The ride back to the compound seemed to take forever. Neither Simon or Kate spoke. Neither of them knew what to say to the other. Part of Simon wanted to keep driving, to take Kate away from the Saviors. But he knew that wasn't possible. Negan would find them. He always did.
When they finally pulled through the gates, Negan was waiting for them. When they got out of the vehicles, he pulled Dwight and Simon to the side. Kate took the opportunity to slide away, back to her room.
Negan congratulated the two men on a job well done. He was clearly pleased, and it showed in his body language. Simon had to force a smile and went along with the laughs. But when he looked back over his shoulder, he frowned. Kate was gone.
Simon headed toward the hospital as Dwight and Negan went through the pillage from The Kingdom. He only had one thing on his mind. He was afraid for the first time in months. He couldn't lose Kate, not now.
She wasn't in the hospital, so he went to her room. The door was locked, so he gently knocked. There was no answer. He knocked louder. There was a soft shuffle of feet, and the door unlocked.
Kate stood in front of him, eyes red, face swollen from crying. He reached out to comfort her and she stood still, shaking.
"Kate," was all he could say. He simply stood with her, holding her small frame in his arms. He let her take the lead. He didn't want to push her in a direction that she didn't want to go.
They stood for a few moments, until Kate rested her head on his chest. She could hear his heart beat, and she closed her eyes to listen. She was torn apart inside. She knew that the world was different now. She knew that life would never be the same. And yes, she knew that the cost for living now was higher than ever.
She had lost so many people. Her parents, her brother, even her dog. When she had started out on the road, there were five people in her group, all from the hospital. Now, it was just her.
She hated to know that life was hanging in such a delicate balance. She hated that every day was a struggle and a fight. People died. Sometimes, they turned. She hated all of the violence. She also knew that this was her world now, but she didn't have to like it.
Kate pulled back and looked up at Simon. He bent forward to kiss her, holding her face in his hands. She felt safe with him, happy even. There was something about him that helped her escape from her world. He was tough, and fiercely ready to protect her. He was handsome in a rugged way, and deep down, she'd always had a soft spot for the bad boys.
"Will you stay? " she asked him, taking his hand in hers.
"I thought you'd never ask." Simon entwined his fingers with hers and walked her over towards the bed.