He paces back and forth, looking from the yard to the house and back. Swearing under his breath, he heads to the house and climbs the front porch steps. He reaches his hand out and knocks. Patricia comes to the door and look at him.
"What can I do for you Rick?"
"May I come in." He backs up as she opens the screen door. "I thought I would come and check on Beth."
"Are you sure that's wise after what just happened out there?"
"I just need to make sure she's all right."
"Up the stairs, last one on the right."
He nods and heads up the stairs, hearing them creak under his boots. He walks to the end of the hall and gently raps on the door. No sound; he reaches over and barely pushes the door open. He steps inside and sees her lying there, face pale.
He walks over and stands by the foot of her bed, then moves around to the side and sits down. He reaches out his hand and lifts hers up into it. "Beth."
She tilts her head to the side and stares at him. "What do you want?"
"I came to make sure you were all right."
"Did you know what they were like?"
"Yes, and I am sorry for that. I was helping your dad, I was trying to keep us here and safe a little longer. Shane and the others had no right to do what they did."
"And that little girl? Was that Sophia?"
"It was."
She brings a shaking hand up and wipes her eyes as she sits up. She looks at their held hands and grips his tighter. "You're a good man."
"I used to be."
"You still are."
"What makes you say that?"
"You were trying to help, to do the right thing the way my daddy wanted. It was the others that did the horrible things, not you. You only fired one shot, they killed the others."
"Glenn didn't want to, he only did it to protect Maggie and your dad."
"I know, and I believe Daryl did it to protect Carol. I don't know about the others."
"It's on them … I wish you hadn't had to see that. I'm glad you're not hurt." He goes to get up and realizes she is still holding onto his hand. He sits back down and looks at her. Reaching his hand out, he uses his thumb to wipe her tears away.
Leaning over, he places a kiss on her forehead. "Lay down and get some rest."
"Can you, will you, stay till I fall asleep?"
"Sure," he smiles.
She lays back down as he pulls a blanket over her. He sits by her side, reaching out tentatively to wipe a stray hair from her face. She smiles at him, a genuine smile, as her eyes drift shut. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"Saving my life."
He sits there for a moment, watching her fall asleep before he gets up and leaves.