I'm not sure how to explain what I'm doing here. I guess you could say I'm in denial and this couldn't happen to someone like Beth. But I guess this is my way of coping. Beth Greene deserved so much more than a stupid accidental death. She deserves to live after all the shit she went through. So here is my interpretation to what SHOULD have happened in Coda and after.

Beth

I let my arms fall from Noah's neck, my attention now on Dawn. I stepped toward her, my blood pumping through my veins. This was it. I was going to end it once and for all.

This woman who seemed to care. Who I actually thought was becoming kind when she gave me the key to the medicine cart in order to save Carol. Who actually let me go home to my family.

No.

This is the woman who treated people like dogs. Manipulated everyone around her, including the people she thought were closest to her. Who underestimated me.

She called me weak. Well I'm going to show her just how weak I am.

"I get it now." I whispered, seeing mild confusion cross her features.

This is it. This is the moment that I would end it and I'd go home. To Maggie. Glenn. Judith… Daryl.

I felt the scissors slide out of my cast into the palm of my hand.

I gripped them tightly, watching as her head tilted to the side, becoming nervous.

I'm going home.

I drove the scissors into her chest, hearing everyone around us gasp in shock.

Then everything went black.

Daryl

I can't breathe.

Carol

Ringing.

The initial gunshot echoed throughout the corridor.

We stared as Beth's body crumpled to the ground, lifeless.

I looked quickly at Daryl, unaware of what was going to happen next.

The hunter gave out a strangled yell, pulling out his pistol, aiming it at Dawn. She shook her head, mumbling.

"I didn't mean to."

Right before her head flung back from the impact of the bullet in her brain.

Ringing

The police raised their weapons right as we raised ours, preparing for the worst.

"Hold your fire!" the girl yelled, raising her arms up to block her people from firing. "It's over...It was just about her."

All of this. Just about one woman.

"Stand down!" The girl growled, her authority causing the men and women to lower their guns.

Daryl stood at the front of the group, still aiming at the others. His grip on his gun was tight, his hands shaking violently.

I approached him, putting my hand on his arm.

I felt hot tears flow down my face.

I couldn't remember the last time I cried.

Perhaps Sophia's second death? I'm not quite sure, but I wasn't used to feeling this empty.

Daryl's shoulders shook, breathless sobs racking his body.

He dropped his weapon, looking down at Beth's body. She was facing away from us, all we could see was blood. Blood everywhere. Her small body was lying in a pool of her own blood.

His face contorted into pain. Almost agony. I couldn't tell through my blurry vision.

I saw Rick turn toward the group, his blue eyes swimming with tears. He looked at Daryl, many features crossing his face.

Regret. Grief. Sadness. Anger.

He looked lost.

Daryl hadn't taken his eyes off Beth's body. He crumpled next to her on the ground, his jeans staining with her blood.

Even more sobs shook his body.

His hand reached out to her, gently turning her over.

I looked away, not wanting to see her lifeless face. The girl that once symbolized light and hope. I didn't want to see that gone.

It seemed like every last good thing had been sucked from the world.

Daryl

I can't breath.

But she can.

Carol

"She's breathing."

I looked over at Daryl, not sure if I had heard him right.

He was leaned in close, examining the wound on Beth's head, his fingers gently prodding.

He quickly looked up at Rick, his eyes wide with hope.

"Bullet grazed her scalp. It's deep. Bu'she's still breathing."

Rick crouched, grabbing Beth's wrist, feeling for a pulse. He shook his head. "I'll be damned."

He stood and looked over at the female officer still standing at the end of the corridor. "We're going to need medication. A lot of it. And first aid supplies. Then we'll be on our way."

The girl nodded, disappearing through the double doors.

Daryl carefully picked Beth up, cradling her in his arms. He was speaking to her quietly, words that I couldn't hear from where I was standing.

I put my hand on his shoulder, a smile on my lips.

He finally got his girl back.

Daryl

I can breathe.

Tyrese opened the door wide for me. The light outside was blinding compared to the dark corridor that we had been in. I carefully crossed the threshold without hurting Beth, who was in my arms.

Nothing had changed.

It was like I was back on that day in the funeral home. Her soft banana colored polo and yellow sweater stained with walker remains. Her hair was messy but still in her normal ponytail. She looked beautiful. Not like she had just been shot. She looked as if she just fell asleep in my arms.

I stared at the scars on her face, angry that I had let it happen to her. If I had just followed her to the street. If I had run longer. Maybe I would have found her before all of this happened. Maybe if I had killed Dawn when I had the chance. I killed the bitch though. That's all that matters. I avenged Beth.

Maggie's screams brought my gaze from the young girls face to her devastated sister. Maggie was on the ground, screaming for Beth. Glenn crouched, trying to console his wife, to no avail. She continued to cry, her sobs attracting a lone walker across the street.

I approached them, shaking my head. "She's okay."

Maggie frowned, scrambling to stand. "What? She's okay?" she asked, quickly looking her sister over.

I nodded, looking down at the blonde in my arms.

"She was shot. But it only grazed her. She'll need stitches, but we can do that after we find a place to stay for a while. She needs rest."

Maggie sobbed, kissing her sister's forehead. "Bethy… come back to us quickly." she whispered.

I shifted, lifting her higher into my arms. "Lets get in the truck and head out. We need to find shelter soon."

She nodded, picking up her gun from the ground where she must have dropped it.

Rick clapped me on the back, a non aimed my way before he got in the passenger side. I climbed into the back of the truck, careful not to jostle the blonde too much. Her breathing was so quiet and uneven. I stroked her face softly, tracing the scars that marked her face now.

"Hey."

I looked up to see Michonne holding a blanket up to me. "It's going to get cold once we start driving. You should try and keep her body temperature up since she lost so much blood."

The woman stepped onto the platform, taking a seat across from Beth and I. She studied the young girls face for a while before smiling. "She's a fighter. I can see why you were so hellbent on finding her."

The loud engine of the truck fired up, Glenn on the top of the vehicle pounding the roof as a signal to go. We lurched as we began to move, my grip on Beth tightening.

I stuck my thumb into my mouth, chewing on the skin there. "Hm… well I felt like it was my job to find her. Since I was the reason she was taken to begin with."

Michonne smiled softly, her dark eyes studying him carefully. "Daryl… I know you care for this girl. You don't have to act like you don't. Everyone has seen how much effort you put into finding her. It's nothing to be ashamed about."

I paused my chewing to look down at Beth. She looked peaceful, her mouth slightly open, her warm shallow breath blowing gently on my arm.

I grabbed the blanket from Michonne, wrapping Beth in it to insulate her heat. The temperature was dropping, and the wind from the moving truck wasn't helping much.

"I just wanted to bring her back to Maggie. It's not for my benefit." I mumbled, even though it was a lie.

Michonne seemed to know this though. She nodded, setting her katana on the seat and put her feet up, preparing for a long drive ahead. "We'll see, Dixon."

Alright guys. Let me know what you think. Should I continue it? Add stuff? Plot ideas? I don't know. I just need some inspo to keep Bethyl alive in all of our hearts. Hope you enjoyed.

Hope you enjoyed.

xoxo R