Rick yawned as he rubbed his free hand through his hair and made his way to the appropriate aisle.

"They have cool breeze, and cinnamon." He said into his cell phone.

"…"

"Naw, I don't see that kind." Rick rummaged behind the different boxes of toothpaste that lined the shelves. "How about 'Brisk Mint'? Or Fresh Mint?" None of it mattered to him, toothpaste was toothpaste, but for her, he would leave his home at 3 a.m. after a night of drinking, to walk to the convenience store and get her what she needed. "Nothing says spearmint."

"…"

Studying one of the toothpaste boxes in his hand he relayed, "The fresh mint doesn't have the baking soda, the brisk mint does."

"…"

"You sure? Brisk Mint with Baking Soda and Peroxide? "

"…"

"Alright."

Rick ended the call and made his way to the counter to pay for the toothpaste. He exited back out into the cool night, when a raindrop fell on his head causing Rick to start his power walk. It was as if mother nature knew he ran outside in his slippers without any jacket or umbrella, so she decided to greet him, opening her skies and the rain began to pour. He trekked the five minute walk in the torrential downpour, his socks soaked through, back to his home where Michonne was waiting for him.

He kicked off his slippers and discarded of his wet socks. His feet were freezing as he padded to the bathroom where Michonne was sitting at the edge of the tub looking at her phone.

Rick stood in the doorway soaking wet, as the thunder and lightning clashed outside. He held out the toothpaste he bought for her.

"Aw babe, I'm sorry, I didn't think it would start raining on you!" She looked at him apologetically, grabbing a towel, she started drying off his hair. "Should've taken the car." Leaving the towel on his head, Michonne took the toothpaste, planting a kiss on his cheek in thanks.

Rick left Michonne in the bathroom to attend to her dental hygiene and proceeded to his bedroom. Changing out of his wet clothes into a warm pair of sweatpants, Rick drowsily laid back on his bed and closed his eyes, waiting for Michonne to return.

When she finished her toothbrushing almost fifteen minutes later, Michonne entered Rick's bedroom to find him bare chested with his arm draped over his face covering his eyes, lying in the middle of the bed. Michonne smiled at the image before her. Turning off the main light, she walked to the side of the bed and turned on the dimmer bedside lamp. Rick opened his eyes sensing that she was near. Her hair was loose, hanging down her shoulders. She was wearing nothing but one of his KCPD tshirts and her panties, looking completely delectable. Rick sat up and fixed himself underneath the covers now, then held them up for Michonne to join him. She slipped under the comforter and straddled him. Running her hands over, up and down, his solid chest. Rick let out a satisfied moan, and placed his hands behind his head, closing his eyes again.

"Thank you." Michonne whispered, leaning down into a passionate kiss. Rick could taste the "brisk mint" on her tongue causing him to smile into her mouth.

"You're welcome." He replied.

Michonne laid on top of him, resting her head on his chest as she absently stroked the scratchy stubble on his face, placing gentle kisses on his neck. "I would have used your generic fluoride." She admitted. "I feel bad you got caught in the rain... The things you do for me."

Rick brought his hand to her chin, moving her head up so she would look at him, his other resting at the small of her back, pulling her closer. "Michonne, it was nothin'. I'd do more than that for you. I'd do anythang for you."

"I know." Michonne smirked and sank further into him, never feeling more content than she did in this moment in his embrace.

Rick raised his brow in amusement, "Oh, how do you know?"

Michonne lifted her head, her chin resting on his chest, "Because I'd do anything for you."

Rick leaned in for a kiss. "You promise?"

"I promise." Michonne answered definitively, turning her head to lie against him once again. "And I always keep my promises." She added firmly.

"Okay, then." Rick grinned mischievously. Using his fingers, he snapped at the band of her underwear. "How about you take these off?"


"Pass me that piece right there Carl." Rick pointed to the metal support rod that slips into the tent sheet. Rick and Carl were readying their dusty tent for their late night camping, while Lori was preparing s'mores in the kitchen. The young boy did as he was told, and grabbed the rod for his father. They worked in relative quiet, only the crickets playing their nighttime songs.

Carl regarded his father as he put the last piece of the tent together. He noticed that throughout the night his father was only half there. He was smiling and going through the motions, but there was something wrong. Despite having lived with his mother and only seeing his father for bits at a time, no one knew Rick better than Carl. He knew his Dad, even better than his mother did.

"Maybe next time we can invite Michonne." Carl calmly said breaking the silence.

"What?" Rick stopped what he was doing, turning to face his son.

"That is why you're sad isn't it? Because of Michonne?" He went on to ask.

Rick went back to placing their sleeping bags and extra blankets in the tent. "Yeah." Finally answering Carl's question. "It's complicated."

Carl carried their extra pillows over to his father. "Why?"

He did not have a good enough answer for his son. Not one that he felt comfortable in sharing anyway, so he just shrugged, "It's a grown up thing, Carl." The excuse was lame, but he himself did not understand why he allowed things to get so complicated. All he knew was that he was tired. Tired of trying to do what is right. Tired of wanting everything to be perfect. Tired of the ache in his heart, missing Michonne.

Carl cut his eyes at his father's weak response. "If she's your friend then it should not be complicated." He climbed inside the tent and sat at the door flap not done with his father. "It's because she doesn't like Mom, isn't it?"

Taken aback, Rick inquired, "What makes you say that? Why do you think she doesn't like Mom?"

Carl's face was deadpan as he stared up at his father standing before him. "Dad, I'm not an idiot. Anyone with two eyes can see Michonne does not like Mom, and you have to be completely blind to see that Mom doesn't really like Michonne, either. Probably because she's your friend."

Rick gazed at his son wondering when he decided to grow up so fast.

He motioned for Carl to scoot over and entered the tent to sit next to him, "So what do you think I should do about it kid? Since you've got the answers."

"The way I see it," Carl began, "Maybe they just need to get to know each other better. Kinda like how I got to know Michonne. They don't like each other because they don't know what there is to like. Kinda like Captain America and Iron Man in the Avengers. Once they figure that out, then we can all hang out together, and you won't be so sad. It's not that hard."

Rick beheld his son with extreme admiration. His simplistic explanation made all the sense in the world. Not muddled by overthinking, or tainted by the growing pains of adulthood. "When'd you get so smart?" Rick asked, playfully putting his son in a headlock.

"Ow Dad!" Carl laughed pushing his father away from him. "I like being here with you with Mom and Judy, but I still want you to be happy."

"I am happy, Carl. I'm very happy." Rick reassured him.

"Good." Carl declared. Now tired of giving his father advice, he exited the tent and ran to the back door of the house. "Mom, hurry up!"


Rick looked over at the small body that was lying next to him. Carl was lightly snoring and sleeping serenely, not a care on his young mind. Being this close, Rick noticed that his face was getting skinnier. Carl was losing his baby fat. He was grateful that his son was by his side so he could notice these things. Not so long ago, the closest he could get was through facetime on his phone. While Carl was able to find sleep, Rick's was alluding him. His thoughts were all over the place and then, like they always seem to do, landed on Michonne. The vision of her smiling with some other guy outside of the diner was plaguing him.

Rick sat up and pulled one of the extra blankets over Carl. Though he was in his sleeping bag, the temperature dropped significantly and the wind was howling outside. He exited the tent carefully, not to wake Carl. Zipping the tent door back up, Rick headed inside for a glass of water from the kitchen.

He entered his home and made his way to the kitchen. Pouring him a glass, he leaned against the countertop and continued to contemplate his life choices. There was one notion that had been banging around his head all night, he had been an idiot. No matter how he tried to rationalize it, Michonne was the best thing to happen to him. When he was on the brink of giving up, she brought him back to life. He let his selfishness get in the way of that fact, clouding his judgment. It wasn't until he saw her with that man again that he realized what he gained to lose. He wanted...needed to fix it. He was already in too deep with this thing with Lori, he would not feel right just kicking her out now and the fact was, she would always be in his life. He would have to see this arrangement through or speed up the process to get her out the house, but his children, they needed to stay. He'd gotten used to them around and he wanted to keep it that way. He had a lot to fix, starting with talking to Lori.

Like she could hear his thoughts, Lori quietly came into view in the kitchen entry. "Everything okay?" She asked wiping her eyes.

"Yeah, it's fine. Carl's knocked out."

"You boys had fun, huh?" She smiled. "That boy is going to have a hell of a tummy ache when he wakes up."

Rick nodded and continued to sip his water.

"Just like old times." Lori simpered. She grabbed a glass from the dish rack and turned on the tap for some water as well. Neither saying anything for a while, they just stood in the dark kitchen, drinking from their glasses and ignoring the awkward tension they felt.

"Rick?" Lori spoke barely over a whisper. "It could be like this. All the time."

He did not say anything, just continued looking into his glass, barely a drop of water left.

"I made some mistakes..." She went on.

"Mistakes, Lori?" Rick huffed, placing the glass down on the counter and crossing his arms in front of him. What she did to him could not be trivialized into just a mistake. He was shattered. The anger that he was trying to placate since she arrived asking for help was beginning to rise within him. "What happened?" He asked, surprised at his own question. He never thought to ask before. He did not want to know about him, he had resigned himself from even recognizing his existence.

Lori glared at him.

"What happened with Shane?" He stated more clearly. "Why did you two break up?"

"He wasn't who I thought he was." Lori gave as an explanation.

"I know the feeling." Rick mumbled.

Lori nodded, she deserved that. "He...cheated on me. Numerous of times, and I knew it but I stayed. Then he just left."

"Then you just came here." Rick wondered if it hurt when it happened. If she felt even an ounce of the pain that he did when she left him. When she took his kids and moved away with his best friend. "If Shane never left, would you have continued to stay? Would you have continued to keep my kids away from me?" Rick questioned.

She looked down at her feet shifting uncomfortably, unable to answer.

Rick looked at her with skeptical eyes. "Goodnight Lori." He took his glass from the counter and put it in the sink.

Lori was left alone in the kitchen. Silently the sting of tears fell from her eyes.


The next day, Michonne was scanning the shelves in the toiletry aisle at the supermarket when a young body ran into her.

"Hi Michonne!" It was Carl, grinning brightly up at her.

"Hey Carl!" Michonne said backing away from the shelf to face him. She was actually happy to see him. Surprised, but happy. He was a good kid, even only hanging out with him for a little while she was smitten by his jubilant spirit. She knew she wanted kids one day, and if she was to have one she would hope they would be even half as fun and smart as Carl.

Curiously, Carl rocked from the heels of his feet to the tip of his toes, his hands innocently hanging behind his back he intoned, "Whatcha doin?"

"Just some grocery shopping." Michonne answered. "What are you doing? Where's your mom?" She had to think Lori was somewhere around here and running into her was something in which she was not particularly looking forward to.

"She took Judy to my grandma's house." He informed.

Michonne nodded. Well that was good, she would not have to deal with her shit today. Her face quickly changed from relief to tension. That meant he was in the store with...

"So what are you looking for?" Carl asked excitedly looking at the shelves of toothpaste. He wanted to be helpful.

Before she could reply, his voice answered for her, "Spearmint and baking soda."

Michonne's stomach dropped. That voice she missed so much still affected her down to her core. She turned around to find Rick standing behind her holding a red basket in one hand and a box of toothpaste in another.

"Right?" He said holding the box out for her.

"Right." Michonne smiled taking it from his hand.

Carl moved in between the two and finally mustered up the courage to ask what has been on his mind since he spotted Michonne from the corner of his eye. "Michonne, when are we going to make the apple pie and candy apples?"

Caught off guard, she chuckled, "Uhm... "

"Carl, go get the cereal you want." Rick said dismissing the boy.

Running off to do as his father told, he called out, "I'll be right back for my answer."

Rick watch Carl as he rounded the corner, then his attention fell back to his girlfriend, or ex-girlfriend, he did not care for the particulars. She was wearing a plum colored vintage style dress that cinched at the waist highlighting her small frame. Her hair was in a casual updo, her neck on full regal display. He stepped closer to her, reducing the gap between them, "How are you doing?"

"Good." She answered abruptly, not wanting to let on just how much she missed him.

Rick nodded, "That's...". He looked down at her marigold flats to hide the hurt on his face. It wasn't so much hearing that she was doing good without him. In fact, he admired that and he was happy for it. It was just that in this moment he realized just how not good he was doing without her. "...Uh, That's good."

"How are you?" Michonne inquired, drawing his attention back to her face.

Rick pondered his answer for a moment. It was heavy and loaded, but he never had a hard time speaking to Michonne, so he figured he would just come out with it. Tilting his head to the side he started, "I mi-"

"Here, Dad!" Carl came running back with a box of chocolate cereal with a bear on the front, throwing it into the basket his father held. "So anyway, Michonne..." Speaking through labored breaths, "Apple pie?"

Michonne glanced at Rick to see if he would give her another bailout, but when she did, his features were riddled with shameless delight and she knew that he was leaving it up to her. Rick had no intention of screwing up a chance to be around Michonne again, even if he had to use Carl to do it.

Shaking her head at Rick, she concentrated back on the eager child that stood before her. "Most of the apples have gone bad..." Michonne reflected.

Carl's hopeful face morphed into dejection.

"But..." She continued, "I don't see why we can't just pick up a case from the farmer's market."

Carl beamed looking at his father now, "We can?!"

She viewed Rick who was now sporting a smile that rivaled his own son.

"We can." Michonne answered for him. "I just need you to find me the caramel candy packet so we can make the candy apples too."

"I'm on it." Carl raced away on a mission.

"You don't have to." Rick said halfheartedly. In fact he was ecstatic she agreed, but not wanting to be selfish he decided to give her one more out anyway.

"I made a promise." Michonne answered, throwing the toothpaste he passed her in her own basket.

Smiling, Rick finished for her, "And you always keep your promises."


"Turn around Carl." Michonne ordered.

"What? Why?" Carl griped, perplexed by her request. He bit into one of the leftover apple slices they had spread out across the kitchen island.

"I don't want you to see the secret ingredient." Michonne said playfully as she moved bowl of apple pie filling they prepared from his line of sight.

The young boy stuffed the rest of his apple slice in his mouth and tried to make his way to the other side of Michonne so he could see what she was putting into the bowl. "The secret ingredient?" She blocked him off with her body as he moved from side to side trying to sneak a peek. "Come on, let me see!" Rick sat on the other side of island eating an apple of his own, grinning at the comical exchange.

Becoming flustered, Carl crossed his arms, and tilted his head to the side, sizing up Michonne. He looked very much like his father this way, she noticed.

"That's not fair." Carl started. Michonne stole a glance at Rick, a face full of pride as he watched his son. "You told me you would show me how to make it. That means ALL of it."

Michonne nodded at his reasoning. "That is true, but you have to make me a promise."

"What's that?" Carl asked.

"We can't tell your Dad. We tell him, then all of King County knows."

"Hey!" Rick feigned outrage.

Carl looked at his father and erupted into a fit of laughter. "Okay! I won't tell him!"

They both turned around, their backs to Rick as Michonne pulled out a bottle of Apple Cider to add to the flavor profile for the filling.

They poured the filling in their pie crust, then Michonne and Carl carefully began to lay the strips of dough on top in a lattice pattern. Once it was in the oven, they began work on the candy apples. Rick busied himself with the caramel sauce, while Michonne and Carl prepared the apples. An air of ease and domestic normalcy, as the trio worked happily together dipping apples, and decorating them with sprinkles and chocolate. Nothing on their minds except the sweet aroma that was emanating from the oven.

Once the candy apples were set in the refrigerator, it was time for Michonne to take the pie out of the oven.

Carl moved in, inhaling the sweet aroma, "Okay, so can we eat it now?" he asked excitedly.

"It has to cool first." Michonne instructed.

Carl let out an exasperated sigh. He was starving, and with all the work he put in, he would have to wait even longer. He nor his stomach was happy either, and the grumbling within him let him know it.

Detecting his disappointment, Michonne pulled out some cold cuts from her refrigerator. "What's your favorite movie, Carl?"

"The Justice League: War." He stated plainly, still looking at the delicious golden brown crust of their pie.

"How about I make you lunch, and you can eat and watch the movie while the pie cools down? Then we'll have it for dessert." She propositioned. "Unless you want dish duty."

His tiny smile returning, and wanting no part in the clean up, Carl agreed to wait.


Michonne got Carl settled in the living room with a sandwich and some juice for lunch. She purchased the movie he requested on her Amazon video account, and immediately he was engrossed in the action on the television screen.

Satisfied that Carl's attention would be held for at least thirty minutes, Michonne returned to the kitchen to find Rick already starting with clean up. Without Carl as a buffer, they were no longer able to ignore the heavy tension that permeated between them. Rick was wiping off the spilled flour on the counter tops and Michonne went to work on the dishes, neither quite sure how to approach the topic on both of their minds. Each other. So instead, they just cleaned.

Once the counters were cleansed and clear, Rick went to assist Michonne with the rest of the dishes. She made room for him, as he grabbed a sponge and began work on scrubbing the caramel from the inside of the pot. The area around the sink was cramped with the both of them washing, but for Rick he would not have it any other way. As far as he was concerned it had been too long being away from Michonne, and in his heart he hoped she felt the same.

Playfully, he bumped her side, capturing her off guard. A mischievous smile on his face as he was dominating the space now. Michonne laughed and played along, hip checking him back to regaining her previous spot. They went on like this a few more times, when Rick changed tactics and dipped his hand in the soapy water, and splashed Michonne in the face.

"Rick!" She squealed, wiping the water from her eyes as he chuckled at her expense. Sticking her hand in the water now, Rick caught her wrist before she could return the favor. Michonne's heart quickened from just the touch of his fingers on her skin. The entire afternoon they had been tiptoeing around each other, a bunch of small talk, and most of their attention on Carl, but now that undeniable electricity was coursing through their bodies. Rick's eyes fell to her lips, remembering how they taste, he unconsciously licked his own. Leaning in closer, he waited for her to push him away. Waiting for her to tell him no and send him away again.

That never came.

Pressing his mouth to hers, they softly connected. Not before long, the passion and fervor increasing as their tongues tangled. Rick cupped her face in both of his hands, so she could not back away. Michonne threading her fingers through the base of his curls, not wanting to. It was an insatiable hunger finally being tended to after denying themselves for so long, no matter the reasons for it. When they finally separated to catch their breaths, Rick turned off the water, seizing Michonne's hand, guiding her out the kitchen.

They walked quietly past the living room, but Carl did not notice. Batman was doing well with holding his attention. The excitement was coursing through Michonne when Rick lead her to the bathroom and shut the door behind them. Her brain was telling her to go no further. There was little chance she would turn him away, but her heart and the dampness between her legs were screaming, just do it. The desire prevailing her senses.

In a last ditch effort, Michonne started to protest, "Rick..." Before she could speak again, he captured her lips once more. Running his tongue on her plump bottom lip, he relished in the delicacy that he missed so much. Gently, Rick nipped her lip before pulling away eliciting the tiniest moan from her mouth.

The thrill of her in his arms again made Rick's heart swell. Anything other than that, he realized was just wrong. He scolded himself internally for even entertaining the idea of a life without her. Rick trailed small kisses from her neck to her earlobe where he gently nibbled, Michonne rewarding him with a satisfied sigh. He moved his hands to lift the skirt of her dress. Michonne considered one last time to tell him no, but when he fell on his knees in front of her tugging at her panties all the conflict within her dissipated. She ran her fingers through his thick brown hair.

Rick massaged her ass, taking a moment to appreciate the view in front of him. Her lips were clean shaven, glistening with her arousal. Lifting her left leg, and resting it on his shoulder, Rick kissed the sensitive area on her inner thigh, around and everywhere avoiding her pussy. Taking his time, he followed the path to her sopping wet center. He licked at her outer lips, taking a moment to savor her flavor. Flattening out his tongue he pressed it against her center and began lapping, lost in the desert, he just found his oasis.

Michonne bit her lip as she held back the moans and groans, acutely aware that Carl was just outside in the living room while she and his father was in the most undignified position. Sensing that she was holding back, Rick decided the games were over. He slipped two fingers inside her pussy, and began to flick her clit with his tongue causing Michonne to cry out.

Rick continued to fuck her with his fingers until she was close to becoming undone. He stood up and scooped her in his arms carrying her to sit at the edge of the sink. Michonne made quick work unbuckling his jeans, using her hands and feet to pull them down. They had little time. Rick's erection sprang free, rock hard in front of him, he aligned himself and in one fluid motion, filled Michonne with all of him. They both took a moment to revel in the feeling of their coupling once again. Rick rested his forehead against her's, giving her a peck on the nose, provoking a smile from her.

Michonne pulled him by the collar and into another kiss as he began to move inside. Making up for the days apart and every mistake in between, Rick pumped in and out. Michonne held on to him tightly, moaning into his neck, as he fucked her to the apex.

She raised her head to see him. She moved one of his curls that was hanging in his face as he worked for her pleasure. Stirred bu her touch, Rick met her stare. Her almond shaped eyes bore into him as she clenched her muscles around his manhood making it harder for him to hold out. She began to shiver in his arms.

"Rick..." Michonne whined, surrendering to her orgasm. No longer able to withstand his own, Rick came inside her. His legs feeling like jelly, he resting his body against her, to keep from falling himself.

Raining light kisses on her as he tried to catch his breath. "I..." He said panting, "I missed you."

Michonne did not reply with words, but wrapped her arms around him. She held him for a moment before pushing him away and ejecting him from inside her.

"Get yourself together." She smiled. Hopping down from the sink. She picked up her panties from the floor and put them back on. Fixing her dress she announced, "I'm going to go check on Carl."

Michonne left, closing the door behind her, leaving Rick by his lonesome. Shaking his head cheerfully, Rick smiled at his reflection in the mirror, pleased with the way the day had turned out. Chuckling to himself, He picked up his pants and began to get dressed.


After brushing his teeth (Michonne never lacking in spare toothbrushes) and fixing himself back up, Rick returned to the living room. She was sitting on the left side of Carl, her arm casually resting on the couch behind his head as she listened to him explain the premise of the movie.

Michonne watched as Rick took a seat on the opposite side of Carl, his blue eyes never looking away from her. A smug smile etched on his face. She jovially rolled her eyes, and brought her attention back to the boy, passionate in his analysis of the Justice League. Rick stretched his arm behind Carl as well, resting it next to hers. He traced small circles against her skin, just wanting to touch her again. It was a small gestures, that tickled her in the most pleasant way, but still Michonne moved her arm away, erasing the smile on Rick's face. What they shared in the bathroom was not going to expunge the issues that still remained. It couldn't, even if he hoped for it.


"Thanks Michonne." Carl said holding his half of the pie in his hand, along with 3 candy apples. They finished the movie, and after sharing a slice of pie for dessert, it was time to leave.

"You're very welcome." Michonne returned.

Taking it upon himself, realizing that his father was in a terrific mood and had not stopped smiling the whole day since they ran into Michonne at the supermarket he suggested, "You should come over for dinner, or our next DoubleG N." Carl said. "Yes definitely DoubleG N."

Michonne looked confused.

"Grimes Game Night." Carl began, "Its when-"

"Alright Carl, that's enough." Rick intervened. They put Michonne on the spot more than enough times in one day. "Say goodnight and get in the car." He ordered.

"But Dad I was just..."

"Carl." Rick said firmly.

"Fine." Carl said sullenly. "Goodnight Michonne."

"Goodnight Carl." Michonne smiled.

Rick followed Carl with his eyes as he trotted to the car with his goodies in hand.

"Rick?" Michonne spoke for his attention.

"Yeah?"

"You know today doesn't change anything, right?"

"Doesn't it?" He questioned in return.

Michonne shook her head, and Rick nodded in understanding. It was a naive hope that a quick love session on the bathroom sink would solve all their problems, but it was a fun start.

"I figured it out, Michonne." Rick began, moving closer to her in the doorway. "I know what I want, but I just need time to show you." He said closing the gap between them. "Have dinner with me."

This is what she wanted, for him to work it out, but she was hesitant to believe him. "I called you yesterday." She confessed.

"Did you?" His eyebrows raised in surprise.

Michonne rolled hers, "Momentary lapse in judgement."

Rick chortled.

"Good thing you didn't pick up." She added.

"I would have." Rick quickly said. "I would. Lori, she accidentally dropped my cell in the sink washing dishes. So I'm without a phone right now. That's what I was going to take care of after grocery shopping, but then we ran into you."

Michonne shrugged. Lori 'accidentally' dropping his phone? It sounded like a bunch of bullshit, but she did not want to get into it. Not now, not with Carl just in the car. And truth be told, Rick was here so that had to count for something. Michonne tried not to think of their tryst in the bathroom earlier.

"So dinner?" Rick asked again pulling her from her thoughts.

Michonne held on to the front door knob and began to close it, "Call me." She answered before shutting it entirely, leaving Rick on the porch.