A Love Least Expected

A/N: So this is based off an idea that Zeejack had. Rick and Michonne are recently divorced and she has just relocated to King County.

"Come on. You can do it. You're doing great. Just like we practiced in Lamas class," Rick coaches Michonne as she squeezes his hand and bears down once again. She takes a deep breath, holds it, and pushes with all her might. "That's it. Push. Push."

This process continues until a smack is heard followed by the whimsical sound of a baby's cries. Michonne looks to Rick with anticipation, her eyes glowing with happiness and excitement.

He leans over and kisses her sweaty brow as the nurse walks over with a small blanket covered bundle. She places the baby in Michonne's arms and says, "Congratulations. It's a boy."

Michonne gently pushes the blanket aside to reveal the little one's face. He has a reddish hue to his skin, dark brown eyes, and a head full of dark hair. Tears stream down her cheeks as she whispers, "He's beautiful."

"He sure is," Rick agrees as he looks on with nothing but love shining in his eyes.

Seven and a half months earlier

Michonne slowly unpacks the box in her new but temporary office, looking around curiously, wondering if this move is the right one for her. She had to get away from the city after the disastrous divorce with Mike. She looks back on that time and questions how she ever thought she was in love with him. Just recollecting what the last few weeks were like for her gives the needed resolve to think more positively about her new endeavor. She will make it work no matter what.

Her father's best friend and her Godfather, Dale Horvath, was retiring in eighteen months as the King County Attorney and he was passing the title to her. She would be on contract initially, shadowing him and getting to know the people she'd be working with. It was an ideal situation as she would be allotted the time needed to gain full knowledge of what the position required and Dale would be right by her side, helping her with the acclimation.

She was lost in thought, wondering where she should place a certain painting when her stomach rumbled loudly. She looks around in embarrassment and is thankful no one was there to hear it. She reaches for her purse, retrieving a few dollars and makes her way down the hall to the vending machine she'd noticed earlier. A little brown haired boy was already there, looking at the top row all the way down to the bottom.

"Can't decide huh?" She prods.

He looks over at her with curious blue eyes and answers, "Well, those raspberry Zingers are new. I've never tried those before so I can't decide if I should take a chance with the new stuff or just buy my usual chocolate cupcakes."

Michonne smiles as that sounds like a dilemma she'd have herself. "Well, I can attest that the raspberry Zingers are good, but they don't compare to the chocolate ones or the cupcakes." She looks over at him and offers, "How about you get both?"

"Well, Dad only gave me enough for one snack, so…." He trails off as she pushes a dollar inside, punches in the code for the raspberry Zingers and retrieves them.

She hands the snack to him. "Now it's not a dilemma any more. Just don't eat both snacks today. I wouldn't want you to get a belly ache or anything."

He smiles brightly. "Thank you but you didn't have to do that."

"It's ok but don't tell your dad if you were only supposed to get one snack."

"I won't. I'll just save the cupcakes for tomorrow," he promises as he buys another snack.

"Carl, what is taking so long?" A gentleman in a sheriff's uniform approaches them.

The little boy notices him and quickens his pace. "Sorry Dad. I couldn't decide. This lady here….uh…what's your name?"

"Michonne."

"Michonne was helping me decide. She said….."

"That's fine son but it's time to go. I've got to get you to your Mom's," his dad relays.

Carl holds his snacks and thanks Michonne again.

She smiles. "You're welcome."

The dad steps up behind his son, placing his hands on his shoulders. At that particular moment, Michonne's stomach rumbles loudly again. His eyes pop as she laughs with embarrassment.

"Sorry. That's why I'm here. I need to get something in here and fast," she states as she pushes money into the machine.

"There's a really good diner close by. That would be a lot better than these snacks here," the dad advises.

Michonne looks at him. "I'll be sure to visit them after work. Thanks."

"You're new here huh?"

"Yes, I'll be working with Mr. Horvath."

"Oh. You'll be our new CA right?"

"Right."

"I'm Rick. I'm sure we'll be seeing more of each other in the coming months." He tries to keep his eyes on her face but couldn't help noticing her physique encased in a grey pinstriped skirt and a pink blouse as he was walking towards them. "Michonne right?"

"Right." She is slightly mesmerized by the double dose of bright blue eyes from father and son.

"Well, nice to meet you. Welcome to King County."

"Thank you." She watches as he and Carl take their leave, then retrieves her Zingers and makes her way back to her office.

She takes Rick's advice and visits the diner after work. She orders her meal to go and makes her way to her new home, admiring the older house for its structure and spaciousness. Between her office and home, unpacking and getting things in place would keep her busy for a while.

The next day passes pretty much the same as the one before. Dale is out of town so her official training will start next week with his return. She is sure not to embarrass herself with rumblings of an empty stomach so she grabs her wallet and makes her way towards the exit. She takes the short walk to the diner and was making an order to go when she spots Rick and another officer seated at a booth.

She doesn't really know anyone else in town and wonders if she should say hello. She is sure Dale would introduce her to the people she would be working with next week and questions whether or not she should be proactive and handle the simple things on her own. The decision is made for her as the handsome officer waves at her and gestures for her to come over.

She smiles and makes her way to them. Introductions are made and she is invited to join them for lunch. Her first inclination is to decline but she realizes she is going to need as many allies as she can get in this small town. The hour passes quickly and she is thoroughly engaged by Rick's partner, Shane, as he regales her with story after story about mishaps in their quaint town. She returns to her office, glad that she took them up on their offer.

A couple of weeks pass and Michonne has developed a fast friendship with Rick, Shane, and Carl. She trains with Dale daily, has lunch with Rick and Shane once or twice a week, and Carl visits whenever he is at the station after school.

She is at lunch, laughing with Shane and Rick when the former point blank asks, "Are you single or what?"

Michonne falters for just a bit as she wasn't expecting that. "Recently divorced. You?"

"Looks like you and Rick have more in common than you thought. He just broke his shackles off too," Shane laughs. "That shackle life was never my cup of tea. I don't think I'll ever find a woman I'd like to wake up to each and every day."

"Don't knock it until you try it, right?" Rick asks, focusing on Michonne.

"I'm gonna remain mum on that one."

Shane scoffs. "That bad, huh?" He can see that Michonne is a bit uncomfortable so he forges on asking if they're bold enough to try dessert for a change.

That same week, Michonne is at the gun range, learning to fire a weapon at the urging of Dale. Re-certification courses for officers were given once a month and Michonne just happened to be there while Rick was supervising one of those courses.

She is a little frustrated as firing a gun isn't as easy as she thought. The instructor is with another student, so she takes the time to practice her aim, gearing up for her opportunity to shoot. Rick walks over and asks if she's ok.

"Just a little off. I keep missing my mark and I know I can't rush it, but I thought I'd be better at this," she answers.

He smiles. "Can I offer a few pointers?"

"Please."

He steps in behind her, instructing her to move her feet apart and to bend her knees slightly. He then tells her to lock one elbow but to allow the other one to bend a fraction. He places a hand at her waist and the other on her arm.

Michonne tries her best to concentrate but his hands are very distracting. She closes her eyes for one second and takes a deep breath, focusing on the task.

"You got it?" He asks as he moves up, his chest against her back. His mouth is level with her ear as he says, "I think you're going to do great."

She turns her head toward his voice and looks at him, wondering at the quickening of her heart rate, the increase in her breathing. Their eyes connect and she knows that he is feeling what she is feeling. She swallows nervously and was just about to drop her eyes to his lips when the instructor walks up and asks if she's ready.

She and Rick both smile as he steps back. He can't help but wonder what just passed between them as he addresses the instructor. "Just giving her a few pointers. I think she's going to be one of your best students." He moves on, glancing back momentarily before focusing completely on the reason he is there.

He returns to his office later that day and can't help recalling what transpired between them. He had only been divorced for a matter of months and never thought he'd be interested in dating again or whatever people do nowadays. He scratches his head, contemplating if he should ask her out or ask her if she's interested in him that way. Why am I even thinking about this? He remembers the smoothness of her skin when he touched her arm, the warmth he felt at her waist and does something he never thought he'd have the courage to do.

He knocks on her office door to get her attention as she was preparing to leave for the day. "Hi."

"Hi," she greets with a smile.

"Listen, I uh…..I wanted to ask you something."

"Ok."

"Would you…..would you like to go out…..on a date?"

Michonne looks into his deep blue eyes and the "yes" is right there on the tip of her tongue. She swallows nervously and answers, "I'm sorry. I can't."

XXXXXXXXXX

The disappointment in Rick's eyes when she turned him down keeps drifting to Michonne's memory. The last thing she needed in her life was a relationship and for some reason, she feels like Rick is the relationship type. She is glad that her refusal hasn't affected their friendship. They still have lunch, he continues to treat her just as he always has and for that reason alone, she feels like she owes him an explanation. He has proven that he truly is her friend and she believes she can trust him.

She finds herself at his door, knocking. He looks up from his seated position behind his desk and smiles as soon as he sees her. "Can we talk?"

"Of course. Come in," he instructs.

She steps inside and closes the door quietly. She takes a seat across from him, noticing the photos of Carl on the bookshelf behind him. "We…we're friends so I kind of felt like I needed to explain something to you." She looks down at her hands nervously then returns her gaze to his. "I wanted nothing more than to say yes to going on a date with you. I just didn't want it to complicate our working relationship and there is something you should know."

Rick sits up, propping his arms on his desk. "Yeah?"

"I need to tell you this in confidence, ok?" Once he agrees, she forges on. "No one else knows. Well, Dale knows, but he's the only one and he has been sworn to secrecy." She sighs. "The day that my divorce was final, I found out….that I'm….I'm pregnant."

His eyes pop with her admission and he can't help but look at her stomach.

"It's still early, but I've decided to keep the baby and raise him or her as a single parent. I haven't even told my ex-husband yet. Anyway, I just thought you should know. I'm too much of a complication for anybody right now but I would really love it if we could continue to be friends."

Rick tries his best to camouflage his shock. He clears his throat. "Of….of course we're friends. That doesn't have to change." He searches her face. "Are you gonna be ok?"

"I'm fine and I'm happy….for the first time in a long time." She moves to a stand. "Well, thanks for hearing me out. I appreciate it. Also, friends can still have dinner so I'd like to invite you and Carl over next week. Would that be ok?"

"We'd love to. Just let us know when," he returns.

She walks to the door and opens it. "I will. Thanks again."

Rick watches as she leaves and wonders at her bravery. Relocating to a new town, taking on a new job, and facing a pregnancy alone. His admiration for her just grew by leaps and bounds.

They make plans for that following Wednesday night. Michonne leaves work a little early to go by the grocery store and to get started on dinner. Her guests arrive promptly and she can't express the happiness she feels at having others in her home. Some nights the house is just too quiet.

Carl and Rick were full of compliments as they devoured their meal of steak, baked potatoes, and green beans. Michonne smiles, knowing that her guests are enjoying her culinary skills.

"I feel really bad now," Rick admits.

"About what?" Michonne asks.

"Shane felt left out and I'm going to make it worst by bragging on your cooking tomorrow," he offers.

She gasps. "Oh no. I never intended to leave him out. I just didn't think….I'll apologize and try to make it up to him. You just should've brought him with you."

"He'll be fine. I'm sure he had a date or two lined up," Rick states.

"Yeah. Uncle Shane is hardly ever alone," Carl supplies.

They enjoy slices of cake for dessert before calling it a night. Carl has school the next day and they have work. Father and son thank her profusely and the former is sure to say he would be returning the favor soon.

A month passes and the friendship continues to grow. They see each other every day at work and Rick even calls each night just to check on her and to say good night. Michonne is thankful for his friendship and believes she made the right decision in moving to King County.

She is in Atlanta for a doctor's appointment as she has yet to procure an obstetrician locally. The appointment went well and she is now at her favorite frozen yogurt eatery, contemplating calling Mike and finally telling him about the pregnancy. She takes a deep breath and dials his cell number. He picks up on the second ring and as soon as the pleasantries are handled, she asks if they can meet somewhere.

Twenty minutes later, they are at a park near his place of work, walking side by side amicably.

"What is this about Michonne? Having second thoughts?"

"I need you to be serious. This is important," she tells him.

"Fine. Spill it."

She plays with the material of her dress at her thigh nervously. "I'm pregnant."

Mike frowns as he looks at his ex-wife. "Come again. You're what?"

"I'm pregnant and I'm keeping the baby," she repeats.

"And you're telling me because….." he trails off, waiting her answer.

"Because the baby's yours and I thought you should know."

"Mine? Are you serious? We were separated for at least a year before the divorce. I know I was with other people so I assumed you were doing the same."

"Well you assumed wrong. Yes, we were separated and I suppose you conveniently forgot Terry's birthday party and how you begged me to take you back," she reminds.

"That…that was a mistake…."

She scoffs. "You're telling me. Regardless, that mistake warranted this pregnancy and….."

"Well you're just gonna have to get rid of it. We're divorced. There's no way I'm having a baby with you now," Mike states.

Michonne's mouth drops open at his inconsideration. "I have decided to keep this baby and I'm going to raise him or her on my own. Although I was hoping you'd want to be a part of your child's life."

"Michonne, this is the last thing I need right now. I have plans, goals and a child fits nowhere in that equation." He pulls his cell phone from his jacket pocket. "I'll find a clinic and make an appointment. We could probably get this taken care of one day next week."

She swallows nervously. "Didn't you hear anything I just said? I'm keeping my baby. You cannot force me to have an abortion."

"So you're just going to disregard what I want? I'm telling you point blank I don't want this child. I mean, how do I even know it's mine?"

She can feel the sting of tears and is determined not to allow them to fall. She is not sure how, after all this time, he can still hurt her as badly as he does. "You're more than welcome to get a DNA test once the baby is born." She gives herself a slight shake. "I was just trying to do the right thing. Take care, Mike." She turns and walks away despite him calling her name.

She cries on the drive home, ignoring the insistent chime of her cell phone. Her tears are more so for her unborn child and the fact that he or she may or may not have a father in their life. She's not even sure what she expected from Mike, but this wasn't it. Maybe deep down she knew he would oppose and that's why she waited to share the news. The fact that he suggested an abortion hurts her more than she ever thought anything could. He is the one who threw away everything for an affair with his rich boss. He put his goals and aspirations above her, above their marriage and yet she is willing to bear his child while he would rather get rid of the baby.

She pulls into her driveway and looks around, questioning her life again. She has never felt more alone. She couldn't call her parents because she has yet to tell them about the pregnancy. Her best friend, Sasha, wouldn't understand either. Besides, she had her hands full with a husband and two kids. She takes a deep breath and looks at her huge, sprawling house feeling the emptiness of it so profoundly. It all seems so overwhelming as the tears reappear and she drops her head to the steering wheel.

Meanwhile, Rick is just a little anxious. He knew she had a doctor's appointment but he expected to have heard from her by now. He has called her cell several times but she hasn't answered. He tells himself he should just go home and she would call him when she is available. For some reason, he is unable to convince himself and ends up driving to her house.

His relief is palpable as he drives onto her street and sees her car in the driveway. He was about to drive on but something urges him to park his car and walk up to the front door. He rings the doorbell and waits for a minute or two. With no answer, he shakes his head and retrieves his cell from his pocket.

Michonne's cell startles her as she lifts her head from the steering wheel and looks over to see who is calling. It's Rick again. She picks up the phone about to answer when she sees him standing at her front door. She dismisses the call and wipes at her face hurriedly, knowing she probably looks awful. She opens the car door and steps out just as he turns around.

He spots her and smiles with relief only to falter when he takes in her tear stained face and reddened eyes. He makes his way towards her as she doesn't look to be in the best condition. "Hey. Is everything ok?"

She shakes her head, fresh tears pouring down her cheeks. "I….I saw Mike and he doesn't want the baby."