"So you think you'll be going to those drinks that Maud and Alan are hosting tonight?" asked Tara, one entire week later.

Two and half long weeks had passed now, since Blake's return to Alexandria, and despite how much the caramel-blonde woman's heart still ached, life was slowly getting more bearable.

It was currently mid-afternoon on a gloriously sunny day, and Blake and Tara had just helped with lugging sacks of compost and garden fertilizer over to the gardens in the centre of the walled-community.

It had been hard work, and the pair, grateful to go home and have a shower each, as well as a nice cold glass of water, were slowly making their way back to their homes on the far side of the long row of buildings.

Blake gave a sigh, retying the plaid shirt that sat, now, at her waist, long since having been unbuttoned from her shoulders in the burning heat of the day.

"I'm not sure," she said glancing down at the dusty ground before them as they walked. "I don't really feel in the mood to deal with small talk, and if Rick's there, he's only going to bother me about information on the Sanctuary again."

She rolled her eyes which caused Tara to give a laugh and stare up at the caramel-blond woman out of the corner of her eye.

"I'm sure he won't," she reassured her gently. "I mean you've told him all you know, right?"

Blake suddenly felt guilt wash over her.

She certainly hadn't told Rick everything she knew.

For the past two and a half weeks now, Blake had lied about the events that had taken place back at the Sanctuary. Merely telling Rick and the people here, that she had been kept in a cell most of the time, and the moment she had been released, well that was when David had struck.

As far as they were concerned, she had barely seen Negan during her stay there, not having anything much to do with him at all. And that had been the biggest lie.

In fact she had had more to do with Negan than any other person there.

And now, even after weeks, Blake still missed him.

She missed Mia too.

Missed the life she had once had there, with them both.

It was strange. Being back here, with a house to herself, breathing in the fresh air every day…it felt more claustrophobic that the large looming factory ever had.

The space and the open-air crushing her….making her feel small and insignificant.

There had felt like a queen up in her tower….walking beside a king each and every day.

But now Blake was trying her hardest not to dwell on Negan anymore.

Memories of him. His touch, his scent…his taste on her tongue…it was all too much for her to bare.

He was probably back there right now, barley even remembering she existed, probably with someone else to distract him now…another woman maybe…

And Blake….well, the thought of that tore her apart inside. But she knew that, either way, she wanted Negan to be happy. She wanted him to be there, as smug and as arrogant as ever, enjoying his life…

And maybe she needed to do the same.

It was then, as if on cue, Tara nudged her with a sudden sharp elbow in her ribs.

"Ow, what was-" Blake began, before suddenly following the dark-haired woman's gaze, over to where a tall man, around Blake's age with dark hair was stood, a shovel in one hand, wiping sweat from his brow with the other.

That was Steve.

He had arrived here in the few weeks that Blake had been gone, having been found by Aaron off on a scouting mission for other survivors.

He was of course handsome and sweet, and had had accidentally bumped into Blake on her way back from the food stores with Eric one day,knocking the items she had been carrying from her hands, before politely helping to pick them up for her.

"Steve's cute, don't you think?" said Tara, shooting Blake a poignant look, and whispering less-than-subtly to her. "Maybe he'll be at the party later?"

But Blake pursed her lips, shooting Tara a bemused, unimpressed look.

"And so what if he is," she said tutting at her friend.

But as the pair of them walked by Steve, he lifted his hand, giving them a wave, his eyes immediately reaching Blake.

"Hi!" he said with a charming smile.

And Blake certainly felt her cheeks redden as she muttered a brief hello in return and grasped Tara's sleeve hastily.

"Hurry up," she hissed, quickening her pace slightly and marching her friend swiftly away, before they could linger near to Steve any longer.

But the moment they had rounded the corner out of earshot, a laughing Tara turned to Blake, jabbing her in the shoulder with her finger.

"You like him, don't you?" said the dark-haired woman, beaming and cocking her head to the side. "And he certainly has the hots for you!"

Blake rolled her eyes and tutted yet again, shoving past Tara, but unable to help the smile that twitched its way onto her lips.

Steve was good-looking yes, and seemed…. well, sweet. But that did not mean she was interested in him.

No, Blake didn't need anyone but herself right now, despite how much Tara nagged her.

"Come on," said Blake with a passive huff, shaking her head amusedly at her dark-haired friend. "I need to go shower. And maybe then I'll think about whether or not I'm gonna go to this drinks thing."

Tara grinned, swaying back and forth as she watched Blake go. "Yes! I knew I'd convince you," she said cheerfully, before raising a single eyebrow skyward. "Or, was it actually the idea that Steve might be there tonight, that convinced you-"

But Blake pressed her hand to her ears theatrically, as she headed up the steps towards her own porch.

"Nope, nope, nope," she said in a sing-song voice. "I can't hear you!"

But she did however, hear Tara laugh from behind her.

"Whatever, blondie," she called after her. "I'll see you at seven."

And with a smile to herself, Blake shoved open her front door , heading inside her cool and dimly lit house.

It was quiet in here, and it still felt odd to Blake that once that door was closed, it was just here, alone with her thoughts.

Before now, she had always had David sniffing round, and even after his demise, Negan had not been far behind, showing up and bothering her at all hours at the Sanctuary.

But here, Blake just had herself for company in the eerie silence that seemed to follow her around her large and spacious home.

The house had obviously been built for a family. With plush furnishings, soft throw rugs, plump cushion that lined the expensive grey couches. The kitchen was fully equipped with whatever Blake needed. Even the sheets upstairs had a high thread-count and were as soft as anything. Years ago, when she had lived in the city, Blake would only have dreamed of having a place as nice as this. Perhaps with a husband as well as a couple of kids running around.

This was the kind of home, you'd see in a catalogue at Christmas, a dream that had always been way off for her….but even now, despite her living here, she knew that dream of hers would never come true.

She had lost Mia….lost any hope of ever having that family she so desired.

Now it was just her.

Alone.

Blake let out a small sigh as she slowly climbed the stairs, untying the plaid shirt from her waist, before pulling off her white t-shirt and tossing it into a laundry hamper at the top of the long , wide staircase.

Kicking off her shoes too, she padded into the large white and pristine bathroom, stripping out of the reminder of her clothes and underwear, before gazing up at her reflection in the mirror above the washbasin.

She looked good today, with tan lingering across her cheeks and collarbone now, and her eyes bright and fresh-looking. Remembering briefly how she had looked when David had had his hold over her, looking gaunt,, steely and cold, with dark circles beneath her eyes almost constantly.

But that weight was now gone from her shoulders, which was a relief, not only on her body, but on her mind too.

She gave another long sigh and made to turn to step into the shower, but just as she did so, from the window she spotted a sudden figure staring up at her, a sudden figure who, as soon as his eye caught hers, hurriedly turned away, red-faced and went back to his digging.

Steve.

He lived just a couple of houses away, and Blake had never realised that with her window wide open, it had a direct view into his front garden.

Fuck.

She hurriedly pulled herself away from the window, covering her bare and naked body from sight, her cheeks turning pink.

Oh god.

Blake hurriedly tugged the window shut, cringing to herself, before heading into her shower like she was supposed to.

Crap. How the hell was she ever going to look him in the eye again?

Ten minutes later and Blake had finished her shower, hair washed, tanned skin scrubbed and exfoliated, extremities shaved to perfection, as she headed back into her bedroom, towel wrapped around her middle.

She was still in two minds about going tonight.

As she had said to Tara, small-talk with people she barely knew wasn't high on her list of priorities these days. But this was the sort of thing around here that people were expected to go to.

That was the sub-urban life that she had so longed for after all.

Blake rifled in her closet, damp hair clinging to her shoulders.

Maybe if she could find something to wear then that would change her mind.

There were clothes in here that had already been in the wardrobe when Blake had moved in here, some that fitted her, some that she hadn't even bothered to examine since she had arrived.

She plucked at a pretty dark navy dress, but hurriedly shoved it aside. Perhaps something as clingy or as sexy as that was not appropriate for a drinks party at a sixty year-olds home.

But Blake smiled as her fingers suddenly drifted down a pretty black and white summer dress with a ditsy sort of flower print across the front.

It would probably be perfect, especially in this sort of heat, and so Blake tugged it hurriedly from the hanger, flinging it down onto the bed and admiring it.

Blake remembered back fondly to the last time she had worn a dress, given to her by Negan himself, and made to wear it to dinner with bearded Saviour.

That had been the start of everything for her. With David gone, Blake had truly felt like she had been given a chance…feeling beautiful…even under Negan's lustful stare.

But even that she had enjoyed…he had wanted her then…..and Blake had to admit, that she had very much wanted him too.

She gave another sigh, biting at her lip for a long moment as she remembered.

All that seemed like a lifetime away now. A bittersweet memory…of someone she would maybe never see again.

Blake dragged her eyes painfully away, plucking a matching set of plain back underwear from a drawer, before slipping them neatly over her curves.

Maybe tonight would be good for her. Maybe she could have drink. Maybe it would help her forget, to put thoughts of Negan aside….if only for one night.

Blake quickly ran a brush through her caramel locks, before throwing on the dress, zipping it neatly up at the side.

It fitted her well, falling to her lower thighs and accentuating her wide hips and small waist perfectly.

But Blake had barely a moment to linger, as there came a brief noise from downstairs. A loud knocking, which caused the blond woman to frown to herself, glancing over her shoulder down in the direction of the hallway.

It couldn't be Tara, as 7pm was still at least two hours away, but her mind suddenly drifted to Rick.

It had been a few days since he, Michonne, Carl or anyone else had come to bother her on the subject of the Saviours. But Blake knew for a fact that it wasn't likely he had given up that easily.

She let out an irritable puff or air before heading back out of her bedroom, onto the landing, and heading swiftly down the staircase, taking the steps two by two.

"Just coming," she called in a huffy tone, not particularly in the mood to be interrogated, as she reached the hallway and tugged open her large, white front door with a frown plastered cross her forehead.

But Blake immediately faltered slightly, as she saw just who was standing there.

Her eyes widening and her mouth going dry.

She let go of the door, letting it swing completely open, as her cheeks turned pink.

"S-Steve," she said slightly breathlessly, as her eyes fell on the tall, brown-haired young guy, standing before her. He was muscular with a broad chest, big biceps and blue eyes, and lifted his hand rubbing at the back of his neck, looking slightly sheepish.

"Blake," he said quickly back, mouthing at the air for a second, before his eyes drifted down to what she was wearing. "You- uh…..you look great."

Blake's blush deepened instantly at this.

"I…..um…..thanks…." she managed to gulp out a little awkwardly.

God, what was wrong with her…ok, maybe he had seen her naked, but he certainly wasn't the first guy who had.

Steve before her gave a gulp of his own, licking at his lips and shifting his weight from foot to foot.

"Listen," he said in a rushed sounding voice. "I wasn't spying on you…upstairs like that….I just…..I saw you…. and then you saw me…..a-and as soon as I realised…."

Blake winced internally.

He had seen her. Fuck.

That pink tinge to her cheeks certainly was not going anywhere now!

"Its fine," she murmured back, trying to force a smile. "I should've remembered to shut my window before I got naked…"

And at this, Steve gave a relived sort of laugh, as the mood lightened slightly.

"Again, I'm so sorry," he said shaking his head. "I don't want you to think I'm some sort of pervert."

Blake gave a small chuckle her eyes drifting down to the floor momentarily , before she looked up again.

"I don't," she said gently, flashing a smile in his direction.

And for a moment, Steve's eyes glazed over with a familiar sort of look, as he tilted his head, gazing back at her.

Oh fuck.

Oh fuck.

Blake recognised that look.

"I was wondering," said Steve once again after a moment, looking at her almost shyly. "…are you going to Maud and Alan's thing tonight? I mean I don't really know them that well….I mean, I don't really know anyone that well…but I just thought….if you are thinking of going…then maybe….you might wanna walk there…..together?"

Blake's heart jumped into her throat, as she stared up at Steve a little startled.

He was nice and everything….but…..

"Uh, s-sure," Blake replied…delaying as long as she could. "I…ummm…well Tara said she's going too…so maybe I can just….uhhh….maybe I can just see you there instead?"

She gave a him a smile, trying to be as gentle as possible.

But to her relief Steve gave her a bright smile, puffing out his chest happily.

"Great," he said with a nod. "It's a date then!"

But Blake's face dropped slightly.

That was NOT what she had been suggesting.

But before she could say anything, she was distracted by a small commotion just over Steve's shoulder, across the street where Joni, a short blonde-haired woman was hurriedly ushering her two young kids inside, as her husband ran in the opposite direction, followed by two other men from over the street.

But Blake's eyes soon flickered back to Steve.

"I…uhhh…yeah…fine," she said a little distracted now, as the tall man grinned back at her.

"Cool," he replied, eyeing her again. "And, you really do look like a million bucks by the way. That dress looks great on you."

Blake blinked, and gaped momentarily, before flicking a strand of damp hair from her face.

"Ummm…thanks," she said politely, as Steve made to turn on his heel and leave.

"See you there at seven then," he called back over his shoulder at her, throwing her one last wave, as he strolled slowly back down the pathway and around the corner, out of sight.

Fuck.

What the hell had Blake just gotten herself into?

Not only had she pretty much flashed Steve her bare breasts, but she had now agreed to go on a date with him.

Well agreed was not exactly the word she would have chosen.

Blake grumbled to herself, placing one hand to the door and making to close it, but just as she did so….. Father Gabriel flew past her front door, running as fast as his legs could carry him, followed swiftly by Aaron.

Blake took a step forward onto her porch her lips parting as she watched them.

"Aaron," she called out, causing the brown haired guy to stop in his tracks and turn towards her, completely out of breath. "W-What going on? What's happening?"

But Aaron, placing his hand to the knees of his jeans, doubling over to catch his breath for a second, shook his head.

"I-I-It's him," he said catching his breath for a moment before standing once again, up straight, and looking at her. "He's here…."

Blake took another step forwards and stared back at Aaron questioningly.

But before she could say anything else, he had answered the question for her.

"Negan's here."

And with that, Aaron had turned on his heel and was gone.

Leaving Blake standing there…completely alone…..

…unable to help, or even hide, the small smile that seemed to drift its way across her face…

Negan was here.

Sorry that was rubbish chapter.

Thanks to Hmc09, JudithMosalii, Boohoo, FriendsWithTheMonster, alliesmiley2 and l0velylexx.

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