A/N: Hello, Dear Readers! Thanks for the phenomenal response to the prologue. Your feedback has been great. This chapter was written by the wonderfully talented thematsaidwelcome; please go and show her some love on her page, and at Tumblr. Okay, here we go!


Walking had never been a problem for Rick. It was the most reliable way to get from point A to point B after the world went to shit. The luxury of sitting while you traveled was just that, a luxury, but as he watched his feet take one step in front of the other, he couldn't help thinking about his old squad car, the nameless horse that took him into the city the day he met Glenn, the beat up Suburban that drove him, Carl and Hershel off the farm or the RV that they used to get Maggie to the Hilltop the night he seemed to lose everything. Thinking back over all he'd gone through to get to this point although agonizing, it was nothing like the pain of not seeing his family for so long. That need to see them is what propelled his steps and kept his complaining at bay. Each step he took was taking him that much closer to his little girl and the woman he loved more than anything.

As he walked Rick remembered watching her plan for the future, plan for the better of man, plan for those around her even if they didn't appreciate all the work she put in. All her hard work for a future gave him plans of his own. He smiled thinking of that yellow pencil as it flipped through the air and the plans for a future he wanted to share with her. A future that was cut short and blown up in a blazing ball of flames. But as with all great love stories there was nothing that could keep them apart. Not time, distance or worldly elements. As hot as those flames were, they were nothing compared to the heat him and Michonne created when they shut the world out, dropped the title of leaders and became just husband and wife. Those were the real flames and those were the memories that he held on to each and every day to make sure he got back to her.

The sun was almost at its highest when he saw the gates in the distance. Holding off the urge to run full speed for the tall metal that separated the community from everyone else, he kept his steps steady and pressed on at a safe pace as not to alert anyone of his arrival. Knowing how long it had been since he last graced the front gates, he decided to air on the side of caution and walk around the east side first to see if he could see anyone. There was a hidden exit there that only a few people knew about and were instructed to use if the front was blocked or they couldn't get to it. He hoped it was still there.

Placing his hand on the steel panel, he felt around until his middle finger touched the tiny latch that opened the secret door in the steel panel. Using his stealthlike skills he quietly stepped inside, looking around to make sure no one saw him. He didn't see anyone nearby, but he heard voices in the distance. With a light step he moved toward the sound of people talking. Keeping himself hidden along the steel barriers, he walked until he could see who the voices were coming from. Stooping down to make sure he wasn't seen as he got closer, he saw two children sitting on a wooden bench, their backs to him.

"So why doesn't the princess just save herself?"

"I don't know, RJ," Judith shrugged. "That's the way they used to write these old timey stories. The women always waited for their knight in shining armour to rescue them. It's kind of dumb."

"Too bad they didn't know you and mama," RJ beamed. "The story would be a lot different." Hopping off the bench, RJ picked up a long wooden stick off the ground and got into position to joust with his big sister. Judith had a matching stick that they used for practice and she swung the tip low, blocked by RJ, then high, blocked by him again. They did this dance for a few minutes, Judith backing him up gaining the upper hand, then relinquishing her lead, allowing him to do the same. Through the whole thing, she watched his big brown eyes as they changed from intense and focused to amused and playful. His dark curls bounced everywhere with each step he took.

"You're getting good at this R.J., almost as good as me." She took a step forward with her left foot, touching the tip of her sword ever so gently to the outside of his left thigh. "Almost."

"Awe man. That's not fair. You distracted me."

"Maybe so, but what did mama say about distractions?"

"Nothing's more important than our lives. We can't let anything distract us," RJ mumbled. He knew how important it was to stay focused. He'd seen what happened when people didn't and he didn't want to end up like them.

"Yep," she placed her arm around his shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "You want to read another story?"

"Yes, but does it have to be a fairy tale? I like the one about the ham."

"That's in the house," Judith took his stick from his hand. "Grab the other books and we'll go get it. Lunch is probably almost ready anyways."

"Is mama gonna make me take a nap?" His steps faltered and his movements slowed at the prospect of having to get in the bed during the middle of the day.

"She probably will," Judith said knowing how much her little brother hated naps.

"Then let's wait to go in for a little bit," he sat on the wooden bench that was in the courtyard they were playing just inside the steel walls. With all the extra traps that were installed and less walkers to contend with, they were allowed to be by themselves today, but always still close enough to be within earshot should anything happen. Judith had just sat down beside him when they heard a rustling coming from the trees nearby. She and RJ both stilled to listen closer, then stood. They didn't hear the tale tell signs of feet dragging slow through the fallen leaves or the low moans of the undead, so putting herself in front of her brother Judith trained her gun on the approaching sound, waiting for it to come into view. As soon as the feet were visible, she sprang into action with her first commands.

"Stop right there." Peeking around his sister, RJ saw the man slow his steps. His hands raised by his dirty bearded face, palms out towards them. Recognition in his eyes. "I said stop!" she repeated a bit more forceful this time. He stood still, looking her over as well as the gun she held so comfortably in her hands. A gun he knew well. He wanted to smile at the fierceness in her eyes. No doubt a trait she got from Michonne. Michonne. Her face flashed across his mind. He was so close. "Who are you?"

"What's your… what's your name?" he asked, choking out the words, trying not to be too loud in his questioning. She stared at him, never letting the gun sway. "I'm Rick," he finally said. "I used to live here." He slowly put his hands down. "I'm gonna turn around, so you can see I don't have a weapon." Leading with his right foot, he turned to the left making a circle with his feet. Judith scanned his body, paying close attention to his waist and checking for anything concealed in his pant legs. Aside from some well-worn clothes, he seemed to be unarmed, but she kept the gun trained on him anyways.

"What are you doing here?" she asked him.

"Looking for my family," he noticed the old faded brown hat she wore. "My son…" he went silent for a moment thinking about when he gave his sheriff's hat to Carl after he was shot the first time. He was such a strong boy that grew up into an even better man and his death still didn't make sense to him. "My son used to have a hat like that."

"It was my brother Carl's." The words flew out of her mouth before she could think about it. This dirty stranger who was in her line of fire had a voice that she'd heard before and familiar eyes, but she didn't know why.

"I knew Carl," he whispered. Then it hit him. The gun in her hand, the hat on her head over her long brown hair. Even the sword slung across her back. "Judith?"

"How do you… how do you know my name?" Judith was sceptical of the stranger before her, but his familiar eyes wouldn't allow her to be too scared. Rick's knees buckled, his heart sped up and he felt light headed, but he forced his eyes to stay on her. To replace the memories he had of her with these new features in front of him. The eyes, nose and mouth that he saw everyday on the baby he rocked to sleep so long ago. The toddler that he played hide and seek with, the precocious child that drew him with a tummy all those years ago.

"I'm your daddy," he declared. His knees gave then, dropping to the ground, the dried leaves crushing under his weight. He drew in a deep sharp breath, not believing that this day had finally come.

"Daddy." Her scepticism turned to astonished joy. The gun she had trained on him, fell to her side before it was tucked back into the holster.

"Daddy."

Taking a tentative step her curiosity propelled her forward, so she was walking to stand in front of a kneeling Rick. RJ still hiding himself, stayed behind her as she looked over his face with every step. The beard was fuller, longer, but her hands remembered brushing against it. His piercing blue eyes commanding, yet kind and gentle. He nodded his head up and down, unable to come up with any words that would accurately describe his feelings at the moment. She kept walking until she was right in front of him, the edge of her boot touching the tip of his fingertip. He raised his head seeing her face up close for the first time in too many years. If his mind was working right, he'd be able to tell the number, down to the days, but right now he was too busy recommitting her face to his memory. She repeated that word again. The word he's heard in his dreams every night since that awful day.

"Daddy."

His fingers starting to move, touching the hem of her jeans, her knees, making sure she was real then her shoulders, squeezing her gently wanting to feel the bones that made up his little girl.

"Judith."

Her arms flew around his neck, his around her waist. He picked her up stroking the strands of her hair, his tears fell steadily down his cheeks. "Judith," he repeated in a whisper.

"Mom said you'd come back. She said she couldn't reorder the world by herself," Judith hugged him then. She hugged him tight, with all the strength and power she had. She was happy to have him back. Happy to have him where he belonged. Happy to see him, to feel his scruffy beard on her hands and to be able to see the face that looked so much like the one she was just telling a story to.

"Who's your friend?" Rick asked, looking beyond Judith to the shy curly haired boy that stood behind her a few steps away. He was watching the reunion with apt interest wondering who the stranger was that had his big sister so engrossed.

"That's not my friend," Judith giggled. "That's RJ."

"RJ," Rick repeated aloud, then silently again in his head as he looked the small child over. His familiar face made him smile. The shy eyes, deep with honesty and skepticism. RJ stayed quiet allowing the man to look him over, aware that Judith wouldn't let any harm come to him. "RJ," he said again, setting Judith on the feet. His eyes traced every strand of the boys hair that mirrored his own when he allowed it to grow and showcase the naturally curly pattern of his tresses. The shape of his mouth that reminded him of Michonne when she was concentrating on something important. "RJ," he repeated.

"My little brother." The realization hit Rick like a ton of bricks. Her brother. His son. RJ. A beautiful boy the color of a love that could only be created by Michonne and him. Judith reached her hand back to let RJ know it was alright to come closer. Gingerly stepping forward he stood behind Judith, peering around her to the dirty stranger with the kind eyes that was smiling at him.

"Hel...hello, RJ," he cleared his throat of the strain caused by the absolute astonishment of his son standing in front of him brought on. "It's nice to meet you," he whispered before the tears started to streak down his face. "You look like your mother."

"She says I look like my daddy," RJ said quietly.

"I suppose you do look like him too."

"What's your name?" RJ asked. He knew he had said it before, but didn't know what else to say. Clearing his throat again, Rick scratched at his beard before answering.

"Rick. Rick Grimes." Smiling wide, RJ came out from behind Judith to stand next to her.

"That's my name," he pointed to his chest, amazed he shared a name with someone.

"I guess we have that in common. It's a pretty cool name." Rick wanted so much to touch him. To feel if he was as warm as he knew Michonne to be, but he knew he had to go slow. "What were you and your sister doing out here?"

"She was telling me stories."

"What kind of stories?"

"The ones from the book," he pointed to the thick worn book that was sitting on the bench. Rick smiled, wondering where it had been picked up from. He could tell that the cover was at one time white, but it's many reads had turned it almost a grey color.

"It's full of fairy tales. Mom doesn't like them that much," Judith said.

"Why not?"

"She says they aren't realistic," Judith shrugged, feeling the same way, but knew they provided entertainment. "Uncle Daryl says you tell great stories," Judith added.

"The ones he tells are all about Dog," RJ groaned. Standing up, Rick walked over to the bench to pick up the book. Thumbing through it, the pictures of the tales brought back memories of the bedtime stories Carl used to love so much before he decided he was too old for them. "Do you know any stories?" RJ asked him. Thinking, Rick sat down and watched as RJ sat next to him. All he wanted to do was stare at his small face. The face the he'd created with Michonne. His son. Their son. "Do you?" RJ asked again, bringing him back with his question. Rick nodded his head as an answer and began the story.

"Once upon a time on a hot Georgian day a very tired and sad man was saved by a beautiful Queen…"

He went on to tell a story about how the man and the Queen had to work together to slay an evil dragon. The mission took a long time and by the time it was over they were starting to fall in love. The man had a prince and a princess that lived with him in the concrete castle, and together with the Queen they all became a family. Then one day there was a huge explosion at the castle and the princess was lost. The man and the prince had to run away as fast as they could, leaving the Queen behind. The brave prince and the man traveled until they couldn't anymore. Since the man was badly hurt, the prince and the man had to find a house to hide in in case anymore evil dragons were out there. Finally able to fall asleep, the man slept for a long time because he was missing the princess and the Queen.

"Did they ever find the Queen?" RJ asked

"No. She found them," Rick said with a huge smile remembering the sound of Michonne's knocks on the door and her face through the peephole. " After the man was rested enough they set out on another adventure. The prince, the Queen and the man traveled more and had to fight more evil dragons."

"Did they slay the dragons?" RJ asked engrossed in the story.

"Yes," Rick said. "The beautiful Queen used her powerful sword and the man used his gun…" he glanced at the Colt resting in the holster that hung from Judith's waist. "They worked together and were able to cut down all the evil dragons that came after them. Then one day the Queen and the man went to a carnival. While they were there they got married and the man became a King."

Rick ended the story there, not wanting to go into detail about how the Queen loved the King in spite of his broken pieces. How she loved him unconditionally and because of that, he would do anything in his power to make sure she was happy. He wanted to apologize to them both for not being with them for so long. For not being able to watch them grow and thrive. For not being able to see them smile when they learned something new or cry when frustration set in. But he didn't know where to start. Seeing their faces, all he wanted to do was just keep them smiling at him.

"Then what happened?" Judith asked.

"They lived happily ever after." Rick said with finality. "Does your mom usually let you two stay out here by yourselves?"

"We're within shouting distance." RJ said to a smiling Rick, who remembers his mom telling him the same thing when he was a child. "Judith can protect us if the walkers come...or anyone else."

"I bet she can," Rick nodded. "What about you?" Rick asked RJ, wanting to know if he could protect himself if he had to.

"We play sword fight. Judith says I'm getting really good." He stood a little taller projecting himself as the fighter he knew he was. "Do you know how to play?"

"No. You want to show me?" Hopping off the bench, RJ picked up the two sticks that he and Judith used earlier, handing one to Rick then taking a step back to get into position.

"You want to stand like this," RJ told him, his feet square with his shoulders, holding the sword with both hands at the base in front of him. Rick mimicked his stance.

"Like this?" he asked.

"Yes. Now you have to try and block me." With a flick of his little wrist, RJ swung the tip of the sword toward Rick. Taking a step back, Rick blocked RJ's first attempt, then the sparring was on. Judith watched intently as the father and son duo worked up a sweat swinging, blocking and cutting through the air with their makeshift swords.

"Stay focused RJ," Judith urged. "You can't let him get the upper hand. Always be thinking of your next move. Watch his feet and his eyes." Rick was impressed at the way Judith was teaching her brother. No doubt she learned all she knew from Michonne. Even at her young age she was a force to be reckoned with. Having a proud father moment, Rick forgot to pay attention and RJ touched the tip of his sword to the side of his knee. "There you go RJ!"

"You got me." Rick dropped his stick and fell to his knees, clutching his chest in defeat. The grin on RJ's face was well worth the pain of the small rocks that were pressing into his knees.

"You're funny," RJ laughed. He picked up the stick that Rick dropped then held out his hand to help him up. "You can't take your eyes off your opponent."

"I'll remember that next time. Thank you."

"Come on RJ, it's time for lunch."

"Will you eat with us?" RJ asked Rick. "I'm sure my mom wouldn't mind." Not being able to help himself, Rick picked RJ up and held him. Discreetly inhaling his scent and touching his hair. He was just as warm as he thought he'd be. Rick could feel his little heartbeat against his chest and it made him want to cry. It was strong and steady and created by him and Michonne.

"I'd love to."

Walking into the house, Judith went straight for the kitchen where Michonne was plating up lunch.

"I was just about to come get you two," she said turning around expecting to see both her children. "Where's RJ?" Michonne asked a bit of panic in her voice.

"He's coming."

"You left him by himself?"

"No. He's with Daddy." Michonne went still, not understanding what Judith was talking about, then she heard the sound of heavy boots on the hardwood floor. Looking to the kitchen door she stared at the shadowed man in the doorway who was holding her son.

"Hello Michonne."