Where Your Loyalties Lie: Book One

An Ethical Pickle

Overview: After trying to process past events, you address Eugene's confession to becoming Negan, as well as Negan addressing what happened between you and him...

You kept wrapping your head around what happened between you and Negan when you were trapped together. Did you really kiss him... or did you just imagine the whole thing? The truth became apparent when you occasionally made eye contact with him when you passed each other in the hallways. You tried to remain neutral but his grin at the mere sight of you made a heat rise up inside of you.

You remained at the Sanctuary under the careful watch of Negan and his Saviours. You had managed to convince Negan to let you into his point system; it seemed only fair, seeing as how you felt like you weren't contributing anything to the well being of the Sanctuary other than just being present, so you wanted to do your share. It felt odd, though. You knew your family was with Rick, Daryl, Carol. Everyone back in Alexandria. But being at the Sanctuary, the more time you spent around the Saviours, the more you began to realize that they were people, too. Some of them better than others.

Laura, one of the few Saviours that you actually felt like you could be easier around, had instructed you to take Eugene another jar of pickles. Slightly laughing at the idea of Eugene being so easily swayed by a glass jar of cucumbers drowned in vinegar and water, you took the jar and headed straight down to his room.

Come to think of it, the fact that Negan gave Eugene a furnished room made you question his actions; Negan wanted Eugene for his ability to make bullets. But you knew Eugene wasn't as daft as he seemed. The guy had PHD's, for crying out loud. Because of this, Negan had been calling Eugene "Doctor Smarty Pants" and you had to refrain from rolling your eyes at his childish humour.

You came around a corner in the Sanctuary and directed yourself towards Eugene's room. But as you were about to knock on the door, your hand faltered when you heard Negan's voice on the other side. Lowering your fist, you scanned the hallway to find it empty.

You had started to eavesdrop on conversations since you had been staying at the Sanctuary. You felt bad at first, but you after a while, you thought What the hell?

It sounded like they had already been talking for a short while. But Negan's vocal tone suggested he was planning something.

"Who are you-" Negan asked.

"I'm Negan," Eugene said, practically cutting Negan off.

You were shocked at his eagerness. What the hell was he doing? You had been staying at the Sanctuary but you were never going to be one of the Saviours. At that point, you were just caught in the middle of it all.

"I'm utterly, stone cold Negan," Eugene continued. "I was Negan before I met you. I just needed to meet you properly to know. I'm Negan."

Your breath caught in you throat after hearing his confession. You were in disbelief (an understatement, really). Your grip on the jar of pickles loosened but you snapped back to reality and steadied it before it could fall.

You gave it a moment before finally knocking on the door. Trying to keep your face neutral, the door opened and Eugene's tired, lonely face greeted you. Negan was standing behind him, holding Lucille.

Acting casual, you studied both men. "Oh, sorry. I can come back if you're busy..."

"No need, doll. I was just leaving," Negan said, quickly as he walked past Eugene into the hallway. You moved aside for him but when he crossed the threshold, he gave you a smirk but his eyes were serious. You prayed that he wasn't aware that you had been listening in.