A slight variation on how things went in 5x1, No Sanctuary. Beth finds the group minutes before Carol does. Things go slightly differently. Enjoy.

Disclaimer: Not mine!

XXXXX

And you do what you want

Cause I'm not what you wanted

-Taylor Swift, Cold As You

Beth should have seen this coming.

After escaping the men who had kidnapped her, she had been running for several days when she heard the explosions nearby. She had been lucky so far; walkers had been few and far between and for the most part, she had been able to avoid them. She continued to move as the explosions continued, then an eerie silence fell over the forest.

She continued to move until she heard voices conversing softly. Out of habit, she reached for her knife. People could not be trusted anymore. The only people she would ever belong with were gone, scattered God only knew where. And her sister…

Then she heard Rick's voice, and her knife nearly fell from her hand. She edged closer to the figures that were becoming visible through the foliage. Maybe her mind was playing tricks on her. But then she saw Sasha and Carl and she nearly wept in relief as she called out.

"Rick!"

Rick turned, aiming his gun toward the voice. Beth slowly emerged from the shadows and Maggie gasped before launching herself at her sister.

"Beth. Oh, thank God, you're okay…"

Beth surrendered eagerly to her sister's embrace and buried her face in Maggie's shoulder. "I'm okay. I'm okay."

The rest of the group circled them and Beth took a moment to hug Rick, Carl, Michonne and Glenn. Then she looked to Daryl, whose expression was unreadable.

He stepped forward and lightly patted her shoulder. "Glad you're okay," he mumbled gruffly before stepping away.

She watched him backtrack, surprised. He wasn't someone who showed emotion often, but was she wrong for expecting more than what he had given?

Suddenly Daryl turned his head and Beth followed his gaze. Carol was standing a few feet away, uncertain but hopeful. Before anyone could speak or even register what was happening, Daryl ran to Carol and snatched her up in his arms. No one could hear the words exchanged, but the look on Daryl's face said it all as he rested his head briefly on Carol's shoulder.

Beth watched the reunion with a sense of understanding, longing and a touch of bitterness. After the time they had spent together just before her abduction, she had simply assumed she would be welcomed back with open arms and unspoken assurances. There she went again, letting daydreaming get the better of her. She couldn't compete with Carol, not in any way that mattered. And it had never been as clear as it was in that very moment: Daryl would choose Carol over her every time.

Daryl and Carol finally broke apart and Daryl stepped back, allowing Rick to approach Carol but remaining close enough to protect her. As Rick and Carol spoke, Daryl looked to Beth and their eyes briefly met. She managed a smile and a nod.

Everything was going to be alright now.

The End.