Prelude: Daryl never found the right lead from the white cross, having lost track of the car. After a week, Atlanta has become too dangerous for both Carol and him. They didn't find a good shelter and were going around in circles, with no results and no supplies. After a harsh argument, Carol finally convinced Daryl to give up and follow her back to the group. It was a really tough decision to make, but they left the city to go find them. He wanted to stay and keep looking, but maybe that would've killed him. He was willing to die if that's what it took to save Beth, but that's not what she would've wanted. That's what made up his mind. They got back, found their group at the church, left for Washington and met Aaron on the way there. Daryl was now a recruiter in the Alexandria Safe Zone.

"So... You in?"

Daryl wasn't listening. He was distracted, sharpening bolts, sitting in the front porch stairs of Aaron's house. He's lost in his thoughts again, Aaron said to himself.

"Daryl…Atlanta…what do you think? Good idea or not?"

"I've been there. Not a lot to find…nothin' to find." he answered, eyes fixed on his task.

"I know it's a big deal for you…" Aaron waited for a reaction that didn't come. "Carol told me you lost someone there."

Aaron finally got his attention. Daryl looked at him with no expression in his eyes. Total emptiness. He waited a moment before answering.

"There's nothin' to tell."

"I…um…I've been planning on going for a long time now, and I think that I'm ready, now that I have a good partner. It's a big trip, but Deanna agrees. It's worth trying. We can check the suburbs around, the malls, hospitals…"

"A'right."

His answer surprised him.

"Yeah? You sure?"

"We have nothin' to lose. Maybe people to help. 'll be more useful than stayin' here and if that's where you wanna go…"

"That's where I want us to go. Good. Good. We could leave as soon as tomorrow. Get it over with."

"Whatever you decide."

"Ok. But your opinion counts, you know."

"I don't care. Just wanna...keep my mind off things."

"I understand."

...

They parked half a mile before arriving downtown and hid the car under branches. They walked the rest to avoid noise and attention.

"There." Aaron pointed at a sign. "There's a hospital not too far from here. Probably Grady Memorial." He opened a tourist book of Atlanta.

"They had this in the library. Thought it could be useful."

"Yeah, clever. Can you find the nearest attraction? I'll take pictures and buy souvenirs at the gift shop for everybody. "

"Don't be bitter. And stop making fun of me."

"Where's your sense of humor, man?"

"All right, Iet me check where's the Hard Rock Cafe. Maybe we can have a drink there. "

"That's the spirit."

"I was right. Grady Memorial Hospital."

"If there's no people, we can check for med supplies."

"Exactly."

They came across a couple of walkers, but nothing they couldn't handle. They arrived at the hospital safely without meeting any survivors.

"Don't you think it's strange? A city as big as Atlanta, with no people around?" Aaron asked, without expecting a real explanation from Daryl.

"Big cities are the worst. 've been here more than once. Too many geeks, 'round every corner. Either they were smart enough to leave...or too weak to survive."

"Let's find out if you're wrong."

...

AN: This is my 2nd fanfic ever written. English is not my 1st language. Please be indulgent ;) Thx for your reviews. Go bethyl! Love to ship them and always will.