I think I liked you better when you didn't have a knife in your hand, Peaches

Not just me you have to worry about anymore, Rick

It didn't take the pair long to reach the gates of Alexandria once again, the rain still pouring down all around them as they walked, with Mia nestled snuggly in Blake's arms, and Negan, with one hand pressed to the small of the blonde woman's back possessively. Both of them speaking very little on the way back, partly not wanting to disturb the sleepy child in Blake's arms, but also due to the fact that both adults knew that there were some things that words just weren't capable of expressing.

For both of them were fully aware of how close they had been to losing something important to them today, and the pair of them were equally prepared to ensure that that never ever happened again.

Blake was so grateful to Negan for everything he had done for her....utterly in love with him now. And by the look of devotion on his face, Negan felt exactly the same, as the pair of them strolled past the army of Saviours waiting near to the trucks for them to return...all looking like the most obedient of soldiers....drenched but standing tall and firm awaiting orders like always.

But Negan and Blake were barely through the looming gates to Alexandria, when Rick strolled hurriedly up to them, followed close by, by an irate-looking Simon.

"Where was she?" asked the brown-haired leader, wide eyed and looking almost out of breath. His gaze travelling over Blake's muddy face and clothes, giving her a confused and questioning look.

But Blake gritted her teeth together, frowning darkly in his direction, her relieved demeanour bristling slightly.

"Out there, in the fucking woods...alone...." the caramel-blond woman snarled before even Negan had the chance to reply. "But she's safe now. No thanks to you."

"Blake-" tried Rick, offering her an almost sorry look. But his words were not good enough now. Not good enough at all.

And it was barely another second that Negan spoke, moving around Blake and Mia, like a wolf protecting his pack, and coming to stand nose-to-nose with Rick, as the rain hammered down onto his sloped, leather-clad shoulders.

"Now Rick....I gotta fuckin' say, you are a goddamn expert in findin' new and unique ways of pissin' me off," said Negan in a raised voice. "And today is no fuckin' exception. But, see, the thing is...this time, well shit, you've fucked things up. Puttin' people I actually care for in danger. An', well, Rick, that is somethin' I do not  fuckin' stand for."

And with that, Negan pressed the sharp end of Lucille to the bottom of Rick's bearded chin, causing him to wince against the barbed wire as it pressed into his skin.

A crowd had gathered around them now, of both Saviours and Alexandrians alike, just as it had earlier today, but now everyone was staring at Negan and Blake expectantly....

..obviously aware of the storm that was coming....and not the one currently hanging overhead sending rain barrelling down onto their heads in sheets.

Blake's blood was boiling now, as was, very obviously, Negan's too. Both of them seething for the same reason.

Lives could have been lost today, that was on the heads of Rick and everyone else here.

And that was something Blake would never ever be able to forgive them for.

For a brief moment she had perhaps thought she could have come back here, to have slotted back in with these people. Resumed her life here without looking back.

But today's events had made her realise that that could never ever happen. She felt bitter and angry at how sloppily things were run here, and how Mia's life had been put in danger. And why? Because all of them were far too corned with Negan's appearance in the small community today, than with their own issues. With keeping people safe.