A/N Is it Saturday on Friday? It must be! Thanks to all of you for reading, commenting and following here, or on tumblr or FB or for just randomly showing up :) I appreciate it so much.

Let's see now, when we left our couple they were just getting their clothes back on after their "swim," and Sweet Beth Greene informed Daryl Dixon she'd be staying at his place Tuesday night. We'd better check in.

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He didn't just have one reaction to her statement he had a few. But he was keeping them to himself as best he could. What he said was, "Yeah okay great. I get home about 5:15 most days. We can have some dinner, whatever."

What he was thinking was he was dumbass for ever having extended the invitation. This had trouble written all over it. Big trouble. It wasn't that he didn't want her with him, to the contrary that was right where he wanted her – the closer her body was to his the better. And that of course was the problem.

He wanted her anytime and anyplace he could have her. But he was trying to come from a place of honor. He was too much older and he'd had his share of experiences. If she'd already been around some then maybe it wouldn't be such a big deal, but this sweet young woman hadn't been around at all, no matter how spicy she liked to act.

He tried to change the subject and get his mind busy working on something else, "Let's try shootin' that bow Baby. We gotta see how tough ya are."

He said it with a smile and she didn't feel pressured, even though she had no confidence at all about even being able to even pick it up. She took in a deep breath and made a show of flexing her muscles for him; trying to look and sound like a tough guy when she told him, "No problem at all."

He was biting back a smile as he nodded and handed her the big bow. He kept a good hold on it though, it weighed over 70 pounds and he figured she'd weigh in at about 110. "See there Baby? Nothin' to it."

"My gawd Daryl it weighs a country ton even with you doing most of the lifting."

"Well it ain't meant for a small person like ya are, it's meant more for some guy my size." He didn't bother telling her there were women out there who could handle it. This was supposed to be about a good time, not about busting her chops.

"I tell ya what, how bout for today I load and cock it and you just get use to the trigger action. Alright?"

"Okay but can I watch you shoot it a couple of times first so I can see all the steps?" The big weapon was intimidating and she was also worried about looking like a complete fool in front of him.

"Yeah, yeah sure."

He stuck a target on a tree and then took the bow from her. He loaded and cocked it, then lifted it to eye level and zeroed in. She didn't see a lot of any of that though, or hear much of what he was explaining to her. She was too busy watching his arms in action. Then she heard that arrow sing when he pulled the trigger and watched as it hit the target dead center. "Holy Mole Daryl that was so awesome!" What it was as far as she was concerned was a perfect example of a super hot man being super hot.

He smiled, "Well thanks, now ya ready to try?"

"Could you just do that one more time? I think I'd feel better if I saw it again." She was sure it wouldn't bother her one bit to stand there all day and watch him shoot that bow.

"Alright, one more time Baby and then it's your show. This time try and watch what I'm doin' instead of just checkin' me out." She thought she'd die right then. He totally called her out. But the way he smiled when he did made it not so bad. Not bad at all.

She went with it and with her hand on her hip she smiled and told him, "Quit looking so good and I'll stop watching."

He leaned down and kissed her, "I'm never gonna be able to win the war of words with ya am I?"

"Probably not but I'm sure you'll always win the weightlifting contests."

"Alright Sassy that's enough a that. C'mere and stand in front a me." He held the bow at his side while she did what he said. The fact he could lift the bow with one hand made her certain there was no one stronger than him. She moved to stand in front of him and face the target. She was glad he couldn't see her face when he instructed, "Now back in just a little closer to me Baby."

He easily moved the bow around until it was in front of her. Although he never let go of it he had her hold it like she was doing this on her own. "Put your finger on the trigger. If ya watched at all ya saw where I sighted it in. It's your turn now so keep both eyes open when ya take aim."

He didn't know how much longer he could give this lesson before it turned into something that wasn't an archery lesson at all. "Okay Baby now squeeze." She did and the arrow flew but it didn't hit the target or even come close to it.

"Oh no, I did awful." He watched as her pretty smile turn into a full-on pout.

"Nah ya did good. The arrow flew nice n straight you was just over a little too far to the left. C'mon and try again."

He didn't plan to have her try too many more times. She was too damn close to him, too damn pretty and he was having way too much trouble concentrating. Then he said it. He was usually a quiet guy, not a lot of talking but around her he managed to just keep saying things he shouldn't. It was like those words had a will of their own and they just came spilling out whenever they wanted. "If I wasn't leavin' soon I'd get ya a bow that's sized just right for you. You'd have the hang of all this in no time."

She couldn't believe it. It was so sweet and thoughtful and it was loving, and it was breaking her heart. How could she care so much so fast? She had no clue. She simply answered, "Oh that would be so much fun." And she really did think that it would be and that thought only made her feel worse.

They were both quiet for a minute while everything that had happened or had been said sunk in. Then he hurried and loaded the bow again and tried to sound like it was all no big deal, "Alright then let's see if you can get a little closer to the target this time. Remember keep both eyes open when ya sight it in."

She pulled the trigger again, got a lot closer but still not close at all, and it was too much for him. He set the bow down where they stood and wrapped his arms around in front of her. "He was kissing the back of her neck and sucking on her ear lobe while he whispered, "Ya don't know how bad I don't wanna leave ya."

She reached her arm up and behind her and touched his face with an open palm, "You don't know how bad I don't want you to go."

There was a lot of heavy kissing, a lot of back and arm rubbing and some serious bun squeezing, but he didn't let it go any further. It was killing him slowly but he was determined it couldn't happen. He'd never get over the guilt.

They stopped at an outdoor shop on their way back to his place where he insisted on buying her some hiking boots and a couple pair of thick socks. "These will treat ya a lot better out in them woods than your cowboy boots. Those are barhoppin' boots, that is if you was even old enough to go barhoppin'."

"Well you just wait until I am Daryl Dixon, I'm going to be out hopping bars every night."

He wanted to laugh at her misuse of the phrase but he didn't, and he didn't correct her. She was too damn cute to be corrected. "Yeah well I'd like to be around to see that."

And there it was again, ugly reality interfering with their good time. They were both trying so hard to let this just be fun and lighthearted and romantic. But they couldn't help feeling that dark and heavy undercurrent of sadness.

He felt unhappy enough that he was thankful when as they were almost to his place her Mama called. She told her girl she and Daddy really wanted her to come home that evening. It seems Daddy missed her and Mama needed help making sweet rolls for the church social hour the next morning.

Beth was disappointed but she'd been getting away with a lot and thought it best not to push her luck. She told another one of those "harmless lies" when she answered, "Oh, okay Mama I'm always happy to help you. We've been out running around, you know shopping and stuff. So let me get back to Amy's and get my things and then I'll be home."

She was sad, not wanting to say goodbye to him. He was just as sad and disappointed but there was the relief. He didn't know if he could take the pressure much longer, as good as it was to be together it was also its own kind of torture.

He drove her to Amy's and he had her in his arms the minute he pulled over to the curb. He was already having second thoughts about the relief he'd felt earlier when her Mama called. "Gonna miss you tonight baby. Who's gonna be givin' me sass if you ain't with me?"

"I don't know but whoever it is I hope it's not a female."

"Now don't be talkin' shit like that Baby, ya gotta know you're more'n I can handle."

They kissed and held each other extra tight and it was a tough goodbye. He walked her to the door, leaned in for one last kiss and said, "Text me later and lemme know when I can see you again."

She just nodded and he thought she had a tear in her eye, but no, that couldn't be. Could it?

The minute she was in Amy's apartment and he was back in the truck a few of those tears of hers fell. Amy hugged her and tried to give some comfort, "Maybe he'll change his mind and not go at all."

"I don't think so Amy, he already bought a house there and everything."

While she tried to straighten up her look, so she didn't appear to have been playing half naked in the woods with a man her Mama and Daddy didn't care for, she gave Amy the short version of their day. Then she threw in the news of the plan for Tuesday night and Wednesday.

Amy squealed, "Oh my gawd Bethie when you finally get naughty you get extra naughty, with frosting!"

They went into a fit of giggles and then Beth squealed, "Oooo I have to check my phone. I was trying to be real sneaky and I think I managed to get some pictures of him when he was putting his clothes back on. Oh and a couple when he was loading and cocking the crossbow."

They stared at that little screen oohing and aahing over the pictures of Daryl Dixon's naked torso, and their eyes lingered quite a while on the picture of his arms as he cocked the bow. Much was said about just how sexy that man looked. "I'm so jealous Beth, I have to find myself a 28 year old well driller with every kind of muscle it's possible to have. Oh and he has to be hot and sexy."

"I hope you find him Amy because they really are the best." She told herself to not start feeling sad again, and to get her buns home before Mama had a fit.

He'd had a restless night but he kept himself busy Sunday morning. He cut his grass, did his laundry, tidied up around the place and had his shower. He was done with his chores and it was only eleven. He decided what the hell, he'd do a little more packing. He tackled the kitchen, leaving himself only the bare essentials for the next three weeks.

He was trying to decide what to do with himself next. It was still only one thirty and it seemed so quiet and lonely at his place. He wondered if he'd always been lonely and never realized it. No that wasn't it, it was her. He was lonely for Beth. Just as the thought crossed his mind the text alert on his phone buzzed, "I could come by for an hour or so. If you want."

"Want."

"20 minutes."

He was out front wiping down the chrome on the bike when she pulled up to the curb. When she saw that big machine she knew what was coming next and she couldn't wait, she practically flew out of the sedan and into his arms. "Are we going for a ride?"

"I thought we would if ya want to."

"Yes please."

They rode just as fast as he could get away with, and she held onto him just as tight as she was able. They were enjoying this time and the feeling of closeness, combined with the sense of freedom the bike gave them both. At least for a little while they didn't worry about the future.

He came by the diner Monday to grab a bite after work and what he said caught her completely by surprise. "I talked to Old Man Horvath today and told him I didn't wanna make the drive to Chattanooga and back all in one day. I's thinkin' it'd be a whole lot easier to just drive up there tomorrow after work, get a room and a good night's sleep. Ya still wanna go?"

She swallowed the lump in her throat and answered, "Yes I still want to. I already arranged to miss work tomorrow and Wednesday."

"Alright. I'll be leavin' work early tomorrow, can ya be at my place by say three thirty? Or I can pick ya up at Amy's. Whichever."

"I'll have Mama's car anyway, I might as well leave it in the driveway at your house."

"Perfect." He reached his hand across the counter and gave hers a squeeze. "See ya tomorrow Baby. Gonna miss ya tonight."

She smiled at him and made little kissing lips, "I already miss you."

And all he could think was "Fuck, what do I do now?"

He'd just stepped out of the shower when she arrived a few minutes after three, "Go ahead and make yourself comfortable I'm ready to go, I just gotta get dressed."

Watching him walk away with just that towel wrapped around his hips was giving her thoughts, like how fun it would be if that towel were to just slip off those narrow hips. That thought lead to other thoughts, and then she was thinking how she had no idea what might happen when they were in that hotel room alone together. She was excited and nervous but not worried. After what happened in the water Saturday she knew now he'd never make her do anything she wasn't ready to do.

When he rolled back the big tarp covering the pickup bed to stow their overnight bags, she was sad to see he'd also loaded some moving boxes. It was just another stab to her already wounded heart.

"We're ready Baby," He smiled as he said the words, opened her door and helped her up. He jumped up in his own seat, took her hand and squeezed it, "Chattanooga here we come."

They weren't on two lane for long before they hit I-75. He'd told her they'd be following it all the way to Chattanooga. They kept the chatter light and fun, both were determined this was going to be good, that they would try not to worry about the future, they'd just enjoy this time together.

They stopped at a restaurant somewhere near Macon for dinner. He wanted to be sure the tarp was still tight so while he was checking she thought she'd play on her phone for a few minutes, but when she reached in her purse the phone wasn't there. She must have forgotten it at home. It wasn't the first time she'd done that and she wasn't worried; the only person she really wanted to talk to was opening her door and helping her out of the truck.

They didn't take much time over dinner, they still had a long way to go and she could tell Daryl was anxious to get this part of the trip behind him. They finally arrived at the Doubletree Hotel in Chattanooga at ten o'clock Tuesday night. As he pulled in the lot he turned to her with a smile on his face, "They got a swimmin' pool just in case you're in the mood for some skinny dippin'." He made her laugh and that helped the case of nerves she was battling.

The room was so big and spacious. It was definitely the fanciest place she'd ever stayed. The truth was on the rare occasion her family traveled they never stayed anywhere other than with relatives. It was also the fanciest place he'd ever stayed. If he ever had to get a room it was usually in some ancient roadside motel. But when she'd decided to come with him he went online to find something a little nicer than the usual.

He carried up a small six-pack cooler along with their bags and stated, "That was one long ass drive Baby, I'ma have a beer. Ya want one, or a wine cooler? I brought ya some, or I can walk ta the machine and get ya a coke."

"I'll have the wine please."

They sat on the room's small sofa and he tilted his bottle to her in a toast, "Here's to road trips with pretty blonds."

She tilted hers to him and said, "Here's to being the lucky blond."

He finished his beer as he fidgeted with her hair, "It's been a long day and I'm ready for some sack time. I don't want ya feelin' nervous or afraid Baby. I told you before I ain't makin' ya do nothin' ya don't wanna do. I ain't expectin' nothin', k?"

"Okay."

He waited while she went in the bathroom and brushed her teeth, combed out her hair and washed her face. Then she put on the new nightie she'd bought just for this little trip. It was a simple sleeveless cotton gown with a pale pink background and tiny bright pink flowers. The square neck and the hem were both edged in lace. She didn't want to wear anything too revealing or suggestive, she just wanted to look nice for him. She was thrilled when she stepped from the bathroom and he told her, "You look real pretty Beth, ya always do. I'm a lucky guy."

When he came out of the bathroom he was wearing just a pair of gym shorts and in her eyes that was perfect. Whatever he wore didn't really matter, she loved the manly look of him and the smile he gave her. Those things along with the intense look from his blue eyes made her feel warm all over.

He honestly only planned on some sweet goodnight kisses and then holding her in his arms until she fell asleep. He switched off the bedside light and slipped into bed next to her, and those plans changed. He gently moved his arm under her, drew her close and his lips were on hers. It stayed at that for a few minutes, but then his hand went from playing in her hair to skimming along her arm and then her back, eventually landing on her hip. That's when he gently but firmly pulled her low body closer to his.

She wasn't raising any objections but still he pulled his mouth from hers just enough to ask, "You okay with this?"

"Yes."

His mouth went to her throat where he kissed and sucked lightly, the sensation of it causing her body to shiver just a little while at the same time she felt a warmth between her legs. His mouth slowly moved to her neck, up to her earlobe and down to her shoulders, while little by little his hand was sliding up under her gown.

It happened so quickly. She'd never had a man remove her clothing, but she thought he must know some magic trick because the gown was gone before she knew what had happened. He gently laid his hand on her cheek and looked in her eyes, "Tell me the truth now Baby, you still okay with this?"

She was nervous and maybe even a little afraid, but she didn't want him to stop. Even if this was only going to be a temporary situation there was something in her that just said she wanted her first time to be with Daryl Dixon. "Yes."

That was the word he needed to hear and his mouth was on her breast. As he nibbled lightly and sucked on her small breast, his strong hand pulled her low body even more tightly into his. That's when she felt it, just how aroused he was, it was unmistakable. The sensation of his hardness excited her, and she felt her back arch in reaction to it, while her breathing got faster.

Suddenly he stopped, he took his mouth from her breast and his hand from her hip. He looked at her with an expression that was both sad and serious, "I can't do this to you. I never wanted anyone like I want you Baby. I got real feelings for you though, that's why I gotta stop. I can't take from you what I got no right to take. You're too special to be treated that way."

He reached for her nightgown and handed it to her saying, "I'm sorry Beth, it's my fault. All I done is leave us both frustrated."

Beth still hadn't moved or spoken a word, because she had no idea what she was supposed to do or say. She was so confused, and as nervous as she'd been about what she thought was going to happen, now she was disappointed it didn't happen. And for reasons she didn't understand at all, she felt a little embarrassed. She didn't bother with the nightie, she just held it close to her and rolled over on her side, her back to him.

But she didn't resist him when he took her in his arms again. She wanted to feel his touch. His nose was nudging in her hair and his lips were next to her ear, he asked in a whisper, "Ya okay Baby?"

"Yes. I wasn't mad you know. I didn't tell you to stop."

"I know and I ain't mad either, and believe me Beth, I didn't wanna stop but I think it was right to."

He couldn't tell for sure but he thought maybe she might be crying. Shit, he thought to himself, I feel like crying too. He leaned his face forward just enough to kiss her cheek, then his lips went back next to her ear. Again he whispered to her softly, "It ain't that I don't want ya, shit Baby ya got no idea how bad I want ya. Too much. And it damn sure ain't that I don't care. If I didn't care I'da done just what I wanted to do, and I wouldn't have felt one bit guilty. But Baby I care too much to treat you that way."

His words should have bolstered her, made her feel fortunate that he did care so much. Instead they just broke her heart more. She didn't think she could speak so she just put her small hand on his and squeezed, while she moved her body back closer to his. He wrapped his arm around her tighter and they just lay there quietly.

The exhaustion from their very long day eventually won out over their emotions and they slept, waking in the morning with her still in his arms.

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A/N We're all frustrated! And geez I apparently got too wordy because I didn't get nearly as far in this chapter as I thought I would. Well next chapter we'll see the house and meet Merle for lunch, buy some furniture and make that long drive home. The chapter photo is on my tumblr blogs gneebee and bethylmethbrick, and I personally think it's HOT. I thank you all so much for reading along and I hope you'll take a moment to leave a comment / review. Also, if you're inclined please check out my other Bethyl WIP Long Love Story. Next week we're back to Saturday posting and I hope to see you then. Have a great week and remember, I love ya large! xo gneebee