A/N: Thanks everyone! You have no idea how I love hearing your thoughts. So, the S6 banner; everyone catch Rick and Morgan up the front? This fic started off as mainly speculation and headcanon for me, but we might just get to see Rick and Morgan butting heads in S6 if the banner is anything to go by. Lennie and Andy look awesome and Danai is as beautiful as ever. I'm still side eyeing Father Gabriel and now, on the poster, he's standing with the Alexandrians so I thought it was time he made a little appearance in this fic.
Thanks for leaving a review: DarylDixon'sLover; Oreganfox; focusedOnProsperity; thelisa17; kdthle23; lacsim1978; SBK; CherokeeRose; Guest; sleepywitchysamurai; songbird11; A; MichonneGalaxy; literaturechick; KK; CodeName-M.e; simple1234; and ishipwhateverthefuckiwantto. Thanks silent readers!
A few things:
- Michonne is amazingly considerate and patient with Rick. She understands it's not easy for him being a leader and a father. She knows the weight he carries is heavy.
- Michonne does recognise that Rick cares for her; she just isn't sure of what to do about it because he needs to demonstrate it to her.
- OMG! You guys asking if the cookie was symbolic of Michonne's cookie! Lol and I thought I was dirty-minded haha it was just meant to be her sharing a cookie, but bloody hell I'm supporting your conjecture now! Get your narrow behind home Rick and you might get a taste hehehe
The mood of the Safe-Zone was a sombre one; five of their people had left to affect a pre-emptive strike against the Wolves and the rest were waiting. Waiting to see if the information that the prisoner had given was correct; waiting to see if any other Wolves would attack Alexandria that night; waiting to see if their people would return.
Father Gabriel sat alone amongst a row of chairs as a few residents tore bed sheets to make bandages should an attack befall them and their people receive battle wounds. Morgan, after doing his part to help, approached the religious man.
"May I sit with you?" he asked; Gabriel looked up at him and nodded.
They remained silent for a short time as Morgan watched the people who were keeping themselves busy with their assigned tasks.
"Does any of this feel right to you, striking first?" Morgan finally asked the preacher.
Gabriel looked at him and shook his head.
"No, it does not. But these people are like animals," he answered, his voice dripping with disdain.
"You mean Rick's people?" asked Morgan.
"Yes. Rick is the worst of them all," was his short reply.
"How do you figure that?" Morgan queried, surprised that the Father would say such things after Rick and his group had saved him.
"How could you not, after the things you've seen him do?" Gabriel countered.
"I've known him to be a good man," Morgan offered in earnest.
"Well, I doubt it that he is the man you've known him to be. He has no conscience. He's rabid. He will kill you and not even blink. These people, they follow him blindly. They will go and slaughter some perceived enemy at his order and come back here and bring trouble for the good people who were here first. Rick Grimes is like another plague that sweeps this earth. Don't be fooled; he's not the person they think he is. He will cut you down as you beg for your life."
Morgan sat in silence as he took in the man's words. He knew his friend had changed, yet it was not so long ago that he himself had gone through a change. He glanced at Gabriel again and remembered what Rick had told him about the preacher.
"You turned your back on your congregation, didn't you? When you locked them outside of your church, did they beg for their lives?" Morgan asked as he stood and walked away.
xXxXx
The men on sentry duty were exactly where the prisoner said they would be as Rick slit the throat of one of them and Daryl's arrow penetrated the skull of another while the strike group approached; Sasha quickly finished off the third and fourth guards without a hindrance. Soon after they all swiftly moved towards a number of vehicles parked outside of the yard and syphoned the gas from the tanks which was then used to create Molotov cocktails.
Once they had sufficient fuel for the fiery attack they had plotted, they then separated as their plan was set in motion; aided by the dim light of small flashlights and running on pure adrenaline. Abe cut the wire of the fence that enclosed a ranger's station with a bolt cutter as Aaron entered followed by Daryl; Abe joined them lastly. In tight formation, they began to dispatch as many of the shackled walkers as they could, clearing a path up to the back door of the station. Rick, Sasha and the one they had captured waited near the front of the compound; Rick tied the prisoner to a tree, gagged and bloodied, while they waited for the others to do what they needed to do.
Daryl and Aaron kept the close walkers at bay while Abe chained the door so that it would not open; he then poured fuel on the back step and lit a match. They made their way back out after managing to dispatch the walkers that were fettered in place as a preventative measure should anyone try to infiltrate their compound. They looked back as the flames caught onto the building. Once on the outside of the yard, they lit the makeshift explosives and pelted the building until flames engulfed it quickly. Screams could be heard from inside as the occupants tried to escape through the back door, but to no avail. After a moment, a couple of men staggered out of the main front door; Sasha quickly lined them in her sights and put a bullet in their brains. Rick turned to the beaten and bloodied man tied to the tree; he took out his hunting knife once again and then slit his throat before picking up his rifle and shooting anyone who stumbled outside.
xXxXx
Michonne settle Judith down for the night in her bed; she then made her way downstairs to find a sulking Carl on the sofa.
"You should be in bed," she offered, taking up a seat next to him and nudging him playfully.
"I should be with my Dad," he retorted. "Or at least in the watch tower. I'm a good shot, I can be helpful; instead I'm here."
"Hey, you're helping to protect your sister; that's an important job, Carl." Michonne said honestly.
The teenager sighed loudly.
"Don't you get sick of my Dad sidelining you? I know I do," Carl said as he punched a couch cushion.
"Your father does not sideline me," Michonne replied almost defensively.
"Yeah, okay. That's why you're here too instead of goin' on the mission tonight. He took Sasha when we need her in the tower; and Aaron, of all people. Ya know, you could've gotten the job done quicker than any of 'em, so why didn't he take you? Admit it, he's got you on lockdown too. You're practically grounded, just like me," Carl said, still annoyed.
Michonne considered what the boy was saying; it could not be true. She would be the first person Rick would ask to assist; they worked better as a team. Yet she looked around the house where she was presently sitting thinking that Rick's son had a point, maybe she had been sidelined.
"Here," Michonne said, handing Carl a pistol that was strapped to her ankle. "Go up to your Dad's room and keep watch out the window. If you see anything, shoot."
Carl smiled at her, took the weapon and sprinted up the stairs leaving Michonne to question Rick's motives.
…..
A moment or two passed when Michonne heard a rapping at their door; she approached cautiously and peered outside to see Morgan standing there. She sighed, thinking she was not in any mood for his every life is precious spiel, but still unlocked and opened the door before offering a well-mannered greeting. She gestured for him to enter and he did, taking up a seat on the couch; Michonne sat next to him but said nothing.
"Do you think they'll be back soon?" Morgan asked causing Michonne to look in his direction.
She shrugged.
"Hopefully. If everything goes to plan," was her short answer.
"Interesting plan," Morgan offered. "How much of that man's story was the truth?"
"What do you mean?" Michonne asked, finding herself growing somewhat annoyed.
"What if he was just sayin' that they wanted to harm this place so whoever was here would take out some people he didn't want around anymore," queried Morgan.
"You saw what Rick did to him; he would've spoken up earlier instead of endure that," Michonne said in response.
"Maybe so," Morgan said. "Sometimes we don't know what's truly inside of someone; what motivates them; what makes them do the things they do."
"What are you trying to say? That Rick just hears and sees what he wants and does what he wants in response to it?" Michonne said, throwing Morgan an incredulous look.
"I'm sayin' we all have different motivations. Rick as well…"
"He's trying to keep us all alive," Michonne said adamantly.
"I think so too, but at what cost?" Morgan countered just as Carl came down the stairs.
"Hi Morgan," the teen offered in greeting; Morgan smiled and nodded back.
"Michonne?" He said, looking from Morgan to Michonne.
"Yeah? Is everything alright?" She asked as she got up from her seat.
"Everything's fine. I, ah. I was just thinkin' about what I said before, about my Dad and you. I didn't mean it like he was trying to lord over you or treat you like a kid or anything like that. I meant because he cares about you too, that's why you're here with us," the teenager tried to explain the best he could, while being conscious that Morgan was in the room.
"It's fine, Carl. I know what you meant, and you're right," she said with a smile.
Carl smiled back at her and then headed back upstairs as Michonne sat once more. The room was quiet a moment before Morgan spoke again.
"He's a smart kid," he said of Carl. "A good kid too. My boy would've liked him."
Michonne nodded.
"My boy, he, uh, isn't around anymore. Seems I couldn't save him from this world," Morgan finally said.
"I'm sorry," Michonne said so softly that it was almost a whisper.
She looked at the man next to her; she could see a familiar pain veiled behind his dark eyes. She understood his grief. They remained silent, neither really knowing what to say until Michonne offered him a small, sad smile and said: "May I ask what your son's name was?"
xXxXx
The sky was just beginning to turn light as the morning sun rose slowly when Rick returned home; it was still relatively dark inside of the house. He came through the front door and switched on the light and proceeded to lock the door again. Without turning, Rick heard a slight muttering and realized Michonne must have fallen asleep on the couch while awaiting his return. He smiled and began to walk over to her when he saw that Morgan was just being roused from his slumber as well, on the same couch.
Michonne rubbed her eyes and then smiled sleepily at Rick as he kicked off his boots.
"Hey," she greeted as Morgan nodded to him.
"Hey," was his reply as he looked at Morgan. "What's goin' on?"
"Just waitin' for you to get back. How'd it go?" She asked as she stood up and moved away from Morgan, vaguely realizing how it must have looked.
"Got it done. Ran into a little trouble though. That asshole didn't tell us about the others who were waitin' up the road. Aaron took a bullet…"
"Is he alright?" Michonne asked quickly.
"Yeah, just a flesh wound. He'll be fine. We fought 'em off…"
"Are you okay?" Michonne said as she stepped towards Rick; he lifted his hands to stop her from fussing over him.
"I'm good," was his reply.
"The prisoner, what happened to him?" Morgan asked, joining the conversation as Rick, visibly annoyed, narrowed his eyes.
"Oh, him. Yeah, sorry; he didn't make it," said Rick as he regarded Michonne once more and then headed up the stairs leaving the two of them in the living room.
Morgan stood, stretched and then smoothed down his clothing before Michonne went to speak.
"I'm gonna go talk to him; you should…"
"Yeah, I'll get going. Look, about last night; thanks for that…" Morgan started.
"No need to thank me. I'll see you later," Michonne smiled as she walked Morgan to the door, let him out and then locked it behind him.
Rick stood in the stairwell listening to them and wondering what happened between them the night before while he was gone.
xXxXx
Michonne found Rick standing at the top of the stairs after she had let Morgan out of their home.
"Shit. You scared me. Everything okay?" she asked as she came to stand next to him.
Rick wanted to ask her what happened between her and his friend under their roof; but he had no rights to. He wanted to ask her if she meant it, when she looked at him like that with her beautiful brown eyes; but he thought she would tell him he was seeing things again. He wanted to grab Michonne and press his mouth to hers and tell her needed her; but he was afraid she would reject him. Instead, Rick gestured with his thumb towards his bedroom.
"Carl's taken my bed," he said as he tried not to let the fear and jealousy cause him to say or do something that would push Michonne further away.
She chortled.
"Have mine. Judy's already in there. I nearly forgot about Carl. I told him to take watch from your window," she started to explain as Rick smiled.
"He was goading me into it, sayin' 'don't you hate it when Dad sidelines us' or something like that, you know, implying you were treating me like a kid because you didn't ask me to go. So I let him watch out the window so he could feel involved," she said with a laugh.
Rick did not laugh; he only heard an accusation that was not there.
"You think I'm sidelinin' you?" He queried.
Michonne did not answer.
"You think I treat you like a kid?" Rick prodded further.
"No, Rick. I don't think that. But Carl had a point…"
"Oh yeah, what was that point exactly?" He asked sharply.
"That you've been doin' things and not asking me to help…"
"You're the one who's been stayin' away from me. You've been spending an awful lot o' time with other people, I figured I was doin' you a favor," said Rick.
Michonne fell quiet; now Rick had a point.
She wanted to tell him she did not need any favors, but he continued to speak.
"Besides, you seem to be just fine here spendin' your time with Morgan, all cozied up on our sofa, so…"
Michonne threw him an incredulous look as she raised her eyebrows and folded her arms over her body.
"What are you implying?" She asked knowing either way she would not like his answer.
Rick sighed; he was doing it again. He was letting his own issues surrounding his feelings for Michonne get in the way of having a conversation with her that did not end up in a disagreement. The night before, he felt that they were of the same mind when it came to what needed to be done in order to keep their new home safe; he was certain that Michonne was still with him. That she was supporting his decisions. He saw the concern etched across her beautiful features when he was set to depart; he sensed the strong connection between them; she was worried about him and the moment they shared before he left was so intimate and natural. Now, after having to kill more people than he could count on his hand; after being awake all night; after almost losing his own life, Rick was tired. He was tired and irritated and taking some of his frustrations out on Michonne.
"Nothin'," he finally answered.
"No, spit it out," Michonne insisted as Rick sighed.
"I'm respecting your choice to keep your distance from me unless it's to do with the kids," he said in earnest. "I don't like it, but I respect it."
She nodded.
"I respect you wantin' to branch out and work with others in this community; forming friendships or whatever. I just feel like you're stayin' away to purposely get back at me…"
"Get back at you? For that shit you pulled?" She asked, completely astounded by his reasoning.
He nodded his head.
Though Rick could see what she was doing in an effort to gather her thoughts and protect her own heart, he did not fully understand why she was pulling away. This caused conjecture on his part; conjecture that placed him at the centre of her motives to make a change.
"I'm not trying to punish you, Rick. I'm just trying pull my weight here," she explained. "We've talked about how I felt about what went on with you when we got here…"
…I thought we had something. I guess I was wrong.
Her words still haunted and pained him; riddled him with guilt.
"That wasn't talkin', that was you tearin' me a new one," he offered jokingly, trying to lighten the mood as he felt a familiar pang in his chest.
"Same thing," she replied a little more jovially before becoming serious once more.
"Whatever it is you think is or isn't happening, it's not on you. I'm not punishing you. I'm just trying to find where I fit. I can't be with you twenty-four hours stroking your ego, Rick. I mean, what do you want from me?"
She sighed, her frustration growing.
"I don't know," was his short reply.
They stared at each other with a sadness and a longing etched across their faces and burning silently in their eyes.
"Well let me know when you figure it out," Michonne said as she left Rick standing there.
