~Grow~
"Don't go."
Rick caught Michonne's hand. They stood in a darkened corner of Deanna's porch. Just a few steps away, a welcome party was in full swing. Maggie and Glenn were watching Judith while Carl and Noah were making friends. Rick and Michonne had left their constable uniforms in their closets. He had never seen her look more beautiful in a clingy red dress, gold earrings and sandals. She had styled her locs away from her face. The sight of her had taken his breath away. The thought of arriving with her on his arm had made him swell with pride, but seconds before the door opened, she slipped away. It took him close to thirty minutes to find her. Despite her silence and the limited lighting, he could read her well enough. Escape was on her mind.
"Michonne?"
"I thought I could…" She gestured with her free hand toward the party that continued without them inside multi-story house. "I can't."
"It's okay," he said gently.
"Is it?" she asked. "Five times I went to the door. Even turned the knob. But I couldn't pull the door. I couldn't go inside."
"But you're here," Rick said. He moved to stand in front of her and took her hands to guide her toward a part of the porch where moonlight from above glowed just enough to shine on them. "It doesn't matter if you go inside. Or maybe you need a little more time…"
She shook her head. "Not tonight, Rick."
"Why do I feel like I'm missing something?" he asked. "What happened? You look so beautiful. You have to know that."
"You keep telling me." She released a faint laugh.
"Not just me. I came close to having a word with Carl and Noah."
She rolled her eyes. "Oh please."
Rick settled his hands at her waist. Without much effort, their bodies were close and his arms were around her. If anyone ventured onto the porch, Rick wouldn't release her. He didn't care who saw them. They hadn't discussed the rules of revealing their relationship other than the Carl discussion, but with the others, Rick suspected most of them were wondering what taken them so long.
"I'll get Judith and we can leave."
"Doing that will make it worse," she said. "It's bad enough you're out here instead of inside. I'm the worst hypocrite." Michonne pulled free of him and moved to stand near the window. "That's what I wanted…for all of us…but I can't even go inside."
Rick closed the distance, holding her from behind. "You're not a hypocrite."
"I saw you in there," she said, leaning back against his chest. "You were in your element. There were times I wasn't sure I recognized you. Never once did you appear out of place. Once upon time, I would've fit in, too. I hosted parties like these. That was before… I've changed. I don't fit."
"You do," he argued. "Those people have no idea what's out there. Beyond those gates, they wouldn't last a day. You survived months alone. You fit better than they ever will. You've grown, adapted in this world while they've tried to hang on to something that's gone. Don't isolate yourself, my beautiful Michonne, or sell yourself short. You fit better than anyone I know."
He felt her sigh ease through her body. His hold tightened and Rick rested his cheek against hers. When he felt her mouth curve into a smile, he released a low chuckle.
"What did I tell you about sweet-talking me, Rick Grimes?"
"I don't recall any complaints, my beautiful Michonne." He kissed her cheek.
She turned to face him. "I'll see you at home, and no, I can get there by myself."
"Okay."