Daryl didn't sleep all night. He sat on the edge of the cot, occasionally glancing at his bruised girlfriend. He had let her down. He wasn't there to protect her in her biggest time of need. His head was resting in his hands when Carol walked in.

"Knock, knock," Carol said, holding a bowl. Daryl raised his head to look at her but didn't respond. "I thought you could use some breakfast." Carol set the bowl on the floor next to his feet and took a seat on the chair opposite him.

"I let her down."

Carol sighed and glanced at the still sleeping Jo before responding. "There is no way you could have known that was going to happen. But you guys came back and took care of the threat. We may not have come out without injuries, but we're all still alive and together. That's all that matters."

"She's never going to forgive me. She could barely look at me last night. Fuck, I wouldn't forgive me." Daryl stood and began pacing the small space.

"She loves you."

Daryl continued to pace, rubbing his face in his hands. A sleepy moan escaped Jo's lips, causing them both to look at the beaten woman. Carol stood and lightly touched Daryl's arm. "She loves you," she whispered again, before leaving.

Daryl turned toward the cot to find Jo looking up at him with sleep-ridden eyes. Her left hand traced her swollen eye and she licked her cracked lips. She pulled in a breath sharply causing a sob to escape her mouth. Daryl immediately sat on the cot and pulled her toward him. Jo sobbed into his chest as he stroked her back. After a moment she pulled away and wiped excess tears from her cheeks.

"I'm so sorry, Jo," Daryl said.

"Stop apologizing. It wasn't your fault," she said. "Stop thinking it was."

"That's all I can think," he said. "I shouldn't have left you. I should have been here."

"You were doing what we all thought was best for the group. We achieved our end goal… just took a different, more painful route," she said, brushing her hand lightly against his cheek. Daryl leaned into it and kissed her palm. After a moment, Jo added, "I've never been so scared in my life… of a human being. It was awful. I don't understand how someone comes to be that way… how someone doesn't care about other people's lives."

"He was a monster."

Jo smiled. "Ow," she said as her lip cracked from the effort.

Daryl chuckled and kissed her.

The next six weeks brought a sense of normalcy back to the group. Jo's face almost completely healed, Daryl was hunting regularly again, Judith was growing at a healthy rate and the group was able to plant beans and carrots in the prison yard. They each had chores, like any family, and the group actually had fun. Laughter became a normal part of their lives again.

It was a warm, early summer morning. The sun crept over the trees as Jo watered the garden. She looked up just in time to see Daryl walking toward her from the woods, a belt full of prey. She shaded her eyes from the sun and smiled toward him. She was about to yell a hello when they heard it. Both of their heads whipped up toward the sky as the sound of a propeller cutting through the air became distinct and louder. Jo's heart stopped for a moment before she looked at Daryl once more.

"Is that what I think it is?" she asked.

Daryl dropped his crossbow and kills and sprinted toward the prison. "Send off the flares!" he yelled over his shoulder.

Water splashed on her legs as Jo dropped the watering can and raced up the watch tower steps. The group had stashed emergency flares in each tower just in case some miracle occurred and they could be saved. She was breathing heavily when she reached the top and flung open the door. Three flares sat on the desk. She grabbed all three and ran to the watch deck. The sound of the helicopter was getting closer. As she looked to the east, she could just make out a dot in the sun's glare. Jo held the first flare over her head and set it off. It whizzed into the air, exploding red as Daryl and Rick ran out of the prison, closely followed by Glenn, Maggie and the rest of the group.

Jo set off the second flare and began waving her arms in the air, trying to get the chopper's attention. The group in the prison yard began doing the same. It became a dance almost… a dance for a savior. The chopper turned just a little and headed straight for them. Jo set off the third flare just to be sure and was screaming and clapping. The helicopter was getting lower in the sky. They had seen them. They were landing.

Jo raced down the watch tower stairs and joined the group in the yard. She hugged Carol, who had tears in her eyes, and ran to Daryl. The helicopter descended into the prison yard, stirring up dirt and debris. Rick dropped to his knees as he hugged Carl. Maggie and Glenn were dancing and hugging each other and Beth was crying as she held Judith. Hershel stood completely still, sobbing at the site. Michonne reached out to Andrea. She seemed a bit wary, but willing to trust that they were saved.

The helicopter landed and two men emerged from the cab as the pilot shut down the engines. They looked around warily, seeing the walkers attacking the fences, and approached the group. Rick stood.

"H…hello?" Rick said, brushing a hand through his hair with a look of disbelief on his face.

"Boy, are we glad to see you people," the man said, removing his helmet.

"We could say the same," Rick responded.

"I'm Sergeant Jason Adams with what's left of the United States Military." He extended his hand to Rick.

"Rick Grimes. This is what's left of a group that began in Atlanta," Rick said, motioning toward the group.

"We have a survival camp at Fort McPherson. It has a hospital, barracks, showers. We've been able to contact other camps throughout the states," Sergeant Adams said.

Carol was sobbing. "Thank you, Lord."

"If you have any supplies or keepsakes, gather them up. Major Rice will want to speak with you ASAP," Sergeant Adams said.

The group raced back into the prison. It felt like a dream as they packed up blankets and what little belongings they had. Jo stuffed a backpack full of extra clothing as Daryl grabbed her waist, lifting her off the ground.

"Is this real?" she asked.

"I think so. I hope so." He kissed her. The tiniest idea of a future life tinkled in the distance.