The council members called on Rick hours into their debate. Glenn, Daryl, Hershel and Carol sat around a rectangular table by the light of a few candles. The serious mood heightened the tension in Rick's shoulders. He joined them, taking a seat at the head of the table.
Hershel spoke first. "We've voted on whether Michonne should stay or if we should turn her over to the Governor. Carol and I…want her to go. Glenn and Daryl want her to stay. We need you to break the tie, Rick."
Rick looked around the table. He met Carol's blue eyes and she looked down. He was not completely surprised about her vote to hand Michonne over. She was as fiercely protective of the group as he was and would do anything to keep them alive.
Lifting her eyes, Carol met Rick's stare head-on. "We have children here, Rick. I don't have anything against Michonne, but I'm not willing to put the children's lives at risk to save her. You have to think about your family."
Glenn chimed in. "Michonne is family now too. Without her, Maggie and I would be dead. She has done nothing but contribute to our survival since she's gotten here."
Daryl nodded in agreement. "If I'm goin' into a fight, I'd trust Michonne to have my back any day."
Rick recognized the meaning behind Daryl's bold yet concise declaration. Daryl was not quick to trust anyone with anything, let alone his life. Rick heard Carol sigh, but she remained silent.
"This isn't about whether we trust Michonne or not. I think she has been a very valuable member of this group." Hershel spoke with gentle firmness. "This is about the lives of everyone here, about the people who trust us to make decisions to keep them alive. And choosing to let her stay is choosing to let others die."
"You don't know that," Glenn said. "The Governor could be bluffing."
"He doesn't seem like the type of man to bluff," Carol said.
Rick could no longer stay silent. "If we turn her over, there's no telling what he'll do to her. He's already hurt her once…" Rick's heart sped up at the thought of the Governor's hands on Michonne's body. "He's dangerous. We all witnessed that yesterday."
"All the more reason to do as he says and get him out of our lives for good," Hershel said. "I'm trying to protect my family here, Rick. They are what matters most to me. He's already terrorized Maggie and I refuse to let Beth fall into his clutches as well."
"But Maggie wants Michonne to stay," Glenn said. "She knows firsthand what a monster he is. She refuses to condemn Michonne to an even worse fate."
Rick felt obliged to provide full disclosure to the group. "You should know…the Governor is in love with Michonne." His stomach twisted and turned as the words left his lips.
"So there's less chance that he would harm her," Hershel said, considering his words.
"Just because someone loves you doesn't mean they won't hurt you to get what they want," Daryl said. He leaned forward, placing both palms on the table. "Michonne is obviously not in love with him and will fight to protect herself. But she won't be able to fight him forever. You know that."
Daryl looked directly at Carol. She squirmed in her seat.
Rick nodded in agreement. He had already made his decision, but he owed it to the council members to debate the issue.
"It's time for you to vote, Rick," Hershel said. "None of us are going to budge. You need to make the final decision on this."
Rick leaned back and crossed his arms. He released a heavy sigh. "Michonne is as much a member of our group as any one of you. She's proven herself to be capable, intelligent, kindhearted, loyal. If we just handed her over to the Governor, to save our own lives…I don't think we could survive that. The trust between us would fracture."
Rick stood to emphasize his point. "Michonne stays. And that's my final decision."
The council members remained silent. Carol avoided eye contact. Hershel lowered his chin and sighed. Glenn smiled and Daryl nodded.
Hershel rose onto his crutches. "You're risking your family for a woman you barely know."
Rick stared at the man he respected more than he had his own father. He carefully chose his next words. "Michonne is as much a part of my family – our family – as each member of this group is. I'm only offering her the same protection I would offer any of you."
Hershel frowned and then nodded once. He headed for the exit. With his departure, the meeting officially adjourned.
Daryl patted Rick on the back as they headed for the doors. "I knew you would make the right decision."
"Thanks, man," Rick said, hoping he'd made his choice for the right reasons. Anything that kept Michonne near him seemed right.
Rick nearly collided with Michonne in the hallway. "Can we talk?" she asked.
"Sure," Rick said. The strain in her voice worried him.
A lawyer to the bone, Michonne got straight to the point. "I'm leaving."
"Leaving?" Rick asked, grabbing her arm. He pulled his hand away just as quickly, composing himself.
"I can't force this decision on you. I won't put you – any of you – in harm's way to save my own ass." Michonne crossed her arms and looked away, but not before Rick noticed the tears in her eyes.
Should he bite the bullet and tell her the truth he was too afraid to admit? Should he tell her he remembered her?
"Look at me, Michonne." Rick cradled her chin between his thumb and forefinger, turning her to face him. Michonne kept her eyes glued to the floor, tears streaming down her cheeks.
If he told her, she might never forgive him, no matter how overcome with grief he had been at the time. Not ready to face her contempt and outrage, he opted to play it safe instead.
"The Governor already knows who we are, what we have here at the prison. He probably even knows about the weapons we salvaged from the sheriff's station. Whether you surrender to him or not, he's coming after us. And we'd have a fighting chance if you stuck with us."
Michonne finally met his gaze, her eyes red and puffy, but still resolute, underneath her long lashes. The lawyer in her proved to be as stubborn as he expected. "If I go to him, maybe I can convince him to let you all live in peace."
The gentle approach was obviously failing, so Rick let the authoritarian steer the wheel. "If you leave, it'll mean you're choosing him over us."
Over me, Rick thought. Confess, you idiot. Tell her how much you loved her – maybe even still love her.
Michonne sighed. "Okay, I'll stay."
The twitch at the corner of her lips led Rick to suspect otherwise.
Rick spied on Michonne through binoculars as she cleared the prison yard of walkers. The commotion of the Governor's attack had lured a handful of walkers to their location. With the outer fences done, they managed to make their way into the grassy area outside of the courtyard.
Michonne deftly twisted her wrist, twirling the katana in a circle and using the momentum to slice a walker's skull in half. Rick still couldn't believe this was the high-strung lawyer he met five years ago. She was as capable with a katana as she was in the courtroom.
Rick had been impressed with her defense that day – and with the way her suit hugged her ample bottom – that he followed her into the bar after the court session ended. He had only intended to strike up conversation, maybe buy her a drink.
Little did he know that conversation would lead to a night of intense passion, comfort – and love. She understood him in ways Lori could never comprehend, despite having been married to her for eleven years. And he had fallen madly in love with her.
But that was five years ago, before death lurked around every corner, waiting to rip the living apart limb by limb.
Rick's vision blurred and he lowered the binoculars, rubbing his aching eyes. Since his conversation with Michonne, he spent every moment watching her, forgoing sleep for the past 24 hours. In that time, he had also thought about why Michonne had pretended to not know him. Had she been trying to save face or had she given him a break?
Michonne decapitated the last of the walkers, the grassy area clear for the time being. Rick followed her movements as she made her way back to the courtyard. Her clothes remained clean, despite having just slaughtered a multitude of walkers in various states of decomposition.
Daryl met her at the fence, offering her a full water bottle. Michonne accepted the water and they walked together. She laughed at something Daryl said.
When did Daryl develop a sense of humor? Rick wondered, although he knew Michonne had a way of putting people at ease and forming quick friendships. Carl had adored her ever since she brought back a stack of comic books for him from one of her runs with Daryl.
Rick wished he could let his guard down around her. But he was afraid he would feel the need to confess all, to admit he had been just as delusional as the Governor. How could he hope to keep her respect after spilling the truth?
Barely able to keep his eyes open, Rick headed to the cell block. He needed to rest up for whatever attack the Governor planned to make tomorrow. Michonne had yet to make a move to leave and Rick had enlisted Daryl to keep an eye on her in the meantime.
Rick entered his cell, removing his duty belt and plopping down onto his bed.
Just a couple of hours should do it. Within seconds, Rick fell into a deep sleep.
"What do you mean she's gone?" Rick asked Daryl, struggling to keep his voice even. Rick rubbed his temples to ease the rhythmic throbbing.
"No one has seen her in the last hour," Daryl said. "I'm sorry, Rick. Merle found some drugs in one of the mattresses and had a bad trip. Glenn and I managed to lock him in one of the cells, but by the time we were done, Michonne was gone." Daryl looked almost as distressed as Rick felt.
Rick sighed. "We'll just have to go after her then. She's not getting away that easily. You think you can track her?"
"Already have an idea of which direction she's heading. With such a short head start, we could easily catch up to her, since I know these woods a lot better than she does."
"Alright, we set off at dawn then." Rick sought out the council members to update them on their plan. The last member he approached was Hershel.
"And what if the Governor attacks before you make it back? We'll be down two of our best men," Hershel said.
"That's not going to happen. Michonne knows better than to travel alone at night. She will only have a lead of a couple of hours by the time she settles in for the night. We'll catch up to her tomorrow morning and be back before the Governor even sets out, if he's planning to attack at all," Rick said.
"I don't like this. The council should be making this decision, not you."
"I already spoke to the other members and they all agree, even Carol. She realizes that if Michonne is willing to risk her life to keep all of us safe, then she's the kind of person we need to hold onto, regardless of the consequences."
"Just don't let us down, Rick. I put my family's lives in your hands – please don't make me regret it."
Hershel's final words stung more than Rick expected. "Trust me, I haven't forgotten. And I promise not to let you down."
Rick held out his hand. Hershel hesitated before shaking it. The two men nodded in understanding and the tension in Rick's shoulders eased.
Later, Rick sat in his cell waiting for morning to come. His thoughts went to that night five years ago. After they had left the bar, he dared not speak, afraid that she would change her mind or he would lose his nerve. His breath came in quick pants and his hands trembled the entirety of the short walk to her hotel.
Once safely inside, he froze. He wondered if Lori had felt the same way the first time she cheated on him. Fortunately, all thoughts flew from his mind as Michonne attacked him with her plump lips, her delicate hands roaming his body.
He remembered her face twisted in ecstasy, the feel of her round behind filling his hands, her teeth tugging at his taut nipples. How calling her "Ms. Daniels" made her purr with lust. Just the thought of her completely at his mercy still quickened his pulse.
Was it love he had felt for Michonne or just an overwhelming lust? Was he really willing to risk the lives of his children for mind-blowing sex?
He dismissed the thoughts almost immediately. Deep in his bones he felt that what they had shared went beyond sex. They had connected, understood each other's pain; communicated with their bodies as much as they did their words.
At the end of the world, fate brought them together once again. He would be damned if he was going to let her walk out of his life again.
Rick and Daryl departed with the approach of dawn. They travelled light, each with a small pack of food, water and ammo, enough to last the day and no more.
Rick hoped he knew Michonne as well as he thought and that she had chosen not to travel during the night. If not, the chances of catching up to her before she reached the Governor were slim.
Daryl knelt before a set of light footprints. "Her trail is still fresh."
"Are you sure those belong to her?" Rick asked.
"I know Michonne's tracks, we've been on enough runs together."
Rick frowned at Daryl's familiarity with Michonne. What had they done spending all those days, and sometimes nights, alone?
"Look, I just want to be sure," Rick said, struggling with the surge of jealousy. He had always trusted Daryl's skills, this was not the time to question his abilities. And yet, he couldn't control his emotions.
"We both want to find her, man," Daryl said, his voice low. "Just trust me like you have countless times before."
Rick nodded, letting reason outweigh irrationality. Daryl was his brother and obviously cared about Michonne as much as he did.
"Up for a run?" Daryl asked.
"Lead the way," Rick said.
Daryl stood and tightened the straps of his backpack. Then he took off, jogging alongside Michonne's tracks. Rick followed close behind, praying they reached her in time.
Rick and Daryl slowed to a stop, both panting heavily. Above the sound of his heavy breathing, Rick heard to distinct moans of walkers. They both moved quietly in the direction of the noise.
Just beyond a group of trees, in a small clearing, they found Michonne surrounded by a mob of walkers. She worked swiftly and efficiently, her movements graceful and deadly. Spinning in a circle, so decapitated a walker to the front and another to the back of her.
A third walker moved to attack and she kicked it in the chest, knocking it into three other walkers, bringing them all to the ground like bowling pins.
Daryl and Rick stood unnoticed and mesmerized by Michonne's display of prowess and skill. Rick realized he was already half in love with her again.
Michonne's yelp spurred them both into action. Rick used his axe to crush the skull of a walker, while Daryl shot two with his crossbow.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Michonne shouted, noticing them for the first time.
"Saving you," Rick said as he plunged his axe into the skull of the last remaining walker.
The eminent threat eliminated, Michonne swung around to face Rick and Daryl. "You're going to ruin everything," she said, sheathing her katana.
"You don't have to do this Michonne," Rick said.
"This is the only way to end this. I refuse to have anyone's blood on my hands."
"Even if those people want to fight to protect what's theirs?" Daryl asked.
Rick picked up on the possessiveness in Daryl's voice. Was he referring to the prison or Michonne?
"As much I hate myself for agreeing with Merle, he's right. I'm the only one who can get close enough to the Governor to kill him," Michonne said.
"How do you know he won't see this coming? That he won't just lock you away in some dark room, never to see the light of day again?" Rick asked. "This is too dangerous."
"That's for me to decide, not you." Michonne's steely expression reminded Rick of that day in court, as she held her client's hand, awaiting the verdict. Even then he could sense the fear behind her eyes.
"The lives of your children are worth more to me than my freedom. They still have a chance to survive – to live. I've been living on borrowed time anyway. My family –" Michonne choked on those last words. She shook her head as tears streamed down her cheeks.
Rick walked over to Michonne, knowing what he had to do. He took her into his arms and held her tight. He whispered, "I'm not losing you again, Ms. Daniels."
Michonne stiffened in his embrace. She pulled away, her glassy eyes full of shock. "You…you remember?"
Rick smiled. "I do. And I'm sorry for not recognizing you sooner. I was kind of preoccupied with hallucinations of my dead wife." Rick thought his sorry attempt at a joke failed.
Surprisingly, Michonne chuckled in response. She dried her cheeks with the back of her hand.
"I used to talk to my dead boyfriend. It happens," she said, giving him a smile that made his heart flutter.
Confessing was a lot easier than he'd thought it would be. "Come back with us. You don't have to take on the world alone anymore," Rick said. He looked at Daryl who watched the two of them closely. He had probably overheard the entire conversation, but did not comment.
Michonne sighed. "Okay, but only under one condition."
"Name it," Rick said.
"The Governor is mine," Michonne said with venom.
"Deal," Rick said, although he was disappointed that he would not get to kill the man himself. "Now that all is settled, it's time to head back. We only have a few hours before the Governor's deadline expires."
Daryl hugged Michonne, patting her back. "Good to have you back, samurai."
Michonne smiled. Rick watched the two of them embrace, thinking that after this was over, he and Daryl would need to have a talk about Michonne.
"No!" Rick shouted as they ran toward the smoke billowing from the prison complex. The sound of gunfire and explosions sent Rick into automatic panic mode.
"Rick, wait!" Michonne called from behind him. But he could only focus on getting to his children as quickly as possible.
The prison came into view through the trees. He was unable to see any of his people outside and prayed they were safely holed up deep in the prison. The watch tower was in shambles and smoke swirled from a crater in the cell block.
Rick fell face-down in the dirt, tackled by Daryl from behind.
"Get off me!" Rick yelled, struggling to break Daryl's steel hold.
"I was a star linebacker in high school, you're not going anywhere," Daryl said, not relenting as Rick struggled to break free.
"Rick, calm down!" Michonne yelled, catching up to them.
"Carl! Judith! I need to find them!" Rick cried out.
"We will, but you're of no use to them dead. You see that tank? The second the Governor sees you, he will aim that thing right in your direction," Michonne said. "Listen to me. I have a plan to help you find your family that doesn't involve you being blown to bits."
Rick stilled and Daryl slowly released him, rising from the ground.
"Sorry, man. I couldn't let you get yourself killed," Daryl said, offering him a hand.
Rick accepted, allowing Daryl to help him up from the ground.
"Just hear me out before you object," Michonne said with authority, the sound of gunfire nearly drowning her out. "Our only option is to kill the Governor. I'll surrender with the intention of getting close to him. And once he's distracted, I'll stab him in the heart." Michonne held up Daryl's hunting knife.
"How do you plan on distracting him?" Rick asked.
Michonne tucked the knife into the back of her pants and covered it with her shirt. "I have my ways." She chose not to elaborate. "Once he's dead, the others will have no reason to stay in the fight and will retreat."
"No, Michonne. It's too risky," Rick said, although his protest lacked heart. Thoughts of Judith and Carl lying dead in the cell block distracted him.
Michonne gripped Rick's hands, commanding all of his attention. "If I don't do this, our deaths are guaranteed, unless we run. And neither one of us is the type to back down from a fight."
She closed the distance between them. "I respect and care about you, but I'm doing this with or without your approval. This is the only way your family makes it out of here alive. Trust me."
"If they're not already dead…" Rick said. He felt the blood drain from his face.
Michonne leaned in and kissed Rick, her lips rough and salty. Despite his state of despair, Rick kissed her back with ferocity, warmth coursing through his body. He moved to take her face in his hands, but she slipped away, running in the direction of the Governor.
Rick moved to chase her when Daryl grabbed his arm. "You'll just get the both of you killed. Let her go."
Rick wrenched his arm from Daryl's grip, but stayed put. His heart lodged in his throat as he watched Michonne run up to the tank with her hands held above her head. The Governor spotted her immediately.
"Governor!" Michonne yelled. "You win…I surrender!"
The Governor jumped down from the tank. He held up his hand and the gunfire ceased almost immediately.
Rick could barely make out Michonne's next words from their hiding place in the woods. "I'm yours. Please stop this."
The Governor swiftly reached behind her, removing her katana from its case and dropping it to the ground. He wrapped his arms around her waist, lifting her from the ground, her face aligned with his. He kissed her roughly and Michonne kissed him back – with tongue.
Rick growled, outraged by the sight. This woman had just kissed him not two minutes ago.
Michonne moved her free hand behind her back, reaching for the hunting knife. The Governor clasped her wrist before she could get a hold of it, wrenching her arm back and up. Michonne cried out in pain.
"Damnit," Rick said under his breath. The plan had failed and he felt helpless to save her.
The Governor slowly lowered her to the ground, still clasping her wrist. "I would expect nothing less of you." He grabbed the hunting knife and threw it behind her, releasing her wrist. He smiled. "Welcome back, Michonne."
The Governor raised his voice. "We're done here! Let's get these vehicles turned around and head home!" He grabbed Michonne's hand and dragged her to a nearby pickup truck.
Please come back to me, Rick thought as he watched the Governor drive away with Michonne in the passenger seat.
A/N: Thanks again for all of the support! I'm glad you all are enjoying the progression of the story. This took a little longer for me to post, so I made it extra long. :)