Michonne let out an annoyed screech and then punched her pillow, causing Rick to wake from his light slumber.
"What's wrong?" he asked with half-opened eyes while sitting up in bed and glancing over at his girlfriend of six months.
"Sorry," Michonne offered as she rubbed his bare back gently. "Nothing's wrong. I was just reading my books and it ended on a cliff hanger and now I have to wait for the next issue. But don't worry, baby. Go back to sleep."
She threw him a small, apologetic smile before continuing to gently rub a moment longer. She placed the comic book down on the night stand and switched off the lights. Rick glanced at the alarm clock's glowing face and sighed before sliding back down in the bed.
"It's almost one-thirty," he sighed. "I'm sure you love those comics more than you love me."
"They're comic books, Rick; comics are what you find in the newspaper. And don't be silly; you know I love you both the same," she joked as she nestled closer to him and draped her arm over his waist.
Rick grunted in response.
xXx
"Michonne?" Rick called out from her adjoining bathroom.
"Yeah?" she answered from inside of her bedroom.
"Did you wanna go out somewhere and grab dinner?" he asked, hopeful that she would.
"Ah, can I give it a raincheck?" she asked.
Rick sighed and walked into the bedroom where he found Michonne sitting on her bed with a box of comic books to her left, plastic comic book bags to her right and a number of brightly colored issues spread out over her dark comforter.
"What're you doin'?" he asked as he took in the sight before him.
"Oh, I'm bagging my books," she answered naturally as if he was familiar with that activity.
"Is it gonna take long?" Rick queried, glancing down at his watch.
"Maybe we should order-in…"
"Really? It's gonna take that long?" he asked.
Michonne shrugged.
"I have to catalogue them as well," she explained.
"Catalogue them?" he asked.
"Yes. I need to keep a record so I know if there are any gaps in my collection," Michonne replied.
Rick let out a deep sigh.
"What?" she asked, taking note of his seemingly sour mood. "You know this is my pleasure."
What about our pleasure? He thought, feeling let down.
xXx
The muffled sounds from the car radio hummed quietly in the background as Rick and Michonne were making their way home; he had picked her up from work and both were eager to retire to Rick's place for some much needed time alone. Rick tapped his right hand on the steering wheel and smiled to himself. He could not believe how lucky he had been to have her in his life and he was thankful for her every day since they had me. Michonne was the supportive, loyal and downright amazing girlfriend that Rick never knew he needed. Their time spent together was something he cherished, since they both had very busy work schedules.
