A/N: Oh my goodness! Guys, thank you so much for the amazing response I got from the last chapter! I was so overwhelmed by it all. You are all amazing! :-)
………

We all die.
The goal isn't to live forever,
The goal is to create something that will.

Chapter Two

She had been lost in a dreamless sleep when Maggie had come bursting into her room in the wee hours of the morning; tears streaming down her face as she'd collapsed into a heap on the floor at the foot of her bed. Alarmed and confused, Beth had thrown her covers back, clambered out of bed and sat by her distraught sister's side.

Clutching her stomach tightly, Maggie had laid there wailing in agony, her teeth sinking into the soft flesh on the back of her wrist in an effort to hold back her pained screams. With tears blinding her, she had turned to face her baby sister, grasping her arm in a vice like grip as if she were about to lose her at any moment. Beth had just stared at her sister in confusion, but with a broken nod, Maggie answered all the unspoken questions that danced behind her big blue eyes. As realization had hit Beth, she'd felt the searing pain race through her own body, her throat closing in as she'd fought to catch a breath.

...He was gone?

Beth had wasted no time detaching herself from Maggie's grasp before stumbling out of her room towards her brother's. He couldn't be gone. He just couldn't. But as her parents had stood at his bedroom door, blocking her entry as the coroner worked away behind them, she'd known...It was true. Noticing her trying to peer in, the coroner had quickly covered Shawn's lifeless body with the bed sheets.

"Bethy..." Hershel had struggled out, tears streaming down his face as Annette stood howling beside him "Shawn's..."

He couldn't carry on.

"...But..." She'd stuttered out, glancing at her parents with glassy eyes "He...I..."

Unable to finish her own sentence, Beth had clamped a hand tightly over her mouth and ran. Down the stairs and out the front door, she'd never stopped running. She'd run down the porch steps, past the van which would take Shawn away, and across the fields until she had finally come to a stop next to the old barn. It was there she threw up. Her small body had heaved as she'd brought up everything in her stomach.

Once she'd regained her composure, she hadn't thought twice before running to the side of the house and grabbing her bicycle. She couldn't be there. She couldn't watch them take him away. Instead, she'd had to keep running. Barefooted she'd begun to peddle. Faster and faster until she was headed up the little dirt road that lead into town. Wearing nothing but her white sleep shorts and matching cami, the wind had nipped at her skin. Her hair flying around behind her as she'd pushed on. But she never stopped.

And that's why she found herself standing inside the dull hallway outside his front door, her feet a little cut up as she stood staring at the brass 39A screwed into the badly chipped wood. She found herself there because she had never stopped running. With her bike abandoned in a heap somewhere out front, Beth had climbed the dirty steps inside the complex towards his apartment, the whole time inwardly chanting to herself What are you doing here?

Ignoring the chant, she knocked the door.

It didn't take long for Daryl to answer. His eyes a little bleary and his hair a little messy as he took in the image of Beth before him. He hadn't been sleeping very long. Half an hour at the most before she had surprised him with her presence. And a surprise it was. Of all the women who could have shown up outside his house at 3 in the morning, it had to be her.

"Well hello there Baby Greene..." He smirked, leaning up against the doorpost as he took in her attire "Wantin' that ride after all?"

But a swift slap across the cheek was all he got in reply. A little stunned, his hand flew to his stinging face, Beth maintaining a stony glare as he cussed slightly.

"Guess not..." He muttered, rubbing his cheek a little as his annoyance crept in "What're you doin' here Beth?"

But she didn't respond. She couldn't bring herself to form the words that were stuck in her throat. Instead her eyes began to fill with tears, her lip quivering as her fists balled at her sides. With knowing fear building up within him, Daryl swallowed back the lump that he could feel forming. There had to be another reason for Beth Greene to be standing there in her PJ's...There had to be...

"You...You should really be headin' home, Beth..." Daryl began, clearing his throat a little as he tried to force a smile "..Think Shawn will kick my ass if he finds out you're over here lookin' like that..."

He couldn't help but let out a small chuckle at the thought of his friend. But it wasn't a laughter that was brought from joy or happiness, but instead from fear. He could feel the anxiety within him begin to creep up and choke him from the inside.

"He'll be pissed." He carried on, crossing his arms tightly over his chest as he began to shift nervously from foot to foot, his eyes desperately searching hers for any sign of hope "...He'll be over here first thing in the mornin' thinkin' I've had my way with you. I promise you that Beth. He'll be here...He will..."

His voice was beginning to break. His eyes filling with tears as Beth's small body began to tremble, a gasp escaping from her lips as she shook her head slowly.

"...No, Daryl..." She finally managed to stutter out "Shawn...He..."

"...Don't..." Daryl croaked out, cutting her off as a stray tear fell from his eye; his hands flying to his short hair, grabbing it fiercely as he took a step back "Don't say anythin'...He's..."

As Daryl began to break down, Beth could do nothing but let her tears fall. With her hands clasped tightly over her mouth, she was forced down to the ground; her legs no longer able to keep her standing as she broke into uncontrollable sobs.

With a scream of pain, Daryl turned and kicked the door, grabbing the handle and kicking it over and over again, each time the offending object bouncing off the wall and swinging back towards him. In a fit he turned away from the door and focused his rage upon the battered table that stood in the corner behind him, swiping off the collected trash before upturning it and launching it further into his small apartment.

It wasn't long before the commotion attracted the attention of his neighbours, a couple popping their heads out to see what was going on and a few more to tell him to 'keep the fuck down!' before swiftly slamming their doors closed.

Exhausted, Daryl fell against the wall, sliding down until he was sat facing Beth. Her lifeless eyes, bloodshot. He wasn't one to usually show his emotions, especially around someone like her, but for the first time since he was a child, Daryl let his tears flow openly. Let the groans of hurt and loss escape past his lips.

"He..." He spoke, his voice sounding so broken "He wasn't goin' to die, Beth. He was supposed to get better..." His voice cracked again, a hand covering his eyes as he felt a fresh wave of pain wash over him "H-he was supposed t-to get better!"

Finding her footing, Beth slowly got up, her sobs dying down to a whimper as she passed over the threshold into Daryl's apartment. Without saying a word she lowered herself down beside him; his cries filling the deafening silence. With her back pressed up against the wall, she gently reached out and took hold of his hand, their fingers intertwining as she laid her head on his shoulder.

Tonight, they wouldn't hate each other.

Tonight, they would just cry.

………

Beth couldn't quite understand why the sun was shinning that morning. Why the world hadn't come to a halt after losing something so precious. Sitting in Daryl's truck she could only focus on the sun spilling through the trees. The sound of birds singing as they drove in silence back towards the farm house. It was days like these that Shawn loved the most. Days where he could look up into the sky and see life.

Peering out of the corner of his eye, Daryl felt his stomach wretch. He had known deep down that something had happened when he had opened the door to see her standing there. Had known that his friend had finally found peace. Feeling fresh tears burn the back of his eyes, Daryl angrily pressed a little harder on the accelerator.

They had sat in his hallway crying until the sun came up, neither one of them uttering a word as the hours passed by. They had just held each other and cried. When it hit 6am, Daryl had finally managed to pull himself up, dropping Beth's hand for the first time as he snatched up the keys to his truck. Again, neither one of them spoke a word. In silence they walked down stairs and out the apartment block, Daryl picking Beth's bike up and placing it in the bed of his truck before motioning for her to get in.

Both knew. No words were needed.

It wasn't long before they pulled up outside the farm house, Hershel and Annette immediately running out onto the porch as Daryl and Beth slowly got out the truck, Daryl making his way to get the bike out of the back.

"Where the hell have you been!?" Annette cried, lack of sleep evident in her eyes as she yelled at her daughter "We have been worried sick all night...And on top of everythin' else! How could you be so selfish, Elizabeth!?"

Not waiting for a reply, Annette about turned and headed back into the house, her wails easily being heard outside. Turning to face his daughter, Hershel motioned for her to come to him; His arms outstretched wide as she willingly obliged. Once again, her tears fell.

"I'm sorry, Daddy..." She cried into his chest "I...I just..."

"Ssh, Bethy..." Hershel whispered, kissing her head "You don't have to explain anythin'."

Looking over her shoulder, Hershel's heart dropped a little at the sight before him. He had never seen Daryl look so...defeated.

"Son..." Hershel called, his voice broken as he held out an arm to him "C'mere..."

Reluctantly at first, Daryl slowly made his way towards the man that he had looked upon as a father. The pain in his face almost unbearable to look at. With his head hung low, he climbed the porch stairs, his arms crossed tightly over his chest as Hershel grabbed him by the back of the neck and pulled him into their hug. It was there he finally let his tears fall.

The three of them stood like that for what felt like hours, none of them daring to move until a tearful Maggie came out to fetch them.

"Momma's made breakfast..." She practically whispered, a silent tear making it's way down her own cheek "She just won't stop cookin'..."

"We'll be right in..." Hershel said with a nod, pulling away from the two "Will you join us for some family time, Daryl?"

"I don't think so, Mr. Greene..." He croaked out, stepping back from the old man "I...I just..."

"It's Ok, son" Hershel replied with a sad smile "...Just remember we're here."

With a nod, Daryl shared one last glance with Beth before turning round and heading back for his truck.

………

They sat mainly in silence, no one daring to speak as Annette continued to shovel mountains of food onto everyone's plates. Beth, who hadn't touched a thing, prodded at the pancakes stacked high in front of her with her fork. Every so often she would look up to see Maggie staring helplessly into her food, Glenn, her boyfriend from Atlanta, rubbing her back soothingly. At the news through the night, he had immediately gotten into his car and headed straight for the farm.

Annette, satisfied that everyone's plates were at the right amount of full, finally took a seat at the side of Hershel. Her eyes were bloodshot, her hair falling out in all directions as she gingerly sipped on her coffee.

"I'll call Father Stokes today..." She mumbled, breaking the silence "Start arrangin' funeral plans..."

"Don't you think that's a little soon?" Maggie scoffed, slamming her cutlery down as she turned to face her mother in anger "I mean, at least let his body cool down before you stick him in a box!"

"Maggie, that's enough." Hershel warned, his voice dangerously calm "Everyone at this table here is hurtin'."

Shaking her head a little, Maggie sat back in her seat, pushing her full plate to the side as she glared at her mother out the corner of her eye.

"The sooner this is done, the better." Annette said, her voice barely there "The sooner he is buried and laid to rest the sooner we can...we can all begin to move on..."

Beth couldn't help but look at her Mom in panic as the word 'buried' passed her lips.

"Momma..." She began "I don't think that we should have Shawn buried..."

"Beth...please..." She began, stopping her daughter before she even began "Let's not do this right now."

"But, Mom..." Beth persisted "Shawn...He didn't want this..."

"He wanted to live!" Annette snapped "That's what Shawn wanted..."

A little stunned, Beth glanced at Maggie who, if looks could kill, would have you resting six feet under by now.

"Mom, please!" She carried on "Listen to me. Shawn didn't want to be bu-"

"Enough, Beth!" Annette cried, standing up from her spot "I am calling Father Stokes today and I am arranging his funeral. So this conversation is finished!"

With fresh tears burning her eyes, Beth got up from the table and stormed out of the kitchen. She wanted to be as far away from her mother as she possibly could be at that moment. Banging on the stairs, Beth made her way up to Shawn's room. She stood outside it for what felt like forever before she found the courage to step inside.

She couldn't remember the place feeling so empty.

Slowly, Beth closed the door behind herself, her tears burning the back of her eyes as she took in her surroundings. It had never taken a lot to make Shawn happy. The simple things in life as he had liked to say. The room had been decorated rather basic. The walls a greyish blue. A 'perfect compliment' to the 'cold-ass hardwood floor' as Shawn had like to put it. But although the room had basic décor, Shawn had managed to change that. A budding photographer, he had the walls covered with snapshots from his short life. Pictures of him...Maggie, Glenn, her...Daryl...His whole life laced the four walls.

Beth couldn't help but smile at a picture that sat by his bed. It was of the five of them. Her, Shawn, Glenn, Maggie and Daryl. It had been taken the day of the 'funeral'. Yes, there had already been a funeral. For his leg anyway. Shawn had insisted on it. The minute he got home from hospital after the amputation he had began to plan a memorial for his trusty friend. A little disappointed that he was unable to take the leg home, he and Daryl got to work in creating a little space under the large oak tree by the barn as a 'remembrance spot'. Beth could not remember laughing as much as she had that day. She could even remember the speech her older brother gave.

"Here we remember Fred The Leg...A great support who stood firm and was never afraid to kick his heels back and enjoy life...Fred, we salute you!"

To finish the service by singing 'Shake a Leg' had been the cherry on top of a fun day. He always knew how to make her laugh. Heck, Shawn always knew how to make everyone laugh. He was by far the most considerate person she had ever met. A person who would do anything for you. So the thought that he was going to be buried did nothing but bring a sadness to her heart. The thought that he would forever be trapped inside that box...it wasn't fair...

Putting the picture back down, Beth turned to leave, but as she did she was stopped by a poster that hung facing Shawn's bed. It was a picture of a car travelling down an open road, the words 'We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will' written in the sky. As she read those words she was taken aback, her mind going haywire as she let them sink in.

"That's it..." She whispered to herself "Of course!"

Smiling, Beth was snapped out of her gaze as Maggie walked into the room, tear tracks staining her face as she stared at her little sister.

"Beth..." She spoke softly "What's wrong? What are you doin' in here?"

"Maggie!" She turned, an excitement in her voice "I know what we can do for Shawn! I know how we can give him his last wish!"

"What?" Maggie asked in confusion "Beth, you're makin' no sense."

"Shawn never wanted to be buried, Maggie." She replied, making her way over to her sister and taking hold of her arms "He told me. He wanted to be cremated on the beach in LA. He wanted to be free, not stuck in a box forever."

"But...Mom's wantin' him buried." Maggie said, confusion still evident in her eyes "How is it goin' to be even possible to give him that wish?"

"Simple!" Beth cried, her smile almost blinding "The goal isn't to live forever, but to create somethin' that will!"

"Beth, can you just tell me without writin' a damn song about it?" Maggie snapped, rolling her eyes a little at her sister's excitement "What the hell are you wantin' to 'create'?"

"I want to create somethin' that Shawn would be proud of." She answered softly, her smile never fading "Somethin', that even in death, he still gets to experience with us...Somethin' that we will never forget."

"...Beth, you're startin' to scare me now." Maggie said, a little worried at where she was heading with all this "What are you goin' to do?"

"We.." Beth began "Are goin' to give him his last wish, Maggie...We are goin' to take Shawn to LA."
………

A/N: Well guys, I really hope that you enjoyed this chapter. I know the story is listed as Romance/Humour and that this chapter was as far from comedy as you could imagine, but it'll be taking a bit of a lighter turn starting from the next chapter.

Please share the love and leave me a wee review to tell me what you all thought. Thank you :)