"Damn rain won't let up," Daryl kept his eyes locked on the darkened sky, "Tried draggin' Merle in, but he ain't move an inch since I left him last night."

"Can we even do anything?"

He sighed and ran a hand through his dirtying hair. Dawn came too soon. The morning light was cut short by rumbling clouds making their way through the city. Daryl's eyes barely caught an ounce of sleep and to make matters worse, they wouldn't find rest any time soon.

He felt a pull on his arm and looked down to find Beth's worried eyes fixed on Merle. Her hand wrapped about Daryl's arm subconsciously, holding on tighter than she had meant. They watched through the thickened glass window, waiting for any type of movement either from Merle or the Walkers outside.

"Ain't much. He won't talk," Beth wiped away a tear as Daryl spoke, "Already tried to move him in before you woke up."

"Maybe if we move out today he'll be better. It'll get all of our minds off of things.." Beth's voice choked as she quieted down. The wound was still open and apparent; there was no need to pester with it.

They stood for a while longer, taking in the pattering drops hitting the rooftop almost lullengly. The cramped and uninviting police station proved to be the best they could get their hands on in the past forty-eight hours, but Daryl suspected the better option was the Atlanta refugee center. He contemplated on whether or not bringing up his ideal plan before he felt a hand grip his shoulder.

"Mornin' you two," Rick Grimes' poor excuse for a smile dampered any good mood Daryl had. He nodded towards the hushed sheriff, "How are you all doing?"

Daryl grunted; the noise of a mocked laugh, "Best we can be in all this shit."

"Mhm, Beth? You alright?" His concern was reassured at the sight of her fleeting eye contact. Rick shifted awkwardly as the silence between them lengthened. He hadn't expected much response from the two after the rough night past them now, but he figured there would be more than this.

"So what's your plans for gettin' us to the holy 'safety zone'?"

Rick rubbed his chin while he looked out the window at the lone Dixon. He hadn't slept much the night prior; his mind was completely consumed with two options. Either stick around the station until he heard otherwise from outside sources or face the crumbling outside world and make it a couple miles into the inner city and hope the military can take over leadership. His gaze went to the younger Dixon brother, watching the way he chewed at his cheek with nervous habit.

"I haven't decided on a plan. I haven't heard from anyone yet and I've tried the radio too many times to count in the past day. It looks like we're on our own out here." Rick's honesty was not caught short by Daryl. It was a difficult situation to be put in-knowing just as much as the average citizen when you're supposed to be above them was unnerving for Rick. Daryl couldn't help but feel on edge by the way Grimes was unsure of any forwarding action.

"I'm guessin' you know your way around the city?" Daryl questioned.

"Probably just as much as you do. We're close here, but I patrol the outer limits. Shane knows the city best. He said he has an idea of where the refugee center would be set up." Rick looked over his shoulder to see his partner walking through the hall towards them. His appearance shown he hadn't slept an hour more than anyone else.

"What 'bout me knowin' where to go?" His groggy voice carried through the room loudly, startling Beth. Daryl felt her fingers lacing through his quickly. The man could put even the most trusting of people on edge.

"We can either stay here or head out today and find other people. Military assistance would be nice to have with these things being violent." Rick watched his wife and son follow Shane's trail. Carl made his way to his father's side, leaning into his side with sleepy eyes.

"All of us?" Shane's question had Daryl's attention at the way he emphasized his words.

"Yes, Shane. All of us. Unless you're planning on staying here, right?" Rick's joke received a grunt from Daryl. Shane huffed out a breath and walked towards the crowding window.

"We headin' out in this rain?" Shane looked towards his partner and back at the blurred window. The storm was picking up and the sun seemed to completely disappear in its wake. The thunder wasn't what bothered Shane. He knew they would have a good chance of sneaking their way through the city with the elements against them. Thunder was good. It meant a distraction for the things outside.

Rain was their issue. He knew Lori and Carl would have a hard time running in the rain. And besides, he didn't feel the need to hear complaints nonstop. It would be never ending and a damn waste of time.

"Let's just get some stuff around and we'll see if the storm passes," Rick hooked his fingers into his belt loops, "We'll load up and go. Storm or not."

"What kind of heat are you packin' back there?" Daryl's curiosity definitely got the best of him. He knew his main weapon would be his trusty crossbow, but why let good guns go to waste? Beth looked up at him questionably and he raised an eyebrow in response.

Rick started to answer before Shane interrupted.

"You're lettin' them use our ammo and weapons? Jesus Christ, Rick," Shane ran a hand through his hair, shaking his head in the process, "Whatever man, best pray Dave won't slit your throat when he gets back here."

"We don't even know if he's alive anymore. These people here, the people we know are alive, they matter," Rick looked towards Daryl, "I can see you've got a handle on weapons. It's a safe bet that you've taught her a few times?" Rick looked towards Beth's lowered head. She nodded slowly. Beth didn't like knowing she'd be carrying around guns for anything other than hunting.

"She's used my bow and Merle's gun a few times before. Ain't practice much with guns." Daryl worried about Beth more than before now. Would she be able to handle carrying a gun and actually defending herself? He hoped she wouldn't have to make any decisions she'd regret.

"My wife and son don't have much of any experience. As long as she can point and shoot, she can use one of our handguns," The small group followed Rick's advancing pace towards the hallway, "Now, I don't like knowing I'm giving away my station's guns, but I think this might be an exception."

"Don't you think you should get Merle?" Beth's soft voice snuck up on Daryl. He looked down at her as they walked side by side. He shrugged and mumbled something about bringing him a few guns and ammunition. He didn't want to bother his brother until it was absolutely necessary.

"Gotta do this, y'know."

"I know that. I just don't like having a gun on me when we're not in the woods. It's scary."

"It's for your protection. If I'm not around."

"Don't say that." Beth looked at Daryl with brows furrowed. Just the thought of handling this new world without him made her sick to her stomach. He bowed his head apologetically before they entered the unlocked back room.

Beth's eyes grew wide along with Daryl's. They searched the small room appreciatively, watching the way Shane gravitated towards the shotguns and Rick towards the other side of the spectrum. He handed off a gun-without thinking-to his son, sending Lori's hand towards the metal object and away from Carl's grasp.

"Their bickerin' is gettin' real old real fast." Daryl grunted towards Beth. They watched the tense, but controlled disagreement unfold in front of them. Lori was not letting her young son hold a gun, ever.

"It's best if he has one on him. We've taught him where the safety was and all that before. Remember? He's fine. Jesus, Lori."

"Take it easy." Shane snapped at them both as he pulled out a duffle bag.

Daryl watched the man shove as much ammo as he could into every nook and cranny in the worn out black bag. His hands flew to a few shotguns, shoving those into the bottom. He looked up at Daryl as he heard a laugh coming from above him.

"What?"

"What do y'need rope for?" Shane's finger's tightened on the rope in his hands.

"Just incase," Shane scoffed, "Why's it matter?"

"Name one thing you'll need a fuckin' rope for."

"Daryl-"

Shane glared at Daryl a bit longer, stuffing the rope in along with a few extra packs of bullets. Beth looked at Daryl like he was crazy, but he ignored her. Shane bugged the hell out him to no extent.

"Alright, pack a bag up with a few guns you think you can handle and we'll get food around. There's some cans left from Michonne's findings, but not much." Rick picked up a few guns and proceeded to pick apart the remains of the once filled room.

"Do you think I could handle this one?" Beth's seriousness caught Daryl off guard. He turned to find the small blonde packing some major heat. He couldn't help but chuckle at the way her knees were shaking under the weight of a semi-automatic rifle in her grasp. He gladly took the weapon from her small hands, shaking his head at the thought of Beth using such a disastrous gun.

"How's 'bout we start with somethin' small and make our way up to that?"

"As long as you teach me how to use that someday." Beth smiled, kissing his cheek and grabbing an empty bag.

"Them officers really givin' us their weapons?" Merle's voice was hoarse as he shuffled through Daryl's newly filled dufflebag. Daryl looked over his bent over brother, watching the way he moved stiffly; he had been sitting on the steps out in the rain for too long. The young Dixon grunted towards his brother. Merle picked up the bag and slung it over his shoulder, "Hmm, how sweet of 'em."

"They're takin' us to the refugee center." Daryl's voice was flat-the same as Merle's.

"You really think they'll let us go with them? Yeah, they'd have no trouble takin' blondie and Officer Friendly sure has a thing for you, but whatta 'bout me? I'm dirt to them and I sweart ta God if that goofy ass lookin' partner of his gives me one more dirty look-"

"He ain't going to. And we're stickin' together."

Merle squinted at his brother. He watched the way his eyes doubted anything he said lately. The second guessing dilated while worry stained his blue eyes. The fleeting looks, the constant fixation on the floor; his brother was scared as hell and he'd be lying if he said he wasn't either. It was just so easy to read Daryl sometimes, especially since he was his own brother. Merle came closer, putting his hand on Daryl's shoulder and pulling him in.

"You don't wanna stay with these assholes, do ya? They ain't gonna do much for us if there ain't a refugee center. Probably strip us of our weapons and run. That's how it always will be. People will leave and we've got to learn to deal with things ourselves.

"That's what you think?" Daryl pulled away, "That's what you thought when you left me by myself?"

"Now when the hell did I-" Merle stopped himself and back away. He knew exactly what Daryl was talking about and it was too much to bring up now. Their home life wasn't necessary to speak of now.

"We're stickin' together. Got it?"

"Yep." Merle watched Beth make her way to the covered entrance. He couldn't look for too long; the memory of Maggie still lingered in his mind and looking at her sister made everything much worse.

"Is he ready?" Beth whispered to Daryl once he made his way towards her. He nodded, taking the heavy bag she had slung on her shoulder and putting it on his own. She smiled warmly at him. He couldn't help but feel just a hint of safeness at the sight of her, though danger was just an arms length away.

"I guess, are you?"

"As long as you are." Daryl pulled her in quickly, wrapping fingers into her hair as he pressed her head into his chest. He never felt this worried about her safety before. The world was different and nothing seemed like it would ever be the same. He held onto her for a bit longer, hoping that if the world collapsed under their feet in that moment he could at least have her as his last memory.

Beth pulled away and placed her hand on the side of his cheek, "You're worrying so much."

"Have to."

"They'll get us to safety and when this is all over we can begin again. You, me and Merle." Beth kissed his lips softly, breathing in his being as he did her. The short kiss was interrupted by the slam of a door behind them.

"I don't think this'll end soon."

"Have some faith, Daryl." She smiled and turned towards Shane, Rick, and his family.

"Everyone ready?" Rick tried to smile, but fell short. No one was ready and no one was willing. It was the chance they had to take. Safety in numbers was better along with the military's assistance.

"Lead the way, Shane." Lori sarcasm carried quietly.

Shane looked towards her and shook his head. He scanned the faces before him and sighed, "Let's get goin' then. Standin' around ain't going to do much."

Daryl picked up his crossbow and held it in his right hand; Beth's in his left, treading close by his side. The rain hadn't stopped, but fortunately slowed its pace and the thunder kept close as well. This run wouldn't be easy-they all knew that. What kept them going was the possibility of safe harbor, though they all were unaware of the fact that miles ahead led to more danger than good.

A/N: Writer's block, please forgive. There are too many excuses to count, so again, sorry! This story is definitely not forgotten and bethyl moments will happen :) any ideas you'd like to see, let me know and also let me know what you think so far. Much love.