A/N: Back for your weekly TWD fix! Hope you guys are enjoying the story so far, I've been looking forward to this phase of the fanfic for ages because I had ideas for certain characters and interactions in this. I'm pleased with this chapter and I hope you guys like it too, one scene in this I have had written for a year because I knew exactly how I wanted it to go. If you guys enjoy the Pol/Rick fluffiness and romance, this chapter is littered with it!

Thank you to the faves and follows: godric777, Mikki18 and veronipz! Also to the reviewers:

Gracie Miserables: Me too! Ooh no you're completely entitled to your opinion about the Monroes! Don't stop expressing your opinion about them on my account, I hope you enjoy the Alexandria era anyways!

godric777 (from Ch9): Yeah haha ofc it's still pretty bad on Pol's account but I didn't wanna make her perfect, interesting characters have flaws.

Enjoy!

Alexandria was impressive from the glimpse that we saw. We all walked cautiously as the first set of gates opened.

There were some abandoned houses and rubbish littered on the road before we came to the second set of gates. A rustling in the woods was enough to make all of us jump.

We pointed out rifles as the bin rattled and Daryl released an arrow. Reaching into the bin he picked up and held a dead ferret as we were met with a new face when the second gate opened.

"Gee what a lovely way to make an impression." I said sarcastically as the new guy was looking at us apprehensively.

"We brought dinner." Daryl said charmingly as I suppressed a grin.

The man gave Aaron a side glance who was grimacing at us.

"It's okay. Come on in guys." Aaron welcomed as we walked through the gates. We watched as the gates closed behind us, locking us in.

"Before we go any further I need you all to turn over your weapons. Stay. You hand em over." The man said.

I had a feeling that it would come to this, I don't know about anyone else but my colt and knife were staying with me.

"We don't know if we want to stay." Rick stepped forwards.

"It's fine Nicholas." Aaron said softly.

"If we were gonna use them, we would've started already." Rick said lowly as I smacked my forehead.

I stepped past Rick towards Nicholas, narrowing my eyes at him as I passed.

"What, we mean to say is that we've been in sticky situations like this before. We just want to be cautious." I said calmly.

"Let them talk to Deanna first." Aaron said.

"Who's Deanna?" Abraham's voice rang out.

"She knows everything you wanna know about this place. Rick, why don't you start?" Aaron asked.

Rick looked back to the rest of the group and then back at me. I nodded encouragingly as he began to walk past me.

"Actually Aaron do you mind if I come with?" I asked as Aaron looked thoughtful for a moment then nodded in agreement.

"Is that okay?" I said lowly to Rick who nodded.

"Well, let's go." I placed my hand on his back as we followed Aaron further into Alexandria.

...

Aaron had left us in a room that resembled a study. There were bookshelves filled to the brim with a desk that had documents sprawled across it.

There were a few sofas in the room and chairs. I walked over to the bookshelf looking at the classics. My fingers stopped over Lord of the Rings and I smiled fondly. Remembering when Rick had read that to me when I was ill.

I looked back at the man in question I was still annoyed at. Who didn't fully trust my judgement. Or anyone else that wasn't his. But my annoyance was fading.

"Rick." I called his attention to the book on the shelf. He walked over as his eyes focused on my fingers. He snorted slightly, his lips tilting upwards. He brought his fingers up to mine and traced them.

"I remember." He said lowly, his fingers gently tracing my hand, his eyes fixed on the movement.

There wasn't much distance between us as he subconsciously stepped towards me, his eyes glancing at my lips. My eyes met his blue stormy ones as my fingers itched to touch his skin.

"Hello." Rick slowly took his fingers off my hand and stepped in front of me.

"I'm Deanna Monroe." There was short older woman with strawberry blonde hair who was smiling at us. Her gaze drew to where Rick was standing protectively in front of me.

"Rick Grimes." He said. I gave him a look and stepped around to greet the woman.

"Polaris." I said politely. Monroe? That name sounded familiar but I couldn't put my finger on it.

"You mind if I film this?" Deanna asked.

"What?" Rick and I both spoke at the same time.

"Do you mind if I film our talk?" She repeated leaning against the sofa.

"Go ahead." Rick said as I shrugged in response.

I came and sat on the sofa as Rick sat right beside me, his hand on the edge touching mine.

"Why are you filming this?" I asked her.

"For transparency. It's unusual for me to do two interviews at once." Deanna stated, a hint of a smile on her face.

"Is that a problem?" I raised my eyebrows at her.

"Of course not."

"Me and Rick. We're a team. There's nothing to hide here." I said, my hand grazed his.

"Alright then. How long have you been out there?" Deanna asked.

"Since the beginning." Rick replied.

"How did you all find each other? Did you know each other before or-"

"We didn't know each other before." Rick's eyes looked away from the camera as I stayed silent.

"Oh, I assumed you two were married. You act like a married couple." Deanna looked shocked.

"We're not." Me and Rick said at the same time.

My cheeks reddened slightly as I glanced at Rick also avoiding my gaze. Deanna noticed and I could see the hint of a smirk on her face.

God this woman was like a hawk, she didn't miss anything.

"We, met after the outbreak, but still near the start of of it." Rick replied, his eyes set on the ground. I knew the memory was replaying in his head, as in mine.

She could also see we didn't trust her yet to give her all the details.

"I was a congressperson. Ohio, 15th district. You two?" She looked between us.

"I don't think it matters anymore." Rick dismissed.

"Oh I know it does." Deanna said.

"What is this place?" I asked instead.

"This is the start of sustainability. That's what the brochures we found say. This was a planned community. With its own solar grid, cisterns, eco-based sewage filtration. Starting in the low 800,000s if there is such a thing." Deanna chuckled.

"How did you end up here?" Rick echoed my thoughts.

"Well my family and I were trying to get back to Ohio so I could help my district manage the crisis. And, the army stopped us on a back road and directed us here, they were supposed to come back later." She explained.

"But there are supplies here. And we made the best of it." She shrugged.

I'll say. They had the lucky end of the zombie apocalypse.

"You put up the wall?"

"Well, there was this huge shopping mall bring built nearby. And my husband Reg is a professor of architecture. And who he was mattered quite a bit." She leaned forwards.

"That's not the same for everyone. Who I was, hasn't mattered at all. It's actually who I've become, that has allowed me to survive." I leaned forward to match her gaze.

"If I stayed who I was, I'd be dead." I finished as Deanna's mouth widened into a smile.

"And who were you?"

I stayed quiet as her lips curled upwards.

"Eventually more people arrived and we had help." She continued.

"You been behind these walls the entire time?" Rick asked incredulously.

"We need people who have lived out there. Your group is the first we've considered in a long time." She addressed him.

"You should keep your gates closed." Rick said as I turned to him suddenly.

"Why?"

"Because it's all about survival now. At any cost. People are always looking for ana ngle now. They measure you by what they can take from you. How they use you to live." Rick finished.

"Are you convincing me not to take in your group? Or are you already looking after this place?" Okay I admit. She was good.

"Aaron says I can trust you."

"Aaron doesn't know us." I interjected.

"We've done things out there. Killed countless people out there, but not needlessly." I said.

"I've killed people out there so my family could be alive and I could be alive for them." Rick finished passionately.

"What do you want from us?" Rick stood up to look out the window. I turned around on the sofa to look as Deanna joined him.

"These families should be able to raise children in a safe environment. Your son and daughter should grow up safe. We need help to survive. I know that you two, can do that." Deanna looked at me as well.

"How? People rarely change who they fundamentally are." I scoffed.

"You did. I'm exceptionally good at reading people." Deanna smiled.

"It's 3.37pm. You're skeptical. You have a right to be, but I still think you'll listen to what Polaris says. And she wants to say." Deanna pointed to me.

"I was a sheriff." Rick said softly.

"I was a scientist." I replied.

"A scientist? So you must have some idea of what's going on?" Deanna asked intrigued, I felt Rick stiffen because me.

"No actually, I worked in infectious diseases but this one was unlike any other." I replied with a polite smile.

I could feel him relax beside me.

"I see." Deanna sat backwards into the chair.

"Well. Rick, Polaris. Welcome to Alexandria."

...

We reluctantly handed all our weapons over, including my machete without such I felt bare.

The rest of the group were subject to interviews from Deanna. I was glad I didn't have to be under her gaze because she was good at reading people.

Aaron lead us over to two big houses standing side by side.

"These two are at your disposal." Aaron presented.

They were both impressive houses, the likes of which I had never seen or had gotten to live in.

"Wow." I whistled.

"Yeah, Deanna's asked everyone to give you guys your space. So take your time and explore. If you need anything you call me, I'm 4 houses down." Aaron said.

"Wait." I called him as he was walking away.

I threw my arms around his neck in a hug as he patted my back.

"Thank you." I pulled away and smiled at him.

"You are welcome at mine and Eric's place any time." Aaron invited me as my heart warmed at his invitation.

Me, Rick and Carl started at the big house. We tentatively opened the door, walking into the living room. It was a big open plan downstairs space with fresh clothes.

We walked into the kitchen as Carl opened the tap. Running water, something we hadn't had in a while.

The kitchen and living rooms were beautiful. There were empty photo frames in one corner which had been laid out gently. I saw my pack in the living room with a note attached to it.

Your secret's safe with me - A. I smiled and tucked the note into my trousers, I definitely liked Aaron.

"I'm gonna hit the shower. Any of you wanna go first?" Rick asked.

"No you go ahead." I said as he nodded and walked upstairs. I followed him and paused at the bottom of the stairs. I wasn't gonna leave this fight unresolved.

...

I knocked on the bathroom door a few times but no answer.

"Rick?" I slowly opened the bathroom door, finding the man in question staring at his reflection in the bathroom mirror.

He was dripping wet and my eyes roamed over his bare chest and torso. He held scissors in one hand and there was a razor by the sink.

I shut the door behind me and walked in, causing Rick to look at me in surprise. I jumped up on top of the space next to the basin with my legs dangling over the edge.

Rick looked at me questioningly. There was still tension regarding Aaron, I could feel it. But it was silly to fight over something like that.

It took me a minute to realise how bare he was in front of me. He was just in a towel. It was a stage of our relationship we hadn't discussed.

"Come here." I motioned for him to come closer. He walked forward, his bright blue eyes trained on my face until he was standing inches away. He was looking at me with something akin to curiosity.

I took the scissors from his hand and cupped the side of his bearded cheek. I rubbed my thumb over the hair, looking back into his eyes. I pulled the hair and began cutting the long strands of his beard.

"I can do this myself you know." Rick said as I turned his cheek slightly to access his beard.

"I know, I want to." I hummed, tilting his head upwards to cut the hair underneath his chin.

I picked up the razor and waited as he rubbed the shaving cream onto the short beard.

"I'm gonna miss Mountain Man Rick." I sighed heavily as he snorted in amusement.

"Thought my beard was too scratchy?"

"Oh I've grown to love it. And the man underneath." The corners of my mouth turned upwards, our fight fading already.

I pulled him closer until he was standing in between my legs and began shaving away the rest of the beard. Rick kept his eyes on me throughout the whole act, once I had finished. He was clean-shaven.

I stared at him in surprise. The shave had taken years off his face, he looked like he had when I first saw him. The sharp jawline, the striking eyes.

"What? Does it look bad?" Rick asked. I gave him a small smile, suddenly feeling very shy by how close he was to me. And very he was only in a towel.

"You look just like this idiot stuck in a tank, who saved me many moons ago."

Rick's mouth twitched upwards at the memory.

I tugged on his arms, pulling him even closer. I ran my thumb across his soft lips, my skin tingling from his warm breaths. I traced the outline of his jaw with my fingers my thumb resting on the side of his face.

Cupping his cheeks, I brought his face towards mine, brushing my lips gently over his. I closed my eyes, relishing the taste of his soft lips. It took a few moments for Rick to respond, he pushed his lips firmly against mine.

Our lips moved in synchronisation as he snaked his arms around my waist, pulling me flush against him. I wrapped my arms up around his firm shoulders, pulling him in deeper for the kiss. His tongue slipped into my mouth, warm and soft, igniting a fire within me. He tasted fresh and familiar, his wonderful scent mingling with my own.

I ran my hands up and down his back. He seemed to like pulling me closer and closer. I tugged on the wet strands on his hair, the heat from the shower steaming the room and the contact with his skin making my own clothes wet.

My hands brushed against his stomach. He was slimmed but still toned. This seemed to elicit a small noise of pleasure from the man who began moving his hands up and down my arms. His hands found the bottom of my T-shirt and began pulling it up. I stopped his hands as he returned them on my waist once more.

"Rick." I whispered breathless as he began peppering kisses on my chin. He moved his mouth to my neck and began nibbling, causing my eyes to flutter close and pull him closer.

"Dad?" A voice called from somewhere in the house.

He paused his ministrations on my neck, making a groaning sound.

"Did you hear that?" I said quietly.

"Must be your imagination." Rick muttered as he began kissing me again. I was lost in the mould of his lips again before I reluctantly pulled away.

"Dad?" The voice called again.

"It's Carl." I deadpanned.

"He's downstairs." Rick said dismissively.

"Rick." I said more firmly, with a sly smile. His hands were cupping my cheeks, those thoughtful eyes of his brandishing my soul. He held my gaze as I allowed myself to become lost in his eyes, forgetting everything. Then the reality of Carl being a few feet outside the door caused me to push him away.

"Fine." He relented, pushing his wet hair back. He brought his arms around me to loop them at my waist, standing close again.

"I'm sorry." He said seriously, looking at me.

"That was a hell of an apology." I grinned in response, brushing his hair back.

"I know, but I should trust your judgement more." He sighed.

"Rick, you know I trust you. Or course we should be careful about trusting people like Aaron. I get it, but there's a way to go about it." I explained as he nodded.

"I trust you too Pol, implicitly. But I was being cautious for the group." Rick said softly.

"I know you were. But you have to consider my judgements too, my opinions." I argued gently.

"I know that. I am sorry." He said.

"Like you said to Deanna. Me and you are a team." He said.

"I got angry and me mentioning Lori, that was over the line." I said.

"But you were right." He brought his hand up to my cheek.

I pulled him in and pressed a chaste kiss to his lips, pulling away before he had the chance to respond.

I gaped at the fresh face in front of me, running my hand over his smooth jaw feeling the loss of his facial hair. It would take some getting used to.

"You don't like it? Yer the one who did it." He scoffed in disbelief.

"No it's just a change." I chuckled.

"I gotta tell you, it's taken about 10 years off your face." My thumbs brushed over his lips as Rick closed his eyes and held my hand to his lips, kissing them.

I jumped off the counter, once again being much shorter than Rick. I cleared the condensation from the mirror to look at my disheveled appearance. My lips were swollen slightly and my hair messy. My eyes darted down to my neck, where a purple bruise appeared.

"Did you give me a hickey?" I gasped in disbelief. I touched the spot which was tender and looked back at Rick, who had a mischievous glint in his eye.

"Technically it's a love bite." He defended.

"What are you 12?" I raised my eyebrows at him as he grinned.

"I'm sorry?" Rick suggested but I could see he didn't mean it at all. He bent down and pressed a kiss on my neck where the bruise was.

"Not gonna cut it Grimes." I narrowed my eyes at him.

"How am I supposed to cover this up?" I pulled as much of my hair over it as possible.

"You better find another way to make it up to me." I glared at him.

"I can think of plenty." Rick said, fighting a smile. He bent down to press a kiss on my forehead.

"Love you Pol." He smirked, the action lighting up his newly shaved face.

"Out!" I pushed him out of the bathroom, hearing his laugh echoing down the hall.

I looked in the mirror pondering what had just happened. I was sure Rick thought that was leading to sex. So how was I supposed to tell him I wasn't ready yet? I couldn't bear to imagine how he would take it. But I had to tell him, before he expected something I couldn't commit to.

Before I fell down that rabbit hole I decided to enjoy the shower. Throwing my clothes off, I jumped under the steaming hot water, enjoying the best shower I was likely to ever have.

...

The house itself had about 4 large bedrooms upstairs. I waltzed around in a towel until I found one that would be good. I could share it with Michonne. That shower was the best one I had ever had and I was completely clean, all the grime and filth gone.

I opened the wardrobe to look for some decent clothes to wear. The temptation was to throw on a T-shirt and some trousers and call it a day. But there was a black dress my eyes were drawn to.

This wardrobe was also stocked with different sized bras and underwear. I dropped the towel and saw myself in the full length mirror. Shocked by how skinny I had become, I remembered a time where I would've been dying for this body. And now I had almost died to get this body.

I was sure all my strength was also gone as well. My arms were still somewhat toned but they were like twigs now. I definitely needed to bulk up. I turned around and glanced at the scars on the back. Still numerous and ugly. I pulled the hair over the hickey Rick had given me, frowning fondly.

I slipped the undergarments on which felt like a luxury and the dress which came down over my knees I zipped it up. Helpfully there had been razors in the bathroom so my legs and arms were now smooth.

My hair was now mid back length and smelled fresh, it fell down in wet tresses. I admired myself in the mirror and admittedly I looked decent.

I found long socks and slipped them over my feet, I found my way downstairs where I heard chatter coming from the kitchen.

It was Rick's voice and another woman I didn't recognise.

"It's okay if you're not okay with this yet."

I walked into the kitchen, finding Rick sitting in the chair, holding a mirror up to his face. His hair has been cut slightly shorter and there was a woman with blonde hair with scissors in her hand and her other hand twisted in Rick's hair.

"Uh hi?" I said feeling like I had interrupted something, then my eyes were drawn to how handsome Rick was looking.

"Hey, what do you think?" He asked looking at himself in the mirror.

"You look very handsome Mr Grimes." I teased as he chuckled.

"Pol, this is Jessie. She has two sons and lives across the street. Jessie this is Polaris." Rick introduced.

Jessie removed her fingers from Rick's hair and held her hand out to me.

"It's nice to meet you." She smiled warmly as I shook it apprehensively.

"Likewise." I nodded giving her a small smile.

"Are you two, is Rick your husband?" Jessie asked innocently.

"Uhm no." I glanced at Rick who had a dusting of pink on his cheeks.

"Pol's my- We're together." Rick finished, his eyes roamed down my body in the dress and to my legs, half of which were showing.

"Ah okay." Jessie looked slightly embarrassed, she seemed nice and I wanted to put her out of her misery.

"So Jessie, you offering haircuts? If Rick's done, do you mind?" I asked gesturing to the wild tame on my head.

"Course not." She smiled. Rick stood up off the chair his eyes still on me as he walked out of the kitchen.

"You look beautiful." He said walking away, his eyes holding the promise of a proper compliment later. It was my turn to blush as I sat down in the chair.

"He's quite the charmer." Jessie said as she began combing my hair back.

"Yeah he can be." I smiled slightly, sighing as her fingers brushed my hair.

"Okay, so how do you want it?"

...

Once Jessie was done with my hair, I thanked her and went out onto the porch where a few more of the group were done with their interviews.

"Your hair, it looks different." Carl said in surprise.

I smiled at him and ruffled his head as he swatted my hands away.

"Still looks good though. Right Dad?" Rick turned around, Judith in his arms.

His eyes focused on the short choppy hair that came down to meet my chin. It wasn't quite as short as when I had first met him but it was pretty damn close.

"Wow. You look just like the girl an idiot in a tank saved, many moons ago." Rick echoed my words with a sly smile.

I punched him lightly on the arm.

"You look nice." Carol looked at me up and down in the dress as she rubbed my back.

"Thank you." I smiled back at her as she disappeared into the house next to us.

"Daryl." I called the archer's attention who was sitting in the same clothes and looking just as grimy.

"Please, please go take a shower. I'm begging you." he shrugged then looked up at me.

"What ya all dressed up for?" He frowned.

"I'm not dressed up, this is comfortable." I fold my arms across my chest.

We walked down to porch steps meeting Carol who had checked out the other houses.

"They're right next to each other, but-"

"They took our weapons and they're splitting us up." Rick finished.

"If we're worried, let's sleep in the same house tonight. There's plenty of room." I suggested.

"But I think they can be trusted."

...

We had all settled into the open plan living room. Arranging our pillows and smelling the fresh clean sheets. Some of us were reading, most of us were sitting quietly at the table. I was up against the window seat, next to Daryl trying to convince him to take a shower.

"Daryl,"

"No."

"Daryl!"

"No woman leave me be!"

"Listen it's real simple. The water won't bite, just get under there!" I gestured to him.

"Rick, tell 'er to stop." Daryl pleaded with the man who put Judith down in the crib.

Rick looked at me as I shot him a glare. He put his hands up in surrender.

"Your own yer own." He replied as Michonne came out sighing.

"How long was I in there for?" She smiled.

"About 20 minutes." Rick said.

"I could not stop brushing." She grinned.

"I know, I think I was under that water for half an hour." I grinned back at her.

There was a sudden knocking on the door as we all jolted up. Everyone assumed a defensive position as Rick opened the door.

"Rick I-" Deanna came in then paused and gaped at Rick's clean shaven face.

"Wow."

Rick groaned in response, shaking his head as Deanna came in.

"I didn't know what was under there." She chuckled.

"Yeah who would've thought it was a man and not a bear." I winked at Rick who narrowed his eyes at me.

"Listen, I don't mean to interrupt. I just wanted to stop by and see how you're all settling-" she looked around the room at our positions near each other.

"Oh my, staying together?"

"No one said we couldn't." Rick replied.

"You said you're a family. That's what you said. Absolutely amazing that people from different backgrounds with nothing in common can come together like that." She looked up at Rick in admiration.

"Everybody said you gave 'em jobs." Rick changed the subject. Jobs? I left Daryl and walked over to Rick who was leaning against the doorframe.

"Yeah. Part of this place." She said.

"You haven't given me or Pol one." He replied.

"I have. I just haven't told you yet. Same with Michonne." She smiled slyly at him.

"Closing in on something for Sasha. And I'm just trying to figure Mr. Dixon out, but I will." She promised.

"As for you Polaris, I hear you already got yourself a job." She sounded impressed.

"What?"

"Aaron told me that you were interested in medicine. Well I've spoken to Pete and he'd be happy to take you on and teach you. We could use more doctors in this place."

"I- uh Thank you." I said speechlessly. It felt strange. To have a job after so long.

"You are welcome." She squeezed my hands before heading for the door.

"You look good." She said appraisingly at Rick.

"Both of you do." She gave one last smile before leaving the house.

"My handiwork." I tapped the side of his cheek lightly before settling down on the ground. And for the first time in years, I had a decent night of sleep.

...

By the time I opened my eyes the next morning, majority of the group were gone. In a panic I jumped up from the floor and walked outside on the porch were Daryl and Rick were talking.

I sighed in relief, seeing the rest of the group walking along the road. Carl was pushing Judith in a pushchair. On one side a woman was walking her dog, completely normal. It was strange to wake up in a place and not be met with the sounds of walkers snarling at you.

Or immediately on edge. It was going to take time to get used to.

"Morning." I wrapped my arms around him, pressing into his back.

"Hey." He put a hand on mine and turned around. He leaned down and pressed a kiss to my lips, his eyes looking troubled.

"You didn't sleep last night did you?" I said looking at he bags under his eyes.

"I got some. Was up early." Rick replied.

"She said to explore. So let's explore." Rick said to both of us as Daryl stayed on the porch.

"Okay then, we'll be back." Rick said to him.

We walked down the porch steps and out into the street. All the houses were mansions on the street. It was quiet save for a few children who were playing along the road.

The rest of the group were out of sight. Rick looked panicked and took off running down the road. I looked down at the t-shirt dress and boots I was wearing, wishing I had put leggings on or something.

"Rick!" I chased him, but his legs were longer than mine.

He continued running at speed as I huffed behind him, following him as he chased corner and ran straight into the metal poles in front of someone's garage.

"Rick, are you okay?" Jessie came out looking worried.

"Pol." Her eyes settled on me as I gave her a quick smile, out of breath. Her eyes were drawn to my strange outfit choice and I felt self conscious.

"Have you seen Carl and Judith? We were out and they were ahead of me." He asked her.

"Its okay. I think I know where they are." Jessie said to us as we followed her.

We came up to a house at the wall, an old couple sitting on the porch talking animatedly to Carl and Judith.

"They're fine." I rubbed my hand on Rick's shoulder.

"That's Bob Miller and his wife. It's been a long time since anyone's seen a baby, she's gonna have to put up with some pinched cheeks." Jessie replied smiling.

"I'm sorry I broke, whatever it is I broke." Rick apologised.

"Its a sculpture I'm making with the boys. Its an owl. I mean, it will be. I can't get the eyes right." she joked.

"Right, the eyes." Rick said and I knew from his face it was a load of BS.

"You didn't even get a good look at it." She mocked, seemingly forgetting I was there.

"I was in the middle of losing my mind. Thank you." Rick said sincerely.

"Your welcome." She replied, her eyes lingering on Rick a little longer than necessary.

"So uhm, Jessie you have kids?" I interrupted as she broke her gaze and looked at me.

"Yeah I do, two boys. Ron and Sam. Ron's my oldest." She explained.

"Wow they must be a handful."

"They are, but they're my handful." She shrugged with a smile.

"I hear you're going to be training under my husband soon." She said suddenly.

"Pete?" I asked as she nodded.

"I'm a little nervous."

"Don't be! he's a great doctor, you'll learn a lot." She said encouragingly.

"Rick, do you mind if Carl comes over now? Sam's been wanting to meet him." Jessie asked hopefully.

Rick nodded his consent as we walked over to Carl.

"So, Jessie's nice." I started the conversation.

"Yeah she is." Rick replied.

I couldn't help this sinking feeling in the middle of my gut. It was the way Jessie looked at him. It was how I looked at Rick when he was with Lori, when I thought he didn't notice. I felt this gnawing feeling in my chest, no way Jessie was married. I couldn't think every time a woman looked at Rick they had feelings for him.

But Rick was married too when I fell for him. Maybe Jessie was just being nice. Very nice to him. Us. I shook the thoughts out of my head. It was ridiculous.

...

The same night I could barely sleep. I tossed and turned on the sofa, my thoughts going to our conversation with Jessie. I woke up feeling the empty space beside me.

I turned over, seeing Rick and Michonne talk lowly by the window.

"So why we both awake?" Rick asked speaking to her.

"Rick." I whisper-shouted as his hand reached for the handle on the front door.

"Where are you going?" I asked rubbing my eyes.

"Come back to bed." I patted the sofa beside me.

"I'm just going for a walk. I'll be back soon." He said reassuringly and walked out the door.

The next morning came slowly, Rick had left early to hide our colts he had kept hidden from Deanna outside the walls. I anxiously waited for him to come back. I knew he could handle himself out there, but I still worried when I wasn't with him.

Not wanting to wait any longer I got up from the sofa and walked out of the house. Walking down the street, I received some looks from our neighbours but walked purposely towards the wall.

I came around the corner and saw a situation that looked like it was about to go wrong.

Glenn was face to face with Aiden - who he was supposed to go on runs with.

"Back off Aiden." Tara said.

Aiden shoved Glenn backwards as Noah stepped in between.

"Come on, man just take a step back." Noah said.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" I pushed Aiden away from Glenn, glaring at him.

Aiden smirked at me before pushing Glenn again.

"Come on tough guy." He jeered.

"No one's impressed man. Walk away." Glenn said calmly, a serious look on his face.

"Aiden! What is going on?" Deanna shouted rushing over.

"This guy's got a problem with the way we do things. Why did you let these people in?" He said.

"Because we actually know what we're doing out there." Glenn replied.

Aiden swung his fist around to hit Glenn who ducked out of the way and popped a right cross right to his jaw, leaving him on the ground.

"Aiden, no! That's enough!" Deanna shouted.

Nicholas began running for Glenn as Daryl picked him and threw him off the ground. The gates opened as Rick and Carl came running into the fray.

Aiden grabbed my ankle and pulled it sharply, causing me to fall backwards onto the ground, hitting my head against the gravel. I yelped in pain as my head started ringing, Aiden was standing over me smirking with a bruised mouth.

I jumped up from the ground and punched him as hard as I could in the stomach, then in the face as he groaned and held his stomach in pain.

"I said that's enough!" Deanna shouted to all of us.

I touched the back of my head and small droplets of blood glistened on my hands.

Rick had taken Daryl off Nicholas as Aiden started walking towards Rick.

"You wanna end up on your ass again?" Michonne challenged him as he backed down.

"You okay?" She walked over to me as I nodded, my hand throbbing.

I looked at my knuckles which were hurting and bruised.

"Everybody listen! Rick and his people are part of this community now, in all ways. As equals. Understood?" she asked pointedly looking at Aiden.

"Understood." Aiden said reluctantly.

"All of you turn in your weapons, then you two come talk to me." Deanna said harshly to Aiden and Nicholas as the crow dispersed.

"Pol. You alright?" Rick brought his hands up to the side of my face as I nodded, gently taking them off.

"I'm fine." I reassured, my hands still hurting.

"Are you?" My hand came up to the splatter of blood on his forehead.

"Walkers." He said.

"You say that like it should reassure me." I sighed heavily.

"I told you I had a job for you. I'd like you to be our constable. Thats what you were, thats what you are. You too." Deanna looked at Michonne.

"Will you accept?" Deanna asked.

"Yeah." Rick said.

"I'm in." Michonne replied.

"Thank you both." Deanna turned to me and Glenn.

"For what?"

"For knocking him on his ass." Glenn and Daryl walked away leaving me and Rick standing by the gate.

"I only know one person with that right cross." I heard a voice chuckling behind me. Hold on.

I turned around in surprise. Looking at the man whom I hadn't seen in ten years at least. He still had that boyish look and he was smirking at me.

Monroe. My eyes widened in realisation.

"Spencer?"

A/N: I have had that shaving scene written for over a year and I never though I'd get far enough to post it! I hope you guys enjoy this one and until next time...