Chapter 5

Where we Stand

They made their way back in half the time. When they got to the wall they could hear the groaning of walkers on the other side. Michonne started to round the corner with her sword in hand. Rick tapped her arm and gestured for her to let him go in first.

There were three of them, rotting walkers with sand and leaves matted in their hair and clothes growling as they moved through the forrest. All of their attention was focused on a cucumber bush in the corner. Rick and Michonne observed, unnoticed by the walkers, as they stumbled towards it. Suddenly, Vitor, lept from the bushes and stabbed one of the walkers in the head. Another walker grabbed a hold of Vitor's arm and tried to bite down when Michonne's sword relieved him of the top of his head.

A loud shot rang out and Vitor looked over to see Rick's colt smoking. He'd taken out the last one. Rick and Michonne turned their weapons on Vitor who'd fallen back against the wall holding his arm. Rick walked passed Michonne and stood in front of Vitor.

"Drop it!" He told him.

Vitor dropped the knife seeing he was outnumbered. He slid it over toward Rick who kicked it away.

"And the gun." Rick demanded.

Vitor narrowed his eyes as he slowly reached behind and pulled out his spent weapon. Rick gestured with his head for the man to throw it and Vitor tossed it into some bushes behind them.

"Are there any more?"

Vitor eyes shot from Rick to Michonne as blood dripped from his wound. Rick tilted his head waiting for a response. Finally, Vitor shook his head no. Rick looked around, nodded his head and cocked his gun aiming it between Vitor's eyes.

"Wait." The old man said with a thick accent between labored breaths.

"You give me something, I give you something."

Rick tilted his head in curiousity.

"What?"

"You give me something, I give you something. Something you want." He said as a nervous smile crept across chafed lips.

Rick scoffed at the man and the nerve of him trying to make a bargain after what he'd done. He took a few steps closer to him and pressed the barrow right against the Vitor's forehead.

"You really think there is anything you can say now that will save you?" Rick asked with a determined look on his face.

Vitor let out a little laugh and shook his head.

"No, you can not save me."

He closed his eyes and pulled back his collar revealing the bite to his shoulder.

"One thing I want and I give you something." Vitor offered again.

Rick scoffed and tilted his head at him.

"Rick..." Michonne cautioned looking from him to Vitor.

"What do you want?" She asked.

Vitor's weary eyes turned to Michonne.

"My bag." Vitor gestured over to the bush where he'd dropped his bag.

Michonne looked at an annoyed Rick and went over to grab the fanny pack. She took a peak while walking back with it and gave it to him. Vitor nodded gratefully as he took the bag and began looking through it. He pulled out a broken chain with a saint pendant on it. He kissed it and began to wrap it around his hand. Michonne watched him curiously as his hands shook.

"Belong to my wife's." He grumbled looking at Michonne and then back in his pack.

Next, he pulled out a plastic bag with a pack of cigarettes and a lighter tightly sealed inside. Vitor opened the pack, pulled out a cigarette and lifted the lighter. His hands shook so badly that he couldn't get the lighter to work. Michonne knelt down beside him, took the lighter and lit the cigarette. Rick clenched his jaw as he watched her.

Vitor took a long drag and closed his eyes before exhaling a small cloud of smoke. He looked down at the cigarette in his hand and nodded to Michonne.

"What do you have for us?" Rick demanded stepping closer and leaning over.

Vitor took another drag of his cigarette and looked around the area.

"We come here before, twice." Vitor shrugged. "Nice place, sometimes..."

Rick shook his head and kneeled down.

"You better have something for us or I'll start breaking things on you." He leaned in and promised Vitor.

Vitor glared up at the aggitated look on Rick's face and smiled.

"You go to the other side?" He tilted his head and asked.

Rick and Michonne looked at each other and back at Vitor. He wondered if Vitor had been watching them.

"We come in from wrong side...the storm." Vitor scoffed thinking about it.

"We come in right side... we go to the docks." Rick's brow furrowed as he listened to him.

Vitor's eyes stayed trained on Rick and saw the question growing in his eyes. He nodded knowing full well what the question was. Michonne curiously watched them unsure of what was happening.

"How many?" Rick asked as he narrowed his eyes on the old man.

"Two."

"Do they work? Is there gas?"

Vitor lifted an eyebrow and shrugged as he took another drag. This time, he leaned over to press his shaking lips to the cigarette in his hand that he could no longer lift. Rick grabbed his arm and abruptly pushed him back toward the wall.

"Do they work?" Rick asked between clenched teeth.

"Three docks. We use one, not the other two...too many of them." Vitor confided before he bent over making a grunting sound as he dropped his cigarette.

Beads of sweat began to appear on his face as his head moved back and forth. Michonne gave a confused look at Rick and Vitor.

"Too many what?" She inquired.

"Dead. Too many of the dead. This place..." Vitor said looking around. "Paradise, vacation for the dead."

They heard him take his last breath and his head dropped to his chest. Michonne, wanting to know more, shook the man but there was no response. He was gone. Rick looked down at his hand as it tightly gripped the pendant. He jerked the chain out of the dead man's hand, stood up, and threw it across the forrest.

Michonne watched, stunned by what he'd done. She stood up and looked off in the direction where Rick had thrown the pendant and back at Rick.

She shook her head and finally laughed.

"That's just mean."

Rick looked at her and then the dead man.

"Fuck him!" He said angrily turning away from the dead man.

Her eyebrows lifted and she jerked her head back. That was different, Michone said to herself. She'd never heard Rick use that word before. He was right, of course. This man and his crew abducted them and neighter of them knew what they planned to do with them.

"Two ships." Rick thought out loud as he ran both hands through his hair and kept them on top of his head.

"It took us at least an hour to get to the pit. I'm pretty sure we were half way there. If we go around it'll take us longer but it'll be easier."

"Easier?" Michonne questioned.

Rick turned back to her.

"There's gotta be walkers down there. That's the only reason they wouldn't bother the other two ships. He said paradise, vacation." Rick put his hand on the back of his holstered colt.

"It makes sense, the pit, the cave, the water holes. This is some sort of vacation spot, there's probably a resort on the other side with a lot of walkers." Rick went back over to Vitor and picked up his lighter and grabbed his bag.

Michonne furrowed her brow.

"So there's a chance we can get back?" She asked, catching her breath as the posibility hit her.

He sighed at the hopeful expression on her face.

"Yeah." He said looking at her. "Michonne, we don't know if they work or if they're even intact. That storm, and likely many others, could've destroyed them."

Michonne's lips parted and her eyelids squinted.

"But there's a chance?" She repeated her eyes showing a rare look of desperation.

Rick furrowed his brow and nodded his head.

"Yeah."

He watched a faint smile grow on her lips as he looked up at her.

"No matter what happens we'll figure out a way back, okay." He promised.

Michonne nodded as she gathered her thoughts. She didn't realize until now that she'd given up on the thought of going home. It had crossed her mind when climbing up the hill that they'd never make it off this island. While she found solace in the thought that the rest of their family was safe, and the only person she would want to be stuck on an island with was there with her, the thought of them never seeing their people again was devastating.

Rick watched as her smile faded and wondered what she was thinking. He stood up and pressed his lips together looking down at the bag. He relieved Vitor's corpse of his coat and picked up weapons and other useful items.

"We'll get started tomorrow. It's getting late, let's get back to the cave." He suggested throwing the bag strap around his shoulder.

Rick walked behind Michonne as they started up the path. Normally, his eyes would be glued to her ass as she took long strides up the hillside. This time they were on her uneasy shoulders and the weight she seemed carried on them. He wish he could tell her they would go to the docks tomorrow, take out a few walkers, jump on a yaght and be home by dinner but lying to her wasn't something wanted to do. He respected her too much for that. Still, he hated seeing her worried.

When they got to their cave she went inside and started breaking the long sticks she'd collected that morning.

"'Chonne?" Rick called seeing the dejected look on her face as she popped the sticks open.

She looked at him.

"I'm okay. I'm fine. I just hope they're not broken." She said throwing the sticks into the blackened pile from last night as the wind twirled through the cave.

Rick looked down at the pile.

"If they're broken we'll fix 'em." Rick shrugged. "We're gonna get home. It might take us more time if they're damaged but we're not staying on this island forever."

Michonne stopped and looked to the side.

"Yeah." She agreed, realizing there chances were better than previously thought.

She couldn't help the sudden smile that sprouted on her face. It was different having someone there to keep her from losing hope. For so long, she had to find the strength inside herself to work through impossible situations. It was comforting knowing that she didn't always have to be the strong one and that someone understood her.

"You gotta a light?" She asked with raised eyebrows.

Rick nodded seeing the expression change in her eyes.

"Yeah."

He reached into his pocket and pulled out the lighter. He extended it to her and when she reached to grab it his fingers ran between her softer ones. She turned without looking at him and knelt to start the fire. He knew she felt the little squeeze he gave her fingers. The subtle smirk on her face as she turned away told him she did.

His eyes dropped down to his favorite place on her as she leaned over and flicked the lighter over the twigs and sticks. His lips parted when she bent over to blow on the small flame she'd created. Rick felt the stinging in his groin as his body reacted to her feminine curves. He flinched his face, curled his lips, and resisted the urge to adjust himself.

"I'll be right back." He promised as he quickly turned and left the cave.

Michonne watched him as he abruptly left the cave. She'd seen him take off like that before, usually to take a dump. She was somewhat glad that he'd gone to take care of that because her heart was knocking through her chest from that little touch.

A flame from the fire burned her as it licked her hand. Her mind was preoccupied with the kiss they shared earlier and she didn't notice that the fire had grown. Michonne winced as she brought her hand to her chest and used the other to slide sand around the blaze.

She stood up, walked to the back of the cave, and leaned back against it. She could still feel his lips on hers as she ran a finger across her bottom lip. That kiss sent tingles surging through her body and she couldn't help wanting more. She sat down wondering what would've happened if they had a little more time.

Michone could be a flirt when she wanted to be, sometimes she did it without really meaning too. With Rick, she knew that although they had feelings for each other, she had to be careful about letting her attraction to him get the best of her. The kiss could've very well had been him getting caught up in the moment. After all, it had been a long time for both of them, she gathered, and anyone could get weak in a place like this.

Thirty minutes passed as Michonne waited for him to get back. She grew concerned when she saw the sun getting low outside of the cave. He should've been back by now, she thought to herself as she stood and grabbed her katana. Just as she turned to start outside he appeared in the opening.

He slowly came in with a strange expression on his face as he looked at her.

She tilted her head. "Are you okay?"

He nodded and she nodded back noting the odd look in his eyes. She turned to stand her sword up against the wall and noticed he was still staring at her. He looked like he wanted to tell her something but instead he started toward her. Michonne was surprised when he unexpectedly pulled her in and kissed her.

It was so sudden that she pressed her hand to his chest and pulled away. They stared at each other as her eyes trailed down to his lips and she leaned in to kiss him back. Her arms wrapped around his neck and his around her waist as Rick pulled her in and felt her chest pressed against hers. His hands slid down her sides and under her shirt. Michonne shifted her hips when he did this and their kiss deepened when he pushed his tongue passed her lips and moved her back toward the wall.

Even with the subtle scent of her feeling his nose, he couldn't believe he was finally kissing her. The way she moved her lips against his was fiery and sensual but somehow felt so natural. His hand went down her back and over her pants that encased that soft butt he'd been dying to grab. His cock began to throb when she lifted her leg, allowing him partial access. She moaned as he cupped both sides of her ass. He could feel the heat as he brushed his fingers between her legs.

He manuevered his other leg between hers, grabbed her thigh, and pulled it up. He felt her leap a little as he lifted her and she wrapped her legs around his waist. Again, he pushed her back against the wall this time grinding his bulge into her. He was sure she felt it this time because she shifted her body against his.

Rick lifted his hand to her face, while holding her up with his other arm, and slid his fingers through her soft curly hair. Michonne, barely able to contain herself, felt him pull away from her lips. She opened her eyes and saw him staring at her with deep passionate eyes. He smiled at her lovingly and she smiled back.

She leaned in and kissed him again, this time slowly running her tongue along his bottom lip and gently biting it. Rick's chest flexed feeling the erotic gestures from her mouth. She stopped and gave him a sexy little smirk. Rick tilted his head and chuckled.

Before she knew it, he'd swung her away from the wall and started to lay her down. Her eyes widened at the momentum and she thought he was going to drop her as he fell down with her but he stretched his arm out to slow them down as he gently laid her on the ground. She saw him wince and noticed he used his injured shoulder.

She narrowed her eyes at him.

"You better be careful." She warned not wanting him to worsen his injury.

"You be careful." He quipped back at her with a devious grin.

He sat up on his knees and pulled his shirt over his head. Her eyes trailed up his muscular stomach, chest, and shoulders. They looked at each other as his hands slid up her legs to her knees. Michonne smiled, loving his patience. She thought it was sexy and so were his toned arms and chest. She unzipped her vest and pulled her purple shirt over and off her head. She felt his soft kisses on her stomach and laughed as the brissels on his chin tickled her skin.

Rick looked up at her as her body curled from his kisses. He always thought she had a cute infectious laugh. He only saw it on rare occasions but it always caught his attention. He wanted to see what other sounds he could get out of her tonight.

He unbuckled her pants and belt. He was surprised to see her wearing the panties from the containers and how perfectly they fit her. She lifted her butt and he slid the pants and panties down her legs. Michonne laid there watching as his eyes roamed over her body. She felt his hands cruise up her legs as he leaned in and ever so slowly ran his tongue along her clit which shot waves of ravenous yearning through her body.

She couldn't stop the long and loud moan that escaped her lips. She furrowed her brow and clenched her teeth as his tongue slid inside of her. Rick felt her legs tense around his face as he continued to slide his tongue in and out of her tight space but she kept her noises to herself. Let me hear it 'Chonne, he thought to himself as he retracted his tongue and pressed his mouth to her clit grazing his teeth along her clitoris.

"Aaaggghhhh!" Michonne screamed feeling him catch her between his teeth and his tongue gnaw against it.

Michonne quickly sat up and grabbed his face. Rick let out a little laugh as she squeezed his cheeks between her hands refusing to let him back down there. She had a weird smile and a look of disbelief on her face as she looked at him. Rick nodded.

"Too much? Okay, we'll try that again later." His smooshed toghether lips resigned as he leaned forward and kissed her.

Michonne, still reeling from the ringing of her clit, smiled at the tender kisses he planted on her lips. He slowly urged her onto her back. Rick began kissing her neck and shoulder relishing in her warm soft skin. He felt her creamy hot thighs slide along his waist and was glad he didn't completely ruin her mood with that move he made.

He unbuckled his belt and pulled down his pants as he continued to kiss her chest. When he got to her breast, he stopped and pressed his head to her shoulder. It was the first time in a long time that the tip of his cock felt like it was buzzing. He winced as he reached between them and freed his hardness from his pants and underwear. Michonne, sensing his hesistation, slid her hand down his belly until she felt it.

Her eyebrows lifted as her fingers brushed over the tip and slid down his endowed shaft. She used her other hand to move his hair from his ear as she leaned up and kissed him on the side of his forehead. When she wrapped her fingers around it she heard him groan.

She inched him closer to her entrance and felt his body curl over her as he penetrated her walls. Michonne gasped and Rick groaned as he pushed deep inside her. She was tight and her soft hot walls squeezed him as he held himself there. He looked up at Michonne whose head was pressed back into the leaves and sand. He slid his hand behind her head and leaned in to kiss her opened mouth.

They began to kiss as Rick slowly began to thrust in her. He tried with all his might to be gentle, to not detroy her the way his body kept urging him to. But as he felt her begin to meet his thrusts with her own movements he pushed up from the ground so that their chests weren't touching. He held her leg as his rhythm picked up. When he went to fast and deep her hand found it's way to his chest and he'd slow down.

It wasn't long before he'd reached his limit. Her soft hand grabbing his arms and her urgent moans rattled him. He stopped himself by imagining his grandpa and father both standing at the cave entrance rooting him on. That helped for a while, but when Michonne's chest thrusted into his and her legs and body shuddered around him, he was done. He wrapped his arm around her back and held her close as he gave one last thrust and erupted inside of her.

Rick's head spun as his body tensed and fianlly let go. They held each other for a while as their labored breaths move against each other. Eventually, Rick laid back and pulled Michonne on top of him. She laid his head on his shoulder as she felt him shrinking inside of her.

"Wow." She asserted with labored breaths still feeling her insides twitch as it corrected itself.

"Yeah." Rick agreed rubbing her back.

The next morning, Rick put on his shirt and watched Michonne lying on her stomach, her beautiful brown naked body sleeping. He ran his fingers over her calve causing her to stir a little.

"No... no, no, no." She protested and shook her head.

They'd gone again sometime in the middle of the night and he just couldn't help himself early this morning. She couldn't deny it was wonderful, better than she'd imagined, but her body literally couldn't take anymore.

"I can't anymore. I just... I can not!"

Rick chuckled knowing exactly what she was talking about. He kissed her back, shoulders, and moved her hair to kiss her cheek.

"I'm going to get us some more water and food. We have to get up soon and go check out those docks."

Michonne nodded without opening her eyes. She felt Rick drape a coat over her body before heading out.

A few hours later Rick and Michonne headed out toward the docks. They opted for the path of least resistance taking them around the center of the island and through the sand. Rick smiled back at Michonne as she walked through the sand wearing her boots over one shoulder and her katana over the other.

"Let's stop for a little while." He offered gesturing over to a boulder on the outskirts of the island.

Michonne looked over to the boulder and back at Rick. She saw the easy going happy look on his face and couldn't help but smile. She followed him over to the boulder and sat back on it.

"How much longer do you think it'll take to get there?" Michonne asked.

Rick looked down the beach toward the direction they were headed.

"At least another hour." He guestimated pulling the cantine he'd lifted off Vitor from behind him.

He offered it to Michonne who took a swig of the fresh water he'd filled it with and gave it back to him. She caught something strange on his hand as he took the cantine. His ring was off. She watched it as he took a drink of water and began to twist the top back on. Michonne narrowed her eyes and took his hand to rub the lighter part of his ring finger. She knew what it meant and was a surprised to see it.

He watched her fumble with his finger.

"I took it off last night. You were right about moving on. We can't keep looking back if we're going to move forward 'Chonne." He nodded and looked at her.

Michonne smiled and nodded.

"When did you start calling me that?"

"What?"

"'Chonne."

Rick shrugged.

"You don't like it."

"I love it. My dad used to call me 'Chonne." She confided with a warm smile as they looked at each other.

"I'm ready to move forward... with you. No matter where the road... or seas take us." It was more of a question than an admission.

Michonne smiled.

"Me too." She said as she slid her fingers into his hand.

He leaned in and they kissed.

They finally arrived to the docks. They could hear the grumblings of walkers but there was a tall man made wall fashioned from wood and dried leaves. Rick climbed the wall, and was glad there was a two-foot space to stand on top. He immediately caught the attentiong of two female walkers beneath the wall. Their growls quickly drew others in. Rick sighed at the sight as he turned and help to pull Michonne on top. Rick looked at her and towards their new set of hurdles. Michonne's eyes widened and then narrowed as she stood up along Rick's side.

She pulled her katana from it's sheath, Rick drew his colt from it's holster. They stood side by side to faced the growing hoard of walkers.