This chapter is dedicated to siarh who has been ever so 'patiently' waiting at least 15 chapters for some cherry pickin'...hope it lives up to your expectations.

Beth shuddered and stirred the gruel in the bowl that sat on the table in front of her. It was lumpy, cold, and tastes like…she had no idea, never tasted anything like it before but she imagined it might be akin to pig slop. This was partially her fault. She overslept and missed breakfast duty. She'd make sure that never happened again, not if this was the result of it. A sideways glance at Daryl spooning the nasty stuff into his mouth…like a pig…told her that he had no qualms about eating anything set before him presented as food.

Seeing him this morning in broad daylight made her blush a bit just thinking about what happened last night. The things that man did with his mouth and tongue…Lord have mercy. Her face burned even hotter as a warm tingling feeling settled in her lower stomach at the memory that threatened to resurface in full right here at the table.

She had been horrified by what Daryl had said about his dad. She knew stuff like that happened but she never knew anyone that it happened to. He grabbed her and kissed her until she couldn't breathe. When he loosened his grip, he was gasping for air too. She could see him clearly in the moonlight and the look on his face was one she had never seen before…determined...almost feral in its intensity.

Daryl sat up abruptly, bringing her with him, his eyes never leaving hers. He pulled her shirt over her head and she fought the urge to cover her breasts with her arms even though she was wearing a bra. She dropped her gaze as she felt heat and color spread across her chest and cheeks. He lifted her chin gently. "Do you still want this?"

Yes, of course she did, she just wasn't expecting it tonight. She nodded.

He stroked her flushed cheek. "You're shy all the sudden," he teased gently, the corner of his mouth turned up in a crooked smile that made her stomach flip.

"It's so…light out here." Beth kind of thought it would be dark. She didn't realize they would do it outside, totally naked for the whole world to see.

"I wanna see ya when I fu—make love to ya," Daryl said, brushing her long golden hair over her shoulders with his fingers.

Beth swallowed and inhaled deeply and in a moment of brazenness and false confidence, she unhooked her bra from the front, letting it fall open.

Daryl's blue eyes immediately dropped to her bare breasts. "Holy shit!" he exclaimed, under his breath.

Her arms flew up but he was quicker and grabbed them, holding both down by her sides. "No baby, that's good. Better 'an good. Don't hide yourself from me."

"Beth, darlin', pass me some more o' that," Daryl asked with his mouth full and pointed with his spoon to the large bowl of breakfast mush in the center of the table. He avoided looking directly at her because since last night…he could only see her naked body. Now that he knew what she looked like without clothes, his mind automatically undressed her.

Her tits were small but so fuckin' perfect. Pale, round, small pink nipples puckered into pebbles…he reached out for them and when his palms flattened against the smooth skin, her eyes closed and she leaned into his hands. He kneaded them gently and bent down to kiss each perfect one. Her small hands gripped his forearms as he increased the pressure. A small moan escaped her lips and her head fell back.

Daryl slid his hands down her flat belly to the top of her skirt and pulled at the elastic waistband. "Stand up," he ordered, huskily and she rose on shaky legs balancing herself with a hand on his shoulder. He wanted a close-up and personal view…and another taste. "Take off your skirt." She complied, slipping the gauzy fabric down her hips to let it pool at her ankles.

His breath caught in his throat as she stood there before him only in a pair of pink panties, skin like ivory in the moonlight. He had touched her there before but he had never laid eyes on her naked body. She was even more beautiful than he could have imagined and she was giving herself to him. He leaned forward and kissed the satin triangle slipping his hands under the lace to hold onto her soft round ass. Fuck, this has gotta be heaven, he told himself.

Daryl pulled her to his mouth and sucked her through the thin fabric. Her head dropped forward and her hair fell onto his face as her fingers dug into his shoulders through the worn fabric of his shirt.

He slid her panties down and buried his face in the soft blond curls already dampened from his mouth. She was wet, but he wanted her wetter…so wet that he'd slide right in…no resistance until he reached her cherry.

He flicked his tongue over the velvety flesh and held on tight to her hips to keep her still so he could continue his exploration. With every stroke of his tongue she whimpered, each louder than the previous. His fingers parted the wet folds and he pushed one just inside her opening as he continued to tease her with the tip of his tongue. When he found the tiny pink pearl he pulled at it gently with his lips until her whimpering turned into a full blown wail and she grabbed at his hair almost pulling it out at the roots when she fell apart in his mouth.

Beth caught Merle watching her with a curious look on his face. Oh lord, can he tell? She glanced at him beneath her lashes and a wide grin spread across his face. He nodded and winked at her and went back to trying to eat his meal. Apparently he was pickier than his brother about the quality of the food. But now she felt the flames spread across her face and to her lower regions as visions of last night pushed their way to the forefront of her mind.

Beth thought she might have passed out because when she opened her eyes she was on her back on a stack of pillows. The stars above were so very bright as she watched them dreamily through half-closed eyes. How could she have ever thought the man was a virgin? What Daryl just did to her with his tongue surpassed anything his fingers ever made her feel. Every muscle in her body was either tingling or twitching or both. And on top of that, she was pretty sure she was as naked as the day she was born and she didn't even care.

Daryl's hands traveled from her hips, down her thighs, and stopped behind her knees. He spread her legs wide and she tried to focus on him…on his face…his blue eyes were veiled by his lashes. He still had his shirt on. She wanted to take it off of him but her muscles refused to respond so she just lay as his eyes roamed her body. Her breath quickened when his hands slid up her thighs. Rough knuckles barely brushed across her swollen center and her body bucked at this slight but intimate touch.

Daryl nudged her Beth's arm and nodded to her bowl. "You gonna eat that, sweetheart?" he asked. Beth shook her head and slid it to him.

His brother cocked his head and smirked at him. "You're awful hungry this morning, bro." he commented for no particular reason Daryl could think of. Was he trying to start something?

"So," the younger Dixon said, with a mouthful of gruel. "Got lots of work today, need my energy." Especially after using it all up last night, he thought, but kept that part to himself.

Beth lay back naked on the pillows, her wild hair glowed around her face like a halo…she looked like the angel she was. His hands held her hips…his scarred, calloused, sun-darkened hands. Daryl was mesmerized by the contrast of her soft pale flesh to his rough darker skin as he stroked the length of her thighs.

He liked getting her off before but to have access to every inch of her naked body was an entirely new opportunity…Daryl wished she wasn't a virgin because he wanted her so bad right now. He wanted to sink his cock in hard and deep and not stop til he reached the end.

He spread her legs and brushed her swollen pussy with the back of his knuckles, smiling when Beth quivered at the contact. God she turned him on…the way her body responded to his slightest touch...he was so fucking hard he couldn't see straight. She raised her head and he leaned forward for a quick kiss then stood between her legs and dropped his pants and boxers.

Beth hoped she could stay awake long enough to help with the dishes but what she really wanted to do was crawl into bed with Daryl and maybe relive last night. She covered her mouth and yawned. He was almost done eating. Her brow furrowed. He acted no different than before, maybe hungrier and more energetic. That could just be her imagination. She couldn't stop thinking about it and all he could do was shovel in the slop like it was his last meal.

Oh lord in heaven, she thought as he stood over her with a massive erection. He quickly fell to the ground between her thighs and covered her with his body. His tongue pushed its way into her mouth and his hands were…everywhere. Her brain couldn't keep up with the feelings every part of her body was sending its way. One hand kneaded a breast while the other found its way between her legs again. Her arms went around his head and her tongue met his in a battle for dominance which he won easily. She grabbed his ear lobe between her teeth. "Daryl," she groaned as he pressed his body against her.

"Condom," she tried to say as his cock came dangerously close to her slick opening. He didn't hear or didn't want to or maybe there was no blood left in his brain because it fled to the other part of his body that was determined to conquer her. "Daryl!" she hissed and bit down hard on his ear.

Daryl pushed his bowl away and sat back in his chair, finally full and satisfied. He didn't realize he had a smile on his face but everyone else at the table did.

His naked body was all over hers and he felt fuckin' better than he had in a long time. He had no worries about whether it was the right thing, if he was too old or she was too young or even if he was good enough…it just felt so right.

His cock pressed at the wet opening that was welcoming it...until a sharp pain sent the blood rushing back to his brain and his right earlobe. "Fuck!" he said pushing himself up. He never took Beth for the kind of girl that would want it rough but if she asked he sure as hell wouldn't say no. Her eyes were trying to focus on him and whatever noises came from her sweet lips made his cock jerk. Again, she "moaned" and he started to fall back down between her legs until she grabbed his arm. "Condom…backpack," she said breathlessly.

"Oh fuck," he said, taking in a deep breath. Slow down, Dixon. "Sorry, baby." He pulled a square foil packet out of his shirt pocket…the one he took from her, the one he saved just for this moment …. "Will this one do, darlin'?"

Beth sighed and pushed her chair back. She picked up the two empty bowls in front of Daryl. He touched her arm in a rare moment of what he would consider a display of public affection and said, "Thanks." She headed to the kitchen shaking her head. That's it? She plunged the bowls into the sink and began to scrub the sticky breakfast goo from them, surprised that he even left that much. Shoot, she had half expected him to lick the darned things clean.

To say Beth was astonished that he still had the condom from the night she first tried to seduce him was an understatement. She lay there totally exposed and vulnerable and watched as he tore the package open with his teeth and took the condom out. He handed it to her. "You do it."

She didn't know how to put one on but how hard could it be? Pretty hard, she thought almost giggling out loud at her own joke. She rose up and he moved closer so she could reach him. With trembling hands she tried to put it on him but it wasn't working and she was getting a little flustered. His large hands covered hers and he said softly, "Turn it over, honey." She did and tried again he sucked in a sharp breath as she began to unroll it.

"Sorry!" she said, biting her lower lip, fighting back frustration. She just knew she would mess it up.

He held her hands. "Don't be, sugar, ya ain't hurtin' me." He let out a breath and kissed her forehead. "Your hands on my cock just feel so fuckin' good I'm afraid I ain't gonna be able to hold back 'fore ya get it on." He finished the task himself then cupped her cheek and kissed her lips pressing her back into pillows.

He placed his hands on each of her thighs where they joined at the hip. She tensed and closed her eyes leaning back into the pillows. Please don't let it hurt too much.

His thumbs drew lazy circles meeting at her center. "Relax, Beth," he whispered. "I ain't ever been with a virgin but I promise to be gentle with ya, darlin'." She nodded.

"Open your eyes, baby. I want you to look at me." She did but barely. He grinned and coaxed, "A little more." Oh lord, she didn't know she was supposed to watch!

"That's my girl." She thought he was going to be lying on top of her but he wasn't. He said he wanted to see himself enter her. He didn't use those exact words. His words were so…dirty. What he really said was that he wanted to watch his cock go into her pussy. Nobody she ever knew talked like that. She thought she liked it, at least her body did because a shiver went down her spine as soon as the words left his mouth. He held her legs behind her knees and pulled her closer. He raised himself up and pressed against her, pushing…backing away…pushing against her center again.

"Goddamn baby, you're so fucking tight". His passion-darkened gaze met hers causing butterflies to flutter in her stomach and her body to clench around him. He shuddered and tightened his grip behind her knees.

"Fuck!" he groaned through his teeth. He was only in a little way…just the tip but she already felt so full. She was stretched to the point that it was almost painful…but not quite. She wanted more of him, all of him. She held her breath and closed her eyes as he eased in a little more, stretching her walls beyond what she thought possible.

"Open your eyes, Beth." His voice was low and husky. "Look at me."

Lord, he was taking his own sweet time. Beth didn't know how much more she could endure. She gripped the bedding with white knuckles and arched her back, pushing herself further onto him.

A sharp pain pierced the haze of her consciousness and she gasped as her body stretched to accommodate his entire length. 'Oh my god, Daryl!" she cried out reaching for him as he fell against her chest.

"Jesus H. Christ," he moaned into her breasts and began to move his hips. Her hands slid along his perspiration dampened skin as she clung to his upper arms while he pumped into her with a steady, easy rhythm.

The pain had abated and was replaced by a deep warmth that pooled between her legs as he grunted with each thrust. She tried to move with him but her body was rubbery and her muscles wouldn't cooperate. He moved faster and harder, forcing small groans from her. She clung tighter as his rhythm began to falter. "Oh fuck! Fuck!" he cried into her neck. "Beth." He jerked inside of her and her body responded by squeezing and releasing. "Goddamn it, baby!" he cried out once more and collapsed in a sweaty, heavy heap on top of her.

Daryl had watched Beth walk to the kitchen. The slight sway of her hips caused a tightening in his groin. Shit. He had planned to follow her but he couldn't get up until his fuckin' cock calmed down. The memory of last night teased his cock. Hell, now his brother was eyeing him again. He wanted to tell him to fuck off but truthfully Merle wasn't gonna get to him today. He felt too damn good.

He had been in such a hurry to fuck her that he almost forgot the damned condom. She didn't though. Goddamn, he almost came when she tried to put it on him. Her hands on his cock was almost more than he could bear. That was close…too close. He'd hate to fuck it up by coming too soon. Daryl had to put the condom without her help.

He managed to get control of himself, no easy matter with Beth spread out naked in front of him. Her pussy was so wet and swollen from when she came in his mouth…she was as wet as he wanted her to be.

"Hey, Dumbass!"

Daryl pulled himself away from his thoughts to give his brother a dirty fuck-off look.

"Aint ya listening, Darylina?" So maybe Merle could get to him today after all.

"I said, if ya had a lick o' sense in that thick head of yours, you'd get off your ass and help your little woman in the kitchen."

"What are ya…"

Rowan reached across the table to pat Daryl's hand. "Go now, before it's too late," she warned with a smile in her voice.

Daryl stood up and glared at them both like they were crazy but the look on their faces was one of concern, not mocking. Oh fuck…what did I do now? He hurried off to the kitchen.

Merle shook his head. "I don't know about that boy."

Daryl stopped and stood in the doorway of the kitchen watching Beth scrub furiously at the dishes. "This pan is hopeless," she mumbled to herself, pushing back a stray lock of hair from her face with a forearm. He thought she looked just as pretty to him as she did last night and he couldn't help but smile.

God, Daryl was thankful for the moon that was almost full. He wanted to see his cock enter her…he wanted to see her face when he popped her cherry…he wanted her to see the man who fucked her for the first time. Her thighs quivered in his hands as he spread them wider. He pushed the head of his cock against soaking wet pussy and groaned. She was so fucking tight he wasn't sure he was gonna be able to get in but Dixons don't give up.

"Fuck," he groaned loudly as he pushed into her, muscles that weren't use to anything wider than his fingers squeezed the head of his cock like a vise. Holt shit. Daryl trembled with the effort of holding back when he really just wanted to plunge in. Shuddering, he blew out a shaky breath and pushed harder, further..."Open your eyes, Beth." He gripped her hips so tight he was afraid he'd leave bruises on her fair skin. He eased in a little further and felt even greater resistance. Holy fucking hell, he was up against her cherry. "Shit," he moaned.

Beth arched her back and moved her hips against him and he pushed at the same time. She cried out his name when he broke though…

"Jesus H. Christ", he collapsed on her chest. "Fuck." He tried to remain still while she adjusted to his cock buried all the way in her sweet pussy. Holy hell. He was already in heaven and he ain't even come yet. He moved slowly. Goddamn, she felt so fuckin' good, so fuckin' tight…he knew he wouldn't last long. Hell, he was amazed he lasted this long.

Then…Beth started to move with him…Oh shit, no! he thought and stumbled as he jerked and bucked against her hips. Oh fuck! Fuck! There was no more holding back when her pussy tightened…he saw stars on the back of his eyelids, collapsed and he didn't remember a goddamn thing after that.

"You going to stand there all day, Daryl Dixon, or you going to help me?" Daryl snapped out of his reverie to see Beth looking at him with her hands on her hips.

"Sorry, darling," he said.

She tossed him a towel and turned back to the chore in front of her. "You can rinse and dry,"

Daryl caught it easily. He wasn't thinking about washing dishes, though. He moved in behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, nuzzling through her hair until he reached skin.

"Daryl," she protested halfheartedly as he pressed her against the edge of the sink and kissed the warm flesh at the back of her neck.

"Mmmmm," was his answer.

"Not here. Someone's going to come in," she said but pulled her blonde hair around to the front and leaned her head forward revealing more of her neck to his eager mouth.

Daryl trailed little kisses to her ear and tugged at her earlobe gently. "Can't recall if I thanked ya for last night, sugar. Can't recall much of anythin' other than being inside your sweet body." He traced the shell of her ear with his tongue, pleased with the effect he was having on her as her ass pressed against him. "If I didn't tell ya, sweetheart, I'm sorry." He gently turned her face to him and pressed a soft kiss on her lips then whispered against them. " Thank you, Beth, for the best gift I ever got."

She turned around in his arms and threw hers around his neck. Tears welled in her blue eyes but a beautiful smile graced her face.

Aww hell. For the life of him he'd never understand women. "Beth, honey…"

"I thought you were disappointed," she sniffled, wiping the tears away with the back of her hand.

Disappointed? "Honey…"

"I mean, Daryl, you didn't say anything. You just…just fell asleep. And you snored."

"Baby, that means it was really good…I didn't have anything left in me." He lifted her up to the edge of the sink and she wrapped her legs around him.

She sighed with relief. "When you didn't say anything I thought that I did something wrong."

He reached up to brush away the last tear on her cheek. "I ain't no good at that feelings shit, baby, I already told ya."

"I know, but still…"

"Hush," he said and covered her mouth with his.

Rick watched Amanda walk in for breakfast with Martinez. The young man's hand was at the small of her back. Caesar was getting way to cozy in Rick's opinion.

He couldn't sleep last night, not knowing if Mandy was safe. She was pretty upset after Daryl blurted out her secret. Not only did everyone now know that she was probably pregnant, they also knew that Rick wasn't the father of her baby…like he wasn't the father of Judith. No, that wasn't true, he kept telling himself. He believed in his heart that he was the little girl's daddy, not Shane. Judith looked like Lori. The baby had her eyes and her smile. He couldn't see one thing in that baby girl that reminded him of Shane…the best friend he had killed.

Rick closed his eyes a minute forcing the thoughts of Lori and Shane from his mind. And for letting his vigilance down for those few seconds, he received a face full of mush as Judith squealed and readied another handful of food to throw at her dad to get his attention. "That's enough, Punkin," he said absently, wiping his face and preparing a spoonful of food for her.

He couldn't quite pull himself away from his dark thoughts. Rick went looking for Mandy last night. He didn't want her to be alone and he needed to assure himself she was safe. He started in the infirmary and when he didn't find her there he headed to Cell Block B because he knew the Dixons were cleaning it out. He turned off his flashlight when he heard the voices, specifically hers. Then Rick heard Martinez laugh. Shit. He closed his eyes and let out his breath slowly. Mandy was safe…at least from walkers. But it should have been him there with her.

Amanda sat down on the right side of her father. His stump was wrapped but he wasn't wearing the hard leather and metal cover. Merle put his arm across his daughter's shoulders and leaned in close. "Don't you worry 'bout a thing, Ladybug. Daddy's gonna take care of you."

"Thanks, Daddy." She smiled sadly and put her head on his shoulder. "I'm sorry I didn't say anything to you about it before."

"Water under the bridge, Baby Girl." He patted her knee and kissed her head. "That's just water under the bridge."

Amanda sat up and looked warily at the bowl of food Caesar had put in front of her before he sat between her and Carol.

"Morning, Carol." Martinez said and apologized for being late as he looked at the stuff in his bowl. "I overslept. Sorry I missed breakfast duty."

"You and me both," grunted Merle, as he looked around his daughter at his friend. The friend who had overslept and who had just walked into the dining area…late…with his Amanda. They had been spending a lot of time together these past few days. Was she finally through with Grimes? God he hoped so.

Merle made one more attempt to eat the mush but spit the spoonful back in the bowl shoved the it away. "What is this shit anyway? Grits or oatmeal? That's what it looks like but taste like neither one."

Oscar said, "No one showed up to cook." They had four pretty good cooks, Carol, Caesar, Rowan, and Beth, and every damn one of them skipped out on breakfast duty.

"It's not that bad, Oscar," Carol said, stirring the sticky stuff. She knew he did his best to prepare something for the group to eat. "Daryl ate four bowls of it." How bad could it be?

"It does taste like shit," Carl said, agreeing with the oldest Dixon.

"Carl! You know better than to talk like that." Rick scolded him.

"If Judith can say it, why can't I?" he argued.

Rick started to respond but noticed Carol was looking quite pale. "You okay, Carol?" he asked, concerned, while trying to wipe the stuff off of Judith's hands. She pulled away and shoved a little fist in her mouth and sucked on it loudly. The taste didn't seem to bother her.

Merle leaned over to look down the table at the woman in question. "Carol, darlin', ya do look a bit green around the gills," he commented.

"Oh god!" Carol covered her mouth and ran from the table. They could hear her retching from the kitchen.

"What the fuck?" Merle said, slapping his spoon down on the table. "Is there a woman who ain't knocked up 'round here?"

Rowan slapped him on the back of the head. "Really, Merle?"

"Fuck!" Judith echoed his sentiments. By now, they were so used to hearing the baby's favorite word that no one flinched or even snickered anymore but her "outburst" did earn Merle a dirty look from her father.

Daryl stuck his head in. He was covered up to the elbows in dishwater and suds. "Carol ain't pregnant, ya dumbass. She's hung-over. Drank all my goddamn Jack last night!"

Merle looked at his brother and burst into laughter. "I'll be damned. Woman can't handle her liquor. There weren't but a swallow or two left."

"Who is pregnant, Daddy?"

"Me," answered Rowan.

Subdued congratulations were said around the table and she accepted them graciously.

She was beautiful, glowing, Amanda thought and she was just now seeing it. Rowan was actually happy to be pregnant. "Guess I wasn't the only one keeping secrets," Amanda said putting her spoon down and leaving the table.

Caesar started to rise but Merle did first. Dixon informed the younger man sharply, "I got this, Martinez."

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