She Has Fire

Chaptar 9

Negan's POV

She was so fucking pale. I'd never seen a person that pale before. They had given her so much blood, but it still didn't bring her color back. Her fingers were cold in my hand, the memories of the few kisses we'd shared were brought back, her skin warm under my touch. I wanted to go back to those moments. Really treasure them. Fuck if this woman didn't turn me into a big sap.
"She should heal up alright. We just have to keep her from getting an infection. So far she's doing well. You should get some real sleep. We'll get you when she wakes." Carson told me.
"I'm fine where I am. Your job is to worry about her not me." I growled. I didn't give a fuck if I slept or not. I wasn't leaving her side, not when she could need me at any moment.
"Sir? I'm sorry to interrupt, but did you want to talk about retaliation?" Simon came into the room. I felt my blood boil again as I remembered everything all over again. The sound of the gunshot, the look on her face as the pain started, the sound she made as she fell, the screaming.
"For now I want you to make another trip to Alexandria, I want all of the guns they've scavenged. I want permanent guards outside their gates, no one is leaving. Let them sweat some more, worry what I'll do to little Daryl for a while. I'm sure they're squabbling amongst themselves as we speak." I said, pointed and sharp.
"I'd like to go back and update them, but if I do that can I come back? Just me, no one else." Aaron asked. I sighed and leaned back in my chair, running a hand over my beard as I thought.
"Fuck it, yeah. Update Rick only. Don't fucking talk to anyone else. Not a fucking word to anyone. You inform Rick, you get back in the truck. That's it. You got that?" I said.
"Yes." He gave a sharp nod.
"Simon, I want you with him when you go. You keep their meeting to five minutes, no more." I growled.
"Absolutely boss. Let's get a move on." Simon said as he turned and left, Aaron in tow. I sighed and leaned forward, grabbing her hand in mine. I just wish she wasn't so cold. I got up and looked through the cabinets and found an extra blanket and pulled it over her.
"I'm fucking sorry we can't do anything more. I'm sorry we don't have pain meds. I'm just...sorry." I sighed and sat back down to hold her hand.
"Negan..." Lacey's voice came from the doorway. I looked up at her, her eyes were red and puffy. Clearly still upset.
"She's doing alright. At least that's what the Doc says." I sighed. She walked in and stood by the end of the bed.
"You should go get some sleep." She said, her voice small.
"Why is everyone so fucking goddamn worried about my sleep! I'll fucking sleep when she's okay." I growled.
"She'll need you at your best. You can't be at your best without sleep. Besides I want to sit with her." She told me.
"I ain't stopping you." I grumbled. She walked over and sat on my lap and held my face in her hands.
"Go. Sleep for a few hours. She's not going anywhere, I'll watch her. If anything changes, I'll come for you." She told me. I sighed and picked her up off me as I stood.
"Fine. Just a few hours. You don't leave her side. You come and get me if anything changes. I mean it, anything." I told her. She nodded and wrapped her arms around my neck and buried her face in my chest before letting go and pushing me out the door. I walked back to my room, hunched over. I walked in and fell onto the bed, I was out almost instantly.

Third Person POV

The trucks pulled up to the gates of Alexandria. Aaron watched as Tara pulled it open. She looked surprised to see him again. The trucks parked and Aaron jumped out and stood next to Simon.
"Alright, everybody grab a buddy. We're taking all those guns you found. I want the whole place searched, top to bottom." He barked. The Saviors grabbed people and went about looking for weapons. Simon nodded to Aaron to follow him to Rick's house. They stood at the door as Simon knocked. Michonne came to the door, her brow furrowed as she looked at Simon, her expression softened when she saw Aaron.
"I need to talk to Rick."Aaron told her. She nodded and let them in.
"He's...he's upstairs. I'll get him." She said as she climbed the stairs. A moment later Rick came barreling down the stairs towards Aaron.
"Aaron? Are you okay? How's Mary?" He asked, his face red.
"I'm fine." Aaron said.
"Treating you real nice over there, right?" Simon smiled. Aaron nodded.
"Mary's alive. The bullet missed any major organs. Their doctor patched her, but she lost a lot of blood. I gave her some, but she hasn't woken up yet. We're just trying to keep her from getting an infection." Aaron told him. Rick nodded and ran a hand over his face.
"When do they think she'll wake up?" Michonne asked next to Rick.
"I-"
"Ah! You know the rules." Simon said. Aaron gave her a sympathetic look.
"I want to go see her. Let me go see her." Rick pleaded.
"No can do Rick. Aaron here, is coming back with us. That's it. You aren't going anywhere. We're putting guards on you now. You just couldn't play well with others. Now you have to be punished." Simon told him.
"Is...is she in pain?" Rick asked, clearing his throat.
"Probably. No way of knowing for sure until she wakes up." Aaron told him.
"She...she breathin' okay?" Came a gruff voice from the corner. Aaron turned and saw Daryl sitting on the floor looking like a mess.
"Oh, nice to see you caring now. Don't get too comfortable. Negan has got some big plans for you." Simon growled.
"Take care of her Aaron." Rick told him. Aaron tore his glare from Daryl to look at Rick.
"I will." Aaron told him.
"And we're off. Got shit to do." Simon said as he and Aaron left. Simon got him in the truck and looked over the haul.
"You have been naughty! Enough for an army back here. Shame. I like a good fight, myself. Andy and his crew here are keeping watch all around your place. No funny business. They aren't as friendly as I am." Simon told the people gathered. He jumped in the truck and drove off, the Alexandrians looking worried and frustrated.

Negan's POV

I woke up and groaned as I stretched. The sun was starting to set. I had slept more than a couple of hours. I got up and headed straight to the infirmary. I walked in and saw Lacey chatting happily to Aaron.
"She knocked Eugene right on the head in the middle of fight training. He just wouldn't stop talking! She had enough and whacked him on the head! Everyone couldn't stop laughing. He kept combing through his mullet trying to find blood. She would never hit him hard enough for any damage, but it was still funny." Aaron and Lacey laughed.
"Having a party in here?" I chimed in. Aaron jumped and shut his mouth.
"Aaron was just telling me old stories about Mary." Lacey smiled up at me. I nodded as I stood at the end of the bed.
"Lacey will you do me a favor and go grab us some fucking food? Take Angela with you." I asked with a sigh.
"Yeah, of course." She said getting up and wrapping her arms around my neck as she pulled me in tight.
"That sleep did some good." She smiled and walked off. Aaron sat looking uncomfortable.
"You...you have how many wives?" He asked.
"Eight. I don't fuck all of them. Some are just wives I take care of. Give them medicine and such." I told him as I took her hand in mine.
"Is Mary...one?" He asked.
"No. But not from lack of trying. She's too stubborn." I laughed. Aaron gave a small smile and a nod.
"What are you going to do with Daryl?" Aaron finally asked. I sighed and looked up at him.
"Don't know yet. Won't know for sure until she wakes up. She gets the final say." I told him. He seemed surprised my by answer but accepted it. People are always surprised by my mercy. I don't fucking get it, I'm a pretty merciful guy. Lacey and Angela came back into the room with trays of food, handing one to each of us.
"Sorry it took so long." Angela smiled.
"Wasn't sure what you liked, if you want something else just tell us honey." Lacey said to Aaron.
"Oh, this is great thank you. You're too kind." He smiled up at her as he ate.
"Well, I know you were her friend first, but I like to think she's mine too and you helped her. It's the least we can do." Lacey smiled.
"Ya know we have a few gay men here. We could send them your way if you want. Just to have someone to talk to if you need or more, no judgement." Angela said.
"Oh. Oh..um no. Thank you. That's nice, but I'm married." Aaron smiled.
"Pre or post?" I asked with a mouth full of food.
"What?" Aaron asked.
"Pre-end of the world or post, honey." Lacey said.
"Pre. We met about a year before. Been together ever since." He smiled.
"Adorable." Lacey giggled. We finished up our food and I handed the tray to Lacey. Aaron stood and took the tray from her.
"Please, let me." He smiled and left.
"I like him. He's sweet." Angela smiled.
"He seems alright. But he's not staying forever. Don't get too comfortable with him." I said.
"I know, I know." Angela waved me off.
"You let us know if she wakes up?" Lacey asked putting her hand on my shoulder.
"Yeah. I'll tell you." I said patting her hand. She smiled and her and Angela left. I sat looking at Mary, watching her breathing. I just wanted to know she was alright. Just wanted to hear her voice again. I had the overwhelming feeling of deja vu. I had been here before. Willing Lucille to open her eyes. Just wanting to hear her talk again. To smile one more time. She was always cold too. No matter what I did she was always so cold. I tried to give her my heat, get her more blankets, but she was still so cold. I would keep my eyes locked on her chest, making sure she was still breathing, still with me. I thought I wouldn't survive losing her. I don't think I could survive losing Mary. I can't do it twice. I laid my head against her hand.
"Please...please not again..." I said, my voice cracking. I felt her hand move and my head shot up. Her face scrunched up in discomfort as she opened her eyes.
"Ow...." She sighed as she looked over to me.
"Mary? Thank fuck you're awake!" I smiled.
"It's good to see you too." She gave a small smile and tried to sit up, but gasped and fell back down.
"Hey, don't you fucking move. You gotta stay laying down for a while. Stay in bed." I told her.
"Daryl...he shot me." She looked confused. I sighed and looked at the floor.
"Yeah. Well, you jumped in front of a bullet for me." I told her.
"I know. I was there." She smiled.
"Let's agree that you never do that again. No matter fucking what." I told her. She gave a nod.
"I thought I was going to lose you. All I could see was that bullet taking you out. I couldn't bear it." She said, her eyes watering. I cupped her face with my hand.
"Hey, it's okay. Everything is okay. I thought I was losing you." I told her. She looked up at me with big, scared eyes.
"I...I've been so dumb. This world is shitty and everyone is shitty now. But...I feel less shitty with you. I was cruel. I'm sorry." She said as the tears rolled down her face. I wiped them off her soft skin with my thumb.
"I'm not the best with my emotions. I'm not a great person. I really fucking shitty. But damn if I won't try and make you as happy as fucking possible. I'll keep you safe, I promise you." I told her my own voice cracking. She pulled me down into a kiss.
"Don't scare me like that again." I chuckled as we broke the kiss.
"I'll do my best." She smiled.
"Mary....We gotta talk about Daryl..." I sighed.