Author's Note: This chapter should some explain some things. Thanks for sticking with me.


"Immortal?" Andre erupted in exaggerated laughter. "And you say my dad was crazy! This is some fucking bullshit. Who is this guy?"

Exhaling sharply, Michonne bristled the discomfort of an aghast mother.

"He's a friend, and watch your mouth!" Rick replied, stroking Michonne's back. He had enough issues with what Morgan had said, but Andre's potty-mouth commentary wasn't making things better, especially not for Michonne. Although, Andre wasn't lying. This was pretty farfetched. Being immortal? Morgan had to be confused or wrong about Pride's experimental drug. There was no way any of this could be true.

"I wouldn't have chosen Andre's words," Michonne said, sighing deeply and rubbing her forehead, "but, Morgan, this is…"

Rick nodded. "Michonne's right. Once or twice when I got shots I had a fever and body aches for a couple of days, but I was fine."

"I didn't even have any symptoms with my shots," Andre added. "Just a little tiredness a couple of times over these years. It was nothing."

"Morgan, this, what you're saying, is impossible."

"Finally!" Andre exclaimed. "Something we all agree on."

"It sounds impossible, Rick, but impossible is probable in this world," said Morgan, seemingly unfazed by the doubts. "My family and I survived a nuclear bomb. I know impossible, but the science is sound."

"Yeah, but your wife studied radiation," Rick replied. "This is different."

"Doctors from numerous fields were involved: virologists, oncologists, chemists, geneticists, biologists, and Grace and other scientists. They all tested these samples, and thoroughly, because they couldn't test you two. Pride had the best of everything available, and this is the conclusion. These cells have been found to be immortal which is unusual, but that's not why they think you could be. HeLa cells, the first immortal cell line, were found in a woman, Henrietta Lacks, who died from cancer, but the cells you and Andre have appear resistant to cancer."

"Appear?" Rick asked.

"They're still testing. But like I said, these cells are like nothing that's ever been seen before."

Andre grumbled inaudibly.

"Morgan, I had blood tests before the world changed. If this was possible, I would've known before now."

"Not if there was nothing to know. As I said, it's expected the infection initiated the cellular change. You were in the hospital at that time, but running blood tests wouldn't have been a priority when the world had just gone to hell."

"The doctor at the CDC, Jenner, drew my blood. He told me the infection was in everyone. He would have noticed."

"Not if the change hadn't reached a detectable point. Maybe you had traits of the pathogen back then. It has been years since the CDC, and the cells keep renewing. They make you stronger, more resistant to things, as time passes. It would explain the mild symptoms you and Andre experienced with the experimental shots and why there are no signs of the infection in your blood."

"If this could be true, what about Ca – " Rick's words caught in his throat. He drew a deep breath and slowly exhaled, blinking away the sting of tears. Michonne stroked his forearm, giving him her readily available support. "If I have this, wouldn't Carl have had it, too? He's gone. He died from a bite."

"No, Carl died from a gunshot wound to the head. Rick, I'm not saying you wouldn't get sick, you have already been through a lot, but outside of a penetrating head wound, illness and injuries won't take you out. They might slow you down, have you on your back for a while, but it appears you will survive. Will you live forever?" Morgan laughed uneasily. "My mind can't conceive that, but a very long life, longer than any of us could imagine, seems more than likely according to the experts."

Andre scoffed. "Are you seriously saying Rick and I, and maybe her," he said with a sideways glance at Michonne, "are what Mr. Lowe said my dad was trying to become with the walkers? Forever living, and only stopped with a wound to the head?"

"That's how it looks, yes," answered Morgan, nodding. "Immortal seems the only word that fits."

Tears flowed with the release of Rick's shuddering breath. Was Morgan suggesting… Rick's blurry gaze settled on Michonne.

Sniffling softly, Michonne clutched Rick's shirt and turned sad, questioning eyes to Morgan. "Are you saying that Carl didn't have to die?"

"No, no, I am not," Morgan readily answered. "And you two don't need to go there."

Michonne smoothed away tears. "But…"

"You had no way of knowing this then, or what it would've meant if you had. It's unknown if these cells are passed by mother, father, either, or both. What matters is you and Rick were there for your boy when he needed you, and - -"

"Our boy." Rick wiped his eyes. "What about RJ?"

Morgan squinted. "Who?"

"Rick Junior. Michonne gave birth to our son when I was away. If she and I have these cells…"

"What does it mean for him?" Michonne finished in an urgent rush.

Rick glanced at Hatton and Lowe who only shrugged.

"None of us are scientists," Lowe answered.

"We weren't involved in any of the experimental stuff," added Hatton. "I passed and received word. Got people in and out as needed. Lowe kept his eye on Pride and helped move the information."

Desperate to learn if the thoughts he was entertaining were at all possible, Rick looked to his friend. "Morgan?" he said, the utterance of the man's name asking a million questions.

"Grace is the scientist," Morgan replied. "Because I didn't know that Michonne was Pride's son's mother when I got this information, I can only share what I've been told and speculate. Iris could –"

"Just tell me what you think. Grace clearly told you a lot of information. Put that all together and tell us what you think it could mean for our son."

"We trust you," added Michonne.

"Okay." Morgan nodded. "If Michonne is a carrier of the cells and they are passed on through both of you, it likely means RJ is a very healthy boy. Michonne, is he prone to illness?"

"He's never even had sniffles," she answered, "but that's not unusual. Some people never have sick days."

"But Judith did," Rick said. "She had a cough when…" His words trailed, the need for more not necessary.

"Yeah, but that doesn't mean RJ could be – Rick, immortal?"

"I know it sounds crazy, but think about it, Michonne. RJ was born healthy. Even with all you went through during the pregnancy and before his delivery, all the trauma you experienced, there were no issues with him at all. He's so smart, and for all we know, he's still healthy and thriving." Michonne said nothing, but in her eyes Rick could see she was really hearing him, so he continued. "Both you and I have been shot and nearly beaten to death. I was impaled by rebar and then injured in the explosion that got me here, and we're fine. Who knows what Pride did to your camp when he found Andre and Andre survived. He was the only one who did, and he did it getting over a cold or something more than a cold for all we know now. He's young and brilliant. Maybe it's the genes you gave our sons, but maybe it's more. We have all survived things that most others wouldn't." Rick dragged his hands over his face, expelling a long breath. "This - - this could mean something."

Realization filled warm brown eyes. "That we really are the ones who live," Michonne said.

"Maybe." He nodded. "Yeah."

"Come on, Rick!" Andre groaned. "We are not superhuman. My father wasn't… "

"Enough!" Rick erupted, exhaling sharply. "What more do you need? He used you, Andre. He used me, and he was only willing to save Michonne when he accepted she could be your mother. He even said she had become useful to him. How? Because she could likely be a carrier of these cells. Knowing your biological father died from a bite, I think it's a fair certainty that she is. If Pride had found out about RJ, your little brother would have been his biggest prize yet. How would that make you feel?"

Andre dropped his head. "He wouldn't have hurt him," he murmured.

"The hell he wouldn't! Don't you get it. He was taking us away. One of us was going to get bitten, so he could see just what these cells of ours could do. Do you understand that?"

"No," Andre mumbled, shaking his head, sniffling. "No."

Cupping Andre's tear-streaked cheek, Rick forced their eyes to meet. "I'm telling the truth, and deep inside you know it." Rick smoothed away the tears. "Pride hurt you, scared you, was willing to sacrifice you, someone he called son. Now, you're my son. Your mother and I love you unconditionally and are going to give you the life you deserve with your brother and sister. We are all getting the hell out of this place and going home."

"This is my home, Rick." Following an extended gaze at the bloody spot on the floor, Andre's eyes met Rick's. "Okay, maybe my dad was a horrible person, and he might've been using me, I honestly don't know, but my feelings were real. Where does my love go?" he said, tapping his chest. "Hmm? It won't just disappear, so it goes into this. I need to finish my father's work, but the right way. I can't leave."

"No!" Michonne exclaimed unequivocally. "Jacob Pride doesn't have any more work, and your home is with us." She closed her eyes, exhaling sharply. "Look, I'm sorry. I can't - - I can't begin to understand what you're feeling and I don't want to minimize your pain, but we have to go, and you have to come with us. We've told you this, and like we said before, it is not up for discussion."

"At all," Rick added. "We're not staying, and you can't. That's it."

Andre threw up his hands in disgust.

"Dan –" Lowe cleared his throat and started again. "Andre, you need to listen to them. There is nothing you can do to make things right. You didn't cause any of this. You and Grimes are victims. This is a fresh start for everyone. Go and live your life with people who love you. To stay here after everything would just cause you more pain. We knew what had to be done with General Pride and all his followers. It wasn't pretty, but it was necessary. We knew for years and planned for years."

"Years?" Rick repeated. "You were with us overseas."

"Yes, but that does not negate the planning starting after your last attempt at escape. That was when I learned about the General's anxiousness to find the secret something you and his son had, and I knew he and all of this had to be stopped. Planning this overthrow was painstaking, but because I returned stateside several times a year for the General's precious suits, I had access to the necessary people."

"Wait a minute," Michonne said, holding up her hand. "You came back and forth from Europe and Asia for suits?"

"It was good that I could, ma'am. The General loved his bloody suits."

"How much fuel does he have access to?"

"Like I told you," Rick said, "he had a lot of access to a lot of things. This base was a secret government location. Housing, tanks, artillery, food, fuel, air and ground fleets. He had access to a lot."

"And we thought he had access to you," Lowe said, returning his attention to Rick. "Over the years, countless attempts were made to reach out to you, especially when you came back as Commander, but you only trusted Danny – uh Andre, and had no interest in trusting anyone else."

"How did I not know about you and Hatton's plan? Overseas, I found people who were planning strategies to end Pride and his evil. I have been tweaking a plan of my own to work in conjunction with them."

"We were not advertising, Mr. Grimes, and neither were you," said Hatton. "The Republic is huge, with thousands of people everywhere. This was the General's home base, and the communities in the States is where we were focused, knowing once the General was dealt with, everyone else would also be safe."

Rick nodded. "I get that. I just wish I had known."

"So do we," Lowe replied. "We tried, but…"

"I know."

"Several months ago, when we got word about your wife's desire to come in, we started a slow walk of implementation. We were well into our plan when Mr. Jones was brought in. He insisted you could be trusted, and that gave us confidence, but we couldn't risk the plan by then. When everything was in place, Hatton watched Mrs. Grimes for a while and then asked you to join for the pickup. Once we knew for certain where you stood with the General, it was all systems go, and today freedom came."

"It came for the others, too," Morgan said. "When I was brought in, I was able to get your signal to Paris, Rick. They started their slow walk at that point, and their full throttle came into play with ours today. The area was smaller, not as many Pride hardnosers, and now they are in full control."

"And Heath?" Rick asked.

"I haven't talked to him, but the people I brought with me have been in communication with his site. He's good."

Andre scoffed. "Well, I'm not. This freedom didn't come for me!"

"But it did," said Lowe. "You just don't realize it yet. Leaving is necessary. You need to be with your family."

"Right, family," Andre muttered, cutting unhappy eyes at Rick and Michonne as he kicked absently at the floor.

"So, Mr. Lowe," said Michonne, making no attempt to indulge the salty teen, "all of Pride's minions have been…"

"Handled, yes," he answered. "Some killed, those who knew of the General's plan and could try to go after your family, and the rest relocated to where they could never be a threat to anyone but each other. We couldn't risk fires being stoked from the ashes, so any Pride sympathizers had to be eliminated." A pleased little Cheshire cat grin made the Englishman's thin lips practically disappear. "We can thank you for getting that practice started in a very big way. Anne took way too much pleasure in her role as warrant officer. She was as evil as the General mad. Word of her demise to the right people was a huge help in making today happen."

"I was no Jadis fan, and I wanted to kill her, but I only did so when it became necessary." Michonne grunted, annoyed, as she took Rick's hand. "She really asked for it."

"For whatever the reason, I'm just glad it happened. Now, we have the ability to have a good place here. A thriving society with leaders chosen by the people. A council to make decisions, rules, and guidelines. A better way."

"And the soldiers?" Rick asked.

"Those remaining are unarmed peacekeepers, until we get our society into place," replied Hatton. "I jammed the rifle and handgun so they won't be fired again, and I have no other firearms. Most everyone has a knife, but that's where the peacekeepers come in. Everyone and everything will be equal and fair. People like Mr. Jones and other members from the independent groups are here, and they're going to help us get squared away."

"Do you have a charter?" Michonne asked.

"Yes, I have one completed," answered Lowe. "I want to present it at our first community meeting tomorrow morning."

"This has really been in the works for a while, huh?" Rick remarked.

"The world we want and plan to make happen has been," said Hatton. "The General wasted a lot of resources, but there is still so much. We want to help the world the way it should've been. We only hope it doesn't take years to make it a reality."

"I can help make it a reality," Andre announced. "I want to stay."

The same annoyance Rick felt radiated in Michonne's dark eyes. He still had the most sway with Andre, his poor Michonne couldn't catch a break with him as he still called her "her/she" or "Rick's wife." However, it had been many years since he had to deal with a defiant teen and as much as he loved Andre, Rick was beginning to lose all of his patience.

"Lowe, take him to get his things," Rick instructed. "Andre, we're leaving as soon as you're packed."

Andre opened his mouth to speak, but Rick stopped him with a shake of his head and a hand on his shoulder.

"Say nothing. Just get your damn things." Rick spoke without raising his voice, but the cadence in his timbre made his feelings unmistakable.

Mr. Lowe ushered the grumbling, unhappy Andre out.

"I'll go along," said Hatton, heading toward the door. "Mr. Lowe might have his hands full."

"Not so fast, Hatton."

His trek to the door stopped, Hatton turned to face Rick.

The sincere feelings of appreciation Rick felt for Max Hatton took him aback and cooled his brewing Andre ire. A few hours ago, he wouldn't have trusted the man as far as he could throw him, but now he had Michonne and his freedom, and it was in big thanks to this large man. The ruse he and Michonne had presented since their reunion was nothing compared to the one Hatton had perpetrated for all the months Rick had known him.

"I never imagined I would owe you so much," Rick said, extending a hand to which Hatton accepted in a shake. "You helped get my wife to me, and as much as Michonne and I wanted to kill Pride, with Andre's anger right now, things with him would be so much worse if we had."

"I did what I had to do and you don't owe me anything. What you've endured, all you've lost, it's enough." Hatton gave Rick's shoulder a pat. "I'll arrange travel for you all and the horse."

"Is Millie okay?" Michonne asked. "I know it's only been a few hours, but it's felt like the longest day, and it's been just the two of us for so long. She couldn't have been comfortable dangling from the helicopter. The only good thing about being blindfolded on the way here is that I didn't have to see that."

"Oh, she's fine, ma'am. Brushed down and watered with her fill of hay. I made sure she was taken care of."

A grateful smile brightened Michonne's face. "Thank you."

Rick rubbed her back. Michonne always did have a fondness for horses, and always looked so regal when riding. Millie was family now. "Yes, thanks. For everything."

"It's nothing," Hatton said. "I'm sorry this took so long and you had to go through what you did, Grimes, but I know things will be better."

Rick curled his arm around Michonne's waist and pressed a kiss to her temple. "They got better the minute I saw my wife again and knew it wasn't another dream."

"She's a real warrior, that one."

"That and more." Rick's adoring gaze fixed on his beautiful beloved. He kissed her hand. "So much more."

"Look, I'm sorry about, you know," Michonne said, motioning her hand.

Shaking his head, Hatton waved off her words. "Let's not talk about it. I understand why, although –" He glanced downward. "Well, anyway. I'll see you all in a bit."

Morgan approached after Hatton's exit. "What are you gonna do about what I told you?"

Rick shrugged. "What's to do, Morgan?"

"Decide if you want this research to continue. If you want it to stop, it will. It could lead to a cure. It's not likely, but possible. Something in this cellular structure suppressed the infection in you and Andre. The scientists don't know what, but would like to see if they can find out and replicate it. That's why Iris came. To work directly with the minds here, while the other scientists collaborated with the brains in their communities. If you agreed."

"You don't need me for this research. The cells don't die, right? That means between Andre and me you have twenty lifetime samples."

"More than that. After learning about your cells and giving you that first injection, Pride tested your blood a couple of times a week until you came to."

Rick erupted in loud, incredulous laughter. "Of course he did. I don't know why I'm surprised," he said, exhaling loudly. "He and Andre being outside my door when I woke up makes even more sense now. Yeah, he wanted to keep us close, but Andre was much closer to me than Pride ever knew." Rick squeezed Michonne's hand. "Morgan, I've done all I'm going to do with this testing thing."

"Yeah." Michonne nodded. "I'm in agreement. Because Mike died from a bite, it seems likely that I am the one who passed this to Andre, but I don't need to have it confirmed. It won't change anything. Not for me and certainly not for RJ, and he will definitely have no part of this."

"I want to meet my son and see my daughter again," Rick said, the desperation in that need overwhelming him. "That's all."

"I understand, Rick, but what I said is a lot to deal with."

"What's a lot to deal with is missing all of RJ's life, way more than half of Judith's, being forced to do the most horrific things to innocent people, and spending more years away from my wife than I have with her." Rick brought Michonne's hand to his chest. The sadness of that reality crushing his soul. "That's what I'm dealing with. My cell structure isn't even on the list. I have so much lost time to make up for."

Michonne kissed his cheek. Her warm, soft lips lingered for a few seconds. Rick sighed with the stroke of her fingertips to the back of his head, raking his curls, his every nerve ending heightened. "We will make up for all our lost time, Rick. You may not have been physically with me, but you were always, always, in my heart."

"And you in mine. Every second of every day, Michonne. You were with me." He kissed her softly, pressing his forehead to hers. "I love you so much."

"I love you." Michonne nestled in his arms. "Forever and always."

"Morgan, tell them, Iris or whoever, to do what they want with the cells. I hope a cure or something helpful can be found. Andre wants to make things right, and it's the least I owe to the people I've hurt since I've been here, but that's all we can do. It's all I'm willing to do." Rick's hand swept up and down Michonne's back. "For now, I need to be selfish, to be with my family and not give a damn about anyone or anything else. With what you've said, looks like I'll have more time to be with the people I love."

Morgan nodded and smiled. "I understand. Enjoy your happiness. Who knows. Maybe Grace, Mo, and I will show up to Alexandria for a visit. Meet that new son of yours. Maybe have some peanut butter protein bars all around," he quipped.

They all shared a laugh and then the men shared a hug.

"Thank you for everything you've done, Morgan." Rick pulled back and curiously tilted his head. "You never said, but how did you get involved with this?"

"About a month after you left Nebraska, I was told about a transfer for updating comms at another independent settlement in Pennsylvania. Moving back East was all I needed to hear, so my family packed up and we moved. That's when Grace got called in to help with the research. She got to come home for a few days every couple of weeks, and she would tell me about the work. Then, about a month ago, she came back and told she saw your picture in the research file. The soldier accompanying Grace on the helicopter back and forth to New York was Riley. Grace said that he seemed nice, but tried to act otherwise, so I decided to plead with him to get me to New Jersey so I could find you, tell you what was happening, and get you out. When I did, that's when Riley told me about the plan and Michonne and Jadis."

"Good old Riley," Michonne said. "I wouldn't have got here without him."

"He's a good man. Since Rick had told me a little of his plan, and I was setting up the communications my way, it gave me the opportunity to get connected with the right people and give a little assist. It was nothing."

The way Morgan downplayed what he did amazed and touched Rick. Prior to seeing Morgan in Nebraska, back at the heaps, he had been in so much pain: still grieving his son, Duane, and Benjamin, the young man he got close to at the Kingdom. He had been a more broken replica of the man Rick had encountered when he had returned to King County those many years ago. Now, Morgan had risked his life and very well his family's safety for him. Riley could've been a bad guy and shot him on the spot, but Morgan risked that, and now Rick was going home. Their lives had changed so much from that day Rick woke up in the hospital in Georgia and Morgan saved his life, but one thing stayed the same, Morgan was still saving his life.

Rick clasped Morgan's shoulder. The man had a happiness that seemed to radiate within him. Much like the calmness and centeredness he had when they first reunited in Alexandria, but more. Like all the good emotions and feelings came together and fed off each other. His method of clearing had took on a whole new dimension. "You took a big chance. You know that, right?"

"It was worth it, and I was only a part of a very large group effort. And like Lowe said, Michonne ending Jadis was a catalyst to us getting here. She freed up Riley. Where would we have been without him?" A teasing grin curled the corners of Morgan's mouth as he turned to Michonne. "Tell me, how did it feel to introduce her to your sword?"

Smirking, Michonne's gaze momentarily met Rick's before she addressed Morgan. "Necessary," she said. "I feel no guilt for sending her back to the demon that spawned her."

"After all she's taken away from you and Rick, and all she's done, it's the only way to feel. Her debt was paid." Morgan gave Michonne a quick hug. "Safe travels, huh?" With a wave he departed, managing to close the door that was slightly off kilter from the broken top hinge from Pride's break-in.

"How are you feeling about all this?" Rick asked, enfolding Michonne in his arms. "Hmm?"

Michonne shrugged. "I don't know. Stunned, exhausted, worried."

"Worried?"

"For what it means for RJ, for us, and how Andre will deal with it all. There are so many unknowns."

"Let's not worry about that, because we have one known that will see us through." Rick clasped her hands and brought them to his lips. "We'll be together, Michonne. That's all that matters."

"That's everything." She kissed him softly and stroked his hair. "I think we should check on Andre. Give him a hand and gentle push out of here," she said, walking toward her sword and bag.

Rick curled his arm around her waist, bringing her back to him. "We can – in a bit." He kissed her neck, trailing a path to her earlobe while a hand snaked under her shirt, eliciting her soft moans with the flick of his thumb on her nipples. "Let's give him some more time." Kissing her hungrily, he cupped her backside and brought her flush against his throbbing arousal. "About an hour or so, hmm?" He guided her to the bed and lowered himself on top of her, desperate to be inside her again, loving her, and being enveloped in her love. "Every moment alone we can get…" He nuzzled her lips.

Sighing, Michonne combed her fingers through his hair and added, "We make up for lost time."


Two hours later, Michonne and Rick finally left the apartment. The place that had been like a prison within a prison had become a piece of paradise, a getaway from them to enjoy each other and their love. Michonne couldn't stop smiling. Maybe it was these newly discovered cells, but whatever questions Rick had about his post-coital recuperation abilities after all these years were swiftly and repeatedly dispelled.

After meeting up with Hatton and dropping their things in the souped-up hybrid truck loaded with goods, gasoline, and a horse trailer, compensation for what Hatton called years of tortured service, they continued on to Pride's to get Andre. After more than two hours, Michonne hoped her son had grown more adjusted to the fact they were leaving. Rick had an amazing ability to calm her, but Andre had a striking ability to break her heart, hurt her feelings, and inflame her temper all in one fail swoop.

"Uh–oh, there goes the last of your smile," Rick said, bringing her hand to his lips. "Try not to worry about him, huh?"

"I can't help it. He's so…"

"Angry, confused, and hurt. That's why he is lashing out at you, and I hate that. Yes, he has picked up some of Pride's less than flattering qualities, but I have never seen him like he has been today."

"I would wager none of us have had days like today, but as horrible as it has been for Andre, and as sad as I am about some things, this has still been one of the best days of my life. And while I may not have a smile on my face right now, I am beaming on the inside."

Rick stopped walking and pulled her close to him. The bright moonlight seemed to add big bright stars to Rick's eyes that rivaled the twinkling ones above. She nuzzled the hand stroking her cheek. "I hope I have something to do with that inside beaming."

"Only everything."

"How is it that nothing has changed for us when everything has changed?"

"Because our love hasn't changed, it just grew with the years. No matter what we go through and how the world around us changes, us, you and me, what we feel for each other is unbreakable and unshakeable. Hell, it makes immortal cells pale in comparison."

Chuckling, Rick gave her a kiss. "I'm glad you can find humor in this."

"Well." She gazed forlornly in the direction of Pride's home. "Gotta find it where I can."

"It's not gonna be easy with him, but it gonna be okay. We will make it okay."

"But will he?" Michonne closed her eyes, sighing. Andre was in such pain and all she wanted to do was help, but it seemed everything she did or said was wrong. He had memories of her and knew she loved him, and he loved her, she knew that, but his anger and his pain fueled the distance. "This is going to be very hard."

"There is going to be a lot of hard to face. As anxious as I am to meet RJ and see Judith again, I am in no rush to see Daryl." Rick groaned. "I feel like I will break his jaw when I do." Rick bristled, shaking his head. "No, I don't want to think about him." He clasped her hand. "C'mon, let's get Andre."

Mr. Lowe met them at the door when they arrived and took a few minutes to share what he called some prudent details that included the happy news that Andre had actually packed some things into a couple of duffel bags and the unexpected news that Pride was currently in the midst of being cremated. The latter of which had sent Andre into Pride's office where he had been for nearly the last two hours.

Forgoing Mr. Lowe's offer of English tea, they made their way to Pride's office to find Andre sitting in the dark in the large executive chair behind the desk. The moonlight cast a soft glow on his profile, displaying a stream of tears rolling down his cheek. Michonne's heart lurched. Getting him to leave would not be easy, but she had to do it. Sighing deeply, she approached him while Rick flipped on the lights.

"Andre, sweetie, it's time to go."

"Did Mr. Lowe tell you?" he said.

"About the cremation?" Michonne nodded. "Yes."

"They said burying him would've been pointless. Nobody would let him just lay in the ground. That they would defile him, for lack of a better word, until there was nothing left."

Rick moved to Michonne's side. "Are you surprised by that?" he said.

Andre glanced up at Rick and shook his head. "No," he said, sniffling. "No." He sighed deeply. "I found something. Well, some things."

"What?" Michonne and Rick asked.

"I have been in this office so many times." Andre looked around. "Dad, he, he spent a lot of time in here. 'Sometimes a man needed a place to think his thoughts.' That's what he said. Yeah. His thoughts. I never knew that he thought out loud."

"Andre, what are you…"

Michonne's words were halted when Andre reached under the desk and the bookshelf behind her and Rick slid apart to reveal a large video monitor playing a recording of Pride. "It will have to be Danny. I trust the scientists, but I will need direct proof. A bite shouldn't kill him, but if does, I still have Rick, and I would also have sympathy for losing a boy everyone considers my son. His death could be beneficial."

Wide-eyed, Michonne stared at the screen, not believing the words she heard and the emptiness in which they were spoken.

"Sympathy will provide more support, understanding, for my work. If he survives, he will become a legend and I will be celebrated. The walking dead will be no more, and I will become forever immortal in all ways. For all time. Maybe tomorrow. Yes, tomorrow."

"Shit," Rick murmured under his breath.

The monitor went black. Michonne clasped Rick's hand and turned teary eyes to her son.

Andre shook his head when she opened her mouth to speak. "Don't – Don't say anything. Let's just go," he said, a single tear slipping down his cheek. He moved around them and to the door. "Let's go."


~More to come!~


Author's Note: I mentioned Iris in the last couple of chapters, but I really know very little about the character, never watched that version of TWD, which is why she was mentioned but didn't actually make an appearance. What I read said she worked in the sciences and was very smart, so I added her here. The character of Riley is a composite of several characters I read about from that show. He was very important in this story, but behind the scenes.