[ The fights concerning Negan had been plenty since they captured him and imprisoned him since they were all divided on what to do with him. Some wanted to kill him in retribution, others wanted to use him as a pawn for surrender and others wanted to just leave him locked up. Rick's choice on the matter (the final say and vote) had alienated Michonne from him and she had moved to her own house and Carl had gone off to Hilltop. Maggie had slapped him, the bruise still very prominent on his cheek but her words ringing in his ears stung far more.

'He's got some kinda hold on ya, Rick.'
'It's not right.'
'I'm not gonna watch it.']

Not happenin'. The minute I'm close to ya, you'd use me to get outta here.

[ They still could use Negan as a bargaining chip in some way and it might be the final card they held at the end of it all. ]

I needed to check you're still here. [ The words again fell out before he could stop them, sounding far too revealing and nearly vulnerable. ] Tell ya there's a meetin' tomorrow with Simon to work things out. Seems without ya, the Saviors want to try somethin' different. Think Maggie got to most of 'em.

[ She really had taken a leadership role quickly and easily, far better at it than Rick. Then again, she hadn't been doing it as long as him and with such pressured stakes. Rick took care of most of it but, of course, the others only saw his faults and praised her instead for pulling it off. ]

Why haven't ya tried to escape? Morgan said he opened the door fully yesterday and you coulda shoved past. Why didn't ya?