Thank you for all the reviews, follows and favorites! I am sorry it took so long for an update-real life has been hectic. This chapter and the next are really just a means of getting from point A to point B. Then the pace will pick up, I promise. Sorry for the choppy feel of this chapter.

I do not own Beth, Shane, Rick, Daryl or the show.

Shane was exhausted. By the time he had made it back and had picked up Bear from the Grimes' house, all he wanted to do was fall asleep in his own bed. On the last block of his drive the song on the radio changed to the Taylor Swift song that Beth had sung in his truck. He wondered if she had ended up going to karaoke with her friends after he left. Maybe he would text her in the morning and ask, he thought to himself. It was not the first thing he had thought about texting her, almost the whole drive home he tried to think of reasons to stay in contact.

The sight of his driveway pulled him out of his reverie. Bear bounded out of the truck, racing for the front door after Shane parked and let him out. The dog seemed as anxious as Shane to be home. He made sure Bear had food and water, brushed his teeth then made his way to his bedroom. Bear was sprawled diagonally across the bed, already snoring. This, this is what I should text Beth, he smiled to himself.

….

After Shane had left, Beth did not really feel like going out with her friends. Instead she did something she had not done on a Friday night since she was a freshman- homework. When she was getting ready to turn in for the night, her phone chirped. She almost didn't check it, expecting it to just be Tara or Rosita trying to convince her to join them. Her curiosity got the better of her. A smile broke across her face when she saw the message was from Shane. She smiled bigger when she opened he message to see a picture of Bear hogging what she assumed was Shane's bed, with a caption. Looks like I raced home so I could sleep on the floor.

She texted him backs quickly. Serves you right for abandoning him for so long.

They continued to text back and forth until Rosita and Tara came home three hours later.

Four days later, Shane met Daryl and Rick for their monthly Guys Night. Glenn had to miss it because he had an important work deadline the next day. Shane was a little relieved; he had been texting with Beth several times a day. Even though they were just friends, he wasn't really comfortable with Maggie knowing he was closer to Beth. Anything Glenn knew, Maggie would know within twenty-four hours. Beth would be home tomorrow night for the rest of her spring break, he would let her handle Maggie. He tried to focus on the menu in front of him instead of thoughts of Beth, barely registering his drink order arrive.

"Well that has got to be a first," Rick drawled in surprise.

Shane looked up from the menu.

"What?"

"The waitress was a bleached blonde with a low cut shirt. Not only did you not ask for her number, you didn't even look at her," Rick responded.

"So? I don't ask out every random waitress," Shane replied, flustered.

"Maybe not, but you at least flirt. Throw out a cheesy pick up line or two," Rick continued.

"You're interested in someone, ain't ya?" Daryl observed dryly.

Shane cleared his throat and turned his attention back to the menu.

"You are! Who is she? Where did you meet her?" Rick chortled, clapping his friend on the back.

"In Athens. It's nothing. I am way too old for her; she'll never think of me like that. Can we just drop it?" Shane implored.

"Ok, just one more thing. If your are worried about age or anything standing in your way, you must really care about her," Daryl pointed out.

The rest of dinner, Daryl and Rick kept off the topic of the mystery woman.

The next morning Shane was walking Bear and his latest foster dog in the park when he heard a voice call out his name. A voice that he didn't think he would hear until that afternoon. He turned to see Beth, a Dixon twin holding each hand.

"I thought you weren't coming until later today," he said with a smile.

"I was really productive and left really early this morning," she beamed as she replied. "Is this the new dog? What's his name?"

"Diesel. It was our turn to name one. Andre named the last one," Hoyt Dixon interjected with pride.

"That's a great name. His coat is so pretty, the black is almost blue," Beth said. "How is he doing?"

She let go of Nadia's hand to let Diesel sniff her hand before she scratched his ears. The dog leaned into her hand.

"He's caught on really quickly. He's housebroken now and follows a few basic commands," Shane answered, unable to take his eyes off of Beth.

Beth straightened up from petting Diesel, a mischievous look on her face.

"So I guess you heard Maggie cancelled game night? Apparently someone reminded her this was my last break from college and did she really want to share me with someone who wasn't family?"

"I had heard a little something about that," Shane grinned slyly.

"Glenn suggested instead we invite the Grimes, Dixons and you out to the farm to ride horses and four wheelers, maybe barbecue later. Daddy liked the idea of family together before I graduate," she said coyly.

Shane bit his lip before replying , his eyes shining. "I think that sounds like a great plan. Glad a little birdie whispered in Glenn's ear."

Beth laughed and re-claimed Nadia's hand. "Me too. I can escape getting setup with Daddy's intern a little longer. Thank you."

"Any time. See you Saturday then?"

"Or before. Can I come over and see Diesel sometime?"

The pounding of his heart made it hard for him to reply right away. Beth shifted nervously, her smile falling.

"Of, course. My shift ends at nine tonight, tomorrow and Friday. I am off all day Saturday," he finally managed to answer, his voice uneven.

The smile returned to Beth's face.