GA - Woodbury - Governor's Apartment

[Hollywood Heidi]

Woodbury
----
Governor's Apartment

[Ariel]

(THE GOVERNOR - TEMP-PLAYED BY ARIEL)



Day 330

Peering through the curtains of the large apartment window, The Governor reveled in the thought that he had let too many things slip as of late. It was always risky, taking in refugees, and while Philip thought he was giving these people salvation he had suffered consequences on multiple accounts. There had been some gains, but also some losses. He continued to dig himself into the deepest hole and now his reputation was in danger. The curtain was about to be pulled down from his generosity facade to reveal the monster he had truly become. Rather than feeling remorse for the terrible things he had done, he was annoyed. Negan's little bitch had done nothing but get in the way since those hillbillies had brought her to Woodbury. He thought that he could keep her quiet upon her return, but he assumed that she didn't value her life anymore. His gaze pointed to the street below, quiet and barren of residents who were tucked in their businesses and homes. Philip noted this moment as the calm before the storm. Having already sent out his men to find her, the Governor would silence her for eternity. Figuring she would have reached Rick Grimes by now, he was willing to face the music. Yet, he was still confident that he could wiggle himself out of this one just as he always did.

[DarkSideCookie]

***


It seemed that, ever since the moment Lori had closed her eyes forever, all events had been happening completely on its own. Rick could hear a baby cry and an adult man whimper. Had that been himself? Was he still whimpering? Or was that just an echo in his head? A gunshot was still ringing in his ears, although he couldn't tell how close it was. How close it had been. What was then and what was now anyway? He had seen Carl, and the baby. His baby. ... Judith. She was alive.

A quiet sound left his throat, something between a sigh and a gasp, accompanied by a silent smile that didn't match the rest of his face. Or was the smile not his? Had Judith smiled at him? No, she had been crying, just like him. The smile must have been an illusion. The illusion of how things should have been. Of a father and a daughter who, for the first time in their lives, looked at each other. But this was not that kind of world anymore.

Rick felt his legs shaking as he went on. Where was he heading to though? Was he alone? Were the others with him? Where was Carl? And Judith? Suddenly he heard himself say something to Ingrid, almost like his voice was no longer a part of him. "I'm gonna take care of that now..." Of what, though? Did he really say that out loud, or was he just thinking?

Almost as if left to be no more than a bystander, somewhere out of his own body, Rick still went on. And then all of a sudden, as he found himself walking up a porch, he knew exactly where he was heading to. Like a puzzle, the events of the present time were piecing themself back together so that he could finally see the whole picture.

With his clenched fist, Rick knocked heavy on the Governor's door. "I know you're in there! We gotta talk!"

[Ariel]

(THE GOVERNOR - TEMP-PLAYED BY ARIEL)

"I know you're in there! We gotta talk!"


The Governor was unruffled at the sudden rapping sound on his apartment door. He had been expecting his guest's arrival at any moment, and had a feeling that it wasn't going to be a warm reunion. Although Philip knew it was almost curtain call on his nice guy persona, he would lead Rick on. Tease him to think there would be an Act III, until he would flip the switch and take him out. Rick Grimes not only knew too much to be kept alive, but lately the Governor began to see him as a threat. Unlike any other in Woodbury, Rick was used to being a leader. He didn't take orders from anybody, and Philip found an offense to that the farther things went. The Governor needed to establish his dominance, even if it meant killing Rick. Yet, Philip knew he had to come quietly to the grand finale.

Philip allowed Rick to let his frustrations out on the apartment door for a few moments more. He would open the door when he felt like it. Rick Grimes really needed to learn his place in this town. His gaze moved from the window and over his shoulder at his desk. A loaded handgun rested quietly on the top of his desk, visible to the world. It was a simple pawn in his plan, yet not in the way one would think. The Governor wasn't going to use it on Rick. He had his strategy aligned. And ready to spring it into action, he turned away completely from the window. Philip walked past the desk and steadily strolled up to the door.

"I admire you, Rick Grimes, I truly do. But if you want my attention, banging on the door and yelling at your leader isn't getting us anywhere. So," The Governor patronized Rick through the closed door, "Here's what's going to happen: I open the door, you collect yourself emotionally and whatever you need to talk about, we can talk about it - but like the adults we are." Rules established, Philip turned the door knob and pulled the door open to reveal a distressed, frantic man. The Governor scanned him quietly from head to toe for a moment, noting mentally that Rick looked like shit before flashing him one of his fake smiles of assurance, "Step into my office."

[DarkSideCookie]

Rick didn't stop the hammering on the Governor's door until finally, a voice was sounding from the other side. Was he too gutless to open it and look him into the eyes? Tears were still blocking parts of Rick's view, although he couldn't even tell if they were still running fresh or just what was left from the torrent before.

"I admire you, Rick Grimes, I truly do. But if you want my attention, banging on the door and yelling at your leader isn't getting us anywhere. So,"

You better open the door yourself, or I will find my own way inside and kill you. Reality seemed still distorted around him, so Rick wasn't sure if those were only thoughts or if he said anything of that out loud. But since the Governor went on with the establishment of rules, probably not the latter.

"Here's what's going to happen: I open the door, you collect yourself emotionally and whatever you need to talk about, we can talk about it - but like the adults we are."

Rick tried to calm himself by taking some deep breaths, although that seemed to stress him even more. As he lowered his head towards the bottom of the door where he saw the shadow of someone waiting on the other side, the anger level only increased more. But behind it, he knew the Governor was still waiting. Waiting for an answer.

"Open it." Rick managed to produce rather quietly to not allow his anger to get the better of him before the time was right. For what though? He didn't exactly have a plan, but then again, he seemed to have at least enough of a plan to keep Daryl and the others from holding him back. They were probably waiting somewhere behind to chime in if needed.

When the doorknob finally moved, Rick's breathing intensified once again. Of course, this man was not to blame for what happened to Lori, but he was to blame for everything else that had happened, or more precisely, for everything that had happened behind their backs. Daryl had been right about this place, just from the start. However, today was the day of reckoning. Whatever that would mean. Rick had become a different man already long ago. At this very moment, though, he wasn't sure if there was even anything left from the man he once had been. He could only hope so.

"Step into my office."

It was that shabby smile awaiting him that blew another fuse with Rick, all of a sudden. With one heavy swing, he dashed forward to thrust his fist right into the fake face of Woodbury. Maybe that was not the best way to deal with this, but emotions had started to boil over at this point. "You piece of shit!"

[Ariel]

"You piece of shit!"

The Governor had traveled over to the side of his desk when Rick suddenly burst out into anger. It was expected, yet Philip's jaw was slightly unhinged in shock before he looked away from Rick to belt a snide chuckle of disbelief. He reacted slightly frustrated as he drew in an inhale, rubbing his hand through the front of his hair in order to keep his cool. 

"So that's how it is now, is it Rick?" Philip exhaled his dissatisfaction, the sound he made throwing both palms on his desk echoed through the entire house, "You come into my house to slander me - after everything I did for you? For your family?" The Governor's voice shook with outrage as he raised his voice, his complexion narrowed disgustingly on Rick. Philip was convinced that Rick and his family wouldn't have even survived in the world alone without his help. Clicking his tongue against his teeth, he made a displeasing tisking sound as he shook his head, "I liked you Rick, hell, I saw a lot of me in you once. A man who would do anything for the good of his people. And that's what I've done here. I thought you of all others would get it," The Governor removed his hands from the desk and placed them in a  confrontational stance on his hips, still close to the desk with the gun sitting in the middle, "That girl you brought here, do you even know her? Where she comes from? Because if you did, you would wanna make sure she no longer poses a danger to your family too." Philip explained, even though he knew Rick was in an irrational place in his mind. He didn't care, he needed to establish what he thought was right and wrong even if Rick didn't understand.

[DarkSideCookie]

It was the moment of the Governor staring at him, disbelieving yet at the same time like he'd been expecting it, that Rick felt there was still something left from the man he once had been. Because that was the part of him feeling shabby right now. This man certainly had deserved it, but every step in a direction like this made Rick feel like he was losing himself more and more.

"So that's how it is now, is it Rick?"

"You tell me." Rick responded as he felt the anger coming back immediately.

"You come into my house to slander me - after everything I did for you? For your family?" The arrogance and disgust in the Governor's voice were like the final straw for the old Rick to retract and allow the new one to take over the wheel again.

"I liked you Rick, hell, I saw a lot of me in you once.

"Shut up."

"A man who would do anything for the good of his people. And that's what I've done here. I thought you of all others would get it,"

Rick's eyes were following each of the Governor's movements, expecting his hand to pull a gun every moment. A gun... Had Daryl and Maggie managed to get their weapons back before he walked up to his house? Rick's heart was beating faster while he tried to stay calm and hide the sudden panic. Any look down to his belt to check could be his last.

"That girl you brought here, do you even know her? Where she comes from? Because if you did, you would wanna make sure she no longer poses a danger to your family too."

Those words were distracting him from his panic, after all. Rick knew the Governor was only trying to manipulate him, but the old Rick, still standing behind, had always only wanted the best for his people, and if Ingrid really were a potential danger to them, he would, at least, have to listen. Or was it actually the new Rick, the part of him that couldn't afford to trust a seemingly innocent girl so blindly because he had to learn it the hard way in the past?

With one hard breath, Rick lowered his head, only to turn it up towards Woodbury's leader a moment later once again. He hated himself for asking this, although in a tone that gave away that he didn't think much of anything the Governor would have to say. "What are you talkin' about?"

[Ariel]

"What are you talkin' about?"

The Governor was still operating on the defensive, yet he was relieved to see that he was able to get Rick to pump on the breaks slightly amidst the heated confrontation. He was finally listening, and Philip would continue to work the angle in his favor until he gave Rick a proposition that he would be stupid to resist. He exhaled solemnly as his gaze pointed at the floor for a moment as to brace himself before looking back up at Rick to relay to him a harsh revelation.

"Ingrid probably told you a thing or two, yet she probably has concealed the whole truth from you yet. You don't know much about who she is, do you?" Philip lifted one of his hands from his hip to point at the window of his office to the outside world of Woodbury, where Ingrid was crawling around somewhere waiting to be trapped by one of his men, "There's a reason why she's so private, Rick. No one wants to tell someone who let them into their family that they're a murderer," The Governor looked at Rick and took note of any noticeable changes in his expression. Philip let his guard down enough to appear to be somewhat approachable in a civil manner as he took a few steps towards Rick, "I don't reckon you've ever heard of a leader named Negan. He's a man of power, and also highly dangerous. Negan will take over communities and will kill their men without batting in eye - in horrific, gruesome ways that neither you or me could ever fathom. He's got a following, Rick, and if you stick with me then we could ban together and take them all down. Starting with the girl. But," The Governor started as he began to lead the conversation into his proposition, "If you're not happy here Rick, I'll give you an out. You and your family are free to go and live your lives...but you'll have to leave Ingrid for me to handle." Philip looked upon Rick with stern confidence, in hopes that Rick would be willing to choose A or B. Rick was very unpredictable and emotionally unstable, so it was difficult for Philip to read him and his thoughts but he hoped that he would choose wisely.

[DarkSideCookie]

Rick regretted having asked this question as soon as the Governor opened his mouth. He was aware that it would come nothing but manipulating shit out of it. Yet, why was there something in these words setting him on alarm? And was it the old or the new Rick that became keen-eared all of a sudden? Or was it even a totally different Rick - namely the father of a new-born child he had only just become?

All throughout the Governor's speech, Rick remained silent and somewhat composed, although the high level of stress was clearly visible on his features. Every now and then, parts of him seemed to nod as an act of showing that he was absorbing the words, yet not what he was thinking of them. Maybe he didn't even know so himself - not right now, at least. All of this had become a total nightmare. Lori... She would never come back. And the baby... How was he supposed to be a good father for a new-born when he hadn't even been able to protect his people. He had practically led all of them into the lion's den; To a man who was just now trying to manipulate him the same way as he'd done with Ingrid. Ingrid... Rick had gotten to know her as a nice young woman who would only harm someone to save her family's and her own life. Her family... Did it really come into play who her family was? Negan... No, he'd never heard of anyone with that name. How cruel of a man can he be if Ingrid had trusted him with her heart and soul? On the other hand, if that man was the dear family she had mentioned, then why had she never spoken of him, nor call him by his name?

..."If you're not happy here Rick, I'll give you an out. You and your family are free to go and live your lives...but you'll have to leave Ingrid for me to handle."

Rick's head was bursting with questions, and his body nigh unto collapse when finally the Governor stopped talking, yet finishing with his eyes glued to him like he was expecting him to choose while pointing a metaphorical gun to his chest. Rick was tired. And he was so worked up about everyone demanding a decision from him. His wife just died. His child had just been born. Still, all that people did was demanding decisions. Who was he to choose one life over another? Was it his fault that Lori died? Not only had he lost his wife, but also Carl had lost his mom. Rick didn't know anymore what was right and what was wrong. All he could do was choosing from one of the given options, and never mind which one he'd chose, in the end, people would blame him for the decision he made. And if not blamed by others, he would, at least, blame himself.

After a felt eternity, or maybe it felt only like an eternity to him, Rick slowly opened his mouth. "I want to talk to her, now.", he demanded, yet with brokenness in his voice. He had a feeling that this wouldn't suit the Governor fine because now he knew that Ingrid had never been a free person, not even for one day ever since they had set a foot into this village. But wherever she had come from, Rick had given her a promise once, and he wouldn't break that promise just because someone else told him she meant danger. If that meant to be the truth, then he would demand the truth coming from out of her own mouth.

[Ariel]

"I want to talk to her, now."

"Of course you would want to hear it from her straight, I get that," The Governor spoke as if he was on the same level as Rick. As if they were still on some sort of rapport with one another. Long were those days gone, and Philip saw the Sherriff in Rick trying to turn the situation around into his control again. He understood it clear as day, but like hell was he going to allow Rick Grimes tell him what to do. The Governor's body braced with slight hesitation as he shifted his weight from one hip to another, pursing his lips into a grimaced line across his face, "Though, I just sent my best dog, Merle, to sniff her out and track her down. I told him to bring her back alive...but I'll admit, the man likes to play dirty so who knows what kind of condition the bitch will be in." An uncontrollable smirked played on Philips chin as he couldn't help but to be amused by his own words. He knew what he was doing when he sent Merle after Ingrid. He was relentless and cruel, but she would have to pay for making a mockery of The Governor. And it wouldn't be pretty.

[DarkSideCookie]

"Of course you would want to hear it from her straight, I get that,

You ain't getting jack shit, Rick thought with an inner hiss while his features remained unchanged and composed. He had enough of being part of these kinds of power games. People behaved like they were the big bosses of something, yet it was a matter of fact that none of them was in charge anymore - at least not in the way of titling themselves a chief or a governor, expecting everyone else to follow their rules. This world has become anarchy, as much as Rick had refused to believe that himself. On the other hand, he felt like the real anarchy was happening in his head right now.

"Though,"

And there it was. Rick had only been waiting for it as he hadn't expected anything else. He knew assholes like Philip Blake all too well. They had been assholes in the past where everyone still had a normal job - his to interview such -, and they were still assholes in this new world. Things like that would never change.

"I just sent my best dog, Merle, to sniff her out and track her down. I told him to bring her back alive... but I'll admit, the man likes to play dirty so who knows what kind of condition the bitch will be in."

"You whistle him back," Rick said harshly yet still somewhat composed, for he knew the tone in which one was speaking to an asshole was important. Still, this was a command. Time was ticking, and if the Governor didn't step in to call Merle off, Rick would have to on his own. He took one hard breath before he went on more quietly: "Or I'll make sure to reveal your dirty little secret to the townsfolk. And I'm not talking about Ingrid here... " Rick was aware that he was going out on a limb there, especially because he still wasn't sure if he was weaponed or not. Also, he had, of course, no evidence about what he'd heard, but the things he had heard would truly cause everyone to overthink their loyalty towards this man - A man who claimed to protect these people while he was harboring the death himself in his own house.

[Ariel]

"You whistle him back," "Or I'll make sure to reveal your dirty little secret to the townsfolk. And I'm not talking about Ingrid here... "

The Governor stood there, completely composed as Rick spouted with anger and emotion. He towered just slightly over Rick as he peered down at him through the one eye that hadn't been covered by a patch. Rick Grimes had less power here than he thought he had, and Philip felt as if he currently had the advantage as he watched the man before him crumble like a burning building. The Governor harbored a rather amused grin at Rick's threat. To Philip, it was almost laughable. Yet, he wouldn't give Rick the audacity of stirring any sort of emotion from within him. 

"It's too late, Rick. He's probably got his hands on her now as we speak," Philip continued to make eye contact with Rick as he slid himself closer to the desk with the gun in the middle, "You honestly think that you could persuade my own people against me? I built this place from the ground-up. They all watched me do it," The Governor pointed to the window that showcased the town and it's people, "They have my trust. But you? Rick, I think you're mistaken as to how much power you really have here. Now, I'm willing to work our arrangement out rationally," Philip hand gestured to his gun on the table, silently communicating the fact that he was unarmed, "I wouldn't want things to turn ugly before you and your family have to hit the road. You can say your goodbyes to Ingrid when they return...but for now, why not have a seat? You a scotch or a whisky kind of man, Rick?" Philip was dripping with a smug residue as he continued to bare a victorious smile on his face before turning his back slightly to the liquor cabinet behind the desk.

[DarkSideCookie]

Rick was doing his best to act composed, but the stress that had overpowered him the moment he had watched Lori die, surely couldn't be hidden from a man like Philip Blake. A man who had seen himself win long before this war had started. Maybe he had. Rick didn't know. He didn't know anything right now, not even what to respond to this ongoing talking like this man was in control of everything. Maybe he was. Rick didn't know that, either. But what he did know was that he wouldn't just surrender without a fight, nor would Daryl and the others. If Ingrid was in trouble, they would be by her side because they were family. All of them. And while they would have their fight outside, Rick had to have his own here inside. Maybe it was insane to believe that he still could turn the tables, but he had to try. Yet, there were only two options for him to make it out alive. Either by managing to somehow get himself closer to the desk with the gun in the middle, or by Daryl vanquishing his own brother to be here first with a weapon.

"So, that's what we're gonna do now? Sharing a drink while we wait for him to be back?" Rick continued asking these questions not because he was keen to get them answered, but only to make the Governor believe that he was caving in; That he wouldn't try everything to get out of here and take Ingrid with them, never mind how low his chances were. But that was exactly what Rick was going to do. No matter what she had done in the past, or who this Negan person was, she had belonged to: they were family. "And what are you gonna do with her?" He tried to keep up the conversation while he moved closer to Philip and at the same time to the desk, inch by inch. "Don't you think your people will ask questions?"

[Ariel]

"And what are you gonna do with her?" "Don't you think your people will ask questions?"

"My people probably know more than what I care to lead on...but they don't talk, or revolt, and they haven't overthrown me yet. You wanna know why?" Staring down at his mini bar while he addressed Rick's queries, Philip popped off the top of his glass container full of whiskey as he began to pour it over the rocks of both glasses. The liquid made a light sloshing sound as it hit each glass as Philip allowed the question to linger in silence over their heads before placing the container down and fastening the topper back in place, "Because I give them comfort. I supply them with food for their families. I give them a shred of normalcy in this Hell turned world...why on Earth would they want to risk that? My word of advice to you, Rick?" The Governor turned back around to Rick with two glasses of whiskey in his hands and a crooked half smile with a corner that pointed up towards the eye patch that he adorned over part of his face, "Follow the lead of my people...turn a blind eye and you'll survive. Ingrid did not, and how I deal the card of consequence to her is none of your concern. After today, she won't be your problem anymore." The Governor remarked as he stretched one of the whiskey filled glasses between them as an offering.

[DarkSideCookie]

"My people probably know more than what I care to lead on...but they don't talk, or revolt, and they haven't overthrown me yet. You wanna know why?"

Good lord, Rick was so done with this conversation that seemed to repeat itself over and over again. This man enjoyed hearing himself talk a little bit too much. By this point, Rick even would prefer Daryl to just kill his psycho brother and be back here in time to spare him from more of this. Rick had gone out of ideas on how to keep this conversation going anyway. It probably didn't even matter what he said, as long as his opponent had something more to say, just as something more to drink.

While Rick tried to look expectantly towards the great solving of the mystery behind Philip Blake's regency, he was still thinking of a way to get closer to the table with the gun upon it.

"Because I give them comfort. I supply them with food for their families. I give them a shred of normalcy in this Hell turned world...why on Earth would they want to risk that? My word of advice to you, Rick?"

And more looks of expectation on his face, although he couldn't help but utter a quiet sigh while his gaze turned to the ground every now and then. He couldn't do this any longer. "I don't..." Rick was going to just say anything, but the Governor seemed to not even notice that, and so he kept his mouth shut again.

"Follow the lead of my people...turn a blind eye and you'll survive. Ingrid did not, and how I deal the card of consequence to her is none of your concern. After today, she won't be your problem anymore."

Rick said nothing in return, only watched the man in front of him with intense as this man reached out to him with one of the glasses in his hands, offering him a drink.

Some more moments were passing by, probably though not even seconds that only seemed like an eternity to Rick. His eyes wouldn't leave from the Governor's smile while his hand started reaching out towards the offered drink, inch by inch, until he could feel his fingertips meeting with the rim of the ice-cold glass. They both were watching each other silently yet significantly, seeing the other one as a potential underdog and a worthy adversary likewise. The latter might go only for Rick, though.

And then, without any sign of an early warning, he suddenly took the glass out of Philip Blake's grip and doused him with the high-proof alcohol, directly aimed at his one visible eye. Rick knew he was granted only the split of a second before the Governor would take over the control of the situation again. He had never seen himself being a badass person nor someone who would risk it all in a scenario that probably held no victory for him, but he could tell one thing for sure. Causing such a stupid act was pretty much overrated because all he felt was fear in that short yet eternal moment of his other hand reaching out to the gun still resting on the nearby table.

[Ariel]

Suddenly Philip's eye began to burn like a raging wildfire as he was doused in alcohol by Rick Grimes. To say it was unexpected would be a lie. Philip knew he could rile Rick into his weakness of trying to control the uncontrollable, and it had worked. Philip winced as he yelped in sudden pain and his reddened eye peered through his fingertips to catch Rick trying to reach for the gun on the table. Just as Rick's hand was about to graze it's handle, Philip's firm grasp came down onto Rick's wrist as he slammed it into the table.

"Really, Rick? I mean I understand you're upset and all, but kicking a partially blind man when he's already down one eye? That's all you got? From one leader to another, I expected better." Philip grimaced through his blood shooting pain as he swung his boot swiftly into Rick's kneecap as he tried to kick him down to the floor.

[DarkSideCookie]

The gun's handle was almost in his reach when suddenly a firm grasp held him back and slammed his wrist onto the table, whereupon the gun fell to the ground. Shit!

"Really, Rick? I mean I understand you're upset and all, but kicking a partially blind man when he's already down one eye? That's all you got? From one leader to another, I expected better."

Rick was only half listening to Philip's words as he tried to think of a way to pick up the gun with his other hand. Yet still, the remark about his unfair stroke hit him in his chest. He had to remember something he'd learned from his first partner back in the days when he'd been only a trainee at the police department. You have to take a chance, no matter how disproportional, for you never know if there will come another. Rick had actually never thought much of that lesson, not even until this very day, but maybe that just was how things worked today. Maybe that was how things had always worked. He was still so stuck on his moral code to not see the world had gotten on without any code at all. It was them, the players without any moral code, who ruled this new world order. Rick didn't want to rule anything, same as he didn't want to be like them, but what he wanted was to survive. Not only for himself but also for his legacy. For Carl. And for Judith. Same as for everyone else who was counting on him.

Just as Rick was going to move again, something hit him right into his kneecap, sending him onto the hard ground underneath. Out from the corner of his eyes, he saw the Governor's boot rising once again when suddenly an item nearby caught his attention. The gun. Only a short distance away from his reach.

You have to take a chance, no matter how disproportional, for you never know if there will come another.

With one quick kick, one of these kinds you learn at the police academy, thinking that you probably never had to make use of, Rick went on round two to turn the tables. This time, he didn't make the mistake of hesitating or thinking about fairness as he limped towards the gun and uplifted back to his feet, the weapon directed straight at Philip Blake's head.

"I'm done talking," Rick stated with a broken voice and shaky legs. But never mind how much of a derisory figure he cut right now, it was him who was holding the gun in his hands. "Is this all you got? Talking like we'd be normal people having a normal conversation while it couldn't be any more different. We won't be able to just talk it out. I know that, and you know that as well." Rick was familiar with situations of directing a gun at somebody, same as he was well educated with the use of one, yet his hands wouldn't stop shaking, same as his head wouldn't stop spinning.

[Ariel]

The Governor was sure that Rick would have sank to his feet at the painful impact his knee would have suffered after coming in contact with his boot. Yet, the former cop still had some fight left in him and fought through to lunge after the gun. Rick Grimes, you're a crazy bastard, The Governor thought internally and in his half amazement, Rick succeeded in obtaining the weapon.

"I'm done talking," "Is this all you got? Talking like we'd be normal people having a normal conversation while it couldn't be any more different. We won't be able to just talk it out. I know that, and you know that as well."

"We could play this game all day Rick - talk about how much I know you and how much you know me, get at each other's throats. Now where's that gonna get us?" Philip threw his hands up by each side of his head in surrender as Rick pointed the gun directly at him. He could have tried to beat Rick in a fist fight for the gun, yet the gun in Rick's hand was merely a pawn. A loaded pawn, but he had a feeling Rick wouldn't be using it. Not today, "I gave you your freedom, yet you're still here. If you're gonna stay, Rick, you might as well save those bullets. You never know when you might need them most." His hands still raised in surrender, Philip's gaze glanced over at his desk then back to Rick as he slowly started to back away, "Now, I'm gonna find my place at my desk, Rick. You can either see yourself out and leave with your family - or if you're staying, we can talk through all of this...," His eyes still on Rick holding the gun, the Governor finally made it back behind his desk. As he lowered his behind into his chair, he continued to talk to Rick without diverting his attention elsewhere. He didn't want to seem suspicious and give away his next move, "Now, I say it's back to business...," Sitting at his desk, Philip's hands slipped underneath the desk where a second hand gun had been taped for this very moment. His gaze unmoved, the Governor shed a sly smirk in Rick's direction before whipping the gun out. Bringing himself to his feet once more, he pointed the gun at Rick as the two men found themselves in an unexpected stand off, "...Shall we?" The Governor stood tall, displaying an expression on his face that said 'checkmate' to his unlucky opponent.

[DarkSideCookie]

"We could play this game all day Rick - talk about how much I know you and how much you know me, get at each other's throats. Now where's that gonna get us?""I gave you your freedom, yet you're still here. If you're gonna stay, Rick, you might as well save those bullets. You never know when you might need them most."

"Oh, threaten me now, really? You think that's a good idea?" Rick asked in a provoking while at the same time almost desperate way. He was trying to look like a man, ready to fire a bullet right through this asshole's head, yet his shaky voice and hands would probably give away how unready he was, in truth. Rick hated to admit that, but the Governor had been hitting the point with one line he had. He knew Rick well enough to know that he wasn't able to pull that trigger while they were facing each other unmoving and eye to eye. And for once, Rick wished that he'd have it in him - the choice to stray from his moral codex.

While Rick was still unready for actually this whole act, the Governor started to slowly back away.

Rick hated how sure that man was about him not firing that gun, but what he hated the most was how right he was. Shit, Rick, sometimes uncomfortable things had to be done, for the sake of your family. You know that. You did that. Once. You can do it twice. And while he was blaming, cursing, and resultlessly encouraging himself in silence, although there was anything but silence in his head, the Governor neared his desk bit by bit.

"Now, I'm gonna find my place at my desk, Rick. You can either see yourself out and leave with your family - or if you're staying, we can talk through all of this...,"

I said I'm done talking, asshole, Rick replied to that only in his mind since he was pretty much done talking at this point. Or maybe he wasn't just so sure anymore which of his words he was actually saying out loud and which not. And if he hadn't been so absorbed in his personal war, which was staging well underway, Rick might have taken notice of the war that was about to rise right in front of him. By the time he did though, it was too late, as the Governor had already made it behind his desk, sitting there like this was all decided already. Rick had known that, if he gave this man a chance to return there, the dices would have to be cast anew, which was happening in his mind right this moment. And yet again was he blaming himself in silence while he watched the dices roll, further and further, inch by inch, before his mental eyes.

"Now, I say it's back to business...,"

Rick was no fool. He'd figured what this man had been up to, but once more - this had been about missing a chance. The dices were slowing down, only inches away from the battlefield, until they, eventually, stopped moving right before the enemy. Double.

"...Shall we?"

The slightly absent look in Rick's eyes was finally clearing for the first time during this confrontation while straight looking up into the Governor's. They both stood and opposed each other like cowboys meeting for a gunfight, both having no more and no less than one single shot before it would mean victory or defeat. Life or death. A double.

Finally, Rick had been ready for either one of these two options when suddenly loud noises and screams, coming from outside, were distracting him for only a little moment. Yet, a little moment would be enough for his opponent to take one of the dices off the field to make this a single-player game.

[Ariel]

Every second that passed by in the stare-off between Philip and Rick, the room got heavier with pressure for one of them to make a move. Philip jerked his sweat stained forehead upwards to remove the hair that had got in the way of his singe, good eye that he had left as he steadily held the firearm out in front of him. His jaw was tight as his lips pressed firmly against his teeth as he concentrated on his target. The Governor was a good shot. He never intended to brag, but he barely ever missed. Even the moving ones that would try to run. He always got them. So his hesitation was not from fear but simply from feeding off of the moment. Off of Rick's anger. If anyone knew Philip, they would say that he barely shows his angry side. In most cases, that was true. As calm as they come, Philip never once exerted his anger on the outside towards Rick. No, instead, he kept it all bottled inside of himself. He was the silent angry kind, and those were the kinds that men would fear the most.

"It's such a shame, Rick," Philip cocked his head sideways as his sight was still unmoved from Rick Grimes, " You could'a been something. Someone. But once again, you failed to see the devil right beside you." The Governor shook his head in pity as he spoke gravely to the dead man before him. With a few clicks, the gun was loaded. The trigger was about to be pulled. Until explosions and screams escalated from outside.

"What the hell?..." The Governor turned his head towards the window as his attention grew distracted by what sounded like a possible invasion of Woodbury. His home.

[DarkSideCookie]

At some point, Rick's mind had practically blocked out the Governor's talking, yet when he'd been thinking that the little moment in which he had allowed himself to get distracted by the noises rising from outside would become his end, it was the Governor's talking after all that sent him straight back into vigilance. No more wasting a chance.

With one quick move, Rick had his gun arm up again, no hesitating this time. His sight all focused and his finger all steady, one single shot left the gun's barrel, piercing right into the Governor's kneecap, the one spot in one's leg that would bring even the toughest man to his knees, only to find the pain worsen as it made contact with the ground underneath. Rick might not be one who quickly drew a weapon, but the rare times he did, no man wanted to stand in his target line.

Hearing the screams and growls, Rick didn't allow those to throw him, pushing every thought of Daryl and the others somewhere to the depth of his mind for now. They would be okay, they would be okay. He knew that there was no chance of leaving this place through the front door as it sounded like walkers had already been starting to close in on it. Rick had to find another way out.

The Governor lay still on the ground, uttering quiet cries of pain, yet Rick knew the guts of this man. He might be handicapped now, even more than already before with only one eye, but no way would he understate Philip Blake. As long as he still had a functional hand, he still would be able to use a gun. By the time the first shock and pain would ease off, Rick had to be out of the way. Sure, he could as well just finished him off by firing another bullet into his head, yet that was still something that he rather liked to avoid, not even wasting any time on the possibilities about how all this might end instead. The only thing that was counting right now was to get away, as far as he could.

Rick headed towards a flight of stairs, knowing that be the safest path when your enemy wasn't capable of walking with two good legs. He wouldn't turn his head to check if the Governor might already have recovered enough to draw his gun again, so all the way upstairs was like a horror trip to him, expecting a shot through the back of his head to send him straight to death every second. Luckily, that was not what happened. Instead, he eventually reached the top of the stairs, allowing himself to breathe again for the first time since he started this run.

[DarkSideCookie]

*** Negan enters from Woodbury - Side Streets ***


While Negan took the self-chosen route that he still hoped to turn out as the one leading to the Governor's house, the screaming and growling grew louder around him. He didn't worry too much about his team members, though, knowing that they were able to take some walkers, and if needed, also men down. Yet, worry it was that pushed him forward swiftly. It was about Ingrid. They might have made it to the place where she had been held captive and even worse, but that didn't mean that she would be here still. Their last conversation really had been the worst, but what was even worse was that he didn't know if he would get a chance to apologize. Negan had seldom really regret something he'd thrown at somebody's head, but the things he'd thrown at Ingrid back at that day in his room were among those he did regret for sure. He'd been given a lot of time to think and to try to see things from her perspective. A long lapse of time he hadn't asked for, though.

Eventually, the muffled sound of a gunshot was pulling Negan back to the here and now. He had to keep his focus, dammit. Negan stopped his steps, then turned his head in the direction of where that shot had come from. And then, suddenly, a wide grin spread around his face. Bingo. There, where the side street ended at the crossways with the main street, it was; The green building with archways at its front. Any doubt from before was vanishing at once. No more going by conjectures. Now it was time to find out.

Still swiftly, yet a lot more self-confident again, Negan rushed towards the building, finding its front door besieged by two walkers. It seemed that those had been slipping the guards. With Lucille now shouldered and an expression that gave away how much he was looking forward to entering through that damn door - after he'd have taken care of that couple of walkers first -, he took the last meters with rather casual, even swaying movements like a real macho. Once close enough to allow them to get a sniff of fresh meat, Negan approached the front to meet them halfway as they turned away from it and instead toward him. He was waiting for them to come alarmingly close before finally taking one big swing with his baseball bat, bashing their rotten brains one at a time. Although now confident that the long way hadn't been for nothing, Negan took on a serious face again for a moment, looking up at the archways before him. Payday.

As soon as he started walking up the stairs that led to the last obstacle in his way to meet with the boss of this fucked up community, Negan was in high spirits again, even whistling tones of a familiar melody, at least within the Savior community. Then he straight kicked the door open. He was actually surprised to find his person of interest already close to the entrance area. Somebody had obviously already done half the work for him as it looked like he'd gotten shot in his leg. So, he even had enemies in the own ranks. Who would have thought that? - he thought rather sarcastically.

"Hello there," Negan greeted the man with a wide devilish grin. There was no need to second-guess to tell that this man must be the Governor himself. He assumed there weren't many men around this town who wore an eyepatch. With Lucille slowly panning towards the door behind him, he made sure that they would be getting no more guests for a while. Then he turned his full attention back to the man lying on the ground. A good position for a man who didn't deserve better. "I'm Negan."

[Ariel]

Philip didn't expect it.
Rick was a stand up guy, a man with a burning conscience.
There was no way he'd shoot another human, not even one that might stand in the way.
The Governor's trigger finger itched to pull back and let the bullet fly right into Grimes' heart.
Yet, he had surely underestimated the former cop when his kneecap suddenly exploded, sending him for a direct hit down to the floor. Losing his grip on his weapon and everything else he held onto, Philip lay on the ground as a shrilling cry of pain pierced his lungs. His senses grew blinded, and all he could see was pain. All he could feel through his entire being was pain as it surged upwards from his kneecap.

Philip, you son of a bitch, a tiny voice in the back of the Governor's head scolded him, You're not going to let him get away, are you? Get up.

 Feeling slowly started to come back into Philip's arms. He began to prop himself up from the floor, blinking the blurred vision away like a madman to try and get a clear picture. Struggling to catch his breath, Philip was able to see again as the room came into view once more. "Damn it," The Governor spouted angrily, seeing that Rick had made a quick escape while he was rolling in peril on the floor. A crazy, determined look sparked in his features as he scanned the floor for his gun. There, in the middle of the room his gun sat perfectly still. Philip knew he could get it. He had to. There was no way Rick would get away with this.

Every movement filled his body with excruciating agony, but he put mind over matter into play as he crawled over to reach for the gun. The Governor was sweating bullets as his wounded kneecap got worse, but he still inched closer towards his weapon. Letting out another yelp of pain, The Governor fell on his stomach again and panted to catch his breath. Just a fingertip's reach away from grabbing onto the gun. Staring upwards at the weapon with his one eye that he had left, Philip's arm began to strain itself as his shaking hand used all the energy it had left to grip onto any part of the gun. He almost succeeded, but a surprise guest emerged into the room. One that The Governor wouldn't have expected in a million years.   

"Hello there,"

The Governor immediately tilted his gaze upwards as the new voice rang through his ears. A new sense of shock overcame him as he managed to use his hands to scurry himself upwards and back onto his backside. Staring at the man in the black, leather jacket sporting a barbed wire baseball bat, Philip's brow grew complexed as he struggled to remember if he had ever met this gentleman before. Before he could ask who he was, the man took it upon himself to do the introductions.

"I'm Negan."

Negan...why did that name sound so familiar? Still wrecked from the traumatic bullet to his kneecap, Philip attempted to gather his thoughts on this Negan character. It all suddenly came back to him when a shocked expression overcame him. He stared up at Negan in his realization before letting out a round of magical laughter.

"You - You're Negan?" The Governor smiled maliciously, narrowing his eye in on this dangerous, horrible man that he had heard so many stories about. Who Ingrid threatened would find this place if they didn't let her go. At this point, he had become like the Wizard Of Oz of Woodbury. No one had ever seen him, only heard of his greatness and wonders of terror. And now here he was, in the flesh, "The stories I've heard about you. And now here you are...I apologize for not getting the welcome committee together. I wasn't expecting your arrival, but I reckon I should have." Philip's awestruck tone felt like a sarcastic mockery as he continued to scan the brutish man from head to toe.

[DarkSideCookie]

Negan would not even have pretended not to be getting a kick out of the man's range of reactions after he had told him his name. At first, he thought that this man had been looking a little bit out of it, but then the memories seemed to have come back like a bombshell. Oh, how did he enjoy the look on some asshole's face before they realized that their actions had been pissing him off enough to be sure this would be their last fucking day on this fucked up planet. They were just getting started, though. Negan's lips raised into a devilish grin.

"You - You're Negan?""The stories I've heard about you. And now here you are...I apologize for not getting the welcome committee together. I wasn't expecting your arrival, but I reckon I should have."

He let out a chuckle, one that was - although enjoying the scene in general - rather sarcastic and even slightly aggressive. Because, as much of fun this was, as much was he dying to get answers. And that was, for now, priority number one. So he decided not to join in this dick-measuring contest, because even if Negan wasn't aware of winning that anyway - figuratively spoken as well as literally -, this would mean a loss of time, as long as he didn't know where and if Ingrid was still here.

"Well," Negan started casually, after all, stepping closer with Lucille shouldered and then lowered in the Governor's direction, giving him to understand that, if he dared to stretch his arm out to the gun behind him - yes, he had seen it -, the weapon in his hand would be right ready to smash his brain. "I'm surprised you wasn't." Then, all of a sudden, the grin on Negan's face vanished completely, at the same time that he kneeled his upper body down to the man in front of him, facing him eye to eye, of course still positioned a little higher. "I think we both know why I'm here. So, where is she? And you don't wanna give me that 'no-fucking-idea-who-you're-talking-about shit' because... Lucille here," he added with a slight swing of his bat, right in front of the man's face, "is not very patient."

[Ariel]

"I think we both know why I'm here. So, where is she? And you don't wanna give me that 'no-fucking-idea-who-you're-talking-about shit' because... Lucille here," "is not very patient."

A bat teasing anyone in the face would make a normal person go cold in their own skin and beg for mercy. Yet, the Governor did not flinch a single muscle in any direction. He wasn't scared of much these days, and he certainly wouldn't be scared shitless of a man putting on a flashy show. Following the bat's movement with the only eye of his that remained, Philip looked from the bat to Negan in curious amusement. 

"What's a man like you gotta compensate for, Negan?" Philip asked through the permanent, cocky grin that played on his chin, "You're men ain't around to watch you perform, unless you're trying to what - frighten me? Impress me?" The Governor spoke as if he already knew the kind of man Negan was. Yet deep down, he knew this man was a bigger match that he had ever met. But Philip was the kind of captain that would go down with his sinking ship, and he would fight until the very end, "If that's the case well, then, I'm truly flattered," Philip nodded in fake gratitude as he placed a hand over his chest to further mock the situation, "However, my suggestion for you and your men would to just pack your bags and turn around on home," Philip dropped his hand from his chest as his hand fell like a ragdoll back to his side. Knee and clothes a bloody mess, a dark undertone flickered in the Governor's eye as he stared straight up at Negan. Philip's lips tightened with tension as the arrogant air fell, and something more twisted arose. The sudden change of feeling in the room was almost unexplainable but could be compared to a tight, painful knot in the pit of one's stomach, "I don't know what you do for your people other than use and abuse them. My duty is to my people's safety, and to step up for the good of my people when threats arise. Ingrid was a threat. And when my home and my people are threatened...well, you get the picture. I'm afraid you're too late," Philip tried to keep himself somber, but couldn't help but to allow a little smile of victory cross a new grin as he continued to lie through his teeth and torment the man before him, "Let this be a lesson learned. You took your sweet ass time putting on grand performances and fucking every woman in your compound, Negan. Tell me...was it worth Ingrid's life?"

[DarkSideCookie]

*** Meanwhile upstairs ***

Rick was still trying to find another way out of the house, at this point, not even giving a shit about the Governor's fate or thoughts of vengeance in general. This man was not even worth it. Rick just wanted to get back to his people and leave this place for good - with Ingrid by their side. She now was one of them, never mind what or why she had done things while she had been part of a different group. Rick had been around her long enough to trust her. She was a good person.

The growling coming from outside, and momentarily even from downstairs while something seemed to have burst through the entrance door, made him focus again. Had the walkers managed to get inside? Just as Rick was about to rise from the sitting position he had adopted for a moment after his run upstairs, the growling died down again as something, or rather somebody, was giving the door a slam. Rick heard muffled voices only a moment later. Somebody seemed to be talking to the Governor. Instead of trying to make out words, though, Rick focused back on his own situation. Maybe this was his best chance to get out of here and back to the others. Oh, please God, let them all be alive.

Rick was wasting no more time, forced himself back up to his feet while examining his surroundings. Heading for the nearest room with a window leading to his freedom, suddenly, a sight, even if only from the corner of his eyes, made him freeze. For the split of a second, he was just standing there, in the middle of a room that looked like an office with exquisite-looking furniture in it. It was not the furniture, though, that had drawn his attention away from the mission, but, instead, something stacked on the wall to his right. He turned his head very slowly, checking if what he thought to have seen was really there. Unfortunately, it was.

Glass boxes, like... fish tanks..., with something inside. Something... alive... or rather... dead. Something... human.

[DarkSideCookie]

"What's a man like you gotta compensate for, Negan?""Your men ain't around to watch you perform, unless you're trying to what - frighten me? Impress me?""If that's the case well, then, I'm truly flattered,"

Negan started the chuckling again, yet again unapparent if he was really amused or just masking the upcoming annoyance about this man still not desisting from this dick-measuring contest. At the same time, Negan wondered how it came that he had this pair of steely nuts, not even blinking an eye at the sight of Lucille being aimed right at his ugly face. This man was either stupid as shit or, on what he would druther lay bets, still stupid to think that Negan was just a player while also sure that he had something up his sleeve that would spare him from getting his head cleaved open. Negan was curious to learn what that might be. That was if they would have fucking time to play games.

"Come on, asshole, the clock is ticking," he gave the man a warning, still slightly chuckling, though. However, to demonstrate that he meant harm, in case this would go on and on, Negan leaned in a little closer, the bat now almost making touch with the man's nose. He couldn't be just stupid, so Negan was sure his second guess was the right one; an ace up this man's ass.

"However, my suggestion for you and your men would to just pack your bags and turn around on home,"

"Tick... tock...," Negan commented on the ongoing monolog that he got really tired of, yet more like whispering to himself. In a pinch, he could still just finish the crip in front of him and find Ingrid himself. How difficult could it be to do so after the walking dead and his people had taken care of most of the townsfolk? Negan wasn't giving a shit about any of these people. Some of them might just have stuck to the rules of their wannabe leader, but that didn't make good people out of them. They had turned their eyes away, and that was sin enough in Negan's. If it was only up to him and this world still a little different, they could as well leave no survivors at all. Nobody needed people like this. However, people were resources and very rare these days. You gotta work with what you get. After a first selection, of course.

"I don't know what you do for your people other than use and abuse them. My duty is to my people's safety, and to step up for the good of my people when threats arise."

And there it was. The introduction of some shit getting served up for him. To what? - Frighten him? Impress him? Negan grinned as he shook his head in disbelief and even used his free hand to pat his own forehead. How much longer did he have to listen to this before this asshole finally came to the point?

"Ingrid was a threat. And when my home and my people are threatened...well, you get the picture. I'm afraid you're too late,"

Suddenly, Negan's eyes were darting back to the man in front of him, sitting there on the ground like a really pathetic piece of shit, daring to give him words like this. Instead of being shocked, though, a flash of mocking laughter was about to rise in him, not yet audible. He didn't believe any fucking syllable of this shit. No matter how fucking stupid and proud one was, there always was something people wanted to live for. If not for themselves, then for something or someone else. There might be some exceptions who really had lost it all and would not even at this point lose their stupid pride, but not this guy. Him here, he was only pretending, playing, not aware that, with him as his opponent, he couldn't win. However, Negan was impressed by this man's guts, so much that he was even dying to learn what or who it might be that let him keep the man he was - a fighter of his own kind.

"Let this be a lesson learned. You took your sweet ass time putting on grand performances and fucking every woman in your compound, Negan. Tell me...was it worth Ingrid's life?"

For some more moments, they were just staring at each other, both sure that they were on the upper hand. The truth was, the upper hand had only the man with the bat in his hand. Finally, the amusement had made it to the surface, coming out in episodes of chuckling and quiet sounds of hissing while Negan's eyes remained on the fighter in front of him. He liked that, yet he didn't like the man himself. What a bummer.

"Now, for THAT you've earned yourself some fucking respect," Negan eventually spoke up again, Lucille still aimed at the man yet not as close and threatening as before. He would finish this man no matter what, but now that he was sure Ingrid was actually still here, they could as well take their time to make this more fun for him. "You--- are stubborn.. as.. SHIT. And you know what? If I wasn't so good at reading people, I might have shit my pants right here in front of you. Hey, I'm just curious. Does that work on the sissies around here? Because, if so, man--- then I'm gonna have some fun with them." Negan leaned his body back in obvious amusement while, at the same time, having an eye on every move the man in front of him could make, even if it might not seem so.

[Ariel]

"Now, for THAT you've earned yourself some fucking respect,"  "You--- are stubborn.. as.. SHIT. And you know what? If I wasn't so good at reading people, I might have shit my pants right here in front of you. Hey, I'm just curious. Does that work on the sissies around here? Because, if so, man--- then I'm gonna have some fun with them." 

Philip eyed the bat as Negan flamboyantly moved back and forth in front of him. To the Governor's surprise, he was absolutely amazed by this man. Realizing Negan wasn't putting anything 'on display', he marveled at this man's incredibly high level of confidence and pride. Incredible...and sickly at the same time. Phillip still bore a crooked smile that stretched under his eyepatch as the clicking of a judging 'tisk' noise escaped audibly from his lips, slowly shaking his head left to right.

"I'm aware you ain't gonna ask for the advice I'm gonna give ya, bein' a man of pride and all. Your confidence might be a nice security blanket, but you be careful. Undermine the wrong man, and you're dead," A chuckle rose in the Governor's throat before he began to wince in pain as he remembered his shattered knee cap, "Like the man who did this to me for instance. Rick Grimes is a force to be reckoned with. You ain't seen nothin' yet." Philip forewarned in almost an amused tone. He wasn't sure if he'd live long enough to see that particular showdown, but he knew that if anyone could give this Negan a run for his money, it would be Rick.

[DarkSideCookie]

*** Meanwhile upstairs ***

Rick was still staring at the moving heads inside the fish tanks, unsure how much time had passed ever since. The two men downstairs still seemed to be engrossed in a conversation, but they surely were not for ever. Rick had to tear away from the deviant view in front of him. But what kind of a man would keep their heads, in his own apartment at that? As he recalled one of the many rumors he had heard about the Governor but never really took as gospel, Rick suddenly could see that to be true. And as if on cue, a sound, coming from the same direction his eyes were still glued at, gave Rick another chill down his spine. A growling sound, like from them. But it was unlikely the sound was coming from the heads.

As Rick had an even closer look over the wall with the stacked boxes, something further down caught his eye. A grid, looking like it was to cover something behind; Or to hide something even. Oh, please no, Rick thought in disbelief. Back at the Greene farm, he had dealt with people stashing away their turned beloved, for they misbelieved that there was a cure, or just because they didn't have the heart to end things for good, but Rick had a feeling that, with this man, there was but a crazy mind responsible for such a thing. A man like Phillip Blake had to know better.

With his gun drawn, Rick walked closer towards the grid, the growling getting louder, although still muffled, as if somebody had made sure not to draw anyone's attention outside this room. Downstairs, Rick heard someone laughing, disturbing and gloating. He could only guess that the new arrival was no less a terrible person than Phillip Blake was, maybe even worse. It probably would have been wiser to use his chance as long as it lasted, leaving the Governor's little secret where it was and just escape to reunite with his own people, but there was something inside of Rick that wanted to know the truth; Not only for himself but also for all the people who entrusted their lives to this man. If there was a chance to make them see, to prove that the Governor was not to be trusted, shouldn't he do it? Maybe this was a different world nowadays, but there were still times in which Rick felt the blood of justice running through his veins like a codex he had to follow.

He was almost there, the gun in his hands only meant to guard himself. It was not that Rick wouldn't have been prepared, but when he attended to the door and, like out of nowhere, a creature baying for his blood was coming right at him, he couldn't help but act from a reflex. With a loud Bang the body stopped moving, falling to his feet while only slightly held back by the chains around its wrists. Rick knew he had made a mistake, but all he could do was staying down, watching the backhead of a little girl as it stained the carpet underneath in red. Deep down, he knew this had been no girl anymore, for probably a long time, but why was he feeling like in these old days when, in the line of duty, he had been acting from a reflex as well? One of these moments that no police officer would ever be able to get out of his head, no matter how many therapy lessons they got afterward. Tears were forming in Rick's eyes as he stared at the blood-soaked hair next to him. Not for the body he had shot, but for everything that had happened during the last 24 hours. This was just the worst of all days. And still, on this day, he had become a father again. In a world that was no longer save for children.

[DarkSideCookie]

"I'm aware you ain't gonna ask for the advice I'm gonna give ya, bein' a man of pride and all. Your confidence might be a nice security blanket, but you be careful. Undermine the wrong man, and you're dead,"

"You think?" Negan replied chuckling as he started to grow with amusement rather than annoyance towards this man. Not even like this mocking amusement he usually felt when talking to somebody whose fate was decided in his eyes right from the start. No. Amusement, even on an equal level; Maybe about the ironic fact that he had to kill a man he had some respect for. Not for his actions, but for his fighting spirit.

"Like the man who did this to me for instance. Rick Grimes is a force to be reckoned with. You ain't seen nothin' yet."

At that, Negan's features suddenly became more serious again. He wondered if the Governor saw some kind of reparation in the possibility of somebody else kicking Negan's ass. He chuckled again, this time more to himself. Maybe this man didn't deserve his respect, after all. He was hard to read, that Negan had to admit, but it was obvious that he was starting to accept what was to come for him. Actually a disappointment, wasn't it? Took the fun out of it.

Just as Negan was about to say something, actually rising to the bait of this mentioned Rick person, yet only because he was curious, the noise of a gunshot coming from upstairs made him pause. For a moment, there was surprise written on Negan's features, but then that changed into something else; Joy about this scene going to get more interesting, more entertaining, again.

"Huh!" Negan let out like somebody who had a guess who had been firing that shot. Then he leaned once again closer towards the man in front of him, adding on the quiet: "You got a roomie up there? Why don't you introduce us to each other?" Negan was showing a filthy grin that made clear this was no question but just a chance for the Governor to accompany him upstairs of his own free will instead of getting dragged there.