Chapter 3 - Beerfest

The next two weeks held a few surprises for Tahlia. Not jump-up-and-down-while-screaming-loudly-and-waving-your-hands-in-the-air surprises, but the mild, eyebrow raising, huh-I-wasn't-expecting-that kind.

The first came that Sunday after Friday at Fox's when she saw Frankie at morning yoga and they went for a coffee afterwards. Frankie had been lamenting over how awful it had been trying to give people massages when she was hungover and how she was certain her therapy room had stunk like a brewery, and then she'd said,

"And to top it off, Amber was in a foul mood all day because you know how she was on Daryl on Friday, apparently, right after me and you left, he pushed her off him, picked up his jacket, walked out the door and went home. Didn't even say a word! Just left! She was so dark about it. But if that's not a clear indication of how he feels about her, then I don't know what is."

And for some reason, after that, Tahlia's day seemed a lot shinier.

The second surprise came that evening when Andrea finally appeared back in their apartment wearing the same clothes she'd been wearing since Friday (but also wearing a new satisfied glow and a coy smirk). If Tahlia were honest, she hadn't expected things to go more-than-one-night well with Merle, and she certainly hadn't expected Merle to be a make breakfast, walk in the woods, watch movies, eat takeout in bed kind of guy – but judging by Andrea's enthusiastic retelling of the weekend, that was exactly the kind of guy he had turned out to be.

Tuesday brought the next surprise when Andrea calmly gathered up D.J.'s scattered belongings from around their place then went to his house and exchanged them for her own and wished him all the best, then came back to the flat and made a cup of tea and sat on the couch and asked if Tahlia minded if she watched last night's episode of America's Next Top Model. Because although Andrea had said that she'd ended things with D.J., Tahlia was used to their on-again/off-again dramatics and had prepared herself to weather tears and arguments and angry break-up sex noises rather than this very quick, clean and unemotional ending.

And just when she thought that there were no more surprises in store, Andrea spent another four nights at Merle's over the course of the next week and a half and divulged every sordid detail (some of which were definitely surprising – who would have thought the burly biker would be so considerate or have such stamina?) accompanied by a lot of giggling and blushing and staring into space, and Tahlia decided that she wouldn't be surprised if this turned out to be more than a rebound.

On Friday evening, two weeks after Andrea had first gone home with Merle, she burst into the apartment in a weary, wine-scented haze.

"What a week! Hi Tahls."

Their apartment had a large open plan living/dining/kitchen area and Tahlia was standing with her head in the fridge hoping to be struck with dinner inspiration. "Oh, hello stranger! Thought maybe you'd be Merle Dixoning again tonight."

Andrea laughed as she threw her bag down. "Nah, I had work drinks and I thought I'd give him the night off. But… I did tell him to come along to the Beerfest tomorrow if he wants. I kind of bribed him by telling him about all the free beer vouchers I got from the organizers."

"Ooh, is that right?" smirked Tahlia. "Are we progressing from nighttime caller to daytime dater?"

"Oh God." Andrea took a seat at the kitchen bench. "I don't know. We haven't specifically talked about anything like that, we've just been keeping it light, having fun. I have no idea if he even wants anything more! I mean, maybe he's just like his brother and doesn't date."

"Mmm." Tahlia threw a packet of crackers and a tub of hummus onto the bench. She had purposely tried to keep the younger Dixon's name from her lips and face from her mind, which hadn't been easy when he inevitably came up in some of Andrea's stories (two couch movies and three dinners together – according to Andrea he was actually really nice and unexpectedly thoughtful), but there he was again in her head, all squinted blue eyes and hard mouth and harder body and… shit. Focus.

"But you think you might want something more? Not just a fuck buddy?"

"Ughhh. I don't know!" moaned Andrea, popping a cracker in her mouth. I mean, I thought that Merle would just be a good way to scratch an itch and move on from D.J., but the more time I spend with him, the more I… I…"

"Yessss?" pressed Tahlia, scooping up some hummus.

"I like him!" Andrea wailed, dropping her head onto her arms. "I really fucking like him!"

Tahlia laughed and shook her head. "Well, you'd better. You've been seeing more of him than of me lately."

Andrea peeked up at her. "To be fair, you're always really busy, so it's not like I would normally see much of you during the week anyway. But, Tahly! This wasn't supposed to happen!"

"Isn't it a good thing?"

"No! I only just split from D.J. All I wanted was a… palette cleanser, you know? No strings, no feelings."

"Oh," nodded Tahlia as she filled up the kettle. "And now you've grown some strings and feelings."

"Yep." sighed Andrea, then she pointed at Tahlia's mug. "Are you having a cup of tea on a Friday night?!"

Tahlia made a face. "Rockstar, I know. Work's been insane this week, so I'm going to get an early night. Save myself for Beerfest-ing tomorrow. Where we will find out if fuck buddy Merle has grown strings and feelings too!"

"Oh God, don't!" groaned Andrea. "What if he doesn't show up? What if – ? Actually no, I'm not thinking about it anymore. Whatever happens, happens. If he doesn't show, I'll just get embarrassingly drunk and find some stranger to cry all over. So, are Michonne and Rick still coming?"

"Yep, mom and dad will be there." chuckled Tahlia, sipping on her tea.

"They're so goddamned cute and grown up. I hate them."

"I know. Goals, right? Oh, and Shane's coming too."

Andrea's face lit up at that. "Ooh, Shaaane! Now there's a guy that would be more than happy to grow strings and feelings all over you!"

"Ew." laughed Tahlia. "That sounds very wrong. And messy."

"True, though. He's been trying to get into your pants for months."

"He can huff and puff all he wants, but I won't be letting him in." Tahlia's head snapped up, eyes wide and sparkling with amusement. "Oh God, that sounds very wrong too."

"But why don't you?" asked Andrea with a suggestive arch of her brow. "Let him in? Just have some fun with him. Sure, he's a little arrogant, but he's a decent guy. Bet he'd work real hard to make you feel good."

"Ugh, no. You know me. I can't do just fun. I'm all about strings and feelings. Anyway," Tahlia leaned forward on the bench and raised her brows. "A little arrogant? I reckon the only place he'd have sex is in front of a mirror so he can get off watching himself."

Andrea dropped her head back in laughter. "That's an image I'll be trying not to think about when I see him tomorrow! Think you might be right on that one, though. Yikes. Hey. Make me a cup of tea too, would you, sweets? Better try and be fresh for tomorrow."

It was the tail end of summer and, to everyone's relief, the stifling humidity had dissipated, bringing dry heat and beautiful clear skies.

With light spirits and lighter clothes, Andrea and Tahlia made their way to the Beerfest where Michonne, Rick and Shane were waiting for them at the gates.

"It's been so long since I've seen you!" Tahlia lamented as she threw her arms around Michonne.

"Nearly a whole 24 hours!" Michonne returned in kind before moving to Andrea. "Now, it's been a lot longer since I've seen you! I hear there's been a development with you and that guy from Fox's, hmm?"

Andrea gave a coy smile, her cheeks coloring. "I'll fill you in inside."

Tahlia hugged Rick warmly, always happy to see him, even when he was accompanied by his meathead best friend.

"Looking incredible, as always." Shane greeted her with a kiss and a slick grin, and she just rolled her eyes good-naturedly as they headed through the gates. Tahlia liked Shane well enough, she was just surprised his knees didn't buckle more under the size of his overinflated ego.

"So, are you two off duty or undercover today?"

"Undercover, of course." joked Rick. "We're here to try and infiltrate the criminal underworld of hotdog vendors."

Tahlia laughed. "Ooh, yeah, I hear those hotdog guys are dangerous."

"That reminds me, I'm starving!" said Michonne, sniffing at the tangle of cooking smells wafting through the air.

"We're at a Beerfest. We're getting beer first." stated Shane decisively. "This way."

The Beerfest was held in a sprawling park not far from the town center, and since its inception five years prior, it had grown considerably. Both local brewers and the big hitters of the alcohol industry touted their products and used the day as a platform to launch new ones, giving out samples and selling by shot, half or full size, or for those more indecisive – a tasting paddle. And beyond the booze there were food trucks, stalls selling merchandise and general goods, and three stages for up and coming bands to keep the music going all day long.

After sampling more drinks than was probably sensible in a very short space of time, they picked up some food and did a slow, full walk around the place, stopping to sift through some stalls and listen to some music before finding a shaded spot on the verge just beyond the indie stage.

Sitting next to Tahlia on the grass, Rick bumped his shoulder into hers.

"So, have you forgiven me yet?"

"Rick," sighed Tahlia, "We're still at least five years away from even touching on forgiveness."

He leaned a little closer to her. "Do you want to just move in with us, too?"

"I thought you'd never ask!" she declared buoyantly. "I've had my stuff packed for weeks!"

They both laughed at that, a running joke between them, then Tahlia tucked her arm through his. "Even though you stole my girl out from under my nose, you're still one of my favorite people. Anyway, I haven't been mad at you since your absolutely fabulous apology."

Way back on the first day of law school, Tahlia had met Michonne. They'd roomed together, interned together, then moved into an apartment together after graduating and began working at the same law firm. A couple of years later, Tahlia's childhood friend Andrea had been looking for a place to live, so the three of them had ended up moving into a townhouse and they'd become a tight knit unit until fourteen months ago when Michonne had met Rick in the courthouse.

Fourteen months minus one week ago they'd started dating, and then two months ago, Rick had asked Michonne to move in with him. At the time, Tahlia had made a very convincing and nearly successful case as to why Rick should just move in with them instead, but she soon found herself packing boxes and decluttering and cleaning as Michonne moved into Rick's bungalow in the suburbs with him and his cat Magpie, and she and Andrea downsized to a two-bedroom apartment by the park.

Tahlia had been a little dark about it, but Rick had sent her a barbershop quartet at work to sing an apology, and that skyrocketed him into her good books and had her in stitches for days just thinking about it. Plus, she did get to see Michonne nearly every day at work, so she couldn't really complain.

Just then, a loud cocky voice had them all looking up.

"Hey, blondie!"

Andrea's face split in a smile and she jumped to her feet as Merle sauntered towards them, Shadow, Dwight, Sherry and Daryl in tow.

Pushing herself up to stand as well, Tahlia quickly brushed the grass from her dress, then slipped her sunglasses up onto her head as she watched the group approach. Given how closed-off Daryl had been the last couple of times they had met, she had just assumed he wouldn't show today.

But there he was.

Definitely the best surprise yet.

"You came!" Andrea exclaimed, propping her hands on her hips.

"Sure did. Can't say no to free beer." Merle winked indulgently at her, then jerked a thumb back to the rest of his crew. "And that's why all these assholes are followin' me." Then, without slowing down, he stomped straight up to Andrea and swept her into a hug and an unashamedly demonstrative kiss.

"Strings!" Tahlia declared happily, "Strings and feelings!" making Andrea snort and give her the finger.

Finishing up his cigarette, Daryl stayed a little way off during the greetings and introductions and then heaved out a smoke-filled sigh when he saw Tahlia breezing over to him.

Now there was a fucking image he wasn't going to get out of his head any time soon – tousled hair over bare shoulders, late-summer golden tan under a short, floaty yellow sundress, long lithe legs, sandal-clad feet, eyes glinting emerald in the light.

It shouldn't be legal for someone to just walk around in real life looking like that without a fucking warning label.

Maybe he'd bring it up with them cops. Because they were cops, and he knew it. Yeah, Andrea had told him about Michonne's boyfriend, but he could see it in the other guy, too. The cocksure way he carried himself, the shit-didn't-stink swagger.

"Daryl!" Tahlia smiled, just a small one, but toasty warm all the same. "I've missed you! I've had no one to put me in my place about being rich and privileged!"

Her tone was easy, teasing, and he thought maybe he was getting a handle on her now. Didn't mean he thought any more of her.

"Lucky I showed up then, huh?" he replied flatly, then he sent a slow glance over their surroundings. "Beerfest? Little low brow for you, ain't it? Ain't ya more into… into… champagne and caviar?"

Shit. Was caviar that rich people thing? And did he even say it right? But she huffed out a little laugh so he figured he was near enough.

"Well, every once in a while I like to immerse myself in the simple pleasures of the common folk." She affected such a mock-snooty tone that if they were friends he would have chuckled, but they weren't, so he didn't.

"Just when daddy lets his precious lil princess outta the castle right?"

"Yeah, that's right." she replied, her eyes twinkling. "It's not every day the drawbridge comes down."

And then, though Tahlia couldn't be certain, she thought she caught a twitch of amusement on his face. The tiniest glimmer of something that wasn't pure disdain.

She wanted to chase it, coax it out with something else, but then Shane appeared next to her, draping his arm possessively around her shoulders as he stuck a hand out towards Daryl.

Stony-faced, Daryl left Shane hanging for a moment longer than would be considered polite, then finally slapped his hand into the other man's, and Tahlia could practically hear the testosterone crackling between them as they gave a brusque, fierce handshake, staring each other down all the while.

"Hey," said Shane, tapping a finger to his chin then pointing it at Daryl. "You look familiar. Have I arrested you before?"

"Oh my God, Shane." Tahlia elbowed him sharply. "Don't. This is Daryl, Merle's brother."

Shane barked out a laugh and squeezed Tahlia closer. "Aw, I'm just messing with him!" he exclaimed in an overly jovial tone. "I'm just messing with you." Shane repeated to Daryl before dragging a critical gaze over him. "I'm sure you're a fine, upstanding citizen."

Tahlia saw Daryl's jaw clench tightly and blue lightning flash across his eyes, and she suddenly got the feeling that she was unintentionally caught in the middle of something. Something a little dangerous, like prey caught between two hungry predators who were prepared to tear the other to shreds just to wrap their teeth around their next meal.

Then Shane angled himself towards her and dipped his head closer to hers. "Tahly, I saw a cider stand over by the food trucks. They've got a raspberry and lime flavor I reckon would be right up your alley. Come, let's go check it out."

Tahlia didn't particularly want to go with Shane, but it wasn't like Daryl would want her hanging around him either, so, out of options, she shot an apologetic smile at Daryl and let Shane steer her away, and as they walked back towards the others, Shane called loudly over his shoulder,

"Nice to meet you, Darren!"

Daryl bristled.

With anger levels bubbling dangerously close to overflowing, he glared daggers at Shane's retreating form. Daryl had never really considered the fact that Tahlia might have a boyfriend – he'd not really gotten beyond thinking about anything except her, but of course she would, and that thought was acidic enough, but actually seeing her with someone - especially a cocky prick like that - was like a sucker punch to the gut.

Merle and Andrea were heading his way, and Daryl strode to meet them, red hot magma rushing through his veins.

"I'm outta here."

Merle screwed his face up. "What? Only just got here!"

"Yeah. And now I'm gone." Daryl didn't know why he'd come in the first place. Except, really, he did. The last time he'd seen Tahlia, she'd made some comment about making Fox's her regular on Fridays, so the past two Fridays he'd stayed right 'til closing, just in case, but she'd never showed. And then he'd found out she was going to the Beerfest and he'd thought maybe he'd go along as well, just to… just to what? Fuck, he didn't know. But anyway, it was turning out to be a bad idea. A very bad idea.

"The fuck?" Merle caught hold of Daryl's arm and pulled his brother back towards him. "Ain't even had a beer yet."

"And I ain't gonna." snapped Daryl. "If I stay, I'm gonna end up poppin' that meathead motherfucker right in his big fuckin' nose."

"Who?" asked Merle, glancing around.

Daryl tilted his chin in Shane's direction. "Silver's fuckin' asshole boyfriend."

"Shane?!" asked Andrea, following Daryl's stare to where Shane now had a hand on Tahlia's waist as he spoke intently to her. "Oh, no, he's not Tahly's boyfriend. What did he say to you?"

"He ain't?" frowned Daryl in disbelief.

"No, shit, no! Not for lack of trying. But, nah, Tahly's a free agent."

Merle pinned Daryl with a knowing look, his lip curling. "That change things for ya, huh, baby bro?"

Ignoring that comment because yes, fucking yes it changed things and he didn't care to think about exactly why that was, and he really wasn't in the mood for Merle's take on it either, Daryl just kept his gaze well averted from Merle's, and crossed his arms staunchly.

"Hey, look," said Andrea softly, "He can be a total ass sometimes, and he can get real… peacocky around Tahls, but he's not a bad guy. Don't let him get to you. Please stay."

Staring over at Shane, Tahlia, Rick and Michonne who were now heading for the beer stalls, Daryl nodded.

"Alright. I'll stay."

Things took on a different hue after that.

Shane may as well have taken a piss around Tahlia for the way he was clearly trying to mark his territory, but her neutrality towards him was clear. Sure, she was still friendly and warm and responsive, but no more so than she was to everyone. Not that Daryl was watching and not that he cared, because he wasn't and he didn't.

But what he saw had become a lot easier to stomach.

The afternoon ticked by slow and breezy.

Everyone wandered around as they pleased checking out all the festival had to offer and returning to their spot on the verge when they wanted to kick back in the sun and take a breather. Daryl kept his distance from Shane - and by default Tahlia - and strolled around with Merle, Andrea and Shadow, taking it easier on the beers than the others were, and actually found himself enjoying a languid afternoon in the sun.

"Well, shit." drawled Merle. "There's Candace."

"Who's Candace?" asked Andrea, a little spikily.

Merle just grinned wolfishly as Daryl ducked his head, suddenly finding his fingernails very interesting.

"That's her there on the merch stand." Merle pointed to a pretty redhead who was busy trying to sell t-shirts to a couple of drunk guys. "Chick Daryl fucked then fucked over by never callin' her back. She ended up ringin' me every day for a week tryna get holda him."

"Bullshit." muttered Daryl, eyes on the ground.

"Truth." countered Merle. "Steer clear. Don't wanna get caught in the line of fire if she gets her sights on him." He then tucked an arm around Andrea and smiled benevolently. "You chose the right brother. That one just leaves a trail of jizz and broken hearts wherever he goes."

"Shut the fuck up, Merle. That ain't true." For some reason, the first thought that flashed through Daryl's mind was the hope that Andrea didn't repeat any of Merle's stories to Tahlia. Sure, they might be based in fact, but he wasn't as callous or promiscuous as Merle made him out to be. Then he glanced up and to his relief, caught sight of a guy he used to work with over by a craft beer stall, and that was his escape route from this line of conversation.

"There's T-Dog. Gonna go say hi. Catch ya back at the spot."

After Daryl had a drink with T-Dog, he wandered back towards the verge where he could see most of the group sitting, chatting, chilling, and then he stopped short as Tahlia peeled away from the others, a floaty little yellow fairy drifting his way.

"Daryl." The sun and the beer had her pulling lazily on her vowels as she spoke, although she still seemed to be relatively sober.

"Silver." Daryl acknowledged her, his own tone guarded.

Her lips quirked at that as she pulled up right in front of him, swaying slightly from side to side.

"So… how's about this weather?"

Daryl frowned at her then slowly lifted his gaze heavenwards to the cloudless sky, then back down to her.

"I'm kidding." she chuckled. "I'm not really going to torture you with awful small talk. I'll get straight to it. You need… a sticker."

"Huh?"

"Well! I acquired a whole bunch of awesome beer pun stickers, and everyone else has one now except you and me, and I have two left, so I thought I'd let you choose."

"Naw. Don't want one."

"Yeah, I figured you wouldn't want one. But which one will you have anyway?" She held up a palm-sized sticker between the fingertips of each hand. "Your choices are: 'Pitcher Perfect' or 'This is how we brew it'."

Daryl looked very close to insulted at the options. "Neither."

"If you don't pick one, then I'm afraid you'll have to wear the sombrero." She gestured back to the group where Sherry had an obscenely oversized rainbow-colored sombrero on her head that Daryl had seen passed around everyone throughout the course of the afternoon.

"That ain't happenin'."

"Sticker it is, then. Wise choice. So, which one? I mean, you should count yourself lucky that I already got rid of 'You're brewtiful'." She leaned closer and lowered her voice. "Stuck it on Shadow's forehead. He's asleep under the tree, so if he asks, you know nothing." Leaning back, she looked up at him expectantly, her eyes glittering mischievously in the sunlight. "Alright, I'll just choose for you. 'Pitcher Perfect' it is."

Peeling the backing from the sticker, Tahlia reached her hand out towards Daryl's chest, but he quickly raised his hand and blocked hers, her skin warm and soft against his calloused palm.

"Naw."

Then in a move that perhaps neither of them expected, he deftly stole the sticker from her fingers and lifted it to her bare shoulder, gently pressing it onto her smooth flesh, then reached down and tugged the other one out of her hand, his eyes never leaving hers.

"Take this one."

Peeling the backing off that, he slapped it down onto the side of his denim clad thigh.

"There. Happy?"

Not that he needed to ask, because she'd lit up right there in front of him, and although she was attempting to exercise restraint in her smile, her eyes were luminous with delight and there was no hiding that. It made him feel all sparked up and punched out and he didn't need this. He really didn't need this.

And then Shane came bounding up and grabbed Tahlia's hand – no surprise there, he'd been circling her all day, running interference when anyone else got too close.

"We're heading to the main stage now! That band's about to start."

The others were right behind him, and Tahlia was swept up and carried away in their rowdy wave of chat and laughter.

Then Merle threw an arm around his brother and dragged him along in their wake, while Daryl really fucking regretted not just leaving way back at the start like he had intended to. And in a flash of annoyance he ripped that stupid sticker off his jeans and flicked it to the ground.

A heaving crowd was already gathered and dancing in front of the main stage as the band started up. Not in the mood to be crushed and pushed around, Michonne and Andrea picked a spot towards the back of the crowd where there was still plenty of space for them to spread out.

Rick started singing to a laughing Michonne as he attempted to twirl her, and Dwight, despite the fact he was totally tanked, somehow managed to convince Sherry to get on his shoulders and she was screeching and giggling as he staggered around, swaying dangerously and nearly dropping her at every turn.

"Um… do you think maybe we should rescue her?" Andrea asked the Dixons as they all watched Dwight stumble, only just managing to hold onto Sherry. "He nearly sent her flying!"

Daryl just shrugged in disinterest and Merle waved a hand dismissively before leaning in to kiss Andrea's neck. "Nah. Let 'em be dumbasses."

A few yards away, also watching on, Shane grinned down at Tahlia. "You wanna have a go at that? Looks like fun. And you'll have a great view of the stage."

"Get on your shoulders?" Tahlia shook her head emphatically. "No way. You'll drop me."

"I would not!" declared Shane, offended. "You seen the size of these shoulders?"

"It's not the shoulder size that worries me, it's more the intoxication levels."

"I haven't even had that much to drink!" replied Shane indignantly, his breath potent against her cheek.

With continuous verbal arm-twisting, Shane crouched down and managed to wrangle Tahlia onto his shoulders, despite her protests and better judgement.

"See?" he cried triumphantly, standing tall and swinging around. "See how steady I am?"

Tahlia let out a hysterical laugh as she held onto his head for dear life.

"Oh my fucking God, this is too high! Put me down before I fall!"

"We're dancing!" he shouted, jigging around, making her squeal and swear.

To the side of them, Daryl could feel his blood begin to simmer and was consumed by an overwhelming urge to tackle that fucker - he probably would have done it if Tahlia hadn't been on his shoulders. Which, he conceded, was the main reason he had the urge in the first place. He couldn't understand why it bothered him so much. Why his stomach was acid at the sight of Shane's big hands gripping Tahlia's bare thighs as her dress hitched. Why he had to grit his teeth to contain the ferocity he felt at the thought of her pussy pressed up against the back of Shane's neck.

And as if Merle sensed the black rage rolling off Daryl, he glanced up and shot him a warning look. "Leave it."

"Fuckin' idiot." Daryl muttered under his breath. Then, before his brain registered what he was doing, he took two definitive steps closer to Shane and repeated, much louder this time, "Fuckin' idiot. You're drunk. You're gonna drop her."

Shane turned to face Daryl square on and screwed his face up. "Piss off. Not gonna fucking drop her."

"Y'are." bit Daryl, crossing his arms across his chest, making his muscles bulge. "Let her down."

"She's fine. Aren't ya Tahly? You're just fine!" called Shane, sliding one hand further up her thigh, and ignoring her when she said, "Uh, I think I'd rather be on the ground, please."

"You deaf as well as stupid?" Daryl's voice was dark and dangerous. "She wants down but y'ain't fuckin' listenin'."

Shane swaggered a little closer to Daryl and snarled, "Fuck do you care, anyway?"

Daryl glared right back. "I care 'bout not seein' some chick break her fuckin' neck coz you're a dumb prick."

"Some chick?!" repeated Tahlia indignantly, then gripped tighter to Shane's head as he pulled a hand away from her leg to point a finger threateningly at Daryl.

"Say that again, you fucking redneck."

"Whoa!" Now Rick jumped in between them. "Let's not -"

Daryl took a step forward. "Dumb. Fuckin'. Prick."

"You goddamned piece of -"

"Jesus fuckin' Christ." grumbled Merle as he strode up behind Shane and grabbed Tahlia's waist, plucking her from Shane's shoulders and setting her on the ground before catching hold of the back of Shane's shirt to restrain him from storming into Daryl.

"Ain't you cops meant to be keepin' the fuckin' peace?" Merle snapped in irritation as he pulled Shane back, then swerved around him and barreled straight into Daryl, giving him a push. "Come now, brother. We're gonna go this way."

Daryl kept death-staring at a glowering Shane as Merle shoved him backwards, then, just before he relented and turned around, he caught Tahlia's eye for a second. She was gazing at him in curious wonder, but he had nothing to offer her in answer, couldn't even figure out for himself what had come over him, so he spun on his heel and put his back to her and let Merle lead him away.

"Fuck you playin' at?" hissed Merle, his grip still tight on Daryl's elbow.

"He fuckin' started it." muttered Daryl sullenly.

"Don't matter! He's a cop so he's always gonna be the one finishin' it. We don't need that shit, baby brother. Just keep your nose clean."

"Since when do you ever back down?"

"Since it ain't fuckin' worth it no more."

"What, ya get some cooze and now you're on the straight and narrow, huh?!"

Merle slapped the back of Daryl's head. "Watch your mouth. Anyway, you ain't gettin' shit from Tahly but you're still firin' up like you got some claim on her."

"Nothin' to do with her." growled Daryl defensively. "Just don't like that fuckin' cop."

"You sure 'bout that?" drawled Merle, his tone slow and deliberate.

The only thing Daryl was sure about was that shit had felt a lot less complicated, felt a lot less, two and a half weeks ago, before she had breezed into his world.

Shane was all riled up and bitching about how he should go after Daryl and take him down, while Rick was doing his best to calm him, reminding him that even though they were off-duty, they couldn't go making trouble.

"You fucking hear him, though? Having a go at me like it's any of his fucking business, like he fucking knows better!"

"Well," said Tahlia pleasantly, "I did see my life flashing before my eyes up there, so maybe he had a point."

Shane stopped pacing and looked at her in surprise, and then he started laughing, and the tension lifted and evaporated like steam in the air, and Michonne shouted out that she loved this song and they turned their attention back to the music and the incident was behind them.

The rest of the evening was soaked up with more beer and food and music and high spirits, and although Tahlia didn't catch sight of Daryl again, she couldn't help thinking about him.

About the way he'd flared up.

Logically, she knew that it must have just been an outburst of pent-up anger borne from Shane's digs earlier that day, but (as absurd as she knew it to be), for a glittering, dreamy moment she let herself imagine that it had something to do with her.