A/N Thank you for reading along, for following, favoring and taking the time to review / comment. This week I received some very nice PM's from several of you, and those little notes meant so much to me. So thank you all again. I appreciate all of it and I appreciate you so much. :)

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He hated to leave her. It left him with an aching that felt almost like physical pain. But he knew at her house there were rules. It wasn't that he could relate to that at all, there were no rules at his house. All he tried to do at his house was stay out of the line of fire. Mostly what that amounted to was staying away as much as he could. He tried to just slip in about the time he thought the old man would be passed out, and in the morning he hurried to shower and leave before his Dad woke up. It didn't always work out.

So he didn't go to his house when he left the farm, instead he went where he went most nights, to the shop where he worked. It was closed but that didn't matter he didn't go there for the shop. He rode into the lot, pulled the bike around to the back of the building and got off. It was quiet there, completely deserted at this hour of the night.

He got the sketch pad and the color pencils out of his pack and sat himself down on that hard asphalt. His back was leaned up against the building and he laid his head against it as well, taking just a moment to rest. His eyes were closed and it was dark but the security light let off a powerful glow.

He got a smoke from the pack, lit it and took a long drag. He was thinking about her and still reeling from that kiss. He'd never kissed a girl like that, he'd never kissed a girl at all except for her, and he was sure he'd never want to kiss anyone else. He didn't believe there was another girl out there in the world that was as sweet, as kind or as pretty as Beth.

He called her Sunshine because that's exactly what she was for him. She was the lightness in his otherwise dark, lonely and often frighteningly cruel world.

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Daddy was madder than an old wet hen. Neither Mama nor Beth had ever seen him quite like this. Beth had never known he was capable of yelling so loudly. "How could you be in some kind of make-out session with that Dixon boy in front of half the school? Right out there in the noonday sun for the world to see? Elizabeth Greene you've been raised better than that!" And he just kept going on and on and on.

Finally Mama could take no more and she raised her own voice, "Hershel Greene you stop that yelling in my home right now! I won't have it!"

Beth was pretty sure her own eyes must be the size of saucers. She had never heard Mama raise her voice to Daddy that way. This was most definitely a night of firsts at the Greene farm.

"Well Annette surely even you can't approve of your daughter's behavior! What kind of girl are we raising here?!"

"Well Hershel why don't you give that girl we're raising a chance to tell us exactly what happened?!"

She didn't want to tell anybody anything all she wanted to do was run up to her room and put her head under her pillow. Or better yet run off to Daryl and never come back. It occurred to her then that she didn't even know where he lived. But her thoughts were interrupted when Daddy said, "All right fair enough, let's hear it young lady, exactly what did happen between you and the Dixon boy at lunch today?"

Beth was starting to think if one more person called him "Dixon boy" she'd be the one yelling. But she tried hard to stay calm and maybe just a little more mature than anyone else in the room, "We had lunch together today but not in the quad, we went over by the football field. I didn't know why Daryl would lead us so far away from where everyone was hanging out, but it was fine and we sat on the grass and ate our lunch. We talked about our project for history and about school things and what was going on with everyone, it was just the usual conversation stuff. When the bell rang we walked back toward the quad."

"When we got in sight of everyone Daryl started to move away from me, like we didn't know each other or something. I asked him why. He told me it was because he didn't want to embarrass me. He said he knew what people thought about him and it wasn't good for me to be seen with him. I felt so bad because Daryl is such a good person, I wanted to show him I didn't care what those gossips had to say so I just leaned up and gave him a nice little kiss. But my gosh it wasn't some kind of naughty kiss it was the most innocent kiss in the world. The kind of kiss you give your grandma."

"I guess it was the talk of the whole school and I don't understand why. By the time I got on the bus this afternoon I found out everybody had spread all these terrible lies about us. Mama you know who Andrea Harrison is, well she practically accosted me on the bus and told me she was going to get Daryl away from me. I told her me and Daryl are just friends. I swear I don't understand any of this. It's all just idle gossip and I can't believe a man of God would be calling you up to spread these stories Daddy." She felt like adding "So there, take that." But she was a smarter girl than that. And there were hardly any untruths and just a couple of only half-truths in the story she told.

That last statement made Daddy's eyes get big. What Mama said was, "Now you see Hershel? Out of the mouths of babes! Beth's right the preacher should not be spreading rumors about our daughter. Maybe it's him you should be getting after. And poor Daryl, to think at his young age that boy already has to bear the burden of his father's sins. Shame on you Hershel and shame on Pastor Smith!" Mama she was fit to be tied. Between her anger at Daddy over his pigheadedness, and her Mama-Bear instinct to protect not only her own child, but this young man who had no one to speak for him, Mama was just plain furious.

Still at breakfast the next morning Daddy laid down a harsh new rule, "From now on when the Dixon boy comes over to study the two of you will not be alone in my office, you'll be right here at this table in plain view of your mother and myself."

Mama was still peevish, to put it mildly, "I won't be spying on anyone I'll be too busy leading a productive life."

Mama had suspected from the moment Trouble first showed up at her door he and her daughter were smitten with one another. She wasn't 100% sure how she felt about that, but she was 100% sure there was probably nothing she or her husband could do about it. And she did feel a strong need to protect this boy who obviously had a hard way to go in life.

All Beth knew for sure was everything seemed to be stacked against her and Daryl. She didn't understand why exactly, he was nice, he had a job and he worked hard. It was all just so unfair.

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She told Mama when she'd gotten home from school the day before, and now on the bus she checked her lunch bag. Again she thanked God for Mama, there were two sandwiches.

But the ride to school wasn't all smooth, when Andrea got on she once again sat herself down right next to Beth. "So Little Miss Perfect did you see that badass boyfriend of yours last night for a little roll in the hay?"

"Andrea just leave me alone about Daryl, can't you mind your own business for once?" She hoped her voice didn't sound as shaky as she felt.

She laughed that terrible phony laugh of hers, "Well isn't that what you farm girls do, roll around in the hay?" And she laughed even harder, "Oh I'm going to have so much fun with Dixon, I can't wait for him to teach me everything he knows, and I might even have one or two things I can teach him."

Andrea was being so disgusting Beth just wanted to scream. How could she talk like that? How could she be so proud of what she planned to do? Beth felt the urge to slap that stupid girl and on top of everything else she was fighting tears. The last thing in the world she wanted was for Andrea Harrison to see her cry. Thank God the girl moved on to sit with one of her equally shallow, mean and crude friends.

When they were pulling up to the school she finally had something to make her smile, she saw Trouble there waiting for her.

He'd gotten to school early and he'd been reading all about Argentina in one of the books she'd checked out of the library. He'd decided he wanted to help her more with their report, he wanted to show her he could and he would do his part. Beth deserved to have a partner who did his share.

But that wasn't the only reason he was at school early, he was anxious to see her, anxious to see her smile, anxious to hear her voice, and anxious to feel her hand in his.

She hurried off the bus and over to him and he'd just said, "Mornin' Sunshine," when suddenly Andrea was there. She moved herself right into him, smiling and licking her lips in a real suggestive way, "You and I should get together soon Daryl Dixon, alone and in private, I'm just sure we can show each other a real good time."

In his own awkward way he rose to the occasion, "Ya ain't got nuthin' I want. Ya oughta just go on now, I don't like ya talkin' ta me that way an especially not in front a my girl."

Andrea was pissed, "Who needs a loser like you anyway, you asshole." She huffed and stormed off.

But Beth couldn't take her eyes off him, she asked in a quiet voice, "Daryl am I your girl?"

Now he was embarrassed, she could tell by the way he was chewing that bottom lip and his cheeks were all flushed , "Ya ain't gotta be if ya don't wanna, but if ya did, then yeah I want ya ta be."

She smiled and took his hand, "I do want to be."

Again he took her backpack and just as they started to walk toward their homeroom class she began to softly cry. "What the hell Beth, what happened?"

"Oh everything went all wrong Daryl, everything." And she told him about the preacher calling and about the big fight at her house, and all about Daddy's new rule.

When the side of that thumb went to his mouth she knew three things were happening, he was upset, he was worried, and he was planning something, "Please don't cry Beth, I'll be able ta figure sumthin' out, we'll talk about it some more at lunch, k?"

"Okay." His confidence did make her feel better.

It was then she noticed the way the other students were slyly glancing over toward them, mouths were covered by hands and there was a lot of whispering going on. She wasn't prepared for the looks they got. She was sure he noticed it too and then all the sudden he stopped and looked at her. He smiled that tiniest of all smiles, threw his arm around her shoulder, leaned down and gave her a quick kiss. "Fuck 'em Sunshine, they're all just jealous."

The morning seemed to drag on forever, all she could think about was seeing him and spending that precious and way too short lunch period with him. She got to the quad and he was there waiting for her, and she noticed right away that there were a lot more students milling around than would normally be anywhere near him.

It dawned on her and she understood a little better now, they were the current hot topic, the flavor of the day. She thought and she hoped that in another day or two they'd become old news and everyone would be talking about something or someone else.

He took her hand and he squinted those hard eyes as he slowly turned his gaze from group to group of the gawkers. It was like some kind of warning shot being fired from those steely eyes, and just like that the crowd began to dissipate. They may be curious but they were all still afraid of him. He was a fighter. "Apparently we're quite a fascinatin' pair. It must be you Sunshine cuz ain't no one ever paid this much attention ta me."

It was deliberate on his part, he'd always tried hard to avoid any kind of attention. He kept his head down and hoped no one would even notice him. Any attention he'd ever received had always turned into something negative and it usually ended with him getting his ass kicked. So he stayed away from home as much as possible and he kept his head down everywhere else.

But he knew these dumb asses were making her uncomfortable and he wasn't going to be having that. She was willing to be seen with him, she wasn't ashamed or afraid and she treated him so special. He'd do anything to keep her from feeling threatened in any way, and he'd do anything to protect her, including kicking some ass if he had to.

They got to "their" spot and again he laid his sweatshirt down for her to sit on. He surprised her when he sat close, leaned in and kissed her cheek, "I missed ya Beth an I missed kissin' ya."

They both turned a little pink as she looked down shyly and smiled, "I missed you too Trouble."

She opened the bag and handed him a sandwich and right away he balked, "No I ain't eatin' all of it, that ain't right."

Her smile got even bigger and brighter, "Mama made you one of your own when I told her you said her country ham was the best you'd ever eaten. She said to thank you for the nice compliment."

He smiled that little smile, "Your Mama is a real nice lady," and he had that sandwich fully consumed in no time flat. "I been thinkin' 'bout this other problem Beth an I got a little idea, but ya know it might be risky. I ain't worried about me cuz I'm used ta trouble, hell it's even my name these days," A soft little snort came from him then and she was smiling herself, "But you ain't used to it Beth. You're a good girl an I know that. I don't wanna be the cause a any problems for ya. I'm serious now. But if ya wanted ta try it I promise I'd be real careful, we'd be careful, and we could see each other and it'd be private." He went on to tell her his idea.

She didn't think about it long. The thing that Daddy just couldn't seem to understand was that she'd do anything to spend time with this boy, she'd risk any problems it might bring because he already had her heart and she just didn't care about consequences. All she cared about was him and being with him.

She was being naughty and she knew she was but suddenly Beth Greene was feeling a little bit defiant. For the first time she could ever recall she had attitude. She waited until they were practically in the center of the quad and she knew all those sneaky little eyes were on them, and that's when she did it. She stood up tall with her hands on his shoulders and she gave Trouble a serious kiss right on the lips. He reacted without even thinking about where he was, after all his girl had kissed him. He wrapped his arms around her and he kissed her back. And he kept his arms around her as he smiled what was almost a real smile, "See ya after work tonight?"

"Yes come for supper first, its spaghetti night."

About that time the health teacher Mr. Anderson walked right up and said, "Alright you two you know better than that, no PDA. Move along now classes are about to start."

If they thought they were the buzz before, well now they'd just added some more fuel to that fire.

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The thing about coming to the Greene farm was he already knew of three things he could depend on, he was going to see the prettiest and sweetest girl in the world, her Mama was going to feed him a delicious meal, and her Daddy would be shooting daggers right out of his eyes and aimed right at Daryl. To his way of thinking the first two more than made up for that last one.

They were real well behaved and he even volunteered to help Mama with the dishes. She was liking this boy more all the time. "Oh no you two kids need to work on that project of yours, I'm expecting an A+ from you. Now you just go on, Daddy will be happy to help me." Which did not serve to improve Daddy's mood.

The thing about it was Daddy wasn't even sure why he was so against this young boy coming around. He knew it was probably nothing but apprehension at the thought of any young man around his baby girl. But whatever it was Daddy could hardly look at Daryl Dixon without seeing trouble on the horizon. Big Trouble. And yet he admitted to himself that the boy was polite, obviously hardworking and seemed to be a very nice young man. And Trouble.

The young couple did sit at the dining room table to study and they actually got work done on their big project, and Daryl felt real proud to be contributing. Maybe later tonight when he was out behind the shop he'd even work on his math. But for now he tried to at least focus some of his attention on Argentina, and not just on Beth. It wasn't easy.

He knew the routine and he wasn't going to buck her Daddy's rules. At eight o'clock he stood, "Well I guess I best go now. I feel like we done real good with our studies tonight. Maybe you're right Miz Greene, maybe we will get an A+. I thank ya again for a real good supper, best spaghetti I ever ate. G'night Mr. Greene, thanks for lettin' me study with Beth."

She walked him out to the bike and as he was getting on he whispered, "Ya sure Sunshine?"

And she whispered back, "Yes I'm real sure."

She went back in and gathered up her things and said, "Gosh another big day and I'm just so tired. I think I'll go to my room and study a little more, maybe listen to some music and go to bed early. Goodnight Mama, goodnight Daddy." She gave them each a quick kiss on the cheek and hurried to her room.

She set her IPod in the player and put it on her Christian rock library; she knew that would make her parents happy. Plus the added noise would help. She went to her window and opened it as wide as it would go.

It was just twenty minutes later when Trouble was climbing in that window.

At first they stood there and just clung to one another. It was the first time they felt like they were really alone, just the two of them. There was no one milling around and no worry about prying eyes, and nobody who might peek their head in the doorway.

Soon the clinging turned into some kissing and then they sat on the floor of her room, backs leaned up against her bed and holding each others hands. They were having a whispered conversation about how nice it was to be alone. Then they talked about all the gossip and decided to try hard to ignore it in hopes it would stop soon.

It was then he asked, "What's that music you're listening too? It don't sound familiar."

Her cheeks turned a little pink as she responded, "It's Christian rock. I guess I kind of like it."

He started chewing that lip and she knew something was bothering him. "If you don't like it Daryl I could change it."

He wasn't whispering now but he did keep his voice low, "Nah that's just what I don't want, I don't want ya changin' on accounta me. You're a good girl Beth an I got no business bein' here, I got no business bein' around ya at all. It ain't gonna go right for ya ever girl. Like ya said, I'll just bring ya trouble cuz that's what I am and that's what I'm good for. I'ma go on now, I'm sorry I ever done anythin'."

And he looked so sad and her heart was breaking and she didn't understand, but then again she did understand. And just that, the knowing how he seemed to feel about himself, it just compounded the sadness of him leaving.

As he was standing to go she quickly jumped up and threw her arms around his neck, the volume of her whispering increased and she had tears welling in her eyes, "You can't do this, you can't just decide this on your own. What about me and what I want? It's my life too Daryl and I want you in it. I need you in it."

"Nah, ya don't need me Sunshine you're strong, if anyone needs anyone it's me that needs you. You're better off if I'm gone."

"No I'm not and you can't say that, and Daryl Dixon maybe the truth is we're both strong and maybe we need each other to be even stronger. Whatever it is I'm not letting you come into my life and then think you can walk right back out. I won't let you." She actually stomped her foot and that move, and the words she'd said, well it got to him. It got to his heart. He was so surprised to know she could care for him so much.

Now he kind of smiled at her, "Ya think you're tough huh? Gonna boss me around? I'll show ya whose boss." And he grabbed her around the waist and squeezed a little and started tickling her. She was squirming trying to break free of his hold, they were both laughing and trying hard to be quiet but they lost their balance and tumbled to the floor with a thud.

He'd never had fun with another person like this, just being silly and all. It was a new experience and he was enjoying the playfulness of it. He wound up on top of her, still tickling her lightly and trying to keep his laughing quiet, "Now I know your weakness girl." He was smiling big and she loved this more relaxed and playful look he had.

About that time there was a soft knock on her door and Mama's voice asked, "Beth are you okay in there? What was that noise?"

They were trying real hard to keep quiet and keep their composure, "Oh nothing, I'm sorry Mama it was my books they all slid off the bed at once." He was trying so hard not to laugh, and she'd put the palm of her hand over his mouth as they were looking in each others eyes.

"Okay, well don't stay up too much longer Bethie, it's getting late."

"Yes Mama I'll be going to bed real soon, 'night."

She took her hand away from his mouth and was just about to say something to him when that mouth of his was on hers. This was new, him lying on top of her and them kissing like that. His hands were in her hair and hers were in his hair, and then his face was in the soft of her neck and he was kissing her there.

He felt it then and he looked at her and her eyes had gone wide. She hadn't known what it was, and yet she did know exactly what it was. He knew exactly what it was too and they were both embarrassed and red-faced. He spoke quickly, "I'm sorry Beth, I didn't mean for that ta happen, I best go on now."

"It's okay Daryl I know it wasn't on purpose. I'm not mad at you, honest." She was as embarrassed as him but her need to reassure him was stronger than her embarrassment.

He just nodded his head and then Trouble went out that window as quickly and as quietly as he'd come in.

But she could still feel that unmistakable feeling of his desire pressing against her.

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A/N There seems to be an awful lot going on around our couple, and next chapter we'll see a new circumstance come into play. Thanks so much for reading along and I hope you'll take the time to review / comment. x gneebee

The photo for this chapter has been posted to my tumblr bethylmethbrick. I hope to see you back here next Saturday for a new chapter in our story. As always, I love ya large! xo gneebee