They were arguing again. Rick couldn't even remember what started it this time. He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose to try and calm himself down and put an end to it.

"Lori, look, we'll talk about this later ok? I have to go to work."

"That's the problem Rick! We won't talk, or at least you won't!"

He bit his lip, he knew she was right. He had never been good at expressing his feelings. It didn't seem to matter when he and Lori were blissfully in love, though that seemed like a distant memory, but now it seemed the most important thing in the world to her. In truth there was so a lot he wanted to say, but he couldn't find the words. Not now, not while Carl was just upstairs and Judy was within earshot.

"I'll try to be better, ok?" Was his lame attempt at pacifying the situation.

She just sighed and shrugged at him. He walked towards the door, making a detour on the way to hug and kiss Judith goodbye.

"Don't forget we have dinner at Glenn and Maggie's tonight" she called after him.

He acknowledged her with a wave of his hand as he closed the door behind him, a little too loudly for it not to have been deliberate.

Rick hesitated for a moment on the steps, looking out over the community. Alexandria was everything he and Lori had talked about when Carl was small. So much had happened in between then and now, he could hardly reconcile that young couple with who they had become. Lori had finally got what she wanted, but it seemed a hollow victory considering that the world had to end for them to get there. And they were the most miserable they had ever been.

"Hey, I thought we said nine?" Michonne's voice pulled him away from his thoughts.

"Yeah, we did, sorry" he gave no explanation, he didn't want to re-hash his argument with Lori. Michonne was frowning but had obviously decided against questioning him any further.

"Ok. Well do you wanna do the perimeter check? I'll go speak to Deana and see if any issues have come up overnight."

Rick nodded, Alexandria was so large now that it would take him at least a couple of hours to walk the perimeter and he was grateful for the peace.

"Meet back at the station at noon?" He offered. "I'll go past the armoury, speak to Olivia again about those missing guns."

"Don't stand me up this time" Michonne said, with a smile.

"I won't" he was smiling too now, his bad mood evaporating.

He couldn't help but stare as Michonne walked away. He was admiring her toned legs and butt before he could even control his thoughts. She even managed to make the baggy police jacket look good, taking the time to make her own alterations. She walked like she knew he was watching, her confidence was undeniably sexy.

He shook his head and tried to focus, he was still acutely aware of the fact that Lori was only a few metres behind the door. He jogged down the steps and over to the gate.

Back at the police station, Rick walked in to the smell of soup cooking and the sight of Michonne at their makeshift stovetop.

"Glenn's tomatoes are finally ready!" She said excitedly. "He made this and was just giving it away, I had to take some."

"You just love free food don't you?" Rick chucked. "Bet you're just mad it wasn't a stack of protein bars he was giving out."

"Shudup! Do you want some?"

"Sure. How was your morning?"

"Fine, nothing to report really. You?"

"The same. It's getting a bit boring around here these days don't you think?"

"Don't jinx it!" She was pouring their soup now. "I know what you mean though, sometimes I do want a bit of excitement. I'm going on this run with Glenn next week, need to get out these walls for a while!"

"That sounds good" Rick mused, knowing Lori wouldn't allow him to do such a thing. He took a sip of soup and make a face. "Urgh! I can see why Glenn was giving this away. That's disgusting!"

"Noooo! It's good." Michonne said sweetly.

"He's not here, you can be honest."

"Ok you're right" she laughed "Glenn should stick to going on supply runs and killing walkers."

Rick suddenly came to a realisation: "Damn, I'm going to his house for dinner tonight! Do you think he'll serve the soup."

Michonne laughed at his horrified face.

"Yep! Soup for starter, soup as a side and then soup pudding for dessert! Mmmmm."

"Wow. I can't wait...really wish you'd stolen us some more protein bars! You used to live next door to Morgan you could have just snuck a few."

"He kept them locked away!" She shrugged.

"I'm not surprised. I would too if I lived near you! Protein bars and cat statues all under lock and key!"

"Hey, I'm a delight I'll have you know."

"I'll bet." He said, sarcastically.

"Oh like you're any better" she was taking their bowls to the sink to wash up now.

"I actually am a delight!"

"When you're not pouting."

"I not pout!" He said, trying desperately not to do that very thing.

"Brooding then! Mister brooding serious officer Grimes!"

He just smiled and shook his head.

"I don't always! Anyway I'm still hungry what else have we got?"

"Well that was kinda it."

"I should have been more grateful then." He said, opening all the cupboards in their police station. It was really just a hut split into two rooms. He found some stale bread and held it up.

"Ah ha!"

Michonne looked skeptical.

"I doubt that is gonna be better than the soup."

"Ok then you don't want any, that's fine." He teased.

"Well I didn't say that! A girl's gotta eat!"

"Go ask Glenn for more soup then." He was walking fast to the other side of the table, holding the bread just out of Michonne's reach. She followed him giggling. Her laugh was infectious, even he let out a chuckle.

"That's not fair! You're so much taller than me. Don't make me use my sword! I've killed for less you know?"

"Ok ok..." He relented, splitting the bread with her.

She made a face as she chewed it.

"I hope to god we find some good stuff when we go on our run."

"I hope you do too, or a recipe book for Glenn."

She snorted at his lame humour. She loved working with Rick, especially when he loosened up. For a long time at first she had thought he was grumpy and serious, buy gradually she realised that was just the effect Lori had on him. She wondered what the argument they were having this morning was about. She had lingered outside the front door, not wanting to knock, but not wanting to walk away and risk being caught as he left.

"What shall we do this afternoon?" His voice drew her away from her thoughts.

"Come to mine? Daryl is there with Aaron working out a route for our run. We could probably use your input."

He nodded. "Not like there are many crimes around here anyway."

They made their way to Michonne's house, stopping at Eric's schoolhouse to wave to Judith and Andre who were playing outside during their lunch break.

"It's cute that they're friends." Michonne said to Rick as they walked away.

"They didn't have much choice really. They're kinda stuck with each other." Laughed Rick.

"Like you and me then?" Michonne teased.

"Exactly like you and me." Rick tried not to smile, but felt his lips twitching regardless as he looked at Michonne's beaming face.