Your love echoes

Rated M

warnings; mild course language, mentions of mild violence. Rick/Beth first kiss. (Yay)

My beta spitfire47 is helping with editing of chapters.

Chapter 14; Open Arms.

Beth arrived at the house, seeing Lori, Carl, their group and her family at the table. Beth's head throbbed , the conversation was catching up to her. It has been almost 2 weeks since Liam and finally realising her feelings for Rick. Being with Rick helped some but once alone the memories of Liam and Nathan crushed her breathless but with Rick, it is him who leaves her breathless . She couldn't win but if she had a choice she would definitely choose Rick any day. Her father pulled her a side.

"You okay Bethie?'' said Hershel.

Beth sighed nodded '' Yeah dad just tired it's been along few weeks I think finally it is all catching up to me. I am going to lay down,'' said Beth.

Hershel put his hand to her forehead, '' you sure? Nothing for me to look at?''

Beth shook her head again. '' No daddy I'm fine, my head a little sore and my hands. Other than that I'm just tired I just going to lay down for a bit.'' Beth kissed her father's forehead, than left the room not before taking a last look a Rick, who didn't miss the look, giving her a soft smile.

Beth arrived in her room only to collapse onto her bed, turning over she smiled touching her lips . What would have happened if Maggie didn't find them, did he want to kiss her? It would have been her first kiss, all she could think of were his soft touches, his sad smiles. The talk they had today, what he told her, and what she told him, she was... she to let him in, or starting to and it scared her. But it also like weight was being melted off her chest, her walls was coming down with him it felt right.

Everything she was feeling with him felt right, she told him things she thought she won't tell anybody. They were her memories she held on to, the good and the bad. She didn't talk to her father or Maggie about them or that she remembered, she never told anyone that she has never really been kissed. Well what she called a kiss, Nathan and Liam were all over but never her lips, they were hard and painful. Then Rick was there and she was telling him things, feeling things.

She was falling in love with him, part of Beth was happy that she felt true and it was...felt right . The possibility sent shivers down her spine to be in his arms, share everything with Rick, to be...loved and cared for was all Beth wanted . For him to teach her to love again was all she wanted and to be with someone and not fear them or doubted them to be loved, wanted and needed, for the passion to be real.

Just being with Rick left her breathless. If he did want to kiss her would she let him? The answer for her was; yes she would let him. She realised from the first moment Beth saw him, she wanted him to kiss her, for him to be her first real kiss. Beth thought of him and all Rick did was take care of the group, his son and Lori - everyone else's needs always coming first. It made Beth wonder, who was taking care of him?

But also the part with guilt was also back again, as far as Beth knew, no matter what problems Lori and Rick had they were still together. Rick and Lori still shared everything and cared for their son, Carl, how could she forget him in all this? To be fair they haven't even spoken to each other yet, even discussed it and, even if they were to separate, it had to be by both parties and mutual, no matter how Beth felt for Rick. If Rick felt the same, she could never be with him unless or until they agree to live their own lives, even if it may never be final and explain to Carl.

Maybe it was her good Catholic girl coming out, but what good little Catholic girl dreams of being loved, touched and kissed passionately by Rick Grimes. To take care of a grown man, who was in he's thirties twenty years older? Damn but it felt good...right and loved the possibility that he may feel the same, have the passion there to love without doubt or fear. But the fact remained weather or not Rick felt the same he had to talk to Lori first to work out what is what before she could be involved with him and that was if he felt the same?

xxxx

After dinner Rick decided to turn in himself, Lori wanted to spend some time with Carl before heading to bed. All Rick could think of and picture was Beth, her voice, her laugh, the way she blushed and leaned into his touch . What she told him, there was so much doubt, fear and hurt. all he wanted to do was take all her pain away take it all away and just be with, love and care for her.

Rick could see….he saw the doubt in her eyes, but he saw that Beth liked him maybe had feelings for him? He found himself hoping she felt as he did. Rick found her shyness around him, but also her curiosity, and wanted her to trust him, even if she wasn't sure if she could . Making him want to reach out to her again and easy her worries and doubts she had for him show her that she could trust him that she had nothing to fear from him. Then thought back of the almost kiss, how only brushing his lips with hers, how she leaned into the touch and how her breath hitched slightly. That made him wonder if Maggie didn't appear when she did, would she have let him kiss her? Would she have kissed him back? He couldn't feel guilty for wanting that with Beth, to be with and care for her, love her. To show and teach Beth his way of love.

To give her new memories of what love should be. It felt right...perfect even, how they fit perfectly in the other's arms, the touches and kisses. Beth's laugh and smiles, the rest he hoped would come with time, then it hit him hard the realisation; yes he was falling in love with Beth Green of all people. Yes she was 17 and half his age but it felt right...new… but what was he to do about Lori?

The guilt was back again, it wasn't just Lori and Carl any more but this time went as far as worrying of how it would affect, the reaction of Hershel and Maggie? Beth was 17 and 20 years younger than himself he was old enough to be her father and yet he felt want love, need and passion for her. That a father should never feel for their daughter and he had Lori and Carl. Would Hershel even allow his daughter near him if he knew? Somehow he doubted it.

He felt he would have to talk to him at some point but after he spoke to Lori, if his past job taught him anything the truth came with time and patience. He would have to keep his distance from Beth… for now or try to, until he spoke to Lori and later Hershel to get everything out there . With everything at stake here, some of the group were settling in here . They had shelter, food, medicine and safety it was something he couldn't risk not with Carl, T-Dog and Daryl barely back on their feet so he would have to wait for now. But he didn't...couldn't let go of the possibilities he may have with Beth just yet that if he was right and Beth felt the same for him?

Tomorrow he would ask Beth if she wants to come on a run to the pharmacy noticing there wasn't much first aid supplies after treating Carl. It should be than easy car ride there and back or maybe they could take some horses and take it slow with Beth and talk to her again and see how it goes, even as just friends for now, maybe more later on with time. With the promise he would wait until she came to him and if she whatever was said would stay between them. With that he settled down to sleep, not hearing Lori return an hour later.

xxxx

It was if Beth read Rick's mind as he and Lori came down to breakfast the next day. They heard arguing and saw Hershel ran his hand over his face raising his hand to Maggie, signalling her to not interfere. Maggie huffed in frustration.

''No Beth absolutely not,'' Hershel said.

Beth sighed rising out of her seat putting a hand on Maggie's shoulder telling her sister she is alright. ''Dad I'm almost 18, I'm not a child any more so stop treating me like one. The pharmacy is just a couple miles down the road I can be there and back in an hour or so. I'll even take someone with me if will ease your worries, Maggie or maybe Rick, one of rick's group both if it would make you feel better. But dad we hardly have any medical supplies since Carl, T-dog and Daryl has been injured and I need some personal things myself. I need... I feel more comfortable getting them myself I don't want to burden anyone else with it please dad,'' Beth said. She didn't want to look at her father or Maggie any more, feeling herself flush Beth ducked her head only to be in the embrace of Maggie. Another reason Beth wanted to is to spend time with Rick hoping he was the one to get picked. If she and Maggie could get their father agreed that is. Maggie was completely unaware of her true intentions.

''Dad, Beth is embarrassed enough about that. Doesn't want it to be brought up every time she wants to go out? She need them, they help her sleep. I will go with her or have Rick or one of the others take her. If you need me here we can ask them not to say anything. But shutting Beth out from the world is not the answer, and if you keep on pushing her she will shut down. Just one day off the farm if only for a few hours, will make all the difference to Beth, please Dad, Beth needs it, if only it is for one day'' Maggie said Hershel sighed.

A while later they had convinced Hershel to let Beth go for the run. Rick couldn't have planned it better himself as he was the one that was going with her. If Hershel suspected anything going on between his self and Beth, he kept it to himself. Beth came to the drive way with two horses, riding one and guide the other in a slow trot, not before thinking about before when Lori approached her with a request, a pregnancy test? But she was the one not to pry and try to shut down those thoughts that hit her. Promised not to say anything and would keep it quiet for which,Lori was thankful, but as soon as she saw Rick thoughts were forgotten. She would spend 2 hours with this man and couldn't think of anything to say.

'' Hey, can you ride or do you want to take the car?'' said Beth as she reached Rick but felt imminently stupid and ducked to hide the blush.

Rick chuckled, he could get used to Beth blushing she was beautiful when she blushed.

''Yeah I can ride, just a bad memory with the last time I did that's all. The Horses are fine since you already have them saddled and ready,'' Rick said as he stepped up on to the saddle of the horse. With one shift move, Rick was seated and Beth chuckled followed a soft smile.

''I'm impressed sheriff, looks like someone has been holding out on me,'' Beth said teasing Rick a little only to have Rick chuckle in return.

''Come on we better get moving if we are to be back by sun down.''

Not long after they waved goodbye to their families, they started moving forward together Rick clicked his tongue at the horse to get him moving.

They moved slowly down the road in silence, Beth knew Rick was trying to understand were Beth was coming from. Trying to be understanding he was waiting for her to come to him. But how? What could she possibly say? Talk about Liam? Nathan? Her developing feeling for him and everything else? It hurt too much but the concern and the hurt in his eyes dimmed every time he looked at her.

But she couldn't not speak yet especially with when Lori pulled her aside the morning before they left and asked her to get a pregnancy test. Beth wasn't the one to pry on anyone's business but couldn't' help but feel hurt, but she had the right did she?

It was a reminder a twisting knot in her stomach. Lori was still Rick's wife, the mother of his son and maybe pregnant with another?. Beth couldn't help but feel her chance with him, them being together was closing, fading into the distance. Lori had hugged her when she nodded and asked to keep it between them. Could she? She looked at Rick. Damn she could and her walls were going up with it.

She sighed running her hand over her face Beth decided to concentrate on the task at hand and tried not think about it anymore. They looked out for walkers, they did make small talk along the way when the silence got too much but with the small chat they enjoyed the other company. Rick could see something was on Beth's mind, something that was bothering her, he didn't know what but he didn't want push Beth into things too quickly. He could tell she liked his company and that was enough for now – for both of them. Maggie was right getting Beth off the farm was the right thing to do even if Hershel didn't agree at first.

xxxx

Meanwhile back at the house Hershel and Lori were looking over Carl as he was helping Maggie feed the baby chickens. Lori was throwing in a handful every now and then Carl looked at his mother.

''Don't worry so much, I'm fine,'' Carl said as Lori pulled another handle of feed and threw it from where she was sitting.

''I'm your mother it is my job to worry.''

Carl threw more hands of feed then turned to his mum.

''No it's not, you're a housewife'' Hershel and Maggie chuckled at the back and forth between mother and son.

Lori playfully threw feed at her son ''Oh yeah, you see my house around here, punk, house wife…'' Lori mutters last bit more to herself than anyone else. Carl laughed trying to doge the feed his mother threw at him.

Lori and Carl unaware of Patricia in the chicken huts, grabbing a 1or 2 adult chickens.

Carl continued throwing feed watching the baby chicks crowding around his feet wondering when his father would be back.

Both Hershel and Lori had their mind on other things like the almost friendly encounter between Rick and Beth. What was on their mind the most was Beth's comment to him and how she called him sheriff. Did they know each other from somewhere before? And if so where? For the life of them they couldn't think of where the two would've met before now. And how close the two were the other day when they were doing chores around the farm, they knew Rick was trying to Help Beth. But they saw them at different points through the day, how close they were to each other, almost touching even when they were talking. They never looked away from the other, the way the they looked at each other when they were taking, like they were trying to figure the other out, if they could trust the other person?.

They didn't see Beth fall or anything but what they saw was enough to make them wonder? It was almost like feeling they were interpreting a private moment between lovers. They shook the feeling off, but it didn't feel like it.. couldn't be nothing, but from what they have seen and not just the other day. It did make them wonder if there was something between them, and if so how deep are those feelings? They guessed they would just have to wait and see they could be wrong it could be nothing and Rick was simply helpful and caring Lori knew that as the kind of man Rick was and Hershel pick up on that as well or they refused to believe it, a grown man in his mid -thirties with a 17 year old? There was a slim chance. They would need to pull Rick and Beth aside and have a serious conversation with both of them but they will wait and, see not wanting to get ahead of them themselves thinking of everyone who would be involved.

xxxx

After a while they reached the pharmacy, the street and area seemed clear so they tied the horses nearby just out of eye shot of the tree line. They were hoping it wouldn't take too long and nothing would spook them.

Rick and Beth entered the pharmacy, working quickly, they went to getting what they needed not wanting to stay longer than necessary. Though it was clear now they didn't know how long it would last the threat was still there whether it be walker or otherwise.

Not long after they arrived they were finished with the gathering of medical supplies for the group. Beth worked her way to the backroom, grabbing pain killers, and sleeping pills. She packed the bandannas she saw earlier, she had knew she had enough but she liked the colours and patterns they soothed her. They were like a security blanket, something to focus on when things got bad. She hadn't slept for almost two days, only getting about 2 hours over two days she was exhausted and ached but it felt longer, almost 2 months after walkers attacks, the well and the killing of Liam with in days of each other, everything was starting to weigh down on her. She wasn't sure how much longer she could say she is fine and for them to believe it, especially herself, or to say it and mean it? Right now she felt like crap but couldn't sleep in fear of what she will see if and when she closes her eyes.

Then Beth thought about Rick, could she really open up to him if he had the chance? Could she really tell him about...about everything? The hurt and understanding in Rick's eyes, the way he studied her, the closeness. She knew he intended to let her know he won't be leaving that easily. Damn! He was going to be the death of her.

Rick was standing near the entrance of the pharmacy keeping watch, he watched Beth as she went into the back room . He knew somethingwas wrong, something was bothering her and was trying so hard to kept it together, but she was struggling he wanted to keep her close protect her . Let the rest come with time, and let her come to him on her own. Yes he could wait.

Then Rick was pulled out of his train of thought when the sound of bottles or boxes fall to the floor.

Rick moved forward having his knife ready for any trouble ''Beth!? Beth you alright?''

Beth stumbled trying to catch the rest of the falling bottles worried about the noise it would cause . Cursing at herself and the shelf, Beth had being startled and tripped over a body she banged her knee on the shelf knocking the bottles off, she continued to rubbing her knee: "Damn it!"

Then Beth heard Rick call out '' Beth!? Beth you alright?''

Beth took a moment to pull her- self together then made her way out of the backroom.

''Yeah I'm okay. I got startled by a body on the floor, tripped and knocked into shelf, silly really."

Rick stood beside her giving her a look like he wasn't completely convinced. Beth sighed moving forward taking his hand.

''I'm okay, really... let's go.''

After a moments' hesitation Rick nodded and they started to head for the door.

Rick had his hand at Beth lower back guiding her, when Beth remembered Lori.

''Hold on, I forgot something I will just be a second. Meet me at the door," Beth said.

Rick was hesitantly thinking whether it was a good idea or not and Beth saw it. She couldn't help but notice how close Rick was to her. Bethclosed her eyes and focusing on what she was going to say not Rick's body. 'silly girl, pull yourself together' Beth thought to herself.

"I will be fine I will just be a second, promise." After another moments' hesitation Rick nodded letting Beth pass him. Rick waited by the exit.

Beth made her way to the woman's section, the embarrassing moments after when Maggie told her what the pink little candies were and what they were for. That was the first time anyone had told her about sex, she was only about 13 at the time, she was so freaked out about the whole thing. She grabbed them from Maggie and threw them in the duck pond.

Beth sighed smiling at the memory she found quite funny now she thought about it . Grabbing the pregnancy test for Lori and put it her backpack not wanting to think about too much she made her way back to Rick.

Making their way out of the pharmacy, they heard the moaning sounds of walkers.

Beth moved to Rick taking a hold of his sides not ready to face it yet. Rick pulled his knife.

"Stay close''

Beth nodded there weren't many walkers just 3 of them. Rick was hoping they could deal with them quickly and quietly and be back before sunset.

Rick moved forward stabbing the first walker in the head then suddenly the other two was on him pushing him up against the windows, fighting the two walkers snapping at him. Rick had dropped his knife and couldn't reach his gun. Beth saw the knife, she saw Rick, Beth acted on instinct. She gripped the heads of the walkers and stabbed them both through the head, pulling them off Rick. Rick turned to Beth to see if she was alright and thank her but was concerned and grounded by what he saw.

Beth just froze. Staring at the blood on her hands and the knife, then suddenly Beth dropped the knife and started trying to wipe the blood off. Rick saw Beth was panicking.

Beth felt her chest was heavy and was harder to breathe. Rick moved closer: ''Beth?''

The young woman started rubbing at her hands harder at the blood and tears started to fall. All she could think was his laughter, the roughness of his hands then all she saw was his blood on her, on her hands.

Rick moved forward gently taking her hands not wanting to scare her.

''Shh, hey, hey, Beth it's alright come here.''

Guiding Beth over to the backpack grabbing a bottle of water and dressing that could pass as cloth. Pouring some water onto it he gently started wiping her hands. Calming and shushing Beth, she leaned into chest, crying and hiding her face. Rick didn't mind the closeness, he sighed . She was exhausted and scared all he wanted to do was hold her close but he had to calm her first which, was to take care of the blood.

Rick put aside the bloody dressing and removed her bandages from Beth hands replacing them with fresh ones, Beth stayed close to Rick chest.

Beth breathed in Rick's scent, taking in his comfort and warmth of Rick's body. Once Rick was finished he closed the embrace, his lip brushed the top of Beth's head. She felt safe in Rick's strong arms. She knew Rick was holding back, he wanted more than this he was he wanting to kiss her but the pull – held back? Beth was vulnerable she knew but she wanted him close. He really wasn't going to leave her? But could she let him in?

Beth moved away slowly but still close enough for Rick to kiss her forehead, looking up. Beth gripped Rick's shirt and he moved in again placing kisses on Beth forehead. Then her temple and jaw, Beth closed her eyes, yes she was letting it happen... yes she could let him in Rick's lips came closer.

After hesitating a few moments Beth slowly ran her fingers through Ricks curls pulling him a little closer. Rick sighed moving closer to Beth lips, but only went half way unsure of what Beth wanted, but it was Beth who made the final move pressing her lips to his.

Their kiss was slow and passionate. Beth following Rick's lead, moving her lips with his after what felt like hours. Beth parted her lips letting Rick tongue enter her mouth, Beth chased Rick's tongue with hers each tasting the other. Deep in the kiss Beth moaned softly as Rick moved her against the windows of the pharmacy, Rick pressed his body into hers feeling the heat and closeness as much as he could without scaring her. Groaning at the contact he wanted for so long, just tasting each other soon the kiss became more heated with want and need until Beth slightly press on Rick's chest telling him she need to take a breath.

''Wow that was even better than I imagined, you really have been holding out on me.''

Beth giggled out of breath only to have Rick chuckle in return.

''Yeah?''

Beth giggled again blushing slightly kissing his lips.

''Yeah,'' Then realising how late it was getting Beth muttered. ''I hate to break it up sheriff but it's getting late we need to head back."

Rick moved his hand down Beth's jaw, her eyes closed at the contact.

''Yeah we should….but not yet.''

Beth raised an eye brow then felt Rick lips at her jaw ''oh'' was all Beth got out before Rick took her into another long passionate kiss.

A/N; sorry for such a long chapter but I felt it was needed. But promise you the next chapter won't be as long as this one. Yay Beth and Rick kiss at last, but how long will it last? What will happen when Lori has unexpected news for Rick? Will it cause tension between the new found lovers? Or will Lori and Rick come to a decision that will change all their lives? Stayed tuned to find out - until next time lovely readers. Reviews welcome ox.