Thank you for all the wonderful reviews. Everyone seemed kinda pissed Creep was shipped off which hopefully means I'm doing a good job creating my OCs. Don't fret though because Creep will be back.

This chapter will contain some scenes from season 7 as well as dialog. I do not own the Walking Dead etc, I just play with them.

Thanks for reading and please review.

ENJOY!

Stomping up the metal stairwell, Kayla's boots echoed as her heart beat fast and hard. She was pissed off and losing the brittle control she had on her temper. After watching Creep leave en route to the furthest outpost from Sanctuary, her patience snapped. Daryl had seen her losing it almost instantly, the man having witnessed her meltdowns while she was held in Alexandria, tried to keep her from storming into Sanctuary but nothing could stop her.

Kayla reached the entrance to Negan's large level that housed himself and his wives as well as his higher ups. He'd been trying to get her to join them but she'd refused, not wanting to feel even more constricted.

One of the soldiers guarding the floor tried to stop her but she brushed passed him, Kayla shoving him forcefully into the wall as he grabbed at her jacket.

"Get fucked." She snarled, elbowing him as he wrestled with her. A door opened at the end of the hallway just as she freed herself with a knee to his groin. Negan stood in the doorway, his broad shoulder braced on the doorframe, his legs crossed at the ankle as a smile curled his lips.

Kayla glared at him as she stomped away from the man curled up on the floor.

"That is just fucking low doll." Negan scolded with a grin, "no one deserve a knee to the nads."

"Fuck him." She growled reaching the man smirking as if he were without a care in the world. Negan motioned for the man currently climbing to his feet with a red face to leave. "Go on and find someone willing to kiss it all better, man." He instructed before looking back at Kayla who was simmering in front of him.

"Come on inside darlin'." He stepped back and gestured for her to enter his apartment. Kayla clenched her teeth and strode inside, her fists balled with the urge to wail on Negan with no restraint.

"You look like you wanna hit me Princess." Negan taunted, his eyebrow raised as she paced in front of him twice before turning her livid eyes on him.

"I would give my left fucking arm to be able to beat the shit out of you." She replied calmly, her voice cold and eyes colder. "You're literally the biggest asshole I've ever fucking known and I have known some pretty gigantic assholes."

Negan's eyes narrowed as he crossed his arms, the man looking like he might snap at any moment also. "I'm letting you slide on threatening me because I know you're upset but the next words out of your mouth better be a fucking apology."

"I'm not apologizing for shit. You think sending Creep away will make me fuck you?" She asked, her finger jabbing into his chest with no restraint. "You think that makes me like you? Huh?"

"Poke me again and I'm breaking your goddamn hand Princess." He growled, smacking her hand away. "I sent him because he's needed out there."

"Oh yeah? He was just randomly needed at the furthest outpost from here, it has nothing to do with me fucking the ever loving fuck out of him huh?" She taunted back her lips curled aggressively. She wanted to hurt Negan, hurt him like he did her by bragging about his wives blow jobs or having Kayla walk in on it. She wanted him to burn with jealousy and ache with betrayal.

Negan's eyes went colder than before, his shoulders rolling forward as he threatened, "Correct your tone Kayla or I'm going to do something you'll regret."

Clenching her teeth she growled, "Do you think taking everything I give a shit about is going to get me in your bed? You honestly think I'd enjoy being with you when all you do is fucking take and take and take from me? You think that's appealing? You think I like you when all you do bully me? I've had enough of being controlled Negan. I've had enough of being manipulated. I can't fucking take it anymore." Her voice cracked and she couldn't help but swallow back a sob. She was so angry that tears threatened to fill her burning eyes.

Negan's face transformed from furious to something close to remorseful. His feet shifted away from her angry face as he sat down heavily on his sofa. She tried to reel in her rage but she continued to prod him. "Being a controlling prick is doing the exact fucking opposite."

Negan glared at her and replied, "I do what I've got to do."

"Keeping me isolated isn't what you've got to do. You're doing it because you're selfish shithead." She spoke truthfully, her tone then softening. "You're pushing me away and at some point I'm gonna disappear."

Negan's eyes looked troubled for once, a nervousness that Kayla had never seen. Moving forward slowly she stood in front of the couch, looking down at him and asked, "Would it be better if I went to an outpost?" The idea sounded really unappealing but also freeing.

Negan's eyes narrowed as he looked away from her, his head shaking once, "No."

"I feel like whatever this is, " she spoke motioning between them, "is only causing shit to get stressful. It's a distraction neither of us needs. It might be better to just not see each other at all."

"No." he snapped, grabbing her wrist to pull her closer. She stood between his legs as his other hand landed on her hip. Kayla stiffened at the contact but stayed still.

"You leaving, isn't happening." He replied with a calmer tone, his thumb brushing along the edge of her shirt. Kayla's breath caught as his warm brown eyes peered up at her, his expression far from manipulative.

"It might be better." She muttered softly, her eyes fluttering as his thumb slip under her shirt to trail across a sliver of her abdomen, around the hip to rest at the base of her spine. Kayla barely suppressed a shudder but knew Negan felt it anyways, the man having the nerve to lick his lips hungrily. Gazing up at her, Negan confessed, "You being out of my sight is way more fucking distracting."

"We can't keep doing this." Kayla murmured, trying to step away from his grip and his saturating desire. Negan's hand tightened on her hip and wrist, "it would all stop if you just gave in to what you want." His voice was low and way too appealing.

"I don't-."

"Stop fucking denying it." He growled, yanking her close enough to catch his chin stubble on her shirt. Kayla's free hand landed on his shoulder, her fingers brushing through the soft hair at the nape of his neck. Negan peered up at her with imploring eyes, "just look me in the eyes and tell me you don't."

"I've told you already. I don't want it." She lied, her eyes flicking away remorsefully. Negan's mood switched, anger taking over as he physically moved her backwards while standing up to his full height. Negan rolled his shoulder as if stretching out tension, a low irritated growl grumbed out of his chest. Kayla readied herself for a raging tantrum but instead he turned his back and poured himself a drink. He sipped it and drawled, "Creep isn't staying at the outpost. He'll be back in a few days."

"What?" She asked, her brow furrowed as she watched him sit down again, his feet propped on the coffee table, his arm laying outstretched on the back of the sofa. "He's coming back so no need to throw a hissy fit."

"Why the whole argument then? Why didn't you just tell me."

"I wanted to see what you'd do." He spoke with a shrug before saying, "Do you really think I would send that fucking freak away? He one of my best soldiers. Besides if I keep him close, I keep you close and you know what else doll? You got something to lose now."

A cold chill ran through her bones as he smiled mischievously, raking a hand through his hair lazily. She felt her eyes burn and chest constrict at the realization that her involvement with Creep was now a danger to his life. She had no doubt in her mind that Negan would kill Creep without a second thought if it meant controlling her.

"Run along now. I've got to leave in a few minutes for Hilltop. There's been some discrepancies in their pickups."

Rejoining the wall crew she watched the caravan going to Hilltop leave. Negan sat in the passenger seat of a large truck passing by, his eyes skimming over her as if she were just a corpse tied to the fence line. She could feel Daryl's eyes on her but ignored him, her teeth set and eyes hard. Kayla wasn't sure what she was feeling, if it was relief that Creep was coming back or sorrow that he was. He was now in danger and she had put him there with her confession thrown out to hurt Negan. Now that he knew Creep was a weak link in her chain, he was the leverage that Negan always searched for to control a situation.

Negan and her had been dancing around each other, sometimes as if they were lovers while other times they might as well have been circling boxers. Part of her enjoyed the verbal sparring, the woman thrived it seemed on the witty and mostly inappropriate humor the man spewed. She also liked the thrill of pissing him off yet still getting away with it. Negan was becoming her weakness, her addiction and that might be the only reason she was fighting so much. She hated weakness, hated feeling weak and Negan had become a catalyst for that weakness.

"You alright?" Daryl rasped after she tossed a severed limb aside angrily.

Kayla snorted, her irritated eyes landing on him. "Like you give a fuck."

"Wouldn' ask if I didn't."

Laughing dryly she glanced at him as he used a shovel to scoop up gore from spilled corpses, the guts poured into garbage cans to be burned. "Right. Let's gossip like teenage girls Dixon. Forget all about you holding me hostage. Forget all about being interrogated for months. The pissing in a bucket and left without food for days. Bygones be bygones and all that."

"It ain't like I didn't go through the same shit." He barked, his face red.

"Yeah well I didn't fucking do it to you."

Daryl glared at her and then tossed another shovel worth of gore into the bin. "Nah your boyfriend did."

Kayla stood upright and felt her tolerance for his bullshit fall away. "Don't fucking start with me Dixon. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you fucks."

"Whatever." He muttered, the man moving away from her to keep working.

Glowering at him she threw another arm onto a pile and looked out the fence at the others gathering bodies. 'Fuck this day.' She thought angrily.

Hours later she was half contemplating leaving Sanctuary all together, just sneaking away while on a run and disappearing. Kayla was fairly certain she could pull it off now, she could be long gone before anyone came looking but she was far from certain if she could make herself do it. She wasn't sure if she could walk away from Negan and that terrified her.

The sound of the gates opening had Kayla finally looking up from her work, the convoy from Hilltop had returned.

Kayla walked over to meet the group unloading, the supplies Hilltop provided to be split up amongst the Sanctuary's residents. She had just reached the courtyard when rapid gunfire broke out, the impressive 50 caliber rounds were cutting down unsuspecting Saviors, the gun blowing watermelon sized holes in their guts. Finding Negan crouched by a car, his grin wide and eyes lively. "Can you believe this shit?" He hollered over the gunfire. "Someone's got huge motherfucking balls."

The sound of the clip emptying and being replaced was followed by a familiar voice shouting, "No one else needs to die, bring me Negan."

Kayla stood up instantly, her survival skills leaving her as Carl's voice continued to demand Negan.

The man in question grabbed her wrist, hissing, "get the fuck down before he shoots your sexy ass."

Yanking away she walked into the open, her hands up as she caught sight of the teen barricaded in the moving truck holding the supplies. A shot ricochetted off the ground by her feet making her flinch but not dive for cover.

"Carl!" She growled, her hands still raised as she watched him recognize her. "Put it down Carl."

"No. Get 'im Kay. No one else needs to die." His voice growled, "he killed my friends and he deserves to die. You don't know him."

"Oh I know him better than you Carl. Put it down before shit gets worse." She ordered, her eyes skipping over to Daryl who was working the fence. Kayla could tell he was just as worried about what was to come now that Carl had entered the lions den.

"Well, well, well." Negan drawled from behind her, a Savior walking in front of him as a human shield, waiting for Carl to take a shot. Kayla stepped partially in front of him, her eyes following Carl's rifle barrel as he followed the man in leather.

"Goddamn aren't you just adorable." Negan sneered, his grin far from friendly as he sauntered around in front of Carl's barrel, the gun trailing after his every move. Kayla clenched her teeth as Carl's hand tightened on the hilt, his finger twitching on the trigger.

"Did you pick that gun because it looks cool?" Negan teased with a chuckle, "Shit, you totally fucking did, didn't you?" Laughing gruffly he looked around his men, all of which were holding Carl in their sights. "I'm not gonna lie to you kid, you scare the fucking shit outta me."

Kayla muttered, "put it down Carl."

"Move Aunt Kay." Carl growled, "so I can end this."

"Aunt Kay?" Negan chortled, "shit I didn't think about you knowing the kid like that doll."

"Carl." She growled, her fists tightened as the teen still held his ground. Another Savior lunged for the gun, the sound of the high powered rifle rattled off as the man was torn to shreds. Negan pulled Kayla back as the gunshots pinged off the metal of the car next to her. His eyes were livid as he looked her over for injury. Yanking away from him, she watched as Javier and two others tackled the teen to the ground. Rushing forward, she pulled Javier away and punched the other man to get him off the teen.

Blocking Carl from the others from opening fire she spread her arms wide as she stood over the teen. "Try it again asshole." She threatened Javier who moved for Carl again. Negan grinned widely at her, sauntering up with his hands raised slightly. "Now now. Don't get all mother bear on us, doll. I'm not gonna hurt the little asshole, what kinda host would I be to our new guest if I knocked his fucking head off?"

Gently moving Kayla out of the way, Negan bent at the waist to look the kid over before putting his hand out, "let me give you a helping hand."

When Carl only glared back Negan smiled widely, his eyebrows raised in amusement. "You've got the same stink eye as your dad, but it's only half as good." Negan chuckled, pointing his gloved finger at Carl's eye patch, "You know because you got just the one eye."

Carl stared at him, his eye connecting with Kayla who was scowling behind the man taunting the teen.

"Really? You're really not gonna take my hand?" Negan's voice becoming colder and eyes harder, "you're lucky you have a hand... unlike your girlfriend right?"

Kayla glared at Carl, mouthing, "Take it."

Negan glanced back at Kayla, the woman snapping her mouth shut as he smirked.

Wiggling his fingers while smirking coyly, "don't leave me hanging kid."

Kayla watched as Carl relented, his slim frame nervous as Negan directed him towards Sanctuary.

"Ok new plan, you fucks burn the bodies. We'll unload tomorrow." He ordered the remaining Saviors, his eyes landing on Kayla "I'm not even gonna have time to unload in one of my wives today. No bjs, no handies and no fucking fucks. How disappointing right Kay?"

Grinding her teeth she glared at him as he smiled. "Follow me and the little serial killer here."

"What're you going to do to me?" Carl asked, digging his heels in as Negan glowered down at him. He pointed in Carl's face, his eyes narrowed and mouth frowning, "Number one don't shatter my image of you. You're a fucking badass. You're not scared of shit. Don't be scared of me. It's a disappointment. Number two, do you want me to ruin the surprise? Fuck you kid. Seriously. Fuck. You."

They wandered into Sanctuary to the walkway over the common room, Negan directing Carl to the edge, whispering, "check this out."

Kayla looked down to hide her eye roll, the man showing off had always made her scoff. The people below all kneeled, heads bowed as Negan smirked at Carl. "Pretty cool huh? They're all worshipping my big dick."

Carl crossed his arms and watched as Negan spoke loudly over the crowd, "the Saviors have gone out into the world and fought the dead and brought back some reeeeaaally good shit. Some of that could be yours if you work hard and play by the rules."

He grinned at Kayla and murmured, "isn't that right doll?"

"Yes sir." She drawled, her tone edging on haughty. Negan chuckled despite her blatant sarcasm, turning back to the group kneeling in front of him.

"Today everybody gets fresh vegetables at dinner, no points necessary."

The crowd clapped, some whistling in excitement. Negan nodded, his arms outstretched as if physically accepting their praise, the man practically patting himself on the back for taking supplies from others. Turning to Carl he rasped, "you see that? Respect. Cool huh? They still on their knees?"

Negan gave him a crooked grin, that Kayla couldn't help but appreciate. The man was handsome and she couldn't find it in herself to hate him while he smiled so hotly. Negan looked down at the crowd and released them, "as you were!"

Kayla followed Negan and Carl as they exited the walkway and continued onto the stairwell leading to his office and apartment.

She walked next to Carl as they entered the living area used by Negan's wives. He had five left after Amber's death, most being somewhat nameless for Kayla other than Sherry and Meredith. Most were young and stupid, others conniving and manipulative, riding on Negan's coattails. All very weak and very useless in Kayla's eyes.

"Carl, the wives. Wives this is Carl. Don't mind the kid." Negan introduced, nodding and smiling as if he were the proudest bastard in the world. Kayla looked away as he kissed Sherry on he lips and smacked the ass of some blonde in a mini skirt.

"I know." Negan drawled, raising his eyebrows as Carl looked around, "Every woman where you're from dresses like they do the books at an auto shop. You're gonna want to look at their titties. It's cool. I won't mind. They won't mind. Knock yourself out. Right Kay?"

Swallowing down the rage filled words she wanted to throw at him Kayla spoke dryly, "It is what they're paid for."

Negan sneered at her, his eyes angry but mouth blessedly silent. A satisfying smirk curled her lips at the dig she provided. Kayla couldn't help but recognize the enjoyment she got at poking the bear was far to similar to the way Negan thrived on tormenting others. The teens voice broke her out of her self exploration of what that meant exactly.

"Are you a wife?" Carl asked Kayla, his nose wrinkled in distaste. Shaking her head, Negan answered before she could, "touchy subject kid. We're having a difference in opinions on that front."

Kayla kept herself in check, the woman knowing the worst thing she could do was show disobedience in front of Carl. It didn't seem as though Negan was going to kill him, it actually seemed as though Negan respected Carl for doing what he did.

"Follow me." He instructed, guiding Carl down a hallway and into his private living area. Kayla having just been there earlier flashed back to their conversation, her eyes connecting with his knowing ones.

"Have a seat Carl, eat something." Negan instructed, unzipping his jacket and tossing it onto his large bed. Kayla stayed standing as Negan sat down across from the teen. He chewed a slice of apple slowly as he stared at Carl. She could see the tension in Carl's narrow frame, his back ramrod straight and shoulders hunched.

Kayla wasn't too sure if he knew what he had just gotten, not only himself but his group, into. Whatever was coming was on his shoulders now.

"Are all of those women actually your... Wives?

"Yeah. Always wanted to screw a whole bunch of different women. I mean, why settle for just one?" Negan drawled, his body extended lazily on the sofa. Kayla scowled at him, the man only smiling back at her while continuing, "Why follow the same old rules? Why not make life better? Speaking of, sit Kayla, you're freaking me out." Moving to the other arm chair near Carl she sat down stiffly, her eyes looking over the teen.

"Let's get started." Negan spoke happily, clapping his hands together while leaning forward. He braced his elbows on his knees and grinned widely at Carl who leaned away from the intimidating man.

"Started on what?" He asked nervously, turning his head to look at Kayla. She shrugged with a frown, the woman just as lost.

Negan laughed, smacking Carl on the knee as if they were good friends, "I want to get to know you a little better, Carl." Kayla shifted in her seat anxiously not knowing where Negan was heading.

"Why?"

Snorting Negan leaned back, his arm on the couch as he smiled coyly, "Work it out. You're smart. In fact, I'm gonna tell you just how smart you are, in case you don't already know."

His gaze flicked to hers before explaining, "See, I'd expect a kid your age to be moping around, cryin' like a little bitch. But you... you go on a mission. You find me, you kill a handful of my men." Negan's eyes narrowed and his voice lowered, "You're smart enough to know that I'm not gonna let this slide."

Carl swallowed thickly, the kid sinking back into his seat while staring at the floor. Kayla glanced at Negan and saw the pure joy he had for intimidating Carl. It made her glare at him while mouthing "fucking asshole."

Negan barked out a laugh and then sighed loudly, "Good times."

The room grew quiet until Negan exclaimed, "God!, I can't... I can't do it. It's like talking to a birthday present. You got to take that crap off your face. I want to see what Grandma got me."

"Negan!" Kayla barked, her teeth clenching at his insensitivity. He turned a glare onto her as he growled while holding up four fingers, "Four men! Four... men. This is a fair punishment." Looking at Carl he asked coldly, "Do you really want to piss me off?"

Kayla crossed her arms tightly as she watched Carl slowly unwind the bandage covering the injury. Negan rubbed his hands together in excitement. "Almost there."

Her stomach turned as she became overwhelmed with sympathy for the kid. Kayla herself had personal experience living with a grievous injury altering her physical appearance. She had felt that embarrassment and shame of looking like a scarred mess. The physical pain of being gawked at and whispered about.

"Get that hair out of your face. Let me see." Negan ordered, leaning forward to see what was hidden. Kayla winced as the vacant eye socket was exposed, the skin slowly sealing itself shut was far from complete. Negan shouted at the sight his face grimacing yet still smiling cruelly, "Christ! That is disgusting. No wonder you cover that up. Have you seen it? I mean, have you looked in the mirror? That is gross as hell."

Kayla breathing became shallow as anger burned fast and bright through her. She shot up to her feet and growled, "Stop."

Negan chuckled, his gaze still on the teens disfigured face, "it won't be a hit with the ladies but no one will fuck with you, holy hell I wouldn't mess with you. I want to touch it. Oh, come on. Can I touch it?"

Kayla stepped in front of Carl, blocking him from view as she clenched her fists to keep from punching Negan's fat mouth. Her eyes burned as the unadulterated hurt joined the anger still burning through her. She felt pain for the kid but it was also as if he were saying the same insulting and cruel things to her.

Negan peered up at her finally, his eyes tearing away from Carl dramatic injury. Kayla's vision was blurry as she ground out through clenched teeth. "That's. Enough."

Negan's humor died, his face falling as he took in her teary eyes and her scarred cheek ticking violently. Hearing the sniffle from behind her, Kayla instinctively cupped the back of his head, pressing Carl's forehead into her lower back. She wiped her cheek while staring back at Negan's remorseful face.

"Enough." She muttered hoarsely.

"Shit, kid. Look... I just... It's easy to forget that you're... just a kid." He explained while trying to look past Kayla to get Carl's attention.

He flicked his gaze to Kayla and he spoke to both of them. "And I didn't mean to hurt your feelings or anything. I..." Negan sighed, scrubbing his eyes, "I was just screwing around. Just forget it."

Kayla turned around and turned Carl's face up, her thumb stroking the cheek below his empty socket. "You good."

Wiping his nose self consciously he nodded, pulling his head away from her grasp. "Yeah."

Kayla stepped back and sat down, her eyes avoiding a Negan's. She could feel his eyes drilling into her profile, her cheek still twitching slightly.

"Did you do that to her face because of Enid?" Carl asked, his arms crossed as he glared at Negan. Growling he sat forward, "if I did it would be justified."

"He didn't do it." Kayla responded despite the angry glare Negan shot her.

"But you punished her for it?"

"That's classified champ." Negan replied dryly, changing the subject to something else. "Speaking of classified, is it true your little sister isn't actually Pricky Ricky's? That Kaylas brother knocked up your mom?"

"Jesus." Kayla groaned, rubbing her eyes as Negan continued to be an ass. Carl's brow furrowed and he looked at Kayla.

"I… I heard people talk about it but.. I was just a kid, I didn't see anything." Carl stammered, his gaze flicking from Negan to Kayla.

"He saved us Kay." He began, his hands picking at his jeans. Swallowing thickly, Kayla tried to control the tide of emotions crashing into her. She hadn't been told much about her brother's last weeks. Kayla didn't even know how long he survived the fall or how he lived.

"He… he got us out of Atlanta and we camped by a reservoir." Carl continued, the room so quiet Kayla was sure they could hear her heart hammering against her ribs. "There was a lot of us at first. But we lost some. Mom and Shane didn't seem… together so I don't know if it's true." Shrugging he muttered, "it doesn't matter anyways. She's family no matter what."

Kayla turned her eyes away as they prickled so painfully she thought they'd burst. Carl cleared his throat and spoke quietly, "in the beginning he talked about going to find you but then dad showed up and we had to run from the dead. He just.. he was tryin to keep us all alive."

Kayla sniffed, nodding once while keeping her eyes from the men in front of her. She wasn't going to cry in front of either of them. She was done opening up.

"Speaking of Rick does he know you've gone awol?" Negan broke the tension while changing the subject. Her bloodshot eyes flicked to his too see nothing other than concern in his brown eyes.

"No. no one does." He replied, his hands clenching. Negan grinned widely and rubbed his chin, "well that's just irresponsible of them, you're out running around doing god knows fucking what."

Kayla was finally reeled in from being crushed by information about Shane, her eyes meeting Carl's.

"So what is it you do?" Negan asked, his head cocking to the side as he still looked at Carl's empty socket.

"Do?"

"Yeah what do you do for fun? You like music?" Negan spoke with a smirk, "I want you to sing me a song."

"What?" Carl asked, his brow furrowed and nose scrunched in confusion.

"Yeah. You mowed down four of my men with a machine gun. I want something in return for that. Sing me a song." Negan stood up and picked up Lucille, the man swinging her around as if practicing. Kayla glared at him as Carl stammered through excuses while Negan pressured him to sing something from the old world.

"Start singing." Negan growled, rotating the bat in his hand. Carl eyeballed it as his voice cracked, "Okay, okay. Okay. Uh... You are my sunshine."

Negan grinned widely, motioning for him to continue. The teen sang, his voice catching as Negan swung down with Lucille, grunting as he stopped it right before she'd hit the floor. Kayla wrung her hands as she fought to intervene whatever that man had planned. She knew he wasn't going to kill Carl, he liked him too much but it wouldn't stop him from hurting him.

"Do not let me distract you, young man."

Cal sang the other verses and as he finished, Negan clapped slowly, "That's pretty good. Lucille loves being sung to. It's about the only thing she loves more than bashing in brains. Weird, huh?"

Sitting down he pat the seat, "come sit with me doll."

Kayla ground her teeth but climbed to her feet, sitting nearby but not close enough for Negan. Flinging an arm along the back of the sofa he pulled her into his side and hummed lowly. "That's better."

Carl shifted uncomfortably as Negan asked, "so did your mother sing that to you?"

The teen nodded as Negan asked, "Where is she now?"

Kayla watched Carl chin quiver as he seemed to relive his mother's passing. She'd never gotten along with Kayla, Lori having been high strung and controlling never enjoyed Kayla wild streak. She would scold her like a kid and was never happy with Kayla hanging out with Carl unless Shane was present.

"Damn. Dead, huh? You see it happen?"

"I shot her... before it could…" Carl rasped, his eye going to Kayla. "She died having Judith."

Kayla's chin dropped to her chest as she absorb the sad information. The woman had passed while giving birth to Shane's daughter, Kayla's niece, she'd sacrificed her life for the little girl.

"Damn, no wonder you're a little serial killer in the making." Negan commented, pointing at the kid, "you got guts kid. I like people with fucking guts, Kayla here has tons of 'em. Not scared of shit."

"I'm sorry about your mom Carl." Kayla spoke ignoring Negan's comments. "We didn't get along but she was a good mom. She'd be happy you're so strong."

Carl dipped his head, his hair falling over his exposed eye.

Unwrapping his arm from around Kayla, Negan clapped his hands together and stood up, "this has been fun but come on, kid. Get up. It's time."

"Time for what?"

"Time to go home."

The ride to Alexandria was quiet for only a few minutes until Negan asked, "so tell me about Kayla before the fucking dead started eating us. Was she wild? I kinda picture her being some wild fucking heartbreaker."

Rolling her eyes, Kayla kept her eyes on the road, the woman driving for the first time in a long time. Shifting the truck into gear she moved around a few biters as the truck in front of her swerved.

"I don't know… she was just normal."

"Come on, tell me… tell me something juicy." Negan instructed, rubbing his hands together with amused eyes. Kayla snorted, shaking her head with a faint smile. "Don't tell him shit."

"Hey!" Negan barked loudly causing Carl to jump slightly. Slowly Negan grinned, "he can tell me anything he fucking wants too. Stop being such a twat."

Chuckled, Kayla glanced at him with a raised eyebrow, "twat huh? Maybe I was fucking boring. Maybe I just went to work and the grocery store and did nothing fucking special."

"She used sing." Carl spoke as Negan kept prodding him for information. His eyes got huge and his grin even wider. "Well goddamn. Why didn't I have you sing? Sing for me Princess."

"No."

"You know I don't like that word."

"Yet I say it all the time." She deadpanned, her eyes jumping to the truck slowing down in front of her. "Got something going on ahead."

Negan was instantly serious, his head leaning to see around the truck. "Fuck." He muttered, his eyes moving to hers. "Another herd."

"It them?" She asked parking the truck as the others stopped in front of them.

"Who's them?" Carl asked.

"Just shut the fuck up kid." Negan growled, pulling a gun from the glove box and shoving it in his waistband. "Kay you're staying here with him."

"I'm more useful out there."

"Don't fucking question me." Negan growled, his eyes far from angry though, only concern showed as he tipped his chin to Carl. "Shit goes south, take this fucker home and I'll deal with Rick later."

The door slammed as he left and the others joined him to kill the horde wandering down the road at them.

"What's going on?" Carl asked, looking around to see what was happening outside.

Kayla shook her head and muttered, "later. I need to pay attention. Watch for biters that don't look or move like biters."

"What?"

"Just fucking do what I say Carl." Kayla snapped, pulling out her hand gun as a few dead made their way to the trucks. Both listened to the others guns firing off as orders were shouted by Negan. Kayla gripped the door just waiting for him to call her out but it never came. A dead man banged on the passenger door, its face obviously rotting. Another slammed into Kayla door, its hands grasping at the door handle and smearing blood across the window. Cocking her gun she stared at the creature, its eyes milky and dead. Suddenly the door was yanked open and Kayla was face to face with the creature. Behind it was a filthy man wearing the skin of the dead, his face covered in dripping gore. Kayla shoved the gun in the dead man's face and pulled the trigger. Black blood sprayed all over the door and inside the window as the living man tried to yank her out of the vehicle. Kicking his hands away, Kayla growled as she fought with him, her gun pinned to the door frame as he snarled at her. Carl joined in, shoving the large man away as he tried to pull Kayla from the truck.

"Fuck you!" She sneered slamming her free fist into his face causing the dead skin to fall away. He looked like a normal guy except for the wildness in his eyes and maniacal grin cracking his face in two.

"Duck." Carl exclaimed causing Kayla to huddle down as Carl jammed a knife through the guy's eye. They both watched him fall to the ground as more dead arrived. Kayla slammed the door closed and panted heavily, hers eyes jumping to Carl's. "Thanks." She gasped, watching the dead consume the man now that fresh blood coated his face and chest. Carl sounded just as out of breath as he asked, "what the hell was that?"

"That is a real monster." She replied as she watched the Saviors killing the last of the dead. Javier took out the ones feeding on the guy who'd attacked them, his eyes rising to hers silently asking if they were good. Giving him a thumbs up she sank back into the seat and looked down at her trembling hands. She was covered in gore, her fingers creased with nasty blood.

Carl's door opened and her gun raised to the opening find Negan staring back at her. Lowering it she watched him look them over.

"What the fuck happened? I told you to stay inside." He barked angrily, his gaze falling to the gore covered windows and Kayla's filthy state.

"We did." Carl answered, "one of those things opened the door and tried to take Kayla."

"I'm fine." She replied before Negan could freak out, "he's dead."

"Well lock the fucking door next time." Negan ordered, climbing into the cab, "it smells like some dead fucks balls in here now."

The caravan began to drive again, Kayla rolling over dead bodies and steering around large piles.

"What was that thing?" Carl asked again, his eye jumping from Kayla to Negan. "He was wearing… skin."

"Yeah there's sick fucks out there kid." Negan replied blandly, while reloading his gun. "No worries. I'm gonna wipe the fucking earth of those freaks."

Thanks for reading and please review!