Chapter 2 - Friday at Fox's

Aside from the fact that Merle had put on a clean shirt – sure, it was still one with the sleeves torn off, but it was clean and that said a lot – it was obvious that he was hoping Andrea would show up tonight by the way his eyes flicked up every time the door to Fox's swung open.

"She ain't comin', man." Daryl said flatly as a group of young guys shoved and shouted their way into the joint. "Told ya hundred times. Don't know why ya think a girl like that's gonna come huntin' for your old leathery ass."

"If she does, she does; she don't, she don't." replied Merle easily as he downed the rest of his beer, but Daryl could see in his eyes that he was probably going to get rolling drunk, break some shit and start a fight if she didn't show.

Not that it was uncommon for Merle to do any of those things - the opposite actually - but it was uncommon for him to get all worked up over a girl he wasn't even fucking. Merle wasn't one to chase skirt, he didn't play games, and he sure as hell didn't ever put much effort into getting anyone into his bed. Once they'd been in there a few times though, it was a different story – he was lion-fierce and protective over his women, and, not that anyone would go as far as to call Merle a gentleman, he certainly treated them about as well as he could and would do near anything for them. Shit, he'd even been known to buy flowers on occasion.

Sometimes Daryl wondered if he were capable of ever getting like that over someone. All fierce and soft and unrecognizable. Couldn't imagine it though. Apart from sensations within the realm of attraction, he'd never felt anything above the waist for anyone before, and certainly no one had ever gotten into his head.

In fact, the only girl that had spent more than a fleeting moment on his mind lately had been blondie's silver-spooned friend and that was only because she'd pissed him off.

Merle had given him a slap around the head for the way he'd spoken to Tahlia along with a stern rebuke of, "She ain't able to help who her daddy is no more 'n we can help ours." Then had given Daryl another stinging slap when he'd grumbled, "Yeah, but bet she ain't complainin' 'bout it."

He didn't know why all that stuff about her had bugged him so much. They had loads of wealthy clients with obscenely expensive vehicles come through work, and, apart from the odd genuine asshole, Daryl had no problem with any of them. And hell, Frankie's dad had a six-berth boat and a golfclub membership and he'd never snarked at her. But, he supposed, Frankie didn't make his skin spark or his breath catch or his throat choke.

Fuck.

He didn't want to think about any of that. There was no point. Not like them girls were gonna show up around here again.

Lounging in the corner of the bench seat at the back table with one ankle crossed over his knee as he languidly rolled a couple of cigarettes for later, Daryl's attention was snagged by his brother's smug drawl of,

"Well… wouldya look at that."

It only took a second to spot the blonde of Andrea's hair in the entranceway as she de-jacketed and moved further inside, and then Daryl's treacherous gut thudded heavily again as he caught sight of Tahlia right behind her. Tonight, she was dressed down in jeans, a tank and sneakers and looked much less intimidating than she did when she was all corporate, but, realized Daryl with dismay, he liked this look even better.

Then he grunted as Merle's paw connected with his ear.

"Wanna score tonight. So don't be a fuckin' asshole to her hot friend 'gain."

Smacked three times for a girl he barely knew.

That really wasn't winning her any brownie points.

Merle hadn't been exaggerating when he'd said that Fox's was a different place on a Friday night. Comfortably busy with a buzzing, lively crowd, a wall of chatting punters lined the bar, three bartenders flying back and forth to serve them; a grungy-looking band was set up on a low stage to the right of the bar banging out rock covers, while a scattering of people shouted lyrics and bounced around on the dancefloor in front of them; and on the opposite side, the courtyard - normally only occupied by smokers - was bustling, illuminated by colorful festoon lights, the air filled with the smell of smoky wood and grilled cheese from the pizza oven that was only ever fired up on this one night a week.

Pleasantly surprised by the low-key party atmosphere, Andrea and Tahlia were making their way towards the bar when a large pair of hands landed on Andrea's shoulders.

"Now, what brings a good girl like you to the bad side of town on a night like this?"

Turning around to face Merle's sly grin, Andrea mirrored him with one of her own.

"I think I just found him."

Merle's brows shot up as his grin widened. "That's what I like to hear." Reaching around Andrea, he clapped a hand on Tahlia's shoulder. "Hey sugartits, how ya doin'?"

Both Tahlia and Andrea snorted at Merle's easy overfamiliarity.

"Guessing that means you don't remember my name." Tahlia chuckled, reminding him what it was.

Merle waved her off, protesting that of course he remembered, then did himself a disservice by asking after 'that other chick' whose name had clearly also slipped his mind, and then to cover up his mistake, quickly ushered them up to the bar as he launched into a distracting anecdote about a guy who'd puked in the concrete mixer on the building site today.

Armed with drinks, Merle led the way back to a table in the darkest corner of the bar where Daryl, Shadow and a thin guy with pointed features and lank, blond shoulder-length hair were sitting.

Shadow was straight on his feet to greet both Tahlia and Andrea with hugs like they were old friends, as Merle introduced the blond guy as "Dwight. Grease monkey. Works with Daryl."

Merle and Andrea cozied up on one side of the table as Tahlia took a seat next to Shadow on the other, then she glanced down towards Daryl who hadn't bothered acknowledging them yet. He was wearing what seemed to be his standard vaguely-pissed-off-with-the-world look, which, thought Tahlia, was highly unfair because if she walked around with an expression like that she'd immediately be labelled a bitch, but on him it was deliciously smoldering and that alone was probably all he ever needed to pick up (well, the arms probably helped a lot too - bare again tonight and just so…) she caught herself and quickly cleared her throat, then sent him a friendly smile.

"Hey! Nice to see you again."

Daryl's expression remained impassive as he stared over at her through his dark brown bangs and gave the tiniest incline of his chin. "Silver."

Tahlia huffed out a little laugh – clearly he wasn't quick to forgive and forget.

"Sticking with that then, are you?" she asked with an arched brow, only just able to withhold the 'Chip' that desperately wanted to roll off her tongue. She had promised Andrea, after all.

"Think it suits ya." he shot back, stony-toned.

"That feels like a compliment, coming from you." she simpered, her eyes glittering with amusement. "So, how's your day been?"

Looking at her like she had just asked the most inane question in the world, Daryl slowly shook his head then lifted his glass and took a long draw before setting it back down, silent all the while.

"No?" remarked Tahlia, unperturbed by his frostiness. "You got nothing? Ok, well I'll just assume you had a fabulous day, then." She turned to Dwight and fixed him with a bright smile. "How about you? How's your day been?"

"Uh…" Dwight glanced uncomfortably between Daryl and Tahlia wondering if he had missed something, but quickly focused back on Tahlia. "Yeah, it was good, I guess. Work was steady, made the day go fast. And I don't gotta work tomorrow, so…"

"I'm with you on that." agreed Tahlia wholeheartedly. "Bring on Friday nights, huh? So, got much planned for the weekend?"

Warming up to her already (which made Daryl grit his teeth), Dwight nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, yeah, I do actually. Me and my wife, it's our second wedding anniversary. She was real sick for our first one and we ended up doing nothing, so I really wanted to make it special this time."

Tahlia leaned forward in interest, an encouraging smile on her face, so Dwight carried on. "First we're gonna take some beer and pretzels up to the top of this little track where I proposed, hang out there for a bit - view's real pretty. She's always wanted to try parasailing, so I thought then we'd head down to the lake and do that in the afternoon. Then I got us a dinner reservation at Raleigh's, y'know, that restaurant on the east side? Meant to be real nice. Better be. They're booked out like three months in advance!"

"Oh yeah, that place is so good. Actually, I know the guys who own it. Why don't I give them a call and see if they can put you at one of the garden tables – best spot in the house – and get some extras for you. Bottle of bubbles and that kind of thing."

Although Daryl hadn't said anything, Tahlia could feel the scorn rolling off him and she almost regretted making that offer in front of him. Realized how it must sound; realized how it would perpetuate his perception of her. But this was just how her father had always operated – network, hand out favors, help people where you can, pay it forward. So, Tahlia had always done the same. Even though her father was usually serving his own interests in some way, Tahlia did it because she liked being able to help people, liked being able to do something nice for someone and bring a smile to their face, even if she didn't know them. If that made Daryl dislike her even more, then so be it. Didn't seem like he was warming up to her anyway.

"Really?!" exclaimed Dwight, his face lighting up. "Damn, that'd be amazing if you could. I'd owe you big time."

"I'll see what I can do." Tahlia promised, pulling out her phone to quickly type a reminder for herself. "Sounds like you guys are going to have an incredible day – I'm sure your wife is going to love it!"

Just then, Shadow came sauntering back from the restroom and banged his hands down on the table.

"Right! Who's up for a game of pool? Table's free. Miss Tahlia!" In his perpetual state of blissed-out cheeriness (Tahlia hadn't yet figured out whether that was drugs-related or just personality) Shadow leaned over and slung an arm around her shoulders. "You play pool?"

"Um, yeah. Really badly." she laughed, looking up at him.

"No such thing as bad players. Only ones who are shit with angles. Come on. I'll help you out."

Well, thought Tahlia as she let Shadow usher her to the pool table and press a cue into her hand, at least this guy liked her and, with his arm on her shoulder as he gave her pointers on making a good break, seemed to be as comfortable as an old friend around her already. And Merle and Dwight had been nothing but welcoming and friendly too.

But the petulant child inside her stomped her foot and pouted.

But I want the other one to like me! I want the stormy-eyed, brooding, closed book to stand this close with his arm around me and his gravelly voice in my ear.

Realizing the ridiculousness of that thought as soon as it arose Tahlia let out a laugh and quickly rubbed a hand across her forehead as if to wipe it away before looking up at Shadow with determined concentration, a smile still playing on her lips.

Over at the pool table, Tahlia laughed suddenly and Daryl was unaware of his jaw slackening a little as he stared at her. Unaware of anything else, really.

He liked her laugh. Not just the soft musicality of it. But the way it lingered long after the sound had gone. The way it stayed on her face, before fading slowly like the sun setting, until only the light of it was left in her eyes.

Fuck.

Daryl puffed out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding and squeezed his eyes shut. He was glad that Shadow had taken Tahlia to play pool because when she was sitting right there with her attention on him he seemed to lose the ability to hold a normal conversation and all that remained was jerk-mode. She made him feel all unbalanced and uncharacteristically self-conscious, and the vulnerability of that was something he hadn't experienced before and it made him want to close over, protect himself, snap at anyone who came too close.

This distance was ok, though. Far enough that he could relax while still affording him a great view of her. A view that was difficult to look away from. He wasn't going to read anything into that though, because surely there was nothing more to it than the natural inclination to enjoy looking at pretty things.

Surely.

Fuck.

Merle glanced curiously at Daryl who had just necked a near full pint of beer, then turned back to Andrea, pointing at the pool table.

"Looks like your girl's taken a shine to Shads. If she thinks she's gonna get somewhere with him, you'd best tell her she's barkin' up the wrong tree."

"Oh!" Andrea raised her brows. "He's not into girls?"

Merle hitched a shoulder. "Girls. Guys. No one. Maybe there were a couple people way back in the bike days, I dunno, but in general he just ain't interested. Even a pretty girl who smiles like she does ain't gonna get in. He's just that friendly to everyone. Don't mean nothin' more."

"Ah." Andrea nodded knowingly. "Well, she smiles like that at everyone and it doesn't mean anything more from her, either. Maybe that's why they hit it off. I mean, she's into guys, but she's a slow mover. Anyway," she glanced around to make sure Daryl wasn't listening, "she's probably just enjoying a bit of warmth after your brother's cold vibes."

Throwing a dismissive hand in the air, Merle tsked.

"Pay no mind to Darlina. Always been a bit of a loner and takes a long fuckin' time to defrost 'round new people. Asshole on the outside, but soft as baby shit inside. Unlike me." He gave Andrea a wolfish grin. "Fuckin' nice as pie through and through."

Andrea snorted and elbowed him. "And real modest, too, I see."

When they'd finished their game, Tahlia and Shadow returned to the table each carrying a tray of drinks – beers on one and a hell of a lot of shots on the other.

"His idea." said Tahlia, setting her tray down, and Merle rubbed his hands together.

"Fuckin' great idea it is!"

Taking a seat, Tahlia slid some drinks towards Dwight and Daryl, the former thanking her enthusiastically while the latter let out a little huff and said,

"How many gold pieces this lot set ya back, huh Silver? Don't gotta keep throwin' your money bags 'round on account of us, y'know."

Catching her bottom lip between her teeth, Tahlia pulled a sorrowful expression. "My money bags are still full to the brim, I'm afraid. This was all Shadow."

Scrunching his nose briefly, Daryl looked to Shadow and raised a shot glass in acknowledgement. "Cheers."

The others followed suit then chased the burn with a big slug of beer.

"So," Dwight said to Tahlia, nodding his head to the pool table, "How'd the game go? Looked like you were holding your own against our resident pool shark."

"Barely." she replied. "Anyway, he went easy on me."

"I didn't." Shadow replied cheerily.

"And helped me line up every single shot."

"You had them anyway."

"And still kicked my ass."

"Only just."

Their easy banter had Daryl rolling his eyes heavenwards as Dwight balled up a napkin and biffed it at Shadow.

"He kicks all our asses. Been the reigning champ around here forever."

"But," said Shadow, tipping his glass towards Merle, "This guy puts us all to shame on the dartboard."

"Wait…" Tahlia set down her drink. "Am I sitting at a table of secret bar games champions?"

"Nah." Merle shook his head with a grin. "Darlina never wins shit."

"Fuck off, Merle." grumbled Daryl, sinking a little lower in his seat.

Shadow tapped the table then pointed at Daryl. "Not true. He's got the best poker face around. Cleans up most games through bluffing alone."

"Easily the best hunter, too." added Dwight. "You should see him with a crossbow."

"And ain't half-bad with a pencil and a sketchbook either, are ya baby brother?"

Daryl felt a burn rise on his cheeks, not just from the fact that praise from Merle was rarer than hen's teeth, or that compliments were hard for him to stomach at the best of times, but also from the way that Tahlia was staring at him with this look of soft wonder like she was unwrapping a present, anticipation of what was yet to be revealed growing with every layer.

She'd be disappointed. That inner belittling voice that sounded a hell of a lot like his father sneered. Disappointed to find out that there's nothing more. Nothing good. Nothing she wants inside.

And maybe Tahlia caught sight of the blackness sucking Daryl inwards, because she smiled brightly and quickly shifted the focus away from him and on to Dwight.

"Ok, now for your hidden talents. Let me guess… I reckon snake charmer or ability to recite the first 200 digits of pi."

Dwight grinned. "Off the mark with those for me. But Shadow can actually do the pi thing."

Totally intrigued by this ragtag group, Tahlia persuaded Shadow to reel off just the first twenty numbers and then proceeded to expertly steer the conversation around the others (keeping the spotlight off Daryl who seemed to still be recovering from the previous attention), uncovering surprising little gems as she did so: Dwight – weekend baking enthusiast, talented wood carver, fluent in ASL; Merle – avid reader, banjo player in a bluegrass garage band, and (Tahlia's favorite) fully adept with a sewing machine; Shadow – pumpkin carver extraordinaire, coulrophobic, green thumb (which turned out to mean that he loved gardening and also that he grew weed as his main source of income).

Silently watching on, Daryl could feel bitterness rising in him at the way the guys were opening up, unfolding, under Tahlia's questioning (and it really was mostly all Tahlia, because Andrea had taken a backseat during this conversation - which, Daryl suspected, had a lot to do with the placement of Merle's hand under the table – although exactly where it was and what he was doing with it, he really didn't want to know), like they wanted to impress her, wanted to keep that sunny glow on her face. Like they were performing for this stuck-up princess, trying to win her favor.

Except, she wasn't fucking stuck-up at all, she was warm and friendly and down to earth with a quick wit and a ready smile and seemed to be genuinely enthralled by what she was hearing, genuinely interested in getting to know them (but surely that was fake, an act? Why the fuck would she care about any of them?).

And the others weren't really performing, just having a laugh and enjoying talking about themselves to someone who wanted to hear what they had to say.

So, not that Daryl would admit it, but maybe his bitterness was more to do with the fact that all this made him feel small, uninteresting. Drab and dirty and unworthy of her bright and shininess.

Maybe.

Then Merle gave a loud cackle and pointed towards the entrance of the pub.

"Aw shit, here comes Sherry and the coven."

"Dude!" exclaimed Dwight through his laughter. "I'm gonna be the one in trouble if she ever hears you calling them that!" Then he looked at Tahlia in explanation. "Wife. And friends."

"And lookie lookie, Amber's here too." Merle grinned at Daryl, then elbowed Andrea. "Watch this. Lil Darlina's gonna end up with a neck full of hickeys faster than you can say hocus fuckin' pocus."

Daryl just pinched the bridge of his nose and heaved a sigh. This was shaping up to be a really shit Friday night.

"Fuckin' kidding me. They're lit already." muttered Dwight as he slid up off the bench seat and stood to greet the four women in short skirts and tight tops that were giggling and staggering their way to the table.

"Baby!" shrieked a pretty brunette just before she threw her arms around Dwight's neck. "Sorry we're late! Got a little sidetracked at Frankie's."

"Hi honey." Dwight kissed her, then pulled back a little to peer into her eyes. "You high?"

The women all snickered at that, and that was answer enough.

Dwight shook his head in annoyance. "Damn, Sherry, we got some shit planned for tomorrow. Better not be all fucking messed up."

Sherry waved a hand in the air and promised emphatically that she was just fine as Dwight nodded skeptically, then he pointed at each of the women in introduction.

"Sherry, Frankie, Tanya and Amber, this is Andrea and Tahlia."

As alcohol-effusive greetings were exchanged, Tahlia couldn't help feeling heartened by the fact that even though these women were clearly friends of this group, Daryl still didn't have a smile for any of them - it was obviously something that he didn't readily share and she found herself wondering what it would look like. What it would take to draw one out of him.

And while she was contemplating this, Amber flicked her blonde hair over her shoulder and strutted straight to Daryl, dropping an arm on his shoulder and a pink-lipsticked kiss on his cheek.

"Da-rryyl!" she cooed, her mouth practically against his jaw. "I didn't know if you'd be here tonight. You didn't reply to any of my messages!"

Reflexively wiping his cheek with the back of his hand, Daryl leaned away from her, flicking his gaze to hers. "Don't do textin', Amber. Y'know that."

Amber just huffed a little, and then, whether to stake her claim or just because she was drunk, she tucked her arm around Daryl's shoulders and swung around to meet Tahlia's gaze, a smug smile on her face.

"I hope Daryl mentioned me! His girlfriend."

But Daryl immediately growled, "Amber." in a dark, weary way that suggested this was a well-worn point of contention between them, and gently but purposefully removed her arm from his shoulder and bumped her to the side, creating some space between them.

She just giggled and leaned back towards him. "One day though, right?"

Unamused, Daryl shook his head, then pointed past her. "Lemme out. Goin' for a smoke."

"I'm coming!" declared Amber as she stood up and linked her arm through his, despite his hands shoved deep into his pockets. "I've got a bone to pick with you, mister!"

"God." muttered Tanya, pressing a hand to her forehead as she watched them walk away. "She's so much worse around him when she's wasted."

Andrea raised her brows, intrigued. "What's that about?"

"Well," started Sherry, reaching for a neglected half pint of beer.

"Nope." Dwight grabbed her arm and pulled her up. "We're going to get you some water. You're not drinking any fucking more tonight."

"Aw, but-"

"No! It's our anniversary! I don't want you to be hungover."

"Shit. Yeah. Sorry. Anyone else want water?"

"Fuck water. Bring beer." Merle stated, throwing an arm around Andrea. "Whatchu want?"

"Ugh, I don't think I can fit any more beer in. Maybe wine would be good though?"

"Yes!" agreed Frankie emphatically. "Wine! Bring wine!"

Dwight rolled his eyes. "Yeah, sure. Beer, wine, and lots of water."

As they headed off, Tanya leaned forward and looked between Andrea and Tahlia, ready to gossip.

"So. Amber and Daryl. Not a thing. At all. She just wishes it was."

"Tanya!" Frankie exclaimed in a half giggle, while Tahlia wondered why she felt relieved to hear that; wondered why jealousy had prickled at her skin in the first place.

"Well, she does." insisted Tanya, slurring a little as she waved a hand in the air for emphasis. "I don't know how well you know Daryl, but he doesn't date."

"God, no he does not." agreed Frankie, all wined-up and loose-lipped. "More like one and done with girls. Usually doesn't even stick around 'til morning."

"Watch it." growled Merle protectively. As far as he was concerned, he was the only one allowed to talk shit about his little brother.

"Come on, Merle, it's the truth! It's not a bad thing! He doesn't like to be attached to anyone and that's just the way he is!"

"Huh." remarked Andrea lightly, flicking a side glance at Merle. "That a family trait, then?"

Merle tilted his chin. "Not at all, sugar. I'm all about attachment." He attempted a winning grin, but with copious amounts of alcohol in his system it came out more menacing than anything else and Andrea let out a loud laugh.

"Anyway!" continued Frankie conspiratorially, "Those two slept together like, a handful of times in… how long have we known her?"

That hot, prickling sensation flared again on Tahlia's skin, and in an attempt to distract herself she concentrated on the napkin that Shadow was carefully folding on the table next to her.

"I dunno." said Tanya dismissively, then added by way of explanation, "She works with Frankie and Sherry at Evergreen Day Spa."

"Um," continued Frankie, her forehead creased in thought. "Like, six months, maybe? Yeah, I think she started about six months ago. Well, sometime around then, we took her on a night out, everyone got real fucked up, they went home together and then it happened a couple more times after that and because it's pretty rare for Daryl to go for seconds with anyone, she has this idea that he's secretly in love with her."

"Well, it must be the best kept fucking secret in the world." stated Tanya matter-of-factly as she tipped back the dregs of a pint glass.

Merle hooted at that. "You girls are savage. Ain't she meant to be your friend?"

"She is!" insisted Frankie. "She's just…"

"Young. Attention-seeky."

"Tanya!" scolded Frankie again. "Mostly she's sweet, she just needs to get past this Daryl-thing. The sooner she does that, the better for everyone. Hey!" Now Frankie was staring intently at Tahlia. "You look familiar. Do I know you from somewhere?"

Tahlia chuckled, glad for the subject change. "Don't tell me you remember my name from something you read a hundred years ago, too."

Shadow grinned and elbowed her then handed her the napkin-swan he'd just finished, as Frankie snorted, "Shit no, that could only be Shadow. You just look… hmm... do any night classes at the community college?"

"No…"

"Quiz night at Ziggy's?"

"Nope. Although let's circle back to that… that sounds like fun."

"Yoga! Yoga at The Grounds?"

"Yes!" nodded Tahlia. "I go a few times a week."

Frankie snapped her fingers. "Hot yoga on Tuesdays! That's where I've seen you!"

"Yeah, that's right! And… I think I've seen you some yin Sundays, too?"

"I work a lot of weekends, but yeah, I try to make it on Sundays when I can."

"Allllright! All this talk about exercise is making me hungry!" interrupted Tanya. "Who's up for some pizza?"

"God, yes!" declared Frankie, wobbling to her feet. "We'll go get some for the table. Although… I do not rate my ability to carry pizza slices safely in this state. Tahlia! You look steady and responsible! Come with us!"

"I do?!" laughed Tahlia placing the swan carefully on top of a glass. "Excellent. I'm never the responsible one!"

"That's true." agreed Andrea with a grin, leaning into Merle's shoulder. "She's not. Don't let that steady hand fool you. She breaks a lot of shit and is very easily led astray. I wouldn't trust her."

"Hey!" Tahlia attempted mock-offense. "Let them be the judge! Judges. Shit. I'm getting up. Please lead me astray to break some pizza."

Tanya and Frankie dissolved into giggles as they hooked their arms through hers and started off towards the courtyard.

Weaving their way across the floor, they were nearly at the doors when Daryl came striding towards them in a cloud of dark irritation.

"Dar! What's up?" Tanya reached for his arm, but he just gave a dismissive shake of his head and stormed on past. "Jeez, what's up his – oh." Tanya caught sight of Amber in the doorway, arms folded, eyebrows drawn. "God. What's she done now?"

"Babe!" exclaimed Frankie, circling an arm around Amber. "You ok?"

"No!" pouted Amber as she let herself be led back out into the courtyard. "Fucking Daryl."

"Aw, what happened?" asked Frankie, trying to focus on Amber although the delicious smell of pizza was highly distracting and she couldn't help turning to Tahlia and excitedly whispering, "They make pizzas all night and sell them by the slice. They're soo good!"

Heaving a petulant sigh, Amber positioned herself in front of the other women so that they couldn't ignore her. "He's such a shit. So. It was my birthday on Tuesday and I've been telling him that for like, two months. I wrote it on the calendar in their house, I even reminded him again last Sunday, and do you think he remembered? No. Not a word from him, not even a fucking text. So, I just hit him up about it now and he ended up getting all shitty, like it's all my fault, like I shouldn't even be upset about it in the first place!"

"Well," shrugged Tanya bluntly, "You probably shouldn't be upset. He's not your boyfriend." Then she yelped as Frankie swiped at her. "What?! He's not!"

Amber stuck her lip out even further. "I know that, but am I not anything to him at all? Like, not even a message, you know? Is that too much to ask? To let someone know you're thinking of them on their fucking birthday?"

"But honey," tried Frankie, "It's Daryl! He's not like that. At all. He doesn't make a deal of anything for anyone. I bet he doesn't even say happy birthday to Merle."

"But it's me! I mean, I know that he sees other girls, but he never goes back to anyone like he has with me and –"

"Amber. Sweets. Don't read into that. He's never going to do the boyfriend thing. With anyone. This-" Frankie circled her hand around in front of Amber, "-is probably as much as anyone will ever get from him. And it's not enough for you. You need to find someone who can give you more."

Amber looked devastated, so Frankie tried to change tack. "You're such a catch, babe. You could have anyone you want. You know, you should pick up someone else tonight. Make him jealous."

"Nah." Amber gave a coquettish smile. "I'm gonna take him home. Give him every reason in the book as to why he should want me to be his girlfriend."

"What book's that, then?" asked Tanya mischievously. "The Kama Sutra?"

The women dissolved into laughter at that, although Tahlia's was more than a little forced, the sudden image of Daryl and Amber together, all skin and heat and sweat, like a glass of icy water in her face.

And then another when Amber flicked her hair and hitched a shoulder. "Exactly. Gonna blow his fucking mind."

After slopping paper plates of mozzarella-laden slices of pizza back onto the table for everyone to get stuck into, Tahlia excused herself to go to the restroom. Half-spaced out from being rubber-armed into partaking in another two rounds of shots, she hummed along to the music as she made her way to the swing door at the back of the bar.

Then without warning, the door flew open and she smacked straight into a wall.

Or, rather, the wall smacked into her.

Nearly toppling back onto her ass, she felt strong hands grip her arms, steadying her, and then she realized that this wall was in fact Daryl, and he must have just realized who he was holding onto because he quickly released her as if burnt.

"Watch it!" he hissed, like she was something toxic.

"Holy shit, Daryl!" exclaimed Tahlia with a laugh, her skin all fireworks where he'd grabbed hold of her. "You are seriously solid! You nearly gave me a concussion."

Sucking in a sharp breath, Daryl went to move around her, when she grew serious and stopped him.

"Hey. Wait. Are you ok? Like, before, you just seemed a little… tense."

If his temper hadn't already been simmering after his argument with Amber and her unwarranted bitching, then maybe he would have just left it. Walked away.

And it sure didn't help that there was something about Tahlia that made him spark, flare up. Not in an angry way, exactly, more like in a blood-hot galvanic way, but lashing out seemed to be the only way he knew how to channel it at the moment.

"And how would you know that?" he snapped. "How I 'seem'? You don't know me."

She shrugged. "No, I don't. I was just checking in with you."

"Well, don't. We ain't friends. And they-" he pointed vaguely in the direction of their table, "-ain't your friends neither, so you can drop the little gettin'-to-know-you act. Pretendin' you give a shit 'bout people like us."

"People like you?" Tahlia asked softly, curiously. "Am I so different?"

Daryl just let out a sharp huff and shook his head incredulously.

"Ohh." nodded Tahlia thoughtfully. "Because you think I'm rich. You think I've had it easy. And you think that makes me someone that you don't want to get to know, right?"

She could practically see the pressure building inside him, thunderclouds gathering, as he stared down at her.

Then, in a tight but surprisingly more measured tone than she'd expected he said,

"Coz there ain't no point. We got nothin' in common."

Feeling a little lightheaded due to the alcohol or more likely due to the masculine energy thrumming from this glaring but stupidly gorgeous man that was less than arm's length away, Tahlia paused for a moment to catch hold of her scattering wits, unintentionally batting her eyelashes and affecting a teasing lilt in her tone when she replied, "I'm sure we could find something."

Unsure whether he was infuriated or turned on – quite possibly both – Daryl worked his jaw and willed himself to just concentrate on his anger, the only thing he could be really sure of right now.

"Everyone knows the only fuckin' reason you're gracin' us with your presence is coz you're chaperonin' blondie into my brother's pants." he growled, leaning forward a little. "And if y'ain't noticed, they been on each other all night, so your job here is done. He's gonna scratch her bad boy-itch, you're gonna take your fuckin' limo back to the right side of the tracks, and none of us ain't gonna see you again."

"Actually," said Tahlia, shrugging apologetically, although her cheery tone belied the gesture. "It turns out that Frankie and I go to the same yoga class, so I'm pretty sure me and her will be seeing each other again. And you know what? I'm having a good time tonight. I like this place. Maybe this will be my new Friday night hangout and that's what we'll have in common. Or at least, that'll be the first of all the things we'll eventually find out we have in common."

Daryl still hadn't gotten a handle on her light-hearted, tongue-in-cheek manner and it sent him all off-kilter trying to figure out when she was serious and when she wasn't, and he was consumed by the sudden urge to hit her. Or fuck her up against the wall.

He very nearly hit himself for that last intrusive thought and bit the inside of his cheek until a metallic tang hit his tongue. But before he could think of a suitably cutting remark, she smiled indulgently at him, her eyes dancing with amusement.

"You know, sometimes I get a little grouchy when I'm hungry. There's pizza at the table. You should probably eat."

Tahlia didn't dare wait for Daryl's reaction, and quickly ducked past him and through to the restrooms.

She wasn't perturbed by her run-in with him (the tequila probably helped with that) and wasn't overly concerned by his obvious dislike of her (although there was a definite childish desire to keep putting herself in his space just to get on his nerves). She was used to haters. It was a part of the territory with her job and she'd been exposed to a multitude of malevolence over the years. Naturally a very calm person, her time in the courtroom had allowed her to become even more adept at keeping her cool and letting outside animosity wash straight over her, so much so, that her trademark characteristic both on and off the clock was being near impossible to rile up.

Although this worked well for her from a professional standpoint, it wasn't always a great trait in her personal life.

Breezy to a fault, Andrea sometimes said. Get yourself walked all over if you never bite back.

And this was a prime example, thought Tahlia.

A near random guy consistently being a jerk to her while she just made light of it and shrugged it off instead of putting him in his place. Damn. Both Andrea and Michonne would have torn Daryl a new one if it had been them instead. But, even if she were capable of baring her teeth, she already knew that she didn't want to do that to him. Not him. And exactly why, she couldn't say, but it felt like his spikiness came from a place of self-protection and goddamn if that didn't make her want to respond with softness and show him that she was a safe space.

"And you are a fucking headcase." she hissed at her reflection in the mirror. "You meet a guy twice – a guy who is clearly pissed off by the fact that you are even breathing, and you want to open your arms to him and sing kumbay-fucking-ya! Jesus Christ."

And then she resolved to either drink no more tequila or all the tequila, just as long as she stayed away from Daryl, who clearly sent her synapses haywire.

Once she was back at the table, Tahlia found herself swept up in a blur of drinks and chat and laughter with the others, save for Dwight and Sherry who had already left and (luckily for Tahlia) Daryl who had decided instead to join a couple of other guys he knew at the far end of the bar.

At some point, Frankie insisted that they all absolutely must dance, and, apart from Shadow who was tied up in a winner-stays-on game of pool, they pushed their way on to the dance floor. Andrea even managed to get Merle up for half a song before he before he declared he was 'too old for this shit' and propped himself up on a stool nearby, more than happy to just watch Andrea bopping around.

Daryl had switched from beer to bourbon and that heavy fuzziness in his forehead that told him he was well on his way to gone had set in three drinks ago. Only half-listening as the guys he was sitting with argued Ducati versus Aprilia, he let his gaze wander over the crowd. There was Merle, sitting on a stool at the edge of the dancefloor, his hands on Andrea's ass as she stood between his legs, swapping slow kisses and murmured conversation. So, that was a sure thing, then. Great. The walls were paper thin at the Dixon residence.

Beyond them, Frankie, Tanya, Amber – who kept running a hand through her hair and throwing sultry looks his way every now and then.

And her.

The only person he was really aware of in this whole place, like she was something golden in a sea of grey. She wasn't even attempting to look sexy as she bounced around to the music shouting lyrics back and forth with Frankie, but managing to all the same.

Daryl had spent the best part of his three decades on this earth carefully sailing down the middle of the emotional spectrum (well, perhaps he skewed a little closer to anger than anything else), never letting himself feel too much in any direction. And honestly, it really hadn't been all that hard. He'd grown to think that actually he wasn't capable of much more anyway.

And then some chick just walked in off the street and straight under his skin and now he was itching in all directions and it didn't make sense and it was too much.

So, he did what he usually did when he needed to shut down; switch off; forget.

He reached for his drink and downed it in one, then ordered two more.

And then there'd be two more and two more until his mind was blissfully numb and empty.

Three songs later, Andrea, blushing and coy, asked Tahlia for the tenth time if she was sure that it was ok if she left with Merle, and laughing, Tahlia practically ushered the two of them out of the place.

Two songs after that, Amber had disappeared, and Tanya was hanging over the bar chatting up Tara.

Another two songs later it was the end of the set, and giggling and sweaty, Frankie and Tahlia stumbled back to their table.

And then Tahlia sobered up in an instant as she saw Daryl sitting on the bench seat with Amber straddling his lap, her hands slowly travelling up and down his neck and shoulders as she gazed down at him intently, her lips moving in unheard words. Daryl's palms were flat on the seat by his side, his head tipped back against the wall as he stared up at Amber through glazed eyes.

"Oh God!" declared Frankie loudly. "You do not want to watch this play out. Let's move our stuff to a different table."

"Um…" Tahlia dragged her eyes away and pressed a hand to her flushed cheek, thrown by the jolt of ice that had slammed through her stomach. "I think… I think I'm gonna call it a night."

"Really? No!" protested Frankie, then she wrinkled her nose. "Although, shit, what time is it? I have to work tomorrow. Not until midday, so if I go home now I should be able to function by then. Ok, if you're leaving I'll come with you. Want to share a cab? Yeah? I'll just let Amber know we're going."

Moving up behind Amber, Frankie laid a hand on her shoulder to get her attention, then they bent their heads together as they started to whisper to one another.

Feeling more than ready to get out of there now, Tahlia busied herself by hitching her jeans, adjusting her top, tugging her jacket on then slowly twisting her hair up, pulling it free from her jacket and dropping the wavy strands down her back again. Then she stretched her neck to one side and let her eyes flutter closed for a moment as she gently massaged the join of her shoulder, loosing a sore muscle there. When she opened her eyes, a little gasp of surprise caught in her throat as her gaze locked onto Daryl's, firmly focused on her. He'd rolled his head to the side so that he could see around Amber and a shiver ran through Tahlia as she wondered how long he'd been watching her. His expression was unreadable, his eyes all hot intensity, and he made no attempt to look away from her, not even when Frankie tapped his cheek in farewell.

"Ready to go?" Frankie asked Tahlia with a yawn, slinging her bag over her shoulder.

"Oh, yeah, sure." replied Tahlia breathlessly and let herself be pulled away, feeling Daryl's stare burning into her all the way to the door.