Chapter Three:

It didn't take long after Negan left Sam's room for Rick and the others to arrive back. Aaron had clearly been able to get a message to them regarding Negan's unscheduled arrival. When Rick stepped out of his car, Jason and Michonne followed suit as they made their way towards the house Sam and Jason shared. Racing up the steps past the men Negan had travelled with Jason threw open the door to see both Sam and Negan sitting at the dining table…Negan eating a sandwich.

"Well, well, well that didn't take fucking long now did it?"

Negan continued to plough throw the sandwich in front of his as he spoke. Jason's eyes were fixed on Sam, sensing that he wanted reassurance that she was okay Sam offered him a small smile and a slight nod of the head.

"She's fine, I'm not going to damage the goods for fucks sake."

Jason said nothing, Rick took a step forward and engaged in conversation with Negan.

"We weren't expecting you for another week…we don't have enough supplies to share."

Negan didn't say anything at first, he focused on the food in front of him. Once he had finished the final mouthful he turned to Sam and winked as she wiped his hands in the napkin she'd provided.

"No need to shit your pants Ricky, I got what I came for…"

Negan didn't say anything else, but his eyes turned towards Sam. Her cheeks were flushing again, what was he doing? He wasn't going to tell them all what happened? Surely, he wouldn't? Unfortunately, it was suggestive enough for Jason to fly off the handle.

"Jase NO!"

Jason threw himself across the table, pushing Negan off his chair, his fist connecting with Negan's jaw. As Jason threw another punch Negan countered knocking Jason off his balance, by the time Jason went to steady himself and start another attack Rick, Michonne and Sam had intervened. Sam's eyes were wide with shock, she looked at Jason and then at Negan whose lip was cut, blood drops staining the white t-shirt he wore underneath his black leather jacket.

"He didn't do anything Jase, for fucks sake…he was baiting you."

Rick was panicked and so was Michonne, something like this had happened before and they'd lost someone they loved as a consequence of that.

"Negan, please…not again."

Negan didn't say anything instead he wiped the blood from his face and lifted up his "Lucille".

"I'm sorry Rick…did one of your brain-dead goons not just throw themselves across a table and fucking attack me? Clearly what happened last time wasn't enough of an incentive for you mother fucking assholes to behave and have some god damn respect."

Rick shook his head, thinking of ways he could stop the inevitable happening.

"Too late Rick, you need to have more fucking control."

Negan called to his men that had come running into the room guns drawn.

"Bring him outside, I need to show these assholes what happens when someone disrespects me..."

As Negan made his way past Sam, who had tears brimming in her eyes, he stopped and whispered into her ear.

"You can stop all of this, you can save your brother's life…all you have to do is come with me."

Sam was panicked, she watched as Negan made his way towards the door, with moments to decide she knew that there was only one option, turning to her brother who was being held by two of Negan's men she smiled through the tears that were staining her cheeks.

"I'm so sorry Jase…I love you."

Kissing her brother on his forehead she stood up and positioned herself in front of Negan who was looking at her curiously.

"I'll go with you…I'll go to the Sanctuary, but only if you spare my brother's life and the lives of everyone else here, he's all I have left in this world and I will do whatever I need to protect him."

It was Jason's turn to be shocked, his eyes darting between Sam and Negan, he called after her.

"NO! Sam, what are you doing? Don't do this!"

She looked past Negan and shook her head at Jason.

"This is the only way to keep you alive."

Sam looked back towards Negan who was smiling widely, he'd won.

"I think that's a fair trade, you're a lucky fucker Jason having a sister like Samantha here."

Sam said nothing as Negan placed a hand on her shoulder and squeezed it tight.

"Go grab some of your things quickly, once you get back we'll be gone...don't keep me waiting."

Sam raced up the stairs, opening the door to her room she grabbed her rucksack and started to fill it with personal possessions, Jason had followed her and was standing in the doorway. She turned to face him when he spoke.

"Sam…"

She walked towards him and slapped him hard, angry tears in her eyes.

"You stupid fucking idiot…why? Why would you do something like that?"

Jason didn't know what to say, he had always been a loose cannon when it came to protecting Sam.

"I'm sorry…I didn't think…"

"That's right you didn't think, I'm not a child anymore Jase, I can take care of myself, nothing happened, he didn't do anything."

Sam turned her back on her brother as she continued to throw clothes and possessions into her bag, before she had time to say anything else to Jason, Negan had grown tired of waiting and had called up to her.

"Time's up doll-face!"

The sound of Negan's voice travelled throughout the house. Sam wrapped her arms around her brother and pulled his tall broad frame into a tight embrace.

"I'm going to be fine. Please don't worry about me."

Jason reciprocated the hug, Sam could feel his embrace tighten, savouring what could be their last moment alone together.

"I'll find a way of bringing us back together, I promise."

Sam smiled as she released her brother.

"I know you will…please be careful and remember that I love you no matter what."

"I love you too."

With that Sam wiped the tears from her eyes and made her way downstairs, past the still shocked expressions of Rick and Michonne and out the door leaving Negan inside with Rick.

"Thanks Rick, always a fucking pleasure."