Beth had to fight the urge to smirk when she saw Daryl's shocked expression. The dress she was wearing was like a second skin. The midnight material came to mid-thigh and the darkness of the dress made the red cowboy boots pop. She knew Daryl was probably confused by her get up and the vague text message.

The establishment that her informant ran was less than questionable. She was lucky enough to have established this relationship early on her in her career. Ironically, it wasn't working active cold cases that had led her to the dive bar. She was trying to unwind during one of her first cases that hit a little too close to home.

She had a man pinned to the ground when he got a little too close for her tastes and the rest you could say was history. The informant respected her spunk and the fact she could be discreet.

The part about being discreet is why he hadn't assisted any other of the detectives on the force before. Beth's thoughts were interrupted when Daryl cleared his throat.

"What the hell you wearin' Greene?" Daryl asked.

Technically, it was a fair question. This wasn't her normal get up.

"This is because we are partially going in undercover" Beth wanted to laugh. She figured that would put Daryl on edge. She held her laugh in.

"Why undercover?" Daryl narrowed his eyes. It made sense for him to be suspicious. Especially since she gave such lackluster details.

Beth let out a huff of air. She didn't really have time to dawdle on the details. She pulled the postcard out of her purse and handed it to Daryl.

Daryl's eyes widened in recognition to the messy scrawl.

"How the fuck is he your informant Greene?" Daryl growled out.

"I don't have enough time to explain this Dixon. Get the bike and let's get down to the bar" Beth had to physically stop herself from rolling her eyes.

She should've known he would freak out when he realized who her informant was. She just didn't have time to deal with the questions.

Daryl looked like he wanted to argue but decided against it. He mumbled something but Beth couldn't quite make out the words. She assumed she was better off not knowing.

Beth watched as Daryl grabbed the keys and huffed as they exited the building and headed towards the garage.

She admired his casual attire. The leather vest she knew was something he had owned previously. She had seen it hanging in the office. It suited him. The faded angel wings would help him fit the biker persona and she was sure he would blend well with the crowd at the bar.

Beth almost regretted the outfit choice when they reached the garage and she saw the motorcycle. Her dress was going to ride up on the bike. She was sure it would be less than appropriate. She bit her lip as she stood in front of the triumph scrambler that belonged to Daryl.

"We ain't taking the bike if you're wearing that. Gonna take the truck instead or is that gonna blow our cover?" Daryl asked.

Beth felt grateful instantly that he had the foresight to grab the keys to the black pick-up truck.

"Not gonna blow our cover" Beth said with an uneasy smile.

She trusted her informant, but she always felt a ball of dread before these interviews. She never knew what kind of information she was going to get. It didn't help that she was unsure about bringing Daryl in.

She knew they trusted her. Outsiders not so much. Except if her case was actually tied together like Daryl and Rick believed it was better for Daryl to come. He might have an opportunity to gleam some information for his case as well.

Beth tapped her fingers on the dash to ease her anxiety as she gave directions to the bar.

Daryl had swallow his shock. The directions Beth had given him led them to the Alibi Room. The bar was notorious for hosting some of Atlanta's biggest criminals.

How the fuck did Beth get tangled up with Joe Harmon rumored leader of the Claimers?

Daryl's thoughts were halted when Beth exited the truck and he scrambled after her. The bouncer had let them cut the line entirely when Beth flashed a smile over at him.

Clearly, this wasn't her first visit to the joint. That raised so many questions. Questions that would have to wait. Daryl followed Beth to the bar.

"Stay at the bar. I'm gonna go back to the office and talk to Joe for a minute and I'll get you for your questions" Beth whispered in his ear.

Daryl wanted to protest but Beth had disappeared among the crowd and had gone down a hallway.

Daryl figured it wouldn't do any good to follow Beth. Especially if she had a special arrangement set up with Joe Harmon.

Daryl sat at the edge of the bar waiting. He didn't like just waiting around for Beth.

He heard the bartender clear his throat. Daryl snapped up to get a good look at the bartender. The guy had a handlebar mustache which looked out of place on him.

"I'm Axel. You need a drink?" The bartender asked.

"Nah, just waiting on my friend" Daryl started chewing on his thumb.

Realistically, Beth had only been gone a few short minutes and was more than likely chatting up one of Atlanta's most notorious gang leaders. He just didn't like waiting and not knowing what the hell was going on.

"Ah, you waiting for little Beth? You ain't gotta worry. She's untouchable here" Axel told him as he poured a glass of beer for himself.

Daryl scowled he didn't like people reading him, but Axel's words were intriguing.

"What do you mean untouchable?" Daryl figured it was better to ask outright.

"You don't know? Beth solved the murder of Joe's baby girl when no one else would pick up the case" Axel explained.

Daryl took that information and filed it away.

"So, Joe feels grateful just for her solving his kid's murder?" Daryl knew from reports that Joe was loyal but that didn't explain why he became her informant.

"She busted a cop for the murder. Everyone else said it didn't matter cause she was a ganger's daughter. But not Bethy. Bethy said it mattered and busted another cop for the crime." Axel explained.

Daryl was grateful for all the information Axel was sharing, but it was concerning. People who tended to work for gangs didn't share information so freely.

"You can share all of this?" Daryl was glad for the information, but he wasn't sure what to make of Axel.

"Ain't like it's a secret. Bethy is loved here. Joe's gonna wanna interrogate you if you're dating her." Axel gave a crooked smile.

Daryl sputtered for a second. "I ain't dating her."

Axel's smile got wider at that statement "Good, if she was taken plenty of hearts around here would be broken."

Daryl didn't need to respond because he saw Beth in his peripheral.

"Dixon come on back with me Joe's ready for you" Beth smiled at Daryl and Axel.

"Bethy can you sing before you head on back Jenna is running a little late?" Axel asked.

"I can do one song. Any song in particular?" Beth asked.

"I like the one about the house you grew up in" an older gentleman said.

Beth spun around "Shit Joe, you can't sneak up on a girl like that. But I'll sing that song."

Daryl wasn't sure what the hell was going on but Beth had headed over to a small stage and began tuning a guitar.

"Beth told me about the case she's working. I ain't got too much information, but if you wanna take down the Governor you're gonna want to speak with Shumpert and Martinez. They'll be gold mines of information" Joe shared.

Daryl was sure to file that tidbit of information in the back of his head.

"One last thing, watch my girl's back. This isn't some cookie cutter case and I don't wanna hear about her getting hurt. Whether physical or emotional. I might be on the straight and narrow now, but a few phone calls can change that" Joe let his threat hang.

Daryl wanted to defend himself and say something but Joe seemed uninterested in his response. Especially since Beth had straightened up at the mic and began rambling.

Daryl had missed whatever introduction she had given. It must've been good because the entire bar erupted into laughter.

"I guess it's time for me to start singing huh? This one is an old one I wrote. Not really appropriate for a bar but this is Joe's place and this is the song he wants to hear. So here we go" Beth gave a small smile and began playing the guitar.

I know they say you can't go home again.
I just had to come back one last time.
Ma'am I know you don't know me from Adam.
But these handprints on the front steps are mine.
And up those stairs, in that little back bedroom
is where I did my homework and I learned to play guitar.
And I bet you didn't know under that live oak
my favorite dog is buried in the yard.

I thought if I could touch this place or feel it
this brokenness inside me might start healing.
Out here it's like I'm someone else,
I thought that maybe I could find myself
if I could just come in I swear I'll leave.
Won't take nothing but a memory
from the house that built me.

Mama cut out pictures of houses for years.
From 'Better Homes and Garden' magazines.
Plans were drawn, concrete poured,
and nail by nail and board by board
Daddy gave life to mama's dream.

I thought if I could touch this place or feel it
this brokenness inside me might start healing.
Out here it's like I'm someone else,
I thought that maybe I could find myself.
If I could just come in I swear I'll leave.
Won't take nothing but a memory
from the house that built me.

You leave home, you move on and you do the best you can.
I got lost in this whole world and forgot who I am.

I thought if I could touch this place or feel it
this brokenness inside me might start healing.
Out here it's like I'm someone else,
I thought that maybe I could find myself.
If I could walk around I swear I'll leave.
Won't take nothing but a memory
from the house that built me.

Beth bowed as the entire crowd cheered her on. She had politely declined an encore.

All Daryl could think after Beth exited the stage was who the fuck was this girl? Beth was a mystery to him. But Daryl was determined to figure her out.

"You two already talk?" Beth gestured to him and Joe.

"Yeah, told him what I told you kid" Joe hugged her.

"Guess we have some people to track down and interview for our cases Dixon" Beth had led Daryl to the exit of the bar.

AN: Thanks for sticking with this story. The reviews and favorites have been so encouraging. You all rock! Thank you so much.