AN: AU where Beth does not die at Grady; Tara is still finding a path of belonging and Beth is still trying to find herself, on the road North they might find each other. Eventual Tareth. I'm starting slow, and short, but I just had to get something started.

She had met Carol before they went to rescue her, but this Beth Greene was just someone that they had told her about. Maggie's sister, a friend, part of their family. Other than being a blonde with a talent for music, there didn't seem to be much said, but Tara thought that another woman near her age would be welcome if they could get along. Tara wasn't sure if Beth would forgive her as Maggie and the others had for her small part in following the man they called the Governor, but she deserved to know the truth.

So she went along with the plans that the group made, and when they reunited there was happiness and introductions, and if Tara stayed toward the background it was only what she had been doing for days already. Maggie wasn't going to allow that to continue though.

"Tara, come meet my sister." Maggie's smile was infectious, and Tara let herself be directed closer. "This is Beth, you must be near the same age, right?"

"Probably or close enough." Tara held a hand out and Beth took it cautiously. "I joined the group soon after the prison fell, so I've been told a few things about you, but not much."

Beth nodded, distractedly, "Maggie was going to tell me more about what happened later." She turned to be introduced to Rosita, Abraham and Eugene, and Tara slipped away.

It didn't take long for Rick to stop the chatting for a group huddle. They had to get back out of the city and decide on a direction for traveling, or a plan on what to do next. Everyone agreed that they needed to get out of the city before nightfall, but Beth was the first to speak up to offer a destination.

"Noah has family in Virginia. He told me that they have walls, houses, and community. He wants to get back there and I was going to help him if I escaped. I still want to help him get home." Beth was soft-spoken, but there was steel in her tone.

"I know that the plan for D.C. isn't happening anymore, but it wasn't a bad idea. Washington D.C. must have had more protections, security, or something if they wanted to protect the government at all, maybe if we head up to Virginia we'll be in a position to check it out?" Rosita gave Abraham a look to stop him from adding anything else, and then a wry smile to Eugene.

Rick was nodding, "That does make sense. If we can get to Noah's family maybe they would have more information for us about the area. It won't hurt to try." He shrugged, looking at Carl and Judith, "As good a direction as any other. We'll get you home Noah. First we have to get out of the city again."

Tara kept her head down as they retraced their path, heading out of the city as they had come into it and grabbing anything that seemed useful on the way out. She followed instructions, took watch, and tried to be helpful, but throughout it all she was also watchful. Beth was quiet too, sticking close to Maggie. There was something between her and the archer, but it quickly became apparent that they had left the prison together, had been separated and that he had been feeling guilty about what had happened. He hovered like an older brother until Beth started pushing him away.

She caught Tara watching sometimes and when Daryl or Maggie seemed extra protective, she would roll her eyes as though including Tara as a co-conspirator. They hadn't spoken again, though Maggie had given Beth the basic story about what had happened to the other survivors after the prison fell, and how the new people had been found and accepted. So Beth knew about Tara's past affiliations, and didn't seem to hold it against her, at least not outwardly.

On their second night out from the city Tara had the feeling that it might change when Beth approached her near the back of the SUV they were using. "I need to talk to you. Is it okay if we sit inside?" Beth gestured toward the vehicle, and Tara nodded. Everyone else was either resting or on watch, so their talk would be private. Tara hoped that wasn't a bad sign.