Chapter 12

***I don't own TWD or anything to do with TWD. Rest assured, I have acquired no financial gain from this story. It's just fun to tell.***

Me: Okay, so I lied. I think this story has grown a bit in the telling. We're going to clock in at fourteen chapters total, it's looking like. Stick with me.

After Michonne managed to pry Shane away from the turkey (with some of it still clinging to his fur and whiskers) and talked Rick out of his plan to murder Shane (aided by a tearful Judith), an inspection of what was left revealed that there was no portion of it that could be salvaged. The bird had been thoroughly marked by cat saliva, fur and paws. There wouldn't be any opportunity to try the recipe that Rick had worked so hard to find.

Daryl had taken out the squirrel meat that he'd brought, assuring everyone that the diet of berries and nuts that squirrels existed on produced a delicious, tender meat not completely unlike pork. Carol had come in to whip up some pasta as a main course for the less adventurous who did not want to sample squirrel and was being assisted by Ezekiel, who was managing the sauce. Everyone else had cleared out of the kitchen, either setting up the table with the numerous side dishes, or steering clear of an obviously infuriated Rick. Judith, with encouragement from Michonne, had carried a purring, full Shane off to the living room, out of reach of Rick.

"Rick, I'm sorry, I know you worked hard on that turkey and it's really disappointing," Michonne ventured, taking in the thunderous expression on her husband's handsome face. "But if Shane had stayed in the garage, none of this could've happened. It was just a dumb accident. Shane's only a cat, he acts on instinct. You're a human being. You have control of yourself."

"Don't defend that fucking cat to me," Rick snapped, eliciting a sound of disapproval from Ezekiel at the foul word. "I know he's an animal...but he's an animal who always seems to screw things up for me, whether it's chewin' up my socks, keepin' me away from you and Jude or eatin' the turkey that was supposed to feed all our guests."

Michonne mentally cursed herself for the tactic she'd tried to employ to calm Rick. It hadn't been the wisest course of action, trying to convince him that Shane was innocent. For whatever reason, the cat did seem to have it in for Rick, and she herself had used it to her advantage when she'd been mad at him. Of course Rick was going to be pissed.

She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him soundly. "You're right. Tomorrow we'll start looking into obedience training for Shane. He has to understand that you live here, too, and that he can't behave however he wants when it comes to you or your things...even if it's a delicious turkey."

"'Chonne, I'm serious," Rick said testily, not quite mollified by her speech or the kiss.

She kissed him again. "So am I. He's gonna have to learn who's boss...or we'll need to find another home for him. We need to find a way for you two to peacefully co-exist. He may not have to love you...but he's gonna learn to respect you."

"Well put," Ezekiel chimed in. "The feline must learn the proper respect for his sovereign. Your spouse is wise, Rick. I think it best you heed her counsel."

Carol drained the ravioli. "Don't let that damn cat ruin Thanksgiving. Even without the turkey, we've still got some pretty delicious food. My sweet potato biscuits are pretty amazing, if I do say so myself."

"Carol tells no falsehood. As all of her other cooking, they are indeed magnificent," Ezekiel corroborated, placing a kiss on Carol's cheek as she continued to drain the pasta. "My lady is most gifted."

She turned to give him a dazzling smile. "And my man is a shameless flatterer. That sauce ready, sweetheart?"

"It is," Ezekiel confirmed.

"C'mon, Rick," Michonne wheedled. "We can still enjoy the holiday. Don't let Shane spoil everything. Please?" She fluttered her lashes at him for good measure.

His expression softened. "What else can I do, when you look at me like that?" he grumbled. He rested his forehead against hers. "You're too charming for your own good."

She laughed. "I'm glad you think so."

"I think we're good on the pasta here," Carol advised. "Just need a serving spoon."

"Ezekiel, would you mind?" Michonne asked. "There's large spoons in the drawer near you."

"But of course!" Ezekiel exclaimed. "I am yours to command." He pulled open the drawer and pulled out a couple of large spoons. "Shall we bring these victuals out to our famished comrades, lovely Carol?"

"Yup, I'm pretty sure the natives are restless. Follow me, Zeke. Michonne? Rick? You guys coming?"

"We'll be along in just a minute, Carol," Rick answered, grinning at her. "Can you make sure everyone heads outside?" Carol nodded in reply. They exited the kitchen towards the patio, leaving Rick and Michonne alone in the kitchen.

"What are you up to?" Michonne asked Rick suspiciously.

He leaned forward, releasing breath into her ear, then dancing his tongue around the lobe gently. He placed his hands on her hips, caressing them, then clamping down firmly.

"Rick...this is not a good idea," Michonne whispered.

Ignoring her, he brought his tongue down to her jaw, nibbling lightly there, then brought his mouth to her throat, where he kissed softly. She gasped as he changed the pressure, sucking the delicate flesh of her neck between his lips while he used the tip of his tongue to stimulate, knowing that it was a sensitive spot.

He turned her around roughly, hands going to the hem of her skirt and shoving it up. His mouth turned its attentions to the back of her neck, unrelenting as she began to tremble. His hand trailed down her thigh, then went to her center and pushed aside her thong to stimulate the bundle of nerves there with his forefinger. He ground his arousal against her.

"Rick...we need to...go outside…"

He inserted the finger that had been rubbing her in between her wet folds, bringing his other hand up to cup her breast as his mouth continued to work magic on the back of her neck. She moaned, overwhelmed by the overload of stimuli and the feel of him hard against her backside.

"Rick...please…" Her protest was faint, barely audible.

"I want you." His voice was hoarse, gritty with desire in her ear. "I want you down on this floor, spread out for me." His finger moved faster. "I want my tongue on you, then in you." His tone became slightly gloating as he felt a rush of fluid coat his finger and work its way down her thighs. "I want to be deep in you, your legs wrapped around me as I pound you against that floor." She shivered, making him nip sharply at her ear. "I want you on all fours as I take you from behind. I want you to ride me until I release inside you." Her hips began to move, almost involuntarily.

"I...I want all of that," she replied breathily.

He added his middle finger to his forefinger, her arousal making easy accommodation for both. He worked her faster. "Ask me," he demanded. "Beg me."

"Please, Rick...please…" She sighed as his mouth found the back of her neck again. She strained towards release, his words echoing in her head. It was dangerous and beyond stupid...but suddenly all she wanted was her back on the floor and him on top of her.

Abruptly, he pulled away from her, causing her skirt to fall back down. "You're right," he said reasonably, all heat leaving his voice. "We have guests. We should be getting outside." His eyes regarded her coolly, taking in the heaving of her chest and the anger beginning to creep into her eyes.

"I...you...what the hell…" she sputtered, feeling her frustration mount exponentially.

He brought the fingers that had been playing with her to his lips and ran his tongue over them, then sucked them into his mouth, lingering. "Mmmmmmm." The sound was approving. "Whets the appetite."

Michonne was ready to cripple him. "You son of a-"

"Remember," he cut her off, "you're a human being. You have control of yourself."

There were no words filthy enough for what her response was

He started to head out to the patio, but paused to throw her a look over his shoulder. "Take a minute, love. We'll continue this...later."

To Be Continued