They were on Morgan Street where an impromptu block party broke out minus the loud music. There were still walkers. And loud sounds still attracted them. They may have a secure community but danger remained. There were still games and the kids ran around laughing. That was the best sight and sound. Quiet unnerved Rick. Made him suspicious. And frankly, dangerous. When the world stopped screaming and trying to kill them, it was nice to realize and embrace what he had with Michonne. But as time moved on the quiet did it's usual number on him from time to time. When he was in his head the paranoia and demons appeared. His restlessness required him to have five balls in the air. And they needed to be on had to always be doing something.

"All that practice is paying off," he said to Michonne as he watched Judith take slow spastic steps toward Sasha while Carl, always the protective big brother, hovered over her ready to save her from a fall. He couldn't be more proud of the young man his son grew to be. He had been through so much, more than any kid should have to deal with but he was as stable and normal as possible.

When he failed to hear a giggle or the usual sappy sigh from her anytime Judith did anything remotely cute he turned to see a bitter look on her face. That wasn't what he expected. She wasn't looking at Judith. He directed his attention to where she was focused and noticed Penny walking their way with a plate and cup in her hand.

"The look on your face isn't very nice," Rick said to her bumping her with his shoulder in case words once again failed to catch her attention, hoping it wasn't what he thought it was.

"The look on my face is a direct result of what I'm looking at."

He frowned and licked his lips. "You have a problem with Penny?" He shifted his weight onto the leg farthest from her and studied her profile as she stared intently.

Before she could respond, which was probably best for Rick, Penny was a few steps away and their conversation would have to wait. She stood before Rick with a smile on her face. She was a nice girl. Always helpful. From the moment he brought her to Alexandria, she was an asset. Always volunteering for errands to the neighboring communities, projects inside the walls, and even taught the kids once when one of the regular teachers was sick.

"Hi, Rick." She offered the plate to him. "I grabbed something for you. Gotta keep you fed. We need you strong."

This wasn't the first time Penny took it upon herself to take care of him or had even prepared food for him but after the comment Michonne just made he wasn't feeling good about this moment.

In an instant, he saw a hand flash before him and knock the plate out of her hands. Food splattered on the ground and on both his and Penny's boots. He looked at the guilty party. Michonne was stone-faced. Her legs spread apart as if ready to make a move. Now, instead of Penny, he was the focus of her piercing glare. The intensity shook him. She never looked at him like that, not even during their rough beginning as strangers back at the prison. His heart beat just a bit faster and it became a little harder to breathe.

"Um, Michonne? Did I do something wrong?" Penny looked between Rick and Michonne with a lost look on her face. She looked near tears. Bottom lip trembled. A flush crept across her cheeks. After taking a couple of steps back she twisted the bottom of her T-shirt in her hands.

Rick didn't blame her for being nervous. He felt he needed to be ready for whatever would happen next.

"I was going to bring you something as well. I just couldn't carry two of everything."

"Don't talk to me." Her voice was low and steely.

Michonne looked ready to attack. Never the diplomatic one, she handled her problems with her sword and an equally sharp tongue, but he never saw her go off on one of their own. The last time he saw that look on her face she pulled her sword on Merle.

"Rick," Penny attempted to get somewhere by talking to him.

"Don't talk to him either."

"I'm sorry about that, Penny. Excuse us." He grabbed Michonne's arm and led her away. He could feel the scowl on his face. He bit down so hard on his bottom lip to prevent himself from saying anything to her in public that he feared he would draw blood. But this was a conversation to be had in private. It was one thing to disagree in front of others about something that involved the community, but they didn't allow anyone a look inside their intimate relationship. Neither of them said anything until they made it back to their empty home.

"What? Say what you're going to say." She headed to the living room and began picking up Judith's toys strewn about the floor. "Oh, and don't ever apologize for me."

Her voice was calm. You couldn't tell by the sound of her voice she was upset but her body language and facial expressions always gave her away. That stoic demeanor was intimidating because you felt like you were dealing with an animal ready to pounce when least expected.

"What was that about? It wasn't very mature." He braced himself on the back of the couch.

"Don't lecture me on maturity. You're the king of petty."

"Excuse me?" He stretched his eyes and waited for an explanation.

"How you treated Gabriel after Reg and Pete died?" She glanced at him. "Petty."

"Fine. Whatever. That was back there, it wasn't about food."

"No, it was about her and her bullshit. I'm over it and I'm over you being clueless."

"I'm not clueless." He walked around the couch and began to help her clean up by picking up the colorful plastic blocks. But then he became distracted by stacking them on the trunk that served as a coffee table. "You didn't have to do that. I had Penny under control."

She was bent over when he said that and it was like her back gave out and she was unable to stand upright. It was like she was frozen. "What do you mean you had Penny under control?"

What did he mean? He wasn't sure if that was true but he had been trying.

"She's lonely. She doesn't know anyone." He sat down on the couch.

At first he didn't realize it. It never crossed his mind she was flirting with him, not until Carol told him to be careful around her. According to Carol, he was unwittingly leading her on. Being nice was leading her on? Even at the end of the world the rules between men and women was just as confusing. He thought Carol was crazy and then he thought everything Penny and every woman he wasn't on the road with was flirting till it got to where he couldn't tell anymore.

Instead of standing she sat down. It was more like collapsing as there was nothing graceful about the way she went down. It was like a sack of potatoes. "You knew."

"Not at first." Was it possible to be less emotive than stoic? Was she sad? Would she cry? He couldn't take that. Not her tears.

"When did you figure it out?" Her voice was soft.

"About a month ago."

"A month," she said with a shake of his head. "No wonder she liked to rub it in my face. There's that arrogance again." There was a flash of anger as she glared at him over her shoulder.

"Arrogance? You think I'm arrogant?" She had called him on his shit, even knocked him out but nothing felt like more of a slap in the face than that. He tried to do the right thing, the right thing by everyone he was responsible for. It was hard and he felt like a failure often but he didn't think highly of himself. In fact, it was the opposite.

"You think you're not? Arrogant is thinking the kid whose father you killed would like you. That you could slide in and be his father figure."

"That has nothing to do with this."

"What is this?"

"It's an innocent crush."

"It's not an innocent crush. It's a threat to our relationship."

"Don't be silly."

"Don't be obtuse. You know it's more than that. Carl had an innocent crush on Beth. Beth had an innocent crush on you. A woman who looks like that and behaves like that is not innocent. Why welcome that into our lives?"

"You're making something out of nothing. I never thought you'd be the nagging type." He muttered, "Just like Lori."

"Here's what you're not going to do. You're not going to invalidate my feelings with some preemptive accusations of nagging and comparisons to your wife. You're not going to silence me by making me doubt myself. My gut is spot on and you of all people know that. Don't act like it's not because you're in the cross hairs."

"That's not what I'm doing." He leaned forward bracing his elbows on his knees. "I'm just trying to explain-"

"Explain my feelings to me?"

He sighed. Nothing he said was going to get through to her in that moment. She was angry, even if she was composed. He was sure everything he said would be met with opposition no matter how valid.

"Look, I know you can get emotional..."

She laughed but she wasn't amused. It was the 'you're a jackass' laugh all women were born with.

"Emotional?" She shook her head. "That's funny coming from you, the most emotional person I know." She absently tossed a stray block on the couch next to him. "I'm not some jealous lunatic. I'm letting you know how I feel. I expect you to respect my feelings even if you don't agree."

He went on supply runs with women, stayed for days at a time at Hilltop and other communities, all which had their share of women, and she never mentioned it, doubted him, or worried. At least, not that he knew of. He had many opportunities and she never confronted him like now. Maybe he should give her the benefit of the doubt that her concerns were based on something more than jealousy.

He sighed and held his hands up, palms toward the ceiling. He was offering her whatever she wanted from him to make this right. "So what do you want from me? How can I fix this?"

"Stay away from her."

"She lives sixty seconds away." He shook his head.

"Is she worth it?"

"I have to choose between you and being nice to women?"

"Not women and not being nice. Penny." She frowned at him. Frowned at him like he was a stranger.

"What?"

She tilted her head to one side. "What is it, Rick? Is life too good now?" She stood but created distance between them by moving closer to the kitchen. Now his back was to her.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"The communities are working together, there is a system for thriving, the walls are secure, and there is food to eat. Too boring? I got news for you. All the damsels in distress are dead. The only women left are smarter than you give them credit for."

Was that what she thought he needed? A weak woman to save like it would give him an adrenaline rush or feed his ego? He brought back more men than women. She knew better.

"We're in the same community. It's hard to ignore her."

"I would die for you so you can do this for me."

His eyes widened and he was angry. Angry with her. That never happened. She never gave him a reason to not since she first arrived at the prison. Maybe he got annoyed when she overruled him but he always understood her point of view. But not this time. "That's unfair. It fact, it's utter bullshit. That goes both ways. Don't ever make it seem like this is one-sided." He didn't realize how loud he was until he stopped talking.

"I need some air." She bypassed the couch and headed for the door.

"You're not going anywhere." He walked over and blocked her path to the door.

"Move out of my way." She looked him over.

"Look, I'm sorry. Just don't go. Will you stop, please? You can't leave."

She maneuvered around him. His instinct was to grab her arm so she wouldn't get away but that would be a mistake to do to any woman, especially Michonne. Instead, he watched her walk out the door.

He remained standing in the middle of the room feeling like a real asshole. He got it but not really. Penny was a woman but she wasn't the other woman. How could he make her see she had nothing to worry about?

The house was quiet. Still. Carl took Judith to his room with him that. She was still full of energy, not a sign of sleep on her. Besides, she amused Carl just as much as he amused her. Meanwhile, he was lonely. Michonne had been gone for hours and when she returned she didn't come to bed. It didn't take long to know their home like the back of his hand and he could navigate every inch of it in the dark like he did on his search for her. He found her in her old bedroom downstairs. There was no way he would sleep without her. He didn't care how upset she was. He would toss and turn in the sheets sleepless if he couldn't feel her body near or reach out to touch her. That's what happened the few times they were separated because of overnight runs and missions. No way he would suffer through that when she was under the same roof.

"Are you awake?" He stood in the doorway barefoot and shirtless in a pair of pajama pants. She seized the top for herself. He loved watching her walk around their bedroom in it or sit on the bed in it while she applied lotion to those lean legs he was now imagining wrapped around him. Thoughts of her distracted him so quickly.

She turned her body so her back was no longer to him. "No."

Part of him was happy she was awake. She couldn't sleep either. Made him feel a little better to know he wasn't suffering alone. This was the first fight of their relationship and he was desperate for it to end quickly.

It was unbelievable that at one point in this relationship he had his doubts. Was this smart? What if it didn't work out and it fractured the group forever? Was it worth that? Was it love? The love you made a life with, that created a future? He didn't doubt it on the couch that first night. Not for one moment because it felt so right and so good. In fact, it was weeks before he stopped to think instead of relying on his feelings of joy and ease. Everything felt better when they became one and it became clear there was nothing to fear. This happiness, this completeness had been in front of him this entire time.

He stood next to the bed, eager to join her but afraid of rejection.

"Why can't you keep your distance? Is she more than a neighbor?"

"What do you mean?"

"Are you close? Friends? Have some deep mutual experience? A bond I don't know about?"

"No, it's nothing like that."

"Then, what?" The anguish was apparent in her voice. Her vulnerability made him feel dismal. All his life he waited to feel what he had with her, to have what he had with her. He survived this world so he could know her and now he was hurting her. Shit. All she wanted was some insight.

"I felt like you were telling me you don't trust me. I would never betray you in that way and in my mind, by telling me to stay away from her you were saying you don't trust me. I got defensive." He stepped closer to the bed and placed his hand on his chest. "And I'm sorry for that."

She lifted the sheets and he smiled as he joined her and positioned himself until he was so close they could feel each other's breath on their faces. She threw her leg over his. He lay his hand on her hip.

"It's not about you. I trust you. It's her and how she acts. You continuing to be her friend is like rewarding her and also saying my concerns are figments of my imagination."

"You matter. You're everything."

She placed her palm against his cheek. "It has to be us and this family before anyone. She's not more important than this." When he didn't respond she continued. "There is an entire community here to help her and keep her safe. She's not alone. Not everyone is your responsibility."

He nodded. She was right. Penny couldn't be his responsibility. He had a responsibility to his family. His relationship. His heart and hers. The look on her face made him wish he could kiss away his stupidity for ever making her feel he didn't respect her feelings. He leaned in and kissed her. It was like he wanted to clear the slate with his tongue as he took her mouth. Use his tongue and his lips to fill her head with his every assurance that he was going nowhere.

As the kiss grew in passion their bodies were drawn together like magnets. Their bodies grinded and they rolled until she was on top of him. One of his hands was at the small of her back while the other cupped just below her ass as he tried to pull her closer against him. They soon became breathless as her head fell to the side of his. He wasn't delusional enough to believe their life would be nothing but watching the kids grow and great sex but what he wanted for them was more happy than anger and sadness. More good than bad. More tomorrows than yesterdays.

"Have you ever been cheated on," he asked. The thought just popped in his head almost as quick as it tumbled out of his mouth.

She grunted. "It would be easier to count the times I haven't."

He had to tread ever so lightly. "You don't think that's some of your feelings about Penny?"

"Nope." She rolled off of him and lay on her side. Her hand was on his stomach.

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because with the others, it never surprised me. I almost expected it. But with you, I can't imagine. Not you."

"I'm not perfect."

"No you're not, but it's not about perfection. It's about your integrity and that, I would never question. To be a great man in this world shows me exactly who you are. Sorry I made you feel I didn't trust you."

"Sorry for being insensitive. For not thinking of how Penny's feelings affected yours."

She ran her hands through his hair and all felt right. They were back on track.

"You were pretty aggressive." He laughed thinking back to when she slapped the food out of Penny's hand.

"I'm a woman in love. It was a natural reaction. All my reactions are instinct when it comes to you, Carl, and Judith."

He rolled on to of her. "I love you."

"Let's go back to our room." She wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist. Her mind and body were not on the same page.

He kept her pinned between his body and the bed. There was only one way this night could end. "I think it's better if we stay down here."

Shaded by the line of maple trees, he held her face in his hands and leaned into her. "I don't think we'll be missed for a few minutes." He followed up with a kiss so deep and passionate it was the type reserved for when they were alone behind closed doors. They were both caught up. He could hear their moans mingle in the air.

She pulled back, breath heavy and chest heaving. "What brought that on?"

"Nothing. It's been there. I didn't want to get out of bed this morning." It was too tired this morning to pick up where they left off last night but by this afternoon all his energy was back.

Her smile faded and she pulled back. "Looks like that great idea of yours needs to be put on hold."

He turned his head and immediately saw what she did. Penny was headed their way. "Will you let me handle this alone, please?"

She nodded.

He stood and walked toward Penny.

She rolled her eyes and stretched out her arms in surrender. "Rick, I wasn't coming to see you. I just want to go home. I can't hear anything else. I got an earful from Michonne a couple of weeks ago and now Maggie and Sasha," she said as she looked back momentarily before turning back in his direction, "just read me the riot act over you and Michonne."

An earful from Michonne? What did Michonne say to her? She never mentioned that when they spoke of Penny yesterday. He looked over to see Sasha and Maggie staring at them and they didn't turn away when he noticed them. Maggie had her arms crossed. Sasha had her hand on her hips. There was no shyness with them. He was thankful Michonne was nearby. That was probably the only thing preventing them from coming over to interrupt his talk with Penny. But he did feel bad that Penny would probably become an outcast from his core group.

"Everyone has made it quite clear that I'm not wanted around here."

"Penny, that's not true. Alexandria is your home." He held his head down, almost embarrassed that this was necessary. "I came over here ready to make it clear to you that nothing could happen between us, no matter how I had to do it." Now he felt bad for her. She looked like she had been through the ringer and he didn't want to make her feel as if he were piling on. "But I'm not going to do that. I'm sorry you're feeling attacked but I have to say this because I think you need to hear it from me more than anyone else."

She sighed deeply and nodded her head. He was aware of her constant eye contact. She always looked him in his eyes but now she looked past him. There had to be a mixture of embarrassment and sadness. She stood more than a couple feet away at a safe distance. Though she didn't look at Michonne, she cut her eyes in that direction. This woman was intimidated and visibly shook. Between Michonne, Sasha, and Maggie it was understandable.

"I love Michonne."

She nodded. "I know...your kids-"

"It's not about the kids. My love for her is about her. Her love for my kids is simply an example of what it is about her that I love. We've fought together. We've lost together. We owe our lives to each other."

He wouldn't tell her he was flattered by her interest because he wasn't. Other women's desire for him meant nothing. Until arriving in Alexandria, he didn't feel like someone to be desired in that way. He was Rick. The leader, the father, the friend, the enemy, even the fuck up.

"There is no one in this world I want to be with but her. No one else has a chance." He looked down at the ground then back up at her. "No one. You're a nice person but I don't want to be with you."

"I get it. Is that all?" She looked away.

He wasn't sure if his few words were enough. He needed her to understand there wasn't a chance in hell. But he could tell she wanted to escape and he didn't want to be a complete asshole. He had a feeling she had enough straight talk. He nodded and stepped to the side and out of her way watching as she walked with a purpose and didn't look back. She didn't even say goodbye.

There was an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach as he rejoined Michonne. Shane always told him he was too much of a bleeding heart to be a cop. That he was more suited as a school resource officer. He didn't think kindness should be seen as a weakness. Not until he had to kill his best friend. That's really when the world first started to change for him beyond the existence of walkers. Nothing before that seemed different. Even killing those two men in the bar with Hershel and Glenn wasn't strange. Being a cop, he saw the horrible things people did all the time. That was necessary. There were some things he did that, when he looked in the mirror, he saw he wasn't just that nice guy anymore. He was more complicated. It wasn't a good thing or a bad thing. It was just the way it was. The way he had to be.

When Michonne stretched out her arms to him he pulled her to her feet. "I have to admit I feel sorry for her," he said.

"I don't."

"Michonne."

"Rick, society lied and told us girls were sugar and spice, all things nice." She shook her head and shrugged. "That's not true. If there is one thing this new world should have taught you if you didn't already know it's that women are dark and wicked. We're devious and capable of far more menacing things than we're given credit for." She placed her hand on his shoulder. "She won't stop. She'll think you can be friends but that's not possible because everything she likes about you, you'll still be. The difference is you'll catch her making comments, flirting. You'll see it sooner now."

"Yeah, I should keep my distance." He stepped closer and noticed the hitch in her breath. He had to admit, he loved the reaction his body against hers caused. "I'll have Rosita finish training her."

"Good. Best to play it safe. I'm going to see what Sasha and Maggie want. They're waving me over."

He chuckled. "That's going to be fun. Remind them I'm a good guy. Don't let them slander me too much, huh?"

"What?" She smiled, her face crinkled with wonder.

"You'll see soon enough."

She nodded and touched his thigh as she walked past him. He turned and watched her. She was definitely worth more than one woman, a Penny no less. He smiled.