A Simple Favor

"The bases are loaded, and he is absolutely on fire tonight!"

"You are absolutely right Dave; he's giving us some of the best pitching I've seen. He's definitely setting them up for a good look in the playoffs in a few months. I'd even say we are looking at a World Series team."

"Absolutely Chip, Rick Grimes has definitely made a name for himself and the Atlanta Braves this season, I definitely can join on the "I believe in Rick Grimes" bandwagon."

Sweat trickles down his brow as he waits for the signal from his catcher of what to throw. Bases are loaded and they have taken a major lead early on in the game. He's pitched the last four games, with minimal rest in between. He knows he's pushing himself, but all he has to do is get through this game then he can rest. He knows his shoulder has been bothering him, he should've told the team trainer he was feeling pain, he should've taken a seat four innings ago when the team took a pretty large lead in the game, but he didn't. Now, he just has to get through one more inning.

He nods at his catcher signifying that he agrees with the pitch and winds himself up, he releases the ball with all the force he can muster. All of the action that follows is like a blur for Rick who falls to his knees in pain as his team goes about completing the play.

"Uh-oh Dave, I do not like the look of that."

"Me either Chip, it looks like he's holding onto his shoulder, and if anyone knows baseball, they know the worst nightmare is to see your star pitcher go down holding onto their arm."

"The trainers wasted no time getting out there to him, it's not looking good from up here Dave, it's not looking good at all."

xxxxxx

"Hey dumbass, how are you feeling?" Glenn Rhee renowned orthopedic surgeon and good friend of Rick asks as he comes in checking on his patient post-op.

"Really? You're gonna call me a dumbass as I lay in a hospital bed, in front of my momma and woman?" Rick asks groggily.

"Well he got the dumbass part right son. You shouldn't have played tonight." Gayle states exhausted from all of the excitement of the evening.

"Gayle I'm not sure we should be placing blame on Rick, he understands his responsibility to his team and to Atlanta, right baby?" Lori, Rick's on and off again girlfriend states clutching onto Rick's free hand with more drama than necessary.

"Lori, I'm not sure you should be speaking to me—" Gayle affirms.

"Mama, please," Rick warns knowing his mother's feelings towards Lori, "Lori, my mother and Glenn are right, I knew I was feeling pain, I shouldn't have let it get to this point." Rick diplomatically states hoping to regain everyone's focus whilst also reminding Lori subliminally that it is his mother that she just got sassy with.

"Of course, baby. I'm sorry, I-I'm just so anxious still. I've never seen you go down like that." Lori feigns.

"Alrighty Glenn. Now that we've established, I'm a dumbass, what's the news. When can I get back on the field?" Rick asks trying to remain hopeful about his prognosis

"Well Rick, I'm not gonna lie to you dude a SLAP repair is nothing to play with, maybe if we had caught it earlier, the repercussions wouldn't have been so severe." Glenn states pragmatically.

Rick feels like he's going to be sick as he listens to his friend state his biggest fear as a professional baseball pitcher. How could he be so stupid, he thinks to himself. This close to the playoffs and the World Series title. He needs to know his options; he has no time to dwell in his anxiousness about this. He has to be proactive.

"O-okay. Um, okay. So, what are my options? What do I have to do Glenn?" Rick asks with a tremble in his throat.

"Well let's lay out the timeline. We would start you in pretty aggressive physical therapy about a week from now, the important factor at this point is rebuilding the strength of the muscle and tissue, the range of motion will return on its own. I have a list of some great therapists who I think can have you ready by the World Series…"

"WHAT!? NO. That's too long. I need as soon as possible Glenn."

"Richard!" His mother scolds at his outburst.

"Sorry Glenn." Rick admonishes his behavior.

"Look I get it buddy. It's your career. You know I know better than most how much you've wanted this, that's why I'm gonna give it to you straight. I have a potential therapist who can have you back on the field by playoffs."

Silence falls over everyone in the room. Everyone but Lori who inquires who could have Rick ready by playoffs.

"Rick…" Glenn goads.

"I—I don't know Glenn."

"She's your best shot. If you want to see the field by playoffs." Glenn gently proclaims.

"Who on earth are you all talk—" Lori silences herself as she notices the somber look on everyone's face in the room, everyone but Gayle who can't help but smile as realization daunts Lori's face. "Rick! Absolutely not! We can find someone else, I'm sure there's someone else, there has to be someone else."

"Oh, please Lori! Get over yourself, we all know there is no one as good as her. She is renowned in sports. He'll be lucky to have her work with him. If, she wants to work with him." Gayle states, making sure that last line is heard by her son.

Rick is in a daze. Flashbacks of every smile, every laugh, every touch, every kiss, all runs through his mind making him dizzy at the realization. He always thought about the possibility of seeing her again. How he would act, what he would say. He's gone over so many different speeches in the past five years. All beginning with an apology and ending with her taking him back. He hears his mother when she states pointedly that it is her option to work with him, to help his career, the same career that was a catalyst in what eventually destroyed them.

"Do you think she'll agree?" Rick asks, silencing the upheaval between his mother and Lori.

"Rick, you can't be serious?!" Lori screeches frantically.

"This is my career Lori."

"Yes, and we have money that can buy you a new shoulder if we need to" she seethes.

"You mean my son, has enough money…" Gayle states vindictively as Lori shows her true colors.

"Mama. Please. Glenn…do you think she'll agree?" Rick pleads for an answer.

"I think I can call in a personal favor." Glenn states already heading for the door to get to work on this near impossible task.

"Please, do what you can." Rick pleads desperately, stopping Glenn in his tracks as they both recall an event where Rick cried the same request to Glenn.

xxxxxx

Glenn takes a deep breath as he scrolls to his favorite contacts and hits the ever-familiar name of the godmother of his child.

"Glenn?! What's wrong? Is it Maggie? Hershel?" she panics on the other end.

"Woah, woah, hey calm down" Glenn chuckles at her instant panic "can't I just be calling to check in?"

"You could, but not at this hour." she jokes.

"Oh shit! Sorry Chonne, what time zone are you even in?"

"Don't worry," she chuckles, "I actually just finished throwing in a load of laundry from my last trip."

"So, your home?" he asks gaining the necessary courage.

"Yeah, just finished my contract with the Seahawks, told Sasha not to schedule me for any teams or individual training for a little while."

"That's good Chonne, I'm always so proud to hear about your work."

"I know, one of my biggest supporters. So, what's up. I know you didn't just call to see what time zone I'm in." she asks skeptically.

"You know me so well," he nervously chuckles, "I know you are coming off of a season, but I need a favor."

A/N: I hope you all will join me on this journey. Please let me know what you think about this Richonne adventure in the comments!