Chapter 12

Michonne had fallen asleep as soon as she lied down, only to be woken up a while later by Daryl's motorcycle pulling up to the house. She sat up and rubbed her eyes. She could feel the aches all over her body, especially in her shoulder. She thought about asking Denise for advice on how to take care of it later today. She reluctantly got out of bed and stretched as much as she could. Heading down the hall to check on Judith she heard Daryl, "RICK GRIMES YOU SLY DOG!"

Surprised to hear Daryl so jovial and intrigued by the conversation she started down the stairs when she heard Carl's voice, "I'm happy for you dad."

She stopped before turning the corner curious about what they were talking about but not wanting to interrupt.

Rick spoke over the crinkling of paper from the snacks they were eating.

"Thanks, but I don't know what's gonna to happen."

What on earth were they talking about. Michonne took a step back and sat down on the second to last step on the stairs. She could hear them clearly.

She heard Carl again, "Well you know how I feel about her, either as a friend or a stepmom."

She then heard a stifled laugh she figured was Daryl's. She hadn't heard him laugh in a very long time. It was nice.

"Okay now you're just being mean." She couldn't see Rick but she could hear the joy in his voice. She could see his face in her mind so clearly, that rare smile spreading from cheek to cheek. All of the sudden she found herself wondering what he was like before the apocalypse. Did he smile more? Was he happy? None of them talked too much about their past, including Rick.

They fell silent for a few moments, the mood slightly shifting. She thought they might have been talking about her but she didn't want to presume. She started to get up from the step when Carl spoke again in an honest tone, "Do you love her?"

Michonne froze. They had to be talking about her. Who else would they be talking about? Jessie? She tried to be as still as possible waiting for Rick's response. A few seconds went by…nothing. Her heart began to sink when she heard Daryl and Carl, "mmhmm."

What did he say? Did she miss it? Did he say yes? She wanted so badly to barge in and ask but she heard someone scoot their chair back to get up. Rick spoke in a soft but serious tone, "Let's keep this between us, okay?"

Carl responded with a "Fine" while Daryl opted for a "Sure thing, boss."

So, he wanted to keep them a secret but he was comfortable enough to tell Carl and Daryl? What did Rick do to make them both respond with an "mmhmm"? Suddenly she heard Rick again, "See y'all in the morning." Oh god! He was coming this way! She turned and climbed up the stairs as fast as she could without making noise. Running back to her room she closed the door slowly and stood still as she heard Rick begin to walk up the stairs with Carl close behind him. They started to go their separate ways at the top of the stairs when she heard Carl, "Hey dad…"

"Yeah?"

"I want you to know that I'm okay with it… if something more does happen…She's one of us."

Rick took a second before responding, "She is, isn't she?"

"Night dad."

"Goodnight."

The next thing she heard was Carl closing his door.

She couldn't believe this was happening, a few days ago her and Rick were friends, now…something else…more.

She went back to her bed and lied down. Staring at the ceiling she wondered what Rick did to make them think he loved her. Rick loved her, her breathing started to quicken. He loved her. She had to sit up. How would she face him tomorrow knowing this? He doesn't know she knows. Did she love him? She couldn't fool herself; of course she loved him. She had loved him for a long time.