Here's a little smut before the mid-season premier tomorrow night! Enjoy, and thank you for reading.

Chapter 17 - Chopping A Cherry Tree

Kate was able to steal a few more choice moments with Simon over the following week. Here and there; when Negan was on a run or when she had to open the hospital early, she would cherish the moments that she could feel the comfort of Simon's arms again. But each night, no matter how she tried to avoid it, she would always find herself with Negan.

Negan never forced her into his bed, and for this she was grateful. At first she imagined that she was going to be some sort of sex slave. She was relieved to find that most evenings, Negan wondered in close to midnight and often fell right to sleep. She would watch him as he snored, wondering if a man who exhibited so much violence and evil was indeed capable of any kind of love. Negan seemed almost peaceful, and Kate didn't know if she should climb in next to him, or stab him to death.

Kate couldn't write her plan down anywhere, for fear of being discovered. She spoke it over and over in her mind every night before she fell asleep, like a mantra to the great chance that she was willing to take. Backpack, boat, gun, knife. Midnight, river, escape. She knew that her best chance was to get to the Potomac River. She could cover more ground that way. Sure, it would leave her more exposed, but she knew where she had to get to. She figured that it would take three days on foot, baring any major roadblocks like Walker hoards.

In the morning, before her shift, Kate was looking through some books that had come in on a run the previous day. They were mostly old history books and novels, but there was one that caught her eye. It was a dusty book, published around 1960, on George Washington's home, Mount Vernon. This gave her an idea. Mount Vernon had been a museum and living history site before the world had 'ended'. Maybe, she thought, there were people living there. People surviving, that would welcome her. She tore the map out of the back of the book and tucked it in her boot.

Kate found herself with some free time one afternoon. No one needed her services, so she locked the hospital and put a 'Be Right Back' sign on the door. The weather was cool, but not freezing, and she decided to take a walk. She checked a gun out from the armory, winked at the guard at the back gate, and walked out into the woods. She knew that she was being watched, so she made a point to stay just inside the tree line, where she was still visible from the guards stationed in the towers.

She ran her hand over some wild flowers - the same that Negan had picked for her - when she heard someone behind her. She spun around, gun ready to fire. Negan was leaning against a tree, Lucille in one hand. His eyes were closed and he was smiling.

"Are you following me?" Kate asked, still pointing the gun at Negan.

"Do I need to?" His eyes were still closed, and he ran his hand through his hair.

"You tell me." Kate lowered her gun and tucked it in the band of her jeans. When she turned to look out into the woods, she could feel Negan walking towards her. His body pressed gently against her, and she could feel his rough hands on her shoulders.

"Don't think that I don't know what you're up to. Don't think for a fucking second that I am blind to what you're doing."

Kate leaned gently into his large frame, playing her game. Either Negan knew that she was planning to leave, or that she was seeing Simon in secret. Negan kissed her neck, and her shoulder. He gently removed the gun, unbuttoned her jeans, and slid his hand down her pants. Kate gasped.

"So, you're a mind reader now? Go ahead. Tell me what I'm up to." Kate mused.

Negan purred in her ear and he slid his hand deeper, moving his fingers as he went. Kate's knees quivered under her weight.

"Hmm? Oh, yes. I know that you're seeing Simon. Have you fucked him?" Negan moved his fingers in and out of Kate, and she whimpered with pleasure.

"No. He brought me some books. He had a cut that needed bandaged. That's all." Kate wasn't entirely lying. Simon had found a novel that he thought she would enjoy, and he did have a nasty cut on his hand yesterday that needed medical attention. But now that Negan was on to her and Simon, she had to be careful. She had to keep the ball in her court.

Negan turned Kate around and guided her to a nearby tree. He kissed her, hard and with passion, while he undid his own pants. He picked her up by her thighs, pushed her against the tree, and put himself inside of her.

"They can see us. The guards." Kate reasoned.

"Good. Let them watch. I want everyone to know that you're mine." Negan picked up his speed and Kate cried out for more. She couldn't help it; he was really good at this. And she did enjoy it. It was a distraction from all of the daily anxiety that was constantly churning inside of her. Negan was charismatic and cunning. He was handsome and yes, rather well endowed. But she didn't love him. She could never love him.

When they had finished, Kate was sure that she heard someone whistle at them from one of the guard towers. She also knew that this was going to spread like wildfire through the compound, and Simon would hear about it sooner than later. As she followed Negan back to the gate, she took one last look out over the woods.

Sooner than later, she told herself. She had to leave.