Beth Greene was not a criminal by nature but her hormones overruled her best judgment regarding this particular transgression. And it would be too easy; so she wasted no time in getting the job done. All she had to do was enter Rick's cell, like usual, pick up some dirty clothes or something that belonged to one of his kids and no one would be the wiser.

Now, where would he keep condoms? She was pretty familiar with his meager belongings and hadn't seen them in the regular course of the day. She hated to dig in his personal bag but that was the only place left that she hadn't looked.

"What ya looking for?"

Beth shrieked and whirled around. "Carl Grimes, you just about scared the life out of me!" she exclaimed holding her hand over her chest trying to calm her rapidly beating heart. "I was just looking for any clothes here to wash."

"Carol did them yesterday." He crossed the little room eyeing her speculatively. He climbed upon his bunk because it made her look up at him and he didn't feel like a little kid.

She wasn't going to get anything done now. "Well, if that's the case then I'll be going, Carl. See ya!" She gave him a little wave and headed out the door.

"Wait a minute, Beth!" Carl called to her. He pulled something out of his pillow case and held it up. "Is that what you're looking for?" A long strip of foil packets dangled from his fingers.

"Carl Grimes! What are you doing with those?" she huffed and grabbed for them. "Give them to me right now! Before your father finds you with them." That ought to scare him, she thought smugly.

The preteen boy held them just out of her reach. "Maybe we can make a deal?" he suggested, cocking his head to the side and pushing the brim of his hat up so she could see his eyes and know that he was serious. "I like you and you like me. We can…kiss…or you can let me see your…"

"Why you little brat," she sputtered. Beth didn't get angry much but she was on the verge of losing her temper with this kid.

"C'mon Beth, we're friends," he whined. "Why not?"

"Because we're not that kind of friends!" Seriously? Did he think she liked him like that just because she was nice to him?

"I don't want to die a virgin!" he taunted in a high-pitched voice.

That did it. That pushed her over the edge. "You little monster! You've been spying on me." She grabbed him by the foot trying to pull him down.

"What the hell is going on in here?"

Beth jumped back. Damn it!

"Nothing, Dad," Carl said and tried to hide the condoms but he wasn't quick enough to escape his dad's sharp sight.

"Give me those!" Rick said snatching them out of his hand at the same time.

Beth wanted to sneak out behind Carl's dad but she didn't want to leave without the prize. She eyed the shiny strip of little squares that was now firmly in Rick's grasp. Shoot! How was she going to get them now? If she somehow managed to snag them, she was taking at least a 70% cut.

"Carl, you gonna tell me what in the hell you are doing with these?"

His dad was really angry. The only thing he could think of to say that might save his butt was a lie. "Uh, er, nothing. I just found them. I don't even know what they are."

"You just found them in my things?" Rick raised his eyebrows like he didn't even come close to believing his son's story. "Get out, son; I'll deal with you later."

After Carl left, Rick turned to Beth, surprised she was still there. He put a hand on her shoulder. She was shaking and her face was a bright pink. "Beth, hon, are you okay?" What on earth did his son do to upset her so much? "Did Carl say something to you?"

She shook her head and avoided his interrogation gaze. "He's fine, sir."

"You can tell me, Beth. If he said or did anything inappropriate I need to talk with him." Shit. I'm going to have to have one anyway. He felt a faint throbbing begin at his temple.

"Really, sir. It's fine," she replied. She couldn't quite meet his eyes when she asked, "Do you mind if I take those?" and pointed to the condoms.

Rick gave her a puzzled look. "Um, sorry Beth but they aren't mine to give away."

"I know that. I, er, Amanda…" Shoot! I didn't mean to say that!

And then it dawned on him. "Wait a minute. Did Mandy send you here to get these?"

She couldn't look at him but she nodded. "Sort of."

"Shit," he said, shaking his head. He mumbled, "You've got to be kidding."

"Sorry," she squeaked.

He ran his hand through his hair. Unbelievable. "Tell you what, Beth, why don't you rescue your dad and watch Judith for a while and I'll return these to Amanda." He pocketed the condoms.

Oh lord, I'm in for it now. "Yes sir," Beth answered quickly and scurried off.

Daryl just finished his watch and was looking for Beth. He didn't ask anyone because he was trying to slip away with her for a little…loving, fucking, whatever. He thought finally having her would help ease his desires but it actually had the opposite effect. Now that he had a taste, he wanted more. He was pretty proud of his little set up on the perch. It was actually Merle's idea but Beth didn't need to know that.

The little princess was with Herschel. Carol and Rowan were chattering away in the kitchen. Maybe Beth still had more shit to move from her old cell. Daryl was headed to Cell Block C when he heard the patter of soft-soled shoes running his way. "Whoa there, Angel!" he said, trapping his quarry as she rounded the corner. "Must be looking for me if you're in such a hurry."

"Dear lord Daryl!" she exclaimed.

"Someone chasing you?"

She shook her head. "No, I just…it's nothing." She caught her breath and smiled at him. "I wasn't looking for you but I'm glad you found me." She pressed her body into his and placed a kiss at the base his neck. He tilted her head up to capture her mouth but not before he glanced around to make sure no one was watching.

She rose on her toes and licked the outer shell of his ear. "Think anyone is in B-block at this time of the day?"

"If they are, I'll kick 'em out," he growled and shoved her playfully toward the corridor. "C'mon, sugar, I been thinkin' of you all day." He swatted at her ass but missed "Damn girl!"

Blonde hair flying behind her, she ran ahead and teased, "You got to catch me first, Dixon!"

Daryl grinned. There was no way he was not gonna catch her before she reached the end of the hallway. He loped along behind her gaining ground quickly. Beth looked over her shoulder and sped up seeing how close he was but it was too late.

She shrieked when he grabbed her around the waist lifting her feet off the ground. "I don't think I can wait," he said, turning her around in his arms and pushing her back against the wall. His mouth settled on the pulsing vein at the hollow of her throat.

"I thought…ooooh," she moaned as his hands found their way under her shirt and bra to her bare breasts.

"Thought what, angel?" he mumbled against her skin sending shivers to the tips of her toes.

She slipped her hands under the front of his shirt finding his flat nipples and rolling them into hard pebbles.

"Fuck!" he growled and reached for the button of her shorts.

"I thought you weren't going to do me against a wall," she reminded him, breathlessly.

He snorted, "That was the just for first time, darling." He yanked down her zipper and reached for his. Now, that he already had her, he had no qualms about fucking her whenever or wherever they could as long as it was private. There just hadn't been near enough chances lately for his taste.

"Got a condom?" she asked with hope in her voice.

"Fuckin' hell!" Of course he didn't. He was planning on doing this in the tent not the corridor. He exhaled, frustrated. He zipped his pants and then hers. He kissed her forehead. "Still some in your cell?"

She nodded with a grin.

They stopped right outside the cell block B. Daryl grabbed her arm to keep her from entering before him. "Lemme go in first. Make sure it's clear."

"Hurry," she said, pulling down his head for one more kiss and slipping her tongue between his lips.

"Shit, girl. If you don't cut that out…" she smothered his warning with her mouth and he finally had to tear himself away. He pushed her hands away. "I mean it, Beth." A spark of mischief danced in her pretty blue eyes and she grabbed his ass as soon as he turned away.

"You're playin' with fire, girl."

"I hope so."

Daryl shook his head and held his hand up for her to stop. He opened the door and looked around. "Hey!" he called out. "Anyone here?" His inquiry was met with silence.

He grinned and held his hand out. She put hers in his larger one. "I have a surprise for you, Angel."

"Really?" She loved surprises, well the good kind like birthday surprises, not the kind you come up on at the end of the world. She couldn't imagine what it could be.

Beth walked into the cell block and looked around. Not seeing anything unusual she glanced skeptically at Daryl. He nodded toward the perch but his face didn't give anything away.

She ascended the stairs, slowing her pace as she neared the top. She could feel the heat of his body right behind her. His hands came forward to hold on to her hips. She looked in wonder at her new "home."

"You did this for us?" she asked softly.

He leaned forward and kissed her bare shoulder. "Whaddya think?" She turned to him with tears in her eyes. Shit. This could be good or bad, he thought. He was going to go with good because what possibly could be wrong with it?

And he was right. Beth threw her arms around his neck and sealed her mouth over his. He grabbed her ass and lifted her up to wrap her legs around his waist and he carried her up the last few steps. "Umm, Angel, darling, ya gonna have to let go if ya want me to unzip the tent," he said, reluctantly removing his lips from hers and dropping her feet to the ground.

She giggled and snagged another kiss. "Can I do it?" Her hands were already on the door flap.

He gave her a quick nod and she practically ripped the zipper down and crawled into the dim interior. She squealed and flopped down on her back on the mattress. "It's perfect!" she proclaimed.

"Ya think so?" He said crawling in after her.

"Come over here and let me show you."

Amanda hummed as she folded the clothes on the kitchen table. She felt better than she had in a long time. Light-hearted…she had almost forgotten what that feeling was like. Also, relieved that she wasn't totally "broken" as her little rendezvous with Caesar proved.

Caesar stopped in the doorway smiled at the woman he'd become so attached to in such a short time. He hoped the smile on her face and the off-key tune that she hummed were a direct result of their growing relationship.

He slipped up behind her and put his arms around her waist. She turned and kissed the side of his face. Her hair was piled in a mess on top of her head and that left her slender neck exposed so he took full advantage of it by licking the salty skin from her shoulder to the delicate spot behind her ear. She leaned back against his wide chest and he trailed his hand up her stomach, between her breasts to the hollow of her throat where his fingers caressed the warm flesh. Feeling her pulse quicken sent a rush of longing to his groin which didn't go unnoticed by Amanda since it poked her in the ass.

She reached behind her to stroke him through his pants but he seized her hand. "Shit, baby, I don't think I can take that right now." MerleDixonMerle DixonMerleDixon. There. Worked like a charm. He turned her around in his arms and thoroughly kissed her until he was dizzy and she was dazed. He opened his eyes to see her blue eyes staring at him.

"I felt that."

"What?" he feigned ignorance.

"You know what, Caesar! How did you make it go down so fast?"

He shook his head and laughed. "That's my secret baby and I ain't ever gonna tell!" He kissed the end of her nose.

She flattened her palms against his chest and circled his nipples through his shirt. "I bet I can make you." She leaned forward and mouthed one through the thin fabric.

He allowed himself to enjoy it for about ten seconds before he pulled her head away. MerleDixonMerleDixonMerleDix on. "I'll tell you what, sweetheart, give me some of those clean clothes behind you and I'm going to shower." He kissed her lips swiping the lower one with his tongue. "And then, later, in the cell block, I might let you try getting my secret out of me." With one more kiss he tore himself away.

"Okay. I accept your offer but be warned, Martinez, I play dirty," she said as she handed him his clothing.

"I was counting on it, you being a Dixon and all." He winked and started to turn away.

Amanda flicked a towel at his ass. He was too fast. but he grabbed it with his free hand and pulled her to him. She squealed, "Damn it! How did you -" and he smothered her mouth with one last kiss.

"Hey, Amanda, Caesar," Maggie said, standing in the doorway with a wry look on her face.

"Oh, hey, Maggie," the other woman answered, flushed and slightly breathless.

Caesar nodded to Maggie and then kissed Amanda on the cheek. "See ya later, baby."

"Those are yours and Glenn's." Amanda pushed a stack of clothing across the table toward the oldest Greene sister. "Carol said you were looking for me?"

"Um, yeah. I was." Maggie entered the room almost reluctantly. "What's going on with you two?"

"You had something to tell me?" she asked frostily. She wasn't happy with the interest that everyone seemed to have in her personal life and was tired of justifying her actions.

Thankfully, the other woman took the hint and didn't ask anything else. She pulled a package out of her pocket and gave it to the dark-haired woman. "I picked this up a while back but turned out I didn't need it. Thought you might be able to use it."

Amanda took the small box. A pregnancy test. It took a moment to register. Her hand started shaking.

"Hey," Maggie said, taking her shoulder. "Amanda?" She grabbed a chair and shoved it behind the trembling woman.

Oh God. She sat down hard. Her breath came in hoarse gulps. Now she would know for sure. She could tell herself she wasn't pregnant, that she was just being paranoid but now she would have to face the truth one way or the other.

"Amanda!" Rick called out to her in one of the corridors. She didn't know where she was going but she needed to be alone to think. She practically crushed the box in her hand. She needed to get the guts to take the damn test and she didn't need or want to talk to a pissy Rick. That's the tone she heard in his voice so she didn't turn around. She kept walking faster. His footsteps fell faster.

"Shit!" Amanda cursed as she stumbled over her own feet in a hurry to get away.

Rick grabbed her by the elbow to keep her from falling. 'What the hell is going on? Do you know-" He stopped when he saw the tears on her face and the desperate look in her eyes. "Honey, what's the matter?"

She shook her head; curls fell loose from the knot of hair on top of her head.

He wrapped her in a hug, "Mandy, love, talk to me."

"I can't," she replied, tearfully wiping her nose on his shirt.

C'mon." He gently led her to the infirmary and unlocked the door.

Oh God, of all places, she thought, not here. Be a Dixon! She shoved the test into her pocket and sucked in big gulps of air trying to calm down. She leaned against the counter; the counter where Rick touched her…she quickly stepped forward like she'd been burned.

"Honey," he reached for her shoulder.

Please don't touch me. I might fall apart. She pulled away, eyes wide.

"Mandy, I'm not going to hurt you." How could she even think that?

"I know," she sniffled, wiping her tears away with the back of her hand. "I'm sorry, Rick. Did you want me for something?"

"It doesn't matter."

"No, I'm fine," she insisted. "What is it?"

"Well, honestly, I was going to lecture you about sending a girl to retrieve your condoms but it doesn't seem so important, now."

"We know Beth isn't a girl anymore."

"Yeah…that's true. This life makes you grow up too fast," he agreed, thinking of his own son.

Amanda nodded, tucking her hair behind her ears.

"Daryl said you left these for me." He held his hand out, foil packets shiny on his palm.

She shrugged, not meeting his gaze. If this test was positive, she sure as hell wouldn't need them.

"So technically, I believe they belong to me." The corner of his mouth was turned up in a half-smile.

That got her attention. "You're kidding?" Maybe she might not need them, he didn't need them either.

"Nope," he said, folding his fingers back over them and returning the condoms to his pocket.

"Fine," she said and headed for the door. Let him keep them. Right now she didn't give a damn.

He put a hand on her arm to stop her from leaving. "Don't go yet, Mandy."

"Please Rick," she replied, pulling away.

"You're upset and I know it's not about these." He patted his pocket. "I think it's about what's in yours." He eyed the large right pocket where the thing was.

"What are you talking about?" Damn cop eyes!

"You're a terrible liar and you know it, hon. I saw you stick something in there when we came in here. Something you didn't want me to see." He crossed his arms and pinned her down with his stare.

"So what makes you think I want you to see it now, Officer Rick?" She gripped what was left of the box tightly in her sweaty hand refusing to look away from his steady gaze; but she could feel her lower lip start to tremble so she bit it.

Rick reached down for her arm, wrapping his strong fingers around her wrist, pulling her hand out of the pocket with little resistance from Amanda. He eased her fingers one by one away from the package and took it from her hand for a closer look. He exhaled loudly.

Amanda burst into tears and he pulled her against him. "Mandy, honey," he whispered against her hair and rubbed her back trying to give her a little comfort if possible.

"I don't know if I can do it, Rick," she sniffled.

"You want me to get your dad or Daryl?" He didn't know who she'd want but he sure as hell wasn't offering to get Martinez.

"You're kidding, right?" She almost laughed through the tears.

"They're your family, honey."

"And I don't their help peeing on a stick." That would be a circus she didn't want to see.

"That's not what I meant. I thought you might need someone after…to wait with you…or when you get the results." I'll stay if you want.

"And you're not volunteering?"

"Didn't think you'd want me here."

"I don't but I'm not going to wait for you to round up someone up to hold my hand!"

"Should I stay?"

"Do what you want," she muttered, trying to straighten out the crushed instructions so she could read them. "Shit. I have to pee on this for five seconds? I don't have to go that much." Fuck! Can't anything be easy?

"Want me to get you a bottle of water?" He offered.

"Fine," she said, because until she had more to drink, this wasn't happening.

He didn't like the idea of leaving her hear by herself. "Wanna walk with me?"

"No."

Of course she said no. He expected as much. Shit. The stubborn set of her jaw told him she meant what she said. "Then, please don't leave."

She just looked at him, arms crossed.

"I mean it, Mandy."

"Okay, fine. Just go."

Rick returned with two bottles of water and Rowan in tow.

The taller woman took the directions from Amanda's hands. "You don't have to pee for five seconds, sweetie. You can pee in a cup first and hold the stick in it for that long, if you prefer."

"I don't have a cup," she said, drawing a long swig from the bottle.

"We are in an infirmary," the ever-helpful Rick pointed out. "I'll find you one."

Rowan patted Amanda on the back. "At least you'll know," she said.

Amanda nodded. Her Dixon resolve was fleeing and she was afraid her voice would crack if she said anything.

"What the hell is going on in here?" boomed her daddy's raspy voice. Merle looked from his lover, to his daughter, and then his nemesis.

"Oh well just fuck me!" Amanda said, running her fingers through her hair, loosening the rest of it so it fell across her forehead. "Why are you here, Daddy?"

"Maggie said you was upset and ran off. I was worried about ya, Ladybug." He actually sounded hurt.

"I'm sorry, Daddy."

"Whatcha got there?" He grabbed the instructions from Rowan's hands. After a quick glance he breathed, "Fuck."

"Yeah." Amanda agreed.

"Well?"

"Can't pee."

He nodded, "Then keep drinking." Merle sat down on the doctor's stool. "What's Officer Rick doing here?"

"Moral support," Amanda answered for him.

Merle snorted. "How long does that thing take after ya piss on it?"

"Three minutes," Rowan replied.

"Okay then." He patted his legs, "C'mere, baby doll." Rowan sat on his lap and he wrapped his arms around her, resting his chin on her shoulder and glanced toward his daughter. "Why don't you relax on that stretcher, Baby Girl? Just until ya feel like you can take a piss."

Uh, no. Amanda shuddered. If her daddy only knew what had happened on the stretcher. She inadvertently glanced at Rick. He was watching her and by the look on his face he was remembering the same thing she was. She turned away when she felt the heat creep up her chest to her cheeks. "I think I'll stand," she mumbled.

Rick finally located a sample cup and handed it to Amanda. She looked at it and said, "I think I'd rather pee on the stick."

She rubbed her face and looked around at the three sets of expectant eyes. "I can't believe I have a fucking audience! Anybody bring popcorn?"

There was a knock at the door. All four heads turned in unison.

Fuck! "Might as well come in," Amanda called out.

A freshly scrubbed Caesar opened the door and glanced around the room, a puzzled look on his face. "I heard voices." He looked around at the occupants of the infirmary and then back to Amanda. "Something wrong, baby?"

She held up the test stick, still in the wrapper.

Merle said "It's a pregn-"

"I know what it is." Caesar interrupted. In answer to Dixon's questioning look, he only said, "Had a wife…and kids," and didn't elaborate. A flash pain of their memory crossed his face then it was gone almost like it was never there.

Merle raised an eyebrow at his friend's revelation. Martinez had never mentioned them before. He brushed it off for the time being and turned to his daughter. "Ladybug, feel like ya can take a piss yet?"

"Shut up, Daddy." She looked at them all. "You realize there is no way I'm going to be able to pee with all ya'll listening."

"It is a bit crowded in here." Rowan stood up took hold of Merle's arm. "Amanda, Do you want us to leave?"

"Rowan, please stay. Everybody else can leave."

Merle didn't look to happy but this was women's business. He stood up and kissed his daughter on the forehead. "I love you, Baby Girl. C'mon Martinez, I got a few last minute details to go over with ya."

Caesar squeezed Amanda's hand and pressed a light kiss by her ear. "You're not alone." He followed Dixon out.

Rick came forward. "Rowan, mind if I talk to Amanda for a minute, alone?"

It really wasn't a question but Rowan looked at the other woman who nodded. "I'll be right outside." She stepped out shutting the door behind her.

"They way everybody's telling me goodbye makes me feel like I'm going in front of a firing squad."

The tears welling in her blue eyes tugged at Rick's heart. He tenderly wiped them away with the backs of his fingers. He leaned forward and kissed her cheek, hoping she would turn to capture his lips again but she didn't. Inhaling the familiar scent of her stirred something inside of him. He swallowed hard and cupped her face turning her to kiss her lips.

"Don't," she whispered, her voice quavering. "If you can't live with whatever the results are, then please, I beg you, don't kiss me."

Thanks to my sounding board and proofreader, Siarh.

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