Hello everyone!

I hope you are all safe and doing fine.

First, a big shout out to all those of you who let a review, a follow, a favorite, to those who follow me now *blush* as one of your favorite authors and even to those silent readers that took a minute to stop by and read this story. It might sound repetitive but THANK YOU is all I can say without bursting into a lot of nonsense. Sorry for the late update, it was definitely done a few days ago, but life gets in the way sometimes and it sucks.

But be certain you are all making my experience with my first fic absolutely amazing. And I have the best time reading your ideas and theories.

Get ready: here is chapter 3.

I hope you enjoy it!

Love,

A.


Them

Michonne was drifting off, still trying to fall deep when he heard the knock. Slowly, she opened her eyes but stayed in bed because she was not sure if it had been at her door or if she had dreamed it. She listened intently for a few seconds or so before closing her eyes again. And there it was again. Someone was indeed knocking. Exasperated she threw the covers aside, turned on the bedside lamp, and stood up grabbing her robe to go and open the door.

I swear if it is Sasha again I'll just… She grunted thinking about ways of dealing with her friends coming back for her or to bring her something. Either way, it was mad annoying right now. Michonne opened the door in a rapid swing and instead of her friend she found Rick standing there looking impossibly handsome in that dark blue button-down shirt, his sleeves rolled up showing his forearms. Oh my god, Sasha! You and your big mouth! Suddenly, her head started to throb even more and she massaged her temples. She didn't have the strength to deal with this right now, she just couldn't. Michone braced herself giving him a shy smile.

"Hey."

"Hey", he answered. OK, that was already weird.

"I thought you guys were gone by now".

"Yes, almost. Sasha told us you were not feeling well." He tilted his head a little. It was not a question but ended up sounding like one.

"Oh, yes. It's my head. Again. I guess all the sun and the heat finally caught up with me". She didn't move. Now, it was not a good time to be playing this game. There was a whole band having fun in her head. Rick bit his bottom lip unconsciously while he watched her squint her eyes. The minimum light was bothering her.

"I mean she did say you were fine but I had to…"

He trailed off unable to say that he had to see for his own eyes that she was indeed ok and didn't need anything. Her brown orbs met his and she nodded her head. She understood what he meant, she would have done the same if the situation were reversed. That was the kind of friendship they had. Friendship, Michonne, she reminded herself.

"I know, but I am fine, I mean, as fine as I can be. I was actually trying to fall asleep…" she gestured to her bed while tightening the robe around her body.

"Oh, I am sorry, I didn't mean to… I should get going now..."

"Rick, it's fine, really. It takes time to fall asleep with this migraine. Thank you for... checking on me", she said timidly. She averted her eyes and looked around nervously. He really looks good in that shirt. Shit. This is all Sasha's fault. "You really didn't have to come up here. They are probably waiting for you".

"Nah, I do. That's what friends are for, right?" He said dragging that accent that was so sexy. Get a grip, girl. He paused a bit trying not to move too close to her and made her feel uncomfortable. Clearly, she was fine and he really needed to go and let her rest but his feet were rooted. "Are you sure there is nothing you need? More medication or maybe some tea?"

"Rick,'' she said in a stern tone looking him straight in the eyes. She saw them full of concern but she didn't have the energy to entertain anything less than going back to bed. "I. Am. OK. I took my pills and I only need to lie down for a couple of hours. You know how it goes, don't start acting like Daryl."

"I know, Michonne, just… making sure, you know." There was silence. Move, Richard. Go. "Carl said hi, by the way, I spoke to him earlier."

"He is such a sweetheart. Tell him I said hi too. They should be excited since you are going back tomorrow."

"Yeah…", that's all he could manage but she noticed not so much excitement in his voice. None actually.

"What is it? Why do you sound so disheartened?"

"Nothing," he said too fast for her liking. "I should go…"

"Rick." She knew there was something. "What is it?"

"I'll tell you some other time. It's not important and you really need your beauty sleep now and not more of me talking."

"Excuse me? Do I look that bad now, huh?" She said feigning to be partly offended and spat his arm lightly. He chuckled.

"Of course not, but you keep using that term around me and it was only a matter of time before I put it to good use too. You look beautiful as always, even in that hideous robe." Oops, so much for not trying to act weird. He saw her rolled her eyes and smiled. "I better be going now or they will start asking where I run off to." As a cue, he felt his phone buzzed and when he took it out there was a message from Daryl. "See?"

Man, come on. Let Chonne be. If you're not here in 10 all rounds are on you.

He showed her the message and she laughed. He realized that he needed to get out and right now, her laugh made him note that he was dangerously close to betraying himself. Big time.

"You left him alone with the girls?", she said.

"He can take care of himself but Glenn should be there, and Abe. And the rest of the men from the crew. He is not alone."

"I know at least Abe can drink his weight and Daryl doesn't fall too far, so you better be going if you don't want to lose that bet."

"If I didn't know you any better I would think you are trying to get rid of me." She just looked at him and said nothing. "Are you?"

"I plead the Fifth on that," she said seriously but with a glint of fun in her eyes. He chuckled again. She had a migraine but other than that he could see she was fine.

"OK. Got the message loud and clear. I'll leave you to it or they'll make me go bankrupt, " he said while replying to Daryl that he was on his way to the bar.

"Rick," she said now with a bit of concern. "You know I am here for you, right? You can talk to me if you need to talk about… anything".

"I know. But not now." She nodded. "Just rest, ok? I'll see you when we come back to see how you are feeling."

"There is no need. I know everyone is going to be really busy tomorrow. And Sasha and Daryl might beat you to it".

"We both know they will be too drunk to do that since he already wants me to pay for his drinks", he heard her laugh again.

"I really hope they don't neglect their sick friend just because they are ass drunk", she said with a smile.

"I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you. Everybody seems desperate to enjoy tonight too much."

"Have fun for me, then. You seem to need it more than everyone".

"I'll do my best". He took a deep breath and suddenly slid his hands down both her arms as a caress and kissed her forehead. He could feel the heat coming from her body. Go now for fuck's sake! "I'll see you later".

Michonne just smiled short. She was not going to fight him about coming back to see her after they return from the bar. She'll cross that bridge when she gets to it. She saw him walk back to the elevator and once he stepped into it, she placed the Do not disturb sign on the knob and closed the door.

She had to do it, she had to make him leave. His migraine had to go away for all that was sacred and having him there was not going to help. She rubbed her temples again and walked back to her bed, getting rid of her robe and throwing it in the nearby chair. Turning off the lamp, she climbed into the bed again and tried to find a comfortable position to fall asleep.

She had wanted to talk more with Rick; she knew this break meant that they won't see each other for several weeks, just the occasional phone calls, but on the other hand, she thought that she really shouldn't. That will only make everything worse and more complicated. She has seen and felt things but she certainly didn't want to assume anything and even less act on them.

Michonne felt like her head was about to split in two and if she didn't try to empty her mind she was going to have a really hard night. She tried to relax again and think about going back home and the delicious hot bath she was going to get with her collection of oils, candles, and body scrubs. Slowly, she drifted off again. Blue irises seem to keep chasing her in her dreams.


And, that's all! How'd you like it? Let me know your thoughts. I am always glad to read them and take them into consideration. See you in chapter 4. Very soon ;)