A/N: Okay guys, I'm back with another update! There's good news and bad news. First the good news, I'm doing NaNoWriMo this month which means I'm writing everyday (yay!) so maybe you guys will get quicker updates. The bad news, I'm using this story for my word count until my original novel is completely outlined and structured. Then I'll be switching to work on that one. Until then, enjoy!

"I'm in love with you."

Everything stood still. Everything was silent. The only thing audible was her heart beating out of her chest. Her breathing became shallow and Rick's thumb stroked her cheek.

She needed to speak. "I—I'm."

His fingers on her lips silenced her.

I'm in love with you too. The words were on the tip of her tongue.

"Shh," His lips replaced his fingers. The kiss was soft and the tension left her body. "I didn't say that for you to say it back. Actually, as of about a minute ago I wasn't even planning on saying it. It just felt right."

"Oh." She let her eyes drift shut as his hands caressed her neck. His forehead rested against hers. "Rick you should know I—"

"It's okay Michonne. You don't have to say it." He could feel her struggle and didn't want to scare her off. A divorce under his belt showed him exactly what he wanted. This was all probably a little too fast and he understood. "Do me a favor. Don't say anything to me right now. Ill just think you felt you had to say it because I did. Just give it a little time. Whenever you're ready. Ok?"

Once again words failed her so she nodded her agreement and wrapped her hands around his waist, not wanting to let go. This was why it was easy and why they worked. Because he simply got it. Got her. After her dad's death she had become more detached with affection than she realized. She needed to do better. Be better. Not just for him but for herself. "Can we go to dinner tomorrow?"

Rick's body vibrated as he chuckled. "Fourth date hunh?"

Michonne scoffed, slapping him on the back and stepped out of their embrace. "That's not why Grimes." She didn't know when and where she decided to let herself fall so deep with him. Every aspect of her life was overplanned but she never planned this. To feel like this.

"Then why?" He genuinely wanted to know. His confession left him feeling even though he asked her not to say it back.

"Because I want to spend time with you."

He nodded. "Ok sounds good. I have something I want to show you."

"I've already seen what you've got to show me," she countered and gave him a quick kiss before he could say something back. "Good night Mr. Grimes."

"Mr. Grimes. That's either really formal or really sexy."

She glanced over her shoulder and saw he was watching her every move. As she disappeared into the building, Rick scrubbed his hands down his face, scratching the back of his head and laughed to himself. The night had gone completely different than he expected, but that's one of the things that he loved about the new terrain they were navigating. With her nothing was ever what he thought it would be. It was both effortless and unpredictable.

And the next night was the same. The look on Michonne's face when they pulled into the sports bar was priceless. She was overdressed for the occasion in a knee length wrap dress and heels while Rick walked into the place with a t-shirt and jeans like it was the most natural thing in the world.

"After you ma'am," he said with a big grin as he held the door.

She stalled for a moment and crossed her arms. "You really think this is funny don't you?"

Not sure what you mean. "Oh, watch your step." But the cluster of peanuts was already under her heel and she stumbled for a second before quickly regaining her balance.

"Gotta watch out for those nuts."

Michonne adjusted her dress and hair and looked around for the cleanest (using the term loosely) booth for them to settle in. There were rowdy patrons everywhere focused on the Atlanta Falcons football game. It was the start of the second quarter and Rick made sure to get a place where he could keep an eye on her and still see the game.

"Oh, they have potato skins here," Michonne said genuinely excited. "I haven't had those in forever. Guess I'll indulge."

Rick lifted his eyebrow, surprised at how well she was taking this. It was clear she was still a little ticked, but she hadn't run for the door.

"I know why you're doing this," she said after the waiter came back with two waters for them.

He shrugged. "I don't know what you mean."

"This is payback for the museum."

Rick took a handful of peanuts, popping a few in his mouth and spit the shells on the floor. "Well you brought me to a place that interests you, so I thought I could return the favor."

"Don't act like you didn't enjoy the museum."

"I didn't enjoy the museum. I enjoyed watching you at the museum. There's a difference."

"Did you think I would enjoy watching you here?"

He thought for a moment. "You know I didn't think about that part. I was just focused on getting you back for taking me somewhere you knew would bore me to death."

Michonne laughed and tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear. "You have to admit, it was pretty funny. You looked so done."

He laughed with her. "I was. But…."

"But…" she cocked her head to the side waiting for the rest.

Rick saw the flash of her pristine white teeth and that irresistible smile and reached across the table to grab her hand. "But I've realized there are very few places I can go with you and not have a good time."

Michonne blushed. "Me too. This—us has been so—". She paused trying to find the words as her fingers danced along his palm. "Unexpected but more than I ever thought it could be. Or we could be."

Rick's phone buzzed and he groaned. "Please don't be…". And the screen confirmed the worst. "Work. Dammit. One second."

She sipped her water, never letting go of his hand as he grunted through a conversation with Hershel that sounded very much like their night was coming to an end. She called for the check and agreed to take a Lyft while he went back to the station.

The next day Michonne walked into the precinct trying to play it cool but was worried after his text messages from the night before. Rick made sure she got home okay and updated her that it would be an all-nighter. When she hadn't heard from him by 11 the next morning, she found him half asleep at his desk. She handed him the Starbucks cup, resisting the urge to run her hands through his hair and stubble. "Here you go."

He sighed and almost hugged her but cleared his throat instead. "Thank you. This is just what I need. It's been awhile since I've done this without sleeping at all."

"Why didn't you sleep? You could've caught a few in the cribs."

"I wish." He sighed, gesturing to the case file. It was the same teenage boy from last week. "He tried to commit suicide. Hershel called me because he was sent to a mental institution but it's one of the worst in the state."

Michonne jumped to attention. "I can make a call."

"No need." He placed his hand over hers. "That's why I've been here all night. We got him moved. I think he's finally going to get the help he needs. Just waiting on one more call to confirm that everything is good to go. I'm not leaving until I know for sure."

She certainly couldn't blame him for that. Maybe they all got involved with cases more than they should. Without thinking, she caressed his chin and could feel the exhaustion radiating from him. "I should've brought you some breakfast too."

He glanced around and quickly kissed her palm. "I'm okay."

"Grimes!"

They both jumped at the sound of Hershel bellowing Rick's name from his office door. "Kid's good to go. They're transporting him now."

Rick took a deep breath and almost cried from relief. "Thank you."

"Get out of here and go get some rest. I don't want to see you back here today. You look like hell."

"Thanks Cap. I appreciate the kind words."

They were on their way out of the squadroom when he spoke again. "Umm Michonne, were you here to speak with me about something or did you just come here to bring Rick coffee?"

Rick was a deer in headlights but Michonne was quick on her feet. "Maggie actually just texted me to meet her downstairs so that's where I was headed. I'll be back up to talk to you about the Smothers case though. We have a problem with the affidavit."

Grunting, Hershel went back to his office.

"Damn you're good. I was kinda sweating there for a moment."

Michonne walked in front of him furiously texting Maggie so she should corroborate her story if asked. "Yeah I noticed. If we're going to keep this secret, you're going to have to do better."

He leaned against the elevator wall drinking the rest of his coffee. "You know we aren't going to be able to keep this quiet for much longer. At some point it could compromise cases."

"I know I know."

Rick walked to his car with her following close behind. "I'm going to go home and get some sleep. Call me later?"

"You need your rest Rick."

"I know. But call me later. We can raincheck."

He kissed her quickly. Keeping everything a secret was exhausting. Even though he was sure that some folks were on to them and now he could add Hershel to that ever growing list, he was tired of fighting what was natural for him.

"You know work isn't the only place that we need to disclose," she said.

Even without hearing her name, the mention of his ex-wife made him more exhausted. "I know. I need to have that conversation. I'm going to but I definitely need a hell of a lot more sleep before I do."

Michonne chuckled and opened his car door for him. "I imagine you do. We probably both do."

"You know I would never let her disrespect you or harm us, right?"

Of course, she knew that. Lori's words weren't what concerned her. She could handle her easily. She could outwit, outplay and outlast the best of them when it came to verbal sparring. Plus, Lori didn't seem hard to outwit. "I know that. I'm not concerned about that. It's—"

"The kids. I know. Same for me. But it's gonna work out. I promise."

She didn't say anything but rubbed his hand in agreement instead of risking another kiss out in the open. "I'll call you later."

It was the sound of cats fighting that woke him from a deep sleep. He had come home, took off his shoes and fallen asleep on the couch. Too exhausted to undress. He woke with a start and looked at the clock. "Shit." It was after 10pm and he cursed himself for sleeping so late. He really wanted to reschedule with Michonne and missed his chance to tell the kids goodnight. Stretching out the kinks in his neck, he went through his phone and saw that she texted him a few hours earlier.

Hope you're getting some rest. Talk to you later.

Short and to the point. She was probably sleeping but he took a chance anyway.

Hey you.

She responded back almost immediately. Hey

So, he decided to call.

"Hello"

"What are you still doing awake?"

"Some of us don't go to bed so early old man."

He dragged himself off the couch and stretched. "I usually don't either but special circumstances."

Her tone softened. "I know. I'm just glad you got some rest. You looked terrible earlier."

"Well, all of us can't always look as gorgeous as you."

She giggled. "Oh how you flatter me."

"You never answered my question. What are you still doing up?" He heard some shuffling in the background. "Are you still at work?"

"I'm wrapping up a brief and then I'm heading home."

Rick turned on his shower. If he could get ready quick enough, maybe they could meet. "How about you still let me take to you to dinner?"

"Where do you think we could go after 10pm on a Tuesday?"

He grabbed some jeans and a shirt to wear and began to shuck his clothes with the phone still to his ear. "Don't worry about that. I have it all covered."

"You're determined to capitalize on this fourth date."

He could tell she was smiling on the phone. "I will keep my hands to myself. I just want to see you. You don't have to change. The place won't be super fancy."

"If it's anything like that bar you took me too, it sure isn't."

"Meet me at my place in 30 minutes?"

"I can do that."

An hour later, they were driving to a stretch of the city she hadn't seen before. She was content drinking her milkshake and stealing a few of Rick's fries. 'I really shouldn't be eating this bad during the week."

Rick rolled his eyes, digging around in the bag for more fries while keeping his hands steady on the wheel. "You look amazing. You don't need to worry about your figure. Trust me."

"I think you're biased."

"Then again, it's been so long since I've seen your figure, I think I may need to do a thorough inspection."

Michonne laughed and drank more of her milkshake. "If you think a date to Sonic is going to get you laid, then you have another thing coming. I'm not that cheap."

He turned off onto another road and laughed quietly. "I didn't think for a second you were. There weren't that many places opened and I wanted to bring you there."

Michonne let that marinate around a bit. "You wanted to bring me to Sonic?" she asked a little perplexed but also intrigued. Rick always had a reason for doing everything and she sensed there was something deeper going on. It wasn't just his insistence that they see each other again which could easily be chalked up to the promise of sex, but something else.

"I wanted to show you this."

She looked around and leaned forward to see more out of the window. "Trees?"

"No. That."

And he came to a stop in a small clearing that overlooked the city. The bright lights of Atlanta shone back at them and the tall buildings twinkled against the moonlight. It was a simple but breathtaking view.

"Wow."

He chuckled. "Yeah. I used to come up here a lot." He reached into the bag and pulled out his burger and shoved more fries into his mouth. "When I didn't want to go home and get in another argument. When I needed to shake off a case. The night she told me she was pregnant with Judith. The night she told me we should get a divorce and the next night after I agreed."

Michonne laid back in the seat to get more comfortable and listen to him talk. Yes, he had been open about his feelings towards her, but he was less forthcoming about his past.

Rick rested in the seat, mimicking her posture. "I found this place during my first year on the force. Passed by it on the way to a crime scene. Ever since then, I've come out here just to think. Feel. Deal with things."

She didn't want to interrupt his confession, so she kept it simple. "It's peaceful here."

"Yeah it was quiet enough that I could really sit and think about what was going on. Really put the pieces together because I didn't have anyone to talk to. I did the therapy thing with Lori for awhile, but I knew pretty early on that it wasn't going to work. That we were over. Thought about going back to therapy on my own but thanks to Hershel I've had my fill of shrinks I think."

Rick sneaked a peek at her to see if she was smiling and she was. Hanging on his every word. He finished his food and took her hand. "I wanted to bring you here because I wanted you to see the place that was important to me. I bring the kids out here sometimes during the day and we have a picnic courtesy of Sonic. This is also the place I came after our night with Maggie. When she first suggested me and you."

"After you dropped me off?"

He nodded. "Yep. I didn't feel like going back to the bar so I came out here to think. Needed some quiet. Needed to understand why the idea made so much sense and why I was interested way more than I was ready to admit. I think you and me had been in the back of my mind for awhile but life, noise gets in the way. Plus, I had pretty much sworn off dating until things got more settled with Lori, the kids and work. But with the lives we lead, when is anything ever really settled?"

Michonne understood. Relationships had been put off for no reason other than she just couldn't seem to make it fit in her life. Work was constantly nipping at her heels and when she wasn't working, she was reading, working out or running errands. There didn't seem to be room for anyone else, until Rick. "I get it."

He picked up their clasped hands and kissed her knuckles. "I knew you would. And that's why I knew you and I made sense." He sighed. "We've got to start having some hard conversations. And I'm ready. If you are."

"I am," she said without hesitation and leaned over to kiss him. "I am."

The moonlight illuminated her skin as her tongue slid past his lips. Before he could deepen the kiss, she pulled back and his eyes lit up with humor. "I know I know. You're not a cheap date."

But that wasn't why she stopped. She put her hand on his cheek and slid closer to him, knocking the discarded bags on to the floor. "I love you Rick. I'm in love with you too. And I'm ready to let everyone know."

The words washed over him and nested deep in his chest. And then he sprung into action, his lips colliding with hers. His hands were on her breasts, in her hair, on her hips.

Michonne held on for dear life as Rick took from her mouth, her senses on overload with the feel of his hands everywhere on her body. "I want you. She reached across and pulled his seat back so she could straddle him.

"Jesus," he groaned when her hand touched his throbbing cock. "We shouldn't do this here."

Michonne lifted her skirt and continued to kiss him. "Can't wait," she breathed.

His mind was telling him one thing, but his body was doing another. His pants were around his knees and he glanced around to make sure no one was watching. This place was secluded but he had to be sure. "We have to be quick baby." He slid her panties to the side and moaned when he felt just how wet and ready she was. "Fuck, move your leg here." He positioned her just right and slid inside her pussy.

Michonne bit her lip, her hand braced against his stomach. As she rode him, she unbuttoned his shirt, eager to feel his skin against hers. Rick returned the favor, removing her blouse and pulling up her bra to expose her swollen breasts. When his mouth closed over the peak she bucked against him, and began to tighten. "I love you, I love you," she repeated as her orgasm dragged her under. As he spilled inside her, she rested on his chest and caught her breath. Their chests heaved, the low sounds of his radio in the background. "I think I like this place too."

He brushed her hair out of her face and kissed her forehead. "You can come here anytime. With me or alone. Whatever you like."

She traced the lines in his neck, breathing in his scent. "Well thank you."

"So tomorrow?"

"Hmm?"

"Tomorrow, I'll talk to Lori. Sort that out and then you talk to Carol and Ill talk to Hershel."

Michonne signed, balanced her head on her hand to look up at him. "I'm going to miss working homicide. You guys were my favorite unit."

"Don't worry, I have another unit that you will like just as much," he said, flexing his dick beneath her.

Her laugh was as smooth as honey and suddenly she was silent.

"You know," he said, tapping her cheek for her to look back at him, "I could transfer too. It doesn't have to just be on you. I don't have to work Homicide."

"Rick…"

"Think about it," he said. "I can switch or we both can, have fresh starts. I don't want you to have to give up what you love for us."

She shook her head. "But I'm not giving up what I love, because I still have you. You're what I love. Yeah, I'm going to miss working with the guys, but I'll still see them."

Rick leaned in to kiss her again, but the position caused a strain on his back. "Let me get you back to my place, so I can take full advantage of you in more comfortable space."

She laughed against his lips. "Deal."

Late into the night, their limbs were tangled in his bed, her leg over his, his arm around her waist. He had never been much of a snuggler, but like so many other things, that changed with Michonne. They were both fast asleep when the cell phone buzzed on the nightstand next to her. She didn't register that she picked it up until she was already speaking. "Hello." Her voice weak from sleep, she cleared her throat and said again, "Hello."

"Who is this?"

Michonne's eyes popped open. It wasn't her phone she answered. It was Rick's.

He was sound asleep when she shook him awake. "What? What's going on?"

"The phone is for you."

He wiped the sleep from his eyes and glanced at the nightstand. 3:42am. "Who is it? Hershel?"

"No. It's Lori."

A/N: Well here she comes. Next chapter, Hurricane Lori is on the scene. What kind of trouble will she cause? Well hey at least we got car sex this interview and Michonne finally revealed her feelings :)