Chapter 21:

'What do I get in return?'

"Hi mama!"

"Hi baby!"

"Look, I got a pink cast!"

"Oh yes you do!"

Rick watched Michonne kiss Judith on the head and huff as she sat beside her on the hospital bed, "How you feeling sweetie?

"I'm okay, look I can play on daddy's phone with one hand", Judith smiled as she tapped away on the screen. Rick was amazed she adjusted so quickly, though she was on his phone more than he was.

"Sorry mama couldn't get here sooner, my cars broken"

"Daddy told me"

She turned her attention to him, "Andrea's picking up Carl for me"

"The mechanic take your car?", Rick asked as he sat on the opposite side of Judith.

She pouted, "Yeah"

"He was…" His eyes darted down to Judith for a second, "Out of it right?"

She almost growled, "I kicked his best up old truck couple times and he told me I had to pay for the damage"

Rick began to frown but couldn't hold the chuckle that escaped his mouth.

"Don't laugh it's not funny!", She whacked him on the arm.

"Daddy, don't laugh at mama", Judith looked up at him with a disappointed expression.

Rick's jaw dropped, "You always looking after your mama huh? Ain't you good little princess"

Judith nodded and went back to tap on his phone with her good hand.

Michonne raised her eyebrows at him as she grinned.

He bit his lip as he shook his head, "Anyway, we're gonna have to sort somethan' out now we only got one car"

"Looks like you're gonna be my chauffeur for a while", She flickered her dreads over her shoulder and gave him her best flirtatious look.

"What do I get in return?", He grinned.

Her smile fell as she gave him an unimpressed look, "My appreciation"

He matched her unimpressed look, "I don't want that. I want somethan' else"

"Fine and a cake"

His face contorted in disgust, "I hope you're buying it cause last time you baked somethan'-"

"You better stop right there if you like playing that little game of ours"

He almost scowled at her.

…

"Carl look! I got a cast!"

"Oh wow! You have to be more careful though, Judy", Carl picked his little sister up in the living room, "I broke my wrist too when dad took me to the park"

"Really?"

"Yep. He wasn't watching-"

"You better tell that story right", Rick called as he took off his windbreaker.

"Fine. I fell off the top of the slide", Carl corrected, "What did you fall off?"

"The jungle gym", She huffed as she admired her cast.

"Your brother's right sweetie, you have to be careful", Rick watched Carl put her down.

"Uncle Marcus was calling me so I jumped", She informed innocently as she took off her shoes with some struggle.

Rick froze as he watched her, his eyes darted up to Carl who had the same questioning expression on his face, "You saw Uncle Marcus today?"

"Yep", Judith smiled as she got one shoe off.

Rick crouched down in front of her to help her with her other shoe, "Where did you see him?"

Judith frowned slightly as she thought, "At my school… and at the park"

Rick studied her face, "Did you speak to him?"

She shook her head.

"He was just calling you? Was he telling you to go over to him?"

She nodded, then looked around, "I'm hungry"

"Okay sweetie, Mama's getting dinner started alright? You go put your stuff away"

He watched her leave the room before he dragged a hand down his face, a new found anger erupting within him, "That son of a-"

"You think he was trying to take her?", Carl asked, slight panic in his tone.

"I don't know but I'm gonna find out"

"You're gonna beat him up again aren't you?"

He frowned, stopping his pacing before he could even start, and looked at Carl.

"Aunt Drea told me", Carl narrowed his eyes with his confession.

Rick scowled at the mention of the name, "That woman-"

"Rick! Come fix something!"

He sighed as he headed into the kitchen. Michonne stood pointing at the coffee machine.

"What did you do to it?", He asked as he walked over to her.

"I switched it on", She said dryly.

He examined it, before shrugging, "Might need a new fuse"

"Okay. Fix it", She went back to chopping onions on the other counter.

"Hey, Judith just told me she saw your brother outside her school and at the park"

She whipped her head around to look at him, "What?"

"She said he was calling her, that's why she jumped off the-"

"What?!", She turned around to face him.

"I think he was trying to take her-"

"What?!"

"Put the knife down please", His eyes dropped to the five inch blade she was gripping.

"He was following her around? He was trying to take-"

"Call your dad and find out if he's staying with him. If he's there then I'll call Daryl, we'll go over"

"You're not handling him by yourself-"

"I didn't say I would okay? But I don't want him running off. If I get him then you're getting him too"

"Good" She turned back around and began choking the onions a bit too aggressively.

"How about I chop, and you do whatever else needs to be done" Rick stood behind her and gently pulled the knife from her, "You're gonna cut those onions into a fine dust"

"Fine" She huffed as she stepped aside, "And you know he added something about me altering my mother's will to his case?"

"He's reaching" Rick squinted when the aroma from the onions hit him.

"And on top of that your creepy little girlfriend wants me to represent her"

He put the knife down and looked at her, "Why the hell are you still calling her my girlfriend?"

She narrowed her eyes at him, "I passed the case onto Milton"

"You're not gonna answer me?", He tilted his head at her.

She gave him the look that told him she was done with the subject and walked to the other side of the kitchen.

...

"Her dad said he's leaving after dinner"

"So how we doing this? I don't think her dad would appreciate us turning up and dragging him out the house"

Rick pursed his lips in thought, "I'll apologise after"

Daryl smirked, "Send him a fruit basket later"

"Just like that" Rick agreed, "How did it go with Merle?"

"He was high and drunk. I don't even know why he's still around, he should be locked up", Daryl shook his head.

"He staying around here again?"

"I couldn't tell you. I think he sleeps in his truck. That reminds me though, I'm gonna talk to the mechanic, tell him to pass the bill on to me"

Rick's face contorted in confusion, "Why?"

"He ain't got the money to pay for it… and he's my brother so it's only-"

"Stop right there. None of that is your fault and you know it-"

"Yeah but-"

"No. Don't even think about it. And unless you want Michonne to kick your ass you better not even try to sneak around"

Daryl raised his hands in surrender as he chuckled, "Alright fine"

"There he is", Rick hissed as he saw Marcus leaving his father's house. They pulled up and jumped out as the man turned to sprint back to the house.

Rick ran straight up the garden path as Marcus was banging on the front door. Rick got him in a headlock, swinging him away from the front door and down the porch steps.

"How you doing?", Daryl greeted him as he lay on the floor.

"What-", Rick was on Marcus before he could say another word.

"What is going on?!"

"Sir, please stand back"

Rick delivered blow after blow to Marcus's face, the man stopped trying to block himself after the third hit, as he fell unconscious. Rick only stopped because his knuckles began to hurt. He looked at the swollen face in front of him and gave himself a nod of an approval. He stood and looked up his ex-father in law, who was on the porch frozen in complete shock.

"Why?!", He demanded.

Rick panted as he rolled his shoulders, "Give Michonne a call. She'll tell you everythan'"

"Come on get up! He barely touched you!", Daryl shoved the man with his foot, "So damn dramatic"

…

Rick sighed as he walked in to the meeting room. He didn't want to have to talk to Jessie but he knew he had to after what Michonne told him. The woman was sat there, eyes red and puffy from her continuous crying. He would have felt sorry for her if her story actually made sense.

"What happened to your hands?"

Rick looked at his knuckles, and shook his head, "It doesn't matter. Did you ask for Michonne to representation?"

Jessie nodded slowly, looking around like the answer is obvious, "Yes, she's a lawyer right?"

"She's one of a few here actually", He stated at her strangely, trying to figure out what going through her mind.

"Yeah, so I need an attorney. I want her", Jessie shrugged.

Rick shook his head, "Milton's just as capable-"

"Why can't I have her?"

He tilted his head at her, "She's busy"

"Did she say she won't do it?"

He leaned forward as he felt his temper rearing itself again, "I'm telling you that you can have someone else"

She pulled back, shocked at his attitude towards her, "Are you two together or-"

"That's none of your business", He sat back and relaxed, "We'll let you know when Milton can come and see you"

"You are together aren't you?", Jessie shook her head in disbelief, "So you broke up with me to get back with your ex-wife? She's the one that's telling you to do this right? To act the way you have towards me-"

Rick groaned and stood, "Alright, someone will take you back to your-"

"You just went running back to her! And wasn't she the one that asked for a divorce? You're a fool Rick! She's going to use you-"

"Good bye, Jessie", He closed the door to the meeting room and sighed. He finally understood why Michonne called her creepy.

"Terry's refusing to eat. Said he's on a hunger strike because he's innocent", Leon informed as he approached Rick.

He scowled, "Put her back in her cell and get Terry in this meeting room. I'll deal with him"

Leon gave him a nod and went into the room while Rick went to his office, where he was surprised to see Shane sat in front of his desk.

"What do you want?", He asked as he walked around to his office chair.

"To talk… that's all", Shane held his hands up.

"Talk then", Rick sat down and stared at Shane.

"I applied for-"

"I know."

"I'm glad that you're giving me a chance. I appreciate it and I'd like to thank you"

Rick sighed as he crossed his arms.

"I was also hoping to arrange somethan' this weekend, I got Melissa"

He looked around the office as he thought, "Sunday. Loris meeting Carl on Saturday"

Shane's eyebrows shot up, "Really?"

"Yeah"

Shane looked away as he began to frown, "You think that's a good idea?"

"No I don't, but he agreed to it. Why?"

Shane shook his head, "She's just… Just keep an eye on her. Her way of thinking is warped, she distorts everythan'-"

"I know. I figured that out first time I saw her again. Michonne's gonna be with them anyway, she'll handle her if she needs to"

Shane nodded, "Alright. Well, we can take the kids to the park and then maybe out to eat or somethan'?"

Rick reluctantly nodded in agreement, "Yeah. Sure"

"Same place same time?"

"That's fine"

"He's ready for you Rick!", Leon called from outside his office.

"Alright then see y'all then", Shane stood the same time as he did and they both left the office. Rick rubbed the back of his neck as he approached the meeting room, trying to relieve some of the tension in his body from talking to Shane.

Terry was sat at the table, arms folded across his chest. He still had the small traces of a bruise on his face, a small cut on his lip that looked to be healing. Rick walked in and sighed as slowly began to pace.

"What seems to be the problem there Terry?", He asked as he loosened his tie.

"You're framing me", Terry spat out quietly.

"Now what sense would that make? What would I gain from doing all that?"

Terry shifted a fraction in his seat, "Because Michonne-"

"She's Mrs Grimes to you", He warned.

Terry frowned slightly, "She's your ex-wife-"

"That doesn't mean a damn thing" He rested his hands on the back of the chair opposite Terry and smiled, "She's in my bed every night so she's Mrs Grimes"

The man's face crumpled in confusion.

"It's a good thing she didn't put that jewellery box in our bedroom", Rick smirked, "You would have not liked what you saw"

Terry's face was a picture of anger, "She's only with you because she has no choice-"

Rick chuckled, "Do you realise who you're talking about? You think she's with me because she has no choice?"

Terry said nothing as he scowled at the man.

Rick leant forward and rested his forearms on the chair, "I honestly planned to beat you beyond recognition when I came in here…"

Terry's eyes dropped to his knuckles.

Rick's scoffed, "Oh, don't let all this fool you, It wouldn't have slowed me down if I did, but I think I prefer getting to you another way"

"You're not allowed to do this-"

"You should have learnt by now that I do whatever the fuck I want", Rick grinned, "Well, you can go back to your cell now. I've had my fun and it's time for me to go get my beautiful family"

"She won't be yours forever!"

"Watch your mouth Terry", He called as he walked out the room.

…

Rick sat in his truck as he watched Carl leave his school building holding hands with a young girl he hadn't seen before. They held hands up until Carl spotted his father's truck and let go quickly, then they shared an awkward goodbye, much to Rick's amusement.

Carl got in the car with his head down, "Hey dad"

Rick grinned, "That your girlfriend?"

Carl groaned.

"She looks like a nice girl, what's her name?"

"Lauren", Carl mumbled.

"Lauren", Rick repeated as he pulled out into the street, "Well, as long as you two just stick to holding hands then that's fine"

"God, dad, We're not like you and mom-"

"You better not be like me and your mother until you're at least twenty five and living in your own house" Rick warned sternly.

Carl groaned again and pulled his hood up, "You're both so embarrassing"

"Invite her around for dinner or somethan', let us get a chance to meet your first girlfriend" Rick smiled.

"She's not my first-"

"Well you're gonna tell your mother she is, so hush".

Carl shook his head and buried his face in his phone.

"Spoke to Shane today, he wants us to meet up this Sunday with Melissa, how you feel about that?" Rick glanced at his son.

"Yeah that's cool, I was gonna ask about seeing her again"

"Alright then, we will"

"Can you teach me how to drive?", Carl sat up and looked at the side of his father's face.

"Why? So you can try to sneak out and drive my car over to your little girlfriend's house?", Rick gave him an unimpressed look.

Carl gave him the same look back, "Or you know, just because I'll need to know how to drive one day?"

Rick side-eyed him, "I'll think about it"

Carl rolled his eyes and slunk back down in his seat. After picking up a very excited Judith from school, he headed over to Michonne's law firm.

"Everybody wrote on my cast!", She exclaimed as she waved it around.

Carl looked back and examined it quickly, "Yeah they did! I like the flowers on it, who drew those?"

"Sam did", She beamed.

"That was nice of him" Rick glanced at her in the rear view mirror, "You two finally playing nice together?"

"Yeah, he's my boyfriend"

Rick involuntarily gripped the wheel, much to Carl's amusement, "He's your what?"

"My boyfriend!", Judith saying it much clearer didn't help Rick take it any better.

"What did daddy tell you about having a boyfriend?!"

Judith's face registered that she either didn't know or couldn't remember.

"You don't need a boyfriend! You're seven years old! What the hell you need a boyfriend for?!"

Judith giggled, "Daddy, you're funny"

Carl snickered beside him.

"Oh, you think it's funny?", He looked at Carl as he drove with one hand, "You better hope I don't-"

"Look there's mama!", Judith bounced in the back seat. When they pulled out Carl got out and got in the back so Michonne could sit up front.

"I spoke to my dad", She informed him as she adjusted her hair.

"Yeah. He looked well when I saw him" Rick commented nonchalantly.

"He said Marcus told him he was dropping the case but that was clearly a lie"

"He's at the department now, resting", Rick sighed, "I spoke to Jessie today, told her Milton's taking her on"

She sighed in relief, "Good. I'm not dealing with her"

"You know Sam's apparently Judith's 'boyfriend'?" He narrowed his eyes at her.

She raised her eyebrows, "Aww, well at least their getting along now"

Rick gave her an unimpressed glance.

"Are you gonna go around to his grandmother's house? Give him warning?", She teased as she leaned over and nudged him, "Ask him what his intentions are with your daughter? If he can move planets for-"

"Carl has a girlfriend", He said dryly as he glanced at her.

"Dad!", Carl sat up, shocked at his father.

Michonne looked back at him just as shocked, "What? Who? Who is she?"

"Oh my god", Carl found his hood again.

"Did you see her?", She poked Rick.

"I did", He smiled, satisfied with the turn of the conversation.

"Why am I just finding out about this? You're not sneaking around with her are you? You better not be sneaking around!", She called back to Carl, who in return groaned from beneath his hood.

The teenager shook his head, "You're both so embarrassing"