A/N: Thank you all for reading and reviewing! The group of Slavers really are abominable and I do apologise to anyone who found the content difficult to read.
Sorry, this one is short; but there's a nice Richonne scene!
The sun was fast dropping behind the trees and the sky was flushed with bright hues of orange, pink and the slightest hint of purple. Carl narrowed his eyes a little while using his hand to shield them from the bright rays that broke through. He watched as his friend Jahnee jogged to the farthest end of the basketball courts to retrieve the ball that had bounced away. She held her hand to the top of her head to keep Carl's hat in place and moved swiftly and gracefully.
Carl felt a little uneasy from the presence of the new girl, Cynthia. She seemed odd, even by the standards of that day and age. She stood a little too close to Carl and did not really speak to Jahnee; he found her unsettling. They had been playing basketball shooting games for some time now, and the girl behaved as if it was just her and Carl there; she even wanted him to physically show her how to shoot and took any opportunity she could to touch him. He could tell Jahnee was becoming increasingly annoyed by the way that Cynthia was acting; in all honesty, their new acquaintance was making him feel uncomfortable.
By the time Jahnee reached the ball, she stopped and looked back at her friend and the newcomer; Carl was watching her as she called his name and motioned for him to meet her at the fence.
"I'll be right back." Carl said to a displeased looking Cynthia; she stood there and watched him sprint over to his friend.
He stopped in front of Jahnee who tossed him the basketball before glancing over at Cynthia.
"What's her deal?" The teenage girl asked.
Carl shrugged before turning around to look at her; Cynthia stood still and watched them.
"I don't know. She's a little bit weird." He offered.
"Yeah, she's a whole lotta weird." said Jahnee. "Why doesn't she talk to me?"
"Again, I dunno. Maybe she's just shy." Carl said, not believing his own explanation.
"Shy? The way she's grabbin' all on you, I don't think so. Nah, she just doesn't like me." The girl said as she folded her arms across her chest.
"She doesn't know you yet. Give it some time, Jahnee." Carl replied.
"She don't know you either, Carl! Whatever. I don't wanna play anymore. I'm goin' home."
Was all she said before walking away from Carl; Cynthia watched the pair before she moved in their direction.
"Wait!" He called out to Jahnee who did not stop. "I'm comin' too."
"Carl? What's goin' on?" Cynthia asked in a slow drawl, ignoring Jahnee again.
"Uh? Nothing. It's gettin' late. The sun's gonna go down soon. We have to go home. You should head back to the Infirmary."
He said before calling out to his friend once more.
"Jahnee, wait up!"
She stopped near the gate, waited and took in the scene. Cynthia stepped towards Carl and grabbed his arm gently. The boy looked at her questioningly.
"I don't wanna walk back by myself, Carl. Will you come with me?"
Cynthia asked as her light brown hair fell over her glassy, grey eyes after she dipped her head and looked up at Carl through her eyelashes, almost pleadingly. Carl threw a glance over at Jahnee who shook her head, turned and left them standing there. He sighed loudly and offered the newcomer a tiny grin that he was not fully committed to before responding.
"Okay. Let's go."
"Where's Carl?"
Michonne looked around their living quarters as if she expected to see Carl sitting down somewhere eating stale candy or reading a book.
"I don't know, Rick. Probably still shootin' hoops." Was her answer.
Rick got up to his feet and stepped around Judith who was busying herself with the toys in the corner. He started pacing and wrung his hands together somewhat nervously.
"Why do you look so worried?" Michonne asked.
He shrugged a little before ambling over to the door, opening it and then peering out.
"I guess I'm feelin' a little shaken after talkin' to Noah."
Rick replied. He then walked back over to Michonne, placed his hands on his hips and furrowed his brow.
"I hear ya. I feel kind o' sick from what you told me. But Carl's gonna be fine right now. The kids are usually in a group and he's basically Jahnee's shadow now. He'll be back before the sun goes down; he knows the rules. I don't like seein' you worried all the time. Things have been good in the Settlement, Rick."
Michonne said reassuringly as she stood and made her way over to Rick. She wrapped her arms around his waist and placed her head against his chest. Rick embraced Michonne back and rested his head on hers before letting out a loud sigh.
"That's what I'm worried 'bout. Just when things seem to be goin' good, something shitty always happens. It's like with these pricks who are out there hurtin' people, it's on me to do something; I told Peter I would. And now that I know what they're capable of, I gotta worry about you and the kids. I can't let my guard down."
Michonne shifted so that she was face-to-face with her love; their eyes locked and Rick's stare softened as he offered her a small grin before growing serious again.
"I'm not sayin' let your guard down; Hell, I'm the last person to drop their guard. I'm just sayin' don't let worry eat you up. We stay realistic, stay on the lookout for shit and then deal with it when and if it happens. That's how we get by, Rick. But I can't have you livin' inside your head or beatin' yourself up with worry. Just like everything else, we have to take it day-by-day. You follow your gut and do what you gotta do. I'll talk to Carl when he gets home; we'll be more careful from now on until you take those assholes down."
Rick nodded and felt slightly more relieved; Michonne always knew what to say to ease his troubled mind. He searched her face, glancing from her eyes to her mouth and then pressed his lips to hers. Michonne kissed Rick back as he let his hands slip down to her backside. She deepened the kiss and threw her arms over Rick's shoulders.
Rick broke their kiss momentarily while he led Michonne to the sofa; he sat down and pulled her onto his lap so that she was straddling him. Michonne ran her fingers through his curls as his mouth expertly explored the delicate skin of her neck. His hunger for Michonne had intensified, even though he had an inkling that she would not want to do anything with Judith still in the room. He moved his lips to hers and relished in the feeling of her kissing him back as fervently as he kissed her. They had not had the chance to be intimate since they had shifted to their new living space and both were presently overcome with desire. Rick's hand moved deftly up underneath Michonne's top beforeā¦
Tap tap tap
Someone rapped at their door; Rick, almost breathlessly cursed and swore and looked longingly at Michonne. She beamed at him and then slid off of his lap.
Tap tap tap
"Hold on!"
Called Rick as he adjusted himself in the front of his pants; Michonne noticed.
"I got it." She said as she stood and made her way to the door.
"Hi Jahnee," She answered. "What's up?"
"Hi there." Said the girl with a small smile; she seemed shy around Michonne. "I've got Carl's hat; just bringin' it back to him."
"I thought he was with you?" Michonne asked, becoming concerned.
"No, I left him with that new girl Cynthia at the courts like twenty minutes ago or somethin' like that." Jahnee replied, looking concerned herself.
Michonne glanced over at Rick who was already walking towards them wearing a stern expression.
"I'll take Jahnee home then go find Carl." Said Rick as he kissed Michonne chastely and made his way out the door.
...
The sun had set by the time Rick approached the empty basketball courts; he felt a sense of panic rise up from his stomach as he looked around the blank area. Carl knew better than to wander around on his own after dark; they had an agreement since the whole Thom and Brandon incident had occurred. An ominous mood prevailed as Rick heard his heart beating loudly in his ears. There were dangerous people about and he could not find his son. Rick almost let his panic take over his practical thinking; Carl was with the new girl last, so the best place to look for them would be the Infirmary, he silently reasoned. With that train of thought, Rick marched off in the direction of the hospice hoping to find his son there with Noah and Cynthia.
A/N: There's definitely something amiss here; is it what some of you were thinking or a completely different scenario? Either way, you'll find out soon enough! Thanks :)
