Repeat

AN: I don't own the Walking Dead, or anything affiliated with the Brand.

This is a one-shot with the potential of becoming a story.

This takes a look at how Michonne and Rick's relationship may further develop after Beth's tragic demise. I'm writing this alongside the slow burn that the show has, and how she seems to be more inspirational in the previews for Season 5B (I hope they do not kill her off because of that – Glen is still inspiring and still lives lol). I hope you all enjoy!

This new world taught a lot. One thing for sure was that innocence was a fairytale. If someone was remotely close to it, they were at risk for being wiped away. A somber Rick looked into his newest offspring's eyes, while tears dropped near her blue orbits. He'd love for her to enjoy what most babies deserved: to run free in a playground, to be surrounded by her peers while babbling about toys, a mother…

Michonne rubbed her tuft of blondish hair, later pulling her up out of her father's strong arms. Carol and even Tyrese would often ask before doing such a thing, but the bond between the father and the samurai was unspoken and on a different level. The only other person who could do as Michonne did was Beth… She sat next to him on the back of the bus and fed the baby while they headed to destination unknown.

After babbling baby talk, she looked at him. "Carl was teaching Gabriel some survival techniques, but since this has happened he has stayed away from him." Rick knew his son was sitting alone in the middle of the bus. He was not trying to pull away from him as he did when Lori died, but his son did it. He pondered if Michonne realized that Carl was talking to no one but Michonne.

"Why do you two even feel the need to protect that sonovabitch?" His accent pinged on anger, but was delivered calmly.

She began to burp the chubby little one. "If we ever find somewhere, where they may have some civilization, we have to remember who we are. We are still human, we still care. We have to be."

The former sheriff pinched his nose. "Ever since you saw that hospital, you changed a bit 'Chonne. Where is the woman who knows that what those people believed in wasn't real? Who knows that this place is not safe anymore? I need her back – the one who didn't listen to me one bit when I asked her to stay and not look for the fuckin' governor! The one who needed her sword, because in truth you cannot survive out here without being a killer?"

They violently stared. This was the first time since creeping into Terminus that he ever saw her tears. On some level he felt remorse. On the other hand, he wanted to wake her back up.

"Rick, how dare you?" This was the most intense she had been since he dug into her bullet wound. "I'm not just that person! We do what we have to survive, but we can't allow this world turn us into monsters…"

"You told Carl you were a monster…"

Michonne was taken aback. It never dawned on her that he was actually within earshot of the two when she consoled his son. His way of apologizing was via grabbing her hand, kissing it through tears.

Michonne wondered if Beth's death would lead him to seeing visions once again. The girl was nearing adulthood. She represented the few of the last hopes in humanity – not complaining but knowing that things had to be done. However, she still needed protection, unlike the other women Sasha, Tara, Carol, Maggie…Maggie was still in a cationic state. It was weird for Michonne to feel the urge to be the inspirational speaker. Carl and Judith received her kindness, which was her tribute to her dear Andre. He and those who knew her knew Michonne could brighten up a room with just her mere presence. These people did not know her in that way. They didn't know her as the elegant social butterfly who held fundraisers at galas to support the inner city youth in Atlanta. They only saw her as the stoic warrior who all beings who stood on two feet, walkers and the living alike, should fear. She hated that. She also hated that Beth's death could be the nail in the coffin to her new family if she didn't wake them the hell up. Beth possibly had an inkling that Michonne was once more loveable to just Rick and Carl, but any further development of that was wiped away. Her lower lip quivered.

Rick considered bringing up her son, but his instinct told him to let her do that. He had already done enough damage. "I need you," he whispered while looking at the floor.

"Rick, so do I." They both pierced into each other's eyes; blue and brown melted into each other. The sorrow was thick amongst the atmosphere of the bus. He wiped a tear that drifted down her ebony cheek, noticing how magical his skin contrasted against hers. Where was she before he met Lori? Would he have fallen into unison with her if they crossed paths in the past? It would be more tragic if the Turn was needed for him to find someone who completed him as much.

"They shoulda listened to me." His hands still held hers while she cradled a sleeping Judith. "Bob would still be here. Beth would still be here." He slowly heard Bob's last words whisper into his ear.

On cue, Michonne responded, "don't let that eat you. If I let that eat me, I would have either become that person who wasn't living again, or would have reminded you and Daryl to no end." Her words made him replay so many instances of them pleading to give up the search for the one who destroyed their home. "Don't do that Rick, your people need you. Your children need you. I need you. Don't lose you."

His chest heaved. His fingers twiddled and twisted his wedding band after slowly letting go of her hand. "I…I love you."

"I do too."

AN: I sometimes wonder if these two characters realize that they love each other, or am I just seeing thangs. This is my second fanfic, and I've been moved to write some after reading many of the fantastic ones that you all have. Thanks for reading!