Deception (Chapter 9)
A/N: Thank you for the great reviews and the continued support.
Michonne basks in her mother's embrace, her heart swelling with so much love that it brings tears to her eyes. She doesn't want to let go as it had been so very long and she just wants to cling to her, praying that all would be well between them. Of course all too soon her mother is pulling back from her, looking into her eyes, tears staining her cheeks as well.
"I knew this day would come. I just knew it," Ms. Mae proclaims as she looks over to Rick and smiles. "Excuse my rudeness. It's just…it's been so long. I'm Mae and you are?"
"Rick. I'm Rick." He accepts her nod and steps in behind them amidst Ms. Mae's excited utterings of "come in, come in."
She tells them to sit down while she busies herself in the kitchen, preparing something for them to drink. Michonne shares a smile with Rick as they sit on the sofa side by side. They both look around the living area, Michonne remembering photos and special mementos and Rick seeing a different side that serves the complexity of his girlfriend.
Several minutes later, Ms. Mae returns with a tray laden with a pitcher of lemonade and three ice filled glasses. She serves them quietly, takes a seat across from them and asks, "So when's the big day?"
"Huh? What?" Michonne wonders.
"Well, you're home after all this time. That tells me you've given up that Hollywood life and you're ready to settle down. This is your young man right?" She smiles happily. "I hope this will finally make your father proud."
Michonne frowns. "But….Mama, I….."
Rick interrupts. "You're….very perceptive." He gives his girlfriend a look that tells her to just go with the flow.
Michonne closes her eyes momentarily, frustration rising to the forefront. Her mother thinks the only reason she has come home is to make amends with them by renouncing her career, getting married and having their grandkids. The latter part sounds wonderful but she can't help wondering why she has to change in order for them to accept her choices and why Rick wants her to go along with it rather than tell the truth. His voice pulls her out of her reflections.
"We haven't set a date or anything just yet."
"That's all fine and dandy. Just the fact that our baby is settling down is good enough for me. I want to hear everything….how you two met, the proposal." She looks directly to her daughter. "What made you finally see the light?"
Michonne drops her gaze to her lap, trying not to allow the despondency to take over. If she goes along with this, maybe she'd have a decent visit with her parents but everything in her wants to scream the truth. Of course, telling the truth would ruin it all. She takes a deep breath, rolling her shoulders gently. One thing she has mastered is acting and what better time to put on a show.
"Well, Rick and I met through his job. He's former military and works in security now. As for the proposal, there wasn't a lot of fanfare. We just knew we were right for each other."
Ms. Mae nods with a smile as she witnesses Rick's hand ease over to cover one of her daughter's. "Well your father should be here soon and I need to start dinner. Come on in the kitchen so we can catch up." She looks to Rick. "You too. I want to hear all about the young man who won my daughter's heart and took her away from that horrible celebrity life."
Michonne gives him a pointed look, watching his Adam's apple bob up and down, a telltale sign of his anxiety. All she can do is hope all goes well and that they will be leaving sooner rather than later.
Several minutes later, Michonne can't believe the joy she is feeling as her mother has her and Rick both engaged in helping her prepare dinner. She is peeling potatoes while Rick is assisting in slicing up carrots and celery. The light banter flowing between them makes her forget the awkwardness she expected and the fact that her mother thinks she has given up her career.
They had just put the vegetables on to boil and the meat in the oven to bake when they hear a booming voice call out, "Mae! There's a vehicle in the driveway that I don't recognize." The door closes and footsteps sound making their way to the kitchen.
Ms. Mae takes a deep breath and returns, "We have company." She sounds off as her husband enters the kitchen with a smile. He takes one look at his wife and the two people with her and the smile immediately fades.
Michonne's heartbeat is in overdrive as she sets eyes on her father for the first time in years. Like her mother, he still looks the same but she can detect more gray hair and more wrinkles than before.
Ms. Mae rushes to her husband's side, taking his hand. "Our daughter's home. She's getting married. This is Rick, her fiancé." She explains hurriedly, hoping and praying her husband will hear her and welcome their daughter home. They need to mend their family. She can't count the number of times she has tried to tell her husband this but he remains as stubborn as ever.
"Hello father." Michonne doesn't even realize she is holding her breath as she waits to see if and how her father will greet her after all this time.
Walter looks her up and down, his heart telling him to take his baby girl into his arms and forget all the madness that has surrounded them but he can't bring himself to do it. "Married you say? Really?"
"Yes," Mae supplies.
"Does that mean she has given up that lifestyle?"
Before his wife can answer him, Michonne blurts, "She is standing right here. You don't have to act like I'm not."
Her father scoffs. "I see that attitude sure hasn't changed."
"If I made a mistake coming here, just say so. We can always leave."
Ms. Mae looks to her daughter with pleading eyes, then turns them to her husband. "Walter….please. She's come home. She's trying to do the right thing."
Rick can only stand by and watch. He is aching to say something but doesn't want to overstep his bounds and make things worse in any way. He holds his tongue and hopes for the best.
Walter purses his lips then slowly steps to his daughter. "I….I'm glad to see you." He opens his arms stiffly and rears back as his daughter practically throws herself at him, hugging him furiously. She buries her face in his chest and he can feel her shaking as the emotions claim them both.
Ms. Mae wipes her face and tries desperately to give father and daughter this moment but finds she can't restrain herself. She joins them, wrapping an arm around each of them.
Rick quietly steps out of the kitchen, moving back into the living area. He breathes in deeply and releases it slowly, knowing Michonne needed this moment more than anything.
A little over an hour later, Ms. Mae orders everyone to wash up so they can have dinner. The meal is delicious and the conversation continues to flow as the four of them have been talking seamlessly. Walter seemed satisfied with Rick's occupation and his status as future son in law.
Amazingly, neither of her parents appeared interested in anything about her career so Michonne was relieved that she didn't have to continue to fabricate anything. She did tell them that she'd probably enroll in law school, following her original career path. That scored more brownie points, of course.
After dinner, her parents disappear in her father's study while she and Rick sit outside on the back patio, admiring the stars in the inky black sky. She loops an arm through one of his and rests her head on his shoulder as they sit side by side.
"I'm glad I came. You said it would be ok and you were right."
He smiles. "I wasn't quite sure when your dad walked in." He shakes his head. "And you were ready to take him head on. Have you always been this fearless?"
She laughs. "I was shaking all over but they weren't going to talk about me like I wasn't there. It's so strange. They're the ones who told me to speak up for myself but I guess that meant everyone but them."
He scratches his head. "Yeah that sounds about right." A pause. "So do you want to stay here for a bit? I can call Morgan and just tell him we need more time."
"I think I'd like that but…..I feel odd telling them that I've given up my career. They'll probably go back to not speaking to me when they find out the truth."
"Michonne, I know it's wrong to…fib but I just….I wanted you to have a good reunion with them. I wanted that for you more than anything. It's not perfect but it's good for now right?"
She remains silent until he nudges her with his shoulder. "I'm still wondering where fib came from." They share a laugh and beats later Michonne agrees with him. "We'll do what we have to do to make things right….for now."
XXXXXXXXXX
The next morning, Rick and Michonne are surprised with a guest at breakfast. Michael Anthony smiles widely at Michonne as he stands from the table and walks toward her. She lets go of Rick's hand and accepts Mike's hug.
"It's so good to see you again. You look great….as always."
"Thank you Mike. It's good to see you too."
"Yeah your dad called me this morning to tell me the good news and asked me over for breakfast." He looks from her to Rick. "So you're her hero huh? Rescuing her from that life of debauchery."
Rick doesn't know how to answer that so he just offers his hand. "I'm Rick. Nice to meet you." He quickly puts together that this is Michonne's childhood friend she mentioned back in Los Angeles.
Mike shakes his hand with a nod. "Nice to meet you too." He eyes Rick warily before turning his attention back to Michonne.
They all sit down and Walter is too happy to inform them of his plans to expand his church, relaying Mike's position in assisting him with the new endeavor. Rick listens intently, detecting the pride in Walter's voice, knowing that he reveres Mike highly.
After breakfast, Walter and Mae excuse themselves, relaying that they'd give Michonne time to get reacquainted with Mike. Rick sits by quietly but remains ever observant. It doesn't take him long to realize that Mike basically praises the ground Michonne walks on and seems to be quite enamored with her.
He rolls his eyes heavenward as they move from the kitchen table to the living area. Mike is sure to remind her of all the things they shared and liked as kids, things that Rick still had to learn about her. Is this how it's going to be with her? Is everyone in love with her? He gives himself an inward shake and realizes he needs a break before he blurts out the wrong thing and embarrasses himself. After a short interruption, he makes his way to the bathroom, closing the door behind him with a sigh of relief.
Meanwhile, Mike tells Michonne he needs to show her something. She agrees and follows him quietly. They make their way down into her parents' basement where Mike removes a few boxes to reveal a trunk. He removes a keyring from his front pocket and unlocks it. She moves toward him curiously as he lifts the lid and gasps when she sees her face on a magazine cover. Upon closer inspection, she sees that the trunk is full of magazines, newspapers, tabloids, etc. regarding her and her career.
"What are you doing with all of this and why is it here?" She asks cautiously.
"I've been collecting them for years. Your parents didn't want to see any of it, read it, but I knew the day would come when all of that would be behind you and they might accept learning just how successful you are." He picks up a particular tabloid and holds it up in front of him.
She gasps and becomes a bit uncomfortable. It's the tabloid reporting Rick as her boyfriend. "Why are you showing me this?"
"I just find it interesting that you're dating your bodyguard. Not only that, you specifically told your parents you'd given up your career but there's no way something that newsworthy happened and there are no reports about it. Not one. I find that most curious so just be real with me. You haven't given up anything have you?"
Michonne deflates and decides to be honest. "I just thought things would be easier that way. You know how they can be. I'll get around to telling them the truth. Don't worry."
Mike sighs as he tosses the tabloid back into the trunk. "I'm just….a little disappointed. I have such plans for us and you're trying to ruin it all by fooling around with your bodyguard. How could you give yourself to a guy like that?"
Michonne narrows her eyes suspiciously. "Rick is a great guy. You don't know anything about him."
"What would your parents think if they knew you were sleeping with him?"
"That is none of your business and you don't know what you're talking about."
"Things can be different you know. I'm the right man for you. I've always been the one for you. I know it. Your parents know it….but you…..you just refuse to see it." He scoffs. "Even back in school, you just treated me like I was your best friend."
"You were my best friend."
"But we dated remember? We were boyfriend and girlfriend just like we were supposed to be. Just like we should be now."
Michonne eyes the stairs, her body starting to shake with apprehension. "Mike that was years ago and we dated for what….two or three weeks?"
"I remember. I still remember the speech you gave me about us remaining friends because that's what felt right to you. I accepted it. You know why? Because I wanted to make you happy. I've always wanted you to be happy because I love you. I love you Michonne. It's our time now. You're finally home and I'm never gonna let you go again."
"We….we should get back upstairs. Rick will….."
Mike interrupts with, "Rick? I don't want to hear anything about Rick. You're going to tell your parents the truth and then you're going to send Rick on his way. He's not good enough for you and you know it."
Michonne had had enough. She tries to walk past him but he grabs her around the waist, holding her close. "Let go of me…..now."
"You know we were meant to be." He looks at her face longingly, zeroing in on her lips. "Let me show you." He leans in quickly, bringing a hand to the back of her head to hold her in place.
Michonne struggles, pushing at his chest but unable to move him. His lips touch hers and she purses her lips together firmly as she feels his tongue seeking entrance. She kicks out at him, connecting with a shin.
He yelps and loosens his hold on her. She tries to wrench away but he holds fast, knocking a foot out from under her, sending them to the floor. He quickly wedges himself in between her thighs and grabs her wrists, pinning them to the floor.
She lets out a hair raising scream and yells for him to let her go.
Rick is jolted almost painfully when he hears Michonne's scream. He races into the living area only to find it empty. He tears down the hallway and notices an open door. He pulls it open even further and rushes down the stairs, the protests, the rustling of clothes rushing up to him the closer he gets. The sight before him sends him into a fit of rage as he grabs Mike and slings him forcefully to the floor. He then straddles him and starts delivering blow after blow to his face.
Michonne recovers quickly and rushes over to Rick just as her parents are making their way down the stairs. "Rick….stop please. I'm ok. I swear I'm ok." He continues to pummel Mike as if he didn't hear her.
Walter races over to him and grabs Rick from behind, dragging him away from Mike. "Mae call the police!"
Ms. Mae and her daughter simultaneously ask, "What?"
"You heard me. Call the police," Walter states as he releases Rick and looks down at Mike's bloodied face. "You're going to jail for this!"
Rick scoffs. "I'm going to jail? This muth….he was assaulting your daughter. Look at her clothes! If anybody's going to jail, it's him! I want him arrested and investigated!" He pulls his cell phone from his pocket, ignoring his bloodied and aching knuckles and punches in 911.
Michonne rushes over to him. "Rick please….we can talk about this….." She trails off as he connects with the local police department and reports the assault. She looks forlornly at her parents, not really knowing what to say but thoroughly disappointed that her father wanted Rick arrested. Her shaking grows even more pronounced and her hands grow awfully cold. She starts rubbing them together anxiously and jumps when she feels Rick's arm circle her waist.
"The police are on their way. We're going upstairs to wait for them."
Mae nods and falls in behind them. She looks back to her husband. "Aren't you coming?"
"I'll stay here with Mike. Maybe he'll come to and we'll get the truth of things."
"The kids are telling the truth Walter. Do you really think Michonne would lie and why would Rick react the way he did if it didn't happen the way he said?"
Walter frowns, his stubbornness winning over reason. "I'll just wait here. Let me know when the police arrive."
Minutes later, Michonne feels faint as she repeats her story to the police officer while Rick stands by quietly. He gives a statement as well then leaves Michonne in the care of her mother as he talks with the officers.
Mike was soon revived and read his rights while being handcuffed and led out to a squad car. Walter protested but the officers told him all he could do was come down to the station and try to post a bail for Mike's release.
Much later, Michonne is sequestered in her room with Rick by her side. She quickly tells him all about the trunk and the things Mike said to her, the look in his eyes when he grabbed her.
Rick works his jaw, trying to quell his anger. "I had a feeling about that guy. Something's not right. That's why I want him investigated. He's been collecting stuff on you and keeping it for years. Sounds obsessive so I want to know what else this guy could be doing."
"You don't think….I told you it couldn't be Mike. He wouldn't do that…." She trails off as she remembers how he threw her to the floor and ripped her shirt. She shares a look with Rick and knows he is right to have Mike investigated even if she believes they won't find anything incriminating. The assault charge would be enough. "I…I think we should leave as soon as possible. People here know me. Word will get out that I'm here….and I just…..I don't want to deal with that right now."
"Ok. Whatever you want. I just need to find out what the police discover on Mike and then we're out of here."
The next day, Rick receives the call he has been waiting for. He and Walter still aren't seeing eye to eye and the police chief would not release Mike from jail until his officers had completed their investigation of his home. No one in the town wanted to believe anything untoward about Mike but they had a job to do. Not only that, this investigation involved one of their most successful citizens so it had to be handled accurately and professionally.
Rick didn't want to reveal too much to these small town cops but he needed them to know just how serious this situation was. He also demanded their discretion. They lead him into Mike's home and open a door at the end of the hallway. Rick takes in the broken padlock and frowns as he walks inside. He brings his hand to his jaw and rubs anxiously as he takes in the scene before him. Every wall in the room is covered from ceiling to floor with nothing but photos of Michonne.
