his hand.

"She's really lucky to have you."

"I'm the lucky one; she's such an amazing little girl." Beth replied. She started for the stairs but stopped and looked back at him once more. "We're here for you too," she added with a small smile.

Rick returned the smile causing Beth to once again feel all warm and fuzzy inside. "Goodnight Beth."

"Night Rick."