Daryl waited patiently outside as June helped Bella get washed up. June was the only one in the cellblock when the two came back, which was probably a good thing. He had left them two to give them their privacy and to go out and get buckets of the water they had collected from the creek nearby, deciding that Bella was in much more desperate need of it than anybody else.

Afterwards, June and Daryl fed the much cleaner and less bloody Bella. She was sitting against the wall on the lower bunk, wearing a T-shirt and sweats. While she ate, Daryl sat beside her as he pulled back her damp hair from where she got hit. There was a cut about two inches long. It had already stopped bleeding long ago and appeared to be healing on its own. But there was swelling, further confirming the idea of a concussion.

After drinking water earlier, she seemed much better, although still very exhausted and dazed. When she first entered the cell block, however, it took her a while to get used to the brightness. June had to hang a blanket from the top bunk so that it hung over the edge to act as a curtain.

Shifting back against the headboard, Daryl asked, "How did this happen?"

Bella was ravenous after not eating for two days, but they decided to slowly wean her back into normal portions. Munching on a cup full of corn, she spoke slowly, but she didn't slur her words as much. "It's a bit blurry, to be honest. I think after I ran out of the church, the herd we were running from in the first place was coming closer. I couldn't see them, but I could hear them." Her voice trailed off a bit, as she tried to gather her thoughts. "There were a few bodies at the end of the hall, toward the cell block. I had to run fast to give me enough time to cut one open and cover myself with its guts. But I did it. I knew it wouldn't be enough if I got surrounded, so I dragged its body with me as I used it as a shield to run away. I managed to get back into the church, but the doors had been broken open from the walkers."
Bella rubbed her head, her eyes shutting briefly. "Hey," Daryl interrupted, leaning forward. "Don't strain yourself. We got time."

But she waved him off. "I don't really what happened next. I think I tripped over a body – I really don't know. I just know I was bleeding, and I managed to get myself on the same walkway June and Maggie were on. When I woke up, I felt like shit. Could hardly think – passed out again. Then, when I could stand enough, I decided I was fine enough to find my way back." She paused. "I may not have been thinking clearly."

At that point, Daryl heard the door in the common space swing open and some muffled voices. Daryl, after saying he'd be back, quickly headed out of the cell block. The group needed some good news, and this would definitely suffice.

But as he got closer, he heard Rick's voice, tense and low. Something was up, but nobody was screaming or shouting, so that was something.

As Daryl swung the door open and entered the common space, he immediately zoned in to the injured women who was lying on the floor, clenching onto her leg. There was a sword lying a few feet away from her besides Rick, who was squatting over her. The others were there too, observing as Rick questioned the stranger.

It was the first time Daryl had seen him since he had learned the news of Lori's death. Before Rick was as unresponsive as a walker, eyes unfocused and movements stiff and sudden. He had run off into the dead-infested prison without a word and hadn't returned since. Glenn had said he was almost attacked by Rick himself when he tried to coax Rick out, so Daryl was surprised to see him so normal.

"Y'all better come on in here," Daryl cut in. The others in the room weren't hostile around the woman, so he assumed this would be a good of a time as any.

Rick didn't turn away from the woman, but Daryl could hear the familiar calm drawl when he responded, "Is everything good back there?"

Daryl just gave a barely noticeable half-smile. "You're going to want to see this."

Rick nodded. Before he turned around, he said to the samurai, "We'll keep this -" He lifted up her sword. "- Safe and sound. All the doors are locked, and you'll be safe here. We can treat your wound."

Rick strode past Daryl, who followed close behind.

When Daryl first took Bella in, he didn't bother her taking her up to her cell on the second floor. She could hardly walk in a straight line, so he set her down in one of the empty cells on the first floor. Daryl led the group to her cell, where she sat up and gave a sheepish smile at their incredulous faces as she said weakly, "Surprise."

Rick seemed like the air in his chest had been knocked out. He braced himself against the top bunk as he stepped forward while Bella rose up. Rick closed the distance and enveloped her in a hug, the relief and happiness evident, holding onto her tightly. He seemed to be almost overcome with emotion as he held her tightly. It was the first time Daryl had seen him smile in days.

"How?" Carol asked, as she swooped in for her own hug.

Bella held onto her tightly as June, who was watching from the bed, responded, "She covered herself in walker gore to escape. Later, she hit her head and started bleeding but managed to get to somewhere safe before passing out."

As she hugged Hershel, Daryl added, "Blood loss and dehydration. Plus, a possible concussion."

Once Hershel and Carol moved out of the way, it revealed Beth and Carl, but with Little Ass-kicker in Beth's arms.

Daryl watched as Bella's eyes widened and her face soften as she took in the baby. She let out a small exhale, as her eyes immediately looked for the mother. But once she didn't see her, the answer was clear. He saw as her eyes watered and her hand covered her mouth in grief. Bella turned towards Rick, who was also trying to hold himself together. She could hardly get the words out. Instead, she put a hand on his heart and looked up at him, choking out, "I'm so sorry."
It was hard for Daryl to watch. He couldn't handle telling her about all they had lost in that one day, and neither did June. They had just gotten her back, but it was bound to happen.

Rick nodded slowly, eyes blinking back tears as he briefly held placed his hand on top of Bella's. But it seemed she was struck by another horrifying thought, and she turned around, eyes searching for someone else.

And she saw him. Carl. Just standing beside Beth with his eyes casted down on the ground. It was clear that the kid was also trying to hold back his grief, but they changed once Bella knelt on the ground in front him.

Tears began to stream down her face as she took him in and enveloped him in a hug. At that point, Carl also broke down, hugging her back just as tightly. Daryl knew it broke her heart more to see Carl like that. The two of them have only grown closer since they first met. It was good for the kid. Daryl hadn't seen him cry about it since it happened, but instead retained a somber, serious demeanor that nobody had been able to crack until now.

Carl wasn't really full out sobbing. His face was burrowed into Bella's shoulder, and the only sign was his shaking shoulders. Bella had stopped crying, but she held onto him. The boy needed his mother. No one could replace her, but Bella was just enough for now.

Once Carl pulled back, he used his hat as a shield from everyone's gaze as he wiped at his face aggressively. Bella kept one hand on his shoulder as Hershel stepped forward. Leaning on one of his crutches, he gently inspected the cut on his head. "You passed out right when you hit your head or after a while?"

As Hershel checked on Bella, Rick, who's bleary eyes were still tinged red but beginning to gain back focus, pulled Daryl to the side and began to explain the woman in the cell. When they looked through the grocery basket she had brought with her, there was only baby formula. Glenn and Maggie had gone out a few hours ago to find some more. They weren't gone too long, but this clearly had something to do with the two of them.

Hershel strode up, leaving Bella and the others sitting around in her cell. "She'll be alright as long as she doesn't do much for the next couple of days. All I can offer her are some painkillers and rest. Let's hope nothing else happens, so she and all of us can have the time to recover."

Rick repeated, "Let's hope." He briefly glanced at Carl before saying, "Come on. That woman had this basket for a reason."

The three men walked back into the common space, where the woman had pulled herself up to sit against the wall. Daryl stared her down, refusing to be intimidated by her intense gaze. She could give Rick a run for his money.

Rick lifted up the basket. "How did you get this?"

She simply glowered at him. Her head was low, but her eyes never wavered. That is, until Rick swooped down to press against her injured led. "I asked you a question."

She immediately lashed out like a wounded animal, causing Daryl to immediately aim his crossbow at her head. "Don't you touch me," she hissed.

Rick shook his head. "Then answer the question. We don't want to have to hurt you."

The woman scoffed. After looking over to Daryl and Hershel, she warily responded, voice low. "They were dropped by an Asian guy and a girl. They were taken."
All three tensed. Rick stepped closer, his voice urgent. "By who?"

"By the same son of a bitch who shot me," she growled. "There's a town not far from here - Woodbury. About seventy survivors with paramilitary wannabes defending the place. Led by a man they call the Governor."

"Can you get us in?"

She nodded.

"How'd you find this place."
The woman shrugged. "Overheard the Asian guy talking. Said it was north and a straight shot."

Rick looked at the other two men before responding, "Hershel here is the father of the girl taken. He'll take care of your leg."
Nodding at Daryl, the two men strode back to the cell block, where they proceeded to gather up the group.

Daryl placed a bag into the trunk, shifting around its contents to make room for more. "We got the flash bangs and tear gas. Wouldn't hurt to bring them."

Oscar nodded. "There's another bag left inside."
Scooting a pack to the side, Daryl responded, "I got it."

As he walked towards the door, he passed Carl, who had just finished helping them pack up for their rescue mission. He paused to place a hand on the boy's shoulder. "Don't worry about your dad. I'll bring him back."

Carl nodded up at him with a small thankful smile. He seemed better already after recovering from he and Bella's reunion. Daryl was sure as hell not going to allow him to become fatherless also.

When he reached Carol, she gave him a light, playful shove. "Better not do anything stupid out there," she said.

Daryl snorted at the woman. "Since when have I ever?"

June and the others were on the other side of the courtyard, so he'd say bye on his way back to the car. Striding up the steps, he entered the empty common space. He saw the bag lying against the door, but he hesitated before heading to the cell block.

It was quiet for the most part, but he could hear the faint lilt of her voice coming from the cell. Slowly walking up to her door, he saw her sitting up on her bed, knees bent up. She was cooing at the baby, who was propped up by her thighs. Ass-kicker was reaching out with her little arms, seemingly bemused by the noises coming out of Bella's mouth.

As she made silly faces at the baby, Daryl spoke up at the doorway. "You're gonna scare Little Ass-kicker if you keep crossin' your eyes like that."

Bella squinted up at him. Deadpanned, she said, "It's the concussion."

Daryl snorted, a chuckle escaping. It was hard for her to look up at him with the light shining from behind, so he moved to the opposite wall and stood beside the bed. Looking over Bella's shoulder, Daryl could see the baby's chubby face and pale blue eyes. Somehow, Ass-kicker seemed to look bewildered by the two of them.

"Headin' out," said Daryl. "Should be back by the mournin'."

Bella looked up at him briefly before looking back at the baby. Her green eyes were already focusing on him, much more improved than when he first found her. She lightly bounced the baby with her legs, but her expression was serious. "Alright. But we don't know what kind of people these are. They took the others. Don't let them take you, too."

Daryl looked down at her, feeling worry simmering in his chest. It surprised him how much it ached. He just got her back and leaving her now just didn't sit right with him. He tried not to let it show. It was stupid, he thought. It wasn't a big deal. This was a quick in-and-out kind of mission. Still, he couldn't help but add, "You stay safe, alright? No runnin' around."
She nodded. Her damp hair was already curling back up again, and he could see her black flowers creeping up her arm. Lightly, she said, "Just don't make me come out there to find your ass."

Daryl reached over to lightly pat Ass-kicker before heading to the door. "Then we'll be even."

She snorted, shaking her head. When he looked back at her, she was watching unblinkingly from the shadows of her cell. She simply lifted up her hand, waving slightly.

Responding with a final wave, Daryl gazed at her with a finality that scared him, unconsciously storing this picture of her inside him before heading back to the waiting group.