After, what had been a week of disaster, Beth found herself less than optimistic about what was to come. However, that didn't seem to stop her from packing up all her bags and checking out of the motel that morning before work. She wasn't entirely sure when she'd lost her mind and thought it a good idea to suggest to Daryl that they live together - but she couldn't seem to keep her damn mouth shut; and now there she was dragging her bag towards the diner.

"You're not leaving us already?" Annabelle asked as Beth hauled her bags in through the back door.

Beth let out a sigh of exhaustion, wondering who on earth let her pack so much crap, before she replied. "Uh, nope...just a change of location."

"Well." Beth couldn't help but notice the sly smile on Annabelle's face, as her twang suddenly went off the charts. "Is that why you have yourself a gentleman suitor waiting all up at eating bar for you?"

"Wh-what?" Beth felt her cheeks flush.

A laugh escaped Annabelle's mouth as her voice went back to normal. "Dixon, Beth. Daryl Dixon is here."

Dammit. He was supposed to come around the back way later in the day. "Oh...uh it's not like that..."

"Wait." Annabelle stopped Beth's stuttering. "You mean I was right? You're shacking up with DARYL DIXON?!"

"NO, NO."

Beth could have died of embarrassment. She'd barely had a boyfriend, let alone lived with a man she wasn't related to. Her only experience within the realm of men came from her high school boyfriend, Jimmy. He was supposed to be a high school sweet heart, the only boy she ever held hands with, let alone kissed! But, when Hershel died, it was fair to say her home grown country dreams took a toll, and no matter how hard Jimmy tried, their sweet, innocent relationship burned out.

"So you aren't living with Dixon?" Annabelle raised her brow.

"Well, I am but...I'm not shacking up with him." Hell, she still didn't know if he was an axe murderer. "He's just doing me a favour."

Beth's eyes darted around, her conversation with Annabelle had draw quite the bit of attention. She didn't know when, but it looked like at least half the staff was gathered around her. Some giggling a whispering, some looking at her with a bit more concern.

"Well, honey." Another waitress, Clara, walked over to Beth and put her hand on her shoulder. "You better watch out, or he might be doing you more than one favour."

A chorus of laughter erupted as Clare knocked her hip against Beth's, followed by a little shimmy. If her cheeks could be any brighter, Beth guessed they would be. She wanted desperately to escape. But, she also couldn't help but want to ask if Daryl had a rap sheet of women.

"Daryl's nice enough." Beth muttered. "I'm sure it'll be okay...?"

"Beth has a crush!" Someone yelled out.

"Ooo!" Everyone joined again.

All Beth could do was shake her head. She should have escaped before she opened her big mouth again. But, thankfully, she wasn't going to be subjected to their torture for very much longer as Carol walked in.

"Last time I check, all your asses were clocked in." Carol placed her hands on her hips. "Now, remind be, am I running a diner or a gossip ring?"

With that, everybody cleared out, finding some way to make themselves busy. Or a least something that gave the illusion of it. Beth couldn't help but give Carol a thankful nod as she searched for her notepad.

When she found it Beth was about to head the front, before Carol stopped her. "Hold up"

"Yeah?" Beth paused.

"You should be careful." Carol warned.

Beth chewed nervously on the bottom of her lip. "Like I said, he's just doing me a favour."

"Yeah, Daryl's big on doing those." Carol shrugged. "But, that's not what I meant."

"What do you mean then?" Beth asked, very curious about the answer.

Carol smiled, but didn't tell Beth a damn thing. She simply jerked her head towards the front and said, "Get to work."

Beth wanted to, but she didn't push for an answer. Instead she did what she was told, and headed up to the front and behind the bar, where Daryl was waiting patiently. He didn't say anything, he just nodded at her as she offered him some coffee. She wondered how much giggling he'd heard coming from the back. Or if he'd heard his name dropped more than once.

"So." Beth started. "You're here early."

"Yeah." Daryl shrugged and took a long swig of coffee. "Merle was pissing me off, so plans changed."

Well, his brother did have a knack for pissing people off, so Beth didn't blame him. She'd just wished the town had better cellphone reception, so he could have given her a call; and she would have avoided that absolutely mortifying experience.

"I'm not off until late, I don't know if you wanna hang around for that long." Beth hoped he wouldn't, as she noticed an eyebrow waggle from Annabelle down the bar.

"Nah, I've got the bike." Daryl said. "I thought I'd take your shit back to the house with me then maybe go to Lori's tonight. That is if you remember the way back to the house."

For the most part, Beth thought she did. "Oh yeah, that's no problem. I'm going to be doing that walk a lot, so I might as well get used to it."

. . .

It was later that afternoon, as Beth was still manning the counter, that Annabelle came back up to her with a question. Or, rather it turned into a demand. "What are you doing tonight?"

"I don't know." Beth said. She imagined most of her evening would be spent sitting awkwardly in Daryl's house, wondering what she could and couldn't touch. That, and trying not to snoop. "Why?"

"Well, my ex has the kid tonight, and the some of the girls and I were gonna go out. So, this is your invite."

"Out?" Beth asked. There was a lot of different kinds of going outs.

Annabelle laughed. "Drinks and dancing, duh."

Of course, she should have known that's what she meant. It was nice of them to ask, however there was a few things standing in her way. Beth was a) underage b) had never gone out to anything but a house party and c) had her first drink just s few days ago, by accident. "Oh, um I think I'll pass."

"Oh come onnn! It's the weekend!" Annabelle whined. "You have to!"

Beth was taught she didn't have to do anything; but it did feel kind of nice that almost perfect strangers wanted to hangout with her. They did tease her, but in a friendly way; and she was trying her best to make friends.

"Please, please, please?"

"Okay, okay." Beth laughed. She didn't have to drink.

"Yes! We'll go to my place after everyone's shifts are over. I'll have something that fits you I'm sure."

Annabelle walked away, wiggling her hips and humming as she went, and Beth couldn't help but feel a little excited about a girl's night. However, almost out of nowhere, Carol popped up, with her hands on her hips, again. Beth wasn't sure why, but it seemed a little cryptic.

"What?" Beth raised her brow.

Carol smiled and shook her head. "I warned you."