She Has Fire

Chapter 12

*Smutt warning.. be warned*

Negan's POV

I rubbed the sore muscles in my neck as I stumbled my way down the hall. I needed coffee. I needed it now. It was still early yet, Mary was sleeping. Not many people would be in the cafeteria. It was a perfect time to go. As I turned a corner I bumped into Aaron.
"Shit...sorry." I grumbled.
"Oh, my bad. Heading to breakfast?" He asked, clearing his throat. I nodded.
"Need coffee." I grunted. He nodded.
"Eric's the same way when he gets up. He could sleep for two days and still wake up cranky and needing coffee." He chuckled. I hate small talk.
"How's Mary?" He asked.
"Okay. Sleeping." I said. We walked the rest of the way in silence, but something hung in the air. He clearly wanted to say something. I grabbed a mug and filled it with coffee. Aaron piled food onto a tray.
"You eat more than I thought you would." I said sipping my coffee and grabbing an apple.
"I was bringing food up to Mary. She needs it." He said. I nodded and we walked back.
"Thanks for...ya know taking care of her." I told him.
"She's family. It's what you do.Listen...." Oh here it comes.
"I just wanted to say...I don't agree with everything you do. In fact most of it is appalling to me, but you care for her. She'll be happy and safe here and that's all that matters." He said.
"I...um..thanks? I don't fucking know what you want to hear after that." I sighed.
"It's fine. I don't need anything, just wanted you to know that." He said as we kept walking. We were just outside the infirmary door, we could hear sobs on the other side. I slammed the door open putting my cup down on the nearest surface as I ran in. Mary was rolled on her side crying.
"Mary? Mary what's wrong?" I asked reaching for her hand.
"It hurts..." She whimpered.
"I've got it." Aaron grabbed a syringe and filling it with pain meds. He stuck into her arm and discarded the needle.
"Just give it a minute. You'll feel better in a minute." He told her. Slowly but surely she stopped whimpering.
"Sorry..." She sighed.
"Nothing to apologize for. I don't want you in pain ever." I told her.
"Brought you some breakfast. You should eat. Get your strength back up." Aaron said as we helped her sit up. He placed the tray on her lap. She started taking bites of her food.
"Listen, I need to talk to you. I don't think I can stay much longer. I need to get back to the group. I need to get back to Eric." Aaron said looking at the ground. He didn't want to leave Mary alone still, that much was obvious.
"It's okay. I understand. You didn't have to come. But I do appreciate you being here." Mary said putting a hand on his shoulder.
"I'll have you go with the new guard unit heading to Alexandria. They leave in a few hours." I told him. He nodded and left. Mary picked at her food. She was upset and not hiding it well at all.
"You okay?" I asked her, sipping my coffee.
"I'm just going to miss Aaron. It was nice having him here." She sighed.
"Listen Doll, I'm not a huge fan of the idea of you going back after the last two times, but I won't stop you from going to see them. You know that." I said.
"They won't want me back. After everything, they won't want me." She said putting her tray on the bedside table.
"Then they are the stupidest motherfuckers on the planet. I'd kill for you, to be around you. They don't want you, fuck them." I told her.
"It's...thank you. It's just...they're family. We been through hell and back and done it three times over. It hurts, more than I was prepared for." She sighed.
"Do..are you saying you want to go back?" I asked leaning forward in my seat.
"What? No. No, I don't want that. Even if I did, I couldn't. Aaron's my last connection with them. The only one I have left. Him leaving, just makes me feel...alone." She looked away, she knew it would hurt.
"Right... I get it. But you're not. Lacey and Angela like you. Laura actually talks about you with a grimace and that's saying a lot, Arat actually gives you compliments. You seem to have appealed to Simon's softer side." I chuckled.
"And me. I'm no prince charming, but damn if I won't protect you with every last breath. I'll never raise my hand to you. I'll do my fucking best to not hurt you ever. You got me wrapped around your little finger." I said clearing my throat.
"Negan...thank you. I trust you." She said. I smiled and leaned over and kissed her.
"Oh! Sorry, I'll come back!" Carson spun on his heels.
"No! Doc, come back in here." I sighed, Mary laughed. Fuck, it was like music. Carson came back in with an awkward smile.
"I just...I wanted to tell you that you can go back to your room today if you want. You're recovering well, you don't need to be here. But you should stay in bed for another couple of days. Keep the strenuous activity to a minimum." He said.
"Okay thank you." She smiled, her cheeks bright pink.
"She won't lift a finger. I'll tie her to the bed if I have to." I winked. Carson left as quickly as he could.
"You just like making him as uncomfortable as possible." She smiled.
"Yeah, I fucking do. It's the little things in life." I smiled.
"Perverse but harmless." She chuckled.
"Let's get you out of here. It's so creepy." I said wrapping her up in my arms and lifting her from the bed.