By the time the church came into view, I finally was able to compose myself from the "intense" interaction between Daryl and I that had taken place. While I was recovering the entire walk back, Daryl seemed completely unfazed. Maybe it didn't mean anything. But it had to. Daryl hates being touched. The man hardly ever shows any kind of affection. Maybe his tender touch was just a result of the heat of the moment. Maybe after everything that was said, he didn't want to seem to forceful when examining my wound. Maybe he eased into it not wanting to break the fragile atmosphere around us. Maybe...

As we approached the steps of the church, I realize there was one issue that still needed to be addressed, "About Gabriel..." He had already started climbing up the stairs, but stopped halfway up when he heard me speak. He let out an audible sigh and faced me, clearly frustrated. "Go easy on him. He's scared. It'll take some time but he'll come around... as long as he doesn't keep getting punched in the face." I tease, adding to Daryl's annoyance. He scoffed at my words, but I ignored him as I ascended the stairs. "Just be nice..." I added sternly as he came up along side me at the top of the landing. I looked at him with pleading eyes hoping he was understanding what I was asking. Not too long ago, I was like Gabriel. Weak and afraid.

The hardness in his eyes softened as he held my gaze. "Ain't I always?" He answered sarcastically. I rolled my eyes at him as he opened the church doors.

"Hey! There you guys are. Any longer and we would've sent out a search party." Sasha called from the first row of pews. Rick and Carol stood to meet us with concerned looks on their faces.

Rick studied me and Daryl then asked, "Everything okay?"

"Everything's fine." I respond knowing the question was more directed to Daryl than to me. Rick glanced at me and nodded. He turned his attention back to Daryl who still appeared frustrated but his demeanor was much more calm. After observing this, Rick seemed satisfied and walked away. Carol, on the other hand, was not convinced.

"You okay, Pookie?" She questioned cautiously.

Daryl huffed, "Peachy," as he retreated to where Rick was sitting.

Carol was still focused on Daryl so I cleared my throat. "Uh Carol, I hate to ask again, but do you mind?" She looked at me confused. "I busted a couple stitches." I added.

Her eyes darted to my bloody shoulder. "Oh of course not. Let me just go get the sewing kit."

She rummaged through her bag gathering the supplies she needed while I plopped myself in the nearest pew. Within a minute she returned, sitting herself next to me. I shove my shirt down to display my wound to her. "Looks like you only broke through two." She states quietly. Threading the needle she asks, "How'd it happen?"

"My knife got stuck in a walker's head. It happened when I yanked it free." I reply. She lowers the needle to my skin and I brace myself for the pain. It isn't as bad as last time, but still hurts. "How did the run go?" I inquire.

"Good. We really hit the jackpot."

"Run into any trouble?"

Her eyes look up at mine for a second, "Not until we got back."

I nod envisioning a pissed off Daryl. "How's Gabriel?"

She starts tying off the thread, "He's a little shaken but he'll be alright. And... all done."

"Thanks." I say.

"No problem. Just be more careful next time. If you want a fresh shirt there are some clothes in the room off to the left." She points to the room across from where Gabriel "rested" earlier this afternoon.

"Great." I say with enthusiasm. I hurry over to the room anxious to get out of this now crusty shirt from all the dry blood. The room is very similar to the one across from it. On the floor there is a garage bag with clothes obtained from the run. I pull out the articles of clothing slowly trying to find something that will fit. After a couple of minutes I find a new shirt and bra. The bra is a little snug but the shirt fits perfectly.

As I pull the door closed behind me, I catch sight of Noah talking to Sasha and Tyrese. He walks over and extends a can of green beans to me. "Hungry?"

"Starving," my stomach growls as I take the can from him and sit down in the floor close to the spot I slept the night before. He lowers himself next to me and I smile at him. "So what did I miss?"

"Um, not a lot. Rick decided we would leave in the morning after today's excitement and since it is almost dark."

"Figured as much." I pop another green bean in my mouth.

"Your family is great Beth." I look at him as he looks at the people before us. His face is sad and I know he must be thinking about his own family.

"Yeah they are... I am sorry we cannot leave until tomorrow." I feel guilty. Noah spoke with Rick about looking for his old community, Richmond when we got to Virginia. Rick agreed. He thought we would be reunited with Maggie, Glenn and the others before then and that maybe we could all settle down in Richmond with Noah's family... if they are still there.

"Me too. But we will be leaving soon enough." His voice was sad but hopeful. It's a good plan, I just hope it works out.

I was about to walk out of the church when I saw a big bag full of supplies sitting on the back pew. I picked it up, my muscles strained under the weight. It was heavy but I thought I could manage. I tossed it over my good shoulder, taking note of how my wound felt with the added pressure on my back and side. I didn't feel any sort of pull against my stitches so I decided it was safe to carry on my own. I trekked out the doors to join the rest of the group.

No one noticed as I came outside. They were all busy loading the vehicles parked directly in front of the chapel. Yesterday on the run, the others managed to find another car and a pick truck to go along with the car that Daryl and Carol brought Noah and I back in. I had been dreading getting on the road afraid of being squished in an overcrowded car the whole way to Virginia. The thought alone made me feel claustrophobic. "I might actually enjoy this roadtrip" I thought to myself as I took in the sight of the three vehicles before me.

"Is that the last of it?" Rick called over his shoulder as he shut the trunk to the white car parked first in line.

"I think so-" Tyrese started.

"No there is one more large bag inside." Sasha interrupted depositing her load in the second car.

"I'll get it." Daryl grunted.

"No need. I got it." I piped up as I made my way to the blue pickup truck parked closest to me, last in the carpool line.

"Beth you shouldn't have got that." Sasha scolded.

"Why?" I shot back in frustration. "Because I'm hurt? I may be hurt but I am not useless. Besides... it's not even that heavy." I lied shutting her up. I prayed no one noticed my legs slightly shaking, trying to buckle under the weight bearing down on my left side.

"Well if that is it, then everyone go inside, grab your belongings and let's get out of here." Rick instructed. Lucky for me, everyone listened and began to file into the church.

When I reached the truck, I felt a rough hand on mine taking the bag. Startled I turned to find Daryl beside me tossing the baggage into the bed of the church with ease. I hadn't realized he was out here with me. "I said I got it." I sassed trying to sound tough and ungrateful for him helping me out when it couldn't have been further from the truth. My arms and legs felt like spaghetti, but he didn't have to know that.

"I know what you said." I could hear the aggravation in his voice as he spoke. "You're s'ppose t'be taking it easy."

"I am." I retorted sweetly but I knew he was right.

"Hmpt." He pushed past me to go inside. I watched as he took a few steps then stopped. His head whipped to the woods. I could tell he was on high alert. I had seen this many times before whenever he heard something that captured his attention, warning us of danger lingering in shadows. My eyes followed his and I strained my ears to hear. The wind blew carrying with it the dreadful sound of walkers groaning. Within seconds of hearing them, I saw them. There were so many. I hadn't seen a herd this big in a long while causing fear to grow inside me.

"Shit. Get inside." Daryl hissed.

We both ran into the church, slamming the double doors shut behind us. Daryl immediately started barking out orders to board up the doors and cover the windows. No one hesitated at his demands, swiftly moving themselves into action. Father Gabriel was, of course, the only one confused and not working. I went over to him shoving a black blanket into his hands while guiding him towards an open window.

"What is going on?" He whispered.

"Herd. Outside." He glanced out the window pane and his eyes turned from fear to terror. He was shaking which made it harder for us to unfold the blanket. Despite being afraid, he kept working.

Daryl and Rick finished nailing the last piece of firewood to the doors. Instinctively everyone moved to the center of the room, weapons drawn, ready for a fight. As soon as the two men joined them, the walkers came banging on the doors. With nowhere to go, we kept quiet and waited. Minutes passed. I could see the doors beginning to give more and more with each pound upon the door.

"It's not going to hold. We are trapped." Noah's voice reflected the panic on his face.

"No we aren't." I said thinking quickly. This got everyone's attention. "We can get out through Gabriel's escape hatch."

"Well what are we waiting for. Let's go!" Carl rushed.

"No they have to break in first." Rick chimed in, adding to the forming plan.

"What?!" Gabriel shrieked.

"They have to get in. The more that are in here, the less that are out there." Michonne explained.

The sound of splintering doors echoed throughout the room. Without another word we all went into the back room where we would copy Gabriel's great escape. The window in that room had no covering allowing us to see there were only a couple dozen walkers on this side of the building. Rick squatted by the hole in the floor and looked up at all of us. "Michonne and I will go first to clear a pathway to the vehicles. The rest of you follow. Carl you have Judith."

As if on cue, we heard the front doors finally give way. Rick and Michonne promptly disappeared. Through the window, I watched as they took out three walkers effortlessly. The way they moved together, weaving through, dodging, and stabbing walkers was like watching a choreographed dance. Carl and Judith went next. Then Noah, Tyrese and Sasha. Walkers were now banging on the door trying to get in. Daryl turned over a bookcase and moved it to block the door as Carol and Gabriel descended under floorboards. I climbed in the hole, "It's tight down here. You might have to take your crossbow off your back."

He nodded as he slid the couch close to the hatch. I assumed he was going to use it to seal off the entrance to the crawlspace once he was safely inside. I lowered myself back down and crawled to the exit knowing he was following closely behind. Once outside, I took a look around as I stood. There were only a couple of walkers ahead but not close enough to worry. Behind the building, walkers were stumbling into the clearing way off in the distance. No danger there, yet. Towards the front of the church, Rick and Michonne were fighting walkers left and right. Rick was taking on two at once while one was stalking him from behind. I peeked over my shoulder to see Daryl army crawling towards the exit with his crossbow out in front of him.

"Daryl! Bow!" I yell at him. He snapped his head up and tossed me the bow.

"Rick look out!" I heard Michonne call to him. Rick had already taken out one of the walkers and finished off the last one. He turned to eliminate the threat. As soon as he faced the beast, my bolt pierced the side of its head. Rick watched the walker collapse at his feet and smiled. "Thanks brother!" He shouted as he stabbed another approaching him.

I shook my head and reloaded the weapon for Daryl who was wiggling himself free from the hole in the wall. "Don't thank me!"

Safe for the moment, Rick looked back at us with a confused expression. His gaze found Daryl getting up off the ground. His eyes shifted to me with bow in hand realizing it was me who saved him. "Thanks Beth!"

"Don't mention it." I tossed the crossbow back to Daryl and drew my knife to dispose of a nearing walker. With a clear path, we ran to the cars, which were filling up quickly. Tyrese, Sasha, Noah, and Carol were in the first car. Rick, Michonne, Carl and Judith hopped in the second. Gabriel was already in the driver's seat of the truck so Daryl and I climbed in through the passenger side. I scooted in the middle and buckled my seat belt. Daryl was almost inside when a walker grabbed his foot trying to pull him out. The cars in front of us were already starting to pull off. Daryl screamed at Gabriel, "GO!" He kicked the walker and closed the door while Gabriel sped away like a bat out of hell.