A/N Thank you all so much. I appreciate the follows, faves, comments and PMs. Several of you seem to be on board with Beth punching Andrea. Well we'll see what happens with Andrea. We had a lot going on last chapter and now we have the big "talk" with Daddy, and there may be a little something else going on. Let's see.

Triggers, etc.: There are several references to child abuse / neglect in this story. I'm no expert as to the letter of the law when it comes to how the authorities deal with child abuse. This is a work of fiction.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

He was straddling his motorcycle waiting for her where the buses parked. She hadn't been expecting him and seeing him there made her smile. She rushed to where he waited, "Hey Trouble."

"Hey yourself Sunshine." He took a deep breath, "I just wanna ask one more time, make sure before ya get on the bus. I told ya I'm willin' ta fight for my chance with ya Beth, ya know I am. I just don't wanna be the cause a problems for ya with your folks an all. So ya sure bout this?" He was hoping as hard as he could hope that she wouldn't want him to walk away.

"Daryl you know better, you know what I want. You. It hurts my feelings you'd even ask me that. Don't you trust me? "

His hand went to the side of her face as he brushed a stray curl back, "Ah shit Beth, I'm sorry girl. I trust ya more'n anythin' or anyone, ya know that right? I never woulda told no one but you them things we talked about. I'm sorry, ya mad at me?"

"No I'm not mad at you. And maybe what Daddy's going to say won't be bad. Let's wait and see. Whatever it is we'll get through it together just like we promised each other we would." When she let her hand brush his and she smiled at him that way it always made everything seem better.

"You're right Beth, sorry. I'll see ya for supper." He glanced around quickly, saw no teachers and drew her close for a kiss.

She smiled at him, "You know you're Trouble don't you?"

"That's what my girl tells me an she'd be the one ta know." She loved it that he turned his head and smiled back at her as he sped off.

She rushed to make the bus before it left without her and Andrea was right there waiting. "Well that was about the sweetest thing I've ever seen. You and badass looked downright romantic. It was making me want him even more."

Beth was so done with her but she kept her head high, looked at the other girl and said, "Oh just shut up," as she pushed passed her.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Earlier that morning Hershel Greene had made his way down to Precision Parts and Fabrication to talk to the owner, Dale Horvath. The two men shook hands and Hershel spoke, "I apologize for coming to you during business hours, but I was wondering if you and I might have a word in private."

Once in Dale's office with the door closed the men sat, "What can I do for you Hershel?"

"My daughter Beth has a friend from school who works for you, a boy named Daryl Dixon. They've had a school project they're working on and he's been coming to our home. I'm worried…"

That was as far as Daddy got before Dale interrupted, "Hold up just a minute. Before you talk bad about the boy or accuse him of something, you should know I'm in his corner. He's a good guy and a real hard worker. I care about the kid."

"I appreciate that and I care about him too, that's why I'm here. It's not that kind of worry. It's the marks on the boy I'm concerned about. Those marks tell me he's being abused but when I tried to talk to him about it he shut it down. He won't acknowledge anything. These most recent injuries are very disturbing to me and my wife. I was only wondering what you knew."

Horvath sighed deeply, "Sorry I snapped, it's just that a lot of assumptions are made about the kid because of his family. I've tried to talk to him about his injuries many times. He always has an answer, he fell down stairs, he walked into an open door when he wasn't paying attention, he fell off the motorcycle. I've heard every story you can imagine and haven't believed one of them. But the kid isn't wavering and I don't know what more I can do. Not long ago I offered to let him stay with my wife and I. I could tell the idea appealed to him. Still he said, 'No' and I think I might have figured out why. There's no way his old man is going to let him leave, he's a source of income. His Dad's on disability and Medicare and Daryl's a minor, so the old man gets payments and food stamps for the kid. Not that he takes care of him or feeds him, I'd bet he trades the value of those stamps for booze, pills and cigarettes. If the state got wind the kid wasn't living with him he'd lose all that. I'm sure he's threatened Daryl and I'm also sure Daryl's afraid to go against him."

Hershel just nodded, "The whole thing's a mess. I know the old sheriff tried his best to intervene a few years ago. Daryl's older brother Merle was in high school and he showed up one day with two black eyes and a broken nose. The sheriff went to the house and questioned Will Dixon about it. Merle ended up taking another beating few but Merle could probably survive. He still wouldn't say it was his father. It was shortly after that Merle ran off and got involved in drugs and the like. I wouldn't want to see Daryl suffer the same fate. I just don't know what to do next."

Dale shook his head, "I'm in the same boat as you. As long as Daryl keeps denying it there's not much the authorities are willing to do. I've wracked my brain trying to figure something out. I'm just hoping Daryl will be alright until he can get out of that godforsaken cabin. He's a tough kid, but he's young and he's half the size of that mean bastard."

Daddy's felt more powerless over the situation now than he had been before he talked to Dale. They agreed they'd both keep an eye on the boy and hope for the best.

When he left the factory Hershel drove to his next stop, the high school. He went in the administration building and asked to speak with the principal regarding a confidential matter.

After waiting ten minutes the secretary showed him in. The last time he'd had to talk to a principal was when Shawn was a senior and got in trouble for ditching classes. He'd been hoping he'd never have to visit a principal's office again.

He shared his concerns about Daryl Dixon with Principal Mamet. "I appreciate you coming and believe me I share your frustration. Most of the talk around school is that Dixon is a fighter and that's how he comes by all those bruises. Like you, I've never bought into that notion. But I've talked to Daryl, I've had child services talk to Daryl, I've talked to the sheriff and had Daryl talk to the sheriff. The boy never changes his story he always blames his own clumsiness. He vehemently denies there are any problems at home. Everyone's hands seem to be tied. I don't know what to do next or where to turn, apparently the authorities don't either. He's a bright guy but I think as far as school goes he simply sees it as a refuge."

Hershel felt like he'd been beating his head against the wall, he didn't know where to turn next. He was reluctant to contact the sheriff, afraid Will Dixon would do more harm. He got home and he and Annette talked some more about the situation. They discussed their feelings about Daryl and they agreed they liked him very much and they were deeply concerned. They also discussed their feelings about what they were both sure was a growing relationship between Daryl and their younger daughter.

They knew there was very little they could do but try and keep a close eye on both Daryl's situation, and the situation between him and Beth. They prayed hard for guidance.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

She walked in the backdoor and Mama was standing at the counter dropping cookie dough on the sheet, "Hey Mama."

"Hey Bethie, did you have a nice day at school?"

"Yes it was good and Daryl said to tell you thank you for the egg salad sandwich. He said he never had one before and he liked it a lot." She was hoping mentioning Daryl would just maybe get Mama talking about what Daddy was going to say.

"Daryl's a very nice boy Beth. So now tell me what you learned today." Darn, that didn't work.

"Daryl and I had the whole history class to work on our project. I really think we're going to get a good grade. And Daryl has drawn some awesome new pictures Mama. He just did one of a mountain called Aconcagua, it's the highest mountain anywhere outside of Asia. Anyway he said he liked the looks of it and he made a beautiful drawing. I know we'll be the only ones in the class to have anything as cool as hand done illustrations. Besides that, let's see, P.E. was awful. We're still playing basketball and I'm terrible at it, and English was fine but boring. So all the usual stuff."

Mama just grinned and said, "Well it sounds like a pretty good day. Now you take the bucket of scraps out to the chickens and check for eggs, then do your other homework before Daryl gets here."

"Yes Mama."

She ran upstairs, changed out of her school clothes and hurried to do her chores. She had math and English homework she wanted to work on before he got there, and maybe that would keep her from worrying about what was to come.

This sure wasn't his usual Friday night or it would've been spent in a whole different way. He'd get one of the older guys he worked with to buy him a six pack of beer and a pack of smokes, promising he wouldn't drink until he got out in the woods.

He had a quiet place he liked to go back in those woods. It was a spot just right for him and he had a permanent campsite set up. He'd made a makeshift tent out of an old blue plastic tarp, he had his sleeping bag, a jug of water and his fishing pole, but he didn't leave his crossbow there. His boss let him keep it at the shop where it was safe from the elements, potential thieves, and from his old man taking it to the pawn shop and hocking it.

Every Friday after work he'd be on the bike with a small pack, his crossbow, his beers, smokes and a burger and fries he'd picked up at the drive through. He'd head to his "second home," the place he wished he lived. When there were school holidays and vacations he spent most of his time in the little camp, only going to town to work and get supplies. When school was in session he'd spend his weekends there, except to come into town and work on Saturday mornings, or that one Saturday a month when he went to visit Merle. It was quiet at his little home in the woods and it kept him safe from the nightmare that was his other home. When he finally went home Sunday night his Dad would often rough him up for being gone, but it worth it.

But this Friday night was different.

He was nervous but he was determined, if her Dad said he couldn't see her anymore he planned to try hard to convince him otherwise. Fight with him if he had to. Not physically of course, but he was going to speak up for himself and for Beth. She'd told him that's what she wanted too. He had someone in his life now and he wasn't letting that someone go. He'd do whatever he had to.

Her Dad answered the door, "Daryl come on in son we'll go in my office. Beth, go tell your Mama to please come now."

Daddy sat at his desk, Mama next to him, and Daryl and Beth in chairs across from the big wooden desk. Daddy began to speak, "Daryl I'm not going to pressure you to tell me things you don't feel comfortable talking about. But I'm not going to sugarcoat it either, Beth's Mother and I are worried about you and your safety. I want to make it clear to you, we want to help." Daryl felt his stomach tighten just from having these things brought up, and this conversation wasn't going at all like he thought it would.

"We want to keep you out of harm's way the best we can. We're making you welcome in our home, anytime, every day, including having your meals with us. And it's not just that you're invited, we want you here. I realize you can't move out of your house without upsetting your father. If you could we'd find you a place to stay. But as long as the situation remains as it is, we want to at least do what we can."

"There are rules. Project or no project, after supper I'll want you to work on your school studies. It's in your best interest to get your high school diploma, and to learn the math your boss is encouraging you to learn."

Daryl's head was swimming, this was so far from what he'd expected to be hearing. He was confused, he'd never had anyone that cared about him or worried about him succeeding at anything. Except Mr. Horvath, he always told him he could and should do it, but this was different. This was her Dad.

"Weekends too, you're welcome to come after work on Saturday. There's fish in the pond and there's good hunting close by, small game mostly. As for Sunday, we go to services from ten to noon. We'd like to have you join us, otherwise Sunday dinner is at one o'clock."

Daryl felt the emotion well up in him. He was overwhelmed and bewildered by this concern and kindness he was being shown. He didn't know what to say or how to respond. When his words did come his voice was hoarse and it broke slightly as he said, "Thank ya Sir, Ma'am," He nodded toward her Mama, "I ain't got no problems at home it's just that I'm clumsy is all. A course my Dad is real busy an maybe it would be nice ta have somewhere else ta go besides there. But I can't be eatin' here all the time like I have been, I feel wrong. I can't do it if I ain't earnin' it. I can help an I ain't afraid ta work, ya just gotta tell me whatever it is ya want me ta do. Otherwise I ain't gonna eat your food no more, it ain't right."

He was quite the young man, Daddy saw that more and more, "That's fine I'll have chores for you and you can help Beth's Mama with the dishes and such. I'll make sure you earn it, but just like with Beth your studies come first."

"Yessir I'll do it all. I ain't sure why y'all even wanna be doing this cuz like I said I got no problems at home, but I thank ya for it."

It was just what Daddy and Mama had expected, he would stick to his story. He wasn't going to take any chances of upsetting his father.

"There's one other matter son."

Daryl wondered if now the ax would fall and he braced himself, "Yessir?"

"Beth's Mother and I are aware the two of you have an attraction," Daryl and Beth both froze, "We're going to allow you to spend some time together, go on walks around the farm and sit in the front room together, maybe occasionally go to a movie on a Saturday afternoon. That's a big maybe. But we're expecting both of you to live by our rules and our standards."

What the hell was he doing? He didn't know, he hadn't thought about it, he didn't plan it, it just happened, his hand took hers. Of course Mama and Daddy saw it, they couldn't miss it.

Daddy respected and liked the young man, cared about him and his future, he really did. And he meant everything he said about Daryl being welcome in their home and taking his meals with them. He wanted him to have this safe haven, to get a regular meal and to be a success with his schoolwork. He wanted all of that for him.

But Daddy couldn't look at that boy sitting across from him holding his daughter's hand and not think, He's Trouble.

When he slipped in her window that night they hugged so hard it was surprising no one broke a rib. And they talked about what they'd feared this night would bring and how differently it had turned out, and she told him, "See Daryl, it doesn't hurt to have a little faith."

They sat in their spot on the floor and held hands as they talked about how suddenly everything had changed. "I can't believe your Mama and Daddy knew I's crazy about ya, an shit Sunshine what I really can't believe is I took your hand that way, right in front of 'em. I just can't seem ta get it in my head why they wanna be so nice ta me, havin' me here, feedin' me an whatnot. I'll tell ya girl the only reason I'm just goin' along with it all is cuz I wanna have the time with you."

She looked in his eyes and then she made a move that surprised him, she straddled his lap and placed her hands on his cheeks. She looked in his eyes and told him, "I want to be with you every minute that I can. I'm the one who's crazy, I'm crazy about Trouble." And she gave him a kiss she hoped proved that to him.

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Saturday he came right from work and Mama insisted that before he did anything else he needed to eat lunch. He didn't put up much of a fight, he hadn't had a bite of food since the meal she'd fed him the night before.

Right after lunch he and Beth seriously went to work on their project. She finished typing it while he did one more illustration for the cover of their report. It was a drawing of the capital city, Buenos Aires. He hand lettered it with the title: Argentina Past and Present at the top, and on the bottom right, by Beth Greene and Daryl Dixon.

She printed out the pages and they each proofread it before she placed it in the special folder with the see through cover. It was ready to turn in on Wednesday. "It's beautiful Daryl and I think we're going to do really, really good."

"That's cuz you're smart about this stuff, I can't take no credit."

"That's not true you helped with the research and you had lots and lots of really good ideas. And it's going to be your beautiful drawings that make our report the most special. I swear when this is done I'm putting them in a frame."

Even though he still doubted the importance of his contributions her words made him proud.

"I'ma go see if I can help your Dad with anythin'." Between work and doing the project he'd been stuck inside all day. He needed to just be outside, plus he did want to help her Dad and earn his way.

He found him struggling with an old generator, trying to get it to start. The power often went out in the rural areas and Daddy liked to have a backup, a way to keep some lights on and the refrigerator and freezer up and running.

"Havin' problems with that Sir?"

"Yeah it's a cantankerous old thing I'm afraid."

"If ya like I could have a look, I kinda got a knack with machines."

He hadn't worked on it more than ten minutes and it was running smoothly. Daddy was impressed. "You really do have a knack."

Daryl just rolled his shoulders. "I do with some things. This generator really needs a good overhaul, then ya won't have problems with it no more for a long time. If ya want I could take care a all that next Saturday. Me an Beth we're all done with our report so I got time."

"That sounds just right, you write down what you need and I'll get the parts. Maybe you'll let me observe your work."

Daryl just kind of grunted, shrugged and asked, "What else ya got for me ta do?"

"I've got all sorts of blades that need sharpening, if you know how that's done. Saw blade, ax, the blade on the lawn tractor and Mrs. Greene's kitchen knives."

Daryl finished sharpening those blades just in time to wash up for supper.

During supper he apologized for not being able to come to services with them in the morning, "I got sumthin' I need ta check on, but I'll be by later if it's alright."

Daddy and Mama hid their disappointment, they'd been hoping he'd go to church. Beth couldn't hide hers, "Are you sure Daryl? I'd like it if you did."

"I know an I'm sorry but I can't, I just can't." She sensed whatever it was he wasn't changing his mind and thankfully Daddy changed the subject.

Later that night she tried asking him again, "Please Beth try ta understand, there's a place, it's like my own place. I'm goin' there tonight when I leave, an I ain't leavin' there 'til I come back here an see ya. Someday I hope ta take ya there."

"Okay." She didn't understand at all but she wasn't going to argue with him.

He could see her disappointment and that hurt him so he tried to smooth things over. He was rubbing the top of his finger slowly and lightly along her jawline as he asked, "How 'bout when I come tomorrow ya show me that pond where the fish are, maybe we'll catch us some."

She did brighten then, "Alright. Can you come for dinner at one?"

"Yeah I will Sunshine. I do wanna spend the day with ya, ya know I do." And when he held her and kissed her the way he did, she knew how much he cared.

He slipped out her window and jogged the mile or to the bushes where he hid his bike. He got his crossbow out from under a clump of branches and he was off to his spot in the woods. The only place he ever felt he could rest.

He was up early Sunday morning walking those woods that he called home, crossbow at the ready. He managed to bag and clean four rabbits, and do a pretty good job cleaning himself up in the creek, before he left for her house.

He was proud to hand the rabbits to her Mama, "I brung these if ya want 'em, they're good eatin'."

Mama smiled, truly happy to have the bounty, "This is wonderful Daryl. I'm going to serve them for supper tomorrow."

After their Sunday dinner he and Beth went down to the pond to fish. That's when he told her about his place in the woods, what it meant to him and about all the time he spent there. It struck her two ways. It was beautiful that he had this place he loved so much and where he found happiness, adventure and most of all peace. But it was so sad that the only way he'd ever been able to find peace was by hiding himself away. She knew him well enough she didn't question, she smiled, "I can't wait to go there with you."

The next morning on the bus Andrea sat herself down next to Beth and immediately began taunting her. Beth listened quietly, let her go on for a minute. And then she found a new voice and she spoke words that never in her life did she think she would ever speak to anyone, "Oh screw you."

It was so out of the blue that for just a moment Andrea was speechless. Then as she stood to go back and sit with her friends she snickered, "Someone's gonna get screwed." Andrea was confident the plan she had would work.

He was waiting there when the bus pulled up, standing close to where she'd step off the bus. He was more bold as he held his hand out to her, "Hey Sunshine." "Hey yourself Trouble." He took a quick glance around before giving her a kiss.

He slung her backpack over one arm and they walked toward homeroom. As they entered the class he squeezed her hand one more time before letting go, and when he looked up he saw that pain in the ass Jimmy leering at her. When she was seated he saw Jimmy reach over and try to run his hand through her hair.

Daryl made a play of accidentally knocking her book onto the floor. "I got that for ya," He said as he ran quickly to the other row, picked it up and gave Jimmy a menacing look as he growled, "Ya stay the fuck away from Beth asshole, I ain't tellin' ya again."

This time Beth made no effort to calm Trouble. They were both tired of dealing with people trying to come between them.

The teacher walked in and Daryl didn't want problems, not in the classroom any way. They'd get a hold of his Dad and his Dad would kill him for them bothering him.

So he went back to his seat and he gave Jimmy the hard eye and he thought about teaching him a real big lesson and real soon. It was the time and place that would be a challenge, it couldn't be at school. He'd figure something out.

Their favorite part of the school day was of course lunch time. Today, just like every day, they went to their spot behind the maintenance building. They hurriedly ate their sandwiches, fruit and cookies Mama had packed, while rehashing what had happened with Andrea and Jimmy and vowing to not let them spoil their time together.

Then he gently laid her back on the grass and they each promised the other there would never be anyone else for them. And they sealed their promises with heartfelt and fevered kisses.

Just before the end of the school day she'd unexpectedly started her period. She'd had to spend quite a bit of time in the restroom taking care of the situation. Now she was running so late the hallways were already deserted. She rushed to get her things out of her locker, so worried she'd miss the bus. Just as she slammed the locker door shut he grabbed her. She couldn't see him but she could tell by how rough he was it wasn't Daryl.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

A/N I know, hit me hard I deserve it. I promise we'll pick it up right where we left it next Saturday. Thank you to FF friend MarinaAntolini a native Argentinian, for suggesting places for Daryl to illustrate. I'm sorry I couldn't have our couple learn the tango for her. I appreciate all of you who take the time to read my story and I would love it if you'd leave a comment / review, even if you're mad at me. Thanks and have a very Happy Thanksgiving! x gneebee

The chapter photo - and they're adorable - is posted on my tumblr bethylmethbrick - a big thanks to all my new followers over there. If you have the time and the interest I hope you'll check out my other fics, including my two current ongoing stories The Wood Sculptor and Little Love Stories. Again, have a wonderful Thanksgiving and I hope to see you back here next Saturday. I love ya large, xo gneebee