"It's not that I've never thought about us before, I guess I wasn't ready to deal with it so soon."

Michonne whispered,she ran her fingers through Rick's hair. He closed his eyes, rejoiced in the feel of her comforting touch along his skin.

They were half dressed now, he wore his jeans, and she put on her shirt. They planned on quickly getting dressed and continue their duties just as Michonne ordered earlier.

But they found themselves back in her bed. He was on his back, and she lay on her front. Her chin on his chest as they talked with honesty about their relationship.

"I planned on, rebuilding the community, and then when the time came I was going to tell you how I feel. My commitment to Carl, and Judith. Starting new." She explained.

Right after he made love to Michonne, they lay in bed countless minutes, and without further thoughts, and nervousness. Rick said the three words to her that changed everything.

"I love you."

By the look on her face, she was surprised to say the least. But if he didn't mean it, he wouldn't have said it. He reached an enlightenment, a new place that he wanted to be in when he finally understood her promise and commitment to a future earlier that day.

He realized that somewhere between his Lori's death, the fall of their prison, and finding Alexandria. He was still running from a new life and gladly embraced fear.

He couldn't live that way, because he eventually he would drive everyone away. More importantly, he was going to drive Michonne away from him.

Rick noticed that she didn't say it back, but he wasn't going to rush her, because instead of hiding she was working through her thoughts out loud with him.

She told him about David and Betsy, how much he influenced her and the fear she held if she or Rick met a similar fate.

"It's different. With us I mean." Rick reasoned

Michonne smiled, thoughtfully before she added.

"Sometimes I don't know if I can go through with it again. That pain I felt the first time-" He felt her strong intake of breath as he grabbed her hand and pressed it against his lips for a reassuring kiss.

Rick closed his eyes more realization hit him. He didn't know much about Michonne's past. He didn't know what made her who she was today, what loss she had to endure before she came to him. At the time it wasn't needed, but he was going to have to know about her, let her open up on her own terms so he could slowly lead her, and have her trust that he was going to keep her safe.

"You're not ready to tell me yet. I get it. I guess there was time to know before. I only have some assumptions about what happened to you."
He watched the pain sear through her, for fear she might have to live through it.

"So when you're ready, talk to me." Rick softly added, he waited for her to nod before he continued.

"I guess the difference between us and them, is that we gotta keep living for the future. We have Judith and Carl to get us through, we have to prepare ourselves for them. Stay one step ahead as best we can. I see that now. I'm sorry I didn't see it before." Rick whispered, Michonne could only stare before a soft playful smile gave her away and she laughed.

"Hey, I'm supposed to be the wise one of the relationship." Michonne teased, and Rick faintly chuckled.

"Well, I'll hand over the reigns anytime."

They sat in comforting in silence for a moment, their presence in each other just enough for now.

Michonne was the first to speak.

"You have to tell her you know, soon she'll wonder." Michonne suggested, fingers brushed soft strokes against his chest as she traced invisible letters along his skin.

Rick sighed, truthfully Jessie was the least of his worries at the moment. He knew he was being an asshole, he killed her husband, and left her hanging he put her in that position he admitted. He wasn't in the right frame of mind then, but now with his mind being in a new, lighter place. He could tell Jessie, and put her down gently.
"I'll get to it." Rick added.

Michonne gave a short nod. She sat up, released a long breath that showed getting up was the last thing she wanted to do.

He closed his eyes when she kissed his forehead, nose and eyes, he lost himself in the feel of her handling him gently, dreading the end of her touches, but excited to know there will be more in the coming days.

So he stood with her, and soon they were fully dress. Ready to deal with the outside world.

He opened the door for her and she reached her hand from behind her, ready to take his and lead him down the the stairs.

Thoughts were disrupted when he heard a loud crash outside, the sound rang in his ears and within seconds they heard the door downstairs open and Carl's voice.

"Dad! Michonne! The watchtower fell! They're inside!"

Fear crippled his bones before movement, as Michonne mirrored his reaction before she turned quickly to him, ready for him to lead.

End.

Thank you again for the reviews and reading! Please tell me your thoughts! Also if you enjoyed my smut and you have any requests I'll be honored to write them for you. I love a challenge.