A/N: I know a lot of you are concerned about the age difference (as expected) but trust me :)

I can't tell you anything just yet.

Hang in there, you're going to want to see where this story goes. Thanks for all the support!

Enjoy :)

…...

Michonne walked slowly down the school's hallway as her eyes roamed around the student's god awful art plastered on the walls. Excluding herself, the students had yet to arrive. It was only eight in the morning, exactly thirty minutes before school was due to begin it's long and agonizing day.

She passed a few open doors, catching glimpses of teachers setting up shop in their class room's in preparation for the day's lesson plan.

Reaching her destination, Michonne pushed the bathroom door open and quickly turned the lock behind her as a precautionary measure.

She stood in front of the mirror as she took in her appearance. The deep purple bruise blossoming on her left cheek wasn't exactly subtle, but besides that she looked fine, she thought.

Sighing, she retrieved here makeup pouch from the bag swung across her shoulder. The last thing she wanted to do was suffer through the rest of the school year, forced to listen to updated rumors circulating around the school starring herself. Gently, she applied the concealer on her stinging cheek and used a sponge to blend and smooth out the imperfections.

Hitting her in the face was something he'd typically avoid acting on. But then again, hitting her by any chance was something he would have never done beforehand. Things change, Michonne rationalized, and due to certain events, people change too; for better or for worse.

Finishing up her simple makeup of concealer and powder, she washed her hands and checked her face in the mirror one last time.

Satisfied the bruise wasn't showing through, she made her exit with two minutes left to spare before first bell. As expected, the halls were once again overcrowded with loud and entitled trust found babies who wasted their life away with the selfish delusion that the world revolves around them.

Walking towards homeroom, Michonne's thoughts wandered back to the events of last night.

Even knowing there was a possibility he'd do it, she had still been surprised when it came. In the past, before everything, he'd surprise her with concert tickets and fine gifts. But now, especially after everything, his surprises tended to be hurtful.

But despite everything, Michonne had a clear understanding as to why he's the way he is now, and honestly...she couldn't blame him for it.

…...

Only the second day in and already Michonne had several work assignments due by next Tuesday. Though, admittedly she could use the distraction.

Rounding the corner leading towards the cafeteria, Michonne stumbled back as a heavy body roughly collided with her right shoulder, the impact forcing the book to fling from out of her hold.

"Hey, psycho bitch." A bulky girl chortled, stopping in her tracks after nearly plowing down Michonne's much smaller frame. Her brassy laugh traveled down the vacant hall creating an irritating echo. Michonne shot her an annoyed look, quickly assessing the girls appearance. Based off the girl's build, but more importantly the team jersey she sported, it was clear she captained the schools varsity wrestling team. Though the assessment did little to intimidate Michonne, she could handle her own if need be.

Huffing a tired sigh, Michonne crouched down to retrieve her paperback from the grimy floor. Straightening her posture, she felt a mild strain in her shoulder and a sharp, throbbing pain shooting up and down her right arm. She was not in the mood for this.

"What?" The girl smiled in mockery, noticing Michonne's heated glare. "You gonna do to me what you did to that girl last year? What was her name again?" The rhetorical question was meant to provoke Michonne, she knew that, which is exactly why she didn't react. She was so over the high school drama.

Shooting the girl a dangerous look, Michonne turned and continued her way to the court yard, uninterested in being anyone's entertainment.

"You were a lot scarier last year." The girl scoffed. "I guess they really did tame you while you were locked up in that loony bin, huh?" she cackled as she watched Michonne breeze through the cafeteria doors.

…...

Walking through the grass and heading in the direction of the bench seat, it didn't take long for Michonne to notice him standing there. His hand casually resting in his pocket with a steady gaze trained on her.

Having already been spotted she knew it was too late to back out. She hesitantly proceeded towards the former law enforcer, her eyes traveling the length of his body at a slow pace, once again perplex by his presence. For the second day in a row she pondered why he chose to come here.

Coming to a complete halt, she stood directly in front of her English teacher.

He looked well dressed in his casual work attire. His curly hair was combed back, making his jaw line appear more pronounced.

Biting her lip, she felt her heart do a tiny flutter unexpectedly.

"Mr. Grimes." She greeting, sounding a lot calmer than she actually felt.

"Afternoon, Miss Anthony." Rick tilted his head like a southern cowboy. "How's the day treating you?" Michonne quirked an eyebrow as she noticed his eyes quickly scan across her face.

"As fine as always." Michonne shrugged her good shoulder. "Though, I'm starting to think you have an aversion to the teachers lounge. Either that or no one has told you how to find it. It's inside the building, in case you were lost." She quipped. Still feeling annoyed from her earlier interaction with that Hulk Hogan bitch in the hallway.

Surprise washed over Rick's expression before the corners of his eyes crinkled with amusement.

"Uh," he chuckled, temporarily at a loss for words. "That's a lot of sass, Miss Anthony." His long, thick fingers combed through his silky hair, squinting down at her, fascinated. "But I guess that's fair." He nodded, smiling good-naturedly.

Michonne shrugged with a small smile, drawing attention to her pretty lips. Rick momentarily captivated by the way the gloss made them look more full and succulent. He rubbed at his neck, feeling the skin starting to heat up. It was an innocent observation, really.

"I was actually looking for you." He explained. Her eyebrows raised in curiosity.

"Do you mind taking a seat? There's just a few things I'd like to discuss with you, if you don't mind?" He gestured towards the vacant bench.

Slowly nodding her head, she held eye contact as she sat down on the metal bars. Rick followed soon after, taking the free spot besides her.

The fact that he was sitting so close made it impossible not to get a good whiff of his scent. She inhaled what smelled like leather and heady cherry wood. Releasing a shaky sigh, she dropped her eyes to her book, gliding her small fingers across the binding.

Noticing her hands were occupied, Rick glanced down at the object rested in her lap, her skirt sitting higher on her dark thighs due to her sitting position.

"You're already reading it?" His eyes searching her brown orbs. "It's not due to be read until next month."

She glanced down at her paperback, and laughed a light and airy sound.

"I know." She tucked a loc behind her ear. "I've read this months book. Previously. I don't need to reread it in order to complete the assignment. Invisible Man is an unforgettable book, after all." She smirked.

Grinning at her driven personality, his bright eyes gleamed at her in admiration. He wasn't expecting her answer. She had a way of surprising him, he noted. She really was the perfect model student.

"So you're already ahead of the class, huh?" He chuckled.

"That's what I like about you, Michonne." He said, nodding his head as if agreeing with himself. "You seem driven, your focused." There was genuine praise in his voice.

Abashed, Michonne looked away, feeling her heart do that flutter again.

"So," Michonne shifted, feeling his eyes stuck on her frame. She still wasn't used to the kindness he frequently showered her with. But based on the way he was currently making her feel, she wouldn't mind getting used to it again. "You wanted to speak with me? This couldn't wait until class?" She inquired, realizing they didn't have much time until the bell was due to ring.

"No." He huffed a heavy sigh, knowing she wasn't going to like what he had to say. "This ain't something we should discuss in front of your peers." His accent more heavy and serious.

"I don't mean to intrude on your lunch time but I'm not familiar with your schedule. I figured since you won't have a lot of time after class, this was my only opportunity."

With a sinking sense of dread, Michonne realized she had an inkling as to what he might want to discuss with her. She felt her heart rate increasing as a quick panic began to set in. Had someone exposed her already? Perhaps he overheard it in the halls? Was this the moment he'd chastise her for her heinous behavior before ostracizing her, just like everyone else? Momentarily she wondered what version of last November's disaster he heard first.

She knew this happiness wouldn't last.

"That man you got in the car with yesterday after school, was he your father?"

Taken aback, Michonne's wide eyes quickly narrowed into a guarded glare.

"You were watching me." She didn't have to ask, his demeanor was a dead give away. Her grip on the book tightened. Of all the things she expected him to say, this didn't even come close.

"I'm sorry." Rick apologized, noticing her closing herself off. He wanted to do this as gently as possible without making her feel cornered in. "We were headed in the same direction, you didn't notice me. You were close by and I couldn't help but notice what he did."

Michonne remained quiet as she thought about what she should say or if she should say anything at all. Rick understood why this would be a hard conversation for her to have, and admittedly, it was hard for him as well.

"I'm here for you, Michonne." He felt sad and angry for her. He wanted to embrace her, wrap his arms around her so she could feel a comforting touch. He needed her to feel safe with him and let her know she could confide in him. Rick didn't want to risk the chance of making her uncomfortable, so for now he refrained.

"If that's something he makes a habit of doing I need to know. Hearing it from you is the only way I can help you." He tried getting her to look at him, but she avoided his gaze. Rick watched her for a while, knowing he had to be delicate if he were to ever get her to open up to him. Having been on the police force for so long, this was something he was familiar with. He knew the signs.

"You can trust me. I'm not judging you for anything, Michonne." He gently reassured.

He was careful but hesitant as he placed his firm hand on top of her smaller one. His palm warm and heavy as their hands rested on top of the novel in her lap.

When a moment went by and she hadn't pulled away he clasped his hand more firmly around hers, relieved he seemed to be getting through to her.

"We don't have to get anyone else involved who isn't a factor. This can stay between me and you. I can promise you that, Michonne." His thumb gently glided back and forth, caressed her knuckles in a soothing pattern. Her skin soft and smoother than silk.

"I'm with you." His voice filled with sincerity, trying to pour his emotions into her. He wanted her to understand that he was on her side.

Michonne felt her eyes sting, but she refused to let him see her cry. She huffed out a breath of air, trying to rein in her emotions.

Looking up from their joined hands and finding his intense blue gaze, she felt an emotion overcome her that she's never felt before.

"I know." She nodded, feeling grateful for his touch. She'd almost forgotten what it felt like to be comforted, to feel this relaxed by a simple gesture.

God she really needed this.

"But, it's not as bad as it seems." She shook her head. "He's hurting."

Seeing the confusion in Rick's eyes she tried elaborated her statement.

"Yesterday was my fault. I should have been on time, like he asked of me." She uttered, feeling somewhat indifferent. "He's a criminal defense lawyer. The case he's working on keeps getting extended, forcing him to work late hours. He's stressed." She defended.

Rick frowned deeply. Was she being serious?

"Michonne."His voice came out firmer than he intended. It was common for victims of abuse to blame themselves for their ill-treatments, but that didn't stop him from feeling vexed. Taking a deep breath to cool his boiling emotions, he tried again in a calmer tone. "You have to know that isn't true. You have to know that his actions aren't your fault." Michonne grimaced and looked away, feeling conflicted.

Rick sighed as memories of yesterday's assault flashed through his mind.

"There's been other incidents like that." He observed. "The fact that there wasn't any hesitation when he-" Rick shook his head in anger, gripping her hand tighter but still mindful to be gentle. "And the fact that he was so bold, attacking you like that, where anyone could have been a witness. I'm afraid to wonder what he does to you behind closed doors."

Michonne's brows knit together at Rick's confession.

"Nothing happened last night." Michonne rushed to reassure, letting him see the truth in her brown eyes. "Soon as we got home he locked himself in his office. Probably took a bottle of bourbon with him and passed out." She said, as if it were acceptable behavior.

He noticed her eyes were a little red, though there was no evidence of tears.

"It may not of happened last night, but there have been times when he has." Based off of the evidence he's gathered, Rick knew that much to be true.

After a while, Michonne sighed, nodding in confirmation.

"You don't know the whole story." She added, not wanting him to have any wrong ideas about the situation.

"Then tell me." Rick gently implored. "No matter what the story is, I'm not going to abandon you, Michonne. I'm here for you. Nothing's going to change that." He was desperate to get her to see his truth. Their eyes bore into each others as his thumb continued its gentle strokes across her knuckles.

Though, before Michonne could confide in him, the sound of the bell interrupted their intense moment.

"Okay." Michonne agreed. "Another time." Nodding, he gave her hand a final reassuring squeeze before letting her go.

Together they walked back inside the building at an even pace. Needing to retrieve materials from her locker before class, they parted ways in the crowded hallway.

…...

"Why are we going to spend so much time on Epics?" A student in the middle row interrupted Rick's lecture, holding up the syllabus.

Rick stopped mid sentence, turning to address the disruption.

"Next time raise your hand, Mr. Rhee." Rick lightly reprimanded. Glen looked sheepish and murmured a quiet apology.

"I think the quick answer anthropologist have pointed out to us is that we are the stories that we tell." Rick addressed his class while standing in front of the chalk-dusted blackboard. "We are the stories we interpret, and we're the stories that we discard as well. Any civilization and any culture has a series of stories that it tells." He slowed down, noticing students taking notes.

"And for those of us in the western literacy traditions, those stories are built around Epics." Rick turned, writing the word on the blackboard. "Now, can someone give me an example of an epic hero?"

"Gilgamesh."

"Good one, Mr. Porter." Rick wrote the character's name on the board.

"Anyone else?" Class continued on as normal. Rick didn't look at her once during class, wanting to give her a little space in case she needed it. Both acted as if nothing ever transpired between them nearly forty minutes ago.

Unsurprisingly, she didn't participate in class discussion. Though, she did take notes and kept her attention on the lecture, for the most part.

…...

"I will be collecting the homework first thing in class tomorrow. Enjoy the rest of your evening." Rick raised his voice over the bell as the entire student body flocked into the halls, most likely getting ready to make bad decisions.

Rick put papers away as his classroom quickly emptied.

"Mr. Grimes."

His head jerked up in surprise, not expecting her to still be in his class after the bell.

"Miss Anthony." He looked around, making sure they were alone. "Is everything alright?" Noticing she wasn't in a hurry today.

"Yeah." She walked up to his desk where he stood behind it with a few chalk marks on his shirt. "He's not coming today." Michonne explained, seeing his worried expression.

"Why? Because of yesterday?" Rick frowned, wondering the level of her father's cruelty.

"It's not a big deal. I live near by so it's not much of a walk." She brushed off.

"We can have that talk now, if you're sure you want to hear it." Michonne said with confidence. And it was true, the more she thought about it, the more she realized she didn't want to hold on to her secret anymore. She wanted to share it with the one person who actually wanted to hear the story from her, rather than trust the rumors.

"I want to try trusting you." She added. Maybe if she confided in someone she could trust, her life wouldn't feel as bleak anymore.

For a second Rick didn't know what to do with the information. First he felt anger, disturbed that her father could be so unloving, but at the same time he was relieved Michonne was taking steps in the right direction by allowing him to help her. And regardless of his conflicting emotions, he felt a smile tugging at his his lips, happy she was finally letting him in.

"Go get your things. We'll talk about it on the way to your place. Meet me out front." Rick informed. He watched, amused as her pretty brown eyes lit up in surprise.

Since they were going to discuss such a sensitive subject he wanted to do it in a more private setting, knowing she'd feel less inclined to speak as freely as she needed while still on school grounds.

"Thanks." She uttered appreciatively, rewarding him with one of those dazzling smiles he liked so much.

Rick watched her leave until she disappeared around the corner.

He finished straightening up his classroom before making his way towards the parking lot. It didn't take long for them to meet up and make their way over to his parked Hyundai.

Activated the lock mechanism with his remote, he opened his side and waited for Michonne to do the same. He didn't want to make her feel rushed. Michonne hesitated for a split second. It wasn't that she was afraid, she just never imagined she'd be in a situation requiring her to get in her teacher's car.

Reaching a final decision, she took a seat and watched as Rick soon did the same. Closing their door around the same time, Michonne sat back in the large comfortable chair. She couldn't help but notice his scent was a lot stronger in the more limited space.

Figuring she might be hot in his sun-baked car, Rick cranked the a/c to help cool her nerves. Michonne sighed in gratitude as a pleasantly cool breeze gently blew in her face.

"Okay," She straightened, easily finding her teacher's gaze. "It's a bit of a long story but it's best if I start from the beginning."

…...

A/N: Thank you for taking the time to read my story :) Please let me know what you think! I appreciate every last single review you guys take the time to write me. I also love criticism so don't be shy!