A/N Sorry, I meant to post this a lot sooner but I've been extremely ill. Thank you for all the reviews! I really appreciate it, loves! :)

My hand wraps around the hair of the intruder on top of Murphy with such force, I actually rip it from his scalp. I am just getting started. "You fucking pussy!" Walter starts pecking at his feet but only until I lift him from the ground, slamming him against the wall. "Look at me, motherfucker." There are few memories in a person's life that they can vividly recall. Something assures me that this cocksucker is going to remember everything about this one. Rather than put Murphy through any more trauma, I drag him outside so she's not a witness to the brutal beating I deal out. By the end of it, he's begging me to call the cops. I pick up Murphy's garden shears and press my boot to his stomach. "Get a good look, motherfucker. If you ever come near her again, I swear to fuck on floozy I'm going to use these to make my point. Under-fucking-stood?"

He nods fearfully.

I strike him across the face with the shears several more times. Part of me regrets not chopping the fuckers sack right off, but let's be fucking real. If I do that, I'm going to jail. I'll piss away any chance at becoming a coach. I think he got the message because when the cops come, he's practically running to the police car to get away from me. Not to mention he's pissed his pants.

"Sign here," the officer tells me. It's the same one I always deal with at the bar. "Trouble sure seems to find you."

I almost go to jail that night because I am not in the mood for any fuckery. Especially after something like this. Murphy was almost raped because some son of a bitch thought she was alone. Christ, what if I would have gone home like I had planned instead of staying here? I notice she's calming Walter as she talks to one of the officers about what happened. She doesn't seem shaken up but rather more concerned with comforting Walter. When we're finally left alone, I want to pull her into my arms but honestly, I don't know what to do. I've never been in a situation like this before. Asking her if she's alright is just fucking stupid. Yet, I don't want to come across as cold or unsympathetic.

"He didn't even offer to buy me dinner, he just let himself in."

"Murphy, that is not fucking funny. Now isn't the time for joking."

"Actually, it's the perfect time for joking."

"Christ, you were almost raped! What would have happened if I wasn't in that fucking bathroom!?"

"Watch your tone. You're scaring Walter."

"Fuck Walter! I mean, fuck! That's not what I fucking mean. Murphy, talk to me. Acting like nothing happened doesn't change the situation."

"Perhaps things would be different if you weren't in the bathroom, but I'm not going to dwell on what could have been. Yes, I'm shaken up, but the important thing is I'm alright. I don't understand why you're taking this so personal. Negan, what happened was not your fault and it could have happened to anyone."

"I was going to leave, Murphy. I was tired of being your fucking errand boy when all I wanted was my dick sucked. So, there. I'm a piece of shit."

"You should get going. You've had your two days off so they'll be expecting you at the bar tonight."

I don't even know how to fucking respond to that nor do I get the chance because she closes the camper door behind her and locks it. "Fuck!"

I didn't go to work that night. The way things ended between Murphy and I just kept fucking with me. Mostly because I just kept worrying about another fucking lunatic breaking into her camper. Fuck, I have half a mind to tow that thing to my apartment. Okay, maybe that's even more dangerous than her being out in the middle of nowhere. Fuck it, I'm not going to sit here one more minute not knowing if she's okay.

I slide my hands into my pockets as Murphy sits at my feet tending to her garden. All this worrying for nothing.

Murphy holds up this yellow flower. "Want one?"

"Sorry, I'm a tulip guy."

"Oh, I get it. A vagina reference."

"Murph, you take the fucking right out of fun."

"That reminds me. Since I won't be performing any fellatio on you, you might as well be leaving."

"I'm sorry. Will you just talk to me?"

"No, please leave."

"This has all gotten blown out of fucking proportion." Murphy tries to get her distance by going in the camper but I'm not giving up this time.

"I want you to leave."

"Look, that was a fucking jackass thing to say and I'm sorry."

"Apology accepted. Please close the gate behind you."

"No, because I'm talking to you. What are you so fucking scared of? I know you feel something for me. Talk to me. Don't shut me out."

She just stares back at me like I'm not speaking English, then goes to light her cigarette.

"Murphy!" As I start to apologize for raising my voice, she interrupts me.

"Negan, I'm sick."

"With like the flu or some shit?"

"More… terminal."

Terminal? "Give me those goddamn things," I yell, swiping the cigarettes from her hand. "You can't get better sucking poison down."

"What part of terminal don't you understand? There is no second chance for me, Negan. I'm not going to get better, so let me have my cigarettes."

"Well... it can't hurt, right?" I'm so goddamn upset about what she's told me. I choke out the next question not sure if I want the answer. "How much time do you have?"

"Three months. And that's being optimistic. I tried to push you away-"

"Then we'll make the best of the time we have." I smile weakly, taking her hand. That's why she's spent her life-saving things. Walter. Why she doesn't eat meat, or maybe the meat just makes her sick. Her garden.

I'm excited to plant this one, it will be beautiful once it starts to bloom.

That's why there was a sadness to her smirk. She's not going to live to see it bloom. Murphy wasn't into the butcher at all. She just tried to deter me. Made up some bullshit about how I'd have to wait years to fuck her because by then she'd be gone. "Now we can spend the next three months arguing about this shit, or spend it having kinky fucking fuckery."

"Can't you see that I'm trying to spare you heartache? If you weren't so persistent! So hard headed."

"Well, too fucking late for that shit. Look, I can't imagine how hard this must be for you, and I'm not trying to make this difficult, but... fuck, Murphy. I don't want to lose you."

"But you will lose me."

"It's not fair you won't even give me a fucking choice to be by your side."

"Don't talk to me about fair. I'd appreciate it if you'd respect my wishes and leave."

"If I knew then what I know now, do you really think it would change my decision to get to know you? I'd never do this to you, Murphy. Make you leave without a choice. But I guess none of that matters now since you've come to this decision on your own."

"Goodbye, Negan."

Her tone stings because I know my words don't mean fuck all to her. When the door locks behind me, it's clear I'll never see this woman again. I collapse on the gravel pathway when all the air is forced from my lungs. The sharp rocks against my hands leave impressions in the skin from holding my weight up. My vision blurs despite my protest until I can't hold it in any longer and my dignity cuts down my face. It's the first time in my life that I truly feel a void even though I've been alone most of my life. I'm losing my best friend, and there's not a goddamn thing I can do about it.