Beth had hoped he'd kiss her again when he asked her to play along. She'd been a tiny bit disappointed when he hadn't. Until his mouth closed on her neck. It was just the whisper of a touch but it tightened her body in response. Beth was inexperienced but not so unfamiliar with herself not to recognise the reaction. She had encountered that warm weight that rested low in her body before.

The wicked softness of his lips was balanced by the facial hair on his face. There was no confusing Daryl with someone else. Jimmy had tried something like this before but Beth had never reacted in this way.

She hadn't been thinking too far ahead when she had made the spontaneous decision to kiss him. Daryl had been so insistent that they wouldn't have to but it seemed like the last tool available to them to convince the sceptical Merle that this relationship was legitimate. And his mouth had just been there.

Coherent thought didn't return to Beth until they were walking up the stairs to the apartment. Daryl had spirited her away from the party in a rush. Beth was awash with electricity, still dazed from where her actions had taken them.

She was struggling to read Daryl but from the curt hand on her back, she knew she was dealing with Agent Dixon right now.

The door closed behind them and the silence was overbearing after the party. Beth's ears were ringing. She wished Daryl would look at her properly. His eyes seemed to go everywhere but her. She desperately wanted him to say something about what had happened.

It was unscripted and, though it had helped them in their ultimate goal, Beth didn't feel impartial about it at all. She bit her lip and tried to keep a neutral face.

Daryl tugged his phone out. "I need to report to Grimes," he said briskly.

Beth nodded, teeth indenting harder on her bottom lip. What was she expecting him to say? This was a job to him. She recalled what Haley had said to her in the kitchen about his transgressions. This was a big thing to her; Beth didn't go around kissing people for just any reason. But Daryl was older than her. He was used to girls and kissing. No, not girls. Daryl was used to women.

That revelation struck her hard. She could have laughed at herself for being so ridiculous and pathetic. Her parents were dead, her siblings were scattered and here she was with a crush on her bodyguard. It was messed up and she felt stupid for caring what Daryl thought of her. He treated her kindly and allowed her a certain amount of freedom that wasn't strictly allowed. When had that stopped being enough for her?

She had shed enough tears to last a lifetime, Beth decided. She refused to make a huge deal out of it or lament Daryl's disinterest. There were bigger things to worry about. If he could be professional about the situation then so could she.

The next few days were easy. Daryl was busy with his job and he was barely home except to eat. He was a little more distant than usual but Beth put that down to his preoccupation. The nights were a little worse. She had taken to working with the boxing bag to wear herself out but even then she was still having dreams. Not nightmares of her parents' death like she once had, but dreams about a clever mouth working lower and lower on her body.

She ran the risk of slipping back into that dangerous boredom but Daryl produced a number of files one night. He passed them to her as he threw himself on the couch.

"Long day?" Beth asked, careful to keep her limbs to herself as she thumbed at the manila folders.

"Yeah. Martinez has recovered from his hangover and now wants to get back to work."

"And these?" Beth asked, flipping open the first page, expecting to find more on the Governor or her father. It was a list of phone numbers, names and addresses.

Daryl straightened on the couch and raked a hand through his hair. It stuck up at odd angles but he did nothing to correct it. Daryl was one of the few people who genuinely didn't care what he looked like.

"You remember the party?"

"What bit?" Beth asked without thinking. She wanted to snatch the question back. It wasn't her imagination that Daryl shifted a little awkwardly on the couch.

"When I said I had an idea?" he prompted.

Honestly Beth didn't remember that. There were a few bigger things that had happened that evening that had stolen her attention. "Vaguely."

"Before you came outta the bathroom, Pete and Martinez were talking about their international contact. You could have heard what they said but they didn't react."

Beth was still confused. "But I didn't."

"Ain't the point. The important part is they did nothing."

Beth spread her hands wide, trying to catch on but she was lost. Daryl was getting frustrated.

"If there was a chance I could have heard that private conversation, they woulda' clammed up. It's almost perfect. No one would suspect you."

"Suspect me of what?" Beth demanded.

"But it's against protocol. They'd have my balls in a vice if I got caught." He was holding the conversation more with himself than with Beth. He was running over some internal argument he'd had before.

"I'll put your balls in a vice if you don't speak plainly," Beth told him sternly, having to fight a blush at her graphic threat.

Daryl winced at the image. "I wanna start bringing you to the bar with me. You look so damn innocent they'll say things in front of you without thinkin' nothing of it."

Beth was finally starting to understand what Daryl was saying. "Are you asking for my help with the gang?"

"Yeah, even if you only catch snippets, it'll help me put an end to all this shit."

Beth waved the hand with the bracelet. "Is that allowed?"

"Fuck no," Daryl swore emphatically.

"Fine," Beth agreed, her heart leaping into her mouth at what she had signed on for.

Daryl paused at her ready acceptance. "It might be dangerous."

"I trust you to look out for me," she said quietly. She wasn't expecting a blush to grace Daryl's features. He was uncomfortable with that declaration. Any time real emotions intruded on their relationship, he shut down a little.

Daryl reached across and tapped the pages. It was the closest he'd gotten to her since his mouth had been on her bare shoulder. "These are phone numbers, addresses and contacts we usually run with. I need you to get familiar with them so that if you hear anythin' that don't fit, you can tell me."

Beth wrinkled her nose. There was a lot of data on these pages but then again, what else did she have to do? Obsess about Daryl?

"I'll give you a few days," Daryl said as she blinked at all the information. Sure there was a lot but Beth was excited by the opportunity to be helpful. It occurred to her that Daryl didn't ask for help all that often. It eased some of the knots that had twisted into her stomach during his absence. She warned herself not to read too much into it but she was allowed to enjoy the fact that she could do something that nobody else could.

"Don't worry, Agent Dixon, I got your back."

Daryl scowled at her but his eyes sparked with humour. "If you're working for me now, I'm gonna expect a little respect. I kinda like 'sir'."

"Sir makes you sound old," Beth pointed out slyly. Daryl threw a pillow at her and enjoyed her stunned look.

"Still got better reflexes than you," he noted dryly before sighing. "We may as well get back to your training tonight, since I'm throwin' you t'the wolves and all."

As Beth went to get her training gear she reflected that Daryl wasn't the only confusing thing from that evening. She had gone in expecting the worst kind of people but it hadn't been like that all. Karen was stable and kind and calm, not the type of person one would predict to find with a known criminal. Martinez had looked the part but he'd been a doting husband and polite to her. It was confusing and she wondered how Daryl kept track of everything in his head.

...

The wind had picked up during the afternoon and by the time night had fallen the city was preparing for a storm. It was nothing more than a summer thunder storm but there was a weight in the air and an expectant wariness to the people.

Daryl had pulled on a jacket to protect himself from the elements even though it wasn't cold. He decided to use the truck instead of the bike. Especially since he was taking Beth with him. She had forgone the dramatic transformation that Michonne had wrought on her before the party. Daryl wanted her to look as young and sweet as possible. If it wouldn't have made him look incredibly creepy, he would have had her hair in pigtails and given her a lollypop.

He knew he was investing too much hope in this idea and the reality was Beth might not get much more information than he had. It was risky and unorthodox and might not lead to anything, but he had to try. He hadn't really thought about it until recently but the effect of a double life was taking its toll on him. He was having a harder time telling fact from cover these days. He wanted his old, uncomplicated life back. He had enough saved away at this point that he didn't have to work again.

If he got this done, he could focus solely on Beth. He owned a cabin out in the wilderness of Georgia. He could take her there. It wasn't a fast life but she could have more freedom.

Daryl realised with a start that Beth was talking to him and he hadn't heard a single word. He was too busy staring at her, imagined an alternate reality where they lived together in peace and quiet. Jesus, he was a dumb motherfucker sometimes.

"I've never been to a bar before," she was saying when Daryl forced himself to pay attention.

"No getting drunk," Daryl scolded her.

"Obviously not, but I totally could if I wanted to. I have an ID," Beth waved it in the air to illustrate her point.

Daryl caught it out of her hands and slid it into his pocket. "We're here to work."

Beth rolled her eyes and he thought her heard her mumble something along the lines of "yes, sir" though he couldn't be sure.

Daryl shook his head, still not sure why he was doing this. The sky opened up at that point and water poured out in cascades punctuated by lightning and thunder.

Daryl leaned across the cab of his truck and tugged the collar of Beth's jacket up. "Get ready to run," he told her with a grin.

They exchanged a look before jumping out of the truck and making a mad dash across the street to the bar. Daryl instinctually wrapped an arm around her waist to keep her close. It was the first time he had touched her since that unforgettable kiss. He didn't have time to over think the action.

They burst into the narrow entrance, Daryl ushering Beth in ahead of him. They had run fast and only a short distance but they both looked like drowned rats. They blinked at each other before Beth started to laugh. Daryl couldn't help a chuckle of his own.

There was a particularly loud crack of thunder and Beth stepped a tiny bit closer.

"We don't exactly look inconspicuous," Beth stated dryly. Her hair was dripping down her back. Wet, it looked like the colour of sand. His own was in his eyes and he tried to shake it back.

Beth tutted at him before lightly pushing it back off his forehead with her fingertips. Daryl reminded himself that they were back into couple mode and her actions were appropriate but he somehow knew that she would have done that even if there hadn't been an audience.

His mouth dry he managed to ask, "Do I look presentable?"

"Do you ever?" Beth shot back with mischievous grin.

"Fair 'nough," Daryl conceded. He led her further into the bar. He had waited until Martinez said he was bringing Karen out for a drink. He wanted to integrate Beth naturally.

They were in a booth and once they spotted Daryl and Beth they waved them over. They slid in opposite the couple.

"Fancy meeting you here," Martinez welcomed.

Karen fixed him with a stern glare. "Did you rope your buddies in to crash date night so you can talk work?"

Martinez choked around the mouthful of beer he'd taken. "Don't be pullin' that one with me, woman. You were the one that was all 'invite Daryl and Beth, we don't know enough couples.'" He did a particularly terrible imitation of Karen's voice.

Daryl narrowed his eyes and tapped on the table to claim their attention. "We're on a double date right now, ain't we?"

"Yeah," the couple said in unison. Martinez pointed at Karen silently and mouthed 'her fault.' Beth had to bite her lip to stifle a giggle.

"I need booze," Daryl grumbled.

"I got this round," Martinez offered standing up. "What are you drinking, Beth?"

Beth had never ordered a drink in her life; Daryl could see that from her bewildered expression. He hoped she wasn't going to panic and order tequila shots.

"Get her what I'm drinking," Karen suggested. She was holding an almost empty glass of wine. Daryl recognised the sweet scent from the other night.

"Yes boss." Martinez bent to press a quick kiss to Karen's lips. They were so blatantly in love it made Daryl's teeth ache. They were never showy or over the top about it but it was always there, they just gravitated towards each other.

"You made a quick exit the other night. Didn't get to say goodbye," Karen said slowly.

Daryl tilted his head and frowned at Karen. Kind yes but subtle she was not. Beth was already turning red and they'd only been there a matter of minutes.

"Behave," Daryl told her strictly. He wished right now that Karen wasn't one of the few people he couldn't intimidate.

"Oh relax; she's met all us lunatics now. If she didn't run then, a little teasing isn't going to spook her."

"Who's worried about her?" Daryl fired back. "I'm talking about me."

"I'm right here, guys,' Beth said with a wave of her hand.

"See she can handle it."

Beth slid her hand over his on the table and Daryl went very still. "Yeah but it makes him uncomfortable so maybe we should ease up."

Karen leaned forward to talk to Beth like two conspirators. "But we can talk about that stuff behind his back, right?"

"Oh yeah, most definitely."

Karen laughed out loud and Daryl got the feeling he should never have let these two women meet. "I do not like this," he proclaimed sourly.

Beth met his gaze innocently but he wasn't fooled for instant. She was having too much fun tormenting him.

Daryl forced himself to shrug casually. "You two play your games. I'll get my revenge on you at home."

His words were packed with meaning, open to interpretation. Beth nervously bit her bottom lip again. She hadn't done it seductively and yet Daryl was riveted. He could kiss her right now and only she would know that it was significant. His crazy brain had him half convinced to act on it when Martinez returned.

Daryl took a huge swallow from his beer the second it was placed in front of him, trying to slow his thoughts.

"Look who I found at the bar," Martinez waved behind him at Haley and Pete.

"Are we interrupting?" Pete asked politely.

"Interrupting what?" Haley asked.

"A couples' thing," Pete observed patiently.

"Oh god, please sit down," Daryl encouraged.

Haley didn't need to be told twice, sliding in next to Beth. The booth was not meant to have six people and Beth was pushed firmly into his side. He had to raise his arm and drape it over her shoulder to accommodate her. Her forearm was on his thigh and all he could smell was that damned honey cinnamon. And worse, his own shower gel. It was like he could literally scent himself on her. He shifted trying to get comfortable but knowing there was no position he could wriggle into with Beth that close that would put him at ease.

"Weren't you leaving soon?" Daryl asked Haley.

"Why? Mad that I interrupted your eye sex just then?"

"We weren't..." Beth hurried to deny, making it sound like they had.

Haley put her chin her hand and waited for Beth to come up with something plausible.

Beth couldn't, she just took a mouthful of her wine and told Haley to shut up.

"I'm leaving in two days. Karen's taking me out for a girl's day tomorrow to farewell me since my own brother couldn't get time off work." Haley reached across the table and ruffled Pete's hair.

"You should come, Beth," Karen invited.

Daryl's shoulders tensed. He didn't want Beth to go out without his supervision and protection. But he couldn't forbid her to go. He'd sound like an archaic douche bag and he could tell Beth wanted to go. He did a quick calculation in his head. They wouldn't be doing anything too crazy and she was wearing the bracelet after all. Besides, the closer she got to Karen the more she'd be able to hang around without raising too many questions.

"You should," he said quietly in her ear.

"Sounds fun," Beth said brightly. He felt her squeeze just above his knee and he knew that was her way of saying thanks wordlessly.

It was reflex he told himself later but his arm tightened around her shoulder, pulling her in even closer. With Beth nestled in against his side, Daryl was starting to prefer the lie to real life.

AN: I know some of you were hoping that things would continue at the apartment but ultimately it was too soon. Fret not though friends, the seed is sown. And Daryl's too busy getting Beth into trouble right now. God these two. Tomorrow the new episode airs and I'm sad because I'm still waiting (people have asked why I wait, it's because I like to binge watch them) and I have a feeling this week won't be as easy to ignore as last week. Sigh, send me strength in the form of reviews.