Hi guys! Before reading this chapter, check out chapter 13. I've re-edited Carl and Beth's first time, so let me know if you liked it.

Beth's POV

Thursday afternoon...

Carl, his uncle, Judith and Mrs. Lori Grimes already went to Grady Memorial Hospital back in Atlanta to check on Carl's dad and we agreed we'll catch up later. Me and my family boarded my father's station wagon and drove to Atlanta. When we got there, we went to the nurse's desk.

"Uhm...where can we find Rick Grimes's room?," asked Maggie.

"Oh, Mr. Grimes is in room 401 at the 4th floor," the nurse replied earnestly.

We rushed to the elevator and up we went to the 4th floor, then all of rushed through the corridors to see Carl sitting outside a room with his face buried in his palms. Maggie and I exchanged worried glances, and she shrugged and gestured her head to Carl.

I nodded and said to the rest of my family, "You guys go ahead...I'll...I'll catch up."

Mom kissed my cheek and daddy gently rubbed my back before going inside the room. I exhaled shakily and slowly sat next to Carl. He didn't seem to notice until my I hand rested on his back. Carl flinched but smiled when he saw it was me.

"H-hey," his voice cracked, and my brows furrowed with concern.

I smiled softly and laid my head on his shoulder, "How's your dad?"

"Not so good," he replied sadly, "The bullet shot through his lungs, which the doctor said was lucky because it almost hit his heart. He lost a lot of blood, so me and uncle Jeffrey donated some of ours.

He tried saying something else, but I quickly pulled him into an embrace to stop him from making himself feel worse.

"It's okay...I'm here," I rubbed his back comfortingly.

Carl slowly lifted his arms and loosely wrapped them around my waist. After a while, I felt him smile against my shoulder and mumbled a 'thanks'.

The others went to get some food, I volunteered that me and Carl will stay and they all agreed. Now, we sat beside Rick's bed, facing one another. Carl kept mumbling something about this is all his fault.

"Stop that," I said.

He looked at me in surprise and frowned, "What do you mean?"

"Stop blaming yourself, it's not your fault."

"Yes it is! I had the feeling that something would go wrong, but I still let him. I didn't stop him from taking this stupid mission." His hands were clenched very tight that his hands were shaking.

"Carl...please," she reached out for him but he twisted free from her reach and stood up.

"Why didn't I stop him?! Why did he had to be shot?! He...he didn't deserve this...," he started to sob uncontrollably and it broke my heart seeing him like this.

I quickly ran to him and hugged him from behind to stop his wailing.

"He's...h-he's always been a good dad, I don't w-want him to die," He cried some more and I started to get teary-eyed myself.

"He is not going to die. Please stop Carl," I pleaded some more while I felt my tears fall to my cheeks.

His cries became quieter and quieter as minutes pass by, I turned him so he can face me. His eyes were now red from crying, and his cheeks were flushed. Then I kissed him, gently and passionately. He kissed me back weak but eager and I felt his hands rest on my hips. We stayed like that for a long time, and I felt his sadness melt away the longer we kiss. I broke away and looked at him, he stared back at me, tired and confused but then he fell forward and I caught him, and laid him on the sofa. His forehead was drenched with sweat and it was obvious he was tired. He fell asleep almost immediately after I laid him down.

I gave it a try but I'm not really good at writing tragic stuff. Let me know your honest opinions guys, let me know if you want more. I think this story is also coming to an end...maybe five or six chapters left. Please leave suggestions. _