Chapter 2

I don't own the Walking Dead or anyone or anything having to do with the Walking Dead. I also don't own Take me to Churcy by Hoozier.

My lover's got humor

She's the giggle at a funeral

Knows everybody's disapproval

I should've worshipped her sooner

Daryl's breaths came in short shallow pants as he sprinted for the door leading into the hospital stairwell. It had been closed and sealed behind their family as they exited the hospital but, he desperately hoped one of the officers would still be in the stairwell. Beth weighed heavy in his arms and he could hear her pained, gasping, breaths but, the mere knowledge that she was alive caused adrenaline to course through him, fueling his desperate retreat. Daryl wasn't sure why he was being given this second chance but, he knew how precious it was and he wouldn't waste it. Second chances were rare if not non-existent in this new world. He eased to a stop trying not to jostle Beth anymore than he had too, and glanced behind him, before raising his fist to bang on the stairwell door. Daryl saw two walkers steadily approaching him and Beth in their typical lurching gait, the man in the suit whom he had been watching earlier, and a teenage girl who formally had a penchant for gothic clothing. Just as Daryl was contemplating laying Beth gently on the stairwell stoop in order to arm himself with his crossbow the door swung open and Daryl was face to face with Officer Shepard. "Please", Daryl begged the female officer, "Please Beth is alive. I need help." Daryl had never begged for anything in his life. He had learned at a very young age, watching his mother beg his father to stop drinking, or beating her or her sons, that begging never worked. Instead it often worsened the punishment or dragged out the agony and pain one was trying to escape. But Daryl was willing to beg for Beth, for her very life.

The female officer glanced down at Beth incredulously, clearly doubting Daryl's assessment, and just at that moment the blond shifted her head against Daryl's arm and moaned in pain before rasping out "Daryl it hurts, please" a small sob "make it stop".

Officer Shepard gasped "Hurry. Come on", before grabbing Daryl by the arm and urging him into the stairwell. She slammed the door behind him barring it just as the Goth walker slammed into it with a sickening thwack. Wasting no time the officer turned to Daryl beckoning for him to follow, as she turned to sprint up the stairwell. Two flights up Daryl and Officer Shepard sprinted past Officer Licari who, stationed in the stairwell, turned towards them in shock.

"Shepard, where's the fire", he started before noticing Daryl following on Shepard's heels carrying Beth. "What the…", he gasped before turning to follow the pair sprinting wildly up the stairwell.

By the fifth floor Daryl was wheezing and making silent promises to never smoke another cigarette. His legs were burning and his back aching from carrying Beth but, the fact barely registered due to the adrenaline coursing through him. His thoughts were racing between elation and absolute terror that he would still lose her, as he and the two officers burst through the stairwell door, onto the now main floor of the hospital. Beth hadn't spoken again but, Daryl had heard her soft pitiful moans of pain as he had raced up the stairs. Daryl was two steps behind Officer Shepard, following her down the hallway, when she began yelling ,"Edwards get out here. Now!", in an authoritative tone.

Edwards popped out of an exam room halfway down the hallway and took in the sight of the two officers and Daryl carrying Beth rushing towards him. "Geez Stephanie what's the emergency? What is he doing back here? I thought they had all left".

Daryl's attention was drawn away from the two officers and the doctor as Beth moved in his arms. Glancing down he saw her struggling unsuccessfully to open her eyes. She managed to get them open just enough to glance up and make eye contact with Daryl. Beth's beautiful soft cornflower blues locked onto Daryl's startlingly clear icy blues, as she reached up with a shaking hand, to touch her palm to his cheek. Daryl forgot to breathe as Beth's soft palm gently caressed his rough stubble covered cheek. His racing heart calmed instantly as his whole focus shifted to the woman in his arms. It was as if Beth was infusing his system with calm through skin to skin contact. His erratic racing thoughts crystalized into a clear rational pattern and he was able to focus on one outcome. It was up to him to ensure that Beth received the help she would need to survive this. The spell was broken by Edwards sharp exclamation of "That's impossible," as the doctor took in the scene before him.

Daryl's gaze snapped up to Edwards face, "Impossible or not it's happening. Please she needs your help." Daryl saw the panic on the doctor's face as he realized he was actually being asked to do something to help the woman in his arms.

"I …I don't know that I can do anything," Edwards stammered. "She should be dead. If she isn't she will be soon," the panicked doctor started to back away from the group but, Officer Shepard's hand shot out grabbing the doctors forearm.

"Don't you dare try to run away," Shepard snarled. "You're just as responsible for Dawn and all the horrible things that she did as the rest of us. We all enabled her and those of her ilk. We have to make this right. Or we at least have to try."

"She's right," Licari seconded. "We all allowed horrible things to happen here in the name of the greater good. What kind of people are we going to become if we don't recognize where we went wrong and at least try to make recompense for it."

Daryl had turned his attention back to Beth who had once again passed back into a state of unconsciousness. He was vaguely aware of the ongoing conversation between Shepard, Licari, and Edwards when he hears the doctor state," You don't understand. She is going to die anyway. Why waste the resources. Dawn was wrong about a lot of things but, she was right about that. We don't have unlimited resources here and she isn't going to make it. People don't survive wounds like that."

"NO," Daryl roared turning his attention to the doctor and advancing towards his shrinking form. " No," he repeated again a little more softly but, no less forcefully. "She ain't going to die and your gonna make sure of that. I don't care if you gotta use every damn resource in this whole damn place on her. Your gonna make sure Beth survives or you won't be needin to worry about resources," Daryl stepped even closer to the doctor, invading his personal space, as he dropped his voice an octave to a dangerous whisper, " cause those resources won't be doin you a damn bit of good after I end your miserable existence in the slowest, most painful way I can dream up."

Edwards gulped and visibly shrank under the intense murderous stare Daryl was aiming directly at him when Shepard growled out," You help that poor girl or I will personally help him with ending your miserable existence. I won't take much convincing, I know some of the things you've done here to save your own hide over the years."

Edwards intense desire for self-preservation won out as he muttered ,"Fine I'll do what I can. But don't say I didn't warn you when she dies anyway." Turning to Daryl he beckoned, " Come on I have a room set up down at the end of the hallway for really critical cases. I don't think they get anymore critical than Beth's." As Daryl turned to follow him down the hallway Edwards shot at Licari, " Find Melissa for me. She used to be an RN in the surgical unit. She has the best chance of being any real help." Licari nodded at Edwards before turning on heal and heading in the opposite direction.

If the heavens ever did speak

She's the last true mouthpiece

Every Sunday's getting more bleak

A fresh poison each week

Daryl took note of the extensive amount of medical equipment as he entered the critical care room with Edwards. The doctor motioned for Daryl to place Beth on the gurney in the center of the room and he did so as gently as he could. As he was straightening back up the sound of sneakers squeaking on linoleum caught his attention, the person was moving quickly, and he immediately took a defensive position in front of Beth as a tiny elderly gray haired woman burst into the room. The woman, whom Daryl presumed to be Melissa the RN nurse, turned to the doctor panting to catch her breath. "Licari came to get me. He told me that poor sweet girl is actually still alive. What can I do to help." Daryl was glad to see that at least one of the medical staff on Beth's team actually appeared to want to help her.

The doctor turned towards the nurse and began issuing rapid fire orders that Daryl did not understand. The two began to work as a well-oiled machine assessing Beth's condition, taking her vital signs, treating her wound, and hooking up equipment. Daryl stepped back trying to stay out of the way but, unwilling to be too far away from Beth. The doctor was probing the wound in Beth's forehead when her eyes shot wide open and she began to struggle wildly, panic flaring in her eyes. " No..No…Daryl…I don't want to leave.. .not yet… Daryl…please…" fat tears began to roll down Beth's ashen cheeks as Daryl shot forward pushing Melissa out of the way to get to Beth.

Doctor Edwards had jumped back, startled, when Beth began to struggle. Daryl reached the blond, pulling her into his arms, and cradling her chest to chest. Daryl cupped the back of her head with one hand and supported her lower back with the other as he sat on the hospital bed. He began to croon to her softly," Shush princess you ain't leavin. You ain't goin anywhere and I ain't neither. I am right here. Shush its gonna be okay," Daryl wasn't sure where the endearment came from. He hadn't ever used it before but, it seemed to fit and right now Beth needed his comfort.

His eyes meet the doctors over Beth's head as she sobbed against his shoulder," It hurts so bad, feels like my head is explodin, please do something, please make it stop." Daryl's gut twisted in agony at the blonde's pain and his inability to stop it.

"Caint you do somethin," he growled at Edwards as the blond shook and sobbed. Daryl thought she might be physically sick at any moment due to her level of distress.

"No," Edwards said shaking his head sadly. "I don't like seeing her in pain anymore than you do. I can't give her anything to knock her out though because anything I might have available could suppress her breathing, and with a head wound that's the last thing we want to do." Daryl nodded his reluctant understanding as Edwards continued, "I need you to try to keep her still so I can assess this. Can you do that?"

Daryl nodded taking a firmer hold on Beth, "Princess…. I know this is gonna hurt real bad but, I need ya to hold still. Can you do that for me?" Beth's sobs hitched for a second and Daryl felt the minutest movement of her head in assent against his shoulder. He turned to Edwards with steely determination, "Go ahead. She aint gonna move."

Edwards nodded and returned to examining the wound, "I don't know how she is even conscious never mind talking and listening to direction right now. But it's a good sign. Try to keep her still."

Daryl stroked Beth's hair as Edwards poked and prodded and Melissa handed the doctor instruments while holding a light directed at the wound. A few moments later he exhaled and looked to Daryl, "The bullet exited the brain cleanly from what I can tell. The best I can do is stitch the wounds together, hope the brain doesn't swell, and see if she recovers and if there is any lasting damage. We will of course offer palliative care to keep her comfortable and stable but, I think that is the most we can do in this situation."

Daryl nodded solemnly," Do it then." He held Beth close as the doctor and nurse flushed the wounds and began to stitch them closed. Beth blessedly passed back into unconsciousness at some point during the process but, Daryl continued to support her as the position allowed the medical staff the best access to her wounds.

"We were born sick" you heard them say it

My Church offers no absolutes

She tells me "Worship in the bedroom"

When they were finished stitching and bandaging the wounds Daryl laid her gently back on the bed and turned to the doctor. Edwards ran a hand through his hair tiredly as he assessed Daryl's haggard and weary expression. "It isn't that I didn't want to help her you know," he started earnestly. "Beth is an amazing young woman and I came to admire her a great deal during out short acquaintance. But realistically no one should survive a wound like the one she has. I didn't want to give you or anyone else false hope about the matter. She shouldn't be conscious, she shouldn't be talking, and she should have some type of memory deficient. It doesn't seem like Beth is suffering from any of those complications yet, but I feel compelled to warn you that her survival isn't a certainty by any stretch of the imagination. Even if she does recover she could still suffer the effects of a traumatic brain injury."

Daryl nodded at the doctor's assessment and stated confidently, "Beth is strong. She's a survivor. She told me once she ain't just another dead girl and she was right. The rest don't matter."

Edwards dipped his head nodding his acknowledgement of Daryl's statement," Melissa will place an IV and start running some antibiotics, pain killers that will at least relieve some of her discomfort, and meds to control any swelling that might occur in her brain. I will be back in a couple of hours to check on her." Daryl nodded and Edwards turned to exit the room. Melissa quietly finished her work placing the IV and starting drips of both medication and food and hydration before turning to exit the room. She paused however, before leaving, and Daryl felt her eyes on him as he sat in an uncomfortable plastic chair next to Beth's bed clasping her hand in his.

He turned towards the nurse and quirked an eyebrow at her in question before stroking a finger gently up and down the top of Beth's hand. The older woman smiled gently as she regarded Daryl, "I am guessing you're the man sweet Beth was separated from when she was brought here."

Daryl grunted a non-committal ,"Maybe."

Melissa's smile broadened, " I'll take that as a yes. She talked about you a lot and based off of today's events I saw everything I needed to, to confirm you're the man she was always talking about." Daryl considered the nurses statement, wondering briefly why Beth had wasted time thinking about him while she was trapped at Grady. The nurse continued," Beth was always pretty quiet and kept things close to the vest but, she would always light up when she talked about you. She was certain you would be looking for her. She never mentioned the rest of your family so it was quite the surprise to see you all but, I knew you were the man she talked about when that unfortunate situation happened with Dawn." Melissa looked towards Beth sadly before shaking her head, "Poor sweet girl, the world is such a cruel place now. No matter how she felt about being here Beth was always so kind and considerate to me. I will do anything I can to help you both. If you need anything I will be with patients down the hall. Just come find me."

Daryl nodded his assent and Melissa turned exiting the room. Daryl considered Melissa's statement wondering what had happened to Beth while she was at Grady. The Beth he knew certainly wasn't quiet and able to keep things close to the vest. She was wide open, brave, and demonstrative. He was proud that Beth had maintained her optimism and compassion even in less than optimal circumstances but, he was flummoxed that she had not talked about the rest of their family. The fact that Beth knew him well enough to know he would be looking for her filled him with a feeling he couldn't identify but, it saddened him to know she hadn't thought the same about the rest of their family. He thought back to the time at the moonshine cabin when he had told her she wouldn't ever see Maggie again. It made him sick to his stomach to think that maybe Beth had believed him, especially considering her actions towards Dawn, and how true the prediction might have come only hours ago.

The only heaven I'll be sent to

Is when I'm alone with you

Take me to church

I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies

I'll tell you my sins so you can sharpen your knife

Daryl sighed thinking about some of the horrible things he had said to Beth while they were alone after the fall of the prison. He remembered how angry he had been when she had wanted to have her first drink and the names he had called her. Looking back he could understand her need for a task to accomplish, and the direction the task lent, no matter how ill-advised it had been. When he considered how close he had come to losing Beth forever his stomach churned. What if he had never had a chance to tell her he was sorry for the things he had said, that now he understood what she had been trying to do with her little mission, and that he was grateful for it. The events at the moonshine cabin had been the start of much needed healing process for Daryl. Carol had been right when she stated he was a different person, more a man than a child now. That transformation had been started during his time with Beth and he strongly felt that he had her to thank for it. Daryl concluded after thinking back on his time alone with Beth that it was a miracle that she had even spoken about him while she was here at Grady. Why would she have ever even wanted to see him again after some of the things he had said. Shame coursed through him as Beth shifted on the bed restlessly. Daryl continued to hold her right hand in his left but, he reached forward with his right to gently brush some strands of blond hair from her face. Even in unconsciousness Daryl felt Beth shift towards his touch before settling back into resting quietly, and he couldn't understand what he had done to earn this woman's unflagging trust.

Offer me my deathless death

Good, God let me give you my life

If I'm a pagan of the good times

My lover's the sunlight

To keep the Goddess on my side

She demands a sacrifice

As the hours past both Melissa and Doctor Edwards came in to check on Beth's condition reporting to Daryl that it was stable and her brain did not appear to be swelling. They each suggested at various times that Daryl should consider taking a nap on the couch in Beth's room but, he refused to leave her side or release her hand. Daryl had never been the spiritual sort. Growing up as he had didn't really leave any room for faith, instead he dealt in absolutes and action. During their time at the farm and prison he had witnessed Herschel's, and his daughter's faith many times but, he had never felt compelled to talk with them about it. But as he sat at Beth's bedside, unable to do anything to help her in her struggle for survival, he began to bargain with the God she believed in so strongly. Daryl was willing to do anything, including offer his own life in exchange, if Beth was allowed to recover from her wound without any lingering effects. He reflected on his own, as he considered it, worthless life, and compared that to Beth's goodness, and the light she brought to the world. In the end he concluded that she had a much stronger case for surviving in the post-apocalyptic world. The world needed more people like Beth Greene, it could certainly do with fewer Dixons that was for sure. With that thought Daryl made a promise to himself and whatever higher power might be listening. If Beth was allowed to recover, leave the hospital, and return to her family, Daryl would spend the rest of his life making sure that she was safe and protected. He would never again let something like this happen to her, even if it meant sacrificing his own life to ensure the continuance of hers. Repeating his promise over and over in his mind Daryl, bowed touching his forehead to his and Beth's joined hands. His mantra became a prayer and he closed his eyes and drifted off into an exhausted unsettled and uncomfortable doze in the plastic chair.

In the madness and soil of that sad earthly scene

Only then I am human

Only then I am Clean

Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen.