VPOV

"I was just looking for Victoria." O'Donnell stepped into the light. "Never thought I'd find this."

I stepped forward, ready to do whatever it would take to fix this. "I was just about to come find you..."

This man scared me, even though I knew I could defend myself. It was what he could do to Carol and Beth that scared me. It was what he could do to everyone else, the weaker people who had no control over their lives. All the wards here, including myself, did not have that control, and people like O'Donnell used that fact to create their own comfortable and easy lives.

The world that had changed and become a battle of survival didn't exist inside these walls. Instead their was a different battle between the weak and the cruel. Unfortunately I landed in the former category. I may be strong, and able, but my choices had been taken from me the moment these people got their hands on Carol and Beth. And that, is what had me willing to do whatever it took to keep O'Donnell and the other officers satisfied.

He shook his head. "Don't think I'm stupid, Victoria." he looked over my shoulder to the others. "What are you gonna do about this Dawn? About her?" he nodded to Beth.

"She's my ward. It's my call."

"Fine." he shrugged walking forward. "But your people deserve to know who they're working for. So, you gonna tell them, or am I?"

I turned, my back to the wall, standing an equal distance between Dawn and O'Donnell now. I had no idea where to go...

Dawn moved a little closer, shaking her head. "You don't get to threaten me."

"That's not a threat, but these are the facts. You look like shit. The guys were talking. They think you're cracking. This is Hanson all over again. It's time to make a change." O'Donnell gestured to me, turning for the door. "Victoria, come on."

"O'Donnell. You're wrong." Dawn lifted her gun aiming it at him as she looked to me. "Go stand with Beth." I didn't waste time, moving to where Beth stood in the corner, back by the elevator. "I'm nothing like Hanson. I was the one who killed him, remember that? I was the only one who could go through with it."

He turned to her. "Lower your weapon, Dawn. All I have to do is shout."

"All I have to do is say you came at me." she countered. "Girls, get out of the way."

Beth and I moved to the other side of the hall, pressing our backs to the wall. I kept her behind me, ready to do whatever it takes to keep her safe.

"You're not gonna do this." O'Donnell was calling Dawn's bluff.

But she kept her gun aimed at him, and I honestly thought she'd shoot him, no second thoughts, no remorse. "You're not giving me a choice." she gestured for him to move towards the elevator. "Go."

"We were rookies together." he tried reasoning with her as he started to walk, doing as she said, slowly. "You knew my wife. You were here in this hospital having cigars with me in the parking lot when my kid was born."

"Don't." she warned, wanting him to shut up. "That guy is gone. We're supposed to protect people. To help them. But look at you. You're beating the old man, laughing with your buddies about that poor girl. Raping Victoria." she shook her head. "That's who you are now."

"So, who the hell are you?"

"Somebody who's not gonna let it happen any more."

"That's not what this is about. It's about holding on to what you have."

"What the hell do I have?" a tear ran down Dawn's cheek.

"This isn't you. After Hanson, you changed..." suddenly O'Donnell pushed her hands out of the way, knocking the gun out of her grip as he slammed her against the wall, kicking the gun away, the weapon sliding along the floor moving towards the elevator.

I moved quick, putting my foot in it's way and picking it up while the cops were distracted. I turned to Beth, tucking the gun in my pants, putting my shirt over it. If Dawn couldn't handle herself, and O'Donnell started winning, I'd pull it back out and help her, I'd rather Dawn in charge than any of the others... But for now, I was keeping the gun hidden, just in case there came a time I might need it in the future.

Dawn elbowed O'Donnell, kneeing him in the stomach and then slamming her fist into his face, sending him to the other side of the hall. But he recovered pretty fast as they continued to fight and struggle against each other. Slowly, they started moving towards Beth and I. I grabbed Beth, moving us over and away to the other side, keeping her behind me.

O'Donnell grabbed Dawn, slamming her against the wall, lifting her by the throat and holding her in the air as he choked her. "You think you're better than us?" he yelled in her face.

Beth pushed past me, reaching for him.

He pushed her back, sending her to the floor. "Stay in your lane, bitch!"

That was enough.

As he turned back to Dawn I rushed forward punching him in his back. He turned, pissed, but I dodged him as he tried to grab me. Reaching forward I slammed my fist into his throat breaking his larynx. Dawn grabbed him from behind, kneeing him in the back before letting him go. I stepped back as he stumbled forward, waiting until he was at the right spot before...

Sending my foot forward, into his chest, I kicked him into the elevator shaft, sending him down the hole, where he fell to the basement floor. His screamed eachoed off the walls before we heard the sound of a final thud, followed by the moans of walkers.

Beth, now on her feet, joined me as we looked down, barely able to see the body as walker's descended on it.

Dawn came beside me, looking down as well. "Thank you." she panted, turning to Beth and myself. "Both of you."

RPOV

I stood on the top level of a parking lot waiting. We'd radioed some other officers, telling them to meet me up here. We were ready for the trade now. It was time to get our people back... to get my daughter back.

"They're headed towards the vantage point." Tyreese called over the walkie talkie.

"Okay." I nodded, responding to them. "Copy that." I turned as they the car came up, holstering the walkie talking, putting my hands in the and waiting. They slowly came to a stop, getting outwith their guns aimed. "Officer Franco, Officer McKinley, I'm Rick Grimes. I was a deputy in the King County Sheriff's Department. I'm here to make a proposal."

"Lay your weapon on the ground." the short one ordered.

"All right." I moved slowly, one arm still raised as I out my gun down before standing back up.

They closed their cars doors, coming around and closer to me, guns still raised.

The short one gave a slight nod. "What's you proposal."

"You have some of my people, I have some of yours. We want to make an exchange. Then we'll be on our way. No one gets hurt." I shrugged.

"Who?" it seemed the short one was in charge here.

"Officers Shepherd and Licari for Beth, Vickie -Victoria- and Carol." when they looked confused, I gathered Carol hadn't woken up yet. "You picked up a woman yesterday after your people hit her with a car, she was with a girl."

They both looked to each other, a hint of guilt in their eyes. But the short one recovered, speaking again. "Noah, he's with you? That's how you know?"

I nodded. "Yes, he is."

"What about Officer Lamson?"

"He was attacked by the dead before we got to him."

They lowered their guns slightly then as the tall one looked around. "Where are you people?"

A walker had managed to make it's way up here, heading for us. Before it got too close, it was shot down, a bullet to the head by either Daryl or Sasha.

I shrugged. "They're close." I watched as they scanned the area and rooftops. "Radio your lieutenant. I'll wait." I told them, taking a step back.

VPOV

I pulled my boots on over my dirty, ripped jeans, back in my black shirt as well. I could feel the gun I'd grabbed earlier pressed to my back, tucked into my shirt. If I closed my eyes and really tried hard, it felt as if I was back outside. Wearing my clothes, holding a gun, it felt real...

Walking out of the room I hated more than I hated walkers and the world today, I left the place for the last time, joining Beth as we walked down the hall in silence, heading for Carol's room. Beth was out of the scrubs too, dressed in ripped jeans, boots, a yellow collared top and grey cardigan. Seeing her like that, it really put the situation in perspective. We were finally getting out of here.

Outside of Beth's room stood Edwards, the resident doctor. I'd seen him on occasion, as I walked the halls, he'd go in and out of rooms checking on people. But we hadn't spoken, not really. He stood behind a wheelchair, Carol seated in it, dressed in her clothes once more.

I smiled, rushing up to Carol. I hadn't seen her awake yet. Dawn had found me in my room to tell me to get dressed and get ready. To tell me our people were coming to get us. But now I was finally seeing Carol, awake, and well alive, and everything felt like it was going to be okay. She smiled up at me, gently and carefully reaching for my hand as I knelt beside her. We nodded to each other, turning to look over my shoulder at Beth. All three of us, we were getting out together. We were going home. To our family.

Standing once more, Beth and I moved to stand behind the wheelchair, Beth's hands grasping the handles as we started to walk forward, heading for the main hallway where Dawn told us to meet. Edwards stayed with us, close behind. As we rounded the last corner, we walked a few more steps, stopping behind Dawn and three other cops, who had their guns out and ready, just in case.

With a nod from Dawn, they all put their weapons away as she reached for the radio on her shoulder. "Holster you weapons."

We waited, my heart racing as the doors n the other end of the hallway opened. Two police officers walked through first, moving towards us. But I didn't care about them, the people behind them were the ones that had me shaking with anticipation.

Dad, with an officer in front of him. Daryl, with another officer in front of him. Tyreese, Sasha and the kid I'd met yesterday standing at the back.

Dawn turned to Beth, Carol and myself, her officers by us moving to make a path, letting the three of us move forward to the front of the group.

"They haven't been harmed." dad called, talking about the officers our people held captive.

Dawn shook he head. "Where's Lamson?"

"Rotters got him." the woman officer in front of dad answered.

The male officer in front of Daryl nodded. "We saw it go down."

"Oh." Dawn nodded. "I'm sorry to hear that. He was one of the good guys." she hesitated before gesturing to us. "One at a time." she told dad.

"All right." dad nodded.

One of the officers moved forward, taking Beth's spot behind Carol, wheeling her towards our people. Tyreese stepped forward, meeting them half way, taking the wheelchair from the cop carefully before turning back to our group.

The cop waited as Daryl stepped forward. "Move." he ordered the officer in front of him, moving to the middle of the hallway, handing the cop over before waiting.

Once both cops were back with us, Dawn turned to me. "Take the bag. All of your things are inside. Weapons. Supplies. We didn't touch any of it."

I turned to look at the bag, seeing it in one of the officers hands. He nodded, gesturing for me to move, and so I did, the cop staying behind me, escorting me towards Daryl. Daryl had his arm out, reaching for me. As soon as I was close enough, he grabbed my shoulder, pulling me to him, and I flinched.

I didn't want Daryl to touch me...

My body still hurt from everything O'Donnell had done to me. But it wasn't just that. I felt wrong, gross, inhuman, and certainly not worthy of Daryl's comfort or affection. I was ashamed at the fact I'd let O'Donnell violate and destroy a part of me that had been connected to my love for Daryl. The moment he'd touched me, the moment he'd tainted the loving memories I'd held, was the moment I knew I'd changed, and I wasn't sure if that could ever be fixed. I knew it was stupid, and I knew that if I told someone and talked about it, there was a chance things could get better, but at the same time I didn't want any pity or judgement...

He must have noticed my flinch because the moment I had, his eyes locked on to mine, filled with confusion and concern. But he didn't say anything. He just turned to grab the bag from the officer before moving us towards our group without trying to touch me again.

Dad moved next, the woman in front of him stepping forward as he lead her to the officer still standing in the middle. They did the trade, and dad waited as Dawn brought Beth forward. He nodded to Beth as she stepped towards him, bringing her close as he rested his hand on her shoulder comfortingly, both of them turning to come back to us.

"Glad we could work things out." Dawn spoke, not moving from where she stood in the middle of the hall still.

Dad let Beth go, turning to Dawn. "Yeah." he was leaving it there, ready to go. Nodding to the rest of us we all went to leave, a weight lifted off my chest at the thought of never having to see these people or this place ever again.

But Dawn stopped him. She stopped all of us. "Now I just need Noah. And then you can leave."

I gathered she was taking about the kid that Carol Daryl and I found in the city, and even though I didn't know him, I still stood in front of him protectively. He was not going back in there. Not if he didn't want to. No one should have to be left in a place like this. Even though it was only one person, I didn't care. I would fight to keep him protect and safe. There was no way I was letting another human being go through even the slightest amount of pain and horror I'd lived through these last few days, locked up in this hospital.

Dad walked forward, the kid, Beth, Daryl and myself close behind. "That wasn't part of the deal." he shook his head.

"Noah was my ward." Dawn started, trying to explain as if she actually had a right to keep a person. "Beth took his place and I'm losing her, so I need him back."

"Ma`am, please." the female officer dad had brought back started. "That's-"

Dawn cut her off. "Shepherd." she warned, still looking at dad. "My officers put their lives on the line to find him. One of them died."

"He ain't staying." Daryl moved to stand in front of Noah protectively.

"He's one of mine. You have no claim on him." Dawn wasn't letting this go.

Dad, clearly pissed, gestured to Noah. "The boy wants to go home, so you have no claim on him." dad countered.

"Well, then we don't have a deal." Dawn shrugged.

Dad shook his head. "The deal is done."

"It- it's okay." suddenly Noah moved forward, limping towards Dawn.

"No." dad wasn't having it, grabbing the kid's shoulder to stop him. "No."

Noah looked at him, shaking his head. "I gotta do it." he pulled out a gun that had been tucked in the back of his pants, handing it over to dad.

He could see what was unfolding in front of everyone. Dad and Dawn were at a crossroads and neither were willing to back off. The only way this was going to end- besides Noah giving himself up- would be full of blood and mess. This was the easy way. But that didn't mean it was the right way, and Beth seemed to agree.

Beth shook her head. "It's not okay."

"It's settled." Dawn stated as Noah moved towards her and the other officers.

"Wait!" Beth called before she rushed forward, throwing her arms around Noah as he turned to her.

I saw him smile, and at that moment, right there, I could tell he'd fallen just like Jimmy and Zach... Beth was just the kind of girl guys fall for and I couldn't blame him. It had taken me awhile to see it, to notice Beth, but over time I'd come to know what kind of person she is, and what I found was a beautiful, caring, smart, gentle, strong, determined, capable woman. Even I'd been unable to dodge her charm, and from that a friendship had grown between us.

"It's okay." he tried to reassure her as he held her to him.

Dawn looked at the pair, her eyes on Noah. "I knew you'd be back." she sounded so pleased with herself and it made me sick.

Beth, seeing the look on Dawn's face over Noah's shoulder, slowly lowered her arms, letting him step back as she moved to stand in front of Dawn. "I get it now..."

Everything happened so fast I wasn't really sure it actually happened until I fell to my knees by the body.

Beth pulled out something she'd hidden in her cast. Moving quickly she stabbed Dawn. But she hadn't thought it all the way through, or really looked at what she was doing, which is how the object she'd stabbed the officer with dug into the hard bullet proof vest instead of skin... Dawn, who was a trained police officer, reacted without hesitation. She pulled out her gun before anyone could stop her, and shot Beth right in the head, killing her instantly...

"No!" I screamed as tears ran down my face. Holding on to Beth's hand I shook my head. "No!"

I looked up at Dawn, seeing that it was a pair of scissors Beth had tried to stab her with. Looking just as shocked as the rest of us, she shook her her, looking at everyone else before her eyes landed on mine. "I didn't mean-"

I didn't care. Moving without thinking, without hesitating, without remorse, without guilt. I stood, pulling out the gun I'd taken earlier and raised it to pull the trigger. My aim was perfect, pointing right at her face that was still full of shock and now fear... But before I could make the shot, before I could get her as she'd gotten Beth, her head flung back as someone else shot her- who, I do not know.

She fell to the ground.

In a matter of seconds, everyone suddenly had their guns raised.

"No, hold your fire!" the woman dad had brought back ordered the officers. "It's over. It was just about her. Stand down!"

I didn't care what any of them did.

I dropped my gun, falling to my knees once more, landing in a puddle of blood. Looking down at Beth as tears poured down my face, I grabbed her head and pulled it to my lap. Reaching for her hand once more I shook my head and began to gently rock as my other hand brushed her hair out of her face. "No, no, no." I cried. "Beth. Not you. No."

"You can stay." the female officer who had spoke before offered.

"We're surviving here." Edwards, the doctor, added. "It's better than out there."

"No." dad's voice shook, standing behind me. "And I'm taking anyone back there who wants to leave. I you want to come with us, just step forward now."

No one moved except Noah, who slowly came to stand on the other side of Beth. But all I could see were his shoes. I wouldn't look up. I couldn't look up.

She'd been so strong and yet so kind. She'd been one of the only innocent souls left that also understood how the world had changed. She was what I wanted to be. A better person who didn't let the pain and misery change what she was before all of this, unless it made her stronger but never harder. And she'd been my friend. She'd been the light in this dark place that kept me going. She'd been a reminder of what I'd been fighting for. She'd been a comfort. She reminded me of Maggie with the small resemblances between the two. She reminded me of Daryl with the stories she told me of the time we'd all be separated and they were together. She reminded me of Aly and Judith with the way she cared for me. She reminded me of Carl in her youth. And she reminded me of home.

A hand rested on my shoulder. "Vickie." dad knelt by me. "Vickie, come on. We gotta go." I shook my head, grasping Beth's hand tighter.

How could someone like her be gone? How could the world take a soul as pure as her's? Out of all of us, she deserved to live. Why couldn't it have been me? I should have stopped her. I should have protected her... I couldn't move. Everything inside me was heavy, and numb, but yet I felt so much pain, so much loss.

Daryl moved in front of me, leaning down. Our eyes locked as I watched him, tears brimming his eyes as tears spilled out of mine. He nodded, silently telling me he understood as he carefully lifted her into his arms. As he stood, my grip on her hand loosened and fell and I looked down at the ground, the blood pooling around me filling my sight.

It felt like hours, but I'm sure only minutes went by before dad gently grabbed my arm and lifted me to my feet. Once I stood I threw myself into him and cried against his chest, feeling his arms move to wrap around and hold me as my sobs continued and my tears soaked his shirt. His hand cupped my head as he whispered words I couldn't hear over my own pain, but I'm sure they were meant for comfort and support.

RPOV

We walked out of the hospital, Vickie by my side, my arm around her to help keep her on her feet. She'd stopped crying, only a few sobs coming out every now and then. I think she was just numb now...

Looking ahead of us we saw the rest of our people. Michonne, Abraham, Glenn, Rosita, Tara... and Maggie. I knew what had happened. The others would have gone back to the church and Michonne and Carl would have told them what the rest of us were doing... they were here for Beth. I sadly shook my head, letting them know we'd failed. As I kept walking I let the others behind me through. Sasha, Tyreese, Carol, and then Daryl... carrying Beth.

Maggie dropped her gun, her face falling before she herself fell to her knees. "No!" she screamed, crying at the sight of her lost sister.

Beth had been one of us, and we all felt the loss. Beth would be missed by all of us.

Even though Vickie doesn't know it -yet- Daryl was the one to pull the trigger. I had first written this with Vickie being the one to kill Dawn... but I couldn't take that away from Daryl... After everything he and Beth had been through, he needed that closure

Love and miss you all xox

BaMbY