Lips tingling and heart a flutter, Beth makes her way to the kitchen on autopilot. She finds a tray and two jugs, and goes about filling them at the sink in a daze.

The skin around her mouth throbs from the scratch of his beard when their faces collided so suddenly. The taste of him still lingers on her tongue as she slides it across her bottom lip; rolling his taste around her mouth, both savouring it and committing it to memory.

Of all the things she thought might happen today, Daryl Dixon kissing her wasn't one of them.

What does it mean? Was it just a kiss, or something more?

She hears her sister's voice in her head. When a boy kisses you it means he likes you, Bethy.

But Daryl isn't a boy. The way her skin still tingles from the burn of his beard is evidence of that.

She's never been kissed like that before. Never so desperate and insistent, as though he was trying to hold onto her, like she might otherwise slip away.

It took a lot out of him losing you on the road,

Carol's words pull at something in her chest.

and then he almost lost you again back in that hallway.

Was this a reaction to that? Was he just letting off steam, caught up in the moment?

She's pulled back to the present by the feel of cold water running over her hand as the jug overflows.

Beth shuts the water off and sets the jug down on the tray. Her feet find their way back to the ward and back to her family, while her head remains somewhere else entirely.

...

The sun is hanging low in the sky when Rick returns. He has Michonne, Carl and a man by the name of Father Gabriel with him and looks much less geared up for a fight than when he left. Beth doesn't miss the way his eyes scan the room quickly and then again more carefully when they don't find Daryl. Her mouth twitches and her insides flutter with a mix of guilt and anxiety at his absence and her part in that.

Carl is halfway across the room when Beth catches sight of the baby strapped to his chest and she lets out an excited gasp.

Judith. Judith is alive!

A grin splits her face as she excitedly crosses the room to meet them. Carl's smile mirrors hers as he pulls away the covers and unfastens the baby, holding her out to Beth's outstretched arms instinctively.

Judith turns her head and stops when she sees Beth. She stares for a moment, big brown eyes studying Beth's face. Her gaze darts between Beth's eyes and her scars before lingering on the crimson gash on her cheek. Beth's heart plummets through the balls of her feet as Judith's face begins to scrunch in on itself. The baby pushes out a whine, turns and buries her face in her brother's chest. Carl's mouth falls open in shock, his hand coming up to rub Judith's back, making soothing shushing noises as she burrows into his embrace.

"She's... really tired," Carl offers awkwardly.

Beth nods and bites her lips, not trusting herself to speak as her heart rattles in her chest. She takes a step backwards as Judith continues to pull away from her. The sound of Judith's cries and knowing she's the cause hurts more than anything in the world ever could. Beth couldn't count the nights she stayed up with that little girl when it was only her melodic lullabies that would sooth her to sleep. When her face was the one Judith would look for, eyes lighting up when she found her, with arms outstretched. Not now, not anymore and it twists in her chest like a knife. She expected it from the others; the first time they saw her at least, they might look at her with pity or disgust. But something hurts so much more about it being Judith. About her gaze being stripped of love and replaced with fear.

Beth forces her mouth into a tight smile before she hastily moves away. She's making a beeline for the main doors when a hand on her arm stops her.

"Where are you going?" Maggie asks, all but demands, bending her neck to catch Beth's gaze.

"I'm just goin' to the toilet," Beth lies, trying not to squirm under the intense concern in her sister's searching eyes, "I won't be long, okay?"

Maggie takes a hesitant step back, nodding reluctantly as she watches Beth walk away.

...

Outside the hospital, the sun is starting to set and paint the sky in warm hues as Daryl sinks back down onto the steps. He lifts a cigarette to his lips but doesn't light it. Doesn't intend to. Doesn't want to fill his mouth with the taste of stale tobacco. He's content rolling another taste around on his tongue. Well, content might be a stretch. His nerves are shot to shit again, sat thrumming on those steps like his brother when he was strung out on meth.

He sits there until long after his heart stops racing. Contemplates staying there as look out all night but thinks better of it. Knows Rick wouldn't like it if he did. That he wants them all together, now that they finally are all together again. Knows he's right too. He's annoying like that. Daryl waits until the sun in sinking down towards the skyline to drag himself up the steps and back inside.

As he rounds the corner to the ward, his breath catches in his throat when he finds Beth stood in the otherwise empty corridor. She's looking out of the window, watching the descending sun. It's kissing the skyline now, emitting a warm glow that catches on her hair, making it glimmer gold and casting her face in deep, bronze shadows.

Even as his heart begins to thunder afresh in his chest, his feet lead him towards her, drawn into her orbit.

She turns her head at the sound of his approaching footsteps and their eyes catch for a half a heartbeat before she returns her gaze to the setting sun.

Just enough time for him to glimpse the torrent of sadness swirling behind her eyes. He notes the way her shoulders are hunched and her arms are curled around her ribcage. It grates at something inside him. She shouldn't look sad; not her, not ever. His gut pulls tight. Is it 'cause of what he did? His jaw tightens, worrying his teeth together. His hand comes up to hold the strap of his bow, mirroring her body language as he curls in on himself. He draws in a tight breath before forcing himself to speak.

"Why aren't you in there with the others?" He asks. The voice that comes out is rough from dehydration and he instantly clears his throat.

Beth doesn't respond straight away and for a moment he doesn't think she's going to. Then her mouth tightens sourly.

"'Cause Judith is scared of my face," she answers without turning to look at him.

Daryl's chest aches as her lip trembles and she catches it between her teeth in an attempt to still it. He watches as tears pool in her eyes and she fights those back too. Holds the surge of pain inside her with visible effort.

Then she turns and her eyes lock with his and he sees the palpable anguish that mars her face. Her face which is still beautiful even with the scars; would be even if it was covered with them.

He lifts his head to meet her gaze full on. Daryl Dixon doesn't make a habit of looking people full in the face, has spent a lot of his life avoiding doing so. But he wants to look at hers now. Needs her to know that he wants to and no amount of scars will change that. He holds her gaze, there's a beat and then she stops holding on.

Her shoulders sag and she lets the tears fall from her eyes as a wounded cry escapes her lips.

"Girl," he utters under his breath, his arm reaching out on its own and crushing her against his chest. He holds her to him so tightly he feels her shoulders shake as she lets it all out, his shirt soaking up her tears and muffling her sobs.

After a moment, her sobs slow to a sniffle and he feels her straighten in his arms. He loosens his hold as her hands come up to wipe the tears from under her eyes angrily.

She sighs and he feels her hot breath stream across his collar bone.

"It doesn't matter."

Her voice is small and defeated. Two things which Beth Greene is not, but has been reduced to, and that makes his gut flare with anger.

"It does," He growls.

It does matter.

His hand comes up to cup her jaw and tilt her face up, thumb softly stroking just under the scar on her cheek.

He doesn't know what makes him bold enough to touch her like that. It just feels right.

She stares back at him, expressive blue eyes flaring bright with surprise. Her lips part and his eyes are drawn to the movement. Then all of a sudden her hands are fisting in his shirt, she's closing the distance between them, and pressing her lips hard against his.

Her lips are soft and warm against his, her tongue tracing the line of his mouth, asking for permission to enter. The flicker of wet heat sends a shiver down his spine. His hand slides from her jaw to cradle the back of her skull, fingers curling in her soft hair.

The abrupt sound of footsteps fast approaching causes them to spring apart in an instant.

Daryl's heart is pounding hard against the back of his ribs as his eyes quickly zero in on Rick making his way down the corridor towards them.

Did he see?

Daryl follow Rick's intense gaze to Beth beside him, her cheeks flaring pink and lip caught between her teeth.

"You alright?" Rick asks, tilting his head at her, concern rippling his blue eyes.

Beth swallows loudly before nodding enthusiastically, "I'm fine."

Rick holds her gaze, searching her face for a moment before turning to Daryl.

"I'm gonna go up to the nursery. Noah said the cops haven't touched a lot the hospital," He says, eyes narrowing with focus, "I'm hopin' there'll be some formula or somethin' for Judith."

Rick drags a hand across his bearded jaw, drawing in a deep breath and letting it out wearily. He looks the kind of tired that sleep can't fix.

"I'll go," Daryl grunts, "You stay here, talk to the group."

"I'll go too."

Beth's voice surprises them both.

Rick swings his gaze to Beth, narrowing his eyes at her.

"I know my way around this place an' I know what Judith needs," She says quickly.

Rick frowns, "Maggie ain't happy 'bout you bein' out here never mind trapsin' around the hospital."

Daryl hears Beth sigh under her breath and glances down to catch the exasperated look she gives Rick.

His frown softens slightly, "An' when I go back in there what am I s'posed to tell your sister?"

Beth bristles, "Tell her we all have jobs to do."

Rick doesn't look convinced, mouth twisting to the side.

Daryl watches as frustration furrows Beth's brow and pushes out the dark red scar on her otherwise smooth, pale forehead, tugging at the fresh stitches. He sees the way she pushes it down with a deep breath and releases it with a determined sigh.

"Tell her I'm with Daryl, then she'll know I'm safe," She says softly.

Daryl's breath hitches, fingers tightening on the strap of his bow.

Rick's eyes flick over to connect with his in a wordless exchange. There's a beat and then Daryl rolls his shoulder. This seems to satisfy Rick and he dips his chin.

"Alright," He says, hand coming up to rest on Daryl's shoulder for a moment.

Pulling his colt out from its holster, he holds the gun out to Beth, "You be careful now."

She takes it by the grip and nods.

"Lead the way, girl," Daryl murmurs, and follows as Beth heads down the corridor, floor stained pink by the last glow of the sunset.