Thanks to Rasha for pointing out theerror in mylast chapter. Negan did kill one person since meeting Fiona -Zander who was raping her.

I still don't think it counts though ;-) j/k

Have to go back and rewrite that part soon! Thanks again! See? This is why I love feedback!

Once the last dish was drying in the dishdrain, Fiona shut off the kitchen lights and headed upstairs. Her flannel shirt was resting across the bottom of the bannister and she slipped it back on only because she was cold. With any luck it would be
coming right off again once she got under the covers.

Negan was sitting up in bed. He looked up and smiled when he saw her leaning against the door wearing his shirt again. A part of him had been hoping she would come up naked. "Cold?"

"A little."

"There's only one cure for that." He patted the bed beside her and flashed a seductive grin.

Fiona brought a fist to her mouth. "Lame," she coughed, making fun of his come-on.

He pretended to be offended. "Oh, now you don't want it?"

"I never said that."

"Playing hard to get then." He got off the bed and advanced towards her. "I don't like working for what I want."

"That's obvious."

He chuckled at her verbal quip but knew he set himself up for it. He pulled her into his arms and leaned over to kiss her. It was a slow, gentle kiss and not the kind she was used to from him. Looking down at her, he tenderly brushed her cheek, all
signs of jesting gone. "You gave me a pretty good scare today, you know that? I thought... I thought I had lost you."

Fiona met his gaze and saw it was troubled. "I was stupid and careless. I'm sorry." She shrugged pathetically. "I was just so happy and relieved to see you that I forgot where I was and what I was doing for a second... I had been so worried about
you when you didn't show at the gas station."

To hear her confess to being worried about him and then to being so happy to see him made him warm all over. Her innocence and her honesty gave him butterflies.

But what the fuck?

A grown man wasn't supposed to get butterflies.

He wasn't a teenager and this wasn't his first crush.

Yet it was a woman who made him made him feel those familiar emotions all over again, after many years without.

"I can't... lose you, gorgeous...You mean too fucking much to me." His voice hitched as he pressed her head against his chest and embraced her tightly. "You got it?"

Shocked by his confession, Fiona's heart swelled. "Loud and clear." She hugged him back, and they stood entwined that way until she pulled away. She cupped his face and with tears in her eyes, said, "Make love to me tonight, Negan."

He looked at her for the longest time and felt his own eyes grow watery at her request and the way she said his name. He hadn't made love to a woman since his wife and that had been a long four years ago. And after that, he swore he never would to
any woman ever again. But here he was, with one who somehow changed his whole philosophy on life and love.

And yes he was falling in love with her.

Even though it wasnt something he was ready to say aloud yet, he could still show her by his actions. And that was exactly what he was going to do.

He kissed her again, and this time gently slid her shirt off her shoulders, letting it drop to her feet. Then he lifted her up in his arms and carried her over to the bed. "I may be rusty," he admitted, voice cracking again with emotion as he lay
her down on the pillows. His heart was thundering in his chest and whatever slight panic or anxiety he thought he was feeling quickly transformed into desire as he pulled off his shirt and covered her body with his.

"Do your best," Fiona said, sliding her palms up his chest to link behind his neck before pulling him back down for more kisses. "I'm sure it will be phenomenal."

Negan smiled, her compliment giving him confidence, and went right to work, his lips and hands showering her body with soft, sensual kisses and caresses. From top to bottom he went, then slowly back up again, meticulous as to not miss even one inch
of bare skin.

He loved her body.

Petite frame, slender limbs, flat stomach, small breasts, and every muscle toned.

He remembered admiring it that night in the forest clearing. Even though she had been fully clothed, his imagination had created the perfect canvas underneath and it hadn't disappointed him once he got a taste and feel for the real thing.

He dwarfed her, his body twice her size and strength, and he loved her vulnerability. But her size was deceiving and she always held her own against him, a worthy partner.

Fiona closed her eyes and reveled in his touch. He was everywhere all at once, his mouth and fingers tracing slow paths of fire across her skin. She was burning for him, dying to feel him inside her again, but then remembered she had specifically
asked for this.

And he was delivering.

Oh, was he delivering.

Her fingers played over his back, up and down every dip and curve of muscle before moving onto his shoulders, so strong and chiseled. Finally they went to his belt and he didn't seem to mind when she unbuckled it and slid down the zipper on
his jeans. He stopped his appreciation of her body only long enough to kick off the rest of his restricting clothes and then immediately resumed where he had left off.

She felt him, hard and strong and hot against her thigh and she guided him between her legs.

He lifted his head and smiled. "I guess that means you're ready for me?"

"I'm always ready for you."

"Good answer," he murmured, returning his lips to hers. His kisses remained slow yet sensual, and when he finally entered her, it was in one fluid movement that joined them almost effortlessly.

They moved together as one, and each time he pulled out, her hips arched to meet his as he gently pushed back in. The gradual buildup was incredible, and Fiona had a feeling it was going to lead to one amazing orgasm. Each time she felt like she was
on the verge, he slowed things down, only to eventually work her right up again.

As he moved above her, so strong yet so gentle, he stared down into those mesmerizing eyes which were gazing up at him adoringly. He wanted to tell her how he truly felt. It was on the tip of his tongue. And he had hoped once he was drunk enough with
desire he would loosen up and be able to say it.

But he still couldn't do it.

He brushed her lips with his thumb, trailing it along her jawline. "You're so beautiful," he murmured. "And you're mine."

"I'm yours," she breathed. "Always."

Her words echoed in his ears, thrilling him. Even without exchanging the "L" word, they were still on the same page. And there would be plenty of time to take things to the next level. For now, he was ready to bring them both to climax.

"Ok gorgeous, let's do this."

His thrusts became stronger and deeper and Fiona lifted her hips, moving in sync with him. She grabbed the back of his hair and never broke his gaze, loving the way those dark eyes were so intensely focused on her, and only her. She felt the tension
coiling in her belly, tighter and tighter. Then he hit the perfect spot and that's all it took to catapult her over the edge into an abyss of ecstasy.

She trembled in his arms, saw him smile at her briefly before she closed her eyes and let the hazy waves of pleasure wash her away. His lips touched down on the base of her throat and then she felt his body stiffen as he let go. He groaned deeply
against her neck and even in her pleasure- drunken haze Fiona thought it was the sexiest sound she had ever heard. He continued to hold her tightly until the last of his seed had been spent and he found the strength to lift his head and smile
wearily at her.

"How is it this gets better every time?"

Fiona smiled back at him, basking in the compliment. "We're good."

"We're good together," he corrected. "Come live here with me." The request had escaped his mouth before he could stop it. Since he couldn't take it back, he continued to plead his case. "Be my partner, gorgeous, my right hand woman, the Sanctuary's
doctor...you know it would work..."

Fiona's lips parted in shock as she inhaled softly. She couldn't believe he was asking that of her.
She wanted to say yes. Of course she would say yes. But how could she say yes? Her mind was spinning as a a zillion different emotions fought for supremacy. He was still lying over her, and that handsome face which she could never seem to say no to
was gazing at her so tenderly.

"Think about it." He placed a kiss on her lips. "You don't have to answer right away."

He began to roll over but she stopped him, taking hold of his shoulders. "Yes. Of course my answer is yes. I may just need time to ease the transition."

Negan grinned in satisfaction. "Was hoping you'd say that."

He leaned over to kiss her again but she stopped him and pushed back against his chest gently. "It has to be under one condition, though."

He raised an intimidating eyebrow and for a split second she cowered beneath him and almost lost her nerve. But then she reminded herself this was the man who just made love to her in the most incredibly tender way and she had nothing to fear.

"You leave Alexandria alone," she finished, in what she hoped was a confident voice. "You have to stop exploiting and threateningthem. Or... like I suggested earlier today, we set up a compromise and all work together somehow."

Negan didn't respond immediately. He wasn't completely blindsided by the request and a part of him always knew it was coming, he just didn't know when. Regardless, he wasn't quite prepared for it. "That's a pretty big fucking demand," he said, his
voice low and expression unreadable.

Fiona's heart skipped a nervous beat then continued at a steady gallop. She had passed the point of no return now. There was no going back. "Guess you'll have to ask yourself if I'm worth it." She reached for him under the covers and started to stroke
him but his hand clamped down over her wrist to still her.

"This isn't a game."

"I never said or thought it was." She looked at him accusingly. "What do you think I'm playing at?"

He didn't answer right away. He was a jaded pessimist by nature and now paranoia was settling in on top of it all. Was this whole thing a setup from the beginning? Seduce him, get him to fall for her and then manipulate him into backing off her community?
Was she still fucking Rick, or Daryl or both of them and this was their sick plan? He tried to block out the intrusive, negative thoughts, not wanting to believe them but they kept bombarding him mercilessly.

"I practically poured my heart out to you earlier, made fucking love to you and just asked you to move in with me."

"And I said yes!" Fiona pushed him away angrily, annoyed at his tone of voice and the way he was suddenly picking a fight, and scooted out of bed. Picking up her shirt from the floor she threw it on and turned back to face him while she buttoned it.
"I want to be with you more than anything. If you don't know that by now I'm not sure how else to prove it to you. Whatever trust issues you may have, get over them and fast, because I don't tolerate people who question my integrity."

"We're not done here," he warned as she approached the door.

"Come down when you've cooled off. Then we'll finish."

She left the room, leaving him alone in bed.

Fiona was finishing up a glass of wine when she heard Negan on the stairs. She had needed the alcohol to calm her nerves and clear her head. But all it had done was muddle her thoughts and emotions. She kept going back and forth from being mad at
him to mad at herself. She shouldn't have pushed him. She knew the way he was when she got involved with him and hadn't Rick been the one to warn her that tigers don't change their stripes? Had she been that naive to believe she could actually
change someone like him? But yes, she had believed he could change. He HAD changed, in the short amount of time she had gotten to know him and fall in love with him.

That's why his reaction had hit her where it hurt the most.

He thought she had a hidden agenda. Even though he didn't say it in quite so many words, he thought she was using him.

How could he truly believe that?

She drained her glass just as he joined her in the living room. She got up to refill it but he stopped her, taking it from her hands.

"I got it."

Negan poured her another as well as a scotch for himself then joined her on the couch. He took a few swigs, letting it burn his throat and waiting for it to give him the courage to say what he needed to. He glanced over at her but she was staring
blankly into her drink, streaks of dried tears staining her cheeks.

"I'm sorry, Fiona," he said quietly.

It wasn't even those two simple words, or the fact he was apologizing, but it was how he used her name that brought fresh tears to her eyes.

"Fuck," he muttered under his breath. "I hate seeing you cry, gorgeous. And I hate being the cause of it. I'm an asshole. I didn't mean what I said up there and I hope you believe that. I just... I... You gotta understand this is all new to me again,
it's been so fucking long and honestly it scares the shit outta me... I guess I just panicked and reverted back to my old ways..."

He looked at her but she didn't respond. She continued to stare at her glass and he watched as a single slow tear trickled down her cheek. He wanted so badly to wipe it away but was afraid she'd slap him. Hell, he'd deserve it. He deserved a lot more.

"Yell at me, curse me out, but say something," he begged desperately. "Please."

"After everything I've done to be with you and all the lies I've told to the people I love... How can you not see I'm in this 100%?" She finally met his gaze and the hurt he saw there behind her eyes was heartbreaking. "How can you doubt me?"

"I don't trust people... I haven't for a long time... But then you came into my life and everything changed. I trust YOU... I..." He trailed off, still unable to say the L word. "I swear it on my sweet, precious Sarah..." His voice cracked as
reached over for her hand while taking another swig of his drink to keep from crying.

Fiona looked down at his big hand covering hers and slid her fingers between his. "I'm sorry, too," she said quietly after a few moments, her anger softening into understanding and forgiveness. "Maybe I worded it wrong or it came off sounding
like an ultimatum which is why you freaked out...I just want you to understand that I'd be abandoning my family to make a life with you here, so I'd need something to make the transition a little easier for them to accept."

"I do understand...And you're right."

"Not that they ever would, accept it-accept US- that is...But at least I'd leave with somewhat of a clean conscience."

Negan could tell the thought saddened her. That she'd be exiled and ostracized and lose everyone she cared about. "They have to find out sooner or later, regardless if you come stay here or not...you have to tell them eventually."

"I know...It's just easier said than done."

"We are due for a pickup there in a week or two. I'll have a sit down with Rick and we will figure something out."

The surprised look of gratitude in her beautiful blue eyes melted his heart. "Thank you."

Negan pulled her into his arms and held her close. She curled up against him and rested her head on his shoulder. He ran his hand lightly up and down her arm and kissed the top of her head. "I'm sorry I was such a dick. And for all those dickish
things I said to you. I didn't mean them."

"I was hoping you didn't."

His fingers grazed her chin, turning her head up to face him. He looked at her for the longest time before he said softly, "Making love to you was incredible. And I hope I have the privilege of doing it again soon."

His words brought a shy smile to her face. "Whenever you like." She slid her leg across his lap and sat up, straddling him so she could better reach those lips which she was so addicted to. She kissed him softly then caressed his stubble lined cheek.
"THIS was our first fight", she murmured against his mouth. "And I don't ever want to have another."

"Me neither."

He pulled her back for another kiss, deeper and harder, his emotions from the past hour running haywire and causing his blood to pulse with a nervous energy. He wanted her again. His body was making damn sure he was well aware of it, too, because
his cock was stiff and aching and he couldn't ignore it if he tried.

Fiona felt him hard and ready between her thighs. Looking down at the bulge in his track pants, she smiled mischievously. "How is it he's raring to go and it's only been an hour?"

Negan slipped his hands under her shirt and cupped her breasts. "He can't get enough of you."

Their lips met again, then their tongues, and Fiona began grinding herself against him, desperate to feel him without the constricting layers of clothes separating them. "Does this mean we are going another round?" She groaned as he slipped her shirt
off her shoulder and took a breast into his mouth.

"I don't think we have a choice."

"We can take a cold shower."

"Why the fuck would I choose a cold shower over your warm...wet...tight..." He left the rest unsaid and flashed her a rakish grin before returning his lips to her one nipple, then the other, and then back to her mouth. Fiona was now just
as turned on as he was. She reached inside his pants, pulled him out and settled herself over the long, hard length of him.

Negan groaned and grabbed her hips before she started to move. Resting his forehead against hers, he looked down at her, his expression and tone of voice serious again. "I hope I've redeemed myself and also answered your question."

She stared at him blankly.

"You're worth it, gorgeous. So fucking worth it."