This takes place sometime in 5x16 but, like I said, the Alexandria drama isn't happening.

I have the all chapters but the final one completed so there's a fair chance I'll be uploading up to chapter 10 by the time the day is done, just to get them all up. So I hope y'all do mind having the story almost done!

I don't love this chapter or the next but they're a necessary bridge to the last chunk of the story.

"It fits you."

Even though a cool chill hung in the air, forcing him to layer himself as he'd never really had to before, he felt warm all over at the sound of her voice. A note of pride in threaded through her words. He flicked the hair from his eyes with a toss of his head, looking at her warily as she approached on almost skipping feet, as if she was giddy or something.

"A lot better than that other one," Beth said approvingly, taking in the sheen of the motorcycle he'd pieced together bit by bit over the last month, doing what he could with the parts that he had.

Daryl felt a sharp pang in his heart at the thought of Merle's old motorcycle and couldn't help but wonder if it still sat at the prison. Surrounded by walkers and rusting away. Imagined his brother howling out his indignation at the thought of his most precious possession falling into ruin. Remembered the crushing grief as he faced the dead, starving eyes of the thing that Merle had become. The thing he had to kill.

"I'm sorry," Beth said, the cheer draining from her face. "I shouldn't have said that."

He shrugged it off, pushing Merle to the back of his mind. Just another piece of him gone, just like all the rest. A part of him wished she'd disappear. Stop coming. Stop reminding him of all that he'd lost. Just as quickly as he thought it, he cursed himself for wanting that. The numbers were running out all on their own. He didn't need to hurry them along. Didn't need to rip her out himself when she'd be gone soon whether he liked it or not.

"Daryl," Beth whispered, shaking her head with mournful eyes staring deep into his.

"No."

He wouldn't talk about it. Wouldn't think about it. Inevitable as it was, he would avoid it as long as possible. Pretend like he had forever.

"Last man standing," her voice sang in his mind.

He shook his head as if he could erase the thought from his mind, climbing onto the motorcycle so that he didn't have to look back and see Aaron and Eric saying goodbye near the car that would follow him out of the gates.

"Looks lonely," Beth said.

There was something about the way she said it, looking at him sitting alone on the black leather seat, that had him looking at her with a frown. Something layered in her words that made him think he was missing something.

"S'how it is," he mumbled, eyeing her carefully to see if she'd say anything else to raise his hackles suspiciously.

The smallest of smiles pulled at her lips as she stepped closer, her hand lifting as if she wanted to touch him. She'd done it before, always hesitating just before her fingers could come into contact with him. Daryl felt relieved every time her hand fell. He knew she wasn't really there. Couldn't touch him. Didn't want to see what happened if she actually tried.

"Goin' off to save this broken world, Daryl Dixon?" Beth said, that same pride shining in her eyes now.

He scoffed, looking away from her and covering the way his heart swelled at her words as he patted his pockets to find his lighter.

"You're the best man for the job."

Daryl knew without looking that she was smiling wider, a note of teasing in her voice as his cheeks warmed at her words.

If it were anyone else, he'd tell her to fuck off. But she'd do that all by herself soon enough and Daryl would never be the one to tell her to go, no matter how much it hurt when she was there. Aaron called out behind him, checking if he was ready, and Daryl could only bring himself to wave over his shoulder. Just as he reached for the handles, ready to start it up and go, he just barely heard her whisper.

"Four."

The sound of his motorcycle drowned out all else but as he drove it through the gates, he glanced over his shoulder just in time to see her waving at him, that brilliant smile on her face.

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