Because of the amount of review of last chapter I put anon responses at the end of the chapter. Thanks for reading and reviewing!

Warning: violence against animals

Chapter Seven: Animals

Michonne looked around the woods and tried to spot Daryl. He disappeared from formation and she had no idea where he went. He was so silent; it began to unnerve her. She had no idea what he was doing by himself; the fear of the unknown scared her since she was used to being the sole caregiver of the kids. She didn't have to worry about Daryl dying or becoming overrun. Even before their separation he was a true outdoors' man. She wondered if he slept inside when he wasn't in the living room with Rick. The uneasiness about Daryl's whereabouts made her realize she didn't fully trust him. She knew he wouldn't kill her; but, what about the others? Rick once asked if she'd follow him out of Alexandria. Could he have schemed with Daryl to kill the recon team to get them thrown out? Even though Rick had fallen into his role as a constable, she could see that he still didn't embrace Alexandria. She hated thinking this way. Especially because she was getting closer to Rick. A low melodic whistle snapped her out of her thoughts. She remembered it as being Rick's signal for everything being clear. She followed it to find Daryl. She froze once she heard yips and whines. Daryl had found a litter of puppies.

"Whatchu think?" Daryl picked up one of the boys and checked him over. "They pretty healthy. We can train 'em. How 'bout this one for the backyard?" Daryl knew Rick would want a guard dog. The more security, the better.

Michonne stepped back. "No. I don't want it."

"Carl might-"

"I said no!"

Daryl was shocked at her outburst until he looked to see her shaking. Running his eyes over her body he could see the thick scars from an animal, a dog. "More meat, I guess."

"They wouldn't eat a dog in Alexandria. You can bring them for the community. I'm sure people would want them."

"But you don't want 'em... Want me to take care 'em?"

"No. They can be useful. Animals are immune and have a lot of stopping power." Michonne looked away from the dog. "Don't worry about me, let's bring them back."

South Carolina...

Michonne watched as Carl put another wet rag on Judith's forehead; she had gotten too weak to cry. Everyone was silent about their fear. Judith probably wouldn't be with them much longer. She wasn't keeping anything down, was dehydrated and feverish. Michonne didn't even know what was wrong with her. Judy was the only one sick so she didn't think it was a simple flu. How could they fix it without knowing what it was? She knew Carl was thinking about the outbreak at the prison. Michonne wasn't there for most of it, but she saw the aftereffects. Since she didn't know what was wrong with Judith, she would do like Hershel did and treat the symptoms.

"Be safe."

Michonne ignored Gabriel's blessing and turned to Carl. "Stay put." He nodded. Worry was plastered on his face as he watched his only friend leave. He didn't want Michonne to go, but his heart wouldn't take losing Judith again.

After walking a mile away from their temporary housing, Michonne stumbled across a store. The windows had been broken out and most things had been taken. She was hoping that she would luck out and find something to bring back to Judith. She found a half empty bottle of isopropyl alcohol. She smiled. She was getting lucky already. They could use this to help reduce Judith's fever. She also found a couple bottles of expired acetaminophen. Michonne didn't knew it wasn't good to give to a toddler, but at this moment she didn't have a choice. She searched the floors and shelves more, but found nothing helpful. She maneuvered around the strewn material and went to the section formerly for "Employees Only". The door was ripped open, but she was still going to check it. Michonne could hear noises. It wasn't the sound of walkers or a person. It was yips, soft howls and whines. There were puppies inside. She knew there weren't any walkers inside because of it. Unfortunately, a pack of fully grown, feral dogs were.

There wasn't a door for Michonne to keep them inside. They ran to her with teeth barred and barking. They were a mixed bunch of dogs. Some of them even had collars. But the look in "Duke's" eyes let her know there wasn't a shred of domestication left. She cut him down and began their battle for survival. The German Shepard lunged at her too quick for her to dodge. He caught her right shoulder, growled as he tore into it. He tried to bring her to the ground. Michonne felt every moment of pain from his teeth ripping into shoulder, the one she primarily used! Her grip on her katana was getting weaker. She tried to fall on it in a makeshift body slam, but the German Shepard adapted to the fall. The pack's mutt and Doberman grabbed her ankle and started pulling her into the Employees Only room. She could didn't know if she could hear other dogs, but she knew she could feel her arm become numb. With all of her strength, she kicked at the dogs, missing the first time, but soon landed a solid impact against the mutt's nose. He whimpered. Michonne rolled, ripping her body out of the dogs' mouths and stood up. She kicked the mutt before stomping it to death with her boots. The Doberman attacked her injured shoulder causing her to scream. She was brought to the ground again. She used her left hand to scratch the eyes out of the Doberman and clawed his snout. Continuous punches caused it to let go. Michonne grabbed her sword decapitated the blinded canine and turned to the German Shepard. She limped to him. There was no fear, only desperation and the will to survive. Fearing her aura, the surviving dog ran off.

Michonne went to the Employees Only room an slumped down with the puppies. She didn't understand why this was the first time she'd seen a dog. It didn't make sense for them all to disappear. Another weird observation was that she'd never seen any zombified animals. Not even in herds were there anything other than people. All the rabbits and squirrels Daryl brought back stayed dead and didn't turn. She wondered if they were immune. Both fortunate and unfortunate, she damaged the dogs too much for them to turn. If they turned, she wouldn't be able to fight them off. However, there was another option to test her theory.

Michonne took off her shirt and put the katana between her legs. She felt light headed as she cut the shirt in two. She took off her jeans as well. The fabric was clinging to her skin. It felt like the jeans were being peeled away from her wound. One of the puppies crawled to her. It smelled her ankle. Michonne smacked it away from her. She pulled herself to the bottle of isopropyl alcohol and poured it on her wounds. While it stung she tied the fabric tightly on her limbs to curb the bleeding. She hadn't felt this badly since Merle Dixon shot her. Hershel wasn't there to patch her up this time. What if she had rabies? Michonne didn't have time to think about this. Judith needed her. If worse came to worse, she'd have Gabriel or Carl put her down.

She cried out in pain when she put on her pants. She would need stitches, but she couldn't stay in that location bleeding. That meant death. Another one of the puppies crawled to examine Michonne. Instead of kicking him, Michonne picked him up. He was small, eyes shut from infection coated in his eyes. He was shaking and curled in her hands for warmth. Michonne thought about her theory. Were animals immune? Michonne covered the puppy's snout to suffocate it. He whined and fought to escape her grasp. Her face was stoic, but her mind flashed to his parents' attack. 'I never liked dogs anyway.' Now she hated them. 'Smelly, stupid animals...' She tightened her grip. Eventually it stopped struggling and whimpering. It became still; after another twenty minutes it stayed still. It didn't turn.

Michonne placed the dead puppy in the bag with the remaining bottle of alcohol and pills. She limped to the body of the smallest dog and drug him a mile back to her family. Carl called for her, but she could barely respond to him. All her strength had gone into carrying the supplies and the meat she'd brought for them. Realizing she'd made it, she succumbed to the tiredness of her body. She was too exhausted to cover her body. Gabriel rushed to her; he held her up as she collapsed in his arms. He took off his shirt to dress her. She was drenched in blood and sweat. He shakily opened the bottle of acetaminophen and crushed a pill for Judith.

"I-I don't know if I should do it..." He looked to Carl begging for some direction. The younger Grimes was just as scared. They never thought they would see Michonne in such a state. She'd always been strong, almost invincible in their eyes. Taking some control, Gabriel placed the crushed pills in Judith's mouth and cooled the cloth on her head to continue helping with the fever. He didn't bother giving pills to Michonne. If she was turning they would need those supplies. He wasn't sure what bit her, but out of respect he'd let her fight it off.

Now...

The litter was the most welcomed addition Alexandria ever had. Six families got puppies, one of them was the Andersons. Sam hugged the tiny female with a small smile on his face. He'd wanted a dog even before the turn. He had a name for her the moment he picked her up, Biscuit. Rick watched the families leave with their puppies. He wanted one, the more protection for Michonne and his kids the better. He thought Daryl would have picked him one, but also didn't question when he didn't. He trusted Daryl.

"Hello Rick." Rick turned to see the small blonde woman who'd cut his hair. She gave him a small smile. "Jessie," she reminded him.

"I remember."

"Nobody has ever found something like this before. This was truly amazing."

"That's Daryl for ya'. Nothing gets past him."

"I see." Michonne watched Jessie and Rick converse. They looked like old friends. Rick never mentioned her before, but it made sense that they knew each other. When Rick and Michonne reunited, he was already shaven with a haircut. That must have been Jessie's work. She looked at Michonne with an awkward smile. "Hi Michonne, I was just telling Rick how excited about the puppies I am."

"Sam looks happy." Michonne replied cordially.

Jessie smiled at her son. "Yeah, he does. He's wanted a dog for some time now. I guess Tyreese and Chenelle's dogs will have friends."

"It's good. They can breed. ...We can train them to protect Alexandria. Take them on runs." Rick looked between the two women. "Chenelle and Daryl could train 'em."

"That's a good idea. She could train Biscuit." Jessie smiled at them both, "How would you all like to come for dinner? It's been so long since I've seen Judith and I can ask Chenelle over some casserole."

"No, I don't think-"

"Yeah," Rick said shocking both women. "We'll go."

Later...

Michonne didn't go, but Carl, Rick, and Judith did. She'd washed, eaten, exercised, and dressed for bed. She stayed in the living room waiting for Rick and the children to return. She didn't know why she was so restless. Alexandria was safe. Even if it wasn't, Rick and Carl could protect themselves. It wasn't outrageously late when her family returned. She got up and looked outside before letting them in. Carl waved bye to Rick before following some teens to their home. Rick wasn't alone. He was with Jessie. They were having an awkward conversation about something she couldn't hear. They were close in proximity and even worse, Judith was in her arms. That struck a nerve in Michonne. Even though she'd been there longer, Michonne never let any native Alexandrians hold Judith. It hurt. She couldn't deny how much they looked like a natural family. It was a slight fear that Rick would take Carl and Judith away. Was he attracted to Jessie? Michonne stopped herself from snatching the door open and ripping Judith from Jessie's arms. Instead she sat and waited for Rick to enter.

Rick opened the door and watched as Judith ran to Michonne. "Chonne!" Michonne picked her up and tried to keep the anger out of her face. "I wanna puppy! I wanna puppy!"

"...Maybe for Christmas."

"Yay!"

Rick could see the irritation in Michonne's face. Michonne hugged Judith again and walked her to her room. "Let's listen to music. What do you wanna hear?"

"Jamonee" She meant Janelle Monae. Michonne placed the Metropolis CD in her player and put Judith in bed. Judith shook her head and twisted to the music. Michonne smiled and went to Rick. Now they could speak freely.

Rick leaning on the couch. He looked at her critically. He didn't understand her mood. "Why are you mad?"

"That woman..." Michonne grimaced as she said her name, "Jessie, you let her hold Judith. You let a stranger hold Judith, Rick."

Rick's eyebrow raised. Jessie? "I was right there watchin' her. She's harmless."

"You don't know that!"

"Michonne." Rick deadpanned. Anyone could see Jessie Anderson wasn't a threat to anybody.

"It doesn't matter. It's the principle." She didn't like the way she was sounding or the way she felt that he made her sound. She folded her arms. "It's like you're just letting anybody in."

Rick's nose flared. "How about you go next time. Check her out if you're so concerned about Jessie and her family."

"Next time?!" Michonne stormed to her bedroom. Led by anger, Rick followed.

"What's wrong with you?"

Michonne scoffed. "Nothing. I just thought considering your past you wouldn't be such an obvious flirt to Jessie." She grabbed her door and swung it hard to slam in his face. Rick caught it. He barged into her room before slamming the door so hard, the house shook.

"The fuck you'd just say to me?! What'd you just say?"

"You heard me."

Rick shook his head in denial, refusing to believe she said what she said. Why would she make a dig at something so major that he told her in confidence? "Nah, nah, you need to run that by me again."

"You heard me."

Rick fought a snarl. "You're jealous."

"Jealous?"

"Yeah."

Michonne's eyes widened in disbelief. She looked at him with disgust. "I am not jealous!" Rick snorted. She seethed. "My problem is you letting strangers hold our child."

Rick grabbed her arm and forced her to look at him. "Don't question my parentin', ever." Michonne balled her fist. Rick knew what she was planning without looking. "You gon hit me?"

"Let me go."

Rick stared at her. She was mad; he was mad. It wasn't supposed to be like this. Rick didn't want them to be this way. Why were they always fighting? He didn't want that. In fact, he was done with the games. "No." Before she retaliated, he kissed her. Michonne was taken aback from the intensity. It was violent. Rick had almost split her lip from the impact of his lips on hers. She had to force her lungs to breathe. The warmth of his body was making her hot. Rick let go of her arm and picked her up by her waist. He dropped her on the bed with himself following. She was angry, both from their words before and his audacity; but when Rick sucked her neck, she started to become aroused.

Things were moving fast. Michonne allowed herself to get swept into her emotions. She ran her hands down his chest and felt him again when she untucked his shirt. Rick took his shirt off and started to lower his bites and kisses. Michonne took off her own shirt and soon found Rick's mouth over one of her breasts. He sucked them roughly, too rough. Michonne reached up to push him off, but he grabbed her hand and continued his assault on her breasts. She knew they were going to be bruised. There wasn't a day that had passed that he hadn't wanted to taste Michonne. During the separation he would imagine what she'd look like naked; he'd imagine what she'd taste and sound like when he took her. This was the second time their argument led to this. He didn't want to stop this time.

Rick pulled down her panties and jeans leaving her naked on the bed. He'd never seen anything more erotic. She stared back at him. Her locks seemed to follow the contour of her body. He scanned her, noting every scar and injury. He wondered how many were caused because of him. He rubbed his fingers down the length of the indentations of her right shouldered. She'd been ripped apart by dogs and he hadn't been there. He traveled lower to see burns on her side from an incident he didn't know about. He looked at the healed bullet wound from Merle; he remember making it worse. His nostril flared from remorse and selfhatred. Michonne laid in front of him unfazed and unashamed. There was no of her modesty for her nudity. She was proud of every portion of her body. He could look in her eyes and see this fact. It was impossible for Rick not to find her level of confidence hypnotic.

Rick took his pants off and dropped them. He crawled on top of Michonne, meeting her towards the top of the bed. He kissed her neck and ear. She lifted her legs to settle at his waist. He ran his hands down her dark satin legs. He pulled her body closer to his and continued to feel her body. She rubbed his arms and guided him to the places she wanted to be touched. She directed him to her breasts. His hands gripped her breasts softer than the moment he sucked them. He leaned forward and braced himself, one hand on the wall behind her and moved his length to her entrance. Michonne was buzzing from his touch. She wanted to feel more of his hands on her. Rick found his other hand in her dreads again. She looked at him with eyes of lust. Rick was still mad. This was all he wanted, but it took so long to get. He didn't want to wait anymore. He pushed himself inside her. Michonne's eyes widened. What was Rick doing? He wasn't wearing protection. She could feel that fact! Her discomfort went unnoticed by the constable. Rick shuttered from the feeling of her around him. She was so wet and warm, he wanted more. She wanted this too. Michonne decided to continue, but stop him before ejaculation.

Michonne flinched at the mixture of pleasure and pain. She wondered why he was so aggressive, "I always wanted this," he told her as he pushed himself deep within her. "You feel-"

Amazing and she knew it. Michonne let him lose control. Knowing that he wanted her that badly, made her moan, also, her affinity for rough sex. Michonne grabbed his arm and matched his thrusts. Rick watched in fascination. It felt even better with her movements. She rubbed herself on him and shook from the intense response. Rick almost came when she licked her lips. Her lips were so thick and juicy; he started to regret not letting her give him head. The thought of Michonne's lips on his dick made him moan. Rick grabbed her throat and watched ire show on her face. She stopped holding his forearm and tried to pry his hand from her neck as his grip tightened on her throat. A sadistic smile flashed on his lips; his pace increased. Michonne dug her nails into her arm. Sweat dripped from his face to her neck and chest. She arched her back and twisted her hips. He let go of the wall and grabbed her leg to keep her spread. The fight only seemed to excite him.

Michonne wrapped her arm around his neck and and pulled herself out of Rick's grasp. She grabbed his chin tightly and forced him to look at her. "Try something like that again, I'll kill you."

Michonne wrapped her arms around Ricks neck and watched him as she lowered herself on his dick. She was now positioned for more control and started to ride. Michonne's thrusts soon overpowered his. Rick smacked her behind and watched her sharp intake of breath. Michonne grabbed his wrist and put them to the side. Rick groaned from the feeling and watched her move. He loved the slapping sound their bodies made when her ass slammed on his lap. "Fuck Michonne..." There was no longer pain between the two, just pleasure. Michonne looked into his eyes and wordlessly told him this would be their pace. He laid back and watched as the dark-skinned samurai continued to seek pleasure through him. As much as he'd envisioned this moment, none of his fantasies could compare. Rick felt himself get close. He started ramming himself into her and watched her sultry moans turn to cries. The pressure was intense, Michonne's body tensed from the waves of ecstasy rushing through her. Rick sucked in sharply and grabbed Michonne's hips. He jammed penis as far as it could go and came inside Michonne. He grunted and held her on him as her body naturally suctioned him to completion.

Rick pulled out, relishing the sticky wetness around him. Michonne felt dizzy from regret. Flashbacks of Andre's death and Judith's bout of undernourishment and illness made her nauseous. No protection, she didn't make him wear a condom. Fears of pregnancy resurfaced. She didn't want to go through that kind of pain again.

Rick closed his eyes and thought about his journey to find her. Two hard years led to this moment. They'd both gone through so much. "...this, this is what I searched so hard for. Everything was worth it. I have everything." Michonne glared at him. Rick felt tears threatening to fall. He turned and held her body close to his. Michonne pulled away and winced from the pain between her legs. "Michonne?"

Michonne stared into the darkness. She could feel the semen inside her ooze onto the bed. Paranoia made her think that she could feel his sperm travel to her womb. She had to get to Pete that afternoon. He would probably be nursing a hangover, but she didn't care. He was the only one would would have emergency contraceptives. Michonne started shaking. "You came in me."

"...was that bad?"

"Is that bad? Rick, I'm not on birth control!"

"..."

"Selfish! Stupid!"

"Do you think I'd leave you again, especially if we did have a child?"

"Stop talking about it as if it's so simple!" Michonne's breathing quickened. Rick reached for her again, before letting his hand fall. "I don't want to bury another child."

Rick took her in her arms. "I won't let that happen." He looked into the distance. "Even if the worst happened, I wouldn't let you do it."

"..."

"Besides, it took a lot to have Carl... I'm probably not the most fertile of men." Michonne looked at him in shock. "What?"

"I had to go to a fertility specialist to have Andre."

Rick chuckled. "Sounds worried about nothing. But I won't do it anymore if you don't like it."

Michonne touched her aching breasts. "Slim chance is greater than none. We've both had sons."

"Yeah. I'm fine with anything happening though." He looked at her with concern. "I love you."

Michonne laid on the bed and closed her eyes. They both went to sleep without a response. Hours later, Michonne was woken to Rick touching her. Michonne turned to him, wincing from the pain between her legs. He gave her an embarrassed smile. "Sorry. I didn't mean to wake you."

"It's okay."

"...Did I hurt you last night?"

"Yes," she answered honestly.

"Oh. I didn't want it to-" Michonne looked at him knowing that sentence would have been a lie. "I don't know why I wanted it to hurt. I don't want to hurt you; I've already caused you so much pain." Michonne shrugged. "Did you like it though?"

"Yes," she replied again. "But don't put your hands on my neck again. ...I know what you can do."

"I would never-"

"I'm a survivor first; your friend with benefits second." She didn't believe he could never hurt her. If he could kill his own brother, especially the way he did, who was she?

"...I think we're more than friends, Michonne."

"..."

Rick's head tilted and he looked at her with indignation. "We live together. We sleep together. You get jealous of other women-"

"I already told you I was not jealous-" Michonne interrupted

"We're raising my kids!" Rick said over her. Michonne turned away. Rick's nose flared. He turned her face to him. "You're mine, Michonne."

Michonne scoffed. Rick looked at her lips and leaned in for a kiss. "Michonne, hungry. I'm hungry." Michonne and Rick turned towards the door. She started to knock. "Michonne?"

Michonne dodged Rick's kiss and went to make Judith's breakfast.

It was the Monroe twins' birthday. The entire neighborhood was out for the celebration. Rick still didn't care for the people of Alexandria, but he was making an effort for his family. He noticed Sasha or Rosita would look at him every so often. He thought with Sasha's skills as a sharpshooter, she'd be more stealthy. He wondered if Michonne told her about their rendezvous. Michonne was feeding Judith and trying to avoid meeting his eyes. When she failed, she would blush. Even though their wasn't a color change, Rick could tell by her facial expression. It made him feel mighty that he would make such a strong woman blush. Carl was sitting with his friends: Hunter, Ron Anderson, and Noah. He scanned the party for Chenelle; he hadn't seen much of her since he beat Gabriel. So his surprise and dislike, he saw her approach Ron's father, Dr. Pete Anderson. Anyone could tell Pete was drunk from far away; he didn't understand why the teen girl was speaking to him. Rick was going to investigate the doctor; he already had bad vibes about him upon meeting Jessie.

Chenelle told Pete something that Rick couldn't make out. The doctor gave her a look of condescension and told her something that made her tear up. Rick was unsure what that could be, but he wasn't liking this scene. Sam walked up to them and ignored Chenelle's tears. It was habit for him; he turned to his father, "Deanna wanted to ask you something-"

Pete pushed the boy down. "Can't you see I'm with a patient?!" Chenelle bent down to help Sam, but he pulled away from her. Pete grabbed Chenelle's wrist and pulled her up roughly. Rick walked towards them to end this. "Come with me."

Chenelle's dog, Smythe, growled and wasted no time locking on to Pete's forearm. Dr. Anderson cried out, but let go of Chenelle. "You ungrateful whore!" He raised his injured arm to strike her, but Rick caught it. He put the arm behind Pete's back and pushed him on his knees. Thinking about Pete's words and what they could mean, he knocked the doctor out in one blow. Once he fell out, Rick took out his gun, ready to put Pete down. He was tired of predators.

"Rick no!" His finger hovered over the trigger.

Aiden didn't know what was happening and started to come to Pete's rescue. Glenn stood in front of him. "Move."

"I can't do that."

Aiden snorted, "I'll have to move you then."

"You don't want this." He punched Glenn. Swiftly, Glenn moved his watch from his wrist to his knuckle. Maybe years ago he would have been magnanimous, but a switch from civil to survival emerged. Glenn punched Aiden with such force it sent the Alexandrian to the ground. One punch, just like Rick. Deanna screamed for someone to stop them. Spencer went to the aid of his kin, but Tara appeared. Her weapon was already drawn and finger trembled on the trigger. She was thinking the same as Rick; Pete was abusing Chenelle too. Tara's heart sped, her mind recalled the agonizing pain of water filling her lungs. Her eyes were shifty and her breathing was irregular. Spencer could recognize her PTSD. He raise his hands and tried to talk her through it.

Daryl and Maggie disappeared ready to retaliate aganist the Alexandrians when the first shot was fired. Tobin drew his gun, but to everyone's surprise Carol drew a pistol on him and told him to lower his weapon. It erupted from there to an Alexandria versus Allies of Rick showdown. As weapons were drawn, lines were crossed. Rick looked around and was surprised that some of his former companions were behind him. Seeing Abraham, Carol, Sasha, and even Eugene ready to fight against the Alexandrians moved him. Some bonds weren't easily broken, even with time. As for the rest, they had long been dead to Rick. He looked around for Michonne. At first he was upset when he didn't see her, but he realized he also didn't see his children. He realized she'd gotten Judith and somehow even Carl out of this standoff.

Regina's shriek brought him to her location. Michonne had her blade at Douglass's neck. Reg was holding Deanna back and Regina had crumpled into hysterics.

"It doesn't have to be this way," Michonne reasoned.

"Doesn't it? I thought we were all one community, but you all have taken arms against us."

Rick tilted his head. "This is about right and wrong." Rick pointed his gun at the Monroe twins before returning it to Pete. "If he was bold enough to attack his son and a girl in public. There's no doubt in my mind he does it in private."

Everyone froze. "...he's the only doctor."

"So you knew." Everyone knew.

No longer caring, Rick shot Pete without hesitation. Jessie screamed before passing out. Rick's group prepared for retaliation, but it never came. The Alexandrians never had to kill before. It was overwhelming for them to be placed in this situation. The former members of Rick's group that were chose the other side did not instigate knowing what Rick and everyone was like. They were already defeated.

"Go home," Rick commanded. His group made sure everyone followed that order without problems. The Monroe twins looked at each other, unsure of what was happening and what they could do about it.

The Monroes didn't know how they could punish Rick. What use would taking him weapons do if he could fight with his hands? Plus he had followers. Douglas started to regret placing Rick with Michonne.

Next Chapter: Michonne is late from a simple run.

Amazing: Aww thank you for that. There are so many amazing Richonne fanfictions. For you to say that this is your favorite has inflated my ego 100000%.

Guest 3/13: If Gabriel dies it won't be mentioned in the story. I'm done with him as a character. His death won't serve any purpose positive or negative.

Guest 3/13: Your review was amazing. I never thought that my story would cause so much thought and perspective. It was an honor to read it. You're 100% right about Rick's retaliation being excessive. I honestly thought about it this chapter when I was watching him kill Gareth. People don't give Gabriel enough credit. He's a hypocrite, but he was right that Rick's Group didn't have to do what they did to Gareth and company. Even though Rick and company were doing it to avenge Bob and stop the Termites, it was over the top. A bullet to the head would make them just as dead. That massacre was for their satisfaction. It's the same scenario here. Jeffery's sodomy was done because he thought it would give Tara closure, but even this chapter showed that it didn't. The reason he was so anal about finding Jeffrey was because he felt like not killing vermin and following his instinct was what caused their current state (the disappearance of his family, Beth's death, Bob's death, the fall of the prison, even Lori's death). As to how Michonne can accept this, the answer is grim. She'll deal with it by not addressing it. I know that's fucked up. I think that's how people who marry sex offenders in real life probably deal.

I didn't mean she was literally with the group. I meant spiritually. Tara was the one Rick spoke to speak sense into the Governor's people. She was also the one to understand he was crazy from his group "He chopped that guy's head off with a sword!" I also didn't mean Michonne couldn't imagine putting down Terry. I meant she couldn't imagine sleeping with Terry. She was comparing herself to Lori in that instance instead of Rick. You did make me realize her guilt was misplaced. She wasn't with either.

I'm glad you liked her conversation with Rick as well as their love for their adopted daughter. DNA shouldn't matter. Yes, Michonne doesn't want anymore kids, both because (like you said) she already has two, but also her fear of burying another child. Michonne's kind of a hypochondriac in the latest two chapter. I added mainly because I noticed a lot of women on birth control (myself included) have pregnancy scares even though there is only a .1% of failure. I couldn't imagine being in a place with limited to no birth control while being sexually active. *cringes*

The only thing I can say is Tara needs help. Much like canon Sasha. As I was writing this I was thinking she probably resents Michonne and for her rape (misdirected anger) thinking this happened looking for her. She also glorifies Rick (misguidedly) so thinks Michonne should make Rick happy because of who he is in her eyes. She thought her story would make Michonne see Rick as great as she sees him, but the only thing it did was validate her caution. Neither Rick nor the members of his inner circle would like this moment. He won't hear about it from Michonne though. Michonne can handle herself.

10000000000% agree with your thoughts of Jessie and Rick. How did Rick go for forcing applesauce on Aaron to letting Jessie cut his hair and hold his daughter?! They could have made the relationship between Jessie and Rick flow. Maybe through their sons being friends or made this closeness happen AFTER he kills Pete. I don't know what they were thinking.

I should have written more of a response to you, but to summarize, your review made my life! It didn't come across as a flame or rude. I also loved the length especially since it was a real critique. Please review again! :D

KK: LMAO, you're right. Tara don't want none. Rick and company were out there too long. The question is are they too far gone?

Kam: That is true. We can always come here for our Richonne fix!

lllAaaa: Thank you for your review! I agree with that. Everything should escalate quickly because of death being around the corner.

Guest 4/8: LOL, thank you for your reviews! Don't work Jessie isn't in the way of Richonne here.