Maggie would not let Beth go. Even when Beth tried to depart, Maggie's grip grew tighter. Beth giggled through her tears, "Did ya' miss me?"

Maggie pulled apart just to look over Beth's features. Beth shied away and Maggie grabbed her by the chin softly, "Don't be ashamed... And yes, Bethy. More than anything."

Beth smiled up at her and hugged her again before finally getting out of Maggie's grasp. She stared at the father and son duo, clearly still trying to unscramble their brains.

Before anyone could welcome her back, Deanna's voice interrupted the reunion, "And who's this?"

Beth looked at the woman and sized her up. She looked cold and reminded her of Dawn. "I'm Beth."

Daryl stepped beside Beth, "She's part of our group. She just got… Left behind."

Deanna side glanced Maggie and then she knew who Beth was. Maggie had mentioned in their interview that she had a sister that got shot and her body had been left behind. "I'd like to do a video interview with her. See where she'll fit in…. If she does fit in."

Beth was confused. What the hell was she talking about?

'IF I fit in? What?' Beth was perplexed at why this woman wanted to do it now when she just arrived. All Beth really wanted to do was take a shower and go to bed. After being on the road for so long she forgot what a normal bed felt like.

"No disrespect but I'm kinda tired and… smelly. You probably won't wanna be in close quarters with me."
There were a few chuckles from both groups. Even Daryl shook his head with a small smile on his lips. But there was one face that did not find it funny at all.

"Why? You have something to hide?" Deanna narrowed her dagger eyes at Beth.

'Did I just walk into another world with a controlling psycho?' Beth thought to herself as she stood her ground and didn't let Deanna get to her.

"No, I'd just be more cooperative if I got some rest. That's all. I've got nothin' to hide ma'am." Beth gave her a smile despite the rudeness that was being thrown back at her.

"It's required when you enter. Everyone else has done it. It's just for a safety precaution." Deanna came closer to Beth but Beth took a step back.

"Hold on, you just said it was to see where I fit in… Not for safety… I'm no threat to you or your people." Beth had no problem with doing it but she was overly exhausted and did not feel like explaining her whole journey again in one day.

Rick was getting impatient with Deanna. This wasn't about Beth. He stepped in when he thought Deanna wasn't going to let off, "If she doesn't want to today, she's not going to. You can't imagine what she's been through."
"How are you so sure she's the same girl you left behind?" Deanna's voice was calm but Beth immediately went from respecting her to despising her. Even though her argument was semi-valid, Beth didn't like being accused of being something she was not.

Beth turned to look over at Daryl and she could see his pupils darken with anger, "And how is your video gonna prove she isn't the same? She's been through hell and just needs a good night's sleep and time with everyone." Beth smiled at him and resisted the urge to take his hand. She didn't have to resist though. She was surprised to feel his fingers come intertwined with hers. No one noticed, except for one particular woman.

Deanna looked between Daryl and Beth. Beth really didn't like how Deanna was looking at them, "If you've got something to say, say it."

Daryl growled under his breath, "Beth…"

Deanna snorted, "I just didn't peg Mr. Dixon as the type to go after such young girls, that's all."
Everyone looked at them and noticed their interlocked fingers. Beth rolled her eyes as she felt the anger rising in her chest. What the hell had she done to piss this woman off? Deanna didn't even know her and she already has judged Beth as being a naïve, dangerous threat. With all these thoughts swirling in her mind, Beth lost all control of her respectful demeanor.

"Excuse me?!" Beth snatched her hand away before Daryl could hold her back and started moving towards Deanna but David (the watch that was at the gate when they arrived) pulled a gun on Beth. Beth hadn't even noticed that her hand was over the sheath containing her knife. It was a natural instinct for her when she felt threatened or angered. She wasn't planning on using it, Deanna just tripped a wire in her head that set her off. And she already didn't like her… that much was for sure.

Daryl in turn pulled his crossbow on David, "You best put it down 'fore I make you put it down." Daryl's southern accent was thick with malice. He was tired of Beth getting weapons drawn on her. She needed to cool the tough, defensive exterior before she got herself actually killed.

'Damn girl thinks she indestructible just 'cause she survived a bullet to the head and got lucky,' Daryl thought to himself angrily.

Thankfully, Beth had stopped instantly when the gun had been aimed at her but she still was glaring at Deanna. Her hand was off her knife but Deanna still looked threatened. David lowered his weapon and so did Daryl.

"I think you've been out in those woods for too long. I heard nothing but great things about Maggie's little sister. Like how she cared for the baby back at the prison, helped out on the farm. How you were the songbird of the group, always singing a melody to keep the mood light. This world can change people, and I'm not too sure you can be trusted. You all saw how fast she went for her weapon. And all I did was state a fact." She looked around to everyone and her people were starting to agree.

Daryl couldn't believe what he was hearing and seeing as he walked up next to Beth, "She's not doing your interview today." He jabbed a finger in Deanna's direction.

"Then she will have to leave. I will not let someone who threatens me sleep inside these walls."
Rick came into the dispute, "You trusted us."

"And what have I gotten from that? My son is dead. My husband is dead. Pete is dead. Ever since you all came in there has been nothing but trouble." Deanna pointed at Beth, "She goes or you all go."

Aaron shook his head. He couldn't believe this was coming from Deanna. They had prided themselves on saving people not throwing them to the wolves. "Deanna, listen to yourself. I think you need some rest. We all do."
"I want her watched by one of our people, just to make sure judgement isn't clouded." Nicholas was a bit too excited about that for Daryl's tastes.

Daryl immediately got in front of her protectively, "I'll watch over her."

Deanna snorted, "I'm sure you will."

Beth touched Daryl's arm because she knew he was close to breaking and if Deanna didn't stop he knew he would start believing it and then Beth would have to start from square one with him. He didn't need to be ashamed but Deanna was trying her damnedest to make him feel that way. No, no one treated Daryl like this. Not anymore. Not on her watch.

Beth came from behind him, "How dare you. I won't stand here and allow you to insult this man over something that isn't any of your business. You're lucky to have him and I think your just pissing all over that because you're not getting what you want. I met someone like you once." Beth narrowed her eyes at Deanna and challenged her. "And she ended up with a bullet through her brain."

Daryl's eyes widened and he was conflicted. He loved that she was sticking up for him but she also was digging an even bigger hole for herself.

"If you all play nice and act like you have some sense, I have no reason to defend myself. But I also won't let you walk all over me. I'm done with that. That's not how this world works anymore. You can't be soft, you have to be tough. You wanna record me? Go ahead and get it now… Go ahead! I'm waiting."

Deanna explained, "We usually do it in the house over there, all the equipment is-"

Beth was getting impatient, "No, I think everyone wants to hear so you get this and only this. My name's Beth Greene. I'm guessing I recently turned 19. I used to live on a farm with my mom, dad, sister, and step brother. After all this broke out my mom and step brother got bit and died. I attempted suicide but decided to live. I was the babysitter for the group for the time we were at our prison. That's all I was good for at the time. I watched my dad get brutally murdered. Me and Daryl got separated from the group for a while. I got separated from him. Wound up at this shitty hospital called Grady Memorial where I got verbally and physically abused, sexually assaulted, and was held there against my will until I paid off my "debt" to them. Oh and then this happened." She scooped some of her hair form her forehead and showed Deanna the indentation where the gunshot wound had been. "Someone shot me in the head but I survived. I made it. I'm here to survive, not kill all of you in your sleep. I am strong though and can hold my own. If I feel threatened, I react and ask questions later now. So don't threaten me and we'll have no problems. I have changed but it's for my own good… Questions?"

Everyone was wide eye including Daryl. He kept replaying over the sexually assaulted part over and over in his head.

Deanna looked overwhelmed with the info she just received, "Alright."

Beth gave her a genuine smile but added, "Oh and same goes for my family too. I feel they are threatened in any way…"

Deanna nodded, "Understood. I am sorry, things have just been crazy and I'm not quick to trust anymore."

Beth stared at Deanna, "As you should. But you gotta know when to trust. That's the hard part and I get it. But I'm guessing you've known my family for quite some time. I'm the same as I was before but tougher and rougher around the edges. I still sing. I still laugh. But like I said, I don't let people walk all over me anymore."

Deanna nodded but this time said nothing, just started making her way back to the houses.

Beth heard Daryl let out a breath he had been holding for some time as the Alexandria people started making their way back to their houses. "Is it safe to say that I still am not sure about her?" Beth whispered so only he could hear.

Daryl let a chuckle escape through his lips, "You'll get used to her."