REPOST TO MOVE TO NEW ACCOUNT. Sorry for any confusion or inconvenience the move has caused.

Breaking Free - The Walking Dead

All recognized characters, situations, and locations belong to AMC, the writers, creators, and actors of The Walking Dead. No infringement intended. Song is cited

I actually liked the ideas behind the first two episodes of the second half of the season. But found too many plot holes in "What Happened and What's Going on" and thought they were trying too hard in "Them". Also I spent way too much time in episodes 2 & 3 wondering where Judith was.

*x*x*x*x*x*x*x* X *x*x*x*x*x*x*x*

Death surrounds
My heartbeat's slowing down
I won't take this world's abuse
I won't give up or refuse

This is how it feels when you're bent and broken
This is how it feels when your dignity's stolen
When everything you love is leaving
You hold on to what you believe in

The last thing I heard was you whispering goodbye
And then I heard you flatline

– Not Gonna Die – Skillet – lyrics by Cooper, John & Cooper, Korey © Warner/Chappell Music Inc

*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*

Carol opened her eyes slowly. As her vision focused she saw Beth's face. "Beth," she sighed in relief. "You're OK."

"So you two do know each other," Dawn said. "What's her name?"

"Carol," Beth replied, squeezing Carol's hand gently. Carol met her eyes and Beth saw the understanding there.

"Well Carol, Beth here likely saved your life," Dawn smirked.

Beth turned to glare, "Means she owes me instead of you, right?"

Dawn slapped her, hard across the face. Beth fell against the side rail of the bed. Carol tried to reach up, but Beth caught her hand. Dawn shook her head, "Beth, this attitude needs to stop. How many lessons do you need to have before you realize I am all that stands between you and death? You are alone, weak and pitiful. Now say you're sorry."

"I'm sorry," Beth repeated as a tear slipped from Carol's eye.

Dawn walked out of the room, closing the door and locking it firmly.

"Beth," Carol whispered.

"It was my fault, I shouldn't've said that," Beth said as she shakily poured a glass of water.

"God. The number of times I said that after Ed beat the shit out of me," Carol replied. Beth helped her sit slightly and take a drink. "We found Noah outside. Daryl and I chased down the car that took you. He knows you're here. If he hasn't come yet, he must've gone for the others."

"Others?"

"Maggie, Glenn, Michonne, Rick, Carl, Judith, Tyreese, Sasha, Bob. There's a few new people too, military couple and a scientist. We'll be together soon and everything will be fine." Carol struggled to reach up and stroke Beth's uninjured cheek. "You're all Daryl's thought about. He is coming for you, you gotta hang on until then. He is going to make them pay."

"It's her," Beth replied, her eyes wide as she processed the information, "It's her that's wrong. Not this place, or even the other cops, at least not the ones left. It's her. She's done this, she turned this into hell." She stilled as the lock clicked open.

Dr. Edwards opened the door, "Well hello. Never actually thought I'd be talking to you."

*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*

Carol gathered her strength and stood from the wheelchair with Daryl's help. She leaned against him and pressed her face to his neck for a second, then she kissed his cheek and whispered into his ear, "That woman hurt Beth, don't let her near her again." Daryl gripped her hand and nodded. She walked further into the group until Tyreese could take her arm.

Then Beth was taking that slow walk towards them in exchange for the last cop. She reached Rick and he gently cupped her head to draw her close. He kissed her gently then urged her behind him to Daryl.

"Now I just need Noah," Dawn demanded.

Beth took a step forward but Daryl grabbed and held on. She glared at him but his eyes were watching Dawn. He pulled Beth firmly to stand behind him.

"He stays with us. He owes us. We need him," Dawn said.

Beth peeked over Daryl's shoulder and smirked, "What 'we' Dawn? There's no 'we' here." Dawn glanced back. The other cops stood clustered together with their freed comrades. Their guns were holstered and they were standing easy, watching. "You're alone. Weak and pathetic."

"Pitiful," Carol corrected.

"Oh, right, thanks," Beth replied.

Dawn began to breathe more rapidly. Rick smiled, "First rule of the streets, if you don't have backup, you don't have anything. And you definitely don't pick a fight you are bound to lose. You can't win this. We are walking out of here. All of us, including anyone else who wants to go. You are going to stand back and watch."

Officer Licari caught his eye and smirked, "Anyone else looking to leave should pack up and go." Dawn whirled around in shock. "It's a mutiny Captain Blight."

"Bligh," Daryl corrected.

Licari blinked, "Really? It isn't Blight? Huh. I always thought that's where the word blight came from. Learn something new every day."

Dawn turned back to see Noah walking away. The group had gathered around Beth and Carol to check them over. Her cops were moving in the other direction. She was standing there alone, unsupported, abandoned. Because of her. This was all her fault. Dawn yanked the gun from her holster.

Daryl hadn't taken his eyes off the woman. He saw her raise and cock the gun. "Look out!" He grabbed Beth and swept her behind him as he raised his own gun. Dawn began firing. Daryl stumbled back then he returned fire along with Rick. Dawn fell, two small holes forming in her forehead.

Daryl's eyes went to Beth, "You OK? Oh Jesus." Blood poured from her shoulder, drenching the shirt and sweater.

Beth looked down, "Oh. This is going to really hurt soon, isn't it?" Daryl pressed his hands over the wound. She reached out her hands and pressed them to the center of his chest. "Daryl."

Daryl looked down. Blood spurted out of him, coating her hands. "Oh. Oh shit."

"Sit down man," Tyreese commanded. When Daryl didn't comply, the larger man shoved hard at his knees forcing his descent to the floor.

As Daryl sank, Beth began to pitch over backwards. Rick caught her gently and helped her to the floor. Beth gazed up at the ceiling and Rick's hovering face as her vision faded. "Hang on Beth. You hear me? Hang on!"

The cops swarmed forward, stepping over and around their dead leader without a thought.

Daryl looked to Edwards as the doctor dropped to his knees, "Check Beth first." Edwards ignored him and pressed the stethoscope to his chest. Daryl lunged up and grabbed him by the throat, "Beth. First." Licari pried his hand off the doctor easily. Daryl felt awareness slipping away. "If she dies… don't save me."

*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*

The first thing that sank into his consciousness was the pain. He moaned aloud, unable to stop himself. He heard the scrape of fabric, then Rick's voice. "It's OK, Brother, hang on a minute." A warm hand pressed onto his forehead, then gripped his wrist as the rush of morphine replaced the pain. Daryl opened his eyes. Rick was leaning over him, "Hey."

"Hey," Daryl replied. "What happened?"

"You got shot."

"Hmm. 'Member that," Daryl replied. "Beth?"

"She's going to be fine," Rick's voice was even, but he suddenly gripped Daryl's arm in a way that made him uneasy. Daryl stared at him then shove his hand away. "No," Rick ordered, "She's fine. Look. She's right there!"

Daryl turned his head to see that Beth lay on a bed against the wall. She was pale, with a mask over her mouth and nose and multiple lines running to her. But she was there. The heart monitor showed a steady rhythm and he could see her chest rise as she breathed. "Scared me."

"Do you remember waking up at all since the shooting?" Rick asked. Daryl shook his head. "Three times. Each time you shoved everyone away and got out of bed. Ripped up all the doctor's work to put you back together." Daryl looked at him uncomprehendingly. "Daryl you were shot in the chest. The bullet broke a rib, just missed your heart and lodged against your spine. Doc had to go in to get it and put your ribs back together. You've got a drain in your chest. Each time you got up he had to patch you up again. That's why we squeezed her bed in here but you can't get up. You hear me?"

Daryl nodded, "And Beth. How bad was it?"

"Bullet cracked her collar bone and nicked the artery. Some possible nerve damage in her arm but he won't know until the swelling goes down. She's been in and out, mostly out. She lost a lot of blood. But she's going to be alright. She's strong."

"I know. Carol?" Daryl scowled as his voice grew raspy.

"She's across the hall, back in bed. Doc says she just needs more time to heal. Shoulder was dislocated and a few broken ribs."

Daryl fought to stay awake but was sucked back into the darkness. As he drifted away, he felt Rick's hand grip his arm again. "Sleep easy."

*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*

"Grimes?"

Rick startled and turned. He'd moved over to sit with Beth for a few minutes when it looked like she was going to wake up. But she'd settled back into an obviously deep sleep.

"The rest of your group, they traveling in a fire engine?" Licari asked.

Rick snorted, "Not that I'm aware of, why?"

"Group outside, demanding your release," Licari grinned. "Rolled up in a big, loud, red fire truck, says they're here to rescue you all."

Rick sighed, "Can you ask Tyreese or Sasha to come in here? I don't want to leave them alone."

Licari nodded and stepped back out, returning a minute later with Tyreese. "Hey," Ty greeted. "Sasha's in with Carol, they're both napping."

"Same here," Rick replied. "Daryl woke up and actually seemed lucid this time. It didn't last long." He stood up and offered Tyreese the chair. "But it was better than the last few times. Beth has been out since Edwards came in last time."

*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*

Rick walked to the exit flanked by Licari and Shepherd. He blinked in the sudden bright light outside and paused to let his eyes adjust.

"RICK," Glenn called.

Rick was finally able to focus and could see the other cops standing squared off with his group led by Glenn and Abraham. Guns were pointed, everyone looked tense. "STAND DOWN!" Rick demanded. "What the hell is going on?"

"Uhm… We're here to rescue you?" Glenn replied as he slowly lowered his weapon.

"Rescue's done," Rick said. "Everything is under control. Or was until you guys rolled up. What are you doing here anyway?"

"Eugene lied," Glenn reported. "There's no switch to flip. No cure. No reason to go to DC, especially not since between here and there was a massive field of a couple thousand walkers."

"We lost the church," Michonne added. "Gabriel snuck out to check on our story about the Terminus people. Led a swarm back to us. We got out safe, Carl and Judith are in the truck. Everyone OK here?"

Rick sighed, "No." He walked closer to Maggie. "Beth is alive but she was shot." Maggie let out a sob and Glenn wrapped his arms around her. "So was Daryl. Carol is in rough shape too."

"The woman in charge here was a narcissistic tyrant," Licari reported. "We were planning to rebel. Sorry to say we waited too long."

"Where is she?" Maggie demanded.

"Dead," Rick replied. "Come on. We'll tell you everything and you can see Beth. She's asleep now."

The cops stood guard as the group gathered their things. Rick took Judith in his arms and she cooed at him. "Beth is going to be so happy to see you." Judy squealed. "I know. You missed her didn't you?"

Licari smiled, "It's been way too long since I've seen a baby."

"Any kids?"

"No. I always thought there'd be time." Licari reached over and stroked Judy's hair.

Rick shrugged, "There is. You're still alive."

*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*

Maggie sobbed as she walked into the room where Beth lay sleeping. Rick shushed her but Daryl started to respond, coming awake struggling.

"Hey," Rick leaned into his line of sight, "Everything's OK. Take it easy."

"Beth?" Daryl whispered.

"She's fine, still asleep. Maggie and Glenn are in here."

Maggie walked over and smiled at Daryl, "Hey. Sorry I woke you." Daryl grunted in response.

Glenn came to stand next to Rick so Rick moved out of the way and went back over to Beth. "Do you need anything Daryl?" Glenn asked.

"No," Daryl replied. He took a deep breath and winced, his hand coming up to the bandage on his chest. "S'my fault. That Beth's hurt."

"Daryl," Maggie shook her head.

"That is the dumbest thing I've ever heard you say," Rick snorted. "You didn't shoot her. That crazy bitch did. Hell you were protecting her. I saw her try to go to Dawn when she demanded Noah. You kept her back, stood between her and the cops. You did everything you could. She's hurt but she's OK. She's strong, she'll heal."

"Hmm," Beth sounded. Everyone in the room responded. Maggie leapt to her side and gathered her uninjured hand between her own.

Daryl instantly tried to get up. "NO!" Rick ordered. "Daryl I told you, you cannot get out of bed yet." He and Glenn held him down gently but firmly. "Come on brother, relax. Relax. She's right there."

"Daryl?" Beth called softly.

Rick shifted so he wasn't blocking their view of each other, "He's right here Bethy. He's OK, just needs to rest and heal like you do."

Daryl met her gaze and she smiled at him. She smiled up at her sister and whispered "Hi" then her eyes fluttered closed and she sighed.

Rick patted Daryl's shoulder, then pressed the button to give him another hit of the morphine. "Don't," Daryl grumbled, "Don't wanna sleep."

"Hm-mmm," Rick replied.

"Asshole," Daryl mumbled as he drifted off.

*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*

Then next time Daryl woke up it was to Edwards gently pressing on his chest. He growled and lashed out. Michonne caught his fist, "Hey there, he's just checking you."

"Check Beth," Daryl mumbled, then hissed as Edwards touched a sensitive spot.

"Already did," Edwards replied. "She's doing well. So is Carol. And so are you. Few more days and I'll take the chest tube out. Until then lay still."

Michonne snickered, "Dixon doesn't do still very well."

"I've noticed."

Daryl scowled at them both.

*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*

The days dragged on endlessly.

*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*

"You could get them to move your bed back into another room, if you want," Daryl said.

Beth smiled, "I'm fine here. It helps if I open my eyes if I can see you there."

"Why? Can't do anythin'. Can't even move."

"You don't have to do anythin', you just gotta be there."

"Oh." After a moment of silence, he admitted, "I chased that car, the one that took you from me, I chased it for miles and miles."

"I heard you callin' my name. They threw me in the trunk. I don't remember much but I remember you callin' me. I thought it was just a dream, but even then, that's what kept me tryin' to get out of here. Hearin' you call my name. I knew I'd see you again."

"I wanted to say… you were right… I missed you. I missed you so bad it hurt to breathe. Felt like maybe I wasn't breathin' no more."

She blinked rapidly, "Daryl… you gotta keep goin' no matter what. Even if somethin' happens to me, you gotta. Promise me."

Daryl broke eye contact to stare at the ceiling, "Can't do that. Can't go through that again. So you gotta keep livin'. Or wait for me at the pearly gates 'cause I'll be right behind yah." Beth began to weep quietly. "Don't cry Beth. Please. I didn't mean to make you sad."

Rick walked in carrying Judith who was sucking down a bottle, "What's going on? Beth, honey, what is it?"

"I'm an idiot," Daryl said.

"Oh," Rick shrugged. "Beth?"

"I'm OK," Beth sniffled.

Judith turned and squealed, dropping the bottle to reach for Beth. Rick carried her over as Beth wiped her face and smiled at the baby. Rick carefully laid Judith on Beth's uninjured side and the baby instantly curled against her. Beth kissed the top of her head and began to sing softly to her. Judith cooed back to her, then yawned.

"Rick, Licari needs to see you a minute," Tyreese said from the doorway.

"OK," Rick nodded, "Keep an eye on Judy? She seems content where she is."

Tyreese smiled, "Of course she is, her momma's got her."

Beth sighed, "I'm not her momma."

"Of course you are," Rick said. "You don't have to give birth to a child to be its mother." He walked out of the room.

Tyreese settled into the chair, "You know for a hospital, these chairs are pretty comfortable."

Daryl dropped his hand away from his mouth where he'd been chewing on his thumbnail, "Wouldn't know, nobody'll let me up."

"Well you got shot in the damn chest, man," Tyreese teased. "You're lucky you're alive." He sighed, "It all happened so fast. One second we're OK, next you two are bleeding. This was my idea. My plan that got us here, put you two here."

"Ain't your fault," Daryl said.

"Tyreese, this would have gone bad no matter how it was done," Beth said. "Dawn was paranoid about losing control. Any threat to that would send her over the edge. She snapped and beat me because I told her that no government agency was going to swoop in and save them while rewarding her for what she did."

"She beat you?" Daryl growled. He was obviously chewing on the inside of his lip.

"She beat everyone," Beth replied evenly. Judith sighed and fell asleep against her. Beth rubbed her back gently. Judith smiled in her sleep and nuzzled closer.

"This guy Licari seems OK," Tyreese said. "Seems to be taking over."

Beth gave a half shrug, "He wasn't around much. Few of the ones that were, were not decent. They're gone now. Dead. Dawn let them do whatever they wanted. Horrible things. I guess what Licari will be like will take time to see." She looked up as Mr. Percy shuffled into the doorway, "Hi Mr. Percy, how are you?" He didn't respond. "Mr. Percy?"

Mr. Percy looked up, his eyes had gone cloudy and his face was bloodless. He growled and lunged into the room. Tyreese lurched out of the chair, pulling his knife as he moved. The walker that had been Mr. Percy shoved him aside, then turned as Judith began to wail. Tyreese slammed into corner of the doorframe and dropped. Beth rolled away as the walker grabbed at her. She sat Judith on the floor and yanked the lines out of her arm and off her chest then scooped the baby back up in one arm. She shoved the bed into the walker as Tyreese regained his feet. Daryl yanked out the chest tube and struggled to rise. Beth went to him and shoved him back down by placing the screaming baby on his abdomen. Tyreese lunged and grabbed the walker and tossed him backwards. The walker lunged again and clamped his mouth down on Ty's arm, biting hard and ripping a chunk of flesh. Tyreese screamed and shoved the walker away, falling as he cradled his arm to his chest. Beth grabbed the IV holder and stabbed it into the walker's head, directly through its eye.

For a second the only sound was their harsh breathing and Judith's sniffles. Beth dropped the IV rack and staggered out into the hallway. "RICK! WE NEED HELP IN HERE!" she screamed. She reached out and braced herself against the wall as blood began to saturate the hospital gown she wore. "RICK? GLENN! MAGGIE!"

"BETH!" Daryl called.

Rick ran up followed by Michonne, Abraham, and Licari. "Beth?"

"Mr. Percy's dead. He bit Tyreese. Help," Her eyes rolled up and she collapsed into his arms.

*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*

Beth opened her eyes, blinking in the bright light. "Hey, sweetie," Carol was sitting next to her.

"Hi," Beth whispered. "You're up."

Carol smiled, "Only for a little while. I was starting to grow roots in that bed." She stroked Beth's hair back. "Maggie and Michonne will help you take a bath later. That'll feel good."

"He didn't make it, did he?"

Carol shook her head and her chin quivered, "They amputated his arm but it was too late. The infection spread too quickly. Fever and hallucinations hit within an hour. Sasha was with him when he passed." Her voice broke and she sniffled.

"He saved us. Daryl, Judith, and me," Beth began to cry. "He went straight at Mr. Percy."

"I know baby, I know," Carol hugged her gently. "He was like that. Strong. Brave. He got Judith out of the prison. He was…" she broke off again weeping.

"And Daryl?" Beth whispered after Carol calmed.

Carol nodded her head to the opposite bed, "He'll be OK. He did some damage pulling the chest tube out. Again. Dr. Edwards just left it out this time." Beth looked over to where Daryl lay, pale and quiet against the sheets. He muttered and flinched then settled. "He's called your name a few times."

"He saved my life too. Before."

Carol smiled, "You saved his. More than that, you saved his soul." She stroked Beth's face gently, "Get some more rest, sweetheart. You're safe now. I'll see about getting you that bath, OK?" She leaned over and kissed Beth's forehead, then slipped out of the room.

"Beth?" Daryl's eyes fluttered open to search the room.

"I'm right here."

*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*

Break their hold
Cause I won't be controlled
They can't keep their chains on me
When the truth has set me free

This is how it feels when you take your life back
This is how it feels when you finally fight back
When life pushes me I push harder
What doesn't kill me makes me stronger

The last thing I heard is you whispering goodbye
And then I heard you flatline

No, not gonna die tonight
We've gotta stand and fight forever
(Don't close your eyes)
No, not gonna die tonight
We've gotta fight for us together
No, we're not gonna die tonight

Don't you give up on me
You're everything I need
This is how it feels when you take your life back
This is how it feels when you fight back

Not Gonna Die – lyrics by Cooper, John & Cooper, Korey © Warner/Chappell Music Inc