Authors note.

This was totally supposed to be a one shot, but it got completely out of control. I'm still working on my other two stories too, but I just anted to write this! Reviews please!

Beth stood outside the fences and clutched Judith to her chest. Alexandria seemed almost too good to be true. After the hospital, finding Noah's town overrun and losing Tyreese, she was finding it hard keeping strong and having faith. She waited outside while Rick and the others had their interviews with Deanna. She flinched and clutched Judith closer to her chest when Aaron offered to hold her while Beth had her interview. Judith tightened her hold on Beth's shirt when Rick tried to take her. Beth just shook her head and walked into the interview with the baby.

"Hello." Deanna said as Beth sat in front of the camera. "I'm just going to record your interview. I have one for everyone living here. Anyone can come watch them at anytime."

"Why?" Beth asked settling Judy against her shoulder so she could sleep.

"Who you are and who you were is important." Deanna said sitting down. "Rick told me he had a baby girl. Is this Judith?"

"Yes." Beth said. She was not going to say anymore than she had to.

"Can you state your name and age?" Deanna said cheerfully, sensing Beth was shy and nervous.

"Beth Greene, I think I'm still 19. I'm not sure what the date is." Beth answered truthfully pushing her hair back and feeling the scars on her cheek and over her eyes.

"Maggie is your sister?" Beth nodded her head and continued to rub Judith's back. "What were you doing before?"

"I was getting ready to start my first year at The University of Georgia." Beth said.

"Did you ever have a part time job? What about hobbies?"

"I babysat and tutored a few kids. I like to sing, draw, paint and play around with clay."

"Rick mentioned that you were good at first aid..."

"I don't like to do that." Beth said thinking of what she had to do at Grady. "In an emergency like anyone else I can help, but I don't want to do that." Beth said panicking.

"You don't have to do anything you don't want to do. Not in here." Deanna said soothingly.

"I didn't mind taking care of the kids and teaching them at the prison." Beth said hopefully.

"What I have in mind for Rick as a job, he'll need you to take care of Judith. You'll be assigned to house with Rick, Carl, Noah and Mr. Dixon. Your whole group will be in 3 houses side by side." Deanna said. "You could stay with your sister if Carol wanted to trade..."

"No. I want to stay with Daryl." Beth said quickly. "We were on the road together for awhile. We get along."

"Mr. Grimes said as much. Do you want to tell me about those scars? The doctor we have here will look you and the baby over once we finish here."

"I don't want to go alone." Beth said standing up. "I'm fine, I can cut the stitches out myself."

"Beth you can bring Rick or your sister with you. I was told by a few of your group you've had a pretty rough journey. I just want to make sure you're ok."

"I'm ok. I'm strong." Beth said, almost believing herself.

"Sasha told us about your rescue..."

"It was nothing." Beth said standing up. "Are we done? The doctor should look at Judy's rash."

"Just a few more questions. Rick said we should keep our walls guarded and our gates closed. Do you agree?"

"There's still good people out there, but you need to be safe." Beth said shifting Judy into her arms so she could recline comfortably. "You need us to protect you."

"Like they protected you on the road? I'm impressed that so many of you are healthy and alive after all that time out there."

"We watched each other's backs." Beth said. "I'm strong I can do anything Maggie or Carol can do."

"Carol said she was more of a caretaker of the elderly and children at the prison. Did she do more?"

"She went out to get elderberries when we were sick too." Beth said quickly covering her outburst. "I just mean we all can handle ourselves and we protected each other."

"Of course you did." Deanna said. Beth felt her nostrils flare. She looked at the ground and saw a small pooling of blood and a bit of fur.

"Mr. Dixon's critter left that." Deanna said. "I won't keep you from the doctor anymore. Anything you can do to help out with the children will be appreciated, I think you'll have your hands full caring for your own house though."

Beth slowly got to her feet and mumbled thanks before being led across the street to another house where Daryl was waiting on the porch.

"Didn't think you'd want to see the doctor alone." He said picking at a hole in his pants. A few people walked by, their smiles for Beth and Judy fading when they saw Daryl. Beth reached down and took his hand.

"Thank you." She said letting him lead her to the living room. "Did she give you a job yet?" Beth asked as she sat on a wooden bench inside the door.

"Not yet." Daryl said standing by the window and watching the streets with one hand on the strap to his crossbow. "Said she'd figure something out for me."

"Next?" A tall blonde man asked as Eugene made his way from the exam room and out the door. "You can wait here." The doctor said as Daryl moved to follow. "I'll leave the door open if it'll make you feel better. He's not family right?" He asked looking at Beth's page. "This your baby? Were you examined after you gave birth?"

"I didn't give birth." Beth said as she sat on a makeshift exam table. She was pretty sure it had once been a massage table. "I've cared for her since her mother died giving birth." There was no way Beth was being examined below the belt by another doctor. Deanna had said she didn't have to do anything she didn't want to do.

"Let me have a look at your ankle, wrist and scars." He said reading over the injuries Beth had told Deanna about. "Wrist looks a bit weak still. I'm going to give you an ace bandage for both your wrist and ankle. All that walking can't have helped. I'm going to be operating on Noah, I'd like to get X-rays for you too." Beth shook her head. "Those stitches can come out. Let's examine the baby and her rash. Looks like you were able to keep her pretty clean and dry though."

"I used whatever I could find for diapers and wipes, but some days she had to stay in a soiled diaper too long." Beth said standing and laying the baby on the table and stripping her. She answered questions about roughly how old she was and if she was talking or crawling yet. She wasn't but she spent most of her life in someone's arms. Beth knew she could sit up on her own and she said baba and dada, but she called her bottle and Beth baba and all males dada.

"She'll catch up. She's a bit small for a six month old, but not unhealthily so. You want to hand her out to Mr. Dixon so I can get your stitches out?" Beth shook her head and settled with a sleeping Judith on her chest. The doctor placed a hand on her chin to hold her steady while he snipped at the stitches from when Dawn had struck her and from the bullet that had grazed her head. She fought back the tears as he started to pull them out with tweezers. "You need to hold still." He said with little patience. Beth mumbled an apology and winced when he held her chin firmer, pressing her skull into the table. "I'll give you some vitamin e oil, it'll help with the scarring. Pretty thing like you should stay pretty." He said walking to his cabinets, not bothering to help her up. She sat up and saw Daryl standing back in the hallway with clinched fists. "I got a tube of diaper cream here for the baby too." He handed over both ointments and filled out the paperwork. "You can go now." He said dismissing her from his office. Beth grabbed Judy's outfit and shoved the ointments in her pocket before walking past Daryl and asking him softly to take her to wherever they were staying. She paused on the porch and unbuttoned her outer sweater, wrapping it around Judy; she didn't want to bother getting her dressed. Daryl followed her down the steps and walked a few feet ahead of her silently towards 3 houses off by themselves.

"We're in this one." Daryl said letting her walk up the steps and into the living room. Rick had showered, shaved and someone had cut his hair, he pointed to 2 baskets on the table and Beth walked over and got a small travel toothbrush and toothpaste, a small brush, some deodorant and a baby wash for Judy.

"I set aside some clothes for you." Rick said handing over a tight looking tank top, a skirt and a hoodie. "There are some slip on sneakers and flip flops just for tonight and tomorrow. They said there are some sturdier shoes, but we'd have to go try them on if we wanted new ones." Beth looked into the smaller basket and found some baby supplies and clothing. Wonderful disposable diapers and older looking dishtowels she'd use for cloth.

"I'm going to give Judy a bath in the kitchen sink." Beth mumbled, not wanting to stay in the living room with everyone else. Maggie sighed. Beth was not as friendly as she used to be. She wouldn't open up about what had happened at the hospital. Maggie had feared the worse when Daryl had carried her from Grady; she was limp in his arms with blood through her hair and on her face. Carol had cleaned her up and remarked that her and Daryl had matching scars now. Rick explained to everyone that they'd stay together in the one house for the night, safety in numbers, and camp out in the living room and kitchen. Beth rolled her eyes and smiled at the wonder in Judy's eyes when she turned on the tap. She made sure only warm water was filling the sink before guiding Judy's little hand into the stream. She pulled it back in shock before pumping her legs against Beth smiling and sticking both arms under the stream and waving her hands around.

"You like splashing, don't you?" Beth crooned stripping the soiled shirt she had been using for a diaper and tossing it directly in the trash. She sat Judy up in the sink and turned the water off and handed her a little facecloth. Judy dunked it repeatedly in the water and giggled as it dripped when she held it up. Beth cupped water in her hands and let it run over her arms and back and gently worked the baby wash into her skin before rinsing her clean. She wet her hair carefully with the face cloth and washed it before carefully holding her and placing her head under the faucet to rinse the soap away. She sat the baby back up in the sink and let her splash around and enjoy her first real bath. She hoped to get her a rubber duck if they stayed here. Judy eventually grew tired of splashing and reached out for Beth. She had her diapered, powdered and dressed in her pajamas in no time. She grabbed a jar of powdered formula and a new bottle from the basket before filling the kettle with water and turning on the stove to heat the water. There were even pacifiers and a few soft toys in the basket. Beth opened a pacifier and let Judy shove it in her mouth. The baby rested her head against Beth shoulder and started to doze off.

"You want the shower next?" Michonne asked as she made her way into the kitchen in a fresh pair of jeans and shirt. "I must have brushed my teeth for hours." She said looking at Beth with a smile.

"I'll let Daryl shower before me." Beth said. "I'm not as dirty."

"We can't get that stubborn ass inside. He's outside skinning the possum and said he'd keep watch tonight." Beth rolled her eyes and threw a blanket over the baby and made her way outside. She walked back in and tossed the butchered meat on a plastic placemat and shoved Daryl towards the bathroom.

"You are getting clean while you have the chance." Beth whispered fiercely. "I'll bring you new clothes."

"I don't need new clothes." Daryl said stubbornly.

"Yes you do! I'm setting these ones on fire." Beth threatened as she carefully pulled his vest off and hung it on the hook on the back of the bathroom door. "Daryl I am holding a baby. Don't make me strip you down myself!" Beth said closing the door so they could have some privacy. "You stay in there and scrub until the water runs clear down the drain." Beth said opening the door and closing it again behind her. She had Daryl's old clothes in one hand and walked over to the washer and lifted the lid and dropped his ratty old jeans, undershirt and sleeves plaid in and dumped in a capful of detergent. "It's a waste of my time washing these." She mumbled at a grinning Michonne and Carol. "Just going to fall apart." She said pouring the boiled water from the kettle into a glass jug and setting it in the fridge to cool.

"I can't believe you got him in shower." Carol said sorting through the supplies they were given. "I thought I'd have to hose him off in his sleep."

"At least we found Daryl's kryptonite." Carl said walking into he kitchen to check on Judith. "Beth."

"You just have to know how to reason with him." Beth said pouring some water in with the formula she had measured out. She shook up the bottle and sat at the table and eased Judith into a feeding position. Judy started drinking in her sleep and Beth smiled. "We all should be getting clean while we have the chance. I mean they didn't say if they'd let us stay or not. Carl why are you still dirty and smelly." Beth asked as soon as he sat next to her. "March up those stairs and use the other shower." Beth said pointing to the stairs. "You smell like a donkey's butt crack." Carl sulked out of the kitchen with the bundle of new clothes Carol handed to him.

"We need to keep up appearances until we figure this place out." Carol said as she adjusted the sweater set she was wearing. "I've been assigned to the kitchens. They have a meal delivery service in place for the elderly. I'll see what I can find out. What'd they give you for a job?" She asked looking at Beth.

"I'm supposed to help out with the kids and in the pantry if I have time between caring for Judy and keeping this house." Beth said. "I've already decided I won't have much time." She said. "I don't want to be separated from you guys. I'll just keep things tight here." Beth said.

"This is our chance, these are good people." Michonne said trying to make others have the confidence she had in this new place.

"You weren't taken in to another supposedly safe place by supposedly good people." Beth said. "They gave me a job to do at the hospital too." She added shifting the baby to her shoulder and burping her.

"Beth what happened to you?" Carol asked. "I wasn't in the hospital and conscious. What'd they do?"

"I don't want to talk about it." Beth said. "I just want us to be prudent and not let our guard down." Daryl rumbled out of the bathroom in new clothes with wet shaggy hair.

"Don't see why I have to shower while you sit there in your own filth." He said sitting down beside Beth. She handed a sleeping Judith over to Carol and picked up her small bundle of clothing and walked to the bathroom.

"Only reason I'm filthy is cause you rubbed mud on me to keep the mosquitos away." Beth said walking into the bathroom. She frowned when she realized there wasn't a lock on the door. She'd have to check out the other rooms in the house and the front and back doors. She stripped off the dirty gray sweater and stained yellow polo and folded them on the counter top before working her jeans down her legs. She looked over the counter and found a razor and a few replacement blades so she loaded a new one in and brought the razor into the shower with her. It would be nice to get clean and hair free. She was surprised at how clean Daryl had left the shower, he must have taken her advice and rinsed till it ran clean. She turned on the water and momentarily regretted letting Carl and Daryl shower first; the water was barely lukewarm. Beth quickly washed her hair and body and dragged the razor over her underarms and over her legs and shut the shower off after rinsing.

"Beth?" Daryl called through the door. She quickly wrapped up in the towel.

"You can come in." She said. Daryl opened the door and kept his eyes on the floor as Beth rinsed the razor thoroughly at the sink before putting her cartridge on the back of the toilet. She worked a comb through her hair getting frustrated at the amount of tangles before Daryl pushed her down to sit on the toilet and started combing through the snarls carefully for her. Beth rolled her wrist and watched him work in the mirror.

"I brought you in some pajamas. Thought they might be warmer than the skirt and tank top they left you." Daryl said motioning to a pair of gray sweat pants and a Nationals t-shirt.

"Thanks." Beth said as Daryl braided her hair into a long braid.

"Stole you a pack of elastics from the basket too." He said twisting one around the end of her hair and turning so she could dress. "I'm not sleeping in the living room like a sardine in a can. There's a swing on the porch. If you need me I'll be out there on watch."

"I don't see why I can't go sleep in one of the beds upstairs." Beth said tapping Daryl on the shoulder and letting him turn around. "I mean it's going to be 12 other people crammed out there?"

"Just being safe." Daryl said watching as Beth walked out and shoved his now clean clothes into the dryer and dumped her, Judy and Carl's old clothing into the washer and starting it again.

"Well check the doors. The bathroom was doesn't really lock. I wonder if these ones do." Beth said as she and Daryl walked into the living room in time to hear Deanna name Michonne and Rick the new constables for Alexandria and invite everyone to a party at her place in 2 days.

"Don't you worry Mr. Dixon, I'll think of a job for you soon." She added smoothing a hand over Judy's head on her way out the door. Judy noticed Beth and tried to worm her way out of Carol's arms so Beth reached across and took the baby back.

"A party?" Sasha questioned. "Don't these people know what is outside those walls?" She asked slamming out of the house. Beth bounced the baby and made her way into the kitchen and let Judy have her pacifier again. She wrapped the baby in a warm blanket and pulled on her hoodie. She grabbed another blanket from the living room for herself and walked out on the porch and climbed over and squeezed herself and Judith between Daryl and the back of the swing. Daryl shifted on to his side so the baby lay between the two of them and tried his best to scowl.

"You're going to freeze out here." He said laying the blanket over the girls and tucking it around them.

"Oh shut up. You'll keep us warm." Beth whispered with a smile. "What do you think about the party?"

"I'm not going to no party." Daryl said.

"You should think about going." A voice from the street called out. Beth clutched the baby closer and looked around. Aaron stepped up the stairs and sat against the bannister. "I could see you guys out here from my place." He said pointing to a house across the street a door or two down.

"I'll likely stay home with the baby." Beth said.

"Nah, you'll get to leave early because of the baby. Her and Carl are invited too." Aaron said. "Won't be terrible. Good food, good beers and booze. You'll get to meet everyone."

"What if I don't want to meet anyone?" Daryl said sitting up and accepting the pack of smokes Aaron had somehow gotten for him. He shoved it in his pocket, knowing that even though he was outside Beth wouldn't want him smoking.

"People might find that weird." Aaron admitted. "I just wanted to bring you those. I should get back to Eric." He said leaving them. "Have a good night." Rick made his way to the porch with Carol.

"These people are nothing but lucky." Rick said looking down at Beth and Judith. "They're lucky they were behind these walls, lucky they haven't fallen down and now they're lucky they found us."

"So what? Are we staying?" Daryl asked from where he sat on the swing. "We going to play by they're rules?"

"IF they don't listen to our advice we'll take this place." Rick said simply walking down the steps. "I'm just going to go on a walk around."

"Starting early Sheriff?" Carol teased. Rick rolled his eyes.

"You start thinking of a way to smuggle some guns out and get to know our neighbors." He said before taking off down the street.

"You two get some sleep." Carol said walking back to the house and grabbing a knit hat and tossing it to Beth. "Judy's head will get cold." Beth eased the blanket down and slipped the little hat over the baby's head carefully before wrapping her back up and resting against the swing. Daryl stood up and kept an eye on Rick as he walked down the middle of the road.

"Carol's right. You should go back inside." Daryl said over his shoulder.

"Not without you." Beth said stubbornly. "The last time I left a room without you I was taken." She said curling around Judith and closing her eyes. "Don't act like you don't like sleeping with me."

"Fine. When Rick gets back I'll go sleep inside with you, in the kitchen though. We'll bring the cushion from the swing" Daryl said watching as Rick paused and turned towards a house and stood there for a few minutes. Rick made his back to the house with a frown and held the door open while Daryl moved the cushions into the house.

"What's wrong?" Beth asked letting Rick take Judith from her and place her in the pack and play someone had set up in the living room.

"Nothing, just was talking to one of the neighbors." Rick said. "Rubbed me the wrong way." He said as he settled down between Carl and Eugene. "Get some sleep." He said settling on his back with his arm behind his head. Beth whispered good night and made her way to the kitchen where Daryl was arranging the blankets over the cushions.

"You're right. There's beds upstairs. This is bullshit." Daryl said kicking at the blankets. Beth tossed a pillow to the "head" of their bed and helped him arrange the blankets. She waited till he had settled before curling up with him and using his bicep as a pillow, letting him use the one she had scored from the living room. "You really going to make me go to that fucking party alone?" Daryl asked.

"Maybe." Beth answered honestly. "I don't want to be there." Beth said lifting her head. She got up and walked back through the living room carefully stepping over the sleeping bodies to find Judy sitting up and whimpering in her crib. She held her arms up when she saw Beth. Beth made her way back over the bodies with the baby. "I don't know how they can sleep through her crying." Beth grumbled fixing another bottle.

"They're exhausted." Daryl said sitting on the counter and peering out their windows into their back yard. "Whole town seems to be asleep." He added as Beth shook up another bottle and filled a mug with warm water so she could warm it up. "It's pretty safe here. You could let her get herself back to sleep." Daryl said. "You used to let her cry for a minute or two at the prison."

"She's hungry and I have the supplies to feed her." Beth said settling back into one of the kitchen chairs. "She was so hungry and thirsty on the road." Beth wished the supply people had just given them all their baby products instead of rationing them out. She wanted to have a stock in her bag incase they had to run. "You think if I asked for another can of formula I'd get it?"

"Glenn is going to be going on runs. I think he starts tomorrow. I'll ask him to get some." Daryl said keeping his eyes on the yard. "I just want to check around the house while you're up." He added quietly jumping down from the counter and easing into the dark yard. Beth looked up as Rick made his way to the kitchen and sat at the table with her.

"She missed you." He said looking up at Beth. "Daryl still on watch?" Beth nodded her head. "This could be a place we can make safe."

"Do I have to meet everyone right away?" Beth asked quietly.

"They're more likely to open up to you. You're less threatening. You could talk to the other women here ask a few questions. You'd get more information then we would. I won't make you go to the party though."

"Aaron said I could use the baby as an excuse to leave early. He came by with a pack of cigarettes for Daryl."

"Well he knows the way to win over Daryl." Rick said. "They brought over a stroller too. It's in the garage. Even when you go out, take a knife with you ok?" Beth nodded her head and settled down on the cushions with the baby. "She should sleep in her own bed."

"Once I start to sleep in my own bed." Beth promised. Daryl came back in and motioned for Rick to follow him. Beth sat up and looked at Daryl with worry in her eyes.

"Don't worry." He said closing the door again. Beth laid her head back down and waited. Rick and Daryl came back in and talked for a few minutes before Rick slipped back to his makeshift bed and Daryl crawled in behind Beth. "There's a lattice against the house, ivy growing on it. Looks like someone has been climbing up and into the attic. We'll check it out tomorrow."

"What if there is someone up there now?" Beth asked.

"They'll get a bolt through their head if they come down the stairs." Daryl said. "Those are the only stairs in the house." Beth relaxed back against him, keeping one arm on the baby and tried to get some sleep, she'd be out walking with the baby tomorrow, getting to know the neighbors.

Daryl watched as Beth strapped the baby into the stroller and fussed with her hat and blanket. She was stalling. He could tell she was nervous about leaving the house on her own. Beth flicked her hair over her shoulder and rechecked the small basket under the stroller for the third time, making sure she had an extra blanket, bottle and diaper supplies. Just incase. She wore a whistle around her neck they had found when they inspected the attic. It had looked like kids had used the empty house as a clubhouse. Rick and Daryl weren't worried about them coming back now that the houses were occupied.

"You don't have to you know." Daryl said working on his crossbow.

"I'm just going to smile and wave today." Beth said flexing her hands and trying not to let them shake. "Are you going to be here all day?" Beth asked rolling the stroller back and forth. Judy really loved her new ride.

"I'm going to go hunting at some point." Daryl admitted. "Carl'll be back later. That Jessie chick invited him over to meet some other kids his age." Beth took a few deep breaths and started down the driveway. She hadn't gone more than a block before she was being waved over by an elderly couple sitting on their patio.

"Look at that little angel!" The woman said waving down from her porch. "Come on up here dear." She said patting the chair next to her. Beth shook her head.

"Oh I better keep moving. Judy really loves her stroller and I need to learn my way around here. Same time tomorrow?" Beth asked as she gripped the stroller and forced herself to smile. The couple waved to the baby smiling. "Get it together." Beth whispered to herself as she forced herself not to turn back towards their place. As she got closer to the wall she saw Michonne and Rick patrolling and waved. Michonne waved back and Rick nodded his head but neither came over to talk so Beth continued on her way around the block.

"Must be different to be on a leisurely walk." Beth turned and saw someone she guessed to be around Glenn's age walking up to her. Beth flinched. She couldn't run away from him so she stayed still and kept a tight grip on the stroller to stop her hands from shaking.

"It's nice to not have to carry a gun." Beth said. The man laughed and stood right beside Beth and waited for her to start walking. Beth started to push the stroller back towards their street.

"I'm Spencer, Deanna's youngest son. You're Beth right? I watched your tape."

"I made the tape yesterday." Beth said uncomfortably.

"My mom was going over them after dinner." Spencer said. "You're coming to the party right?"

"I don't know. Depends on the baby." Beth said speeding her walk up.

"Rick can take care of his baby. You should get to let loose."

"I want to make up the time I missed with her." Beth said. "You watched my tape." Beth said pushing away from him. "I'll see you around." Beth said speeding up and walking away from him. She parked the stroller by the front steps and grabbed the baby and locked herself in their new house.

"You're back already?" Daryl asked slinging his crossbow across his back. Beth nodded and clutched the baby to her chest and tried to calm herself down. "What's wrong?" He asked rubbing her back.

"I'm not ready to meet people." Beth said letting Daryl wipe her face. "I don't trust them at all."

"I told you you didn't have to." Daryl said pulling her into a half hug.

"I know." Beth said wiping her face against his shirt. "They're giving us food why are you going out hunting?" Beth asked.

"Don't want to have to rely on anyone." Daryl admitted. "I could put it off if you don't want to be alone." Beth shook her head. "Really I don't mind."

"Just be back before dark." Beth said letting Judy have her pacifier and placing her in her pack and play. "I think I'm move into one of the rooms with Judy."

"Rick and I thought you could take the master bedroom. Be enough room for the crib and all the baby stuff. Rick wants to share the room with the twin beds in it with Carl. Like back at the prison. Noah is taking that small room."

"Where are you going to sleep?" Beth asked.

"On the couch." Daryl said. "It's a pullout." Beth stared at him. "What?"

"We could just share the room. Tell everyone we're together."

"I don't want people looking at you the way they look at me." Daryl said.

"I don't care." Beth said. "No one I care about is going to judge us." Beth added as she gathered the few things she had from life on the road and the few outfits she and Judy had been given. "We've slept next to each other since you got me away from Grady and when we were alone after the prison? I thought it was going to be me and you?"

"It was. You really didn't have choice then though." Daryl said. "You actually don't need me anymore."

"Daryl stop being a moron. I will always pick you and I'm always going to need you." Beth said angrily as she picked the baby up after slinging their things over her shoulder. "Go have fun on your suck ass hunt." Beth yelled stomping up the stairs. Judy screeched at him over Beth's shoulder and gave him a pretty intense glare.

"Yeah well if I catch anything good you can't have any!" Daryl said stubbornly slamming out of the house and walking towards the gate. "Open the fucking gate." He bellowed at the poor guy working the gate.

"Why are you going out Mr.?"

"None of your fucking business. I'll be back later." Daryl said. "I was told I was allowed to come and go as I want." The gate finally open and Daryl stomped past the few houses outside the gates and into the woods. His temper started to rise when he heard a few footsteps behind him. He turned around with his crossbow raised it. Aaron came out of the woods with his hands raised. "What?"

"Just saw you leaving on your own. Thought we could get to know each other." Aaron said. "You get assigned a job yet?"

"Not a good day Aaron." Daryl said. "If you're going to follow me around you got to be silent, not talking, walk quietly and you definitely need to start breathing through your nose." Daryl said turning and walking through the trails. Aaron followed him in silence for a while until they came across Buttons.

"I've been trying to catch him for weeks." Aaron said taking a length of rope from his shoulder. "The kids say him a few weeks ago, named him Buttons." He said slowly trying to approach the horse. "He doesn't like people. I think the walkers scared him off."

"Nah, he just wild." Daryl said taking the rope away. "Some animals you just can't domesticate." Daryl said. A few walkers broke through the woods and scared Buttons away before Daryl could lasso him. "Motherfuckers!" Daryl cursed swinging his bow and taking out the walker closet to him. Aaron used his rifle as a sword and soon the small group lay dead at their feet. Daryl had wanted to catch that horse for Beth. "Come let's try to track it." Daryl and Aaron walked through the woods in silence for a while. Daryl felt lost when they heard the horse scream in pain. He raced through the woods only to have his fears confirmed. Buttons had been taken down by another group of about 10 walkers. Daryl shot off an arrow and they easily picked off the distracted walkers one by one. "Do it." Daryl said turning to Aaron who sill held the rifle. "It's suffering, it's the only way to help it now." Aaron aimed and quickly put the horse out of its misery. "You say nothing about this back in town."

"Kids are going to know something happened when they don't see him anymore." Aaron pointed out.

"I don't want some of my people hearing about this." Daryl said. "They don't need to hear about it." He said leading him back towards their trail. "I came out here to hunt but those fucking things and that horse scared everything close away." He said grabbing his arrows along the way back to the walls. "Why are you out here?"

"On days I don't go out looking for people, I keep a watch around our perimeter. We want to know if any people are getting close." Aaron admitted. "They didn't give you guys enough supplies?" He asked.

"Never hurts to have freezer full of meat." Daryl said.

"They'd expect you to hand anything you killed over at the gate to go into the pantry, or at least half of it." Aaron said.

"They going to force me?"

"Only if they assign you a job as a hunter or on runs." Aaron said.

"So what ever I catch on my own time is mine?" Daryl asked.

"Pretty much. I mean every so often the run team will come across a luxury item and keep it for themselves, but for the most part it goes to the pantry and is rationed out. You find a whole carton of smokes, you get a pack." He explained.

"That why they only gave us one can of baby formula and about 10 diapers? They just want us to keep going back?"

"Judith is the only baby here, they likely only gave you enough till you decided if you were staying or not." Aaron answered. "How many diapers a day does she need? How long does a can of formula last?"

"You'd have to ask Beth. I know when she has the supplies on hand she goes through more. She doesn't like to ration the baby. Doctor told her she was healthy but small. She needs the food."

"I'll talk to Deanna." Aaron said knocking at the gate. "So you and Beth?" he asked. Daryl just looked at him. "You know I was listening." He said.

"I don't know." Daryl said walking through the gates and taking off towards their place.

"I'll see you later Daryl." Aaron said as he walked toward the pantry to drop his gun off. Daryl walked towards their place and caught up with Carl.

"You in school this late?" Daryl asked as they headed down the road together.

"No, school is only for a 2 hours. I hung out with the other kids after school" Carl said. "They have video games and comics. It was kinda weird."

"You left Beth alone all day?" Daryl asked.

"I thought she was going out and meeting people?" Carl said as they walked up the steps.

"Did you at least check in and tell her you wouldn't be back?" Daryl asked.

"No, why?" Carl asked as he walked up the stairs.

"She probably was worried about you." Daryl pointed out as he folded the stroller and carried up on the porch. Beth had tacked a note to the door telling everyone to take his or her shoes off at the door. "She may have found a way to keep busy." Daryl kicked off his boots and walked through the door. Beth had hung a shoe rack on the back of the door and labeled a slot for everyone and stuffed a pair of slippers or flip-flops for everyone to where inside. Carl looked around and sniffed the air.

"It smells like lemon and bleach." He said wrinkling his nose. Daryl opened a few windows to let the rooms' breath and eyed the room. It almost looked like a hospital room. Not a thing was out of place and everything was shiny and clean. It definitely didn't look like 13 people had slept in here the night before.

"Beth?" Daryl said tentatively walking into the kitchen. The oven was on and she had a salad mixed on the counter. Daryl started towards the stairs and walked towards the master bedroom. He knocked softly on the door and pushed it open. Beth was sitting against the wall with Judith between her legs, supporting her while she helped her stack a few blocks.

"No one came by to see me." Beth said. "Maggie, Carol, Sasha. They all have jobs or have made friends with the people in town already. I ran away from 70 year olds who tried being nice to me. Carl didn't come home and I waited, worried that someone was going to come tell me he had gotten bit or shot. I tried to keep busy, but any time anyone walked by, I ducked down so they wouldn't see me. A few people knocked on the door, so I came upstairs so they wouldn't see me ignoring them."

"You don't got to let people in if no ones here with you." Daryl said picking the baby up. "Come on down stairs, everyone'll be home soon." Daryl said looking around the room. Beth had set up the pack and play and made a changing station on the floor. He looked in the closet and stopped in his tracks.

"Did you bring my stuff up here?" Beth nodded her head and let him pull her to her feet.

"Even if you want to sleep on the couch you can't just leave your stuff lying around." Beth said taking the baby and leaving the room. "I cleaned this house for hours. I'm glad everyone else is in their places now."

"Supper smells good." Daryl said following her down the stairs. Carol and Rick were sitting on the couch.

"The party is going to be a potluck." Carol explained. "I'm bringing cookies from our house, Rosita is going to bring Spanish rice and beans."

"Do I have to bring something?" Beth said. "I don't know what to make."

"Just bring a salad like this one." Carol said. "I better get back. Maggie, Glenn and Michonne looked pretty hungry when I left. I don't want to miss out on the casserole I made." Carol said looking pointedly at Rick.

"Carol plans on sneaking in to the armory during the party and get us some handguns to keep. Just 3. One for me, one for Carol and one for Daryl. Keep it concealed."

"I don't need a gun. They let me keep my crossbow." Daryl said. "Beth should have it."

"If Beth gets caught with a gun I don't want her to have to go through whatever they'd do." Rick said. "We could hide yours around the house though."

"I'm teaching Judith to crawl. I don't want weapons lying around." Beth said. "We'd need a lockbox to keep it in."

"You'd feel safer though right?" Daryl asked watching as Beth eased Judith into the highchair that must have been picked up on a run from a restaurant. Beth shrugged her shoulders.

"I'll feel safer when I feel safer." Beth said. "I'm not used to being alone all day." Beth said sliding on oven mitts and pulling the pan with roast duck and vegetables from the oven.

"You guys you got to come to the gate!" Noah said throwing open the door. "These people are going to get us killed." Rick and Daryl took off after Noah. Beth picked Judith back up and walked to the porch with Carl and watched as Glenn and Aiden were arguing and getting in each other faces. Beth and Carl quickly walked down the steps and started towards the crowd that was gathering to get a better understanding of what was going on.

"Yeah well if you're in charge anyone on your run team is as doomed as your last one." Glenn spit out after Aiden told him he'd need a new assignment. Aiden spun him around and swung but Glenn ducked and punched back, knocking Aiden to the ground. Nicholas took a step forward but Daryl quickly tackled him to the ground. Rick and Abraham pulled Daryl off before he could land any blows and Michonne stepped between Glenn and Aiden who had pulled himself up and was getting ready to attack.

"Everyone calm down!" Deanna yelled. "Rick and his group are part of our community now and I will not have this fighting. Rick is here to keep order and you will listen when he tells you to stop." Beth looked around at the other residents and started to shake. They were looking at them like they were criminals. Jessie walked up beside Beth and reached out to put a hand on Judy's leg. Beth flinched away and turned to protect the baby.

"Sorry, I thought you saw me walk up." Jessie said reaching out. Beth closed her eyes.

"I guess I'm still a bit jumpy." Beth said bouncing Judy. "I'll see you tomorrow." Beth said walking over to Maggie and whispering in her ear. Maggie threw an arm around her and walked her and the baby back to the house. "Maggie what are they saying about us?" Beth asked as they walked.

"Not much. Just that they think we're strong. We'd have to be to survive out there." Maggie said. "They might be a bit scared of us, but so were the Woodbury people when they first came to the prison. They'll see we're good people." Beth hugged Maggie before going back inside and finishing getting supper ready. Rick, Carl, Noah and Daryl came back a bit later. Noah handed her a bag of a few baby supplies he had found before sitting down at the table.

"There was a random diaper bag in the woods." Noah said stopping when he realized what that meant.

"Thank you." Beth said setting it on the washing machine. "I'll go through it later. Tell us what happened." Noah explained about Aiden keeping a walker that had killed their friend chained in the forest and had refused to let anyone just kill it when they realized it had gotten away. He wanted to chain it back up and it had almost bitten Tara before Glenn had just killed it.

"They need to learn that walkers need to be put down." Rick said. "Keeping them chained up is inviting a herd to push down these walls. They don't even have someone up in the watchtower." Beth placed their plates around the table and shook her head. How had they been so unlucky at the prison with people and walkers constantly trying to take from them when they were vigilant about watches and these people did next to nothing and were perfectly fine? Beth ate in silent and listened as Rick went over a list of hazards he had noticed and commented on how weird he found Jessie's husband Pete the surgeon was. Noah told Beth he'd clean up so Beth walked to the living room with Carl to watch a DVD. She was still getting used to having power, let alone a form of entertainment.

"You want to watch this?" Carl asked holding up Dawn of the Dead. Beth shook her head.

"Nothing scary Carl. The world is scary enough." Beth said sitting on the couch with the baby. Carl put in Dumb and Dumber and they watched in silence for a while. Daryl and Rick went outside and started removing the lattice. He had Deanna about what they had found in the attic and she assured him that no one would be entering occupied residences. Beth listened to Carl laughing at the DVD as she smoothed her hand over the baby's head as she tried to focus on the movie but all she could think about was that no one was on watch.

"Beth you find it weird here?" Carl asked. "I mean this is exactly what I would have done at home before, but it feels so strange." Carl said between forced laughs. "I don't want to get weak living here."

"We won't." Beth promised. "We know what it's like out there and what it's like to have to go back out there." She said accepting a bottle from Noah and letting Judy feed herself as the movie finished. Rick and Daryl came inside after stacking the wood from the lattice in the yard. Beth was dozing on the couch with the baby and Carl was sharpening their knives. Daryl and Rick added their knives to the pile for Carl to work on. Daryl sat on the end of the couch and pulled Beth's feet into his lap and watched Carl while he worked on the knives.

"We can't forget what's out there." Carl said. "They are going to try and make us forget, with parties and jobs and school. We know though."

"They let us in so we'd keep them safe. They'll change." Rick said.

"What if they won't?" Beth asked surprising them. They had all thought she was asleep.

"Then we take this place." Rick said. Carl put another movie in and they watched another comedy till it got dark.

"Alright, tomorrow is the party. I still got to work in the morning. Carl you got school. Daryl they give you a job yet?" Daryl shook his head. "Good. Till Beth feels more comfortable, maybe you stay around her with her?"

"I'll be out hunting for some of the day. She don't need a protector."

"I didn't say she did. Just check in on her from time to time. I'll do the same. These parties are apparently a bi-weekly thing, so we all need to make a good impression or it's going to be awkward living here."

"We should get some sleep." Beth said getting up with the baby and walking up the stairs.

"Rick she doesn't feel comfortable around them yet." Daryl said running his hands against her face.

"So she'll leave the party early with the baby. Are you going to show up?" Rick asked.

"Probably not." Daryl admitted. "Just go to bed guys." Noah, Carl and Rick made their way upstairs while Daryl locked up. He made his way up the stairs and knocked on Beth's door.

"Come in." Beth said softly. Daryl opened to door and found Beth lying across the foot of the bed with one hand on Judith's stomach. "She's almost asleep." She said softly. "What's up?"

"Figured I'd just sleep on the couch in here." Daryl said. "Not really fair for you to get an entire bathroom to yourself either."

"You're too tall for the couch. If you really don't want to sleep in the same bed as me, I'll take the couch."

"It's not that I don't want to sleep with you. Do you really think that if were still at the prison we'd have ended up together?"

"You can't think like that. You think if this whole end of the world thing hadn't happened Maggie and Glenn would be together?" Beth asked. Daryl shook his head. "Faith gave us a lot of shitty things, don't through away the good ones too." Beth whispered trying to keep her voice down as to not wake the baby.

"I got to go get cleaned up." Daryl said placing his crossbow in the closet. Beth continued to lightly trace her hand over Judy's stomach till she was sure she was asleep. She moved quietly back against the pillows and ran her hands softly over the sheets. She was pretty sure they were expensive. She'd never felt anything as soft. The pillows were plush and supportive and the blankets were clean and fresh. She crawled under the blankets and tossed and turned while Daryl was in the bathroom. She caved and got up, reaching into the crib and bringing the baby in bed with her.

"Just a few more nights." Beth whispered to the sleeping baby. Daryl came back out of the bathroom a few minutes later and found the girls curled on one side of the bed sleeping soundly. He sat on the sofa under the windows and watched the street for a while before climbing on the other side of the bed and tried to get some sleep himself.

Daryl woke up when Judith rolled over and slapped him in the face. He opened his eyes and found Beth sitting on the couch and watching the street. "Why are you both awake?" He asked lifting the baby to his chest to stop her assault. Beth walked over and picked the pacifier up from the middle of the bed and slid it back into the baby's mouth. Judith settled down against Daryl's chest and started to fall asleep again.

"Just thought I'd keep watch for a few hours." Beth said easing back under the window. "I saw Michonne take a lap around the neighborhood. No one else has been up to check on the walls."

"I don't think they're big on watches. They think the walls are enough." Daryl said easing the baby back down on the bed. "Come on back to bed. I'll watch for a bit." Beth shook her head and pulled her knees to her chest.

"I'll get to nap when the baby naps tomorrow. You need to sleep." Beth said. "As long as I make a salad and look pretty I've filled my purpose for tomorrow."

"You do more than that." Daryl said.

"Sure, I get kidnapped and I almost botch rescue missions. So I guess if I don't get shot tomorrow or ran over I've batting a 1000."

"None of that was your fault. Well it was kind of your fault that you got shot in the head. You don't really think we would have left Noah do you?"

"You don't know what it was like there." Beth said.

"You can tell me." Daryl said. "You know I won't tell anyone else."

"After I woke up in the hospital, I called for help. Dawn and Dr. Edwards came in the room and asked if I knew my name. They told me the officers had found me, passed out on the road. I knew right then they were lying. I remembered them hitting me with their car and stuffing me in the backseat. Then Dawn told me that I owed them for their care and the rescue. She thought eventually the army or government would come rescue everyone. She thought she'd be rewarded for saving and helping so many people. Her and her officers." Beth said keeping her eyes on the window.

"Noah told us when she got frustrated she was dangerous." Daryl said breaking the silence.

"Dr. Edwards lost a patient on purpose my first day helping out. He was another doctor, and Edwards knew with him around he wouldn't be as needed. She couldn't take it out on her only doctor. I was in the room; all I had done was everything I had been told to do. That's how I got this." Beth said pointing to her cheek. "I went down later to get Dr. Edwards his lunch. Officer Gorman told me I should show more gratitude, that he was the one that found me and saved me. Unless of course I wanted him to write down everything I was taking so I'd have to pay it back. Even though it wasn't for me. Later he cornered me in my room. He had found a sucker Noah had left for me. Told me not to worry. He wouldn't tell Dawn. Then he pressed against me and forced the lollipop in my mouth. Told me again I needed to play nice." Judith spit her pacifier out again and smacked her lips. "I made Noah promise to take me with him when he tried to escape."

"He got out without you." Daryl said. Beth nodded her head. Noah had told her how she had happened upon Carol and Daryl looking for her in Atlanta after they had followed another car with a cross on the back.

"I snuck in to Dawn's office to steal the key to the elevator. Gorman came in and pushed me against the desk and forced me to kiss him. Told me he'd keep it our little secret that I was in there snooping around. Another ward, Joan, she had ripped her stitches out and let herself bleed out on Dawn's floor. Gorman hadn't noticed her. He was too busy putting his hands and fingers…." Beth paused and closed her eyes. "I was able to grab the jar of lollipops and smash it over his head. Joan had turned and dragged him to the ground and ripped his throat out. While they were dealing with that, Noah and I made a break for it. They caught us in the parking lot. Noah got away, I didn't. That's when Dawn gave me this." Beth said pointing to the scar on her head. "Dawn told me she'd keep my involvement in Gorman's death a secret. She called me a cop killer." Beth said tearfully. "Another officer heard her. He wanted to kill me and he tried to fight Dawn. I pushed him down an elevator shaft. She told me that was two of her officers I had killed."

"It's ok." Daryl said. Beth wiped her eyes. "You didn't want to kill them. You had to."

"Carol was wheeled in soon after that. Dawn punished me by saying she was a wait and see patient. No extra medical stuff. If she woke up we'd treat her, if not she'd feed the walkers in the basement. I made Dr. Edwards tell me what to give her. Then I heard that Rick was here and he had caught 3 of her officers and would trade them for me and Carol."

"And now we're here." Daryl said he knew the rest of the story. Dawn had told them they'd need Noah since Beth, her ward was leaving. Beth had walked up and stabbed her in the shoulder, Dawn had shot her, and Daryl had drawn and shot her between the eyes. Beth had cried out in pain, and the relief and luck at the bullet just grazing her had overwhelmed all of them. Tyreese had broken down in his sister's arms as Dr. Edwards quickly patched Beth up and Officer Sheppard had let them leave. Daryl had carried Beth out and Maggie and the rest had pulled up. The church had been over run while they were gone. Beth had decided. If she could she'd want to go home. So they had tried to take Noah home.

"And now we are here." Beth repeated. Judy started to fuss as the sun rose and didn't calm when Daryl gave her the pacifier so Beth scooped her up and quickly changed her diaper before starting down the stairs with her. Daryl quickly changed into his old clothes, he didn't want to ruin his new clothes, and he needed something to wear if he chose to go to that stupid party.

"What'd they ration us for breakfast?" Daryl asked as he caught up to Beth in the kitchen.

"Gave us some homemade breakfast sausage, more potatoes, onions and tomatoes. I figured I could fry it all up." Beth said as she placed Judith in the highchair and let her try to feed herself some of the left over carrots from the night before. She put her bottle on to heat while she added the sausages to the pan to cook while she chopped up the potatoes, tomatoes and onions.

"Be nice if I could find some duck or chickens, bring them back here get us some eggs." Daryl said. "We had duck last night. There must be a spot to get them. I might be able to get some here alive."

"Only you would think of the one thing we're missing and try to find it. Next thing you know you'll be bringing Judy home a pony." Beth joked with her back turned to Daryl as she stirred breakfast up in the frying pan. Daryl flinched at the mention of ponies.

"Much better than mud snake right?" Daryl joked.

"Much." Beth agreed as Carl and Noah made their way to the kitchen. "Almost ready. Carl, go wake your dad up." Beth said.

"He's in the shower." Carl said taking the bottle Beth had heated and handing it to his sister.

"You got to hold it up for her." Beth said. "She gets too much air if she tries drinking on her own sitting up." Noah reached over and tipped the bottle for the baby while he drank one of the juice boxes Beth had set on the table. Rick came down in his new Constable "uniform". Beth held back her laughs, but the men in the room weren't as kind.

"Is that a stripper outfit?" Daryl asked over the laughter.

"Or a mall security guard uniform they modified?" Noah added.

"Laugh all you want. You need the uniform to have authority." Rick said. "I do wish that I still had my old uniforms."

"I could be worse." Beth said from the stove. "It could be a tear away outfit." Carl and Noah laughed hysterically and Daryl spit juice across the table on the baby. Judy laughed and wiped at her face. Beth wet a napkin at the sink and wiped Judy down before finally dishing the breakfast onto plates and putting some hot sauces on the table. "Dig in." She said placing plates in front of Noah and Carl first before bringing 2 over for Daryl and Rick. She pulled a stool in front of Judy and started spooning some of the mashed up carrots in her mouth.

"You aren't going to eat?" Rick asked as he shook some hot sauce on his plate.

"Just going to get her fed first." Beth said. "She's gone long enough not getting enough." Beth said. Judy smiled at her and moved her wide-open mouth toward the spoon. Beth smiled as Judy smacked her lips and continued to open her mouth for the spoon till the mashed up veggies were gone. Beth held her bottle so she could get the last few drops before cleaning her up again and handing her off to Rick so she could eat and get ready. She had to run to the pantry to get enough produce, herbs, oil and vinegar to make a salad dressing. "You mind if I go take a quick shower before you all head off?"

"You don't have to ask Beth." Rick said sitting on the floor with Judy and giving her some plastic bowls to play with. "Maybe ask them if they got anymore toys and baby stuff." Beth nodded her head and headed up the stairs.

"You really think we need guns?" Daryl asked once Noah and Carl had left the house.

"I don't know. I'd rather have them and not need them though." Daryl nodded his head and started to put the leftovers away and stack the dishes. Beth came back down dressed in one of her new outfits. She braided her hair away from her face and dropped another clean diaper and a new outfit to change Judy into. Rick laid the baby down and quickly changed and dressed her while Beth showed Daryl how to load and run the dishwasher.

"What do you guys do for lunch?" Beth asked. "Yesterday I just ate raw vegetables and mashed up a peach for the baby."

"Aaron had sandwiches." Daryl said.

"Carl got fed at the school. Michonne and I were invited to the Johnsons' in the middle of our first patrol."

"I got two cans of chicken noodle soup. Should I put that on for lunch?" Beth asked. "Will you be back?

"Let's meet here for a late lunch since we're having a late supper with the party." Rick suggested as he handed the baby back to Beth.

"I'll bring the stroller down for you." Daryl said walking out to the porch.

"That'd be great." Beth said grabbing one of the empty baskets and walking out with Judith on her hip. She slipped her feet into the flats they had given her. They were only about half a size too big; she'd manage with them. Daryl took the basket from her and placed it on the bottom of the stroller. "You'll be back around 3pm, right?" Beth asked. Daryl looked around before cupping her cheek.

"I'll be back." He promised rubbing his thumb over her scar. He walked her down to the house Carol was staying in. "Carol said she'd go with you to the pantry. She needs to get the ingredients she needs for the cookies too." Beth smiled and let Daryl push the stroller. A few other residents out walking their dogs or jogging waved to them. She ran up the stairs and knocked for Carol before going back to the stroller and waving as Daryl continued on to the wall where he met Aaron.

"You ready?" Carol asked as they made their way to the pantry. Beth nodded her head. "If you can create a distraction I can unlock a window. "

"I know." Beth said as they walked up the driveway. Beth parked the stroller and placed the pacifier and Judith's mouth and put the baby on her hip. She reached for the basket and shook her head when Carol moved to help her. 'Trust me. It's part of my plan." Carol smiled as Beth made her way to the door and juggled everything trying to ring the bell. Carol hid around the corner and let Beth enter first so they wouldn't suspicious as to why Carol wasn't helping her out.

"Oh look at you guys!" Jenny said letting them into the room. "You brought the basket back. What do you need?" Just as Beth thought, Judith started acting strange with a stranger around her.

"Do you have any wet cereal I could feed her? She's just drinking so many bottles. It's great to finally have that for her, but last night it was like she was a newborn. I feed her every hour." Beth lied.

"I think I could spare a few packs of instant oats for you until we get our own growing." She said loading another day of supplies into the basket for Beth. "I'll add a jar of applesauce for her too."

"Oh thanks!" Beth said as Carol knocked on the door. Beth followed Jenny as she went to open it.

"You don't mind if I help you both at the same time do you?" Jenny asked as she led Carol in. Beth shook her head and made sure to stay on the opposite side of the counter as Carol. "Now what else do you need?"

"I was thinking of making cookies for the party tonight." Carol said butting in and listing what she'd need. Jenny had everything; she explained the chocolate was hard to come by and that she could only have ¼ of a bar. "I can make it work." Carol said.

"I thought I'd make a green salad and homemade dressing. Any greens you have, fresh herbs, a bit of vinegar and oil, olive if you have it." Jenny led Beth out to the garden leaving Carol trailing behind.

"We have leaf lettuce, romaine, spinach, chives, dill." Jenny babbled on listing the ingredients. Beth pointed and Jenny ripped her off the leaves of a few greens and handed her over a yellow and green zucchini, carrot and a quart of cherry tomatoes.

"Do you have a vegetable peeler?" Beth asked stopping her on the back porch. She wanted to make sure Carol had enough time. "I thought I'd shave the veggies, make it a bit fancy." Jenny smiled, leading Beth back inside and filled her basket with the produce and some supplies for breakfast the next day. Carol was leaning against the counter with a smile that looked friendly to anyone that didn't know her. Beth knew she had been able to secure an entry to the armory while they had been outside. Jenny looked down to fill out the paperwork keeping track of what she had given out to each house and Beth guiltily pulled the pacifier from Judy's mouth and let it fall to the floor. Judy's lip started to tremble and Beth kissed her as she started cry quietly, distracting Jenny.

"Oh poor thing." Jenny said picking up the pacifier and running it under the tap. Judy screamed harder when she tried to place it in her mouth. "She shy?"

"A bit." Beth said taking the pacifier and letting Judy suck it back into her mouth. She laid her head against Beth's shoulder and whimpered at the injustice of being used as a distraction. "Where could I fill in a request for a few more baby toys?" Beth asked as Carol took hold of her basket.

"Well I have a few things. If you promised to bring them back when she out grew them, I could let you have them." Jenny said. "It's not much I'm afraid." She apologized handing over a xylophone, rubber duck and a beach ball. "A lot of the toys were spoken for and with no new ones coming in the kids keep them a lot longer than they normally would."

"Could I have a deck of cards?" Beth asked noticing a few packs on the shelf. Jenny smiled and tossed one in the basket. "I could play solitaire while the baby sleeps." Beth explained. Jenny walked them to the door and said she looked forward to seeing them at the party.

"I'll be making my famous Sangria." Jenny called as Carol placed the basket in the stroller. Beth hugged Judy to her chest and kissed her head as they walked towards their houses.

"Good move with the pacifier." Carol said. Beth shook her head. "Oh she's fine. She won't even remember that you did that by the time we get home."

"You got it done right?" Beth whispered as Carol waved to a few people who were outside. Carol nodded as she smiled and waved. "Good." Beth said. "I'm going to let Carl go to the pantry for a while I think."

"You'll do no such thing." Carol said stopping and grabbing Beth's arm. "You'll go on as if everything is normal, that way if they notice anything missing they won't suspect us." Beth pulled her arm away and nodded her head. "Good. You want to get ready together? I can make the cookies while you make the salad. Keep each other company."

"Yeah that'd be nice. Did you get cans of soup for lunch too?" Beth asked. Carol nodded her head. "Bring them over and we can all have a late lunch together." Carol stopped by her house and grabbed her cans of soup. "You got cream of mushroom? I got chicken noodle."

"I'll check with Tara and see what her and Rosita got. Maybe we get the whole gang together before the party." Carol said helping Beth with the basket and taking off to Abraham's.

"How's he doing living with Eugene." Beth asked as she walked Carol back to the door.

"As far as I know they don't speak." Carol said shrugging her shoulders as she made her way down the steps. "I'll be back in about 3 hours. I got to go make some casseroles for the old folks." She said leaving Beth and Judy.

"Oh Judy I'm sorry." Beth said rubbing her back. She brought the baby into the kitchen and let her rest against her shoulder while she put away their supplies. "We can play with your new toys for a bit." Beth said placing the basket on her other hip and walking into the living room. She placed Judy on her tummy and handed over the xylophone and the stick to hit it with and showed her how to make music while she blow up the beach ball. "We're going to go to a party tonight, and I am purposely not going to let you nap very long today. You are going to get me out of going." There was a knock at the door and when Beth looked up she saw Spencer waving to her through the picture window. She wouldn't be able to pretend she wasn't home.

"Hey there." He said walking in once Beth opened the door. She stood by the door and decided to leave it open in case she had to make a break for it or scream. "Jenny was saying you were looking for things for the baby."

"She gave us a few things. We're ok." Beth said picking the baby up and handing her the duck. Judy was startled by the squeak it made when she squeezed it.

"It's not much, but my mom found these in our attic." He said pulling a few beanie babies from his pockets. "Thought she might like them."

"I don't really have anything to trade you for them." Beth said.

"It doesn't work like that here. If you had a supply of say denture rinse, you'd just give it to someone who needed it right?" Beth nodded her head. "We do the same here. Other then collecting dust, we don't need these." He said smiling at Beth. "I'll let you get back to your day. I'll see you at the party tonight." He said walking out the door. Beth locked up behind him and pulled the curtains closed. She hoped if anyone else brought something for the baby they'd leave it on the porch.

"Come on Judy." Beth said sitting on the floor and pulling the baby into her lap. She held her little hand and helped her hit out the notes to Mary Had a Little Lamb and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star on the xylophone and sang the lyrics softly. Around noon Beth picked Judith up off the floor and moved her to her highchair and mixed up about ¼ of one of the packets of oatmeal she had been given and mixed it with a little hot water and a spoonful of applesauce. Judy smacked her lips as Beth fed her and smiled. "I'm going to keep you from napping today Judy. You being tired is going to be my ticket out of that party." Beth cooed letting Judy hold the spoon and try to spoon the last little bit into her mouth as she fixed her a small bottle of formula. Judy threw the spoon to the floor and tried hold her bottle on her own. Beth smiled at her and lifted her to her lap so Judith could lean back and hold the bottle and get no air. Judy drank the rest of the bottle and was content to be on Beth's hip as she started tearing up the greens and shaving the veggies for her salad. Carol came back around 2pm and started making her cookies. Rosita came over with her cans of soup half an hour later and Beth found a can opener so they could get all three types of soup on. Carol cubed up a few pieces of bread and made garlic croutons to go with the soup.

"You guys know how formal this is supposed to be?" Rosita asked. Beth shook her head. "I don't want to show up in jeans and a t-shirt if everyone else is dressed up."

"You don't sound like you want to go anymore than I do." Beth said sitting down when Judith placed her head against her shoulder.

"Abraham is looking forward to drinking." Rosita said. "He still hasn't spoken to Eugene. You saw how he was on the road with alcohol."

"Both of you will put on party faces tonight." Carol said pulling the cookies from the oven and setting them on wire racks to cool. "We will be keeping up appearances."

"What's going on?" Daryl asked walking into the house and dropping his gear in the corner.

"Getting our game faces on." Rosita said.

"If Beth doesn't want to go…" Daryl started to say.

"She'll still go cause it's what's best." Carol said. Beth shivered at her words and left the room to go upstairs. "You not going won't seem suspicious. You aren't exactly friendly. Beth has to make at least an appearance."

"Shut up." Daryl said grabbing his pack and following Beth up the stairs. "Hey." Daryl said easing himself into their room. Beth was in the process of stripping Judy down and changing her.

"Hey." Beth said sliding a fresh diaper on Judy and letting her roll around the floor as she pulled her few new outfits out and looked them over.

"I don't think it matters what a baby wears." Daryl said sitting down beside them on the floor.

"I know." Beth said putting the baby in the new pink-stripped pajamas. "She's going to fall asleep there anyway." Judith rolled to her stomach and started doing her baby push-ups. "You decide yet for sure if you aren't going?" Daryl shook his head.

"Still thinking." Daryl said walking into the bathroom and washing his face and hands. "Like Carol said no one is gonna miss me."

"She didn't mean it like that." Beth said knowing from his tone that Carol had likely hurt his feelings.

"I told you that's what people think of me." Daryl said closing the bathroom door most of the way so he could piss.

"No. Aaron knew you were a good person. I was never afraid of you. Even when you wore a necklace of walker ears." Beth called into the bathroom. "Look if I was given the chance to not go tonight I'd take it. So don't feel like you owe it to anyone to go. If you want to go and be with us, you should come." Beth said getting to her feet and grabbing her brush and fixing her hair. Daryl came out of the bathroom as Beth was laying the black tank top and black and white pleated skirt she had been given on the bed. "You think my gray sweater is too messed up to wear?" Beth asked. "It's a bit dressier than my hoodie." Daryl went through the few things he had been given and handed her over a black men's cardigan.

"Here." Daryl said. "It's not like I can rip the sleeves off." Beth smiled and laid it with the rest of her clothing.

"Thanks." Beth said. "Can you take the baby downstairs while I get dressed?" Daryl smiled and scooped up the baby closing the door behind him. Beth finished her hair and pulled off the clothes she had been wearing and pulled on the dressier outfit. It looked like something she would have worn to church before hand. She redid her hair, giving herself a deep side part and pulling it back into a sleek ponytail. She slipped her feet into her flats. She heard The door open and close a few times and decided that she better make her way downstairs before people got worried.

"Oh Beth you look great." Maggie said. Beth smiled and caught Judith as she leaned over and squirmed out of Father Gabriel's arms into Beth's. She quickly slid into a seat beside Carl. "What kind of soup do you want?" Maggie asked.

"Cream of mushroom or tomato." Beth said putting Judith's pacifier in her pocket. "Can someone pass me the bottle in the fridge? The one with just water?" Eugene quickly made himself useful and handed Beth the bottle. Judith took a few drinks of the cool drink and made a face. "It's not time for you to eat again." Beth said kissing her head. "You're just thirsty." Judy continued to drink her water and stare at everyone.

"She nap yet today?" Rick asked. "She's going to be able to last at the party?"

"She'll be fine." Beth said. "It's been a day and a half Rick, I don't have her quite on a regular sleep schedule yet. We'll get there." Beth said bouncing her knees to stop the baby from settling.

"We all are still adjusting." Carol said defending Beth. "If Judy's being fussy, Beth can bring her back and out her to bed." Maggie set a bowl in front of Beth with a few croutons swimming around the broth. Beth picked up her spoon and slowly sipped it. Everyone but Rick and Daryl seemed ready to go to the party. Even Michonne was wearing a party dress. Abraham looked uncomfortable in a sweater vest and button up. Maggie was wearing skinny dress pants and blouse, most woman were dressed somewhere between Maggie and Sasha who looked uncomfortable in the thin-strapped dress she had on. Most guys were wearing button downs and jeans, some had sweaters, and some didn't.

"What time are we supposed to be there for?" Beth asked.

"Cocktails at 5pm, light dinner at 7pm." Maggie said. "Dessert after that."

"We should probably start walking over there. Party is for us, we shouldn't be late." Carol said as everyone drank up the last of their soup. "Maybe we shouldn't all arrive at once either." Beth stood up and grabbed the diaper bag Noah had brought her that she emptied and cleaned and went upstairs to pack what she might need. Another sleeper just in case, a few diapers, some wipes and two bottles from the fridge. She stuffed a warm blanket in the bag and sat the baby on the island and slipped a knit hat on her head and a little sweater. "Beth you and Rick should get there first. Make some joke about being worried about being late, you've never had to get ready with a baby before or something." Carol said handing Rick the salad Beth had made. Rick led Carl and Beth out the door and started the slow walk to Deanna and Reg's.

"You still ok?" Rick asked reaching out to ring the bell." Beth nodded and kissed to top of the baby's head.

"Hello there!" Deanna said holding the door open. "Right on time!" She said taking the diaper bag from Beth and hanging it on some hooks by the door. "Glad to see you decided to come. I know little ones can break your plans." Deanna said tickling Judith's feet.

"I was worried about being late." Beth said apologetically.

"Nonsense. It's a party. I expect people to come and go all night. What can I get you to drink?" Reg asked.

"Just water for me." Beth said reaching into her pocket and retrieving the pacifier and placing it in Judy's mouth. "She was a bit of a handful today. Didn't want to nap." Beth admitted.

"Rick let me get you a scotch. Carl you want a Coke?" Carl nodded his head and accepted some kind of appetizer from Deanna. Beth nibbled on a carrot stick. The few other party guests that had already arrived were hounding Rick and Beth was doing her best to stay beside him so she wouldn't have to make small talk. She felt a tap on her shoulder and turned to find Spencer smiling at her.

"You look like you'd be more comfortable sitting." He said sweeping his arm towards a sitting area with a couch and a few armchairs. Beth reached out with her free hand and grabbed a hold of Rick's arm.

"I'm ok for right now, thank you." Beth said digging her nails into Rick's arm. Reg came back with their drinks and Beth reluctantly let go of Rick to accept the glass and took a sip. Rick draped his arm casually over her shoulder and sipped his drink while answering a few questions. Jessie, Pete and their boys arrived and Carl took off with the kids and Jessie and Pete came over and made conversation with Rick and Beth for a while. Beth finally noticed a few more of her "group" as they kept being referred to as arrive. They spread out in groups around the party, Carol doing her best to talk to the older residents, Maggie and Glenn sticking to themselves in a corner, Rosita and Abraham had ended up on the couch with Father Gabriel and Noah, Tara and Eugene were talking to Aidan about something and laughing. Beth felt Judy being lifted out of her arms.

"I've been waiting to get my hands on her." Jessie said. Beth flinched and resisted the urge to pull the baby back. "Isn't she a darling?" Jessie added. Judy whimpered around her soother. Beth reached out and smoothed her hair back.

'She's been a handful today." Beth lied. "No nap, wanting to be held while I tried to cook. She screamed in the pantry today when she dropped her pacifier." Beth said as Jessie handed the baby back when the whimpers turned to screams.

"You can't be pulling babies out of strangers arms." Pete said handing another drink to Rick. "Let them get used to being in civilization before you push." Jessie blushed and Beth told her it was ok. "No don't be letting her off the hook. She won't learn that way. You're all here to teach us right?" He said.

"I don't think so." Beth said rubbing the baby's back. "I think I might just get her home Rick." Beth said. "She's really upset." Beth said walking towards the door. Deanna tried to convince her to stay but when she got closer Judy screamed even louder. Beth shushed her and accepted the diaper bag. "I'm sorry. Next time I'll make sure she naps." Beth promised. "It's ok. I can get home." She added when Rick made a grab for the bag. She opened the door walked down the driveway and caught Aaron and Daryl outside. "You were going to come?" She asked letting him take the diaper bag.

"Maybe." Daryl said. "You're leaving already?"

"They can't have fed you yet. I was just telling Daryl Eric and I made a huge pot of pasta. You guys should come on over. Eric hasn't really seen anyone but me in the last 2 days. He's getting sick of me." Beth looked down at the baby. "I have hot water and a laundry basket. You can get her to sleep at my place. I'll have you home before the party is even close to over. We can even leave a note on your door incase anyone comes to check on you and gets scared when they can't find you." Aaron said. Beth let them led the way to Aaron's place. "Eric and I are outsiders here. A lot of them don't understand us." He said. Beth smiled at him.

"What's to understand?" She said. "You're consenting adults. Consenting adults should get to do whatever they want. As long as it's legal. Thankfully they're aren't many laws anymore." She joked earning a laugh from Aaron and a grunt from Daryl.

"He said yes?" Eric asked excitedly as soon as they walked in the door. "Oh you brought a blonde and a baby too!"

"They said yes to supper." Aaron said pointedly. "I didn't ask him the other thing yet."

"What?" Daryl asked eyeing them.

"Not that." Aaron said. "I don't want Eric coming out on recruiting missions anymore. Even once he's healed. I told Deanna not to give you a job till I could talk to you. I'd like you to help me." Beth looked at Daryl.

"I don't really want to be leaving her alone for days at a time." Daryl said sitting beside Beth at the table they were led too.

"She could come keep Eric company during the day while we're gone." Aaron suggested. "Come to the garage for a minute." Daryl looked at Beth and she nodded her head. Aaron placed the baby's bottle in a bowl of warm water and led Daryl to the garage. Eric smiled at Beth.

"It'd be nice having to someone to talk to." Eric admitted. "Aaron has been trying collecting bike parts. No reason. Like the license plates, he comes across a part and brings it home. Daryl mentioned on his tape that he used to ride?"

"We had to run. His bike got left behind." Beth said. "You thinking of trying to bribe him?"

"I want him to take that junk out of my garage!" Eric laughed. "If he can get a bike out of it fantastic!" Beth smiled and stood up to get the bottle. She dug around the diaper bag for the baby blanket and wrapped Judy up before letting her snuggle in to nurse herself to sleep. "It would take him a few weeks to get a bike together. Maybe he could work on it here, you could come over and see if you liked hanging out with me while he works. No pressure. If it works out great, I've got 2 new friends." Eric said running his finger over Judy's cheek. "I could help you out with the baby. Introduce you to people." Beth smiled.

"If Daryl says yes we can try." Beth agreed. Eric smiled and hobbled over to the cupboards and got out bowls. "Can I help?" Beth asked.

"Absolutely not. You guys are our first guests." Eric said as he set the table. Beth sat back with the baby and watched as he moved the spaghetti to a serving dish. Aaron and Daryl came back to kitchen.

"Sit back down!" Aaron said helping Eric back to his seat. He finished setting the table and pouring out glasses of wine. "Let me get you a basket to put her in." Aaron said.

"No it's ok. I'll just hold her. Eat while it's still warm." Beth said. "It smells really good." They ate in silence for a while, well silence aside from the slurping that Daryl made as he ate.

"So, it's killing me I need to know. Do you think you'll want to be a recruiter?" Eric asked as he poured more wine. Daryl wiped his mouth on the back of his sleeve.

"I might be. I just want to think things over for a day or two. Talk it over with the rest of us." Aaron nodded his head and Eric let out a sigh. "It's not no."

"If Daryl says no will you still come visit from time to time Beth?" Eric asked. "You guys could come for dinner once in a while. We're pretty lonely."

"I'll try to come visit at least twice a week." Beth promised as she twirled some pasta around her fork. "Maybe we can start a Spaghetti Tuesday tradition again." Beth said looking at Daryl.

"Wouldn't be a bad thing." Daryl agreed eating the meatballs that Beth had left on her plate. "What time can I come by tomorrow to look over the parts?"

"Anytime. We're up with the sun usually." Eric said cheerfully as Aaron cleared the table. "We won't keep you here too late. You should get the little one to bed. I'm glad you're considering being a recruiter, even after the disaster that you witnessed when we recruited you."

"Got us all here in one piece." Daryl said. "I'd work on how you approach people though. Maybe don't listen too much on private conversations either."

"It helps me read people." Aaron said apologetically.

"We don't listen to anything too personal. We turn the sound off if you're not saying anything useful." Eric added looking between the two of them. Beth blushed realizing that they probably had heard the two of them in the barn.

"We should be going." Beth said standing carefully with the baby. Daryl grabbed the diaper bag and followed Beth as Aaron led them to the door. They could still see the lights on at Deanna's and faintly hear some music. "They're being here to loud."

"That's something Rick will have to go over with them." Aaron said. "I know Deanna asked him a list of safety issues. Those parties usually last till around midnight. Have a good night guys." Aaron added waving as they made their way down the front steps and across the street.

"I can't believe that they're all still at the party." Beth said quietly as Daryl opened the door and out of habit knocked loudly on the wall and waited. "It's nice though."

"What?" Daryl asked following her up the stairs.

"It's just us again." Beth said with a smile. "What'd you do?" She asked as they walked into the master bedroom.

"We weren't really using the walk in closet, I just moved all our stuff to the small one and turned the walk in into Ass Kicker's own little room. Found one of those plug in night lights, she won't be scared." Daryl said. Beth lowered the baby into the crib and held her breath as the baby settled and stayed asleep. "I just figured it'd be quieter for her to have her own room."

"It was a really nice thing to do." Beth said standing in front of the bed where Daryl was sitting and letting her hair down. "We still got a few hours till the party will end." Daryl looked up at her through his hair. "We don't really get to wander off and say we're hunting or looking for water anymore." Daryl ran his hands up under her skirt and pulled her panties down.

"Why are you wearing Hannah Montana panties?" Daryl asked tossing them in the small pile of laundry Beth had by the wall.

"They were still in the package, brand new and they fit. Do you know how long it's been since I had new panties that fit?" Beth asked as Daryl ran his hand along the waist of her skirt looking for a zipper. "It's here." Beth said moving his hands to her left side. "It's hidden in the pleats." Beth held on to Daryl's shoulders as she stepped out of the skirt. The sweater he had given her hung down enough to cover her so she started undoing the buttons. "I should hang the sweater and the skirt up." Beth said letting the sweater fall at her feet with the skirt. She pulled the tank top off and stood before him naked.

"You're so pretty." Daryl said pulling her towards him and kissing her stomach. He pulled her into his lap and kissed her neck. Beth reached down to work open the buttons on his shirt. Daryl slipped his vest from shoulders and Beth knew not to push his button up off once she realized there was nothing underneath it. She ran her hands over his chest as he kissed her.

"I'm cold." Beth whimpered pressing her chest to his and kissing him. Daryl wrapped his arms around her and stood up and turned her around to lay her on the bed. Daryl walked over and turned off the lights to the room. The only light was coming from the open door to the walk in, barely illuminating the main part of the room. "Daryl?"

"I'm coming." Daryl said undoing his belt and letting his jeans fall to the floor. "Just keep your hands on my shoulders or higher alright?" He asked as he tossed his button up on the ground. He crawled up the bed and let Beth pull him by the neck and kiss him. Daryl settled between her legs and let her kiss for a bit before pulling his mouth away and kissing her neck and collarbone. "You still cold?" Beth shook her head.

"You're like heater." Beth moaned as he kissed and sucked at her breasts. Beth threaded her hands through his hair and lightly tugged as he kissed down her stomach. He placed his hands under her knees and pushed them back. Beth arched her feet so they could hold some of the weight of her legs and both of their arms would be free. She took a deep breath as Daryl ran knuckle against her center.

"You like that?" Beth hummed in approval as Daryl lazily traced a finger up and down her slit. He left one hand on her thigh and Beth clutched that wrist while he teased her. Daryl lowered his mouth licked around her opening a few times before working his tongue into her and swirling it around. Beth pulled his other hand off her thigh and moved it between her legs. Daryl circled his thumb against her clit while he continued to swirl his tongue in and out of her. Beth placed her hand on the back of his head and moved his mouth up to her clit. Daryl let his tongue drag on his way up.

"Switch." Beth whispered.

"What?" Daryl asked against her.

"Switch!" Beth repeated. "I want your mouth to switch with your hand." Beth said scratching gently at his scalp. Daryl circled his tongue around her clit and eased a finger slowly into her and moved it in and out slowly. Beth hummed little moans and moved her hands up to her chest and squeezed her breasts softly. "It's your turn." Beth said breathlessly as Daryl softly kissed her as she arched into his mouth. "I want to come on your cock this time." She added closing her legs and scooting back away from his mouth. She swung herself off the bed and kneeled beside it. She patted the mattress in front of her. Daryl moved and Beth leaned back so he could spread her legs so she could move between them. He cupped the back of her head and pulled her up as he leaned down so he could kiss her softly.

"You don't have to." Daryl said kissing her cheek.

"I want to." Beth said firmly, kneeling back down and kissing his stomach. She picked him up in her hand gentle and worked her wrist up and down a few times before taking him in her mouth. Daryl let out a curse so Beth continued moving her mouth up and down carefully. Daryl placed his fingers under her chin and lifted her head till she was looking up at him.

" I want to look at your face." He said as she continued to suck softly.

"How can you even see me?" Beth asked as she worked his length with her hand before licking him from base to tip and back down again.

"Hunting eyes." Daryl moaned out as Beth took him back in her mouth. "You glow in the moonlight." Daryl said reaching under Beth's arms and lifting her back to the bed. She started to turn around to get on her hands and knees but Daryl stopped her and laid her down pressing his chest to hers. "Like this ok?" Beth nodded smiling up at him. Daryl placed one her legs around his waist and rested his weight on his fists that he placed on either side of her head as he started to move.

"Are my hands ok here?" Beth asked arching into his thrusts and holing onto his wrists. Daryl nodded as he continued to grind against her as he moved in and out.

"I want to see your face." Daryl repeated reaching out with of his hands and holding her chin still while he kissed her. "Touch yourself." He whispered against her mouth. Beth moved one her hands between them and pressed lightly against her center.

"Daryl I can't." She said pulling her hand away as she arched into him. "Too much." Daryl grabbed her wrist and sucked on her fingers. Beth arched one final time as she came, letting out a quiet scream. Daryl slowed down and sat back pulling Beth up into his lap. "Let me make you come." Beth said breathlessly as she pushed back till she settled with her knees on either side of his lap. Beth started moving up and down, holding tight to his shoulders for balance. Daryl groaned at the feeling of her tits bouncing against him. He grabbed her hips and pulled her off of him as he came against his own stomach and chest. Beth let go of his neck and fell back. "We need to get some condoms. I might ask that doctor if he has birth control. No one here's had any babies since the outbreak. They can't all be celibate."

"I almost didn't pull out in time." Daryl admitted. "It's not safe or smart anyway." He said swinging himself off the bed and stomping to the bathroom. Beth sighed and swung out of bed to follow him when she heard the shower. "Come on." Daryl said holding the door open while Beth piled her hair on top of her head. They both rinsed off quickly and quietly before stepping back out and sharing a towel.

"I still have a few morning after pills we found at the pharmacy. Do you want to take a pack?" Beth asked letting Daryl pick her up and carry her back to the bedroom. He set her down by the dresser and let her hand him over a t-shirt and pair of sweats before she pulled on the button up her had been wearing and climbed into bed, waiting for his answer.

"I'd feel better if you did." Daryl admitted. "I know we should save them for if I do come inside you, but I'd just rather be safe."

"You came inside me after we burned the moonshine shack to the floor. Remember? I didn't get pregnant. Maybe I can't get pregnant if I'm not getting my period." Beth said digging through the nightstand and taking out a pack of pills. Daryl tossed her a bottle of water he had in his pack. Beth took the pills and handed the trash over to Daryl.

"I'll ask Aaron tomorrow about getting some rubbers. You shouldn't have to." Daryl said tossing the wrapper in his bag, he'd burn it later; they had a fire pit in their yard.

"I'll ask Jessie about birth control. I liked it when you came inside me." Beth said dragging Daryl into bed with her.

"You don't want to get pregnant." Daryl said snuggling in behind her.

"Well not right now anyway." Beth said honestly. "I told you before I don't want to just survive. I want to live."