AN**~~ So this damn site hasn't sent me any notifications for who knows how long. I've renewed the email notifications since they apparently expire after ninety days *le sigh* but to no avail. I'm still not receiving anything and compound that with how often the site's been down as of late *side eye* But I went to my page and saw REVIEWS! *sigh of relief* thought ya'll hated it at first lol But I'm so glad you guys are enjoying it and I'm having such a good time writing it. As always thank you for supporting me in something that is so fulfilling and for Keeping Richonne Alive!

~~2~~

"Yoooo… Michonne I'm not gonna lie. That spot where my hair was thinning was beginning to stress me." One of Michonne's newer clients, Scott stared in the large wall to wall mirror with delighted fascination at her workmanship.

"I can't believe you covered it so well. You can't even tell it was there in the first place."

Michonne grinned grateful for the compliment. "That was the plan."

"I really missed my barber when I moved down here from New York. But now, I can't even remember his name." Michonne chuckled.

"You've got a client for life."

"Thank you." she beamed as Scott continued to admire her work before addressing Tyreese who was currently cutting his own clients hair.

"Ty, you can't let her go man."

"That's all up to Michonne. But she knows she'll always have a booth available here." the shop owner proudly and genuinely replied. The client whipped out his phone snapping pictures and they all snickered.

"For the gram." he announced before feverishly tapping at the screen. A chime alerted on Michonne phone. "I just sent you the money plus tip."

She checked her notification and her eyes sprang open a bit larger. The number transferred being much higher than expected.

"You deserve it." Scott confidently smiled at her bemused face before departing the shop.

Michonne commenced tidying her area to get ready for her next client and friend, Sasha. A couple days had passed from when she originally should've come in. But today was her actual scheduled day off of work, meaning no reason to miss the appointment. In fact, she texted to let Michonne know she'd indeed be making it in.

With her back to the entrance, Michonne brushed her clippers to clean them. And she didn't bother to look when the bell on the front door rang as someone entered the shop since she assumed it to be for her.

"Ya'll, Rick Grimes is here!" Tyreese announced with his deep level of baritone.

The barbers present a few nights ago all burst out laughing but Michonne's heart sputtered and stomach bottomed out. She slowly turned to see Rick laughing so fully that he'd flushed with color. The sight made her laugh as well. Thankful Ty's over the top announcement allowed her to release her nervous jitters. Oscar, Noah and T-Dog calmed and all head nodded their welcome to the returning stranger.

Honestly, Michonne didn't expect to see Rick again after the other night but she definitely thought about the possibility, even though she had no right. Imaginings of him etched in her mind unwarrantedly. Especially the heated ones that occurred once she laid down in her empty bed at night. They were the best- no worse ones- she decided while quickly stopping them from conjuring back up presently.

But here Rick stood in the shop once again, looking even finer with the sun beaming around him. His laughter also ended and he stood straighter, well as straight as his bow legs allowed. He was looking directly at Michonne thus there was no question as to why he'd come again. With an anxious grin, he moseyed over to stop before her. The pair simply observed one other in wonder for a moment. The denim button-up shirt paired with faded black jeans and those unmistakable well-worn in cowboy boots was doing something for Michonne. Once more, she attempted to smash the feeling tickling up wanting passage through her body.

"Well, if it isn't The Famous Rick Grimes." Michonne mimicked the provocative way she'd said it the other night just so she could watch him redden again.

Rick chuckled with his adorable eye crinkles. "See what you've started."

Michonne played innocent. "I didn't do anything but tell everyone your name."

"They do that with everyone that comes in?"

She smirked when he pinched the bridge of his nose but grinned. "No, just the notable ones."

"What brings you back in?" she tipped her hip out and looked him over again. "My haircut is thankfully still intact."

"It is." Rick touched his hair and a sudden bought of envy washed over Michonne wishing she had the liberty to run her fingers through them again. She reasoned she could under the guise of checking her work. Yet she restrained herself even with the chestnut curls glinting in the sun's rays that came through the large windows of the store front.

"That's actually what brought me in. Wanted to thank you."

"Your money was payment enough but, go on." she playfully smirked.

"The meeting went very well."

"Oh?"

"In fact, I won my bid for a new contract. I feel like your haircut was what put me over the top." Michonne snickered knowing that couldn't be true.

"I wanted to bring you something extra." he scratched his head nervously. "Really, it's nothing."

The golden gift bag was already in his hand but Michonne paid it no mind until this declaration. She knew exactly what it contained before Rick even lifted the bag presenting it to her, but she raised a questioning eyebrow at him.

"How did you know I like…?" she could assume it was a given like flowers, but she looked around to see if one of the guys had tipped him off. They all were busy providing their customers haircuts. No doubt pretending to mind their business in order to avoid another throw of daggers from her.

Rick motioned behind her. "I noticed your drawer had a few king sized bars in it."

"Not a normal snack level amount…" he grinned and she blushed sheepishly.

"…I figured you must really love chocolate to have that many stashed. It was worth a shot, but I can always bring you something different if-"

Michonne snatched the bag with a greedy smile making Rick snort.

"This will do." she added before skipping over to the basin to quickly wash her hands. Once clean, she dived in to grab the black and gold Godiva box inside. She placed the bag on her empty chair then proceeding to unwrap the box. Her eyes lit up at the confections inside before choosing a heart shaped one. She popped it in her mouth and moaned at the sweet taste.

Michonne only then read the tiny printed description of each gourmet truffle and fumbled to grasp a second one. A cherry filled, that she bit into with closed eyes. A little syrup oozed, landing on her lip. She licked it off then popped the second half of the candy in her mouth.

With her instant craving satiated, she opened her eyes to see that Rick was quietly enthralled. The whole experience of her passionate enjoyment of his gift must have been something to witness. His stance adjusted and if she wasn't mistaken his blue eyes grew a shade darker while staring at her mouth. But she didn't mind, these candies were so good and an unexpected treat, much like his presence. She was enjoying a sweet delicacy all while a handsome man observed her being damn near orgasmic. And to think it was all because a chunk of his hair was mysteriously chopped off.

"You never told me. How did it happen?" she gestured to his hair then saw Rick was immediately removed from his trance-like state.

"Oh, um..."

She could tell his prior impending thoughts all crashed with that particular question. He glanced around the shop, out the window behind them then finally to the ceiling, seemingly thinking of how to answer.

"…fell into old habits, you could say." Rick huffed turning back to see she raised an eyebrow not quite understanding.

With a sigh he continued. "My ex-wife used to give horrible haircuts."

Michonne chortled closing the box. "It's not something anyone can do in a kitchen or bathroom with some scissors from the junk drawer. Try as they may."

Rick halfheartedly chuckled at what must've been memories of terrible haircuts until he quieted. Michonne could tell he was deciding on what else he should say.

"Uhh, the woman I'm dating, currently…" Michonne knew the light in her eyes dimmed a little, only because it was reflected back in his.

"… would cut it from time to time when I came to town to visit. But this time, her kids were shouting for her, the phone was ringing, the dog was running by and next thing-"

"Some curls were missing." Michonne tittered but abruptly stopped as though she suddenly remembered what Rick had just admitted to. Currently dating translates to-

A girlfriend.

Michonne unceremoniously plopped the Godiva box back in the bag then went back to cleaning her instruments. She half listened with her back turned as Rick went on to further explain.

"I used to live in King, a few counties away but I moved here for a chance at this larger contract for my company. Just so happens to be where my… girlfriend was living. It made sense."

Michonne just nodded and continued to work. "Well, you should probably find a new barber before the next styling is due."

"New barber?" Rick's voice had grown nervy.

"Yeah. You didn't plan on continuing to come here." Michonne snorted and glanced back to see he'd placed his hands at his waist.

"Why wouldn't I? Am I not welcome?"

She cavalierly pointed to the floor at the front door. "The mat says welcome. It applies to everyone paying. Even The Famous Rick Grimes." her pronouncement of his name was much more lackluster now and he sighed.

"Alright then. How does this work?"

Michonne stopped what she was doing when she realized he had plans to drag this out. She grabbed her business card from the tray she stored them in. Her plan was to quickly deposit it in his raised hand not trying to hide her unjust discontent, but their fingers grazed while doing so.

An undeniable spark ran through them and they locked eyes in surprise. Their chests rose and fell in sync making them drag in air to refill their needy lungs. Rick's blue eyes tried to relay some message to her, but Michonne was resisting it as best she could. She should've been doing that the whole time instead of indulging in an ill begotten fantasy.

But even now knowing he was involved with someone, she couldn't break the connection and neither could he. They paused, neither she let go of the card while he didn't pull it from her grasp. That was until the front door's bell chimed and in walked a shorter lighter brown skinned woman.

"Hi Ty. Hey guys. Michonne, I know I'm late but-" the new arrival entered in apology mode but broke off when she saw the tense almost amatory scene before her. All while, the rest of the shop inhabitants pretended not to notice what was going on.

"Should I come back?" Sasha raised an interested eyebrow with a grin.

"No." Michonne curtly responded then released the card, stepping away from Rick anxiously. "You are late, get in the chair."

"Okay, because if you have a new customer. I can wait." Sasha strolled over with a smirk playing at her lips before Rick addressed her.

"Thank you, ma'am. I was just leaving."

"Ma'am? Do I look like a ma'am? Call me Sasha and you are?" she attempted to extend a hand but Michonne grabbed it ushering her towards her waiting chair making her snicker.

"He was just leaving, like he said."

"Oh, okay." Sasha devilishly grinned not letting up and neither did Rick much to Michonne's annoyance.

"I'll call to set up our next appointment."

Michonne responded briskly trying to play it cool, her back still turned on him. "You don't have to call. Go directly to the shops website. There you will be able to book with any available barber."

"But I want you."

Her knees nearly buckled and she could've sworn her panties melted clean away. But Michonne managed to remain standing somehow. She cursed herself for stopping to look when she heard his booted steps backing up towards the exit. Sasha was way too perceptive. Demonstrated by her picking up on the spark between them in an instant after entering. But Michonne couldn't conceal how he captivated her attentions even when he shouldn't.

As he stepped, Rick slide the card in his front pocket drawing her eyes to his crotch. She was transfixed watching him about-face then strut his way to the door. He glimpsed back at her before finally opening the front door then pivoted addressing the others.

"Nice to meet you Sasha. Fellas." he declared and the guys all threw up a hand, grunting their goodbyes but continuing to not be involved.

Once more, his eyes landed on hers in a promise. "See you soon, Michonne."

Then Rick stepped outside letting the door go causing the chime of the exiting bell to help release Michonne from the daze of his sexy bowlegged departure. She yearned to watch him clear the large picture windows but her client and best friend was currently gawking at her with amused enjoyment.

"What was that about?" Sasha crossed her arms over her chest having not taken her seat as instructed.

"Nothing, a possible new client." Michonne shrugged as nonchalantly as she could muster.

"Bullshit!"

"Sasha." she tried to calm her since she had drawn the shops attention with her outburst. But her friend wouldn't let up, loudly whispering to her.

"He's awfully cute. And he seems to like you. You better watch out girl."

A timid yet annoying voice muttered from the seat in the booth across the way. "You should be careful. Exodus chapter twenty, verse seventeen states, You shall not covet your neighbor's house, you shall not covet your neighbor's wi-"

"I know you are not talking Gabriel Stokes, when you were seen grinning all in Sister Espinosa's very married face while her husband was away in Trinidad." Sasha promptly countered causing the whole shop to be struck with laughter.

Gabriel the resident preacher straightened his collar anxiously in Noah's chair. "I only sought to give her counsel during trying times. With baby Coco, I figured she needed some additional assistance."

"That's what we are calling it now. Because I would like to assist the hell outta few women around town." Oscar added making everyone laugh even louder.

"Noah, are we done?" Gabriel asked even though he already rose from his seat.

"Don't pay them no mind Father Gabe. I'll see you next time." Noah held back a smirk even though everyone else chuckled as they watched the anxious man skitter out the barbershop.

"Sasha, why'd you do the man like that?" Tyreese sighed holding back his own barrel laugh.

"He should mind his business. Glass houses and all that." she rolled her eyes not caring one bit.

Michonne was grateful her friend had stepped in for her but she really did need to get to work before her following client arrived. "Can I please just shapeup your undercut?"

"Yes." Sasha finally took a seat so Michonne could put the paper around her neck and drape the apron to kept her friends cute outfit hair free. She placed Sasha's longer hair in a topknot with a scrungie to make her work easier. The noisy atmosphere of the shop had returned but Sasha truly whispered to her this time.

"We will talk about this later."

"Whatever. There's nothing to talk about."

"Don't think I didn't see you stash those Godiva chocolates. Bow Legs must've gotten them for you." Sasha winked at her in the mirror.

Michonne exhaled then smirked before picking up her clippers, applying a guard. She clicked them on and the vibration reminded of the relief she needed to satisfy the core shifting that her possible new client had given her with his impromptu appearance.

But Rick's admittance had her mentally tossing cold water on herself. Not to mention her own situation dowsing her with a second bucket of ice cold water. She needed to put Rick Grimes out of her head as soon as possible. And focusing on the task before her would do just that. Well, Michonne hoped as she got to work.