Beth woke up the next morning and rushed to the bathroom to get ready. She felt so inspired by her plan, she even put on a little makeup today. A grin was plastered on her face as she made her way to the kitchen to start breakfast. Why was she so happy this morning? Was it really because the thought of torturing Daryl was that exciting? She didn't overthink it. She grabbed her iPhone to put on some music so she could sing and dance while the donuts were frying.

"And we'll buy a beer to shotgun. We'll lay in the lawn, and we'll be good." She sang her favorite song in an upbeat rhythm and swayed her hips from side to side. Today was going to be a good day. Or so she thought. Not twenty seconds went by after that thought when she heard someone clear their throat behind her. Beth nearly jumped out of her skin and burned herself on the frying pan in the process.

"What the hell?!" She demanded of Daryl.

"Sorry." He wasn't. The smirk on his face told her so.

"Don't you have your own home? Why are you always here?" The burning sensation on her hand was making her brave. It hurt like hell and she was not going to let this one go. Or at least she wasn't planning to, until Rick walked into the kitchen.

"Morning, Beth." Rick said with his usual smile.

"Morning." Beth had to fight to keep the irritation out of her voice.

It turns out that Daryl slept on the couch last night so the guys could leave early in the morning to run some errands and get everything they need for the hunting trip. Rick had work all week until next Saturday so they couldn't really wait to get the supplies. All Rick did during the week was sleep and work, poor man never had any time for himself until the weekends.

Beth listened to the men go down the list of things they needed to buy for the trip and she decided that now would be the best time to speak up. She hadn't originally planned to do this in front of Daryl, hoping that it would come as a surprise next weekend, but now she thought she couldn't wait to see the look on his face.

She had the attention of all three guys in the room as soon as she placed the homemade glazed donuts down on the middle of the table. She could see Daryl shooting daggers at her with his eyes but she didn't care. She held her chin high and spoke with confidence.

"Hey Rick, I want to ask ya something." She held eye contact with Rick and tried to look as sweet and innocent as possible. When she knew she had his full attention, she continued.

"I know it's not polite to invite myself but I was really hoping you guys could take me with ya'll next weekend. I've never been hunting before because my dad…" Beth was cut off by no other than Daryl.

"Ain't gonna happen." Whatever good mood he was in when he smirked at Beth earlier, was long gone now.

Beth had to forcefully stop herself from rolling her eyes at Daryl. But she didn't want to lose the innocent act she was playing so well. She knew that Rick wouldn't be able to tell her no when she was being this sweet. Instead of yelling at Daryl, she forced her face to make an expression that was sad and hurt.

"I don't see what would be the problem with letting her come." Rick said to Daryl.

"It's dangerous. She could get hurt." Daryl argued, not even sure if what he said was an excuse or his true feelings towards the idea of Beth coming.

"So could Carl." Rick replied. "Maybe we shouldn't let either of them come. It's not fair to let Carl and not Beth."

Beth had to laugh a little inside. The two men were bickering like they were co-parenting. But the amusement didn't last long. Beth realized that she might have made a mistake when Carl jumped into the conversation.

"What?! Dad, no! This is bullshit. I'm going with ya'll!"

"Watch your mouth!" Rick rose his voice at his son.

"You know what, never mind. I never should have said anything. Ya'll go and have fun. Maybe I'll drive up to Atlanta to see Maggie or something instead." Beth had a worried expression on her face and the sweetest tone in her voice. She was still hoping the arguing would stop and they would agree to let her go with them.

"No, you and Carl can both go hunting with us." Rick said with finality in his voice, looking around the room at everyone one at time.

Yes! She did it. Beth snuck a peek at Daryl and was pleased with how he looked like his face was going to turn bright red and smoke was going to come out of his ears like in the old cartoons. He got up quickly and stepped outside for a smoke before he lost his cool.

"Thank you, Rick. I won't get in the way, promise." Beth said gratefully.

"Don't worry about Daryl. He'll come around. I think he's just being protective towards you." Rick tried to defend his friend but Beth knew better. Daryl couldn't stand to be around her. That's exactly why she wanted to go with them on the trip. She knew he'd be pissed at her for doing this. Good. She was pissed at him too.

Half a week went by and Daryl was still fuming. He hadn't been back at the Grime's house which meant he was at home with Merle most of the time. Daryl thought that he'd rather be around Merle right now instead of Beth but he was starting to reconsider.

"What's the matter Darlina? You and Officer Friendly break up or somethin?" Merle asked after the third day of Daryl staying home for dinner.

"Shut up." Daryl hated when Merle joked about him being gay… and a woman.

But Merle wouldn't let up. They sat on the old worn out couch in the dimly lit apartment and went back and forth with each other for another ten minutes before Daryl did something he instantly regretted.

"Man, you don't know what you're talkin about! We're goin huntin this weekend." Daryl let the words slip before he had a chance to think it through. All he wanted was for Merle to stop using the term "broken up" like he and Rick were some damn romantic couple and not just friends.

"Aw, ain't that sweet. The love birds are takin a trip together. Gonna shack up out in the woods together?" Merle mocked.

"Man, shut up! He's bringin his kid and…" Daryl stopped himself before he mentioned that Beth would be joining them.

"Well then I guess he wouldn't mind if ol' Merle came along too." It annoyed Daryl to know end whenever Merle spoke in third person. Though Merle thought it was hilarious when they were kids.

Shit. Now Beth and Merle were going and Daryl could not think of any better components for a disaster waiting to happen.