Busted
BANG! BANG! BANG! "Sheriff Department -open the door." BANG! BANG! BANG!
Rick tried to pull out of his sex hangover, but neither his body nor his mind is cooperating.
"Sheriff Department -open the door or we will force entry."He manages to tug on his jeans and zip them enough to hang onto his waist as he stumbles to the door. He only opens the door enough to expose himself but you cannot see into the house. "Yeah," he stares without seeing.
"Well fuck a duck-Rick?" the officer exclaims. He is awake now. Abe sniffs and eyes his long time friend. He reeks of sex and sweat. There are scratches on his chest and above his hips and teeth marks on his shoulders.
Rick steps onto the porch and pulled the door closed behind him. "The dry spell is over," Abe bellows with a laugh. "I guess you changed your mind about Jessie's short stack."
"Enough. I told you I did not want to hear that name again. This is my woman's home and you will never disrespect her. Why are you here?" his tone is firm and unforgiving.
Abe sobered and pulls out his pocket notebook. "Neighbor called. Suspected domestic violence-screaming for help and God…" he trails off as he puts the pieces together with a smile tugging at his lips.
"Listen, um, man to man I need you to keep this private. It is a little complicated." Rick grips the bridge of his nose and exhales.
Abe holds up his hand, "I got you."
"Thanks," Rick opens the door and retreats inside.
Michonne is blinking awake when Rick enters the room. He sits on the edge of the bed strokes her cheek and leans down to kiss her temple. "We need to talk."
"I hope you mean an actual conversation because I need food, water, a shower and a bath," she giggles with a scratchy throat. "What time is it anyway?"
"About 11:00 a.m. Let's start with the shower."
She gives him a disapproving stare, "Separate," she groans as she sits up slowly.
"'Chonne, you seen my shirt?" he calls as he walks down the hall scratching his stubble. His feet and heart stop simultaneously. She's sitting in the corner of the couch with her legs folded underneath in his shirt sipping a cup of coffee and tapping on her phone.
"I was just borrowing it until you leave," batting her eyes at him.
"Hell, the way you look-keep it," they both laugh. He grabbed the mug she left for him on the counter and joins her on the couch. "First, I need to apologize. I realized in the shower I didn't use a condom during our last round so we need to um-"
She held up her hand, "We are covered. I have an IUD, but I see your point."
"So, how we gonna do this? Kings' County is a small town and our jobs are public and I don't want to make any assumptions," his tone is direct.
She is quiet, too quiet. He feels the beginning of panic in his gut. She cannot possible turn back now. "We need to inform our bosses. I need to determine protocols for collusion challenges or conflict of interest," she yawns and lays her head on his shoulder.
"Would your job be easier if I changed units?'
Her head snapped up, "We are not that couple. We do not sacrifice parts of ourselves. We stand together equal and whole. Remember-"
"Build something new together," Rick finished. "Do you have a nosy neighbor?"
"Mm-hm… Mrs. Born, personally, I think she has a closet full of Klan uniforms. Why, did she say something? Wait, when were you outside?"
"I need you to stay calm. Someone reported possible domestic violence and they sent a unit to check it out. I took care of it, but we need to keep the windows closed."
Michonne's mouth falls open and her eyes widened in amazement. She burst into an uncontrollable fit of laughter, "The cops came knocking."
Rick stares in disbelief. This was not the reaction he expected. She reached for her phone scrolling before she tapped and the song started. She watched his face as the music played and Maxwell's melodic voice rang out. Rick looked at her and they fell over each other laughing. He pulled his phone from his pocket tapping and chuckling.
"What are you doing?"
"Creating your ringtone," he deadpanned. She leapt onto him but he extended his arm. Soon they were wrestling and she was under him semi-breathless and smiling. "You, kissing the tip of her nose, bring me, kissing each side of her neck; joy, he places a lingering kiss to her soft mouth."
Rick parked his car near the bustling county plaza and yawned loudly. "Why are we here again? You were forgiven."
"I was and I want to keep it that way. Plus you and I both know I'll screw up again so this is extra credit," Daryl states as he exits the passenger side.
"You got a point," sliding out of the car carefully. His muscles were sore and he desperately wanted to remain on the couch but bro-code prevailed. "Do you have a list or something?"
"Yeah, took it from Pinrest or Pinpress," he squinted looking over the paper.
They walked and shopped for 45 minutes before he heard her laughter. The sun shone on her ebony locs and her shoulder blades peeked out from her double v-neck orange top. She's probably wearing panties that match that shirt. "Hey, isn't Sasha sitting over there? You can show her all your good food choices," Rick offers.
"Good looking out, Bruh." The pair stroll across the plaza occasionally greeting citizens and giving high five's to young children. As they reach the table Rick is greeted by an unwelcome blip from an old script-Jessie.
"Oh my God, you came to surprise me. Um, let me take a break," she rambles. The ladies turn with amused expressions on their faces to watch the scene play out.
"Uh no, sorry Daryl and I were shopping and stopped to say hello to our colleagues," Rick replies awkwardly.
Maggie muttered under her breath to the table, "The thirst is real." Rosita laughs and Michonne kicks her.
Jessie's face is crestfallen as she attempts to recover. "What can I get you ladies?"
"We will have the Sizzlin' Slider Sampler," Rosita ordered.
"With the zucchini chips," Sasha added. Jessie continued writing as another server approached carrying a pitcher. "Are you the Anthony party?"
"Yes, I'm Michonne Anthony."
"Here is your pitcher of peach Bellini's," he placed the pitcher and four flutes on the table.
"Thanks Michonne we haven't had these in forever. How did you remember?"
"I have my ways," she chuckled and shakes her head. He really was listening during the car ride to the Hill Top. Rick Grimes is going to get quite the thank you. She doesn't dare look at him or she will melt on the spot. She can feel him behind her and imagine the look of satisfaction on his face.
"Anything else," Jessie interjects.
"No, that will be all. Thank you," Michonne smiles handing over the menus.
"Officer Grimes and Dixon, what brings you out this afternoon?" Rosita greets.
"We're off the clock. Rick and Daryl are fine."
"Shopping for next week's dinner menu," Daryl offered.
"Really, you bought spaghetti squash and egg plant for dinner," Rosita questioned unapologetically.
"Yeah, is that so hard to believe," Daryl pushes back.
"No, in fact I propose a toast. To Sasha, she turned a carnivore into a vegan," Rosita raises her glass. Everyone except the outed couple erupts into boisterous laughter.
"How did you know?" Sasha questions in shock.
"Please, did you forget my old job? The envelope exchange-don't worry no one else has figured it out. Most folks are focused on the real closet couple, Maggie and Glen." Maggie choked on her drink. "Is it a fetish or convenience? There is a betting pool and I am willing to cut you in."
"How much is the pool?"
"One thousand dollars; 60-40 split?"
"Deal-both," Maggie responds without looking up.
Jessie watched with envy colored eyes from the hostess area. The group is everything she wants. Attractive, powerful and happy and she should be part of the group. She needed Rick to give her another chance. Maybe she could show him how much she could fit in with his co-workers.
She returned to the table with their selections. "Ladies enjoy your late lunch." Daryl and Rick turn to exit but are blocked by Jessie.
"Rick, I was hoping to arrange a ride along with you," she smiles brightly.
"I'm not available since I serve as Rosita's Training Officer,' he nods his head toward the seated trainee.
"Hmm…maybe the volunteer force is a better fit. Can we discuss the program?" trying to think quickly on her feet.
Michonne's level of irritation is increasing so tries to focus on her food. Maggie and Rosita are too entertained to turn away from the stilted conversation.
"Jessie, placing a hand on her shoulder, I cannot help you with any of this. Please contact the department and ask for Denise," he implores.
She deflates, "Sure, thanks for the referral."
Michonne decides she has had enough, "Jessie can I get the peppercorn steak sauce please?"
"Not a problem. Is there anything else for the table?"
The ladies shake their heads, "No, we're good."
Rick and Michonne both exhale an exasperated sigh.
"If you two would actually look at each other and start that explosive eye-sexing she would stop," Rosita states while grabbing more zucchini chips.
"No…wait…what?!" Maggie gasps looking at everyone in shock. Daryl's head snapped to the side and laughed from deep in his chest.
Rosita responds, "Mija, my loins were burning. I have never been so grateful to be excused in my life."
Sasha piles on, "Innocent bystanders are going to end up pregnant. It's that potent."
Michonne hid her face in her hands. "Gorgeous, you okay?" Rick turns slightly.
"I'll be fine. Escape now, this is going to get worse," is her muffled response.
"Much!" the table responds in grabbed Rick by the shoulders and pushed him away from the table.
They return to Daryl's apartment. Rick is on the couch and Daryl is in the recliner there is a six pack between them and ESPN's Sport Center plays in the background. He finally asked, "Where?"
"The gun range," Daryl raised both brows and Rick continues. "She was trying to use the Colt-unsuccessfully," he finishes.
Now Daryl turned giving Rick his complete attention.
"That's not even the best part. After a few adjustments she hits center mass-three in a row. Sexiest shit I've ever seen."
"What's the plan?" Daryl turns back to the television.
"Tell Captain. What about your plan?"
"Same," they both drain their beer.
Maggie directs the table, "Everyone, fill up your glasses and plates. We don't want interruptions 'cause this is going to be-hot."
Michonne took a deep breath and straightened in her chair squaring her shoulders. "Last Saturday I was bored and restless so I went to Eugene's Guns and Ammo. He gave me all these rental options and I pick the biggest one because it is a onetime thing and it matches my boots." She's cut off by Rosita.
"Not the Colt?" she asks in astonishment.
"Why is that a big deal?" Sasha inquires.
Rosita responds quickly, "Rick is the only person that carries it as his service weapon."
Michonne continues, "I am firing all over the place and he offers to help. That man comes at me with all that bow-legged, Southern swag and that big ass gun strapped to his thigh, eye-sexing me like he already owns the va-jay-jay…I had to use the counter to hold myself upright. Then he takes complete control and I surrender. His hands are all over me adjusting my hips and shoulders and I'm holding what feels like him in my hands…" she trails off remembering the electric connection.
Sasha is snapping fingers bringing her back to the table. "Sorry." Michonne leans forward and the Girls follow. "He stands behind me places his mouth to my ear and says something like 'Don't pull the trigger-squeeze it," she drags out the end of the sentence.
Maggie falls back in her chair fanning herself
Sasha drained her glass
Rosita stares with her lips parted
Maggie knows her, "What's the plan?"
"Meet with Deanna, set protocols and try to keep my damn panties on," Michonne delivers with a straight face. They double over in laughter.
AN: I am still in shock. I can't believe I wrote, I can't believe you read and still have to re-read them to believe you left a review. Yes, I will respond to the reviews. I am incredibly humbled.