It all seemed too normal, if you ignored the armed guards that led her into Negan's house. Carol took in every detail, trying to get a sense of her surroundings. It was a lot like Alexandria. A walled, guarded community. People walked around freely. They seemed to be happy from what she could tell. And of course, they were well armed, stocked and supplied. Why wouldn't they be when they just forcefully took things from others.

"Good Morning Carol," Negan's voice startled her. She'd been too busy taking mental notes of everything she saw to notice he'd come into the room. They were in a cozy little room she would call either an office or a den. "I hope your night was comfortable. Did you sleep well?" She watched as Negan waved away the guards.

She had no desire to make small talk with him. "You sure you want to do that?" she asked in an icy, threatening tone.

Negan chuckled. "You're a lot of firecracker in that little pixie package, aren't you?" He offered her a seat and Carol took it.

"I'm not afraid of you," she glared at him. "And I will kill you one day." He seemed amused once again by her threat. He truly had no idea who he was dealing with, which would only play to her advantage.

Negan sat down and looked at her. "No you won't," he smiled. "You hate me now, but you'll learn to love me, just like all the other women here."

His arrogance was disgusting and it made her feel sick to her stomach. Carol smiled back, "I guarantee that I will never, ever, love you." She smiled wider. "I will kill you and I will take Michonne and anyone else who you've forced to obey you back home with me. And I won't just take half your things, I'll take it all."

Negan tapped his fingers on the desk. "What's his name?"

"Excuse me?" Carol asked, feeling her heart start to pound.

"Cut the crap, I can always tell. You have the look and a desperation to get away from here. Besides, this shit started years ago, everyone's getting a piece of ass somewhere by now." Negan smirked. "Husband or boyfriend?"

"Girlfriend," Carol replied. Take that you arrogant fuck, she thought.

He pondered her words for a moment and the conceited smile returned. "We'll see about that." Did he not believe her? Or was he actually so full of himself that he thought he could make a lesbian straight? "Listen," he leaned forward, elbows on the desk. "Let's get serious for a moment, shall we?" Oh this should be delightful, Carol thought. "The women here - they're all my wives. Some took longer than others but they all came around eventually." Carol bit her tongue. She had so much to say, but there was no sense in pissing him off even more. "I treat my ladies very well," he added. "And I never, NEVER, force myself on a woman. When I fuck you it will be because you want it." She felt like she was going to puke. There was a slight relief that he seemed quite serious about never resorting to rape. But the thought of having sex with this disgusting psychopath made her ill.

"Never gonna happen," Carol muttered, she couldn't help it.

Negan leaned back. "You saw people outside, wandering around, smiling - living. Once you commit to me, once I trust you - you can have that too Carol." So that's how it works. He keeps people locked up, gives them little tastes of freedom until they're so hungry for it they fall for his charms. "Where you are now, it's nice enough, but when you become one of my wives you can have so much more. Nicer house. New clothes. And freedom. You'll be happy. You will," he insisted.

Carol shook her head and spoke a single word with the biggest smile she could muster. "Never."

"You have the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen," Negan said, meeting her gaze. "You fascinate me." He stared at her a little longer and Carol made sure not to look away. She needed him to believe she wasn't afraid, even if his insanity scared the crap out of her. "Dwight," he called out. An armed man appeared at the door. "We'll chat again soon," he said to Carol. "Take her back and bring me the sexy samurai."

Just as they were about to leave another man came in. "Negan, David - again."

"You're sure?"

"Yeah, I saw it with my own eyes."

"Let's go," Negan got up and led the way out of the house. Carol had no idea what was going on, but when she saw Negan pull out his gun she knew it couldn't be good for David, whoever he was. They stopped as Negan approached a tall dark haired man. "I warned you once - she's mine now. I don't give second chances." Carol watched in horror as Negan lifted the gun and shot the man in the head before he even had a chance to speak. "Clean this up," Negan said to the informant. "Carol," he tipped his head and smiled, then walked away as if nothing had happened.

The shot had brought several people out of their homes, but few seemed phased, which led her to believe this wasn't something strange. Carol took a deep breath and looked at Dwight. "Let's go," he said, nudging her. She didn't miss the brief look of disgust on his face and she was pretty sure it was directed at Negan, not whatever "crime" the dead man had committed. Interesting, she thought, very interesting.

DARYL DARYL DARYL DARYL DARYL DARYL

Most of the town was gathered in Rick's living room while he explained the plan - or lackthereof. "I don't see how we can plan anything until they come and we see what they're made of," Rick said to the group. He had already explained that Negan was sending men to take half their supplies, but they had no idea when. "He's going to send a significant number of his men, I'm sure of it. He's going to come in expecting and prepared for an ambush, so we won't give him that. When we finally act, we act in surprise."

Daryl walked out before Rick was finished speaking. He'd heard enough. They had to wait. It made sense if he was being honest, but he didn't like it. Not when Carol and Michonne were with those freaks. Not when Carol was away from him.

"Hey, Daryl - wait up," a voice called out. He turned to see Denise chasing after him. He slowed so as not to be rude, but he hoped she wouldn't talk long. He wanted to be alone. "So, I used to be - well, I guess I still am - a psychiatrist."

Daryl stopped walking and eyed her. "I don't need no shrink."

"No, I know, but you do need to talk to someone," Denise said gently. "And I'm a really good listener. I'm also legally not allowed to tell anyone what we talk about."

Daryl snorted. "Ain't nobody to enforce those laws anymore."

Denise shrugged, "Maybe not, but I took an oath and I will uphold it until the day I die." She smiled, "I want a rabbit. That can be your payment and you'll officially be a client. But even if you don't want to -" she adjusted her glasses. "I give you my word I won't tell anyone - if that's good enough."

He was hesitant. She was right, he did need to talk to someone, but he wasn't in the mood to talk to Rick and his other two usual options were both gone. He'd spent a lifetime keeping to himself, he could keep this in too and he would survive like he always had. But there was part of him that really needed to say it out loud.

"You miss her. Like, you really, really miss her," Denise spoke, touching his arm lightly.

Daryl kicked the dirt. In his mind he saw Carol's face and he heard her voice. Talk to her, it's okay. He shifted his feet and then looked up. "I don't just miss her - I - love her."

Daryl gained a lot of respect for Denise when she spoke again. "You haven't told her, have you?" He shook his head. She looked at him and her face softened even more. Daryl couldn't believe how at ease she made him feel. "I really think she knows."

"Wha - How?" Daryl was puzzled and he looked to her for explanation.

"Women are pretty good at picking up vibes like that and - uh - " she pursed her lips and looked amused. "You're pretty easy to read. You kinda wear your heart on your sleeve." Carol had said those exact words to him, not all that long ago, and he still hadn't clued in at all. But wait, if she knew and she hadn't said anything she must not feel the same way, Daryl thought, feeling a deep sense of disappointment. "Listen, I'm really good at reading people and I've seen the way she looks at you. Whatever doubts are rolling around in your mind right now - let em go. She feels the same, I would bet my life on it."

Daryl didn't say anything. He wanted to believe her, but he was scared. What if he never found her again? What if he never knew for sure? What if he never got to tell her? "Hey," Denise interrupted his nightmares. "You need to believe you will see her again. You're gonna do everything you can to save her." She squeezed his arm. "You will." Denise looked at him for a moment. "Sometimes the best talks happen when you just listen." She was referring to the fact he'd barely said a word, though the few words he did say were extremely important. "I'm going to leave you to yourself, but my door is always open if you need to - talk - again."

Daryl said goodbye and he started towards the main gate. "Hey, where are you going?" Denise asked, noticing where he was headed.

He shrugged and gave her a half smile. "I owe someone a rabbit."