She Has Fire

Chapter 2

Negan’s pov

I sat in bed, sheet sprawled over my waist, lost in my thoughts. Lacey was babbling about something as she got dressed.
“Negan? Did you hear me?” She said looking over to me as she stood in her bra and panties.
“Not a word. The fuck was it you said?” I sighed looking over to her. I could see the anger bubbling up in her. She shook her head, running a hand through her hair.
“I said, I don’t mind you fantasizing about someone else, but don’t call me their name. It really creeps me out.” She said pulling her dress on.
“What the hell are you talking about? I didn’t call you someone else...did I?” I tried to remember, but I couldn’t.
“Yeah, you did. Called me Mary. I don’t even know who that is.” She sighed. I sat on the edge of the bed and ran my hands over my face.
“Shit. I’m sorry babe. Won’t happen again.” I said pulling my boxers on.
“Yeah sure.” She said and left the room. I went and jumped into the shower. This woman was infiltrating my thoughts. I can’t get her out of my head. Her eyes are all I can think about. It was sappy and fucking stupid. My chest started aching again. I was fucked. There was no way in hell she was ever going to want me the way I want her. She hates me.
I finished cleaning up and got dressed. I headed towards Simon’s office. I banged on the door with Lucille and walked in.
“Boss? Something wrong?” He asked looking up from his papers.
“Fuck yeah there is! I can’t get that fucking woman out of my head.” I said falling into the chair across from him.
“Shit, you’re really taken by her, huh? Never seen you so upset about a girl before.” He chuckled shaking his head.
“It’s bad Simon. I fucking pissed Lacey off, I fucking called her Mary when I was screwing her last night!” I grumbled. Simon started laughing.
“I’m sorry Boss. That woman isn’t going just jump into your arms any time soon. Even if you did get her on our side, she wouldn’t just fall at your feet.” Simon shrugged.
“I know! That’s why this is so motherfucking frustrating. When are we due back at Alexandria?” I asked. Simon looked over his journal.
“Three days. We have a run out to the Kingdom in two.” He said.
“Move Alexandria up. We’ll go tomorrow. Keep them on their toes.” I said getting up.
“Right. Keep them on their toes. Good strategy boss.” He smiled.
“You got something to say asshole?” I prodded.
“No...no. Just need more pictures for the spank bank while we’re there too I’m guessing.” He laughed. I tossed his papers in the air and left. He wasn’t wrong though.

Mary's pov

I felt  the need to keep busy more and more lately. The increasing displeasure of my father’s presence encouraging the feeling. I went out on a run at least once a day, even if it was only for a few hours. I didn’t want to just sit around anymore.
I was coming back from a run, having caught a deer. I walked up to the opened gate with it on my back, seeing Negan’s crew going through everyone’s houses. Except mine again.
“Whoa! Nice piece of meat you go there sweetheart. The deer ain’t bad either!” One of the men laughed as he walked up to me. I just glared back at him.
“You want to hand that over or are we going to have a problem?” He said his hand on his gun. I rolled my eyes and dropped the deer at his feet. I walked past them, ignoring their whistles. I stomped into my house slamming the door shut.
“Well, welcome home honey!” I heard Negan say from my kitchen. My head snapped towards him. He was sitting on the kitchen island, eating one of my protein bars.
“What are you doing in here? Shouldn’t you be out keeping control of your people?” I growled putting my knives in the sink to clean later.
“Arat has them under control mostly. She can handle it.” He smiled at me.
“Why are you eating my food and sitting on my counter?” I barked as I looked up at him.
“What can I say. I missed ya.” He said leaning down closer to me. I stood my ground, though part of me stood hoping he’d lean in closer.
“Didn’t miss you.” I said.
“Aw, don’t be like that doll. We both know that’s not true.” He smirked. He jumped off my counter and turned so he was inches away.
“Tell me you want me to go and I’ll go. But don’t lie to me or yourself.” He drawled. His words seemed so smooth in my ear. I couldn’t move as he got closer.
“I...I…” Mumbling as he leaned forward, his hand moving up my arm and resting on my neck, his thumb trailing along my jawline.
“Tell me no and I’ll stop.” He whispered as he leaned down and pressed his lips against mine. Everything in me knew this was wrong. But I couldn’t fight it. I wanted this. I kissed him back. His tongue slipping past my lips. I groaned as I was overtaken by my desire. I didn’t know how long we’d been in each other’s arms before I snapped back to reality. I pulled away and stumbled back.
“No. This can’t happen. This...this can’t...I can’t…” I mumbled my hand moving to my lips.
“Alright, just calm down. I won’t kiss you again unless you ask me to.” He said, almost sounding sweet.
“Someone...someone could have seen.” I said looking out the window, panicked.
“No one saw. Everyone’s preoccupied with my people.” He reassured me. I looked at him confused. This seemed weird.
“Why are you being so nice to me? Why are you so...calm with me?” I asked confused.
“I mean, I thought I made real fucking obvious there a second a go. I fucking like you.” He said moving towards me.
“Why?” I asked him, not breaking eye contact. I could see something behind his eyes, something more than what he usually showed people. He was about to answer when Rick came running into the house.
“You’re people have everything. Do you need something from Mary? Has she done something wrong?” Rick said walking into the room.
“You have great fucking timing Rick! If I did need something from Mary, that would be our business. Not yours.” Negan growled looking down at Rick.
“I just...I don’t want her to get herself into trouble is all…” Rick said. I looked at him appalled. He never thought I could take care of things myself.
“She is being much more respectful than you Prick. I’m going to look over everything. Make sure it’s to my liking. Meet me out front Prick.” Negan barked as he gave me a wink and turn to leave. Rick didn’t say anything until he was sure Negn was out of earshot.
“What the hell was he doing in here? What did you do?” He asked. I sighed as I walked away.
“He was making sure I didn’t have anything he wanted I assume. Just like everybody else. I did nothing. I even brought them back a deer.” I said, my voice clearly annoyed.
“Listen to me. I need you to stop whatever this is while they are around.” Rick said as I walked out of the house.
“You notice how you start this, not me? I keep my mouth shut. You come in and make everything shit.” I growled as I walked towards the gates. Rick grabbed my wrist, forcing me to turn towards him.
“I don’t get why you’re so damn mad at me, when all I’m trying to do is protect you.” He hissed. I yanked my arm from him.
“You got us into this! You’re the reason they’re here!” I yelled.
“You were there with us, you didn’t have to come!” He yelled.
“Oh and just sit around here wondering if you’d all died! No! What I did was wrong. I know that. But you don’t seem to think what you did was wrong, other than in a strategic sense.” I said.
“We were trying to keep everyone fed, everyone safe!” He yelled. A crowd was starting to form, but neither of us took notice.
“You got them killed! If it wasn’t for your ego, your inability to listen to anyone else Glenn and Abraham would be here!!” I screamed. It was four seconds of time. Four seconds for the words to come out of my mouth. Four seconds for the anger and hurt to rise in him, take over his eyes. Four seconds for his hand to rise up and slam across my cheek. Four seconds. I stumbled back, my hands mindlessly going to my face.
“No…” I heard him whisper as the realisation of what had just happened came over him. I looked over at him, trying to keep the tears at bay.
“Hell no!!” Came a cry from behind us. I turned to see Negan and his men running up to us. His men throwing Rick on the ground as he came over to me. He pulled my hands from my face, looking at the red mark forming on my face.
“Please, don’t. I’m fine. He doesn’t need to be punished anymore than he’ll punish himself.” I told him with a shaky voice. Negan looked down at me, anger burning in his eyes.
“I really want to hurt him doll. I really do. Make an example of him.” Negan growled.
“He’s made an example of himself. No one will look at him the same. Just...don’t hurt him. Please.” I asked. He sighed and walked over to Rick, looming over him.
“I fucking see or hear of you laying a finger on her again, I will not be so fucking goddamn nice. The only reason you aren’t black and blue right now is because of her. You should kiss her fucking feet! I want to beat you myself. But I won’t. Don’t even look at her again, don’t breathe near her. I’ll fucking know, you stupid motherfucker. I will fucking know.” He growled, never sounding more dangerous than in that moment. He gave a nod of his head and his men got up from Rick and walked back to the convoy. Negan walked over to me.
“Offer to come with us is always on the table doll. We can protect you there. Give you a safe place.” He said looking at the scars on my arms.
“I can’t.” I told him. He smiled and looked at the ground, shaking his head.
“You just let me know when you can and I’ll come running.” He smiled and left. I hadn’t wanted to leave until that moment. The thought of safety. The thought of actually sleeping at night without the fear of death looming, it sounded so nice. I couldn’t. I had too much to do here. I walked over to where Rick was sitting on the ground, his face red from embarrassment and crying.
“Do not try to apologize. Do not try to make it up to me. Do not try and contact me. You ay ask the others about me. That is all you get now. You don’t come to my house. You leave me be. I mean it.” I growled. He looked up at me and was about to talk, I didn’t want to hear it. I walked back to my house and closed the door. I tried to make it to the couch, but collapsed into my knees just before it. Sobs wracking my body. Everything was more complicated everyday.