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Trigger/Content warnings - drugs, violence, mention of r*pe
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Techno didn't bother Shane Walsh much. Sure, it wasn't his style (He was a country boy after all) but he loved how it made his whole body vibrate. He dipped down to the metallic bar with a rolled-up dollar bill secured between his fingers.
He barely saw the white line before it traveled up the makeshift tube to his nose. He snapped his head back from the table and grinned.
Shelly, the fully naked stripper in front of him climbed the pole with relative ease.
He didn't usually come to Woodbury so early in the night and the real fun didn't start until 2 am. But every once in a while it was nice to see the strippers dance somewhat sober.
He gulped down his highball; Drinking for free wasn't bad either.
He reaches for his phone before remembering that they took it at the entrance. He wanted to see if Lori was going to let him come over tonight.
Shelly winked at him as she descended into a split. Shane winked back, happy to have a back up if Lori didn't come through.
He dipped his head down for another line and came back up angry. Fucking Lori hadn't been fun since Rick found out about them. She was either "not in the mood" or started crying right before he cummed. Not to mention the weight she had put on in the last three months. For a woman who was "Going to tell him soon," she seemingly was unprepared for the aftermath.
Shane took three gulps to finish his drink, eyeing the other stripper working with Shelly. He wonders if the room in the back was open yet. I mean, it was the weekend after all.
"I don't know man, I'm fucked! It's been a week and I haven't found the guy in the picture," Shane's ear perked up at the sound of the newest rookie recruit at the bar.
"You know how upset The Governor gets when you don't deliver," the rookie said slamming a shot.
Shane turned to his left and looked down at the bar. Rick Grimes's signature worried face looked up at him. In his arms, a chocolate woman with locs adorning a matching worried expression.
"Hey Rookie," Shane called out, "What do you want with the guy in the photo?"
The young cop looked back and forth, "Do you know him?"
"What's it to you?" Shane said with a shit-eating grin on his face.
"He's that bitch lawyer's new bodyguard."
Shane looked down at the photo again. So that was the lawyer trying to shut down Woodbury. He looked at Rick again, this time noticing how tightly his arm was wrapped around the lawyer.
He snatched the picture from the bar.
"Hey, wait a minute!" The rookie yelled.
"Cool it, kid, you'll have another chance to suck The Governor's dick later. Hell, I'll even put in a good word for you. But right now, I've got the information he needs."
Shane shoved the rookie with his shoulder as he got up to leave the bar. This info would be worth at least $7,000 and he wasn't going to leave it up to some kid.
He looked down at the photo again. It was strange to see Rick in a suit. He thinks the last time he saw Rick that dressed up was the wedding. It had been 14 years ago but he remembered that day like yesterday. No woman had ever looked at him the way that Lori looked at Rick.
He crumbled the photo in his hand with an angry grunt.
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Michonne power walked out of the elevator. Her smartphone clutched in her manicured hands and her eyes glued to her phone.
She had less than a week to assemble The Avengers (she grinned thinking of Carl), and find something that was really going to raise public suspicion about The Governor.
It wasn't until she got to her office door that she even noticed that the office was a buzz.
Janet was standing near Jessie's desk and they were giddily gossiping.
"Morning ladies," Michonne said distractedly, picking up her mail from Jessie's desk.
"Morning Miss. Michonne," Janet and Jessie respond in unison. Only then did Michonne look up and around the large floor. Everyone seemed to be chit-chatting around each other's desks.
Michonne's eyebrow raised in mild confusion, "Did I miss something?"
Jessie cleared her throat bashfully but Janet pressed on, in her slow Georgia drawl, "You didn't hear? Apparently, Rick was seen leaving Maggie Greene's office on the 5th floor with no wedding ring in sight."
Michonne swore her heart stopped. She opened her mouth but closed it again when she realized that she couldn't think of anything to say in response.
She cleared her throat and adjusted her bag on her shoulder, "Well, I should get to work, Jessie can you set up appointments with everyone on this list?"
Jessie nodded taking the notepad page from Michonne. However, Michonne's uncharacteristic speechlessness didn't go unnoticed by the blonde secretary.
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Rick checked his phone again, waiting to receive a text both from Lori or Daryl. It wasn't until he reached Michonne's large metal door that he realized about a dozen pairs of eyes on him; the room was blanketed in abject silence - save a few whispers.
He turns to Jessie who is perched at the end of her chair, "Mornin' Jessie" he says nicely before scanning the room again. Everyone has returned to their work but are still sneaking peeks at him.
"Jessie, you'd tell me if my hair was sticking up or my fly was down right?" Rick asked with a nervous chuckle.
Her eyes dipped down to his hand quickly - no ring - the rumors were true.
Jessie giggled, "You look great Rick."
"Thanks," he says before entering his code and walking into Michonne's office, brow still creased in confusion.
Michonne is almost surprised to see him in a work environment after the weekend they had. Her eyes take the same path Jessie's had earlier - no ring - what he said on the couch was true.
"So, I'm waiting for Daryl's call then we're going to tail Amy."
Michonne nodded, "There's a diner on Auburn Ave. She's usually there selling."
She takes in Rick's worn blue jeans, brown button-down shirt, and..., "Nice boots Detective."
Rick cracks a smile, "Oh, these old thangs?" Rick sticks his right foot in front of his left to show off his worn cowboy boots, "I'm trying to blend in. Plus, these are a timeless classic."
Michonne chortles; the response from the women paralegals and secretaries on her floor was the perfect indication that Rick Grimes was simply too handsome to "blend in".
Michonne sobered, "Be careful. It's a rough part of town."
"Michonne, I used to work narcotics. I can handle tailing Amy."
"Still be careful. Especially around Amy, she's not as innocent as she looks when she's keyed up." Michonne gives a sardonic grin, "Plus if you get to be fussy about how I move I get to do the same."
Rick chuckled, absolutely loving this protective side of Michonne, "Alright, Ms. Evans. I'll make sure Daryl signs my permission slip."
Michonne shakes her head and laughs, "Ok, get out of here."
"You good here?" Rick asks before heading towards the door.
Michonne nods her head, "I'll be in meetings all day. It's like Carl said, we have to assemble The Avengers."
Rick can't help the goofy smile that settles on his face at the mention of the inside joke they share with his son, "Now that I know what that means. Who's making the cut?"
"I'll let you know, tonight at hom-," Michonne mentally cringes before the last syllable is out of her mouth.
Tonight was the night that Lori was visiting Rick and Carl. Not to mention, Rick's house wasn't home - no matter how comfortable and happy she was there.
"Michonne, I-" Rick's phone went off - it was Darryl.
"That must be Daryl," Michonne said shuffling papers around her desk nervously, "Be safe. We will debrief later."
Rick stares at Michonne for a moment, he wants her to finish her thought, but nods and picks up Daryl's call.
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I'll let you know, tonight at hom-
Home. She was going to say home. He just knew it. He felt his cheeks reddened.
He looks down at his naked finger and grinned. It hadn't looked that way in over a decade but it felt good. He felt like he was working towards something for the first time in a long time.
"Hey lover boy, get your head in the game," Daryl stubbed out his cigarette with his steel-toed boot.
Rick crossed his arms and looked over at Daryl. This morning with Michonne was good enough for him to let Daryl's quip slide.
"So how does freedom feel?" Daryl asks, gesturing towards Rick's ringless finger.
Rick just shrugs.
Daryl chuckled, "You're not even going to play the field are you?"
"I don't need to," Rick said before thinking.
Daryl just chuckles, "I'd try to convince you to play around a bit, but you seem pretty stuck on her."
Rick chuckled in response. Not confirming or denying Daryl's assumption.
He saw stringy blonde hair out of the corner of his eye. Amy was stomping towards the entrance of the diner.
"Showtime," Daryl said under his breath as they followed her inside.
Rick and Daryl take a seat at the booth near the exit. The tired older waitress rolls her eyes at them after they only order coffee.
"So are you two kids necking yet?" Daryl asked.
Rick almost spits out his coffee.
Daryl just laughs in response and takes a big gulp of his lukewarm coffee all while taking glimpses at Amy.
She was clicking away at her burner phone while picking at her oatmeal with a dingy spoon.
"Daryl," Rick stuttered, cheeks burning red.
"Look brother. I've seen her. I get it."
"Daryl," Rick said again with a heavy warning in his voice.
Daryl shrugs in response, "No disrespect brother."
Rick takes a sip of coffee and spares another look at Amy who is looking more and more distraught while texting.
"I mean, you'd be a dumb ass if you didn't shoot your shot."
"Stay focused," Rick said, brow creasing as he noticed Amy getting on the phone.
Daryl picks up his mug and makes a subtle turn around to Amy. She's starting to yell at whoever is on the other line.
Daryl turns back to Rick just as Amy slams money on the table and stomps out of the diner.
"We're going to come back to this but, let's go," Daryl says before standing.
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Home? I really said home.
Michonne cringed at the memory of her conversation with Rick this morning. He probably thinks I'm crazy, she thought, I'm at his place for five days and I'm already calling it home.
She steps further in line at the coffee shop. She should be checking emails but she just keeps hovering over Rick's last text message. Maybe there's something she can say to return their relationship back to one of cold professionalism.
She remembers his plush lips skimming across her own as his warm hand cradled her face like it was porcelain. Professionalism be damned.
"Americano, extra shot, with a dash of oat milk."
"Thank you, Maria," Michonne replied distractedly.
Maria beamed almost surprised at being acknowledged, "Of course. You're welcome, Miss. Evans! I hope your day is going well."
Michonne looked up and gave a small smile, "It is, Maria, thank you."
"Tell Rick I said hi. I bet he's pretty popular given his visit to Maggie on the 5th floor."
Michonne just chuckled awkwardly and took a sip of coffee, "Thanks again, Maria."
It wasn't until she settled into her desk that she noticed a new text from Rick, "We're getting a lot of good intel from Amy. But we might be out a while. I hate to ask this but do you mind picking up Carl?"
"Of course" Michonne texted back without thinking.
"You're a lifesaver. Carl has the keys so he'll be able to let y'all in. I let the school know that you're picking him up. You'll just have to show your ID at the office. They're usually out at 2:30 pm"
"Will do."
"Thanks again Michonne, I appreciate it. We're going to call it at 3:30 pm. I'll see y'all at home around 4/4:30."
Michonne reread his message a few times and blinked. I'll see y'all at home sticking out every time.
The butterflies in her stomach ran wild - God damn that bow-legged man.
She hit her intercom, "Hey Jessie. I'm leaving early today. Reschedule everything after 3:00 pm please?"
"Of course. Is everything ok?"
"Yeah, I just have to pick up-" Michonne paused, remembering the rumor mill this morning, "I just have to pick up some documents and I'm going to take the rest of the day from home."
Home, there's that word again.
"No problem Miss Evans. Have a great day."
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Michonne grinned as she watched Carl walk out of the school's front yard comic book in hand. Despite being heavily engrossed, Carl navigated the front yard and gave quick 'see yas' to some friends without tripping or missing a beat.
He didn't look up once as he sat down on the ledge.
It was obvious that Carl was used to waiting a while for his dad to pick him up. Michonne mentally kicked herself when she thought back to the first time she met Rick. Here was the son that he swore to always put first and she kept them both waiting.
Michonne had arrived early to sort things out with the school. The secretary was shocked but played it off pretty well. The rest of the teachers in the office, however, did not. She was certain that she was going to be a thrilling addition to the Grimes family saga gossip mill in their neighborhood.
"I'm starting to think we need to get you a real book," Michonne said to get Carl's attention.
Carl looked up from his comic in surprise, "Michonne! What are you doing here?"
"Picking you up silly. Your dad's on a mission," Michonne said with a wink.
Carl smiled before answering simply, "Cool."
Michonne smiled back, "Come on, grab your backpack. You might as well get some reading done in the car - because it's homework time when you get home."
Carl slung his backpack over his shoulder and walked up to Michonne, "I did my homework already."
"Oh really? Why's that."
Carl shifted awkwardly, "My mom's coming and I didn't want to do homework while she's here."
Michonne looked at Carl, not even sure how someone so small could be so put together about this.
Carl got into the back of Michonne's car and slumped into the seat.
"How are you feeling about it?" Michonne asked quietly, not wanting to overstep.
Carl gave a dejected shrug, "I miss her but I'm afraid that I won't know what to say."
Michonne nodded, "She's your mom. She'll want to hear updates about you. Tell her about school, your friends, the comics you're reading, that kind of stuff.
Carl nodded, still seemingly nervous, "Ok."
Michonne stole one last peek at Carl before pulling out the driveway - she knew exactly what would cheer him up.
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Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed it even though this chapter wasn't necessarily groundbreaking. However, it's still setting up some important points. The next chapter should be up within the next three days. Cheers x