AN: This chapter is dialogue heavy. I hope all the different conversations going on during the dinner make sense.


I.

Michonne ran down the stairs with a crying Judith in her arms. The baby was cranky after being awakened suddenly. "I know baby girl. I'm sorry." Michonne place a kiss on the top of her head. The katana bounced against her back as she did a quick search of the kitchen and living room.

"Carl," She called out.

Craig backed away from the front door where he had a view of the chaos on the street. "He left shortly after Rick. He said he had to help his father."

"Damnit," Michonne cursed, "I told him to stay here and wait for me. Is Carol still here?"

"No, she left too."

Sasha ran back through the front door with her gun in her hands. "I'm going up to the roof. Try to take as many out as I can." She called over her shoulder as she took the stairs two at time.

Michonne looked around the room. She knew protecting Judith was her first priority, but she couldn't leave her family out there fighting without her. There were so few people who could actually protect themselves in the community. Depending on how many walkers were out there they could be in for a long night.

"Craig stay here with Jessie, her boys, and Father Gabriel. Lock the door and stay away from the windows. I'm going to take Judith over to Tara's house."

"I can take care of Judith." Jessie said while reaching for the baby.

Michonne shook her head emphatically. "No offense, but I need to leave Judith with someone I know can keep her safe."

She swiftly moved to the door. "You're not going out there to fight, are you?" Craig asked.

"Of course I am." She yelled without stopping.

Thankful the walkers hadn't made their way deeper into the community yet, Michonne was able to get to Tara's house quickly. The woman was standing with Eugene on her porch. Both were armed with knives.

"Tara, I need you to take care of Judith."

"Of course. Abraham, Rosita, Maggie, and Glenn are out there already."

Michonne handed the baby to her. "Promise me you'll protect her above all else."

Tara held Judith close to her. "With my life, Michonne." She looked at Eugene.

"Yes, ma'am. We assure you the offspring of Rick Grimes will be secure in our hands."


II.

1 Hour Earlier

"So you and this Rick guy live together?" Craig followed closely behind Michonne while looking around the house taking in the decor; still amazed there were homes like this in the new world.

"Hmmm?" She said as she placed the bottle of wine on the counter. Rick, still standing on the front porch, came into her view as she turned back towards the window. Eyes locked together and he gave her a half smile. Her gaze traveled down to his lips then she quickly looked away; feeling flustered. Warmth flushed down her body. She looked longingly back at the bottle of wine suddenly craving a drink.

"I said do you live here with Rick?" Craig was looking at her curiously as she started to fan herself.

"Oh. Yeah. Mmhm. Me, him, and the kids." Michonne started opening drawers at an almost frantic pace. "There has to be a corkscrew in here somewhere," She mumbled to herself.

"I think there's one in the drawer near the dishwasher." Carol said.

"Great. Thanks." Michonne busied herself opening the wine. She held the bottle up to Craig silently asking him if he wanted a drink. He shook his head as he watched her top off a juice glass. She handed the bottle to Carol and led Craig into the living room. Perched on the arm the couch he watched as she paced around the room alternately taking a sip of her wine then touching her lips with a sigh and starting the process all over again.

He had an excellent view of the front porch from where he sat. From his peripheral vision he could see Rick almost mirror her as he paced the porch with a baby on his hip. It didn't go unnoticed by him how close the two of them were sitting out there earlier.

"How many kids does Rick have?" He asked.

"Just two. The baby is Judith, and he has a teenage son, Carl."

"So you're helping this man take care of his kids?"

"Yes," Michonne said sharply; not really wanting to answer questions with her mind being a jumble at the moment, "A big group of us have been together for awhile. We're family. I've become very close to Rick's children." She immediately felt bad when she saw Craig throw up in hand in defense. It wasn't his fault she was reeling from Rick dropping truth bombs and throwing his lips on hers without any warning.

"Okay Chonney. Just asking." He paused making sure his words were as diplomatic as possible. "I don't think he likes me."

Michonne waved off his concern. "Rick doesn't like anyone at first. You should have seen us when we met."

"He reminds me of Mike."

She stopped pacing; shocked by the comparison. "What do you mean?" The two men couldn't be further apart in demeanor. Mike was the epitome of laid-back coolness. None of those things would describe Rick.

"I only met the brother a couple times, but he had that alpha-male sniffing out any competition vibe going on. So does Rick."

"You're talking crazy now." Michonne said shaking her head

"So there are no feelings between the two of you? Not that it's my business. He just seemed real possessive of you back at Morgan's place yesterday."

"You're right. It's not your business," Michonne started her pacing again, "There's not much time for romance between trying to stay alive."

Craig caught that she didn't deny any feelings between her and Rick. Before he could point that out to her Carl walked into the house with Judith in his arms.

"Hey, you're home." Michonne said. "I see your Dad handed off Judy Girl to you."

"Yeah he said it was getting too cold for her out there." Michonne took a quick look out of the window, but only caught sight of Rick's back. He should have been coming out of the cold too.

"Check out these new comics Enid let me borrow." Carl waved around the books in his free hand. "Did you know they made Thor a woman, and Captain America is Sam Wilson? How cool is that."

"I definitely have to read these after you." She rubbed a loving hand across his head. "Your sister is looking sleepy. Go put her in her crib. Then come back down for dinner."

"Do I really have to come back down?"

"Yes you do. Ron will be here and he could use a friend."

"We haven't been friends really since Dad," He looked over at Craig, "Well you know. But if you say I gotta come to this dinner then I will."

"Yeah you gotta." Michonne said as she gave him a gentle push towards the stairs.

Craig watched as Michonne looked at the teen with a maternal love.

"What happened to their mother?" He asked

"She died giving birth to Judith right before I met up with the group."

"Tough break for those kids."

"Yes it was. Carl's been through so much. I'm glad we have this community. If nothing else at least they have some semblance of safety."

"I'm very glad for this community too." He walked over to Michonne and pulled her into a hug.


III.

Rick stared out onto the street with his hands deep in his jeans pockets. After finally getting a taste, his lips were craving for more of Michonne. The urge to go inside and kick everyone out of his house was bubbling up in him. He needed more time with her. The confidence he had in showing and telling her his feelings had evaporated. He was worried he had made the wrong move. She ran from him so quickly, and now she was inside with Craig. His forehead wrinkled with worry while wondering if he showed his hand too soon.

Before he had time to ponder more, Sasha and Gabe rounded the corner and came up the stairs. "What are you guys doing here?" Rick asked.

Sasha shrugged, looked at Father Gabriel and then back at Rick. "Carol told us to come by for dinner. She said it was a family get together."

Rick said a silent thank you to Carol for thinking ahead. He thought the more people there the less awkward it would be. Hopefully, it would also mean dinner would be over soon so he could talk to Michonne.

Rick gestured towards the door. "Be my guest."

Jessie came outside looking for Rick, wondering why he was hiding, as Sasha and Gabe walked in. "Oh great," she said sarcastically as the two new guests walked passed here into the house, "More people are showing up. This is turning out to be the complete opposite from the intimate dinner I was hoping for."

Taking another swig from his beer bottle he watched Jessie, almost shyly, walk up to him before placing a hand on his shoulder. The intimacy of her gesture didn't register immediately on his brain because he caught sight of Craig with his arms around Michonne through the front window. He resisted the urge to run inside and knock the man's limbs off of her.

"...almost two decades of marriage, but still feeling lonely."

Rick turned back to Jessie realizing she had been talking to him. "I'm sorry. Were you saying somethin'?"

"Oh my God, Rick. I might start thinking you don't like me at all. You don't seem to like listening to me talk. I might as well be talking to my owl sculpture."

"I'm sorry," Rick said sincerely, "I'm just easily distracted." He glanced in the window again and saw Craig talking to Gabe. Michonne was hugging Sasha. He exhaled with relief. Jessie's hand was still resting on his shoulder. He noticed her wedding band again. Almost six-weeks to the date since he shot and killed her husband, and she still hadn't taken off her ring. Yet she was at his house cooking for him. Almost a year to the date since Lori sacrificed herself so their baby girl could live, and his own ring still adorned his finger. He wondered what Lori would think about his current situation. He'd lost himself again because Jessie reminded him of a life that died a long time ago. The future may have been sullied because he realized too late that Michonne was the one for him; the one he loved. Another man might swoop in and be the victor of her heart.

He ran his free hand through his hair almost wanting to laugh at having a complicated love life in the midst of the dead rising up and walking again. He wanted to tell Jessie all that was going on in head but, "Lori used to like owls too," is all that came out.

She smiled at him. "Well she seems like a smart woman then."

He nodded. "It was only for a short while. She had this thing with bird watching. I had forgotten about it until I saw your sculpture when we first got here. You reminded me of her."

"That's pretty amazing to remind you of your wife. I think any woman you would choose to love had to be pretty special."

Rick glanced into the window looking for Michonne. "Yeah."

"I was saying before," Jessie said while stepping closer to him, "that Pete and I were married for a long time. It was fine in the beginning, but I spent many years feeling lonely in my marriage."

Rick looked down at his feet; feeling uneasy with her so close. "I know what that feels like."

"I was barely twenty when we got married. It was kinda shotgun since I was pregnant with Ron."

"Me and Lori were young too. I guess it's easy to grow apart when you're practically kids."

"I thought about leaving Pete a lot. Between the abuse," She sighed, "and just not being in love anymore. But in my family once you marry you stay married. Then the world changed, and here we find ourselves. I don't know what I would have done if you weren't here. I'm so grateful for you."

Rick couldn't take the sincerity of the words knowing that he didn't share the same feelings. He kept his eyes trained on his feet.

She grabbed his arm forcing his eyes up. "Look Rick, I know things aren't ideal, but we have a lot in common. I think maybe we could be good for each other."

Guilt overcame Rick as he thought about how he'd inserted himself into Jessie's life and turned it upside down because of the shit going on in his head. Her eyes were full of hope and eagerness of something new budding between them. He knew he couldn't let it go on any further.

"Jessie, I..." He started but he stopped abruptly when he saw her leaning in closer to him. It didn't register what she was doing until he felt her warm breath against his skin. Right before their lips touched, he turned his head slightly. Her lips grazed the hair on face while his feet took an involuntary step back.

"Oh." The word came out in a chocked whisper. A pink tint quickly moved down her body as her embarrassment settled in. She stood there with her mouth slightly open and a hand loosely sitting on her chest.

"Really, Mom? His body isn't even cold yet." Both Rick and Jessie turned to see Ron and Sam standing in front of the house. Ron grabbed his little brother's hand and marched into the house; slamming the door closed.

Rick and Jessie stood on the porch in a tension filled silence for a few moments. He cleared his throat and turned towards the woman. "Jessie..."

She held up her hands to stop whatever he was about to say. Her eyes were glassy with tears. "Don't say it. Don't say anything. I feel like a fool. I just thought," She shook her head and laughed humorlessly, "I don't know what I was thinking." She turned to walk back into the house. "Dinner should be ready any second." She said quietly before entering.

Rick felt like a jackass. He thought about just leaving. Going to the Constable's office and waiting until Michonne, and he knew she would, came looking for him. He was halfway down the porch steps when Daryl came back around with another bottle of Scotch in his hand.

"Brought some more liquor. Get your skinny, white ass in the house so we can get this over with."


IV.

Rick walked into the crowded dining room searching for Michonne. She was setting the table. Everyone was occupied doing last minute tasks or with conversation as he stealthy walked over to her and placed a hand on the small of her back. She jumped from the surprise of the contact and from the shiver that ran down her body.

"We need to talk," He whispered in her ear.

"Rick, we're a room full of people."

"So?"

"So that would be rude. We'll talk later."

He looked at her closely. "Are you trying to avoid me?"

"No," She gave his hand a light squeeze, "You just threw a lot at me earlier."

He rubbed her lower back while nodding. "I know. I'm sorry."

"Hey Michonne are there any more glasses?" Sasha asked from across the table.

"Yeah, I'll go get them." Michonne gave him an apologetic look, and made her way to the kitchen.

A short time later everyone was seated for dinner. Carol was sitting to the right of Rick in the space he was hoping Michonne would occupy. Instead she resided at the other end of the table sitting next to Craig and Carl. He was openly staring at her as he started on his second glass of Scotch. She finally looked up at him. He raised his glass up to her in a private toast. She smiled slightly, shook her head, and turned her attention back to Carl.

"Don't worry we won't be here long," Carol whispered to him. He'd hadn't exactly confessed his feelings for Michonne to Carol earlier, but she had an idea what was going on between them.

"Gabe, why don't you say grace," Sasha said.

"Okay...umm...Lord I know many may doubt you now, but it is because of your grace that though the world is in a period of shadows, we found a home and community that will keep us save and provide us the refuge we need to wait out this war on humanity. We know that we will eventually get to the other side of glory, and for this we thank you, Lord. We thank you for the people gathered around this table that you have brought together as a family. We thank you for this food. We know you will always provide for us if we remain your humble servants. In Jesus's name. Amen."

"Amen." Carol said with a smile. "May the Lord be with us all."

"Give it a rest," Darryl mumbled from his place to the left of Rick. Carol looked at him with concern and slight regret.

"It's nice to have a man of faith in the community. Makes it feel more like home." Craig said.

Rick scoffed, but said nothing. He looked to the side and caught Jessie's eye. They both averted their gazes away from each other quickly.

"Are you a man of faith, Craig?" Gabe asked.

"Yeah, grew up in the church. Both me and Chonney were there every Sunday for service and Wednesday for Bible Study."

"Only because my parents made me." Michonne said with a little laugh

"Chonney. Well ain't that cute." Rick whispered under his breath.

Everyone started passing the food around. Sounds of utensils scrapping against plates filled the air. Rick was the only one not participating. He poured himself another drink while eyeing everyone at the table. The surreal mix of family, strangers, and acquaintances made him squint and wonder what he was doing there. He locked eyes with Michonne once again. They couldn't go long without finding each other across the table. He mouthed, "Let's get out of here," to her while tilting his head towards the door. She shook her head slightly at him and mouthed, "Not now," back to him. He sighed and continued drinking.

"So you're a doctor, Craig," Sasha broke the silence.

"Yep, a dermatologist."

"We finally don't have to worry about acne anymore. I know I'll be able the sleep better at night." Rick said as everyone looked at him wondering where his hostility was coming from. Michonne knew. She thought maybe they should go somewhere to talk before he imploded on himself. She noticed how much he'd been drinking

"Well," Sasha said, "It's still it's nice to have another doctor here." She looked up at Ron, Sam, and Jessie. "Oh, I'm sorry."

Jessie lifted up her hand saying, "It's okay," just as Ron said, "At least somebody cares."

Carl sighed and threw his fork on his plate.

Michonne raised an eyebrow and bent over to whisper to him. "You okay?"

"Why are we doing this? The whole thing is just weird. Dad's acting weird."

"I know," She patted his hand, "Just eat fast and we'll be done there soon."

"Trying to get back upstairs to read those comic books, little man?" Craig asked.

"Yeah." Carl picked up his fork again, and pushed the lasagna around his plate. He thought Craig was nice, but he was always leery of strangers.

"Did you know Michonne over here once created her own comic book?" Craig said to Carl.

"No way." Carl looked up excitedly

"I'd forgotten about that." Michonne laughed. "I thought I was going to be the next Stan Lee."

"Just when I think you can't get any more awesome."

Michonne laughed again. "Remember you think I'm awesome when I have to make you do your homework."

"She used to make me do my homework too back in high school." Craig said.

"And she's impossible to say no to, right?" Carl said.

"Impossible."

"You too should be grateful for my caring spirit." She said as the three of them laughed.

"Everything okay down there," Rick called from his end of the table, "Carl you okay?" Rick couldn't help the jealousy that crept up on him as he watched his son and Michonne have a good time with Craig.

"Umm yeah, Dad." Carl hoped his Dad wasn't on the verge on losing his cool again.

"What did you do in your past life, Rick?" Craig knew Rick was trying to get under his skin so he decided to change the subject.

"I don't think that really matters, Craig." Rick leaned back in his chair.

"The past is a part of us no matter what's happening around us now."

Rick shrugged. "I was a Sheriff." He said. He took another drink.

"In Atlanta?"

"King's County."

"Had an uncle who used to have to drive through King's County for work. He said they were some of the most racist cops he'd come across."

"Have to admit some of my former coworkers weren't the best people, but I was always fair and just."

"Good to know. Wouldn't want Chonney living with a bigot."

"I think Chonney," He drawled out sarcastically, "Can more than take care of herself."

"It would be nice if you two could stop talking about me like I wasn't here." Michonne was exasperated with the both of them.

Rick looked at Michonne and his eyes immediately softened, but they hardened again we he looked back towards Craig. Deep down, under the haze of alcohol he knew he had no right to be upset at the man, but he wasn't ready to concede to the bigger person inside. "How did you survive out there on your own for so long?"

"Took refuge in the hospital where I worked for awhile until it was overrun with the dead. Set up camp with a few of the doctors afterwards, but we got separated after another invasion shortly before Daryl and Aaron found me."

"And y'all didn't find anyone else in his group?" Rick directed his question to Daryl.

"Nah man." Daryl said as he licked lasagna sauce off of his fingers. He wanted no part in whatever Rick was doing.

"I guess they didn't survive." Craig said.

"Hmm," said Rick. "Michonne, did you ask him the questions?"

"No, haven't had the time." She said. "Rick, why don't you come help me get more salad from the fridge." She knew she needed to diffuse the situation.

"Sure, in a second." Rick said. The offer of finally going off alone with Michonne couldn't stop him on his quest to get down to the bottom of what brought Craig to them.

"What questions?" Craig asked.

"How many walkers have you killed?"

"...a lot..."

"How many people have you killed?"

"None. I haven't killed any people."

"Why?"

"Why?" Craig said back to Rick incredulously.

"Yeah, why? We all had to do bad things to survive this long."

"You're really asking me why I haven't killed an actual human person. From what I hear around the community maybe I should be asking you these questions. I hear you like to kill people."

"Just the bad ones. You a bad one?" Rick accent became more pronounced; his voice deeper.

Craig turned to Michonne. "You know he's lucky you're here to help him take care of his kids because there's obviously something wrong with him. They're as lucky to have you as Andre was."

Rick's faced was marred with confusion. "Andre? Who's Andre?"

Michonne stood up, shocked to hear her baby boy's name thrown around the dining room as if his memory wasn't sacred. As if anyone other than her deserved to say it. Before she could respond a plate crashed onto Rick's face. He felt blood trickle down his cheek. Noodles, cheese, and sauce covered his shirt.

"You killed my Dad and no one fucking cares. Not even you Mom. You're out there kissing the man who killed him. I know he did some bad things, but he was still my father." Ron screamed as he stood up and lunged towards Rick.

"Ron please stop." Jessie shouted.

"Leave my Dad alone!" Carl tackled Ron to the ground. A couple of sloppily thrown punches landed before the boys were pulled away from each other. Michonne was holding Carl while Daryl held a crying Ron.

"Everyone needs to calm down." Michonne said. She met Rick's eyes and sighed.


V.

Rick stood in the half bath off the living room, shirtless and applying alcohol to the cut on his cheek. He was lucky the plate didn't cause more damage.

Michonne walked into the bathroom, throwing a fresh shirt on the counter for him. She stared at his reflection in the mirror. "You insist on continuing to scar that pretty face of yours."

Rick looked back at her through the mirror. "I didn't mean for things to get so out of hand."

"You never do," She said quietly.

Rick turned around to face her. "What Ron said about me and Jessie kissing is not really true. She tried to kiss me, but I turned away."

"You don't have to explain anything to me. It's not like we're a thing."

"We could be."

Michonne sighed. "Rick, what are we doing?"

He grabbed her by the waist and pulled her towards him. "Do you have feelings for me?"

"It's not that simple."

"I think it is. Do you have feelings me?"

"We can't afford to be wrapped up in each other with everything that's going on."

"How can we afford not to when tomorrow is never a promise?" He pleaded with her. He kissed her again. Deeper. Longer. Their tongues met as if they've been longing for each other for a lifetime. He pulled her tighter against his body. Feeling his arousal caused her to dig her nails into his bare shoulder. His hands moved up her torso and brushed across her breasts. He moved back down to grab her ass pulling her even tighter. Her hips started to involuntarily grind against him. The senses in her body were overloading, she had to pull away to catch her breath.

"Rick..." She breathed out in a whisper.

"Hmm?" He said as he moved his lips to her neck still caressing her bottom.

"There's still a house full of people here. And the door's open."

He slammed the door closed with his foot. She moved out of his embrace and leaned against the counter. Pulling on the fresh t-shirt she brought him, he decided to try a new tactic. "Okay if you don't want to talk about us then who's Andre?"

"What?" Michonne moved from the counter and took a step back from him.

"Who's Andre? I saw your reaction when Craig said the name. He was obviously someone important to you." Rick sat in the space she vacated on the counter and crossed his arms.

Michonne started to rub her temples with her fingers. She wasn't ready to have that conversation. "Rick that's not important right now."

"I feel you know so much about me, but you can be such a blank wall sometimes. Who's Andre?"

Michonne exhaled slowly to keep herself from crying. "He was...my son."

"Shit...Michonne...shit." He quickly cleared the space between them and pulled her into a hug.

"Dad, come quick. Something's going on. Tobin's at the door." They looked at each other and ran to the front door. Shouts and screams could be heard coming from the street. Fire blazing near the gate could be seen from the porch.

"We have a problem. There's been a breach." Tobin said.