A/N: I'm so excited for this chapter and the next one (which is the last one until October; I'm so sad) I actually wrote the one with Beth in it first which was a rollercoaster ride for me I really tried to pour a lot of emotion into that one from love to anger to fear to guilt. This one has a lot of that too but for some reason the 'B' side was much more emotional for me maybe because of the love between Riley and Beth and how much I really enjoy them together; which you all seem to as well so that rocks! Anyway I hope you like it let me know….I tried really hard! So hopefully it paid off!

Also special thanks and love to:

ErinGoesRawr

MonkeysGoBoo

FunnyMonkey15

(I had you all in mind when writing the 'B' side)

Guest

Chapter Twenty-Nine: All We Are

Daryl was beyond worried; Joe's group was slowly catching up with the group or person that had killed Lou and the thought that it could be anyone from the prison scared him; in his mind he knew it was Rick who else would do something like that…only a person who was trying to protect those around them, trying to protect themselves. He let his mind skim over the possibility that it could have been Riley but that was short-lived; Rick wouldn't let Riley be on her own allowing something like that to happen…that was if Riley was even with Rick.

Daryl was consumed by his own thoughts that he didn't even notice how dark it had gotten and how the group slowed as it looked for a place to set up camp. All eyes turned to Joe as he stopped and pointed to his right there was a slight clearing that would be suitable for the night. Just as Joe was about to turn his back one of the men spotted a small flickering flame in the distance. Joe squinted into the darkness and an evil grin took over his lips.

"it's Christmas morning boys time to open our gifts"

With that Joe and his men made their slow and cautious way towards the dimming light ahead.

'it might not be them' Daryl thought to himself panic filling his whole body

Daryl stopped as Joe came to a halt, he looked behind him and signaled for Gabe to come to the front; Joe looked from Gabe to the small group that from where Daryl stood he couldn't make out. His eyes flashed over to Gabe as he mumbled something to Joe and nodded his head, he then pointed out and over to someone and leaned in closer telling Joe who had done their friend wrong.

Joe stood up straight and pulled out his gun, he clicked off the safety and nodded at his men; he then made eye contact with Daryl

"you coming along Daryl"

Daryl looked at Joe for a moment before he shook his head "it was your buddy you knew him best…I…I wouldn't feel right"

Joe looked at Daryl and nodded his head "well keep an ear out incase we need ya"

Daryl slowly nodded his head as he watched Joe and the rest of the men make their quiet way out of the tree line and over to the small group that sat by the dying fire. From where Daryl stood he still couldn't make out who was there, but as Joe took a small step to his right he caught sight of a black woman with a sword hanging from her back. He knew if Michonne was there Rick had to be close as well. He could feel it in his bones; but then his heart dropped and his blood ran cold as Joe bent down a bit; a small blonde girl was suddenly in his vision

"Rye bread" he whispered as his vision blurred he gripped the strap of his crossbow watching as Joe got closer to his baby sister; the only true family he had left

'I know you'll save me Daryl….you always have and you always will'

Riley felt the barrel of the gun be pushed harder into her skull as the man spoke; she knew who the man was even though she had yet to see his face. Her dirty deed had caught up with her, and now she would pay the price. She listened as the man began his countdown to what would be her death

"ten Mississippi….nine Mississippi"

'Eighteen year old Riley had never been so happy, she was standing in the middle of Harrison's bar with her brothers one standing on either side it was New Years Eve and the clock read eleven fifty-eight; she stared over at Merle and saw him glance down at her; he held a beer in one hand and threw his other arm around her shoulder "this is going to be a year of change Riley; everything is going to change for us….for you" Merle spoke his eyes going distance for a moment, Riley looked up at his blue eyes and smiled squeezing the hand that was draped over her shoulder "love you Merle" she whispered standing on the tips of her toes and kissing his cheek "love you more Rye bread" he spoke back kissing her on the top of the head. Daryl watched the two for a moment before echoing Merles statement "this year things will be different" Daryl spoke "we'll make sure of that" he finished as the countdown began. Riley smiled at her two brothers "hey as long we're together, it will be great" Riley spoke a wide smile on her face. Daryl looked over at Merle and the two grinned at each other "the Dixon's….together till the end" Merle spoke with a laugh just as "ten" was yelled out. Riley looked at her brothers and the three of them joined in "nine.. eight…"

"eight Mississippi"

Riley opened her eyes, the memory leaving her; her brothers leaving her...Daryl... she needed to shut down if she thought too much about the people she was leaving behind or the promises she had broken she wouldn't be able to stay alert. She looked from the corner of her eye glancing around trying to figure out a way to save her family….and hopefully herself until a voice from the darkness made the whole world freeze

"Joe…"

Riley knew that voice and her heart stopped all the blood drained from her face as her eyes landed on her brother; she watched as he slowly came out from behind a car that was stalled in the middle of the road; he's eyes gazed over Michonne and Rick and finally settled on her.

Daryl walked around the car and listened to the words that Joe spoke; he saw the rest of them standing around in a circle blocking anyone from making any quick or sudden movements. He looked from Michonne to Rick and finally his sister; she looked so much smaller than he remembered, she looked pale, tired...broken.

He glanced away from his family and looked at Joe taking small steps almost as if you were trying to calm down a rabid dog or frightened child

"hold up a second"

Joe looked away from the back of the blonde girls head and stared at Daryl with a look of slight agitation

"you're stopping me on eight Daryl"

Riley glanced over quickly and saw that her dad had a look of shock written over his face; he too glanced over in Riley's direction but her eyes were quickly back on her brother as he spoke again making his steady way towards the center of the circle

"just hold up a minute"

A man who stood behind Daryl and had his gun trained on Rick spoke out with annoyances

"this is the bitch that killed Lou, ain't nothing to talk about"

Joe stood a little straighter looking over at Daryl with an almost amused expression

"see the thing is nowadays we got nothing but time"

As Joe spoke and was more focused on the man in front of him Riley felt the pressure of the gun lessen against her temple as Joe moved his hand addressing her brother

"say your piece Daryl"

Daryl looked away from Joe and down at Riley who sat with her hands out and a gun pressed against her head

He had to think quick, say the right thing, act the right way; there would be no second chance at this no going or coming back

"these people" he began with a slight nervous edge in his voice "you're going to let them go…these are good people" he spoke gesturing out with his hand to the three who sat before him

Joe narrowed his eyes for a moment and looked at Daryl cold blue eyes to haunted blue eyes

"yeah you see, I think Lou would disagree with you on that… I'll have to speak for him and all because your friend here strangled him in a bathroom"

The more Joe spoke with Daryl the more the gun slackened and moved at an awkward angle down Riley's jawbone

"you want blood" Daryl answered shifting his weight from one foot to another "I get it" he then locked eyes on Riley for a split second before leaning to the side and dropping his crossbow onto the ground

"take it from me man" he continued holding his arms out "come on"

Riley watched her eyes widening slightly as panic welled inside her chest

Joe looked at Daryl as if he had just been told his first-born son had died

"this girl killed our friend…you say she's good people….see that…th…that right there is a lie…it's a LIE"

As Joe spoke the words Daryl knew what was coming; Riley, Rick, and Michonne however only saw red…their brother, their family was getting beaten to death because he tried to save them, wanted to save them

Riley watched as her brother was thrown over to the side of the car and punched, but the sound of a door being pulled open drew her attention; Carl crying out in pain or fear she couldn't tell; she went to jump to her feet only for Joe to roughly pull her back

Riley heard Michonne and Rick try to get up as well before one of the men spoke out "you just stay put"

Fear filled Riley's body because of her and her decisions everyone she knew and loved was going to die and die in the most horrific way

"it was me, just me" Riley loudly spoke to Joe; she wouldn't...couldn't allow anything to happen to Carl

Joe leaned down "see that's right, that's not a damn lie"

He leaned down a little further the gun now back and placed firmly to her temple

"see here we're reasonable men; first we're going to beat Daryl, then we'll have the black girl, then we'll do your pops in….then the boy"

Riley clenched her jaw and felt her hands turn into fist

"then we'll shoot you then we'll be square" Joe finished with a laugh but not just any laugh a great big belly laugh as if he was just told the funniest story of all time as if this was all a fun game, something that was fair and right and descent and it made Riley more than angry it made her…undaunted

Riley watched as Carl was thrown to the ground a fat, slimy, disgusting man straddling his body, she felt herself began to shake, her teeth clenched together so tight her jaw started to go numb

"let him go" she spoke her voice not filled with fear but of madness

Riley flashed back to Beth, back to the Governor back to Logan...her father

"let him go" she spoke again as Joe's laugher rang louder in her ear; then everything went black she went into autopilot and her mind stopped working and her body took over, she threw her head back knocking Joe back as well. The gun was fired but because of the movement fired towards the ground. The sound vibrating off the cement and Riley was without her hearing for a moment

Coming back into focus, she got to her feet and spun around, she clocked Joe in the jaw; but his size quickly worked to his advantage as he pushed her to the ground, kicking her in the chest

"well this is going to be so much worse now" Joe spoke as he brought his foot down once again knocking the wind completely from her lungs

Riley rolled over and willed herself to her feet as she stumbled to her knees she caught sight of Daryl being pushed back into the car and then kicked in the stomach doubling over in pain; the rustling of leaves caught her attention next and she saw Carl struggling to get away from the asshole on top of him

"come on get up" Joe spoke from above her "let's see what you got"

As Riley finally got to her feet Joe was there and gripped her in a tight hug locking her arms to her sides. Riley was standing on the tips of her toes as Joe pulled her up, he looked into her dead blue eyes

"what you going to do now sweetheart"

Riley stared back at Joe seeing both of her brothers fighting to stay alive; Riley had become completely desensitized she no longer felt shock or distress, she simply stared at Joe before cocking her head to the side...

She brought her head down and bite hard on to Joe's neck ripping at his jugular, blood poured out of the open wound and down Riley's face; leaning over Riley turned her head to the side and spit out pieces of flesh, tissue, muscle and blood. Joe slowly fell to the ground gasping for breath as he bled

Riley stumbled back as the weight of Joe's body left hers; all noise was gone, everyone had stopped all movements; Rick who was struggling to get to Carl, and Michonne who was desperately trying to help Daryl all froze. The men around them were stunned at what they had just witnessed; it brought Michonne enough time to reach up and swing the gun from Gabe's hands into hers and take him down; Daryl was also able to kill one of the men that was attacking him, Michonne firing at the other.

Michonne then turned her gun on the man who held Carl in front of him, knife to his neck

"let the boy go" Michonne hissed out

The man pulled Carl closer to him and gripped the knife a little tighter

"I'll kill him…I'll kill him"

Riley had been overtaken by tunnel vision she heard the words that people spoke but was not present or aware of what was actually there. She reached down and with a blood covered hand pulled Joe's knife from his belt. She then stepped forward and walked past Michonne and Rick both unsure of what to do they couldn't risk a movement or action that would somehow cause Carl to get hurt or killed

"he's mine" Riley spoke out in a voice that none of them had heard before.

Rick went to step in front of her but Michonne placed a light hand on his shoulder and simply shook her head

The man let go of Carl who ran forward pass Riley and into the arms of Michonne, who quickly wrapped him within her

All anyone could do was watch as Riley approached the man who was twice her size but still cowered under her gaze; Riley gripped the man by the back of the collar and pushed the knife into his lower stomach never once removing eye contact; she then proceeded to drag the knife up until she had cut him open completely only stopping once she reached the throat. She then let go of him allowing him to fall backwards down on to the leaf covered pavement; she looked down upon him before straddling his body and crouching down, tilting her head to the side a blank vacant look in her eyes; she then took the knife and plunged it into his skull hearing the crunch of the bone as she removed it.

Behind her Daryl had moved over and stood beside Rick looking down quickly at Carl as he was wrapped up in Michonne's arms. He then focused his attention on to his sister who was lost in a world of anger, guilt, fear...hopelessness.

'Daryl and Merle walked into an empty house; the sun was starting to set and it cast shadows throughout the home. Both brothers looked at each other feeling a sense of dread wash over them. They knew their father was still at the bar as on their way home they drove pass and saw his beat up old car out in front. A slamming from the back of the house startled them and they made they cautious way over. The wind blew again slowly opening the door and then slamming it shut. Daryl looked at Merle and saw the look of panic fill his eyes "Rye bread" he called when no answer was received he walked closer to the door and pulled the handle opening it fully. "Riley Dixon you get your ass out here" he called pushing the porch door open and stepping outside; the breeze picked up and the leaves blew around his feet. Daryl came out as well and stood beside his brother. "where the hell is she" he mumbled. Merle glanced over and then made his way down the steps; he opened his mouth to shout for her again but didn't get past "Riley". Merle and Daryl watched as Riley emerged from the trees, hunting knife in hand; her hands were covered in blood as well as half of her face. Daryl looked at Merle and watched as his brother tried to process the scene he was witnessing. "Rye…what happened" Daryl asked. The brothers watched as Riley swallowed and started to walk towards them "some man….some man came into the house…." Riley stopped glancing pass her brothers and towards her home "he saw me and pulled me out back into the woods…" once again she stopped and seemed to get lost in a thought "he….he….he didn't think I had anything on me; but grandpa always said…." Riley's eyes looked up and into the eyes of her brothers "I did what I needed to, to protect myself…I did what I needed to". At this point Merle had come back to the present and dropped to his knees holding his arms out to his sister. Riley quickly glanced at Daryl before walking forward and into the arms of her oldest brother. Daryl glanced out into the woods and then down to Merle catching his eye; both knew who the man was, an old drunk that didn't have a dollar to his man and would do whatever he pleased to whoever he pleased. Merle nodded his head at Daryl and that was all that was needed; no one would care about that man; what did matter was the little girl wrapped up in the arms of her big brother Daryl looked at her blood covered hands and the stained red skin of her face; he watched as Merle mumbled into her hair "you did the right thing Riles…you ain't a bad kid"

Daryl was pulled from his memory as Rick placed a hand on his shoulder his eyes falling back upon his daughter

"Rye bread"

Riley could faintly hear someone call out to her but they were too far away and she was too far gone. Once again she ripped the knife from the man's head only to jam it back in harder

"Riles"

The voice sounded a little louder as she pulled the knife from the broken and bloody skull

"Riley"

Riley's hand fell limp to the side and her head dropped. She slowly released the knife and used the bloody body of the man below her to push herself to a standing position. She ran a blood covered hand through her hair and took a deep breath, she then slowly turned and raised her head.

Riley stood from her place over the bastard and turned raising her head to look at her dad before her eyes traveled over to Daryl; it was quick but there was a verbal communication between the two no words were needed when it came to Riley and Daryl. Riley's eyes then flew over to Carl who stood embraced in Michonne's arms; Riley lowered head only one thought racing through her mind

'you stupid girl…see what you did, see what you caused'

Riley walked forward with quick and even steps she walked pass the group pass Joe's bloody and dead body and towards her crossbow that lay on the ground; without breaking her stride she bent picking her bow up only to continue on towards the forest

"Riley"

Riley froze feet hugging the grass that would allow her to disappear, allow her to get rid of these voices, these thoughts, these visions; but the voice that called out was too important to turn away from

Riley stood sensing the person standing behind her, her eyes hardened at the trees as if blaming them for what had just happened, it wasn't until a pair of arms wrapped around her from behind did her head drop and the crossbow slip from her fingers clattering to the hard pavement below

"…Carl…" she mumbled voice breaking causing the boy to rotate around her so that he was now standing in front of her still with his arms wrapped firmly around her middle

The three adults of the group stayed where they stood and watched the younger siblings in their embrace. They watched as Riley brought one arm up as if she was going to wrap in around Carl for it to only fall limp at her side after a moment hesitation; they did however see her mumble something and the boy pull away; he nodded at her and mumbled something back Riley didn't nod but they did see her clench her jaw and stare out above Carl's head

"Riley wants you too come into the truck with me and try to sleep" Carl spoke softly as he rejoined the small group

Michonne looked from Carl to Riley who had slowly turned and looked back at the group in front of her

Michonne stared at Riley for a moment something being exchanged; Michonne nods her head once before pulling Carl into her walking them both towards the car and climbing in

Once Michonne and Carl are safely inside Daryl and Rick turn back and watch as Riley stares down at her fallen crossbow and then raises her head looking out down the road as if she expects someone or something to come out from the fog.

Riley sits against the broken truck her father on her left; Daryl had disappeared somewhere most likely to do a walk around and make sure no Walkers were attached by the noise of last night. Rick watched as every now and again Riley would look off over to right as if someone was standing in the middle of the deserted road. It wasn't until the sound of boots on pavement caught their attention that Riley turned her head and looked up in to the broken eyes of her brother

Daryl came out of the forest and walked towards the two people that mean more to him than anything; he watched as Riley looked off and over to her right staring at something or lost in a distance memory. As he gets closer he pulled out his red rag and a bottle of water

Riley eyed her brother; he had a forming of a black eye and was a little banged up but nothing to major it seemed; nothing compared to what they use to get.

"you should save that….for drinking"

Riley spoke out as she watched Daryl pour a little water over the rag

"you get see yourself…we can" he spoke handing the rag over to her

As Riley worked on scrubbing the dried and caked blood from her face Daryl sat down on her right and stares into the wilderness before looking over at his small family. He knew he had to bring up Beth, how they were together after the fall, how Joe's group found him; as his eyes scanned over the tiny frame of his sister he wished he didn't have to, she already looked so broken so defeated so lost; his eyes glanced over to Rick and who was also staring out into the mist of the forest

"after the fall I was with Beth; I was with her for a while…" Daryl spoke tearing his eyes away from his sister he couldn't look at her as he told her the girl she loved more than anything was ripped from him and he failed to find her... to reunite the pair

"I miss everything about her….the first time she said she loved me…" Beth stopped and bit her bottom lip. Daryl looked over but decided to let that story rest He watched as Beth clicked the box open, her eyes scanning something. As Beth reread the note tapped inside her heart beat grew faster and the tears she so badly wanted to stay at rest filled her eyes 'told you I keep my eyes open…I know it's not much and it's probably stupid but you need to know how much I love you; I would do anything for you Beth. It may not be a ring and I may not be doing this the right way; but I want to spend the rest of forever with you… I love you Greene' Daryl waited until Beth was ready and then slowly watched as she held out the box; Daryl looked at it before gazing up at her, when she slowly nodded her head signaling that it was okay and he could he reached across and held the box in front of him reading the note. He glanced up at Beth to see she was staring off into the forest. Inside the box was a crossbow pendant. It was silver and had that antique look to it and as the light from the moon hit it Daryl could see that it looked just like the one Riley has. "she always told me she would keep her eyes open…" Daryl pulled the necklace from the box before leaning over and gesturing for Beth to turn around. She did and he clasped the necklace closed around her. Looking down Beth saw how prefect the two necklaces went together. As Daryl leaned back he asked "did you know…about the other part" Beth shook her head "I never thought it would cross her mind she was always the one that would say why does everyone need to know that we're in love when we know" Beth smirked "I always wanted to…being able to call her my…"Her voice falter and Daryl saw a little bit of the hope leave her eyes "you will…we'll find her and you will"

It was quiet for a long time to quiet for Daryl's likening but he couldn't turn and look his sister in the eyes the eyes that reminded him so much of Merle so much of his mom…

Riley had heard the words Daryl said and stopped cleaning her face; she removed the rag and gripped it in both hands, from the corner of her eye she saw Daryl lower his head

"she dead" Riley asked no weaver in her voice while she had acted so assured so optimistic telling both Carl and her dad to have a little faith in truth Riley had none, she had always readied herself for this outcome she needed to….it was the way life was now

Daryl raised his head and stared back at his sister, he saw the look in her eyes he'd seen it before

"she's just gone" he answered he wasn't going to say she was dead because she very well could be alive; he watched as Riley nodded her head and turned it back to the vast forest before them; starting to scrub at the redness coating her hands

From over Riley's head Rick locked eyes with Daryl, Daryl couldn't tell what was floating through the mans eyes; pity, shame, understanding, anger, sadness….whatever it was he knew that he was upset as his eyes fall to Riley for a quick moment before he slowly nodded his head also looking away

"after that, that's when they found me.."

Riley looked over to her dad quickly before dragging the rag in-between her fingers

"I knew they were bad, but they had a code, it was simple…stupid but it was something…it was enough"

Riley looked over at her brother and saw the pain behind his eyes the guilt and distraught in his voice

"you were alone" Rick spoke tilting his head over his voice quiet

Daryl flashed his eyes over to Riley

"said they were looking for someone and last night they spotted them…"

Riley looked up and over at her dad before looking pass him at something down the road, something that when Rick peeked over he didn't see; her eyes however came back as Daryl spoke

"I was hanging back was gonna leave…but I stayed that's when I saw it was you four….and then when you saw me….I didn't know what they could do" Daryl spoke softly lowering his head and shaking it slightly

Riley looked up, she couldn't let her brother carrying around this guilt and pain if it weren't for her and her decisions all of this could have been avoided

"it's not on you Daryl" she whispered finally looking over at him and holding eye contact "hey" she called when he refused to look up and meet her eye "it's not on you"

Daryl knew what Riley was saying…'it's on me'

Riley then stopped and looked over at her dad pleading with him to say something that would ease someone's heartache

"she's right Daryl it's not on you….you being back here with us now that's everything…" he spoke seeing that no matter what he said Daryl was a Dixon and just like Riley would carry around the course of last nights events forever

Rick looked down at Riley a girl he considered his daughter; he would do anything for her and she would do anything for him; his eyes then traveled to Daryl a man who had become like a brother to him always having his back standing up for him, protecting him…

"you're my brother" Rick spoke with such force it made Daryl raise his head and look Rick right in the eye. Rick simply nodded his head

Riley heard Rick speak the words to Daryl; "you're my brother….". As Riley rubbed at her hands her vision started to blur…'you're my brother…you're my brother….'

"you're my brother Merle, my blood and sometimes blood ain't enough but in this moment its…its everything. You and me we're the same. You always did the right thing, and yes it was always for the right reasons. You're a protector through and through, that's your role, that's what makes you good, that's what makes you not all bad. You will do what needs to be done to protect those around you….believe me I know."

Both men then looked at Riley as she rubbed her hands raw; she was lost staring at the redness seeing something that wasn't there lost in something that wasn't there

Daryl placed a hand over Riley's stopping her movements; the girl jerked her head but didn't look up

"hey what you did last night…anybody would have done that" he spoke looking at Riley as she looked down at the pavement

Riley took a breath and looked up glancing over at her dad then at Daryl; shaking her head

"no….not that…."

Daryl watched as Riley looked back down at the rag

"something happened, that ain't you Riles…"

Riley squeezed the rag staring out into the forest for a moment

"you saw what I did to Lizzie, what I did to….the Governor…when I was younger…"

Riley looked over at her brother and he knew what she was talking about; knew that somewhere deep inside there was someone or something that triggered her to shut down, go numb, black out...act not think

"it may not be all of me but that…that's me….it's why I lasted so long….all that matters to me is keeping Carl safe, little ass kicker when I find her….Beth….that's all that I care about"

Riley finished staring for a moment at her brother before returning her eyes to the fog filled forest 'this is who you are Riley...this is who you are'

A/N: So sadly one more chapter left (totally sad, but hopefully I can work on some of the stories I've neglected) In the next chapter Daryl and Riley will talk; Riley and Carl will talk maybe Riley and Rick (what do you think/want) then we get to Terminus; I have some things planned for when we get there... lets just say Riley can't catch a break….(insert evil laugh here). If you all have any ideas I'd love to hear them sometimes you guys give me thoughts and suggestions I didn't even think of and sometimes there better then what I was thinking of. So alas please review love hearing your thoughts!