Author's note: Guys! I hope everyone is doing okay with this lock-down. I miss you guys and I miss Richonne. With the world in chaos, this is my happy place. I'll stay right here, thank you very much. Hope this makes somebody happy out there. It made me happy to write it:) Stay positive during this time and remember to wash your hands. love y'all!

Enjoy!

Sophia

Family Fun Day was being reluctantly postponed. Michonne had a major call to make and she knew she made the right one. She studied if her lapse in focus was what caused their current dilemma to go unnoticed. Judith was supposed to be the one in need of a check-up. Although, she gave a sigh of relief when Siddiq advised her and Rick that Judith's cough was absolutely nothing to worry about, and was totally normal given the time of the year. She had in fact been given a clean bill of health. When Rick returned to Alexandria in the early morning, Michonne informed him that Judith had a cough. He saw her concern and was all too willing to take their sweet girl to Siddiq for a check-up. Michonne knew he was probably placating her, but she knew he too was worried. He had already checked Judith's temperature before he joined her in their cocoon of a bedroom, which added to her beliefs. They were always so in sync. She didn't expect that she would be leaving Siddiq's office with a sick husband and a heavy heart.

"Mama, daddy has to lie down forever!" Judith beamed in the backseat, sucking on a lollipop Siddiq had given her for bravery. Michonne hadn't even bothered to ask where he'd gotten the treat from, not when she saw the delight on Judith's face.

"Not forever, baby girl. Only a few days."

Michonne peeped an eye at Rick from her peripheral. He had a smirk on. As sexy as he wore it, she could not allow the allure to sway her.

The real patient chimed in, "I told you, I'm fine."

"Siddiq said your temperature was high enough for him to keep you." Carl said, his face glued to his latest video game. It was a surprise to both his parents when Carl opted to join them on their journey.

"It's nothing," Rick mumbled. He turned to meet Michonne's pretty gaze. "Babe, I'm fine." He winced, trying his not-so-best to hide how painful it was to swallow.

"Mmhmm." Carl and Michonne grinded in unison. They always did that. It always made Rick chuckle.

To get Judith to cooperate, not only did they have to promise her a Family Fun Day to offset the torture of having a palette stuck down her throat, but Rick had to present himself as a test subject for Dr. Siddiq to prove to their munchkin it wasn't so bad being prodded by a skilled doctor like Siddiq. When the shenanigans ensued however, their fool-proof plan went awry. Siddiq immediately discovered Rick had swollen tonsils, a high fever and an ear infection. When asked about the nature of his days before, Rick reluctantly admitted he and Daryl had jumped into an almost frozen pond to fish out a dozen empty barrels they knew could be put to good use. They were at the time of year where the days were cold and the nights were colder. In hindsight it was a dumb decision. Compounding the misdemeanor with the fact Rick Grimes was the Zombie Apocalypse version of the energizer battery, in that he just kept on going and going, the scene was perfectly set for a disastrous outcome.

In between their own version of Investigative Discoveries, and unraveling how critical Rick's care needed to be for recovery, Judith was not forgotten. She had in fact been given a clean bill of health. Her daddy, however, was a different case altogether. A nut case in Michonne's opinion. The doctor had given them some painkillers, strict orders of bed rest for three days and lots of liquids. They had to do all they could to prevent a case of pneumonia from taking hold of Rick. The thought scared Michonne as much as it pioneered her to take charge of his immediate care. She observed him steering them down the frigid road back to Alexandria, the silence between them almost as chilling as the cold air in the cabin. Eugene claimed he'd fixed their heater, but that was not evident. The cold permeating the cabin was a good distraction from how slighted Michonne felt that Rick had somehow hidden his pain from her.

It had been a couple of not so quiet hours since they'd return to Alexandria. Judith sat on the living room floor playing with her dollhouse - a surprise Rick had brought home a month ago from a run. Michonne allowed Carl to spread the word Rick would be unavailable for the next few days. The work wasn't going anywhere. Rick had been stretched for weeks now, trying to lend a hand not only in Alexandria but in the other communities too. He went unchecked and she would readily take the blame for that. She was running point on things now, but she knew too well that her husband was good at dishing out orders, not so much taking them. It was why he was always in such high demand; he not only dished out orders, but he was good on follow up too. People respected him because he wasn't a dictator. Unlike the Governor, and Negan, he wasn't self seeking. He gave to people just as much as he demanded of them. The challenge remained letting their family know he was going to be inaccessible for a few days.

She was about to suggest something light for lunch when there was a loud, chaotic knock on the front door. There was only one man in all of the Apocalypse whose knock was as unruly as his personality. Rick shot her a wink before she answered, as though his charm could get him out of mandatory rest. Abraham stood outside. The coat he was wearing could fit Michonne's frame like a canoe.

"Can Rick come out and play?"

"Abe…,"

Abraham took a step back for leverage, "I'm sorry, Mrs. Grimes, but we need the big kahuna to help put out a potential shit storm." Abraham did well to ignore the scowl on Michonne's face. She gently closed the door behind her and stepped outside. There was a nip in the air. She pulled her coat tightly around her.

"No." She folded her arms.

"Say what now, ma'am?"

"Abe, I know you heard that Rick isn't available. Not even for consultation. You're gonna have to put this fi-re out yourself." She used the fire reference on purpose and kept her tone at no-nonsense.

Abe gave her his usual intimidating stare down, but when he discovered he was on the receiving end of a dose of his own medicine, the burly redhead relaxed his stance.

"The man needs his rest," he conceded. "And I know an ant has no quarrel with a boot." He added, capturing their exchange perfectly.

Michonne smiled at his metaphor and waved him off. One down. How many more of them to go?

Rick had Judith on his lap in a fit of giggles when she joined them inside. The sight of the father daughter duo always melted her heart.

"Judy bear, why don't you go pick up your toys, baby." Michonne suggested, her voice now honey sweet. Judith slithered off her father's lap, immediately beginning to line up her toys that were askew on the floor. Rick sat up slowly, his curls pressed down to one side of his head. Michonne couldn't help but notice how the deduction in hair aesthetics didn't take away from his appeal.

"Heard you outin' that fire."

"I'm sure it won't be the last one."

She fluffed his pillow, hoping she could lure him back to resting on the couch. Maybe she was being a bit smothering, but the look on Siddiq's face when he shared his concern about Rick's fever and the implications if not properly managed took years off her life. That said a lot given they were smack dab in the middle of a Zombie Apocalypse. Rick was almost never sick; overworked, stretched and drained, but never sick. Knowing that he was somehow hiding how ill he really felt gave Michonne pause. They never hid parts of themselves from each other. A part of her knew he didn't want her to worry, but now that she saw the drain in his eyes, the subtle sheen of sweat on his skin and the weariness on Rick's face the bubble they'd spent so much delicate time building felt quite penetrable.

"Want me to make you some tea?" she asked, sitting next to him on the couch, the both of them watching Judith in all her messy glory.

"Actually, I think I'm startin' to feel better."

Rick couldn't match her gaze. His feet were already itching from the conversation she knew he overheard with Abe. There was always going to be a never-ending list of things to be done. Not just in Alexandria, the other communities as well. Rick had become specialized in doing more with less and it benefited all the areas that were currently thriving in Alexandria. Everyone had dubbed Rick Grimes the president of the new civilization; if Rick was the President that made her the First Lady. If she was being real, there wasn't much that got implemented in Alexandria without her approval. They had a good campaign of VP's that were capable of getting the job done just as well as Rick.

Michonne tilted her head, giving him one of her you-can't-fool-me looks. "Rick -"

A knock at the door interrupted her rally for more rest.

"Want me to get that?" Rick smirked.

She laughed wryly, backing out of the living room, "I want you to rest."

Glenn, Maggie and little Hershel were the next contestants on How Can I Disturb The Grimes Today? The family of three were all wearing smiles, matching coats and scarves.

"We brought Rick some soup. Daddy used to make this for me and Beth when we got sick." Maggie thrust a yellow container into Michonne's hands. Hershel in retaliation, tried his best to pry it away.

"Thanks you two," Michonne said, feeling relieved that at least part of their family was paying attention to her plight at hand.

"Once he's good though, we'll need him to come see the work we did in the garden. He's gonna have to say if he wants the pillars to the back or to the front."

Glenn saw the displeasure join the amusement on Michonne's face when he spoke. "Well… maybe next week will be good." Glenn added.

"Good Lord, Glenn! Work's never gonna be gone." Maggie fake slapped Glenn on his arm.

"Look, Michonne, you just take care of your husband, honey. We'll be here if you need us to help with the kids. If he's anything like mine, he's probably as stubborn as a mule."

Maggie was more empathetic. The look of concern on her best friend's face made her feel like she wasn't overreacting even if she was feeling that way minutes before.

"We appreciate you guys. I'm gonna give him some of this soup and try my best to get him to sleep."

Maggie dipped her head in commiseration.

"I know," Michonne shrugged. "Rick Grimes napping during the day. The world must be coming to an end." The laugh escaped her and it became infectious. She waved off the cute family.

Maggie and Glenn descended the steps, their exit made way for Daryl's entrance. Daryl had his crossbow on his back while jogging up the few front steps two at a time.

"Rick around?"

Dammit! Was she ever going to get any peace today?

"He's inside. Resting."

"Supposed to go on a run," Daryl said.

"Yeah, you wish."

Daryl grunted in exchange. His face was unsure.

"He's sick. Siddiq said he has a high fever and an ear infection." She tilted her head for dramatic emphasis. "Could be because of that swimming expedition you two had last week."

Daryl's narrow gaze diverted. They'd been outed. "He made me swear I'd never tell you 'bout that."

"I'm disappointed to be honest."

Daryl side eyed her. "Don't do that, Chonne. Sorry he's sick. Maybe we shouldn't have gone into that pond. You know Rick. He didn't want to lose somethin' we could use."

Michonne inhaled the chilled air. The sun was out, but its rays was missing in action during the peak of the day. Family Fun Day would've been a hit despite the cold had it not been for a dumb fever.

"Was it worth it?"

"Guess not."

His eyes were currently cleaning the porch floor. The barrels were still stocked in the back of their tool shed, untouched.

"Dixon?" Michonne prodded.

Daryl was keeping something from her. There wasn't much he and Michonne didn't share during their days out searching for the Governor. Even though the road life narrowed behind them, their tight knit bond was still there despite the way their lives' trajectory placed them on different paths. He was still family. Rick considered him a brother, but essentially Daryl was still a loner. A good reminder of what Michonne used to be. Unlike her, his risk taking days weren't behind him.

"You encouraged him, didn't you?"

Sometimes Daryl and Rick were like Butch and Sundance, playing off each other like tornadoes blowing through a town. The rascality didn't surprise her.

"Didn't stop him."

Daryl didn't confess to Michonne that Rick fished the barrels out of the pond for her. She had a special project coming up that needed crates and barrels alike for the plan to be executed. Rick had been singing Michonne's praises all day that day to Daryl as though he was attending church. So, once Rick spotted the barrels, leaving them was not an option.

"So, you're the reason why we're here!" Michonne exclaimed, fitting the missing pieces of the puzzle together. She didn't need to get heavy. Daryl was already feeling guilty. Michonne could tell by the way he was nibbling his bottom lip and avoiding eye contact. She wasn't going to pass blame, but if Daryl thought she was letting Rick out the house, he was drinking more than moonshine.

"Anythin' I can do to help?"

"Yeah."

"Name it."

"You can tell everyone to stop dropping by."

Michonne's house had been busier than a Macy's semi-annual sale. In the time they'd been home, Rosita and Eugene had already stopped by with a knife training debacle; Eugene had a calculation project going on that estimated the likelihood of everyone in Alexandria needing to use a knife, and was giving statistics on why they might not need it. As though walkers cared about mathematics. Then Gabriel wanted to discuss a new Thursday night service for new recruits. Michonne wanted to ask what was the point in having one special service during the week for two people, but she didn't.

She needed a reprieve. Daryl grunted something incoherent, then set his crossbow down. He positioned himself on the porch step, making it known he had no imminent plans on moving. Michonne shook her head in disbelief. She supposed him being sentry was better than him doing something Daryl-esque, like making squirrel foot soup to help Rick feel better.

"Keep them off my porch!"

Daryl leaned against the railing making himself more comfortable on the Grimes' front porch.

"Yes ma'am."

Michonne met Rick and Carol chatting in the kitchen. Carol was holding a container of oddly pinkish cookies brightening up the rectangular bowl.

"She came through the back," Rick said.

Michonne made a mental note to keep their back door locked, and another note to fire Daryl.

"Heard Rick was under the weather, so I thought a batch of my beet cookies would help."

When did Carol's awful tasting beet cookies ever help anybody?

"That was nice of you, Carol." Michonne lied. "But Rick is supposed to be in bed. I'm afraid visiting hours are over."

Carol rarely didn't have an agenda. She was always on a solo mission of her own volition, always one step ahead of everybody else. They were working on a treaty, something that would not only benefit the four communities , but it was a good way of uniting everyone for a common cause. Rick was one of the key players, so she understood how his absence would affect their timeframe, especially when they had a deadline for completion drawing closer. Michonne assumed that's why Carol was making house calls.

"I only took up a few minutes of his time." Carol said.

"This about work?" Michonne couldn't help but ask.

"The opposite." Rick said, moving towards Michonne. "She said I should take a few days off. Told her with you in charge I have no choice."

Michonne eyed Carol and Rick speculatively, unsure if she heard right.

"I'm not gonna stay long. I told Henry we'd bake some bread tonight." She faced Rick again, her eyes cool and calm. "Ezekiel said you wanted to loan him a book, I can give it to him if you'd like."

Rick nodded in recall, and left the two mothers to fetch the book for the King.

"I don't know what's worse, how much everybody needs him, or how much people don't really believe he's sick." Michonne grabbed a stool and slid it under her.

"Doesn't matter what we think," Carol said to her. "I get it, you do what you have to to keep your family safe. And you make no apologies for it."

Michonne felt like Carol was speaking from a place of loss, and maybe a little bit of regret. They had all lost something precious in their new lives, but they had gained too. It made the future more revered, more respected. Carol glimpsed up the stairs to make sure Rick wasn't on his way down.

"I really came here to you. There's lots of rooms at the Kingdom. You guys are more than welcome. I promise you won't be disturbed. Rick will have a fair chance at getting some rest. You two can catch a break."

It wasn't Maui or Mexico, but the idea of a get away sounded promising, but the best place for them right now was in Alexandria.

"I appreciate it Carol, but we'll take a rain check on that."

A vacation wasn't far-fetched in Michonne's mind. They needed a break, but that would come when Rick was better and they both could enjoy the reprieve.

"The offer is always on the table."

Rick returned and exchanged small talk with Carol. Michonne walked her to the door and left her on the front stoop conversing with Daryl.

Michonne found herself laughing when she got to the kitchen. Rick was sitting on one of the stools lining their granite counter. She hadn't noticed Carl had returned home. He was wrestling with Judith in the living room. The house was far from quiet. Looked like Judy-pie was winning.

"What's so funny? What's that smile?" Rick asked, content to watch her face twist into different emotions. He knew them all.

"I'm laughing at you, and our family. How much of a task it is to get them to leave you alone."

"That it?"

Rick caught the subtle change in Michonne's disposition since they left Siddiq's office. Her shoulders were set straight, her lips were tight and the smile he loved to see reach her eyes was only submitted for Judith. She was worried. About him. Life didn't stop running because they needed a break. She knew that as well as he did. Maybe he was guilty of ignoring the throbbing in his head, the slight drumming in his ear and the cold sweating that he had off and on over the past few days. That's how most of them got by these days. It was a way to ensure your survival; ignore the pain and keep going. With all the interruptions since they'd gotten home it was clear to him now how stretched they both were. Now that life had considerably slowed down for them, he didn't want to stop because he might have the flu.

Michonne was the exact opposite. He knew it. She wanted him to rest because now they could. Rick grew accustomed to always planning a mission, always on a trail of finding someone or doing something. Now that Negan was dead and the mission was over he didn't know how to stop. He still wrestled with not being out there. Rick didn't want them to become complacent. Slowing down felt scary. He knew things could always be taken away from them in a split second. But that didn't mean they shouldn't put emphasis on serious things, like a fever.

Hey, look at me," he said, commandeering her attention. "I'm gonna be okay."

He didn't want to promise Michonne things he couldn't, but she always made him believe in things that felt too perfect to be true, like love and life and a future. Michonne ran a glass under the faucet "I just want you to be okay. I don't know what I'd do without you."

People viewed Rick as infallible, and she too got swept up in the aura. He wasn't immortal which made her contemplate what losing Rick would feel like. It turned her gut.

"You'd keep going," he said.

"Rick. No." She couldn't lose him.

He fed her that line on their honeymoon and he remembered how sullen Michonne had become when the words left his lips. A few days later Karma made a fool out of him. Michonne was beaten almost inches past her life in the battle with Negan and the Saviors. Rick's heart dipped in memory. He couldn't lose her either. She was his whole reason for breathing. It wasn't even about not being able to move on without her, it was not wanting to. The depth of Michonne's love fell over Rick like a summer rain. He understood why Michonne was feeling the way she was feeling. He slid his hand over hers and squeezed. After all they'd been through, they were both still standing. It had to all have meaning.

"We've beaten more than a fever together," Rick offered, his tone confident, his eyes sincere.

Michonne smiled, like actualization was filling up her soul. They had won wars.

"We have."

"Good, now you don't think I'd let a little old fever keep me down, do you?"

Her smile was like rain to a desperate farmer. This one was reserved just for him. Michonne paused when Rick squeezed her hand again, as if he was calling her out of the darkness.

"You're not superman." Despite the fact everybody thought the opposite.

"I know."

Michonne's head shot up to look Rick in the eye, "Do you?"

He shook his head, softening his tone to level with her. "Michonne, I don't. You know I don't."

There was a crick in his knees every time he went up the stairs and his back ached like he was ninety nine every morning he got off the bed. He wasn't even Superman's grandfather. Rick hated seeing Michonne this shaken. There was so much more than a fever between them.

"I didn't want you to worry. I'm really not feelin' that bad. I'll be back to normal in no time." Rick continued. Half the concern was that he'd kept something from her, when that had never been their practice.

"Really? Cause you look a mess." The levity was needed. Michonne laughed and Rick soon followed. She knew he considered her feelings first.

"We're the ones who live. You were the one who reminded me of that in the cell. And since I met you, I've come to see that I've got a whole lot of livin' to do."

Rick walked around the counter and pulled her into his arms, brushing his lips against her forehead. He was right, his body heat was not as intense when they had arrived home. Rick's lips were cool to the touch. Michonne hoped this meant he was already on the mend.

"You do. That's why I need you to rest. I've got plans for you, Rick Grimes."

Michonne's fear wasn't completely gone, but it didn't make sense to focus on what-ifs. Not when she had so many right nows to live for.

"I'll rest as soon as I get some of Maggie's famous soup. I promise."

Rick gave her a wink. Michonne was unable to hold it against him.

"Soup! Mama, I want soup!" Judith ran into the kitchen with a too tall Carl trailing behind her.

"I'm hungry, Can we eat?" Carl said, taking Rick's seat at the counter. He remained unphased by his parents' lack of chill with their PDA.

Michonne slipped out of Rick's embrace and began to gather bowls from the cupboard. "Coming right up. You guys set the table."

Carl got to it. Judith let him do all the work, with none of the credit.

"I'll hold you to that, Mr. Grimes." Michonne smirked, watching her family gather around the table for what was shaping up to be an early dinner.

"I know." Rick had the purest intentions to please Michonne for the rest of their lives.