Wow! I actually got more of a response than I anticipated! I honestly don't know how many people out there are looking for Rick/Beth stories, but I am pleased with the feedback I received. Thank you so much!

Jess: Thank you! Here's another update for ya!

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Disclaimer: Unfortunately I don't own the Walking Dead or its characters…I wish I did…

Enjoy!

Chapter Two (Beth POV)

I cradled Judith in my arm as I ate breakfast later on that morning, still agitated with the way things went earlier. I was partly ashamed, and partly fed up with Rick feeling like he can come and go when he pleases.

Okay fine. Maybe I just miss him being around.

I sighed and dropped my spoon back into the half-eaten bowl of oatmeal suddenly losing my appetite.

"Somethin' wrong?" a gruff voice startled me from my thoughts.

I turned around and saw Daryl standing behind me. "Oh, hey. No I'm fine. Just tired."

"Let me take lil' asskicker off your hands," he said taking her out of my tired arm. "Go on an' get some rest."

I nodded shortly and stood up, scraped my food in the garbage, and handed my bowl to Carol with a tight smile. Instead of heading back to my cell, I grabbed my makeshift spear and headed out to kill some walkers around the fence. I needed to blow off some steam.

I sighed in contentment as I walked out into the Georgia sun, already feeling the stress flow off my shoulders. I walked over to the perimeter and began to put the walkers out of their misery. A year ago I wouldn't be able to do something like this, but the world has changed. I have changed. Long gone is the scared little girl I once was. Now I don't even cry anymore. There's no point in it.

"Beth?"

I jumped and spun around to find Rick standing behind me. I reached up and wiped the sweat of my forehead and sighed. "Yes, sir?"

"Shouldn' be out here by yourself."

I visibly rolled my eyes and turned around to continue to put down walkers. "I can take care of myself, Rick. I ain't a kid no more."

I could feel Rick's eyes boring into my back and it made me shiver. "Your dad wouldn't-"

"My dad can't order me around anymore." I turned around and crossed my arms defiantly. "I ain't a child. I'm 18. Now leave me be." I know saying that made me sound childish, but I didn't care.

Rick sighed. "You've changed, Bethie."

That caught me off guard. "I know. We all have."

"You're a woman now."

My cheeks flushed. "Yes," I whispered.

Rick stepped closer slightly. "What do you think about this whole…Governor thing?"

My brow raised in surprise. He was asking my opinion? I'm hearing him right?

Rick looked at me expectantly, waiting for an answer. I cleared my throat and found my voice. "I…well…frankly I think after what he did to my sister he…he needs to die."

Rick nodded shortly and turned around rubbing his face into his hands and began to walk away. I wasn't ready for him to leave yet.

"Don't!" I heard myself say, and I instantly regretted it.

Rick stopped and turned around. "Don't what?"

My eyes widened. How do I recover from this? "I…uh…I've been meanin' to ask you somethin'."

He placed his hands on his hips. "Well? Go on then."

Think Beth, think! "I was wonderin' if…" I looked around me as if an idea would pop out of nowhere. "…if I can go on the next run?"

Rick's brow rose. "You? Go on a run?"

"Yeah," I said, straightening my back. "I think it's about time I start pullin' my weight around here."

He shook his head. "Beth, you take care of Judith. That's more than what I can-"

"I want to go on the next run."

Rick looked on me with confliction. "I just don't think that your dad would approve."

I scowled. "How long do I have to wait before y'all stop treating me like I'm a child? I'm not a china doll, Rick. I can-"

Suddenly I felt a hand grab my hair and I let out a blood curdling scream as a walker pulled me through the fence. My hands immediately grabbed for the walkers hand in attempt to pull it off, but to no avail. Rick jumped into action, picking up the spear I dropped on the ground and stabbing the walker in the eye. He pulled my body to safety and we both fell onto the grass with him on top of me.

Rick stared down at me with a dark look in his eye. "You can't even handle yourself behind the fence. What makes you think I should let you go?"

I was unable to answer. My body was on fire from him being on top of mine. I shifted slightly causing my legs to open more and he fell in between them. I gasped as I felt him press into my core. Rick didn't seem to notice. "Please, Rick," I whispered. I blushed as I suddenly realized my words could have a double meaning to them. Again, Rick didn't seem to notice my reaction.

He pulled himself off of me and grabbed my arm, helping me on to unsteady feet. "Bethie…" Rick looked like he was going to protest some more but he merely shook his head. "Alright. We'll bring it up at the next meeting."

I jumped in excitement and wrapped my arms around his neck, kissing his cheek lightly. "Thank you!" I picked up my spear and sauntered off back to the prison, swaying my hips more than normal as I walked.

(Rick POV)

I watched as Beth walked back to the prison. Something has changed about her. She isn't the sweet girl that he had met at the farm those many months ago. No.

She is a woman.

I chastised myself as my eyes strayed lower to her swaying bottom as she walked. She's two decades younger than you, Rick. Pull yourself together!

I shook my head and started to talk myself back to the prison, the image of Beth beneath me still fresh in my mind.

"Damnit, Rick," I whispered to myself. "Stop!"

"What's wrong?" Glenn said, appearing out of nowhere. "You doing all right?"

I nodded my head and patted Glenn's back. "Yeah I'm doing jus' fine now, Glenn. I wanted to apologize for my behavior lately."

Glenn shrugged. "It's no big deal. You've been through a lot, and you've done alright by this group so far. We'd just like to have you back sometime soon."

I smiled. "I'm back. Don't you worry."

AUTHORS NOTE: So there it is! I wanted to give you a little insight into what Rick is feeling. Of COURSE he is noticing Beth…I mean he is just a man, right? So even though they both feel slightly mutual, no "bow chicka wow wow's" are going to happen anytime soon. It's a slow build up to the fireworks. But when it gets here, I PROMISE you it will be well worth the wait. I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Remember to review! It only takes a little of your time:). Thanks, guys!