AN: Reader discretion advised. If alternative sex acts are a trigger or you prefer not to read them please skip the final scene of this chapter.
Put to Rest
Michonne sits in the Public Defender's conference room waiting for the other meeting participants to arrive. The folders are neatly stacked in front of her. She is hopeful that the new PD will follow Ethan's lead. After a thoughtful and strategic discussion with Deanna they agreed Michonne should wait until the end of the meeting to discuss the conflict of interest protocols. She replaces the cap on her water bottle when she hears the voice from her past, "Hello Michonne." This is not happening.
She swivels in the conference room chair. Mike Owen stands ten feet away from her in a crisp, non-descript black suit with a leather portfolio tucked securely under his right arm. Every synapse in her brain is firing, "You are the new Public Defender?" the words are more statement than question.
"I am."
"Why?" this question is a challenge.
"Professionally I chose a greater purpose. Personally I need to demonstrate to you all that we could be again." The well rehearsed lie falls from his lips effortlessly. Michonne studies him intensely for a full minute. This is good. She is considering my offer. We are getting back on track.
"Mike, I hope this job provides you the purpose you want; however, there is not now nor will there ever be again an- us. I ask you to extend to me the same discretion I gave to you at the end of our relationship."
His heartbeat quickens and his brain stutters to a stop. This cannot happen: outright rejection. His inner dialogue is broken by the approaching voices from the hallway. Mike is left reeling staring at her back as she engages in conversation with Ethan and the new Executive Assistant.
"ADA Anthony, please meet our new Executive Assistant Xavier Frausto."
"Nice to meet you, will you join us today?"
Xavier looks to his new boss. Ethan picks up the conversation, "Unfortunately, no. He is scheduled for new employee training with Human Resources for the remainder of the day."
"It was a pleasure meeting you and I am sure my guy, Aaron, will be in contact soon."
"My pleasure as well and I look forward to speaking with Aaron." Xavier exits.
Ethan looks up talking over her shoulder, "Good, you found the place. Michonne this is-"
She cuts him off, "Mike Owen. We were acquaintances back in Atlanta." Michonne fixes Mike with a stare and a raise of her brow that dares him to challenge her public definition of their past.
Mike defaults to a professional tone and demeanor. "Nice to see you again Michonne," he replies.
"Great, Ethan responds, we can really get some work done." They work diligently for two hours when they decide that agreement to plea or go to trial on 60% of the cases is the best they can do.
Michonne clears her throat, "I have another matter I would like to add to the agenda."
Ethan doesn't look up, but Mike won't turn away from her. "Please proceed," Mike leans in curious.
"Enclosed are a set of protocols for documented potential conflict of interest for my office and the Investigation Unit."
Ethan's head rises, "How long do I, excuse me, we have to review this new information?"
"Take as much time as you need."
"Alright, I will have Xavier schedule a follow up meeting."
"I look forward to the meeting. Ethan, it is always a pleasure to see you. Mike." She nods while gathering her things and exiting the room. Michonne is safely in her car when she finally exhales and takes a full deep breath. She sends a text to Maggie and Sasha: Tribunal-my house 8:00 pm sharp. Menu: vodka and pizza.
The Geek Squad was at lunch. The table covered in fries, fruit, books and laptops. "No America today?" Sophia asks without looking away from her screen.
"I don't think we will see her again until after the Science Fair," Enid offers and continues to scan her textbook.
"Oh, we probably need to make shirts for the Guys too," Justice adds and grabs a banana.
Enid glances over, "Really?" she questions skeptically.
"Yeah, Noah is putting in a lot of time and he and Carl are really tight," Justice shrugs. Their conversation is cut short when a large shadow casts over the table. They look at each other and up at the unwelcome guest-Negan.
"Ladies, I noticed the open seat and decided to grace you with my charming personality," delivered with a wide smile revealing all thirty-two teeth.
"No thanks," they deliver in unison.
"Nonsense," he takes the seat anyway.
Enid, Justice and Sophia immediately start packing. He watches with a mixture of shock and fascination. Justice places her bag on her shoulder, faces Negan and states clearly, "No means no. You need to remember that," and exits the table.
"I love a challenge," he calls over his shoulder and shoves a handful of leftover fries in his mouth.
Night falls over Kings' County. Maggie and Sasha are sitting on Michonne's living room floor with a chicken, artichoke, bacon and sundried tomato pizza, bottle of vodka and jug of cranberry-pomegranate juice on the coffee table. Michonne plops down wearing Rick's KCSD hoodie and a pair of leggings. "Mike is the new public defender." Sasha's mouth falls open and Maggie starts opening bottles.
A half of pizza and a few drinks later Sasha finds her words, "That sorry son of a bitch honestly thinks or thought you would get back together."
"He still thinks it is about the specific sex acts or the drugs," Maggie adds.
"The issue is that I had no idea who he was and I still don't," Michonne adds.
"Shit! What are you going to tell Rick?"
"Pour me another. Between Lori, Jessie and now Mike…I just want to stay in our private bubble."
Michonne is tucking herself in for the night when her hand finds a note card under her pillow:
Tonight when I am on patrol I will remember the touch of your hands on my face and the feel of your skin under my hands…Sweet Dreams.
She resolves at that moment to fight the devil and all the demons of Hell to protect what she found with Rick Grimes.
Mike sits on his couch trying to pull the shattered pieces of his plan back together. He cannot return to his father's house or expect any benefits from his trust fund if the plan is not restored. If only the Good Reverend did not know his private sexual preferences. If only I had the courage to live my truth.
He has to maintain his job for at least a year or he will ruin his long term career goals. Now he has to find a new respectable woman to stand by his side. Michonne was clear-she was not coming back. He needs release and an escape. Mike opens the wooden box on the side table and selects a prepared blunt, firing up and taking a long drag remembering how it all began.
Flashback
Mike was a junior associate back in Atlanta eager to get ahead and his work performance alone did not make him stand out. Andrea Blake was the Partner in charge of Associates and leveraged his desperation to her advantage. First, he was running her errands, then extra tasks to make up for his errors or lack luster results. Then he screwed up big and he was begging for a way out.
He remembers the drive out to the secluded mansion and her warning command, "Get this right or your career is over." They entered the ornate room with dim lighting. Moments passed before Mike realized they were not alone. He turned to the corner and watched the man in the shadows undressing Andrea. She climbed onto the bed and spread herself open, "You will eat my good pussy until The Gavel bangs." Mike swallowed hard. This is not proper. The Good Revered would not approve. For some reason he could not identify that made his dick hard.
"Undress slowly so I can decide what to do with you," Andrea directed while fondling her breasts. He followed every direction. He mounted the bed as instructed with his erect shaft hanging in her face. Mike lowered his face, extended his tongue and unleashed every technique from every porn site he ever visited on his boss' open pussy.
When The Gavel banged she climaxed with a series of gasps. Every gasp made his dick throb and before he could stop he had bathed her with his release. She rubbed his release over her breasts and over his dick simultaneously while she writhed on the bed.
End Flashback
Mike takes another long drag, holding it in longer as his mind and nerves settle. He selects his latest video from Woodbury Chambers. He watches his blonde bombshell mount the bed on her hand and knees, "If you want this ass-shower me." He is just outside the camera range stroking his shaft furiously. When Mike enters the screen he showers her back and ass with his orgasm. He pushes his pulsing dick into her ass. She gasps and he moans. Mike pumps into her slow and steady. He feels alive and powerful. Every stroke reminds him she wants what he is giving her. "Suck his balls…suck them hard," Andrea shouts. From the shadows The Gavel pounds the bench and she cries out, "Yes Your Honor," as her climax drips down her thighs. Mike pulls out and the screen fades to black. He continues to smoke on his couch and escape his tortured reality.