The faint sound of the rain thrashing the roof was the only sound throughout the house once the door shut behind Daryl. There was the briefest of moments before the chill settled into Beth as her clothes swiftly turned into ice-cold layers on her skin, and she shivered. His hair looked like it was already soaked from standing in the rain briefly.

"I'll just get you a towel," she said quietly, disappearing to the back of the house where the linen cupboard was, getting out a couple of towels.

Daryl was still standing in the living room when she walked back in. He unzipped his jacket, and began peeling it off slowly.

"Oh," Beth murmured as she stepped forward, holding her hand out to take his jacket, whilst offering him a towel with her other. He seemed to hesitate for a fraction of a second before he removed the jacket completely and handed it to Beth. Her eyes followed the line of his arms as he shed the item of clothing, revealing that he was wearing a black shirt underneath with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He took the proffered towel, immediately drying his hair roughly. Beth took his jacket over to the dining room and hung it on the back of one of the chairs.

She walked back into the living room, highly conscious of how she must look. Her black sweater was made of incredibly thin material, and it clung to her skin. The long sleeves flapped around her wrists, whilst sticking to her upper arms. There was a strong possibility there were leaves stuck in her hair, which hung from her ponytail in wet strands. In short, she probably looked like a drowned puppy.

He glanced at her as she stood uncertainly in the archway. His hair looked haphazardly tousled. Beth could not have been more aware of how alone they were.

"I'll just…be a minute," she gestured at upstairs, before abruptly leaving the room again. She hurried upstairs, flinging her wet clothes off once she was in her room. She frantically dried herself with the towel before putting some fresh clothes on, trying not to make too much noise. She caught her reflection in her mirror and gawped. There were indeed a couple of leaves stuck in her hair, and the strands of hair stuck around her face made her look like she had been foraging in the woods for days. Beth righted herself as best she could, smoothing her hair and plucking the leaves out. She shivered as she went back downstairs, her skin still cold underneath her clothes.

Daryl was standing exactly where she'd left him, clutching the towel by his side.

"Sorry, I was completely soaked." She apologised as she entered the room. His eyes immediately locked on to her, flickering as he took in her new clothes.

"I'll take the towel, if you're finished," she extended her hand to him again.

"Thanks," he muttered softly, passing her the damp towel. She hung the towel over the back of the chair in the dining room. She was stalling. She took a deep breath as she adjusted the towel on the chair, spreading it evenly. If he was here, it could only be a good thing…right?

When she entered the living room he was still standing in the same spot, his arms folded across his chest as he waited for her.

He cleared his throat again. "All right?" He drawled, looking at her questioningly.

She flushed. "Yes." And damn if her tone was a little defensive.

"'Bout the other week-" he started again.

"It's fine." Beth cut in. "I mean, it's not fine, but…I overstepped. I'm sorry."

Daryl chewed the inside of his cheek before shaking his head.

"You did nothing wrong. Not sayin' I believe ya. I ain't a good person," he emphasised these last words. "But you weren't nothing but…you, so…don't apologise."

Beth couldn't help but smile as she felt a warmth within her, even as she opened her mouth to dispute that he wasn't a good person.

"Unless you got proof, which you don't, you're wasting your breath." He said impassively, effectively cutting off anything she was going to say.

Beth closed her mouth, but her lips twisted, quivering as she tried not to grin but failing.

"Daryl…don't you see? You just being here is the proof."

His eyes narrowed slightly. "That right? All I gotta do is come over?"

"I'm being serious. You…" Beth fumbled for words. She was going to say he didn't have to believe her, but she would be lying then.

"You can tell me on Saturday." He stated, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly as he saw her struggle. "That car is still available, if you still wanna look at it."

She nodded, arching an eyebrow. "Sure, that sounds good. The car, and proving you wrong."

He snorted, shaking his head briefly. "Pick you up at 10?"

Beth nodded. "Please." Her smile turned warm as he nodded, holding her gaze. He was a lot more relaxed around her than he had been all those months ago. Beth retrieved his jacket from the dining room, and handed it back to him. He zipped it up as he turned to walk out and she followed him to the door and on to the veranda. It had stopped raining again, for the moment.

"I'll see you on Saturday," she said.

He nodded again, and turned to pick up his helmet but stopped. "Did you wait for me?" He asked suddenly, looking back at her.

Beth blinked, puzzled, even as her heart skipped a beat. "Sorry?"

"That Saturday. I was meant to come pick you up."

"Oh…ye-um, yes." She stumbled over her words.

He didn't say anything for a moment, glaring out on to the fields.

"You prove I'm not an asshole, that'll just make me feel like an even bigger asshole." He stated eventually.

"That was kind of an asshole thing to do," Beth said agreeably.

He smirked then, but it faded as he looked at her. "'M sorry."

She closed the distance between them, stepping on her tiptoes to gently place her hand on his shoulder to steady herself as she placed a soft, chaste kiss on his cheek. She felt him freeze, and she stepped away from him a little embarrassed.

"You're forgiven."

He gave her a heated look before he turned to pick up his helmet from the bench. "That how you forgive everyone?"

"Nope," she grinned bashfully.

He shook his head, before he put his helmet on. Beth watched him mount his bike, before he looked back as he revved the engine. She waved, and he drove away.

Maybe she'd regret doing that later, but as she touched her lips gingerly, she remembered the feel of his skin and couldn't think of anything else.

.

.

Hershel shut the door quietly behind him, having just arrived home from a pleasant day at Otis and Patricia's. Ben Whitley had joined them, and they had lunched and played cards for most of the afternoon.

Hershel stilled as he heard noise coming from the kitchen. It was raining again heavily outside and it had drowned out any noise. He walked through to the kitchen slowly, his eyes opening as he entered the room.

Beth was cooking dinner, moving around the kitchen with the grace she'd been born with, humming to herself.

"Bethy?"

She nearly dropped the spoon she was holding, looking around with wide eyes.

"Oh hi Daddy," she smiled, relaxing once more.

"Everything all right?" Hershel scrutinised her closely, stepping further into the room.

"Yep, dinner's almost ready!" She resumed stirring the pot. "Spaghetti, your favourite," she turned around, holding the spoon out with some of the sauce.

He obligingly tasted the sauce, and nodded approvingly. "Very good."

Beth beamed at him, and Hershel felt like could have been doing the same, he wasn't sure. But she seemed happy.

.

Later, after they had eaten and were clearing the dishes from the table, Hershel noticed Beth glancing at him a couple of times.

"Thank you for that wonderful meal," he said as he stacked their plates.

"You're welcome." Beth smiled at him but it was a little distracted. "Um, on Saturday," she began.

"Yes?" He asked, turning to her with a smile.

"Daryl will be picking me up in the morning. He said he's found a car to look at."

Hershel felt the dawning of understanding. "I see."

Beth looked at him uncertainly.

Remembering himself, he smiled at his daughter. "I hope this one is the one you've been looking for."

Beth looked relieved, and nodded agreeably. "I hope so too."

A/N: Short chapter...travelled for 40ish hours, can't sleep...gotta love jetlag.

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