A/N: Happy Walking Dead Day! Sorry this took so long; but I'm back! I lost a little bit of drive in terms of writing and didn't really want to post anything that wasn't up to par. As a side note I don't think this chapter is one of my best, but like I said I'm trying to find the rhythm again! I'm looking forward to the next few chapters as a lot happens story wise; being in Alexandria, the runs the people….Pete! I have a lot of ideas involving all of it (please let me know your ideas and thoughts as I love hearing them and they honestly do help….a lot!) I want to take a minute as well to say a major thank you to all the new followers! It literally makes my heart swell when I get an email alerting me to someone who just followed and favorite me and/or my story. I also want to say thank you to a reader and someone who left a review….Grace! Your review came at just the right time! It was just want I needed to hear! Honestly Thank You!

Chapter Forty-Six: Could Be

"You need to learn to trust people"

Riley raised her blue orbs and gave the girl beside her a smirk "what for"

Beth let a small chuckle escape her lips "not all people are going to lie to you"

Riley watched Beth for a moment, watched her eyes, watched as they shined reflecting the late afternoon sun "I trust you and that's enough" she spoke finishing the conversation by placing a soft kiss to Beth's lips

Walking into the barn the air was heavy and unbearable. Maggie was the first to enter announcing their presence and that of Aaron.

Riley wasn't to interested in the unpleasant exchange and chose to stand by the door her body facing that of the group while her head and eyes stayed trained on the land that could been seen between the small cracks and bends of the wooden door.

"It would be great"

"what would be"

"to have a place…a place where we didn't have to run anymore, a place where we could settle down, a place where we could start a life…a place where we could just be"

Riley looked into the distance watched the tall grass blow gently in the breeze, her eyes closed as Beth wrapped her arms around her middle resting her chin on her shoulder. Riley could feel Beth smile as her warm breath gazed her ear "a place where we could start a family"

Riley couldn't help but let a small smile cross her lips "nothing I want more baby"

"…it's a community really"

Riley's eyes jerked over to the back of Aaron's head at his words her eyes quickly finding Daryl's together they shared a similar look before her eyes went back to the outside

'learn to trust baby'

Riley watched as Aaron's body fell to the ground his head smacking the floor of the dusty barn floor causing small pieces of hay and chipped wood to rise in the air. Looking over she watched as Michonne whispered something to Rick before the man moved forward to empty the travelers pack

"we didn't see him…" Riley mumbled her eyes drifting back to Aaron "he saw us, if wanted to kill us he could have and would have…" without looking at Rick, Riley's eyes found Maggie's together the girls shared a look before Maggie turned to Rick

"he must have been out there awhile and he didn't do anything"

Ignoring both girls Rick's voice rung out around the barn "anything out there"

Riley not yet knowing how she felt about this man she once called dad simply shook her head "it's the forest lots of places people could hide" she replied coldly catching Noah's eye briefly

Riley could hear Aaron start to groan and watched as Maggie and Sasha helped him back to his knees but her eyes and mind only stayed on Noah. She knew she would do whatever was needed to keep that young boy alive, he had taken the place of Beth and while it was no comparison to what she had lost she now had something new to live for, something to help her not think about what her life was now…now that her heart was no longer in it

Tearing her eyes off of Noah she watched as Aaron tried to plead his case, plead the fact that he knew this group was descent people, people who would be a good fit for his town, people who knew what it took….what it took

"Rick, if I wanted to ambush you, I'd do it here. You know, light the barn on fire while you slept, pick you off as you ran out the only exit. You can trust me."

'you can trust me….you can trust me….you can trust me'

"fuck this"

All eyes snapped up watching as Riley pushed herself off the wall

"I'm going to go check for the cars…..we're going in fucking circle with all this back and forth and sundown will be here soon and then what….let's see if his lying and take it from there"

With those words Riley pushed the door open and jogged out of the barn simply calling over her shoulder for Noah to follow

Rick let a heavy sigh leave his lips as his eyes turned to Daryl. Rick knew Riley was pushing herself away from him but he be hell bent if he didn't put up a fight. Turning away from his brother and looking over at the strong red headed man who Rick was coming to terms with; no words were needed as Abraham knew what his leader wanted

"yeah I could use a walk"

Riley walked on the long stretch of road Noah at her side. She watched the road in front of her knowing that the rest of group was slowly walking behind them.

"what do you think"

Riley looked over at Noah from the corner of her eye "about all this…Aaron, his story, his community"

"don't know" Riley spoke softly "it feels like the same story just a different set of characters"

Noah looked at the Dixon his eyebrows creasing together, Riley shook her head, her hand slipping into her pocket and brushing against the cool metal "I don't believe anything at face value, words are simply words and in this world words can get you killed….."

'I get it now…..I get it now'

Riley stopped walking a soft chuckle leaving her body

"he ain't a liar"

Back at the barn night had fallen and it was decided that the group would take their chances and head towards Alexandria which is what Aaron said his community was named.

"we leave tonight then" Rick spoke looking over at Riley who stood leaning against the wall the small blurred square photograph twirling in her fingers

Rick pushed himself up and looked around at his small family before nodding and walking towards the Dixon

"I'm thinking you, Glenn, and Michonne drive with me and Aaron"

Rick watched as Riley tore her eyes away from the spinning paper and up to where Carl and Judith stood

"whatever you think" she spoke pushing away from the wall and making her way towards the baby

"Riley" Rick called; he was shocked when she actually stopped and turned back around. Slowly he walked towards her and placed his hands on her shoulders "I'm sorry…I…I failed you and that was the one thing I never wanted to do"

Riley looked the man in the eye before lowering her gaze to the picture, the picture that no longer existed "I know" she spoke raising her eyes "I know…I just….I don't have anything left…what if I forget her…." stopping briefly to look over at the rest of her family she whispered "I still see them, hear them…everyone but her…."

Rick pulled this girl into a hug "I love you Riles and we'll figure this out and we'll be okay…we'll be okay I promise"

Riley nodded her head and gently pulled away "love you too dad"

With that Riley turned and walked towards her siblings; Carl looked up as Riley approached and smiled, Riley looked down at Judith and placed a hand on her head before the other fall upon Carl's shoulder

"I'm riding with dad so you make sure this little one stays safe yeah?"

Carl nodded his head

"and whatever happens when we get there you don't let your guard down or Judith out of your sight unless she's with one of us you understand…" looking away and over at her father who was now speaking quietly with Michonne and Daryl, Riley continued "we don't know this place or these people for the time being you do and listen to whatever our group says….we are the ones you trust, you understand"

Leaning down Riley placed a kiss onto Judith's head before turning and grabbing her crossbow and bag and walking out the door

Riley sat in the back with Aaron on her right, keeping her gaze out the window she heard bits and pieces of the conversations drifting through the small car. As her eyes floated by a beat up semi truck her memory drifted back to Bob and when he first entered the group, she remembered stopping on the side of the road and the look Bob gave her, Glenn and Daryl was one she never forget, it was look of pure happiness like he had been saved, a look that said he was no longer alone. It was then her heart stopped…..the questions

"who asked him the questions" she spoke leaning forward slightly in her seat, her eyes going to Glenn, Rick and then Michonne

"the questions" Aaron asked

Riley gripped the strap of her crossbow that lay on her lap "no fucking way" she mumbled

Turning her attention to Aaron as fear and anger coursed through her; how stupid could she be "how many Walkers have you killed?"

Aaron looked quickly around the car "sorry….what"

"how many"

Panicked Aaron stuttered out "I don't know a lot"

Looking in the rearview mirror Riley locked eyes with Glenn asking the next question her eyes drifting over to Michonne

"how many people"

Aaron turned looking Riley in the eye "two"

"why" she countered back without a pause

Not breaking the eye contact "because they tried to kill me"

Riley looked at her father but spoke to Aaron "this isn't safe Glenn stop the car….my siblings….my family…." turning to look at Aaron "…. if this is a ploy or a trap….. I will kill you"

Carl sat in the damp dark room a single candle giving a low glow to the warehouse they were in. His eyes went to Judith who was nestled in the arms of Maggie fast asleep unaware of the world and panic that sat within the small group. Standing he walked towards the door where Daryl stood his eyes glued to the road that led to where Riley and his father would emerge from.

"something went wrong" Carl whispered his eyes going back to his sister

Daryl brought his thumb to his mouth and started to chew on the nail "their coming"

Carl removed his hat and spun it around in his hands "about Beth" he started looking at Daryl through the corner of his eye; he watched as Daryl lowered his gaze before pulling a small ring from his pocket.

"I picked this off a dead one when we were on the mission" holding the small band between his thumb and pointer finger

"was gonna give it to Beth to give to Riles" letting a sigh escape his lips he shoved the ring back into the depth of cotton and dirt "sometimes I think about what it would be like if she were still here….if we could go back what would we do differently…."

Carl placed his hat back on his head and looked down the pitch black road, not wanting to open a wound that he knew the hunter was still healing he changed the direction of conversation "Riley and dad made up that's good…."

Daryl looked at the boy "they love each other too much; they share something, always have, always will and it's stronger now….the two of them need each other, may not seem like it but they help keep the other one human"

It was quiet for a moment both men lost in thought before a low whistle brought both their eyes shooting to the end of the street. They watched as the remaining members of their group came running down the road

Riley locked eyes with Daryl before spotting Carl

"Carl" she breathed pulling the boy into a hug and reaching over to place a hand on Daryl's shoulder, the older Dixon resting his hand on top

"Judith" Riley rushed out pulling away and looking inside the open door as Maggie came forward the baby still peacefully asleep

Riley sat against the wall of the warehouse Judith sleeping in her arms. It was decided that at first light the journey would resume, people slept in shifts Riley however stayed awake watching those around her; looking up as Tara slid down the wall Riley's eyes went down to Judith running a hand gently over her head

"I want us to be friends" Tara stated her brown eyes connecting with Riley's blue

Riley looked at the girl before looking over at the rest of her sleeping family her eyes finding Noah "I'm sorry for treating you how I have been"

Tara let a ghost of a smile drift over her face "don't be….I mean I was with the person who took away everything you all worked so hard for"

"still" Riley began "you didn't want to be there….you didn't know and you lost people and places too"

It was still for a moment before the sound of Glenn pushing open the door was heard

"you're up Rye"

Riley nodded and stood walking towards her father and placing Judith gently down between him and Carl

Before heading out into the cold Riley stopped and stood in front of Tara

"I think Beth would have liked you" looking over at Glenn as he crawled into the sleeping bag beside Maggie she slowly nodded biting her lip "and if Beth would have liked you then I would have liked you"

Tara scrambled to her feet "then we're friends" she asked her voice soft and hesitated

Riley smirked and slowly walked towards the door "yeah…we're…..we're friends"

Tara watched as the Dixon disappeared from view, a smile growing on her features

"you don't want to be just friends do you"

Tara looked over her neck cracking slightly as her eyes jolted over to Noah to sat up smiling at the girl, Tara could feel her cheeks heating up as she rubbed the back of her neck

"shut up" she mumbled as she slid back down the wall her eyes drifting to the door

The following morning there was a unspoken anticipation in the air. No one said it out loud but everyone….everyone secretly hoped that whatever this was, was something that could pan out, could be a home, could be an end…..could be the beginning

Riley sat in the back seat of the car Judith sitting happily on her lap, looking over she watched as Carl stared out the widow. Looking over she caught her dad's eye in the rear view mirror, looking over at Michonne Riley took a breath.

"Michonne…"

The woman turned her head looking at the girl "Riley" she spoke smirking

"I want you to be careful…you're too locked in on this being something"

Michonne turned looking at Rick from the corner of her eye, it was Carl though that cut through the thickness

"if Beth where here what would she say"

The air around Riley became hazy and she swallowed hard adjusting her grip on Judith

"she…she would want this place to be that something, she would have hope that it could be"

Riley looked over at her brother and bit her lip "Beth ain't here Carl and if she was…and if she was I would tell her the same thing"

Traveling in the RV Tara sat beside Noah the young boy had his head bowed as his hand moved feverishly over a piece of paper a small pencil stub squeezed between his fingers

"what you working on"

Glancing up briefly Noah gave a sad smile looking over at Maggie as she spoke quietly to Daryl and Glenn

"Riley…she…the picture, the picture of Beth is ruined so I figured I try and draw her one"

Looking down at the sheet Tara's eyes glazed over, Noah had created a image of the blonde haired farm girl that would put any photo to shame

"she'll love it"

Noah smiled before returning his eyes to the sketch "give it time"

Tara bit her lip and furrowed her eyebrows "what"

"you like her, it's obvious to maybe everyone but her….just give it time it's still too soon and I don't know if she'll ever love again, but hey you never know it could be"

Tara looked down at the table before standing and walking to the front of the vehicle her eyes landing on the car that drove in front her eyes landing on the back of Riley's head

"how much further"

Pulling up in front of the gates Rick stopped the car the RV pulling up behind, slowly everyone started to make their way from their convoy it was only Riley who waited a moment

Shifting Judith so the girl was facing her she placed her forehead against the small child's "what would Beth do little one" she mumbled as the car door was pulled open and her father stood looking at her

"you ready"

Riley looked through the windshield "you remember Woodbury" Riley spoke her eyes landing on Judith again "it was so quiet there…."

Rick let out a heavy sigh and stood holding out his hands, Riley gently gave Judith to the man and stepped from the car her crossbow held in front of her

'this is it Riles…our chance…this is where we can start'

'don't trust them Rye bread…they don't know what it's like'

'it's just Woodbury with a different name'

'learn to trust….I love you baby'

Standing in front of the gates Riley's eyes drifting up the wall that enclosed the community from the rest of the world; the soft and settle sound of children's laughter and people conversing floated by with the breeze

Riley looked back at Daryl and Carl and the rest of her family before turning to find the blue eyes of her father

"should we go" she voiced her question bringing the group a step forward

Rick looked over at Michonne before back at his family, his brother and his children

"yeah" he whispered his eyes going back to the gate "it could be something"

A/N: thoughts, ideas, suggestions please! I love reading them, reviews or PM. I think I'm going to slow done even more if that's possible I really want to get a sense of this season before I make any big plans. Sometimes I go back and regret decisions and choices I made but it's too late to go back so I truly want to know the storyline first and then put my spin and characters into the mix! I truly want to know what you think should happen. I have a lot of ideas involving Pete, the run, Morgan (love Morgan), and of course Alex! I love to hear your suggestions when it comes to any of these topics or more! Thank You so much for being so dedicated and awesome it's so wonderful and just what I need on those bad days! Also please please read Love Affair! I will sometimes pull from that story when writing this one! Any ideas for that story would be great as well I don't want to give up on that either! Love You All! =)