It's official, I give you permission to smack me for not updating in awhile. I have my reasons, lol. I burned myself at work and I've been having major writers block on this story. But have you guys seen the video released yesterday? Three minutes and five seconds of little sneak peeks! What I can tell is Daryl and Beth make it to a golf course - Daryl whacking some walkers with a golf club. Two weeks and one day until the new episodes! Can't wait!

The next morning, Beth woke up feeling rejuvenated. She was surprised how one person could change her whole outlook of life. She danced as she got ready for work, pinning her hair up into a ponytail as she sang to herself in the mirror. Beth was happy. She was happy before, but didn't realize how happy she could be.

Beth tied on her apron, taking out the drawing of Daryl and slip of paper with his number on it and set it on her dresser. She programmed his number into her cell phone, adding it under his contact of 'Daryl.' Beth sashayed into her kitchen, poured herself a bowl of cereal and ate it quickly. She had twenty minutes to get to work. Seeing as she had nothing else to do, she wrangled on her coat and made her way out to the car.

With five minutes to spare, Beth made it to work. She scanned the parking lot quickly to see if Daryl's truck was amongst the other cars. He knew she worked this morning, maybe he did too; she didn't ask. "Good morning, Charlotte, Andrea," Beth greeted as she broke into the diner with a smile. It wasn't as busy as it had been yesterday and Beth was thankful.

Andrea flashed her a coy smile as she balanced three plates in her arms. Andrea and Beth had known each other for years. Nothing got passed her whether Beth wanted it to or not. She ventured behind the counter to stow away her belongings, greeting the usual customers she knew by name.

Beth was just about to clock in when Jeanine stopped her. "Before you do that," Jeanine started, catching Beth's eye. She was lacking her usual charm and frantic happiness. "There's someone at table five wanting to talk to you," she said. Table five was around the corner, hidden from view. Beth's first thought was Daryl.

But something by the look on Jeanine's face told her it wasn't. Jeanine had seen Daryl before, she didn't know much about him, but she at least had seen him. Beth nodded, heading out and around the counter. She smiled politely to customers that waved, her smile dying when she turned the corner.

Sitting at table five was Jimmy, her ex-boyfriend. Beth almost felt her heart stop. The way they broke it off wasn't exactly the best way to end a relationship. Things were thrown ,words were said, but worst of all, he had hit Beth. Seeing him now was almost like another slap to her face.

She felt the tears tingle behind her eyes seeing him for the first time in two years. Why would he come here? Beth made it overly clear that she never wanted to see him again in her lifetime. She turned to walk back, to leave to get away from him but he darted forward, grabbing her wrist. "Beth, don't!"

He was touching her and it burned. Beth never wanted to feel the touch of his skin against hers ever, especially not now that she has Daryl. "Just talk to me," he said, dropping her wrist. "I won't touch you again," he drawled. A few of the customers were watching them through stolen glances. Andrea and Jeanine were among them.

"Why are you here?" Beth asked, wrapping her arms around herself after wiping away a stray tear.

Jimmy straightened out. He was talking to Beth in the way someone talked to a frightened animal; calm and soothing though he was anything but either of those. "I wanted to catch up," he said. "It's been two years, Bethany, the least we could do is just talk." Jimmy was just digging himself a deeper hole. No one called her Bethany since they broke it off; always Beth and nothing more.

"And then you leave," Beth said. She wiped her hands off on her apron as she sat down across from Jimmy. Beth never thought her morning would be taking a turn like this. It had started so great; on a high still from last night and now it had taken a plunge.

Beth folded her hands gingerly in her lap while Jimmy set his elbows on the tabletop and leaned against his hands. Years later, and he was still doing it. "So how you been?" He asked, eyes steady on hers. Beth shrugged. "I've been great, thanks for asking," he smirked. "I've been in Texas mostly, pursuing my bull riding career like I always wanted. I'm visiting for the holidays."

Beth vaguely remembered that Jimmy wanted to be a bull rider. Everyone thought it would be a pipe dream. Jimmy had worked on a farm all his life but he never rode a bull. It surprised Beth that he actually went for it. "So, Bethany. What have you ben up to? Got a man?"

"Don't call me that," Bethany narrowed her gaze. It was only then she realized how much Jimmy's face matured. His boyish features were now more defined, angled and rugged. She could just by looking at him that girls would be all over him. "And I've been waitressing," she said. There was no way that she would be telling him about Daryl.

"And she does have a boyfriend so I think it's time for you to leave," Andrea said at the end of their table. She was shooting daggers at Jimmy. Then she turned to Beth. "Daryl is here, go wait with him while I take out the trash." Beth looked over to the front counter to where Daryl and Jeanine were.

He raised an eyebrow at her. She looked back to Andrea and nodded. "Thanks," she whispered as she walked past. An embarrassed blush burned on Beth's cheeks as she walked back to Daryl. She knew that almost the whole diner had been watching them. Also, she was thankful that Andrea interrupted when she had. It could have gotten ugly.

Beth sidled up to Daryl, wrapping his arm around her petite shoulders. "You okay?" He asked, inkling his head to her ear. Beth just nodded. In reality, she wasn't. She was reeling inside from the encounter with him. Beth watched as Andrea talked theatrically with Jimmy, forcing him to leave.

She knew that she could handle herself. After a few minutes, Jimmy stalked past Andrea. Daryl's arm tightened around Beth as Jimmy passed by. "See yah 'round, sweetheart," he said before exiting the diner. This was terrible. Jimmy would be around for the holidays. It was only the middle of December.

"Who was that?" Daryl asked, letting his arm fall back by his side. Beth looked up at him. She had to tell him the truth.

"Jeanine, do you mind if I have the day off? I'll work your night shift tomorrow," she offered. Jeanine nodded, wanting the chance with her kids. Besides, she knew how touchy of a subject Jimmy was to Beth. "Thank you," Beth said.

Beth left Daryl's side to get her belongings. He waited patiently as she slipped on her coat, buttoned it up and returned. When they broke out into the parking lot there was no sign of Jimmy anywhere. Beth could breathe a sigh of relief. "I'm sorry about that," Beth said. "He, Jimmy was an old boyfriend," she explained, shoving her hands into her pockets. That was what she forgot – her gloves.

Daryl nodded. "I thought I was walking into World War III when I came in. Everyone was on edge and then I saw you with him and I didn't know what to expect. The blonde waitress saw me and told me to wait," he said. "I could tell by the look on your face that something happened between you two."

Frosty breath floated from between her lips as she sighed. "He was… horrible to me. He hit me," Beth admitted, her eyes flicking up to meet Daryl's. "It was toxic and I didn't know how to escape it. Andrea helped," she said, shivering into her coat.

Anger flared within Daryl. He hated Jimmy for touching a woman like that, let alone Beth. He thought about the scars on his back and how she hadn't seen them yet. He knew her pain even if his was a little more severe. "I'm sorry," Daryl breathed. He opened his arms for Beth and she walked into them, squeezing him tightly.

What she needed was comfort and he was there to give it to her. "It's not your fault," she told him, closing her eyes. He kissed her hair, breathing in the perfume she chose to put on this morning. She smelled like honeysuckle.

"Why don't we do something fun today, huh?" He asked, pulling away slightly so he could see her face. "Get your mind off of it." Beth nodded. He slid his hands down her arms until he wrapped his fingers in hers. "I'll meet you at your house. Get changed in something warm. Wear snow boots if you have them," he said.

Beth furrowed her brow. "What are we doing?" Daryl led her to her car as she fumbled for her keys with cold fingers. She stuck the key into the lock and opened her door.

"You'll see," he smiled, leaning against her door frame. "I'll be right behind you. I just have to stop home quick to grab something. Ten minutes tops." Beth nodded. He leaned forward and kissed Beth's lips. It was still just as special. He then shut her door for her and watched as she sped off.

Beth was thankful that Daryl had shown up at the diner when he did. She wouldn't know what to do with herself if he hadn't. She drove straight home, lucky enough to catch all the green lights on the way there. Three cars back and she could see Daryl's truck. Beth shivered. She was lucky to have Daryl in her life.

She jumped out of her car as she watched him speed by. He would be back soon. Beth hurried inside and stripped off her uniform in favor of leggings underneath jeans and a thick sweater. She tied on her snow boots. She buttoned on her jacket again and then went to find her gloves and her hat. A few minutes later and Daryl knocked on her door. Beth opened it to him grinning. "Ready to go sledding?" He asked holding up a sled. Beth laughed, shaking her head. Only him, she thought. She grabbed ahold of his hand and dashed out to his truck. Her day was turning around.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Review please! (: