Rick walked lazily behind her as they made their way towards the mens suite. Sasha had told Michonne that they were there celebrating. She hadn't said a word to him after ending the phone call.

She didn't think there was any reason for celebration and all she wanted to do was talk to Connie so she could get an annulment before it was too late.

"You wanna talk about it?" He finally asked as he tried to keep up with her. Rick didn't really care about Daryl and Connie right now. He wanted to know what was going through her mind.

"I don't really have the time and energy Rick," Michonne snapped at him as she turned her head to look at him, "I need to talk to Connie."

"She is a grown woman," He argued as they made their way into an elevator, "If she wants to marry someone that's not up to you."

She tensed up, "Yeah, so I'm supposed to just watch by as my best friend marries someone who she doesn't even know!"

"We don't know each other either." Rick reminded her as he leaned against the elevator wall and she vehemently pushed the buttons for the it to move.

"Yeah that didn't stop you from sticking your tongue down my throat," Her gaze felt like it could burn a hole into him, "So it seems like it's very common in your group of friends to do things that make no sense and then afterwards worry about the consequences. Connie deserves better than that. She is not just for somebody to have fun with."

"Who said I didn't think about the consequences?" He took a daring step towards her, "Stop acting all high and mighty. I never forced you to do anything and I know for a fact Daryl didn't force your friend either."

The elevator stopped and people got in, separating them. He kept his eyes on her. She kept looking at the numbers go up and hoped that the elevator would just be on their floor already. She didn't bother to play with him this time around and wanted to keep her distance.

The doors finally opened with a bling and she rushed out. He casually walked behind her. It was quite funny because she had no idea where they were staying, but she just moved along like a bulldozer.

"You are going the wrong way," He stopped and waited for her, "Maybe you should follow me."

She huffed out in frustration, "Whatever."

Now they were walking side by side.

"I didn't do what I did so I could just have fun," He wanted to talk about it, "I hope you know that I'm not that person."

Michonne stopped in the middle of the hallway, "Listen, I don't want to sound like a total bitch, but whatever happend on the roof, it was a one time thing and I don't need your baggage in my life."

Rick didn't want to admit it, but her words were pretty rough to hear. He kept his composure and nodded," Of course I know. I feel the same way. It was a mistake."

"Then stop looking at me like that!" She exclaimed, clearly irritated, after his gaze landed on her again, "Forget about this and move on with your wife. Like you always planned."

She waited for him to start walking again and he did. They walked in silence. Rick felt foolish. The way she shut him out after everything felt like punch in the gut.

They finally reached the right door and could hear music blasting from the suite. He used his keycard to open the door and Michonne practically barged in.

All of their friends were holding drinks, there was a rose bouquet on their living room table and everybody seemed to be in good spirits. Daryl was wearing his torn jeans and a white dress shirt. At least he bothered to wear a new shirt, Rick thought to himself. Connie was in a cream colored sundress and had pinned her hair up.

Rick didn't know what to say to his best friend, so he just walked up to him and gave him a big hug, "When I finally think I have you figured out, you pull a stunt like this."

Daryl grunted in his usual manner, "I told you. When I find the right girl I ain't letting her go."

Connie walked up to the men and Rick hugged her as well, "I don't know what to say other than congratulations."

She was beaming as she leaned into her new husband. It was sweet and they didn't seem to be thinking about the challenges they were up against. Just living in the moment.

Michonne had frozen in her place as she took in the moment. The roses, the attire, all of it just made the situation real. She walked up to the happy couple and signed to Connie, "Are you insane?"

Connie knew Michonne would be the one who wasn't exactly on board with their nuptials.

"No, I'm happy," She looked at Daryl and signed to Michonne, "He makes me happy."

"You don't know him." She tried her best to keep her emotions in check, "What about your family? Your mom and dad? Kelly? They will be upset that they didn't get to meet him."

"We facetimed them," Daryl interjected, he was still learning sign language, but quickly catched on what the two women were talking about, "They know and they were there."

Michonne felt like the whole world had gone mad, "What about your job? What's the plan?"

"Michonne, we will figure it out," Connie signed back, "It's a bit out there, but I know him and I know he would never hurt me. Trust me. I finally found it. He is my person."

"Don't go Grey's Anatomy on me," She laughed softly at her friend, reminiscing about all of the times they stayed up and binge watched the show, "Of course I'm happy that you're happy. I love you."

Connie hugged her tightly. After that Daryl took her hand and whisked her away to Negan who had opened a another bottle of champagne.

Rick and Michonne stood by the door processing what had happened.

"Looks like your homeboy is moving to Atlanta." Michonne said proudly, her tone light and playful again.

He laughed, "Oh, you think Daryl is the one who is moving?"

She narrowed her eyes at him, "What do you mean?"

He kept smiling, "I'm just sayin' you better start looking at office spaces in King County if you still want to work with Connie."

He winked at her teasingly and walked up to the rest of their group who were pouring the fancy champagne into glasses.

Sasha stared at her with a questioning look as she had witnessed their interaction.

Michonne looked back at her friend and mouthed, "Don't ask."

The three men watched as Daryl and Connie danced in the living room. Well it wasn't really dancing on Daryls part, more like swaying back and forth, but they seemed happy. She would touch his face and kiss him lightly, a sight that was very new to his friends. He clearly wasn't even thinking about the other people in the room because if he was, this would not be happening.

"I didn't really think this trip would end up with Daryl being married." Glenn chuckled as he took photos of the couple. These were the best memories, spontaneous moments captured on camera. He enjoyed being that person who did it for them.

Negan sat on the sofa with his own glass and smiled as he watched the newlyweds, "Even though he is a arrogant piece of shit from time to time, I'm happy he finally found something more than a puppy."

"Look who is talking," Rick chuckled at him, playfully punching him on the arm, "Let him be."

"So you gonna tell us about the hand?" Negan changed the subject as he pointed at his bruised knuckles and and tried to pry an answer, "I'm glad Lori is coming tomorrow because it's fucking tough to deal with you. You're running around town collecting injuries left and right. Was it a girl this time?"

"It's nothing you need to know." He answered flatly and stared at Michonne who was talking to Sasha in the other corner of the room.

Negan saw the gaze and groaned, "Oh for fucks sake. What does she have to do with it?"

Earlier it didn't go unnoticed from him that they had arrived at the same time. Surprise, whenever one disappeared the other one was missing also.

"What?" Rick asked innocently.

"Maybe try to make it less obvious," He scratched the back of his head, "I'm done with all of you. Seriously, I can't take you guys anywhere. In a week one is getting married, one is having mid life crisis-"

"One just emptied his bank account at the casino." Glenn added, snickering.

Negat shot a look towards him, "One has a black eye soon if he doesn't know whats good for him."

"And I'm not having a crisis." Rick directed towards Negan.

His friend found it amusing when Rick Grimes was lying. Negan didn't know if he was lying to himself or his friends. Or maybe even both. Either way it was clear. He could see it from a mile away.

"Whatever happened," He started and drank the rest of his glass, "you're the one who has to live with it. I ain't judging, but I'm not going to be apart of it. I'm not doing that to Lori."

"Nothing happened." Rick kept his stance on the subject, unwavering. It was a lie, but at this point this was something he didn't want his friends to know. He needed to talk to his wife first.

Negan nodded and Glenn swallowed nervously because just like Negan, he knew when Rick Grimes was lying. He had always been terrible at lying.

"He kissed you?" Sasha shrieked in horror and tried her best to keep her voice down, "Wait, what happened with Marcus?"

Michonne tried her best not to let her eyes wonder in his direction, "We had a great date, but I didn't feel like taking it further tonight."

"But you end up kissing a married man?" Sasha was confused, "I mean I'm about to go and throw hands because this man is ridiculous!"

She shushed her, "No, you are not."

"I just don't get it Michonne, you have a great date and then you end up kissing this married dude," she exhaled like she was drained from the drama, "On top of it all Connie marries Daryl who is Ricks best friend. That's just too much for one night. I'm going to need therapy after this week."

"I know," Michonne felt the urge to bite her manicured nails, but kept herself in check, "I told him it was a stupid mistake and he agreed, so now we will just forget about it and move on."

Sasha kept staring at her friend wide eyed, "A stupid mistake?"

"Yeah, a stupid mistake."

"Girl, thats infidelity not a mistake," Sasha noticed Rick looking towards them and stared right back at him with a serious look on her face, "I feel like he is not on the same page like you think."

Michonne groaned and positioned herself in front of Sasha so that she couldn't look at Rick, "Don't start anything. It's fucking awkward already."

"Why didn't you just push him away?"

She didn't have an answer, "I dont know."

"Well you need to figure it out," She was worried about the situation, "because it looks like they are going to be a part of our world in some degree. I mean imagine if Daryl and Connie have kids. You have to see him and his family every single birthday party, Christmas and all that. Daryl told us he doesn't have a family, so his friends are basically his family. It's gonna be a bloodbath if Rick's wife finds out."

"Connie got married like ten minutes ago and now we are talking about kids?" Michonne laughed, not even capable of thinking that far, "We'll see if they make it past end of the month. It's all fun and lovey dovey here, but can you imagine this man in our circle. Dealing with the pressure of our lives and our schedules."

"Michonne," Sasha started carefully, "We both know Connie never wanted to work for us for the rest of her life. She ended up with us because we know and trust her, but in the end she is a journalist."

"She never told me she was unhappy with her job."She didn't want to face the reality.

"It's not that, I just think this is like a new chapter for her," She paused as she turned to look at the couple, "I mean look at her. Have you ever seen her that happy? "

Michonne had to admit to herself that Sasha was right. There was a sparkle in her eye she had never seen before. They looked like they really were in love.

"I just don't get what's with the rush." She voiced her frustration, "I'm afraid she is gonna get hurt."

"Are you talking about yourself or her?" Sasha asked gently.

She turned her blank gaze towards her friend, the question stung in a way that she didn't understand.

"Look," She voiced slowly, "We don't choose who takes our breath away. Sometimes it happens and we can't help ourselves. Don't be too hard on yourself. I didn't choose to like Abraham when he still lived with his ex girlfriend and their kid. It was a freaking mess, and you always told me it would work out if it was meant to be. Now me and Rosita are friends, we can co-parent. I can drop Coco at her house and it's fine. I'm not telling you it's the same thing because he is married. He has a life and a family so we both know it's wrong, but it's not your fault that you connected with him. Maybe you are meant to be good friends and that's that."

She didn't know what was the reason behind feeling this way about Rick Grimes. It was not like she wanted this to escalate into this. It was not like he wanted to purposely destroy his own family. Maybe it was the Las Vegas atmosphere companied with drinks and some soul searching. They both were at crossroads. He was basically committing to be with his wife after what had happened and she was finally divorced, ready to start a new life. So maybe they self sabotaged and found solace in each other. She could see herself as his friend like Sasha suggested. They seemed to be brutally honest with each other and could talk about things without worries or doubts about what the other thought. They were also equally stubborn.

"Yeah I need to talk to him don't I." She muttered mostly to herself.

"You better before his wife is in town and this thing really blows up in your face."

"I can't believe it!" Lucille gasped as Carol showed her video from the chapel where Connie and Daryl got married.

"You better believe it. He actually is a married man." Carol chuckled, "I don't know why, but I'm not freaking out. I actually feel peaceful about this. Unlike when he brought Leah to our house. That woman was bad news from the start."

Lori walked into her living room where all her friends had gathered, minus Maggie who was still stuck at work. They had planned to go to the airport together in the morning.

"I'm just surprised Rick didn't talk him out of it," Lori seemed to be a bit tense, "I mean it is kind of reckless. They've known for a couple days."

"I liked her," Carol helped Lori fold clothes she was packing to go with, "I talked to her. Well, I talked and she wrote, but she was very lovely and kind. I got a good feeling about her. She seemed so smitten over Daryl."

"If Carol trusts her then she is a keeper." Lucille laughed as she drank her beer, "I just can't wrap my mind around the fact that he actually had the balls to even talk to another human being."

"Yeah, but don't you worry about how this could affect him if it doesn't work out?" Lori turned towards Carol, "She is deaf, they can't even communicate properly."

Carol looked at her friend with a pointed look and crossed her arms, "So she has a disability, it's not a problem. I know Daryl, he wouldn't have done it if he wasn't sure. Lets just be happy for them. If it doesn't work out they will get a divorce, it's not a big deal these days."

The stairwells creaked as Carl walked downstairs. He shot a look towards the living room, but quickly continued his way into the kitchen. Lucille was confused. She wondered why he didn't come in and greet them as he usually did. Now he just kind of gave them a dirty look and went on his way.

"What's up with Carl?" Lucilles brow crinkled in curiosity as Loris whole demeanor changed. She clearly knew what was wrong.

"You know teenagers." She said quietly, knowing well she couldn't talk about the issue in front of Carol.

Lucille kept her eyes on the direction of the kitchen, "I hope he is okay."

"Henry is just like that," Carol chuckled knowingly, "All groans these days. I rarely get a sentence out of him. Thank God for Ezekiel who has the patience of a saint."

"They grow up too fast," Lori smelled Judiths sweater and folded it neatly next to the other clothes she was supposed to pack herself, but somehow forgot, "just yesterday they were babies."

Lucille smiled sadly, "I remember."

"I think this trip is what we all need right now," Carol concluded as she smiled at her friends, "It's been a whole lot for everyone these past few years."

Loris smile faltered at the past being brought up. She seemed to be stuck in it as constant reminders came to surface.

"Are you nervous?" Lucille asked her this time, changing the topic.

"Nervous?" Look of amusement took over her face, "I know Rick better than Rick does. I knew he would forget to call me even though he promised me, and I know once we get there the first thing he will ask is about his co-workers. Did anybody get hurt this week or whatever."

Carol and Lucille looked at each other. It was obvious that the fact that he forgot hurt her.

"Rick is a good man, but sometimes I don't understand how you deal with the way he buries his head in sand." Lucille responded sympathetically.

Lori sighed tiredly, "I don't know either."

They had decided on ordering room service and getting more drinks. Rick had volunteered to go to the liquor store. It was not like they were going to spend hundreds of dollars on a couple of bottles when there was a cheaper option available. He also desperately needed the fresh air.

He had made it out of the main doors and walked a few blocks when he heard his name being called.

"Rick," Michonne yelled as she catched up to him. She had changed into her jeans and a casual black off the shoulder shirt, "You know you can't just waltz in there with two bottles of vodka."

"Huh?" He stammered a bit. Why did she have to look so damn good even in casual clothes, he thought to himself.

She showed him her big handbag, "You need to hide it when you go in. They don't appriciate the cheap booze and kick you out if they find out."

"Everybody does it." He chuckled.

"Well it's the Hilton." She explained, "Besides no matter what the rules are it's not a good look."

"Well I don't care what it looks like." Rick said confidently and continued walking.

She picked up the pace to walk next to him, "You mad that I came?"

"Why would I be?"

"I don't know. I wasn't very nice to you earlier."

"You only spoke your truth. Why would I be mad at that?" He spoke slowly as he looked at her, "I don't know what came over me and I'm sorry about that."

Michonne shook her head instantly, "Why are you apologizing when I know you are not even sorry."

"You're wrong," He argued, "Of course I'm sorry. I should have never put you in that position. I'm the one who is married."

When he mentioned his marriage he could tell she felt uncomfortable.

"So,are you going to tell your wife?" She approached the subject even though deep down she didn't want to know.

Rick didn't anwer at first, but he knew if there was somebody who he should confide in it was her, "Yeah, I have to."

She stopped and looked directly at him, "I don't think you should."

He stared at her, he knew he shouldn't have looked because it seemed like when their eyes met he would be too absorbed in the moment, "Then what do you think I should do?"

"I don't think you should throw away everything because we had a moment," She looked into his piercing blue eyes and swallowed nervously. "You know, it's not worth it."

"It was more than a moment," He confessed, surprising her, "That's why I have to tell her."

Michonne felt conflicted. She didn't want to admit to herself that she understood exactly what he meant. Their conversation seemed to turn intense. It was as if she was a moth drawn to a bright light. She wanted to play dumb and ignore that flutter inside her gut that she felt when he was around.

"Rick," she began as she queezed her eyes shut in frustration, "You have to just live with it, okay? Think about your kids. I don't want that blame on my shoulders."

"Nobody is blaming you," He answered without any uncertainty, "It's not like I can go back home and live my life like nothing happened."

"Yes you can and you will," Michonne wanted to sway his mind, "Listen, we probably have to see each other in the future because Connie is my family and Daryl is yours. So, lets start from the beginning and forget everything that happened. That means you don't bring this home because otherwise it won't work."

"I won't mention you," Rick paused, the tension between them growing, "Lori wont know it was you."

She rolled her eyes and blew out a breath of frustration, "You know women have sixth sense when it comes to their man. She will figure it out soon as she sees us in the same room."

"No she won't." He thought she was overexaggerating.

"Why do you have to be so damn stubborn?"

"Me?" he laughed, giving her that familiar sideway grin, "look who is talking."

Michonne could see where this was going again, the playful bickering was like odd foreplay.

She stepped back, not sure why, but her mind told her to create more space between them, "Do whatever you want, but don't come crying to me when you lose it all over something this stupid and meaningless."

"You're the one who told me that kids don't deserve to live in an unhappy home," He called her out, "And now you want me to lie when we both know what it feels like when your partner betrays your trust."

She let out a cynical laugh, "Are you kidding me? You are the one who said your marriage is perfect! That can't change in a few days! You can't just change your mind because of me! I don't deserve that on my shoulders!"

Rick shook his head back and forth, "And you can't just tell me to drop it when just a few hours ago you told me to stop bullshitting," He felt like she was being dishonest, "You wanted my honesty and I gave it to you. I know, yeah I was the one who kissed you, but I did it because you basically told me to."

"What!" She was bewildered.

"Yeah!" He snapped back, "You basically asked for it."

"Oh yeah, I specifically said kiss me and grab my ass." Michonne said in her usual sharp tone of voice.

"I never grabbed your ass." He rolled his eyes this time.

"Suuure." She laughed bitterly.

"I would remember!" He blurted out.

The heated conversation turned silent as Rick turned around to continue towards the liquor store.

Michonne was left there biting inside of her lip in frustration. She was going to strangle this man one day. God help her, she thought.

"Are you coming or what!" He yelled back at her. He didn't seem bothered at all, he stared back at her all smug and confident.

Her feet worked before her mind did and she walked towards his direction. She disliked herself every step of the way.

Yep, God help her.

Next chapter is a new world as everybody finally meet up. Oh the drama... Thanks for reading!