As She's Walking Away
A/N: Many TWD fans (not just Richonners) have pointed out that they just can't understand the attraction Rick has for the one who shall remain nameless. I am of the same thinking; where's the chemistry? Now, I can understand how he would react to seeing Michonne for the first time in that type of setting. So, I have come up with this AU set in Alexandria when Rick and co arrive and he sees Michonne, who is already a resident there, at the welcome party. This is a total remix because why the hell not!
We never spoke a word but every thought she had I heard from across the room…*
"It feels weird, don't it?" Rick said to Maggie as they waited for Glenn to fetch them a drink.
"Sure does," Maggie replied as they both glanced around the room; the party was in full swing.
The soft lighting and music gave the feel of a festive ambiance. People were smiling, laughing and conversing amicably. It was a far cry from what Rick and his group of survivors were used to; he hurriedly took the glass of whiskey from Glenn and let the harsh liquid slide down his throat. It did not help to ease his rising anxiety and annoyance.
How can these people just throw a party? He thought to himself. Don't they know what's outside of these walls? There's not much left to celebrate.
"Guess we should try to have some fun," offered Glenn while taking hold of Maggie's hand and leading her away.
"Go on," Rick started as he leaned against the wall and looked at them amusedly. "Go mingle."
He kept an eye on Carl and Judith who were seated with a group of children on one of the sofas while nursing another glass. His eyes travelled over the groups of people as he sporadically caught the eye of one of his own people. They would acknowledge one another and continue to survey the immediate area or go back to their conversations. Suddenly, something made Rick look towards the front door as it opened; in stepped a woman who captured his attention.
Hello, he thought. I don't remember meeting you earlier.
She was wearing a tightfitting white, strapless dress that came just below her knees. It contrasted strikingly with her radiant dark skin and hugged her phenomenal physique in all the right places; accentuating her curves at her hips and her chest. Her dreadlocked hair was pulled high into a ponytail atop her head and the silver chain earrings she wore hung down the length of her elegant neck. Rick pushed himself from the wall and stood up straight, firming down his white dress shirt with one hand and cupping his whiskey with the other.
He could not draw his eyes away from her. She walked further into the room and greeted those she passed with a smile so bright that it made Rick's knees feel weak. She was the living embodiment of some ancient goddess who was out of place in this world of horror.
As she lifted a glass of wine and brought it to her luscious lips, Rick had time to admire her toned arms as his eyes took in her appearance. He did not notice anyone else in the room; it was as if they had all disappeared. He watched on as she walked over to greet some other residents; she walked as if there was a song playing that only she heard. The seductive sway of her hips in time with some unheard tempo or melody.
She stood with her back to Rick, speaking with one of his group members, Rosita. Rick let his gaze fall to the stranger's unbelievably perfect behind. He inadvertently licked his lips as he took another sip of his whiskey. Suddenly, the mysteriously beautiful woman turned around and searched the area where Rick was standing; Rosita said something to her again and her gaze then fell on Rick's.
Her eyebrows lifted slightly as she locked eyes with him. He felt frozen in place as dark brown bored into deep blue. Her small grin she was wearing had softened while she regarded Rick. He wanted to move from his solitary position at the wall and go over to her. To ask her name and try to make some lame joke in an attempt to get her to flash that brilliant smile again.
What are you thinking? He scolded himself. You're meant to stay on guard, stay alert; and here you are ogling some lady you don't even know. Someone who probably can't even look after herself, just like all of these other folks in this place.
He knew he was behaving like a silly schoolboy who held up the wall while the other kids danced at homecoming. Rick shook his head and let it drop; he noticed his glass was empty.
I don't even know her name; I guess foolish pride's to blame…
Rick headed outside onto the porch with a fresh drink in hand and watched the festivities through the window. He could not help but smile a little when he saw his family enjoying themselves. He had promised the others that he would give this new place and its occupants the benefit of the doubt; that he would not go in judging them, but remain vigilant to any trouble that could arise. He saw right away that the people in Alexandria were a little naïve as most of them had been there from the onset. He had not really intended on getting to know many of them right away, but then he saw her again.
She had left the room previously, Rick noticed, but had now returned. She held her glass in one hand and something else in the other as she closed the distance between herself and his children. Rick stepped closer to the window to see what was going on. The woman took up a seat next to Carl who was holding Judith and smiled warmly at him. Rick could not hear what they were saying, but saw Carl return her grin as she handed over what looked like two candy bars.
Rick opened the door and stepped back inside, but the woman had already gone somewhere else.
We were standing face to face I couldn't find the words to say; gimme one more move.
Rick found Abraham and stood next to him; he noticed his friend was drunk and boisterous, obviously enjoying the free flowing alcohol. Rick chuckled at him slightly and then started searching the room once more. Before Rick knew what was happening, the woman in the white dress began to approach him. She weaved her way through the crowd of people until she was standing before him. She smiled coyly, sipped her wine and then she spoke up.
"Hi. I didn't get to meet you earlier. I'm Michonne."
She held out her hand and he took it fully expecting it to be soft and delicate, like he thought she was; instead, her grip was firm and her hand slightly rough.
"I'm Rick," he answered shyly. "Oh, and this is Abraham."
He added to quell the utter anxiety he was feeling at having her stand so close to him; she was even more beautiful up close. Her plump lips were shaped like a heart and her impossibly dark eyes were shrouded with long lashes that she peered through when she looked at him. Rick had always been shy around pretty girls when he was younger, but Michonne was this beautiful woman who seemingly wanted to talk to him and he was becoming stuck for words.
"Yes, Abraham and I met before," she replied politely, glancing in his direction.
"Sure did darlin'," he said with a wink. "How are you enjoyin' the soirée?"
Michonne chuckled a little at his attempt at flirting.
"Oh, it's nice. They like to throw these things every so often," she said, sneaking another look at Rick who was captivated by the rich cadence of her voice.
"They? I thought y'all was one big happy family, sweetheart," said Abraham as he took another drink.
"Oh, sorry. I haven't been here that long, a few months or so; still getting used to the whole 'us' thing and the parties too, if I'm being honest," Michonne offered in good conscience, hoping that Rick would inject himself into the conversation; he was handsome and interesting and she recognized something in his stare.
He remained quietly fixated on listening to her speak.
"So, what do you like doin' for fun if parties ain't your thing? I'm up for some fun if you are, what you say?" asked Abraham, none too subtly.
Michonne looked a little shocked at Abraham's forwardness and Rick became irked by it. He was a little more annoyed with himself for not being able to talk to this Michonne who was stunning to look at and seemed interesting and clever.
"Sorry, Red. I'm gonna have to give you a raincheck on that one. Nice talkin' to you, Rick," she said as she smiled and walked away.
"Oh man," said Abraham to Rick. "I think I'm fallin' in love."
Rick nodded at him and finished his drink.
Now I'm falling in love as she's walking away
And my heart won't tell my mind to tell my mouth what it should say
I may have lost this battle; live to fight another day
Now I'm falling in love as she's walking away
*Based on lyrics by Zac Brown Band's As She's Walking Away
A/N: Aww, Rick can kill a zombie with his hands but can't talk to a gorgeous lady? He needs to fix that. There's more to come.