Chapter 4

Michonne pulled up at the estate of Senator Grimes. The Senator's heavily armed personal security officer opened the gate. After she briefly flashed her badge, Michonne drove in and parked in the designated spot which was empty. She looked at her watch…it was now 6am but she wasn't surprise that she was the only one there at this hour. She usually is. Taking her breakfast sandwich and coffee flask in her hand, she made her way into the Senator's mansion.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Rick lay in his bed. He has been awake since 4am simply because he has a lot on his mind. Running for Mayor, surviving an assassination attempt some days ago and possibly more in the future and the most chilling turn of events of all….the return of his ex, Lori Audrey Seville yesterday.

It has been two years since she broke his heart for the hundredth time. Two years of no contact or communication of any kind whatsoever. Maggie has told him time and time again that the only reason why he doesn't seem to want to let go of Lori since high school was because he is afraid.

Afraid to see what else is out there. But she was wrong. He loved Lori…it was as simple as that. However, the one thing that she was right about was that he can't allow Lori to keep treating him this way. She was also right that Lori was only able to do so is because he let her. All that is about to change.

His life, on the whole is going to change if he's elected mayor. Should this happen, his love life…past, present and most definitely future will be in the spot light. A girlfriend like Lori, with a sordid past, who flip flop between him and other men over the years will not be good for his image.

When he was in the Wall Street world, the main aim and focus was money. To make as much of it as you can and in the least amount of time. Therefore, it was of no consequence what one's love life was like or who you were banging…as long as it didn't interfere with the ability to make money.

Looking back on it now, Rick realized that it could be one of the reasons why he tolerated Lori's nonsense for so long. Her shenanigans didn't infect other aspects of his life. However as mayor, it would be the complete opposite and Lori doesn't fit the requisite mold to be his girlfriend anymore and worst yet...his future wife.

He sat up on his bed to see Maggie by the door, arms folded across her chest looking at him ready to give him a verbal tongue lashing. He knows what she wants to say to him.

"Don't say it Mags." He said, rubbing his temple.

"I will say it Rick! I will!"

She crossed the room and sat on the bed next to him.

"I will not sit by and let her hurt you again Rick. You're my big brother and I love you. We all do. Mom and Beth are just too polite to say anything and daddy would rather blast you than her."

"But not you!"

"You can't have Lori in your life again. Not now…not ever again. You're in politics now and it's a ruthless game. Nothing is off limits and I mean nothing! Lori will damage your reputation and ruin your career before you even begin."

"I know, she could."

"Not could! WOULD!"

"I'm not going back with her Maggie."

"Oh thank god! I thought I was going to have to secretly bribe one of my girlfriends to date you just to keep Lori off your back."

Rick looked at Maggie incredulously.

"You would really do that to me?"

"You bet your ass I would have! Anything to protect the future of this family."

Rick rose to his feet and Maggie did as well. He hugged her tightly.

"You don't have to worry anymore. Lori and I are through."

"Good." She paused. "Are you ready for today press conference?"

"I have to."

"Yeah. You better. There are going to be lots of questions for you and dad to answer."

"Any word yet on the man who tried to kill me or dad? Is he talking?"

"Dad said the man lawyered up as soon as Agent Atwell booked him at the FBI HQ."

"That was days ago. He hasn't said anything as yet?"

"No."

Rick frown. He knows that questions about the would-be assassin will be the most foremost question on every reporter's lips and he nor his father have any answers to give.

"I'm going to take a shower to get ready."

"Mom and dad are up already. Beth's making breakfast so hurry up!"

Rick headed towards his private bathroom and Maggie left.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Lori looked at herself in her bedroom mirror as she prepared herself to be at the press conference the Senator was holding today. She was wearing one of the dresses Rick bought her…a blue turquoise one shoulder knee length dress. She was also wearing the matching blue earring he had bought to go with the dress as well.

Rick had bought this dress as a surprise birthday present. But there was only one problem….she hated the dress…the cut, the feel…everything. But Rick liked it and he thought she looked gorgeous in it so she wore it. She was lucky that she was swift enough to hide the disappointment in her face when Rick first presented her with it.

Lori forced a smile on her face as she slowly twirled herself. 'I'll just suck it up for one day.' She bathed herself in her favourite perfume and got into the cab waiting for her.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Jesus Christ! Where is he?! Rick!" Maggie called out his name from the bottom of the winding stairs. Their parents had just left the compound in the first vehicle accompanied by Agents Ford and Walsh. A second vehicle with Agents Mills and Sims followed behind them. Beth was already in the third vehicle with Jones and Benjamin and a fourth vehicle was waiting for Rick with Agents Atwell and Rascolli.

"I'm coming!" Rick yelled back. A minute later, Rick emerged at the top of the stairs looking quite dapper. Maggie whistled causing Rick to blush slightly.

"I really have to set you up with one of my girlfriends."

Rick walked down.

"Stop."

"No…I'm serious. You look good."

"Thanks sis."

"Let's go."~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Maggie walked towards her and Beth's assigned vehicle and Rick to his when he noticed Agent Atwell, who's back was turned to him. She was quietly observing the surroundings. Rick couldn't help but notice how the suit hugged her in all the right places. The jacket highlighted her tiny waist and the pants hugged her butt pronouncedly. He smiled to himself as his eyes fixated itself on her butt.

He remembered that butt…very well…when it was in his face during the shooting. He remembered touching it…holding it and by extension her in place on top of him. He didn't have time to fully appreciate it then but he can now. It was perfectly round. He licked his lips involuntarily and caught himself. He looked around to see Agent Rascolli turning away his head quickly. 'Fuck' Rick muttered to himself. 'Busted'. He put on a brave smile on his face.

"Good morning Agent Atwell."

Michonne turned around to see the smartly dressed Rick smiling at her.

"Good morning Mr Grimes."

"Please. Call me Rick since we will be working together."

Michonne's eyes narrowed at him as she couldn't tell if he was just being polite or cheeky. Quite frankly, she really wasn't having for any of it. Despite not wanting to admit it and putting on a brave face for Andrea, she was still wounded from Jeremy's betrayal and is in no mood for any games or small talk.

"You are going to be late Mr Grimes. Shall we go?"

Rick picked up on the icy tone in Michonne's voice. He knew that she was a professional from all accounts that he has heard about her from his father and other agents and he had only met her officially for the first time at his recent near assassination. However, with his brief interaction with her previously, she was pleasant…inviting but now she was cold and distance. Without saying a word, Rick got into the vehicle and they left.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The Senator, his wife Elizabeth, Beth and Maggie arrived at the press conference early. The Senator left to talk with the coordinators while Mrs Grimes and Beth moved around meeting and greeting the reporters to get a feel of their mood before the press conference. Maggie received a text from her friend and she went to the side door at the hall to meet her. They hugged each other on sight.

"Glad you could make it Thia!" She gave her college friend a sneaky once over. "Love the dress!"

"Thank you. I almost didn't come."

"Why?"

"You know I'm not lucky with blind dates Maggie. They always suck."

"First of all…this isn't a blind date. You know Rick. Secondly, you have had a crush on my brother since you met him when we were in college so part of the work is already done."

"Yeah, but we were different people back then. Besides...he was with Lori. He was always with Lori."

"Forget about her. Lori is in the past…Rick is moving on."

"Are you sure about that? I don't want to be making a fool of myself Maggie…especially infront of him."

"You wouldn't make a fool of yourself. You worry too much."

"Ok. If you say so."

"Good. Hopefully the press conference wouldn't take too long. Mom and Beth are hosting a small luncheon for Dad afterwards at the Radisson Hotel so he could network with new potential supporters for his re-election bid. Your name is already on the invitees list. I will re-introduce the two of you then. In the meantime, if you want you could stick around here for the news conference and then ride with me and Beth to the hotel or we can just meet you at the hotel."

Thia thought for a split second about the options.

"You know what…I think I will stick around and see how my potential future husband is handling the press." She said cheekily.

"Great!" Maggie laughed as she called over one of the security officers and gave him some instructions. "Follow this officer Thia."

The ladies hugged again and Thia followed the officer. Maggie went to the all entrances at the conference hall and make final checks on security. She re-enforced her one specific instruction to all – Lori Audrey Seville is not to be let into the press conference under any circumstances. The officers nodded their heads in full understanding of this instruction. Maggie smiled when she saw her brother's security detail drove up into the compound and headed around to the back.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Maggie walked up to her brother who was already being fussed over by their mother.

"I'm ok mom. Quit fussing! You're making me more nervous than I already am."

"I can't help it ok!"

"I know." He kissed his mother's forehead. "I know."

"Ready to meet the love of your life and the future Mrs Grimes?"

"Huh?" When Rick saw the grin on Maggie's face he knew what she had done. "You didn't?!"

"Yes I did!"

"Christ Maggie! I'm not that desperate you know. I can find my own girlfriend!"

"Just give her a chance Rick!" Maggie semi pleaded.

Rick held Maggie firmly at her shoulders and looked deep into her eyes for a minute.

"Fine! Who is she?"

Maggie was in her glee that Rick was willing to atleast to try. That's all she wanted.

"Her name is Thia. She was one of my roommates in college."

Rick tried to recollect if he ever met one of Maggie's roommates named Thia. It doesn't ring a bell. Maggie realized that Rick was drawing a blank of a face to the name. She briefly described her.

"She's my height, a red head and really pretty."

"You had a lot of pretty roommates in college Maggie. You gonna have to be more specific than that."

Maggie's eyes widen with Rick's remark.

"Oh! So you did notice my roommates in college huh? It wasn't just them alone who noticing you."

Rick rolled his eyes at her.

"Focus Mags! Your friend?"

Maggie thought of the one thing about Thia that no one would miss.

"She always…always wore bright red lipstick."

Maggie watched in amusement when the face to the name finally hit Rick's memory. He closed his eyes.

"You remember her…do you?"

Rick nodded.

"Don't worry. She doesn't wear bright lipstick anymore. That was her rebellion stage."

"Where is she?"

"You will meet her soon enough. Just focus on the mountain of questions you will have to answer in a few minutes."

Rick hugged her.

"For what it's worth…thanks for doing this."

"Anything for your happiness Rick."~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Lori adjusted her dress as soon as the cab dropped her off at the press conference hall parking lot. There were a lot of cars there. She smiled to herself. 'Hmmm. This press conference is bigger than I thought. Doesn't matter. Either way it's time to introduce myself to the world and be recognized as the future mayor's wife.' She walked up to the security's main entrance and identified herself.

"Ms Lori Seville."

The security officer glanced at his colleague uncomfortably.

"I'm sorry Ms Seville but you're not on the invitees list.

"Lori laughed dismissively.

"That's a mistake. My name has to be there. I'm Rick Grimes fiancée."

"It's no mistake. You're not invited."

Lori was now getting impatient as she glared at the officers.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The news conference had started and she looked on as her father handled the shooting of questions at him on a variety of topics…his possible successful re-election, the many accusations level against him in the past and his opponents but the most questions being asked were about the assassination attempt which most believe was on him and not Rick as he was just entering the political arena. Maggie glanced over at the entrance of the hall and saw Lori there. From the way she was flailing her arms at the officers Maggie knew that they were following her instructions. She smiled.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"What do you mean I wasn't invited?!" Lori protested. "I am the future Mrs Rick Grimes…the future mayor's wife!"

The officers merely stared at her blankly. This irritated Lori even more. She looked inside and saw the Senator speaking to the reporters with Rick at his side. Mrs Grimes, Maggie and Beth stood alittle way to the left of them and each FBI agent standing behind their respective charges.

"I should be in there!"

The officers have had enough of her tantrums.

"Ma'am…you need to calm down. As you can see a very important conference is going on. If you do not leave, you will be escorted off the compound…by force if necessary."

Lori's eyes bulged at the potential threat of force. Ignoring the officer's words Lori began walking around the security booth to go inside. One of the men rush from his seat and blocked her.

"Get out of my way!" She yelled at him.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Standing partial hidden behind Rick, Michonne had the perfect stance. She could quickly pull Rick to safety if she needs to should any threats arise and she could also analyse the crowd unhindered. She suddenly caught movement in her peripheral vision to her right and glanced over without a single bodily movement. She saw a woman shouting at the security in front. This caused Michonne to turn her head slightly towards the situation…eyes narrowing.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Miss you have to leave! Now!" the officer barked at her.

Lori couldn't believe that she was being treated this way. Angrily, she walked out into the parking lot and out onto the street. She found her way to a nearby diner and sat there brewing…plotting her next move. She pulled out her phone and called a cab to meet her.

Lori knew that after a press conference, Mrs Grimes always holds a luncheon for the Senator to meet and greet with his supporters and potential financiers. This wouldn't be anything different as now her son is also entering into politics. The only problem is she didn't know where the luncheon would be held. However, that wasn't going to deter her from her goals...her destiny.

These luncheons would have reporters from different news outlets and while it's not as grand as a live news conference it was still an opportunity to be seen and make herself known to the world as Rick's future spouse. She would make sure her picture is taken with Rick so that when it is published in the daily newspapers she would be seen. Maggie's words to her about Rick now having choices still bothered her till this day because she knew she was right. Rick does have options now.

Since that is the case, she will make sure she's always the front runner in this race to the alter with him. That Maggie cannot stop. When the cab pulled up infront of the diner, she got in and they drove back to the Armellion Hotel where she instructed the driver to park across the street a few feet away from the main entrance. Lori sat and stared at the hotel….waiting patiently.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

When the mike was handed over from the Senator to Rick, Maggie never felt so proud of how her brother was handling all of the questions being asked of him. He turned on his rickalicious charms as some of her female college friends had dubbed it back in college and the press was eating it up…especially the female reporters.

Twenty minutes later, the conference was over and the Senator announced that a small luncheon is being hosted by his wife in two hours' time at the Radisson Hotel. He invited the press and encouraged potential investors in his campaign at the conference to register now as the luncheon was by invite only and their names must be on the registered list. The Senator, his wife Elizabeth and Beth left to go to the luncheon destination while Maggie stayed behind with Rick as he met with some of the reporters.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Lori was getting abit restless waiting for the conference to finish. Suddenly she saw the Senator, Elizabeth and Beth existed the building, got into their vehicles and began driving out of the compound. She crouched down when the senator's vehicle and his escorts passed her cab. She gave the driver instructions to follow them.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It took Rick about forty five minutes to properly meet everyone who was at the news conference. When it was over, they began walking to their vehicles to go to their next destination.

"You were great today Rick. I mean it. You were a natural out there."

"Really? I was nervous as hell."

"Well it didn't show."

Rick looked back to see Michonne quickly glance at her phone looking unhappy. He had noticed it several times when his father was fielding questions from the press Michonne hands in her pocket, fiddling with something in there…most likely her cell phone. Although she was alert at all times, he got the feeling that something was bothering her…something personal but he wouldn't dare ask her…atleast not yet. They got into their respective vehicles, Maggie in hers and Rick in his and they left the hotel. They were driving in silence for about twenty minutes when Rick spoke.

"Agent Atwell…I just wanted to thank you."

Michonne, who was sitting in the front passenger seat with Rascolli at the wheel, glanced at him in the backseat through the front mirror.

"For what?"

"For saving my life the other day."

Rick looked in the mirror and caught Michonne's eyes. She quickly turned away focusing on the road instead.

"Just doing my job Mr Grimes."

Rick was slightly disappointed that she didn't call him Rick.

"I know that but still…thank you."

Michonne's eyes darted back up at the mirror and at Rick as she watched him silently. Rick wondered what she was thinking at that very moment. He wanted her to talk to him.

"I'll settle for a simple 'You're welcome'." Rick said, his eyes holding hers firm.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Michonne stared at Rick through the mirror after his last remark. She didn't know whether to answer him or to ignore him completely. Other clients have thank her before for saving their life but the way in which Rick said it…the way in which he looked at her while he said it had her feeling a certain type of way. She just couldn't read him or assess his motives.

"You're welcome." Michonne said slowly and guardedly. The smile that instantly appeared on Rick's face caught Michonne completely off-guard and it made her feel uncomfortable. The only issue is she didn't know if it was uncomfortable in a good way or a bad way. She looked away and out the window.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Since the start of the press conference Rascolli noticed the way Rick checked out his colleague occasionally. He is accustomed to clients checking Michonne out because she has a great body but he caught Rick literally dragging his eyes over the length of her body…from top to bottom. He also caught Rick checking her out back at the house earlier.

Rick tried to do it discreetly but Rascolli noticed him all the same. Now that they are on their way to the luncheon, looking in his driver's side mirror, he is looking at Rick again. This time, he's trying to engage Michonne in an actual conversation and in his opinion, he being pretty damn flirty about it too. He laughed to himself. 'Sorry pal…you're barking up the wrong tree on this one.' ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Lori was feeling ashamed of herself as she hid in the security change-room at the Radisson Hotel. She had been there for almost an hour after she had to bribe one of the security officers at the entrance to let her in as they too were also instructed to keep her out. She knew Rick wouldn't do something like this to her. If she was honest with herself, there is only one person and one person only who she knows would do such a thing like this and go to almost extreme lengths to keep her and Rick apart….Maggie.

Her suspicions were further confirmed by the security officer she had bribe who told her that it was in fact Maggie who left the instructions to keep her out. She then had to pay the officer an extra $200 for him to tell her when Rick arrived at the luncheon. She was well hidden in a corner so as to not alert other officers that she was there and she waited.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Only half an hour passed when the door to the security change-room opened. Lori stiffened herself.

"He's here." The voice called out and the door closed again.

Lori straightened her dress, flipped her hair and smiled.

"It's showtime."~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The reception had already started and food and drinks were being served when Rick arrived so he started mingling with supporters of his bid for the Mayor's office immediately. Most of them were also supporters of his father's bid to be re-elected Senator as well as a handful of new potential investors.

Thia was standing next to Maggie looking at how Rick moved around, so effortlessly among everyone. He was a natural. Suddenly she became swamped with nerves. She was there at the press conference and she saw how Rick handled himself. He whipped up the female reporters in a frenzy and it intimidated her. Now she was having regrets and wanted to back out on the deal with Maggie of meeting Rick.

"I can't do this Maggie! Look at him! He's way out of my league!""

Maggie looked at a panicking Thia and held her by her shoulders.

"Rick's not like that. You are a nice decent person and one of my good friends. I think you too will be good for each other. I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't believe that there could be something between you too...something real and genuine." She hugged Thia to calm her down. "Trust me."

"Ok."

"Now…go to the ladies and freshen up. I don't want your mascara to be running when you meet your husband to be."

Thia smiled and rushed off to the ladies room. When she turned around, her jaw dropped when she saw Lori. She was making a beeline straight for Rick.

"Oh hell no!" Maggie muttered under her breath. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Michonne was standing a couple of feet away from Rick while he greets dignitaries and other VIP guests when she saw a familiar figure pushing through the crowd heading straight towards him. It only took her a split second to recognize it was the same woman at the security booth at the press conference earlier. She looked at Rascolli who confirmed that he saw what she saw. She nodded towards him.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

As she made her way through the crowd, Lori looked to her left and saw that Maggie was moving as quickly as she can towards her. "Shit!' She quickens her pace to reach to Rick before Maggie can get to her. Once she's in Rick's arms Maggie will back off because she wouldn't want to cause a scene for her brother. Lori was about three arm's length away from Rick when she stretched out her hand and opened her mouth to call out to him.

Instead of his name, Lori became startled as someone grabbed her arm and spun her around quickly. She felt her arm being twisted violently behind her back as she was slammed down hard on a nearby table by her neck.

"AHHHHHHH!" Lori cried out, her voice echoing throughout the room.

Tears sprang to her eyes because of the searing pain. The room came to screeching halt and Lori whimpered loudly, the patrons was just staring at her...obviously confused by what was going on.

"Who are you?!" The female voice commanded. Before she could answer a voice answered in utter shock.

"Lori?!"~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Michonne looked at Rick as she held the woman firmly down on the table. Maggie appeared at his side.

"You know this woman?"

"I'm his fiancé!" Lori cried out.

"Is this true Mr Grimes?" Michonne asked

Before he could answer, a group of reporters surrounded them and began taking dozen of pictures of the chaos for their respective newspapers.