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Chapter 4- The First Day, The Chief, and The Invitation

Rick's first day as Captain did not go as expected. As enthused as he was to be Captain in his new precinct, it seems the officers who worked under him were not as excited to have Rick as their new boss. The atmosphere was thick with awkwardness the first few hours and then downright hostile for the rest of the day. It was not direct enough to where Rick could call out any of them on their bullshit, but just enough to cause an obstinate uneasiness throughout the office. When Rick would introduce himself and try to make small talk, all were resistant. They shook his hands with limp limbs and tight smiles. They did not ask him anything about his former precinct, or his family. It was just stiff head nods, and only when Rick would acknowledge them, none went out of their way to approach Rick first. It was not enough to be completely disrespectful, but it was riding the edge of it. Rick tried not make a big deal out of it and decided to wait a few more days to see if any change would occur. Rick was perplexed but decided that it was just first day awkwardness and shook it off.

Over the course of the first few days of his first week, it did not get any better. Officers said good morning in an almost pleasant manner if Rick acknowledged them first, but because he was their boss, even though it still dripped with venom. Some said salutations through gritted teeth, and he could swear several African American and Hispanic officers rolled their eyes at him in distaste. Some officers were downright angry about having to report to Captain Rick Grimes, and they showed it with a slight reluctance to follow his commands. The officers did what they were told, just with scowls and deep angry sighs and slow motivation to get the tasks done quickly and efficiently.

There was still no small talk and no chit chat. No smiles and no quick waves of hello. Mostly, it was just nothing. Rick could feel the hate for him emanating from the pores of almost every officer in his precinct and for the life of him, he did not know what he did wrong. He sat back at his desk, rubbed his hand down his face, and reflected on every single thing he did that week that could have been misconstrued and came up short. He could not understand why they were all so pissed off at him.

One very big red-headed man with a handlebar mustache and language to match his colorful hair would often shake his head in what looked like revulsion every time he walked by Rick. One of the best professional opportunities of his life was rendered one of the worst experiences because of the hostile work environment that he somehow unknowingly created. He was bewildered. Rick was a patient man, or so he liked to think, he actually was the complete opposite of patient, but he decided to continue to be professional with the hopes of everything working itself out. His patience eventually wore thin about an hour later; Rick was at his wits end. It had been almost a full week and circumstances just kept getting worse and worse. He decided to make an appointment to talk with Chief Morgan to get some sage advice. He hated to have to go discuss this with Morgan, because he always prided himself on building positive relationships with people, especially colleagues, and many even turned many into great friendships. So he picked up the phone and called the Chief and make an appointment.

"So Rick, how has your week been going so far?" Asked the Chief.

"That's what I am here to talk to you about Chief, I am not sure where I went wrong but it seems right from the get go, I started off on the wrong foot and I don't know how my foot got so pointed in the wrong direction," said a perplexed Rick.

"What do you mean?" Inquired the Chief. Morgan could see the worry in Rick's eyes and sat forward to give him his one hundred percent attention.

"Basically," said a dejected Rick, "what I need is some advice on what I need to do, and i never have had issues with this, but how to build relationships with the officers that seem to actually hate me."

Rick explained what has been going on around the precinct. The dirty looks he was getting, the lack of friendly conversation between him and his subordinates, the angry stares. He informed him that not one person in the entire precinct as welcomed him in his new position. Rick felt like he was whining and he hated for it to appear that way to his new boss, but he was at his wits end of what to do to fix the problem that he did not even know the source of.

"I don't think they hate you Rick, they don't even know you! Let me get some info and get back with you," the Chief stated with a sense of urgency.

"Thanks Chief, I appreciate the help," smiled Rick as he got up to leave the office hoping Morgan could help alleviate any issues and calm everything down.

A day later, Rick walked by the redhead and an African American officer who were speaking to each other in a clearly irate tone. They shut up quickly when they saw Rick approach and gave Rick a tight smile and nod as he walked by. Rick stared back at them for a minute knowing they were probably talking about him but decided to let it go and continue towards his destination.

"Sarge, do I have to?" Begged officer Noah. "Why do I have to invite him to MY BBQ at MY house? I don't want that man in my home! This is supposed to be something fun and if I invite the Captain then either no one will come over or they will show up, but it will be uncomfortable and awkward!"

Sergeant Ford thought for a minute and felt sorry for not only for Noah, but for everyone who was ready to relax and have some fun at the annual officer BBQ. Officer Noah came from money and had the best house, despite his meager salary. His parents got him the large home as a wedding gift, complete with huge backyard, swimming pool, and a full outdoor kitchen and BBQ station. Once all the officers found out about his lavish locale, they made his home the official place of the annual officer BBQ, and for other outdoor festivities as well. Noah and his wife did not mind one bit. They loved hosting the department in their home.

"Look Noah, no one wants him there, he is the worst kind of cop on the force but we were ordered to not only invite him, but for everyone to show up, and that's from the Chief," he said clearly upset at the order he received and that they were forced into a situation where they would have to socialize nicely with Rick Grimes. "So, let's all get our balls polished and ready to be squeezed tight and show up and make the best of it."

Following the announcement from Chief Morgan and, unbeknownst to Rick himself, Rick was to be invited to the BBQ and everyone better show up to said barbeque, morale was super low and the hate for Rick intensified. The air was impenetrable with loathing for Rick and he just exhaled and went on with his day. When he entered his office, he was surprised to find an invitation to Noah's BBQ on his desk beside his box of personal items that he has yet to unpack. He smiled until he realized the Chief must have forced the team to invite him and his family and he immediately regretted talking to the Morgan. 'So that is why everything seems worse now,' he thought to himself, 'Damn.' He walked outside his office and noticed some subtle eye rolls and he placed his thumb and forefinger and the bridge of his nose and exhaled. He had made things much more damaging for himself he realized. He would need to talk to his wife to get some ideas on what he should do.

"One-hour Michonne, one hour. That is as long as we are staying!" Rick insisted in an exasperated tone. "We can tell them we have stuff and thangs to do and leave." His wife's suggestion was to go to a party, outside of work hours, with a group of people that hated his guts.

"Honey, this might be an opportunity to really get to know your officers and for them to really get to know you, let's play it by ear. I am sure they will love you when they get to know you," Michonne appealed as she flung her arms over his shoulders and pulled him into a hug, "just like I did when we met," she winked. Rick smiled and pulled her close and gave her a peck on her lips.

"They said the kids are invited also, we can't take nine kids over there Chonne, Carl and Andre alone will eat half the food by themselves!" Stressed Rick, "I don't need another reason for all the officers to despise me!"

"Well," Michonne snickered, "this will be the perfect opportunity to showcase your famous ribs and brisket and I can make my momma's delicious potato salad and a pound cake to add to the buffet of food, that should impress them all!"

"It impressed me, so much so that I went and bought a ring that very day." Smirked Rick.

"Liar," grinned Michonne, "you had that ring ready way before that, and you know it!"

"Yeah, you're right baby, that ring was burning my pocket almost as soon as I met you," Rick grinned as he kissed his wife.

Rick agreed with Michonne to give it a chance. If the BBQ did not improve things, then he was going to seriously consider asking for a transfer or stepping down and try and go back to his former precinct. He did not think he could work under the current circumstances for much longer. He did not even bother to unpack and decorate his office because he was so unsure if he would stay on in the position. This was his last-ditch effort to improve his work situation. His wife vowed that no matter what, she would support him one hundred percent. There was never even a glimmer of doubt that she would not back him up with whatever decision he made. They were always going to be in each other's corner, be each other's cheerleader and champion.

The day of the BBQ, Rick and Michonne decided to take two cars, well they had to, they could not fit all nine kids Rick's G-Class SUV or Michonne's Range Rover, and they both hated pulling out the damn family van. That thing was a monstrosity. To Rick, it was like wearing a scarlet letter on his chest, except not for adultery, but a punishment for having too many kids. They always felt so weird when they drove it, like they were driving a school bus. Michonne would sometimes sink down in the seat when she had to ride in it, but it was a necessary evil.

Rick and Michonne talked to the kids about being on their best behavior and then pulled RJ and Jackson to the side and pretty much threatened them within an inch of their lives if they did not act right. Those two were always the main ones getting into trouble. When they finished reprimanding the kids, they both prayed that those two in particular would actually listen and try to act like normal human beings for once. They did not have to worry about Carl and Andre, they were older and had their technology. Judith was a social butterfly and would keep herself busy floating around impressing everyone with her smarts, personality, and charm. They told Judith to keep Abigail by her side. Abigail was quiet and she needed her sister to keep her company. The triplets were the triplets. Worse come to worst, they could hold them all night or keep them buckled tightly in the stroller that they were bringing just in case. Once the lectures were over, and one more given for good measure, they loaded up all the food and the kids into the cars. Rick and Michonne gave each other one last look of solidarity and got behind the driver seats, and drove their family toward Noah's house and the annual Precinct Bar-B-Que.