Note: I am really loving how this story is turning out. Now if life could just continue to let me have fun, that would be awesome.

Beth didn't know why it was so complicated. Why it was so damn hard to say she would stay. Why wouldn't she? Alexandria had walls. They had the manpower. Protection, shelter, food, clothing. It's simple, Beth. Just say it. And she was about to but before she could finally say it there was a knock at the door.

She didn't know why but she immediately got up, breaking their hands apart, and was immediately panicked. Memories of people, grotesque men, barging into Dr. Edwards and Beth's temporary "safe house" and almost succeeding in taking her. Grabbing at her with their grimy hands and shouting out obscenities that made her blood run cold. Remembering that even with Edwards there, she still was alone and fending for herself because he was too useless and too afraid to help her.

Daryl grabbed a hold of her shoulders and she pushed at his chest to let her go. He held on even when she slapped him hard. She felt the tears before it registered in her brain that she was crying. She never cried. Not anymore. And it was ridiculous to be freaking out like this. A tiny part of her brain knew that, but the rest of her brain had thrust images at her. Of men killing everyone she loved and cared about. Daryl. Maggie. Glenn. Rick. Carol. All of them, on the floor next to her feet dead and she was next.

Daryl was lightly shaking her, "Beth, 's okay. 'S probably jus Rick."

Daryl's calm tone did not soothe her like it should have. Instead her brain short circuited and she yelled at him, "But what if it's not?! Those men, they found me. They'll kill you and then me. I can't…"

Daryl's eyes narrowed and his stomach lurched as he felt his whole body heat up with rage, "No one's comin' to get ya'. Won't let 'em."

Beth was still resisting him and managed to push his grip off of her. When he looked up at her he hadn't expected the cool, dark expression she was now giving him, "Like last time you tried to protect me?"

Daryl took a step back as if her words had literally sliced his heart open. Mouth slightly open and eyes blank. Beth raised her hand to her mouth, not wanting to believe she had just said those words. Beth wanted to crawl under a rock at that very moment. She hadn't meant it. Or had she? No, she hadn't mean it. He had tried, she knew that. Her getting taken away was not his fault. And she wanted to tell him that. She wanted to plead that he'd forget what she'd just said, as if she could erase the words form his memory.

He was still silent, still had that hurt expression on his face. She had to say something so she attempted to set things right, "I didn't-" She sniffed and regained some of her composure and tried to explain herself, "It wasn't your fault. I know that." Daryl still said nothing but his lips came together and it looked like he was gritting his teeth in anger. Which why shouldn't he be angry? She had hurt him bad. She had lit his honor and strength in flames as if she had poured gasoline on both those characteristics and set it aflame.

Her shoulders fell in defeat and she let out a whimper. She felt like falling to the ground and curling up in a fetal position. Just like she did when Edwards was sleeping and she was on watch. She would be awake but just holding herself together so she wouldn't have another panic attack.

Daryl was still silent and whoever was knocking, continued to knock. Finally she choked out, "I can't stay because... I can't be saved. They'll find me and they'll hurt all of you. They'll make me watch and then take me." Beth's tears were flowing down her face and the way she had said those words made something inside of Daryl break.

He surprised her when he closed the space between them and gathered her up in a strong embrace. She didn't deserve this. She didn't deserve this man. And then he finally spoke, "Ya' can be protected. Ya' can be saved." He said as he brought his forehead to hers. "I know ya' can, Beth. Ya' ain't all gone and no one is gonna come."

Beth's arms went around his waist and hung loosely as they stood there. She started to calm down and the darkness slowly etched its way from her mind. The fear was still there but that was fading too. Slowly but surely.

"Oh my..."

Beth came apart from Daryl to the sound of a familiar voice. She immediately froze and her heart stopped. There stood Maggie Greene. Her eyes wide and hand over her mouth. Beth's sister was just a few feet from her and even Beth couldn't believe it. Beth was sure she needed time before she saw Maggie but now all Beth wanted to do was run into her sister's arms and never be let go.

"Beth?" Maggie's voice sounded choked and strained. Beth smiled and nodded as a fresh new wave of tears renewed in her eyes.

Maggie was the one to come forward and wrap Beth in a hug. Beth returned the hug as Maggie began crying in unison with her sister.

Beth was given a very simple tour of Alexandria. Maggie had insisted and Daryl had almost told her that Beth needed to take this place in small bites but Beth had beat him by saying she would love too. Daryl couldn't hide his confusion but she gave him a knowing smile as she let Maggie lead the way.

No one asked her how she survived. No one asked her how she got to Alexandria. No one really seemed to care. The only thing that her group cared about was that she was home safe and nothing else mattered. There was a huge event planned for her welcoming but it would come later. Even she agreed with Daryl when he suggested they take a rain check on the party.

When they got to Rick's house she didn't have to guess whose cries were coming form within the house. Rick came out with Judith cuddled in his arms and he was absolutely floored when he set eyes on the younger Greene sister.

Shock soon turned into a big and bright smile as he came down the porch stairs. He looked down at Judith and then to Beth and Beth started to shake her head but Daryl nudged her towards them.

Beth gave a small, nervous smile as she held out her arms towards Rick who gingerly handed Judith over to her.

Beth was having flashbacks again. But good ones. Ones of taking care of Judith and singing to her. Memories of her father and the prison. Of how safe she had felt and how quickly it had been taken from them as well. She pushed the bad memories successfully away as she smiled at the child in her arms.

Maybe she could heal. Just maybe this would be enough.