Hey! Thanks for following, favoring and responding to this story.

This chapter focuses more on Rick and Michonne, but there will be some Sasha and Daryl moments and there are a lot more to come in other chapters.

So here we go….

_0_

A Friend….

Five days had passed since Sasha left the hospital and returned to her home. Despite being in familiar surroundings, the Sasha that came back was not the same person that inhabited the apartment before the dreadful day of the accident. The 'new' Sasha drifted into isolation and silence. She refused to resume the life that she had before being in the hospital and insisted that her brother followed her wishes. She gave him strict orders not to bring anyone to see her. It was difficult for her to look upon her scars and did not want others to do the same, especially those that were close to her. Sasha would only allow Tyreese to visit, especially since she could not stop him, even if she wanted to, and he already had a spare key to her apartment. Their parents were no longer alive; they simply had each other when it referred to blood relations.

Sasha would not leave her apartment for any reason, so Tyreese took it upon him to bring her groceries and other essential items she may need. He would come in, greet her, but a response was seldom given on her behalf. There were even days that he would have to force her to eat, because she would just sit at the window with the food in a bow and not touch it.

Her friends and colleagues would try to call her home number or cell phone, but she would never answer. Basically, all she would do was wake up in the morning, shower, and close her eyes as she placed her mask on her face and sat by the window. It was a behavior that was very concerning for Tyreese, knowing how active and energetic Sasha once was before the accident, which changed her life.

One morning, Sasha heard her front door open. She didn't look to see who it was assuming it was her brother bringing food or just wanting to check on her.

"Ty… I thought you were coming later." Sasha said as she stared out the window.

"I guess he will." Answered a familiar female voice. Sasha quickly turned her head towards the voice.

"Mich?… Why?…" Sasha leaped quickly from where she sat and ran to the bathroom and shut the door behind her.

Michonne put down her purse hurriedly on the couch in the living room and walked quickly towards the bathroom door. "Sasha… I know… I get it. I just…I miss my friend… Please open the door." Pleaded Michonne on the outside as she gently knocked.

"Mich… It's not a good time, please, just go." Begged Sasha from the inside of the bathroom. Both women stood at either side of the door hoping that the other would listen and accept. They placed their foreheads on the door and neither one would budge or speak.

Five minutes had passed. "Does he know you're here?" Inquired Sasha finally breaking the unsettling silence.

"Well…" Was what Michonne was able to provide as an answer.

"Mich…You can't put yourself in jeopardy like that. He's not going to be happy. You know how he is with you, especially with everything that has happened."

"Sasha…I know, and you're right, but you're my friend. You're like a sister to me… Besides, when things were hard for me… Well, for him and me, you were there and you never left me… He'll understand.

"Mich…"

"I miss you…I miss my friend." Michonne's words were almost difficult to say as her voice broke and tears followed.

Sasha heard the despair in her friend's voice and felt the same feelings seizing her heart. She slowly opened the door to find her friend waiting with tears in her eyes. Michonne saw the mask, but did not mention it and tried to muster a warm smile, regardless of the sadness in her heart. They slowly hugged and Michonne held on tightly, she didn't want to let go, but knew that Sasha was making a great effort coming out of the bathroom. Michonne didn't want to scare her away, again.

When they parted from their embrace, Sasha looked down and saw Michonne's growing baby bump. She looked up at Michonne's eyes. "How are you feeling today?"

"I'm good." Michonne responded with a smile.

"Does he know you're here?" Asked Sasha.

"Well…" Michonne finally shook her head and sighed.

"You know what the doctor said… Mich, you are supposed to be on bedrest."

"I know and I have been resting… A little outdoors air would do me and the baby some good."

"Mich, you know how protective he is of you, especially with all you guys went through, first with all the infertility issues and then the miscarriages… You have to be careful. You're only, what? Six months now?"

"Yeah, just about… But I feel so closed in sometimes. Rick, Carl… even little Judith doesn't let me do anything around the house…. Listen, I promise to go back home after I leave here, but…"

"But what?"

"Just don't let him know I came here… I won't hear the end of it and he might just hang cuff me to the bed or something."

Both women suddenly laughed at Michonne's description of Rick trying to keep her home and safe. Sasha smiled and remembered how Michonne and Rick met.

XXXXXXXXX

Five years earlier…

Sasha and Michonne were at Sasha's apartment getting ready to meet with some friends and go watch a movie at the local theater. Sasha and Michonne went outside to the car, but Michonne had to rush back in because she forgot something. While waiting for Michonne, so they can leave, Sasha overheard an argument between two men. She followed the voices to the parking lot behind the building, where parking spaces were reserved for the building residents. Sasha recognized the two men in a matter of seconds. The first one was Dale, a tenant that lives on the third floor with his very ill wife and the other man was Nicholas who was recently separated from his wife and children. They were apparently fighting over a parking spot. Sasha knew, that what was happening was none of her business, but she liked Dale very much and she also knew that Nicholas was looking for an excuse to take out his anger on someone. She approached the angry pair with caution.

"Hey… Is everything OK?" Asked Sasha as she looked at the two men, one at a time. Dale acknowledged her with a small smile, but Nicholas would not take his angry and determined eyes off of Dale.

"Listen little girl, I suggest you go away and leave us alone." Demanded Nicholas without looking at Sasha. He was about to say more things to Dale when Sasha interrupted.

"I'm not a little girl and…actually, arguing out in public is kind of childish behavior if you ask me… So, why don't we just go back inside and cool off?" Sasha stated.

Dale listened to Sasha, took a deep breath and nodded. He knew he had more serious concerns than to fight over a parking spot. He was about to walk away when Nicholas kicked the side of Dale's car, making a dent and then proceeded to walk away. Dale ran after the man and pulled him by his left arm. Nicholas swung his right fist and connected to Dale's left temple. Dale fell to the grown. Dale's size and age did not match Nicholas'. Nicholas was about to pounce on Dale when Sasha got in between them and sprayed Nicholas with her small bottle of mace she kept in her purse. Nicholas fell back and ran away. Sasha took out her cell and called the police.

XXXXXXXX

The police arrived a few minutes later. It didn't take them much time to catch up with Nicholas who couldn't run to far because of the pain and lack of vision in his eyes. The officers at the scene were Sherriff Deputies Shane Walsh and Rick Grimes. Rick and Shane knew Sasha through the firefighters versus the police yearly softball fundraiser games.

Shane read Nicholas his rights. The paramedics were tending to Dale and Rick was writing down Sasha's statement. Rick was done with the information he gathered and was about to leave when he noticed Sasha walk up to an unfamiliar woman. It was Michonne, who was waiting for Sasha while standing next to her car. Michonne wore a light blue knee high summer dress with spaghetti string straps and sandals. Her legs were long, dark and smooth and very alluring to Rick. He couldn't keep his eyes off her legs that seem to go on forever. When he finally looked up, it just continued to be great in his eyes, from her tone but yet curvy body, firm arms and her full luscious lips. Her dreads were tide back in a sexy high ponytail.

"Damn! Who's that?" Blurted out a very eager and excited Rick, stopping Sasha in her tracks.

Sasha turned and faced Rick with a puzzled face. "Who?...Oh, you mean my friend over there?"

"Rick! I think we're done here, let's go." Yelled Shane as he opened the driver side of the squad car.

"I… I have to ask a few more questions!" Shouted Rick as he walked over to Michonne.

"Uhm…Rick, she wasn't there." Sasha shared as she walked along side Rick until they reached Michonne.

"Hey, you don't know, maybe…Maybe she heard something. She might have vital information." Rick insisted.

Rick looked at Michonne, nervously took out his pad. He didn't look at Sasha, because all she could do was smile. She knew what he was up to.

"Good evening ma'am… I'm officer Grimes… And I want to ask you some questions." Rick would look at Michonne for a quick second, but then look away and clear his throat.

"Is this about the incident?... Officer, I wasn't there… You see, I went inside to retrieve my…"

"But did you know them… Do you live around here?" Rick interrupted.

"No. I don't… What does this have to do with…?" Michonne looked at Sasha with a perplexed glare. Sasha just smiled and went to the driver side of the car, opened it and sat inside.

"Do you live alone…You know…single?" Asked Rick. He suddenly felt the courage to look up at her eyes and smiled.

Michonne reciprocated the smile with one of her own. She looked into his bright blue eyes as he got lost in her vibrant and sexy brown ones. The stare could have continued for minutes, maybe even hours, but it was cut short with the honking from the squad car. It was an impatient Shane. Shane and Rick had a prisoner to transport.

"Uhm…I guess, your partner needs you to get going?" Inquired Michonne with a small sigh.

"Yeah, we gotta take him in for booking… It's procedure." Rick shrugged and added an awkward smile and nod.

"So…Are you?" Asked Rick, hoping to get the answer he wanted to hear.

"Am I what?... Single?" Rick looked at Michonne, held his breath. Waited for the response. "Yes, I am." She answered.

Rick nodded with delight and took a deep breath. He tried to play it cool, but actually wanted to jump up.

"HONK! HONK!"

"Come on man!" Yelled Shane.

"I'm doing police business!" Returned Rick in a shout of his own. Then he looked at Michonne and in a soft voice, almost a whisper asked for her number.

"My number?... For police business?" She asked and giggled.

"Sure." He retorted and gave her a big bright smile.

They quickly exchanged numbers and Rick ran towards the squad car where a frustrated Shane and Nicholas waited for him. Rick couldn't care less and his smile confirmed it. Michonne sat inside her car and looked over at Sasha who could not stop laughing.

"So… You and Rick Grimes?" Sasha chuckled.

"What?.. It's police business." Countered Michonne as she laughed as well.

"Yeah…right." Said Sasha as she turned on the car.

The two women laughed and they drove away.

XXXXXXXXXX

Present day….

Michonne said her farewells to Sasha as she was getting ready to leave. Before opening the door, Michonne pulled her friend into an embrace.

"You don't have to go through this alone… and I won't let you." Michonne whispered. They parted the embrace, Michonne opened the door, was about to go out, but stopped and turned. "Oh, you can return these keys to Ty… I made my own copy before I got here." She walked out and left.

XXXXXX

Michonne arrived at her home and tried to do what was needed before Rick arrived with the kids. She needed to appear as if she had been in the home all day, resting. Rick even hired a lady to look after her, but unbeknownst to Rick, Michonne called her early that morning and told her not to come over.

Michonne tried to go up the stairs as quickly as she could. She undressed and changed into her pajamas. She heard the door open and voices. She knew they were homes. In a matter of seconds, Carl and Judith were running upstairs and on their way to her bedroom. She had no choice but to hop into her bed and pull the covers over her body. She looked down and noticed that she still had her shoes on. She could not kick them off next to the bed, because that would have been a sign that she was out and Rick, would have discerned instantly. Before Carl could enter, Michonne swiftly covered her feet with her blanket to conceal her shoes.

"Hey… how was school?" Michonne asked with a smile.

"It was OK, and how are you doing?" Probed Carl.

"Me?... Great… You know, just here… Resting." Michonne replied and then illustrated a fake yawn as she stretched.

Judith came through the door running and jumped on the bed. Michonne laughed she grabbed the child and held her in a loving hug.

"Now Judy, be careful…OK?" It was Rick who entered. He picked the kids up and was done with his shift for the day.

"Rick, it's OK, I'm fine… Besides, hugs make me feel better." Michonne said as she hugged the five year old again.

"I know honey, now you two." Rick was referring to his kids. "Go clean up and get ready for dinner."

The kids left in a huff, but did as they were told. Rick sat on the side of the bed next to Michonne as he removed his boots.

"So, did Ms. Clara take good care of my girl?" Rick asked as he leaned in for a kiss.

"Sure." Michonne lied.

Rick looked at Michonne and saw that something was up, but he couldn't tell what it was.

"She did come over didn't she?"

"Yeah… Why wouldn't she… Something wrong?"

"I don't know… You sure you OK?"

"Me?... Of course…It's just…It's my feet, they are swollen, so I stayed in bed for most of the day."

"They are?.. Well just let me massage them." Rick reached for her feet.

"NO!..." Michonne shouted not wanting him to see her shoes. Rick jumped up and almost fell off the bed.

"Geez!...What the hell what that for Mich.?"

"Uhm…Rick, it's that… I have been in bed all these days… I haven't had a pedicure in so long… My toes just might scare you half to death."

Rick gave Michonne a side glare and frowned. He didn't say anything and all she could do was smile and hoped that he would accept her story. Rick was about to speak when he heard the kids arguing downstairs over the remote.

"Rick, you got to go settle that, now." Stressed Michonne.

"OK, I guess… Carl is already fourteen, but still wants to argue with a five year old."

"Kids… Who can figure them out?" Michonne shrugged her shoulders and shook her head. She was relieved that Rick was concerned about stopping the kids and appeared to forget about her feet.

Rick stood up and proceeded to walk towards the door. He stopped and looked back at Michonne. She simply continued to smile innocently. He nodded and left to go downstairs. Michonne rose from the bed, removed her shoes and put them in the closet. She walking back to her bed when she felt a discomfort, followed by a sharp pain in her abdominal area. Michonne stopped and took a deep breath and closed her eyes and then exhaled slowly.

"We are going to be alright." She whispered.

XXXXXXXXX

The evening had settled in and Sasha was perched in her comfortable spot at the window. She watched people walk back and forth. She watched her fellow tenants come and go. She had not seen the strange whistling man with the motorcycle since that night. There was just something mysterious about him and despite only seeing him briefly once, his image and sounds invaded her current thoughts.

From across the street she saw Ms. Jennings with what appeared to be four large bags of groceries. Ms. Jennings lived on the fifth floor with her drug using twenty something years old great-granddaughter, Olive. Ms. Jennings was an eighty eight years old Latina and African American woman, and widow who allowed her great-granddaughter to live with her since other family members declined to take her in. It had not been easy for Ms. Jennings. Olive would steal from her and not help the frail elderly woman around the house or with errands. Before the accident, Ms. Jennings would give Sasha her grocery list and Sasha would bring it for her, now, Sasha watched as the little lady brought it on her own.

Sasha couldn't help. She was not the same person anymore. She didn't want people to see her. She didn't want to be a part of anything anymore. She was about to bring down the shades when she heard a large thump and a cry. When she looked out the window she saw that Ms. Jennings had fallen and all of her groceries were everywhere on the ground. Ms. Jennings was also on the pavement in pain. There were no people around and the frail woman cried out in agony as she tried to salvage her items from the ground.

Sasha wanted to ignore the woman's whimpers, but they echoed in her ears. Sasha cursed the fact that so many people were on those very same streets earlier, but not at such a crucial moment like the one she was witnessing. Sasha tried to shake herself out of what she was about to do, but she couldn't. She walked towards her closet, removed a hooded sweater and put it on. She pulled the hood over her head and walked outside.

Sasha walked up to the woman that was able to lift herself from the floor and had her back towards her.

"Let me help." Said Sasha in a low tone. The woman turned and was startled to see a hooded person with a white mask.

"Please…don't hurt me, I don't have anything." Implored the woman, not knowing who was under the mask.

Sasha took a deep sigh, folded her arms and shook her head. "Ms. Jennings… It's me… Sasha, I came to help."

"Sasha?... Oh dear… What?" Sasha didn't let her finish asking. She started to put items in the plastic bags they were originally in, but most of them were broken in the bottom.

Sasha stopped and looked at Ms. Jennings. "Let me see if I have some bags at home…"

"No, need, try this." It was the strange motorcycle driver from the other night with a large cardboard box. He walked up to Sasha and Ms. Jennings and continued to place the remaining objects in the box from off the floor. He didn't ask if they needed his assistance and he didn't make any negative or confused facial expressions when he glanced over at Sasha. He picked up the box, put it over his shoulder and nodded at the two women. Sasha looked down and turned her face.

"Where is this going?" The man asked. Ms. Jennings told him and then they all went to take her stuff to her apartment. Once they were done, Sasha quickly left without word headed towards her unit. Sasha was in front of her door, with her hand on the knob and ready to enter.

"The names Daryl Dixon… by the way." He was at his door, across from hers, standing there staring at her. She didn't turn.

Sasha turned the door knob and entered. She hastily closed the door behind her. Daryl turned, he was about to enter his apartment when he heard her door open once again. She opened it just a little, looked at him through the small opening she felt comfortable permitting. She still wore her hood and mask.

"I'm Sasha." She said and then closed the door.

_0_

This chapter focused more on Rick and Michonne. I just wanted to give you some backstory on how they met and some current struggles that they are facing. The following chapters will continue to have Rick and Michonne, but we will also get more background on Daryl and story development between him and Sasha.

Thanks for reading