Not Enough

All of Detective Michonne Daniels' ambitions were finally coming to fruition. This was it. This was happening. The countless dedicated hours on the job, the sacrifices, the heartache...would have all been worth it, Thank God!

Honestly, a part of her doubted that she could've actually reached this stage in her career, but, here she was, being offered the prestigious post of Commander of the Atlanta Police Department's Intelligence Unit. She felt so proud...she was about to become the very first female to hold that position. The very first African-American female at that. There was no denying it, Michonne was absolutely thrilled.

This. was. happening.

"Now Michonne, just to reiterate what was said in the interview we had with you before, this job is not going to be a walk in the park," warned Chief Hershel Greene.

"Of course, Sir," she responded bravely as she sat on the opposite side of his massive oval desk in his semi-glass walled office. She noticed how practically spotless and in order the Chief kept his space. It had just one plant in a corner, a few awards on the wall, and of course what was most outstanding was the large sized family photo that took up the side of his desk.

"There ain't ever an easy day, Daniels. More now so, as you're a sergeant. Decisions that only you could make would effectively result in whether or not your squad makes it home safe to their families each night," chimed in her former Commander, Sgt. Morgan Jones. "Are you sure you're ready for this?"

"I am, and I understand the gravity of the responsibilities that come with this job."

"Good. I'm glad to hear that," smiled Chief Greene, "Cause we interviewed quite a few others to replace Jones here...but you, Michonne, you've got everything we're looking for to maintain the success rate of this squad."

Sgt. Jones, who stood to the side clasped his hands in front of him whilst peering at her. "You're brave, extremely smart, you don't take short cuts...you're discerning, compassionate, you know when to take the initiative yet, you follow the rules..."

"And..." interjected the Chief, "you've got a way of keeping Detective Grimes in line!"

Michonne's almond-shaped eyes shot wide open at the unexpected mention of her partner...well, soon to be ex-partner. "Excuse me Sir?"

The Sgt. inhaled deeply as he pursed his lips. "Michonne..." he slowly began, keeping his focus on his hands in front of him, "...you, and I know that Grimes is quite, uhh, shall I say, strong-willed...much like you are as well. But..."

"...he's a crazy son of a bitch!" Chief Greene quickly finished.

"He's one of our best, Sir," she immediately defended.

"Now I'm not gonna dispute that Daniels...but if we're being truthful here, one of the reasons I highly recommended you for this job, is because of the seemingly...how should I say it...'calming' effect, for a lack of a better word, that you apparently have on him. You've worked together for 3 ½ years, and you've been able to more or less keep him in check. And I'm not sure if anyone else would be up for the task."

"With all due respect Sir, but you've done a great job of handling him yourself."

Jones then gave his detective a knowing look, "I think you're not taking enough credit for yourself."

Michonne was at a loss for words. What exactly was he implying?

"Understood Daniels?"

Understood," she replied softly, but she really didn't.

Were they afraid of Rick's rogue antics? As his Commander, were they expecting, or rather, hoping that he would not challenge her authority? They were close, everyone in the unit knew that, but now that would definitely change...it needed to.

She then stood as the Chief rose from his leather chair and stretched out his hand to shake hers. "Congratulations, Michonne."

"Thank you for the honour Sir."

"No, thank you...Sergeant Daniels."

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Later that night, Michonne stood on the front porch of her partner's house. She was slightly on edge as she rang his door bell. This was not going to be easy, she knew that for a fact. When all was said and done, Rick really had a problem with controlling his emotions. In the right circumstance, he could certainly become explosive and dangerous.

The only exception was when his son was around; his desire to protect Carl easily motivated him to exercise more self-control. And Michonne hoped to God that he was still up on that Friday night.

"Hi" he greeted her as he opened the door.

"Hey...you okay?" she inquired with the knowledge of the rough day he had had with closing a troubling case.

He simply shrugged his shoulders and stepped aside indicating for her to come in. "You okay?" he asked whilst closing the door behind him.

It was her turn now to shrug her own shoulders. "Where's Carl?" she peered into the living room and noticed the television was off, much to her dismay.

" He's at his grandparents' for the weekend. Didn't I mention that to you?" Michonne honestly could not remember hearing that piece of information from him, or maybe she was too distracted at the moment.

"I must've forgotten." She then made her way into his kitchen to help herself, as she was accustomed to doing. Rick followed behind her. "Where's Jesse?"

"Jesse? She hasn't been around in awhile." Rick was perplexed by the question. "We haven't been anythan' for sometime...you know that."

"Yeah, but I also know that didn't stop you two from having random hook-ups?" she smirked at him while she opened the fridge to search out for something to drink. Standing in front of the coldness, Michonne could suddenly and distinctly feel the added heat from behind her. Before she could turn around though, Rick clutched her by her waist, pulling her against his chest.

"Is that why you're here?" he teased with a low voice in her ear.

She immediately felt her body tense with the warmth of his breath on her, and she forcefully peeled herself away from him, shoving his grip off of her. She walked to the other side of the kitchen, giving herself enough space from him and his erratic impulses. "Rick, I'm here to talk...We decided not to do those things anymore, remember?"

"Are you sure?" his gaze traveled the length of her form and back up to meet her beautiful deep brown eyes.

She shook her head at him and leaned back onto the counter behind her. "Rick..." she started, as she shifted her gaze to the blue and white tiled floor, "...those rumors, about the Sergeant leaving the squad...well they're not just rumors. It's happening...effectively next week."

He closed the refrigerator door as his lustful expression now changed to one of confusion. "And how do you know that for sure?"

"Because, I just came from a meeting with him...and Chief Greene," she was treading lightly as she responded. She raised her eyes to look back at him trying to gauge his reaction.

Troubled, Rick folded his arms and tilted his chin up so that he could squint his piercing blue eyes down at her. "Just you?"

She nodded, "They wanted to discuss his replacement, and..."

"And?"

"...and, it's gonna be me, Rick." She instantly held her breath, waiting for him to say something. But, surprisingly, he kept silent so, she resolved to continue as she furrowed her brows at him. "I got called in for an interview some weeks ago."

"And you're just telling me this now?" he asked in an unusually calm manner.

"I didn't take it seriously at first….besides everything was still up in the air, and they told me in so many words, to keep it under wraps. I couldn't tell anyone."

"Yeah but I'm not just anyone, am I?" And there it was the cold fire in his eyes that were now searing at her.

She sighed heavily as she lowered her head, "Yeah, I know…we're partners, we tell each other everything."

"…Just, partners? Are you serious?"

"Rick stop it!"

He couldn't believe what he was hearing. He thought he knew this woman. He trusted her with everything, and, somehow, for weeks, day-in and day-out, she easily hid this life altering decision from him. Quite frankly he was dumbfounded. Moreover, he was disappointed that Michonne didn't believe that she could confide in him regardless of what the Chief said…he felt somewhat hurt. And to him they were more than partners regardless of what she said.

He understood how important her career was to her, he even understood why she always kept him at a safe-distance...even when things got physical between them. And now things were going to change drastically. Had she not considered him?

"Listen Rick this is what I want, I know what I'm doing…I've made my decision and I don't need your permission!"

"Who said anythan' about permission?"

"Ok, wrong choice of words," she apologized as she raised her hands up in surrender. "Look, Rick….I'm sorry-"

"For what?" he cut her off, "You don't have anythan' to be sorry about…we're just partners. And I guess I'm gonna be getting a new one soon….just like that huh?"

Michonne passed her hand over her mouth trying not to become provoked, "Ok Rick, we'll talk more on Monday." She had had just about enough, and so made her way to the front door.

"No, how 'bout we talk now….Commander!" he shouted belligerently as he followed behind her.

Incensed, she spun around to face him, "You really wanna do this?"

"Yes, let's" Rick came right up to her, causing her to stumble back a bit.

She looked up at him questioningly with her hands on her hips, "We messed around a few times Rick, but we both knew that that was a mistake. We decided not to go down that road…it would lead us to nowhere."

"No, you decided Michonne…you decide everythan' don't you?"

"Because you're God-Damned crazy Rick!"

"What did you say?" suddenly, a sweeping sensation consumed his entire being causing his heart to pound against his chest, he was enraged.

"I can't handle you! At work, it's different…but on a personal level, you would destroy me Rick."

He swallowed hard trying to control himself, "Well now I guess we won't have that problem would we? You getting' your secret promotion and all." He bit back sarcastically.

"That's not fair….I care about you, and I know you care about me. This is important to me. So stop being such an ass!"

Rick had nothing else to say just then, he thought he did, but nothing would come out. He wasn't even sure what to do next, he felt frustrated. For a long time he'd hoped to have more with Michonne, what they shared outside of work was not enough, she kept holding back. And now, as his superior….

Next thing Michonne knew Rick had grabbed her by her arms and covered her mouth with his. She instinctively pushed him away, but he forcibly pulled her back without hesitation and kissed her harder. Michonne couldn't deny that his scent, and the feel of his lips working sensually over hers, sent a crippling tingle up her spine. But she didn't want to give in to this…to give in to him, again. Determinedly, she moved her head away breaking contact with his perfect pink mouth. "Rick let me go….now."

He didn't, he kept his hold on her. She stared at him as his chest heaved, and as she struggled to control her own breathing as well. "Rick…please?" she softly pleaded.

He looked at her closely, and saw something like fear in her eyes. He released her.

"I'm sorry...really I didn't mean to...," he whispered.

"It's okay," she assured him even though her heart was racing uncontrollably within her. She walked over to the couch and sat for a moment to try and regain her composure. She wondered why though she didn't just bolt straight out of the door.

"Listen…congratulations on the job," he said, as he sat on the same couch, but facing towards her, "…you deserve it, I mean that."

"Are you gonna make things difficult for me?"

He shook his head, "Not every day…but I can't promise anything."

She gave him a half-smile, "I'm sorry too…about us," she sighed heavily as she glanced across at him. He looked disappointed. He always wanted more than what she could give.

"Don't be."

They stared at each other for awhile, without saying anything else.

Rick, however, leaned over closer to her, as if to tell her a secret not even the walls should hear.

"You know…" he began in a hushed tone, "…you know I'm in love with you right?" he asked earnestly as his eyes flickered down to her full lips.

"Yes" she whispered back.

"Do you love me?"

"I, I…" she swallowed hard as her eyes drifted away from his gaze.

"I'm gonna kiss you again."

At first she furrowed her brows at him, but, she felt drawn to the longing in his hooded eyes. And in the genuine intimacy of the moment, she found it even harder to resist his magnetism. She bit her lip, and, ever so slightly, she nodded her approval for them to have just one more moment.

Rick's arms then came up and enveloped her in an embrace, as he tilted his head to capture her lips with his again. Michonne closed her eyes as her stomach instantly fluttered with a familiar excitement , and, a moment later, she parted her mouth allowing him to delve deep with his tongue.

Quickly, and unexpectedly, she was permitting Rick to push her back onto the couch as their kisses were getting more feverish and desperate by the second. With his arms still wrapped around her like a chain, Michonne found it difficult to catch her breath. When she felt him push his hips harder against hers, she broke away from the suffocating kiss.

Rick then placed his forehead against hers as they were both breathing heavily now.

"Let me keep you?...Please?" he softly begged.

"Ok….just for tonight," she surrendered.

"Yeah?" he breathed.

"Just this last time."

He didn't respond.

"Rick, look at me."

His lust filled eyes refocused on hers from her swollen lips.

"Just, for, tonight," she repeated.

"Ok," he agreed. Tightening his hold around her Michonne gasped and he gratefully took possession of her mouth, of her...this last time.