Alexandria

Chapter 16

Negan lowers his hand towards Rachel's ass, his fingers sliding beneath her skirt. She bats his hand away.

"Stop that," she whispers. "Someone might see."

"I don't give a fuck." he smiles, brushing his nose against her ear. "How about we get the fuck outta here?"

"This meeting is important," Rachel says, her skin breaking out in gooseflesh as his beard prickles her ear.

"Come the fuck on, we know what Rick the prick is gonna say. It's a fucking war, sweetheart, and he wants us on the front line. It's not like they're gonna notice if we're not here."

"They will, and that's not the point," Rachel says.

"The hell's he doin here?" Daryl frowns.

Negan lifts his mouth from her ear. "Rick asked me to come, what with me being on the front fucking line an all," he says with a smirk.

Daryl turns to Rachel. "Couldn't ya have just told him how the meetin went? Ya didn't have ta bring him."

Rachel opens her mouth, but Negan steps forward, squaring up to Daryl. "Hey, like i just said. Rick asked me to come. What's your fucking problem?"

"My problem is you don't belong here."

"I beg to fucking differ, since i'm the one who brought back their leader's head as a show of solidarity," Negan says with a frown, his fists clenched by his sides.

Rachel wraps her fingers round the top of his arm, gently pulling him back. "Negan, don't."

"Ya best put a leash on him, remember what i said bout him stepping outta line," Daryl says.

"Who the fuck do you think you're talking to?" Negan almost growls.

Rachel tightens her grip. "That's enough, from the both of you." They stare at her, their eyebrows raised. "Rick wanted him to be here, and so he's here. Just.. stop trying to bait him," she says to Daryl. "And you stop rising to it." Rachel frowns as she looks up at Negan.

Negan throws her a hurt look, his jaw clenched as he turns away from her, his bottom lip pouting slightly.

Rick steps through the doors of the church, making his way down the aisle with the help of his cane. He stands before the strongest of his people, or in Eugene's case, the smartest.

"You all know why you're here. We're going to war. I wish i could be out there fighting it with you, but.." Rick glances down at his leg.

"My bad," Negan says with a chuckle. All heads turn towards him briefly, most of them not amused, least of all Rick. "Sorry.. bad timing." Negan clears his throat. "Continue."

"Some of you might die. Take a look at the person to your left, because you might never see them again," Rick says.

Negan looks down at Rachel, his stomach rolling at the sudden realisation of how serious this is, and he regrets his little joke at Rick's expense.

"I hope it doesn't come to that," Rick continues. "You're all capable of living through this. But you've gotta work together. We're not the only ones fighting this war. Hilltop, the Kingdom.. the Saviors." A few moans come from the crowd, Rick nodding his head. "I know how you all feel about the Saviors, things have always been strained. But that stops now. If we don't fight this war together, then we'll lose. We need all the communities. Jesus is gonna be leading Hilltop, Jerry for the Kingdom, and Simon for the Saviors."

"Who's leading Alexandria?" Someone shouts out. "Since you're not on the front line."

"Daryl," Rick answers.