A/N: I hope I didn't make you guys wait too long for this one. Hopefully this chapter answers some questions but will probably bring up more questions as well. Reminder that these characters are in college, not the mature Richonne we are used to seeing on our TV screens. Also, thanks again for all the feedback and reviews. You guys really don't like Jessie haha. Well she gives you all the reason in the world to have that opinion, especially after this chapter...
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"Rick, who is in there?" Jessie's voice was a mix of desperation and jealousy. "Do you have another girl in there? You told me you didn't have time for a relationship and you have someone here?"
Being unable to move was no longer an issue. Instead, she couldn't keep still. Pacing back and forth in the kitchen, she pondered what she should do or say next. There was a part of her that wanted Jessie to see exactly who she was and find out for herself what was going on between them, but the other part wanted to see how this would play out. How Rick would react. She braced herself to catch him in a lie, something that would prove what she felt in the back of her mind all along.
Annoyed, Rick squared his shoulder and tilted his head to the side. "Yes, there is a girl in here and let's be clear. I never said I didn't have time for a relationship. I said I didn't have time for the constant drama and didn't want a relationship with YOU. There's a difference." His tone had gone ice cold, and his about face stunned Michonne. "Now I'm gonna ask you again. Is. Something. Wrong?"
Jessie gasped quietly but loud enough that Michonne heard. She waited with bated breath for Jessie's response. "Yes. I was trying to tell—."
Rick shook his head and cut her off. "I mean is he after you? Do we need to call someone?"
What?
Now Michonne was completely confused. What kind of shit were they into? Why would someone be after her? And why was he involved?
"No, he's not after meright now," she answered defeated. It was clear that Jessierealized she lost her opportunityto get whatever attention she was looking for with her sudden appearance. "But-"
"No buts Jessie. I told you before, we can't keep doing this. You made your choice, I don't agree with it and I'm willin' to help if you change your mind."
As they talked Michonne slowly inched closer to the door. For some reason sheneeded to see Jessie's face. There were no answers from their cryptic dialogue or Rick's standoffish posture. The closer she got, the more she could see how tense he was. His knees were locked, his stance stiff. Just as Jessie's face came into view, Michonne bumped into one of the chairsat the small table. "Shit." The throbbing in her knee was quickly overshadowedby the stares levied her way. "I'm sorry, I mean oops," she responded embarrassed.
Jessie's eyes were wide, her leftover tears glistening thanks to his porch light. "Michonne?"
"Yeah." There was obvioussurprise on her face and it threw her for a loop. She didn't claim to be the hot topic of campus but her and Rick made no secret they were spending a lot of time together.
Their eyes held for an awkward moment until Rick chimed in. "Well, if everything's alright, I'll walk you back to your car."
Anger instantly consumed her body. The car couldn't have been that far away, and the reasoning was clear. He didn't want to talk to Jessie in front of her.
"C'mon." Rick walked a few steps near the coat rack and slipped on some shoes next to it.
With him out of the way, Michonne finally got a full view of Jessie and her gaze immediately focused on her midsection. In case she wasn't certain of what she saw, the blonde rested her hand on top of her bump so it was clearly visible. "Ohmy god."
Rick's head snapped back to Michonne and saw the horror written on her face. Following her line of sight, he saw why she was stunned. There would not be any misunderstandings where this was concerned. This wasn't the moment to tell her everything. That needed to be a conversation with just the two of them. "Guess the secret's out. Jessie is expecting a child...with her boyfriend Pete."
It took a moment for Michonne to absorb what he was saying. The words rushing in her head.
Not his.
Not his.
"This child is not mine," Rick repeated and turned towards Jessie for her to confirm. She took a half second longer to answer than he would'veliked and he took notice.
"It's not Rick's. He's right," she admitted begrudgingly but not before taking another parting shot. "He's made it more than clear he doesn't want children."
Rick cracked his jaw, reeling in his frustration. "Let's go." He was about halfway out the door before he turned to Michonne. Once he saw her stance, he knew she would try to make a break for it. "Stay here. Don't leave. You want answers, I know you do. Stay here."
Her pulse was racing, and she wanted to get the hell out of there as quick as possible. She couldn't think around him. Not rationally. "Go ahead and doyour thing," she managed to say, trying likehell to sound indifferent.
Rick closed the door, with just a crack left and his eyes were softer. "Stay here. Please," he begged.
Her fingernails grazed the wooden chair that she had just tripped over. Because cars parked directly in front of his placethere was no way she could make a break for it without him seeing it. "Ok," she whispered. And with that Rick bolted out of the door to take care of one problem.
As soon as he was out of sight, Michonne maneuvered to the tiny window in the kitchen with a small bonsai tree in the windowsill to watch Rick and Jessie interact. They were definitely talking about whatever situation brought her over. His hands were flailing initially, and she was visibly upset. And just as quickly they were hugging. She huffed and walked away unwilling to watch anymore of the nonsense. "Unbelievable," she muttered to herself.
Standing still and waiting patiently wasn't an option. Neither was running because she was sure he would cause a scene when he saw her go to her car and she wouldn't give Jessie that satisfaction. Instead, she paced. In the kitchen initially but then she ventured to the living room. It was just as clean and orderly as the kitchen. There were a pack of incense on an oversized wooden desk against the back window and a tan leather sofa and love seat. The TV wasn't overly large considering it was a bachelor pad but big enough for the space. There was a movie sitting on top of the DVD player and she guessed it was what he planned for them to watch. She picked up the movie, examining the cover.
"Love Actually. Yeah," she scoffed to herself. "How ironic."
"Who are you talking to?"
Michonne startled and put her hand to heart. "You scared me," she said putting the DVD back down.
"So you found the movie we were going towatch tonight," he said slipping his shoes back off and walking toward her cautiously.
Were. At least he knew it was past tense because there was no way in hell she could see herself relaxing with him now. Not after he clearly had something else going on that she did not understand.
Michonne folded her arms and remained silent. She would not ask. The ball was in his court.
"So I know you're wondering what that was all about." He scratched the back of his head while he thought of what to say and how to say it.
The attempt at buying time just fueled her anger. "I'm going home."
She didn't make it two steps before his hands were on her arms gently stopping her in her tracks. "Just wait. It's not that I don't wanna tell you. Some of it, it ain't my story to tell. It's her business. But I can try to explain the rest."
Frustrated, Michonne blew out a breath and tightened her arms around herself. He had better start talkingand quick or she was out. Quite frankly, standing in front of him and not bolting was an improvement on her part. The last thread of patience she had left for drama was barely hanging on. "I'm listening."
Rick huffed and looked her square in the eye, his hands still on her arms. "Jessie and I were messinaround for a couple months. Nothin serious obviously."
Did he really think that was obvious?She wanted to ask the question out loud, but she bit her lip to fight the urge. She would listen. Despite the conclusions she already drew in her head, she would keep quiet and listen. For once.
"I saw she was getting too attached, and I broke it off. She didn't take it well, told me she was in love with me and I know she has some...issues," he paused wanting to avoid specifics. "So do I feel like a piece of shit that someone loves me that much and I feel like I led them on? The answer is yes. I thought I was clear about what I don't want but I guess she thought she could change me or hell I don't know. Anyway, she started seeinPete right after and he's a complete ass. We went to the same high school. I warned her it wasn't a good idea but she just thought I was jealous. Or hoped I was. Stuff has gotten pretty bad between them," he said, dropping his eyes to stare at the ground. "It's gotten realbad. Some stuff happenedandshe came here because she had nowhere to go and she was afraid. And that's all I can say about that. Like I said it's her story to tell not mine. She confided in me and I can't go breaking that. But I can tell you that baby isn't mine, her and I haven't slept together since the beginning of the year and she's about 5 months pregnant. I always used protection with her. Every single time. The baby isn't mine."
Michonne flinched at the confirmation of their sex life with her but was relievedthat he was being responsible. "She still loves you. Wants to be with you."
"I know that," he admitted. "She went into this shit relationship because she was upsetabout me breakinup with her and I wish I didn't but I feel guilty as hell. And what she's going through," he shook his head not wanting to say more, "I wouldn't wish that on anyone. And as for tonight, she wanted to go hang out or something to take her mind off of things and I told her no. She wanted to swing by and grab some notes for class and was supposedto come over hours ago. When she didn't show up I figured she'd gotten the notes from someone else or somethinand moved on. I forgot all about it until she called and I specifically told her she couldn't come tonight and—"
"There she was," she finished the sentence letting out a relieved sigh. "You know she only came over because she was trying to see what was really going on."
"Oh I know," Rick confirmed rolling his eyes. "I think she thinks I'm that naïve, but I saw what she was doing. I walked to her car so I could tell her that if she tries some shit like that again then we can't associateanymore. Trying to make you think the baby was mine even for a second was bs. If I hadn't told her to admit it, then she would've just let you believe that and she hugged me goodnight. Thats all."
Michonne nodded her head, taking in all the information.
"I will help anyone that's a friend of mine especially because of her circumstances but I'm not with the games and shit. I was the subject of a lot of bullshit and gossip for a long time and it was stupid. I don't wanna deal with that anymore."
"Was?" Michonne asked in a more playful tone. His explanation made sense and although she was annoyedthat she didn't know everything that was going on so she could analyze the entire scenario, she respected the fact he wouldn't betray someone who told him a secret. He could betrusted.
Rick returned her smirk. "Well, thanks to you it seems that I'm still the subject of gossip. I've had all kinds of people asking me about us."
Surprised, she dropped her arms. "Really?"
"That surprises you?" He asked taking another step forward, his arm wrapping around her tiny waist.
Michonne took a deep calming breath, trying not to be affected. "Wellyeah."
"Why?"
She shrugged. "It's not like people should be shocked seeing you hanging out with someone. I just figured they would think I was another piece of—"
Rick's lips covered hers. Completely taken off guard, she froze for a second and then surrendered. Their tongues entangled in a familiar dance. Initially the kiss was soft but became more determined like he was trying to tell her something. She arched her back, the hardness of her nipples painful against her bra. Just as she was about to touch him, he pulled back. "Now," he breathed heavily, "since we can't seem to get past these little comments of yours let's go ahead and put it all on the table."
Still aroused and trying to catch her breath, she looked at him like he was crazy. "Excuse me?"
Silent, he walked into the kitchen while she stayed put. The cabinets opened and closed, and there was a sound of something hitting the counter. A moment later, he emerged with two glasses and a bottle of bourbon. "My favorite drink. Brought some for you. No, I'm not trying to get you drunk to take advantage of you," he said beating her to the sarcastic remark. "Well, maybe a little but not the way you think."
She stood quiet, mind racing as he poured himself a little and drank it down in one gulp. He took his shirt back off and poured another glass for her before filling his up again. "I happen to know your defenses are down a lot more once you've had a drink or two and I feel like you're gonna need that for this conversation. Because I'm gonna answer whatever you ask me. Truthfully. I just need you to be ready for the answers."
He held the cup out to her and she took it, sitting down on the sofa across from him. "Thank you."
The brown liquid burned the back of her throat as it went down but she took another quick sip. Yes, she wanted the truth. All of it, but she needed to prepare herself for him telling her something they wouldn't be able to recover from.
"Whoa whoa, be careful. Don't drink too much. I don't want you drunk, just comfortable and not over thinking everything."
"Hmm," she smirked, swishing the liquid back and forth in her glass. "Comfortable hunh?"
Rick leaned back, put his feet on the table and took another sip of his drink. "Yeah, I was hoping we would have this conversation under different circumstances like the morning after you were screaming my name all night but here we are," he joked.
Michonne almost choked on her bourbon. "You really are an ass," she chuckled. "What happened to me being more comfortable with our relationship before you fucked me?"
Rick raised his eyebrow impressed at the blunt question. "Looks like someone's liquor is kicking in already. Good. And to answer your question I was hoping you would be comfortable enough without me having to confess every wrong doing of mine but here we are."
Michonne wished it wasn't necessary but she needed it. There was no way for her to feel at ease without knowing everything.
"Just so you know this is a two-way street though."
Jerking her head to the side, she stared in disbelief. "What do you mean?"
"I tell you about everything I've done, the good, the bad and the ugly," he began and took another sip of his drink polishing it off. "And then you tell me what asshole betrayed you and how that it's completely taken away your ability to trust men. Deal?"
Stunned, she finished the rest of her drink, setting the empty glass on the table next to his. Score one point for Grimes. Very few men could leave her speechless or even come close to holding their own against her in a battle of wits. Rick managed to doboth. "Ok. Deal."
"AlrightI'll go first," he clasped his hands in his lap looking directly at her. "I was kickedout of school two years ago when I was arrestedfor assault for beating up my best friend Shane."
The questions already started formingin her head but she was determinedto just let him talk. The Rick she knew wasn't violent. There had to be a reason. She nodded for him to continue.
"I beat him up because he got my girlfriend Lori pregnant."
