Written for Richonne Just Desserts 42 Days Challenge

Rick stood at the screen door and looked outside. He'd returned from a less than successful supply run to find that Michonne had already put the kids to bed and was waiting up for him. Again. She fixed him a warm plate of food and then sat and talked with him while he ate. They didn't get to see each other very much during the daytime hours, and thus had developed a habit of ending their busy days, together. It was a habit he was growing increasingly fond of.

A deep sigh from the other side of the screen door brought his attention back to the woman who sat there. After dinner, she had excused herself to the back porch. She said that the night was unseasonably warm and that she wanted to enjoy the fresh air. Right now, she seemed a little lost in her thoughts. Rick didn't want to interrupt her in a private moment, but he did want to make sure that she was okay. Plus there was this…habit. He pushed through the screen door and made his way to her side, tapping her gently with the toe of his boot. "Mind if I join you?"

She looked up at him with big, sad eyes. "I was hoping you would."

His hand twitched with the urge to caress the smooth skin of her cheek, but he resisted, choosing instead to simply take a seat next to her. The step they were sitting on was large, but he sat close, liking the way that their shoulders and knees were almost touching. A comfortable silence settled over them, and he moved his leg to tap her knee gently with his. "Thanks for swiping that can of chilli for me. Best dinner I've had in weeks."

She returned his knee tap with one of her own. "You're welcome. It's the least I could do after all the stuff you've brought back for me lately. I think sometimes you know what I need before I do."

"Yeah, well… you live with someone long enough, you get to know them pretty well. And I think I've got you just about figured out."

"Is that so?"

He nodded. "It hasn't been easy though, you're a tough nut to crack. You like to hide. But I see you, Michonne." Their eyes locked and a spark passed between them. He found himself fighting the urge to touch her again. It was getting harder to resist.

"Tell me what you see?" Her voice was barely a whisper.

He smiled. "I see a beautiful woman, who gives more than she takes. I see someone who is loyal, even to assholes like me, who don't always deserve it. I see someone who is strong, but has lost a lot. Someone who is afraid to let people in because she's afraid to lose anyone else. But you're not going to lose us, Michonne." He ran the pad of his thumb over her cheek; her skin was soft, just like he'd imagined. "I'm not going anywhere."

Her big brown eyes filled with tears. He wasn't used to seeing her so vulnerable and was surprised at how it filled him with the need to comfort her. "Hey," he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her into a close embrace, "what's with the waterworks."

"I don't know, Rick. It just feels like… it's been so long since anyone has really seen me, you know? Since I've seen myself, for that matter. And seeing myself through your eyes, I just seem so sad."

"Well, are you?" He asked.

She exhaled a thoughtful sigh and gave him a soft, watery smile. "Right before Deanna died, she asked me what I wanted, for myself, and for the longest time, I couldn't think of an answer. I was too afraid. You're so right, I was afraid, and I didn't think I deserved to be happy. But things are different now. I am happy. It's strange to say, but I am. I've got to let go of all the pain. It doesn't fit into my life anymore. The rules keep changing, right?"

"Hmmm," he thought of that day just a few months ago, sitting next to her on the hood of a beat up Buick, having a conversation very similar to the one they were having now, "they did for me."

She smiled at him, a small acknowledgement of recognition at her words from months ago being echoed back to her. She closed her eyes and disappeared into herself for a second and a tiny chuckle passed through her lips, surprising him.

"What's so funny?" He asked.

She turned to look at him with a bright clear gaze that danced with a hint of something he couldn't name. "I think I'm ready, Rick."

His heart started to thump and a lump formed in his throat. He swallowed hard, his eyes darting around to everything but her face, "Ready for uh… what?"

"Ready to be happy. Ready to let go. Ready to change the rules. You helped me to see that." His arm was still around her shoulders when she leaned into him and placed a soft kiss against his cheek. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Their eyes met and for a moment, everything else fell away. His gaze dropped to her full lips. He wanted to kiss her, but his mouth was dry and his palms were sweaty. He suddenly felt a lot like that awkward high schooler who was mixed up about what the bases meant.

Michonne turned away from him with a shy smile, and the spell was broken. "It's late, I'd better get to bed. I have an early day tomorrow."

He cleared his throat and gave her a nod, "Yeah, uh… me too."

"Goodnight, Rick."

"Goodnight, Michonne." He watched her stand and walk away, and laughed quietly to himself. He'd been waiting for a chance to make a move with her for what seemed like forever and couldn't shake the feeling that he'd just let an opportunity pass him by. His cheek felt warm where her lips had touched his skin, and he groaned with need. It seemed that Michonne wasn't the only one who was ready to change the rules. Rick knew what he wanted; it was her. It had always been her. He was finally ready to tell her that, and next time, he wouldn't miss his chance.