Author's Note: Hi! Once again, I know I should be writing A Slight Return Home, but alas, here I am.

I saw this post on Tumblr a little while ago called 'One Hundred Ways to Say 'I Love You''. It was just a list of little phrases people say to one another that lets the other know they care. Now, this is probably a crazy idea, but I have it in my mind to write a tiny Richonne drabble for each one of those phrases, some AU, some canon. Honestly, I don't know if I'll ever finish, but it can't hurt to try, right?

So, that being said, here's the first one! I hope you enjoy it!

one: "pull over. let me drive for awhile."

The RV is silent as they make their way to Hilltop.

Michonne sits in the passenger seat while Rick drives. The rest of everyone is in the back with...the bodies.

The bodies.

A shudder runs through her. She still can't believe it. Can't believe what happened, can't believe what she saw, what they went through. She doesn't know if she'll ever believe it.

But that isn't her greatest worry right now. At the moment, she's most concerned about Rick.

He hasn't said a word since they left the clearing. Hasn't made eye contact with her, or anyone.

She doesn't know what happened to him, and it makes her sick to her stomach to think that Negan had him out there, alone, away from them, away from her. She was powerless to protect him, powerless to stop anything that man wanted to do to him.

And now, she doesn't know. She prays that Rick will tell her, if only to stop her mind from imagining the worst. But also so she can share in his pain. So she can help him heal.

She looks at him now. His stares ahead, mouth hanging open slightly, his long curls dirty and sweaty and matted and falling down his forehead and into his eyes. His hands are shaking, even as they grip the steering wheel so unyieldingly his knuckles are white.

He looks like he's broken. Like she could breathe on him, and pieces of him would blow away.

"Rick."

He doesn't respond, but his fingers tighten even more around the wheel.

"Rick," she says again, sitting up in her seat. When he again doesn't answer, she reaches over and places her hand on his thigh.

He flinches at her touch. Her heart shatters, even more than it already has. But, he finally speaks.

"We have to get Maggie to Hilltop, and then we have to get home."

"I know. Pull over."

He finally turns to her, and looks at her like she's grown a third head. Even in his confusion, though, his blue eyes are dull. Duller than she's ever seen them.

It scares her, but she doesn't let it show.

"We have to get Maggie to Hilltop," he repeats. "And then we have to go home."

"I know. Just pull -"

"We can't stop. We have to keep going. We have to get Maggie -"

"I know, Rick," she assures him firmly. "But pull over. Let me drive for awhile."

He stays quiet, and turns his eyes back towards the road. Steeling herself, she reaches out again, and places one of her hands on top of his.

This time, he doesn't flinch.

He looks at her again. His eyes are now full of tears, and one escapes from an inside corner, falling down the curve between nose and cheek.

"Pull over," she murmurs.

He takes a deep, shaky breath. She rubs her palm over the back of his hand, and she can feel his fingers relax, infinitesimally.

"Okay," he whispers.

The RV slows to a stop. They both get up to switch spots. And when they pass, he lets his side brush against hers.

A/N: There you have it! This takes place immediately after 7x01, obviously.

Let me know what you thought with a comment, and if you think this series is worth continuing. I'd love to hear your feedback!

'Til next time!

xoxo,
Rebekah