We're just prolonging the inevitable. Rick thought as he watched his chosen family mill around in their new temporary home. We've got to get back on the road eventually.
Earlier they'd made the unanimous decision to rest up for a few days before heading back out to find the rest of their group. Beth, although strong in her own way, was still shaken from her experience with Francis. Rick knew that she needed time to get her mind back in the game and honestly, he desperately wanted more time with Michonne before they resumed their roles as Leader and Warrior. There would be precious little time for romance once they found whoever was left of their original group. He hoped to find them all; he'd been pragmatic about it, but in the rare moments he had alone, Rick doubted they would find everyone. So far, they had been fortunate. He didn't want to press his luck- even if that meant losing his baby girl, Judith. Hope could be fatal. Still, deep down he knew she was still alive.
"What's on your mind?" Daryl asked Rick as he sidled up to him.
Rick shook his head. "Everything; what if we don't find anyone else? What if when we do find everyone they're a lot worse off than we are? I'm also wondering how Carol is doing. I shouldn't have pushed her away like that, but at the time I just couldn't justify her behavior. She was a-"
Daryl cut him off mid-sentence. "Look, she did what she thought was right and so did you. Life ain't no cotillion, ya know. I miss her just like you do, but she's strong and if she's learned anything from us it's how to survive. I wouldn't be surprised if we caught up with her anyhow. You can't take on responsibility for everyone. That'll drive you crazy."
Daryl sighed and sat down heavily. "We're all exhausted, man. This time off is good for everyone. Just try to relax a little and get stronger. Wish we could find another wild pig, though. Michonne can burn, can't she?"
Rick smiled at the memory of her ordering them both around in the kitchen like a drill sergeant; confident, relaxed and decidedly feminine. He saw a side of her that increased his attraction to her and missed those moments- even now. She had been the one to slow things down once they had found Beth. It seemed as though she was glad to have another female back in the fold and Rick couldn't deny her the time spent with Beth.
"Yeah…I can still taste that apple crisp. Damn we ate good for a little while, didn't we?" Rick smiled at Daryl.
Daryl grunted his assent and put his feet up on the chair opposite him.
Carl ran through the house with Michonne close on his heels.
"I didn't mean it! I didn't mean it!" he yelped as she took a swipe at him, just missing and staggering into Rick's arms.
"What's going on?" Rick asked as he hugged her close.
"Your son…he's gonna get it, "Michonne muttered with mock anger.
"What did he do?"Rick asked smiling and not knowing why.
"Oh, he knows what he did, the smartass," Michonne said moving away from Rick to sit on the kitchen countertop.
Rick exchanged a look with Daryl, who had no more knowledge than he.
"You're not gonna tell me?" he asked.
Michonne grabbed a handful of trail mix and chomped noisily in reply.
With a sigh, Rick walked away in search of his son. Beth entered and sat next to Michonne on the countertop. She looked much healthier. Her eyes were clear and bright. She had matured and held herself with much more confidence than she had at the prison.
"I'm hungry, "she said to no one in particular.
"Welp, you're a growing girl. No surprise there, "Daryl said standing up. "Maybe I'll take Carl out to scrounge something up."
"That's probably a good idea. That kid is gonna be the death of me yet," Michonne grumbled. She barely concealed a smile. She and Carl enjoyed teasing one another.
"What the hell did he say to you to get you so riled up?" Daryl asked.
"Ah, he called me 'Mrs. Grimes' and had the nerve to sing that stupid childhood rhyme. 'Dad and Michonne sittin' in a tree.' I couldn't take it. He even started making those smooching noises."
She hopped down off the counter with a bounce and grabbed another handful of trail mix.
"You mean to tell me you couldn't take a good-natured ribbin' from a kid? Damn, girl. You're gonna lose your rep as a badass."
Daryl looked her straight in the eyes and puckered his lips and made kissing sounds. After seeing the fire in Michonne's eyes, Daryl ran out of the room calling for Carl.
Michonne and Beth laughed.
"I don't mind, really, "she finally said. "I'm just…"
"Private, "Beth said, finishing Michonne's thought. "It's okay. Don't take this the wrong way, but you sorta remind me of my father in that way. I think that's maybe why he took to you before everyone else did. It was deep callin' to deep."
Michonne considered that quietly and then looked up at Beth who seemed wise beyond her years.
"Ya think?"
"Sure. Daddy spoke his mind, but only after analyzing everything first. He never talked just to hear his own voice. You're the same way. Sometimes I wish I could be like that," Beth answered, reaching for a handful of trail mix.
"That's funny. I wish I could be like you sometimes and express my emotions as I'm experiencing them instead of being in my head so much. Looks like we have a lot to teach one another, doesn't it?"
Michonne smiled at the surprised girl and walked out of the room.
Later that day, Michonne and Rick went on a supply run together. Daryl and Carl bagged some squirrels and with Beth, remained at the house prepping them for the evening meal. It was up to Rick and Michonne to find the makings of a stew. The house they chose was a change from the others they had used before in that it was in a more rural area and the homes were a good quarter of a mile apart from one another. There were few walkers around, but they were on alert nonetheless.
As they approached the nearest house, Michonne stood still listening as Rick drew his weapon.
"Sounds like only one; that's odd isn't it?"
"There's no rhyme or reason with walkers, is there?" Rick asked as they crept closer to the house.
Michonne opened the door and a lone walker shuffled out. Rick dispatched it easily and entered the house quietly with Michonne close behind.
"Okay, we need any canned goods we can find, batteries, candles…"Michonne whispered surveying the area.
"Got it."
They entered the kitchen to find a pantry with preserved vegetables, fruits and not much else.
"Jackpot!" Michonne said in a hoarse whisper. She began shoving the mason jars in her sack, testing the seal on each jar before putting it away.
"Well, let's see what else we can find before we go- I don't want to be here any longer than necessary."
"I'm insulted," Michonne pouted. "You don't want to be alone with me?"
Rick groaned. "Are you serious, woman?"
He pulled her close and kissed her passionately and just as suddenly, let her go. Stunned, Michonne stood staring at him, unable to speak.
"Feel insulted now?" Rick asked with a smirk. He'd become more confident with her and liked to surprise her as much as she surprised him. He liked the effect he had on her in that moment, but didn't want to spoil it so he turned to rummage through the kitchen drawers.
Michonne gently placed her bag on the floor and crept up behind Rick. Pulling his arm away from the drawer, she turned him around to face her. She slowly snaked his arm around her waist, reached up for him and they kissed.
"I'll never doubt you again," she murmured as he nuzzled her neck.
