So I decided to crank out another, very lengthy might I add (you're welcome), chapter for you guys! And might I just say, I am very proud of this chapter. It was really fun to write. It is really light hearted. And there's a special surprise for you lovelies at the end!;)
First things first:

K. Lynn Perks: Wow! Thank you! I'm so flattered. I'm really glad you're enjoying it!

AnnaBanana314: Darling! It's wonderful to hear from you! I'm so glad you like my story! I am working on my Bane/Evona story as we speak! The next chapter will be posted THIS WEEK! WOO! I hope it will be worth the wait! I was out sick for a while. A lot of medication problems. But I'm pretty sure we got it all sorted out! Thank you for your concern!:)

Katnthe Box: Thank you! I hope you enjoy this chapter! Let me know!

texasbelle91: You are so welcome my dear! I live to please my reviewers! I'm open to any suggestions or ideas! This chapter doesn't have any Rick POV, but I hope it is still to your liking. Let me know!

LeighAnnardo Da Vinci: I am so so so happy you like it! And I'm glad to hear that someone else has a guilty pleasure for Rick! I have loved his character ever since season one. Glad to know I'm not the only one! *sends high five*

And of course, to all who followed and favorited, THANK YOU! Don't think that I don't appreciate y'all because I do! It fuels the fire!

Disclaimer: I don't own Walking Dead or the characters. *cries silently in corner*

Enjoy!d

Chapter Four (Beth POV)

A few days have passed since my conversation with Carol. She had taken a habit of whenever Rick was around, she would playfully wiggle her eyebrows causing me to want to crawl into a hole and disappear. To this day I still can't figure out what possessed me to tell Carol my secret feelings for Rick. Even more so, she said it was cute. Of all things to describe it as, she decided on cute. It makes my stomach churn just thinking about it. I let out a huff as my inner turmoil raged within me, threatening to burst.

"What are you all huffy about?" Carl asked from next to me, currently rocking a sleeping Judith. How she longed to be her; just to be able to sleep without a care in the world.

"Just a lot on my mind is all," I said dismissively, hoping that he would get the hint that I didn't feel like talking about anything.

If only I were so lucky.

"Like what?" Carl asked, completely oblivious to my near bursting anxiousness.

"Why is everyone all the sudden so keen on knowin' my buisness?"

His eyes widened in surprise. "Woah, Beth. Sorry. Just trying to spark conversation. You've been so distant lately."

I let out a groan and buried my face in my hands. It's because I want to sleep with your father! My head screamed. I shook it off. "No Carl, I'm sorry. You didn't deserve that."

Carl shrugged and looked down at Judith. "Don't worry about it. I know what it's like."

No you don't. "What do you mean?"

"To keep something in that you don't want to share with anyone else. Like how I shot my momma. That bothers the hell out of me."

"Carl, watch your-"

"But I gotta forgive myself and move on," Carl kept on talking and ignored my attempt to scold. "Because if I don't, then I'll never survive in this world."

I looked at him for a moment contemplating these words. Carl had grown up so much since she had met him. He was 13, but he acted as if he was 23. Of course in the world we live in, you have no choice but to grow up fast and learn how to survive. "Move on," I repeated thoughtfully, more to myself than to him.

"That's right."

Move on. Those words seemed to echo in my head. If I wanted to show Carol that I can be a true adult, then the wise thing to do would be to move on from Rick.

And that's what I'm going to do.

(Still Beth POV)

We all sat around the table at dinner later on that day. I made funny faces at Judith while Carol was trying to feed her, earning a not so nice look from her making me laugh lightly. Suddenly Rick sauntered into the room, causing butterflies to flutter in my stomach.
Well that whole vendetta of 'moving on' lasted about two hours. I think that's a record.

I felt an elbow jab my ribs and I turned to see Carol looking at me smugly.

I rolled my eyes. And here I am thinking that I'm the one that has to grow up."Carol, I'm over it."

Her brow rose. "Over it?"

"Over it."

There was a pause and her eyes narrowed, scrutinizing my face.

"No you're not."

Okay maybe not, but I wasn't willing to tell her that. "How would you know?"

"I just know."

"You just know."

"I just know."

"Of course you do."

She smirked and looked back at Judith. Despite the situation, I couldn't help but smile in return. It was nice to be able to talk about it with someone, even though that someone didn't consider my feelings to be any more than a 'crush'. I know Carol meant well, and over the time we have spent together she has become sort of my replacement mother. I liked having her around.

"What are you two smilin' 'bout?"

I jumped in surprise as none other than Rick himself sat down next to me, earning myself another elbow jab to my ribs. I elbowed right back. "Nothin' of importance," I said curtly, turning back to my food and taking a bite.

"Really?" The look on Rick's face made it seem like he knew exactly what was going on, causing me to become uneasy.

I decided to ignore him and take another bite of my food.

"Ah, so you're ignorin' me now?" Rick said smirking.

I froze mid-bite and my eyes grew wide. I felt Carol shake next to me, attempting to stifle a laugh. I scowled and turned my attention to Rick. "I'm not ignorin' anyone."

His eyes flashed something dangerous. "Well just a few days ago I couldn't get you to keep your hands off of me."

Carol slowly turned to me with an unreadable expression.

I blushed furiously. "That's because I was smacking you back to your senses."

"That wasn't what I was talking about."

My heart nearly stopped when I realized he was talking about when I was straddling him in the store. I swallowed, realizing my throat has gone desert dry. "I nearly died. I was in shock."

"Mhm." Rick smirked and took a bite of food.

"What are you two talkin' about?" Carol cut in.

Rick chuckled and motioned for me to answer the question.

I scowled. "I gave him a hug was all." I turned towards Carol and she shot me a warning look that clearly said 'keep it that way'.

Well I'm not about to make any promises.

I shot a glare at Rick and got up before things escalated further than they already were. I washed my dishes from any remaining particles of food and put them away.

"Beth?"
I jumped and turned around to see Carl standing behind me with a small smile on his face. I couldn't help but smile back, considering the fact that Carl didn't smile much anymore, deciding that it was a thing to be cherished. "What's up?"

"Wanna hang out tonight?" The gruffness in his voice was all a façade and Beth could tell. Carl was still a kid inside, and he did everything in his power to hide it.

"Of course, Carl. Give me a moment? I'm gonna go see if I need t'do anything with Judith first."

He gave a short nod and walked towards his cell. I made my way back to Carol and letting out a groan when I saw Rick was still there.

"Hey, Carol," I said cutting into their conversation. "I'm gonna hang out with Carl tonight. There anythin' I need to do before I go?"

"You're hanging out with Carl?" Rick piped up.

"No I think I got it covered, Bethie." Carol said gently.

I suppressed a scowl at the nickname. "Alright. Thanks, Carol!" I gave her a quick kiss on the cheek before sauntering off to find Carl, completely ignoring Rick. There really isn't a reason why I'm ignoring him, but the possibility of it getting under his skin was quite enticing.

I didn't get far before I felt a hand gently grip my forearm. I turned around and smiled at the sight of Michonne. She was quiet and kind of a bitch sometimes, but she was good. After all, she was the one who sought them out and told them about Glenn and Maggie having been kidnapped, as well as bringing the baby food and such. She wasn't so bad.

"I'm goin' on a run," Michonne said quietly. "You need anythin'?"

I thought for a moment. "M&M's would be nice," I said thoughtfully. "Thanks, Michonne!"

"Nothin' else?" she asked suspiciously.

I furrowed my brow. "No…not that I can think of."

"No condoms?"

I gasped, jerking my arm out of her grasp. "What are you talkin' about?" I hissed, my eyes darting around making sure that no one heard.

Michonne smirked knowingly. "I've seen what's goin' on between you an' Rick. S'only a matter of time." My mouth gaped at Michonne's retreating form. Damn. That woman was observant. Too observant. "I'll get some for you just in case," she called over her shoulder.

I was unable to move. Unable to breathe for that matter.

"What's she gettin'? Maggie asked, suddenly appearing next to me.

I was still too flustered to speak, continuing to watch Michonne until she rounded the corner out of the cell block.

"Bethie! Did ya hear me?" Maggie stepped in my line of sight, finally snapping me from my reverie.

"Jus' never you mind. Do you know where Carl is?"

"His cell."

Maggie eyed me suspiciously as I walked past her towards to where Carl was, my mind still reeling over what just happened.

(Still Beth POV)

"Damn!" Carl slapped down his cards. "I got nothin'. You win again."

I smirked. "I told you I was a pro at Rummie." I gathered the cards and began to shuffle them once more. "Up for round six?"

Carl shook his head. "I'm tired of getting beat by a girl."

"You ain' lettin' no south'rn bell beat ya at cards are ya?" Daryl walked into Carl's cell and plopped down on the bed.

"As a matter of fact he is," I teased.

Carl scowled. "Am not! I'm letting her win!"

Daryl scoffed. "Sure ya are. Come on na', let's play some poker."

Glenn's head popped in the doorway. "Poker? Count me in! Let's take it out here where there's more room!"

"Any opportunity ta kick a Chinaman's ass," Daryl remarked, following Glenn.

"I'm Korean."

"Whatever."

I let out a giggle at the exchange between the two and made my way out of the cell. Daryl and Glenn took one of the tables and moved it from against the wall to the middle of the room to give people more room. Glenn jogged his way out of the cell block saying something about alcohol. Maggie, Daryl, Carl, and I sat around the table.

"Carl you know how to play?" I asked with surprise.

"Speak for yourself, southern bell," he retorted.

"I ain't no-"

"Look what I found earlier today!" Glenn suddenly reappeared with a wooden box of booze in tow. "Now the party can really get started!"

"Though' you weren' drinkin' no more?" Daryl smirked. "'Member wa' happened at the CDC?"

Glenn ignored Daryl and plopped the box down on the table triumphantly.

"Now wait a minute!" Maggie said smiling. "What happened at the CDC?"

"Glenn got drunk off his ass," Carl said smirking.

"Carl!" everyone said in unison.

"What?" He said, smiling genuinely. "It's true."

"Damn straight." Daryl fist bumped Carl while taking a long drink of Southern Comfort.

I decided to join in and grabbed the other bottle of Southern Comfort out of the box.

"Beth-" Maggie warned.

"Let tha girl have some fun," Daryl spoke up. "Damn."

"Daddy wouldn't-"

I cut Maggie off. "Dad is on watch tonight with Carol. What he doesn't know won't hurt him." I took a gulp of the drink and moaned as it burned going down my throat.

Maggie's face suddenly burst into a smile. "I was wonderin' when you were gonna break out of your shell."

I smiled and took another swig with a new found confidence. I already was feeling the buzz within my head.

"What's goin' on in here?" Rick came out of my cell, probably from laying Judith in her crib. I couldn't help but let my eyes rake over his body as I took another drink.

"We're playing poker!" Glenn said excitedly. "Wanna join?"

Rick smiled and shook his head. "Nah, I'll sit this one out." His brow furrowed when his eyes landed on me, or more so on the bottle of alcohol in my hand.

"We got alcohol," Glenn said in a playful tone, wiggling a bottle of beer in his hand.

Rick's eyes never left me. "I can see that."

Glenn shrugged. "Suit yourself."

I smirked and winked at Rick before taking yet another drink and picking up the cards that Glenn dealt in front of me. I'm probably going to regret that little flirtatious gesture in the morning, but not right now.

I threw my head back and let out a groan. "Damn. These cards suck."

"Woah!" I heard Daryl say suddenly. "South'rn Bell jus' swore! It's tha end of tha world!"

I glared at him. "There's a lot you don't know about me."

His eyebrows rose with keen interest. "And what's that?"

I opened my mouth to speak but was interrupted.

"Beth!" Maggie said giggling, already feeling the buzz herself. "You better watch yourself. You're gonna say somethin' you'll regret."

I shrugged and took another couple drinks as we played the game. All the while I could feel someone watching me, so I lifted my eyes to look around. They eventually landed on Rick across the room. His icy blue eyes were glazed over with a look I didn't quite recognize, and it sent a pleasurable shiver down my spine. I quickly looked away.

"Shit, I gotta piss," I said giggling at my slurred speech. I was positively drunk now and loving every minute of it.

"Well hurry up!" Maggie said, slapping my ass (not in a sexual way) as I walked by. "It's almost your turn!"

I stuck my ass out and wiggled it playfully before stumbling in the direction of the bathroom. I let my finger run across Rick's chest absentmindedly as I walked by him out into the hallway. I shut the bathroom door behind me and fumbled with my jeans before sitting down and doing my buisness. I quickly finished and made my way back into the hallway only to be slammed into the wall behind me.

"Fuck!" I cried out as the walls spun around me. "Watch where your…oh! Hey handsome!" My eyes came into focus and a very flustered Rick had me pinned against the wall. I let out a giggle in excitement.

"Are you tryin' to kill me?"

I giggled again. "I don't know what you-"

Rick suddenly smashed his lips onto mine in a forceful kiss. My hands immediately reached up and gripped his shirt, pulling him as close to me as possible. I moaned into the kiss and he let out a low growl, gripping my hips. As soon as I tried to spread my legs to bring him closer, he pushed himself away.

"Shit," he mumbled under his breath.

I remained leaning against the wall in a blissful haze. Lord knows that I've wanted that to happen for so long now. "Why'd you stop?" I said breathlessly.

"Damnit." Rick rubbed his face in his hands.

"Rick. Why'd you stop?"

"Shouldn't have fuckin' did that."

"But I wanted you to."

"God, I'm so stupid."

"No you're not."

"Beth, forgive me."

"Kiss me again and I'll consider it."

"Damnit Beth!" Rick's voice rose, but not enough for the others to hear. Everyone's laughter floated around them in the next room, completely oblivious to what was happening less than 100 feet away from them. "That can't happen!"

"Of course it can, silly." I was positively turned on and unconsciously began to run my hands over my own body. There is no way that I would do this if I were sober, but I was beyond drunk and beyond the point of possessing any shame. "God, Rick. That felt so good. Can you do it again?"

He let out another growl at the sight of me but didn't dare step closer. He looked away suddenly. "Go to bed, Beth. You need to be able to care for Judith tomorrow."

I let out a whimper, my hands still roaming on my body. "But Rick-"

"Now!" He roared, startling me to almost complete soberness.

I froze with my eyes wide, chest heaving, and heart pumping as the voices in the next room silenced.

"What's going on?" Glenn slurred, not bothering to get up from the table. Luckily no one did.

I eventually pushed myself away from the wall I was leaning on and walked into the next room, feeling utterly ashamed. "Nothin'!" I put on a fake smile. "I'm just goin' to bed. Gotta be on my best game to care for Judy tomorrow." I ignored everyone's protests and escaped into my cell, throwing myself onto my bed, already regretting the way I acted.

AUTHORS NOTE: Damn. I'm exhausted. This chapter is lengthy! But like I said, I'm totally in love with it. It was very light and happy with a lot of character interaction. Let me know what y'all think! I really appreciate the reviews! Also follow and favorite if you haven't already done so! Thanks, loves!

P.S. I feel like I had to point out that Maggie's ass slap to Beth wasn't in any way sexual. Just in case there are any dirty minded people out there.