Beth remained dry-eyed the whole drive home, sat in the stale back seat of someone else's car, engulfed in a heavy silence. The gates of the prison dragged open and Beth found she was still calm; too much had happened for her to be able to process any feelings into any outlet. Glen stopped the car, shutting off the engine, and Beth climbed out in silence.

'Do you want me to take you to him, Beth?' Glen asked softly as she stretched out her legs on the gravel.

She nodded.

Glen nodded back once then led her towards the prison. Beth followed behind him, leaving Daryl by the car, not hearing any of the voices that acknowledged her return, noticing Glen led her to her father's cell. As they walked, Beth heard Maggie's voice and she recognised the bible verse she was softly reading aloud. It sent an odd wave of emotion through her.

'Hey,' Glen said, clearing his throat, as he knocked lightly on the door-frame of the cell. 'Somebody's here to see you.' He stepped aside to allow Beth to step into view.

'Beth!' Maggie jumped up from the stool she had been sitting on and hurried over to her sister, pulling her into a tight embrace. Slowly, Beth hugged her back.

'What happened?' she said as she drew back from the pale, tired face of her older sister.

Maggie sighed.

Beth looked past her sister to see their father lying on his bed, looking across to her. He was propped up by several pillows, his face pale and drawn, his own blue eyes looking intently across at his two daughters. Beth's eyes wandered down to his legs – one no more than a stump wrapped and wound tightly in bandages.

Beth's heart plummeted.

'What happened?' she asked again, her voice breaking.

'A damn walker got me.' Hershel said softly, his eyes sparkling lightly over his white beard, 'Rick cut it off. Saved my life.'

Beth swallowed, hard.

'How?' she whispered.

'He tried to come after you' Maggie said softly, watching her sister's face, 'one sneaked up on him.'

Beth's heart broke in that moment; the tears that had stayed away for so long suddenly rushed to her eyes and spilled down over her lashes. Maggie, her eyes soft and understanding, gently rubbed her hand up and down her sisters arm.

With a gentle nod to her sister, Beth walked into the room and over to the bed, the clack of her boots on the cold floor loud and intrusive in her ears.

'Does it hurt?' she whispered.

'It isn't too bad,' Hershel said, watching her closely, 'but it does hurt.'

The two of them looked at one another for a while.

'Daddy – I'm so sorry,' Beth said slowly, her voice shuddering with the onslaught of emotion that had hit her at the sight of her father's seemingly small body ontop of the white sheets.

'Could I have a moment with my youngest?' Hershel asked Maggie and Glen, who were stood by the door still.

'Of course,' Maggie nodded, 'but get rest, daddy.'

Hershel nodded. As Maggie and Glen left them alone, Beth stood somewhat awkwardly beside her father's bed, pulling at the hem of the sleeve of her shirt.

'Daddy I'm so sorry,' she whispered again.

'Sit down, girl.' he said.

Beth obeyed her father, sitting timidly down on the stool her sister had just vacated. She fidgeted uncomfortably on it.

'So you finally came back aye,' he said.

'I was – I couldn't before,' she said, her voice tripping over itself, 'I had to get away. I couldn't be here daddy.'

'I understand,' Hershel sighed, 'I don't like it, but I understand. I was worried, Beth.'

Beth nodded; she felt more terrible than she ever had. This was all her fault.

'I didn't want you out there in danger. But I guess you're more self sufficient than I am.'

'I'm so sorry you got hurt,' Beth said, 'I'm so sorry for all of this.'

Hershel waved her words away with a frown.

'That doesn't matter now, it isn't your fault. But you should have come to talk to me before now, Beth.'

'I know,' Beth nodded, biting her lip.

'But you're here now.' He said. 'Talk to me, Beth.'

Beth swallowed.

'How long has this been going on?' Hershel asked his youngest daughter. His voice was impassive, but Beth was unsure how deep his feelings really went, as well as the true nature of them.

'Daddy that doesn't matter now - '

'It does,' Hershel said calmly. 'How long?'

'A little while,' Beth sighed, looking down at her shaking hands in her lap, 'a couple of months, perhaps.'

'Okay,' Hershel said slowly.

Beth swallowed.

'Can you tell me why?' he said.

'Why?' Beth glanced up at him, 'I don't understand-'

'Did he... did he pursue you?' Hershel asked, visibly swallowing.

'No,' Beth frowned.

'He didn't – he didn't chase you or, or groom you, as it were?'

'No!' Beth looked fully into her Daddy's face then, taken aback by his words, 'No not at all! It was never intentional or planned it just sort of – it just sort of fell into place.'

'You're sure now?' Hershel said, narrowing his eyes as he locked them on his daughter.

'I'm sure,' Beth nodded, 'he never did anything at all, I promise. There was never anything wrong or bad about it, Daddy, he never looked at me like that before, we just got to talkin' and we found something in one another, that's all.'

'That's all?' Hershel asked.

'Yeah,' Beth nodded earnestly, 'Yeah. At first. I patched up his side you remember? And we got to talkin' and spending time and we grew close through that. It was never seedy. We just grew close. As friends.'

'But I'm right in understanding you're not just friends now?' Hershel asked. His voice was low.

Beth felt the blush creep up her neck and into her face. She swallowed again.

'No,' she whispered, 'but it was never planned, and he never pursued or forced anything, he's never been anything over than kind and sweet and gentlemanly.'

Beth's father looked at her in silence for a long time; Beth tried to keep up eye contact, but eventually she had to look down from the burning of his gaze. She bit at her lip as she sat in silence, squirming.

'You're a young woman now,' he sighed eventually, 'you're not my little girl and I can't keep you that way. You're grown up and you've become an amazing young woman, full of life just like your mother.'

Beth glanced back up at him.

'There was an age gap between your mother and me,' Hershel sighed, 'not so big, granted, but one none the less. I'm not happy about this, Beth, not happy about you sneaking about, but so long as you're okay and there's not been anything... unlawful...'

Beth shook her head furiously.

'I would not have picked him as a suitor to my little girl, that's for sure, but Daryl Dixon is a good man. I know that.'

'He is,' Beth whispered.

'He'll take care of you and keep you safe and that is all I can ask for these days. If you've found happiness with him then – then who am I to stop that?'

'You – you mean that?' Beth was astounded.

'I guess I do,' Hershel sighed, 'I've had some time to think about things the last few days, stuck in this bed. It doesn't mean I approve, but I won't put a stop to it. Would you listen if I did?'

'I-' Beth begun, but he just smiled and shook his head.

'I don't want you to keep secrets from me, Beth,' he said, 'life is so fragile now, we can't afford to do that. I mean, look at me. If anything this only proves we should live out our lives in happiness.'

Beth nodded.

'I'm sorry,' she said.

'You promise me you're happy? He isn't forcing you in any way?' Hershel said, his face darkening again.

'No!' Beth said loudly, 'no, I'm so happy, Daddy. I – I think I love him.' Her cheeks burned.

Hershel surprised her then by lightly chuckling.

'Who am I to say you don't?' he asked, shaking his head, 'if he's good to you, my darling, then I guess he's good by me.'

Beth could not believe the way in which things had turned out; she had dreaded ever telling her father. He liked and respected Daryl, but she didn't think for one minute he would accept her relationship with him. He was obviously hurt by her betrayal and Beth would be kidding herself if she thought he was happy about it, but he had not shouted or screamed or forbid her from seeing him – he had accepted it. And acceptance was all Beth could ask for.

'Tell me,' Hershel said then, as he readjusted himself on his bed as best he could without causing himself too much pain, 'did your sister know?'

Beth looked up at her father; Maggie was there for her and loved her unconditionally, but she had also caused her a whole hell load of trouble lately. Putting her in her father's badbooks, if only for a little while, didn't seem like such an awful thing to do.

'Yes,' Beth said.

. . .

Beth sat on the grassy verge just beyond the shade of the prison, looking out to the walkers that had gathered before the chain link fence, their dead eyes turned to her. She was watching them, but not seeing them. In her hands she held a wooden cross that she was absent-mindedly stroking her fingers across, running her fingers up the length of the wood, below the name that she had painstakingly painted not long before. There was so much death all around them, death that rose up on every side of them, that took them by surprise. She sighed deeply.

'Beth,' Beth glanced up over her shoulder to her sister.

Maggie hunched down to her heels until she was level with her sister.

'That looks good.' she said softly.

Beth offered a small smile.

'He never should have been out there,' shesaid.

'He wanted to go,' Maggie said, placing a hand on her sister's shoulder. 'We risk our lives every single day.'

Beth nodded again.

'Come on,' Maggie said with a huff as she stood back up. She held out the hand that had been on her shoulder, which Beth took.

In the wake of the scenario at the department store a somber attitude had fallen over the prison, people suddenly felt the encroaching shroud of death much more than they had for a while. Beth followed her sister to the back of the prison, where the rest of their friends and family were gathering. There was a low mumble of voices, but the atmosphere remained grey. Maggie sidled up to Glen, who wrapped an arm around her waist. Beth stood beside them, idly looking around at the people with them. As she watched, Rick and Tyreese brought her father out, his arms draped over both of their shoulders. Beth hurried over to them.

'It's okay, we've got him,' Rick said with a smile.

'We're not gonna drop him,' Tyreese said.

Beth walked with them, keeping close to her hopping father, as they led him where a chair had been sat out for him. Carefully, they lowered him down. He let his weight rest with a grunt.

'How are you feeling?' Beth asked, holding one of his hands. It felt clammy.

'I'm fine,' Hershel smiled, his blue eyes crinkling. Beth nodded, relaxing a little.

She settled beside him, one hand on the back of his chair while Maggie and Glen joined them, standing beside them. Across from them, Beth saw Daryl head up with Carol, his crossbow over his shoulder. He caught her eye and gave her a half smile, before stopping a little way from her with Carol.

Rick cleared his throat.

'We lost two people, good people, family, this week,' he said, looking around at the people gathered before him, 'it was a terrible accident – but these men knew the risks they were taking. They are the same risks we take every day, every day we go out, every day we wake up. They put their lives at risk for the good of the rest of us, the community we have built up. Because that is what we are doing here. We are building something.' He paused to swallow, his tired eyes sweeping the small crowd.

'They knew that and they believed in that, too. Unfortunately, we lost them, but we can't let their lives, or any of the lives we lose, be in vain. All we can do now is remember them and honour them.'

He looked over to Beth and nodded.

Slowly, Beth moved away from her father and into the middle of the clearing. She handed Rick the wooden cross she had made earlier that day. There was another already planted in the mud.

'To Zach,' Rick said, stabbing the end of the cross down into the earth, 'and Bob.'

A murmured response of 'Zach and Bob' went around the crowd.

'They were good, brave men.' Rick said in conclusion.

Beth slunk back into the crowd where Maggie wrapped an arm around her shoulders. She looked across the crowd to Daryl, who was watching her.

'Let's get you back inside,' Maggie said to their father then, releasing Beth.

Maggie went to their father's side and gently stroked back his white hair from his face. She bent down to help him up but Hershel raised a hand.

'It's okay Maggie, don't put yourself out, I may have lost a leg but I'm still heavy.'

'Don't be silly I can carry you,' Maggie laughed, 'me and Glen can.'

'No, no, Glen and Daryl can take me, they can handle me.' Hershel said, his eyes on Daryl who was still standing a little way from them. Beth turned to look at him.

She could see his eyes roam across Hershel's face, his lips thin and pressed together. Then he nodded once.

He walked across the square towards them and silently handed Beth his crossbow, which she took without a second thought. Out of Hershel's sight, Glen rose his eyebrows at Daryl, but neither of them said anything. Instead they each helped Hershel onto his one foot and put his arms around their shoulders.

Hershel nodded to let them know he was okay, and so slowly they moved him towards the prison. His left arm against Hershel's back to steady him and his right hand holding the arm draped around his shoulders, Daryl looked back over his right shoulder to Beth.

Beth was standing beside her equally as perplexed sister, watching their respective partners carry their disabled father back inside.

Beth locked eyes with Daryl, and the two of them held a silent understanding, before he turned back to face the front.

Slowly, Maggie and Beth followed.

They followed in silence as Glen and Daryl helped Hershel back to the relative quiet of his cell block, where they dispatched him gently down onto his bed.

'We're gonna have to get you some crutches,' Glen said, as he sorted out the pillows behind Hershel's back.

Hershel nodded through a tight smile; his face was paler than usual with a light clammy sheen. Moving about was causing him pain.

'Okay,' Glen said, stepping back.

'Daryl,' Hershel said, his voice a little pained, 'could I take a minute of your time?'

Beth saw Daryl swallow.

'Sure,' he said, his voice deep and gravelly. Beth felt her stomach flutter.

Glen stayed where he was, looking from Hershel to Daryl.

'It's okay,' Hershel said, smiling, 'I'm not gonna hurt him.'

Glen laughed, a little uncomfortably, but he nodded and left the room anyway. Maggie linked her arm through his.

'Shall we get lunch?' Maggie said to Beth.

'I-' Beth glanced over to Daryl. He looked so out of place standing beside her father's bed.

'I'll send him to find you,' her father said, his eyes locked on his youngest daughter. They were deep and full of some emotion, but Beth was unsure of what. She felt weak and out of control.

Slowly, she nodded.

'Beth,' Daryl said, suddenly making her heart jump. Daryl took a few steps towards her, one hand out. Beth frowned for a moment before realising she still had his crossbow. She took it down from her shoulder and handed it to him. He nodded as he hoisted it over his own shoulder. Beth watched him for a moment before leaving with Maggie, trailing behind them a little, glancing over her shoulder a few times, but she could no longer see into the room.

Daryl stood in the middle of Hershel's cell, one hand holding the strap over the crossbow over his chest whilst the other hung limply by his side. Hershel adjusted himself on his bed and cleared his throat.

'I wanted to speak to you.' Hershel said slowly. 'About Beth.'

Daryl nodded.

'I can't say I'm pleased with what has been going on with the two of you,' he said, watching the younger man's face, 'but Beth assures me she is happy and that you have not treated her badly.'

Daryl swallowed.

'Now I don't know how serious you are about her, or if this is just a bit of fun for you. But it isn't for her. She's young and she's innocent. I would not have picked an older man for her but in this world, well thing's have changed. She's changed, but she's still just a girl. And if I find out you've been using her, or taking advantage of her, well I might only have one leg, but I will hurt you.' Hershel stared at Daryl with dark eyes, his mouth set firmly as his jaw worked.

'It ain't like that,' Daryl said, his voice raspy, 'I ain't – I ain't usin' her.'

'Now I didn't think you were the kind of man to do something like that, but at the end of the day, you are a man. And she is a young girl.'

Daryl nodded, feeling the heat rise within him, creeping up his neck to his face.

'I need you to know that I will not stand for any pain caused to my daughter – either of my daughters. And don't you think Glen didn't get this same talk, because he did.'

Daryl nodded again, slower this time as he looked at Hershel through narrowed eyes; Hershel could tell he was on edge.

'She is my little girl, Daryl. She will always be my little girl, you need to know that. And in my eyes, no-one will ever be good enough for her... but you're a decent enough start. So long as you really are not using her for your own means. You treat her well, Daryl, and make her happy, well then you'll have no qualms from me.'

'I ain't gon' hurt her,' Daryl said softly, 'I never meant f'any o'this to happen, it jus' sort'a did.'

'Yes. It has. And because it has, I would advise you not to walk away from it. She is invested in it, and if you hurt her so help me God-'

'I wont.' Daryl said firmly. 'Y'got m'word on that, sir.'

Hershel nodded, then sighed.

'Alright,' he said, 'so long as the two of us see eye to eye, there's no need for us to fall out. You be good to her and you keep me on side. Those are your two best interests.'

Daryl nodded. He felt small and cornered, but he did not feel angry. If anything, he felt relief; he had been scared of the backlash his relationship with Beth would earn him, scared of her father's wrath. He knew, had known all along, that what they were doing was wrong. He really had never meant for any of it happen, but Hershel was right, they were too far in now. That thought sent an odd shiver down his spine; he was wrapped up in Beth Greene. Where did this leave them now, leave him? In her father's cell, alone and vulnerable, Daryl suddenly felt weighed down. He was tied to this girl now. Things suddenly seemed a whole lot more serious. He swallowed.

'You can go now, Daryl.' Hershel said. He was trying to keep up an appearance of fierce control, but Daryl could see the beads of sweat beginning to form on his forehead. He was in pain.

Daryl nodded to him again, holding his gaze for a moment in which the two men understood one another. There were no hard feelings, they both understood each others motives and feelings. Then Daryl left the room.

A thumping headache began to intrude as he walked the corridor, until it was pounding at his temples. His heart was beating faster than usual and his hands felt clammy. He swallowed several times as he tried to keep his cool, to keep his heart rate down.

Beth spotted him as he entered the cafeteria, and she pushed aside her uneaten plate of food in a scramble to climb up from the bench she was sitting on and head over to him.

'What happened?' she asked before she had even reached him. She stopped before him, her wide blue eyes imploring as she looked up at his face.

Daryl shook his head.

'Was it bad?' she bit her lower lip and Daryl felt his defenses slide, the sight of her white teeth digging into the supple flesh of her full lower lip. He gently reached out and placed his hands on her upper arms.

'No,' he said softly, his voice deep, 'it was a'right. Typical dad warnings, no more.'

'Really?' Beth asked. Her eyes were darting from each of his as she tried to read whatever was behind them. Daryl reached up and stroked a strand of her unruly hair back from her face.

'Yeah,' he said. 'We're good.'

Eventually, Beth smiled, her face relaxing. She leant into him, her small body fitting against him, and pulled him into a hug. Daryl wrapped his arms around her back, but he could still feel the tension within him, the heavy way in which his heart beat. He was afraid.