A/N: Oh, I'm so thrilled everyone loved that last chapter. It was building and I hope everyone was pleased with the outcome. I have this one last chapter to give to this story - at least it was longer than the 6 chapters I promised. Even though there is more to this story line, I think (along with the advice from my wonderful BETA - ElsaEditorial) this is a perfect place to end this particular story. I think there will be a sequel (or at least I hope) but I'm not sure when I'll get around to it since I'm going to get on with my HOME sequel - OFFICIAL. So keep your eyes out for that story!

Enjoy!

There had been so much chaos after the death of the dictator, Dawn. Rick demanded the release of Noah and anyone else who wanted to leave that hellish place. In the end of a tense conversation, only Noah had been bold enough to brave the dangerous walker-filled world outside the hospital doors.

From the tiled floor, Beth could see the bullet that was lodged in the ceiling of that fateful hallway. The one that had struck her unwitting body but had not killed her. It had grazed her temple, gashing her skin but doing not much more damage than that. She was alive… Beth was alive, the idea still making her mind swirl. The path the bullet took through her skin still seared painfully and she still couldn't fully hear out of her left ear but none of that mattered. It was a feeling, her first new feeling in what could have been forever or a merely a second. The whole concept, the mysterious journey she had partaken on, still threw her for a loop but then again… none of it mattered. She was alive.

The situation calmed around them, allowing her family to flee the unnatural hospital. Daryl hoisted Beth up gently, the world reeling around her in hues of grey but steadied once he took a strong hold of her. Rick was at her other side, his wary eyes watching the immoral crew behind them as they made their exit. Daryl's hand never left the small of her back as he ushered her down the flight of stairs.

Merle carried the injured Carol in front of them, her head resting on the large man's shoulder. Carol peeked over Merle's shoulder, giving Beth a small but peaceful smile. It was as if she knew a secret that no one else did. It was a fleeting, almost impish smile that turned into a wince under the bouncing, lumbering steps of Merle as he trounced down the steps. It made Beth wonder what Carol knew, a fleeting thought that she didn't have time to consider before they reached the bottom floor. Their escape was almost complete.

As they reached the hospital's exit, Daryl placed a rag to Beth's head to help slow the bleeding from her wound. It was barely a trickle now but still enough to be problematic. She knew she was leaving a hospital and a capable doctor behind her, but there was no way in hell she was ever letting Dr. Edwards or anyone else from Grady ever touch her again. Beth was a little light-headed but she still knew what was coming next as the doors were thrown open and she was drowned in sunlight.

Her sister was waiting on the other side of those doors; Maggie was out in the world before her. She hesitated a moment as the other members of their group exited first. Beth couldn't exactly explain how she knew Maggie would be standing in the courtyard on the other side of those doors, but she knew it. Maggie was there, her own flesh and blood who had abandoned her. Beth had been mad at first, furious really, then the whole idea started to depress her… that she had meant so little to her beloved older sister. Then, almost as with the stages of grief, came the acceptance of the idea. Beth had finally understood. She really did. Beth wasn't her brazen sister; she wasn't the skilled or adventurous one. Beth was the sweet, gentle one. She was the quiet sister, the calming babysitter or the smiling little sister but not the strong survivor type. Beth understood Maggie. Glenn had been the priority, followed by saving the world. Hell, Beth would bet on Glenn rather than herself on any given day too. Hadn't she just died in that hallway before?

So when Maggie came forward, crying her name and running at her with open arms, there was nothing but acceptance and forgiveness in Beth. There was so little time in this walker-ravaged world they lived in now. There was no time for anger or grudges, just love. And it engulfed Beth, her sister's arms wrapping so tightly around her she was jolted back a step. Daryl took a step to the side, his touch leaving a noticeable absence within her.

More love surrounded her as others came forward. Michonne and the bubbly Judith were there, sending her heart soaring at the sight of her former little ward. Carl and Glenn were there too, quick but warm hugs were given. Merle finally brought Carol to Beth so she could tend to Beth's head. All her family was there; so much love, friends and family overwhelmed her, tears of joy stinging her eyes.

As her group surrounded Beth, all the hugging arms, touching hands and smiling faces, she was filled with the smell of her family. As awful as they all smelled, it was absolutely divine. After the antiseptic aroma, the cleanliness and gloominess of it, the familiar and very real scent was one to behold. They all smelled of dirt, blood, sweat, and death but it was all glorious to Beth. It was a reminder of life, hers, theirs, and the world.

Beth knew it wasn't meant to last, her basking in the love and family. The walkers came within moments of them exiting the hospital. At first, a few came from the edges; the staggering menaces were dealt with quickly by Rick and a Hispanic woman. Barely a few minutes had passed before the walkers started to come in waves, more than the group could handle. They had to get out of the open space and away from the urban area.

They all piled into the vehicles, barely making their escape from the fallen city of Atlanta before being boxed in by the ferocious dead. Beth was squished in between a large man with a mullet, his face bruised and messed up, and Maggie, her sister still fawning and weeping over her in the back seat. Glenn drove, skillfully missing the masses of decaying flesh lunging at them. Next to him was a young woman with short brunette hair, her shoulder shoved up next to Noah. All were sandwiched in tightly as they fled the area. There had been a few other new people too; she had noticed the new faces as they had all ran for their lives. Beth was wary but her family seemed to trust them, for now she would too.

It was then, as the world was rushing past her in the windows, Beth realized she hadn't said anything to Daryl. Not one word. Beth realized she had time… she hoped she had time from what she witnessed after the gunshot. If she got a chance, not a second or a third chance, but the first chance, Beth knew she had to tell him. She needed to find him and tell him what she was feeling inside. She had to; there was never a greater seeded need within her.

It was almost evening before their group found a place to make camp for the night, their cars running low on fuel. The sun was close to setting before everything and everyone was settled. There was little food or water, no real shelter from the cold night and no medical supplies for her or Carol. Just tired, sweaty, and strung out people huddling in a grove just off the road. Beth heard about the lies of a cure and some heated discussions of what direction the group should take. The tension was high and to Beth, it was wonderful. For the first time, it was all new to Beth, the air, the sounds, the sights, and the feelings. All the good and the bad of it, all of it was wonderful.

Beth was helping to finish the dinner clean up with a young woman named Tara and Maggie; her sister was her new constant companion. This guilty Maggie had a hard time leaving her side despite Beth telling her there was nothing to forgive. Beth loved her sister and would never let her know she had felt otherwise at Maggie's slighting of her.

She looked up to see Glenn, Rick, and the red-headed man whose name she couldn't recall were talking with Daryl. There was some heat there, some snippets of frustration and anger but the issues seemed to be resolving. In the middle of it, as if he could tell she was watching him, Daryl's eyes flashed her way. They connected, blue on blue. It vibrated her to her core as she felt that need to connect with her archer again.

Beth rose, leaving the containers she had been organizing on the ground. She was only able to take a few steps towards Daryl before Merle entered her peripheral. The large man had inched easily into her view until she slowed, feeling a magnetic pull to stop and turn towards him.

She smiled shyly up at the man, his grizzled stone face turned down to her. Beth felt an uneasiness bubble in her stomach under his ice blue stare. It wasn't as if she didn't know the man, right? Beth knew Merle. She had lived with him for months before the fall of the prison. She had taken meals with him and worked alongside him, at least that was what her memories were telling her. A flood of newness still surrounded them all. Beth could feel she was already losing it… all her old memories, the old timeline, her old self. It was flitting away, like glitter in the wind. Beth knew it had happened; she was striving to at least remember she had partaken on the timeless journey she had endeavored. As she looked up at the scruffy Merle, she was certain there was one memory she would never forget, that last jump she had experienced. Beth would never forget the love that had encompassed her in the arms of Daryl and the tenderness in their beautiful daughter's blue eyes. It allowed her the knowledge that she would have time, she knew there was a future for her.

"Hey," Beth said softly to Merle. She realized she was far enough away from the group to openly talk to him but close enough not to alert Maggie's radar.

Merle nudged his chin up in acknowledgement. His old eyes crinkled and lingered on her for a moment before switching his gaze out to the woods surrounding them. Like his brother, he was always the wary hunter.

"We made it," she stated simply, trusting in the bond between them. Beth knew so Merle had to know also. There was no forgetting the experience. Ever.

Merle swallowed thickly, his throat catching on a lump. "Yeah, we did it, girlie."

She was straining to touch him, to touch another being who had been on the same mystic travels as she was. Her hand went to his forearm. Beth needed to connect with him with more than just words.

He looked down at her hand touching his skin and looked back up at her, his ice blue eyes warming at little and looking a little lost in the same moment. "I made– when you…" Merle paused, the pain and distress looking unnatural on the hulking beast of a man. "Those words ya said to me…"

"Second chances," Beth whispered, her lips twitching upward.

"Yeah," Merle nodded. "Them words. Got me thinkin'. Got my head on straight. I figured shit out." He looked steadily at her, taking a deep breath.

It was then Beth realized it was his form of gratitude. Merle Dixon was thanking her. Her smile grew by a mile, turning into a happy grin. "I'm glad. I– I saw you and I knew I could do it too."

"Always knew ya could," Merle affirmed. Then his eyes went dark, his jawline twitching. "When I made it… I saw…" he started but shut his mouth shut with a sharp click of his teeth.

"Merle?" she questioned, her brows knitted before a realization hit her. She suddenly knew what he had started to utter. "I saw… I saw something too. I– "

He raised a hand to stop her, shaking his head. "No. Keep it to ya'self. I– I think it's supposed to be that way."

Beth nodded giving his arm a reassuring squeeze. She understood. She wasn't exactly sure she would be able to explain what she saw in the moment she had between death and life.

Merle released a long breath, relieved. There was a quiet moment between them before a smirk grew on the older man's face. He nodded out to his brother subtly. "Don't be getting too cozy here, girlie. Little brother, he's gonna get jealous."

Daryl was staring at them, his dark eyes focused on where Beth's hand was touching Merle's arm. It lasted only a moment before Daryl noticed he had been caught. He shied his eyes away instantly, hiking his crossbow higher up on his shoulder as he turned to walk away.

It looked as if the conversation between the men was done; Glenn was almost back at Maggie's side, Rick took a seat next to Carl, and the broad-shouldered red-head grumbled his way to the other end of the camp. Daryl walked to the opposite edge of camp, taking position by a large pine tree. Beth could tell instantly he was going on watch, always the protector of the group.

Merle made a dry, throat-clearing cough that dragged Beth's attention back to him. He wagged his eyebrows at her, giving a little motion of his head toward his younger brother. Beth smiled up at him, reaching up on her tiptoes to place a gentle kiss against his stubbled chin. The grizzled man accepted the affection grudgingly, shifting his feet uncomfortably in the dirt.

Beth walked slowly but surely toward her second chance. The sun was setting, casting an orange-pink hue over Daryl. It highlighted his chiseled and weary features; the man looked as if he hadn't rested in weeks, utterly exhausted.

She knew she was about to upturn his world, tilt it on end. Beth hoped he was ready for it as much as she was. Her heart rate increased as she closed the distance, excited by the change as much as she was still a little nervous. She was still worried about what her first words should be to him; Beth wasn't exactly sure what to say yet. Beth would have thought she would know by now… she'd had time, endless time for her to decide.

As Beth reached Daryl, he looked at her slowly, dragging his gaze from the surrounding area. She gave him a small, coy smile as her blue eyes searched his. It was suddenly obvious he wasn't going to be the first to say anything. This was all up to her.

Beth slid her hand into his. Daryl looked down at where they were touching; connected in the simplest of forms, then back up at her with a question in his eyes. She smiled at his perplexity. He had to know. She knew… so he had to know too.

"Did you?" Beth asked sweetly, rubbing her thumb over the back of his hand in a slow, circulator motion. Her eyes never left his.

His tongue flicked out, wetting his upper lip nervously. "Did– Did I what?" he asked, so unsure of himself. Strangely, so was she. That was why this was all so perfect, there was uncertainty in her world again.

Her heart rate doubled in her chest; here went everything. "Did you miss me while I was gone?" Beth asked, a little more breathlessly than she had meant to.

Daryl just looked at her, his eyes soft and wet. No answer came except the raw emotion in his eyes.

"I did," Beth admitted quietly. "I missed you so bad, Daryl."

His breath caught, almost hitching in his chest. Her words shocked him but his fingers still curled tighter around her slender hand. She hadn't scared him completely away.

It took a few seconds of them barely breathing with their blue eyes locked but he finally answered her. "I missed ya, Beth," his voice was hoarse and low.

Beth dared herself further by his admission. She raised herself up on her tiptoes, pressing a kiss to his chapped lips. It was a soft, chaste kiss. Beth wished she could have been alone with him, that they would have had this time alone to talk it through but it wasn't happening that way. Their world now was so volatile and tumultuous, like a storm-ravaged sea, making it difficult to get your footing on any given day. There was never a certainty out there for them, and there was no time to waste. Twenty years would go by in a blink of an eye.

As Beth broke the kiss, her lips barely leaving Daryl's, she heard Maggie gasp behind her from the camp. There were some blubbering mindless utterances from her that were quickly silenced by Glenn. Once again Beth was grateful he was her brother-in-law. Maggie was a handful under the best of circumstances so it was nice to have some assistance.

Once she was fully back on solid ground, Beth could see the wonder in his eyes. It was perfection to see something besides worry and hopelessness in the man's eyes again. It warmed her center to know she had won that. However, what happened next completely blindsided her. Beth hadn't expected as Daryl to lean forward, capturing her lips for another kiss. His warm lips pressed firmly against hers as he pulled on her hand, drawing her closer against him. It was unexpected, it was wondrous.

This was her second chance. And she was going to enjoy it.