The sun was high in the blue sky, a gentle breeze rustled the brush and flowers in the garden. It swept at the stray curls that hung around Michonne's head as she walked beside her father. Michonne looked at the flowers and the lush green that spread over the land. Her mother would be so happy with how much it had flourished over all these years. The thought made Michonne smile. Ezekiel looked at his child then.
"I love to see you smile, baby girl. What brings you such a good mood?" Ezekiel asked, pausing their walk, leaning heavily on his cane.
"I was just thinking about how much mama would have loved this garden." Michonne replied, her fingertips wistfully running along the silky petals of a red blossom.
"Aye, I believe she would have." Ezekiel said, as he looked around. "Your mother loved seeing things grow, loved the scent of fresh flowers." He remembered how delighted she was with the budding garden when they first moved into the white mansion. As always thoughts of his beautiful Jekesai and the life that was stolen from her always brought out a sorrow that swiftly turned into anger in him. Michonne could sense the shift in his mood immediately.
"Papa?" Michonne asked, gently touching his arm. Ezekiel looked at his daughter and was brought back from the dark place his spirit went.
"Michonne, I want you to be careful." Ezekiel said, the look in his eyes was still haunted by the dark place. Michonne shook her head as if to shake it away from him herself, before looking back into his eyes.
"With what, papa?" Michonne, asked.
"This deal. With the British, it will keep them from sniffing around our home for a short time but in the end they will want more." His eyes bored into hers. "I want you to be especially cautious with Rick."
Michonne swallowed hard. "Rick is the reason we were able to get this agreement, papa." Michonne turned away from him and walked a little of ahead of him to escape the dark look in his eyes. "Rick is not our enemy."
"Rick is my friend."
"You have friends, you do not need a British man around here all the time." Ezekiel said, looking at his child's back.
"Yes, but Rick doesn't belittle me for a being a woman and he respects me for running for our company. Rick has not ever treated me as if I am beneath him. Rick makes me laugh and he brings me flowers…and he…"
Michonne could suddenly hear the dreamy tone of her voice and she knew her father heard it too. She turned around to look at her father and his eyes were wide with horror. She took a deep breath before she again spoke.
"Rick is my friend, papa"
Ezekiel stared down at his child for a long moment.
"I hope it stays that way."
He turned and began to walk out of the garden. Michonne stared after him.
Rick stood nervously at the area Michonne asked him to wait. The very area their paths first crossed nearly a month before. Flame flicked his tail and gazed with uninterested eyes at Rick. Rick heard a noise and turned quickly at the sound. His eyes widened as Michonne came into the clearing, the moonlight, making her dark skin shimmer like an angel. She was dressed in a simple white dress with a tan cape across her shoulders, the hood over her hair. The strap of the sheath to her sword resting against her chest, secured to her back.
Nellie hesitated for a moment but at the sight of Rick and Flame, her friends, she moved forward. They had ridden together many times and the animal was no longer weary of them.
"Good evening" Michonne said, smiling at Rick
God how I love it when she smiles at me
"Good evening" Rick said, as he turned to mount Flame.
"I was afraid you would not come." Michonne whispered, as they began to lead their stallions down a path that lead away from The Kingdom.
"What made you believe I would not?" Rick asked.
"Well, you're here for business, not to go on strange adventures. I was not sure if this would appeal to you."
"There's very little you could ask of me that I would refuse to do." Rick replied, humor in his voice, he looked over at Michonne. Michonne looked into his eyes, under the moonlight his blue eyes were intense, but he was profoundly serious. Michonne nodded, smiling.
"Well, that is good to know. I must remind you; I have no idea where we are going. This cabin my father spoke of might not even be standing."
Michonne sighed deeply.
"I could have asked you out here for nothing." She said staring ahead into the night.
Rick was quiet a moment. "I cherish our time together. It will feel strange not to see you every day as I have grown accustom." Rick looked at Michonne. "You're truly the only person I have in my life right now that I can call a friend."
"I feel the same way." Michonne whispered back, surprising herself in the admission. "No one understands me, sees me as you do."
They exchanged shy smiles before they looked again at the path in front of them. Before leaving Michonne's study that afternoon they had mapped out a route that they hoped would get them to the area where Michonne believed the cabin could be. The moon was now far behind them as they continued their journey into the thick jungle, riding for some time. Their only light was the lanterns tied to Nellie and Flame's saddlebags. They came upon a thicket of brush and Michonne dismounted Nellie, unsheathing her sword. Rick followed and grabbed a machete he taken from the groundskeeper at the Hilltop settlement. Rick watched as Michonne whispered, calmingly, to her nervous horse before turning to Rick. They exchanged knowing smiles and together, in perfect harmony they hacked away at the thick brush and vine that blocked their pathway.
They moved together, making quick work for the brush, Rick had to stop to admire the curves of her body as she moved adeptly. The elegant way she raised her arms, the fabric of the cape slipping away revealing the light translucent garment that clung to her womanly form. The soft moans and grunt that escaped her soft plush lips. Lips Rick spent long, hot nights dreaming of tasting, among other parts of her beautiful body. Rick blushed and turned away.
Michonne shook away leaves and brush that wrapped around her sword, glancing at Rick. Normally Rick was well groomed, his clothing impeccable, neat. Gradually as they worked long hours together in the heat of the Jamaican sun, he would become laxer in attire. He would loosen the collar of his shirt, roll his sleeves up revealing the taunt muscles of his forearms. Michonne had never seen him like this though. Slick with sweat, the droplets hung heavy on his curly, dark hair. His body was toned and deeply tanned from days in the sun, the simple tunic, now wet with his perspiration, revealing his rippling chest muscles and toned abs. Rick's loud grunts as he swung the machete through the branch, were powerful in the otherwise quiet night. Michonne took a deep breath and continued her task, pushing away at the thoughts of what it would like to be held in his arms.
Once there was a clear path again, they walked back to their horses who stood waiting for them. "Where did you get that machete?" Michonne asked, glazing at the red handle.
"I took it from the groundskeeper's shed at Hilltop." Rick grinned at her, swinging it up to admire it. "It come in rather useful, I should say."
Michonne laughed. They reached their horses and Michonne climbed atop Nellie. "I do admire your quick wit Rick Grimes; it would have been a pain to clear that path all by myself."
"Can't let you have all the fun." Rick said, smiling, as they nudged the horses forward.
"This reminds me of going through rainforests on scouting missions in Asia." He recalled with fondness.
Michonne laughed softly, "You sound like Andre."
"Your brother?"
Michonne nodded sadly. Rick looked at her, she rarely ever spoke of him.
"Yes, my big brother Andre. He never really liked the idea of running The Kingdom. Papa tried to persuade him, but Andre was not even the slightest bit interested. As soon as he could Andre joined the French Troops."
"Did he give your sword?"
"Yes, he did. Andre traveled all over the world. On my 16th birthday. He and the French troops traveled all over the world, including a place called Japan. He said the Emperor's son had given it to him as a welcome gift." Michonne smiled at the memory.
"The last times we spent together he taught me how to wield it, just as the Emperor's son had taught him. Andre insisted I learn to protect myself."
Rick was silent as he remembered the brutal way in which their mother was taken from them.
"He would be proud. Your technique is impressive."
"Oh, is that so, Mr. Grimes?" Michonne said looking at him, her brown eyes, glowing in the light of the lantern. "Have you been observing me?"
"It's impossible not to observe you, Michonne." Rick spoke honestly, returning her gaze.
They held one another's eyes, each desperately wanting to say what pressed against their souls, but they dared not to speak it when Nellie suddenly whined, coming to a complete halt. This startled Michonne who gripped her reigns, looking ahead at what Nellie had seen. Rick stilled Flame who continued to trudge forward. At the same time, Rick and Michonne untied their lanterns from the horse's saddlebags, rising the light high. A short distance away, a dark structure loomed ahead.
"It's the cabin." Michonne said incredulously, "It's actually real."
More to come. Thanks to all the new readers and reviewers.