CHAPTER SIX
Rosita sat on Abraham's lap and laughed furiously. Daryl's Jesus juice had hit the spot. Rosita and Tara were rapping the Fresh Prince of Bel Air theme tune. Abraham sat silently, bopping his head to and fro feeling the rhyme. Sasha was conversing/interrogating Deanna's son, Spencer, on the best weapon for a walker kill. Eugene sat in the corner and observed the chaos around him like an alien, trying to understand the nuances of human interaction. Carol, who had abandoned her happy homemaker cardigan, showed her full badassary to the Alexandrian's. She was in an in-depth conversation with Deanna about battle strategy. Deanna had a lot to learn.
Michonne, meanwhile, was surrounded by Alexandrian's; Jamie, Scott and her new friend Marshall. They had been gathered in this inner circle for 20 minutes talking about life before the world went to shit. Jamie had been an illustrator. Scott, a contractor, worked closely with the crew in fortifying the walls of Alexandria. Marshall had also been a lawyer. Michonne liked opening up to these people and connecting on a level higher than the fight for survival. She was always a people person. She didn't realise till now how much she missed that. All the guys had appreciative looks in their eyes when they spoke to her. There was no bullshit. There were no hidden glances. There were no secret smiles. There was nothing that could be misinterpreted. They liked her. And now it was up to her if she wanted to take it further.
It was after midnight and the party was winding down. Most of the Alexandrian revellers had gone home, citing the long working day ahead of them. Michonne and Jamie had been together for most of the night. They talked and laughed and shared stories about their lives in and out of the apocalypse. Jamie's wife, Bebe, had died early on and while he still mourned, he was glad she was at peace. This new world isn't easy and he didn't wish this existence on someone he loved so passionately. Michonne didn't agree with this. She felt that people could adapt to any circumstances if they put their mind to it. That was what she had always tried to say to her boyfriend, Mike. She wondered what their lives could have been if he hadn't given up. Would they still be together? Would their son be alive? She lived with that thought every day.
"That is a very pretty dress on you, Michonne. You wear it well." Jamie said, smiling down at her.
"Jamie, I appreciate the compliment. You have said it four times already tonight, not that I'm counting, but I appreciate it all the same." She said tongue in cheek. Jamie's smile only got broader.
"But I'm going to have to call an end to tonight. As pretty as you are in that dress, I have to go to work in 4 hours. I should probably head home." Jamie said. He moved a step closer to her so they were standing directly in-front of each other. He held her eyes as he bent down slowly and angled his face to hers. He pressed a light kiss on her cheek, close to her mouth. Then he stepped back. Without a word, he left the room and the party. Michonne stared at his retreating figure. The broadness of his shoulders, his swagger and his confidence kept her eyes on lock as he walked away.
Michonne was startled when a voice pipped up. "Damn girl, I almost came in my panties and I don't go down like that!" Michonne turned around to see Tara and Dr Cloyd smiling at her.
"You're nasty." Michonne said with a smile on her face. She needed another drink.
Jamie had been gone for ½ hour. Michonne had circulated amongst the last ones standing. Abraham was holding court, talking to Spencer and Eugene about his experiences in the war. Deanna was in an in-depth conversation with Sasha, Rosita, Tara and Rick about something, probably about walls or walkers but nothing Michonne cared to talk about. The rest of the group had gone home except for Maggie who didn't come. Thinking about Maggie saddened Michonne. She wanted to be there for her friend but she knew there was nothing she could do to lessen her pain. Time was what she needed.
Michonne looked at Sasha and tipped her head to indicate she was leaving. Sasha smiled and mouthed the words "good night." Michonne left the party.
She was almost at her home when she heard a noise behind her. She quickly turned and saw Rick jogging towards her. Michonne wasn't in the mood for a deep and meaningful conversation with deputy Grimes. But the look on his face told her this is what he was planning.
"Hey Michonne, I saw you leaving the party." He said as he caught up with her.
"Yeah, it's been a nice evening but it's time I got to bed. I've got watch duty at midday so…I guess I'll be seeing you." Michonne said as she got to her porch. A candle light flickered in the living room. Daryl must have left it for her. He was a sweetheart.
Rick grabbed Michonne's hand as she climbed the stairs. Michonne looked at his tanned, strong hand cradling hers before she lifted her head to look at him.
"Look Michonne, I'm sorry to bother you but I wanted to talk to you. I've actually wanted to talk to you all night but you looked busy." The last words you looked busy were said with a tone Rick never used with her. He sounded annoyed.
"I just wanted to say that I'm sorry. I'm sorry I got with Jessie. But I'm sorry I hurt your feelings. You are important to me and I wanted you to know this."
Michonne appreciated his comments. At the end of the day, feelings were feelings. She had caught them, but he didn't. Tonight had shown her there was life after Grimes. Her and Rick could be close again, she knew it.
"Rick, I love you. We are good. Our family is good. I don't want you to apologise to me again. We understand each other now, probably better than we ever did. You know I'm… " She stopped when Rick tugged at her hand and pulled her towards him.
The hand holding hers lay on his chest. He held it there, looked at their two hands grasped together, sighed and looked into her eyes.
"Michonne, you are a soldier. You are a warrior. You are a lady. Pretty much since the day I met you, I have not allowed myself to feel for you. At first, it because Lori had just died. It didn't seem right. Then I guess it became habit. It was OK for me to rely on you, to love you as family. I would see you working out in the prison yard. I would watch you. But I couldn't let anyone see me, especially you. I would think what a beautiful person you were. Your skin, your body, your heart. But I told myself we couldn't be. I needed you too much to risk our relationship."
"Then we got to Alexandria and I thought if I can't have her, why can't I go back? Why can't I be the man I once was and Jessie was a reflection of that. Don't get me wrong, Jessie is a lovely woman but she is right for who I was. Not who I am now. I need you Michonne. I want you."
Rick stopped. His voice had grown tight and weary. His eyes glistened with emotion. It was obvious how much this meant to him. He looked down again at the hand he held to his chest. He bent his head down and kissed her palm. Michonne remained silent. His words stirred emotions in her. If his hand was on her chest, he would know how quickly her heart was beating. But is this truly what he wanted? Was he merely playing because others coveted what he had? Is this jealously?
"Rick, I ….I don't know what to say and I'm not sure where this is coming from. Last month, you were with Jessie and now you want me. Really Rick, what do you like about me? Are you attracted to me? Do you want to have sex with me?"
Michonne moved so close to Rick that he could feel her breathe on his face. She unlinked their hands, clasped his face and spoke slowly and clearly. "I don't just love you. I fancy you like crazy. I've fantasied about you. What I would do to you. What you would do to me. How good it would feel when we were together." Michonne moved her mouth and brushed her full lips against his. Rick shivered and returned her kiss gently. He moved his hands to her hips and willed them to stay there. He wanted to cup her ass and pull her to him so she could feel what she did to him. He wanted to tilt his head and dart his tongue in her mouth. He wanted to nibble on her full lips. There was so much he wanted to do; he just didn't know where to start. Before he could react, she stepped away and walked to the front door.
"If you want me, show me Rick. I won't settle for less."
Michonne stepped inside the house, leaving Rick on the porch. Michonne laid her laid against the front door and looked out into the candle lit living room. She smiled. Today had been a good day.