I can't tell you how nervous I was posting the first chapter of this story, since it's different from what I'm used to writing. I started this in April and with a little shove from a pushy tiger, I finally put it out. Thank you for reading and your support. I hope you enjoy the rest of this story, because believe it or not, I enjoyed writing it.


"Look man, just do me this one solid. I know she digs me. I mean...how could she not?"

"Come on Abe, an anniversary party? I don't even know these people." Rick looked up at Abe's face. The overly large man had decided that sitting on top of Rick's desk was the best way to get the detective to do him this one particular favor.

"They're good people Rick. I've known Glenn for a while and his wife Maggie is a pretty badass chick. They won't care about you being there. Think of it as a reward to yourself for solving so many cold cases. You've been her for six months, it's time for you to meet some people who don't work for the department. Come on. Just ask Sasha to be your plus one." Abe handed Rick the extra invitation he suckered Eugene out of. "It's not a date." He emphasised "And I'll take it from there."

"Why can't you just ask her to go with you."

"Not really good workplace practices my friend; besides, I never see her outside of the department. Will you just do this one thing for me? I'll owe you a few cases of beer."

"Fine Abe, I'll ask, but I'm not making any promises. What the hell am I supposed to do once you walk off with Sasha? I won't know anyone there."

"Don't you worry about that. There'll be plenty of ladies there to occupy your time." Abe tapped the desk with his pointer finger two times and then got up once Sasha came back into the room. "Hey Sasha." He said passing by her, smiling and then nodding his head at Rick so he'd know that sooner rather than later would be prefered.

"Abe." Sasha responded, not paying much attention to the gingered haired man, who seemed to always be around. She sat at her desk and waited for the office door to close before speaking to her partner. "Does he need more work to do or something? Everytime I look up, he's there. He's an officer, right?"

"Yeah, he is."

"Can he go patrol something?"

"I think he's looking to." Rick said slyly. "You busy Saturday?" He wanted to get this over with as soon as possible.

"No. Nothing pressing. Just some Netflix with Sniper."

"I still can't get over the fact you named your dog Sniper."

"What's wrong with that?"

"He's a Yorkie."

"A deadly one." Rick laughed at the absurdity of a seven pound dog being deadly.

"If you say so... Look, I've got an invitation to the Rhee's anniversary party. You want to come with me?" Seeing Sasha's inquisitive look, he amended his request to put her at ease. "Not as my date, just my plus one. I don't know them and doubt if I know anyone at the party. You'd be doing me a favor."

"Oh okay. Sure. I happen to know the Rhee's. I heard about this party a while ago. I wasn't going to go since I didn't have a date, but...sure. I'll pick you up at 7."

"Great. Wait...what? You're picking me up?" Rick smiled because he'd never been picked up for a date or just a platonic plus one situation.

"Yeah. You picking me up, would be too much like a date, so wear something nice Grimes."


"There's a lot of people here Sasha. What do the Rhee's do?"

"Maggie's a veterinarian. Glenn is a hacker or something. He tests the firewalls of companies and makes sure people can't get into them."

"How long have you known them?" Asked Rick as they entered the grand entranceway, made up of glossed red mahogany that glistened under the twinkling of the overhead crystals from the large chandeliers that hung from the ceiling.

"A few months after I moved here, I took Sniper to her clinic for a check up. She's really sweet. Glenn showed up and she introduced me. Sweet couple. You want to meet them?"

"Why not. Love to know whose party I'm crashing."

"You're not crashing anything with an invitation. You look very nice by the way." Sasha looked over his grey suit, a lot different than his usual basic black or light blue button down shirt and khaki pants he wore everyday to work. "Looks like there's a few women here who have noticed you. They're giving me the side eye for walking with you." Rick shook his head, at his partners attitude at the women. "Look at that blond over there and that brunette beside her." Sasha pointed at the two staring women, not caring about being polite. "Pick your poison and I'm sure you could take one home tonight."

"We'd have to walk since you drove me here. You already messed up my game Williams. Thanks." Rick said sarcastically. "They're not my type anyways."

"Well what's your type then? I'll help you find love tonight."

"Love? Does it have to be love?"

"Go big or go home, right." They walked to the middle of the room before stopping. "And since I'm driving and you can't go home until I'm ready, let's make it love."

"Well hello… fancy meeting you two here." Abe's attempt at being discrete failed Rick miserably.

"Well look who it is Sasha….Abe's here. What are the odds?" Rick grumbled out.

"Wow, Abe. You clean up really good." Sasha was impressed by the way he wore his dark blue suit. Against his fair skin, he looked nothing short of handsome. "I was just about to introduce Rick to Glenn and Maggie. Do you know them?"

"Oh yeah, me and Glenn go way back. He used to be my sparring partner."

"You used to fight Glenn?" Sasha questioned not able to see the differently sized men sparring.

"Oh yeah. He might be smaller than me, but he packs one hell of a punch. Come on, let me do the introductions." The three of them walked a short distance and were in front of the happy couple in no time.

"Abraham Ford." Glenn greeted. "I didn't know if you'd make it. With all the police work that you do around town and all." Sasha rolled her eyes at Glenn wondering just what half truths Abe had told him about his work at the department. "Good to see you man." Glenn extended his hand to Abe and they shook, then hugged like the old friends they were.

"Glenn, I'd like you to meet Sasha Williams." Abe placed his hand at the small of Sasha's back, giving her unexpected butterflies.

"Sasha, nice to see you... again. How's…. Sniper, right?"

"You remembered. He's doing good. Still a killer."

"Of course he his. I had to talk Maggie out of going out and getting one that same day after she met him. Those dogs are tripping hazards."

"Did I hear my name over here?" Maggie said coming to stand next to Glenn after talking to some other guests. "Hey Sasha. Haven't seen you in a while."

"I was just there a few weeks ago, but they said you were out."

"Oh yeah, I've added field work. Farm animals. Everything okay with you and Sniper?"

"Everything's great. Happy anniversary you two."

"Thank you, and thanks for coming. Who's your friend?" Maggie asked noticing Rick standing next to Sasha.

"This is Rick."

"Rick Grimes." He greeted, shaking both Maggie and Glenn's hands. "Nice to meet you. Quite a turnout you've got here."

"Rick's my partner in the Cold Case division."

"Oh wow, you're in law enforcement too?" Rick nodded his head and gave a small smile. "I hope you do more work than this guy?" Maggie pointed to Abe and laughed.

"Oh Mags, you know Abe works hard over there. I've seen his log in time at the computer." Glenn winked at Abe.

"They've got you working with the department now?" Abe asked disbelievingly.

"About a month now."

"Shit. I guess I can't be perusing anymore. Those Walking Dead stories are the best." Abe joked, but made a mental note to only read on his phone from now on.

"That's good to know Glenn." Sasha told him. "Your expertise might come in handy with some of our cold cases."

"Don't you already have a computer guy at the department?"

"Yeah, but Eugene is a required taste that you only want when you have no other options." Rick answered.

"There she is." Maggie looked at her watch. "An hour late, just like clockwork."

"I love your bracelet, Maggie. I've noticed it before, but never mentioned it." Sasha touched the stainless steel bangle that rested against Maggie's watch. "What do these numbers symbolise?" Before she could answer, Maggie's attention was drawn to the woman walking towards them.

"It took forever to get through the valet. You two should really downsize your friends list."

"Very funny." Both Maggie and Glenn kissed a cheek of the woman who just walked up.

"Everyone, I'd like you to meet my very best friend in the whole world." Maggie took her hand and squeezed it. "This is Michonne. Michonne this is…" Maggie paused, so everyone could say their own names.

"Sasha Williams." Michonne shook her hand and then moved to the next extended hand.

"Abe Ford. Nice to meet you." He winked since they had been friends for years.

"Rick Grimes." He held out his hand and held his breath in anticipation of getting to touch the hand of the beautiful woman who had just walked in. Her magenta floor length evening dress shimmered under the lights and flickering flames of the candles. Her skin, a rich umber glowed under his gaze, making her skin even more enticing with her invisible blush.

"Well, looks like we're being flagged down by some more guests." Glenn stated. Everyone noticed that neither Rick or Michonne moved, almost frozen in time as they stared into each others eyes. "We'll see y'all later." Glenn said to the only people in the group still listening. Abe escorted Sasha away and Glenn and Maggie walked off after, shaking their heads at the obvious love connection.

"It's nice to meet you, Rick." Michonne said to him. He was still holding onto her hand, Rick stepped closer to her breathing in her perfume.

"Would you like a drink?" He asked, chancing a quick glance at the champagne table, then back into her golden brown eyes.

"I'd love one." Not letting go of her hand, Rick walked with Michonne to the table, handing her a flute filled with champagne. She wrinkled her nose when she took a sip and the bubbles tickled her. "How long have you known Glenn and Maggie?" She asked once she swallowed the bubbly beverage.

"Just met them tonight. Abe introduced us."

"Ahh...Abe. Big man with a big heart. How do you know Abe?"

"We work together on the force. I've been there about six months."

"Law enforcement. Impressive."

"If you say so... And you? Are you a veterinarian too?"

"Oh god no. Nothing about what Maggie does sounds appealing to me. I've seen her covered in animal…. nastiness, and I'll pass. I love my small air conditioned store that smells like jasmine and vanilla."

"Store?"

"I have a jewelry store. I make custom jewelry. You should come by some time. I could make you a tie clip." Her fingernail ran the length of his navy silk tie, but was stopped by Rick's hands just before she got to the end of it.

"I'd like that." He held her hand in his, regretful that he stopped her, but certain he wouldn't have been able to control his body had she made it to her destination. His thumb ran across the metal of her bracelet that she wore. "You and Maggie wear matching jewelry?"

"She...indulges my creativity. I made these a some years ago and we promised to never take them off. So what brought you out to the party tonight Rick? Since you just met the couple of the night...how did you even get an invitation?"

"Abe gave it to me. He...uh...he's trying to work his magic with Sasha. I was the wingman of sorts." Rick shrugged and then looked for the couple in the crowd. Spotting them over by a window laughing and seeming to be having a genuinely good time.

"I hope it works out for them." She followed his stare and smiled at Abe and Sasha. "He's making her laugh, that's a good sign."

"Yes it is….so, do Glenn and Maggie live here? This place is huge."

"Oh no. They prefer much smaller houses. They're just using this place for the party. As you can see, they have a lot of friends."

"Popular people."

"Being the vet for as long as Maggie has, she's meet almost half the town. And when Glenn isn't holed up in a room staring at a computer screen, he's in the community teaching tech classes down at the rec center or the retirement home. They've helped a lot of people around here. They are loved by a lot of people. They deserve it."

"What about you?"

"What about me?"

"Are you loved by a lot of people?"

"I never aspired to be. I like to keep to myself mostly. Keeps me out of trouble."

"Except Maggie. You're her best friend in the whole world."

"We've been through a lot. I like to see her happy." She smiled at him, flashing her bright white teeth against her lips shaded a dark red. "Are you hungry? I'm starving and it looks like they've started ushering people to their seats."

"Where are you sitting?" Rick asked her, hopeful they'd get to sit and talk all night.

"Not too far away from the happy couple."

"There wouldn't happen to be an empty seat next to you would there?"

"I'm sorry, my table's full." She flashed her smile at him again.

"Hey Rick. Uh.., sorry to interrupt Michonne." Abe said sounding a bit flustered coming up to them. "Look, man, they're being real sticklers about the seating arrangements. You have to sit where your invitation has you." Rick tried to listen, but was too focused on watching Michonne walk away. He didn't hear Abe mention that he needed his invitation or feel when he switched out the one in his inside jacket pocket, replacing it with the one in his hand. The view of Michonne walking away had Rick mesmerized. The sway of her hips made his heart skip a beat. He was kicking himself for stopping her finger on his tie. "Thanks buddy."

"What?"

"Just give your invitation to the guy at the door and he'll seat you where it says." Abe turned around and made his way quickly back to Sasha who was waiting by the double wooden doors that lead to the large dining room. Rick looked at the white cardstock in his hand and focused in on the table number printed so elegantly in black ink. He replayed the one sided conversation that Abe just had with him and shook his head. The only good thing he could think of was that Abe didn't bring a plus one, so the chair next to him would be empty, meaning one less person to talk to. He walked up to the door and handed the uniformed man his invitation, then was led to his white clothed table that sat eight; all the way in the corner, far from the guests of honor and way too far from Michonne, who he could see talking to the people at her table, still sipping on the champagne that he handed to her earlier.

"Hello there." He looked up instantly annoyed at the voice that made him look away from Michonne. It was the blond that Sasha had pointed to earlier. "Looks like I'm sitting next to you. She sat down , smiling the whole time. I'm Jessica."

"Rick."

"Oh you found it, good. Hi." The brunette, the blond was standing next to earlier said sitting next to him. "I'll just sit here until your date comes back. Where is she, we saw you with her earlier."

"Oh, I saw her sitting with that red haired fella. What's his name?" Jessica asked.

"Oh yeah, Abe. They seemed pretty chummy. I'm Lorelei, by the way."

"Rick." He smiled flatly promising to make Abe pay for this seating arrangement debacle.

"Isn't this party fun? This place is beautiful." Jessica said a little louder than necessary.

"I can't believe how successful they are at such a young age." Lorelei said, truly in awe of the couple.

"Determined people are usually the most successful." Rick said to them, hating having to sit in between them as they talked.

"You're on the police force right? That must be exciting. Getting to run down the bad guys and fight crime." Jessica said with admiration in her voice.

"I've always thought cops were sexy. The way they look in their uniform and everything." Lorelei added.

"I'm actually a detective."

"Oh, so you solve crimes?" Jessica asked, with curious wonder in her question.

"A mind can be sexy too." Rick resisted the urge to roll his eyes and almost jumped up and hugged the waiter when he came by and asked him chicken or beef. He chose the beef to the amusement of the women who thought it only fitting that a manly man such as Rick would chose beef. They both settled on the chicken, telling Rick that the lean meat was great for their diets. When the plates were set down in front of them, Rick asked about any harder liquor than the champagne that was being served. He was told that the champagne was it, unless he wanted water or coffee. He asked for a glass of water, and another glass of champagne. He looked over at Michonne before digging into his food. He wanted to be mad when the women started talking again, laughing at things that he didn't think were funny, but the food was really good and helped him take his mind off of his awful seat. He concentrated on the flavors in his mouth and how many times he chewed his food. He found that doing that, he could hear himself chewing and was able to drown out the voices of Jessica and Lorelei. It was forty five minutes later when he heard the sound of metal clanking against glass. He looked up and saw Michonne stand from her seat, and a waiter hand her a microphone.

"Good evening everyone. I won't keep you long, it looks like they're coming around with the desserts and that's my favorite part." She paused as the crowd laughed. "I want to thank you all for coming out and celebrating this special occasion with this wonderful couple." She looked over at Maggie and Glenn who raised their glasses at her. "When I first met Maggie." She paused again and took a deep breath. "I never imagined that today would be possible. It was just her and me for a long time, and then Glenn came and pushed my ass right out of the way." She turned to him and laughed. "I'm kidding, Glenn is right where he should be, next to Maggie, loving her and bringing out a light in her that not even the worst of the worst can extinguish. So tonight, we toast to you. Five years is a great start, Glenn and Maggie Rhee." She winked at them. "To many, many more."

"Here here!" The crowd exclaimed.

"There's a quote by A.R. Asher that asks, "Why do you put up with me?, the answer states, "Because you're fire … and I've been cold all my life." That sums them up perfectly." She raised her glass again. "To a lifetime of warmth. Happy anniversary."

"Happy anniversary!" The crowd raised their glasses in unison, cheering the happy couple. Rick watched as both Maggie and Glenn came up and hugged her. He saw Michonne wipe tears from Maggie's cheeks. The bond the two women had was strong, it made him smile being able to witness it.

"That was so sweet. It was really nice of her to do that." Jessica said forking caking into her mouth. Rick watched Michonne sit back down and take a bite of her cake. Watching her lick the frosting off the silverware was worth the annoying sounds the dieting duo were making as they ate theirs beside him. He heard his name being called and looked over at Abe who was giving him a thumbs up, indicating that the "date" with Sasha was going well. He looked over at Michonne again, but she wasn't there. Just when he started to look for her in the crowd, a waiter came up to him handing him a half filled whiskey glass and a note. He opened the note and smiled.

Looks like you need a drink. Come see me at the shop sometime.

Michonne.