Chapter Sixteen
Rick was up early preparing himself for a long few days to come. He wanted to take a moment and relax as much as he could with a nice hot shower. He stood under the stream letting his hair and body get soaked while he braced himself on the tile wall. As the water cascaded over him, he thought about the end of all of this strife being a stones' throw away.
After taking a few deep breaths, he grabbed a wash cloth, his new favorite vanilla scented body wash and began to cleanse himself. He smiled to himself as he rinsed, thinking of how he really wanted Michonne's coconut aroma to be filling his nostrils but this would have to suffice.
Once Rick was out of the shower, he grabbed a towel and dried off then wrapped it around his waist. He headed to his bedroom and began gathering his clothes to get dressed when his phone rang. He tucked his towel in and grabbed it looking at the screen. Maggie Greene was displayed.
Maggie had been Rick's only reprieve in the matter of his heart, secretly texting him to say Michonne was working through this and to keep his faith. So he did and he couldn't wait until Saturday after the graduation to speak to her.
Rick slid the accept tab on the screen and placed the phone on speaker.
"Hey Maggie."
"Hey Rick, I hope I'm not bothering you so early in the morning."
"No, not at all. I was already up, what's going on?" he spoke over his shoulder while rubbing on deodorant.
"Well, I just wanted to congratulate you… on getting the condo!" Maggie squealed.
"What? I got the place? Already?" Rick was in shock.
He had to admit with everything going on, he had completely forgotten about being in escrow. Plus, he figured it would take much longer for everything to be finalized.
"Yes Rick! I told you they were ready to move those units and it's a done deal. We just need to set up a date with Yumiko to come in and sign the papers. You need to bring your check for closing costs and they will hand you the keys."
"Wow, this is… this is great." Rick was dumbfounded.
"Yes, it is. I'm so happy for you."
"I'm happy for Shane too. It's been long overdue that he got his space back to himself."
"You're probably right." Maggie giggled. "Once I get the dates the housing office has available, I will let you know then you can choose which one works best for you."
"Thank you Maggie, for everything really."
"Of course Rick, we are family. Talk to you later."
The line disconnected and Rick tossed his phone onto the bed. He regarded the news of his new home ownership as a sign that good things were headed his way. It solidified everything he had been doing. This was the beginning of his new life and he was ready to reach out and take it. He dressed quickly, ready to get this day underway.
Michonne was tense yet excited for graduation. Happy the grueling days in the academy would be over soon but nervous about being a rookie. As the valedictorian she got to request a sector and tour assignment as her reward. It was wonderful since the speech she had to give was a standard one, that was written and approved by the higher ups where you couldn't improvise. Unfortunately, to claim that prize she had to request them from Col. Blake.
"Girl, you want me to go the office with you?" Sasha asked with her arms crossing her chest.
Michonne loved her sisters, they were everything she needed and didn't expect. They had helped her immensely, continuing to give her hope even though she hadn't seen Rick in days. She considered asking Maggie to speak to Glenn but it seemed childish to pull them in when they had their own fresh relationship to figure out. Besides, after her chat with Shane she didn't want to draw the rest of his friends into this with any further inquiries.
However, the way the instructors were behaving the past few days let her know something was going on. She just hoped Rick wasn't avoiding her. Maybe Shane and Glenn told Rick about her request to see him and he wasn't interested.
He was a Captain and she'd inevitably run into him on the job. Would she be able to pretend to not have shared a history with him, to care for him, to long for him?
Michonne pushed that fear out of her head, she didn't want to focus on that. She didn't have the answers so for now she'd put on her big girl panties and face Blake.
"No, Sash, I've got this." She squeezed Sasha's hand to thank her for her support then she headed off to the office.
Michonne was giving herself a pep talk as she walked down the hall. She wouldn't allow the Colonel to get in her personal space or antagonize her. She'd hand him her request and depart as quickly as she could, not feeding into his bullshit.
As Michonne neared the door to Blake's office, the front door to the building burst open and deputies rushed in. They didn't have guns drawn but she could tell they meant business from their demeanor. The group moved quickly, seemingly headed for the very office she had nearly stepped into.
She didn't know what was going on, so she made way even though they were coming from the opposite direction of her. From her spot pressed against the wall, she could see behind the leading pack. Higher ranking officers were present, but in plain clothes wearing their badges around their necks. As the first wave breached the threshold, she scanned the crowd yet again.
Michonne's heart raced when she saw him. Black jeans, a bulletproof vest partially obstructing his tan button up shirt and on his feet, his trusty boots. His strut was heightened to a new level of sexy because he was clearly there for action. His hair was still long and unruly the way she liked it. Captain Richard Grimes was a site to behold.
With these circumstances she probably should have been frightened but she blazed when their eyes connected. Sable brown to cerulean blue. Just like the first time in the gym, a wave hit her sending chills through her body. It was just a moment but she could tell it hit him too from his slight misstep. But Rick swiftly got back on task and stormed the office with the group. Michonne remained stuck against that wall unable and unwilling to move.
"Col. Phillip Blake, you are under arrest!" a dark skinned man she recognized from pictures that lined the academy walls as Deputy Chief Jones announced.
"You can't just storm into my office!"
"We have and we can." Jones' smooth deep voice responded.
"What… what are the charges?" she heard Blake query.
"Ah, you name it, you got it. Bribery, sexual assault, grand larceny, robbery, felony assault. Really too many to dictate to you but I'm sure your lawyers will explain."
"You could've done this a better way then ambushing me while on the job. I would've happily turned myself in to face any charges. Can you at least grant me the courtesy to walk out on my own? You don't have to embarrass me any more than necessary."
Morgan must have given his approval to the deputies, Michonne suspected. "Let's get him out of here fellas."
Rick appeared in the hall first and Michonne's pulse quickened when he glanced at her. Again Michonne was sure the jolt of current hit them both before he stepped to the side. His attention back on a couple of officers beginning to depart the office with Blake walking out after them.
That's when Blake seemed to finally notice Rick's presence. The smirk that he normally wore had disappeared and a blank eyed rage colored his expressionless face.
Rick's eyes squinted in disgust as they engaged in a silent battle with one another.
"I know this was you Grimes!" Blake roared.
Rick stepped closer to stand in front of Blake and eyed the taller man.
"I did make you a promise." Rick ridiculed.
Michonne was riveted by these events and watched in wonder of the circumstances but mostly of Rick's boldness.
Blake cackled then suddenly lunged, swinging his right fist aiming for Rick's face. Rick must have realized this desperate attempt at one upping him was coming and he leaned away so the punch just barely missed his face due to the taller man's reach. Rick responded with his own left handed jab connecting with Philip's jaw. The punch wasn't effective enough on the enraged man and he grabbed Rick by the shoulders and they began to tussle.
The other deputies were stunned but recovered from their shock to rush over trying to pull the two men apart. The sparing partners struggled for dominance once the other cops intervened.
Michonne's instincts told her to jump in and defend Rick but just as she was about to, more bodies rushed in to wrench the two men apart blocking her entrance into the fray.
"Let go off me!" shouted Rick.
Michonne saw that Blake had broken free from the grasp the other men had on him, leaving Rick vulnerable.
"Let him go!" she shouted.
Once again, Blake charged at him opting this time to land a punch to Rick's gut. Michonne was sure that it was the adrenaline flowing through Rick but he didn't even cringe from the blow. Instead Rick immediately drew his arm back and landed a right cross to Blake's jaw sending him spinning to the floor.
Rick shook his hand out while the officers pulled a groaning Blake to his feet. Morgan appeared in the middle as Rick paced, seemingly waiting for another chance at the downed man.
"Rick? Are you okay?" Morgan asked as he tried to draw Rick's attention.
After shaking his hand again, he nodded.
"Get Blake out of here!" Morgan commanded.
Swiftly, Rick removed his handcuffs from his gun belt. "He's mine."
Rick stalked behind Blake who began to resist but the deputies kept him secured this time pulling his wrists back so Rick could cuff him. With the cuffs on, Rick ushered him towards the door with the deputies sidestepping to keep an eye on the state of affairs as they exited the building.
Michonne's jaw was on the ground. What the hell did she just witness?
"Recruit." Michonne turned to the Deputy Chief.
"I'm sorry, Sir." She saluted.
"Are you okay?"
"Yes, yes Sir. I was just coming to give my assignment requests but I guess…" she trailed off still in shock.
"You're the valedictorian, Congratulations. I can take that and deliver it to Captain Grimes since as you can see, he will be the new acting head of leadership here." She handed him the paper.
"Thank you, Sir."
Michonne turned to see Shane and Glenn were coming down the hall. Once they arrived they saluted the Deputy Chief and he waved them to at ease.
"I just what to thank you two for your help in this investigation."
"Yes Sir." They both responded.
"We currently have deputies picking up Martinez, Ogg, Shumpert and the others involved." A look of relief washed over them before Shane turned to Michonne.
"Recruit Hawthorne, can you please inform the other instructors to contain all the recruits in the auditorium while we help wrap this up. Tell them to proceed with graduation practice as scheduled and we'll be there shortly."
"Yes, Sir."
Rick's friends knew about this takedown, Michonne thought as she headed to the classrooms to deliver the message. A new hope bloomed in her heart. Maybe that was the reason for their awkwardness and tight lips in recent days.
Phillip Blake had been arrested right before her very own eyes. Rick was the new head of the academy even if temporarily. Her mind flashed to Ricks words, 'It's not true, I won't give you up.'
Shit, she had fucked up royally. Rick had been apart, maybe even the lead in this investigation against Philip Blake for some time.
Rick would have to be at the graduation tomorrow front and center, so that was indeed her shot. She was going to take it.