Red River Blue

Chapter 40

"Listen up, you dumb redneck! I didn't do anything to your wife," Negan repeated for what felt like at least the tenth time. His words did nothing to stop the absolute fit Merle was throwing in front of his cell. During his obscene verbal tirades, the man kept trying to insert his arm between the bars of Negan's cell. Which was top tier idiocy. Because even if his arm fit through, it would still put Merle at least six feet too far away from even being able to think about catching hold of Negan.

At first, Negan was intrigued by this behavior. He was hoping that Merle might get his arm stuck between the bars. Maybe they'll have to cut his other hand off to get him loose, Negan thought with glee. But after the first few attempts, it was obvious that Merle wasn't going to get himself stuck. Which was really unfortunate. That would have made for some high quality entertainment.

Negan groaned and flopped down on the narrow cot, lifting his arm and using it to cover his eyes. Merle didn't have access to a key. Clearly. And he couldn't fire his gun off in the confined and cement filled area due to the risk of having the bullet ricochet. So that left him at an impasse and filled with rage.

"Why don't you go get the key?," Negan taunted. "Your granddaughter isn't here to save you this time."

"You better watch yer fuckin' mouth," Merle warned. "You and me ain't never been in a room alone together before."

Negan lifted his arm off his eyes. It wasn't the words. It was Merle's tone that caught his attention. He'd ceased his screaming and cursing. And was now speaking in a low evil sounding voice that was barely above a whisper. It was actually more unsettling than the screaming. A lot more. Scary even. The fucker had some big balls energy. Negan would give him that. Without Merle and that sneaky smartypants scientist on his side, Rick never would have gotten the better of him.

"What happened to your wife last night was your own fault. If you love something, you have to protect it. Or else sooner or later, someone's going to come along and take it," Negan said, flopping his arm back down over his face. If Merle was so worried about his dime piece wife, maybe he ought to have stayed sober enough to keep an eye on her. The fact that River was a friendly drunk wasn't exactly a well kept secret. But instead of watching out for her, Merle was passed out on a table while she was being roughed up by some little punks outside. Which was after she got done dry humping his brother.

"My wife is alive," Merle countered. "Where's yours, motherfucker?"

"She died of breast cancer."

Merle paused a moment, quickly choking back the small pang of sympathy he felt for the man.

"I hope she went slow and painful," Merle hissed.

Negan sat up, swinging his feet onto the floor as his face twisted up into a wicked grin. He wasn't stupid. Merle was trying to get a rise out of him. And he wasn't going to be baited by the man's harsh comments about his long deceased wife.

"Merle."

Merle spun, turning immediately towards the sound of River's voice. Seeing the wounded look on her face was like a punch in the gut. He much preferred his anger over whatever he was feeling now. River crossed the distance between them with small hesitant steps. Merle let her come to him, waiting until she was in arms reach before he pulled her against his chest. Her hands fisted into the back of his shirt. And he felt her shudder against him as she buried her face in his chest. He would rather fight a walker herd than see River cry. She'd been through more pain in her life than most people before the turn even happened. And most of it was due to him. All Merle wanted to do now was make her happy. And he couldn't even do that.

"See what the fuck you did," Merle cursed, narrowing his eyes at the tall man behind the bars. Negan was up off the cot, suddenly not looking as amused with the situation as he was a moment before. He moved forward, getting as close to the bars of the cell as he dared.

River lifted her head off Merle's chest, wiping her eyes. She not only had the worst hangover she could remember having in years, she was an emotional trainwreck. From what happened the night before and the way it was slowly coming back to her in weird disjointed pieces. And from being questioned about it. Which was beyond embarrassing.

"He didn't do anything," River said, glancing at Negan.

"Bullshit," Merle cursed. "That's not what that kid fuckin' said."

"Was his face bashed up?," Negan asked. Merle nodded. Negan shrugged his shoulders, informing Merle that the kid he mentioned was the one that actually tried to jump his wife. Merle looked to River for confirmation of this. She wiped at her eyes again and nodded.

"Thanks," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. River moved closer to the only occupied cell. Unlike Merle, her slimmer arm slid easily between the bars. Negan stared at her outstretched hand with a look of surprise at first. Then he reached forward, grasping her small hand in his much larger one. His hand engulfed hers. But their handshake only lasted a moment before Merle pulled River away from him.

"Ya sure it wasn't him?," Merle asked, catching River under her chin with his knuckle to keep her from burying her face in his shirt again. If she was lying to keep the peace, Merle wasn't going to be happy when he found out. And he always found out. River couldn't keep a secret to save her life. Let alone someone else's.

"I'm sure," River promised. "He just walked me outside 'cause I was pukin'. When he went to get me some water, some other guys jumped me."

Merle released his gentle hold on River's face and pulled her against his chest. He rubbed his hand over her back as he considered this new information. Turning his attention to Negan, he quietly observed the man. Negan was trying to maintain his smug demeanor. But Merle could tell he was relieved that River was willing to defend him. If she hadn't, it was likely that he would be put to death. And judging by the crowd Merle passed by on the way in, that might still happen whether Negan did anything to deserve it or not. Merle told Rick they should have sent the asshole back to Hilltop. Even if Negan wasn't up to any bullshit, just his general presence tended to inspire unnecessary trouble and drama. And on a more personal note, Merle didn't like the way he looked at River. But now it appeared that Negan not only hadn't done anything to hurt River, but he put himself in the shithole to help her when he didn't have to. Merle wasn't sure how to feel about that.

"These people have no chill," Jerry huffed as he hauled himself down the stairs and into the holding area. "He's not dead is he?," Jerry asked once he spotted Merle standing in front of Negan's cell. "...'cause he's suppposedta testify in front of the leader's council." River shook her head.

"He's not dead."

"He's gonna be if ya walk him through that crowd outside," Merle added, sounding rather pleased with the idea. Jerry's smile widened as he approached. He gave Merle a friendly whack on the back as he unlocked the door to Negan's cell.

"I guess it's a good thing that you two awesome peeps are here to help me out," Jerry quipped. River took one look at her husband before she slapped her hand over her mouth. But it was already too late. A high pitched giggle escaped her before she could stop it. She wasn't really sure what exactly hit her funny bone. She was overtired and probably still a little drunk. That wasn't helping. But mostly it was just the look on Merle's face when Jerry touched him. Merle hated people touching him like that. And Jerry was totally fucking oblivious.

Merle ignored River's odd outburst and let out a heavy sigh. He knew it was in everyone's best interest for Negan to be able to tell the council what happened. But that didn't mean he wanted to act as the man's personal bodyguard. Especially when he'd much rather watch the angry crowd outside tear him to pieces.

"Gimme yer extra gun," River said, holding her hand out and gesturing towards Merle's ankle. She wasn't dumb. He always kept one gun on his belt and another in the ankle holster under his pants. "I'm not doin' this shit without a gun," River huffed.

In Merle's opinion, they shouldn't be doing this shit at all. But at least River wasn't crying anymore. Which was a major improvement. So he guessed this idiot bullshit was happening. Merle crouched down, retrieving the extra gun and placing it gently in River's outstretched hand.

"I should have a gun too," Negan suggested. Merle raised his brow at the man, snorting out a laugh.

"Nice try asshole," Merle said, pulling the other gun out of his holster and pointing Negan towards the stairs. Jerry headed up first. And River could already hear him asking people as nicely as possible to back up. She pushed ahead of Negan, placing the man between her and Merle as they exited the building. The volume of the crowd increased when they spotted Negan. And despite Jerry's warnings for them to keep back, people began to push closer. River gripped the gun in her hand, pointing it up in the air before she pulled the trigger. The three shots she fired off had people gasping and ducking for cover. She knew it wouldn't last long. But for now there was an opening in the angry crowd.

"I'm not in the mood fer any more shit today!," River hollered. "So back the fuck up right now or the next one's goin' through ya!" River turned. Reaching for the sleeve of Negan's shirt, she got a firm grip and started hauling ass towards the building where the council meeting was taking place. The sooner they got this over with, the better.