The Charge – Chapter 12

Two weeks later…

Over the past two weeks, Michonne's personal life seemed to be getting back to some resemblance of normalcy. As she rightfully planned and predicted, Jeremy fell for her bait hook, line and sinker.

As a matter of fact, through Sasha's smooth tongue friend Robert and enough cash in hand, she was able to get back four of the five rental properties and is in current negotiation for the property under construction as well.

If all goes well, Michonne would then enter into an agreement with Robert that she will finish the renovation of the property, after which he will pay her the cost to complete the renovation. In return the house will be his so that he could sell for a huge profit.

That would be his reward for helping her in retrieving her properties back. The soup kitchen has been thriving extremely well as donations have been pouring in. Mr Wilfred had to ask for extra volunteers to help manage the place with him.

As per discussion with Rick regarding having living quarters at the top floor of the building, at nights Michonne have been making simple fliers advertising that service to the homeless in the near future.

She dropped off the fliers at the kitchen before work which volunteers eagerly distributed. There has been an overwhelming response and registrations for beds began four days ago. Because of all of the good that has been happening in her life Michonne found herself smiling more and it has not gone unnoticed.~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Over the past two weeks, Rick has been extremely busy. The campaigning has slowed down abit as there is a World Leaders' Summit in Washington for the past week now. The summit is schedule to take at atleast three weeks to a month if all goes as planned.

Therefore Rick was able to put more effort on Michonne and her dreams for the soup kitchen. Since the summit started Michonne and the other agents are at the Grimes residence full time. The positive in that is that he gets to see her every day for two weeks.

The negative is that he couldn't get to talk to her freely about his plans for the kitchen. There was so much he wanted to tell her. His mother readily agreed to run the kitchen once everything was fully operational.

He wanted to tell her that he already had a contractor in place to renovate the top two floors of the building whenever she gave the all clear and that building plans were already in his possession.

Although she gave him her number to call her anytime, why should he when he could talk to her face to face. He wanted to talk to her face to face. He wanted to stare into her eyes and visually slaughter her lips when they spoke. He wanted to take her in in the flesh. That's what he want.~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Maggie walked into their father's office. There Rick was, standing hidden behind the curtain looking out intently into the gardens. She tip toed behind him and looked in the same direction. There was Michonne on her cell phone talking and smiling. Then she stood next to him. Neither one of them said anything for a few minutes.

"I think she has a boyfriend."

"Why?"

"I have never seen her smile this much."

Maggie chuckled.

"Why does her smiling has to do with a having a boyfriend?"

Suddenly Michonne started laughing.

"She definitely has a boyfriend! Look at her!"

"She doesn't have a boyfriend."

"How would you know?"

"Trust me. I know for a fact she doesn't have a boyfriend."

Rick turned to his sister.

"You checked into her already. Didn't you?"

"Of course I will check into any woman my brother is secretly planning on marrying."

Rick laughed.

"So what did you find out?"

"Just what I told you. She isn't seeing anyone."

"That's it?"

Maggie remained mum.

"You know I could find out if I wanted to."

"I know but you wouldn't do that. You're not that kind of person to dig into people's private life. I am. Besides you like her way too much to pry."

"Jesus Christ Mags! Throw me a bone! Just one! Please!"

Maggie walked away from the window back to the mahogany desk and sat in their father's chair.

"She was married."

Maggie watched a Rick digest that tiny but so important titbit about Michonne.

"Was?"

"Yes."

"Widowed?"

Maggie shook her head.

"Divorce?!"

Rick seemed surprised.

"You seemed surprised."

"Yeah." He looked back out the window towards Michonne. "What kind of idiot would leave a woman like her?"

"A no good cheating ass one."

Rick's head snapped around and Maggie nodded.

"How long has she been divorced?'

"Not long."

"What do you mean not long? A year? Two years?"

"Try months. Less than 6."

Rick's jaw dropped.

"You mean she was working here…with me when she got divorced?"

"Yes."

Rick shook his head in disbelief.

"She never showed anything was happening…that her personal life was blowing up."

"And it's better that way."

"Why?"

"Nothing. I've already said too much."

When Maggie rose from the chair, she saw the building and renovating plans on the desk.

"What's this?"

"Something I'm working on."

"Hmmmm." She walked to the door. "Tread carefully with Michonne Rick. Please."~*~*~*~*~*~

Three days later…..

Given the suspension of all political campaigning because of the Summit all the CIA agents assigned to the Grimes household were sent on leave until further notice. Michonne was about to hop into her car when she got the text message from Director Thomas. She rushed inside, striped down to her underwear and pulled the blanket tightly over her.~*~*~*~*~*~

Later that evening Michonne decided to do some grocery shopping which she did. Then on the spur of the moment she decided to treat herself to some junk food at the pond in the park. She showered and changed into some loose fitting short acid wash blue jeans with a grey silky top and flat strappy sandals.

The park should be empty as there was camp parties gathered at the large jumbo screens erected all throughout town. People who were interested in politics were welcomed to follow the proceedings. Michonne parked her car, paid the meter and began walking towards the park.~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Rick was stuck in traffic. He was on his way to pick up secondary renovation plans for Michonne's project when he saw her walking towards the park. He quickly pulled out his phone and dialled a number.

"Hey Anthony. Change of plans. Something important just came up. Can I see you tomorrow to pick up the secondary plans for the building?"

"Sure Rick. I'm here whenever you're ready."

Rick hung up and made an illegal U-turn on the corner and drove towards the park. He parked hastily and ran into the park. Once inside, he scanned the area quickly and he saw Michonne just taking a seat on a park bench next to a small pond. There was group of people playing baseball in the savannah ahead of them.

She was balancing hotdogs, popcorn and a soda in her hand. Rick went to the nearest vendor and bought a large popcorn and soda. He took a seat couple benches away from her. Only after a couple minutes of taking two sips of his soda, he was trying not to stare at her but after awhile, he cracked and glanced up. Michonne was walking over to him.~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Rick couldn't tear his eyes away from her. Her legs were long and clean. He closed his eyes and when he opened them again, she was right there.

"Hi."

"Hi."

He instantly slid over and she sat down next to him.

"You know I saw you went you came in the park. If you wanted to come over and say hello you could have."

"I wasn't sure. I know you don't like mixing the business and personal aspect of your life."

"You are different. You are both in my business and personal life…remember?"

"Well if you put it that way…I guess I should have and I'm sorry."

"It's ok. I'm surprise you are here though. Thought you would have been watching the summit."

"Actually I was on my way to meet Anthony to get additional floor plans for your building when he called and cancelled."

"I hope everything is alright."

"Everything is fine. He just said something important came up that he couldn't put off."

"Hmmm."

They began eating and Michonne offered him one of her hotdogs.

"Do you want one?"

Before he could even answer, she handed it to him and took a bite in the other one. Rick did the same. When he took a second bite, ketchup and mustard squirted out unto his shirt. Michonne giggled, causing Rick to laugh as well.

Michonne took the napkins she had and carefully wipe the condiments off him. Rick's eyes were fixed on her…gazing down at her. He desperately wanted her to look up at him. Suddenly, there was a shout in the distance.

They both went to investigate. Two of the men who were playing baseball collided with each other and were injured. Rick and Michonne offered to examine the players. After a brief examination, it was decided that the players couldn't continue.

"We are going to have to forfeit the game then."

"We can't. We will have to reset the points."

"Just get two more players."

One of the men gestured to Rick and Michonne.

"What about you guys? Can you and your wife play baseball?"

Michonne opened her mouth to correct the man's assumption but Rick jumped in to confirm.

"Yes! We can play!"

Michonne squinted at him and nodded.

"Does anyone have an extra shirt? I can't play like this."

Three guys in the group rushed and took the shirts off their backs and handed it to her. Some of the girls in the group frowned with jealousy and Rick sulked with annoyance.

"I've got this fellas!"

Rick took the shirt off his own back and gave it to Michonne revealing a white t-shirt beneath. He glared at the guys who were obviously checking out Michonne and he felt pang of jealousy.

"Are we going to play or ogled?!" one of the girls announced loudly. Everyone went into positions and Rick and Michonne walked to theirs.

"You volunteered us without even asking if I could play baseball." Michonne whispered to him.

"Can you play?"

"I love baseball and yes I can play but that's beside the point."

"Even if you couldn't play I wasn't worried."

"Why?"

"Because you're perfect in everything you do."~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Forty-five minutes later, Michonne was hollering and screaming Rick's name.

"Run Rick! RUN!"

As he ran around to each post he would glance at Michonne. She was jumping up and down, her hair bouncing on her shoulders, screaming his name…cheering him on. He was drenched in sweat…his t-shirt stuck to his body and his legs hurt.

He hasn't been this active since high school but he didn't care about the pain. Seeing Michonne like this…completely out of her usual element and actually having fun was a good first step. There are now two intimate things he knew about her...real estate and baseball.

She said she loved baseball so all he needs to do is score the best seats to every game every season. Rick saw the losing team sulking on the side lines. The game was almost over and his and Michonne's team is winning. Just one more lap.

"Run Rick!" Michonne yelled again.

He made an epic dash to the last post while the other team screamed for the ball to reach there first. From the corner of his eyes, he saw the ball pitch in his direction.

"RICK!"

Michonne's voice was a high pitch shriek, part anxiety, part excitement. He threw his body forward in the air and he landed…hard. He groaned and seconds later the ball whizzed pass over his head.

"YESSSS! We won! We won! We won!"

Michonne was screaming at the top of her lungs. As Rick rose to his feet, the other winning teammates were hugging each other. The losing team were looking on pissed that they had lost. Michonne was looking him grinning, doing a little victory jig on the spot as he walked up to her.

"I did good right?"

Unexpectedly…without warning, Michonne took two giants steps towards him leaping into his arms, wrapping her arms around his neck hugging him. The force pushed him back but he used his legs to brace them from falling as he wrapped his hands tightly around her. He caught some of the other girls batting their eyes at him but he ignored them. He had finally had his girl in his arms.

"That was so much fun!"

Rick was speechless. Michonne was in his arms. She didn't mind the sweat on his body. Her skin was damp as the sweat was almost dried off her skin from when she played earlier. After a couple seconds, she slid down from his arms. She was still smiling.

The captain of their team came over to them. He shook their hands.

"Thanks for joining us."

"Thanks for having us." Michonne replied. She turned to Rick. "I'm going over to get something for us to drink."

Both men watched as Michonne walked over to one of the vendors in the park.

"You are so lucky. Do you know how many men would kill to have a wife or girlfriend who loves sports as much as they do?"

Rick merely smiled at the statement. He wasn't going to correct it at all. Michonne was walking back to them with two bottled water in hand.

"You guys should come and see us play. We have a match in four weeks."

"Great!"

Rick took the information. Michonne reached to them and gave Rick a bottled water which he drank down in three huge gulps. She gave him her bottled water.

"I'll go get another one."

She sprinted back to the vendor.

"That's one a keeper." The man whispered to Rick.

"She is." He muttered to himself.

"See you guys in a month."

They shook hands again.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Michonne waited by the vendor as Rick walked over to her. They walked to her car which was parked closer to them.

"Thank you for volunteering us. I had such a good time."

"Good enough to do it again sometime in the near future?"

Michonne pursed her lips.

"I thought this was a one time thing?"

"It doesn't have to be."

Rick knows that in addition to Michonne's strict rule about mixing her job in her personal life, she is also guarding her heart. Thanks to Maggie he now understands why.

She opened her mouth to respond but Rick stopped her in case she was about to refuse.

"Don't say yes or no. Just say you'll think about it."

Michonne cocked her head to the side.

"How about I don't say anything at all."

Rick squinted at her.

"It's not a yes or a no either." She reasoned.

"Then I'll take it."

He opened her car door and she got in. She was still wearing his shirt and he wasn't going to say anything about it. He waved as she pulled away from the corner into the traffic and drove away.

"She's the one." He thought to himself.~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The group watched as Rick walked to his car.

"There's something that looks familiar about that guy."

"Who? Rick?"

The girl mouth dropped.

"OMG! I knew it! That's Rick! Rick Grimes! Senator Grimes's son! He's running for Mayor."

The others looked at her shocked. They all turned just in time to see Rick jump into his car and left.~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It was only when Michonne was stripping to head to the shower that she realized that she was still wearing his shirt.

"Sh*t! We both forgot."

Quickly, she dumped her sweaty clothes and his shirt in the washer. She ran herself a warm bath as she listened to the washer do it's bidding.~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Later than night she was folding his shirt when a big gust of breeze blew into the room and she just froze. She caught a scent...a familiar one. It was him…it was Rick's scent. Even though his shirt was freshly washed it still smelt of him.

It was muscular but soft and gentle at the same time. As she looked at the shirt the essence gently filled her nose. She has been close to him before and knows his scent but now it was on a personal level. It was in her bedroom. It was like he was in her bedroom. Quickly she folded his shirt and backed away. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~