Daryl cradled Beth's head in his lap. He wasn't going to leave her side. He'd lost her once, he wouldn't make that mistake twice. She'd forced him to open his heart and she'd climbed inside. This was it. This was the long haul. The others discussed where they were going to go. They asked Carol questions about the hospital. They looked at maps. And Daryl held Beth. He waited for her to open her eyes and reassure him she was okay.
Hours later they took a detour off the main road. Abraham knew of a small town that had been deserted when his group had passed through months before. It hadn't been completely looted at that time and he was hoping not much had changed. Daryl was asleep when they stopped. The back of the suburban opened and Carl stood there holding Judith.
"What happened? Is she gonna be okay?" Carl looked in at Beth. Daryl reached a hand out to the baby and she smiled at him.
"She's gonna be okay." Daryl said quietly.
"Why is she unconscious?"
Daryl smiled. "She tried to go badass." His smile disappeared. "Shots were fired, but they missed her. She fell and hit her head." Carl looked down at Beth as Rick and Maggie walked up.
"We found an apartment above the fire station. There's a bed, blankets, and first aid supplies." Rick told Daryl.
"It's perfect. Let's get her up there. I can clean her up." Maggie said. She moved towards the back of the truck.
"I got her." Daryl said and he gently lifted her into his arms and scooted out of the suburban. He headed towards the fire station and Maggie followed.
Tyreese, Sasha, Noah and Glen searched the main area of town surrounding the fire station for walkers and supplies. Abraham and the others went over the fire station thoroughly to see what they could use. Carol was in the apartment on a couch when Daryl came in carrying Beth followed by Maggie. Michonne was searching a small kitchenette. She watched Daryl lay Beth down on the bed. He wasn't even wearing his crossbow. Daryl never went anywhere without that.
"Let me get one of those first aid kits." he said to no one in particular. Michonne brought one over.
"I have washcloths and water too Daryl." Maggie came over and sat on the bed beside her sister. Daryl reached out to take a washcloth and she jerked her hand back. "I can do it." she said firmly.
"I got it." Daryl replied.
"Let me help my sister!" Maggie yelled. Daryl stared at her for a minute. The room was silent. He put his head in his hands and tugged at his hair. Maggie's gaze softened. "Why don't you hold her head and I'll clean the wound." she said. Daryl took a deep breath and shrugged off his jacket. Maggie watched as he carefully placed his hands on Beth's head. His touched her like she was glass and his expression gave away the fear he was trying so hard to hide. Maggie gently began wiping away the blood. Rick came in and he and Michonne began an inventory of the supplies in the kitchenette. She gave him a knowing look and glanced over at the scene on the bed. "You guys were together since the prison?" Maggie asked. She glanced at Daryl. He nodded.
"Yeah, we were together for a while." He watched Maggie's hands. He was able to see, even more so now, that the wound was not bad. It was nothing like he'd imagined. He knew Maggie must be wondering where they'd been, how they'd spent their time. And why all of a sudden he was so protective of her little sister. "We spent time running and camping. I taught her how to track and use my crossbow." Maggie noticed a ghost of a smile cross his face.
"Turn her head a little." she said. Daryl complied.
"We came across a lot of walkers and she took out her fair share. And she didn't take my shit. She's tough." He brushed his thumb across her forehead. Maggie applied a small packet of antibiotic. "We found this country club, but it turned out to be a bad place. We stayed at another dump in the woods for awhile." Daryl refrained from sharing all the details of their time together. The moonshine and arguments, his breakdown and her arms that she so readily wrapped around him making him feel wanted, giving him hope. Maggie unwrapped gauze and laid it on Beth's head. "The last place we were at was a mortuary. It was cool. We almost thought it could be… But it wasn't. I lost her there. A horde busted in and a car, the assholes from the hospital, they took her. I, I couldn't do anything, nothing. She was gone." Daryl bit his thumbnail and gently stroked Beth's hair.
"It's not your fault." Maggie said. She saw his jaw tense. "I know you're blaming yourself. Don't." He wiped at his eyes.
"I should have protected her." he said through gritted teeth.
"She's still her. With us. With you." Maggie said. She stood up and took the first aid kit. Daryl looked over at Carol.
"How are you feeling?" he asked her. She shrugged.
"I'm good. Just tired." The door to the apartment opened. Abraham walked in followed by Carl and Judith.
"We're gonna meet downstairs. Come up with a game plan." Abraham said. Carol held out her arms to Judith.
"I'll watch her." Carol said.
"Daryl? You coming?" Rick asked looking at Daryl. Daryl looked down at Beth.
"I'll keep an eye on her Daryl. Go, they need your input." He looked at Carol, uncertain. He didn't want to leave Beth. But he wanted to have his say in whatever the group decided.
"Yeah okay." He stood up. Carol smiled at him and nodded. With one last look over his shoulder he joined the group down in the garage.
