A/N: This is a new story I've been thinking of writing about two of my favorite leading men - Fitzgerald Grant and Rick Grimes (with a mixture of Olivia and Michonne). It takes place in Texas and will be told from several different POV's. The topics may be heavy at times so read at your own risk. I'm not sure how often I will update yet...please bare with me lol. I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to read :)
Rose Colored Glasses
Chapter 1: Grimes vs Grant
Fitz waited impatiently for his brother to arrive. His schedule was busy and there was a deadline he was trying to meet before leaving on his trip tomorrow. He checked the large clock on the wall and was about to phone and check his ETA when his brother finally came in. He was dressed in full uniform and didn't apologizing for being late.
"I've got a shit load of paperwork to get through, you ass. I've been waiting for nearly an hour!"
Rick smirked at the over zealous comment and sat behind his desk, slightly adjusting his gun so it was out of the way.
"I had a last minute stop I needed to make- domestic violence dispute. It wasn't far from here."
His words froze Fitz and he immediately dropped the tough guy act, instead waiting for him to explain why he asked him to make a special trip in person.
Rick took his time, looking around his desk until he found the folder he was searching for. He glanced through it briefly before handing it Fitz. There was no expression on his brothers face and after a few seconds passed he finally opened it to look inside.
Fitz read through the documents and within seconds everything made sense. This was about their father...the man only one of them cared to claim.
"He made bail yesterday. I thought you should know."
"A simple phone call would've been sufficient."
Fitz was clipped and meant every word. There was no reason for him to make a special trip like this. He was used to his father being in and out of jail these days. Nothing was different about this time. Nothing.
He stood, not waiting for a reply and tossed the folder back on his brothers folder. Rick remained quiet although there was so much that needed to be said. It pained him to see the distance it was causing and no matter what he seemed to do, Fitz simply wouldn't accept the olive branch be continued to try and extend.
"I'm keeping tabs on him. Beaumont PD has my number. He's gonna get himself killed or God forbid, kill someone else."
Fitz placed his hands inside his pockets and stared at the floor unable to argue with his brother. It was true. Their father was a full blown alcoholic spiraling out of control. They unfortunately knew how these things ended...jail or death was typically the outcome.
"I leave for Grapevine tomorrow to visit Catherine."
Rick watched his brother's eyes gloss over at the mention of their mother. He had legally taken her last name when he was 17 years old and never looked back. They have been Grimes vs Grant ever since and in many ways it was the beginning of the end of their unstable relationship.
"I know. We spoke this morning."
Fitz should've figured as much and didn't wait around for any more chit chat. He opened the door to his brothers office and stepped out when he spoke again, stopping him in place.
"She has a new nurse checking on her periodically...so be a gentleman and don't scare her away. Mom is quite pleased with her so far. We met a few weeks ago. I want her to work out."
Fitz rolled his eyes at the comment but chose not to engage in his brothers ridiculous statement. Rick was constantly judging him when it came to women and Fitz could honestly care less what his brother thought of his love life.
He watched as Fitz closed the door and it wasn't long before Rick resumed his day, getting caught up on his own fair share of paperwork. It wasn't long when his door opened and Michonne walked in, no doubt checking on him.
"I ran into Fitz just now. Did you show him the file?"
Rick leaned back in his chair and smiled, grateful for the distraction. Michonne looked more tired than usual and he knew her overtime was eventually beginning to catch up with her.
"I did. And it didn't matter. You know how he is."
Michonne stared at him for a brief moment and he could see the concern all over her face.
It was no secret to anyone on the force old man Grimes was a ticking time bomb waiting to implode. Ever since their mother filed for divorce his world had been turned upside down. Her recent battle with cancer took a toll on their marriage and now that she was in full remission her first order of business was giving their dad his official walking papers.
When the divorce became final, Harold allowed alcohol to take control of his life. He went from being an occasional drinker to a full time drunk in a short period of time. His saving grace has been his son, Sherriff Rick Grimes, who made a real name for himself in Harris county. His father's latest arrest earned him an actual night's sleep in jail with the option of bail only because the judge respected Rick a great deal and took pity on the old man.
"If you need anything, let me know. I'm pulling another all nighter tonight. We meeting at our usual tomorrow?"
Rick nodded at his long time friend and smiled.
"I wouldn't miss it."
The drive into Grapevine was depressing as memory after memory flashed vividly into Fitz's mind. He couldn't understand why his mother, Catherine didn't move. She knew he would have her living in the best area in Houston yet she insisted on staying put, living in a home filled with old ghosts and buried secrets.
It was just like her to do things her way...it never mattered how many people doted on her...she was as stubborn as they came and too set in her ways for living the "city" life.
The file Rick showed him yesterday embarrassed him more than anything. It was difficult watching your parent transform and switch roles. Both him and Rick became the parents while Harold acted like a spoiled teenager with a death wish.
He gave up on the notion of having normal parents years ago and took matters into his own hands when he turned the magic age of 17. He became his own legal guardian and saved up enough money to take his mother's maiden name...Grant. It was his way of letting both parents know he couldn't be controlled and the only way he could figuratively sever ties with his father.
The Grimes name, to him, represented everything Fitz was against. Yet his brother wore the name proudly- which was another reason they seemed to always be at odds.
When Fitz finally made his way down his parents street he saw the same 1984 Chevrolet station wagon his mother drove for the past 30 years. The site of it gave him anxiety and it was yet another reminder of how backward his mother's thinking seemed to be.
A sporty black Jetta was parked in the driveway and his brothers words entered his mind.
Don't scare her away.
He shook his head pushing the thought out of his head and pulled up next to the car. It had been over a month since he'd been home and he did look forward to visiting Catherine. Everyone was relieved when they got word she was cancer free. It had been a long year filled with grueling chemo and he looked forward to finally having his mother back.
Fitz didn't bother knocking and let himself right in. To his surprise the house smelled welcoming and he could hear laughter coming from the kitchen. His mother was seated at the small table while a woman hovered over placing food onto her plate. They both turned at his presence and he locked into a stare with the large brown eyes ahead.
"Fitzgerald...I was expecting you much later. I'm glad to see you, Son."
"Hello, mother. I see I'm just in time for breakfast."
The woman serving his mother was quite petite...and strikingly beautiful. She smiled in his direction and approached him directly, holding her hand out to formally introduce herself.
"Hi, Fitzgerald...I'm Olivia Pope- your moms nurse. But I kinda help her in other ways." She paused, laughing and motioning to the stove. "I've heard so much about you."
Fitz shook the woman's hand and for the first time in his life grew tongue tied.
"Err...hello. Umm...call me, Fitz...please."
Fitz turned his attention to his mother and kissed her hello before taking the empty seat next to her. Olivia brought another plate and set it in front of Fitz without asking. Soon, it was covered with bacon and eggs and the smell alone made his stomach growl.
"I can do this myself," he sheepishly said, embarrassed a woman he didn't know was serving him.
"I'm happy to do it. How was your drive?"
Her words were kind and Fitz wasn't used to such hospitality. His mother had never been known for her culinary skills and he couldn't remember the last time he sat and ate a homecooked meal. He shuffled uncomfortably in his seat and looked at his mother who couldn't have been more content. She was smiling and looked quite well since the last time he visited. He didn't want to appear rude so he answered Olivia before inquiring about his mother's health.
"The drive was long. But I was glad to beat the rush hour. How are you, Catherine? You look well."
His mother laughed at her name being said and continued her bite almost as if she was thinking about a memory.
"My son calls me by my first name, Liv...have you ever witnessed such a thing?"
Catherine shook her head in contempt and Fitz blushed at his mother's blatant chastise. Olivia was busy about the kitchen and looked over her shoulder briefly but didn't reply. Fitz didn't have the balls to look her direction and waited until his mother was finish making her point.
"I've never felt better...Liv has been a God-send. She's single, aren't you, honey?"
It was Olivia's turn to blush and it didn't go unnoticed. She placed the now clean pots back into their proper location and walked over towards them with her hand on one hip.
"Alright, Ms. Cathy...stop trying to fix me up with everyone who stops by. I'm single by choice, remember? We've already talked about this."
Fitz's heart sank at the mention of "single by choice" but didn't show it.
He could feels Olivia's eyes on him and when he finally returned the eye contact she shot him a playful wink. He suddenly found himself smiling and quickly looked away back towards his mother. She wore light pink scrubs and her hair was pulled back into a high pony tail. Her skin was flawless, her lips, not to mention everything else, was shaped perfectly. He found everything about her intriguing and had absolutely no idea why. Catherine shook her head and patted Fitz's arm, lovingly pointing towards Olivia.
"This ones a fire cracker, Son...you're gonna love her."
Sweet Eugene's coffee shop was a local favorite found in the heart of downtown Houston. It was 8:00 sharp when he arrived and just as he slid his hat off he spotted Michonne sitting in their usual spot in the back of the cafe.
"Morning, Sherriff," a waitress greeted, as he passed the front check out area.
He nodded and said hello, grabbing a newspaper from the counter on the way.
Michonne was soon to spot him and instantly reached for the coffee pot left on the table and poured him a cup.
"Do you ever sleep?" He inquired sliding into the booth across from her.
"Do you ever shave?"
Michonne's tone was sarcastic and made Rick smile. He self consciously grabbed his chin scratching the tip several times before grabbing his cup of coffee. Their banter was effortless and he appreciated when a woman could hold her own.
It didn't take them long to fall into their normal routine of recalling their day's events. They had been meeting for breakfast at Sweet Eugene's at least once a week for the past several years. They met when she transferred to the area and became instant friends. There were few people Rick trusted with his life and Michonne just happened to be one of them. Even though she made it clear she would never date a colleague, he couldn't help but wonder if she would ever make the exception.
Before he allowed his thoughts to get out of hand, he decided to mention his brothers trip home to Grapevine.
"Fitz left to see my Mom this morning."
Michonne set her cup down and thought for a few moments. He knew her well and had no doubt she was choosing her words wisely.
"Fitz and your mother alone and under the same roof..." She paused and made a funny face, narrowing her eyes. "Maybe I should contact the GPD and have them check on the farm."
Rick let out a laugh and Michonne smiled a wide grin.
"It shouldn't be that bad- lets just hope he doesn't start in on her about the land. That's my biggest concern."
"Do you think your parents are really over, Rick? I just can't believe two people who were married for over four decades-"
"My mom had every right to divorce him, Michie. Every. Right. There's no excusing his behavior. She needed him most when she got sick."
"Easy...I know and I'm not disagreeing...I just don't believe he's the deadbeat Fitz claims he is."
"My brothers arrogant. Most lawyers are," Rick scoffingly replied. "But he has every right to disown him."
There was much truth to what Michonne was trying to explain but he didn't want to hear it. He never claimed his Dad was father of the year but the way he handled his mother's battle with cancer was unforgivable in his opinion.
"Yet you haven't." It was an honest observation.
Rick broke eye contact and took another sip of coffee. Harold Grimes was his father, plain and simple. His blood. He couldn't turn his back on him. He wouldn't. And everyone knew it, especially Michonne.
"No, I haven't. But that doesn't make Fitz wrong. Can we stop talking about my family? I know you can't keep your mind off me."
"Don't flatter yourself, Sherriff, she instantly shot back. "We both know that's the other way around."
Rick smiled and placed his elbows on the table resting his head in the palm of one hand. The air shifted between them and he couldn't control the words that came out.
"You know what they say...best friends make the best lovers."
Michonne rolled her eyes and despite her desire to play it cool, Rick saw her blush right in front of his very eyes. The flirting never grew old and he knew one day...ONE DAY...she would reciprocate and her walls would come down.
"And you know what I say, Sheriff Grimes. Business and pleasure should never mix."
Rick huffed at her explanation and returned his arm to its previous location. He reached for another sip of coffee and dismissed her response altogether.
It was your typical relationship between these two. They had worked together a long time and in Rick's eyes it was only natural for his feelings to change towards her. Unfortunately, she didn't feel the same but it didn't stop him from sharing what he felt she was missing out on.
Moments later a call came over Rick's radio and that was his cue to get going. He stood and reached for his wallet when Michonne raised her hand at his gesture.
"It's my turn...I've got it."
Rick gave her a quick stare and honestly couldn't remember who paid last. Without thinking any further he returned his wallet to his back pocket and reached for his hat on the table.
"Get some sleep...you look tired."
His voice was low and sincere and Michonne nodded her head in agreement.
"I will. See you soon."
Rick was pleased with her response and placed his hat on his head making his way out of the coffee shop. The location given on the radio wasn't too far from where he was so decided to respond, letting dispatch know he was in route.
The Texas heat was strong but nothing he wasn't used to. He looked around the quiet street for a moment and a sense of calm came over him. He closed his eyes and said a quick prayer underneath his breath...a prayer his mother taught him as a child.
It had become sort of a habit now whenever he responded to a call he would say this prayer. When he was finished, he made his way to his squad car and slithered in, pulling up his laptop connected to the center console. Within minutes, he was ready and driving down the streets of downtown Houston.
His day had officially begun.