Rick called a meeting first thing in the morning in the kitchen. Some people were finishing their breakfast and drinking coffee.

"If it's ok with everyone, we're going to stick around at least for a night or two. Carol still needs to rest before going on the road again. We didn't come across any major problem here."

"It's only been a few hours." Abraham seemed to be against the idea.

"And that's why we still need to be very careful and stay alert. We need to be ready to leave at any moment. Although, since we don't really know where we are heading next, since we don't have a specific plan, I don't see the need to move fast anymore. And let's be honest, we all deserve a little break."

"S' true." Daryl was standing next to the door, keeping an eye outside. Beth remembered how surprised she'd been when he was open to the idea of staying put for a while in that funeral home with her. It seemed like ages ago.

Glenn shared his point of view as well.

"But...uhm…eventually, we'll need to find a bigger place. More space, more bedrooms. Ehh...I mean for everyone…" That was followed by a round of laughs.

"I agree." Abraham was definitely happier with the idea of moving fast. That's when Beth realized that Abe and Glenn were the only men of the group in a relationship. She understood why they would want intimacy soon.

"We need fences. Something more solid outside. If we come across a herd."

Daryl looked at Beth when she said that. She could fell his look on her. It was a sad and guilty look.

"You're right. So that's why one team will go out for some more supplies, more food… and another will stay here to make this place as safe as possible", Rick ordered.

"I'll stay here, with Judith. And help around the house." Beth looked at Daryl and waited for an approving glance. He actually looked relieved.

Beth helped Carol to get some fresh air. She prepared a nice seat on the porch with cushions and a water pitcher on the small table next to her. Sasha was on watch in the front yard. When she saw the two women outside, she approached them.

"How're you feeling?"

"Better. Much better everyday. I don't think we'll have to stay here very longer."

"Whatever you need. Besides… We don't want those guys to be working for nothing." She was referring to Maggie, Rosita, Abraham, Eugene and Tyreese. They were reinforcing the existing fence the best they could. They already finished working on both doors. Carl was on watch in the backyard and the rest of the group was on the supply run.

Beth kept Carol company for the rest of the afternoon, ready to give her Judith if Sasha needed help. But she only had to kill two or three. Nothing she couldn't manage alone. The light was starting to go down. It was probably around 5. Beth was wondering when the others were going to be back.

"They should be back by now."

"You know they'll be here soon enough."

"Yeah..."

Carol observed her for a second and smiled to herself.

"After all you've been through, you'll need to start trusting one another."

"What are you talking about?"

"Sweetie, if you decided to leave, today, he'd be as angry as you were back then, when he abandoned us."

"He didn't abandon us. He stayed with his family, with the most important person in his life."

"Exactly."

And as they said that, they could hear cars approaching. They were relieved to see the two familiar cars entering the driveway.

"I'll go help unload." Beth handed Judith over to Carol. Ty, Sasha and Abe came to help as well.

"How'd it go?"

"There was this big store…"

"It still looked untouched. Too good to be true. We quickly understood why."

"There were a lot of them. We took care of it, but it took us time and… we had a close one."

Tara got out of the car with a bandage on her forehead.

"What happened?"

"I'm ok! I'm ok. It's not a bite."

"Thank god. Ok…" Tyreese said.

"I saw a 1st aid kit from the run yesterday. Come with me, I'll take a look at it."

Beth took Tara's hand a leaded her towards the house.

"It doesn't look bad."

"I feel sooo stupid. I tripped. I tripped like a girl. No offense." Her making a joke was a good sign and it made her smile.

"None taken."

"I'll go lie down in one of the beds."

"Good girl."

"Wake me up for dinner? We found a shitload of tomato soup, I looove tomato soup…"

"Promise."

"Thanks a lot."

"Sure."

She was cleaning up when Daryl appeared in the door frame.

"Oh! You can go, I'm done in here."

He suddenly closed the door behind him. It took her by surprise. He was looking at the floor. She was worried. Because he looked worried.

"What's wrong?"

He closed the distance between them in less than a second. He grabbed her by pulling on her clothes roughly and brought her into his arms. He hold her so tight, she almost couldn't breathe.

"Daryl…"

He didn't say a word. He was breathing heavily. She could feel his heartbeat. It was banging hard against his chest, beating really fast.

"Daryl…" she said softly. She wasn't fighting. She just wanted him to talk to her.

"It's ok. I'm here", she reassured him.

But Daryl wouldn't let go. She knew that even if she resisted, he was too strong. Motionless but more relaxed, she started to hold him back the best she could with the little space he gave her. And then she held him closer. And harder. She didn't care if she was hurting him. And she didn't care if he was hurting her. All the strength they had left in them was used and all the restlessness they felt was released in that embrace.

And then, as quickly as he had pressed her against him, he left her there, standing awkwardly in the middle of the bathroom and she heard him take down the stairs.

The two of them avoided eye contacts during dinner. When it was over, Rick invited everyone to join him in the living room for a short meeting.

"All right everyone. I need to know what you really think of this place. I wanna know... if you have doubts…or if you have a good feeling about it. We were lucky enough to stay safe since we arrived. Some of you have been coming to me suggesting that we should stay. I want to know if you all feel the same way. We can expand our territory and start searching and clearing the houses around us. Being in a small village will help us take control over the whole place. In a city, you can hide…but…it's too wide and too crowded with walkers. We can quickly become vulnerable to them."

"We'll need more space, that's for sure."

"Yeah, and make sure there's enough supplies nearby."

"True. Ok. So..."

"We haven't come across a herd, yet", Beth said. Daryl lifted his look from the floor to look at her. He spoke next. "...or bad people." Beth looked back at him. The look they exchanged was full of sadness and Beth could swear there was a bit of tenderness in there too. The bad memories still felt like a fresh open wound.

"That's why we need a back-up plan. I'll repeat myself: we need to be ready to leave at any moment. And we need a place to go if we need to leave in a hurry. Clear a house somewhere else, hide some supplies there… guns...You guys did a great job with the fences outside, we're gonna work on more, starting tomorrow morning. The other team will go make searches for that hidden house. Do you all agree with that? "

"We need walls."

Eugene looked dead serious when he said that. Beth thought he was right.

"I totally agree. We can't be too careful. "

"Tall walls. Nothin' anyone can climb onto", Daryl added.

"I thought about that. You're right. But it takes time. Materials. And a lot of energy. If we decide to do this, we need to agree that we're staying. Long term" Rick replied.

The whole room fell silent. Everyone sent hesitant looks at each other. Maggie was the first to talk.

"A'right...It seems like a nice town. We crossed a river, and we saw ponds as well…so we can go fishing if we need to. There are forests all around if Daryl wants to take a team out to hunt. There are more than enough houses in the neighborhood. I've seen worse towns before; this one is in really good condition. I have a good feeling about this place."

A lot of people agreed. Beth didn't say anything. Neither did Daryl. He was looking at her, as if he was waiting for her opinion before telling his own.

"Dad…I don't wanna sound too optimistic, but…this place almost feels like home to me", Carl added. "I think it's a nice town for Judy to grow up in."

That made Rick smile a little.

"Big brother's opinion counts a lot."

"Rick, you can put me in charge of material. I can bring Eugene along. He'll tell me what's useful. This will be his contribution" Abraham said, solemnly.

Tara gave Eugene a teasing nudge.

"I'm a good shot. I can do watch shifts. As many as needed ", Sasha said.

Tyreese always followed his sister's footsteps. He wanted to contribute as well. "I can help building up the walls. With Abraham. My strength will be in good use, I think."

"Glenn and I, we make a good team out there", Michonne said.

Glenn gave her a nod. "Yeah. And Tara's a good runner too. We'll be like…the 3 musketeers or something."

"Ok, don't push it, though. Don't be cheesy…"

"If they don't need me out there on runs, I can be in charge of the food. Inventory and cooking. And I'd like to put in place and organise an armory as well", Carol said.

Rick looked happy and proud. "Well. You've thought this through. I guess it's settled, then. If any of you is against this plan, please share your thoughts now. "

No one disagreed.

"OK. Let's give it a shot… Welcome home."

The group split into different teams and started chatting about today's plan. Beth approached Rick and took him aside.

"Rick…" She sounded serious and anxious.

"Yeah?"

"I wanna talk to you about something; I'm not sure you'll agree, but honestly, I don't care. I need to tell you."

"What is it?"

She took a deep breath. "I'm not a babysitter."

Rick looked confused. "Ok. You… don't wanna take care of the baby anymore. "

"I love Judith, Rick. I wanna take care of her. Sometimes. But not all the time. I wanna go out there, I wanna be useful. I wanna learn. I wanna be a fighter. "

"I couldn't agree more."

"Really?"

"You survived, out there. You made it. And you were getting stronger everyday. "

"What makes you say that?"

"I dunno…a little bird told me." Beth gave him a confused look.

"All right. A wild…husky…tousled bird told me." It made Beth laugh. She wasn't as nervous anymore.

"If you don't practice, it will slow you down and make you weaker. I don't want to be responsible for that. "

"Thank you."

"Hey, I don't get to decide everything. And if you think you'll be more useful that way, then I trust your judgment."

"You don't need to worry about me."

"Someone's already doing that enough." He pointed his head in Daryl's direction. He was sitting in the dining room, looking at a map with Glenn and Maggie. Beth joined them while Rick went looking for Abraham.

"No, no, no. You don't get to choose where I go fishing, Glenn. You are one funny guy. I'm not gonna tell you where to do your job, so don't tell me where to do mine!"

"I just thought…you don't need to go that far."

"Nice try. I know you wanna keep an eye on me. That's sweet. But that won't work. There's no creek behind any of those buildings…"

"Will ya kids shut up? Can't hear myself think", Daryl complained.

"Anyway I'm done. No need to argue anymore. Come. Help me find some equipment in the garage."

"Is she really giving me orders now?"

"If not, I will", Daryl replied while Glenn rolled his eyes and followed Maggie.

Beth sat next to him. But it seemed like he didn't realize she was there. "Hey", she tried.

"Hey..." He kept his eyes on his map.

"Can I?

"Mmh-hhm…"

She got closer to him so she could take a better look. Her shoulder was lightly brushing against his. It felt nice to be close to him. To feel his warmth. To feel he was alive. It reminded her that it was real. He was back in her life. She didn't lose him forever. She could never get used to that idea.

"Ha! McCormick! That's what I thought. We crossed the Savannah River!"

"So?"

"Daryl."

"What?"

"You know what that means, right?"

"Whatcha gettin' at, girl?" He sounded annoyed. She looked amused.

She took a moment and observed him. She got up. Just before she left the room, she answered.

"You're out of Georgia."

A/N: Finally a longer chapter! Thank you so much for the reviews, you guys. It's what keeps me writing. Take care. xo CDL