A/N Thank you all for all the reviews and PMs. I read them all. I hope you enjoy and I love you - C

2013

"Rick stop you're gonna get us caught." She moaned while his hands played with the button of her jeans.

"Nobody comes in here babe. Besides, you're the one making all the noise." He said kissing her harder trying to get her button undone and failing miserably.

"You keep kissing me, babe." Michonne giggled. This was the third time this week her and Rick had snuck off to make out in the 3rd floor classroom closet.

"I can't help it Michonne. You're so beautiful. I, I lo-"

"OH SHIT. BEAUTIFUL, Rick we have to take that yearbook photo. Come on we're late."

Michonne and Rick started adjusting their clothes and ran out of the closet. As seniors at King County High, today was the Senior Poll pictures for the yearbook. Voted Most Handsome & Beautiful respectively, they had to rush down to the quad before they missed it. Laughing as they ran through the halls, the made it downstairs with a few minutes to spare.

"Well, thanks for joining us you two. Hope we didn't impose on your schedules." Mr. Greene, their homeroom teacher, smirked as they approached.

"Not at all sir. Had to get spruced up to look our best for you." Rick said with a cocky grin.

"Shut it Grimes. I don't know how you put up with him Ms. Andrews." Mr. Greene smiled as he spoke to Michonne.

She looks at the boy squeezing her hand giving her his best smile. "I don't either sir," she replies with a laugh.

PRESENT

"Howdy neighbor"

"Hi Rick."

"Michonne. Is that you?" Rick Grimes stood frozen in his new neighbor's doorway.

"Yeah, it's me. Long time, I know." she said looking at anything but him.

"You look beautiful. It's like time hasn't stopped."

"Thanks. You too, I mean look good."

The awkward silence that ensues is deafening. Maggie clears her throat trying to break the tension. "Isn't it great Rick. Michonne is finally home, for good."

"Ye..yeah that's great. Look, um, I hate to run but I was headin out, to grab Shane to go to uh grab Glenn and, uh…we're grabbin beers to grab, yeah beer and stu..stuff you know."

Maggie makes a face at an all sputtering Rick. Michonne tries to hide the smile that's breaking through.

"Well, uh it was nice to see you Rick."

"You too Michonne. I really do have to go but I hope t…to see you soon." He takes a deep breath. He was not prepared for this when Maggie called his name. "See ya." And he's gone.

"I thought you guys parted on good terms?" Maggie asked still with a confused look on her face. "I've never seen him stumble like that."

"Only when he's nervous." Michonne replied. Rick had a sputtering tick whenever he felt anxious or nervous. Michonne immediately thought back to a time when they were in 8th grade. Up until this point, this problem had never showed itself. Too bad it decided to show up while Rick was giving his speech for class president. He could barely get through the first part before he ran offstage. Michonne stood up and told everybody to shut up or she'd make them-grabbing their friends to stand with her and nobody messed with Team Family. Rick ended up winning by a landslide.

"Oh well then, see, he misses you and I know you miss him."

"And you know this how?"

"That picture of him you printed off Facebook that's in your wallet."

"HOW THE FUCK DO YOU KNOW THAT? Wait, she didn't."

"Sasha told me. But who cares, Rick is single and I think you guys would be great together again."

"Maggie are you high? That was five years ago and we aren't the same people we were in high school. No one is."

"At our core we are, and your core loves Rick Grimes' core. He's your lobster."

"No Phoebe references please."

"Oh come on, you guys are totally Ross and Rachel, but hotter and cooler."

Michonne looks at one of her oldest friends. She really missed her. "Mags, I'm home ok. I just want to get my life going and just be here…home for while. Is that ok?"

"Yeah babe, I understand. But I'm just soooooo happy you're home. We all are."

"I know babe and thanks for that. But get out of my house so I can find something to wear."

"YAAAAYYYY YOU'RE COMING!" Maggie jumps up squealing loudly. "This will be awesome. I'll call the crew and we'll have drinks and jukebox and it will be like old times. Oh my gosh, Merle will be so happy to see you, he'll probably give us free drinks for his favorite old waitress."

"Maggie, take a breath. I'll see you soon. Scat girl."

Maggie heads over to the door but stops a sec and pulls her friend into another hug.

"Je taime Souer." Michonne hugs her a little tighter.

"Je taime Souer. Smooches." Maggie kisses her cheek and walks off. Michonne closes the door and falls onto her new couch. She looks at her old ceramic cat sitting on the mantle. "I only wanted two days." She drops her head back onto the couch.

HOURS LATER

The restaurant/bar is noisy and crowded but not too bad for a Saturday night. As soon as she walks in, she closes her eyes for a second and is assaulted with memories. Picking up orders from Tobin back in the kitchen, being a judge for Sunday karaoke nights; sharing milkshakes with Rick, laughing and doing homework with her friends…her first date with Rick, the kisses in the bathroom with Rick; walking out of work to Rick's pick-up truck. What the hell girl, he is not the only memories of this place. But she can't deny he was a huge factor. She just won't admit it.

"Michonne Andrews as I live and breathe a hot biscuit. Get on in here girl." Merle Dixon, resident bad boy who had got into trouble in his youth, building up a not so great reputation. Dale give him a chance and he's been a short order cook ever since.

"Hey Merle, how are ya?"

"I'm great sugar. Ain't seen you in these parts for a while. Welcome home sugar. Give ole Merle a hug." She does. Merle may be a bit rough around the edges, but he was a damn good cook and always was decent to her, well his version of decent. "Dale is on the bar side of course. Heard you were back. He can't wait to see ya."

"Me too. It was great to see you. I'll be in soon I promise."

"Knowing your group, I'll see you in a few for late night grease."

Laughing out loud, Michonne heads for the door. You're probably right. See ya." She walks off to the side entrance of the door to enter the bar side of the restaurant. Dale had the genius idea of buying the bar next door and putting a window between so his bar patrons could have great food from his diner as well. Michonne stood in the doorway searching for her friends. She found them pretty quick as Abraham's bright red hair was a dead giveaway. She took a deep breath and walked over to unite her past with her present.

2013

"You two always running late. Making lout again on the 3rd floor?"

"Shut up, Shane. Don't be jealous I have the best girl in the world."

"Aww honey." Michonne takes Rick's lips in a heated kiss.

"See, that's my issue. You guys always kissing on each other. It's gross."

"They love each other. I think it's romantic." Their friend Sasha, who was voted Best Dressed, jumped into the conversation. "You're just mad because Lori dumped your ass, again."

"She didn't dump me, I quit her." Their friend Shane and Most Athletic said with a smirk.

"After she heard about you fucking Jessie after Phillip's party, you mean."

"We were on a break. She told me I could see whoever I want. She can't be mad when I do."

"OMG you guys are a damn telenovela." Michonne says with a laugh. "Shane they're friends. You had to know that wasn't gonna work."

"No I didn't, not my fault they can't get enough of the Shaneminator."

"Are these really our friends?" Michonne asks Rick, her shoulders shaking with laughter."

"Yeah babe, and we love them. Not as much as I love you though." Rick says giving her a kiss on the nose.

"I love you too blue eyes."