A/N: I am NOT a romance novelist but I had a memory from my teen years that prompted me to infuse an innocence into the adult lives of Richonne. This is an AU that will include some elements of my life (loosely based) to provide a fresh, fun, and (hopefully) angsty perspective of my favorite couple. Enjoy!

See I've been watching you for a while

Your smile and style

I wanna know if I can...

Be with you for the night, alright

Is that alright...

Michonne played Floetry "Say Yes" on repeat all week, thinking only of the man with the ocean blue eyes she met last Saturday. Her mind remembered his touch. His voice, a languid drawl that banged against her eardrums nonstop since hearing it.

"I'm sorry miss, I wasn't paying attention. Are you alright?"

"Ahhhhh" Michonne screamed. Sasha, her roommate and one of her best friends, looked over in a panic.

"What? What?" she probed.

"Carol's Readery has limited edition Invincible comics in stock and she emailed me to say that she's keeping the one I need to complete my collection hidden just for me!" Michonne purposely ignored Sasha's eye roll, doing a little happy dance on the couch.

Back in middle school, she let her best friend Jocelyn borrow it to see if they could bond over comics. It was the one thing they didn't see eye to eye on but Jocelyn was willing to try. Or so she said. Jocelyn said it was an accident, but to this day Michonne still doesn't believe it was the puppy who ripped those pages to shreds.

"I'm gonna text Jocelyn to Zelle me the money she owes me. The dog ate it" she mumbled, smacking her lips. "That's the oldest lie in the book!"

"Okay well next time, can you act, I don't know, less like a serial killer is after you please? Almost gave me a heart attack." Sasha held her hands dramatically to her chest as she pretended to collapse from shock.

Michonne laughed, throwing a couch pillow at her. "You are so dramatic. I'm going to head there now before the rest of us nerds come. You want me to pick up sushi on the way back or you good?"

"I'll text you my order. And can you also go by the wine store to get more of that red one you bought last week?" Sasha asked. Michonne gave a quick nod before heading out of their apartment.

Beaming from excitement, Michonne decided against getting a Lyft scooter to the book store. She opted to walk the 3 blocks, basking in her glee for as long as she could. An avid reader, Michonne always got lost in fiction novels and comics. It was her safe space. Her favorite comic character was Storm.

Storm was dark skinned and all powerful. An Omega X-Men. As a kid, she had never seen anyone who looked like her depicted in this way. Her X-Men comics and the cartoon captivated her interest in a way where she could escape. Of course, she never felt insecure about her looks and, as she aged, she became desired by men and women of all ethnicities. Still, she wanted to see more women who looked like her on television and film. Human dark skinned women, not just cartoons, seen and admired as objects of sensuality, sexuality, softness, and power. Until then, she'd live out her fantasies in her mind.

Completely submerged in her own thoughts, Michonne rounded the last corner to get to the bookstore without looking up, running into a brick wall.

With arms.

A brick wall with arms.

And strong biceps.

"What the--"she thought to herself as her ears registered that this wall could talk.

"I'm sorry, miss. I wasn't paying attention. Are you alright?" he asked.

Michonne's eyes became locked onto the bluest eyes she'd ever seen in her life. Slanted downward, covered by bushy but groomed eyebrows. Eyebrows set on a forehead that was slightly large, broad. In between his eyes a nose that was kind of big, but gorgeous between those blue, blue eyes. She looked to his mouth to help her register his words but she was struck by full cherry colored lips, framed perfectly by a full but trimmed beard that wrapped along his strong jawline.

"I--I--" she stammered.

"You ran headfirst into my chest kind of hard. Look at me, let me see your eyes" he said. My eyes, she thought.

"What's wrong with my eyes?" Michonne finally formed a full sentence.

"I wanna make sure I didn't cause any real injury. We both ran into one another kind of hard...I'm a doctor" he stated, noting the question in her eyes. "Checking for a concussion. Although unlikely, the brain is a tricky thing and not too secure inside our skulls as we think" he winked.

Maybe I did get a concussion. Why can't I speak? Michonne's breathing was erratic, unlike any other way she'd ever felt. And she realized she was still in his firm, yet gentle, grip.

"I'm sorry. I was daydreaming on my way to the bookstore. I should've been paying attention." Michonne ignored her pounding heart and regained her composure.

"Well, the least I can do is walk you to the bookstore. Monitor your symptoms to make sure you didn't do any real damage." He smiled.

Omg, he's a creep. Michonne looked around in the broad daylight for others passing by, calculating a plan in case she was in real trouble.

He immediately let her go, keeping the same space between them. "It's not like that" he exclaimed, sensing her sudden alarm. "I'm going to reach for my wallet and show you my credentials. I promise, I'm not a creep. I just want to make sure you get to where you're going safely. It's the least I can do for running into you like this." He slowly reached in his back pocket, maintaining eye contact so as to not alarm her any further. "Here."

"Dr. Rick Grimes, Internal Medicine." Michonne read his credentials aloud while checking to make sure the face on the business card matched the face in front of her. "Well, Dr. Grimes--"

"Just Rick" he said, cutting her off.

"Well, Just Rick, I'm going to keep this card in case, you know, any delayed effects. I'll expect the visit to be free unless" Michonne's voice changed, "I suddenly have an extensive head injury that causes extreme memory loss and then have to sue you" Michonne stated in a mocking voice of a damsel in distress. "Who am I? Where am I?"

He laughed.

Michonne quelled her theatrics, listening to his deep whiskey laugh, reminding her of the south...and honey. Maybe I do have a concussion.

"Well, that's not how healthcare works but...I do make house calls." It was Michonne's turn to laugh.

"That was so corny but A for effort" she giggled. He squinted at her and tilted his head, studying her. Michonne suddenly felt naked. Vulnerable. "What? Is it my eyes oh my God I do have a concussion I gotta--"Michonne began to panic.

"No, not that" he drawled. "Your laugh is just...I never heard anythang like it. I like it, is all." Rick stated plainly. Michonne's hand found her face in embarrassment as she fought a rush of blood on a fast track to her blushing cheeks.

"Oh. Thanks" she whispered. "Well, I don't want to keep you. We were both rushing to get somewhere. You have a good day, Rick Grimes." Michonne moved past him to continue her walk to the bookstore but a hand grabbing hers stopped her pursuit.

"Wait! I do want to walk you to the bookstore. Make sure you're alright. Is that alright?" He asked with true sincerity behind his eyes. Michonne rolled her tongue from cheek to cheek, pondering his request.

He seemed nice. Very attractive, but aren't all serial killers, Michonne thought. A solution to her hesitation came to mind.

"Take a selfie with me!" Michonne pulled out her phone and held it up until they were both in frame. Rick came behind her, dangerously close to nestling his chin in the crook of her neck. Michonne could feel his breath softly kissing her sensitive spot. She cleared her throat to gain her bearings. "Say cheese!"

As she snapped the picture, Rick looked down at her and laughed. "Who still says that?" He teased. "And what was that for?"

"I still say it" defending herself, "and I'm sending it to my friend. That way, if you do end up being some creepy fake doctor serial killer, she'll know who to send the cops after" she quipped. "Let's go, Rick Grimes."

"Just Rick." He smiled. "So, the bookstore. It's been a long time since I've met anyone this excited for physical books, especially now with all these gadgets."

Rick struck up conversation as they continued to Carol's Readery. To Michonne's surprise, they spoke like they've known each other longer than just a few minutes ago.

"Well, Just Rick, I'm not most people. And besides, a comic I've been waiting on for almost two decades, well my best friend destroyed it almost two decades ago but I found out 9 months ago that Carol acquired it, is finally in!" Michonne spoke fast, squealing from excitement all over again. She continued, "And besides, you can't read a comic on a phone. It's...unnatural." Michonne scrunched her face and made a weird noise, expressing her disdain for electronic comic books. "I get the convenience but there's nothing like turning the page, smelling the age of paper, the staples, it all tells a story." Michonne looked over wondering what caused the silence only to find Rick staring at her in...

Awe? She shook it off.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" She asked. By this time, they were standing outside the bookstore. Michonne was so lost in conversation she'd almost passed it.

"I just..." Rick paused searching for the right words. "I'm not into comics or anythang like that but I could listen to your excitement about it all day" Rick admitted, shifting his weight from one foot to the other, watching her. The heart pounding Michonne managed to control earlier was suddenly back.

"Well...I'm here. Thank you so much for being a true gentleman and getting me here safely. With all my rambling I'd say I'm back to normal." Michonne stated this as a goodbye but she found her feet planted, unable or unwilling to move.

Rick stared, lingering at the entrance clearly not wanting to part ways either.

"Stop doing that" Michonne said in a whisper hiss, looking around uncomfortably and crossing her arms over her chest.

"Doin' what?" he asked, accent thickening. Michonne stopped searching for anywhere else to look and looked at him. Did she hear...desire in his voice? Her ears weren't reliable at all this morning but she could've sworn she heard the bass drop in his throat. Her eyes scanned, watching his Adam's apple bob up and down slowly as he waited for an answer. But Michonne couldn't answer. Her eyes wandered from his throat to his strong jawline, his lips...

"Doin--" mocking his accent, "that." Her last word was barely audible. Michonne was caught in a heat so ferocious she thought she would pass out. She was heady, unfocused. All because of a man. This man.

Maybe I really do need to go to the hospital, something is wrong with me.

"Well how bout I do this." Rick took a step closer, closing the gap. "Hi, I'm Rick. Nice to meet you."

Michonne was momentarily confused then looked down at his extended hand. Up until now she hadn't realized she never told him her name. Letting out a small chuckle, Michonne grabbed his hand. A quick intake of his breath let her know he felt what she felt.

"Michonne." She didn't look up for fear her bookstore outing would somehow turn into a moment from the many erotic books she read at night. It's all fake. No one truly has an instant connection like that, she thought. But she wouldn't chance a glance. Not even once.

"Michonne." He said, playing around with her name upon his lips, his accent giving it an entirely new sound. "That's a pretty name." Rick took his finger and placed it underneath her chin, gently raising her eyes to meet his. "Well, Michonne, thank you for letting me walk you to the bookstore. And thank you for turning a shitty day into...somethin' else." A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"You're welcome, Rick." His hand didn't move. She didn't move. Michonne watched his eyes trace her face as if burning her image into his memory.

"If it's not too forward, I'd like to take you out as a formal apology." It was Michonne's turn to smile.

"It's not too forward at all" she managed after a pregnant pause. Rick let out a sigh of relief. She didn't take him for the nervous type. The entire time he'd exuded a natural confidence and surety of self. It was good to know he was just as nervous and unnerved as she was.

"Well then, since it's not too forward, may I please have your phone number?" As Rick pulled his phone from his back pocket, Michonne placed both of her hands on his, igniting that charge even more.

"No need. I have your card, remember?" Michonne smirked and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek. "I'll call you. Have a good rest of your day, Rick Grimes" she said, smiling as she walked into the bookstore.

Rick stared after her even after she passed the threshold. "I will, Michonne. I most definitely will." Rick walked off, the day brighter and fuller than it started.

Michonne barely made it into her apartment before--"

"BITCH!" Sasha exclaimed. Michonne momentarily thought about feigning ignorance but she couldn't wait to get home to tell her friend about her encounter. Unfortunately, the sushi spot was crowded and it took longer than usual to get her order.

"I KNOW!" Michonne exclaimed back. Both women, in their late 20s, squealed like in their high school days, unable to contain their excitement for whatever happened today.

"When you sent me that picture I couldn't stop looking at how you both seem like you've been together all your lives."

"Calm down, Sash, it's just a picture." Michonne assured, prepping their food on plates.

"Just a picture?! Did you even see the picture?" Sasha yelled. Michonne tried to remember if she looked at it but then remembered she was too distracted by his breath against her skin. "Come here." Sasha pulled up the pick and zoomed closer on Rick's face. "Look at how he's looking at you."

Michonne rounded the counter to see what had her friend more giddy than she was and her breath hitched, bringing her hand to her lips in surprise. There he was, captured, staring at her as if he'd loved her all his life. His eyes sparkled like she'd never seen. Crinkles formed at the edges of his eyes, the signs of a man who laughs a lot. And he was fully focused on her.

"Girl what did you say to him to get him looking at you like that?" Sasha was fanning herself dramatically.

Michonne hit her hands playfully.

"Nothing! I said 'say cheese' and he teased me for it." Michonne couldn't help but to look at the picture again. Look at him. She didn't say anything profound at all and yet he laughed as if she was the greatest comedian on Earth. "He asked me out." After a long pause Michonne looked up only to find Sasha with her mouth wide open. Then she let out a blood curdling scream.

"You should've led with that! Fuck the sushi, give me the tea! What's it been, almost a year without a date? Without sex! You can finally get fu--" Michonne gave her a look to stop her friend's rant.

"I just met this man. And I told him I would contact him. I never said yes, exactly. Just that I would be in touch. And besides, this some weird young adult novel shit. He could legit be a serial killer" Michonne exclaimed.

"Well he can kill that pu--"

"SASHA!" Michonne interrupted and both women burst in a fit of laughter. "I get it, I need to get some. Ok, you've made your point."

After the last of the giggling settled, Sasha became serious. "Seriously girl, I worry about you. It's been almost a year since you caught Mike in bed with Andrea. He moved on while you're here shutting yourself off from what you deserve. You deserve an amazing man, an amazing romance. At the very least, amazing sex. Let the spontaneous you take a peak out again." Sasha grabbed Michonne's hands, pouring into her the way only a friend could.

Michonne briefly went back to the moment she came home early from work to find Mike in their bed with Andrea. Her fiancé and her friend. The betrayal was so deep Michonne quit her job as the Editor in Chief at Atlanta's biggest magazine company and moved out to King County to live with her friend, Sasha. It was supposed to be temporary but Sasha and Michonne had missed each other so much, the two weeks turned into a permanent living situation. It was during this time she found Carol's Readery. It had been so long since she'd had time for herself to read that she instantly felt at peace. At home. Life had become about work, status, and keeping up appearances with Mike as the "it" couple. Carol was kind, sisterly, and--once Michonne opened up to her about her romantic woes--fierce, sharing a few select words for Mike and Andrea.

It was during her time off and getting back into reading that she began to write. At first, she wrote to ease her pain. She'd always wanted to be a writer but life, doubt, and parents who knew nothing about chasing dreams got in the way. However, in losing Mike, she found herself again. The girl who wanted to be a writer. The girl who wanted to write people who looked like her into novels of genres she loved. She started posting her writing in the local newspaper just to get her feet wet and Carol thought she was so good that she secretly submitted her stories to a publishing company. In the 10 months since moving to King County, Michonne had her first book deal. Life was going great but...

Maybe it is time I let myself love again.

"Well...he is fine!" They laughed. "I'm going to say yes but I don't want to look too eager. I want him to sweat it out." Michonne said devilishly.

"I want you to sweat it alllll out." Sasha retorted. Both ladies then sang their favorite Usher song, "Seduction," as they finished getting the plates out for their late lunch.

"There is only one...for me. You have made that a possibility..." the words of Marsha Ambrosius escaped in song from her lips as Michonne exited the shower. Suddenly she stopped. Not because she didn't enjoy singing a tune from time to time. But because she had a specific face in mind as she sang it. A small smile threatened her lips.

Michonne erupted in giggles, then looked at herself in the mirror before giggling again. She was giddy like a teenager.

Rick Grimes, you have me giggling.

Michonne searched her iTunes library until she found the song. She made sure to put it on repeat, as she wanted to bask in this feeling. After all, it had been almost a year since she left Mike but even longer since she felt...she's never felt this.

Michonne finished getting dressed for bed but her mind was not at rest. She flipped the business card over and over in her hands, contemplating on making the first move. Well, technically he made the first move, but she had his number so everything from here on out was in her hands in this moment.

It had been a full 24 hours since their encounter. Michonne wondered if he thought of her as much as she thought of him. Unfortunately, making Rick sweat it out turned Michonne's insides to a sauna. All she wanted to do was explore everything about Rick and why she felt this pull she couldn't explain.

Floetry, still playing quietly in the background, infused her with a courage she long abandoned.

He's just a man.

Michonne began to type.

Michonne: Hi, Rick Grimes..

Rick: ...

M: It's me, Michonne

R: I know. I told you, it's just Rick. How r u?

M: I'm...idk. Unnerved

There was a long pause between messages. Michonne wondered if honesty was the best policy here. She thought that she should be upfront. She hasn't talked to a man in this way for quite some time. What if I'm too much? Too little? Not enough?

Her phone vibrated in her hand causing her to jolt from her thoughts.

R: I was having a terrible morning yesterday. One of my favorite patients passed. Car accident. My mind was all over the place. I know I see a lot of patients but some can't help but to stick with u. I wouldn't call what I feel love, but I was hurt...and then I ran into u.

Michonne's heart rate kicked into high gear. He was being honest, sharing information he didn't have to share. A smile emerged across her face.

Maybe this is like the books.

M: I'm sorry to hear that. If I had known, I would've been the one asking you out...to make sure you're okay

R: Lol is that right? Well, Michonne, how would u have done that?

"Shit!" She hissed. She didn't expect to be put on the spot. She closed her eyes, retreating into her happy place. Books. Comics. All the things she imagined to happen in her life that never seemed to transpire. But here she is now, in some chance meeting that felt like everything she'd read since childhood.

M: I'm sorry you lost someone you cared about. Life is short. Life is precious. We should take the time to cherish every moment, every second, telling those we care about how we feel. Idk you, but I'd like to see that frown on your beautiful face go away. So, how about I take you out for dinner? Maybe you can tell me about this patient and more about you as well...

Michonne stared at her phone.

2 minutes.

5 minutes.

"Fuuuuuuuuuuuck!" Michonne tossed her phone across the room feeling foolish. "That was so lame!" Michonne admonished herself for being too forward but more for thinking she could flirt. She was terrible at it. Men usually initiated the flirting but Rick somehow emboldened her to come onto him, even if it was hypothetical.

Michonne lie flat on her back, staring at the ceiling fan as she contemplated deleting Rick's number and throwing away his business card in embarrassment. Just then, the vibration of her phone against the vinyl wood flooring startled her from her self-deprecating thoughts. She rolled her eyes and walked over to check her notifications. It was a text from Rick.

Michonne's thumb hovered over the Lock Screen as her heart and mind filled with dread. What if he rejects me? What if he laughs at me? What if he says no?

Michonne let out a groan before swiping up to unlock her screen. As she scanned the text, her breath quickened causing a rise and fall in her chest she couldn't control.

R: Thank u for ur kindness. Although, there is no face more beautiful than urs...I would love to go to dinner with u and talk about my patient. Sharing this with someone, with u, might be just what I need.

R: I would also like to get to know u better. Get to know the woman who almost literally knocked me off my feet ;)

Michonne couldn't help but beam the entire time. He must be as nervous as she is to have taken that long. As if reading her mind, a third text came through.

R: All jokes aside, it's just something about u I wanna get to know more. I'm not usually this way, this forward. It's actually been almost 2yrs since I've seriously dated. Idk what this is but I'd like to find out. Is that alright?

Michonne let out a breath she wasn't aware she was holding. His transparency was refreshing and he was just as clumsy as she was. She didn't know what was going on but she wanted to find out more about this Rick Grimes. She replied.

M: Yes, that's alright