"Well, it seems to me that the best relationships - the ones that last - are frequently the ones that are rooted in friendship. You know, one day, you look at the person, and you see something more than you did the night before. Like a switch has been flicked somewhere. And the person who was just a friend is... suddenly the only person you can ever imagine yourself with."

― Gillian Anderson

"Hi, my name is Mike Wesson, by the way."

"Rick."

Mike proceeded nonchalantly, "Yeah, man, my cousin swears on his life that the female you are always with–." Mike had abruptly stopped short of finishing his sentence. He had to size up again who he had assumed was just an unassuming customer service rep working out in the Go Stop Gym. What he had also noticed was an unusual air of authority. It was visible in his stance. Mike was able to read Rick's expressions, watching it go from utter confusion to murderous within seconds, and it concerned him. Instinctively Mike raised his guard, unsure with whom he was so lax. Now that they were dressed in their respective suits, Mike adjusted his tie while Rick went without.

"My friends' name is Michonne," Rick emphasized, taking great offense from her being referenced by her sex. She was more than that to him.

Mike quickly added his disclaimer, "I am not trying to step on any toes." He closed the small locker door.

"Why would you think you could?"

"I have a cousin in the mailroom who was obviously filling my head with nonsense. No offense."

"Yeah." Rick's response could not be confused. He agreed, nonsense.

"So you two are together-Together?"

Rick didn't dignify the question with a response. The answer was as apparent as his disdain. He was determined to end Michonne's manifesting of this particular guy at any cost. Rick was determined.

"I am aware of who you are. My father speaks very highly of you."

"Your father?"

Rick didn't say any more than what he had. Mike Wesson knew instantly that he might have to back down from having anything further information clarified once Shane Walsh waltzed in patting Rick on the back in a congratulatory manner.

"Just finished talking to Senior. He said you would be taking over the reins here at Go Stop."

Rick spoke partially to both men standing before him, and his response had a different connotation. "Yeah."

"Who are you?" Mike asked.

"Rick."

Shane responded just as boisterous as he would if he were in their old stomping ground back in Kings County Old Honky Tonk Bar, "Not just any Rick, This here is Richard Sinclaire Grimes. Our boss's son. My friend and cohort. The-"

Rick was annoyed. He purposely interrupted Shane. "I still have to keep this under wraps. Nothing is official yet. I still have some things I need to work out throughout this organization. I am surprised you weren't told. By the way, when did you get into town? Aren't you heading our west coast operation?"

Rick knew he was going to have to tell Michonne what happened. If he were completely reading more into what was going on between them, he would gladly step back and out of the way if Mike was truly who she wanted. He swallowed hard after staking his claim inside of the men's Locker room.

"We both need to be careful is all I'm saying, Michonne. We spend a great deal of time together, and I can understand why some people think we are dating. I could understand why Mike Wesson thinks we are."

"We are? He? Are you now telling me Something?"

"I am."

"Am I going to be angry with the details?"

"I don't know," Rick answered sincerely.

Michonne stopped walking. She searched his eyes only to find herself lost while gazing into them as deeply as he was looking into hers.

Michonne wanted to know the details, but she wasn't necessarily invested in getting it all at once.

"It just happened." Rick shrugged, still holding her hand.

"How does something like that just happen?"

"Well..." Rick wasn't necessarily prepared to explain without having to bring up Shane.

"Don't give me that, Mr. Groomes."

"Just say it, Michonne. If you rather him?"

"You are determined to have me reveal my manifesting list."

"I've seen your list, Michonne."

"Not recently, you have not. I could have increased or reduced. I have to keep my special person who will come into my life on his toes. I refuse to allow you to jinx that."

"I'm not trying to jinx anything, Michonne."

Michonne took her hand from his as they continued to walk around the small fair that consisted of very few people, families, and other hand-holding couples on a random Thursday. After a few seconds, Rick made a successful attempt to take her hand in his with no struggle or protest. This caused him to feel more at ease.

After a moment of silence, Rick's curiosity was getting the best of him. "So, there is one guy?"

"I only need one act right."

"Act, right?"

"I only need one guy to act right. One guy to be a friend and not a selfish asshole."

"Ahh. Now I follow."

"Good. I like to think I am a good catch." Michonne spoke as a matter-of-fact. She was confident she had a lot to offer a healthy relationship.

"How so?"

"What do you mean, how so?"

Rick chuckled, "How so? Tell me, how are you a good catch?"

"I love hard. I love long. I am loyal. I'm a good listener. I am willing to go on adventures, including uncharted territories." Michonne stopped in her tracks in front of a ticket booth causing Rick to release her hand. Before Rick could reach for his wallet, Michonne found her debit card in her much smaller purse. Michonne paid for 40 tickets.

This small act stunned Rick. It endeared her more to him than she would ever know. This was the first time a woman had paid for anything. Ever.

"Hey..." Michonne began.

Rick couldn't quite put his thoughts or words together when Michonne turned to him, smiling like a Cheshire cat. He was completely smitten.

"...we have twenty tickets apiece. Here's yours. I have mine."

"Why?"

"Are we here to just walk around?"

"Which ride would you like to try first?" Rick waited for a suggestion. He felt himself slowly drown in her eager brown eyes.

"Most of them." Michonne set her limitations as vague in hopes that if he did have any boundaries, he was at least aware of hers. The longer she paused, her heart began to admit what her eyes began to relay to her brain. Those baby blues had her feeling the sky wasn't the limit. Limitless.

"Okay."

"Okay."

A/N: I want to be transparent. Some of you may know I suffer from insomnia. Well, now I suffer from a chronic cough. The only thing that helps the cough is oil of oregano and olive leaf. When I take those, Lights OUT! I found my cure for my cough and sleep but it hinders my ability to be consistent with writing. I'm off from work for a few days so this may help to push out more stories/chapter's...fingers crossed. I do have a chapter of Baptist town I want to release before I indulge the story Creep. Right now my headspace is light and airy and this particular story is easier for the right here, right now.

Sorry Msjr, I've been promising and promising. I will give you an update on Creep! LOL. Also, Thank you Sugaree for that motivating prompt on Tumblr that helped push this story forward.

Thank you to all who continue to read, review, and enjoy my stories.