Chapter 1:
Beth heard Judith's cry from inside the house. Beth had only left her for a few seconds while she went inside to grab a small sweater for her. Beth hurried to the front lawn and was immediately relieved to see that Judith was alright. She stretched her arms to Beth and Beth smiled and picked her up to carry her into the house. As Beth turned towards the house she heard her name cried out in the distance and she immediately froze in her steps. She knew this voice. She looked back but could not make out who it was until he got closer into full view. It was Rick. Tears immediately came to her eyes and Rick was now running towards her and Carl was not far behind. Rick paused just a few feet before reaching them. He whispered "Judith" and held out his arms, almost hesitantly, with a disbelieving look on his face and a smile from ear to ear. He too had tears in his eyes and he grabbed Judith and cried out loud as he hugged her. He fell to his knees with her in his arms and Judith began to cry at the sudden commotion. She quickly calmed herself and looked into her daddy's face and touched his cheek. Rick was overcome by joy at seeing Judith alive. Carl reached them at that point and fell to his knees too. He kissed Judith's head and hugged both his dad and Judith at the same time. Beth could hardly believe what she was witnessing. She knew Tyrese and Carol were going to look for the others in the group. They decided to leave Judith with her knowing that she'd be safe with her and the priest. Beth hoped that the others were shortly behind Rick and Carl. She hoped that maybe he would be with them.
Beth hardly noticed Michonne and Bob walking up. From behind Bob came Maggie and Shasha. Shasha was holding Maggie up. When Maggie and Beth's eyes met they both cried each other's name and ran for each other. Beth was faster while Maggie seemed to struggle due to some apparent injury. Maggie and Beth hugged each other as tight as they could. Maggie then put her hands on either side of Beth's cheeks and looked at her closely with disbelieving eyes and then hugged her again. Beth could hardly believe that her sister Maggie was alive. Beth gets a sudden feeling of sadness and realizes that something is wrong. "Glenn?" Beth asked. Maggie just shook her head. The sisters hugged again with tears of sadness instead of tears of joy.
Others came walking up that Beth did not recognize. Beth greeted them and supported her sister as they all walked towards the house. Introductions were made and everyone found a place to sit. The group looked exhausted and for the first time Beth felt as though they had all been through something very terrible. It was more than just losing Glenn. They all seemed to be in a state of shock. She didn't want to ask how Glenn died. She was afraid to ask if they had seen Tyrese and Carol. It was obvious that they had because they found their way here to the house. Beth and the priest did what they could to make the group feel comfortable. Beth kept an eye on Maggie as Shasha held her in her arms, slowly rocking her. Rick and Carl were fixated on Judith. The others seemed to watch Judith as if she wasn't real. Beth thought to herself that watching young Judith took them away from whatever horrors they had left behind.
Beth busied herself in the kitchen trying to put together a meal for them. As she almost had the food ready she glanced out the kitchen window and froze as she went to grab a bowl. She was afraid to look out the window again in case her mind was deceiving her. She told herself she was seeing things. She casually looked out the window again and couldn't believe her eyes. He was standing there with his bow staff at his side. He was off in the distance but Beth could recognize him anywhere. She went out a side door and cautiously walked to the front of the house. It was definitely him. Beth smiled through her fresh tears. Daryl seemed to take a few steps back as Beth ran over to him. She threw her arms around him and hugged him as hard as she could. He stood frozen in shock not saying a word. She looked up at him as he was looking down at her; his arms still at his side. She smiled at him as he stared into her eyes with a cold expression. She lightly touched his face and tried desperately to read him. Daryl stepped away from her and out of her arms. She looked confused as stepped towards him and he again stepped back. "Daryl?" was all she could manage to say. He shook his head slowly and would not meet her gaze. Then he turned around and walked back into the forest. Beth just stood there. She didn't know what to think. She was elated to see him but he wouldn't even look at her. Beth wanted to run after him but felt that by doing so he might retread further into the forest.
Beth slowly walked back towards the house. She hardly noticed Rick standing on the porch. She managed a weak smile as she past him. She was too confused about what just happened to cry yet. Rick touched her arm and looked very seriously into her eyes. "Daryl isn't himself. He's very hurt. We are all. He's just not going to come out and say it. Give him time." Beth wondered if Rick knew that she and Daryl had grown very close since the prison and that they both thought the other was dead. Beth nodded her head and continued into the house. The priest had taken the food that Beth had prepared and gave everyone a portion although no one seemed all that interested in eating. Beth couldn't stop thinking of Daryl out there. What was he doing? Why didn't he want to be with the rest of the group? Was it because of her? Beth waited until later that evening for Rick to put down Judith for her final nap of the day before she asked him a favor. She told him she was worried that something may have happened to Daryl. "Can you please check on him?" she asked. Rick responded "You know he'll come in when he wants to come in." Beth didn't respond to his attempted assurances. She knew he was right but she wanted him to go out anyway. "Alright" he said and grabbed his coat and went outdoors towards the edge of the forest where they last saw Daryl.
Rick didn't come back for at least an hour. Beth began to worry about Rick too and almost walked out to find them both before the doorknob turned and Rick walked in. Beth clearly had a hopeful look on her face. She glanced behind him as he shook his head at her and closed the door. Beth opened her mouth to say something but was overcome with need to cry and didn't want to make a scene in front of the group. She went into the hall and leaned against the wall crying as quietly as possible. Rick followed her and put a hand on her shoulder. "I don't have any answers for you Beth. Daryl isn't much for words. You know that. He asked about all of us except you. He can't even speak your name. I told him anyway. I told him that you were fine and a little shocked that we were all under the same roof again but sad that he wasn't here too. He didn't say anything after that." Beth wiped away her tears and thanked Rick. He kissed her on the forehead and walked back to the group. Beth knew there was no more she could do. She was going to help Maggie into bed and stay with her all night. At least Maggie needed her. Taking care of Maggie should get her mind off of Daryl for now even though he's never really left her thoughts ever since they were separated.