AUTHOR'S NOTES: Thanks for the views and the comments from; brinxb, malzateb, ifoundmyshoe, Guest, DarylDixon'sLover, vifly, megs27, WalkerHarley, BethFan, Ameliya86, SoutheastChicagoMom, Guest and Guest – I'm so happy with your feedback, The Kiss was a long time coming! I had it written months back and was eager as you to get it up. Sorry it took so long but Rick needed to figure out what these feelings he had for Beth were…he figured it out! (",)
WARNING: Okay...we have a lot of fluff and Beth stumbles on a revelation of Rick's in this chapter…
DISCLAIMER: I do not own the Walking Dead or its characters
Apologies in advance for any spelling and grammatical errors. Thoughts in Italics
The Rookie and The Deputy
Chapter 34
Beth was sat beside Rick anxiously looking out the window a couple of thousand feet up in the air. She wasn't anxious of flying, actually was eager to get back up there when the first opportunity came knocking after the ride along. She just didn't think it would be to transport her crush's mother to hospital moments after revelations that feelings were mutual between them both and they'd practically nearly devoured each other in the station's boardroom with half of their colleagues outside the room.
Fireworks went off in Beth's body at 100mph, the most perfect kisses and caresses that made her heart skip a beat and she nearly completely blacked out from the intensity of the whole experience she never felt so powerful before, these kisses ministered by the most perfect hottest lips in the county! Deputy Rick Grimes! – Mmmmm!
Beth's eyes flutter down in shyness remembering the way Rick looked at her, kissed her, touched her, his greediness matched hers! She just couldn't believe it that the most amazing, clever, handsome and sought after man wanted her - Rookie Beth Greene who at times tripped over her own two left feet! She initially thought she'd hit her head hard and it was now a jumble of fact and fiction getting all mixed up but it was all real. They had locked lips more than once, swapped saliva and she had Rick Grimes pinned down on the couch and had made him go hard for her and boy did he do a number on her own body. She'd have given him whatever he wanted from her, even if it was an animalistic urge, it felt sensual and arousing, she was a goner to Rick Grimes! She wonders if his kisses were so good, how good was he in the other department!
Beth looks down at Liv just lying there unconscious - Poor Liv! Beth thought feeling ashamed of herself now for thinking of her son in such desiring ways whilst she laid there in pain.
Beth looks at Rick. She was thankful this is not her first time up here, it would have been a different story had it been. She'd probably would have needed to blow in and out of a brown paper bag because Rick was preoccupied and worried about Liv to take notice if she did begin to panic which she couldn't blame him for, Liv is his mother and Beth knows how much Rick loves and cares about her, another reason why he was the most amazing man in the world! She just loved a man who loved animals and his mother.
She knew she wouldn't have been able to be here for the support had it not been for Rick himself. He had been so understanding and kind giving her absolute assurances, reassurances and coaching her to board a chopper to begin with, so she was grateful to the man sitting beside her for giving her that boost of confidence and support she needed and now she can return the favour to him in the only way she knew how.
Beth reaches out and places her hand on Rick's thigh and squeezes it. Rick looks down and sees her hand and without thinking or waiting a beat longer, he rests his hand atop of hers and holds it there tightly. This lights Beth's heart up that he didn't shrink away and look at her hand like he or she were doing something wrong, he had kept hold of her hand in his and didn't look like he was going to let go. Beth sees Liv twitching and she looks worried just as Rick.
"I'mma land Bertha, hold on ta ya seats and Shorty!" Daryl yells over the noise of the propellers seeing her pale face when he looked over his shoulder, he wasn't used to seeing women upset and knew how to take her mind off of worrying - pissing her off, it always seemed to work since he's met her.
She gives him a questioning look narrowing her eyes for him to continue.
"Don't barf back there!" He says giving her a warning look "Ya barf, ya jump!"
Rick was too busy watching his mom that he missed Beth give Daryl the birdie.
"Atta girl!" Daryl smirks back when he catches Beth's little finger gesture "Now put that pretty finger away, we're gonna descend, don't need ya poking ya eye out, it'd be funny but stupid!"
Beth lifts her hand up in a slapping motion and Daryl lifts his brow.
"There she goes again!" He mumbles to himself wondering whether Rick gets this same treatment, he'd be shocked if he did, it'd be a first!
"Deputy Grimes," Beth leans closer. Rick turns his face to the side to look at her.
"We're gonna land, you need ta hold on, Liv will be ok!" Beth assures him.
Liv cracks her eye open to see Rick looking at Beth and giving her a weak smile wondering how she was going to explain wasting tax players money in being flown to the hospital and now wasting the time of the doctors and nurses. Liv had an urge to jump up and run as soon as the door opened but she was strapped down.
Oh dear Lord, I'm such an idiot! Liv says to herself looking in all direction and then back at Rick.
Rick just nods his head to Beth without verbalising. Beth holds his hand as they land on the roof of the hospital.
The door is being pulled open to a team of waiting staff. Daryl was already out of the chopper giving Liv's medical history, her condition and what had happened. Rick jumps out following as Liv was being put onto a stretcher and being rushed towards the waiting elevator. Rick is stopped by one of the nurses as there was no space so Rick, Beth and Daryl race and take the stairs down to the ER.
Liv lays on the bed once she's been checked over, blood samples taken, wires on her monitoring her heart etc.
"Mrs G!" Shane whispers tapping on her hand.
"Huh?" Live says opening her eyes seeing Shane.
"The doc says you didn't have a stroke or heart attack, they're running more tests on Rick's demands, whatever caused you to collapse, Rick'll get to the bottom of it, he's making a ruckus out there and their scared shit, so we'll get ya the right meds and you'll be off home soon to your own nice comfy bed!" Shane promises holding Liv's hand.
"Shane, I did something really silly and I think a lot of people are gonna be mad at me for wasting time, especially Rick!" Liv worries knowing how much it irritated Rick when people wasted the emergency services time and resources.
"You kidding? Rick will never get mad at you!" Shane laughs "You collapsed, there's no need to feel silly about that, you're old and stressed-" Shane stops when Liv glares at him for calling her old.
"I meant, your middle aged and stressed and need to take it easy!" Shane calms Liv.
"Shane - I faked it!" Liv exposes herself covering her mouth with the bed sheet.
"Don't be silly, I saw you drop like a domino!" Shane says taking a seat on the bed.
"No, I walked in on Rick and Beth and I got a bit too overjoyed and hyperactive and young Leon saw me jumping up and down like an idiot that he began rushing towards the boardroom to see why I was acting like said idiot and I didn't know what I was doing, I just didn't want Rick and Beth's moment to get ruined It's taken forever for them to reach that point and for Leon to walk in and interfere!" Liv shakes her head "Rick deserves to be happy and I didn't want people gossiping and getting into his business, Beth's a really nice girl and she's everything I want for Rick, he really likes her and-" Liv was crying and Shane couldn't make out what Liv was saying, he jumps over and hugs her.
"There, there Mrs G, Rick's real lucky to have a Ma like you!" Shane says trying to make Liv feel better "He wouldn't care, he'll just be happy your okay!" Shane reassures Liv.
"No, he'll be angry and he'll ignore me for interfering and he'll ignore Beth because he's stubborn, he'll think getting together with Beth is a mistake and go back to acting as Regimental Rick like when he and Lori went through all that shit!" Liv sniffs.
Shane was shocked hearing Liv swear looking around to see if anyone heard and sighs with relief they were covered with the curtains.
"It'll all be my fault if they don't get together, don't get married and don't have all the Little Rick's and Beth's that I know Rick wants, he always wanted a big family and if he doesn't get it, it'll be my fault, he really likes Beth, I see it in his eyes. Rick deserves to be happy, I wanted him to find someone special, I don't want him to be alone like I am without his dad! He should be with Beth because he loves herrr!" Liv bursts into tears crying into her hands.
Shane rocks Liv hushing her and then has an idea.
"I dated one of the nurses, she's still sweet on me, I'll sort this, just stop crying, Rick'll get upset if he hears you and sees you like this, now hush and I'll be back!" Shane fluffs Liv's pillow and kisses her head and sneaks out. He wasn't supposed to be back there and he was glad he ignored everyone telling him to wait in the waiting area.
Rick stands there hands on hips outside the curtain watching Shane looking left and right for his ex-nurse-friend. He pulls open the curtain seeing Liv staring out the window looking depressed.
"Tea just the way you like it!" Rick says walking in and taking a seat beside Liv smiling at her.
Liv looks down at her hands and Rick puts the cup down on the table.
"There's something I need to speak to you about!" Rick says looking at Liv and she lifts her head up, looks into Rick's eyes and gulps.
"I don't know if it's come to your attention," Rick begins rubbing the scruff on his chin "I've met someone and I have strong feelings towards her and I'm going to pursue these feelings and I just wanted you to know. So I want you to stop worryin' at anythin' and everythin' that has happened before now, we can forget it and I want to concentrate on the future and I want to introduce this girl to you soon, I have a feeling you two will get along fine!" Rick smiles.
"Oh Rick!" Liv covers her mouth with her hands beaming and then her worry lines appear on her forehead.
"There's something I need to tell you, I did something silly, I didn't mean for this!" Liv says sitting up.
"I'm sure whatever you did, it was done with good intentions, whatever it is, it doesn't matter, I just want the doctors to hurry up and then we can go home!" Rick says holding Liv's hand and gives it a little kiss.
Liv pouts and sighs and strokes Rick's cheek, he was a good son and he took really good care of her, she feels guilty.
"When you get home, you need to shave this scruff off!" Liv sniffs "Your young lady will appreciate smooth soft skin, no girl likes a beard burn!"
Rick reaches for a tissue and hands it over to Liv and laughs.
"I'm serious, your father gave me beard burns all the time when he didn't shave, people talk!" Liv says "It's lucky they didn't see where else I got beard burns!"
"Okay, keep those intimate details to yourself please!" Rick says not wanting to hear scrunching his face at that detail, he didn't need to hear it.
"Rick, how do you think you came to be? You've got two babies!" Liv reminds him.
"Yeah exactly, I don't need to be reminded, now drink your tea!" Rick pleads handing over the cup with a huge sigh of relief when his mom stops talking.
The doctors knocks on the door.
"The results are back, it would appear everything is fine but your blood pressure is a little high which isn't a big concern but is a concern and nonetheless I want to keep it monitored. I am taking it as stress, you've been taking on far too much than your usual charity work you do Mrs Grimes! You need to relax and rest and I'm putting you on bed rest for a week and there will be no negotiations, Deputy Grimes!" The young doctor says looking at Rick.
"I hear you, leave her to me, she's not going to be lifting a finger!" Rick promises.
"I am still here! laying here!" Liv moans.
Rick and the doctor continue talking for a bit more and they shake hands as the doctor confirms he will get Liv's discharge documents ready.
Shane and a nurse come running to the room.
"Rick, Nurse Sarah has got a prognosis, go on," Shane urges Sarah pushing her forward.
"Deputy Grimes, your mother suffered a near minor-" The nurse begins.
"SHANE!" Liv shouts "The doctors been in and confirmed I have high blood pressure!" Liv says before the young nurse got herself into trouble, she didn't need to be dragged into the net of lies which seemed have spiralled out of control.
Shane gestures for Sarah to escape and she does without question.
"I'm really relieved it wasn't a stroke or a heart attack but the test revealed high blood pressure and if you don't look after yourself and don't stop stressing about everyone, you could end up back in here and I really can't bear to think about that!" Rick says sternly. "So you're gonna listen to me and you're not gonna argue, you'll do as the doctors say without complaint!" Rick says finally softening with hopeful eyes that Liv would agree.
Liv reluctantly nods agreeing. She didn't want to cause Rick any stress and grief and she wanted to be ready for when Rick introduces Beth as the girl he was talking about.
"Whatever you say honey, I'll listen!" Liv promises.
"What's wrong?" Daryl asks remembering Beth was sitting beside him.
Beth looks at Daryl and she shakes her head "Nothing!" and manages to give him a small smile. He just nods and goes back to watching people coming and going.
Beth can't keep her hands fidgeting. She was still anxious for Liv's result. She shoves her hands in between her thighs and absent-mindedly bounces her knees up and down.
"Can ya stop that!" Daryl asks seeing this from the corner of his eyes "It's off putting!" He adds "It's bad enough I have ta babysit ya! You can at least just sit still!"
"Gosh, you're such a people person!" Beth huffs staring at Daryl.
Feeling eyes on him, he slowly turns his face to her.
"Do ya have to stare, ain't that, let me think…rude!" He bogs at Beth.
"You stop staring at me!" Beth bogs back.
Daryl and Beth just stare off at one another for the best of a couple of minutes. Daryl having enough as Beth didn't seem intimidated by him, gets up and walks over towards the wall.
"Damn woman, looks like an angel, more like a she-devil!" Daryl gruffs crossing his arms over his broad chest and leaning back against the wall.
"Trip over any bottles today?" Beth sasses back when she heard his insult.
"Catch any Indians today at recess?" Daryl sasses back.
"Native Americans or American Indian!" Beth corrects.
"Whatever Barbie, tell Rick I'll be back once I've checked Bertha." Daryl says taking off.
"Tell him yourself Shaggy!" Beth gets up making her way back to Liv's room stomping off annoyed.
"Rick man…ya don't know what ya gettin' ya self into there," Daryl says looking over his shoulder at Beth checking her out from behind with an appreciative nod "If ya go after that!" He mumbles looking at Beth's tight fitted jeans which left nothing to the imagination.
"Shame! If only some chicks couldn't talk!" He says turning his head back in front of him.
He could see why Rick was attracted to the young blonde, she had a hot body, cute face but was angelically goby. Daryl wonders whether it was just a physical attraction for Rick and not personality which wasn't right, Rick liked women with brains but he's caught Rick's eyes wander and rove over Beth's body at the diner and at the bar last night, maybe Rick just needed to get his leg over.
"One extreme to another - Ice Maiden Lori and now Kindergarten Cop Barbie!" Daryl shakes his head in disbelief "Rick man, she's gonna pussy-whip ya, this one will wipe the floor with ya!" Daryl smirks taking one last look at Beth stomping away throwing her hands in the air as if venting "Crazy ass girl! Looks like an angel, probably the devil in disguise!" He scoffs.
"Stupid Biker Mice from Mars!" Beth grumbles taking a quick look at Daryl turn the corner, she swore she just heard him scoff.
"Babbling Baboon!" Beth shouts throwing her hands up in the air.
She didn't know why Daryl wound her up so easily, she acts like a child when he's about. She turns her head around shaking her head and jumps out of her skin.
"Did ya just call me a Babbling Baboon?" Daryl asks raising his brow beneath his long bangs standing there arms crossed over his chest.
"JEEZE DARYL! You like sneakin' up on people!" Beth barks catching her breathe "And no! I think ya need to get your ears cleaned out old man! I said…Bye Bye Bubba! Now BA..BYE…Shooooo!" Beth gestures to him to move it along.
"Is that how you talk to all people?" Daryl asks.
"Oh no, just you!" Beth smiles a big smile "You're just so special tryin' to kill me an all!" She bats her lashes.
"Ya STILL holding a grudge!" Daryl wipes his face exasperated "Look Shorty, I apologised, can we move past this, specially if ya Rick's girl, don't ya think we should get along, he's practically my brother and-" Daryl take a deep sigh.
Beth looks at Daryl taken aback, her eyes widening and Daryl's eyes shrinking.
"Stop lookin' at me like that!" Daryl orders standing straight.
"What did you say?" Beth asks slowly as if Daryl's an idiot taking a slow step forward.
"What'd I say?" Daryl asks uncrossing his arms realising he wasn't meant to say that out loud "Said nothin'!" Daryl rolls his eyes looking for the nearest exit.
Beth points at him "You said…you said…I'm Rick's girl!" Beth repeats "What has Deputy Grimes said to you!" Beth takes another two steps and Daryl feeling Beth coming closer takes a few big steps back now fidgety thinking she might touch him, might hug him! He just shakes his head.
"You said I'm Rick's girl!" She clasps her hands together and a big smile spreads across her face and she begins to rock back and forth on her heels and then she begins to bounce up and down.
Daryl stands there mouth open, his eyes bounce up and down watching her.
"You sure you're a cop and they're not just humouring ya at The Sheriff's Office?" Daryl asks his eyes bopping up and down.
Beth rushes up to Daryl and hugs him.
"Whoahhhhh!" Daryl says lifting his hands up in the air looking around hoping Rick doesn't get the wrong impression if he sees them and as people walk past laughing more at Daryl than Beth.
Beth lets go of Daryl and her smiles reaches ear to ear.
"She's one fuckin' crazy girl!" Daryl mumbles watching Beth practically skipping away and then she's gone "All the best Rick!" Daryl carries on mumbling walking towards the roof not believing his only real friend, The Deputy Rick Grimes of The Sheriff's Department was going to court Eccentric Rookie Greene.
Beth finds Rick sitting outside the room and she slips into the seat beside him.
"Hey!" She smiles and he smiles back.
Rick leans his head back against the wall and looks at Beth.
"I'm sorry!" Rick sighs running his eyes over Beth.
Beth looks confused and a little worried about him being sorry. Sorry for what she wonders swallowing the lump that had just formed in her throat.
"What are you sorry about?" Beth asks hesitantly.
Rick was about to speak but then the nurse interrupts and Rick excuses himself giving her a tired smile.
Beth sits there worried now and then Shane sits down next to her.
"Hey Sweet Cheeks, ya alright?" Shane asks squeezing her knee.
Beth turns and smiles at him nodding and then watching Rick's back whist he was talking to the nurse.
"Deputy Walsh I need to ask you something!" Beth asks.
"You can ask me anything!" Shane nods.
"Would you ever consider dating me?" She asks looking at him.
"Finally realised your feelings, better late than never, of course I'd date ya...why ya asking me out?" He asks following Beth's eyes on Rick who looked tense running his hand down his face.
"I just wanted your opinion." Beth mumbles watching Rick coming back towards them.
Rick retakes his seat beside Beth.
"They're gonna let mom home, she just needs to take it easy!" Rick says with a huge sigh of relief.
"That's great Rick!" Shane gets up and gives Rick a hug and walks off excusing himself to go to the gents sensing Rick and Beth needed some alone time.
"That's great news which means Liv's okay!" Beth smiles and hugs Rick and he hugs back kissing her head.
"Yeah she's alright!" Rick repeats into her hair
Beth looks up and looks at Rick's tired face.
"You look tired! You need sleep and I know you didn't get any last night, I didn't say thank you for looking after me the way you did, that was really really sweet!" Beth says shyly.
"I didn't want to leave you like that." Rick tells her "I'm just glad it was me there and not anybody else!"
Beth smiles and leans up and kisses Rick's cheek and rests her head on his shoulder. Rick allows his head to drop down on hers and smiles taking hold of her hand in his. Beth watches him run his thumb over her palm and then he grasps her hand in his. She smiles, she was worrying about nothing, what happened in the boardroom was more than just a moment of madness!
"If it's alright with you, I want to help look after Liv, she's gonna need all the help she can get." Beth offers and Rick smiles.
"That would be great, she's a stubborn woman and she seems to listen to you, maybe you could convince her to just stay in bed until the doctors give her the all clear!" Rick gives out a little laugh imagining the look on his mother's face and her hauling herself out of bed at the notion of actually having to stay in bed.
"I have my ways, I'll make sure she rests which means you need to rest too, you're not on until Monday so the rest of the weekend, whatever I say, you have to do!" Beth turn and sit in her chair facing Rick.
"Rest?!" Rick repeats not having rested for a while, work and the children kept him busy and even when he was off, he was doing something or another.
Beth turns back in her seat.
"I have my ways, I'm gonna make sure you rest, you're gonna do everythin' I say the rest of the weekend and you're not goin' to complain!" Beth orders and warns Rick.
"So you're not gonna be jumpin' out in front of cars and savin' children?" Rick teases.
"Nope, I've got some unfinished business to attend to!" Beth shrugs.
"Oh?" Rick says looking at her.
"What I meant to say was, we've got some unfinished business to attend to!" She bites her lip feeling brave waiting for a response from him.
Beth feels Rick lift her hand and then he presses his lips against her knuckle, she smiles.
"We've got unfinished business to attend to!" He says and Beth can sense a smile in his voice.
They look up when they hear Liv's voice. Beth gets up and makes her way over and Rick follows rushing over and puts his arm over her shoulder and gets her to lean up against him.
"Rick, honey, honestly, I'm fine!" Liv says guilty.
"I'll be the judge of that, the doctors have given me the run down of everything and there will be absolutely no complaining, huffing and puffing or anything and Beth will be helping out!" Rick informs Liv.
"Oh Beth dear, honestly, you do not need to miss out on your weekend watching an old fuddy duddy like me!" Liv tells Beth.
"I have nothing on tonight or tomorrow so I am free as a bird, I'm at your service." Beth says hugging Liv and she smiles looking up at Rick and then at Beth. Liv catches Rick smiling.
"Oh okay!" Liv responds knowing if Beth was looking after her, it would mean Rick would be able to spend the rest of the weekend with Beth and they'd be left alone, she'd stay in bed and catch up on her stories on the TV and read a few books that she purchased and hasn't had a chance to read them.
Rick looks at Liv surprised that she wasn't putting up a fight like she always does.
Beth happily beams and clings arms with Liv and they lead the way with Rick trailing behind following the two women.
Once Liv is settled and is actually tired, she falls asleep. Beth goes looking for Rick and finds him in the garage looking for something.
"Deputy Grimes!" Beth calls.
"Over here!" He calls back a short distance away.
Beth finds Rick bent over grabbing at something and pulling it out between boxes.
Rick finds the Over the Bed Lazy Table and puts it down checking it was still in good working order. Beth walks up slowly mesmerised admiring the view Rick was presenting her. She'll never tire of looking at that perfect derrière of his and continues staring until Rick stands up turning around and they bump into one another. Rick catches Beth from falling back into the discarded boxes, she yelps and he pulls her up and kisses her smack on the lips when she's upright against him which takes her by sudden surprise, she latches on to him and can't help but grin.
"Hmmmmm!" Beth hums seeing stars and when Rick pulls apart, he sneaks in another kiss.
Beth keeps her eyes closed smiling holding on to his shirt not believing what is happening, it's like all her Birthday's and Christmas's have all come at once and she wanted to unwrap her main present (Rick) and play with him all night and all of the following day.
"Beth?" Rick whispers in that velvety voice and she lifts her face up blushing.
Rick takes a deep breath and without any further hesitation, he says what he has wanted to say for a long while and he grabs this opportunity of them being alone, there was nobody here to disturb them or it could be the fact that he wasn't willing to wait any longer especially after this afternoon. He didn't fear much but if anyone knew he had feared Beth not reciprocating his affections, they wouldn't believe it. He would have rather chase after Merle Dixon over those roof buildings again then people find out how the rejection would have felt coming from the little lady who brightened up a room once she entered it. He knew how Beth felt about him now so he wasn't afraid of the initial rejection he had feared, he kicked those fears out when he made up his mind. He laughs at himself when he had that imaginary talk with his reflection, now if Shane ever found out, he'd never hear the end of it for the rest of his days and Daryl! Daryl would stare at him like he lost his balls.
"I really, really, really, like you! And I want you, do you want me too?" Rick asks with a small smile on his face.
This song has been on his mind since the first time he heard it watching Beth singing and dancing to the radio in the break room making coffee all those months ago and it was the first thing that had just popped into his head looking into those baby blues. He did have something else, something more mature up in his brain to say but this came out and he internally groans that wasn't how he wanted to ask Beth out. He takes a nervous look at Beth - Beth is going to laugh at him, she gets a kick out of teasing him and he seems to make a fool out of himself in front of her.
Beth opens her eyes shocked staring up at him, the number of time she imagined singing this to him and here Rick Grimes was singing to her, well not actually singing but saying the words back to her but to her ears, he is singing.
Rick waits and waits and sees she's shocked to silence.
"Of all the times you have nothing to say!" Rick mumbles watching Beth's eyes and she's not blinking.
He clears his throat and tries again.
"Beth, I want you, if you want me, then you've got me!" Rick says without beating around the bush and that wasn't how he wanted to say it, he frowns frustrated with himself.
"I know I must sound corny but it's how I feel, I'm done denying it, I'm ready to accept it!" He says forgetting his embarrassment and stepping up and brushing his lips down on Beth's cheek wondering when did he get so romantic?
He can't remember the last time he had been this openly affectionate towards the opposite sex, made a pass at a woman. With Lori, she made the passes at him and they married. The last few years of their marriage, he felt obligated to be affectionate and loving. He was her husband and they had a child and they needed to try but they fell out of love and it wasn't good in the end, it was forced and just not good being with someone you were no longer in love with. Looking back into the past, the signs were there for years and they just turned a blind eye to them, they just weren't meant to be.
But with Beth it's a whole different feeling. He wants to run around after her, be affectionate and romantic, she was worth looking stupid for, he was feeling stupid right now talking mumbo-jumbo, he was no Shane who knew what to say to women when it came to feelings of the heart but Beth isn't a fling, he wants her to understand that, he doesn't do flings, he wants the real thing.
Beth seemed to have lost all mobility standing there like a statue now blinking a few times wondering if her mind had just made that all up. Beth goes to speak but nothing comes out.
Rick lets go of Beth so she can take in all that he had just said, it was a lot to take in and it was the first time he'd ever told a woman he liked her like this. He leans back and takes a seat on the sturdy snooker table behind him waiting for a reply watching Beth standing in front of him opening and closing her mouth. He musters all the strength not to burst out laughing and not to yank Beth over to him, he was adamant that she was going to come to him. If she didn't, there were boxes behind her that he could just dive into and disappear into.
Rick doesn't have to wait much longer as Beth throws her arms around his neck and pounces on him and kisses him hard on the mouth. He had a feeling she'd do this and was glad that this time he was sitting. He lifts Beth up and pulls her onto his lap with ease, she was light as a feather. She still smelled and tasted like strawberry candy-floss, she tasted so sweet and heavenly.
They continue sharing deep long kisses. Rick's hands run up her thighs and proceeds to move behind and he caresses Beth and the excitement bubbles in Beth's belly at his touch. She mumbles something that Rick can't make out but he lets Beth pushes him to lay on to his back whilst she remains above him crawling up and trapping him. Their kisses are now passionate and hungry full of want and need. Rick wraps his arms around her back and waist returning all of Beth's kisses without objection following her lead and when they finally breakaway, Beth buries her face into Rick's neck very happy and a tiny sigh confirming this.
Rick smiles and pulls Beth into a hug and holds her against him.
"Do I take that as a yes?" He asks and Beth lets out a giggle.
"Yeah!" Beth says lifting her head up to look at Rick and smiles and kisses him and lays back down on top of him.
They just lay there cuddling. Beth plays with his button going over the whole day, she didn't want today to end.
Rick had his eyes closed laying there moving his hand over Beth every so often to make sure she was still within his arms.
Beth turns slightly and then her eyes land on something on the far corner and she sits up. Rick follows her up and watches Beth in wonder running his hands down her arms and then she shimmies down off of him and the snooker table. Beth walks over to a massive white sheet. She pulls it off and stares at it and turns back to Rick.
"Whose drum set is this?" She asks running her hand over it.
Rick makes his way over and stands beside Beth crossing his arms looking at the massive instrument taking up a quarter of the garage.
"That…would be mine!" Rick answers.
"NO WAY!" Beth says in disbelief spinning around on her heels to face him.
Rick just nods his head and makes his way around and sits on the seat. He grabs the sticks, wipes them down on his jeans and bangs them together and then does something that takes Beth's breath away. He moves his hands and arms with ease and a technique she's seen in other drummers like Tara who was in her band when she were teen and Shannon Leto from Thirty Seconds to Mars, how many times she went and watched them play when they toured. Beth watches Rick in disbelief as he finishes and looks up at her with a sly smile on his face.
"Bit rusty, been a decade since I last played!" Rick says running her eyes over his baby.
Beth looks at the front of the drum set and it read the bands name "The Grilsh and Boys"
"Oh my god, we can make music together!" Beth mumbles to herself in delight.
Rick liked Beth's face of surprise and delight, he gestures for her to come over and she does without firing the thousand questions she has for him. He takes her hand and manoeuvres Beth to sit in front of him and they are snuggled on the seat together. He hands Beth the sticks she bangs a few times flinching, she wasn't good, she was a guitar and piano girl. Rick reaches out and holds her hands within his and moving their hands, they drum together, they make music together. Beth is in complete and utter awe of this man.
Beth giggles whilst playing and laughs up in the air leaning onto Rick's chest finding out Deputy Rick Grimes is a drummer.
"I've always liked a guitarist because you can bounce of one another but I've always loved a drummer!" Beth tells Rick "Drummers really are the backbone of the band! A drummer is to be a driver, not a passenger and that is so YOU! You are the wind in the sails that makes the ship go! That's YOU! That's my opinion anyways!" Beth says looking over the drums smiling pleasantly surprised at this discovery.
"What else don't I know about you, what other secrets do you have?" She asks him looking up at him feeling his warm breathe near her head.
"Well I suppose with all the time we're gonna be spendin' together you're gonna find out all the good and the bad!" Rick shrugs rubbing his chin noting he needed to shave.
"We are?" Beth asks blushing and he nods.
"Well, I can't wait to find out everythin' about you!" Beth grins looking back at the drums "Let's play some more! But is it okay, the neighbours won't mind?" Beth asks raising her brow.
"My dad had the garage sound proofed when me, Shane and a few others back in High School decided we wanted to be in a band, he was all for it, showed me how to play, his dad showed him!" Rick smiles lost in memories "We can make as much noise as we want!" He informs her.
Beth smiles finding out this little beautiful information, drumming runs in the family.
"That's good to know!" Beth says with a mischievous smile on her face having other thoughts in her mind.
She knew where she'd be dragging him to when she wanted some private time to make some noise and music.
"I better go check on your mom, see if she wants a tea, you want a coffee or beer?" Beth asks.
"I'd love a beer!" Rick smiles.
Rick helps Beth up and before she leaves, she turns around to face Rick, he looks up.
"What you said, I feel the same way and I'm happy that you told me, I never thought you'd think of me like that!" Beth says blushing "But I really like you too and," She leans down and kisses Rick's cheek "I want you too!" and the corners of Rick's lips lift up and he watches Beth climb out of the corner.
"Don't be out here playing too long!" She giggles making her way back into the house. Back home, she played her guitar for hours and knew once Rick started, he'd forget time and get caught up in playing.
Rick sits there watching and turns to his drums and bashes away happily at it. He felt invigorated to make music again, in private anyway. He just hopes Shane doesn't find out and want to start the band up again. Some things were best left in the past, they were pretty shit as a band but he didn't realise how much he missed his drums.
He wonders what Jim, Morales and Ethan were up to nowadays. In three years it will be their Twenty Year High School Reunion. They were good friends, they'd all gone their separate ways after High School and he feels nostalgic and misses old friends. He had forgotten about them and Beth had reminded him.
"Rick!" Beth calls out and he smiles.
"Beth?" He calls back.
"I can't open the drawers to get out spoons, you've baby-proofed everything!" Beth yells.
He places the sticks on the seat and makes for the door, takes a look back at the garage which held thousands of memories, he decides to spend tomorrow sorting through it all, one less thing for Liv to do, he'll surprise her.
"I baby-proofed them for Judy, I didn't Beth-proof them!" He teases as he shuts the garage door leading into the kitchen.
Beth tries to hit Rick with the dish clothe for trying to be a smartass. He grabs her wrist, twirls her around into his arm dipping her back as he kisses her and Beth stops protesting enjoying this laid back Rick draping her arms around his neck happy to be manhandled by him.
A/N: Well, Rick FINALLY told Beth and Beth FINALLY fessed up to liking Rick too =)
The revelation of Rick was, he was a musician back in High School in a band with Shane - He was a drummer and Beth's going to encourage him to play again even if it's just for himself or sneakily for her! One musician to another, she'll share her love of music with Rick.
I saw Thirty Seconds to Mars at one of their shows a couple of years ago and they were brilliant and I absolutely loved Shannon, he is one of the best drummers out there!