Chapter 22

"So, this is it, then. We're Saviors now," I mumbled to Daryl as we walked back to the front gate. Negan had ushered us out of the house as soon as we came out of the office. We managed to get out a quick goodbye to Rick, Eugene, and Judith before we were shoved out of the front door, but Carl had already left. It disappointed me that I didn't get the chance to speak to him, even if it was just a goodbye, but I understood his lack of enthusiasm to stick around any longer. I wouldn't want to either.

"Mmph," Daryl replied, surveying the space and Saviors around us. He muttered, "We're Saviors for our people, not for them. We can bear the same name, but it don't have to have the same meaning."

"How philosophical of you," I gave him a teasing sideways smile.

"What can I say? When you're shoved face first into a pile of shit, ya think of the best way to clean yourself off without getting' it into your mouth. Makes you think."

"You never did before?" I teased. He punched my arm playfully. "Ow!"

"I held back on that one," he smiled.

"Yeah, right," I huffed, rubbing my arm and punching him back.

"Watch it now," he held up a defensive hand, his lips still turned up. I bucked him with the side of my hip as I smiled back up at him, enjoying this small carefree moment we were sharing.

"It's gonna be serious," he said suddenly pensive again. "I believe in Rick. He says he's got a plan, I believe him. I'm gonna do what I can to help move it along. I think if I can go out on more supplies runs that'd be a good start. I can get a feel of who else is out there, how many are out there, how they feel about Negan, and if we can use them as allies."

"That's a very good plan," I agreed.

"You got one?" He gave me a sideways look, his blues eyes observant and piercing.

"I don't know. Maybe he'll let me be a scout…" I said and looked away. Another idea had flashed in my head that brought heat to my neck and cheeks. One I didn't like very much.

"Don't do it," he requested and I swiftly met his gaze again.

"I-," I began, but stopped when no reply came to mind. Had my thoughts been that clear on my face?

"You got plenty of options in that place. That don't have to be one of 'em," he got closer to me as he spoke, leaning down so that he was next to my ear.

"I know. I know that," I was starting to get short with him. I was plenty aware of what my options were and how little the ones I had offered. Sleeping with the enemy was an abhorrent notion and it wasn't one I didn't think I could perform very well on, but it potentially could be a good way to get the lowdown of the ins and outs of the Saviors and their leader. It could possibly even provide the chance to take Negan out.

Being in the midst of an apocalypse was a very straining evaluation of what a human being is capable of. It's an exhibit of the pure instinct every person in this world is programmed with from birth, and along with that comes the calculated manipulation and longevity one adopts to ensure their survival. I'd been lucky enough that running away and the sheer power of avoidance was enough of a means to aid my continuation in this world, especially when I was on my own. My lack of self-defense skills left a bit to be desired, but I also knew I would do what I had to- even if that meant killing someone. Granted, I wasn't exactly a seasoned fighter, but Daryl and the others had been more than willing to show me what they knew. They made sure that if anything happened, and we all knew something would eventually, I would know how to physically protect myself.

"What were you talking to him about?" Daryl asked vaguely, his eyes scanning the road ahead. We had slowed down to an easy stroll and a wave of tired Saviors rushed past us, eager to get back on the road to home.

"What?" I asked, confused.

"Him," Daryl emphasized and nodded his head, indicating to someone ahead of us.

I looked forward again and caught sight of Negan, smiling and talking with a couple of Saviors as everyone else readied the trucks around them.

"What do you mean? When?" I questioned further. I still wasn't sure what instance he was referring to.

"By the truck, before we left. I caught the tail end of it, when he leant in," Daryl voice sounded strained and I could tell he was trying his hardest not to look at me.

I knew exactly what he was talking about then, but any words I could say to assuage this awkward situation were eluding me. My mouth hung open, the taste of a lie dipped on the tip of my tongue. I could tell him that it had meant nothing; that it was another one of Negan's failed attempts at tasteless banter, but at the thought of his earlier words, it was evident that something had already happened between us.

"Everly," Daryl pressed.

"It was nothing."

"But something happened," Daryl spat out and rubbed his mouth, still refusing to meet my gaze. "What the fuck was it?"

"It was just a kiss," I mumbled and he whipped glaring eyes down at me. Now it was my turn to avoid his look. He started to walk faster, stomping away from me angrily. I was caught off guard, not expecting this reaction out of him, but I rushed after him anyway.

"Stop," I said as I grabbed the crook of his arm. He yanked it away and turned around to face me.

"Ya know, ya don't have to pretend with me. I can handle my own, so if ya got somethin' secret going on with that piece of shit, just tell me now."

I looked around us. A few distant Saviors had stopped to give us curious looks, but we mostly seemed to be undiscovered. Negan was still by the gate, giving out orders and telling everyone to wrap it up. We'd be noticed soon.

"Nothing is going on," I firmly replied. "He kissed me and I refused him. That's all."

"He kissed you, huh?" Daryl said still angry, but his eyes softened as he regarded me. I nodded my head. He turned to look over his shoulder at Negan. He was watching us now, holding out his hands that asked us what we were doing.

"Yeah," I answered with a sigh, relieved that it was out in the open.

"And you refused?" Daryl clarified as he made his way beside me again. He was still looking at Negan.

"Yes…," I confirmed, unsure of what he was doing.

He didn't say anything, just stood there staring across the hot pavement with a tense, daring look on his face. I was about to put a hand on his arm and suggest that we start walking again when he grabbed me, his arm a stronghold around my waist. He swiftly pulled me to him, his face coming down at the same time to put his lips on mine.

My eyes sprung open, initially startled and scared of the consequences that could follow this, but the worry subsided quickly as his body sunk against mine and my hands instinctively traveled up to cup his face. He held me close, the tenderness of his lips and the smoothness of his tongue an impatient torrent as his emotions poured out of him and into me.

He broke the kiss as abruptly as he started it, peering down at me with heated blue eyes. He brought a thumb up to wipe at the corner of my mouth and he smiled briefly before becoming stoic again.

"I just had to do it before I lost the chance," he said, and then he let me go and walked away.

I stood there watching his retreating back, dumbstruck. My lips tingled, slightly sore where his passion had left him a bit too forceful. I liked the feeling, and I brushed my bottom lip with my fingertips. Negan was watching Daryl as he made his way forward but didn't move to intercept him as he walked by. He only stared, a look on his face that I figured was similar to mine.

I began to make my way forward, too; unsure of what to make of what just happened or how to react to it. I felt scared. I felt giddy. Mainly, I felt unprepared. It became apparent how Daryl might feel about me the night I snuck into the infirmary to see him, but I wasn't quite ready for the reality of it. What did this mean for…us? I wasn't sure, and I was too afraid to delve into it any further at the moment.

I tried my best to neutralize my features as I reached the gate, avoiding Negan completely as I passed through them. I wanted so bad to turn and wave to everyone, see their faces one last time before I was taken away again, but I resisted the impulse and kept on walking to the burgundy truck. Negan's reaction to Daryl kissing me had been mute so far and there was no telling what exactly was going through his mind at the moment. I didn't want to do anything to fan what flames may be burning there.

Daryl leaned against the side of the truck, one foot propped up behind him and his arms crossed. He watched me guardedly, searching my features as I got closer but I kept them smooth. Past him, Freddy was hunched over by the back tire, working diligently to secure a tarp over the back of the truck.

"Motherfucker," he cursed, tugging at it. "This shit never stays on!"

"What the fuck was that all about?" Theodore asked Daryl as he came up to stand in front of him.

"The fuck was what about?" Daryl replied calmly.

"Don't play dumb, asshole. You doing this shit because you think it's cute?" Theodore took a step toward him confrontationally.

"Now, Theo, let's settle down," Negan spoke from behind me. He rested a heavy hand on my left shoulder. "Let's just all get in the truck and…settle down."

Negan sounded calm, his hand strong but gentle on my shoulder. It didn't fool me. I felt the tension between the three of them stifling the air. It was like a boa constrictor wrapping itself around my chest a hundred times.

Theodore relaxed his shoulders and Daryl pushed off of the truck, unfolding his arms. He opened the back door and looked at me, waiting. I went to take a step forward when Negan's fingers tightened and I stopped to look up at him. He was smiling at Daryl, his teeth gleaming in the afternoon sun. They stared at one another for a second, then two, then three. Finally, Negan dropped his hand from my shoulder and gestured for me to go ahead.

I walked forward slowly, sensing something was about to happen but nothing did. I climbed into the truck and sat down on the seat by the door. Daryl was just behind me and he urged me to scoot over with his hand, swinging up into the truck after me and slamming the door. I looked at him, incredulous at his behavior but intensely satisfied by it. It didn't stop the dread from sinking in my belly, though.

Freddy must've gotten the tarp secured because he joined the group just as Negan started laughing, his eyes on the two of us inside the truck. From the corner of my eye, I saw a single walker stumbling out of the bushes, one of its hands raised and its teeth gnashing. The three men turned to look at it, some other Saviors nearby lifting their guns to aim at its head, but Negan raised his hand, bringing Lucille down and getting nearer to the walker.

He set his feet apart, giving Lucille a series of quick, short swings as he whistled to it. It turned in his direction, snarling and staggering over to him, and when it was close enough, Negan swung the bat he named after his late wife upwards, catching the animated corpse under the jaw and sending its head to fly back through the air. Its rotten body fell to the ground, permanently dead.

No one spoke on the way home, the persiflage from this morning absent and brooding silence taking its place. Daryl had taken my hand as soon as we started off, lacing his fingers through mine, and I kept our small embrace hidden against our thighs, not wanting to be discovered and not want to let go of his hand either. It eased my stress and I enjoyed the feel of his skin on mine. It wasn't until we were halfway back that the walkie crackled to life, a desperate voice speaking from the other end.

"Uuuh, Negan?" A Savior said. Negan sighed irritably and reached for the walkie.

"What?" He barked into it.

"This is convoy one. We've run into a bit of a problem up here," the Savior responded.

"What sort of problem?" Negan looked over at Freddy and the truck began to slow down.

"There's a small horde of dead assholes on the road about a quarter of a mile down from where we are. It's gonna be a while before we can pass through," the Savior informed us.

Negan sat for a moment looking out the passenger window, tapping the walkie on his knee and drumming his fingers on the side of Freddy's seat. Then he was gripping it hard, his fingertips digging into the cushion. He lifted the walkie back to his mouth.

"Patrol outpost, what the ever loving fuck is going on over there?"

Static issued from the walkie as someone from the other end began to talk before cutting out. I was beginning to think they might have been overrun before the walkie picked up again, the signal clear.

"This is patrol outpost. We're trying to get a handle on the situation," a frantic voice replied. The snarls of a large group of walkers were apparent in the background.

"What the fuck is going on over there?" Freddy asked. Up ahead, we saw the beginning of the caravan stopped and we came to a halt behind them. The small group of walkers we'd been warned about wandering father down the road.

"What the fuck is going on over there?" Negan repeated Freddy. "Where the buttfucking hell is the ring leader in charge of you dipshits? Why am I not speaking to him? He either be fixing that shitshow over there or fucking dead."

"He never showed," the same voice replied, an angry snarl following his answers and then a loud whacking sound. "We waited half an hour for him this morning before deploying. I've been active chief for the day, but these assholes all came out of nowhere. No one was out scouting to warn us."

"Who the fuck am I speaking with?" Negan asked.

"Trevor," the Savior answered.

"Alright, Trevor, this is what I want you to do. Get whatever dumb fucks you've got helping you out over there and lead the horde south. I don't care what you've got to do. You could cut the arms and legs off of one of you and dangle the parts off the back of the truck for all I give a shit. Just go as far as you can and lose them. Be sure to avoid any settlements we're in contact with."

"Right, okay," Trevor sounded a bit out of breath now. I wondered if he even heard everything.

"And Trevor," Negan added.

"Yes, sir?"

"If that horde shows up at my front door, I better find you among them," Negan finished and threw the walkie up on the dashboard.

"Holy shit," Theodore spoke up, trying to sympathize with Negan.

I rolled my eyes, but I did feel nervous. I was starting to imagine what Daryl and I would do if a giant horde of walkers ended up at the Sanctuary. We had already dealt with one and the memories were traumatizing enough to set me on edge. I did not want to add another experience to vault of horrible occurrences in my mind. It was bad enough remembering them.

"You know who didn't show up?" Freddy asked Negan as we all watched the walkers staggering around on the road below us. It might be hours yet before they'd wander off.

"I know exactly who it is, and oh, boy, do I have a feeling I know where that piece of shit went to," he said and slowly turned to look at Daryl and me over his shoulder, a smile gracing his lips. "This day just got a whole lot more interesting."

I gripped Daryl's hand harder.

"You know what? Fuck this shit," Freddy announced and opened his door. "I'm not waiting for this bullshit. There's only maybe thirty down there. We can take those fuckers."

"Yes, and draw more attention to ourselves with gunshots," Theodore sarcastically replied.

"Not with guns, numb nuts. Knives, an axe. Kick it and split it, you know," Freddy spoke to him like he was stupid.

Theodore looked like he didn't enjoy the idea too much, but Negan was already getting out of the truck with Lucille in hand.

"I think the boss man agrees," Freddy gave Theodore a wink and then gave Daryl and me a brief look before hopping out of the truck himself.

I glanced at Daryl and raised my eyebrows. He nodded his head and gave one last squeeze to my hand before letting it go. He opened his door and slid out with me following behind.

"Alright, people, I need some volunteers," Negan called out as the rest of the Saviors gathered in the road; looking down at the herd, I could tell they were starting to notice us and a few began the long, shuffling trek in our direction. "We've got a group of assholes preventing us from getting home after a hard day's work. Now, I don't know about you all, but I ready for a nice, cold beer and I don't think sittin' around here with our thumbs up our asses is gonna do us any good. So! Like I said…I need some volunteers to go down there with me and bash in a few rotten clown heads."

A resounding 'hear, hear' went around the group and people started pulling out weapons from their vehicles: bats, crow bars, hatchets, lug wrenches. It was more than I thought they carried. I stood there, unsure if I should get back in the truck or watch, when a pick axe was shoved into my arms. I looked up to see Negan smiling down at me.

"Ready to get your hands dirty, darlin'?"

As ready as I'll ever be, I breathed in deeply and nodded. I didn't like getting close to them. Being out on my own those few months after I left Georgia, it was petrifying; all alone, barely any food or water, no sleep. I had to be constantly vigilant every second of the day and it wore on me. It took me weeks to get used to being surrounded by other people after I met up with Rick's group; not look over my shoulder every second or tense up at every little noise. Alexandria was a shock. I was emaciated, tired, scared, used to fighting for my life but ready to die when we were led right through her gates and discovered everything she held secret behind them. It had been a tremendous relief, but it also left me nervous. It was hard seeing people living life like before; like nothing had happened.

"Alright," Negan addressed everyone, "those who are too chicken shit to help out, ya'll can sit here and babysit. Make sure no more of them come out and surround the trucks. If you've got a weapon, find a partner, stick with them, fight back-to-back and keep moving. That way you won't get any surprise attacks. And don't try to be a billy badass out there and take on too many. I won't help you out if you do."

The Saviors started off down the road and I turned to my left to speak to Daryl.

"Let's stay as far back as possible," I began but noticed he had nothing in his hands.

He held them up annoyed and made a grab for the pick axe in mine when Negan stepped up beside us.

"It's not nice to take things from others, Daryl. Keep your filthy hands to yourself."

Those were loaded words and it was clear Negan was speaking about more than just the pick axe.

"She ain't goin' out there by herself," Daryl argued and took a step closer to me.

"And she isn't," Negan smiled and placed a hand on my shoulder. "Ready, partner?"

The question was aimed at me but the two men continued to stare each other down; one smiling and the other not.

"Yes, let's go," I interjected and put a hand on Negan's chest, ready to get this over with.

Daryl was furious, that much was evident, but I shook my head and put my head down as I faced away from him. I could hear Negan's infamous, scratchy laugh as he strode by my side, barking out last minute orders as the lot of us neared the small horde of walkers.

"Stick by me and don't do anything stupid. I know you know how to fight these fuckers," Negan reminded me and then swung his bat to take one down.

I put my back to him, rearing back the pick axe and hitting an advancing walker in the center of its soft forehead. It's growling ceased instantly and it slid off the axe with a nasty sloughing sound, crumpling on the hot asphalt.

I put down two more walkers in a similar fashion, feeling rather exhilarated to be doing something more physical and worthwhile. Plus, it was a great way to left off some steam after the rather shitty day I had. Half the time, I pictured Negan's face as I swung the pointed end of the axe into head after head and felt only a little remorseful about it. It was true that Negan was as pathetic as I called him out to be, and somehow that made me feel bad for him which also made me angry.

"Aaah!" I called out as I smashed in the head of the last walker by me.

I ripped out the axe, black blood splattering on my jeans, and dropped the head of the axe on the road as I worked to catch my breath. I leaned on the butt end of it and shifted around to look back up the road at Daryl to smile at him. He was waving his arms franticly when I heard it, the snarling hiss of a nearby walker. I looked over my shoulder just in time to see it and raise a defending arm as I fell down, the walker falling on top of me.

It was a bigger one and fresher too. It wasn't as weakened as the older walkers and its hands clawed at my face as I pushed its forehead to keep its snapping black teeth away from me. The way we had landed, my legs were pinned together under its weight and my left arm was caught between me and the road. The pick axe lay within arm's reach, but the walker was so strong that I was afraid of looking away from it or moving around too much; I didn't want to give it the slightest chance of getting me.

"Negan!" My voice sounded desperate, scared. How very accurate.

I heard shouts, a commotion, and I worked to keep the walker far away from me as I waited for assistance. I managed to loosen my arm trapped underneath my weight and caught the walker by its neck as it pressed down on me, its skin waxy and thin. I gasped as its neck began to tear open where my fingers were digging into it and the pungent, rotten smell wafted over me.

"Help! Negan! Daryl!" I screamed.

I was starting to think that maybe this was planned. Maybe everyone was just watching and waiting for me to lose and be torn limb from limb. In my mind, I could see Daryl struggling to get to me as the Saviors held him back.

"No!" I yelled in the walkers face and bucked up with the side of my hip, causing it to lose its balance.

Just as I was about to push it off of me, a black boot shot past my head and made contact with the side of the walkers skull. Its head jerked back with an audible snap as it fell away from me, twitching and clawing at the air and its legs tangling with mine as it worked to get back up. Negan stepped over me, raising Lucille high in the air and sending her down on the walker's head in a violent frenzy, bits of decomposed brain matter and bone flying through the air.

I lay prone, unable to move. Negan's feet were on either side of my hips and the giant walker he was beating to a pulp still sagged on top of me, its heavy legs pinning mine.

"Holy shit," I breathed out once Negan stopped and held out a hand. I grabbed it, comforted by the strength it provided as he hauled me to my feet.

The adrenaline had my legs weak and shaky and Negan wrapped an arm around my shoulders as he walked me back to the trucks.

"Gets these dead fucks off the road," he commanded the others and they started dragging the bodies into the ditches at once.

"Holy shit," I said again. "What the fuck was that?"

"That was me saving your ass after you did a shit job of following my instructions," Negan responded nonchalantly.

"Wha-! I did! It came out of nowhere! I thought-! Never mind," I stopped trying to explain myself and stomped up the road to meet Daryl. He must've started run to me because he was halfway down the road with a shovel in his hands.

"Hey, now, calm down," Negan was back by my side instantly, putting his arm around me again.

"I'm fine," I said, but the waiver in my voice betrayed me. Truth was, I was freaked the hell out. "Thank you."

I felt compelled to say it. He had saved my life after all.

"Pleasure's mine, sweetheart," he said as we came up to Daryl. "You go on along, Everly. Get yourself cleaned up and ready to hit the road again. I want to speak to Daryl for a moment."

I paused. A few straggling Saviors stopped behind Negan. The situation didn't feel right to me, but Daryl gave me a nod and squeezed my arm reassuringly. I walked up the road slowly, ready to run back if anything violent broke out, but all I heard were voices and words too far away to understand.

Edited by lolasskicker.

You never realize how much you need a beta until you get one and you see all the mistakes you make, amirite?! Or that you really have no business writing, ha! Dear Lord... Anyway, I'm working to have chapter 23 ready by Friday, but if not, it will come soon after. You can count on me! *finger guns*

One more thing: Daryl and Everly sittin' in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g...