CARESS

How can his eyes say so much? He is not smiling or talking as the others around him are but continues to watch me.We are having dinner at Maggie and Glenn's and even though everyone knows we are officially together now, we are taking it slow.I decided to sit close but not directly at his side.He is sure to allow his eyes to caress me from head to toe and a shiver races down my spine as the memory of his hands and lips on my bare skin makes itself known.I can't imagine how I'm going to make it through dinner if he keeps this up.He can obviously detect the slight uncertainty in my eyes as a ghost of a smile plays across his lips and he drops his head.I never thought I'd see this side of Rick Grimes, but I am loving every minute of it.

SMACK

"Oh, he is just divine." "His wife sure is a lucky woman." "Why can't I have a man who looks like that?"The comments are spoken but disappear into the air, never to be heard by the heavenly specimen conjuring such words.Rick Grimes continues to jog through his neighborhood, pushing his six month old daughter in her stroller.His shirt became drenched so he kindly removed it and tossed it in the stroller's basket.

He nods in greeting as he passes neighbor after neighbor. He finds it odd that more and more women are showing up each time he circles his block.He jumps as a car horn sounds and looks around to see his lovely wife driving at a snail's pace behind him.He stops as she pulls up and lets the window down.

"Hey," he says as she returns the greeting. He takes the time to grab his water bottle and chug from it thirstily.

Michonne devours her husband's sweaty physique with her eyes before looking around at all the curious female neighbors either in their yards, adjusting Halloween decorations that have been in place for at least two weeks or seemingly taking a walk. She scoffs as she realizes exactly what….or should I say who….has captured their attention.

"You headed home?" she asks innocently. He gives a nod and starts in that direction.

Michonne smiles as woman after woman waves at her with much enthusiasm. She rolls her eyes heavenward, thanking her lucky stars that she is secure with herself, with her marriage, and with the love she knows her husband has for her.Some of these barracudas would try to give her a run for her money but they know better.

She maneuvers the car into their driveway just as Rick is jogging up the sidewalk towards their home. She exits the car, retrieving her briefcase and purse and greets their babbling daughter with a sweet kiss.

"Enjoy your run?" She asks as she looks across the street and waves at The Monroes.

"Same as always," he answers.

"Hmm-hmmm….seems like you're drawing more and more of them."

He scoffs as he knows exactly what she's talking about. "Would you rather I jog in the park then?"

"And have them take up jogging all of a sudden?" She laughs. "No thank you."Her eyes drop to his butt in his dri-fit shorts. "Besides, they know this is all mine."She smacks him soundly before grabbing his derriere softly.

Rick laughs with her as they move inside the house.

POUND

Carl is standing with a group of his friends, torn between hanging out with them or participating with his family. He thought he was getting too old to go trick or treating but the disappointed look in his little sister's eyes continues to haunt him.He is barely listening as his friends make joke after joke, laughing and being silly.

His cell starts to chime and vibrate so he pulls it from his back pocket and reads the text message from his Dad….."gotta take on an extra shift tonight. Check in on the girls for me."He sighs as he realizes Michonne and Judy are going to be even more disappointed if Dad can't be here either.He tells his friends he would meet up with them later as he wheels his BMX bike towards home.

Thirty minutes later, he is holding his sister's hand, walking with her from house to house wearing a Darth Vader costume while Judith is dressed as a warrior princess and Michonne is a warrior Queen. He can't help but smile as the both of them are beyond excited.

The voices drift to them before they can make out where and who they are coming.

"I'd like a piece of that." "Hey warrior babe, can I show you my sword?"

Carl frowns as they walk up the sidewalk and notice several guys on bikes. He looks them over carefully, their masks pushed up to their heads, and doesn't recognize any of them.He surmises they must be from a nearby neighborhood.He also glances around to ensure they were referring to his stepmom.Surely they aren't talking about his little sister.He tilts his head as his aggravation grows but tries to ignore them.That's what Dad would do right?

They continue to a neighbor's house, ringing the doorbell and accepting the offering of candy for Judith.

"Here she comes." "Can I lick your candy?"

Carl can hear Michonne call his name as he steps to the group of teens on their bikes. "You guys are disrespecting my mom and I don't appreciate it."

They all gasp and one says, "Your mom? Are you kidding?"

Another one chimes in, "She's way too young and way too hot to be somebody's mommy."

"You aren't from around here anyway so why don't you leave?" Carl suggests.

"Who are you to tell us what to do?"

Michonne is torn between going to Carl's aid and leaving Judith's side. She can see this will probably not end well.She groans as Carl pushes his mask back and steps even closer to one of the other boys.She drops down to face Judy, about to tell her to wait right there by the street post when Carl's friends come racing down the street on their bikes.

She shouts Duane's name and draws him over to keep an eye on Judith. She looks over just in time to see the first punch being thrown.She rushes over as Carl pushes one of them to the ground and pounds him in the face.

She freezes as blue and red lights come into view as well as the short, shrill sound of the siren as a warning. The police car pulls to a stop in the middle of the street and Shane and Rick step out.

Judith shouts, "Daddy!" and races over to him before Duane could stop her.

Rick is beyond surprised to see his daughter this close to what can only be identified as a street brawl. One they obviously interrupted as the participants still their actions and stand to face them.His eyes grow even wider when he sees Carl and Michonne right in the middle of the group.

Shane shakes his head as he walks toward the melee. Rick secures Judith in the patrol car, promising her he'd be right back.He scratches his head and wonders why he ever thought they could do Halloween without him.