AUTHOR'S NOTES: Thanks for the views and the comments from DarylDixon'sLover, malzateb, alliesmiley2, Guest, megs27, Guest, Ameliya86 and Guest- thank you for reviewing guys! & I hear you on the fluff, it'll keep coming in most chapters, can't promise all but there definitely will be some :)

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 36

Beth leans on her elbow staring into space with a rock-hard smile on her face reminiscing the weekend, the best forty eight hours she's ever experienced, this was up there at the number one spot! Move out the way Shannon, Rick Grimes kicked you out of the arena, he was beating the drums to her heart. It was magnificently perfect, she almost was waiting for the moment she wakes up to find it was all another one of her dreams. If that was the case, she never wanted to wake up, she loved the dreamlike world she was in, Rick was there at every breath and turn she took.

Rick Grimes, she sighs wondering whatever did she do to deserve such a wonderful man to be besotted over her, he'd practically told her so and so did those god gifted eyes that followed her around all weekend. Those eyes! She thinks and slips down a little when she imagines them looking at her. Tara has to pull her back up before she slipped and fell under the table.

So much happened in forty-eight hours, it was crazy, they didn't leave each other's sides only when they slept at Liv's house. Rick in his old room and she in the Guestroom, there was only a thin brick wall between them but she had snuck into his room during the night to check up on him and Liv had busted her finding it funny, they turned off his alarm clock, she giggles – Rick had the coolest mom.

Rick had even driven her to visit her mom at the hospice later that evening much to her delight and her mom's when they walked into her room. The smile and look on her mom's face told her she knew something had happened for the same officer who came only a couple of days ago to be back again with her daughter and with an even bigger bouquet of flowers and boxes of chocolates for her and her friends to share. He had remembered her telling him how much her mom adored the bouquet he gifted to her on her birthday.

The women residents all flocked to her mom's room once they heard Beth's "beau" (she let out a girly giggle when she heard that whisper spread like wildfire through the corridors) had come to visit Annette and they'd all been gushing over him. Rick was the perfect gentleman humouring all the women and even some of the elderly men who came looking for chocolates.

He didn't seem put out at all when they fired many police questions at him and their biggest question was, whether they actually ate doughnuts all day like many of the cop shows they've watched on TV. He answered their questions honestly like a professional he is, that yes they ate doughnuts occasionally but they were all in training for the Triathlon so no unnecessary fatty sugars were allowed in their diet, the reason he was avoiding the chocolates and not indulging and he wouldn't have a flat stomach if he was eating one a day, that would be what he considered a doughnut addiction.

A couple of the guys had a number of issues that needed investigating and they ask for Rick's advice. Rick took in their complaints and the biggest issue was how to catch the person stealing the TV Guide from the lounge. After Rick's suggestion, the men all went off to organise a stakeout. They missed their favourite zombie show on Sunday night, had they had read the TV Guide, they'd have known the sixth season was back on. Rick understood their frustrations, it happened to him when Breaking Bad was on, Shane had stolen the TV Guide. He had to walk around town trying to avoid the spoilers every turning he took, someone was talking about it. He set up Series Link Recorder on their planners so when the back half of the season comes along, it would record without having to manually do it. It was the best news the elderly men had all year, they made Rick set up a few other shows whilst he was there. It was incredibly sweet Rick took the time to do this for her mom's friends.

Beth came to know the source of who'd been spreading these rumours of Rick when the receptionist and nurse cornered her in the family room and gave her the Spanish Inquisition. She couldn't keep it in any longer, they seemed as giddy as she was and the women had become her friends, she revealed everything and they had squealed jumping up and down. The receptionist said she could tell the first time she clapped eyes on Rick when he walked over to the desk and asked after his "colleague" she air quoted that he was smouldering and smitten then.

Eating chocolates they revealed to Beth what they found out from the hearsay; Senior Deputy Rick Grimes is a sought-after man so was his partner but Rick out of the two walks around oblivious to this fact and she nodded, Jessie and the other women were always batting their lashes and trying to find reasons to touch him, she was pathetically one of those women but she can do that and a lot more, she remembers when she ran her hands freely over his body and he didn't mind as his were all over hers too.

In your face Deputy Anderson! She grinned remembering the warnings Jessie gave her not to hope and dream beyond her expectations.

Munching on the chocolates, they revealed they'd both researched (stalked) him online; social media, articles and just word on the street, he was most favoured candidate for the Sheriff's position when he retired. They'd gotten serious and told her, she'd have to be ready to fend off the all the female hussies attention that will most definitely come their way towards Rick when they find out he was over his divorce and looking to date again. Her friends seemed to know a bit of Rick's private life and she finally understood why Rick liked to guard his private life. She requested both women to promise to keep her relationship with Rick to themselves until they were ready to go public and they gave her their word.

Beth lets out a huge happy sigh - Sunday night ended with Rick dropping her off outside her building door. He held her in his arms, looked into her eyes, gave her a gentle, tender, in control kiss and rubbed his nose on her cheek wishing her sweet dreams and that he'll see her in the morning. She had just nodded in a daze, she wouldn't mind more of these types of kisses. Rick had laughed as he parted from her with a kiss on her nose and the brush of his thumb against her chin. When Rick drove off once she was inside, she ran up the stairs, burst into Tara's room making Tara jump up with baseball bat in hand in complete shock as she went Super Sonic Beth on her. They collapsed and fell asleep on Tara's bed.

Tara looks over at Beth, she smiles but leaves Beth alone to her happy daydreaming. Beth had been like this the whole day on front desk duty being chirpier than normal and sneaking peaks at Rick every time he walked passed in and out of the building, he would do the same and Tara couldn't blame Beth, if she had someone special, she'd probably be the same but discreet and not as obvious as Beth.

All five rookies were seated at the Riverside Café waiting for their dinner. They were all chatting over one another as usual but still had their ears on each other's conversations. Ben was telling them about his weekend and about a dare he had been dared to do by his brother and friend and now they were playing Truth or Dare.

Everyone kept picking Ben when it was their turn to pick because they found it funny and knowing Ben would choose dare every time as he didn't care being the group clown, he enjoyed making them all laugh. Ben rushes back from the self-service frozen yoghurt machine with a mouthful of frozen vanilla yoghurt and rainbow sprinklings on top in his mouth being shooed away by Angelo to use a bowl. They all burst out laughing when he mumbles, sorry and Tara reaches over with a spoon and scoops some off and takes a bite with a grin saying "I can't believe I'm eating from your mouth!"

It was now Ben's turn to pick and seeing Deputy Walsh, Deputy Grimes and Deputy Basett making their way over from the station, Ben knew who his target was going to be as she sits quietly daydreaming. Beth was being too quiet for his liking and off in her own world, he wished she'd share and tell them who this mystery guy is, they were still scratching their heads to this day!

"B, you're real quiet over there, so…I pick you and this time ya can't choose truth, you've gotta do a dare!" He says wiping his mouth with a daring look on his face, he turns to the others to back him up.

"Dare! Dare! Dare!" They all chant laughing.

Beth snaps out when she hears the chanting breaking her thoughts.

"Little Miss Sunshine, scared?" Ben pretends to tremble.

"What, I ain't afraid of nothing!" She says looking around.

"Prove it - dare!" Zach requests.

"Alright, bring it!" She says not knowing what she was agreeing to do, she needed to stop drooling over Rick and concentrate on the conversations.

Ben sits up rubbing his hands together grinning evilly. He wanted to know if Deputy Walsh was Beth's secret crush. Seeing Shane leading the men, he'd make it to the door first and erupt in like he always does, he'll watch and scrutinize their interactions, Ben looks at Beth.

"You're can't back out - Rookie Promise!" He says to Beth holding out his hand for a gentlemanly shake.

"Promise!" Beth says shaking his hand.

"Oh, this is gonna be good!" Zach says leaning forward to hear what Ben's dare was, Beth was giving him her bring it face and then it turned to confusion looking at Noah.

"Oh Lord!" Noah says covering his eyes with his hand wondering what Ben was going to dare and knowing Beth was going to follow it through. The last time they played this back in the academy, Beth was dared to run around campus dressed as a huge carrot and she did.

"I dare YOU Elizabeth Greene!" He points to Beth "to kiss the next guy that walks through THAT door!" He moves his finger to the door on the right.

"NO WAY!" Beth says dropping her straw "Anything but that, I'll dress up as a broccoli!"

They all laugh remembering.

Zach sees Leon and wants to see the younger of the Deputies faint from Beth's passionate kiss and Tara was just giggling at the thought when Zach gestured out the window. Leon had recently shaved off that ridiculous moustache, everyone knew he had a thing for Beth and Tara wanted to see Rick's reaction.

"Owwwww, do it, do it!" Zach and Tara chant tapping their hands on the table.

Beth rapidly shakes her head no and Ben nods his head yes.

"You gave a gentleman's handshake and ya can't break the Rookie Promise!" He warns Beth with a humongous smile on his face. It was in the Rookie Code Book.

Beth pouting and looking towards the door, reluctantly gets up. Ben stands up and helps Beth along the way. He pushes her, her feet don't move, the shoes she had on help her glide on the tiled floor towards the door.

"Good luck!" Ben pats Beth on the head and dodges Beth's right hook running back to their table to watch.

Beth hears Shane's voice and sighs with relief, she didn't want to but at least she knew him and he'd know it was just for laughs and see the funny side. She'd just give him a quick peck.

Beth watches the door handle thinking about what Rick would say when he finds out about this? He'd get mad and then he'd be annoyed with her and she remembers he once advised her many moons ago, never to agree to anything without knowing what it entailed and playing Truth or Dare was a stupid, stupid children's game to play!

She begins to sweat, she didn't want to piss Rick off - they'd just got together, she was now in a grown up relationship, she couldn't fool around any more. Wanting to bolt towards the ladies and say she really needed to use the bathroom, she turns when she hears the footstep close by and when she looks up, she sees Rick and then her face breaks out into a huge smile of relief.

"C'mon Deputy Grimes, move your ass, quick, quick, quick!" She mouths to herself, clapping her hands hoping for him to overtake Shane.

"Oh ho!" Ben grins "I see Deputy Walsh, Beth!" Ben shouts over "Pucker up Princess!" He laughs.

"Oh my god, if she kisses him, I'm gonna have to take her to get shots!" Tara says scrunching her face at the door at the thought.

The footsteps get louder and so do the voices. All Beth can see now is the uniform on the glass but not whose face belongs to the uniformed body.

She steps back and then the door opens, she sees Shane and her face freezes.

"Ladies first!" Shane says opening the door for Rick.

"Jee thanks, who said chivalry was dead!" Rick taps Shane's cheek walking in.

"Age before beauty!" Shane scoffs.

"I'm months younger than you!" Rick reminds Shane "And have you looked in a mirror lately?" Rick teases.

"Hey keep it down!" Shane says, he's been telling everyone Rick was older an he is beautiful!

Beth's face lights up and as soon as Rick steps into the café, Rick sees Beth. He smiles watching her rush over and then raises his brow thinking she was going to charge straight through him like a Rhino, he freezes as she thumps her body up against him, he steps back on the impact as Beth quickly leans up and kisses Rick straight on his lips. Leon had bumped into Rick's back not seeing that Rick had stopped and stumbled back at the entrance, Leon goes tumbling out the door on to Shane, the door slams shut on them with both the deputies now sprawled out on the floor pushing each other to get up.

"OMG! OMG! OH MY GOD! SHE'S KISSING DEPUTY GRIMES!" Ben spits his drink out.

Everyone turn their heads towards the door in shock but their attention is quickly broken from the sight of Beth kissing their Training Officer when they feel cold drink spraying all over their faces, they all grab their menus screaming trying to block the spraying of diet cola wiping their faces.

Noah covers his face, wondering how Beth was going to get out of this without getting caught out by everyone, she was still kissing Rick.

Rick's hands were on Beth, he realises where they were, they had agreed not to tell anyone yet, he breaks away from the kiss with a pop. Beth opens her eyes and looks up at Rick and he looks speechless and she flashes her teeth at him feeling naughty. They both suddenly feel a dozen sets of eyes on them. Rick's eyes sweep behind Beth, he snatches his hands back to himself. The rookies are up on their feet trying to see what was going on but they had missed it all and then they all begin to argue amongst themselves and Angelo is over with napkins trying to hush them. They were all off duty and out of uniform, nobody would believe they were all police officers.

"They dared me!" Beth whispers when Rick's eyes go back down on her questioningly.

"They dared you to kiss me?" He asks slowly narrowing his eyes.

"Don't be silly, the next guy who walked through the door not exactly you but it turned out to be you and I'm so relieved!" She answers taking a deep breath putting a hand on his arm for support "Phewww!"

"To…to kiss?" Rick asks slowly and regains his voice of authority "and you were goin' to kiss the next guy had it not been me?" He asks crossing his arms over his chest at his full height.

"No!" Beth answers looking down at Rick's feet wondering how he did that, grow a foot tall, she looks away biting her lower lip.

She feels Rick's gaze boring down into her, she reluctantly looks up, she couldn't stay standing there like that forever "Please don't get mad, I'm sorry!"

"How'd you like it if I kissed the next woman that walked through the door?" Rick asks standing there waiting for a reply.

"Guys! Beth's gettin' a roasting from Deputy Grimes!" Zach says covering his mouth laughing not believing she had the guts to actually do it.

They all turns their heads to stare. Being scolded by Rick Grimes was a terrifying experience, that's why everyone went out of their way to please him to avoid situations like this.

"Boy, he's ripping right into her! He doesn't look impressed! I'm glad I'm not Beth…the Training Officer, Chief's right-hand man and that being Deputy Grimes! - what was she thinking?" Ben says bursting out in a laugh.

"You dared her you idiot!" Tara reminds him thumping him on his arm.

Ben grabs his arm and rubs it frowning "She didn't have to do it!" He mumbles which earns him another thump in the arm.

Beth shakes her head no, she'd hate to see Rick kiss some other woman.

"You wouldn't!" Beth stutters back.

"Well if you're willing to kiss any Larry that walks through the door, so it shouldn't bother you if a woman walks through the door and I gave her an innocent peck on the lips now would it?" Rick asks running his hand over his lips.

Beth's mouth drops open not thinking he'd ever agree to actually do it, he wasn't happy and looks to be wanting to teach her a lesson for kissing someone that wasn't him which she couldn't blame him thinking it over. She sees the side doors open from the corner of her eye. She looks over and Deputy Jackie walks in and then a mischievous smirk rises on her face.

"On this one occasion, It's only fair!" Beth looks down shaking her head pretending to be crushed "You may kiss the woman who has just walked through the door!" Beth sneaks a look up and gestures to Rick with a smile nodding towards other door.

"Excuse me?" Rick asks in disbelief not believing she would ever agree and thought she'd warn him not to.

He follows Beth's gaze seeing Deputy Jackie, he unfolds his arms, his eyes widen and then he looks back at Beth.

"Go on!" Beth says still with that smile on her face "Go kiss the woman!"

"OK!" He says and straighten up and walks up to Deputy Jackie.

"You won't do it!" Beth smirks watching Rick march over, she would love to see him stutter and walk away patting Deputy Jackie's arm, that would be hilarious.

Rick and Deputy Jackie converse and then he leans in and pecks Deputy Jackie on the corner of her lips and they hug. Beth's mouth drops open and she stares in complete and utter shock.

Shane and Leon both walk in arguing and stop beside Beth.

"What did I miss?" Shane asks looking around dusting off his trousers.

"Beth?" He calls and has to shake her shoulder.

"Earth to Beth!" He crouches in front of her looking up waving his hand in front of her face laughing.

"She ain't even blinking!" Leon whispers to Shane.

"She's alright!" Shane says realising she was looking over at Rick "She does this sometimes, you'll get used to it!" Shane says tickling Beth under her chin.

"Shane, Leon!" Rick waves them over.

"Let's get this over and done with, time to schmooze with Cruella!" Shane mumbles over to Leon "Talk ta ya later!" Shane pats Beth's cheek and makes his way over to Rick and Deputy Jackie standing by the bar of the café. Leon follows and smiles at Beth as he walks past but she was still staring at Rick.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR JACKIE, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!" Shane and Leon sing awfully and both kiss Jackie on her cheeks and she lets them handing them a glass each.

They all raise their glasses of champagne and clink in celebration. Angelo comes up to Beth and hands her a glass, she takes it watching him rush off with a tray for the rookies and they all cheer.

Rick turns to face Beth, he lifts his glass up to her, the corners of his lips twitch upwards whilst he takes a sip and sneaks a quick wink at her. Beth can now see amusement in Rick's eyes, she gives him an apologetic smile and takes a sip. She blushes hoping nobody was watching.

No more silly kid's games she tells herself but she was going to get Ben to do one dare before the night ended.

"Right my turn Ben! You dared me to kiss the next guy that walked through the door, I did!" She smiles "Now I dare you to kiss the next PERSON that walks through the door!" She says rushing back to the table and jumping into her seat thrusting her hand in Ben's face and he gladly shakes it.

Ben reaches into his pocket, pulls out a little spray and spritzes into his mouth to get instant fresh breath to kiss one of the stunning women walking towards the café.

"Hello Scarlett Johansson!" Ben grins seeing the beautiful blonde.

The doors bursts open and they all stare to see The Chief walk in to join Deputy Jackie's birthday meal. The table all turn to look at Ben laughing hysterically, they all clink their glasses.

"Pucker up Benjamin, I hear Chief's a really good kisser, don't be afraid of Beard burn, I'll ask Mrs Chief what cream she uses!" Beth teases.

Ben slips down under the table and disappears, they wait and hear the click of the door and they see Ben running back towards the station and they all burst out laughing as he slips on the grass.

"That's the first dare he's forfeited!" Zach says grabbing Ben's steak and taking a massive bite out of it.

Beth laughing grabs her phone when she receives a text message.

Rick: I'll be another half an hour, I'm not staying long, would you like a lift home?

Beth taps away at her phone, presses send and looks over to Rick's table.

Rick lifts his phone up, presses read whilst everyone was engrossed in Chief's story.

Beth: I'd love that! Besides I have some making up to do! ;-) B xoxox

Rick smiles and looks over at Beth and gives her a nod.

Beth shying away, turns back to look at Tara.

"Shall I come home late?" Tara asks with a smirk.

Beth shrugs her shoulder and then nods her head.

"If he stays the night, put a sock on the door handle so I can sneak out in the morning before he gets up!" Tara teases.

"Shushh! We're not there yet!" Beth blushes crimson pink hoping the guys can't hear, Tara leans closer.

"But you so want to!" Tara says more as a fact than a question.

"I do but I'm just happy how things are right now, it'll happen but when we're both ready, its only early days!" Beth says and looks at Tara with a serious look "I want him to want to, not because he thinks he has to, he's not just anybody, he's Rick!" Beth explains and Tara nods in understanding.

"Beth, I'm sure Deputy Grimes wants to but he's probably thinking the same about you, so you're being smart not jumping in, just go with the flow!" Tara hugs Beth.

"Alright, I'll be home by 11:00pm, give you guys some time to be all googly eyes at each other some more!" Tara replies sticking her fingers inside her mouth faking being sick making Beth laugh.

"Can I be in on this little joke?" Comes Shane voice now crouching down between them.

"This is a private party and you've got one goin' on wayyyyyyy over there!" Tara gestures to the birthday table.

"S'not fun, I've heard all those stories before!" Shane sighs "I'd rather be wayyyyyyy over here next to my beloved!" He tilts his head towards Tara.

"I need to speak to your mother and ask her did she bounce you on your head when you was a child!" Tara tells Shane.

"I'll set up a dinner date and I'll introduce ya to the whole Walsh Family of Fruit-Loops, you'll fit in perfectly, right here!" Shane says putting his arm around Tara and pulling her into his chest.

"Hey Snot Face, move it or you're gonna lose it!" Tara says pointing her fork down towards his groin.

"Not the baby making machine!" Shane says backing away and he points to Tara and himself pretending to rock a baby in his arms.

Beth covers her mouth trying not to laugh, Shane was relentless of making his intentions very clear too Tara.

"Does somebody have his mother's phone number?" Tara demands as she watches Shane go back to his table.

"He's actually a sweet guy but doesn't know exactly how to express himself!" Beth tells Tara.

"You say?" Tara says seeing Shane smiling over at her.

Rick catches Shane bogging at Tara and blocks his way to avoid a food fight between the two.

"It could be the fact that he generally really does like you and thinks that's the only way to get your attention, he's an idiot for sure but a sweet one who's crazy about you!" Beth whispers into Tara's ears getting up to get some frozen yoghurt.

Tara looks down at her plate and then over at Shane looking downcast sitting at the table.

Why? She says to herself staring back at her plate.

A/N:- I know it was a silly game of Truth or Dare but that game can actually be fun when it works in your favour! Past memories, it worked out for me to :) but it obviously wasn't with Rick Grimes sadly! :'(

Okay, those who follow my fic The Journey, that was supposed to be posted tonight but I have lost my USB which has the chapter I wrote saved on it! Once I find it, I'll post it. I hope this chapter on TRATD suffices until then. Take Care xoxox