This is Not a Drill
Thursday
Michonne and Carl return to the office after a long day in court, "Seriously, I feel like we were in a play…what's up with all the theatrics?" Carl re-caps the mood from Judge Ezekiel's courtroom.
"I know…it will take some adjusting to…at one point I almost burst out laughing…he actually quoted Jay-Z," they share a giggle.
Their jovial conversation is interrupted by an unseen guest, "ADA Anthony…Michonne, can we talk?" Lori stands to make them aware of her presence.
Carl and Michonne's head whip to the left and the silence is deafening. "Lori now is not a good time…why don't you leave and call to schedule an appointment or Carl can make an appointment for you based on my calendar," she deflects.
"No…I do not have time…I am running out of time…just five or ten minutes-please," she begs desperately.
Michonne considers her options and weighs the energy in the room. I need to de-escalate this situation. "Okay…go have a seat…I need to speak with my assistant."
Lori physically calms and breathes deeply before walking into the main office.
Michonne turns to Carl, "Do not start…call Human Resources and have them send an Employee Assistance staff person up…make sure you explain clearly and objectively the circumstances. I will leave my door open and when you call your Uncle reassure him we have this under control," she commands.
Carl nods quickly but his eyes turn ice cold.
Michonne takes a deep breath; throws her shoulders back and enters her office. She sits behind her desk creating a physical barrier between her and Lori. Lord you need to save her from herself today. "Lori, what would you like to discuss," she asks formally.
She fidgets with the handles of her purse placed in her lap. "I think we could make a deal…or reach an understanding about our futures," Lori opens.
"I do not know what you mean…we do not have a future." Michonne replies sharply.
"Nothing is coming out right," she mutters to herself. "I know that PD Owen…Mike would still like to build a life with you and I deserve a life with Rick. If we could agree to go back to the beginning; everyone could have their happily ever after," Lori explains nodding to herself.
That lowdown motherfucker…Baby G, we are going to have to keep Daddy out of prison today. Michonne folds her right hand over her left on her desk. She remembers what Rick explained about triggers and she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt an engagement ring would lead to new depths of crazy. "Lori, I am sorry you were…misinformed by PD Owen and I will speak with his supervisor…but I can be of no assistance to you or your personal life," she states slow, firm and calm.
"But you could…if you weren't here he could remember me again…don't you understand?"She pleads.
Michonne's heart breaks for the woman sitting across from her. She softens her tone, "Lori I understand having a dream…a vision for your life, but sometimes you have to make a new dream. You might be surprised by how much better your life could be," she smiles genuinely.
Lori shakes her head violently, "No…I followed the rules…I am entitled to my dream coming true," she states emphatically.
"Excuse me for intruding but I am Raquel from Employee Assistance. I couldn't help over hearing your conversation. Lori why don't you and I go somewhere quiet to discuss your options? ADA Anthony cannot and will not be able to help," she instructs gesturing toward the open door.
Lori swings around in the chair to face the new person in the room, "I am not crazy," she is cut off.
"Of course not…I am here specifically to speak with you. ADA Anthony does not have the expertise you need," she empathizes and re-directs.
Lori seethes, "Of course she doesn't…why is she even here…ruining lives…first Mike, then Judge Blake," she turns back to Michonne, "If you think I will let you ruin Rick's life you're the crazy bitch," she screams.
Carl stands abruptly and moves toward the door. Michonne taps her foot under her desk at a staccato rhythm. She reaches up and begins to remove her earring. Raquel immediately recognizes the 'Black Girl Beat a Bitch Bat Signal'. Lori…please follow me –now," she directs with force.
Lori glares between the two women, "Fine, but this is not over," she throws over her shoulder before stomping out of the room.
Michonne is rocking to and fro from her chair; her eyes squint; and her mind contemplates likely scenarios. Carl carefully hands her a bunch of grapes from her fruit basket, "Uncle Rick is on his way," he shares quietly.
She nods quickly, "Call and schedule a meeting with DA Monroe, me and the supervisor for that sorry ass, son of a bitch Mike. Tell them today-before the close of business," she spits with rage shooting off her body like lightning bolts.
"On it…I am going to close your door and give you some privacy," he backs out of the room.
Daryl and Sasha are one hour into the drive to her parent's home. "Tell me what you really think?" he asks without taking his focus off the road.
"I'll start with the easy part…I am 100% behind you going back to school. You and Rick are the cutest bromance-ever. In fact, I think Michonne and I should get your matching lunch boxes," she giggles.
"Moving on," he blushes.
"Career wise…the FBI gig is an amazing opportunity and you would be foolish to turn it down. I will not lie…after what we just went through I am not looking forward to a repeat. But we not only survived I feel like we thrived. So yes…I'm in," she concludes with resolve.
"To be clear…as a consultant I won't go that deep undercover again and for that long unless it is an emergency. Derek wants me to train others…multiply the impact in the field," he clarifies.
Sasha exhales, "That is even better."
"Good, so we are on the same page. Now we have to convince the Folks," he states.
She laughs, "I am not in that…you are completely on your own…especially with Mama."
"What? I thought we were a team," he feigns insult and outrage.
"Team my ass…the Folks have not spent more than ten minutes on the phone with me since your big fine behind showed up. Are you feeding him enough? Did you tell him about those new arrows at the sporting goods store," she mocks playfully.
Daryl tries to hide his big 'Kool Aid' grin behind his hand. "You ain't even ashamed…you are a complete spoiled brat," she exclaims.
"I am not and you have nerve," he tries to deny and deflect.
"Watch…when we get there…I bet you they call for you first," Sasha challenges.
"Winner gets?"
"Make out session…location determined by the winner. I am defiling that bedroom.
"Your bedroom is not an option," Daryl pushes back. This is a win-win but could she be more obvious.
"Fine," she huffs folding her arms and pouting.
"I wove you," he teases.
"Shut up jack ass…I love you more," she laughs shaking her head.
Rick enters Michonne's reception area. Carl and Aaron are huddled together whispering. Concern is pulsing from his pores, "How is she?" he focuses on her closed door.
Carl speaks first, "Enter at your own risk. She is in total 'Beat a Bitch Down Mode'," he explains.
Rick heads snaps to the right, "She said that," he ask in shock.
"She didn't have to…she took off her earrings," Carl offers as a full explanation.
Rick squints and Aaron furrows his brow-both men are utterly confused. Carl rolls his eyes, "Justice told me any time a Black woman takes off her earrings an ass gets kicked…it's genetic," he nods in confirmation. All three men look at the door.
Michonne is still seated at her desk popping grapes into her mouth fantasizing about all the ways she wants to hurt Lori. There is a knock at the door, "Michonne…Gorgeous…it's me," Rick greets.
"Do not Gorgeous me…bring your bow legged ass in here," she snaps.
Rick enters cautiously, "First things first," he crosses the office; turns her chair and squats in front of her. "How are you feeling?" he asks earnestly.
"I am much calmer, but I am nursing the seven levels of hell." She leans back and continues to eat the grapes. "That scrawny heifa' dragged her no account, flat behind into my office demanding my man…oh hell naw. She needs to be grateful I prayed for her because…," her rant is stopped by Rick's laughter.
"I am sorry…I am upset too; but your cheeks are stuffed with grapes and you look so adorable," he covers his eyes with his hand trying with all his might to pull himself together.
She succumbs to laughter that releases some of the tension. "Can you at least give your aggrieved fiancé a hug or a kiss?"
"Absolutely…come here," he stands and pulls her into a warm embrace; wrapping his right arm around her shoulders and his left arm around her waist. He does not let her go, "I filed the restraining order and you can submit your affidavit as late as tomorrow. I informed Dale just in case," he explains.
"I appreciate you so much…you always take care of everything," she mumbles against his neck holding him tightly.
"It is my privilege…you ready to go home?"
"I can't…I have a meeting that I need to discuss with you when I get home," she offers delicately. I have to get him out of this building and area before I share about Mike's dirty deeds.
"Michonne…I do not like the sound of what you just said," he responds honestly. He leans back to study her face.
"I know…but this is how I take care of you," her tone is resolved.
He nods, "Okay…I know I can trust that…my place tonight?"
"Yeah, will you pick up my dry cleaning?" she remembers.
"Sure thang," her grasps her face tenderly and kisses her in pieces: first her top lip; then the bottom; and finally he ravishes her entire mouth. "I love you," he speaks against her lips.
"We love you too," she places his hand against her belly.
AN: Thank you to all the reviews. You make me laugh, cry and most importantly develop a deeper understanding of the story and the individual characters.