A/N So this chapter wasn't easy.. my knowledge of hand to hand combat isn't much! The focus of this story is not supposed to be on that anyway.. but it's here and I apologize for the mistakes that I am sure you'll find! Forgive me! There is one more chapter to this and then I am wrapping it up! It's been a journey, as they all are, but its time to end it! I totally appreciate all the reviews, likes and follows! It's awesome! I hope this doesn't fall short of anyone expectations!
Talk continued until the early hours of the morning. Disappointment hung over the group like a bad omen. Daryl said it like he saw it. He didn't pretend to think this was going to work. At least not as it stood. They were unsure of the Kingdom and what the people there had to offer. King Ezekiel, Daryl felt ridiculous addressing a man in that manner, but he did it if only to show how absurd he felt the Kingdom was, Ezekiel believed that what he was doing was best for his people.
"He's a lot of talk. I think that underneath that crazy facade he realizes things are bad and will only get worse. I think he heard us Daryl. We just need to give them time," Glenn said looking over at Daryl.
"Ain't got time. What happens when he comes back and we ain't got enough? Who's he gonna kill next?" What happens if he finds out about Beth? Daryl didn't voice this, but he was thinkin' it, it had been all he could think about. He felt Beth slide in closer to him, rest her small hand on his thigh and the anger and frustration that had been simmering just under the surface since stepping foot in the Kingdom was calmed by her presence. He knew what she'd say, getting mad isn't going to help, we need to focus.
"We'll get back in touch with Jesus tomorrow. Regroup and figure something out. Maybe I should go to the Kingdom too." Rick yawned, his jaw popping loudly. He shook himself and looked around at the others. And Daryl saw that look, the one that said, defeat doesn't come easily anymore, he'd seen it when they dealt with the governor. "This isn't gonna stop here. And I've been thinkin', what Negan said, about keeping an eye out for, well you." Rick looked at Beth. "He doesn't know you have any ties to us or he would have used that as leverage for something. I think he just said it to continue to make himself seem like he's got all the power. That he handles it when people fuck him over." Daryl felt that anger again and he shook his head.
"Don't matter! He's lookin', said he was, for whatever reason." Daryl growled.
"I know man! I just don't think-" Rick started. The expression on his face infuriates Daryl.
"Ya gonna go with a feelin' now? So Negan isn't lookin' fer her, maybe Dwight's using us to get what he wants. Ya ever thought about that? We wan 'em dead, sure. But so does that little prick! I tolja.. I… She comes first. Before anyone, anythin' else. 'S gonna be her." His throat aches, he's holding back. Cause he could rip into all of them and make this into something it doesn't need to be. He can feel himself shaking and when he glances over at her, she's all blue eyes and tears and that kicks any resolve he has to jump up and pound someone right in the ass. He wraps his arm around her shoulders and pulls her in tight to his chest.
"Daryl.." It's just a whisper, but even so it's his name on her lips and that does things to him. Always. He chances a look around the room and everyone is silent, but their eyes are all on him and Beth. Rick's too.
"And I told you, I'll send you both away before I let anything happen, Daryl, man we protect our family." Rick is staring at him and Daryl nods. Cause that's all he can do. If he speaks he's gonna lose it and everyone is watching and all he really wants to do is run. Which is frankly, becoming a worn out theme in his life. What the hell is he gonna run from? Everything he has that's good? He takes a deep breath and nods again, feels Beth shift in his arms.
"So we don't need to use her as bait. She can stay here with me, she can.." This from Maggie, but it's interrupted by a yawn and Glenn looking overprotective and concerned.
"Come on Mags.. Let's go home. You need to rest. We'll figure it out."
"We're all tired. We need to sleep and meet again in the morning." Rick stands and he's still watching Daryl and Daryl sees the odd expression on his face. Like he's looking at something he's never seen before and he's having a hard time believing it's real. Everyone is heading out and Maggie reaches out and squeezes Beth's hand and smiles at him. Another weird look. Once it's only Rick and Michonne left in the room with them Daryl glares at Rick.
"Wha'? Why ya lookin' at me like that?"
He's sitting on the floor with Beth, in front of the window where he sat the first night they came to Alexandria. He didn't want to be there then. He didn't want to be anywhere. He was lost and only moving forward because he had to or people would start in with the questions and concerns and he didn't want that, couldn't handle that then. All he had wanted, well all he had wanted back then is curled up beside him now.
"Nothin' it's nothin'. There's never been a doubt in my mind that you'd stand beside me, do what needed to be done for the group. You've always done that, you've always been a good man. So this.." He gestures to Beth and the two of them on the floor. "You deserve to have this and it looks good on you." He turns and walks away, leaving Daryl at a loss for words and a scowl on his face.
Michonne pointed at him from across the room.
"You know it's true.. you know, cause me and you, we're a lot alike Dixon." She turned and followed Rick up the stairs.
"What the hell was that?" he grumbled. But he knows, deep down he gets it. This whole thing, this life he's built started out with him and his brother planning to rob a camp full of scared survivors blind. But somehow the world tilted on its fuckin' axis and instead of robbing them, he gave them all he could, all he had to give. Himself. And the amazing thing was, they accepted him.
"That was your family." Beth said sleepily snuggling against him.
"Ain't done nothin' any the rest of 'em wouldn't… ain't nothin' special.." He feels her soft laughter and he growls down deep in his chest.
"You ain't standing on the right side to see it like they do, like I do. Did you ever have something to fight for in your life before the dead started walking?" It's a cruel question, but coming from her, he knows she doesn't mean it to come off like that.
"Dunno, pack a smokes, a dirty look, my brother, sometimes." He curled a tendril of her hair around his big calloused finger and he flet his chest constrict.
"And now?" She asked softly.
"Hell woman! Why ya gotta-"
"Just answer the question Daryl." Beth was tired, he could hear it in her voice. He could feel it in the way she held herself against him. So he would give her this.
"People. These people, my people. And.." He squirmed in his spot on the floor. "You."
"Me.. that's my blessing too. I think what he means is the world didn't treat you very kindly before, shoulda, but it didn't. Yet here you are giving everything you've got for everyone else. And now.. well now you have something that you didn't before. Cause you're a good man Daryl. And you deserve to have something worth fighting for. Okay?" She had turned in his arms and looked at him with a look of determination in her eyes and if he shrugged this off there'd be hell to pay.
"Okay." It was worth it. Not grumbling. Cause she smiled and even though they were standing on the edge of war, one that could devastate them, her smile gave him hope.
"Let's go to bed Daryl."
Morning came too soon. Her head had barely touched the pillow and tn the room was filled with sunlight, still weak but a wake up call just the same. Beside her the bed was empty. Had been for awhile because the sheets were cool to the touch. She dressed and hurried downstairs. Rick and Michonne were already up, finishing off breakfast.
"Hear from anyone yet?" she asked. There was bread on the counter and apples they'd brought back from the Kingdom. Beth took one and smiled at Judith in her highchair picking at scrambled eggs.
"Not yet. I won't wait long, I'll head-" Rick was interrupted by Carl yelling from the front door.
"Dad you gotta come see this!" He skidded into the kitchen and he was smiling and shaking his head. "There's knights, in riot gear.. on horses. Oh man…" Rick followed him out the front door. Michonne took Judith from the highchair.
"The Kingdom." Michonne smirked at Beth. "Come on, might as well see for yourself."
"Where's Daryl?" Beth asked as they headed down the street.
"He said he was gonna go just outside the walls and try and get some small game to leave with the ones who stay behind." Michonne explained and Beth couldn't help the small smile that caused. After their talk last night. He was doing it, taking care of his. Michonne smiled back at her, didn't say anything, just smiled. And Beth knew the other woman was thinking the same thing.
There were in fact two knights on horses coming in the gate. Beth laughed out loud. The absurdity of it all made her feel good. It was crazy, but in a good way. She skipped ahead and moved in close to the horses. Their noses were like velvet in her hand and the one closest to her knickered and tried taking the apple she held in her other hand.
"Found something sweet didn'tcha boy." She scratched his behind his ear and held the apple up on her palm and let the horse take a big bite. The boy riding him, because that's really all he was, gave her a huge grin.
"You just made a friend for life,' he said winking at Beth. She pretended not to notice and instead watched as Daryl approached the gate, two squirrels tied to his belt. She could see him shaking his head in disbelief as he joined them. "I can give you a ride if you want," the boy said and his cheeks turned pink. Michonne tittered next to her and Daryl huffed out a laugh.
"She ain't going for no ride!" He growled and the boy looked startled and nervous.
"Um, ok. I.. uh." He stammered and then finally just shut up.
"It's safer than your motorcycle Daryl." Beth teased. She rubbed the horse's neck and looked over her shoulder at Daryl whose cheeks weren't red from embarrassment, but something else entirely.
"Ya? But I'm driving." He moved in beside her, one hand at the small of her back. Staking his claim Beth thought and it made her want to laugh out loud again, but she controlled the urge to do so knowing it would only irritate Daryl more.
"Touch his nose Daryl, he's so soft!" She grabbed his hand and purposely moved her backside right up against him, pulling him in close and laying his hand on the horse's nose.
The horse nuzzled him playfully and Beth giggled and leaned in close to his ear. "Horses got a sixth sense, they know good people Daryl." The tiny curl of his lip, beginnings of a smile and all she'd get right then.
"Uh huh.." She saw him glance up at the kid and give him one of his death stares and then he laced his fingers through hers and they stepped back from the horse.
"You have word from Ezekiel?" Rick asked.
"The King sends his regards and would like to let you know that he has men and women who are ready to join forces with you and fight the Saviors." The formality of the other young man's tone hushed them all.
"Ok. Well that's good news then." Rick smiled up at them.
"We will be joining you too." The younger boy said and he puffed out his chest a little. Beth noticed Daryl noticing this.
"That right? Y'all better leave them horses at home. Anythin' happens to them, well I can't be responsible for what she does." Daryl nudged Beth and she felt his body shake with pent up laughter. Daryl was teasing this kid cause he was jealous. She smacked his arm away. From the expression on the kid's face he was scared of Daryl.
Rosita shouted from the lookout. "We got company coming. Trucks. Two of them. They look like the ones from the Hilltop, but I'm not sure." Daryl and Rick immediately armed themselves and stepped towards the gate. Glenn and Carl followed suite. Maggie took Judith and moved back towards the houses.
"You have weapons?" Michonne asked the knights.
"No we, our staffs, but.." his voice sounded weak watching the woman shake her head, her dreads brushing her cheeks. She stepped around them and pulled a pistol from her hip.
"Just back off a little, away from the gate. It's probably fine, but just get the horses away." Beth pulled out her own gun and stood a few steps behind the others watching closely as the trucks made their way up to the gate. She noticed Jesus in the passenger side of the first one and relaxed a little.
The gate was pulled open and both trucks entered. Jesus hopped out first thing. He eyed the knights and looked at Rick.
"The Kingdom is with us?" he asked. Rick nodded at him. "Good, but we have a problem."
Dwight had left Hilltop sometime during the night without saying anything to Jesus. Beth met Daryl's eyes and was at his side. He laid a hand on the small of her back. Beth had learned over time that this wasn't just Daryl being protective, it as also how he calmed himself down. Or at least tried.
"Wha' the hell does that mean? He back out?" Daryl growled. Jesus was shaking his head. He held up his hands.
"I don't think so. I know he was worried he was gone too long, that Negan'd send Saviors looking for him." But Jesus' expression said it all. He wasn't sure why the other man had left and he didn't like it anymore than Daryl and Rick did.
"Then were going in tonight. We weren't gonna use Beth anyway. That's what we were gonna tell you and Dwight. Too risky. It's not worth it." Rick glanced at Beth and she gave him a small nod.
"Damn fuckin' straight it ain't!" Daryl was shaking, Beth felt it and she breathed his name softly so that only he could hear, well Rick and Jesus heard it to and they watched as Daryl composed himself.
"I was going to talk to you about that this morning too. I wasn't comfortable putting her out there either. It would never be with it. So I am with you there Daryl." The two men shared a moment of eye contact before Jesus looked to Rick.
"So if they don't need you Bethy, you can stay here. With me." Beth heard the question in that and she sighed because she knew what Maggie wanted, she just wanted Beth safe, but safety wasn't guaranteed anywhere anymore.
"Do I even get a say? I know it's for the best and I wasn't keen on the idea. But I would've. If it was the only way. And you're all talking over me like I'm not even here. Did it last night too! I'm a part of this too dammit!" Beth had stepped away from Daryl, her hands fisted at her sides. There was complete, awkward, silence. How soon they forgot that she basically fought her way out of the factory and back to them. She knows they mean well, but she isn't weak. She's strong and she's here and they need to remember that. Something in Daryl's eyes gives her pause.
"Ya are. Ain't gonna change how I feel. Yer one of the strongest people I know. Yer also my girl." Okay he gets it. She sees that and she knows for the most part it's a battle she can choose with Daryl. Everyone else needs to remember she isn't little Beth Greene from the farm anymore. She meets Rick's gaze and she sees a little of what she saw in Daryl's, maybe pride? And even Maggie, although she looks scared, gives Beth a small smile.
"Maggie I'm going with Dary. I'll wear a disguise, something, but I'm going." Beth said tiredly. She expected an outburst, resistance of some kind, but Maggie just nodded, her eyes filled with tears. The people she needed most to trust in her strength we're doing just that.
"Let's do this," Jesus said. He was looking at Beth in a strange way and it made her feel uncomfortable. It was like he was seeing her for the first time. And maybe he was. That was a good thing, weird, but good. The others, Tara, Rosita and Eugene, they hadn't known her before so they had no idea how much it meant to her to be treated like a part of the group. A part that could and would fight. She moved over by Maggie and took Judith from her and then she held her sister's hand.
"How many people do you have?" Rick asked.
"Got thirty on the trucks right now. There were more that wanted to come but Gregory was throwing a fit. Another group of fifteen will head out tonight. I'll send word back where to find us. We need a rendezvous point for the Kingdom and then we can talk tactics with all of ours." Jesus turned to the knights and Rick joined in the conversation. Some of the others moved in closer to hear what was said. Beth looked over to where she'd left Daryl.
"We'll go gather up the rest of the community and meet you guys at the church." She told him. He didn't respond, but he watched as she walked away. She felt his eyes on her and she knew he'd probably never be comfortable letting her be in any kind of danger, but that was a feeling they both shared and unfortunately it would probably always be like that, as long as they were in danger.
The rest of the day went by in a blur. Daryl just wanted it all to be over. He wanted to be on the other side of all of what they were facing right now and he wanted his family with him and safe. Even though the plans had changed and they were going into this completely unknowing of what waited, it felt right. They had allies. Even the Kingdom had come through. The numbers made them stronger and that gave them confidence.
They'd gone over the plan, the general plan as it was, because nothing ever went exactly according to the plan. Beth stood across the church next to Maggie and Father Gabriel and Daryl had tried to avoid it, but his eyes kept sliding in her direction. He'd quickly looked away when she caught him to first two times. But the third time he'd given her a sheepish smile and shrugged his shoulders. She shook her head and returned the smile. He knew what she as trying to say earlier, and she knew where his heart was too, he knew that. This was never going to be easy. Partly because it was him and he was still learning how to actually love another person and let them love him, and partly because it was life.
When everything had been gone over in numerous ways and there was nothing else that could possibly be said that would change anything, the group started thinning out. Father Gabriel would be left "in charge" at Alexandria, and for once Daryl didn't feel a bit concerned about that. His biggest concern, and he was trying his hardest not to let the fact that it was even a concern consume him, was Beth.
"Stop it Daryl." He felt her before she even said anything. And although she kept her voice low he automatically glanced around the room to see if anyone else had heard her admonition.
"Ain't doing nothin' Beth." He looked her in the eyes, didn't flinch when he saw the tears there. Didn't move when she slipped her arms around him and laid her head on his chest.
"Yeah but you're thinking, I see it." She murmurs this into his shirt and her breath seeps through the fabric, warm and soft against his skin.
"Man can't think 'bout things?" He gently moved her back so he could look at her, again. For some reason he feels the need to make eye contact when usually he'd avoid it. He's learning that not everything uncomfortable needs to avoided though.
"I know where your head's going. Don't go there. We're going out there to put an end this and then.." Beth attempts to step back in, closer to him, but his hands are still wrapped around her upper arms and he holds her back. It about kills him to do it, but he does.
"An' then? We gonna throw a party? Shoot off fireworks?" He's being sarcastic and it's uncalled for he knows this, but he's scared and instead of just saying it he is being an ass.
"Then we live. Don't be a jerk just cause you're afraid Daryl." She yanks her arms from his grip and comes right back in, against him, arms wound around him and without even hesitating he wraps his arms around her tightly, maybe a little too tightly and he whispers against her hair.
"Ain't afraid of nothin'."
"Liar."
Under the cover of darkness small groups of 5 to 10 people head out of Alexandria on foot. The last group will bring the trucks and leave them in case they need a quick getaway or just vehicles for some other reason. Beth tugs the black beanie down tighter over her head and shivers. She's wearing her knife and gun. As well as a shotgun and it's a good thing she's stronger than she's ever been physically because this stuff is heavy, but there's no doubt in her mind that she can use it, all of it when the time comes. Everyone is carrying to some degree. The weapons vary and there are even grenades dispersed amongst them. There are more on the trucks, but maybe they won't need them. Maybe this will go off without a hitch.
And maybe the walkers will all lay down and peacefully surrender to that quiet sleep that they are on the cusp of. She doesn't think she's lost faith, not completely, she just isn't sure where her faith lies anymore, but she holds a little prayer in her heart that this will go in their favor.
It's chaos from the moment the first shots echo through the woods, Beth knows where they are. Even in the dark, it's like revisiting an old nightmare. She ran through these woods scared and injured, hiding wherever she could while she was still being followed by Savior's after escaping the factory. That feels like another life, but it's all coming back as they are met head on by those Saviors she ran so hard to get away from. It's dark and impossible to keep track of everyone. She has one eye on Daryl and the other on the trees, the shadows, watching for anything and wondering how they are gonna be able to tell the difference between enemy and foe. Rick calls out to Daryl, it's not loud, but she can't make it all out even though they are right in front of her. It's something about Negan being tipped off and then the tree behind them explodes as gun fire rips through it. Daryl reaches for her hand and with their heads down they move out and around and back again. Weaving. It's like tag, keep the other guy wondering, or it's a dance and Rick is leading and they follow sticking close together. Whatever it is it seems to be working because as far as she can tell, they're pushing the Saviors back. It can't be a big group. Maybe Negan underestimated them. Maybe they can do this! Hope is blessing and a curse.
It all falls apart when Daryl is suddenly gone. Just gone. She hears yelling and can make out his voice and she heads in that direction, but an arm around her waist holds her back and she feels warm breath on her neck and Rick is talking to her, but her chest feels tight and she knows that Daryl is right there just a few feet away, if she could just see him.
"Let me go Rick!" She's carrying too many damn things on and her struggle is futile. It's also dark. Very dark.
"Beth.. Beth! No. Stay back, come with me we'll go around. I think he spotted Dwight." His voice is hoarse and when he reaches for her arm she pushes the rifle back over her shoulder and holds on to him, tripping over things she can't see in the dark. Her focus is gone. It went away into the dark woods wrapped in leather wings.
The gun fire is dying out. Shouts are heard far off in the distance. The fight is dwindling down to nothing. There are others, their own, standing at the ready, waiting, but it looks like the fight is over for now. Beth shuffles behind Rick half tempted to drop everything she has an just run.
"RIck, where.. where is he?" She's finding it hard to catch her breath and a scream has lodged itself in her throat and it's taking everything she has not to just let it go. But she's thinking of him and not drawing attention because he's gotta be just a little ways ahead, just..
Jesus is suddenly there beside them. Beth isn't sure where he came from, she isn't sure or anything anymore except for the fact that Daryl is gone and they need to look for him. He's talking to Rick, Gregory made it to the Sanctuary before nightfall. He outed them, but he underestimated their numbers and the Saviors were unprepared. The majority of them were taken out with very little casualties of their own. He mentions Dwight and that brings Beth back.
"Dwight found me, he was trying to warn us but it was already too late."
"Daryl went after Dwight, I lost him! Is he still with him? Did you see-" Before Jesus can even responded there are voices from the shadows.
"Jesus? That you? We got Dwight here."
Two of the Hilltop men are crouched over a body. When they get closer Beth's recognizes Dwight. He's laying on the forest floor and he doesn't look good at all and she has to stop her mind from conjuring up the same image of Daryl somewhere out there.
"He alive?" Rick asks kneeling beside Dwight's body. It's so dark and the flashlight one man has in his hand makes it hard to see anything but what's right in front of them. Squatting down next to Rick she watched Dwight's chest barely rise and fall as he breathes.
"Yep. Don't know what happened. Shots were fired though and a couple went down. One just over there," the man pointed off to his right. "Nuther un was drug away. Had ta have been one of ours." He wiped his face and squinted at Rick and Beth in the weak light from his flashlight. "We took most a theirs out though."
Rick reaches out puts pressure on Dwight's shoulder, shaking the man gently.
"Dwight. Dwight, what happened? Did you see Daryl?"
"Yeah, he found me, asshole sucker punched me." He's coughing and having a hard time talking and it's then that Beth notices he's bleeding heavily from his left side.
"He's bleeding Rick!" Beth points to the pool of blood underneath his body.
"Did Daryl.." Rick asked Dwight.
"Nah, he finally listened. Saviors did this." Dwight groaned and Beth felt helpless beside him.
"Do you know where Daryl is?" Beth reached for the man's shirt and felt tears well up in her eyes. Dwight didn't say anything, but he shook his head slightly. "Dwight please.." Beth felt herself losing the battle against the desperation she'd felt earlier and Rick must have sensed this too.
"Come on man, anything!" Rick gently pulled Beth back and away from Dwight and leaned down into his face.
"He went down- I don't know. It's dark man, I couldn't see." Dwight coughed again and little flecks of blood coated his lips.
"He needs help. Think your guys can get him back to the Kingdom?" Rick looked over Jesus. Beth stood up and started slowly moving towards the trees. She could go out and look, just a little ways out.
"Maybe, we can look around for Daryl or-"
"Beth, wait, we'll go." Rick was at her side again and she felt like they were wasting time. Daryl could be out there hurt or worse. Movement in the trees had her stopping in her tracks and holding her breath. Rick raised his gun as two people pushed their way through.
"Rick?" Glenn's voice.
"Oh thank god!" Michonne pushed forward and ran to Rick.
"You're good?" he asked touching her face and glancing at Glenn. "Both of you?"
"We are. Most of our people are. A few injuries, but we sent them to the Kingdom, to the rendezvous point. The gunfire has attracted a lot of walkers though. We've been fighting them off" Glenn looked at Beth and hurried over to her side. She doesn't want anyone's concern right now, if they're concerned that feels like something really is wrong and nothing can be wrong. She smiles weakly at Glenn glad he's here and okay and Michonne is here, Rick.. already she's taking count. But he's not here and it won't be okay until he is.
"We can't find Daryl. He took off-" Rick started.
"Wait a minute… Daryl! That's it. Guy with the wings. He was with another guy, black guy I think. Didn't look good." This came from the other man who was kneeling next to Dwight.
She can't feel the ground she's standing on anymore, can't feel the air around her or the vice grip Glenn suddenly has on her hand. The darkness has become thick and cold and that scream she was holding on to comes out in a weak, choking, gasp.
"What the hell?" Michonne breathes. "Is he-" But she cuts her eyes to Beth and doesn't finish that thought.
"No. we don't know that." Rick moves in and gets ahold of Beth and looks to the others. "We need to get out of here, get her somewhere safe. Especially if there are more walkers are out there." They just keep talking about her in the third person like she's a child or she's crazy which is quite possible.
"No Rick. No. He might still be out there. We gotta look. He might.." Now she's fighting, twisting in Rick's arms, getting tangled in the stupid weapons she didn't even need cause if she had she would have used them to keep him safe or, "Lemme go, just let.." But Rick's not letting up and he's managed to get the rifle off of her and hand it to Michonne and he's pulled her in tight against him, squeezing the screams and the breath right out of her.
"We don't know nothing Beth. We don't…." His voice is harsh and she is so far gone that she can't hear the fear there. And he's shaking too against her.
"I know where we can go. Carol isn't far. We can keep looking Beth, this is Daryl we're talking about. You know what he's capable of.. Come on. It's gonna be ok." Glenn is always the voice of reason even when the reason isn't what she wants to hear, but she'll go if it means they can still look for Daryl.
"I'll go with these guys. We'll touch base in the morning then." Jesus and the Hilltop men get a hold of Dwight's body and Beth finds herself hoping that he makes it, that somehow he's okay. People aren't all bad, the world they live in now just forces them to make choices that sometimes turn out to be bad.
They head out, but don't find Daryl, they don't find anything and it doesn't matter how much she cries and begs him, how much she fights until he has to take all her weapons off her, Rick isn't listening. They need to look a little further out, she just has a feeling, but they've already made their minds up. They're going to Carols. Fine. Eventually they will leave her alone. If she seems to have given up running away. If they think she's going to stay.
"Come on Beth. He's not here." Rick tries the gentle approach. Again.
"You don't know that!" And she keeps up the fight even though she's worn out. Her head is pounding and a thin sheen of sweat she worked up when she was trying to wrestle her way out of Rick's grasp has got her teeth chattering and her body shaking. It's cold. It's dark. And he's just gone. But she isn't done looking for him yet.
They arrive at Carol's little house just as the sun has begun to turn the sky a faint pink. There are lights on and Glenn barely knocks before Carol is there looking tired, the purple under her eyes more than just a smudge and a bit bewildered. She sighs and moves aside to let them in.
"Thank god.. Morgan said he couldn't find anyone else." Carol says. She sits down at a table and there's a pitcher of water and bread and cheese spread out on it as if she has had others here already and expected more. She may have wanted to be left alone, but she won't turn her back on them. Can't. It makes Beth feel good in a small way.
Beth sees Morgan first. He's on the couch and he looks tired and beaten down.
'He was with another guy, black guy I think.'
Morgan's staff, bloodied, is on floor next him. On the couch is a gun. Beth sees these things. Rick sees them too.
"You fought?" Rick asks looking at him with a kind of awe on his face. Beth is fully aware of the fact that Morgan has refused to use a gun in the past.
"I did." Morgan nods and he isn't looking at Rick. His eyes are on Beth. She feels something. A hum, barely there.
Rick touches the blood on the staff and Beth's sees him pull his finger away, red. It's still wet.
"You killed?" Rick again.
"I did. For Daryl?" Morgan says quietly his eyes still trained on Beth.
"Daryl?" No one has to tell her. It's simple, she knows. And Morgan gives her the smallest of nods.