A/N: Well you guys are truly just the best amazingly fantastical readers in the whole entire universe! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

As promised, this chapter is dedicated to my wonderful 100th reviewer Delilah. Thank you so much for that lovely review. I'm so glad that you did decide to read this story in the end, and I am delighted that you fell in love with Shawn just like I did. I hope that when this story comes to an end that everyone will be able to take a little bit of Shawn away with them :-)

When was the last time you did something
For the first time?

Chapter Nine

It had taken them a whole 40 minutes before they realized they'd hit Tennessee. 40 minutes which Beth had to admit, had been some of the happiest in her life. They had managed to drive another hour before Glenn's constant whining became too much to handle. Daryl had even threatened to stuff him into the box with Shawn if he didn't shut up, but in the end pulling into the nearest, probably greasiest, diner in the entire state had been their only escape. Staying long hadn't been an option (or a desire), so one hour and four heart attack's on a plate later, they found themselves back on the road.

Wanting to give Daryl a break for a while, Maggie took over as driver, the two boys quickly falling asleep in the back as they continued to power on through Tennessee. With the radio playing quietly, Maggie couldn't help but feel the wretched tears burn the back of her eyes; the softly spoken lyrics all too familiar to her. 'All I want is nothing more, To hear you knocking at my door, 'Cause if I could see your face once more, I could die a happy man I'm sure'. Feeling her throat close in, she quickly changed the station, a soft cough becoming a desperate attempt to hide her brokenness. With a sad smile, Beth tucked a curl behind her ear, scooted over in her seat and linked arms with her sister before resting her head on her shoulder; Maggie chuckling in embarrassment as she wiped away a silent tear.

"It's ok to cry, Maggie." Beth whispered, rubbing soothing circles on her arm "...Tears heal..."

Smiling, Maggie quickly placed a kiss to her little sister's forehead before turning her attention back to the road, Beth sliding back over to her seat where her feet once again found comfort on top of the dashboard.

"I wonder what Momma and Daddy are sayin' right now..." She spoke, her voice hoarse "D'you think they'll ever forgive us?"

"Yeah..." Beth replied with a small nod before turning to face her sister "I don't think Momma can stay mad forever, and Daddy...Well, I don't think he even knows how to get mad." With a giggle, she ran a hand through her hair, glancing over her shoulder at the sleeping duo "I mean, remember when he found Daryl passed out drunk in Momma's flower bed the mornin' after Shawn's 18th?" Laughing, Maggie nodded before glancing through the rearview "Any normal person would have exploded at that! But not Daddy. He dragged him out by the ankles then ended up cookin' him breakfast!"

"Aw...I remember Momma wanted to bury him that mornin'..." Maggie said through her laughter as she changed gear "...But the minute he handed her those crushed posies with that charmin' smile of his, she couldn't help but laugh."

Feeling a smile tug at her lips, Beth's gaze fell on Daryl once again. She had to admit (as much as she didn't want to) that there was something relatively charming about him. The first time she had seen him standing in her hallway, her Daddy dragging him through the house by his ear as he tried to shield his cute little boxers, she did find herself harbouring a slight crush.

"So..." Maggie broke in, forcing Beth to draw her attention away from the young man "I know it's probably none of my business, and that you're probably goin' to moan and groan at me for askin', but...what is goin' on between you and our lovely charmer back there? You guys seem to be gettin'...cosy..."

Feeling the heat rise in her cheeks, Beth turned her attention out her window.

"I don't know what you're talkin' about." She mumbled in reply, hoping beyond hope that her sister would drop the topic.

With a raised brow, Maggie turned to face her baby sister, a hint of a smile pulling at her lips as she watched her squirm in her seat.

"Beth..." She scoffed "Puh-lease...I wasn't born yesterday." Turning her attention back out to the road in front, Maggie couldn't help but smirk before continuing "...All I'm sayin' is that it's...nice that you guys are gettin' closer again. Sort of like when you started datin'."

"We're just friends, Maggie." Beth said, shifting uncomfortably while clearing her throat "Plus..."

"I know, I know..." Maggie cut in, rolling her eyes slightly "Four dates isn't classified as 'dating'. I've heard." With silence filling the truck again, Beth believed her sister had taken her cue to hush up, but with Maggie that was never the case "Y'know, it's not like it would be a bad thing if you guys gave it a go again. I'm pretty sure Daryl would jump at the chance."

"Maggie!" Beth exclaimed "We are just friends, Ok? That's all we'll ever be." Crossing her arms round herself, Beth shuffled back in her seat "Daryl and I just don't work well as a couple...Should never have happened in the first place..."

Knowing that it was best just to leave the subject be, Maggie quietened down. She never did suss out what had happened between her baby sister and the rough boy she had come to love as her own brother. The two had seemed to be getting along great. Laughing, flirting, sharing 'secret' kisses when they thought no one had been looking. As far as Maggie was concerned, it was a match made in heaven. Then one morning, Beth had walked in after a date night with Daryl, moaned that she 'didn't want to talk about it' and headed upstairs refusing to answer any questions shot her way. She'd claimed to hate him ever since.

Thankful that her sister had taken the hint to drop the whole 'Daryl' thing, Beth silently glanced back over at him, his arm draped lazily over his eyes as he rested his head on the back of the seat. She couldn't deny that her short time with him had been special. At the age of 19, she had been stunned that she had managed to attract the attention of the then 25 year old. Their first date, in her opinion, had been wonderful, and come the end of the night she hadn't been able to resist asking him if he wanted to do it again.

Like they had arranged, she had shown up at his apartment the next Saturday, a beaming smile threatening to rip her face in two as she had gently chapped his door. The whole day she had been excited, her eyes drifting to the clock every hour as she began her countdown to their date. They had planned on driving from his place into Atlanta to get some dinner and catch a movie. She remembered on the way home, Daryl had surprised her by driving right past the farm. For about half an hour he had refused to tell her where he was taking her. He wouldn't even let slip when he was yelling at her for 'instinctively helping' him avoid a cat in the middle of the road by grabbing the steering wheel.

She remembered thinking that he was going to kill her (although, highly unlikely) when he turned down a small dirt path leading into the thicket of trees. They drove for another five minutes before he finally pulled the truck to a stop by a small clearing. Getting out, he had taken her hand with a smile before leading her into the clearing.

"Where we goin'?" She had giggled, stepping close into his side.

"Just wait and see." He had chuckled in reply, tugging her along.

They had only walked a couple of yards before they came to a halt by the small lake, the reflection of the full moon bouncing off the perfectly still surface. Looking round, Beth had only been able to stand in awe by the beauty surrounding her. Wildflowers and tall trees closing them into their own little world.

"I didn't even know this place existed." She had gasped, turning to face him "This is beautiful."

"Thought you'd like it." He had replied with a smirk before gently pulling her down to sit beside him in the tall grass "Shawn and I found it about a year ago when we went campin' for the weekend. I like to come here on nights like this. It's quiet. Peaceful..." Glancing at her, he had gingerly taken the opportunity to brush a strand of hair from her eyes, her smile growing slowly as he did "Hey, d'you know how to skip rocks?"

"Never done it before." She had giggled with a slight roll of the eyes as he helped pull her back to her feet before snatching up a few stones "You'd have to teach me."

Smirking, Daryl had walked behind her, his hands hesitantly going to her hips so he could turn her till her back was pressed against his chest. Looking over her shoulder, he had gently taken her hand, placing the smooth rock in her clutches.

"Ok, so you hold it like this..." He had practically whispered, Beth leaning into his touch slightly as he manipulated her hand "Good...Now bend your wrist all the way back..." Still holding her hand he brought her arm round "And snap it forward with a big swing."

Following his movements, Beth had done as he said; Daryl's hand moving away from her own and down to her waist as she swung her arm forward, the rock flying free before skipping across the still water. With a bright smile she had watched it bounce three times before sinking to the bottom, a soft giggle filling the night air as she turned in his arms to face him.

"Good teacher." She had said while smiling up at him.

"Excellent student." Had been his reply, his own smile causing her heart to melt "I'll tell you what..." He drawled out, glancing at the lake "Skip a rock four time by yourself, and I promise I won't harass you at the end of the night for a kiss."

"Alright..." Beth had smiled "And if I don't manage it?"

"Then you have to give me a big kiss right here, right now." He had answered, waggling his eyebrows "Deal?"

"Ok, deal."

Taking the stone from his hand, Beth had taken her stance, Daryl standing behind her with the cockiest grin she had ever seen. With a smile, she had followed his instructions to a tee; snapping her wrist back and releasing the stone for it to bounce across the water not four, not five, but six times. Dusting her hands off, she had turned to face him, his grin falling as he had stared in disbelief.

"Rock Skippin' Champion between my friends for four years runnin' now." She had giggled, crossing her arms over her chest triumphantly.

"You said you'd never done it before." He had scoffed, the corners of his lips curling up "Oh, you're sneaky."

"Or just really interested in the guy who's 'teachin' me..." Had been her reply as she stepped closer to him "It's not every day I have Daryl Dixon's arms wrapped round me."

He had taken that as his cue to pull her closer, his arms wrapping round her waist as her own draped round his neck.

"Well...looks like you won the bet." He had sighed.

"Yeah?" Beth had quizzed while playing with the hair at the nape of his neck "...Well, it's a shame I forgot to keep count."

He had only been able to smile after that, Beth's own grin mirroring his as he bent down to claim his 'winning' kiss.

Even after everything that happened, Beth still struggled to hold back the smile that broke out across her face at the thought of that night. As much as she wished they didn't, Maggie's words rang out in her memories '...It's not like it would be a bad thing if you guys gave it a go again'. Oh, how she wanted to believe that.

"Dreamin' about me again, Baby Greene?" His husky voice broke into her thoughts, Beth jumping when she realized Daryl was awake and leaning in from behind, whispering in her ear.

"Ha, you wish Dixon." She smirked, glancing over her shoulder at him.

"I wish, I dream and I pray." He chuckled, sitting back in his seat.

With a smirk and a slight roll of the eyes, Beth turned away from him to look out her window, Maggie shooting her a small smile with a raised brow.

'...It's not like it would be a bad thing if you guys gave it a go again'...

After Glenn had taken over from Maggie and drove for a few hours, Daryl found himself behind the wheel once again; Beth lost in a peaceful slumber as he carried on journeying through Tennessee. He continued to drive until the sky turned fiery, the clouds licking at the sky like flames. By 9 pm, and once Beth had awoken, they decided that pulling off into a woodland area for the night would be the best option. Tomorrow they would travel the couple of hours before skipping over the Missouri Border.

Daryl couldn't help but be thankful that they had managed to travel the whole day without any mishaps (if you don't count Glenn's near death experience at the hands of Daryl for all is mumbles and grumbles as mishaps). Brining the truck to a stop deep in the woodland area, Glenn was out like a shot, running round the old beast a couple of times with a joyous grin plastered on his face.

"I can feel my legs!" He bellowed as the rest slowly stepped out, Daryl trying hard to stifle a yawn.

"Well, bring them over here and help me with these tents." He mumbled through his smirk, making his way round the back of the truck.

As the boys got to work pulling out all the camping gear, Maggie made her way over to Beth, wrapping her arms around her shoulders as she sleepily rested her head atop her sisters.

"I'm not goin' to pressure you into openin' up about what happened between the two of you..." She began, causing Beth to pull back and look up at her "But if you ever need to talk, you know you can always come to me. You never have to be embarrassed."

With a small smile, Beth nodded, her arms going round her sister for a grateful hug. At the sound of grunts and sighs, the two broke apart to see Daryl and Glenn had already started on their camp.

"Gotta be thankful for pop up tents." Daryl sighed, wasting no time in setting the two man tent up.

"Umm...Do you...D'you think we'll be safe through the night?" Maggie blushed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as Glenn finished putting up the other tent.

Smirking, Daryl's hands went to his hips as Glenn made his way back to the truck to pull out the bedding.

"You ain't scared, Greene..." Daryl chuckled "Are you?"

Crossing her arms over her chest, Maggie glared at him, Beth quickly making her way over to Glenn to help divide up the bedding.

"No!" Maggie scoffed "It's just...I ain't never camped in the wilderness like this before. I've only ever set up a tent out the back yard, and even then I only lasted four hours."

With a chuckle, Glenn looked over at his girlfriend as Beth stepped into one of the tents with some bedding.

"C'mon, Maggie." He smiled "When was the last time you did something for the first time?"

"This mornin', Glenn." Maggie replied matter of factly "This mornin' when I helped steal my brothers body. That's the last time I did somethin' for the first time.

Giggling through a yawn, Beth emerged from the tent.

"As fun as this conversation is guys, I think I want to try and get some sleep." She began, running her hands through her hair "It's been a long day."

Sauntering over with a smirk, Daryl flung his arm over Beth's shoulder and pulled her closer into his side.

"Totally agree with you, Baby Greene." He said with a nod, pulling her back in the direction of the tent "Let's hit the hay. Glenn, Maggie, we'll see you in the mornin'."

Halting him in his tracks, Beth let out a chuckle.

"Nu-uh, Dixon." She smirked, lifting his arm off her shoulder and pushing him in the direction of the other tent "Girls with girls and boys with boys. You and Glenn can take the other tent."

Hand flying to his chest, Daryl feigned hurt as Maggie kissed Glenn goodnight before climbing into her shared tent, Beth blowing Daryl a mocking kiss before disappearing after her sister and zipping the tent closed.

"Ouch..." Daryl mumbled with a smirk before turning to face Glenn "You spoon me in my sleep, and I swear man, we'll have problems."

A/N: Well guys, hopefully you all enjoyed that little chapter and that extra little insight into Daryl and Beth's past. I wasn't going to end it there, but I thought where I was going to end it would make for a good opening for the next chapter (which will hopefully be coming soon...ish). Lol . Please feel the love and let me know what you all thought by leaving me a wee review. I'm trying very hard to get this story as accurate as possible. I'm not from America, so sometimes it's a bit difficult finding the right wording and phrasing lol. I'm terrible for Scottish slang, so hopefully it's not coming through in the story lol.

Hugs and kisses my lovelies :-) xoxoxox

P.S. Just want to thank you all for the amazing support 'Inside I'm Dancing' has received so far. If you haven't read it yet, please check it out. Chapter three is not long up :-)