Chpt 15: Badass Beth
There is a giant of a man standing on the little square porch outside the double doors of the church. His bright orange mustache is an entity all its own. Rick introduces Beth, Daryl, and Merle to Abraham. Merle shakes his hand. Looks Abe up one side and down the other. Now Abraham being Abraham doesn't mind the attention, but he, of course has something to say about it.
"You like what ya' see there partner? I don't mind ya' lookin'. Hell, I don't blame ya'! But there's a fine piece of Latina lovin' through them doors that might eat your ass if she catches ya' starin' too much."
Merle opens his mouth, but Daryl cuts him off. "Keep movin' Merle." Gives him a little shove toward the doors. Daryl knows his brother must be a little intimidated otherwise Daryl would have never been able to keep his brother moving.
Beth holds out her hand and hits Abe with the biggest, brightest smile he's ever seen. The big guy can't help but return it. He takes her little hand in his and leans in a little closer. "Slap my ass and call me Sally, you're a sweet little thing, aren't ya'!"
Beth giggles at that, but Daryl isn't too sure what to think about this guys mouth. He puts his hands on Beth's hips, gives Abraham an amiable nod, and guides Beth through the now open doors.
Abe looks to Rick. "He's a quiet fella, huh? Somethin' wrong with him?"
"Nah, he's just quiet, like ya' said. Get to know him. You'll like him." With that he slaps Abraham on the shoulder and gives him a smile. He breaches the church doors just in time to hear Merle calling to Maggie.
"Hey, sweet cheeks! Got a surprise for ya," Merle hollers and throws his thumb over his shoulder.
Maggie gasps when she sees Beth step out from behind Merle. She takes off down the isle and throws her arms around Beth with so much force, had Daryl not been standing behind her, the two sisters would have hit the floor. Maggie crushes Beth to her, pulls back, squeezes Beth's face between her hands, and goes right back in for another bear hug. She reaches around Beth and claws at Daryl's sleeves pulling him into their little group hug as Glenn snakes his arms around both girls too. Tears of joy morph into the sobs of an overwhelmed heart when Rick presents Judith to the only mama she has ever known. Beth's baby girl wiggles and giggles and kicks her feet, reaching and falling into Beth's arms. She snuggles into Beth's neck while still bouncing excitedly. One chubby little fist curls into Beth's ponytail while the other slaps at Daryl's shoulder where he stands wrapped around his two favorite girls. Beth feels the quiet sniff shake his chest. She turns to see a tear or two escape down Daryl's cheek. "We're home," Beth whispers.
They are an army. Seventeen strong including Lil' Asskicker. They pull into a parking garage near Grady Memorial and set up camp on an upper level. There was no hesitation when the family heard where Carol is and why. They headed out the following morning on a mission.
Rick leads a scouting party to see what they are up against. He, Daryl, Beth, and Glenn go on foot. That was a heated discussion all its own. Maggie didn't want Beth out of her sight, much less involved with a scouting party. Beth pulled her sister to the side and gave her the what-for. Told her in no uncertain terms that she can take care of herself. Told her she was not leaving Daryl's side for any reason, period. At all. End of story. The sisters' argument spilled over into the ears of the family. Abraham, standing next to Daryl and Rick as the argument raged, turned his opinion to Daryl.
"You're one lucky hunk-a-hunk-a burnin' love their cowboy. Ain't nothin' better than bein' owned by a spirited woman. Believe me, I know. I'm a lucky som'bitch too. Yes, sir, that little blonde spitfire a' yours is a force to be reckoned with."
Abraham says it with such appreciation and sincerity, Daryl thinks he must really mean it. He just isn't quite sure yet how to take Abe when he says things like that (which seems to be every time Abe opens him mouth as far as Daryl can tell). Rather than say something that might set the big man off, Daryl just looks at him, eyes narrowed, mouth slammed shut, same as the last time. Abraham takes a big drag from the lit cigar perched between his lips, blows out a smoke ring, and barks a loud huff of laughter. Daryl can't decide if this guy is for real or not. He thinks he likes him. Thinks he reminds him a little of Merle. Knows he's glad a fella' that big is on their side, but he's gonna' need a little more time before he figures out how to respond to his antics. He sees Rick smile a little at Abraham's declaration. Knows Rick likes him. That's good enough for Daryl for now.
Rick, Daryl, Beth, and Glenn stick to the shadows. By nightfall, there are two police cars parked inside the gated fence that surrounds the back entrance to the hospital. The gate is closed, but not locked. They have no idea how many people are inside apart from the four uniforms they watched enter the building. The hospital has power. At least the back half, where all of the activity seems to be, is lit up against the dark. The inhabitants appear to be using the second and third floors, best they can tell.
Rick suggests they hot wire one of the police cars and take it. Use the radio to make contact with the people inside of Grady. Beth suggests they ambush one of the cars in the morning. Grab the occupants and set up an exchange. "Two of theirs for one of ours," she says. Rick looks at Daryl. He gives him a nod, and Rick agrees. It's a better plan.
They return to the garage and tell the others what they have decided. They can park their sharpshooters, Sasha and Maggie, one on each of the tall buildings that line the narrow drive to the fence. They will hide Beth and Daryl's Grady car at the entrance of one of the garages that lines the drive and wait for the police car to pass. The plan is to trap the cruiser between their Grady car and the firetruck. Fire a couple of sniper rounds to force the uniforms out of the car and grab them up.
"They try to run…" Abraham chimes in, "We'll unload a shit storm from the front and a storm of shit from the rear. Damn fine thinkin' muchacho. Simple but effective."
"I wish I could take credit for it, but it's Beth's plan."
Abraham smiles large at that. "Well I'll be a monkey's dick. You're just full 'a surprises aren't 'cha sunshine."
With that, the plan is set. Rick and Abraham move the Grady car into position and head back to the camp. They eat and rest. There are enough of them now that they can take short shifts on watch and everyone can relax for an extended period of time. Beth and Daryl are curled up in the back of an old abandoned Bronco in the parking garage.
"You sure you don't wanna' stay here with Lil' Asskicker? You don't gotta' go in there with me and Rick."
"You go, I go. Remember?" She pinches his chest playfully. "And that was a dirty trick using Judy to try and ditch me."
"I ain't tryin' to ditch ya', sweetheart. I just…"
"Yeah, you just…" she says through a giggle and steals a kiss.
He runs his hand through her hair. It's loose like she always has it when she lays down to sleep. He knew there was no way in hell she would let him go without her, but it was worth a try. He has no idea how this exchange is going to go. They've got to grab the uniforms and their patrol car first. Then set the whole thing up. Then follow through with the swap. It's a good plan, but there are a lot of variables, and they will be winging it for the most part. Beth knows he's thinking about tomorrow. Pulls on the patch of scruff at his chin to get his attention. He leans in for another kiss. This one is slow and languid and full of promise. They kiss until they have to stop to breathe. Beth snuggles into his chest and sighs. It isn't long before the two are drifting into sleep.
They manage to grab the two uniforms without a hitch. A woman named Shepherd and a tall, skinny guy named O'Donnell. The two of them are relatively cooperative. Once Maggie put a bullet in the hood and Sasha put a bullet in the back window, there was no arguing. The exchange is set. The woman in charge, Dawn Lerner, agrees to meet and swap Carol for her people, but it will have to be inside the hospital. Daryl doesn't like it, but they will do what they have to, to get Carol back. They will not leave without her. Shepherd tells them Lerner is weak and indecisive. The others don't respect her, but she is in charge for now. She says there are five more "cops" inside and several orderlies plus one doctor, but assures Rick and the others they won't be a problem. The way she says it eases Rick and the others a bit. It seems as if Shepherd is asking for help without coming right out and saying it. They get the feeling, should things go sideways, Dawn's support staff won't be a problem.
Inside the hospital, Merle, Rick, Daryl, Beth, and Abraham meet Dawn near the stairwell entrance. Merle is a bundle of nerves. He and Daryl talked this morning. He's got it bad for Carol. Says he likes who he is when he is with her. He chuckles and tells Daryl he half loves her and half fears her. Truth is she scares the shit out of him, "but in the best kind 'a way," he says.
Daryl gets it. Promises Merle they will do whatever they have to, to get Carol out of there. Tells Merle he loves her too but in a different way, 'a course. "Seems like we both found more than we ever figured we could now that the world's gone to shit," Daryl says.
"Yeah, ain't that somethin'. But you deserve it lil' brotha'. Ol' Merle here, well I'm just ridin' your sweet ass to redemption for now."
Carol is across the hall in a wheelchair surrounded by five uniforms and several people in street clothes or scrubs. Shepherd's intel proves reliable thus far. Rick skips the pleasantries. Tells Dawn they aren't looking for trouble. They just want Carol, and they'll be on their way. He tells Dawn to go ahead and let Carol come across, but Dawn refuses. She wants her people first. Rick sends Shepherd across but tells Abraham to hang on to O'Donnell. He then nods for Carol. Dawn snarls at him. Tips her head to the side and takes a beat to think on it. She seems to come to some sort of a decision, and Rick knows things just got complicated. He sees it in her eyes. His hand slides slowly to the butt of his gun. Daryl catches the movement. Maneuvers himself between Beth and Dawn. Dawn motions over her shoulder for a thin, wiry boy to push Carol toward her family, but stops him halfway across.
"Send O'Donnell and Noah will bring Carol the rest of the way."
Abe shoves O'Donnell, and he crosses the hall to stand with Shepherd and the others while Noah and Carol scoot past Dawn. They are quickly enveloped within the protective circle of the family. Merle kneels in front of Carol and squeezes her hand. Daryl has never seen that particular smile of Merle's before. Must be the one he keeps in his pocket just for Carol. Merle helps her stand and tucks her into his side. She reaches across the wheelchair and takes Noah's hand. Pulls him next to her. She is weak, but she is standing on her own two feet. She nods at Daryl when he catches her eye. Whispers to Merle, and folds Noah into the shadows behind her and Merle. Merle looks pointedly at Daryl and Rick. Noah is coming with them.
"We're gonna' back out 'a here," Rick commands, "and nobody's gonna' get hurt."
"Not until I get Noah back," Dawn challenges.
"No, you don't get him back," Carol fires at Dawn. Daryl can hear the trace of fear in Carol's voice. That woman ain't afraid 'a nothin'. He figures things must be real bad for Noah here.
Something in the air shifts. Daryl's hand lands on the butt of his gun. He feels Beth's fingers slip under his vest and bunch the back of his t-shirt in her fist. His stance matches Rick's, wide-legged and defensive. His gut tells him to be ready.
"Noah is mine," Dawn explains matter-of-factly. "I rescued him. I feed him. I keep him safe. He owes a debt to me and to this place. He stays here." Her lips stretch into a thin line. An evil smile, devoid of any good will paints her face.
Rick peeks over his shoulder at Noah. "Tell me your side of things, son."
Noah steps out from behind Carol and Merle. Carol grips the back of his shirt and keeps him from moving too far away from her. He is visibly shaking. Rick thinks he is probably older than he looks. Fear has a way of making boys look young and men look old. "They killed my dad," Noah says with a definite tremble in his voice. He clears his throat and begins again. "They forced me into their car at gunpoint. Brought me here to work. They prey on the weak. Bring 'em here and turn 'em inta' slaves. They tell ya' you can't leave until your debt is payed, but everything here comes with a price. Every morsel of food. Every drink of water. Every shower. Every hour of sleep. There's no way to catch up. I tried to escape once. That cost me more than I can ever work off."
"Damn," Abe stage whispers. He points one large finger at Dawn. "That is some Grade-A bullshit right there. Who in the holy hell do you think you are? Steeling people ain't right, and I'm the first to admit when Mr. Lincoln put an end to slavery, well that was the one and only happy accident to come out 'a the damn War of Northern Aggression. Ain't nobody lookin' to go back to that particular black eye in history. This place is monumentally fubared, and we're walking the hell out 'a here with this young man in tow. I double dog dare ya' to say any differ'nt."
Rick turns back to Dawn. "Yeah, what he said. Noah's coming with us." He looks past her at the people gathered across the hall. "Anybody else wants to leave, you're more than welcome to join us."
Beth listens to Noah's testimony. It makes her sick. That would have been her if she and Daryl hadn't killed Gorman and his men. They wanted to take her because they thought she was weak. They thought they could take her away from Daryl just because. She's fuming and the self-righteous look on Dawn's face is only fueling that fire. She finds courage in Abe's honest monologue. Slips past Daryl before he can grab her and pull her back. She goes and stands in Dawn's personal space. Warning bells are screeching in Daryl's head. He moves forward, but he doesn't pull her back. He knows better than to interfere.
Dawn smiles sweetly at Beth. "What have we here? You have something to say too or do you want to stay here with us where you'll be safe and protected? You're more than welcome."
"What the hell is wrong with you," Beth says accusingly. Dawn's expression morphs from curious to shocked to beyond angry in the few seconds it takes Beth to dress her down. It's one thing for a man the size of Abraham to say his piece, but another thing entirely for a weak, little, slip of thing like Beth to take a stand.
"I get it," Beth says and rocks up on her toes. "You think you're so superior. You think you've somehow earned the right to treat people you see as weak like chattel… like they were put on this earth to serve you. Truth is, you're nothin' without that gun. You're nothin' without those pricks who back you up. Those three monsters you sent out to bring back more people like me? They're dead. All three of 'em. Gorman and Lamson and Lacari? They saw me and figured I was easy prey. Well, guess what. They messed with the wrong weakest link. Your boy Gorman? I killed him myself. He dropped like a sack 'a shit when I smashed his head in."
Dawn is temporarily stunned by Beth's rant. Beth steps back out of Dawn's face, having said her piece. She looks past Dawn's shoulder to the people across the hall. "If any of the rest of ya' wanna' leave this place, you're more than welcome to come with us. This indentured servitude business is bullshit, and this bitch is as weak as a kitten without backup. You don't have ta'…" Bam!
It's like God hit the slow-mo button as Daryl watches Beth hit the floor hard. He draws his gun without even thinking about it… Bang!... And drops a bullet right between Dawn's eyes. Rick and Abraham are pointing their guns at the group in front of them. Merle grabs Carol in a crouch and wraps himself around her, gun drawn and pointed across the hall. Daryl dives for Beth. Rolls her to her back and pushes her hair out of her face. She has a hellacious gash across her left cheek, just below her eye. Blood is pouring from the tear in her skin and Beth is out cold. Daryl presses the bandana from his back pocket to the wound in a desperate attempt to staunch the flow of blood. Noah skids to a stop next to Beth's head and kneels down beside her. He screams for help. "Dr. Edwards! Dr. Edwards!"
Shepherd is demanding her people lower their guns. "Drop your weapons! Drop your weapons! Do it!" It's all white noise to Daryl. His pulse is hammering in his ears. He keeps his bandana pressed to Beth's cheek, runs his trembling hand over the top of her head and down her other side. He is whispering her name over and over, like a prayer.
"Did she shoot her!? What happened!?" Noah is asking Daryl over and over between screams for Dr Edwards. "Dr. Edwards! Hurry!," he screams again. "Did she shoot her?"
Beth moans and squeezes her eyes tightly closed against the pain. She rolls to her side and vomits. It mixes with the blood pooling next to Dawn's dead body. Beth recoils from the smell of iron and bile. "Easy," Daryl whispers.
Dr. Edwards kneels next to Beth and plunks a medical bag by her side. He tries to push Daryl's hand from her wound. Big mistake. Daryl grabs the front of Edward's shirt and shoves him hard. He gently scoops Beth into his arms. Barks at Noah to grab the bag. He races past Rick and does his best not to jostle Beth as he takes off down the steps. Noah stops to help Merle support Carol and they move to follow Daryl. Rick backs toward Abraham. Abe slaps him on the shoulder and tells him to go. He follows behind Rick but doesn't leave before gifting the remaining group with a few words of wisdom.
"You people need to see this bullshit for what it really is… just that… bullshit. Some off-the-chart idiocracy you been puttin' up with. Kick yourself in your collective ass for followin' along when you knew better and make a change. Otherwise, you're gonna' need to learn how ta' sleep with two eyes open. 'cause these people you been pushin' around have, today, been schooled on what a well-played uprisin' can accomplish. Best 'a luck, motha' scratchers." He salutes them properly, then salutes them with one finger and a lot of moxy before turning and making his way down the steps to the exit.
Maggie sees Beth in Daryl's arms and drops to the ground with a heartbreaking whale. Rick rushes to her. "She's okay. Maggie, look at me. She's been pistol whipped. Knocked her out for a minute. She's gonna' be okay."
They drive to the outskirts of Atlanta and stop so Bob can have a look at Beth's face. She is sitting on the tailgate next to Daryl rubbing her temples against the pounding in her head. She hisses and squeezes Daryl's fingers until he thinks they might break when Bob injects her cheek with Lidocaine.
"Son of a… grrrrrr," she growls, and it's all Daryl can do not to knock Bob into next week. They give it a minute to numb and Beth catches her breath. Bob pokes at the wound and Daryl puffs a sigh when Beth nods. She doesn't feel anything on her cheek.
"You're gonna' have one hell of a scar, Beth. I'm sorry," Bob says as he gently cleans the wound with the antiseptic scrub from the med bag.
"That's a'ight," Daryl says. "She's a badass. Badasses have scars."
"Daryl," Beth whines, and a blush blossoms across her right cheek matching the angry red on the left.
"I second that emotion," Abraham chimes in. "Total B-A-D-ass. I'm still tryin' to figure out where you hide them steel testicles a' yours in those tight jeans you're sportin'. I do not want to be on the receiving end of your whoop-ass anytime soon, little lady."
Beth giggles at that. She likes Abe. He makes her laugh. Reminds her of a big 'ol bear. Daryl's not exactly sure how to take him yet. But if Beth likes him, he's willing to give the guy a chance. He's had their back and seems to be all-in with the family. So, he gives Abe a nod and something he assumes resembles a smile.
Abe huffs out another bark of laughter. "I think I like you two. You gotta' kinda' beauty and the beast sort 'a thing goin' on. I'm lookin' forward to gettin' to know ya'. Rick tells me you're a good man, Daryl. Loyal and good hearted. I trust that. See, I figured out real quick, Rick is a man who knows a shitload about a lot 'a shit… every fine grain 'a said shit to be exact. Now I know it may not seem like it, but I appreciate a man who can hold his tongue… Let his actions do the talkin' for him. You did just that today, Daryl. Gave that nasty bitch exactly what she earned. One 9mm round right between the eyes, courtesy of that sexy Glock 17 you keep perched on your hip. Poor Rick may still have a bit 'a brain in his ear, but that's a small price to pay when you're riddin' the world 'a evil. Yes, sir. I, for one, am giddy glad you took her out. Loose ends make my ass itch. Now those people at Grady can start fresh. Set up somethin' good, if the Lord's willin', where all that evil used to conspire. I'm figurin' too that if this sweet little lady, and by sweet I mean tough as shit nails and smart as a damn whip, thinks you're worth foresakin' all others for, then damn you probably are worth your salt. Who am I to argue? Lookin' forward to travelin' the dusty trail from here to DC or wherever the hell we land, side by side with ya'. We'll see what kinda' trouble we can find along the way." With that, Abraham lights a cigar, tosses the two of them a coy grin, and sidles off toward Rosita and Eugene.
Beth realizes she has completely relaxed listening to Abraham prattle on. Bob is nearly finished with her stitches by the time Abe finishes talking, and she didn't even noticed the pull and tug along the way. She figures that was probably Abraham's intention all along. Yeah, Beth likes Abraham and Daryl decides he does too. He squeezes Beth's hand when Bob declares he is done. Bob tells her to keep it dry for at least a week and hands her a couple of Tylenol. He reminds Daryl to wake her every two hours over the next 24. He is certain she has a concussion.
Daryl is a man on a mission. He borrows Abraham's watch and wakes Beth every 2 hours on the dot. They have pulled off the road somewhere into North Carolina to rest for the night. Daryl is sitting up in the back seat of the pick-up with Beth's head in his lap. Until now, he had never left the state of Georgia. He alternates between staring at Beth, making sure she is breathing, and staring out the window at North Carolina. He came so close to losing her today. He wants to scream at her. Tell her how stupid that was. How he would have laid down next to her and died right along with her had Dawn used a bullet instead of the butt of her gun.
Another part of him is in awe of her tenacity. She is fierce when she makes a stand. A ferocious protector. He figured that out a long time ago when she declared she was going after Maggie to get her and Glenn back from the governor. The only thing she needed to know was who was coming with her. He smiles thinking back on that time when they were just figuring out what they meant to each other. Daryl knows she loved Noah as one of her own the moment she heard his story. He worries her heart will get her killed someday. He worries too, he won't be able to keep his promise to Hershel and keep on livin' if anything happens to her. While most people these days define their life between what happened before the turn and what happened after, Daryl defines his by life before Beth and life with Beth. That doesn't leave any room for life after Beth, and he is okay with that for now.
Beth moans and reaches for her head as her eyes flutter open. Bob said she could have two more Tylenol at 3am. It's not quite 3, but Daryl can't stand the idea of Beth hurting. He pulls the pills from his shirt pocket and reaches for the bottle of water. "Here. Take these," he rasps. "It'll help your head." He steadies her as she leans forward and tosses the pills down. Lowers her head back to his lap.
"I'm sorry, Daryl."
"Don't be. Ain't on you what that bitch done."
"It was stupid of me to challenge her like that. I was just so mad at what she did to Noah and to us… to Carol. I'm sorry you had to be the one to kill her. I didn't know until Abraham…"
"Yeah, it's a wonder his bottom jaw ain't flown off his face by now, he flaps it sa' damn much."
Beth giggles and immediately regrets it. She rolls to her uninjured side and presses her back against him. Takes a deep breath to tap down the nausea. Daryl runs his hand lightly up and down her side. "It was sweet of him to distract me like he did while Bob was sewing up my face."
Daryl hums his response and lets his hand rest at her hip. He uses his thumb to draw soothing circles on the skin he can see just above her waistband.
Beth is well aware Daryl brought up Abe's propensity to gab to deflect from her apology. She tries again. "Dawn needed ta' be stopped," she declares in no uncertain terms. "But, I am sorry I put you in the position to do it … 'cause 'a somethin' stupid I started."
"Wadn't stupid, girl. Took a lot 'a gumption to say those things ya' said. You were standin' up for Noah. Standin' up for what ya' believe in. Ain't nothin' stupid about that."
"Yeah, I'm not sorry she's dead. That probably makes me a bad person, but I'm not sorry. I guess what I'm tryin' to say is, I'm sorry you gotta' carry that around with ya'. I'm sorry too that I scared ya'. Nearly got myself killed. If the tables were turned, and you were the one that did that…"
"Naw, Beth. It's done. None 'a that matters. Just… maybe take me with ya' next time instead 'a meetin' somethin' like that head on, by yourself. You go, I go, remember? Can't protect each other if we ain't together."
"Yeah… You're right. Always better together." She pulls his hand from her hip and laces their fingers together. Tucks their joined hands under her chin. "I love you, babe."
"Love you too, badass. Now go back to sleep." Beth starts to giggle but remembers what happened last time and settles on a smile. She misses the pained look that crosses Daryl's face. He physically hurts for her. It's the damndest thing.
Early the next day, they are headed to Richmond, VA. Noah tells them he lived in a protected neighborhood. They had a gate and a wall when he and his dad left to scavenge. He thinks he was at Grady for close to a year so he can't promise them the place is still standing, but they all agree it's worth a shot. Merle drives the pick-up with Carol and Noah in the front seat. Daryl and Beth are in the back. The nausea has passed and all that is left is a dull headache. Beth pops two more Tylenol and tells Daryl she won't take any more. She says her pain is completely manageable and someone else may need them someday. Daryl's not buying it, but he lets her win for now. The windows are down, and Beth is sitting in the middle of the bench seat leaning against Daryl's side. Together they watch the North Carolina miles tick by.
The pick-up runs out of gas first. The SUV is next. Daryl managed to get two vehicles going from the parking garage. They all pile into the Bronco Beth and Daryl slept in that first night in Atlanta, a Chevy Malibu that still wreaks of cigarette smoke even though no one has smoked inside the car in years, and the firetruck. Daryl briefly wonders how big the tank must be on that monstrosity. Of course Abraham drives a damn firetruck. What else what the big fella' drive? They coast into Noah's old neighborhood on literal and figurative fumes.
There is nothing left. They almost lose Tyreese to one of Noah's little brothers… to what used to be one of his little brothers. They scavenge the neighborhood, but there is very little left. One of the homes produces several cans of hominy and corn, and a case of water long forgotten in the basement. With no plan other than heading North toward DC, the family hits the road. It will be a long hard haul, but together they will make it. "Faith," Beth tells Daryl. And heaven help him, he believes her.
A/N: I had so much fun writing this chapter. I would so appreciate a review. I'm particularly worried about Abraham's dialogue. Good? SoSo? Too much? Reviews keep me motivated. Thanks for reading!