Hey guys! It seems like it's been forever since I have updated…it's a lot harder when I don't get to watch an episode of Walking Dead! I guess you guys will have to review a lot to keep me motivated…

Speaking of reviews, I got a LOT for last chapter. A very positive response. I really appreciate your guys' support. I'm glad that it was to your liking! I was really nervous that it wasn't going to be good enough.

Thank you to:

texasbelle91, ElenaBillings, Guest,

SoFarFromPerfect90, ZomberHunter, jaimek45,

Thisisnotarecording, narutogirl12, kathymoonstone,

Steffy2106, HeartoSteel, Letostag,

Mrsreedus69, classkazmiller25, Rosie Doll Corpse,

Cemmia, Guest, and Serenity Blossom

for your awesome reviews!

Also, thank you to those who took the time to follow and favorite the story. I REALLY appreciate it.

IMPORTANT: It was brought to my attention, and I HIGHLY agree: I want to apologize for not putting a 'warning' on the last chapter for Beth's almost rape scene. I really do apologize if that was a trigger for anyone…it was not my intent. I should've warned you guys. Being a survivor of sexual assault myself, I know it is not easy to overcome and the littlest thing can instantly transport you back to that terrible moment. For that, I am truly sorry. I should've known better.

I just wanted to address that briefly.

Also, I just wanted to thank everyone who sends me PM's. It is so touching! I love getting ideas from you guys and twisting them around. I actually have been collaborating a little with a certain someone who has given me a GREAT idea that I will use in this chapter! Thanks, Crimson Anna!

LAST THING: I know that I have been doing a lot of Beth POV lately, but I find it necessary. I PROMISE I will do Rick POV soon! Hang in there, loves!

WARNING: Sexual content.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything Walking Dead.

Okay, moving on! Please enjoy this chapter, and don't forget to follow, favorite, and review!

Chapter Fourteen (Beth POV)

I woke up in my bed, but I wasn't alone. My back was pressed up against another body and an arm was wound tightly around my waist. My eyes snapped open and my heart began to race. I felt trapped, and after the assault that happened earlier, I was still slightly shaken up. I gasped and struggled against the persons hold and I eventually tumbled off the bed, turning around to find that it was Rick.

He shot up in bed, woken by my sudden movements and looked around, his eyes finally landing on me. "Beth? What are you doing down there?"

I looked up at him with eyes wide and heaving chest. "I…I didn't know it was you and…I panicked. I'm sorry I woke you up."

Rick's features softened in understanding and he reached his hand out to me. I hesitated before I took it and allowed him to pull me back up onto the bed next to him. He leaned forward and rested his forehead onto mine. "I'm sorry for startlin' you, but I told you I'm not leaving you out of my sight."

I sighed and squeezed his hand. "Don't apologize. Does anybody else know you're in here?"

He shook his head and lay back down onto the bed. "Naw. I snuck in here after everyone fell asleep."

My brow furrowed and I looked at the window, suddenly realizing that it was dark out. "How long have I been asleep?"

"A long time. You were obviously exhausted after the….encounter."

I turned my gaze back to him. "You didn't…you didn't tell anyone did you?"

Rick turned his head and looked at me, lifting a hand to graze his knuckles against my cheek. I leaned into his touch and closed my eyes. "No I didn't."

I reached up and took his wrist and brought his hand to my mouth, placing a gentle kiss on his palm. "I love you," I confessed once more, knowing full well that he won't say it back, but I don't care. He never said that I couldn't say it to him, and life is too short for me not to tell him how much I care. One of us could die tomorrow, and after what happened today, I was even more aware of that fact.

"I can't live without you," he said softly. He gently gripped the back of my head and pulled me down for a gentle kiss. I lifted my head slightly, breaking the kiss and laying down next to him. I reveled in the feeling of being wrapped in his strong embraced and sighed as he kissed my forehead tenderly, eventually lulling me back to sleep.

(Beth POV)

The next afternoon, I found myself on the front porch with Judith and Carol. Judith played on the ground merrily with her red plastic cups while Carol and I sat up on the chairs observantly.

"Somethin' happened yesterday," Carol stated, breaking the silence.

My brow furrowed. "Whaddya mean?"

Carol looked at me with concerned eyes. "I'm talking about you, Beth. Something happened to you yesterday. I know."

Why was it always her to figure everything out? "I don't know what you're talkin' about," I denied coldly.

"You can deny it all you want, Bethie," Carol said shortly. "Rick has been acting different too. He's a lot…colder, always keepin' an eye on you. What happened?" She reached over and took my hand gently. "You can tell me sweetheart."

My lower lip quivered as I fought to hold back the unshed tears. I wanted so badly to confide in Carol about what happened, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. If it ever got back around to daddy, it would surely kill him. So instead, I turned and smiled reassuringly. "I'm fine, Carol. I promise you." Carol didn't have time to respond before Judith began to cry on the ground. I picked her up and set her on my lap, laughing when she let out a huge yawn. "I'll go lay her down," I said to Carol before making my escape back into the house. I walked up the stairs and gently lay Judy in her crib, pulling the covers over her fragile body.

There was a soft knock on the door and it opened, my dad popping his head in. "Hey Bethie. Can I have a word?"

I smiled. "Yeah, daddy. Come on in. Judy's just fallin' asleep."

My dad closed the door quietly and we both made our way to the bed to sit down. "How did your run go yesterday?"

I shrugged, struggling to keep my face passive. "It was alright. Really tired me out though." I gave a nervous laugh.

My dad remained serious. "Why did it tire you out so much? Y'all were barely gone 3 hours."

I gulped. "Um…I…I just haven't really exerted that much energy in a long time."

Daddy nodded his head shortly and turned his eyes elsewhere. "These are times when I wished your mamma was here to talk to ya 'bout this stuff."

"What…stuff?"

Daddy sighed. "I see the way he looks at you, Beth."

My brow furrowed in confusion. "Who?"

"Rick."

My eyes grew wide in surprise, and I wracked through my brain to think of a plausible excuse. "I'm sure I don't know what ya mean."

Oh, good one, Beth. Mine as well just confess everything at this point.

"You may not see it, but I do," he said sternly. "I started to notice it when Daryl was teaching you how to shoot his crossbow and he became increasingly jealous."

My heart pounded and I could feel my cheeks flushing. I wanted to speak but my throat had conveniently become desert dry at the moment, hindering me from making any sound.

"I'm gonna ask you somethin', Beth, and you're gonna answer me honestly."

Still not able to form a sentence, I merely nodded in response.

"Have you slept with Rick?"

"No!" I answered much too quickly. "No, dad. It's not like that."

Dad narrowed his eyes and they searched my face for any signs of an answer. "He's much older than you, Beth."

"I understand, dad…but it's not like that between us." My mind instantly flashed back to all of the things that Rick and I have done together and I flushed a deeper shade of red. I've never lied to my daddy before, but there was no way that I was telling him the truth this time. "You have to trust me."

Daddy sighed and shook his head, letting out a gentle smile. "I do, Beth. I do." I let out a sigh of relief and went to hug him. "It's just…you're my little girl. I just want to protect you."

It's too late. "I know daddy. You are."

He pulled away and kissed my cheek. "Who knows, Bethie. In the midst of all the chaos, God managed to bring Glenn and Maggie together. I pray to Him every day that He will bring you your someone."

I honestly didn't even know what to say because to me, I already found my someone, and that someone was Rick Grimes. I didn't want anyone else. Just the mere thought of being in anyone else's arms was downright revolting.

Before I had a chance to even respond, Dad got up and started to make his way to the door, smiling one last time before leaving the room. I threw myself back on my bed and let out a distressed groan.

This was going to be harder than I thought.

(Rick POV)

I itched to be with Beth all day long. It definitely wasn't easy hiding our feelings for each other, and I found myself longing for everyone to go to bed so that I could be with her once more.

I ached for her.

Finally, when everyone was sleeping, I quietly made my way to her room and snuck in, climbing into bed with her and being mindful of Judy. Beth jerked awake and squealed in surprise. I quickly covered her mouth with my hand. "Beth!" I hissed quietly. "Beth, it's me, baby. It's just me. I ain't gonna hurt you."

Her eyes adjusted in the darkness and she relaxed in my arms, so I took my hand off of her mouth. "I'm sorry, Rick," She whispered. "I've just…I've been so jumpy-"

I silenced her with a soft kiss. "It's okay, baby girl. I understand."

Beth blushed and smiled sheepishly, eventually leaning up to kiss me once more. I groaned into her mouth and gripped her hair in my hand, pushing her over so I could lie on top of her. I treaded the water very carefully, not wanting to set her off again. The kiss remained soft and gentle, as hard as it was. My body jerked in surprise when I felt her legs wrap around my waist and I growled softly, deepening the kiss. What little control I had of myself was beginning to waver each time she touched me. She moaned into my mouth and my arms tightened around her small frame. I ground into her and moved my kisses from her mouth down her neck, sucking gently not caring if I left a mark.

Beth suddenly stilled beneath me but I ignored it.

"Rick…"

I continued to kiss and suck on her neck, sliding a hand up to cup her breast.

"Rick…don't…"

I couldn't bring myself to stop. I moved my hand under her shirt and cupped her once more over her bra.

"Stop!"

(Beth POV)

"StopI" I shoved Rick off of me and got off the bed. "You need to leave."

Rick blinked, unmoving. "Beth, I'm not gonna hurt you."

Tears escaped my eyes and flooded down my cheeks. I couldn't help but think of those men yesterday as Rick was on top of me, and my body froze in the moment, suddenly feeling panicky and trapped.

Rick stood and took steps towards me, but I backed away.

"Beth…please…I'm not gonna hurt you…" He sounded incredibly sincere as he reached his hand out to me, patiently waiting for me to take it. "Let me show you." I tentatively reached out and took his hand, and he wasted no time gently pulling me against him. Rick's arm wrapped around my waist and his free hand reached up to cup my cheek.

Rick leaned down ever so slowly and once again kissed me softly, but full of passion. The kiss quickly turned greedier, but still managed to be gentle at the same. He pulled away briefly and lay down on the bed.

"You're in charge tonight," he said huskily.

I slowly straddled his waist and we both groaned as my heated core sat atop his erection. Rick gripped the nape of my neck and leant up slightly to meet my lips with his. We worked on getting all of our clothes off until we were both naked and I rearranged myself back on top of him.

"I don't want a condom," he said suddenly. "I want to feel all of you. I'll pull out."

At this point I didn't even care. I was desperate for affection and love. I was willing to do anything. I reached down and aligned myself up with his prominent appendage before slowly sliding down, taking it all in.

Rick sat up fully and wrapped his strong arms around me, burying his face into my neck. The pace was slow, soft, delicious. It was much different than anything we have done before. This was making love. I curled my arms tightly around his neck and pulled him close, nibbling and moaning my appreciation for him into his ear.

"Beth…"

The way he said my name was like he was saying a sacred prayer. A wave of emotions flooded throughout my body and I couldn't help but let out a small cry. I covered my mouth with my own hand and continued to moan under it. Rick pulled away from me slightly and looked into my eyes with a burning passion.

I removed my hand from my mouth and tangled my fingers into his hair as we stared at each other, neither of our eyes moving.

"Beth…" he said my name again and I couldn't help but shiver. "God, Beth. I love you."

I froze. Was I imagining things?

I didn't have time to comprehend before I suddenly found myself on my back. Rick fucked me deeper, harder, faster. His hand made his way around my throat and gave a gentle squeeze. I gasped and clawed at his back, fighting hard to keep as quiet as I possibly could, being mindful of Judy in the room sleeping.

Rick's mouth made its way to my ear and he began to whisper. "I fucking love you, Beth. Ya hear me? I fucking love you."

I bit my bottom lip and groaned, arching up into his body. "I love you, Rick."

He let out a low groan and his pace quickened once more. I didn't know that it was possible, but I could actually feel him…I could feel how much he loved me, and it overwhelmed me to the point of letting out a choked sob. I hid my face In his neck and sobbed in pleasure and happiness at his most recent confession, finally comprehending everything that was happening.

Rick's pace slowed and he took my face into his hands and kissed me passionately, while keeping his thrusts slow and gentle.

He pressed his forehead to mind and looked me in the eyes. "I want you to cum with me, baby. Can you do that?"

I sobbed again and nodded vigorously, surprised with myself for even lasting this long. Rick's eyes squeezed shut and his jaw tightened, letting out a throaty groan.

"Now, Beth."

I willingly obeyed, allowing myself to fall over the edge, floating into oblivion. "Don't pull out!" I gasped. "Please cum inside of me, Rick…please."

Rick's eyes snapped open and they darkened. His body stilled and he growled, releasing everything he had into me. He collapsed on top of me in utter exhaustion as he came down from his high, and I immediately wrapped my limbs around him, keeping him locked where he was. I wasn't quite ready to let go yet, afraid that he was going to recant everything he had just said to me.

"Did you mean it?" I finally whispered.

Rick slid his arms under my body and held me, burying his face into my neck, giving it a tender kiss. "Every word, baby."

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Sorry, not a very long insight on Rick's POV, but I felt like this should've been mostly told in Beth's point of view so you would know exactly she was thinking when she flipped out. But anyways, RICK FINALLY SAID IT! He loves her! Yay! Tell me what you guys think...too much? Just right? Let me know!