Okay so the biggest blizzard of the century decided to hit my town and I'm snowed in. And what other way to spend my time than to write another chapter? I'm so excited for this one, too! I think it's a good one.

But first things first:

holdinghisheart: Thank you, darling! Here's another quick and lengthy update for you!

Ashmo21: I agree with you. There just aren't enough Rick/Beth stories. So I decided to make matters into my own hands and add to the mix! I'm so glad you're enjoying it!

texasbelle91: I took your review to heart and wrote almost an entire chapter in Rick's POV just for you! I hope you enjoy! I'm nervous that it won't be very good to others. Let me know.

Thank you to those who took the time to follow and favorite this story! That means so much to me! You guys are awesome.

Disclaimer: I don't own Walking Dead or the characters blah blah blah.

Enjoy!

Chapter Three (Beth POV)

I bounced my knee nervously as Rick began to wrap the meeting up. He had still yet to bring up the topic of me going on the next run, and despite my excitement to possibly be outside the prison walls, I was scared.

"Before we go, I have one more thing to discuss." Rick paused and glanced at me expectantly. "Beth sought me out today and asked me if she could go on the next run."

"You what?" I rolled my eyes as Maggie suddenly stood up from her seat, glaring at me. "Beth, are you crazy? You can't go-"

"Why not?" I said standing up challengingly. "Why can't I? Why am I so different than you?"

"You're not," Rick defended me. He walked over and stood next to me. "That's why I agreed with her to bring it up. Everyone should have the opportunity to get outside the prison walls. And Hershel," Rick turned and looked him in the eye, "I'll look after her."

I looked up at Rick with wide-eyes, saying a silent thank you in my head.

"Daddy?" I turned away from Rick and walked up to my father, using the sweetest voice I could muster up in hopes that it would help convince him. "Can I go? Please? I'll be real careful."

(Rick POV)

"Daddy?" I stiffened as Beth's voice became sickeningly sweet, and it stirred something dark up inside of me that I never felt before. "Can I go? Please? I'll be real careful."

"Dad you can't really fall for-" Hershel threw his hand up to silence Maggie, indicating that he was going to make this decision by himself.

Hershel closed his eyes and breathed in deeply. "Bethie, I could never live with myself if anything happened to you."

Beth hurriedly walked closer to Hershel and knelt down in front of him taking his hand gently. "I promise daddy I'll be safe. I promise. And Rick," Beth stood up and turned to me. "will take really good care of me. Won't you?"

This girl is a minx. I cleared my throat. "Yeah. She'll be jus' fine, Hershel. You have my word."

"How can we trust him?" Maggie said accusingly, knowing she was now fighting a losing battle. "He just got back off the crazy train and we're going to trust him with Beth's life?"

"Oh shu' up will ya?" Daryl piped in. "Rick ain' gon' let anythin' happen to Beth. Now is she goin' or na', Hershel?"

I smiled at Daryl gratefully and turned my attention to Hershel.

Hershel sighed and smiled, taking Beth's hand. "Well I guess everyone deserves a day out of the prison."

Beth squealed in delight and threw her hands around Hershel. "Thank you, daddy!" She pulled herself away from him and then threw herself around me. "Thank you, Rick," she whispered low in my ear, sending shivers down my spine.

Pull yourself together, Rick, I chastised myself. She's just a girl.

No. She's a woman.

(Still Rick POV)

Beth fidgeted in the passenger seat next to me. I could tell she was nervous, and I wanted to say something to ease her nerves, but I didn't know what. The rest of the group decided to sit this one out since we didn't need many supplies, so it was just me and her.

"Where are we goin'?" Beth suddenly asked, her voice weak with worry.

I glanced in her direction. "There's a small grocery store 'bout five miles from here."

She bit her bottom lip and nodded before fidgeting with the knife Daryl gave her. There was an obvious elephant in the room and I wanted to address it. "Wha's wrong with you lately, Bethie?"

Her brow furrowed in confusion. "W-what do you mean?"

"Did you really wanna go on this run t'day?"

Beth blushed and looked away quickly. "Of course, Mr. Grimes."

"Rick."

"Rick."

I smirked and looked at her. "I ain't that old. Not yet anyway."

She blushed an even deeper shade, if at all possible. "I s'pose not," she said thoughtfully.

We were silent the rest of the way to the convenient store.

"Stay close, Bethie," I said when we got out of the car. "Keep your knife even closer. Don' leave my sight. Your dad will have my head on a silver platter if I let anythin' happen to you."

She nodded without taking her eyes off the store. She looked weary and very nervous. "I trust ya," she said, offering a tight smile in my direction.

I motioned for her with my hand to follow me and we began to make our way to the entrance. I slowly pulled the door open and we snuck inside.

"I'll go look for stuff for Judith." Beth started to walk off.

I grabbed her arm. "Beth I can't let you outta my sight."

"Then come on," she said rolling her eyes.

I sighed and reluctantly started to follow her.

"Oh!" she squealed and ran ahead.

"Beth!" I hissed, taking off after her, the anger beginning to build inside me.

"Rick, isn't this the cutest thing you ever did see?" Beth whispered excitedly, holding up a pink frilly baby dress. "Judith will look so-"

"Beth!" I growled. "You can't just run off like that! You scared me half to my grave, you stupid girl!" The smile on her face fell and I instantly felt guilty for reacting so harshly, but quickly reminded myself of the world we lived in. "Always mind your surroundings. And damnit girl, don't run off like that."

She blushed furiously indicating the shame she felt. "I'm sorry, Rick. I guess…I just am so happy that you brought me here. I'm…" she lowered her face slightly and looked at me through her long lashes. "…I'm very grateful for you."

I was slightly taken aback. Grateful for me? "Well I…I appreciate that, Bethie."

She groaned outwardly. "Oh for God's sake Rick, call me Beth please. Bethie makes me feel like a little girl."

I smirked. "Well we all know that you ain't anymore, don't we?" I let my eyes rake over her body, earning yet another signature Beth blush. What is wrong with me? I'm flirting with a teen for goodness sake.

"I-I…um…" she turned her attention back on the clothes. "What about this?" she held up another outfit not even bothering to make eye contact.

I smirked, enjoying this new-found power I had over her. "Yeah that's real nice, Beth. Now hurry it on up now."

Beth nodded shortly and grabbed a few more outfits, stuffing them in her bag. We began to make our way throughout the store, grabbing things here and there. All the while, I could feel Beth's hesitant gaze on the back of my head. It was easy to tell that she had this infatuation with me, and I've known for a while, but I never acted on it of course. I had a lot more to worry about back then. I was competing for my wife's attention with Shane. I didn't have time to worry about a school-girl crush.

But things are different now.

Lori's dead. Hell, she'd been dead to me ever since she took Shane's side when he tried to kill me. Of course I was sad when she died, she was the mother of my children. But that's all she has been to me for a while now.

I found myself staring at Beth. She's a strong girl, and she has been more of a mother to Judith than anyone. I felt my pants tightening and I had to look away and put my mind on something else. This girl is young enough to be your daughter. That thought always was in the back of my head, but it didn't seem to do much. The fact that I couldn't have her is the reason why I wanted her so badly.

And I am going to do anything to get her.

An ear piercing scream rang through the air and I snapped back to reality realizing that Beth had wandered off. I let out a curse under my breath and ran in the direction of her scream.

"Rick! Please!"

The pleading in her voice nearly broke me and I ran faster to her. "I'm comin', Beth!"

She screamed once more and then she grew silent, a resounding thud of a body hitting the ground floated around me.

"Damnit!" I carried my legs faster and rounded the corner to find Beth on the floor with a walker on top of her. She wasn't moving. "Beth!" I cried pulling the walker off of her.

Beth sat up breathing heavily, pulling her knife out of the walkers head as I pulled it off of her.

"Oh god, Beth!" I grabbed her and pulled her against me. "What the fuck happened? Didn't I tell you to watch your fucking surroundings?"

She remained unmoving as I held her, only silent sobs were her response.

I pulled away and wiped the tears off her cheeks. "Alright, Beth. Calm yourself down. It's dead. You're fine. You did good."

Beth tried to keep her composure but she crumbled at my words, throwing her arms around my neck. The force of her body hitting mine knocked me on my ass and she straddled me. This was a very dangerous position for me to be in.

"I-I'm sorry, R-Rick. I should've listened. P-Please don't tell daddy."

I froze for a while before I tentatively wrapped my arms around her. "S'alright, Beth. Just calm down. Breathe." She sat up on my lap and took deep breaths while I brushed hair behind her ear. "That's a good girl. Breathe. You're fine."

Beth's eye's suddenly widened when she realized the position she was in, and she immediately removed herself from my lap. "I'm sorry. I didn't realize-"

"S'fine."

She nodded shortly and stood up. "Well what are we waitin' for? Let's get movin'. It's gettin' dark." She grabbed her bags full of supplies and made a break for the exit.

I quickly gathered my things and caught up to her, ready to head back to the prison.

(Beth POV)

"Earth to Beth!" Carol snapped her fingers in front of my face. "What's gotten into you, lately? You're like a space cadet."

This is the third time today she's had to get my attention. My mind was lost to Rick and how it felt so right to be on top of him. "Sorry, Carol. My mind is elsewhere these days."

"I'll say," she said smirking. "What's on your mind?"

"Oh, you know…just stuff…things…"

"Come on, Bethie." Carol smiled playfully. "You crushin' on someone?"

I refused to let the look of shock take over her face. "What are you talking about, Carol? There's no one here to crush on. I'm the only one my age here."

"Well there's Carl-"

"Carol!" I hissed. "Carl? Really? He's like 6 years younger than me!"

Carol snickered. "Okay fine. There's Daryl, Rick-"

"Carol."

"What? Just because they're older doesn't mean you can't fancy them."

I blushed furiously causing Carol's eyes to widen.

"Who is it?" Carol pressed.

"I'm not telling you anything."

She took my hands into hers. "Beth, I've been dying for some girl talk. Please indulge me. I won't breathe a word to anyone."

I sighed and placed Judith into her crib. "Okay fine," I took a deep breath before letting everything out. "I think I really like Rick."

Carol's face was unreadable, and I internally panicked sitting in silence waiting for Carol's answer.

"I think it's cute."

I frowned. "Cute?"

"Yeah."

I blinked contemplating her words. "Cute."

"Cute."

"That wasn't what I was looking for."

"It's like a little crush. It's cute."

I huffed and stood up. "You got this, right?" I motioned to Judith. "I'm going to go get some air."

"Beth-"

"I shouldn't have said a word."

"Beth!"

"I'm going, Carol!"

I was tired of being treated like a damn child, and I was going to make everyone realize just how grown up I was.

AUTHORS NOTE: Woo! That was a long chapter. I'm wiped. It took me all morning to piece this together the way I wanted it to be. But what I'm REALLY interested in what you guys think! Please let me know! Thank you, loves!