"All right, one of mine for one of yours."

"Agreed … Carol first."

"All right."

Beth shivered from delight at seeing Rick standing so close to her. She tried not to stare at him, to give anything away that Dawn might use against her. Their eyes met once and he nodded to her; she returned the slight incline of her head then cut her eyes to Dawn. He nodded once more and stood more straighter. Once the guard was returned, Dawn took her by the arm and walked her across. Rick brought the guard forward and motioned him ahead as Dawn let go of Beth. She took the four steps ahead as she felt the tears beginning to form. She felt his arm encircle her shoulders as his lips ghosted over her forehead. As she went to move past him, she stopped for a moment and put her arms around his chest. She buried her face against him, clinging to him for dear life. Her body no longer had the will to move behind him. "Beth," he whispered, "let go and move."

"If you let me go, I will kill that bitch," she muttered softly.

"Now all I need is Noah," Dawn proclaimed.

"You have no claim on him. He wants to go home!" Rick snarled.

"Noah was my ward, after I lost him Beth became my ward. Now, I am losing her so I will need a replacement," Dawn spoke, her voice void of emotion.

"It's cool guys really," Noah spoke, his voice shaking. "I don't mind really."

Beth turned in Rick's arms and stared at Dawn. She slid her arm down Rick's leg till her hand came to grip on the hilt of his gun. She slid it slowly from the holster, releasing the safety as she went. As Noah went to move past them, she noticed the smirk on Dawn's face. "Hey Dawn," Beth growled, getting her attention, "I get it now." Raising the Colt, she squeezed the trigger and fired one shot … and one shot was all she needed. The bullet impacted between Dawn's eyes as blood spurt out and over the walls. Dawn's lifeless body fell backwards as Beth holstered the gun. She turned and placed a kiss on Rick's bearded cheek. "Can we leave now, I really hate this place."

Rick looked from Dawn's body to the group of people behind her. "If any of you want to leave this place, come with us … we are a large group, we can protect you." He waited and no one moved, still in shock he thought. "Let's go." Keeping his arm around Beth's waist, he turned and started walking down the hall with her by his side. "You coming or staying Noah?"

"I am right behind you two," he muttered before turning around.

Beth nestled her head against his shoulder as they kept walking through the darkened hospital. "How have you been?"

"I've been better," he spoke, looking down at her.

"Tell me about it sometime?" she asked.

"Same goes for you too," he replied.

"How about when we're both ready," she added.

"Do you need to get the cast cut off now or can you wait?"

"It can wait a little while, my arm's still pretty sore. Funny thing is I don't remember breaking my arm but I remember my ankle getting caught in a bear trap."

"Maybe you broke your arm fighting them off. I bet once you get out of here things won't seem so foggy. Am I right?"

"Deal."

He noticed he was having to hold her tighter to keep her upright. "Are you okay?"

"My knees are going to jelly thinking about getting out of here with all of you," she blushed slightly. "I can't seem to keep my legs going." He grinned and scooped her into his arms as he kept walking. She nestled her head against his neck, feeling the warmth of his body as they kept propelling through the doors. "How are Carl and Judith?"

"Fine; Carl was with me and Tyreese had Judith when the prison fell."

"I'm glad they're all right."

"She misses you," he spoke, placing a kiss on her forehead. "We've all missed you, wondering if you were alive still and if you were were you okay."

"Did you miss me?" she asked as he kicked the main doors open. Sun shone around her brightly as he carried her out the doors. He never answered her as he kept walking forward. She saw Maggie and Glenn arriving with new people and Michonne. Closing her eyes, she kept her head against him as he walked past them.

"Rick how is she?" Maggie asked.

"Fine, she's tired and needs some water," he responded.

"Liar," she whispered, pulling a grin from his lips.

He walked over to the fire engine and sat her down on the running board. Reaching in, he pulled a bottle of water out and handed it to her. "Take a few long drinks." He motioned for someone as Carl's head appeared. He grinned and climbed out then pulled Judith out with him. Rick smiled when he saw Judith's face light up at seeing Beth. Capping the bottle, she sat it down and held her arms out. Carl slid Judith to her and tilted his hat back to look at her. "Man, I'd hate to see the other person."

"She's dead in the hallway, bullet between her eyes," Beth admitted.

"You rock," Carl chuckled as Beth rose.

She slid Judith back to Carl and stepped in front of Rick. "You never did answer me when I asked if you missed me."

He looked to Carl and Judith then back to everyone walking up. Placing his hands on his hips, he looked around at the Atlanta skyline then back to her. "What do you think?"

"I think that -" Before she could answer, he snatched her to his chest and pressed his mouth over hers HARD as he held onto her.

"I guess he answered that question," Michonne chuckled softly.

"How long has that been going on?" Tyreese asked as Sasha shot him a look. "What?"

"Damn you people must be blind or something not to have seen it all this time," Sasha growled and climbed up onto the fire truck.

"I agree with her," Carl laughed and climbed back into the fire truck. "Hey, anybody timing that kiss or what?"

"Leave 'em alone, I know how he feels," Abraham sighed and patted Rick's shoulder as he opened the driver's door. "Let's load up and move out!"

Beth grinned as Rick lifted his lips from hers. "Come on, we have our own ride."

"Deal," she sighed and followed him over to the Trailblazer. "Reminds me of the one you had on the farm but not as old."

"Yea it does me too," he smiled and held the door open for her. "Come on, Tyreese likes to drive so I let him."

"Nice to have a chauffeur," Beth chuckled as Tyreese came over. She leaned over and placed a kiss on his cheek. "Thank you for Judith."

"You're welcome," Tyreese smiled and stammered.

"And if a black man could blush he'd be crimson right now," Daryl chuckled and slid in the back.

"Shut up Dixon before I smack you!" Tyreese laughed and cranked the engine.