A couple of days passed since that raining night. Daryl and Beth still didn't know how to act around each other. There were just a few glances here and there and one or two brief exchanges. One morning, Rick invited everyone over for a meeting. The only person missing was Daryl, but Rick started anyway. He wanted to go check on the back up cabin in the woods and spend a whole night over there to make sure it hasn't been taken by another group. He asked everyone to split into two different groups: one to go along with him and another to stay to guard inside the walls. Michonne, Sasha, Tom, Abraham and Rosita volunteered to go.

"I'd like to have more people around, just in case."

That's when Daryl arrived. He quietly asked Glenn what the meeting was about and he explained.

"I wanna go", Beth said. Maggie looked at her, worried. "I'll be fine. I really need to go outside these walls or I'll go crazy. And you know I've been training, don't worry."

"I appreciate it. Anyone else?" Rick continued.

"I'll go huntin' and meet ya' there after. Will bring us dinner" Daryl suggested.

"Good. All right. We'll pack and leave as soon as possible today. I wanna go on foot so we get used to the trail and I want to be there for at least 24 hours, in case a group has taken shelter there but went out for a run. We'll meet here in an hour, if that's ok with everyone. Carol, I'll put you in charge for packing some food for us for the trip. Beth, can you bring a safety kit?"

"Sure."

"You can all bring supplies but only for 24 hours. We wanna travel light."

Everybody agreed and left to go packing. Tom caught up with Beth outside.

"Hey! "

"Oh. Hi."

"It's nice, a camping trip…don't you think?

"It' not a camping trip, Tom. It's for serious purposes. You better realize that before we leave."

"You're right. I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry. Be serious."

"Okay…" Beth accelerated her pace and took another direction. "Uhm..I'm glad you're coming too!" Tom tried before she was too far to hear. She turned around briefly to give him a smile for an answer.

Daryl looked at the scene from a distance. He was glad he said he'd join them. He still didn't trust that guy and he sensed he was going to stick around Beth all day. He went home to pack his bag and left on his own to hunt.

On their way there, Tom did stick around Beth a lot. She didn't mind. He was just being nice.

"I wanted to tell you…I'm not mad about the other night."

"I'm sorry. I should've explained myself."

"No, it's ok, I understand. It was fast, should've played my game more wisely."

She sent him a questioning glance.

"Look…I didn't want to scare you off or anything…"

"You didn't scare me off."

"Yeah, but I came on too hard, didn't I?"

She took a second to think before answering. "No."

"Oh."

"I just…have my mind…somewhere else, right now. I'm sorry I turned you down."

"Don't worry about it. Raincheck?"

Beth gave him a "I just told you I wasn't there yet" look.

"Sorry. Sorry. I'll wait. I don't mind. And if you make up your mind and never want to take that walk with me, ever, I'll understand."

"Tom…"

"I'm serious. It's ok. We can be friends…If you want to…I just want to know you. I'm curious...about you."

Beth was flattered. He was trying really hard, she had to give him that.

They were happy to realize the cabin was left untouched. They decided to spend the night anyway, as planned, just in case. Rosita secured the perimeter with Michonne while Abraham and Rick were on watch. When Beth finished putting up her tent, she went inside the cabin to unload the food and start preparing dinner. She heard the door open but stayed focused on her task. Until she heard a loud bang on the table that made her jump. She turned around to find Daryl looking at her. He brought back three big rabbits that were now lying dead on the kitchen table. They stared at each other for a long moment. She sent him a look that said "I'm glad you're back." Tom walked in the cabin before she could speak.

"Wow, man, you did great! I can set up a fire outside to cook them if you want."

He was back outside before Daryl could answer him. He looked amused. Beth smiled back at him before getting back to her task. He walked past her and she swore she felt his hand gently touching her back for a second. She felt shivers down her spine once more. He was looking around the house to check if the hidden weapons were still in place.

They had dinner outside, around the campfire. Everyone was in a good mood. Beth was on watch with Sasha. When their shift was done, Daryl took over with Michonne.

"Eat", Daryl grunted to Beth while he walked past her.

She took some food and joined the others. She knew Tom wanted to talk to her but she wasn't in the mood. She sat across from him, next to Rick. She had a little chat with him. He shared his fears and thoughts about their home, how he didn't want everyone to feel too comfortable and take down their guard. She agreed. She talked to him about Judith, how she was getting older and it was weird but nice to see her grow so fast. When she finished her meal, her mind drifted to abstract thoughts and needed some quiet time.

"I'm turning in…good night everybody. I'll take first watch in the morning."

Everyone returned her good night. When she reached her tent, Tom approached her.

"Beth, are you ok?"

"I'm fine, I'm just tired."

"Ok. I just wanted to make sure. I'm gonna go check if they need me, make myself useful, give the others a break…Sleep well."

"Thanks…"

She stayed in her clothes in case they had to leave in a hurry. She slipped inside her sleeping bag but couldn't fall asleep. Too many thoughts were circling around in her head.

She heard the sound of a twig breaking close to her tent and saw a shadow near the door. She put her hand on her knife handle, ready to react. She sat up when she heard the zipper open. She let out a sigh of relief when she recognised who it was.

A/N: Ok. I'll admit. That's an easy one. You know who it is...