A/N: This takes place some two months after Rick and Michonne decided to just be friends. I hope you all like it; bit of a filler.
Rick noticed that if he left the grocery shopping until well after six-thirty of an evening, there were decidedly less people rushing to get the task done. It meant he would be a little late with preparing dinner, but when you were on your own you could eat whenever you wanted. There was no one else relying on you to feed them or complaining that you were late; there was no one to go home to. He sighed when he thought about how alone he really was. It would be another two weeks before Carl and Judith were set to visit and Rick was missing them very much; he was missing their company and everything that came with it. He was tired of being on his own in a big empty house full of memories.
Absently, he picked up an apple and brought it to his nose, giving it a quick sniff.
"They're really nice," said a familiar female voice. "I got a few yesterday."
He turned around and offered a friendly smile.
"I'll take your word for it," he answered, placing the apple into a plastic bag, followed by three more; he set them down in his basket and then looked back at the woman.
"Need some help with anything else?" she asked sweetly, flirtatiously; Rick noticed and he did not mind.
"Ah, I don't think so," he proffered, not knowing what to say in response. "Got it sorted. It's easy when you're only cookin' for one."
She gave him a faux-sympathetic pouty stare; she's kind of adorable, he mused.
"Oh, Rick. You really should take me up on my offer to cook for you. Are you really set on eating on your own again tonight? I mean, I'm grabbing a few things now so it'd be no trouble to make a little extra for you. What d'ya say?" she asked, hopeful that he would say yes just this one time.
Rick smiled coyly and looked down at his basket; the apples were the only items in there.
"You know what? Yeah. Why not?" he offered. "That's if you really want to and I wouldn't be imposing?"
"Oh no, it's fine. Truly, I want to do this for you," she said with a wide grin.
"So," said Rick. "Should I put the apples back, or?"
"No, no. Still get 'em for yourself. They're really good. What do you feel like?" she asked.
"Whatever you're cookin'," Rick flirted, causing her to smile.
"Great," she offered happily. "I'll get a few other things and then we're good to go."
"Okay," said Rick. "Thanks for this, Jessie. I appreciate it."
…..
"That," said Rick as he leaned away from the table where his empty plate sat. "Was the best thing I've tasted in ages."
Jessie smiled at him sweetly and felt her face grow warm, "Thank you, Rick. I'm just glad you liked it."
Rick sipped from the bottle of beer that sat beside his plate.
"Thanks for askin' me around," he said. "I should've done it earlier."
Jessie blushed, "I'm just glad you're here now."
Rick placed his drink down, smiled again and then moved to clear the table.
"Please, leave that. I'll take care of it," said Jessie as she stood and began to stack their plates.
Rick stayed seated as she walked to the kitchen; he quickly stole a look at her backside.
"Do you want another drink?" Jessie called out.
Looking down at his wristwatch, Rick reasoned he had time for one more.
"Sure," he answered. "Thank you."
…..
Jessie Anderson twirled her wine glass around in her fingers as she studied Rick's profile in the dim light out on her front porch. He was a handsome man, she mused. She liked the way his hair was greying at the temples and he always seemed to have scruff on his face; it made him appear more distinguished. She figured that she could get lost in his deep blue eyes given half the chance and noted that the flickering light that danced therein caused them to sparkle. She was just about to say something about how pretty his eyes were when their attention turned to her son, Ron, who came trudging up the path towards her house.
"Hi, honey," she said, causing the teenager to slow his pace.
"Hey," he said, heading for the door.
"Don't be rude, Ron. Say hello to Deputy Grimes," Jessie said, mortified that her son was embarrassing her in front of Rick.
"Hey," he said without looking at Rick, "Can I go now?"
Jessie offered Rick, who was not afforded a chance to greet the boy, an apologetic look before looking back at her son and saying, "Go on."
Rick shifted uneasily and placed his drink down.
"Jessie, I should get goin' too," he said as he stood.
"I'm so sorry about Ron. That was rude of him. You know how teenage boys are. Please, you don't have to go because of him," she said quickly, standing also and setting her glass down.
"Nah, I really do have to go. Got a meeting first thing, but thanks so much for askin' me around. I enjoyed your company," Rick said earnestly.
Jessie gave him a small smile, she was disappointed that he was leaving, but glad that he had enjoyed himself. She stepped closer to Rick and pressed her hand to his upper arm.
"If I invite you to come around again, will you?" she asked softly, searching his eyes.
"Sure, I'd love to," said Rick with a small grin, keenly aware of her rubbing his arm gently. "Well, like I said, I'd better go. Goodnight, Jessie and thanks again."
Jessie slowly leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to Rick's cheek before whispering, "Goodnight, Rick."
"Good morning, everyone," Michonne started as she glanced around the boardroom to ensure that she had the attention of all those who were present. "I promise I won't keep you all very long, I just have a few updates. Firstly, Willow Bend is ready to accommodate up to fifty participants and five onsite counsellors. The office equipment is being set up as we speak and we should have internet and phone connectivity by the week's end. The furniture will be assembled throughout next week."
There came pleased, muffled sounds from around the room as people nodded their heads and offered smiles.
"That's wonderful news," said Father Gabriel. "And ahead of schedule too, I might add."
"That's right," said Michonne. "We're doing well. Now, I'm meeting with the last couple of candidates for the internships next week in Virginia. I looking for a volunteer who'd like to take the drive with me; Father Gabriel was gracious enough to come with me to Atlanta last week, so it'd be great if someone else could accompany me this time."
"How long will it take?" Morgan asked. "I can go if it's just a day trip."
Michonne scrunched her nose, "It'll be overnight. One interview in the afternoon and the other the next morning."
"I can do it," said Rick, without any afterthought, as he sat up straighter in his seat. "Overnight's no problem for me."
"All right," said Michonne as she glanced in Rick's direction and smiled. "My Office will cover all of the costs, just make sure you run it by the Sheriff and we're good to go."
"Yes, ma'am," said Rick with a slight grin.
"Now that that's settled, I would like to introduce to you the person who filled the counsellors' position we advertised last month," said Michonne as she gestured to the woman who was sitting to her left. "This is Carol Peletier and she will be joining our team as early as next week now that the Willow Bend facilities are ready for use. I'll let her introduce herself and then I'll take a few questions and we'll be done for the morning."
…..
"Hey, Deputy," called Michonne just after the meeting had ended and people began to file out of the room. "Walk with me a minute?"
"Sure," he said before silently chiding himself for sounding too eager.
It was not easy working with Michonne after they had both agreed not to see one another anymore. They did really well not to cross paths, text or call each other outside of work for two weeks after Rick had called it off. They did well not to be in a situation where their desire for one another would land them back in the same predicament. They both stuck to their guns for two weeks, yet all it took was one dinner party at Shane and Andrea's and they ended up fooling around in the backseat of Michonne's car. Finally, two months later, they were able to be around one another at work and not fall back into old habits; Michonne was extremely busy now that the start date for the Program was fast approaching and Rick had accepted that he really could not have a purely sexual relationship with her, but was happy to be her friend than have nothing at all.
He felt as if he was ready to at least look at other women now. The dinner with Jessie had proven that he could enjoy the company of someone who was not Michonne. Someone who was more forthcoming with her feelings than Michonne was, and Rick was enjoying the attention from someone who was able to give him more than just sex.
"Great," she said. "I've just gotta grab a travel insurance form for you to get Sheriff Sinclair to sign and then that part of it is sorted."
They walked down the steps of the Town Hall together and Rick caught a whiff of her perfume in the breeze.
"Pardon me," said Michonne as she held her hand over her stomach. "My tummy's growling. I should've either arranged some snacks for that meeting or not skipped breakfast again."
"Hold up a sec," Rick said as he sprinted over to his car.
Michonne stopped and watched him with a curious expression on her face. Rick opened the front passenger's door, reached in and grabbed something. He smiled as he walked back towards Michonne.
"Here ya go," he said as he held out his hand. "I heard that they're really good."
"Apples?" she asked before taking the bag from Rick; their fingers brushed slightly. "Thanks. I'll just take one."
"No, have 'em all," said Rick. "I insist. Can't have our fearless leader collapsing because she's hungry."
He smiled at Michonne and was rewarded with a bright beam from her.
"Thanks, Rick," she smiled before placing the apples in her purse and continuing to walk with Rick at her side.
After a moment of walking in silence, Michonne reached into her purse and pulled out one piece of fruit.
"Here," she said before tossing the apple to Rick. "If they're as good as you say, I wouldn't want you to miss out."
xXxXx
The end of the week had finally come and Michonne was late for dinner with Andrea and Shane once again; she had just ended her call with her best friend as she entered the liquor store on Main Street. Her feet hurt and she was flustered, but she did promise Andrea that she would purchase a bottle of red for their evening. She approached one of the aisle where the wine bottles were and was slightly surprised to find Rick standing there examining the bottles.
"Hey," she said jovially. "Imagine finding you here on a Friday night."
"Hey, Michonne. How are you?" asked Rick as he carefully placed the bottle back to the shelf.
"I'm fine, thanks. Only just clocked off and Andrea's been blowing my phone up to remind me to grab a bottle. Do not tell me she sent you as well?" Michonne asked amusedly; Andrea could be as much of a control freak as Michonne was sometimes.
"No, I uh, I actually won't be able to make it tonight," Rick explained as he hooked his thumb into his belt. "I have other plans. I'm meetin' someone. Just not sure what she likes in the way of wine."
"Oh, I see," said Michonne, feeling a little silly for making an assumption.
He's got a date, she thought.
She noticed that Rick was wearing a dark blue button down shirt that brought out the color of his eyes; he wore dress pants and black leather shoes instead of his boots. He examined another bottle as Michonne's eyes moved over him quickly.
Yeah, he's definitely going on a date, thought Michonne. And why do I even care?
"That's a good choice," Michonne pointed out. "The flavor isn't too strong, and it's nice with a light meal. I'm sure she'll like it."
Rick glanced up from the bottle to take in Michonne's appearance; she seemed a little different from when she approached him a moment ago.
"Thank you," he offered in earnest. "Appreciate it."
"No trouble," she said flatly behind a dull smile before grabbing the bottle of wine that Andrea had sent her for.
"Are you all right?" asked Rick as he grew concerned over the sudden change in Michonne's mood.
"Yes, I'm fine," she answered. "I have to go. Enjoy yourself. Bye."
Rick went to speak again but Michonne's back was already turned to him as she made her way quickly towards the front of the store to make her purchase. She mustered everything within herself not to glance over her shoulder to meet Rick's gaze that was trained on her as she stood in line and chewed lightly on her thumbnail.
A/N: Next instalment, Rick and Jessie's hot date? Ugh, maybe not LOL. But definitely Richonne road trip to meet the interns! Thanks for reading :-)