A/N: I own nothing TWD. If I did, I'd have the cast come to your house and bring you breakfast in bed. Then they'd encourage you to stay in bed all day while they, for once, took care of things around the house for you.

Beth practically ran to her truck, afraid that if she didn't get out of the campus quickly she would have a break down. She needed a distraction. She wasn't ready for reality just then. She needed something shiny to distract her, something to help dull the pain that was slowly rising up her body. She shook her head a little as if to recharge her senses and reached for her phone.

"Hey Bethy" her sister answered on the fourth ring. Beth could hear her nephews screaming in the background, apparently in some sort of argument.

"Hey Maggie. I got a quick question for you. If you're feeling kind of moody and need a distraction, what would you do?" There was a long pause.

"Well, alcohol always helps."

Beth rolled her eyes "Come on, Maggie, I need your help. I'm not feeling so great right now."

She heard a loud piercing scream in the background. Maggie swore under her breath before yelling to the boys that she was on the phone.

"That enough of a distraction for you?" Beth laughed this time. She loved her sister so much.

"Shopping usually helps." Maggie continued "Buying something stupid and unnecessary. That always works for me." She heard one of the boys (Michael she was sure) start yelling again. She didn't want to take up any more of her sister's time. She was obviously busy.

"Awesome thanks, Mags. I'll call you later."

"Hey Beth, wait!" she heard her call out right as she was about to hang up.

"Are you okay? Is this one of those times I need to worry about my little sister?"

"Maggie, you always worry about me." Beth was sure she sensed her sister smile amongst the crying boys.

"I'm okay, just a little sad. I'll explain everything later, I promise."

"Okay, good. Love you, Bethy"

"Love you too Mags."

Five minutes later, Beth was parked in front of a drugstore. She really wasn't in the mood to be around too many people, so she figured this place would be perfect. Plus she figured she should be proactive and buy some melatonin or something, just in case she had a hard time falling asleep later.

Maggie had suggested for her to go and buy something stupid and unnecessary. The neighborhood pharmacy probably wasn't the ideal place, but Beth figured it wouldn't hurt to browse anyway. She grabbed a basket and started walking aimlessly around the store. Beth walked between aisles of early holiday decorations Independence Day is three months away after all and random lawn furniture. She had a nice little patio area at her apartment, maybe she could get a potted plant or something. She turned the corner and walked into the candy aisle. Candy is always, always, always, a good choice she thought as she grabbed two packs of assorted Hershey chocolates. Beth took her time looking at all the items lined across the shelves before she reached the vitamin section and dropped a large bottle of melatonin in her basket. She started heading towards the registers when she came across the beauty department and slowed down.

Beth had a love-hate relationship with makeup. On the one hand, she enjoyed the confidence it gave her when she wore it, yet that confidence often led to nervousness about being noticed by other people. She walked tentatively down the aisle looking at all the shades of lipstick in front of her. She really wished Maggie or Tara were there with her, they were great at this sort of thing. She stared at the colors some more and figured it wouldn't hurt to pick up a new shade, just to try it out. She'd secretly liked red lipstick, and Tara swore up and down that she would be able to pull it off. Beth looked at the selection and scowled, not realizing that red came in so many shades. She picked up one that seemed a little too bright and put it next to her face.

"That shade would look really good on you!" Beth dropped the lipstick as the unfamiliar voice spoke.

"Oh, I scared you, I'm so sorry." The young woman came up to Beth and picked up the lipstick she had dropped. Beth laughed as she reached for it. "No, I'm just a bundle of nerves right now, please don't apologize." Beth put the cap back on the lipstick and put it back on the shelf.

"Oh no, don't put it back. I meant it. With your fair complexion, that color would look really good on you" the woman reached for the lipstick again and handed it to her. "Really, try it on!" she encouraged as Beth took it back. She was so moved by the woman's enthusiasm that she obliged, first smearing the color on her index finger before applying it to her lips.

"Huh. You're right. It doesn't look bad." She said as she looked at the small mirror placed on the shelf for that very purpose. She turned to the woman and smiled "Thanks."

The woman smiled back and nodded. She looked at Beth for a short while before speaking again. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to stare, but you look really familiar."

Beth laughed, nodding back to her. She got that a lot. Working at the library had that effect on people.

"Are you a student at the college?" Beth asked in return, watching as familiarity dawned on the woman who had started nodding enthusiastically.

"That's probably where you know me from. I work at the library. If you've ever been in there, you've likely seen me."

"Yes, that's where I know you from! You helped my boyfriend with his thesis last semester. You were so patient with him, I was about ready to ring his neck!" Beth laughed. That sounded about right. Thesis time was very stressful for the students, so oftentimes she saw the best of the frazzled.

"I'm sure he was fine. I'm Beth by the way." She extended her hand to the woman who took it immediately. "Hi Beth, nice to meet you. I'm Sasha."

During their brief conversation in the drugstore, both Beth and Sasha decided it would be a good idea to grab some coffee. Sasha had to study for a mid-term and needed the energy boost, whereas Beth didn't want to be alone with her thoughts (though she didn't mention that part to Sasha). Both women fell into easy conversation, something that was usually difficult for Beth.

"So what classes do you take at the school?" Beth asked after a good half hour of getting to know each other. "I'm a psych major, mostly in the child development department." Beth put her drink down slowly and looked at her new friend. "Did you know Carol?" Beth asked quietly, feeling her heart speed a bit.

Sasha looked down at her mug "Professor Peletier? Yes, I knew her." She began absentmindedly tracing the rim of her mug. "She taught a lot of my classes, and was kind of my mentor."

Both women were silent for a few seconds, letting thoughts of Carol fill their mind. "Did you take classes from her too?"

Beth shook her head "No. I met her, unsurprisingly, at the library." Beth chuckled softly. "She came in to get a book mended and we kinda became friends after that."

Sasha took a deep breath and began playing with the stirring stick in her coffee. "She was pretty great, wasn't she?" Beth smiled and nodded in agreement. "She really was."

"I can't believe it was something as stupid as the flu that…"Sasha shook her head and took a big gulp of her coffee rather than finish the sentence.

"I know" Beth crossed her arms and placed both elbows on the small table in front of her, looking past Sasha at a random tree in the background.

"Some of the professors in my department say it was because of Sophia. They said she just never recovered from that loss. It weakened her heart and made it difficult for her to fight the illness."

"I mean," Sasha continued "that's just tragic, losing a daughter. I can't imagine that sort of loss. I'd fucking lose it if something happened to my brother."

"Do you know how it happened? Sophia I mean?" Beth didn't know if it was okay to ask that question, but felt comfortable around Sasha to ask it anyway.

"I don't. It never seemed right to ask, you know?" Beth gave her a sad smile in agreement. Sasha looked at her watch "Oh, shit, I have to go. I was supposed to meet Bob fifteen minutes ago. I totally lost track of time." She quickly got up and packed her belongings in her bag. "It was really great to meet you Beth."

"You too. And you know, I'm always at the library. It's starting to wind down just a bit, so if you ever want to hang out again…"

"That would be great Beth, I'd like that!" She quickly scribbled her number on a napkin, making Beth promise to call her if she ever needed help buying new lipstick. Beth laughed and promised she would.

Once Beth got back inside her truck she called her sister, knowing she would be worried sick about her. Maggie insisted on her coming over, regardless of it being a school and work night for the boys. Once she got in, the boys came running up to her, reminding Beth that there was nothing that would cheer her up more than those kids running to greet her.

"Okay, spill it!" Maggie handed Beth a glass of wine before she stepped inside the door. "Wow, Maggie, an actual wine glass? No plastic super hero cups today?"

Maggie shook her head as she took a sip from her own. "Nope, this is going to be a serious conversation I take it, and that deserves serious attention." Beth walked into the kitchen as Glenn was setting the boys up with a movie. She had a seat at the table, and proceeded to bend forward and place her cheek on the table. Maggie walked behind her, lightly squeezing her neck as she walked by. She sat next to her sister just as Glenn walked in. "Is this a sister's only thing? Because I sort of get nervous whenever Maggie brings out the good glassware." Beth laughed as she felt the wood scratching her lightly under her skin.

"It is a sister's thing, but don't think for a second that means you aren't included." She answered while watching him from her awkward position at the table. Glen smiled at her and patted her head as he went to grab a beer from the fridge.

"What's going on Beth?" her sister looked down at her, tone gentle and worrisome.

"In the big scope of things nothing really." She rolled her head slightly so that her forehead was now pressing down on the table.

"Today during lunch I found out that Daryl is seeing Andrea" at that moment, Beth realized how something that could be summed up in one sentence still had enough of an impact to make her feel sick to her stomach.

"Who's Andrea?" Glenn was looking at Maggie when he asked. Maggie shrugged, unsure as to what the answer was.

"Andrea is Amy's sister." Beth answered as she rolled her head back to face the direction of her sister and brother-in-law. Recognition dawned on Maggie as she took in what Beth was saying.

"Who's Amy?" Glenn still looked confused.

"Amy is Tara's girlfriend, dad." Michael had somehow snuck into the kitchen and was looking at his father with a look of disappointment.

"Hey, get back out there boy" Maggie stood and led Muck out of the kitchen.

"It's nice to know not all the Rhee boys are entirely clueless." Beth chuckled as she slowly raised her head to face Glenn. He was watching her closely, obviously working on how to say what he wanted to.

"I know it shouldn't upset me, but it does. I liked him. I was hoping it would have been me." As she said those words out loud, she dropped her head back onto the table, fighting the urge to cry. God I'm pathetic.

"Beth, you didn't want it to be you." Glenn said after a minute.

"Are you sure? 'Cause right now her life is looking pretty good compared to mine." She lifted her head again and downed the last of her wine.

"Nah, it isn't like that." He went around and sat next to her and looked her square in the eyes. "Andrea, she's a band aid. She's a pain killer. He's probably still hurting from Carol and needs a distraction, something that will take the pain away." He put his hand on hers.

"He doesn't want a cure from the hurt, he just wants to dull it."

He smiled at her and patted her hand "You don't want to be pain killer, Beth. No happy endings ever come from them. No good story develops from something that begins that way."

She smiled as she looked at him. She felt her eyes moisten and slowly nodded in agreement.

The following day, Beth sat in her little office as the Black Keys played from her computer. She thought for a long time about what Glenn had told her. He was right. She didn't want to be a distraction for Daryl. If that was what he needed right now, Beth was damn happy that it wasn't her. She wouldn't have been able to handle it. She was no pain killer.

She knew this, all she had to do now was believe it.

Beth looked around her little office. Besides the pictures in her frames that she had updated from time to time, everything else was exactly as she had organized it years ago. This angered her.

Well Greene, you wanted a push. You've been pushed.

You aren't a band aid. You're a bad ass. And bad assess just shake it off and move on.

So move on.

She quickly got up from her seat and walked out towards the hallway. She found Tara a few feet away in deep conversation with Olga.

"Tara I have a question for you" Beth interrupted, not caring in the least what the two women had been discussing.

"What's up?" Tara looked concern.

"How do I look?" Beth was almost timid as she asked it.

Tara balked. That was clearly not what she was expecting.

"Uh, you look fine Beth" Tara answered, still taken aback by her question

"No really, Tara. How do I look?" Beth gestured at her outfit, trying to emphasize what she was trying to ask.

Tara gave Beth a once-over and took a step forward.

"Take off the cardigan." Beth quickly took it off, making her strapless floral dress more revealing now that she didn't have her cover. "And um, take your hair down." Beth quickly undid her side ponytail and fanned her hair over her shoulders. Tara smiled and turned to Olga "You look beautiful Beth" Olga smiled and nodded in approval.

"Thanks fogie. I'll be right back" Beth walked back to her office, placing the blue cardigan over her chair before she turned to leave again. As she was about to walk out, she saw her reflection on the large silver frame hanging by her door. She quickly French braided her hair again, just at the crown of her head, tying it loosely and a bit sloppily over her left shoulder. She loved braids, and thought that particular style looked good on her. She turned and put her cardigan back on. She loved cardigans, and this one was cute and form fitting, hugging her small curves and giving her a look of sophistication. She squared back her shoulders and looked at the reflection once more. If she was going to give herself a push, she was still going to be Beth when she did it. Just for fun, she took out the red lipstick Sasha had helped her pick and applied it to her lips.

A few minutes later, Beth was walking out her office again, feeling a little more scared, but a lot more confident than she had been for a long time.

"Ah, there she is! That's it!" Tara called out to her as she was about to step outside. Beth turned and looked at her friend. "Baby-girl, now you look stunning."

She had never been to that part of campus, never had a reason to. She knew how to find it though; she knew every inch of this school. All the librarians were tasked with giving tours of the campus whenever requested. For whatever reason, students always seemed to go to the library whenever they got lost, so Beth made an effort to learn every nook and cranny of the Georgian school. Now here she was, a place she had always directed lost students to, but never actually had a reason to come.

Not that she had a reason now, but what the hell. What did she have to lose?

"Can I help you?" the female behind the desk asked as she walked in.

Great, what now?

"Yeah I, uh, lost something?" Beth realized she sounded completely confused, but she hadn't exactly planned this out. Rebels didn't plan things, right?

"Okay, you'll have to fill out a Lost Property Report" the girl reached down underneath her and handed a form over to Beth, forcing her to walk in further into the office. As Beth pretended to look over the document she sensed another person walk up in front of her.

"Its okay Rosita, I got this" Beth smiled as she continued reading the form. She had to fight the urge to giggle as she looked up, pushing her hair behind her ears.

Mr. Shane Walsh was staring back at her with that familiar grin on his face.

So this is what it looks like when a guy is interested in you?

Beth quickly looked down at her form again, writing her name and number on the corresponding lines.

She still sensed him looking at her. Surprisingly, she didn't feel herself blush.

Rosita walked away leaving Beth and Shane alone in the campus security lobby. "How may I help you" he leaned his head close to Beth's in order to read the name she had just written "Miss Beth Greene?"

"Well" Beth stalled. She still had no clue what she was doing. She started to chuckle out of nerves, though it appeared to make her more endearing to Shane. He continued watching her, an amused smile plastered on his face.

"I seem to have misplaced" Beth scanned the room, searching for a prompt to help her figure this out before her eyes locked on the clock above his shoulder.

"I seemed to have misplaced my lunch" She finished, a proud look on her face.

Bad. Ass.

Shane chuckled as he leaned further on the counter. "Okay then, Ms. Greene. Let's go out there and help you find it."

A/N: Just a couple of things before you all start to tar and feather me (or worse, un-follow the story!) One, the next chapter will be up really, really soon, so you won't have to wait as long as you did last time (sorry for that, I was catching up on life. And by life, I meant sleep). Second, I predict this will be the last chapter in which you all throw your hands up in the air and curse me for making you all wait for the Bethly to begin. Good things are happening, friends, I pinky swear. And they will happen sooner than you think….but still not so soon that I am cheating the spirit of the story. I am a 100% Bethlyer, and I will drown happily on this ship. This story WILL reflect that.

By the way…how AMAZING was the season premier?! I have seen it three times thus far, but I bet a lot of you have got me beat ;)