So here is my Rick/Beth story. I have for some reason just always loved this pair…even though Rick is two times her age. Oh well! When you're at the end of the world, I really don't think age matters anymore.

This story won't be consistently updated. I have an illness that knocks me out for the count at random ass times, so I can't guarantee that I will update as often as people like.

Also, I really enjoy reviews. If I don't get reviews, I will assume no one likes this story and I will discontinue it. So if you like it, let me know so I could keep the fire going!

Constructive criticism is ALWAYS welcome. Don't be afraid to correct me if I'm wrong on something. Just do it NICELY.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Walking Dead or its characters.

Enjoy!:)

Chapter One (Beth POV)

I sighed and lay a sleeping Judith back into her crib. It was around four in the morning and all Judith has done all night was cry. I let out another exasperated sigh and threw myself onto my bed across the room, desperate for even a wink of sleep, but of course, my brain would not allow me. So instead I rolled onto my back and stared at the bottom of the bed above me, recalling today's events.

Rick had completely lost it.

Ever since Lori died, he would disappear for hours, sometimes days at a time without a word. My daddy had gone and talked to him once, but only came back to the group with a shake of his head indicating that it had all been for not. Usually my daddy was able to talk anyone to reason with his gentle but firm words. So for Rick to still be completely mad, it must mean that he has really lost it.

I looked over at Judith and wondered if Judith will ever know the real Rick. Will she ever know what a great leader he is? Or how strong and handsome he has always been? How his blue eyes sparkle when he laughs or smiles? I blushed and chastised myself for those kinds of thoughts. Rick was at least double my age. There's no point in wasting my time crushing on a man that I could never have.

Heavy footsteps brought me back to reality and I shot up from my bed just as Rick rounded the corner into my cell. He looked on Judith with a blank and completely unreadable face. I shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot, my hands clasped behind my back. Ricks emotionless eyes suddenly turned to me and I audibly gasped at the harshness in them. The sparkle in his eyes was gone and has now taken on an almost black color. The Rick I admired and lusted after was completely non-existent, but I couldn't help but feel a tingle in my belly despite his intenseness. His harsh demeanor was undeniably attractive to me and I blushed a deeper shade of red, hoping he wouldn't notice in the darkness.

"How is she?" his gravelly voice finally sounded.

It took me a moment to comprehend his words and I finally cleared my throat to speak. "She uh…she's fine. She's been fussy all night but…fine." Smooth, Beth. I scowled to myself.

Rick stepped up to Judith's crib and leaned over it, his dark eyes scanning over his sleeping daughter. "She's so peaceful," he said quietly.

I dared to step up next to him, and I gazed down at Judith myself. "Yeah. She is."

He suddenly turned to me as if he had forgotten I was there. I took a step away from him in case I was in on his personal space and sat down on my bed. Surprisingly, Rick sat down next to me.

"I wanted to thank you," he said in a husky voice that caused me to involuntarily shiver. I prayed he didn't notice, "for all you have done."

I bit my lower lip and shyly looked up at him. "It's nothin'," I said, tucking hair behind my ear. "I'm honored to be able to care for her. She's a sweet lil' thing." I smiled and looked at her.

I jumped as Rick's hand was suddenly on my thigh. My eyes darted over and locked with his. There was something in them that made my heart jump. I let out a shaky breath. "It really means a lot," he continued.

I stared at him for a long time. "It's nothin'," I repeated in a shaky voice. A fire ignited within me and I longed to be in his arms.

He nodded shortly and stood up, leaving the room without another word. My brow furrowed in confusion. I stood up and walked out of my cell and watched Rick walk away. Anger suddenly flowed throughout my veins. "Rick!" I whispered harshly, causing him to stop in his tracks.

He turned around and stalked toward me. "Is there somethin' you wanted?" He said harshly.

You. The voice in my head said, but I quickly shook it off. "How much longer are you gonna do this to your family?" I dared to ask, surprised by my own courage that I suddenly dug up.

"Excuse me?"

"You can't go on like this forever." I stalked towards him. "We have all lost people, Rick. All of us. But none of us were allowed to check out. None of us abandoned our families for days at a time. I'm sorry that you lost Lori, but you need to get a grip on yourself. You got a family to take care of."

Rick's eyes flashed a surprised look in them, probably from my sudden outburst. I never usually spoke out of turn to anyone. Especially an adult. The hard look was back in his eyes. "I can't check out, huh?" he took a few intimidating steps towards me, causing me to step back a little. "What about you, Bethie?" the way he said my nick name wasn't in any way comforting or cute, it sent shivers of fear down my spine. "Huh? What about you? You tried to kill yourself, remember? At least I'm not that stupid."

My hand flew up on instinct and smacked him across the face. Rick's eyes widened in shock and he stared down at me. "I woke up, Rick," I said harshly. "I woke up and realized that I had things to do. I had a family, people who cared for me that I couldn't leave behind. Yeah maybe it was stupid. But you know what? We aren't so different, Rick." This was totally out of character for me to act like this, but I was tired of the way he was acting. "With the way you're behaving, you mine as well have just go on and killed yourself."

"Beth!"

Rick and I both jumped in surprise as my daddy came down the stairs from his cell. I immediately went back to my shy demeanor and stepped away from Rick, looking down at my feet in shame.

"I did not raise you to treat your elders that way," daddy said harshly. I winced at his words, suddenly ashamed for the lust I was feeling for him earlier and the days before. Rick was an elder, and she needed to get over this school-girl crush. "I am disappointed in you."

I shyly looked up at Rick. "I'm sorry, Mr. Grimes. I didn't mean to act out of turn."

Rick stared at me for a while and I looked away, blushing. "No apology needed, Bethie. You were right. It's time for me to wake up." He nodded at dad then turned and left the cell block.

"Go back to bed, Beth," dad said shaking his head, walking back up the stairs.

"What's goin' on?" Maggie and Glenn appeared out of nowhere, probably woken up by the commotion. "Is everything all right?"

"Fine," I said shoving past her into my cell, not wanting to deal with her twenty questions.

AUTHORS NOTE: I know this story kind of takes off pretty fast, but it will be a slow build up to the romance part of it. Let me know what you think!