BPOV

This last week has been the most crazy and exhilarating. I am at the club dancing like I do three nights a week to help pay for school when one of our regulars Merle has his brother show up to retrieve him. His blues eyes looked stormy and mysterious and they seemed to pierce my soul. Well until Merle spoke and ruined the illusion. Seeing him the next day at Dale's Garage was the most surprising thing to happen to me. He is quiet and he seems nice. I don't know why I go on to tell him about my reasoning behind the dancing but he doesn't seem to care.

My best friend Tara picked me up out front and seemed to pick up on my strange mood. Questioning me all the way home to our three bedroom apartment that I share with her and her girlfriend Amy and our Friends Eric and Aaron, finally I gave in and told her all about Daryl the mysterious blue eyes.

"Go for it B, he seems perfect for you." Tara beamed from the driver's seat.

Similar words were spoken from the others once we got back home. I danced around the kitchen while making dinner while they watched from the sofa.

Dale called the next day around noon while I was in class. As soon as I could I left and made my way over hoping to see Daryl again. When he asked me if I wanted to go for a ride on the bike I thought I was going to die from lack of oxygen. I don't think I have ever felt this way before. Sure I have had boyfriends, I mean I dated Jimmy for all of high school. Thinking back on Jimmy I realize I left things with him wrong. Going back now would ruin everything I have built here so I push aside my guilt and smile through it. Being brave I hand Daryl a note with my name and number and saunter off to Dale to pay my bill.

"Shouldn't this be higher?"

"Never had someone ask for a higher bill before." He remarked.

"No it's not like that I am just curious. Google said it would cost more."

"This is just for the part. No labour cost." He said. "Oh I wasn't supposed to say that." I looked at him with wide eyes. "Don't say anything okay?"

"My lips are sealed." I said with a smiled before going back out to get my car.

Later in the evening my phone beeped signaling a new message. I quickly responded giggling like a school girl with each new message.

"Blue eyes texting you Gilbert?" Eric asked from the doorway to the bathroom. I looked up at him through my lashes and smiled.

"He is taking me on a motorcycle ride tomorrow."

"Oooh how very dangerous of you." He replied.

"Oh come on Eric, I am a stripper for crying out loud, a motorcycle isn't that bad. Plus I think he's a good guy. I mean I don't really know him know him but…"

"You don't gotta explain it to me girl." He said. I chuckled as I turned back to my phone. The TV flipped on to my favourite show The Vampire Diaries, also the inspiration for my last name. When I left home at eighteen I reinvented myself, cut myself off from everyone in my past. Friends and family. I had no choice. I couldn't live in that town with those people anymore. Not after what I did. It took a while to get on my feet here in Atlanta, I changed my name in some small town north of my home town and never looked back. Found a cheap apartment with the money I had saved from my allowance over the years and got a job at a coffee shop. Soon though I had been discovered by Caesar Martinez the owner of three strip clubs in the city, the money too good to pass up.

Tara walked into the room with Amy looking happier than ever. "What's got you two so happy?"

"Did you get laid?" Eric asked finally sitting down next to me on the sofa.

"Yes but that's not why we are super excited." Tara said, her voice higher than normal.

"We just got backstage passes to see Luke BRYAN." Amy yelled the last part. Her eyes were huge as she hugged onto Tara.

"That's awesome, I am so excited for you." I told them. Our evening continued in giddy conversation and pizza.

The next morning in class I couldn't help but day dream how the evening would go. Would I get to look into those blue eyes more or would he call to cancel. My mind was racing as I though over every worst case scenario in my head.

B*are you a serial killer?

A few minutes later my phone vibrated against my hand.

D*No… U?

B*No but I do take my clothes off for money ;)

I closed my eyes at my own attempt at humor.

D*Oh that's what that was the other night!

I almost laughed out loud when I noticed the professor of my literature class staring in my direction. "Ms. Gilbert what did you take away from the tortured romance between Heathcliff and Cathy?"

"Um. Well a lot of people have a problem with the fact that he is older than her by many many years, but what they fail to take note of is that love doesn't know number. Love is emotion and chemistry. These two characters loved each other but the people around them and the circumstances kept them apart for the most part. It was beautiful a beautiful thing and it could have lasted a lifetime. Even in death they loved each other." I explained, he looked please and moved on.

B*still on for this evening?

D*ya

D*where should I pick ya up?

B*maple grove apartment complex, building B

D*Wear jeans

B*really? You don't want me to wear my work uniform?

D*a little cold for that

B*well then I guess I'll have to be modest and stick with civilian clothes

D*530?

B*perfect

By the time class ended I was so antsy I couldn't contain my joy. I made it home in record time and switched out of my usual sundress and into my jeans and cowboy boots. I tossed on my knit grey sweater and waited for him to arrive. I flipped through channels as I watched the clock tick down. I can't believe how insane I am acting over some guy. He is older and could be dangerous, I mean hell Merle is his brother which makes him a Dixon and I have heard all the stories from my boss and other patrons in the club. The buzzer went off and I jumped from my seat with a squeal. "Come on up." I said making my voice as even as possible. All of my roommates suddenly appeared in the room. Eric standing in the kitchen pretending to cook, Aaron at the table fiddling with a rubix cube, and Amy and Tara sat on the couch pretending to watch the TV. A soft knock sounded on the door. I counted to three and opened the door, keeping my breath steady. "Hi."

"Hey."

"Come on in." I said. "Sorry about the mess."

"S'okay." He stepped inside.

"Sorry about my roommates, they are really nosy and I don't know why they are all out here." I said giving them a tone. He chuckled a bit before Tara spoke up.

"Sorry Gilbert it's just you have never brought a guy over before. Normally your all prude and quiet." I felt my face heat up as I looked from Daryl over to my friend.

"I wouldn't really call myself a prude."

"She has a point T I mean she does have a…"

"He knows what I do for a living Eric."

"Really?"

"No big deal it's a job." He said. "Ready to go."

"Yes let's get out of here before they start talking again." I said practically pushing him out the door. We got out into the cool night air, the Georgian summer finally relenting its hold on us. "So how does this…" He climbed on and looked at me.

"Hop on." I climbed on behind him and wrapped my arms around his waist.

"This okay?"

"Ya." He sped off, helmets forgotten. The wind whipped past me making my long wavy hair fly out behind me, I pressed my cheek between his shoulder blades and breathed in. The smell of cigarettes and leather and forest assaulted my nose in the best way possible. We drove for a while, the city disappearing behind us as the sky opened up and the starts shone through. Trees lined the back road, he made a sharp turn onto a dirt path. Eventually the tree gave way and we were in an open quarry. The water looked amazing and the sounds of animals in the distance filled my ears as he shut off the bike.

"I thought you said you were not a serial killer?" I laughed and he shrugged his shoulders. "That was amazing. Does it always feel like that?"

"Ya."

"How long you work at Dales?"

"A month. Just moved to town." He replied. His voice coarse. "How long you lived in Atlanta?"

"Since I was eighteen. Moved here right outta school." I told him. "I love the city, although sometimes I miss the small town country life. I don't miss everyone knowin' everythin' though."

"Small town girl eh."

"Yes." I laughed.

"Why did ya leave?"

"I don't want to talk about that. Let's talk about something else" He nodded his head as he sat down and looked ahead at the water flowing. I sat next to him. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be, aint my business."

"I did something bad when I was seventeen and then I couldn't handle the guilt and so I tried to end it." He looked over at me, his eyes dark and I could see the storms raging inside them. "Damaged good I guess."

"Nah, don't think yer damaged."

"How can you be so sweet to someone like me? And I say that knowing you could leave me here in the middle of nowhere."

He chuckled low in his throat. "You work a job to make money no shame in that. We all got scars Beth."

"I guess we do."

I can't promise to update this quick all the time as I do have to work but I am loving the way this is flowing right now. Chapters will vary in length and most will be in Beth's POV however we will see into Daryl's mind every few chapters.

Let me know what ya think. Reviews are very motivating. Let me know how you want the big Greene reunion to go!