"Fuck!" Negan slams the door, clenching his fists as he paces the room.
Sarah turns to him, rubbing at her eyes. "Negan. What's wrong?"
"I have to go."
"Where.. and why?"
"Dwight thinks he's got a lead on those assholes who took out T's post."
"Really?" Sarah jumps out of bed, searching for her panties.
"Woah, where the fuck do you think you're going?"
"You don't want me with you?" She raises an eyebrow.
"Of course i fucking do, but, i also need you here." Negan runs a hand over his beard.
Sarah doesn't know whether to feel proud that he needs her where she is, or sickly at the thought of him being away.
"Can't you send someone else to check out this lead?"
Negan shakes his head. "Not if i want it done fucking right. I've already got through to Simon on the radio. He should be here no later than tonight, hopefully."
"You sent for Simon?"
"Yeah. That asshole Vince needs another Alpha to keep him in line. Simon's the perfect man for the job, i know you'll be safe with him here."
"I can look after myself, Negan."
"Yeah, it's not that i'm necessarily worried about. I need Simon to keep you in line too."
"Gee, thanks."
Negan chuckles. "After what happened yesterday, you've shown me i can't leave you to your own devices. So fucking behave, you hear me?"
"Of course." She smiles.
"I'm gonna have Lisa sleep in here with you, along with Simon and Gareth."
"Wow! Simon and Gareth.. in the same room as me?" She smirks.
"Simon isn't fucking stupid, he knows better than to fuck around with my girl. And Gareth.. well, the guys a goddamn pussycat, that, and he knows i'd cut his nuts off and make him wear them as ear warmers."
"That's an image i wont get out of my head for the rest of the day."
Negan makes his way over, kneeling down in front of her. "Sarah. You've gotta promise me you won't do anything stupid. That yesterday was just a one off."
Sarah rolls her eyes. "I promise."
"Hey." He places his fingers beneath her chin. "Say it like you mean it."
She looks deep in his hazel eyes, her heart sinking at the thought of not seeing them for a while. "I promise."
"Good girl." He smirks, brushing his thumb over her chin. Negan lowers his hand, giving her nipple a quick squeeze. "Now, get dressed. I've gotta go soon."
Negan drives down the road, tapping his leather clad fingers against the wheel. He didn't like leaving her, especially there of all places. Not necessarily because he was worried she'd get hurt, because God help anyone who did hurt her, that'd be their funeral. But because one, she was his, and two, he didn't trust her not to do something stupid. Fuck it turned him on though, just as much as it pissed him off. In fact, he was getting a hard on just thinking about her.
He'd never been so torn before. It felt good to be loved, real love, not the kind his wives lied about on a daily basis. His wives loved what he did for them, but they didn't love him, and he knows that. As much as he genuinely didn't want his wives to come to harm, it felt good when he saw the look in Sarah's eyes everytime she looked at them, because it made him feel wanted.
Jesus Christ i'm a fucking piece of shit. Negan shakes his head.
As he drives, he wonders if he's not making things worse. That maybe his little games are gonna end badly. But he can't help but play them, and Sarah plays them so well.
"It's all fucking good," he says to himself. "I've got it all under control." Negan smirks, chuckling as he looks in the mirror.
Sarah sits in front of the mirror, trailing her fingers over the hickey Negan had left on her neck. She'd sat this way for at least thirty minutes, just staring at it over and over, her skin breaking out in gooseflesh as she'd imagined her own hand was his.
She knows she should get up, but she's pining for him already. At least at the Sanctuary, she could grab one of the many things she'd stolen from him, and take comfort from it. But here, she has nothing.
You have a job to do. Negan's putting his trust in you, don't let him down again.
Sarah opens her eyes, forcing herself away from the mirror. She slips her knife and gun into her belt, then heads down the corridor, the kitchen being forefront on her mind, because where else would a bunch of sexist pricks place women other than a kitchen.
She makes her way through the main hall, attempting to be quiet as some of Vince's people are still sleeping. Sarah finds the kitchen, glancing around as she hopes to find the woman who had served her dinner. Her mood suddenly changes as she looks over at two women washing pots, and another stirring a huge pot on the stove.
Fucking knew it, she thinks.
"Hey, i'm looking for someone, but.. i don't know her name," Sarah says.
One of the women grabs a towel, drying her hands. "Not sure i can help without a name."
"She served us dinner yesterday. Me and Negan ate with Vince."
"Oh." She nods. "Thats Grace. She's probably on laundry duty."
"Of course she is," Sarah mutters under her breath. "And where's the laundry?"
"Near the gym."
"Thanks." Sarah nods, heading out of the kitchen.
She quickly makes her way through the school yard towards the gym, not having to bother going inside as she finds Grace hanging out washing.
"Hi. It's Grace, right?"
Grace holds a sheet in her hands, staring at Sarah in confusion. "Yeah."
"I'm Sarah." She offers her hand, Grace shaking it briefly before she goes about hanging the sheet. "How long you been here?"
"Since they first found this place."
Sarah crosses her arms. "You okay with doing their washing?"
"Someone has to do it," Grace points out.
"Yeah, doesn't have to be you though. Don't any of the women here know how to handle a gun?"
"We don't need to. They take care of us."
"The men?"
"Yeah."
"Are you telling me, there's not a single woman here that works on the wall?" Sarah frowns.
Grace grabs a shirt from the basket, hanging it on the line. "I.. i guess that's so."
"And you're okay with that?"
"Why wouldn't i be? It's just the way it is now."
"It's not though. Do i look like i wash clothes and cook for assholes?"
"Well, someone must. There must be women back at your place that do all that."
"Sure, we have a few women that aren't good out there, but we have men like that too. In fact, one of our best cooks is a man."
Grace stares at her in bemusement. "Really?"
"Really." Sarah nods.
Grace shakes her head. "Well, Vince's men aren't like that."
"What are they like?" She presses.
Grace opens her mouth, but quickly closes it as she glances over Sarah's shoulder. "Sorry, i've got work to do," she says, grabbing her basket and heading inside the laundry.
Sarah huffs, resting her hands on her hips.
"Hey."
Sarah rolls her eyes before turning round, already recognising Vince's voice. Is this fucker just following me everywhere i go?
"Hey." She nods, plastering on a smile.
"Everything okay?"
"Yeah, i was just talking with Grace."
"I can see that. You probably shouldn't bother her while she's working though."
"And why's that?"
"Because she needs to get her work done," Vince says.
"That's funny. Your men seem to manage chatting away on the wall just fine."
"Well, women don't tend to be good at multitasking, present company excluded." Sarah clenches her jaw, not finding him funny in the slightest. "I meant what i sad yesterday. I really wish you were on our team."
"Why? So i can wash your dirty pants for you?"
Vince chuckles. "I think you'd be more likely to slit my throat than wash my pants."
Sarah swallows thickly. Does he know? "Yeah, probably." She smiles, attempting to appear unfazed.
"Would you like to join me for dinner later?" Vince asks.
Sarah thinks there's nothing she would like less. "Sure."
"Good. I'll look forward to it." Vince winks before heading to the gym.
Simon sits with his feet up on the same bed Negan and Sarah had fucked on just that morning. He'd arrived thirty minutes ago, and he'd been mildly pissed off that he hadn't even had a proper greeting from their leader. They'd just shuffled him down a corridor, and shown him to his room.
He'd spoken with Negan in person before coming, Negan divulging everything he knew about Vince and his men. Negan had also told him about Sarah's little side mission, where she had killed one of Vince's men. Simon had hid a smile, but Negan had still noticed, scolding him half heartedly.
If Simon had to be honest, he was a little sweet on her. He would never make a move of course, because he wasn't fucking stupid. She was Negan's, and she wanted to be Negan's. If she wasn't, then he'd definitely try and fuck her. He was pretty sure he'd fall for her in the process too.
But as he'd watched her marking days off the calendar, caught her taking Negan's things, and generally seen the way she looked at Negan, Simon had given up, knowing he didn't stand a chance.
He liked her though. She reminded him a little of himself, except she couldn't seem to keep the crazy in check. Maybe it's because she's too young, or maybe it's because she's just too damn crazy. Simon's unsure which is true. He hopes it's the first one, but he's almost certain it's the latter.
There was no bitterness on his part towards Negan, but he was worried. Sarah wasn't the kind of girl to play games with, Simon knew that, and he's sure Negan would know that too, if he wasn't thinking with his dick.
"Simon!"
He jumps a little, shaken from his thoughts. "Sarah." He nods, rising to his feet.
"When did you get here?"
"About a half hour ago," he says, resting his hands on his hips. "And these assholes haven't gotten off to a great start. They haven't exactly been what i'd call hospitable. No, hi, how you doing? No nothing."
"They could probably smell the Alpha oozing off you," she giggles.
"So, what do you make of this place?"
"I don't like it, and i like their people even less.. the men anyway."
Simon tilts his head, nodding briefly. "Yeah, i gathered that with your little." He traces a finger over his throat.
"Negan told you?"
"Yeah, we had a little talk before i got here."
"You.. you didn't tell him about Jason, did you?" She asks nervously.
Simon stares at her bemused. "You shitting me? Do i look stupid? No way in hell would i tell him about that. I'd be in more shit than you for keeping it from him."
Sarah breathes a sigh of relief. "Thanks, Simon."
"Don't thank me, just get your shit.. under control. Capisce?"
She nods a little sombrely. "Yeah."
"Good." He grins. "Now, where can i get some food around here? I'm goddamn starved."
Vince sits behind his desk, squeezing a stress ball in the palm of his hand. He's pissed. He'd been looking forward to finally getting some alone time with Sarah, then Negan had sent that fucking guard dog of his, no doubt to keep him away from her.
"Boss, you okay?"
"Yeah, i'm just fine."
"So, you want us to keep an eye on her?"
"Yeah. Without being fucking obvious though, Roger."
"You sure she had something to do with what happened to Greg? I mean, she's just a woman, and a little one at that."
"Oh, don't underestimate her. I'm more than sure she had something to do with it."
"How?"
"Because i fucking know it was her. Paul found a white, blood stained vest. She must've thrown it in the river, but it didn't go far. Same one she was wearing that morning. See, i noticed that 'cause i was staring at her titties the entire time we were searching for Greg, and i thought she looked hotter in black."
"So what's the plan?"
"The plan, is to carry on as normal until they fix that fucking bridge." Vince waves a hand. "After that.. well, we'll just have to fucking see.