A/N: sorry for the long delay; as I said I did write this version first but I wanted it to be just right so I spent a few extra days re reading it, and while I do feel it could be better I didn't want to overload it too much and have it seem forced; I tried to put a lot into it in terms of emotion, and the connection between certain characters especially Beth and Riley but I also wanted it to seem real and authentic; Riley is the type of person that probably wouldn't act how you would hope or picture as we all know she tends to hold onto a lot of guilt, blame and anger. This one it was hard to write for the reason above and just because I put a lot of pressure on myself...but I think it turned out well so let me know. Hopefully you're not disappointed...
Also special thanks and love to:
ErinGoesRawr
MonkeysGoBoo
FunnyMonkey15
(I had you all in mind when writing this!)
Guest
Chapter Twenty-Nine "B" Side: Sad Beautiful Tragic
Beth wasn't going to lie she was scared; these men were out for blood and the blood they wanted could very well be that of the girl who held her heart; as she walked silently in the back glancing up now and then making sure that Daryl was still in front of her, her mind began to drift
'Beth watched as Riley danced around the common area with Judith on her hip; the baby giggling and a giant toothless smile on her face. Everyone else sat around the table finishing dinner; Riley was heading out for her night on watch and then out on a two-day hunt meaning she wouldn't see Judith for a couple of days "so how does it feel having your girlfriend be more in love with a baby then she is with you" Maggie spoke making those around her laugh and chuckle; Beth tore her eyes away from the dancing-girls; narrowing them at her sister but when she spoke a laugh laced the words "could be worse" Beth said with a shrug. A few moments passed before Riley approached the table and walked around it handing the baby over to her father; the small child reached back out for Riley but the blonde girl simply shook her head before placing a soft kiss upon her head "see you in a couple of days little one" she murmured before walking back around to where Beth sat "midnight" Riley mumbled to the girl placing a kiss to her temple before grabbing her bow and walking towards the door. Dinner had ended and Beth waited in her cell until she thought it was sometime around twelve; she then left her cell and proceeded to the tower; she climbed the stairs and walked in. Once inside there was Riley sitting on the edge legs swinging, Beth walked over and sat beside the girl. Riley looked over and smirked she then reached into her bag and pulled out a medium-sized sunflower; handing it over to Beth. Beth gently held the flower a large smile stretching across her lips "where…when…I love it" Riley smirked again and looked back out to the fields "when I was on my last hunt I came across this farm and they were all over the place….Merle used to give me one every birthday" Riley spoke eyes going distance for a moment "...thought you might like it…" Riley then looked over watching as Beth smelt the flower and twirled it in the palms of her hands "…you're my Sun Beth…I love ya….. I think I'm…I'm ready to let people know…." Beth locked her eyes on the bright blue orbs of the girl in front of her, the girl she loved more than anything "…I don't want you to ever doubt that I love you…I would and will do anything for you; to keep you safe keep you happy…anything…" Beth cut the girl off by crashing her lips onto hers "love you too…you have my heart; always have, always will" As morning broke Beth walked Riley over to the fence kissing her hard pulling her against her body "come back safe" Beth mumbled against her lips Riley pulled away "two days" she spoke placing another gentle kiss upon Beth's soft lips. Beth watched until Riley could no longer be seen and then slowly walked back up to the prison the sunflower gripped tightly in her hand.'
As darkness fell Joe and his men thought it best to set up camp. Joe stopped and pointed to his right there was a slight clearing that would be suitable for the night. Just as Joe was about to turn his back one of the men spotted a small flickering flame in the distance. Joe squinted into the darkness an evil grin taking over his lips.
"it's Christmas morning boys time to open our gifts"
With that Joe and his men made their slow and cautious way towards the dimming light ahead. Beth gripped Daryl's hand and he quickly glanced over at her. He bit down on his lip. He then squeezed her hand in return and pulled her along as he worked to catch up with Joe
"it might not be them" Daryl whispered over to the girl
Beth narrowed her eyes and gripped the swinging necklace in her other hand
"be serious Daryl….I have a feeling..." she hissed back; her heart beat thumping loudly in her ears
Daryl stopped as Joe came to a halt, he looked behind him and signaled for Gabe to come forward; Joe looked from Gabe to the small group that from where Daryl stood he couldn't make out. His eyes flashed over to Gabe as he mumbled something to Joe and nodded his head, he then pointed out and over to someone and leaned in closer telling Joe who had done their friend in.
Joe stood up straight and pulled out his gun, he clicked off the safety and nodded at his men; he then made eye contact with Daryl for a moment before his eyes fall upon Beth
"best if you stay put" he spoke softly before turning back again and creeping out of the tree line.
From where Daryl stood he still couldn't make out who was there, but as Joe took a small step to his right he caught sight of a black woman with a sword hanging from her back. He knew if Michonne was there Rick had must be close as well. He could feel it in his bones; but then his heart dropped as Joe bent down and a small blonde girl was suddenly in his vision
"I got to get out there Beth…"
Beth saw the panic in Daryl's eyes and heard his voice weaver. She glanced up and followed his eye line
'Beth sat against the wall watching as Riley sharpened her hunting knife "are you scared" Riley looked up and cocked her head to the side "scared….scared of what" Beth stood and sat beside the girl removing the knife from her hand leaning over and placing it on the desk "scared of…of dying" Riley looked at Beth long and hard before replying "no". Beth lowered her eyes she knew Riley would say that; nothing scared the Dixon's it was kind of annoying; they just rolled with the punches, but growing up in the family they did she could understand why "I'm not scared of dying because of a Walker" Riley stated staring ahead "…it's the people the alive ones that scare me" Riley spoke making Beth's head snap back up "Walkers I can deal with, you know what to expect how to handle things how to adjust, adapt….people…people are too unpredictable" Riley stopped turning; Beth watched her for a moment before grabbing her hand "I'm scared" Beth whispered "not of me dying though..." Beth hesitated she knew that saying the next part would add extra meaning to their relationship and she didn't want Riley to carry that around every time she left the prison walls or Beth's sight "I don't know what I would do if…if…" Beth couldn't even finish the sentence before tears filled her eyes and she looked away from the girl. Beth heard Riley sigh before she reached over and turned Beth's face back to look at her; using her thumb she wiped away a stray tear before gently placing her lips over Beth's "I ain't going anywhere…can't die on you" she mumbled pulling away she whispered "I may not always be here but I'll always find you…I'm not going anywhere Beth…." Beth pulled away and wrapped her arms around Riley leaning her head on her shoulder and kissing the faint pink scar that sit on the girl's neck; she closed her eyes and took in her girlfriends scent 'I wish I could believe that' Beth thought before kissing Riley again "a Dixon always keeps their promises" she heard Riley mummer into her hair, Beth smiled wondering how Riley knew what she was thinking and let a soft sigh leave her lips'
All sound left the world as Beth watched Joe approach Riley
"Daryl…." she softly spoke tears filling her eyes and her voice thick with fear
Daryl spun around and looked at Beth "you stay here….you hear me…..stay here. I'll keep her safe….all of them; don't come out till I come get ya….listen to me Beth"
Beth tore her eyes away from Riley and locked them onto the blue eyes of the hunter who was also dealing with the anxiety of the situation…
"but Daryl…"
"no" he hissed out "stay…I'll come back"
With that Daryl was gone walking around the opposite way Joe had, with each step he took fear, panic and adrenaline flowed through his body
'I know you'll save me Daryl….you always have and you always will'
Riley felt the barrel of the gun be pushed harder into her skull as the man spoke; she knew who the man was even though she had yet to see his face. Her dirty deed had caught up with her, and now she would pay the price. She listened as the man began his sick countdown to what would be her death sentence
"ten Mississippi….nine Mississippi"
'Riley sat on the wrap around porch of the house that the group had settled in to for the night; Glenn had watch on the other side of the house and every now and again either he or Riley would do a quick check to make sure all was clear. Riley sat leaning against the house her crossbow laying beside her; she rubbed her gloved hands together and let a sigh escape her lips; she watched as her breath turned to mist and she refocused her eyes on the woods that engulfed them. Hearing footsteps on the light snow that had fallen earlier Riley looked up and smiled at the bright-eyed Beth. Riley liked Beth but would never act on it…ever. She wouldn't risk the friendship or the hurt in finding out Beth didn't feel the same way. "company" Beth spoke softly her words turning to fog in the cold December air. Rick had spoken earlier about how it was most likely December as Georgia had a history of snow in this month and just from guessing on time but in all honesty no one truly knew. Using one of her gloved hands Riley wiped away the little snow that had piled up beside her and Beth smiled turning her face as her cheeks heated, she too also liked the Dixon but was too intimidated and just too shy to try to go anywhere with it. Sitting down the two enjoyed the quiet, just listening and watching the gently patter of the snow as it touched the world. "so Rick thinks it's December…most likely the end of it" Beth voiced. Riley looked over and nodded "he's probably right, he was talking to your dad and the cold and snow its pretty much the same as last year" Beth smiled at the girl and stared out into the woods "could be New Years Eve" Riley chuckled and Beth looked over a fake pout on her lips "what….it could be" Riley glanced over and nodded "yeah….it could be" she spoke with a slight laugh turning and looking back out in front of her. Beth looked away from Riley and down at her hands that sat in her lap 'now or never' she thought. "well I think it is so…." Beth leaned over and kissed Riley on the cheek before quickly getting to her feet "Happy New Years Riley" and with that she hurried off back into the house. Riley looked at the spot Beth had just vacated and then placed a hand to her cheek; she let a sly smirk cross her face before dropping her hand and knotting her eyebrows "what the hell does that mean" she spoke out loud "what does what mean" she heard from behind her, she turned and saw Glenn standing there glancing back at his post "nothing" Riley quickly answered "everything's clear here" Glenn nodded and jogged back over to his side of the house "everything's clear here" Riley mumbled to herself'
"eight Mississippi..."
Riley opened her eyes, the memory leaving her the girl of her dreams leaving her she needed to shut down if she thought too much about the people she was leaving behind or the promises she had broken she wouldn't be able to stay alert. She looked from the corner of her eye glancing around trying to figure out a way to end this, save her family….and hopefully herself until a voice from the darkness made the world freeze
"Joe…"
Riley knew that voice and her heart stopped all the blood drained from her face as her eyes landed on her brother; she watched as he slowly came out from behind a car that was stalled in the middle of the road; he's eyes gazed over Michonne and Rick and finally settled on her.
Daryl walked around the car listening to the words that Joe spoke; he saw the rest of them standing around in a circle blocking anyone from making any quick or sudden movements. He looked from Michonne to Rick and finally his baby sister; she looked so much smaller than he remembered, she looked pale, tired...broken.
He glanced away from his family and looked at Joe taking small steps almost as if you were trying to calm down a rabid dog or frightened child
"hold up a second"
Joe looked up and away from the back of the blonde girls head and stared at Daryl with a look of slight agitation
"you're stopping me on eight Daryl"
Riley glanced over quickly and saw that her dad had a look of shock written over his face; he too glanced over in Riley's direction but her eyes were fixed back on her brother as he spoke again making his steady way towards the center of the circle
"just hold up a minute"
A man who stood behind Daryl and had his gun trained on Rick spoke out with annoyance
"this is the bitch that killed Lou, ain't nothing to talk about"
Joe stood a little straighter looking over at Daryl with an almost amused expression
"see the thing is nowadays we got nothing but time"
As Joe spoke and was more focused on the man in front of him Riley felt the pressure of the gun lessen against her temple as Joe moved his hand addressing Daryl
"say your piece Daryl"
Daryl looked away from Joe and down at Riley who sat with her hands out and a gun pressed against her head
He had to think quick, say the right thing, act the right way; there would be no second chance at this no going or coming back
"these people" he began with a slight nervous edge in his voice "you're going to let them go…these are good people" he spoke gesturing out with his hand to the three who sat before him
Joe narrowed his eyes for a moment and looked at Daryl cold blue eyes to haunted blue eyes
"yeah you see, I think Lou would disagree with you on that… I'll have to speak for him and all because your friend here strangled him in a bathroom"
The more Joe spoke and was occupied with Daryl the more the gun slackened and moved at an awkward angle down Riley's jawbone
"you want blood" Daryl answered shifting his weight from one foot to another "I get it" he then locked eyes on Riley for a split second before leaning to the side and dropping his crossbow onto the ground
"take it from me man" he continued holding his arms out "come on"
Riley watched her eyes widening slightly and panic welling inside her chest
Joe looked at Daryl as if he had just been told his first-born son had died
"this girl killed our friend…you say she's good people….see that…th…that right there is a lie…it's a LIE"
As Joe spoke the words Daryl knew what was coming; Riley, Rick, and Michonne however only saw red…their brother, their family was getting beaten to death because he tried to save them, wanted to save them
Riley watched as her brother was thrown over to the side of the car and punched, but the sound of a door being pulled open and Carl crying out in pain or fear drew her attention away; she went to jump to her feet only for Joe to pull her roughly back down
Riley heard Michonne as well as Rick attempt to stand before the sick voice of one of the men spoke out "you just stay put"
Fear filled Riley's body because of her and her decisions everyone she knew and loved was going to die and die in the most horrific way
"it was me, just me" Riley loudly spoke to Joe, she wouldn't...couldn't let anything happen to Carl
Joe leaned down "see that's right, that's not a damn lie"
He leaned down a little further the gun now back and placed firmly to her temple
"see here we're reasonable men; first we're going to beat Daryl, then we'll have the black girl, then your pops over there, then the boy..."
Riley clenched her jaw and felt her hands turn into fist
"then we'll shoot you and then we'll be square" Joe finished with a laugh but not just any laugh a great big belly laugh as if he was just told the funniest story of all time as if this was all a fun game, something that was fair and right and descent and it made Riley more than angry it made her…it made her more undaunted
Riley watched as Carl was thrown to the ground a fat, slimy, disgusting man straddling his body, she felt herself began to shake, her teeth clenched together so tight her jaw started to go numb
"let him go" she spoke her voice not filled with fear but of madness
Riley flashed back to Beth, back to the Governor back to Logan...her father
"let him go" she spoke as Joe's laugher rang louder in her ears; then everything went black she went into autopilot and her mind stopped working and her body took over, she threw her head back knocking Joe back slightly. The gun fired but because of the movement fired towards the ground. The sound vibrating off the cement and Riley was without her hearing for a moment
Coming back into focus , she got to her feet and spun around, she clocked Joe in the jaw; but his size quickly worked to his advantage as he pushed her to the ground, kicking her in the chest
"well this is going to be so much worse now" Joe spoke as he brought his foot down once again knocking the wind completely from her lungs
Riley rolled over and willed herself to her feet as she stumbled to her knees she caught sight of Daryl being pushed back into the car and then kicked in the stomach doubling over in pain; the rustling of leaves caught her attention next and she saw Carl struggling to get away from the asshole on top of him
"come on get up" Joe yelled from above her "let's see what you got"
As Riley finally got to her feet Joe was there and gripped her in a tight hug locking her arms to her sides. Riley was standing on the tips of her toes as Joe pulled her up, he looked into her dead blue eyes
"what you going to do now sweetheart"
Riley stared back at Joe seeing both of her brothers fighting to stay alive; Riley had gone into complete shut down mode she no longer thought she just acted, she had become completely desensitized...the feeling of shock, distress and fear leaving her. She simply looked at Joe cocking her head to side...
She brought her head down and bit hard in to Joe's neck ripping at his jugular, blood poured out of Joe's neck and down Riley's face; leaning over Riley turned the side spitting out pieces of flesh, tissue, muscle and blood. Joe slowly fell to the ground gasping for breath as blood poured from his neck.
Riley stumbled back as the weight of Joe's body was removed from hers; all noise was gone, everyone had stopped all movements; Rick who was struggling to get to Carl, and Michonne who was desperately trying to help Daryl all froze. The men around them were stunned at what they had just saw; which brought Michonne enough time to reach up and swing the gun from Gabe's hands into hers and shoot him. Daryl was then able to kill one of the men that was attacking him, Michonne firing at the other.
Michonne then turned her gun on the man who held Carl in front of him, knife to his neck
"let the boy go" Michonne hissed out
The man pulled Carl closer to him and gripped the knife a little tighter against his neck
"I'll kill him…I'll kill him…"
Riley had developed tunnel vision she heard the words that people spoke but was not present or aware of what was actually happening. She reached down and with a blood covered hand pulled Joe's knife from his belt. She then stepped forward and walked past Michonne and Rick who weren't sure what to do they couldn't risk a movement or action that would somehow cause Carl to get hurt or killed
"he's mine" she spoke out in a voice that none of them had ever heard before.
Rick went to step in front of her but Michonne placed a light hand on his shoulder and simply shook her head
The man let go of Carl who ran forward past Riley and into the arms of Michonne, who quickly wrapped him within her
All anyone could do was watch as Riley approached the man who was twice her size but still cowered under her gaze; Riley gripped the man by the back of the collar and pushed the knife into his lower stomach never once removing eye contact; she then proceeded to drag the knife up until she had cut him open completely only stopping once she reached the throat. She then let go of him allowing him to fall backwards down onto the leaf covered pavement; she looked down at him eyes cold and lifeless before straddling his body and crouching down; she then took the knife and plunged it into his skull hearing the crunch of the bone as she removed it.
Behind her Daryl had moved over and stood beside Rick looking quickly over at Carl as he was held tightly in Michonne's arms. He then focused his attention onto his sister who was lost in a world of anger, guilt, fear...hopelessness.
From behind them they heard a rustling and all of them turned weapons ready for whoever or whatever emerged from the thick brush
Beth had stood frozen to the spot as she watched the scene before her be played. She stayed still and silent and listened to Daryl's instructions, even willing herself to stay hidden after she watched Daryl get pushed into the car and beat, she however couldn't stand stagnant any longer when the sound of a gun being fired vibrated off the stillness around her. She slowly made her way over being cautious of twigs, fallen logs and anything that would draw any added attention to not only her but the events taking place a few yards ahead
Glancing up as she was only a few feet away she stopped and paled at the scene before her; Riley was stumbling to her feet as Joe loomed over her; once she was fully standing Joe pulled Riley tight against his body and spoke words she couldn't hear, after a pause her eyes widened a hand flying to her mouth as she watched Riley bite into Joe's neck seeing the blood pour out of the man and coat Riley's face and body.
She took another shaky step forward watching as Riley bent down pulling a knife from the dying man's belt only to turn and walk towards a man who held Carl in his grasp; something was muttered to Rick and Michonne as Riley passed. Beth looked away unable to watch the girl she loved travel back down the rabbit hole that she had fought so hard to climb out of.
Beth took a deep breath and felt for the necklace that danced at her chest; she gripped it and looked back at the small broke family in front of her. She nodded her head and walked forward knowing what she needed to do, knowing that she was the only one that could break this cycle.
'you're here to save me….I'm here to bring you back'
Everyone watched as another blonde head came into view, Rick let out a strangled cry as he watched Beth emerge from the woods, Michonne's eyes filled with tears she truly believed that the farmer's daughter hadn't made it; Carl looked at the girl and knew what a saving grace it was that she was here; he too felt tears grace his blue eyes. Daryl looked at the girl who simply nodded at him her eyes flashing from the group over to Riley who still sat on the man, mindlessly stabbing him in the skull
Beth walked forward a few paces she watched Riley for a moment her heart breaking at the thought of what could be running through the girl's head
"...Riley..."
Riley was lost in a world of darkness, she wasn't even aware of what she was doing; her mind told her one thing and that was to kill this man; this man had tried to…had tried to…
Riley looked down at the bloody, broken and hardly there face of the fat, greasy man who had wanted to….had almost...
All Riley saw was the face of the Governor, the face of Logan, the face of her father, and then she had visions of herself as a little girl, flashes of Judith, Carl and…Beth
She had pulled the knife out of the skull blood dripping down the handle and coating her already stained red fingers, she raised it slightly and was about to bring it down again when a soft voice spoke to her
'great you're hearing things again' she thought bringing the knife down harder and ripping it out quicker watching as a chunk of flesh flew from the rust colored metal
"Riley" the voice spoke again
Riley stopped; knife sitting in her hand hovering over the torn skull. She knew that voice, she dreamt about that voice she loved that voice, but there was no way that the owner of that voice was here
"you ain't here" Riley whispered angrily
"Riley" the voice spoke out once again it sounded closer, clearer; it was slowly breaking through the darkness that enclosed her
The group watched from their place as Beth called out to Riley; they thought though that she was too far gone as it seemed she wasn't responding to anything around her; but the third time seemed to slowly awaken her from the blackness
Riley's hand fell limp to the side and her head dropped. She slowly released the knife and used the bloody body of the man below her to push herself to a standing position. She ran a blood covered hand through her hair and took a deep breath, she then slowly turned and raised her head.
Beth had to suppress a gasp as Riley looked up; the bottom half of her face was stained red from her earlier altercation with Joe, her blue eyes empty and void her blonde hair tinted red; but what scared Beth the most was that she thought Riley didn't recognize her, it appeared as though she was looking through her unsure of who this person was. Beth quickly looked behind her and watched as everyone wore the same worried expression; turning back Beth looked at Riley and the distance that separated them was unbearable but she didn't want Riley to disappear anymore then she already had.
Riley stood from her place over the bastard and turned raising her head to look at her dad and brothers only to come face to face with the one person who she needed now more than ever; the one person she loved more than anything, the one person she thought she would never see again.
Riley's eyes looked at Beth and she once again felt as though she was underwater; she could only hear her heart beating loudly in her ears; she glanced over and locked eyes with her father and then over to her older brother. Her eyes then landed on her younger brother as he was held in Michonne's arms. She bowed her head and her hands turned into fist
'because of you and your stupid decisions Carl was almost…Daryl almost….'
Riley took one step forward followed by another she then walked with a quick and even pace pass Beth and pass her broken and battered family she walked passed Joe's dead body; she walked towards her discarded crossbow reaching down and picking it up never breaking her stride; she then continued on into the now dimly lit forest
"Riley" Beth shouted out racing after the girl.
Riley stopped her feet grazing the edge of the green grass that signaled the start of the wood
Beth skidded to a halt a few feet from where Riley stood, she studied the back of the girl watching as her head dropped and her body began to shake. Beth watched as the crossbow that was held in Riley's hands clattered to the ground. Riley then slowly turned around her once vibrate ocean blue eyes were dull and lifeless. Beth's eyes filled with tears, before she was able to utter a word or decide if she should make the first move Riley was in her arms a hand against her head the other wrapped tightly around her back. Beth took a shaky breath as she wrapped her arms around her girl and pulled her in as tight as possible.
Rick looked over at Daryl as the hunter looked away from the couple in front of them his eyes glossy. Rick also felt a lump form in his throat if Beth wasn't here he wasn't sure what would become of Riley. He looked over at Michonne and Carl the woman with silent tears streaming down her cheeks, Carl stood staring at the girls his eyes also holding unshed tears
"you okay" Rick whispered
Carl's eyes shot over to his dad and he slowly nodded his head
Rick glanced up at Michonne "why don't you take him with you to the car"
Michonne looked down at Carl and gave the boy a squeeze
"what about Riley" Carl softly replied looking back over as Beth ran a hand through Riley's hair and mumbled something the others couldn't hear
Daryl took a step forward and turned looking at the three "she'll be okay..." he stopped and turned back watching as Beth held a tight hand against Riley's head holding the girl into her body "...she'll be okay"
"how can you be sure" Carl asked panic lacing each word
Daryl looked over at Rick; brother to brother "cause she has Beth now"
Rick stared at Daryl remembering how he uttered similar words to the hunter once before and nodded his head
Rick and Daryl watched as Michonne led Carl to the car letting him in first then softly shutting the door
Daryl turned and looked at his sister and Beth as they continued to stand together at the edge of the forest; the sun was slowly starting to make its way over the horizon and Daryl gestured to the woods to the left; Rick looked over at his daughter and her girlfriend before taking a step forward and walking with Daryl
Riley was sitting against the front drivers side door of the SUV; her knees up and her blood covered hands resting on them. Riley didn't even remember how she got here but she knew Carl was inside with Michonne and Beth had disappeared somewhere …Beth had disappeared somewhere….
'Beth was never here'
Riley glanced at her bloody hands her blue eyes holding no remorse, no guilt for the actions she had carried out; no the guilt and remorse came from why the course of last night happened….this was her fault; no way to deny it this time; her actions had caused this…all your fault…all your FAULT
Riley's eyes refocused as a pair of boots came into her vision and she glanced up; there was Beth; she was real and she was here standing in front of Riley wearing a small sad smile. Riley noticed she was carrying a bottle of water and a rag, she poured some of the water onto the rag moistening it
"we should save that... for drinking"
Beth kneeled down so she was in-between Riley's legs "you can't see your face babe…we can…"
Beth then brought the rag up and started to wipe away the dried and caked blood from Riley's face; Beth locked eyes with Riley for a moment before the Dixon adverted them and looked anywhere but Beth's face
Riley's eyes fall to the swinging pendant hanging from Beth's neck; Riley reached out a red hand and grabbed it
"you found the box"
Beth quickly looked at Riley's downcast eyes before resuming her task
"Daryl noticed it first" Beth spoke with a slight laugh
Riley released the necklace and a small smirk crossed her face "observant little man ain't he"
Beth watched as a glimmer of the old Riley was seen but it quickly vanished
"…it's my fault...all of this..."
Beth had finally removed most of the blood and tossed the rag to the side, Riley turned and watched the rag for a moment her eyes scanning the blood stained ground
"this whole thing…it's my fault…Daryl was almost….Carl…..fuck Carl…" Riley spoke her voice beginning to crack, Beth watched as Riley's eyes flashed looking over at something behind Beth's shoulder Beth watched as Riley's eyes filled with what could only be classified as guilt….shame…defeat…"you were with Daryl…"
'another thing you failed at….another promise broken'
Beth craned her neck and looked behind her seeing Daryl and Rick emerge from the woods but stop and whisper to one another occasionally glancing over at the girls, turning back around Beth searched Riley's eyes she wasn't sure what they held but they glanced from Beth to Daryl to Rick and then fell down watching the pendant swing back and forth
Rick watched as Beth was kneeled between Riley's legs, Riley's face was clean and free of most of the blood and it looked as though Beth got her to talk
The two men had walked a small circle around the makeshift camp; with all the noise of last night the last thing they needed was an onslaught of Walkers showing up. Daryl had filled Rick in on everything that had happened since the fall of the prison; how he got out with Beth, finding the funeral home and then meeting up with Joe's group
"I had no idea they were like that….I knew they were bad people but they had a code, it worked it was stupid; but it was something…" Daryl spoke adverting his eyes from the blue ones of his brother
Rick stopped short and glanced around his mind flashing back to last night and how he almost lost not one but two of his children how his brother had volunteered himself to save the rest and how Riley had done what she did; Riley had bitten someone's jugular out, and then she went on to gut another like a wild animal
"you had to protect Beth" Rick cut in talking more to the trees then to Daryl
Daryl watched Rick for a moment and then glanced over towards the highway that he could make out from the thinning of the trees
"they told me they were tracking someone; and last night they spotted them…"
Daryl stopped flashing back to his sister with a gun to her head, seeing Carl on the ground, watching what Riley did…the look in her eyes…
"was hanging back, was going to take Beth and leave but I stayed I needed to know…that's when I saw it was you four…..and then when she saw me; I didn't know what they could do…"
Rick tore his eyes away from the trees away from thinking about Riley, Carl how this would and will affect them
"it's not on you Daryl…" Rick spoke watching as the hunter looked away "hey" Rick spoke causing Daryl to turn and lock eyes with him "it's not on you…"
Daryl looked down briefly and bit his lip; Rick saw Riley in that moment and knew that no matter what he said Daryl was a Dixon and just like Riley would carry the guilt and pain of last night with him forever
"you being back with us; here now…that's everything.." Daryl looked back over at the trees his mind going to how Riley was
"you're my brother…"
Daryl's eyes glanced back at Rick before a stillness overcame them; both men started to slowly walk back towards the highway. They stopped as they came into view of Beth kneeling in between Riley's legs. Both men noticed that Riley's face was semi clean from blood and it looked as though Beth had gotten Riley to open up, come back a bit from the well of darkness
Beth looked at Riley as the Dixon brought her hands up to her head cradling it before slowly shaking it from side to side
"hey, hey, hey" Beth spoke removing her hands and placing a hand on either side of Riley's face
"what you did last night" Beth spoke her eyes shooting over to the window of the car where Carl and Michonne lay inside
"anybody would have done that"
Riley locked her broken blue eyes onto Beth before shaking her head "no….not that"
"something happened…something to someone you love; that's not you Riles"
Riley stared at her hands and then up at her brother and dad; before quickly looking over at Beth
"no…you know what I did to Lizzie, the Walker that day…but that…that's me…it may not be all of me but that's why I lasted so long…all that matters is keeping Carl safe, little ass kicker when I find her….you…that's all that matters now; that's all I care about…"
Beth heard Daryl and Rick getting closer but she paid them no attention
"you ain't a bad person Dixon" Beth whispered
Riley brought her glossy blue eyes up and stared at Beth
"I don't regret what I did…." Riley whispered "I would do anything to protect…"
Beth held Riley's face in her hands "I know…and he knows…we all know….you are not a bad person…you're not a monster"
Beth watched as Riley's eyes shined with unshed tears; Beth knew Riley wouldn't let them fall.
She could sense Rick and Daryl standing a few feet away watching; he knew both were and would be concerned about the girl.
"I let your dad down" Riley spoke barely above a whisper
Beth didn't know how to respond to that
"I made him a promise and….and…shit your dad.." Riley's broken voice stated before jumping to her feet making Beth stumble back a bit
Riley began to pace; it wasn't until a raspy laugh coming from the left caught her attention, she turned her head and saw Merle leaning against a tree, Lori standing beside him arms crossed….and then Herschel…
Daryl and Rick watched as Riley spoke Herschel's name and then quickly got to her feet beginning to pace up and down the small area. Riley stopped and looked to the side staring into the forest, staring at something in the forest...staring at someone in the forest
"Riley look at me" Beth spoke
Beth knew what was happening she had seen it before and knew if she didn't catch it in time Riley would be gone... and maybe for good this time
"she's seeing them again" Daryl mumbled rubbing the back of his neck
'how dare you let that happen to my son; he's suppose to be your brother….I trusted you'
'you promised to watch after my daughter keep her safe…you said you loved her, you wanted to marry her'
'what did I tell you Rye bread time and time again; ain't no one want you….you only cause heartache'
Riley watched as each person spoke, her hands started to shake and her eyes fell to the ground
"Riley" Beth spoke walking towards the girl placing a hand on either side of her face turning her head slowly to stare at her
"look at me….their not here, its me and you okay me and you, and I love you always have and always will... you have my heart"
Beth then softly placed her lips on to the Dixon; it took a moment but then Riley started to slowly kiss back and Beth let a sigh escape her lips as she pulled away a bit
"love you" Riley whispered "love you…"
"you're here to save me, I'm here to bring you back" Beth voiced just as quiet
"you're pulling double duty today…" Riley smirked glancing back over to the tree line
Beth turned and stared at the emptiness around them; before gently placing her hands back onto Riley's cheeks "hey…you and me...you and me"
Riley lowered her eyes and Beth knew she was struggling
"I'm never going to leave you again Beth; I won't let anything happen to you…I promise…" Riley spoke softly once again getting lost in something over Beth's shoulder "I won't break that promise again"
Beth glanced down as she sensed Riley holding something in her hands; she smiled at the small square piece of paper that was a tad wrinkled but was in otherwise good condition
"you still have that" Beth spoke with a small chuckle pulling the photo from Riley's hands
Riley let a small grin come to her face
"hey come on now give it here" Riley voiced reaching out trying to snatch the picture back
Beth smirked and quickly shoved it into her back pocket
"nah…" she spoke as she gripped Riley's hands and kissed the girl lightly on the lips
"you're not gonna need a picture anymore..."
A/N: yes I stole the picture scene from Glenn and Maggie I loved that moment when they were reunited…true love in the Walker world seems like something that shouldn't happen so when it does its pretty awesome! So sadly one more chapter left…In the next chapter Daryl and Riley will talk; Riley and Carl will talk (maybe Riley and Rick) and maybe Riley will ask Beth an important question (what do you think/want) then we get to Terminus; I have some things planned for when we get there lets just say Riley can't catch a break….If you all have any ideas I'd love to hear them sometimes you guys give me thoughts and suggestions I didn't even think of and sometimes there better than what I was thinking. So alas please review love hearing your thoughts!
Also if you have any idea for short stories or one shots let's hear them I'm going to need something to fill the time OR let me know if there's a story I've started and then neglected that you would like me to focus on. Thanks! one more thing I will probably write a Love Affair story based off of this title which is a Taylor Swift song...thoughts
