I kind of knew what was coming in the season 5 MSF, but I was in denial. I was hoping they'd throw in a plot twist and catch me completely off guard. Alas, they didn't and poor Beth is gone. She really stood out in season 4 and I was hoping that meant they'd have a lot in store for her, especially in regards to Daryl. I know there's an age difference, but it's the zombie apocalypse, I think it would have been a non-issue. Instead, the gave her air time to make you love her only to rip her from you! Anyways, this is my version of what I would have liked to see happen. Hope you enjoy.

Daryl didn't know what Beth was thinkin', stabbin' that officer while a loaded gun was still in her hand. He hadn't even known that Beth had scissors on her to begin with.

All Daryl knew was that his heart dropped into his stomach the moment he heard that shot fired.

In that moment it was chaos. Beth's left shoulder jerked back and she cried out in pain as Dawn's bullet made contact. She dropped to her knees and fell over limp.

Daryl felt like all the air had been sucked out of the room the moment Beth hit the floor, unconscious. His chest hurt and he couldn't think straight.

That insane cop was stammering something about not meaning to shoot but Daryl didn't care what excuses she made. He was seeing red.

Before he even thought it through, he pulled his gun and shot the woman right in the head. She fell backwards, landing with a hard thud.

Everyone drew their guns, ready to end this sham of an agreement, until Officer Shepherd spoke up.

"Hold your fire! This was about her. It's over now."

Her officers looked hesitant but they lowered their guns, giving Daryl the opportunity to go to Beth. Her shoulder was already soaked in blood and she looked paler than usual.

"You can stay with us," he heard Shepherd saying. "We're surviving here. It's better than out there."

"No, we'll take our chances out there" Rick said firmly. " But you're gonna help Beth right now and we'll be on our way with anyone who wants to join us."

Daryl gently lifted Beth into his arms and nodded towards the Doctor.

"What you waitin' on Doc? Get over here and fix her now!" Daryl growled.

The nervous looking Doctor ambled forward, motioning the group into a nearby room.

Beth came to as the Doctor began to retrieve the bullet in her arm. Her screams almost made Daryl come undone. The look of pain on her face, the tears streaming down her cheeks, the way she gripped his hand was all too much.

"Can't you give her something?" Daryl demanded.

"We're out of meds that strong. I can give her an over the counter pain pill when it's done, but she's just gonna have to tough this out."

Daryl squeezed her hand, forcing her to look at him.

"Look at me Beth. Just look at me. He's almost got it. You're tough, it's gonna be okay. You can handle this." he assured her. She tried to stifle her screaming, only grunting and wincing as the doctor prodder around in her shoulder, always keeping her eyes on Daryl.

"Got it!" the doctor sighed as he pulled the small bullet out. He set it aside and began cleaning Beth's wound. He quickly stitched the hole up and wrapped it tightly in clean, white gauze.

He offered Beth two pain pills and some water, which she didn't hesitate to swallow. Her face was pale and covered in a cold sweat and she looked exhausted. Daryl pushed the damp strands of hair out of her face and gave a half smile. She smiled weakly back, taking Daryl's hand in her own, before closing her eyes.

Daryl carried her out of the hospital, noticing how feather light she was in his arms.

She slept all the way to the police car they abducted as well as the entire trip back to the church.

Pulling up to their temporary home, Daryl saw a fire truck parked by the edge of the woods. The whole group was out front, including the ones that had left for D.C. He half heartedly wondered if something had gone wrong, causing them to turn back, but everyone was accounted for so he figured they could discuss that later.

Right now Beth was his main priority. As everyone stepped out of the cop car, Beth's eyes fluttered open,

"Daryl?" she murmured. She tried to sit up but Daryl lightly grabbed her good arm, stilling her.

"Careful. Your arm's in a sling. That shoulder's gonna be sore for a while so you need to take it easy."

She nodded weakly. "Where are we?"

"We're home."