A/N - Thank you so much for all the interest in this story so far! You guys are amazing, and really do encourage me to keep going with my crazy ideas! I can't tell you how much I have been loving writing this AU version of Beth & Daryl so far :) But, in answer to your questions about my other stories, YES, I am very much working on them too, and hope to have updates soon. When I have the time and inspiration, I write!
Really hope you enjoy this next chapter. It's setting up some future action in this AU TWD town.
Beth slid her oversized sunglasses up on top of her blonde head with one hand, as she carefully balanced the tray of coffees she'd dashed out moments earlier to get, in the other.
There were four of them in the office that day. Besides Beth and Andrea, there was Rosita, the family nurse practitioner, and Michonne, Andrea's friend who came in to deal with the accounts. It had been proving to be a busy morning, so Beth hadn't wanted to be gone too long on her coffee run.
Hurrying out of the small coffee shop, rays of dazzling sunshine bounced off her bright blonde hair as Beth made her way back along the main street that ran through the centre of their small town, and she though how quiet it was, how quiet it always was. There were a few people around, but it was a complete contrast to the bustle of the busy Atlanta streets she had become so used to back in the past three years she had been living there at university.
As she walked, an unexpected breeze suddenly blew at the hem of her short blue and white dress. Beth instinctively put her hand down to stop it from blowing up any higher and the sudden movement knocked at the hot coffees in her hand, causing one to spill slightly over her soft skin as she stumbled forwards due to the heel on her boot catching on a small crack in the pavement. She grabbed hold of the nearest tree to steady herself.
"Damn it," she muttered under her breath, swiping at the burning spilled liquid with her fingers.
Suddenly, she felt very self conscious, despite being on her own a strange feeling came over her that someone was watching her.
Turning her head, Beth's eyes wandered over to the other side of the street, where they rested on a police car parked opposite, it was shaded by a line of trees behind it, but she instantly felt a swarm of butterflies rush through her as she made out who it was sat behind the wheel. Deputy sheriff, Daryl Dixon.
His hair was falling down over his eyes again, and his face was partially hidden behind a pair of dark sunglasses, but he was quite clearly staring over in her direction. Beth was unsure exactly where his eyes were looking, but from his body language, she could tell he had noticed her.
She could also see that he had the same slightly aloof and moody expression that he always seemed to have when he was around town. Beth normally tried not to pay him that much attention, but this time she had no control over the sensations pulsing through her. After her very brief encounter with the enigmatic deputy sheriff the night before whilst she had been babysitting for Rick and Andrea, Beth's head had become filled with thoughts of him, and now here he was again on duty in the middle of the day. Right in front of her eyes.
Looking at him now, she couldn't deny he was gorgeous, distractingly gorgeous.
She felt her cheeks heating up as he continued to gaze her way. He was too far away to acknowledge properly. So instead, she looked away, quickening her pace as she made her way back to work, ensuring her eyes remained straight in front of her. Her fingers trembling slightly as she clutched the tray of drinks in her hand even tighter.
...
Hurrying back in to the office Beth was met by one of the local town residents, Carol Peletier and her daughter Sophia.
"Morning, Mrs Peletier," Beth said, smiling politely at the older woman.
"Oh, please, call me Carol," she replied, smiling back.
Beth continued to smile, but she couldn't help but feel sad, she always felt sad when she was around Carol Peletier.
Carol was always friendly and cheerful, but her eyes told a different story, her eyes always looked sad, which made Beth sad too. But today though, Carol had kept her eyes carefully concealed behind a pair of large dark brown sunglasses.
"I just stopped by, on the off chance Dr Grimes could see us. I know it's a long shot, but we'd really appreciate it," Carol asked, looking directly at Beth, pleading slightly.
Still clutching the tray of coffee's, Beth's smile faded, and an apologetic look crossed her pretty face, "I'm really sorry, but we're closing early today," she replied.
"Oh, of course, it's Judith's birthday, how silly of me to forget," the older woman responded, her voice trembling slightly.
Beth placed the coffee's down on the side, suddenly remembering amongst other things, she had promised to collect little Judith Grime's birthday cake on her way home later that day too, ready for the little girl's first birthday party later.
"Let me see what I can do, I'm sure we can squeeze you in somewhere if you're happy to take a seat and wait," Beth said with a new warm smile.
Sliding behind her desk, pulling her own sunglasses off her head and tossing them down on to a pile of papers, Beth quickly unlocked her computer screen to bring up Andrea's schedule for the day. She knew her boss was busy, but she also knew she would be happy to make time to see Carol and Sophia if she could.
"Thank you," Carol said gratefully, a look of relief appearing on her face.
...
"Here, have some gossip to read,' Beth said, standing up to pass them some magazines. She was genuinely glad she could be of some assistance to them. She had heard the rumours just like everyone else in their small town, about Carol Peletier's unhappy marriage, and Beth really hoped someday soon they would get some proper help.
She sighed, turning back to her computer screen, there was a lot to get through before they could close and get ready for the party later.
...
"Happy birthday dear, Judith, happy birthday to you," a chorus of voices sang.
...
"I can't believe she's one already," Andrea gushed, looking across with proud eyes at her baby daughter wrapped up in Rick's arms, from where they were standing next to Judith's stunning, pink princess birthday cake, the single freshly blown out candle smoking into the air.
There was a small gathering of Rick and Andrea's, friends, family and neighbours, stood around the pool in their big back yard, decorated with multi coloured balloons and pretty baby girl decorations. All looking on at the little Grime's family, celebrating their daughter's first birthday.
Beth was stood next to her friend Noah, who happened to live on the same street as Rick and Andrea, and her blue eyes were filled with emotion, watching baby Judith beaming at the excitement of her special day, clapping her chubby little hands together. Beth loved babies, she was a natural with them, and she secretly hoped to have a family of her own in the not too distant future.
"Here," a female voice said beside her, and Beth felt a nudge at her side. She glanced to her right to see her other good friend Amy, Andrea's younger sister and Judith's aunt, handing her a plastic cup full of bright orange liquid.
"It's fruit punch, but I slipped a little kick in to it," Amy added, with a wink.
Beth let out a small laugh and rolled her eyes looking from Amy back to Noah who raised his eyebrows and grinned. Amy had been Beth's best friend since high school, and out of the two of them she had always been the wild one.
"You're a bad influence," Beth muttered, holding the cup up to her lips to take a small sip, instantly recognising the strong taste of vodka as she wondered how best to dispose of it without Amy seeing.
"Thought I needed to spice things up a bit around here, get us in the party mood for when we head out in a bit, Randall's having a party, remember?" Amy said, a smile spreading across her face.
Beth groaned inwardly, trying to work up the courage to explain to Amy she wasn't really feeling in the party mood. Although, she knew her friend was desperate to go. Randall, a guy she had the hots for, had invited her specially.
Clutching her drink, Beth looked away from her friends for a second, over to where she could see her father and local town vet, Hershel Greene, was stood deep in conversation with Beth's older sister Maggie and her boyfriend Glenn. He was laughing at something Glenn was saying, nodding his head. Glenn's family owned a successful restaurant chain and were one of the wealthiest in the area. But despite his fast cars, designers clothes and expensive gifts for her sister, Beth couldn't help but think that Glenn was one of the nicest and most down to earth people she knew. He had won their father over fairly quickly and he now lived with the Greene's, back at their family farm.
Beth moved her gaze away from her family. She was happy for her sister, but she couldn't help but feel a little envious when she saw her father interacting with Maggie and Glenn like that. Beth wondered whether maybe a time would come, when Hershel Greene would be stood laughing and chatting away to a future boyfriend of her own, just like he was doing now.
She took another small sip of the pungent drink in her hand, blocking out what Amy and Noah were now talking about beside her. With a slight buzz from the alcohol, she glanced around with bright eyes, scanning the usual familiar faces at the party. There was Shane another town sheriff and his wife Lori, Andrea's friend Michonne, Bob who owned the bar in town Amy worked at, Tyrese the local football coach and his sister Sasha, Dale the friendly retired guy from next door. Then…. Beth felt a small flutter.. as her eyes unexpectedly fell on a familiar, handsome and surly looking guy in the corner. Surprisingly, it was Daryl Dixon.
Beth wasn't quite sure why, but he was the last person she would have expected to see at a one year old's birthday party.
He was out of his sheriff's uniform, wearing a leather vest over a dark coloured sleeveless shirt, exposing his toned, muscular arms, as he held a small bottle of beer, he looked a little uncomfortable with a serious look on his face as he stared straight out in front of him.
Unable to stop herself, Beth carried on looking at him almost a little dreamily, as the fluttering in her stomach increased. Before she saw him turn his head in her direction and she quickly looked away, not wanting to get caught staring, she tried to turn her attention back to Amy and Noah.
"Why is Daryl Dixon staring at you?" Amy suddenly said, stopping her conversation with Noah, turning to Beth.
"Wh-what?" Beth stammered, glancing back at him for a second, to see that Amy was right, he was glaring in her direction now, and their eyes met for the briefest of moments, before she looked away and back at her friends again. She smoothed her hair down awkwardly, feeling her cheeks burning she remembered how he had seen her nearly trip up in town earlier that day, he was probably still thinking what a clumsy idiot she was she thought cringing.
But now, despite that, her curiosity was roused.
"He here on his own?" she questioned Amy, trying to sound as casual as possible.
"Why, you interested?" Amy giggled.
"Nooo," Beth quickly protested, her face reddening even more.
"Well, I expect so, he's always on his own," Amy went on to say, "He doesn't talk to many people, and with that permanent scowl and bad temper, you can see why."
"He seems alright to me, the dude's just quiet," Noah remarked, in Daryl's defence.
Amy made a face, "Quiet or rude?"
Beth looked back in Daryl's direction again, to see he was no longer looking over.
"He's a jackass, he doesn't like anyone," Amy stated. "But, looks like he might like you, Bethy," she teased, knocking Beth's arm with her drink, laughing loudly.
Beth shook her head embarrassed, laughing a little too. Unable to stop her eyes flickering back over to where Daryl was stood, to see their laughter had caught his attention and he was staring over again.
She quickly stopped laughing, feeling awkward, not wanting him to think she was some silly giggly girl.
"So, you coming to Randall's party then?" Amy said, changing the subject, downing her drink.
"I'd love to, but I've got work tomorrow and I'm not really feeling in the party mood," Beth explained hesitantly.
"Zach will be there," Amy said, grinning and raising her eyebrows.
"I am so over Zach," Beth responded, rolling her eyes, remembering how he still hadn't called, not that she actually cared anymore.
"Fine, well, we'll just have to have all the fun without you then," Amy said, leaning over to kiss Beth quickly on the cheek, gesturing to Noah to follow her, as he hugged Beth briefly, and put his hand up to say goodbye as they left.
...
Once they were gone, Beth looked over to see Daryl was still stood on his own. Feeling brave she wondered whether she should go up and say hello. That was what you did at parties after all, she thought, and she may have brushed off Amy's teasing, but she couldn't help but notice that her friend had been right, Daryl had been looking over earlier on.
Setting her drink down, and throwing her long glossy blonde hair behind her shoulders, she took a deep breath, working up the courage to head his way, when she stopped, noticing Carol Peletier approaching him instead. The older woman still had the same sunglasses on from earlier, and she looked to be immediately locked into a deep conversation with the rough and handsome deputy. He was looking at her giving her his full attention, and she touched his arm and smiled, causing him to smile slightly too. Beth had never seen him smile before, but it suited him, it was ever so subtle but it made his eyes twinkle, and she looked away to head inside the house instead, to see if Andrea needed any help with tidying up.
...
The natural light was fading fast as Beth made her way back to her car alone. She folded her arms against her chest as she walked, wearing just another short sundress with her brown boots, she was starting to feel a little exposed as she realised there was no-one around. Most people having left the party before her. Shivering a little, she wondered whether perhaps she should have joined Amy and Noah after all. Seeing as she was about to just head home to get into her pyjamas and watch television on her own again.
Pressing the button on her keys, she watched the lights flash on her car as she strode up to it. The same car she'd had ever since she had learned to drive.
As she got closer she noticed to the left of her car, parked up against an adjacent wall there was a motorcycle, and leaning up against it, smoking a cigarette was Daryl again. He looked deep in thought as usual, gazing straight ahead as he silently blew smoke into the night air.
He turned his head, alerted by her presence.
This was the third time Beth had seen him that day, and the third time blood had suddenly pumped around her body at an alarming speed. She knew this time she had to say something to him, feeling his eyes resting on her, as she walked past him.
"Hi," she said, peeking at him through her long eyelashes, giving him a shy smile. Feeling a familiar swirl of butterflies at the intense way he seemed to be studying her through his narrow eyes.
"Hi," he mumbled back, lowering his cigarette, sweeping at his hair with his fingers.
Beth wondered whether she should stop and start a longer conversation with him. She wanted to. She thought about what Amy had said earlier, that he was alone most of the time. This both confused and excited her. There was no denying Daryl Dixon was very good looking, in a rough and sexy kind of way. In his sheriff's deputy job too, he must have women throwing themselves at him all the time. But for some reason, this didn't seem to be the case, and Beth wondered why.
She gulped, about to say something else, but the words dried on her tongue. He really wasn't the kind of guy that it was easy to start a conversation with, so instead she smiled politely at him again, before opening the door to her car and sliding in behind the wheel.
Turning the key in the ignition she was painfully aware he was still watching her every move as she silently willed her car to start smoothly, it could be a little temperamental at times and was well overdue a service. 'Come on', she muttered under her breath, as the engine spluttered and died. Turning the key again, she felt her face heat up with embarrassment as she tried in vain to start up the engine.
Eventually, after the third attempt, she slowly undid her seatbelt and stepped out of the car. Wondering if maybe she had a flat battery, and whether she should call her dad or Glenn to come out and rescue her, or maybe even head back to Rick and Andrea's house, and see if they had any jump leads.
"You okay?" She heard Daryl say in a gruff voice, from where he was still stood up against his motorcycle smoking.
"Oh, I just can't get it to start, maybe it's a flat battery or something," Beth said biting her lip with an awkward smile, trying not to make too big a deal out of it she let out an embarrassed laugh, feeling for the second time that day like an idiot in front of him.
"Pop the hood," he ordered, marching straight up to the front of her car.
Beth nodded slowly in response, a little taken aback at how forceful he was.
She slipped back in to the drivers seat again, pressing the button for him her hand shook slightly as she wound down the window to poke her head out. She could see the top of his dark hair, as his head bobbed up and down and he fiddled around in her engine for a few minutes, before he raised his hand, "Start it up," he said loudly, looking up at her, his cigarette still dangling out of his mouth as he met her eye.
'Okay," Beth said, turning the key again, and this time the engine started up immediately.
"Weren't the battery," he stated, taking a long drag on his cigarette, before pulling a red rag out of his back pocket to wipe his hands.
"Th-thanks," Beth stammered, unable to stop a wide grin from forming on her face.
He nodded, his lips twitching slightly, but his eyes still serious. "No problem," he mumbled, tossing his cigarette to the floor, stamping on the butt with his boot.
Beth wanted to say something else, but instead she found herself simply saying, " Well, night then."
"Night," he grunted in response. His face looking almost as though he wanted to say something further too, but was holding back.
After carefully checking her mirrors, Beth slowly started to pull away, when Daryl put his hand up abruptly to stop her.
She immediately halted, noticing him staring down at the side of her car.
"You got a flat," he muttered.
Beth undid her seatbelt for the second time that night, turning to get out of the car again, to see what he was looking at.
Opening the door, her bare legs crashed against the exposed skin of his left forearm from where he was crouched down examining her flat tire, causing an immediate tingle to rocket through her as she quickly jumped away from him.
"Sorry," she exclaimed, her cheeks glowing pink as she steadied herself against the side of the car.
"You got a spare?" He asked, ignoring her blushes, leaping to his feet, flicking his hair out of his eyes to take a good look at her properly.
His eyes were a perfect shade of river blue and Beth was a little taken aback for a moment at how deep they were.
"Umm..yes," she forced herself to reply, looking away from his intense gaze she glanced down to see he was right, her front tire did look distinctly flat. She moved to the trunk of her car to locate the spare tire, jack and flashlight, her dad had made sure she always carried around with her at all times in case she got into trouble.
"Shouldn't be driving round with a tire like that," he lectured, as he crouched down again, setting to work loosening the nuts on the wheel.
When he'd finished he held his hand out and without speaking Beth passed him the jack.
She quietly watched his muscular arms flexing as he quickly jacked the vehicle up and off the ground, then removed the flat tire with ease, stopping every few seconds to toss his hair out of his eyes as he worked in silence.
Beth was unable to tear her eyes away from the sight of him doing in minutes what would most probably have taken her hours. Her father had insisted on showing both Beth and Maggie how to change a flat tire, making them do it whilst he stood and watched. But Beth was glad she didn't have to go through the humiliation of trying to remember exactly how to do it again now.
Her eyes instead remained glued to Deputy Dixon's back, as he changed it for her instead. She couldn't help but notice the outline of a tattoo poking out of the side of his leather vest. It looked like it could be a a devil's horn, and next to that there was what appeared to be the tip of a thick scar. It reminded Beth, despite being a man of the law now, he was also Merle Dixon's brother and she presumed at one point that his past must have been a lot more colourful than it was now.
She moved back slightly as he suddenly stood up, catching her eye straight on again from where she was still stood directly behind him with her arms folded close to her chest. The night was drawing in and she was starting to feel goosebumps on her exposed flesh. He didn't say anything as he walked past her, over to the trunk of her car, lifting the heavy spare tire out.
"You got that flashlight?" He mumbled, as he placed the new tire on to the lug bolts.
Beth nodded, "Sure," she replied, moving closer to him, holding it in his line of vision.
"A little closer," he said patiently, his voice slightly softer.
Beth edged closer, feeling another tingle hitting her at how close she was to him now, as she continued to shine the bright light out for him.
From afar, he could look a little greasy sometimes, but up close the products in his hair smelled of mint with a hint of vanilla. She wanted to press closer to him, but she knew she had to keep a little distance.
She studied his hands as he re-placed and tightened all the lug nuts. He had such careful, attention to detail, and she couldn't help but notice how nice his hands were, his palms were big and his fingers were long with strong looking knuckles.
"Done," he said, back on his feet again.
"Thanks," Beth said again, smiling at him, her eyes sparkling.
"Shouldn't be getting any more problems," he added, wiping his hands on his rag again.
"Aren't you going to lecture me about not letting it happen again, deputy?" Beth said shyly, biting down on her glossy lower lip as she looked straight at him.
His lips twitched in to a faint smirk, and he shrugged. His deep blue eyes locked with her brighter blue ones. She felt an immense rush of attraction, and she wondered if he felt it too.
"Well, I guess, I'll be on my way then," she said, tucking some of her blonde hair behind her ear.
"Want me to follow you back, make sure you get there okay?" He asked seriously, concern appearing on his face.
Beth felt herself blushing again at his question, her gaze still fixed on him, "Oh, no, I'll be fine. I don't want to put you to any trouble," she said, her pulse thumping in her chest as she wondered if he knew how far out of town her family farm was.
"Aint no trouble," he mumbled, shrugging at her again.
"No, really, I'll be fine, I have my phone," she said politely, still smiling. The last thing she wanted to do was be a burden to him, or have him see her as even more of a damsel in distress.
"Suit yourself," he said abruptly, stepping back away from her, his body language stiffening slightly.
Still unable to hide her pink cheeks, Beth couldn't help but feel even more tingly at the thought of him following her home.
"Thank you, again," she said, getting back into her car, starting the engine up perfectly this time.
...
'Thank you,' Beth thought to herself, as she drove through the dark and deserted country roads back to the farm.
'That was all I could say, thank you,' she thought, annoyed with herself.
He had been right there in front of her, she could at least have offered to buy him a drink or something, that wouldn't have been too forward. That was just what you were meant to say when someone helped you out, wasn't it? She thought some more, analysing every last part of their interaction.
Something had stopped her from saying anything like that to him though. He seemed so quiet and aloof all of the time, she was unsure exactly how he would have taken it. So instead she had simply thanked him, smiled and driven off.
Beth then thought to his offer to follow her home. She could tell he had said it out of nothing but concern for her, and that single thought brought a small smile to her lips. He wasn't the jackass people thought he was, underneath his gruff exterior, he was actually a nice guy. The kind of guy that wanted to make sure a girl got home okay.
She turned up the radio as a song she liked came on, and she drove on, humming to herself.
Glancing into the rear view mirror, a little further back in the distance she could suddenly make out a single bright light creeping up behind her. The smile on her lips increased, as she realised it could only be the light from a motorcycle…..
A/N - Thanks for reading! I would love to hear a review if you have time. It has also been suggested to have a chapter from Daryl's POV, so I am planning to write that next! :)
