A/N: Sorry for the wait; it's finally time for their date. Enjoy!

The ticking of the large, circular clock on the wall of Michonne's classroom seemed louder when her students were quiet and engrossed in the tasks they were meant to complete. It was Friday afternoon and Michonne's last class of the day; she often used this time to assign her students a reflective writing task. It was a way for them to debrief after a long week at school, and to afford Michonne a restful, quiet end-of-day session with them. She also took part in the reflective writing as everyone kept a journal on what they were feeling, thinking, disappointed with and looking forward to on the weekend and in the following week; they used the last ten minutes of the class to share.

Michonne stared down at her page and smiled as her eyes skimmed over the headings she jotted down neatly. She was feeling happy and relieved that the Career Expo went well; she was disappointed that Jase Dixon did not show up at school that day, and any days since then; and she was looking forward to going late night shopping in the city with Andrea after school. What Michonne left out of her entry was that she was also very much looking forward to her date with Rick Grimes on Saturday night. She would have felt too much like a teenager if she had written that down. She shook her head and then glanced around the classroom once more. Some students had placed their pens down which meant they were finished; others looked like they were concentrating really hard still.

"We've got five more minutes, guys," Michonne called out as she stood up. "Those who are finished, start a list of things that you found difficult to deal with this week. I'll show an example on the board; this week I found it difficult to manage so many different parts of the Expo I organized."

She wrote her example on the board and then started to pace up the aisles, checking that her students were doing what they were supposed to do.

"Okay," she said. "You all should be just about finished. Let's see what you've come up with. Any volunteers?"

The room remained silent save for a few grumbles here and there.

"Well, how about I start us off?" she asked no one in particular before returning to the desk and picking her book up; she took up a seat on her desktop.

"I was really happy this week that the Expo was a success; I felt a little disappointed that some students used that day to play hooky, but other than that I was pleased. Ah, what else? Oh, yes; I'm looking forward to the weekend," she said glancing around the room.

"Why, Miss? You got a hot date or something?" one of the girls in the back asked, causing the whole class to burst out in laughter.

"Settle down," Michonne instructed, her face growing warm. "I'm allowed to look forward to having a break from you lot."

"Yeah, but you never say it, Miss," another student piped up. "So who's the lucky fella?"

Others began to join in playfully teasing Michonne, who was one of their favourite teachers.

"That's enough. I will not be discussing my personal life with y'all, okay?" she said, barely able to contain a grin.

"That means it's true!" the first girl said and the commotion continued.

"It's good, Miss. You deserve to have some fun. It must be so boring bein' a teacher," said one.

"Are you dating another teacher?" asked another.

"If it don't work out with this guy, my dad's available," said an enthusiastic one. "He thinks you're really hot."

"I know who it should be, Miss. That policeman from the Expo. Oh my gosh you two look so cute together," said Lily who had taken Michonne's photograph with Rick.

Michonne felt flustered; she never usually let her classroom get out of hand, especially with her planned quiet time activities, but now she just could not control her students' enthusiasm. Spending so much time with them meant they were aware of any little change in her demeanour; the usually private Michonne, it seemed, had slipped up and given the teens too much information.

Just then, the bell rang to signal that it was the end of the school week; the boisterous students began packing away their materials and talking loudly. Michonne walked over to the door and stood in front of it until she finally got everyone's attention; she shushed them until everyone was quiet.

"We'll finish looking at your reflections next week," she said with a smile. "Enjoy your weekend."

xXxXx

Michonne hurried down the corridor to meet Andrea in the reception area; she was earlier than her friend and only she and Leanne stood there.

"Glad it's Friday," said Leanne cheerfully as she shut down her computer and started to pack things into her purse.

"I hear ya," replied Michonne. "What have you got planned?"

"Not a whole lot. I thought I'd get some gardening done. Just get some work done around the house. Nothin' exciting at all. What about you? Any hot dates with eligible bachelors?" asked Leanne with a wide smile.

Michonne got the feeling that Leanne was referring to a certain Deputy; she really did not know how to mind her own business, but meant no harm.

"Uh, actually…"

"Hey there you are!" called Andrea as she approached the reception area. "I went to look for you in your office."

"I told you we were meeting here," Michonne reminded her friend.

"Shit. I forgot. Have you been waiting long?" asked Andrea.

"No. Leanne's been keepin' me company anyways," Michonne smiled.

"Oh," said Leanne. "Did y'all want to see a sneak-peek of next week's newsletter?"

Andrea sighed, thinking it was boring and nothing special; she also wondered why Leanne wanted to hold them up on a Friday afternoon to look at her handiwork, even though it was always impressive and highly necessary.

"I don't know if we've got the time," said Andrea. "We're off to the city for late night shopping tonight."

Leanne paid her no mind and started to rifle through some papers in her inbox tray.

"Michonne needs to find a fun, sexy new outfit for the weekend," Andrea added with a bright smile.

"Does this have anything to do with why she needs a new outfit?" Leanne asked with a smile of her own.

She held up a piece of paper that was covered with pictures; they were pictures from the Expo. Placed in the top right corner, where Leanne was pointing, was a very flattering picture of Michonne and a certain Deputy named Rick Grimes. Andrea's eyes grew wide as she stepped closer to reception desk and snapped her fingers, gesturing for Leanne to hand over the paper; she did so without fuss.

"Oh my goodness, Mich! You guys look so cute together!" she said excitedly.

Leanne nodded with enthusiasm.

"I thought the exact same thing when he first came in here and y'all were talkin'," the receptionist said.

Michonne felt a little flustered but could not hold back a smile; she could not think of anything to say.

"So," said Leanne. "Is he part of the reason you're off to get a new, sexy outfit?"

Michonne chortled.

"I'm not sayin'," she answered playfully.

Leanne raised an eyebrow.

"Not to worry, I'll find out soon enough; nothin' gets past me," she said laughingly. "But enjoy your weekend."

Michonne and Andrea both bid Leanne farewell and left.

xXxXx

The two best friends sat at neighbouring tables at the beauty parlour while they were receiving manicures on the warm Saturday afternoon; both opted for classic French tips.

"How are you feeling? Excited?" Andrea asked.

Michonne smiled.

"I am," she said in earnest. "As you know, it's actually been a little while since I've dated, so I'm nervous."

"Want some pointers?" asked Andrea.

"Nothing from those pornos you watch," Michonne joked.

"Never mind then," Andrea replied teasingly. "Seriously, you want some advice?"

Michonne nodded her head.

"Sure," she said. "Can't hurt."

"Don't be nervous and enjoy yourself; he's gonna love you, Mich," Andrea said warmly.

xXxXx

"I'm actually a little nervous about tonight," said Rick as he checked himself over in the mirror once more.

"Yeah, it'll be fine, Dad," said Carl as he sat on the end of Rick's bed and watched him. "Miss Harris is really nice."

"You sure you're okay about this? Me dating one of your teachers?" Rick asked again.

"I told you before, Dad; it's cool with me. Whatever makes you happy," the teen answered. "It's just one date, right?"

"Yeah, it's just one date," Rick replied.

"Well, make a good impression and remember your manners and you'll be okay," said the boy.

Rick nodded his head as he straightened his clothing.

…..

I should've offered to pick her up, thought Rick as he nervously waited out the front of one of two fancy restaurants in King County.

Shane had told him that women liked to arrive fashionably late; that made some sense, though the other things Shane had said about females seemed unlikely. Just as Rick checked his wristwatch for the third time, a sleek figure rounded the corner; the sound of her heels against the pavement grabbing his attention. It was Michonne; she greeted Rick with a wide smile as she neared him. He gave a small, shy wave in her direction; his smile as big as hers.

Her hair was pulled back in a bun, she wore a simple black dress that stopped just above her knees and matching heels. She looked elegant and beautiful and Rick uttered wow under his breath.

"Hello," she smiled as she stopped in front of him.

"Evenin'," he replied. "You look great."

"Thank you," Michonne replied. "You certainly clean up well yourself."

They shared a shy moment before Rick opened the restaurant door and held it for Michonne; she smiled once more and stepped inside.

…..

"Can you check again?" Rick asked as his patience began to wear thin.

It was apparent that the restaurant had made a mistake with their reservation; their table had been booked a hour and a half later than Rick had wanted.

"I can but it's going to say the same thing," the young woman said. "Maybe you and your friend would like to wait in our bar area until your table is available."

Rick began to feel his calm demeanour slip away; he wanted the date to be perfect and now it was not going to plan. He turned to look at Michonne to gauge what she wanted to do; she shrugged as if to say that would not be so bad.

"You don't mind sittin' in a bar waitin'?" he asked of her.

"If we don't have any other choice," she said with a small, reassuring smile.

Rick pinched the bridge of his nose.

"If I wanted to take you to a bar for our first date I wouldn't have worn a suit and tie and we'd have just went on down to Ernie's," Rick said.

"Well let's do that then," Michonne offered.

"What, go to Ernie's?" Rick asked for clarification.

"Sure. Why not?" said Michonne. "I've never been there, but I've heard they do a delicious steak."

"Okay then," Rick said with a grin.

…..

Rick finished off the food that Michonne could not as the two of them sat in the dimly lit bar that was named Ernie's, after the owner's great grandfather. Old school country music played on the juke box as a few couples danced and laughed; the place seemed very low key and everyone knew Rick.

The young red haired waitress came back to their table.

"How's everything over here?" she asked amicably.

"Just fine, thanks," said Rick.

"Can I get y'all somethin' else?" she said as she looked at Michonne and Rick with a smile.

"Did you want a drink?" Rick asked of Michonne.

"Sure. I'll have what you're having," she answered with a cheeky grin.

Rick smiled back at her.

"Two beers, please," he said.

"Okay, Rick. Won't be long," the young woman replied as she cleared their table.

"You come here often?" Michonne asked as she leaned on her elbows.

"Why'd you ask?" said Rick.

"Well, I know it ain't Cheers, but everyone knows your name," Michonne offered playfully.

Rick chortled.

"I get called here a lot on the weekends. Believe it or not, this place gets a lil' rowdy," Rick said as he gestured to the décor.

His favorite feature was the retractable chicken wire cage that protected the band from flying beer bottles.

"I think it's charming, in its own special way," Michonne laughed as the waitress returned with their drinks.

Two cold beers in two mason jars.

"This is a honky-tonk, isn't it?" asked Michonne.

"Yes, ma'am it is," Rick replied. "My apologies, again."

"Don't be sorry. I've never been to one before, it's actually been interesting tonight," said Michonne.

"So you're not completely disappointed in our date," said Rick.

"Not at all. It's been great," said Michonne as she drank her beer.

"Well the night ain't over yet," said Rick as he looked to the dancefloor with a gleam in his eyes.

"Oh, I think I need at least two more jars of beer before you get me up to dance," she laughed.

Rick wasted no time in getting the attention of the waitress and gestured that he would like two more drinks.

…..

I'm a fool, oh for you.

It may take a while but I'll prove it's true.

Well if it's lovin' you want well I've got it; if it's money you want then I'll get it.

I'll buy you tall, tall trees and all the waters in the seas.

I'm a fool, fool, fool for you.

Rick sang the lyrics to the upbeat song that blasted out of the speakers as he twirled Michonne around and around on the dancefloor. She had no idea what the songs were that were playing, but she and Rick danced to each one of them. She felt warm and safe with her body pressed against his as they moved together in time with the tempo. When Rick stared into her bright eyes and mouthed I'm a fool, fool, fool for you Michonne almost believed him.

The song ended and they were still wrapped in each other's embrace, Rick staring into her eyes and trying to catch his breath. A slower song began to play and Michonne draped her arms over Rick's shoulders as she smiled at him. They did not begin to sway to the music like they had before as the first line of the song filled their ears.

I would bet my life, like I bet my heart that you were the one, baby….

Suddenly overcome with the desire to be closer to Michonne, Rick leaned in slowly and pressed a soft kiss to her mouth. The music, the people dancing next to them, and the atmosphere of the bar all faded away into oblivion as Michonne kissed him back.

A/N: Lyrics to songs by Alan Jackson – Tall, Tall Trees and Look at Me