Don't Look Back

A/N: I love the song "Don't Look Back" by Miguel and thought I'd write a short story about Rick and Michonne's upcoming separation or the way I'd like it to happen. Here goes.

The situation is most dire as the two seasoned warriors look at each other, surmising their surroundings and trying to formulate a plan on the best way to handle their circumstances.

Rick's plan to move the herd as far away from their home as possible was working seamlessly until a horn sounded ominously through the air, throwing all of them into a panic.

Michonne looks to Rick anxiously. "That sound…it's far away. Sounds like it's coming from….." She trails off as Rick finishes her sentence.

"Home," he supplies, his look just as anxious as hers. They tear off into the woods, knowing they need to reach home as soon as humanly possible.

They meet up with Glenn shortly, all three trying desperately to figure out who could be sounding that horn and why.

"It's going to take us way too long to get there on foot. We need a vehicle and we need it now." Glenn supplies. "I could make my way back to the other wall, grab the RV. It's big enough to carry all of us and get us home."

"No, I'll go for the RV. I want you, Michonne, and the others to go ahead. I'll catch up, pick everybody up along the way and head home," Rick suggests. He nods as Glenn moves off to tell the others.

Michonne drops her eyes to the leaves shrouded ground, not willing to allow Rick to see the apprehension there.

"Hey. Look at me," Rick requests quietly.

She reluctantly lifts her eyes to his.

Rick leans down just slightly, ensuring that he is looking directly into her eyes. "You keep going. You make sure you get back."

"And what about you? You're going back to that wall alone with all of these walkers roaming around? That's not safe, Rick. It's….." She trails off as Rick shakes his head.

"Don't you worry about that. I said keep going. Don't look back. Just run," he reiterates.

"You can't ask that of me. Not after everything. I can't walk away," she returns. "We do what needs to be done and we do it together. No one can make it alone now."

Rick sighs heavily. He knows she is only speaking the truth, speaking from her heart, but he needs her to be ok. Heading back to the Safe Zone was the best way to ensure that. They were at least 30 minutes ahead of the herd and he wanted it to stay that way. Every second, every minute would count now.

"Michonne, please…."

"Let's not waste time arguing. We've gotta get to that RV and make sure we get to our people and make it back to our kids safely," she states.

Rick wants so desperately to argue, but he knows that stance of hers and he knows that determined expression. She won't be swayed so he gives in as he normally does feeling the tension mount up around his shoulders and neck.

He pulls his walkie from his belt. "Glenn, change of plans. Michonne's with me. Hopefully, we can be there to pick you and the others up within the next 15 or 20 minutes."

"Copy that. We'll keep moving in the meantime. Good luck and watch your asses," Glenn returns before they disconnect.

Rick taps Michonne lightly on her ass. "Let's move." He makes his way swiftly through the woods, dodging trees as she falls in step behind him.

Moving towards the walkers is never a good idea but they have no choice as they have to try their damnedest to get to that RV and make it back home. Instead of making their way back to the road, they move in the opposite direction, trying to avoid as many walkers as possible.

They encounter a few on the way, thankful that at least the front portion of the herd had moved on towards their original destination for them. That still left a shitload of walkers to deal with but they had to think about the task at hand and make it back home.

Ten minutes later, they make it to the RV. Rick is apprehensive about moving it away from the makeshift wall, but doesn't think twice as he and Michonne pile onto the vehicle. He takes the driver's seat as Michonne plops down in the passenger seat. He grabs the keys from the visor and starts the vehicle. He maneuvers it just right and pulls out of the line-up, traveling as fast as the vehicle will allow, determined to get to Glenn and the others as soon as possible.

Michonne looks straight ahead, praying that all works out for the best and they can make it back to the Safe Zone in enough time to warn the others and to prepare for the inevitable onslaught of walkers.

"You ok?" Rick asks cautiously, looking over to Michonne momentarily before directing his attention back to the road.

"I'm good." She sighs. "Thanks for not fighting me on this. I'm glad you understood."

"You know it's not what I wanted. I don't like it when you take risks but I guess I can't do it and tell you not to, right?"

She gives him a slight smile and reaches over to squeeze his thigh affectionately. "I really love it when we see eye to eye, especially when you figure it out on your own. This….whatever this is just might work out between us."

"Well, I hope so since I'm completely invested right about now," Rick admits.

"Are you now?" Michonne asks teasingly.

"Totally," Rick offers.

Michonne grows serious for just a moment. "Well, I promise you right now when we make it out of this, there won't be any going back. I want the full Rick Grimes experience."

"I always aim to please, so your wish is my command, my lady," Rick states.

Glenn's voice sounds over the walkie talkie. Rick quickly pulls it from his belt. "Glenn, we're in the RV coming up on the red marker. You there or further out?"

"We're holed up in a store. Scott got hurt so we had to find shelter quick. We couldn't move as fast. Can you make it into the town?"

"We're on our way. I'm gonna honk the horn three times. That's your cue to haul ass. We'll be there."

"Copy that," Glenn says.

Rick looks to Michonne, knowing they are about to venture into the dangerous part of their lives once again. "You ready?"

She leans toward him for a kiss. Their lips connect for a few seconds. "I'm ready."

They plow down as many walkers as they can. Michonne leans out of her window and decapitates them as Rick pulls the RV into the abandoned shopping plaza and honks the horn three times.

Glenn and the others pile out of a nearby store, fighting their way through the throng of walkers fiercely. Michonne moves to the rear of the RV, watching out of a window to ensure where they are before opening the door. She spots them and opens the door swinging, cutting down the nearby walkers as her friends and family make their way inside.

She quickly closes the door, ensuring everyone is accounted for. "Let's go home."