A/N: I've been watching a shit ton of film Noirs in this last time. And something about this couple makes it the perfect vessel for all my Noir fantasies.

Trying to make it as cynical, dark, erotic, glamurous and nostalgic as possible. And hope you enjoy.

This is Kind of a Neo-noirish fic, since it kinda has a happy ending.

I. Your Sweetheart is Safe in my Hands

Daryl Dixon resists the urge to tap his fingers on the desk, while Rick and him go over the plan for the tenth time this evening.

His pal seems weirdly invested; Daryl can't help but wonder…

"Your priority is this woman's safety." I got that the first time. "It is your only mission…" I know. "It sounds way too easy for someone like you…" Because it is. "But things can always go wrong." Things almost always go wrong.

And he almost always pulls them out of the shithole. Why should this time be any fucking different?

"Rick, I get it." He huffs impatiently. "It ain' even that difficult or risky a mission."

His boss throws him one of his signature sideway glances that at some point intimidated the crap out of him, but after so long they've kinda lost their effect.

"It is never a bad idea to prevent possible failures from the start, am I right Dixon?" Dixon. The mention of his last name coming from Rick amuses him. He rarely uses it anymore. Daryl takes out an aluminium case and opens it, taking a cigarette out. He offers the case to his boss, but he refuses.

"There ain' no prevention tactics we haven't checked and re-checked already. The plan's pretty solid. Yer just repeatin' it over and over like I'm some dumb hillbilly who won' get it." His boss's shoulders relax a little. Daryl lights the cigarette, eyeing him doubtfully. "Can I ask ya somethin'? She important to ya?"

The icy glare he receives tells him he should've kept his mouth shut.

"None of your business."

"Yer right, forgive me." Daryl sighs. "Do ya trust me?"

"More than any other agent."

"Then stop worrying. Yer sweetheart's safe in my hands."

You might wanna listen to:

Burning Desire - Lana del Rey

or

Sixteen Tons - Tenesee Ernie Ford