Disclaimer: I don't own The Walking Dead

I felt a bit inspired by reading other fics of this nature to squeeze in a fic based on the finale as well. So here's an alternate idea of Rick offering himself up.

Chapter 1: Body

"TAKE ME!"

Lucille in Negan's hands froze over the head of Glenn. Maggie released a heavy sob as tears spilt down her face. Michonne, Aaron, and Sasha turned their heads towards Rick. Daryl, who was barely holding it together now also managed to look his way. Carl too was staring at his father, shocked and lost for words.

Negan gave a soft chuckle and casually walked up to Rick with a playful smile on his face.

"Maybe you didn't hear the part about what would happen if anybody says anything," he said easily with no hint of anger in his tone. "Or, maybe you're just hungry."

He tossed a glance at Carl who didn't drop his expression of defiance. He glanced up at Negan once before looking at his father once more.

"Well, Rick?" Negan pressed.

Rick was momentarily speechless, staring wide-eyed ahead of himself as if he hadn't realized he'd shouted. Negan gave a jerk of the head towards some of his men who began to approach his son. Rick caught the sight of one of them popping out a shiny blade and it immediately snapped him out of his state of sudden shock.

"DON'T! IT WAS ALL ME. TAKE ME! TAKE ME INSTEAD!" He couldn't shout anymore after that. His throat was tightening. He was starting to suffocate, and break. "Let them go. It's my fault let them go…please."

His head dropped into a natural bow, as if he'd taken it upon himself to get into the proper position for Lucille. And now Glenn and Rosita were looking at him. Eugene too looked at his fallen leader as his face scrunched up in sorrow. Abraham shut his eyes briefly and kept up an emotionless façade.

Negan swung the bat lightly in a playful and thoughtful manner as he grinned down at Rick's shivering form, still smiling.

His men were already positioned around Carl, ready to carve out his remaining eye and follow through with their leader's previous warning. But Negan raised his hand, and they backed away.

"Shit, you do have balls Rick, I'll give you that. But do you really expect me to go back on my warning? I'm in control here, not you, or any of your people, and the sooner you understand that, the better it'll be for you."

Rick mumbled something inaudible, causing Negan to lean in with his hand cupping his ear.

"What's that? Sorry but you'll have to speak the hell up. Now's your chance Rick. I'm giving it to you, instead of shutting that shit down. Make no mistake, I will shut it down. I'll shove that damn eye of your kid's down your goddamn throat if I don't like what I hear next."

Rick raised his head and met Negan's eyes. It wasn't like looking at the Governor, not even when he'd had him cornered with a tank pointing his way with Hershel and Michonne as hostages. This was a much more dangerous situation. Negan was a much more dangerous man. He was the actual devil he'd failed to see.

Rick worked his mouth to speak and it took him a few seconds before his voice made it through.

"I realize that, but I'm asking you to spare them. I should be the one." His eyes fell to Lucille briefly before they dropped to the ground. He recalled the last few times he'd been so close to death, and they all seemed much more welcoming than getting bashed in with a bat.

Negan rocked back on his feet, looking disappointed.

"Now for me to take you up on that offer, would be me putting you in control of the situation. You don't get to decide here Rick. And I think your people would also agree that you've made enough decisions, otherwise they might not be here pissing their pants."

They were all staring at Rick, but Rick wouldn't look at any of them. He didn't want to believe that the man was right in any way. Rick took a few deep breaths before looking down at the people on his right. Maggie with tears in her eyes was shaking her head. He could see her confliction clearly; it was either him or her husband. Rick turned his head the other way and met Carl's gaze. "Don't" his son mouthed to him.

Rick turned back to the ground as he thought of Judith. It would be on Carl and Michonne to look after her. It just killed him that he wouldn't be able to see her again. What he wouldn't give for just one more moment with her. One more moment to hold her.

"Rick," came the strained whisper of Michonne.

"Hey," Negan warned as he raised the bat and pointed it at her. "I let it pass twice now, but I'm serious. Anyone says anything more, you'll get a real taste of my girl here, and I'm talking orally so."

Negan stared down at Rick once more, then looked around at his group.

"I need people, to work for me. And your people will work for me. Providing us with supplies from the comforts of home, so long as your ass stays with me."

Right away, there were a few angry outbursts from Negan's crew. They were demanding blood; requiring a smashed skull, followed by the cries and looks of horror from Rick's people. Negan raised a hand and they slowly fell silent.

"I hear you. Believe me, I hear your hunger. But now, I'm liking what Rick has to offer. Body and soul." He bent down to Rick's level and waited patiently for Rick to look up at him. "You ready to do that? Hand yourself over, to me?" Rick glanced at the bat and Negan followed his gaze. "Oh no. If I take you, you won't be meeting the sweet side of Lucille. One of your guys might. The boy maybe, your leading ladies, any one of them, if you decide to pull one over on me. If you decide you're smart enough to gain control and break the order. I won't put you out of your misery with Lucille here. I'll continue it. And I'm sure I'm not looking at all your people before me. There's others right, where you live? Plenty, of all ages, I can introduce Lucille to."

Suddenly Rick had the image of Negan standing over Judith's crib, slowly raising his beloved Lucille.

"NO!" he suddenly screamed.

"No?" Negan questioned softly, thinking Rick had changed his mind. "Okay."

He stood and approached Glenn as he raised the bat.

"Where were we?"

"NO, TAKE ME!" Again Negan froze, this time looking very irritated.

"Now Rick-"

"I give myself up! I promise. I promise."

Negan stared down at Rick sternly.

"You better promise," he said darkly. Rick said nothing. He simply gave a defeated nod and dropped his head. Negan raised his hand. "Escort em to their ride. All but the fearless leader."

One by one, a man grabbed ahold of one of Rick's people by the arm and hauled him or her to their feet. Michonne attempted to put up a struggle with the man who had her while Daryl made a weak attempt to fight off Dwight despite the immense pain he was still in from the shot in his shoulder.

"HEY!" Negan cried. Lucille now hovered over Rick's head. "Would you like to carry your asses in quietly, no harm done to your ex-leader, or would you rather watch his damn brains fly? It'll be fourth of July I guarantee."

Michonne slumped and allowed her captor to take her to the RV. As she moved she looked back at Rick who could only manage to give her a brief look. He didn't look at the others as they were escorted by. He didn't deserve to look them in the eye. It was his fault, all his fault.

He did, however, manage to look at Carl, keeping his eyes on him longer than he could Michonne. Finally Carl's face began to crack as the realization struck. He would now have to grow up without his father. Rick watched tears threatening to spill out of the corner of his son's eyes. How he longed to cry out to him. To tell him to look after Judith for him and that he loved him. But the man pulling Carl along quickly shoved him inside before turning to get ahold of Eugene and shoving him in afterwards.

Now it was only Rick against what seemed to be fifty-something men, and Negan. His family was safe in the RV, while he remained in his kneeled position on the cold ground.

Negan approached the door.

"Now get the hell out of here, before I beat the shit out of Rick," he warned loud enough for Rick to hear.

Rick felt he was barely holding onto consciousness. He couldn't believe it had actually worked. He had actually managed to make a deal with the man. At the thought, a breathless and near silent laugh escaped his throat. His lips briefly raised into a smile. It didn't matter what happened to him. As long as the others were safe.

The sound of the engine echoed around him. Rick raised his head and saw several eyes peering out at him from within the RV. He prayed they wouldn't come back for him; prayed they wouldn't go to the trouble of trying to find some way to fight the bastard. If it was going to be on him, it would be he who found a way to handle Negan. But such a thought floated in the background of his mind.

Fear kept him in place, kept him immobile. Once he was certain his family was out of Negan's reach, he would welcome a rise of confidence. He gave a nod at the looks of fear and pity, hoping they understood the message somehow. Then he turned and looked at Carl who was standing next to Michonne who had an arm around him. He would burn the sight of them into his brain and hold onto it, until Lucille broke it.

Slowly his ride pulled away and Rick watched them until they disappeared in the darkness. He dropped his head just as Negan approached him, whistling.

Suddenly the idea of ever having the confidence to overcome Negan was completely washed away. Negan stopped whistling and patted the bat.

"You can breathe now…you can piss yourself dry for all I care."

Rick was shaking again. Maybe it was all for nothing. Maybe he would die now and his family would follow.

The men slowly started closing in and all the air was gone.

Rick couldn't think. He couldn't even see his family in his head.

"You left your people Rick, to become one of us. You will become one of us, no question. Get ready. Life as you know it…is over."

Rick raised his eyes up at Negan one last time before the darkness of his men shrouded him from view. The next thing Rick felt was pain. Pain, from every inch of his body as feet and fists pounded into his form from all directions. He couldn't even curl up in defense, nor was there any chance of fighting back. All he could do was try and hold in the cries of the beating, but he wasn't completely successful. The woods was ringing with his gasps and whines, and Negan smiled with satisfaction from hearing it.

"That's it Rick," he said while the boots and rained down against his back and into his stomach; as a fist crashed into his neck and chest. "Take it…take what you have coming."

It continued until Negan deemed Rick bloodied up enough. The last fist struck his nose. When the blood poured, the men stepped back.

"Alright."

But Dwight didn't take notice as he swung a heavy kick into Rick's abdomen, causing him to fold over on the ground.

"ENOUGH!"

Dwight looked very sorry to have not followed the order to stop, and he trembled as he forced himself to keep his mouth shut. Negan eyed him for a moment before looking down at Rick.

"You see that Rick. Already you're setting a bad example to my boys here. That's it's okay to step out of line. You're gonna help me teach them better aren't you."

He reached down and grabbed a fist full of his hair, forcing him to look into his face. Rick could barely make him out past his bruised eye. Everything was hazy now, and excruciating.

"When I ask a question, you answer. No exceptions. I can still track down that RV and start the whole process all over again. Now let's try this again. You're gonna help me teach them better, aren't you?"

After releasing a shaky breath he replied.

"I…will."

"Good." Negan released his head. "Strip him."

Blades popped out from four of the men who closed in on Rick. One of the men hauled Rick up to his feet who wobbled as he tried to stand. Before he realized what was happening, blades were coming down, ripping apart his shirt, tearing apart his pants.

His brain couldn't register it properly. It was as if he was far away from the scene, floating. Somehow he ended up thrown back onto the ground. He felt his shoes being pulled off, as well as one of the blades cutting a little too close to his flesh as his underwear was the next thing to go. He cried out and tried to struggle away but a heavy boot landed on his back, keeping him in place facedown.

The cool air now tormented his bare body and he shivered worse than ever. He heard some laughing as well as whispering as he slowly raised his head to look at them all. Were they really going to do this? Was Negan and his crew really going to sink to the level of rape to teach his men?

Negan marched up to him, still smiling.

"I know what you're thinking. You don't have to worry. This is simply starting from scratch. I've stripped your power, your stupidity even, and I expect a thank you for the mercy I have shown."

Rick felt his cheeks flush. At the moment he would've preferred to be dead rather than endure the humiliation of being forced on the ground naked before all his men. But then he thought of Carl and Judith. They needed him alive, and he still needed to make sure Negan kept his word of leaving his family alone.

"Thank you," he said, defeated.

Negan chuckled softly.

"You're welcome, but, you're still gonna regret crossing me. Haul him up boys. Let's head home."

Two men grabbed the bare battered body and dragged him over to one of the cars as Negan watched, swinging the bat.

"We gotta lot of work to do," he muttered.

I went ahead and put the pin on Glenn based on speculations that it will be him. Either way it wasn't happening here anyhow. And like the show (though I know in the comics and most likely on the blu-ray dvd) I kept Negan's mouth fairly clean. I don't know Negan very well and just kind of formed him as best I could figure from his first appearance. Often times, I don't have a lot of use or lines to invoke cursing but hopefully he still came across as threatening. It's the villain's behavior I focus on more anyhow. And it's always important for me to try and keep characters as 'in character' as I can.

So review and I'll continue with what I plan on being the last part of what was originally meant to just be a oneshot, chapter 2: Soul. What's the result of Rick giving himself up to Negan? Not what you'd expect I'm sure. I plan to twist it from the usual torture a character must endure when winding up on the wrong side of the baddie.