Negan returned sooner than agreed upon. They had a week. A week to scavenge to the best of their abilities. A week to make sure they would live another week. After everything that had happened, the group needed time to recover. Time they wasted, it would now seem. They had nothing, apart from what they already owned. He would strip them bare.

There were so many of them. Rick pulled the gate open, the metal rumbling as it slid sideways. They had come in trucks, and with more fighters than their group had combined. More fighters meant more weapons. Everyone here wanted nothing more than to see Negan's head on a spike, but being outnumbered like they were, that would only result in the massacre of Alexandria. No one wanted that on their conscience.

Nora raised her hand above her eyes to get a better look. The sun was shining down hard, as was usually the case. Where she came from, summers were usually mellow, with the occasional hot day randomly in between. In the beginning, she had a hard time adapting to the new climate, and even after so long the heat could catch her by surprise.

Negan was accompanied by his weapon of choice: Lucille. Nora would never be able to get the image of the baseball bat, which was wrapped in barbed wire, crashing against their heads out of her mind. At night, it returned to her, and it reminded her every single time of what they had to do.

She crossed her arms in front of her chest. Nora was wearing high rise pair of jeans she had found way back at the beginning of all this. The fabric was getting thin in places, but it fit her like a glove, and finding clothing was beginning to get harder and harder so it had to do for now. Her combat boots she had retrieved off a dead soldier, and while they had been too big, she had grown used the size. Her simple black t-shirt was the only thing left that had been her own. Over time, it had been ripped in several places. To hide the wear, she tied it it behind her back, revealing a tiny line of skin just where her jeans ended and her shirt began.

Negan made a big deal out of having to kill a walker. It didn't help that Spencer had almost turned them away as well. From all the Alexandrians, he was her least favorite, finding he had gotten them in dangerous situations more often than not. He was a threat, and she had voiced her concern to Rick many times.

Her eyes fell on their leader. They had shared a bed for some time now, longer than she could remember. Never did either of them had ever put a label on it, and it didn't seem to matter either—not in a time like this. She flexed her fingers in and out of a fist when Negan handed him Lucille. The audacity…

But Nora made herself take a deep breath and regained her composure. Negan was unpredictable, and she feared that just as much as a dirty look would set him off, and that was the opposite of what she wanted to achieve today. After thinking long and hard about it, spending every night since it happened awake, she came to the conclusion that this had to be done. And it had to be her.

Her finger twirled around a blonde lock of hair. The sunshine had made it even lighter, and with her slightly tan skin she looked like she came right off the beach. Little was true. She came from nowhere near a beach. She didn't even come from this continent.

"This place is magnificent!" Negan declared as he raised his arms in surprise.

Nora had always loved the prison, but even she had to admit that Alexandria was built for surviving something like this. They had running water, electricity, and a sturdy wall surrounding them. It was perfect, and she suddenly began to fear that Negan might be wanting to trade his place for this.

Then her eyes fell on Daryl. She had to suppress a gasp, as she took a step back instead. He looked bad. Very bad. The worst he had ever looked. They had dressed him in some kind of sweater, with the letter 'A' spray painted on the front. Negan had taken him prisoner as punishment, but also to keep their group in check. Hurt them and Daryl would die.

Daryl scared her. If this was the way Negan treated prisoners, things weren't looking up for her either. But then again, she had high hopes she would be more than a prisoner.

At command, Negan's fighters spread out in search for supplies. Rick announced they had set aside half of everything they owned, but how had they expected that Negan would simply agree with that? They would decide what would stay and what would go.

Most Alexandrians looked on in confusion, while they should be looking on in fear. Rick hadn't been that detailed when explaining what exactly had happened. They knew Abraham and Glenn had been killed. They knew something happened to Daryl, and they had also been told that Maggie hadn't survived the ordeal either. They had no idea what Negan was capable of, and Rick didn't want the morale to drop. Most of these people had little fighting experience, and he felt like he needed to protect them from the horrors of reality.

Negan wanted to be shown around. Nora kept her arms in front of her chest, trying to keep low until the right moment, and began to follow him and Rick. She hadn't told anyone of her plan—she didn't have the time to. Negan's unannounced visit had caught her by surprise, but she had to act now for it to be believable. She needed to gain his trust as soon as possible.

The way he was tormenting Rick… She could hardly keep herself in check. Her knife was burning on her hip, and even though her holster was empty, she would've gladly fired her revolver to make him shut up. When he started to talk about Maggie, she saw Rick's fingers flexing around the bat. He wanted his head just as much as anyone who had been there that night, and Nora could do nothing but hold her breath and hope that he too could contain himself.

She stayed behind when they went to visit Maggie's grave. They were starting to carry out stuff from the house she shared with Rick, and this was the moment she had to get in there to get the one thing she couldn't leave behind.

The back window in study was open. She always left it open for moments like this. Nora went around the back, opened it as softly as she could, peering inside if the room was clear, and then pulled herself inside. Judging by the sound coming from the living room, they were doing this room by room, which allowed her some time to sneak up the stairs.

On her toes, Nora headed up. While her most prized possession was of no value to anyone else but herself, she couldn't allow for it to get taken. She had stashed it in her backpack, the front pocket, and it seldom left that space. But now things were speeding along faster than she had hoped, she needed to get it. There was no way she could leave Alexandria without it.

She lowered herself on her knees as her fingers fumbled with the zipper. At last, she retrieved it, but she had no place to hide it on her body. Quickly, she pulled on a jacket—which was way too hot for this weather—and slid it in the hidden pocket on the inside she had sewn in there back in the prison.

Footsteps were coming up the stairs. Nora cursed under her breath as she looked around to hide. Would she get away with concealing herself under the bed? In silence, she shook her head, almost laughing at the ridiculousness of the idea. They were going to turn this place upside down, of course they would find her there.

And then a gunshot came from the living room. Carl was down there. She cursed again as she decided she couldn't hide in here and needed to check out whatever was happening. The people who had come up ran down as well, and Nora followed them close on their heels, hoping they would be too distracted to wonder why the hell she was in there.

It was Carl who had taken a shot at one of Negan's men. He eventually surrendered the gun to Rick, but then Negan decided that Alexandria had too many guns. This was bound to happen, whether Carl had snapped or not. Nora didn't blame him, and gave him an apologizing smile as she passed him and stood outside to see them going. She pondered if they were actually going to leave behind half of the guns like they promised.

"They're just taking all of our stuff!" Carl exclaimed. Nora had seen the boy grow up, and the past time he had grown even faster than before. It had gotten to the point where he was no longer afraid of anything, and that scared her.

"I know," Nora replied, nodding slowly. She then turned himself to him. "Don't you worry. We'll get our revenge."

And then news spread they were missing two guns in the armory. Nora's heart sank, fully aware that if those guns didn't turn up within the next hour bad things would happen. Negan was the kind of guy who wouldn't let something like this slide. Besides, he couldn't afford to. Two guns were all that was necessary to kill him.

Rick called all the residents to meet him in the church. This matter needed to be solved as quick as possible, and Negan was starting to get impatient.

"A glock 9 and a .22," he spoke. "That is what they are looking for. Who was it?"

Nora felt his eyes burning on her skin. She looked up, knowing the reputation she had. Yes, she was often the one in the past who would hide weapons, both out there, and on herself. They were always glad for her ability to do so. It saved their skin a few times. But this time, it wasn't her. She looked him in the eye, and shook her head slightly, letting him know she wishes it had been her and she would know the location.

No one in the church knew where the guns were. They also didn't understand why Rick was giving in to those people. Nora wanted to scream. They lost Abraham and Glenn. They were pretending they also lost Maggie. Wasn't it clear to them? Did she have to tell them how they died in excruciating detail? Did she really have to describe the way Abraham's skull was caved in, or how Glenn's hand still twitched as he was slowly dying in the dirt.

"Let me make this very clear to you," Rick then said, his voice rising above the others. "I'm not in charge anymore. Negan is."

Nora let his words sink in. Rick had always been in charge, even back at the prison. While there had been a council, people always turned to Rick when the shit hit the fan. He was a natural at it too, and to see that even he realized he was no longer in control meant something. It meant that she had to stop this from happening. She had to continue with her plan.

"Not everyone is here," Eugene then noted.

He was right. In the commotion they had forgotten that Rosita and Spencer both had left. Michonne had gone out as well, but it looked like she hadn't checked out any guns at the armory. If no one in this church had done it, it had to be either of them, and Nora already had a sneaky suspicion that Spencer might be the one hiding the guns.

Rick instructed everyone to keep looking, and the residents dispersed over Alexandria again. Nora waited until the rest was gone to speak to Rick.

"Has to be Spencer," she told him, her voice low. "Never trusted that guy anyway."

Rick nodded. "Yeah, that was my guess as well."

"Let's find it before Negan's guys do."

As she pondered, her feet carried her to the kitchen. In the study, she could Rick speak to Gabriel, but she didn't want to be distracted from the search. Aaron came in with the news that Rosita's house search turned up empty. Nora knew Rosita would never do such a thing. She wouldn't be so careless, but Spencer on the other hand… It became increasingly apparent he didn't have the experience they had. And Nora regretted that he hadn't been with them on the night Negan took out Abraham and Glenn. Perhaps he would've learned.

"Kitchen is empty," she spoke as the entered the room Rick had turned upside down. He ran his fingers through his hair, and she could see the desperation in his eyes. Olivia would be killed if they wouldn't find anything, and she didn't deserve this.

She wanted to continue to speak, but her eyes followed Rick's as he suddenly looked down. His foot had hit something. The ventilation duct, leading into the ground. It kept the house warm during the winter, and cool during the summer. The shaft was big. That's where I would hide my gun, Nora just realized.

Quickly, she shuffled closer, as Rick bent down on his knee. He pulled the top off, and reached in. He first retrieved canned food, many cans of them. Nora cursed his name. That asshole. Then a bottle of liquor, half empty. They had found his hideout, and neither of them believed he was just hiding food in there.

Rick pressed himself against the ground as his arm tried to reach in as far as he could. Then, he pulled up a silk black drawstring bag. He fumbled with the opening, but they both knew what was inside. The two guns hit the carpet as he held the bag upside down. He had stolen them. Did he really think no one would ever find out? And even so, Rick always had a very lenient weapons policy, why hide them?

He sighed in relief.

"Fucker," Nora said, rolling her eyes. He always had a way to ruin the situation for everyone else.

"Let's get it to them," Rick replied, gathering the guns. "Quick."

One of Negan's men was belittling Enid outside. They had her balloons. Like her own possession, these items were worthless to Negan, but worth everything to Enid. Nora felt her blood boiling. Enid was Carl's age, and still a kid. The way the guy ran his finger along her cheek made her scowl in disgust, and for a moment she almost let herself go. Rick could just step in front of her in time to grab her by her arm.

"They'll be gone soon."

Negan was delighted the guns had turned up, and it took a load of everyone's shoulder as well. Everyone anxiously followed them to the gate in anticipation of their departure. Nora's finger twirled around her hair again. Goosebumps had formed on her skin, even though she was slowly melting away in that jacket. This was her moment. She had to do it soon.

But then Michonne turned up. Rick retrieved her gun as well, despite it not being on the list of the armory and Negan was unaware of its existence. Luckily, his actions were taken well, and Negan was happy he had turned in the gun nevertheless.

"Now that you know we can follow your rules," Rick started. "I'd like to ask you if Daryl can stay."

If there ever was a moment, this was the perfect one. Nora took a step forward, mentally preparing herself for the task at hand and everyone's reactions. She doubted anyone was going to take this well, and that was just part of her plan.

"Not happenin'," Negan replied, with the same bemused smile he always had. But then he suddenly changed his mind. Anytime he could make a game out of a situation, he would. "You know what? I don't know. Maybe Daryl can plead his case. Maybe Daryl can sway me."

"Take me."

Nora's voice sounded shakier than she would've liked. Her cheeks were starting to glow, and she hoped her tan would hide some of it. This wasn't the time she could afford to look nervous.

She had taken Negan by surprise. In fact, everyone had fallen silent. He took a step forward towards her, never losing eye contact was. His smile returned again as he considered her words.

"I'll go with you."

"No," Negan simply stated, but Nora was going to plead her case like Daryl was supposed to. She knew he was never going to make the trade. In comparison to Daryl, she looked like a deer caught in the headlights. Little did he know what she was capable of, and little did he know that she wasn't here to trade.

"I'm not asking to take Daryl's place. I want to go with you. Voluntarily."

"Nora, what are you doing?" Rick hissed from behind her. He wanted to grab her arm, but Nora pulled away and took a step forward towards Negan. She suddenly grew very aware that Rick was still holding Lucille.

"And why the fuck would you want that?"

"You know the saying. If you can't beat them, join them."

This was as far as her plan went. Offer herself to Negan. The only thing she could do then was await his response. Either he would take her with him, or he would laugh, and leave her behind, and then she would have to explain to the rest that she's not really a traitor. Would they ever trust her again?

"Name one good reason why I should allow you to come with me?" Negan said, running his eyes up and down her body as if he was checking her out.

"I'm a good fighter. You'll find me very useful."

She went with the fighter-case, rather than the poor-me-case. If there was anything she had learned, it was that Negan preferred balls over pity. He didn't seem to fall for the sad-little-girl-lost-alone-in-the-woods scenario. She had to play her cards right.

"I have enough fighters," Negan mused. He let his eyes scan her once again. "But I'll have another offer for you. One that would really test your loyalty to me."

Nora didn't dare to look behind her. She didn't want to see the heartbreak in Rick's eyes. The disappointment in Carl's. The disgust in Michonne's. The confusion in Eugene's. If she looked behind her she wouldn't be able to continue forward.

"I'll do anything."

Negan chuckled darkly, and she wasn't sure whether to interpret that as good or bad. Instead, she patiently awaited whatever he had to offer her, and hope it wasn't something like being a cleaner for his community. In order for this to work, she had to gain his trust. The only way to do that was to be as close to him as possible.

"Would you like to become my wife? I'll offer you protection, food, clothing." Negan raised his eyebrows and licked his lips at the same time. "In return, I just need you to be available."

Available. Nora wasn't stupid. She knew what that meant. But if she wanted to get close, this was as close as she was going to get. Proposing to a a person he hardly knew, felt a little weird, but then again, Negan was no standard guy. Perhaps this was all a test to see how far she would go. To see if she was remotely serious about this.

She closed her eyes for a mere second. "Yes," she then said. "I'll accept."

"Nora, what the fuck are you doing?" she heard Rick hiss again, but Negan intervened.

"Now Rick, I understand this might seem awkward, with her being your girlfriend and all, but I must have to ask you to step away from my fiancé."

Her muscles were frozen and her feet were stuck to the ground. If she allowed her eyes to meet with his she would hesitate and back off. Once she would find the opportunity to let him know what her intentions were, he would understand. But for now, she needed everyone to think she was betraying them.

"Nora," Rick tried again. "Noor."

Her real name. His pronunciation was off, yet it stung the same. She had hoped he would've let her go more easily, but what did she expect? They had been through a lot of shit together, and she did truly love him with all her heart. Negan was dragging this out for as long as he could, thriving on the pain that she had caused him.

She felt tears welling up in her eyes. She couldn't be vulnerable. This was what she wanted. At least, that was he had to believe.

Negan read the situation and spoke again. "Let's pack up, guys. Before my fiancé might change her mind."

One of his fighters took her by her arm, and led her away to a truck. He didn't even allow her to gather some of her stuff, and she was glad she had already gotten the one thing she couldn't leave behind.

Her heart was pounding uncontrollably as she got into the truck, surrounded by men she didn't know. It reminded her of the situations she had gotten into before she met Rick and was admitted to his group. Those instances, it hadn't ended particularly well for her, and she could only hope that Negan still had a humane bone left in his body.

The truck was parked towards Alexandria. Nara kept her gaze fixed on the dashboard the entire time, both in shame and in fear. It was hard to make out anything Negan was saying, but then, just before her driver was going to start the engine, she caught the following:

"In case you haven't caught on, I just slipped my dick down your throat, and you thanked me for it."

A/N: I wrote this chapter in the spur of the moment. I was finally able to watch season 7 of The Walking Dead, and I just knew I had to write a story about Negan. My intention was to write it from the start of season 4 and the prison, up and until this moment, but I was loving Negan so much that I wanted to skip straight ahead to this. If this story catches on, I would love to do a 'prequel' and write the story of how Nora came to be with the group and into a relationship with Rick. (This also means that there are some obvious changes made from the show. Richonne isn't a thing. Oh, and even though they can't swear on AMC, I can in my story :D)

Anyway, this story is rated T, but will contain some mature themes. However, this will all be nothing new or surprising if you watch the show.

Please let me know your thoughts, and I will try to write the next chapter as soon as I can. Take care guys!