I own nothing, but my OCs. TWD belongs to Kirkman and AMC!

*24th of April 2016 *

Amelie was walking around, a pad and a pen in hand as she listened to a woman. She had many things to do today in the Sanctuary… and her tasks were only increasing: people came more and more to her with their problems and concerns. The girl wasn't sure if she as annoyed or pleased at their show of trust. Of what she understood, the Saviors would rather deal with her than Negan, knowing the outcome was less likely to end in a brutal way. The young woman kept repeating them that she wasn't Negan's anymore and that she had not many power here, but it didn't matter: they knew she assisted their Leader.

The girl sighed and noted what the woman was saying: apparently the washing soap for the clothes was not equally distributed among the women. Those who had husbands/boyfriends who were going outside and had more points could ''buy'' more. No matter the number of children or people in the household, which wasn't fair in the lady's opinion.

''Listen…I'll see what I can do, but I can't promise you anything, okay?''

The woman nodded and smiled:'' I know you will help.''

Amelie watched her leave with another deep sigh. This, was the last of her concerns. They needed to find another generator or to install solar panels soon. Two people had fought. Many women were concerned about the children's education and they wanted to put in place some kind of school. The Sanctuary was running short on some supplies….and the list was going on and on.

The next problem was that someone was stealing from their stocking and she knew it was the guy who did the inventory. Cigarettes and desserts were always missing. It took her a week to figure out how to prove he was guilty. She had secretly engaged two other people to do the inventory. The girl had demanded to all three to hand over their lists today: she would see what he was stealing.

Groaning, the girl headed toward the factory; the stocking room was in there. And where the Hell was Negan?! She understood that he had lost his second in command: Dwight. His assistant: Carson… but the rest of his ''high ranked'' men were still here! Why did this stupid job fall on her? She was a tracker, a hunter…not…whatever that was.

She entered the factory and headed straight toward the man and the woman she had enrolled for the inventory task and demanded for their lists and they rapidly gave it to her. Amelie eyed the sheets: there were the same numbers on the paper. Amelie thanked them and looked around for the other man, the one she suspected to be a thief.

The middle aged man was casually walking down a hallway toward the mess hall: the girl walked to him and abruptly stopped him by planting her hand on the wall in front of him.

He grinned at her: ''Hello there, I presume you want the inventory list?''

She gave him a flat look: ''You presume well, Duke.''

The man pulled a folded piece of paper from his pants and gave it to her: ''It's all there! ''

Quickly glancing at the list, she immediately noticed the numbers weren't similar to those on the other lists.

''I'm sure, would you mind to sit with me?'' She asked, pointing at a table.

'' Oh sure : I can't refuse you anything.'' He joked, heading toward the where she had been pointing.

They sat facing each other and Amelie deposed her pad before slowly bringing her hands together with a sigh: '' Listen Duke…I won't beat around the bush: I know you steal from the inventory. ''

His eyes widened: ''How dare you accuse me of such things!'' He growled, drawing the other people's attention.

She stared at him: '' I'm not here to make a process: I know you steal and I have proofs. ''

Duke abruptly rose, planting his hands on the table: ''Liar! I'm not a thief!''

Sighing once more, she calmly indicated him to sit again: '' Calm down: you are making a scene. I had doubts about you stealing, but I couldn't prove it so I hired two other people to do the inventory this week…they came up with the same numbers, but yours are different. ''

He frowned and reluctantly sat again: ''Fucking bitch…''

''I'd watch my words if I was you: I asked you to sit with me so we can talk about it and resolve the situation between the two of us… Or if you prefer, I can go to Negan. I'm sure he will love to deal with you in his own way.''

Fear slowly became apparent in his eyes: ''I-I sorry…I didn't think about that…What are you gonna do then?'' He mumbled.

She shrugged: '' We'll check what you stole…And you will repay it.''

''Repay it? I've been taking stuff for sometime…''

'' Let's say you will pay back for everything you took the entire last month…By going on the runs or by paying it directly in points. But I don't think you have enough poker chips right? ''

He shook his head with a hangdog air.

'' So you'll go out more…and you'll have plenty of time to do it because you don't have a job at the inventory anymore.''

''What? '' He asked incredulously.

'' You won't be doing the inventory for the next month. See it as punishment…and I don't trust you. I will try you again in a month: I hope it'll go better this time.''

Duke's shoulders fell down, but he didn't argue: Amelie was sparing him right now…bringing the problem to Negan's ears could be really worse for him.

He rose: '' I won't do it again…and thank you for not telling Negan.''

''No need to thank me: we both know there is no reason for you to be exiled or to meet with Lucille.''

He shook his head and went to retrieve his lunch. Well, one thing solved.

Time to go see the fighters and the troubled women…For the generators, it would have to wait to the next run…which had to be carefully planned to fill the holes of supplies they were lacking. The solar panels would have to wait until their next visit to Alexandria. Amelie rose with a muffled moan and dragged herself outside.

Xxxxxx

*that evening*

Amelie had presented herself to Negan's office 10 minutes ago and was now in front of him with her notes. She had been debriefing the first events of the day and the important matters.

''… The women want some kind of school for the kids here… I thought we could find them a room somewhere…have a few chairs, tables and maybe some kind of blackboard…it wouldn't hurt to have the future saviors able to read and other stuff…''

She glanced at the Leader; his legs were crossed on his desk and he was listening. She went on: ''…Two guys fought, but I settled it…I solved the washing soap matter…and-''

He suddenly straightened: ''-and someone told me you fired Duke from the inventory, may I know why? As far as I know, you don't have a fucking say in that.'' He rumbled, displeased.

The girl sighed: '' Yeah I know…I didn't want to bring that…problem to you. Duke was stealing. '' she admitted.

The man frowned: ''What?! The fuck are you saying? He's been there for years!''

''Well then, he has been stealing for years. '' She said flatly.

''Do you have proofs of this?''

''Yes… I had my doubts after a run: I had found five cigarette packages and when a guy went to buy some the same day, I heard him complain that they were all sold. Which I thought was weird since I had just found 5… And last week, I asked two other people to do the inventory: they had the same numbers on their lists and not Duke. '' She explained.

Negan swore under his breath and rose to pour them drinks: '' The fucking fucker… Why didn't you tell me?''

'' I- I didn't want the man to be hurt...And be responsible for it. ''

He snorted and turned to her: ''Damn right…I would have beaten the shit outta him. What did you do with him?''

'' Told him he had to repay everything he stole last month and he's out of his job for at least a few weeks… ''

Negan nodded quietly and brought her, her whiskey: ''You did a great job… I see that many people go to you now: that's good. Apparently, you've been quite the mediator lately.''

She looked at him: '' I don't like that…I know Dwight and Carson are gone, but you seriously need to elect generals or whatever. A leader must have advisers and a right hand man. People are always after me for their every day little problems! '' She complained.

The Savior chuckled: '' I have you: you're doing a great fucking job at being both my right hand and adviser…perhaps now you see how it's not fucking easy to be Boss. To fucking please everyone and to be fair and yet, maintain authority. '' He sighed and slid a finger along her jaw: ''…if only you'd want to be more than just my right hand…''

The girl shook her head: '' We're the 24th of April Negan…I'm leaving soon. You need to build up a loyal, efficient team around you. ''

His eyes narrowed and focused on her. He took a large gulp of his drink: ''Still speaking of leaving…I fucking told you: it's not happening. '' the man drawled darkly.

She sipped her alcohol, looking at him over the rim of her glass: '' It is. Get used to the idea. ''

Menacingly, he walked in front of her: '' I said no. You will stay right fucking here. I know you want to leave back to your country: if I feel generous, we might do a trip there sometimes. For you. You will always have good accommodations and everything you want, as I already told you sometimes ago. Again, I will treat you just fucking fine. You won't be happy in the beginning, but in time, you will find that the arrangement will grow on you. I'm fucking done playing. I have power and men; you try to leave this place and they will bring you back…or perhaps I will do it myself. You try to pull some shitty stunt on me, they will stop you. Maybe I'll make compromises sometime, but it'll depend of what you're ready to give for those. ''

Amelie glared at him, but remained quiet. Sometimes, she forgot how deadly he was, how dangerous. It often felt casual between the two of them, but underneath all that… he was clever and sharp. Just as she was.

'' Nothing to say to this, Darling? The ball is in your court. '' he taunted.

She finished her drink: ''As you say…the ball is in my court.''

xxxxxx

*That night, 2:40 am*

Amelie sat on the porch steps, her feet on the first one and her hands joined under her chin. The discussion with their Chief this afternoon had troubled her: what he was saying was true. He had men, men that obeyed him. Sure, she had been preparing herself… With Abraham. The girl had a luggage ready in Alexandria for leaving and her friend had assured her a car and some provisions were also ready for her. But what was the point if a small army was sent after her? She wouldn't escape. She knew. If she tried something on Negan? She would probably be put down by one of his loyal commanders…

This time, she could not physically escape on her own…and she would not let Theo behind. Not again. The Hilltop, the Kingdom, Alexandria…they would not help her. It could start a war again…And Rick had made it clear he wouldn't interfere because of it. Her plan B would have to wait a little bit… The emergency plan…And she didn't know when it could be put in place. It wasn't up to her…How would this plan turn out?

''I see our little conversation we had this afternoon disturbed you.'' A voice said from behind her, rough from sleep.

Amelie grumbled lowly, acknowledging him, but didn't turn to face him. She kept staring ahead on the Sanctuary. He sat behind her in the stairs, his knees on either side of her and she let him: ''Don't be so fucking upset…''

''I'm the only person kept prisoner here. Everyone is free but me…I saved your life, I have never done anything to you and yet, I'm not even treated like everyone else in the Sanctuary. I have the right to be upset all I want.'' She growled.

He pushed his nose in the back of head: ''You're so fucking dramatic sometimes… You're not a prisoner here… you can go wherever the fuck you want…do whatever the fuck you want…just not going back to freaking Canada. ''

''I will go back to my country, with my kid.'' She said on a determined tone.

Amelie thought it would enrage him, but all he did was to chuckle: ''You are so damn stubborn…a real pig head.''

''I'm not…I have nothing here…no friends, no family, no attach… nothing. ''

''You do…if you would let me.'' He mumbled.

She rolled her eyes and rose: ''This is not happening anytime soon.'' She said as she walked back inside.

Xxxxxx

*27th of April 2016*

The Saviors' Leader paced back and forth in front of the five new men, swinging Lucille as he walked and made his usual speech. Most of the people present were kneeling around, as it was the custom to do when Negan was passing by in the Sanctuary.

''…Those are the rules; the rules fucking keep us all alive. You want some shit? You work for it; that's all. Welcome to the Sanctuary.''

Amelie was standing quietly, her arms crossed and leaning against a tree. She watched from the shadows the newcomers and she understood why Rick had shipped them here from Alexandria. They didn't belong with gentle, normal people. Those were hard men who had endured hardships. They had visible scars, one was missing his forearm, their clothes were discolored…yet, they weren't thin or sick looking…they had managed well outside…or as well as it's possible. With a sigh, she pushed herself away from the tree and quietly wished one of them will turn out to be rather intelligent and become Negan's right hand.

Amelie narrowed her eyes suspiciously when she caught one of the newcomers staring at her. She kept walking, but surveyed him from the corner of her eye as he got closer. As soon as he was only 2 or 3 meters away, she stopped and placed a hand on her right dagger, ready.

'' I saw you; you weren't kneeling like the others.'' He pointed out.

The girl glanced at him and shrugged: ''The Boss couldn't see me anyway…''

Amelie tried to keep walking, but the man trotted in front of her, blocking her way. He extended his right hand to her: ''I'm Roy.''

She looked at his hand, then up to his face again with a flat look. She didn't know why, but the girl didn't like him. He had rugged traits, his eyes were hard… Roy had a scar running over his lips and his left ear was chipped. It didn't make her trustful. He slowly retracted his hand: ''Alright…who are you?''

''No one really…I'm out of here soon anyway.'' the young woman told him.

He stepped toward her, maybe to intimidate or show his dominance or whatever. She knew that kind of men…And she knew not to back down. Amelie stayed where she was and looked up at him.

''It's a shame then…I would have liked to know you better.''

She rolled her eyes: I swear to God…I'm turning lesbian. : ''Well…not me. I hope you settle well here; have a good day.''

Rapidly, she moved out of reach and headed toward the factory. On her way, she saw Negan observing her from where he was talking with what was apparently, the new men's chief.

Later that afternoon, she sparred with a man and then had been practicing with her daggers for over an hour now, when she noticed Roy was matching her. For how long had he been there? The man was grinning smugly at her; the girl frowned and stopped her training.

Xxxxxx

*28th of April, midday*

Amelie was eating with Theo in the mess hall; the two of them were tranquilly taking their lunch. Suddenly Roy appeared, sitting in front of her with a shit eating grin.

''That's a cute kid!'' He extended his hand to ruffle Theo's hair over the table, but Amelie caught his wrist in a vice-like grip.

'' You don't touch him and his name is Theo. '' She said on a low tone, freeing his hand.

''Well… '' Roy glanced at Theo: ''Is she always like that?'' He asked him in a joking voice.

''Always…All the fucking times and that's nothing.'' A deeper voice answered.

Negan sat right beside her, petted Theo's hair and snaked an arm around her in a possessive way. Seeing the opportunity, Amelie smiled at him and rubbed her head under his chin like a pleased cat.

''I'm so happy to see you…Where have you been…'' She thought of an appropriate nickname, ''…babe?'' she said, trying to speak with her eyes.

A: Don't ask questions: just play along.

She carefully watched Roy's face; the man seemed confused, if not a bit upset.

The Leader chuckled knowingly and gave her quick peck on the mouth: ''Oh…you know here and there…Giving orders and stuff…babe.'' He glanced at the other man: ''…And you are…Roy, if I remember well?''

N: Right, I will play. I'm a busy man and the fucking boss… And who this annoying fuck might be?

The other man nodded quietly: ''Yes…hum…I didn't know you two were together?''

''Yeah…we have been for a few years now, hum?'' She mumbled looking at Negan for confirmation.

A: Just show him I'm not available.

''Yes…and for many more years to come.''

N: Yes she's mine…and will be for some time.

Oh that son of a bitch.

Roy's brows went up in surprise: ''really? I'd never thought: she told me yesterday that she was leaving soon…''

The Savior gave her a pointed look: ''Oh is that so? You didn't tell me this…babe.''

N: The fuck? You're publicly saying you're leaving the fucking Sanctuary now?!

She faked a laugh:'' Yeah…I'm going to Alexandria this week, remember?''

A: I told you I was leaving for Canada and that nothing would stop me! That's not a secret!

''aaaahhh….yes…for the solar panels…But who will babysit our child?''

N: Noooope. Theo is my child too and you will both stay.

Amelie hated him right now.

''Oh you know…I was planning on bringing him to Alexandria…to breathe a bit of fresh air…''

A: The kid is mine and he is coming with me. He will see my country.

'' Great then…I'm coming too: I have to speak with Rick anyway…''

N: I'm not letting you go alone with Theo…Rick and I will have a little discussion…

Roy had been glancing from one to the other for the whole conversation: ''Right…I…think I will sit with my pals over there.''

On his words, he rose and strolled to his companions at the complete end of the room. As soon as his back was to them, Amelie pushed Negan away from her and the man laughed loudly.