He could hear the clock ticking, that is how silent the room was. Lori sat on the other end of the sofa, still and straight like she was in the principals office after getting into trouble.

"The last time we saw each other there was a very different atmosphere in this room." Their therapist pointed out.

Rick looked at the older woman and nodded, "I think we didn't really dig deep enough. We just sort of settled for what we had."

Loris eyes widened and she turned her head towards him, "Oh wow, are you serious right now?"

"Yeah, I actually am," He said back calmly, "You think we should sit here and lie?"

He knew it sounded harsh.

"No, but you could have some respect for me and all these years we have been together!" She screamed out louder than she intended, "You've been avoiding me for two weeks straight and now you want to talk."

"I see there is a lot of hurt here," Dr. Green looked at Lori, "Can you explain to me what happened?"

"Rick cheated on me." She told her bluntly, "We were supposed to renew our vows as stupid as it sounds, but instead he decided to cheat on me and tell me a day before our ceremony."

"You make it sound like-"

"Like what?" Lori spat, "You kissed another woman, and God knows what else."

He shook his head, he knew what he had done, but he didn't like how she insinuated that he lied, "I believed you when you told me about the kiss with Shane, you would think you have the common courtesy to return the favor."

"Let's talk about this in a productive manner," Their therapist stopped the back and forth, "First of all, Rick when you were here the last time you agreed and promised Lori that everything was forgiven. You can't use her past mistakes to make your own mistakes seem less, right?"

"I'm not doing that," He snapped, he felt like he wasn't heard, "All I'm saying is that we keep pretending. I can admit that I wasn't as happy as I thought I was. I couldn't have told her that because I didn't know what I know now."

"Did you end up having the renewal or what happened? I'm a bit confused." The older woman asked while writing down something on her little notepad.

"No," Lori explained, for some reason she felt embarrassed, "We had our renewal and came home like we planned."

The therapist looked back and forth between them and sighed, "And why is that?"

They simultaneously shrugged. They both knew it sounded insane.

"Lori, when he told you about this kiss what made you want to continue with this plan? I would imagine it was devastating for you."

Lori didn't know how to answer, "I just felt like I owed him over what I did five years ago. Like this was his revenge and I deserved it."

Rick turned to look at his wife in the eyes, "I didn't want to do what I did. I never went there thinking it was my payback."

"But you did it anyway," She sighed, "I thought we were good and you basically just decided this isn't working anymore. You don't have the right to give up when I worked for years to gain your trust back."

Their therapist looked at both of them with obvious pity, "It seems like you two are not on the same page."

"I guess we are not." He agreed.

"If you don't mind me asking," Dr.Green leaned forward in her chair, "Have either of you thought about going on different paths?"

Lori looked at Rick and nodded, "Years ago," She swallowed and admitted, "I did."

"You never told me," he looked back at her and asked, "After Shane?"

She looked at her feet and nodded, "I did not want to stay, but the kids were little... so I stayed."

He was hurt by the information. He had no idea that she had even thought about leaving him.

"It seems like both of you have been holding back, but I don't think it's intentional, " The woman noted, "Sometimes it's hard to step back and look at the big picture because we are so overwhelmed with other aspects in our lives. You both have careers that are overpowering and it's only human that you didn't realize what you are feeling until you detach from everyday life."

It made sense, in Ricks mind at least.

"Now you need to decide what direction you want to take," She continued, "is this something worth fighting for? Even if you decide to go on different paths you need to be honest and respectful to each other for the children involved."

Lori finally burst into tears. It wasn't easy to watch because he blamed himself. He never wanted to hurt her or cause her harm.

Their therapist handed her a napkin, "These are big decisions and I encourage you both to take time with this. It's a long process of letting go or building the trust back. Either way, it's going to be a road you need to take."

She sniffled and nodded at her, agreeing with her words.

"Also for the time being, I hope you do not involve third-parties into this scenario," She looked pointedly at Rick, "Neither of you."

He felt like she saw right through him. He shifted on the uncomfortable sofa and nodded. Lori kept sniffling and avoided his gaze which made him wonder for a second, but he could sense how upset she was so it was probably nothing.

"We will see each other in a week and I hope you take that time to reflect what was said here and discuss openly about what you are feeling."

Rick and Lori looked at each other. The frustration written in both of their faces.

Days passed, but it felt like time had turned still. Lori avoided him at every possible opportunity. He tried to talk to her, but it seemed like she needed more time to process what was uncovered at their session. Funnily enough she blamed him for shutting down, but now she was doing the same thing.

He stared at the clock and then looked at his phone. Michonne had listened to him rant for good two hours the night before and he didn't understand why. Michonne felt like a saving grace because without her he would have already given up and packed his stuff.

The kids. She would always remind him that he couldn't do harsh decisions before being honest with them. She was obviously right.

It did eat him up that he lied to Lori. Every single day that passed and she didn't know about their friendship, it was like a another notch on his belt for being a complete dickhead.

He sort of unintentionally even avoided his friends. Negan would come to the station and try to cheer him up desperately with a corny joke and a muffin. The gesture was nice, but also exhausting when he wanted to be left alone.

He rubbed his beard, that had now really turned into a proper beard and called her. The phone kept ringing, but in the end she didn't pick up. He sighed and tried to resist, but couldn't. It was something that Carl taught him years ago. He leaned back in his chair and groaned inwardly for being such a stalker. He could see that she was online.

Why didn't she answer?

He looked at his phone and waited, but somehow the minutes turned into an hours and this time she never called back.

The wind was blowing around them, hair whipping in every possible direction as they stood next to each other and leaned over the porch railing.

"You think you should tell Rick about everything?" Lucille asked Lori. Their friendship had felt a little strained after Vegas. She didn't blame her friend for the battles she continued to have with her own husband. Negan wasn't the easiest person to deal with and Lori was not the cause of their fights. It always went a little deeper than that. They had underlying issues that neither had the courage to confront.

"Shane?" Lori asked, referring to the text messages that seemed to haunt her.

She looked at her friend, "I think I screwed up when I told you to lie."

"You didn't force me," Lori reminded her, "I was going to tell him everything once we got there, but then he told me about... Well you know."

"I still can't wrap my head around it," she shook her head at the thought, "Rick is the epitome of honesty. He must have been really drunk to actually kiss another woman."

"Or he just realized that I wasn't enough." Lori thought aloud.

"No," Lucille squeezed her shoulder in comfort, "It's not you. I know, I've been there. Men don't cheat because it's something that we did. It's their own decision."

"But how do we go forward?" She asked friend, hoping she had the answers she was looking for, "I don't want to give up. I really don't."

"Then you fight for it," Lucille lighted her cigarette, "You don't give up. If Rick is what you want, don't let another woman take what's rightfully yours."

She thought about her friends words and nodded.

"You still in contact with Shane?" Lucille asked, curiosity getting the best of her.

"He is dating someone," Lori said quietly, "We haven't talked since Las Vegas either."

"So, if he wasn't dating would you choose him?"

Lori looked at her friend and shook her head, "It's not like I get to just choose. Shane doesn't have feelings for me anymore. That's what he told me."

"He told you that because he doesn't want to tear apart Ricks family. Don't play dumb."

Lori swallowed nervously, "It's too late for that. He has moved on and so have I."

Lucille nodded. What a shitshow, she thought.

"I want to focus on Rick and my kids. I can't lose all of this over a random woman and a careless peck on the lips."

"You need to tell him that. Stop punishing him and talk to him."

Lori watched Judith approach with her bike , she waved happily at her mom. The innocence in her daughters face reminded what was at stake and she decided she would try her best to resolve this. She wanted her marriage to work.

Michonne tried to keep her cool as she drove. Sasha had been rambling about something beside her, but nothing really registered in her brain.

She knew this was a bad idea. She should have just told Connie that something came up and she couldn't take the weekend off. Somehow her plan had backfired. She decided to create distance between them when she had realized he would call her instead of his own wife. At first it was flattering and a part of her enjoyed the attention. Michonne hadn't experienced it in a long time. This weird pull they shared was not easy to give up though and now after being radio silent for a couple of days it felt hard. She just had to do it for the both of them.

"You know Andre told me something the other day," the mention of her son caught her attention, "that there is a new friend on your phone."

Shit.

"Alright, I've been talking to him," Michonne admitted, agitated, "but I stopped when I realized it wasn't... appropriate."

"Since when did you care about other peoples opinions?" Sasha sipped on her water on the passenger side seat.

"Since I realized you were right the whole time."

"Oh?" Sasha wondered, "He stepped over the line then?"

"We both did. Several times," Michonne concluded quietly, "I'm surprised you aren't mad at me."

"It's not my place to tell you what is right and what is wrong. I know you aren't exactly enjoying this either."

Michonne kept her eyes on the road, "Connie told me that he was glued to his phone the whole time when they had dinner together. I don't want to be a distraction from his kids. I didn't mean it to escalate into this."

"So you just ghosted him?" Sasha cringed at the word, "That's kind of cold."

"I'm going to talk to him when I see him," She explained, her voice calm and collected as always, "It's easier to do it face to face."

"Why does it sound like your breaking up with him?" Her friend chuckled next to her.

Michonne gave her a quick side eye before looking back at the road.

"I'm just saying," Sasha knew the situation was messy, but she never imagined it turning into a soap opera, "You basically are just asking for it."

"For what?"

"He is gonna be all hot and bothered now," She explained her point, "He is gonna be angry and confrontational. It's gonna be uncomfortable and everyone will sense it."

Michonne interjected, "Rick may be stubborn as a mule, but I think he got the message loud and clear. He will handle it fine."

"Nah, he really won't," Sasha could just tell their little trip was going to turn into a disaster, "That man is obsessed with you. So he is gonna have a problem with you for dissappearing without a word. Then you are going to have a problem with his attitude and that my friend will turn into angry fuck session in someones bushes."

"Oh come on!" Michonne slapped her friends arm and laughed, she couldn't take her seriously.

Sasha didn't find it amusing because she just knew how she operated and apparently Sheriff Rick Grimes wasn't hard to work out either, "Just don't let him get under your skin."

"Rick Grimes, under my skin?" She scoffed, amused, "Sasha you're too funny."

"Thanks for coming." Lori smiled at Rick from across the table, "I know you guys had that drunk driver and everything-"

"Lori, not in front of the kids." He stopped her, reminding her that he didn't want to talk about work in front of their children. They were walking into their booth with drinks.

"Look Lucille gave me a bigger one than what you ordered." Judith beamed with her big glass of coke. Rick laughed at the sight, the glass was indeed bigger than her head.

"You need to eat remember," Her mom reminded her, "Don't fill up on soda."

"If she doesn't eat her burger, I will. I'm starving." Carl chuckled casually as he took a seat next to his mom.

Rick felt grateful that his son finally seemed more like himself. It was actually nice to sit down with his family for dinner. It felt like it had been an eternity since the last time they just sat down and enjoyed each other company. Lori smiled across from him and it made him anxious because he felt bad. She was trying to make an effort, but his mind was somewhere else. Michonne had iced him out. She never called back. He didn't really have the energy to process what was going through his head because all of a sudden work was piling up. He just knew it stung. Work was a good distraction. These few days he had been constantly at a scene of a crime or following up with something.

He managed to squeeze an hour for his family this nice evening. He watched his wife and kids closely, every smile, and laughter that came out brought him so much peace. It hadn't felt like that in a long time. Rick knew he could only blame himself. Somehow he had allowed this to slip through his fingertips. He knew he needed to tell her the whole truth.

Just as he was about to tell Lori that they should talk later, he heard a voice from behind him.

"Sasha, I told you I'm not even hungry."

He didn't have to turn his head to know it was her.

"Let's just grab something to eat before going to the hotel, motel, whatever it was." Sasha was already at the counter checking the menu.

Rick felt like he couldn't move. It was like someone had pulled a plastic bag over his head and he was suffocating. It was just like this the last time their worlds collided. She was there, unknowing that they were even in the same room, but he could feel that pull in his gut and it tore him up all over again.

"Aren't those Connies friends?" Carl asked his dad as he munched on his French fries.

"Yeah, I don't know, maybe." He stammered, he was so uncomfortable. He didn't want to look into their direction.

Lori looked over at the counter at the two women and nodded, "Yeah I think they are." They oth looked flawless in their casual leggings and tops.

Sasha turned at the counter to face Michonne when she caught Loris eyes staring back at her. She smiled tightly at her and nodded as a silent hello.

Michonne could feel it in her spine, of course he was there. She kicked Sasha secretly as a thank you for putting her in this awkward position.

Sasha waved a little towards their table. Mostly because of the kids and she didn't want this to look suspicious to Lori. Rick and Michonne kept their backs firmly in place and didn't turn to greet each other.

"What can I get you?" Lucille rushed from the kitchen, first not registering who was standing behind the counter.

"Uh, hi. Just two cheese burgers, to go. Thanks." Sasha kept it short and sweet.

Lucille finally realized who she was serving, "Connies friends right?" she smiled at them, "I'm guessing you're here for the barbecue."

"Yep." Michonne answered this time.

"Rick!" Lucille yelled towards their table, "Look who is here!"

Fucking Lucille, he thought. Why did she have to be so social. Ricks mind whirled. What was he supposed to do?

He knew Lori would quickly catch on if he kept sitting there like an statue. He got the courage to stand up, and walked up to the counter where they stood.

Michonne stood there frozen in her place, her back the only thing he could see of her. She was dressed in all black, her new hair tied half up and sunglasses rested on top of her head.

"Hi." Was the only thing he could manage to muster out. It felt like the whole diner was watching them, when in reality nobody cared.

Sasha gave him that familiar judging look as she greeted him, "Grimes. Nice to see you again."

Michonne finally gave in and turned around, She almost didn't recognize him in his uniform, "Sheriff. Sorry we didn't mean to bother your family dinner."

And there it was, that captivating smirk that just made the world tilt back on it's place.

Rick suppressed his cocky smile, "No problem. Daryl didn't tell us you are coming today. I would have offered to show you around town."

"Is there really something worth seeing?" Michonne said instantly, it just smoothly slipped out of her mouth.

Sasha glared at her with a question mark written on her face. Even Lucille from behind the counter noticed the odd banter.

His face flushed and he scoffed to break the tension,"Where are you two staying?"

"The best place we could find." Sasha showed him the name of the place from her phone and it didn't surprise him. It was the one closest you could call a hotel.

He nodded and offered, "Yeah it's close by. I can drive with you if you need me to."

"We are just fine Sheriff. We will see you tomorrow." Michonnes voice was tense, edged with irritation.

Now she pissed him off. He could feel the pulse in his neck beat frantically, "Yeah, I guess we will."

It felt like she was playing a game with him and he didn't like it one bit.

He awkwardly tipped his hat at them as a goodbye and went back to his table. Lori thankfully was completely oblivious at the situation in front of her.

He watched her from his seat. She had purposely turned towards him as she waited for their food. He didn't understand why she was being like this. The last time they talked she had listened and been a great support for him. This woman baffled him. It went from hot to cold so fast that he didn't have time to register what was going on. She was yanking his chain and he was going along like an idiot. That stopped now. Their kids were also around the counter now, talking to Lucille. He made sure they were not listening,

He looked at Michonne before looking back at his wife, "Lori?"

She wiped her mouth with a napkin, "Yeah Rick?"

"I don't want a divorce."

Sorry this one took longer, I've been sick as a dog. Forgive me for the mistakes, my mind is still all over the place. Thanks for the love!!