Thanks for reading and reviewing the last chapter. I apologize for the delay in updates. I'm being pulled in many directions. This story is not forgotten, I swear.

I don't own the Walking Dead etc. OC and noncanon is mine.

ENJOY!

There were cops crawling all over the apartment complex, their radios squawking and buzzing in the courtyard. Negan and Kayla watched from the patio as a gurney carrying a black body bag was rolled away and loaded in the coroner van.

The cat lady was found when the super finally answered the complaints about the smell. From what Negan gleaned from the nosy old woman across the way was, Olivia had been dead for quite awhile, her cats taking advantage of the free meal.

"Do you think..." Kayla began, her eyes jumping to his. "Could it be the same guy?"

Negan chewed his lip and leaned against the rail. "I don't know but I suppose we gotta talk to them about it."

"I gonna text Shane, he probably knows already but just in case."

"Alright doll. Hey don't worry okay? You're safe here."

Nodding, she entered the apartment and left him to think on the patio. He wasn't sure if the same man who attacked Kayla, was the same person who killed the cat lady, but his gut was telling him no.

Trailing his eyes over to the weirdo on the first floor, he found him standing in his kitchen drinking from a bottle of liquor. Narrowing his eyes, he pondered if he'd seen anything suspicious but realized since Kayla had come to stay, he hadn't been watching much of anything outside of the apartment.

"He's on his way."

"He know about it yet?"

"Yeah, he was tying up something but was coming anyways."

Dipping his chin, Negan looked her over and noticed she was nervously chewing on her thumb. "Hey, it'll be alright."

"I just... if I'd been able to tell them more about him, maybe she wouldn't be dead."

"No." Negan rasped, shaking his head and approaching her swiftly. Holding her by the shoulders, he dipped his head to catch her guilt filled eyes. "This isn't your fault. We don't even know if it's the same guy and even if it was, it still wouldn't matter."

"If you say so." She muttered, her hands covering his making his skin tingle. They'd been touching each other frequently, nothing sexual but definitely more than friendly. Often times she'd lean her head against his shoulder while watching television and he found himself touching her lower back or arm in passing.

"I do and I'm always right." He rasped, his lip twitching as she rolled her eyes.

"Jackass." She muttered, her smirking lips making him grin.

"Takes one to know one, sweetcheeks." He drawled before motioning inside. "Now come on, let's wait inside for Shane, alright?"

"Fine."

"She was strangled." Shane informed them after meeting with the detectives across the courtyard. "Their gonna come talk to you, Kay. I'll stay with."

"Okay." Kayla replied, her fingers playing with the loose thread on her sweater. Negan couldn't help but place his large hand over hers and rasp, "it'll be fine darlin'."

"Yeah, I just… I feel bad I have nothing to give them."

"You tell them everything you remember. That's all you can do." Shane offered, his eyes narrowing as Negan continued to hold her hand. Staring back at her brother, Negan cocked an eyebrow silently urging him to argue about it.

"I know." Kayla huffed, rest her head against Negan's shoulder much to his surprise. He wasn't sure if she would want her brother to know they were becoming closer, but apparently she had no qualms about it. Biting his lip, Negan held back the cheshire grin threatening to break out as Shane eyeballed them carefully.

"So Kay, now that you're feelin' better, do you wanna come stay at my place?" Shane asked, his dark eyes flicking over the two sitting rather cozily next to each other. "With this body showin' up and all, might be safer for you there."

"She's safe with me."

"You're starting work next week right? You won't be here all the time."

"Neither will you." Negan retorted, the idea of Kayla no longer being in his place causing a vicious pain to ricochet around his ribs cage.

"But my place hasn't been the scene for one brutal assault, possible attempted murder and an actual murder."

Negan opened his mouth to argue when Kayla placed a hand on his thigh and replied for him. "I'm fine where I am, Shane."

"Kay-."

"Shane." She growled, her dark eyes narrowing. "We don't even know if these things are related."

Shane scoffed, throwing his hand up in the air. "Ain't like we live in some fuckin' big city Kay. The likelihood is the same fuck who hurt you, tried to kill you, is the same sick son of a bitch who strangled that poor woman. Guy is just casing the joint lookin' for fresh meat and I don't think ya should stick around to find out if he wants seconds with you."

Negan understood her brother completely, for safety reasons, Kayla was probably better off going to her brother's place but Negan was selfish. He wanted her and he wanted her in his place.

"Look when Negan goes to work, maybe I'll come hangout at your place, if I feel nervous about being here alone." Kayla offered, her mouth downturned at the idea. "I just… I don't want what happened to change my life."

"Kayla." Shane sighed, leaning forward on his elbow. "You can't stop it from changing your life. It already has."

Negan frowned at the statement but knew it to be true. One couldn't go through what Kayla had and not be changed.

"Just because it has, doesn't mean I need to run away." She grumbled.

"I'm not saying you should run away."

"Just hide?"

"No." Shane growled, rubbing his shaved head and neck. "Look I just want you safe, sis. I can't fuckin'-." Shaking his head he looked away from them, his eyes narrowed and jaw clenched. "I can't let anything else happen to you, Kay."

Kayla sat on the edge of the sofa cushion and reached out for Shane's hand. "You didn't let anything happen to me. Whoever did this, did it. Not you."

"But if I let you stay here and something happens?"

"Shane. It's my life and you're not letting me do anything because I make my own decisions. I'm not a kid anymore that you need to parent."

Sighing, Shane rolled his eyes and gave her a wry grin. "When'd you grow up?"

"Like ten years ago dummy." She muttered. "Look how about we all do dinner soon okay? I'll even cook."

"Yeah?" Shane asked with a hopeful look in his eyes. "Your spaghetti and meatballs?"

"Of course." She replied with a smirk.

"Aright, aright. I'll uh… let you stay if you make my dinner."

"Fuck off." She huffed, smacking his shoulder as he laughed gruffly. A knock on the door had Negan sauntering over to it while Kayla and Shane stayed seated. Peering through the peephole, Negan found two men in dress shirts, both with police badges hanging from the necks and guns on their hips. 'Fucking pigs.' He thought angrily.

"I came home after dinner with my boss." She started, her eyes focusing on the floor while wringing the hem of her sweater sleeve. "It was around two I think."

"That's a pretty late dinner date with your boss." The detective commented, his eyebrows raised. "What is it, you do?"

Negan narrowed his eyes as he looked the other man over. He didn't like his tone or the innuendo of his words.

"Graphic design. I'm kind of nocturnal. He is too. We were friends before I started working with him, so we went over my contract and ate, then had a few drinks to catch up."

"But you only have a working relationship now?"

"Yes." Kayla replied but her brow was furrowed with the line of questioning.

"Could he have been expecting more from your relationship than you were?"

Kayla snorted and shook her head, "Ummm no. I don't have the right equipment Lyle would be looking for, plus he's been with his husband for like ten years."

Negan smirked as the cop seemed to flounder for a moment.

"Alright. We had to ask, you understand."

"Fucking hell Tom, do you think I haven't asked her all this shit?" Shane scoffed, throwing a hand up. "Just let her tell the goddamn story."

"Officer Walsh, if you won't keep quiet, you'll have to leave."

"Yes sir Detective Bradley, I see you wore your big boy pants today." Shane huffed, his narrowed eyes flicking over the young detective.

The room was awkwardly quiet until Kayla cleared her throat and began again. "When I entered my apartment… something felt off. I couldn't pinpoint it but I don't know, I just blew it off. I locked up and got a glass of water and was about to head into my bedroom when I realized all my curtains were closed."

Kayla's head cocked to the side slightly as she seemed to remember the dreaded moment. Her eyes blinked slowly and her throat seemed to struggle with a knot as she swallowed thickly.

"I knew someone was in my place but it was too late." She murmured, her eyes rising to the detectives. "He came from behind me, hit me with something. I dropped my glass and it broke all over the tile floor. I remember trying to keep from falling in it."

Chewing her lips, she nervously touched her cheek before realizing it and pulling her hand away.

"I uh.. blacked out for a bit and woke up to him dragging me into the living room. We struggled, me kicking at him, as he stomped on me. Then he… he straddled me."

Negan clenched his teeth at the descriptions of the event but it was the fragile tone of Kayla's voice that was breaking him.

Reaching out he took the hand that was wringing her sweater into a ball and wove his fingers through hers. Looking up at him with blurry eyes, she released a slow breath through quivering lips and murmured, "thank you."

"Take your time." Negan rasped, squeezing her hand gently.

"We fought, he was punching me. Ch-choking me. He had a knife and he kept pressing it in my face and threatening me."

"Not to interrupt but did he speak?"

"He did a little. Mostly growling out words. He kept calling me a bitch. Saying I deserved it. He hit me with the butt of the knife, the handle part. I started to pass out and then… he uh.." Kayla's throat seemed to close up, causing Shane to grab her a glass of water. After sipping it, she continued with a brittle edge to her voice. "He started at my temple… c-cutting down and… around. He said he was just taking what was taken from him. I don't… I don't know what he meant."

"After he cut you, what happened?"

"He got up and was going through a bag on the floor."

"Your bag or his?"

"His. I'd never seen it."

"Continue."

"I got up, I don't know how. I just got up and ran to the sliding glass door and yanked the curtains away. He grabbed me and threw me. I think I hit my head because next thing I remember was Negan helping me."

Both detectives glanced at each other, which had Negan's hackles up. He could see the suspicion brewing, a new target to aim for, now that her homosexual boss was taken off list.

'Fucking lazy pigs.' He growled inwardly, his thumb brushing across the back of Kayla's hand for both her and his own comfort. Negan had a feeling a lot of his dirty laundry was going to be exposed.

"And you two are….?"

Negan snorted, he kissed the back of her hand. "Cousins."

Kayla barked out a laugh, her other hand slapping over her mouth while snickering behind her fingers. Grinning widely at the cops staring back with little to no amusement, he clarified, "we were friends, now we're more."

"And you're more now, after the attack?"

"Before." Kayla replied her eyes narrowing as she caught on to what they were implying. "We were going out before."

"Shane didn't know you were dating, he specifically didn't know who Negan was."

"He's my brother not my keeper and what exactly is going on here? Am I being interrogated? Is Negan being accused because what I thought was happening was actual detective work to find the fucker who tried to murder me and the guy who murdered that poor lady. Because if so, that's not Negan. He wasn't the man who attacked me. I know this with absolute one hundred percent surety."

"How?"

"First off, he's not a violent, psychopath. He would never hurt me and the other reason is he's recovering from a severe leg injury. He's had countless surgeries and is still gaining strength back. The guy who attacked me was able bodied. We fought, he was kicking me full force with both feet. It wasn't Negan. He couldn't do it."

Squeezing her hand probably too tightly, he tried to smile with gratitude but the reason she knew it wasn't him, was not satisfying. The visuals of a large man kicking Kayla without a care that he was brutalizing such a sweet girl, was killing him.

"Is there anyone else who might have targeted you?"

"My ex."

"He has an alibi."

"Yeah, his best friend from grade school. The guy who took the fall when Kyle's dad found pot in his backpack. They're practically fucking blood brothers."

"You're saying he's lying for him."

"Jesus fucking Christ. Of course that's what she saying." Negan snapped, his irritation with the idiots getting the better of him. "Listen officers Larry and Moe, I'm not sure what clown college detective school you went to and maybe I'm just some dumb fuck from fucking Fucksville but maybe you should try and find out if he was in the area. Don't they triangulate shit with phones or fucking fitbits or some shit?"

"That requires warrants and warrants require evidence. All we have is her word against his and his is backed up by his friend."

"And his friend is full of horse shit." Shane growled, "that slimy little fuck is a liar. Always was."

"Look, what we are doin' here today is trying to find out if these cases are related."

"Well I've told you everything. I'd like you to go now."

"Ma'am-."

"You heard her." Negan interrupted, his gravelly voice leaving no room for argument. "The door's behind you, don't let it hit your fat ass on the way out."

Both men looked beyond irritated at Negan's dismissal, but followed Shane to the door. Kayla squeezed Negan's hand and whispered, "thank you."

"Thank you doll. I wasn't even thinking about my knee. Was actually kinda expecting them to drag me outta here."

"It wasn't just the knee, I know you wouldn't hurt me."

Negan swallowed against the tree root growing in his throat. He was hurting her, he was a lying sack of shit. Guilt from all the countless times he'd tugged his trouser snake, while watching her cute titties shake and her perky ass bounce around, felt like an anvil on his chest. He had to tell her. Negan knew it deep in his blackened, gnarled heart. She deserved to know that he didn't deserve her.

Negan was on his way home after hitting the grocery store and pharmacy. Kayla stayed at the apartment, the woman still self conscious about her scars. She hadn't left the place except for doctor's visits and Negan was slightly worried her already reclusive habits were getting worse. Negan was starting at Tdogs the following week and he was unsure if he felt comfortable leaving her alone. Shane had brought it up days before and now the thought had burrowed into Negan's brain like a botfly. He would run through possible situations that could occur, the worst being the sick fuck was just waiting to find her alone.

Opening the apartment door, Negan carried in the few bags of groceries and set them on the counter. Listening carefully, he heard the shower running and felt his dick twitch. They'd kissed more and he'd felt her up, but every time he thought it would go farther, he would remember he didn't deserve her. The lie was sitting in between them and he couldn't seem to get passed it. He'd decided to tell her but he'd been too gutless to actually do it.

The water turned off and Negan's head snapped up to look at the bathroom door. He wanted to see her dripping wet in a towel. Fuck he wanted to see her dripping wet, period. Spread open and drenched for him. Negan glanced down at the giant hardon pressing into his jeans and adjusted it into a more comfortable position.

"Calm down big guy." He grumbled, placing the eggs in the fridge.

The bathroom door opened, releasing a billow of steam, as Kayla came out wrapped up in a towel. She smiled at him and asked, "Did you get everything?"

"Everything on your list, princess."

Rolling her eyes, she headed into the bedroom to get dressed and returned quickly to look at the things he brought home. Kayla wore tight little leggings with an over sized band tshirt, her wet hair leaving drip marks along her shoulders. He could make out the sexy curve of her breasts below the wore cotton and the delicious lines of her legs wrapped in yoga pants. Kayla was sexy as fuck and it was hard to control himself as she sauntered around so casually, with bare feet and tossled hair.

She picked up the box of cookies and cocked an eyebrow. "I don't think these were on the list."

"They were on my fat kid list. Besides I know you like them too."

"Oh yeah, how do you know that?" She scoffed, her eyes narrowing slightly. Negan swallowed thickly as he realized he'd slipped yet again. 'Why the fuck is it always food giving me away?' He muttered silently to himself. 'Gonna be outed by a box of samoas.'

"Everybody likes cookies." He replied with a shrug.

"But not these specific cookies?"

"I just got what I like doll. I can't help having good tastes."

Kayla nodded but seemed unconvinced by the coincidence. It wasn't the first time they'd mysteriously had some favorite in common. "Well, what else did you get?"

"Toilet bowl cleaner. Is that a favorite of yours too?" He teased, his lips quirking to the side as she rolled her eyes.

"Smartass."

"I got a few movies to watch too." He added as she helped put food away. "Thought we could do a movie night."

"Sure." She responded with a smile. "Sounds fun."

"I'll make popcorn, if you set everything up." Negan offered, tearing open a box of microwave popping corn.

"Sure." She spoke with a cute smile, stepping into his chest and bouncing up to kiss him on the lips. Negan reached forward to slid his hands along her waist, wrapping his arms around her tightly and pinning her to his chest. Deepening the kiss, Negan pressed her against the refrigerator door. Losing what little control he had over his mouth and hands while in Kayla's presence, he devoured every inch of her soft lips and tongue. She tasted like the coffee she'd brewed, the smoky taste making Negan moan deeply. His large palms stroked her waist and ribs, his thumbs dragging her shirt up along the way. Kayla's skin was soft and warm, the silky texture below the rough heel of his palm feeling foreign. He wanted to pull every thread of clothing off her and just touch her.

"Fuck, sweetheart. The things you do to me." He murmured against her cheek, brushing his nose along her temple. He inhaled the fresh scent of her shampoo, the damp hair cool against his lips. Fuck, he adored her more than anything.

Pulling back, he forced himself to put distance between bodies. Negan couldn't keep doing what he was doing. He was digging his hole deeper and deeper every day. The longer he withheld the truth, the guiltier he was. Kayla would never forgive him if she found out on her own.

"Go set up. I'll get snacks and beer."

"I can't with my pills."

"You haven't been taking your pills."

"How did you know?"

"I counted them. I went to see if you needed a refill and noticed it was nowhere near empty. Checked the next couple days and it never changed."

"I hate them."

"I know. It's why I picked up some ibuprofen." Negan replied with a soft grin.

Kayla rolled her eyes and tugged on his shirt, "you always pull away."

Sighing a bit at her observation, Negan bit his tongue between his teeth in thought. "Look I… I'm not a great guy. I'm a real fucking prick. I know you see me a certain way, you haven't seen the real shit show I am on a regular basis. Eventually you're gonna figure it out."

"Negan-."

"Just… I want you to know that I care deeply about you." He rasped, his hand brushing across her healing cheek. Taking care to avoid her stitches, he traced the outside perimeter of the newly forming scar tissue. "I'll always care deeply for you."

Kayla's eyes were wide, her cheeks flushed as she peered up at him. Negan combed the hair from her forehead and dipped his head to press a kiss to her temple.

"Go pick which movie you want. I'll get the food."

"Negan."

"Go on doll, I'll be right there."

He was having a panic attack. Negan had only felt such a state of fear when he found out about Lucille's sickness. Taking in a slow breath, he threw the bag into the microwave and turned it on. He grabbed a few beers, popping one open instantly to calm his nerves. What he wanted was the bottle of bourbon on the top shelf out of Kayla's eyes sight. He would love to crack the plastic top off it and drink until the knot of fear dissolved in his chest.

Carrying everything into the living room he started to speak only to have the words die on his tongue, "so what did you decide-."

Kayla stood there with a blanket in one hand and his binoculars in the other, the closet door hanging open. Her eyes were focused on the spotting scopes in her hands until he stepped forward. Slowly pulling her gaze from her hand, Kayla's hazelnut eyes landed on his stricken face.

"I was getting a blanket, they fell out." She muttered, her voice still hoarse. "Why do you have binoculars?"

Clearing his throat roughly, he couldn't utter a word, his throat having grown closed. Holding them up higher, Kayla asked with more concern. "Why Negan?"

"I uh…"

Kayla stared at him for a long moment before her head swiveled to the large glass window stretching across the living room. The view outside showing her own apartment, its curtains open revealing an empty kitchen.

Negan's heart was clashing against his ribs, dread filling his chest cavity like the bow of a sinking ship. He wanted to deny it but his mouth dried up and throat shriveled.

"That's how you knew that night. How you know things about me." Kayla murmured, her knowing gaze returning to his paling face. "You watch me."

"Kay. I..." Negan started, swallowing thickly. "I can explain."

Stepping forward she growled, "How long? Huh? How much have you seen?"

Raising a pacifying hand, Negan tried to calm her as she began to grab her purse and pull on shoes. "Kayla wait. Please let me explain."

"No." She snapped, her angry eyes drilling into him with vicious precision. Negan could feel the shame blackening his soul as the woman he had fallen for, looked at him with crushing betrayal.

"It was all a lie. I'm so fucking stupid." Her voice was resigned as she shook her head and looked away. It was as though the sight of him repulsed her. "Don't contact me."

Negan reached for her as she stormed passed but was surprised as a hand slapped him across the face, the stinging burn lancing across his cheek. Kayla wrenched her arm away and growled, "don't touch me."

"Please. Kayla."

"Fuck you Negan." She snapped, before slamming his front door behind her. The loud sound seemed to echo in his head, the finality of her exit making his knees buckle. Sitting heavily on a bar stool, Negan ground his fingers into his eye sockets.

"Fuck." He grunted, his eyes straying to the parking lot to see her climbing into her car. Slowly the center of his world drove off with no hope of return, the realization crushing him like a boot heel upon a cockroach.

"You dumb fuck." He cursed himself, scrubbing his face. "You dumb fucking fuck."

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