A/N: Thanks for the response to this. I loved all of the long reviews and hearing everyone's opinions on their relationship. I have to point out that Michonne actually did have some stern words with Rick re the whole mess that he created with his odd behaviour, I just didn't write it in the first chapter. He knows that she knows he messed up; he knows he let her down doubly.
Songbird11: that's exactly what I was trying to convey here; Michonne is still with Rick in the areas of their relationship that they have defined (co-parenting; remaining friends; co-leading etc.) and they still care for one another (she defends him and he worries about her); but there is a point where she needs to, as literaturechick said, take control of her situation by working with others.
We'll definitely get to see more of Michonne developing friendships outside of Rick; I think you, dear readers will find it interesting to see how Rick reacts.
xXxXx
There was an eeriness to the atmosphere; a strange feeling of anticipation which caused the air to become thick with worry. The residents of the Safe-Zone knew that there was trouble afoot; they just did not know when that trouble would come knocking on their front door. For the following two days after they had formed the unofficial Council and assigned people new and extra duties, everyone was on high alert and remaining prepared. There was rarely time to be spent on leisurely activities; everyone who was able-bodied was doing their part.
Rick was satisfied with the progress of those who needed weapon and combat training; while Alexandria had a sufficient supply of weapons and ammunition, Rick wanted to reserve what they had for when they really needed it. The knife and other weapon training was coming along promisingly. Those less adept at killing walkers were given the duty of dispatching any stragglers that got close to the outside walls, under the watchful eyes of Rick and Daryl.
Rick's eyes then shifted over to where the walker traps were being positioned near the front gate to provide ease of access for them when leaving for and returning from runs. He watched as Michonne helped Glenn, Aaron and Morgan to carry the wooden structures and drop them to the ground; Michonne then used a hammer, wire and steel pegs to fix the traps in place. He felt as if he had not seen her all day. She had taken an early watch shift so was not in the house when Rick and the children rose that morning; she had spent the rest of the day with Maggie and Morgan securing materials for more traps while Rick, Abraham and Aaron devised escape routes should they need them. Presently Rick's attention was torn between making sure that Eugene and other less confident individuals were able to incapacitate a walker with a knife, and watching Michonne; her laughter gaining his focus.
Rick could hardly blame her for wanting to work with others in the group instead of him; he knew why she had not been spending much time with him. She had said it very clearly to him, when she had reprimanded him for acting a fool and putting his family in danger. Michonne thought that there was something between the two of them; something that was a result of their mutual attraction. Something that they could explore now that they were in a place where it was a possibility.
You hurt me; you made me feel stupid, Rick. I thought we had something. I guess I was wrong.
Her words still rang in his ears and he felt another pang of guilt for how he had acted. There was something there, he wanted to tell her, but he could scarcely process his thoughts. Now that he had had time to think, Rick was almost certain he had ruined anything that might have eventuated between himself and Michonne. Knowing how she felt was very distracting for Rick, now that his head was clear; he found himself thinking about her all the time.
"Shit! Fuck!" Michonne screamed as she dropped the hammer to the ground and clutched at her hand.
Rick, hearing the panic and pain in her voice, ran from where he was standing to be at her side. Glenn was trying to get her to stop moving so he could assess the damage.
"What happened?" Asked a rattled Rick.
"Ow, ow. Shit! I banged my fuckin' finger! God. I'm so stupid!" Michonne cried as she kept shifting; as if physically trying to distance herself from the sharp pain.
"Shhh. Hey. Stop. Stop. Let me see," offered Rick gently as he pressed his hand to the small of her back causing her to stand still.
"Can you move it?" He asked softly as he held her by the wrist.
She shook her head no.
"I'm gonna have to touch it. Hey, Michonne. Focus. I'm gonna have to touch it. Make sure it's not broken. Okay?" Rick asked evenly.
She nodded and held her breath, wincing as Rick examined the damaged area; a searing pain shot through the bone.
"How bad is it?" Michonne asked through gritted teeth.
"It's broken. Shit. Come on, let's go get it taken care of," said Rick as he called out to Daryl to finish up.
He then walked beside Michonne with his hand at her back.
xXxXx
Rick helped Carl clear the dishes from dinner as the teenager filled the sink; Rick then went into the living room where Michonne and Judith were after he heard knocking at the door. Judith was in her portable crib and Michonne was just letting Morgan in.
"Hey, Rick…"
"Everything okay?" Rick asked hurriedly instead of greeting his friend back. People rarely visited their home unless it was to discuss a problem with their leader.
"Yeah, everything's good. Just thought I'd come by and check on how our patient's doin'," he said with a chuckle whilst referring to Michonne.
The three of them took up a seat; Michonne and Morgan on the sofa and Rick in the armchair.
"It's fine. I've had worse things happen to me, so this is nothing but an inconvenience," she explained while pointing her heavily bandaged finger to the ceiling.
Morgan chortled and Rick just sat there staring at them.
"So you'll be ready for watch tonight?" Morgan asked, sounding hopeful.
"Ah, yeah," answered Michonne all too aware of Rick's burning gaze. "Are you rostered on in the tower too?"
She asked knowing that he was as Maggie had informed her in passing.
"Yes. I switched with Rosita. I much prefer your conversation to Eugene's," Morgan offered with a playful smile.
Rick cleared his throat.
Takin' watch ain't about jawin' all night like some chatty teenager. Rick thought sourly.
"I actually came over so we could walk together," Morgan said.
Rick crossed his arms and sighed; Michonne threw him a cautionary look.
"It's early, ain't it?" Rick finally spoke up.
"I don't know, Rick. You're the only one in this house with a watch," Michonne said unimpressed by Rick's rudeness to his friend.
Morgan stifled a laugh as Rick laughed sarcastically.
"Oh, what d'ya know, you're right," Rick offered as mordantly as his laugh was while peering at his watch.
"Yeah, you're still too early," said Rick.
Morgan ignored the impoliteness of his friend's tone and decided to chuckle; he figured all of the responsibility of being a leader and father was weighing heavily on him, and he was right. Rick had to protect his family and their new home. He had to prove to the original members of the Safe-Zone that he was capable of leading them in a time of immense danger. He needed them to see why this group of people who were his family trusted him; Rick needed to make amends with his family as well.
Rick was also slightly annoyed that his family time with Michonne and the children was being interrupted. He had barely seen Michonne in the past couple of days and was just about to settle in next to her and listen as she and Judith spoke prattle to one another and giggled loudly. That was the best part of his day, sitting back while Michonne made his children happy and now, their friend was depriving him of it.
"Well, I do have a gift for Michonne since it was my fault she banged her finger…"
"It wasn't your fault, I should have been more careful," she offered with a small smile.
"I shouldn't have been making you laugh…"
Ugh I shouldn't have to listen to this. Thought Rick.
"Okay. Well, what did you bring us? What do we need most, Rick?" Michonne looked over at him with a small smile, indicating to Morgan that whatever gift he had for her, she would share with Rick as well.
Some time alone, that's what we need. Rick said inwardly.
Rick shrugged, noting her effort to include him in the conversation.
"Toilet paper's always good," he smiled back at Michonne and held her gaze as he silently offered apologies for his sour mood; she understood.
Morgan felt somewhat like a third wheel in their presence suddenly.
"I heard," he started while reaching into his top pocket. "These were your favourite candy bars."
Michonne turned to see the Big Cat bar in Morgan's hand. She smiled widely and took it from him.
"You heard correctly. Thank you," she said while standing and calling out to Carl.
She unwrapped the candy broke it in half and held a portion out for the teenager.
"Yes! Thanks," he said as he shoved it into his mouth, said hello to Morgan and went back to tidying the kitchen.
Michonne then looked down at her remaining piece; she stepped closer to Rick, broke it in half again and offered it to him. Rick usually declined when Michonne tried to share her candy with him, preferring that she enjoy it on her own as he knew she had a sweet tooth. This time, however, he smiled at her and took the candy; his fingers lingered on hers a moment longer than was necessary as he took it from her hand. Rick then thanked her, placed it in his mouth and glanced over at Morgan.
xXxXx
Rick tossed in his bed for what seemed like the hundredth time; for some reason, sleep did not find him that evening. His mind was awash with worry about the impending threat. Would they strike tonight? Would they try to take out the people on watch first and then creep over the walls under the cover of night? Rick's thoughts then went to Michonne who was almost due to finish her duties.
Michonne.
Rick was annoyed with himself for how he had taken her for granted and disregarded her feelings out of obliviousness. Before they had arrived in the Safe-Zone, he had sometimes let his mind entertain ideas of the two of them together. He knew it was not a possibility out on the road, but part of what made him agree so readily with Michonne to go Alexandria was the promise of a second chance; a second chance at living. A second chance at love.
In no time at all, his own fragile mind had confused him and led him down a path he would never have travelled otherwise. Dealing with trauma can be an unpredictable process and Rick had become unpredictable. He wondered how he could make it up to Michonne, though she did not ask him to. He wondered, if he could have had more strength of mind and will, would Michonne be sharing his bed with him instead of being on watch with another man. Another man who did not let her down and hurt her; a man who brought her candy and made her laugh. Rick wanted to be that type of man for her, he feared though that this realization had come to him too late.
Rick swung his legs out of bed and walked down stairs; he entered the kitchen and poured himself a glass of water. He finished it off and then went to return upstairs when he heard someone at the front door. He could hear the key being placed in the lock and knew it was Michonne. She whispered a goodnight to someone, locked the door from the inside and turned to find Rick standing in nothing but his boxer shorts.
"Shit. Rick you scared me," Michonne said as she placed the keys on the hook.
"Sorry, I was just gettin' water. You hungry?" he asked, feeling her eyes roam over his bare body.
"Uh? No. Thank you. I'm good," Michonne offered, her face warm from being caught checking Rick out.
"Quiet out there?" Rick asked, pleased that they were alone and talking.
The sexual tension in the air was palpable.
"Yeah. All quiet. Did Judy get off to sleep easy?" Michonne asked.
"Nah, she was frettin' a little, but I finally got her down about two hours ago. She's so stubborn," Rick offered.
"Yeah, like her daddy," Michonne joked causing Rick to grin and chuckle.
"I think she just sleeps easier when you're close. So yeah, she is just like her daddy," Rick said with a smile causing Michonne to beam coyly.
They both fell silent a moment.
"You headin' up?" Michonne finally asked.
Rick nodded.
"After you," he gestured as she moved towards the stairs; he followed behind her mesmerized by the sway of her hips.
They ascended the stairs in silence and then bid each other goodnight before going to their respective bedrooms. Rick sighed and then climbed into his bed; he could hear Michonne getting ready for bed across the hall from him. Suddenly, he heard the squeaky hinges of her bedroom door, her bare footfalls and then a soft tapping at his door. Rick sat up immediately, turned on his bedside lamp and then ambled over to see what she needed.
"Hey, sorry to be a bother. This is kind o' awkward, but I need a hand," she said.
"Sure, anything," Rick replied eagerly.
"Could you unhook the back of my bra? I can't do it with this stupid broken finger," she said shyly.
Rick stood silently a moment; wondering if he had heard her correctly. Michonne turned her back and glanced over her shoulder at him. Rick snapped out of the slight surprise he had been overcome with. He slowly slid his hand up underneath the fabric of her tank top. Her skin felt so soft and smooth and warm to touch. Rick unclasped the garment and then withdrew his hands, lightly brushing his fingers over her back. Michonne shivered from his touch before instinctively folding her arms over her chest.
"Thank you," she whispered and offered him a smile before returning to her bedroom.
Michonne closed her door, leaned against it and chided herself for getting Rick's assistance at that moment. She did not want to give him mixed signals since she had decided to pull away from Rick. Yet having his hands on her flesh was not going to help her get over whatever attraction she was feeling for him.
Rick sighed loudly as he closed his door; he was not going to get much sleep now, he realized, as he was certain he wanted to touch Michonne further.
A/N: I want to know how the eff these two can stand to be in the same house as one another on the show. The sexual tension between them is so strong, it's like, just hurry up and bone! Ugh! But back to this fic, how can she pull away when he's traipsing around half naked? Lol does she really want to? Let's find out next time on this story I'm writing when I should be sleeping!
More to come!
