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.