This is a long chapter! Hope you enjoy and please review!

Also, I don't usually recommend music to accompany my stories, but for this chapter, once they get out on the town, I highly recommend listening to "The Fireface" by the Parov Stelar Trio to get you in the mood! It's an electroswing song, which is my favorite genre of music. The song can be found on YouTube if you wish to listen.

June 27, 1925

Zora paced her apartment anxiously. She tried not to look at the clock, but she couldn't stop her eyes from constantly darting toward it. Daryl would be there any minute, and the anticipation of his arrival had made it impossible for Zora to sit still. She was anxious about introducing him to her father, but excited to show him the night life Atlanta had to offer. It was almost 7:30. On their last meeting, they had agreed that Daryl would drive into Atlanta after dinner, and they would drop off the order for storage at Walton's before going to meet Zora's father. She knew her father had wanted to have Daryl over for dinner, but she didn't want to push Daryl into spending too much time with her father. She knew he was a bit uncomfortable with the idea, and she wanted to make it as painless as possible for him.

There was a knock at the door and Zora dashed to answer it. She opened the door and saw Daryl standing in the hallway, his hands shoved somewhat awkwardly into his pockets. He looked like he had made an effort to clean himself up a bit, which seemed out of character for him. His clothes were clean, though still slightly wrinkled, and he didn't appear to be covered in dirt or grime. Zora smiled at him.

"Glad you made it," she said, holding the door open for him. "Let me just grab my purse and we'll be on our way."

Daryl entered the apartment and stood in the entryway, observing how the place looked at night. The artificial light from the electricity was much brighter than the light from the lanterns he used. Zora grabbed a purse from a side table and turned off the lamps throughout the room. He followed her back out of the apartment and down the stairs.

"Did you run into any trouble on your way here?" Zora asked as she pushed open the door at the bottom of the stairs.

"Nah, no trouble."

"Good."

She made her way over to his truck and threw back the blanket that covered the crates of moonshine.

"Wait here. I'll go grab George and we can unload."

Daryl nodded and watched her disappear into the back door of Walton's. He was anxious to get the introduction to Zora's father out of the way. Despite Zora's assurances that her father was on their side, it was still intimidating to shake the hand of a police sergeant, considering the business he had entered into with Zora. He had tried to make himself appear more presentable than he typically would, hoping that her father would be less quick to judge him for the country fellow he was.

Zora soon emerged with George and another man in tow. George gave him a nod as he approached.

"Hey there, Daryl," he greeted. "Good to see you again."

Daryl nodded and grabbed a crate of moonshine, George and the other man with him doing the same. The men quickly unloaded the crates into a back storage room of Walton's. The gin mill was just about to open for business, and he could see several jazz musicians setting up on a small stage.

"After you meet Daddy, we'll come back here," Zora said. "I want you to see what Walton's is like at night."

"All right," Daryl nodded. He had to admit that he was interested in what the joint looked like during business hours.

"We'll be back soon, George," Zora called, leading Daryl back outside. She opened her purse and handed him a stack of cash for the moonshine, which Daryl shoved quickly into his pocket.

"Daddy only lives about a ten-minute walk from here. We'll just pop over to say hello and then be on our way."

Daryl fell into step beside her on the side walk, matching her quick pace. His eyes drank in the sights of the city around him. Daryl wasn't a stranger to the city, but he strongly preferred the isolation of the country. The city always seemed loud and busy and bright, and he enjoyed the quiet peacefulness of country life. Since it was a Saturday night, many people seemed to be out and about, laughing and calling to each other on the street. From what Zora had told him, there were many speakeasies in this neighborhood.

Soon they had arrived at a five-story building, and Daryl followed Zora inside and up a few flights of stairs. She paused in front of an apartment door and gave him a purposeful look.

"Ready?" she murmured. He nodded once. He was as ready as he was going to get.

Zora opened the door and stepped inside, Daryl on her heels.

"Daddy?" she called.

A man in his late forties appeared from the kitchen. He had brown hair but shared Zora's green eyes. He smiled and walked toward them with his hand outstretched.

"You must be Daryl," he said. "I'm Daniel."

Daryl shook the man's hand and tried to force an amicable expression on his face. "Nice to meet you, sir."

"Daniel is fine," he said with a dismissive wave of his hand. "So you're the mastermind behind Zora's new product, eh?"

Daryl shrugged awkwardly. "Yeah. It's a family recipe."

Zora's father seemed to sense Daryl's discomfort. "Look, I know I'm an officer of the law and all, but you don't have to worry about that. I'm on your side."

Daryl glanced at Zora and she flashed him a brief reassuring smile. He forced a smile at her father and nodded to show he understood.

"So how long have you been making this family recipe?" her father asked.

"Couple of generations," Daryl said. "It's been the same for decades. Even when there were still saloons around, we always preferred to make our own."

"Well, from what I hear, it's pretty great stuff. I'd like to try it myself if Zora would be so kind as to bring me some."

"You just tell me when, Daddy," Zora grinned at her father. He smiled back at his daughter.

"I hear Zora is taking you out on the town tonight," he said, turning his attention back to Daryl with an amused expression on his face. "I hope she doesn't scare you away."

Daryl laughed lightly. "Nah, I may live in the country, but I think I can handle it."

"Would you like to stay for a coffee first?"

"Daddy, no," Zora quickly intervened. "We gotta mooch. Places to go, people to see, you know."

Daniel rolled his eyes at his daughter. "All right, all right, I know you can't stay. But I appreciate you takin' the time to come say hello."

Daryl nodded, and Zora was already opening the apartment door and leading him away. "It was great to meet you," he said.

"Likewise. I hope this partnership of yours works out. You seem like a good fella."

"Thanks," Daryl replied awkwardly. He hadn't expected Zora's father to be so welcoming.

"Bye, Daddy," Zora called. "I'll come by in a day or two for dinner."

Daniel threw them a wave and closed the apartment door behind them. Zora let out a sigh.

"Well, that was easier than I was expecting," she said as she bounded down the stairs. Daryl was inclined to agree. He followed her down the stairs and back outside, falling into step beside her once more.

"He always that friendly?"

"Sure," Zora shrugged. "He's pretty easy going. He just wanted to meet you face to face so he can feel better about this partnership. I'm his only daughter, so he's protective of me."

Daryl nodded and fell silent as they walked. As they neared Walton's, Daryl could hear the faint sounds of live music coming from the joint. Zora led him around back as usual and entered the establishment. The music was much louder inside. Daryl tried to keep his expression neutral and to not show his surprise. It was the first time he had ever seen a full live jazz band performing, and he could immediately see the appeal. People were already dancing on the dance floor in front of the stage, and others were milling about with drinks in their hands. Zora led him over to the end of the bar and claimed two vacant barstools there, motioning for him to sit next to her.

The bartender noticed Zora and came over to say hello. As she ordered drinks and made small talk, Daryl allowed his eyes to wander around the joint. The crowd seemed to be a mix of different kinds of people, but most of them were young like Zora. Thankfully he noticed a few plainly dressed men who looked about his age, and he didn't feel so horribly out of place. They still looked more comfortable in this environment than he felt, but he had to admit that the live music was pleasing.

Zora leaned over and handed him a drink. He took a sip and realized it was a moonshine cocktail of sorts. He could tell it wasn't his moonshine, because even with the sweetened additives in the drink, he could still taste the awful one-note burn of the stuff, but he didn't mind. He took several deep swigs in attempt to loosen up a little.

"So what do you think?" Zora asked in his ear. He gave her a side smile in response, which she returned fully. They both turned their attention to the music, Zora's knee bouncing along with the beat. The two of them sat contentedly sipping their drinks for a few songs, and soon Daryl found his empty glass replaced with another full one. He reached into his pocket to grab some money to give to Zora, but she shook her head.

"I don't pay for drinks here," she said with a sly grin. "So it's on me."

Daryl scoffed a little, but accepted the drink. He noticed three elaborately dressed women emerge in front of the stage, all decked out in sequins with plentiful skin exposed. They began to move in time with the music and in sync with each other, and Zora let out a catcall of delight.

"I used to be one of them," she said to Daryl, and his eyes widened a little.

"You danced around in that outfit?" he asked, immediately regretting letting such a question slip from his mouth. But Zora only flashed him a mischievous smile and a wink.

"Do you dance?" she asked him suddenly. It was clear that sitting still on the barstool wasn't easy for her. Her body itched to move in time with the music. Daryl shifted uncomfortably on his chair.

"Not if I can help it. I'm a bit of a hoofer," he admitted.

"I can teach you!" Zora exclaimed in excitement.

"Hell no!" Daryl refused, and she pouted. She didn't have to pout for long, however. A young red-headed woman suddenly ambushed the pair of them and embraced Zora, both of them kissing the air on either side of their cheeks.

"Daryl, I'd like you to meet my good friend Molly," Zora introduced.

"Ooh, where'd you find this one?" Molly smirked, looking Daryl up and down. He cleared his throat and tried not to physically withdraw from her in his awkwardness.

"Oh, stop," Zora chided. "He's my new business partner," she added in a hushed voice.

Molly arched her eyebrows in surprise. "When did moonshiners get so keen?"

Zora rolled her eyes at her friend. "Sorry," she said to Daryl. "She isn't good at censoring herself."

Daryl laughed, the hooch finally starting to loosen him up a little. He took another deep sip of his drink.

"Daryl here doesn't like to dance," Zora stated matter-of-factly. "What do you say we show him how it's done?"

Molly giggled and grabbed Zora's hand. She quickly handed her drink to Daryl and flashed him a smirk before joining Molly a few feet away from the bar. Daryl watched in amusement that quickly turned to fascination as the two girls danced perfectly to the music and in perfect time with one another. He had never seen anyone move with such grace and abandon at the same time. He found himself unable to draw his eyes away from Zora. He imagined her dancing in the risqué outfits the dancers by the stage wore, and quickly gulped down more of his drink to try to erase the image from his mind.

Zora and Molly danced together for a few songs, and Daryl was perfectly content to watch them. Finally Zora bounded back over to him, and Molly scattered off in another direction.

"Finish your drink, we're going somewhere else," she announced.

"What? Why?" Daryl asked. He had finally started feeling comfortable in this environment.

"There's a much bigger juice joint down the street that Molly wants to go to. They've got a huge live band there tonight, much bigger than this one. She's just gone to fetch her man and she'll meet us there."

Daryl shrugged, guessing it wasn't up for debate. He quickly downed the rest of the drink in his hands and allowed Zora to pull him off the barstool and toward the back door. He gave a nod to George, who was behind the bar, and the man returned the gesture. As he and Zora emerged into the back alley, Daryl was suddenly glad of the fresh air. Walton's had become quite stuffy with all the people dancing inside.

"You can dance pretty good," he commented, feeling loose and relaxed from the cocktails.

"Thanks," Zora smiled. "I've been dancin' since I was a little girl. I love it."

"I can tell."

They walked side by side for several blocks until Zora led him down a narrow alleyway and to a metal door in the side of a building. He could hear quite a commotion from the other side of the door, but it looked inconspicuous from the outside. Zora knocked a particular pattern on the door, which swung open to reveal a man in a suit and tie. He ushered them inside.

Daryl tried not to gawk. This gin mill was much bigger than Walton's, and it was a higher-class joint. At Walton's, Daryl hadn't felt horribly out of place, but he certainly did here. Everyone seemed to be dressed up in their glad rags for a night on the town, and the most effort he had put into his appearance was making sure he wasn't covered in dirt. He self-consciously smoothed the wrinkles in his shirt. Zora seemed to notice his unease and gave him a reassuring smile.

"It's fine. You look great," she said, and she grabbed his hand. Daryl fought his urge to withdraw from her and let her lace her fingers through his. She led him by the hand through the many dancing couples on the dance floor over to the bar, where she ordered two drinks.

"You come here a lot?" Daryl asked her. She shrugged.

"Sometimes." She handed him a drink and immediately stilled his hand when it went to fish into his pocket for some cash. "I told you. It's on me. I invited you here, so you won't be paying."

Daryl opened his mouth to object, but Zora literally pressed a finger to his lips.

"Dry up! I'm paying," she said firmly.

Daryl shook his head. He couldn't believe a woman had the gall to pay for a man, but he clearly was stuck in the past when it came to women. Zora had proven that to him, as had his observations of many similar women that evening.

Zora took his hand again and led him to a table a ways off from the dance floor. Daryl was relieved to see it was secluded in shadows, meaning he would be more hidden from the rest of the speakeasy patrons. He felt immensely out of place. He sat down next to Zora and tried to pace himself on his drink. He was already quite relaxed, and he certainly didn't intend to get ossified that evening.

"You look uncomfortable," Zora observed.

Daryl shrugged. "Just feel out of place is all."

She smiled. "Just relax. I know it's a lot more than you're used to, but if you stop convincing yourself that everyone's judging you, which they aren't, I think you could have a really good time."

"I am having a good time," he said.

"Good," Zora smiled. She turned her eyes to the dance floor, searching for Molly but not spotting her. Daryl watched the band onstage. As Zora had said, they were much bigger than the band playing at Walton's. The musicians seemed to be having a good time, and the dancers were having an even better time. His eyes drifted back to Zora. She looked very much in her element, with her short blonde hair and perfected makeup. He also realized suddenly how young she looked.

"How old are you?" he blurted out suddenly. She raised her eyebrows at him, surprised by his question. He reddened, embarrassed.

"Twenty-four," she answered with a slight smile. "How old are you?"

Daryl cleared his throat awkwardly, now fully regretting asking the question. He felt old.

"Thirty-eight."

"You need to live a little, Daryl," Zora smirked at him. "You aren't an old man yet."

Daryl met her eyes and shared a smile with her. "How long you been comin' to places like this?"

"A few years," she replied. "Most of 'em didn't open til after the nationwide prohibition went into effect, so they've really only been around for five years or so. George and my daddy grew up together, so when he opened up a gin mill, I started going there first. He was the one to take a chance on me and let me work for him."

Daryl nodded. "He seems like a good fella."

"He is."

Daryl turned his attention back to the music, but suddenly shouts attracted his attention. The music stopped suddenly, and Daryl noticed several police officers pouring in through the door.

"Oh, shit!" Zora exclaimed. "C'mon, we gotta go!"

"Go where?" Daryl hissed.

"Out the back. Follow me!"

Daryl raced after Zora. She tore around the bar and into a dark hallway and tripped over some boxes. Daryl caught her and realized she was giggling.

"What's so funny?" Daryl demanded. "Damn place is being raided, I don't see the joke."

She grinned at him and grabbed his hand, pulling him through the hallway and around several corners. Suddenly she reached a door and threw it open, exposing a dark alleyway. She crept along the wall and peeked around the corner to the main street. There were several police cars and more policemen filing into the club. She jerked her head down the alley and pulled Daryl along.

"What happens if they catch us?" Daryl hissed.

"We get arrested," she replied, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

Daryl crept along behind her, amazed that she still seemed amused by the whole endeavor.

"You done this before?"

"Done what?"

"Fleein' from the police!"

"Once or twice," she said with a smirk, and Daryl looked at her incredulously. She just giggled and pulled him on. They came upon a main street and began walking down it hand in hand. The sound of police shouting down the street drifted toward them, and Zora tugged both of them into a much smaller, darker alley. She pressed herself against the wall and Daryl did the same.

A few policemen went running past the alley a few moments later and Daryl had to fight the urge to sigh in relief. He suddenly became aware of how close his body was to Zora's. She turned her head slightly and met his eyes, mischief and amusement still glittering in hers. Daryl didn't understand how the possibility of getting arrested was fun to her, but adrenaline was coursing through his veins and he somewhat understood. Maybe it was the rush of evading the law that entertained her. Regardless of her reasoning, her reckless abandon had pulled Daryl in.

Before he could register what was happening, Zora turned to face him, their bodies so close they were touching. He met her eyes and saw her gaze dart to his lips. He made to pull away, but before he could, she suddenly tangled her fingers in his hair and pulled his lips down to hers. In shock, Daryl didn't kiss back at first, but as her mouth moved against his, he found himself quickly succumbing to the kiss. She pressed her body into his harder and deepened the kiss, and Daryl felt himself growing hot. He kissed her back hard. His body started to react to her actions, and suddenly he became more aware of what was happening. Fear suddenly coursed through him and he pulled away abruptly.

"What the hell are you doing?" he demanded, withdrawing from her completely. She looked at him, confused.

"What do you mean?"

Daryl stared at her open-mouthed, looking like a fish out of water. He couldn't find the words that he wanted to say to explain himself. He suddenly turned on his heel and fled from the alley, leaving Zora standing there dumbfounded.