"Yours?" Jadis asked, gesturing toward Rick

Michonne hesitated (Did she just look him up and down?) "I mean….we're together"

"I lay with him after" Jadis declared, matter-of-factly "You care?"

Stunned, Michonne bit her tongue – feeling Rick's panicked gaze. (I will cut this bitch in half) Narrowing her eyes, she replied "We should get back to work"

"Yeah…." Rick agreed, backing away to fall into step with Michonne

They walked in silence until they turned a corner that took them out of sight

Rick grabbed Michonne's arm "Hey….You okay?"

Michonne pulled away and began pacing "What the hell just happened? Why would she play in my face like that?"

Confused, he asked "Play on your face?"

She shook her head "IN my face! It means doing something wildly disrespectful to someone and acting like its fine"

"Well yeah, that's definitely what just happened."

She stopped pacing and looked at him "But why? That was a CHOICE…"

He shook his head dismissively "I think she just likes to push buttons, she's a little eccentric."

Pacing again, Michonne shook her head "Thats not it, being eccentric doesn't excuse not respecting basic boundaries. What is she trying to provoke?"

"You can't possibly be jealous of HER?"

"You think I'm jealous? Really?!" She exclaimed, flabbergasted "So Ezekiel has a tiger, that's eccentric! He shows up and tells with YOU that he plans to have sex with ME…"

Rick's face showed a range of feelings…

Michonne smirked "That didn't look like jealousy …"

"It was rage, like…MURDEROUS rage." Rick acknowledged sheepishly "I get it okay; he'd either be taunting me or have a death wish or both. What do you think it means?"

"I don't know." She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "But we really do need to get back to work. I have to check in with Rosita on the wall and you need to help Darryl load the explosives"

Rick took her hands "We have a little time, lets think on it and we'll meet at the house in an hour"

Michonne took a deep breath and leaned into Rick "Alright, one hour" Looking up to meet his eyes "Rick, we can't let them get in our way."

He pulled her into his arms "We won't"

Rick found Daryl in the armory sorting explosives. "You started without me?"

"We ain't got all day" Daryl replied "figured you got held up with them junkyard people"

Rick nodded "You figured right. You got Rosita's list?"

Daryl pulled the list from his pocket and handed it to Rick "What happened?"

"Jadis said something real out of pocket to Michonne" he explained "we just needed a minute"

"What'd she say?" Daryl asked

Agitated, he turned to look at Daryl "We're standing there, welcoming them in and Jadis tells Michonne she plans to sleep with me after…then asked her if she cared"

"Chicks got some balls on her" Darryl snorted "She still got a head on her shoulders?"

Rick grinned ruefully "It was touch and go for a good 5 seconds…but Michonne thinks it means something. Said Jadis was "Playing in her face" and thinks they're up to something"

Daryl shook his head "Naw man, she's playing in YOUR face. Saying that shit to your girl, in front of you? Sounds like she's pulling a Merle."

"What's that mean?"

"Merle would set me up to take the fall for something or use me to get or do something, but he'd bait me about something different first" Daryl explained "I'd be so pissed off about the bait I wouldn't see the hook."

"We take. We don't bother" Rick repeated "She wanted half …. half our stores and half of whatever we take from the Saviors. I only agreed to a third. They're gonna try to take it all."

Daryl nodded "Probably try to clean out the Armory too"

"Shit!" Rick exclaimed "Let's get this done. We need em' to beat the saviors, but those assholes aren't gonna clean us out again."

"Using rebar for this is smart, whose idea was it?" Michonne asked

"Rosita's "Tobin answered "There was a crap ton of it out where we got the steel plates."

"Rebar's literal purpose is to reinforce steel" Rosita added "and it's a lot easier to transport and get in place. We'll have this entire back section done in half the time."

Tobin backed away "I better get back to work if we're gonna keep on schedule"

Rosita turned to Michonne "What's wrong?"

"Why do you think something's wrong?" she asked

"Cause your forehead is doing that thing"

"What thing?"

"Where it's all scrunched up cause you're talking about one thing and thinking about something else. What's wrong?"

Michonne met her eyes and exhaled "We think Jadis and her people are up to something"

"Not that I'm surprised, but why?" Rosita asked

"She said…." Michonne hesitated, wary of her friend's reaction

"What?"

"Rick and I were talking to her and …. she said she was going to "Lay" with Rick after and asked me if I cared…."

"What the hell?!" Rosita exclaimed "Esa bruja loca!"

"I don't know if she was serious or just trying to provoke me…."

"She was trying to provoke Rick, just like she's done every time we've gone to the heaps! She's not delusional, she knows there is absolutely no chance in hell. The way he was eye-banging you after he killed her pet walker?"

"Ro!"

"And you were fingering your sword like it was his …."

"Rosita!" Michonne cut her off

"My point being…...there is no room between you two. That smug bitch can't ride him about whatever she has planned, so she pulls this shit."

"Ride? Really?" Michonne rolled her eyes. "So, what do you think she has planned?"

"Worse case?" Rosita took a moment to think "They made a deal with the Saviors"

Michonne nodded "That's possible. Saviors aren't the deal making type, but they've never encountered any real resistance before now"

"Or….they're gonna try to steal all our shit again after its over"

"Could be, but that seems too simple for all this effort"

"Or she might just want to find out if what they say about bow legged dudes is true."

Michonne snorted "Oh it's true and also none of her fucking business. I gotta go, we'll come up with a contingency plan. Keep them on schedule here, we need the walls to hold"

Rick and Michonne faced one another looking over a map of Alexandria on their kitchen island.

"The most likely play is they go after the Pantry and the Armory" Rick said, pointing to the map "We already have people positioned to watch them. I say we add two more."

"That'll take care of the blind spots." Michonne replied "We'll have them send up a flare if they have to engage"

"I like it, that'll be a clear signal to move on them"

"What if it's the other thing? What if they made a deal with the Saviors?"

Rick took a deep breath and let it out slowly "Then they're already inside and we gave them guns…. a lot of guns…."

"We can't stop it if its going to happen, so how can we be prepared?" Michonne pondered "Mitigate the danger?"

"Start by telling some of the others, so they don't hesitate if they turn on us."

"Right, maybe shift a few positions so we aren't so vulnerable. I don't like the idea of Carl being alone on that perch with one of them"

"Yeah, good point. Should we switch him out with Tara?" Rick asked

Michonne shook her head "It should be me."

"I don't know if I like that idea, I was counting on having you at the gate"

"If we need to make a call to start a second fight inside the walls, it should be one of us. You have to be on the gate when Negan gets here, so that leaves me." She reasoned "I'll be able to see most of the community from up there with binoculars. I can send up a flare if anything looks off."

"With one of them right next to you?"

"There are four balconies up there, its reasonable to split up so we have a better sight line. I can handle myself Rick"

Rick held out his hand "Come here…."

Michonne took his hand and came around the counter. Rick turned in his chair to face her and she settled between his legs.

"I know you can handle yourself" he said, wrapping his arms around her waist "and I know what I said after we found the guns. But it still scares the shit out of me."

"It scares me too" she cupped his face with both hands "But I believe every word I said in that cell, and I believe every word you said in the van. We're gonna beat them."

Michonne leaned in for a kiss, her hands gripping his curls. Rick moved to meet her, his grip tightening to pull her close. They lost themselves in one another, the world shrinking as the distance between them faded.

"Geez!" Carl yelped, walking into the kitchen "Okay, other people live here too. Get a room!"

Giggling, Michonne turned to look a Carl "Sorry!"

"I'm not!" Rick grumbled, not letting go of Michonne

Carl opened the door "I'm going to get my ammo ration" He turned and offered a stern reminder. "We're supposed to be at the church in 30 minutes!"

Michonne turned back to Rick "Wow…."

Unbothered, Rick offered "We already have a room…."

"And we need to be on our way in 20 minutes, give or take…."

"I can work with that. 10 minutes for you, 5 for me, 5 for clean up"

Michonne locked eyes with Rick and smiled "10 minutes? You think you can?"

Rick leaned in, his lips brushing her ear "I know I can"

Knees weak, she asked "Just 5 minutes for you?"

His lips moved to her neck "Have you seen you naked? MORE than 5 minutes is the real struggle."

She cupped his face, pulling back to meet his eyes "Clocks ticking…."

Rick stood abruptly, lifting Michonne and throwing her over his shoulder

"Rick!" Michonne yelled, laughing as she grabbed his belt to brace herself

He smacked her ass as he headed to the stairs "What? Clocks ticking!"

Carl glanced out of the church window to see his dad and Michonne walking up the stairs, hand in hand, with one minute to spare.

As they entered, Rick walked toward the front of the church and Michonne joined Carl in the back row.

"Nice of you to join us" Carl commented, bumping shoulders with her as she sat

Michonne rolled her eyes "We were a minute early wise guy. When your dad starts, we need to slip out and talk"

"What's up?"

"Not here…."

When everyone's attention was on Rick, Michonne tapped Carl on the leg, and they quietly left the church.

They walked in silence for half a block, until they were clear of people working.

"We're switching you from the perch to the gate" Michonne started

"What?! Why?!" Carl asked, confused

"We think the scavengers are up to something, so we're trying to plan for different contingencies."

"Up to something?"

"It's a gut feeling. Best case they try to rob us again, and worst case….they're working with the saviors."

Carl stopped and looked at Michonne "Holy shit"

She nodded "Holy shit is right. I'm taking the perch in case we have to make a call to start a second fight inside the walls."

"And what do I do on the gate?"

"Same as I would, watch your dad's back. They''ll underestimate you, think you're just a kid and your dad is keeping you close. But if something happens, and you see an opening of any kind – you take it."

He nodded "Did we let the Hilltop know?"

Michonne shook her head "We're trying to stick as close to the original plan as possible, we still need that card to play."

"We can't play anything if we're dead, things have changed since we made the original plan. We should have them come; they can standby outside. It makes more sense to have them near if we can't trust the scavengers."

Michonne sighed (He has a point) "they wouldn't make it in time to be here at the start, but if we're in trouble…"

"Exactly. And if we're not in trouble, they stay back, and we still have that card later. I can radio Maggie …."

"It's her decision, but I think you're right - we should reach out. I'll tell your dad. This is a smart idea Carl, next time we should have you running the show!"

"I'd rather there not be a next time. I'm ready for what comes after, there's gotta be something after"

Michonne pulled him in for a hug "That's the future we're fighting for, we'll get there. I promise, we'll get there"

Michonne stood her ground "It's a good idea"

"I didn't say it wasn't" Rick replied "Just would have been nice to know before you let him call Maggie"

"How would that have changed anything?"

Rick held her eyes while searching for an answer. He finally conceded "It wouldn't. He's smart, smarter than me…. I just… want to live in a world where my kid doesn't have to be skilled in the Art of War."

"That's what we're fighting for" Michonne reminded him "You need to get to the gate, and I need to get upstairs before what's her name gets here"

"What is her name?"

She shrugged "I don't know, I'll find out if I don't have to kill her"

"Not funny"

"Kinda funny"

He smiled and wrapped his arm around her waist. "Thanks for this afternoon"

"Best 15 minutes of the day" she grinned, throwing her arms around his neck

They leaned into one another, foreheads together, hearts beatingin sync.

Rick kissed her softly "Be careful. Watch your back."

"I will, you do the same. Keep Carl close"

He nodded and leaned in for one last kiss "I love you"

Stepping back, she grabbed his hand and raised it to her lips. "Love you too"

Carl drove the van slowly toward the infirmary. Rick knelt between the seats, keeping Michonne steady.

"I'll take her in, you find Maggie. We don't want history repeating itself, so ask her to make sure every inch of this place is searched." Rick said, "And nobody leaves!"

"Okay, but I'm taking her in" Carl replied

Rick was not in the mood to argue "Just do what I asked son"

He put the van in park and turned to face his father "We just carried her down 6 flights of stairs Dad, you're bleeding…your shirt is soaked. If you have to sit out, you're gonna be pissed and it won't be good for anybody."

Michonne turned her head slowly, her voice raspy "You're hurt?"

"I'm fine Hun" Rick assured her, giving Carl a warning look

"You're not fine, and if you drop her, she'll get hurt worse." Carl held his gaze, unflinching "I've got her dad, I promise."

"I'll walk" Michonne interjected quietly

"No!" Rick and Carl replied sternly

"Yes. They need to see…." She gestured toward the people standing outside the infirmary "I'm walking."

Rick followed her gaze, seeing the people that looked to them for strength picking up the pieces of their community. They needed to see their leaders on their feet, bloodied but unbowed.

Resigned, he let out a heavy sigh and opened the sliding door. "Fine, I'll help you out and Carl can walk you in."

Rick supported Michonne's weight as she slid down from the passenger seat, keeping her steady until her feet touched the the pavement. She leaned on him, catching her breath. Everything hurt.

"You good?" He whispered, his mouth touching her ear

She didn't answer right away, staring at his boots – she focused on her breathing.

"Hun…. you don't have to…."

Michonne looked up and met Rick's worried gaze "I'm good…."

"Where are the medics?" Rick asked

Tara jerked her head toward the rooms behind her "Triaging in the rooms. One is with Rosita; bullet went through so we lucked out. Other one is setting a broken arm. I'm just helping direct traffic"

Keeping his eye on their slow progress up the walk, Rick replied "Carl is bringing Michonne in, she's pretty beat up and has a couple broken ribs."

"What about you?" Tara asked

"Bullet grazed me, I think the bleedings stopped"

"You can take the last room on the right, it's only got one bed but it's a queen. They'll get to you as soon as they can. Gun shots get priority, so you first…."

Rick interrupted Tara "Her first…."

"That's not how it works…"

"Tara" Tilting his head and speaking quietly, he moved close to her "Between Jadis and Negan and my wife and my kid, I've taken all the shit I intend to take today. Her first…. THAT is the how it works with me."

Tara rolled her eyes "Whoa…... dude…okay, got it, her first"

"Thank you"

Rick opened the door and Carl ushered Michonne in, she looked exhausted from the short walk. "Last room on the right, I'll be right behind you." Turning back to Tara, he asked "Where can I find towels?"

Michonne took Carl's hand "Thank you…."

"Nothing to thank me for, it's what you do for family. I better go find Maggie"

"Wait. What happened out there?"

Carl hesitated; he didn't want to tell her about Sasha…. not yet "We won, for now. The rest after you get patched up and get some sleep"

Michonne nodded "Your dad okay?"

"When she fell, we thought it was you…" his voice trailed off and she squeezed his hand. "I've seen so many different versions of him…. farm…...prison…. claimers…. terminus…. road…. here. When he thought they killed you, he was terminus Rick. Even on his knees he was still standing up to them "I already told you" - told Negan he was gonna kill them all. That they were already dead."

"You don't have to be afraid of your dad" Michonne reminded him

"I'm not afraid of him, I'm afraid for him. I know I keep saying it, but there's gotta be something after this. When you're gone like that, you can only come back so many times. You get comfortable or lose your way in this and then you just stay gone."

"I won't let that happen." She promised "We won't let that happen"

Rick thanked Tara for the towels and turned to see Carl heading for the door.

"She's settled in." Carl reported "She needs rest, I didn't tell her about Sasha. I didn't think she'd be able to sleep if she knew."

"Yeah, you're right. I'll tell her myself in the morning"

"When I talk to Maggie, I'll ask about going out to find her…"

Rick closed his eyes and lowered his head for a moment. Sasha sacrificed her life for them, he was sure of it. Looking up, he met Carl's eyes and could see he felt the same.

"You okay, son?"

"None of us are okay dad, not right now. But do I believe we're gonna be, someday soon hopefully."

Rick lifted Carl's hat and planted a kiss on top of his head. "Me too. Love you, be careful."

"Love you too, dad"

Michonne protested "I love this sweater…."

Rick stopped, scissors poised "You love it enough to try and lift your arms over your head?"

She shook her head and Rick started cutting.

"Let's roll to the side just a little bit so I can cut the backside" he said, gently helping her adjust

He removed the sweater and wiped down her face, arms, and chest with a cool towel. After taking her shoes off, he lay down next to her to wait for the medic.

He leaned over to kiss her forehead "You gotta stay awake until they check you for a concussion Hun"

Michonne nodded "Last time we were in bed together was so much more fun…."

"You mean when you got to play on my face?"

Michonne started to laugh, but immediately felt pain shoot through her torso "No…oh my God! Don'tmake me laugh…"

Rick kissed her shoulder "Sorry, I'll be good"

"You should go, they probably need you out there"

"Maggie and Carol are out there, they'll be fine. I wanna make sure you're okay"

"Are you okay? Carl is worried"

"It's just a graze…."

"Not about that" she interrupted, turning her head to the side to hold his gaze

Rick raised up on his elbow and leaned over to kiss her softly "I know, I'll talk to him. I'll try to make him understand that you have to be certain things in certain situations. It's all to make sure they survive, that our kids have a life. We gotta fight to make that real. Then I can just be…I can live and just be the thing I want to be most…."

Michonne reached out and stroked his beard "And what is that?"

Rick's eyes softened "Yours"

*** Authors Note –I will cut this bitch in half came from a Twitter meme. It's Deanna complimenting Rick after he'd shaved and then it cuts to Michonne with that line. I literally laughed out loud. Shout out and full credit to the brilliant woman that created that one wherever she may be!