"What happened to Carson's brother?"

"I tossed his traitorous ass into the furnace over there," Negan pointed with one leather clad finger before motioning for me to stay close.

"Word," I nodded, glancing over at Negan. I wanted to get on his good side. Quickly. Before he caught on that I wasn't shit and used Lucille to turn my head into a plate of mashed potatoes."That's, uh, gangster."

"Bet he deserved it," Simon said from behind me. We stopped on the catwalk that wrapped around the main interior of Sanctuary. The place was dope. A bit grim, shady, but…a perfect place for the "bad guys" to reside. I liked the indoors, anyway. Always had.

"That fucker did," Negan nudged me and switched Lucille to his opposite arm. "I have shit to do, wives to screw, you know the whole fucking deal. Can you show the new girl around for me? Get her all situated?"

No! Attractive man, don't go and leave me with another…attractive man!

"My pleasure," Simon pursed his lips and turned to me, slapping a hand on my shoulder and leading me away. As we walked, I tried my best to memorize as much as I could. If I needed to escape, I didn't need my dumbass brain fucking up on me. That would suck balls. I felt Simon squeeze my shoulder and say, "Maybe later you and I could, you know, sit down for some of that gelato I told you about."

"I'd be down with that."

"Good," Simon beamed. He had nice teeth. Nice, perfect, straight, white teeth. They reflected his persona pretty well. Nice, straight, and white.

Well, maybe not straight…

"Isn't gelato just a fancy word for ice cream?" I thought aloud.

"It's ice cream made in an Italiano style," Simon quipped.

"So a fancy word for ice cream."

"Yeah, basically," Simon shrugged, glancing down as we approached the end of the hallway and what I assumed to be the medical area. He stopped, leaning against the doorframe and looking me up and down. "Do you have any medical conditions?"

"Are we about to take the Pacer test? Why does it matter?"

Simon tilted his chin and said, "I'm just asking, just in case we need get to supplies for you."

"I'll evaluate myself later because I'm the doctor. Do you have any medical conditions?"

Goddamn. He looked stuck. I could see Simon's eyes flitting around wildly now, as if he needed someone to come and rescue him.

"Yeah, not so tough now, huh? And before you say anything, no, I don't have any conditions," I licked my lips before opening the door to the medical area myself. The place was tidy, spacious, with a wide window. Simon followed me inside, watching as I paced around the room.

"Everything you need is in here," Simon shoved his hands into his pockets. "And if you need more, just let me know."

I shouldn't need more, buddy. I'm pretty sure I'll last…what, two, three days before Negan catches on?

"Thanks," I met his gaze. "This is…good. I like it."

"You have a stellar view," Simon scampered over next to me, eyes on the window. I did have a view, and it was of some trees and buildings. National Geographic material, for sure. If only I had camera.

Is sarcasm lost through text?

Meh.

"It would be nice if, once we built this place up a bit," Simon continued, "we put in a pool out back. I can do the plumbing," he grinned cheekily, winking. "Give everyone a well-needed break."

The door creaked open. Negan was standing there, a grin on his handsome face. I quickly looked as Negan's voice shattered the silence.

"I honestly thought I was gonna walk in on some freaky shit," Negan grimaced, those his look morphed into a rather sleazy smile. "You two are getting all fucking nice and cozy. That's good. You'll need to be comfortable for when Simon get's himself shot in the goddamn dick again."

"That only happened once, and the bullet grazed me. My penis is fully functional," Simon exclaimed. I raised my hands in a placating gesture, rummaging through the drawers and surveying what supplies I had. All the while, Simon and Negan watched, impressed by how dedicated I seemed to be.

Key word here: seemed.

"We got fucking lucky, Simon," Negan said, and I heard his companion hum in agreement. "She ain't fucking wife material, but goddamn…"

"Did he just call you ugly?

"Goddamn what? Finish the sentence," I turned, unable to hide the agitation in my tone. Negan's jovial expression disappeared almost immediately, replaced by something akin to hostility.

It wasn't quite hostile enough, however.

"I was going to comment on what a fine fucking ass you have," Negan growled, stepping forward. I saw Simon go to move, but hesitate and hang back as his boss stared me down.

"You ain't put no fear in my heart," I tried, and failed, so sound brave.

I felt the sharp barbs of Lucille graze my cheek as Negan pointed the bat at my face. "Fucking careful how you speak to me."

Half of my brain was screaming at me to just submit. Get on my knees. Cry. Bitch out.

The other half, the spitfire half, was screaming at me to lunge and curse. Roast his ass. Do something.

"It's true. I'm not scared of you. I'm…I want to help. I want to contribute. But I'm not going to be scared," I lied through my teeth, clenching my fists and desperately trying to settle my beating heart. I saw Simon's dark eyes on me the entire time.

Negan rested Lucille back against his shoulder, smirking before jerking his chin towards the door. "Just what I wanted to fucking hear. You're rooming next to my fucking place. Simon, show her there."

I was almost upset to watch Negan leave. Almost. He had a nice face and his presence made me feel all tingly inside. I could say the same for Simon, and I was glad he stuck with me. I kept my head ducked, trying not to meet anyones eye.

"You, uh, still down for some gelato?"

I stopped. I'd almost forgotten - Simon was staring at me, eyebrows raised as awaited my answer. He was close to me, but it was a nice closeness. He, like Negan, smelled of faint cologne and aftershave.

Am I down for some gelato?

I'm down for some other shit too.

I leaned against the wall, crossing my arms. "I am."

"My room?" Simon pointed, lowering his voice. I could see that his neck and face were flushed as he scratched the back of his head. "Negan won't mind. I'm supposed to be showing you hospitality, anyway."

"Gelato date, huh?" I raised my eyebrows. Simon tensed up, looking almost flustered. I felt bad. "Kidding. Kidding, dude."

"Nah, I don't mind," Simon nodded. I craned my neck, staring up at him as he licked his lips. "You know, I bet I could guess your favorite flavor."

"How many girls have you used that line on?"

"Just one," Simon smirked. If I had to pick…I'd say you liked vanilla the best."

"You would be correct."

Simon grinned, nodding his head before reaching out to grasp my wrist. I giggled at his touch.

His hands are warm. I bet they'd feel nice in your—

Stop it!

Maybe. One day. He looked into me. Maybe, like two percent into me but two percent was decent enough! Maybe I could keep him entertained. Keep him from sending Negan on my tail if he found out that I wasn't a real doctor.

Wishful thinking.

I followed Simon into his room and did not look back.