A/N: While their reunion in S4, when Michonne returned with gifts for Rick and Carl, was perfect, I wrote a little remix here of pre-canon Richonne. For helga-leakadia's May Writing Challenge.

Rules: 1 fic per day for the month of May, any length, but must include the quote.

Day 2 Prompt: "I need you."

Pairing: Rick Grimes x Michonne

Summary: Michonne returns to the Prison after another unsuccessful search for the Governor. Rick is elated she is back, but disappointed that she wants to leave once more. He makes an admission.

Words: 566

Warnings: N/A

Rick's stint as a farmer afforded him plenty of time to think; to overthink. And his thoughts, more often than not, did something that they were presently doing with greater frequency: They were focused on Michonne. He understood it, he really did, the need for her to continue her search for the Governor.

But Rick didn't like it. He didn't like the fact that Michonne insisted on leaving the Prison, mostly on her own. He didn't like that she was gone for days on end, out in a dangerous world looking for a dangerous man. That she seemingly wanted to be out there, and not in the safety of their fenced home. That she was so far away from him.

He admitted to himself, not too long ago, that there was something else to his concern for her; something more than the worry of one friend for another. He liked Michonne. He liked her a lot. He liked her more than he was ready to admit, and the fact that she was out there, on her own, terrified him.

She was capable and astute, more than anyone else he knew, but that did not stop his concern for her. He had settled into a quiet life, despite the chaos that surrounded them; he had slowed down. He secretly wished that she would slow down, too. That she would stay longer, and venture out less. He had never told her that, of course; they were friends, and he had no say in what she did with her spare time.

Rick had just finished watering his tomato plants, when he heard a whistle: It was Michonne. She approached the main gate on her horse, and it was opened for her. Rick stopped what he was doing, and rushed over to greet her. She climbed down from the horse, and offered him an amicable smile. God, her smile. It was brighter than the Georgian sun and made him feel warm all over.

"Glad to see you," said Rick, as he grinned back her.

"Hey," she replied. "Glad to see you, too."

"How was it out there?" he questioned as he placed both hands to his hips; he needed to do something with them because the urge to reach out and touch her had become too strong.

She took hold of the strap that crossed her chest and shifted the weight to her left foot.

"Same as always," she proffered. "Didn't find him."

Rick nodded his head.

"Thinking about lookin' over near Macon," she added.

The frown became evident on Rick's face when he realized she was not finished with her search.

"Did you even find any trace of him?" asked Rick. "And even if you did, how would you know it was him for sure?"

Michonne sighed.

"I have to keep looking," she replied, noting his frustration. "I can't just let him get away with what he did."

"I get it," said Rick. "I do. But it ain't safe out there."

"I can look after myself, Rick," she replied.

"I know you can," he said, while stepping closer to her. "It's just that I – I need you."

She gave him a questioning look, though the corners of her mouth turned up into a little smile while raised an eyebrow and asked, "You need me?"

"Yeah," he offered.

"What do you need?"

"I need you to stay," said Rick, almost bashfully. "Please, Michonne, I need you to stay a little while."