Disclaimer: I do not own the Walking Dead

A/N: I had some time on my hands this weekend, and I'm going through serious TWD withdrawals, so this is what I came up with. Enjoy!

Michonne lay naked and satiated in Rick Grimes' tent trying to catch her breath as he withdrew his length from her pulsating wetness. He removed his body from hers and placed his arm over her flat stomach. It was the third time that week that she and Rick had stolen away from the rest of the group to give into their desires. Life in the Settlement was busy, so they both took the opportunity for sexual release when they could. Which lately, Michonne noted, had been a frequent occurrence. The summer evenings were still quite warm and it was hotter still inside the small tent. Her soft skin damp with sweat; her sweat and Rick's sweat. They did not always have the luxury of sufficient time to fully undress when they would meet in secret, but tonight Carl was busy helping Daryl on the other side of the Settlement and Maggie was watching after Judith for a while.

"I should go," she said quietly after a few moments and began to reach for her discarded clothing.

"Why don't you stay a little while longer?" Rick asked, hopeful that she might actually agree to it his time.

"You know I can't," was her reply as she sat up and began to dress. She pretended not to see Rick's barely hidden disappointment as he pulled his arm away from her and searched the dimly lit tent for his own clothes.

It was not easy for Michonne to be open about her emotions. She found that emotions got in the way of things. Got in the way of getting things done, and she prided herself on being efficient. For a time she was content with her relationship with Rick Grimes being purely platonic. Then, when it shifted to a physical relationship, she was content with that as well. She could handle having sex with Rick every so often; it was the other stuff that she couldn't handle. The way that she would catch Rick staring at her on occasion. The way that he had begun to want to hold her after they had sex. How Rick was being increasingly gentle with her and started asking her to stay.

The first time they had been intimate was shortly after their escape from Terminus and their brief time on the road. After reuniting with Carol, Tyreese and Judith, the group had found the Settlement that was established on the grounds of a high school. Some survivors had set it up soon after the Turn and were offering sanctuary to others. It was safe and the people seemed to be alright. Everyone pulled their weight and there was always safety in numbers, but Rick and his group were still cautious and stayed close together, choosing to set up tents near the football field. In the beginning, Rick insisted that Michonne stay with him the children. She did until she secured her own tent. Another Moment of disappointment for him. Not long after, she and Rick went on a run together where they were almost trapped inside a roadhouse by a herd of walkers. She was not certain how it had come to the point where she was laid back on a table with no pants on while Rick stood with his pants around his ankles and his cock inside of her. Maybe it was the adrenalin, maybe it was the only moment that they had been alone in a long time. Whatever it was, it happened so quickly that it made Michonne's head spin. Back at the Settlement a few days later, Rick had approached her to talk about what had happened and they ended up having sex in one of the classrooms. From then on, it had become a regular thing for them. A nice way to blow off steam.

Rick felt a little irritated with Michonne presently. He noticed that she was quite happy to let him fuck her up against a wall, but as soon as he wanted to hold her or talk to her, she put distance between them. Maybe he had different ideas about their relationship than she did. He was never that good at relating to the opposite sex, and he was definitely not good at doing casual sex. He had initiated their first encounter those months ago. They had grown closer over the past year, and being on the road together had brought them closer still. There was always a sexual tension between Rick and Michonne. It was so tense at times that the air felt thicker around them. Others in their group noticed it too, but did not say anything. They did not think Rick would ever do anything about it. The man still wore his wedding ring. Besides, he didn't seem like the type of man that would sleep around. Yes, the world had changed, but for him some things did not.

They dressed in silence as Rick thought of something to say. He chose not to say anything. With his current mood, he knew whatever he said would come out harsh, he didn't want to pick a fight. He just wanted things to be different. He wanted to stop sneaking around, he wanted Michonne; he wanted her fully and in public. He wanted her to want him back. Not just for a while. Rick didn't know how to tell her that. Didn't know if he wanted to tell her that. He was feeling a little foolish, she obviously only liked him screwing her. Nothing else. He felt silly for even thinking that it would move past the sex, that they could make something of it. Move forward. Rick sighed as he studied her profile.

"I'll see you later," was all she said as she smiled and crawled out of the tent.

She did not like to have to seem so cold towards Rick, but she could not admit her feelings for him either; especially since she had decided to end whatever this was between them.

"Ain't you gonna tell your old man about your girlfriend?" Daryl Dixon asked a red-faced Carl as his father approached the two of them with Judith in his arms.

Rick squinted even though the afternoon sun was at his back.

"A girlfriend?" asked Rick with raised eyebrows and a smirk.

"Yeah, a little ginger-haired girl. The boy's in love! Hey Rick, might be time to give him the talk!" laughed Daryl as Carl screwed his face up and rolled his eyes.

Rick let out a chuckle.

"Soon he'll be moving his tent away from yours!" Daryl said as he pushed the boy's hat over his face.

"Oh whatever, Daryl!" was all Carl could say as he grabbed Judith and walked away with a slight grin on his face.

"So," started Daryl. "You gon' tell me who your girlfriend is?"

Rick looked at his friend confused. Daryl pointed to his own neck, then gestured to Rick's.

"You're a bit old now. Best leave the hickeys to Carl, yeah? Makes you look like a slut!" Daryl teased as he laughed.

He felt as if he had not seen her all day. Rick found Michonne at the rations store talking to the young man who was on duty that afternoon. Brett, if Rick remembered correctly, was leaning over the counter attentive to whatever Michonne was telling him. She did not see Rick approach, he smiled as he got closer, looking her up and down. He admired her physique. The only thing better than looking at her body was running his hands, lips and tongue over it. She was stunning to look at, but felt and tasted so much better.

Brett stood up straight as Rick got nearer and interrupted them.

"You got a sec?" Rick asked.

"Yeah, sure," was her reply.

They began walking towards the back of the schoolyard in silence. It didn't escape her notice that she had marked his skin slightly. Her mind wandered back to the previous night as she remembered their encounter. They had had time to really explore each other, to take it slowly. It was one of the longest times they had spent together and it felt very natural. Of course, when they were done and presented with the chance to simply be in each other's presence in an intimate way that did not involve intercourse, Michonne yet again pulled away from Rick.

"I'm leaving for a run in two days, would you be able to watch after the kids?"

Michonne snapped out of her thoughts and gave Rick a small smile.

"Yeah. I can do that. How long will you be gone?" she asked.

"A day or two. Pretty routine, but ya never know how these things will go."

She nodded her head in agreement

"Hey," Rick said quietly as he scanned the yard for other people then reached for her hand, giving in a gentle squeeze. "Thank you."

Michonne smiled sadly, nodded again, let go of his hand and walked away.