The Beginning of the End
Monday
Rosita, in her uniform, and Michonne, in her navy pantsuit, power walked to Judge Blake's courtroom to seek approval for a warrant. Michonne prepared the request personally citing every precedent and appeal ruling to guarantee approval. Only one building owner denied the KCSD request for access: Woodbury LLC. "This is straight forward. The evidence is overwhelming and we have an additional motion from the FBI," Michonne explains.
"Good, Rick and SWAT want to begin beta drills this week," Rosita responds.
Michonne is silent. She cannot think about danger and Rick. She will not be able to do her job and he needs her to do her job today. They sit in the third row waiting for the emergency time slot on the docket.
Judge Blake cannot believe his luck. Today is the day he gets what he wants. I don't need PD Owen after all.
"KCSD emergency warrant request, please step forward," Bailiff Monroe announces.
Rosita takes the stand and Michonne moves to the desk. She submits the hardcopy of the electronic request to the bailiff.
"I have reviewed the request ADA Anthony. Excellent work; however, I have one question for the officer," Judge Blake opens.
"Yes Sir," Rosita responds eagerly.
"Have you received a direct threat?"
"No Sir," she deflates.
"Your Honor, previous case law allows…" Michonne objects.
He stops her argument by raising his hand. "Your warrant request is denied," he provides without explanation.
"Denied…On what grounds? He does not respond. "Request to appeal," her tone sharpens.
"Denied," he bangs his gavel.
"The action by this Court does not meet minimal legal standards. I will file charges with Georgia State Bar and the Ethics Panel," Michonne argues fiercely.
Judge Blake feels his erection stiffen the more she argues. "I find you in contempt of this Court and will see you in my Chambers," he commands from the bench.
"I request remand to custody in a cell Your Honor," she counters quickly and forcefully.
"Bailiff, take ADA Anthony into custody and bring her to my Chambers. Court stands in recess," Judge Blake exits the bench.
The bailiff approaches, places Michonne's arms behind her back and secures the handcuffs to her wrists. Her mind is racing and there is only one option-fight for her life. The courtroom is deadly silent. No one has witnessed anything of this magnitude before in Kings' County.
Rosita rushes from the stand dialing in a panic, "Rick…"
PD Mitchell and Owen conduct their bi-monthly briefing with Xavier serving as scribe. "I continue to see the merit in challenging ADA Anthony and Officer Grimes' conflict of interest." Mike insists.
"To what end? The protocol is clear. Those cases were transferred to DA Monroe's office. Michonne has a calendar tracking the files with exact dates," Ethan counters.
"They are dating. We should at least question him regarding confidentiality. I can only imagine the 'pillow talk'. The public has a right to know," he shouts.
Xavier and Ethan both snap to attention and roll their shoulders back, "Excuse me. You want to invade the privacy of their bedrooms?"
Mike realizes he has gone too far. "No, of course not," he takes a calming breath, "Maybe treat him as a hostile witness," he tries to sound reasonable.
"I won't tell you how to defend your clients but I think it is a bad idea," Ethan states.
Xavier interjects, "You are both scheduled to meet with clients in 20 minutes,"
"Thanks, why don't we call it a day and re-visit this issue at a later date?" Ethan closes the discussion.
Captain Morgan is on the phone with DA Monroe, "Officer Grimes left his badge on his desk. I sent Officers Dixon and Ford to intercept him but I doubt success. You need to marshal whatever resources you have," he shouts.
"I called Georgia State Police and pray they arrive on scene first. I owe you," Deanna admits.
"I don't want to lose a great officer and you don't want to lose a great ADA. We are in this together. Keep me posted," he hangs up.
Rosita continues her fight to get into the chambers but security will not let her beyond the courtroom and soon escort her out of the courthouse.
Daryl called to inform Sasha in advance. She enters Michonne's office.
"Hey, she's in court. Can I help you until she gets back," Aaron greets.
"We need to talk, have a seat," Sasha swallows the fear in her throat.
Lori returns to her cubicle with an extra bounce in her step. She has never witnessed any lawyer defy Judge Blake. ADA Anthony was definitely in trouble. Maybe she would be fired for her behavior. If she is no longer ADA Rick would not want her-right? She would no longer have power or be popular. This could be her chance. Rick would see she was not special. Lori placed a call, "Mike, I think our chance for success just increased."
Rick's body is drenched in a cold sweat. His curls are stuck to his forehead and the back of his neck. He races through town in his Land Cruiser with his duty light flashing and siren sounding. He side swipes cars, drives on the shoulder and ignores every sign and traffic light. Rosita's voice plays on a loop in his head: Michonne handcuffed in Judge Blake's chambers.
At Morgan's command Dixon and Ford grabbed the nearest squad car and gave chase to their partner and friend. Rick had a huge head start. "He is going to kill him by any means necessary-bullet, bare hands, lightning bolt. There will be nothing left," Abe shares what they are both thinking.
"Yep," Daryl grunts with his foot pressing the gas pedal to the floor.
"I'm not sure I would stop him," he admits.
"I know I won't," Daryl clarifies.
Michonne eyes inventory the room carefully and quickly once the bailiff and security exit without removing the handcuffs. She needs a point of leverage to brace against. The bookshelf is anchored to the wall. She moves in front of it and grips as much of the exposed shelf as possible. She steps out of her shoes and places her feet shoulder width apart for balance. She takes a deep breath to center and focus. I can survive this. No, I can protect us.
Judge Blake enters the room and looks her over licking his lips and removing his robe. "Once again I will offer you the opportunity to reach a mutually beneficial agreement," he leers.
She maintains direct eye contact but does not respond.
"I would prefer to resolve this matter in a different location but if forced I will accept your offering here and now. I have cleared my chambers and the courtroom" he escalates.
Michonne glares with venom and refuses to respond. No one will hear my screams. Do not waste the energy.
"Your defiance is stimulating, he slowly strokes his erection, but we are running out of time," he moves toward her in two stiff strides.
The first kick hits his knee, the second his groin. He falls forward. Michonne's knee is swift and sharp under his chin.
Judge Blake attempts to scramble for balance against the floor and a nearby chair but the surprise of her attack leaves him dazed, confused and reeling in pain.
Michonne alternates between kicks to his head and torso plus stomping his groin alternating legs. Her breathing is labored and she feels nothing but the surge of adrenaline.
Rick slams on the brakes in front of the courthouse steps and leaps from his car. Attorneys, staff and bystanders gawk, gasp and jump out of his way. His right arm is fully extended and the Colt is cocked and prepared to fire. He takes the steps two at a time running through the corridor and hallways. He races through the courtroom and reaches the chamber door. Michonne's exhausted scream of 'No' echoes in his ears as he repeatedly kicks to force the door open prepared to lodge a bullet into Judge Blake's skull.
Michonne's white blouse is sprinkled with blood, sweat beads her face, her eyes are vacant of life and her legs are barely moving. Judge Blake lies in the floor battered, bruised and seizing. Rick squints and attempts to register the scene before him. Her strangled sob forces him back into action. He holsters his weapon and moves toward her carefully. "Michonne, its Rick- listen to my voice. You can stop. It is over. He cannot hurt you. You protected yourself and I am here now. Can you hear me?" his gentle voice explains without moving any closer.
She stops her exhausted legs but her eyes are still dead. His voice is now tender, "'Chonne, listen to me I am right here-sure and steady. You are safe. Come back to me," he takes a small step in her direction.
Michonne's body sways back and forth. I know that voice. "Rick?" she chokes out.
"Yes, that right-it's me. I am right here," his arms and hands are twitching to hold her but he waits. She is in shock and traumatized.
Her head falls back and the tears rush out, "Rick…Rick…," she is hyperventilating and collapsing.
He catches her across her back and under her knees protectively clutching her in a bridal carry to his chest. She buries her face in his shoulders and passes out.
Daryl and Abe pull up and park behind Rick's car. They rush to the courtroom prepared for the worst. Rick sits in a chair holding Michonne freed from handcuffs. He strokes her locs, massages her shoulders and whispers softly to her. He looks up, "Guys we need an ambulance for the unconscious suspect on the floor and I need a secure, private exit to take her to the hospital for evaluation," his voice is hoarse.
"We got you," they respond in unison. Abe heads toward the chambers requesting an ambulance from dispatch.
Daryl runs back out to secure Rick's car and bring it to the side exit. He meets Rosita in the corridor-pacing and frantic. He places a hand on her shoulder, "You did good work today. Follow me in Michonne's car. We are on our way to the hospital."
Aaron and Carl battle for their boss online. "The company owns another building in Atlanta but I cannot find the physical address," Aaron reports without looking away from his screen.
"The co-owner is an A. Blake…the company original registration tracks to the Cayman Islands, but I am not sure that is still valid," Carl responds.
Sasha enters cautiously. Her nerves are frayed from fear, "Why am I not surprised by the two of you? We closed the ADA Office, but tell me what you learned," she crosses her arms across her chest.
Aaron takes the lead, "Judge Blake is connected directly or indirectly to Woodbury LLC."
"He should not have ruled on the warrant," Carl extends the discussion.
"Send what you have so far to me and DA Monroe. She will need it for court tomorrow to re-request approval for the warrant. My office will continue to prepare for possible criminal prosecution," she directs.
"But…We still…," they speak over each other.
"I'm shutting you down for today. Start fresh tomorrow. You have not eaten or moved for hours. Michonne needs you strong and at your best," Sasha commands.
They acquiesce to her orders in slow motion.
Abe fumes at his desk completing his report. The Georgia State Police officer arrived on scene and agreed to take custody of Judge Blake, but refused to seek medical attention for the son-of-a-bitch in the neighboring county. That bastard is in the same hospital with Rick and Michonne.
Rosita stalks to her desk and flings her body into the chair. She reaches up snatching the hair tie out of her hair, releasing her pony tail. She shoves both hands into her hair massaging her scalp before folding her arms on her desk and resting her head against them.
"Let me guess, state police interview," Abe surmised.
She simply nodded her head never looking up. "Back in court tomorrow with DA Monroe to get authorization for the warrant, plus interview with Investigation Unit," Rosita mumbles against the desk.
"Finishing my report and relieving Daryl at the hospital within the hour," he informs without prompting.
The Captain issued a gag order that excluded most of the department until further notice. For now they only had each other.
Chazz Noth and Elton Webb loved their wives desperately, but both women were stubborn and prideful. When their daughters came out in college both men struggled to reconcile the dreams they had for their little girls with reality. True to form Patti and Ida B. put their husbands in the dog house and would not let them out until they could demonstrate genuine unconditionally love. Now the roles were reversed.
The men waited at the Greene Vet Clinic. The women rounded the corner in a huff, "What was so important…Really, I left a nail appointment," they spoke over each other.
"Follow us," Elton gestured to the back leading them to the kennel and Chazz ended the single file line. They reached the last cage.
"Please meet Nike and Athena. They are Doberman Pincers and our daughters love them," Chazz explains.
Ida B. and Patti do not respond.
"You can shop for them, take them to the dog park or on a walk and cheer them on when they compete," Elton pushes.
Chazz begins, "Some wise women told us to love our children as they are…not as we thought they would be." Elton finishes.
The Ladies surrender. "Fine…they cannot wear those ugly canvas collars…Doesn't anything around here sparkle…We need toys…Can they eat my chicken."
The men breathe a sigh of relief.
Jeffrey and Jolene raced to the hospital. Their hands clutched together on the center console and their hearts beat at an erratic pace. Rick called barely coherent. Michonne attacked at work and he trusted no one to be with her while he handled everything. They arrived and presented themselves at room 3808. Daryl stood sentry on the outside of the room. "Mr. and Mrs. Grimes, please," he pushed the door open. The scene before them was heartbreaking and life affirming simultaneously.
Rick was the giant ladle to Michonne's little spoon. Her left arm held two IV lines but she gripped Rick's hand to her chest. He tucked the blankets around her so high and tight only her face was visible. Rick lay atop the covers wedged behind with her head directly under his chin. His eyes popped open when they entered, "They gave her pain medication and a mild sedative. She won't wake for at least one hour but just in case she needs to see a friendly face…Ma, can you-"he doesn't have to finish.
"I will not move," Jolene whispers moving to the left side of the bed to occupy a vacant chair. They watch Rick pry his hand free from her grip and slide off the bed.
He leans down and whispers in Michonne's ear, kisses her temple and exits the room with his Dad hot on his heels. "Daryl," he doesn't complete the sentence.
"No one in or out…shoot to kill," Daryl replies.
Ricks stomps down the back stairs at a clipped pace forcing the exit door open with his shoulder and gulps the night air before collapsing to the ground on his back with a thud. He wails and rocks from side to side like a wounded animal. Jeffrey stands vigil with his hand clutching his gut. His child is in agony and he is powerless to bring him any relief.
Andrea Blake arrives on the fourth floor in a perfect Chanel suit, classic matching quilted bag and sun glasses she never removes. "Judge Blake's room please," she requests at the information desk.
The administrative assistant scrolls the electronic database, scans the clipboard, and places a call nodding to the voice on the other end of the phone. "The suspect is assigned to room 4345," he announces.
"There must be a mistake Judge Philip Blake suffered an injury at work," she insists.
"Ma'am our records and state police documentation identify a violent suspect, Philip Blake, assigned to room 4345 with an officer at the door."
Andrea tightens her grip on her purse and exits the hospital headed to the interstate. She dials and waits for the call to connect, "He's compromised. We're fucking raw-bring a friend."
Michonne's eyelids lift slowly and her eyes roll into focus. I am in a hospital. She grips the hand she clutches to her chest in desperation. She takes a deep breath and exhales feeling the strong, firm body surrounding her, "Rick," she croaks faintly.
"'Chonne, I am here…I am not moving. Tell me what you need," he requests with urgency. His voice is raw but steady.
She moves their joined hand to her belly, "We need a doctor and lab results."
AN: To my Greek Guide, "Look who showed up in this AU." {Smile} To everyone who took a chance on a first time writer, reviewed, or just stopped by to take a peek-thank you, thank you. You have brought so much Joy to my life.