Audrey was sat on her porch steps, one hand supporting her chin, the other holding a clipboard. A week had passed by in a blur, and she glanced at the survivors walking by, talking to each other as if the world wasn't a fucked up place anymore. Everyone was heading in the same general direction and a faint sound of music was coming from one of the larger houses. Eugene had fixed up a vinyl player, and David Bowie's "Heroes" was playing. Audrey gave a deep sigh, she really didn't want to speak to anyone, and hated parties, but David Bowie was a secret favourite of hers.

She stood up and stretched out her back, before placing the inventory clipboard on the steps. It can wait another time, she thought.

The sun was just setting, and Audrey followed the music until she reached a house at the end of the street. People were stood outside smoking, others were drinking bottles of beer and laughing with each other. Audrey didn't need to knock, the door was already ajar and she could see familiar faces: Rick, Eugene, Michonne, Tara amongst others. She entered, not knowing where to place herself. A random survivor approached her, shoved a bottle of beer in her hands and stumbled off.

Audrey placed the beer down on the floor and approached Rick, tapping him on the shoulder so he turned around.

'Rick, what's going on?'

Rick, very clearly sober, gave a small grin, something which was rare to see on him nowadays. 'It's just a bit of music. Everything's gone to shit, doesn't mean we can't have some sort of joy.'

'Why didn't he take that too?' Audrey pointed at the vinyl player, and looked around the bare room. There were very few wooden chairs, and the music player was resting on the floor.

'It used to be a piece of junk, but Eugene fixed it up during the week. He's got a collection of vinyls floating around the place too. Stop worrying, we have men at the gates keeping watch.'

'Aha.' Audrey nodded, a Rick turned back to join the group conversation again.

The room, full of people, started to get too warm and stuffy for Audrey so she stepped out. The sun had completely set now, and the dim lights from houses lit up the main street. She walked towards the main gates, and as she got closer, she noticed a couple of familiar looking black trucks, but there was no-one around. Puzzled, she got closer, squinting so she could see a little better in the dark. Just then, someone gave a short whistle. Audrey spun around, until she saw the outline of someone sat on her porch steps flicking through her inventory clipboard. She froze when her eyes finally registered who it was, 'Negan?'

He was sat in his usual black leather jacket, with a couple of goons stood behind him under the shadow of the porch, fully armed.

'Evening.' His eyes peered over the top of the clipboard. 'Good shit right here.' Negan threw the clipboard so it landed at his feet. He nodded his head to the side to signal Audrey to sit next to him. After she didn't move, he sighed, 'Sit the fuck down.'

Audrey quickly parked herself next to him and nervously picked at the jean fabric near her knees. She kept her focus on her fiddling hands, not wanting to look at him in case he was looking straight back.

'It's fucking party time over there, huh?' Negan grinned, shaking his head at the sheer idea of Rick dancing and having a good time, 'You motherfuckers should be scavenging for me, you hear?' Negan's voice was harsh, which rang in Audrey's ear since he was so close to her.

A few moments of silence passed and he rubbed the space between his eyes, 'Audrey, right?'

'Right.' She replied, finally looking at him, but he was focused on the bright house with the blaring music.

'Why aren't you over there?' His voice had become softer, almost sympathetic.

'I don't like parties.'

Negan looked at Audrey, her hair was tied up again, and her clothes were her usual, casual attire. He didn't focus on that, however, he noticed she had dimples in her cheeks whenever the corners of her mouth turned up, whether it was during a smile or grimace.

Audrey noticed this sudden, softer change in his demeanor, and she felt confident enough to question him, 'Why are you here?'

Negan gave his signature deep chuckle and shook his head, 'I own this fucking town, I can come here whenever I goddamn want.' He smiled at Audrey, 'A little fucking birdy told me Rick was having a shindig. I wanted in on that shit.'

Negan turned to his men behind him and raised a hand, 'Go back to the truck, I'll take it from here.'

'But Negan we-'

'Do as I fucking told you, or I'll cut your tongue clean out, you hear?'

The men scrambled off the porch and headed back towards the gates. Negan and Audrey were left alone. That silence had crept back, but Negan soon broke it.

'I just-' It seemed very difficult for Negan to say what came next, '-just wanna fucking apologise.'

'To Rick?'

'Shit! No! To you, goddamn it.' Negan sighed and slapped his hands on his knees, 'Why the fuck do you think I'm sat here in the dark like fucking Batman?' A laugh escaped his lips, he found himself humorous.

Audrey found herself giggling also, which she promptly disguised with a cough.

'With...whatsername…' Negan pressed his lips together as he tried to remember her sister's name, '...Olivia! I'm really fucking sorry. I personally wouldn't have chosen to shoot her, one of the other fuckers maybe but…' He noticed Audrey's eyes began to well up. 'Well, shit.'

Audrey wiped her eyes dry and sniffed, 'I'm fine.' She squeaked, taking a few deep breaths.

'Listen, if someone steps outta line, or tries to fuckin' kill me, I gotta shut that shit down. It's what I do.'

'I know, I understand.'

Negan wasn't expecting that sort of response, and he made him lose his words for a moment. He furrowed his brow and gazed at her again. Her eyes were dewy, and her nose and cheeks were flushed pink from it being so cold outside. Suddenly, David Bowie's "Oh! You Pretty Things" began playing from the festive house.

Audrey caught him looking at her, and his dashing smile made her heart race, to reasons unknown to her. Why am I getting all flustered? She thought. This guy was the reason her sister was killed, the reason why she can no longer sleep in a bed at night.

Negan started to quietly hum the song and he started to tap his foot at the beat. 'Good fuckin' song. At least Rick has taste.'

'They're Eugene's vinyls.'

'Well, fuck me!' Negan stood up and kicked the clipboard out the way. He held his hand out to Audrey. 'Dance?'

'Fuck, no.' Audrey choked, looking down when she realised she'd sworn at him. 'I-I really don't dance, trust me.' Audrey waved her hands at her body, to show him the reason why. Why the fuck would she dance after what's happened to the world? The dead roam the streets and paths are stained with blood, what's the reason to dance? What is the fucking point?

'Get here.' Negan grabbed her wrist and pulled her up, he placed a hand on her lower back and brought her closer to him. With his other hand he lifted her chin so she could see him grinning like a cheshire cat. 'Don't be fucking stupid.'

From this distance, Audrey could see his stubble growing back nicely. She almost wanted to run her hands across his jaw, but kept her hands by her sides. Audrey watched as his dark eyes traced every corner of her face.

'Y'know.' He began, 'I'm sorry for calling you-' He paused again.

'Curvaceous.'

'That's the fucking word.' The hand which was holding her chin searched for her hand, and he brought it up, so they were almost in a waltz pose.

'I'm used to it.' Audrey's right hand was still by her side, but Negan picked it up and placed it against his chest.

'You're a little fucking bigger than the other darlin's in this town, heck, even all my wives.' Negan bent down so he could speak into her ear, 'But goddamn it, you're fucking beautiful.'

The absurdity of hearing this from a murderous tyrant made Audrey burst out laughing. She couldn't control the fits of giggles which ensued.

'Made you fuckin' smile though, didn't I?' Negan swayed them both side to side, dancing lazily to the music. 'Shit, you're a lot fuckin' easier to talk to than the rest of 'em.'

'Fuck 'em.' Audrey smiled, her stomach hurting from all the laughing.

'You mean that literally?'

'I've seen Eugene give you a glance or two.' Audrey sniggred, allowing her head to fall on Negan's chest as her shoulders bounced in hysteria. Why am I laughing with him? She pondered to herself. Considering all of the recent events, Negan shouldn't be the person she's waltzing with. If Rick or another member of the group saw them right now, there'd be so many questions.

Negan was laughing along with her, shaking his head at how terrible her joke was. Perhaps it was the pull of the music, the feel of the night, or even the small glass of whiskey he drank before he arrived, but he fell silent looking down at Audrey. She stopped and met his gaze. With no time for error, Negan slid a hand to the back of her head and pulled her face towards his. Their lips met, and Audrey was surprised at how delicate he was. She could feel the short stubble scratching across her cheeks, but she liked it. As she moved her hand to the back of his neck in order to deepen the kiss, Negan's hand slowly started to move south from her lower back. Audrey pulled away and removed his hand.

'I'm sorry.'

Negan looked as perplexed as Audrey as to why the kiss occurred, but he wiped his face and gave a little cough. He soon regained his tough exterior and cracked his neck. Negan whistled to his goons, one of them handed him Lucille. 'Time to crash this motherfuckin' party, boys.'

The three men marched towards the house, and Negan looked back over his shoulder at Audrey who was still stood there, still grasping what had happened. He gave a wink and started whistling along to the music, Lucille swinging by his side.