Dwight had left Honey in the cafeteria with a flick of his wrist and shake of his head, all traces of conflict erased with a single bat of his lashes.

Honey stood up straight, chin up, eyes at the front, summoning all her confidence and strutting towards the queue, there were around thirty people in line, thirty people that looked her up and down, shooting disdain laden, filthy looks. 

But she kept her stormy gaze forward, showing no sign of discomfort and better still, no fear.

Just imagine them all naked. No one's intimidating naked.

"Hey, Luke? There's that new girl from Alexandria. She fuckin' cheated with Brutal, underhanded bitch" A hulking Latino man sneered, knocking Luke's arm with his elbow and gesturing his head towards her, his red bandana tight around his bald head.

"Yeah...That's the bitch. Can't believe shes walkin' after what she tried with Negan. That FUCKER and her friends killed Riley at the outpost" Luke acknowledged through snorting and flared nostrils, the distaste on his lips palpable.

Just as she was about to snap at their throats like a springing cougar a group of five men walked into the cafeteria. Barging their way in front of her and knocking her hard with a shoulder, sending her whirling to the floor as she landed like a baby gazelle.

"Oi! Motherfucker! I was here first! Get to the fucking back, or are you that feral you've forgotten how to queue!"

Honey barked in sheer agitation, dusting off her backside and readjusting her sweater, pointing her finger over her back and eyeing the gun on one fat man's hip, smiling balefully through a light chuckle, imagining making a grab for it and putting a slug of lead in him.

"Whad'ya say Bitch?" The stocky and tall grey haired man growled, he was the fuck who knocked her to the floor, and he grinned while looking at his friends for their approval of his rooster-like display.

And he did look like a Rooster, with his puffed up chest and bobbing head. The mental image-making Honey laugh straight in their faces and slap her knee jovially.

"Are you fuckin deaf Brewster? I said...GET. TO. THE. BACK. I was here first, or is your eyesight as bad as your smell? You uncivilized donkey fucking fuck nut!" She screeched, rising up to her tiptoes to match his height.

The men burst out laughing, slapping each other's backs and leaning over to smack their thighs, shoulders rumbling and eyes watering.

There was that laughter again, even worse, the laughter directed at her. The very same reaction she had experienced in the courtyard.

Her mouth twisted into a snarl, as her ferocious little feet carried her just a step away from their faces.

"What the hell are you bunch of jokers laughing at? Did Brewster here just get his small cock out and you burst into spontaneous laughter?".

At her words, their laughter stopped dead.

"You little bitch!" The grey-haired man yapped, pushing her shoulder and sending her three steps back. Her hand instinctively patting her hip, searching for an absent revolver.

"Try that again. ONE. MORE. TIME" She warned threateningly, her voice dripping with provocation, dangerously low and steady, anger heating up into overdrive.

"Why? Whad'ya gonna do about it"? He chuckled in a taunting baby-like voice, bridging the gap between her and bending down to match her eye level.

"I said...Go ahead bitch. Test me pussyboy, and I'll rip off your ugly head and shove it up your saggy old arse, did you not see what I did to your fuckwit friend no less than an hour ago?" Honey rumbled back, anticipating his next move and smiling at the prospect of the oncoming violence.

Reel you in, fucker.

He shot out his arm to strike her again, but she expertly caught it by the wrist, twisting it painfully and delivering a swift kick to his bollocks, booting his face to hear a satisfying crunch.

He doubled over, wheezing and spluttering like a dying old petrol motor. His grimy face contorted in pain and his hands rubbing at his crotch like he was trying to put out a fire.

"You litt- Fuckin bit-I'm gon-"

His buddies bounced into action and circled her like Hyenas, the whole of the cafeteria watching awestruck, forks halfway to mouths and coffee spilling over brims.

"Bring it on then you bunch of fuckin' pussies! I'll take great pleasure in slapping you up like the bitches you are, you can lie on the floor with your buddy here!" She spat, giving encouraging waves with her hands.

"Hey! That's enough! Break it up you savages! There's enough lumpy porridge and stale cereal for everyone".

A thick, velvety smooth voice boomed behind her in a deep Southern flavor, instantly recognizable.

Honey turned around to see Gus running towards the commotion, putting himself in between the fray, waving his hands up and down in a cool it gesture.

"Gus! Did you see what this bitch just did to Jerry?!" One of them interrupted, putting his dirty hand on Gus's shoulder and pointing to Jerry on the floor.

"Yes...Yes, Bill I did. But you started it...What did you expect pushin' her like that? You just poked the bear, she ain't one to fuck with" Gus sighed, shrugging the hand off his shoulder and shooting Jerry a pitying look.

"But sh-"

"Bill! I don't wanna listen', unless you want Negan hearing about this then back off, and get back in line. And for God's sake pick Jerry up off the floor"

Gus turned his back to the men and faced Honey, rubbing his hand over his shaved head in an exasperated gesture.

"Hey, Hon! Remember me?" Gus questioned, trying his best with a friendly grin and fiddling with the gold watch on his wrist.

Honey blanked him, her eyes narrowed and mouth in a tight line, and Gus anxiously nibbled the inside of his cheek, chuckling nervously and grimacing.

"Come over here and sit with us, D told me to keep an eye on you" He proposed, pointing at a table at the far end of the cafeteria.

"I ain't scared of these pricks. And Dwight should mind his own business, I don't need any help here" She stated bluntly, feet squared and jaw tense.

Gus looked her up and down quickly, sniffing and wiping his brow.

"It's for there sake, not yours...Come on, let's go sit down, I'll get us some food, it'll be my treat". He winked, flashing her his white teeth and puppy dog eyes.

She was unsure and mused if sitting with a potential spy would be beneficial, but she noticed he looked genuine, and no hint of dangerous intent or manipulation showed in his almond-shaped eyes.

She finally nodded her head and took a step towards him, noticing he smelt of gunsmoke and tobacco.

"Alright, everyone! Nothing to see here, go back to your business!" Gus loudly commanded, eyeing the gawkers and raising his eyebrow.

Honey huffed and followed him, shooting Jerry a finger and standing on his toes as he was being helped up off the floor, his dirty hand still gently cupping his crotch.

"Don't worry about those pricks. Jerry's had it comin' for a while, not everyone here's like that, so don't let that ruin your impressions...Oh, nice kick, by the way, I'm sure his sperm count's just dropped sixty percent'' Gus chuckled.

"Thanks..." She sighed, giving him a gentle smile as he relaxed, almost as if letting out a breath he was holding in.

"Come on, let me introduce you to a few friends" He beamed, tapping her shoulder and waving his hand's animatedly.

The last thing she had was the energy for socializing, trying to ingratiate herself to a bunch of grizzled footmen was at the very bottom of her to do list.

"...Actually Gus, I'm just gonna get it to go if you're with your buddies-"

"Come on, Honey! I'm your only friend here. Come sit with the guys, don't be a big old pussy!" His green eyes sparkled in the artificial light, and she realized he was right, turning tail now would leave her looking like a coward, and she didn't want him to mistake natural aloofness for nerves.

"Hey! Who you callin' a pussy?!" She frowned playfully, pulling up his vest's zip.

"You! If you don't come and sit with me, if you wanted peace and quiet you should have taken Negan's offer so you could sit with the princesses all day" He snorted, pointing his finger upstairs.

"Gus you asshole! Okay then...but they're not gonna like it"

"You don't strike me as a girl who gives a flying shit about what people think of you...so come on!" Gus urged her, pulling at her arm.

Honey begrudgingly nodded her head and upon taking a deep breath, followed him over to a table in the middle of the room where a bunch of tired looking men sat.

"Mornin' queens! Max, Jackson, Benson, Lee...sleep well?" He chimed as they grunted in response, heads down studying a pile of what looked to be maps graffitied with red pen circles and crosses.

Max was short and stocky, wearing a long-sleeved blue denim shirt, a slight rip in the shoulder and black cargo pants, he had long blonde hair tied up in a little bun at the back of his head, and it couldn't help but make her smile that he probably looked better groomed than her.

Jackson was tall and thin, red hair and a cauliflower ear, a tattoo of a bird on his left skinny arm underneath an old silver scar.

Benson must have been 6'6, even taller than Negan. And he smelt just like his name, making her crave a cigarette.

Lee was a slightly attractive man, dark hair speckled with grey near his temples and bright blue eyes, he scratched his shoulder absently and fiddled with a pen deep in thought.

"Sit next to me, Honey!" The handsome, green-eyed man prompted, pulling out the chair next to him.

She sat down hesitantly, expecting a shit storm in 5,4,3,2,1.

The sound of her name sent their heads shooting up like meerkats on the Savannah, and she had to stifle a laugh, a hand coming up to cover her mouth.

"No fuckin way, Gus! She's not sitting with us, shouldn't she be with Negan hanging off his dick somewhere?" The man with the red hair and dodgy ear spluttered, as if he had just tasted something exceptionally bitter.

"Shut your mouth Jackson! I invited her over, suck it up!"

She felt the overbearing need to speak as a flush of confidence rushed her system, she placed her hands on the table and crossed her legs.

"Look guys, none of you know me, and I don't know you. I'm sorry about your friends in the outpost, we were trying to survive just like you all are. We've all done things that keep us awake at night to have made it this far...there's too many dead rotting dead fucks out there trying to tear our throats out as it is, never mind you being at mine or me being at yours. I don't want to start trouble with you...I told Gus this was a bad idea, if you want me to move I will, I've got an idea about what you must think of me, but honestly, I don't mean anyone harm, I've done enough already".

The table was quiet and the men exchanged glances as if talking in some secret code.

"Gus, tell Anya to bring five plates over." Max finally replied, dissipating the anxious tension. "All them fucks had good reason to be at that outpost anyway. The people Negan couldn't trust here....each one had it comin', ain't no loss".

"Thank you" She smiled to Max simply, drumming a soft tune with her fingers on the table and pleased with her spiel, even more with their acceptance.

"Oh, and by the way guys...I've been nowhere near his dick...venereal disease is a bitch to treat in the apocalypse".

A light chorus of laughter sounded in the air, Honey shuffling uncomfortably at her blatant lie, as a timid looking girl with short blonde hair hurried over, setting trays on the table.

"Here ya go, boys...oh and girl" She spoke gently, her movements flighty and as meek as a trembling Rabbit.

Honey mumbled a stifled thanks and smiled at her, seeing she couldn't have been much older than Gus, she nodded her head without making eye contact and scurried off.

She couldn't help but wonder how she had lasted this long. Someone so...feeble, wouldn't have lasted a week with her people. Especially during all the time they had spent out in the open. The memory of the night when they were sheltered in the barn ghosted into her mind. Her group had become the walking dead...HAD TO. Whilst those behind big walls and iron fences had become soft, strangely invulnerable and unsuited to the savagery they had developed to survive.

Shaking her head Honey unceremoniously tucked into her food, powdered egg and rubbery bacon never tasting as good, as her stomach gave her a thankful churn.

Gus followed suit as the rest of her newfound allies watched her every move carefully, Honey's eyes scanning the rest of the people in the cafeteria chatting, sharing cigarettes and gum.

"So Honey, what do you think of Negan". Benson quizzed, his eyebrows shooting up quickly as he angled himself to her, and the others shifted their eyes expectantly.

"Eugh...that knob-jockey arrogant bastard, mincing around like he's got a giant dildo up his ass, does he think he's too good to sit in here and eat with us plebs? God wasted a good asshole when he put that mouth in his twatty head-"

She inhaled deeply.

"He ain't the dumbest guy on the fucking planet, but I'm sure he hopes the other guy doesn't die...his mum should have spat him out, more dick in his personality than in his pants, Lucille must be a compensator...he can go deepthroat a fuckin' cactus..."

Honey finished her tirade, out of breath and slightly agitated, angrily forking a boiled egg and tapping her spoon against the salt pot.

Max, Jackson, Benson, Lee and Gus sat dumbfounded, mouths ajar and forks held up halfway into their mouths.

For a second she thought she had crossed the line, that these men would get up and run to Negan, telling him like a tattling tabby. But Max's shoulders gently began to shake, then a hearty laugh rumbled from his mouth which prompted the others to laugh along agreeably.

A chorus of barking laughter echoed from the table, issuing inquisitive glances from other diners.

"Jesus, Honey! Your mouth should be as black as the fuckin coffee!" Benson spat through a mouthful of his slightly burnt brew.

"See! Told you she was alright". Gus smiled, patting her on the shoulder.

Gus felt so light and airy, and in direct contrast with Negan. Day and night, a welcome breath of fresh air.

"So...What do you do for fun around here?" She inquired, picking up her fork and scooping in a mouthful of beans.

"Urm, well we have movie nights sometimes...well the saviors do. Negan sometimes joins us with his wives and then there's sports night in the Rec room...Usually games of ping pong and shit...just friendly pissin' matches. Other than that, people just make their own entertainment, their own get-togethers." Gus informed, looking around the room as if it held more information.

"Oh! And the commissary is open every day, from around breakfast time to after dinner." He added with a snap of his fingers, placing a bit of pepper on his last piece of Bacon, offering it to Honey who politely refused.

"Where the hell are all those places? This gaff is huge! It took me twenty minutes to find the bathroom last night". She whined, remembering walking around barefoot in need of a wee.

"I'll show you around later on, after you've finished up whatever you've been told to do? If you want, no pressure of course..." He chimed to her with a wink and holding his hands up.

"Yeah...That'd be nice, Gus" Honey cooed, trailing her eyes over his muscled body whilst batting her lashes, flicking her ponytail over her shoulder flirtatiously.

No one noticed Simon sneaking up, listening with interested ears and eyes, looking like a Labrador with a treat at the end of his nose.

"Gussy Boy! Honey! Seems your both gettin' on grand." He chimed, resting his hands on Gus's shoulders and leaning down to his ear, every fiber of Gus tensing as his eyes cautiously looked at him.

"I'd be careful of that one...little fire-cracker she is..."

"Simon love. What a pleasant surprise, shouldn't you be off wiping Negans arse somewhere" Honey yawned, looking decidedly unimpressed.

"Aww, Honey...I thought you loved me? Is this our first fight?" Simon drawled sickly sweet, leaning in on the table and smirking.

"Our first, but definitely you're last...What do you want?"

"Remember, boss want's to see you in three hours. And his room needs cleaning tomorrow, so I thought I'd ask the Sanctuary's number one scrubber to do the honor." He quipped, looking pleased with his snark and chuckling to himself.

"Yeah...lend me your mustache, I'm fresh outta' Brillo pads". A grin tugging at the corner of her mouth.

Simon laughed, imitating getting shot and taking a step back, unconsciously touching his 'stache to feel it's texture.

"Oh, girl! You always this feisty after a good fight? Do I need to bring protection next time?".

"Come on upstairs and I'll show you...there's a nice pillowcase I can smother you with." She replied, gesturing up to the next level with her finger and curling it in his direction.

"Be out of there by twelve, that's when he's usually back for lunch...and it's a shame your temper doesn't match your name". Simon added with a now serious tone, all displays of banter gone.

"Gus? Shouldn't you be on guard duty?" Simon asked, tapping Gus's forehead before pointing out of the window, adding a long 'hmm?'

"Yeah...sorry boss. I was just finishin' up eatin'" he coughed, sliding his tray to the side to signal he was done.

"Well, Honey. It's been lovely but I better get to work" Gus winked, gently cupping his elbow before sitting up, zipping his mock leather vest back up to the top, the rest of the guys had nervously slunk away after one last ram of food.

"Yeah, Honey. Let Gus leave...don't wanna piss off the boss man now". Simon drawled, smiling at her from under his mustache.

And she couldn't help but brusquely reply to his veiled threat.

"Pfft...that pissy asshole? Nah, I just need an outlet for my frustrations...unless you wanna go someplace more private Si and help me work them out?...Tho' I'm not sure I'd let you go south of the border with that stache'...suppose' there's a first time for everything though!"

Gus's mouth dropped open and he looked at Simon gobsmacked.

"Don't go writing cheques ya body can't cash Honey" Simon laughed, putting one hand on his hip and punching her shoulder, a slight rouge tint to his cheeks, but his grin suddenly dropped, his gaze slowly panning to a sheepish Gus.

"Run along now, boy".

"Y-yes Sir. See ya Honey, and thanks for the company" He stuttered, traipsing out of the cafeteria.

Honey couldn't help but notice he glanced over his shoulder at her, giving a small wave goodbye and a thumbs up.

"Thanks, Si. Way to be a cock block" She grumbled, tightening her ponytail.

Simon eyed her curiously and took a single step forward to bridge the gap.

"You know everything you do gets reported directly back to Negan. Don't go dragging other people into your shit...especially naive young men that would do anything for a screw. Your ass is his and yo-".

"Don't get jealous Si!" She oo'ed, cutting him off and taking another step towards him to be a few inches away, tugging on a button on his green fleece.

"There's more than enough to go around..."

He laughed and flicked her fingers away, Honey giving him a mock pout in return.

"You belong to him, and he won't like it if he knows you're fuckin around with one of the-"

"Anyway, sugar...I better go! Don't look at my ass when I turn around! Oh! And it doesn't belong to anyone! Especially him! Ta-ta" She chimed, giving him a wink and dismissive wave, trotting through the door as Simon stood dumbstruck, gently scratching his scruff.