Chapter Nine: Wreckless Love

"Can I ask you a question?" Rick and Michonne had the house to themselves for the night. Michonne kept her eyes glued on Kevin McCallister setting his house with booby traps in 'Home Alone.' She reached over to the popcorn still sitting between them and grabbed a handful, eating them one by one.

Rick assumed she didn't hear him, "Michonne?"

"Hmm?" Her eyes darted to him and then back to the movie. She laughed when one of the robbers touched the burning door knob and then looked over and saw Rick waiting for her full attention.

"Your necklace? Is there a story behind it?" Rick had been seeing her twiddle with her necklace often after Carl's shooting. She would be lost in thought, pulling at the chain or touching the 'M' to her lips like a rosary.

Michonne reached for the remote and a water bottle on the coffee table and pressed pause on the TV. She played with the bottle's top; twisting it open and close. She suddenly felt very tired and nervous.

"It was a gift," she finally said after more than a moments pause. Michonne touched her necklace, moving the 'M' back and forth on the chain. Rick watched as her eyes grew distant.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have…" he rubbed his thumb and forefinger together, embarrass that his attempt to get to know Michonne failed. Embarrass that she may think his intentions were selfish. "I'm sorry," he said again.

"Mike," she said softly. "It stands for Michonne and Mike. He was my boyfriend."

"Oh." Rick felt disappointment; is this why she pulled away?

He decided not to ask more questions. Michonne would disclose her past some day or not at all and Rick knew he needed to be okay with that. She stopped fiddling with the necklace, dropping her hands in her lap and clenched them together.

"Michonne?" He moved the bowl of popcorn to the table and gently pulled her to him, enclosing her into a side hug. "I'm really sorry if I made you remember something bad."

"No. I was actually thinking about the good and the bad," she said. Michonne unclenched and clenched her hands into a fist over and over. "It wasn't always rainbows and sunshine, but Mike… I loved him."

Rick thoughts turned to Lori; he loved her too, so much so that he tried to find her in someone else. But, their marriage wasn't a fairytale, he wasn't the perfect husband and she wasn't the perfect wife. He felt Michonne take a breath and let it out.

She broke the hug and scooted her back to the couch. "He was also the father of my child, the necklace was a token of love to our son." Michonne reached up and touched her necklace again, Rick gave her a reassuring smile, he too use to keep a reminder of what he and Lori had. That reminder was now gone only leaving behind a tan line on his ring finger.

"Then it just became a reminder that I should hate that man and myself," she continued. Michonne sniffed and wiped tears from her eyes, sighing she closed them for a moment. Rick was taken aback, he felt she had no reason to hate herself.

"I don't feel that way anymore," she said looking at him as if she read his thoughts. "I can take it off anytime. I'm fine."

"You don't have to take it off," he reached over to her and gave her hand a squeeze. "You shouldn't."

Michonne grinned, "I use to think that Mike and I had that one of a kind type of love, but…"

"But what?"

"I met you."

He and Michonne stared at each other for a silent moment until Michonne removed her hand and stood up. Rick tried not to grin from her words. He picked at the carpet lint on the floor trying to think of what to say next, but all he could do was think about what he wanted to do.

"Rick."

Looking up, he eyed Michonne standing above him and before he could say anything, she removed her top. Rick swallowed and without thinking he grabbed onto her jean-cladded thighs while she kneeled down on top of him. He wasn't quite sure what he should do first, but he didn't need to think for long. Michonne took the initiative and kissed him, his hands traveled up her back and grabbed onto the back of her head, tentatively sticking his tongue in her mouth that she gladly accepted, following his lead with her own.

He felt himself grow as she moaned and began slowly gyrating onto him. Rick massaged the back of her neck, breaking the kiss and moving his lips to her neck. It didn't take long for him to notice that the necklace was no longer there.

"Dad."

Rick felt hard pokes against his shoulder, he groaned against the pillow and tried to move onto his other side. That was when he realize he was on the couch and not in his bed.

"Dad!"

"What," Rick answered groggily. The curtains were all open in the living room so he kept his eyes close.

"Mom and I are leaving." Those words caused Rick to immediately open his eyes and sit up, he wiped the sleep from them and looked over at Carl.

"What? Where?" Rick swallowed repeatedly, trying to build up saliva for his dry mouth. His back was aching and being awaken so suddenly formed a headache.

"Mom didn't say." Carl wore a blue polo with shorts and only carrying with him another comic book.

Rick stood up and pointed upstairs, "She up there?"

Carl nodded and sat on the couch, putting his nose in his comic. Rick stretched, trying to get out the kinks in his back and climbed up the stairs. Entering their bedroom, he saw Lucy on the bed; she perked her head up then laid it back down. Rick could see the bathroom door was closed and the faucet running, he snapped his fingers at Lucy to get her attention.

"Get down. You know better." The dog only stirred, but didn't move from her spot. Rick frowned, walking to the bed, he moved Lucy himself and gave her a massage to show he wasn't mad just as Lori walked out of the bedroom.

"Lucy was on the bed again," he said turning to see her placing cosmetics in a bag. Her usual straight hair was pulled up loosely in a French twist. Wearing black skinny jeans with a blouse and black blazer, Lori only nodded and went back to the closet grabbing her flats.

Rick stood up and sat on the bed. Where are you and Carl going?" Lori didn't answer, with her flats on she went to the drawer and search through her jewelry box. Rick stared at the back of Lori's head, he knew she was giving him the silent treatment.

"Listen. I don't want to argue. I just want to know where you're taking Carl."

Lori put her earrings on and faced him, she looked like she wanted to spit venom on Rick's face. "Carl has his honor roll breakfast today," she viewed the puzzled expression on Rick's face. "Of course you forgot."

"Well, I can get dress." His ears burned, how could he forget, how was he supposed to know?

"I rather you not come," she said grabbing her car keys. "And he's going to stay with my parents for a week."

"Carl has nothing to do with this," Rick stood up, his voice raising an octave.

"Which is why he won't be here. You want him to hear us fighting."

"We don't have to fight."

Lori rolled her eyes, "what's the saying, 'if you want something you'll fight for it.'"

Rick absorbed Lori's words; he did fight for her once, but that fight was over. When he didn't say anything further, Lori sighed and walked out the room, slamming the bedroom door behind her.

Lucy got up and sniffed at the door, she whined for a moment and then walked around Rick, hopping back on the bed.

"Am I in the dog house with you too?" He asked facetiously, Lucy laid her head down and closed her eyes, "I guess I am."

Leaving the room, Rick could hear Lori instructing Carl to pick up behind himself. He walked downstairs and saw Carl waiting by the door.

"Hey buddy," Rick walked over to Carl and gave him a hug, "I forgot about the breakfast at your school and—"

"That's ok dad."

Rick observed Carl's expression, the young boy seemed unfazed by the news, "I'll be there, just a few minutes late."

Carl patted Rick on the shoulder in a way that made Rick feel like he was the child and Carl was the parent. "Dad it's ok. You had a rough week, rest."

Rick shook his head, the level of maturity Carl was displaying amazed him. Rick could see the Carl that was left behind in the other world in the one that was standing before him.

"I'll see you soon then."

Lori came into the living room and handed Carl his book-bag. "I'll be back tomorrow. I want to spend some time with my parents," she said to Rick. Carl opened up the door and ran to the car, Lori took a step out and turned to Rick.

"Is that woman still in town?" Her eyes narrowed, a humid breeze crossed between them making some of Lori's strands fall into her face. She hastily smoothed them back in place.

Rick stared blankly at Lori and shook his head, "No." She looked at him for a few seconds, there was something on the tip of her tongue that she wanted to say, but instead she smiled tensely before closing the door behind her.

Rick took a glimpse out the window and watched Lori pull out of the driveway. He then reached into his back pocket for his cellphone and searched through the list of names until he got the one he needed. The phone rang three times before the person on the other end picked up.

"We need to talk," Rick said.

Freshly showered and dressed, Rick tried his hand at cooking breakfast, but the results were pitiful. As he sat down to eat his soggy pancakes and burnt sausage, the doorbell rang. Without hesitation he grabbed his colt that sat beside him and went to the front door. Rick looked through the peephole to see Morgan standing at the door reaching to ring the bell again. Rick eyes glazed over to the gun he was holding and he shook his head at his hyper vigilance. Tucking the colt in his waistband and making sure his shirt covered it, Rick opened the door.

"Come in," Rick tried to make his voice friendly. It had almost been a full day since he last spoke with the other man; the rage Rick felt had lessen considerably, but he was still wary.

This was the most casual Rick had seen Morgan look; wearing a white polo shirt with cargo pants and sandals, Morgan took off his schoolboy cap. Rick found it curious that Morgan didn't seemed unaffected by Rick's brash behavior towards him yesterday.

"I know I'm early," Morgan said, twisting his cap in his hand.

Rick looked at his watch, "almost two hours early."

"My wife wants to have me all to herself before I dive into the Peletier case."

"I understand."

"I can't stay for long."

"That's fine. I thought we could talk about a couple of thangs."

"Rick, again. I didn't know," he said solemnly.

Rick's jaw clenched and he gestured for Morgan to take a seat. "I don't want to talk about that. You say it was a mistake then it was."

Rick actually wanted to take a different approach to getting Morgan to spill what he knew about him and Michonne.

"I'm the one who needs to come clean to you. When we met at the hospital, I didn't know who you were. I still don't."

Morgan laughed, "You were pretending to know me?"

Rick cringed, "yeah," he confessed.

Morgan sat his hat down beside him and scratched his head, "you had me fooled then Rick."

"We were childhood friends, right?"

"Sort of. I was more the older kid that stop some bullies from stealing your lunch money. Your guardian angel in a way."

"Humph," Rick smiled, he remember having bullies, but Morgan was still not popping up in his memories.

"I didn't live in town for long though," Morgan continued. "Only a couple of months then we moved."

Rick nodded, "Lambert said the other day that he didn't know you lived here before. I guess that explains why." Rick studied Morgan—looking for signs he was lying—but Morgan was calm.

"Officer Kendal?"

Rick nodded.

"I don't remember Lambert either."

"My guardian angel, huh. I remember those bullies; Kenny and Ted and some others."

"You remember them attacking that treehouse you had in the woods by the lake. Pushing you down, threatening to do more than just beat you; Shane ran the other way."

Rick swallowed, he did remember that day when the neighborhood bullies took their abuse to another level. Rick shifted, he could feel that it was now he who was being observed.

"Yeah, but Shane was there, you weren't."

"Shane ran away," Morgan refuted. "He left you there and now I don't blame him, but still, he left you."

How does he know this?

"Listen," Morgan continued. "You've changed a lot since then, but I'd like to think I know you Rick."

Rick stared intensely at Morgan, "I don't understand, how?"

"It's just a feeling." He said throwing up his hands. "You've saved my life; those boys they came back lookin for me." Morgan softly chuckled, "they found me. Humph. Beat me, called me out of my name. But here you come with a shotgun in hand. You could barely carry that thang, but you held it with confidence. They didn't think you would shoot, but you did."

Rick's eyes soften.

"It was a warning shot and they scurried off." Morgan readjusted himself on the couch, sitting on the edge of it; closing some of the space that was between them. "I want to work with you because you're still the same boy that saved my life that day. That was you. Except you're a man now. But still the same you that's right in front of me right now."

They stared at each other for a while until Rick eyes moved to the pictures on the wall. Shifting careers meant a pay raise, there was no going back to that place where money and bills cease to be any value. If he was going to go through the divorce and make sure Carl's future was still secure, a Sheriff's deputy salary was not going to cut it.

But still he had a nagging feeling his gut that something wasn't right.

"Have you heard of a walker before?" Morgan eyes squinted and shook his head.

"A walker? What is that?"

"Dead people coming back to feed on the living." Rick cheeks grew warm as soon as he explained it he wish he could take it back.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Morgan stood up, grabbing his hat and then walking to the door. "I get it, you don't want the position—."

"I accept." Rick scratched at his face. "I'll be you partner."

Morgan grinned and came back over extending his hand for Rick to shake. "Trust me my friend. Your future is bright."

Michonne walked down the aisle perusing the different array of toys and games inside King's County Toys. She was amused by the fact that most of the mom and pop stores in town were named after the county; she had passed three businesses that sat next to each other—all named King County's insert generic description of store. There wasn't a Toys R Us or mall in sight; the old her would have been annoyed to be in a town with limited options, but her mysterious other life seemed to have change her materialistic whims.

For it being the weekend it wasn't crowded inside the store, Michonne assumed it was because people were in church. She picked up a wooden toy car, the display sign stated it was hand-carved, but the absence of imperfections and the ten identical toys next to it proved that the car was not. She sat it down and walked to the books, thumbing through well-known titles and a few written by unknown authors. Michonne picked out five that she felt Andre would enjoy. Stacking them in her arm, she turned the corner not seeing the boy running towards her until he bumped into her legs.

"Sorry!" He said.

Michonne didn't respond, she gazed at his elfish features, his piercing blue eyes and neatly cut brown hair. He was much shorter and younger and untouched from the horrors of her prior life than the Carl Grimes she called her son. His eyes met with hers and Michonne felt disappointment that they held no sign of recognition.

"Are you ok?" He asked.

Michonne swallowed trying to find words. She never had trouble talking with Carl before, but she didn't know what to say to him or what to share, they were strangers again.

"I'm fine," she said smiling.

"Are you new in town?"

"Just visiting, actually."

"My name is Carl Grimes, he exclaimed all formal. Carl held out his hand, Michonne bent slightly forward and shook it. She tried to keep herself from smiling too widely at how different her first meetings with him were.

"Michonne Calles"

"Do you have a kid?" Michonne looked perplexed for a moment until Carl pointed to the books that were slipping from her arm.

She smiled and readjusted them, "I have a son."

"Where is he?" Carl looked behind her as if Michonne's son was hiding behind her legs.

"He's not with me." Michonne watched as his face fell which made her heart sing. "He's only two going on three. I don't know if you boys would have much to talk about."

Carl sheepishly grinned, Michonne wonder if he was this talkative to other strangers or maybe she was familiar to him.

"Do you read comics to him?" He asked.

"Umm, we haven't graduated to that level. Why? Got any recommendations?"

Carl walked over to a small section of books that were stacked on top of each other. On the bottom of the shelf were comics' carelessly tossed all over. Michonne watch as he flip through them. He finally picked a comic and came back to her.

"You should start with Akira."

Michonne grabbed the comic from him, "Actually, I read Akira in high school. I was bit of a nerd."

Carl made a dramatic gasp, "You read comics?"

"This is actually called a manga. A little different from comics and I used to read them a lot, but then I became an adult."

"Bummer."

Michonne laughed, "Yeah I had to trade my mangas for law books." It was then Michonne noticed the woman from the restaurant, same one that wouldn't stop giving Michonne and Rick looks the other night.

"Carl, where's your mother?" No friendly welcome was given to Michonne instead the woman looked at her with suspicion.

"Next door," he said nonchalantly.

"And your dad?"

"Home."

"Well don't you think you should get over to where your mother is?" Michonne rolled her eyes, she knew the lady's concern for Carl was less than genuine.

"Mom said I can buy something here. I'm fine. Thank you," Carl crossed his arms, not moving from his spot even after the woman huffed.

"I'll go get your mother."

"He said he is fine," Michonne said sharply. The woman glared at her and Michonne glared back.

"Mrs. Tilton. I'm just helping her with her books." Carl reached up to take the books from Michonne's arm. They weren't heavy, but she allowed the kid to help. She watched Carl turn to Mrs. Tilton and looked her in the eye with defiance. The woman lips pursed and her eyes looked Michonne up and down.

"Can I come over and walk Baxter, Mrs. Tilton?" Carl asked with a smile. Michonne couldn't stop herself from smirking, she knew that false smile all too well. It was nice to know that even without the trauma he went through in his other life there were still certain qualities about Carl that remained the same.

Mrs. Tilton only nodded and abruptly left them alone. Michonne eyes followed her as she walked out the door. Michonne wondered if she was on her way to inform Mrs. Grimes what was going on here. Michonne frown, she didn't want any confrontation today, especially not with Rick's wife.

"Hey," she poked Carl on the shoulder. "You really shouldn't be talking to strangers. Give me the books back." She gestured for him to return the items to her which he reluctantly did.

"You seem cool," he argued.

"Thanks, but if I was your mother I would be worry, so head back over next door and let her know you're okay." Carl stared at her long enough to make her second guess whether he too was going through the same confusion as her and Rick, but then he broke into a grin.

"Bye!" He yelled running out the door.

"Bye," she said softly as she discovered another memory.

"The PT isn't working." Michonne eyebrows furrowed as she watch Carl angrily throw the tennis ball across the room. He turned to Michonne, he was trying to not cry. "A tennis ball is not going to help me against a walker. Or people," he spat.

Michonne waited until she was sure he was done with his outburst, retrieving the ball she turned to him. "You just started therapy a month ago. It takes time."

"I should be out there shooting."

"Baby steps."

Carl put his hands up and rubbed his head, "this is stupid."

"Carl?" Michonne reached out to him only for Carl to take a step back. He then tried to walk past her, but she grabbed his arm. "Stop." She let his arm go when he turned to look at her, Michonne felt tremendous empathy for Carl's pain, but the last thing she wanted was to lose him.

"You think you're a burden on us, but you're not."

"I am. I can't help you guys out there. I won't be able to shoot properly. I can't even focus for TWO SECONDS without getting dizzy."

"You're not."

"I am—"

"Carl!" Michonne said sharply. "You've already come back from the worst. You fought for life and won. This is NOT the end. I won't allow you to give up."

"But—"

"No. You will be able to go back outside. You will be able to shoot again. You will adapt like you've always done because you're strong Carl. Stronger than me, stronger than your dad. You're going to outlive us all. So don't you dare say 'I can't.' You can and you will."

Carl slowly shook his head, "mom," he whispered.

Michonne's eyes widen; she hadn't been addressed in that manner since Andre. She shook her thoughts and decided that she misheard Carl.

"Did you say something?"

"I miss my mom."

Michonne nodded her head, understanding the hurt he was experiencing.

"You're the closes thing I have to my mom," he picked at his bandage. "You… You are my mom."

Michonne sighed, "Carl."

"I can have two moms. I can right?"

Michonne stood frozen for a moment, but reach out and pulled Carl into a hug. She felt his arms grip her tighter. She never had any expectations for Carl to call her 'mom,' sometimes she'd hope he wouldn't out of respect for Lori, but she would be a liar if she said hearing him say those words didn't feel right.

"You can."

Michonne bought a few more toys she knew she wouldn't be able to find back home, the books, and the Akira manga Carl picked out for her. As she was leaving her cell rang, moving her bags to one hand, she managed to dig the phone out of her purse and answered.

"Hello."

"You haven't run off, have you?"

Michonne grinned and stopped walking. She didn't think she'll ever get tired of hearing Rick's voice.

"Nope. Still here. Shopping actually."

She heard him chuckle on the other end, "my town isn't exactly the shopping mecca."

"Ah come on this town isn't bad. I found some cool things that aren't sold in Atlanta."

"Like?"

"Local books and toys for Andre."

"Michonne?" His tone became serious which made her nervous. "When will I meet him?"

"Soon… hopefully," she wasn't sure how the introduction would go with Andre or what Mike's reaction would be. "Hey—," she started to say until she saw Carl walking out of the store next door following behind him a tall brunette woman, the same one Michonne wanted to avoid. Before Michonne could turn her back to them, she and Lori locked eyes.

"I'm going to have to call you back."

"Michonne—"

Michonne hung up on Rick just as Lori walked closer to her, Carl stopped and walked together alongside her. "Wait in the car," Lori instructed to him.

"Mom," Carl started, but Lori pointed at their car, silently giving him a warning.

Michonne wondered at times what Lori was like, she'd only seen a picture of her and unfortunately Carl and Rick only made brief mentions of her. Despite the limited information, Michonne felt that Lori had to have been a sweet woman and knowing that she died so that Judith could live, Lori had Michonne's respect. Which is why Michonne was becoming uncomfortable with the thought that she was a homewrecker.

"You're Michonne?" Lori's tone was inquisitive, she seemed more curious than angry. Yet, Michonne still braced herself.

"Yes."

Lori moved her hair from out of her face and looked back, Carl did do as he was told, sitting inside the car staring at the two women. She gazed back at Michonne, she watched as Lori looked her up and down and examined her. Physically they were nothing alike.

"I'm Lori Grimes." Michonne put her cellphone in her pocket and held it out, but Lori only folded her arms, "I'm Rick's wife. You know my husband don't you?"

Here we go. Michonne dropped her hand and nodded.

"How?"

"He saved my life." It wasn't a lie, Rick did save her life multiple times. Lori looked perplexed by this info, "I'm a lawyer and I only came here about a case I'm working on. Didn't even know Rick—your husband—lived here."

"And you being all over my husband at the station—what was that about?"

I wasn't all over him. "We hugged because I never got the chance to thank him. Your husband is a hero."

"What did he do?"

"Drunk driver ran us off the road. Flip the car over. Rick pulled us out; my son and me," Michonne said quickly, relaying and adding to the story that Rick said Morgan told him.

Lori's face morphed into concern which took Michonne by surprise, "I'm sorry, you have a son?"

"Yes and a fiancé."

Shame etched on Lori's face, "I'm sorry."

I'm the one who should be sorry. "It's fine. I get it, my fiancé and I have been together for years. Trust, I get it," Michonne rambled.

Lori didn't seem to care. "Rick said you left town already," she said.

"I was. But, I got a lead and wanted to follow up. I'll be going back to Atlanta tonight."

"Will you come back?"

Michonne found the question odd, "No. I have no reason to," she said flatly.

"Look," Lori said folding her arms. "I don't want to sound like a bitch, but I want to be straight forward. I feel in my heart there is more to the story between you and my husband. He's been acting strange this whole week and then you showed up."

"I—"

"Hear me out," Lori cut in. "Please do not come back. You have a family. Don't break up mines."

Any concern Michonne saw from her was gone. Lori walked away from Michonne, leaving her stunned and frustrated at how abrupt that conversation ended.

Rick's my family too.

Michonne's phone buzzed in her hand, she looked at the number and sighed.

"We have to talk," she said.

"What's wrong?" Michonne fought back tears as she began the walk back to the motel. "Michonne?"

"Rick. Not over the phone."

"Okay. I'll come pick you up, but Michonne are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

"I love you."

Her tears fell, she took a moment to compose herself in the middle of the sidewalk, not caring that people were gawking at her.

"I love you too."

Fireflies danced around each other unintentionally creating a light show for Michonne. She wrapped her shawl around her tighter and walked along the edge of the lake with no destination in mind. She wanted to send Christie another text message, letting her know she'll be back in a few hours. Michonne felt a little guilty that she hadn't been keeping up with Christie since Rick came back into her life. She hadn't even seen her the whole day; the only communication shared was a conversation that was short due to Christie rushing off somewhere. Michonne still couldn't remember the full extent of her friendship with Christie, but she was starting to care for the other woman.

Her phone buzzed again, she opened the screen to see a text from Christie:

Yep. 10:30. Be Safe.

"You be safe," Michonne whispered.

"Chonne," Rick came behind Michonne and wrapped his arms around her. He gave her a kiss on the neck and breathe in her scent. "You ready?" He asked. She nodded turning around to face him. She took his hand and allowed him to lead her to the last place he wanted her to see.

Michonne enjoyed the quiet walk through the woods; she was content if all they did was strolled down the uneven path hand in hand. Neither spoke, they didn't really need to. Michonne pulled off her shawl as the air became more humid and draped it over her arm. Her eyes adjusted to the semi darkness, she could see a rabbit scurrying away from them and heard an owl hooting. Up ahead she saw light coming from a tree, as they got closer a ladder was sat against it. Michonne looked up to see it lead to a giant treehouse. Rick moved her to his side, sliding his hand around her waist.

"Surprise."

"A treehouse?"

"Yeah. Built it myself way back in my younger days," he boasted.

"Really?" She looked at Rick skeptically.

"I had some help," he shyly confessed. "Come, you go up first."

Michonne started up the ladder which was at least 15ft high when she reached the top her mouth dropped. She didn't know what she was expecting, something simple and basic on the inside, but Rick transformed a former kid's hideaway to a romantic spot. The house was wide enough to at the most fit 3-4 grown adults. There was a small table and on it was a picnic basket and fan that was making its rotations around the space, Michonne felt the cool air hit her face when it made its way over to her. White curtains covered the window and white Christmas lights were string about the place. There was also what looked like an air mattress covered with sheets and rose petals which made Michonne raise her eyebrows. She looked down, Rick was climbing up behind her.

"You did all this?"

"Yeah and I have the sore muscles to prove it." Rick reached up and lightly slapped Michonne's ample behind.

"Hey now," she laughed.

Michonne didn't think the ceiling of the treehouse was high enough to stand so she crawled to the mattress. Rick climbed up a few seconds later, bringing the ladder up and scooting it to the far corner. Michonne rested her head on her knees, her nerves were making themselves present. This wasn't what she had in mind when Rick picked her up. She wanted to talk about Lori and Mike, but as Rick came over with a huge smile, she no longer wanted to think about them.

"You hungry? I brought sandwiches, cold chicken, and champagne." Rick started to reach over to the picnic sitting next to the candles.

"No," she declined. "Come here," she whispered. Being in the treehouse isolated from the world gave her some comfort, she needed this right now. Michonne watch Rick bite his lower lip and crawled to her. She put down her legs to allow him to lay in between them, nestling his head on her stomach.

"How was your day besides fixing this place up?" She asked.

"Busy," he replied.

"You want to talk about it?"

Rick made himself more comfortable, he felt utterly relaxed. So relax he didn't want to relay his conversation with Morgan; it could wait. "No. How was your day?"

"I met Carl… again."

Rick looked up to see her smiling which relieved him. "Oh yeah? It went well?"

"With him, yes. He's so different yet the same."

"He's happy."

"Yeah," she said quietly.

"Anything else happen?"

Michonne briefly thought back to Lori's warning. "Mmm, yes, but I just want to pretend tonight we have no worries, no problems. Just us."

"Mmhmm." Rick closed his eyes enjoying Michonne's hand playing through his hair and massaging his scalp.

"I miss your hair."

Rick chuckled, "I do too. I look like a dork."

"No you don't."

"You don't have to lie. I'm not even buff anymore. I'm skinny fat."

Michonne laughed, "Skinny fat?"

"Yeah! I'm all flabby. Gotta hit the gym."

"Take off your shirt. I'll be the judge of that."

Rick flipped over on his stomach quirking his eyebrow. Michonne grinned mischievously and that excited him.

"I am a classy man. I can't expose myself in such a manner," he said mimicking a southern woman. He got onto his knees and pretended to cry making Michonne laugh harder.

"Classy my ass. Take it off big boy."

"I'll take off mine if you take off yours," Rick pointed to Michonne's top.

Michonne shrug, "that's fair."

Rick started unbuttoning his shirt, he didn't make it half way before Michonne started to protest.

"Oh you better not," Michonne shouted when she saw he had a top on underneath the button-down shirt.

"What? You said take my top off," Rick said feigning innocence.

Michonne moved from her sitting position and kneeled in front of Rick. She rolled her eyes at his smirk and moved his hands out of the way, unbuttoning his shirt herself and removing it from his shoulders and then his arms.

"Where did this hair come from?" Michonne ran her hands through his chest hair, grinning from ear to ear.

"The stress… you know… the stress caused me to lose my hair," he stammered.

"Yeah right. So you can shave your chest hairs, but couldn't shave that yucky beard you grew out."

"I was not shaving my chest!" Michonne doubled over with laughter. "Are you going to take the rest of my clothes off?" Rick pouted.

Michonne pursed her lips and nodded, trying not to laugh again while she removed his undershirt.

"You look great," she whispered, moving her hands down his chest to his stomach. Rick held her face up to him and kissed her tenderly on her lips.

He licked her lower lip enjoying the effect it was having on Michonne. Her breathing becoming heavier, she held on to his waist to steady herself. Slipping her tongue into his mouth, she couldn't stop herself from moaning. His hands then entangled themselves in her hair, moving her closer to him; their noses mushing together. Michonne then reached down to his belt and began tugging at it.

"Wait, wait," Rick said breaking their kiss, "the deal was your shirt as well."

Michonne was slightly irritated at the interruption, but quickly pulled her shirt up over her head. She reached to undo her bra, but Rick stopped her.

"Let me," he whispered. Michonne beamed as Rick made kisses from the top of her breast to her chest to her collarbone and then her neck. His warm breath made her ticklish and then his tongue contacting her sensitive skin caused a moan to escape her lips. He sucked her neck while effortlessly unhooking her bra. Kissing up to her ear, gently biting her earlobe as he removed her bra.

Michonne breath hitched when the air from the fan came in contact with her harden nipples and she moaned with satisfaction when Rick squeezed them.

"Mhmm," he uttered and then took Michonne's left breast into his mouth, sucking her nipple hard and then softly while massaging her right.

"Rick…"

With a quick pop, Rick moved on to her other breast while moving Michonne onto her back. Michonne wrapped her legs around him, feeling herself become wetter as Rick's erection pressed into her.

"Oh god. You do need to grow your hair out. I don't have anything to grab."

Rick pulled away from her and winked, "you sure about that?" He got back on his knees and unzipped his jeans and then unzipped Michonne's. He grabbed onto them and pulled both jeans and panties down her hips. Rick panted as he gazed upon Michonne's pussy lips, wet from her excitement. Tossing her jeans to the side, Rick swallowed and licked his lips, he slid two fingers over her folds. Michonne shivered at his touch, his fingers gliding across her clit. Seeing Michonne eyes closed tightly with her hands clutching her breasts brewed the fire burning in his belly. He slid his two fingers in her; massaging her inner walls and smirked when Michonne began slowly gyrating. He felt her clinging onto his fingers and her juices dripping down his hand.

"I want you inside me," she quietly pleaded.

Rick nodded removing his fingers and sliding his own pants and underwear off. Michonne propped herself up on her elbows and groaned in delight as she viewed Rick's erection hitting his stomach each time he moved. With his pants properly disposed of, Rick crawled to Michonne, leaning over her and letting her grab onto his face for another kiss. There was a growing sense of neediness with each kiss, both of them needed this moment, needed each other. Fire burned in their lungs, neither wanted to end their connection until Michonne felt Rick's length near her entrance, the head of his cock peeking in. She gasped for air and made eye contact with Rick. His eyes were glazed over with lust as he stared at the woman who made his life complete.

He snaked his arm around her waist and guided himself into her, he watched her eyes widen as he moved deeper in her. Michonne couldn't speak all she could do was enjoy as Rick filled her up. Her hands stroked the sides of his face, he leaned into her and capture her lips with his again. As Rick's movements speeded up, he moaned into Michonne's mouth while his length enveloped itself in her warmth.

"Fuck," he gasped. "I love you."

"I love you too," Michonne panted, her hands gripped Rick's behind, encouraging him to go faster. Her toes curl and she felt her heart beating faster. It wouldn't be long before she came.

"Faster baby," she pleaded. Rick held her in a bear hug, thrusting in and out of her until he felt her walls pulsate violently around his cock and heard her cry out. The vice grip Michonne had around his length became too much and he too reached his peak.

They both couldn't move, trying to catch their breath. Rick rain kisses on Michonne's neck while she lazily stroked his back. Eventually, Rick muster up the energy to remove himself and laid down on his back. Michonne rested her head onto his chest, the beating of Rick's heart had a calming effect.

"Stay with me here," Rick said, breaking the silence.

"Can't."

"You won't."

"Yeah. I won't, not without my baby."

"I'm not leaving you."

"I know."

Rick could feel anxiety creeping on him, he looked down and saw Michonne playing with her necklace. Michonne sensed Rick's eyes upon her so she met his gaze. She propped herself on her elbow and kissed him lightly on the lips and smiled widely. Rick moved Michonne's dread out of her face and smiled back, she was beautiful and perfect and Rick wasn't going to lose her again. Michonne then laid back on his chest.

Soon, Rick could hear Michonne's breathing become deeper; she was asleep and he wished he could follow her, but the churning in his stomach kept him awake. He couldn't shake the feeling that he and Michonne weren't going to get the happy ending they both envision.