Knots Untie in Teton

Michonne walked through the newly built Interdisciplinary Academic Building that everyone affectionately called IAB. All over campus students, staff and faculty were saying their goodbyes. Hugs were being distributed as though they'd never see one another again. Most people were speedy in their actions, ready to depart for the Thanksgiving break.

Michonne made it to the classroom she was in search of, holding two Starbucks beverages. The Art History class had not been dismissed yet so she slipped into the back of the large lecture hall that normally held eighty to find about one third of the seats vacant. She sipped on her latte while she listened to the wrap up.

"Everyone, I know it's about to be a holiday weekend but I need you to remember that your paper on how Hatshepsut's reign as a pharaoh effected the creation and destruction of priceless works of art in her and other women's image. I recommend the Damnatio Memoriae being included in this twenty-page paper. With that enjoy your extended weekend. Class is dismissed." Professor Richard Grimes announced to his students.

Michonne smiled as students departed the room in herds, excited to get on the road to see their families. There were a few young ladies who had made their way down to have a word with the professor. Michonne stood and made her way down the steps, careful so not to spill the hot beverages in her hands.

Professor Grimes was answering questions when he looked up and caught Michonne's eye. He zoned out the students unwittingly and focused on the beautiful woman coming down the stairs.

She wore a cream cowl neck sweater with tight blue jeans and brown over the knee riding boots. Her locs were twisted into a crown in the front with the ends and back hanging over one of her shoulders.

She smiled affectionately at him as she descended the stairs. His stomach began to flip when she got closer, but he had to deal with the young ladies that were vying for his attention.

"Professor Grimes…? Professor Grimes?" one blond girl called his name when she realized he was not paying her or the group any attention.

"Uh- yes?" Rick turned to the girl.

"We just wanted to say that we really appreciate that you value female influences in your class." She coquettishly smiled and pushed her hair behind her ear.

Rick simply nodded and continued to sneak peeks at Professor Hawthorne as she neared them.

"So what are you doing this weekend Professor Grimes?" another girl asked while the others made doe eyes at him. This was Rick's chance at freedom so he'd take it even if it was a little unprofessional.

"Oh, I'll be spending it with my girlfriend Professor Hawthorne." He raised his hand to signal for Michonne to save him.

Michonne giggled and walked to him as the girls parted to let her have access to the man.

The look on the student's faces was priceless, like puppies that has been swatted on the nose with a rolled up newspaper.

Rick took Michonne's hand and pulled her to him wrapping his arm around her waist. Michonne stifled a laugh since she knew what her boyfriend was up to. He'd told her on numerous occasions of the unwanted admirers he would garner each semester since he began teaching at Georgia Southern University. Michonne shared her own stories of unwanted flirtations so she decided to help him out.

"Hi Ladies, I hope you will enjoy your holiday weekend with your families." She smiled and handed Rick his cup. "Here you go baby, just how you like it. Black, sweet and strong." She winked at him.

Rick bit his lip to not burst out laughing. Michonne was laying it on thick for his benefit and he appreciated it. Rick stared at her lovingly while she turned back to the girls.

The students began to back away. "We should get going." Some wore expressions of shock while others were down right melancholy.

"Have a good weekend!" Rick stated and waved as they finally departed. Michonne turned to him and smiled.

"You are bad." Rick admonished her and she just sexily winked at him. "What you said about my coffee…" Rick shook his head and chuckled.

Michonne stepped closer to him after placing her cup on his desk. She ran her hands down his chest, over his knitted pumpkin spiced colored turtleneck sweater until she got to his waist. She looped her fingers in his belt loops pulling him even closer.

Rick's blue eyes shined intensely while her brown ones clouded over with lust as they stared at one another.

Michonne leaned close to his ear and whispered. "I plan on being very bad this weekend Professor Grimes."

She playfully nipped at his earlobe then stepped away, grabbed her cup and headed for the stairs.

Rick groaned and closed his eyes for a moment to focus on getting the blood to stop rushing to his nether region. He still had to walk off of the campus and he intended to do so without a huge bulge in his pants.

He chuckled when he regained his composure and headed up the stairs behind her, watching that plump ass he couldn't wait to get his hands on. It was time to get this vacation under way so he could do everything he was thinking of to her.

When Michonne made her way out in the hall she turned around to walk backwards so she could see Rick once he caught up to her.

When he emerged from the room, she was not let down by the site of Rick. His black jeans and cowboy boots striding to her with that bowlegged gait would be the death of her.

Once Rick got to her, he took her hand spun her around and they practically raced down the hall to the exit. They quickly waved at those they passed as to not get stuck in any conversations.

Rick and Michonne made their way to parking lot 42 as planned. Rick's jeep was parked there with their weekend bags already packed for their departure.

Rick had his key fob ready and unlocked the doors, he came to the passenger side to assist Michonne into her seat. His hands seemed to burn at the places he touched on her body.

He jogged around the vehicle to the driver's side and climbed in. Before he started it up he reached over and pulled Michonne to him, smashing his soft lips to hers. Michonne moaned into his mouth and reached up to rub the back of his head. Anyone who happened upon them would think the kiss rough but instead it was soft, the culmination of a yearning building in them since the trip was planned.

Michonne reluctantly pulled away. "Baby, we can't miss this flight."

Rick acquiesced, still breathing hard as he started the ignition and pulled off for Savannah Hilton Head airport. With the windows down some much needed breeze came through to cool them both off.

"Michonne, I'm so happy you agreed to do this." Rick took her hand and pulled it to his lips to kiss her knuckles.

"Rick, where you are, is where I want to be." She confessed and pulled his hand to her lips to return the kiss.

"I just hope your folks aren't too upset with me."

"They'll be fine. I'm spending one holiday away from them. We'll be there for winter recess."

"Yeah, we will." Rick smiled knowingly.

"So are you going to spill the beans?" Michonne batted her eyelashes at him.

"Nope. This is a surprise."

When he shook his head no, she stuck her tongue out at him. She sat back in her seat and pretended to pout and Rick just smirked.

"Fine, I'll tell you what state we are going to once we get to the airport."

"State?" she looked hopeful. "But I'll be able to figure that out when we get to the gate." Rick laughed hard then.

"Look, I have the E-tickets on my phone. You said you are willing to go park the jeep in long term while I handle the bags than you meet me at TSA." He tried to distract her.

"We are dressed for colder temperatures, you had us bring coats, hats, scarves and gloves so it must be…" she pondered.

"You are unbelievable." Rick chuckled at her antics.

"You know this is driving me crazy." She exclaimed.

They neared the airport exit.

"I'm just glad to see you so excited." Rick admitted.

"Of course, I am no one has ever done anything like this for me." She got a little misty eyed when she looked over at Rick.

"You deserve so much more." When he reached up to caress her cheek Michonne nearly melted.

They pulled up to departures and Rick jumped out and took the bags out while Michonne climbed over to the driver's seat.

"You sure you can manage?"

"I can manage." He responded as he pulled the large suitcase on the curb then threw one duffle bag over his shoulder and picked the last one up.

"I know you can." She giggled at his strategy. "State?" she asked.

"First stop to connect- Colorado." He smiled when her mouth fell open.

Before she could ask anything else he started heading for the luggage drop. Michonne pulled off to park.

It was the one thing Rick allowed her to do in preparation for this trip since she was by nature a planner. She drove into the long term parking lot that was conveniently located across the way from the terminal. She got her ticket to put in the window, grabbed her pocketbook and ran back to the terminal.

She was a little worried with the holiday travelers about the time it would take to get through security but TSA lines usually moved rather quickly there. When she walked in she saw Rick standing with one bag at the pre-check entrance so she made her way over.

"Pre-check?" she smiled impressed.

"Yeah, we've been threatening to sign up for this and Clear for a while. Just keep forgetting to do it. Since we were cutting it close on a holiday weekend I didn't want to risk it."

Rick showed their boarding passes and his ID to the agent. Michonne showed her ID as well and they were allowed to enter the restricted line.

"So Colorado?" Michonne questioned as they navigated through the stanchions.

"Uh huh." Rick nonchalantly answered.

Inside he was really nervous. He hoped that the place he had booked actually looked like the pictures on the website. But really he hoped that Michonne would love it, because he wanted to take her wherever she wanted to go. When they got to the X-ray machines, he fished everything out of his pockets making sure to tuck the items securely into the carry-on bag while Michonne made her way through the machine. When it was his turn to go through security he tried to keep an eye on the bag.

After they were cleared they sat on the available benches to put their shoes back on.

"Babe, let's get something to eat, this will be a be six-and-a-half-hour trip. That's including a very short layover."

"Six and a half hours from here to cold weather…" She rolled her eyes up in thought.

"You are gonna blow a blood vessel trying to figure this out." Rick took her hand as they headed to grab food from Pizza Hut.

They had made it to their gate and they sat eating while they waited for boarding to begin. Rick turned to Michonne after he finished.

"Michonne, can I ask you question?" she finished her last bite wiped her mouth and hands on a napkin then turned to him.

"Sure." Rick looked at her with trepidation but he whispered.

"Do you trust me?"

"Of course I do." She looked at him earnestly concerned with what he was feeling.

"Why would you ask that?" Rick tapped his fingers against his leg.

"You just keep asking where we are going."

She smiled at him and took his hand to stop his jitters.

"Richard Grimes. I've never trusted anyone as much as I trust you." She reached over to place her palm on his cheek.

Rick eyes brightened as he released his fear and sighed in relief. When he opened them they locked on the pretty brown eyes trying to convey the love he felt for her. Michonne gazed into his cerulean eyes expressing her devotion.

"I'm sorry."

"For what?" he asked and she smiled.

"For acting like a kid on Christmas." He smiled back.

"I just have that feeling like when you were a kid and the holiday was coming and you know you shouldn't but you sneak around looking for the presents your parents have hidden." Her gaze drifted off in the memory.

"Uh, I never did that." He smirked at her response.

"Of course, you didn't. Your mom always talks about how you were a perfect angel."

"I was."

"Yeah right. I know some stories I could share with Ms. Patty about you and Shane that would clear her misconception right up." Rick playfully poked her side causing her to giggle and squirmed away from him.

'We will begin preflight boarding of the 1:00pm flight to Denver, Colorado in just a moment. Anyone that needs assistance, please…'

The airliners staff began to make the call for their flight. Rick took their trash to discard and returned to grab the bag.

"I hate when everyone goes rushing to the line as though there isn't a system in place. You know where your seat is, wait until it gets closer for your group to be called." Michonne rattled off as people hurried to form a line.

"Well, we are up next." He took her hand and she stood looking at him confused.

"Rick, you didn't?"

"I did." He smiled and lead her to the queue when they called for first class passengers. They were greeted by the ticket takers and they headed down the ramp to board.

"You mean to tell me we could've been in the first class lounge?" Rick nodded.

"I didn't wanna spoil the surprise." Michonne made a sappy face at Rick and squeezed his hand tighter.

"Welcome aboard. Your seats are right up front. Eric will be available to help you throughout your journey." The flight attendant informed them.

Eric, the cute flight attendant showed them their seats and offered to store the duffle bag but Rick declined stuffing it under his seat. Rick and Michonne sat comfortably in the plush leather seats with plenty of leg room. Michonne was just smiling ear to ear.

"What's that smile?" Rick asked.

"This. This is amazing. I wanna scream but I don't want us to get kicked off." She exclaimed while a few others were seated around them.

"So you like it?"

"Like it?" she got on her knees in the seat and leaned over to press her lips to Rick's.

Michonne was sucking on his lips until he parted them to let her slide her tongue in. She kissed him hungrily making him moan. Their tongues tangoed to a slow rhythm until their seats got bumped.

They pulled apart to see an older couple stepping in the row behind them. The woman's face was turned up in annoyance. Michonne slid down in her seat, she and Rick giggled.

"You wanna know a little more?" Rick teased and she nodded with wide eyes.

"First leg is a little over four hours then we have a 45-minute stop where we transfer to the next plane for a one and a half hour final destination." Michonne just smiled with all her teeth showing and leaned over and kissed Rick quickly.

The seat belt sign came on and Eric walked around to ensure everyone complied. Michonne caught his attention and whispered to him.

"Is it possible to get some wine after takeoff?"

"Oh honey, you don't have to wait. I'll be right back."

"Thank you." Michonne's smile beamed and she fidgeted in her seat.

"You haven't even got to Christmas yet." Rick informed her.

"I love you." She bounced in her seat and Rick chuckled.

"I love you too."

Eric returned with their mini bottles and cups.

"Oh Eric, you can skip the cups. I'm gonna drink that straight out of the bottle."

'Tsk' she heard the woman behind her make the noise, her and Eric giggled to one another. He winked and went on to distribute the rest of his requested items.

Michonne popped the two bottles open and attempted to hand one to Rick.

"No, you have your drinks."

"You sure?" he nodded and patted her leg.

"Rick you know I'm too wired to sleep. I'll be up the whole flight."

"Okay." Rick rubbed her thigh and just smiled knowing his woman.

Almost immediately after the plane took off Michonne nuzzled up to Rick and feel asleep. Eric supplied her with a new sleep mask, pillow and blanket.

Rick sat there looking at the woman that was rolled up in a ball with her head in his lap. He rubbed his hands over her locs, enjoying the scent of coconut that emanated from her hair and skin.

Rick relaxed and his thoughts went to the day they met.

Having been undetermined for a few years on his career path, Rick had begun work on his graduate degree late. He was a bit behind having only really worked as a professor at smaller community colleges.

It was a weird feeling as a thirty-three-year-old man to be starting anew. Luckily, the university he had accepted a job at was hosting a meet and greet for the staff in the Foy building. But he couldn't seem to find it.

He had walked to the end of campus and back and couldn't seem to locate it. A group of women noticed him looking lost and offered to walk him over to the building. They walked together chatting with him, asking him all they could about himself. At one point he heard a not too distant laugh and he looked behind him. There walked this beautiful woman that was seemingly tickled by his entrapment.

He continued on but kept sneaking peeks at her as she unsuccessfully tried to hide the amused look on her face.

It made him smile, the glow of her skin, made him warm. The curves of her body, enticed him. He imagined her voice to be a song he'd never want to skip.

He thought, he had to get away from these women somehow then fate stepped in when his phone rang. He pretended it wasn't just a spam call and told the women to go ahead without him as his friend was coming to meet him.

The ladies reluctantly pressed on and the mysterious woman passed him too when he stopped. He stood there for a minute, checking out her round Georgia peach ass that was hugged by her maxi dress.

Once he got a hold of himself he walked quickly but softly to catch up with her. When he got closer he was nervous to approach her not wanting to frighten her.

"You are very loud." She said but kept walking.

"Am I?" he came to stand next to her and she looked him over.

"Your boots. I can hear them click clicking." He chuckled.

"I didn't want to startle you."

"You didn't. First day?"

"Yeah, that obvious?"

"I've been a part of the faculty here for a couple years but you can always tell. That's why the piranhas swooped in on you." She smiled and Rick's breath hitched.

"Pickins that slim?"

"I haven't been looking." She turned to stop in front of a building that said Carol A. Carter Recital Hall. Michonne looked him over and Rick hoped she liked what she saw.

"Not interested? Or not available?" he couldn't let up.

"Available but waiting to find something interesting." She licked her lips.

Rick had to pry his eyes away from her mouth before he extended his hand.

"Well in that case, I'm Rick Grimes." She shook his hand and looked surprised by something.

"I'm Michonne Hawthorne."

She went on to inform him that the building they stood in front of was the Foy building that he was looking for.

They entered together and Michonne pointed out key players before she left him to it. He made his rounds and was sociable but kept his eye on her as much as he could. But when Rick looked the next time, she had suddenly slipped away.

Rick wouldn't be deterred by her disappearing act. He found out she was a professor of philosophy.

He would randomly walk by the Carroll Building everyday hoping to run into her. But hadn't in the whole month of September.

Rick was headed to the Russell Union building for Starbucks one day when…

"You really love those boots. I hear you click clicking all the time around campus."

Rick turned around to see Michonne in a hunter-green knitted form fitting knee-length dress with calf high taupe boots. Her hair was loose framing her lovely face.

He was glad he had on his dark blue denim jeans and a cream cable knit sweater with black square stitching. His hair was longer at that time and sat in curly waves.

Michonne smirked at the shock on his face.

"Go to dinner with me."

"What?" she asked shock now evident on her face.

"We could do this back and forth thing." He waved in the space between them. "Or we could just stop bullshitting." Michonne giggled at his forwardness.

"Since it is your job to save me from the piranhas." He used his chin to signal towards the group of woman waiting in the wings.

He sighed then looked to Michonne squinting his eyes at her then he smiled.

"Yeah." She smiled back at him.

It was the beginning of everything for him.