A/N: Hello, Dear Readers! Thanks so much for checking out the previous chappie. I was very happy with it, and hope you were too. So, this is the countdown until summer ends *ugly cries* I will be focussing on Richonne and their time together until it is time to part. Please accept this offering. Enjoy!

The sun was just breaking through the early morning clouds when Michonne slowed her running pace. She was on her way back up the red dirt road after having ran the first stretch seamlessly. She was up earlier that morning, not wanting to waste any of the days that she had left to spend with Rick. She was planning on finishing her training, doing her chores for her grandparents, and then meeting with Rick at lunchtime.

As she came up on the small hill near the Grimes property, she glanced over at the large field. There were a number of cows still wandering around. It would soon be time for them to be rounded up for their daily milking. Slowing further, she strained her eyes in hopes of catching a glimpse of her beau. Off in the distance, she saw someone atop a horse with a dog trotting alongside. It was Rick and Sonny.

Michonne jogged over to the fence line and waved. When she caught his attention, Rick came straight over to her. He brought the horse up close, and then dismounted with his dog by his side. The pair shared a languid kiss over the fence as Sonny vied for Rick's attention by being playful.

"You're up early," Rick said.

"Yeah," Michonne replied. "Trying to get more hours out of my day."

"Same here," he replied. "I figured if I got this done quicker, I'd be able to see you sooner. That's why I got Sonny out here helpin' me."

"He's a good boy," said Michonne, leaning down to pet the dog on his head.

"He is," Rick agreed, mirroring her action.

"I should probably let the two of you get back to work," she said, though she did not move away. Rick tilted his head to the side, and then gave her the once over.

"What?" she asked with a smile. "What are you thinkin'?"

"You got work clothes on."

"They're workout clothes, Rick," she replied with a chuckle.

"Same thing," he said with a smile, before proposing, "I was thinkin' maybe you wanted to help me get some work done."

"Help you with the cows?"

"Yeah," he replied. "Sonny's here to keep 'em movin'. You could ride up with me."

"On the horse?" she asked with her eyes wide.

"Sure," he said. "Just get on up behind or in front of me, and I'll do most of the work. If you want to…"

"Okay!" she found herself saying. "Let's do this."

Rick gave her a bright smile, and then helped her over the fence. He stood glancing between the mare, and Michonne.

"How do we do this?" he asked himself. "Right, so I'll climb up first, and then you get behind me."

"Are we gonna fit?" she queried, biting her bottom lip.

"Yeah, we'll be fine. You're skinny," said Rick. "You'll fit."

"Okay."

"Okay," said Rick as he mounted the horse, making it look easy. "Just go 'head and put your foot in there, and then I'll help you up."

Michonne did as he instructed. She had been on a horse before, but never sitting behind someone. It was slightly awkward, and she had a few futile attempts. Clumsily, she lost her footing, and was saved by Rick's quick reflexes.

"I can't do it," she said as she landed back to the soft soil below; she straightened her clothing while looking up at Rick. "You should just get back to your work. The cows are wandering off."

Rick did not look to where she was pointing; instead, he was trying to figure out an easier way for her to mount the horse.

"I got it," he finally said. "Watch out. Step back that way for me."

She did as he asked, and stepped away from the mare. Rick got the horse to turn slightly, so that it was lined up directly beside the railing.

"Here," he said. "Climb up onto the fence, and then shift over to the saddle."

She gave his a doubtful stare, until he said, "Trust me. It'll work."

Michonne nodded, and then stepped through the boundary. Rick held his hand out to her as she made her ascent. He steadied his mare, and held onto Michonne's hand until she was on top of the fence.

"I got you," he said, while giving her a calming look. "Grab hold of me and step on over."

She placed her hand to his strong shoulder, and then climbed onto the horse. She let out a small whoa as she slid onto the saddle, and nestled herself behind Rick. She wrapped her arms about his waist and shifted until she was balanced properly.

"You good?" he queried, making sure to keep the horse steady.

"Yep," she replied, holding him tighter. "All good."

"Okay," said Rick. "I'm gonna get her to move now, so you hang on tight. If one of the cows makes a bolt, and Sonny doesn't go get it, I'm gonna have to make her move a little fast. But don't you worry; I won't let you fall, all right?"

Michonne smiled and gave him a little squeeze, before saying, "All right."

…..

Her face was warm and her tummy hurt a little from laughing. Every so often, a cow would break away from the herd, and Rick would whistle and yell out, "Get 'er, Sonny!"

Then another cow would copy the other and break free, and Rick would be forced to pull on the reins before leaning forward in the saddle. This caused his horse to move quickly and suddenly. Michonne had to grip tighter so she did not fall off. She let out an exhilarated giggle as she and Rick flew along on horseback and got the herd back together. He was doing all of the work, but she was having a lot of fun. She did not see the wide smile that spread across his face each time she would squeal and giggle at the sudden momentum. He vaguely thought that this was the most fun he had had in ages while bringing the cows in.

…..

"I should get going before my grandparents wonder where I am," said Michonne half-heartedly, as she and Rick stood near his horse on the outside of the feed barn. The sun was much higher in the sky and caused the beads of sweat on his brow to glisten; she thought he looked very handsome and rugged.

"Thanks for helpin' me," he smiled, stepping closer to her; he thought she looked radiant in the morning light. "I had a fun for once, and time flew by."

"It's okay," she said. "You don't have to thank me; I had fun, too. But you did all of the work."

"Doesn't matter. I love havin' you around," he said. "You just make everything better."

She blessed him with a sweet smile, and then they shared a soft kiss. It was loving and chaste at first and neither wanted it to end. The kiss then turned passionate as Rick used his tongue to part her lips. Soon, Michonne's back was pressed against the wall of the barn and Rick's mouth was on her neck. He smelled of sweat and soil; she threaded her fingers through his hair. He brought his lips to her ear.

"I can't stop thinkin' about how you taste," he whispered; Michonne felt a pulsing between her thighs as she recalled what it felt like to have Rick kiss her there. She did not say anything in reply; she did not know how to respond. It was before breakfast, and she and Rick were all over each other near a barn on his family's farm. Anyone could walk around the corner and catch them. That added to her excitement. That and the fact she could feel Rick's arousal prodding at her. Her skin was dotted with goose bumps. He kissed her ear and then said, "I can't wait to do it again."

He brought his lips back to her neck and then trailed kisses along her collarbone; his hands held her firmly in place. Her knees felt weak. Her senses were alight. The pull between them was so intense. She briefly registered that it would be difficult to give all of that up at the end of summer. Not only was Rick the kindest, sweetest person she had met, he made her feel physical, sexual things she had never felt before. He was helping to usher her deeper into young womanhood with every kiss and every touch; with each time they made love.

Her head was swimming and her core was pulsing. He was driving her crazy out in the open, away from the safety of their little hideaway. The sensation of his lips on her skin, coupled with his low tone, and warm breath, was making her melt. She still had no response for him when he whispered how badly he wanted her in that moment. She parted her legs instinctively and ground against Rick.

"Shit," he moaned, before capturing her mouth with his. They shared a heated, messy kiss as his hands searched her body. They drew apart slightly, and Rick breathlessly admitted, "I don't want you to go."

"Now or ever?" she asked, struggling to catch her own breath.

"Ever."

"And what about now?" she asked, her brave hand traveling lower to cup his growing arousal.

Rick's eyes rolled shut as she rubbed him through his jeans, "I want you to stay now."

"I want to stay, too," she offered.

Suddenly, Rick took hold of her hand, and led her into the barn; he took one of the saddle blankets from the wall and tucked it under his arm. He found a spot behind the tall stack of hay bales. The floor was littered with loose pieces of hay, and smaller stacks and single bales were everywhere. He brought Michonne to one of the single bales, laid the blanket over it, and sat her down. Cupping her chin, Rick kissed her again, before he dropped to his knees in front of her.

His hands tugged at the waistband of her workout pants and drew them off her hips. She smiled down at him lustfully, encouragingly, and kicked off her running shoes. He whipped the pants from her lower body, leaving her naked from the waist down. He ran his hands up and down her bare thighs before parting them. He eyed her blossoming flower and smiled. She glanced down at him coyly as he whispered, "I know I say this all the time, but you're beautiful…all over."

Rick kissed the inside of her thigh before he lifted her leg over his shoulder and settled into place. He brought his mouth to her sex and ran his tongue slowly over. She shivered at the contact as he alternated between kissing and sucking. She gripped his hair and let her head roll backwards. After a moment of being lost in the feeling of being pleasured by her beloved, Michonne tapped his back with her fingers.

"Hey," she managed. "Rick?"

He stopped immediately and looked up at her; he licked his lips and then asked, "You okay?"

"Yeah," she said, slightly short of breath. "Let's change places."

"We don't have to," he said. "I love doin' this for you."

"Please," she said. "Hop up here."

She patted her hand to the blanket-covered bale and gave Rick a small grin. He kissed her inner thigh once more, and then obliged. He took up a seat beside her, and they shared another messy kiss. Soon, Michonne straddled his lap. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and kissed him again. Then, the couple stared intensely into one another eyes.

"I love you, Rick," she whispered, as she smoothed his hair back.

"I love you, too," he said in return.

She kissed his neck and he held her bare hips. She then reached down and started to undo his belt buckle and zipper. He stopped her by placing a hand over hers.

"We don't have to do this here," he whispered. "I don't even have anything…"

"Shhh," Michonne hushed. "It's okay."

"Okay," he offered.

She continued to open his fly and slipped her hand inside. She found Rick's erection waiting for her. After giving it a couple of strokes, she freed it from its confines.

"Michonne," he said somewhat faintly.

"Shhh," she repeated, as she brought his sex close to hers, before lowering herself slowly and enveloping his length. She rolled her hips a few times and Rick's eyes closed as he let out a pleasured moan. He had never felt the warmth of her soft walls completely consuming his bare hardness. She felt so good. She felt amazing. He lost his train of thought when she unknowingly clenched him tightly, then pressed a kiss to his forehead, and said, "You shouldn't have to do all the work."