I can't believe it's been almost two months since I've updated. I'm officially the worst, and apologize to everyone (anyone?) who was waiting for updates. To help with the sincerity of my apology, I have at least two more chapters ready to go on this and I'm working on a third, which may be the end unless I squeeze in one more chapter. I'll be posting those in the next few days. I hope a few of you are still interested in this story. And as always, reviews are highly coveted.
FYI: There's going to be some changes to the tags in these last chapters, so take heed!
As always, thanks a million for taking your time to read my story. :)

"Shit" Daryl mumbled.

He watched the glow in the distance, trying to determine how big it was, how far out, which way the wind was blowing. He strained his ears, hoping for something...anything. Hoping for some clue as to what exactly was happening out there. Could be any number of things. None of 'em good.

Could be wildfire, set by lightening. If it was, every walker for miles would be headed toward it, drawing closer to their current location. Or, could be set by humans for some unknown reason. A group, or groups wild enough, or stupid enough, to risk the dangers that fire brought. By his estimate, the fire was about ten miles out.

Too close.

The winds were shifting. The gentle rustle of the trees in the yard told him the fire would be headed their way. Even if, by some miracle, the wind switched, sparing them, the influx of walkers converging the flames made their little hideout a lot less appealing now. They'd have to go, and quickly. But where? Which way?

Goddamnit.

Stubbing out his cigarette, Daryl turned, his eyes settling on the church's bell tower on the horizon. It wouldn't take long for him to get up there. Five minutes at the most. He remembered the extensive view of the countryside when they found Rick up there. The vantage point would give him a much better look at the fire, more of an idea of what they were dealing with. Then he'd know what to tell his family. What they should do. Where they should go. They wouldn't be wasting time spinning their wheels, unsure of their next move.

Fleetingly, he thought to wake them now, fill them in on his thoughts and the danger coming their way. But then the idea passed. He'd be quick. Be back before they missed him and then they'd know for sure what to do. Right now, it was all just guess work. Might as well let them rest the extra moments. With this newest danger, God knows when they'll get the chance again. Decision made, he grabbed his crossbow and started jogging toward the church.

The smoke was getting thicker by the moment, but Daryl still made it to the church in record time. Finding it blissfully empty, he bounded up the tower stairs to survey the scene. The vantage was good but it could be better. The smoke was thick as pea soup. If he could just get up a few more feet, he might be able to see over it. He needed to see better to have something to report back. Otherwise, there's no point to him wasting precious moments being there at all.

Looking up, he spotted some exposed crossbeams. He saw that they were part of the infrastructure holding up the big brass bell. They should be sturdy enough to hold his weight too. On tip-toes, he could just brush the beam with his fingertips. A good jump should get him latched on tight so he could hoist himself up higher. Huffing out a breath, he put down his crossbow and crouched down readying to jump.

Rick awoke to the smell of smoke. It was still dark and Beth's back was snuggled warm and tight against his chest. He was tempted to just stay with her, but that smell had him dazed and confused. Was he dreaming? Why hadn't Daryl woken him?

Untangling himself from Beth, he felt her stir against him. "S'everything ok?" She mumbled sleepily.

"I'm gonna check," he answered pulling on his jeans, his belt buckle and gun belt clinking loudly in the quiet of the night.

"Is that smoke?" Beth asks sitting up in bed, her voice rising a bit in alarm.

"Yeah," Rick answered, reaching over to pat her head gently. "Stay here a moment. I'm gonna check with Daryl. See what's up."

Beth ignored him and began pulling on her own discarded clothing. Rick sighed and watched her as he pulled on his boots and holstered his loaded gun.

"At least grab your knife?" He asked her in a worried tone.

"Got it," she replied off-handedly, already securing the blade safely in her leather belt the way Daryl had taught her.

The smoke smell was definitely getting worse as they made their way out of the closed bedroom through the house. Where the hell was Daryl?

Rick jogged out toward the porch, calling out for his friend as he went. No answer. Beth was right on his heels. The night sky was murky and thick with smoke. They put their shirt sleeves across their mouths to help them breath as they scanned the yard and surrounding area for Daryl.

"Where could he be?" Rick said aloud, tense with worry for his friend.

"I don't know. Something...something must have happened. He'd never leave us." Beth said, her voice cracking with emotion as she peered into the dark, desperately looking for any sign of him.

Rick pursed his lips as his police senses kicked in. Scanning the area again, he could see there were no obvious signs of a struggle. And God knows Daryl wouldn't be taken anywhere without a struggle. So, he must have left voluntarily. But why?

Suddenly, a plausible-scenario clicked in his mind. "The fire. He was probably trying to determine the source?" Rick mused aloud.

Beth looked wild-eyed but determined. "So, we wait for him. He'll be back any minute."

"Beth," Rick began hesitantly. "Fire...we can't stay."

"We can't leave! Not without Daryl!" She cried out, her voice rising in alarm.

Rick ran his fingers roughly through his hair in frustration as he tried to work out what to do. He thought maybe Daryl went ahead to scout out the source of the fire, but he didn't know for sure. He had no way of knowing anything for sure. All he knew was that there was an ominous glow in the distance and the air around them was becoming thick with smoke. He couldn't take Beth into that on the hope that Daryl was there. He knew walkers would be drawn to the flames and he and Beth would be all but blind to the dangers around them in the dark night. He knew only one thing for certain. Daryl would kill him if he didn't keep Beth safe.

"We can leave him a message. Tell him where to meet up with us when he gets back," Rick said quickly, hoping this would appease Beth. Get her out of harm's way. Once they were a safe distance, and they had some daylight, they could always double-back, try and track Daryl's location.

At Rick's words, Beth started crying. She frantically looked around for any sign of Daryl, and shook her head no at Rick.

"We can't leave!" She cried, pushing hard against his chest for emphasis.

Rick grabbed her arms firmly in his hands before she could shove at him again, and gently repeated, "We can't stay."

"Rick, no!" She cried. "We can't! We just can't! He could be hurt..."

He pulled her shaking form against him and held her tight, burying his nose in her messy hair, breathing her in. "I know. But we don't have a choice. We have no idea where he might be. If we go off blind like this, get hurt ourselves, then we can't help him. We need to get out of here, at least until daybreak then we can start fresh. We will start the search in the morning, first thing."

Beth pulled back to look at him. Her face was anguished and her cheeks were wet with tears. Rick knew he probably looked the same. She nodded once understanding the truth of his words and Rick sighed in relief. They would go. Grabbing her hand, he kissed the back of her fingers and pulled her back into the house with him to quickly pack up the bare essentials and leave a message for Daryl.