Michonne didn't move. The air was still, suddenly stale. Surely she hadn't heard him correctly. It couldn't be true. "What do you mean you aren't going to be working in Homicide?"

Rick turned towards her, squeezing her hand. "It's a new development. I was going to tell you while we were talking earlier but we got interrupted."

She sat up, not asking for an explanation but expecting one. The fact that he made such a big decision without talking to her about it first hurt especially considering his plea to her earlier in the night about communication. However, she wanted to give him a chance to explain.

"It's time for a change. Not just the apartment," he said, waving his hand around the room. "But everything. I can't stay in Homicide if you and I are together. It would be a conflict of interest you know that."

Michonne opened her mouth to object but stopped herself. She did know that. One of them had to go. "So it's already decided?"

Rick stalled. He had turned in his papers to Hershel but he could easily pull them back. Hershel hadn't officially filed them anyway. "Not exactly. I should've talked to you first before handing them in." The more he thought about it, the more he kicked himself. He was convinced he could talk her into the decision and this was the right sacrifice he needed to make for them and for their family, but it did need to go through her first.

"Yes you should have. Rick, we just talked about the importance of communicating."

"I know, I know. You're right. So let's talk about it."

Michonne swallowed the lump in her throat. "Why are you so hell bent on it being you that transfers?"

"Because I know how much you love Homicide and why," he said pulling her closer. "And I know you would be willing to sacrifice your job for mine and I can't let you do that. The injury just put a stamp on that."

"But you said the injury wasn't a big deal. That the mobility was fine." She was confused. Was he more hurt than he was letting on?

"It just made the decision easier. Of course I can do a ton of rehab and get it to 100% with no problem and I will but not for this department. Putting myself in harms way day after day is not worth it to me anymore. There's too much at stake. I can't afford not to be here for you or my kids." He rubbed her ring finger again, and brought her hand up to his mouth. "I think it's best to move on, but if you think differently let's negotiate."

Michonne was speechless. He had laid out a defense better than one she'd seen in awhile. She loved her work but a part of why she loved it was not just getting justice. Seeing Rick after a long day or talking to him about one of their difficult cases made it all easier. Now there would be no more long nights prepping for a case together. It was a bittersweet ending. "Are you sure?" It was all she could think to ask him.

"I am."

"Then ok." She kissed him, holding her forehead to his. "Ok?"

She chuckled and nodded again. "Yeah. Ok. I get it. I'm going to miss you though."

"I'm going to miss you too."f

She didn't realize she was crying until he swiped the tear streaming down her cheek. "So you're not going to be a cop anymore?"

Rick smiled. "Hold on there little lady, no one said that."

Her eyebrow furrowed. "What do you mean?"

"I'm going to work in Cold Case. Sasha's brother Tyreese works there. Had lunch with him today. It's more steady hours, less fast paced, no middle of the night hours. It's important not just for us but for the kids. It will make it easier for me to have a better custody schedule with Lori. I see now more than ever after what happened today I want as much time with them as necessary."

Michonne put her arm around his waist, resting her chin on his shoulder. This was her greatest fear, that somehow all of this would affect his kids. "Did she say something that made you think that—"

"No. It's not that," he clarified. "She said that Judith is mine."

She sighed in relief and hated that he even had to ask the question but based on the part of the conversation she heard, she understood why he did. "You believe her?" Michonne asked although she didn't want to make it as if he was a fool. Those curls and those mannerisms, there was little doubt she belonged to Rick.

"I do. She says they were never intimate in that way. I didn't ask how far they went although she offered up the information because I just don't care."

Rick seemed at ease. She searched his eyes for any sign of distress. He kissed her hand, taking the palm and putting it against his cheek. "It doesn't matter. Whether she had intercourse with him or they just kissed. She betrayed our marriage. Period. She offered to get a paternity test but I told her no. I'm just ready to move on."

Michonne nodded silently, trying to digest everything he was saying and then an idea came to her. She laid back down scooting over and patting the space next to her urging him to lie down too. They were back in the position they were in just before they got interrupted, this time reversed. She was at the head of the bed, he laid down at the foot of the bed, rubbing her legs as his mind wandered.

"Tell me what you're thinking," she whispered.

He huffed and kissed the instep of her foot, tickling her a bit. "I guess I'm just digesting. Even though I'm leaving, Negan is still a problem. I have to deal with that. I have to deal with continuing to coparent with someone that attitude changes like the wind, a new job and us. I guess I'm feeling a little overwhelmed," he chuckled sadly. "What are you thinking?"

She returned his smile and kissed his ankle, his leg, rubbing it back and forth to soothe him. "I'm feeling overwhelmed at the thought of not seeing you everyday and seeing you go through all this and not being able to do anything about it."

"Oh but you did," he interrupted her.

"How so?"

"You're the one who got Glenn to follow Lori. I don't think I would've ever found out about their past if you didn't. It's obvious she wasn't just goin to come out and tell the truth."

Michonne shrugged. "Maybe."

"You did," he said rubbing the scruff of his beard against her smooth leg. "Thank you for just being you. I know this is all a lot."

"Stop."

He took a deep breath and closed his eyes as her hands traveled higher.

"You don't have to thank me for being here. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. The truth is we both have some guilt about how we behaved during your marriage. That wasn't just you."

"Bu-"

"It wasn't just you," she cut him off. "We aren't going to keep going round and round about this. We are in this together Grimes. What matters now is you," she kissed his leg again. "Me," she massaged his inner thigh. "and the kids."

Rick closed his eyes breathing her in. He could still smell himself on her from their earlier lovemaking and couldn't get enough of the scent. It was all going to be okay and most importantly even when all his baggage was at

her doorstep, literally, she was staying by his side. He felt her legs shifting and opened his eyes.

Michonne slowly pulled the sweatpants down her legs, discarding them on the floor. His shirt she was wearing was long enough that she was still mostly covered. Watching him closely she unbuttoned the rest of the shirt and saw him lick his lips. He moved to help her and she stopped him. "Unh unh. No touching."

His hands fisted, fighting the urge to keep his hands to himself.

When she was done unbuttoning the shirt, she splayed it open, her full nude body on display. Her nipples were peaked and he could already smell her arousal. His cock hardened instantly.

Michonne's hand went to her breasts, cupping them while licking her lips and watching him intently.

"Jesus," he groaned.

Michonne pulled on her nipples, the pleasure evoking a moan from her lips. Spreading her legs, she gave him a nice view of her glistening pussy before sliding her right hand down to touch herself there.

Rick's breathing was harsh and since he knew he couldn't touch her, he reached down to stroke himself instead.

"Take off your pants," she moaned and he shuffled out of them quickly, his shirt right after.

He tried to touch her again and she shook her head.

Once he was back in position she dipped her fingers in her folds, coating them with her juices. "Do you want to taste?"

"Yes." He was choking, he couldn't breathe.

Finally, she leaned over and gave him some reprieve, rubbing the sweet taste of her over his lips. Rick, never one to listen to directions took her hand making sure to devour every drop from her fingers. His eyes bore a hole in her as he licked every bit of her essence.

"We're going to be ok Rick," she whispered in his ear as she sank down on him, his hips rising to meet hers. "We're going to be ok."

Michonne held on to the dashboard while Shane recklessly weaved in out and of the streets. "Jesus do you always drive this bad?"

"Aww come on now Michonne. Don't act like you haven't enjoyed a rough ride or two," he teased winking at her. She didn't know who was having more fun with her sex life, her or Shane. His constant comments were grating on her nerves and it was even worse with Rick not there to defend her. It had been a week since she went back to work and Rick spent his time apartment hunting and with the kids. He couldn't transfer to his new department until everything with the shooting was cleared up. Although he didn't seem to be worried about it and felt it was only a matter of time, she was concerned with everyday that went by. Negan had filed paperwork and there had been another interview. Even talk of a civil suit if he couldn't take Rick's badge and gun. It was non stop.

"Shane just shut up and keep driving. I have somewhere to be."

He whistled. "Oh you and lover boy got plans?"

She didn't answer. The truth was Rick had found an apartment that she wanted to go take a look at. Even though she would not move in right away, that was still the plan at some point and she wanted to see what it would look like. Also, Rick insisted. Sending her links to every place he went to and trying to FaceTime her when he was at others.

"Hey Glenn, what you looking at back there? Is Maggie texting again?" Shane asked peering in his rear view mirror. Glenn was furiously typing on his phone, more distracted than usual over the past week. If he wasn't in the file room or out with them on cases, he was on his phone constantly. If she knew Maggie, Glenn's phone probably had all kinds of lewd text messages and pictures for sure.

"Man focus on your own love life," Glenn shot back.

Shane sucked his lips as he hit another sharp turn. "Damn. She still haven't let you tap that hunh?"

"Ya know," Michonne interrupted saving Glenn from embarrassment, "What about you? You're always worried about what everyone else is doing. You must not be getting any action."

Glenn snickered and Shane adjusted uncomfortably. "I get plenty of action thank you. Hell, I'm probably still wearing the smell of the one I kicked out this morning."

She rolled her eyes. "Gross."
"You know me Chonne. Love em and leave em."

"Actually I don't remember you loving anyone but you got the leaving part down. Hey what happened with Andrea?"

Shane went quiet. Even Glenn stopped typing on his phone long enough to notice.

"Andrea? The defense attorney we worked with on the Bridges case?" Glenn asked. "Damn man I had no idea."

"You didn't? Yeah they were hot and heavy there for awhile. I think she even got to stay over two nights instead of one."

Shane took his eyes off the road to gape at her. "Keep your eyes on the road fool," she admonished. "How did you know about that?"

She laughed. "The same way you knew that Rick was knocking the stuffing off my muffin as you put it. You're not as slick as you think you are."

He huffed and parked in front of the building. "And I also happen to know that she's the one that you've been with all those nights and not all these bevy of women that you try to claim."

Shane slapped his knee in disgust. For some reason she didn't understand, Shane really wanted to be seen as a player. It made sense for a guy in his 20's but at his age now it really was ridiculous. "How did you know?"

She chuckled and winked at Glenn in the back. "I didn't. You just told me."

"God damnit," was the last thing she heard when she shut the door behind her.

They made it back just in time for her to make the appointment for her to make it to meet Rick and the realtor. She was pleasantly surprised to see he had found a town house close to her office with 3 bedrooms and was the size of her apartment and his old one combined. The second she walked in the door she knew it was a place she could see them together. All of them together as a family.

"I love it," she said simply and Rick's face lit up. Michonne had to give him credit. When he had his mind on something, he was quite determined. She didn't think she'd ever seen him move so fast on something this significant. "Have the kids seen it yet?"

"I planned on bringing them by tomorrow. Judith is gonna love that swing set in the back," he said pointing to the small but capable back yard.

"Well you certainly haven't wasted any time."

Rick pulled her into him, taking a nice handful of her backside and the realtor quickly made haste. "When I see something I want, it don't take me no time at all."

She kissed him. "Clearly."

"So what do you say? I get this place and we move in a couple of weeks."

Michonne went still in his arms. "We?"

Rick was confused and cocked his head to the side. "Of courts we. Didn't we talk about this?"

She maneuvered out of his arms. "Yeah I thought I would move in eventually. Not in a couple of weeks. I mean we haven't even talked to the kids yet."

Rick shrugged, dismissing her concern. "I told you Carl already knows."

His nonchalance gave her more cause for pause. There was already thoughts swirling through her head that they were moving too fast and she dismissed that but to not do this the right way or at least a way that seemed more like a transition made her uncomfortable. "I think you're taking this too lightly."

"I think you're overthinking it." It made sense for her to be gunshy but these were his kids. He knew what they could and couldn't handle.

"It's just that—"

"Do you think if all of this was too much that I would be doing it?"

That made sense. She knew Rick was a good father. "Yes, I know you know what's best for them."

Rick half smirked. This was Michonne. His lovely overthinker, who dealt with a lot of loss in her family and who saw a lot of loss daily in her career. His brief impatience gave way to understanding. She had been so considerate with him, this side of her was what he came to expect. Of

course she would need to feel more comfortable and would want the kids to be at ease. He took a deep breath and reeled himself in. "Ok. How about this? How about we take them for a picnic or something and talk to them about it?"

The tension around her eyes eased. "Really?"

"Of course."

"And if they aren't comfortable or afterwards if I want to pump the brakes a little until I feel they are, you would be ok with that?"

Rick had confidence in his kids. Judith adored Michonne and Carl was at the age where he had long accepted his parents divorce. He even seemed grateful for it. They would be fine but he couldn't shake the feeling that any wrong move and Michonne would back out. Either way he had to give her that. She'd already given him so much. "Okay."

Not one to waste time Rick arranged the picnic just a few days later. Talking to Lori about the moving in arrangements had been the harder part but she eventually relented considering her deception with Negan. She tried to bring it up again while he was in the living room waiting for the kids and he brushed her off. There was nothing else to discuss. He had forgiven her and they were coparents, nothing more. Now he would move in with Michonne and the kids and she had to get used to their new normal.

At the park, they all settled into a familiarity that came easy. Even Michonne who had been nervous had lightened up once they made it to their destination.

"I want some skittles," Judith demanded with her little hand out.

Rick frowned. "Skittles? You can have some fruit."

Michonne looked nervous while holding Judith on her lap and whispered in her ear. "Is that how you ask?"

"Sorry," she apologized. "May I have some skittles please?"

Rick was confused again. He didn't remember packing candy. Their lunch was pretty healthy thanks to Michonne. To his surprise though, Michonne pulled some of the candies from her purse. "Ok but just a few."

"Bribing them?"

She smiled and kissed Judith on top of the head. "I don't need to bribe them. That's actually for you to do remember?"

"No bribery needed," he said while looking over at Carl kick a soccer ball and converse with some boys around his age that he just met. "They will be just fine."

Michonne scoffed and handed Judith a few more skittles.

"Can you bray my hair?" Judith asked pushing her wild curls out of her face.

"Well are you sure your mom would be okay with that?"

Judith nodded but she looked to Rick for confirmation. "It's fine. It will help keep the hair out of her face while she's running with her brother."

"Yay!"

Judith sat quietly eating her skittles one by one while Michonne braided her hair. Rick sneaked glances at his phone waiting to hear something from Carol or Deanna about his case. He was itching to get back to work and put this whole thing with the shooting behind him. It was both exhilarating and frustrating. Feeling like he was on the cusp of the next chapter but being held back. He was going to miss working with Shane, Glenn and Hershel but they weren't just his co-workers, they were his friends. Damn near family. He was going to see them still just not work side by side with them everyday. And then there was Michonne. Putting the line in the sand between their personal and professional relationship was the right thing to do. He was sure that people found it odd that the DA's office and Homicide worked so closely together but that was how they were able to close so many cases. It was the reason the Mayor had given them commendations and they were well respected. He wasn't going to let her risk her career for being with him. It was wrong but everyone would look down much more on her as a woman than they ever did on him if their relationship came to light and there was even a chance to show that she was biased. She'd worked too hard. They would adjust to not being at each other's side at work everyday. It was also the reason that he suggested moving in so quickly. Now that they were together he couldn't imagine spending that much time away from her but he had to compromise.

His thoughts were interrupted by Michonne's humming and he looked up to see something that melted his heart. Judith was now leaning back into Michonne making it more difficult for her to braid her hair but she rested her head against Judith's and smiled enjoying the closeness. This was what he needed to know he made the right decision. He couldn't wait until the

day they had a baby. More and more he'd been thinking about Michonne pregnant with their child. This was the one thought about their future that he hadn't brought up. If she freaked about their moving in together she would definitely lose it if she knew he had already taken his grandmother's ring to the jeweler to get resized and touched up and looked forward to the day she stopped taking the pill.

"Baby steps," he mumbled to himself ironically.

"What did you say daddy?" Judith asked not moving from her position.

He chuckled. Of course she would be the one to hear him. "Nothing sweetheart."

"Are you talkin to a pretend friend?" She turned her head to look at him and thankfully Michonne was done with her braids or it would be impossible to finish them now.

"No I'm not talking to a pretend friend. Just..thinkin." He looked up at Michonne and gave her an easy smile that she returned.

"Are you thinkin about getting me a present?"

He let out a hardy laugh at that one. His daughter the opportunist. But he would return the favor.

"Actually," he laid down on the blanket resting his weight on his elbow, "remember the new apartment you saw?"

Michonne tensed sensing where he was going with the question. Damn, he didn't waste any time.

"Yep," Judith answered.

"How would you feel if we all stayed there together. Me, you, Carl and Michonne."

Judith jumped up and looked at Michonne as if she didn't believe it. "She could bray my hair all the time?"

And it was just that simple for her Rick smiled. "Sure, if she wants to."

"Pleeeeeease," she begged Michonne.

"I'll braid your hair anytime no matter what." The answer was non- committal Rick noticed.

Judith reached into the basket for some grapes. "When you're staying with us?" Man, he really loved his daughter. Nothing got by her whether intentionally or not.

Michonne looked over to Carl before answering. In her thoughts of this moment she assumed they would find out at the same time. "How about we check with your brother?" There seemed to be a lull in Carl's game, she certainly didn't want to interrupt his game if it wasn't.

Rick called out to him. "Carl come here for a minute." "Hurry up Carl," Judith added with a mouth full of grapes. Carl jogged over, his hair flopping in his face. "What's up?"

"Michonne gonna bray my hair all the time when she stay with us," Judith answered. With her grapes finished, she reached for the ball at his feet.

Carl looked to his dad and Michonne for additional information. "Hunh?"

Rick closed the loop for him. "That new apartment I just got. I wanted it to be for all of us, for Michonne to move in too."

Carl shrugged. "Cool."

Michonne misread his nonchalance and felt like she needed to explain more. Her and Carl always had a good relationship and she didn't want anything to change. "If it's not okay with you though we can ease into this and take our time. I don't want to—"

"Michonne it's really cool. I didn't think dad was getting a bigger apartment to have more room for his wardrobe." Carl smiled putting her at ease and then looked over his shoulder. It looked like another game was about to get started. He would have to use their ball since Judith was kicking away at his.

"Play with me Carl," she said trying to kick the ball but almost tripping over it. Carl looked torn because he knew if he said no that Judith would have one of her infamous hissy fits.

Michonne was a step ahead of him. "Judith how about us girls play instead? What do you say?"

"Yessss," she said and kicked the ball towards Michonne almost knocking over her water. "Bye Carl."

"I owe you one," he whispered and started to jog off. "Oh by the way, we are pretty messy around the house. Hope you're ready for that." He smiled and was off.

When Michonne turned to Rick he was laid back on the blanket with his arms clasped behind his head, his legs crossed at the ankle and wearing a shit eating grin. "You're enjoying this aren't you?"

"I would say I told you so but don't worry. You will be telling it to me tonight," he said winking.

"Oh you think you're clever hunh?" She moved closer to him still keeping a watchful eye on Judith but lowered her voice. "You know once I move in all of those shenanigans will have to stop."

His smile faltered for a second. "What do you mean?"

She dropped her voice lower. "Surely you don't plan to have me bent over the island in the kitchen or over the sofa or wherever you please with the kids in the house."

Damn, he hadn't even thought of that.

"We will have to be extra careful from now on. To be honest, I don't know if I even feel comfortable doing it with them in the house. You know how loud we can get and their rooms aren't far from ours."

His smile was now gone. "There's a bathroom between our wall and theres."

She shrugged. "Yeah but you know how we get."

"Michonne I'm ready," Judith called out and kicked the ball to her. She kicked the ball back and let Rick sweat it out for a second while he sat up and his mind started whirling.

"Rick, I'm just joking." Michonne winked and started racing Judith in the other direction.

Placing his hand over his heart, he made an exaggerated motion and laid back on the blanket. "Shit, she's trying to kill me." He could hear her giggling from a few feet away. For a few seconds all was right with the world and then he heard his phone vibrating.

He didn't plan on any interruptions today but he prayed like hell it was some news on his case or his new department head telling him he could start.

It was Glenn. He thought about not answering but if Glenn was calling it was for a good reason. "Grimes."

"Rick it's me."

"I gathered that from the caller ID."

He could practically hear Glenn rolling his eyes on the other end. "I got some news. I figured out why that dickhead has a vendetta against you."

Rick sat up suddenly looking at Michonne, Carl and Judith to make sure they weren't coming near him. He didn't want the ugly business of Negan anywhere near them. "Let's hear it."

"Does the name Lucille Shaw mean anything to you?"

Rick rolled the name around in his head. "Lucille, Lucille. The only Lucille I know is Negan's ex-wife."

"Yeah. You need to get up here."