A/N: So I know I should be working on the other two stories that need to be updated, but this one-shot idea came to me a few days ago and I had to get it down. I hope you enjoy it!

Inspired by Sade's By Your Side

"Michonne?"

Michonne's eyes slowly opened at the sound of Rick's southern drawl, his voice raspy from a lack of sleep. She had just drifted into a slumber, a much needed one after a month of tough days and rough nights.

She shifted her body slightly, removing her legs from underneath the blanket and settling them on top of it. The open window a few feet away from her bed where she was resting provided sunlight and a cool breeze, the busy New York city life sounds drifting through her studio apartment. She felt that familiar strong arm tighten his grasp around her waist as he moved in closer behind her, his warm breath against her neck. She imagined those intense, worried blue eyes staring a hole into the back of her head, trying to figure out her thoughts and how she was feeling.

"Yes?" she finally answered quietly.

He rubbed his thumb against her stomach, her Harvard Law t-shirt a barrier between their bare skin. "Were you sleep?"

She shook her head. "No."

He cautiously moved his head in closer, placing his lips against her skin. She slightly shuddered at the touch. She missed it. Terribly. They had not been in an intimate relationship in five, almost six years, but his touch and his position behind her on the bed was bringing back so many fond memories of their time together. Memories of when they were younger and happy. Memories of when everything was so much more simpler with great friends and love for each other, planning out their futures in this big world. In the end, the world had other plans for them.

"Are you thinking about him?"

She flinched, closing her eyes as she felt that same surge of pain in the pit of her stomach whenever he had been mentioned recently. It was not a physical pain, but an emotional one that first occurred when Rick had called to tell her the devastating news that their friend, Glenn, had died unexpectedly. She didn't believe him at first, thinking it was some joke or prank that he and Glenn were in on, just like they used to pull back in college. But no. This was real and Glenn was really gone.

The remaining days after that call were a blur. She remembered packing her bags that night and catching the earliest flight to Atlanta, her hometown and where all of her old college friends still resided- Rick, Sasha, Shane, Glenn and Glenn's wife, Maggie. She spent her time there consoling everyone, wiping away tears and providing comfort when needed, with special attention on Maggie and her three year old son, Hershel. She felt numb with pain as she stood at the funeral, but no tears came, her demeanor stoic. She had to keep her friends standing during this difficult time; they needed her and she couldn't afford to break. She could not leave them on their knees or standing alone.

The only question was who was going to stand by her?

Rick noticed her stoic demeanor begin to break near the end of her visit. It wasn't until she was back in New York when she began to feel the effect of it all. It hit her like a ton of bricks, taking her aback as she finally neared the realization that one of her best friends was gone, leaving behind a young son- her godchild- that was still constantly asking about his father's whereabouts. Fortunately, Rick knew her well. He caught a late flight to New York from Atlanta, arriving outside of her front door just before dawn. He held her as she cried that night and every night after that for the next two weeks, never leaving her side.

"Yes," she said. She turned her body around so that she facing him, her hands landing on his waist. She looked into his red rimmed eyes and cupped his cheek, watching as he closed his eyes in comfort and nestled his face against her hand. He had missed her touch just as much as he missed waking up with her beside him in bed each morning.

"My last conversation with him," she said shakily. "He was telling me that he and Maggie were thinking about having another baby." Tears welled in her eyes as the sound of her friend's voice echoed in her head, followed by his cheerful laugh. "He was trying to get me to come home for a few days since I haven't been back in a while, but I told him I was too busy with work. Maybe during Christmas. I should have gone."

"Don't do that to yourself," Rick said, looking at her. He removed her hand from off of his cheek and placed a tender kiss on her palm before pulling it down and resting it over his chest. She could feel the thump of his heartbeat. "Glenn understood. He probably understood more than any of us. You worked hard for this and you deserve it all. He was happy knowing that you were happy."

"And what about you?" she eyed him carefully. "Did you- do you understand?"

He exhaled as he glanced over at the window, sadness clouding his features . "When you left for law school, I tried telling myself that it was for the best. I loved you, but I didn't want to hold you back from your dreams. You got accepted to Harvard, Michonne. Your dream school. I couldn't have you stay back because of me. I knew you were - are- brilliant and that everyone else deserved to know your talent and skills."

She nodded, slowly digesting his words. They had only been together for just a little over a year when she was accepted into the law program, but it still felt right. Nevertheless, her mind always told her she could always come back.

Except she didn't. She ended up with a great job opportunity in New York that she would be foolish to pass up and never looked back, trading in the southern town for the bigger city appeal… and leaving Rick, the one thing she never forgave herself for.

"I'm sorry," she said sincerely. Before she could say another word, he stopped her.

"Don't be." He said reassuringly. His hand was still on top of hers, holding it tightly. His eyebrows knitted together as he searched her face. "I would be lying if I said I don't think about us often. Where we would be right now if things turned out differently."

She nodded. The same thoughts often crossed her mind as well. "Where do we go from here?"

"Honestly, I don't know," he sighed. "My flight leaves tomorrow morning."

"We can't just ignore our feelings for each other."

"I know." He pressed his thumb on her chin, tracing it along her jawline. "And coming back isn't an option?"

She frowned. Was moving back to Atlanta on option? The big reason of her staying in New York was because of her career; the connections and opportunities were far more reasonable than they were back home. She could attempt to make it work...

He noted her contemplation and silence, sadly smiling as he shook his head. "We don't have to do this right now. Come on." He moved so that he was on his back, pulling her towards him so that her head was resting on his chest. He toyed with her hair, staring up at the ceiling and trying to push her question out of his head. Not now.

"Thank you," she whispered. "For being here."

He nodded, though he knew she couldn't see him. He lifted her hand again to place another kiss, this time on her ring finger. "Always, Michonne."