Walking Dead: I, sadly, do not own any of the Walking Dead original characters or zombies (because zombies would be dangerous).

Sprouting

Chapter 1: A Picnic

Michonne's body ached. Her shoulders ached and she rubbed them with her hands. A low moan escaped her lips as her neck lazily hung to the left. She sighed and let her upper body fall back on to the bed. Her feet remained on the floor. She closed her eyes as she heard her fiancé turn on the water for his shower….

This was a happy memory. This is one she should remember. One she must remember. The smell of the lilacs they picked after a 15 mile early morning jog. How pretty the running trail was that morning as the haze hung in the valley and the grass and flowers sparkled with dew drops. She'd worried that maybe, just maybe, someone had seen them illegally picking them from the park. He, of course, reassured her that no one would know.

She smiled as she remembered the moments that followed. She'd slipped off her purple and black spandex running clothes and slipped into the very steamy shower. She closed her eyes, just briefly. Unfortunately, the lumpy mattress brought her back to reality. The harsh reminder that life wasn't filled with long fun runs through the park followed b y hot showers.

A half-smile remained as she opened eyes . She looked around at the dirty prison . Yes, this is now life. She is now surrounded by dirt and death. She sighed and sat up. It was still very early morning. She grabbed her sword and headed to the watch tower. Maybe there's something going on there.

As she approached, she remembered who was on guard duty. It was Rick. She pause d outside the door, she wasn't certain wanted to go in. In fact, she was seconds from turning around when he pushed the door open slightly for her. She slid in the guard tower.

They had no idea where the governor and slipped away too. Both Michonne and Rick felt this wasn't good. After all, the governor wasn't going down without a fight before and there was no reason to think he'd changed his mind. They anticipated he was looking for reinforcements and would be back. At some point, the question would be when. And what type of reinforcements he'd be returning with. Personally, she'd hoped he would come with unexperienced soldiers again but suspected that wouldn't be the case.

Rick smiled at Michonne as he opened the door for her. It had been routine for her to slip up early in the morning. He hoped it was more than a lack of sleep pulling her up here so early in the morning. He certainly enjoyed the company, even company that didn't speak much. Heck, he preferred the company that didn't speak a lot.

"Good-morning," his eyes still searched the field for anything suspicious. She liked that about him, he was always looking out for the group. He was a good man to his core. There certainly weren't many of those around these days. Well, not many men around in general.

"Morning," her answer short and direct. Michonne felt that was best. The less she said the better. This upside down feeling in her stomach wouldn't help her much. It made very little sense to have these feelings at this time. She reminded herself of her fiancé and his death. Yeah , she wasn't crossing any lines here. "Anything exciting happening out there?" Her eyes intently scanned the horizon.

"No. It's been quiet. Besides the usual walkers." He watched her for just a few seconds. The early morning sunlight reflected off her dark skin in a way that reminded him the world was a beautiful place to be.

Michonne sat quietly most of the early morning hours until Carol came up for watch. Rick excused himself, she watched him leave. It was comfortable between them. He didn't feel the need to fill the air with a lot of needless chatter. Michonne appreciated that since she wasn't a big sharer. Michonne sat during forty-five minutes of Carol's watch before she felt the urge to go look for some breakfast.

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Several hours later Rick asked Michonne to join him in a brief walk; she agreed all too quickly. Or so Glenn thought. He 'd been watching the two of them dance around each other for several days. Alas he had too much to get done today. After all, the wedding was only a few weeks away and there was still so much to do. Very soon, Glen and Maggie would be husband and wife. He knew he would be the husband she needed.

Michonne and Rick had been subtly, or so they thought, flirting for some time now. Today, they were walking the parameter in search of breaches. Several times a day two people walked the parameter to ensure no walkers get in. It can be a long and awkward depending on whom you go with. If she was being honest with herself, she would admit, she particularly liked going with Rick.

The walk went quick as there were no breaches. Rick was relieved but disappointed at the same time. He liked spending ti me with Michonne. She knew what it was like to miss someone so badly that you see them. She didn't judge him and didn't look at him with the pity that Rick felt sometimes from the others.

"Looks like that's it," They made it to the fence line end. Standing up from his hunch position checking the fence, he squinted from the sun when he turned to face her. "Can I ask you a question?"

Silently Michonne nodded.

"Your fiancé, do you see him anymore?" It felt awkward asking her that, but he really needed to know.

"Not as much," came her simple answer. It was a bit more complicated than that. She'd talked with him for hours every day up until right before she met Andrea. Then that changed. And now, living here at the prison, he hardly ever came around. It was as if, now, having a purpose and interacting with people scared him away. She missed him, or well, her hallucinations, some. He'd helped her survive for so long that it was odd not to see him over her shoulder or walking along side of her.

Rick noticed Michonne was lost in her thoughts, he cleared his throat. "One more question, why did he go away? I mean is there a reason?"

Michonne was quiet for several seconds and the lack of a response made Rick fidget. "Maybe you don't know why. And well, that's OK. I just, well, was wonder ing… ."

Michonne interrupted him, "Real people. I found a purpose to live again, not just survive." She paused and searched his face. "Do you still see your wife?" This was a question she'd been wondering f or a while. She hadn't noticed the absent looks or the staring off into space nearly as much anymore. In fact, it had been a few weeks.

"No. She's slowly not coming around. And, well, I can't decide if that's a bad thing or not. You know?" He was most certainly confused about his mental health. "Hallucinating is bad, but, well, I almost feel like she kept me sane. Kept me on the right track." He shook his head. "And well, now, I can't help but to wonder if I'm on the right track or so far off that she doesn't feel like she can get me going the right way…." His words started fade.

Michonne reached and gently touched his shoulder. "You cannot worry about her coming and going. When she's here, she's here. When she's not, she's not. If you sit and wait on her, your life will be over." She gave his shoulder a few quick taps. His hand rises up and grips her hand .

"Thank-you. I don't feel it's a good idea to talk about these things to the others. They don't understand as well as you." He smiled slightly and let go of her hand.

The original group had assembled in their cell block and we're discussing going on a supply run. Tyrone was with them, he was talking about a large supply at the town.

"Now I didn't actually see all of it, it was classified information. But, I know there's quite a bit of rations and guns ." Darrel and Glen listened carefully.

"Do you think the governor went back for it?" Glenn questioned.

"Maybe. If not, we could use the supplies." Daryl stood with his foot resting on the table's bench with his arms were crossed across his chest.

"It would be good to get stocked up, just in case…." Carol trailed off. She didn't want to finish her sentence.

Rick was quickly filled-in and it was decided. Tyreese, Daryl and Glenn would go to find any supplies left in the town.

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Carol walked Daryl out to his motorcycle. They talked lightly as they walked. She felt oddly nervous about this run. She knew they needed the supplies but she worried the governor may have the supplies guarded. She cared for Daryl and didn't want anything to happen.

Daryl packed his saddle bag and slung the bow over his back. "We'll be back soon". He glanced over his shoulder.

"I know." Carol said and repeated herself when Daryl gave her that look. Her arms hugged her stomach. "I can't help but to wonder if that man hasn't taken the supplies or worse…." Her voice trailed off . "Well, none the less, be careful. "

Daryl faced her; he hated seeing her worry about him. She worried about him too much. "I'll be back. I promise."

She smiled and said, "Ok. See you soon." She wanted to hug him but didn't know how he'd respond. So, she didn't and stuck with the reassuring smile.

Tyreese started up the pick-up and Glenn opened the door and set his gear, a rifle and back-pack, inside. When he turned around he was nose to nose with Maggie. They embraced and Maggie kissed Glen she were sending her soldier off to war.

Standing behind Daryl sitting on his bike, Carol saw Daryl shake his head and look away. Carol leaned and whispered something in his ear. He smiled and gave her a head nod. He started up his bike and loudly said, "Come-on, we're burning up daylight!"

Maggie released Glen and the group lined up to head out. Daryl was in the lead followed by the old pick-up truck. Carol remained still, right arm hanging at the side with her left hand waving in the air. Maggie solemnly watched as they reached the gate were Rick and Carl closed and l ocked it behind them.

When out of eyesight, Carol wrapped an arm around Maggie, "Let's go see what we can get together for supper tonight. They'll be hungry when they return. And we can talk about the wedding." The two walked slowly back into the prison.

Michonne opened the door a bit too quickly finding a very startled Carol and Maggie standing there. The exchanged pleasantries as each quickly passed heading their separate ways. Michonne headed through the yard toward Rick and Carl . Her sword across her back and a bag in hand. Rick greeted her a bit too eagerly when she approached them.

"You were a little busy during lunch time, so I brought some to you." She held up the hand with the bag, a blanket swayed as it hung evenly over her forearm . Rick raised an eyebrow at the site of the green, wool blanket. Michonne smiled, "It is a beautiful day for a picnic . If you'd like."

"A picnic?" Carl hadn't been on one of those in what seemed like a lifetime.

Michonne raised an eyebrow, "Yes, a picnic".

The three settled in on a patch of grass middle way between the prison and walkers. The conversation mostly remained light talking about the weather, upcoming summer season, the wedding. There was much needed laughter. Michonne had packed dried meat and canned fruit. She rested back on her elbows with her legs outstretched in front of her. Rick sat perched on the edge of the blanket at her feet. His chin rested on his hand which was on his bent knee.

Carl sat crossed leg on the opposite side of the blanket at Michonne's head. Carl lazily watched a couple bunnies chase one another across the field a few yards away. Michonne watched Carl out of the corner of her eye as she watched Rick lost in thought staring at the grass.

She nodded toward the bunnies, "Why don' t you go catch one of those?"

"What? Me?" Carl was surprised by the suggestion.

"Yeah, you know get up, ran after it. And catch it."

"What would I do with it if I caught it?" Carl was quite skeptical of the whole idea.

"We could eat it." Michonne flatly said. "It would be nice to have some fresh meat."

"Remember when mom made rabbit soup when we were outside of Atlanta?" Carl looked at Rick who nodded. "That was good soup." Carl's mouth was watering thinking about rabbit soup.

"Well, get to it then. Catch the bunnies ." Michonne urged him on but he didn't move. "Come on now, kids use to run all the time for fun."

"I could shoot it," Carl reached for his gun.

"Be a waste of ammo," Rick had declared. "We need all the ammo can have."

Carl thought about, "humph. How hard can be to catch a few bunnies?" He got up quickly and they scattered a bit further a way.

Carl tried to much failure to catch the bunnies. He ran bent over just for them to dart one direction or the other. He was tripping over his feet left and right; you would've thought he was wearing shoes two sizes too big. He looked so very ridiculous running along that each trip and stumble sent Rick and Michonne into a giggling fit.

Frustrated, Carl said to Rick, "If you think its funny why don't you try it!"

"I think I may!" Rick stood up and the two tried to work together to corral them. After multiple failed attempts they'd cornered two bunnies together. Using his fingers, Rick counted to three and then the two dove at the bunnies . Grass was flying everywhere as the two wrestled and grunted fighting to catch a bunny. When the grass settled, Michonne was in a fit of laughter and Rick was shouting "I got one! I got!"

Michonne stopped laughing and looked up, Rick had caught Carl's wriggling arm and a bunny hopped right in front of Rick and Carl. Unable to obstain from laughing, she collapsed rolling in laughter. " I got it! I got it!" She mimicked Rick.

"Very Funny!" Rick let go of Carl's arm. "Why don't you try to be helpful verses just lying there?" Rick walked over and playfully kicked her in the butt as she rolled.

Straightened out and forcing herself to gain composer she said, "OK. I'll help."

The three began cornering their bunnies together. The six of them were all huddled to together and they were just about to reach down and grab one, when Carl's bunny jumped over the other two and started to make its escape. Carl slipped underneath the other two London Bridges style and followed his bunny. Michonne and Rick simultaneously reached down to grab a bunny when they slipped and rolled down the slight slope in the yard with Rick landing on top of Michonne.

For several seconds longer than necessary they laid like that. Neither one moving and both barely breathing. They stared into each other's eyes as if looking into their souls. They were hidden well in the grass, if it had not been for Carl calling out to them, Michonne was quite certain they would have kissed.

But instead, Rick scrambled up and offered Michonne a hand. She held up her left hand revealing she had somehow grabbed one of the bunnies by its ears and not released it in the cumbersome roll down hill.

"Over here Carl!" Rick called out.

Carl turned around revealing a bunny in his hand. "Looks like we're getting soup after all!" He exclaimed quite proud of himself.

Carl told them the story of chasing the bunny until they reached a fallen stump. The bunny had to side track because it couldn't get over the stump. He was able to grab it by its ears. When they got back to the prison, the story was retold in a slightly inflated manner.

AU NOTE: thoughts? I'm mostly focusing o n Michonne and Rick, however, the other pairings will work in as they seem natural to the story. I love feedback and concrit so fee l free to throw some my way!