You guys are truly the sweetest. When I read how many of you love this story, it made me feel so good. I was under the impression that people had lost interest after the escape from Hurndon. So thank you for making it clear to me that I still have readers! Now, as usual, a wave of gratitude to Crisphe, brady66, Katarzyna88gb, breathingforbethyl, engineergirl86, Dixongurl, DarylDixon'sLover, Mione788, SilentFlame13, darkmagic77, cherrywineBA, SirensCalling, Katie, krysx3, TheGoldenElf, FluffyTwinkies, malzateb, lulu52, Spoonlicker, Shaweena, kristelalugo, GabbyAbby, mhustler, asseylum, DixonShipster, dee22dee, zombiegirl56, TWDFan05, Reignashii, mockingbird986, heatherrk, Joise, Tania Ibarbia, beba20000, elizabethflack75, peteythepirate, gwenstacey, maryjanewatson, LettuceBFrank, sportschick44, crimsonrose003, AnnMarie318, Salovi, CissyDella, Delishus, Guest, and Guest for your always inspiring, motivating feedback! Now onward, my fellow readers, to part two!

Chapter thirty three: Part Two

Beth stared hesitantly at the plate of instant mash potatoes and beef stew as Dr. Edwards stood off to the side. She wasn't particularly hungry, her mind still focused on the thoughts of Daryl and the previous accident. Peering up from her meal, she noticed the doctor's eyes fixated on her, almost as if he were expecting her to have some sort of a reaction. She inhaled, picking up her fork, digging it into the pile of white fluff before forcing a mouthful past her lips. Flavorless. Lukewarm. She struggled to swallow the bite before returning for another, not realizing how hungry-despite the unappealing taste-she truly was.

"It's not the best," the man commented, watching as she went for a jerky stick. "But Dawn's been rationing the whole hospital. I tell you, we seem to bring more people in than we do supplies. Not that we're particularly low...but it wouldn't hurt to have a couple extra cans lying around." He sighed, scratching the back of his head. "How're you feeling?"

"Fine," she stated, though it was only partially true. "You mentioned medicine before...for what?"

"Dawn has us run blood tests on new patients," the man explained. "...To make sure none are currently infected. When I did yours, I noticed a presence of Borrelia burgdorferi..." he paused, adjusting his glasses. "A bacteria linked to Lyme Disease? Seems like you've had it awhile since the test came back positive so quickly. I've already got you started on a dose of antibiotics, won't hurt the baby, but it'll help take away the symptoms."

"Thank you," she forced a thin smile across her features. "For helping me."

"It's my job," he replied. "It's what Dawn has me do. Save people."

The words sounded tense as they escaped from the doctor's lips and Beth couldn't help but wonder exactly to what extreme he meant. Deciding not to press the matter further, she finished up her meal, finding the contents more satisfying the quicker she swallowed them down. Edwards took her plate away from her upon her completion, tossing it into a nearby bin. The girl was somewhat surprised by this, finding such an act wasteful considering the current circumstance they were in.

"Dawn doesn't like us reusing styrofoam and lighter plastics," the man explained. "Spreads germs."

As Beth opened her mouth to respond, there came a knock on the hospital room door. She stiffened, wondering if it was the female officer as the entrance cracked open. Milton entered, his face still as he met Beth's gaze. Slowly, he closed the door behind him, taking a few steps forward as he cleared his throat. Edwards' eyes followed the other doctor, a look of curiosity crossing his features at the other man's arrival.

"I..." he paused. "I believe we got off on the wrong foot and I wanted to apologize." He strode forward, his hand extended towards Beth. "Dr. Mamet," he introduced. "But most just call me Milton."

Beth smiled, taking the man's hand. He was, after all, caring for her father and even if she didn't exactly trust him yet, she needed to act as if she did for Hershel's sake. "The pleasure is all mine," she said. "Beth Greene. My father...how is he-"

"That's what I came here to talk to you about," he interrupted, mouth curving into a small smile. "He's not quite lucid yet, but he's beginning to come to. Um," he paused, inhaling deeply as he eyed the door. "Dawn's busy on the fifth floor. Couple of patients have been working on the interior garden, what with the weather changing. As a new patient, you aren't exactly allowed around yet but because of your father..." he exhaled. "I thought that now would be as good a time as any to spend some time with him. Patient interaction has been a proven healing technique."

Beth's smile became genuine at the man's notion. Nodding her head, she rose from her seated position, exhaling as the baby squirmed, nudging her hard in the kidneys. Pregnancy sure was far from being the easiest thing she'd ever experienced. But the baby-Wyatt would be worth it in the end. Milton offered her a small lipped grin in return as she approached him.

"So we can go now," she inquired, looking from Edwards to Milton.

"I was going to start your medications..." the doctor mumbled, giving Milton a look. "Perhaps-"

"As long as she takes it within the day, it'll do as much good later as it would now," Milton replied. "I believe my patient would be more willing to discuss matters upon seeing his daughter."

Beth knew that Milton had an interesting fascination with her father, as it had been Edwards who had mentioned his amputated leg. She didn't much care for it, not really wanting to know the details as how it happened. All that matter was that he was safe now and while here, that no more harm would come to him. Inhaling, Beth adjusted her stance, waiting as Milton opened the door and allowed her to exit from the room.

xXx

Daryl heard the walker fall before it had even been able to approach him. He fumbled around with the stone, smashing it against the window of the fourth car they decided to try as Carol watched his back. He glanced around, scanning the vehicle for any sign of keys. He could hot-wire it of course, but there wasn't much time to do so. Frowning, he hit his fist against the upholstery, cursing quietly to himself as he stood back up straight.

"No such fuckin' luck," he grumbled. "The fucker who was drivin' it probably was stupid 'nough to take the damn ignition key with 'em."

"We'll try again," Carol assured him. "One of these is bound to run."

The archer grumbled as the woman took out a second walker, the corpse falling to the ground a mere few yards or so away. The herds were becoming more frequent, leading both figures to believe that perhaps they would be approaching a city or some well populated-or once-area. Daryl moved a few vehicles down, settling on an old Ford that's window was already cracked for him.

"Anything," Carol called, looking back to her friend.

"Uh..." the man's eyes scanned the vehicle, a slight flutter in his heart occurring when he took notice of something glinting in the ignition spot. A key. "Maybe!"

Smashing the window the rest of the way, Daryl undid the lock from the inside and slipped into the vehicle. Much to his relief, after a few tries, the engine began to whine, the gas meter reading low, but with a decent amount left to get them some mileage. He motioned to Carol, smirking as the woman adjusted her shotgun over her shoulder before hurrying to join him.

"Ain't the best ride," Daryl grinned. "But it sure as hell better than nothin' at all."

With that, he began to stir the vehicle down the road, dodging a few walkers that crossed his path. The sky began to darken, the sun slowly setting over the horizon as the vehicle zoomed past a faded green sign marked Atlanta, Georgia: 20 Miles.

Sorry for the length lately folks. I promise the next chapter will be extra long to make up for the two parters. Full chapter next time! Time for Daryl to go get his boo back. Also some Hershel and Beth bonding next chapter. Any characters you'd like to see? Don't think I've mentioned Noah yet, maybe he'll make an appearance soon. But in no time, Bethyl will be back together, I promise! Feedback is greatly loved and appreciated, makes the chapters come faster! Considering updating tomorrow, maybe if all goes well I will! Thank you so much for your support! Until next post, folks! -Jen