The next morning, we all are getting ready for the day eager to explore our new home. Some are starting their jobs today. Carol being one of them. She looks crazy in her cardigans and floral prints. She is making herself look weak and non threatening. She wants to blend in here so she can learn more. It's a smart play but I'm nervous what the information she receives could mean for us here. Rick might try to take the place. We could easily do it but that's not who we are. I want our addition here to help the people, not hurt them. We need to make this work. This is the kind of place we've been looking for. It's like what we wanted the prison to be. They just need to make some minor tweaks and some really big ones to security.

I haven't seen Daryl at all this morning. He normally wakes up before everyone else. I am curious where he ran off to. It doesn't take long before I get my answer. He is sitting on the porch again. Same spot as last night.

"Hey."

He looks at me. His eyes flick over me up and down quickly. "You look nice."

I shrug because in my opinion I look normal, except for the fact that I'm in clean clothes and my hair is down. I look down at my outfit. I'm in clean jeans and a white Levi shirt. I didn't pick out anything in particular. I just grabbed some clean clothes. I smile at him. "Thanks." I nod my head toward the street. "You comin'?"

He lowers his head and shakes it once. "Nah, you go ahead."

I ask gently, "Are you sure?" He nods. "Okay. Well I'll see ya later." I start to walk away but then turn back to look at him once more. "Love you."

A smile ghosts his face and I can see the tips of his ears turn red. "Love ya too, Evergreene."

A few hours later, I'm heading back home when I get stopped by a stranger. "Hey, you're Beth right?"

One look and I can tell he is one of Deanna's sons. He has got her eyes, nose, and face shape. He looks to be around my age, probably a little older. He is clean shaven and handsome in the boy next door kind of way. He smiles at me, patiently waiting for me to answer him. "Yes. Who are you?"

"Aiden. I'm Deanna's youngest son." Thought so.

"Nice to meet you."

"It's nice to meet you too." He looks down at me and starts to chuckle.

"What?" I ask a little annoyed.

"Sorry." He rights himself and looks back at me again with a neutral expression. "Sorry, I just- I watched all the tapes last night. You're even prettier in person."

Is he hitting on me? "Thanks .."

"Are you coming to the party tonight?" He asks, eager to keep the conversation going.

"Yeah, probably." I reply, keeping it short and simple, hoping he will get the hint and let me go home.

"Good." He says, sounding way too happy about that. "Maybe after we could have some drinks out at the gazebo?"

Yup, definitely hitting on me. "I don't think so."

"Aww come on. Why not?" He pushes.

"Because I am engaged…" I state the obvious.

"Is that for real? I mean I get it being out there, you needed protection but now that you are here…" Aiden pauses for a brief moment. "...you're safe and you have options."

"Options? …Like you?" He smiles and goes to speak but I stop him. "I didn't need protection out there. I can take care of myself. And I hate to burst your bubble, Aiden, but you aren't my type."

He looks shocked. I start to walk away and he calls to me. "Then what is your type?"

I turn to look at him and walk backwards. "Daryl Dixon!"

I am about to turn onto our street when I see Rick talking to some woman outside. Jessie, I think that is her name. She is married to the town doctor. I haven't met him yet but I remember Aaron saying he used to be a surgeon. I haven't ever interacted with Jessie but she seems nice. Rick catches a glance of me and excuses himself from the conversation.

"Beth."

"Hey Rick. What's up?" I ask.

He puts his hands on his hips and looks around. "You going home?"

I nod. "Yeah. Why?"

He is nervous to say whatever it is that is on his mind. "I need to talk to you about something… It's about Daryl…"

I think I know where this is going. "You want me to get him off the porch don't you?"

"Yeah. He has been there all day and was there most of the day yesterday. Normally I wouldn't push but it's starting to freak out some of the residents." Rick explains.

"I tried Rick. He just needs some time. Why don't you talk to him?" I suggest.

"I did. I tried. Carol tried. We both know you are the only one he will listen to."

I shake my head. "I don't know about that. I will try again but I make no promises."

Rick seems pleased with my answer. "That is all I ask."

I think about my conversation with Rick. Daryl is going to do what he wants. I am not sure if me talking to him will make a difference. I don't want to push him but at the same time I do want to know what is going on in that brain of his. There's no harm in talking to him. If he is ready to open up, he will. If not, then I don't know. I just don't want him to pull away from me.

When I get home, Daryl is still in the same place I left him this morning. He is fiddling with his knife. Those ocean blue eyes fixate on me as I approach. "How'd it go?"

"Okay." I say as I sit down next to him. "This place isn't that big. There is definitely potential here for it to be great but it needs work. Deanna seems to be open to our suggestions. She had me and Maggie over to pick our brains about ways to improve this place and potentially planting crops."

Daryl nods along as I speak but doesn't offer up anything new to keep the conversation going, so I ask him. "How was your morning?"

"A'ight. I sharpened our bolts and my knife." He picks at his jeans to avoid looking at me.

"That's good." I search my mind on what to say next. "Can I ask you a question?"

He hums and finally looks at me. My eyes meet his. It's my turn to look away now. "What is going on with you? Why are you refusing to leave the porch?" I look back to see him shrug. He does his mumbly 'I don't know' at me which is annoying. "Don't do that. Talk to me."

My eyes meet his again and plead with him to open up to me. "Guess I just don't see the point. I don't fit in here, Beth."

I sigh, "You don't know that."

He speaks again. "I do. This place is too much like it was b'fore. To them I'm just another redneck asshole. That's all they're ever gonna see."

Pieces of his actions are starting to make more sense now. "So what, you're just gonna sit out here on the porch scowling at them everyday like some redneck asshole?"

He shrugs, "If the shoe fits..."

"It doesn't fit!" I shoot back, frustrated. "It hasn't fit for a long time. You gotta stay who you are, not who you were, remember?"

He stares at me for a long minute, then finally nods. He lowers his head in defeat. "Guess you gotta keep remindin' me."

He's said it to me before. A couple times actually. The first time he said it, I told him no. I knew his philosophy on you can't depend on nobody for nothin', I thought he was right at the moment. The next time he didn't say it verbally but I think that is what he was trying to say. I told him as best I could without words that I would. The way he said it just now… it wasn't a joke like the first time. He is serious. It's like he has a hard time believing the good things about himself, which makes sense. It takes a long time to unlearn some of the bad habits we pick up as kids. Maybe he actually needs me to remind him.

"I will." I say sincerely. I play with my engagement ring to emphasize the next thing I say. "Everyday, for the rest of our lives, if you need me to."

He gives me a shy crooked grin that I love so much. He nods in acceptance. He looks a little relieved by my answer. Maybe he needs me too. I smile back but I know we have more to talk about. "But that's not what's keeping you on the porch. What else is bothering you?"

He considers my words. "When I was with Joe's group, he said somethin' t' me that I haven't been able t' stop thinkin' about since we got here." After I told him about Grady, that night, Daryl told me about what happened to him after we were separated. He still carries a lot of guilt for being with Joe and the Claimers. I could tell then that Joe had really gotten under Daryl's skin, so whatever he said must be weighing heavy on Daryl's mind to get him in such a funk. "He said 'There ain't nothin' sadder than an outdoor cat thinkin' he's an indoor cat.' At the time, I jus' brushed it off. It ain't like that with our group. But here…" He trails off and doesn't say anything else.

"Maybe it's not as simple as indoor and outdoor cats?" I think aloud in the silence.

Daryl turns to me. "What'd ya mean?"

"I mean what if we all are just… cats? Take me for example. I was an indoor cat but having to learn how to fight and survive out there, now I would say I'm more of a… stray cat. Same with you. You were an outdoor cat. But being with us changed you. Domesticated you a bit. I'd say now you're a stray too. I don't think there are many indoor and outdoor cats anymore. I think most of the people left are mainly strays. Except for these people. They are definitely indoor cats." That comment makes us both chuckle. "Does that make any sense?"

He nods but doesn't speak. "Just because we are here living inside now with these people, doesn't mean we don't belong here. You got to give this place and these people a chance. But you can't do that if you stay on this damn porch." My cursing makes his lips turn upward. "Who knows they might surprise you."

He nods again. I get an idea. I nudge his elbow and say, "Come on."

I start to stand but Daryl stays put. "Where are we goin'?"

"Hunting. Time outside the walls and off this porch might do us both some good. Don't ya think?"

He stands and grins at me. He takes my outstretched hand and kisses my forehead. "Thanks."

I smile up at him. "Anytime."