STAND BACK

CHAPTER 1

No one looked as I walked by

Just an invitation would have been just fine

Said no to him again and again

First, he took my heart, then he ran..

Michonne stood in a corner looking around the room, she really didn't know what to make of the scene or the people in it. A Party...it felt surreal , she really couldn't believe it, she was standing in a room full of people with a glass of wine in her hand in a dress and people were schmoozing. She shook her head and sighed deeply and turned to stare out the window she was standing next to. She could feel her hand shake as she brought the wine glass up to her hand.

"hey" said Glenn coming up behind her looking pensive, Maggie was right behind him and they both were wearing the same expression. Maggie looked at her and smiled , but it seemed more like a frown. Michonne smiled back at her even if it was a bit tensely.

"You believe all this said Glenn"looking at the scene

Michonne looked at him " not really"

Glenn and Maggie both nodded

Michonne could see Abraham out of the corner of her making his way towards them with a beer in his hand, he was grinning from ear to ear

"I'll be damned" said Abe taking swig of his beer, " Can y'all believe this shit"

Michonne couldn't help but laugh at his enthusiasm. She caught sight of Rick and Carl entering the room , he was wearing a white shirt and black dress pants his hair was combed and he was clean shaven he was holding Judith in his arms and smiling even if it was a bit wearily.

Michonne felt her heart skip a few beats, she couldn't seem to take her eyes off him, until she caught Abraham staring at her and smiling, she bit her lip and looked around the room feeling suddenly exposed. It wasn't long before Rosita shimmed up next to Abe. before long Glenn, Maggie, Rosita, and Abe were all talking and Michonned excused herself, she was headed over to the table to see what they had to snack on when she briefly saw Rick look across the room and smile, he was trying to pay attention to what one of the Alexandrian's was saying to him but his eyes kept shifting up to look at something. Michonne followed the direction of his eyes, Rick was looking at a Blonde woman who was across the room, she caught sight of him an returned his smile as she made her way over to him.

She pretended to be engrossed in choosing something to put on her plate but was secretly eyeing every move Rick and the blonde woman made. the woman was smiling and laughing as if Rick was the funniest guy on earth, and she kept touching his arm and Judith, she was sending signals loud and clear for anyone who was interested to notice and Rick was receptive to them. Michonne left her plate picked up her wine glass and headed for the nearest exit which led to the backyard. she felt her throat become thick an coated, and was having a hard time swallowing, she began to feel herself grow shaky again but this time it wasn't from nerves, She felt confusion and hurt, and anger and jealousy , not of the blonde woman but at Rick, there was no mistaken that look he gave the blonde whose name she couldn't remember, but it was definitely one of mutual attraction. She wanted to believe she was over reacting after all hadn't they been building something her an Rick, she was so sure at least she had been before tonight and now her hopes and dreams seemed to be hanging by a fragile thread. They had only been in Alexandria for two days..was that all it took , two days and a blonde for Rick to forget that she existed, had it all been in her head..had she made up some relationship that didn't exist..maybe the relationship that she was imagining was one sided, Rick had feelings for her she didn't doubt that for a minute, but maybe it was a brotherly love..and not the romance she had held secretly in her heart, maybe she had misread those looks and stares those looks that said so much..but apparently said nothing ,..now that they were in Alexandria..Rick had options now. Michonne felt disgusted with herself, she had no right to feel the way she did , nothing had ever been spoken..Rick was not hers to feel any type of way over, and yet she couldn't help herself. Michonne clenched her fist trying desperately to hold in the tears but she couldn't. The man she adored, dreamed about was looking at another woman the way she wanted him to look at her. She wanted him but she didn't want him if he didn't want her back.

"He's a fool" said Abraham suddenly appearing next to her leaning over the porch

Michonne wiped the tears from her eyes but kept staring ahead, straight not saying a word.

"I saw you in there , saw the way you were looking at him, saw him in there with that woman" Abraham took swig of his beer and looked at her, They both stood staring off into the night for awhile not saying anything.

"Hell" said Abe after awhile" you're to good for him and a broken heart is a damned thing, its a damned thing"

Michonne looked up at him this time, if she didn't know better she would almost think he was flirting with her. "And what makes you think my heart is broken" said Michonne softly

"A man can tell" said Abe..and besides you wouldn't be out here crying your eyes out, you and Rick y'all been together for awhile damned if I didn't think you already had something going on behind the scenes, with all the eye fucking y'all be doing"

both Michonne and Abe burst out laughing at that, there was something so open an honest about Abe that Michonne couldn't help but like him.

" No, we didn't have anything going on" said Michonne surprised that she found comfort in talking to Abe about something as personal and private as her feelings for Rick.

" well anytime you need a shoulder to cry on" said Abe almost seductively

"hmmm..well, thanks for the offer I guess said Michonne taken a back ..but Rosita might not like that"

" I Reckon she probably wouldn't " said Abe but its not up to her, Rosita and me, we got together out of , it was convenience it was never serious..not like that"

Michonne couldn't believe the strange turn their conversation had taken

" well just because you think that doesn't mean she does , you really shouldn't be flirting while your with another woman Abe"

"So are you saying you'd give me a chance if there was no other woman in the picture"

Michonne couldn't believe her ears.." wait I'm not saying anything if you don't want to be with Rosita you should end it for you...not because your thirsty for some strange"

Abraham was looking down at her " Just because you've been so wrapped up in your feelings for Rick, you wouldn't notice another man's interest in you if it bit you on that fine ass of yours, I've been trying to get you to notice me for awhile now, your my type of woman.. Michonne and excuse me for seeing a chance and going for it, Rick can wait around for eternity if he wants but I'm not going too.

"Dear gawd" cried Michonne I can't do this right now I just can't..if you know I'm ...in love with him, how can you want me ..knowing that"

" The best way to get over someone is find someone else to love, I'm not asking you for any promises I'm asking for a chance ..you and me ..we could be real good together..will you think about it at least said Abe" taking her hand and cupping it in his big one.

Michonne swallowed hard, it felt good to be touched , to be wanted.."I'...

Just then Rosita came out onto the Porch calling Abe " Oh there you are, she said taking him by the hand, you too Michonne , Deana wants to formally introduce us to everyone, I thought you had left , Rick and Carl were asking about you".

"I'll be there in a minute" said Michonne as she watched Abe follow Rosita back into the party. She could feel a tension headache forming, gathering up what was left of her energy she went back into the party. The Family was lined up like toy soldiers on display as Deana went around asking everyone to say there name, it was quite comical really, when they had finally gotten around to her she couldn't even remember what she had said...Rick was standing next to her , Judith squirming in his hands.

"where were you said Rick" I had Carl looking for you

" I was outside on the porch" said Michonne looking at him tersely, here let me take her she said reaching for Judith she's tired Rick she should be asleep right now"

"hi Michonne I'm Jessie said the blonde smiling at her, this here is my husband Pete, we both just wanted to welcome all of you to Alexandria she said eyeing. Rick.

"Oh..thanks" said Michonne looking up from Judith she hadn't seen Jessie approach

"yeah' said Pete nonchalantly welcome, come on Jessie its getting late"

"Well bye" said Jessie waving.

" She's married" said Michonne looking at Rick

"yeah" said Rick come on lets get Carl and go home.

As they walked back to the house Rick asked her what she thought of the party

"it was strange" said Michonne

" I know said Rick this place is like before I woke up..its like a dream...or a nightmare I can't tell which.

" you seemed to be enjoying yourself" said Michonne glancing at him sideways

Rick hesitated...maybe..I don't know..it was just real strange..

" yeah agreed Michonne ..real strange" in more ways then one but she left that part out of it.