Chapter 14:
Rick stood out on the front of his porch feeling slightly sick. His eyes darted back and forth up the street as he waited for his son to arrive home for the day, which was strange in itself, as he was usually home before he was. He had a feeling that he was at Michonne's home, as his son had been spending a lot of time there in the last few days, but he didn't like the idea of marching up to her front door and demanding for his son. To top it off, He and Carl were slowly mending their relationship, so he didn't want to seem like the big bad Wolf, coming to break up their party.
But it was getting late.
"What's going on?", Daryl asked as he trudged up the steps towards him.
Rick shook his head, "Nothing. Just waiting on Carl"
"Where is he?", Daryl stopped to squint at him.
"I think he's at a friend's house", He didn't know why he was so vague, but he didn't know why he behaved the way he did when Michonne was mentioned entirely.
"Go get him then", His friend looked at him as if he were crazy as he continued on into the house.
Rick glanced back over his shoulder, "Alright, Judith's asleep-"
"Got it!"
He hadn't even seen Michonne as frequently since he gave her the key to Negan's cell. It was something he suspected would happen, but he had also learned from the guards that she hadn't been to see Negan either. He was confused to say the least, though he figured it was something to do with Dwight's last visit.
The walk to her home wasn't a long one, but it felt even shorter as he tried to mentally prepare himself to intrude on their night. As soon as he stood outside her front door he heard laughing, and his hand froze before he could knock. His son's laugh a heartily one, and he could picture him holding his stomach as he threw his head back. He imagined the other was Michonne's, and he hadn't even seen the woman smile, so he couldn't even begin to visualise her laughing.
He knocked on the door and the chuckles died down. He stepped back and took a deep, composing breath as he listened to the footsteps approach. The door swing open, and Michonne straightened up at the sight of him.
"I have your kid", She announced.
"You do", He nodded, attempting to come across relaxed about the situation.
"Hey Batman- I mean Carl!", She called back into the house.
"Yeah?!", His son replied.
"Your dad's here!"
Rick shifted his stance as he witnessed the exchange. He almost wished he stayed home and waited for Michonne to kick his son out.
"Lost track of time…", She explained, resting on the door.
Carl appeared, immediately looking apologetic, "Sorry, I didn't realise it was late"
"Figured. Thank Michonne and go on home, get somethan' to eat", Rick issued, pointing behind him with his thumb.
"Thanks again, see you tomorrow", Carl smiled before stepping past his father.
"See ya", She chirped, straightening up again.
Rick turned his head to listen to his son walk away, before looking back at her, "He's not too much trouble is he?"
She gave a little shake of her head, "No. Not at all"
"Alright… Well thanks for letting him hang out here"
"No problem"
He scratched his brow as he struggled with his words, "How's it going with… Negan?"
Her eyes sailed behind him, "Fine."
He stared at her, "Good… well then uh-"
"I actually wanted to talk to you", She perked up, "I wanted to go out… beyond the walls, for a little while?"
He was back to staring at her again, "You wanted to go out? For a little while?"
"Yeah", She nodded.
He tried to approach his next question with some tact and some kind of sensitivity, but all he could choke out was, "Why?"
Her gaze dropped as she shifted her weight to the other foot, causing her hip to stick out and a slither of skin to appear under her top, "I like to go on drives"
He blinked, hoping she would volunteer to go into more detail.
"You know? Just a drive… drag race with a few walkers..."
He narrowed his eyes at her.
She bit her lip as she dropped her head, "That was meant to be a joke"
His mouth fell agape.
"Your son told me my sense of humour was, well, he said it was horrible"
A little chuckle left Rick, "I wouldn't say it's horrible… just a little, uh… So you want to just drive around?"
"Yeah."
The idea wasn't one he agreed with and he could easily think of a list of reasons why. If anyone else had approached him with such a suggestion, he would have shot it down without even thinking about it, but he was genuinely trying his best to keep the peace between the two of them.
"I know you said that no one's allowed to leave unless it's absolutely necessary but, I do find stuff when I'm out, checking out new areas and it's easier when I'm alone. I get the job done quicker", She explained.
He exhaled slowly, "How about this, the next time there's a run, you go. Daryl's one of the best people to go out there, so if he's going then you go with him. We haven't got the gas to spare for two separate trips at a time, when both of you can just go together. He barely talks too, so if it's quiet you're after… you'll get it"
She seemed to mull over the alternative option, her lips pursing for a moment, "Deal".
His eyes fell to her necklace, and he tore his eyes up from the pendant for a second time. He nodded in agreement, "Deal. Alright, well, we're gonna get started on that watch spot tomorrow so, it's gonna get a little busy around here"
"Okay, that's fine"
He backed up towards the steps before turning around, "Night".
"Night".
The next day started early for Rick, as Judith awoke and screamed bloody murder until she was taken out of her crib. He washed and fed her, and he was hoping to have some time to do the same for himself, but he wasn't so lucky.
Tyreese arrived at his front door, and the friendly, giant man was obviously agitated, "Negan's kicking up a stink over there. Demanding to get out and threatening Eugene-"
"Where's Michonne?", Rick frowned.
"I saw her on my way over here, I told her what happened and she just said okay"
Rick groaned as he rolled his shoulders, "Carl! I'm heading out!"
"Alright!", Carl called back to him from upstairs.
He grabbed his gun belt from the living room, and marched out his home with Tyreese. He knew that the day would come that Negan would become destructive again, but he had secretly hoped that it wouldn't be any time soon.
"Where's Eugene?"
Tyreese glanced at him, "Abraham came in and took over for him while we figured out what to do. He probably went home"
Rick huffed as he stomped downstairs to the basement, and the first thing he saw was Abraham stood outside the front door, smoking a cigar.
He gave his friend a single nod before stepping inside the home and stalking to the cell door, "What's the problem here?"
"Fuck off cowboy. Nobody asked for you", Negan smirked as he paced his cell.
"Well I'm the only one that's here", Rick offered with a little shrug.
The man snarled at him, "Where is she?"
"She'll come down here when she's ready. Until late then you just sit tight and shut up, Unless you want that piss bucket to turn into a piss cup"
The two men glared at each other through the bars until Negan began to smile, "You're some piece of work. It's actually quite funny really, like watching a smaller, weaker version of myself"
Rick scowled at him, "The only thang that you and I have in common is that we both breath air"
"Oh please! You're a cold blooded killer just like me-"
"Who were you protecting when you killed?"
"My people!-"
"You were protecting your people from Aaron? From that kid at the Hilltop? From Spencer?-"
"See, that was different. That was when I was taking shit it into my own hands, and don't worry, the time will come where you're gonna a have to do the same, when you have to be the person that people don't want to fuck with"
"Is that so? And before all that?"
"What? You think you're the only one that's killed people to protect your own right? You think I haven't done that before? You think from the moment this shit kicked off I just picked up a bat and started knocking people's blocks off? No. I did things your way. I didn't mess with people until I knew they were a threat to mine", Negan threw his hands in the air, "But guess what? It's doesn't always fucking work! Sometimes you have to show people that you're there before they even see you. That's how you save lives. That's how you protect your own. People don't have to poke a fucking bear to find out that it's dangerous, they know it before they even see one. And when they do see one, there shitting their pants, kind of like how all of you fuckwits were when you saw just exactly what you were up against"
Rick stared at the man for a few moments after his speech, "Well, look how well that worked out for you? You're in here and your people are glad. They're happy with their new leader-"
"Until shit hits the fan! That's when they'll want me! That's when they want a leader that knows what the fuck he's doing!-"
"And they will have one. Just not you"
The front door opened and Michonne appeared in with clothes over her arm, pausing for a second when she saw Rick. He stepped out of sight to Negan and planted himself directly in front of her.
"He's been a problem", He voice was almost a whisper.
"What's new?", She muttered to herself as she looked towards the cell door, "Alright. I got it from here"
"We need to figure somethan' out here because I think he thinks this is some kind of gimmick. He needs to realise that this is what the rest of his life is gonna look like if he continues the way he does"
Her eyes slid up to his, "It's still early days. It will dawn on him"
"I hope so"
His cue to leave presented itself a second after he spoke, but it seemed he had other things to focus on, such as the faint smell of coconut and vanilla that radiated off her, and the way her brown eyes warmed in the light. Her dark skin seemed to be glowing, appearing soft and dewy, and the urge to touch her was a powerful one.
Once again, she was the one to break first, dropping her gaze as she stepped past him and Rick quickly left, feeling like an even bigger idiot than he previously had. He could only imagine what he looked like leering at her as if she was some kind of spectacle. He also realised he couldn't stand too close to her, as that was when he turned into an imbecile, losing the ability to think clearly.
His conversation with Negan didn't help matters. It worried him that he could see the man's point, though he still didn't agree with it. He was curious to know just how he survived before the Savior's, and he had a feeling that Negan would be more willing to talk about their past than Michonne.
"Get Scott over to cover for Abraham. We have to get started on that watch spot on the west wall", Rick instructed, "The Hilltop let us borrow some tools, we need guys out there to get those trees down while we start on the foundations"
"Got it", Tobin nodded.
"I'll go with them outside", Glenn volunteered, "I'll ask Tara and Noah to join us"
"Alright, let's get started"
Rick was looking forward to keeping himself busy. It was as if he had to look for something to do one day, and the next, he couldn't run out of things to do. The afternoon sun was high up in the sky, and it was a beautiful day, but he could have kicked himself for picking such a hot time to start work. Everyone around him complained, and it was too hot for him to complain about them complaining. He just powered on silently, trying to conserve his energy.
"Hey Rick"
He glanced over his shoulder as he held a piece of wood against the wall, "Hey, what's wrong?"
"Nothing", The blonde woman shook her head, "You need a hand?"
He glanced back at her again, just to see if she was serious.
"I know my way around a few tools… remember the owl statue?", Jessie joked, "I think I can at least pass them too you"
He straightened up, "You know what, you can actually pass me a few thangs right now if you don't mind?"
"Yeah, sure"
He was afraid that asking for his ex-girlfriend's help would lead to a discussion about their relationship, but the conversation was a pleasant one. She didn't stray too far away from the task at hand, and he was beginning to see that she was genuinely trying to pull her weight in the community. He almost felt bad for shunning her the way he did, though he still believed he had good reason to.
"So have you given any thought into the school idea?"
He rested his hands at his sides as he stood back to look at their progress, "Uh, I haven't really had a chance to but, it's not a bad idea or anythan'... There will be more kids around soon enough"
She nodded as she crossed her arms, squinting due to the sun, "I thought about that too. It would be good for them to have some kind of normality"
Rick raked his hands through his hair, "Yeah, I guess"
"I'd love to teach art again. I think it can be very therapeutic, not to mention fun for the kids… I'm sure Judith would love to finger paint or something?"
He glanced at her, "Yeah… she would"
"Need a hand?"
Both Rick and Jessie turned their heads to see Michonne approaching them, shielding her eyes from the sun.
"I think we're good over here", Jessie answered in a dismissive tone, causing Rick to look at her with a raised eyebrow.
"Over here, ninja lady", Abraham called, lifting a piece of wood on to his shoulder, "If you're offering?"
"I am", Michonne dropped her hand and went over to join him.
Rick watched her for a few seconds, before looking back at Jessie with a questioning look.
The blonde sighed, shaking her head, "I didn't mean to sound rude or anything, it's just… I think we should be careful of her. She was Negan's right hand woman and all…"
He knew some would be sceptical about Michonne, and even Negan living in the community, but he was growing tired of the topic, "Well now Negan doesn't have a right hand. And that was because of her"
Jessie titled her head, her brows knitting together, "Yeah but-"
"How about we focus on getting this done?", He insisted, resting another piece of wood against the wall.
Jessie didn't move, as if she wanted to continue on with the discussion, but soon relented when she realised Rick didn't. They resumed the task, but the mood had turned sour, as neither of them spoke after that. He had caught her looking over at Michonne a few times, her eyes on the woman like a hawk, and it annoyed Rick more than anything else.
By the time they were complete with the perch, the afternoon was coming to an end. He was hot, tired and the combination made him irritable.
"Looking good", Glenn planted himself beside him as they looked over their work, "Glad we got it done"
"Yeah", Rick breathed, rubbing the back of his neck, "Now I need a shower"
"You're not the only one", Glenn smirked, turning to leave the area, "Oh, Uh… Maggie wants to go back to the Hilltop soon. Check on Jesus"
He eyed his friend as he began to walk with him, "Yeah? You staying up there a while?"
"Maybe. It's puts us at ease being so close to the Roberts… just in case"
He nodded, understanding their worries, "Yeah. I get it"
"Things are starting to look up… I'm hoping it stays this way"
"You and me both"
"Heard there was a little problem with Negan earlier?"
"Yeah", Rick snarled, "He was just having a tantrum"
"Think it's finally set it that he's gonna be a father?"
Rick's eyebrows rose, "What?"
Glenn's eyes widened, "Oh… I thought you knew… shit."
He narrowed his eyes as he peered down the street, slowly putting the pieces of the puzzle together, "Dwight wife?"
Glenn gave a quick nod.
"Well…", Rick didn't know what to say, but if he was going to be completely honest, he didn't particularly care, as Negan could only do so much from in his cell. He knew he would later wonder how that situation would play out, but for the moment, it was the least of his worries, "That's… an unfortunate set up".
"Dwight told me… I figured Michonne would have told you…"
Rick's face crumbled with confusion at his assumption.
"Uh… Any way, we were thinking about having a little dinner tomorrow night... you, Sasha, Abraham… and Michonne"
Rick glanced at him, "Yeah?"
"Yeah. So we could get to know her a little better… she's actually pretty funny"
He snickered, "I'm getting conflicting reports about that"
His friend frowned at him.
"Well, sounds good", Rick nodded, pulling his t-shirt off as he approached his porch, "Let me know what time and… all that"
"Will do!", Glenn called as he kept walking down the street, "And you can't back out last minute!"
"I won't!"