Beth had been in Daryl's bed when she woke up, and she found herself waking up beside him more often than not. They were testing the water, and doing so quite liberally. But, sometimes, she still found herself snuggled up in her own bed alone. Which reminded her that she shouldn't allow herself to become accustomed to sleeping next to someone when things between them remained so undefined and could turn on a dime. Her plan of playing it cool wasn't exactly going how she thought it would. She definitely didn't except for them to go the way they were for as long as they did. But, then again, she knew better than to try to stick to a plan, when there was a higher likelihood to fall rather than fly. So, she kept quiet about she wanted from Daryl, and willed herself not to burst.

Yet, she couldn't let go of how little things had really changed. Sure, their home life was definitely different, but no one really knew what was going on with them. Beth couldn't hold Daryl's hand in public, and she certainly couldn't kiss him the way she wanted to; and Beth didn't dare ask any of her friends for…advice. They still got teased and they still brushed it off, they still smiled and laughed, and drank at the bar while it remained open. It was a good guess that everyone simply thought she'd forgiven him – like she had so many times before – and she knew that made her look like the stupidest girl in the world.

Lori kept the bar open right up until the moment she went into labor. Her water had broken all over Meryl's boots while she was handing him a beer and he'd been in a right state. But, he still damn near almost threw her on the back of his motorcycle – which had recently been release from impound – and drove her to the hospital himself. The only thing that stopped him was Daryl telling him that Rick would have his head for it.

Beth was ecstatic that Lori was having her baby. But there was a small, selfish part of her that was slightly more excited for herself. With the bar being closed, Beth thought it meant that Daryl would be spending more time in the cabin. However, she'd forgotten all about the other misfits, who needed a brand-new place to drink. Which apparently meant the Dixon's very own garage. Of course, the garage wasn't nearly as full as the bar. To get into the garage you needed an invitation – something Beth rarely scored herself.

They'd created their very own red neck boys club.

It was infuriating. But, Beth didn't complain because her and Daryl technically weren't together, and he technically should be spending more time with his friends than with her. She thought he'd at least want her there though, which didn't seem to be the case. Every time she was invited, it was by someone else – and they had a great time. Daryl, however, always seemed on edge.

In time, Beth was able to remember the reason why. She had, in fact, forgotten all about the conversation between the two brothers that she'd eavesdropped on. She'd asked about Blake only a few times, but had become perhaps a little too involved with other aspects of Daryl to continue to push for an answer.

It came back to her however when both her temper and a storm were brewing. It was far too hot that summer for it to actually rain, but that didn't stop the dry storms from hitting Georgia. Which meant everyone was held up somewhere, avoiding the wind blowing dust every which way, and deafening sounds of thunder rolling in the clouds.

Beth was finishing her shift at the diner, ready to be done her shit day and thinking about how good it would be to unwind with a whiskey – had she been invited to the garage. She was pouring out cups of half empty, cold coffee in the back and listening to Annabelle babble, when she finally remembered: Daryl and Merle were hiding something for Blake.

"That son of bitch." Beth grunted as she slammed one of the mugs down.

"Come again?" Annabelle said, with a look of concern.

Beth took a deep breath. "Daryl Dixon is a son of a bitch who can't be honest to a single god damn person, for a single moment in his god damn life."

Annabelle stared at Beth with wide eyes, unsure of how to reply. "Umm…"

"What gives him the right to make someone feel so… so unwanted over something as simple as the truth?"

"You know, this might be a conversation you should have with, I don't know, Daryl." Annabelle suggested.

After a long pause, but quick consideration, Beth replied. "You're right."

"Well…that's good?" Annabelle laughed, glancing at the clock, Beth's shift was over. "But, if it is what I think it's about, it took you long enough."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah." Beth rolled her eyes as she grabbed her keys and ran to the truck.

When Beth got to the garage the scene she made could have been described as something out of a Disney movie – if she was the villain that is. The lighting was just starting as she opened the door and the wind blew the it shut behind her, as she stood there with her hands on her hips. Everything and everyone looked normal, all the misfits were sitting around, or adding to the pyramid of beer cans they'd begun on the register counter. However, they all got real loud when she made her appearance, yelling her name and asking how the hell she was. But their greetings were a little too loud, and not at they weren't particularly good at hiding their panicked looks. No, they weren't overly excited to see her. It was a warning of her presence more than anything.

And that's when she noticed the two brothers were missing.

"Is Daryl here?" Beth asked, her smile sticky sweet.

They all exchanged glances, but no one answered.

"Fine then." Beth's smiled dropped. "I'll find him myself."

Beth started to walk towards the hall to get to Daryl's office, but within seconds of the first step she took, they were all up on their feet and in her way.

Through the chorus of noes, Jim quickly spoke. "I'll go get him, why don't you grab something to drink."

"Pass." Beth replied, attempting to push passed them, and finally beginning to yell. "DARYL DIXON!"

. . .

Daryl flinched as soon as he heard Beth call his name, with a shrillness in her voice that could only mean one thing. She'd hit her wits end. They'd been keeping her at an arms-length from the garage, with the guys only inviting her so she wouldn't get suspicious. But, clearly, that was no longer working.

"Well don't just stand there!" Merle hissed, throwing Daryl him another pound to hide under the desk. But, just as he caught it, Beth came barging in. She was practically clawing at the door frame, with Jim still trying to hold her back.

"Get your hands off of me!" Beth swatted at Jim, all while managing to give Daryl a death glare.

Daryl stood there, his mind drawing a blank ad accepting defeat. He was caught red handed – and there weren't many explanations to be holding a block of white stuff wrapped in plastic. "Let her go Jim."

"What the hell is that?" Beth asked Daryl, knowing full well she wasn't going to like any answer that came out of his mouth.

"Well, Blondie…that's some grade A heroin." Merle answered for him, bluntly.

"Merle!" Daryl yelled at his brother, as if it wasn't true, knowing very well it was. He quickly looked back to Beth. She was slowly backing up and shaking her head.

"This is why you didn't want me around." Beth said, it wasn't a question.

"Beth…" Daryl started, but she had already turned around and was headed for the door, with no one standing in her way this time. He didn't hesitate to chase after her.

She almost got into her truck before looking back behind her.

"Beth…it's going to be gone soon, I promise." Was all Daryl could get out.

"Look, Daryl, I know you had to do this for your brother," Beth pushed face the hair the wind was wildly blowing into her face, and he could see how disappointed she really was. "But do care about anything else but him?"

"Beth." Daryl said with am almost pleading tone before he took a stepped towards her.

She stared at him, for a long while, then spoke softly. "There's nothing left for me back home, Daryl. I burned those bridges yesterday, and the day before that…and the day before that." She spoke as though she was reflecting on what she'd given up to stay all these months with him, and was looking for justification. "But I can't stay here with someone who doesn't care about me, and doesn't want me back. I need more Daryl."

He knew he was supposed to do something right away. Beg her to stay, or respond with some grand gesture. But he wasn't used to someone wanting to stay. Or wanting him for more than just a place to crash. If she was threatening to leave, maybe she wanted him to tell her to. Maybe Beth wanted him to give her an out. He could give it to her too; and not waste anymore of her time.

However, as he opened his mouth to speak, the only thing he could think was how lonely it would be without her around. She'd no longer there to laugh at age old jokes, or sing as she cleaned a non-existent mess. When it reopened, people would no longer flock to the bar, charmed by her impish grin. Two mugs would no longer sit on the counter in the morning.

Things would go back to the way they once were.

Daryl's name would no longer have a special ring to it.

"I don't know what I'd be going home to." Beth piped. He couldn't tell him she was impatient or wary. So, he took a shot in the dark.

"Then I'm all in." The words fell from him mouth, finally, and he kept his eyes fixed on her. Waiting to see if her face would show more disappointment, or the promise of something more. At first, all he could see was Beth's eyes beginning to water. But, to his relief, a small smile soon appeared on her face as well.

"Do you mean it?"

Daryl nodded. "Yeah, I mean it,"

Daryl watched Beth glance at the shop front of the garage, where he assumed an audience was standing by now. Then, without notice, she was up on to the very tips of her toes, with his face in between her hands, and her lips pressed against his. As Daryl kissed her back, he tried not to laugh, but couldn't ignore the hooting and hollering coming from behind the windows.