AN: Hi all, a huge thank you to everyone who reviewed, followed, and favorited, your kind words work wonders for my muse! Have you guys seen the trailer for season 5? HOLY SHIT!*Laughs off a cliff because of Beth and her BAMFness* I do not own The Walking Dead.

Enjoy!

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World Chapter 7: Family

"But Dad!" Beth argued for the umpteenth time.

"You're not going with them." Hershel said.

"She's my sister! Do you honestly expect me to just sit here and twiddle my thumbs when I could be out there gettin' her back?"

"Yes I do! I've already lost one of my girls today and I can't take you leaving too!"

"I am well aware of the risks and I am not a child any more, I can help!"

"Beth, we've been through this, it's too dangerous."

"I don't care!"

"Beth, listen to your father." Rick interjected. "Look, we all appreciate your willingness to help, but he's right. It's not safe and you're needed here."

Beth clenched her jaw tight, and glared at the people around her. She was fighting a losing battle, hell it was already lost. Of course they wouldn't let her go. How could she be so stupid? She wanted to scream, throw something, anything. Instead, she swallowed her pride and nodded reluctantly.

"Atta girl, would you mind grabbing Carl for me? I wanna talk to him before we leave." Rick asked.

"Mhmm, I'll do that now," She said thickly. However, she only made it about five steps before her eyes began to burn.

Don't cry. Don't cry. Don't cry.

Behind her, everyone seemed to spring into action. Rick began shouting orders to Axel and Oscar about supplies and weapons while Hershel wrapped the mysterious woman's injured leg. Within minutes, Beth's little outburst was all but forgotten. She'd faded into the background, just like always. Just like forever.

Don't cry. Don't cry. Don't cry.

"'S okay, lil' lady, I'll keep ya company." Axel said.

"Thanks," She said, trying to keep her voice even.

"No problemo, darlin'. Seein' that we're practically neighbors now and everythin', might has well start gettin' friendly with one another. Know what I'm sayin'?" He winked.

"Um…"

"Axel!" Daryl barked as he made his way over to them. "Didn't Rick just tell you to prep the gate?"

"Oh hey there, Daryl. I was just tellin' Beth here-"

"I don't give a shit what you were tellin' her. Rick needs it done and you're standin' around runnin' your mouth!"

"I'm sorry, I'll-"

"Just go do it, we're leavin' in forty-five minutes."

"On it! I'll see ya later, Beth."

Beth forced a smile and Daryl scowled as Axel scampered away.

"Was he botherin' you?"

She shook her head. "Y'all getting ready to head out?"

"In a lil' bit, got some stuff to take care of first." He glanced at her. "You okay?"

She shrugged.

Daryl shifted awkwardly but as he turned to leave, Beth's voice halted him.

"I just wish I could come with you guys, help out." She said.

"I know," He said.

She glanced at him quizzically.

"Believe me, I'd be just as pissed as you. Hell, I've been in the same situation."

"You have?"

"Yeah, back when I first met Rick. My brother went on a run in Atlanta, got himself left behind. Don't think I've ever been as mad as I was that day, we ended up goin' back for him but…" He trailed off.

"It was too late?"

"Somethin' like that,"

"I'm sorry,"

"Was a long time ago,"

"He was your brother,"

He shrugged.

"At least you were able to go after him," She countered.

"Not 'til after I argued and bitched about it for hours. Unlike Glenn and your sister, people didn't exactly take too kindly to Merle and me."

"You were allowed on the rescue mission, though. I know that it seems selfish and stupid, but I wanna be able to at least help get my sister. She'd do it for me," Her voice broke.

"I get that. Listen, I know you're pissed and probably scared shitless and you got every reason to be," He paused. "But we're gonna bring 'em home, you're gonna see Maggie again."

"Is that a promise?"

"As much as it can be these days," He said.

"I still wish I could help,"

"I know, but you gotta trust me. Kay?"

After a moment, Beth nodded.

"Okay,"

"Daryl, you ready? We gotta start planning." Rick called.

"Be right there," He hollered back. "You good?"

"Yeah, I think so." She said. "Good luck and please be careful."

"Mhmm," Daryl nodded and walked away.

Beth wiped her eyes as she watched him go. Her chest still ached and the lump in her throat was far from eradicated, but she felt better. Still upset, but lighter. Hopeful. Who would've thought that in a few short minutes, Daryl Dixon could calm her down?

Maybe, just maybe, things would be alright.

((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((TWD)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Maggie was shaking as Beth lightly tugged on her arm

"C'mon, do you wanna go to my cell or your's?" Beth asked.

Maggie didn't respond, just followed Beth blindly into the prison. They had only been trudging through the dark for a few seconds when Maggie's breathing became erratic, each inhale more labored than the previous one. If she didn't sit down soon, she would start to hyperventilate. It was unnerving for Beth, to see her sister like this. For as long as she could remember, Maggie had always been so fearless, so resilient, like nothing could knock her down. Of the Greene girls, Maggie was the most equipped to handle the nature of this world. If she couldn't deal with it, then who could?

Beth didn't let herself dwell on that last question.

By some miracle, call it Devine Intervention, the girls finally made it to Beth's cell with Maggie at least somewhat upright. As gently as she could, Beth eased Maggie onto the musty cot. Not taking her eyes off of her sister, she reached behind her and grabbed a rag to clean her wounds. However as soon as Beth reached out, Maggie recoiled.

"Do you wanna talk about it?" Beth asked softly.

Maggie drew her arms around herself and shook her head tightly. Slowly, as if she were trying not to spook an animal, Beth knelt on the cold hard ground and carefully rested her hands on Maggie's forearms.

"Do you want me to get Daddy?"

She shook her head again.

"Or Glenn, maybe?"

"No," She whispered. "I can't talk to them right now,"

"Okay, do you want to be alone?" Beth asked in the same gentle tone.

"No,"

"Well then scoot, my knees can't take much more of this floor," Beth tried to joke. While it wasn't actually received, Maggie shifted enough to give Beth room on the narrow bed. However the space between them disappeared instantaneously when Beth wrapped her arm around her sister, pulling her tight. Maggie was still trembling. They sat in silence for what seemed like hours until Beth spoke again.

"You have no idea how relieved I am that you're alive," She said. "I wanted nothin' more than to go after you, myself. I would've done it too, but Daddy wouldn't hear of it, no matter how much I begged. He said that it was too dangerous for me, and pretty much everyone agreed with him. I don't think I've ever been so mad."

Maggie didn't respond, her eyes fixated on the dirty floor.

"The only one who at least considered the idea was Daryl, weirdly enough." She continued and peaked outside the door. "Speakin' of which, where is he? I didn't see him in the courtyard with the rest of y'all."

"He's gone," Maggie said, her voice seemingly devoid of emotion.

Beth felt as if she were dumped in a vat of ice water, soaking and drowning in shock.

"You don't mean…" She trailed off.

"He's not dead."

"Then what? Maggie, what the hell happened?"

"Fucking asshole took off with his brother, Merle."

"I thought his brother was dead?"

"He's not, he was with… them and ended up escaping with us"

"And then Daryl left with him? Just like that?"

"Just like that, good riddance."

"Did he at least say why?" Beth asked, still wrapping her brain around the news. It didn't make sense. Sure, she and Daryl weren't exactly the best of friends, but even she knew that something was very wrong here. He wouldn't just leave them out of the blue like that. It wasn't him. No, it wasn't him at all.

Was it?

"Too much conflict, I guess. Merle was the one who took us to that place with that horrible man, he-" Maggie's voice broke. "He beat the shit out of Glenn to get information on us… I could hear everything. Every kick, every punch, every- Beth, it was so awful!" She sobbed, her whole body heaving.

"Shh, it's over now. He's gone, he won't hurt you anymore. You're okay, you're alright." Beth crooned, tears blurring her own vision.

There were no words to describe how Beth Greene felt in that moment, as she rocked her sister back and forth on the lumpy cot. Livid, maybe. She could've hushed and whispered words of comfort to her sister for an eternity; and it wouldn't've made the slightest difference. What had happened, happened. What was done, was done. No going back and turning around the clock. Glenn had been beaten to a pulp. Maggie had been traumatized. Daryl Dixon had abandoned them for his masochist brother.

And he wasn't coming back.

AN: Thanks so much for reading, I hope you liked it! This chapter was inspired by the moment in 3x07 "When the Dead Come Knocking" when Beth volunteers to go on the rescue mission for Maggie and Glenn and then the moment in 3x10 "Home" when Beth tells Carol that she's pissed at Daryl for leaving/abandoning him. I won't lie, I wasn't super thrilled with this chapter, as it has a lot more dialogue than I normally use. So please do not be shy and make sure to tell me what you thought. You guys are great, until next time!