AN - Man I have missed writing this story, I've suddenly had a creative burst with this and edited the complete storyline and rewrote it, I love these guys. I'm sorry it's such a short chapter!

Alright, I'd left Glenn to deal with Beth and yes, it wasn't all that great of me but if Rick knew that meant that Herschel would know and that meant I would be seen as a man I knew I wasn't.

The safest option for me was to stay away from Beth, it was safe for us both. I retreated to my perch and lay on the floor, staring up at the ceiling. When had this got so complicated? It hadn't started out as much, but when both Beth and myself would be plain lying if we said it hadn't developed into something more.

"You got time to talk?" Rick's voice sounded weak, as though it was on the verge of breaking. He sounded a lot like that nowadays.

I tried to think of a witty answer, but just answered with a curt nod and sat up on my elbows to support my weight. Rick looked weaker as the days went on, but he looked peaceful. I hadn't seem him this happy (if it was the right word) since … Since a long time. He looked thinner, haggard and though it had been a long time since he had worn it, seeing him without the hat still made him look like a stranger.

"About Beth-"

"I 'aint talkin' 'bout her." I said matter of factly, I thought our conversations branched out more than who I may or may not take an interest in but clearly not.

"I'm not gonna tell her daddy." He shrugged, his palms resting on his knees as he spoke, I could tell he was choosing his words carefully, tiptoeing on broken glass.

"'Aint that a relief?" I scoffed and sat upright and quickly ran a hand through my dishevelled hair as if it was going to make it look anymore acceptable.

"Daryl," Rick's tone sounded heavy and I felt a pang of guilt for adding to the guy's problems. "Just look after her, would you?"

"What happened to don't do anythin' stupid?" I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow and flash one of my cockiest smirks, something that didn't go unnoticed.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever." Rick returned the smirk and as he stood he kicked my boot and nodded once as he left, probably to go and find Carl.

The more I thought about her the more I realised it was hard to stay away. I had to make a decision, throw myself into this or cut off ties completely and I already knew which one I had chosen.

I jogged out to the courtyard where Beth walked, bow slung across her back and arrows through her belt. I just watched her for a few seconds, she loaded her bow the way I did, checked around the way I did. She was training herself.

"Comin' on a hunt?" I walked behind her and murmured over her shoulder, though I was conscious to ensure there was actually nobody around us.

"Why, so I can be lectured?" Beth rolled her eyes slightly and it would usually annoy me, but not now. Not when I wanted to make amends like this. Her eyes found mine and she must have seen the glint of mischief in them because as I studied her face I saw an eyebrow raise in intrigue.

And so, less than ten minutes later we were at 'our' place as she liked to call it. I had intended it to be a hunt, but hey, things don't always want to work out the way you intend them.

"I know you wanna talk to me about somethin' you find important." Beth noted as we looked out at the lake, creek, whatever it was.

"Whatever we are, I just .." I licked my lips, wondered how to go about it. "I want it."

Beth's head snapped to the side, as if to make sure it was actually me to talk and slowly, a grin spread across her face and she through her arms around her neck and she maneuvered herself so she was sat on my lap. At first, the contact surprised me, it had been so long since anything had been intimate, but the scent of her hair and the feel of her skin enticed me and I felt my arms circle around her waist and her eyes settled upon mine.

"Could it be you're in'a good mood?" I smirked slightly and she pouted in response, but it made me smirk all the same.

"Could it be this is the best mood swing you've ever had?" She responded, tucking herself closer to me.

"Perhaps." Was all I said and we remained in silence a few minutes more.

"I saw Rick went to speak to you?" Beth offered after a while as she tilted her head to the side inquisitively.

I explained to her what he told me, almost word for word, but she didn't seem to even slightly care that he knew, but then again she wouldn't be the dirty old pervert if everyone found out.

"My age bothers you." With a small smile she spoke, her words were so gentle and soft they actually took me by surprise.

"Not so much tha'." I shrugged, but she saw straight through the facade and raised an eyebrow. "It's just if everyone found out … What would I be then?"

"Still as valuable to us all as you are now. Without you we'd all be fucked." Her cheeks filled with colour.

"Language." Of course I was the last person to remind her not to speak like that, but it felt strange knowing it was my influence, but at the same time it was funny.

It was her turn to raise an eyebrow now and I couldn't help but laugh at the way she tried to look so menacing but just came out looking confused, she knew it too judging by the way her cheeks flushed scarlet and she stared past my shoulder.

I kissed the side of her neck and I could almost hear her smile and it made me wonder if it was actually possible for us to live happily in a world like this.