RICK GRIMES ONE SHOTS

| TEN - DISGUST |

Prompt:
As the sheriff of Kings County, Rick had to keep certain aspects of his life well and truly under wraps to prevent losing respect or, worse, his job.

*previously posted in another of my one-shot books, which has since been deleted.*
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"We have to stop meeting like this, Annie," Rick sighed as he approached the bedside of the blonde-haired woman who lay unmoving under the thin hospital sheets. She had a cut above her eyebrow and another on her lip; her eyes began to bruise and swell.

She briefly tilted her head to look at him; he was alone. He wore his Sheriff's uniform and carried his hat in his hand, "sorry, Rick," she whispered; her voice was hoarse, and it was painful for her to speak, "I didn't mean to hit that nurse. I promise. I woke up here and thought he was the one who, you know."

Rick took another step closer and placed his warm hand over her cold one, "I know," he replied, "but I still have to do my job."

She nodded sadly and moved her hand from under his. Rick sighed. The movement of her arm revealed the track marks that littered her pale skin.

When she realised what he was looking at, she pulled the sheets up to her chin quickly.

Rick sighed again in disappointment, "I thought you'd stopped all that; you promised me you would."

"I'm trying," was her only response.

12 weeks later

Annie had been immersed in cleaning her apartment, dancing to the music playing, when she heard a knock at the door. She knew she had no more clients for the day, so she was unsure who would be knocking at her door at that time of night.

She opened it cautiously and was surprised to see Rick Grimes at her door; he wasn't dressed in his uniform, which wasn't a new sight. She had seen him without his uniform many times before, but that day in the hospital, he swore he wouldn't come near her again unless it were a police matter.

"I can't be seen associating with someone- someone like you, Annie. I'm sorry."

"Hi, Rick," she said as she opened the door a bit wider. She noticed how sad he looked, his eyes slightly bloodshot from possibly crying. "Are you okay?" She questioned.

"Can I- Can I come in? I've missed you, Annie; I need you."

She sighed and opened the door wider, and stepped aside, allowing him to enter. "Sit down, Rick, I'll get you a drink."

"No, no, sit down with me," he demanded as he sat on the couch.

Annie didn't need telling twice; she sat on the couch beside him, leaving a small gap between them.

She had sat with him in that exact spot many times before. They had done more than just sit, too, but it felt different this time. His words had hurt her at the hospital, and she was struggling to comprehend why he came back after being so adamant that he wanted nothing more to do with her.

"Why are you here, Rick? I'm just a drug-using slut, remember?"

Rick lowered his head, ashamed of the words he had previously used. "I didn't mean it; I was just scared. Shane, Leon, and Tara they were all starting to suspect. I was becoming too adamant to take on the cases involving you so I could see you. Lori had started questioning where I was going at night and where the money went-"

"I never said you had to pay me-" she cut him off, but he cut her off.

"-I don't pay you for sex, not like those other guys do. I pay you so you don't have to return to those men. I know that doesn't sound any better, but I don't like the thought of us being together, me leaving, and you pretending it never happened when your next client came."

She shook her head and rolled her eyes, "It's just a job, Rick, that's all you are. Another client."

Rick scoffed, "You're lying to yourself, and you know it," he shouted, "You've loved me since school, Annie, and I loved you! But you always chose the drugs; if It hadn't been for that, we would've been together, and we would have been happy, but look where we are instead. Arguing on a couch, you've probably fucked hundreds of guys on in the apartment you've taken three overdoses in over the last six years. You were more than this. You were smart; you had options, but you always chose the wrong things!"

Annie stood from the couch; she was furious, "you seem to be missing out a huge chunk there, buddy!" She snapped, "shall we discuss how you took my virginity and then set me up with Dixon? Oh, and who was it that injected me with heroin first? Oh yeah, that would be the very Dixon you set me up with! If you loved me, why did you push me to be with him? Why did you sit back and watch as it happened instead of stopping it?" She questioned.

"I tried-"

"No, you didn't! You were too busy planning your future with her! Maybe you did love me, Rick, but I wasn't picture-perfect like Lori, even before the drugs."

Rick stood up and grabbed her by her shoulders, forcing her to look at him, "I'm a fucking idiot, okay? I get that. I regret it all; I really do. Even now, I would end it with Lori and come to you immediately if I could."

She stared back at him, "why can't you? I've not touched drugs since the night before I went into the hospital. Carol has offered me a job, which I will accept; I won't need to do this job anymore, so what else do I need to do, Rick?"

He sighed and let go of her, "it's too late now; the damage is done. Everyone knows who you are, what you've done."

"So changing doesn't matter then? Just your reputation? Maybe we should find out if your reputation will withhold being known as an adulterous bastard who sleeps with a drugged-up prostitute. Maybe I'll send Lori those pictures, or maybe the video of you fucking me?"

"Don't you fucking dare, Annie," Rick growled. The anger he displayed was the complete opposite of what she had seen of Rick. He had always been blunt; he was mostly calm, caring, and gentle.

Annie smiled, unfazed by his intimidation, "I've got nothing to lose, Rick. Get the fuck out of my apartment, and don't ever come back."

Rick grabbed her by the neck and pushed her back towards the wall. Their faces were close, almost touching. She could feel his hot breath on her face as he breathed heavily.

His grip loosened on her neck, but he didn't remove his hand. She cautiously moved her hands from the side of her body and placed her palms flat against his chest.

"You'll always come back to me, Rick," she whispered.

Rick pressed his body against hers, pressing her harder against the wall. He forced his lips against her own in an uncharacteristic, animalistic kiss. It was hard and rough, but her body couldn't hide that she loved it.

He pulled back and stepped away, "You disgust me," he said in almost a whisper.

"No, I don't, you're disgusted in yourself for wanting me, but we both know you'll never stop wanting me."

He stared at her intently for what seemed like a lifetime before heading to the door. He opened it and slammed it shut as he left.

His words hurt her, and not being with him would always hurt her, but the short moments they had together, whether it be in lust or anger, were the best moments of her life.