"Yahtzee!" Carl yipped, jumping from his chair to perform yet another victory dance.

"No fair," Michonne said. "That's your fifth Yahtzee tonight. Are those loaded dice?"

"Don't be a sore loser," Carl said.

"One loss and she's already complaining," Rick said. If there was one thing Rick had learned about Michonne over the past month, it was that she hated to lose.

This was their fifth game night since Carl's full recovery. Rick suspected Michonne had instituted them as a means to lift Carl's mood, which had been low since he'd woken to a life with one eye. But she seemed to enjoy them as much as Carl did.

"All or nothing," Michonne said. "If you roll higher than a 15, then I'll make fish sticks every night, for a week."

"And if I lose?" Carl asked.

"You do Judith's laundry for a week."

Carl looked to Rick for support.

Rick raised his hands in surrender. "Don't look at me, this is between you and Michonne."

Carl looked to be considering Michonne's deal. "You're on. But under one condition."

"What's that?" Michonne asked, crossing her arms.

"Instead of making me fish sticks, you'll go on a date with Dad," Carl said.

"How is that a prize for you?"

"Is it a deal or not?" His one blue eye watched her, grating on her sympathy. "Imagine not having to deal with Judith's dirty diapers for an entire week…" he prodded.

Michonne's eyes settled on Rick.

Does she need my help deciding? Rick wondered. In that case, he would make his desires clear.

"How about sweetening the deal? No diaper duty for two weeks," Rick offered.

Michonne raised her eyebrows, looking from him to Carl. "Fine."

She grabbed the dice and dropped them into the red cup. She covered the opening with her palm and shook the cup vigorously, the clacking of the dice the only sound in the room. Michonne handed the cup to Carl.

Carl smirked and blew on the dice. He shook the cup in the same fashion as Michonne and then tipped it, the dice tumbling onto the table.

"Five plus three plus two plus one plus…five. I win!" Carl shouted.

Judith's wail suddenly filled the baby monitor.

"Looks like your little outburst woke your sister," Michonne said, her expression more amused than angry.

"I'll get her," Carl said, zipping toward the stairs. "Hope you two have fun on your date!" he called, before disappearing into Judith's room.

Michonne sent Rick an awkward glance. "We could just tell him that we went on a date…"

Rick laughed. Last week, he'd caught Michonne's reflection, staring at him with interest, when she thought he wasn't looking. The thing that had broken between them was slowly starting to heal, and he planned on helping it along.

"A deal's a deal," Rick said. "Don't worry, I'll take care of everything. All you have to do is show up."

Michonne groaned. The hint of a smile on her lips, however, gave Rick the drive to make their date as memorable as possible.

Michonne and Sasha walked the perimeter of Alexandria, checking for any signs of walkers or human trespassers. Things had been quiet since the Wolves' attack, but they still patrolled the surrounding area on a regular basis.

"You think they're gone for good?" Sasha asked, her eyes roaming the quiet woods.

"The Wolves?" Michonne asked, her right hand resting on her pistol as she remained alert.

Sasha nodded. "What if some of them escaped?"

"I think we took care of the ones that mattered. Any stragglers aren't coming back any time soon, considering that we pretty much decimated them."

Michonne and Sasha continued on in silence. Things had been awkward between them since Michonne moved back in with Rick. She was dying to ask about Daryl, not having seen him since before his scuffle with Rick. Daryl had a knack for avoiding people he wasn't too keen on.

"So…" Sasha said, breaking the silence. "How's Carl adjusting?"

"Very well," Michonne said. "The first couple of weeks were the hardest. He wouldn't let Enid visit him and spent most of his time holed up in his room. But now he's pretty much back to his old self, but with an extra dose of teenage attitude."

"I'm sure having you there helped."

"I'm just glad he's able to function fully on his own. That's what worried me the most."

"If anyone was going to bounce back from a gunshot wound to the head, it's Carl. From what Daryl said, this isn't the first gunshot wound he's survived."

"How is Daryl these days?"

Sasha shot her a sideways glance. "I didn't think you cared."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I mean, you broke the guy's heart and never came by even once to check on him," Sasha said, the accusation clear in her tone.

Michonne's heart squeezed with guilt. "I wanted to give him some space."

"Sure."

Michonne touched Sasha's arm gently. Sasha stopped, sighing heavily before turning to face her. "That's not fair. Carl needed me."

"I get that. But Daryl deserved better. He cared about you more than anyone. More than Carol. Or Judith..."

Michonne read the hurt in Sasha's expression and it all suddenly became clear. "Or you."

Sasha scoffed. "What?"

"You're in love with him, aren't you?"

"You don't know what you're talking about." Sasha walked away from her, resuming her inspection of the perimeter.

Michonne followed, gathering her thoughts before speaking her next words. "He cares about you too, you know."

Sasha ignored her, focusing her attention on surrounding area.

"You two would talk for hours about tracking and guns," Michonne continued.

"We're just friends, with common interests," Sasha finally said in response.

Michonne laughed. "Daryl talking to anyone for more than a few minutes is rare. Even I couldn't hold his attention for that long."

"You held his attention plenty."

Michonne was starting to realize what a crappy friend she'd been to Sasha since they'd moved to Alexandria. All this time, she had been seeking comfort in the man one of her closest friends was in love with – and she had been too selfish to even notice.

"But you never said anything…" Michonne said.

Sasha scoffed. "Daryl has only ever had eyes for you. Probably before he even realized it, he was in love with you. There was no way I was coming between that."

"I'm sorry," Michonne said.

"Well, I'm not the one you should be apologizing to. Daryl's had it rough this last month and he won't talk to anyone. Not me, not Carol. You need to go see him, Michonne."

Silence hovered over them as they continued along their path.

"Facing Daryl," Michonne finally said, "means facing the truth of my betrayal of our friendship…and of his love. I wanted to move on, to love him the way he loved me, but I knew I never could. And what I did to him, the way I fed on him like a leech, makes it hard to even look at myself in the mirror. How can I even look him in the eye after that?"

"You stop hiding, for one," Sasha said.

They stood at the gated entrance to Alexandria, Michonne vaguely wondering how they had gotten there so quickly.

Abe slowly pulled open the gate. "Any action out there?"

"About as much as in my bedroom. So, you're in for a quiet night," Sasha said.

Abe chuckled. "That's hard to believe." Michonne caught Abe's eyes dropping to Sasha's hips as they walked away.

Interesting. Sasha's definitely got a suitor if Daryl doesn't bite, Michonne said.

"I'll talk to him tomorrow, promise," Michonne said, though her stomach churned at the thought of having to face him.

"There's no better time than the present," Sasha said, a little more pleasantly than Michonne would have liked.

Daryl exited the front door of their house, stopping in his tracks when he spotted Michonne. He held his crossbow in one hand and an oiled rag in the other.

Michonne had never run from anything in her entire life - except for walkers – yet she suddenly felt the urge to turn on her heel and run for cover. Nor from fear of what Daryl might do to her with that crossbow but from fear of finding out that he hated her.

Daryl scowled and Michonne tried not to take it personally, telling herself it was just his natural expression.

"See you, Michonne," Sasha said, slipping past Daryl and shutting the front door behind her. Michonne wished for her own escape.

Daryl sat on the top stair and began rubbing the rag along the dull wood of the crossbow. Michonne took a seat next to him.

The two sat in silence, with Daryl focused on his weapon and Michonne scrambling for a conversation starter.

"Carl has started learning how to shoot a gun with only one eye. He's almost as good of a shot as he used to be," Michonne said.

Daryl only grunted in response, continuing to rub down his crossbow.

"Judith is talking up a storm now, though it's mostly baby babble. She's gotten pretty good at saying 'Uh oh' after overturning a bowl of food."

A small smile touched Daryl's lips. "Little Asskicker…" he said quietly.

"I'll get Carl to bring her over some time," Michonne said.

"I'd like that."

The fact that Daryl was even talking to her gave her the confidence to continue. "I'm sorry I haven't been around in a while."

Daryl shrugged his shoulders. "You've been busy."

"I've really missed your friendship."

Daryl scoffed. "Ok."

Michonne's confidence dropped. Would this man ever trust her word again, after the way she treated him? The thought of losing him forever settled like a stone in her stomach.

"I wish things had turned out differently," she continued.

"I doubt that. You got what you wanted," Daryl said coolly.

Michonne knew she was in the wrong, but Daryl was starting to work her last nerve. "It's not that simple. I want you in my life too, Daryl."

"We can't always get what we want, can we? That's life."

"So is that it? Are you just done with me?"

Daryl placed the crossbow on the step beside him. He turned to her, examining her closely. "Did you ever care about me? Or were you just usin' me to get back at Rick?"

Michonne placed a hand on Daryl's forearm. "You know that I care about you. Rick and I…we have a complicated history together. I should have never dragged you into it."

"You love him?"

Michonne looked away, her eyes settling on the golden sun slowly dipping below the hills. She had avoided asking herself this very question since she moved back in with Rick.

"I don't know," she said honestly. "I did once, but now…things have changed between us."

"He loves you," Daryl said quietly.

Michonne shut her eyes. She had known for quite some time how Rick felt about her, even though he tried his best not to show it. He was always there with a kind word or watching her when he thought she wasn't looking. He took care of her in ways she didn't even know she needed. But she wasn't ready to entrust him with her love again.

"You should give him another chance," Daryl said, breaking into her thoughts.

"What?" Michonne wasn't sure if she'd heard him correctly.

"Me and Rick worked things out, though we still won't talk about you much. Doesn't want to rub it in my face. But I can tell it's hard on him, not to share his feelings or whatever."

Daryl never failed to surprise her. The last thing she had expected was for him to encourage a relationship with Rick.

"I'm glad to hear you two have settled things," she said.

"He's my brother and he loves you. I'm doing my best to step aside."

"What you need to be doing is focusing on Sasha."

"Huh?" Daryl asked, like he had absolutely no clue what she was talking about.

Michonne stood, wiping the dirt from her behind. "Let's just say you two need to have a talk. Soon."

Michonne coasted down the stairs, not turning back. "Good luck." She waved a quick goodbye, not waiting for a response.

It would take some time for Daryl to trust her friendship again, but she felt hopeful they would get there. Getting him and Sasha together would keep her busy in the meantime.

"Is it close?" Michonne asked. Long drives made her queasy, especially if she wasn't the one at the wheel. The soft rock playing on the stereo did little to calm help. She hated soft rock.

"Another 20 minutes and we'll be there. Promise," Rick said.

"Good," Michonne took a deep breath. "Don't think I could last much longer." Michonne rested her head back against the seat, careful not to close her eyes. Shutting her eyes only made it worse.

Rick shot her a brief glance. "Isn't much longer than the trip we took to get to Alexandria. You seemed fine then."

"My stomach was empty and I was running on fumes, so I doubt I would have even noticed."

"Well, don't worry. This will all be worth it." Rick turned the stereo volume up as "More Than a Feeling" by the rock band Boston filled the car. He sang along quietly.

Michonne had to admit she was happy to see him in such a good mood. With all that'd happened with Carl and assuming leadership of Alexandria, Rick had been too busy to take any time for himself. Michonne suspected that was one of the reasons Carl suggested the "date" in the first place.

Maybe it was the smooth ride or Rick's soft singing, but Michonne ended up nodding off, sleeping in a moving car for the first time in her life.

She awoke to Rick's voice. "We're here," he said, shaking her shoulder you gently.

Michonne cracked open her eyes. "I fell asleep?" She yawned and stretched her arms wide.

"Yep. Luckily, the sound of the engine drowned out your snoring," Rick said playfully.

"I do not snore," Michonne said, feigning a hurt expression.

Rick chuckled. "Ok, I'll get it on tape next time, since you don't believe me."

"You must have a death wish," Michonne said, laughing along with him.

Getting away from Alexandria was already improving her spirits. The 5-ton weight on her shoulders suddenly felt as light as feathers. She let herself smile and laugh and just enjoy the moment.

Michonne and Rick exited the vehicle. She looked around, trying to figure out where they were exactly. She gasped when she spotted the pristine white house with a sparkling river rushing in the backyard.

"Is this Mt. Vernon?" Michonne squeezed out the words, her muscles tense with excitement. Even with the overgrown lawn and unkempt grounds, it was one of the most beautiful sights she had seen in her life.

"You're the history buff. You tell me," Rick said, smiling.

"But how did you even know I wanted to come here?" Since they'd inhabited Alexandria, Michonne had been adding to a list of historical sites she wanted to visit, if time ever permitted. George Washington's Mt. Vernon estate was in her top five.

"I took the hint after the third time you mentioned it," Rick said.

Michonne hadn't realized she even mentioned it once to Rick. Most people had no idea how much of a history geek she was. She loved it even more than art. If she hadn't become a lawyer, she probably would have ended up a high school history teacher.

"I can't believe no one has occupied it," Michonne said, scanning the area and suddenly feeling vulnerable without her katana, which she'd left in the car. There were no signs of walkers or humans, as far as she could tell.

"Someone posted a sign, asking people to preserve the home and the history. So far, it looks like they've done just that. Nice to know folks still feel the past is worth protecting."

Her chest welled with excitement and gratitude. "Thank you," she said as Rick came to stand by her side.

"This is our first date. I had to go all out," he said.

Michonne tilted her head to the side. "You're right. We did things kind of backwards, didn't we?"

Rick took her hand. "I'm down for a do-over, if you are."

Michonne squeezed his hand and released it. The flutter of her heart made her nervous. "Well, a first date is a good place to start. Let's just see where this goes, okay?" She stared into his baby blue eyes, so full of love and hope.

Rick nodded. "Sounds like I'll have to earn myself some more brownie points," he said, heading for the mansion. He grabbed her hand and tugged her along. "Get ready to have your history-loving mind blown."

Michonne chuckled, happy to let him to lead the way.

Rick and Michonne relaxed on the back porch of the mansion, enjoying the chilly autumn breeze on the riverside. He sipped lukewarm lemonade, sneaking sideways glances at Michonne. She sat in a wicker loveseat looking straight ahead, a light blanket thrown over her shoulders, her expression content.

Her happiness touched him. He realized how linked they were, how much her emotions affected his own. Just her presence in the house again, living as a family of sorts, had made each day feel a little brighter. The thought that he might once again be a source of her happiness filled him with hope.

"So, on a scale of one to five, how is our first date?" Rick asked lightheartedly, but somewhat anxious about hearing her response.

Michonne took a sip of lemonade, continuing to focus her attention on the river. "Is it over already?"

"It will be getting dark soon. We should be able to make it home before dark if we leave in the next 15 minutes or so." He finished the last of his lemonade, placing the glass on the porch. "You didn't answer my question."

Michonne patted the empty cushion next to her. "Come here."

Rick's heart beat a little faster. He rose from his chair and joined her on the love seat. She scooted closer to him, placing half of the blanket over his shoulders. She tipped her head, resting her cheek on his shoulder.

"For a post-apocalypse date, I'd give it a four," Michonne said.

"How do I make it a five?" Rick asked. He leaned in slightly.

"Hold your horses, cowboy," Michonne said, placing a hand on his chest.

Rick suspected he was doing a poor job of hiding his disappointment because Michonne's expression turned apologetic.

"Please don't think that I'm rejecting you. I just want to sit here, enjoying your warmth and the river. To remember this beautiful moment for the rest of my life. Is that okay?" she asked quietly.

"Yeah," Rick said with a smile, though his heart felt bruised from her rebuff. "That sounds perfect."

Michonne sighed, resting her head on his shoulder again. Rick leaned to the side, resting his cheek on the soft cushion of her hair.

Rick planned to take things as slow as Michonne wanted, but was more than ready to speed them up when the time called for it. He closed eyes, hoping that day would come soon.

Michonne stoked the fire, the logs crackling as she repositioned them with the wrought iron poker.

"You're pretty good at that," Rick said. He lounged on the couch facing the fireplace, his shoeless feet resting on the coffee table.

"Pretty good for a city girl." The fire burned bright once again and Michonne returned the poker to the stand near the fireplace.

"That too, but my mom was born and raised in the country and she couldn't stoke a fire to save her life."

"She did rear an incredible son, though," Michonne said, sinking down next to him on the couch.

Rick threw his arm across her shoulders, pulling her in close. Michonne leaned into his warm body, reveling in his spicy scent.

Weeks had passed since their date at Mt. Vernon and Rick remained a complete gentleman, snuggling with her as often as they found the time, but never taking it any further. Taking things slow had allowed them to reach a new level of intimacy, something she'd never experienced before, even in all the years she lived with Mike. Little by little, she was starting to trust him again.

"I put in a request for more baby clothes for the next run. Judith is getting bigger by the day," Michonne said.

"That's understandable. She's got an appetite like her dad."

"I'm not sure that we have enough food to last us the week."

"Maggie's finally got the garden up and running, so that should eventually help. But it will be some time before it makes a difference."

"We'll have to put our heads together and figure out a plan soon. The second the food runs out, all chaos will break loose."

"Nothing we can't handle."

Michonne liked the way "we" rolled off of Rick's tongue, like it was second nature. She had been feeling the same way about their relationship lately. They were a unit, at home and in the community. All of the heavy baggage between them was slowly falling away and allowing them to clearly see their love for one another.

She looked up at Rick. The glow of the fireplace against his skin gave him a youthful appearance, even with the gray in his trimmed beard. He looked as handsome as he had the first day she'd met him.

Michonne reached up and turn his head to face her. He looked down at her, his blue eyes curious. She lifted up slightly from the couch and kissed him, the small rough hairs of his beard tickling her chin.

Rick returned the kiss, deepening it with the swirl of his tongue. His hand moved to caress her cheek and she pulled him down to lay on top of her. The weight and warmth of his body made her feel safe, which proved to be even more of a turn-on.

She ran her hands along his back and underneath his shirt, his skin smooth against the calluses on her palms. He quietly moaned, his hand creeping underneath the front of her tank top. Michonne's moans mixed with his as they made out like teenagers.

"Gross!" Carl suddenly said from behind the couch, snapping Michonne out of her lusty haze. Rick quickly moved with her, sitting up on the couch.

"Get a room," Carl said, as he walked into the kitchen.

"To be continued," Rick said quietly, stealing another kiss.

"Don't leave me hanging too long," Michonne said panting, sure she would burst if she couldn't run her hands all over his body soon.

"Waiting is not an option," Rick said, his eyes dark with desire. "We just need to find somewhere to stick Carl for the night."

"I heard that," Carl called from the kitchen.

Michonne and Rick laughed together, creating yet another memory with Rick that she planned on never forgetting.

A/N: Apologies for the long wait! The holidays really threw me off.:) As you might suspect, this story is coming to a close. But I'll have some nice surprises for you all in the final chapters. Hope you enjoyed this one and thanks to all those hardcore fans who are still reading! Your follows, faves and reviews are what keep me going! Thanks!