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Chapter Eleven: Summer, Part Two

It wasn't that Daryl didn't want to finish what he and Beth started at the lake. It was that he was feeling foolish and uneasy about taking it that far. "Just friends" he had told Hershel about their relationship. Now whenever Daryl looked at Beth he knew it was no longer possible to claim that. When night fell and long after those in C block were sound asleep, Daryl and Beth would take turns sneaking into each other's cell. They were careful not to do it every night, to space it out, and hopefully nobody would catch on.

This night, it had been Daryl to creep in Beth's cell where he knew she would be awake and anticipating his visit. She was stretched out on her cot when he entered and made room for him next to her. Without any words he pulled her into his arms, into his lap and the kissing began. What Daryl had told Beth at the lake was true: he felt like a teenager sneaking out and making out - hoping not to get caught. Only this time without the acne and general awkwardness of being an actual teenager.

He loved how soft she felt in his hands as he moved them slowly up and down her back. He loved the way she held his head in her hands as she returned the kisses, softly but eagerly. He liked making her giggle and squirm with delight when he brushed his whiskers against her smooth skin.

"Ya know…we could still stop this…" Daryl whispered hoarsely in between kisses. "We were fine the way we were, Beth."

"We could," Beth answered, still planting kisses all over his face. "But I don't want to. Do you?"

Daryl was about to tell her yes, they should be reasonable - stop now before things progressed any further. However, when Beth started to run her hands up and down his chest the thought went out the window. Without thinking he was repeating the motion on her, running his hands over her shirt and over her breasts. When he heard her gasp and felt her break away from his lips, he immediately caught himself and took his hands off of her.

"Oh god, I'm sorry, Beth," He apologized, stunned at his behavior.

"I'm so sorry…I got a little carried away…"

Beth leaned back in to kiss him again.

"It's OK, Daryl," She whispered against his lips. "It just took me by surprise…that's all."

To his amazement, she took his hands and placed them back on her breasts, inviting him to do it again. He felt those adolescent-like hormones going into overdrive briefly thinking about his first time going to second base with a girl. He was in his forties but felt like he was fourteen with this sweet young thing all over him. The things they did should have been like an old hat to him but instead it felt completely new all over again.

Daryl had to force himself to break away from the kissing and fondling. He raised her chin up to look him in his eyes.

"Beth, baby…" He said. "There's something I gotta know."

Beth stared at him curiously. "What is it?"

Daryl let out a heavy, shaky sigh trying to figure out how to word the question.

"Have you…Have you ever….ya know…Have you ever done this before?"

He knew he wasn't being exactly clear but hoped she would know what he was getting at.

"No," Beth answered.

Daryl hesitated. He waited for her to elaborate but she didn't. He thought maybe she didn't understand, maybe he should re-phrase the question but judging by the way her green eyes bore into his and the serious countenance upon her face he realized she did know what he was talking about.

"No?" He repeated, incredulous.

"No," She replied.

He felt his mouth drop slightly at her straightforward admission.

"Never?" He asked.

She shook her head. "Never,"

"Not even once?"

"Nope,"

"Not even with…"

Beth started laughing. "No, Daryl. I'm serious…No. Never. Not even once. Zilch…Zip…Nada. I wouldn't say I'm totally pure though…I mean, me and Jimmy…we used to fool around some. But it never went that far."

Daryl could only stare at Beth like she was some rare and mythological creature like a fairy or an unicorn.

"Never?" He mouthed although it was beginning to sound ridiculous.

Beth smiled, leaned in and kissed him.

"You could be the one…to change that though…if you wanted to," She whispered.

Panic waves shot throughout his entire body. He felt his heart speed up and beads of sweat forming on his brow.

"No," He answered.

Beth wrinkled her brow. "No?"

"No."

Daryl gently pushed her off his lap and swung his legs over the edge of the cot. He rubbed his face and pulled at his hair. He felt Beth's hand on his shoulder as she said:

"Is something wrong, Daryl?"

"Yeah," He answered, flatly. "I'm not that guy,"

"What guy?" Beth seemed genuinely confused.

"I'm not that guy you've been dreamin' about to come and pop your cherry, Beth. No way…Uh-uh…I don't think so."

"How do you know who my dream guy is, Daryl?" Beth asked, teasingly. Daryl gave her a sharp glance to let her know he was being completely serious.

"I'm sorry…This has to stop right here, right now. I can't…I won't…Sorry, Peaches. You deserve someone better than a dirty old redneck."

He stood up and looked down on her. The dejection on her pretty face made his heart break but he knew he had to draw the line.

"Well, who else is better for me?" Beth said. "Zach?"

Daryl bristled at the thought of that stupid college boy and Beth together.

"Carl?" Beth suggested, jokingly. "Guess I'll have to wait a few more years…til he's legal…but hey, what does it matter now anyway? I mean, who cares?"

"I do," Daryl answered without missing a beat. "That's why I won't. I got too much respect for you, Beth. I respect Maggie…I sure as hell respect Hershel. This whole time…this whole time we've been messin' around like this…Don't get me wrong…I love bein' with you. I do. But I see your sister…and I see your father. I can't go behind their backs. I know they wouldn't approve of this - at all."

"Daddy didn't approve of Maggie with Glenn at first," Beth countered but Daryl waved her off.

"Don't go bringing them into this," He said, firmly. "Maggie and Glenn are different. You and I…we are not them. We will never be like them, understand?"

Daryl caught a glimpse of the tears brimming on Beth's eyelids. She quickly wiped at them, turned her body away from his and curled up into the fetal position on the cot.

"Would it have been different if I wasn't a virgin?"

"No," He answered honestly. "I still wouldn't,"

"I'm sorry, Beth," Daryl whispered.

"Me too," came her sad reply.