A/N: Hello again, sorry for the delay. This chapter is a little different, it includes Rick's POV. I hope you enjoy it!
Rick paced the kitchen, bouncing Judith gently in his arms. He'd never been so angry at his son, and he had hoped holding Judith would keep his temper in check. It wasn't working. His blood pressure rose with each word Carl had said. It was bad enough Carl followed the saviors alone and opened fire on Negan in his camp. And even though the dead walking around was a common occurrence now, nothing could ever have prepared Rick to hear the words that came out of his son's mouth.
"Dad, I'm not lying, Beth was there. We have to go get–"
"Stop, just stop! I know you want us to stop Negan, but to use Beth as your excuse?!" He pinched his nose and rubbed his eyes, taking a deep breath as Judith started to whimper, "I don't doubt you saw a girl who looks like Beth, but don't you ever repeat this to Maggie, or Daryl when we get him back."
"She was with Daryl; she recognized me. And how many girls with blonde hair that have scars on their cheek and above their eye and a bullet hole in their temple can be in this world?!"
"Carl," but he never got a chance to finish that thought, as Rosita's voice over the radio interrupted him.
"Get to the gate, Rick; Jesus is running full speed towards it…he's alone."
"Copy…" Rick handed Judith to Carl with a stern glare, "We'll finish this chat later. You stay put…"
"Yea, yea, I got it – I'm under house arrest."
He didn't respond, practically running himself toward the gate to find out what was wrong – though he couldn't shake Carl's words. After his initial fear and anger faded, he could almost be impressed with his son's actions simply for the bravery of it. And he would have told Carl as much if he just hadn't been so stupid about it. He cringed again at the thought of losing his son. He hated Negan more than anyone, but he couldn't help but be grateful he spared Carl.
But to hear him say that Beth was alive, that she was in Negan's camp – he couldn't even comprehend it. What happened to Beth that day could easily have happened to Carl. She had been right in front of him, Herschel's youngest daughter, standing up to a bully of her own. He'd been proud of her too, but what followed was forever seared in his mind. The sound of the gunshot echoing in his ears, the way her blood sprayed, staining his clothes and face. The way she fell. And Daryl… They had come so close, but she was dead; there was no two ways about it.
Approaching the gate Rick saw Jesus doubled over. He didn't appear to be injured, just that he couldn't catch his breath.
"What's wrong? Is it Maggie?" Rick asked, gripping the man's shoulder as he reached him.
Jesus shook his head, panting, "She's fine. Daryl escaped. I found him." Rick was near ecstatic at hearing those words, but given Daryl's absence here, his panic only increased, "This is one of the Saviors radios, they've been talking all morning."
Jesus turned it on and held it up between them, "Daryl is missing, and so is Lori. Assume they're together. When you find them, don't harm them at all. Contact me the moment you see them. Now that the sun is up and they've had a few hours, get to Alexandria and talk to my good friend Rick. Search that place high and low…and I do mean everywhere."
Rick swallowed hard at the sound of Negan's voice and threatening words, "Who's Lori?"
"I don't know, when I found Daryl he was alone. He's got some severe injuries, he's really out of it, I'm pretty sure he's hallucinating. He needs help, Rick, more than I could give."
"Well, if they're on their way here, I can't leave. And you can't be here, either. Nothing can be out of place when they arrive. Get back to the Hilltop. If nothing else, Daryl is a survivor, but he wouldn't lead the Saviors right back here. He wouldn't put us in that kind of danger."
"Rick…" Jesus began, worry evident in his voice and pleading eyes.
"Jesus…" Rick held up his hand and looked away. It hurt him to do it, but they had no choice, "Stay off the roads as much as possible. We need you alive. I need you to keep an eye on Maggie. She can handle herself, but I don't trust Gregory. We'll head out as soon as we are able to look for Daryl. Then we'll make our way to Hilltop, let you know what happened."
Jesus nodded in reluctant acceptance, "Alright, look for two motorcycles hidden under some brush off the highway. If you can find those, he was camped not too far into the woods. Bring a doctor, water, Tylenol, food, any antibiotics you might have. He has a high fever."
"Thank you, we'll take care of him. You take care of yourself."
"You too," Jesus said, starting to back away, "And keep an eye on that kid of yours…"
"I'm tryin'…" he called back. Jesus barely got over the wall that led to the woods before Rosita informed him the Saviors had arrived.
He released a heavy sigh, steeling his nerves as the trucks moved through the gates. He'd heard Negan give the order on the radio, yet now he'd have to pretend he knew nothing of Daryl's escape, or his dire need for help. If there were two motorcycles that meant Daryl escaped with someone. No matter how impossible the scenario was, Rick knew that if Beth was there, then Daryl would fight like hell to get her to safety, and he would never leave without her. Not after Atlanta, not after…everything. And for the first time in too long, Rick allowed himself to hope that his son wasn't lying and Daryl wasn't alone.
"Rick! Good to see you!"
"Yea," he didn't even force a smile, keeping his voice emotionless, "Didn't know there'd be a pick up today…"
"Well there ain't. See Daryl escaped, took one of Negan's girls with 'im and we think he ran right home to his master."
"Daryl's not here."
"I hope you'll forgive me if I don't take your word for it. Negan wants this place searched high and low, and that's just what we're gonna do." The man waved his hand in signal to the men standing behind him.
Rick nodded and stepped aside, allowing teams of saviors to move into their town. He stayed put, watching as they kicked down doors and threatened the inhabitants inside. People looked to him with fear and accusation as they stood outside their homes, all of them powerless to stop it. Daryl had escaped, and as soon as he could, Rick was going to find him. Then using whatever knowledge Daryl had gained, they were going to stop Negan and the Saviors – once and for all.
Daryl blinked against the sunlight that filtered through the treetops, lying flat on his back. Beth was still curled into his left side away from his injured shoulder and he allowed himself a smile, appreciating every moment before he woke in that cell again. It wasn't the first time he'd dreamed of being outside; hunting, fishing, and seeing the sun. But that's when it dawned him that he didn't just see the sun, he could feel the warmth of its rays beating down on him. He could feel the breeze cooling his feverish skin. He felt the weight of Beth's body, her warm, living, breathing body, resting against his side.
"Am I dreamin'?" he rumbled, his voice thick and words slurred. She stirred and her head lifted, smiling up at him as she rested her chin just below his shoulder.
"No, you're awake." Her words echoed in his mind, but he couldn't make sense of them. If he could feel and she was here, than that could only mean one thing.
"Am I dead?"
"What? No, you're alive…" She reached up, pressing the back of her hand to his forehead, "I think your fever's breakin'…" He leaned into her touch, and all at once a surge of pain knocked the breath out of him, reminding him that he was very much alive. Spots filled his vision; everything ached down to his bones. Despite the pain he sat up, and pressed his back to a tree trunk.
"Was Jesus here?" he asked, breathing heavily.
She nodded, kneeling beside him, "I sent him to get help."
Nothing made sense, and he couldn't be bothered right now to try and understand. His hand reached out, shaking fingers pushing the hair from her face, combing it back to study her. That's when he felt it at the back of her skull, a small bump – an exit wound. She didn't pull away, letting him feel each of her scars. When his palm cupped her cheek, she pressed her face into his touch. Her hand covered his, holding it in place.
"Yer hair's shorter…" he mumbled.
"Yours is longer…" she smiled, smoothing the strands from his face and unveiling his eyes, "They had to cut my hair real short to do the surgery…" Who? What surgery? But before he could ask, her fingers traced over the scar on his hand, "What happened here?"
He looked at it, wondering just how – with all the bruises and blood on his body – she noticed the tiny scar. No one else in their group had noticed. He swallowed thickly, contemplating telling her a lie or brushing her off. But looking in her wide, blue eyes, he couldn't.
"After you…after they…I thought you was dead. I just…needed to feel somethin'." She nodded sadly and brought his hand to her lips, kissing the scar.
"Well I'm here now," she went to pull away, no doubt to avoid aggravating his injuries, but he kept her close.
"You're alive," he whispered, his hands cupping her face as he pressed his forehead to hers, "You're alive…" He doesn't know how many times he repeated that phrase or how many times he apologized even though she kept saying, "It's ok, I'm here…"
"We're both alive. We escaped, Daryl. I got you out." Beth said, smiling brightly.
Then all at once, his world came crashing in on him. Smiling. She was smiling. Didn't she know?! He couldn't contain his anger, and ignored the pain. He was on his feet in a flash.
"You have to take me back!"
Her eyes widened in confused shock, "What? No!"
"Beth, they'll kill someone, maybe even your pregnant sister or Carl or Judith. They promised me they'd kill someone if I escaped again. They don't break their promises."
"I'm not taking you back." She stated firmly.
This was so fucked up. They were both fucked, maybe even dead, along with whoever Negan chose to pay this price.
"It's all your fault!" he screamed, not surprised when his words didn't upset her. Only fire and defiance filled her eyes.
"My fault?" she repeated, rising to her feet.
"If you hadn't've got in my head and convinced me people could still be good I never would've helped those people! They never would've taken my bow, Denise would still be alive and I wouldn't'a been injured like I was when Negan got us. I coulda done somethin'!"
"Like you coulda done something to help me?" she challenged, not missing a beat, "To stop the Governor and save my father? To save your brother…" she edged her chin up defiantly and stared right into his eyes, "To find Sophia?"
"Stop." He growled in a low warning.
"Stop what? Reminding you that not everything in this shit world is your fault? That you aren't some kind of superhero that can stop every bad thing from happening to everyone ever? I'll stop, Daryl, when you accept that what happened to Glenn, to Denise, to me, wasn't your fault. You can't control everything."
"I can't…" his voice cracked with the acknowledgment and his anger ebbed, his ribs and lungs aching with his rising emotion, "I had you, we were so close…I tried so hard to save you. And Glenn… I can't…I can't forgive myself." He couldn't cry, the agony already had his mind reeling and his body shaking. But Beth as it seemed hadn't changed much, as she stepped into his space and stared straight into his soul.
"You don't need to forgive yourself Daryl, because against all odds you did find me. And we were close, but I made a stupid choice. I knew you wouldn't give up; I've seen how deeply you care and how hard you try. But you're human." Her hand gripped his, squeezing tightly as she moved closer to him, still not afraid of him or his angry outbursts, "And you didn't get to see it, but you did save me – you saved a lot of people. When you killed Dawn, they were able to run the hospital the way they wanted. It wasn't perfect, but they stopped going out and kidnapping people, they stopped demanding work for treatment. When I was finally able, they let me go."
"Well, well, well," They both startled at Negan's voice and turned in defense to face him, "Ain't this cozy?"
His blood ran cold, he had no weapons and as far as he could tell, neither did Beth. They were surrounded, Negan looking smug as ever with Lucille resting on his shoulder. Daryl instantly placed himself in front of Beth.
"Negan," he began, but he never finished. A knee jammed into his already bruised side, knocking the breath from his lungs as he fell to his knees.
"Stop!" she yelled, but Negan pulled her against him and backed away. She struggled against the grip around her waist and Daryl reached out to grab her – to pull her back, but Negan moved too fast and his body couldn't take much more. He managed to stand, his hand hovering over his ribs as his vision blurred. There was no voice in his head, no vision of his brother. So looking into Beth's wide, terrified eyes, he knew this was real – entirely too fucking real.
"Daryl knew what would happen if he left again, and I am a man of my word." Negan said with a sickening smile.
"This wasn't Daryl's idea. He's been so out of it lately it wasn't hard to lead him out there. It was my fault." Beth argued in his defense.
"That don't much matter, Lil' Darlin'," Daryl's jaw clenched as Negan's grip tightened just above her elbow and without thought he dropped to his knees. This was what Negan wanted, right? His service; his surrender.
"Don't hurt her, take me back."
"No," she growled through clenched teeth, her eyes begging him to stand and fight. But he couldn't, not at the expense of her life or anyone else's.
"It's alright, Beth, I'll go."
"Beth? You're Daryl's Beth?" Daryl closed his eyes, cursing himself for having given it away. This is what he had hoped to avoid, why he hoped that she was a mere hallucination. Daryl would never give Negan what he wanted, no matter how he hurt him. But there ain't nothing he won't do to protect Beth.
"You lied to me? Who's Lori?" Negan demanded, shaking Beth to face him. She gave him a questioning look, but he only shrugged. There was no harm in telling Negan about a woman already dead.
"Lori was Rick's wife, she died."
"That's whose name you took?" he asked incredulously, staring her down as he crowded her personal space, "So, you lied, broke out my prisoner, killed one of my men, and left without my permission…"
"She didn't know, Negan. Just take me back, I'll go – I'll cooperate, I swear."
"That wasn't the price, Daryl." Negan said.
"He's not gonna kill us, Daryl," Beth said, disturbingly calm. Daryl and Negan both looked to Beth in surprise.
"Is that right?" Negan asked amused.
"That's right…" she stated firmly. It was such a familiar scene. Beth, this five foot nothing little spitfire standing up to and staring down a man twice her size and mean as a starving grizzly bear. Daryl wondered if this is what they looked like at the moonshine shack, when she broke through his walls the way that tank crumbled those fences.
"You're cute, girlie, but I'm not sure you understand how this works." Daryl swallowed hard, shaking his head as Negan closed the distance between them. Dwight's hand on his shoulder kept in his place, not that he'd be much help to her anyway. Like Glenn, he'd probably only succeed in getting her killed.
"Oh, I understand. I get it." Daryl froze, recognizing those as the last words Beth said before Dawn shot her. Girl was too damn defiant for her own good, "But you're not gonna kill us. I don't actually think you're that stupid."
"Well thank you," came his smart reply, and he swung Lucille toward her, barbed wire only inches from her abdomen.
"Don't…not her, please." Daryl choked out.
"No, Daryl, not her. I think I'll hear what she has to say, though, since she thinks I'm so smart." Negan replied, not taking his eyes off Beth as he spoke. Her gaze drifted in his direction, before returning her full focus to a madman.
"You're gonna let us go, both me and Daryl. You're going to let us go home to our family."
"Now why would I do that?"
"Because you need allies more than you need enemies, and killing either of us will be signing your own death warrant. If you let us go, we can tell people about how good you are, how you took care of us, how you released us."
Negan snickered, leaning in closer, "Didn't Daryl tell you? I broke your leader. Rick won't lift a hand against me. Not if he wants that boy of his to keep his hand…"
"I didn't say it would be Rick." Her voice was rising along with the fire in her eyes and he was helpless to calm her down, to stop her from the eruption that may get them both killed, "Do you think you're unique? You really think you're the only one who rules with fear and kills people to make an example? You ain't the first person who's punished an innocent person for no reason other than to boost your own ego."
"Beth –" he tried, but she was just getting warmed up.
"See, I don't think you understand who we are." "We aren't just a group with Rick as our leader, giving us orders. We are a family."
"How sweet…"
She huffed, still not backing down, "I saw my Daddy beheaded by a man who called himself the Governor because Rick wouldn't hand over a woman to be murdered. He showed up at our gates with a tank and destroyed a perfectly good and stable environment because he couldn't get his own way. Daryl and I got out together. We took care of each other. Then I was kidnapped and brought to a hospital where I was abused and manipulated and used to kill people. Dawn, the woman in charge, gave me these scars and shot me in the head. Daryl put a bullet between her eyes. But they thought I was dead, and they had to leave."
He swallowed hard, fighting back the hot sting of tears.
"That boy, Carl, that you seem so enthusiastic about maiming was shot. My Daddy saved his life, that's how we met Rick. He has saved all our lives and we've been together for years. We fight with and for each other. I don't expect you to understand the bond we have. We respect Rick, even though he makes mistakes. How many of your people actually respect you?" she demanded, looking to Negan with open scorn. For his part, Negan didn't reply or interrupt her, "Look at the dictators throughout history, everyone who ruled through fear was defeated by the same people they crushed. It might not be Rick, or me, or Daryl, but we aren't the only enemies you've made. One day, someone will end you. If you kill us you remove any reason Rick has to cooperate. Give us back, and we can all make sure we work together."
"Wow," Negan said, clapping his hands in a slow, mocking rhythm, "That was so moving." He stepped closer to Beth, leering over her until he finally looked his way with that stupid, amused grin, "So you and Daryl, huh?" Negan asked suggestively, looking between them. Daryl felt the warmth flush his cheeks and avoided his eyes, and Beth tried to remain passive and give nothing else away. "Oh no, no! You're tellin' me that you were all alone in the woods with a piece like this for weeks and never touched her?" Negan laughed than, a deep belly laugh that had Daryl wishing the earth would just him whole. "Are you broken? Or maybe you just don't know what to do with a woman like that?"
"She was barely eighteen, man," Daryl ground out between clenched teeth.
"And how are old are we now?"
"Twenty, I think." She admitted softly, "And there ain't nothin' wrong with him. Not all men are rapists who take advantage of people…" Daryl shook his head, wanting nothing more than for her to stop fucking talking.
"I ain't a rapist, either. Are you still a virgin, Beth?" the sound of her name on his lips and the suggestive way he leered at her made his stomach turn. Again their eyes locked, not that being a virgin was anything to be ashamed of, but Negan would somehow use it to his advantage. "You are, ain't ya?"
Beth nodded.
"Woo! Now that is a rare thing! Ya ain't been forced by now?"
"It's been threatened plenty enough…" she glared at him.
"Hmm," he smiled, practically dancing and swinging Lucille between them, "See right about now is when I'd normally start bashing skulls. Before I do, I want to know what you're offering."
"I told you, if you let us go, we can tell people about how good you are. We'll be your allies."
"No, not that. I'm giving up two people, what do I get in return? What assurances do I have that you won't storm my gates with a tank?"
Then, finally, there was silence. But instead of making him feel better, it filled Daryl with a dread that she was about to say something unthinkable. Beth didn't look at Negan, or him, her eyes were focused downward at something no one else could see. She was weighing her options and no matter what she said, Daryl knew he wasn't gonna like it.
"You wanted me to be your wife…" she stated softly.
And there it was, and it actually surprised him. Her voice lacked the confidence she'd just displayed as she stood up to him, and Negan's answering smile had him fisting handfuls of dirt at his sides, squeezing so hard the resounding burn echoed through every nerve in his body.
"I've got wives, the price for two lives is gonna be a high one. You'll be my wife, but there is one more thing I want from you…" the way his eyes slipped to her stomach made his heart stop, nauseas as he understood the bastards meaning. She didn't even flinch.
"You'll leave them all alone, right? You won't harm any of us if I agree?"
"You have my word." Negan said.
"Beth, ya can't…" he pleaded, barely above a whisper.
She inhaled deeply, showing the first signs of emotion in her disgusted expression as she replied, "And you have mine."
"Can I get that in writing?" he grinned, licking his lips. Beth only stared. "I also want you to be our supply runner and go between. I want to see you weekly, if not more."
"It's a deal as long as I can go home for a few weeks, just let me see my family for a little while and say goodbye properly this time."
Negan stared at her; Daryl didn't think he would agree, especially given what happened the last time Negan made a deal like this. Daryl wasn't sure if he was relieved or disappointed when Negan smiled.
"Little Lady you've got yourself a deal." Simon mumbled something Daryl couldn't hear, but it made Negan turn and point the barbed wire at his right hand man, "What? It's hard to argue the logic of a good woman."
"And please return Daryl's vest, bike and crossbow…" Beth asked, her voice rising above the jeers and cheers of the saviors. It was for him, he knew, but he wished she would just quit speaking while Negan was in a good mood. Negan once more looked between them, and Daryl had never wanted to commit cold-blooded murder more in his life.
"Nah, I think I'll let Dwight keep those. Besides, in Daryl's hands it's a weapon, in Dwight's hands that bow is just a prop," Daryl looked to Dwight, recognizing defiance in his eyes beneath the passive acceptance. He didn't care how poorly Negan treated Dwight, Daryl would kill them both as soon as he was able.
Negan got on his radio, "Round up Rick and his people and bring them back to where it all went down."
Beth made her way to his side and knelt down – all he could do was glare and hope to keep the storm inside. Her eyes were every bit as blue as he remembered, looking up and offering a small smile just for him – to encourage him, or make him believe it would all be ok. But nothing was ok, and as she gripped his hand, his first instinct was to push her away. She had just bargained away her life, her freedom, and her first born child to Negan…for him. If he wasn't so weak or in so much pain, he would leave right now and never look back. Maybe he should thank her that they both aren't dead right now, but he felt sick to his stomach and nothing but bitter contempt would lace his words.
"And Beth…" Negan called. She looked up at him, "If you or anyone else even thinks about breaking this deal, I'll see how far I can get Lucille up someone's ass. See what kinda sounds he makes then…" Negan didn't have to point the bat him for Daryl to know the threat was directed at him.
"You have my word; it won't come to that." There was no fear in her eyes, no hesitation that she'd made a mistake. If she was acting, then she deserved a damn award for her performance right now. Because despite his anger, Daryl was more terrified now than he was the night he watched Glenn die.
She managed to help him to his feet, practically holding him up as he leaned all his weight into her side. The saviors moved around them and he didn't fight as they were both brought to a truck. Rick and the rest of them were all being brought back to the place where this never ending nightmare began. He closed his eyes as he sat down, preparing himself to see another member of his family murdered before his eyes. Beth squeezed his hand tighter as hoods were placed over their heads; she held on tighter still as the trucks began the long journey back.
Hours had passed and Rick could only imagine the mess these people were making in their search. Rick had never felt better – and worse – about a decision in his life. They weren't going to find him here so there wouldn't be consequences, but that meant Daryl was running out of time. It could already be too late if Jesus was to be believed. All the times Daryl was there to save him – to save all of them – and Rick couldn't be there the one time Daryl truly needed it.
"Well, thank you kindly, Rick Grimes." The man said, climbing into the truck, "Oh, and if Daryl does make it back, I do hope you'll do the right thing and let us know. Negan has a score to settle." Rick nodded and watched as they drove off.
He sighed heavily in relief as the gates were closed and locked behind them. He started back toward his house; he had to get Michonne and Aaron and anyone else who might be willing to help him search for Daryl.
"Hey Rick, something's wrong!" Rosita's voice called from behind him. He turned back, shielding his eyes from the blinding sun, "They're coming back."
He stayed where he was, his heart hammering as the gates were re-opened. The trucks didn't enter, but the ringleader did. Rick started back towards him.
"Something wrong?"
"Negan requests your presence, as well as everyone who was with you that first night we all officially met." His blood turned to ice as the man smiled, "I'll wait."
Rick was numb with fear as he gathered Michonne, Carl, Aaron, and pulled Rosita from guard duty. Eric volunteered to watch Judith for him and Father Gabriel took over for Rosita. Abraham was dead. Glenn was dead. Sasha and Maggie were safe but no longer here.
"I seem to remember more of you." He said, looking suspicious.
"This is all we have left of that group. Y'all took Daryl and Eugene, three died, and another left on her own."
The man nodded and with a shrug of his shoulders, he said, "Well, let's not keep the boss man waitin'. You can follow us in that RV…" There was silence among them as they all moved toward their vehicle.
"Rick what is going on? Where are we going?" Michonne whispered in his ear as they all boarded the RV.
"I don't know," he replied and he prayed it had nothing to do with Daryl.
Beth was practically vibrating with fear as she stood between Daryl and Negan. Her nails dug into the skin of Daryl's hand, and to his credit he didn't flinch. Negan was on her other side, a possessive hand gripping her shoulder, keeping her in place. She swallowed hard the sadness and disgust at the sight of two pools of blood where Glenn and Abraham had fallen, as if the earth wouldn't erase what happened here. She wasn't naïve, there was still a chance that Negan would teach her the same lesson once her family arrived, and someone else would die due to her mistake. It was too late now.
The trucks pulled up followed by an RV, and her grip tightened on Daryl's hand. He returned the motion in kind, nearly breaking her bones. One by one they all stepped onto the ground: Rick, Michonne, Carl and two others she didn't recognize. At least Judith wasn't with them. It was a moment she never actually believed she'd experience, seeing her family again. And there they were. It was like a really fucked up game of dodgeball, their family on one side of the blood stains, she and Daryl on the other.
Rick's gaze shifted from focused disdain to confusion as he stepped closer, taking in the sight of her. Their eyes locked, and she's not sure she's smiling, but it feels good to see him. Safe. Like maybe somehow, they'll all live through this now that he's here. He looks downright weary, and not that she's surprised, Negan has that effect on people. Anger fills his eyes then, as he shifts his gaze between her and Negan.
"What the hell is this?" Rick demanded. Negan kept his arm around her shoulder, and she cringed as he pulled her from Daryl's side. He dropped her hand, and the motion hurt more than a slap to the face, like it was so easy for him to let her go.
"Well, Rick, it would seem this lovely young girl knows you – even calls you her family. Told me her name was Lori, that name mean anything to you?" Guilt battled her already warring emotions at the look in his eyes – mainly confusion, perhaps some anger, but he really just looked uncomfortable. "What do ya think, Rick, did she have a teenage crush on you and pretended she was your wife?" The disgust in his eyes mirrored her own thoughts at those words, and she knew Rick didn't believe it, but it was still disgusting to hear. She wanted so badly to say something, but the threat was too real and she wouldn't risk provoking him.
"Is there a reason you brought us all here?" Rick asked in a clipped voice.
"She and I made a deal, I'll let her tell you all about when y'all get home." Daryl was pushed forward and one of the men she didn't recognize reached out to steady him. Beth noted how Daryl didn't flinch from the man's touch, and hugged him in return when the other stepped forward. It was a sign of trust, and Beth memorized the man's face as an ally. He quickly regained his footing, but still, Daryl wouldn't even look at her.
"Home…they're coming with us?" Rick asked, his voice cracking, clearly confused.
"For now. And pay very close attention to the terms of our deal, cause if any one of you breaks it, and I mean if anyone, including your kid, breaks our deal, I'm killing Daryl and taking Beth and whoever broke our agreement gets to meet Lucille up close and personal." She held her breath; her heart hammering as the barbed wire was set just next to her face.
Finally, the cage of his arms lifted and Negan pushed her to Rick. He caught her and held her still; no one spoke as the saviors loaded into their trucks and drove off. It was so familiar, the look in Rick's eyes, full of awe as if he couldn't believe she was real. The hand on the back of her head, pulling her closer, almost close enough to kiss. It was more of an awkward hug, and Beth could've cried in relief that she was in his arms. It felt like home, or the closest thing to home she'd find in this world. It almost felt like she was being held by her father. She needed him right now, more than ever she needed him.
And like in that hallway, Rick let her slip passed him to a group waiting behind him. Instead of Daryl, it was Michonne who approached her, an ear to ear radiant smile greeting her. Beth had never seen this woman smirk much less smile, not like this.
"Beth!" it was a whisper, but she was pulled into the woman's tight embrace and held there. She hugged her in return, almost laughing hysterically. Everyone looked so healthy, and they smelled so clean. Wherever they were living had to be a good place and she was actually looking forward to seeing it. Her eyes burned as Rick and Daryl stood before each other, neither speaking, and Daryl tried so hard to look strong. And she knew he was, but in this moment, his body and spirit were broken. But not even Daryl could hold it in as he dipped his head, leaning just an inch closer to his brother in arms before Rick pulled him into a tight embrace.
Finally Michonne released her, and Carl took her place. She could still see the boy on her Daddy's farm, the one who was still innocent – before his mother, before whatever took his eye. He was still only a teenager, but his height, his maturity, made him seem like a young man. They shed the children they had been. She hugged him, and she tried to speak, to say anything. It seemed to be a problem they were all having, no one was speaking.
The same man that caught him approached Daryl, a wide smile and kind eyes as he placed a hand on his shoulder, "It's good to see you, man."
They were the first to board the RV, followed by Rick, Carl and Michonne. She got on behind them, and the Latina woman she didn't recognize closed the door behind her, looking bitter at their joy.
"Real quick, this is Beth; Beth, this is Rosita and Aaron."
"It's nice to meet you," Aaron said with a kind smile. She smiled in return, but said nothing. Rosita simply nodded in her direction and sat in the passenger front seat. There would be time to reconcile and catch up on each other's absences, but right now they all just stood there in awkward silence.
"I guess I'll drive…" said Aaron, moving to the front.
"Thanks, Aaron," Rick said, assisting Daryl to the bed in the back, and it didn't take any convincing for Daryl to stretch out. She tried not to stare, or listen in as Daryl and Rick spoke of what happened. Michonne sat before her, and Beth forced a tight smile, asking a question she's feared the answer to since they fled the prison.
"Is the Governor still alive?"
Michonne's eyes widened, "No, Beth. I killed him." There was a heavy pause as Beth sighed in relief, and immediately took a deep breath in preparation for her next question, "I found your father…after. I wasn't able to bury him, but I ended it for him."
Beth managed a smile, almost launching herself back into the woman's arms in thanks. "Thank you, Michonne." She whispered.
At that Rick returned, sitting beside Michonne and taking her hand. Some things had obviously changed since she'd been gone. She was happy for them; it made sense, and she wanted to hear those stories. But not now, not as she looked back to the bed and saw Daryl fast asleep. A part of her wanted to go to him, to feel him against her and know he was real – that this was all real. She's wanted this for so long, to be reunited, to back where she always felt she belonged. But she's not the same, and the woman she is now may not fit in the same places as the girl she left behind.
They were all still alive, all together and unharmed. This was a victory, right? But deep within her, she only felt crushing defeat.
Again, I hope you enjoyed it. Feel free to review, I love your comments! Thank you to everyone who has commented on this fic, followed it and favorited. I love this story, and I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing it. And also, just a note on the pacing of this story, I know it moved kind of fast to this point, but I have a lot of dealing with stuff (hence the title Open Wounds) for later chapters. I used the first few chapter to set the tone of the story and give you an idea of everyone's frame of mind. So going forward, each chapter should be more flushed out than it has been. I hope you continue to read and enjoy this story. Till next time! :))