When we last left our favorite pair, Beth had been accused of causing a robbery at the library. Luckily Daryl was there to help soothe her, and, spoiler alert! It actually wasn't her fault

I own nothing related to The Walking Dead. If I did I'd have the cast take you all out on a midnight drive, with the roof down, with a destination towards no where….

She supposed there were worse ways to spend her Friday night.

Tara and Amy had begged her to join them at Sanctuary, and had even managed to convince Sasha and Rosita to tag along.

It had been a rough week, and Beth wanted nothing more than to stay home and sleep the weekend away. In fact, she had almost been relieved when Daryl had told her he was having a guy's poker night that night. Even though any weekend she spent with him was a gift, she had been looking forward to her books and jammies.

Beth was brought back to the moment when an intoxicated Rosita placed a drink in front of her.

"So how did it all go down again?"

Beth sighed and took a big gulp. She was so tired about telling that story, but understood that her friends were still concerned about her.

"Well," Tara leaned over, placing an emphasis on every syllable. "The library has been using the same old cleaning ladies for years. Years! They always come and clean the offices on Tuesday nights. Except for last Tuesday. The cleaning lady had an event to attend to. A funeral or something."

"It was a Rosary for the departed" Beth chimed in.

"Okay, a Rosary. Well, the woman contacted Pat to let her know she wouldn't be coming in that evening. No big deal right?"

"Except Patricia didn't relay that message to Tara and I. We're the ones who stay late on Tuesdays." Beth closed her eyes, remembering the look of relief on Shane's face when she told him. How he and Daryl had actually smiled at each other, happy that Beth was officially off the hook.

"So it was Pat's fault then?" Rosita stated.

"No," Beth shook her head. "It was nobody's fault. Just an accident. Miscommunication."

"From Pat!" Tara exclaimed. She had not been as forgiving as Beth had been

"Please Beth," Amy spoke up "That woman's had it out for you for how long?"

"I just can't help but feel bad for her." Beth sighed.

"I mean," she took a shot that had mysteriously been placed in front of her.

"Thinking I was responsible, for those few hours," she almost cried relieving the memory. Tara shoved another bottle in her direction "those were just the…the worst hours you guys! I wouldn't wish that upon anyone, even Patricia."

"You're too good for this world Beth…too fucking good." Tara reached over and hugged her best friend.

"Who's responsible for them?" Rosita pointed at the two hugging girls as she turned to Sasha "Wait, who's responsible for us?"

Sasha shrugged as she ate some more cheese fries.

Amy laughed as she called for the waitress, ordering another round for the girls except for herself. Amy had volunteered to be their sober driver, and as Beth remembered that fact, she leaned over and pulled her into their hug.

"Oh yeah," Amy patted Beth's back "I forgot you're a happy lovey drunkard."

Their moment was interrupted as all girls groaned and turned to the small stage. A petite brunette had been attempting to hit a high note and was failing miserably.

"Gotta love karaoke night" Tara said as she turned back towards the girls.

"Speaking of…" Amy let her sentence drift as she got up and went to the DJ's booth.

Beth closed her eyes and groaned as she remembered how minutes earlier she had agreed to sing that night. She typically only sang for her nephews or when her father asked. Outside of that, she kept her singing to herself or any other people who happened to be around when a song she enjoyed came on the radio.

Karaoke night was the only exception. A while back Tara made a decision that if any of them were ever to go out singing, they had to make a production out of it. They were to pick the most depressing song they could think of, and put as much emotion behind it.

"It's what the people want" Tara had explained to Sasha. "They don't want to see some asshole singing up there as if it's their only chance for a record deal. No! They want to see drama. They want to see tears!" She emphasized each word by pounding her drink on the table. "They want to see a show! That's what our Beth here will be providing." They all turned to look at her as she side eyed the singer on stage, attempting, quite badly, to hit that last note.

"Okay, choose your weapon" Amy plopped a large song binder in front of Beth, opening it at random and skimming the selection of karaoke songs. "I say we go classic country" Amy continued not addressing anyone in particular.

Beth's eyes were beginning to glaze over until Amy's suggestion brought her back. She smiled wide and stood, hovering over Amy until her friend looked up at her.

"Don't bother, I know what I'm gonna sing."

"Go get it Beth Greene!" Tara shouted as Beth stepped towards the stage. She halted that moment, Tara's words reminding her of something that had been bothering her for a while.

She turned back and knelt in front of Tara, addressing her directly.

"Tara, I've been meaning to ask you," she spoke quietly to her friend, trying to look as serious as she felt.

"I noticed that you don't call me 'Baby girl' anymore," she felt her face redden as she asked, feeling too drunk for that conversation.

Tara smiled warmly, a smile Beth had lovingly referred to as her Best Friend Smile. "Yeah, I haven't" she agreed, still meeting her gaze.

"How come?"

"I dunno," Tara took a gulp of her drink as she scanned the other girls who were currently distracted by the large music book. "It just doesn't fit you anymore."

Beth laughed as she stood, feeling a sense of pride she hadn't expected. Tara extended her arm out and Beth met it, fist bumping her best friend. Beth laughed as she made her way to the front, stopping at the DJ's booth and telling him what her selection would be.

As she sat at a random table while she waited her turn, Beth began to think about the last year.

She'd been told by her friends and family that she seemed more confident. More open. She took a deep breath as she realized that for the first time she actually felt it. She laughed at the absurdity that her epiphany was happening in the middle of some dingy bar.

But it felt right.

The brunette finished her song to roaring applause before the DJ called Beth's name up to the stage.

She took a deep breath and smiled, nodding to herself as she walked up the three short steps. She made brief eye contact with her friends and winked before getting into character. The second she heard the trombones playing through the speaker, she closed her eyes and shook her head as if it was painful for her to be up there. She put her hand to her heart before bringing it up her mouth, trying to communicate her total despair to the crowd.

If she was going to play the role of the jilted ex-girlfriend, she was going to do it well.

"When I said I needed you, you said you would always stay.

It wasn't me who changed but you, and now you've gone away. "

Beth kept her eyes closed but made sure to try to emphasize the pain in the last verse. She thought she heard Rosita and Sasha cackling, but she couldn't be sure.

"Don't you see that now you've gone, And I'm left here on my own

And that I have to follow you, And beg you to come home"

Something about that lyric triggered a memory. A memory of months earlier when she had been sitting in the small theater with Daryl.

Of course she would remember.

The last time she heard the song she had been with him.

"You don't have to say you love me, Just be close at hand

You don't have to stay forever, I will understand"

She had heard it when she thought he was with Andrea. When she thought that no man like Daryl would ever crave her. When she thought, for a few minutes at least, that no one would ever want her.

"Believe me, believe me, I can't help but love you

But believe me, I'll never tie you down"

That was the beginning of her transformation, away from being Baby-Girl Beth. She had hit a low point, and she had been determined to climb back. And she had.

Beth opened her eyes and skimmed the crowd.

I was strong.

She felt her eyes tingling. Dammit she was going to cry. She took a deep breath and carried on, pretending not to notice the tear slowly gliding down her cheek. From her position on the stage, she made eye contact with Tara. She looked concerned.

Of course Tara would know Beth wasn't acting.

Beth closed her eyes and kept singing.

I am strong.

"Believe me, believe me, believe me."

"You sure you okay Beth?" Tara had asked her that at least twenty times since she had gotten off the stage, and was continuing as they prepared to leave.

"Yes, yes, I'm fine. Dusty Springfield just has a way of getting to me." Beth lied as she crossed the seatbelt over her chest, suddenly having difficulties with it.

Since when has the seat belt been this hard to use?

"She's just sad because her man was out partying without her." Rosita hiccupped next to her. Beth turned and gave her a disgusted look as Sasha groaned.

"He's not partying, he's having poker night with the boys" Beth stated as she continued working the seatbelt.

"The boys?" Rosita arched an eyebrow as Sasha groaned again, leaning further against her side of the car window.

"Rick, Tyreese, Glenn got an invitation somehow, and Abraham." Beth gave up with the seatbelt and let it slide back into place.

"Aw how adorable you two, going on separate dates together. Apart, yet together, apart apart, together together." Rosita was swinging her hands all over the place as if she was leading an orchestra.

Sasha let out a few expletives as Rosita put an arm around her and the other around Beth, pulling both girls together in the back seat of Amy's Corolla.

"We're adorable too, aren't we" Sasha groaned as she pushed Rosita's arms away.

"Careful Rosita," Amy laughed as she turned on the ignition. "Sasha's an angry drunk, you better stick with Beth."

Beth was smiling as she laid her head on Rosita's shoulder, saying a quiet prayer of gratitude for the people in her life.

As she closed her eyes preparing to nap, she felt a buzz coming from her clutch. She smiled and felt her face begin to flush, knowing full well who it was without even looking.

"Hey Amy, you mind driving me to Daryl's? I forgot I needed to get something from him."

"Ha! I bet you do, you little harlot!" Tara turned from the passenger's side and slapped Beth's leg.

"No don't be crude Tara. I mean it, I have to, uh," Beth struggled to come up with a completely normal excuse for showing up at his house at 2 in the morning " I have to get a signature for the uh-new text books he needs for the fall."

She nodded congratulations to herself. Yep. Totally pulled that off.

"Nice try, Beth." Amy laughed from in front. "But I promised your sister I'd get you home in one piece."

The whole car erupted in disagreement, causing Beth to giggle hysterically. It was clear everyone was on Beth's side.

"When the hell did you become your mother?" Tara's voice rang out causing the girls to silence.

Amy turned to her and scoffed. "When the hell did you turn into your sister?"

"I love Andrea now that I know she never liked Daryl." Beth thought out loud, causing the girls to burst into laughter.

"Amy, you really want Daryl to miss seeing this?" Even Sasha was smiling now, her annoyance from earlier completely gone.

"He's seen me like this" Beth smiled as she remembered the Fourth of July BBQ.

"Andhelikedit!" She tried to emphasize that last part but from the looks that her friends gave her, she hadn't been successful.

"He liked it, was what I said"

"That's what she said!" Rosita cackled not caring she was the only one laughing.

"Have we decided what type of drunk Rosita is yet?" Amy turned to Tara who just shrugged.

The car came to a stop at a light and Amy turned to look at Beth, who was still smiling.

"Aw Beth, you're so smitten I can't even stand it. What's his address?"

Beth leaned forward to give her a hug which caused the whole car to yell at her for not having her seat belt on. As she leaned back her phone slipped out of her clutch, prompting Beth to check the message.

She rattled directions off to Amy as she tried to remember the password to her phone, raising her fist in the air in celebration when she was successful.

I shoulnt of had the shots. damn chinmen -D

Daryl's message caused her to laugh so hard she was practically gasping for breath. Rosita took the phone from her and read the message out loud.

"Oh yeah, you two are gonna have a good night." Tara leaned back in her seat.

Beth practically jumped out of the car before Amy fully put it in park. She knew she should have been embarrassed about her behavior, but she was excited to see her boyfriend. She stumbled up the step and noticed the lights still on inside. Good. He's awake.

She knocked loudly on his door, suddenly realizing that he wasn't expecting her. In her haste to get to his house, she never thought to tell him she was on her way.

She turned and saw the car full of women waiting to see what Beth was going to do next as her stomach filled with the familiar butterflies that never failed to show up when he was around.

She turned back and raised her hand to knock again before the door swung open.

She took a step back, feeling the familiar rush as she looked up at those hooded blue eyes. She smiled as she saw him register who was in front of him. Her heart picked up when she saw that side grin of his, the one she loved so much, and knew was just for her.

"Beth." He smiled as he looked her over.

She quickly looked down and remembered what she was wearing; a form fitting floral skirt with black stockings. She completed the outfit with her favorite black chucks.

She didn't think she looked special, but the way Daryl was looking at her she might as well have been wearing a bikini and heels.

"Hey," she felt herself blush as she tucked her hair behind her ear. They'd been going out for a few months now; surely she didn't need to feel nervous.

Beth turned around and waved at her friends who were already pulling away. She turned back and he was still looking at her, glassy eyed, and fingers rubbing his chin. It appeared he was nervous too.

"Will you quit it" she pulled his hand away and felt their fingers interlace as she brought them down.

"Quit what?" he teased. She gave him a knowing look which caused him to chuckle.

"Was just wonderin' how I got so lucky to have such a pretty thing show up at my door." He pulled her closer and she could smell the alcohol in his breath.

"Especially at this hour."

She hummed and placed a chaste kiss on his cheek.

"Morning Professor." She lingered on his cheek before she pulled back slowly.

She smiled innocently and walked past him to his living room, still holding his hand, dragging him behind her. "If I caught you at a bad time, I can leave." She turned in time to see him close the door behind him.

"Just say the word, and I'll be on my way."

She pretended not be affected by the way he got closer as she spoke, tried to stay reserved as he pulled her and caressed her forehead with his.

"Beth, I think you know by now that I always want you-" he leaned in and kissed her so deep she swore she could feel it in her toes.

Before she could fully reciprocate, he pulled back. "I always want you with me." He finished with a whisper. She felt her head spin as she let go of his hand, placing it on his chest. As she looked up and registered what his words had meant, he ducked his head again and captured her lips.

It could have been minutes. It could have been hours. Beth stopped caring as she let herself go with the sensations her body was experiencing.

Daryl's lips on hers, tongues stroking the other, teeth nipping at lips. She couldn't get enough.

She could have blamed her alcohol fuled brain for not remembering exactly how he had managed to bring them to his couch, shoes and belts tossed somewhere along the way. Still locked in their kiss, Beth was straddling his lap, running her fingers through his hair, as he did the same to hers. It was the most natural thing in their world.

But it was the same magic he evoked out of her that caused her to lose track of time and space when he was around. It was not something she felt she'd ever get over.

Eventually they broke apart, leaning on each other cheek to cheek. She closed her eyes and focused on grounding herself to him. The feel of his stubbled cheek on hers, of his body between her thighs, the pressure of his hands on her back and her scalp, how his hair felt going through her fingers.

"I sang tonight." She whispered.

"Oh yeah?"

"Dusty Springfield." She gave him another kiss as he quietly chuckled.

"When you gonna sing for me?"

"When you've earned it."

She felt his body stir underneath her.

Got him!

She pulled back to give him her version of a wicked grin but as soon as she made her move, he pulled her back and pressed a kiss on her neck.

"Oh!" She gasped, feeling a warmth spread down her lower stomach.

"That's…"she shut her eyes and took a deep breath, feeling the warmth go lower as he sucked softly on her pulse point and slid his hands down her back.

"That feels so nice" she gasped as she felt his hands cup her bottom and press her closer to his body.

On impulse, she leaned down and gently bit his earlobe, pulling it as her body began rocking on top of his. Immediately he brought his hands back to her hair and drug her back to his lips, Beth meeting him as their tongues clashed awkwardly.

They laughed and came apart for a second before resuming their kiss, this time with more coordination and deeper than they had moments ago. She sighed every time their heads tilted and smiled when she felt him caress her neck.

The longer they remained like that, the less passionate their kiss became. Instead it shifted back to their familiar endearments: slow and sweet. They would break apart often and press smaller kisses over each other's faces before resuming. Their bodies hadn't changed though, both still pressed tightly around the other.

He tasted like tobacco and beer. He smelled like spices and honey. No one but her knew this, and she considered herself lucky.

It was perfect. And she was happy.

"You alright?"

She jumped a little, not having realized that they had stopped and she had been staring at him. She smiled and nodded.

"Yeah," she placed a hand on his cheek.

"I'm okay. You wanna know why?"

He held her stare, the smile he reserved for her beginning to form.

She smiled back and raised her other hand, framing his face "Because I love you."

She smiled and leaned in to kiss him again. She wasn't going to give him a chance to respond. Not because she was afraid of what he'd say, or because she regretted saying it in the first place. Rather because her declaration really wasn't about him.

Baby-girl Beth would have wanted a response right then and there.

This Beth was already happy with what she was getting from him. She had faith in him and his feelings for her.

That was how she was going to show him her strength.

After a few moments Beth recognized a shift between them, a subtle change. Their kiss had progressed from sweet and playful to something else. Something urgent.

Daryl wrapped his arms tightly around her and flipped them over so that she transitioned from being on his lap, to flat on her back, having to reach up to meet his lips.

She felt the rough texture of his tongue as it stroked against hers. She was very aware of the feel of his body as it pressed up against her, becoming heavier on her per minute, pushing her deeper into the couch cushions. She felt her skirt pull up her body, bunching against her stomach as his hands reached under and caressed her flat stomach.

She gasped quietly as she brought her hands up to his hair, letting her fingers play with the strands. She felt his body react to her immediately, feeling his hardness against her inner thigh.

Beth had been waiting for this... or something very close to this. She felt his lips slide down her face again, his breath uneven as it released into her neck. She couldn't help but grin.

Yep she thought to herself I've really got him now.

His hands slid towards her back, and she relished the feeling of his hands on her bare skin. She quickly mirrored his movement, pushing her hands up and under his shirt, letting her fingers glide through his abdomen as they slowly snaked towards his back. She felt raised grooves on his back as she let her hands wander higher towards his shoulder blades, thanking every deity for having such a person to explore.

When their lips pulled apart Beth bowed her head up and looked at the ceiling. She tilted her head confused, having lost all her senses, not quite sure what direction she was actually staring at.

"You're so beautiful" he whispered, grounding her once more.

"You're so soft" he practically hummed as he pulled himself slightly away from her, bringing his hands back to her front and up to her breasts. She arched at his touch, an involuntary movement, completely at his mercy.

He gently squeezed each breast before he released them. Before she could protest, Daryl slipped his hands back underneath her, hugging her closer to him and her body responded by wrapping its legs around his waist.

They both groaned as her ankles crossed his back, her new position centering Daryl right into her core. The feeling of his tight jeans created a lovely friction through her tights, causing them to hiss and grind harder on each other.

"You're the daydream I wanted to be real" she gasped as he pushed harder into her, flashes of all the moments she had seen him in that green theater, wishing he would notice her, flooding her mind.

"You're so real" she continued.

More forcefully than she intended, she pulled her hands out from under his shirt and pushed his face towards hers, pressing a scorching kiss on his lips before he could realize what was happening.

The kiss was careless, sloppy and raw. Intermixed with gasps and groans, Daryl's hands slid down her lower back and under the elastic of her tights. His hands found the top of her modest underwear and he slid his hands under them, palming her ass with his rough hands. Beth let go of his kiss and pushed her head back into the cushions. Moving on impulse and intoxicated on lust, Beth did the same, rushing her hands to his jeans before reaching and grasping him through his boxers.

She felt his hands slide further down, the tips of his fingers reaching down to her most intimate area.

"Daryl…" she gasped into his lips as his fingers found the juncture between her thighs and began gliding across her folds.

Her words froze them both. His fingers stopped their playfulness on her body as Beth's stopped as well. They were both panting into each other's mouths, both still, waiting for someone to make the next move.

"Ah, fuck Beth" he buried his face in her neck as he pulled his hand out, Beth following suit.

He turned slightly towards her and kissed her neck. His body still heavy on hers, but with a sudden lightness she couldn't explain.

"I'm too fucking lit right now to make this any good."

She laughed at the obvious disappointment in his words, stroking his hair and trying hard to regulate her breathing.

"You were doing pretty good in my opinion" she giggled, feeling lightheaded from the alcohol and lack of oxygen their little activity had taken.

"Trust me" he nipped at her neck. "I would have embarrassed both of us."

She laughed as she curled her arms around his back, using her entire body to embrace him as tightly as she could.

They remained like that for a few minutes before Beth felt him grow heavy on top of her. She giggled quietly as he started snoring, the angle of his face made it so she could hear every exhale by her ear. She giggled some more and stroked his back, trying to figure out how she could bring her legs back down without waking him. After several seconds of trying to maneuver her body to a more comfortable positon, she felt him jerk awake, causing her to laugh louder.

"I'm sorry." She whispered as she looked up at him "My legs were falling asleep."

"Yeah, I'm sure I wasn't helping any," he groaned as he looked down at their positions. He cursed quietly as he shifted groggily away from her, taking her hands and pulling her up with him.

She yawned as she came up, stretching her arms wide, feeling a rush of tiredness hitting her.

"Should I suggest for you to take the bed while I sleep out here?" He half grinned as he watched her.

She gave him a look suggesting it was ridiculous and he chuckled as he rubbed his face, stifling a yawn.

"I just assumed that was the gentlemanly thing to do" he mumbled.

"Well, a gentleman untested can't really call himself that, can he?" She teased.

"I'm pretty fucking sure I was just tested." He groaned as he pulled her further to a standing position.

Before she had a chance to react, he reached down and picked her up, tossing her over his shoulder as he walked them to his room.

"Daryl!" She squealed as he playfully bit her bottom "I thought you were going for gentleman…not caveman!"

"Same thing" he grumbled as he gently placed her at the foot of his bed. He lowered his head and gave her a chaste kiss before he went to his closet. She smiled as she sat down, feeling incredibly happy and still very drunk.

He gently tossed her one of his t-shirts and a pair of boxers before he turned back and got his own.

She stripped off her clothes, happily changing into something that belonged to him. She pulled the boxers on, feeling a familiar warm rush, but forced herself to ignore it. She picked up the t-shirt and memories of orange blossoms and greenhouses clouded her head.

There was no way he would have known, or even remembered. At least that's what Beth was willing to assume. The shirt in her hands was the same one he had worn the night of their first kiss. Same white writing on black.

She smiled widely as she quickly put it on, sighing heavily at the feeling of the soft cotton against her skin.

"I hope you don't have a preferred side, 'cause I usually take the middle" she said as she bounced into his bed, eager to have him snuggle up to her.

"Pretty greedy of you Baker Beth" he smiled as he went towards the light to switch them off.

"Just how it goes" she turned to her side and sunk deeper into the pillows, inhaling deeply.

"Well, as luck would have it" she felt the mattress sink as he got in behind her. "I like the middle too" he wrapped his arm around her and pulled her back into his chest, reaching down and pressing kisses on her cheek.

"We must make a good team" she smiled.

"Oh yeah, you think so?"

"Believe me" she whispered before falling deep into sleep.

A/N: DON'T LOOK AT ME! I'm so ashamed….I hope this chapter was worth the wait. Also, of course Daryl loves her! Don't doubt that for a second. The way he tells her, trust me…you'll all be happy you waited.

Two more chapters and an epilogue to go….