She made her way over to where Rick was standing idly by a tree at the edge of the woods, looking out at the group.

" What are you doing all the way over here, by yourself?" She asked, handing him a bottle of water. He took the bottle, drinking deeply for a moment and squinting in the dark.

"Hey, Carol."

"Somethin on your mind?" She gently prodded.

"Just thinking bout them. Always about them. And you. And what's best for the group."

She moved to stand beside him and he looked straight ahead instead of looking at her. "Rick-"

"You're family. You're my family, and I want you here."

She sighed.

"I know you been thinkin bout leavin us. Just know that if you stay, I'm gonna do everything in my power to protect you. That's what we do, right? We protect each other."

"Right," she said softly. He still wasn't looking at her, and she followed his gaze to where Daryl and Tyreese were poking firewood in the pit they'd dug.

"Things're different now," he continued.

"That's an understatement," she said.

He finally turned to face her, his blue eyes boring into hers. "You know the others, they want you here too. Michonne wants you here. Carl, Glenn, Tyreese… they all want you here. Beth, she would want you here too. "

His voice dropped low. "I want you here. But him?" Rick pointed straight ahead. "He needs you here."

She turned to face the group, still some distance away and Daryl looked up when he felt her eyes on him. His face broke out into a grin and he waved.

"I know." She grinned back at his shy little wave, remembering how sure and confident his hands had been when they were on her body only a few hours ago, and she shivered.

"And I've already made my choice," she added, blowing him a kiss. His face flushed and he went back to his work, stumbling slightly.

"You know, I've been thinking…" Rick continued.

She turned to look at him, her brow furrowed.

"I think it's time to leave this place."

She opened her mouth to speak, but he held up his hands.

"Now just hear me out a second. I know, we got it good here. But we all know we can't stay here forever, and I think it's time to move on. Now. While it's our choice."

She slung an arm around his shoulder, hugging him close and pressing a soft kiss into his cheek. "Thank you," she whispered. "Thank you for always taking care of us, and for letting us take care of you."

He leaned his head against hers for a moment, savoring the tender gesture before gently nudging her forward.

By now, more people had settled down around the small fire and she looked up to find Glenn and Maggie stepping gingerly down the concrete steps to join them.

She debated inwardly for a moment on whether or not to directly go up to the younger woman, trying to think of something to say, when Daryl stepped forward, pulling something out of his back pocket and handing it to her.

"Found this back at the place we were holed up in. She left it there, b'fore she was taken. Figured you should have it."

Carol's eyes widened in surprise when she recognized the hand decorated cover of Beth's diary. Her gaze darted over at Maggie, who was obviously taking it in.

"Thank you," she managed finally. She looked like she wanted to add something else, but was unsure of what to say. After a moment, she handed it back to Daryl. "Read it," she said firmly.

"Me?" He asked, shoving his hands into his pockets, his expression once again resembling that little lost puppy. "I –can't, I don't-"

"I'll read it." The words felt alien, and for a moment she couldn't believe that they'd come out of her mouth.

Maggie raised an eyebrow at her expectantly.

"I'll read it," she repeated again, with more conviction.