A/N: Request from black diamond for a Rick/Lori and Michonne love triangle based on the song Maybe I Should Call by K. Michelle. Thanks, this was my first time hearing that song as I don't usually listen to that genre, but it still gave me inspiration.

This is an AU fic with no zombies; I hope this is to your liking!

Long distance in the way of what could be

Even when you're here, you're not with me

Sometimes the look of absence in his stare drove her to the brink of insanity. She knew his mind was elsewhere, like it usually was, but when he looked like wanted to be anywhere except with her, that hurt.

Maybe they had married too young. Maybe they had simply changed too much; whatever it was, Lori Grimes felt her husband slipping away from her as each new day started and then came to an end. Maybe it would be in their best interests to divorce, she had often thought; but a separation would be hard for their children. Whatever needed doing, Lori was at a loss, for she did not know how to save her marriage; and if she was being honest with herself, she was not even sure she wanted to save it.

She reminded her husband that they were having friends over for dinner and requested that he not be too late in returning home that evening. Rick uttered something, gathered his car keys, bid his wife goodbye and left their home hurriedly.

xXx

Lori looked almost embarrassed as she offered their friends another apology on Rick's behalf; he was late, once again and had not called to explain. She glanced down at her phone to simultaneously check the time and to see if he had sent a message or tried to call; he had not.

She opened her contacts and scrolled down until Rick's name and number were displayed on her screen. Her finger ghosted over his details as she contemplated calling him. Instead, she locked her phone and placed it back into her pocket. There did not seem to be any point in trying to call her husband, Lori reasoned, because she doubted that he would even answer.

xXx

Drowning in all of my excuses

Heart is feeling useless

Probably should've used it less

Rick Grimes lifted his right hand in order to see what the time on his watch said; he knew he was late and he did not have an excuse for his wife. He did feel regretful that he was doing this to her, after all, they were friends once; he was in love with her once.

He twisted his wedding band around and sighed loudly; the whole situation had become a huge mess. There was no way out of it that would protect all those involved from being hurt. His mind started racing once more as he lay in a state of undress next to Michonne. He wished that he could stay with her after they made love; he wished he did not have to leave right away. He wished that she was not his secret; he regretted what he was doing to her. After all, she was his best friend; he was in love with her.

Rick placed a lazy kiss to her forehead and shifted to a sitting positing before standing in her faintly lit bedroom to find his discarded clothing.

"I have to go."

He said softly, just like all of the other times before; and just like every other time, he felt useless. He had thought it would be easier the longer they did it, but that was not the case. His guilt was becoming increasingly worse; he felt guilt for being unfaithful. Though he and his wife were no longer intimate with each other, in some strange way Rick actually felt like he was betraying Michonne whenever he went home and shared the same bed with Lori. Maybe he was.

Everyone involved was being betrayed so long as they did not own up to their feelings and actions; Rick knew this. He could not find a way around it because he was too busy trying to protect his wife and Michonne; protect his children and himself.

He pulled his trousers on and sat at the edge of Michonne's bed; he felt her move behind him. He felt her warm embrace as she wrapped her arms about his waist and rested her head on his shoulder.

"I don't want you to go."

She said quietly and plaintively, and just like that Rick felt afraid once more. He was afraid that if he walked out of her door this time, she would never let him back in.

xXx

Will you ever let her go? I don't know

Will I ever be first? I hope

"I know." Rick said sadly. "But you know I can't stay."

Michonne had heard these words from Rick many a time before; but it did not stop hurting. If anything, it just got worse each time. She gripped him tighter as if subconsciously attempting to hold in fast in place.

Rick rubbed his eye before placing his hand over hers; he really loathed making her upset. The last thing he wanted to do was to cause her pain and grief, yet he continued to do it. He had to realize, she thought, that this was torturing her. That every single time he left her and returned home to his wife it cut like knife. It felt as if someone had pierced her very soul with a dulled blade that was twisted and contorted until it almost became too much to stand.

"I love you." Lamented Rick.

Michonne felt the blade stab her again before asking sadly:

"If I told you I loved you, would you stay?"

"Please don't do that…" He started before she interjected.

"You should go, Rick. I don't ask for much; I just want you."

xXx

I love him, I love him, I love him

Maybe I should call.

Lori regarded their company and excused herself from where she was seated in their living room and stepped out on the front porch with her cell phone in hand. She was about to check and see what was taking Rick so long when she saw the lights of a car enter their street. The car drove past their house. Lori sighed and proceeded to call her husband; it rang out until his familiar voice clumsily told whomever was on the other end of the line that they should leave Rick Grimes a message because he was unavailable.

xXx

Rick had not been gone twenty minutes before Michonne reached for the telephone and began to dial his number. Their argument was heated and she felt drained; but it was the only way she could handle having him leave.

Before she keyed in the few remaining digits, Michonne quickly changed her mind. She had told Rick to go and not come back. She had told him that she could no longer do this dance of theirs; that she could not endure the pain. Michonne wanted something more from Rick, and presently, he was just not capable of giving that to her.

She finally hung the receiver up and leaned against the wall. She then slid to the cold hard floor and drew her knees to her chest as the tears fell again.

I love him, I love him, I love him…Maybe that's my flaw

A/N: Well, there you go; I can write unfaithful Rick Grimes after all! Fear not, I shan't be making a habit of it as I loathe to drag his good name through the dirt.

Everyone else that prompted or requested, I'm getting there. I shouldn't even be writing anything else until I get Fifteen Years Ago updated, but shhh, I won't tell if you don't!