A/N: Well this chapter kind of got away from me...maybe I'm sorry maybe I'm not...I'll let you decide :) Also, just pointing it out there, this will be a little bit of a slow burn for our lovebirds so I hope you aren't expecting them to jump into a relationship anytime too soon, we all know that's not how Beth and Daryl work!

Beth could just laugh at herself. She nearly does. Sure, she didn't exactly plan on what she was going to be doing today when she left her apartment this morning but sitting in a somewhat smelly tow truck with a strange man sitting next to her, her piece of junk Camry being pulled behind them, was the farthest thing she had expected.

Okay, maybe strange man was a little harsh. Beth knew Tyreese. He was the brother of one of Maggie's friends and she had met him a few times and he seemed like a nice guy but Beth just wasn't in the best moods right now and so she sat there and sulked as Tyreese drove them to Dale's garage and thankfully, Tyreese seemed to pick up on her mood and it was silent in the cab.

They pulled into Dale's shop a few minutes later and Beth smiled as she saw the old man coming out of the office. Beth had known Dale for a while, him having been a good friend of her Daddy and she hopped out of the cab and walked toward him where he immediately wrapped her up in a hug.

"Long time no see, Bethy," he teased with a small chuckle.

Beth had always had problems with her dumb car but this was the first time she was taking care of it on her own. Usually her Daddy or Glenn would drop it off and pick it up for her, or Dale would just come by the farm and take a look at it himself. Beth couldn't even count the number of times Dale had shared dinner with the Greene's and now that her Daddy was gone and Beth had moved off the farm, she tried to visit Dale and his wife as much as she could; she just had dinner with them last week.

"Hey, it did last quite a while this time," Beth said, trying in vain to defend her car; everyone knew it was a disaster on wheels.

"Yeah, that actually makes me a little worried about what happened this time," Dale said thoughtfully, scratching his chin. "Well you go on and relax in the office, we'll take a look at old Reliable." the old man joked, earning a chuckle from Tyreese and a playful glare from Beth.

"Yeah, yeah," Beth said with a wave of her hand before she headed toward the office, throwing a thank you over her shoulder toward Tyreese who nodded in return.

She walked into the office, and was hoping to be met by air conditioning but she was disappointed once again. The other door to the office was wide open, leading into the garage and letting all the hot Georgia air in and Beth huffed, turning to sit down in the old chair in the corner but she froze when she heard a familiar gruff voice coming from the garage.

"Seriously, don't ya'll know nothin'?"

Beth quickly, but stealthy of course, glanced into the garage, trying to keep her body hidden as she searched for the man who had been taking up more of her thoughts than she would like to admit. She finally found Daryl, leaning over a tiny red car, looking pissed as he grumbled to a younger looking guy next to him and although Beth couldn't hear what was being said, judging by the look on the guy's face, Daryl was certainly givin' him a hard time about something.

Beth couldn't help but find herself staring at Daryl. She knew he had worked at Dale's and after hearing so much from the older Dixon, not to mention a few high praises from Dale as well when they got talking about the garage, Beth was still slightly taken aback by finally meeting the younger Dixon. They hadn't interacted as much yet but that certainly didn't mean Beth wasn't constantly thinking about him. Daryl was just so different from anyone else she had met and after hearing about him for so long, now that she finally met him, she wanted to know him, really know him and he couldn't help but scold herself.

Of course, it didn't hurt that Daryl looked really good covered in grease and a dirty wife beater, his coveralls tied around his waist and as she watched him lean more over the engine of the car, bracing his arm of the hood, Beth found herself thinking back to what Maggie said at the bar a few nights ago. Granted, Beth had never found Merle attractive, at all, and she certainly had never told Maggie that she found Daryl to be attractive, but looking at him now, yes, yes Daryl Dixon was definitely better looking than his older brother, there was no comparison at all. In fact, if it wasn't for those bright blue eyes that they shared, one of the first things Beth had noticed about the two, and even though Daryl's were a little more blue, a little more intense, Beth could hardly see how the two men were related at all.

"Ya know, I charge my customers five bucks to ogle at my workers Miss Greene."

Beth nearly jumped out of her skin at Dale's voice behind her.

"Oh, I wasn't," she stammered, her face warming and her voice trailing off.

Dale just smirked at her. "So which one of my guys is lucky enough to catch the attention of little miss Beth Greene?"

"I wasn't ogling!" Beth nearly shouts, turning and quickly taking a seat in the chair, biting her lip as Dale just laughs and heads out into the garage, throwing her a skeptic look as he steps over the threshold. Beth sighs and pulls out her phone, hoping that she wouldn't be stuck here long.

It was almost an hour later and Beth had done a little too much online shopping, especially since she still wasn't sure what was going on with her car. She was just about to purchase another pair of cowboy boots - her current one were getting a little worse for wear and besides, a girl could never own too many pairs of boots - when she sees someone step into the office. She ignores it for now, assuming it to be Dale, and still mulling over if she really needed new boots right now. Just as she is about to hit purchase, a gruff voice pulls her from her thoughts.

"Beth?"

The blonde looks up to see Daryl staring at her, a look of surprise on his face and she feels her heartbeat quicken.

"Hey," she says lamely, setting her phone down in her lap.

"Whataya doin' here?" Daryl asks, seeming to remember what he was in there for as he shakes his head slightly before he walks behind the desk, plopping into the chair and letting out a long sigh.

"Oh, I like to spend my free time in Dale's smelly office," she says nonchalantly and she breaks into a grin when Daryl looks over at her, raising an eyebrow.

"My car broke down earlier. Dale's takin' a look at it for me." she says then, and Daryl nods before he looks down at the computer, beginning to type something out.

"Which one's yours?" he asks curiously, still focusing on the monitor.

"Gray Camry."

Daryl's hands pause slightly on the keyboard and Beth sees a twitch of a smile of his lips before he glances up at her.

"Shit. Hate ta break it to ya darlin' but that car ain't going no where tonight. Engine went to the shitter. Orderin' the parts for it now." he said, briefly holding up a piece of paper before he sets it down, keeping his gaze on her, waiting for her reaction.

Beth lets out a whimper, frowning as she decides that yes, she definitely should not have been shopping so much. Sure, Dale gave her a discount but she knew engines weren't cheap.

"Crap. Well that's just great." she huffs and Daryl gives her a small smile before he goes back to the computer and then another thought crosses her mind.

"Shit!"

Daryl pauses again, looking over at her with amusement. "That there is a dirty word, Greene. Pretty sure ya owe a nickle to the swear jar."

Beth just gives him a look, silently challenging him because she is pretty sure that Daryl Dixon was one of the biggest "potty mouths" she had ever met. Except maybe for Merle. Alright, maybe its just a Dixon thing. Daryl just chuckles and goes back to his computer.

"I just realized Maggie and Glenn will be at the bar all night. I don't know how I'm gonna get home; I guess I could always try and call Tara," Beth begins to explain and she's just about to lift up her phone to text her quirky friend when Daryl clears his throat and she looks up at him, seeing him seeming to contemplate something.

He clears his throat again. "I get off in 'bout thirty minutes. Could always give ya a lift." he says and shrugs, acting like its no big deal but Beth gets the feeling that this is quite a big deal for him. "If ya want." he adds with another shrug and Beth smiles when she watches him bring his thumbnail up to his mouth, having already deduced that it was a nervous habit of his.

Beth smiles and is just about to answer when Dale comes walking back in, giving her a sad smile.

"Hey Bethy," he starts, probably going to break the news to her about her car, but Daryl quickly cuts him off.

"S'aight. Already told her." he says before clicking a few more things around as he stares at the computer screen in front of him.

"Sorry honey," Dale says sympathetically and Beth gives him a small smile. She wasn't too shocked to be honest. "You want me to give you a ride home. You'll have to wait -"

"Actually," Beth interrupts him, just as Daryl is standing up, seeming to have finished his work on the computer. "Daryl already offered to give me a lift."

"Oh." Dale's eyebrows shoot up in surprise as he glances between the two. "Didn't realize you two knew each other." he says, narrowing his eyes.

"Ran into 'er a few times. She's a friend 'o Merle's." Daryl explains, rubbing the back of his neck and Beth is a little surprised when she see his cheeks start to redden.

"Hmm." Dale just hums, his face thoughtful as he once again glances between the pair.

"Well, I uh, got a few more thangs I gotta do then we can head out. Um, ya could wait in here or outside if ya want. It's the blue pickup out back." he says, once again scratching his neck as his gaze falls on her before quickly moving on.

"Okay," she says simply, giving him a small smile and he nods, beginning to walk back toward the garage.

Beth picks up her purse and just before she turns to walk toward the door that leads outside, Dale's voice stops her.

"Miss Greene, I do believe you owe me five dollars." he says slyly, giving her a knowing look before glancing at Daryl who had stopped in the doorway, reaching for a set of keys that had been on the wall and Beth's eyes widen as he looks at her briefly, furrowing his eyebrows.

Beth just lets out a tiny squeak before she mumbles something that she is pretty sure a thank you to Dale before she high tails it out of there, just hoping that Daryl couldn't see how red her face had turned - and that he has no idea what Dale could possibly be referring to - before she ducks out.

Beth decides to sit in the bed of Daryl's truck, letting her feet hang down as she swings her legs. She shoots Maggie a quick text, explaining what happened to her car and letting her know that she'll keep her updated. She doesn't mention Daryl, for obvious reasons. She looks up at the sky as she slides her phone back into her pocket. There had been an awful lot of rain lately, mostly at night, causing the days to be hot and sticky and judging by the darkening clouds and the wind picking up, sending just a slight cool breeze over her skin, she feels that tonight will be no different. She jumps when she hears Daryl's voice.

"Ya pull that tailgate down by ya'self?" he asks and she looks over to see him looking at her, a hint of concern on his face and Beth has to hold back a scoff.

"Yes. Just 'cause I look small, doesn't mean I'm weak," she retorts, giving him a raised eyebrow.

Daryl pauses his step slightly, obviously surprised by her outburst, before recovering and continuing towards her stopping right in front of her.

"Didn't mean it like that," he says, holding his hand out and she stares at it for a moment before realizing that he is offering it to her so she could jump down and part of her wants to ignore him, just out of spite, but another part of her - one that is obviously stronger - gives in and she places her hand in his, wanting to know what it feels like, having her skin on his.

And as his hand tightens around her own and she braces to jump down, she certainly isn't disappointed.

"Just meant that the damn thing is old and rusty and is gonna be a bitch to get back up."

Daryl continues as he pulls his hand away from her and Beth frowns at the loss of contact, especially over the fact that Daryl seemed unaffected by their touch, while she herself was nearly lost in a field of butterflies, but just as he reaches for the tailgate, Beth catches the way his flexes his hand, his fingers curling in, like he suddenly lost feeling in them and she isn't sure why but that brings a smile to her lips.

"Oh, sorry." she says but as he grunts, lifting up the tailgate and trying to lock it back up, Beth catches sight of his arms once again, flexing under the weight, and the blonde is anything but sorry.

"S'fine." he says, finally getting the thing locked in place. "You're just lucky I brought the truck today." he says with a shrug and begins to make his way toward the driver's side.

"What do you mean?" Beth asks curiously, following suit and going over to the passenger's side door.

"Usually bring ma' bike," he says simply. "Damn weather's been so bitchy lately though, didn't wanna take a chance. Ain't no fun ridin' in the rain." he explains further, turning the key in the ignition and the truck roars to life.

"Bike? As in motorcycle?" she asks curiously.

She remembers seeing Merle riding a motorcycle once but after that she never saw it again; to be honest, she wasn't sure how Merle got around to anything, she was pretty sure he had his license taken away, at least that's what she assumed when he told her he had been pulled over for a DUI a few months back. It was part of the reason why she drove him home so much.

"Nah. Tricycle." Daryl mutters as he begins to back out of the parking space and Beth finds herself giggling, imagining the younger Dixon riding around on such a ridiculous thing. She sees Daryl smirk as she glances over.

"Ya know, I've never been on a motorcycle." she says nonchalantly, glances out the window with a small smile.

"Ya tryin' to tell me something Greene?" he says and she can tell he's smirking without looking at him.

Beth feels something flutter in her stomach, hearing him call her by her last name. He did it at the shop too, both in a teasing matter and she realizes that she likes it.

She just shrugs. "Maybe ya can give me a ride sometime?" she suggests, refusing to acknowledge the double meaning behind those words because dammit, she is an adult and Daryl is an adult and they both know what she means.

Daryl just glances over at her and raises an eyebrow, just a hint of a smirk on his face. She just gives him a sweet smile in return and he rolls his eyes before looking back toward the road.

"Can't wear no damn dress on a bike, that's fer sure." he says haughtily and Beth looks down at the floral sundress she's wearing. She smiles though because while he didn't say yes, he didn't exactly say no either.

"Am I takin' ya to the bar?" he suddenly asks.

"Oh, uh, no. Maggie says I'm not allowed there for the next three days." Beth says, her voice going sour towards the end and when Daryl glances over at her, confused, she continues. "She says I work too much."

Daryl snorts. "She's probably right. That night I came by ya barely took a break. Don't get too bent up 'bout it though. Hell, I'd give anything for a day off."

"Don't ya go huntin' every weekend?"

Daryl shakes his head. "Haven't gone in a few weeks; shops been busy and we're short on workers, well, capable workers." he grumbled and Beth thinks back to the young guy he was yelling at earlier.

"Oh, I'm sorry."

Daryl just shrugs. "Ain't yer fault. 'Sides, gotta pay the bills somehow. Merle ain't exactly helping out." he explains and as Beth looks over at him, she suddenly realizes just how tired Daryl looks. He's got dark bags under his eyes and his shoulders are slumped, his hair is a mess - though to be fair, she's pretty sure its always like that - and she decides she going to have to do something about that.

"Anyways, if ya ain't going to the bar, where am I takin' ya. No offense or nothin' but I kinda wanna be home 'fore this shitstorm hits." he speaks up again and Beth takes note of how the dark clouds have gotten closer and she sees lightning in the distance.

"Right, sorry, my place isn't too far. Take a left up here."

She directs him the rest of the way to her apartment and he pulls up to the entrance, idling at the curb. Beth grabs her bag and just as she's about to open the door she glances over at him.

"I think I should give ya my number." she says bluntly, giving him a playful smile.

Daryl's eyes widen before he composes himself, bringing his thumb up to his lips. "That so?" he asks gruffly.

Beth nods, still smiling. "Yeah, in case there's another problem with my car or somethin'." she explains, as if its the most obvious reason in the world and she has to hold back her laugh when she sees Daryl visibly relax.

"A'ight." he says and begins to dig through his pockets.

"Plus, it will also come in handy, ya know, in case your bitch seat ever feels a little lonely," Beth adds, surprising both herself and Daryl at her boldness.

Daryl physically freezes, his hand in mid air as he holds his cellphone out to her.

"That's another nickle, Greene." he says, narrowing his eyes at her but she can see the amusement behind his eyes, thankfully. She was worried she might have overstepped just then.

Beth just gives him another sweet smile before snatching his phone away, quickly putting her number in and then giving her own phone a call, so she had his as well. She hands it back and looks up to see him staring at her, his thumbnail still in his mouth and his gaze seeming confused, yet intrigued and Beth isn't sure why, but it makes those pesky butterflies return with vengeance.

"Thanks for the ride Daryl," she says, pushing her door open and she has the brief thought of leaning over and kissing his cheek but she holds off, not wanting to spook him.

From what little she knew of Daryl Dixon, she could tell he wasn't big on affection - even just helping her off the tailgate of his truck a little while ago surprised her and she noticed the way he got tense when her hand was in his, as if he wasn't sure whether to push her away as soon as possible or hold on tighter.

"Ain't nothin'." he mumbles and as she climbs out of his seat she sees him reaching for a pack of cigarettes in the cup holder.

She gives him one last smile before she closes the door and begins to walk toward her building door. It doesn't go unnoticed by her how she doesn't hear Daryl's truck leave until she is safely within the building and as she climbs the stairs to her floor, Beth can't help but feel like her phone weighs a little bit heavier in her pocket.

She doesn't expect him to call her, not at all. But just knowing that she has his number and him, hers, well, that makes her smile all the way to her door.

Thank you so much for reading! xoxo