A/N: Oh dear readers, I never meant to make you cry (well, perhaps just a tiny little bit hehe); here is the conclusion of this fic. Thank you for reading, following, reviewing etc. It's been fun!

"You okay, Dad?" Carl asked for what seemed like the one hundredth time that day.

He could tell his father had not been sleeping well; in fact he heard him pacing the halls at night. He was just no good without Michonne, Carl knew it; so did everyone else. He was not focussed; he was not whole.

"Yeah, I'm okay. I just miss her…"

"I know. I miss her too," Carl offered as he took up a seat beside his father on the front porch of their home; his hat tilted low over his eyes.

They both stared out into the street; a breeze whipped up a bunch of dried leaves and caused them to flit along the sidewalk.

"I keep thinkin' back to that night, ya know; right after she came back from that run. Was the longest night I'd had in ages, but when the morning came…" Rick sighed and remembered.

2 months ago

The light of the new dawn crept through the bedroom window as her eyes defiantly tried to remain closed. Michonne groaned a little at the thought of having to get up out of the comfortable bed. She was still tired because her sleep had been filled with dreams and dreams made her tired, especially vivid ones that caused her to wake up and question if it had really happened. In the depths of her mind, she was running from an approaching darkness; she had used all of her strength and vigour to stay one step ahead of the onslaught and now, in her moment of wakefulness, Michonne could not shake the feeling of an impending doom.

As she became aware of her surroundings, she noticed she was not alone in the bed; she felt the warmth of Rick's arm wrapped about her waist loosely. Then she remembered what had happened; the scratch, the likelihood of fever and horrible death and the fact that Rick had stayed with her throughout the night.

She felt frustrated, at first, when she realized that he had seemingly fallen asleep with her in the room. He must understand how dangerous that was; if the fever had taken her life and she had changed and attacked him. No. She did not want to think of that.

She shifted and Rick gripped her tighter; his cast heavy on her flesh.

"How do you feel?" he asked, awake the whole time.

"You don't feel like you're burnin' up," he added as he slipped his hand under her top to examine the temperature of her skin.

"I feel fine," Michonne answered as she turned to face Rick.

He stared into her eyes and felt relieved; surely if she were to turn, it would have happened already. He offered her a gentle smile and then leaned up on his elbow while checking the area of the scratch.

"It's scabbing over. Thank Christ for that," he said exhaling loudly out of relief and chortling.

"Really?" she asked, just as reassured as Rick was.

"Yeah. I'd say you're gonna be okay," he exclaimed as he drew her into a tight embrace; he did not even take care to shield his injured arm.

They remained holding each other for a moment; not saying anything, just relishing in the feeling of the other pressed so closely. Michonne pulled away first and Rick immediately missed her caress. They sat up and stared at one another.

"Did you fall asleep, Rick?" She asked, ready to chide him for being careless.

"Maybe, I don't know; it was a long night…"

"You should have been more careful. If something were to happen…"

"Nothin' happened," he said, his face growing serious though he knew her concerns were well-founded.

"But if it had, if I turned and then hurt you…"

"You didn't. I knew you'd be okay. It's fine, let's not worry about it," he soothed as he placed his hand over hers.

"I'm sorry for arguing with you; I went out there and my focus was divided. I was sloppy."

They fell silent; Rick quietly blaming himself for distracting her.

"I'm sorry I called you an asshole," she said eliciting a throaty laugh from Rick.

"Yeah, well maybe I am," he said with a smile, gently stroking her hand.

"Maybe I am too," she offered which caused Rick to shake his head.

"No way. You're amazing," he said, causing Michonne to let her head fall as silence pervaded.

She looked back up and caught his gaze again. After a moment of intense stares Rick spoke once more.

"I'm sorry too," he started. "I know I have no right to tell you what to do. I should be makin' things easier for you, not harder. Not distractin' you and putting you in danger…"

"That's not on you, I chose to go out when I had too much on my mind…I, I just don't ever want to hurt you and the kids…" she trailed off.

"We should just start again," she added. "We should, I don't know; just put everything else that's happened behind us and focus on right now."

Rick could not help but smile.

"So, you're sayin' what exactly?" he asked, feeling fairly certain he knew what Michonne was trying to say.

"We should try to make this work…"

"This?"

"Us. We should try. You were right with what you said; we're better together. We should…"

"Be together?" Rick asked, needed undeniable confirmation.

"Yes. We should be together…"

"And share my house? Our home?" Rick added, making sure there was no mistaking their intentions anymore.

"Yes. Share everything. We need to stop playin' house and actually make a home, for the kids; for us. Agreed?" she said with a serious tone.

She was staid and Rick was trying to suppress a goofy grin that was going to cover his face.

"Agreed," he answered.

Then she smiled and his heart melted.

"Right, done deal; now, let's go get the kids," Michonne said as she moved to get off the bed.

Rick gripped her arm to get her to stop.

"Hold on, do I at least get a kiss to seal this deal?" he said beaming at her.

Michonne shook her head and shifted closer to Rick; she lifted her hand and gently trailed it down the side of Rick's face. She took in every line and savored his features; she then cupped his chin and rubbed her thumb over his bottom lip before pressing her mouth to his. Their eyes remained closed as Michonne leaned her forehead to Rick's.

xXx

Presently

"Dad! They're back!" Carl said excitedly as the main gate opened and two vehicles drove in.

He leapt to his feet and followed Carl down to the spot where they had come to a stop; both searched the cars and felt relieved as everyone was accounted for. Both Rick and Carl's faces lit up when Michonne exited the back seat of one of the trucks and made her way towards them. Carl rushed towards her and threw his arms over her shoulders; she hugged him back and kissed his forehead.

"We missed you so much," he said.

"I missed you guys too, buddy," Michonne replied. "Grab my bag on the seat; got some goodies for you."

Carl quickly went to fetch her backpack and supplies as Rick approached; patiently waiting for his turn to greet her. He stepped close, still smiling widely, and wrapped his arms around Michonne's waist. She returned his smile and draped her arms over his shoulders before he caught her mouth in a deep kiss. She threaded her fingers through his hair, worked her tongue around the inside of his mouth and moaned slightly before pulling away.

"God, I missed you," she whispered while resting her head on his shoulder; still locked in an embrace.

Rick ran his hand up and down her back.

"I missed you too," he offered quietly.

"Break it up, you two," Carl said jokingly but still slightly embarrassed at their public display of affection. "It's only been two days."

Rick knocked Carl's hat off of his head playfully as he walked past them with his face scrunched up.

"Leave him alone, Rick," Michonne reprimanded as she slapped his chest lightly; grabbing the hat for Carl and returning it to his head.

"Yeah, Dad!" Carl teased.

"Really? The two of you are gangin' up on me already?" Rick asked incredulously.

"Looks like it," Michonne replied. "I should help them unpack."

She said as he looked to the vehicles where their friends were unloading supplies.

"Nah, it's okay; the others can handle it," he reasoned.

"Rick, what did I say about special treatment…" she said before he cut her off.

"Daryl?" Rick called out; he turned to see what his friend wanted.

"You got this?" he asked gesturing to the cars and supplies.

"Yeah, we got it," Daryl replied and resumed what he was doing.

"Thanks," Rick said with a nod.

Michonne shook her head at him, looped her arm in his and started to walk.

"Come on," she started. "Let's go get the Baby Girl and go home."

~The End~

A/N: I have thought about writing a sequel to this now that they're together and on the same page; maybe exploring some other scenarios. See how I feel. Thanks again for reading this!