A/N: Sorry for the delay, this chapter kinda plays with the timeline a bit. I hope you enjoy it!

The pounding in her head was unlike any pain she had ever experienced. The pressure of a needle throbbed in her arm and the steady beeping of a heart monitor agitated her already aching mind. But that didn't make sense. She searched her memories, certain she would remember walking out the front door with Daryl and Rick at her side. She was going to see Maggie, she could feel it.

But there was nothing. It couldn't have been a dream. Her family was here – Daryl had found her as she always knew he would. It was so real. Her eyes watered and though she felt like crying, no tears would fall. She tried to open her eyes, tried being the operative word.

"Beth?"

She froze, recognizing his voice but holding onto the belief that she had escaped.

"Dr. Edward's?"

"Yes, thank God you're awake." She could feel him step closer and instinctively she flinched back.

"Why won't my eyes open?" she asked him. There was a moment of silence.

"What?"

"My eyes...I'm trying to open them, but it's not working." There was an even longer moment of silence, then the gentle touch of his fingertips above her eye. She could hear the click of a flashlight, but no light penetrated the darkness. He sighed, a heavy, deeply troubling sound.

"Your eyes are open, Beth."

"No, they can't be, or else I would see." Her voice cracked, the breath lodging in her throat as her heart raced.

"It's not that uncommon, especially after a gunshot to the head."

"I was shot?" she shook her head in denial, certain this was all a lie or just a nightmare she'd wake up from, "Where's Dawn? Where's Noah?"

"That man, the one I assume you had been with, killed her after she shot you."

"So they are here?" she asked hopefully.

"They were. They took Noah home, I think."

It was strange to feel her chest heaving, her mind and body sobbing, but having no tears to show for it. She was bitter and sad and so confused.

"Why did they leave me here?" The tightness in her chest became unbearable. She was panting, but no breath reached her lungs. Her head spun and she grew light headed and dizzy.

"Beth, breathe. Calm down…breathe…" his voice echoed in her mind, gripping her shoulders and trying to ease her to lay back.

Her eyes opened, her body tangled in a mess of sheets, Dwight gripping her shoulders.

"Hey girl…" She bolted upright, slapping Dwight's hands from her as she pulled away. "Easy now."

"What are you doing in here?" she demanded, scrambling to her feet.

"You were crying so loud you were damn near screamin'. I thought you were in trouble." She glared at him, crossing her arms over her chest. Every time she saw Dwight she had to fight the urge to hit him, to take back Daryl's bow and return it to him.

"Well, I'm not, so you can leave now."

"Now Lori, is that anyway to thank the man who was about to save your life?" he licked his lips suggestively, but in the short time that Beth had been here, even she knew Dwight never touched any of the women.

"Where is he?" she asked, not taking the bait.

"He who?"

"The man I was with…"

It wasn't lost on her how similar it was to her first conversation at Grady with Dawn, and not that Doctor Edwards was a friend, but he was the last one with her when they arrived in Virginia – when the Saviors found them. They got separated in the fight, and she hoped he'd made it out, made it far away from these people.

"Oh the doctor…real skittish guy?" she nodded, "He's here; we're tryin' to get him to cooperate."

She swallowed hard, imagining him to be in situation similar to Daryl, "I want to see him."

"Sorry, blondie, can't allow that."

She clenched her jaw, "My name is not blondie,"

"I know. Pretty soon you'll be Negan, just like Daryl, just like the rest of us."

"Never," she spat vehemently, speaking as much for Daryl as herself.

As if saying his name conjured the man himself, Negan came into her room behind Dwight, Daryl being dragged behind him. Immediately, Dwight bowed his head and stepped out of Negan's path, keeping his eyes downcast.

"I'm sorry, am I interrupting?" Negan asked, looking between them.

"No, not at all." She replied, not taking her eyes off Daryl. He wouldn't look at her though, and she didn't let her eyes linger too long lest she raise Negan's suspicion. Trying to act like she didn't care was proving harder than she ever could have imagined.

"You look like you been crying." Negan's voice cut into her thoughts, "Did he hurt you? In fact, I don't remember giving you permission to be in this room…"

Dwight stiffened at the threatening edge to Negan's words, even Daryl seemed to tense up at what action Negan might take.

"He didn't hurt me and I wasn't crying. I was having a nightmare and he came to wake me up." Beth said, not certain why she cared if this man was beaten or not.

"Dwight, go help the others pack the truck. We're leaving soon." He pointed to Daryl, his eyes never leaving her, "Take this one with you,"

Beth felt the rage stirring again as Dwight turned, wearing the wings of Daryl's vest on his back. Seeing Dwight with Daryl's crossbow was bad enough, but now she had to stifle to urge to jump on his back and rip the vest off. Daryl was more than his vest and more than his bow, but to see something that was so essential to who Daryl was on the body of someone who was the exact opposite of him was just about unbearable.

"Leaving?" she managed to ask as Daryl was pushed from her sight.

"Yes ma'am, goin' to see some of Daryl's people. Gonna miss me while I'm gone?"

"Uh huh…" she agreed, hardly able to think beyond who made up 'Daryl's people'.

"Liar, I think I prefer your hatred of me..." He said. She forced a smile.

"Well, then don't let me keep you."

"You can keep me as long as you want…" she cringed internally, was he seriously flirting with her right now? "Maybe next time you can join us. My wife will be paying you a visit."

She shook her head, nauseated that he was flirting with her while being married. The idea that anyone could tolerate that man long enough to be their wife seemed truly impossible. He closed her door behind him and she heaved a sigh of relief to be free of him. She went about her morning routine, washing her face, brushing her teeth, trying to manage the mess of her hair. Staring in the mirror, Beth smoothed her fingers over each of her scars. She used to wear make-up, ashamed of her scars and not wanting to explain to every living soul left that she had survived a gunshot to the head. In the humid Georgia heat, though, the makeup proved to be impractical, and now she takes pride in her scars, evidence that she has actually survived this world.

But even now, she wasn't sure this was real. To survive a gunshot wound, to get out with the help of Dr. Edwards and some volunteers along the way – to find Daryl here…no one has such luck nowadays. She laughed at her own thoughts, luck is not something she has had. She's alive and that's about all she can say, but she's not sure that's any better than the alternative.

Staring at her reflection, she could see the tears pooling in her eyes, even though she couldn't necessarily feel them. But she could feel the tightness in her chest, the knot burning and tingling in her throat. Daryl was here – he was alive – but he was here, being tortured and on the brink of death. He always seemed so invincible to her, that there was truly nothing that could or would ever bring him down. She even told him he'd be the last man standing, and she still believed that.

Last night, he told her he missed her twice, even asked that she stay with him. She'd missed him so much she couldn't have denied him if she wanted to. But on some level she knows that Daryl would never ask for that, or admit something so simple to her if he thought she was real, or if there would be emotions to be worked through afterward.

And as she lay by his side, feeling his heavy and labored breathing, she wondered how long he's been here. Did their whole family get captured after Atlanta? Did Noah get home safely? Were they captives here as well? Had they all died and Daryl drifted the rest of the way on his own? Or had they simply become separated? She needed to know her sister survived, that she would see her family again.

The sound of machine gun fire made her stomach drop and her heart stop. Her first thought was that Rick and the rest of her family were storming the compound to rescue Daryl. She had no windows in her room, and she hated being unable to see what was happening. But after the few short bursts, there was silence. An eerie, overwhelming silence and all she wanted was to make sure Daryl was safe.

Beth jumped slightly as a gentle knock came on her door. She knew it wasn't Negan or Dwight; they pound on the door and open it before she invites them in.

"Are you Lori?" Beth nodded, glaring at the young woman in a form-fitting black dress. "I'm Sherry, Negan's wife."

"How could you marry him?" Beth asked, not even trying to be cordial.

"May I come in?" Beth stepped back from the door, watching the woman close the door softly behind her. She didn't seem to be in distress as she stared back at her, but Beth wasn't gonna speak first. "I had my reasons…it was to save someone…my husband. Negan almost burned off his face instead, but he's still alive."

"Dwight? He was your husband?"

Sherry nodded, "But that's not why I'm here. Negan wants to make you his wife…"

Beth laughed, but the sound faded as she took in the severe look on Sherry's face. Then she was just confused…and disgusted.

"But he's already got you…" she managed to say.

"Me…and several others."

"Wait, wait, wait…he wants to add me to his collection of wives, and he sent you to pitch it to me?" Beth refused to acknowledge it as a marriage; she'd just be another hostage in a harem to a madman.

"There are worse things, trust me." By the pleading look in Sherry's eyes, Beth could almost think the woman was worried for her. But Beth got the sense that Sherry was only here to save her own hide and it didn't matter who got hurt in the process.

"Am I supposed to be scared?" Beth asked.

"Can I ask how you got those scars?" Sherry countered.

"You can ask, doesn't mean I'll answer."

"I was only gonna say it'll pale in comparison what Negan will do to you…"

"I'm not afraid of him," Beth stated adamantly which caused Sherry to laugh, a truly bitter sound.

"You would be if you knew what he was capable of…"

"Yea, well, I don't plan on marrying Negan, nor do I plan on finding out what he's capable of because I'm not staying." Sherry's mocking smile faded at her words.

"Then tell him that yourself. Don't come crying to me –"

"I don't cry at all," Beth interrupted and Sherry stood, moving toward the door. "And tell that ex-husband of yours that I will be getting Daryl's vest back." At that the woman stopped, glancing over her shoulder.

"What's it to you? How do you even know its Daryl's?" Beth froze as Sherry stared at her, fearing she'd given herself away.

"He mentioned it; Negan has me taking care of him…" Beth replied. Something passed in the woman's eyes, something like recognition and Beth knew she was found out. At least on some level.

"Well, don't let Negan think you care at all, or else Daryl's face will look just like Dwight's, or worse."

"Lori!" Negan's shouted as he entered her room without warning. Both women jumped. "Sherry, you're still in here?"

"We were just getting acquainted, just like you asked. I'll leave you alone."

"Thanks for the visit…" Beth said through nearly clenched teeth, but the woman was already gone.

"Sorry to bug you again, Daryl requires your assistance."

"Why, what happened?" she asked, following him from her room.

"How the hell should I know? He's bein' so damn dramatic…" she relaxed slightly that Daryl hadn't been injured in the machine gun fire. When they didn't go to the medical bay, Beth knew exactly where they were heading.

"Why are we back here? I told you –"

"I decide where he stays, and people who attack my people get locked up!" Beth didn't back down, and she only hoped he couldn't sense her terror, "Now…"

Negan unlocked the door, and practically threw the lantern at her as he pushed her inside, slamming the door.

Switching on the light she stepped back into the door as her eyes landed on Daryl, looking more feral than ever and pacing like a caged lion ready to attack. His eyes settled on her; never before had she been so frightened of this man she'd shared so much with. But even in the dim light, she could see he was sweating, a lot, the sweatshirt they forced him to wear forgotten on the floor. He looked shaky and pale as if he would drop at any second. She swallowed thickly; getting outside in the sunlight and moving around should have had a better impact on him, which confirmed her fears that he had some kind of infection.

"Who are you?" he growled out.

"I told you, my name is Lori."

"Bullshit. You're Beth, you have her scars." She was about to shush him, to plead for his discretion and beg his trust that he not give her away, but he continued, "You're Beth and you're working for him."

"I'm not working with or for him;" she whispered harshly, "I'm just taking care of you."

"That ain't your right or your job! I didn' wanna be helped."

"Why?!"

"Cause he gave me three options and I didn' like a damn one of 'em! So I made a fourth option, one he couldn't stop because it was my choice. Then you come along and ruin it…" His words broke her heart as their meaning sank in.

"Daryl, you don't wanna die."

"No? Maybe you're right. Maybe I don't wanna die, but I sure as hell don't wanna live workin' for the man that murdered Glenn!" he screamed.

Her world stopped on a dime.

"G-Glenn…" his name was barely a whisper on her lips.

"Yea, Glenn, 'member him? Your sister's husband?!"

"Daryl," she pleaded, her voice tight and quivering. "He's dead?" Daryl continued to pace, pointing at himself as he shook his head.

"And I got 'im killed – i's my fault and this is the least I deserve."

"Stop!" she cried out, wanting nothing more to burst into tears. "You don't deserve this at all," If she thought it would help – or if he would even accept it – she would hug him the way she did at the shack, if only to give him some kind of comfort. But he was on the defensive and she didn't want to risk agitating him further.

Terror filled her exploding heart as Daryl described in vivid detail what happened to their family, how Glenn and a man named Abraham were murdered before their eyes, how Carl almost had his hand cut off by his own father. He wasn't sure if Maggie or her baby survived her grief, she wasn't at their camp when he was brought there to rob them of what few supplies they had left. The ways in which he was beaten, punished and forced to eat dog food. Carl had managed to gun down a few of Negan's men but before he could see what would happen, Daryl was dragged away.

"So that's where the machine gun fire came from? Carl?"

The back of his hand wiped the sweat above his brow as he nodded, his eyes closing as his balance faltered.

"You should sit down," she whispered, her voice hoarse and tight.

"Don' wanna…"

Beth ran her hands over her face, trembling with fear. Perhaps she shouldn't have rushed to judge Sherry so harshly. This was the man that wanted to make her his bride, and at this point, Daryl would be in no position to stop him or get her away. Glenn was dead, Maggie was unknown and now the rest of their family was hostage to a man so evil she couldn't find words to describe him.

She noticed, though she said nothing and didn't react as Daryl fell against the wall, sliding down to the ground. He was looking at her, but it was more like he was staring straight through her to something – or someone – she couldn't see. Beth knocked on the door, waiting to be let out. Dwight smiled down at her and she practically charged through him to find Negan pacing at the end of the hall, swinging his bat.

"He's sick, he needs antibiotics or he'll die."

"Oh, sorry Darlin', medicine is for members only and Daryl just isn't a team player."

"But you said you want him alive…"

"I did, but not at the expense of my medicine. Just ask Dwight…" she looked to the man standing beside Daryl's cell, his eyes downcast but even she could see the defiance that was starting to bleed through. "But that can wait for another time. Dwight, bring the patient, we got a group meeting to attend."

Beth didn't like the sound of that, or the way Negan grabbed her arm and practically dragged her behind him. The man was actually excited, a frightening prospect, especially given the news she'd just received. She was brought to a room where Dwight kept a hand on her arm, keeping Daryl in the other, forcing them both to kneel along with everyone else. The room was wide open and Beth held her breath as she looked up to see Negan saying something to Carl.

She dropped her gaze just as quickly hoping that he didn't see or recognize her. The man in the chair was the ex-husband of one of Negan's wives, Beth learned, as Negan made his speech about rules. Dwight left them to get the iron, leaving Beth side by side with Daryl. Not far away was a young blond woman beside Sherry, also in a form-fitting black dress, the outfit Beth imagines she'll be forced to wear if it gets that far. She couldn't watch, hiding her face slightly behind Daryl's arm.

She'd never heard such inhumane screams before, and she is relieved on behalf of the man when he passed out. She happened to glance up and is caught off guard to see Carl staring at her in open shock and wonder, close enough to hug. Dropping her gaze to the ground, she pressed a finger to her lips briefly, before clasping her hands together in prayer before dropping her arms at her sides. She could only hope he understood.

After the display was over, Beth held her breath as she watched Negan lead Carl from the room. She and Daryl were returned to his cell, and he was already mumbling incoherent babble, hardly able to stand on his own two feet.

"Who the hell is this Beth?" Dwight asked, perhaps rhetorically, as he slammed the cell door.

"It ain't like he tells me anything…" Beth mumbled. She opened the cell door, sitting beside Daryl. She was exhausted, mentally and emotionally drained. So much had happened in the short span of a day, too much. She wept in spirit, mind, and body, more frightened than she's ever been.

"Whatcha cryin for?" he asked softly, his voice as gentle as she remembered it could be.

"I don't want you to die." She whimpered.

"I ain't gonna die, I'ma be the last man standin', 'member?" she looked at him to see a smirk of sorts on his lips, his eyes light.

"Of course." She smiled, but it was a sad thing and she quickly dropped her gaze to the floor. She used to have hope, to believe there was still good to be found in this world. Her own experiences in these last months had permanently altered her ability to believe such things anymore. She has faith, however small, maybe that would forever remain simply out of respect and love for her father. But it didn't comfort her anymore, nor could she use it to comfort Daryl the way she once did.

"Should we practice trackin' and usin' my bow today?" he asked. Her eyes lifted than, looking directly at him, her mind suddenly clear and already made up.

"Yea, Daryl, let's go trackin'." Before she could even stand on her feet, Dwight opened the cell door.

"Come on, visiting hours are over. We'll be back shortly."

Once again she was pulled and pushed all the way back to her room, this time she didn't even bother to ask. Everyone was scattering like roaches caught in the light. Dwight slammed her door behind him and she stared at the clock, counting down each second until seven minutes had passed. Grabbing her mason jar of water, she opened her door to relative silence and an empty hall. Still, she shut her door silently, walking with calm measured steps to the medical bay. She wouldn't even bother to sneak or steal as she stepped up to the Dr.

"Hi, before he left, Negan told me to stop by for some antibiotics for Daryl, 6 pills to be exact." He likely needed more, but Beth figured it would be safer to avoid suspicion, and she hoped it'd be enough until they got him home.

"Why six?"

"I don't know, I didn't question him. I imagine one for now, and then one over the next day or so until he's lucid and talkin' again, this way none goes to waste…" The man looked uneasy, not necessarily suspicious, so Beth continued, "I get it of you'd rather wait, but I think Negan was hopin' Daryl would be lucid by the time he got back…" she started to walk away.

"Wait," came the Doc's panicked voice. She returned to the counter, counting as he dropped each pill into her hand.

"Thank you, and do ya have any water?" He handed over a plastic bottle without question. "Thanks again."

With that she headed straight to Daryl's cell, equally relieved and concerned that practically no one was here. Her thoughts drifted to Carl, hoping they weren't delivering his dead body back to Rick and starting a war like the Governor. As she rounded the corner to Daryl's cell, a man in a mask with long hair stood straight after kneeling in front of Daryl's door. They both froze as their eyes locked.

He wasn't armed, neither was she. He held out his hands and stepped away from the door.

"Who are you?" she asked breathlessly, "What do you want with him?"

"I could ask you the same," he replied. He didn't advance on her and his eyes didn't seem crazed or like he intended to harm her in anyway. He didn't even lick his lips as his eyes hungrily gazed over her body the way most men's did. Taking a deep breath, she opened her hand with the pills.

"He needs antibiotics…"

"Well then give them to 'im." The man said closing the distance between them. She almost dropped the pills and water as he tossed a key at her as he passed, "Cell's unlocked."

She smiled, not certain who that man was but grateful beyond words to have found an ally. She ran to Daryl's cell, he was still inside holding a note that read, 'Go now'. A friend, indeed.

Smiling, she placed a hand on Daryl's shoulder, holding the jar of water to his lips. He drank, coughing as he grabbed it from her and gulped its contents in a matter of seconds. She gave him the pill, which he took without question and drank half the second bottle of water.

"We goin' now?"

"Yea, Daryl, we're going now."

She helped him to his feet, allowing him to lean his body weight against her as they stepped silently from his cell. She closed the door, locking it behind them. Voices echoed and came closer and Beth panicked as a glass jar broke and spilled at their feet. She pushed them both through the closest door. She held her finger to her lips, and Daryl nodded, looking around the room. His eyes darkened with recognition as he started pulling clothes from the closet. Perhaps he forgot she was there as he ripped the sweatshirt off, putting on a short sleeve grey shirt and a flannel, and a pair of jeans.

She looked away to give him privacy, recognizing the clothes as Dwight's. This must be his room. The crossbow was gone, as was the vest, and if only to herself she vowed she'd get both back on Daryl's behalf. But she did see a pair of shoes by the door and she grabbed them. They couldn't run if he was barefoot. The sound of a lid opening had Beth turning back to see Daryl, shoveling peanut butter in his mouth with his fingers. She didn't stop him, silently handing him the bottle of water so he could wash it down, and setting the shoes beside his feet.

They sat in companionable silence and she wondered if he understood at all what was happening. His words echoed in her mind, how she'd stolen his choice from him. How Glenn was dead. How her sister had been pregnant…just like she thought she would. She had so many questions, but she knew now was not the time to ask them. It would be night soon, and Beth knew they needed to cover a lot of ground before then. When he became lucid again she could only imagine the rage she'd be faced with, but it's not like she's never dealt with his anger before. She hoped, God she hoped, that he wouldn't hate her and maybe he'd be just a little bit grateful.

The voices in the hall faded, having finally cleaned the mess of broken glass. Their eyes locked and for a moment Beth thought Daryl truly saw her, but if he did, he gave no indication. The water, peanut butter and antibiotic seemed to give him the surge he needed as he was on his feet, approaching the door. She was right beside him.

Sorry to end it here, but I didn't want this chapter to get too long. Next one should be posted relatively soon. Hope you enjoyed it! Feel free to review :)))