A/N: Thank you all for the lovely feedback. I was a little anxious about posting the previous chapter, but your encouraging words have put to rest any apprehension I may have had. Okay. Let's find out what's going on with these young lovers now…
The evening sky had turned from a light azure color to deep blue. The first stars of the night sparkled overhead while Rick and Michonne walked hand-in-hand towards the fence that separated the Grimes farm from the Johnson's property. Neither could tell exactly what it was, but there felt like a change had taken place between them. It was not only their exploration of their developing sexuality, but the innate trust that came with it. Michonne felt safe with Rick, and he felt the overwhelming need to keep her safe.
Once they reached the fence, they each climbed through and then stopped.
"You don't have to walk me the entire way," she said honestly, although she admired his courtliness.
"I want to," Rick replied, locking his fingers with hers again; they continued on their way. "I had fun today."
Her face grew warm as she remembered what they had done; how they had been intimate with one another. "Me too," she pronounced.
"And I meant what I said: Anytime you wanna get away, you can use the hut. The books are there for you. I got that notepad so you can write stuff, if ya feel like it; I'll get more candy," he offered, causing her to smile.
"Thanks, Rick," she replied, giving his hand a squeeze. "I appreciate it."
…..
The lights of her grandparents' house came into view as she and Rick got closer to the residence. They stopped under the treehouse, and then faced one another.
"I really had a great time with you," he said again, closing the distance between them and wrapping his arms around her waist. She rested her hands on his shoulders.
"So did I," she replied, feeling her skin grow warm from his touch.
"Can I see you tomorrow?" he asked, hopefully.
"Yeah," answered Michonne. "I'd like that."
Rick smiled and then leaned in to kiss her; it was slow and gentle at first. His tongue coaxing hers out as he deepened the kiss. After pulling back slightly, he placed his forehead to hers; his breathing was laboured.
"God, you're so amazing," he proclaimed, his breath warm against her lips; they kissed again and his hand found her backside.
She could tell he was aroused once more as he instinctively pushed his body to hers. They inched rearward and her back rested up against the old oak tree. The heat pooled between her legs and his sex began to quiver. He brought his lips to her neck and sucked down to her clavicle. Michonne's legs grew weak as she rolled her hips forward; Rick moaned deeply at the delightful contact.
"Rick," she breathed. "I gotta go."
He mumbled some sort of protest, but stopped his attentions all the same.
"I'm sorry," she said faintly as she stepped away from his grasp. "I really gotta go."
"Okay," he conceded, silently wishing 'Little Rick' was not fighting him for control in that moment. He adjusted himself, set hard with desire, and let out a deep breath. "Sorry."
She took his hand and then gave him a quick, chaste kiss to the lips, "I'll see you tomorrow."
She hesitantly began to walk away as Rick stood in one spot and watched her.
"Psst!" he called, causing her to stop and turn, before jogging over to her. She waited expectantly for him to get close. He reached into his pocket and retrieved something, before placing it in her hand. "Here."
"What's this?" she whispered, mindful that they were right at her backdoor.
"Spare key for the hut," he said. "I'm serious; use it whenever you like."
"What about your parents?' she asked with concern.
"It's cool," said Rick. "No one ever goes up there."
"Okay," she said with a smile. "Thanks, Rick."
xXxXx
The creaky-sounding wheel of the shopping cart was persistent as Rick followed along behind his mother and younger brother. The supermarket was surprisingly quiet for a Saturday morning. Sheila read her grocery list, Jeffrey sulked for treats, and Rick ambled along in silence while pushing the cart. He had seen Shane driving by while they were in the parking lot; Shane had waved, but Rick only nodded and then put his head down. He did not feel as if he were ready to talk to his friend just yet.
As the Grimes family rounded the corner, and walked up the aisle that housed the canned foods, Rick stopped in his tracks and felt his heart rate quicken; Michonne was there, reaching up on a high shelf to retrieve something for her grandmother. Discreetly, Rick ran his fingers through his hair and cleared his throat. She had not noticed him right away, but when she did, she blessed him with a bright, beautiful smile.
As the neighbors approached each other, Sheila greeted Miss Pattie, and they started a conversation. Rick strolled past the two women, and sidled up next to his girlfriend.
"Hey," he said, as he smiled widely.
"Hi," she responded in kind.
"What's up?"
"Helpin' Gramma," she said quietly. "What're you doin'?"
"Helpin' my Mama," he answered; they both nodded and continued to grin at each other. Rick stepped closer. "What are you doin' later? We still gonna hang out?"
"Of course," Michonne answered. "I mean, I think I can; Gramma's got some ladies from the church coming around, so she might need me."
"All right."
"But we can catch up later, if you wanna."
"You know I do," Rick all but whispered. "How about I pick you up…"
"Rick, sweetie," Sheila interrupted.
"Yes, Ma?" he turned and answered.
"Miss Pattie needs a little help in the yard," she explained. "Will you head on over there and give her a hand later?"
"Yes, ma'am. I can do that," Rick said politely, before turning to Michonne's grandmother. "What time did you need me, Mrs. Johnson?"
"Anytime this afternoon would suit," said Pattie with a grateful smile. "I appreciate the help. Thank you."
"Yes, ma'am," said Rick courteously. "You're welcome."
…..
The sound of an engine being shut off right next to Sheila's car got Rick's attention while he was loading bags into the back. He sighed loudly when he realized that it was Shane. His friend exited his vehicle and sauntered over.
"Need a hand with that?" Shane asked.
"Nah, man," Rick answered. "I got it."
"Can we talk, buddy?" queried Shane, with hope in his voice.
"Now really ain't a good time," Rick said, still unloading the cart.
"Well, can I come by later?"
"I'll be busy later."
"Rick, can you just stop what you're doin' for five seconds?" Shane begged. "I wanted to say I was sorry for being a jerk to you."
"And to Michonne," Rick stated firmly.
"Yeah," said Shane. "And to Michonnne, too. Did she tell you I apologized to her?"
"Yeah," Rick said as he stood with his hands on his hips. "She mentioned it."
"I'm an ass," Shane admitted. "I don't know I act the way I do."
"Because you're an ass," said Rick.
"Right," Shane continued. "But I wanna make it up to you. I don't wanna be on the outs with you. I don't want a girl to come between us…"
"Michonne ain't comin' between us, Shane," Rick said determinedly. "The way you act is."
"Shit. I didn't mean it like that," he said. "This ain't her fault, it's my fault for bein' a dick."
Rick nodded.
"Can we put it all behind us?"
"Maybe," said Rick. "But you gotta learn some manners and to mind your business."
"I will," said Shane with a smile. "From now on, you'll see."
"I hope so."
"So, we'll catch up later?"
"Man, I really am busy later," Rick explained.
"All right," said Shane, disappointed that he was not going to get to spend time with his best friend like he had hoped. "Tomorrow, then?"
"I gotta go to church in the mornin'…"
"I'll meet you there…"
Rick let out a chuckle. "Shane, you haven't stepped foot in church in two years or somethin' like that. Pretty sure you'd melt…"
"Funny fucker."
"Well, it's been a while since you stopped by…"
"Boy, if you let me finish," Shane retorted. "I was gonna say I'll meet you after the service."
"Okay. Let's do that, then," said Rick, sincerely wanting to put their grievance behind them.
"All right," Shane proffered happily. "See your ass tomorrow."
xXxXx
The sun had sunk low in the sky by the time Rick was finished cleaning out the gutters for Miss Pattie. She and her church group companions were gathered around the small table under the treehouse in her back yard; Miss Rita, the treasurer of the church group, placed her ledger back into her large bag, and sipped from the lemonade Michonne had made earlier. She fanned herself with a loose leaf of paper before turning to the hostess.
"What you make of this, Sister Johnson?" Miss Rita asked, while gesturing to Michonne and Rick. The two teenagers were standing at the foot of the Johnson's sturdy ladder, engrossed in conversation, oblivious to the fact that the women were watching their exchange. Rick wore a huge smile as he reached over and pretended to try grabbing at Michonne while wearing his filthy work gloves; she recoiled from his playful advance and let out a youthful squeal.
"Of what?" replied Pattie, taking in their actions.
"Your granddaughter and that Grimes boy," said Rita, with her eyebrows raised. "They seem awful friendly."
"Well," said Pattie. "They are friends."
"Ain't no such thing," Rita remarked. "Girls and boys bein' friends like that. You know that, Pattie. And they're at that age where you just can't trust 'em."
"I can trust my grandchild," said Pattie defensively.
"Oh, of course," Rita backpedalled, albeit insincerely. "I meant the boy. You know what boys are like…"
As if she could feel their stare, Michonne glanced over at the women; she stopped her playfulness with Rick, and let her head drop a little. Rick followed her gaze and noticed that Miss Pattie and her friends were watching their interactions. Right away, he cleared his throat, straightened his gait, and then started to pack away the cleaning implements he was using. Silently, Michonne started to assist.
"Rick's a good boy," said Pattie. "He's been a good friend to my grandbaby. That's what she needed after everything she's been through."
"Long as you don't let her traipse on over to the Grimes property," the woman everyone referred to as Auntie Ada said.
The other women offered their agreement as Rick approached them; Michonne waited near the heavy wooden ladder so that she could help him carry it away when he was ready.
"Pardon me, Mrs. Johnson," Rick said politely, before waiting for her response.
"Yes, honey?" Pattie answered.
"I'm done with the gutter," he said, gesturing to his handiwork. "Was there anything else you needed today?"
"No, thank you, Rick," she offered amicably. "I'm glad someone finally cleaned them. Been that way since last Fall."
He nodded in understanding, and waited for his next instructions.
"You're a good boy, Rick," she continued. "Here."
She held out a twenty dollar bill for him.
"Oh, no, Mrs. Johnson," said Rick. "I can't take that."
"You earned it," she replied. "Now get over here and take it."
"Yes, ma'am," said Rick as he graciously accepted the money. "Thank you."
They exchanged a few more pleasantries before Pattie gave him his leave.
…..
It was only two minutes after Rick and Michonne had carried the ladder and cleaning supplies to the old shed that they were meshed together. Her fingers were threaded through his hair as he walked her backwards, causing her to lean against the indoors wall of the shed. They bumped into an old mop and bucket, making it tumble to the concrete floor. The teens pulled apart and giggled.
"Shhh," said Michonne. "You want everyone to hear us?"
"Nope," said Rick as he went to kiss her again; she dodged him, good-humoredly, causing him to pout briefly.
"We should go," Michonne said. "We've been in here long enough."
Rick huffed, "Okay. You're right."
He led the way out of the shed, followed by Michonne; she held on to the back of his belt with both hands as they stepped out of the rickety door. When she noticed one of her grandmothers' friends giving her and Rick a quizzical stare, Michonne let her hands fall to her sides.
"I'm off now. Was nice seein' you again, baby," said the stern-faced woman to Michonne.
"You too," said the girl with a courteous grin.
"Y'all kids be good, now," she added with a shrewd smirk on her face.
"Yes, Miss Rita," Michonne replied, as she and Rick exchanged a look. "We will."
They watched her walk down to her car, before they said anything to each other.
"What's her deal?" asked Rick.
"She doesn't know how to mind her business," Michonne answered, before turning back to her boyfriend. "So, you've got money now."
He smiled and patted his hand against his top pocket, "Yes I do."
"Could get a few candy bars with that," she offered with a wink.
"Yeah, I could. But I got no one to share them with," he replied playfully.
"True," Michonne offered as she started walking backwards, away from Rick. "Oh, well. See you tomorrow…"
"Wait, wait," he said, stepping towards her; he leaned in and whispered. "You gonna come by later?"
She shrugged, "Sure, if some cute guy with a car would come and pick me up."
…..
It was just getting dark as Rick and Michonne searched for the candy he had bought earlier. She checked the kitchenette in the hut once more while Rick looked out in the car. He came back to the door and shook his head.
"Nothin' there," he offered. "I must've left 'em up at the house."
"It doesn't matter," she proffered with a shrug.
"Nah," he said, annoyed with himself. "They're for you. I got 'em for you. I'm gonna go grab 'em."
"You sure?" she asked, not really fussed; she would enjoy spending time with Rick regardless of if he had brought treats. "I don't want you to go out of your way."
"I'm sure," Rick said. "Anything for you."
Michonne gave her boyfriend a sweet smile, "Don't take too long."
"I won't," said Rick, as he grinned at his girlfriend and then climbed into the driver's seat.
Michonne watched him drive away, before closing the door and taking a seat on the sofa. She picked up a pen and paper, and started writing. However, no inked prose covered her page, just the same thing, again and again: Michonne hearts Rick.
She was drawn from her musings by a tapping at the front door. Startled at first, she let out a deep sigh and then smiled to herself. Rick was obviously in such haste to please her, he had forgotten something else; more likely than not, his keys. She opened the door and said, "You'd forget your head if it wasn't…"
"Hey, there," said the young man whom she thought looked familiar; he held a beer bottle to his mouth and drank from it, before ogling Michonne. "You remember me, don't ya? 'Cause I sure as shit remember you; I'm Brett."