The Charge – Chapter 19

A/N – Hey guys. Due to some unforeseen technical difficulties, the launch of my website has been delayed. However, I want to assure you that every effort is being made to have it rectified. Sorry for the disappointment. Do enjoy this update and the others to come. Once again. I'm sorry.

Maggie walked into her father's office and found him looking out the window brooding.

"Dad?"

He glanced behind him at her briefly.

"Yes?"

She appeared at his side. He was looking at Agents Ford and Walsh conversing in the garden.

"What's going on?"

"Nothing." She folded her arms across her chest not accepting his answer. He coughed up. "Just found out something that angered me."

"What?"

"The good Director is harassing Agent Atwell."

The silence that followed his statement forced him to turn to her. She kept her eyes front.

"You knew?"

"I know Michonne is tight lipped about her personal life because of Thomas. I don't know detailed specifics."

He eyed her.

"Specifics or not, it's not right. I spoke to Frederick. Do you know that eleven female agents left the service because of him?"

She was genuinely stunned by the revelation.

"Eleven?"

"Yes. That's a pattern, one I intend to break."

The look in his eyes told her that her father was going to pick up the matter personally and see it to the end. That's a good thing as it will pave the way for Rick's relationship with Michonne to blossom easier.

"You're going to contact the agents who resigned, aren't you?"

A call came through on his phone and glancing at the number, he smiled at her.

"You know me so well."

"Just be careful."

"I will."~*~*~*~*~*

Sasha rushed out of the bathroom covered in soap.

"Hello?"

"Hey. It's me."

The voice was soft but recognizable.

"Michonne?! Oh my God! Where are you?"

She shrieked into the receiver but got a dial tone. "Wait!" She put down the phone and stared at it anxiously. It rang again and she snatched it up.

"Michonne!"

She talked hastily. "I can't stay long. Don't want the call to be traced. Sorry I couldn't contact you earlier." She hung up again which frustrated Sasha but she called back. "I want you to know that both Rick and I are safe and we are going to stay in hiding until the person or persons responsible for the attempt on his life are caught."

She hung up again before Sasha could respond. She called back. She was much calmer now.

"Ok. Be safe."

"I will. I'm sorry but I have to go."

"What about Andrea? You have to let her know you're okay!"

"I will. She's my next call."

"Be careful Michonne."

There was a dial tone.~*~*~*~*~*

As she hung up, she felt bitter sweet. She was bitter she is unable to see Sasha, one of the few closest friends that she has but sweet that she was still alive to talk to her. Her next contact was Andrea but decided to reach out the next day.

Pulling out her laptop as she sat on the bed, she punched in her encrypted password and a secure internet website came up. She began searching for clothing for Rick as he desperately needs them. She heard Nibbles and her brothers barking and Rick talking to them. They really need to give the boys names.

She smiled to herself. Being here alone with Rick and the puppies feels like they were their own little family unit – father, mother and children and admittedly, it felt good, natural. Subconsciously, her mind drifted to what Rick would be like as a father. He already seemed like the type to spoil them, especially if he has a daughter. Nibbles already claimed him as her own ahead of her siblings.

She scrolled through and came upon some items- pants, shirts and other things. When underwear popped up on the screen she blushed at the image of Rick that flashed in the head. She scrolled past the page as quickly as she can and abruptly, felt the weight of someone behind her just as Nibbles and the other puppies surrounded her feet whimpering.

She snapped her head around and her face was mere inches from Rick's. His eyes bored into her. He leaned in over her shoulder and scroll back to the previous page. She turned around feeling him breathing on her neck. It warmed her and her tummy fluttering nervously. Her eyes popped when he settled the search arrow over a particular pair of loud semi thong underwear with the description label "XXL for the cowboy who's packing the python."

He whispered.

"This one has my name of it."

She began to cough in spasms, scaring the puppies as they scamper away.

"Are you alright." He was massaging her back

Her coughing continued as she couldn't get his words and her own dirty thoughts out of her head.

"I'm…." She was choking on her words and pictures of Rick posing in the underwear popped into her mind. She gasped "I'm…I'm….fine….." She coughed out for vital air.

"I'm going to need about half dozen of those."

Now, the image of a fully nude Rick appeared.

"Please! Stop talking!"

He roared with laughter behind her. Wordless, he slipped into a sitting position behind her, legs spread on either side, head resting on her shoulder from behind. The puppies formed a fur ball on the mat at the side of the bed.

"You are going to buy me some actual clothes right? Unless….' His voice got deep. "You want me walking around in my underwear all day."

Quietly, she closed her eyes, sighing.

"God. Please help me….."~*~*~*~*~*

After forty five minutes they were finally looking over the items in the shopping cart online. Except for a few things, Rick let her pick out what he need and he approved everything.

"It's like you've known me for ages…"

She was legit shook by the statement as her head snapped back, looking at him. He smiled broadly and cheekily. His hand slipped over hers on the mouse and click to confirm the selections.~*~*~*~*~*

Rick lay down on the bed next to her as she propped herself up against large pillows.

"How are you going to pay for the items? You can't use a credit card. It can be tracked."

Smiling, she leaned back and reached behind the bed head and pulled out a black bag. She opened it revealing a 9mm, four ammunition clips and a wad of cash in a money clip.

"This site I used doesn't need a credit or address. They ship to private anonymous mail box and take cash."

"You think of everything."

"I have to. It's my job."

He looked at her thoughtfully.

"Is that all I am to you? A job?"

He saw his question left her shaken.

"Sorry to be so blunt but why are you so guarded?"

Unconsciously, she pulled her legs underneath her and looked down at the bed.

"I'm not guarded."

She was beginning to get anxious. He has seen this behaviour before in his younger sister Beth.

"Yes, you are."

When she said nothing he decided to drop what he knew about her.

"Is it because of your divorce?"

Her head shot up startled and gradually her lips pursed. He saw the anger rising in her eyes but the way she was looking at him, that anger wasn't directed at him.

"How do you know about my divorce?"

"Some information came my way."

She cocked her head to the side.

"Information?"

"Yes."

"From who?"

"Does it matter?"

"Yes. It does."

"Why?'

"Because I don't like people prying into my personal affairs."

"I'm already in. You let me help you with the soup kitchen and the refurbishing of your building. That's personal."

She couldn't argue with his logic. She did let him in and up till this day she doesn't know why. She uncurled her feet and swung them over the side of the bed.

"I'm not talking about this with you."

She sprang from the bed and he followed her. Soon, they found themselves at the back of the house. He stood behind her as she pace on the edge of the riverbed, her toes in the water. Minutes passed and the usual welcomed calm was now an eerie burden. It was swallowing them.

"I'm sorry. I don't mean to pry or upset you but I like you Michonne. I really like you. A lot. I want to get to know you. I want to be with you. I think we could have something very special. I think we could have a future…together. Please! Just talk to me!"

Slowly she turned around and she wasn't angry anymore. Instead she looked defused by his words.

"What do you want to know?"

Her question took him by surprise and for a couple of seconds, he was stumped for words.

"Ummmm. Everything. What happened? What did you get a divorce?"

She folded her arms, looked away, took a deep breath and looked at him again.

"My husband had an affair with another woman and had kids by her under my nose."

He swallowed hard, trying to adjust the information he was receiving.

"Then he left me, filed for a divorce and demanded half of my properties even though I was the breadwinner."

"He did what?!"

She looked away embarrassed.

"I gave it to him."

"Why?!"

"Because a messy divorce could hurt me. I got them back though." She laughed mockingly. "I'm so good at my job and protecting people but I couldn't protect my heart from the lowlife piece of shit."

Maggie's words came racing back and the warning she gave him concerning Michonne. Suddenly, she lashed out.

"I was so angry! He hurt me so bad!" She wiped away angry tears. "I loved him and he used me! I'm such a fool!"

He started walking towards her but she flinched back.

"Please don't! I need to say this out loud. I need to get this out!"

However, he ignored her and reached out, pulling her into him. She was hurting and it was hurting him. She fought feebly against him but soon settled.

"You can cry on me Michonne. I want you too. I want to share this with you."

Unsure of herself, she wrapped her arms around him, buried her face in his chest and cried silently. He kissed the top of her head and held her close. *~*~*~*~*

He didn't know how long they were standing there but their breathing was in sync, slow but steady. He whispered her name.

"Michonne?'

No answer. He glanced down and his slight body movement caused her hands to fall away from his body and her head to tilt to the side. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. Michonne was asleep. She was actually sleeping. He grinned. Leaning himself to the left, her knees unlocked and her body slipped down slightly. He held on and scooped her into his arms and started walking to the house.~*~*~*~*

He gently laid Michonne down on the bed. He placed her laptop on the side table and positioned her in the middle of the bed. Pulling the covers over her, he smiled down at her. She was the most beautiful person he had ever seen. Whimpers behind him drew his attention. It was Nibbles and her brothers. He put his fingers to his lips.

"Shhhhh. Mommy's sleeping."

They ran over to him, gathering at his feet, nipping at his toes. They were hungry.

"Come on. Let's fill those bellies."

He walked out of the room with them close behind.~*~*~*~*~*