Exit Wound

Rated M: Mature Themes, Explicit Language, Sexual Content, and Death.

A/N: This is an all human fanfic, (So no zombies, sadly) with all our favorite characters. Some of the characters might be out of character, hopefully not to much.

And this is my first attempt at writing Fanfiction again. So lets get to it.

Prologue

"Have ya'll seen that tight snatch runnin' around here."

Rick turned to face one of his best friends. He was half shaved, dark eyes and they were staring out his living room window. He heard a loud laugh and didn't need to look to notice it was Daryl, his other best friend who was resting comfortably on his couch. His legs kicked up on his coffee table.

"Yeah, I've seen her. She's a quiet little thing."

Rick's eyebrows perked up at Daryl's words. Had he heard what he heard? Had Daryl spoke since the past three hours since he's been here?

"Quiet? Who gives a fuck? I bet she's just as firm as she appears to be." Shane turned from the window, a cold beer in his hands. His wedding finger clicked against the glass as he pointed his index finger at Rick. Laughter in his eyes.

Rick exited the kitchen, moving around the table in his two bed room apartment to head for the couch, throwing himself to sit down next to Daryl, knocking his shoulder into him to move his legs. Daryl groaned, rolling his eyes as he moved his legs down, reaching out to grab for his own beer, tapping his index finger against the rim.

"Why didn't you tell me you had a new neighbor?"

Neighbor? He had a new neighbor? He shook his head, not understanding Shane's question.

"I just saw her glorious behind high tail her way in the building."

Daryl spoke up, clearing his throat. "Yeah, I told you, remember? Two days ago I was dropping off that case file you asked for and she stepped out of the apartment down the hall. "

Rick cocked his head at Daryl, trying to remember two days ago. Hell he couldn't even remember what happened just last night. He had planned to go to bed early, but that T-Dog murder was keeping him awake at night. He was sure he was so close, he just couldn't place the clues in the right order. His death didn't add up. Maybe if he had a poke at Noah again...

"There he goes again. I told ya not to mention the C word around him. You lose him after that," Shane moved around to sit in the loveseat on the side of them, adjusting himself in the chair to hang his legs over the arm.

"Sorry." Rick shook his head, bringing himself back. "I don't recall you mentioning her. I haven't been told anything. You know how Trisha is."

"Who stays on this floor?" Daryl took a swig of his beer, leaning into the couch to try to relax since he couldn't kick his feet up.

"Maggie and Glenn, the newly wed couple in A212. They shouldn't be back for another week. There's Sasha, she lives in A213 beside them. She shouldn't be back though. She works late." Rick continued on, listing who was in what apartment till he got to the last one. He couldn't think of anything.

"Maybe she's in there." Shane chugged down the rest of his beer, shaking the bottle. Glancing at his wrist watch to check the time. "And look at that, I have to take my sorry ass home. Andrea's making spaghetti." Shane moved to stand from the arm chair, placing his beer bottle on the table in front of him. His long arms stretched over his head.

Daryl followed suit, checking his own watch. "I have to get home too. It's almost nine."

"Expecting someone?" Rick pushed himself from his couch, heading for the door to unlock it for them. Usually Daryl would stay. Drink a few more beers, have a cigarette, hang out till it was two in the morning and then leave.

"Not anyone special." Daryl chugged his beer down as well, placing it on the table next to Shane's. His eyes cast downward. Rick knew Daryl so well, that look meant he was embarrassed and he wasn't going to release anything else.

Rick opened his door as Shane and Daryl walked out. Each of them slapping each other on the back as if to say goodbye.

"See you tomorrow at Noah's. I'm going to have another crack at him."

"I told you." He heard Shane mumble, but any other word broke.

Off in the distance, they all heard a door open. A loud sigh and the whiff of heavenly perfume. Their heads whipped in the direction they smelled it coming from. Rick's eyes widen at the sight.

He wasn't sure in that moment if Shane said, 'That's her.' or 'Never here.'

The woman down the hall was tall, dark skinned that reminded him of chocolate cake. His stomach rumbled at the thought. For a second, he wondered if she tasted just as good as he hoped. Her locks were placed in a high bun, long dangle earrings brushed her bare shoulders. The off shoulder knee length black dress she wore hugged every curve. He was sure his heart stopped. His eyes continued to linger as she turned, digging in her small clutch to lock the door to her apartment. Her ass. His teeth met his bottom lip as she bent low, something had fell out of her clutch and she was grabbing for it, her legs extended out showing off her black heels.

He was even sure he moaned, just a bit.

Though Shane and Daryl didn't hear him. They too were admiring what he saw.

Once she straightened, her head turned to face them.

Her lips. Her dark eyes. Rick felt like she swallowed him.

She bowed her head at them before turning around to leave. The clack of her heels gave her away.

She was real not part of some distant dream.

Fuck.

"Rick, you should go after that. She looked like she was putting on a show."

"A show?" He asked.

"I agree with Walsh here. Plus you can't let Lori destroy your dating life." Daryl added, sliding his hands into his pockets.

"My reasons for not dating have nothing to do with Lori."

Shane reached behind him, patting his shoulder as if he were a hurt child. "Sure they aren't buddy. I'll see you tomorrow." Shane gave him one last smack before he left. Daryl bowed his head, doing the same.

Rick watched as they walked down the hall. Caught up in conversation, both laughing. Once they turned that corner did he allow himself to think about on what he had just saw.

A Goddess.

Maybe Shane and a Daryl were right. Had what happened between him and Lori destroy any chance for any other woman? But could they easily bounce back after working a long shift to come home to find your wife on top of her boss, screaming at him to fuck her silly? He asked her days after when he found the strength to even face her. Why? She told him nothing, but a divorce, took his son and left.

He sighed heavily, relaxing against the frame of his door. Replaying over and over of his newest neighbor exiting her apartment. Though each time he did, she wore less clothes and made her way to him instead of leaving.

He coughed once he felt his jeans tighten. Case. He needed to work on the case.

And with one last lingering look at her door. He stepped behind his and closed it shut.

~.~

One year later...

Michonne stumbled up the stairs of the building to get to her apartment. Her head throbbed with pain as her headache came in long waves.

She stilled once she reached the top step, leaning against the wall. Two more minutes she'd be in her apartment, relaxing on her couch. No the bath, she wanted the bath first. Then the bed, the couch wouldn't do her now sore muscles justice.

"You can do it, Chonne." She told herself as if her mother were standing in front of her. She knew she could do it, but couldn't find the strength. Maybe staying up till three in the morning to finish that chapter and then leaving out five hours later to go on an all day date with Morgan was not such a good idea, but she could hear her best friend now.

'Work. Work. Work. You need to let your hair down.'

Of course she needed to let her hair down, but not like this. Not forced. Morgan Jones was a nice guy. Late thirties, soft eyes, and even a more relaxed smile. He owned one restaurant since he was twenty five. He worked hard, knew what he wanted and he was never late when he took her out. Events that she had to dress up for, but goodness. Couldn't they not be seen together for two days?

She had been...not dating. There were kisses here and there, but she never had sex with him. She told him she wasn't in the right emotional state to be naked in front of someone. She was sure he knew of her past history. She wasn't that relaxed to let her hair down. But he was safe. He told her with a soft expression that he would wait for her, but part of her didn't believe him. What man would wait to get laid? Wasn't that the in thing?

She shook her head. He was a nice guy and she should be giving him the benefit of the doubt. He listened to her, he cherished her. He had no issue with waiting.

"One more turn and you're home," She said out loud to herself.

But only if she could make it.

She braced herself though. She was not a quitter. She could do this.

She pushed herself off the wall to turn. Least her door was right there and not down the hall like...

Her thighs instantly clenched at the thought of him. Blue eyes, that southern drawl she heard when she exited her apartments most nights. He was always outside some other night with two other guys. Shanny and Dixon if she recalled. They were always talking, laughing, teasing each other. She didn't want to be nosy. And she tried her hardest not to stare to long. Moments when she did, she kept her eyes on the man that lived there. Quick seconds she stole before she turned her attention elsewhere, especially since she knew Morgan would be downstairs waiting for her.

Her eyes stared at his door. Usually around this time he was letting his friends in or walking them out of his apartment. Last night he had on a long sleeved button up, dark black jeans that hugged his hips. She had been coming up the steps this time when she saw him. His friends were entering his apartment.

She had a right mind to ask Sasha about him. She was just curious, nothing wrong with that, but everytime she tried to hold a conversation with her. She didn't seem like she was in the conversing mood.

I'm technically with someone." She reminded herself as she threw her weight to the otherside of her door, pulling her keys out of her pockets to unlock it. She needed to get inside and fast.

Her keys slipped from her hands to drop to the floor and she was beyond tired to bend down to get them. Well fuck...

She was about ready to give up hope when she heard laughter and it was getting closer.

She heard the loud thunk of boots. Her heart jumped. Was it...him? Was he coming home?

"So Dad. We should plan a trip to Disney World. Lori and Max took me and I had a blast."

"Soon. I'm sure I'm close into wrapping this case up and we can leave."

That voice. It was him.

She cleared her throat, trying to straighten as they grew closer. All she had to do was open her mouth and ask for help.

When he neared the corner, she noticed two very specific things. One, he had a kid with him. He looked about to be twelve or thirteen years old. They had the same eyes, long lingering stare. And two, he wore a hat. Tan shirt and long brown pants. He was a sheriff.

"Excuse me." Her voice perked up higher than she wanted it too.

They both stopped, turned to look at her. The man's eyes eyed her up and down before rested on her face. His eyes, she wanted to drown in his eyes. "I dropped my keys and I'm pretty tired. Do you mind getting them for me?"

A cool breeze brushed against her legs and it was right then she realized she wore a short sleeved shirt and skirt today that hugged her knees. Her thighs clenched once more.

"Carl, go on. I'll be home in a minute."

Carl nodded his head at them before he made his way to the man's apartment. It was as if they read each others minds before they made a move.

"I'm Rick." He dropped to a fast crouch, grabbing for her keys. His thumb brushed against her ankle. She jolted. It was electric. He came to a slow stand and her body was on fire. She glanced down at him. Her breath hitched. He gaze was hungry almost.

He extended his hand out, her keys dangling from the tip of his pinkie finger. "I'm Michonne. I'm so sorry. I've been up all day and..."

She reached for her keys. She could do this. Take her keys without touching him, turn around to open her door and run inside. Her body felt hot all over from just his stare.

I'm with Morgan, she mentally mumbled to herself, but she didn't believe her words. Everytime she went out with him. She was counting the hours till she was ready to go home.

Their hands touched. His thumb traced something on the inside of her palm. She hissed.

"It's alright. I haven't been getting much sleep either. Enjoy your day now."

She didn't want him to pull away and again, as if he read her mind. He didn't.

It was like they were stuck in that spot, not even her headache could break it.

"Dad!" Carl yelled from down the hall. "Our shows on."

Michonne pulled her hand back as if burned, taking her keys with her. She mumbled a soft 'Thank you' before turning around to fiddle with the door, unlocking it to slide inside.

Rick was still standing there, watching her even with Carl, his son, calling for him.

"It was nice to meet you." She blurted out, kicking off her heels to close the door.

She was sure when she closed the door. He had said, "The pleasure was mine."

Song for this story: Never Be Like You- Flume

This is my first attempt at Richonne. I've read some pretty amazing stories over the past couple of days and it inspired me to let loose.

Thank you for giving my story a chance.

Thumbs up...yeah?