A/N: Firstly, I am still spinning from the season finale. Those Richonne scenes were EVERYTHING. Where she tells him, "I'm still with you" I am convinced she is in love with him. He actually tears up and I think in that moment, Rick realises he loves Michonne! Argh! I just can't!

Now, my gosh, the reviews to this have been fantastic. I love hearing from you all so much. It really does bring a smile to my face.

Responses:

Perfect: Thanks! I really do love writing the moments between Michonne and Judith.

focusedOnProsperity: I agree; she must know she is part of their family by now.

megs27: Yes! Their flirting is the best.

Alex311: You are right; it's best that they take things slowly and are reminded of what they love about each other.

songbird11: It's so important that you brought up that Michonne needs to realise how full and loving her life can be with Rick and the kids. She deserves every happiness; they deserve every happiness together.

Severelybabykryptonite: Exactly! There is some powerful, innate force that will always draw them together.

cavalier8503: Thanks! I loved that line as well. I like to run the dialogue through my mind in the characters' voices and that just sounded perfect coming from Rick!

Love'Joy1990: Oh thank you. That's so nice of you to say considering I know how many talented Richonne authors are out there.

KK: Yes! They are better together; the bunch of them. And I'm pleased that people genuinely liked that line. You're right, there is something sexy about it!

Yari: Exactly. Rick did some scummy shit, and I was far from pleased with him keeping the plan from her; but I am a sucker for a happy ending just like you! Lol And Carol's advice was shit house (but that's another story…)

Soul93: Aww, I'm glad you're enjoying my little story.

Okay, let's check in with our beloved…

It had been a week since Michonne had chosen to stay at the Grimes residence and it felt so natural to be there with Rick and his children. They had all fallen into an easy and comfortable routine and were enjoying their time spent together. Despite Rick's injury, he actually felt better than he had in a very long time. Everyone he loved the most were under his roof; safe and sound.

The day had been particularly long as Rick had met with a few key personnel regarding the security of the wall surrounding the Safe-Zone. They realized that they would have to venture out on runs that would take them farther away from their community to garner supplies. Things on the outside had slowly gotten more dangerous and nobody wanted to be away from their families for very long; especially in an uncertain world. There were ruthless, bloodthirsty groups who would attack and kill the living without a second thought, which was why they needed to reinforce their walls.

The immensity of responsibility still weighed heavily on Rick; he took his role as leader very seriously and would never ask someone to do something that he would not be willing to do himself. He did not want to have to send their people out into the insanity of the present day, but it was a necessity.

When he walked in the front door, the sight before him helped to ease his worried mind by causing him to focus on his two favourite girls. Michonne was asleep on the sofa with Judith slumbering on her chest. They each held loosely on to the other's hand. Rick could not help but smile at them as he took up a seat on the recliner and watched them serene in their sleep. He could stay like that forever and listen to their soft breathing.

As if on cue, Michonne's eyes fluttered open to find Rick; he offered her a gentle smile to which she responded in kind.

"Hey," she said softly, shifting so that she could place the toddler down on the sofa without rousing her.

"Hey," replied Rick.

Michonne sat up, yawned and used her right hand to draw her long hair to the side of her face.

"How long have you been sittin' there for?" she asked as he noted how much he adored her sleepy face and relatively unfocussed sleep-filled eyes. He adored all of her.

"Just got in and sat down, didn't wanna wake y'all," he drawled.

Michonne nodded.

"We were having story time and I was just so tired that when the Baby Girl fell asleep, so did I," Michonne explained when she did not need to; she felt like she had not seen Rick all day, which was the case, and just wanted to talk to him about anything.

"Was she good for you?" Rick asked, knowing full well that his daughter would have been. She loved Michonne and Michonne doted on her.

"Yeah, she picked some nice tomatoes out for you from the garden. She's such a daddy's girl," she said.

Rick chortled and smiled.

"Don't know about that, she likes ditchin' me for you all the time," said Rick.

"That's because I'm awesome," Michonne joked, causing Rick to beam widely.

"I know these things," was his playful reply.

"But seriously, after having you all to ourselves for the better part of the week, we missed you today," Michonne said in earnest.

Rick nodded.

"Yeah, back to reality. And I couldn't wait to get home today. Missed you too."

Michonne offered a small smile.

"How'd it go?" she asked, knowing how much Rick loathed to have to make decisions that put their people's lives in danger.

He sighed loudly and ran his hand through his hair.

"Not great, but everyone knows it has to be done," he said while holding her gaze. "We worked out the logistics, but haven't settled on a crew yet. I'd prefer to be out there myself to get what we need, but in my state, it ain't a possibility right now."

"I'll go," Michonne said right away.

Rick's brow furrowed at what she had just said.

"Michonne…" he said softly.

"What? You said it would only take a day or two, right?"

"Yeah, but…"

"But nothing, Rick. It's fine, really. Besides, I need the exercise," she said, trying to lighten the mood.

She could already see that Rick had tensed up at the mention of her going on the run. He did not want to put her in direct harm, but he had no reason not to let her go. He was just going to have to be honest with her. After everything they had been through, both had agreed on a new level of transparency. They were always going to be honest with one another.

"Michonne, don't take this the wrong way, but I don't want you on that crew," he said slowly.

She raised her eyebrows.

"Why not?" she asked and though they were being completely honest, she was still a little shocked that he would tell her this outright.

Back at the prison, she knew he was not pleased to have her off traipsing around the countryside hunting mad men, but he never gave voice to his displeasure.

"Because you don't have to. There's a bunch of others who are capable o' doin' it…"

"A lot of people have responsibility, have families, Rick. Wouldn't it be for the best if…"

Now it was his turn to interject.

"Hey, now. You do have a family. We're your family, Michonne and I'm not sendin' you out there. I can't do that. We need you here. I need you here," he said evenly.

Michonne remained quiet a moment.

"I ain't tryin' to tell you what to do and I don't wanna argue about it, but I won't be puttin' your name forward and if anyone asks why, I'll deal with it then. But for now, you're not goin' anywhere."

"Rick, we all have to pull our weight here…"

"I know that, but I've made up my mind. You're stayin' here and that's that," he said.

Michonne sighed as she did not presently have the energy to convince Rick otherwise.

"Fine," she started as she leaned back into the sofa. "But people are gonna talk. They'll think you're givin' me special treatment."

"Yeah, well I think it's already clear that I am so they can think what they want," he said with a small smirk.

xXx

The children were fast asleep when Michonne made her way down stairs and out onto the back porch. The night sky was illuminated by the large, full moon. It appeared to be yellow with tinges of red and Michonne exhaled loudly at how exquisite it looked. She could tell he was there before he even spoke.

"Can't sleep either?" Rick asked as he stepped barefooted on the creaky wooden floor.

"Yeah, somethin' like that," she offered, not glancing at him as he sidled up next to her.

"Wow, look at that big ol' moon," he said.

"It's beautiful, isn't it? No matter how shitty things are down here, you can always rely on there to be beauty up there. Just gotta take the time to notice it," she said wistfully.

Rick took his eyes off of the night sky and watched Michonne; he took in her striking profile. She really had no idea what she did to him.

I notice the beauty down here whenever I look at you, he thought but did not say it.

She finally turned her head to Rick. She smiled at him and tried to move past him but he caught her gently by the arm. He held her gaze for a moment and did not relinquish his hold of her.

"Where you goin'?" he asked, in an almost whisper; his tone sent a shiver up her spine.

Michonne just shrugged. She knew she was not ready to be standing out in the light of the moon with Rick Grimes. That type of setting would cloud her better judgement too much. She stopped in her tracks and stared into his eyes.

"Nowhere, apparently," she replied and Rick knew she had been thinking about his decision to have her not go on any near future runs.

He sighed.

"Michonne, listen; about the run…"

"It's fine, Rick. You don't have to explain. I trust your judgement…"

"I just want you close. That's all. I know you're more than capable of gettin' the job done and that you wanna help where you can, but this call I've made, honestly it's selfish. I don't want you out there. I want to keep you close to me. I know, after everything, I have no right to, but that's how I feel. I want you close to me."

Michonne placed her hand over where Rick had grasped her arm. She nodded knowingly.

"Okay," was all she said as she walked inside; Rick followed behind her, closed and locked the door and then took in her appearance in the light of the kitchen.

Michonne was wearing what appeared to be his tight brown shirt; he had not seen it in so long.

"Is that my shirt?" he finally asked, closing the distance between them as she laughed a little.

"Yeah," was her reply as she turned to face him.

"Did you have it the whole time?" he asked amusedly.

"I did; I took it when I moved out of here. After all, I am the one who gave it to you," she said with a small smile.

"I wondered where it got to. You knew it was one of my favourite shirts," he said.

"I know," Michonne said with a laugh.

"Well, why'd you take it?"

Rick asked, secretly thinking of how attractive Michonne looked in his shirt. He was incredibly turned on by the sight of her at that moment. She stepped closer to him and searched his eyes.

"Honestly, I wanted something of yours to take with me."

"Yeah?" he asked.

"Yeah."

Silence pervaded the room as the heat that radiated between them almost became too much.

"I'd wear it to bed because it was a way for me to feel close to you again," she said, staring at Rick.

He was lost in her gaze while listening to the soft yet rich tone of her voice.

Michonne then leaned forward and placed a chaste kiss to Rick's cheek.

"Goodnight," was all she said as she turned and headed up the stairs.

Rick watched her leave and smiled to himself.

A/N: *Sighs* They could be apart for 10,000 years, reunite and spend 5 minutes together and that spark, that chemistry, would still be there…

More to come!