Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Twilight or TWD. Those rights are reserved for Stephanie Myer and Robert Kirkman. I do own the original characters created for this storyline. Please support the official release.

Writer's Notes: Enjoy!

Rick woke in the morning, the pain and grogginess from the hangover washed over him and he groaned. He barely remembered what happened. He ran his hands over his face and stumbled out of bed, going to the bathroom. He looked at himself in the mirror. His face was scruffier from lack of shaving and he needed to, but he just couldn't bring himself to do so. He just washed up a little and changed his clothes before going downstairs. He saw Jasper in the kitchen holding a cup of coffee and talking to Hershel. His eyes glanced up to Rick's figure walking into the kitchen.

Rick went to the coffee immediately and poured himself a cup. "What's the plan today?" He asked, his voice even groggy from the hangover but he was sober right now. He lifted the coffee to his lips and took a drink of the delicate hot liquid.

Jasper raised a brow and looked at his watch. It was five in the morning. "Well. I'm about to head out on a run with Glenn, Daryl, and Negan." He said. "Shouldn't take more than a day."

"Negan is still here?" Rick asked, instantly feeling pissed off that he was lingering around.

"Yeah. Yesterday he came in. You know…for trade." Jasper frowned. "Do you not remember yesterday?"

Rick shook his head. "No. What are y'all trading?"

"Man power. We helped with Brent so Negan is lending some men to help construct the animal pasture. Bella told you this yesterday."

Rick blinked a few times. He had lost an entire day? "Right. Yeah, that's right." He said, covering poorly for the fact that he had lost an entire day. "Okay. Cool. So why don't I go with today. Daryl can handle the run for formula and stuff for Aya with Bella and Maggie." He suggested.

Jasper glanced to Hershel and then back at Rick. "We have plenty of formula. Mags and Bella went two days ago for that."

"Right." Rick muttered. "I'll just go instead of Daryl. I haven't been outside the walls in a while."

Jasper shook his head. "Not a good idea. After last night, I don't think it's a good idea for you and Negan to be anywhere near each other."

"What the fuck happened last night?"

Bella walked into the house at that moment, with Carl behind her. Carl wanted to find the book he was reading and forgot it at the house and Bella also wanted to see if Hershel was up for watching the clinic while she went on a hunt with Spencer.

Rick looked at Bella and was stunned. HE set his coffee down immediately and went towards her. "Baby what happened? Are you okay?" His hands went to run down her arms.

"Are you serious?" Carl asked incredulously. He was shocked for once, his dad didn't remember anything.

Bella put her hand on Carl's shoulder and stepped away from Rick. She looked at Carl. "Go find your book." She said gently and Carl just sighed and walked around his dad and up the stairs.

Rick frowned in confusion. "Is he mad at me?"

"Rick…you did this." Bella was blunt. "You threw punches at Negan last night and I stepped between you two and you clocked me. Carl…he tried to defend me and you tried to hit him. Negan stopped you and well….Glenn and Jake carried you back here last night."

"I would never hit you or Carl. This can't be right." Rick denied.

"That's what happened." Jasper said pushing away from the counter. "You broke her nose. I had to reset it." He said and then he looked at Bella. "Is Negan ready?"

"Yeah, I just saw him outside T Dogg's and Tyrese."

Rick didn't know what to say. It didn't make any sense to him. He would never hurt Bella like that and he was starting to think that Negan was the problem here. "Negan needs to leave. I don't think I would do any of this otherwise."

"Right. He's the problem." Jasper snapped. "You know what man, I have seen you act shitty towards Bella this entire time. Since she came back from DC and even before. You shouldn't drink yet you're rarely sober. I don't want you on a run with me or the crew because we can't trust you'll have our backs because you can barely have your own."

Bella spoke up. "Jazz."

"No, he needs to fucking hear it." Jasper said, looking straight at Rick. "You're out of control. You broke her nose this time and trust me when I say it's the last time you'll be able to set your hands on her. You're done." He said his voice commanding.

"Don't fucking talk to me like you're the one in charge. She's my wife!" Rick growled.

"No. She's not." Jasper bit back. "And I am in charge now because I'm removing you from that responsibility. Keep testing me and I'll throw you outside these walls and you'll never get to see Bella or your kids again."

"You can't do that. Bella isn't going to allow that."

Bella sighed. "Calm down. Both of you." She snapped. "Jazz, I'm going on a hunt with Spencer. Doc, can you handle the clinic?" She asked, looking at Hershel.

Hershel nodded. He had been quiet this entire time because he didn't want to interject. Jasper was handling it so it didn't make sense for him to add fuel to the fire here. "Sure. I've got it handled."

Rick looked to Bella his eyes pleading. "Bella…can we talk?"

Bella shook her head. "I'm done talking."

"You don't want to work for us? I love you…I wouldn't hurt you baby…I-"

"No. You have hurt me and you have hurt your son." Bella said firmly. "I am done trying to reason with you. You have said some of the worse things to me…and it reminds me of a time where I was beaten and abused. I'm done….I'm not going through that again."

"I love you…don't you love me?"

Bella stared at Rick. Her chest hurt and she swallowed. "Yes. I do love you. Right now I need to think. My face hurts and I just have too much to worry about. We will talk when I am ready but not until you're sober and not drinking. I won't give you the chance to talk until you stop."

Carl came back down the stairs. He didn't spare his dad a glance. "Found it." He said, holding up the book. Bella smiled at him and nodded, before she walked outside, Carl with her.

Bella sighed when she got outside. "Carl…I'm sorry. I know this is hard for you."

"It's not hard for me. Because you're my mom and I love you." Carl said and slipped his hand in hers. "He's not the good guy. Mom…he's always been like this." He relayed. "He drank a lot before everything happened and now he's gone back to it. I should have warned you…I failed you."

Bella looked at Carl, her eyes softening. "Oh kiddo…you didn't fail me." She whispered and kissed his forehead. "I love you. Remember that. No matter what."

"I love you too." Carl said and the two hugged.

Negan looked at the construction site. This was a gold mine for everyone. The larger machines were louder and could draw noise, but they would be far more beneficial in the long run. "What do you think?" He asked Jasper.

Jasper surveyed the lot. "Well, we can clear some trees easier with these beasts. You got any guys that know how to work one?"

"Yeah. A few. I can have them get these babies started and moved to Alexandria and clear that land." Negan said with a nod. "Jesus should be bringing y'all another cow soon. They have the extra. There's some goats too." He said. "Could be good for milk and cheese. Carol said something about knowing how to make cheese."

Jasper smiled. "Cheese would be nice." He agreed. "Okay. We'll get these moved then. Daryl, can you do a sweep, see if there is any wildlife nearby. We can camp out here. Set a perimeter Glenn." He ordered.

Daryl nodded. "On it." He said and disappeared going towards the treeline to search for animal tracks.

"How was Bella this morning?" Negan asked, once he was alone with Jasper.

Jasper looked at him and nodded. "She was…more bruised, but that's expected with the broken nose." He relayed.

Negan shook his head. "I should have just…kept my distance." He sighed.

"No. She needs you Negan. So much has happened…since we saw each other. Bella and I…we were taken POW back then. After she ran away from you and losing the baby. A lot of things happened to her and I couldn't save her. She saved herself and the rest of us. Honestly, for a while I had wished I had died back there in Somalia." Jasper was quiet a moment. "She needed you then and she needs you now."

"I don't get to decide." Negan said. "She's married or whatever the fuck it is she is with Rick. I…I have overstepped Major. I have caused too many issues for her. If I had just kept my hands off her back in DC when she stroll into my life again…maybe Rick wouldn't be like this."

Jasper snorted. "Rick has changed. A lot. Since the farm he's been just…Bella is the better leader but she yielded to him. Let him have that control and don't get me wrong. I liked Rick…in the beginning. Thought they were good for each other. I saw that he broke down some barriers for her. But he turned mean. I know alcohol changes a person, it truly does, because I have personally witnessed it…more times than I can count. But the fact is…he was always this person. We didn't get to see this side of him because he was never presented with a problem he didn't have the solution for…until the farm. Until we roamed hungry with the children. Until Bella had Aya…it's just been…downhill for a while."

Negan looked around the construction site as he thought. "I slept with her last night." He said and then rubbed the back of his head. "I don't have an excuse for it man."

"Shouldn't have to give one. You love her. She loves you. That's clear enough." Jasper said, clearly not surprised.

"I should have…let it be. She was hurting and vulnerable and I took advantage of that. I am a bad guy." Negan admitted.

"No, you're not." Jasper said and faced Negan. "Her and Rick have been separated for a couple months now. Bella is guarding herself from him. She's…protecting the children. Aya and Carl…that's what she cares about and she cares about you. I know she does because I'm her brother. She tells me things." He shook his head. "You two were endgame back then and it's still the same now. I fully believe in soulmates."

Negan was quiet. "But I should have…I should have let her go. I held on to her all this time because I couldn't envision a world without her. When the world went to shit, it didn't take long for me to figure my shit out. The Saviors? We're not that great of people. If it wasn't for Bella, we would still be just…taking. I carry around a bat wrapped in barbed wire." He said twirling the bat. "I named her Lucile."

"You named the bat…Lucile? Really?" Jasper said with a smirk.

"You're missing my point. I'm not better than Rick."

"I don't believe that's true. What do the Saviors do now? Hilltop is what? They have a better life right?"

"Well I took half their shit for a long time." Negan said with a sigh.

Jasper laughed a little. "Negan. Let it go man. Are you still taking half their shit?"

"Well no. I came to an agreeable arrangement with Jesus and well I guess fucking Greg. Honestly Greg was the reason I was so pissy with them. How does a guy like that, supposedly a leader, let people come in and take half his shit?"

"Spinning off track man." Jasper said with a smile. "Don't worry about the Bella thing. She'll come around."

Negan wasn't so sure of that but he nodded. "I also care about those kids. Aya and Carl…shouldn't see their father like this. It hurts me to see them in the middle like this."

"Carl is fourteen. He understands more than most kids, especially now since he's had to grow up fast." Jasper said. "Aya isn't one yet, she still so little, she doesn't understand."

"Doesn't make it right."

"No, it doesn't." Jasper agreed. "I'll protect them Negan. Always."

"I know you will." Negan said and then smiled at Daryl when he walked up holding some sort of bird. "Ah, food."

Daryl nodded. "Yeah, seems scarce this way too."

Glenn walked up then. "Did a sweep, seems quiet for now." He relayed.

"Good." Jasper said and the four of them got ready to camp for the night.

Bella and Spencer managed to find a few rabbits in the snares that they set a few days prior, so they brought them back to Alexandria and Bella busied herself with skinning them and processing them so Carol could use the meat for stew later. She glanced up at Maggie when she walked into the garage of the main house. "Hey."

"Hey, how are you feeling?" Maggie was worried about Bella. She didn't like how Rick was treating her, but Bella was still trying to be so strong.

"I'm okay. Face hurts but that'll teach me not to break up a fight again." She joked lightly.

Maggie didn't smile or laugh. "Bella, I'm worried…"

Bella continued processing the rabbits as she thought about Maggie's words. "I'm sorry I'm worrying you. I don't want you to worry."

"Too late." Maggie said softly. "What is going on? I feel like we don't talk as much as we used to."

"What happened is…Negan is alive." Bella said. "I had…some flashbacks back in DC the first time. Negan and I…we used to be engaged. We were pregnant at one time, but I miscarried. I ran away from him and then I…then the end of the world happened." She said and set the one rabbit to the side and started on the next.

Maggie grabbed the other rabbit and started helping her. "And it brought back feelings." She said as a statement.

"It did." Bella said. "Rick is upset with it all…"

"Rick has been upset with life since the farm." Maggie put in. "Tell me more about Negan."

Bella paused to think about Negan. It always made her feel inside…feelings that she thought were long gone before. "He was….the love of my life." She said and continued working on the rabbit.

"Was?"

"Is." Bella sighed. "I love him…so much it hurts Mags." She breathed out, tearing up a little. "I made a promise to Rick…I love Rick."

"You're just not in love with him like you are with Negan." Maggie said with a little nod.

Bella didn't want to say it out loud, but she nodded. "I'm a terrible person." She whispered.

"You're not terrible. Bella…Rick has been this way for a while. I'm your friend. I don't like seeing you unhappy and I certainly don't like seeing you like this. Rick broke your nose."

"It was an accident."

"And he pushed you down and you miscarried…he grabs your arms hard and leaves behind marks. He calls you names all the time, even in front of the kids. It's not healthy Bells." Maggie said gently.

Bella felt tears run down her face. "I know." She said, her voice tight. "I've gone through this before…when I was younger and I don't know why or how I let myself fall back into this same old pattern." She wiped her face gently with her arm. "I just…I don't know. I keep thinking I can fix things."

"You can't blame yourself for Rick's misdeeds. He is his own person and he is making the decision to drink. Carl said that he used to drink bad like this before and him and Lori would argue and fight…badly sometimes. I'm starting to see why she…did what she did with Shane. Even though I didn't know either of them, Carl says that his mom and Shane were together far before the dead started walking. He's not a dumb kid."

"I know." Bella said and shook her head. "I just don't want the kids to hurt in all this, but it feels like no matter what I do…they'll be hurt."

"I think they'll be more hurt, if something happens to their mother." Maggie said. "Negan…I haven't known him long, but from how Glenn and Jasper talk about him…he's a solid guy."

Bella smiled a little. "He is…" she bit her lip a little. "I slept with him last night." She murmured.

Maggie grinned wide. "Are you serious? That's amazing. How long has it been?"

"Oh god. With Rick? Not since I lost the baby. I just…he tried…after. I was sleeping and he tried to have sex with me while I slept. It brought back too many memories of Edward. Of course Rick was drunk. He isn't hard to fight off sometimes. He passed out." She said. "I haven't slept in bed with him since." She admitted.

Maggie shook her head. "What are your plans now?"

"Now, I just want him to stop drinking long enough so I can have an honest discussion with him." Bella said. "Which…feels like will never happen."

"Maybe dad can help with that. My dad is an alcoholic. Mama made him quit when I was born. I was told he wasn't the kindest drunk either, so I'm fortunate I have never had to see him that way, but perhaps he can talk some sense into Rick."

Bella thought about it and nodded. "Do you think that Hershel would do that?"

"Of course. He loves you like you're one of his own. He doesn't like seeing you go through this. I'll talk to him." Maggie said as she finished with the rabbit.

Bella smiled at Maggie. "Thank you."

"What are sisters for?" Maggie said, bumping her shoulder into Bella's.