Tyreese took the weight of Daryl from Jo as they descended the stairs. Daryl's feet dragged behind him, but he was still breathing lightly. The group followed the trio outside and began the long walk back to the vehicles. Jo occupied her worried mind by scouting ahead with Michonne and Andrea.
"We need to hurry. We're gonna lose the light," Andrea mentioned as she wiped blood off her knife and kicked the dead walker she just killed.
"They're moving as fast as they can," Jo said. They stopped to allow Rick and Tyreese to catch up. Daryl looked pale. Jo had never seen him look so frail, not even after Andrea shot him. That seemed like ages ago. They were differently people then.
"Keep moving. We can keep up," Rick said to them.
Jo raced ahead. She heard shuffling to her left and spotted a walker in a soldier's uniform. As she approached she recognized one of Daryl's hunting companions. She didn't even know his name. He turned toward her as she vaulted off a rock and stabbed him in the eye.
"Holy shit, Jo," Glenn said in amazement.
"I did track in high school," she said.
They kept moving as night crept upon them, slowing them down. They had no problem taking down the few walkers they encountered, which was lucky considering the amount they saw trapped on the beach of the river.
"We're almost there," Michonne called back to them. "Just a few more yards."
Jo ambled back to Daryl. His eyes were open and he was walking slowly with Rick and Tyreese's help. "How are you doing?" she asked.
"Been better," he responded.
"There's water and some food in the jeep. Almost there," Rick said.
They made it to the jeep and helped Daryl into the back of the first one. Jo sat beside and helped him take a drink of water.
"I'm just so tired," he said.
"Then sleep." She moved his head onto her shoulder. His eyes fluttered shut and his hand found hers. He intertwined his fingers with hers, making her smile. She couldn't remember the last time he was this dependent, if ever. She hated what he went through, but she liked the idea of taking care of him. She felt like she was finally giving something back to him after all that he had given her.
The drive back to the camp was anxiety packed. She could hear Glenn and Rick talking in whispers about what they should do about the major.
"I just don't know if we should stay if our people are risking their asses and the major isn't gonna do anything about it if something happens," Rick said.
"I know. But it's so safe. And with Judith and Hershel, don't you think the camp is better than traveling on our own?" Glenn responded.
"Yeah, I know. I guess we'll just have to continue to watch our own backs there and not worry about taking care of the others," Rick said.
The jeep slowed as it approached the main gate. Rick leaned out the window to wave at the guard stationed above the wall, and the gates opened for them. The major was standing on the other side and followed the jeeps to their parking spots. He looked inside the first jeep and a grimace swept over his features when he saw Daryl.
"What happened?" he asked Rick as he stepped out of the driver's seat.
"Not 100 percent sure, but Daryl is the only one who survived. He was being held hostage by a guy in a cabin. We had to take him down to get Daryl out alive," Rick said, brushing a hand through his hair.
Jo helped Daryl out of the back seat, draping his arm over her shoulder. Major Rice noticed her struggling and reached out to help. "I got him," she snapped. Major Rice recoiled and Jo and Daryl slowly began to walk toward the medical building.
Major Rice turned back to Rick, who was now joined by Tyreese and Glenn. "We lost all four men we sent with him?"
"Looks like it. That was always a possibility," Rick said.
"I'm sorry I couldn't send anyone. Sure am glad you guys found your man."
"Without much help from you," Glenn said.
"Listen," Rick began, "we thought about leavin' because we don't like living with people who are fine putting our family in danger but won't lift a finger to help find them, but this is the safest place for my baby and our group. But I will no longer allow anyone from my group to put their lives in danger for this camp. We will take care of ourselves and you can take care of everyone else."
The major only nodded with a look of sorrow in his eyes. The group headed back to the barracks. Carl met them in the hallway holding Judith.
"Did you find him?" Carl asked, as Rick picked up Judith. Hershel and Carol came out of the next room, worry written all over their faces.
"Yeah, we found him. He's severely dehydrated. Jo took him to medical," Rick said, cooing at Judith.
"Thank God," Carol said.
"Some guy was holding him hostage. Looks like the soldiers who went with him all got attacked by walkers, but Daryl made it out only to stumble upon some asshole's cabin," Glenn said. "We got him out though."
"How's Jo doin'?" Hershel asked.
"She's alright. She's with Daryl," Maggie said, hugging Beth.
After arguing with the nurse at medical, Jo and Daryl walked back to their room hours later. The nurse insisted that Daryl stay overnight to be given fluids and monitored, but Jo wasn't going to spend one more night without him. Plus, she didn't trust any of these people anymore.
"Damn, woman, I don't think I've ever heard you cuss that much," Daryl said as they left the medical building.
"These people can all shove it," she said. "I was so worried about you and that fucking major refused to send a rescue team. I'm done with them all."
"That's what I've been feelin' all along," he said. "We've always been better on our own."
"I know. But it's actually safe here. And with the baby and Hershel…"
"They haven't kicked us out yet. Let's just stick to takin' care of ourselves," he said, opening their bedroom door for her.
"Fine by me. Now get to bed right now," Jo said, pointing at the bed.
"Yes ma'am," Daryl responded, with arms raised.
"And don't ever scare me like that again."