Till You Need Me

Mixed Signals

After tossing and turning for most of the night you got up with the sun. As you dressed for the day you heard Rick talking softly with Judith. You smiled to yourself. It may have started out as a rocky start but he was becoming a good father to her.

You walked out of your cell and stop in front of his he was sitting on the bunk feeding Judith her bottle. "She up awfully early " you commented. He looked up at you "so are you cant sleep?" he asked no got a lot on my mind " you replied. "Want to talk about it " he said patting the bed next to him. you smile and sat down next to him

" It nothing really you replied " well I recall someone telling me that she would always be there if I wanted to talk" he said bouncing Judith on his knee after she finish her bottle. "yes, and that is still true. " you said it just. I don't know what " you said. he reached over and took one of your hands into his causing you look up at him.

" Well I am here if you figure out and want to talk he said. You smiled "Thanks ' you said Do you want me to take her so you can finish getting ready for the day " you asked he handed Judith over to you

"Hey baby girl how about you and me today a girl's day huh?" you said bouncing her in your arms talking to her softly. You looked up catching Rick staring at you you really good with her " he said. sitting back down he sigh.

"just makes me think how. Lori would have loved her she had always wanted a girl. " he said looking down at his hands. " she would have. and she would be proud of you the way you are taking care of her and Carl. " you said.

He just nodded and you decided to not push the subject anymore so you stood up. Well let's go see what kind of trouble we can get into today baby girl " you said giving Rick a wink. see you later. He smiled and nodded.

After breakfast, you went walking with Judith to the gardens just to check on them. Maggie and Beth were working there along with Michael. "Hey guys I brought a visitor by " you said "good we can use a break " Maggie said standing up pulling off her gloves and coming over to give Judith a kiss. Michael walked over.

She a beautiful baby " he said softly touching one of her hand. "Thanks, she not mine but I am awfully fond of her. " you admitted. he smiled down at you " you look good with a baby " he said

I bet you would have made a great mother " his gaze connected with yours. You wish you could say you heart started racing and had butterflies in your stomach by the look in his eye.

But no all you could think of was the look Rick gave you this morning in his cell while holding your hand. " Thank you " you replied not sure what to say. " hey Michael can you go get us some waters?" Maggie asked he nodded

Sure I will be right back. " he walked off back towards the building. "so, what is going on between you two?" Beth asked her and Maggie were grinning. " you shrugged. " I am not totally sure I mean he a nice guy and I thought I was attracted to him but..." you trailed off looking down at the little girl in your arms.

"but your heart belongs to someone else right " Maggie said with an understanding look on her face. You sigh I am trying to change that because he never gone return the feeling." you said blinking back the sudden tears.

" I don't know about that " Maggie said. "What do you mean? you asked " it just we all have seen the way he looks at you when youre not looking " Maggie replied. "or when you and Michael are talking " Beth added " I think that look says it all " she said and Maggie nodded in agreement.

You didnt want to listen to them didnt want to get your hopes up again. But you heart still started racing a little at just the thought he might start having feelings for you. " maybe " was all you said an at that point Michael had return with the waters.

Later that evening you had just finish feeding and changing Judith and was heading back to Rick's cell to see if he was ready for her. The blanket was thrown over the doorway when you got there. "Rick?" you called out "come in " he called out and you walked in he was stretched out on the bed with one arm lay atop his eyes." Are you ok? you asked " Just tried " was his reply not moving

" I can let Judith sleep with me tonight so you can sleep " you suggested He sigh and sat up rubbing at his face. " no, it ok I can take her " he said you laid her down in her crib "Well if youre sure. she just been fed and change so that should buy you at least 4 or 5 hours you replied straighten up to look up at him. he stood up and took a step forward bringing him even closer to you.

You heart started racing and all you could do was look up at him "Thanks " he said softly "What would I do without you?" he said as his gaze met yours it was heated look a new look that you hadn't seen from him before.

You almost jumped out of your skin when he reached up and lightly ran his fingers along your jaw line and then over your lips. "Rick " his name came out on a whisper. Suddenly he blinks and pulled away "I will see you tomrrower " he said stepping back. Disappointment hit you hard. you just nodded before you turn away and headed back to your cell. Only when you were alone did you let yourself go and cry. sleep was long time coming again tonight.