Mending Fences - Chapter 7: "Friendships"

Abe introduced Rick to his members of staff….Alisha, the secretary and Karim, his part-time field assistant. After introductions were made they went into Abe's office and closed the door. Rick noticed that it was nicely furnished.

"Nice office."

"Ah..most of this stuff is second hand. Table, desk, chairs.. We will hardly be in the office because we are meeting clients on their own turf most times so why waste the money?"

"True."

"What it is I do spend money on is equipment. We will be sharing for now but I ordered your equipment online last night. It should be here in a couple of weeks or so. In the meantime we'll be working together so you will get the hang of things and then you will be out on your own."

He saw the look on Rick's face.

"Don't I need a licence for this kind of work?"

"Yeah. So?"

"How can I get a licence when I have a record?"

"I had to check that out. It turns out that a record only bars you from having your own business but you can partner up with someone. It's the only way you can get a licence."

"More like a supervisor...you mean."

"I'm sorry. That's why I took the liberty to make a few changes to the letterhead."

Abe went outside and rummaged through Alisha's desk to her annoyance. He came back in and gave Rick the paper.

It read: "FORD-GRIMES PI AND ASSOCIATES"

"So...what do you think?"

Rick stared at the words. It was all too much and it was overwhelming him...causing him to panic.

"Abe...I don't know what to say. This is too much! Giving me a job...helping me get back on my feet is good but this?" He waved the paper. Rick pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Look Rick. I know this seems like it's too much but it is not. I have been asking you to join me for years in this business. We set our own time..our own hours. You will have more time for Michonne and the kids and best of all you are your own boss!"

"You do have a point. Being a cop was hard. The hours..not seeing the kids off to school and coming home after they and Michonne have already gone to sleep. That was difficult...but.."

Abe knew that it was Rick's fear of the unknown was talking. His hesitation about not being good enough.

"No buts..Rick. Now an opportunity has presented himself and I intend to grab it...grab you. I am not going to let you take part in any pity party. You have skills and I intend for you to use it. You need to get back out there."

Rick nodded at his best friend.

"Ok...but this is still your company ok? Not mine. I'm only partner on paper."

"Whatever floats your boat Rick. Besides there is another reason why I am pushing you so hard to get into the game."

Abe pulled out a file from the last draw in his desk. He hesitated at first and then slowly gave it to Rick. Rick took the package looking confused but when he turned it around the words written at the front jumped out at him... causing his heart to stop temporarily.

RICK GRIMES

CASE FILE NO: 210998

CHARGE: Negligent Homicide

STATUS: Convicted

SENTENCE: 3 years (Plea Deal)

Rick looked up at Abe as he gripped the file in his hand. Neither men said anything for a couple of minutes. Slowly Rick looked down at the file again. His fingers trembled as he opened it. What he saw made his heart almost burst out of his chest with so much love.

He saw scribblings of notes on the different pages as he turned them...the handwriting he knew all too well...Michonne's. The first entry on the first page was dated four years ago...the beginning of his trial. Rick looked up at Abe again...unable to say anything.

"She had the file since the beginning of it all. From the day they officially charged you. The Police Department had initially given her a lot of grief in getting the information but she threatened to sue them for breach of the Public Information Act. They didn't have a choice after that. She collected as much as she can….ballistics reports, autopsy reports, even some of your notes that you had on your target..everything she could get her hands on she collected. She couldn't talk to witnesses even after the conviction. The judge placed a gag order on them due to the sensitive nature of the trial so she could only collect their statements."

Rick went through some of the pages. He saw where Michonne had put question marks next to some witness statements and written in her own theories. He saw where she had drawn circles around whole lines in the ballistic and autopsy reports. On some pages he saw water marks. 'Were these tear stains? He was afraid to ask.' Rick closed the file. The office was quiet..Abe was looking at Rick…. Rick was looking out the window.

"When did she give you this?" Rick asked quietly.

"About a year ago. She wanted a fresh pair of eyes to pick up on anything that she might have missed."

"Did you find anything?"

Abe paused before answering.

"Actually I didn't read it. I couldn't. I was afraid of what I would have found. I wanted to tell you but you had banned us from visiting you in prison. I wanted to ask you...get your permission first."

"You could have done it. Michonne's permission is my permission. She knew I wouldn't have objected to it."

"I'm sorry. I felt like I was intruding a little."

"It's ok." Rick said as he traced his fingers over the words at the front of the file.

He felt the love from Michonne oozing from the pages of the file. Despite her hurt she was still trying to help him. 'God help me! I love this woman!'

"I took a risk showing you this file so early Rick so I want you to promise me something. Promise me that you will trust my judgement about when you are ready to work your case...when we are ready to work your case."

Abe stretched out his hand for the file and saw Rick's hesitation in giving it back to him...but eventually Rick reluctantly did. Abe put the file back in the draw at the bottom and locked it.

"I showed you the file to let you know that while you were inside there were people out here fighting for you. You and me Rick..we are going to find the f*cks who stole three years of your life..from you, Michonne and your kids. But you have to trust me Rick to know when you are ready."

Rick swallowed hard.

"I trust you."

Abe smiled.

"Now go home. I'll stay back here, sort through the files and pick out the ones we will be working on from tomorrow."

Rick got up and left the office.***********

Michonne was in a very cheery mode in work today and it was noticed by some of the staff. As St Albert's Memorial Hospital Administrator her office is a revolving door of complaints from patients and staff but today she is in a good mood...nothing can make her feel down. Her life and that of her family was on track and the future is looking brighter everyday. She was looking at her wedding ring and smiling when a familiar face popped in the door.

"What's that smile all about?"

Michonne looked up and sprang off her seat.

"Maggie!" Michonne screamed.

They ran to each other and hugged tightly. Tears was flowing freely.

"Oh my god! When did you get back?!"

"We got back two days ago."

"How is Glen?"

"He is good but I have some news for you"

Maggie opened her shirt to reveal a growing baby bump. Michonne gasped as she looked at a teary Maggie. She's pregnant. They hugged again.

"For gods sakes! Sit down! Sit down!"

Michonne pulled out a seat for her best friend and she sat down. From across the desk Michonne couldn't help but feel so happy for Maggie as she glowed rubbing her growing tummy.

They had met at the Brooklyn County Nursing School years ago and became fast friends. They both end up training together at St Albert's and Maggie was there that day when she first met Rick. She was even the chief bridesmaid at her wedding and the godmother to Carl, Sophia and Andre.

It was when Michonne was 2 months pregnant with Judith that Maggie met the shy Dr Glen Rhee who was a stand-in for Dr Wells who had a personal emergency and had to travel abroad suddenly. It was a well known fact that Dr Rhee fell instantly in love with Maggie as soon as he saw her but he was intimidated.

It was Michonne who had to act as a go between to get these two together. When Dr Wells returned 5 months later Dr Rhee was called to the "Doctors without Borders" program. He asked Maggie to come with him. Michonne remember their conversation.

'He did what?!'

'He asked me to come with him! To Bosnia!'

'What are you going to do?'

'That's why I'm asking you!'

They were huddled in the nurse's bathroom...the space feeling extra tight with Michonne being 7 months pregnant with Judith.

'Tell me what to do!'

Michonne looked at her friend.

'Do love him?'

'With all my heart.'

'And I know he loves you.'

'He does.'

'So go for it!'

'Really?! You think so?'

They hugged.

'Yes!'

Three weeks later, Michonne was home on maternity leave when Maggie sent her a postcard with a picture of her and Glen sporting wedding rings. Michonne had screamed so loud with delight that it sent Rick running into their bedroom from downstairs in a panic. Michonne was crying and Rick was worried.

'What is it?! Is the baby ok?!'

When Michonne showed him the postcard he collapsed on the ground clutching his chest.

'Woman! Are you trying to kill me?!"

He kissed Michonne and headed back downstairs.

Michonne was especially happy for Maggie given the struggles she have had in conceiving. Maggie had called her a year after she and Glen were married in tears. She had just had a miscarriage of her first child. Michonne was particularly embarrassed and disheartened given the fact that she herself was already 7 months pregnant with Logan. She cried with her best friend on the phone careful not to let spill her own happiness in her friend's face. Because of this...she and Maggie had their first and only fight as best friends. It happened three days after Logan was born when Maggie called her.************

'Why didn't you tell me you were pregnant?!'

She was nursing Logan in a private lounge at the hospital reserved for staff.

'How could I? You called me crying about the miscarriage of your first child and here I was pregnant with my fifth!'

'So you think me so shallow that I couldn't be happy for my best friend even in my own grief! That's hurtful Michonne!'

'I'm sorry! I thought it would hurt you. I wanted to tell you! Rick told me that you would be happy for me. I'm sorry Maggie!'

'It's ok Michonne. We don't hide things from each other...remember? We share both the good and bad in our lives.'

'It will not happen again. I promise!'

Maggie laughed.

'You guys pick out a name yet?'

'Logan. His name is Logan.'

'Hmmm. I like Logan. What about a middle name? Pick that yet?'

'No. We are still deciding.'

'How about Christian?'

'Logan Christian Grimes. I like it. Thank you.'

'You are welcome. I gotta run! Be sure to send lots of pics!'

'I will!'*****************

"I am sooo happy for you Maggie. You and Glen."

Maggie and Glen had suffered three miscarriages in various stages over the past 6 years.

"Maybe fourth time's the charm!"

"It will be. When you told me that you guys was trying again..I began praying for you so hard!"

"I know. I have a good feeling about this one Michonne. This one is it!"

Maggie stretched out her hand to her Michonne and she took it. She saw Michonne's wedding band.

"How's Rick?"

"He's good."

"How are you guys? Are you guys ok?"

"We are at a good place Maggie. I am soo happy!"

"And the kids?"

"The kids are thrilled he is at home...especially Judith and Logan."

"That's to be expected. They were pretty young when he left but that scrapbook you made kept him alive in their hearts."

"It did."

"So…" Maggie winked at Michonne. "You guys had sex yet?"

"Maggie!"

"What?" Maggie looked at her friend cheekily. "Oh please! Don't sit there and pretend! You married the guy at 19 and was the mother of his first child by 20! You guys bone all the time! Five children to show for it..the last two barely a year apart! Three years is a long time to go without humping the man who waited until your wedding night to deflower you!"

Michonne tried to suppress her grin unsuccessfully. She remembered her wedding night...how Rick was so patient, so gentle with her. It was so romantic. She truly was blessed. Maggie was smiling at her.

"I know you can't wait to get f*cked senseless!"

Michonne blushed so hard her face hurt.

"How long has he been back?"

"A couple days."

"And you guys haven't done anything yet?!"

"No."

"I need to talk to Rick. He's slipping...badly. He can't leave you still hanging after three years. No way!"

"Well…to be honest, it's not for the lack of trying."

"Oh?"

"Yeah.. We got interrupted."

"By who? Don't tell me it was Abe!"

"Oh God no! Do you want me to die of embarrassment?!"

"Then who?"

"Logan."

"Please don't tell me you guys traumatized that sweet innocent child with your nasty hanky panky!"

"We didn't even get that far! Well I didn't."

Maggie pulled her chair closer to Michonne's.

"Pray tell!"

"Well we were making out on some files that Abe had given Rick to look over and things started to really heat up. Rick was naked and was about to pull off my boy short when Logan knocked! Rick had to scamper with his clothes to the bathroom and I rushed to put back on my top and opened the door."

"And?"

"He wanted help with his homework."

Maggie squinted her eyes at Michonne.

"So hold up?! This 6 year old kid interrupted three years of pent up sexual frustrations and aggression for homework?! Really?!" Maggie shakes her head. "Little cock blocker!"

Maggie's remark sent both her and Michonne into a fit of screaming, scandalous laughter.

"Hey! That's my son you're talking about!" Michonne said between laughs.

"I know..but I'm sorry! I would have been sooo pissed! That kid literally stopped you from getting some long overdue big dick!"

They screamed out laughing again.

"Maggie! Please stop! My sides are beginning to hurt! Pleaseee!"

They laughed for a few more minutes.

"I'm so glad you are back Mags. I miss this."

"It feels good to be home."

A thought just hit Michonne.

"Why don't you come over for dinner? Tonight?"

"Tonight's no good. Glen has a "Doctors without Borders" convention he has to attend."

"Ok. What about tomorrow then?"

"It's a date!"

There was a knock at the door.

"Come in."

A woman entered.

"Excuse me but the new batch of trainee nurses are waiting for you in the conference room."

"Ok."

The woman left. Both ladies rose to their feet and embraced each other. Michonne whispered in Maggie's ear.

"I can't wait for you to be a mother..to experience all the joys like I have. You'll be a great mom."

Tears came to Maggie's eyes.

"Thanks Mich."

Maggie left.*************

Carl and Sophia was upstairs in their rooms and Michonne, Andre, Judith and Logan was in the kitchen preparing dinner when Rick came home. Andre saw him first.

"Hey dad."

"Daddy!" Both Judith and Logan yelled but they remained at the kitchen counter.

Michonne looked over her shoulder at him.

"Hey babes." and she resumed what she was doing.

Rick walked straight into the kitchen and putting his hand around her waist buried his face in her neck. Although Judith and Logan wasn't paying any attention to their parents...Andre was. Michonne turned around to face Rick. Putting down her knife..she caressed his cheeks.

"Hey...what's wrong?"

Rick kissed her briefly at first and then more passionately causing Andre to take hold of his younger siblings hands and quickly guide them out of the kitchen and upstairs. After ten minutes, he stopped.

"Did something happened?"

Rick just stared at her smiling.

"What?!"

Rick scooped Michonne up and put her to sit on the edge of the kitchen sink. He began hugging her.

"I love you." He whispered.

"I love you too.' Michonne said hugging him back and caressing her fingers through his hair.***************

Ten minutes later Carl came downstairs and saw his parents still in an embrace in the kitchen. He watched them for a couple of seconds.

"Am I interrupting?"

It was Michonne who answered.

"No."

"Ok... Is dinner ready?"

Both Rick and Michonne bursted out laughing...making Carl confused.

"What?!"