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 editing this chapter before leaving on your vacation so I could post this a week early! You are amazing and I am ridiculously jealous you're at Disney World right now! ~.-
A/N: Three quick things! First! I meant to post this on last weeks chapter, but forgot! My stories are being translated into Spanish! AlisaRB asked permission to translate all my stories and I jumped on the opportunity! I am beyond flattered and absolutely love the idea of being able to reach out to other readers! I posted the link to her page on my profile if anyone is interested! She's translating the For the Ones trilogy so it may be a little while before those are posted in Spanish.
Second! Some story suggestions! Something I've learned about publishing is that there are SOOOO many stories out there that you're lucky if you get a few reviews! I've been fortunate enough to gather some wonderful readers and I have some very loyal reviewers! Some of of those said reviewers have asked me to read their stories. With how supportive they've been to me, the LEAST I can do is help promote their works! SO...that being said, I've read all of these stories and they're all very unique in their own way!
**Sarakaroline8 : Many Hearts to Tread (Sherry was prepared to survive the living dead. She wasn't prepared for the heartache and messed up world that came when Negan came along.) Interesting look into a background character of the comic books. She promises it's spoiler free so if you're in the mood for something different it was an entertaining read!
**DarylDixon'sLover : Road to Nowhere (When Daryl and Beth get separated, a mysterious girl helps Beth escape Terminus, and leads her back to her family, but can she find a family of her own?) It's a Daryl/OC (original character) story so if you don't mind OC's, it was a fun read. Very interesting take on some of the Terminus characters.
**GougeAway : Signs (Beth Green's diminishing belief in God is a long and arduous process. A Beth-centric two-shot. Snapshots of Beth's life before and after the fall of the prison, but ultimately focussing on her search for Daryl and her wavering belief in God.) I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS STORY! It was beautifully thought out, portrayed the characters as we see them in the show, and was wonderfully enlightening for being a semi-cannon storyline. Highly suggest reading this! I'm very picky about Daryl/Beth stories and this is way up there on my list! If for no other reason, check it out as a favor to me! She's also written a story called For Blue Skies which I haven't gotten to read yet, but absolutely will be first chance I get!
If any of you have stories you've published and would like me to check out, feel free to leave me a message and I'll do so when I have down time to read!
Third! I had someone ask if I would be interested in fanart, even if they weren't an 'artist'...WELL OF COURSE! In my opinion, art is a representation of oneself, so what some may think is beautiful, others may have different opinion about and vice-versa. There is no such thing as 'bad' art! If I inspire you to draw something or write something or whatever else, please, PLEASE let me know! I can admire it by myself if that's what you want, but I would absolutely love to share it with all my readers. I have been given so much inspiration from theories and questions everyone has sent me in reviews/pm's (and yes I have answered EVERY SINGLE REVIEW ever posted on my stories...unless you have private messaging disable and I'm not allowed to send you pm's or you review as a guest and I can't pm you) so if I inspire you in any way to do something, please send it to me! It doesn't have to be a scene exactly from the story, pose for pose, because it's your interpretation! I would NEVER be unhappy with any fanart I received! All forms of art are welcome!
Now that all of that is out of the way! Onwards to chapter 19!
...
Beth sat against her door, her arms wrapped around her knees, pressing them tightly against her chest while trying to shake the feeling from the courtyard. She had heard people in the hallway. They had long since gone into their rooms and most were probably getting ready to go to sleep for the night. She didn't know how long she had been sitting, holding herself so compactly until her muscles began to ache and she had lost all feeling in her legs, but she knew she needed to move.
Disentangling her limbs, she moved her legs straight out in front of her, sucking in a sharp breath as pins and needles shot down her lower appendages. When the stinging sensation had subsided, she slowly stood and stretched her back. Twisting from side to side a few times and lifting her arms high over her head, she felt the kinks and knots gradually loosening from her muscles.
She would be sleeping with her knife under her pillow and crossbow loaded beside her on the bed for a few nights, but that wasn't exactly a bad habit to have nowadays. Flicking on the light to her room, it sputtered and waned until it barely lit the room.
"Figures," Beth sighed, realizing the generator that Daryl said had gone down was affecting the lighting of her room.
Snatching up her crossbow from the small desk, Beth moved back across her room and sat on the edge of her bed. Cleaning her crossbow had become a sort of meditation. It kept her hands occupied and her mind focused on the task at hand.
With her anxiety dwindling, her anger at what had happened in the cafeteria came back at full force. She was so tired of people always doing what they thought was best for her when she had proven time and time again that she wasn't a child. If it had just been Maggie, she could've probably forgiven her after she had gotten over her initial irritation, but Daryl? No. He had been all about how she could take care of herself when they infiltrated Terminus. When had his opinion of her changed? She hadn't handled coming across the truck as well as she probably should have, but this was a personal vendetta.
Beth stopped cleaning her crossbow. Was that it? Was that the difference? She was too involved in this and they saw her as a liability? Was she a liability? If they came across the man who had kidnapped her would she be able to do what needed to be done or would she freeze in fear?
Shaking her head, resuming her cleaning, Beth knew exactly what she would do if she ever met her captor face to face. If he ever threatened anyone she loved. If she ever had the chance to finish what she had started, she wouldn't hesitate. Who knows how many more innocent people…girls…he had taken since she was abducted. The more she thought about that day, the more she regretted not finishing the job.
Some people just didn't belong in this world anymore. She didn't believe herself to be in any moral standing to decide who lived and who died, but if killing someone saved the lives of an unknown number of innocent people, that was justifiable enough to her.
A soft knock at the door made Beth jump. Quietly pulling out her knife, she cleared her throat and spoke through the door.
"Who is it?" She asked; gingerly placing her cross on the ground and rising from her bed.
"S'me," a gruff voice replied.
Beth roughly thrust her knife back into its sheath and marched up to her door, ripping it open harder than necessary.
"Can we talk?" The request came quietly
"Oh so now you wanna' tell me what's goin' on?" Beth glared.
"S'not like that," Daryl replied roughly.
"Then how is it?" Beth countered.
"We gonna' do this in tha' middle of tha' hallway?" Daryl furrowed his brows at her, glancing over his shoulder to what Beth couldn't see.
Sighing, she opened up her door enough to let him in. Once he had crossed her threshold, she peeked outside to see a few people still roaming the halls looking in her direction. Stepping back in, she firmly closed her door and turned around, crossing her arms over her chest and leaning against her door for support.
Daryl watched her from where he stood in front of her bed. She refused to be the first one to talk. She had nothing to explain and had everything that needed to be explained to her.
"You uh…cleanin'?" He gestured to her crossbow on the bed before awkwardly placing his hands in his pockets.
"What's it look like?" She responded, stealing a phrase he'd said to her just the other day.
They stared at each other. Beth knew Daryl could feel her tension, but he deserved to feel uncomfortable. He deserved it and she was not going to feel guilty for being angry with him.
"Look," Daryl started, lifted a hand to scratch the back of his head.
Beth shifted, but made no comment.
"I know yer' pissed," he pointed out.
"You think I'm pissed?" Beth scoffed.
"Well ain't cha'?" Daryl growled.
"I'm not just pissed. I'm hurt Daryl," Beth threw her arms open before letting them drop to her sides.
"That was never our intention," Daryl hesitantly took a step toward her.
"Oh no? Well the fact that everyone else seemed to know what was going on except me is pretty freakin' upsettin'," Beth's voice rose.
"I wanted to tell ya," Daryl's rough voice vibrated in the silent room.
"Well good job. I knew exactly what was goin' on didn't I?" Beth spoke through clenched teeth.
"It whadn't my job to tell ya'!" Daryl hollered.
"So talkin' t'me is a job now, huh?" Beth crossed her arms over her chest once more.
"Damnit girl! Quit twistin' everything I say," Daryl stepped toward her, chest heaving.
"Then quit tiptoein' around and just tell me what the hell that was back there and why you kept somethin' from me!" Beth approached him, equally disheveled.
Daryl walked her back into the door and planted his palms on either side of her head, staring straight into her eyes. She pressed herself farther against the door to glare up at him.
"Damnit Beth I wanted to tell you. I woulda', but Maggie said she would talk to ya' about it," Daryl heaved a sigh, looking more exhausted than when they'd come back from being out earlier looking for clues.
"She didn't tell me anything. I didn't know anything until I heard it from Rick in the cafeteria," Beth glowered, "So where does that put me in our group when people we met in a boxcar know more than I do?"
"I fucked up. That what you wanna' hear?" Daryl looked down at her incredulously.
His breathing was uneven as his chest rose and fell rapidly. She knew he was angry with himself for not saying something. She could feel the shame rolling off of him because whether he had meant to or not, he had kept something from her.
"It's a start," Beth retorted stubbornly.
Daryl dropped his gaze to the ground and all Beth could see was a mass of messy brown hair atop his head.
"We didn't want you to feel obligated t'come. I saw how you reacted out there. I wanted it t'be your choice. I didn't know she didn't say nothin'. I swear I didn't know," Daryl's voice barely above a whisper.
"You should've known I would want…that I would need to come," Beth's voice wavered slightly.
"I didn't mean t'…" Daryl mumbled.
"Well ya' did," Beth replied curtly, but upon seeing his wounded look, let out a deflated sigh, "but I'll get over it. I know it wasn't intentional."
It wasn't fair that he could look at her the way he was and all the anger she had felt simply melted away under his gaze. It wasn't fair that when one of his hands gently brushed her side, barely feeling the gesture, butterflies filled her stomach. It definitely wasn't fair that the moment he began to slowly lean forward she was already tilting her head up toward him.
His lips ghosted across hers and the world around them vanished. She tasted his wordless apology through their chaste kiss. When he pulled back, her eyes fluttered open and she was met with a smirking Dixon.
"That's not fair," she declared before she realized she had voiced her thoughts and swatted at his chest in mock annoyance.
"Life ain't fair," he quipped as he strutted over to her bed and fell onto his back.
Rolling her eyes she retained her place on the bed and picked her crossbow up off the floor. No longer needing the distraction, she gathered her rag and tube of oil and moved to put them in her bag. Replacing her crossbow on her desk, she turned and leaned against the wooden furniture. Bracing her hands by her sides, tightly gripping the wood, she bit her bottom lip.
"What is it?" Daryl asked from across the room.
Beth could hear the rustling of fabric and knew he was moving, but she couldn't break her gaze from the floor. She was afraid if she looked at him, that she wouldn't want to ruin the moment by telling him what was bothering her. She could easily pass it off as being tired and that would be the end of it, but after the incident in the cafeteria, she needed to be honest with him.
"Earlier today, when we were out in front 'ah that neighborhood, I felt like someone was watchin' us…watchin' me," Beth began, "I thought I was jus' being paranoid, but then after the meeting, I was standin' in the courtyard and I got that same feelin'."
Daryl was sitting on the edge of the bed, elbows resting on his knees, and hands fisted together over his lips. For the most he look calm and collected, but his eyes told a different story entirely.
"Daryl…I think someone followed us. Or followed tha' signs. Whichever the case, they're already here. They're already watchin' us," Beth's wrapped her arms around her middle protectively.
"We'll talk t'Rick before we leave. Make sure he's got everything in order. Let'em know what you think," Daryl glanced up at her, "Ain't much of a surprise. Signs were advertisin' this place like it was 'ah god damned tourist center."
She nodded, feeling better having shared her burden, and came to sit by him on the bed.
"You gonna' be okay?" Daryl asked her, removing his hands from in front of his face to let them dangle over his knees.
"I think so," Beth admitted quietly
"Want me t'stay?" Daryl mumbled.
"You tryin' to suggest something Mr. Dixon?" Beth teased with a smirk.
Daryl gave her a flat look and she couldn't help the grin that spread across her face.
"I'll take the floor," Daryl replied, pulling out the extra comforter from under her bed.
"Can you really not sleep in tha' same bed with me just because we've kissed?" Beth blurted out, ignoring the heat climbing up her neck from verbalizing their interaction.
"It ain't proper," Daryl grumbled at her, pointedly avoiding eye contact.
"You said you'd never claimed t'be a gentleman," Beth cleverly trapped him in a metaphorical corner.
"You got a thing for turning 'round what I say and usin' it against me tonight," Daryl groused.
"I'm just tryin' to spare you the aches and pains in the mornin'," Beth declared, "I trust you Daryl. It's just sleeping."
Daryl eyed her for a moment before arranging himself on the floor.
"Night Beth," Daryl ended the argument.
Sighing, Beth clambered off her bed, flicking off the light and climbed back in bed.
"Stubborn man," Beth mumbled while pulling the covers around her.
She felt better hashing things out with Daryl, but she had every intention of waking up, finding Maggie, and asking her why she never mentioned their plan. She could pull the 'big sister' card all day if she wanted, but Beth was coming with them, with or without her approval.
Snuggling down into the covers, she felt a slightly twinge of guilt for being upset with Daryl when he was honestly thinking of her by not saying anything. Maggie had wanted to tell her and he had respected her sister's wishes. The only assumption she could make was that they believed it would be easier for her to tell Maggie 'no' if she truly hadn't wanted to go back out with them. Regardless of their intentions, they had no right to make decisions for her. She would not feel guilty standing up for herself.
Closing her eyes she felt herself drifting off to sleep, feeling safer than she would have sleeping with her knife and crossbow.
…
Beth inhaled deeply. The smell of pine permeated her senses. She felt cocooned in warmth and she couldn't bring herself to open her eyes. Nestling further into the warmth, Beth took another deep breath and sighed contently. It felt like heaven. She had been fully intent on getting a few more minutes of sleep before she forced herself out of bed until she felt a grip around her waist tighten.
Her eyes flew open and after several blinks, she realized she was burrowed into the chest of a person, a man to be exact. It only took a moment for her to do the math. At some point during the night, Daryl had climbed in bed with her. That didn't disturb her in the slightest. What did bother her was that he was able to climb into her bed without her even realizing it. Did she feel that safe around Daryl that she let her guard drop completely? The answer to her question was lying in the bed beside her, chin resting on her head, and arm wrapped around her waist. Carefully tilting her head back to look up at his face, Beth smiled at his sleep-tousled hair.
"Mornin'," Beth whispered.
"Hnn," Daryl grunted.
"How'd you sleep?" Beth asked with a hint of mischief to her voice.
"Don't even start," he mumbled incoherently.
"I just asked a question," Beth was smiling.
Daryl opened on eye and peered at her, "You're bein' a wise ass first thing in tha' mornin'."
"I prefer to be called witty," Beth continued to tease him.
"Jus' keep on Greene," Daryl huffed amusedly.
Beth stared at Daryl long after he had closed his eye. He looked so peaceful next to her and she wished they could stay safely locked behind her door for the rest of the day. The sun was beginning to rise and the rays were flittering through her small window. She knew they needed to go soon. They needed to stop by Rick's room and then meet Maggie and Glenn at the gates.
There had been reports of various small herds coming from the north and east by those doing patrols outside of the perimeter. It would be the perfect opportunity for someone to mask their scent with the blood and organs of the dead and sneak into their residence. That's what she would do in the given situation anyway.
The thought made Beth feel sick. What if something happened when they were gone? What if them leaving made the difference between keeping their home safe or people dying? They wouldn't even know where to begin looking for their group. It would be the prison all over again.
"We need a rendezvous point," Beth blurted out, propping herself up on her elbow.
Daryl's eyes opened and he leveled her with a penetrating stare.
"In case something happens when we're gone. Even if nothing happens while we're gone, we need to know a location to wait for everyone if something ever does happen. I don't want to get separated again," Beth's voice was steady.
Daryl nodded in agreement, "We'll mention it t'Rick before we leave. Get a meeting spot sorted out."
Leaning over, Beth leaned over and gently kissed his lips. Reassured by Daryl's confidence, a playful glint flashed in her eyes when she pulled back, only to lean in once more and nip his lower lip with her teeth. Her laugh filling the room at the shocked expression on his face, Beth tried to get away, only for Daryl's strong grip around her waist to hold her in place.
"Where tha' hell you think you're goin'?" Daryl growled, pulling her underneath him.
Any response she had planned to make was silenced by his lips.
…
Beth knocked on the door to Rick's room. She had decided she wanted to talk to Rick alone and ushered Daryl to go to Carol's room to recruit her help in getting everyone else from their small family unit together. She agreed to meet him in Bob's makeshift hospital so they could have some privacy. She was determined to get a rendezvous point set up before they left if it meant dragging everyone out of their bed.
"Hey Beth. Come on in," Rick answered groggily with a half-smile.
He held Judith against his chest while she chewed on the buttons of his shirt.
Reaching over to ruffle the baby's hair as she walked into the room, Beth turned her focus to Rick, "Maggie didn't tell me anything."
The look on his face registered that he understood what she was referring to.
He ducked his head, slowly bobbing it up and down, before answering, "She was s'pose to tell you everything. You weren't s'pose to find out that way."
"I already talked to Daryl. He explained everything," Beth informed him.
"You goin' with 'em?" Rick looked back up to her.
"I have to," Beth replied.
"No. No you don't. You don't have to do anything," Rick furrowed his brows.
"If that man's out there…I have to be the one to end him," Beth's voice was strong as she forced her face to remain neutral.
"Look, I get it, but…" Rick sighed, "You have t'do what's best for you. Jus' don't forget you're not alone. Your dad…I learned a very valuable lesson from his life."
Beth swallowed hard.
"This world, it makes us do…" He paused as if mulling over the appropriate word to use, "horrific things. Things that before would'ah been the kind of acts from people I would hunt down and lock up. That time is over now. There is no right or wrong. There's just survivin', but you have us…when it's all over, you still have us."
"I know," Beth said with a sad smile, "This is selfish. It's probably a really bad idea for me to go with how personal this is for me, but I need to go. I need the closure. I want to get rid of my ghost, if I can."
Rick nodded his head.
Beth knew if anyone would understand her besides Daryl, it would be Rick.
"Jus'….I want you to promise me somethin'," the look in Rick's eyes was intense.
"What's that?" Beth asked hesitantly.
"I want you t'promise you'll come back. That you'll come back from wherever this takes you," Rick replied evenly.
"I…promise," Beth tried to keep her reply from sounding like a statement.
She had a sense that he wasn't meaning literally. She had seen Rick on the brink after Lori's death. During that time, he had changed. He was making the hard choices, doing things that had made her cringe, but he was keeping them alive. He had come back from all of it and saved them once more in Terminus.
"I promise I'll come back," Beth said more confidently.
"Good," Rick replied; hoisting Judith higher in his arms.
"I didn't just come here t'tell you that," Beth announced.
Rick looked to her with an expression that told her to continue.
"Yesterday when me an' Daryl were out," she took a steadying breath, "I felt like someone was watchin' us. I thought it was jus' because we were out in the same spot as that car and then seein' the truck; that maybe I was overreactin'. Then last night, while I was standing in the courtyard after the meeting, I felt it again. I know how it sounds, but my gut is tellin' me that there was someone out there. It wasn't just tha' walkers. There was 'ah person out there…somewhere behind the fence."
"Did you see anyone?" Rick asked.
"No, but I know there was someone out there," Beth urged.
"Alright. I'll get with Michonne and double patrols," Rick informed her.
Beth was relieved that Rick had taken her seriously. They all knew someone finding them was bound to happen eventually so upping the patrols now as a precautionary measure definitely wasn't going to hurt anything.
"Daryl and Carol are getting everyone from our group together," Beth continued.
"What for?" Rick asked her while laying Judith on the bed to change her diaper.
"We need a meeting place for if we get split up," Beth announced.
Rick finished up with Judith and picked her back up to rest on his hip. When Judith started reaching, Beth stepped forward and took her from Rick without a moment's hesitation.
"Yeah, that's a good idea," Rick agreed as he grabbed his belt off the nightstand and holstered his revolver.
"I don't want what happened at the prison to ever happen again," Beth said as an afterthought.
"It won't," Rick gently grabbed Beth's upper arm in a reassuring manner.
"I'd rather be safe than sorry," Beth countered.
Letting go of her arm, Rick walked across his room to his door, "There's nothin' wrong with that."
Walking through the door he held open for her, Beth gave him a reassuring smile as she led the way to where she hoped Daryl had gotten the rest of the group together. The morning air was cool and she hugged Judith a little closer to shield her from the cooler temperatures, but spring was well on its way.
Upon entering the clinic, Beth untucked Judith's head from under her chin, and checked to see if everyone was accounted for in the room. She was only slightly surprised to see that Abraham, Eugene, and Rosita were now a part of their group. Tyreese, Sasha, Carol, and Bob were huddled around Bob's supply shelf. Carl and Michonne were in the back of the room sitting on one of the cots. Glenn and Maggie were talking with Daryl, but all chatter stopped as soon as everyone noticed Rick and Beth.
She sent Maggie a look that hopefully translated to 'you are in sooo much trouble.' Maggie glanced up at Daryl and it was obvious they had been discussing the situation that occurred last night. Glenn lifted his hand to wave at her and Beth removed her scowl long enough to give him a genuine smile.
"You wanna' do the honors?" Rick motioned for her to stand in the front of the room.
Rick was stepping aside to let her speak before the group. Even though she knew it was probably some sort of apology for the misunderstanding last night, she appreciated that he was trying to make sure she knew she was seen as an equal.
"When we were at the prison, we had an escape plan. We were all supposed to get on a bus Daryl and a few others got runnin' and get out together. When the prison fell we managed t'get most of the young, the sick, and the elderly on the bus, but there wasn't enough room for all of us. We didn't have a set place to meet up. We just assumed we would be together. I don't want that t'happen again. We need to decide on a meeting place. I don't know what happened to anyone on the bus, but we never came across any of them," Beth explained as her eyes traveled over everyone in the room.
Sasha stepped forward, glancing first at Maggie, then to Bob, and returned her gaze to Beth, "We found the bus. It was riddled with bullets holes. Either someone died of the flu or a gunshot wound. Either way…no one survived."
The room was silent for a moment before an unexpected voice spoke up.
"In the event a situation occurs that we must indeed evacuate the vicinity, we need to relocate to a place that can be fortified and secured in a timely fashion until all expected parties arrive," Eugene's flat tone filled the room.
"There was a little shack up tha' road," Tyrese spoke next, "Right off the road the intersection of track two sixty-eight."
"Yeah, we stopped there just before running into you guys in the wood. The windows are boarded up. It was sturdy enough to give us a place to rest. One door, not very big, but with a little care it could work," Carol agreed.
"That'll do for now," Rick joined in, "How long we wait?"
"It's only a few miles up the road. Shouldn't take more than a few hours to get there," Carol added.
"I would advise staying in one place no longer than twenty-four hours. Any longer than that…well…we'll just have to assume they've kicked the metaphoric bucket," Eugene remarked with an awkward smile.
Rosita swatted his arm, hissing loud enough for Beth to hear, "Easy dude. Have a little respect for the dead."
"I am unable to respect a body that reanimates itself and proceeds to attack without any provocation for the sole purpose of tearing the flesh and muscle adhering to my skeletal frame," Eugene argued.
"You're hopeless," Rosita rolled her eyes.
"That's enough you two," Abraham silenced them, "So no longer than twenty-four hours at this shack before we move out?"
"That works for me," Bob assented.
"Me too. Definitely a good plan to have," Glenn voiced his acceptance.
"Alright. If shit goes south, we know where t'go," Daryl reiterated.
"We're all in agreement then?" Rick inquired taking the floor.
"I believe so," Michonne answered looking around the room.
Everyone was nodding their heads, accepting the proposal that had been brought forth, and Beth felt an immense relief. At least now, when they left, if something happened they would know where to start looking. It would give them a direction at least and between her and Daryl, they would be able to track everyone down.
"So if we're done with the heavy decisions?" Abraham left his question open ended.
"Yeah, that's all for now. We'll have bigger issues t'discuss when they get back," Rick answered gesturing at Beth and gave her a knowing look, "Hey Michonne? I got somethin' I need t'talk to you about."
She watched as Rick led Michonne out of the room. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed Daryl approaching her. He didn't say anything when he reached her, instead bending down to kiss Judith on the top of her head.
"Alright my lil' asskicker. I'm expectin' you t'hold down tha' fort while we're gone, ya' hear me?" Daryl spoke to Judith softly.
He was saying goodbye, which meant they were leaving.
Giving Judith a tight squeeze and a kiss on the forehead, Beth motioned to Carl.
"You guys leaving?" He asked taking his sister from Beth.
"Yeah. I'm gonna' grab a few things from Bob and then I think we're ready to head out," Beth looked to Daryl who confirmed her statement with a nod.
"Well…be careful. And if things get out of control," Carl paused, "do whatever you have to do to get back to us."
"Don't worry, we have Daryl with us," Beth cupped the side of her mouth with one hand to simulate whispering to Carl, "He destroyed a tank with his bare hands."
Carl laughed and Daryl scowled.
"I had 'ah grenade," he corrected her.
"You still had t'pull the pin with yer' finger. That's technically tha' same thing," Beth teased.
Daryl grunted and Carl laughed harder at the man's defeat.
"Don't let your dad be a hero and try to keep Terminus until we get back…if something happens. We'll find you guys. Jus' make sure all of our people get out," Beth's tone turning serious.
"I will," Carl promised.
Beth gave him a smile and glanced around the room for Bob. He hadn't moved from where he had been talking with Tyreese, Sasha, and Carol.
"I'm gonna' grab a few things from Bob," She informed Daryl.
He didn't reply and simply followed behind her as she crossed the room.
"Taking inventory?" She asked in greeting.
"Tryin' to keep up with what we're low on for when things get bad. I have some supplies packed up and ready to go if we have to rush out too," he informed her, "What can I do for you guys?"
"I wanted to see if there were a few things you could spare for me to take with us? Just in case," Beth inquired looking over the shelf.
"We don't have much, but take whatever you need. Just leave some for us," he teased while gesturing to the shelves.
Beth started sifting through the supplies, grabbing a bottle of alcohol, a box of surgical needles with attached thread for sutures, and few gauze pads. That would cover a more extensive wound at least. Anything more severe would be out of Beth's realm of expertise, not that she had much experience to begin with.
"How's your leg?" She heard Bob ask.
"It's healed up," Daryl replied gruffly.
"Look man," Bob's voice so quiet Beth could barely hear, "I know we said we were cool, but I just wanted you to know I haven't had a drop in months. Since we had our run-in before the prison fell."
Beth discretely looked over her shoulder to see Daryl biting his lip and nodding his head.
"I'm good. Things with Sasha are good. I'm not gonna' mess anything up," Bob sounded genuine, "I'm sober for good."
Things all of a sudden made sense to Beth. Daryl and Bob obviously had some sort of discrepancy. Apparently Bob had a drinking problem Beth hadn't been aware of and with walkers at every turn, they couldn't afford someone who wasn't of sound mind. It seemed like they had come to terms, but Daryl didn't easily forgive and forget. He hadn't trusted Bob to stitch up his leg. Beth couldn't blame him, but she didn't see Bob finding the time to fancy himself a drink while they had been taking Terminus.
"Make sure it stays that way," Daryl's raspy voice held a subtle threat, "We got people dependin' on ya'. With Hershel and Doc S gone…we need you t'be with us."
"You have my word," Bob replied.
"A man's only as good as his word," Daryl accepted.
Beth smiled. Daryl was all about the tough love. She had no idea there was an issue with Bob, and she doubted anyone else knew either. Maybe the few who saw the argument they'd had, but Daryl had kept quiet about the whole ordeal, sparing Bob judgment from the group. While Daryl had been looking out for the group, he had been looking after Bob too. If the group kicked him out, she wasn't sure how long he'd survive on his own again. That and there was the obvious safety risk to being drunk in the apocalypse.
"Alright," Beth feigned obliviousness to their conversation, "I'm all set."
"I'll let Glenn and Maggie know," Daryl announced.
When Daryl was out of hearing range, Beth turned to Bob, "In his own way, he's lookin' out for the group, but he's lookin' out for you too."
"You heard all that huh?" Bob asked her nervously.
"Yeah. He jus' doesn't want to lose anyone else," Beth explained, watching Daryl leave the room with Maggie and Glenn.
"I'm glad you two have each other," Bob declared causing Beth took look up at him, "Bein' alone as long as I was…happiness is so hard to come by nowadays."
"You're not alone anymore though," Beth smiled widely, "and I believe you're a good man Bob. So your word is good too."
"Thank you," Bob replied sincerely, "When you get back, come and see me. I have somethin' I need to tell you about."
Beth furrowed her brows, "Alright, I will."
"You take care out there," Bob patted her shoulder and returned to organizing the shelves behind them.
Beth looked curiously over her shoulder, wondering what Bob could possibly have to explain to her. Mentally shrugging her shoulders, she moved to exit the room to catch up with Daryl, Maggie, and Glenn who were waiting outside.
…
They'd been traveling for a couple of hours. Maggie and Glenn lagged behind them and Beth could hear them making small talk, but the overall tension around everyone was thick. Daryl hadn't said much to her and she was in no mood to have a conversation.
"Enough of this bullshit," Daryl mumbled and stopped in the middle of the road for Glenn and Maggie to catch up.
"What's goin' on?" Maggie asked; her eyes darting every which way.
"I need t'talk to Glenn," Daryl announced.
"Oh, uh, okay. What's up?" Glenn asked warily.
"Come'on," Daryl motioned for him to follow.
Wrapping an arm around Glenn's neck, Daryl practically drug Glenn away from the two girls.
"Ever the subtle one ain't he?" Maggie wrung her hands in a nervous habit Beth had seen on many occasion.
"That's Daryl for ya'," Beth sighed as she realized just what Daryl had forced her into.
They stood staring at the ground until Maggie moved and Beth could feel her eyes on her.
"I need to explain," Maggie said softly.
"Yeah," Beth looked up to meet her gaze, "You do."
"When Daryl came in and explained what was goin' on, we pretty well decided then an' there that we needed to know more about these people. Michonne went and got Abraham t'see what he thought. He wanted to leave for Washington right then and there," Maggie stated and turned to begin following behind Glenn and Daryl.
"He seemed fine at tha' meeting," Beth replied.
"We managed to work somethin' out. He gave us a chance t'see if this group will pose any real threat t'our family while we're gone or they could go without us," Maggie continued, "He was jus' fine with goin' alone, but Rick talked some sense into him. Explained how much of 'ah better chance he'd have gettin' Eugene to Washington with our help. All he had t'do was let us get the information we need."
"So why didn't you say anythin'?" Beth watched the emotions flit across Maggie's face.
"I wanted to. I went to yer' room expecting t'hear what Daryl had already told me and then I was gonna' tell you about our discussion and ask what you wanted t'do," Maggie explained, "but then you told me about before you met up with Daryl and about Tara and it jus' didn't seem like something I could ask after a conversation like that."
"You should've said something," Beth heaved a sigh, understanding her sister's position.
"I know. I went back t'your room before the meeting, but you weren't there," Maggie informed her, "I asked them to let me talk t'you about it because I knew you'd be honest with me. Daryl wanted to tell you, he said you'd tell him tha' truth or he'd be able t'tell if you were lyin'. I should've let'em."
"He explained what happened. I jus' didn't understand why you hadn't talked t'me. I didn't know you'd been lookin' for me before tha' meeting," Beth felt her annoyance at the situation dissipating.
"Where'd you go?" Maggie asked with a devious smile.
"I was with…Daryl?" Beth's hands flew to her crossbow as Glenn and Daryl came running toward them.
"We got a herd crossin' up ahead," Daryl grabbed Beth's arm and tugged her towards the woods.
Beth followed Daryl with Maggie and Glenn close behind.
"We have to lead them away from Terminus," Glenn hollered.
"How do you suggest we do that?" Maggie whispered, crouching beside Beth as they used the foliage for cover.
"We've got t'get their attention. Play bait," Beth suggested.
"Are you crazy? There are hundreds of them. One wrong turn and we're surrounded," Glenn exclaimed as quietly as possible.
"Nah. She's right. We don't do somethin', they're gonna' head straight for Terminus. That's too many for them t'deal with. They'll take down the fences," Daryl glanced between Beth and Glenn.
"Alright, so what's tha' plan?" Maggie inquired once more.
Beth watched Daryl chew on his bottom lip. She knew the same as he did that the only way to lessen the threat to Terminus was to dwindle the number of walkers headed in that direction. They needed to confuse them. Give them more than one target heading in opposite directions.
"We split up," Daryl announced.
He had been right when he'd made his offhand comment last night.
Life was not fair.
A/N: Soo...managed to get the chapter written a whole week early with how much inspiration the premier gave me! Woo hoo! Couldn't wait to post because I'm pretty excited about this chapter! Chapter 20 is planned to be the last chapter of this 'book' so long as I can get it wrapped up in a nice neat little package. 99.5% positive I can so expect chapter 20 to be the last chapter! I'll try to get it posted next Sunday...but no promises. I want it to be the best it can be without setting a one week expectation. So we'll shoot for 2 weeks, as per the norm, but I'm hoping to post next Sunday! So! Send me your thoughts and theories! Can't wait for TWD episode 2 tonight! XOXO