A/N: I know the last few chapters have been rough. I struggled with some of those choices myself! Thanks for all the feedback! Be sure to keep it up.

Chapter 21

Rick struggled to open his eyes. His whole body ached and he had no idea where he was. The last thing he could remember was approaching a house with Carl but this place seemed different somehow.

"Carl?..." He called out as he tried to sit up. He jumped slightly as a figure rushed towards him but soon they came into focus...He rubbed his eyes, not sure if he was hallucinating.

"Rick...don't try to get up...you've lost a lot of blood, you need to rest but Carl's fine...he's sleeping.

"Andrea?..." Rick reached forward and gently touched her face in disbelief. She took hold of his hand and squeezed it firmly.

"Yes...it's me..." Andrea confirmed.

"How?..." Rick still somewhat in disbelief.

"That's a long story...maybe for another time but the short of it is, my friend Michonne found Carl and he told us what happened...where you were...so we brought you back here...to get better. She and I had been separated for awhile but we found each other again and now we found you..." Andrea stated.

Rick couldn't help but feel relieved. Even if it all turned out to be a dream, having a moment of relief was worth it. "Where's Carl?"

"He's just over there..." Andrea motioned towards the other side of the room and Rick squinted his eyes to see in the dimly lit room. Carl was curled up almost in the fetal position, covered in a blanket on the couch across the room. "He hasn't been asleep long...he's so exhausted but he was trying so hard to stay awake and watch over you."

"Is he alright?" Rick asked concerned.

Andrea's demeanor changed slightly and she became solemn. "As well as to be expected...he told me all you've been through...Rick I can't tell you enough how sorry I am..."

Rick couldn't help but become choked up a little. He shook his head as he regained his composure. "Let's not talk about that right now...God it's good to see you..."

"I can't help but feel like I have another piece of my family back...first Michonne...now you and Carl...you must be starving...I'll get you something to eat..." Andrea started to get up but Rick gently gripped her wrist to keep her from leaving. She sat back down next to him on the bed and looked at him confused.

"Seeing you again...gives me hope...thank you..." Rick told her.

Andrea leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek. "Get some more rest...I'll be back soon..."

.

Daryl woke up in a chair. Ethan was asleep on his chest. He hadn't intended on sleeping sitting up with him but he guessed he was just too exhausted. His shoulder ached and was so stiff he could hardly move it. He was a wreck and he knew it. He couldn't risk leaving with Ethan in his condition. He'd have to stay until he was better and that was the last thing he had wanted to do. Daryl knew he'd have to find food, especially for Ethan. He couldn't go any longer without it.

Slowly Daryl rose to his feet, doing his best not to disturb Ethan and walked him back into the room with the crib and laid him down. "Don't worry...I'll find you something...hopefully before you wake up." Daryl whispered.

Daryl quietly walked down the stairs, deciding to search the restaurant again and then he'd venture out into the town a bit more but only as much as he had to. He hated he still couldn't deal with Beth's body with his shoulder as bad off as it just wasn't possible. He owed her more than that and couldn't help but be angry at himself for it.

As soon as he turned the knob of the stairwell door he felt something was wrong. Something clanked against the door and he paused for a moment and listened on guard. Everything seemed quiet. He pushed the door open further and heard the clanking again but this time he stepped out into the restaurant. He pulled his knife from the sheath and searched the restaurant but found no one. He noticed a bag hanging on the door knob as he walked back into the main area realizing that was what he had heard.

Daryl grabbed the bag off the door and opened it. He couldn't believe what was inside. A single can of formula rested in the bottom. Daryl rushed over to the exit door and looked around outside but didn't see a single person, just the occasional walker oblivious to his presence walking by.

Daryl hated the fact that someone had come in there and his dumb ass slept through it. How could he have let that happen, especially after what happened with Beth. "Guess I'm failing at everything..." Daryl stepped closer to Beth's body. "Wish ya were still here...don't know if I can do this on my own...you took such good care of both of them...Ethan and Judith...you didn't deserve this..."

Daryl turned away from her and headed back up the stairs. Luckily the crazy woman had kept all her baby things. He wasn't sure if she had a baby at one time or just wanted one so bad she pretended she did but it didn't matter as long as it would help Ethan. He found a few bottles and washed them up then made a bottle for Ethan. He carried it to the crib but hesitated for a moment. What if something was wrong with it? He quickly pushed the thought from his mind. Ethan needed it...it was fine...it had to be.

Gently he stroked his cheek and Ethan stirred a little. He squinched up his face and rubbed his eyes but soon they opened and looked up at Daryl. He started to whimper but Daryl stuck the bottle into his mouth and Ethan's eyes widened as he gripped at the bottle with both his hands. Eagerly he began to drink.

"Ya better slow down buddy...yer gonna make yourself sick..." Daryl told him as he couldn't help but smile down at him.

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Glenn, Maggie and Sasha settled into an abandoned barn to give themselves a break for a day or two until they could regain their strength.

"Kind of reminds me of home a little..." Maggie remarked as they climbed up into the hayloft. Once they were all up there, they all seemed to collapse at once and couldn't help but laugh at one another. Soon though Maggie's laughter turned to tears. "I can't believe he's gone..."

Glenn quickly rushed over to comfort her as Sasha also moved closer. Glenn put his arm around her as Sasha took hold of one of her hands.

"And I don't even know what happened to Beth...what if she needs me? I can't help her..." Maggie sobbed.

"I saw her run off with Daryl...he'll protect her...you know he will...but right now we need to focus on ourselves...we can't help anyone else if we don't take care of each other right now..." Sasha told her.

"Sasha's right...we may not know where everyone else is but we're together and we'll take care of each other until we figure out a way to find them." Glenn tried to reassure her.

"Daddy...God it was horrible...he didn't deserve that...no one did but especially not him...how could that man be so evil?" Maggie stated angrily.

Sasha shook her head. "It almost doesn't seem real...I hope the Governor rots in hell..."

"I know this seems impossible...but we will find a way to get through this...I promise..." Glenn kissed Maggie's head softly. He wasn't sure he believed his own words but all he cared about in that moment was trying to comfort Maggie.

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