It didn't take the pair long to reach the gates of Alexandria once again, the rain still pouring down all around them as they walked, with Mia nestled snuggly in Blake's arms, and Negan, with one hand pressed to the small of the blonde woman's back possessively. Both of them speaking very little on the way back, partly not wanting to disturb the sleepy child in Blake's arms, but also due to the fact that both adults knew that there were some things that words just weren't capable of expressing.

For both of them were fully aware of how close they had been to losing something important to them today, and the pair of them were equally prepared to ensure that that never ever happened again.

Blake was so grateful to Negan for everything he had done for her….utterly in love with him now. And by the look of devotion on his face, Negan felt exactly the same, as the pair of them strolled past the army of Saviours waiting near to the trucks for them to return…all looking like the most obedient of soldiers….drenched but standing tall and firm awaiting orders like always.

But Negan and Blake were barely through the looming gates to Alexandria, when Rick strolled hurriedly up to them, followed close by, by an irate-looking Simon.

"Where was she?" asked the brown-haired leader, wide eyed and looking almost out of breath. His gaze travelling over Blake's muddy face and clothes, giving her a confused and questioning look.

But Blake gritted her teeth together, frowning darkly in his direction, her relieved demeanour bristling slightly.

"Out there, in the fucking woods…alone…." the caramel-blond woman snarled before even Negan had the chance to reply. "But she's safe now. No thanks to you."

"Blake-" tried Rick, offering her an almost sorry look. But his words were not good enough now. Not good enough at all.

And it was barely another second that Negan spoke, moving around Blake and Mia, like a wolf protecting his pack, and coming to stand nose-to-nose with Rick, as the rain hammered down onto his sloped, leather-clad shoulders.

"Now Rick….I gotta fuckin' say, you are a goddamn expert in findin' new and unique ways of pissin' me off," said Negan in a raised voice. "And today is no fuckin' exception. But, see, the thing is…this time, well shit, you've fucked things up. Puttin' people I actually care for in danger. An', well, Rick, that is somethin' I do not fuckin' stand for."

And with that, Negan pressed the sharp end of Lucille to the bottom of Rick's bearded chin, causing him to wince against the barbed wire as it pressed into his skin.

A crowd had gathered around them now, of both Saviours and Alexandrians alike, just as it had earlier today, but now everyone was staring at Negan and Blake expectantly….

..obviously aware of the storm that was coming….and not the one currently hanging overhead sending rain barrelling down onto their heads in sheets.

Blake's blood was boiling now, as was, very obviously, Negan's too. Both of them seething for the same reason.

Lives could have been lost today, that was on the heads of Rick and everyone else here.

And that was something Blake would never ever be able to forgive them for.

For a brief moment she had perhaps thought she could have come back here, to have slotted back in with these people. Resumed her life here without looking back.

But today's events had made her realise that that could never ever happen. She felt bitter and angry at how sloppily things were run here, and how Mia's life had been put in danger. And why? Because all of them were far too corned with Negan's appearance in the small community today, than with their own issues. With keeping people safe.

Rick and these people lived such sanctimonious lives. Kidding themselves that were saints in all this, while the Saviours were mere monsters. But in fact, there were certainly not blameless in everything that had happened to them.

Hell, Olivia dying had been on Rosita's head for firing that bullet at Negan a long, long time ago now. And today all this was barely any different to that.

It was their own fault for the fury and discipline that Negan and the Saviours constantly needed to lay down on them.

Blake could see that now.

It all appearing before her green eyes as clear as crystal.

The tiny toddler wriggled slightly in Blake's arms now calming her a little and brining her pulse back down to a steady beat.

But Mia was safe.

She was alive.

But she still couldn't pretend that today hadn't happened. Forget the fact that Blake could have lost her again before she was even found.

The blonde woman stared down at the teeny girl now, brushing back her wet hair from her forehead as Mia peered up at her with wide blue eyes.

"Ca we go 'ome naw. Bwakey. I schleepy," she murmured, her pudgy little fingers curling around a strand of Blake's caramel blonde hair.

And Blake stared down at her warmly, just as Negan too chanced a glance their way, faltering slightly in his anger at Mia's words..

"Yeah, we can go home, baby," Blake muttered in reply, her eyes gazing up and meeting with Negan's chocolate ones.

The pair of them managing, as they always did, to communicate wordlessly with one another, Blake feeling, right now, as tired and exhausted as Mia…

…but nevertheless, first punishment had to be given.

For this was not something that could just be forgiven…swept under the carpet….

And Blake stared about just I time to see Tara come jogging over towards them, staring at Blake with red and puffy eyes full of regret and relief and anguish.

But even despite seeing the look on her old friends' face….even remembering the good times they had shared…..

…Blake still leaned into Negan slightly, pressing a hand to the crook of his leather-clad elbow, drawing his attention her way once more.

"From now on we up the amount of supplies they give us by three hundred percent," said Blake in a cold carrying voice, as a sudden worried murmur filled the small watching group of Alexandrians.

But Michonne, who had been looking on through the rain, stepped forwards, speaking suddenly.

"That's triple what we're giving you now!" said began. "T-That's' impossible-"

But Negan relented in his pressing of Lucille into Rick's flesh, instead swinging the weapon around and pointing the end of the barbed-wire covered baseball bat at the dreadlocked black woman instead.

"Wow, well fuck me, some of you can actually do math!" he uttered in a loud carrying, sarcastic voice, leaning back of his heels with every syllable he spoke. "Welll fuckin' done to you!"

But beside them both, Rick shook his head, eyeballing at them both wide-eyed.

"We're struggling to survive as it is-" he began in a hoarse voice, but this time Blake cut across him, clutching Mia tightly to her chest, but staring darkly at the brown haired leader of this village with an icy gaze. And if looks could kill, Rick would be long dead by now, that was for sure.

"Then don't…" she said coldly, raising her chin and staring around once more, addressing the crowd. "Because if you don't give us triple what you scavenged for us this time…then we'll go with my original plan…and burn this place to the ground."

The caramel-blonde woman gave a slow blink, seeing a grinning Negan now staring her way out of the corner of her eye.

"Because you fucked up, Rick…all of you are responsible for this," she uttered in a weary voice. "You couldn't even look after a baby! You couldn't even keep her safe."

Blake's eyes drifted past Tara now, who had tears silently falling down her cheeks. But still the blonde woman didn't relent, needing to tell them why.

"You messed with my family," she continued, repeating the words Negan had just used back to them once again, sounding very much like the queen she was supposed to be. "And that something I do not fucking stand for. That WE do not fucking stand for."

And with that, without a second glance at these people….the same people who she used to call her friends…of whom she now utterly despised with every fibre of her body, Blake turned on her heel and headed out of the gates once morere….caring very little for the state she was in right now, filthy, her clothes coated in mud…but heading all the same, back in the direction of the trucks with Mia nestled safely in her arms.

And not even a second later, Negan offering Rick one last shake of his head, staring down at him with amused disproval, leaned his face into him once more.

"Oh Rick," Negan whispered. "I did warn you it wasn't just me you had to worry about these fuckin' days. 'Cause shit, if she gives the word, I will bring down a fiery fucking hell on all y'all. She's a damn queen. And no one fuckin' disrespects her. An' I hope for your fuckin' sake you are as clear on that one as I am."

And with that, the dark-haired Saviour let out a hearty chuckle, running his free hand across his bearded face tiredly, before following after Blake. Giving a beckoning whistle to his men and women as he went, causing them to follow obediently….shoving their way through the crowd and heading back to the loaded up trucks.

All of them more than ready and willing to ship back off to the Sanctuary and get out of the rain…

...but as Rick and Michonne and Tara watched the Saviours go, there was one person who had been watching everything unfold with a furious look fixed to her face…beneath her green baseball cap pulled down low over her almond eyes….

….a person who was already thinking of way to make, not only Negan pay for what he had done…

…but now, Blake too…..

I have a feeling that Badass mama Blake and daddy Negan are going to rule the apocalypse. :)

Thanks to alliesmiley2, chelseajowhite, CLTex, CapatinWilliamsN7, V, Jam86, DreamersChace, Panda Blitz, starberryfruitsnax, ElysiumPhoenix, LyzzEQ, NedStark39, angelvoice15, Keward2592, rissbenzo, Monizzle, AllieRoexxx, Guest, masquerade04, sophiexrivers, LJH, guest, dominantdemonbutler22, Magikat409, MisfitCarter, exclusivelybecca, JasminJW, angelstuffing, comet92 and B for reviewing.

Are there any things you guys are looking forward to seeing from Negan and Blake (and Mia maybe…) in the future? I have a few ideas on the cards, but how about any prompts or one shots I can add into chapters of things you would like to see them doing. Obviously I can't guarantee I will include them in future chapters, but I would love some extra inspiration right now! Think of it as an early Christmas present to me. ;)

Please review