A/N: This is based on a carnival au headcanon prompt from ricksmichonne on tumblr.
Michonne was not okay. She was nervous.
Never had she gone on a blind date before and for the life of her, she could not understand what had possessed her to agree when Andrea insisted she meet a friend of hers.
Taking several deep breaths, Michonne smoothed out the front of her purple shirt for the third time as she stood at the entrance of the Atlanta Carnival. Along with pushing Michonne to meet this man, Andrea proposed that they meet somewhere whimsical, to give them something to talk about. Checking her watch, she sighed. He was late and even thought it was only a matter of minutes, her nerves were already on end and she was beginning to regret her decision to even do this.
"Oh come on, 'Chonne!" Andrea entreated as she went through the woman's closet, searching for an acceptable outfit. "It'll be fun."
"It's a carnival, Andrea! I don't want to spend my evening with some sheriff from the backwoods-"
"He's not from the backwoods!"
"Where the hell is King County?" Michonne countered skeptically. "I've lived in Atlanta for years and never heard of the place."
Andrea rolled her eyes and pulled out a beautiful, lacy purple shirt along with a pair of tight, black jeans. "It's a little out of the ways, but he is not backwoods, Michonne, I promise you. You met Shane! He's the man's partner."
"Andrea, I still don't want to go out on a date with some random policeman."
"He's not random and he's not just a policeman. Michonne, give it a chance, please!" Andrea begged, tossing the clothes to her friend. "After Mike, you've hit a funk and I just want you to go out there and have a little fun for one night."
"At a carnival?"
Michonne's raised eyebrow and skeptical tone caused Andrea to sigh. Shrugging, she sat down on the bed with her friend and took her hand. "It's a public place, you have your mace, he's a public figure, and if something happens, I will call the Atlanta cops," she promised cheekily and Michonne struck her with a pillow.
"Andrea!"
Laughing, she reached out and took Michonne's hands. "Michonne, at worst, he kills you and dumps your body somewhere and as a blond, white girl, I will raise enough hell to at least get your face on the news and have him investigated..." Michonne rolled her eyes and Andrea offered a smile. "At best, you have a god awful story to tell me tomorrow morning at brunch about how he sucks at that ring toss game and tried to feel you up on the ferris wheel." For a moment, Andrea's face became serious as she motioned into the door, where the muffled tones of Batman Beyond's opening theme could be heard from the living room. "Or... or... this could be those one in a million stories you hear on the internet... where you could meet this amazing man who changes your world and you fall in love in one night, get married in seven months, and spend the rest of your lives together..."
Michonne listened silently for a couple of seconds, her heart bittered momentarily by the thought of Mike's departure. Sighing, she snorted and picked up the shirt, wondering if the low cut v-neck was appropriate for a first date.
"You're so full of shit, Andrea," she giggled.
Michonne laughed at herself. It had been three years since she had engaged in a serious relationship. After Mike, she had gone on a couple of dates, but never had she gone out of her way to meet someone. Now, she was waiting in front of a crowded carnival, smoothing out her shirt and wondering if she was going to be stood up.
Why would she be stood up? She was a fucking lawyer. She ran her own goddamn law firm, and she went to one of the best law schools in the country.
Grimacing, Michonne tempered and scolded herself.
"Michonne?"
A strange noise escaped Michonne's lips as she jolted at the husky, Southern voice that sent a shockwave up her spine. Turning, she was stunned by how handsome the man she encountered was. His brown curls were tucked behind soft, striking blue eyes, and a crooked, timid smile that betrayed the nervousness he was clearly also feeling. He was wearing a dark brown suede jacket with a soft, white collar that looked well worn, along with some beautifully intricate, yet tired boots. It was an oddly casual, yet attractive look. She suddenly felt a bit overdressed.
When she did not respond immediately, his eyes widened and he held up his hands.
"Oh God, I'm sorry," he apologized sincerely. "I didn't mean.. I thought... I'm sorry..."
Blinking rapidly, Michonne gasped and raised her hand to her chest. "Rick?"
His face brightened. "Michonne?"
Offering an assuring smile, she nodded, trying not to focus too much on how startlingly handsome the man she was staring at was.
"Um... yes," she responded timidly, stopping herself from smoothing out her shirt again. The look on his face telegraphed his surprise as well, along with some obvious appreciation, leaving her flushed and feeling somewhat vulnerable. It was an exciting feeling. "Michonne Davis, nice to meet you," she stumbled out and he grinned.
"Rick Grimes... um... I'm sorry about being so late-"
Michonne shook her head. "No, it's fine-"
They both paused, holding their breaths at how nervous they had become. How attracted they were. At how scared they suddenly were.
"Um..." Rick started, looking around at the throngs of people moving in and out of the entrance. He was surprised he had found her in the first place. Shane had held him up at work, insisting he change his look for this first meeting. A suggestion Rick had thoroughly rejected, already hesitant about this whole blind date situation to begin with. He had arrived late, expecting to find himself abandoned. Shane had not done a very good job in describing Andrea's friend and while he expected someone pretty, he was blown away by the beautiful woman before him.
"It'll be fine, Rick," Shane assured as they got dressed. "Andrea's friend is gorgeous."
"You said that about Jesse."
"I thought she was beautiful."
"Shane," Rick growled, peeling his work shirt off and grabbing a plain white shirt. "A blind date at the carnival just seems like one of those dateline stories."
"She's a great gal, Rick, I promise. She's super smart, beautiful, and Andrea actually recommended her herself. Jessie was just some girl I met at the store."
"Shane!"
Laughing, Shane closed his locker and finished buttoning up his shirt. "Look Rick, you don't have the kids this weekend, and I know you ain't got shit to do."
"I was gonna work on the yard-"
"Yeah, shut the fuck up," Shane interjected, rolling his eyes. "Leave the yard alone and have fun! Goddamnit, Rick... you and Lori have been over for a while, she's moved on and you need to as well."
"I'm not sure this is the best way to do that, Shane," Rick muttered, clearly choking on his breath. Shane understood the hesitation. Admittedly, Jessie Anderson had not worked out as well as he had hoped, but there was a chance this Michonne woman could be just want Rick needed to get out of whatever slump he was in. Andrea constantly talked about her and for the past several months had refused to let Shane set her up with Rick, specifically because they did not want their mutual best friends to become rebounds for each other. Andrea and Shane had agreed to wait, and now here Rick was, being shoved out of the police station towards his car, already late to meet a woman he did not know, for a date he was only half interested in attending.
This did not bode well.
"Rick," Shane snapped as he shoved his friend into his truck.
"What?"
Sighing, a solemnity fell over Shane's face that he rarely saw. "I know you don't want to do this, but please... be brave tonight," he beseeched. "Take a chance... I know it hasn't worked out well in the past, but who knows... you could be pleasantly surprised."
It had been about a year since he and Lori had divorced, almost two since they had been separated. For the most part, Rick had enjoyed his single time. Despite the divorce, he and Lori had eventually settled on a relatively agreeable schedule for them to split time with the kids. He had mostly avoided dating, save for the odd date here and there with someone he encountered. His last date, another recent divorcee with two children, had become too clingy for his taste and he had avoided the whole enterprise altogether.
Now, he stood there at the entrance, on the precipice, at the doorway of something frightening, and he was terrified. Not at the prospect of going on a blind date, no that had already slipped his mind. No, he was now terrified of this vision. This woman. This beautiful woman who had instantly captured him. Absconded with his heart, she stood there with a bashful look on her face, seemingly unsure of what to do next.
"So... um..." He shifted, accidentally bumping into a couple of thirteen year old girls, who glanced at him and giggled. Michonne watched his face turn red and she failed to stifle a chuckle of her own.
"Why don't we go in," she suggested in a silvery tone and he nodded, thankful that she was at least willing to continue, despite his tardiness. Taking the lead, he led the way to the ticket counter, paying the bored college kid, grabbing the tickets and taking their first steps into the blind date.
"Wow..."
Michonne glanced over at his startled face before she looked around as well, taking in the bustling crowds, bright lights, whirling rides, and obnoxious vendors, each calling for their attention and nothing seeming appetizing.
"Have you ever done this before?" Rick asked tentatively and she shook her head.
"No... Not exactly my typical hang out," she quipped and he smiled, steeling himself up and daring to take a chance.
"Well then, let me show you the ropes."
Without another thought, he took her hand and led her into the carnival, amongst the bustling crowds of eager attendees, pointing excitedly, crying wantonly, and screaming for attention as the pair, nervous in these new steps, attempted to navigate the arena.
Step up, step up! Come on men, let's see what you got!
The piercing call from a nearby stage drew Rick and Michonne's attention. They looked over to see a tiny man jumping around on a luminescent stage in jarringly assaulting colors, grinning ear to ear as he and his assistant dragged a poor sap onto the stage to attempt a clearly rigged power game.
"Everyone, a round of applause for the gentleman! Let's not embarrass him in front of his lady love!"
The crowd cheered and Michonne grinned as she stepped closer to see the feat the unwitting guest attempted.
"Jesus," she gasped as the man raced across the stage against a clock, dragging a heavy looking object to slam on a weight near the emcee. The crowd continued to cheer while Michonne clapped politely. Rick rolled his eyes.
"You don't like it?" She grinned and he shrugged.
"Who wants to be up there," he muttered, prompting her to laugh in agreement. The action caused his heart to skip a beat and he rejected the instinct to draw closer to her.
"They seem to be having fun."
Rick snorted and she caught his eyes. They held each others' gaze for a moment, unable to pull away, yet unsure of how to get closer. Yearning to get closer.
A sudden group of teenagers burst through them, separating them momentarily and shocking them out of their connection. Michonne noticeably rolled her eyes and Rick chuckled.
"Don't you feel like a couple of old fogies in this crowd," he quipped, loving the knowing smirk that graced her full lips. He could not help but notice her body relax, appreciating how she looked in the soft lavender shirt and black jeans, that hugged her behind in a way he...
Who's next?! Who's next?! Come one gents, don't be shy!
Rick was ripped away from his observation by Michonne's playful nudging.
"Why don't you show these young whippersnappers what an old fogie can do?" She cooed enthusiastically, abandoning her nervousness in order to embrace the cheekiness her companion seemed to have seized since they entered the carnival. It was not lost on her that he had been eyeing her, but this time instead of feeling strange, she felt awakened by the prospect. There was something uniquely engaging and familiar about Rick Grimes that left her feeling exposed yet weirdly in a state of familiarity. There was this comfortability that urged her to relax around him, encouraging her to forsake the typical fears of a blind date in order to embrace the awkwardness, the potential awfulness, the outlandishness of the situation and make lemonade.
"You should go up there," she suggested as the short man continued to search the crowd for a new subject to humiliate. The look in her gorgeous brown eyes expressed hilarity and skepticism. It was clear this was his first test on a blind date and with all of his years away from the scene, there were only so many ways he felt he could react under these circumstances.
"Fine," he agreed, much to her surprise as he broke away from her and pushed his way to the stage. For a moment, she wanted to stop him, assuring him that this act was not necessary. But as he continued towards to the steps, her natural curiosity and Andrea's words about having fun struck her, rendering her mute as she watched him move through the crowd.
Oh, ladies, looks like we've got ourselves a good ol' boy here! The emcee announced, seemingly startled by the handsomeness of his new victim. Michonne joined the other women in clapping, but she kept from crying out, tempering reactions to observe her date's public displays.
Okay, okay, the man scolded laughingly through his microphone. Calm down, he ain't that handsome!
The crowd disagreed and Michonne stood up a bit straighter.
Rolling his eyes, the emcee turned to Rick, who was tugging on his brown jacket nervously. She could tell he was beginning to regret this sudden burst of manly courage. She wondered if he would attempt an escape.
Fine, he is, but shut up! The crowd laughed and he grinned. Okay, so what's your name?
"Rick Grimes," he answered roughly into the extra mic, shifting in his boots.
And Rick, you gotta girl out there you trying to impress tonight?
Without saying a word, Rick's eyes found Michonne and she froze, enraptured for a moment, cemented in place, unable to breathe as his eyes bore into her, seizing her soul and running off with it. She wanted it back. She needed it back.
Rick mumbled something and the emcee grinned, nodding knowingly.
Alright, alright, he cajoled before explaining the rules once more. Rick still looked nervous and Michonne stood there amongst the throngs, hoping he would not embarrass himself at the very least. There was no expectation of succeeding, but in front of such a hot crowd, there would be no coming back from a humiliation.
At least she would have something to tell Andrea, Michonne thought to herself briefly before she scolded herself once more for the defeatist attitude. Rick had not begun yet and it did her no good casting him down prior to even beginning.
Alright, let's go!
The crowd cheered. Michonne could not help but notice several women, both older and younger than herself, pushing towards the stage, hailing him eagerly as Rick took off across the stage to complete the awful and odiously repetitive game.
She watched tentatively, secretly hoping he would succeed, but preventing herself from openly expressing the excitement of watching such an attractive man bend, stretch, and exert his strength on that stage. It was an amusing display, but to her happy surprise, and to the shock of the emcee and his assistant, Rick pulled through to the end, beating the clock and the record.
Around her, the crowds erupted into an ovation of passionate applause as Rick finally came to rest, gasping for air, sweating in the cool Georgia air as the emcee clapped him on the back.
Good God, man! Must be some woman!
The women next to Michonne sighed and clapped appreciatively, wooting as Rick removed his coat while the assistant disappeared and reappeared quickly with a giant, light orange plush.
Congratulations! You've one this beautiful, Georgia peach!
Michonne groaned as Rick reluctantly took the stuffed fruit with two hands, glancing into the crowds to once again find her eyes. His heart skipped a beat yet again when he found her grinning proudly up at him, amusement written all over her face as she clapped along with the others.
"Can I go?" Rick asked and the emcee nodded, laughing.
Yeah, man, go find your lady, he encouraged. Rick's face was bright red as he evacuated the stage and pushed his way back to her.
Michonne barely stopped the giggle that escaped her lips as he reached her, holding up his unfortunate peach in triumph.
"That's awful," she chortled and he offered her that crooked grin that made her quiver.
"Well, it's yours, so I'm glad you like it," he retorted, eliciting the sweetest laugh as she nudged him playfully, glancing around to notice the looks they were getting.
"You're way too kind," she joked, steering them away from the stage, back towards the vendors, games, and rides. "But really, that thing is just, completely dreadful."
Rick chuckled and nodded in agreement. "Yeah, you're right. Far too bad to give someone as beautiful as you," he muttered, half teasing, half sincere. She paused for a second, but neither commented. "Perhaps Andrea would like it?"
Michonne snorted and hit his shoulder in jest, finally taking the plush he offered as they walked down the packed way. "No, but Andre might. He always finds a use for these things."
"Andre?"
Horror struck and Michonne girded herself for what would inevitably be rejection. It had been a reflex to bring him up of course, but normally on a first date at least, she would either blurt it out in the beginning to get it over with or avoid the topic of her son altogether. The thought had not occurred to her that Andrea had failed to mention to this man that she had a child.
Stopping in her tracks, Michonne kept her eyes on the peach, unsure of how he would react. She was just starting to enjoy herself and now that high would be devastated if he disapproved in even the slightest manner.
"I... Andre is my son," she admitted hoarsely, raising her hands up once again to smooth out her shirt. "Andre Anthony."
There was a brief moment in which he just stared at her, still processing her words and his obliviousness. Shane had mentioned that she had been in a serious relationship for a while before the date, but Rick's friend had failed to mention that there was more to it than just a broken heart.
"Oh."
Michonne watched a wave of relief cascade upon Rick's face as he visibly relaxed and offered her a genuine smile of reassurance.
"Oh?" Michonne questioned tentatively and he motioned to himself.
"I have two kids," he replied and she smiled, at once shocked and thankful for this revelation.
"Oh! I see," she clamored quickly, clutching the peach up to her chest. "How old?"
"Fifteen and four."
"Fifteen!" Michonne could not hide the surprise. "That must be a handful."
"He's a great kid," Rick countered lovingly, thinking suddenly of how Carl would probably love such an embarrassing display by his father. "How old is yours?"
"Andre's seven... He's my world," she whispered and Rick nodded knowingly.
"Same with Carl and Judith... they're everything for me," he told her, eliciting another smile from her. They fell into a comfortable discussion, both thankful to have gotten that exchange out of the way and the mutual understanding it had quietly expressed. As they moved through the booths, sampling bright blue cotton candy, trying much more sedate carnival games, and watching others win small prizes, Rick and Michonne slowly learned more about each other and quickly became more attracted to one another.
For the life of her, Michonne could not understand where this newfound excitement had come from. Long after she found out this date was being arranged, Michonne had told herself to lower expectations, anticipate awkward pauses, and avoid charged conversations, but as she moved with him to stand in line for the ride, she was powerless to deny her instant attraction and connection with Rick. There was an easiness to their conversations that she could not remember having with Mike when they first started seeing each other. There was a playful yet respectable charm about him that endeared her to him.
It was clear that like her, he was still recovering from a previous serious relationship, and while their exes were not discussed, the tentative way he danced around certain subjects let her know that the wound was still a bit sore. Nonetheless, he engaged her wholeheartedly, eyes glinting with a light and desire for more that admittedly left her heart fluttering and her body flushed.
Rick, for his part, was trying like crazy not to ruin the pleasant groove they had fallen into as they meandered through the carnival. He enjoyed listening to Michonne's stories about her childhood growing up further North and how she had come to be a lawyer in Atlanta. He loved the way he was able to hold her attention as he explained his path to sheriff of King County, and as they both attempted the Ring the Bell game, he could not deny the warmth and instant reaction his body had when their hands grazed on the gavel handle.
"Admittedly, I'm not as strong as I am flexible," Rick muttered when the bell refused to ring and Michonne raised an eyebrow, not even bothering to hide the cheeky smile on her lips.
"I'll keep that in mind," she teased as they moved along, causing him to blush at his choice of words.
"I didn't mean like-"
Michonne burst into laughter. "Oh no, you can't take it back," she mocked. "Own it, Grimes."
Rick snorted, secretly loving the way she joked with him and in no hurry to end her fun. That was, until hey reached the ferris wheel and Rick motioned to it.
"Care to take a ride?" He asked and she smiled, nodding as they moved into the line. "So how did you meet Andrea?"
For Rick, as he stood there waiting for her to respond, he found himself yet again appreciating not only her beauty, but her overall aura and the wittiness she had brought to their conversations. There was this inner warmth about Michonne that drew him in, pushing him to engage her in a way that he knew he never had with Lori. Communication had always been their problem and he never had a great response. Yet, with Michonne, something in her eyes expressed an understanding of who he was, despite their limited time together. In her, he saw something mutual and hoped for the chance to explore it more.
"There you are," the ride operator instructed, opening the door for Michonne and Rick to get in to the rather old looking pod. "Please keep your hands and feet in at all times."
It took a couple of seconds before the ride groaned back into a slow churn, cranking them somewhat creakily upwards. The other pods above and below them swayed as their younger passengers clamored around to take pictures. Michonne could not help but wonder how safe it actually was just as they shuddered to a stop, jostled around momentarily as old passengers exited and new passengers boarded.
She caught the concern on Rick's face when she grabbed the railing and she attempted to ease her worry and his. "You're not trying to kill me, are you, Rick?" Michonne mused aloud and he choked, nearly dropping the bear she had won him from the Whack-a-mole game earlier.
"Did Andrea tell you that?" He managed and she laughed.
"She may have mentioned it would be on the agenda."
Rick rolled his eyes in jest and hit the rail of the pod. "Damn, there goes plan A," he responded teasingly. "I guess I'm just gonna have to keep enjoying your company."
Michonne felt her cheeks warm, but she before she could comment on it, the wheel shuddered back to life, deliberately lifting them higher until they had a clear, unobstructed view of the Atlanta skyline.
"Oh wow," Michonne gasped, quickly forgetting her fears about the precarious stability of the pods as the landscape captured her attention. Rick followed her gaze, also enraptured by the beautiful panoramic view. So much so that neither realized their bodies grazing until the wheel stopped once more, leaving them stranded one from the very top.
"Damn it," Rick muttered loudly, glancing down below. "I told him the very top."
Michonne laughed. "Seriously?"
Grinning, he shook his head and shrugged. "No, but I'm sure whoever's ahead of us did."
The riotous laughter from the other pod left Michonne smiling as she looked at the other side. "You're probably right," she giggled and he was momentarily awestruck at how devastatingly beautiful Michonne looked beside him, illuminated by the flickering lights and silhouetted by the setting sun. It took his breath away.
Michonne picked up on his silence and turned to catch him staring at her. It startled her how serious he suddenly looked and close they actually were in the pod. She felt her heart pound wildly in her chest and wondered if he could hear it as they instinctively moved closer to each other.
"Are you two gonna kiss?"
The pair gasped and looked up to see the teens in the pod above them giggling and watching them humorously. Rick's face turned beet red and he could feel the heat radiating from Michonne's cheeks as she leaned away from him, hiding a smile as they both breathed deeply.
"Not anymore," Rick informed them, his voice tinged in frustration at the lost moment. Michonne snorted and he caught the amusement dancing in her eyes as she held a hand over her mouth to stop the laughter. Rick was relieved to see that instead of being mortified by what had almost happened, she was just running with it.
"Are you two gonna kiss?" Michonne called up to their adolescent audience and the girl blushed violently, ducking back into the pod while the boy grinned.
"Hopefully!"
"Steven!" They heard the girl squeal before the boy was yanked fully into the pod as it began to move again.
Michonne and Rick laughed and shared a knowing glance, thankful to relieve the tension with a moment of levity. Catching his eyes flickering down to her lips, Michonne took another deep breath before motioning to the view.
"I know Andre would love this," she informed him. "He loves these types of things. Roller coasters and stuff."
"Judith's afraid of heights, but Carl would definitely do this," he agreed, watching as they came back down to the ground. He was still thinking about the moment up on the wheel as the operator opened their pod door to let them out.
"Y'all have fun?" He asked and Michonne smiled, offering Rick a pointedly sincere look.
"I did," she assured him as they headed back into the fray, intent on returning to the fun and perhaps even recapture that lost moment.
In all, Rick and Michonne spent a couple of hours at the carnival, trying most of the rides and eating funnel cake. As the night moved on, they drew closer once again, leaning against and nudging one another, fingers grazing teasingly as they flirted.
"I'm sorry to cut this short, but the babysitter can't stay after ten," Michonne apologized as they headed towards the exit.
"That's a little early for a Friday night," Rick pointed out and she smiled, shrugging at him.
"Well, I wasn't sure how this would turn out," she admitted, prompting him to laugh.
"Yeah, well, I understand," he replied as they paused at the entrance of the carnival where they had met. Putting his hands on his hips, he turned to face her, saddened that their time together had come to an end, but hoping that this was not the end. As he looked her in the eyes, he could see anticipation glimmering in her eyes as she took a deep breath. "Um... so, Michonne... I don't..." Her eyes brightened at his stammering and he was suddenly emboldened by her encouraging grin. "I had fun today and I'd like to see you again... if that's alright?"
Michonne stifled the girlish squeal that bubbled beneath the surface, choosing instead to laugh and motion around them at the groups of young people moving about.
"Back here? To be accosted by flamboyant emcees and nosy teens?" She queried teasingly and he blushed.
"No... actually I was thinking about an art gallery opening tomorrow night, if you're available?"
Michonne could not hide the surprise on her face at the suggestion. "Art gallery?"
Rick tilted his head to the side, the crooked grin on his lips causing her heart to flutter. "You think a downhome sheriff like me can't like art?"
Her mouth opened slightly at the suggestion and she quickly shook her head. "No.. That's not... that's not what I meant..." He chuckled, putting her at ease.
"Sorry, I know... Shane actually told me about it right before I headed out here and offered me a couple of extra tickets," he explained, stepping closer to her. "I think Andrea will be there..."
Michonne's eyes widened and she snorted. "Oh, so we can get accosted by nosy friends instead," she jested, moving forward towards him as well.
"We could always grab a drink first? If you're okay?" He inquired in a deep, gruff voice that made her tremble.
It was at that moment they both realized how close they were to each other. Rick's fingers gently grazed hers as their faces drew nearer almost magnetically, noses caressing as they breathed slowly. Michonne's heart beat erratically as she saw his eyes move down her face, landing on her lips and not bothering to look away. At this point, there was no purpose in denying his attraction to her. In the brief amount of time that they had know each other, they had shared so much that it was impossible to refute.
"I'm okay," Michonne breathed as their fingers laced together.
Rick reached up and caressed her cheek, loving how his touch caused her eyes to flutter shut. He yearned to feel more of her but he stopped himself from just seizing the opportunity. This was not a woman for which he would take anything without permission.
"May I?" He asked huskily, running a thumb over the back of her hand unconsciously. Smiling up at him, she nodded with bated breath and leaned into him when their lips finally met in a slow, gentle kiss. They kept their lips pressed for a moment before breaking away, sighing thankfully for the opportunity. Rick looked over her face, elated and terrified simultaneously. This beautiful, intelligent woman caused his heart to race and for the first time in years, he felt renewed. Like something had been awakened in him. "I'll call you then?"
Michonne smiled and gave his hand a squeeze, taking a step away from him in order to collect herself. "I look forward to your call, Rick Grimes," she murmured, barely containing her excitement at the prospect of what might be unfolding.
Rick watched her move off to the parking lot before he turned to find his own vehicle.
"Good night, Michonne," he muttered to himself, loving the way her name felt on his lips. As he got into his truck, Rick realized then that he was nervous.
But this time, he was perfectly okay...
A/N: Let me know what you think! :)