"Will you help me get these put away?" Rick asked as they entered the boat galley, their arms brimming with grocery bags.

She slid her bags on the counter and grabbed two of the four bags from his hands, "Sure, I'll get these cold items in the fridge first," she offered, observing the milk and eggs…Rick had bought quite a bit of food, she assumed this meant he planned on staying for a while.

As Michonne shuffled and rearranged items into the refrigerator and freezer, Rick excused himself to the bathroom. He placed the personal items he'd purchased on display for her to find, hoping she'd feel more welcomed by the gesture.

Later that afternoon, Michonne was pleasantly surprised to discover that Rick was a skillful cook. The man could filet a fish like it was his job. She helped him out with the coconut rice and mango salad but mostly she stared, wide-eyed, and mouth open at the man at work. She did okay in the kitchen. But Michonne would never be one of those women people knew for her cooking skills. She cooked because she had to. Because she lived alone and if she didn't do the cooking, she'd have to live on take-out or microwavable stuff. She didn't enjoy the time she spent in the kitchen. She was almost positive that part of the reason Mike had broken up with her last year was that she couldn't perfectly reproduce his mother's special chicken and noodles recipe.

When they sat down on the upper deck to eat with an ocean view, she had to admit. His fish tasted as good as it looked. He used the lemons and fresh herbs just right.

"Have you always been able to cook like this?" she asked after she swallowed a juicy morsel.

Rick smirked, shaking his head. "No, I got this recipe from a chef at my favorite restaurant in LA over a decade ago. There are a few dishes I've perfected over the years, but I wouldn't say I'm a good cook."

"But you do cook for yourself," she guessed out loud.

"When I'm home, yes."

Michonne nodded, taking care to cut a small chunk of the fish, so it would last longer.

"Well, I'm flattered you fancy-cooked for me! You looked really confident with the big knife."

Rick leaned over the arm of the stretcher where he sat next to her and made a grave face, "You should always look confident with a big knife."

Michonne laughed and elbowed his side before forking another piece of fish.

"I don't know… in my experience, scared people holding knives can be a lot more dangerous. They might actually slice at you!" She took her bite.

She caught Rick staring at her from her periphery and looked up – he had a slightly contemplative frown as he looked at her. His attentive gaze followed her every movement, from the blinking of her eyes to the movement of her plump lustrous lips, and every single movement of her limbs.

"What?" she laughed, feeling her cheeks burn.

"Now and then I'll stop and realize what you do for a living and it's just… petrifying," he shrugged sheepishly and fell silent for a moment, trying to find the right words, "I remember that night, I was in my hotel room in New York and I saw you on the news. I tried to call you but...you didn't answer, I called Mrs. Taylor and she told me you were fine…but…she sounded worried."

Michonne sagged a little, a tiny smile threatening to lift the corners of her mouth. Now and then? He'd actually thought of that before? He'd worried about her getting hurt? Or killed?

She'd heard that often enough. From her parents, her brother, her friends, her boyfriends. She couldn't remember Rick ever having expressed that concern before. In fact, the Grimes family had been generally supportive when her family was making her life hell for her choices.

Maggie and Rick, being kids as much as herself back then, had simply enthusiastically labeled her badass. Which was a label she'd been proud to wear... But concern for her well-being? It was the first time she was witnessing it – and she couldn't help how much it gave her the warm fuzzies. Of course, it felt good when people worried. She herself would be stupid if she didn't, sometimes, stop to analyze the kind of risk she was taking every day. Except, in her case, she couldn't let that prevent her from doing what she was doing. Somehow, knowing there were people out there worrying for her, had helped. She'd be more careful because she didn't want her mother to receive a call at 2 am from a morgue somewhere. All of a sudden, having Rick's concern added to the scales, she felt like wearing two bulletproof vests.

"I'd seen a lot of bad things, people, but that case was hard to put behind me... it was all in the line of duty, trading myself for those poor women and children, I wouldn't change a thing…Well besides being held hostage in a deplorable warehouse for two days, by a human trafficker, and pretending to empathize with him…After the doctor patched my shoulder, mom drove me home. She said until I sleep, she wouldn't leave. I didn't sleep for two days. The third-night mom spiked my chamomile tea with melatonin, I passed out and had nightmares, I woke up screaming in a cold sweat. I've seen a few doctors, and gotten better since then, but...well you know the rest... Sorry, that was probably a little bleak for lunch conversation," she laughed.

"When else would you talk about it?" Rick asked curiously, his tone filled with concern.

"Well… I try not to say much around the family."

"Who do you talk to at work?" he prodded, cleaning his plate and reaching for his glass of water.

"Abraham," Michonne shrugged. "My doctor, but mostly my partner."

Rick nodded slowly, taking a big sip. "So, Abe…" he paused. Michonne perked her eyebrows waiting for the rest of the sentence. "…is it platonic?"

Michonne laughed, glad she didn't have her mouth full. "Uhm, yeah. Very."

Rick smiled, relieved, "Didn't mean to depress you. I was just testing the waters."

"Waters of competition…" Michonne made sure she sounded as sassy as possible while she waggled her eyebrows teasingly.

Rick moved to sit on the edge of her seat, bracing his hands on the arms of the stretcher before leaning over to steal a kiss from her grinning mouth. Michonne's wit disappeared into a cloud of heat the moment she felt his lips upon hers. She sighed and opened for him, feeling herself sinking just a little more into the stretcher as he swiped his tongue into her mouth.

"Oh… hope that wasn't too fishy…" her cheeks burned hot when he pulled back.

Rick's eyes danced with humor as he shook his head slowly at her. She clearly amused him – and that gave her the warm fuzzies too.

"Well you can talk to me too, you know?" he said, returning to the former subject. "Anytime, about anything, I want to always be there for you, be honest with you, listen, and care. I won't always have answers for you, you won't always have answers for me, but you will never be alone in your problems, and neither will I."

Michonne was still in a haze of his kiss to fully comprehend what he had said, but she blinked slowly, realizing he was talking about her anxiety. She fought the urge to squirm in a mixture of delight and embarrassment.

"Thank you…" she managed to say.

She knew it would be wrong to interrupt this moment with more jokes, as she was wired to do. Or, maybe not. Maybe her anxiety had wired her that way – to deflect any hint of someone else's interest in her. She didn't want to ruin this moment. She wanted the opposite of it.

"Kiss me again." She said, her tone left no doubt about her demand.

Rick smiled and leaned over, one hand cupping the side of her neck as he took her mouth eagerly, he'd been waiting for this all day. Michonne realized she certainly had. Up until now, Rick did not know what he wanted, he had not looked forward to anything. Now everything he wanted was in front of him in a beautiful display, now he can see the future. It didn't matter that the sun was hiding behind heavy clouds again. The heat was coming from him, and from inside her. It fueled their hunger.

Michonne reached up to sink her fingers into his silky, soft hair and tugged him closer, so the heat from his body enveloped her. Rick purred and shuddered when her fingernails raked his scalp, and he deepened the kiss in response, the stubble on his face was rough where it touched her but she didn't care. She just wanted to drag him over her body like a blanket. There was so, so much heat she could feel her skin flush. Michonne hooked her arms around his shoulders and drew him to lie on top of her on the stretcher. Rick responded promptly, tucking his arms under her shoulders, hands cupping her neck as he nudged the space between her legs. They lay flush together and the weight of him on top of her was everything she ever wanted. He felt so warm and solid and his kiss was so damn intoxicating.

"Oh…" Michonne breathe out, she had to pull away for air. "Sorry… out of practice…" she gasped jokingly, as her head dropped back to the stretcher.

Rick laughed, touching his forehead to hers. He closed his eyes for a moment, binding this incredible moment to his memory; but Michonne couldn't close hers, she was too mesmerized by the expression of relief on his face. She didn't want to ask anything or say anything silly again. This was too good to ruin it. The small, contented smile tugging at the corners of his gorgeous, swollen mouth took what was left of her breath away. But when he opened his eyes, those piercing hot cobalt eyes she had to close hers, because the heat in them was too, too much. She remained quiet when she felt Rick's mouth ghosting the line of her jaw down to the crook of her neck and shoulder. She bit her lip when he grazed his scruff against her sensitive skin and kissed and sucked with alternatively soft and rough pulls.

She had been speaking the truth when she said she was out of practice. She realized it now in the heat of this moment. It had been so long since she'd last allowed herself to just be with someone like this, to share kisses and intimacy, to want and desire someone the way she wanted and desired him now. It felt like falling from too big a height – but it also felt like Rick could catch her. It felt like he really wanted to.

So, she lost her fingers in his hair again, smiling when he shuddered in response to her slow scratches. Then she giggled when he retaliated by rubbing his scruff against the skin of her collarbone.

Rick pulled up and their eyes met, they wore matching grins and when Michonne moved her fingers to caress his beautiful face, Rick nudged her hand and kissed her delicate palm softly. He looked adorable with his hair all tousled by her hands. She couldn't keep herself from sinking her fingers into its softness. Rick's hand started rubbing her back up and down until they circled her waist. He leaned down and pressed his mouth to the middle of her chest – the kiss was soft, passionate, loving.

"So soft, so beautiful... everything...I've always dreamed of, you're everything I've always wanted Michonne." He would never meet or even see anyone so beautiful – and not just traditionally beautiful, but beautiful through her heart and her soul. She glowed brighter than any star in the sky than any woman in the world.

Her breath caught when his fingers slipped beneath the hem of her top, the tips grazed and teased her skin while his lips traced a path across her neckline, heating her skin and sending tingling ripples of pleasure all over her body.

"Rick…" Michonne gasped, painfully aware of the desperate edge to her voice. He looked up from her chest, blue eyes cloudy, swollen, busy lips parted as he watched her questioningly. "…Come here…" she urged him, tugging at his hair and bracing her thighs against his hips to help propel him forward.

Rick did not hesitate, lifting onto his arms and slanting to take her lips – he groaned into her mouth as she licked his top lip and tugged and pulled. Her arms hooked around his neck as her thighs remained glued to his hips – the heat emanating from him was fueling hers. Unable to help herself she rocked her hips against his and they groaned in unison at the result.

His warmth and his lips were suddenly gone and she felt the cold sea wind all over her sensitive skin. Opening her eyes in confusion, she saw Rick had stood up – the light behind him was bright enough that it cloaked his face in shadows so she couldn't interpret his mood. But then he was offering her his hand in a silent command. Breathlessly, Michonne reached up and grabbed onto his hand, realizing hers was trembling.

Rick pulled her up and immediately started steering her away from their little nook, leading the way down the stairs to the lower deck. He never let go of her hand as he made a mad dash for the bedroom. When he stopped her in the middle of the room and turned her to face him, his eyes asking her a million questions.

Michonne stared at him, momentarily at a loss. She knew he needed her to say yes so, she simply nodded wordlessly and it was all he needed. His hands cupped her face and hers clung around his neck, Rick stepped back, taking hold of her hips to bring her along with him. He sat on the foot of the bed, lustful eyes twinkling and smiling as he gazed up at her.

She sighed, looking down at him looking up at her. Rick propped his chin on top of her chest and watched her. He watched her big doe eyes fill with desire, her sensual delicious lips pant, the rise and fall of her sexy chest, and he became unbearably aroused.

Michonne grinned back and clasped his face between her hands, leaning down, to sprinkle teasing kisses across his lips and down the line of his jaw.

Rick's hands kneaded and caressed her soft and delicate skin beneath the edge of her top. She forgot all about her plain white panties and boring sports bra because when Rick undressed her, there was nothing but the purest and unfiltered passion in his eyes. It was also too easy to forget her worries when he sprawled her on the mattress and loomed over her, his muscular frame caging her most deliciously. He was the perfect sculpture of a man, the sight of him was its own intoxicating experience. She loved the weight of him, the heat of him, and his magic, magic mouth. She loved raking her nails over his back, she loved to feel the ripples and flexing of his muscles as he moved with her, in her. Until what he was doing to her was so much, so perfect, she had to close her eyes, and then it was all feeling and sensation and touching and kissing to the very end.

They rolled onto their sides, facing each other, spent, breathless, and still, they couldn't stop touching each other and smiling like fools. It was still daytime outside when it started to drizzle, the sounds lulling them both into slumber as the rain hit the skylight above them.

They didn't leave the boat for the remainder of the week. The following weekend as Rick prepared breakfast, Michonne's phone buzzed on the counter; she set her cup down, took a deep breath, and slid out of the cozy nook. When the phone stopped buzzing, she glanced at the missed call display. She dialed her voicemail, listened to the message, and plugged her phone into the charger.

"Maggie is on her way," Michonne coolly announced as she sat back down and scooped up her coffee mug, "so I guess this is it," she snickered.

"Yep, it's over…" Rick nodded with a snort and a wink back.

After breakfast, they both proceeded to clean the boat from top to bottom and then they packed. Once the boat was spotless, impenetrable, and they had everything they needed, Rick followed Michonne to the rental-car dealership in DeKalb. Rick paid the hefty late-fee for her vehicle and in his Land Rover, they headed south to Florida.

After the long six hours ride, Michonne ordered a pizza and Rick checked them into a hotel for the night. Rick tuned into his favorite show Dirty Jobs. A couple of hours and a few beers later, Michonne fell asleep. Rick quickly took the opportunity and snuck away to use the public computer in the hotel lobby and made some arrangements.

The next night was unexpected. Rick had whisked her off to an elegant five-star resort. At sunset on the tiki-lit patio with a view of pink-sand beaches of St. Lucia, they settled in and enjoyed a catered seafood dinner. Over a champagne toast, they agreed, they'd leave the world behind for just a little while longer.

"Beautiful Michonne," He said, kneeling before her, "I love you darling and if you'll marry me, I promise to trust you, to never lie to you, never go to bed on an argument and never let fun become unimportant." He dug in his pocket and presented the ring.

"I've always loved you, Rick..." She slid on the ring, the big, spectacular ring, and smiled, "… hell yes I'll marry your sexy ass." Her emotions ran so high she felt dizzy. It was the calling card of adventure, of paths awaiting her feet. Whatever was ahead could be a great challenge, and there could be tears, but it was her adventure to take and so she smiled. He felt the same. They felt each other's feelings without saying a word.

The wedding took place two weeks later on the beach just before sunset. The only members in attendance besides Pastor Gabriel were Carl and Enid. The elderly couple resided in the beachfront bungalow next door to theirs. Carl was a retired successful horse farmer from Kentucky. He and Rick became instant friends and would fish every morning and cook their fresh catch for the ladies at night. Enid was a retired well-recognized set designer; she and Rick paths had crossed on many occasions and they were both very impressed by each other's talents in their respective roles. Over dinner, Enid would share fascinating stories of her glory days, designing sets in Hollywood, and on Broadway.

Rick and Michonne lived in paradise for a little over three months and deeply considered taking permanent residency until fate intervened.

"I didn't think it was possible at my age." Her voice trembled and her eyes filled with tears of joy as she presented Rick with the pregnancy test results.

"With you darling, anything is possible." Rick held her hand and smiled proudly knowing a healthy sense of joy can only be born of true love.

People use the words 'happiness' and 'joy' interchangeably, but they are not the same. Joy is more full, more lasting than happiness. Joy is deeper and more profound; without joy every sweet thing is bitter; the cake is guilt, the wind is cold, rain is depressing. With joy, the cake is rich, the wind is refreshing, rain is cleansing. That is what the couple felt at that moment. They never realized what true joy was until they became one. They also took this news as a sign; it was time to go home.

When they returned to Atlanta, Rick resided at Michonne's modest home. He placed his Beverly Hills mansion for sale and had his items shipped to a local storage facility. The couple planned on building a home in the Georgia countryside that was private and more suitable for their soon to be family.

When Maggie and Sasha had arrived in Concorde and found they were long gone, Maggie began stalking Michonne's house. This was easily done due to proximity, she lived only two blocks away. The night she saw Rick's car in Michonne's driveway, she was excited, she missed them both. She also understood they'd most likely not want to be disturbed so soon after just getting home. So, she stuck with her plan and placed an invite in the mailbox, inviting the couple to their own 'welcome back' reception. The entire time the couple had been away, Maggie had told, family, a few friends, and a couple of coworkers what she assumed were true. Rick and Michonne had fallen in love and eloped.

The couple graciously accepted the invite and at the celebration, they announce the pregnancy which was a bigger surprise too all than their elopement. Most of their friends and family assumed Rick would return to his movie occupation and Michonne would resume her law enforcement profession once the 'fling' had' flung', no one, besides Maggie ever thought they'd actually tie the knot let alone start a family. Even Michonne's brother Andre was taken by surprise, he lost a three hundred dollar bet with Maggie because of his doubts, it was the first bet he was ever happy to lose. Although surprised, everyone was elated.

Rick and Michonne were able to avoid the media for several months. But now and then the paparazzi would catch a brief glimpse of the newlyweds leaving Dr. Cloyd's office when the doctor's schedule would not allow her to make a home visit. In time, Michonne's pregnancy began to show; the pictures made the tabloids and the media dug into Michonne's background.

To Rick's absolute surprise and relief, his fans loved Michonne. She's the type of woman girls found beautiful, yet still relatable, the fact she was in law enforcement was empowering, inspiring, and his long-time female fans were smitten that they'd known each other most of their lives. They dubbed the new 'it couple- Richonne'.

Sasha, desperate to keep Rick as a client asked if he'd ever considered working in the industry again. Rick gave her his conditions, not really caring if she found him work or not, Sasha was managing three boy bands, she's hardly in need of work.

Six Years Later…

Rick POV

Narrator - Mike Rowe: Welcome to The Discovery Channel's - Richonne: Fix My Boat – Our host and hostess, Rick and Michonne Grimes travel the Atlantic to meet with avid sailors, captains, and skippers from all walks of life. They discuss, evaluate, and concept the revitalizing, repairing, or refurbishing of a variety of vessels big or small. This episode is sponsored by Richonne Marine Project Boat. Enter to win the completely remodeled Richonne Marine Project Boat, a 1980 Pursuit 2650 powerboat, valued at more than $150,000. It comes with a huge array of high-tech, top-of-the-line products and features, including twin 250 horsepower outboard motors from Yamaha Marine, LED Deck Lights by Yamaha Marine, customized deck flooring by SeaDeck Marine Nonskid, and much, much more! All proceeds benefit the NorthStar Project; which provides services and support for trafficking victims and works with survivors to develop long-term strategies for ending human trafficking. To enter the raffle, go to richonnefixmyboat/project boat.

"Aye-Aye-Captain! I'm Rick Grimes, and we're here in the peaceful retirement community of Concorde Georgia. Today we'll meet Monroe's. The family of four recently brought a beautiful fifty-foot Sunseeker yacht built-in 1978. This classic has been abandoned for over three years and requires some interior repairs! Before we got started, we called on Glenn Rhee, our skilled engineer. He provided us with a system check engine and a structural overview. We'll cover things like the bottom hull paint, engine tune-up, teak wood restoration, and fiberglass repair. Once the repairs are done my beautiful wife will offer guidance on the interior decor. Right Darlin…"

"That's right Rick…Hi, I'm Michonne Grimes, and it's a sunny, calm, 75 degrees today, perfect weather for sailing. The Monroe family asked Rick and me for ideas on how to update their boat on a budget while keeping its original charm. I've put together some color schemes, a selection of fixtures, and a combination of furniture accessories to look over. It will be a pleasure to offer some Feng Shui to such a charming vessel!"

Michonne and I have a thing where she pretends to be annoyed with me at the beginning of every episode. She didn't like the idea at first, because she thought people wouldn't take us seriously, but soon we both realized it's a great icebreaker, and I can't help it, I'm a sucker for cheap laughs, she giggles every time I tell a corny joke and that's worth it all in itself. One day our handsome son RJ will see our show, he'll laugh and learn. I know by the time he's a teen, I'll be pretty old, so he'll need to see his dad operating in his prime.

"Hey, Chonne, where do sick boats go when they need help…?

She 'scowls annoyingly' at me…"Where Rick…"

"The dock…"

"What did the ocean say to the sailboat…?

"What Rick?"

Nothing. It just waved…"

The kids are rolling, even the camera crew chuckles at the cheesiness; her delivery was superb, she's a natural.

Out of view of the camera, she graced me with a wink and a sexy smirk. She knows that I want her in every way, I need her with me on my journey. She wants to be here because it's her next journey too.

I know most people would say my TV show is a downgrade from being an A- list actor, but this is what we want. I get to work with real people and do what I've grown to love. I have total control of my time, my image, and most of all I get to have Michonne with me. I feel like now, the world can see me for who I am.

Michonne never returned to work ending her twenty-year law enforcement career. I initially thought it was the hostage negotiation gone wrong that was the cause of her PTSD, but that was only half of it, Michonne was afraid she was becoming too old; too old to be an effective agent, too old to become a wife and too old to become a mother. Well, shows what she knows! Michonne is adored by millions, she's eternally beautiful, a wonderful wife and mother.

Poets often describe love as an emotion that we can't control, one that overwhelms logic and common sense. That's what it was like for me. I didn't plan on falling in love with my childhood friend, and I doubt if she planned on falling in love with me. But the moment we came together, it was clear that neither of us could control what was happening to us. We fell in love, and once we did, something rare and beautiful was created. For me, love like that happens only once in a lifetime.

The Beginning...

A/N: I hope you all enjoyed my short story. Thank you! ~BMuse~