Deception (Chapter 4)

"New York? What's in New York?" Rick wants to know.

"I have another residence there and I think that's where I'd like to be right now. I might have some things lined up career wise," Michonne answers.

"Like what?"

Michonne swallows nervously as she feels like she is always under a microscope with Rick Grimes. He has infiltrated her life seamlessly and she is still debating if that is good or bad. "Last I checked Deanna was my agent, not you." She sighs with Rick's frown and gives a bit. "I just need a change of scenery. Is that ok with you?"

The others sit quietly, looking back and forth between the two as they seem oblivious to any other presence in the room.

Michonne gets up from the sofa and moves off to her bedroom, followed closely by Rick. She turns to face him as she could detect him behind her. "What?" Her mind is screaming to put him in his place once and for all, but for some reason she holds back. She knows he doesn't deserve that.

He steps to her, looking into her eyes, his voice soft. "You can't run from this. It's not gonna go away."

She searches his eyes, knowing the truth of his words. "I know. I just…." She wraps her arms around herself as she turns her back on him. "Maybe if I keep busy, I won't think about it as much." She pivots to face him again. "The TV show I used to be on wants me back as a guest star. At least, they did. I was gonna have Deanna contact them and see if the offer was still on the table."

"You really think getting back into the public eye is a good idea?" He asks.

"Well, what would have me do Rick? Hide?" She counters. "I need to take some control of this situation. I can't let this dictate what I should and shouldn't do."

He wants to argue. She can see it but he doesn't much to her relief. Instead, he gives her a nod and says, "Ok. We'll go to New York, but nothing changes. I still want every detail, top to bottom."

"Fine." She gives him a small smile. "I'll tell the others so we can start making plans." They both move back to the living area only to find it empty.

Michonne scoffs. "Great. I guess they had something better to do than listen to us argue."

"Is that what we were doing?" Rick watches with a slight smile as she looks over at him. "Just so you know. I don't argue. Whatever I say goes."

She frowns, recognizing the attempt at a joke but knowing he was serious at the same time. "We'll just make plans tomorrow. Ready to call it a night?"

"Nah. I'm gonna look at these lists some more. You can turn in if you want. I'll let myself out later," Rick informs.

"Do you ever take a break? Just to hang out and do non-related work stuff?" She wonders.

Rick ponders for a moment. "Well, I work out…."

"That's work related….in a sense. I mean, go for a walk in the park, read something besides your client's file, go to the movies…." She trails off as he asks curtly, "Where is this coming from?"

That snaps her back to reality as she realizes exactly who she is talking to….her bodyguard. She's not even sure where those questions came from and why she even asked them. "I was only making conversation. I'll just….good night."

Rick watches as she makes a beeline for her bedroom and closes the door quietly. He drops his head as he pinches the bridge of his nose, feeling like he made another mistake. He looks at the closed bedroom door and knows it's best to keep things as professional as possible with her. Anything else and he might be in trouble.

Hours later, Michonne rolls over to look at her clock. The display reads 4:30 am. She sighs realizing that her inner clock is at work again and maybe her body is telling her she needs to exercise today. She sits up slowly, stretching with a big yawn. She gets out of bed, making her way to the kitchen when she comes up short at the sight in her living area.

Rick Grimes is sleeping upright on her sofa, his head back, his mouth slightly open. She smiles and reaches up to cover her mouth shyly. She can't help but observe him in this isolated, unguarded moment. He looks so normal, not the guy who has it all together, not the hardened bodyguard who only thinks about her safety.

She notices the papers at his side and wonders if he stayed up all night looking at them. At least he really seems to be concerned about her wellbeing. She moves over to him and gently nudges his knee with one of her own. She watches as he pops awake, his hand going to the gun at his back. She raises her eyebrows at him. "Do I need protection from my own bodyguard?"

He sits up and utters an apology. He looks around slowly and rubs his head. "Looks like I fell asleep. I'm sorry."

"It's no problem although you're gonna have a crook in your neck from sleeping like that. You probably need a work out."

He nods, wondering if he should say anything at all about what transpired the night before. She seems to be ok since she's talking to him. Maybe he should just leave well enough alone. "What time is it?"

"Almost 5. I was just about to start getting ready," she answers.

He yawns and stretches then comes to a stand and says, "I'll meet you at the elevators at 5:15."

"Ok." She walks him to the door and once it's closed, she rests her back against it for just a moment. She realizes she has got to get herself together and soon.

XXXXXXXXXX

For the next few days, Michonne and Deanna negotiate a deal with the show runners and television conglomerate that host the TV show she used to star on. She has several weeks before filming starts, but will meet them and their lawyers with her own legal representation in a matter of days to sign her contract.

She smiles as a feeling of accomplishment washes over her. No one would expect this. They'd be looking for the next blockbuster movie but she likes the pace of a TV series and because she's only guest starring she wouldn't be needed for the entire season. The producers are sure their ratings will skyrocket which Deanna assures her would catapult her status to leading again if she desires it. She just wants to take it one step at a time.

She can hear Maggie on her cell phone making arrangements for preparation of her apartment in New York. It feels good to have plans. It also feels good to be out from under the ever watchful eye of Rick Grimes. Deanna assured him that she could take care of Michonne during a conference call so he surprisingly relinquished and joined Morgan, T-Dog, and Shane in making some security arrangements for their upcoming trip.

The next morning, they are seated in one of the hotel's restaurants for breakfast. Maggie didn't have time to peruse the papers she requests each day so she brought them with her. Rick and Michonne are laughing about some mishap in the gym as they relay it to Morgan and T-Dog and Shane are close by, keeping watch.

Maggie tosses aside paper after paper, bored with the headlines then gasps as a paper she's never seen before blares out at her. There is a photo of Michonne with Rick standing by her side and the caption reads: "I was fired because I caught Michonne having sex with her bodyguard!"

"SHIT!" Maggie yells sitting up in her chair as she quickly thumbs through the paper to get to the actual story.

Morgan, Michonne and Rick look concerned as the former asks, "What is it?"

Maggie looks to Michonne knowing she is going to be upset by this. All she can do is hand the paper to her as she offers an apology.

Michonne sees her picture and notices Rick as well, then slowly reads the caption. She frowns in confusion then looks up from the paper, her eyes connecting with Rick's. His expression is curious as she returns her focus to the paper and reads the caption again. All sorts of questions flit through her mind as she slams the paper face down on the table.

"That's not true! Who would report something like that?!"

"Of course we know it's not true. We'll contact the editor of this paper and get to the bottom of this. They'll retract the story and…" Maggie stops as Rick reaches for the paper and Michonne grabs it to her chest, giving him a nervous look before she averts her gaze.

"What is going on?" Rick asks.

Maggie frowns as she watches Michonne's reaction. She knew she'd be upset but she normally takes this stuff in stride. What's different now?

Morgan offers Michonne his hand, requesting the paper. She hands it over reluctantly, then gasps as Morgan smiles and starts to laugh.

"This isn't funny, Morgan," Michonne reminds him.

"It's ridiculous. Surely you aren't going to let this upset you?" Morgan inquires. He hands the paper to Rick who reads it and immediately lifts his eyebrows with interest.

"This isn't the first time something like this has been printed about you," Morgan states.

"That's not the point. People need to know the truth and…"

Rick interrupts her with, "Has no one taken notice of the first three words in this article…."I was fired"….? That's a solid clue as to who is behind this. Bob, Martinez or both."

"Then I want them sued for a false report and this story retracted as soon as possible," Michonne demands.

"Just last week you had a problem with firing them and now you want to sue them over something that you know isn't true?" Rick laughs. "What? You got a jealous boyfriend I don't know about?"

Michonne's eyes narrow as she looks at Rick. "Yeah as a matter of fact I have an entire slew of them. Didn't you know?" She comes to a stand, tossing her napkin onto the table. "The point is….regardless of what people may think they know about me, printing things that aren't true can be hurtful. That paper has been delivered everywhere and it makes me look like a slut. Well, I'm not and I want this taken care of." She flounces off as Maggie, T-Dog, and Shane fall in behind her.

Morgan gives Rick a cautious look. "You aren't going with them?"

"T-Dog and Shane can handle it. I'll give her a few minutes to calm down," Rick answers.

"Good idea since you're lover boy of the week." Morgan smiles.

"Hey, don't say that. She'll definitely take it the wrong way," Rick returns.

"Honestly, I've never seen her this upset about one of these stories. Maybe in the beginning but she barely reacts to stories nowadays. I guess this whole stalker thing could be taking its toll. It might be good for her to get back to work and change locations," Morgan suggests.

Rick only nods as he wonders why the story upset her so much. Was it just the story or was it because I was mentioned?

Meanwhile, Maggie is asking Michonne that exact question as they sit in her bedroom behind closed doors. The latter gave Shane and T-Dog explicit instructions that if they just had to be around then they could stand outside her door.

"I…I don't know. I guess I just wasn't expecting it. We haven't gotten a story like this in weeks and Rick has only been here for a little while. How did they even get a photo of us?" Michonne asks.

"Listen, we'll handle it. We can find out who reported it and go from there. If it's Martinez we know how to handle him. The thing is we've never sued the others for false reports so how is it going to look if we execute a law suit now?"

"It'll look like I'm sticking up for myself and not allowing them to say whatever they want about me," Michonne fires back.

"What's really going on here Michonne? Is it Rick?"

Michonne rolls her eyes heavenward. "What do you mean? Is it Rick? Is what Rick?"

"Don't kill the messenger ok but I've seen the way you look at him…." Maggie forges ahead even though Michonne tries to interrupt her "….and the way he looks at you."

"The way he looks at me?" She wants to give in to the curiosity but knows it would be a mistake. The best thing for her to do is try to keep her distance and remain as professional as possible with him. "All he sees me as is a client. That's it so all I'm going to see him as is my bodyguard. End of story."

Maggie smiles slyly. "You're not even the tiniest bit curious about him?"

"I kind of…..tried to get to know him but he shut me down, so…."

"What do you guys talk about while you're working out?" Maggie asks.

"We don't talk. We work out…vigorously. He's up there with some of the trainers I've hired. You know what he wants us to try next….outdoor running. I am so not good at that," Michonne admits.

Maggie detects the animation in her friend as she talks about Rick Grimes and decides to help things along. "You know, there's another way to find out more about Mr. Grimes. He hired friends of his remember? T-Dog and Shane probably know plenty about him."

Michonne ponders that for a few seconds then gives Maggie a smile. "It would be nice to know more about him but I'm still gonna try and keep my distance. Regardless of what, he is dedicated to his job and that's how things should remain. Right?"

"If you say so."

XXXXXXXXXX

For the last two days, Michonne has been bombarded by paparazzi and gossip reporters trying to procure photos and any type of statement about her "new relationship". She chose to ignore the situation and let Deanna and Maggie handle it. She thinks Rick wanted to discuss it but she was too embarrassed so she shut down all speculation and talk of the fiasco. A short investigation unveiled Martinez as the culprit and Deanna was working with Michonne's legal team in an effort to handle Martinez and the tabloid who reported the story.

They (Michonne, Maggie, Morgan, Rick, T-Dog, and Shane) are now in a private waiting area in the airport about to depart on their relocation to New York. Deanna would join them later in the week for Michonne's contract signing. All are exhibiting a sense of relief as the paparazzi were starting to get bolder and bolder. They are hoping not to encounter the same problem in New York.

Rick observes Michonne quietly and is trying his best to hide his agitation but knows he is probably failing miserably. The anger and hurt she exuded when they first learned of the story seems to have evaporated into thin air as she laughs and talks quietly with T-Dog. For a split second, Rick contemplates telling T-Dog he should be more in tune with his surroundings then decides he should do exactly that himself in an effort to keep busy, do his job and ignore the fact that Michonne was getting along so well with his friend.

Meanwhile, Michonne is having a great time talking with T-Dog. Of course he was more interested in asking questions about her movies and her TV show but she didn't mind as she was able to get in a question or two about Rick. She knew they went to high school together in King County, GA and that Rick was divorced. Her instinct is to dig deeper but she doesn't want T-Dog to become suspicious so she allows him to choose their subjects. She feels a slight tinge of guilt as she knows she is using his fascination with her but quickly quells it down.

Their pilot approaches Morgan and they are escorted to board their private jet. Rick moves to grab Michonne's carry on but she tells him casually that T-Dog will get it. The former can only watch as T-Dog retrieves her bag, steps in beside her and they walk towards the boarding area.

Shane steps in next to Rick and comments, "Your mouth's hanging open" before following behind Maggie and Morgan.

Upon arrival at Michonne's luxury apartment, Shane and T-Dog don't hold back with their reactions. They are completely awestruck and Rick is too but he keeps it all hidden as he looks around casually at the vaulted ceilings and shiny hardwood floors. The place is straight out of a magazine and he can barely comprehend that this is actually someone's residence. He scratches his head and the realization of just how rich Michonne is hits him like a ton of bricks. He knew she was a movie star. The hotel they stayed in attested to that, but looking around at this place and grasping that she actually owes it all brings him back to reality in a huge way. This proves that he can only deal with her professionally and that's exactly what he's going to do.

She is making it hard though as she welcomes them into her home, instructing them to choose any room they'd like except hers on the second floor. The fact that she has enough bedrooms to accommodate them individually has Shane and T-Dog letting out long whistles. That serves to only irritate Rick as his friends are acting like they've never been in a place like this before. Hell they haven't been in a place like this before. He feels intimidated for the first time in a long time and he can't explain why.

Morgan moves off to make some phone calls as does Maggie so Michonne decides to give Rick, Shane, and T-Dog a personal tour of her home. Rick wants to smile as she appears so animated and excited to share her home with them but remains stoic. Everything is most impressive especially the indoor pool and gym.

Before they all branch off, she tells them she is cooking dinner and for everyone to meet in the kitchen at 8 o'clock sharp.

Damn. She cooks too. Rick is learning more and more about her and he's not sure if that is good or bad.

A couple of hours later, he ventures into her kitchen just to ask if there was anything he could help her with. He knows he shouldn't have as soon as he sees her. She has her hair piled up high, showing off her neck and shoulders. She is wearing a simple tank top and sweat pants and flitting from one end of the kitchen to the other as she prepares dinner.

She looks up at him with a smile. "Hey. You're just in time to be my taste tester."

He gives her a simple nod as she motions for him to come closer. He watches as she stirs some sort of sauce then spoons a small portion of it, blowing to cool it off as she guides the spoon towards him, holding a kitchen towel underneath to catch any leaks. He tastes it cautiously, then nods. "It's good. What is it?"

"My special sauce that I'm keeping all to myself," she answers with a small laugh.

He has never seen her like this and he likes it. She can afford her own personal chef if she wanted but she's in the kitchen doing it all herself and seems to be enjoying every minute of it. Confusion masks his face as he wonders just what he has gotten himself into.

"Anything I can help with?" T-Dog asks as he walks into the kitchen.

Rick isn't sure if he is glad for the interruption or resentful of it.

Dinnertime arrives and Michonne looks around happily as everyone is laughing and talking and enjoying her meal. She decided to keep things as casual as possible so they are eating in the dining area closest to the kitchen instead of the formal dining room. She can't help but notice that Rick is more quiet than usual but she ignores it as she listens to Shane tell one of his stories about King County. She wants to comment that they never talk about their time in the military together but surmises that topic may be off limits for some reason.

For the next few days, they fall into a routine of sorts. Deanna had arrived the day before to meet with the TV reps and they took care of Michonne's contract. That was the only thing Michonne had on her schedule for the week and she is getting a bit antsy to get out and do something. She also can't help but notice that Rick has been ever present but he has been very quiet. She hasn't worked out with him since they've been here and she wonders what has happened. She knows she shouldn't be so concerned but she did think they had become friends in a sense.

Because they were all together for now (Deanna had offered her NY residence if the guys wanted to branch off), Rick, Shane, and T-Dog were basically taking shifts. She knows Rick is sleeping, Shane is working out and would be doing so for a while and T-Dog is on duty. She smiles as an idea comes to her and she puts it into play.

Rick wakes up before his alarm is set to go off as he always does and looks around quietly at his luxurious guest room. There was a connected bathroom, a fireplace and even a small area with a matching couch and chair. Splotches of tan, white, blue, and purple decorate the entire room and he must admit it is the nicest place he has ever stayed in. He scrubs his face and decides to get moving.

Thirty minutes later, he is feeling completely awake and refreshed after a nice shower so he goes in search of T-Dog just to check in. He frowns when he can't find anybody and wonders if he'll get lost in this place if he starts looking around. He should know where Michonne is at all times and the fact that he doesn't is irritating him. He pulls his cell phone from his back pocket and dials her number. He was making his way back towards the main entrance when he hears the door open, laughter and the telltale chime of Michonne's cell phone.

Michonne was just pulling her cell from her purse when she sees Rick walking towards them, his cell to his ear. She looks down at her phone, sees his name on the ID and says, "Oh" as she hits the end button.

Maggie and T-Dog stop in the foyer, carrying tons of bags. Rick takes in the scene and immediately puts it all together. They had obviously been shopping and they'd done it while he was unaware and asleep. He can feel the anger start in the pit of his stomach as his eyes zero in on T-Dog.

"You wanna explain this to me?" He asks.

T-Dog returns his gaze. "Everything was ok. Michonne wanted to go shopping so we went shopping."

Rick takes a deep breath, working his jaw slowly. "Can I have a talk with you….in private?"

"Rick, I…." Michonne begins then pulls up short as she can see the anger in Rick's eyes.

"I'll talk to you later," he tells her as he and T-Dog move into another room.

She shares a look with Maggie, wondering what she should do.

A/N: Uh oh, is Rick gonna go off on T-Dog or what? This was a lot longer than I ever anticipated so I had to end it somewhere or it never would've ended. Anyway, I promise not to make you wait long for the next installment. Thanks for all of the support.