Today Was a Good Day
Friday
Dozens of KCSD officers litter the abandoned building area moving into formation based on their assigned teams. The early morning was spent on beta test one and revising the original plans. Now was the time for full implementation. Rick and the SWAT Captain review maps and issue orders to Team Leads: Daryl leads the A-Team; Abe, B-Team and Trainee Rosita, C-Team. Shane leans against his patrol unit sulking. What the fuck? Why am I on the sidelines?
Each team is assigned a bomb sniffing dog and starts on the first floor using the threat assessment as a guide. The first radio call comes from Abe, "Small cache of assault rifles and hand grenades…2nd floor in building B. Request SWAT back up for removal."
"Suspect hideout…building C-3rd floor…Request forensic inventory and analysis," Rosita reports one hour later.
Forty-five minutes later Daryl's voice calls out over the radio, "Clear area…request Bomb Unit…3rd floor building A."
Every officer freezes for one moment before launching into precise choreographed action. All the practice, training and experience create a symphony for success. Squad cars back out as vans and wagons move in to replace them. Protective gear is handed out or exchanged. Dispatch relays information. Rick makes the call, "Captain you are needed on site. A small cache of weapons and grenades…bomb removal and or detonation on your command," he delivers soberly.
Lori and Jessie sit across from each, arms folded, rolling their eyes and occasionally huffing in anger. Karen delivered clear directions: one more incident and they can drive over to the next county for their hair care needs. Jessie receives a text from Shane: Extra shift-sorry. She cannot resist the opportunity. She dials and waits, "Hey Deputy," she smirks at Lori, "Of course I forgive you and I will let you make it up to me. Let me know when you are home safe," she blows him a big, exaggerated kiss over the phone before hanging up.
Lori eyes narrow in fury. Bitch!
Maggie and Sasha wait patiently in line at the family-owned burger joint. "I'm glad we are able to salvage the night since the Guys are working over time," Maggie chatters.
Sasha begins to respond but is interrupted by a voice behind her. "Fancy meeting you here?" She turns but does not recognize the face.
"Founder's Day…we both like smoked turkey legs," he flirts.
The hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. Brown hair and eyes, 5'10-this is not a coincidence. Stay calm. "Right…new in town," she replies in an unnatural voice. Maggie's head tilts at her response. "Do you mind holding our spot in line…ladies room," Sasha distracts.
"Sure, glad to," he agrees eagerly.
Sasha and Maggie walk calmly to the ladies room. Sasha locks the door behind them and starts issuing orders, "Call Glenn, have them send units and watch the door." She pulls up her skirt and removes the knife from her thigh holster while dialing Daryl on her cell. "Mr. Generic followed me…we're at 'The Squeeze Inn' locked in the bathroom…Maggie's requesting back up from Glenn…I could stab him in the thigh or the gut, but…fine, I'll stay put…I promise." They both hang up.
"What is happening?" Maggie asks anxiously. Sasha gives her a brief rundown while they wait.
Jake bounces on the balls of his feet. If I can get her in my car they will pay top dollar. He checks his watch. They have been gone too long. Shit! He heads through the back exit, down the alley and to the corner before he is stopped by a non-descript car. He turns to escape in the opposite direction but is met by a gun in his face, "Hands up…face the wall…you have the right…" the FBI agent recites the Miranda Rights. Jake does not hear the rest. He hangs his head; it's over. Maybe I can make a deal.
Glenn sits in the chair next to Rick's desk. His knee bounces like a jack hammer. Daryl paces with his hands laced on top of his head. Rick stands vigil offering reassurance, "They are smart…they called…Abe secured the suspect from the scene and your FBI agents are bringing them in," he recounts.
Abe drags the suspect through the door, "He fell," he mumbles dragging the roughed up body to the Interrogation room.
Maggie and Sasha enter the station each escorted by a FBI agent. Both men race to their women. Glenn holds Maggie, "You scared the shit out of me."
Daryl gathers Sasha in his arms but does not speak. Sasha returns his embrace and whispers in his ear, "I am fine…he did not touch me," she comforts.
"Operative Dixon, we need to interview both women," one of the agents requests. Daryl let's go of Sasha and heads to the nearest single person bathroom. He locks himself inside lurching over the toilet violently dry heaving all the dread and fear that consumed him since her call.
Michonne hears the car pull into the driveway. She turns on the shower, folds down the bed and heads toward the kitchen. Rick drags through the front door, "Hey Gorgeous," he utters in exhaustion.
She crosses the room and embraces his tired body, "Hey Handsome. Your job for the next hour is to let me take care of you. Can you do that?" He nods with his face buried in her neck. "Good, go get in the shower," she kisses his mouth quickly.
He secures his weapon and strips out of his uniform before entering the hot, steamy shower stall. The water is warm and welcoming to his aching muscles.
Michonne removes the toasted chicken club sandwich from the oven. She joins him in the bedroom as he climbs into bed. "Thank you," he smiles with sleepy eyes taking the plate and the cold beer from her hands.
"So you had a day," she states the obvious. "Dismantling bombs, press conference, interrogating suspects, leading field operations," she humble brags with a smile.
"Today was a good day," he replies with a sandwich in one hand and salutes with the beer in the other.
Saturday
Bright and early Dwight exits the RV hidden in the woods on the outskirts of town. He wants to take care of Merle/Daryl today. He drives his bike the short distance to Kings' County using only the back roads. He attempts to pull up to the cluster of abandoned buildings but is stopped in his tracks. The entire area is surrounded by chain link fence and two officers provide foot patrol. His plan is ruined-the entire area is compromised. There has to be another way.
Josh and his boy Broderick wait at the shuttle drop off, "Welcome to Smoky Mountain County," Josh greets as the Kings' County Crew exits the bus. Introductions are made and group and or individual activities are planned as they merge into the larger crowd of teenagers. The Regional Park and Recreational District hosted 'Block Party' every year to build community and keep the teenagers busy. The event included: soccer demonstrations, 3 x 3 basketball tournaments, karaoke, batting cages, mural paintings, and food trucks; culminating with a giant dance party.
"Nice meeting you guys. I am headed to the mural," Broderick turns to exit.
"Mind if I walk with you," Enid asks politely.
"Sure, you an artist or you just want to know who Street B is?" he questions as they weave through the crowd.
"Amateur-but I would love to talk to them about their use of the color red. The color was absent from all their previous work, but now it is in every piece," she engaged and animated. He laughs. "What's funny?" she bites.
"You are an artist and I bet they would enjoy that conversation," he retorts sarcastically.
She gives him the side-eye, "I am not ashamed to admit I'm geeked-up about working on this project."
"No one asked you to be…I'm not judging," he sighs.
"You know what-let's just walk and not talk," she snaps. Broderick closes his mouth and swallows the words on the tip of his tongue.
Daryl lies sprawled across his bed. He has not slept. He stayed on the phone with Sasha until she fell asleep. A smile plays on his lips. The conversation was ridiculous and a wonderful distraction, but now he is alone with his thoughts and the events of the last 24 hours. That bastard, Jake, had been within arms-reach of his woman twice. Fortunately he was a weak, ineffective messenger boy. Dwight on the other hand was stalking him-he could feel it. His phone rang, "Dixon," he responds quickly.
"Daryl…its Harry… How you doing?" he voices with concern.
He jerks up and sits on the side of the bed, "Sir, I am sorry. I told you I would protect her…"
"Stop," the bass voice rumbles through the phone. "Hold it right there," he forcefully interrupts. "You have not one but two FBI agents on guard. She has a weapon and knows how to use it…and when push came to shove-she got some place safe and called you. I am the proudest, happiest dad on the planet. You delivered big time."
"Thank you Sir," Daryl offers as a meek response. "I want to retaliate…hunt him down, but that would be reckless and Sasha would kick my ass," he confesses and laughs.
Harry joins the laughter, "We would all kick your ass," he confirms. "Listen, you keep using that big old noggin' of yours and stay safe like your promised."
"I will Sir," he recites.
"Oh, do me a favor-when you get a chance call my Sugar Pie. She is fretting something terrible and worrying me to death," he chuckles.
"On it…and Sir, thank you," he offers with humility.
"Anytime Son…anytime," he disconnects the call.
America and Sophia sit on the bleachers at the outdoor basketball court sharing popcorn and Goobers. "Have you ever seen him play before?" America asks.
"Never-have you seen Noah play?" Sophia questions in return.
"Nope, we only talk about STEM stuff-when we talk," she giggles.
Sophia turns and raises both brows, "Do we need to have a vault moment?"
"Oh my God-no…It is just lately," her statement is cut off by the voices behind them.
"Look, JW brought a friend…they have matching six packs," the female voices gush.
America and Sophia heads whip around toward the court. They watch it total fascination as their guys change into their jerseys. "I don't know about you, but I need an Icee," Sophia supplies.
"Extra large," America replies.
Maggie's leg is over Glenn's shoulder and his mouth devours her pussy. She is one lick and a suck away from an orgasm when he stops. Her eyes pop open, "What the hell," she snaps.
"Do you remember what to say," he asks looking up at her from between her thighs.
She smiles with sparkling eyes, "Absolutely."
He drops his pants and spreads her wider in the cramped bathroom space. He brings her leg off his shoulder to his elbow and uses his rock hard dick to plunder her. He knows exactly where the 'Glenn spot' is and he drives away one strong stroke after another.
"Awe shit…here it comes…I'm Maggie Rhee…I'm Maggie…God damn-I'm Maggie Rhee," her muffled Southern cry rings through the plane.
Negan paces in his room. All his plans had fallen apart. Carl was never alone. His best shot was at the batting cages but the way Justice was swinging that bat made his crew back down. They soon lost interest and left to enjoy the rest of the event and the activities. He was tense and needed to blow off some steam. Negan dialed an old number, "Hey…want to come through? My folks are out of town," he offers.
"No thanks," Roxanne chirps nonchalantly.
"Awe, come on…I'll let you walk the halls with me," he encourages.
"Look, your stock has plummeted and your tongue game was always weak. I'm going to pass," she disconnects the call.
Negan stares at the phone. This is some bullshit.