Daryl paused outside the diner, considering his next move. He'd walked all the way there, but he wasn't sure if he should go in. No, it was Beth's first day, he shouldn't even think about going in. But he was curious - about a number of different things; including how the blonde was holding up.

He'd really talked her up to Carol, to say the least. Not that he really knew the girl, but he wasn't' sure how she's fair. Beth seemed pretty determined, but was she stable enough?

Oh god. What is she'd already cried. Or worse, yelled at a customer. She'd been there over four hours. It took her less than two to snap at him. Not that he hadn't goaded her, or had any better or a temper.

But this was Carol; this was her livelihood. Her daughter's livelihood. The diner was her life, aside from Sophia and there he'd gone invading her space by asking for a job for Beth, cashing in a favor. And it wasn't as if she actually owed him a favor. She practically demanded she owed him. That woman had been through enough, she didn't need to get shit from the owner over something he asked for. He shouldn't have even asked.

What was it about Beth's teary blue eyes that made him?

"You sweet on the girl that stole your spot?" Carol had teased him the day before. Daryl cringed thinking about it.

"I barely know the girl!" Daryl had responded. "I'm just helping her out. I gotta get paid somehow."

Carol had just laughed at him and said, "I know, Daryl. You've gotta thing for helping girls in bad situations." She'd acted like it was becoming a complex. This is why is solitude and alienation was so much better. No one wanted to know your damn business.

Shit. He couldn't stall forever. Daryl let out a heavy breath and walked into the diner. Things seemed pretty calm. Actually…he didn't even see Beth in sight. Just the familiar faces of the other waitresses, not really doing a lot of anything. He spotted Carol over by the bar and she waved him over. Daryl started walking over but he didn't make it ten steps.

"Excuuuse me!" Out of nowhere, a blue of blonde and blue came whirling passed him, almost bowling him over.

Beth.

"Hey." Daryl called at her, but before he knew it she was gone.

He heard Carol laugh. "This is what happens when people sit themselves."

Daryl finished walking over to her and leaned against the counter. "Whatta mean?"

"Everyone's pooling in the section I assigned her. Poor thing hasn't stopped moving since she got here." Carol laughed again.

"You gotta be kidding me?" Beth was probably almost at her wits end. Although it didn't seem like she said or done anything, yet.

"Nope." Carol's gaze drifted over to the other waitresses. "Some of the other ladies are getting a bit testy though. A wide eyed, frantic new girl is only funny so for long until you realize she'd getting more tips than you."

Daryl hoped that meant he was going to pull her from her section for a bit. He was sure Beth needed some time to come up for air; and she'd be less than popular if the girls watched her pocket the change for any much longer. Not that he cared about her popularity.

He watched with Carol for a few moments. She was bouncing back a forth to every table in arm's reach with a very white smile planted firmly on her face. She'd nod, scrawl something down quickly, then off she'd go again. Passing right by everyone as she headed toward the kitchen to put in orders.

Then suddenly, Beth was up beside him – not that she noticed him – talking wildly. "Hey Carol, I need another pot of coffee for table six…and a few more forks for table seven"

Carol raised her eyebrow. "Beth the tables don't have numbers."

"Oh..." Beth mumbled.

If he thought she had the slightest clue what was happening, Daryl imagined Beth's face would be turning red right about then. She looked pretty undone. Her hair was flying wilding away from her ponytail, which was slipping from its original point; and there was, of course, food stains all over her uniform already. He'd be surprised if she hadn't been dipping into the pot of coffee herself.

"Why don't you work behind the counter for a bit, honey," Carol suggested. "I'll one of the other girls to take over."

It was hard not to notice the absolute relief that flooded Beth's eye's in that moment, but the blonde tried to speak calmly. "Sure, no problem."

Beth quickly slipped behind the counter and Carol slipped away to talk to some of the other girls. Daryl wondered if he should sit down or leave. He'd seen what he needed to see. She was holding up. Not to mention he hadn't looked him in the eye or acknowledged him once since he got there.

Until she did.

"Coffee?"

"What?" Daryl looked at her, she was empty handed.

Beth shrugged. "I'm supposed to offer customers coffee. Do you want coffee?

"No. I just came in to talk to Carol."

"Okay good…I have no idea how the big industrial coffee maker works. I've just been stealing full pots when I see them." Beth said, flatly.

Daryl couldn't help but chuckle to himself a bit. He could just imagine how well that was boating over. Although, she may have been moving too fast for anyone to notice. "You're okay though?"

"Yes." Beth nodded. "Thank you." Were they supposed to be speaking formally now? Was it supposed to be awkward because he got her a job…or saw her cry? What exactly had he done now?

He didn't expect anything from her, except for payment. Not that he'd explained that to her, but her thought it had been implied. It was just a thing.

"I ordered your engine." Daryl said, quickly trying to think of anything that may excite her.

He watched her smile, but it was the same one he saw her use for customers. She repeated herself. "Thank you."

"Are you sure you're okay?" Daryl pushed. God, her formality was creepy.

"Are you sure you don't want coffee?"