"We don't know where he is, Sasha went to relieve him and he was just gone."

"You don't think…"

Beth eyes begrudgingly opened when she heard Rick whispering to Daryl at the door. The room was dark, save for the bright beam of light pointed at the ground. Rick had brought in a flashlight with him, he'd been looking for someone.

"Why would he take Bob though?" Beth tried to feign sleep as the archers eyes moved to her.

"For her? Where would that get him though?" Rick said. Beth could feel Daryl's eyes hot on her and her breathing quickened, despite her will for it not to.

"I don't know man, but if he wants her back, he might just take her." Daryl paused a moment. "Apparently they were pretty close." His voice seemed strangled. He cleared his throat and continued. "Besides, who else would take him? Do ya think he just took a stroll?" Beth peeked an eye open and saw Daryl's back to her and she let out a silent sigh of relief. She propped herself on her elbows and squinted at them.

"Hey." Her voice was laden with sleep, she coughed slightly before she continued, "What's going on guys?"

"Bob's gone missing." Rick told her.

"You're old boyfriend's our prime suspect." Daryl said spitefully.

"Okay, could you stop calling him that?" Beth said angrily. She climbed to her feet and glared at him. "He seemed a lot different at Terminus." Daryl glared at her, but refrained from commenting. Beth looked to Rick. "Look, I'm really sorry if it was him, but I really don't think it was. We drove for an hour, there were no other cars that we saw. They could not have found us."

"We don't know what's going on, we just know he's missing." Rick told her.

"Gareth wouldn't kill him, he said he wasn't going to hurt any of my people." Beth insisted.

"While you're naivety is sweet, you're wrong. Bob is gone and he's the only person who would've even had a motive. He wanted you to go with him, you could see it in his eyes." Daryl growled.

"Well, let me go out there, let me find him and put an end to this."

"Are you going to go out there, find him and kill him?" Daryl inquired.

"If I have to, yes. I'm going to try to talk to him first."

"You're not going."

xx

"Beth, you can't go out there. Its not safe!"

Her sister had spent the last twenty minutes repeating the same thing over and over, trying to convince Beth to stay. Beth had changed out of the clothes she had on and put on the clothes stuffed in her pack. She changed the bandage on her arm, happy to see it healing. The sun was starting to set and she knew they were losing daylight. She had spent most of the day trying to talk Rick into letting them go out, rather than charge in guns blazing. He didn't trust her plan of civility, convinced Gareth didn't know what civility was anymore but Beth knew Gareth. She knew the type of man he was and she was convinced she could talk some sense into him.

"Bethy? Are you even listening to me? You cannot go out there." Maggie said, grabbing her shoulders and forcing her to look at her. "What if you died, I just got you back, I can't lose you again." Beth wiggled her way out of her sisters grip.

"Maggie, I'm going to be fine. Daryl is going with me, he's going to help me track them. He'll hang back, and I'll approach alone. If anything goes wrong, he'll protect me. It'll be fine."

"Daryl's just one man Beth!" Maggie said, putting her hands on each side of her head. "At least let me come too. I'll be able to help."

"We'll be fine Maggie, its going to be okay." Beth told her for what felt like the thousandth time.

"I don't like it." Maggie said curtly.

"Well isn't that too bad?" Beth mumbled under her breath. She pushed her knife in it's sheath and pulled at her belt to ensure it was on tight enough. "I'm going Maggie. I'll see you when we get back." She squeezed her sister in a hug and pulled her pack over her shoulder. "I love you Mags." She say, one hand on the door, the other wrapped in her sisters.

"I love you too Bethy. Come back safe." Maggie said, tears welling up in her eyes. Beth tore her eyes away from her sisters face, quietly unsure she'd ever see her again. Glenn was waiting on the other side of the door and smiled weakly at him.

"I know you'll be alright, you'll be with Daryl. If anything, you might keep him alive." Glenn told her, chuckling. Beth smiled weakly at him, willing her face not to betray her anxiety.

"Are you kidding me? I don't know how he's made it this far without me." She giggled, her nerves oozing in to her voice. Glenn nodded with mocked assurance and hugged him. "We'll be back soon. I promise."

"I know you will be. Just bring Bob back with you." Glenn said quietly. Beth nodded at him, silently assuring him she'd do her best. Down the hall she found Daryl and Rick having a whispered conversation. Rick looked weary and Daryl was wearing a defiant look. As she approached the men their eyes caught her and they were immediately silent. Beth felt ten centimeters tall as the realization washed over her.

They had been talking about her.

"You ready Beth?" Daryl said gruffly.

"Yea."

"Daryl!" Rick whispered roughly.

"We'll be careful Rick, I promise. This is my fault. Let me take care of it." Beth said, her hand coming to rest on the older, tired man's shoulder. Rick looked her over, his head slightly tilted to the left. Ultimately he sighed and relaxed his body.

"Just come back, okay?" He said wearily.

"We'll do better than that, we'll come back with Bob." She told him, a false sense of bravado taking over her voice. A small smile played on Rick's lips. "Spend some time with Carl and Judith. We'll take care of this." Rick looked longingly down the hall at the door Carl and Judith were tucked behind.

"Alright, but come sun up tomorrow morning, if you're not back, we're coming to find you." He told her firmly.

"Yes sir." She said, saluting him. She turned to Daryl. "Are you ready?" He nodded, pointedly not looking at the ex-cop standing with them. He hoisted his crossbow over his shoulder and pushed the door open, holding it as he waited for her to follow. Beth's eyes found Rick once more and smiled sadly at him, before following Daryl out of the school. Apprehension flooded her system as they made their way out of the atrium. Doubt flooded her mind, replacing everything she had planned to say to Gareth.

Terror had flooded her system. She froze as they reached the edge of the property.

"Second thoughts?" Daryl mumbled, keeping his eyes averted from her.

"No, we need to do this, I just… I'm scared." She whispered.

Silence hung in the air between them. Neither moved nor spoke for what felt like an eternity.

"Ain't nothin' wrong with that. I'd think you were crazy if you weren't scared." Daryl told her, his voice a low growl. "I've got your back girl, I ain't gonna let nothin' happen to ya." Beth's eyes traced a path in the dirt before looking up at him. He was clearly uncomfortable by the exchange, not looking in her direction. "We're losing daylight Greene, we gotta go."

"Yes Mister Dixon."

xx

Daryl found four sets of tracks heading north of the school. One set was an easy stride, one seemed as though had been forced and the others had tailed behind to stop the second set from getting away. It led them to a small church, tin cans strung up around the perimeter. The sky was black, save for the stars and the full moon. Light was coming from within the church, and Beth spotted a man she recognized from Terminus entering the building. She nodded to Daryl, confirming she knew him. Daryl raised a hand to his lips, motioning for her to be silent. She watched as he rolled under their alarm and straightened up, not taking the time to brush himself off. She followed suit, and after regaining her footing, she headed directly for the church doors. Daryl grabbed her arm and pulled her back, looking at her like she had lost her mind.

"You stay back, I'm gonna knock on the door. I have nothing to worry about, and if I do, you'll be out here, waiting." She whispered hurriedly, pulling her arm out of his grip. She could just by the look on his face he wasn't thrilled with the plan, but when she continued walking away he didn't try to stop her. Daryl pressed his back against a large sequoia tree near the edge of the perimeter.

As she approached the dirty white doors she could hear hushed voices from within. Another wave of apprehension washed over her, but she knocked sharply on the doors. The voices behind the door went silent instantly. Beth gave a fleeting look to where she knew Daryl was hidden before the door creaked open. An eye looked cautiously through the crack, and she recognized it immediately. The weary hazel eye showed recognition and then annoyance. The door was pulled open the rest of the way and she was shown how weary the man was. Before her stood a weak and beaten down Gareth. Her heart broke at the sight at first, and her mission was forgotten for a split second as she looked him over.

Gareth looked worse for wear. His normally neat flannel shirt was torn and bloody. His jeans had been torn up as well, mostly around his knees. His boots didn't match, one being black and the other being a dirty brown. His face bore small cuts and bruises, and she could see through the hole in his jeans his leg suffered from a nasty burn.

"Well, well, well, look who came back." He said sardonically as he leaned against the door frame, blocking her view of inside. She could tell that while he wasn't excited by her presence, he wasn't exactly unhappy to see her.

"I'm not here to stay." She told him hesitantly.

"I figured as much, you've got your boyfriend back, why would you come back to me? I'm sure he's told you how we had him locked up for dinner later." He said, unashamed.

"Our friend is missing." She told him, trying to ignore what he had said, even though it sent her mind reeling. The thought of him hurting Maggie enraged her. Knowing she had been stupid enough to trust him just made her ball her fist in anger.

"And you think we took him?" He asked, eyebrows raised in surprise.

"Well who else would?" She shot at him.

He shook his head in disbelief, causing his hair to fall into his eyes. "I told you I wouldn't hurt your friends." He told her darkly.

"Did you follow us?" She asked.

"I was trying to make sure you were safe. Believe it or not, I do care about you." He told her, rubbing the bridge of his nose.

"If you had cared about me at all, you would've told me you had found my family, not lined them up for slaughter." She whispered, trembling with rage.

"I told you I didn't know it was them." He insisted half-heartedly, closing his eyes.

"Somehow I don't believe that." She said, her tone laced with venom.

"Beth, how was I supposed to know?!" He exclaimed, standing straight up. Beth jumped back, almost falling down the steps. Gareth reached out and grabbed her and pulled her back onto the step. She collided with his chest and his arms locked around her. She struggled and he made it clear he had no intention of letting go.

"I missed you Beth, please stay. I need you." He whispered in her ear, voice shaking. She struggled harder and his grip tightened. "You make me feel sane, you make me feel okay."

"You're insane! You lured people to Terminus and then you ate them! How is that okay? How is that sane?" She shouted, hoping Daryl would hear her.

"I had to feed my family. I didn't kill everyone who came to Terminus. If people were okay with how we lived, they could stay. You wouldn't believe how many people were easy to convince."

Beth struggled harder to get away, but he had his hands locked behind her back. She heard rustling behind her and Gareth's grip tightened.

"Let the girl go." She heard Daryl growl.

"You brought this clown with you? I knew you weren't alone, but why'd you bring him?" He mumbled, hurt.

"Let. Her. Go." Daryl repeated, each word a sharper threat.

"What are you going to do? Shoot me with your crossbow? You could hit her." Gareth chuckled.

Beth assessed the situation quickly. There was no way she could get herself out of Gareth's grip, even with him distracted by Daryl.

"If you care so much about her, why you lettin' her be put in harms way?"

"I know you won't do it." Gareth said, grinning widely.

"Oh yeah?" Daryl said, sounding affronted.

"Yeah, you see I happen to know you're too much of a bitch to let her get hurt. You want your revenge, come get it. But she's going to die first." Gareth said, laughing whole-heartedy. "You had your chance Beth. Could've just stayed. Now Daryl's going to kill you." Gareth's demeanor had changed completely. Gone was any sign of vulnerability, instead it was replaced by a cool temper and smirk as Beth struggled with all her might to get out of his grip. With every squirm, Gareth's grip got tighter. White spots started appearing in her vision as every breath became harder to take. "Better hurry Dixon. I could just suffocate her myself and my men could kill you." Rustling of the grass told Beth that the other Termites were closing in.

Her eyes drifted to a close and her body went limp. She felt her body hit the ground and she was took a deep breath, grateful for the air back in her lungs. When she reopened her eyes, she found that Daryl had attacked Gareth and was now tending to closing in Termites. Gareth was laid out in the doorway, whether he was dead or knocked out, Beth couldn't tell. She saw red forming around his temple, but she was almost positive she could see his chest moving.

"Shit." She heard him mumble under his breath. She heaved herself off the ground, her vision white with spots once more. She shook her head to clear her vision in time to see Daryl being surrounded by the Termites. She heard groans to her left and a quick glance was enough to let her know walkers were in the vicinity.

"Daryl! Walkers!" She yelled to him, running over to help the archer. His bow had been discarded on the ground to favor hand-to-hand combat. She picked it up and was relieved to find the drawstring already pulled back. She found the bolt on the ground and reloaded it into the crossbow. She picked it up and aimed it at the man closest to Daryl. Her aim wavered, but he locked eyes with her for a moment and nodded. She steadied the heavy crossbow and pulled the trigger, effectively sinking the bolt into the man's head. Daryl pushed the men away from him, causing them to stumble and fall back onto the ground. He waved to Beth and they took off, running away from the camp. They ran for close to a mile before fatigue won over Beth and her run slowed to a stop.

"Beth, we gotta go." Daryl insisted, stopping too to catch his breath.

"Daryl, I can't breathe, give me a minute." Beth told him, trying to slow her breathing.

"Beth…" He started. "You want me to carry you?" He asked her seriously.

"Another serious piggyback while you try to run, I'll pass." She told him smirking. She could've sworn in the moonlight she saw a smile cross his features briefly. After about five minutes of calming herself, she was ready to run again. They took off into the night again.

Beth tried to dodge trees and branches but ultimately it was Daryl who fell victim. Beth had made it out in front of him but stopped dead when she heard a cry of pain and the sound of Daryl falling flat on his face. Beth feared the worst at the sound, but had to resist a smile at the sight of Daryl laid out on the wood's floor.

"Are you okay?" She asked him, rushing over to help him.

"My knee, I think I landed on my knee." He groaned as he rolled over onto his back.

"Come on, get up. I'll carry you back." She said, grabbing his hand and putting it around her neck. She instantly regretted any amusement at the sight, especially if Daryl was really hurt.

"No offense Beth, but I don't think you're carrying me anywhere." He said, pulling his arm away.

"Daryl, come on. If you're hurt, we need to get you back. Unless you want to sit out here and wait for them to find us." Beth said, losing her patience with him.

He scanned the area. Pointing to a small cave like area covered by hanging moss and vines, he said, "Help me to get over there. Then run back and get Rick. We should be more than halfway there. Just… come back and get me." He groaned.

"Daryl, are… are you sure?" Beth asked hesitantly, looking him over.

"Look, just do it, alright?" Daryl snapped at her. Taken aback, she stepped back from him.

"Daryl, what happens if a walker comes by, let alone a herd? You can't defend yourself!" She exclaimed, panic seeping in as every bad outcome of the situation played in her mind.

"You yellin' ain't gonna help the matter." Daryl told her through gritted teeth. "Are there any dead ones around? You can cover me with the guts. It'll mask my smell, it'll do for now."

Beth scanned the area, trying to take deep breaths to even her breathing. She spotted one about fifty yards away. She hauled the rotting corpse back to where Daryl was and rested it at his feet. She helped him up and as his weight rested on her almost completely, she realized how right he was about the situation. They stumbled over tree roots and ducked under the foliage as she helped him to the overhang he pointed to. She all but dropped him on the ground, falling with him as his weight overcame her. Daryl held onto her as she fell into his chest. Looking up into his eyes, a tingling in her stomach erupted. His eyes were full of concern and she muttered a weak apology. He cleared his throat and tore his eyes from hers.

"If you're gonna get back before Rick releases the cavalry, we better get to it." He told her, pointing to the rotting corpse she had left behind, bringing her mind crashing back to reality.

"Sorry Daryl." She mumbled, pulling herself to her feet. She dragged the walker over and moved to cut its stomach open.

"Wait, here." Daryl stopped her, handing her his black handkerchief. "You won't want to smell the stench that's about to come outta that thing."

Beth wrapped the cloth around her face and got to work. The stench that came out of the corpse was almost unbearable and she was grateful for his consideration. He took off his vest and handed it to Beth. "I don't want it to get ruined more than it already is," was all he had to say on the matter. They began smearing the walker's guts all over his body and Beth began to wonder if he'd ever be able to get rid of the smell. She stood back to admire their handiwork and decided it would do for now.

"Just put the vest on, don't lose it." Daryl told her darkly. She shrugged it over her shoulders and did up one of the buttons. "Get back to the school." he told her groaning as he shifted his leg.

"Yes Mr. Dixon." She said mockingly. She handed him her gun, gesturing to her knife when he started to protest. She fought the urge to laugh at the sight of Daryl Dixon, plopped down with a fresh coat of zombie guts. He shot her a murderous glare and she took her leave. She ran for the next two miles straight, completely out of breath by the time the school came into sight. A slender body stood straight up and looked directly at her, and took off running toward her. As the figure came closer, she recognized it to be Maggie. She collided into a hug with her sister and the two cried for a moment, happy to be reunited.

"Beth, where's Daryl?" Maggie asked looking around the grounds. She looked down at her sister to find her wearing his vest. "He's not… He didn't…"

"Daryl's fine." Beth assured her. "Well at least for the time being. We have to get back, he hurt his leg, he's hidden in some brush. We have to get back to the church. Gareth's there, he attacked. I think Bob's there. We heard someone screaming." Beth realized she was rambling. "Where's Rick? We have to get rid of this son of a bitch, once and for all."

Maggie nodded, and led her sister inside of the school to the door Beth knew Carl and Judith had been behind when she left. She knocked sharply on the door and within seconds, Rick was opening it. He was shirtless and a little out of breath, seeming surprised to see her.

"How'd everything go?" He asked quietly.

"Daryl's been hurt, and I think they have Bob. We need to hurry." Beth told him, trying to keep her tone calm, as the fear of something happening to Daryl crept up on her.

"Where is he?" Rick asked her, rushed. "Daryl I mean, is he okay? What happened?"

"We were running back, trying to get away from the walkers and Termites attacking us, and he fell. Messed up his knee pretty bad it seemed, he couldn't even walk on it. There was no way I could carry him back and now he's out there, alone in the woods. We need to hurry, this was my fault." Beth's voice was getting more and more high pitched and frantic as she spoke. She fought the urge to cry with all of her might, but tears were slipping through despite her best efforts.

"Alright Beth, alright. Its gonna be alright. Take Michonne and Tyreese with you. Show Tyreese where Daryl's at and he can help him back here. You and Michonne need to scout the area. I need you to show me where on the map they are."

"They're about five miles out, at a church." She wracked her brain for the name of the church, but she realized she'd never seen a sign. "Its due north of here, I don't remember the name, I'm sorry."

"Its alright, we'll look on the map. Go wake Tyreese, let him know what's going on."

"What about Michonne?"

For the first time in her life, she saw Rick blush. "She's, ah, she's in here with me."

"Oh," was all the perplexed Beth could muster.


I'm baaack! (Again.)

I hope you liked the chapter, a lot happened in this one. I hope your enjoying the underlying Richonne plot, I'm not really sure if I'm going to bring that to the forefront just yet, or if I'm just gonna leave it in the background for now.

Sorry if its a little rough, I haven't written much since Chapter 8, and I'm always terribly insecure about my writing. I know I'm not good at action scenes, but I'm learning, slowly but surely! See you in Chapter 10!

And remember, reviews light the fires in my fingers.