Hello everyone! First, let me just say, The Walking Dead season 5 trailer premiered today, and I have been obsessively watching it (as has everyone in this fandom, I'm assuming). I mean, this could be the best season yet! This chapter is a little long, but I do have an explanation. It seems that my husband and I probably won't be able to move to New Orleans for a while (there was a little hitch in my husband's hiring timeline), so that means I had to withdraw from my graduate classes. I'm not going to lie, it's been a very heartbreaking week for me, so I had a lot of time to write. I just saw the Respectfully CMC Dixon trailer too, and of course, I failed at making a trailer of my own. I'm just not proficient in video editing, haha. Anyway, hope you guys enjoy!

Much love!

-A

Chapter 9:

Beth had forgotten that she'd fallen asleep next to Daryl. She'd forgotten that he was laying next to her, and she'd even forgotten that she was even sleeping in Glenn's apartment. Since Hershel's accident, Beth's sleeping habits were restless, she was usually awake doing something around the house. The sleep she'd gotten that night at Glenn's apartment was the most she'd gotten in over a week, even if it was on an uncomfortable futon. Beth's family often joked that she could easily sleep anywhere, and she'd proved her family right. Sometime during the night, Daryl had gotten under the covers next to her, and Beth had slept curled up next to him. She hadn't even noticed until she opened her eyes the next morning, realizing that she was asleep on his chest.

Beth woke up early, checking her phone to see that it was 7:00 am. This was an early Saturday for her, but she turned over on her side to face Daryl, and realized that he was still asleep. Tara was still asleep in the recliner as well, the blanket Beth had tossed on her wrapped around her body tightly. Beth decided she'd try to go back to sleep, seeing as everyone else was. She moved close to Daryl again, laying her head on his chest. His heart beat was steady and strong. His breathing was quiet, so quiet that Beth almost couldn't hear. One arm was above his head, and Beth could see a tattoo of a demon on his inner bicep. She could also see a tattoo on his chest, but she couldn't quite make it out. His hands were rough and calloused, but the skin on his chest was soft. Beth sighed; if Daryl knew he was doing this, he would probably freak out. If her father knew that she was doing this...She wasn't sure how he'd react, but she was guessing it wouldn't be well. She never knew how Daryl was going to react, but she wanted him to want her. A large smile crept on her face as she watched him sleep. Sure, she knew it was creepy, but Daryl was the most beautiful person she'd ever seen, and nothing could persuade her from that opinion.

Just as she closed her eyes and began to drift to sleep, a voice shook her and Daryl both awake.

"I know you're awake, Beth. Don't let Daddy catch you sleepin' like that." Maggie said from the kitchen. Daryl's eyes sprung open, his jaw tensed in surprise, and he sat up.

"It ain't nothin', Maggie! Shut up!" He yelled, quickly trying to scoot away from Beth.

"Relax, Dixon. I'm not gonna spill the beans. Unlike Glenn, I can keep a secret." Maggie replied.

"Aren't you supposed to be hungover?" Beth asked, her voice laced with annoyance. She tried staying closer to Daryl, but he was obviously caught off guard.

"Supposed to be, but I raided Glenn's fridge. I was thinkin' I'd make breakfast, but...I don't know where his skillets are." Maggie admitted sheepishly. She was wearing one of Glenn's old t shirts and a pair of his basketball shorts, and Beth giggled slightly, laying back in bed.

"Go ask him, Mags." Beth laughed. Maggie must have thought that was a good idea, too, because she walked back down the hall. Beth giggled, covering her eyes with her hands. Daryl was sitting straight up, looking at her curiously.

"What's that look for, Daryl?" Beth asked.

"You tricked me. You tricked me into sleepin' up here with you." Daryl muttered.

"Yes, Daryl, that was exactly my plan." Beth said sarcastically.

"Gonna get me in trouble." Daryl muttered. Beth smiled, sitting up to face him.

"You aren't complainin' though." Beth said, grinning. Daryl rolled his eyes.

"You're awfully aggravatin', Greene." Daryl whispered.

"So are you. You'd think you'd be happy to wake up next to a girl." Beth teased.

"Not when 'er big sister is in the same apartment." Daryl grunted. Beth jumped on him, laying her chin on his chest, moving both of her hands to rest under her chin.

"Well, aren't you a ray of sunshine." Beth said, laughing. Daryl rolled her off of him, grunting in frustration.

"Stop it, Greene. I ain't playin'." Daryl warned.

"Neither am I." Beth replied cooly.

Daryl rolled his eyes, standing up and stretching. He walked into the kitchen, opening one of the bottom cabinets and pulling out a skillet.

"Since Maggie can't seem to track down these skillets, figure I might as well make breakfast." Daryl said. Beth got up too, walking into the kitchen with him.

"How 'bout I make pancakes?" Beth asked.

"You know how?" Daryl asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Daryl, duh." Beth said, rolling her eyes.

Daryl found bacon in the refrigerator, and pulled out another skillet and began frying bacon as Beth mixed pancake batter and poured it up. Maggie, Glenn, and Tara migrated toward the kitchen, smelling the food and growing hungry.

"It's too early." Tara mumbled, sitting down at the kitchen table.

"No it ain't. Most days, I'm awake for three hours by this time." Daryl said, flipping bacon.

"I can't believe I drank that much." Maggie mumbled, drinking her glass of orange juice.

"Me either." Glenn replied. Beth finished up the pancakes, and grabbed food to set it down on the table. Daryl followed close behind her, sitting down next to her at the table. The five were quiet at the table for a little while, scarfing down their food, until Maggie unexpectedly spoke up.

"So Bethy, I think you should go back and buy that dress for homecomin'." Maggie said.

"Nope. We've been through this Mags. I'm not going." Beth replied.

"But Beth, it's your senior year! Won't you regret not going?" Maggie asked.

"Maggie, I don't have a date, or a desire to go. Why should I go to somethin' I won't enjoy?" Beth asked.

"I thought senior year was supposed to be a big deal for girls?" Glenn asked.

"Not for me. I just wanna get out of that crap trap. College can't come soon enough." Beth said, eating a bite of pancake.

"Yeah, I'm with Beth; senior year sucked for me. Too much drama, not enough education." Tara said, biting a piece of bacon.

"But what about the homecoming court? Prom? Senior skip day? Does none of that matter?!" Maggie asked in a frenzy.

"Maggie, all I've ever wanted to do was be a kindergarten teacher or a nurse. Why should I care about prom? Just an excuse to spend hundreds of dollars on stuff I don't need." Beth argued. Truthfully, she did want to go to prom a little bit. She'd gone with Tara, Amy, and Jimmy last year. Now, she knew she'd be going alone.

"But prom was awesome for me!" Maggie replied.

"Because you were prom queen!" Beth said, sticking out her tongue.

"Beth, remember last year? Where we sat around making fun of everyone?" Tara asked. Beth nodded, smiling gleefully.

"Oh, I remember that. Everyone thought we were weird." Beth replied.

"You are weird." Daryl grumbled, angrily stabbing his pancake with his fork.

"So are you." Beth teased.

"Guys, I'm am a video game playing, comic book reading, Asian computer science and discrete math major who delivers pizzas for a living. Maggie is a Latin American history nerd who—while extremely hot—has the social tact of a rabid ferret. Tara is a moody, socially awkward misfit who wants to be a cop 'cause she likes to hit people. Beth here, is a glow-in-the-dark pale music junkie, who's best friend is a biker, and she's totally a walking contradiction. And Daryl...Likes being around contradictions. So really, we're all weird!" Glenn proclaimed, taking a sip of apple juice. Daryl's eyes were locked on Glenn, his face not changing expression.

"Better watch your mouth, sunshine." Daryl said, squinting at Glenn.

"I'm not afraid of you." Glenn said, smirking.

"Is...Something going on between you two?" Tara asked, looking at Beth and Daryl. Obviously, she was lost; this whole thing was new to her.

"Where have you been? They're practically dating!" Glenn exclaimed.

"Shut up, Glenn! Whatever goes on—or doesn't go on—isn't really anybody's business." Beth said. She gave Daryl a shrug, and he nodded his head slightly.

"Well, I'm not going to say I believe one thing or another." Maggie said, picking up everyone's plates. "But, I will say that if it is something, y'all are gonna have to keep it under the radar until jailbait over here graduates from high school."

"Y'all don't know nothin'!" Daryl said, standing up. "Y'all just need to mind your own business."

"I agree." Beth said. "You guys are putting way too much time into my personal life."

"Just sayin', Daddy has never been comfortable with his little girl even talkin' to guys." Maggie replied.

Daryl stood up, walking over to the futon and fixing it back into a couch. Beth helped him fold the blankets, and she took them and put them away in the closet down the hall. Beth had never been in Glenn's apartment before; she never realized he'd have so many pictures of him and Maggie on the walls. Glenn was always one for pictures; always taking them when there were family gatherings. Beth could see the picture of her, Glenn, and Maggie at Maggie's college graduation that May. Beth also noticed the picture Glenn had taken of the entire Greene family last Christmas. It was in a collage frame, along with pictures of his own family in Michigan. Beth smiled; Glenn really was part of the family.


The group decided to stay in Atlanta for the day and enjoy the scenery before heading to the hospital that evening. Maggie suggested the group go to the zoo, to which Daryl grumbled heavily about. However, he still went, mainly because Beth begged him. He even paid for her admission ticket. The first highlight of the day was Tara seeing her favorite animal, a panda bear. Beth loved how Tara could soften up her demeanor because of the little things.

"I've never seen one of those before." Daryl muttered, watching the panda chew a bamboo shoot.

"Really? Have you been to a zoo before?" Beth asked.

"Once, with Dale and Irma. Took a trip to Chicago to see 'er family, went to that zoo. But they didn't have a panda." Daryl told her.

"Guys! We can feed giraffes!" Maggie exclaimed excitedly. Giraffes were, for some reason, one of Maggie's favorite animals. She used to collect stuffed giraffes when she was younger, and though Beth always wanted to play with them, those were the toys that were absolutely off limits to everyone, including Beth. Beth, however, was saving her favorite animal for last—something that everyone but Daryl apparently knew.

"Geez, you keep skippin' South America. Don't you wanna see whatever the hell they got there?" Daryl muttered, intent on his grape snow cone.

"I always save it for last." Beth replied.

"I can't believe I paid $6 for a damn snow cone." Daryl said, throwing the cup in the trash.

"That's the zoo for you; always expensive." Beth said, looking at the map.

"So why you wanna go then?" Daryl asked.

"I always liked animals. Plus, once Daddy got his practice back, he was one of the staff vets here. It was always fun working with him." Beth said. "But now, I don't know how long he'll be out for."

"You're dad's tough. He's gonna be alright." Daryl told her. Beth nodded, taking a sip of her soda.

"I just worry 'bout him and my mom. They've been through an awful lot." Beth admitted.

"Don't. Worryin' don't do you no good." Daryl said. The two split off from Tara, Glenn, and Maggie, going to the reptile house. Tara and Maggie were both terrified of snakes, and refused to even be in the same room with them. Beth was never bothered by snakes; in fact, she was the one usually killing them when Maggie came squealing from the yard or pond. In many ways, Beth was a lot braver than Maggie, but Beth would never admit to it.

"So, why'd you really come to the concert last night?" Beth asked. She knew that kind of music wasn't actually Daryl's thing. She still wondered how much money Maggie had to pay Daryl to get him there.

"Told ya before, wanted to see Glenn bomb." Daryl mumbled.

"Sure." Beth said, raising her eyebrows.

"And Maggie said you'd be there." Daryl added.

"Oh?" Beth asked.

"And she may have said that guys would be pawin' all over you." Daryl said.

"So you didn't want guys to hit on me?" Beth asked.

"Ain't right. Guys are only after one thing." Daryl said, staring at a rattlesnake.

"So is that what you're after?" Beth teased.

"Greene, if I wanted to get laid, I'da done it by now." Daryl replied. Beth giggled, looking at a chameleon.

"I dunno...I guess I just always pictured you as having a girl at your place every weekend...At first." Beth told him. Daryl grunted, opening the door to lead them to the South American exhibit.

"Well, Greene, there's more to life than getting laid." Daryl said. "Merle's the one that taught me that."

"Merle?" Beth asked.

"Yeah...He was with more women than I could count. Andrea though, she wouldn't give 'em the time o' day. He chased her for eight months 'fore she finally went out with 'im. Once he met 'er, he didn't want no one else. Hasn't been with anyone since she died." Daryl explained. Beth listened carefully; Daryl didn't normally offer up that kind of information.

"I guess, I dunno...Amy was always talkin' about guys she'd slept with. She'd get all upset because she'd sleep with a boyfriend an' then he'd dump her. I just didn't wanna go through that. It's stupid, I guess. My big brother, Shawn, married his high school sweetheart. Maggie met Glenn in college. I guess I always just wanted to find that person." Beth admitted.

"You're still young. I'm pushin' 30, still ain't found anyone. Never really cared to." Daryl snorted, watching as Beth walked toward a specific exhibit. Beth squealed with happiness, staring at one specific animal display.

"It's my favorite animal, Daryl! There it is!" Beth exclaimed. Daryl stared at the squealing girl in front of him. That moment, she looked so young, so carefree. She was bright and innocent, something he needed more of in his life. She was, in his eyes, perfect. But he had no idea how to tell her these things, so he stood, watching her bright smile. If he were being honest, waking up next to Beth Greene was the epitome of everything he'd ever wanted in life. She was the person he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. The problem was, he had no idea how to tell her.

"What is that?" Daryl asked, pointing to the animal in the trees. Beth jumped up and down, excitedly pointing toward the first tree in the exhibit.

"It's a sloth, Daryl! Look at it! Isn't it great! Her name is Okra Mae! A Hoffman's Two Toed Sloth. Isn't she beautiful?" Beth asked. Daryl stood next to her, staring heavily. Beth loved Daryl's beautiful blue eyes, and she couldn't help but smile even more.

"That is your favorite animal? Look at that thing, it ain't even impressive." Daryl grumbled.

"Just 'cause it isn't big or fierce doesn't make it ordinary. I like sloths 'cause they're gentle. They don't go lookin' for trouble, they just like to be." Beth explained. She began snapping pictures with her camera, the one she always kept in her purse, her face bright and happy. Daryl thought that Beth's reaction was so typical of her; she loved things that people normally found boring or weird. He was thankful for that, even if he didn't understand it. Mainly because it meant that she'd befriended him.

"Take a picture with me, Daryl." Beth pled.

"Nah. I'm good." Daryl replied.

"Please? I like to keep pictures of my friends." Beth said. Daryl rolled his eyes.

"No." Daryl mumbled.

Beth's face fell, and she tried to give him the "puppy eyes" that she was famous for. They'd always worked on Shawn and Glenn.

"Y'know I got nieces, right?" Daryl asked. Beth still persisted.

"Greene, I don't do pictures." Daryl said. Beth's lower lip began to tremble.

"Fine, Greene. You win!" Daryl exclaimed. Beth smiled widely again, he knew he'd made her happy.

"Smile, Daryl." Beth commanded. She stood next to them, turning the camera and taking the picture. Daryl's mouth only turned slightly; but that was enough for Beth. She loved to have pictures of the people she cared about; she always took pictures of the things that she was afraid to lose.

"C'mon, Greene. They're probably lookin' for us." Daryl said. Beth nodded, and took off after Daryl, heading to meet Glenn, Maggie, and Tara. Beth had gotten a text to meet them at the front entrance, so that's where they headed. Making their way to the front entrance, however, was proving to be difficult. Several children's clubs had chosen that day to go to the zoo, and it was exceptionally crowded for a Saturday. There was almost no room to walk, and Beth was afraid she'd lose Daryl in the crowd.

"Daryl, hold my hand so we don't get lost." Beth told him, without thinking. Daryl raised an eyebrow in surprise, obviously taken aback.

""S another trap. Tryna corrupt me." Daryl teased lightly. Beth rolled her eyes, grabbing his hand and pulling him toward the entrance. Beth would never admit how perfect it felt to hold Daryl's hand, but she did know that she had never felt better.

"Beth! Beth! We gotta get over to the hospital!" Maggie yelled, standing by the front gate. Beth stopped in her tracks, turning to look at Daryl. She could feel her heart stop; she knew she shouldn't have left her father's bedside.

"What's wrong? What's wrong with Daddy?" Beth asked frantically.

"Nothin'! Nothin'! It's great news! Daddy's doin' so well that they're lettin' 'im come home in an hour!" Maggie said excitedly.

"Really? It's only been a week!" Beth exclaimed.

"Mama just said recovery time is 5-14 days. He did really well, they're gonna start him in rehab two weeks from now. He's doin' so well, they even got 'im walkin' in a walker today! They're sayin' he can go home!" Maggie said, beaming from ear to ear. Beth hugged Maggie, nearly tackling her.

"I can't believe it! Let's go see 'im!" Beth said.

"I guess that's my cue to run along, guys. I'm so glad Dr. Greene is better! I'm watchin' my niece tonight anyway. I'll come see you guys later. Thanks for the fun. Go be with your Dad, Beth!" Tara said, smiling widely. She hugged Beth, before leaving the zoo to head home. Beth knew that Hershel's accident is probably what helped her and Tara mend their friendship. Tara's own father had died her senior year of lung cancer, so Tara knew exactly how it felt to see her father suffering. Beth, Daryl, Maggie, and Glenn walked out to the parking lot, all four elated to see Hershel.

"It's gonna be about a fifteen minute drive. We parked over there." Maggie said, pointing to the far end of the parking lot.

"Beth'll ride with me. I got the motorcycle spot right up there at the front." Daryl said.

"Yeah, I'll ride with Daryl. We'll meet you there." Beth piped up.

"Bethy, do not let Mama or Daddy see your ridin' on that thing. Just be careful." Maggie warned, walking off with Glenn. Daryl and Beth walked towards Daryl's motorcycle, getting on. Beth put her helmet, and the two took off toward Atlanta Medical Center. Beth held on to Daryl tightly, still afraid of being in an accident. More than that, she was ready to get her father home. She knew her father might have a difficult time adjusting, but Beth was also aware that he'd be able to rest much better without nurses waking him up every hour. When they arrived at the hospital, Hershel was already being wheeled out, accompanied by Annette, Otis, Patricia, T Dog, Rick, Carl, Shawn, Anna, and little Katie. Beth and Daryl walked up to Glenn and Maggie, and the four walked up to the front entrance of Atlanta Medical Center. Beth hugged her father tightly, beaming from ear to ear.

"Daddy, you're back on the mend!" Beth exclaimed happily.

"Couldn't keep me down for long! Doctor says if I'm doin' well, I can get a fake leg in no time." Hershel chuckled, struggling to hold all the gifts in his lap in the wheel chair.

"That's the best news I think we could expect." Maggie replied, kissing her father on the forehead.

"Where's Daryl? Son, thank you for helpin' me in my...position. You an' Bethy, y'all both took care of me." Hershel said, reaching out to shake Daryl's hand, and pulling him in for a hug.

"'S nothin', you woulda done the same for me." Daryl muttered quietly.

"If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be alive right now; you an' Beth, Maggie, Rick. I'm so proud of you all." Hershel said.

"We love you, Daddy. We're just so glad you're well." Beth said, holding her fathers hand to help him get in her mother's car.

"I love you too, Bethy. Let's go on home, we'll eat supper, visit a while. We never did get to have supper that night." Hershel said, grinning widely. Annette got him into the car, closing the door. She called out to Beth and Maggie from the driver's side, ushering them over.

"Meet us at the house, guys! Everyone's invited over for supper." Annette said. The sisters nodded as they watched their mother drive away, and walked back to the parking deck.

"Wanna ride with me, Greene?" Daryl asked. Beth grinned.

"Duh." She said, sticking her tongue out. The two climbed on Daryl's motorcycle, preparing for the 45 minute ride back to the Greene family farm. Daryl and Beth chose to follow Glenn and Maggie, who were following Rick's patrol car. Beth clung to Daryl tightly as he increased speed on the highway; somehow, with panic and grief not clouding her senses, she realized how dangerous it was to go 70 miles per hour on a motorcycle. She almost felt like if she let go of Daryl that she'd fall off; but she knew that he was being careful, especially with her on the back.

The rest of the evening was spent celebrating Hershel's vast improvement. Annette, Beth, Patricia, and Anna made a large meal for everyone, and for the first time in many months, the Greene house was completely full. Beth couldn't remember a time where she'd ever felt as happy. Her father was going to live; he was going make it. As Hershel played with his granddaughter Katie and grandson, Carl, Beth couldn't help but smile. He was going to make it; he was going to be okay. He was going to survive, and she had Daryl to thank for that. She watched Daryl help her mother clean up the dining room as she washed dishes with Maggie, and her heart swelled. It was then that Beth realized that she loved Daryl Dixon. Not just in a romantic way, but she loved the person he was. She loved him for his kindness, his generosity, his willingness. He had helped her and her family without ever asking anything in return, and now she understood how Maggie felt about Glenn. This wasn't something people felt every day, this was something that only came around once or twice in a lifetime.


A month after Hershel's accident, Beth was still working herself to death at home. She felt the need to hover near her father at all times, so much so that he had actually told her to go work out on the farm somewhere. She had begun mothering everyone, making her parents breakfast before she left school, making Daryl lunch when he came to share his lunch break her a few days a week, and staying up late into the night to take care of odd jobs around the house. One Saturday, Annette made Maggie take Beth shopping because Beth had decided that the old windows needed to pulley weights. The closer homecoming came, the more Beth had thrown herself into housework. Even Daryl had made her leave the field several times after she'd gotten herself caught in spare barbed wire for one of the fences. Beth had seen Zach and Amy several places around town, and though she wasn't exactly jealous, she was upset that she wouldn't be able to attend senior homecoming. Amy was still spreading rumors about her viciously, and most days Beth tried to avoid any contact with people at all.

Homecoming week was hard for Beth. She'd dressed up for "camo day", "pajama day", and "school spirit day", but "rock star day" and "nerd day" evaded her. She didn't even know why she'd bothered to do it; she just supposed that maybe someone would treat her a little better. That Friday, Beth didn't even bother going to the bonfire or the homecoming parade; she'd just enjoyed getting out of school early. She arrived home around noon, and noticed Maggie and Glenn's cars were there. She walked inside, searching for them, and only found Annette and Hershel instead.

"They're out at the barn." Annette said, making Beth a plate for lunch.

"Oh, I'll go out and help with whatever they're doin' after I eat." Beth said, sitting down at the table.

"Bethy, I don't think that's a good idea. Maggie told me you've been up late at night doin' all kinds of things, Daryl told me you're workin' yourself to death. Now, Maggie has given me specific instructions to not let you near the barn. She and Glenn are doin' some repairs with Daryl and Otis. They don't want you getting hurt because of exhaustion." Hershel told her.

"Daddy, I gotta help!" Beth argued, eating a bite of the sandwich Annette had made for her.

"No, Beth, you don't. You didn't get any sleep up at the hospital with me, you haven't sat still longer than supper time since I've been home. Now, you're mother has to go pick up a dress she had altered in town. You're gonna go with her. Go get some ice cream, quit worryin' over me. It's drivin' me crazy." Hershel said, sipping his tea.

Beth nodded, finishing her lunch. She wasn't happy with what her father had ordered, but she complied anyway. She got up to put her plate in the sink, and her mother stopped her.

"Nope." Annette said, "No ma'am. Go be a lazy teenager."

"Fine." Beth huffed, waiting for her mother to tell her when they were leaving. The two headed to an alteration shop in town that Annette's friend, Shirley owned. Beth couldn't see what the dress looked like, but apparently, it was a new church dress that Annette had bought in Atlanta. Annette then decided to take Beth shoe shopping, and talked Beth into buying a pair of silver t strap high heels with crystals around the foot and ankle straps. Beth knew she'd probably never have an occasion to wear them, but she still thought they'd looked cute, and Annette insisted, because "they were on sale". Next, Annette told Beth that she wanted ice cream, so they went to the local ice cream shop and enjoyed sundaes. It was the first time in a while that Beth had been able to have a day with her mom, and she enjoyed it. Her mother was her hero, and they'd always been close.

"So, I noticed you and Daryl are mighty close." Annette said, eating the cherry off her sundae.

"We're just friends, Mama." Beth said.

"You sure? You were huggin' 'im pretty tight on that motorcycle when your Daddy came home." Annette said, grinning devilishly. Beth turned red, eating a big spoonful of ice cream.

"Mama, please, we're just friends." Beth dimissed.

"Sure." Annette said, grinning. After ice cream, the two went to the store to pick up some makeup for Maggie, or so Annette said. When they got back to the car, Annette was in a hurry, trying to get home. She said that they'd needed to get home, that they needed to be back by 4:30. When they arrived, however, Beth had a rather large surprise for her.

"Y'all are home! Now the fun can begin!" Maggie said, meeting them at the car.

"What fun?" Beth asked nervously.

"You're goin' to homecomin', Bethy." Maggie said, smiling.

"I don't have a ticket! I don't have a date, or even a dress, Maggie! There is no way I could go even if I wanted to. I just can't, I'm sorry." Beth said, wishing she didn't have to disappoint her big sister.

"Don't worry, I took care of all of it. Come on, we're gonna go get you ready." Maggie replied.

"But Mags..." Beth began.

"Elizabeth Louise, quit arguin' and get inside with your sister." Annette said sternly. Not wanting to anger her mother, Beth complied with Maggie. Maggie ordered Beth to get a shower, and then Maggie dried her hair and curled it with hot rollers. Maggie then began work on Beth's makeup, with the makeup that Annette had purchased earlier. Suddenly, it hit Beth that most of today had been planned from the beginning. Maggie applied silver eyeshadow to Beth's eyelids, and dark red lipstick to her lips. Then, she teased her hair, pulling back the sides with crystal combs. Maggie looked at her phone to check the time, declaring that it was time to put on her dress.

"Maggie, I don't have a dress." Beth said.

"Yes you do, go look on your bed." Maggie said. Beth walked into her bedroom and immediately began laughing; Maggie had purchased the blue dress that she'd made Beth try on at the mall. Beth put it on, surprised at how well it fit her. Then, Beth realized that her new shoes matched the dress. Beth put them on, taking a look at herself in the mirror. She looked more grown up than she ever had before, and she couldn't help but smile. Maggie came in, giving Beth the final touches to her outfit: a diamond necklace that belonged to Maggie, and a pair of diamond earrings that belonged to Annette. Beth teared up, looking at how much trouble Maggie had gone through. She also noticed that Maggie was wearing a party dress, too. Was Maggie her date?

"Come on, Beth. Your date will be here at 7:00." Maggie said. Beth checked the clock; it was 6:45. Beth walked down the stairs too see that Glenn was dressed up too, in a pair of navy dress pants, a white dress shirt, and a silver tie that matched Maggie's gray dress. Glenn took a picture of the two sisters next to the stairs, and then took several pictures of the sisters with their parents.

"So, who's my date?" Beth asked.

"Just wait. He'll be here soon." Glenn said. Beth grumbled, sitting down on the couch. She was nervous, unsure of who it was. Was it Jimmy? Was it Patrick, that weird sophomore from church? Who could it be? Sure enough, Beth's question was answered just five minutes late, when Maggie announced that her date was there, and ordered her to close her eyes. Beth complied, and she could hear the door open. She could hear everyone greet her date, but she grew nervous not knowing. Finally, she heard her date enter the study, and Maggie followed.

"Open your eyes!" Maggie exclaimed. Beth stood up and opened her eyes, and her jaw hit the floor immediately. Standing right in front of her was Daryl, wearing black dress pants, a white shirt, and a navy blue tie. Beth smiled widely, and Daryl nodded.

"You're my date?" Beth asked, grinning.

"Yep." Daryl said, walking towards her.

"You guys are the best." Beth said, hugging Daryl, Maggie, and Glenn.

"Don't thank us yet. The surprise isn't over." Glenn said. Annette and Hershel insisted on taking what seemed like hundreds of pictures of the four of them, before finally shooing them out the door, telling them all not too be back too late. Beth walked over to Maggie's car to leave, but Maggie stopped her.

"Are we takin' Glenn's or something?" Beth asked. Maggie shook her head.

"Nope. Follow us!" Maggie exclaimed. Daryl walked close to Beth, linking arms with her as they walked. Beth was even more surprised when she realized they were headed to the barn. However, she couldn't contain herself when she stepped inside, and realized that the barn had been completely transformed.

Medium base string lights were strung up from the ceiling, while smaller lights were wrapped around the beams. Chairs decorated the ground level, while homecoming signs decorated the top. In the corner was a large stereo, and the ground was cleared out. To Beth's surprise, Tara and some of Glenn and Maggie's friends were there, already at the "homecoming" that had been set up. Beth was overcome with gratitude, and hugged Maggie, Glenn, and Daryl again, thanking them profusely.

"Don't thank me, Bethy. Just go dance with your date and have fun. Try not to get pregnant or anything." Maggie said, winking as she and Glenn went to join Tara and Sasha. Beth and Daryl stood awkwardly at on the sidelines at first, but then, "Cupid's Shuffle" came on, and Beth dragged Daryl out to dance with everyone. The entire group danced in unison, laughing loudly when the song ended. Soon, another familiar song came on, but this time, it was Daryl that led Beth to the dance floor. Beth sang along to the chorus as they danced, a smile plastered on her face.

"And she was like 'oh my God, this is my song I've been listenin' to the radio all night long, sittin' around waitin' for it to come on, and here it is', She was like 'come here boy, I wanna dance', 'fore I said a word she was takin' my hand, spinnin' me around till it faded out, and she gave me a kiss. And she said 'play it again, play it again', and I said 'play it again, play it again, play it again'."

"You're beautiful." Daryl whispered, pulling Beth close.

"You're clean up well yourself, Dixon." Beth whispered in his ear.

"Not a word of this to anyone, Greene." Daryl said, leaning in close to Beth.

"I won't tell." Beth said, smiling.

"Jus' so ya know, I'm glad ya didn't go to homecomin'." Daryl muttered.

"I did. I just...Went to a different one." Beth said. She leaned in to Daryl, her arms linked around his neck. The two swayed together song after song, till only Maggie, Glenn, Daryl, and Beth were left. Daryl walked Beth back to the house, standing close to her as they walked up to the front porch sat in the porch swing.

"I had the best time tonight." Beth told Maggie and Glenn as they walked into the house.

"It was really fun. I think we should do it for prom too!" Maggie exclaimed, waving goodnight. Beth smiled, curling her feet up to her knees. Daryl sat down next to her, and Beth leaned her head against Daryl's shoulder.

"You need to relax some, Greene." Daryl said, staring toward the front yard.

"I'm afraid to. I just don't want anythin' bad to happen." Beth admitted.

"Can't prevent everythin'." Daryl whispered. Beth reached forward, grabbing Daryl's hand and squeezing it tightly.

"You're the best friend I've ever had, Daryl Dixon. Don't you ever forget that." Beth said.

"You're mine too, Beth Greene." Daryl replied.

"Thanks for always bein' there." Beth said.

"No problem." Daryl told her, standing up.

"I should be getting home. I'll be back tomorrow." Daryl promised.

"Okay. Goodnight." Beth said. She leaned in, intending to kiss Daryl on the cheek, but Daryl's lips met hers, and he kissed her goodnight. It was merely a peck, almost too light to be considered a kiss. He quickly walked to his motorcycle, and drove away. Beth walked into the house, walking past Maggie and Glenn who were watching TV in the study. Beth smiled; it seemed her heart was about to explode because of all the happiness. Beth knew she had some of the greatest people in the world in her life, and she was grateful for it. Beth grabbed a cookie from the cookie jar, and took a bite. She loved her sister, her soon to be brother-in-law, and mostly, Daryl. Beth would remember this night for the rest of her life; this would be a story she'd tell her children about over and over, reliving it until she couldn't remember it anymore.

And that's when Beth realized that when she told the story to her children one day, she hoped Daryl would be there along side her.