A/N: so this was way more difficult then just writing Daryl and Joe's group. It was hard to try and fit Beth in there without it filling forced; (I want to say sorry now if it feels like at some points it feels like Beth is just thrown in) hopefully I did okay and you all think it can get a passing grade! The next one will be much better as I have been thinking about that chapter and the layout of it for some time now so it will be fun and exciting to finally write it out. I might even write the 'B' side first. As always let me know your thoughts. Thanks for all the support involving this story!

Chapter 28: On the Road; the 'B' Side

It was early morning and Riley was sitting in the forest trying to hunt down a few squirrels that she could bring back for breakfast; as she sat watching the leaves blow around in the early morning wind she thought about Beth, about Daryl...about Herschel. She promised that she would look after Beth and protect her and the guilt that flowed through her was unbearable.

'I will find her...I will find her, I will keep that promise' she thought figuring the small diamond ring in her fingers

After a few more minutes Riley stood knowing there was no point the squirrels could sense the change in the weather and didn't come out this early anymore.

Riley emerged from the woods just as her dad was waking up. She smiled over at him as she walked over to the dimming fire and attempted to warm her hands.

"no luck" she softly spoke as he sat down beside her

She looked over and saw him nod his head also holding his hands out to the fading flames; Riley glanced behind her to see Carl and Michonne still sleeping

"where almost there, I say one maybe two more days" her father whispered

Riley brought her hands away from the embers and wrapped them around herself; she wasn't doubting the decision to head to Terminus she was however getting more and more anxious with each day that passed.

"it's a good call" her father spoke sensing her change in mood

Riley nodded her head "I know" she spoke looking over at him with a smirk.

Daryl and Beth were currently in the woods just outside where Joe and his men set up camp. Daryl didn't trust these people or like the way they acted as if they were the new-found kings of the Walker world which is why he woke Beth up and dragged her along with him on this early morning hunt; even though Joe told his men the girl was off-limits because she was already spoken for didn't make him feel any safer leaving her behind. He knew that sooner or later both he and Beth would have to sneak away and make due on their own.

Daryl was following a rabbit who was sitting at the base of a large oak tree. Lifting his crossbow and lining up the shot he pulled the release and let an arrow soar just as he did another arrow whizzed by his head also striking the rabbit. Daryl turned and came eye to eye with Len; he was by far the creepiest, and most ego driven man in the group and Daryl had to try very hard not to punch him ever time he opened his mouth.

Daryl turned away from him and walked over to the rabbit picking it up and plucking out Len's arrow throwing it aside

"Claimed"

Daryl looked up with narrowed eyes and made his way pass pulling Beth with him only for the man to place an arm out and stop Daryl from any further movement

"I claimed it…its mine"

Daryl pushed his way pass Len "I was tracking that rabbit all morning; its mine" he replied gruffly

Len readjusted his bow on his back watching the angel wings on Daryl's black vest before he smirked

"I see what's going on here"

Daryl turned and looked at the man who wore a sickening smirk on his greasy face

"trying to look tough in front of your girl huh? Well not this time buddy, that rabbit is mine…but I'll share with your little lady here"

Daryl looked away flashing his eyes over to Beth who looked between the two-men and then focused on Daryl alone. Silently asking him to not do anything stupid

Len took a step towards the pair "maybe your girl here needs a man who will actually provided for her"

Daryl couldn't take this man or his comments anymore; he very slowly reached into the waist band of his jeans and removed the knife that sat there, he gripped the handle tightly in his hands and waited

"see I get it, wanting to look tough for her and maybe make up for something wrong you've done, make up for hurting or losing someone close to her… but I claimed that rabbit its mine so just get off your high horse…"

Daryl's eyes glanced over at Beth and he saw them lower to the ground as she clutched the swinging pendant on her neck... 'make up for hurting or losing someone close to her'

He raised his arm and swung around only to be gripped on the forearm by Joe

"what seems to be the problem here gentlemen…"

The plan was made to stick close to the tracks but also support a close distance to the road as well. Riley had talked her dad into letting her run up ahead a bit and check out the main road trying to see if there was any store or car that would hold supplies that they could use. While Rick didn't like the idea of his daughter who he still wasn't sure was completely in the right state; alone and exposed he knew that if she did happen to stumble anything it could help them greatly

Now Michonne, Rick and Carl walk in a row Carl being in the middle as they kept a steady pace eyes floating to what lay ahead as well to the trees that separated them from Riley.

"you shouldn't have let her go" Carl mumbled from his place in the middle

Michonne looked over and saw Rick lick his lips

"it was a good idea, she's quick and quiet she could come back with something useful" the woman spoke glancing from the older man to the boy beside her

"if she comes back"

Rick snapped and stopped walking "enough Carl" Rick hissed "Riley the one that's holding us all together here; she's struggling to keep it together...she...Beth... she has more hope than ay of us….real or not" he ended looking off into the distance

Carl looked into his fathers blue eyes and saw the same thing he saw in Riley's a few days ago; the sadness, the fear, the guilt. He slowly nodded his head and looked ahead as the group continued

"she's the only sister I got left, I just worry more than I should, it's dumb I know"

Rick let out a breath, he believed Judith was out there as well; Riley beat it into his head and he started to have faith in that; but he too struggled with the fact that at the moment Riley was the only daughter he had left and he was terrified that something would happen to her as well. He glanced over at Carl and placed an arm over his shoulder

"I get it...I do"

As the group walked a few more miles the worry started to set in; the Dixon still wasn't back yet

"Michonne…." Rick spoke "why don't you go and…" he interrupted by the rustling of the trees a few yards ahead of them. They squatted down and waited; Carl shot up when a strawberry blonde head come into view through the brown and green of the brush. He rushed ahead and Riley smirked as he wrapped his arms around her

"you got to quit worrying about me"

Carl shrugged and mumbled a "whatever"

Riley pushed his away and looked up as her dad and Michonne approached

"find anything" the black woman asked

Riley looked at her dad and Michonne before a sly grin fell upon her face; she looked over at Carl before pulling out two candy bars; one being a Big Cat bar. The boy tried to reach out and grab it but Riley pulled it away and shoved it in her backpack "first we make a wager, winner takes all"

Rick watched as Carl smiled and the two children fell into step together figuring out a way to make a game out of winning a simple candy bar.

Daryl had learnt that in this group the word 'Claimed' was a way of placing ownership over something. First one to say "claimed" got whatever was in question…..no questions asked. Daryl ended up with half a rabbit; Joe gave in because Daryl didn't know the rules and it wasn't in his nature to cheat a man out of something if he didn't know how the game was played. He also told Len that the woman needed to eat so to shut up with all his mumbling of he got it first.

As the day wore on the group continued walking; Daryl and Beth stuck with Joe as everyone else was too much of a wild card and as long as Beth was present within this group Daryl thought it best to stick close to the leader

"so were you with a group before" Joe questioned looking sideways at Daryl and Beth

Daryl glanced over at the man and gave a simple nod

"ended badly"

Another nod

Joe lowered his head "sorry….you lose people…"

Daryl adverted his eyes and once again gave a simple nod, Beth looked away as well and bit her lip;

'I won't always be around Beth'

Beth stared out into the forest Riley's words ringing in her ears;

'you ain't dead' she thought tears filling her eyes, Beth refused to believe otherwise and would fight to the death to find her girl

Joe stared at the pair to his left "I know how it feels to lose people….even people that aren't your family become your family and it's a fucking shame when something or someone tears them away from you"

Daryl looked over at the older man and saw the truth in his eyes, heard the honesty in his voice

"so this person that…that killed your buddy; you get a look at them" Daryl asked feeling like he should show the same concern for this man and his men as Joe just gave him.

Joe looked up ahead and gestured his head to a man named Gabe "I didn't but Gabe did…the little shit was hiding under the bed of a house we found….took Lou out before climbing out the bathroom window….Lou came back and tried to attack us all" Joe stopped and looked up and over at Daryl "you know the part that really pisses me off, is that they never finished Lou off; yeah it sucks they killed him but shit happens, but to allow another human being to become one of those things….when I find…"

Daryl looked at Joe and saw the anger and madness overtake his blue eyes; he hated to think about the person on the receiving end of that…and it scared him most that he thought it could be Rick….or…or…

Daryl glanced over at Beth and saw the same concerned look in her eyes

Riley walk along side Carl Rick and Michonne only a few steps behind; both adults wore a matching a smile as the two in front of them tried to think of a way to decide who would be allowed to take control of the last Big Cat bar.

The pair grew quiet each lost in their own thoughts either on the game they were creating or far away distance thoughts that they would only snap out of when brought back to Earth.

"did you want to marry Beth" Carl asked looking over at Riley as she tried to readjust her backpack over the strap of her crossbow

Rick quickly glanced at Michonne a look of fear on his face; the pervious night Rick had been on watch and had to wake Riley from a nightmare; for the rest of the night she sat beside her father, he didn't push to ask what the dream was about but just as the sun was raising she opened her mouth.

'Rick sat looking out into the woods as a rustling from behind him could be heard. He glanced over and saw Riley tossing and turning; he stood and walked over kneeling beside her he gently pushed away some hair that fallen into her face. Riley seemed to relax under the touch and slowly opened her eyes; the look that was held within them made Rick's heart-break. Slowly Riley sat up and looked at her dad, she stood and walked over to where they sat to keep watch and plopped herself down, Rick stared at her for a moment before sitting beside her. Rick would look over at Riley every so often but refused to breach the subject; he would wait when she ready she would talk to him….she always did. Just as the sky was turning a light shade of pink Riley's soft voice sounded her words turning to mist in the cold morning air. "I dreamt about her…have been for a while now. It's always the same…its one of those dreams where you're running towards someone but they just keep getting further away. She's calling out for me and I just can't get there." Rick looked over and saw the pain held in Riley's eyes, heard the hurt in her words. "she's out there I know it….I just….we'll find her….we'll find them" Riley ended looking over at her dad. Rick placed an arm around her shoulder and placed her down so her head was resting on his shoulder "I have no doubt" he whispered as the sun shone down on them over the horizon.'

Riley looked over at Carl, before returning her eyes to the tracks, she placed a hand in her pocket and felt the ring that lay there

"I do and I will…"

Carl looked over and smiled "you're going to ask her when we find them"

Riley smirked and looked over at her brother "probably" she replied with a chuckle

"well you should think about what you're going to say"

Riley looked back at her dad and smiled "I already know"

Beth walked a few paces behind Daryl and Joe too caught up in her thoughts to care about the place they were headed, Daryl walked in step with Joe every now and again glancing back at the blonde and the death grip she had on the crossbow pendent. Daryl glanced up as they came across an old garage. Joe stopped and the rest of his men followed suit. "looks as good a place as any" he commented walking up the ramp and sliding the door open.

The men made quick work of removing all the Walkers from the inside of the garage and all ambled inside. Daryl gripped Beth's hand and walked from one place to another each time he was about to set his pack down another man came over saying "claimed" making Daryl have to move to a new area. Once he found a spot he threw his backpack down and lowered himself to the floor, pulling Beth down with him.

"stay close" he mumbled to the girl, making her close her eyes; everything reminding her of Riley and things that she had said or done. She simply nodded her head and turned laying it down on Daryl's chest; the man wrapped an arm around her and pulled her closer

"we're going to find her" he breathed into her hair

Not matter what he knew he would find her….all of them; he just hoped it was before Joe and his group because he couldn't shake the feeling that somehow Rick was involved in the death of Joes comrade.

Riley and switched places with her dad and now she walked beside Michonne

"you and Beth…" Michonne started before she could stop herself

Riley looked over at the woman with a raised eyebrow

"…are perfect together….it was kind of sickening how good the two of you looked together…soul mates" she finished in a whisper getting lost in some far away thought

Riley studied the woman for a moment before returning her attention to the tracks

"she made me perfect…" Riley softly spoke "I…I had no idea about love, or the need of another person. She changed me; she….she pulled me back" Riley ended it now being her turn to get lost in a distance memory

Michonne looked ahead and saw Rick and Carl talking both with smiles and it warmed her heart to see their relationship back where it belonged

"that guy at the house" Michonne needed to ask, she needed to know

Riley clenched her jaw and looked over at the black woman "I did what needed to be done; I told you, there was no way out expect to do what I did…"

Michonne nodded her head "I know…I know but…but would you really do again…"

"if it meant protecting my family then yes" Riley spoke calmly without hesitation; she then turned her eyes to the two in front of them "beside Beth and Daryl they're the most important people to me…all of you are and I would do whatever needed to make sure you all were safe"

Michonne looked down for a moment before looking over and nodding her head "are you going to tell her" came her whispered voice

"what good would that do"

Daryl had stayed up to make sure Beth fall asleep before he even thought about closing his eyes and just as sleep was about to wash over him the booming voice of Len vibrated off the cement walls of the garage

"hey I know you took it new guy" Len spoke reaching for Daryl's bag

Daryl shot to his feet, making Beth shoot up as well; grabbing his bag as he did "took what"

"don't play stupid, my half of the rabbit" Len replied reaching for the bag once again

Joe made his slow way over "what the hell is going on over here was just about to fall asleep and get jarred awake by this.

Len looked over at Joe "this new guy, took my half of the claimed rabbit"

"is this true Daryl" Joe asked calmly

Daryl shook his head "no I didn't take his damn rabbit"

Beth had gotten to her feet and stood behind Daryl gripping at his black vest; Joe glanced over at her and something in his eyes told her not to worry and while that was hard to do given the situation and the reputation of these men she found herself relaxing just a bit.

Within a flash Daryl's bag was in Joe's hand and being turned upside spilling out the contents which included the top half of the rabbit

"see told ya damn thief" Len spoke looking over at Joe

Daryl looked at the rabbit then up at Len "asshole you probably put that in there when I went out for a piss"

Joe took a step back and over so he was standing closer to Daryl then Len, Daryl felt Beth behind him and stepped back so that he was blocking her completely from view; he wouldn't let anything happen to her she was too important to someone who was too important to him

"well you see here Daryl, we can't have that….he said claimed and I went through all that work at getting you at least the ass of that damn rabbit….if there is one thing I can't stand it's a liar…"

Daryl watched as Joe moved his body and did a quick movement with his hand before saying

"I hate liars…teach him a lesson boys"

With that the group of men circled in on Len and started to wail on top of him. Daryl looked over to Joe as the older man handed him back is bag "I knew you were telling the truth, I saw him put that damn half in your bag"

Joe looked at Beth and gave her a quick nod; she simply stared back unsure of what to make of what just happened

"and you didn't stop it" she quietly voiced stepping out slightly from behind Daryl

Joe turned and watched as the men continued their beating of Len

"wanted to see how far he would take it; hated that son of a bitch since the start; but now I know how much of a lying sack of shit he really was"

Joe then walked away from the group and back over to the car he was using as a bed. Daryl watched as Len was punched, kicked and beat by what were supposedly his friends, his buddies. With a shake of his head; he turned looking at Beth and pulling her into a hug "we stay as long as we need too then we make due" he whispered before walking them back over to their spot on the floor and laying back down falling asleep as the sounds of Len's demise filled his ears.

Rick and Michonne were walking up ahead when they both stopped and turned; it had gotten too quiet behind them and it made them nervous. As the adults turned they both smiled at the sight before them; glancing over at each other the smile only grew bigger; there was Riley and Carl each walking on one of the tracks trying desperately not to fall. Rick and Michonne waited until the children were a little closer than Rick called out

"any way to move this along; we have to set up camp sometime soon"

Riley glanced up briefly before returning her eyes to the track "come on dad there has to be a winner"

"and its gonna be me" Carl piped up from his balancing act

Rick laughed out loud "so this is what you come up with; all this for a Big Cat bar"

"it's a Big Cat bar" both Riley and Carl replied at the same time that it made everyone in the group laugh

It was silent for a moment as Michonne and Rick walked backwards watching to see who would slip first

"I can't wait till Judith is old enough and can do these stupid things you come up" Carl spoke breaking the quietness.

At the mention of the baby's name Riley faltered and lost her balance stumbling off the track; Rick watched as her eyes hardened at the ground before she lifted her head and glanced over at her brother

"you win"

As she spoke the words she reached into her bag and pulled out the candy bar. Carl took it from her hand and looked down at it; he then glanced up at his sister someone who may not be blood but was his family regardless; pulling away the paper he broke the bar in half and held it out to her.

Riley let a small grin cross her face and pulled the piece from the wrapper. It was then figured out that camp would be set up and the journey would continue tomorrow.

Rick watched Riley as she and Carl walked towards the woods and heard her mumble to him "you're going to regret those words…I have some things planned for me and little ass kicker"

Rick let out a sigh of relief and a small chuckle; looking over at Michonne she nodded as well

"we're okay" she spoke "we'll all be okay"

Morning had arrived and Daryl was awoken by the sound of the men around him collecting their belongings to set out for the day. As Daryl stood he shook Beth awake and she slowly got to her feet together they looked down at a large dried blood stain in the center of the room; he looked over and made eye contact with Joe who simply nodded his head before turning around and throwing his bag over his shoulder. Daryl stared back at the stain before also picking up his bags and gesturing Beth to do the same

As the men walked through a field Daryl and Beth once again hung in the back with Joe. Daryl had to somehow try to figure out a way to find out more information on the person Joe was trying to track down without it seeming that it might be someone he knew and cared for

"so this person that killed Lou" Daryl started as he watched Joe open up a flask and down some of the liquid inside

"was it a man, woman…"

Joe took the flask away from his lips and held it out to Daryl who took it and swallowed a small amount of the burning alcohol

"does it really matter son…they took down one of my men I'm going to take them down"

Beth looked over from her spot beside Daryl and with a shaky voice asked "but you wouldn't kill a girl…would you"

Joe glanced over at Beth before looking up ahead "in this world honey gender don't matter anymore"

Daryl looked at Beth from the corner of his eye and saw how pale she had become; he knew she was thinking about Riley, and while part of him thought it was Rick another part knew that it could possible be Riley and that scared him more than anything. Looking back at Joe he was about to ask another question when up ahead the rest of the men had stopped and were all staring up at a large sign hanging from a pole. Daryl's eyes quickly scanned the words and then looked over to Joe

"this where we're going…."

Joe looked over with a smug smile "so we're a we now"

Daryl simply shrugged his shoulders

With a small laugh Joe replied "yeah we think this is where that bastard went, the signs are all over the place they must have went there and so that's where we're going….going to find them and end them…" with that Joe picked up the pace, leaving Daryl to read the sign one last time praying that it wasn't his family Joe was after. Looking over at Beth he watched as her eyes scanned the words as well

"it could be Rick…or…or…"

Beth looked over at the hunter with tear filled eyes

"we got to find them first" he answered looking up ahead at the retreating back of Joe "we need to find them first"

Daryl looked away biting his bottom lip he found Beth's hand and together they carried on down the tracks, too lost in their thoughts that they didn't notice the lone candy bar wrapper stuck between the two wooden planks

The sun was slowly starting to set and while walking along the edge of the highway the small group stumbled upon a broken down SUV. Rick looked around before setting his eyes on his daughter

"this as good a place as we're going to find tonight…why don't you do a quick sweep see if maybe you can bag a rabbit or something…"

Riley nodded her head and turned taking off into the thick brush. Rick turned and looked at Carl as he studied the inside of the car "it all clear over there" Rick asked

Carl turned and nodded his head. Michonne gestured to the woods on her side and went off to collect stick so that a small fire could be made.

Darkness had overtaken the sky and Riley, Michonne and her dad sat a few yards away from the SUV; Riley had made Carl go into the vehicle and try to sleep the boy was barely able to keep his eyes open as they sat around the fire

Rick looked over at the car before turning and looking at his daughter who sat to right

"that was probably the smallest rabbit you ever brought back Riles"

Riley let a small chuckle escape her lips "yeah well the weather is changing…don't blame the hunter…"

Michonne laughed quietly at the two, as she threw a discarded bone into the slowly dying fire

Riley looked over at her dad "so maybe…"

Riley was never able to finish her sentence as the cold barrel of a gun was placed to her temple

"oh, dearie me. You screwed up sweetheart…you hear you SCREWED UP"

Riley watched from the corner of her eye as her dad tried to reach for his gun, and Michonne her sword only for more men to come out of brush before they could even make a move

"today is a day of reckoning honey, restitution, a balancing of the whole damn universe"

The barrel of the gun jammed in harder against her temple, as the man behind her continued to speak

"shit and I was thinking of turning in for the night on this my New Years Eve…let the countdown began

"ten Mississippi, nine Mississippi, eight Mississippi…"

The counting stopped and all the air left the area as a voice from the darkness called out

"Joe"

A/N: so again not that much different and maybe a little uninspired but hopefully satisfactory the next 'B' side will probably the most drastic change as you can probably all guess what it coming. Anyway I hoped you liked. The next one we'll see a bit more of Beth's POV as they approach Rick and his group and she realizes that Riley is there and what is going to happen we'll also have a few flashbacks thrown in. Thanks so much for all the support it truly means a lot; also if any of you have any ideas for a Love Affair story plot I'd love to hear them!

Review!