A/N Greetings Brick lovers! Just some Rick and Beth romance for you. I hope you enjoy!

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When his divorce was finalized Carl and Judith stayed with Lori and he found himself suddenly very alone. Uncomfortably alone. Completely alone. He felt isolated and depressed.

The first year had been the toughest in every way. He hadn't expected his world to turn so dark when his marriage ended. It wasn't like he thought he'd just have a couple of lonely nights and then move on, but he hadn't expected to feel so lost for so long.

It wasn't even that he missed Lori. The marriage had gone wrong a couple of years before they finally called it quits. For so long it seemed as if they were simply going through the motions.

So no it wasn't so much missing her, it was more that he missed being part of a family. He'd always had a family life, he and Lori had married so young he'd still been living at home with his folks. They'd only been out of high school six months when they discovered she was pregnant with Carl. They soon formed their own family. Now 10 years later that family was no more.

He still got to see his kids but only on Wednesdays, every other weekend, and two weeks in the summer. It wasn't enough time with them and it just didn't seem fair. But the fact that he was the county sheriff meant he followed court orders.

By the time the second year came around he was finally getting settled into a new way of living. He had a little house he liked a lot, he had his interests like fishing and hunting with friends, or when he could with Carl. And he'd started doing community service to stay busy when the kids weren't around.

He discovered life alone wasn't all bad. It definitely wasn't ideal but it also wasn't all bad.

The only thing he hadn't been able to make himself try was dating. He kept telling himself he'd be ready soon. So far "soon" hadn't arrived.

Lately the highlight of his day to day life had been those days he could stop in the little pastry shop. It wasn't that he cared for morning sweets; he preferred an egg and toast. But one Saturday morning Carl and Judith had begged him to stop at the small shop on their way to the park and he'd agreed. That was the first time he set eyes on Beth Greene.

Even in her black and white striped baker's pants and white chef's coat he found her breathtakingly beautiful. And she'd been so patient and kind with Judith. It seemed completely genuine and not at all like she was just "putting on" for a customer. And that big open smile was gorgeous. He'd instantly felt an attraction to her, she was someone he wouldn't mind getting to know. He wouldn't mind it at all. He just had no idea how he might accomplish that.

So he just started stopping in at the pastry shop every chance he got, either for a cup of coffee or a chai tea. Occasionally he'd order a donut or muffin and take it with him. His secretary always appreciated those days.

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She'd gone to college right out of high school, just like practically everyone else in her graduating class. It was expected. Not everyone succeeded at it but she had and she'd gotten her Bachelor of Arts in Music Studies.

The problem was she hadn't been able to get a job in her field and sadly she knew she wasn't alone. Apparently a B.A. in Music Studies didn't mean a thing out in the real world.

Baking had always been something she loved and something she did far better than most, but it had always been just a hobby. But when her situation got a little desperate she resigned herself to reality, when you need a job you need a job. She ended up going to work at the pastry shop of an old family friend, Erma Horvath.

It was two months after she started that her work situation had begun to change quite dramatically. Erma hardly came in at all anymore. It seemed she and her husband Dale were always busy taking trips here and there in their RV, leaving Beth in charge of the shop. She didn't mind at all, she was happy they were enjoying themselves and she enjoyed running the bakery for Erma. It wasn't her first love, that was still music but she did love the work and it was creative. It seemed as long as she was creating lovely things she was happy.

At 23 she felt like an independent business woman even though the shop wasn't really hers. The small bakery specialized in breakfast pastries, donuts, croissant, Danish, Crullers', all the early morning goodies. Plus there was coffee and tea and one kind of smoothie, strawberry / banana. When she'd questioned Erma about why there was just the one kind the older woman had looked at her like she was thickheaded, "Why complicate things?"

Beth admired Erma and Dale for their simple way of seeing things, and she decided to strive to be more like them.

One Saturday morning a man had come in with his two children. She found herself immediately attracted to him. He was so handsome and his eyes were striking, she could hardly take her own eyes off of his. They were a crystalline blue and when he smiled those eyes smiled too, and oh my goodness that smile of his. It was big, friendly and engaging.

He had a young son of eleven or twelve and an adorable daughter about three. Beth was already jealous of his wife. Wow did she get lucky. It wasn't just his good looks that attracted her. It was the way he was with his kids and it was the way he treated her when he ordered. She couldn't think of one complaint she had about him.

After that day he started coming around fairly often, once every couple of days or so. That's how she found out he was the sheriff and that his name was Rick Grimes, he wore a uniform and a name tag. She also wore a name tag and they'd begun to greet each other as Beth and Rick when he stopped in.

They'd make small talk while she got his coffee but never anything too personal. He was a married man and she didn't want him to or expect him to flirt. She just wished he was single and interested.

Then one morning when he'd stopped in an elderly lady came in and spoke to him, "Rick it's so nice to see you how have you been?"

He smiled cordially like he always did, "Well hello there Constance, I'm great thanks and how have you and Herb been?"

"Oh we're getting around pretty good. That husband of mine had a craving for an apple fritter and he's like a toddler sometimes. I had to come get him one just so he'd quit talking about it." Beth was enjoying watching this interaction between Rick and the woman. Again she saw how genuinely kind he was with people. And when he smiled at the woman and his eyes smiled and crinkled a little at the sides, well he was just such a pleasure to look at.

Then the woman said something that was music to Beth's ears, "I can't believe Lori let you go Rick, most women would give their right arm to have a nice husband like you."

He just grinned and replied, "Thank you Constance. Can I give you a ride home? It's a little warm out for you to be walking."

Beth was feeling pretty excited about the fact he was single, or at least not married. But there was the cold reality that he hadn't displayed any interest in her.

He knew he shouldn't take advantage of his position as sheriff in this way but he couldn't help himself, he just wanted to know if she was married. So he did a five minute investigation and discovered she wasn't. He was unreasonably happy considering he had no idea how he'd ever get the nerve to ask her out.

Tuesday morning was starting out just right, he had no complaints at all. He'd stopped at the pastry shop and gotten a great cup of coffee and a beautiful smile from Beth. But then he'd made the mistake of walking in the office and his secretary Carol broke the news, "Don't forget Sheriff, the law enforcement ball is coming next month. After begging off last year you really need to go."

He'd mercifully forgotten all about it, but she was right dammit and he needed to attend. He hated these functions anyway but the idea of going alone just made it worse. And even though he was long over any love he'd once had for Lori, it would still be uncomfortable to see her there with her new husband Shane. Now that he was the sheriff over in Brewster County he knew they'd be there, Lori had always loved those parties.

It was the following morning when he stopped in the pastry shop for a coffee that the idea struck. There she was looking so beautiful. She'd just taken a pan of cinnamon rolls from the big oven and her cheeks were particularly pink.

"Good morning Rick, the usual? Coffee black?"

"Yes thanks Beth and how are you today?"

"Wonderful thank you. I'm just getting a big order together for the Lion's Club breakfast." She smiled like work wasn't really work at all, like she enjoyed it.

He mustered up every ounce of courage he could. "I was wondering if maybe you'd do me a big favor Beth?"

"Well certainly if I can I will. What is it you need?"

"There's a statewide function being held the 15th of next month in Atlanta. It's the annual law enforcement officer's ball. All departments will have representatives there and even the governor will attend. I personally don't care much for these things but I really have to go this year. I'm wondering if you'd be willing to come with me?"

She'd never been asked on a date quite that way, of course the way he put it she supposed it wasn't really a date. It wasn't like he'd actually asked her out he'd simply asked her to do him a favor. There wasn't one thing about it that had the most infinitesimal bit of romance to it. But it was a start and something she'd hoped for a very long time. "That sounds nice Rick but gee I'm a little busy right now. Do you think we could meet after work and you could give me a few more details?"

"Sure yeah uh, uh how about the Starlight Room for a drink say six o'clock?"

"Yes that would nice." That's when she thought he'd ask where to pick her up but instead he just said, "Okay I'll see you there."

This did not appear to be going her way. She had expected him to have a little more style. A handsome man like him must see quite a few women. It appeared it really was just a simple favor and he wanted someone there with no strings. Hmmm Now she wasn't at all sure how she felt about this.

He got in the squad car and with an open palm immediately begin hitting the steering wheel while angrily whispering to himself, "Stupid, stupid, stupid." How lame could he be? He'd been so nervous and tongue-tied and the words came out all wrong. A "favor" really? Pfft In his defense he'd never even asked a woman on a date. He and Lori had just kind of "happened." They'd gotten together at a party when they were in high school and that was that, they were together until the marriage ended. Come to think of it he hadn't even proposed. When they discovered she was pregnant they both just assumed what everyone else did, they'd get married.

Now he'd had an opportunity to ask out the most beautiful woman he'd ever known and he'd done such a piss poor job he couldn't believe she'd agreed. It was probably just that he'd caught her off guard and she didn't know how to respond. She did kind of have that deer in the headlights look when he'd asked.

Just to top it off he hadn't even offered to pick her up for this drink they were having. Shit. Maybe he should go back in and offer now, but that would probably be even more lame. He just didn't know. So he started the engine and drove back to the station feeling like the world's biggest and most classless idiot.

He got to the Starlight early and half-expecting she wouldn't even show up. She'd probably come to her senses and realize he was a loser that she wanted nothing to do with. He wouldn't blame her one bit.

He was happily surprised and relieved when she actually came walking in the door, just a minute or two after six. When he saw her he almost did a double-take, even in casual attire she looked so stunning he was floored. Why would a woman like her waste her time on him?

He'd never seen her when she wasn't wearing her baggy baker's uniform so he hadn't realized just how petite she was. There wasn't much to doubt about that now, not with her in those skin tight jeans and a sleeveless tee that was cropped to just above her belly button. He was mesmerized. He suddenly remembered himself and quickly stood, hurrying over to greet her. "Hi Beth thanks so much for agreeing to meet me. I apologize for not offering to pick you up there's no excuse for that."

"Alright." She wasn't giving it to him completely but she wasn't going to be bitter either.

He showed her to the table and even held her chair, things were getting a little better. He asked what she'd like to drink and ordered it for her. It seemed that in spite of the false start he had very nice manners.

The drinks arrived and she thanked him for hers then asked, "So what are the details of this party?"

"It's an annual event held in the ballroom of the Grand Hyatt in Atlanta. It's a formal evening of dinner and dancing with a lot of interaction between different departments. The governor and the mayor of Atlanta usually attend."

"Okay so I need to dress formally. I'm sure I'll find something. What time would we be leaving King County for Atlanta? I know it's about a two hour drive."

"It starts at seven so I'd like to leave by 4:30, just to make sure we give ourselves plenty of time. And this time I'll definitely be driving you." And then he smiled that smile, and all she could think was she'd probably walk with him to Atlanta if he'd just keep smiling at her that way. "Again I'm so sorry I didn't offer to pick you up this evening Beth. I don't even have a good excuse I just wasn't thinking."

"I understand it was kind of an awkward situation. So we're going to drive to Atlanta and attend this party I would assume lasts until quite late, and then we'll drive all the way back? That seems like a lot. I know you're the sheriff and all but I have to ask, will you be drinking?"

God he was an ass, that was becoming more and more evident. He needed a class on how to ask a woman on a proper date. "Well gee uh I usually spend the night right there at the Hyatt. I'm so sorry Beth I obviously haven't thought this through very well. I'm sure you think I'm an idiot and I'd have to agree with you."

He looked so lost and embarrassed she instinctively reached over and laid her hand on his. "I get it Rick, I really do. You're nervous. Shall we try again?"

"Thank you Beth you're being very gracious. I guess it's apparent I know nothing about asking a woman out, this is my first time."

"Oh you're kidding me. How could that possibly be? You were married weren't you? You've got two children."

He gave her the short version of his high school romance and teenage marriage. Now she was probably really going to think he was a losing proposition.

But she smiled, "Gosh I feel honored. What are you 30? And I'll be your first date? Now that's very special." She smiled and between that and her sweet nature he did feel better.

"Thank you Beth you're very kind. And I'm 31."

"I don't usually interrogate a man who asks me out but this is a little different. The fact that we have to travel there and back, I just feel I need to know exactly what the plan is and what you expect."

She could swear his neck turned pink, "Oh I don't expect anything Beth shit that's not what this is about I swear." He took a deep breath, "The hotel gives a huge, I mean huge discount to the law enforcement officer's attending the function, you know good will and all. I could just get us each a room, I mean if that's okay with you. Otherwise I just won't have a drink and I'll bring you right home from Atlanta, no strings Beth. Really."

She couldn't stand it he was just too perfect and too adorably awkward while managing to be incredibly sexy. And he was somehow even more deliciously handsome especially in this flustered state. "I can pay for my own room Rick. It's my choice to attend and I don't mind at all."

"I'm sure that's true but I would mind very much. I've invited you and therefore I expect to pay for everything. Okay?"

"If you insist but I'm fine with contributing."

"It's not necessary Beth and I wouldn't be comfortable with that."

They'd gotten it all worked out and she was hoping maybe he'd invite her out sometime between that evening and the big favor. But he hadn't. He came in several times the following week and he was always very friendly but other than that nothing. She'd gone back to thinking this really was just a favor.

She made up her mind she'd take one more shot at trying to get somewhere with Rick Grimes. She was so attracted to him and she wanted very much to see if something could develop between them. She was hoping for so much more than one date to some stuffy law enforcement function.

He wanted to ask her out but they had a date set, and he didn't know if it was inappropriate to ask her for a date before the first date. He was an idiot, that he knew that. If Shane hadn't run off with Lori he'd ask him, he knew all about this kind of thing.

Thursday morning when he stopped in the shop for a coffee she looked a little angry with him. He didn't realize that wasn't her angry look it was her determined "it's now or never" look. As soon as he got to the counter she asked, "Do you have your children tomorrow night?"

He was caught by surprise but managed to say, "Um no, why?"

"Because you're coming to my house for dinner. Be there at six thirty, here's the address." She slid a piece of paper across the counter. "So now what else? Coffee black?"

"Thank you I'll be there Beth. And yes coffee please."

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A/N Poor Rick he just isn't quite the smooth operator he looks like he'd be. Beth has finally decided she's going to have to take the wheel! I hope you had some fun with it. I'll see you next Monday with chapter two. Thanks so much! x gneebee

The chapter photo is posted on my tumblr blog bethylmethbrick they are a beautiful pair, there's no denying that! Thank you for reading, following, and for being you, all that good stuff! Have a wonderful week and remember, I love ya large! xo gneebee