A/N: Hello all!
First: I am so sorry about the long wait for the update. Hopefully, you all are still with me.
Second: This is another long chapter. I was going to split it into two parts but I want to move this story along so therefore another long chapter was needed. So please, pace yourself.
Third: I'm sorry... you'll know why at the end. Sorry.
L4yers of Moonlight
"So, you broke up with her?"
Rick turns to see his oldest standing in the kitchen doorway with a wide smile.
"Stop gloating."
"What? This face? This smile? This is not my gloating face. This is my thank goodness you finally came to your senses face."
Rick tries to give Carl a hard stare but fails. A small smirk pulls at the edge of his lips while the young man only smiles wider.
"Admit it… it feels good to be free of the ball and chain."
Rick chuckles and shakes his head.
"She wasn't all that bad."
"Dad she was awful. She second guessed your decision and leadership every step of the way," Carl says as he comes and sits by his father, "She was toxic."
"She challenged me. A challenged can help you be better."
Carl gives his father a disbelieving look before he sighs and drops his head. He takes off his Sheriff's hat and places it on the kitchen table in front of them. He runs his hand through his long hair pulling it away from his face before he lifts his head and turns to his father, "Please don't defend her. I know what you're trying to do and I won't go calling her a bitch-"
"Watch your mouth!" Rick chides him.
He nods quickly and continues on, "I am just saying I think there's a way to challenge a person but still be supportive and not undermining. Andrea was undermining your leadership and decision making at every chance she got."
"When did you come an expert on relationship?"
His son chuckles and shakes his head, "Trust me… I'm not. It is just I… I hated seeing you with her because she second guess almost everything you did and that was before you all started dating and it only got worse. It caused you to second guess and doubt yourself," Carl pauses and locks eye with him and with all seriousness says, "I know being a leader is hard and I know you didn't do it by yourself but we're here because you lead us here."
"Thanks for the prep talk, son. I should be the one giving you advice."
Carl chortle and says, "I'm just glad y'all broke up."
"Yea… it was overdue," Rick says scratching his beard.
The young man tilts his head in a fashion similar to Rick and squint his eye at his father before he asks, "Why did you wait so long? Why break up with her now?"
"I was waiting for the right time… the right moment but it never came. This morning-" Rick pauses and recalls his conversation with Andrea.
The way she was questioning his decision making and then comparing him to Shane. Even though she didn't finish her statement, Rick knew in that moment he needed to end things with Andrea. In all honesty, he should have never started anything with the woman and if he could go back to change things he would but he knew his reality.
Automatically his thought leads him to Michonne as it has been doing all day, seeing her again jolted and tilted his entire world. He questioned himself all day if seeing her again had anything to do with his break up with Andrea; it possibly did but he knew, the dissolve of his relationship with Andrea was inevitable whether he reunited with Michonne or not.
"Dad?" Carl calls out pulling Rick from his thoughts. He focuses his eyes on Carl and realign his thoughts.
"This morning, I knew before the day was over I needed to end things with her. It was long overdue," Rick finally answers.
Carl gives a short nod before he moves his eyes away from his father's. The young man starts to fidget in his seat before he starches the back of his neck looking sheepish he asks, "Did you love her?"
Rick doesn't hesitate to answer, "No, I was never in love with Andrea. I love her like I love Maggie, Carol, Glenn, and the others."
Carl nods taking in his father's words for consideration.
"Dad were you ever in love?"
The question takes Rick by surprise, "Why are you asking?"
"I think I'm in love with Enid… and I want to know how it feels like… I want to be sure."
Rick closes his eyes as the image of Michonne comes to the forefront of his mind with ease. He inhales and whispers, "You can't control it. It is different for everyone, sometimes it happens slowly, taking months maybe even years to come to fruition. You spend countless hours with a person and then one day when you look at them you come to the full realization how much they mean to you and how much you love them."
Rick pauses and opens his eyes focusing on the trees gently blowing in the wind outside the kitchen window. He takes a few seconds to collect his thoughts before he continues, "Other times… other times it is happens so quickly… just a glance into each other's eyes. I once read somewhere that 'love isn't something you find, love is something that finds you'. When it does find you, it is a whirlwind that steals yours breathe, causes your heart to races, and sets your soul on fire. It is scares you shitless but it is intoxicating and overwhelming and you yearn for every part of it because as scared as you are it is instinctive and effortless. It scary to open yourself to this person but it also gives you a courage and strength you never knew you had. Just being in their presence brings you a peace so profound it shakes and calms you to your core. Whether it takes time or it is at first sight you want that person to be in every part of your life because you know somehow your life is incomplete without them."
"You're not talking about mom are you?"
His eyes snaps to his son, there's a tinge of sadness at the edge of his blue eye.
"Did you ever love her? All I remember are the fights. I mean there were some good days too, like the day we went to the country fair a few months after mom's…" Carl trails off for a seconds looking for the right words to say, "After mom's accident and things got better for a while but there was always a lot of fighting or silence."
"I'm sorry you had to see all of that, son."
"I know… I know you tried to protect me by not saying anything but I think it made things worse with mom."
"I love your mom, she was my first love. She also gave me you and Judith, so she'll always have a special place in my heart. Your mom and I, we got married young… we fought so hard to try to make it work and it just made it worse. We were fighting for two different things."
Carl nods, he's quiet for a moment and asks, "This woman who you were in love with, what happened to her?"
"Why are you asking all these questions," Rick sidesteps the question not quite ready to tell Carl about him and Michonne.
"I want to be with Enid and I'm afraid after what almost happen to her… she will not want to be with me."
"You're too young to be thinkin' about sex!"
"Dad! Gosh…. I… I… ugh… I'm… Damnit!" Carl stutters becoming fluster with his dad, "I'm not talking about that! I tried to hug her and she didn't want me to touch her… I think she's freaked out about what almost happened."
"You have to be patient with her, give her time and space she needs. You have to listen to her and respect her wishes, let her know she's in control but also that you are there if she needs you."
"But what if she can't get over it? Or what if it takes her awhile to get over it?"
"I didn't say it is going to be easy or that everythan' gonna be okay overnight; it will take time for her to come to terms with what almost happened to her. You'll have to give her time and just be there for her."
"What if she doesn't ever want to be with me?"
"Then you be a good friend."
He could tell Carl is not happy with the reply but he accepts it just the same, Rick moves to his son and squeeze his shoulder.
"Enid is strong, just give her some time and space. She'll be okay."
Carl nods. Their quiet moment is blissfully interrupted with Judith's babbling, both men turn to watch as Dre walks into the kitchen struggling as he carefully carries Judith in his arms.
"Daddy! Carl! Didi pooped!"
XxXx00000xXxX
As soon as she wakes she knows she's will not be going back to sleep anytime soon. She wakes alone in bed, Negan is gone but there's a note on her desk that tells her to eat. She rolls her eyes as she fights a smile. Michonne thinks about going to Negan and finally giving herself to him, her body snaps fully awake and hums at the thought.
It feels as if the event of the morning didn't take place, it feels as if it was all a bad dream but as she moves around her room the memory of the day fully settles upon her. It is almost eight o'clock in the evening when she leaves her room fully dress. She takes her meal and eats on the go as she quietly walks around the compound. She finds herself at a fork in the hallways, one leads to Negan's lush quarter and the other leads outside.
A part of her wants to go to Negan's quarter. She wants to thank him for the tenderness he shown her today. She wants him to relieve some of the ache welling inside of her. She wants to find comfort in his arms again even if it is only momentarily. Yet, a bigger part of her feels the pull that something else awaits her.
The sun has set for the day and darkness takes hold the remaining hours of the day with the moonlight fading in and out of the cloudy night skies. The Sanctuary is unusually quiet, it seems as if most of the residence has settle in for the day. Michonne finds herself outside taking in the cool night breeze, she sits in a dark shadow replaying the day event when a dark figure catches her eyes sneaking towards the gates. She pulls herself onto her feet, swings her blade over her shoulder as the figure moves behind the brushes. She waits for the person to reappear, when they don't she silently follows after them.
The overgrown bush hides a narrow exit in the gate. Her thoughts unsolicited goes to Carl thinking of the young man and his failed attempt to escape the Sanctuary. He was going to make his exit via the narrow opening Michonne finds herself staring at. Remembering Carl, Michonne acts on instinct and crawls through the hole ending up on the other side of the gate that protects the Sanctuary. Peering into the night she catches a flash of a blue shirt in the moonlight moving swiftly through the woods. Michonne follows the person curious to know who it is and where they are going.
XxXx00000xXxX
Two hours after leaving the Sanctuary, Michonne finds herself outside the wall of Alexandria staring at the high walls and contemplating her next decision. She followed the figure that revealed themselves as Dwight deep into the woods miles away from the Sanctuary until he unearthed a motorcycle that he had hidden away. Once he climbed onto the bike and started south, Michonne knew two things. First, he was headed towards Alexandria and second, he was the traitor Negan was searching for.
Michonne could have gone back to the Sanctuary and informed Negan about her findings instead she double back towards a ghost town nearby the Sanctuary for a vehicle. The town is deserted and has been since the Saviors took up residency in the foundry but Michonne keeps a fully stock car in the town hidden in plain sight. The car is a rust bucket, strip of two spark plugs and a starter wire that Michonne keeps wrap around the handle of her blade. Once she gets the car started, she keeps the lights off and heads west before changing her direction turning south towards Alexandria.
Miles away from the community she hides the car and makes it appear as if it is abandon before she races on foot towards the community dodging the moonlight and keeping to the shadow of the night. She moves toward the east wall where the trees are closer to the wall and there's more space between the guard watch points. Michonne climbs a sturdy tree stealthy and swiftly, she chooses a high thick branch and gingerly crawls over it towards the wall. Once she reaches the wall Michonne uses one of the wooden support beams and scales down the wall inside of Alexandria.
She finds breathing difficult as she wonders why she feels nervous and questions her decision. She acted on impulse, something she rarely does. She's normally thinks things through and tries to figure out every angle but being in Alexandria now after she swore to herself she'll never return is far from her normal behavior. She pushes away the reasons for her erratic action, deciding to ponder them later. She knows the danger she's putting herself in by being in Alexandria; instead of turning and leaving she sleuths deeper into the community something she doesn't want to quite name propelling her forward.
Creeping around the quiet town it is the sound of a child's laughter that captures her attention, she pauses and listen intensely to the sound. When she hears the soft giggle again she follows it to a nearby house. The giggle comes out louder as she nears the open window, throwing caution to the wind Michonne creeps up into the bush and climbs onto trunk of the bush hoisting herself up she glances into the softly lit house.
The scene before her warms the place her heart use to reside, inside the house there's a little girl who appears to be eight-year-old with pale honey skin and a wide smile. She giggles while being cradle in an older woman's arm as she reads to the child making different voices and faces. Michonne first thoughts goes to Andre, she swallows her tears and anguish as she watches the scene before her.
"One more chapter please, Ms. Niedermeyer?" the young girl begs.
"Alice, I've read you 'one more chapter' three chapters ago. Ol' Miss Meyers is tired sweetie, plus your momma won't be please to return and see you still up."
"Please! One more chapter and I promise, I'll go straight to bed!"
The woman makes a face before she relents, "Okay one more then off to bed you go," the woman says opening the book again.
"Whoa there."
Says a gruff voice behind her. Michonne tense as she feels something sharp touch the back of her head.
"Slowly now."
She lowers herself before she raises her hand and backs away from the window moving quietly so not to disturb or alarm the woman and child inside. The weapon at the back of her head moves as she does; once they're away from the house and he instructs her to keep her hands up as he takes the sword from her back.
"Com' on," the man says as he guides her deeper into the community. He directs her through the community as he remains behind her; he makes sure they stay away from the main streets, sticking to the back alleyways and yard of people's homes. Michonne tries to turn to face the man but he sternly tells her not to, she obeys and bids her time knowing as soon as she sees an opportunity she'll strike. She refuses to be taken prisoner again. They stop in the back yard of a large house when the man behind her whistles. He waits a moment and whistles again. A minute later, a woman's silhouette appears in the back window a rifle aim in her direction.
"Get Rick."
At the mention of his name, Michonne feels the familiar ache and boiling rage. The woman nods once before disappearing from the window.
This is why you came alone, to see him again, she tells herself. She quells her inner voice as a conflicting rage and longing churns within her.
Bright lights illuminate the yard as the back door opens with a loud crash, his silhouette fills the door frame before he steps out into the night. Rick pauses briefly as his eyes land on Michonne, the man behind her still holds his weapon level with her head. Several others rush out around him and aim their weapons at her.
"You check her for weapons?" a thick shoulder man with bar handle mustache asks.
"I ain't got but two hands," the man behind her calls out.
"Sasha," Rick instructs with the call of her name. The woman who answered the whistle swings her rifle over her shoulder and moves down the steps onto the lawn. She locks eyes with Michonne before she starts to reveal Michonne of her weapons. Sasha takes the three guns she carries, one at her thigh, another at the small of her back, and one strap to her ankle.
Michonne never used to be much of a gun person, still is not. She prefers her blade but coming into Alexandria she was going to be prepared not knowing what to expect. The woman, Sasha, pats her down and finds her knife and relieves her of it.
After she's sure she's been stripped of her weapons, Sasha steps away from Michonne and lifts her rifle halfway at her and declares, "She's clean."
The sharpness at the back of her head eases as the man behind her steps away. Michonne doesn't chance a look but knows his weapon is still aim at her. She looks over the gather group at the back of the house and tries to memorize their faces. There's four of them in total not counting the man behind her. Rick, the woman Sasha, the man with handle bar mustache, and another young woman with dark hair. After she takes in each face her eyes returns to Rick who steadily watches her, he takes a step down the stairs of the back porch when the door opens and several more people flood out the house.
"What's taking so-" Michonne recognizes Andrea's voice as soon as she hears it. When the blonde woman looks upon Michonne her sentence is cut off.
"Fuck! Isn't that the woman from-"
"Michonne! What the fuck is she doing here?" Andrea shouts.
"Found her sneaking about," the man behind her states.
"How did she get-" The young man who stands next to Andrea words get cut short as Andrea's face distorts with rage and she explodes with action bypassing Rick and leaping off the porch rushing towards Michonne.
"You fucking bitch! Are you trying to burn down another town?" Andrea yells before she has a chance to reach her, Rick's arms go around her waist lifting her up and pulling her away.
"Andrea!" He growls low but loud enough for all to hear him. She tears herself from his arms and moves away from him staggering into the arms of the young man she cut off.
"Don't fucking touch me!" Andrea shouts at Rick and the young man as she moves away from him.
"How did you get in?"
"East wall. This place is well protected took a while to figure out a way in but the east wall… there are large trees growing close to the wall. Easy to climb, easy to use a thick branch and get over the wall. You should do something about that."
A hush of whispers and murmurs runs through the crowd at Michonne's response.
"What did she see?" Asks a woman with short gray hair still standing on the back porch while the others move onto the lawn with Michonne as Andrea and Rick did.
"Don't know… just saw her sulking about," the man behind her answers, "Was staring into ya house window."
Another woman standing next to the gray hair woman wearing a black hijab around her hair face's pale as her mouth drops open. Michonne can see the fear in her eyes, "Ms. Niedermeyer and Alice?"
The man behind her grunts a reply and the woman in the hijab quickly starts down the stairs and races toward the direction Michonne and the man behind her came from. Michonne quickly surmises the little girl must be her daughter, a wave of jealousy pass through her. She pushes down the jealousy as she locks eyes with Rick again.
Without turning his eyes from her he orders, "Tara go with Darla."
The woman with the brunette hair nods and quickly follows Darla.
"What did you see?" Sasha questions her.
Michonne pulls her gaze from Rick and looks at Sasha before glancing at the other faces briefly. Her eyes go from Sasha to Rick then back to Sasha. She hasn't see much besides the older woman and child but Michonne will not tell them that.
Instead of answering the question, Michonne calls out, "Dwight! Dwight why don't you come out! I know you're in there."
Several people start whispering at once while Rick continues to stare at her with his steady blue gaze, it unnerves hers. She tries not to show how much being under his intense glare affects her. The back door to the house opens and Dwight walks out followed by Rick's son Carl, another brunette with shorter hair, and another young man.
It is not Dwight or Carl that steals her breath away and grabs hold of her full attention, it is the young Asian man that steps through the doors last. His hair is longer, he looks a little older with a rough scruff of facial hair causing him to look slightly mature but he is the same man who freed her from the cell in Woodbury. She will never forget his face or his kindness. Michonne stares at the young Asian man, she sees the recognition in his eyes as he stares back at her.
"Fuck!" Dwight exclaims as he walks down the stairs towards Michonne.
She ignores him and speaks in awe to the young man, "These are your people?"
Dwight starts to speak but the man takes a step forward and nods, he clears his throat and talks over Dwight, "Yes, these are my people. My wife," he points to the woman who stands slightly behind him, "My family and my closest friends."
"Wait you know Glenn? How do you know Glenn?" Carl asks from the porch moving closer towards the steps but is stopped by Rick's raised hand.
"Glenn?" Michonne asks.
"Yea… we never got a chance for a proper introduction. I'm Glenn Rhee."
"First Andrea! Now Glenn! Fuck do you know anyone else?" Asks the mustache handle man.
Michonne's eyes fleetingly go to Rick before they return to Glenn.
"You know Glenn?" Andrea asks her voice climbing in pitch.
"How do you know Glenn?" Carl repeats.
"Woodbury…. Glenn… he freed me." Michonne answers.
"I'm sorry… I'm sorry I couldn't help you sooner," Glenn chokes out.
"What the fuck do you mean Glenn freed you? Andrea said you ran off and came back to burn the place down," the mustache man says.
"So, that's the story she's been feeding you all?" Michonne asks with an amuse smirk puling her eyes away from Glenn to land on Andrea.
"Story? You fucking bitch! You burned down that town and killed innocent people!" Andrea shouts moving towards Michonne again but once more Rick stops her.
"Only after your boyfriend, the Governor, held me prisoner at Woodbury. That monster of a man, he tortured me and -," Michonne clamps her mouth shut and clench her teeth before her eyes returns to the young man, "It doesn't matter… Glenn help me escape."
"I was held prisoner in the room next to Michonne," Glenn replies.
"You were in Woodbury?" Carl asks her.
Michonne and Glenn only nod as they regard each other in awe.
"You didn't tell us she was a prisoner!" the gray hair woman says. Michonne can hear the anger in her voice. She's familiar with the emotion and it rings clearly in her ears.
"It changes nothing! She's still the fucking enemy!" Andrea replies vehemently.
"Andrea's right! It doesn't fucking matter what happened before, she's with the asshat Negan."
"How did you know I was here?" Dwight asks but doesn't allow her to answer before he observes, "You followed me!"
"You signed your own ticket to hell," Michonne comments softly moving her eyes from Glenn to Dwight, "When Negan finds out he's not going to kill you at first; he's going to do much worst to you, not only to you but to Sherry-"
"Sherry ain't got nothing to do with this! This is all me!" Dwight cuts her off.
Michonne shrugs carelessly and continues smoothly, "It doesn't matter. She may truly be innocent but she's guilty by association especially after last time. Negan is going to make an example out of you and when you're begging for death he's going to start all over."
"Shut-up!" Andrea shouts exploding with a renew anger she tries to move towards Michonne but the young man blocks her path. Michonne's head turns in Andrea's direction for a few seconds before turning her eyes onto Rick.
Gazing deeply into his eyes she says, "You all won't escape his wrath. He's going to kill just enough of you to make an everlasting statement. The others will live only to keep his community feed with food and supplies but arm men will be at every post and on every corner."
"You threatin' us?" the man behind her growls.
Michonne doesn't remove her eyes from Rick as he takes a step towards her. As he gets closer to her the air around them pulse with an energy of familiarity.
"You'll know when I threaten you. This is a warning…" Michonne starts she doesn't know where it comes from or why she's even saying this but she continues, "I am warning you."
Unable to continue to hold onto Rick's gaze she breaks away and looks around at the gather individuals as she speaks, "Negan already suspects something; a traitor within the Saviors and a potential coup from the Alexandrian. How long do you think it will take for him to figure it out? Whatever you have planned you will only have one chance to execute it. Only one chance."
Dwight looks grief stricken as Michonne speaks, she can see the truth of her statement in his eyes. Several members of Rick's group shift on their feet and starts to whisper among each other yet Rick looks steady.
"She's fucking lying!" Andrea yells out and quiets the others, "This is a fucking sick game she's playing! She wants to scare us and have us abandon our plans!"
"I'm sure you'll survive just like a cockroach."
"Shut-up!" Andrea shouts again, this time successfully lunging at Michonne. Her palms race across Michonne's face, a loud smack fills the quiet space of the night. Michonne's head whips back but she turns and give Andrea a quiet smirk.
XxXx00000xXxX
Even her menacing smirk is sexy, Rick reels back his emotions at seeing her again. Snapping out of the trance of seeing her again up close, he clears his mind and thinks as the leader and not some lovesick fool. Andrea moves to hit Michonne again, he quickly grabs her hand and pulls Andrea away before she can hit her again. Andrea snatches herself away from Rick and sneers at him; she's still hurting and angry from their breakup, he can see the pain etch on her face and swimming in her blue eyes but he doesn't have the time or patience to tend to Andrea's emotional wounds.
"She broke into our home, Rick! She's threatening us. Our family. Our friends. Our home and you are protecting her?" Andrea shouts.
"Shhhh…. Quiet!" Rick says in a loud whisper, "We don't have time for your temper tantrum. If she followed Dwight here then she might not be alone, others could have followed too."
His eyes return to Michonne who looks cool, calm, and collected as if she's strolling down the street and not standing surrounded by a dozen guns aim at her. Rick breaks his intense eye contact with the woman and looks around at his people, "We need a parameter check, see if there has been or are any other people out there. Morgan, Holly, and Glenn."
"I'll go too!" Andrea says in a huff of anger as she follows the others away from the back yard.
"I'll go with her-"
"No!" Rick cuts off Spencer, "You and Carol discreetly check on the people. They don't need to be alarmed, get Eric, Darla, and Tara to help. Go door to door and make sure everybody is safe and accounted for."
A look of annoyance crosses his face but he doesn't dispute Rick's order; he nods as Carol climbs down the stairs. She gives Michonne a long stare before she follows Spencer.
Rick watches them for a moment before he continues to dole out instructions, "Abraham, Rosita, Eugene and Heath go out and check up on the lookouts."
The four nod to Rick and quickly leave the yard as well.
"Maggie!" Rick calls out beckoning Maggie to his side. Maggie quickly makes her way down the stairs by his side, Rick leans in and whispers instruction into her ears. Maggie nods and quickly turns and runs back inside the house.
"Dwight go with Maggie!"
"What about Michonne?"
"Go with Maggie," Rick repeats in a tone that allows no room for conversation. Dwight looks at Michonne one more time before he nods and follows Maggie.
"Sasha go to Olivia's and have her check on our inventory. Then you and Daryl sweep inside the community, check out the blind spots."
Daryl nods and asks, "Y'all got her?"
"Yea, we do," Carl says with a nod.
Daryl hands Rick Michonne's sword while Sasha gives the woman's weapon to Carl. After the last two leave to go complete their assignment Michonne is left with himself and Carl, both men have their guns out but neither are pointed in her direction.
"Check to see if it's empty," Rick says to Carl. The young boy moves backwards before completely turning around and stepping inside the house.
XxXx00000xXxX
Michonne eyes goes from Carl to find Rick's staring at her. She returns his stare. She sees the lost in his eyes, the hurt, and the pain; a part of her suffers with him, she chides herself for feeling that. She should hate him, she needs to hate him. His eyes the same shade as… Michonne doesn't allow herself to think of it. She closes her eyes to the onslaught of emotions, when she opens them he's still staring at her.
"You," Sher whispers.
"You," He replies.
"It's clear," Carl calls from inside as he approaches the back door.
Rick motions for her to follow with nonverbal cues. Michonne gives herself a wide berth as she passes him. She enters the house after Carl with Rick falling in step behind her, the house is immaculate and brightly lit. A wave of jealous boils within her as she looks around the kitchen. She use to dream of a house like this when she was on the road. When she was, alone and had nothing to keep her moving she would closer her eyes and fantasize about a place like this with An- she shuts down her thoughts and tries to focus on her anger that seems to fade the longer she's in his presence.
"Sit," He says pointing to one of two chairs at the kitchen table.
Her eyes narrow but she sits on the edge of the chair with her hand palms down on the table. His son places her weapon on the kitchen island by the sink before he moves about the house closing and drawing the blinds shut while Michonne and Rick continues to watch each other, neither speaking. Michonne tries to put in order and understand the emotion running rampant through her. She feels as if she's having an outer body experience and tries to get a grip of herself. The pulse of energy intensifies when they move inside the house, trap and bouncing off them and against the walls.
From the corner of her eyes she sees Carl shift from leg to leg when he returns to the room. Michonne pulls away from Rick's eyes to looks at Carl who looks from one adult to the other trying to reconcile the pulse and tension of energy in the room.
"No one followed me," She confesses softly.
"What?" Carl asks.
"No one followed me. No, one knows Dwight left or that I followed after him. No one knows I'm here."
"How do you know?" Rick asks while Carl cock's his eyebrow at his father's question wanting to know the answer as well. Michonne doesn't look at Rick she focuses her attention on Carl.
"I made sure no one followed me out. I double back and took a longer way to make sure no one followed me here."
"No one followed you?" Rick repeats.
"No one."
"If Negan notices that you're gone, won't he come looking for you?" Carl asks.
"I've gone off before. If I'm gone too long he, may start looking," Michonne admits shifting her eyes from son to father. She sees Rick's face tighten briefly before he pushes away the fleeting emotion that Michonne can't name.
"How long is too long?" Rick asks.
"A week," She shrugs, "Sometimes longer."
They fall silent. Michonne eyes going from Rick to Carl's and then back to Rick, eyes so similar to An-… the thoughts stop. She suppresses the memories and thought, trying to bury them deep down within her. She tries to dig up the anger she should feel, that she felt when she first saw him but a wariness grips her tightly. A large part of her just wants to stop fighting the feelings and give into them.
"Carl said you helped him."
"I don't like bullies."
"Yet, you're with Negan," Rick retorts.
"That's only about survival. It's about surviving."
"And what about living?"
Michonne's eyes flash to a shade of black as dark memories crosses her vision. Normal people will look or back away when the dark anger flashes in her eyes but Rick takes the full brunt of her gaze even taking a step forward.
"Actually living and not just surviving," Rick adds.
"You need a reason to live and not all of us are granted that luxury," Michonne says pulling her eyes away from Rick's, looking to Carl and then back at him.
The silent returns. Carl paces from the front door to the kitchen. Rick stays with Michonne, neither speaking only watching each other unabashed and unashamed. The woman name Maggie returns to the house first, the woman Glenn called his wife. She looks out of breath and wide eyes as she steps in close to Rick.
"It is taken care of?" Rick asks.
Maggie nods as her eyes fits to Michonne before she returns them to Rick, she steps closer to him and whispers in his ears. She speaks too low and Michonne is too far to hear what she says. Rick only nods and looks her over, she's still breathing heavily.
"Are you okay?" He says as his eyes drop to her mid-section. Michonne eyes follow his and widens as she takes in the woman extended belly slightly hidden behind her large shirt.
"You're pregnant!" Michonne gasps. Maggie's hands go to her belly in a protective stance, her eyes go wide as she looks from Michonne to Rick then back at Michonne. She doesn't answer but she doesn't need to, Michonne already knows and the shock of it stuns Michonne to silence. Her thoughts split in two as an irrational storm of jealousy erupts within her chest. Her first thought going to her son. Michonne closes her eyes as the jealousy melds into the anger she was trying to dig up; it explodes violently and she feels as if it will manifest itself into a tangible form and rip itself from her chest. She wants to bellow in rage at the cruelty and injustice of the world. Her second thought douse the envy with hope; hope of new life and how fitting the person who helped her in Woodbury will be bless with a child. The torrent of emotions waging within her causes her head to ache and a wariness to succumb her.
"You should go home."
"I want to wait for Glenn and the others," Maggie says.
Michonne opens her eyes and look between the two, Rick squeezes her shoulder and softens his voice as he speaks to her, "Go home and get some rest. It has been a long day. We're done here, nothing else is going to happen tonight."
"Ok," She concedes while holding her belly, "Send Glenn home to me as soon as he gets back."
"I will."
"Dad," Carl calls out for his father's attention, Rick turns to his son while Michonne take in both men, "I'm going to walk Maggie home, make sure she gets there okay and check on Enid."
"I want you back home in ten minutes."
Carl nods and follows Maggie.
XxXx00000xXxX
With Carl gone the electric current that seems to flow between Rick and Michonne intensifies without the buffer. He holsters his colt before he places her sword behind him on the kitchen island, he then turns and pulls out a chair and takes a seat across from her. Rick is in awe of her beauty from the rich hue of her skin, to the long slope of her neck, her tone arms, to her full lips and molten brown eyes. He fights the urgent need to bring solace to the pain that dwells within her beautiful brown eyes. He wants her in his arms to hold her tight until the pain fades from her pretty eyes. He memorizes the features of her face drinking her in as she does the same with dark piercing eyes.
"Your hair got longer."
She doesn't speak, only an eyebrow raises in question.
"You look the same as I remember. As I pictured you would but- but I always remember your hair short. Your hair got longer."
Her eyes soften a fraction even though her full lips remain in a tight grimace.
"You're still as beautiful as I remember even more so."
The electric current between them flares as surprise race across her face before she stamps it down with another fierce grimace.
"What do you want from me?" She asks her voice a soft whisper.
"You're the one who snuck into my community. You could have stayed with Negan and the Saviors yet you came back-"
"I was following after the Dwight!" She interrupts him.
Rick only shakes his head slightly, "You could have gone back and told Negan or got the Saviors to come after Dwight but you didn't. You came back and came alone, so tell me Michonne, what do you want from me?"
Her hands on the table balls into a fist as her face tightens with anger, annoyance, and a flash of something else that passes too quickly for him to decipher. His eyes trail from her eyes to her hands then back to her eyes while hers remain on his face. Michonne doesn't answer his question instead they sit in silence gazing at each other.
"Michonne. Michonne. Michonne." he repeats as her eyes travels over every inch of his face, "I've thought of hundreds maybe even thousands of possibilities of what your name may be but I've never thought of Michonne. It is different, exotic, unique, beautiful, and memorable just like the owner of the name. It fits you perfectly."
He sees the humor in her eyes even though her lips remain in a grimace; he yearns to see her stunning smile, to relieve some of the pain from her eyes. Her smile a drug he's unknowingly been craving for seven years.
"What names did you think of?"
"Too many to name."
"Give me a few examples."
Rick diverts his eyes for a moment before he returns them to her, he feels his face burn with a slight embarrassment, "Fatima, Victoria, Agnes, Fiona, Mercedes, Astrid, Diana, Daisy…" He trails off when he sees a wide smile cross her sweet lips. He feels his heart stop for a several seconds as he takes her in.
"Daisy? Agnes? You were really off the mark."
"That smile… I think I missed that smile the most," Rick confesses and when he does her smile falls quickly from her lips and she looks away from him.
"Why are you doing this?"
"Michonne-"
"We are enemies!"
"We don't have to be."
"And what do you want Rick? Do you want us to pick up from where we left off seven years ago? Seven years? That's a long time ago even before the world ended. Now… now that is an entire lifetime, I can't go back. Too much shit has happened from then until now and I can't go back."
"I am not saying we go back… we go forward."
"Forward? Forward where Rick?" Michonne asks, he can see the desperation and pain melding on her face into an agony of simmering anger.
"I once said we were meant for more than that moment all those years ago, and seven years later we find each other again. We are meant for more."
"How can you still believe that? How Rick?"
"How can you not? Seven years, the world we know ends and somehow we still find each other alive and well?"
"Who said I'm well?"
"Tell me how I can make it better?"
"You can't."
"I don't believe that," He replies gently.
The hurt in her eyes and words are tangible. He yearns to hold her and help relieve the pain. Michonne falls silent as she glares at him, her brown eyes harden into gems of black ice. It does nothing to take away from her beauty.
"I'm sorry," Rick says. She doesn't reply so he continues. "I am sorry for the name. It is one of my regrets."
"What? Guessing the wrong name?"
"Never demanding your name."
"You did."
"No. I asked and you said no. I should have demanded you tell me your name."
"What would it have changed?" Michonne asks sadly.
"Everything," Rick breathes, "It would have changed everything."
XxXx00000xXxX
Effortless. It is the only word Michonne can think of to describe being in Rick's presence and talking to him. It is effortless and that thought causes her discomfort and agitates her. It shouldn't be this easy. It scares Michonne to her core at how natural this feels. As if they are picking up exactly where they left off all those years ago. She thinks about the lost seven years that has passed between them that they will never retrieve. She can't go back.
Forward. Rick had said 'forward', could she possibly move forward with him?
Michonne's chest hurts. The heart she once thought she lost, the heart she once thought desiccated and died violently beats against her chest cavity. She is certain her racing heart is going to tear itself from her chest. She avoids looking up at him as he shifts in his seat, she knows he's going to speak and Michonne can't take another onslaught of flowery talk of empty hope from Rick.
"Michonne," He softly whispers. She wants to deny that she likes how effortlessly her name flow from his lips and how seductive his accent makes her name sound.
The front door opens and they both look towards the direction of the door. Rick moves to his feet as several voices travel into the kitchen before the owner of the voices. Carl returns along with the man name Abraham and Daryl who held the weapon to her head. Several others come along with them Andrea being one of the group with a sneer resting upon her lips as she glares at Michonne.
"I saw Glenn on my way back and told him Maggie needed him. He'll check in tomorrow morning," Carl offers.
"We're going to keep patrol all night but so far it's clear."
"Same for the parameter, no sign of anyone," a black man with a staff says walking in behind Andrea.
"Sasha and I ain't find nothing wrong but we'll keep checking. Spencer and Carol ain't find nothing either. People are already in bed or getting ready for bed."
Rick nods before he glances at Michonne as says, "Michonne said she followed Dwight alone. No, one is coming after her or Dwight."
"How can we be sure? She could be lying!" Andrea states.
"She's not," Rick replies.
"How do you know?" Andrea questions
"Andrea is right, she could be lying." the black man offers.
Rick looks at the man before he quickly glances at Michonne then at Andrea, "She's not."
"What are we going to do about her?" Abraham asks.
"Give me Dwight and we'll leave. I will not tell Negan about whatever you have planned against him. You'll have your chance to get from under his rule and I promise I will not do anything to compromise your plans."
"You do all of that? Why?" The man named, Daryl asks.
"As a thank you to Glenn for helping me. As a small gift to his wife and unborn child. I owe him that."
"We can't allow her to just leave!" Andrea sneers.
"And all you want is Dwight?" Sasha asks.
Michonne turns to her and gives her a curt nod.
"What are you going to do to him?"
"Do not worry about that," She simply answers.
"She's going to kill him! This is what she does. She kills innocent people," Andrea comments.
Michonne scoffs, "Dwight is far from innocent."
"He helped us. He has been instrumental in our plans!" Andrea retorts.
Michonne coolly turns to her, "I am allowing you all to have your plans, I just want Dwight and we'll leave."
"How can we trust you?"
Even though Rick didn't pose the question Michonne locks eyes and speaks directly to him, "It is a chance you'll have to take."
The two stare into each other's eyes again, getting lost in memories as the group looks on. It isn't until Abraham speaks up from that the slow build of tension releases slightly.
"You're shitting me! You're thinking about her offer?"
Rick's eyes break away from Michonne, he looks around the room before he speaks, "Tonight we keep vigilant just in case but we're done discussing anythan' until tomorrow morning."
"So once again your plan is to do nothing?" Andrea states as she locks eyes with Rick.
Michonne notes the tick in his jaw but when he speaks it is in low calm voice, "It's been a long day. We'll finish this tomorrow."
Andrea cuts her eyes away from Rick's cold stare, she looks at Michonne and toss her a daggered stare before she turns and whips out the room. The others concur with Rick and slowly the kitchen empties out until it is only a few of them remaining.
"I'll take her to the cell and take first watch," says the man with the staff.
"I'll take second watch," Sasha volunteers.
"I'll walk with y'all," Daryl offers.
"Dad! We're putting her in the jail cell? That's not fair! I was treated better when I with the Saviors!" Carl protests.
Michonne looks at the young man surprise at his defense of her comfort.
"You were taken, she broke in. There's a difference," Daryl says.
"The cell is not bad. It has a nice bed. It is just a safety precaution."
"Morgan is right, the cell is not bad and it is for her safety as much as ours," Rick says looking up at Michonne. She gives him a subtle nod before she looks away.
"Dad!"
"It'll be fine Carl," Michonne says.
"We should give her something to eat or drink or something," Carl says.
"We'll make sure she's fine, Carl." Sasha offers.
She gives Carl a small smile at his concern, remembering the lesson she taught him. Morgan, the man with the staff, directs her to stand and Michonne does so. She follows Morgan as the man with the crossbow, Daryl falls into step behind her with Sasha alongside of him. In truth Michonne is not looking forward to sleeping in a cell but she is relieved to be leaving Rick's presence and the pulse of energy that permeates the air around them and the once buried emotions he unearths. She needs some time alone to get her thoughts and emotions together concerning her next move and Rick Grimes.
XxXx00000xXxX
Rick is distracted. He can't focus on the meeting being held in the middle of his living room. His only focus is on Michonne who's several blocks away in the jail cell. He wants to go to her. He wants to continue their discussion from last night. He wants to just sit and talk to her. He wants to make her laugh and watch that wonderful smile cross her lips because of him.
After Morgan took Michonne to the cell Rick checked with the others to make sure Alexandria was safe before returning home. When he did he tried to sleep but Michonne sat heavily upon every available thought in his mind. He kept replaying their night together seven years ago, and the words Dre said. That he saw his mother and the sudden coincidence of Michonne's appearance.
During the night, Rick paced his house in the dark thinking of more plans to defeat Negan and help his community thrive. He considered her offer of taking Dwight and leaving, promising not to tell Negan about their plans. The others doubted that they could trust her but he knew within his guts she would keep her word. He even stood above his children's bed and watched them sleep. He took in how young Carl really was when he was fast asleep. He took in Judith's feature that mirrored Lori so much. He took in Dre's features and reconciled the similarities to Michonne. The little sleep he did find Michonne found her way into his dream; it was a pleasant dream of what could be, a slumber Rick hope would be come a reality.
"Rick!"
He snaps out of his thoughts and focuses on Jesus, one of their ally from the neighboring community, Hilltop.
"Yea?"
"Maggie said Michonne didn't see us, do you think she might know about our alliances?" Jesus asks.
"I don't think so."
"She didn't mention it."
"Why would she mention it?" Holly asks.
"She mentioned how she got in last night, that she wasn't followed and that she knew Dwight was here. I think if she knew about our alliance with Hilltop and the Kingdom she would have said something," Sasha says.
"You're giving too much credit to this woman you don't know," Holly retorts.
Daryl scoffs, "She wasn't lying about the trees at the east wall."
"I don't think she knows. Sasha's right she would have said something," Dwight says.
"Good! We don't need the Saviors to know about the alliance between us," Richard from the Kingdom says. Ezekiel couldn't come to the meeting called by Rick so he sent one of his trusted men in his place.
"We're not discussing the most important matter," Spencer says looking around the room to the various individuals, "What are we going to do with Michonne? She's a liability to all of our planning and hard work."
Richard nods, "I agree, if we handle this Michonne thing wrong it will have a ripple effect to all three communities."
"I vote to kill her," Darla voices.
"We're not killing her," Rick states keeping his voice even.
Rosita speaks up from a corner and asks, "What other options do we have?"
"We're not killing her," Rick repeats.
"She was sneaking around my house. Watching my daughter from the window like a creep for that alone the woman can die. Who votes to kill the woman?" Darla asks. Rick notes the hands that raises.
"We. Are. Not. Killing. Her." Rick says punctuating each word with a finality that hints at the beginning anger.
"Rosita is right, what other options do we have?" Tara questions lowering her raised hand.
"We can't just let her go. If you go and tells Negan… the fallout will be greater than one woman," Carol offers.
Rick starts to seethe in anger as he listens to how quickly they want to kill Michonne but he quickly tampers his emotions and tries to think rationally as a leader. It is difficult but he thinks of Michonne as just another member of the Saviors and not the woman from seven years ago. Rationalizing his thoughts, he knows killing Michonne will make things worse before it gets better.
"She wants to leave. She said she will not tell Negan of our plans," Sasha offers.
"Do you believe her?"
Sasha shrugs at Rosita's question, "A part of me does but- but I'm unsure."
"Why would she just leave and not tell Negan?"
"What does she want?"
Several looks are exchange before Andrea speaks up, "Dwight. She wants Dwight."
"Fuck! She's going to kill me."
Daryl shrugs, "If that's the tradeoff…"
"Fuck you!"
Sasha speaks up before Daryl has a chance to respond to Dwight, "She says it is thank you to Glenn for helping her out at Woodbury."
"So, she's indebted to you? We can use this to our advantage," Jesus offers looking at Glenn.
"I say we let her go. Give her Dwight and let her go. We can make her promise not to kill him," Glenn states.
"What is there to keep her from killing me and telling Negan of the plans?" Dwight asks.
"She'll give us her word-"
"Like Carol said, if she tells Negan… the fallout will be great. It will be more than just me losing my life," Dwight comments.
"She won't tell," Carl speaks up.
"And how do you know that for sure?"
"I don't! But I don't think she's the type to go back on her word," Carl comments.
"We can't let her go, there is too many factors to consider. This is not just about Alexandria anymore. We have to think about all three communities," Richard says.
"We can just keep her locked up," Morgan suggests.
Abraham scoffs at the idea, "For how long?"
Holly rolls her eyes at the thought and adds, "Last time them bastard came they did a random sweep, what if they come in and do one and find her?"
"Things will get significantly worse than better," Eugene answers.
Andrea gives her opinion, "There are no options. She needs to die."
Maggie looks as surprise as Rick feels at Andrea's decision to kill Michonne. She shakes her head and says, "She was one of your closet friends."
"She burned down Woodbury while people slept. She's not a friend, she's a monster and needs to die," Andrea replies her voice heated with anger.
"She was a prisoner at Woodbury!" Carl exclaims.
"That doesn't excuse her actions!"
"We are not going to kill her!" Carl states.
"This is not your decision."
"And it is not yours!" Carl retorts.
"Why is this child here? Shouldn't you be with the other kids?" Spencer queries.
"I may be young but I've killed more people than your spineless ass has!"
"Carl, enough!" Rick says sternly.
Carl grits his teeth as his hands ball into white-knuckle fists. Conviction weighing on every word he declares, "We're not going to kill her dad!"
"We're not."
"This is a group decision you cannot decide what is best for the community alone, Rick."
"And what do you think killing Michonne will resolve, Heath?" Rick asks.
"Dwight what can you tell us about Michonne? What is she to Negan?" Maggie asks while Glenn moves to stand behind her.
Dwight sighs and shakes his head while moving to the edge of his seat. He looks around the room before he stares off to an empty space on the wall and starts to speak, "Look, Negan ain't got loyalty to no one but Negan. Negan's first priority is Negan."
Abraham grumbles while folding his arms across his chest, "We get it Negan is an asshole. We already know this."
"He is an asshole and the only decency I have ever seen him shown is to her- to Michonne. Michon-"
Carl interrupts, "She doesn't kneel to him like the others. She also stands up to him and speaks her mind if she doesn't like what he's doing. That must mean something!"
"Sounds like she as some pull with the Savior," Glenn notes.
Dwight shakes his head, "People there either love or hate her. She has lieutenant's points and privilege like one on his wives but she ain't neither. She can do great good but she doesn't; Negan doesn't give a fuck about anyone's opinions but he'll listens to her. She has his ears."
"More like his dick," Holly quips.
"So, Negan's weakness is Michonne? We can use this to our advantage!" Morgan comments excitedly.
Dwight only shrugs, "Perhaps."
"I think Michon-" Carl cuts his sentence short and stands to his feet, "Dre?"
Rick eyes goes to his son who stands quietly by the door unnoticed, Rick also moves to his feet and walks towards him as Carl does the same.
"Dre what are you doing here?" Rick asks kneeling down to be eye level with his son.
"I wanted Wolverine. I left him here."
"I'll go get it," Carl offers before he bounds up the stairs to retrieve his brother's toy.
Rick looks at the boy with a renew vision, noting the shape of his eyes, the slopes of his cheeks and shape of his face. He stands and walk his son to the front porch where he waits with him for Carl.
"Did you walk here all by yourself?"
Dre smiles wide and nods, Rick gives him a tight smile and gently reprimands him, "It is not safe to be out by yourself. You need to have an adult with you at all time."
"But Daddy I am a big boy and smart."
"I know you are but do not go outside without an adult, understand?"
Dre drops his head and nods, "Sorry, daddy."
"Hey, look at me."
He lifts his head and looks at Rick.
"I love you, Little Bear and I need you to be safe. Okay?"
"Okay Daddy."
Rick kisses Dre as Carl walks out onto the front porch.
"I'll take him back," Carl offers handing Dre his toy and grabbing his hand.
Rick nods he watches the two walk down the steps before he returns to the conversation at hand where he finds Richard talking.
"Each time they come to the Kingdom she's at Negan's side, fucking glaring at everyone not saying a damn word but she's there like a guard dog. She has some power."
"You said you had some Saviors who would fight against Negan, is Michonne one of them?" Jesus asks.
Dwight shrugs, he drops his head and looks at his hand before looking up at Jesus, "Michonne was there before Sherry and I arrived. The best way I can describe her is indifferent. She doesn't care one way or the other to many things Negan does. I heard when Negan Lucille that kid up at Hilltop they fought for days. When he ironed this boy Timmy at the Sanctuary for stealing she flipped out. I don't know what Negan said or did to make up for it but he never ironed a kid again."
"Doesn't seem bad to me," Daryl scoffs. Rick knows Daryl feels about protecting kids and Rick himself admits the story doesn't paint Michonne in a bad light.
"Yea but I also saw her not bat a fucking eye when he ironed me or went hunting!" Dwight says angrily.
"Hunting?"
"Negan banished this man Vern, who was trying to rebel against him, His torture of the man didn't stop from exiling him from the Sanctuary. Negan took a few others and went hunting, hunted the man for three days until they finally killed him. Then they dragged the body back and hung him on the fence for everyone to see."
"Is that what's going to happen to you if Negan finds out you've been helping us?" Rosita asks.
"Or worse," Dwight says with a deep sigh.
"So, she ain't do shit for this hunting party?" Abraham gruff out.
"Nothing," Dwight says shaking his head, "Negan used Lucille once scrap the skin off this woman's face and Michonne ain't do a damn thing."
"What kind of woman allows torture like this to happen to others?" Darla asks.
"I am not going to blame or vote to kill her for not standing up for a man who tried to usurp Negan!" Sasha replies.
"She helped Carl. She saved him!" Glenn offers.
"Maybe because he was a kid or maybe because Negan order to keep the kid alive… fuck if I know. Bottom line, Michonne can't be trusted," Dwight states.
XxXx00000xXxX
"You can't walk outside by yourself Dre it is not safe."
"But Carl I was only over there," Dre points to Ms. Brooks house which is only two houses away from their own home.
"I know but it is not safe. Remember you must always stay safe. You have to stay inside and when you go outside you have to be with an adult."
"Are you an adult, Carl?"
He glances down to looks at his young brother who stares up at him with wide powered blue eyes.
"Close enough."
"So, no?"
Carl stifles a chuckle but doesn't reply.
"Carl?" Dre starts off.
"Yea buddy?"
"Did you always stay in the house when you were small like me?" Dre asks.
Carl doesn't look down at Dre as they approach Ms. Brooks house, he knows the lie will be clear on his face. He recalls all the time he ran off without his parents or an adult's knowledge. Not wanting to be a bad example to Dre, he nods his head.
"Yes, all the time. I always listened to Dad and my mom when they told me to stay put."
From the corner of his eye he catches Dre's disbelieving look but the young boy doesn't reply he only nods as they climb the steps to Ms. Brooks' home. He knocks on the door and wait for a reply. Ms. Brooks, the resident Alexandria school teacher, opens the door surprise to see Carl and Dre.
Carl enters the house and explains Dre's appearance. Ms. Brooks reprimands the young boy before she directs him to the garage with the other kids. Father Gabriel is already in the garage helping Ms. Brooks. Carl follows them but doesn't go into the garage, instead he stops in the entryway of the kitchen where Enid helps prepare lunch for the kids. He awkwardly stands at the entryway and watches Enid move around getting sandwiches ready. When she notices him, she stops and stares at him.
"Hey."
"Hey."
"Checking up on me?" She asks warily.
"Dre ran off again, I was just dropping him off."
"Okay."
"Okay."
They're quiet for a minute as Carl moves deeper into the kitchen.
"I did come to check up on you."
"I'm fine… I…"
"I know… I just…" He doesn't finish. He shifts from one leg to the other while he studies the space on the floor between them, "I better go."
"Okay."
Carl doesn't move, he remains standing in place finally he looks up and catches her eyes, "Enid?"
"Yea?"
"May I hug you?"
She looks at the space above his head before slowly finding his eye. She gives a small nod. Carl closes the space between them and gingerly wraps his arm around her. When she relaxes, her press her closer to him and hugs her tighter. Enid releases a soft sob as she returns his hug.
XxXx00000xXxX
"Michonne always seem reasonable to me. Maybe we can reason with her?" Jesus suggests.
Maggie nods her head, "Give her a reason to join our cause maybe we can show her the community? We can talk to her about the things we planned and hope to accomplish. Maybe she'll want to be part of the greater good. It could work."
"Nah… it won't."
"Why not?"
"She's loyal above everything else. Unless you can change her loyalty that plan of reasoning with her will not work."
"How loyal is she? She wants to take you and not tell Negan about our plans her? I do not trust the bitch," Holly says.
"Remember that kid from the farm? We can drive her out somewhere and drop her off," Glenn offers.
"That plan didn't work the first time you all tried it," Andrea snips.
"Michonne is smart unless you plan to drop her off in California, she'll make her way back to the Sanctuary in a week or less."
"If she's important to Negan we can use her as a bargaining chip," Tara proposes.
Rick watches as everyone grows excited at the idea. Several people start talking at once about how to make Tara's idea work.
He raises his voice and speaks over the others shutting down the idea, knowing what he'll do if he was in Negan's position, "Once Negan has Michonne back and she safe, he will not hesitate to destroy us."
"So, we're back to killing her?" Abraham asks.
"That is the only option we have," Holly comments.
"It is the only option that makes sense!" Darla exclaims.
Glenn erupts in anger and kicks the chair he was sitting in, "WE ARE NOT GOING TO KILL HER!"
"Glenn," Maggie says softly.
"Our options are slim, Glenn," Tara whispers.
Andrea rolls her eyes and snarls, "She can't be trusted. She killed innocent people and she is just as capable of selling us out to Negan."
"You all weren't there at Woodbury! You all didn't see what I saw or what I heard. That shit is burned into my memory and I-" Glenn inhales deeply and exhale slowly, trying to control himself, "If that was Maggie, Beth, Carol or… I would have helped set that fucking town ablaze! We are not going to kill her. We need to find another way."
The room is stun silent for a moment while everyone watches as Glenn leave.
"When we kill her how should will go about doing it?" Darla asks Dwight after a full moment of silence.
He shrugs and says, "Negan will need proof she's dead. Her body and her sword."
Sasha stands and moves towards the entryway of the living near Rick and Daryl, "Killing her is a stupid idea! If Negan likes her as much as you claim he does, if he so much as thinks she's been murder he will seek revenge and we're back to square one!"
"We can make it look like she got bit by a walker," Heath suggests.
"I've seen her take down upwards of fifteen walkers by herself, unless it is a herd Negan will not believe that either," Jesus shuts him down.
"We can keep her locked up."
Andrea sighs heavily and rolls her eyes, "Daryl we already discussed why that won't work."
"Not here… we find a place several miles away have rotating people keep a watch over her. We take care of Negan and then let her go."
Several people nod at the idea, Rick doesn't like the thought of Michonne faraway but it is the best they have come up with.
"What if she revenge Negan or try to take up arms against us?"
"She won't." When all eyes go to Rick, he knows he said it out loud instead of internally, he stands straight and looks around the room. "She will not seek revenge for Negan or round up the Saviors to fight us. Mich-"
"How do you know? How are you so sure?" Andrea asks her eyes narrow with anger at Rick. Eyes goes between the two ex-lovers until they settle of Rick who looks unfazed from Andrea's anger.
"She wouldn't have told us about the weak spot in our wall, so the Saviors could use it later. She wouldn't have told us she wasn't followed which would have kept us stretched out thin trying to cover the area. She said she doubled back and then followed Dwight, she could have gone back and told Negan and the Saviors but she didn't. I am not telling you all to call her a friend but I do not believe she wants to hurt us."
"I still don't trust her," Carol comments.
"I am not asking you to trust her. I'm asking you to trust me."
Several people nod and murmurs their agreement with Rick.
Andrea stand to her feet, rolls her shoulders back and with narrow blue eyes she faces off with Rick, "I think we should attack Negan now. He'll be distracted looking for his whore, this is the best time."
Rick bristle at the sound of Andrea calling Michonne a whore, he inhales deeply to calm himself as others agree with Andrea's plan to attack now.
Daryl nods and looks at him, "I know you wanted to wait a little longer but this may be the opportunity we were waiting for."
"It's a good idea, Negan will be distracted and trying to find Michonne and we can put our plan to action," Jesus agrees.
"Michonne being here… it can work out to all of our benefits."
XxXx00000xXxX
Carl's hug with Enid ends when Ms. Brooks calls her to help with Alice.
"I'll talk to you later, okay?"
"Okay."
Enid turns and goes into the garage. Carl watches her go before he stands at the table trying to control his churning rage. He wants to kill the man who brought this pain to Enid. His thoughts go to Michonne. He truly hopes she made the man suffers. He thinks about going back to his house and returning to the meeting when another thought crosses his mind. He grabs two sandwich, a small baggie of slightly stale pretzels, and a bottle of water before he leaves out the backdoor of Ms. Brooks' house not realizing he's being watch.
When Carl arrives at the building that houses the jail cell, he enters the building quietly and makes his way towards the cell. He finds JJ, a young man a few years older than him, standing guard.
"Hey JJ my dad wants you to check out the east wall and make sure the tree cutting is going smoothly."
"Tobin said that Rosita was supposed to be my relief."
"She is. I'm just covering until she gets here. She's on her way, she had to stop by her house to take care of some lady stuff… you know… it's that time of month," Carl lies smoothly.
JJ's face pales as he nods in understanding, "So just go to the east wall?"
"Yea they need help there."
The young man nods handing Carl the keys before he leaves. Carl waits a full minute making sure JJ is gone before he turns and unlocks the cell. He steps into the room and finds Michonne sitting on the floor under the only window. Her hands are clasps in front of her in chains, Carl thinks it is excessive. He knows his father wants to protect them but chains on her wrist are too much. He swallows his anger, making a mental note to talk to his dad about their treatment of Michonne.
She looks up, her dark eyes watching his every move.
"He chained you up?" Carl asks incredulously.
"Not at first but one of the woman was talking too much so I hit her, her boyfriend with the terrible facial hair thought it'll be best."
"Holly and Abraham?"
She shrugs slightly, "I guess that's their names."
"Abraham, he can be too much but he's not a bad guy but Holly. I don't like her much."
"Me neither that's why I punched her."
Carl smiles. He looks around the solemn room taking in the empty tray and the rumple bed sheets before his eyes returns to hers.
"Did you sleep?"
"Some."
"I brought you food," Carl says holding up the food in his hands.
"Thank you."
"Remember rest and eat."
A ghost of a smile crosses her lips.
"You want me stronger?"
"Why not?" Carl asks.
"Because it is your family… your people I'll be going up against."
He takes a moment and takes in her pretty face and dark brown eyes remembering the lesson she taught him and her kindness before he replies, "I know but it should be a fair fight."
Michonne actually smiles. A wide bright smile that causes her eyes to dance in the dim light room. It lightens and makes her already pretty face stunning.
XxXx00000xXxX
Michonne watches Carl nervously shift from foot to foot. Her smiles slowly fade as she takes in the boy.
"What is it?" She asks gently.
"That man from yesterday… did you kill him?"
She loses her smile as the thoughts of Fred returns to the forefront of her mind.
"He hurt your friend?"
"He tried to… if Rosita…" Carl trails off and looks at the window above her.
"I haven't killed him but I will."
His eye return to her and with a steady gaze he says, "Good."
A twinge of sadness flutters in her chest at the thought of what she's going to do. She shouldn't feel guilty but it still shrouds her in a sticky blanket of annoyance. She was going to use the other young man, JJ but Carl will make a better hostage for her escape plan. She just needs him to get closer. The chains around her wrist are already unlock, she picked them earlier and only holds them around her wrist for show.
"I better get back."
"Carl," She calls out to him. The boy stops and turns to face her, "My food?"
"Oh yea!" He chuckles and gives her sheepish grin. He moves deeper into the cell, closing the distance between as he places the food down beside her.
Two things happen almost at the same times as he moves to stand, Michonne twist her wrist causing the shackles to clank to the floor. She leaps to her feet and starts towards Carl as the cell door opens and a voice calls out:
"Mama?"
A/N: PLEASE DON'T HATE ME! Please! I am so sorry about the cliffhanger. I truly am. I know! I know! ANOTHER CLIFFHANGER! It is just the way I wrote this section all those months ago. I know a lot of you all hate cliffhangers and to be honest I do too but it is what it is. I kind of make it up to you in the next chapter with Richonne smut! Yay, for smut right? Also, you will not have to wait too long for an update. My life has calm down some and my laptop is fixed.
As always, thank you for taking the time and reading my little story. Thank you for following, favoring, commenting and all of that good jazz. I truly appreciate you all. Please let me know what you think. Until next time folks. - fithola