Chapter 4: Ebony

ebony (adjective) – very dark or black

Michonne contemplated leaving her katana on the wall over the fireplace before she left for her morning shift, but she couldn't part with the weapon, yet. The high walls made it all appear safe. She wanted to believe what her eyes were seeing. Then she remembered the Governor. How safe they had felt until the prison had been attacked. With a family of her own again, she dared not take any chances that would risk them.

Upon her arrival at the community garden, a few eyed the sword with open curiosity. Some looked on with disapproval. She ignored them. Before she left, Rick had offered again to have her assignment changed. She wanted to see this farming thing through. At least for the day.

"Morning." Nik handed her a bottle of water. "I hear we work half days at first."

She looked at him and smiled. "They wanna try us out. Make sure we play well with others."

He laughed. "We'll see."

Maggie arrived. Her response to greetings was noncommittal. Her eyes were puffy, but not as red as they had been the night before during Michonne's visit. Grief had a way of taking its toll and Michonne knew that Maggie would return in due time. She had everyone around her. That would have to be enough until she was ready.

A bell rang and called their attention. Michonne, her friends, and other newcomers moved under the tent to listen to the person at the podium. Other workers headed into the garden. Michonne glanced around. There was order to the movements. She supposed the people prided themselves on running a tight ship.

"Welcome, I'm Kris," the blonde woman said. "We're happy to have you with us today. From your credentials, this seemed to be the best placement for you."

Nik looked at Michonne and smirked. She shook her head. Credentials? Yeah, right.

"For the first week or so," Kris continued, "you'll work half days. During this time, you'll rotate. The community garden is more than planting seeds and digging dirt. Farming sustains us.

"I'll call your name and your mentor will take you to your assignment. Nikolas—"

"Call me Nik."

Kris gave him a faint smile. "You're paired with Nathan."

"Maggie, you're with Blake," Kris said.

Blake and Nathan came, but they waited until the other names were called.

"Misha, you're also with Nathan."

None of the other newcomers moved. Maggie nudged Michonne's arm. "Maybe she means you?" she whispered.

Michonne frowned.

"Is Misha not here today?" Kris asked.

"Are you sure it's not Michonne?" Nik asked, a frown wrinkling his brow.

"Michonne?" Kris ran her finger across the page. "I thought the name was misspelled."

"It isn't," Michonne said.

"Anyway, you and Nik are with Nathan." Kris offered a tight smile that didn't reach her eyes. "You can go now."

Nik and Michonne followed Nathan outside. The man was older, carried a clipboard, and seemed very officious. Michonne recognized that he took his role seriously.

"Have either of you ever farmed before?" Nathan asked.

"Nope," Nik said.

"Me either," Michonne replied.

"Not surprised. There's not much to it if you have common sense," Nathan said, "but it's not for everyone. Let 'em know if it's not for you. Everybody has a place here. You just have to find where your best fit is."

"Are assignments randomly given?" Nik asked.

Nathan shook his head. "No, weren't y'all screened? You know, processed…filled out the questionnaire or talked to Aggie?"

"I haven't seen Aggie since the day we arrived," Michonne said.

"She and Ben came by the barracks a couple of days in," Nik added. "Remember?"

"Yeah, but I didn't talk to either of them one on one," she said. "Did you?"

"No," Nik said. "You think Rick made suggestions?"

"Rick wouldn't do that," Michonne said.

"How did you know to come here?" Nathan asked. He had walked them to a tent that served as an office space. Along the wall was a shelf of various seed packets. Buckets were stacked in neat columns. Shovels leaned against the wall.

"We picked up assignments at the employment office yesterday," Nik said.

Nathan's brow creased. He tapped his pencil against the clipboard. "I'll find out what happened. Unless something changes, you're here…"

"I'm fine with it," Nik said.

Michonne shrugged. "Me, too, but it still holds that if this doesn't work, we can switch to something else, right?"

"Sure," Nathan said. "Of course."

# #

The return inside the walls had been a close one. Daryl wondered if the switch to Linc had been intentional. He had kept a low profile when slipping out, especially so whenever Sasha joined him. They always made sure to do their business far out and away from the compound. A few times, he even returned with provisions, which they shared in secret. If having her with him felt strange, the feeling had long since worn off. They were in sync about things. Other than Rick or Michonne, there weren't too many he'd trust to have his back. Sasha had made the list without him thinking twice about it.

"I can't believe I got stuck in the infirmary with Dawn," Sasha said as they headed toward the row of buildings behind the constable office.

Gabriel and Noah had left for school. Noah as a student, but Daryl had no idea what Gabriel was supposed to do there. The preacher man was still as skittish as a newborn calf. Since housing assignments, they hadn't seen much of the rest of the group. Daryl wasn't sure if he was excited about the prospect of running into anyone. They were all so sympathetic after Carol died. It made him feel worse. Michonne understood, but he sensed her worry. And he didn't need that either.

"It's a damn sight better than the pantry," he muttered.

"You could've changed it," she said.

He shrugged, adjusting the bow so that it fit better on his shoulder.

"You brought your crossbow anyway," Sasha said.

"It works," he said. The orders read weaponry was unnecessary. The unstated orders were for them to leave their stuff at home. Daryl didn't care. "You wearing your piece?"

She lifted her shirt to reveal the pistol in her hip holster. He smirked.

"Dawn's not bad. She's quick," he said. "It could be worse."

"Wonder where everyone else is?"

Daryl glanced off. "Aroun'."

"Duh." She rolled her eyes.

He chuckled. "I know. Looks like Rick and Glenn are headed to the po-po."

"They're splitting us up," she muttered.

"Yup," Daryl agreed.

"Wonder why?"

"Ain't everythin' a fuckin' conspiracy and shit, Sasha," he said with a smirk.

"I don't get why we couldn't choose our assignments," she said. "Noah said that Michonne is farming. That's a waste. Maggie and Nik, too."

"Maybe it's what Maggie needs right now."

Sasha frowned. "And maybe it's not."

"Farmers get half days at first. Not bad." Daryl became thoughtful. If he needed out, working part-time would be ideal. He knew when Sasha realized the same thing.

"Think we could switch with them?" she asked.

"Morning!" Jessie greeted them on the sidewalk. Daryl remembered her from their first couple of days inside the safe zone. She was always hovering around and had a curious look about her. She stood near the entrance to the pantry. "Ian's waiting for you, Sasha."

"Thanks," Sasha muttered, walking toward the infirmary next door.

Daryl watched Sasha leave. Even annoyed, she moved with confidence. Neither of them had slept well, but no one could tell by looking at her. When he felt Jessie's stare, he turned his focus on the short blonde.

"What's your job?" Daryl asked.

"The pantry," she said.

"Are you the boss?" Daryl frowned.

"It's not like that."

Jessie went inside the building and he followed. Other people were already inside. Most of them were strangers. Unlike the prison where he took time to get to know everyone, he hadn't done the same there. Instead, he preferred to duck out and find solace in the wild. Sasha's silence was good enough company for him.

"So what's it like?" Daryl asked.

"We all just help out," Jessie said. "Do what needs doing."

Daryl rubbed his chin. He hadn't felt this out of place in a long time. The pantry also served food just like restaurants back in the old days, and it housed supplies. The stock was about even. With the number of people there, someone would need to do a run soon. He was about to offer when she touched his arm. He reared back.

"You don't need that," she said point at his crossbow," here."

"It goes where I go."

She nodded. "Okay then. Everybody rotates. We have you down for kitchen. Can you cook?"

He just stared at her.

"It's just for today. Most people come in for lunch instead of using their rations at home. If you don't like cooking today, you can do something else tomorrow."

Daryl folded his arms across his chest. "What if I don't like it at all?"

She frowned. "What if you do?"

He looked outside. The idea of being stuck inside all day made him edgy. He had a bad feeling about it. Like he wouldn't fit in.

"Just try," Jessie said. "One day."

"Yeah," he muttered, "one day."

# #

Rick arrived at the armory the same time as Glenn. They were surprised that no one else from their group was there. Rick expected to see Abraham or Rosita, too. But it was just him and Glenn.

A stocky white man with a baldhead and a clipboard approached them. He frowned at Glenn before I giving his full attention to Rick. "I'm Raymond," he said. "Rick and Glenn, right? Aggie asked me to check in with you and see if there was anything you needed. We have guns, grenades, and some ammo. There are a few uniforms in the back. I think they'll fit."

"How is the schedule rotated?" Glenn asked.

"There is no schedule," Raymond said.

"How many people are on the roster?" Rick asked.

"Just you and him."

Rick frowned. "What do you want us to do? Just the two of us?"

"Keep order," Raymond replied.

"With only two officers?" Rick questioned. "Has there been much trouble?"

"Not much. With more people coming in, Aggie thought we needed to get some structure in place."

"What's the total count?" Glenn asked.

"Close to 40." Raymond glanced at his clipboard and crossed off a note with his pencil. "My office is this way."

He led them to a room in the front corner of the building. The office reminded Rick of what he left behind in Kings County. There was even a police scanner on the desk, as well as, a stack of files. Raymond indicated for them to sit in the two cushy chairs that faced his desk. He settled in the leather office chair and looked ready to get down to business.

"What do you do?" Glenn asked.

Raymond took his time before he answered. "You get the weapons from me. I keep count of everything. Whatever you need, you come to me."

"We have our own weapons," Glenn said.

"When you're on duty, you'll be using these." Raymond looked at his clipboard again. "Another thing… The ebony one came in with you, right?"

"Ebony?" Rick repeated, his tone biting.

"The one with the sword," Raymond clarified.

"Her name is Michonne."

"What kind of name is that?"

"Are you serious?" Rick asked.

Raymond reared back. "Is she your woman? No offense intended. She's different, you know?"

"What about her?" Glenn asked. "Different how?"

"The sword…" Raymond shrugged.

"We've all been allowed to keep our weapons," Rick stated. "All of us."

"Some have been concerned about it is all I'm saying."

"Assure them they have nothing to worry about," Rick said.

A short while later, Rick and Glenn took their uniforms and headed home. Raymond suggested that they work out a schedule. Once they had it, he wanted a copy. Rick couldn't leave the armory fast enough. Glen kept Rick's pace.

"Stupid isn't going anywhere," Glenn said.

"No, it isn't."

"You okay?"

"Fine," Rick muttered.

"I'll see you at your place in 15."

Rick nodded and continued to his house next door. He tossed the uniform onto the sofa. His footsteps thudded on the hardwood floor. Anger burned inside him. His chest felt as if it would explode. The front door creaked open. Michonne appeared with Judith in her arms. Her smile was beautiful until she read his face. She closed the door and went to him.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

He kissed both her and Judith on their cheeks. The baby stared. She was still getting used to his clean-shaven face.

"Nothing," he said.

"Don't do that. Tell me."

"It's stupid," he muttered. "Dumb. Bullshit."

"Nothing I can't handle." She gave him Judith and removed the katana from around her shoulders. She set the sword down within easy reach. She then took his hand and led him back to the living room. "Sit," she said.

Rick obeyed.

Michonne then sat on the coffee table across from him, her hands resting on his knees. Judith tugged at Michonne's fingers. In a softer voice, Michonne said, "Was there a problem at the armory?"

"How did it go at the garden?"

"Rick…"

"Tell me," he said. "Please."

"Okay. Fine." She shrugged. "Nik and I are paired together. Nathan is our supervisor."

"What do you think about him?"

"He seems fair. He was surprised that we were assigned to the garden without speaking to Aggie or anyone else."

"How did it go with the others? Do you like them?"

"Why do I feel like I'm being interrogated?" she asked.

Rick kissed Judith's forehead. "You're not. I just want to know if you had a good day."

"Right. There's more to it though, isn't there?"

"We met Raymond."

"What do you think about him?" she asked with a smile.

Rick returned the gesture, knowing that she was mocking him. But as he considered her a question, his smile faded. "He referred to you as ebony."

She looked at her toned arms and chuckled. "Well, I am."

"It's how he said it."

"Some things will never change." She stared at him. "Was there something else?"

Rick returned her stare. "You're beautiful."

"Thank you." She squeezed his knees. "What else?"

"That's all." He placed Judith on the sofa beside him. He then bent forward to kiss Michonne. The kiss deepened. Soon, she was on his lap. Rick had craved the taste of her all morning. Her response inflamed him. He cupped her breast. The pounding of her heart thudded against his palm. He was about to remove her top when Judith giggled and a knock sounded at the door.

Michonne stood and adjusted her top while he answered the knock. Glenn dressed in uniform waited on the other side.

"You're not ready," Glenn said.

"Not yet," Rick replied, "Come in. Give me five minutes."

Five minutes later, Rick faced Michonne, Glenn, and Judith in full constable uniform. The attire felt both weird and right. Glenn nodded. Judith blew spit bubbles. But Michonne's response was the one he drew strength from. Her brown eyes lit up and she sighed.

"Constable Grimes," she said, "very nice to meet you."

"I'm here to serve and protect, ma'am."

"I'll remember that," she said.

Glenn tried to hide his laugh with a cough. He wasn't successful. But they ignored him anyway.

[A/N: Thanks everyone for your fantastic response! This story won't exactly follow the series' current storyline so be warned. There may be a few similar characters, but overall I'm going in a different direction with this one unlike Declarations. The next chapter will continue to focus on them adjusting to the safe zone with complications arising. Your thoughts are always appreciated so don't hesitate to share. :-) ]