Author's notes: I would like to say real quick now that the show's finale is out... this fanfiction's ending is going to be different from the show's! I've had it in mind for a very long time. So I don't pay attention to the end of the show. I hope I can still keep you around till the end. :)

…

Quinn and Negan, Alexandria

I took a deep breath in and then let out a sigh. I wiped my eyes once again, trying not to cry, having to leave Jesus behind. As we were approaching the gates, suddenly I got distracted by Maggie. She was waiting a bit further away and called Negan's name in a serious manner. I exchanged glances with Negan, worry building up inside of me.

"It's okay," he said, trying to calm me down, but I felt uneasy. I squeezed his hand a bit stronger, not wanting to let him walk alone to Maggie. "Hey… it's okay," he repeated as he looked me in the eye. I slowly let go of his hand and he walked away. I watched his back. I stayed where I was, far enough not to hear them, but I could see them, not taking my eyes off Negan not even for a second.

…

Maggie crossed her arms in front of her as Negan approached her. He stopped, keeping his distance.

"What?" asked Negan. Maggie exhaled sharply.

"I was thinking about what happened last week," she started uneasily. "And since you're leaving… I just wanted to say that I… I accept your apology," she stated, but when she saw Negan let out a huge sigh of relief, his expression easing up, she quickly added: "Don't get me wrong. I will never forgive you. I will never forget what you did. But I accepted your apology. So we can both try to move on. And I hope I will never have to see you again."

She stated very seriously. Negan nodded understandingly.

"Thank you, Maggie," he said politely. "You know… I can't forgive myself. I don't expect that from you. Ever. I just wanted you to know that I regretted it. And I am sorry."

Maggie's mouth winced as she was trying hard not to cry again, but she nodded, accepting his words.

"What about Rosita?" Negan asked turning his eyes to the ground like a shy little boy.

"She moved on. She will never forgive you either, but she was stronger than I am," Maggie admitted. Negan nodded again taking in all of her words, making eye contact once again. "Goodbye, Negan," Maggie stated and left him where he was.

…

After Negan and Maggie finished talking I was very surprised to see her coming toward me. When she approached I took a step back from instinct. She stopped too and looked me in the eye.

"I'm sorry about everything, Quinn," she said. I couldn't believe my ears. "I know we can't control who we fall in love with… I shouldn't have taken it out on you. I just wish you a good life. As good as it can be in this damned world. I hope I will never see Negan again, but… I wouldn't mind seeing you."

She said uneasily. I nodded understandingly.

"What hurts the most is that we could have been friends. I know it," I admitted and she nodded too.

"Yes. We could have been. But it turned out like this. Anyway… I wish you luck."

"Thank you, Maggie. Take care of Hershel…"

Suddenly it felt like we were already friends, I eased up a bit and gained confidence. She won't kill Negan. And she won't kill me. I continued gently:

"You know… You probably don't want to hear this from me… but he looks so much like his father."

Maggie's mouth winced as she was struggling with her tears. I got a slight, barely visible smile from her.

"Yes… He is the only reason I didn't…" she gulped her tears down and looked me in the eye. "I wanted to follow Glenn," she admitted quietly. "But I couldn't… he kept me alive. And his face reminds me of his father every day," she said as her tears rolled down her cheeks, she couldn't hold them back anymore. I couldn't help myself… I embraced her as my tears were rolling too.

"I'm so sorry Maggie… I can't tell you enough times and can't express in words how sorry I am. And Negan too. He is so sorry," I said quietly while she hugged me back gently. I was surprised she returned the gesture, but she did. After a couple of seconds, we let go of each other, I quickly wiped my eyes and I looked at her. "You know… when Negan saw Hershel for the first time… he just broke. He was sobbing uncontrollably. He didn't know you were pregnant back then. I know he can't be forgiven… But this situation hurt him too. Don't think that he enjoyed it. He didn't. He still has nightmares about it. I just wanted you to know. And thank you so much for letting him live," I couldn't hold myself back I started crying again as I finished the sentence. Maggie put her hand on my shoulder.

"Negan ruined us all. I didn't want his death to ruin you too," she admitted. "The only reason he lives… is you. I still have a heart. However cold it might look now," she said as she quickly wiped her tears away.

"Thank you, Maggie. Seriously," I said. She nodded, and this time I wiped my tears.

"Take care, Quinn. Have a nice life," she said goodbye and walked away. I turned my back on everyone else and kept crying. I didn't look up, but I felt Negan embrace me. I knew his scent by now to recognize him without looking at him. I buried my face in his chest.

"I told you she accepted my apology," he said softly whispering in my ear. I hugged him so tightly like I never wanted to let him go ever again. We didn't realize how Maggie was watching us from afar. She was struggling with her tears, but she braced herself, gulped down the tears, and headed to the gates to say goodbye to everyone else. Negan kept me in his arms while gently stroking my back and my head till I calmed down. I felt like I could breathe again. Maggie didn't want to murder Negan anymore. I quickly wiped my tears and looked up at him.

"I stained your jacket with my tears," I said quietly.

"Don't worry about it. It'll dry. Come on, don't cry," he said gently as he caressed my cheek, but I just realized he had tears in his eyes too. I bet he was relieved too, that finally, Maggie took back his death sentence. I reached up and caressed his cheek, then he kissed my hand. "We should join the others," he said gently. I couldn't say anything, I just nodded. He took my hand and I squeezed it a bit again not wanting to let him go ever. We walked back to the others. Henry and Lydia were looking out for Judith and RJ, while Carol and Daryl were busy saying goodbyes. As they finished Carol somehow ended up next to me.

"So?" she asked.

"Maggie accepted Negan's apology," I said quietly. Carol embraced me with one arm and smiled at me.

"You can start a new life at the Commonwealth. You can calm down and relax now," she said trying to comfort me. I nodded in agreement.

"You'll miss out on all the goodbyes," I said nodding toward the hugging people of Alexandria.

"Nah, I already finished with it. Waiting for Mr. Popular guy over there," she said and as I followed her gaze I saw Daryl shaking hands with almost everyone at Alexandria. I chuckled.

"Mr. Popular," I repeated smiling. Negan chuckled softly too. When Daryl finished he started searching for Carol with his eyes immediately. As he turned around he spotted her instantly and came to us.

"Ready?" he asked.

"I was ready half an hour ago," Carol stated mocking him. Daryl smiled at her, then Carol let me go from her embrace and went with Daryl to fetch the kids. Negan turned to me before we followed them.

"Can I finally kiss you in public without having to worry about anyone?" he asked. I suddenly found it hard to breathe because I got embarrassed by the question, and I felt that familiar sensation of my face getting hot, which meant red, but anyway, I nodded yes to him. He didn't ask twice and gently kissed me, right there, near the gates, almost in the middle of Alexandria. People come and go all around us. It didn't last long, but it was so gentle and sweet and it was a statement. We're starting a new chapter of our lives. As we backed away, we heard Gabriel and Eugene calling everyone who wanted to move to the Commonwealth. It was around like twenty people, wasn't that much. The rest either stayed at Alexandria or wanted to join Maggie in rebuilding Hilltop. We followed Carol and Daryl to the gates. The soldiers were helping load up children on the carriages. Carol sat with RJ and Judith, while Daryl stayed on foot with Henry and Lydia. There weren't many seats, so the youngest children and their mothers were allowed to sit. The rest of us, including the soldiers, had to walk to the Commonwealth. Daryl glanced up at the carriage, at Carol, then turned his eyes to Henry and Lydia.

"Come on, don't go out of my sight," he growled at them.

"Alright, alright," said Henry as he walked next to Daryl, holding Lydia's hand. They were so cute. I saw Eugene walking with Gabriel right next to the carriage where Rosita sat with the baby. They were all smiling and deep in conversation. I smiled to myself at their sight. I really missed Eugene.

"You can join them if you want," said Negan gently. He was clearly watching me. I looked him in the eyes.

"No. I won't let go of you, ever again," I stated. He smiled and I think I saw a little redness on his cheeks. "I managed to make you blush," I said smiling, referring back to our little game.

"Yes, you did," he admitted, defeated, as his face went even more red, avoiding my eyes, smiling.

"I want to kiss you right now… but I can't because we will get left behind and we have no idea where the Commonwealth is," I stated.

"It's okay… I'm all yours once we get there," he said smiling at me. I chuckled softly at his response then I quickly pecked his cheek. He was still blushing. I just couldn't get enough of this. I couldn't take my eyes away from him. I wanted to memorize this picture: Negan smiling and blushing. I wanted to remember this forever. When I finally turned my eyes away I saw Carol and Daryl staring at each other too for a couple of minutes. Then I saw Daryl whistling and dog came running after him. Daryl was wearing that ridiculous poncho which always made me chuckle. As we walked away the rest of Alexandria came to the gates yelling their goodbyes. I glanced up at the post and I saw Aaron, Jesus, and Gracie, waving and yelling. My eyes met with Jesus's, he smiled at me and lazily saluted goodbye. I smiled back at him. Then I saw Maggie, our eyes met too. She nodded and I nodded back at her. We walked away from Alexandria and headed towards the Commonwealth. It was in the opposite direction to Hilltop and the Sanctuary. Not surprising we never found it. We barely ever went that way. I bet even Daryl didn't go that way in the forest. The only certainty was the warm hand I was holding. Negan. He smiled at me gently as we walked towards our new life.

…

Author's notes: Listen to "Anywhere" by Evanescence.

Thank You for reading! ❤