Chapter 10:

Michonne was on her lunch break from her Atlanta law firm. After talking to her mother again she was able to arrange a meeting with Mike at a cafe near her law firm. She wasn't planning on this conversation being long and after work she just wanted to go home and more specifically she wanted to see Rick. As she entered the cafe she rolled her eyes when seeing the back of Mike's head.

"Mike." She said dryly as she sat across from him.

Mike's eyes met her. He had a bandage over his obviously crooked nose, along with some bruising. He once again looked tired as if he hadn't manage to get any sleep since coming here. "Michonne."

"Let's just cut to the chase here Mike." She glanced down at her watch. "We have an hour here and after this I don't want to see you again. So how much do you want?" She asked, folding her arms over her chest.

Mike sighed and leaned back in his chair, "you're talking to me like I'm on trial Michonne."

"How much do you want?" She asked again, ignoring his comment, her tone more annoyed than before.

"You should be nicer to the person who could be suing your…" He paused, "...what is he anyway?"

"Why does it matter to you?" She asked, clearly annoyed by his avoidance of her question.

Mike thought for a moment and shrugged, "Dre just died I didn't think you were going to be moving on so quickly."

Michonne's face twitched into a frown for a moment at the mention of her son. "I knew him since I was a kid. Long before I moved to New York. How much do you want?" She asked, for the third time trying to steer the conversation back to the reason they were there in the first place.

"You sleeping with him?" Mike asked with a slight smirk obviously aware that he was bothering her.

"Mike let me make this clear." She said as she leaned closer to him, "I don't care who you are or are not fucking. So stop caring about me." She said then leaning back in her seat.

There was a silence between them and Mike spoke, "8,000."

Michonne rolled her eyes and waved him off, "you know that's not going to happen Mike so what's your second price?"

Mike shrugged, "8,000." He repeated.

"Mike, you are not getting 8,000. You have no witnesses. And we had the same damn health plan. I know you will be covered you're just being spiteful."

Silence.

Mike nodded a bit, "I don't have witnesses. But your….friend or whatever he is….he has a reputation in your little town and I'm sure there are some people who will be able to vouch for his little anger problem." Mike said smugly.

Michonne's face twitched again to a frown. She was sure she would be able to show that he didn't have a case here but he had done his digging like any lawyer would have done. "6,000." She finally responded as she began to barter with him.

"7,500." He responded.

"7,000." She quickly responded.

"7,300." He responded.

"7." She said firmly again. "You're not getting anymore."

Mike drummed his fingers against the table for a moment as he thought. "Fine."

Michonne let out a small sigh of relief. She opened her purse and dug around before finally taking out a checkbook and a pen. She signed a check for 7,000 dollars, ripped it out of her checkbook, and handed it to him.

Mike smirked a bit as he put the check away in his coat pocket. "Oh you have to be sleeping with him if you're paying his bills."

Michonne pushed out her chair as she got up. "He has a kid you asshole." She said, her final words to Mike as she then left.

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Several hours later

A light knock came from Rick's door. Carl who was running around his home and pushing off bedtime went to the door and opened it. He smiled widely, at seeing who it was. "Michonne! I didn't get to say bye to you when I left for school!"

Michonne smiled down at him and nodded, "I know I'm sorry I had to wake up early to go to work. Mind if I come in?"

Carl nodded happily as Michonne entered, "Dad! Michonne is here!" He called out.

"Carl, did your dad ever teach you about your inside voice?" Michonne asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Nope!" Carl happily responded.

Michonne chuckled at him, "I can tell." She responded, as she heard Rick coming down he looked like he had just gotten out of the shower as he walked downstairs shirtless with sweatpants on and a few damp curls stuck to his forehead.

"Hey boss." He said with a wide smile once he made it downstairs. He planted himself in front of her and wrapped one arm around her waist, giving her a gentle kiss on the cheek.

Michonne playfully rolled her eyes and lightly tapped his chest, "Alright, Rocky I'm sure Carl does not want to see this."

Carl nodded with his arms folded over his chest, "Yeah dad it's gross!" He protested.

Rick laughed, "You'll understand when you like a girl son." He said before kissing Michonne on the cheek again.

"Girls are gross!" Carl said firmly with a pout.

Rick laughed again, "You know son if you were in bed like you were supposed to be you wouldn't have to see this." He said with a shrug as he kissed Michonne again on the cheek.

Carl thought for a moment and then nodded, "Goodnight Michonne! Goodnight dad!" He said before quickly going upstairs.

Rick laughed as his son hurried upstairs, "Now I know how to get him to bed." He said as his kisses began trailing down to her jaw.

Michonne laughed a bit and pulled away from him. She wrapped her index finger around his and led him to the couch to sit. "Look Rocky I'm going to need you to find other ways to get Carl to go to bed." She said as they both sat down.

"But I like this way." Rick said with a smirk as he pulled her closer to him so his arm was wrapped around her waist and his hand resting on her hip.

"You're annoying." Michonne said with a small smile. There was a lull between them before she spoke again. "I saw Mike during my lunch break."

Rick tensed at the sound of his name and furrowed his brow, "What happened?"

"He wanted 8,000 Rick. I got him down to 7." Michonne began.

Rick sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, "That's still a lot boss…"

Michonne nodded, "I know. But you don't have to worry about it."

Rick looked up at her and squinted, "What do you mean?"

"I gave him a check." Michonne responded calmly.

Rick groaned and ran a hand over his face, "Michonne…" He said after a moment.

"Rick you have Carl you need to take care of. I'm fine. So I paid it."

"Michonne I could have paid it…" He said with a sigh.

"I know you could've but I think it's important to save your money for your child then worry about paying off the medical bills of my ex." She paused for a moment. "Rick, I didn't pay him because I thought you couldn't I did it because you shouldn't have to worry about this stuff. You didn't ask to be brought into this so I didn't think it was right for you to have to pay him."

They were silent for a moment before Rick spoke again, "...so you paid him because you know I have Carl to take care of…?"

"Yes."

"And because you don't want me to have to worry about the money…?"

"Yes."

Rick paused for a moment, and a soft smile appeared on his face. "You care."

Michonne rolled her eyes, "calm down Rocky."

Rick smiled again and lightly kissed her jaw, "you do. You paid him cause you care about Carl and me." Michonne rolled her eyes again but wore a faint smile. "Michonne...you don't have to worry about Carl or me. You said I didn't ask to be here but uh, if I'm not mistaken I kind of forced myself in your life once I saw you back here."

"Kind of?" Michonne asked with a smirk.

Rick chuckled a bit, "what I'm trying to say is I want to be here. It doesn't have to be you and me. It can be us, you know? Not your shit, not mine. Ours." He said gently.

Michonne smiled softly and nodded, "okay." She agreed.

Rick smiled, "alright anything else?"

Michonne thought for a moment and then turned to him so her body was facing him. "Mike said he talked to people around here. You don't have the best reputation Rocky."

"Yeah I could have told you that…." Rick said with a sigh.

"Yeah but this can be a domino effect Rick. No one has tried to sue you or press charges and then Mike comes here, he may have started some rumblings. And there have been witnesses before. No more fighting Rocky. Some people aren't gonna be subdued with a check."

Rick thought for a moment and sighed again, "it's just…" He paused before continuing, looking down as he spoke, "I think I've gotten better since you came back. But sometimes it's still hard. I think I still have some anger left in me." He said quietly.

"Tell me." Michonne said softly.

He paused again before speaking, "I'm still not sure how much I loved Lori. I loved you I know that. But she was my wife and we had a kid together. And I tried. And I think I tried to the end but at some point...I don't know I guess she stopped. There's a special kind of betrayal when you find out your friend and wife are sleeping together that makes you angry at everyone. I'm still moving through it."

Silence.

Michonne held his hand and gently kissed the back of it in a similar way that he often did to her. "You're already better then when I first came here. When you're angry at something or someone I just need you to tell me. And we can talk about it until you're not angry about it anymore."

Rick nodded as he finally looked up at her, "okay."

Michonne smiled and gently kissed him on the lips, "okay. Besides I need you to get back to work so you can stop bothering me all the time." She said with a smirk.

Rick chuckled and brought her close to him, "when are you gonna stop acting like you don't want me around all the time?"

"I don't know what you're talking about Rocky." She said with a smirk.

"Wanna come upstairs?" Rick said with a wide smile.

"No, I need to go home and shower and sleep."

"You can shower and sleep here…" Rick said the wide smile remaining on his face.

Michonne chuckled a bit and kissed him softly. She pulled away and smiled, "tell you what, I have Thursday off so we can...do some things then." She said with a smirk.

"Some things?" Rick said with a raised eyebrow and a grin.

Michonne laughed at his excitement as she got up from the couch, "yeah some things. But you should come over to my house, no offense but my bed is way better than yours Rocky."

Rick laughed a bit, "and Carl? He has school during the week you know."

"Rocky just bring him with you!" Michonne said her brow furrowing as if to say duh!

Rick chuckled a bit at her response, "alright boss I wasn't sure if you ready for a kid running around your fancy house."

Michonne shrugged, "I already let you in so how much worse could it be? Besides at least he could clean unlike some people…." She said, with a smirk as she began to walk towards the door.

Rick grinned and followed behind her, they both stopped at the door, "alright so we'll be at yours Wednesday. 7 works?"

"7 is good."

"Alright…" Rick leaned in and kissed her deeply, pulling her close to him, he trailed one hand down and lightly squeezed her ass before pulling away with a smile.

"Just couldn't help yourself?" Michonne asked with a smirk.

Rick grinned and shrugged, "guess not."

Michonne rolled her eyes and opened the door, stepping out. "See you on Wednesday Rocky."

"See ya boss." Rick said watching her as she left and then closing the door once she was out of sight.

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Wednesday evening

Carl was excited to say the least as he bounced on Michonne's porch waiting for his dad to follow behind. He spent his time at either his dad's house or his mother's so the thought of being at Michonne's home where he was sure there would be comics made him excited. "Daddddd you walk so slowww!" Carl groaned as his father finally made it to the porch.

Rick chuckled as he rang the doorbell, "not everyone can be as fast as you son." He said, ruffling Carl's hair. The door swung open and Rick smiled as he saw Michonne. She looked like she had just gotten home from work as she was still dressed in a pencil skirt and a bright pink blouse.

"Michonne!" Carl said excitedly with a smile.

"Carl!" She said in a similar fashion to him. "Are you excited to sleep over here for a bit?"

"Yes!" Carl said happily.

"He hasn't stopped talking about since I told him." Rick said.

"Dad was talking a lot about too!" Carl said as his father began to blush a bit.

Michonne raised an eyebrow and smiled as she stepped back into her home to let them in, "is that true Rocky?"

"I mean…" Rick started before he was interrupted by Carl.

"Wow!" Carl said as he looked around the large home, effectively changing the topic. "Dad why isn't our house this big?" He asked turning back to his dad.

Rick chuckled, "cause Michonne over here has that fancy New York money."

Michonne playfully rolled her eyes, "come on Carl I'll show you where you're gonna sleep and then give you a tour okay?"

"I never got a tour!" Rick said acting as if he was offended.

Michonne chuckled a bit as she began walking up the stairs with Carl not far behind. "Carl do you mind if your dad joins us on the tour?"

Carl laughed and nodded, "come on dad!"

"Thanks for the invite." Rick said with a bit of sarcasm though he wore a smile as he followed them.

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A few hours later

After a tour of the home Carl was able to stay up a little later than usual to read through some of Michonne's older comics. Now after a promise from Michonne that he will be able to read them first thing tomorrow when he got home from school he was now sleeping.

Rick entered Michonne's room after putting Carl to sleep. He could hear her shower running and he smirked to himself as he locked the door behind him and walked over to her bathroom. "Want some company?" He asked as she stood under her shower head, her glass shower door slightly foggy. His eyes trailed down her naked body as she turned to him.

"You just gonna stare Rocky or you gonna join me?" Michonne said with a smirk. She couldn't help to chuckle when she noticed the speed at which he removed his clothes and entered the shower.

Rick wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her gently at first and then with more earnest as his erection began to press into her. His tongue danced with hers and one hand moved up her body until it was gently cupping her breast. He moaned as they kissed when he felt her hand softly began tugging at his dick.

Michonne smiled to herself when she heard his moan. She pulled away slightly, so their lips were still touching, as she continued to pull on his dick now adding a second hand.

"Michonne…" Rick breathed out his hands now gripping her ass.

Michonne smiled again as she quickened her pace. His head was now buried in the crook of her neck as he breathed against her, his grip on her ass becoming stronger. He groaned again, "Michonne...wait...fuck…" He breathed out, there was a sigh of relief as she let go of him and his grip on her lessened.

"You alright Rocky?" Michonne said with a smile as she went back over to the water so she was directly under it again.

Rick paused for a moment as he regained his self-control and then he nodded. "Come here."

Michonne raised an eyebrow at him, "you bossing me around?" She said with a smirk.

"Come here." He said his voice a bit rougher than before.

Michonne raised an eyebrow and smirked but she walked over to him. He gently pulled her so she was facing the shower door and pressing against it. He tapped her legs to indicate she should open them and once she did he slid his dick into her folds and she gasped as he did so. He held onto her waist with his hands as he slowly thrusted into her.

"Rick…" She moaned softly as she placed her hands on her shower door to brace herself.

He continued to slowly thrust into her, one hand trailing down to her folds. Slowly rubbing her in a similar fashion.

Michonne let out a small whimper, "Rick...faster…" She moaned.

Rick smirked as he quicken his pace and her moans became louder. He leaned in and began sucking on her neck and he could feel her beginning to come undone her legs slightly beginning to shake as she came. He thrusted into her a few more times before slipping out of her.

Michonne stayed press against the shower door for a moment before turning around to face him. "Jesus Rocky…" She said with a sheepish smile. She turned off the shower water that had now gone cold and her eyes rolled down his body noticing he still had a profound erection. "Really?" She asked with a raised eyebrow as she exited the shower.

Rick grinned as he followed behind her he wrapped an arm around her when she was finished drying off. "Go lay down…" He whispered into her ear.

Michonne smirked and turned to face him. "No, you're gonna go lay down."

Rick raised an eyebrow but after he quickly dried off he went to lay down on the bed. Michonne followed behind him as she got on the bed she straddled him, slowly sliding herself onto him. She moaned lightly as she placed her hands on his chest, swiveling her hips against him. Rick moaned quietly as he trailed his hands down her waist and back before stopping as he began to grab her ass.

"Mi...chonne…" Rick groaned as she quickened her pace and began bouncing on his dick.

She smiled and moaned gently as she could tell that he was close. She brought her hand down and gently grazed the base of his dick with her fingers. She moaned again as she felt Rick buck into her. She knew she was going to come soon so she quickened her pace in order for him to do the same.

"Fuck…." Rick moaned as he could feel her coming again and he came with her bucking into her a few times before he finished. They stayed together for a moment as their breathing slowed before Michonne got off Rick, laying on her side as Rick then wrapped an arm around her.

"I gotta start spending more nights over here…" Rick said after a few moments of silence.

Michonne laughed gently, "Rocky, go to sleep."

Rick chuckled a bit, "you're bossy, you know."

"Yeah whatever." Michonne said as she let out a small yawn.

Rick chuckled again and lightly kissed her shoulder as he closed his eyes.

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Early next morning

"Michonne…" A quiet small voice whispered out. It was just before 7am and Carl was standing next to Michonne's bed waiting for her to wake up as a tired Rick stood next to him. "Michonne…" He repeated again whispering a bit louder than this time and giving her a pat on his head.

Rick yawned sounding as if he was half asleep too, "Carl let her sleep. You're gonna miss the bus."

"But I wanna say bye!" Carl pouted his whispered tone growing louder.

"I'm awake." Michonne said her voice groggy as she rubbed her eyes before opening them.

"Michonne!" Carl said happily as she woke. "I'm going to school now so I wanted to say bye."

Michonne smiled sleepily, "okay, have a good day and learn a lot."

Carl nodded happily and wrapped his arms around her neck, "okay go back to sleep!" Carl said with a smile and pat on her head as he pulled away from her. "Ready!" He said to his father as happily left the room.

Rick chuckled a bit and bent down to give Michonne a kiss before her hand stopped him. "What?"

"I haven't brushed my teeth yet Rocky and I don't think you have either." Michonne said with a raised eyebrow.

Rick sighed, "Really?"

Michonne nodded, "come back to me when you brushed your teeth."

"Dad! We are gonna miss the bus!" Carl shouted from the bottom of the stairs.

Michonne chuckled and waved him off as she heard Carl. "You heard the boy."

"I'm getting a kiss from you." Rick said as he pointed a finger at her as he walked backwards towards the exit.

"You're gonna miss that bus…" Michonne said with a smirk.

"Dad!" Carl called out to him again.

Rick sighed and turned, "I'm coming Carl!"

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After dropping Carl off on at the bus Rick entered Michonne's home to see her beginning to make breakfast, wearing an oversize shirt and flip flops. "Why aren't you sleeping?" Rick said with a yawn as he rubbed his face.

Michonne shrugged, "Your son woke me up. I'm made coffee if you want. You want some eggs?" She said as she stood over her stove, making some eggs for herself.

Rick nodded as he grabbed a mug and poured himself coffee. They moved in a comfortable silence as Michonne placed eggs and toast on a plate, one for her and one for Rick. She also poured herself from coffee, adding milk and sugar, before sitting down as they then ate. After a few minutes Rick glanced at her, "Were you happy when you found out you were pregnant?"

Michonne sighed as she got up putting their dishes in their sink. "You have the worst timing when it comes to asking questions Rocky."

"Is there ever a good time?" He asked.

Michonne sighed again as she washed the dishes. Once she was done she sat across from him again. "He wasn't a planned pregnancy and I was nervous when I found out but I was happy. My mom wanted us to get married." She said with a small smile.

Rick smiled a bit and nodded, "sounds like your mom."

Michonne nodded, "oh yeah some things don't change." She paused for a moment, "once I saw him on the sonogram though there was no more nervousness I was just happy. Really happy. It's crazy knowing you have a kid growing inside you so…" She smiled a bit and shrugged.

Rick smiled tenderly and took her hand, giving it a soft kiss. "Thank you."

"You're such a sap Rocky." She said with a small smile.

Rick smiled and walked over to her side of the table, he wrapped his arms around her and lightly nuzzled his nose in her neck. "You love it."

Michonne chuckled a bit, "leave me alone Rocky."

"No." Rick said with a smile as he continued.

Michonne chuckled again, "you're annoying."

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"I'm hungry!" Carl announced as he entered Michonne's home, just getting home from school.

Michonne laughed, "hello to you too Carl!"

Carl grinned as he took off his backpack, Rick following behind him. "Hi Michonne! Guess what?" He asked excitedly.

"What?" She responded mimicking his excitement.

"I learned a lot today!" He said proudly.

Michonne smiled, "good job Carl!"

"Mhm! Andddd I'm hungry!" He repeated.

Rick laughed and ruffled his son hair, "alright we get it Carl. Ask Michonne if she has any snacks in here and then we'll have dinner later."

"Michonne do you have any snacks?" Carl asked happily.

Michonne chuckled, "yeah, come on." She said as she led him to her kitchen.

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After dinner Carl was helping Michonne wash the dishes as Rick was upstairs showering. "Guess what?" Carl asked happily as she handed him dishes to dry.

"What?" She responded with an exaggerated excitement.

"I'm gonna be 8 soon!"

"What? You're gonna be so old!" Michonne said pretending to be shocked.

"8 isn't old! Dad is old!"

Michonne laughed, "Yeah, I agree. So when are you gonna be 8?"

"In…." He thought for a moment, "two weeks!"

"Wow, that's exciting! Is your dad throwing you a party?" She asked as she dried her hands and leaned against the sink.

"Yup! I invited alllll my friends today! You're gonna come too right?" He asked, hopeful that she would come.

Michonne smiled softly and nodded, "if you want me there I'll be there. What kind of present do you want?"

Carl smiled widely, "ummmm comics!"

Michonne laughed lightly, "will do."

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After putting Carl to bed Michonne and Rick were in bed as well. They laid naked with Rick's arm wrapped around the front of her waist and his nose was nuzzled in the crook of her neck breathing in her scent.

They were like this for several minutes before Michonne broke their comfortable silence. "Carl invited me to his birthday party. How come you didn't tell me his birthday was coming up Rocky?"

Rick pulled away slightly from her, "I wasn't sure if you would want to come to party with a bunch of kids running around. I invited Glenn and Maggie too...she's pregnant remember? Sasha and Daryl will probably be there too you didn't seem like you wanted to talk to her last time so…"

"Well I already told Carl I'll be there." She said with a shrug.

Rick looked up at her and furrowed his brow a bit, "you did?"

Michonne squinted at him, "Rocky do you not want me at your son's birthday party?"

"Of course I do boss but uh...someone else will be there." He spoke tentatively as if he was trying to pick just the right words.

"Who?" She asked immediately spotting the hesitation in his words.

Rick sighed and completely pulled away from her so he was directly looking at her, "his mother." He finally said.

Michonne rolled her eyes and sighed but remained quiet as she glimpsed over at Rick waiting for him to explain.

"Carl and I were talking about it a few days ago and he asked if his mom will be there. And I was going to say no but you know the kid gives you those damn eyes so...she's coming."

"So did you not want to invite me because she's coming or because their kids, pregnant ladies, and old friends there?" She asked giving him an unimpressed side eye.

Rick groaned, "I promise you it's not because of her."

Silence.

After a moment she sighed, "you know I'm going to have to meet her now right?"

Rick squinted, "what?"

"I'm not going to meet her for the first time at Carl's party. So let her know that we should meet." She said as she turned to her side, preparing to go to sleep.

Rick sighed and ran his hand over his face, "are you sure?"

"Rocky she is the mother of your kid and if Carl hasn't at least told her you're seeing someone already I'm sure he will eventually so why not get this over with."

Rick sighed and finally nodded, before wrapping an arm around her again so they were spooning. "Okay you'll meet her...but you're still gonna come to Carl's party right?"

Michonne rolled her eyes but smiled a bit, "I told him I would Rocky so I will."

Rick smiled and gently kissed her shoulder, "thank you."

"You know you're annoying right?"

Rick chuckled a bit, "Yeah I know."

A/N: Hope you guys liked this chapter! Shoutout to all yall that also call your sidewalks blocks. Thank you for the faves/follows/reviews. Have a good weekend the trailer season 7 comes out today so hopefully it isn't trash lol. Gonna respond to some reviews now! :)

bandeapix: thanks! :)

cuckoo91: thanks!

guest 1: thanks! hope this chapter help answer those questions.

courtgirl26: glad you are liking this version of carl. I agree with your comments on mike haha

alexis: thanks for liking the carl and Michonne relationship! Hope this chapter helps explain your questions about rick a little more. More Andre stuff will be revealed soon!

Lavender73: I agree carl will help a lot without even knowing it!

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Joleen: thanks! next chapter will have more interaction with people in the town and friends.

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Guest 2: lol less sighing in the story just for you!

gdyoung59: mike is a douche but he isn't that big of a douche hahaha so I hope this chapter lessen those worries! Thanks for liking this version of carl :)

AmazingGrimes: thanks!