Your love echoes

Rated M

Warnings; Doesn't really have any.

My beta spitefire47 is helping with editing of the chapters.

Chapter 13; you tell me, I tell you.

Rick was thinking of an embarrassing moment he could share with. When Beth thought of something from before - something random.

''I…I never have really kissed anyone,'' Beth said a little flushed as Rick turned his attention to look at her. '' I...I did try when I was 13, to see you know what it was like, see if I could,'' said Beth chuckled a little there was that shy smile again.

''A boy from the next farm, William, we hid in the barn while the others were doing chores, we thought we were so clever, had everything worked out. Knew everything, but he was so nervous. He head butted me and bit my lip. Before we knew it the doors were being pulled open causing him to fall on me. We fell off the bay loft into some hay and landed right in front of both our parents before, We … all busted out laughing, including our parents.''

'' In a way I think they knew what we were up to. I never really tried again after that'' Beth finished flushing bright red ducking her head a little as she heard Rick chuckle .

"'Yeah… we as parents, have our ways of knowing about those things,'' said Rick chuckling again only to see Beth flush a deeper red. Rick couldn't help but wonder was that more on his account? And how far did that flush really go? Before he shook his head shaking his thoughts away –for now.

After moments of silence Rick thought of the stupid things he did in high school to put Beth at ease after sharing hers. than came up with the one of many that was a classic embarrassing moments involving Shane.

''When I was 16 we...Shane and I decided to do a bet. So I bet that Shane he couldn't talk his way into getting a six pack of beer. It was stupid of me to think it couldn't be done especially with Shane,'' said Rick chuckling before continuing. '' Because when Shane went in and back came out in seconds. Not only did he come out with the beer but he also had the cashier's phone number that was serving at the time. So losing the bet, he had me strip down and run through the school grounds naked, only to turn a corner and running into Mrs O'Sullivan the headmaster. She looked me up and down, her look lingering not so subtly before shaking her head, then saying three weeks detention with her and a 5000 word essay on the French revolution. She had me write lines for two weeks of three '' I will not disregard the school and will respect the school, school's property and uniform."

Shane gave me hell about it for weeks,'' said Rick chuckling and shaking his head again at the memory. Rick raised his head in slight shock, as Beth was actually laughing at his memory. It was the first he had heard her laugh. Her laugh was beautiful and it warmed Rick's heart. After that moment he promised himself it wouldn't be the last time he heard it.

Beth was feeling less awkward and more comfortable with Rick. Relaxing, settling in beside him. After a while of sharing little embarrassing moments, Beth was completely comfortable with Rick and both were sitting a little closer to each other, whether they noticed or not. She felt safe with Rick, the first time in a long time she felt free and felt she could actually let someone in and be with someone she felt it only with Rick.

Beth chuckled at memory that suddenly came to her, Beth also Rick's eyes were on her.

''What?'' said Rick as he moved a little closer.

Beth looked shyly at Rick. "Nothing, I just remembering something Maggie and I got up to when we were kids. The time Maggie and I... when I was 9 and Maggie was about 16, we decided we were big enough to go walking in the wood for the first time alone. Dad was helping Shawn and Otis with mending the fences and mum was in the kitchen cooking with Patricia. We thought it was a good idea at the time to take a pie off the window that was cooling and run into the woods to eat it.''

Rick chuckled causing Beth to flush a little he closed his eyes settling in to listen. Rick could listen to her for hours, everything about Beth put him at ease, comforting him. Her voice, her scent. Her soft touch, her shy soft smiles it was everything he missed. Everything he didn't have with Lori any more. Beth brought him out of his thoughts he listened as Beth continued.

''The problem was we went so far in we couldn't find our way out . It took dad and the others nearly two days to find us. They found us asleep in a den type thing in the side of a hill, sleeping close together to keep warm with an empty pie dish in front of us. Our parents laughed and so did Shawn, Otis and Patricia. Mum was more worried about us then her pie and all dad said was '' that will teach you'' before laughing again. After that I refused to go near the woods again until I was at least 14 the memory still gave me a belly ache,'' Beth finished chuckling at the memory.

When Beth looked at Rick, sadness was in his eyes and he sighed running his hand over his face, Beth saw pain. Loss, guilt, sadness and hurt regret, she never thought she could see so much in person's face, except maybe herself she bit her lip hesitating.

''Hey are you okay?'' Beth ask Rick in concern

Sighing Rick straighten himself, '' it's nothing ….''

Beth cut rick off by taking his hand, '' you have been so kind to me, helping me, listening to me at least I could do is the same for you. I may not be able to help but I have some empathic ears if you need any,'' Beth said gently.

suddenly Rick did something Beth didn't expect he took a hold of Beth hand, sighing Rick intertwining his fingers with hers, he circled and traced lines on Beth hand with his thumb, looking down he sighed as he saw and felt Beth closed the hold locking their hands together

''I don't think Lori and I... I'm thinking about... I know we are both thinking about separation, things haven't been the same since I came back. Things got even worse after leaving the CDC near Atlanta, we started fighting more, we...we just grew apart.

Rick sighed again before continuing ''I guess there was enough said and done, enough burnt bridges so to speak... to hurt both of us, it not just that. Lori just isn't there anymore, everything we had that made it a marriage. Everything that made it us is gone. It's like she somewhere else, we tried to keep things together for Carl … but I don't think... I can't open that door again, I can't fix it, my feelings and love for her has changed. After almost 14 years of marriage that is the hardest thing to admit, but when we have the time we have to discuss this and decide if it's what we want,'' Rick said still holding Beth's hand. Beth didn't know what say or how to comfort him so Beth held his hand in comfort hoping it would be enough.

Beth felt Rick move uncomfortably in silence. What Rick said made Beth think of the farm after the outbreak and the chaos it caused. Beth just started talking out loud wanting to get it of her chest mostly but also dint want talking to end just yet so she said whatever came to her head.

''I remember the 3 weeks, day of the break out, it was chaos. Farms were raided all over, people robbing and raiding for food, sometimes leaving the family out to die and taking their property for shelter, if the farms were secure enough. '' Beth felt Rick's eyes on her, his hand tightened around hers. He moved closer and his body was just touching hers. Beth took the silent comfort Rick gave her and closed her eyes for a moment before continuing.

''Within 2 weeks we fought off raiders trying to take our home or food and the walkers torn our fences down along with half of themselves. The gun shots, the dead cows and cattle the chickens, dogs we loss half our animals it was a devastating loss. Then the screams of my mother woke me on the third day in the third week, my mother was hanging out the washing when a walker attacked from behind, there was no warning. My brother Shawn tried to come to her rescue only to be attacked himself by the time we got to them it was too late the damage was already done''. Beth finished tears were falling she wiped the tears hastily they were gone just as fast as they fell, she felt Rick's eyes on her.

Rick moved his thumb round her skin rubbing gently before raising his hand and gently wiping away the tear she missed. Beth closed her eyes, melting slightly into his touch as his hand lingered for a few moments then was gone.

''I'm sorry I didn't know how it affected you, your family, Lori, Carl, Shane, the group, or anyone. I was in a coma for about a month from what I could gather when everything first hit but it felt longer, it felt like years. Felt like I slept through it all, then when I came to everything I knew; everything that was gone. I woke up continuing a conversation to Shane…about flowers and vase that was brought to me a week before. For all I know, I woke up alone, it felt like a nightmare, not knowing where I was at first.'' rick was careful with his words no matter how he felt for her, he still wasn't sure if she felt the same, where they stood or if could let his guard down so for now he hid his true feelings and self – for now, he was telling the truth if only it was a half truth.

''Atlanta looked like a bomb site, choppers, tanks and bodies everywhere. My home empty and my family gone the world had gone to shit and I was alone with the walking dead. Surrounded by bodies it took me..what felt like months to find my family then to realise nothing would be the same again''.

Beth couldn't take any more she had to get it out say it. ''I'm sorry if it wasn't for me you wouldn't have been shot and would have been with you family.''

Beth shot up from where she was sitting Rick was close behind and grabbed Beth hand gently to stop her from walking away.

''Beth, stop please? What are you talking about? ...what's wrong ? '' Rick asked .

Beth didn't answer right away hesitating but Rick waited not letting go Beth sighed.'' You don't remember do you? My boyfriend was who you were chasing when you got shot... he is...was insensitive asshole who, didn't care who got hurt as long as he got what he wanted. ''

Rick stopped in his tracks and froze Beth sighed and tried to move out of Rick grip only to have Rick recover just as quickly this time his hand went under her chin and brought up to meet him, his eyes were forgiving and kind, with comfort in them.

'' Hey, hey.. none of that was you're doing."

Beth shook her head trying to move away but Rick moved closer . This time bringing his hand to her face and cradled it, Beth melted instantly into his touch closing her eyes.

"Hey it's not on you, it's not your fault none, of it was Beth. You don't have to tell me anything if you don't want to, but if you do and want to talk I'm right here okay? I'm not the one to judge, but I do know one thing Beth you weren't part of what happen to me, nor you never will be, it is all on him.'' Rick said as he wiped away Beth tears . She really believed that what happened to him was her fault? How could it be?

As Beth listened to Rick a shiver went down her spine. Beth was beginning to realise.

Beth didn't reveal anything about Liam or Nathan and Rick didn't push her . Rick was the first person she felt she could tell it to all of it to, for Beth that was huge step and it gave her hope. Maybe she wasn't as damaged as she thought to be...seen by someone to... care for, wanted, and maybe loved by someone. This was new to Beth and she didn't want it to end. She found that being around Rick silenced everything else and calmed it all. She trusted and felt safe enough around to let it go even for the time being, enough to be herself which hadn't seen in a long time.

Her walls were coming down around her and it was to be with... at the possibility of letting him loving her as a friend and or lover . Beth felt no doubt with him or fear, wanting to get to know him, all of him, the good and the bad sides of Rick, doubting it will change the way that she will or is feeling. To know… get to know his touch and secrets, to want and be loved by him. She could let him teach her to love again, open up to him and heal her and in time move on. With Rick things she had... thought she had forgotten came to her and she didn't it to end. Yes there was no doubt any more. Beth found herself wanting to -letting him yes..yes she was falling in love with Rick Grimes and for the first time in a long time it felt..Right.

Wanting and was willing to be a part of his life to let all go and be with him. She wanted it all with this man and no matter how much guilt she felt it didn't matter. It didn't change anything but now she knows. She can't help but wonder what will the price be? If Nathan showed up again? Lori? Carl? Maggie? Her father? Rick? Damn. Beth tried to push thought out of her head at the possibility she couldn't think that. He could be dead, but she doubted it. Beth was getting ahead of herself. She didn't even know how Rick felt, if he felt the same? No matter what, all she had to do wait to see how he felt and deal with the rest as it comes. But now Beth finally knows how she feels for Rick it will change everything.

Beth closed her eyes she felt his eyes on her but either didn't say anything. Then as if Rick knew what Beth was thinking he moved close to her, so close in Beth breathing hitched just a little... his lips brushed hers slightly. Then suddenly the moment was broken by sudden footsteps approaching only to be Maggie's.

''Beth? Beth! There you are dad has been looking for you… both of you . Dinner is almost ready, this is where you been all this time?'' said Maggie as she reached them. Only then did they realise how dark it had gotten since they first arrived to sit under the tree. Beth sighed if Maggie wasn't suspicious, she had a feeling she would be now, but to Beth's relief Maggie said nothing .'Not until later at least' Beth thought to herself and even then what could she say to her?

Both of them nodded before rising to their feet. The three of them walked back to the house in silence.

A/N; I made last minute changes, any mistakes are my own, sorry if this chapter a bit slow in pacing but it will pick up again, what will happen next? Just have to stay tuned guys. Til next time keep on reading lovely readers. Reviews welcome. Deadlove ox.