Disclaimer:

I am not the creator/author of the Walking Dead TV series. I did not create and do not own the names of the characters that are Publicly & Commercially linked to the TV series (Rick, Michonne, Carl, Daryl & Carol). This story is a Conceptual Derivative of the TWD landscape.

I'm a fan creatively inspired by the continual 'What Ifs" born of the moments that are not seen on screen.

The story you're about to read was NOT created for or by the owners of the TV series... THIS story is created by Me and is owned by Me. Some of the names of popular characters may remain (Rick, Michonne, Carl, Daryl, Glenn, Enid, Maggie & Carol). Some characters added as the story progresses are wholly fictitious (Rodney, Bex, Joy & Eddie) and are created by me. Timelines and scenery in this story may also be altered.

Due to sexual content and language, Discretion is advised!

This Is Your Home

What A Difference A Day Makes: The Bedrock of Richonne

(Intro)

Description:

This novelette is a re-imagining of the Rick Grimes Crew settling into the Alexandria Community. Point Of Focus: Rick Grimes and Michonne(Grimes Kids included)

In this story we get a window-seat view into the shared life of Rick and Michonne after the Safe Zone zombie battle.
The timeline of this story picks up 6 to 7 months after Carl was shot and moves into present days. Over the last few months an even stronger bond has formed, keeping a makeshift family together. But that bound will be tested, rules will be broken and dynamics & relationships will change..
Can an Alpha Survivor and a Dark Warrioress find common ground? Or, will they pass up a chance at finding true happiness?

A lot can Change in 24 hours; the outcome depends on the choices made.

Epilogue: Flashback To Go Forward

(Coming To Alexandria: Becoming A Citizen)

When Rick and his group first arrived in Alexandria, Spring was just beginning and the rains that came with the season felt like it was trying to wash away the apprehension that clung to them like a shadow. The kind of caution that came from having to fight the dead and the living, just to survive. It took weeks for most of Rick's team to even begin to hope; it was hardest for Rick. But he would try, for his people but mostly for Carl, Judith and Michonne. The crew stuck together, sharing one house and looking out for one another while trying to teach a very sheltered community how to deal with the danger beyond their walls.

They had only been in Alexandria a little over a month when the Community was attacked by a massive herd of walkers. It was during that battle that Carl was shot and wounded yet strangely, it was in that same battle that Rick learned to hope again. For the first time since he walked through that gate Rick saw the possibility for a better life in this place. A life he wanted to share with his son and daughter. Rick wasn't about to just hand that over so he fought, he fought for friends and strangers alike. His crew joined the fight, slashing, cutting, stabbing and shooting; doing whatever it took to survive. Outside of his group the people beside him were not fighters yet here they were, fighting for their home; for the dream of what their home could be.

Rick yelled his encouragement to them, telling them "we can win." Promising them victory. With Michonne at his back they battled long into the night until Alexandria was once again in the hands of the living.
That night they had all earned the right to be called Citizens of Alexandria

Rick knew that life wouldn't be easy, but now there was a chance for it to be a little bit better.

(Signs Of Life)

After the attack on Alexandria the remaining members of the community banded together to repair the walls and secure the Safe Zone once more. A month had passed, Carl was on the mend and everyone was working their way into some semblance of normal routines, trying to carve out a life in this upside down world. After fighting side by side with the Alexandrians "Rick's Crew" as they were often called had integrated in to the community; most now held positions of leadership, helping to restructure and secure their little town. Although they were all still very close, each had their own homes and jobs to fulfill.

Michonne had initially picked out her own home, but she ended up staying with Rick because Carl begged her not to leave; even baby Judith had grown attached to her. Rick didn't want to stand in the way of her independence and he would have let her go, but the truth is that he was more than relieved when Carl said the words he wanted to say. "We need you Michonne," Carl said, looking up at her from beneath the brim of his hat. "I need you, we're family now."

Michonne looked at Rick and then back at Carl and said, "I'll stay!"

Releasing the breathe he didn't realize he'd been holding, Rick nodded his head in agreement, "it's settled then."

Rick and Michonne settled into sharing a space, routines were formed, schedules adjusted to make sure that they were never away from Carl and Judith at the same time. It was a partnership that they were comfortable in. Over the next few months everyone did their part to make Alexandria more sustainable.
During this time there had only been one other attack, this time it wasn't walkers but a group called "The Wolves". It was a Monday afternoon and less than a hundred yards outside of Alexandria's walls, the group of crazed killers had ambushed a six man crew that was returning from a supply run. Daryl jumped on his bike and rushed to their aid, Michonne and Rick ran into the mayhem guns blazing and sword swinging. The three of them had killed most of the attackers, but two got away. Since then for the most part things had been peaceful.

Six months into their new life, Michonne and Rick are something neither of them have taken the time to label. They were friends and partners that often operated as a family, but there was that unseen something, an unnameable "more" that tied them together.

And so it began...