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Here we go!

Chapter 2

"Sorry we're early dude. They cancelled the gig on us. Can you believe that! Last time we go back to Lexington. I swear man that place is all about Rock and nothing else." The man, Glenn as it was assumed, walked up to Dave and shook his hand leaving Beth in his wake. She smiled at her brother in law, took a seat in the corner booth, and pulled out a notebook and began scribbling in it.

"I can. Big cities don't respect the workin' folks." Dave laughed as he pulled a beer out for Glenn. "Hey, Glenn! This is Daryl. Daryl, Glenn." Glenn extended his hand and Daryl hesitantly took it.

"Nice to meet you, Daryl." Daryl didn't respond to Glenn's pleasantries as he watched the blonde seem to fall into deep concentration. "So you're a fan of Beth's? Don't look the type." Daryl's gazed turned back to the man before him and shifted into a stony glare. "Woah, sorry man. Just makin' conversation."

"Daryl is gunna keep an eye on Beth." Dave explained and Glenn nodded.

"I got it man, research. Smart. Look, there's nothing real special you have to do. Just make sure no one bothers her and she'll keep to herself. She's got something she's working on right now so she'll probably be in that notebook all night."

"Why do I feel like we just opened a damn daycare in the bar?" Daryl spat. Glenn laughed.

"I know, I sound like an overprotective parent but the thing is, she's my sister in law and she's got this crazy stalker that tends to show up when it's not convenient. Guy's name is Zach." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a picture of the guy and handed it to Daryl. "Follows her all over the place trying to get her alone. She insisted her security go back to Atlanta since this wasn't a business trip. She's just wants a quiet night."

"Go see if she wants anything to drink and if she stays there you can work the bar tonight. Just keep an eye on her." Dave finally gave an inch and Daryl was more than grateful. He nodded and followed his boss's instructions.

He approached the table nervously. She was much prettier in person. Her blonde hair was curled and tied in a high ponytail. She wore skin tight jeans and a off the shoulder sweater that exposed her neck invitingly. He could understand why Zach was taken with her, the closer he got the more stunning she became. Her complexion was flawless and the only make-up he could spot was a small amount of mascara on her blonde lashes and he was glad for it. He never appreciated a woman with too much make-up. He realized when she looked up at him with her crystal blue eyes that he had stopped in front of the booth and was staring at her, mouth slightly agape.

"Need somethin' to drink?" His tone was anything but welcoming but regardless she presented a thousand watt smile at him.

"Rum and diet would be great." She paused for a moment, as if contemplating her answer, but instead stuck out her hand. "I'm Beth."

"You always introduce yourself to bar folk?"

"No, but my brother in law knows the owner. Figured I'd get acquainted with the people that work with Dave. If I know Glenn, we're going to be here a while." Daryl rolled his eyes, still refusing to take her hand. She reluctantly dropped it. "Heard you listening to my CD. You like it?" She asked genuinely. He shrugged in response. "Ok, ok. I get it. Not the talkative type. That's fine. I'll take that rum and diet when you get a chance." She smiled again at him as she gave him an out to walk away. He nodded and headed back to the bar. "Oh, and if you won't tell me your name you can bring back a shot of tequila for the both of us."

Behind the bar he heard Dave and Glenn talking away. He walked right up to him and got close to his ear. "You owe me BIG for this." Dave just laughed as Daryl poured Beth's drink and two shots of tequila. He wasn't going to make it easy for her and if she wanted to play this little game he would. He could outdrink her before seven and he'd be free of his obligation if he could get her to sleep off her booze in Dave's home away from home office.

When he returned with the drinks he found her notebook discarded and her cell phone in hand typing away at the small screen. She had a small smirk on her face and a fire in her eyes that almost made Daryl stop and run away. She looked up, the expression never changing.

"So, Daryl." He turned around to the bar and saw Glenn quickly turn his head away laughing. He was becoming a joke, fantastic. "I hear you've been given the burden of being my guard tonight." He placed the drink and one shot before her. She immediately picked up the shot and held it out in salute. "To tonight, to tomorrow, to new friends and old." He rolled his eyes again and downed the amber liquid. She cringed at the taste and Daryl couldn't help the smirk.

"Too much for ya?" She pretended to gasp.

"He does speak!" followed by a bust of small giggles from her throat. "Next time, Patron, if you have it." He snatched the shot glass from her and turned to make his way back to the bar and much to his surprise she let him walk away. Emilia came up behind him and smacked him on the back.

"How's princess?"

"Go find out for yourself."

"I'd rather not. But thanks for offering to throw me under the bus with that one."

"I thought you were into that country music shit?"

"Please, that's Andrea. She and my girl play that crap all the time. Don't mean I like it." Daryl nodded and looked back at Beth who was still typing away on her phone. Glenn was engaged in a deep discussion about whether the Ford GT was better than a Corvette.

"I'm going out to smoke. Just keep your eye on her for me for a minute." Daryl said over his shoulder as he pushed his way through the front door and sat down in a chair by the door. He was half way through his cigarette when the small blonde followed him out, her own cigarette between her fingers. He had to admit he was a bit shocked. "Didn't know singers smoked."

"Socially, sure. And here I thought we'd be able to smoke in this hole in the wall." She mused as she lit the end.

"Can. I just don't when in the bar."

"Where else would you be?" She was actually curious.

"There's a tattoo parlor in the back. Exclusive membership required." Daryl responded blandly.

"Seriously?" Her voice rose an octave and Daryl raised a brow at her.

"Yeah. Why?" She tossed down her half smoked cigarette and bounced in front of him.

"Show me, please!" She looked like a child begging to open presents on Christmas morning. She looked ridiculous. And yet, he couldn't find it in himself to deny her. He mimicked her movements and discarded his cigarette and nodded for him to follow her. As they approached the curtain Daryl could see Glenn and Dave watching them curiously. He flipped them both off before pulling back the red fabric and pushing her inside. Her eyes widened at the stark contract between the two rooms. One was dark and musky, the other was almost hospital like with different tattoo options wallpapering from floor to ceiling. Her eyes scanned the different options from tribal to wildlife.

"How long have you been an artist?" Her hands ran over a small dove with a heart in the beak and she seemed to be lost in another world.

"Two years. Dave taught me so he could run the bar." Her head turned to him, a small smile forming on her lips.

"One day I'll ask you to tattoo this on me. Not today, but soon." She still traced the outline of the dove as if it were already committed to memory, her finger rarely missing the lines. Her sorrowful smile faded into a confident smirk and she walked passed him. He could only stare as she sauntered past, her hips swaying as she walked to the curtain and headed back to the bar. "You comin'?" Her voice hid a southern drawl as she looked back at him over his shoulder. If he was a betting man he'd say she was trying to be seductive. Shrugging he followed her to the bar. "Glenn, can you get your friend to bring me another rum and diet and whatever Daryl wants." Dave's jaw dropped to the floor as Daryl stuffed his hands in his pockets and followed the young firecracker over to her booth and sat down. He wasn't sure why he did but suddenly something about her intrigued him. She didn't shy away from him. She was full of life and generally interested in seemingly everything. Nothing seemed forced with her and he was curious.

"Why ya want me to sit with ya? Glenn said you've been workin' on something."

"I have. It's almost finished but Glenn knows I never write when I drink. It turns into a Taylor Swift like I-hate-my-ex kind of song. I'm not like that." She smiled and tucked her notebook in her purse next to her. "Besides, you seem like a mystery that needs to be unlocked." She giggled softly as a blush crept up her neck. She looked down nervously and back up quickly. "So, I know you aren't exactly looking forward to this night but let's just make the best of it. Tell me about yourself." She looked at him with undivided attention. He was silent for a long moment as he regarded her question. Her gaze never faltered.

"Not much to tell. Grew up in Georgia, left, and found this place."

"Are your parents still in Georgia?" He didn't respond. His eyes hardened and he looked over her to the wall behind her. "Oh…sorry." She took the hint; he wasn't talking about his family. She moved on quickly. "I've been singing for years. I like the folky stuff because the following doesn't get to crazy. I can still go grocery shopping if I want to. Well, could."

"Zach?" She nodded. "He ain't gunna show up here is he?" Daryl didn't really feel like getting thrown in jail tonight for beating the shit out of some little punk kid. But he had a feeling he would protect her if he had to.

"I'm not sure where he is. He turns up at the most random times. Last time, I was staying in this little place outside Little Rock and there he was. Michonne nearly ripped his arm off before sending him on his way." She laughed at the memory.

"What's his deal?"

"I'm not sure really. His momma called Glenn one day to apologize. Told him something about a shrine or something he had of me. It's really creepy. That's when I hired Michonne. She's amazing. Took everything I had to convince her to go home to her boy."

"He comes around here I'll take care of him." Daryl didn't know why he said it but her smile and touch to the back of the hand was enough for him to mean it. She was innocent, sweet, and caring. She didn't seem to know anyone she didn't like. Having some kid terrorizing her because of some strange teenaged obsession was unfair for her. She deserved better.

The remainder of the night was spent sipping drinks, the occasional shot here or there, and several hours of the first real conversation he'd ever had in his life. It wasn't like the small talk he shared with clients or the banter he put up with from his co-workers. She seemed to really care about his ideas, opinions, and life. And for whatever reason, he didn't mind telling her more about himself as the hours passed. He wasn't sure what to make of it, either. He never opened up and told anyone anything about himself. Hell, all Dave knew about him is that he had a brother in jail back on. But there he sat sharing stories of Merle and his antics as a child, camping in the woods with his uncle, and his road trip to Kentucky. She talked about growing up on the farm, her favorite horse named Nelly who tossed anyone but her, and her mother who just recently passed. Their stories were guarded and they seemed to accept that from each other. Never asking more than what the other was willing to give.

Shortly after eleven, Dave came over to tell Beth that Glenn had had enough. He offered to drive them to a motel a few miles into town and she happily accepted. Dave retreated to gather his friend and left Beth and Daryl to say their goodbyes.

"Thank you for tonight. I really just thought I would sit around bored off my ass while Glenn got hammered. It means a lot that you didn't mind spending time with me."

"Ain't gunna lie to ya now; It wasn't my first choice." She laughed.

"I know. I'm sorry, but thank you." She leaned up and kissed his cheek and he stiffened beneath her lips. When she pulled back she handed him a slip of paper. He looked down to see ten digits written across it and smirked.

"Can't get enough of me, huh?" She smacked his arm playfully.

"You're not cocky Daryl Dixon. Don't pretend to be. Call me sometime. Maybe next time we roll through town I can swing by and visit."

"You'll be wantin' that tattoo at some point."

"Yes, that's right! Who do I call to book the appointment?" Without a word he walked away from her and into the parlor and grabbed a card off the counter and handed it to her upon his return.

"Just make sure ya tell em' to book ya for me."

"Yes sir, Mr. Dixon."

"Ms. Greene, time to go. I don't want Glenn pukin' in the truck." Dave came up beside her and gently grabbed her elbow in a fatherly sort of way. Daryl nodded as she waved goodbye and walked out the door.

He looked down at the paper tucked into his palm and sighed. "What the hell am I doing?" He walked behind the bar and promptly threw the paper away and headed for his truck. Now that she was gone it seemed like part of a spell had lifted and another one put in his place. He longed for her to still be sitting in there with him but he was immensely embarrassed at how open he had been and how good it felt. He was also terrified.

He needed to sleep. He needed to hunt. He needed to figure out why this blonde beauty was changing him so quickly in just a matter of hours.

Hope you enjoyed it! Come on, it wouldn't be Daryl if he didn't put up some sort or fight! Leave me a comment and let me know what you think!