A/N: I'm overwhelmed by the response to this little story. Thank you to all my reviewers, follows, and faves! It means more than you know!

A few notes first: one of you awesome reviewers pointed out that my math was bad regarding Rick's age and thank you because math is not my thing. I made some changes to the previous chapters to update Rick's age (38) and his job (sergeant instead of deputy). He and Lori were still high school sweethearts married for 15 years, but they didn't get married until they were about 23.

One last chapter with Rick's POV before we find out where Michonne's head is at…even though you will have a pretty good idea after this! :)

Inspired by: You Are the Best Thing by Ray LaMontagne

Rick was in such a good mood that he was actually whistling when he walked into the Crispy Biscuit. The diner wasn't that busy, but a few patrons greeted him with smiles and "Mornin' Sergeant Grimes…" as he passed their tables and he returned the gesture. He stopped at the counter where Carol was looking at register receipts.

"Mornin' Carol. Quiet in here today."

"Mornin' Officer Friendly. You just missed the rush. Most everybody in town is already at Sunday school."

"I guess I timed it just right!" She nodded, finally giving him her full attention.

"Looks that way…you're in a good mood this morning…" He smiled and gave her a small shrug.

"Aren't I always in a good mood?" Carol's eyebrow shot up so fast that even he couldn't miss it.

"I think you already know the answer to that…" Rick nodded regretfully as the memory of many a morning he'd come into the diner, barked his order to her, and left without so much as a good morning, flashed through his mind. He'd been in a bad place after everything happened with Lori and again when she up and moved to Atlanta. The only time he behaved like a human being was when he had Carl.

"Yeah…I think things may finally be turning around…" Carol smiled and gently slapped his arm.

"Glad to hear it! So…bacon, egg, and cheese on toast and a large coffee with room for cream and sugar to-go, right?" He shook his head and glanced toward the front of the diner hoping to catch Michonne coming in. He'd left her less than 12 hours ago but it felt like much longer. So long that he wasn't sure how he was going to survive the days after she left to go back to Atlanta. But he didn't want to think about that. All he wanted to think about was enjoying the time he had with her.

"Not today. I need a table for two…the owner has you working hostess and takin' orders?" Carol looked up at him over the rim of her glasses and sighed deeply.

"Amy is on her way but as the owner, I have to be ready to do everything, right?"

"That sounds about right. Why are you so shorthanded?", he asked. That question made her roll her eyes and slam her pencil down.

"Diane called in sick…even though I saw her drunk off her ass at the reception last night…so tell Shane he's not going to be able to flirt his way out of paying his check today."

"I'll tell him, but Shane isn't the person I'm having breakfast with."

"Well, well…it wouldn't happen to be the woman you were kissing at the reception last night, would it?"

"You saw that?" He knew he was blushing; a habit he didn't know he had until he started doing it whenever he was with Michonne or talking about Michonne.

"I didn't see it but apparently Myra Bassett did, making you the talk of the before church crowd this morning." He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"I didn't realize that me kissing someone would be front page news…" Carol only shrugged and continued cleaning off the counter.

"It's a small town and according to Myra, you two were basically humping each other in front of God and everybody." His eyes grew wide at that insinuation. He didn't expect any less from Myra Bassett though. Her husband Leon was a deputy on the force and every interaction he had with them told him two things: neither of them were the brightest crayons in the box and they were perfect for each other.

"Jesus, that's not…" There was a hint of anger in his tone, not for himself but more for the possibility that people might look at Michonne badly because of Myra's exaggeration.

"I know that! But if you get some strange looks while you're on patrol today, you know why."

"Just wonderful." Carol just shrugged and smiled at him over the rim of her glasses.

"It's not that bad. They'll be talking about something else after church and besides…I think your date is here." He turned around just in time to see her walking past the window and he couldn't stop the smile from spreading across his face. "Anybody that puts a smile like that on your face is ok by me. I'm going to get your table ready."

He didn't hear Carol or notice that she'd walked away. He was intent on watching Michonne enter the diner. She looked so different than she had the night before; wearing black jeans, a plain red v neck t-shirt underneath a black blazer, and a pair of red Chuck Taylors on her feet. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail and the only makeup she wore was red lipstick. She didn't need anything else. She was beautiful in anything.

She blinded him with her smile as soon as she saw him standing there and he was drawn to her like a magnet, so he took a few steps forward to meet her.

"Mornin'…", he greeted, before planting a lingering kiss on her cheek. "You look amazing, as always…"

"Good Morning…" He noticed her eyes tracing him from head to toe and her attention made him stand a little straighter and puff out his chest a little bit.

"See something you like?", he flirted. She grinned and gave him a slight nod.

"It's just that I've never seen you like this and you make that uniform look real good, Sergeant." He snickered under his breath as her took her hand and led her toward the table that Carol was standing next to.

"I think you might be delirious from hunger. C'mon, let's get you fed." They slid into opposite sides of the booth and Carol placed their menus in front of them. There were already two glasses of water, a coffee carafe, and a bowl of creamer waiting for them.

"Welcome to the Crispy Biscuit Diner!", she greeted. As soon as they were settled, Rick gestured to Michonne and began the introductions.

"Carol, this is Michonne. She's a friend of Maggie's new husband, in town for the wedding", he explained, as Carol wrapped Michonne's hand in a warm handshake.

"Nice to meet you, Michonne…" Rick smiled and turned back to Michonne.

"Carol owns this place and she catered the reception last night." He watched as his date's eyes grew wide.

"Oh my god…everything was delicious but I have to tell you, I dreamed about that chocolate cake last night! It was to die for!" Her praise drew a loud laugh from Carol.

"Thank you…now I know what happened to that piece Rick stole from me last night." He couldn't believe his so-called friend had thrown him under the bus like that.

"I didn't steal it, you gave it to me!", he exclaimed, contesting her version of events, but Carol only shook her head and smiled conspiratorially at Michonne.

"Only because you were acting like it'd be the end of the world if I didn't!" Rick didn't have a comeback for that one. In all honesty, he had been a little dramatic the night before when he'd barged into the area where Carol was prepping everything begging for chocolate cake like it was a winning lottery ticket. He pulled his attention away from Carol when he noticed Michonne cheekily smiling at him.

"So it wasn't because of your connections as the law in this town?", she teased. He knew there was no point in defending himself so he raised his hands in defeat and glared at Carol.

"Thanks for sellin' me out, friend."

"You're welcome…friend…", she replied; the hint of teasing in her voice matching Michonne's. "I'm gonna give you two a chance to look at the menu unless you already know what you want…" Michonne definitively closed her menu and handed it back toward Carol.

"Rick tells me that this place has the best sweet potato pancakes in the state of Georgia, so I would be remiss if I didn't give them a try." Carol nodded and took the menu from Michonne's hand.

"You won't be disappointed! Do you want the whole platter?" Michonne answered with a happy nod.

"Of course! Can I get my eggs scrambled with cheese and some bacon please?" Rick couldn't hold back his smile at the way Michonne got so excited about food. The night before, watching her eat that cake turned him on more than he thought it would. It was something about the way she seemed to savor it; the little moans of pleasure that escaped her mouth after every bite…the way she slid the fork through her full, beautiful lips…

"Rick?" Carol's voice brought him out of his reverie and he noticed that both women were looking at him with amused little grins like they knew where his thoughts had gone. Feeling slightly embarrassed, and hoping he was wrong, Rick quickly closed his menu and handed it to Carol.

"I'll have the same, just eggs over hard please."

"Coming right up", Carol answered with a wink as she swiped the menu from him and headed off toward the kitchen.

"She seems nice…" Rick glanced over at Carol who was chatting with customers at another table.

"Carol? Yeah, she is. She moved back to town a few years ago after her husband died. Carl and her daughter Sophia are as thick as thieves."

"Aww…I'm sure he misses her.", she sympathized and he nodded. Every time he spoke to his son, there was always something said about not being able to see his friends. Rick hated it but there was nothing he could do about it. According to the judge, Lori wasn't that far away and in this case, there was no reason to separate a child from his mother.

"He does but this weekend is her birthday so at least he gets to be here for the party…which reminds me that I need to ask Carl what he wants to get her."

"Sounds like you have some shopping to do!" Rick shrugged and folded his hands on the table in front of him.

"Yeah…I don't know when I'll get to it though. I have extra shifts most of the week."

"What department are you in?", she asked, taking a sip of her coffee.

"I'm in the criminal investigations unit. There's not too much crime around here but you'd be surprised at how busy we are."

"Is that why they have you working all these extra shifts?" He shook his head and busied himself with putting cream and sugar in his coffee.

"No…since Lori…my ex…moved to Atlanta, I have Carl every other weekend and I don't want to be working when he's here. I pick up the extra shifts so I can have those weekends off."

"You do realize that you are entirely too perfect, right?" He brushed off her compliment with a short laugh.

"I'm sure my ex would disagree…" Michonne opened her mouth to say something but visibly caught herself and paused before starting to speak.

"No comment on that…but everything I've seen tells me otherwise and one thing we both know is to always trust the evidence", she grinned. He drank some of his coffee and shifted a little in his seat.

"Present your evidence, counselor…", he challenged. She raised an eyebrow and smirked a little and he watched as she went into lawyer mode.

"Well…exhibit A is the way you talk about your son like the sun rises and sets in him. Exhibit B is just…you…"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Oh come on! Humility is great but you have to know how attractive you are!" He opens his mouth to respond, but she kept talking. "Finally, exhibit C is the romantic as hell impromptu first date you managed to pull off last night."

"So…what you're telling me is that last night wasn't all in my head." She reached across the table and covered her hand with his; smiling sweetly as she wove their fingers together.

"No…it was real", she whispered, and his hand tightened around hers.

"Good because I woke up this morning and my memories of last night seemed too good to be true." She tilted her head to one side and looked at him like she was trying to decipher something about him.

"I woke up thinking you were a figment of my imagination until I saw your jacket hanging on the back of the door." Their eyes locked in another one of their heated stares and Rick looked away quickly, afraid that she might see how affected he was by her and get scared away. He decided to lighten the tone a little bit and her raised his eyebrows at her

"Speaking of which…"

"It's in the car…and I was thinking about stealing it but if I did that, I'd never get to see you wear it again…" she confessed and he had to laugh at how cute she looked. He couldn't resist playing with her a little.

"…and it would be a misdemeanor under Georgia code 16-8-12 and I'd hate to have to arrest you." Her mouth fell open for a second and she gasped theatrically.

"You wouldn't dare!" He shrugged and gave her a wink.

"If it would keep you in town for a little bit longer, you couldn't blame me for trying." Her laugh was contagious and before he knew it, he was laughing too.

"Aww…that's the first time anyone's ever threatened me with arrest to keep me around! Whoever says romance is dead obviously hasn't met Rick Grimes!" She was looking at him with her wide, dark eyes that were glistening with laughing tears and it made his heart beat a little faster. He knew he probably had some kind of goofy expression on his face as he watched her, but he didn't care. He was completely taken with her. She stopped laughing and just stared at him with her eyes shining. "What? Why are you staring at me like that?"

"Like what?" He asked innocently.

"I don't know…like you're amazed by me or something…" He smiled and tilted his head to one side as he kept his eyes trained on her.

"Because I am. You said I'm too perfect, but you…you're the kind of woman guys dream about and you're sittin' here with me. It's pretty amazing." He leaned forward enough to bring their entwined hands up to his lips to leave a kiss on her wrist and he loved the dreamy smile that appeared on her face as a result.

"Rick…I…" Before she could finish her thought, Carol appeared with their food. Inwardly, Rick cursed her timing but outwardly he smiled and reluctantly let go of Michonne's hand to make room for their plates.

"Dig in! If you need anything let me know." She said as she efficiently dropped off the plates and left them to their breakfast. They both thanked her before turning their attention to their breakfast. From the awestruck look on Michonne's face, he knew that they wouldn't get back to their conversation until after she tasted those pancakes. He raised an eyebrow and unwrapped his silverware and started digging in to his eggs.

"You look like a kid on Christmas! Go on…taste them!" He shoved his first bite into his mouth and grinned at her as she spread butter and syrup all over her pancakes. After they met her specifications, she took a bite and Rick thought he saw her eyes roll in pleasure. "Well?", he asked with a slight chuckle. She started nodding and immediately began cutting up the rest of her pancakes.

"Now these are just too damn perfect!" Her joy was infectious and he couldn't stop smiling as he went back to eating.

"I told you!"

"And you were so right!" Her expression of joy was replaced by one of frustration for a quick second but it quickly vanished when she took another bite. "After this weekend, I'm going to be living on the elliptical for a while, but it's worth it!"

"Are you one of those people who lives at the gym?", he asked. As a cop, Rick had to spend time in the gym but he'd never been a fan. He'd rather go running or play a sport than lift weights or use the exercise machines. But he already knew that if she was a gym rat, he'd find it in himself to be there with her any chance he could.

"No…", she answered with a shake of her head. "I just really like to eat…obviously…and I have to do something to keep it from showing. I prefer other types of workouts but I haven't had time lately."

"Like what?" He was relieved by her answer but intrigued to hear what her workout entailed.

"I did Krav Maga for a while...then barre...I think my favorite was the Kendo class I took. It's a form of Japanese stick fighting. It was awesome! I felt like a samurai!" Blown away by her choices of workout activities, Rick leaned back in his seat and nodded appreciatively. He now had an explanation for her soft yet firm body that he'd had the pleasure of having in his arms the night before.

"Note to self, never get on your bad side…", he said jokingly but he was really only half joking.

"Yeah, I'd hate to have to kick your ass", she deadpanned, but her cute little smile belied her true intent.

"Oh you already did that. I may never recover." He waited for one her quick responses but one didn't come. He laughed to himself when he realized that he was completely refocused on her breakfast.

"…I'm sorry. Usually I'd have something witty to come back at you with, but these pancakes are everything right now! It's taking all of my brain cells to comprehend how delicious they are!" The laugh erupted from him so suddenly that he almost choked on his food.

"I'm glad you're enjoyin' them!", he said after getting himself back together. She raised an eyebrow at him and took a long sip of her coffee which he noticed that she like with more cream and sugar than coffee.

"I am…I'm also enjoying spending time with you." He loved hearing her say it but he couldn't resist picking with her a little bit.

"Yeah? More or less than the pancakes?" He fork paused in midair as she pretended to seriously consider his question.

"At this exact moment…", she began, as a hint of mischievousness crept into her eyes causing Rick to shake his head at her playfully.

"Nevermind!", he laughed, turning back to his plate and trying to focus on eating.

XX

They kept the conversation light as they ate, both happy with the food and the company. Amy came by to collect their plates and drop off the check when they finished eating and they enjoyed what was left of the coffee.

Rick nervously tapped his fingers against his mug because he knew their time together was quickly drawing to a close. He couldn't let her leave town without knowing when he would see her again. He cleared his throat and looked up at her.

"Now that I'm no longer competing with those pancakes, I was wondering when I can see you again. Like I said, I have Carl this weekend but I could drive into the city to take him to his mom instead of meeting her halfway on Sunday…if you're free." Her coffee mug was at her lips but it couldn't hide the smile threatening to overtake her features.

"I'm free", she answered and a slow smile spread across his face as his eyes fell back to his coffee in an attempt to hide how happy that made him.

"Great…"

"I'll text you my address…just let me know when you're on the way."

"Ok…" He looked up and over Michonne's shoulder, he caught a glimpse of the last person he wanted to see right then. "Oh no…"

"What is it?" He quickly gave her an apologetic smile as he watched the person stop at the counter to speak to Carol before looking his way.

"I'm gonna apologize to you now for anything that may happen in the next few minutes…" Michonne wrinkled her eyebrows in obvious confusion. "Just…don't judge me based on my friends, ok?"

"Huh?" Rick sighed nervously as Shane approached their table. He and Shane had been friends for most of their lives and now they were partners on the force. He loved the man like a brother but Shane had a habit of saying whatever fool thing that popped in his head. He sauntered up to the table and slid into the booth next to Rick like the seat was being saved for him.

"So this is why you ain't answerin' my texts!"

"Good morning to you too, Shane." His friend's look of annoyance changed into something else completely when he focused on the woman on the other side of the booth. Rick frowned as Shane's lips curled into a roguish grin.

"Well, well…so this is the woman I've heard so much about this morning! I knew I should've gone to that wedding…" Rick couldn't help but notice that the confusion that had settled into Michonne's features was gone; replaced by one of extreme amusement. It was almost like she'd already mentally assessed Shane and was waiting for the inevitable show to begin.

"Michonne Pierce, this is my partner Shane Walsh," he introduced…almost reluctantly. He felt Shane nudge his in the ribs.

"Partner?! Shit, boy, you better tell her the truth! Rick and me have been friends since we were 5! We're brothers!" While Shane never looked at him, Rick could picture the shit-eating grin he wore as he watched Michonne. She only laughed and extended her hand toward Shane who met it eagerly. "Very pleased to meet you, Michonne…the talk of King County!"

"You too, Shane…I've only been in town three days. How could people be talking about me?"

"Well…when you show up to town and take the second most eligible bachelor off the market in those three days, it's bound to cause a little bit of a ruckus!"

"Second most eligible?"

"After me of course." Rick couldn't hide his snort at Shane's proclamation.

"More like most ineligible bachelor…" he grumbled, but Shane didn't notice and he leaned back in the booth with his arms folded behind his head.

"Now I see why the ladies are so pissed! They don't stand a chance with you around…not that they ever had a chance anyway. Ol' Sergeant Grimes here was never going to give any of 'em the time of day even after being presented with multiple offers…"

"Shane…", Rick warned, hoping Shane would hear the seriousness in his voice and tone down his talk. He knew that was just wishful thinking when Shane fixed him with his patented rascally look.

"What? I'm only explainin' to your girl here all the reasons why she's the talk of the town." Shane turned back to Michonne with his cocky grin firmly in place and Rick groaned as he kept right on talking. "You gonna be in town a while, Miss Michonne?"

"No…I'm leaving for Atlanta as soon as we're done here. I have work tomorrow."

"Aw hell! That means he's gonna go back to being his grouchy ass self...What do you do in Atlanta?"

"I'm an assistant district attorney working mostly special victims", she answered.

"Nice...we lock em up and you put em away!" Rick paused at that piece of information. He knew that special victims cases were tough and he wasn't sure if he could deal with that day in and day out…especially in a city like Atlanta. It took a special person to work that detail and not be made cynical by it; but Michonne was about as far from cynical as you could get. She was probably a beacon of hope for the victims and their families and he smiled to himself at the thought. He was overwhelmed by her and the more he learned about her only strengthened his belief that she was about as close to perfect as a human being could get.

He didn't realized that he had spaced out of the conversation until Shane hit him again and he saw that both of them were looking at him with matching curious expressions. Michonne didn't look like she wanted to murder Shane and he didn't look like he was about to die, so Rick had to assume that he hadn't missed anything too earth shattering. But seeing that it was already nearly 11:30, spurred him to get rid of Shane as soon as possible.

"Shane, do you think you can give us a few minutes? Michonne has to get on the road and I'll see you at the station." Shane gave him that sly smile of his and nodded slowly.

"I was wonderin' how long it would take him to get rid of my ass and it looks like that's my cue…" He turned back to Michonne and tipped his hat in her direction as he slid out of the booth. "My breakfast is probably ready anyway. It was good meetin' you, Michonne. I hope we'll see you around town again real soon!"

"You too, Shane!" She gave him one of those smiles of hers before he turned to go over to the counter where Carol was waiting with a paper bag. "Well isn't he fun?"

"He's something alright…"

"I know you were just getting rid of him but I really do need to get on the road…"

"I know." Rick pulled out his wallet and left a tip for Carol on the table before getting out of the booth and extending a gentlemanly hand to Michonne partially to help her up but mostly to just touch her as much as possible while he could. He held her hand as they walked up to the counter to settle the bill. He noticed her reaching for her purse and he only raised an eyebrow at her in a silent challenge. There was no way in hell he was going to let her pay and if they had to have their first argument to prove his point so be it.

She must have noticed the look on his face because she rolled her eyes and moved her hand away from her purse. He snickered at their silent conversation as he paid Carol and they all said their goodbyes.

He was still holding her hand when they walked out onto the sidewalk and she led him to where she'd parked; stopping in front of a mid-sized, black Range Rover. He only let go of her when she told him she needed to get his jacket. He watched as she pulled it from the passenger seat and walked back over to him. As soon as she handed it to him, he noticed that it smelled like her and he suddenly had no plans to take it to the cleaners any time soon.

They stood there in silence for a moment, neither of them too eager to say goodbye.

"I guess this is goodbye for now…", her words breaking the silence and nudging them closer to her imminent departure. Rick felt himself twisting the jacket in his hands as he struggled with how to tell her goodbye.

"Yeah…let me know you made it home safe." She nodded and reached over to give his free hand a squeeze.

"I will…I promise." He tangled his fingers with hers and squeezed her hand back.

"Bye Michonne."

"Bye Rick…be safe this week." He heard the hint of worry in her voice and the jacket he held was quickly forgotten and it fell to the ground as he gently placed his hands on either side of her face and brushed his thumbs against her cheeks. They hadn't talked about he inherent danger involved with his work, but her work gave her a front row seat to it so she already knew. He didn't want her to worry but it was part of the job and something that came with being involved with him. He felt her arms move around his waist and he gave her his best reassuring smile.

"I always am." She looked up at him; her eyes locking with his in silence for a moment. Then she smiled, and moved in a little closer.

"Good…because I think I might be falling for you…" Those whispered words and the look of wonder and sincerity in her eyes as she said them, made his heart flutter. Even though he knew without a doubt that he'd already fallen for her, he decided to save that declaration for a day when they had more time together.

"That's perfect because I think I might be falling for you too." He said, his voice low and husky. She was wearing a wide, brilliant smile as he pulled her in for a kiss. Her lips were warm against his as they moved together slowly. Her fingers moved across his back sending darts of desire racing throughout his body. It spurred him to pull her even closer, increasing the pressure and deepening the kiss. Their breath mingled as her lips parted beneath his offering him access to fully explore her mouth which he readily accepted.

Having her in his arms like that was stoking a fire in him; stirring things up that he couldn't honestly say he'd felt before. They were standing on the sidewalk in King County on a Sunday morning and that kiss was quickly escalating to the heights of Myra Bassett's exaggerations. He felt himself getting too carried away and her warmth and willingness was only fanning the flames.

Regretfully, Rick dragged his hands away from her face and down to her slender neck, reveling in the silky softness of her skin, and forced his lips to leave the comfort of hers. He opened his eyes to find her full lips flushed and swollen, and swirls of emotion dancing in her deep brown eyes.

"You know…you are really good at that", she whispered as she took an unsteady step backwards. He laughed and he let reluctantly allowed her to leave the haven of his arms.

"I just needed to make sure it would last me until next Sunday."

"Thanks, now I'm going to have that kiss distracting me all week!" He leaned down and retrieved his jacket from where it had fallen.

"Me too…bye Michonne."

"Bye, Rick…don't forget to ask Carl about the gift!" She kept amazing him with how interested she was in his life even down to remembering that he needed to get a birthday gift for his son's friend.

"I won't!" She moved back over to her car and opened the door, giving him one last lingering look before climbing inside. He shoved his hands deep into his pockets and watched as the car door closed, it's engine roaring to life before she pulled out of the parking spot and drove away.

He stood there staring after her car until it faded from view. He was surprised that he didn't feel sad that she was leaving. Instead, he was left with an overwhelming feeling of excitement at the promise of seeing her again.

Shane stepped out of the diner carrying a paper bag and a soda and paused next to him.

"You good?" Shane's tone was casual, but Rick heard the worry hidden behind the words and he didn't blame him for being concerned. He'd just witnessed his best friend who'd been teetering on the ledge for months watch as the woman who'd changed everything drove back to Atlanta.

"Yeah, I'm good. I'm seeing her again next week." Shane nodded and started walking toward the station.

"She's gorgeous…seems sweet too."

"She's…amazing", Rick agreed falling into step next to his friend. Shane glanced at him out of the corner of his eye and even from the side, Rick recognized the sly grin on Shane's lips.

"My only question is…how the hell did you pull her?" Rick shrugged. He'd been constantly asking himself that question ever since the moment she agreed to be his wedding date.

"I don't know. I just got lucky, I guess." Shane grunted and took a sip of his drink.

"Man, you must be the luckiest sonofabitch in southwest Georgia!" That was a fact that Rick couldn't argue with.

"Probably."

"Just for clarification, when I said you needed to get back out there, I meant for you to go get laid! I didn't mean for you fall in love with the first one!" The accusation hit him harder that it should have. He'd known her less than 36 hours. Sure, he liked her…a lot…but it would be ridiculous to say that he was in love with her…

"I'm not…" Shane didn't even let him finish.

"Bullshit! We've known each other too long for you to even attempt that lie with me! You are so gone and you ain't even got none yet!"

"Shut up, Shane. C'mon…we gotta get to work…"

Much later, as he sat at his desk going over case files, Rick felt his phone buzz in his pocket. He pulled it out and was excited to have received a new message from Michonne. He quickly opened it and smiled when he saw a selfie of her with an adorable black cat.

Michonne: I'm home! I told T'Challa about you. He's very disappointed that he's not the only man in my life anymore!

Shane's words from earlier about him already being in love with her echoed in his head. If Shane saw him right then, as a goofy smile danced across his lips from just seeing a picture of her, he'd never believe that he wasn't in love with her already. In that moment, Rick wasn't even sure himself but that was an admission for another time. He wrote her back almost immediately.

Rick: Glad you're home safe. Tell T'Challa I don't blame him. I wouldn't want to share you either.

A/N: So that ends their weekend together! Please review!