Tears roll down Beth's cheeks as she stands on the porch, listening to everyone out in the field. She hears the gun fire and falls to her knees, crying and rocking herself. She watches the group come out of the pasture and takes off running, impacting Rick's chest and clings to him. He picks her up, wrapping her in his arms as she wraps her legs around his waist. He carries her up onto the porch and sits in the swing, holding her to him as he lets tears fall in her hair.
They hold onto one another tightly, looking deep into each other's eyes before he pulls her head back down to his neck. She curls up in his lap, holding onto him for dear life. Hershel steps on the porch and sees their embrace; reaching out, he strokes Beth's hair and heads inside. Her body shakes from her sobs as she clings to him.
"I thought it was you," she sobs softly.
"No it was Dale," he cries softly. "A walker had gutted a cow and he went to check on it."
"I am so sorry," she whispers as she kisses his cheek.
They sit on the swing, holding onto one another as they look out over the darkness. As they sit and swing, the others slowly come up on the porch.
"We got him buried," T-Dog says softly.
"Thank you," Rick says, wiping his eyes.
"Ain't fair," Daryl says, wiping his eyes, "he was a good man."
"None of this makes sense," Glenn says. "Where did that walker come from?"
"We'll find out tomorrow," Andrea says as she lays a hand on Daryl's shoulder. "Patricia, do you think Hershel would mind if I slept in the house tonight?"
"No sweetheart, you can bunk with me," Patricia smiles and wraps her arm around her.
"I'm sleeping on the porch," T-Dog says, "just someone keep a light on me for so I can get my sleeping bag."
"I'll go with ya, join ya on the porch," Daryl says as he flicks his flashlight on.
"Let me go too, I want to get my bag from the camper. Patricia, do you mind if I sleep inside too?" Carol asks.
"You can have my room, I'll sleep with Beth," Maggie speaks up.
"I'll stay on the couch," Glenn says.
"No Carol, take my room I'll sleep on the couch," Rick says, running his hand through Beth's hair.
Hershel steps out onto the porch and looks around. "I'm going to turn the floodlights on … move your cars and gear up here to the house tonight … just in case." He reaches inside as the entire property lights up. T-Dog reaches out and shakes his hand. "Thank you."
"Would you mind saying a few words over him in the morning?" Daryl asks as he steps off the porch.
"I would be honored too Daryl," Hershel says. He walks over, lifts Beth's feet and sets down. He watches everyone disperse out into the yard as Patricia heads inside. "Rick, that was nice of you to give Carol your bed. That couch is not very comfortable, I should know."
"I don't mind," he says, kissing the top of Beth's head.
"There's a cot in Beth's room, you can sleep there," Hershel says and pats his leg as he gets up. He walks inside and lets the door clang.
They look at one another for a moment before they get up and head inside.
He finishes packing his gear when Carol enters. "Andrea and I are sleeping in here. Are you sure?"
"I got another offer," Rick says and looks at her. "Am I losing it? How did I not see this?"
She walks over and puts her arms around him. "None of us saw this, we'll figure it out after we get some sleep."
"All right, night." He walks out the door as Andrea walks in.
Pushing the door open gently, he steps into the room. Beth is sitting on her bed with a smile. "Come on in, I pulled it out for you." He looks over at the cot beside her bed. He smiles and drops his bags by the door. He sits on the edge of her bed and takes his shoes off then his belt and gun, laying them across the chest at the foot of the bed. He pulls his shirt off, not thinking of where he is as he falls backwards. He closes his eyes and runs his hands over his face. Opening his eyes, he looks up to see Beth sitting there smiling.
"Damn," he whispers and sits up. He reaches for his shirt, but she takes it.
"You can have the bed," she smiles, sliding his shirt on over her tank top and slides off onto the cot. He slides up into the bed and looks down at her. "I sleep here every time my girlfriends would come over. Go ahead, I don't mind."
"Your dad said I was sleeping on the cot," Rick states, "now switch."
"No," she says defiantly. "Lay down and sleep." She reaches up and turns the light off and drops onto her pillow.
Shaking his head, Rick pulls the cover up as he lays his head down into the pillows. He slides closer to her side as he rolls onto his side. He drapes his hand down to her where they can touch. She reaches out and takes his hand, holding it in hers. His eyelids get heavier as he finally closes them, feeling her warm hand in his.
When morning comes, Hershel gently pushes the door open and smiles. They are both lying in bed, him atop the covers under a blanket with his arms around her. Carol leans over his shoulder and smiles.
"Leave them a little bit longer," Hershel whispers, closing the door.
He pulls the door closed as Rick opens his eyes. He looks down at the young blonde in his arms. He smiles and kisses her forehead as he drifts back off to sleep.
