"Hello."
"Hi."
"May I sit here?"
"Sure."
Rick comes from behind the booth and takes a seat next to Michonne. Her breath catches in her throat as she takes him in. Black button-down shirt, black jeans, and black boots: a tuft of chest hair peeking out of his shirt. He looks out at the crowd dancing. She looks to the right, desperately hoping to see Glenn coming back to save her from being alone with him.
"You havin' a good time?" Rick asks her.
"Yes," she answers quickly and looks away from him.
"You like the music?
"It's fine." She looks away again.
"I'm sorry am I bothering you? I can leave if you like." he says to her with a disappointed sigh.
Michonne's eyes grow large as saucers. SAY SOMETHING GIRL. Her voice can't seem to work. Rick starts to slide back out the booth. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bother you. Have a good evening." He stands up and turns to leave. Michonne's arm shoots out and grabs his bicep. Good Lord that's nice.
"Where'd you learn?" she says to him.
"What?"
"To sing. Where'd you learn?"
Rick turns back to the booth and scoots back in next to Michonne, leaving a little more distance this time as to not scare her away.
"My momma. She was a choir mistress. Made me sing in the choir during the summers. I hated it but turns out, I ain't too bad." Rick smiles at her and she feels her insides melt into a puddle of goo.
"It's really nice. A lot softer than I would have imagined." His eyebrows shoot up.
"Softer, really. That's an interesting description. What did you imagine?" he asks as he leans in closer to her. Michonne is very aware of his presence. She can feel his breath on her shoulder and it feels like a warm caress on her skin.
"Uuumm, husky?"
Rick bursts out laughing. "Husky, huh. I've always liked that word. Doesn't quite have a meaning but everyone knows what it means. Right."
Now Michonne starts to laugh. "Yeah, I get it. Like, what exactly is husky. I mean a husk is an outer covering of some sort so to be husky would be what, to cover your voice?. Oh my God that was corny as shit." She slaps her hand on her forehead. Rick laughs out loud.
"You're funny. I like that. I like you."
"You do?", says Michonne in barely a whisper.
"I think I do. You're different."
"I don't think so. I'm just me."
"That's the best part." Rick and Michonne stare into each other's eyes. He leans towards her, his eyes searching her face, memorizing every inch. He starts to reach for her hair, "May I touch it?" She nods slightly. Rick reaches out and grabs a loc of her hair and twirls it through his fingers. "Exquisite. Everything about you is exquisite."
Michonne starts into Rick's eyes. They are so blue, they look like the bluest ocean on the planet. She sees honesty, warmth, and dare she say it, lust.
"Hey Miche, I got you your – Holy shit you're Rick Grimes." Glenn returns to the table with drinks. "Oh my God dude you're him, you're the Sheriff well, I mean, you're the best, man, I mean, oh wow and she loves you, like LOVES you dude. I mean, me too and I love the murder coat. Clear is my favorite episode man, when you tore dude's neck out, I mean throat, like puh, just spit it out. Hey, was that real meat or-"
"GLENN! Slow down" Michonne shouts at him. She looks over to Rick, cheeks reddened with embarrassment.
"Hi Glenn, it's nice to meet you too." Rick says as he shakes Glenn's hand. "How do you know Michonne?"
"Aw man we go way back. Next door neighbors. Miche has always been my bestie. The only time we haven't been around each other every day was college." He syas while sliding into the booth.
"Thank God. I had to get away from you." Michonne says with a laugh sipping on her cocktail.
"That hurts Miche. But anyway, it's so nice to meet you Mr. Grimes."
"Rick please, Mr. Grimes is my father. That's pretty cool you two have been friends for so long. I've lost touch with may of my younger friends but my castmates have become some of my best friends, family really."
"Awwww Ricky, that's so sweet. Being a cornball ass again are you?" The three look up to see the girl from registration standing behind Rick.
"Thanks sis, what would I do without your insightful wit. Michonne, Glenn, this is my annoying sister Maggie."
Michonne smiles at her and immediately looks over to Glenn who like before, seems to have forgotten how to speak. Not being able to resist a bit of payback Michonne says, "Yes we met earlier. Remember Glenn, the girl you said was soooo beautiful?" Glenn's mouth opens wide with shock as his face turn beet red. Rick gets the goofiest grin on his face while Maggie looks up at Glenn and smiles.
"Well isn't that sweet. Did you really say that?"
"Say what?" Glenn asks still awestruck.
"Did you say that I was beautiful?" Maggie asks with a teasing smile.
"Uh, yeah, yeah I did. I mean, you're breathtaking."
The whole table stares at Glenn. Michonne is shocked that he answered so honestly without tripping over himself. Rick is nodding his head as in approval of what Glenn is putting down on his baby sister, who looks completely smitten with this young man before her.
"Well then, maybe I should sit by you." She slides into the booth and sits next to him.
"Your friend is smooth, seems like a nice guy. Won't have to kill him will I?" Rick asks whispering to Michonne.
"No, Glenn is harmless. If it goes that way, she'll be a lucky girl."
"And you Michonne? Is there a lucky guy in your life?"
She stops for a minute and slowly lowers her head while answering. "No, no there isn't."
Rick takes her chin in his hands bringing her eyes up to his. "Lucky for me then."
Their silent revelry is interrupted by a loud voice.
"Good evening Ladies and Gentleman, it's time for KARAOKE! Our lucky winner tonight will receive $200 plus a meet and greet with the cast! Our first victim, excuse me, singer is Jadis."
A strange woman who looks like she stole the Dumb and Dumber haircut gets on stage in an outfit that can only be described as a trash bag. There's also a small stench that starts the permeate the room. She begins singing What's New Pussycat by Tom Jones. It sounds more like a dying cat.
"What the fuck is that?" asks Glenn looking at the stage in horror.
"Oh my God my ears." Maggie covers her ears wit both hands.
Michonne and Rick both make faces and cringe as this woman finally comes to an end of the song. "Thank God. I couldn't take much more of that."
A few more people take their turn at the mic. Some are pretty good and others, well, they must have been dared to go up there by a drunken friend. The four continue to converse while having drinks. Michonne and Rick keep the topics very generic. He doesn't want to scare her away and she doesn't want him to think she's weird. They all seem to be starting to feel the effects of their cocktails.
"I hope this isn't too much longer, my ears are bleeding."
"Good thing I signed you up Miche. We could use something more entertaining." Glenn says with a smirk.
"WWHHHHAAAAAATTTTT! I DO NOT want to sing." Michonne is pissed. He knows better than to put her on the spot like that. Truth is, Michonne is an exceptional singer but she has slight stage fright. She does love to sing, but performing in front of people, that was never her thing.
"You can sing? Oh, I'd love to hear you." Maggie exclaims from next to Glenn.
"Sorry to disappoint but I'm not doing it."
"Why not? I want to hear you sing." Rick says to her with an earnest look on his face. "If your voice is half as beautiful as you, I'm sure it will be brilliant."
Before Michonne can answer, the announcer says, "Ladies and Gentleman, our last singer of the night. Please give it up for Michonne."
The audience starts to applaud. Michonne looks completely freaked out. She doesn't move from her seat. Glenn is staring at her. "You can do it," he says. Maggie smiles at her and gives her a thumbs up. Rick takes her hand, "You can do it, I know you can. Please sing for me?"
She stares at him. So many thoughts running through her head. Can she do this? She's shaking a bit and Rick isn't sure she's not able to run out of the place. A few seconds go by, Michonne raises her head looks at the occupants of the table, stands up and says, "I got this."
Michonne slides out of the booth ad walks up to the stage. She stands at the microphone looking out at the crowd. Her doe like brown eyes meet oceanic blues from across the room. Rick has a smile on his face, watching to see what she's going to do. The music starts playing. She grins, Glenn knows this is one of her favorites. Michonne calls upon every ounce of her nerve and alcohol and opens her mouth.
From the moment I saw you, I went outta my mind
I never believed in love at first sight
But you got a magic, boy, that I just can't explain
Well, you got a, you got a way that you make me feel
I can do, I can do anything for you, baby
I'll be down for you, baby
Lay all my cards out tonight
Just call on me, baby
I'll be there in a hurry
It's your move, so baby, baby decide
Whatever you want from me
I'm givin' you everything
I'm your baby tonight
You've given me ecstasy
You are my fantasy
I'm your baby tonight
Michonne feels her liquid courage starting to kick in. She starts to walk back and forth across the stage, swinging her hips and kicking her legs. The crowd is clapping and singing along with her. Rick is memorized. He stares at her, singing and dancing, having the time of her life. His pants are starting to get very tight.
From the second you touched me
I was ready to die
I've never been fatal, you're my first time
I feel like an angel who just started to fly
Well, you got a, you got a way that you make a me
Feel I can, feel I can, do anything for you baby
Michonne walks to the end of the stage and stares directly at Rick as she sings the next part.
I will fly for you baby
Hold on and enjoy the ride
I'm not in no hurry
We can fly all night, baby
It's your move, now baby, baby let's fly
Whatever you want from me
I'm givin' you everything
I'm your baby tonight
You've given me ecstasy
You are my fantasy
I'm your baby tonight
Michonne turns her attention away from Rick back to the crowd. At this point, they are clapping, dancing and singing along. Michonne is so good, she looks like a natural on stage. All her inhibitions have practically melted away. On stage now is a diva who know what she wants and who she wants and tonight, that is Rick Grimes. She does a few twirls, really giving the people a show. She decides to up the ante. She starts to come down offstage and walk towards Rick.
Whatever I do, boy
It's all about you, baby
And ain't it the truth, boy
I'm helplessly in love with you
She's standing in front of him. Rick is sitting straight up with his hands on his knees staring at this goddess before him. He can't even blink, he is mesmerized.
What else can I do, boy
But be there for you, baby
You got a, you got a way that you make a me
Feel I can, feel I can do any, do anything
She winks at him and blows him a kiss returning to the stage. The crowd has officially lost their minds screaming and cheering.
Looks like I'm fatal, it's all on the table
And baby you hold the cards
You got the magic and I've got to have it
I don't want the pieces, I want every single part
I'll be your angel, I'm ready and able whatever you want is fine
Whenever you're ready, just call on your lady and I'll be your baby tonight
I'm your baby tonight, I'm your baby tonight
The song comes to an end. Michonne stops singing and pus the mic back on the stand and gives a little bow. Everyone in the room is on their feet. Glenn is jumping up and down next to Maggie, both have huge grins on their face. She looks over to Rick and she she's one thing on his face – hunger.
"That was amazing. Ladies and Gentlemen, the winner, without a doubt, is Michonne!" The crowd keeps screaming and cheering. Michonne turns bright red but has the biggest smile on her face. She walks back to the table and Rick immediately grabs her.
"Was that all for me?"
She coyly smiles at him, "I think so. Did you like it?"
He just stares at her for a second and slowly smiles. "Come with me. I want to show you just how much I liked it. Will you, come with me?"
She looks down at the hand he is offering. She hesitates for only a second and takes his hand.
"Lead the way."