Guest 10/9: Yep, there is a new Grimes on the way, but it isn't coming from Richonne. Only two people currently know in the story know though, Jessie and Chenelle. She doesn't want the Grimes to know.

ttgranger: Don't worry I wasn't demotivated. I need constructive criticism; it'll make me a better writer. But you are right, I did write her this way for a reason. She's the result of Rick's actions. His decisions didn't just affect Michonne. I tried to use her to show that Gabriel's disappearance didn't go unnoticed or was insignificant. I also needed her because I wanted a baby Grimes without Michonne and Rick procreating. They can't handle that right now. But thank you so much for your review.

KK: No, Michonne isn't pregnant. Rick is finally realizing Michonne's words. He finally understands her fear of pregnancy. I am rooting for Michonne and Rick to come together and be totally have despite this being a darkfic. I'll try to leave Judith alone too. As for Chenelle, I can't promise anything.

Guest 10/11: I wish my updates were my frequent. Thank you for your review. I hope you enjoy it the second time around.

Chapter Eleven: To Grady and Back (Part Two)

It was silent when they finally passed a sign welcoming them to North Carolina. Rick looked at Michonne. She was looking at the scenery without a clear expression. His attention went back to the road. As pleased as he was that she was by his side, they were in uncharted territory. He was sure that was also why Michonne was on high alert. If it were the reverse, Rick wouldn't be to pleased with strangers roaming though his territory. They could be attacked at any moment. Noah was sleeping in the backseat. That action made Rick realize how ill-prepared the young man was for this mission. Noah dropped his guard way too much. When they got back to Alexandria he would give the boy a lecture. Thinking about Noah's position he could see why he was so relaxed. Michonne had made countless trips outside the wall and always returned whole. Noah was there when Beth was killed; Rick wasn't willing to leave him behind then. This was reassuring because they were strangers then. Noah didn't feel like there was any reason to worry. He trusted them.

It wasn't until they reached Greensboro that they had to stop. A multitude of cars were wrecked on 70-North and it made it impossible for them to continue. Rick radioed the other cars. "We're too open. Let's turn around and take it on foot. If all goes well we can detour and get the cars on our way back."

"Copy that," Daryl said. He had been riding with Aaron.

Tara was with Nicholas and Aiden. Aiden was driving and giving her tips on making runs. Tara mentally laughed at that. Hearing Daryl and Rick over the radio made her warm with happiness. It would have been perfect if she could have ridden with them. This almost felt right. "Just like old times, right bros?"

Daryl snorted. Rick gave a small smile. "Copy." Rick handed Michonne the transceiver. He made a U-Turn and traveled away from 70-N. They were now in the outskirts of the city of Greensboro. They parked away from an empty gas station and swept the area. Finding it truly abandon, they siphoned the gas from their cars and got their supplies from the trunk. "What are we doing?" Aiden asked.

"We're going to continue the journey on foot. At least 'til we find another vehicle that will get us to A'lanta."

"On foot?! We're not even close to being out of North Carolina let alone how long it will take to walk through South Carolina!" Nicholas was outraged.

"Hey! Keep your voice down. You couldn't have possibly thought we would ride all the way to A'lanta." Rick tilted his head. "We don't have a choice! We need to move. Staying in one spot isn't safe either. We've been here. The communities here are extremely territorial."

Michonne interjected to help Rick out. They had to move fast. Nicholas and Aiden weren't seeing Rick's logic. "Talk and walk." Michonne was silent for a while, but then addressed the concerned members of their group. "We know where the cars are and nobody can steal them. We'll take it slow and careful. As for walkers they'll either be a few stragglers or a herd. We'll handle whatever happens."

"I wish we did this in the winter. They would've froze and wouldn't be a problem," Tara thought out loud.

"Won't be another exit that'll be clear 'round here." Daryl took the initiative and headed toward Atlanta. "Southwest. Ain't nuttin' to it. We know where we go'in."

They continued walking southwest for two and a half hours. It was a stressed-filled journey. They were on alert since they were walking into unknown areas. The place they traveled had truly been abandoned. It made sense, it was too visible and without resources. Rick knew from experience that locations toward the colleges and apartments would bring people. People would bring trouble. It was good that they weren't headed in that direction. Nicholas and Aiden were drenched in sweat. They tried to stay silent as much as they could, but they felt as if they would break if they walked anymore. "Are we going to take a break?"

Aaron was feeling the strain himself. He hadn't gone out for runs and rarely traveled far from Alexandria to recruit others. He looked at Michonne with a small plea. "Taking a break would be nice."

Tara looked at Michonne in confusion. This was nothing to them. Michonne returned the gaze without any emotion on her face. There was a large part of Michonne that wanted to be cold to Tara. It had only been three months since Tara's threat was made. Nothing Tara had done absolved her of that moment. The brunette's closeness with Rick meant nothing to Michonne. She wasn't a friend; she was barely an ally. If it came down to a sacrifice, Tara was on her list. That feeling was not mutual. Tara would protect Michonne only because she was Rick's family. In her mind that made them allies. Rick would protect them both.

"If we do stop, it shouldn't be here."

"When we find something safe enough, we'll stop. Maybe find another car. Finding the interstate shouldn't be too difficult where we are."

After walking another three miles, they found an empty motel. Daryl and Aaron swept through it and found it vacant minus a bug and rodent infestation. Michonne watched the the numerous inch-long roaches skitter on the wall with no real goal. She was no stranger to insects. However she was more comfortable sleeping outside than their infested room. The air was stale and she was in no mood to swat vermin. Nicholas shook, but said nothing about their accommodations. Aiden was about to, but Rick's piercing gaze and hand on his weapon made him change his mind.

"We'll rest here for the night. We should be back out there after sunrise." Rick sat beside Michonne and looked at the wall with her. He thought about a time before he found her. He was in their exact motel doing the same. Fate was on his side then and it definitely was now. "This isn't my first time here."

Michonne's face showed her interest. It became a void when Tara spoke. "Nope it certainly isn't," she said filling in the blanks for Rick. She looked Michonne in her eyes. "It wouldn't surprise me if we literally looked all over the South for you, Carl, and Judith. We even went to the university settlements. We almost didn't make it through their war. Go Tarheels, right?"

Michonne turned away. Even with that statement Tara annoyed her. She wasn't going to be petty and bring up that she'd mistaken the mascots. She looked at Rick. "Maybe it isn't best to stay here."

"We'll leave before they notice."

"Okay."

Rick wanted to tell her to sleep and he'd take first watch, but he could tell she was restless. He was trying to remember Michonne in the past and her sleep patterns. He couldn't remember if him watching her while she slept was a memory or fantasy. One thing was for sure, this current run didn't have the same feel as their runs in the past. For one, he didn't feel the same dread and uncertainty. His kids were safe and they had somewhere to return; it was also different because of his connection to her. Protecting her because she was his friends and protecting her because she was his lover was an entirely different play. He would see them home. They would return.

"Did you used to sleep? The nights I kept watch, I mean."

Michonne turned to Rick and looked in his eyes. "Yes. Unless I needed to watch over you. Or watch over me. ...I could sleep with you on guard, Rick."

"...This feels like a dream doesn't it? It doesn't feel like the old days."

"I'm glad." Michonne said sincerely.

"If I take watch first, will you sleep?"

"...no, but it's not because of you." Michonne looked Tara in her eyes as she said that part. The brunette swallowed and tried to avoid Rick's questioning gaze. She knew Rick would eventually inquire about Michonne's comment.

"Y'all go 'head and rest. I'll take first." Daryl offered.

Rick nodded and sat on the floor. He would sleep there for the night. Michonne was still seated on the bed next to him. Noah and Tara were near that bed as well. Tired from the day, Aaron ignored the uncleanliness of the bed and lied down. Aiden was about to do the same himself, but the idea of him sharing a bed with Aaron frustrated him. "This isn't going to work."

"What's not going to work?" asked Nicholas. He was hoping Aiden would say something that would allow them to go home.

"This. There are too many men here to be sharing beds. Something's got to give."

"Just sleep on the floor."

"You sleep on the floor! Better yet." Aiden pointed at Aaron. "He sleeps on the floor."

"Whoa."

"Are you fucking kidding me right now?!" Tara asked outraged.

Aaron just wanted to sleep. "It's okay. It's okay. I don't mind."

"No." Rick said. "Stay. You don't have to move because he says to." Rick turned to Aiden. "Sleep there or the floor. Nobody is thinking about anything sexual. He has a partner."

"No." He turned to Noah. "How about I switch with him?" Aiden smirked. "Nobody's thinking about anything sexual right? Besides, Michonne has a partner."

Rick's nose flared. Aaron was about to protest when Rick said, "Go ahead."

Tara got up and took a pillow. The last thing she wanted to do was sleep in the bed with a homophobic fuckboy. Michonne's eyebrow raised. She was very confused. How was Rick okay with this nonsense? Was this the same man who barged into her life and made himself the patriarch? The same man who almost killed the man she was dating even though they weren't in a relationship? The same man who didn't want her to leave the walls of Alexandria or even the walls of their house?! Michonne didn't know what game Rick was playing and she didn't like it. She wasn't going to make a scene though.

Noah smiled sympathetically at Michonne. "It's okay. I'll stay in the middle." Michonne looked at Noah before giving him a rare smile. She thought about Andre. The two looked nothing alike, but she couldn't help, but wonder if he son would have grown up to become a man like Noah. Even as a toddler Andre was chivalrous. He would try to pull chairs and open doors for her as Mike would. Michonne was grateful for such a happy thought in the middle of Aiden's foolishness. Thoughts of Andre were so comforting, she actually went to sleep.

Rick stayed awake.

The next morning they were back to walking. Approximately a week and a half later, they'd walked to Brevard, North Carolina. The mountains were making travel less easy. After sleeping in an abandoned church, they found an abandoned Infiniti and crammed inside. Unfortunately, they only made it to Pickens, South Carolina before the Infiniti broke down. Now they were looking for viable cars.

Aiden had gone by himself after seeing a house he was sure would have a fueled car. Aiden approached it only to see a family of dead ones stuck in that house. It was odd. They were just sitting there doing nothing. Aiden would think they were alive if it wasn't for their decaying faces. No matter how many runs he did dead ones were always unknown and scary to him. He was about to turn around when Rick appeared behind him. "Somethang wrong?"

"No, it's just."

"Just four of them. I'm sure it's nothing. They're immobile because they haven't eaten in a while. Perfect house to check."

"...Thank you." Aiden felt so inept. It meant a lot that this survivalist complimented him. It went to his head. "I knew it was." Rick tried the door finding it unlocked. He motioned Aiden to follow. Aiden hesitated, but went inside. He was sure Rick could take out the walkers if necessary. Rick closed the door to where the walkers were hidden. Aiden frowned. "Why didn't you shoot them?"

"No need to waste the energy. Or the bullets. Not for this." Rick cleared the house and started looking for keys.

"What if they open the door?"

"They won't."

Aiden had never seen zombies sit in chairs before that day so he wasn't too convinced that they couldn't turn knobs. "What if the keys are in there?"

"Isn't that obvious?"

"No need to get smart, Grimes." Rick and Aiden looked through drawers and cabinets. They eventually got to a bedroom. Rick sat on the bed and looked at Aiden. Aiden thought about the fuss he made about Aaron in the motel. He realized how desperate he looked. He wanted to clear the air. "Look, about that thing with Michonne. I wouldn't have tried anything. She's not my type. I didn't mess with her. I can be a dick, but-"

"I know you didn't touch her." Rick touched the old cotton pillow and continued speaking. "But you got to understand, that's my wife."

"I already apologized. Take it or leave it." Rick looked at Aiden. Aiden stared back. "What?"

Rick got up calmly. It happened so quickly Rick didn't even have time to process things. In four steps, Rick had taken out his machete and skewered Aiden's throat. He removed the weapon and watched as Aiden gasped for air. His throat filled with blood. It gushed from the wound and spurt from his mouth. Rick watched Aiden's struggle. It surprised him that Aiden didn't go for his weapon, not even once. He held his throat, but was weak from shock. He suffered too much blood loss. Aiden fell on the ground, barely mobile in a puddle of his blood. Rick walked to him stepping on his shoulders so there wouldn't be a struggle as he removed his weapons. Rick didn't even bother to watch his death. He felt almost indifferent about this kill. Rick opened the door for the the walkers. He was certain the scent of blood would make them move. He left knowing walkers would cover his murder.

It was a shock to most of the group when Rick happened to come across Aiden's massacred body. The scene was too much for Nickolas who needed to puke. Noah and Aaron felt a lot of sympathy for the fallen Monroe. Michonne sighed and tried not to let it get to her. When she was turning away she noticed Daryl in silence. Daryl looked over the body and then squatted to get a better look. He looked at Rick before going on his way. Michonne felt that was weird. She considered taking a closer look. She didn't.

Later...

After no success with cars, they went from Pickens, South Carolina to Six Mile, South Carolina on foot. They stayed in Six Mile for the night before taking two different cars to Gainesville, Georgia where they found gas to go to Atlanta. Noah navigated them a location near Grady and a building to stay for the night. Daryl looked at it remembering this as the place he first met Noah. Minus structural damage, not much had changed from the desolation. They decided to get a full rest before they went to Grady. The survivors had a bad feeling before they opened the doors of the building. It wasn't unwarranted. As soon as Noah touched the door, nine officers surrounded them. The survivors matched their guns with guns.

"Put your weapons down!"

"That's not going to happen. We don't know you people," Rick said. It was true. He couldn't remember any of the officer's names or faces. It'd been so long. He knew they wouldn't recognize him without his beard.

However they did notice someone. "Wait. Noah? Noah, what are you doing back?" It was Officer McGinley.

Officer Licari was still alive and kept his weapon ready. He scanned everyone, but found himself drawn to Rick. It wasn't until he looked in those cold blue eyes that he realized who Rick was. "Oh no, not this asshole."

"We're not here to try anything. Not after last time. We just need to talk to Shepard. We found a place. It's kind of far, but it's safe. Walls. People. It's my home." Noah really wanted them to come to Alexandria.

"Shepard ain't alive no more. Tanaka's in charge."

Aaron decided to intervene. He walked forward. The officers turned their weapons on him, but he slowly put his down. Aaron approached them with hands raised. "Hello, I'm Aaron." His introduction was met with silence. "Right. I'm a representative of our home. It's a safe zone. All of us are residents. I can see that you're making it right now, but I think we could offer you more."

"Oh yeah, like what?"

"Grass. Trees. All kinds of fruits and vegetables grown from our crops and orchards. We can offer you homes with beds, electricity, running water, indoor plumbing. And as great as all of this is, it could be better with you all. We want you, all of you, to share it with us. If you just look in my bag you'll see everything. The walls, reinforced by strong steel. The school-"

"Shut up, if this place is so grand why'd you travel all the way for us?" Licari didn't trust this.

Aaron decided to tell the truth. "...we have no doctor."

Licari looked at Rick. "Something tells me that was your doing." Rick glared at him, but didn't say anything.

A surprising voice said, "I'm in." It was a female officer by the name of Bello. "I'm sure Tanaka will be too. This place... There's nothing left. Barely any electricity. Food is scarce. We're dying one by one in there. I'm in."

"And your doctor?" Tara asked.

"Shit. We see exactly what you want. How do you know that you won't just kill us and take our doctors?"

Rick's eye raised. He didn't miss the slip that the novice officer gave. Doctors, there were more than one. He didn't reply, he let their ambassador speak. "That seems like a lot of effort. We honestly don't have enough intel to do such a thing. I know it's hard to trust anyone now a days, but believe me. This benefits both of us. We've even lost a dear friend just for this to work."

"You've lost people on this trip?" asked McGinley

"Just one."

Rick looked at Aaron. He was way too honest. Alvarado didn't like those statistics. "How can you assure us that we won't die?"

"What happened to him won't happen to y'all... as long as you're careful. I can promise you that." Michonne looked at Rick suspiciously. There was something about his semantics that she didn't like. She stayed silent though. "From what it sounds staying in Atlanta is not an option. We've never lied to you. Let's work better this time around."

"I say we address this to Tanaka."

"Sure, what the hell."

"After all we outnumber them." The officers put up their weapons. Rick thought about his original plan before conceding to this one. He didn't like the idea of so many strangers going back to Alexandria with his family, but knew that if it came to it, he would have the advantage there than in Atlanta.

After talking with Tanaka, the schmoozing primarily done by Aaron, the survivors of Grady agreed to come to Alexandria. They had a lot of preparation before they moved forward. It took over a month to gather enough fuel and vehicles to carry everyone and the equipment. The officers, Michonne, Aaron, and Rick made maps of places to avoid so they could travel back to Alexandria as safely as possible. Rick, Daryl, and several officers made trips to clear cars so they wouldn't get trapped. Eventually they were ready to leave.

Rick saw Michonne thinking by the elevator shaft leading to a pit of walkers. He never got why people did this, but it was the only place in the hospital it was understood was private. There was only the moans and hisses of walkers below. Rick sat next to her and held her hand. Michonne grabbed hold of it, but continued looking into the darkness. "We're on our way home tomorrow."

"I miss the kids."

"Me too. It seems like we've been gone so long."

"It's the longest you've been away from them, hasn't it?"

"It has." She couldn't imagine how Rick lasted two years without them. Michonne thought about her words before speaking. "Rick, I have to ask you some things. These are things I need to know before we go back. I want you to be honest with me."

"Okay." The tone in her voice made him nervous.

"Did you kill Aiden?"

"...yeah, yeah I killed him"

"Oh Rick..." He couldn't stand the disappointment in her voice.

"There's only one man that sleeps with you. Noah's a boy. But him? He was testing me. I couldn't-"

"Rick!"

"What?"

She looked him in the eyes. "We are out here for this ever reason! You just can't- That was the Deanna's son. You just can't kill people without thinking!"

"...I put a lot of thought into this one."

"Jesus."

"He's done nothing to benefit the community. Nothing to benefit this group. He was an asshole and he got himself killed. I just made it happen."

"Something was going to happen, you didn't have to make it happen."

He was cringing knowing he'd caused Michonne's disappointment. The logical side of Rick knew what he did was wrong; however, no part of him felt remorse. Rick was only nervous that it might undo the progress he'd made with Michonne. "I'm sorry."

"We'll never mention it."

"Is there something else you need to ask me?"

"Yes," Michonne pulled away from Rick. She almost didn't want to ask. This had been on her mind for months, but she'd always been afraid of the answer. "Did you kill Gabriel?" Rick was stunned for a moment. He wasn't sure how to answer the question. He didn't know what she knew and didn't know how she'd take the truth. "Did. You. Kill. Gabriel."

"..."

"Answer the question, Rick."

"I didn't kill him." Michonne searched for the truth. "I didn't kill him." Michonne gave a sigh of relief. Gabriel was alive. She closed her eyes and allowed the uncertainty she had disappear. She could tell there was more, but she didn't have it in her to ask. Maybe one day she would, but it wouldn't be now. "Are we okay?"

"We're okay."

"Okay. Let's get going."

Rick pushed himself away from the opening and stood up. Michonne's butt and legs were numb from the cold and hardness of the floor. Michonne attempted to get up another way. She turned around and to pull herself out of the shaft, but Michonne's injured shoulder couldn't take the weight of her body. Her arm collapsed. She felt herself slip, "RICK!" Michonne calmed her flailing legs and grasped the floor. Her heart was racing, but she needed to stay calm. She could feel her hands get weaker. This moment only lasted seconds, but time felt endless at this moment. She knew if the fall didn't kill her the zombies below would.

Rick turned in horror. He couldn't see Michonne. Her arm was too slender for him to see it in the darkness. He called for her. "Michonne!" His heart was beating so loudly he wasn't sure he would be able to hear the impact if she fell.

"My goddamn shoulder gave out. I can't hold it much longer."

Rick felt crawled on the ground and felt for her arm. Once he found it he wasted no time pulling her up. His grip hurt, but she rather a sore wrist than no life. Once he pulled her up to her torso, he grabbed her waist and pulled her to safety. Her breath was heavy from fear. They could feel the erratic throb of their hearts. Even safe, they were still uneasy. Of all the ways to die, she new thought it could be a simple accident. Neither did Rick this moment instilled new paranoia within him. "Are you scratched? Bit?"

"No."

"Let me see."

"I'm okay!"

"Before we go, you need that doctor to take a look at your shoulder. How'd your arm, just give out like that?"

"It's an old injury, Rick. It's never been like it was. I just made a stupid mistake."

"You need rest. We can put off the trip."

"No. We most certainly won't. We don't have the luxury of staying another night, especially for something so minor."

"You almost died. You're injured."

"I didn't die. I won't die. I'm going to make it home. I promise."

Rick took a deep breath. He knew she was right. They had to get home. There were more people than themselves to consider. Rick knew to trust her. "Alright."

Four and a half months passed since they'd last seen their home. With most of their RVs and cars still remaining, they finally made it through the gates of Alexandria. Rick stepped outside and and smiled. This trip was worth it. They gained more people: people who knew healthcare, people who knew defense, and the rest could learn. They had two doctors: a surgeon and a psychiatrist. Most of all, she had made it. Michonne grabbed her bag and embraced the gorgeous sunlight. She was so happy she couldn't hide it from her face. Rick rubbed her arms and kissed her shoulder. He couldn't wait to see his children. He couldn't wait to live again.

"Dad! Michonne!" "Chonne! Daddy!"

Their family greeted them at the gate. Rick held on to Carl as if he would disappear if he let go. Michonne watched happily. She almost cried when Judith ran to her. Her hair was much longer and darker than when she left. She had more teeth and seemed to grow so much from the last time she'd seen Judith.

"I miss you, Michonne. Don' leave me no more!" Those words had done it. Michonne hugged the little girl and let tears fall.

"I missed you too, Judy. I missed you two so much." Michonne picked Judith up and walked to Carl. She smiled at him and kissed his forehead.

"Ah hell, Michonne." Carl blushed. PDA from his parents was so embarrassing.

Rick ignored the cussing from his son and tried to get Judith. "No!" She denied him and nuzzled deeper into Michonne's neck. Rick sighed.

Carl laughed. "At least that hasn't changed. There's so much I have to catch you all up on."

"I guess we do too."

Carl shrugged. "We can take turns I guess. Did you find the doctor?"

"Yep and many people who helped him in the hospital. So now it's not just up to one person." Rick couldn't stop himself from reporting everything from Grady. "We also have so nice equipment that still works. More medication for Judy. This was a fantastic run."

"I know Denise and Chenelle will be happy to hear that. They've been doing well, but I'm sure she'll be happy that it's not all on them. The doctor knows how to deliver babies right?"

"Of course."

"Good. Chenelle is pregnant."

"What?!"

"Yeah, very, very pregnant."

"How could this have happened? Who's the father?"

"I don't know," Carl answered honestly. Although he slept with her, they used a condom. From what he knew that should have been enough.

"I bet you it was that asshole, Pete Anderson." Rick thought, disgusted with the deceased doctor.

"Everybody thinks that, especially since she now lives with Mrs. Anderson, Ron, and Sam."

Rick shook his head. Pete was dead, there wasn't anything else she could do. "That's sad, but at least we have a psychiatrist that can give her the therapy she needs."

Michonne looked at him. Chenelle wasn't the only person who could benefit from talking to Dr. Russel. She would talk to Rick about it in private. She knew being with his family was changing him, but they could only do so much. This trip had been hard on Rick. After they left Grady, they got caught in a herd. Noah was caught, but held onto Tara begging her not to leave him. Rick had to cut off Noah's arm to save Tara. Noah died miserably before Rick could train him. Michonne almost choked up. Noah reminded her of Andre. That moment brought some of the pain back from losing him. "We lost nine people on this trip. Aiden and Noah died."

"...Tyreese is dead."

"No." Michonne thought about Yolanda. The woman had now lost her lover and son. "How?"

That question brought a change in Carl. Any positive vibes he had soon faded. Rick didn't like the unpropitious look he gave.

"We're in trouble."

(A/N) Sorry this update took so long. On an unrelated note, I've been writing this story for more than a year! Yay!

Next Chapter: After helping an allied settlement, Alexandria has gained a dangerous enemy.