The girl sighed and took her own time waking up. With silence in the room, Sadie stretched and lightly groaned.
"Man do I want a piece of that." Simon looked at her bare stomach from the doorway.
She stood up and tugged it back down. "How lucky will you be today is the question." Sadie took her boots and jacket and left to shower.
"Simon?" "Sadie." She rolled her eyes. "Can you help me apply a new bandage after?"
His eyes slightly narrowed. "Yep." "Thanks."
After she did, Sadie redressed and found him still waiting in the infirmary. "Let's see what we got." He motioned her over.
Sadie sighed, feeling the bandage secured around her head. "Take it slow." He whispered in her right ear and tickled her stomach, causing her to smile again.
"Okay." She went upstairs to check on the baby but stopped. "Wait." "What?" He came closer. "I..I'm leaving. Today." He blinked. "Good." She shook her head. "I didn't mean to cut you off! Really I didn't. It's just that.." "No. I meant good as in as long as you're kept safe. That's the game now. To stay alive."
She hugged him. "I'll miss you." "I'll miss ya too kid." He knelt down and lifted her shirt again. Sadie closed her eyes as he kissed her hips and above her jeans. "Damn you're pretty." He stood up. "Be safe." "I will." She gave him one last hug and left.
"One more thing." "Hm?" "You forgot this yesterday." He fastened the camouflage hat on her head. "Are you sure I can keep it?" "Yeah." He nodded. "We were going to toss it out anyway. But hide it untill you leave."
She smiled. "So I'll always have something to remember you." He knelt down kissed her on the cheek. "Be careful out there kid." Simon saluted her. Sadie wiped her right eye and saluted back.
The shower water running in Negan's bathroom muted the opening of the door.
Gracie started bouncing up and down on the floor with a smile. The girl smiled and picked her up. "Good morning sunshine." She kissed the baby on the forehead.
"You have a plan today? Hm?" Gracie babbled and rested her head on Sadie's left shoulder. "Good plan." She rolled her eyes with a smirk and rocked her side to side.
Sadie flinched as the water was shut off but continued to focus on Gracie. 'I'm not scared of him.'
Negan wrapped a towel around his waist and started to freshly shave his already smooth face. He sighed and dried his hair with another towel.
Sadie kept her composure as the bathroom door opened and turned away.
"Morning darlin'." He said smoothly and grabbed a new bottle of cologne from a cabinet.
Sadie ignored him and turned her back.
Negan sprayed it over his whole body and placed back it in the bathroom. He kept the door open to his bedroom as he got dressed, causing the girl to scowl. 'Men with their f*ckin' indecent exposure.'
He pressed his white shirt and zipped his leather jacket. A clean pair of jeans were taken from his closet and he shoved his feet into his leather boots. Lucille was grasped in his left hand as he walked out.
Sadie sighed. "Mornin' darlin'." He said again in the same exact tone. She walked away and sat on the couch with Gracie on her lap.
Negan huffed. "Stood me up last night. Wasn't the happiest camper."
Sadie rose to her feet and placed the baby back on the floor. She scowled and leveled her eyes with his. 'Good. You f*ckin' deserved it.' The girl left to clean the few dishes in the sink.
Negan walked after her. "Can I at least get a f*ckin' smile?" Sadie poured some dish soap on a sponge and scrapped the remains of spaghetti onto a paper towel.
"Well screw you too." He walked down the hall. 'Yes!' She turned to the clock and tossed the paper towel in the trash. 'You deserved every f*ckin' ounce of it you f*ckin' asshole.' She blinked.
Negan set Lucille against the wall and crossed his legs. Gracie looked up at him with a hand in her mouth. She then crawled away towards the kitchen.
"Little pain in the ass." He muttered.
Sadie sighed then felt a little hand on her pant leg.
"Mama." Gracie motioned to be picked up. Sadie giggled and did so. She kissed the baby on the cheek and Gracie squealed with a smile.
"I'll be right back sweetie okay?" She carried the baby back to the living room and set her on the floor. 'I need to find Claude. To have an actual talk with him.' Sadie stepped out the door and closed it behind her. She slowly walked down the stairs and found him speaking to Gary. As soon as they were done talking, Sadie walked over to him with a straight face.
He looked at her then looked away, only to look at her again. "I told you not even twenty four hours ago to stay out of my sight Sandra."
She sighed. "May we talk? Please?"
Frollo noticed the bandage around her head and looked around the warehouse to see everybody else occupied. He led her to the den, which was thankfully empty.
He lightly hugged her. "What in hell's name did he do to you this time? And do not think that I will allow it."
Sadie's eyes started to fill with tears. "He dropped me on the ground and I hit my head. Hard." She hugged him back.
He stood up with a glare but a straight face. "Did you come here to just cry on my shoulder?"
Sadie shook her head. "Not at all."
"Then why did you confront me?"
Sadie sat down on a stool and motioned him to sit in the one across from her. He reluctantly did so. "What?"
"I don't feel that this place is as functional as I thought it would be." Sadie said quietly. "Clearly." He answered in an obvious tone, slightly blaming her.
Sadie hid her neck with her shoulders.
He cleared his throat. "It is not a walk in the park is it? But I happen to agree. However, be aware that if the final decision is that we leave the Sanctuary, we can never come back."
"I understand." She nodded. "But my only real concern is Gracie's well being. She's like my own daughter."
"Hypocrisy!" He pointed at her with his right pointer finger.
"What?"
"You said that you were not ready for a child. And yet you have grown fond of one."
She shook her head. "Gracie isn't mine though you fool. I can have a liking for children but can still not be a mother myself."
"Did you say that I was foolish?" He towered over her. "Indeed. I did Claude." She stood up as well and rested her head against his waist. "I just don't want to lose you. In here of all places."
"And you won't." "If it was only you and I again. No tension. Surviving somehow. Possible marriage." She slightly smiled.
"Stop tempting me Sadie!" He shouted in a whisper as he lightly kissed the top of her head. Sadie lifted her head as a groan escaped his mouth.
"Well. As much as I like spending time with her, I'm sure she thinks the same. I can imagine taking her with us and kind of being a little family."
Claude smiled at that. "Yes."
"However. That would be kidnapping. Which I know gypsies are known for doing. And I have much higher morals than that."
He briefly widened his eyes. "How do you know that?"
"I do my research." Sadie smirked. "From the news and gossip that was spread around the streets of Paris. Pickpocketing and such atrocities. But I have to admit that I was foolishly kind with Esmeralda and Clopin. Just because you disagree on something doesn't mean that you should be completely oblivious on the matter."
He scratched his forehead. "Do you really wish to leave here?"
Sadie opened her mouth to clerify but then closed it. "I..don't know. I mean I do, but I would like someone to protect me. If I forget to keep my mouth shut again."
"I will be with you Sadie." "I meant someone who doesn't use violence as a solution to a problem." She glared at him. "And I am not afraid to do the same."
Claude held his breath and looked away. "Then why didn't you defend yourself before?"
"Because unlike you, I have a reputation and class to uphold." Sadie wiped her eyes. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to return to the infirmary to ease my growing headache."
She started to walk out when he placed a hand on her left shoulder. "Please Claude." The girl held her head. "I can't handle anymore right now."
"I'm sorry Sadie." "Don't be." She held her head. "Can you walk me there please?" He frowned. "As much as I would want to, it would be unwise. That would give off a bad impression to Negan."
"Oh. Duh. I completely forgot." Sadie shook her head and left. "Sadie." She turned to him. "I will be ready when you are." The girl nodded and returned to the infirmary. Sadie removed her jacket and boots.
Her head softly rested on the pillow and she shut her eyes.
'Hey! No slacking!'
She quickly opened her eyes as Negan's voice was heard, but it was all in her head.
"Hey. Dr. Smartypants." Negan strolled into a room with Lucille on his left shoulder.
Eugene shyly looked up from making bullets. "Yes sir?"
"You uh..haven't seen my soon to be smokin' hot fiancé around have you?" "I..I haven't." He shook his head.
"You know, Only a real asshole would choose to tell a lie rather than the truth. But. I'll take your word for it." He chuckled and left out the door.
"She is in the infirmary." Eugene rushed out with his eyes closed.
"Mhm." He went to find her, leaving Eugene in a paranoid state.
"There you are." He walked in. "I'm going to need you to watch Gracie today." 'And we're just going to fuckin' brush pass that I could have been knocked into a f*ckin' coma?' She huffed.
He smirked then stopped. "Shit. You were serious."
She scowled and turned away from him.
"The f*ck's your problem?" He knelt down in front of her. Sadie shut her eyes, imagining what it would be like if she did leave.
"This isn't f*ckin' charades darlin'. Tell me what.." Sadie sat up and quickly walked out. She disappeared upstairs and picked Gracie off of the floor and gave her a kiss on the head.
The baby was layed on Negan's bed and Sadie grabbed Lucille from the floor.
Negan flung the door open. "Don't you touch her!" He shouted.
"Or what?" Sadie held Lucille over her shoulder.
"You don't want to f*ckin' know what! Put her down!"
Sadie turned her head and walked away.
"Sadie!" He ran after her and she smacked him in the side, causing him to fall to the ground.
"Agh!" He pressed a hand at his side. "Shit darlin'." Negan took back his hand, now covered in blood. "Quite an arm you have there." He panted and looked up at her.
Sadie looked down at him with a straight face.
Negan then smiled. "I'm..proud of you..darlin'."
Sadie rolled her eyes and left him on the ground. "You're lucky it wasn't your head." She went to grab a wet cloth and tossed it in front of him.
He pushed himself up and she tightened her eyes with anger as he ran his fingers through her hair.
"That..was a no no darlin'." He softly growled. Sadie shivered and couldn't stop. "I.."
Negan stood up and bore her left shoulder by pulling down her jacket.
Sadie fell dead silent. 'I will hit him again.'
"Mhm." He took off her jacket completely and threw it on the floor. "Let me see you darlin'." Sadie held her breath as his hands literally ripped the shirt off of her.
She stiffened her body as Negan touched her stomach. "Mhm." The girl backed up into a corner and started to think of how else to hurt him.
He chuckled. "Come 'ere darlin'." His right hand picked up Lucille. Terrified, Sadie looked up in silence.
"No! I'm done Negan. I hate you!" She forced herself up with a hand on the back of her head.
He smirked. "That's cute." Negan reached in his back pocket and took out a tape measurer.
Sadie ran off, only to trip on the carpet but Negan caught her.
"Stop!" Sadie grabbed his arm, trying to get it to let go. "I hate you Negan."
He calmly let go. "Hate is a strong word darlin'." He wrapped it around her waist. "Yes it is. But it's more than accurate." He blinked. "You really do huh?" "Yes. I do."
Negan turned away and looked out a window with Lucille on his shoulder. "Alright."
"And here we go. You play the damn pity card again!" She shouted then sighed. "I'm leaving Negan. I'm done fighting, being manipulated, being hurt, and being close to the brink of freakin' death."
"You're not leaving." He blinked.
"Yes I am. You are nothing to me anymore!" She clenched her teeth. "I'm serious. Do you want we to prove how serious? Again?"
"You wouldn't do that to me." "Wanna bet?" She ran over but Negan stopped her.
"Alright darlin'." He walked away with Lucille and placed the cloth at his bare side. Four slivers of blood would not stop bleeding. Negan lay on the couch and pressed the cloth against him. "Damn." He whispered to himself as the wounds stung.
Sadie huffed and went to check on Gracie. The baby lay on the bed fast asleep. She smiled and took her hoodie, shorts, and sneakers out of her bag. The boots were kicked off and set next to the bed. Her bag was picked up and she left out the door.
Negan looked up and placed a hand on his head.
Sadie cleared her throat and waited for a clear coast. A hand was set on her shoulder and she froze. Claude was dressed back in his usual attire and she stared at him with her mouth open.
"Come. No time to waste my dear." He placed his judicial robe in her bag and held out a hand. Although still slighty confused on what just happened, she agreed and left with him outside.
Ten zombies growled at them behind a fence. Sadie huffed and hid behind a bush to avoid being seen. "It is all well Sadie. No one else is outside." He helped her out of the bush.
She turned to him. "How did you know?" "Because you do." She shook her head. "What?" "Don't shake your head too much Sadie." "Sorry." She sighed. "I guess we are all the way back to square one."
"Indeed." He looked down at her. "The remaining cans of food in my bag have probably lost their use." He sighed. "Have you stolen anything?" "I haven't. Not a single thing."
"Good." He held her next to him. "Now where are we going to go?" "Wherever the road takes us my dear." He looked at his black pants. "I would advise to stay quiet for the time being. Since we are still in war territory."
She nodded and followed him as he navigated them around the Sanctuary. Although uncertain that he knew where he was going, Sadie trusted him.
After one hour, they were away from all the existing communities.
"Alright. Our main priority right now should be weaponry." Claude spoke up suddenly, causing Sadie to jump. "Please." She panted and set a hand on her chest. "Don't do that again."
He turned around and tilted his head. "Do what?" "You know what! Speaking completely out of nowhere and trying to reset my heart." He smirked and continued to stay quiet.
She growled and rubbed her chest. "Not funny!" "Correct. It was more than that." "Ugh. Can we please focus on finding weapons?" "I could have sworn that you had one."
"Yes indeed." She started humming and grabbed it out of her bag. "If noone saw it, it didn't happen." She grinned and took out the hat Simon let her have. "It's not stealing if it was mine to begin with."
"Then what is that?" "Oh. Simon let me have it. It's not stealing if I have permission."
He shook his head and continued to focus on the road. "It makes your appearance resemble boyhood. Please take it off."
"But I like it." She adjusted it. "It gives me confidence.
He huffed. "Very well. Perhaps we can find a faster form of transportation."
"What are the odds of finding a car with a full gas tank in a time like this?" Sadie fluttered her eyes. "Just don't trust me in driving one then."
"I wasn't planning to."
"Good. I've already caused enough trouble." "It was a simple mistake." He cleared his throat. "It was more than that Claude. Look what happened between us." "That was the past Sadie. Now it is just you and I."
She blinked. "But for how long?" He impatiently stopped walking.
"Sorry." "Thank you." Frollo began thinking of how he would provide for both herself and him. Sadie caught up to him and walked beside instead of behind.
He looked down at her then straight ahead again. "I am not going to carry you."
"I'm not expecting you to." Sadie looked around her. "Is it going to be winter soon?"
"I do not know Sadie. But I don't want you to worry about that." "I can take care of myself Claude. You know that." "Yes. However, I was raised in which it is the man who provides for the woman."
She tilted her head. "We aren't in those times anymore." She stopped in front of him. "We need to work as a team now."
He folded his arms. "Very well." "But we can negotiate plans once we accomplished the basics. Okay?"
He blinked. "Okay. Keep walking. I don't know what the remaining time is for daylight."
She nodded and scratched her head. 'Let's see, a car. Worth a try actually.'
Claude quickly held her close to him. "What?" She whispered. "Shh." He covered her mouth as he heard the snapping of twigs and branches.
She gulped. "Nothing. Keep walking. Quietly." She gestured a thumbs up and pretended to zip her mouth shut.
He rolled his eyes and let go of her. He then motioned her to follow to an abandoned car.
'Oh my god.' She sat in the passanger seat, crossing her fingers that the vehicle would turn on.
An engine was heard and Frollo started driving it. "You have got to be kidding me!"
"Indeed." He blinked. "Don't get too comfortable." "The gas tank is perfectly full." She pointed to the meter symbol. "And it could be as old as I am." Claude cleared his throat.
"Oh. Right. Hey!" She crawled in the back seat. "What on earth are you doing?" He looked through the driver's mirror. "Basic necessities. Well one of them." She held up two steal swords with a smile.
"Good. Now please sit down before you hurt yourself even more." She sat in the back seat and fastened her seatbelt.
The car surprisingly had enough gas to travel two miles and was parked in a quiet and worn down neighborhood.
"Hm." He turned around and noticed Sadie with her eyes closed.
She shook her head. "Where are we?" "Hopefully a refuge for the night. Come."
Frollo held her left hand and a sword in his right. Sadie held the other and gulped. "It looks nothing like Paris." She whispered.
He narrowed his eyes then approached a small grey house. "Stay behind me." Frollo opened the door and looked around. There were two black couches and a brown wooden coffee table.
"There's a second floor." "I know." He led her upstairs to find one large bed and a walker hiding in the corner, nawing on what looked like a human leg.
Sadie opened her mouth to scream but he covered it with his hand. He walked up to it and stabbed it in the head. Sadie sighed and looked around for any others. She opened one of the doors but it was just a bathroom, oddly clean.
Frollo opened another that was a walk in closet. Three walkers growled and walked towards him. Sandra tightened her eyes and took out her gun from her bag, shooting two of them. He stabbed the last one and panted.
"Thank you Sadie." "Why would you be with someone who would try to get you killed?" She smirked and blew on her weapon. She went to catch up with him. "Wow." She looked around and noticed a few shirts for boys.
"Sadie. Come here please." Claude picked out a grey flannel for her to wear as a backup. "Oh. Thank you." She smiled and looked around for a bra that would fit her.
'Let's see.' She picked up a black one but it was far too big. 'Shoot.' She tried a smaller one and smiled, it also being black.
He took a black shirt along a spare white one from a rack and neatly folded them.
The girl huffed and lay on the bed, having slight anxiety about other zombies coming out.
"There aren't any more Sadie. I promise." He undid his shoes and she did the same. "I hope so." "I know so." He watched her disappear back into the closet and removed his shirt and pants to put on the black pajama pants he found.
Sadie undressed and put on the bra but kept her shorts on. 'Might as well stay somewhat protected.'
Claude turned his head as she walked out and held his breath.
"What?" She turned in a circle. "Too tight?" The girl walked over and pulled back the blankets on her side of the bed. "It's nothing. Time had stood still for me."
She shrugged and turned to him. "Good night." He opened his right arm and she happily lay closer to him. "I think we forgot something." She faced him.
"What? Are you hungry?" "No. I'm sure we'll find something to eat tomorrow." She closed her eyes and kissed him on the lips. Claude shut his and kissed back. His fingers went to unhook her bra. She nervously cut off the kiss.
"What are you doing?" He cleared his throat. "I shouldn't have done that. I apologize." She felt his hand on her stomach.
She lay on her stomach and closed her eyes. "Night." "Good night Sadie. I won't do that again." "I mean it's getting to be colder so let's wait until we find somewhere to stay with a fireplace."
"Alright." He blinked and started to rub her back. "Your skin is so soft."
Sadie smirked and closed her eyes.