Author's note:

Thank you for all your comments on the last chapter. Sorry it took so long to get an update to you. I do feel that Rick is a good guy and he would want to make his marriage work with Jessie. I think he thought that he owed it to his wife to try. A lot of you felt that Michonne needs to take this job opportunity and go. I agree...

This story actually turned out much longer than I wanted it to be, and I'm adding two more chapters. Just want to say a BIG thank you to RBGzMom, who guides me on the right path, and listens to my crazy ideas. Also, Laura Izibor and the song Mmm… were big inspirations for this chapter.

So, in this chapter, Rick and Michonne finally talk. But is the outcome what they both want?


Am I Too Late?

Chapter 3


1 week later...

Ezekiel had phoned earlier that day and said he needed Michonne to leave by the end of the week to help set up the new office. She would now have to be there for a minimum of a year to help ensure a smooth, successful first year opening of their New York location. Luckily, she had seen an apartment that she was interested in and was able to put a deposit down.

Michonne had finished packing her life up into brown boxes, now scattered around her front room.

"Daryl, I miss him so much," Michonne said, placing an ornament in bubble wrap.

It wasn't like Rick hadn't had girlfriends before Jessie, he had. They just didn't stick around long enough, unlike Jessie. His previous girlfriends didn't stay around long because of Michonne and her close relationship with Rick. Michonne wasn't a spiteful person. But, when Rick proposed to Jessie, her heart sank.

There was a part of her that couldn't accept it. It just got worse and worse, especially since she couldn't tell him how she felt. The years went by, and Jessie stayed. The wedding got booked, planned, and then it happened. It was all too late.

"We have NEVER not spoken to each other like this. He means everything to me, and I know I am too late, but… even to be friends? We can't ever be best friends. Jessie won't allow him near me. How can I never be allowed to talk to him again? No, I have to go. I can't stay here... there is nothing and no one to stay for."

"Chonne, what about us? We're your friends," Daryl huffed, watching Michonne walk up and down.

"You're his friends too. I miss him, and it hurts that I can't speak to him."

She wiped the tears away with the back of her hand, as more tears fell from her warm brown eyes.

"Daryl, no offence, but it's not enough. You all have your own lives. I know this is my fault." Her tears were now starting to blur her vision.

Daryl motioned for Michonne to sit down next to him on her couch. She did, burying her face into his neck and crying, hard. He put his arm around his best friend to comfort her.

"I love him Daryl, I love him so much. And I can't have him... he doesn't want me. He chose to be with her, he chose to be with Jessie." She cried, hysterically.

"I am heartbroken. I know I messed up... I know I shouldn't have waited this long." Michonne's wails echoed around the empty apartment.

Daryl kissed Michonne's forehead and pulled her into a tighter hug.

They spent the next hour on her couch, in silence. Nothing could be heard, but the sobs from Michonne.


Friday...

"Have you spoken to her?" Daryl shouted, from underneath the bonnet of the car he was working on.

Rick shook his head. It had been a week since Jessie and Rick had returned from their honeymoon, two weeks in the Seychelles.

"No, what do I even say?" Rick looked up and to the side.

"I don't know man. What about your feelings for her?"

Daryl wheeled out from underneath the car. He stood up, placing his wrench into the tool box.

"If you love Michonne, you should just tell her. You already know how she feels about you."

Rick couldn't answer the question. Yes, he loved Michonne. She was his best friend. He was fighting his feelings, as he only got married 3 weeks ago and was currently trying for Jessie. Wasn't he?

"Are you comin' tonight?"

Tonight, Sasha and Maggie had organised a leaving party for Michonne.

Rick shrugged his shoulders.

Daryl let out a frustrated sigh and spoke,

"It ain't fair to us, makin' us choose between you and Michonne."

"It feels like you already have chosen."

"Hey, that ain't fair," Daryl pointed at Rick.

"You need to speak to her. She's your best friend and I am both of ya'll's too. It ain't fair havin' me in the middle of this, pickin' sides, it's not right. I don't want any rifts caused and neither do you." He wiped his hands on his overalls.

"Look, I gotta head into the station for a few hours."

Daryl nodded his head. Daryl watched Rick leave his auto shop. Rick knew he had to speak to Michonne. He was running out of time, as she would be leaving for New York City tomorrow.


Rick had spent the afternoon thinking about Michonne. He got home from work and took a quick shower and changed his clothes. He put on his black denim jacket. Rick was just about to head out the door when a voice startled him.

"It's late, where are you going?" Jessie asked her husband.

"Thought, I would go down to Abe's bar."

"Oh, you're going to Michonne's leaving party?" Jessie asked, washing the dishes in the sink.

"Yeah."

"Ok." Jessie slightly turned around to face him.

"I have to say goodbye Jessie. I haven't spoken to her in almost a month."

This had been the longest that him and Michonne hadn't spoken. One time, she didn't speak to him for two days for punching her ex-boyfriend Mike Rogers. But this... this was something on a completely and utterly different level.

"I should have guessed... you were counting?" Jessie snarled, before turning her back on him.

"I chose you Jessie... remember that," Rick bit back. He clenched his jaw and walked out of his home, slamming the front door shut.

Jessie flinched from the sound of the door closing. She wiped her hands on the tea cloth, looking at the spot where her husband had just stood. Jessie knew eventually she would lose Rick. He would always choose Michonne. But maybe not this time, Jessie thought, tidying the last of the dishes away on the drainer.

Rick got into his car, put his seatbelt on, and headed towards the party.


It was 9.30 pm in the evening and Sweet home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd played in Abraham's bar, Who's Deanna. Above the bar, was a hand painted sign saying Good Luck and Goodbye Michonne we will miss you.

The night had been filled with dancing, eating, chatting, and drinking. Michonne took a small sip of her Gin and Tonic and looked around at her friends and family, who had come to say goodbye. She stood with Glenn and Maggie, laughing at a joke Glenn had just made.

Their smiles soon faded when Rick walked in. The bar seemed to go quiet as all eyes diverted to him. Michonne looked down at the drink in her hands. All of a sudden, Michonne felt nervous, her hands started to shake around the glass.

Maggie placed her hand on Michonne's arm, and gently squeezed.

"Are you ok?" she whispered.

Michonne nodded her head. "I think so."

Breaking the awkward silence in the bar was Daryl. He approached Rick,

"Hey, man you made it." Daryl handed him his usual drink.

"Yeah." Rick took a large sip of his whiskey straight. He was going to need it for 'Dutch' courage.

It left a sharp sting in the back of his throat.

Rick placed the empty glass on the bar and made his way over to where Michonne, Glenn, and Maggie were stood.

"Hey, Maggs, Glenn," Rick said.

"Hi, glad you came," Glenn said, patting Rick's shoulder.

Rick let out a small smile.

"Hey Rick, how are you?" Maggie softly spoke.

"Good. How are you and the baby?"

Maggie rubbed her hand over her bump.

"Your godson, he's so active today, kickin' up a right storm." She grinned.

"That's good. Not long until I get to meet the little man."

Maggie and Glenn smiled.

"Can I talk to Michonne... alone?" Rick looked up at Michonne. She still hadn't managed to tear her eyes away from the glass.

"Yeah, sure. If you need me, let me know. Come on Glenn, I think this song has my name on it for a dance." Maggie grabbed onto her husband's hand and shuffled over onto the dance floor.

Rick and Michonne watched them both leave, and it was then Michonne realised she now stood alone with Rick Grimes, for the first time in weeks.


Rick cast his eyes around Abraham's office before they landed back on Michonne. He wanted them to go somewhere private, away from prying eyes and ears.

Tonight, she wore a printed floral dress, with a black leather jacket and biker boots. Michonne was wearing no make-up and her hair was up in a high pony tail. Around her neck was her gold M necklace, with tiny diamonds inside the initial. Rick had bought it for her 28th birthday, two years ago. She never once took it off.

Michonne always looked effortlessly beautiful. She didn't even need to try. Michonne had a beauty that captivated everyone she met.

"Michonne, please look at me," Rick said, taking a step closer.

They hadn't spoken to each other in almost four weeks. Almost four long weeks without speaking to her best friend. Tears started to form in her eyes. Michonne folded her arms over her chest and looked up at Rick's chest.

"Rick... I-" Michonne was cut off mid speech, when Rick placed a finger on her chin.

Michonne was shocked by Rick's sudden move.

He tilted her face up to meet his gaze. In that exact moment, tears flickered from her long black eyelashes.

"Please... let me speak." The pads of his thumbs gently stroked her cheeks, wiping away the tears as they fell. He stared into her dark brown eyes.

Rick closed his eyes, resting his forehead against hers. He could feel her soft against him. She slowly un-crossed her arms and moved her hands to grip his elbows.

There was silence between them. The only thing that could be heard was the faint music from the bar, and their steady breathing.

"I am goin' to miss you," Rick whispered.

"I miss you already," She said, through her cries.

"I am sorry Michonne. For us not talkin' for so long. In that time, I never stopped thinkin' about you... God, what to even say to you... I still don't know." He moved his forehead away hers. Rick looked down, their eyes finally connected.

"Me either." Michonne smiled sadly.

Rick didn't know what came over him, but he looked down at Michonne's plump lips. He leaned in, still cupping her face, his thumbs lightly brushing her cheek. Rick placed his lips firmly on hers.

Michonne closed her eyes, falling into his embrace. As soon as their lips touched, Michonne let out the smallest of whimpers. His lips were pink, soft, and strong. Their lips connected perfectly.

The kiss started slow and gentle, at first.

Rick pulled back to look at Michonne. She reached up on her tip toes and her fingers laced through the nape of his neck. She pushed her lips back onto his. She needed to feel his lips back on hers again. His kisses felt so good.

Michonne felt an eruption of desirable pleasure wash over her. Rick must have felt it too, because their kiss deepened. Rick's tongue gently parted her full lips. She welcomed his tongue with hers. Their tongues continued to dance together.

In that moment, Rick was hers, and she was his. No one else mattered. It was just about them. This was their goodbye to one another.

Rick gently pressed her against the wall. Michonne moaned out loud. She continued to run her fingers through his hair. His hand now moved to her waist, as he gripped onto the fabric of her dress.

They were both so lost in their kiss, lost in their passionate frenzy, that they didn't see that someone was watching them.

Michonne's hands now wrapped around his neck, her fingers still tangled between his dark curls. Ricks hands had moved to her lower waist. Rick groaned, sucking and biting down on her lower lip.

They continued to kiss for several more minutes. Until Rick slowly broke away from their kiss. His piercing blue eyes, looked down at hers, full of sadness.

Rick and Michonne were both crying. Tears now stained both their cheeks.

Michonne knew she had to let him go. He had to let her go. Rick and Michonne never thought they would be in this type of situation. But, this is where they found themselves.

Rick placed a last kiss on her now swollen lips.

"Good luck in New York. I will miss you." Rick left a lingering kiss on her cheek.

Michonne closed her eyes. He could taste her salty tears, now mixed in with his own.

He came out of their embrace, removing his hands from her body. Michonne immediately missed his touch. He walked over to the door and placed his hand on the brass door knob. Rick half turned and spoke,

"Goodbye Michonne."

"Goodbye Rick," Michonne sobbed, placing her hand on her chest. It was heart wrenching to watch Rick walk out of her life.


Author's note

Please, forgive me, and don't hurt me too much! Michonne is off to New York. Who do we think caught Rick and Michonne kissing? Hmmm... Ok, next chapter, we pick up in New York and have a time jump.

Reviews are welcome.