Maggie's POV

I reached over and put a comforting hand on Rosita's quivering shoulder. Although usually quite strong, Rosita had been silently breaking down ever since Eugene announced his secret. Her eyes flitted over to Abraham, quickly, then back again.

Washington was a lie; Eugene was not a genius that held the key to regaining civilization. Not that this surprised me. Like Tara, I had my suspicions about the "scientist" but following Abraham on his obsessive quest to Washington was the best way to help my family, to help Rick.

A shattered Georgia pine stood out, lowly arching above the road. Abraham swerved a sharp right, avoiding the abrasion and the tree disappeared like a fleeting memory trying to get away. I didn't like memories anymore, instead of being the driving force that kept me fighting for my loved ones, they were now stones trapped to the heel of my ankle. Memories slowed you down, they made you week, remembering my father, and my beautiful songbird sister was torture. Living in the moment with Glenn, forgetting my family, forgetting my memories, that's how I survive.

Abraham took a hard left, and I snapped out of my thoughts as I slammed into the side of the vehicle, a pissed off Tara and a silently sobbing Rosita sliding against me.

"I'm sorry, it just hurts so much right now, I just need to let it out for a moment, then I'll gain control of myself," Rosita promised sniffling. Her cheeks stained red, her eyes and lips puffy from crying, it would have made anyone look ugly. Anyone, besides Rosita that is; I glanced at Glenn sometimes wondering if he noticed the exotic beauty.

"Washington was your whole life for a long time, it is okay to show emotion" Tara responded while patting Rosita's hair and glaring at Abraham. She muttered something about asshats and dickholes under her breath. Glenn smirked as Tara continued soothing Rosita.

I gave Tara a weird look, her attempts to consul Rosita was heartwarming, but very out of character for the quirky quiet comedian.

"So what, I can't comfort people, emotions make me uncomfortable, at least I'm trying," Tara sputtered as Rosita and I burst into giggles.

Glenn glanced back at me taking in all the commotion. Our gazes locked, eyes sparkling and lips synchronized into that special happy couple smile.

"You know when my niece was three she fell off a swing on my watch and scraped her arm. It was bleeding an awful lot. I couldn't get ahold of my dad or my sister and Megan was crying uncontrollably. All of the mom's on the playground with their quiet perfect children kept looking at me like I was a complete failure. I scooped Megan up and went to the Emergency Room. Soon Megan had calmed down but I was still in a panic. The nurses in the ER gave Megan a bandage and sent me away while laughing behind their backs. Her small cut had already stopped bleeding and the nurses gave Megan a Band-Aid that was more for decoration than anything, or maybe the Band-Aid was a tool to comfort babbling frantic aunt. I'm still not sure," Tara said lightening the mood.

"That's a nice story Tara," I said as Rosita and I tried to control our giggles. Tara freaking out and taking a perfectly healthy child to the ER was the same Tara that went through the cave with Glenn trying to find me. Her unfaltering loyalty to those she cared about made Tara a great addition to any group, and even better, a great friend.

"The icing on top of the cake was that Megan asked me if we could get ice-cream after, she said I needed a special treat to make me feel better," Tara reminisced. She blinked away tears smiling.

"She sounds like a special girl," Rosita says and Tara just nods in agreement.

"Are y'all done gossiping back there," Abraham snapped as he slammed his foot down on the gas pedal, aggressively lurching the large vehicle forward. With every turn the fire truck took, Abraham poured his pent up anger into the beat up vehicle.

"It's not Washington exactly," Rosita said slowly, her sad eyes washing over her lover, "It's Abraham. Rosita's voice lowered to a quiet hush as she continued, "I care about him, and I want him to care about me, I just hope he can get through this anger. Being angry, being reckless, that's more dangerous than anything. That's how you die".

"I hope the emotion festival in the back seat is over, we're back at the church and something is wrong," Abraham drawled from the front seat.

I glanced at Glenn, searching for reassurance, for strength, but my husband was already out of the vehicle and checking out the church.

I followed taking in the scene in front of me.

The Church had been stripped into a defense fortress, the windows covered, doors reinforced, and sharp tree trunks acted as barricades to keep walkers out. The only problem was Michonne, Carl, Father Gabriel, and Judith were outside the fortress, and walkers were protected inside.

"What happened here," Glenn demanded quietly to Michonne. Michonne looked from person to person, as if in a daze, astounded to see us.

"Washington, Eugene, the cure, it was all a lie," I said and Michonne turned to stare at me. Judith coo'd in the background and Michonne seemed to snap back to reality.

"Maggie," Michonne said smiling, she started to move toward me. I looked at Glenn confused, Michonne never smiles. She reached for my hand, a warmth spread through me. Hey eyes predicted wonderful news.

"Maggie, it's Beth, we found her in a hospital in Atlanta, and she's alive but being held hostage with a medical group. Rick and the others went to get her back," Michonne said smiling radiantly. It was a beautiful smile, one of the prettiest I had ever seen.

Tears clouded my vision; I fell to the grass half weeping with joy, half laughing. Finally, finally, some good news, a reason to keep surviving. My songbird, she was still singing. Glenn collapsed as well, his arms around me. His musical, gasping, joyous laughter tingled in my ears sending shivers of hope, shivers of need, shivers of happiness, down my spine.

"Carols there too, we think she's injured, but alive," Carl said bringing Judith over to us. Father Gabriel gave a horrified glance back at the snarling walkers and quickly followed.

"What are we waiting for; let's go save Carol and your sister".

Beth's POV

There was a time when walkers horrified me, when a snarling zombie lunging for my throat was the worst thing that could happen. But then I learned better, being on the road, on the run, constantly worrying about what was following you and where your next meal was coming from. That was the life, because at least then, I was free.

Being on the road with Daryl Dixon was easily the best and the worst time in my life. I learned I was strong, I learned I knew how to survive, but most of all, I learned what love was.

It was the worst time, being away from Maggie, not being able to grieve for our father and reminisce over what a truly wonderful man he was with the only other person that knew him like I did. I missed Judith, I still pray every day that she got out and is safe, yet I know how unlikely it is that Judith will get even a quarter of the life I have already lived.

When Carol showed up on that stretcher I was horrified. As much as I loved seeing a familiar face, I hated that someone I loved was trapped here with me. No one deserves to have their freedom stripped from them, and that's all this place was. A heartless factory full of slaves, led by a spiteful disgusting woman who was a slave to her own demons, no one here was free. Dawn's demons, they would be her undoing, I was sure of it. I just had to come up with a plan to make sure Carol and I were long gone by the time Dawn destroyed this place.

I still miss them all. Rick and Michonne were always pillars of strength to look up to, Carl and Judith, the very real and sometimes very loud reminders that life goes on, the strong and loving Glenn and Maggie, and of course, Daryl was always there.

I'm not sure when I started to look at Daryl differently. I remember that stirring deep in my belly, that spark, as far back as when he came to tell me my old boyfriend Zach was dead. Then I had thought it was weird that Daryl broke the news to me, we so rarely interacted with only each other. However, looking back it makes sense to me, Daryl felt that spark too.

Not that he had ever said it out loud. Most of our conversations were short, filled with grunts, and full of pain. We couldn't help it. Life had gone to shit and we were thrown blindly into hell. At least we were lucky enough to survive the seven dimensions together.

"Beth," Dawn snapped glaring at me, "Get the new patient something to eat, she's awake". My thoughts snapped back to the present and I searched the room, looking for any escape exit that might have eluded me before. Still nothing.

"Yes, ma'am," I muttered pushing away from Dawn, hope lighting up insides. My heart was leaping, Carol was awake, alive, and she was going to make it.

I quickly made Carol a plate but ducked into a closet when I heard voices coming.

"Have you seen little blondie," Officer Jenkins asked, his eyes sweeping the room for unwelcome ears. I ducked further into the closet. I was far enough back that I could hear everything but would remain undetected to wondering eyes.

"No, but I'm glad you picked that sweet little ass up from the road, she's a welcome sight for lonely eyes, let alone lonely…other parts," Officer Tallies cackled.

"Stay away, I plan on making her mine, if you see her tell her that I am looking for her," Officer Jenkins said sternly, making his higher rank known to the newer officer.

"Yes, sir," Officer Tallies replied quickly.

I tried not to vomit as a shudder ran through my body. Officer Jenkins and I have had enough run-ins for me to know that he found my lanky virginal 18 year old body attractive. Disgusting, luckily between my desire to avoid the overweight pervert and Dawn's desire to make me her ally, I had been able to avoid the officer's advances.

All was now quiet, and I peeped my head out checking that the coast was clear. It was, so I hastily brought the food to Carol's room before shutting the door and locking us in.

"Carol, it's me, how are you feeling" I gasped taking in her rough appearance in dismay. Her left arm was wrapped tight in a splint and blood stained the clothes she was in.

"Beth, thank god, thank god you're alright, Daryl and Maggie will be so happy, really everyone will be thrilled," Carol said. My stomach tugged, she had said Daryl's name specifically. I knew he cared, I knew he was looking for me. I hugged her lightly but pulled away as she winced.

"Collarbone isn't doing the best, but no worries, it is already better than before," Carol reassured me a she took a bite of what I assumed to be rabbit.

"The others, Maggie, Glenn…Daryl, they're all okay?" I asked breathlessly.

"Yes, everyone's alive, they're looking for you, your friend Noah found us, I'm sure Rick will be here anytime, we need to build our strength up while we wait," Carol said taking another bite.

"Carol, this place isn't what you think, only eat what you need to survive, nothing more," I warned her.

She lowered her plate shakily, staring at me, silently taking in my appearance, wanting to know what happened to me here.

"This place is more dangerous that you think, the officers, they're bad men. The longer they think you're asleep the safer you are," I said stiffly. I spit out the words, they tasted salty, like blood on my mouth. I get that walkers are dead, they can't control themselves, but people, people can and that is what disgusted me. Being alive and being safe, those are precious commodities that disappear fast in this world. I hated that a human who could control their actions would dare take that away from someone else.

"Beth, we have to get out of here immediately, we can't wait to be rescued if it's as dangerous as you say," Carol commanded going into soldier mode.

"I know," I drawled softly, "I think I know how we are going to get out of here, we'll leave as soon as you're able to travel".

A pounding on the door made both Carol and I jump. "What's going on in there, open this door now," a familiar voice shouted. My veins turned to ice and my heart started pounding. It was Officer Jenkins.

Rick's POV

The minute I saw Daryl's face when he brought back that kid, Noah, the minute he told us Beth was alive, I knew. I knew we were in trouble.

The group was broken, divided, weak, but I saw the desperate hopeful look that haunted Daryl's face as I thought about what a wonderful mentor Hershel Green had been to me. I owed it to these two men, these men who had shaped me and helped me provide a life for my children, and I knew I owed to them to get Beth back as soon as possible.

It's not that I didn't want Beth back as well; her sweet disposition and love of others made her an excellent companion at the end of the world. Hell, I loved her, she was a part of my family but we had lost so many already. Every decision I now made affected the well being of my children, Carl and Judith, and as much as I loved the rest of my family their safety was my number one priority.

A female walker snarled, trudging its way out of the woods to the back of the church where we sat gathered around the campfire discussing our next move. Her long dress dragged across the ragged dirt, she stumbled over the lacy hem of the fabric, but regained balance after a moment, returning to her quest to feast on our flesh.

"I got it," Michonne said as she quietly sprang to her feet as graceful and light as a cat. Everything she did reminded me of a panther. Lithe, dark, dangerous beauty poured from her surprisingly light hearted soul.

A swift swish, followed my a thump, rung softly through the camp and then Michonne was by my side once more. Our eyes quickly met before her face returned to scanning the are and I started developing our plan.

"We should go survey the area from the rooftops, Noah can help us locate all the guards and we will watch their patterns and find the best way to break in and take it by force," I said over the soft swish of Michonne's katana as she hopped up and quickly took out another walker to our left.

"We should try to capture some of the police officers, exchange them for Beth and Carol," Tyreese suggested as he looked inside to the church. His sister, Sasha, was still lying on a pew mourning her beloved Bob. I knew Tyreese was distracted, he had put Bob down himself only hours before.

Daryl grunted discouragingly as he leaned against the tree next to Noah. The kid was tall and lanky, but with an injured ankle and limited time outside on the road I had doubts about his ability to keep up and stay strong.

"I'll keep that in mind as we survey the area, but I think quiet stealth is the best way to get in there without injuring any of the patients. If Carol is still hurt we can take control of the hospital and use the supplies to save her".

Tyreese nodded a distant out of focus gleam across his face. Tyreese's inability to make the hard call, the inability to cause pain to win, was one of our weaknesses I had to prepare for.

"Dad, I think Judith wants you," Carl called bringing Judith outside by the fire. I took the baby and held her to my chest, she quieted, and I took pleasure in the simplicity of a father calming his daughter.

In my heart I loved her as I loved Carl, she was my flesh and blood and the best thing to happen to me since this all started. However, those who had resided at Hershel's farm took in her growing face and admired her beautiful eyes that didn't quite match mine, or Lori's, or even Carls.

"Everyone, we are going to barricade Father Gabriel, Judith, Carl, and Michonne in here. The rest of us are going to Atlanta".

"Rick," Michonne protested with a short glare.

"I need you here Michonne, the others aren't capable of protecting them like you are. You are in the best physical and emotional state right now" I said out loud. My eyes told the real story. You care the most and you"re the only one I trust with them I pleaded silently.

She nodded, her dreads wrapping around her face, her expression stoic, heroic, beautiful, a mother lioness.

…

By the next evening we were set up on the Atlanta rooftop watching the officers and learning as much as we could from Noah about Dawns reign at Grady Memorial.

"She tries to make it seem like she's in charge, that she's boss but it's an optical illusion," Noah said as we watched a portly officer take out a few walkers melted into the pavement. Noah's description of Dawn didn't make her seem like too much of a threat. She would be defeated easily, either by our force or her own actions. The police officers with a large arsenal, gun training, and loyalty to each other as opposed to their leader were the greater threat.

Daryl adjusted his scope, pointing his gun at the officer who was now decapitating the walkers for sport. "Disgusting prick," Daryl spat and his fingers slowly moved toward the trigger.

"Don't, do it," I hissed, "If you want Beth back then we need to do this as a team, it won't work if somebody breaks protocol".

"I know, sorry, I just want her back now," Daryl grumbled showing more emotion than I thought the closed up redneck had. I knew that Beth and Daryl had bonded on the road, but the longing in his voice and the emptiness in his eyes before we had met up with Noah made me wonder if there was more to that tale than Daryl let on. I closed my eyes, thinking of my love, Lori, and of the new figure that had crept into my brain.

"Yeah, I get it," I said looking over at Sasha and Tyreese who were deep in conversation on the other side of the building.

"Everything okay over there?".

"Just trying to get through this, I know Bob would have wanted Beth back," Sasha said steadily taking in slow deep breaths. Her cheeks looked hallowed, as if Bob had taken part of Sasha's life with him when he died. I knew that pain, I hated that pain, but Sasha was strong. She would make it,Tyreese and I would make sure of that.

The officer in the street had been joined by three others. They were looking around, quickly patrolling side streets and killing walkers like flies.

"Damn, there are a lot of walkers out there," Tyreese grumbles silently counting, "I thought most of them had left the city.

"Guess not," Noah commented, "Look at the way they patrol, they're searching for me but keep returning to a central meet up spot just outside of those bushes".

"Yeah they seem to meet up there about every twenty minutes; if the pattern continues throughout the night we will ambush them tomorrow morning in that spot. Then we will use their cop car entrance and take them all out silently but swiftly. Everyone carries extra weapons, whoever finds Beth and Carol first needs to arm them with the extra weapons. Do not be afraid to kill," I commanded.

"Wait, Rick, look at that, there is a fire truck entering Atlanta on the same highway we used to come in the city".

Hey friends and fellow zombie lovers, welcome back to my personal version of The Walking Dead universe.

As you might have noticed this story was published a year ago under a different name but unfortunately was uncompleted after five chapters and a major case of writers block. I have since deleted my original story A Will To Live and have edited, rewritten, and expanded my previous idea. I want to rewrite the current Walking Dead episodes to include Beth, as well as include private personal moments we did not see on the silver screen. Of course, this version will include a lot more romance!

Next Chapter Titled: Rescues, Rapists, and Rebellions. Oh my! As Officer Jenkins pursues Beth will our group get there in time? Who knows, maybe Carol and Beth are not in need of Daryl riding in on a white horse. Anyway, a chapter will be uploaded every other day for the first week as a thank you for those following the story.

All critiques, comments, suggestions, opinions, and reviews are appreciated and welcome. Please feel free to PM me or leave a message in a review. Thank you, and look for the next installment on Wednesday. Maybe even tomorrow if the story is well received.

Thank you,

Lindsey!