Disclaimer: A nod to the genius Robert Kirkman for creating this wonderfully dark, post-apocalyptic world. I do not own or have rights to any of the characters/plot of this series. I'm simply a fan indulging in my post-apocalyptic fantasies.

Thank you Nicole137137 for taking time out of your day to do last minute edits! She's going to read over it again when she gets home just in case she missed any edits!

A/N: Sorry for the day late update! I wasn't able to get the chapter finished this past week, but I'm pretty sure I'll be forgiven after you read the chapter! Hope it was worth the wait! : )

I HAVE FANART! Thank you Spaceshipdear! Check out my profile for the link! XOXO

...

Beth awoke feeling disoriented. She wasn't sure where she was and the last thing she remembered was seeing Michonne as she entered the courtyard. Now she was lying on a bed, a real bed, in a room she was unfamiliar with.

Groaning, she forced herself to sit up causing her head to swim. She took in her surroundings, noting the white walls around her, but there wasn't anything that indicated exactly where she was. She let her legs slide over the edge of the bed and graze the cold, tile floor. It was then she realized she was without shoes and she had been changed; now in a clean, if not slightly baggy pair of jeans, and a button down, flannel shirt.

She felt an odd sense of violation at waking up in clean clothes and having no knowledge of who had changed them for her. She had hoped it was her sister, but she wasn't even sure if her sister had made it back to Terminus. With that thought in mind, she pushed herself to her feet and stood still as the dots in front of her eyes slowly vanished. She had no idea where to even begin looking for Maggie and the others, but she'd be damned if she just laid in bed when they could possibly need her help, assuming she wasn't in any sort of trouble herself.

She took one step away from the bed and froze when she heard the soft 'click' that signaled a door being opened. She glanced around her for any sort of weapon, but there was nothing; the room was completely bare save the bed she had been laying on. She held her breath, moving to dive under the bed when Carol came into view.

Sighing with relief, Beth plopped back down onto the bed and braced her elbows on her knees, catching her face in her palms.

"Oh good, you're awake," Carol moved into the room and sat on the bed next to Beth.

"Everyone make it back okay?" Her voice came out raspy.

"Thanks to you," Carol smiled, patting Beth's knee.

"I was brash," Beth sat up straight and gave her a small smile.

"I'm going to have to agree with you on that. Then again, we didn't have a whole lot of options," Carol pressed her lips into a thin line.

Beth sighed. She knew Carol was right, but that didn't make her decision any less reckless. She glanced over at Carol, realizing she was alone.

"Where's Jude?"

"She's with Carl and Rick," Carol replied, rubbing her hands over her knees, "Which reminds me. Rick wants to talk to you when you're feeling up for it."

"'Kay," Beth acknowledged absently.

Beth couldn't help feeling like Carol had more she wanted to say. She seemed on edge and Beth had somewhat of an idea where her anxiety stemmed from.

"How pissed is he?" Beth didn't feel like tiptoeing around the subject.

"Well…" Carol began.

Beth sighed once more.

"Daryl's not very good when it comes to expressing how he feels," Carol disclosed.

"I'm aware," Beth sunk further into the bed.

"So when he's unable to express himself in the manner he should-"

"He lashes out," Beth finished the sentence for her.

Carol smiled and Beth managed to return the gesture with a half-smile of her own.

"What attracted so many of them?" Beth finally asked the question that had been on her mind since the day before.

"Judith," Carol simply replied.

"Jude?" Beth wasn't following Carol's admission.

Carol pursed her lips and nodded, "Judith got upset. She was born in the prison and there was never an issue with her crying there. When it was just Tyreese and I…and the girls…we could move on faster than they could catch us. Having to wait in that Blazer with her wasn't something I had put much thought into."

Beth bit her lip. She too had been so preoccupied with Terminus that she hadn't taken into account all the factors that revolved around keep a baby in one location.

"We were outside and she got fussy. The stragglers from the herd must have heard her. A little while after you all left, coupla' hours maybe, she started crying. It wasn't long after that that the first group of walkers came out of the woods," Carol continued, "We would have been fine, but they just kept coming out of the woodwork. We were eventually forced into the vehicle."

"We woulda' had no idea where to look for you if you had left the Blazer," Beth remarked, realizing why Carol hadn't just taken Judith and ran.

"You and Maggie showed up. Everything turned out fine," Carol finished.

They sat in silence for a moment before another question weighed on Beth.

"So umm…" she cleared her throat, "Where are we and how'd I get here?"

"We're on the second floor of the infirmary. You passed out on Michonne. Lucky she was there or you might have had a nasty gash on your head right now," Carol informed her, "Rick came running over when Michonne yelled for help and took you straight to the clinic. Bob diagnosed you with having severe exhaustion, moderate dehydration, and said you'd need some rest. That you'd be back on your feet in no time."

Beth groaned. If Rick had taken her to the clinic that meant Daryl had seen her…unconscious…and looking like hell; covered in walker blood and bits.

"That was over twenty-four hours ago," Carol added with a roguish smile.

Beth fell onto her back, wishing she could just go back to sleep and avoid the impending conversation with the very angry redneck.

"I don't guess you'd have'ah rock I could climb under, do you?" Beth inquired in all seriousness.

Carol laid back beside Beth and clasp her hands over her stomach. Beth waited for Carol to speak, trying to ignore how suffocating the silence had become.

"You're important to him ya' know?" Carol told her.

"He's important to me too. We were all each other had for a long while," Beth answered.

"Hmm," Carol hummed.

Beth turned her head to look at her, "What?"

Carol gave her a close-lipped smile, "Nothin'."

Beth furrowed her brows in confusion.

"Just remember when you talk to him that he was worried more than he is angry," Carol sat back up and Beth did the same.

"I know," Beth nodded her head.

"Oh and just so you know," Carol lowered her voice, "He and Maggie got into it a bit."

Beth's face fell. Of course they would. Daryl would have blamed everything on Maggie for letting Beth go through with their plan and Maggie, being a Greene and not one to stand for people jumping her case, would have lashed right back out at Daryl.

"The moment he saw that you weren't with us and we explained what happened, it took Rick, Bob, and Glenn to keep him from leaving to go after you," Carol revealed.

Beth picked at her braid that rested on her shoulder, refusing to look Carol in the eye.

"He wasn't there Beth," Carol gently grabbed her forearm, "He would have done the exact same thing had he been in your position. We were able to get out of that vehicle because of you. I agree it was a foolhardy idea, but we all made it back in one piece and that's what matters."

Beth looked up at Carol and took a shaky breath, "Thank you."

"Anytime sweetheart," Carol patted her arm before releasing it completely, "Now. I'll walk you down to Rick. He can fill you in on everything."

Their conversation having come to an end, Beth followed behind Carol, through the door, down a flight of stairs, and through the hallway that branched off into the sickbay. Beth didn't see Daryl inside when she glanced in, but she hadn't really expected to. He was likely off somewhere stewing, keeping his hands occupied with work he shouldn't be doing on his injured leg. She knew she'd have to talk to him eventually, but if she could push it off until she could get her thoughts in order then she'd be doing good.

As they entered the courtyard, Beth spotted Rick talking with a few unfamiliar faces. Carol stopped her, gaining her attention, and imparted a few more words.

"Just remember what we talked about and that Daryl was worried about you. Okay?" The older woman reiterated.

"I will," Beth answered.

"Don't avoid him too much longer," Carol finished with a knowing smile.

Beth smirked, not even bothering to deny her elder's claim, and began in Rick's direction.

...

She stood a few feet away, politely waiting for Rick to notice her. He was busy discussing issues about supplies with two men Beth had never seen before. When he had finished, he turned to leave, and spotted Beth. Approaching her, Beth wasn't able to read his features.

He was the closest thing she had to a dad now. She respected him, had become a part of his family not only because of the apocalypse, but through caring for Judith and interacting with Carl. Next to Daryl, Rick was next in line on the list of people she was anxious to talk to in regards to her 'walker's follow the leader' stunt.

"Hey," she gave him a weak smile.

"How're you feelin'?" Rick asked, eyes squinting in the sun.

It was early morning, but the Georgia heat wasn't as unbearable as the norm with the changing of seasons. She was actually appreciative to whoever had decided to dress her in the long-sleeved shirt. By mid-day everyone would be taking layers off, but she would enjoy the cool breeze while it lasted.

"I'm okay. Sore. A little tired. No worse for wear," Beth replied, coining a phrase she's heard Daryl use several times.

"I'm glad to hear it," Rick placed his hands on his hips and ducked his head to stare at the ground.

He was gearing up to tell her something. She could tell by his mannerisms. When Rick was pensive, he always stood with his hands on his hips. When he was pensive, good news generally didn't follow. Swallowing the lump in her throat, Beth refused to let her apprehension get the better of her, and forced her eyes to stay focused on Rick's face.

"You getting everythin' sorted out with all the Terminus folks?"Beth wasn't ready to discuss yesterday's events yet.

"Yeah. Got 'em locked up in the box cars for the time bein'," Rick answered her.

Beth could have laughed at the irony. Then another thought struck her.

"Can they…"

She didn't have to finish her sentence for Rick to understand.

"No. They're secure."

Beth let out a breath of relief.

"Daryl's on watch at the moment," he subtly added.

Beth glanced up at him and recognized Rick's knowing had been involved in holding Daryl back from whatever outrageous idea Daryl had had when he found out Beth was playing walker bait. He knew exactly how angry Daryl was and Beth got the sense that he knew she was avoiding the angry Dixon.

"So what're we going to do about 'em?"Beth pushed her thoughts aside.

"We're gonna' have a meeting in the next day or so. Figure out what to do about 'em. Can't keep them locked up forever, but people are safer with them in there," Rick answered.

"Yeah," Beth agreed, "Is Michonne alright? Maggie said she got shot."

"Bullet grazed her arm. It looked worse than what it was," Rick replied.

"That's good," Beth nodded, "And Judith?"

"She's with Carl at the moment," Rick looked toward a building Beth wasn't familiar with,
"Michonne's with 'em. Catchin' up on lost time."

Beth smiled, "I'm glad."

They fell silent, having no more small talk to keep what Rick really wanted to discuss with her at bay. When Rick cleared his throat, Beth took a deep breath, and prepared herself for what the once sheriff had to say.

"Beth," Rick sighed.

"Yeah?" She placed her complete attention upon the man in front of her.

"You're family has done more for me and mine than I'll ever be able t'repay. You're dad took our group in, kept me…kept us going, and I will be grateful 'til tha' day I die for what he did in helpin' me bring Carl back 'round," Beth could feel the emotion in Rick's words and swallowed the lump building in her throat.

"I'm not sayin' I agreed with your plan," Rick chose his words carefully, "But I whadn't there. I know you didn't have many options, but riskin' yourself like that…"

Beth looked at him thoughtfully. While she understood everyone's concern, in the same regard, she also felt slightly offended. Yes, she knew it had been a stupid idea, but she was caught up on the moment with nothing to do except watch the walkers eventually get inside the vehicle. She had been stuck between a rock and a hard place and made the best decision she could.

"You're the reason my baby girl is here safe n' sound. I'm in your debt as much as I was your dad's. I'm not sayin' I don't appreciate what you did, because I do, but you barely made it back Beth," Rick's concern evident.

"If it was Daryl, what would you say to him?" Beth kept her voice even, "Or Michonne?"

Rick furrowed his eyebrows and she knew he was giving her question deep thought. It wasn't a fair question, but she hoped that it put some perspective on the situation. She was no longer helpless.

"I see your point," Rick said, staring into the distance behind her, "I know you're capable. It's just that with your dad gone..."

Beth felt herself tense.

"I promised Hershel that if anythin' ever happened to 'em, I'd make sure you and Maggie were taken care of. I intend to make good on my promise," Rick's tone left Beth no room for argument.

His gaze returned to her, "Maggie has Glenn. Daryl seems to have taken you under his wing."

"Yeah. He's taught me some stuff," Beth acknowledged.

"You gave us a scare Beth," Rick sighed and reached over to place a hand on her shoulder, "All of us. I'll never be able thank you enough for what you did to make sure our people made it back here."

"I was just doin' what needed t'be done is all," Beth replied honestly.

Rick smirked, "You even sound like 'em."

Beth gave Rick a quizzical stare.

"He should have cooled off some by now. Don't avoid him too long," Rick patted her shoulder, then moved away to continue on with what he had been doing before speaking with Beth.

Beth wasn't quite sure what had just transpired. Shaking her head, she headed toward the stacked boxcars, mentally preparing herself for whatever argument she and Daryl would inevitably have.

...

She caught sight of him, leaning against the rail car, crossbow in one hand, and holding a cigarette with the other. She wasn't quiet in her approach, but he never acknowledged her presence as she moved to stand beside him.

She leaned against the structure and picked at her nails. Daryl took another long drag of his cigarette, the exhale of smoke wafting around her, then tossed it to the ground and smothered it with the tip of his boot.

Daryl not talking to her did come as a surprise. She had expected him to be angry. She hadn't made it back before sundown like he had asked. Also add the fact that she willingly made herself walker bait, separated from the group, and made the trip back to Terminus by herself. She knew he was within his right to be upset with her.

She watched him push off the boxcar and take a few uneven steps away from her. He stood there for several minutes, his crossbow brushing his pant leg, and free hand resting against his hip. She noticed he had changed pants, wearing a black pair instead of the dark brown ones she had had to cut holes in, and the wings against his back glowed in the mid-day sun.

Daryl abruptly rounded on her and Beth let her hands drop to her sides. The glare he gave her sent chills across her skin. She had mentally prepared herself for this. She stood straight, keeping her hands relaxed at her sides, and met Daryl's heated gaze.

"You get dumb or somethin'?" Daryl hissed.

"So you are mad," Beth sighed.

Daryl ignored her statement.

"I came up with the best idea I could," she explained.

"You got some sorta' death wish or somethin'?" he sneered.

"No. I do not have a death wish Daryl," Beth replied in an exasperated tone.

"Could'a fooled me," Daryl remarked snidely.

"There were walkers everywhere, Daryl. We had to make a quick decision," Beth explained.

"So you come up with playin' bait and goin' at it alone?" Daryl hollered.

"What was I supposed t'do?" Beth tried to keep herself calm.

"Well you're sure as hell not s'posed to go out like some dumb bitch that takes walkers for 'ah stroll through the woods," Daryl yelled as he threw his free hand toward the direction of the tree line.

"So what should I have done then? Huh? Just let the walkers get to them? Watch them get eaten alive?" Beth's voice rose, "Judith was in there. Carol. Abraham's crew and Tara were all inside that Blazer. Trapped."

Daryl stared at her, but kept his lips sealed in a tight line.

"We didn't have any other options Daryl. They were gonna' get in and Rosita was shootin' her rifle; attractin' more walkers. You weren't there. You have no idea how terrifying it was t'watch!" Beth yelled while taking a step toward him.

"Yeah? Well ya' shouldn't 'ah went in tha' first place!" Daryl's accent coming out thicker the angrier he became.

"Oh no? And who else could have gone?" Beth crossed her arms over her chest defiantly.

Daryl's nostrils flared, but Beth didn't back down. She continued advancing toward him until she was standing right in front of him.

"You had been shot. Michonne and Carl were nowhere to be found. Bob had the clinic. Rick, Abraham, and Glenn had to make sure everyone from Terminus was locked up," Beth argued,
"What would have happened if Maggie and I hadn't left when we did?"

Beth could see the fight draining from Daryl at the truth of her words.

Daryl continued to glare at her, "Shoulda' just shot the bastards."

"And risk hitting someone inside the Blazer?" Beth countered.

The muscles in Daryl's jaw bulged from gritting his teeth. Beth knew she wasn't helping her situation, but she wasn't going to let him treat her like she had done something wrong.

"There were no other options," Beth emphasized.

"You could'a been killed," Daryl groused.

"I said I could take care of myself," Beth recalled what Daryl had once said to her, "I did."

"Told ya' to be back before sundown," Daryl griped.

"I got here before the sun was completely 'down,'" Beth gave him a small smile.

Daryl gave her a flat look and Beth's smile widened.

"I heard you got into it with Maggie,"

"She went along with yer' idiotic idea," Daryl admitted.

"Not really," Beth corrected, "But like I said, we didn't have any other options."

They fell into a strained silence. She knew he had more he wanted to say, but they could talk in circles all day and neither would accept the other as being right. Instead she decided to move their conversations in a different direction.

"You tried to leave to find me," she reached forward to adjust his jacket, preoccupying her hands in order to keep from looking at him while she talked.

"Told ya' I would," Daryl mumbled.

"You could'a made your leg worse," Beth sighed.

"This ain't nothin'," Daryl grunted.

"Uh huh. So why are you limping?" Beth teased.

"I'on know what you're talkin' about," Daryl muttered.

"So stubborn," Beth said under her breath.

Daryl exhaled through his nose and Beth felt it ruffle the hair atop her head. Looking up at him she stared into his crystal blue eyes. They reminded her of days on the farm when she would lay out on her beach towel, soaking up the rays from the sun, while she stared up into the blue sky. Back when things were simple and she was carefree. A time in her life that she could say she was truly happy.

Her hands gripped his vest, no longer arranging the article of clothing so much as holding onto it as a sort of anchor. Things were far from ideal, but for the moment, they had no imminent threats. She could hear muffled voices and movement from within the boxcar and it gave her an odd sense of relief. Not so long ago, she had remembered the sensation of when they had been locked up, and it had filled her with great unease.

At the moment, staring into Daryl's eyes and feeling the small bits of happiness that she had felt from before, she couldn't ignore the sensations that she had kept under layers of other priorities from taking hold. She wasn't sure what Daryl was feeling. His face was a mask of neutrality, but she could feel how fast his heart was beating through his layers of clothes.

Slowly pushing off the ground with her toes, Beth dwindled the space between them, stopping just far enough for her eyes to dance among his. She had no idea what she was doing. She wasn't sure if any of it was okay, but it just felt right. She was sure that they had been on a steady pace towards this exact moment, but she didn't want Daryl to run from her. So she waited.

His body was tense, stiff, but he made no move to push her away. After several moments of breathing the same air, Beth gently pressed her lips to his. She felt him ever so slightly lean into her, only enough to return the kiss, and Beth felt her anxiety melt away. Smiling into the kiss, she pulled back, regaining the distance she had occupied just before the kiss.

It was short, chaste, but spoke volumes between them. Daryl may not have been able to express himself well verbally, but Beth had understood everything she needed to from the simple gesture.

"I'm sorry for worryin' you," Beth said softly.

"You made it back alright," Daryl's voice was hoarse.

"Thank you for tryin' to come after me," she said in the same gentleness.

Daryl gave a quiet grunt.

"I'll try to avoid takin' walkers on a stroll through the woods from now on," Beth smiled.

At this, Daryl smirked, and Beth knew she was forgiven.

Stepping back and letting go of his vest, Beth smoothed her hands over the soft, black material. There was no awkwardness. She felt more at peace now than she had in days. Terminus was in their control. They would decide what to do about their captives in the next day or so.

She wasn't sure what was going on between herself and Daryl, but that was okay. They could figure it out as they went. The kiss had been an accumulation of everything they had been through together. It was acceptance, friendship, trust, and acknowledgement that they were important to each other.

She wasn't going to dwell on matters. Everyone was safe. Anyone who came through their gates would be safe. Terminus was finally a sanctuary. The signs would no longer be a trap.

Those who arrived…would survive.

A/N:Sooo...sweet kiss scene! Daryl isn't the type that's going to jump all in right off the bat and Beth isn't that kind of girl! So while it's progression, they still have a long way to go! Let me know what you thought of the chapter! Love hearing from my readers! XOXO