The broadcast cut from the live performances one final time. While the viewers at home were watching footage honoring emergency responders from around the nation, in the studio Jessie Anderson was setting up for the final performance of the evening. The crew experimented with her theatrical lighting, attempting to see what combinations were the most flattering.

"Where is Rick?" A female voice asked through Jessie's earpiece.

"I'm not sure."

"We have less than two minutes until we come back live!"

Jessie nervously shifted her weight on both of her legs. Rick Grimes had better not blow this for her. She cursed herself for getting flustered. She was a professional who had played for sellout crowds almost all of her adult life. Without effort she filled stadiums where her name flashed in lights. Why was she so nervous? She snatched out the barrette that was holding her ponytail and fingered through her blonde hair. Was she still in shock over the attacks? Her jet had just managed to depart from the airport just as she saw the Chicago skyline erupt. That could have been her on the ground burning alive with her fans at Wrigley Field. Jessie was relieved that it was them and not her. She battled through the guilt, content with being alive but knowing somehow she would never be truly happy again.

Or was it the context of this performance? She had always performed with such an airy lightness that she was afraid she would be considered a lightweight amongst raw, exceptional talent that was gathered here tonight. She wondered if there was always some truth to what some of the critics had to say about her:

Mediocre talent packaged into a frilly, shiny gift box, iced with sugary frosting.

Perhaps it was even Rick Grimes himself who rustled her. Jessie had made small talk with him behind the scenes of the various award shows and after parties but it never progressed beyond that until this week. He was always very kind towards her, making her feel as if she was the only person in his presence the very brief times they had spoke. Jessie wondered if he was attracted to her but hesitated because of her husband. Rick was of the old guard. He would never do anything to disrespect himself or others. He respected her marriage. When he accidently brushed up against her during rehearsals yesterday, she yearned for betrayal. Rick gave no thought to the brief physical contact, but Jessie squeezed her eyes to regain her composure. She wanted to act on it to take it further. Unfortunately eyes were everywhere, including the glaring eyes of Lori Grimes. Jessie longed to work with her. She made it clear plenty of times to no avail. She thought of ways she would win Rick yet make it comfortable enough for all of them to work together professionally and personally. Jessie shook her head to excise herself of such ridiculous thoughts. Then there was Pete.

Pete. They had married right as she was striking it hot. He had deferred his entrance into Vanderbilt law school countless times to support her career. It was like one big caper after another; hopping from city to city, waking up in luxury hotels, and leaving behind their one bedroom apartment for a 20 room mansion with a swimming pool and tennis court that the family never used. As the years went on, Pete became another person. In the beginning he was her biggest cheerleader, pushing her to do her best when she felt like giving up. He was he rock and the foundation for their marriage. But it was as if he had suddenly awoken and had seen that he had given up too much of himself. The media was unforgiving, calling him "Mrs. Anderson" and "Mother Pete". The verbal abuse began. On stage Jessie Anderson was an unstoppable force but in the darkness she was reduced to a weeping ball of insecurity. Slut, whore, bitch-that's how Pete addressed her during the final days of their marriage, even in front of their teenage sons.

But Rick Grimes was different. Working with him this past week helped her regain her faith in the male species. He was honorable. Although a reluctant star, he approached his life as an entertainer as intensely as his former life as a sheriff. He loved his family and despite the demands of his life their happiness and comfort was his priority. Family wasn't just about genes. Rick had a diverse group of friends who he loved as if they were blood. She longed for a man to love her unconditionally. She was a broken woman and didn't have the energy to put the pieces back together alone.

Jessie wiped away a tear just in time for Rick who had finally made his way to her side to take notice.

"Hey what's wrong?" Rick asked, placing his guitar down on a stool and handing her his clean handkerchief.

Jessie refused it. She used her hands to wipe her face.

"Don't blow this opportunity, Jessie!" She scolded herself.

Rick looked skeptical. "Are you going to be able to do this?"

She wrapped her arm around Rick. She buried her face into his chest.

Play the part, Jessie. Wrap him around your finger.

"Yeah. Just thinking about my fans and all of the support they've given me. It's just been one thing after the other. I guess we've all lost things in the middle of all of this"

"My best friend Shane died in those attacks. My brother in law, Daryl is in a coma." Rick blurted out. It was the first time he had acknowledged out loud that he had loved ones who were among the dead or injured. Rick had pushed the pain so far down into his subconscious so he could function. He was the foundation that would break everyone's fall. He was attending to Shane's affairs, as his aging parents needed assistance in sorting out his final expenses. His sister had become a shell of his former self, refusing to speak, eat or sleep. She held a vigil at her husband's bedside at the hospital. When she finally broke, she too was admitted into the hospital. Carol was outfitted with a tube that fed her intravenously.

"Yes, I guess we've all lost things." Rick said to himself, suddenly feeling as if he had aged 50 years.

Jessie winced after a long silence. "I'm sorry. I didn't realize-"

Immediately feeling like a jerk, Rick took Jessie's hand and squeezed it. He learned that she didn't lose anyone in the attacks yet he just sensed an emptiness from her that would swallow her whole.

Jessie looked up into Rick's welcoming eyes. This would be good for her career. He would make the pain go away. She inhaled and took in his scent. He felt so good. At that moment that she knew she had fallen in love with Rick Grimes.
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If tomorrow all the things were gone
I worked for all my life
And I'd had to start again
Just my children and my wife
I thank my lucky stars
To be living here today
'Cause the flag still stands for freedom
And they can't take that away...


After Michonne freshened up in the powder room she caught final performance on the monitors in one of the hallways. She watched Rick Grimes and Jessie Anderson perform Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA". Michonne didn't know much about country music or its artists but she wondered if the two singers were a couple. They certainly looked the part.

Looking the part. How many times had she done that?


"I don't think you could possibly pack anymore sugar into a performance if you wanted to." Came a voice from over Michonne's shoulder. She spun around to face the voice. A tall, stately woman with dark hair walked towards her.

Michonne raised an eyebrow at the woman who interrupted her thoughts. "Excuse me?"

"I mean she's sugar and spice and everything nice!" The woman mocked.

"I'm sorry. I don't believe we have met." Michonne said, growing suspicious.

The woman laughed. "Oh! Forgive me. I'm Lori Grimes."

Smiling on the outside but keeping her guard up, Michonne folded her arms across her chest. "Lori Grimes?"

"Yes and you were outstanding this evening. I can't remember being so moved by a performance."

Still unsure of what to make of this woman Michonne placed her attention back to the monitor.

"She's perfect for me and Rick!" Lori thought to herself. "You stole the show tonight." She went on.

"Thank you. But this is the performance everyone will be talking about in the morning." Michonne replied, wishing that the woman would leave her alone.

Lori snickered. "So fake. Let's put two good looking people together and drop an American flag behind them. If we can't get over superficial stuff after everything that has happened this past week, then that stinks. "

Michonne rarely engaged in gossip, especially when she didn't know the person spreading it. She wondered what the woman's angle was. Throughout her life she guarded herself around white women. In her experience they were trustworthy up to a certain point but in the end they would never fail to disappoint her. Too many times they left her alone to mend her feelings.

Lori walked closer to Michonne. "I'd love to work with you."

Michonne caught a fleeting scent of alcohol on Lori's breath. Taking a few tentative paces from her, Michonne attempted to make a swift escape from Lori. This woman wanted to help her? She couldn't even help herself!

"I wouldn't blame you if you think I'm absolutely crazy but I know talent and authenticity when I see it."

Michonne laughed. "You're wasting my time." She snapped, sounding harsher than she intended. Lori reached out to her but stumbled. Michonne caught her before she fell to the floor.
She sighed.

"Are you ok?"

Lori steadied herself. "Yeah I'm sorry. I really do apologize. This doesn't look very professional, does it? "

"Maybe you should sit down somewhere." Michonne advised before turning in her heel and departing down the corridor. She was boiling over with frustration.

"I want to work with you, Michonne!" Lori yelled. "You made a big leap tonight and you need to be ready. I don't think you're giving yourself enough credit."

Michonne shook her head and quickened her pace.

"I know that it's scary. I know what it feels like-the pain, the guilt, always second guessing yourself, always beating yourself up, always wondering what could have been. The world needs to know who you are, Michonne. You deserve to be happy!"

Lori's voice echoed down the corridor. Her words bounced off of Michonne's body stopping her. She couldn't move another inch. Her stomach turned. The room seemed to close in on her.

"What did you say to me?"

Lori sped up to Michonne. "You deserve to be happy. Maybe you don't think you can ever feel that way again but you can. It's time to let go of that old shit you've been carrying around. Get rid of it by agreeing to work with me."

"Who are you? You don't even know me." Michonne lamented. She was scared. This woman who she had never met before seemed to know her most intimate thoughts.

Lori smiled. "Again, I am Lori Grimes. Look me up and have your people give me a call when you're ready." She continued ominously. "

A bit of fear suddenly struck Michonne. She wasn't ready. She wouldn't acknowledge what she buried a very long time ago.

"Only when you're ready." Lori threw her another smile and left her in the corridor alone.

Michonne stood dumbfounded. She tried to make sense of what just happened. She gave up but knew she was in for a restless night of trying to sort through painful feelings long left dormant yet awakened by the odd behavior of complete stranger.