Code note – Thank you so much for reading and following and commenting too, I appreciate it.
Great news about this chapter, I had help by the wonderful Siancore. Thank God because it's one thing to speech to text and another to do an actual re-read and fix mistakes.
Thanks Siancore, you are my lifesaver!
"Tonight Is What It Means To Be Young"
Eugene observes the eagle from the windows of his kitchen, he has fed it a few times, but this time it did not approach him when he called to it. The eagle had made an introduction the first night they arrived in Alexandria. The darn thing flew right up to his window and flaps its long wings at him, the moment startled the hell out of him but it then stood there motionless, watching him and blinking its eyes a few times. The eagle had amused Eugene very much with this silent staring to the point of him laughing at it. But it began to screech loudly, a response of sorts as to say stop laughing at me. When Eugene asked the direct question of 'what are you doing here?' it screeched again. That gave him the impression that maybe this eagle understood him.
He then opened the window and let the eagle in, it flew in and parked a spot right on the serving cart. He also realizes how expensive the eagle pallet was, opting for pieces of fruit and cooked chicken than the usual staple of bread. A few more days of this and the eagle 'warms' up to Eugene allowing him to pet its wing while openly feeding from his hand. Eugene was not well versed in the world of birds, but he would find himself staring at the patch of dark reddish feathers mixed in with the white on the eagle's head and wonder what that could mean.
Eugene opens the window and waits for the eagle to fly in, but it does not; he frowns and wonders if she was okay.
"Are you okay Miss Eagle." When Eugene called it a 'sir' the first day of meeting it flapped it wings rapidly and screeched loudly, so it's been miss ever since.
The eagle doesn't return a response. Eugene was about to call out to her again but the eagle flaps its wings and took off in the sky.
"How odd, very odd indeed," he says to himself as he continues to watch the eagle soar in the sky, circling a few times before flying west of the ship.
Rick and Abe were leaning on Eric's drawing board, while Eric makes another crucial change to the drawings. They all lean back and watch Jesus lean forward to look over the schematics; he frowns and once again grabs a pencil and ruler and begins to make changes to the height and width of the cage.
After finishing, Jesus looks up, "The problem is the bars, they are still too wide, and we need to make it-" Jesus stops once he sees Rick's face; the man was practically running on adrenaline alone, clear evidence of his bloodshot eyes from lack of sleep that mental exhaustion were written on his captain and friend's face.
They left the night after his meeting with Alpha, he listens as Rick brought him and Abe to speed of the meeting as they took the bikes out, it was faster and light in speed to where they were going. They arrive at Eric property at the crack of dawn banging on his door and been going nonstop.
Abe gives Rick a nudge to get his attention, "Hey Rick we can take over from here. We can manage gets some sleep."
Rick shakes his head, "No, I need to see this through."
They say nothing but understand the why, yet this was very difficult for them all.
"How many pounds can this sustain again?" Rick asks. "We need to make sure Carl doesn't get out but I need to make sure it doesn't kill him too."
Eric has no doubt that it will hold, but does fear the worse and was thoughtful in his response, "Trust me it will hold, the whole cage is going to made in both steel and silver but it is a lot of silver, we can omit the chair and just have him chained to the floor."
Rick frowns at that and lashes out, "He is not an animal!" Eric begs to differ; he is an animal too but understands and apologizes.
Rick can feel a headache coming and begins to massage his brow in hopes to dull the ache away, this was very hard for him; they are taking about putting his son in a cage. They all know Carl, some more than others, from birth. His heart was slowly breaking and his fear the worse; he was worried that what they are going to do may kill him. So for Eric to even consider chaining Carl, Rick did not even want to think about it.
"Run me through it again so we know how it works." Rick says as he listens to both Eric and Jesus once again go over the drawing with him. When they were done speaking Rick rubs his face with his hand and sighs, "Make the changes to the bars but no chains. How soon can this be done?"
"The full moon is near but we can start right away, everyone knows this is high priority, the team is waiting for the okay," Eric answers.
"Good." He began to make his way to the door, "Get it done, I'll be back in a few days with my son and company, Jesus, make sure Eric is compensated."Rick left the room.
Rick returned alone a few hours later on about an hour of slept, he was exhausted. He boards his ship to Daryl's greeting, he tells him be ready they leave for The Hilltop in two, with every intention of sleeping for those two but that all changes once his eyes rested on Michonne. She was on deck talking to Eugene but seeing her smiling face rest upon his gave Rick that second wind he needed.
Later, Michonne is his only company in his quarters as she watches him shower. With his back to her, Michonne marvels in his chiseled lean and muscular beauty. The rugged lines in his back, his lean legs and bum; sure his bum wasn't as big as she would have liked it to be, but it was enough to grab, hold onto and even smack teasingly.
Michonne stifles a chuckle when he turns to ask her what was so funny. She only shakes her head and says nothing. She was tempted to join him when he asks, but as quickly as he was in he was out. Standing in front of her, Rick passes the towel over his head not bothering to fully dry it and quickly towels his naked form as he brings her up to speed on everything that had happened in New York. Rick balances putting his pants and boots on while guzzling down the cup of coffee Michonne had Eugene bring to his room. He thanks her for the shirt she hands him and slips it on, buttons it up, and shoves it inside his pants. She then hands him a waist coat and top hat and Rick frowns at them both. Michonne mentions something about making a lasting impression.
Fixing the gun belt around his waist, he checks to make sure his gun was loaded; feeling satisfied, he slips it in place. He then reaches for two extra clips and places them in the compartment of his boot and then shoves a knife in the other. Michonne watches on in silence.
Rick stands up and sees the coat and hat still in her hands; he shakes his head to the top hat, but reaches for the coat. After completely dressing with Michonne's help, he reaches for another gun and extra clip and slips those inside the coat. As he stands fully dressed in front of her, realization hits him squarely in the face as to how domesticated this all felt, right down to Michonne running her fingers through his hair.
"It was all about getting your hair just right." She said but Rick disbelieves her when he could see the enjoyment on her face as she played through his hair, wrapping her fingers around his curls, her fingers massaging his scalp.
Rick didn't even realize he has his eyes closed until he had opens them to see Michonne's brown eyes watching him seductively. Feeling like he did not give Michonne the proper 'I've returned' treatment, he pulls her in his arms and kisses her. Hearing a moan escape, Rick knew it was enough to say that they were not leaving his room just yet and reaches down and begin to unbuckle her pants.
Michonne's eyes flutter open and she breaks the kiss; panting slowly she looks deep within the pools of Rick's eyes which were now a deeper shade of blue, "What? What are you doing?"
Rick leans back in, his breath heavy on her face, and kisses her again. He gently nips the corner of her mouth and speaks.
"I'll be quick. I promise," he says while slipping his finger inside her pants, he marvels at how wet she was already as he slowly rubs her clit.
"Oh God, Rick," Michonne knew better, the way his hand moved slowly Rick was going to milk this out from her. She shifts and opens her legs wider, clinging to him and she rests her head in his shoulder.
Standing at the well-manicured hedges of The Hilltop were Rick, Michonne, Daryl and Sasha, and a dozen of his men. They were waiting for entry, with Rick front and center, his hand were resting easy on the holster of his gun.
"What is this all about?" the man leaning over a post high above them asks.
"Tell Gregory that Rick Grimes is here. He'll know," Rick replied.
The man stands there for a moment, then reaches for the phone by him and gave it few crank, he then places it to his ear and speaks quietly into the mouthpiece, he nods his head and eye them, "You'll need to leave your weapons here."
Daryl rolls his eyes thinking, what in hell is up with these people around here thinking we need to leave our weapons behind, I really miss Georgia right now.
"To hell we are," Daryl shouts back.
"Gregory doesn't know who you are, it's for precaution." The man says.
Daryl raise his weapon in the air, "These are for our precaution too; we got the dead walking about, all hungry and shit. If it pleases your boss you tell this Gregory to come out then and speak to us out in open."
Daryl was done looking up at people on ledges and was already estimating how many explosive to use on the gate.
Rick senses Daryl planning and looks back up to the man leaning over the ledge, "I believe that response may displease you but we are not leaving."
The man says nothing and Rick was thru playing games. "I am being really patient here, so it's either you open the gate or we will open it ourselves."
The man did not doubt that declaration and spoke in the quietly in the mouthpiece again. He then raises his hand in the air and a few seconds later the steel gates of The Hilltop open.
Rick had stationed his men around the Mansion while the four of them stood in the foyer of the home of Gregory who was taking his sweet time making an appearance. Rick was absentmindedly tapping his mechanical fingers on his gun belt to each click of the grandfather clock facing him; he catches Daryl rolling his eyes. Rick lets out a chuckle upon seeing Michonne and Sasha walking around the foyer whispering and pointing at the different paintings.
The door to their right opens and out walks a well-dressed and all grinning man.
"Hello everyone, I am so very sorry to keep you all waiting. I wasn't expecting company. I am Gregory." He walks in the room and stops in the middle of it. Gregory looks around the room to silence, his eyes makes contact with the scowling face of the leader.
"I guess I can't talk you all in partaking in an afternoon drink with me," Gregory asks with a smile still on his face.
Rick leans his weight to the right and crosses his arms, "What do you think?" His voice low and measured out.
Gregory clasps his hand together, "No, well I hope you don't mind if I have a drink then." He turns and begins to walk out the foyer.
"Stop." Rick barks, his hands are flexed at his side.
Gregory turns back around a confused look on his face.
"Look, I get it; you don't know me so let me get that squared away," Rick points to himself, "I am Rick Grimes, you may have heard of me, I own and captain The Bandit Hunter that is docked on the property of The Williams of Alexandria," he then points to Daryl, "This is Daryl Dixon, he is my first mate and second in command."
Rick then tilts his head over to Michonne and pauses briefly, "This is Miss Brownfield grand champion at this year's Tournament of the Dead, and this is Miss Williams, co leader of the Alexandria Safe zone."
Rick then approaches Gregory and stands arm's length from him, "This is not a social call, and we will not partake in any drinks with you. You have my son and it would do me and my associates kindly if you just give him to me."
Gregory clears his throat a few times then reach inside his breast coat for a handkerchief and wipes his mouth, he was intimated by the mere presence of the group especially, this Rick Grimes person. He takes a step back from the man, and another just in case as he has noted that Rick rested his hand on his gun again.
"A boy was just brought here a few minutes ago; I did not know he was your son. I am so sorry, I will have Enid wake him and bring him down."
Rick lifts his hand in the air, "You best hurry."
Gregory refolds his hanky and places it back in his coat and calls out to Enid, he was about to call out to her when a girl about Carl's age walks out from the back room.
"The boy that was brought here I need you to wake him up, his father is here."
"Take me to him," Rick says to the girl. The girl nods and leads Rick upstairs.
"Any funny business, anything at all, you kill him," Rick says to Daryl, Daryl nods his head.
Gregory raises his hand in the air, "Hey, hey, hey, I assure you no funny business. I welcomed you in my own home with open arms, remember. I even let you keep your guns and whatever else you have hidden among yourselves."
"We'll see," Daryl says.
Rick follows the girl inside the room and there he was, his son, Carl asleep in his bed. Rick lets out a sigh of relief and rushes in the room; he sees an empty bowl on the nightstand.
'At least he ate something.' He thought when he takes a seat on the bed, Carl stirred when the bed shifts but doesn't wake.
Nearly six months has gone and it was like seeing a new person, Rick was near tears when he saw the deep red scars on his face. He takes a deep breath. Carl look so much older too; must have been the hair as it was longer and a darker brown, just like his mother. Rick reaches out and gently shakes and calls out to him, to no response.
"Carl. I'm here," Rick says only for Carl to mumble something but he does not open his eyes.
Enid moves closer in the room, "He came to us really tired and weak, he was awake for just a moment, told me who he was, and he did manage to eat the bowl of soup. He's been marked, hasn't he? I didn't fully cook the meat at the order of Negan, hope that was okay, he did eat everything so I guess it was."
Rick grinds his jaw at the mention of Negan but says nothing to that bit of information.
"There is some medicine for his face, "Enid reach inside her apron and hands Rick the vile, "And something for the pain too. He kept saying it hurts. The clothing he had on were in tatters so I threw those out. Found something from the neighbors, a little big but…" Enid voice trails off.
"Thank you." Rick stands, picks up his son, and carries him out the room and down the stairs.
"Let's go," he said to the three pairs of eyes of the people still standing at the foyer concern written on their faces.
"Mr. Grimes, it has been a pleasure." Gregory calls out to Rick as they left, Rick shifts his son in his arms and scowls back at the man.
They were leaving Virginia that night and traveling to New York for some business meetings. Rick had kept rescheduling them with the Governor and city officials. But most importantly, he was going to New York for the cell Eric was making for him with hopes to be back as soon as they could. He has left a three man team to stay behind to do a bit of recon since they have not found The Scream of Lucille as of yet.
They were at the bottom of the dock saying their goodbyes. Rick apologizes for Jesus not being there in saying his farewell but they understand. Rick thanks Mr. Williams for allowing them to dock to make repairs and any and all help he has offered in getting his ship in working condition; Tyrese shrugs it off.
The two men shake hands before Rick hands Tyrese an envelope, Tyrese eyes the envelope, the outlining shaping out the thickness of cash and he frowns.
"What's this?" he asks.
"For the inconvenience," Rick says urging the envelope in his hand.
Tyrese shakes his head, "No, don't need it. Just glad you got your son back safely. If you need help, we are here."
"And that is why I am giving you this; trust me when I say I will be calling for aide if I know I will need it."
Tyrese still won't take it and Rick understands but he insists on it and slips the envelope in Tyrese coat.
Michonne gives Sasha a hug as they promise to stay in contact and call when the moment arise, she then leans in and give Tyrese a hug as well and walks back up the ship. Tyrese stand off to the side and waits, he knew his sister can be hard headed and speaks the first thing that comes to mind and was slightly surprise that she and Daryl would get along so well. Daryl was awkwardly avoiding Sasha's penetrating stare. What a change from their first meeting, he wasn't sure what to say as he was never good with farewells.
Sasha slowly walks up to Mr. Dixon and smirks up at him, her brown eyes searching his blue. Sasha smiles when she sees the corner of his mouth lift up. She hands him an envelope and places a hanky in his pocket. She then leans in and whispers something in his ear, Daryl raise his brow as he listens, she moves back and gently place her hand on his cheek and leaves it there for a moment then removes it. Sasha then turns to give Rick a reassuring squeeze on his arm and then moves off to stand by her brother.
It was the three of them casually leaning over the ship with Michonne in the middle of them. They were watching the Williams of Alexandria walk away; their silhouettes and shadows cast by the lights from the lamps soon but disappear. The deck was a bustle of movement and noises behind them as the crew got things ready for departure. Rick had wanted to say something about what he had just witnessed but Michonne had beaten him to it.
"This is all so sudden," It wasn't really because Michonne has always known, "When did all this happen because Sasha never spoke highly and fondly of you." Michonne teasingly says as she nudges Daryl in the shoulder.
"So Daryl and Miss William eh, she has feelings for you and you…have feelings for her?" Rick innocently inquires.
This was a conversation Daryl wants to avoid especially with two people that could stare at each other wantonly on a daily basis, Daryl wanting to point that out but he figure it would probably embarrass Michonne.
Daryl pushes off the ledge of the ship and faces them.
"Yeah, I do." Daryl eyes them each individually and doesn't add anything more. He then walks off, to the wheel of the ship already setting the coordinates.
"Well isn't that something, we all having something common?" Michonne declare to the both of them.
"And that is?" Rick said
Michonne got serious, "Sasha has feelings for Daryl and he for her, just like you have feelings for me."
"Of course I have feelings for you. I have different kinds of feelings and each one more pleasant than the other." Rick says good-naturedly a smile slowly growing at the corner of his mouth.
Michonne thought for a moment as she pushes off the ledge, "Rick you should tell me about those different feelings of yours." She then stops and eyes the ring still on his finger letting him knows the obvious elephant on deck.
Rick says nothing and Michonne nods her head, "Just as I thought, I'm going to see what kind of sweets Eugene has in that kitchen of his and maybe something for Carl too, see if I can get him to eat something."
She was halfway down the stair leading below when Rick stops her "Michonne, wait." Rick ran up to her.
"There is something here."
"As clear as day," she added.
Rick chuckles, "I have my son back and we still don't know who has your father's documents. That mean you'll have to stick around me and my boring ship a little bit longer. That's reasons to get to know each other even more."
Michonne raises her brow, "More than what we've been doing in each of our quarters?"
Rick shrugs in defense and he quickly begins to speak, "I don't know your favorite color but I think I can guess what it is, purple right? I know how you take your tea, where your favorite reading spot is. Your favorite perfume, you find comfort in taking a turn around the ship with Eugene, now I'm not sure how I feel about that, actually I do not like that. Lavender calms you and-."
Rick stops, he actually knows more about her than he realizes.
Listening to Rick talk about her, her whereabouts and how well he know things about her sent flutters to her heart and she just wants to kiss him right there.
Michonne raise her brow and smirks, "Something is clearly here."
Rick moves closer to her and reaches out to her playing with the tail end of her hair she had fashioned into one long braid.
"Well you've been stuck under a rock for a long time. I wasn't sure if you knew the rules to courting."
Rick chuckle "Courting? And here I am ready to go the minute you said you didn't want nice. Had I known?"
This was true Michonne did not want nice but she certainly was willing to want some things with Rick Grimes. She did not respond to the obvious instead she turns back around and left him standing there.
Rick laughs as he watches her walk away, her pants did not hide anything and his eyes was fixed on one of the favorite parts of her body, the sway of her hips the roundness of it all. He clears his throat, turns, and makes his way to the bow of the ship and begins to shouts orders.
"Martinez make sure the engine room is ready and monitor the boiler, I don't want to overcompensate while in the air." He watches him leave, "Alright let's get her up, set course for the city of New York."
Father and son at last reunited, hooray.
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