This is just a quick chapter! I promise the next one will be bigger!

Theycanstillgrow – I want Richonne to happen but the man needs to work! He effed up in s3 when he tortured Michonne. He effed up last week when he got it on with Jessie. I think the TV version of Michonne is a lot more forgiving then I am. J

Vegaslover – Beyonce's Irreplaceable is totally where Michonne is at. Thank you for the inspiration!

Paisley2 – love the empowering song choices!

Guest – well you will have to see whether I use the hoard to get rid of the Jessie problem!

CHAPTER SEVEN

To the left, to the left

Ummmmmm

To the left, to the left

Everything you own in the box to the left

Beyonce, Irreplaceable

Michonne had been mumbling the lyrics to that damn song all day. Before life became something out of a horror movie, Michonne hadn't been a big Beyonce fan. Sure, she had shaken her ass to Single Ladies like the best of them but she had favoured artists like Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Mary J Blige and India Arie who sang about real life, love and heartbreak.

This didn't, however, stop the lyrics running through her mind like crazy. Michonne supposed it was appropriate though. Rick given her a lot to think about last night. His actions didn't feel right. He said the right things but did he mean it? Was his declaration legit? Or was it pure machismo bullshit because he saw another alpha male sniffing at his bitch? Michonne laughed at her internal monologue. She was no body's bitch.

Michonne bent her left leg and stretched her right leg out in front of her. She placed her hand on her toes, stretching the full length of her leg after her 5 mile run. Michonne ran because it gave her time to process her thoughts. She was always busy in Alexandria. She helped to fortify the town. She helped to protect the town by killing Walkers and people who thought they could take what was there's. She went on runs to gather food and supplies for the community. With the exception of last night, she was always so busy. She never got the opportunity just to stop and think. Running also had the benefit of keeping her fit. She didn't want Alexandria to weaken her. She wanted to be strong enough to protect herself and her family. Alexandria would not change her.

Luckily during a supply run last month, she had found workout clothes. And she had since made the most of it. She ran 3-4 times a week. The sight of Michonne running around the block had become normal in the town. Sometimes other people joined her. Heath had joined her for 10 minutes during one session then complained he forgot he had a shift helping Dr Cloyd. By the look of his heavy breathing and sweaty face, Michonne suspected he was going to his shift a few hours earlier than planned. Jamie had also joined a couple of times. He wasn't totally suited to a runner's life though. His build was too bulky and muscular to be comfortable over long distances. But he tried. He tried because he wanted to get to know her better. He also wanted to get into her panties. Michonne didn't hate on his game. She applauded his enthusiasm. And it would be safe to say, she wore her most flatting workout outfits when he was around. Well, she had to give him a little reward, didn't she? The best thing about Jamie was the distinct lack of drama. She didn't question his motives. She didn't need to. She knew what he wanted. And she was still in a mind to give it to him. Then Rick had to go and spoil her fun.

Rick had been at his window for an hour now. He could set his watch to her. Every other day at 6:30am, Michonne stepped out of her home with a cup of coffee. She sat on the steps of her porch, scarfing down the liquid gold. She loosened her limbs with a bit of light stretching, and then she was on her way. Today she ran alone, her head deep in her thought. On Wednesday, Jamie joined her. They talked as she went through her pre run ritual. From 50m away, he could see Jamie light up as he caressed her toned body with his eyes. Occasionally, Michonne would catch him looking at her. Instead of running Jamie through with her sword as Rick hoped, she merely smiled and preened at him. She liked his attention.

Rick was in trouble. How could he compete with a new guy, with no baggage? Oh, he didn't mean his kids. He meant his self-imposed baggage that had ruined their budding relationship before it could even start. And while Rick didn't even want to think of it, the man was attractive. Lori had loved the Real Housewives and started watching a comedy based on the programme, the Real Husbands of Hollywood. While Lori was discrete in her machinations, she had been clearly infatuated with one of the actors, a man called Boris Kodjoe. Jamie looked like him. Sure, Rick was a badass motherfucker. Sure, he was good looking with his curly dark hair threaded with strands of grey. Sure, his eyes were the bluest blue seen outside of the ocean. Sure, his physique was whipcord strong with the muscular frame of an athlete. But Jamie looked like Boris Kodjoe, goddamit!

Still Rick wasn't one to doubt himself. The situation with Lori and Shane had knocked his confidence some but he pulled himself up. Didn't his relationship with Jessie show he still had it? The older ladies of the town baked cookies for him. They offered to come by and clean his house. They loved him. Rick realised with a start that he was kidding himself. Michonne was way hotter than him. Luckily, she had shown him that she valued his heart and his body. All he just needed to do was make sure her affections stayed true. The question was, how?

Rick ran down the stairs and almost took out his son, who was shuffling down them.

"Sorry son." Rick shouted as he made his way out of his home and marched up to Michonne. Michonne had a surprised look on her face as Rick stopped in front of her. For a minute, they both eyed each other. Michonne, with her eyebrow raised. Rick, with his head leaning to the left, like he was trying to analyse her.

"So Rick, how are you this fine morning?" Said Michonne, deciding to take the high ground. If Rick didn't mention their late night talk, neither would she.

"I would like to invite you over for dinner tonight" he said. Michonne breathed a sigh of relief.

"OK cool, I'll ask Daryl if he's free. He was just saying how much he missed the kids." Michonne smiled up at him.

"No Mich, the dinner will be just for you and me. No kids and no Daryl." Rick moved closer to her. He could smell the scent of the sweat from her run. He could smell her unique fragrance, a mixture of vanilla and something indescribable. Rick's blue eyes stared down at her intently, and then he smiled. He was happy to see her. He always liked being around her. Rick then wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close to him. He burrowed his face in the curve of her neck and took a deep breath.

"Is that man smelling me?" thought Michonne as she reciprocated the full body hug. She could feel the hard muscle underneath her hands and body. She could feel the stubble and see his five o'clock shadow with hints of grey growing through. Whatever this thang was between them, she felt electrified. Obviously so did Rick. Rick kissed her neck and whispered in her ear, "8pm, my place." He caressed her back, gave her a short smile then leisurely walked away. Like a boss.

Daryl, who had been watching the escapade from their living room, cackled at the display.

"Thirsty ass ho's, the both of them." He didn't say this to Michonne of course; he wanted to live to see the next day.