In Another Lifetime (Chapter 10)
Michonne is rendered speechless and all pragmatism evaporates as she peels herself from the wall and walks toward him. She purposely invades his personal space, her chest brushing his as she removes her rings and places them on the nightstand as well. She brings a hand up slowly, caressing his cheek, loving the rough feel of a couple of days without shaving. Her eyes drop to his lips and they are tasting each other again, diving in with their tongues with sweet abandonment.
He can feel her quiver as he brings his hands up to her shoulders then slides them downward, palms flat until he encounters her voluptuous chest. He smiles as she pushes into his hands and he squeezes lightly, palming her gently. Suddenly, their clothes are a hindrance and he has to touch her bare skin. He pushes his hands underneath her tank top, encountering smooth silkiness like nothing he has ever experienced before.
She quickly does the same, palming his waist before moving her hands to his back, relishing in the firmness of his muscles. She presses him to her, breaking their kiss to graze her lips against his cheek and down to suckle his neck. She grabs the tail of his shirt and pulls it over his head, latching on to his neck once again, slowly moving down to his clavicle. She brings her hands around to his chest, splaying them across his pecs before fingering his nipples. A hiss from him has her smiling against his flesh as she continues to caress him with her tongue.
He pushes his hands further up, coaxing her to lift her arms so he can remove her top. He watches attentively as she reaches behind her and unclasps her bra, pushing the straps down her arms and allowing the garment to drop to the floor. He is completely mesmerized, staring at the beautiful plump mounds with dark areolas and constricted nipples. He lifts his hands cautiously, palming them before lifting one to meet his lowering head. He takes her into his mouth and moans as he clamps on and starts to suckle.
Michonne throws her head back, basking in the feel of his mouth on her. She has coveted this and the reality of it is completely sublime. She runs her fingers through his hair as he moves from one breast to the other. She can feel his hand tugging at her belt as he lifts his head to claim her mouth again.
He makes short work of getting her belt undone, unbuttoning and unzipping her jeans before turning her towards the bed and guiding her to take a seat. He drops to one knee, removing her boots and socks, tugging at her jeans to get them off. He lifts up, placing himself between her knees as he starts to kiss and caress her once again. His restraint is thin as he tries to taste every inch of her.
She reaches for his belt, working to remove his jeans. She watches as he stands up, toes off his boots while simultaneously pushing his pants and underwear down. He kicks them off and out of his way and removes his socks. He steps to her again, his body quivering as she lifts her hands to his abdomen, touching him lightly, and boldly eyeing his manhood before lifting her gaze to his. They move back on the bed and he quickly removes her panties and places himself dead center between her legs.
He covers her mouth with his, kissing her passionately as he lowers a hand to her core, fingering her gently. The creamy moisture he encounters has him groaning into her mouth and cupping her as he glides the heel of his palm against her slowly.
She rolls her hips, enjoying the feel of his hand stroking the most sensitive bundle of nerves in her body. She clutches at his shoulders as he dips a finger inside, moving in and then out slowly, tortuously. She reaches the brink of release in a matter of minutes, pulling away from their kiss panting and calling his name softly.
He removes his hand and aligns his body with hers, entering gradually, inch by salacious inch until he is completely buried. Their bodies are practically shaking with the connection and she can feel the telltale signs of an orgasm as her core experiences mini spasms. He thrusts and she meets him, lifting her thighs to cradle his waist.
She grabs onto his biceps as they rock against each other, working together, striving for that coveted release. He seems to fill her to capacity, his thrusts evoking dual sensations as he dives deeper and deeper, caressing her inner walls and simultaneously stimulating her clit. Once again, her body tenses preparing itself for release as the intensity grows and grows until she finally bursts.
He can feel her nails sink into his arms as her body pulsates around his. Her groans and moans drift to him as he continues to pump into her, ensuring her full satisfaction before he gives in to his own. He lifts up on his knees, pushing his arms underneath her thighs, her feet at his shoulders as he thrusts into her once, twice, three times before his body stiffens with his climax.
"RICK!"
"Shit!" He scrambles away from her and tries to catch the semen in his hand.
She watches as he staggers out of their room, assuming he is making his way to the bathroom. She stares up at the ceiling, her breathing still elevated, her heart still racing, her body still quivering, and slowly starts to smile.
He re-enters the room, holding a towel as he makes his way back to the bed and drops alongside her. He glances over at her cautiously. "I don't think anythang….you know, went inside you."
She turns to face him still wearing her silly grin. "Let's just try to find some condoms please."
"I will." He reaches over and grabs her waist, pulling her to him. "That was incredible."
"It was, wasn't it?" She brushes her lips lightly against his, nuzzling his cheek and his neck. She lifts her leg, resting her knee on his hip, smiling as his manhood comes to life and taps her inner thigh. She rolls him over onto his back and straddles him. Reaching down, she grabs a hold of him and guides him inside as she slides down slowly. She can't believe she wants him again so soon and decides being on top gives her more control over this pull out method they're enacting.
He palms her hips as they begin to move together, their eyes connecting in an intense stare as they make love yet again.
A couple of hours later, they are in Rick's office with Sasha and Tyreese discussing the idea of conducting a meeting to decide Martinez's, Shumpert's, and Bob's fates. The latter two were confined to their apartments as they'd been relatively quiet since Dawn's and Martinez's plans had been revealed and thwarted.
"Well, I guess it's the best thing for us to do. Everyone gets a vote and we execute whatever decision is made," Sasha relays thoughtfully.
"I'll get it set up for day after tomorrow. Give people a day to think it over and come to a final decision. The sooner we deal with this the better," Tyreese states.
Rick and Michonne agree.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
She is on her knees on the floor of the living area as he takes her from behind. She has never had sex like this nor has it ever been this good. Her husband is older and does things the traditional way. She garners a look at the man kneeling behind her and smiles as he pumps away, bringing her to fulfillment in record time. She rolls her hips just like he taught her, grinding against him, striving to make him feel just as good as he makes her feel.
He lets out a breathy, harsh groan as he climaxes, slamming into her until his body is completely spent. He drops onto the area rug, stretching his big body out as he pulls her to his side. He gives her a kiss on the cheek. "Thanks baby. That was really good."
"I should be thanking you. I've never had a man to make me feel like you do."
"Did you do what I asked you to do?" He asks.
She lifts up onto her knees and crawls over to the couch to retrieve her bag. She pulls out a bowie knife and a hand gun, stealing them from her husband's personal collection. "The meeting's gonna start tomorrow morning early. I'm sure Tyreese will have someone escort you and Bob over just like they'll escort Martinez. It's not fair how they treat you."
"It'll be fine. Just you wait and see. Martinez and I will take this place back. It should've been ours in the first place. I don't think we have to kill Rick Grimes but Martinez won't see any other way. I know him, so he's gonna kill him."
She cups his face and kisses him. "You just be careful. I couldn't take it if something happened to you."
He returns her kiss. "We've gotta figure out what we're gonna do about your husband. Once we're running this place, I don't want to sneak around anymore. I want everyone to know you're my woman."
She shivers with his possessiveness, loving every minute of it. "I don't want to hurt him but I'll just have to tell him I'm going to leave him. I love you, Travis. I can't deny it anymore."
Shumpert gives Patricia a wide smile. "I love you, too."
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The meeting begins without a hitch. Everyone knows why they are there so Rick silently hopes it won't take long to reach a unanimous vote so they can enact whatever fate is decided for Shumpert, Martinez, and Bob. He looks at the three men seated in front of him, wishing circumstances could be different. Well, for Shumpert and Bob at least. He could give a fuck about Martinez.
Tyreese had them placed together, their chairs kept separate from the rest of the crowd. Mr. Charles and Otis guarding them.
Michonne watches quietly from the audience, surprised to see Rick behind a podium, wondering whose idea that was. She can't help but think of the President reference she made not long ago. She smiles inwardly as she plans to rib him about it once they're home.
Rick stands before the community, thanking them for being there and then reminds them of the transgressions the three men were accused of. He finds it difficult but keeps his emotions at bay as he relays how Dawn and Martinez concocted a plan to harm him and his wife by harming their children. He informs them of Bob's participation and the fact that Shumpert knew of the plan but decided to allow them to see it through rather than informing him or anyone else what would happen. He concludes by telling them they would be voting to ban the men from the community or voting to put them to death.
A man stands up and states, "All we've got to go on is what you're telling us. Now I'm not calling you a liar Mr. Grimes but don't you think we should hear an account of these events from the ones who stand accused?"
Rick gives him an affirmative nod. "Good suggestion, Luther. I don't see anythang wrong with that."
The gentleman sputters, "You…you know my name?"
"That's part of my job, Luther….to know the people within these walls. Your contribution is just as important as mine. Don't forget that," Rick tells him. He quickly averts his eyes as he can see the admiration in Luther's. He doesn't want to be a hero or anyone's "Governor". He just wants this place to work and he knows with everyone cooperating and working together, it's all possible.
His eyes land on Michonne for just a moment before he returns his attention to the crowd. He does not want to hear what Martinez has to say but knows it's inevitable. He looks to Bob. "You wanna tell us your version of events?"
Bob nods slowly before looking to Sasha and lifting himself to a stand. "All I've got to say is that Martinez threatened to kill me if I didn't do what he said. I didn't want to be a part of their mess but I didn't have a choice."
"You spineless asshole!" Martinez shouts, coming to his feet. "I dare you put all of this shit on me when you and Shumpert both wanted Grimes dead just as much as I did!"
"Don't fucking speak for me," Shumpert spats, giving Martinez a murderous glare.
"I'm only saying what you two motherfuckers don't have the balls to admit. I don't know why I ever thought I'd get anything done with you two anyway. I'd have done better on my own," Martinez admits. He shoves Shumpert who jumps up and answers with a shove of his own. Seconds later, the two men are tussling as Otis reaches in to try and pull them apart.
Michonne frowns at the exchange, not trusting the men at all. She was right as total chaos erupts when Shumpert brandishes a knife and quickly runs the blade across Otis's neck.
The crowd gasps and starts to panic as the action unfolds all at once. Screams sound through the air, the shuffling of feet, chairs collapsing, benches scraping against the floor as people try to collectively reach a place of safety.
Martinez lifts a gun up and aims at Rick. All Michonne witnesses is the gun going off and Rick landing on the floor. She grips her katana, unsheathing it and embeds it into Martinez's body as she moves up behind him. Her heart pounds as she doesn't know if Rick was hit or not.
Sasha and Tyreese aim their weapons but don't want to fire into the crowd as people try their best to exit the building. Bob is struggling to relieve Mr. Charles of his weapon and Shumpert sees Michonne's blade sticking out of Martinez's chest and turns toward her, his hand raised in the air about to come down.
Rick lifts his head, assessing the scene and the confusion from the side of the podium and sees Shumpert about to strike at Michonne. He pulls his gun from his holster just as she pulls her sword away from Martinez to counter the attack. He fires a single shot and plugs a bullet into Shumpert's back. She notes the look of surprise on the large man's face as he gasps and jerks forward. Amazingly, he continues to come for her so she swings upward, dismembering the hand holding the knife.
Shumpert screams in disbelief and pain as he drops to his knees only seconds after his comrade in arms, Martinez, fell face first onto the floor after being impaled. Bob stops his struggle with Mr. Charles, finally noticing that Shumpert and Martinez are down. He looks to Sasha in disbelief and sees that she and her brother have their weapons trained on him. He lifts his hands to the air, realizing there is no coming back from this.
Michonne glances at Otis, but quickly rushes to the stage as Rick lifts himself to a stand. She can see Sasha and Tyreese in her peripheral vision as they move forward to assess the damage. Her eyes rove over Rick's body quickly, searching for any sign of injury. "Are you ok?"
"I'm fine," he answers before snatching her into his arms and hugging her. They've had too many close calls for his taste.
She returns his embrace, holding her blade away from his body. "I'm ok, Rick."
He takes a deep breath before releasing her, then watches as Tyreese takes a knife and stabs Otis in the head before doing the same to Shumpert and Martinez. He and Michonne exit the stage and stand with Tyreese and Sasha, both experiencing mixed feelings about the deaths. The area was mostly clear of others but some community folks cautiously make their way back in out of curiosity.
Ms. Althea sits quietly in a corner but stands up and says in a clear voice, "Bob needs to be banned from this place. He had his chance to do right and y'all saw what he did. He probably was gonna kill my Charles if he got his hands on that gun."
Slight murmurs are heard amongst those who had returned. They all linger by the door, not willing to take another chance of sitting down and relaxing as they'd done before.
"Ms. Althea is right. We had a few issues before but never on this level. We can't have folks in here trying to kill others. We're supposed to be fighting those things outside at our gates, not each other." Luther nods to Ms. Althea then looks to the others who are present.
Bob can only hang his head sadly as he knows he has no defense.
"All those in favor of banishment, raise your hand," Rick requests.
Every person in the room except Bob raises a hand.
"You might as well kill me here and now just like you did Martinez and Shumpert," Bob protests.
Rick carries on as if Bob didn't speak. "Tyreese, put him in lock up for the night with a guard detail. We'll send him on his way at first light tomorrow." He looks to the few faces in the crowd. "Thank y'all for…"
Screams interrupt him as Patricia rushes into the meeting hall with tears streaming down her face. She stops as she encounters the bodies of her husband, Otis, and her lover, Shumpert. She drops to her knees with a wail before she touches a hand to Otis's face then moves over to Shumpert, lifting his head into her lap and rocking back and forth as she cries loudly.
Tyreese and Sasha share a look as do Rick and Michonne. The former steps to Patricia and takes her by an arm gently, telling her she should go home.
She snatches away from him. "Don't you tell me what! This is not how this was supposed to happen!" She looks around wildly. "Who was it?! Who killed my Travis?!" Her red rimmed eyes zero in on Rick. "Was it you? Or was it your murdering wife?"
"Ma'am….." Rick begins.
Patricia lifts up slowly, lowering Shumpert's head to the floor gently. She stands and faces Rick and Michonne. "Don't you ma'am me! Ever since y'all got here, it's been chaos! We was fine before y'all came along! Now everybody's dead or dying! And it's coz of you and her!"
"Patricia, you need to calm down," Sasha tells her.
"Or what? I'll be killed too! Well you might as well kill me! I don't have Otis! I don't have Travis! You done took away anything that mattered to me!" She clutches her stomach, doubling over then lifts up, pointing a finger at Rick. "It was you! You was supposed to die, not Travis! He told me he'd be ok. He told me we'd be together."
"What do you mean Rick was supposed to die?" Michonne asks with narrowed eyes.
"Travis asked me to get him a knife and a gun for the meeting and I did it coz that's what you do for the man you love. He told me he and Martinez were gonna take Woodbury back and we could be together. I was gonna finally tell Otis the truth…." Patricia trails off as the sobs overtake her again. She closes her eyes, trying to gain some composure. She can hear voices but she can't decipher what is being said as her eyes lock in on Michonne. If I'm gonna be alone, then so is Rick Grimes.
Rick drops his head, pinching the bridge of his nose with a heavy sigh. He is pushed back as Michonne is slammed into his shoulder, her sword knocked from her hand and clattering to the floor. He lifts his head to see Patricia attacking Michonne but before he can grab the woman, Michonne lifts a fist and punches her in the face. The older woman drops onto her back with a groan, her hands covering her nose. Can this day get any fucking worse?
Michonne lifts up, retrieving her sword before Rick can even offer assistance. She sees the fire in his eyes matches hers as he starts giving out orders.
Patricia and Bob are escorted to lock up and placed under guard while the community comes together to take care of burials for Otis, Shumpert, and Martinez.
Rick leaves Sasha and Tyreese in charge as he walks with Michonne to their apartment and guides her to their bedroom. He doesn't want to think about what went wrong, what plans Martinez, Shumpert, and Bob concocted with Patricia's help, what could've happened. He just wants to get lost in her, with her. They can deal with the outside world later. Right now, all he wants and needs is her.