Disclaimer: I do not own the Walking Dead

A/N: was perusing Tumblr and saw pictures of Michonne's horse Flame and they inspired this one-shot. I've been writing such angst-filled stories lately, I thought I'd better lighten the mood before people started thinking I didn't want our dear survivors to be happy (because I do; I want rainbows, unicorns, pancakes and all that other good stuff).

"Wow, she's a beauty." Said Rick, as he drove the car up to the fenced area of the abandoned farmhouse. The horse was still where Michonne had seen it earlier in the day. They both exited the vehicle and approached the mare that was grazing near the fence. Rick placed a finger to his mouth in an effort to tell Michonne to remain quiet. He reached a cautious hand slowly towards the animal and gently stroked its mane. She flinched slightly obviously surprised by the contact. Rick spoke quietly to the horse.

"Hey girl, it's okay. It's okay. There you go." He said as he continued his contact with the horse that now seemed calm at his touch and his soothing tone. Michonne smiled at his gentleness with the creature, she found it endearing. He spoke to the mare in the same soft voice that she noticed was reserved for Judith.

"There should be a saddle and reins around here somewhere. We should check the stable." He said as he turned to look at Michonne, who was still beaming at him. He could not help but return the grin when he noticed how her whole face lit up when she smiled.

"Why so cheerful?" He asked curiously, tilting his head.

"Oh it's nothin'." She offered playfully. "Just don't get to see you being all cute very often. It's nice."

Did she just say I was cute? Why are you just staring like a dumbass, Rick? Say something.

"Thanks." He stammered. "You're nice…and…and cute too." Really? What am I, fourteen again?

Michonne laughed at his awkwardness which she found to be completely adorable and strolled past a red-faced Rick Grimes towards the stable.

"Come on, let's find this saddle."

Michonne walked out of one of the sheds with several buckets filled with gardening supplies and proceeded to pack them in the back of the car.

"Look what I found. Seeds! Thank you Jesus! You have no idea what I'd do for a salad, Rick." She said, in an unusually upbeat manner that Rick was almost certain she set aside for his young son Carl only. Either way, it made him feel happy when she was happy, he admitted to himself. It was the first time that he and Michonne had been on a run together with just the two of them. He was actually a little more eager to venture out alone with her than he realized. When she and Daryl returned to the prison earlier in the day and she mentioned that they had seen a horse that she would have liked to bring back, Rick almost physically jumped at the chance to accompany her to the farm. Maggie, the much more experienced rider, would have been a better choice to bring the horse back; but Rick, for some reason, was adamant that he should go.

Michonne watched Rick as he skilfully fastened the saddle, bridle and reins to the mare. Gently rubbing the horse down and talking to it as he did so.

"How long have you been riding?" She asked him.

Rick turned to face her and looked contemplative.

"I rode a lot when I was a kid, not so much just before the Turn. A little bit after the Turn. For me it was like ridin' a bike, you don't forget how to do it."

"Is it true you rode into Atlanta on horseback?"

He nodded and laughed slightly. "Yeah, how'd you know that?"

"It was in the weekly edition of the Apocalypse Newsletter some time ago. The photo of you was nice, less beardy." She said with a grin. She was definitely on her game today. Rick chuckled, pleasantly surprised how easy it was to talk to her when no one else was around. He liked it.

"Carl mentioned it once or twice." She finally told him.

"Yeah?" He asked, a little stunned that Carl and Michonne were talking about him.

"Oh yeah. He talks about the cool stuff you've done. The kid's proud of you." She said honestly.

"And from what I've heard, you're full of surprises." She offered and Rick could not help but smile as he thought so are you.

Carl rushed down to where his father rode up on the horse.

"She's so cool, Dad!" The boy exclaimed excitedly as his father dismounted the horse and Michonne walked over to them. "She's awesome, Michonne. What are you gonna name her?"

"I was gonna let you pick a name." She replied.

Rick watched their exchange warmly. It pleased him more than he would like to admit that his son and Michonne got on so well.

"Are you for real?" He almost squealed, his face lighting up.

She nodded, a wide grin on her face.

"I'll have to think about what to call her! Thank you so much. That's so cool of you."

"It's fine, anything for my favourite guy." She said, just happy to see Carl excited.

"Dad, can I get riding lessons?"

"If Michonne says it's okay, then it's fine by me." Was Rick's reply, as he glanced at Michonne.

"Hold up cowboy!" She interjected. "I need lessons first. I haven't ridden at all before."

"We should go see Maggie right now!" Carl exclaimed excitedly.

Maggie? Rick thought quickly. No, that's no good. He had hoped that he could give Michonne riding lessons, after thoroughly enjoying their time alone together, he concluded that lessons with just the two of them would be the perfect excuse he needed to spend more time with her, get to know her better.

Rick cleared his throat.

"I'm happy to teach you a thing or two." He offered Michonne before she and Carl, in all of their excitement, could skip hand-in-hand up to where Maggie was.

"If you'll have me." He added, secretly hoping she had picked up on the hidden meaning of his statement.

"Of course I will." She smiled, almost shyly.

Carl watched their odd exchange as the both seemed to forget he was still standing there.

"What about me, Dad? Will you teach me too?" The boy interrupted as Rick was forced to pull his gaze from Michonne's.

"Ladies first, son." Was Rick's answer as he resumed staring at Michonne again.

"What'd he call her?" Asked Rick the following morning as he and Michonne walked down to where her horse was kept.

"Flame." She smiled and answered. "I like it, it's nice."

"He's good at pickin' names. Did I tell you he named Judith?" Rick asked, trying to get more conversation out of Michonne. She shook her head.

"No, you never mentioned it. Neither has he." She said, surprised the Rick was opening up to her and trying to make small talk. She was glad of it.

They were both quiet a little while.

"Thank you." Rick finally said.

Michonne looked at him slightly puzzled.

"For what?" She asked, not quite sure what Rick was referring to.

"For always makin' time for Carl. For lettin' him be a kid around you."

"It's okay, Rick. You don't have to thank me."

"So you really ain't ever done this before?" Asked Rick.

She shook her head, looking excited and a little nervous at the same time. He admired her sense of adventure, as well as her practicality in wanting to ride the horse instead of using up gas by driving. The manure would also help their plants to flourish.

"Hardest part is gettin' up onto the horse, then you have to get used to the feeling of sitting up at that height and when the horse moves, it's gonna feel like you'll fall off. Takes some time to feel right."

Rick had Michonne watch him as he demonstrated how she would need to mount and dismount Flame. She thought he made it look easy. It suited Rick and Michonne found herself ogling him as he let Flame trot in a circle around her as she smiled up at him, thoroughly impressed.

It was then her turn to try her hand at mounting Flame. She placed her foot in the stirrup the same way as Rick had moments before. He stood close to her in case she lost her footing, and held the reins while she flung her leg over the horse.

"That's good." He encouraged. "How does it feel?"

"Ohh I dunno, Rick. I think I'm going to fall." She said a little anxiously, feeling somewhat unsteady at the new experience.

"It's fine, you'll be fine. I'm here. I won't let you fall." He offered gently, sincerely.

"I'm gonna get her to move now, okay?" He asked, making sure Michonne was comfortable before he did anything. She nodded and he slowly directed Flame along a few steps.

"Rick, Rick! Stop, please. I feel like I'm gonna fall. Please." She pleaded with him. He immediately stopped the horse.

"It feels funny, I've gotta get down for a sec. Can you help me down, Rick?" She asked, looking concerned as a strange sense of vertigo overcame her. "Shit. I can't remember how to get off." She said, sounding a little panicked. "Rick, which way do I swing my leg again?" she asked, becoming flustered.

"Hey, hey, it's okay. Calm down a bit, Flame can sense that you're a little freaked out. Here, swing your leg towards the front."

"No, no. Rick I can't move, I'm gonna fall." She said, more anxiously than before.

"Shh it's okay, I got you. Just swing your leg to the front. Trust me." He said reassuringly, in that gentle tone.

She acquiesced with his suggestion and moved her leg slowly, holding on tightly and trying not to lose her balance. Rick reached both of his hands up for her, telling her it was okay and that he had her one more time, before placing his hands at her waist. Instinctively, she placed her own hands on his strong shoulders as he lifted her from the horse. He supported her as she slid back to the ground, landing slightly closer to Rick's body than she intended to. Her hands were still on his shoulders, and he still held on to her waist as they stood there staring at each, neither one ready to move.

Back up at the outdoors cooking area, Carol, Daryl, Hershel and Maggie watched Rick and Michonne.

"Y'all seein' this?" Asked Daryl, chuckling slightly. "He's a smooth criminal, good ol' Officer Friendly." He added as the others all laughed, and got comfortable to watch the rest of their morning entertainment. Rick and Michonne thought they were not being obvious, but the others knew they were attracted to each other. Glenn had even started taking bets on which of them would make the first move and how long before it would happen.

"You know honey," Hershel said as he addressed Maggie. "I took your Mama for a horse ride right before I asked her to marry me. She said yes. Works every time."

The others all smiled at the old man's story, his daughter placed a kiss to his temple.

"Looks like Glenn's gonna have to cough up three bottles of whiskey before lunch time if Grimes keeps this up." Daryl said amusedly as he took a seat.

"Thank you." Michonne whispered, still standing so close to Rick, her hands still resting comfortably on his shoulders and her heart racing. She wasn't sure if it was from her fearing she would fall from Flame, or because of the proximity of hers and Rick's bodies. She could very easily reach one of her hands to the side of his face and draw him into a kiss.

"Don't mention it." He whispered in reply, not moving his hands from her small waist and staring into her big brown eyes. The tingling sensation where she touched him surprised him. It was innocent and instinctive but ignited something within Rick. He could very easily draw Michonne closer to him, press her body flush against his and kiss her.

"You okay?" He asked, as he came to his senses and slowly but hesitantly relinquished her from his grasp. She awkwardly let go of him and nodded. "It'll get easier, just have to keep trying."

She smiled, looking a little more relaxed now.

"Hey," he offered. "I have an idea."

"Just until you're used it." He smiled.

Rick reached his hand down from atop Flame to an uncertain looking Michonne. She took hold of him, placed her foot into the stirrup and, with his help, hoisted herself up onto the back of the horse, seated behind a very confident Rick Grimes. He guided her hand around his waist and told her to hold on to him to steady herself. She brought her other hand around, and interlocked her fingers at the front. Feeling all too conscious of how close they really were now, her body pressed firmly against his.

"Just steady your core, find a balanced seat and let Flame do the rest." Said Rick as he urged the horse to fall into a steady trot around the lower part of the prison yard.

"You doin' alright back there?" He asked a quiet Michonne.

"Yeah." She replied. "It's actually not too bad."

Under Rick's direction, the mare sped up to a gallop and Michonne gripped onto Rick a little tighter.

"Still okay?" He asked.

"Oh yeah," she answered, sounding like she was enjoying herself. "I could get used to this."

So could I, thought Rick as he smiled. So could I.

A/N: I grew up on a farm and had a horse, Sapphire, and to this day I still remember how rocky it felt when I first mounted her on my own. It really feels foreign if you're no used to it and having someone with you makes you feel safe. Psychologically, if this happened, Michonne being faced with a little fear, then having Rick there to 'save' her means she would be likely to always trust Rick to protect her and feel safe in his presence. And our brains release chemicals when we are scared that are the same as the ones when we fall in love! It speeds up the process of attraction. Maybe Rick knew what he was doing all along offering her riding lessons! ;) Anyways, thanks for reading! I'll get back to the Dark Side now…