A/N Thanks so much for the follows, faves and reviews, you guys rock! It's now the summer after Daryl and Beth's junior year of high school.

They managed to stay out of trouble through the remainder of their junior year of high school, well at least they never got caught at anything. And now summer had arrived.

Like most young people, they were happy and anxious to see the passage of time. They were looking forward to becoming adults. They imagined they'd be able to enjoy their lives on their own terms, not answering to parents, or teachers or anyone else. It was going to be so much easier, so much better, so much more fun. They just couldn't wait.

Unlike Daryl and his carpentry, Beth didn't feel a draw to any particular type of work. She just couldn't decide what she'd want for a career. She took a summer job at the day care center and they put her in the infant and toddler care section. Never had she realized how many times a day babies and little children need their pants changed, their noses wiped, their tears dried, needed food, needed cuddles or needed a little gentle scolding. Sheesh, kids really were a full time job.

But found she liked caring for children, she fell in love with the little people, and she was thinking maybe this was a career she'd enjoy pursuing. Something like early childhood development, well she'd see, for now there was no pressure.

She was saving as much of her money as she could. They'd agreed he'd save his for the down payment on the house, she'd save hers to buy furniture and things they'd need.

Daryl's boss had followed through with his promise and Daryl was working as an apprentice carpenter, directly under the lead.

The job he was working was a huge custom home, it was one of those trophy homes. It was being built for a way older guy with a real young wife. It seemed both of them were playing some kind of role.

The other guys joked around about it calling it "love for financial gain" or whatever, but Daryl didn't have time to give two shits he was there to learn a trade. He had goals, he wanted to learn everything he could, make the money, save every penny possible, buy the house and marry Beth.

When he set his mind to something he didn't waver. He felt like he was catching onto the work quickly and that he was doing really well. And the good news was his bosses and the clients were pleased with his work.

That made him feel proud and made it all seem worth it, working six days a week, from 6:30 in the morning until six at night. It was just a little easier to handle knowing he was appreciated.

The only real problem was they didn't get to see much of each other. When he wasn't working he was exhausted from those long days. All he wanted to do was go home and take a hot shower, eat and hit the sack, before he had to start it all over again the next day.

Beth tried real hard never to complain, after all the payoff was going to be worth it, and they still had Sundays. He'd use the morning hours to get caught up, sleep in a little, do his laundry, buy a few groceries for lunches and whatever. Then he'd be at the Greene farm promptly at 1:00pm for Sunday dinner.

Hershel had told him more than once how proud he was of him for working so hard, for having goals, for keeping his priorities straight. After visiting with her family for a while, they'd escape for a walk through the peach orchard or down by the river. They'd finally have the chance to catch up, talk about how great things were going with their work and with their savings. But most importantly they'd be able to catch up on the kissing and the touching, and the just holding onto each other that they'd missed so much during the week.

xxxx

This year 4th of July came on a Thursday and her Mama and Daddy were hosting a big barbecue party at the farm. He and Beth had opted to join her family for that, rather than head to the lake with their friends. They'd have more alone time that way, escaping to the orchard and the river, and with all the time they were forced to be apart time together meant more to them than any party.

He had to work that Friday after the 4th but the day care was closed for the entire holiday weekend. She decided to surprise him on the job, bring him a nice lunch. There was so much left over fried chicken and potato salad and pie she packed him a cooler full of goodies. Daryl loved pie and she'd wrapped him up a piece of blueberry and a piece of the peach.

She drove to the job site in Mama's car and she was instantly taken aback by what she saw. There stood Daryl with a cigarette in his hand talking to a petite but very busty brunette. She had on a pair of impossibly tight shiny pink pants and silver stilettos. Her tee-top could not have been any smaller or showed any more skin, from her big fake boobs popping out the top of it, to her ripped abs below. It should have been illegal. But the worst of it was, the woman kept touching him, rubbing her hand along his arm, touching his side, smiling in a flirtatious way.

Beth was not okay with this.

He did look uncomfortable, kind of like he wasn't sure what he was supposed to do, and about then he spotted Beth. He looked relieved. He said something to the woman while pointing toward Beth and the car, and damn that woman if she didn't touch him just one more time before he turned away, right on the hip!

He walked toward the car with that little smile of his and she loved that smile, but she was feeling decidedly pissy. Maybe it was the heat of the day, or the woman's big boobs that had practically been staring him in the face. Or maybe it was just the fact that they hardly got to spend any time together at all and she missed him, and damn that woman she did have those big boobs, and why did she keep touching him like that? And worse, did he like it?

Beth wasn't happy, not at all. And when he hopped in the car with that smile and said, "Hey Baby I wasn't expectin' ya." She lashed out at him, "Oh I just bet you weren't Daryl Dixon, is that why you're letting that woman touch you that way? I mean seriously Daryl could she have been coming on to you any more? She practically shoved those big fake boobs right up your nose. She's still looking over here at you, I ought to go over there right now and pull her fake hair extension things right out of her head."

And that's when Daryl made a critical mistake, yep, he laughed.

Now Little Miss Beth Greene was mad at the world in general and Daryl in particular. "Just what the hell are you laughing at?!"

"Well damn yer all kinds a fired up girl. What? Ya kiddin' me? Ya think I'm interested in that chippie? Shit, I think she done half the guys on the crew, and damn if she ain't the wife a the rich old bastard that we're buildin' this McMansion for. Besides Greene, ya really think I'd be interested in anyone 'sides you? Ain't I made a promise to ya? Ya sayin' now I ain't a man a my word? I told ya a long time ago I love ya an I ain't ever gonna love no one else, ever. Ain't I been bustin' my fuckin' ass every goddamn day tryin' ta make money for us so we can get a house? Why? So you can act like I ain't bein' real? Fuck this shit, if that's what ya think a me I oughta just quit now an lay around the fuckin' lake the rest a the summer."

And Beth started crying then, "I'm sorry Daryl, please don't be mad, you're right I just got jealous. She's so pretty and she has those big boobs, and I could tell she likes you, and I've just missed you and I just love you so much, and I'd die if I lost you." She was shaking now and he was worried she was going to hyperventilate.

"Alright baby, shit let's just forget it, can we? Can we just have this little bit a time together 'fore I have ta get back ta work?"

All she could manage was a nod. He wrapped his arms around her then, "I love ya Beth, that's all ya ever gotta know 'bout me. I sure ain't interested in no one's cheatin' wife, 'specially one with phony boobs, phony hair an a phony smile." He had a hand cradled to her cheek and he was gently coaxing her to look at him.

And in a teasing voice he demanded, "Now dammit kiss me."

And that was so out of character for him they both started laughing.

They had their lunch together, and they still had time for some serious make-up kissing before he had to go back to work.

xxxx

Like summer always does, the time passed quickly and soon they were coming up to Labor Day Weekend. The last "official" weekend of summer.

They'd started back to school two weeks earlier and he was back on a part time work schedule. She'd decided to stay on part time at the day care and was now handling the after school crowd, ages five to eight.

They'd settled into a whole new routine but they still didn't feel like they got to see enough of each other.

So for Saturday night of that Labor Day weekend they'd planned an outing to the creek, the spot where he'd taken her for their private "prom." They we're going to be having hot dogs and potato chips again, and she'd cut up some watermelon and brought macaroni salad. He may have managed to snag a few of Merle's beers.

They got to "their" spot just about five. They were feeling pumped up for a fun evening of just the two of them. He made a fire ring with rocks and got the fire started for their cook-out. They laid the big blanket down, and this time they'd brought beach chairs to sit in.

He had Merle's old Boombox and they had their favorite CD's in the case. She put on a Chris Singleton CD, he cracked them each a beer.

They figured if they did their drinking early they'd be completely sober for the ride home. Plus they were going to be eating later so no problem. Right?

They'd each had two beers and they were buzzed and from the alcohol, the heat of the day and the lack of food. They were feeling happy and playful, and maybe just a little bit "touchy" with each other. And damn it was mighty warm down there by the creek.

She brought it up, "We should go swimming." He just looked at her with that little half smile of his and asked, "We ain't got our swimmin' suits, whaddya got in mind there Missy?"

She blushed a nice hot pink color, cast her eyes down just a bit and said, "Daryl quit it. I thought we could you know, leave our underwear on."

"However ya wanna do this I'm in." And he stood and held a hand to her, helping her to her feet.

She let him start. He took off his shoes and socks, then his shirt. When he did that it always gave her a little stab of sorrow deep in her heart. She hated to see all the scars his father had left on him, but she did a good job of pretending not to notice.

Finally she got a little brave and she took her shoes, socks and capris off, leaving just her panties, her bra and her t-shirt. She decided she'd leave that little shirt on, she wasn't sure she was feeling quite brave enough to swim with Daryl while only wearing her underwear.

Of course later, when hindsight kicked in, she'd think about the fact that underpants and a bra were probably no more revealing than most bikinis, but it was just the idea of it I suppose.

He'd taken his jeans off and she couldn't deny that the sight of him in just his boxers got her a little worked up.

He was looking at her and her beautiful bare legs and cute little panties and he could feel himself getting aroused, shit, he didn't want to embarrass himself or her either. So he ran right into the water until he was waist deep. He started scooping up big handfuls of that chilly water and splashing it at her, "C'mon now don't be a chicken, this was yer idea so get yer little self in here with me!"

And she'd laughed and run in that water and he'd taken her by the waist and dunked her and then brought her up for air. She was trying to be mad at him, but it was funny. She was giggling and he was laughing, and she was trying her very best to dunk him. She just didn't have quite enough muscle.

But the closeness, her legs wrapped around him, her hands on his head trying to push him under, which practically put her breasts at his mouth level, you know, all of it. And it was warm and they were buzzed, and they were in love.

It was a deadly combination of circumstances for a young couple trying to remain chaste. And of course they started to kiss and his hands were on her bottom holding her to him, and he was hard and she knew it, and she was feeling that warmth and that wetness for him. He put a hand up her shirt and she welcomed it, in fact she lifted her arms so he could lift her shirt off, tossing it on the bank. And then he snapped her bra and for just a moment they looked in each others eyes, and she nodded "Yes."

He took her bra off and tossed it like he had her shirt. He had his mouth on her breast and she was moaning softly and nuzzling his neck, and she put her tongue in his ear and she was sucking on his ear lobe and his neck. It was then he crossed that border and entered into territory they hadn't yet explored. Yep, he put a hand down her panties. He was rubbing her there where he hadn't been before, and they were both on the edge with this new found need and right then she came, and that was enough to make him do the same.

Once they'd caught their breath they were both a little embarrassed but they were also feeling real good. Of course Daryl was a little self-critical. "Shit Beth, we didn't even get to the real deal and I lost it!"

She smiled, kissed him, and whispered in his ear, "Well you lasted longer than I did." He smiled back and said, "I think that's how it's s'posed ta work Beth. You always get ta go first."

And then they were both laughing again.

Oh it was all wonderful and satisfying and then they started looking for her bra and t-shirt. They couldn't find either.

He told her to put his shirt on and wait for him, he was going looking. He swam down the creek and found nothing. He came back to their campsite, put his pants on and walked down the creek. He found the bra, the strap had gotten hooked to a tree limb.

He never did find the shirt. They were in deep shit and they knew it.

Well being practical and all, and knowing her Daddy was going to kill them both anyway, they decided to make the most of it. They cooked their hot dogs, listened to some good music. And then they couldn't resist, they had to try it again, that particular kind of touching they now knew would get them there, without breaking the promise they'd made each other to wait for graduation.

Besides once he got her home without a shirt, there was a good chance her Daddy and Mama wouldn't let them see each other again until graduation anyway.

Might as well have a little fun before they met the wrath.

When they pulled up to her house he got out of the truck and helped her out, and they held each other tight for a minute, "I'm so fuckin' sorry Beth, this was all my fault. Please forgive me Baby I love ya so much."

And she told him, "Daryl it was my idea to go in the water, and it was my idea for you to take my shirt off. It happened and it's not your fault. I love you too Daryl."

He held her hand, they both took a deep breath and they walked in.

Just like always her Daddy and Mama were waiting right there. Needless to say, they were a little shocked to see Daryl standing there shirtless while their daughter wore his shirt.

Daryl was just about to speak, ready to take all the blame for what had happened, but she beat him to the punch.

"Mama and Daddy I'm so sorry, this is all my fault. I accept complete responsibility for everything. It was my bad judgment. It's just that it was so hot today and the water was so inviting and cool. And I told Daryl I wanted to go swimming, he pointed out that wouldn't be right because we didn't have our suits. But I kind of pressured him into it, you know how I can get, and of course we left all of our underwear stuff on and I kept my t-shirt on.

When I got out of the water Daryl wanted to keep swimming down the creek, so I thought well while he's gone I'll just take my t-shirt off, hang it on this branch and it will be dry and back on me before he ever gets back. But guess what? It must have fallen in the creek while I had my back turned putting my shoes and socks on. I didn't know what else to do so I put Daryl's shirt on. When he got back I explained what happened, and well you know Daryl he's such a gentleman, he insisted I just wear his shirt and he'd do without. And he looked for my t-shirt for over an hour and never could find it.

I know it was wrong we should have worn suits up there, but it was all my dumb idea and all my fault."

Daryl couldn't take his eyes off her and he was pretty sure his mouth was hanging open. Fuck Merle could take lessons from her, she was a masterful weaver of bullshit if ever one lived. And damn if she didn't look all kinds of sweet and sincere when she lied that pretty little ass off. Damn girl.

Daddy was not real happy, Mama wasn't exactly thrilled herself.

Daddy tried to get harsh, "Beth this was not a good decision. I see you realize that now, but I would think a young woman who has been raised in a good home would know better. Teenagers! You kids just don't think things through! And Daryl in the future I would expect that when Beth comes up with her cockamamie notions you'll act as the mature one, tell her no. Don't let her bully you into doing things you know you shouldn't, just because she bats those eyelashes at you!"

"Yessir, I won't let it happen again. I'm real sorry sir and yer right I shoulda said no way." And he wanted to fuckin' laugh so bad, and he wanted to ask her where the hell she learned to lie like she'd just done. And damn if he didn't want to kiss her. And then there was his other thought, is Hershel really this dumb or is he playing us?

Damn, Little Miss Beth Greene had Daddy completely bamboozled.

Daddy said, "I'm going to have to punish you both. I hate to have to do this, you're both good kids and you work hard, but right is right and wrong is wrong, you have to learn. I'm grounding you for two weeks. You may keep your phone but no dates, and I'm sorry Daryl no meals here. And Daryl, I'll be calling your brother and letting him know what happened, I'm certain you'll face your own punishment."

He couldn't believe how easy they'd just gotten off thanks to his favorite con artist, but fuck, did the old man have to call Merle? Now he'd have to listen to his shit. "Yessir, and again I'm real, real sorry." He looked to her Mama, "I'm real sorry Ma'am." And then Beth, "Sorry I didn't take better care a ya Beth. It won't happen again."

And fuck if she wasn't crying and begging Daddy to change his mind. This woman should star in the next Hollywood blockbuster.

He walked in the door of their new digs, a little two bedroom rental house. Merle was sitting there on the sofa with a woman Daryl had seen him with a couple of times, name of Selma. "I got two questions for ya Little Brother. What the fuck happened ta my beers? And what the fuck did ya do with Blondie's t-shirt?"

Daryl flipped him off on his way to the bedroom and muttered, "Fuck you Merle."

And he heard that asshole laughing and Selma was too.

A/N Our couple had a little fun and got in a little trouble. And it seems our sweet little Beth does have Daddy bamboozled, and she could easily win an Emmy. See you next week for Senior year. Thank you all of reading, I'd appreciate your reviews / thoughts / comments xo