Negan knew it would take only five minutes for the doctor to get to his room. With him, the word "important" was never used lightly. But he couldn't just stand there and do nothing. So he tried to use the right side of his brain and to think practicality.

The first thing to deal with was the fever. Eventually, they would have to go fetch some ice as the burning was pretty severe but for now, cold water was all he had at his direct disposal. Also, he wanted to wait for the doc's diagnosis before taking a rushed and unthought decision. Racing to the joined bathroom, he took a washcloth in a drawer and got it wet with the coolest temperature he could. Not cold but it would have to suffice. Coming back on Rick's side, he began to brush him, starting with his face then back with the nape of his neck and his wrists. He knew that those kinds of spots contained a lot of thermal sensors and were strategical places to lessen an individual's temperature.

Then the second thing he could attend to was Rick's damp clothes. He would have to change them with dry ones eventually. So once again, he opened his drawer and pull out some underwear, a clean jean and a shirt.

He had just come back to Rick's side and grab the washcloth once again when he heard knocks on the door. He didn't have time to answer with his usual "Come on in" that Harlan Carson was already in front of him. Good. No time to waste with the formalities.

- "What happened?" The doctor started, professional. He knew it was going to be tough already. The woman that had come to him had just explained the outlines of the situation. But for Negan to look that worry and not even care to hide it for good measures, it had to be, as the woman had said, "important". As the story went, big bad Negan had even used the magical word "please", for goodness' sake!

- "I just found him in his cell, like this. He hasn't eaten nor drunk for days." Nodding, Harlan was going to get closer to the bed to start his examination when Negan, out of nowhere, took a grip on his wrist. The wrinkle of concern was still visible between his eyebrow but his eyes were now incisive.

- "You are gonna save him, alright? And if you try anything, if you intent to cause him any harm, I swear I will make you regret it." He let a few seconds fly for the words to sink in and he added:

- "Do you understand?" Harlan could not retain the humorless chuckle that slipped out from his mouth.

- "Do you actually hear yourself? You think what? That I would intentionally hurt Rick to get to you? Because of what you did to my brother?" Negan bit his bottom lip. Yep. That was pretty much exactly what he thought.

- "Watch it, doc. I'm starting to wonder why I even let you talk to me like this.

- I don't know. Maybe because now, I'm the only doctor in a hundred kilometers radius?" Harlan suggested, trying not to let the sentiment of worry that formed a knot in his stomach to appear on his face.

- "There are other ways for punishment than death, if you know what I mean." At that, disgust clearly appeared on Harlan's face. Was this guy for real?

- "Emmett, like me, we took the Hippocratic oath. You know what that means right? So I don't even understand why you would think that threatening me right now would help in any way.

- Because you really believe those kinds of red tape are still important those days? Also, you really expect me to believe that if I was the one laying on that bed, dying, you would save me too?" At that, Negan bit his tongue. What was wrong with him? Did he really just bring up his biggest insecurity in front of that guy like a scared little boy? Tiredness was really getting at him and was making him careless.

- "Like you just said, he's dying. Is it really the right moment to have this conversation?" No approval but no denial. Negan could work with that. For now. For Rick's sake.

Finally being let go of his wrist, Harlan put his medicine bag on the nightstand and took hold on an ear thermometer. Putting it in Rick's ear, he just had to wait a few seconds before reading the result.

- "Forty-one degrees.

- Wait, what? Fahrenheit?

- No, Celsius.

- So, how much is it?" Negan asked, confused.

- That's about one hundred point five degrees Fahrenheit...

- Fuck!

- Pretty much, yes." Taking some time to think things through, Harlan took a deep breath and turned to face Negan. He then put one hand on the other man's shoulder and look him right in the eyes.

- "We'll have to act fast. Forty degrees would have been enough already to justify going to the ER. So we'll need to put aside our differences. I also want you to trust me and to follow my lead. Can you do that?

- As long as it's in Rick's best interest." He could have added "and in my own", but this time, it was not about him.

-" Of course." Harlan nodded. And with that, he started to explain his plan:

- "We have to immerse Rick in cold water. First, we'll have to carry him and put him in your bathtub. Then we'll mix water from the faucet and ice from the freezer. Ice in itself could burn him so it needs to be cold but he can't be in direct contact with it. But at the end of the day, fever is only a symptom. Rick has a severe case of dehydration. So once his temperature will have lessened enough, we'll need to nourish and especially hydrate his body because not having enough water can disturb the natural sweating system." Taking a short break, he paused for a few seconds, unsure of how to word his next inquiry.

- "You put IVs in the ask-before-use list because they are rare resources. As a doctor, ...

- Use them." Negan interrupted before there was even an actual question.

Harlan wanted to be as transparent as possible here. Saving Rick was going to be a long shot. His body might have reached a point of non-return already. So the IVs would be wasted. He didn't like that word as everybody deserved a chance. But today, when such resources were that scarce, it was almost a privilege to be the one chosen to use them. Even so, Harlan could tell by the determination in Negan's voice that there was no arguing on that subject.

- "I'll go get them when Rick is settled. Let's go."

And everything went fast, like in a dream. They carried Rick to the bathroom, Negan holding him by the shoulders and Harlan under his legs and they carefully installed him in the bathtub. While the doctor was filling it with cool water, Negan went for a bucket that he filled with ice from the freezer. It almost felt like he was preparing everything for Rick to pass the Bucket challenge. He had actually passed it himself back in the days and he still remembered Lucille's laugh as he was standing there, soaked from head to toe, his hair falling in front of his eyes like a wet puppy. What he would give to get back to those happier times... Shaking his head, he tried to refocus on the present. He had to make three trips so that the bathtub was full and he managed to do it in record time. His mission completed, Harlan could finally leave to look for the IVs, letting Negan in charge to monitor Rick's temperature.

- "The normal body temperature is around thirty-seven point five degrees in Celsius. Once it reaches it, we'll need to get Rick off, dry him and put him new dry clothes as well. I saw you already put some on the nightstand, that's good. Don't worry about doing it on your own, I think I should be back before that anyway."

And he was. Everything happened as he explained it and before they could fully realize it, Rick was laying on the bed once again, his fever down by four point five degrees. Harlan had also installed the IV that was now dripping in a slow rhythm, rehydrating him.

- "He's not out of the danger zone yet. His body still has to regain lots of fluids or else the fever could come back. You should really rest now", Harlan suggested. I can watch over him. I will make sure it doesn't worsen again.

- What are you? My shrink now? Telling me I shouldn't worry.

- I am not you shrink nor am I your friend. But I am the doctor here and I would appreciate it if you valued the medical opinion I have on you as much as you valued the one I had on Rick. Also, I can't promise you he's going to make it. My job description doesn't entail lying to patients or their family about the outcome. But I can promise you that I will do everything in my power to save him. Will you?" Out of breath by his long tirade and its intensity, he took a deep breath, waiting for Negan to answer.

- "Of course I will. What kind of question is that?

- Then you have to rest. Otherwise you will be putting him in even more danger because of your lack of concentration and focus."

Negan looked annoyed for a bit. Like he understood the doc's point but was still trying to find the rights words to explain himself. This time being patient and argumentative instead of getting on his high horse.

- "You just said he was still in danger. Can you at least let me stay by his side until you can tell me he's out of the woods? I kind of promised him he would be okay. If I leave now just to fucking sleep and something happen, I would never forgive myself. Besides, my bed is already taken, by the look of it."

Harlan looked at Negan with curiosity. He knew sleep deprivation could have a real effect on one's emotions and behavior. But more often than not, it would result in crankiness, irritability and could even lead to anger. For Negan, it just seemed to have heighten his empathy. Or maybe his guilt. He wasn't sure what really motivated the leader of the Saviors right now. But Rick's recovery was the only thing on his mind.

- "Alright. But when you will have finished your watch, I want you in bed. And I will make you some herbal tea to help." As he was gonna reach for the door, Negan grabbed for his wrist, more gently this time.

- "Thank you Doc. For everything." Harlan turned around for a bit, catching a glimpse at Negan's face. His eyes were now so much softer than when he first entered the room. For once, his acknowledgment actually felt genuine. Surely it was only relief taking the upper hand. But somewhere in his mind, he couldn't help thinking that Negan's motives were not that considerate. Like the only reason why he wanted Rick to actually get better was to destroy him while standing on an equal footing.

- "Don't mention it." He just replied, concealing his somber thoughts. Then he just left, closing the door's room on his way out.

Negan, finally alone after what had felt like an eternity, released the breath he didn't know he was holding. Sitting on a chair near the bed, he then moved forward on it and looked at Rick, unsure. His hand first laid on the mattress, the fabric soft under his fingers. Then, he followed the folds until his hand was only a few centimeters away from Rick's. Somehow, it felt wrong. Being able to be so close to him when he was so defenseless. It was almost too easy. And he knew that if Rick had his say, there is no way he would have been able to stand this near to the guy. But for some reason, he was laying on his bed, between life and death. And it was not making any sense. But there was a way to know. Finally holding Rick's hand in his, he squeezed it lightly, hoping the touch would reach him somehow.

- "I'm trying to understand, you know. But I can't imagine what you've been through to end up wanting to hurt yourself." He paused a few seconds as sudden emotions emerged.

- "I can just hope it wasn't because of me." But if someone knows, I know who, Negan added in his mind as a lump formed in his throat. Straightening himself up, he tried to sit comfortably in the back of the chair. The night was gonna be long. But once Rick would be in the clear and he himself would have rest a bit, he would head to Alexandria. And there, he would find his answers, at last.