Deception (Chapter 3)

A/N: Thanks for your patience with this story. I appreciate each and every one of you.

Shots ring out and before Michonne can even react, she feels a pressure at her waist as she is basically snatched from a standing position and lands on top of a body before said body rolls over on top of her, shielding her from any threat. Her breathing is ragged and harsh, the pace matching the rate of her heartbeat.

Rick is panicking as he never imagined that his expertise at keeping his client unharmed would be tested as soon as he accepted the assignment. They were at the studio for day 2 of filming for the video and complete chaos has been unleashed. He looks down at an equally panicked Michonne.

"Heels off. Hike your dress up above your knees and do not let go of my hand no matter what," he instructs roughly.

All Michonne can do is nod as she toes her shoes off immediately. The shots have gone quiet and they can actually hear sirens in the distance. Other security personnel can be heard on their walkies, rushing in to assess the damage.

Rick lifts himself to a stand, pulling Michonne with him as he looks around cautiously. Just as he was about to allow himself to think the threat may be over, more shots are heard. They both start and Rick bolts toward her dressing room. Michonne is right at his side, keeping pace with him as they lock hands tightly.

They burst into the room where he quickly closes and secures the door. He is on his cell, calling the driver instructing him to pull the car around to the rear exit. He has no idea where Bob and Martinez are and it has ticked him off to the fullest.

They move to the rear of the room and Rick cracks the door cautiously.

"What about Maggie? She's supposed to be here in the dressing room," Michonne whispers.

"I saw her with Morgan earlier so hopefully she got out with him. I've got to get you out of here and that's my only job right now," Rick answers.

Michonne wants to protest but realizes now is not the time. The car arrives and only seconds later, they are inside and exiting the premises.

Rick was almost afraid everything would be on lock down and they wouldn't be able to get out. He assumes this is just one of the perks of being a well-known celebrity. He looks over at a clearly shaken Michonne. "Hey. We got out of there. We're safe."

She nods absently then glances his way. "Do you…do you think they were trying to kill me?" Her bottom lip starts to quiver as she tries to control her emotions.

"I don't know but I'm sure as hell gonna find out," he promises.

They arrive at the hotel and go directly to her room. Michonne makes a beeline for the bathroom, trying to get her quivering body under control. She can hear Rick on the phone, trying not to lose his cool. She takes a look in the mirror and draws in a long, deep breath. She releases it slowly and wonders what she could have possibly done to deserve this treatment. Tears stream down her face and she wishes she could take it all back. Maybe make different decisions about her career. Maybe it was time to begin a new phase professionally. She always said she would continue her degree in law and become a licensed attorney. Maybe it was time to put that into action.

She disrobes and gets into the shower. Anything to feel better about the day's events. A short time later, she re-enters her room in a fluffy robe only to find Rick still on the phone and looks like he has basically taken up residence with her. His jacket is thrown onto her bed, his shirt is unbuttoned, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows and he's sitting at her desk surrounded by papers.

A knock sounds at the door and before Michonne can even look in that direction, Rick is whisking past her and checking through the peephole before opening the door. Maggie rushes in and grabs Michonne in a fierce hug. Morgan walks in after her and smiles as he is equally glad to see Michonne is ok.

"Thank goodness you're alright. I was so worried," Maggie tells Michonne as she releases her.

Michonne nods in agreement. "I'm glad you're ok too. What happened? Were those….were they shooting at me?"

"We don't think so. We'll find out more from the police. They want to interview you. They have to interview everyone who was there so we've arranged to meet them at Deanna's office. The detectives working your case will be there as well," Morgan informs.

"Before we go any further Morgan, I want Martinez and Bob gone. They're out. Today just proves what I already knew. They aren't cut out for this job so I want my own guys in," Rick demands.

"What? You just can't fire them. Those men have families," Michonne inserts.

Rick sighs heavily, remembering what Deanna and Morgan told him earlier about Michonne not wanting to fire anyone. He admires her compassion but he has to do what he has to do. "I'm not arguing about this. Keep them on your payroll if you want but not as security. They're not cutting it."

Michonne looks to Morgan, her expression imploring.

"We'll discuss it later. Right now, we need to get to Deanna's to meet with the police," Morgan states.

One hour later, the detectives have completed their interviews and Michonne is beyond relieved to learn that the shooters were not there for her. Apparently, Big Tiny invited some old friends of his to the video shoot. Those friends were actually men he had served time with in prison. Some sort of illegal deal was made and went sour so the two groups started shooting at each other. Both of Tyreese's bodyguards were injured and at least two other men were dead.

Michonne shudders just thinking of someone losing their life. She can't help pondering that any one of her people, including herself, could've been hurt. This only brings forth what she has been suppressing since the notes and text messages began….a sense of foreboding.

The detectives give them an update on her case which is exactly what they had the last time…nothing. They take their leave along with the uniformed officers who conducted the interviews for the video shoot incident.

Deanna immediately goes into the conversation they need to have about Bob and Martinez who are clearly absent and Michonne wonders if they've already been let go.

"What do you propose we do with Martinez and Bob? Rick already has two of his comrades lined up and I'm ready to put them on the payroll," Deanna informs.

Michonne gasps. "Ready to put them….First of all, this is my team is it not? How do we know we can trust Rick's people any more than our own?"

"Your people proved what they were all about today and that's not your safety, so they have to go," Rick inserts.

Maggie puts a hand atop one of Michonne's. "He has a point. He said Bob nor Martinez were anywhere to be found once those shots rang out. They were supposed to be near so they could protect you and they weren't."

Michonne sighs in frustration. "Everything was fine just a matter of weeks ago."

"Well, they aren't now. That's your reality and you have to deal with it," Rick states.

Her eyes find him and she recalls how he gushed about her movies and apologized for the comments he made. He even took it a step further and apologized again in front of Maggie and Morgan. She believes he wanted to make everything alright between them, that they should start out with a clean slate. Surely that means he has her best interests at heart. He's from the state of Georgia just like she is. That has to mean something but how can she allow him to get rid of Martinez and Bob?

"This is for the best Michonne," Morgan states. "Rick and I will arrange for you to meet the new guys as soon as possible. Maybe tomorrow or the next day."

Her sense of control feels like it is slipping away, so she lifts herself to a stand, flips her hair over her shoulder and says, "Fine. Do whatever you think is best. I'd like to go back to the hotel now."

"Michonne, this is all about your safety. We're doing the right thing," Deanna tells her.

"I said fine," Michonne returns.

"Yeah, but we all know you're not ok with this. I need you to be ok with this. All I'm trying to do here is protect you. Will you allow me to do my job? Please," Rick requests.

"I'll take care of Bob and Martinez. I promise," Morgan states.

Flashes of today's events come back to her and she realizes Rick did everything to get her out of danger and now he's just trying to ensure that he can continue to do that with people like himself on the team.

"I'll be glad to meet with the new people whenever they arrive," she relinquishes.

Rick, Morgan, Maggie and Deanna all breathe with relief at her words.

XXXXXXXXXXX

The following week is a whirlwind of activity as Shane Walsh and Theodore "T-Dog" Douglas, two of Rick's fellow special ops comrades, arrive and meet with Michonne, Morgan, Maggie, Deanna, and Rick. Michonne tries her best to show some interest but she is decidedly indifferent at this point and just wants her life to return to normal.

She can't help but notice that T-Dog is continuously stealing glances at her. She smiles inwardly wondering if he's a fan. That thought process is interrupted as Deanna's phone rings and she is advised that Bob and Martinez have arrived. She instructs her assistant to have them wait outside and then turns to Morgan. "Are you going to handle this or should I?"

"We'll do it collectively. That way everything is out in the open and everyone knows the truth," Morgan relays.

Minutes later, Bob and Martinez are escorted into Deanna's office by her assistant, both looking puzzled as they've always had free reign to come and go as they please.

Morgan stands to greet them. "Thanks for coming in. We've had to make some changes…." He goes on to detail those exact changes and that they would be effective immediately.

"Wait a minute. So even though we've been handling this gig for years, you're going to let us go just like that? I thought we had kind of a little family going on here," Bob states.

"It's clear to me that you and Martinez aren't taking these positions and Michonne's situation seriously any more. Morgan and Rick found out exactly what you two were…..participating in when that shoot out took place. I guess you conveniently forgot that lot was monitored and there were cameras everywhere," Deanna informs them. "We have surveillance so there is no need to deny it."

Bob gasps. "What? Martinez has been the one going off with some chick time and time again getting his dick wet. I….."

"Hold up. Don't try to act all innocent there, Bob. I know for sure you were getting some suction that day," Martinez inserts.

Michonne's eyes pop with their candidness and she jumps up from her chair to exit the room only Rick is blocking her way. She gives him an incredulous look, hoping he will allow her to pass.

"You need to hear this," he tells her.

"Actually, I don't. Move please." When he doesn't budge, she tries to maneuver around him, but he blocks her again. She exhales in frustration as she turns her back on him and grips the chair she just vacated.

"With all of this information, is there any surprise that this was coming?" Deanna asks pointedly.

"It's not like anything happened. Michonne was fine just like we knew she would be," Martinez states.

"Surely you realize that's not the point at all. We hired you to do a job and you have failed miserably. You and Bob have been exhibiting incompetence for a while now. I'm sorry things have had to end like this but we've already found replacements. I'm sure you'll be happy with your severance pay," Deanna returns.

Bob looks to Michonne. "I never meant for any of this to happen. Martinez made it look so easy. This was the only time I've done this. I swear."

Michonne is speechless. She knew Bob and Martinez could be careless at times but to learn they were off having random sex acts with strangers while their wives sat at home with their kids made her see them in a different light. A light she didn't care for.

Maggie clears her throat. "I'm sorry it had to come to this and I'm sure Michonne feels the same way…."

Martinez cuts her off. "We don't need you to tell us how Michonne feels. She's standing right there! After all this time, everything we've done together and she can't even give us some words of encouragement or thank us for our service."

"Your severance pay is thanks enough," Rick interjects.

"Oh who asked you? This was all your doing in the first place. You waltzed in here and took over everything," Martinez exclaims.

"And good thang I did," Rick returns.

Martinez makes a move toward Rick who immediately pushes Michonne behind him. T-Dog and Shane come to a stand, showing Martinez that he will have to go through them to get to Rick. The former looks around with a malicious smile and stops in his tracks.

"I see. Yeah. Ok." He looks to Bob. "Let's get out of here. We don't need this shit. She ain't the only movie star that needs protecting."

Bob drops his head. "I really am sorry." He and Martinez leave followed by Morgan.

Michonne tries desperately to keep her emotions in check. She actually thought of her team as a family but now she has to question if Martinez ever cared about her safety. She looks around the room slowly, wondering if she can truly trust the people surrounding her.

"You ok?"

That softly spoken question has her looking up and connecting with eyes the color of the ocean. She turns abruptly and walks toward the door. She makes it to Deanna's assistant's desk before Rick steps up next to her and stretches one arm out in front of her.

She huffs impatiently. "I'm just ready to go. Is that ok? Can we go now?"

Before Rick could answer, Maggie rushes up to him and hands him a phone. He looks at it and reads the message….."HOW DOES IT FEEL KNOWING YOUR DAYS ARE NUMBERED BITCH?"

"Is this your phone?" Rick asks, already knowing the answer.

"It's Michonne's. She left her purse in the chair and I heard the phone chiming, so I…." Maggie trails off as Michonne snatches the phone from Rick's hand and reads the message. She closes her eyes for a brief moment before she politely places the phone on Deanna's assistant's desk and walks toward the elevators.

Rick grabs the phone and follows as does Maggie, Shane, and T-Dog.

Later that night, Michonne sits quietly on a sofa in her room as Maggie, Morgan, Rick, T-Dog, and Shane go over her "file" trying to piece certain events together. They sit at a nearby table, surrounded by paperwork, trays of food and bottled water.

The latest event had been reported to the police, the phone confiscated as evidence, and a new phone purchased and ready for use. Michonne and Maggie had also been dragged to a gun shop and several other stores where Rick, Shane, T-Dog, and Morgan purchased all sorts of equipment for wireless communication, personal surveillance, and most of all protection.

They pour over her contacts list which has more business people listed than personal associates. Rick is determined to narrow down any and every one she has been in contact with since the threats began.

"Michael Anthony? Who is that?" Rick asks.

"Mike is a long-time friend. He lives in my home town and works with my dad so scratch his name from your stalker list. It's not him," Michonne answers in a bored voice.

"What about Andrea Harrison?" Shane looks to Michonne, awaiting an answer.

"She's a high school friend….well, we used to be friends. We kind of had a misunderstanding some years back and I haven't spoken with her in a while but it's not Andrea. She wouldn't do something like this," Michonne relays.

"A misunderstanding about what?" Rick wants to know.

"Does that even matter? It's not her," MIchonne returns.

"A misunderstanding about what?" Rick repeats.

Michonne rolls her eyes upward with a sigh. "She was an aspiring actress. I wasn't really seeking any of this. It kind fell in my lap so I just went with it. That Super Bowl commercial I got…it was really her audition and I was just there for moral support but one of the advertisers recognized me from my modeling gigs and asked me to audition."

"That sounds like a hell of a motive to me," Shane inputs. "Let me guess. She never really landed any credible acting jobs and she's working at the grocery store in y'all's hometown."

"No, she owns a florist shop," Michonne replies.

"Put a big fat red star by her name," T-Dog tells Shane.

"It's not like that. It was her choice. She said she understood and…"

Rick cuts Michonne off with, "You just said y'all had a misunderstanding. Are you on good terms with her or not?"

"We're not on bad terms. It's been a while since we've spoken but I don't think there are any hard feelings between us," Michonne accounts.

T-Dog looks to Shane and points to Andrea's name, indicating to place the star by her name.

Michonne attempts to ignore them as she reflects on something she decided earlier. She feels the best way to keep herself from pondering over the situation too much is to keep busy. The incident with the flowers happened at her California residence so she made up her mind to return to New York. She would have Deanna to contact Jacqui Prescott, a casting director for her former TV show who was also the director for her recent video shoot. They'd always talked about having her back as a guest star. It was time to find out if that offer was still viable.

She looks around the room at her team and asks, "So what do y'all think about New York?"