A/N When I started this fic I had a plan. Well plans have changed and I now have to just go with it. Three parts have turned into a multi-chapter fic that will end when it's ready. I don't suppose that's a bad thing. I mean y'all are enjoying reading it right? So just bear with me, please! Beth and Daryl can be complicated. They need a little more time to figure this all out! Thank you so much for all the love!

Daryl wakes up Sunday morning with a headache and a sore body. He's on his couch covered with a blanket and from what he can tell so far, no Beth. Groaning he tries to stretch, but immediately regrets it. His ribs ache like, well like he's been kicked. And even though he knows it's kind of ridiculous he wishes she'd stayed.

He sits up slowly, rubbing his eyes and probing at his split lip with the tip of his tongue. It's crusted over with dried blood and he figures he must look like hell. Maybe a hot shower and a toothbrush will make him feel a bit more human and a little less pathetic. By the time he hobbles to the bathroom some of the stiffness has eased up and he feels like maybe he'll survive. Once the small room is filled with steam he undresses, kicking the clothing behind the door and steps under the spray of water. And it feels so damn good he wishes he had room to stretch out and just sleep here all day. Then he wonders if Beth could fit in the tub with him if she'd even want to and this causes his body to react in ways he'd rather not deal with right now. He tilts his head forward and lets the water from the shower head pound on the back of his neck. He lets his hand brush up against his hard cock and then he just feels guilty because he could stand here under the hot spray and come up with plenty of scenarios that involve Beth and this particularly annoying part of his anatomy, but he isn't gonna do that. He wants to, and he knows it would feel good, extremely good. But Beth left last night and something about that makes this right here wrong.

Instead, he does what he came to do, he lets the water work it's magic on his aching body. It does seem to help somewhat cause he's standing here in a towel brushing his teeth and his body is cooperating without too many complaints. The toothpaste is making his lip sting though and he tastes blood. Dabbing at it with a washcloth he heads back into the kitchen for an ice pack. Which he finds already made and waiting in the freezer. She must've left it for him. And this little bit of whatever it is gives his heart wings and he smiles and holds the icepack to his lip, that's bleeding again.

The first aid kit is on the counter and he reaches for it thinking maybe a gauze pad'll help with the bleeding. He slides it across the counter and a sees the cursive writing on the notepad next to it, sees her name before he even reads it. She left a note. Now his heart is like those crazy little birds he's seen in the pet shop, bouncing around inside his ribcage. And even though he has a foot-shaped bruise on said rib cage, those little birds flying around inside it don't seem to hurt it one bit.

X X X

Beth doesn't have a headache when she wakes up. But she does have an ache of another kind. The dreams she had about Daryl Dixon should be making her blush three different shades of pink, but they don't, well not much anyway, but she is flushed. She rolls over in bed mentally kicking herself for leaving him last night. She could have stayed, curled up on the other end of the couch and woke up to him. But with her luck, she would have been talking (or moaning) in her sleep and saying his name or something equally embarrassing. So coming home might have been the best choice.

She gets up and makes coffee, wondering if he found her note. Maybe he'll text or call... Shoot! She remembers that they've never exchanged numbers. Ever. Why haven't they? How's he going to let her know he still wants to hang out on his couch next weekend? And what about asking how he's feeling? She can't even do that! Rick is friends with Daryl. Last night on the drive home he had teased her about what was going on between the two of them, but ultimately he approved. He said they 'fit' and he had just smiled and something about that smile made her wonder, but it did make her feel good because she trusted Rick's judgment.

She picks up her cell phone and finds Rick's contact. Typing a quick message she pushes send and sits the phone on the table. Her eyes kept drifting to the screen, waiting for it to light up. After waiting what feels like forever she reluctantly gets up and heads towards that bathroom. But a small chime from her phone has her spinning on her heel and plopping back in the chair at her little kitchen table. Looking down at the screen and reading the text, she groans.

R- I don't know, didn't he give you his number? Maybe he doesn't want you to have it?

A few seconds after that one.

R- ;)

B- Rick! I thought you were my friend?

R- I am, but you never took me up on my offer a couple years back to get a drink.. why not? Maybe I'm jealous.

B- Seriously? You're like my older bro/dad/uncle thing..

R- Thanks.. a lot. By the way, Daryl is my age so... he like your daddy too?

B- Shut up! You have an amazing girlfriend now.

R- That's right, I do. I guess it all worked out... Okay, 4896246. You're welcome..

Beth shakes her head and smiles, but her smile falters when she realizes she has Daryl's number, right here in her phone and she can call him. She can call him? No, she can't. She'll text. But that's ridiculous. She has his number and she should call and tell him Rick gave it to her because he was asleep before she could get it. The uncertainty over Daryl's reaction to her calling him outweighs her desire to actually call, to hear his voice again. She'll wait until Monday or maybe Tuesday to actually make that call. Because what if he isn't interested like she's interested? That would be so hard, she's already too far gone. She really likes him and that's scary. They fit that's how it feels to her and for the first time ever she feels like this is something special. But, she's still unsure so she leaves her phone on the table and heads in to take a shower.

X X X

Monday was a complete failure. He probably should have called in and stayed in bed, but he didn't. He wasn't very productive and Caesar, the owner of the garage sent him home early. He ate, did a couple of shots and called it a day. His head hit the pillow and he thought he'd pass out, but he was thinking about Beth and how it felt to kiss her, hold her face in his hands and how she smiled and everything seemed better. He can't believe he never got her number. He falls asleep and dreams about his cellphone ringing and it's Beth calling, but he can't answer. Tuesday comes and Daryl is still sore and grumpy. He didn't sleep worth a shit. He's short with the other guys at the shop and tries his best to keep to himself and they, in turn, leave him alone. When he finishes the bike he's working on (a day early) he decides to take off. He needs groceries and more whiskey.

"Hey, Martinez, I'ma head out. Bike's done. Think I need ta sleep." Martinez is a good guy and boss. Daryl doesn't want to mess things up between them. But Martinez just smiles and shakes his head.

"I heard about what happened. Fuckin' Merle. He's lucky he has you! Bike's done? Shit, you blow my mind, Dixon. You sure you're alright? Needa couple days?" That's Martinez, he's a good guy. He always makes Daryl feel appreciated.

"Nah, I'll be fine. See ya in the mornin'." Daryl feels a little lighthearted after talking to his boss and he thinks about the weekend. And his couch. He doesn't have Beth's number, but he'll find her. He knows where she's at most weekends. This thought makes him smile as he pulls out of the parking lot.

X X X

Beth is standing in the parking lot of the Kroger with her arms wrapped around her waist. Her car is sideways in the lane with a flat tire and broken headlight and the owner of the truck that caused the damage is having a fit as he walks around his vehicle which is in much better shape than her little car. She can taste the blood on her lip where she bit it. She bit it because she's nervous and frustrated and already an emotional mess.

The bag boy collecting carts recognized her and ran in and grabbed the manager Carol and she is currently standing with Beth and a few other customers listening to the guy rant and rave.

"You sure you're okay Beth? I can call an ambulance." Carol lives in town, has gone to the same church as Beth and her family for years. In fact, Hershel was one of the members of the community who finally got Carol the help she needed to deal with her abusive husband.

"I'm okay-" Beth smiles weakly but she's interrupted by the other driver, he's yelling at her and Carol steps in a little closer to her.

"I can't believe this! Weren't you paying attention?" He's probably the same age as Beth and he's shaking his head and pulling out his cell phone.

"I'm, I'm so sorry I just, I didn't see you." Beth hates that she sounds so weak.

"You backed out of that spot like it was on fire son! It's not this young lady's fault. I saw it all." An older gentleman joined Carol and Beth where they stood.

"Oh yeah? I think you need glasses, old man!" The guy is yelling now and a small crowd has gathered. Beth is wishing he'd just give her his information and leave her alone. She's had a horrible morning and she just wants to go home. Her eyes fill with tears she's been fighting as she looks at her car and realizes she can't just go home.

"Shit there isn't a thing wrong with your truck dude?" The bag boy is brave enough to get close to the irate man.

"Oh yeah, well-" Beth suddenly hears her name. A familiar voice is calling her name.

"Beth?! What the..?" Daryl is coming up between the parked cars. Daryl. He's here.

"Daryl?" Beth watches him as he makes his way towards her and when he's close enough she moves into the circle of his arms that he holds out to her.

"Ya alright? What happened?" He lifts her chin and looks closer at her face. His blue eyes are full of concern and she just wants to bury herself in his arms and forget this whole day. "Yer bleedin', Beth?"

Angry truck guy takes that as his cue to butt in. He doesn't realize what he's done until it's too late. He's at least a head shorter than Daryl, but he must have some pretty big cajones because he gets right up in Daryl's face. For a minute.

"She your wife?"

"She's my girl. I suggest ya fuckin' back off right now." Daryl doesn't even have to raise his voice. This time that sexy growl is menacing. The guy steps back, his face paling in Daryl's shadow.

"She hit my car.." He stutters raising an arm limply towards his truck.

"It didn't happen like that. I saw it all. Your girl there she's not at fault." The older gentleman nods at Daryl. Then an argument ensues between the crowd and the driver. He's not so vocal anymore and he keeps looking over at Daryl.

Daryl pulls Beth off to the side and she tries to take a deep breath and calm herself down, but it's just too much. Her morning dealing with an injured horse that had to be put down pushed her to her limits and then this whole fiasco, and wait a minute, did he just tell that guy she was his girl?

"Daryl, I…" But she can't even continue. She's at her breaking point and she's gonna let him take over.

"Com'ere. I got ya." He's solid and warm and she can hear his heartbeat where her face is pressed up against his chest. He has a hand on her back and one on her head and she can feel herself calming down. She thinks for a minute, but only a minute about how absolutely crazy it is that being in Daryl's arms is the thing that's calming her. She pushes back a little so she can see his face and he's squinting in the sunlight, glaring at the driver of the truck. Beth glances over and sees the sheriff's cruiser pull up, lights flashing.

"Oh great.. Daryl, I wasn't at fault. I know it! I was upset about a call I just left, but I wasn't.." He's got her hand in his and he's rubbing his thumb over her knuckles.

"Hey don't worry 'bout nothin'. Ya got witnesses and now ya got Rick to help." He nods in the direction of the cruiser. The other driver is standing with Officer Grimes, flailing his arms around surely exaggerating the entire accident and trying to pin it on her. After writing something in a small notebook Rick makes his way over to Beth and Daryl.

"Beth, you okay?" His eyes go right to her lip where it's bleeding. Just like Daryl's had.

"I bit it, my lip. Wasn't from the accident." Beth said blushing a little. But Daryl's hand hasn't left her back and she takes a deep breath. "Whatever that guy told you isn't the truth. I don't think it's my fault at all." Beth said firmly.

"There's witnesses too, old guy over there saw it." Daryl gestures to the kind man who came to Beth's defense.

"Well there'll be an investigation, that's just standard procedure, but the guy has multiple infractions and you've got witnesses so I wouldn't worry about it, Beth. I'm just glad you're not hurt. Might have to get Daryl and go kick that guy's ass!" He's smiling, but Beth knows he's somewhat serious and next to her Daryl is nodding his head in agreement. And this just overwhelms her, them both being so sweet and that brings back the tears.

"Hey... it's all good. Com'on Beth. Don't cry." Daryl pulls her in close again and she doesn't feel so dumb for breaking into sentimental tears because he's doing this and it really is all good right here in his arms. She won't let her nagging uncertainty about his feelings for her take away from the moment.

"I had an awful morning and then this happened.. I just want to go to bed and start all over again." She wraps her arms around him and the muscles in his back flex at her touch and she likes how that feels, how it makes her feel. Her tummy is doing all kinds of somersaults and she really is feeling better.

"Well, you can't do that! I'm gonna be off the clock in 5 minutes. How about I go change and we have a drink?" Rick is smiling a big goofy smile and it makes Beth laugh so, of course, she isn't gonna say no, besides that means she'll be with Daryl.

A tow truck pulls up and Rick flags the driver down.

"I called for a tow. Where do you want it taken? You're gonna have to have some repairs." Rick is looking at her and she doesn't even know where to suggest taking the car.

"Ummm.." she begins and Daryl interrupts.

"Take it ta my shop. Caesar won't cheat ya. Hell, I'll take care of it myself. And I can get ya home later." Daryl says. This time she doesn't let it get to her she just nods and squeezes his hand. She's learning that it's best not to make a big deal of anything with Daryl. He doesn't like being put on the spot, but he does like to help and take care of his friends and family.

With that taken care of and Rick off to change his clothes, Daryl asks Beth if they can run into the Kroger for a few things.

" 'S why I came here." He's blushing for some reason as if the fact that he goes to the grocery store is some big secret. Beth thinks it's cute. Daryl might not appreciate that she thinks so, but it is.

"Sure. Whatever you need. I just appreciate you helping me." She smiles up at him and her cheeks are aching and she's hoping she doesn't look as dorky as she feels.

The automatic doors swish open and the smell of fresh produce envelopes her as she walks in beside Daryl. Carol is at the little customer service counter just inside and she calls out to Beth.

"Everything go okay?" Beth sees the concern in the woman's blue eyes and she nods. "Hey, Daryl! You didn't beat that guy up did ya?" Now she's smiling a mischievous smile and Daryl snorts.

"I ain't Merle! But I woulda, if I had ta." He side eyes Beth and she can see that the tips of his ears sticking out of his hair are slightly pink. He grabs a small basket and they weave in and out of the produce bins.

"You know Carol?" Beth asks.

"M'hm. Fixed her car for her a couple times an' she comes around the bar occasionally. Merle's always trying ta get her ta go out with 'em, but she's smart. Shuts him down." He grabs a bunch of bananas and an avocado. Beth notices this right away because avocados happen to be her favorite. They are headed down the dairy aisle when Beth finally works up the nerve to tell him something else she was thinking about out there in the parking lot when he was being so good to her.

"Daryl, um I was gonna-" Suddenly a woman's voice screeches Daryl's name and a very curvy, tall, blonde rushes up and wraps her arms around him, practically digging her long, bright, red nails into his biceps. "Where ya been? It's been too long! How's your brother?" Beth notices that the woman is pretty, kind of flashy, but still attractive. She also notices how Daryl's face turns almost as red as her nails and he immediately puts a hand on the woman's shoulder and backs away from her.

"Hey, Andrea. Merle's the same ole Merle. I been kinda busy." He doesn't quite look her in the eye when he talks to her.

"Heard y'all were hanging out at a new bar?" She flutters her eyelashes, just like the girls Beth was intimidated by in high school. They were mean and nasty, but they always got the boys. She knew there was more to it and she knew she wasn't that kind of girl.

"Mhmm." It's then that this Andrea person turns her attention to Beth, although Beth is quite certain that she noticed her right from the start. Girls and women like her worked this way.

"Oh hi, I'm Andrea." She holds out a hand to Beth and even though Beth wants to slap it away she takes it and shakes it politely.

"Hi, I'm Beth." They stand there for a couple of seconds and it's getting awkward when Daryl finally musters up whatever it was he needed to to speak.

"Nice ta see ya Andrea, but we gotta go." And he puts his hand on Beth's elbow and steers her around Andrea and down the aisle.

"Bye Daryl! Don't be a stranger. Nice to meet you, Betty!" Beth stiffens at that and she's tempted to turn back, but Daryl is walking even faster now and she can see how tense his jaw is. She moves her arm back to her side and she isn't sure why his touch is kind of annoying her right now, but it is. She looks over at him and he's stopped walking and he looks a little uncomfortable.

"She ain't nobody." He kind of grunts this and shrugs then starts walking again slowly, waiting for her to join him.

"She's gotta be somebody." She isn't exactly jealous, but it's obvious this whole thing has him flustered and she wonders why. She doesn't know if it's appropriate to ask anything else and she doesn't really know if she wants to know. Suddenly all the uncertainty she had on Sunday when she decided not to call or text him, comes rushing back.

Daryl finishes grabbing the few things he needed, wondering the entire time what Beth was thinking about Andrea practically knocking him over. She didn't say much, but he felt like she kind of pulled back after that. And she's been quiet since then. They head to the registers, or he heads that way and she follows. He slows down until she's beside him.

"Ya need anything?" he asks looking at her, trying to read what's on her face. But he is shit at this. Just like he told her. He is getting a weird vibe though and it doesn't feel very good.

"No Daryl. You've done enough for me." Beth does look at him and she does smile, but he isn't sure it reaches her eyes. Okay, well he'll fix it. They'll go relax, have a few drinks with Rick and he'll figure out how to make this awkward situation okay. He hopes. God, he really hopes he can fix it.