p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;" /p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"strongEvidence/strong/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"After one page came another, then another, all filled with words. Words about rules and regulations. Words of our legal history and constitution. My eyes were cemented to the book laid out before me. Two weeks passed and I was yet another week closer to taking the bar. I should've felt overwhelmed, anxious but strangely I was anything but that. I felt calm and more importantly, I felt ready./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"One could say I was having a good week but I've reached a roadblock in the case. I've highlighted and outlined more times than I could count. I knew Deal and Baker weren't entirely to blame for this mess. But for the life of me, I couldn't pinpoint who was the other entity. I could read those accounts repeatedly and still fall short. At this point, I'm starting to feel disappointed that Shane didn't happen to possess that kind of information./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Yes, I could go to Rick for more help. He already pulled out the whiteboard back at his place for me. Yet, I couldn't help but feel the need to prove a point to Shane. He said he needed Rick on the case but with enough information, I could pull this off myself. At least I was positive that would've been the outcome the minute I stopped asking Rick for help in this case. I was being ridiculous but most of my actions as of late leave questions in my mind. Especially since I've read a few things about Rick./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Cross and direct examination is the man's specialty. After some research, I now understood what Shane meant by him making the innocent feel guilty and the guilty innocent. If there was an imperfection in a testimony, regardless of how small it may be, then that was a gateway to victory for him. It was intimidating. The worst thing that could happen in court is to have a testimony fall apart that the seams, no matter how true it is. The only thing that could save that was evidence, yet even that can be questioned./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Sighing, I closed one of the many textbooks Rick lent me and placed it on the stack along with the rest of them. It was four in the morning and my eyes were dry but I was more than alert. There was no way I could rest but I had to remember it wasn't just me anymore, but that was hard to forget the constant reminder I get every time he kicks my stomach. My hand fell to the growing swell, he was quiet now. I could already tell he wasn't going to be a night owl./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I was about to turn in for the night when an ominous sound lured me from my bed. I wasn't one to explore the unknown but the noise was akin to weeping. I felt my way through the dark apartment straight to the fridge. After opening it, I immediately noticed my absent pint of ice cream. This could only mean something was wrong with Sasha. I tracked back down the hall to her room. The door wasn't completely closed so I was able to ease my way inside without her noticing./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I met her huddled in the center of her bed, a big spoon in hand, and my unopened pint of chocolate ice cream. She was on her laptop streaming love movies./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Shaking my head I made my way to the bed and nudged her shoulder cutting the light switch on only after she acknowledged I was there. Her eyes were puffy and shining with tears. The tight coils of her hair were untamed and heedlessly pulled back in her signature bun. In short, she was a mess./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"She gave me a weak smile. "What's wrong?" I asked genuinely concerned. There were a handful of times I've seen Sasha like this and all of them had something to do with her ex-boyfriend./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Bob asked me to move in with him." She answered with an unsteady voice. Puzzled, I gave her a questioning look./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I thought you were looking to take things seriously with Bob. I guess it's a little fast but isn't that something you want with him?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"She nodded then opened the ice cream. "Of course I want this with him but…" She took a pause to scoop out a spoon full of ice cream. "I saw Abe the other day." That name alone made me exasperated. Abe was like a drug for Sasha. It was ridiculous but that's how it was with them. I just hope it didn't mean what I thought it meant./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""And nothing happened. You two just bumped into each and had a nice chat." I supplied but she remained eerily silent. "That's what happened right?" I asked./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""It went exactly like that but I guess the nice chat was a little too nice." She admitted./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Sasha!" I chided. "I thought you were over that phase and Bob has been nothing but good to you." I get it now. The guilt was eating at Sasha. Now that Bob wanted to take a big step in their relationship it only made her feel worse./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""You didn't tell him," I observed and she nodded./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I'm going to. I just... Just can't find it in me to tell him."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Did you agree with moving in with him?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"She shook her head. "I just told him I'd think about it but I'm going to tell him. It was a one-time tryst with Abe. You know how we are, like oil and water but there is a spark between us."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""You know I'm always here for you. You don't have to cry alone in the dark." She laughed./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I thought you were asleep. I mean with sleep being good for the baby and all."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Right. You know I can't study in my sleep right?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""You worry over nothing Michonne. You got this."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I guess I'm starting to feel like I have a handle on things." Sasha offered me a spoon./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Where'd you get that from?" I ask taking it from her./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I had a feeling you were going to come looking for your ice cream. I'm sorry I was about to devour this alone."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""It's alright. I wasn't going to eat the whole pint alone either." Sasha rolled her eyes./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Please, you ate the last pint without help. By the way, since you're in here have you seen those texts that got leaked?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""What text?" Sasha paused the video and pulled up a gossip page./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""It's about your case. Just popped up a few hours ago and it already has Twitter buzzing." She pulled another link up and handed the laptop to me. "You'd think people didn't have the time." She was right people had way too much time on their hands./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I skimmed over the beginning paragraph that paraphrased the case. Then I read through the messages the blog editor claimed to have gotten from a reliable source./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;".../p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"strong000-1005 – Chelsea are you there?/strong/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"thought i told u to quit bothering me/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"strong000-1005 – We had a deal/strong/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"strong000-1005 – i pay you enough don't I?/strong/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Wat went down last time was NOT okay/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"strong000-1005 – You didn't have to run off like that. It won't happen again/strong./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Yh? U said that last time/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"strong000-1005 - you want out? Fine, just do one more party./strong/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Y should i? D said if i wanted out just say the words. No extra/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"strong000-1005 - Let's not act like you haven't been around the block. You need the money./strong/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I can't forget last time/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"strong000-1005 - dont worry about that. This outing is fancy./strong/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"strong000-1005 - after this you won't need to worry about money for a long time./strong/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"G, i'll have to think about this/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"strong000-1005 - Don't think just accept. Remember I'm always outside the door./strong/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"strong000-1005 - Call D and let him know. He'll set you up with the address./strong/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"…./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I took my eyes away from the screen for a few minutes. There was a healthy skepticism I had regarding any online source that wasn't proven credible. That being said there was no way this could be real./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""This can't be real," I tell Sasha. "Please tell me no one on 'twitter' believes this mess." Sasha shrugged with a heavy sigh./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I wish I could tell you no. The thing is, no one came out to deny it yet, so you draw your own conclusion. You should look at this." She said, her fingers tapped the keys on her laptop. In no time she pulled up her twitter profile and showed me a very disturbing image./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""That's…That's Shane Walsh," I uttered, staring at a photoshopped image of Shane's head on the rear end of a pigs ass. I would've brushed it aside but as Sasha scrolled down there were more images with glaring similarities to the last. They were dragging his name through the mud. 'You sick rapist fuck supporter!', was one of many slanders thrown in Shane's direction. I asked Sasha to scroll down a little further to see if the media got their hand on Gregory and me. But we didn't come across anything, just thousands of tweets crucifying Shane./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Gregory and Shane are leading this case so it's only a matter of time before they get to stoning Gregory." I scooped up a spoon full of ice-cream. I don't know if I was built to handle this level of harassment. Remembering Shane's revelation of my name already being attached to this case didn't make me feel better./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Sasha, I think you're forgetting that I'm on this case too."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"She rolled her eyes. "But you're only doing research; you won't even be in court when all this shit goes down." I kept quiet, shoveling the cold chocolate in my mouth. Sasha gave me an alarmed look. "Don't tell me you're emin/em this case." I dropped my head./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Shane added my name to some article. I can't even remember what it is."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""But you don't even have your license." She paused. "Well, this is going to be a shit storm for you. It won't take them long to get their claws into you too."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Feeling anxious my feet starting tapping. "Rick tried to warn me about this. We need to win this." I stated./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Sasha blew out a short breath. "You all better win this."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"…../p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Last night after finishing the pint of ice-cream off with Sasha, I stayed up and wrote two pages of issues I had relating to this case. The mere fact that Deal and Baker could fall because a detective didn't do a thorough job took up a massive chunk of those words. Between some minor heartburn and gathering everything I needed to confront Shane, I slept a little over an hour in total. Ultimately I had no time for none of Shane's bullshit./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"With my head held high already prepared for confrontation, I silently slid in Rick's car. I could feel his eyes on me, analyzing./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Good morning," I tiredly managed./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""You didn't sleep much did you?" It wasn't a question, more like an observation. It should've frightened me how well he could read me now. But I wasn't the least bit bothered by it. Rick was well under my skin. I acknowledged it the minute I made him get midnight snacks for my craving and he came back with nearly half the store. That night he didn't even bother to change his sleepwear before heading out./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I slept enough."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Michonne… You need to rest, I know you have a lot to study for but sleep is important for you and our son." His eyes fell to my growing stomach and there was a small smile on his lips./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I know," I cover his hand with mine, loving the warmth it exuded. "I just thought I had everything together but it all just seems to be tumbling around me." I admit./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Rick laced his fingers with mine. "You know you always have me. I'm 'your man' remember?" I held back a laugh and nodded./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I know but…"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""But I'll help you with anything I can Michonne. I know this case is going to get a little hectic for you but I'll be there." I turned to look into those blue eyes and felt nothing but comfort./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""A little?" I scoffed. That was an understatement. "Rick, I want you to be honest with me."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I'm listening."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Does Shane really need you on this case?" I saw the little shift in his eyebrow. That little arch that questioned where I was going with this. I read him as well as he read me./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Why do you ask?" He diverted./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Because I thought we- emI/em could do this without you. It's silly, you're the one with more experience, and you're the one he views to be more 'valuable'. You're the 'trump' card."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"He frowned. "He said that?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""No, he used more words but it was enough. I just wanted to show him that I was more than just an analytical junkie. That I'm more than just emthat/em. But I'm slowly realizing how wrong I was." He was silent, peering out the window. "You don't need to answer my question, Rick," I added./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""No, I understand. I was in the same position you were in so I get the need to establish yourself. You emare/em more than just that. The only thing I have over you is experience, Michonne." He paused for a moment. In fact, I would've encouraged it in any other situation."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Except this one," I said./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""…except this one." He finished./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"…./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I gave Rick a rundown of everything Sasha showed me. We both agreed that even if those messages were fabricated it painted our clients in a bad light. The last thing we needed was the jury being swayed by public opinion before they even got in court. In regards to those crass pictures and tweets, Rick's only concern was my wellbeing. Empty threats meant nothing, at least that was all he had to say./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"As we made our way to my office Rick insisted he carry my bag, I had no complaints after I felt a dull ache form at the center of my back. I was all but ready to accept Rick's terrible excuse for a coffee but Glenn came in like an angel with a cup of orange juice./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"He was sporting the widest smile I've witnessed since working here. "Glenn, you're a sight for sore eyes." I complimented, relishing in the cool taste of the drink./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"He blushed. "Michonne, Rick." He greeted. "I made a breakthrough with the Mr. Davis case." He smiled sheepishly. I turned to Rick to see his reaction./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Rick smiled. "And this is in support of your current case or…" I nudged Rick. He didn't need to be so hard on him but Glenn's smile never faltered./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Well, it's a little bit of both. You see Hershel and I went shopping around the neighborhood nearby Mr. Davis's residence. The cashier at a small store may have overheard me complaining about him. The thing is he knew him. Said he pulled the same thing a few months ago and guess what he broke then?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I shrugged, enjoying how animate this made him. At least one of us found a case exciting. He continued, "His hip! So I asked for any tapes and court documents. But it never went to court. They just paid him hush money. I just knew something was off the minute I read through this case." Rick clapped him on his shoulder./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Maybe after your done winning you can tip off a money-hungry lawyer." Rick looked around at the passing faces. "There's no shortage of them here." Glenn nodded./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I know. I just can't let him go that easily; I mean what if he does this to someone else? I don't think I'll be able to sleep knowing that could happen." I nodded understanding. I remember Glenn's reason for getting into law. People like Mr. Davis discredit those who were genuinely wronged. If everyone just broke their hip in the same fashion it wouldn't be right./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I know you're enjoying this," I tell him. "It's not often you win a case and get to see a client fall when you know they're guilty."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Glenn hummed in agreement. Abruptly he perked up as if suddenly recalling something. "Maggie told me to remind you about your monthly appointment." It nearly slipped my mind although I was positive I wrote a reminder. With so much going on right now I was grateful for Maggie's thoughtfulness./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Thursday right?" I asked./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Glenn nodded. "It's in the evening, she also said it was my job to make sure you aren't stressing." He sent a nervous glance in Rick's direction. "You know with the case and all."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""She does need extra eyes." Rick mused./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Frowning I tell them, "I can handle myself. I appreciate the sentiment, Glenn but you have your own work to worry about. I wouldn't want to burden you, besides I think one pair of eyes besides mine is enough." Glenn nodded and mentioned something about leaving a paper in the copier. After he left, Rick helped me get settled in./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Are you feeling okay?" Rick questioned noticing my wince after sitting down. I waved him off. I was pregnant but I wasn't made of glass./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I'm fine, just a minor backache," I tell him while going over a few points I needed to bring up with Shane./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""My mother has always said the best cure for back pain is a little tenderness." Leaning of the desk between us he kissed my lips. All I needed was those soft lips on mine to feel heat climbing up my spine. I pressed my hand against his shoulder, softly pushing him away from our kiss./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Rick we're at work." I all but whimpered out. "I'm sure you have something to do."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"He pulled back and straightened his tie. I could help but to admire his appearance, silently watching his broad shoulders pressed against his shirt./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""You're right. Let me know if you need anything." I nodded watching his ass he left the office./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"…./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I got through a few daily tasks around the office and somehow managed to get a few minutes of rest before Shane came in. His appearance was ruffled and he didn't look like he got an inch of sleep. Behind him was Gregory, no change in his usual demeanor, still as slimy as I remembered./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Those fucking reporters could take a piss," Shane said angrily. "Michonne." He snapped and I couldn't help but cut my eye at his tone. He cleared his throat. "We need you in here, it's … very important."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I spent most of last night getting ready for this. Grabbing my folder I followed behind the two men and sat in where I felt was most comfortable, which was a reasonable distance from either of them./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Shane ran his hands over his head in frustration. "Look let's get a few obvious things out of the way first." He looked at me then his gaze fell to my stomach. Instinctively my arms moved to wrap around my abdomen. He left the unvoiced question heavy in the air./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""This won't interfere with my work Mr. Walsh," I tell him, knowing his concerns./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"He breathed a sigh of relief. "Good, but I just want to make sure you're careful."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Obviously she wasn't careful enough." Gregory joked folding his arms over his stomach. No one laughed. Shane only scowled at him./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""So I'm sure both of you have heard about the whirlwind the media has caused." He says ignoring Gregory's comment. "Needless to say this is bad."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"My shoulders slumped. This was probably worse than I initially thought. "But those text messages were fabricated, right? Anything constructed in a false manner can't be used in court." I remind him. "We can somehow use this to our advantage and-"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Those texts were real." He admitted and my mouth fell open. Even Gregory looked surprised./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""How do you know it's authentic? With technology these days anything is possible. We know the media wants Deal and Baker in the chair." I could be grasping at straws for all I know but at least it was something to grab onto./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""On the day she died someone stole her phone and managed to hack it. Obviously, that information was leaked to the media. I made some calls just to make sure but those are real." This couldn't get any more desolate./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""In other words even if we used this in court we'd just be fucking ourselves in the ass," Gregory muttered turning red. "I've done my part but this isn't enough Shane. I thought you handled this."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I gave Gregory a once over. "And what exactly have you done?" I questioned him. He scoffed and reared back looking offended./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I've done enough. You're not the one that's going to be in those courts so you don't need to know what exactly it is I did."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I'm not emlosing/em this case." Shane interrupted. "That being said we don't need to be arguing amongst ourselves," Shane says. "The positive thing about this is that we don't know who sent the text, it was a burner phone. Now until they dig a little deeper we have a bigger problem to worry about." He was right; they didn't have any solid links to the two men besides the mention of Deals initial./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""They found Bakers DNA on the deceased." If it wasn't one obstacle it was going to be another./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Jesus." Gregory groaned rubbing his hand over his bald spot. "If that's the problem how the fuck do we get him out of that?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""That's what I need you two to work on." Shane said looking at Gregory and I. "I'm going to talk to Deal and Baker. Believe it or not, they're not guilty, I feel it." That was something we could agree with. They might be guilty of other things but I'm sure murder was not one of them./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Shane looked at his watch. "In the meantime, I have a run to make. Don't let the media get to you two. Take it easy." He left, leaving me with Gregory. I didn't bother to acknowledge him until he directed a question at me./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""You wouldn't mind if I took the lead on this one would you?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I straightened my back. "I don't appreciate your snide remarks from earlier and no I think I can do my part of the job." Gregory's lips were pressed in a thin line./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I'm sorry." He said without a hint of remorse. "Pregnant women always have a sassy attitude. I think it suits you." My skin crawled. "I meant the pregnancy, sass isn't ladylike." He clarified even though I didn't ask for it./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Getting up I pierced my lips. "If I run into any problems I'll be sure to contact you through email." Before I could leave I felt his fat sweaty hand halt my movement./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Look, I know about you and Rick." He breathed in my face. "I get your game. But I have a lot more I could offer you, Michonne. Just think about it." I pulled my arm away. There was nothing to think about./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"strongEvidence/strong/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"After one page came another, then another, all filled with words. Words about rules and regulations. Words of our legal history and constitution. My eyes were cemented to the book laid out before me. Two weeks passed and I was yet another week closer to taking the bar. I should've felt overwhelmed, anxious but strangely I was anything but that. I felt calm and more importantly, I felt ready./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"One could say I was having a good week but I've reached a roadblock in the case. I've highlighted and outlined more times than I could count. I knew Deal and Baker weren't entirely to blame for this mess. But for the life of me, I couldn't pinpoint who was the other entity. I could read those accounts repeatedly and still fall short. At this point, I'm starting to feel disappointed that Shane didn't happen to possess that kind of information./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Yes, I could go to Rick for more help. He already pulled out the whiteboard back at his place for me. Yet, I couldn't help but feel the need to prove a point to Shane. He said he needed Rick on the case but with enough information, I could pull this off myself. At least I was positive that would've been the outcome the minute I stopped asking Rick for help in this case. I was being ridiculous but most of my actions as of late leave questions in my mind. Especially since I've read a few things about Rick./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Cross and direct examination is the man's specialty. After some research, I now understood what Shane meant by him making the innocent feel guilty and the guilty innocent. If there was an imperfection in a testimony, regardless of how small it may be, then that was a gateway to victory for him. It was intimidating. The worst thing that could happen in court is to have a testimony fall apart that the seams, no matter how true it is. The only thing that could save that was evidence, yet even that can be questioned./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Sighing, I closed one of the many textbooks Rick lent me and placed it on the stack along with the rest of them. It was four in the morning and my eyes were dry but I was more than alert. There was no way I could rest but I had to remember it wasn't just me anymore, but that was hard to forget the constant reminder I get every time he kicks my stomach. My hand fell to the growing swell, he was quiet now. I could already tell he wasn't going to be a night owl./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I was about to turn in for the night when an ominous sound lured me from my bed. I wasn't one to explore the unknown but the noise was akin to weeping. I felt my way through the dark apartment straight to the fridge. After opening it, I immediately noticed my absent pint of ice cream. This could only mean something was wrong with Sasha. I tracked back down the hall to her room. The door wasn't completely closed so I was able to ease my way inside without her noticing./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I met her huddled in the center of her bed, a big spoon in hand, and my unopened pint of chocolate ice cream. She was on her laptop streaming love movies./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Shaking my head I made my way to the bed and nudged her shoulder cutting the light switch on only after she acknowledged I was there. Her eyes were puffy and shining with tears. The tight coils of her hair were untamed and heedlessly pulled back in her signature bun. In short, she was a mess./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"She gave me a weak smile. "What's wrong?" I asked genuinely concerned. There were a handful of times I've seen Sasha like this and all of them had something to do with her ex-boyfriend./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Bob asked me to move in with him." She answered with an unsteady voice. Puzzled, I gave her a questioning look./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I thought you were looking to take things seriously with Bob. I guess it's a little fast but isn't that something you want with him?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"She nodded then opened the ice cream. "Of course I want this with him but…" She took a pause to scoop out a spoon full of ice cream. "I saw Abe the other day." That name alone made me exasperated. Abe was like a drug for Sasha. It was ridiculous but that's how it was with them. I just hope it didn't mean what I thought it meant./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""And nothing happened. You two just bumped into each and had a nice chat." I supplied but she remained eerily silent. "That's what happened right?" I asked./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""It went exactly like that but I guess the nice chat was a little too nice." She admitted./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Sasha!" I chided. "I thought you were over that phase and Bob has been nothing but good to you." I get it now. The guilt was eating at Sasha. Now that Bob wanted to take a big step in their relationship it only made her feel worse./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""You didn't tell him," I observed and she nodded./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I'm going to. I just... Just can't find it in me to tell him."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Did you agree with moving in with him?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"She shook her head. "I just told him I'd think about it but I'm going to tell him. It was a one-time tryst with Abe. You know how we are, like oil and water but there is a spark between us."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""You know I'm always here for you. You don't have to cry alone in the dark." She laughed./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I thought you were asleep. I mean with sleep being good for the baby and all."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Right. You know I can't study in my sleep right?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""You worry over nothing Michonne. You got this."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I guess I'm starting to feel like I have a handle on things." Sasha offered me a spoon./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Where'd you get that from?" I ask taking it from her./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I had a feeling you were going to come looking for your ice cream. I'm sorry I was about to devour this alone."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""It's alright. I wasn't going to eat the whole pint alone either." Sasha rolled her eyes./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Please, you ate the last pint without help. By the way, since you're in here have you seen those texts that got leaked?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""What text?" Sasha paused the video and pulled up a gossip page./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""It's about your case. Just popped up a few hours ago and it already has Twitter buzzing." She pulled another link up and handed the laptop to me. "You'd think people didn't have the time." She was right people had way too much time on their hands./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I skimmed over the beginning paragraph that paraphrased the case. Then I read through the messages the blog editor claimed to have gotten from a reliable source./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;".../p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"strong000-1005 – Chelsea are you there?/strong/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"thought i told u to quit bothering me/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"strong000-1005 – We had a deal/strong/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"strong000-1005 – i pay you enough don't I?/strong/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Wat went down last time was NOT okay/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"strong000-1005 – You didn't have to run off like that. It won't happen again/strong./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Yh? U said that last time/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"strong000-1005 - you want out? Fine, just do one more party./strong/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Y should i? D said if i wanted out just say the words. No extra/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"strong000-1005 - Let's not act like you haven't been around the block. You need the money./strong/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I can't forget last time/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"strong000-1005 - dont worry about that. This outing is fancy./strong/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"strong000-1005 - after this you won't need to worry about money for a long time./strong/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"G, i'll have to think about this/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"strong000-1005 - Don't think just accept. Remember I'm always outside the door./strong/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"strong000-1005 - Call D and let him know. He'll set you up with the address./strong/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"…./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I took my eyes away from the screen for a few minutes. There was a healthy skepticism I had regarding any online source that wasn't proven credible. That being said there was no way this could be real./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""This can't be real," I tell Sasha. "Please tell me no one on 'twitter' believes this mess." Sasha shrugged with a heavy sigh./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I wish I could tell you no. The thing is, no one came out to deny it yet, so you draw your own conclusion. You should look at this." She said, her fingers tapped the keys on her laptop. In no time she pulled up her twitter profile and showed me a very disturbing image./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""That's…That's Shane Walsh," I uttered, staring at a photoshopped image of Shane's head on the rear end of a pigs ass. I would've brushed it aside but as Sasha scrolled down there were more images with glaring similarities to the last. They were dragging his name through the mud. 'You sick rapist fuck supporter!', was one of many slanders thrown in Shane's direction. I asked Sasha to scroll down a little further to see if the media got their hand on Gregory and me. But we didn't come across anything, just thousands of tweets crucifying Shane./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Gregory and Shane are leading this case so it's only a matter of time before they get to stoning Gregory." I scooped up a spoon full of ice-cream. I don't know if I was built to handle this level of harassment. Remembering Shane's revelation of my name already being attached to this case didn't make me feel better./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Sasha, I think you're forgetting that I'm on this case too."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"She rolled her eyes. "But you're only doing research; you won't even be in court when all this shit goes down." I kept quiet, shoveling the cold chocolate in my mouth. Sasha gave me an alarmed look. "Don't tell me you're emin/em this case." I dropped my head./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Shane added my name to some article. I can't even remember what it is."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""But you don't even have your license." She paused. "Well, this is going to be a shit storm for you. It won't take them long to get their claws into you too."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Feeling anxious my feet starting tapping. "Rick tried to warn me about this. We need to win this." I stated./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Sasha blew out a short breath. "You all better win this."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"…../p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Last night after finishing the pint of ice-cream off with Sasha, I stayed up and wrote two pages of issues I had relating to this case. The mere fact that Deal and Baker could fall because a detective didn't do a thorough job took up a massive chunk of those words. Between some minor heartburn and gathering everything I needed to confront Shane, I slept a little over an hour in total. Ultimately I had no time for none of Shane's bullshit./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"With my head held high already prepared for confrontation, I silently slid in Rick's car. I could feel his eyes on me, analyzing./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Good morning," I tiredly managed./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""You didn't sleep much did you?" It wasn't a question, more like an observation. It should've frightened me how well he could read me now. But I wasn't the least bit bothered by it. Rick was well under my skin. I acknowledged it the minute I made him get midnight snacks for my craving and he came back with nearly half the store. That night he didn't even bother to change his sleepwear before heading out./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I slept enough."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Michonne… You need to rest, I know you have a lot to study for but sleep is important for you and our son." His eyes fell to my growing stomach and there was a small smile on his lips./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I know," I cover his hand with mine, loving the warmth it exuded. "I just thought I had everything together but it all just seems to be tumbling around me." I admit./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Rick laced his fingers with mine. "You know you always have me. I'm 'your man' remember?" I held back a laugh and nodded./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I know but…"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""But I'll help you with anything I can Michonne. I know this case is going to get a little hectic for you but I'll be there." I turned to look into those blue eyes and felt nothing but comfort./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""A little?" I scoffed. That was an understatement. "Rick, I want you to be honest with me."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I'm listening."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Does Shane really need you on this case?" I saw the little shift in his eyebrow. That little arch that questioned where I was going with this. I read him as well as he read me./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Why do you ask?" He diverted./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Because I thought we- emI/em could do this without you. It's silly, you're the one with more experience, and you're the one he views to be more 'valuable'. You're the 'trump' card."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"He frowned. "He said that?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""No, he used more words but it was enough. I just wanted to show him that I was more than just an analytical junkie. That I'm more than just emthat/em. But I'm slowly realizing how wrong I was." He was silent, peering out the window. "You don't need to answer my question, Rick," I added./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""No, I understand. I was in the same position you were in so I get the need to establish yourself. You emare/em more than just that. The only thing I have over you is experience, Michonne." He paused for a moment. In fact, I would've encouraged it in any other situation."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Except this one," I said./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""…except this one." He finished./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"…./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I gave Rick a rundown of everything Sasha showed me. We both agreed that even if those messages were fabricated it painted our clients in a bad light. The last thing we needed was the jury being swayed by public opinion before they even got in court. In regards to those crass pictures and tweets, Rick's only concern was my wellbeing. Empty threats meant nothing, at least that was all he had to say./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"As we made our way to my office Rick insisted he carry my bag, I had no complaints after I felt a dull ache form at the center of my back. I was all but ready to accept Rick's terrible excuse for a coffee but Glenn came in like an angel with a cup of orange juice./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"He was sporting the widest smile I've witnessed since working here. "Glenn, you're a sight for sore eyes." I complimented, relishing in the cool taste of the drink./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"He blushed. "Michonne, Rick." He greeted. "I made a breakthrough with the Mr. Davis case." He smiled sheepishly. I turned to Rick to see his reaction./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Rick smiled. "And this is in support of your current case or…" I nudged Rick. He didn't need to be so hard on him but Glenn's smile never faltered./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Well, it's a little bit of both. You see Hershel and I went shopping around the neighborhood nearby Mr. Davis's residence. The cashier at a small store may have overheard me complaining about him. The thing is he knew him. Said he pulled the same thing a few months ago and guess what he broke then?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I shrugged, enjoying how animate this made him. At least one of us found a case exciting. He continued, "His hip! So I asked for any tapes and court documents. But it never went to court. They just paid him hush money. I just knew something was off the minute I read through this case." Rick clapped him on his shoulder./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Maybe after your done winning you can tip off a money-hungry lawyer." Rick looked around at the passing faces. "There's no shortage of them here." Glenn nodded./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I know. I just can't let him go that easily; I mean what if he does this to someone else? I don't think I'll be able to sleep knowing that could happen." I nodded understanding. I remember Glenn's reason for getting into law. People like Mr. Davis discredit those who were genuinely wronged. If everyone just broke their hip in the same fashion it wouldn't be right./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I know you're enjoying this," I tell him. "It's not often you win a case and get to see a client fall when you know they're guilty."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Glenn hummed in agreement. Abruptly he perked up as if suddenly recalling something. "Maggie told me to remind you about your monthly appointment." It nearly slipped my mind although I was positive I wrote a reminder. With so much going on right now I was grateful for Maggie's thoughtfulness./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Thursday right?" I asked./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Glenn nodded. "It's in the evening, she also said it was my job to make sure you aren't stressing." He sent a nervous glance in Rick's direction. "You know with the case and all."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""She does need extra eyes." Rick mused./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Frowning I tell them, "I can handle myself. I appreciate the sentiment, Glenn but you have your own work to worry about. I wouldn't want to burden you, besides I think one pair of eyes besides mine is enough." Glenn nodded and mentioned something about leaving a paper in the copier. After he left, Rick helped me get settled in./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Are you feeling okay?" Rick questioned noticing my wince after sitting down. I waved him off. I was pregnant but I wasn't made of glass./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I'm fine, just a minor backache," I tell him while going over a few points I needed to bring up with Shane./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""My mother has always said the best cure for back pain is a little tenderness." Leaning of the desk between us he kissed my lips. All I needed was those soft lips on mine to feel heat climbing up my spine. I pressed my hand against his shoulder, softly pushing him away from our kiss./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Rick we're at work." I all but whimpered out. "I'm sure you have something to do."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"He pulled back and straightened his tie. I could help but to admire his appearance, silently watching his broad shoulders pressed against his shirt./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""You're right. Let me know if you need anything." I nodded watching his ass he left the office./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"…./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I got through a few daily tasks around the office and somehow managed to get a few minutes of rest before Shane came in. His appearance was ruffled and he didn't look like he got an inch of sleep. Behind him was Gregory, no change in his usual demeanor, still as slimy as I remembered./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Those fucking reporters could take a piss," Shane said angrily. "Michonne." He snapped and I couldn't help but cut my eye at his tone. He cleared his throat. "We need you in here, it's … very important."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I spent most of last night getting ready for this. Grabbing my folder I followed behind the two men and sat in where I felt was most comfortable, which was a reasonable distance from either of them./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Shane ran his hands over his head in frustration. "Look let's get a few obvious things out of the way first." He looked at me then his gaze fell to my stomach. Instinctively my arms moved to wrap around my abdomen. He left the unvoiced question heavy in the air./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""This won't interfere with my work Mr. Walsh," I tell him, knowing his concerns./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"He breathed a sigh of relief. "Good, but I just want to make sure you're careful."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Obviously she wasn't careful enough." Gregory joked folding his arms over his stomach. No one laughed. Shane only scowled at him./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""So I'm sure both of you have heard about the whirlwind the media has caused." He says ignoring Gregory's comment. "Needless to say this is bad."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"My shoulders slumped. This was probably worse than I initially thought. "But those text messages were fabricated, right? Anything constructed in a false manner can't be used in court." I remind him. "We can somehow use this to our advantage and-"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Those texts were real." He admitted and my mouth fell open. Even Gregory looked surprised./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""How do you know it's authentic? With technology these days anything is possible. We know the media wants Deal and Baker in the chair." I could be grasping at straws for all I know but at least it was something to grab onto./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""On the day she died someone stole her phone and managed to hack it. Obviously, that information was leaked to the media. I made some calls just to make sure but those are real." This couldn't get any more desolate./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""In other words even if we used this in court we'd just be fucking ourselves in the ass," Gregory muttered turning red. "I've done my part but this isn't enough Shane. I thought you handled this."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I gave Gregory a once over. "And what exactly have you done?" I questioned him. He scoffed and reared back looking offended./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I've done enough. You're not the one that's going to be in those courts so you don't need to know what exactly it is I did."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I'm not emlosing/em this case." Shane interrupted. "That being said we don't need to be arguing amongst ourselves," Shane says. "The positive thing about this is that we don't know who sent the text, it was a burner phone. Now until they dig a little deeper we have a bigger problem to worry about." He was right; they didn't have any solid links to the two men besides the mention of Deals initial./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""They found Bakers DNA on the deceased." If it wasn't one obstacle it was going to be another./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Jesus." Gregory groaned rubbing his hand over his bald spot. "If that's the problem how the fuck do we get him out of that?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""That's what I need you two to work on." Shane said looking at Gregory and I. "I'm going to talk to Deal and Baker. Believe it or not, they're not guilty, I feel it." That was something we could agree with. They might be guilty of other things but I'm sure murder was not one of them./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Shane looked at his watch. "In the meantime, I have a run to make. Don't let the media get to you two. Take it easy." He left, leaving me with Gregory. I didn't bother to acknowledge him until he directed a question at me./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""You wouldn't mind if I took the lead on this one would you?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I straightened my back. "I don't appreciate your snide remarks from earlier and no I think I can do my part of the job." Gregory's lips were pressed in a thin line./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I'm sorry." He said without a hint of remorse. "Pregnant women always have a sassy attitude. I think it suits you." My skin crawled. "I meant the pregnancy, sass isn't ladylike." He clarified even though I didn't ask for it./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Getting up I pierced my lips. "If I run into any problems I'll be sure to contact you through email." Before I could leave I felt his fat sweaty hand halt my movement./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Look, I know about you and Rick." He breathed in my face. "I get your game. But I have a lot more I could offer you, Michonne. Just think about it." I pulled my arm away. There was nothing to think about./p