His Light in the Dark

AN: I'm so glad to see the interest from the first chapter. I hope everyone enjoys this next one. You'll probably see names pop up that died on the show. I want some of them involved in this story, so there you go. Obviously, some things will be different from the show. For one, no Negan! So Glenn and Abraham are still alive! Yay! Anyways, review and tell me what you think. Here we go with Chapter 2!

Chapter 2

Beth didn't know how long she sat outside, her head reeling with what had just happened. She knew she should get up and find someone, anyone, but her legs didn't want to cooperate. This was a nightmare. One she wished fervently to wake up from.

"Beth? What is it? What happened? Is Daryl…?" she looked up and saw Carol sitting next to her. When did Carol get there? Beth flung herself against the older woman, her sobs racking her body. Carol rubbed her back, murmuring words she couldn't understand.

"He… He woke up. He's awake, but… he doesn't remember anything. He can't remember anything from the last 6 years. He doesn't remember any of us. He doesn't remember…me…" Beth wailed against her shoulder.

"Maybe it's temporary. Why don't you give him a few days and see what happens. It's not uncommon with a head injury like that. I'm sure his memory will come back soon," Carol said, trying to sooth Beth the best way she could.

Beth looked at her. "Do you think that's it?" Hope colored her words.

Carol knew it was unlikely. If he couldn't remember anything except all those years ago, she feared it could be permanent. But she didn't want to worry the young woman any more than she already was. Rick had told her about Beth's pregnancy, and she wouldn't be the one to add more stress to the expectant mother.

Carol gave her shoulder a squeeze. "I'm sure that's all it is. Give it a few days. I'm sure your Daryl will be back before you know it."

"Thank you, Carol. I appreciate you sitting with me," Beth told her.

Carol smiled. She had always thought that Beth was a good fit for Daryl. Of course, after Grady, when their relationship had first really gotten started, the group had been surprised to say the least. But slowly, seeing them together and how they were with each other, the group realized that they were 2 halves of a coin. Where one went, the other followed. It was uncommon to see them apart. They became a unit, and that suited Daryl and Beth just fine.

"Now, why don't you go find Rick and tell him what happened. I'm gonna go on in and check on our patient," Carol gave the young woman a boost, and pushed her gently in the direction that Rick was patrolling.

Just before she opened the door, Beth said, "Carol? Do me a favor and don't mention to Daryl about our relationship."

Carol was confused. "Why not, sweetie?"

Beth blushed. "When he first woke up, I tried to tell him, but he cut me off. He got real mad and basically kicked me out. Said I was a "goddamn baby" and that he wanted a real doctor."

Carol nodded. She had dealt with this surly version of Daryl in the early days. "I promise, sweetie. I won't say a thing."

Beth smiled and nodded her thanks. She headed toward the south wall, knowing Rick was there. Carol shook her head and opened the door.

Daryl looked toward the door when it opened again. He was expecting the blonde – Beth- to come back in. He was surprised when an older woman with long, grey hair entered instead. He looked behind her but didn't see the girl there. Disappointment washed over him, though he wasn't sure why.

Carol noticed his look. "If you're looking for Beth, she left for a bit. You gave that poor girl quite the fright with your antics, pookie."

Daryl bristled at the endearment. He didn't know why but it rubbed him the wrong way. "The fuck ya callin' me that fer? Ya ma wife or somethin'?" Daryl hoped that wasn't the case. He didn't find her even remotely attractive. He found his thoughts on the girl – Beth – again. Now she was attractive. Too young for him, but he had liked it when she called him handsome, though. Made him feel warm inside.

Carol laughed. "Oh no, pookie. You and me are just real good friends. Have been for a real long time now."

Daryl grunted. Damn strange women in his life. "Who are ya then?"

"I'm Carol. Beth said you were havin' some trouble with your memory. She also said you wanted a real doctor. I'm not a doctor, but I do help out from time to time. Helped you out a few times."

Daryl rolled his eyes. "Whatever woman. Need somin' for ma head poundin'. Don' like seein' double so much."

Carol walked to one of the cabinets and found some painkillers. She shook a couple into her hand and grabbed a bottle of water. She walked over and helped Daryl sit up a bit. He took the pills and swallowed them back, taking a quick pull on the water. He sat back with a sigh, unconsciously looking toward the door again. Carol caught his look.

"Ya know, if you don't act like such a grouch, I might be able ta get Beth ta come back in here again when she comes back. You want that?" Carol smirked.

Daryl scowled. "Maybe…" He actually felt bad about yelling at the girl. He knew he must of scared her pretty bad. "Feel bad for yellin' at her.." he admitted grudgingly.

"I'm sure she'll forgive ya. She's a very forgivin' person, especially where you're involved," Carol told him conspiratorially. Daryl felt there was something else she wasn't saying, but let it drop.

"So, where am I exactly?" Daryl asked again.

"Alexandria. It's a settlement that we've all lived at for the last couple years."

"We? Who's we?" Daryl asked.

"Our group. All of us have traveled together for years. You remember any of that?"

"Told the girl I didn'. Ya think ya getting' a diff'rent answer?" he replied, irritation in his voice.

Carol ignored his snarky reply. She raised her hand and started ticking names off on her fingers. "There's Rick and Michonne. His two kids Carl and Judith. Their momma Lori died at the prison givin' birth to Judith. Then Rick and Michonne have a little boy named Rick Jr – RJ for short. Beth's sister Maggie and her husband Glenn. They have a little boy named Hershel after Maggie and Beth's daddy. He died at the prison too. Tyresse and Sasha – their brother and sister by the way. Abraham is with Sasha, then there's Rosita and Eugene. They aren't together, but them and Abe traveled together before we met them. Father Gabriel. There's me. And of course, you and Beth," she tacked on at the end.

Daryl raised his eyebrow. She seemed to put the paired people together in her statement. Why did she pair him and Beth in the same sentence? Girl's practically jailbait. Must have just added it to round out everyone. Yeah, that's it.

Carol walked up and felt his forehead. "No fever. That's good. How ya feelin' now?"

Daryl looked around. "Not so dizzy now. Head still hurtin'."

Carol nodded. "Well, I hate to tell ya this, but you'll probably be in here a few more days till Denise will let ya go home. She's as close to a doc as we got. She'll want ya as strong as possible before ya get your release papers," she said, chuckling slightly at the end of her statement.

"Make it sound like Ima getting' released from jail or somin'," he groaned. "Jus' need ma feet under me, is all."

"I'm gonna go now and let you get some more rest. There's plenty of people around if ya need anything. 'Sides, Rick or Beth or I will always be checkin' on ya, so ya won't be alone too long. Get some sleep, Pookie." Carol headed toward the door.

"Really hate that name," she heard him grumble behind her. Carol laughed.

"I know. That's why I keep calling ya that," she said, walking out the door. But not before she heard him say one more thing..

"Damn women are all batshit crazy here…"