The First Responder

Chapter 3

A/N: thank you all for reading, following, choosing to favourite and reviewing this fic. Your support is very much appreciated.

Summary: in the last chapter, Michonne met Rick at the Café where he told her how they met. They both have an attraction to one another but they are both being extremely cautious. As fate would have it, Rick insists on seeing Michonne home during a snow storm and he gets snowed in at her place. After watching movies together, they both fell asleep on the sofa together.

Oh my god, I've never been so embarrassed in my entire life. I woke up to go to the bathroom and realized that I was in Rick's arms the whole night. How did that happen, really? I offered the man shelter then I trap him on the most god-awful uncomfortable sofa ever. Why didn't he just wake me up? Hell, I'm stiff as hell and I've slept on that couch before alone, so I know he's going to be in worse shape than I am. I feel so guilty.

I can hear my mother's voice in my head. In my defence, y'all have bedrooms in which to sleep; my beautiful couch is functional and fulfills its purpose quite effectively. If I was going to keep this place, that couch would be the first thing to go.

I manage to extricate myself from him with as little fuss as possible so as not to disturb his already painful slumber. I quietly stole down the hallway to my room to grab a change of clothes. I then crossed the hall to my parent's room to use the en-suite there. After my shower, I got dressed and returned to the living room. The house now smelled of bacon, eggs, toast and coffee. At first, it surprised me that he's able to cook but then I remember he's a firefighter and more than likely would be able to cook. My empty stomach is in love… all my favourite things are calling its name. I could actually eat a horse right now because I'm so hungry. I don't know what it is about this place I always eat way too much up here.

"Mornin'," he says with a lazy smile on his lips. You'd think he actually got laid last night. "I hope you're hungry because I might I've cooked a bit too much."

"I'm always hungry," I quipped then his eyes travelled shamelessly over my body and eventually came to rest on mine. He had this bemused expression on his face. He was mentally assessing where my food actually went if I did indeed have such an appetite. The look he gave me made me rethink what I just said and when I realized how it may have sound to him, I wasn't even going to attempt to correct myself. What the hell's going on with me? I'm truly confused.

"I'm sorry about last night. That couch is not a comfortable place to sleep at all. I know from experience, it even makes hangovers much worse. Why didn't you just wake me up?"

"Honestly Michonne, I didn't mind at all. You mentioned having nightmares before and you were sleeping so comfortably, I just couldn't... Plus, I've slept on far worse thangs than your mama's sofa." If you only knew, I would do it again in a heartbeat, if it meant no more sleepless nights for you. It was frustrating as hell not being able to be forthright with her.

"All the same, I'm sorry it feels like a running theme. You came out here only to get stuck then to be later trapped on the world's most uncomfortable couch."

I woke up the moment I felt her loss. Michonne stirred not long ago and realized she was in my arms, that we remained that way the whole night. All I can remember is the feel of softness, the smell of her cocoa-buttered skin and hints of lavender in her hair. I waited till I heard water running somewhere down the hall. I got up and started another fire because the temperature had dropped significantly overnight.

The snow had stopped and the sun was out. It was a pristine Winter's day if you lived up North but not exactly standard for around these parts. We were accustomed to cooler nights and some days if it rained but not so much having to fight one's way around in the snow. I was starting to think of Michonne as my snow angel. I've crossed paths with her now on two Christmas Eve's and there was always a whole lot of snow involved. I didn't know what to make of it.

I checked in with my folks and told them we'd be having a guest for dinner but I didn't precise just who she was. I'm only hoping Olivia didn't mention anythang to her mama which would start the whole part line going.

It was still early, a little after seven am and her caretaker had yet to show up. All things considered, he was probably digging himself out too. I decided I might as well get a start on breakfast. I was about ready to call Michonne for breakfast when she showed up. She was wearing some type of leggings with an oversized jersey no doubt her brother's or maybe her exes. I don't know where that lost thought came from and it made me rather uncomfortable.I don't feel like there's someone or more plainly, I don't want there to be 'a someone'. If she was mine, there's no way I would let her face a Christmas Eve all alone. No, there definitely wasn't a someone or why would I be here this morning and not this someone.

From the look on her face, she's impressed that I know my way around the kitchen. I think I went a little overboard and cooked as though I was in the fire hall. She claims to have a voracious appetite. Although, I just can't see how that could be. I can't believe I actually raked my eyes over her body with her watching me. Shit! Where the hell's that damn caretaker of hers anyway?

After breakfast, Rick insisted on cleaning up the kitchen. It was just as well too, I heard Tobin's pick-up at the top of the laneway so I grabbed my coat and our car keys and went out to meet him. I needed some space to think. I left the house before Rick could insist on doing that too. I don't understand why he feels like I'm so fragile that I'll break. At first, it was endearing but where some women felt the need to be rescued all the time… I'm not one of them. I know he means well but he's going to have to lighten up in that department.

Michonne grabbed the keys and took them to meet the caretaker who finally showed up. It was as if she had to get away from me. No shit, you damn idiot... I would try to get away from you too if I looked at me that way too.

During that time, her landline started ringing. I wasn't sure the protocol but against my better judgment, I answered it. I reasoned it could have been someone making sure she was okay given the storm that blew in here last night. On the other end of the line, however, was the voice of another man. It took my brain several seconds to process the fact that this person addressed her as "Hi, love!" The blood in my veins froze. He repeats himself.

After finding my words, I told him that Michonne was outside speaking to the caretaker and I'd be happy to relay any messages. His name was Spencer. He too was curious about the mystery man answering Michonne's house phone at eight o'clock in the morning. I told him I was just an old friend it was just enough to incense him then I end the call. The cell service was obviously back up because then he started blowing up her cell with texts.

I'm not sure what I was expecting. She owed me nothing. It was too soon to tell her how I feel, I didn't want to scare her. Realistically speaking she had been gone nine months and a lot could happen in nine months. It was obvious this little development would be addressed sooner rather than later so I resigned myself to see whether she would clarify things for me.

About an hour later, I entered the cottage but the mood had changed. Rick was no longer relaxed and his eyes no longer met mine. "Everything okay?" I asked. He got up off the sofa and went to stoke the fire effectively keeping his back to me.

"Yeah, you missed a call. Your boyfriend, Spencer called."

I groaned and swore under my breath. He was clearly avoiding me so I waited patiently. It was clear the call had upset him. It was also clear from his behaviour that his attraction was very real. As real as the one, I felt for him. The one I spent the past hour trying to convince myself didn't exist. Since we met last night, I've been drawn to him. I can't think clearly around him which confuses me because I do tend to think of myself as a very logical person.

Eventually, he got up, brushed his hands on his jeans and then retrieved his car keys from the coffee table.

I couldn't believe he was just going to leave without saying anything further. Then he spoke throwing the ball into my court. Well played! I'm on the defence and I have no idea what happened other than knowing Spencer, he no doubt inferred that we're still together because another man answered my phone.

"I'm going to swing by my place to grab a shower and change. If you're still coming to dinner, I'll pick you up around four thirty. Just let me know if my folks need to set an extra place for Spencer." He says, all the while looking at the floor.

I didn't want to be accused of sending him mixed messages but it was clear the friendship between us albeit one in its very early stages was threatened.

I came out here to say goodbye to my family and prepare this place to go on the market but one chance encounter with this man, however, had me rethinking everything. I didn't know why I was so drawn to him but I want to find out whether it was just our common link or if it could be something more.

Before I could suss out what is or isn't between us, however, I needed time to properly mourn my family. It was the anniversary of their passing and that was the purpose of my being here. In this place, where he and I now shared a memory. A memory that I've tried for the past hour to understand. Why is it that we feel so comfortable together? What is it about him that keeps drawing me in? I have no answers for any of it. I'm not this person who lets people in so easily especially without my twin's approval. I realize this is all now on me and as such, I'm confused at this seamless bond between us which seems so tenuous after one call. I couldn't believe one phone call could change the warm rapport we had less than a day ago.

I walked towards him and stood before him touching his forearm which made him look at me. "I'm not with him… anymore but I still need some time to figure things out." My explanation seemed to have the effect of resetting things between us.

"Are you gonna give a girl a hint as to the proper attire for dinner?"

"Wear something comfortable. You say you're always hungry and ma is definitely gonna try to put some meat on your bones." He said blushing.

"Oh, so do you think I'm to thin then?"

"Nah, to me, you are perfect!" His admission resulted in a full on blush by him which was met by a fit of giggles from me.

Prior to picking Michonne up I went to my folks and came clean. They knew she was the girl I rescued a year ago. The one my mom accused me of falling for even before I came to that realization myself. I couldn't really hide anything from my mother. Although we usually opened our gifts after Christmas dinner, this year we made an exception and opened them at noon and then placed them in the spare room. We didn't want to bring any additional attention to the evening. It was just going to be a normal dinner.

…

Later that afternoon, I introduced Michonne to my parents Rebecca and Richard Grimes. They greeted her warmly and embraced her fully. After the hugs, my mother instructed me to put the coats away. Dad and I were left to watch football. My mother kidnapped Michonne and just like that it began. I heard laughter from the kitchen. Later, Michonne confessed to me that my mother thought she was way too thin and she was on a personal mission to fatten her up.

During dinner, Michonne impressed the hell out of my dad because no matter what my mother placed in front of her she ate it. Dad whispered in my ear, "You should marry this one, Richard."

I knew my folks would love her and they did.

"Thank you for including me in your family's tradition. It was a lovely evening and I appreciate it."

"It was our pleasure. Anyways, dad said to thank you because there are fewer leftovers for him to eat." Rick said as he stepped back knowing she would be smacking him and she did. They both laughed.

"When are you heading back to the city?" He inquired.

"In a few days. I was wondering if I made some boxes for goodwill would you see to it they get them? I don't think I can do that final act."

"Sure, but if you'd rather, we could do it together… or I can certainly drop them off for you."

"You'd do that for me?"

"I would… just call me when you're ready."

That was probably one of the sweetest things he's said to me so far. In that moment, I felt so vulnerable a single tear slid down my cheek. I bit my lip to keep the waterfall at bay. It was starting to hit me and I didn't want him to see me like this. I wanted him to remember the past twenty-three hours not this moment. He sensed my inner struggle and embraces me. In that moment, he felt like a warm security blanket.