INT.- ALEXANDRIA- RICK & MICHONNE'S HOUSE- LIVING ROOM-MORNING
The sun's rays pound through the curtains on Tessa who lay face up on the sofa under a blanket. Of the three rooms in the house with two of them already occupied, she prefers to sleep in the living room. On her restless nights she could easily slip out of the house and take a walk through the community or woods. Tessa folds an arm across her eyes and let out a sigh.
Foot steps approach and she peeks out of one eye to see who they belonged to. Rick stops in front of Tessa.
RICK
Hey... good morning.
Tessa just grunts and rubs the back of her neck.
RICK (CONT'D)
Well you're the one who wanted to sleep
on the couch. (Beat) Why don't you get up,
get something to eat. We're going on a run soon.
He exits the room as Tessa still lies with her arm covering half her face and looking up at the ceiling.
EXT- ALEXANDRIA- MORNING
Tessa heads down the steps of the house to the vehicle parked in front of it. Rick is loading a few things as she arrives.
RICK
That was faster than I thought you'd be.
TESSA
I've never taken long to get ready.
(Beat) Is everyone else ready?
RICK
Yeah, I'm ready.
Tessa gives him a puzzle look.
TESSA
Wait... It's just you and me?
RICK
Yeah. It's a short run. I can get to
know you personally other than through
Michonne. Maybe you can try some of
that "luck" of yours again.
TESSA
Darn... I left my "Horseshoe"
in my other pants.
Rick chuckles a bit. He gives her a pat on the shoulder as he walks to the driver side to get in.
RICK
Come on. Let's get a move on.
She gets in the passenger seat and Rick drives to the gates.
EXT. ALEXANDRIA -DAY
The day is pretty calm by far in the community as Michonne patrols the streets. A few neighbors are also out and about and some kids run to the newly built playground. She stops and watches them for a moment. The smiles on their faces, the energy they posses while playing sends Michonne into a momentary thought. After a moment she bat her eyelid to snap out o it recollect herself. She continues on until a familiar voice calls to her.
DARYL
Hey, 'Chonne! Hold up.
Michonne turns to see Daryl walking swiftly to her.
MICHONNE
Hey. You're heading out?
DARYL
I actually just got back. (Beat) I wanna
talk to you real quick about Tessa.
MICHONNE
Oh...?
Coming a bit closer, Daryl leans in to speak quietly to her.
DARYL
Look, I know you don't wanna "baby" her
but you should really keep an eye on her.
Michonne glares, listening to the haunting seriousness in his voice.
MICHONNE
What makes you say this?
DARYL
She's hiding something.
MICHONNE
So you're saying you don't trust her?
DARYL
I'm saying something is up. (Beat) That day before
we pulled up to the house, she was out in the woods-
MICHONNE
With you. She said you were teaching her to track.
Daryl sighs and shakes his head slightly.
DARYL
Don't play stupid, Michonne. She
knows how to track. Hell, she was doing
it when I found her and being extra
careful about it, too. Tessa was searching
for something... we found someone in
the woods somewhere.
Michonne give him a concerned glare.
MICHONNE
Who?
DARYL
I don't know and she wouldn't let
me find out. But I went back out there
today- nothing. You should talk with her
and find out what's up. She'll listen to you.
Hesitantly, she nods in agreement to Daryl's protest.
MICHONNE
She's on a run with Rick right now. But I'll see into it.
Daryl walks off leaving Michonne with her thoughts.
EXT.- ROAD- DAY
The vehicle speeds down the two lane highway. Inside the car, Rick and Tessa are silent. Though she can feel Rick's eyes darting back and forward from the road to her, she looks out the window at the scenery passing by.
RICK
It's no secret that Michonne and I are together.
TESSA
(Beat) You want my opinion on it?
RICK
I'm just thinking how much of an awkward
situation this must be for you. Being reunited
with a family member after so long then
finding out the things we've been through.
TESSA
You don't need my approval, Rick. I'm happy
for her. You're good for each other. She'd
probably agree that you're a lot better than Mike.
Rick looks to her as she seem a bit taken back.
TESSA (CONT'D)
Maybe that was to bold.
RICK
(Beat) Why don't we head down the
Old Highway and try our luck there?
They continue on down the road.
