Beth sighed. She had been home nearly three hours, and still, she was unable to forget all that had happened. Sleep, it was clear, wouldn't be coming to her for awhile.

But more so than just simply that, the memory, the nagging guilt still ate away at her.

Picking up the pink sweater now lying on her cot, she ran her fingers over the material. It would be warm, and she couldn't deny that it would fit her like a glove. The nights were beginning to become a little colder now, and she was grateful for something warm and new and…almost pretty…to wear. It had been thoughtful of him to get it for her…though she still could not shake her dread at anybody finding out just where it had really came from. Nor the questioning of her own morals for even accepting it…

She was distracted from her thoughts by the steady clanking of crutches on the ground outside, coming toward her cell. She smiled widely at the sight of Hershel, his own smile big enough to match his daughter's, as he finally hobbled into the cell.

"Hey, Bethie," he said, his eyes crinkling a little in concern. "Just wanted to say good night, and see how you were feeling. You did good today. I'm very proud of you. We all are. But all night, you've been rather distracted. I'm worried about you. If the runs are too much for you, you don't have to do them. Truthfully, I'd rather you didn't…it would give me peace to know at least one of my daughters is guaranteed safety each week." He gave another little weak smile at the end.

Forcing another smile, Beth said, "Oh no, Daddy. I'm more than fine. Really. I love goin' on the runs. It's just…nothing. Nothing. Don't worry about me."

Sighing a little, he came into the cell all the way, sitting beside her after leaning his crutches against the edge of the cot.

Eyeing his stump, she felt sorrow again, as she often did. Her daddy was such a good man…he hadn't deserved to lose his leg like that. He just hadn't. True, she was more than overjoyed to still have him here, alive and well…but it hurt her that he was handicapped, though it was apparent to everyone that each day, he could even be more active than most of them if push came to shove.

Hershel affectionately brushed a strand of hair out of her face. "You have your mother's spirit, and determination. As well as her selflessness. If something's botherin' you, dear, you can always tell me. I love you."

Beth bit her lip, more than wanting to tell…but then simply smiled. "Nothing's wrong, Daddy. I just…livin' this way sometimes wears you down. I…I miss how it used to be. I miss Andrea, and Mama, and everyone we've lost."

She felt the familiar sorrow encase her as she remembered how life used to be…how she could always see her mother, and Shawn, and be happy…

Hershel nodded. "We all do. I'll always love your mother, and your brother. And I'll always miss all the friends we've came to know, and lost. But the important thing to remember is, though we may not have them anymore, we still are all a family, here, and there are some people in this world that truly have nobody anymore. We're all lucky here."

She nodded, quiet, knowing he was right. His words struck home with her. The Governor had nobody anymore…somehow at that moment, she found herself wandering to thoughts of him…was he sleeping now? Still awake? Then she felt sickened…why was she thinking of him?

Feeling as though her thoughts were transparent, she jumped a little at her thoughts.

Shaking her head a little, she smiled, giving him a hug and then a kiss on the cheek. "I love you Daddy."

Hershel smiled. "And I love you, Bethie. Sweet dreams."

Giving his youngest daughter a kiss on the cheek, he gathered up his crutches, and soon he was gone.

Looking after her father, smiling, her smile gradually fell, as she still felt unsettled as she fully realized just how curious she was about him…and just what he was doing.

Somewhat saddened Judith wasn't sleeping in her cell tonight, as the adorable baby would have offered a welcome distraction, she simply sighed and lay on her side. Carol was on watch tonight. Beth felt so lonely, now. It was strange. Her thoughts, unbidden, wandering down the lonely dark deserted roads to Woodbury once again, consumed her.

She imagined him, all alone in that place. It was almost…it was almost sad. He had no one. Oddly, she felt sorry for him. Did he feel as lonely as she thought he secretly might be?

Sighing, finally, after some time, sleep did overcome her, and she welcomed it, falling into blackness.

The next day, Beth was cradling Judith, smiling happily at the gurgling baby, bouncing her on her knee, as she watched others all preparing for a group supply run. She wished she could go.

Zach came up to her, smiling a bit too widely. "Hey, Beth! Just wanted to say goodbye before we left."

Beth smiled politely at him. "Goodbye, Zach. Stay safe. I'll see you when you get back."

Oh, he was nice enough, and she did really like him, but only as a friend. It was clear he held a not-so-secret penchant for her, though. She thought he knew that she didn't feel the same, yet she never wanted to be unkind.

Satisfied, Zach held up a hand in final leave, still smiling at her, lingering just a little bit too long at the door, until he finally left.

Stealing a glance at Maggie and Glenn embracing as they too prepared to leave, she couldn't contain a sudden wave of envy. But they needed her here today…somebody had to watch Judith, and besides, there would always be other opportunities. She hoped…

Then, her gaze flitting to a wall calendar somebody had picked up on a previous run, she felt a jolt. Though it was hard to keep track of time, she would be eighteen soon, her birthday occurring in only a matter of weeks. The thought made her happy, as well as excited. She would be a real adult…and hopefully that would give her some new responsibilities, though oddly, she doubted, sadly, that things would change much for her in the way of duties.

Finally, it was here. The day of her next meeting with him… The sky was gray and overcast, the humidity giving way to a rather cool breeze. Strange for this time of year.

Gulping a little, taking a deep breath, she got out of the truck, making sure all the supplies were still secure in the back, and then, as he had told her, made her way toward the back gate. It was padlocked twice over, but obviously that was only a hindrance for stray Walkers…not humans like herself.

Undoing the gate easily, she secured it behind her and then shakily walked toward his apartment.

Her boots made a steady clack on the ground, somewhat soothing her nerves. But why? Why had she come here? What kind of a person was she to spend time with the man who had ruined so many people's lives, including her own sister's?

Stop it! she chastised herself mentally. I'm not doin' anythin' wrong…I can help us out by doin' this…

She repeated that all the way there, still hoping against hope to convince herself…