A/N Thanks so much! This is a big chapter as we see how Daryl and Beth's relationship progressed back in it's youthful, early days. They continue growing closer and there's a "first" for them. Daryl's going to spend some time at the farm, and he and Hershel will come to an understanding. Let's see how it all goes.

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It's the worst bus ride in the history of bus rides, and she's aware she's doing this to herself. If she chews her lip any harder it's going to bleed, and her tummy is such a nervous wreck she's liable to throw up her toast and oatmeal.

She tries to calm down by reminding herself, "Geez Beth, it's not like you did something wrong. You're just asking him to dinner. Isn't that supposed to be a nice thing?"

She wonders if there's even the slightest chance he'll say yes. She wishes he would but she's managed to convince herself he'll say no. They've been close and getting closer for weeks, but she thinks he'll be uncomfortable with the idea of spending a lot of time with her parents. Even though he has to be somewhat social at work, and he's always talkative with her, the fact remains, Daryl's just not the social type.

Besides, dinner with her parents? What boy wants to do that?

She sees him the moment she steps off the bus. How can she help but smile when she knows he's been waiting for her? Just that quickly her spirits lift and she feels better about everything. As they start walking toward one another she notices something, or a lack of something, not everyone is watching them. They still get plenty of looks, and she knows there's a lot of talk, but it's not nearly as bad as it was a few weeks ago.

Now that she and Daryl have been seen together for a few weeks they're no longer the big gossip around school. Thank goodness.

His hand softly cups her elbow as he guides her closer to him when he asks, "Hey girl, did ya have a nice weekend?"

As they walk toward the school entrance she answers, "I did. Saturday afternoon Amy and I went to the movies and then out for hamburgers. It was so much fun." She softly bumps her shoulder into him and adds, "It would have been even more fun if a certain boy I know was there."

She's startled when he replies, "I mighta been able ta meet ya, I don't have to be at work til four and I mighta had time. I guess if I had a phone you coulda called me." He chews his upper lip and appears to be considering something, then he says it, "I got some extra money these days, what with the tips I'm makin'. Maybe I'll get a telephone and next time you can call me. If you want to."

She's all excitement and a big pretty smile when she says, "Are you kidding? Of course I want to. It would be so much fun."

He smiles down at her, "Yeah, I'd like that. But I ain't giving no one else my phone number. Just you Beth, I got no desire ta talk to anyone else."

It always warms her heart when he says those kinds of things, and now it gives her the courage to ask, "Um, Daryl, my folks want you to come for dinner tomorrow night. Mama said if you'll ride out to the farm on the bus with me, Daddy can give you a ride home later."

He's a little stunned for a couple of reasons. He's never been invited to someone's home for dinner, this is a first. But the fact that it's her Mama and Daddy who are asking is even more of a surprise. He can't imagine what's going on. His naturally cautious and suspicious mind tells him this spells trouble, he asks her, "Why do they want me there?"

Now she's the one who's confused, "Why? Well gosh Daryl, they know me and you are friends and that we spend time together. I guess they want to get to know you too. It's just like when we have Amy over."

He may not have any experience with girls or their folks, but now he's pretty sure he's caught on to what this is really about. It damn sure isn't the same thing as her Mama inviting Amy over. He's the boy hanging out with their daughter. Her Mama and Daddy want to find out if they ought to let him keep hanging around, or make sure he never goes near her again.

He doesn't blame them; he'd do the same. Beth's their girl, it's fair. But he has to make sure of one thing, "Who all's gonna be at this dinner?"

"Just you and me, Mama and Daddy. I told you my sister's at college and my brother is in the Air Force."

Okay, that's good to hear. He just needed to make sure the sheriff didn't make a habit of hanging around the farm.

That doesn't mean he's not torn. He's not too excited about the idea of hanging around with her folks. Her old man will probably give him the third degree and he's going to have to be on his toes. He can't risk slipping up. Yet he's pretty sure it will be worse if he doesn't accept their invitation, they're liable to think he's hiding something.

And there's his desire to spend all the time with Beth he can. He shrugs and says, "Yeah, um, sure that's real nice. Um tell your Mom I said thanks and I'll see y'all for dinner tomorrow."

By that time they're standing in front of her locker and she nearly has to lean back against it for support. Daryl's coming to her house for dinner. She's a little stunned and plenty excited. Holy cow. "Really Daryl? I was sure you'd say no. Oh my gosh, I'm so glad you're going to come. I'll let Mama know, and Daryl, we get to ride home on the bus together."

He wasn't feeling nearly as upbeat about it as her, but he pretended to be, "I can't wait girl." As he said the words the warning bell rang, and what happened next came out of the blue. He leaned in and gave her a soft little kiss on the lips, smiled and said, "See ya at lunch Beth." And before she could catch her breath he was hurrying off to class.

She stood motionless. Daryl had kissed her, on the lips. Her first kiss, their first kiss. She lightly touched her lips with the tips of her fingers and she knew then, this was the beginning of so much more for her and Daryl.

Plenty of kids saw the sweet little kiss the young couple shared, but unlike Beth none of them was surprised. They all figured that kind of stuff had been going on between Daryl Dixon and Beth Greene for a while now.

Daryl couldn't keep from smiling, and he felt the rapid beating of his heart as it pounded in his chest. He'd finally done it. He kissed her, he kissed Beth. He'd wanted to kiss her for so long, heck, since the first time he ever saw her. He just hadn't worked up the guts. Then boom, without even thinking about it he'd done it.

He was absentmindedly nodding his head as he thought to himself, now that he'd done it once there was no reason not to keep doing it. Him and Beth, they were official.

By the time lunch rolled around Beth was about to burst with all the news she had to share with Amy. There was the news that Daryl might get a phone and that sometime he might meet them in town for a movie or a burger, maybe even both. There was the news that he was coming to the farm to have dinner with her family. But all of that paled in comparison to the most colossal news of all, their first kiss.

Amy was almost as wound-up as Beth; they were both practically bouncing on the bench. And after Beth's news, Amy had her own news to share.

She'd had a serious crush on the new boy ever since he'd started school there. He must have noticed her too, "It's not as exciting as your first kiss, but it's so cool Beth. Caesar Martinez asked me out!"

"What?! He asked you out?! Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, what did he say? And what did you say?"

"He said he'd like to meet me at the movies Saturday and that it was all his treat."

"Oh wow. What did you tell him?"

"I had to tell him I'm not allowed to date yet."

"And…"

"And he said kind of the same thing that Daryl said, that we could meet there, he'd save me a seat next to him inside the theater. I wasn't sure what to say about that. What do you think Beth?"

No sooner did Amy ask her question than Daryl was there with them. He and Amy said "Hi" and then the girl stood and said, "I'll see you guys later. I want to get a coke before the bell rings."

That's when Daryl told her, "Ya know ya don't have ta run off every time I come around Amy. You're Beth's friend, that makes you my friend too."

Amy smiled and said, "I am your friend Daryl, that's why I'm going to let you have some time with Beth. I'll see you both later."

The young couple sat on the bench with his hand resting on hers while they talked about their classes, his plans for after school and her plans for the evening. Then he asked his big question, "Will ya meet me behind the gym before ya go to the bus lot? I'll make sure ya don't miss it."

She'd meet him anywhere anytime, but she's concerned, "Well sure I'll meet you Daryl, but what's going on? Is everything alright?"

He had that cute smile and he looked a little shy when he answered, "Yeah, sure, everything's great. I just want a chance ta kiss you when no one's looking."

Her face turned ten shades of red and the only response she could make was, "Oh."

The bell rang and they stood and he asked again, "Will ya Beth?"

She looked so shy but she nodded, "Yes," and that was all it took for him to lean in and kiss her cheek, just as Mr. Monroe walked by and said, "Mister Dixon you know the rules."

"Yessir, sorry."

It was so much different behind the gym. Her back was pressed against the building and he slipped his arms around her waist. His body was softly leaning into hers and when Daryl kissed her she felt her eyes drift closed. A warm sensation slowly drifted through her as his tongue touched her lips.

Then they heard Shane Walsh's voice teasing, "Better unlock them lips you two, Beth's gonna miss the bus again."

As he quickly drew back she saw Daryl's cheeks were every bit as flushed as hers felt. Even in her innocence she understood why. Some of it was caused by embarrassment, but most of it was caused by the heat of the kiss they'd just shared.

He took her hand and ran with her to the bus lot arriving just as the door was closing. Daryl called out, "Please."

As the door opened the driver shook his head and admonished, "Beth, I can't be waiting on you every day."

"Sorry Mr. Horvath."

Tuesday afternoon when the final bell of the day rang, Mr. Horvath didn't have to wait. Daryl and Beth were the first ones on the bus. She slid over near the window and he slid in next to her. He got so close that when the driver looked in his rearview mirror he called back, "You better move over a little son, Beth needs room to breathe."

They didn't talk much; they didn't feel the need. Just sitting so close with their hands held between them felt like enough.

The bus put them out at the end of her road, along with a couple of other kids. Daryl kept her backpack over his shoulder and held her hand as they walked to the farm, but when they got to her driveway he let go. They'd agreed, her folks didn't need to see that stuff. He nervously asked, "Where's your Dad?" He wasn't looking forward to all the questions he knew were coming, on the other hand he kind of wanted to just bite the bullet and get whatever was coming done, over with.

She smiled, "Oh I think this time of day he's probably in the barn." Then she beamed that bright smile, looked at him with those big blue eyes and said, "And after we go in and say Hi to Mama, you get to help me with my afternoon chore, taking care of the chickens."

He chuckled and said, "Girl, the only help I'd be with a chicken is if ya wanted someone ta eat it."

"Don't you worry Daryl you'll be eating some chicken, but I'm also going to teach you how to take care of them."

They walked in the kitchen and there was her Mama rolling out dough, it had his mind going right to biscuits. As nervous as he was, food was never far from his mind.

He was eating better than he'd ever eaten in his life, but he was hungry all the time. He was growing. He was getting taller and his shoulders and chest were becoming broader. They had to give him a new uniform at work when his pants became way too short and it looked like his shoulders might pop through his shirt.

He had to do a little shopping of his own too. He got himself two new pair of school pants along with a couple of shirts and a new pair of shoes. Thank God he was making such good money on the job. This was the first time in his life he didn't have to wear ill-fitting and ragged clothes, or worry that he might go hungry.

Things had changed a lot. He wasn't rich, not even close, but he had enough money. In fact, he had quite a bit extra. Weekend tips were especially good. He didn't feel comfortable carrying a lot of cash on him, and he damn sure wasn't going to leave it hidden in the trailer. A guy never knew when some lowlife creep might show up there looking for Merle or the old man, and the money they owed him.

The bank seemed like the only possible option.

Last Monday he went right from school to the First Union and a real nice lady there helped him. She told him all about how a savings account works and she helped him open one. She promised him no one but him could get to his money. He felt much better knowing it was tucked away somewhere safe, and every week when he got paid he deposited all the cash he didn't have to spend into his bank account. Maybe he could get a car or a motorcycle someday.

When her Mama smiled it was clear to him where Beth got her own pretty smile. Annette Greene seemed nice and she was real friendly when she said, "We're very happy to have you here Daryl. I hope you like chicken and dumplings because I'm making a huge pot for dinner."

"Yes Ma'am I do, and thank you for inviting me here. Everything looks and smells real good." And the words were no sooner out of his mouth than his stomach rumbled.

Mama told her daughter, "Beth why don't you get Daryl a snack." Then Annette Greene looked at him and said, "I know teenage boys are hungry all the time. My son was the same. Shawn, never stopped eating when he was a teenager. There's no reason to be shy around here Daryl, you have your fill."

He already felt more at ease, her Mama really was nice. Now he just needed to face her Daddy. That was by far the scarier proposition.

He had a tall glass of milk and three slices of banana bread, and Beth spread the butter nice and thick. Her Mama never stopped working but while he ate she told him about the farm and how long it had been in the family. He was surprised and kind of fascinated that people would stay in one place so long. His own Dad had moved him around a million times in his life.

Dixons were always either on the run from the law or the bill collector.

When his bread was gone, and it didn't take much time at all, Beth handed him an apple, took one for herself and they headed to the chicken coop. He asked, "Is that the only snack you're havin' girl?"

"I really wanted some banana bread, but if I eat now I won't eat my dinner." She smiled and told him, "I'd rather eat Mama's chicken n dumplings than snacks."

He got it then, look at the size of her, there was no way she could eat like him.

"I don't blame you for that, I'd feel the same way. Your Mama's right about me though, it don't seem like I ever get quite full."

The chicken yard and coops were surrounded by a 10 foot tall wood and wire fence, and as she opened the door to the enclosure she explained to him, "We have to keep the chicken yard fenced so other animals can't get to the flock. Fox, coyotes, raccoons and skunks will all go after the chickens. In one night they could kill them all."

"C'mon, I'll show you where the scratch is. We can toss it to them and you'll see how excited they get." She lifted the lid of the scratch bin and used the wooden scoop to fill a pouch, "Okay Daryl, I'll show you and then you can walk through the flock and make friends." The way she giggled made it sound like a good time.

And it was kind of fun when the birds started pecking the ground and making noise as he slowly walked among them, scattering the mixture of seeds and grains around the yard. After that he and Beth filled the small water trough, and the bucket of kitchen scraps her Mama had given her went in a different wood trough. Then she handed him a basket and said, "Let's gather eggs."

He got a kick out of the whole experience, even the part where they went to an outdoor sink and washed the poop, dirt, straw and feathers off the eggs. Whatever they had to do was good with him, it was all about spending time with Beth, somewhere besides school. He even managed to steal a quick kiss when they were done rinsing off eggs.

Best of all he got to see her in her element, he got to see a little piece of her daily life. He'd be able to imagine her doing these things when they were apart. Something else too, after they'd washed up and they took the big basket of eggs into her Mama, Annette Greene said, "Daryl, I'm going to put a dozen of these in a container for you to take home for you and your Dad."

"Thank you Ma'am, we'll enjoy them and I appreciate it a lot." Daryl had tried it plenty of times, but he just couldn't seem to fry an egg without breaking the yolk. That was okay though, he liked scrambled eggs just fine.

Her Dad washed up in the mud room, walked in the kitchen and introduced himself. Daryl was a little taken aback. The man seemed way too old to have a daughter Beth's age, and he must be twenty years older than Beth's Mama. But he supposed folks wound up with who they were supposed to wind up with, shit, who would have thought to put him and Beth together?

The man extended his hand to Daryl and said, "Young man, good to see you. I'm Beth's Daddy, Hershel Greene."

Daryl nodded as they shook hands and said, "Thanks for havin' me Sir."

While her Daddy and Daryl chatted, Beth set the table and she and her Mama got the food on. She could hear Daryl and her Daddy talking and was relieved the conversation all seemed to be centered around the farm. She'd been dreading her Daddy giving poor Daryl the third degree.

What surprised her was how many questions Daryl had about the farm and the work they did, and she was stunned when her Daddy offered, "You know Son, if you're this interested you ought to come over some time and I'll show you more of what we do."

"Yeah, I'd like that a lot. Thank you Sir."

Daddy took it a step further then, "You have a school vacation coming up for Christmas, right?"

"Yessir, we do in just about a week n a half."

"Well that would be perfect then. Some day when you don't have work to get to, you come out here and I'll show you the ropes."

"Yessir, I'll look forward to that."

They sat for dinner and Daryl wasn't surprised when they bowed their heads to pray. Beth told him he should expect it. He didn't mind, it seemed good.

He was pleasantly surprised by how well the whole thing seemed to be going, and he was really grateful he'd gotten the job at Rancher's Cut. The work he did taught him about conversation, and he'd learned all about table manners. It gave him some confidence knowing he wasn't going to embarrass himself.

During dinner the questions begin with more or less what he expected. There was a lot of talk about school and about his classes and what he liked, and then it got a little deeper. Her Daddy started asking questions about Daryl's family.

Daryl was pretty sure the old boy probably knew about his Dad, probably Merle too. Hell, most everyone in the county knew about what had happened to his Mama and the kind of trouble his brother and Dad got into. That stuff all ended up in the paper.

So, when her Daddy asked, "What about your family Daryl? Who is there besides you?" He knew he had to be careful with his answers. He had to tell the truth, but not the whole truth. He was positive Hershel Greene didn't know what his Dad was up to nowadays, and he wanted to make sure he never found out.

He began with the truth, "Well Sir, my Mama, she's passed on. Back when I was eight. It was a house fire." Beth's Mama said how sorry she was and her Daddy nodded in agreement, and Daryl thanked them and went on.

"My brother has got himself in a world of trouble. Merle, that's his name, Merle just can't seem to stay out of trouble. Right now he's doing time at the state pen down in Valdosta. He's supposed ta get out in another four years or so, dependin' on how well he behaves."

Once again, her folks expressed their sympathy. At the same time both Mama and Daddy were impressed by the young man's honesty. It had been a little test on Daddy's part, would the boy be truthful?

Daryl finished by telling them what he could only hope they'd believe, "My Dad, well he's had a little trouble finding steady work, just mostly day labor here and there. It's why I'm workin', so I can help out with the rent and bills and such. It's been going alright."

Daddy figured the young man had to be the one paying for most everything. Everyone knew Will Dixon was afraid of an honest day's work. He was starting to feel a lot of admiration for the boy who at first he judged so harshly. Daryl was obviously different than the rest of the Dixon family, he had a strong sense of responsibility. What 14 year old kid supports a household?

There was no one in the county with a bigger or a softer heart than Annette Greene, and the young man's story had gotten to that tender heart. He seemed like such a good boy and it didn't sit right that he should have so much weight on his shoulders.

Mama shocked herself, her husband, her daughter and her dinner guest when she said, "Daryl, if you don't have plans for Christmas, if your Dad will be working, we'd love to have you spend the holiday with us."

The offer caught him completely off guard. He thought he'd prepared himself to answer anything, but he never expected such an invitation. There he sat with a forkful of chicken ready to shove in his mouth, he had to think fast and he couldn't think of a good reason to say no, "Um, well no Ma'am, we ain't ever really celebrated Christmas. I hafta work Christmas Eve, but I'm off Christmas Day so yes, I could be here, and thank you Ma'am."

Mama didn't miss a beat, "It's settled then, Beth's Daddy will pick you up real, real early Christmas morning and you'll spend the day with us."

After a dessert of pecan pie and vanilla ice cream Daddy said, "We enjoyed having you here Son, and we look forward to having you here again very soon. For now though, I'd best get you home. I'm sure you and Beth both have studies to get to."

"Yessir, it's okay though, I can just walk." He dreaded the idea of her Daddy seeing that piece of crap he lived in.

Mama and Daddy practically said it in unison, "No, we couldn't allow that."

Daddy told him, "I don't mind a drive into town, c'mon now. You kids say your goodbyes and then we'll be on our way."

He wanted to hold Beth and kiss her goodbye, but he knew that wasn't possible. He had to settle for, "See you at school tomorrow Beth."

He thanked her Mama and said, "That was the best dinner I ever ate, thank you Ma'am."

Once him and her Daddy were in the car he told the man, "You could just drop me off at the school Sir, I can walk from there."

Daddy knew what was going on. "No Son, I'll be taking you home." He glanced over and said, "You're a good boy Daryl, I see that and that's what's important. I'm not going to judge you because of where you live."

Then Daddy got down to business, "Daryl, I'm an old man now, that's what you see. But I was a young man once, and I know all about being a young guy with feelings for a young girl. It's a natural thing. I see the way you and Beth look at each other, but Beth is only 13 and you're only 14. It's my responsibility as her Daddy to protect her. I want to protect you too."

"I'm not stupid either, I know that if the two of you want to spend time together I can't keep you apart, you'll find a way. So, I'll make a deal with you. You come out to the farm anytime you want. You'll be welcome, but there will be no time spent behind closed doors. For now, I can't allow you anymore freedom than that. Understood?"

A lot of things that happened that afternoon and evening surprised Daryl, but nothing more than the words her Daddy spoke. He wasn't sure exactly what he was supposed to say, but he answered, "Yessir, I understand, and thanks for inviting me to visit the farm."

He was mortified when her Daddy dropped him off at the rusty old single wide, but all the man said was, "You have a good evening now Son, and be sure you get that schoolwork done."

"Yessir I will, and thank you again."

Daryl Dixon did start coming to the farm on a regular basis, including every Tuesday night for dinner. And that year he celebrated his very first Christmas. He'd been so nervous, not knowing what to expect, but it was so good.

He thought it was the proper thing and so he took flowers for her Mama and flowers for Beth, they had a big Christmas breakfast and afterward, while Beth helped her Mama clean up, Daryl helped her Daddy with farm chores. They had an even bigger Christmas dinner, and that night was the very first time he heard Beth play the piano and sing. He'd never heard a more beautiful sound.

His feelings for her kept growing stronger and his heart told him Beth would always be the only one for him.

Her Daddy was right though, when two young people have such strong feelings and they want to spend time together, it's nearly impossible to keep them apart.

That's how it came about that one Saturday each month Beth Greene and Amy Harrison would go to the movies together. Daryl Dixon and Caesar Martinez would already be there waiting for them. The two couples always sat in the very last row of the dark theater, and they never saw much of whatever movie was playing.

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A/N Ah, young love. Please leave a comment and if you'd like, check out the chapter photo on my tumblr blogs, gneebee and bethylmethbrick. Next chapter is a huge one where we learn why and how our couple became separated. I hope you'll be here for it Friday. Until then, stay safe and remember, I love ya large! xo gneebee