This week's episode had such a beautiful, unexpected moment that I couldn't pass up playing with. David's story was tragic, and no doubt, affected Michonne. So the question is, what was going on in her mind? Here's my take. Hope you enjoy.

Episode 6x3: Thank You

"Is it bad?"

Michonne pulled at the collar of David's shirt to see the bloodied bite mark that spanned across his right shoulder blade.

"It's about what you'd expect."

"Huh. Didn't expect this."

She looked away into the forest then to his left hand where he was nervously twisting his gold band around his finger.

"How long you been married?"

"Three months. She wasn't my wife from before," he clarified knowing that was likely the next question.

"How'd you meet?"

"It was early on. Aaron found me. I was alone, lost everything. Everyone. Myself, I…I wasn't crazy. I just gave up on being someone, an actual person. Know what I mean?"

"I do." She knew all too well what he meant, thinking back to her time alone after she lost Andre and Mike. I was just another monster. And I was…me. I was gone for a long time.

"We found Betsy on the way back to the community. She still saw me. After I thought I was dead and gone, she was my first friend. Then she was more. She made me more. Even better than how I used to be. But if I could make it back, I'd want to say good-bye. Tell her... finding her in all this? That was everything."

She looked at him blankly, hearing what he said, but having trouble putting her own thoughts aside for the moment to be able to formulate a response. She nodded and looked forward, walking in silence next to him for a few moments. Your dad brought me back. You did.

"She wanted..." he trailed off and shook his head with a dry chuckle then continued speaking while looking ahead at the empty stretch of road. "She wanted to cook me a big breakfast this morning, to prepare for the 'big day,' and I told her not to bother since this was only a dry run. Just to stay in bed, that we'd do it another time..."

Michonne looked up at him, giving an empathetic frown before looking ahead again which he took as her becoming uncomfortable with his musings.

"I'm sorry. I don't mean to be so morose."

"It's OK," she assured him.

If anyone had a pass to be dark and self-pitying, it was him. He was a dead man walking; able bodied and of sound mind now, but with an imminent death sentence hanging over his head. Given the thoughts and emotions he had stirred up in her own mind and heart, she could only imagine what was going on in his. It wasn't just Betsy that was losing him; he was losing her, too. In fact, he'd already lost her and was mourning the fact that he'd likely never see her again. Michonne had never been lost to anyone, but she had lost, and she knew what was running through his mind. What was the last thing I said? Did I say or do enough to let them know how much they meant to me? What would I do if I had a little more time? Just five more minutes?

"Are you married?"

She quickly turned her head at the question, an apparently inscrutable look on her face that caused him to backtrack.

"Or attached or whatever people are calling it these days...you don't have to answer that. It's probably too personal."

"Well, I did ask you first, so..." she said softly excusing his query. "But no. I'm not."

"Good Morning."

"Morning," Rick whispered back looking up from his bowl of raisin bran from where he sat at the head of their small dining table with just the single overhead light illuminated.

"Where's Judes?" she asked quietly as she pulled out the chair to his right where there was already an empty bowl and spoon awaiting her.

"Asleep. It's too early even for her," he said of his usual breakfast companion.

"Right...6:00 AM call time at the gates is sort of cruel."

She looked up as she poured the cereal into her bowl to catch him tilting his head to one side as he grunted in agreement.

"That was my concession. People were worried about making it back in time for dinner and some gathering or something."

"Mmm." She held up a finger to signal she had a response as she swallowed her mouthful of cereal. "It's Sunday. Gabriel's been holding weekly services in the church," she explained.

Rick dropped his spoon into his bowl, and shook his head in disbelief. The clanking sound of the metal meeting the glass cut through the otherwise quiet room and caused Michonne to draw her head back, giving him a confused look, unsure whether it was the mere mention of Gabriel that garnered that response or some latent frustration over this plan that was resurfacing.

"They see this as some kind of nine-to-five job with weekends and holidays off. That doesn't…that doesn't exist anymore."

"I don't think they really see it that way. They're coming around."

"They're not."

"Rick. Today is a run through. So long as everyone shows up, pays attention, and takes it seriously, there's no reason to drag it out. It's good that you compromised. I think it'll help in the long run."

He picked his spoon up again, scooping another spoonful of cereal into his mouth, and shrugging his shoulders, unconvinced that it would. He'd come a long way in his attitude towards the Alexandrians, but their desire and ability to change was still a point of contention with him.

"Well, I don't know why I'm even complaining about the early start. You know I'm always down for dinner at a reasonable time...in bed by nine...especially after a hard day's work…" she said as she lowered her head to seek out his eyes, a grin spreading across her face. She felt like she had to work a little harder to reach her Rick these days, the guy she could share a laugh with or shoot the shit with, but he was still there. She could always find him.

Rick huffed out a laugh, and shook his head. "The kids don't even go to bed that early..."

"Carl and Judith don't need their beauty sleep like I do," she quipped as she looked back down at her cereal bowl, feeling ever so slightly lame for being called out on her love of going to bed early whenever possible.

"Oh, you don't need-"

"Good Morning."

Rick and Michonne looked up to see Morgan had joined them at the table, standing at the end opposite of Rick with his hands resting on the back of the chair.

"Morning," Rick said, his slight smile sustained from his interrupted conversation with Michonne. "How'd you sleep last night?"

"Well. Wonderfully, really."

"Well, have a seat. I'll grab you a bowl," Rick said as he began to push back in his chair.

"No need." Morgan held up his hand to stop him. "If I'm living here, no sense in treating me like a guest. Where are they?"

"Top cabinet just to the right of the stove. Silverware is in the drawer below it," Michonne informed him.

He gave her a grateful smile then walked into the kitchen. She looked up making eye contact with Rick to which he nodded and gave her a tight lipped grin. She returned it before looking back down at her breakfast. They both resumed eating their cereal, the soft slurping of milk and clanking of spoons scraping the bottom of the bowl the only sounds between them.

She hadn't lost anything yet, but she was overcome with this unshakable feeling that she had something to lose. Something more, something different now with Rick than she'd had after the fall of the prison; and uneasiness began to creep up inside of her. Not making it was never in her plans, but, then again, neither were the events of the day. Just in case things didn't work out, she found herself asking: What was the last thing I said? Did I say or do enough to let them know how much they meant to me? What would I do if I had a little more time? Just five more minutes? She closed her eyes and released a long breath as she kept walking knowing that she had no good answers to any of those questions, and that it would have to change.