A/N: The title is a homage to the wonderful ladies at TiTTD's lower decks.

02. The Lower Deck

*Michonne: Table for 2, soonish?*
*Sasha: I got u*
*Michonne: DON'T call me Michonne. Call me JESSIE. Tell Abe*
*Sasha: r u serious?*
*Michonne: CALL ME JESSIE BYE X*

Sasha looked intensely at the text message from her friend not knowing whether to take her serious or not.

"You look like me when I'm trying to spell, what's up?" Abe asked his wife as he continued to serve his patrons.

Giving him her phone he read the messages and had the same dumbfounded look on his face. Jessie? Abe scrunched his face in confusion. "I don't know how she expects anyone to believe her name is Jessie but all right. Probably work related. Or… a little roll-play, you know?" Abe said raising his eyebrows at the insinuation.

"Ugh you're the worst." Sasha sighed, snatching her phone back. "I'm going to prepare the lovers corner for her".

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Rick took in the restaurant. After Jessie had asked him if he liked seafood, which he does, she had suggested this place. The decoration was inspired by the interior of a ship. It was elegant, warm and for some reason, it reminded him of Ireland. He liked this place and he already liked Jessie's taste.

Whilst she was busy looking at the menu Rick took the chance to bask in her face. She was elegance embodied. If he had the ability to freeze time, he would and spend his night admiring her.

Feeling his burning gaze Michonne dragged her eyes from the menu to the handsome man in front of her. They hadn't spent much time together but she could tell he was… different. During the car ride to the restaurant she'd learned that he was a cop. Of course. There was an air of honestly surrounding him. He seemed to be very protective and the sort of man who'd do the right thing even when nobody was looking. Admirable.

"Anything you like?" Michonne asked.

"What do you recommend?"

"Do you really trust me with that, Rick? Food is not a joking matter, you know."

"I trust you, Jessie" Rick said, his eyes twinkling. For a moment Michonne had the urge to tell him her real name, tell him that she'd audaciously stolen him from his real date and that he needed to cuff her to his bed and spank her for being so naughty. She'd give anything to hear her name in that deep raspy voice of his. What the hell have I gotten myself into?

Michonne decided that the only thing that would be fake about her was the name, everything else would be real. She'd learned that he was divorced, had an 11 year old son named Carl and lived in Kings County. Rick was adorable and though the man was confident and strong; he was also very shy.

"Kings County? I've never heard of it. Is it close?"
"I'd say about 40 minutes away, towards ATL." Rick offered.

"Hmm…" Michonne hummed. "Close to Lake County, right?" At this Rick's eyebrows shot up. Lake County was an even smaller county, their department was practically non-existent and KCSD would regularly assist them.

"Yes, it's our neighboring county. Are you originally from there?" Didn't Shane mention something about Jessie coming from a small town but uprooted to the city?

"No, I'm a born and bred city girl. My mother lives there. After I graduated from college my parents were tired of the hustle and bustle. They bought a house in Lake County. Its lovey there, the nature, the fresh air – it feels like a different country. Now it's just my mom there... My dad passed away some time ago. So I'm driving to your neck of the woods at least twice a month." Michonne mused. Rick made a mental note to always volunteer if Lake County ever need assistance.

"I agree…I think the city has its charm though. The stress I could be without but the anonymity? Being able to walk around town without everybody knowing the ins and outs of your private life? That's something I could be without." Rick didn't mean for his words to come out as bitter as they did. But they did and now they were out there; hanging in the air.

Shit. The last thing Rick wanted was to reinforce the whole 'bitter divorced man' stereotype.

He watched Jessie absorb his words. Damn. I don't want her pitying me.
"I'm sorr-" Rick tried to sheepishly apologize for bringing down their upbeat mood.

"Don't be." Michonne smiled. She found herself admiring his honestly. Even if it wasn't pretty. One thing she didn't like about the city was how pretentious people could be. Michonne mused she too was guilty of that, hell she once adopted a Sphynx cat just because the skinny little thing was chic. Now she was stuck with a constantly naked cat that hated being touched.

"Good thing we're having this date here then." At this, Rick smiled.

Rick found that talking to Jessie was easy. Being with her was easy. She was understanding. It was as if she could tap into his feelings and there was no judgement behind her eyes. And she was a flirt. He felt her feet grace the length of his leg a few times and each time he'd tense up. Get hard. Fight the urge to adjust himself. Then she'd trail a decorated finger over the vein that ran down his forearm. She'd do this when he was speaking, causing him to stutter. Which she seemed to delight her very much. Then she'd bite her lower lip and say "You were saying?" Good Lord.

How this woman could even be an acquaintance of Candy's let alone a friend was a mystery. He admired her hustle, her love for justice. Jessie was a sweet tooth, loved cats and comics. Carl's going to be ecstatic. Wait a minute. How the heck am I thinking about introducing her to Carl after a couple of hours? Get it together Grimes. She was smart, funny and way out of his league. Nevertheless here he was; with her. Talking, laughing and flirting.

Michonne was having fun testing the waters. How could he not know how sexy he is? If she could, she'd have her way with him right then and there. Rick had the most beautiful pair of eyes. Michonne could see the sadness in them but there was also something else; Desire. Want. Need. He had mentioned that his divorce was finalized last year and that he was finally moving forward. She suspected there was a lot more pain and ugliness behind his divorce. A great deal of pent up shit.

A man like Rick Grimes shouldn't doubt himself and he should definitely not be alone. If he'd let her, Michonne would end this night on a completely different note. Fuck his brains out, whisper dirty little things in his ear, let him know just how sexy he was and how good he was giving it to her – even if he wasn't. Afterwards she'd set him free with an ego boost. In a sense, Michonne was his fairy Godmother.

Suddenly a large man with an orange horseshoe moustache invaded their privacy.
"Are you two lovebirds enjoying your night?" Michonne smiled warmly at the man.

"Rick, this is Abraham. Abraham this is Rick." Michonne said, gesticulating between the two men. "Abe's the owner of this little place and-" pointing to a caramel skinned woman with short curly hair who was busy taking orders. "That's his co-owner and wife and my best friend."

After exchanging pleasantries Abraham wished the couple a good night.
"It was nice meeting you Rick. I'll see you around MichOOOhhh! Miss, Miss… Miss JESSIE!" Abraham suddenly shouted as he remembered the name. "Sorry about that. Got Torrez syndrome." In disbelief, Rick and Michonne watched as the big man scurried away.

"Torrez syndome?" Rick questioned.
"Yeah, I think he meant Tourette's syndrome." I am going to strangle him.

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The air around them was Heavy.
Heavy with desire. Heavy with things unsaid.

The night was young but he had just met her and didn't want to exhaust her with his presence on their first date. Saying that Rick was infatuated would be an understatement but he'd keep those feelings under wraps for as long as he could. Shane warned him about coming off too strong. Standing outside her front door, he didn't want to overstep any boundaries. Kiss her. Ask for her number. Go home.

Rick leaned in to give Michonne a kiss on the cheek. Carefully, she put her hand on his jaw and guided his lips to hers. I've already hijacked this date I might as well hijack a kiss. Give him one night he'll never forget then set him free.

The kiss was chaste. Breaking their kiss, Rick looked down at Michonne. There it was again. That flame of desire in his icy blue eyes. Closing his eyes before locking lips, Rick wrapped his forearm around her waist. Yes, that's it, Cowboy.

Throwing caution to the wind Michonne flicked her tongue across his lips eliciting a soft growl. Coaxing him even closer to herself, Michonne held Rick by the curls decorating his nape. Snaking her tongue into his mouth she teased him with small thrust and flicks of her tongue.

She alternated between sucking his lips, his tongue and holding his lower lip hostage between her teeth. She wanted him to go unhinged for her, to come out and play. And he did. Giving as good as he got, Rick covered Michonne's mouth with his, devouring her lips. His hands groping her ass and thighs. Breaking their kiss to catch their breaths Michonne dragged her hand from his curls to his hard chest, loving the feel of his strong chest. Detecting an erect nipple under his shirt Michonne started to stroke it, never breaking eye contact.

Fuck. He was about to cum in his pants like a prepubescent teenager. His dick was pulsating painfully with need and his boxers were nearly soaked with pre-cum. She was teasing him, waking up a side of him that, in all honesty, scared him. The things he wanted to do to her. Shit.

"You wanna come inside?" The sultry and rich voice he'd been enjoying was now an airy whisper, heavy with desire and the innuendo in her question wasn't lost on Rick. He wanted to come inside. Badly.

"On one condition…" His words were lazy, his twang more distinct and gruff. Holy shit. The gruffness of Rick's voice made Michonne drip. Still stroking his hard nipple and grinding herself on his even harder meat Michonne tilted her head, curious as to what her cowboy wanted.

"Tell me your name".

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A/N: Again, I apologize for any errors. I appreciate reviews, advice and/or constructive criticism. Thank so much you for reading.