Jumping outta the car before Hershel could stop it, Beth flew out to her only brother. "Bubby!"

Shawn just stood there, a haunted smile on his face, quickly masked before she took notice. "Monkey." She threw herself at him and hugged tight. His smile was wide.

He could barely get her to let go, not even bothering to really try. He just picked up her fallen bags near their feet, leading them into the hotel.

Looking at the amused grin on his dad's face both of Hershel Greene's youngest children waved bye to him as his car left the lot and turned onto the busy street.

"How was your last tour, Bubby?" Beth's head laid on his shoulder, her eyes closed.

This was good. Shawn felt at home again. "It was hotter than hell. I'm glad I ain't ever goin' back."

Surprised, she was sitting up and looking at him. "Why? What's goin' on Shawn?"

He grabbed one of her hands, his hold tight and secure, but not bruising. "I resigned from active duty. I have one last stint in a couple of months and I'm done. Things just ain't what they seem."

The gears were turning in her head as she was trying to put together the pieces he was barely putting out there. "Can you tell me anymore?"

"Anything further is classified." He looked down, shuddering slightly. "I didn't feel human seeing the things that happened. The only thing kept me going was knowin' ya'll were safe."

Her grip tightened, before she snuggled into him. "I looked forward to every message from you, Bubby. I'm glad you're home fer good. You gon' tell daddy?"

"I will. This week. He won't be too happy." He gave a weak smile thinking about what his dad always says: "'Greenes are steadfast people, Shawny. When things get tough, we're still there. Fightin' til our last breath. '"

Beth laughed, trying her best to imitate the mature and candescent tones of Hershel Greene. "Daddy'll understand. He'll be madder than a wet cat, but he'll understand."

"I want ya ta stay with me fer awhile, Bethy. I'll be movin' back to the farm by the end of the week."

"School's out for the summer. Other than helpin' mama with the garden and daddy with the farm, I have nothing to do. Maggie owes me so she can do them for a few weeks." Her blonde head bobbed up and down, a wide smile on her face.

"Speakin' of, Maggie still mad at me?" He looked down at Beth, a good ole boy grin on his face, showing off his white teeth.

"Ya know it, bubby. What'd you do ta her anyway?" She grinned back, thinking of how Maggie tied up Shawn's room after he left the last time. "She wouldna tell me anything."

"I'll tell ya later, monkey."

Beth crossed her arms and pouted, looking him down. "She told me the same."

He just laughed and stood up. "Have you been keeping up with your practice?"

"Daddy wasn't too happy when you gave me a gun for my birthday. He wasn' even happier when he found out I was using it to practice wit. But he realized I had a permit and that you taught me, he let me keep it. After I got grounded for three months."

"You were only grounded for a week and you know it, monkey. Especially when you turned those baby blues on him. Mama mad?"

"Still is, bout it. She hasn't been feeling well lately. Daddy's trying to get her to go the doctor's but she ain' having none a it. Says it's just hay fever and it'll pass." She looked down worried.

Shawn walked outta the kitchen, his brow furrowed and eyes full of worry. Two cans of root beer and a bowl of popcorn in his arms. "What is it, baby girl?"

"She's not getting any better bubby. She fell at church last week and daddy and Maggie took her home. She can barely get up anymore."