Apologies for the extended absence. Life's been a bit busy but I am determined to finish this story. Thank you for the reviews and your patience.

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Shane's fingers itched for another cigarette. The Governor's words buzzed in his ears like an angry fly "You know what you have to do."

Shane took another deep inhale before rapping on Lori's front door. He looked around at the lawn, it had become overgrown with weeds and tall grass; Rick must've taken the lawnmower with him to Atlanta, Shane thought sarcastically.

Lori answered the door in pajamas, a ratty cardigan, and a less than pleased frown, "Shane? What are you doing here?"

Shane cracked a smile as his eyes traced Lori's body, "Hi, baby, it's great to see you too. How are you?"

Lori's face softened, "Hey Shane,"

"You gonna let me in or what?"

Lori sighed, "Shane-"

Shane shook his head and chuckled darkly, "What is it this time Lori?"

"Maybe it's that you showed up to my house unannounced? Shane we talked about this-" Lori said, crossing her arms.

Shane looked past Lori into the house. The TV was paused and in the far right corner was Rick, in a dark black suit, his arms wrapped around a slim, black woman with locs.

Shane could feel his cheeks growing red in anger, "So where you been? What you been up to? You haven't been answering your phone" He gritted out.

Lori wrapped her cardigan around her body nervously, "I've been busy with work and I went up to Atlanta to see Carl."

Shane's eyes looked at the flat screen behind Lori again, The longer he looked at it, the longer Rick's lips ticked upwards into a sadistic grin. They makin' a fool outchu boy.

"Just to see Carl huh?"

"Shane," Lori bit out, "If anyone should be worried it's me. I hear those stories about you galivanting around with those...dancers."

Shane squinted, "But you're not worried about them are you?"

"Shane," Lori sighed, bringing her hand to her forehead, "I can't do this right now."

"Then WHEN!" Shane barked, but lowered his voice when he saw Lori flinch, he took a deep breath and repeated softly, "Then, when Lori? When are we going to talk about us? When are we going to be together?"

Lori's knuckles turned white as they gripped her cardigan, she looked down, pale white, "Shane, there is no us. I-I made a mistake. We made a mistake. We both love Rick and we've acted - God, the way we've acted. To him, to our son,"

Shane chortled darkly, his eyes bouncing from Lori's teary baby blues to Rick on the TV screen behind her.

"So that's it huh?"

Lori wiped a stray tear, her head bowed, "Bye, Shane," she said quietly and closed the front door.

Nose to nose with the chipped red door of the Grimes home, Shane blinked sporadically. His face felt like it was on fire. He walked towards his car, His fingers scratched and pulled through at his scalp.

He patted himself down for his cellphone and his cigarettes at the same time.

He got to his phone first. He clicked the last incoming call, the phone only rang twice.

Shane didn't wait for a greeting, "Tell him I'm in. Tell the Governor I'll do it."

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"Home, sweet home," Rick said almost dryly.

Michonne chuckled and plopped down on the couch, "Yeah, home sweet home."

Rick looked around. Michonne's apartment was cleaned up from the ransacking weeks prior.

"You know-"

"I know that I can stay over your place," Michonne said, sliding off her heels, "You've only mentioned it a dozen times on the ride here."

It was Rick's turn to chuckle, "Would it change your mind if I said that Carl wants you to stay over too?"

Michonne smiled, "Using your kid for leverage is a little desperate Detective."

"Maybe I am desperate," Rick said, a little too earnestly.

Michonne blinked and looked down, her body was still tingling from being in his arms hours before.

"Tell Carl I'll stop by on Friday night for Malaysian food and Marvel movies."

Rick beamed, "I'd love that-" he coughed awkwardly, "I mean, Carl. Carl would love that."

Michonne finally allowed herself to look at Rick, to truly regard him, for the first time since they kissed. His tie was loosened and his hands rested on his waist, he was doing that little squint that she'd come to...well...love.

A bout of melancholy struck her instantly. At that moment she wished for a different life. A life where she'd met Rick at one of the coffee shops he liked so much. A life without the ghost of Andrea, the dark cloud of The Governor, or the precursor of what is likely to be a messy divorce.

At that moment, she wished for a life where Rick would take off his shoes, take off his tie, give Carl a kiss goodnight, and come cuddle her on her couch with one too many decorative pillows.

"You ok over there?" Rick asked gently, noticing her spacing out.

Michonne looked down and shook her head, "Yes, sorry. The day is just catching up with me. You should head out. I'll see you tomorrow."

Rick didn't budge despite the dismissal. He'd been eagle-eyed focused on her for the better part of 12 hours. She looked beautiful, as always, but tired.

She got up to see him to the door.

"You sure, Counselor? I think we still have some mozzarella sticks in the fridge," Rick said with a warm grin.

Michonne laughed despite the melancholy feeling at the pit of her stomach, "I'm sure detective."

"Well double check that this door is locked and put the alarm on. Keep the living room lights on and-"

"Always check the peephole. I know, I know."

Rick checked the peep hole and looked both ways before giving Michonne a lingering kiss on her cheek, "Good night, 'Chonne."

Michonne locked the door but watched Rick's bowlegged walk from her peephole.

"Good night, Rick."

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2 WEEKS LATER

Rick exited the elevator in a flurry. Two coffees in his hand and big news to share, Rick almost mowed by Jessie altogether.

"Oh, Rick!" Jessie got out of her chair to stand in front of the big metal door to Michonne's office.

"Jessie, hey. How are you? How are the boys?" Rick asked distractedly.

"I'm good. They're good," Jessie replied quickly, "But the boss lady specifically asked not to be disturbed."

Rick craned his neck to look at the side window. A tall, muscular, black man in a suit stood in front of Michonne. A little too close.

Jessie's eyes bounced between the window and Rick before saying, "That's the elusive on-and-off-again fiancé."

She watched Rick's chiseled jawline clench.

"Well," Rick said tightly, "We have an appointment and it's pretty crucial so I'm going to head in."

"Wait, Rick-" Jessie cautioned.

Rick entered Michonne's office. "The elusive on-and-off-again fiancé" pried his hands from Michonne's face at the sound of the door opening.

"Rick-," Michonne said, taking a step away from "The elusive on-and-off-again fiancé" and smoothing her skirt down.

Silence settled into the space between the three as Rick continued to stare at the intruder with his head cocked to the right.

Michonne cleared her throat, "Rick, this is Mike."

Mike buttoned his jacket, and extended his hand with a wide charming smile, "Rick it's great to meet you."

Rick looked down at Mike's extended hand, back up at his face, and then over to Michonne, "We have a meeting."

Mike returned his hand to his side after a beat, "Well, I'll leave you to it," he said jovially before leaning in to whisper something in Michonne's ear before brushing a kiss on her cheek.

He sauntered over to the door not before bidding Rick goodbye, "Great to meet you, Rick. Good luck keeping this one in line, she's a real handful."

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Thank you for reading. I'm hoping to update again next week. All reviews are deeply appreciated. xx