I walked into the cafeteria and noticed that the other Doveporters had left the room. The only people that remained were Vivienne, Amy, and Eric, who were all still seated at the table. Negan was gone, and I approached the table slowly. Their heads looked up at me as I sat back down in my previous spot and picked up my glass of water.

"Welcome back," Amy said. I looked up at her and smiled a bit. She seemed very sympathetic towards me, but Eric and Vivienne seemed less understanding of my outburst.

"Did he really offer for us to live there?" Eric asked, getting straight to the point. I didn't look at him and drank from my glass, and then set it down.

"Yes, he talked to me about it a few weeks ago," I admitted, avoiding their gazes.

"And you were never going to talk to us about it?" Vivienne's voice was bitter, and I wasn't used to hearing her like that. Since Philip's death, she had been much more irritable, but I really hadn't expected them to be so upset about this.

"I figured you guys wouldn't want to go." It wasn't a lie. I really had assumed they wouldn't want to live with him.

"Well we do want to go." Vivienne's words made me look up from my cold, half eaten waffle and I felt my eyes widen. "There would be more food there, and Negan is offering Eric a good job and-"

"Hold on a second," Amy cut Vivienne off. "These aren't exactly good people we'd be moving in with." Amy was probably fixated on what I had told her about the Sanctuary. She was the only one sitting at the table who knew I had killed my would-be rapist.

"We wouldn't have to scavenge anymore," Vivienne argued. "We would be safe. I could help them grow food…"

"We could see the baby, Amy," Eric urged, putting his arm around her. She smiled at him sadly, and shook her head.

"I'm with Elle. I don't want to go." She looked up at me and gave me a knowing look. I was so grateful she had my back.

"We can't even decide amongst ourselves. We can keep talking about it, but for now we're staying right here." I said confidently, trying to drop the topic. I knew Eric and Vivienne were disappointed in me, but I wasn't willing to walk away from Doveport. Living at the Sanctuary would be a gamble, and it wasn't one I was willing to take.

"You need to quit leaving us in the dark about these things," Vivienne said standing up from the table. I could tell she was annoyed with me, and I didn't blame her. I wished I had talked to them about it, but it was a little late for that.

"I'm not mad at you, Elle," she added, smiling sadly at me. "If you really want to run this place the way Philip did, then we all need to be a part of it."

I nodded at her.

"I'm sorry, Viv. I promise that I'll involve everyone from now on."

Vivienne nodded back at me, and then turned to carry her plate to the kitchen.

"Let's get these dishes cleaned up, and then I think we all better get some sleep."

Once again, Negan waited two weeks before coming to Doveport for his supplies. Amy's belly was really starting to extend—her clothes were barely fitting her anymore, and we estimated she was about twenty-five weeks along. Negan's doctor would be able to give us a better estimate, but none of us had discussed Negan's offer of moving to the Sanctuary again. I was grateful Vivienne and Eric were willing to let it go, but I knew it was lingering in the back of their minds.

As the trucks pulled into Doveport, I stood at the front of the school with my arms crossed over my chest. I wasn't eager to talk to Negan that day, and hoped he would be in and out of our hair fast. Knowing him, it was wishful thinking. I had placed Philip's ruger in my holster at my waist. I didn't intend to use it, but figured it would be a smart idea to start carrying it on me. We were starting to feel too safe behind the walls, and often forgot about the threat of walkers roaming outside.

Negan got out and ordered for his men to load up the gas canisters. They brought back the empty ones from the former two weeks, and set them down against the wall where the full ones had previously been. He then turned his attention on me, and I sighed, expecting him to head over.

I was surprised to see Amy approach him before he could come over to me. He greeted her with a smirk, and I couldn't hear what he was saying, but they both seemed relaxed. I remembered back to how uneasy Negan had made all of us feel, and now we were starting to get used to his presence.

I approached them and caught a part of their conversation. Amy was asking Negan where he had found the pop-tarts, and if there were any more.

"Don't tell me you ate all the other ones!" he laughed, staring down at her belly. "What the fuck are you growing? A parasite?"

"No, we still have a couple boxes, but I was just curious." Amy smiled at him, and he chuckled while shaking his head.

"I'll tell you what, Momma Bear, if I find any more pop-tarts out there, I'll make sure they come to you."

"Thank you, Negan." They both turned to greet me as I walked over to them, but I still felt irritated with Negan after what he had tried to pull during our dinner two weeks prior. I nodded at him solemnly and gestured to the school.

"Vivienne has some vegetables inside. She said they're yours." My voice was more quiet than usual, and I wasn't doing a very good job of masking my frustration. I half expected him to pick up the argument again with me, but instead he let out a shrill whistle, and one of his men approached him in what felt like an instant.

"Go with Elle here and get me my shit," Negan ordered.

The man nodded, and then looked to me. I turned from where Amy and Negan were still standing and headed into the school. I was shocked Negan hadn't accompanied me inside, but maybe he sensed I wasn't in the mood for him today.

The Savior didn't speak as we entered through the front doors. I spared a few glances over at him. He looked like he was in his late 20's, early 30's, and he had short blond hair, with dull blue eyes that were focused ahead as we walked. I couldn't be sure, but he almost seemed nervous. I hadn't really paid attention to the men Negan brought with him, but I wondered if he had been there the night Philip and Adam died.

Had this Savior seen what I had done?

I led him into the kitchen where Vivienne was washing something in the sink. She turned to greet us as we entered the room.

"Oh, he's here already?" she asked, facing the sink again and rinsing something off. "I'm almost done."

I leaned against the doorway, and the Savior stood off to the side of the kitchen, watching Vivienne closely. He seemed on edge, and I casually rested my hand on top of the ruger, ready to remove it at any second. Vivienne turned off the sink, and set something inside of a small box that was sitting on the counter. She took one last look at its contents, and then picked up the box.

"All done!" Vivienne announced, holding the box out towards the Savior. He took it into his hands, and looked down at the contents.

"What the hell is this?" he asked, in a disgusted voice. I narrowed my eyes at him as Vivienne smiled unsurely at him.

"They're radishes. They're one of the fastest growing vegetables. I picked them this morning, so they're fresh."

I knew the box couldn't have much in it, but Vivienne was trying to be nice. She had been working her ass off to fix her garden, and it was almost back to how it was before.

The Savior seemed unimpressed and glared at Vivienne.

"Negan doesn't want no goddamn radishes," he growled, pushing the box back towards Vivienne forcefully. He shoved it into her so hard that it caused her to fall onto the floor; the box of radishes spilled and the little red bulbs rolled everywhere. I rushed over to where Vivienne was laying on the ground.

"Vivienne!" I exclaimed, scanning her over. She had fallen hard, and I could see she was wincing in pain.

"I'm fine," she said, bringing a hand to her head, still sitting on the floor.

A burst of anger coursed through my veins, and I turned my attention on the Savior who was grinning down at Vivienne. He was amused at her pain. I felt my grip on the ruger tighten, and before I could think about what I was doing, I let my emotions take the wheel.

His smile faded as the barrel of the gun rested against his temple, and he slowly turned to look at me. I was pointing the ruger right at him, and in the moment, I wanted nothing more than to pull the trigger and kill him for hurting Vivienne.

His eyes narrowed and I pressed the gun further into his head, making him freeze. I glanced over to Vivienne who was staring directly at me, with wide, terrified eyes. She didn't say anything.

"Stand up," I growled, looking back at the Savior that I was holding at gunpoint.

He did, slowly.

"Take your gun out of the holster and throw it on the ground," I ordered. He obeyed, and continued to glare at me the entire time. His pistol hit the floor and skidded across the ground towards Vivienne. She didn't reach out to take it, and instead she was completely focused on what I was doing.

"Now walk." I pushed him forward, and the action made him stumble a bit. I wanted to knock him onto the ground for hurting Vivienne, but I allowed him to walk out of the kitchen, down the hall, and out the front door.

We stepped out into the front yard where Negan's men were all standing near their trucks. Amy, Eric, and Negan were standing together and talking. As the front doors opened, their eyes all turned to me and the Savior.

"Move!" I spat, leading him up to where Negan was. No one said anything as we approached them, and then I had him stop. "Get on the ground." The Savior lowered himself onto his knees across from Negan, who was watching me with a confused, but somehow amused look on his face.

"Another hostage situation?!" he boomed. "Did you already forget about your former gatekeeper, Elle?" His mention of Seth sent a wave of fury over me. I narrowed my eyes at him.

"You didn't want to stick your dick in Seth," I said coldly, still aiming the gun at the Savior. The man seemed much more nervous than before, but was still trying to be stoic. Negan smirked at my vulgar comment as I continued to glare at him.

"Put the gun down, Elle," he ordered, his playfulness dissolving into a serious expression.

"I thought you didn't negotiate with hostage takers." I pressed the barrel of the gun against the side of the Savior's head. I heard the front doors of the school open, and I spared a glance over to see Vivienne was slowly exiting the school.

Negan let out a long sigh. His men were all watching very closely, waiting for his command.

"What the fuck did he do?" Negan asked.

"He pushed Vivienne!" I seethed.

"So?" Negan asked, as if he was indifferent about it. "She looks fuckin' fine to me." He squinted over to the school where Vivienne was standing. I looked over quickly again to see she was holding the Savior's pistol in her hand, but she wasn't aiming it. I faced Negan again, still scowling at him. Amy and Eric were frozen in place, watching me with confused, and terrified expressions, but I didn't notice them. My anger made it feel as if it was just Negan and me.

"Take your shit and get out. We're not going to work with you anymore if you're going to push Doveport around like a bunch of bullies."

Negan rubbed his beard and sighed again.

"What do you want from me, Elle? Do you want me to beat him to death right here and now? All for a little push?" He seemed to be trying to reason with me, but I didn't stand down.

"If I shoot him, you won't have to," I said coldly.

"We both know you're not gonna do that," Negan stated. He sounded so sure of himself, and I almost wanted to pull the trigger and prove him wrong. Negan was smiling at me, but his eyes felt like fire. I thought he was pissed, and it was around then that I started to gauge the situation.

Even if I did manage to shoot this Savior, Negan's men would take me out in seconds. I had let my rage get the best of me again, and there was no way out of this. But even then, I didn't care. I needed this Savior to know he couldn't push us around.

I needed Negan to know those days were over.

Negan broke our long held gaze and looked down to his Savior who was still kneeling on the ground before him. I hadn't realized it, but the man looked terrified—I wondered if it was because Negan had mentioned beating him to death.

"Garrett, say you're sorry to Vivienne," Negan spoke to the kneeling Savior.

Garrett slowly turned his head to look over to Vivienne, who was approaching us and came up next to me.

"I'm sorry," he said, in a very low voice. My eyes glanced over to Vivienne again, and she gave me a slight nod, as if to tell me she was okay.

"See? Our kids can get along!" Negan said in a playful voice, trying to lighten the mood. I was still holding the ruger by Garrett's temple. "I know you're pissed off Elle, but let's not lose our cool. We're all friends here. No need to decorate the yard in Garrett's brains."

I noticed Garrett gulp at his words. Perhaps it was that sign of weakness, or maybe it was the forced apology, but I finally lowered the gun.

Garrett sighed in relief, and then stood up carefully. I didn't know what to expect next. I felt transported back to the night I killed Adam and I had expected Negan to order his men to open fire on me.

This time was different.

This time, no one died.

When no one shot at me, I set the ruger back in the holster at my hip. I didn't look up at Negan, or the others, who I knew were probably gaping at me. I didn't care what they thought anymore, and I really didn't want to hear Negan scold me for threatening one of his men.

I turned to head into the school, when I felt a hand wrap tightly around my arm and start escorting me forward. I looked up sharply to see Negan was pulling me towards the school. I tried to pull my arm away from his grasp, but he wouldn't let go. He wasn't hurting me, but was leading me with such force that I had to walk quickly just to keep up with him. The others watched in confusion as he escorted me up to the front of the school.

The whole action took me off guard, and in that instant, I assumed he was going to kill me. I would have been sure of it, if it wasn't for the way his grasp loosened as we entered through the front doors and it became much gentler.

He didn't say anything as he led me through the hallway, and then into the principal's office. He let go of my arm, and I stepped into the room and watched as he closed the door. He set his bat down so it was leaning against the wall, and then turned his attention on me. He started to approach me, and he had such an intense look on his face that it made me shiver.

I backed up towards the desk and felt it hit the back of my legs. Negan leaned over me and hovered. He was so close, I could hear him breathing hard. I glared up at him as he looked at me with such intensity. I didn't know what he was going to do, but I wasn't about to back down now. My hand went to the ruger—I was ready to defend myself.

Then I saw it—the way his eyes travelled down my body and back up—the smile that ghosted his lips—and then I felt something hard pressing against my leg, and my eyes grew wide.

He wasn't angry…

He was aroused.

He leaned over me, his mouth was right next to my ear.

"I love how you took control like that. Seeing you with that gun made me as hard as a fucking brick."

I really hadn't expected… this.

My heart felt like it was going to beat right out of my chest, and I stared up at him in surprise, not knowing what to do. I hadn't meant to excite him; I really intended to prove to him that we weren't going to take their shit anymore. And instead of feeling threatened, he was feeling… well… other things.

"Are you fucking kidding me right now?" I hissed, narrowing my eyes at him as he smiled down at me in amusement. I was trying to show him that Doveport wasn't a doormat—that he and his people couldn't walk all over us. I never thought my actions would turn him on.

Our eyes were locked for a long time before he finally spoke.

"I want weekly stuff again." He licked his lips and smiled as he stood so close. "I want to see you every week."

Really? This again?

"No." I answered, the irritation was clear in my voice—both at the fact he was bringing up this argument again, and because he wasn't taking me seriously.

He grinned.

"You can't stop me."

"Watch me," I fired back, and placed my hands onto his chest. I shoved him backwards so he stumbled away a few steps.

He chuckled and lightly shoved me back with his hands on my shoulders. I bumped into the desk, and before I could stand up again, he cornered me against the wooden surface.

"Weekly," he growled, but there was a playfulness to his voice. I felt his arousal against my abdomen, and I suddenly had to fight a smile as I glared up at him. Even though I was pissed that he was aroused by my actions, I couldn't deny it—I was enjoying the power I held over this man.

"Every other week," I said confidently. "I found the ping pong ball. I won fair and square." I faked a scowl at him, but the angry facade cracked. My lips twitched upwards into a small smile, which he noticed immediately.

He moved even closer so his body was right over mine, and his head touched mine.

"I want you so fucking bad right now," he hissed, against my ear. He pulled back a little to look at me, and then he leaned down to kiss me. His lips were hovering just above mine, and all I had to do was sit up and press mine to his…

But instead, I turned my head away just as he leaned down, so his face pressed into my hair. He backed up, giving me space from the desk and let out a loud, frustrated sigh.

"I'm so sick of this playing hard-to-get shit."

I couldn't stop staring at his lips and the soft, salt and pepper stubble surrounding them. Perhaps it was the adrenaline rushing through my veins, but I had almost given in. Before he caught me gazing at his mouth, my eyes went to his.

"I'll stop taking supplies if you come back with me to Sanctuary," he stated.

"No," I replied firmly.

Negan exhaled slowly and then closed his eyes. He backed up a few more steps, and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"What are you doing to me, woman?" he wondered aloud, shaking his head. Then he opened his eyes to look at me. The way he was gazing at me made me freeze in place. It was the most vulnerable I had ever seen him—he looked almost desperate. It was the third time I had rejected his kiss, and he was clearly confused by it. I could only imagine that Negan wasn't used to women saying no to him. He had multiple wives back at his Sanctuary, and here he was, chasing after me. It was such a good feeling to know that I had this affect on him. It made me feel like I had the upper hand.

And yet, as he continued to look at me so passionately, I couldn't help but stare at his lips. In an attempt to calm my nerves, I stood up from the desk and straightened my shirt.

"We're not doing weekly," I said sternly, crossing my arms across my chest. No matter how hard I tried, my eyes continued to trail down to his mouth.

"Yes we are," he replied in a mocking voice, and grinned at me.

Why hadn't I kissed him? The thought invaded my mind, and I tried to shake it away so I could continue this half-assed argument with him.

Still… I couldn't help but wonder what those lips tasted like—what it would feel like to touch him…

My cheeks turned pink as my brain struggled to comprehend what I was feeling, and started its very own internal argument. The way he was smiling at me in the moment made my heart flutter. Yes, I may have felt powerful having someone like him pursuing me, but as we stood together in the office, I suddenly felt very exposed and vulnerable myself. I didn't want to feel this way. I wanted to win this fight, if only to set out and prove to him, once and for all, that Doveport was done taking his shit.

I took a few steps across the room so I was right in front of him, and did my best to appear threatening. My efforts had probably been in vain, as he towered over me. Raising his eyebrows in amusement, he leaned down so our faces were inches apart. He continued to smile at me as I glared up at him.

"Every. Other. Week." I said each word slowly, enunciating every syllable. My nose was practically touching his.

"Week-" he started to say, and I couldn't bare it any longer. I had been overthinking everything lately.

And I needed him to shut up.

Before he could finish the word, I raised up on my tip toes, and very gently, pressed my lips to his.

Similar to when I had pecked him on the cheek, Negan froze in surprise as my mouth met his, but he reacted much faster this time. My lips had barely brushed his, and I had started to take a step back when he wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me even closer against him. I let out a small gasp as my chest brushed up against his, and his mouth found mine again. Our lips melded together once more, and his beard tickled against my skin.

We held the tight lipped kiss for a few seconds…and then a few seconds more, neither of us willing to take it a step further, but not wanting to break it off either. And then his tongue slipped forward, gently asking for entrance, and I granted it, slightly parting my lips and felt it caress mine. I wrapped my arm around his neck and my fingers tangled into his hair, urging him forward.

But instead, he broke the kiss. His lips hovered just above mine, and our breaths mingled together. I opened my eyes to see he was gazing down at me with such fervor—such desire—that I felt my knees go weak. I inhaled and his scent flooded my senses. My heart was pounding loud in my ears.

Why was it pounding so damn loud?

All the irritation I had felt at him had dissolved and I felt like putty in his hands. There was something in the way he was looking at me that made a shy smile form on my lips. I leaned up to kiss him again, when a familiar voice made me freeze.

"Um… Elle?" I quickly turned to see Amy was standing in the office doorway. She was staring right at me—at us. Negan still had his arm wrapped around my lower back and was pulling me up against him. My arm was hooked around him—my hand was still clutching onto his hair.

My arm dropped and I stepped away from him. He let me go immediately.

"Amy?" I asked, as embarrassment set in. I could feel my cheeks heat up and I wanted to crawl under the nearby desk.

How long had she been standing there?

How much had she seen?

She probably thought she was walking in on something…

I realized…she was walking in on something.

Negan walked right by me and picked up his beloved bat. My wide eyes watched him as he set it carefully onto his shoulder.

"I'll see you next week," he said with a slight chuckle. He sounded amused at the fact we had been caught. Of course he wouldn't be embarrassed. The man had no shame. Right then and there, I had enough for both of us.

He turned back and gave me one of his overconfident smirks. I wondered what would have happened if Amy hadn't interrupted us…

"Two weeks," I corrected, and knew my face must have been completely red. He was lingering in the room.

"You sure you don't want to see me sooner?" he teased.

"Get the fuck out of my office," I ordered, but I sounded flustered. It was my lame attempt to try and backpedal to before—to when I was trying to assert my dominance.

So much for that…

He smiled at me, and then headed to the door.

"Momma Bear," he said simply to Amy, as he stood next to her. She was standing in the threshold of the door, blocking his exit.

"Negan," she replied, and nodded at him. She was staring down at the floor, avoiding his gaze. She moved out of his way, and he exited the room without another word. Once he was gone, she looked back up at me.

"Are you…" she started to ask, but trailed off before she finished her question. I could imagine what she was going to say…

Are you and Negan together?

Are you kissing him now?

"No," I answered, not even knowing what her question was. Maybe it was something more along the lines of, Are you out of your goddamned mind?!

"It kinda looked like you were," Amy said, and she was smiling as she said it. "I'm not mad, Elle. I'm happy for you. It could help us that he cares about you."

Help us?

None of that had been on my mind at all. This wasn't about strategizing anymore, though she was absolutely right. It was clear that Negan had feelings for me, but I still wasn't sure how I felt about him. My head was fuzzy, and I felt like my heart was going to burst from my chest it was beating so loud—from the kiss, and from being caught.

I let out a sigh and looked out the window to see the Savior trucks leaving.

What the hell had I just done?