Chapter 16 - 'The Limit To Your Love'

Kate needed to focus. She had spent most of the night in bed with Negan, trying her best to convince him that he was winning at whatever game they were playing. At first, the sex was primal, animalistic. She looked over at a sleeping Negan and saw the scratches on his back from where she had dug her nails into him. At first, in the beginning of their passion, they hadn't spoken, but merely let each other's bodies take over. Kate had been in a trance led by a combination of her need and her anger. But at some point, Negan had looked at her with such longing and sadness, as if he had found a great treasure but couldn't keep it.

At almost four am, Kate finally convinced Negan that she had to get some sleep before starting her shift, He complied. When she curled up on her side, facing the darkness of the night sky through the window, she felt a gentle arm wrap around her waist. When Negan pulled her close to him, she almost thought she heard him whisper that he loved her.

She sat up slowly, wondering if she had dreamt the last bit of the night, or if it really did happen. Negan was like fire; dangerous, but at times, a comfort. She hated how torn she felt when it came to him. She looked back over her shoulder and realized how peaceful he appeared, sleeping naked beneath the coarse cotton sheets. Kate put her clothes on as quietly as she could, and made her way to the hospital.

It was still early; the sun was just coming up. The few people that were awake didn't' seemed concerned with her, and she was grateful. Pulling a ring of keys from her coat, she unlocked the door to the infirmary. She reached for the light switch and felt someone approach her from behind in the darkness. They were too quick, and she had no time to react. The person who attacked her placed one hand over her mouth and used the full weight of their body to pull her to the back of the room.

Her eyes were adjusting to the lack of light. When the assailant spun her around, she took her chance and punched him in the face.

"Shit! Damn, baby. Stop!" Simon leaned against the wall and put his hand to his nose.

Kate lunged herself at Simon when she realized it was him. Despite his pain, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close.

"Simon. I'm so sorry. I didn't know that it was you."

"Where's Negan?" Simon looked around instinctively.

"Sleeping. Don't worry. My God, Simon. Did anyone see you?" Tears fell over Kate's face as she relaxed in Simon's embrace. She had missed him so much. After everything that had happened, she wanted this more than anything in the world. She stood, crying softly into his chest. He pulled her tighter to him. Finally, she looked up and kissed him, long and soft. He tasted like oranges and stale cigarettes, a taste that she never realized she would miss.

"I can't stay, Kate. I've only got a few minutes before the guys realize that I'm not in the mess hall anymore. Are you okay? Is he treating you well?"

"I'm surviving. Simon, I have a plan. I have to get out of here. I don't care where I go. But I can't stay here any longer."

"Kate, about that day. I'm sorry. I almost got you killed." Simon placed a hand on her face, wiping away her tears.

"Negan is in love with me." Her words drifted off, flat.

Simon knew this, but he didn't want to admit it. He knew that this way the only thing keeping either of them alive. Despite the fact that Negan had sent him on more runs in one month than in the whole time he had been with the Saviors, he knew that his distance was keeping Kate safe. But at the same time, he knew what Negan was doing with the woman he loved behind closed doors, and it made his blood boil.

"I don't know how I'm going to get out, but I have to take the chance." Kate confessed her plan to him.

"He'll come after you. And I don't think he'll be forgiving." Simon held her hand and kissed it.

"I love you so much. Promise me one thing." Kate locked her gaze with Simon's, her tone more serious.

"Anything." Simon meant it, even though he didn't know what she was asking.

"If I escape, and he finds me, you have to promise me that you'll kill me. Promise me."

"What?"

"I'm serious. He loves me. He won't be able to let me go easily. And because he's a special kind of crazy, I know what he'll do to me for punishment. It won't be pretty. You have to promise me, Simon. Promise me." Kate's voice cracked, her eyes looked crazed. She was holding Simon's hand now, so tight that he actually winced in pain. He looked down at Kate, at a woman who was brave and beautiful. The woman who had saved him from himself. The woman who had showed him that he was so much more than he ever believed that he could be. He kissed her hands again, then her forehead, then her lips.

"I promise."