Beth couldn't keep from smiling at dinner. She so was happy to have everyone back, especially Daryl, and she didn't even mind a few new faces at the table though she found Amanda's father, Daryl's brother, truly frightening. She never met anyone like him before and wondered if he was really Daryl's brother but when she watched him, she picked up little mannerisms, such as their smirk, that were alike.

The older Dixon caught Beth looking at him a couple of times today, scared the hell out of her, too, but he just nodded or gave her a little smile. Sometimes he winked. She thought his girlfriend, Rowan, was young and pretty and she certainly didn't seem afraid of the man. She stuck close to him or Amanda and seemed a bit nervous. The other man, Caesar, he was friendly, jumped right in and helped with any of the work that needed to be done. He helped Oscar carry buckets of water from the stream to the prison, always had a smile and never complained about the heat or the hard work. His arms were really big and muscular...nice...but not near as nice as Daryl's.

Beth didn't know what happened to Amanda. No one would talk about it. It looked like someone beat her up. Her whole face was swollen and bruised. Her lip was cut and she only ate a bite or two before excusing herself from the table. She said she was tired and had a headache. Hershel gave her something for the pain and she went to sleep. But she didn't go to sleep upon the perch like she usually did. She took her pillow and blanket to one of the empty cells. Maggie and Caesar tied some sheets to the bars for privacy, like the rest of them had.

Something happened between Rick and Amanda and I don't know what. The younger girl thought to herself. It must've been really bad. They aren't even speaking to each other. I wonder if it has something to do with her dad. The tension between him and Rick is...is...really scary. It's rubbing off on Daryl because he seems extra grumpy. Maybe he's just worried. Beth smiled at him and he mumbled something with his mouth full that she interpreted as Good food. Thanks, darlin'. I missed you.

Daryl could've of sworn someone was trying to play with his feet under the table. He looked up sharply to see Rowan watching him with a questioning look. Is Merle's fuckin' bitch hittin' on me? Goddamn whore! Beth was sitting beside the woman, with a sweet smile on her face, and didn't seem to notice anything out of the ordinary going on. Merle sat on the other side of Rowan eating heartily but not saying much other than to thank Carol and Beth for the delicious meal.

Caesar had helped Carol and Beth in the kitchen and now he was down at the other end of the table deep in discussion with Herschel about who knows what. Daryl thought the man was a little too friendly with everyone and didn't trust him. He'd only been here less than a day and Carol and Beth already seemed smitten by his "charms".

When Amanda excused herself to go lay down, Rick had skipped out early in favor of walking the fence with Carl.

Carol handed the baby girl off to Daryl and started to clear the table. Caesar jumped up to help her out, earning him a rare but lovely smile from the woman.

Daryl bounced Judith on his knee. "You're a natural, little brother," observed Merle, leaning back in his chair with his arm on the back of Rowan's. "You oughtta be makin' some babies of your own, now," he said, glancing toward Beth with a knowing grin. The poor girl turned bright red. Herschel may have even turned a few shades darker but Merle didn't give the man any notice.

"Excuse me," Rowan said, pushing her chair back. "I think I'll see if Carol and Caesar need some help."

"Okay, darlin'," Merle said, swatting her ass. She reached back and cuffed him upside the head. "Bitch." He laughed, reaching for her but she skipped quickly out of the way. He caught the young blonde who had a serious thing for Daryl looking at him with her fork frozen in the air and mouth half-open, so he winked at her and then turned back to Daryl. "So, Baby Brother, how long ya'll been here?"

Beth closed her mouth and almost dropped her fork. She wasn't used to seeing such open displays of affection? Nope, that wasn't the word. Whatever it was called, her dad would disapprove of that type behavior and language at the table. Personally, Beth thought it was...interesting, maybe even amusing.

Herschel cleared his throat, He was obviously not amused with the whole display. "C'mon, Bethie," he said standing up. "I'm sure there's some chores that need to be done before dark."

"But, Daddy, I'm not..." done eating or watching Daryl play with Judith. She pouted.

"Now, Beth!" His stern tone brooked no argument. Sullenly she picked up her plate and followed him but not without one last look over her shoulder at the two brothers.

Merle waited until father and daughter left the room. "Damn boy, don't let that hot little thing slip through your fingers."

Judith pulled at Daryl's hair as he tried to look around her at his brother. "What the hell ya talkin' about?"

"The farmer's youngest daughter, the little blonde who..."

"Ya don't know a damned thing."

Merle laughed. "And here I thought ya done growed up...Shit, boy, she's practically throwin' herself at ya. Hasn't taken her eyes off ya since we got here this mornin'." Merle watched his brother spit the baby's little fist out of his mouth as she grabbed his lips. Then he smiled and added, "Well, except when she was checking me or Martinez out, that is."

"Fuck, Merle! Sounds like you're the one lookin' where ya shouldn't be." Daryl turned the baby around and tried bouncing her on his knee again.

"I just wanted to see what's up with the chick who wants my baby brother to pop her cherry."

Daryl looked quickly around to make sure no one heard what his brother had just said. "Shut the fuck up, Merle! Ya don't know what the hell you're talkin' about. She's just a kid."

Merle snorted. "Kid, my ass! All I'm sayin', Darylina, if ya don't make a move on her someone else is gonna beat ya to that sweet thing."

"Who? You?"

"Hell no," Merle chuckled at his naive little brother. "I mean if she asked me, sure, I'd be happy to oblige," he teased. "But I usually prefer my women to have a little more experience. I was thinkin' Martinez might start sniffin' around. He's closer to her age anyway and women seem to love 'im. He likes "talkin" to them or some stupid shit like that."

"You're fuckin' crazy."

Daryl took Judith back to Carol and practically ran over Rowan trying to get away from Merle's mocking laughter. "Watch where you're goin', bitch."

She didn't understand why Merle's brother had so much hostility towards her. "What is your problem?"

"Guess it all started when you put a gun in my face," he said, glaring at the slender woman who kicked like a mule.

Oh, maybe that was it, Rowan thought. Probably should apologize. "Look, Daryl, about yesterday..."

"I think we need to have a little talk," Daryl interrupted, grabbing her upper arm, and yanking her around the corner, out of earshot from the cell block.

She struggled against his strong, painful grip. "Get your hands off of me, you prick!"

Daryl pushed the woman against the wall, making sure to stay clear of her feet. "We need to set some shit straight. I don't care what my brother mighta told you. I don't need or want no favors. Sure as hell not from you."

"What the fuck are you talking about?"

"Don't act like you don't know...rubbing your feet all over me under the table." Daryl's voice lowered as he got in her face. "You're my brother's whore and I ain't ever gonna touch ya."

The punch that hit his jaw almost made Daryl's eyes cross. "Stupid bitch!" Guess he should've watched her fists, too.

"Don't you ever call me a whore, asshole," Rowan warned, pointing a slim finger just inches from his face. "And let me set the record straight. I wasn't playing footsies with you, you redneck idiot. It was your little teenaged girlfriend. I would never touch you. Ever! I can't believe you and Merle are even brothers." She shoved him out of the way and went back to the cell block. She smacked Merle hard on the shoulder as she passed. "You're little brother's a bigger pig than you are."

Daryl took on guard duty even though he didn't have to. The cell block was too damned crowded for his taste at the moment and he just needed some fresh air. All the fuckin' drama was giving him a headache. He couldn't believe that bullshit Merle was spouting about Beth being after him and then there was that thing with his crazy bitch...Beth was just a sweet kid torn out of a normal life and thrown into hell. The entire group grew close after being run off the farm. She didn't pay him any more attention than she did anyone else. He snorted. Some things never changed. Merle would pick on him 'til the day one of 'em died. Hell, if Merle went first his ghost would probably haunt him. Asshole!

The light patter of small feet coming up the stairs met his ears. Beth? Couldn't be anyone else. She was wearing soft-soled shoes...the ones on his legs, under the table, were soft...the whore wore boots...Holy shit!

"Hey, Daryl," Beth said as she came into sight. Her hair was loose and she was wearing a long gauzy skirt that floated around her legs.

"What ya doing up here. It's late." He scowled at her, starting to realize maybe his brother wasn't completely full of shit. "Herschel will..."

"Daddy's asleep," she said unconcerned. "I'm glad you're back safely. I was so worried."

He shrugged a shoulder. "Weren't nothin'. Only gone two days."

"I know but it felt like forever." She moved beside him, watching down the dark road, together, like they've done before. Then she scooted a little closer until their arms were almost touching. She could have lost him. What if something happened and I never told him how I felt. What if...a soft breeze blew her hair across her face, into her mouth. She sputtered it out.

Daryl was watching her, thinking about what Merle had said. Nah, man was crazy, sober or not. He couldn't be right, could he? How the hell was he gonna head Beth off, that is, if his brother was right?

Oh my, he's looking at me, I can feel it, oh my, shoot...just go for it, Beth Greene. He's such a nice man. He'd be too respectful to make the first move. Out of respect for my father. Daddy can be such an old fart sometimes. I'll have to do it. Her mind was made up. She sighed audibly. Wish I was taller, like that girl Rowan, then wouldn't have to stand on my toes to reach his lips. I don't want him to think I'm a complete amateur. Jimmy did say I was a good kisser, God rest his soul, so I guess I shouldn't worry about it...but it has been a long time and I am out of practice. Maybe I could sit up on the wall and we'd be face to face...

Another gust picked her hair up and blew it into Daryl's face. He brushed it off impatiently.

"Sorry," she mumbled. Shoot, that wasn't cool.

"No problem." Shit! He didn't know what to say to her. She was so sweet and young. He didn't want to hurt her feelings. Why in the hell would she want him? Cuz he was the last "single" man standing? Fuck!

Beth inched closer so now her sleeve was touching his arm, his gloriously muscled, tanned arm. She inhaled deeply trying to catch his scent... Mmm...he smells like the outdoors, sunshine and sweat...and... Something warm brushed against her arm for just a moment and a wave of heat rushed through her body pooling low in her stomach. She opened her eyes wide...his skin had touched hers...his arm touched her arm. Did he feel it, too? Beth started to breathe a little faster. "Daryl?" she asked, her voice breathy with anticipation.

"Hmm?" he mumbled, still trying to figure how he was gonna do this. Maybe he should ask Possum...

Turn around! "Daryl!" she said a little too loud, much louder than she intended to.

Startled, he turned to face her. "What?" Beth grabbed his head pulling him down to her lips. He froze as her tongue tried to push its way into his mouth. She was so soft and so warm and his body responded even though his mind was screaming in shock. Fuckin' asshole was right! He stiffened as she leaned in to him.

He tried to say something to make her stop, "Beth..." but that only granted her tongue access to his mouth, a mouth that hadn't felt lips or tongue against it for a very long time. Fuck! NO, no, no! Not fuck! Her slender arms slid around his neck as she relaxed into to his traitorous body. Goddamn it, she feels good, too fuckin' good, not like a kid but a woman soft in all the right places. Daryl rested his hands on her small hips...they had a nice curve...fit right into his...he dipped his tongue into her mouth for a quick taste and felt her gasp in his mouth. She tastes like fresh mint leaves. She smelled so fresh, natural, like the outdoors, the soil in the garden she tended. His hand went to her head, tangled itself in her silky hair, and he took control of the kiss...he had to...had to slow it down a bit...stop it before one of them hyperventilated and he was afraid it was gonna be him.

"Whoaaaaa...sorry bro...if I knowed you was busy...I would waited," Merle chuckled and grinned at them both with that shit-eatin' grin that was so fuckin' shitty. Daryl wanted to knock it right off his face.

Beth blushed hotly but glared at Merle and didn't make a move away from Daryl's side, his arm was still around her.

"Goddamn it, Merle, what ya sneakin' up on me for?"

"Hell, boy, neither one of ya'll would o' heard a tank comin'!" He shook his head and warned his brother with a laugh. "If ya ain't careful, her daddy's gonna cut your dick off, boy!"

Daryl gently removed the young girl's hands from his body feeling her warmth go with them. "Beth darlin', go back to the cell block."

Beth looked up at him sharply. That almost sounded like an order. She put her hands on her hips and started to tell him she wasn't going anywhere until she felt like it but her rescuer came by way of a raspy, somewhat amused voice.

"Why don't you be a gentleman and walk the lady back, baby brother." Merle winked at Beth. "I'll keep watch...until you're done."

Beth brightened and took Daryl's hand, "C'mon," she said, practically dragging him down the stairs, followed by the sound of the elder Dixon's laughter.

This is not the way to the cell block. "Beth," he protested. She pulled him into a dark alcove and immediately latched on to him again. Her hands grabbed his shoulders and she pulled herself up, her mouth assaulting his, and damn it, he didn't want to stop her though every fiber of his being shouted that he should. His heart threatened to pound right out of his chest.

Daryl's hands went to her hips and he lifted her up for a better angle. She stood on his boots and pressed herself against him. He could feel her burning heat against his lower stomach and his body tightened immediately in response to hers.

Finally, Beth sighed into his mouth as she felt the growing bulge in his pants press against her. Oh Lord, finally. She thrust her tongue into his mouth and pushed herself into him. She wanted, no needed, to be closer...

His hands slipped past the elastic waistband of the long skirt she wore and gripped her ass through lacey panties. "Shit," he muttered into her sweet hot mouth as her eager hands found their way inside his shirt. When they found his straining erection, through jeans that had suddenly become way too tight, he almost came undone. "Oh, shit," he groaned as he jerked against her. "Fuck, darlin...slow down," he panted in her hair, pulling her hands away.

"I don't want to," she protested.

"If ya don't, sweetheart, this is goin' to be over 'fore it starts."

Not backing down, she kissed the hollow spot at the base of his throat. "I knew you wanted me as much as I wanted you."

Hell, I didn't even know it 'til now...

She claimed his mouth again, her sweet tongue sweeping across the roof of it sending violent shudders through his body. "Oh, Daryl...I knew you were the one. I just knew it," she gasped trying to unbuckle his pants with shaking hands. "I'm so glad I waited."

Waited? Merle's voice reverberated inside his head. I just want to see what's up with the chick who wants my baby brother to pop her cherry. Fuck! She's just a kid...only seventeen. She had his pants undone and started pushing them down, reaching for his cock..."Beth, Beth, honey, Beth!" He grabbed her hands again. How the hell did she get them loose? He didn't remember letting them go.

"What's wrong?"

He lifted her chin. "Beth..." How do you ask a girl if she's done it before? "Shit...Beth, darlin' are you...have you..." Fuck! he was screwin' it up. Just ask, ya pussy, Merle's voice taunted him.

"What, Daryl?" She leaned in, sucking on his earlobe.

He fuckin' forgot what he was saying...until her slim hand worked its way back down and inside his pants again...Fuck! He moaned as she circled him with a small hand that was surprisingly strong and began stroking him. "Fuck!" he said, out loud this time. He gently, but firmly, pulled her hand away and tried to catch his breath.

"Am I doing something wrong?"

Oh God, no. Doin' it just right. Too damn right. "No darlin'...no...Beth...are ya...a virgin?"

She stopped and looked at him, slightly puzzled. "Does it matter?"

Daryl sighed. "Yes. No. Shit! I mean...are you, Beth?"

"Yes" she said in a small voice. "Is it that obvious?" Her face fell and she looked like she would cry any minute.

A slight quiver in her lower lip tugged at his heart. Fuck, when did I become such a pussy? Daryl shook his head. "Beth darlin', you don't want me..."

"I do..." she insisted.

"No, ya don't. I ain't good enough..."

She interrupted, "Daryl, that's not true."

He held both of her small hands in his making sure they didn't tempt him again or that she didn't run off before he had his say. "Ya don't know shit about me, sweetheart."

Unshed tears filled her eyes. "You don't like me?"

"No, that ain't what I said." Why do women always hafta twist the words around? "I'm...me and Merle had a really...rough life..."

"I don't care." She tried to pull her hands free. She wanted to touch him, to prove to him that he was wrong, that he was worthy of being loved.

He held her hands tight. "And I'm pretty messed up, broken, ain't fit to be loved by a sweet thing like you."

"Daryl please...It doesn't matter, your past. I don't care about any of that. Whatever happened then made you who you are. That's what matters...who you are now."

"Beth," he shook his head. "Stop it, darlin'."

"No, Daryl Dixon. You stop it!" She pulled her hands free and held his face firmly between them, making sure he looked her in the eyes when she spoke. "I've known you for almost a year and I see is a good, strong man..."

"Ya don't know..."

"Hush..." She put her fingers to his lips and rose on her toes to follow up with a tender kiss. "Please let me finish. I see a good, strong man who cares about people, who takes care of his new 'family'." He dropped his eyes. "Look at me. When I see you play with Judith or teach Carl something new...that man isn't broken." She pressed her lips to his again. "That's the man I want to have my virginity."

"Beth..." He tried but he knew he didn't have a chance out-talking her.

"Don't tell me I'm too young or that I have plenty of time. You don't know that...nobody does...and I don't want to die a virgin, Daryl."

He sighed heavily and leaned his forehead against hers. "Beth, darlin', I ain't gonna take your virginity against a wall in some dark corner. And I ain't gonna get you pregnant. Herschel'll kill us both." And he'll cut my dick off.

She pulled a condom out of her bra and handed it to him. "I got that part covered."

Holy fuckin' shit! Just when he thought he had his body under control, she done gone and pulled a rubber out from between those cute little pert tits that he hadn't even touched yet. Jesus H. Christ, he was gonna die right on the spot of heart failure...with a hard on. "Shit, girl, been plannin' this long?" he barely choked out.

"You have no idea." She answered with a smile and watched as he buckled his pants and stuck the condom in his shirt pocket. "Daryl?"

He looked down at her flushed face, blonde hair messy, from his hands and he thought she had to be the prettiest girl he'd ever seen...he cupped her cheeks and kissed her sweetly. "Not against a wall, darlin. You deserve better than that for ya first time."

She nodded, a bit sadly but took the hand Daryl offered and walked back to the cell block with him.

Merle just heard Daryl as his brother reached the top of the stairs to the guard tower. Damn...he was rusty. Should have heard him coming before now. "Pussy."

"What?" Daryl asked, standing beside his older brother.

"If you're back this soon ya either didn't do it or didn't do right by the girl. Either way makes ya a pussy."

"Pft." Daryl snorted

"That's what I figured." Merle rubbed his stump. "Why didn't ya? The girl wanted it."

"She's a virgin."

"Well, no shit, Darylina. Why else would she be after your pussy ass?"

Daryl shook his head. His brother would never understand. "Shut up, Merle."

Merle just laughed at him.

"Damn it, ya fuckin' asshole. I ain't gonna fuck her against the wall her first time."

"Pussy." It was still too fuckin' easy to push Daryl's buttons. As his older brother, Merle couldn't help but take advantage of that fact.

"Damn it, Merle. Cut it out."

"Ya like her?" he asked in all seriousness.

"Don't know. Never thought of her in that way 'til tonight." Not until his body let him know in no uncertain terms that she wasn't a kid anymore. "She felt so fuckin' good."

"How long's it been since ya got laid?"

Daryl just looked at his brother.

"Well? Spit it out, boy."

"Before all this shit." Daryl gestured to the few walkers that roamed along the fence line in front of the prison.

"Holy shit!" Merle couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Goddamn it, boy. No wonder you're so tensed up. Go rub one out so ya can think straight." He shook his head, muttering, "Unfuckin' believable."

His brother's words rolled over him like a freight train. "Get the hell outta here, bro. Go fuck ya own whore and leave me the hell alone. Ain't in the mood for ya shit tonight."

Merle put his stump on Daryl's shoulder. "Now wait a minute, little brother, I know ya got some issues so I'm gonna let that 'whore' crack slide for now." But I better not hear ya say it again. "I'm tryin' to help ya out. Just caught me off guard, that's all." He rubbed his forehead with his left hand. "Well, ya must feel somethin' for the girl if ya wanna treat her right."

"Fine, whatever."

"Cut the attitude, Darylina. I'm gonna give ya some brotherly advice on women so just shut up an' listen."

Advice on women from his brother? "Pft."

Merle smacked Daryl in the head. "Shut the fuck up and listen! Girls mature faster than us and that little blonde beauty is already more mature than you'll ever be. You wanna do right by her?"

Daryl rubbed his sore head. Okay, so maybe Merle was only half full of shit. "Yes?"

"You askin' me or tellin' me?"

Did he fuckin' hafta make everythin' so hard? "Yes, I wanna do right by her" If I actually do it, I wanna do it right.

Merle nodded. "Good. Then talk to her daddy."

"What?" Daryl sputtered, "Ya gotta fuckin' be kiddin' me."

"No, man, I ain't! Unless you gonna run off with her ya gotta live with the old man so I suggest ya let your intentions be known."

"What...that I may or may not take his baby girl's virginity?" Yeah, that'll go over real well with her bible-thumping daddy.

Merle smirked. "I wouldn't use those exact words, Bro. Be a little more subtle, if ya can."

"Fuck you, asshole."

Merle chuckled and patted his brother on the back. "Missed ya, Darylina."

This chapter is for a lovely reader who has been bouncing in her seat ever so long just waiting for Beth to finally make her move. I do hope it lived up to your expectations.

Thank you for staying with me this far! I appreciate all of my wonderful readers. Please take a moment to leave a review in the box below and let me know what you think.

Happy reading!