The Truth About Nightmares

A/N: Heard "Sweet Dreams" by Beyonce on the way to work and this idea popped into my head. Hope you enjoy.

A moan escapes her before she can fully comprehend what her body is experiencing. It feels like an out of body encounter as his hands and mouth and tongue seem to be everywhere all at once. She spreads her legs wider as she clutches the strong hands grasping her thighs, a hiss being drawn from her soundly as she rolls her hips in an upward motion. She thrusts her core against his mouth over and over again as he tongues her into oblivion.

She rolls her head against the pillow, then thrashes her face from side to side as she orgasms. Her breaths are fast and shallow as she feels her body slowly calming down from the recent onslaught. She smiles as a head of dark curls pops up and a pair of dancing blue eyes meet her starry brown ones.

He doesn't say a word as he lifts himself from between her thighs, licking his lips as he relishes in the aftermath of her satisfaction. He squeezes her thighs as he moves his hands upward, grazing over her smooth, flat stomach, splaying his hands over her breasts before clutching them gently.

"Tell me what you want," he whispers before moving his hands up to her shoulders and finally resting them around her neck.

She swallows nervously as she feels him pressed against her. She maneuvers her hips in an attempt to align their bodies for connection, but is distracted by his hands tightening at her throat. She calls his name softly only to have her oxygen supply cut off as he grips her neck even tighter. She reaches up, clawing at his hands but she can't loosen his hold.

Tears spring to her eyes as she can't fathom what is happening to her. The man she loves is choking her and won't let go. She tries desperately to dislodge him but finds that he is stronger than she ever gave him credit for. She looks up into his eyes, his dancing blue eyes….dark hair falling into his face….his hands squeezing tighter. Her eyes pop in disbelief as she feels him impale her, connecting them finally, but…..

A loud gasp breaks the silence in the room as Michonne jerks up to a sitting position in the middle of her bed. Her hands go immediately to her neck as the dream is still vivid and felt so real. She looks around cautiously, then drops her chin to her chest, realizing that the dreams are getting progressively worse. She pulls her knees up, wrapping her arms around them as she ponders yet again what the dreams, no nightmares could possibly mean. How can they start out so loving and end so horribly? Are the dreams/nightmares trying to tell her something? Is she doomed if she decides to share her life with Rick?

She sighs heavily as she doesn't know where to begin to find the answers to any of her questions. All she knows is that it is getting harder and harder to be in his company and not remember her dreams….the good which is very good and the bad which is very bad. She eases back into a sleeping position, turning on her side and praying the dream doesn't recur.

Hours later, she is up before the sun, dressed in a pair of cropped yoga pants, a matching tank top and running shoes preparing for a morning jog. Maybe if she completely exhausts herself during the day, she will sleep too deeply to dream. She exits the house with a clear determination in mind.

Rick notices her absence at the breakfast table and turns to Carl. "Michonne sleeping in this morning?"

"No. I think she already left for work," Carl answers as he entertains Judith while feeding her some oatmeal.

Rick frowns with that information as he thought she looked forward to their first meal of the day just as much as he did. He shakes it off as he realizes he will see her later that morning while on duty. Only he didn't see her later that morning. He arrived at the constable's office after he and Carl delivered Judith to Beth and he saw Carl off to school.

Tara is seated at Michonne's desk as he enters and closes the door behind him.

"Where's Michonne?" He asks.

"Well, good morning to you too Constable Grimes," Tara says jokingly.

Rick grimaces slightly with his mishap. "Sorry. Morning Tara. You just sitting in for a minute?"

"Actually Michonne and I have been talking with Deanna about me shadowing you guys for back up purposes. I showed up for training about 30 minutes ago. Michonne was here but Daryl stopped by and said he and Aaron were going out for some supplies and maybe a scouting trip and she asked to tag along," Tara informs.

"She just left you in charge?"

"Well, she did say that you'd be reporting for duty soon and I didn't think anything serious would pop off before then," Tara returns.

Rick moves over to his desk slowly as he processes everything Tara relayed to him. He knows something is going on and he is determined to find out exactly what that something is.

The next morning, he opens his eyes to find himself sprawled out on the living room couch. He rubs his eyes, slowly realizing he fell asleep while waiting for Michonne. He sits up and moves toward the stairs, heading straight for her bedroom. He opens the door and finds it empty, her bed still nicely made up. She's still out there? Shit.

His first impulse is to go out and look for her, but he knows Michonne can take care of herself. Plus, she's not alone. She's with Aaron and Daryl, so he knows she's fine. It just bothers him thinking of her spending a night beyond the walls. He thought those days were over. He finally decides to carry on as he normally would and hopes that she returns sometime today.

Two days later, Michonne still hadn't returned. Rick was loading up a vehicle, preparing to go out and search for them but especially to bring her home. He slams the trunk, his irritation evident. He was just about to say goodbye to Carl who is standing by the car holding his sister when the telltale sound of the gates opening and Daryl's motorcycle fill the air. He looks in that direction to see Daryl slowly riding inside, followed by Aaron driving the Buick and Michonne in the passenger seat.

"She's back," Carl says with a smile.

Rick's relief is evident as he releases a breath and pinches the bridge of his nose, trying to rein in his anger. He looks directly at her as they pass by and park in the usual area. He can only watch as they exit and she makes a beeline for the kids.

She hugs and kisses them and tells them how much she missed them.

"Well, I'm sure they would've understood if they had known you were leaving," Rick states.

Carl can see the guilt and something else in her eyes as she turns to face his father.

"Hi to you too. I….I just needed to get out for a while. That's all," she tells him.

Father and son frown as that simple statement brings back memories of their time at the prison.

"What does that mean exactly? I…." Rick is interrupted.

"I'm really tired. Limited sleep out there, remember? I'm going home." Michonne turns toward home and starts walking.

Carl can see that his dad only has eyes for her as he attempts to follow her. He quickly pushes his sister into his dad's arms. "I've got training with Father Gabe remember? See you in a couple of hours."

Rick looks down at his beautiful blue eyed daughter as she nibbles on her pudgy fingers and realizes he will have to talk to Michonne later.

A/N: There will be a Part II coming shortly. Thanks.