Disclaimer: I do not own the Walking Dead

A/N: All of you dear readers are amazing! Thank you so much for the support and encouragement. I always enjoy reading reviews and messages; they inspire me, make me laugh and smile. Internet high fives all around!

Some responses:

lacsim1978: the word 'preggo' never gets old for me; made me LOL

lanie-love09: He really can't keep it in his pants (I ain't mad at him lol); my friends and I joke that on the show, Rick owns half of the kids left in the world – therefore he has Super-Spunk (semen) not sure what you call spunk in the US lol and I can't believe I'm talking about it (my mother must be so proud!).

castlefan83 & Amrcncpprhd: Ding ding ding! 10 points each for pointing out that the people in the Settlement, may not be the best of people themselves.

literaturechick: Glad you're excited! Everything you've said about Rick and the group is true; they're all very much 'all or nothing' and definitely stick together. We'll find out who Sara is soon…

anivas14: Glad you noticed the whole referring to Michonne as Rick's 'wife'; I thought that it would show that their connection is obvious, even to 'outsiders'. I have to agree, they are more valuable being part of the Settlement than not (I don't know what TV show they were watching but if Rick Grimes shows up on your doorstep, you let him stay lol).

CindyTheSlayer & Guest: Thanks for taking the time to review.

Whoa, okay. I'm just as excited as everyone else, so let's get to it.

5 weeks ago

Michonne, looking like a woman on a mission, walked hastily across the grounds of the Settlement toward the rations store. The days had begun to grow warm, so the manner in which she closed her light jacket over the front of her torso and folded her arms was more an act of self-comfort than practicality. She was not feeling well and she was fairly certain she knew the reasons why; she had felt very much the same at the beginning of her pregnancy with André. Nauseated by different smells; slightly heavy in her lower regions, but late with her period; emotional and lightheaded. She was disappointed in herself; how could she let this happen, and so soon? She had only started being intimate with Rick in the past few months and was already having second thoughts about continuing her relationship with him. She was not entirely sure of what her relationship with Rick actually was; and now this. This would surely complicate things further. Their desire for one another had led them to behave irresponsibly, and now she felt…worried, excited, joyous, guilty, disappointed, scared, happy and sad; all at once.

Rick Grimes was a decent man; a strong man, a protector, a leader. She cared for him, she…she shook that admission from her mind. Michonne was still uncertain about what they were doing; she had felt the shift in their relationship. She had noticed that Rick was behaving differently with her. He was being gentler with her and wanted to hold her after they had sex. The frequency with which they had been intimate had also increased. She knew he had developed deeper feelings for her, she could see it in his eyes. The way his gaze would follow her and how it softened when he spoke to her; she knew it because she felt the same. She just did not know how to deal with her feelings. And now this. If she ended things with Rick, then what? Would she have to try to avoid him, to basically ignore him? The Settlement was small, there were not many places one could hide from someone who sought them out; and she knew Rick would always seek her out. Even more so if he knew his child was growing inside of her. Even if she did not tell him right away, he would eventually notice for it was not something that one could easily hide. She almost laughed when she thought of how joint custody was a thing of the past. Wait! Am I really going through with this? She asked herself, already knowing the answer. Regardless of what happened between Michonne and Rick, she knew she would keep the baby. Rick and his children were gifts to her, this baby would be the same; a precious gift in a horrible world.

Michonne used her key to gain entry to the rations store, Brett stood, smiled and greeted her warmly. He was a nice young man, always eager to help, extremely friendly and no trouble. She had caught him staring down the front of her top several times, but she hadn't said anything. She smiled to herself when she thought of how Rick would always be short-tempered to the young man when he came by the rations store. He always snapped at him, and made Brett feel uncomfortable. She could only guess that Rick had caught him staring as well.

"Your husband came by here earlier." Called Sara from the back of the rations store. Michonne did not correct her, it was a common mistake that many of the residents at the Settlement made; she knew the young woman was talking about Rick because he usually came by looking for her. Most of the residents meant Rick when they mistakenly referred to Michonne's 'husband'; she had grown tired of repeating "he's not my husband" because they just went on to say, "Oh, sorry, your boyfriend." Rick thought it was amusing and did not correct anyone at all for the slip up. Michonne thought Rick might actually enjoy the insinuation that she was his.

"What did he want?" asked Michonne as she sat on a stool at one of the tables.

"Well, if I didn't know any better, I'd say he just wanted to be rude to Brett." She began, as they both threw Brett a sympathetic look. "Nah, he was just lookin' for you."

Michonne nodded and said, "I'll see him later I guess."

Just then, it occurred to her that she could take advantage of the whole situation. "Actually, Brett, I hate to ask but would you go find Rick for me, please?"

She wanted some time alone with Sara, but could think of no other excuse. Brett looked like he had just swallowed an insect upon hearing her request, he did not really want to go and seek out Rick Grimes. The man was always unpleasant to him, but he did want to help Michonne.

"Do I have to?" He asked, his face all screwed up. "He's always such a jerk to me."

Michonne batted her eyelids and mouthed the words pretty please.

Brett rolled his eyes, "Fine, fine. I'll do it for you, but he's gonna have to start bein' nicer to me, Michonne. I don't know what I've done to offend him."

"Thank you." Michonne offered warmly. "I'll be sure to talk to him about being an asshole."

With that, the young man nodded and left the two women alone in the small room.

"That was mean, Mich." Said Sara. "Rick doesn't like Brett at all, and he don't hide it very well."

Michonne sighed and told Sara she knew it was terrible of her to ask, but she needed to speak privately. Sara handled the medical and hygiene supplies and was in charge of distributing said rations. She was a kind, quiet spoken young woman; a trainee nurse in another life, junior representative on the Council and trustworthy. She and Michonne formed a quick and easy friendship since Michonne had begun her duties in the rations store. She knew she would be able to ask Sara this favour, without it getting back to Rick or anyone else for that matter. Michonne also knew that if she were indeed pregnant, Sara would be the person she needed to see for her antenatal medicine.

"Sara, I need to ask for something, but please, I need you to keep it between us."

The young woman nodded and said, "Of course."

Rick returned to the rations store, walking slightly faster than Brett, a stern look on his face.

"Hey, everything okay?" He asked Michonne, his brow furrowed and his thumbs hooked into his belt.

"Yeah everything's fine, I'm fine. You wanted to see me?" She asked, as she approached him and noticed his expression softened.

"I always wanna see you." He whispered as she rolled her eyes.

"Knock it off." She warned quietly, in a stern manner that was just not that believable and good-naturedly shoved his chest.

"Also," she added, much louder, "Stop givin' Brett a hard time would you? He told me how you treat him. You don't always have to be such an asshole to him, Rick."

Rick looked at Michonne with a faux-annoyed look on his face, and then turned to Brett who looked even more uncomfortable than before.

"Did you call me an asshole, boy?" He asked, genuinely annoyed now at the young man's absurd expression.

"Jesus, Rick. Leave him alone." Michonne chastised, as she walked behind him, hooked the tips of her fingers into his belt and pushed him through the door. He did not resist Michonne's playfulness and let her shuffle him outside. As they walked Rick felt the strong urge to wrap a possessive arm around her waist. He thought better of it as they moved toward the fence, he did not notice the newly acquired pregnancy test shoved in the side pocket of her jeans.

Present Day

Rick sat in the same chair that he was seated in earlier that day. He stared at the floor a moment, gathering his thoughts, before looking directly at the Council members. He could not gauge their expressions and waited quietly to hear what they had decided.

John began to speak.

"I'm lettin' you know that I was not involved in the deliberations that took place this afternoon, because of the obvious conflict of interest. I'm here now to deliver the judgment to you. After listenin' to both sides of the story, and taking into consideration the seriousness of the accusation, as well as what is fair for you and your family, the Council have reached a decision."

Rick sat up straighter in his seat and nodded slowly to John.

"We have taken into account that you have a family to look after." The older man continued.

"And with that the Council have decided that your actions, while out on that run, were in self-defence and did not pose an immediate threat to the security of this camp. While we don't condone this behaviour, it would be unjust to banish you when you have two children and a pregnant wife to care for. It would be uncivilised of us to place ah..." he looked to Melanie who quickly and quietly provided the name he was searching for.

"Yes, to place Michonne, your boy, your baby and your unborn child at risk if you weren't around to provide for them, or if they followed you. So, with that, you are allowed to stay in the Settlement under a three month probationary period whereby we retain your weapon and you are banned from goin' on any runs until the time is up. Is that clear? Do you have any questions?"

Rick looked confused, the Council members thought, as he stared at them in shock and disbelief, not saying anything.

"Grimes? Do you hear me? You're free to go." John stated.

"Sorry, yes sir. Thank you. Thank you all for givin' me this chance. I, ah...I really do appreciate it."

Rick stammered as he stood and turned to the door slowly, glancing back and offering a final nod to the Council members. As Rick exited the administration building, he could barely focus on what had just happened all he could think of was what John had said to him. Michonne was pregnant. His Michonne was pregnant? She was carrying his child? His head spun as he tried to make sense of what had just occurred.

He was shaken from his thoughts and brought back to reality as his group rushed toward him asking what had happened. He informed them he was to remain in the camp and accepted the hugs and handshakes, the smiles and relieved laughter. All the while his eyes found their way back to Michonne, who stood back while the others crowded around him. Why didn't she say anything? He questioned. How do they all know, those Council members, when I didn't? He was confused and unsure of how this revelation made him feel.

The others returned happily to their duties, while Carol saw to Judith, and Carl, Daryl and Michonne followed Rick back to their living area. He explained the terms of him being allowed to stay and said he would comply. He turned to the man who was like his brother and said:

"Hey, I have a three pack of AAA batteries in the tent to the left, right near the opening. Take Carl up to the rations store and see if you can trade 'em for some candy bars."

Daryl nodded. "Okay, man. You need anything?"

Rick shook his head and then watched Carl and Daryl walk away. He slowly closed the distance between himself and Michonne, pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaled deeply and said to her in an even tone.

"Hey, we need to talk."