Thanks everyone for reading and responding! As always I appreciate the support.

Chapter Two

The blaring sound of "waves" the ringtone on her iPhone, startled Michonne from sleep. Turning over she reached for the nightstand nearby, her hand fumbling in the dark for her phone until she found it. "Hello." She answered with a languid sigh. It was Mike. Right way, he'd apologized for waking her and asked if she'd had a good night's rest. She'd texted him the previous evening to let him know that she'd gotten a room at the Courtyard Marriott, and they'd actually spoken before she'd gone to bed. He'd been curious about how she'd gotten to the hotel with her car in the shop, and she'd told him about the sheriff's deputy, Rick Grimes. However, she'd obviously left out the powerful connection she felt to the man. She'd been so moved by the moment their hands clasped, the fever and tenderness, the bliss, nonetheless disquiet, that she could hardly concentrate while booking her room and had been unable to eat and properly engage Mike as they'd talked.

Even her sleep had been restless for most of the night, until exhaustion, in mind and body, finally claimed her. Michonne gradually roused, awakened by the memory of the car ride and handshake, her heart stirring with all the emotion she felt during every minute she was with Rick. When Mike invaded her thoughts, drawing her back to the present by repeatedly calling her name. He was asking again about her plans to pick up her car and head back to Atlanta. What time she'd be doing this? He wanted to know. Michonne had told him that the shop opened at 7:30am and she planned to be there as soon as the doors opened. Satisfied with her response, Mike had apologized again for waking her and stated how eager he was for her to join him so that they could announce their engagement to his family.

Michonne had not echoed his thoughts. Instead she'd told him she'd call him once she was back on the road. They'd spoken for a few minutes longer, discussing his plans for the day then ended their call. Returning her phone to the nightstand, Michonne lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling, not feeling even an inkling of sleep, but a sense of guilt over her failure to mirror his enthusiasm and happiness over their planned announcement. She shouldn't go to Philadelphia this way. She knew. But what choice did she have? Mike was already there, and she couldn't have this talk over the phone. They'd been together for 4 years. She had to tell him to his face that she was having doubts. She should've told him weeks ago, but she couldn't reconcile her uncertainty with reality. She still couldn't.

There was nothing in her past or present with Mike that signaled their future together wouldn't be good. She logically deduced, just as her encounter with Rick Grimes again rose in her mind. How was it possible for her to feel so strongly for a man she'd just met? To be moved by him in a way that was deeply profound, incredibly exhilarating, yet unnerving and strange. It was like nothing she'd ever experienced in her life. It had to mean something. She knew. She wanted to throw caution to the wind, and see him again, but the thought of acting so reckless and spontaneous was ridiculous. What purpose would it serve except to complicate her life? What time would she have to explore what she felt for this stranger, who didn't feel like a stranger at all? She would be gone in a few hours, likely never to see Palmer or Rick Grimes again. Thus, it was insane for her to even entertain the idea that there was a chance, for what? She didn't allow herself to answer.

Nearly Two Hours Later…

The morning was warm. The humidity was low, and there was a nice breeze on the air. As a result, Michonne had decided to walk the mile and a half to Dixon's Auto Shop, instead of attempting to bum a ride off a stranger. At times, the walk had been a challenge due to the lack of sidewalks, and sometimes uneven terrain, but in the end it had been a good stroll. She'd used the time to clear her mind, to get a handle on the confusion she still felt about her engagement and this sheriff's deputy, Rick Grimes.

Mike was a good man. She'd reminded herself. The foreboding she'd felt after his proposal was just natural fear, cold feet in the mist of the unknown. Mike had been apart of her life for four years and never had she had such a feeling about him. It was merely pre-wedding jitters. She'd reasoned with herself. And Rick Grimes, well he wasn't even a factor. She'd realized. She couldn't deny her strong attraction to him, but no matter what she felt, and the feelings she sensed, without a doubt from his heart, he was a man living in a small town that was hundreds of miles from Atlanta, from her, and would soon be nothing more than a moment in her past. Mike was her future. At least it made sense that he should be. Whatever doubts she had, she would work through them. She had to.

The timing was perfect. Michonne had arrived at the auto shop just as they'd finished looking at her car. Unfortunately, that was the only thing that had gone right with her visit. First, she'd been greeted by an obnoxious man who reeked of smoke she was sure came from an illegal substance and was obviously intolerant of any person of color, based on his veiled comments to her and another customer who was of Hispanic heritage. She'd confronted Mr. Darryl Dixon about the man, and he'd profusely apologized, stating that the guy was his brother – Merle and assured that his behavior in no way reflected on who he or his workers were or the good work they did at the shop. Michonne had accepted the apology, but wanted further assurance that the man would not be going anywhere near her car. Darryl had given his word that he wouldn't, and surprisingly she'd believed him. That discussion had been followed by news about her car. It had a busted radiator and hose. The hose could be immediately replaced, but the radiator would have to wait. He didn't have any in stock that was compatible with her car and with the holiday, the earliest it would deliver would be the 5th of July.

Michonne could not believe that she would have to wait three days to get her car fixed. This was unacceptable. She'd told Darryl. There had to be a way for him to get the part and her car repaired today. She could not stay in Palmer until after the holiday. She had plans in Philadelphia with her fiancée. She'd vehemently argued as her mind instantly went to Rick Grimes, igniting an excitement, yet fear at the prospect of seeing him again. "I can't stay here." She'd emphasized once more. Darryl had sincerely apologized for the inconvenience, stating that he wished there was something more he could do, but the holiday was "killing the timing" on completing the repairs. "I promise as soon as I get in the part I will get your car fixed and discount the service at 20% for your trouble." He'd vowed.

Michonne appreciated the discount, but she wanted her car fixed, not to spend her holiday in Palmer, Georgia. Weighing her options, she bounced around some pretty extreme ideas i.e. having the car towed to another shop, getting a rental car, from where she didn't know, catching Greyhound back to Atlanta. Sadly, none of the scenarios were easily workable or frankly feasible, considering they'd all cost significantly more money and trouble than it was worth, and/or require she leave her car in King County, which she wasn't willing to do. She was stuck in Palmer. She'd recognized with disbelief. Thinking that the situation was absolutely crazy, as if some unseen hand was wielding fate, causing these strange happenings. Accepting what was, Michonne had returned to the Courtyard Marriott and extended her stay. She'd been relieved to learn that they actually had room seeing as how surprisingly busy they seemed to be. Now famished, she headed down the street to the Bluebird Café. Her thoughts drifted to Rick Grimes, wondering if he was nearby on a patrol or enjoying a day off, a part of her wishing that they'd cross paths. But she'd promptly pushed the unwise thought from her mind with a decision to give Mike a call, when she remembered his planned breakfast with a potential client, and as an alternative, reached out to her friend Angela.

Michonne hung up with Angela just as she entered the café and was immediately greeted and offered a table, but she'd chosen a seat at the bar since she was dining alone. Reviewing the menu, she'd found quite a few dishes that sounded inviting, even some geared towards the healthy eater, like herself, and wondered if the food was any good, not noticing the patron who'd just taken a seat on the barstool next to hers, until she heard him utter her name.

"Rick." She gasped, upon turning and seeing Rick Grimes, now sitting at her side, his presence instantly unleashing a flood of tenderness and ardor through her form.

Rick had been thinking about her since he watched her disappear into that hotel lobby, feeling the heat of her touch, the way her presence awakened something wonderfully powerful and indefinable within him. He wanted to see her again, had debated whether to stop in at the hotel to check on her or to happen by Dixon's Auto to make sure she'd got off okay, but he'd seen her crossing the street from the hotel, on her way to Bluebird, and couldn't stop himself from following. He had to see her.

"You're still here." He said as he captured her eyes, his heart helplessly full with anticipation and warmth.

"I am." Michonne quietly stated, then quickly returned her eyes to the menu, trying hard to calm herself, to not get overwhelmed by the fervent feelings he'd stirred.

"Are you just waiting for Darryl to finish up with your car?" He asked, after drawing a breath, in an attempt to ease the intensity of his own emotions at her nearness.

"You could say that." She uttered with a hint of exasperation.

"Sounds serious."

Michonne didn't respond right away. For she was debating whether she should just move from the bar to a table. Figuring that would be the wiser choice considering she was an engaged woman, but she'd remained at the bar, in part because there were no longer tables available. And honestly, despite the risk, the fact that it made little sense, she was deeply drawn to Rick Grimes and couldn't help but want to spend more time with him. "It's a busted radiator and hose." She'd finally replied. "He won't be able to fix it until after the holiday."

"I'm sorry." Rick said, even as excitement hummed within him, drawing her eyes, questioning, back to his. "Yesterday I heard you tell Darryl… that you had weekend plans in Philadelphia." He awkwardly explained, unknowingly reminding her of the life, that just an hour ago, she'd vowed to embrace. Michonne again focused on her menu, and began to question what she was doing, when the waitress working the bar walked up and asked what she was having.

"Let me get an egg white veggie omelet, with tom…"

"You can't come to the Bluebird Café and have a veggie egg white omelet." Rick lightly interjected.

"Well what do you suggest I have?" Michonne flippantly countered.

"Pancakes, Waffles, shrimp and grits."

"All of that? I don't think so."

"Not all." Rick laughed. "But at least one. I promise you won't regret it." He said as she looked to him, her eyes locking with his, igniting a heat between them. Michonne turned her gaze away, taking a shaky breath as she gave the menu another glance. Pancakes and Waffles did sound better than a veggie omelet. She thought, purposely distracting herself from the intense pull that was Rick Grimes. "Ok scrap the omelet." She then told the waitress and changed her order to pancakes with bananas and walnut toppings.

"Good choice." He declared, a smile in his voice as he shared another keen stare with Michonne, which was interrupted by the waitress requesting his order then asking about his wife and child. Michonne listened with shock and disappointment as the woman continued her inquiry, questioning if they'd be joining him for breakfast. Rick had corrected the waitress, letting her know that he and his wife were formally separated. Therefore, she wouldn't be joining him, and furthermore, her and his son were out of town, visiting her family in Brunswick for the holiday.

Quiet followed that moment, with Michonne distracting herself with her phone, checking her personal and work emails and texting a couple of friends, while trying to process the fact that Rick had an estranged wife and a son, when Mike had called. His meeting had went well, but he was more interested in her car. She'd let him know that it wouldn't be fixed for a few days, and as a result she would miss their planned holiday in Philadelphia. Mike had responded with extreme ire and disappointment. How could he announce their engagement without his fiancé being present? He'd asked.

Michonne had let him know that she was frustrated too and suggested they plan another weekend to go up and make the announcement. However, Mike was adamant that the announcement go forward as planned and had even made suggestions on how to do it, from Michonne leaving her car in King County, renting a ride to the airport where she'd fly up to join him. She could deal with her car after the holiday. He'd argued. To them making the announcement with her Skyping in from Georgia. Michonne had balked at both ideas, stating that she'd also thought of renting a car, but there was no place nearby to secure a rental and she wasn't about to leave her car in a strange town in the care of people she didn't know for three days.

The Skype idea was a good one. She'd told him, but she just didn't feel right making the announcement in such a manner. She'd rather he told his family on his own than do it in such a sterile and impersonal way. Mike had ultimately agreed. Thus he'd grudgingly decided not to say a word and to plan a return trip to Philly within the next couple of weeks for them to visit and tell his family their great news. While Michonne was dealing with Mike, Rick had taken a call from Carl, who was having an "okay" time at his grandparent's home, but would've rather been in Palmer. Rick had found this odd, because Carl always loved visiting his grandparents who had horses and swimming and what seemed like an abundance of junk food to eat. But this year, he really didn't want to go, specifically it seemed due to his growing animosity towards Lori. She'd said it was due to him getting to that age, where anyone who didn't have male plumbing was useless to him, and of course their separation. However, Rick believed otherwise, thinking it was something other than their failing marriage, and that Carl was too young to be going through a male's only phase in his life. Rick hung up with Carl, just as their food arrived, quicker than both expected.

Michonne scanned her plate, feeling a little intimidated by all that was on it, but her growling stomach and the delightful aroma, drove her to abandon her hesitation. She fluidly draped a thick cloth napkin across her lap, picked up her knife and fork and dug in. The pieces of banana, nuts and pancake in the first bite seemed to melt in her mouth releasing a taste explosion, causing her to nearly moan.

"What do you think?" Rick asked with a gentle smirk as he watched her with intent, not having tasted his own meal due to his interest in her response to the food she'd ordered.

"It's delicious." She casually admitted after swallowing a small smile on her lips, knowing that he was watching her. "Almost as good as the Pancake Pantry."

"You mean in Nashville?" Rick asked with surprise.

"You know it?" Michonne questioned with her own shock turning her eyes to him.

"I do. I think the last time I was in Nashville I went there every morning for breakfast."

"Me too." She exclaimed as she briefly held his warm gaze. "The pancakes were wonderful." She added, then took another sampling of her meal.

"That and the French toast." He stated and finally began cutting into his steak and eggs.

"With cinnamon-cream syrup?" She sighed, now thinking of the fabulous dish.

"You too?" He asked, looking her way in amazement.

"Maple is good. But nothing is like the cinnamon." She declared, and for a moment they shared an intense stare.

"So…do you travel a lot?" Rick asked, his eyes back on his meal as his heart blazed with fire and happiness.

"Not as much as I'd like. I do some traveling for work, but I'd like to do more personal trips, specifically to places here in Georgia."

"There are some great places here. The mountains, the beaches, the falls."

"I've always wanted to go to Amicalola Falls."

"It's beautiful there."

"You've been?" Michonne asked, now watching him with curious and gentle eyes.

"I have." He said, after taking a swig of his juice. "It's about three and half hours from here but probably an hour, hour and a half from you. There's lots to do up there, hiking, fishing, camping, but the falls are the draw. The views are…amazing."

"Really? I'll have to make it a point to go soon."

"It'll make a good day or weekend trip. But, in the meantime, there's Palmer." He said, causing her to laugh.

"Don't knock it." Rick countered with a chuckle. "I'll admit we don't have the mountains of Blue Ridge or the Falls of Dawsonville, but we do have a lake, some great home town restaurants and shops and a beautiful park and flower gardens right off Main."

"Sounds like you love it here." Michonne softly noted.

"It's home." Rick quietly stated, his eyes meeting hers.

"For how long?" She'd asked.

"Almost 16 years. I moved here after college, job offer from the Sheriff's department."

"Where are you originally from?"

"Small town south of here...Eastman."

"You mean there's a town smaller than here?" She teased and they both laugh. "So you're from Georgia? That's a rare find." She continued and returned her attention to her plate.

"I am. But, you're not." He voiced, his tone serious, etched with impassion

"A rare find? Or from Georgia?" Michonne questioned and gazed at him once more.

"You're definitely a rare find. But not from Georgia." Rick quietly declared, his eyes seizing hers, touching something deep within her.

"How can you tell?" She softly asked.

"How can I not. Nothing about you says Georgia." He huskily replied as he continued to hold her gaze, his eyes smoldering and mesmerized.

"I…I heard the waitress ask about your family." Michonne awkwardly asked, breaking the connection in an attempt to get control of the situation, of her emotions, taking a sudden interest in his family and the abundance of pancakes and bananas on her plate.

"I've…I've been married…15 years." Rick struggled to state as he reeled from the deep affinity and affection she ignited in his heart. "We have a 10-year-old son, but we're separated."

"I'm sorry." She uttered, silently conflicted by her sympathy, yet relief about his situation. Rick acknowledged her compassion with a faint nod which was followed by silence between them, short and awkward.

"How about you?" Rick then suddenly uttered.

"I have a fiancée. We've been engaged for about a month." She said, briefly flashing him her ring.

"Congratulations." Rick tried to state in a favorable voice, but instead it sounded strained due to him being unreasonable bothered by her engagement.

"Thank you."

"So, when's the wedding?" He asked in a stilted tone.

"I don't know." Michonne replied, thinking of their planned announcement and likely discussion of dates, her earlier determination to forge forward, now being challenged by the reemergence of those strong feelings of foreboding and uncertainty.

"Did I guess right?" Rick asked, changing the subject after sensing that her engagement was a sensitive topic. Michonne gave him a bewildered look having no idea what he was talking about. "Are you not from Georgia?" He clarified.

"You guessed right." She confirmed with a small smile. "I'm from Baltimore. Same as you, I came here after finishing college, for a job."

"Where did you go to college?"

"Howard." She revealed. From there, their conversation had veered off into discussions about, college, careers, hobbies, occasionally circling back to travel and family. Michonne had learned that Rick had a brother that lived in Texas. His parents still lived in Eastman and that he absolutely adored his son Carl. He enjoyed cars, horseback riding, camping, and hiking and surprisingly dancing. She couldn't believe he admitted that. And like many men, he enjoyed sports. Football and basketball, being two of his favorite past times. Rick had discovered that Michonne had a brother as well who lived in Chicago and that her parents lived in the D.C. area. In addition to collecting art and occasionally painting, she enjoyed traveling, hiking, pottery, some sports specifically basketball and track, and to his surprise reading comics. They'd been in their own world, talking, laughing and eating, failing to notice the attention they were drawing, whilst the waitress unceremoniously laid down their tickets on the counter, pulling them from the moment.

Rick caught sight of the clock on the wall and was shocked to see how late it was. He was on duty in 10 minutes. I need to go. He said, disappointment in his voice, as he looked towards Michonne wanting so much to stay longer.

"Right." She softly replied, fighting her own melancholy at his impending exit. Michonne watched as he retrieved his wallet, noting his swag, the pure manliness and confidence in the way he moved, making her feel flushed. Rick flipped through his cash, pulled out what he needed and laid it on the counter.

"What are you doing?" She asked upon seeing him place money on his ticket and hers.

"I'm paying for breakfast."

"No. You're not." Michonne rejected.

"Why not?"

"Rick please."

"Really, it's not a problem." He assured.

"I know. But I got it." She firmly stated. As much as she appreciated his kind deed, him paying for her meal would be the final piece that would confirm what they knew, but she wasn't quite ready to accept, that they'd just spent the past 90 minutes having a date.

Rick nodded in acceptance, eying her with admiration as she handed him back the money he'd laid on the counter for her food.

"Thank you for offering to pay, and for the suggestion." She said, gesturing towards her plate. "It was really good."

"Good." He uttered. "If you need anything…anything during your stay…"

"I'll be okay." Michonne quietly voiced. "But, if you're ever in need of a painting." She added as she handed him her card before she could think it through, and thus change her mind. Rick beamed with delight as he stood from his chair, while he briefly examined the card, then slipped it into his front pocket.

"I just may take you up on that." He declared as he put on his hat and slightly tilted it towards her, his gaze tender with passion, heightening the force between them, then turned and left. Michonne watched as he walked out the door, exhilaration rushing through her. At which time, she spotted quite a few eyes staring her way, but just as many paying her no mind, giving her a mix of curious and hostile stares. Michonne turned her attention forward and took out her MasterCard to pay, when her phone suddenly dinged with a text.

~Hey. I'm in need of a painting. ~

Rick

Michonne smiled, knowing exactly what he was doing, and hesitated for a second to agree to what he was suggesting, but subsequently conceded, programming his number into her phone.

~I thought you weren't into art? ~

She texted back.

~I'm not. ~

He replied, filling her with mirth, even as she again began to wonder what hell she was doing.