"What's your name girl?"
She turns to look at the man … he's much taller than her, built like an ox with burnt ruddy red hair. He has a stump of a cigar hanging from his lips and a shotgun propped on his hip. She shakes slightly, trying to maintain her composure.
"Well, what's your name girl? Are you deaf or something?"
"My name is Beth," she says quietly.
"Beth what?"
"Grimes, my name is Beth Grimes."
"Pleased to meet you Beth Grimes." He holds his hand out to her. "Name's Ford, Eli Ford. What are you doing out here all alone?"
"I escaped from these men who kidnapped me."
"Were they the ones in the car with the cross?"
"Yea."
"Well, they're dead … they came after me so I killed them."
Tears well up in her eyes as she goes to him, flinging her arms around his neck. As he slides an arm around her, everything just releases and she begins sobbing. Gathering her up in one arm, he picks Beth up and begins walking with her.
"Come on girl, let's get you cleaned up and fed."
"I don't eat meat," she mutters softly.
"Yea well, that makes two of us," Eli chuckles softly.
She barely lets a smile touch her lips as he starts walking.
Setting her on her feet, he pulls a door open and lets her walk in ahead of me. She looks around, the house is quite nice by the standards she was used to. He notices her quiet demeanor and clears his throat before speaking. "Did those idiots hurt you in any way? I'm not much of …"
"No, I got out of the car before they could."
"Good girl. Have a seat on the couch and let me rustle us up something to eat." She walks over and sits on the couch, looking around. "Are you vegan or vegetarian?"
"Vegetarian."
"Any particular variety?"
"Ovo-Lacto leaning towards Flexitarian."
"You're not Pescetarian?"
"No, allergic."
"Interesting. I know what you mean on the Flexitarian part, but I have found an alternative to handling that."
"How?"
"Fake meat."
"Where did you find some?"
"I stockpiled it before this crap started. I got 20 cases of the damn stuff, which means you are more than welcome to eat AS MUCH as you want."
She giggles a little and looks around. "This is a very nice place."
"Thanks. I have a portable generator operating the stove, fridge and hot water heater. I'll scrounge you up some clothes, go get a hot shower."
She closes her eyes and sighs. "That sounds so perfect."
"Then git!"
She gets up and heads down the hall. She finds the bathroom and flips the light on. Stepping in, she shuts the door and starts taking her clothes off. She looks at her body, how thin and weak she looks. Shaking her head, she turns the water on and lets it get to the right temperature. Walking in, she pulls the curtain around and stands there, letting the stream hit her full in the face.
She runs her hands over her aching body, closing her eyes. Her mind drifts off as she feels another pair of hands. "It's me," Rick's voice comes to her ear. "I'm here with you now."
"You're always with me," she whispers as he begins to caress her.
She picks the soap up and begins to wash her body. She feels his hands take the soap and begin washing her gently. She begins to hum softly as he massages every inch of her. She wants to turn around in his arms, but she knows he's physically not there.
She runs her hands down and lays them on her abdomen, wishing and hoping to feel some movement in there. Tears roll down her cheeks as she leans forward, understanding what the blood had been about earlier … a miscarriage. She begins to sob under the water, letting out all the tension, pain and suffering into the water.
After she rinses off, she begins to wash her hair. She feels his hands return as he engulfs her in his arms. "Don't worry, we'll have another chance to do this. We'll have another chance to have a baby together. I need you to get stronger, to get faster … I need you to come and get me lover."
Her back arches as she feels the wave of emotion overcome her … somewhere out there, he had to do something he didn't want to. Finishing her hair, she steps out and wraps towels around her body. Opening the door, she pads into the kitchen where Eli is cooking. "I need your help."
He inclines his head to the table. "There's you some clothes." He pauses. "What sort of help do you need?"
"I need you to train me, I need you to show me how to fight and fire whatever weapon I can master. My husband, son and infant daughter are out there. I know they made it out before all hell broke loose, I know they're alive and I need to find them. My husband was injured before I got separated from them, so I don't know how far they've gotten … those men might have had friends who went after them."
"Get dressed and we'll discuss it while we eat."
"Thank you Eli."
"You're welcome Beth."
She picks up the clothes, then looks down, seeing boots and socks. She leans over and picks them up. A strand of hair falls from her face; she tries to blow it away then looks at him. "Would you mind helping me chop this mess off?"
"Sure thing."
She goes into the bathroom and dresses; finding a pair of scissors, she braids her hair and walks back to the kitchen. "Here are the scissors."
Wiping his hands, he turns and walks over to her. She turns around and hands him the scissors. "Above the braid, right?"
"Yep."
She feels his hand hold the braid as he begins to cut; in several moments, he hands the braid over to her. "Feel better."
"Lighter actually." She looks over and sees her now short hair and smiles. "Been a long time girl, welcome back."
"How long?"
"Five years."
"Damn. Long time to grow your hair."
"Daddy's orders after I did something stupid."
"Well, drop the braid and let's eat."
Pulling a chair out for her, she sits as he brings two plates piled high of spaghetti with fresh vegetables and sauce. He sets two glasses of iced tea down then sits. "Would you say grace please?"
Bowing their heads, Beth crosses herself and inhales. "Lord we thank you for the bounty before us. We ask you watch after all those not with us, and we pray for a speedy reunion whether it be here or in Your Kingdom. We ask this, amen."
"Amen." He looks over at her. "When do you want to start training?"
"As soon as we can."
"We'll eat first then we'll get started."
Finishing their meal, he piles the dishes in the sink and slides the back door open. "You will be in charge of dishes as payment for training."
"I can cook too."
"We'll share that then."
They step onto the covered patio; he leans over and picks a large bag up. Opening it, he lays out a row of knives, followed by a row of handguns. He lays out two shotguns, a crossbow like Daryl's and a long compound bow. "These are your choices. Don't pick something you think you can handle. Close your eyes and let your hands pick. If it doesn't feel right in your hands, then you won't be able to use it."
Closing her eyes, she runs her hands along the knives. She fingers each one before lifting one in particular in her hands. She flexes her arm with it and twists her hand around. "This will be my knife."
"Good choice, hand it here." She hands it to him with her eyes closed. "Now, do the same with the handguns." She does as he asks and stops over one gun. Her hand reaches down and lifts it up, feeling the weight. It was heavy and familiar.
"This isn't an automatic is it?"
"Nope, it kicks though."
"My husband has one similar to this … a Colt Python."
"Well damn. Open your eyes then." Opening her eyes, she looks down to see a Colt Python, almost identical to Rick's, laying in her hands. "Your hands are remembering what your eyes can't. If you used your husband's gun, you can use that one."
"I have, only shot it a few times. I wasn't very good with it … he laughed at me because it knocked me on my ass a couple of times."
"Well you'll be great by the time we're done." He takes the Python and holds it. "Now for the harder part." She glances down at the shotguns, crossbow and compound bow. "What does your gut say?"
"The compound." She picks it up, noticing how light it feels. Holding it in her left hand, she draws the string back with ease. "It's so light and the pull is awesome."
"That's yours then, it's calling to you. By the way, the bow is called 'the Black Rose'; it uses specially designed heavy carbide arrows. When you draw and let it fly, it will keep your aim true and will fly a good 250 yards. The most instinctively you can pull and fire, the further your range will become. Once you master your range, I bet you are going to be able to kill people on roofs and walkers down on the next street. Your frame is perfect for it."
"What else?" she asks.
"We'll get you some better clothes, and you'll have to go through strength training. You need to be able to fight close when the walkers come in on you. Don't waste ammo, it's too valuable."
"And?"
"Above all, we pray every day. I believe in the Almighty, have a strong faith in Him and what he's doing here. Are you a believer?"
"Very, I'm the daughter of a Irish Catholic."
"All right then, let's get started." He takes the bow and hands her a plastic knife. "It's weighted the same as the one you chose. Let's see how well you are with this."
Over the next two weeks, Beth trains and trains hard … push-ups, running, conditioning with hand weights. She follows the strict regime that Eli pushes her through: prayer and study in the mornings, weapons in the afternoon, conditioning in the evening, prayer and study before bed. She also eats, eats more than she ever has. She helps to cook, she washes dishes, she does laundry. He presses her harder and harder, trying to find her breaking point. When he does break her, he builds her back up with study and training. He keeps pushing, finding each limit and breaking it. He builds her back up with study and training each time. Her world begins to reform from the scared girl from the farm to a confident young woman. She changes both inside and out, bleaching her hair almost white and adding in contrasting streaks of black and deep blood red.
"Why the hair change?" Eli asks one day.
"Stark white is for the purity I have inside, black is for the darkness I have to let in and red is for the blood I will need to spill to keep myself whole."
"Like the analogy," he comments and walks off.
Gone are the ripped tank tops, pants that don't fit and cowboy boots. She wears laced-up combat boots with skin tight ripped jeans, a tank top under a body armor top under a pullover hooded shirt. Her gloves, leather laced fingerless archery gloves, compliment the new make-over, signifying her change inside and out. The hood remains up, partially covering her face, giving her an air of mystery when they encounter people.
"So now all we do is figure out where the hell they are?" Eli says one day. Pulling a map out, he lays it over the table and ponders.
"Terminus," she says, the memories clicking. "I bet they went to Terminus."
"Ah hell!"
"What?"
"Are you sure they said Terminus?"
"No, we saw maps out on the road … and my husband mentioned going there."
"They might as well be as good as dead if they went there. Terminus is the home of a group of people that will do anything to survive … including cannibalism."
"That's where we need to go then … we go there first and work our way out. We could get lucky and they be on the road outside …"
"But."
"But I feel, in my gut, they are in there … they're in Terminus."
He lets out a stranded huff and looks at her. "Pack yer shit, guess we're going to Terminus whether I want to or not."
Beth nods curtly and heads to her room. As she packs, she hears Eli cursing under his breath heavily. She smiles, knowing he's going to do it whether he likes it or not. Reaching under her pillow, she pulls the holster out and wraps it around her waist. She places the gun on her right side and the knife down her left boot. Picking her quiver up, she lashes it around and adjusts it so she can pull quick. She tests the strings on the bow before lashing it to her back; grabbing her pack, she picks up her Bible and heads out the door.
They pull the truck off the side of the road, covering it with the ghillie tarp before they begin walking. They make their way through the woods, following the outside fence line of Terminus around cautiously. As they head to a particular point, Beth's foot gets caught on something sticking out of the ground. She leans down and pulls, unearthing a blue duffel bag. Eli helps her haul it out and unzip it. Tears roll down her cheeks as she lifts the Colt Python from atop the weapons. She runs her fingers over it then presses it to her lips. "It's Rick's, he must have stashed this here."
"Bring it and let's go."
She slides it into the loop of her quiver, dropping her pack beside Eli's as they cover the bags hurriedly. They make their way up to the fence; Eli pulls out a pair of wire cutters and cuts the fence down. He pulls an opening free large enough for both of them; they scurry through then stop when they hear yelling.
They make their way around the building and stop, seeing Rick and everyone surrounded by the people of Terminus. Rick's arm is protectively around Carl; she follows his line of sight to a woman holding Judith in her arms. "That bitch has my baby."
"These bastards have my brother." She follows Eli's gaze over to a man with lighter red hair but the exact same image as her friend. "His name's Abraham, he's three years older than I am."
"Family reunions all around."
"May I?"
"Signal when you're ready."
Standing up, he steps around the corner and starts walking. "Well pardner, this seems to be a little bit of a stalemate. See, that's my brother over there and I don't like people pointing guns at him."
"Eli," Abraham states. "What the hell are you doing here!"
"Well, I would be lying if I said I was here for you."
"No shit," Abraham scoffs.
"I don't think we've met, I'm Gareth and this is my house."
"Eli Ford, and I'm here for them."
"With what army?"
"Enough of one." He looks up on the roof and grins. "I hate sharpshooters."
Pulling her bow around, Beth knocks three arrows and tracks Eli's line of sight. Drawing back, she lets them fly as the three sharpshooters fall over the wall … dead.
"How did you do that archer!" Gareth yells at Daryl.
"Not my arrows son," Daryl grins. "Seems as though he brought his own sharpshooter." He looks at Eli. "Nice."
"Oh she is that," Eli grins. "Come on out darling." Rising, she walks from the side with an arrow knocked and aiming it straight at Gareth's head. "Your boys up there were definitely in her range, and right now … you are in the catbird seat. She could fire and hit you, or she could fire and miss. Then again, she could get mad and just embed that knife in your head from where she's standing. She's a bit of a pistol without her coffee, and poor you … we ran out this morning."
"All right, easy little lady," Gareth smiles. "What do you want? Them?" Beth shakes her head 'no' and moves her line of sight to Mary. "Oh, you want the baby? Is that it?" Beth nods her head and advances slowly.
"Well then we have a problem, these folks say she's theirs," Gareth smiles, looking towards Rick. "Care to argue?" Beth stops and holds her aim on Mary. "So, what claim do you make on the child?" Holding the arrow up, she makes the sign of 'father' to Rick, 'son' to Carl, 'daughter' to Judith and 'mother' on herself.
"She's her mother," Mary breathes and looks down at Judith.
"Her mother died," Maggie says, trying to hold back her anger.
"Her birth mother died," Rick says, running his hand over his mouth.
Noise floats to Beth's ears; she knocks the arrow, pivots and kneels. She fires the shot, dropping the would-be sharpshooter to the ground dead. She rises and walks over, yanking the arrow from the man's skull. She suddenly pivots and fires, shooting the gun drawn in Gareth's hand. The arrow embeds the gun into the wall behind him as he holds his hand, blood oozing from it.
"Damn girl," Gareth chuckles. "Okay. Okay. We can work with this. Why don't you join us, help us protect this place and your people can walk."
Reaching back, Beth draws a shorter arrow and knocks it; she pulls and fires, the arrow plunging straight through and out of Gareth's hand. He falls to one knee, gripping his hand as he cuts his eyes to her.
"STOP!" Mary yells. She begins walking to Beth, who starts walking to her. They stop in the middle and look at each other. "I exchange your daughter for my son's life."
Placing the bow around her, Beth reaches out and takes hold of the crying Judith. Pulling her close, Judith's cries cease as her lips trembles. She looks under the hood into Beth's eyes before laying her head against her. She lets out a soft sigh and her eyes become heavy as she grips Beth's hood.
"You really are her mother," Mary says. "STAND DOWN EVERYONE … and let them leave in peace."
Everyone stands down as Rick motions everyone to lower their weapons also. Eli walks over and hugs Abraham tightly. "Come on girl, let's blow this joint!"
Beth looks at Mary briefly before reaching out and hugging her. "Thank you for looking after her for me," she whispers before letting her go.
"My pleasure," Mary replies. "She's a really good baby."
"I know."
Beth steps around her and starts walking, carrying Judith close to her. She makes her way to the group as they start leaving. Reaching into her quiver, she pulls Rick's gun out and hands it to him. He looks down and takes it from her as he looks at Judith. He reaches his hand out and rubs her hair as they walk together. They walk through the compound together and head into the woods. Eli heads to a pile of leaves and uncovers the bags, reaching her pack up. Rick reaches out and takes it for her as she peers out at him under the hood. She looks at his face, noticing how much he'd changed since she'd last seen him.
"Are you going to let her carry Judith?" Carol asks.
"Yes," Rick states, placing her pack on his shoulder. "If it wasn't for her, we'd still be in there with them."
"Where'd you find her, brother?" Abraham asks.
"We found each other after a run-in with some unsavory individuals," Eli chuckles and pulls his piece of cigar out.
They tromp through the woods, hearing the leaves crunch under their feet. Every so often, Beth peers out of the hood to look over at Rick. She looks down, seeing his hand close to her body. Sliding Judith to her other arm, she slips her hand down and into his. She grips his hand in her gloved one, holding on tight. They walk in silence together for a long moment till they reach the edge of the woods.
Eli heads right and Abraham goes left. They stop and look at each other. "Truck's this way."
"DC is this way."
"Well, this is a sticky wicket."
"Yep it is."
"Why don't we all go together?" Eugene quips. "More the merrier."
"Not in the mood to go north, been there not pretty," Eli states.
"How far north?" Maggie questions.
"Virginia, overrun everywhere you go."
"Damn," Tyreese whistles.
Eli looks over at her. "Your choice girl, go with them or head to the house with me." She peers down at their joined hands then reaches Judith over to Rick, letting his hand go. She backs away and moves to stand with Eli.
"You're not coming?" Rick asks her. She shakes her head 'no' and backs up.
"We could use your talents on the road," Abraham begins. "You would be a big help to us." He notices the look on Eli's face. "Did you brainwash her?"
"Nope." He looks down at her. "You did all that just to back off now, why?"
She peers up at him and thinly smiles, before wiping her eyes. She turns back around as Rick tosses her pack over. "Thank you for my daughter." She nods curtly and heads down a long trail for the truck.
"Don't go," Rick whispers softly, "Beth."
She lifts her hand and waves to him behind her back as she keeps walking. She brings it around and wipes tears from her eyes as she continues. "I love you, Rick."
"Safe trip folks," Eli says, waving and begins to follow her. Catching up to her, he slides his arm over her shoulders. "You love him that much to let him go?"
"Yea," she whispers, wiping her eyes.
"Is he worth it?"
"Very much so."
"Does he know it's you?"
"He suspects but he's not sure."
"Does he think you're dead?"
"Yea."
"I see." He grips her gently. "I think you should tell him you're alive."
"I only want him to know, not them."
"You don't trust them?"
"One's my sister, the other is the guy I was with when they snatched me."
"Family and memories are a bitch, ain't they."
"Yep."
"HEY YOU TWO!" Beth stops, as does Eli. They turn to see Tara standing there, looking at them. "Problem missy?"
"He's your brother and you're letting him leave just like that!"
"He's a grown man, why not." He looks behind her, seeing the others moving further away. "You're going to have to run to catch up."
"And you!" Tara shouts at Beth. "You did all that, protected that baby with your life, to do what … walk away! You're not her mother!"
"I am, and that's why I'm letting her go," Beth says, wiping her eyes.
"So you don't care if she lives or dies," Tara fumes.
"I care more than you know, but I also know I can't make that walk," Beth retaliates.
"Why, you're much stronger than you were," Eli says.
"I am physically and mentally ready, but I am not ready to deal with all the emotions that go into it. I am not in a good place emotionally yet, and that's why I am letting them go," Beth says. "The man that was beheaded at the prison was my father."
"Oh god," Tara breathes.
"Please don't mention that to them, I beg you. Let them go on and let them forget about me. If it ever comes up, you can tell them then," Beth says, wiping her eyes.
"TARA!" Glenn calls out.
"I'll keep your secret," Tara replies then turns and runs to catch up.
"Good girl," Eli smiles as they turn and start walking together.
They make it to the truck; as they remove the ghillie, Eli watches as Beth's tears start flowing harder down her cheeks. "I think you're more emotionally ready than you think. You can't stop crying because of how much you love that man. I think you owe it to him to go and make this work."
"How?"
"Well first, you tell him about the miscarriage," Eli says and looks at her.
"How do you …?"
"Girl your size shouldn't be bleeding that much that heavy unless you had a miscarriage. Secondly, flip off the other two and beg them to fight you. You can whoop their asses with one arm behind your back. Thirdly, you deserve the love that man must have for you because he wouldn't have let you hold his hand otherwise."
She walks around and puts her arms around his neck then kisses his cheek. "I'll tell Abraham you said bye."
"Good girl, now go." She hugs him once more and starts walking. "You might want to jog so you can catch up."
She laughs and starts to jog slowly before breaking into a dead run. Her life is that baby and that boy, especially the man that is their father. She loves him so much, so deeply that he is what kept her going. Eli was right about one thing, Rick is more than worth the love and devotion she has for him. She makes it to the crosswalk and slows to a light jog. Finding their trail, she follows it as they move down the embankment. She follows the trail around a bend and stops … walkers are in front of them. All are down but one; grabbing an arrow, she knocks it and lets it fly. The impact knocks the walker backwards and imbeds it into the tree behind. Everyone stops as she comes from the underbrush, bow in hand.
"She came," Sasha laughs. "She came after all."
"Guess Eli decided not to," Abraham says.
Holstering his gun, Rick walks through the group and stops. He watches her walk then she stops. He takes several steps forward then looks back at Tyreese with Judith on his back then turns to look back at her. "I do appreciate what you did for my daughter," Rick calls to her. "We wouldn't be this far without you." She nods curtly and stands there. "We're a good group of people, we were just caught in a bad situation." She nods a second time but remains still. "We need your help getting to Washington DC, will you help us?" She nods and holds her ground.
"Ask her the questions," Daryl says.
"What questions?" Rosita asks perplexed.
"How many walkers, how many people and why," Daryl responds.
"Well, we saw the people at Terminus," Carol says, "even though there could be more." Beth shakes her head 'no' to Carol's comment. "We know the why too, so how many walkers have you killed!"
Beth stands there, pausing to think. "She can't count that high," Rick says. Tilting her head side to side, Beth nods in agreement. "Did Eli train you?" She nods her response. Rick takes several steps forward and stops. "He did a good job. Will he be all right?" She nods her head curtly and remains still.
"She's weird," Rosita mentions. "She's too quiet."
"Maybe she can't talk," Eugene comments. "There are people in the world who can't talk. Maybe that's why she is such an ass kicker." Beth drops her head and laughs softly at the remark. "Something I say funny?" She nods at him. "What did I say."
"Ass kicker," Carl mutters. "He called her ass kicker and she started to laugh."
"Why is that so funny?" Eugene asks.
"It's an inside joke with us," Daryl comments, looking over at Rick. "You think she was at the prison?"
"She was with us, and she doesn't want to talk. She's not scared of us, she's trying to figure us out is all," Rick tells them. He runs his hand over his face, looking back at Carl then over to Tyreese and Judith. "Are you … are you who I think you are?"
She lifts her head and gazes out from the veil of her hood. So, he had figured out who she was after all. She looks him straight in the eyes and bravely nods 'yes' to his comment. She watches the emotion play over his face. "We've missed you," he says. "Did Eli take good care of you?" She nods 'yes' vigorously. "I have a harder question to ask then … do you still want to come with us? I know you've changed a lot, and you are amazing and phenomenal. The way he helped you, you're almost a different person." He steps out a little further to where he's halfway between her and the group. "We thought you were dead, I'm glad we were wrong. It's good to see you." He stops and runs his hands over his face. "Will you say something please?" She tilts her head then wiggles her finger at him. He steps a bit closer to her and falls to his knees then holds his arms open. "C'mere girl … please."
Taking all she can take, she runs straight into his arms. He lifts her off her feet as he stands, holding her tightly to him. He looks up under the hood to see the familiar blue eyes looking back at him. He grins before pulling her down to kiss. Their lips lock as he spins her around and around before setting her on her feet.
"Hey Carl!" he calls out. "Deal with it! Maggie, deal with it!"
"Why me!" Maggie shouts.
He steps from in front of her and pulls the hood back … revealing the short cut black, white and red hair. "You cut your hair."
Maggie's knees give out as she lets out a sob. "BETH!"
"I'll be damned," Tyreese chuckles.
Daryl looks from Rick to Beth and back before he starts trotting. He moves a bit faster before breaking into a dead run. He scoops her into his arms and lifts her up, holding her close and tight for a long moment. "You scared the hell outta me."
"Didn't mean to," she tells him as he sits her down.
"Love the 'do," Daryl smiles and ruffles her hair.
Maggie runs over and yanks her into her arms, crushing her in a hug. She holds onto her tightly, sobbing into Beth's shoulder. "I am so happy to see you."
"I'm glad to see you too Maggie."
"We're back together now, everything is going to be fine."
"Everything will get back to normal," Daryl adds.
"No!" Beth snaps and pulls away from Maggie. "Things won't go back to normal! I'm not that Beth anymore. I'm not the girl who cooks, cleans, watches the baby and gets left behind! I will do those things, but you will not be leaving me alone ANYMORE! I am more willing and more capable to do things now just like the rest of you!"
Pulling the knife from her leg, she turns and throws impacting the walker between the eyes. She walks over and yanks the knife out, rubbing the blade across the clothing. "I hate frakking walkers!" She walks over and yanks Rick into a crushing passion-filled kiss that lasts for several hot moments before letting him go. "Like he said, deal with it," Beth growls.
"I wouldn't mess with my mom while she's in that mood of hers," Carl chuckles.
"Did you just say mom?" Carol asks, looking at him.
"Yea, yea I did," he grins. "Beth Grimes … my mom."
Bob looks from Carl to Beth and grins. "How many hands for Team Beth?" He raises his, followed by Carl and Michonne, Tara and Tyreese, Sasha and Glenn with Eugene showing support also.
"I'd follow her anywhere," Eugene states. "She's badder than anyone here."
Rick raises his hand in support, which causes Abraham and Rosita to lend support to the cause. Daryl, Carol and Maggie look at everyone, realizing they are outvoted.
"Well damn, you folks didn't make it far," Eli calls out, rolling up in the truck. "I forgot the house was this way anywho. Got plenty of room."
"Har har," Beth chuckles at him. "You just wanted to make sure I held up my end."
"That too," he laughs. "So are ye walkin' or are ye ridin'?"
Beth walks over and takes Judith from Tyreese and heads for the truck. She walks over, opens the door and piles in. Rick joins her as Carl hops in back with Michonne. Bob tosses their duffels in, helping Tara and Rosita up as Sasha and Glenn climb in. Eli hops out and pulls the seat back for Tyreese to get in the cab. Eugene tosses his stuff in and hops in, then holds his hand down to Abraham. "Need a lift?" Abraham laughs and tosses his gear in before climbing in.
Glenn leans over and holds his hand down to Maggie. "Things can't be the same anymore, we've all changed. You don't have to worry about Beth being able to take care of herself anymore, and like Eugene said she's badder than the rest of us right now."
"She's rested, she's ate, she's trained and she's prayed against her demons. Maybe y'all should try it too. I'm running out of gas here people, either get in or get left," Eli calls out.
Glenn helps Maggie up as Daryl lifts Carol over the truck deck then hops in with her. Eli grins and starts motoring down the road.
"So what is your pleasure tonight folks? We got just a little bit of everything at the house. Only problem is we don't have any true meat, we got the fake stuff. Pretty tasty if you ask me. Any takers?"
"You still on that vegetarian kick?" Abraham asks, leaning in the window.
"Yep, and love every bit of it. I trimmed fat, got lean and got my muscle up," Eli chuckles. "Brother, I am clean."
"How clean?"
"Nothing since this crap started … and before. Almost five years now."
"Good. Stay that way."
"What were you on?" Tyreese asks.
"Name it and claim it. Knew every dealer by first name, street handle and where they liked to go for their personal highs. Worked it out so I could score for me and be muscle for them. I was the baddest bruiser there was till I got busted and sent to prison."
"Ouch," Tyreese says.
"You do know we don't have a cradle or anything," Eli mentions.
"We still have that hammock," Beth grins, tickling Judith's chin. "It's not far off the ground, high sides and perfect for this angel."
"Guess you two will be bunking together, so that leaves me trying to figure out where everyone else is gonna park it. Hey Ty, wanna bunk with me?"
"Sure, why not."
"Hope you don't mind an extremely soft king size bed," Eli chuckles.
"Brother, you are talking my language," Tyreese laughs.
"We have two bedrooms, a couch and the floor still vacant," Eli explains.
"Let 'em fight it out," Rick smiles as he holds Beth close. "Thank you for helping Beth."
"No problem. Maybe you folks could handle our form of training … might even find something more suited for everyone to use. My method works, you saw what Beth could do and that's only after two weeks," Eli laughs as he turns down a dirt road. "You folks have anything to do with the mess out on Highway 909?"
"By a blue van?" Rick asks looking out the windshield.
"Okay, will leave that subject alone. You two need to chit chat anyway," Eli mentions.
"About?" Rick asks.
"Not with all these ears," Beth comments coolly.
"We can talk tonight," Rick says.
Laying her head on Rick's shoulder, Beth sighs and smiles.
After dinner and dishes, Beth carries Judith to her room as Rick goes for a hot shower. Fixing the hammock properly, she lowers Judith down and covers her with a soft fleece blanket. She begins to gently rock Judith until she drifts off to sleep. Unclasping the quiver, she pulls it and the bow off, lying both on the dresser. Pulling her hooded top off, she tosses it in the corner, followed by the vest. She unhitches the holster and lays it atop the bow. Unhooking her bra, she yanks it through the tank top and sits heavily on the bed. Unlacing her boots, she pulls them off and drops them by the dresser. She shimmies out of her jeans, throwing them on the clothes pile. She stretches out on the bed, dressed in her tank top and mint green panties. She crosses her arms over her face as she lays there.
"Penny for your thoughts?"
"Too damn high, lower your rates."
"Very funny," Michonne chuckles as she walks in. She sits on the bed and reaches her hand out, touching Beth's abdomen. "How are you?"
"Vacant," Beth replies softly.
"When?" Michonne asks, pulling her hand away.
"After I jumped from the car and before I met Eli," she says, wiping her eyes. "There was nothing but a lot of blood, no size or anything."
"I am so sorry."
"Thanks for keeping my secret."
"You are so welcome." Michonne rises as the bathroom door opens. "Be honest with him, tell him the truth."
"I will," Beth smiles as Michonne walks out.
Michonne looks Rick over and whistles. "Nice, very nice."
"Taken," Rick chuckles and steps into the bedroom. He closes the door and walks over, sitting on the edge of the bed. "She looks so peaceful and comfortable."
"She is, I found that blanket on a run earlier," Beth smiles.
"How are you?"
"Lay down beside me."
He stretches out then slides up beside her. She rolls on her side to look at him. "How far along are you?" he asks after several moments.
"Not anymore," she replies, wiping her eye. "It happened before I met Eli."
He rolls onto his side and looks at her. He brings his hand down to lay on her abdomen and smiles at her. "I am so sorry."
"I am sorry for you too," she replies softly.
"It wasn't meant to be with everything that happened."
"I know, I was so excited."
"I could tell you were happy about something, and I sort of put it together."
"Do you want to try again?"
"Do you?"
"I do, but only if you want to."
"I would love to try again, and especially now. Right now, we are back together after the worst thing to ever happen to us. I think now is a better time to try."
"Then lets."
He rolls to where he's on top of her; snagging the hem of her tank top, he pulls it off and tosses it to the floor as he licks her neck. He moves down to start licking and sucking her nipples. His hand snags the mint green panties and yanks them off before spreading her legs as his fingers begin playing with her.
She arches under his touch as he continues to lick and suck. His hands grip her hips, then move down to her legs. Tossing the towel off, he pulls them around his waist as he slides inside her. His mouth returns to hers as they make love … slow then fast, hard then soft. He keeps the tempo changing, manipulating her body to his commanding touch. His tongue plays with hers, wrapping and holding onto one another as they move.
It doesn't take long for the changing tempo to bring her over. She grips his back, trying not to dig her nails into him as she cums over and over. He's right there with her, straining between her legs in one fluid motion. "You never cease to amaze," he whispers, lifting their bodies to pull the cover over them.
"I'm glad we were quiet," she giggles softly, holding him to her as they lay there.
He looks over, noticing Judith still sound asleep. He lets out a soft sigh of relief and runs his hand through her hair. "I love your new hair, your new clothes … I love all of the new you. You are an amazing woman. I love you."
"I love you too lover." She looks at him with questions in her eyes. "Where is he?"
"Don't know, he hasn't shown up since you and Daryl left."
"That was not what I wanted."
"I understand that, and I know Daryl had your best interests at heart."
"Yea well, I also got kidnapped, beat and lost our baby. I don't think that was in his best interests at all." She runs her hand over his face. "I think maybe you two are united now, after seeing what happened on the roadside."
He goes to move away but she maintains her grip on him. "I saw the man's throat ripped out and I saw the other one stabbed and gutted. The one probably had you, and the other … he was probably doing something, or going to do something, to Carl. Am I right?"
He nods silently and lays his head on her shoulder. "Something in me snapped and that's what I did."
"Never say you're sorry for defending the people you love."
"Words to live by."
"Words to own too. Eli taught me that." She pauses for a moment. "Have you ever thought that it was the wolf saying 'okay your turn now' and let you deal with them?"
"Maybe, haven't really thought about it like that." Using his foot, he flips the cover over their bodies as a knock comes to the door. "Uh, yea?"
The door opens as Carl slides in quietly; he closes the door and walks over, looking down at Judith. Reaching under his shirt, he pulls a small rag doll out and lays it beside her before kissing her head. He turns and looks at them. "I've kept it safe all this time for her. It's from Hershel."
Beth smiles as she lays her head on Rick's shoulder. "Carl, we were going to have a baby but everything I went through before finding Eli caused me to lose it. I'm sorry."
"Don't be," Carl replies. "You didn't lose your life, that means a lot." Looking at Carl, Rick reaches down and pats the bed. Carl walks over and sits down. "I'm not interrupting anything am I?"
"No, we just finished," he chuckles softly.
"Eeewww!" Carl grimaces.
"You asked," Rick grins. "What do you want to do Carl? Do you want to go to DC or do you want to try something else?"
Carl looks at them, then over at Judith. "I want to go to DC, but I think you two should do something else."
"Meaning?" Beth asks.
Reaching into his pocket, Carl pulls a bundle of paper out and lays it in Beth's hand. She sits up and opens it, revealing her rings and Rick's wedding band. "I think you two deserve to be a family … with Judith. I love you dad, and I know you worry about the two of us but you don't need to. I will be with Daryl and Michonne and Glenn. If you can concentrate on you and Beth and Judith, you'll be fine. I think that's what's wrong with the wolf … he's stretched too thin about taking care of everyone and he collapsed like you did when mom died. He needs a break and you need a chance."
"A chance for what?" Rick asks.
"To be happy again, like you were before all this started. I know you and mom weren't always happy, but you were for a long time. You need to get that back, and I think Beth is the right woman at the right time for that to happen. Whether Judith does or doesn't become a wolf, she'll still need you and Beth. Beth is the only mom she's ever known, and that's how it needs to be … Beth is her mom and you are her dad."
"Carl …"
"I am totally fine with this, and it will make me feel a hundred times better knowing my sister is safe with her mom and dad … our mom and dad."
Tears roll down Beth's cheeks as she sits up and hugs Carl. "Thank you."
"Maybe once you're settled, it'll be easier to have another baby. Maybe you can get Shawn back," Carl says, wiping his eyes.
"I feel like I have in a way … with you," Beth smiles and holds his hand. "Your love and approval mean the world to me."
"We're leaving in the morning, just wanted you both to know in case we're gone when you get up. I'll tell them you guys made the decision to stay behind," Carl smiles and gets up. "Get some sleep, you both have earned it."
He walks out as quietly as he entered as they both lay back down. Taking the rings from her, Rick slides hers down her finger as she slides his down. They hold onto one another and soon drift off to sleep.
When morning comes, they both get up and dress. Beth checks on Judith, who is still asleep as they head into the living room. Eli is sitting at the table, alone, with a pile of clean dishes on the counter. They walk over and sit beside him.
"They left just before sun up. They were grousing and bitching about having to walk so I gave them the truck. Yer sister went to wake you two up, but yer boy stood up and said you both were staying behind. That caused a minor uproar till he decked Maggie, good shot for the kid. He said for her to back off you two and deal with it. Have a seat, breakfast is almost done; I let them eat what they wanted so I fixed us some chow."
"I can't believe Carl hit Maggie," Rick chuckles softly.
"Glenn didn't even raise his voice," Eli chuckles. "After you both get your heads on, I want you both to pack up and leave."
"Eli," Beth says, turning to look at him.
He reaches down and pulls his pants up … a large chunk is missing out of his calf. "Thought I heard something early this morning, so I went outside … half a walker caught me by surprise. I killed it and came back in, cleaned the wound and dressed it before anyone could see. Didn't want Abraham to see this before he got on the road. Don't worry about me, I can handle it myself, just don't want you folks around when I do."
He walks over and sets the plates down for them. Beth reaches out and touches his hand, gripping it. Rick leans over and touches his other as Beth closes her eyes. "Father, we thank you for this bounty you have set before us. We ask your blessings on our family which now travels away. We ask your blessing on us as we start our journey, and we ask You to send an angel to walk with Eli as he finishes his. We ask this in your name. Amen."
"Amen."
The three begin to eat in silence as Judith's soft voice can be heard babbling from the other room. Beth gets up and walks in, picks her up and carries her over to the table. She hands her over to Eli. "I thought you would like to hold your goddaughter at least once."
Tears roll down his cheeks as he holds her up and kisses her cheek. "Take care of your mom and dad for me, will ya? I won't be around to keep them out of trouble."
Judith looks at him and tilts her head to the side before opening her mouth. Her eyes close as she lets out a small howl in response then looks at him with golden eyes.
"Her eyes are gold," Eli says as Rick comes over to look at her.
"My little girl," he whispers as his eyes shift to gold.
"Wolves," Eli muses. "I've heard of it happening, even heard of an entire community like you up in North Carolina around Black Mountain."
"There's more like me," Rick says, sitting down.
"A bunch, they're grouping together like a pack and they're now living in Black Mountain and Montreat, North Carolina. I think that's where you both need to head." Handing Judith back to Beth, he gets up and pulls a map out before sitting back down. "I know where we are, which is here." He takes a pen and draws a star. "Here is where you need to go." He runs his finger up and taps Black Mountain then draws a star. He hands the map to Rick. "Let this map be your guide."
Rick takes it and looks at him. "Thank you."
"Also remember this … she's your wife and most of all, she's your mate. She can take care of herself and yer daughter. Make sure to watch each other's backs and to love each other unconditionally. Remember, wolves mate for life. I see by your rings that you're already together, that's a good sign. Tyreese left Judith's baby pack here so you can carry her easier till you find a car." He leans over and grimaces as sweat beads up on his face. "You'd better get to eating then packing, don't know how much longer I can hold on."
They make it to the top of the driveway and step onto the street as a gunshot reverberates behind them. Beth runs her hand over Judith in the pack as Rick turns back to look at the house. He sniffs the air and hangs his head. "He did it, he didn't miss."
"I'm glad," Beth replies. "Come on, let's get moving. I would rather ride than walk to North Carolina."
"You and me both."