A/N: Sorry for the extended wait on this one. This will be the final chapter in this story. Thanks to those who read, reviewed, followed and hit the favourite button. I do really appreciate you taking the time.

Her eyes stung slightly as Michonne stood in her bedroom and looked around; they had not been there very long but she had grown used to the place. She had hoped that they could and would make it work there, after being so long out on the road. To hear of Rick's plans shocked her, to say the least; she loved him, but did not think she could stand by and treat these people to what she and her family had been subjected to.

She felt her heart grow heavy once more as the tears threatened to fall. She was conflicted but not willing to be there to stand by Rick if it happened. She knew deep down she would do anything for him. If someone held a gun to his head, she would ask them to take her instead, but doing to the residents of Alexandria what had been done to her was too much. She could not live with herself and would end up resenting Rick, something she could not handle.

"So," said Rick as he leaned against the doorjamb. "You're really gonna leave?"

Michonne, still seated on her bed, turned to face Rick.

"Yes, Rick. I am. If it comes to it," she answered quietly.

"Can't you just give me another day to talk it over with Carol and Daryl?" he pleaded, carefully taking up a seat next to her.

Michonne's brow furrowed.

"So you're still undecided?" she asked with incredulity. "Even after everything I told you. After everything I've lost."

Her eyes filled with tears once again and the pain therein broke Rick's heart in two.

"No," he whispered, shifting closer to her. "I'm not goin' through with it. I just need some time to talk to 'em. Persuade 'em not to do anything rash. The takeover is not gonna happen. I promise you that. Not by my doing. Just give me some more time to explain it to them."

Michonne bit her bottom lip and held her breath.

"Please, give me time, Michonne," said Rick as he placed his hand on top of hers. "I don't want you to leave. I need you."

She glanced at Rick and could see the sincerity in his stare; silently, Michonne entwined her fingers in his. He gave her hand a small squeeze before leaning closer and pressing a soft kiss to her temple. She trusted Rick; she believed in him, and now she knew he would do the right thing. There would be more time for them in their new home, he would make sure of it.

xXxXx

With determination etched all of his face, Rick went to talk to Carol and Daryl. He found that Daryl had ventured outside of the walls of the Safe-Zone, so he spoke to Carol alone

"Look, what we discussed I don't think we should go through with it," Rick offered. "The takeover. It ain't worth it."

Carol rolled her eyes and then leaned back against the front of the house and waited for Rick to elaborate; when he did not, she spoke up.

"How isn't it worth it, Rick? These people, they're weak. We need to make this place viable for us to live in it," she offered evenly.

"We can make it viable, by working together," said Rick sternly. "Instead of wasting our time and energy of fighting these people, we should be trying to help strengthen this place."

"They don't want our help. Can't you see that?" Carol questioned as she raised her voice slightly.

"Well, it's not like we asked them or anything," Rick countered.

Carol sighed; she had to agree with his point.

"I hope you know what you're doin', Rick," she offered as she walked past him and leaned her arms on the porch railing.

"What does that even mean?" he asked.

"You've been different ever since we came here. The Rick I know wouldn't be so easy on them," she offered, almost desperate.

"Carol," said Rick incredulously. "Easy on them? These people, they haven't done anything wrong to us. They aren't a threat to us. They let us stay here even though we're the ones who are dangerous. This isn't a battle. We're on the same side. You've gotta give up on the fight, Carol, before it drags you down to a place you can't come back from."

Carol felt a lump forming in her throat as she listened to Rick speak. She knew deep down that he was right in what he was saying; for so long she had fought to survive, even before the world had ended, and it had become second nature to her. This was especially true in the new world and survival often meant showing other people that you were strong; sometimes being strong meant taking someone else's life. Carol had been so engrossed in staying alive, and keeping her friends and family alive that she had turned to violence without a second thought and in honesty, she did not like who she had become.

Rick took in her appearance as he saw the pain and confusion behind her stare; she was conflicted, and much like he was, holding on to the need to fight, to resort to violence. Michonne had told him once that the fight could turn on you; he knew this to be true and did not want it for Carol who he had regarded like a sister.

Carol took a seat and wrung her hands close to her lap; she said nothing as Rick watched her pointedly. He felt a tumbling feeling in his stomach as he knew what his friend was going through and it was not pleasant by any measure. While he had this understanding, Rick was not prepared to entertain her ideas for much longer.

"Carol," said Rick as he stepped closer to her and took up a seat beside her. "If we do have to fight, it ain't gonna be with these people in here. It'll be against someone else; someone who tries to come in from the outside. People like us. And when that time comes, because it always comes, and those people show up on our steps, we're all gonna have to join together and fight for this place. We're gonna have to make this place work, for all of us. I don't wanna have to do it without you."

She let his words sink in and then sighed loudly; she thought she knew what he was saying, that if she was not with them, then she may not have a place in that community anymore.

"So if I don't try to fit in, I have to leave? Is that what you're saying?" Carol asked, causing Rick to now sigh.

"No," he answered in earnest. "That's not what I meant. You don't have to actively try or be these people's friends and invite 'em around for dinner every other night, but you're not gonna stand in the way of the rest of us makin' it work either. As my friend, that's all I'm askin' of you. The time will come when these people will have our backs just like we've done for each other, I just need you to see that and be patient with 'em."

With that, Rick stood and walked away; he was sure Carol would see things his way. Though he had not received a definite answer from her that she would not do anything to jeopardize their stay in Alexandria, he hoped that she respected his wishes enough not to. Confident that this was the last conversation he and Carol would have about the topic, Rick went to find Michonne.

xXxXx

There came a firm tapping at Michonne's door; she sighed, turned her head towards it and then bid the visitor to enter. Rick stepped inside and shut the door before offering Michonne a small smile.

"Do you have a minute?" he asked softly, never taking his eyes from off of her.

Michonne nodded, so Rick walked slowly towards her bed and sat down next to her.

"I spoke to Carol and I'm assuring you now that all o' those plans are done. We're here together, all of us; we'll make this place work," he offered.

Michonne gave him a weak smile.

"That's all I ever wanted," she said quietly. "We need it to work. I need it to work."

"And I need you to always believe in me," said Rick, surprising himself with the admission. "I can't stand it when you doubt me. I can handle when the others look at me like they don't trust in me; I guess I've gotten used to it over time. But I can't have you look at me like that. I need you to always help me see what's right, Michonne. I need you."

Michonne reached her hand up and brushed Rick's hair away from his face before cupping it.

"I need you too," she whispered before their lips met in a languid kiss.

They sat holding one another's hand for a moment, silence all around them, yet they were comfortable and content in the other's presence; relief and love permeated the space and enveloped them. Michonne felt safe and Rick felt happy, happier than he had been in a long time.

"Can I ask you somethin'?" Rick queried and Michonne nodded. "What was André like? If you don't wanna talk about him, I'll understand. I just wanted to know more about him."

"It's okay," said Michonne. "I want to talk about him now and not feel so sad. I'm tired of holding it all back."

Rick smiled at her lovingly and gave her hand a squeeze.

"You don't have to hold anything back with me, ever again; and I promise to always be upfront with you. I love you, Michonne," he offered earnestly.

"I love you too, Rick," she said with a small smile which he returned.

"Please," he said. "Tell me about him."

Michonne beamed brightly as she recalled her son's beautiful face in her mind's eye.

"He was a handful, my Peanut," she said as she rested her head on Rick's shoulder. "Just like Carl."

End.