Hello! Sorry this took such a long time! I have been working so much recently. In fact, while I work, in order to keep calm and avoid having nervous breakdowns at work, i distract myself while cleaning and organizing by planning my chapters out, or at least getting a rough idea of them.

Warning, there are multiple character deaths in this chapter. Theres also plenty of cute Richonne.

If you'll please sit through the wildness of this chapter, i'll reward you with an entire one dedicated to Richonne and their children, no Jessie involved for the next chapter.

Also, your reviews continue to make me laugh. You're all so great.

Early morning sunlight filtered through the blinds and danced upon Michonne's skin as she lay on her side in front of a sleepy Rick. As she opened her eyes for the first time, she instinctively reached out to the man's face behind her and ran her fingers between the curls that overlapped his face. After just a few seconds, his hands met hers, intertwining their fingers together. She moaned softly. "You're up."

"I am." He replied, still groggy. He placed his chin between her neck and shoulder. "Quite a night we had."

She giggled shyly. "It was."

"We could recreate it." He suggested, gently pushing past her shoulder, moving her to her back.

"Oh yeah?" laughter in her tone as she spoke. He adjusted himself so he was leaning above her.

"Yeah." He smiled, Michonne slipping her fingers in his hair.

"We're supposed to meet Deanna in a half hour." He pouted his bottom lip, as he was now known to do by Michonne.

"Just a little bit?"

"Maybe…. If you weren't known to get carried away."

"Are you complaining?" This inspired a laugh to escape between Michonne's smiling lips.

"No, no I'm not. I just know if we start now, we're gonna be late." Her tone was full of love and hesitation, truly not wanting to turn down his offer.

"You're right." He sighed, and proceeded to roll off her, and onto his back.

"Wait…" she started. "No, no, no." she playfully begged. "Come back here, you." She took his arm and pulled him back over to her, a smile growing on his face.

"Hm?"

"Maybe just a little."

"Yeah?" He questioned, seeking confirmation.

"Yeah." She nodded, captured in his gaze. They smiled to each other for a moment, before he began placing kisses to her smooth skin.

She was cold to the touch, but not for much longer.

"You're late." Deanna spat, seated in her office, where she had been waiting for the couple for an hour and a half.

"Sorry." Michonne apologized, stepping in just behind Rick.

"Take a seat. I don't have much time before I promised to meet Reg for lunch."

"Like she said, we're sorry. Something came up."

"Something more important?" Deanna interrogated.

"Equally." Michonne's eyes narrowed, as they took a seat.

"What's this about? You seemed pretty urgent in setting this up."

Michonne didn't want to waste any time sugar-coating it, so she cut to the chase straight away. "We think Pete Anderson is abusive."

"Okay." Deanna responded calmly.

"Okay?" the man before her questioned.

"You don't seem very shocked." She was beginning to get upset already.

"Let us know if the situation gets worse." The mayor suggested professionally, trying to wrap things up already.

"We aren't just going to let it get to that point." The female constable snapped, her patience wearing very thin, now.

"We need to stop this in its tracks." Added Rick.

"Stay in your place. I'll handle it as needed."

"Why are you brushing this off?" She stood up in a fit. "A woman and probably her children are being beaten. Why are you letting this go?"

Deanna sighed. "Pete is a surgeon. He's our only fully trained medical professional."

"So?"

"So if something happens- you'll need him to save your life. Or your family's lives."

Michonne looked down at Rick, and they shared a glance before turning their heads back to Deanna.

"What about them then? We just gonna' keep lettin' them get hit?"

"Its an ugly situation, I know. But my responsibility is to keep my family safe. If Reg got hurt- Pete could save his life."

"But your job isn't just to protect them!" Michonne rejected.

Rick interrupted her, "When we got here, you told us we need to look out for your people too, not just ours. If we're 'gonna do that, you're 'gonna have to do the same."

"My hands are tied. There's nothing I can do. There's nothing you can do."

"Bullshit." Michonne mumbled.

"What do you expect me to do? What could you do?" She asked rhetorically.

"We kill him." He said low, but confidently.

"Kill him? That's not how things work around here-"

"That's how it works. In this world, you don't get to throw someone in jail. Its kill or-"

"I'm sure you know about the late 'welcome' party we're holding for your group tonight. I want you to go. I want you all to go. Make friends, mingle, flirt, whatever. Its time you start learning how things work around here. See the friendships, the families. Learn the dynamics before you go and start trying to cut them apart."

Michonne stood in front of her mirror, pinning fake pearls through the holes in her ears that were close to being healed entirely. It all felt so weird to her. Before- dressing up, wearing makeup, putting in earing and matching heals would have seemed so normal. She did this sort of thing all the time. But now…it all seemed so pointless.

Her dress was one that was leant to her by Maggie, who had been given an assortment of dresses for this sort of thing from one of the Alexandrian ladies. The dress sat just between her thighs and her knees. It was gray with green and orange detailing, and her sleeves went just past the elbow. It seemed expensive.

"You like it?" Maggie asked, her smile apparent through her cute accent.

"I do. Its just…"

"I know. I know." She stood up from the bed and walked over to Michonne, putting her hands on her shoulders. "This is home now…and if this how they do it here…it could be worse." She offered a comforting smile to Michonne, and she returned the favor. "Now, let me do your makeup."

She nodded and mouthed an 'Okay'.

Just as Maggie was finishing up Michone's makeup, Rick stepped into the room, a blue button up dress shirt, and black slacks hugging his body. He watched the scene unfold, standing at the doorway.

"And you're done!" Maggie exclaimed, admiring her own work. "You look beautiful."

"She does." He said, a grin stretched across his face.

They turned to look at him, and shock spread as their eyes and mouths widened.

"You shaved!" Maggie let out, excitedly.

"I did…" he responded. Michonne just stared at him with a smile, not moving or speaking. "What?"

"I just- I've never seen your face like that." She studied his almost naked chin and jaw. She had liked his facial hair, but this was just a whole different form of handsome that she had yet to experience, until now. He began to walk toward her, love in his eyes, but she brought him back to reality by nodding to the other woman in the room, who he had already forgotten was there.

He brought his eyes to her, and she could feel the awkward tension in the air. "Its fine. I'll go." She smiled sweetly at the two. "I know how it is…besides, I gotta help Beth get ready anyhow. Who knows what she's gonna put on without me?"

"Thank you Maggie, really." Michonne smiled, and let her exit the room. The man before her finally erased the distance between them, immediately sweeping her into his arms for a kiss. Her petite-in-comparison hands held his freshly shaven face. It was a deep, passionate embrace that they let linger for several moments. When he finally accepted a release to the kiss, he smiled at her lovingly.

"What was that for?" a shy laugh escaping her.

"I've never seen you like this." He was so caught up in her in that moment. Her smile revealed her teeth, and caught his attention even more. She loved how easy it was for him to just melt over her.

"Well if these people throw a party every time they've got a problem- you might wanna get used to it."

"I can do that." He let out a silent chuckle, before returning his lips to hers.

"We should get going." She whispered after parting the kiss.

"Yeah…" He said, but didn't take his eyes from her lips. This inspired a flattered laugh from Michonne.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah…"

Immediately as they stepped outside, Michonne felt regret for wearing something that revealed so much skin, as the cold air hit her legs. "This dress was a mistake." She shivered.

Rick, who couldn't get enough of it, rejected that. "Not at all. We'll be warmer when we get there."

"Okay." Michonne nodded. The atmosphere around them was very blue, matching the temperature. It was dim and mostly colorless, but strangely comforting.

As they arrived at the Anderson home, Rick turned to his lady on the porch. "You ready?"

"I am."

"Me too."

"I know." They exchanged a smile, and opened up the door. Inside was a completely different world. Everything was warm, summer and fall colors. Orange and yellow walls, roaring flames dancing in the fireplace, laughter, drinks, children playing. Michonne's eyes narrowed. All of their friends were already there, and they seemed to be enjoying themselves. As soon as the two took a step into the room, all eyes turned to them. They weren't overdressed- as the entire town dressed up for the occasion, but no one had ever seen them so cleaned up before.

No one there had ever seen Michonne's legs before. They had seen their shape under her tight pants, but seeing them so exposed, along with the rest of her look, had them staring, looking her up and down. She tensed up, immediately anxious with the looks. Rick slowly moved his fingers down to a scar on her legs, making sure no one noticed. It was a gunshot wound from just before they met. He was worried she'd feel insecure about it, so he rubbed it with his finger in a clockwise motion as they entered. Her mind had been on the scar- but his action brought her comfort.

As they entered, many eyes lingered on her. She did her best to ignore them, as they made their way to Glenn, Maggie, Abraham, and Rosita.

"Look at you two!" Rosita gushed looking at the freshly cleaned up couple. "So cute." She played. When their eyes moved to Maggie- they realized her mouth was open in a surprised smile.

"You will not believe what Carl said to me, today." The brunette blurted out excitedly.

"What?" Rick quickly questioned, scared the boy offended her somehow.

"He asked me If I'd seen his mom and dad." A smile immediately spread across Michonne's face. Maggie let out a squeal. "Awh! Michonne!" She wrapped her arms around her in a tight hug, that Michonne returned. The other three smiled at the embrace.

They continued having a casual conversation amongst themselves, ignoring most of the Alexandrians all together, and slowly glasses of champagne made their way into the chatting group of four, along with a few of their friends who eventually moved their way into the conversations. Michonne excused herself to go to the bathroom at one point, and went to go find it.

She went down a hallway, and opened up the first door she saw. Opening it, she didn't see a bathroom. Instead, it was a little boy's room. Filled with toy cars and stuffed dinosaurs trapped inside four blue and red walls. She smiled, her mind immediately going to Andre. She thought about how much he would have liked it there in Alexandria- getting his own room, his own life- a full family of people who he would have loved and would have loved him back. Trying her best not to let tears escape her watery eyes, she turned around, her heart stopping at the realization that someone had been right behind her the whole time. She immediately jumped back, seeing Pete's tall figure before her.

"Hey there- Did I scare you?"

"I was just looking for the bathroom."

"Ain't gonna find it in Sam's room."

"Right…" They stood in silence for a moment, neither knowing when to speak next, or what to say.

"I just wanted to tell you- You look pretty damn cute in that dress…." His breath reeking of alcohol.

"You couldn't have told me that around everyone else? Or waited till I turned around, instead of creeping up behind me?"

He took another step closer to her.

"Just wanted to see it all up close, I guess." She tried to step past him, but he moved, blocking her way.

"You get real nice when you girl up."

"I'm always girl'd up. A dress and heels doesn't-"

"And you always look nice. But like this," he reached for her chin, but she jerked her head away. "You're damn near irresistible."

"Mr. Anderson." Her tone cold and harsh.

"C'mon, baby-"

"Mr. Anderson!" She snapped, harsher this time.

"I said come on!" He took one of her wrists in his fists, forcefully. At this, she wasted no time in swinging her other arm, placing a hard punch to his face. He let go of her, and fell back slightly. He headed toward her again, but she used her left leg to firmly kick him in the stomach, knocking the wind right out of him.

As he got the hang of himself- he felt a blow to his head- which took a second to hurt. Rick had taken a swing at the back of his head, and before he knew it, he pushed the drunken man up against a wall, turned him around, and threw punches after punches.

"Rick. Give it up." Michonne pleaded. Rick looked toward her, giving Pete the opportunity to take Rick by his collar, and push him against the paralleling wall. He wrapped his hand around Rick's throat, choking him hard, using the other arm to bring punches to his face. This immediately sent Michonne into a rage. She ran the few feet separating her from them, and used one hand to punch the man, and the opposite arm to try to push him down in the action. He was still standing, but before he could react- she placed a blow to his chest, sending him down hard.

"What the hell-" was all he could let out, before they all realized everyone had been at the end of the hall- watching the scene take place. Michonnes eyes wandered on their expressions. The Alexandrians looked mortified, while some of their group looked scared, others content- and then she turned to look at Rick. It felt like an hour, but it was really only seconds, as she examined his slip lip, and beaten face. Her heart was pounding as she realized the amount of pain he had to be enduring right now.

"D-Deanna! These people…They're crazy…Fuc-."

"That's enough, Pete." Jessie inturrupted, heading over to kneeling down and help him.

"Kick them out- all of them…Now…" He pleaded, as Deana just looked over the scene, trying to determine what to do. She wasn't heartless. She knew he deserved every blow to his face- but she wasn't sure she could trust them anymore. They ignored her orders, and that could be unforgivable. Michonne ignored the scenes, trying to tend to Rick.

"No- wait…Jessie said, realizing Rick would likely be removed from the town soon. "He-he was just trying to help…"

Pete didn't hesitate to slap her in the face, forgetting, or perhaps not caring, that everyone was around. "They go, now."

"Hey!" Carol yelled, pushing through the crowd. "You do not touch her!"

"Try and stop me, stupid b-."

"ENOUGH." Deanna screamed, taking Jessie's hand, and pulling her from the situation. "That's enough."

"You're taking their side? What the hell- They're dangerous."

Jessie, who had no had enough, interrupted him. "No, Pete. No. You're dangerous. You need to go. You. Not them." She felt a push past her, as her youngest son, Sam, stepped in between her and her husband. He had a gun in his tiny hands, awkwardly pointed at his father. Carol swallowed hard, knowing it was thanks to him he had possession of the weapon.

"Leave mom alone!" He yelled, trying to protect him.

"Leave her alone? Leave him alone!" Yelled Ron, the other Anderson boy, from the crowd. "He's just defending himself! That asshole has been trying to get with mom for weeks now! He was protecting her. That asshole was trying to have sex with her!"

"Protecting?" Deanna interrupted. "I tried. It was stupid but I tried, very hard, to let this slide. But you've hurt more than you've helped."

"Are you kidding me? Its these people, these-"

"You leave now."

"I'll kill you."

"No sir you will not." Butted in Rej- Deanna's husband. "If I had known about all of this before- that you would touch your wife like that…You would have been gone long ago."

"You're taking me away from my wife! My kids!"

"You don't deserve them." Deanna spat.

Rage filled Pete's body. He wanted to kill them all right now- and began fantasizing about doing so.

Michonne felt the situation getting worse, so she began to Urge Rick away, not wanting to get him involved, he was already beaten up and in enough trouble. She helped balance him on his feet by wrapping one of her arms behind his back, and one of his behind hers, as they headed toward to crowd of people.

"Fine…I'll go." The still partially drunken, angry man finally let in. Deanna gave him a stiff nod, and opened her mouth to speak. "But if I'm losing my family, you're losing yours." He cut her off before she things were about to go bad, everything became a blur for everyone. Before they could comprehend what he was doing, he had already done it. In a swift motion, he lunged toward Rej, and slit his throat with the knife he had intended to kill Rick with.

Screams and immediate cries were all that could be here. Deanna's eyes were wide open, and yet tears were expelling from them nonstop.

"Rick. Kill him." With no hesitation, Rick drew his gun, and the job was done. Gasps were let out from a few faces in the crowd, but then it went silent.

"Dad!" Carl said, pushing through the people who separated him and his father. Ricks eyes went from his son to the sight he was trying to warn him from- Ron pointing a gun directly at him.

"You ruined my family." He said, the gun shaking in his hand. Sam lay on the ground, terrified. Ron had pushed him and taken his gun while everyone was distracted with his father's death. Michonne's eyes shot open. She knew had to do something, or she'd lose Rick. She slowly backed away behind the crowd of weeping, terrified people. As soon as she was out of the boy's sight, she ran to the kitchen as fast as she could.

"Ron…baby…put the gun down. You don't have to do this…." Jessie pleaded, trying to calm her son down.

"Are you kidding me? He just killed dad! He's gone! And its all his fault!"

"Ssshh…no baby...It's okay…" she was crying her eyes out, but doing her best to smile for him. "We aren't ruined. We're still here…"

"Dad isn't! Because he's dead!"

As she tried to convince him to stop, Michonne made her way back through the crowd, now armed, and was taking the only path she knew would work. She was crawling through the ground on her hands and knees. Sam spotted her about to pass by his oblivious brother. As she made eye contact with the child, she placed her index finger over her lips, suggesting he stays quiet. His eyes widened, and tears started to form. He was about to break down, and there was nothing she could do about it.

Carol spotted the interaction, and understood immediately. "Sam, honey! Come over here, okay. Its safer…" She said, trying to buy Michonne time. Once the woman was behind Ron, she stood up immediately, not wasting even a second.

"Night, asshole." Just as he began putting pressure to the trigger, the blade of a kitchen knife exited through his chest. A bullet shot from his gun, as his fingers tightened in shock.

Jessie screamed as she watched his body collapse as the knife was yanked out. Michonne breathed heavy behind him, but felt no regret. He tried to hurt her family, so she did what she had to do.

The blonde, in a shrieking fit, ran toward Michonne, with the intention of hurting her.

"Enough!" Deanna shouted, sick of the violence. "No more fighting!" As she spoke, she got more and more choked up. "I have just witnessed the death of my husband, our only doctor, and a child… Let it be enough!" By the time she finished, she was bawling her eyes out.

"Everyone's okay…No one got hit?" Rick questioned, looking to the people. Everyone looked around and appeared to be okay. "Good, Now…"

"…Dad?" All eyes turned to Carl. He lifted his head up to reveal his right eye had been shot out, blood streaming down his face.

"Carl…Carl!" he ran toward the boy, lifting him in his arms and rushing him to the kitchen table, blood spilling and pooling in the yellow house.