So it's been about 8 months since I updated this. Yeah, I'm a lame ass. Hopefully there's still folks interested in how this turns out. Comic Con 2015 was amazing and I do believe Richonne is on the horizon. Here's hoping, wishing, praying...

Michonne sighed as she started her shift in the guard tower. Normally she enjoyed these brief periods alone. She craved time away from the large groups at the prison and reveled in her solitude. This was all before she and Rick had reconnected a few days ago. Since their talk, Rick had done a complete turnaround from his previous dismissiveness. He'd promised chivalry and damned if he didn't keep his word. From the gentle touches on the small of her back when they were walking side by side to him checking in with her and how she felt about...anything, Rick had so far done what he'd promised. It had felt wonderful and terrifying all at once. It gave Michonne more access to Rick's thoughts and feelings but she knew it would only be a matter of time before he'd require the same of her.

Michonne wasn't sure if she was ready to put it out on the line, even though she'd asked Rick to do it for her. Intimacy and vulnerability were never things she'd done particularly well with even under the best of circumstances. These were far from that.

Time alone was good. Unfortunately, time alone also gave her mind freedom to wander. She wished there was a way to just turn it all off and give herself a break. No matter how she tried, Rick was always in her thoughts. It didn't help that busybodies at the prison had noticed the shift in how she and Rick acted towards each other and decided to get pump her for info. This wasn't a game Michonne was interested in playing.

Picking up her binoculars, Michonne scanned the outskirts of the prison grounds. The walkers continued to build up, day after day. Those who worked the fence did the best they could but it felt like trying to fill a bucket with a large hole. The more people they had here, the more walkers would be drawn to the prison. There was nothing they could do, though, but continue to try and cut down the numbers.

Michonne's concentration was broken by the sound of someone climbing up the tower. On reflex, she grabbed her sword and pointed it toward the opening.

"Easy, killer…" Rick teased, climbing inside.

Michonne rolled her eyes but secretly, she was glad to see him. Even though they hadn't exactly spelled out where they were right now, relationship-wise, she had been anxious to be alone with him. There was always someone else around or something that needed doing.

Sitting next to Michonne, Rick put down the bag he'd brought with him. Unable to quell her curiosity, Michonne peeked inside and saw Rick had brought her dinner, including alcohol.

"Well, look at you, Rick." Michonne said, impressed.

"I did good?" He inquired, almost looking shy.

"You did great." Michonne gave him a sweet smile and playfully bumped her shoulder against his.

"Although," Michonne said, bringing out the bottle of wine, "I'm a little concerned over this."

"What?" Rick feigned innocence.

Michonne leaned towards Rick, flirting.

"Are you trying to get me drunk?" She accused jokingly.

"…Maybe?" Rick joked back. "I know you can't drink much on watch. That's why I'm here. Call me your designated sentry."

Michonne threw her head back and laughed. "You're too much."

Rick looked genuinely pleased with himself, like a child who'd been praised by a teacher for the meager apple he'd given as a gift. It really took so little from Michonne to make him feel ten feet tall. He wondered if she had any idea what she really did for him, what she really meant to him.

They doled out the food and started dinner, indulging themselves with small amounts of wine. Michonne appreciated Rick's offer but she hadn't had alcohol in a long time and watch duty wasn't the best time to get drunk.

Despite the having the smallest of sips, Michonne had begun to feel the old familiar tingles of a buzz.

"You know," Michonne declared, "you coming up here with me is gonna start a whole slew of rumors."

Rick laughed, taking another drink. "Come on, now. People got more important things to worry about."

"You'd think so," Michonne agreed. "With no internet or TV, gossip is the only entertainment these days. And apparently, you and I, whatever we are, is a hot topic of conversation."

"Really?" Rick asked. He'd been pretty oblivious to any talk going on. Of course, he tended to work on his crops and spend his time with his kids and now Michonne. He didn't the time or the interest to invest in rumors.

"Oh yeah. People totally think we're fucking." Michonne surprised herself with her bluntness but she was getting farther and farther away from sober.

"Wow.." Rick answered. "I….just go ahead and say it then!"

"You aren't helping matters, you know. Mr. "Sneak Up To The Guard Tower", Michonne reminded him. She lay down on the blanket underneath her, stretching out.

Rick lay down next to her. He turned and faced her, leaning on his elbow.

"You want me to leave?" he asked her, his husky tone catching Michonne off guard.

"I didn't say that..."

Michonne hated how timid she sounded. His close proximity and the feel of his breath on her face were making her feel weak. There hadn't been any kissing since that first time in the tombs and look how that worked out. Still, she'd been hoping for another opportunity, another chance to feel his lips on hers. Could this be that chance?

Rick had the same thoughts going through his own head. Since the kiss they'd shared so long ago, he'd been aching to do it again. He knew he wouldn't be able to stop at a kiss this time. They were safe and they were alone. He would respect whatever she decided to do, but if given the opportunity, there was nothing he wouldn't do to, with, or for Michonne.

Michonne felt brave with the liquid courage flowing through her. She threw her right arm over Rick's waist, pulling him towards her. Pelvis to pelvis, Rick's desire for her became quite evident.

"I thought you were gonna make me work a little…harder," Rick reminded Michonne, raising a brow.

She had said she was going to make him work to get back into her good graces. She had been determined to drag him along and get him begging. This was difficult to remember now, with her head swimming and Rick's body pressed tight against her own.

"Oh yeah, I guess I forgot," Michonne whispered as she moved in to kiss him. Rick grabbed the back of her head and mashed his mouth into hers. The first kiss was amazing but this was so much better. It wasn't adrenaline or the fear of death bringing them together. This was a conscious choice and there was nothing holding them back this time. Before she knew it, Michonne had rolled onto her back with Rick on top of her. His lips left her face and worked their way down the side of her neck. Michonne worked her fingers quickly, unbuttoning Rick's shirt while trying to remove her own at the same time.

"Would you like some help?" Rick laughed. Michonne felt so flustered with the need to feel his skin on her own. She didn't like feeling out of control and Rick had apparently picked up on that.

His eyes met hers as he settled her busy hands. He quickly finished what she had started, pulling off his shirt and tossing it to the side. He then moved to hers, slowly unzipping her vest and gently yanking her tank top over her head. Michonne's breathing was still heavy, mostly from desire but also fear. Fear of making a mistake, of letting this man into body and into her heart.

Rick sensed something was off. He grabbed her unsteady hands into his own .

"Michonne?" he asked softly, wanting to get her attention but not wanting to startle her.

"It's alright. We don't have to...do anything. Honestly, I'm happy just being here with you."

His sweetness was almost too much to bare and Michonne felt her eyes well up.

Rick felt himself panic a bit. He didn't have a lot of experience with women but he was pretty sure a woman crying while making out wasn't a good sign.

"I'm just scared, Rick. Not of you...just of…shit, I don't know."

Michonne didn't how to express herself but she didn't have to. Rick knew. Their unspoken communication had been a blessing to them both.

"Hey…" he said, placing a gentle hand on her cheek. "I got you. Okay?" Michonne looked in his eyes and knew he meant what he said. With a small nod, Michonne pulled Rick back down to her kissed him again.

Once Michonne decided to go ahead, everything happened in a flurry of movements. Before she even realized it, she and Rick lay naked together in the guard tower.

Rick wished he could see more of Michonne but the sun had already set and the best they had was a small lantern in the corner. Still, he didn't need to see her to know how stunning she was. She was Michonne. She was all he needed or could ever ask for.

Michonne was still amazed how quickly they'd gotten to this point. It seemed like a few minutes ago that they were drinking and joking and now she was on her back, naked with Rick,who was throbbing, hot and insistent between her thighs. Her thoughts were interrupted by the feel of Rick's mouth on her breasts and his fingers beginning to work tirelessly at her core. Her hips rose involuntarily, desperately needing more of Rick's touch. Somehow he knew exactly what she needed and how she needed it without her saying a single word.

It had been so long that Michonne almost didn't recognize the orgasm when it hit her. Her whole body seized as she gasped and groaned against Rick's shoulder.

Rick slowed down his movements as he watch Michonne ride out her high. He was convinced he would never see anything as sexy as what he'd just witnessed.

"I think," he drawled, nuzzling her neck, "that you need more of those and I would very much like to be the one to give 'em to you."

"I think I'd be okay with that," Michonne murmed. "What about you, though?" she asked.

Rick looked confused for a moment until he felt Michonne's hand wrap skillfully around his cock.

"Oh…my god," Rick groaned. He was convinced he could come just from her touch.

Michonne enjoyed seeing Rick's eyes roll in the back of his head and she stroked him. It was obvious it wouldn't take much to get him there so she chose to stop playing and put him where she wanted him to be.

With a little shifting, Michonne lined Rick up with her entrance and met his eyes.

"Your move," she challenged.

Rick accepted and pressed his lips against Michonne's while he pushed into her slowly.

Michonne did her best to hide the minor discomfort she felt. As turned on and as wet as she was, it had still been a very long time. Rick seemed to understand and restrained himself.

Scooting closer to Rick, Michonne wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him in more.

"It's okay," she reassured him. "You got me, remember?" She smiled softly and moved a stray curl out of his face.

"Always," Rick promised. He placed small bites at her neck while he began moving more purposefully within her. The discomfort of earlier had been gone and Michonne's moans got louder as Rick's thrusts got harder.

" 'Chonne, you feel so good. Fuck... I don't know if I can..."

"Just go, Rick. Just let go. I want you too."

She knew knew he would need some sort of permission to take some pleasure for himself. He was so selfless sometimes, it was maddening.

Rick glanced down at where their bodies joined. He saw Michonne's hand working frantically at her center. Her bottom lip was trapped between her teeth and her head thrashed back and forth as she came yet again. Watching Michonne bringing herself over the edge and the sight of his cock pounding in and out of her beautiful body was too much for Rick to take.

With a guttural cry, he exploded deep inside Michonne. This incredible woman had chosen to forgive him, to share herself with him and he still couldn't believe it.

Weak, Rick collapsed, his head on Michonne's chest. She was coming down from her own high as she played with his curls. They stayed that way, quiet and safe until they both drifted off to sleep.

I wonder if they remembered that Glenn and Maggie have sex up there? Bet they bouts to find out..hehe. Thank you to everyone who put up with my lack of updates. Richonne fans are jewels of The Walking Dead fandom and no one can tell me different. Later :)