Kahlan leaned against the watch tower railing, her breathing finally slowing, as she gazed out into distance.
Rick slid his arms around her and nuzzled her neck. She blushed, grateful they were shrouded in darkness.
He had joined her after dinner and their passion had quickly escaladed in the dim moonlight. He had taken her from behind, her hands gripping the railing, his hands gripping her hips.
Their stifled and strangled moans easily could have been mistaken as walker noise should anyone had ventured outside. Rick had barely pulled out in time, spraying the concrete at her feet.
"You really need to ask Glenn for some condoms," Kahlan softly chastised Rick as she leaned back into him.
"Okay. I will ask him in the morning," he said chuckling.
They silently stood there staring into the night for a while, not moving, her hands resting on his clasped on her stomach, his chin on her shoulder.
"Rick?" Kahlan finally spoke.
"Yeah?" he replied.
"Where is this going? Not that I'm complaining or anything, but Carl asked me earlier what should he call me. I asked him what he was getting at and he wanted to know if he had to call me Mom," Kahlan said.
She turned around in Rick's embrace to see his stunned expression.
"I think you need to talk to him," she said. "But I would like to know what your thoughts are about us, what we are, if there is a 'we.'"
Rick blinked and opened his mouth before shutting it.
"Hey, I'm not looking for any declaration of love or commitment from you," Kahlan reassured him. "I just don't want your kids to get the wrong impression. I know absolutely nothing about raising babies or being a mother and I certainly don't want Carl to think I'm replacing his mom."
His eyes searched hers for a moment before he spoke.
"I'm not sure I know anything about raising kids either," Rick said. "Lori saw to Carl and his needs since I always seemed to be working. And with Judith, it's obviously taking a village to care for her."
"As for us, yes, there is a 'we.' I already told Carl that I love you," he said. "I'm just not sure that means much in the world we live in now other than I'd die defending you and the kids."
Kahlan touched his bearded cheek and smirked.
"I love you, too," she said. "We can make it mean whatever we want to make it mean."
A/N: In case you didn't notice, this is obviously wildly AU with the TWD:S3 plotline. In my head, Glenn and Maggie aren't attacked on that fateful run for formula; Michonne kills the Governor, shoving the sword through his throat rather than tapping it, and flees on her own never to be seen again; and Merle takes charge of the town and leads with Andrea at his side. Woodbury never raids the prison because they don't know it is thriving and Daryl doesn't meet up with his brother again until years later. Oh, and TWD:S4 never happened. Perhaps I will write a companion story about all that someday.
Next chapter is the conclusion of this strange Rick trip. The things that roam around in my head …