Then: October 2007

Music was blaring from one of the rooms in the small suite of their three room shared space. It couldn't have been the other roommate who practically lived in the library, so only one person was at it, again. Walking briskly towards the room, Abbie knocked twice. When no reply came, she knocked again.

"Michonne! I know you can hear me." Abbie yelled. On the other side of the door, Michonne was shaking her ass as the drill beat of Back That Azz Up pumped in the tiny cupboard of a room. The lofted twin bed rested to the right, with standard dorm wooden desk and large wooden chair pushed in. Michonne ignored the knocking while she searched for shoes to match her little red halter dress. When the door swung open with a flourish revealing her spitfire of a roommate in running shorts and a Georgetown t shirt, Michonne barely batted an eye. Abbie went to the CD player on Michonne's desk and turned the volume down, before giving her the death stare.

"What?" Michonne asked, still deciding between the beige wedges or the red pumps. "Where are you going tonight Ms. Independent?" Abbie asked, looking at her friends attire.

"New gallery opened up and the art department is taking us."

"You look like you're going to the club. You sure that" pointing to the short dress that left very little to the imagination "is appropriate for a school function?" Abbie asked as her friend collected her short locs in an attempt to pin them away from her face.

"This is sophisticated." the 19 year old remarked.

"You look like a ho." Abbie said with a smirk.

"And you look like you're missing softball practice. What can I say… I like to stand out." Michonne remarked, walking to her tiny closet to gather her makeup case.

"Why don't you come with me!" Michonne offered a few beats after Abbie had set up shop in the uncomfortable desk chair as she put eyeliner on.

"I have a midterm to finish." Abbie said, it wasn't a Friday, and she definitely knew that if she'd gone out with Michonne, they'd be in for a long night.

"Come on Gabby Abbie. You're in college! I know you put your wild ways behind you and are now living the life of sainthood, but please, let the beast out tonight." Michonne begged, jutting her bottom lip out and giving puppy dog eyes.

"Can't! Professor Mamat is kicking my ass, and I have to pass this class. I'll let the beast out on Friday, after I ace this stupid test." Abbie said, to which Michonne continued to beg and plead. With no budging from Abbie, Michonne left their dorm room and headed for the gallery. Abbie sat at her computer, working her fingers to the bone to complete her assignment. It was going to be a long semester.

Now: Run

They had been walking for days. The car that Jenny had hotwired had ran out of gas about two miles outside of Temple Hill, Maryland. Now, they were traveling along 495, in the hopes of getting to DC by the end of the week. The highway was a mass of cars and walkers, and to avoid the cluster that was forming, they had taken to the woods. Abbie had her pack slug on both her shoulders as she tried to keep up with the swift footsteps of Ichabod. Jenny flanked in the back with her rifle in her hands and Andy trailing to her left. The four survivors had a plan, to get to the archives that some of Franklin's notes had alluded to. They hadn't thought that the apocalypse was going to be zombies. Abbie signed as they came to another fork in the road. They had to head West and North, that much was known. Breaking out of her thoughts the sound of shuffling feet took her out of her thoughts. More fucking biters. Abbie thought as the familiar moans of the undead rang through the air. They'd been surviving for the last two years in Sleepy Hollow, unsure of how the rest of the world was operating. After getting through one tribulation alone as a teenager fighting off Morloch, and subsequently losing Jenny to the system. The war seemed to be over now that humans had somehow managed to outdo the powers of the supernatural by creating an airborne virus that basically infected everyone, reanimating their bodies even after they had died and creating a yearning for flesh. Abbie was ready for more tribulations of the supernatural variety, she didn't think that they'd have to deal with human stupidity to usher in the end of the world as they knew it, that would basically undo everything her and Crane had been working for. She didn't know what the powers of the supernatural could provide in the way of ending all of this, but she had to try. Now, they were walking through Maryland with a mission at hand and not much hope.

"Run" Jenny whispered as the shuffling grew louder. Through the streets Abbie saw about 10 biters heading their way.

"RUN!" Jenny yelled as the 10 quickly became closer to 20 in the span of second. Not thinking of anything, Abbie began sprinting with Jenny on her heels. Ichabod and Andy running ahead towards the trees coming up to them. They didn't know where they were going, but knew that a herd that size wasn't survivable if they didn't get ahead. The stench of rotting corpses overwhelming their senses as they ran. The four continued to run down trails that were well maintained until they had covered some distance between them and the dead. Slowing a bit to catch their breath, they noticed a ranger's hut up the way.

"We gotta keep moving" Andy said between pants. He somehow was still wearing his Sheriff's shift, even though he hadn't been one of those in a long time. He'd told Abbie once while they camped out for the night that it reminded him that there was a way to do things, before. But before was long gone and Abbie had resigned herself to forget that sometimes.

Catching a flash of movement from her right, she saw a few of the biters headed towards them.

"I got it." Andy said, walking slowly towards the treat and taking them out quickly with a knife. Wiping the knife on his pants, he walked towards his friends.

"Lieutenant, it would be of the most prudence to find a residence for our companions to find soe respite for the the eve. As it appears, there appears to be a lodging two meters in distance." Crane noted as he pointed in the direction of the hut.

"We need to get farther away. Those things are not that far behind us and if we stop there, we'll be trapped for God know how long." Jenny said, finally catching her breath.

"Jenny's right. We have to keep going. It sounds like a river is close by. Let's head that way and we can make camp after it gets dark." Abbie said with finality.

The four continued on in component silence as the found the river. With the river to their right, they walked on until the sun began to set. Finding a clearing that provided some vantage on both sides, they lit a low fire to heat up some cans of soup. Sitting on a fel log, Abbie watched Jenny sitting contemplatively. Ichabod and Andy sat quietly eating in close proximity but not speaking to one another. Abbie thought about the decision to go to DC and wondered if she was making the right decision. It was too late at this point to second guess her decision so close to their destination, but they had to try.

"Lieutenant" Crane said, after a few moments, walking towards her and sitting on the log on her left.

"Crane." Abbie replied. She thought how strange it must be for him to have awaken into literal hell. In some ways he was far more prepared to survive this world since the niceties of the last two centuries had fallen away. It was like in the time he had left behind. Abbie wasn't as ready for this world, she'd lived through a lot of personal pain and discomfort but this, this was a nightmare.

"We shall venture forth the nex morrow and abscond another of those automobile machines and continue on with our journey. It shall be alright Abbie." he said, using her turn of phrase to describe the current circumstances.

"I hope so Crane. We have to make it to DC."

"We shall my dear Miss. We are with valiant comrades and will make haste to right the world." He said, before taking his place at the far end of the clearing, a handgun resting on his lap and a bowie knife on his hip. Abbie had offered to take first watch while everyone took a rest. She sat vigil on the log, listening for any sounds other than than the soft snores of Jenny and Crane mumbling. Andy woke moments later to relieve her. He watched as she thanked him before taking her spot on the ground near her sister. It was going to be a long way to Washington.

They had made it across the Potomac Harbor with the assistance of a dingy boat someone had left hidden under a pile of leaves. Crane had stumbled upon the boat which could hold hold three people. Taking turns, the four cross the river into Alexandra. They were heading north, in the hopes of getting to DC over the next two days. They'd made good time after the small herd getting as far away from them as possible. Abbie wasn't sure what they were walking into and she checked Franklin's journal a few times to be certain they were headed in the right had to find something to end this, somehow.

"We'll need to camp for the night." Abbie said watching Andy drag along. It'd been a rough couple days and they were running low on supplies. They'd turned into a town and found a store that was empty but for a few cans of creamed corn and some twinkies. It was getting harder to feel motivated, but they were getting closer. Everyone nodded walking silently through a neighborhood, looking for a suitable place. They'd taken down a few biters along their search and had come upon a gated house. Jenny picked the locks and they cleared out the place. They'd have to stay here for another day to rest up, and Abbie hoped they'd make it to DC. She was tired of the waiting. That night, everyone slept in the living room, while Crane and Jenny took watch for the night.

"Do you hear that?" Glenn asked as he loaded the rest of the supplies into the van. This was their third run this week. After Aiden and Noah had died two weeks ago, Glenn had taken over as the run lead. He was still hurting from Noah's death and Nicolas being a complete dumbass. Tara was still recovering, and Daryl was out scouting with Aaron. Rick had been in a fog recently and he couldn't shake off the feeling that he was planning something. Michonne and Rosita had agreed to come with him, and he trusted them more than all of the Alexandrians combined. They were children, and he wasn't sure how they'd managed to survive so long.

A snapped branch alerted them to the sounds of footsteps. Drawing his gun, Glenn waited for the threat to appear. Michonne and Rosita were still inside grabbing the last bags of supplies.

When he didn't hear the moaning, he cocked his weapon and yelled "Come on out!"

A very tall man in a Colonial jacket emerged from behind the building, followed by two black women, one in cargo shorts and a tank, another in tight jeans and a t-shirt and flanked by an Asian man in a Sheriff's shirt. He laughed a little at the brown uniform shirt that reminded him so much of Rick when they'd first met. He always wondered why he wore his uniform, but understood the desire to retain a part of who he was.

"Looks like you're outnumbered." said the tiny black woman with cocoa colored skin flanked with gold.

"Don't think so." came the voice of Rosita who had gotten behind the group that was now sandwiched between her and Glenn.

"I'd say you're still outnumbered." came the voice of the black woman who Glenn had deduced was the leader of this group.

"Why don't we just go our separate ways." she followed, "We have somewhere to be."

A gasp from behind him caused Glenn to divert his attention to Michonne who had her katana ready. She glanced over the leader in something like recognition. He'd never seen her look so, lost, like she'd seen a ghost. When she came into view the black woman who had been speaking lowered her weapon and smiled. Glenn saw her eyes glistening with tears and he watched as she ran towards Michonne who was already taking long strides towards her. The other members of the woman's group lowered their weapons and watched as the two women embraced each other and cried. The tall white guy's face of consternation giving away that he'd never seen his leader do anything like this before. A gentle tug at his lips, a ghost of a smile played on his face. The caramel colored woman shook her head as she watched the two women, she'd seen that face before, mostly in pictures and a couple times in person and felt a little pang of jealousy as he recognized who was in front of her.

"Michonne." Glenn called, waiting for his friend and confident to collect her bearings.

"Glenn." Michonne said through soft sighs and an almost cute post cry hiccup "It's ok. They're ok." she remarked. Rosita, who had moved from behind the group stood by Glenn, waiting for an explanation.

"Lieutenant" Crane began, causing Rostia and Glenn to quirk eyebrows in question. They weren't expecting the tall white guy to sound so British.

"It's ok Crane. They're ok. They're Michonne's people." Abbie said, taking a step back to admire the woman who had been in her arms moments before. Abbie and Crane just stood there staring at one another while everyone waited for an explanation.

"Whose Michonne?" Andy asked, finally breaking the silence.

"I am." Michonne said, taking a step towards Abbie's group and introducing herself, Glenn and Rosita.

"What are you doing here Abbie?" Michonne asked. Glenn had been watching how the others in her group responded. They seemed like nice people, but people weren't always what they seemed in this world.

"We were headed to DC." Abbie said. Glenn gave Michonne and Rosita a knowing look.

"There's nothing left." he said, causing Abbie's face to turn in disappointment. She almost looked despondent at the revelation.

"What do you mean?" she asked. "If you're looking for a cure, there's nothing left. The government is gone, and we don't know the state of the city. It's probably like Atlanta, gone." Glenn said.

"Long story" Michonne offered. "Do you have a camp?" Michonne then asked, watching Glenn and Rostia who shrugged. They weren't sure how it worked with non-scouts bringing people back to Alexandra, but they'd try for Michonne.

"No, we've been traveling for months to get here. We don't have anywhere to stay." Abbie said truthfully.

"We can bring you back with us. We have a community. Not sure if you'd want to stay, but you can at least rest up a couple days. There is an interview process, but if you're just passing through it should be ok." Michonne said, making a lot of assumptions about the state of the safe zone and it's leader Deanna.

Glenn watched Abbie talk to her companions before giving them a nog of approval. Names were exchanged, as the four loaded in the van with Glenn, Rosita, and Michonne. Glenn drove while Michonne sat in the passenger seat.

"You sure this is a good idea?" Glenn asked Michonne, trusting her instincts completely but having to ask the question anyway.

"Yes Glenn, I do. Abbie was my best friend from college. She was a sister to me in so many ways. I never thought I'd see her again." Michonne said, a stray tear sliding down her cheek. Glenn wondered if it was for the life she'd had or for the person who she never thought she'd see again.

"Plus, she's a cop, and her friends seem to be capable. More capable than the residents." she offered.

"Do you think Deanna will be worried about another large group coming in?" Glenn asked. The surprised look on her face told him she hadn't thought about that, what it would mean to bring four more people into the fray, but it was Abbie, and she couldn't leave her out there.

"We won't know til we get there Glenn. I'll handle it." Michonne said.

Driving up to the gates, Glenn waited to be let in. Nicolas opened and let the car in.

"Will you get Deanna?" he asked the person who had been a coward and tried to kill him.

"Why?" Nicolas asked, challenging his request.

"Because, you putha, we brought people." Rosita interjected, staring him down. She'd had enough of weak mouseface and didn't want anymore bullshit at this point. Nicolas went towards Deanna's while the four newcomers looked on at the large McMansions. Their looks of awe as people milled about as though there were other dead humans eating each other was somewhat funny to Glenn. He'd remembered feeling the same way.

"Yeah. It's not real." he said to the group, causing them to nod in understanding.

"Deanna, will take care of you. I'm gonna drop off the supplies with Rosita." Glenn said "Welcome to Alexandria."

XX

A/D: Hey friends, So I've been working on this story for a minute and it's something I've wanted to do for a while now. I absolutely adore Michonne, she's really one of the few characters in any scifi/fantasy shows that I can really *see* myself in. I also adore Abbie Mills, and find that the two of them have a lot of similarities, strong, powerful, complicated and loving women thrust in really shitty situations, who grace us with so much life. Anyway, this story is really about their friendship. Set in the Walking Dead Universe with some Sleepy Hollow elements, mostly season 1 (cuz I couldn't really be down with how Abbie was treated in later seasons, so it's definitely AU and cannon divergent). I'm making a lot of this up (obvi, cuz fan fic) so lot of folks will be OOC and things are gonna be weird. Just trust that I won't lead you astray!