Disclaimer: I do not own The Walking Dead. This story will be just as dark as the series.

Chapter One: Carl's Birthday

Michonne grabbed her groceries and items from Olivia. It was rare that she deviated from their weekly rations, but three times a year her household splurged: Christmas, Judith's birthday, and Carl's birthday. Although the Safe Zone provided necessities, she had to work more for it to be just the three of them. Five was the recommended quantity; her house just held three. Michonne continuously worked. She never knew when clothes, books, or medicines were needed. Judith had allergies and asthma. She had both a growing boy and girl in her home. It was a pricey combination. Carl stopped going school when he was fifteen and currently worked. He worked the fence or the garden depending on the day. Because of this, she wasn't struggling with their expenses as much.

'You're working too hard, Michonne.' Michonne looked around. It was rare when she heard Rick's voice. His phantom seemed to come less and less. She knew it was good. She'd been separated from Rick Grimes for over two years now. She sometimes wondered if she really remembered what he looked like. Was she making up those piercing blue eyes or his curly brown hair? She wondered if she was over-embellishing his looks. He seemed to get more handsome with each memory. If he looked like her vision why didn't they ever hook up? She sighed. She wished she could see him again. She wanted him to know she kept her promise. His children were alive and they were safe. All they were missing was their father.

Michonne looked at her watch and cursed. There was no way she would have Carl's cake done before he got home from work. She still needed to pick Judith up from Tyreese's. She debated not going over. Tyreese probably wouldn't mind much; but, she knew that would be wrong. He had a life of his own, a job, and a girlfriend. Judith was her responsibility. She shifted the groceries in her hand and knocked on Tyreese's door.

"Hey 'Chonne," Tyreese opened the door to invite her in. Judith was sleeping on the floor next to Tyreese's dog. Michonne grimaced. She hated dogs.

Michonne nodded and walked in. "I can't stay long." She noticed Tyreese's girlfriend was there. She was also Noah's mother. The brown-skinned woman was older than Tyreese and Michonne, but she looked their age. It was evident by the perfected twist out that she cared both of her appearance and Tyreese. Michonne gave her a smirk. Perhaps she wasn't doing Tyreese any favors by coming over in that moment. She knew the couple like to serenade each other. "I could come back tomorrow. Or in the next ten minutes if you guys are that frisky."

"Girl, get your baby!" Noah's mom said laughing and covering a blush.

Michonne raised a hand in defeat. The other was still carrying groceries. She bent down and gently shook Judith. She opened her sleepy brown eyes. She wanted to keep sleeping. "No Sown, no."

Tyreese felt bad. "I could carry her or the bags, Michonne."

She declined. "No, she won't go to sleep tonight if you do that." Michonne held her hand for Judith. She cried and took it. "Judith, be quiet." She was instantly silent. During their time on the road Michonne instilled the importance of silence in the youngest Grimes. She gave her a piece of candy for listening. "Thank you, Tyreese. Yolanda, I'll see you later."

Michonne walked with Judith, hand in hand. People greeted her, the adults by her name and the children with "Carl's mom". That nickname always made her cringe. She loved Carl like a son, but she didn't know if that was appropriate. She didn't want to replace Lori. She vaguely remembered Lori's image from the picture she got for Carl. She looked at Judith who was pouting, but still silent. She was lucky to have such an attractive woman as her mother.

"Michonne," the dark-skinned mother turned to see the former priest running to her. He was sweating and smelled of soil. He worked in the gardens with Carl. He grabbed Michonne's bags. "Let me help you."

"Hi Gaybee!"

"Well hello Judy. How are you today?"

"Sown mean." Judith pouted.

Gabriel gasped. "I'll tell her to stop being so mean to you."

Judith giggled. "Yay, Gaybee!"

Michonne tried to frown. "Why do you all spoil her so much?"

"She's just so cute, Michonne... Just like her mother."

This time Michonne did frown. "Gabriel..."

Gabriel opened the door for Michonne and watched Judith while she made Carl's cake. She knew what Gabriel was going to ask her. On occasions, she would turn to him for comfort. After a pregnancy scare she stopped completely, but he still had feelings for her. He was great with Judith, Carl didn't mind him. He just wasn't what she was looking for in a partner. She wasn't sure why.

Meanwhile...

"Hey Grimes, I just saw your mama come from the commissary."

Carl grew interested. He was used to people calling Michonne his mother, he didn't even react anymore. "Oh, what cake did she buy?"

"Chocolate."

"Yes!" Carl was excited. He was supposed to be off already, but he stayed an extra hour to take care of a build up the wall was having. It gave him a boost and he worked a little faster.

"Gabriel also headed to your house."

Carl frowned. "You stalking my family now, Combs?"

"With Miss Michonne looking like she do, you bet I am."

Carl and his coworkers continued to rag on each other even after Carl clocked out. Noah replaced him and Carl went home. He walked fast at first, but thinking about his cake, he soon broke into a sprint. He almost ran into a very pregnant Rosita. He screamed his apologizes and went home. Carl opened the door and was greeted by the sweet smell of his cake and the squeals of his sister.

Michonne woke up at the crack of dawn and got ready for the run. She washed, kissed Judith, told Carl she'd return in a couple of days, grabbed stale pop-tarts, and left. "Michonne," he was waiting for her. She gave him a hard look. It was too early in the morning and she didn't want to see Gabriel. She was honestly avoiding him. "I have an early shift. I thought I'd walk you to the front gate."

Michonne noticed that there was something in his pocket. "That' all?"

Gabriel gave her a shy grin. "No." Gabriel got on one knee. "I was thinking about all that's happened between us. Us on the road... The baby..."

"There was no baby."

"But there can be. I want there to be, one day. I love you and I want to build a family with you."

"..."

Gabriel grinned in sheer embarrassment. "I'm never sure if silence is good with you."

The alert that signaled new survivors sounded. Michonne used it as her opportunity to flee the situation she was in. "...I have to go."

Gabriel caught Michonne by the wrist. "Michonne," he looked in her dark eyes with his last plea. "Will you at least think about it?"

Michonne nodded and went to join her reconnaissance group.

Michonne never got to see the newcomers. Instead, she joined her group and went scouting. They scowered Caswell County, North Carolina and didn't find much. They set traps and waited to bring the game back to Alexandria. The overall gain was fair. Personally, Michonne found a few posters for Carl and building blocks for Judith. After she got Eugene to sanitize them, she would give them to Judith for her birthday. After a week, they returned with fresh meat and knickknacks.

Michonne went to place Eugene shared with his roommates. Eugene cleaned Michonne's blocks in exchange for one of the posters she was planning on giving to Carl. It didn't take too long for Eugene to sanitize Judith toys. She told him goodbye and left. Purposely skipping Gabriel's home, Michonne went home. Michonne fumbled with her keys before finally deciding to bang on the door for Carl. "I come with booty, Grimes. I need you to open the door!"

Heavy footsteps approached the door. Michonne glared at the door. Gabriel knew better than to be in her house without permission and they were too heavy to be Carl's. She dropped the birthday gifts for the children and grabbed the hilt of her sword. The door opened. Michonne lifted the sword an inch before she let it drop again. It was Rick.

"Rick." She pulled him into a tight hug. Rick wrapped his arms around her waist and put his face in her hair. It seemed like a dream. It had been so long. She was so sure she was imaging this, but she was never able to touch her hallucinations.

Rick was also in disbelief. He had been there for days rekindling with his children. He was gone for so long. Judith was walking, talking and sassy. Carl was a man. He'd missed so much. Carl was eager to tell him about everything he missed, the last of his schooling, his jobs, when they were on the road and became detached from the group. It was painful. Rick wasn't as open when explaining his whereabouts. He'd spent about a third of a year tracking down a man who raped Tara when she went for a bath. They were held by a herd of over five thousand in South Carolina. He didn't lose anybody in his group, but Glenn lost half of his arm, Tara was attacked and they all killed, a lot. The only person he knew would understand was in his arms. He pulled from their embrace so he could stare at her. It had been hell getting to them.

"Thank you for keeping my children safe." He touched her face.

Michonne touched the calloused hand and felt his arm. She traveled to his chest and then touched his face. It was smooth; Carl must have bought his father a razor. Michonne tried to keep the tears from falling. "I'm amazed you're real." Rick showed his confusion. Michonne replayed her words. It must have sounded like she gave up hope. "I would see you, talk to you sometimes." She could no longer hold it in. "I never lost hope that you'd find us. Not one moment."

Rick kissed her forehead and rubbed his hands on her arms. "I'll never leave y'all again."

Michonne wiped her eyes. "You hungry? I've got jerky or oatmeal if you want."

"I'm fine."

"What job do they give you?"

Rick gave her an amused grin. "Isn't it obvious? I'm a constable."

Michonne smiled. "I should have known. Where are you staying?"

Rick's grin grew larger. "I'm staying here."

Michonne's smile slowly started to fade. She was happy to see Rick again. All she wanted was for him to be reunited with his children. However, he was there with her. Her heart was racing and her body was pulsating. The look in his eyes let her know the feeling was mutual. Rick looked at her with a degree of intensity that unnerved her. What had he been through that made his eyes this way? Michonne grew somewhat sad. Her arousal was gone. Rick Grimes was attractive and rugged, but she was looking in the eyes of a man she did not know.

Michonne wasn't sure she was pleased to meet him.

(A/N) The story was going to start the moment they were separated, but the outline placed them meeting in the thirteenth chapter. Instead there will be flashbacks when relevant. As for Gabriel proposing to Michonne the only thing I will say is that this is paired Rick/Michonne for a reason. Don't forget to review.

Next Chapter: Rick and Michonne think about the day they became separated.