HERE WE GO...
DAYS LATER...
Tessa stir awake and partially opens her eyes. Through blurred, vision she sees the shapes of furniture in the room and feels that she is lying in a bed under soft covers. An I.V connect to her arm and she stares down at the strange cool substance that enter through her veins. Tessa gives in to the relaxed feeling that overcomes her and closes her eyes again.
Moments later...
After recollecting her scattered thoughts, Tessa stirs once more.
INT. - ALEXANDRIA- MEDICAL ROOM - DAY
DR. FERRELL (V.O)
She's coming around.
She could hear the familiar voice and someone else approach. A rough yet gentle hand takes hers and she hazily opens her eyes. To Tessa's delight, she slightly smiles at him seeing his bandages and bruises.
DARYL
Hey. You good?
TESSA
Are you?
DARYL
Forget me. You nearly died. (Beat)
That was stupid. You couldn't think of something else?
I mean, what the hell were you trying to accomplish?
You should have just ran. Why would you-
Daryl frowns upon seeing the smirk crack on Tessa's on face.
DARYL (CONT'D)
What the hell are you smiling about?
TESSA
It's cute when you scold me.
DARYL
For good reason. What happened to smart not brave?
TESSA
When I have to be.
Daryl studies her expression of tenderness.
DARYL
Yeah well... You didn't have to.
TESSA
Of course I did.
Tessa attempts to sit up and is struck by a sharp pain. She clenches her side.
DR. FERRELL
Don't be so quick. You could pop a stitch.
She lifts the sheets to see stitches across her right flank. She studies the wound.
DARYL
The son of bitch cut you. I threw him into the pit.
TESSA
I remember. But how did we get here?
DARYL
Our group conquered the fort and took the high
road out at first chance. We stumbled onto
the road just in time.
Tessa is puzzled a bit as she vaguely remembers that part.
DR. FERRELL
You two's endurance is incredible. How you survived
all that is baffling yet you were still in bad shape.
Daryl fractured a rib and you needed blood. I conducted
a simple blood test on each possible candidate. Miraculously,
Daryl's blood type is O negative which means his
cells are universal. Lucky he's around.
Just then, Michonne opens the door and spots her cousin. Overwhelmed with mixed emotions, she rushes over to her as Daryl automatically makes way. In tears, Michonne leans into Tessa from over bedside and hugs her tight. Daryl walks over to Dr. Ferrell.
DR. FERRELL (CONT'D)
She's good to get up and walk some as long as she goes easy.
Daryl glare over at the two women sharing an affectionate moment.
DARYL
That's good... Cause there's one more thing.
INT. ALEXANDRIA- AARON'S GARAGE- DAY
Michonne holds Tessa's hand as she sits on the steel crafts table with her shackled leg exposed. There is a towel between the her ankle and the shackle. Her foot is propped up on a stool. Daryl kneels down in front of her.
DARYL
Try not to move. It might be rough but I'll be careful.
Tessa sweetly smiles as if saying "I know."
He fires up a cutting tool and begins cutting on one end until the blade slices through tapping the towel. Then the other side for the same result until the metal shackle falls to the concrete ground in two pieces. Daryl stops the tool, slides off the rag and takes Tessa's leg in his hands. He gently rubs over few marks left by the shackle. Daryl stands to meet Tessa's gaze.
TESSA
Thank you.
EXT. ALEXANDRIA- DAY
Soldiers and citizens walk about the community unloading supplies from the an eighteen wheeler truck on the inside of the community with two others outside the gates.
RICK
You're talking about the West coast. That's pretty far. Are you sure?
Now General, Jones stands with Rick near the gates of Alexandria as the soldiers prepare for the journey ahead..
GENERAL JONES
Positive. It's something many of us have been wanting
to do for a long time. We'll see what's left of other bases.
Hopefully run into other good people and try
to save what's left of the world.
RICK
We thank you for half the supplies from the outposts.
We'll divide it amongst our allies. With this much food
and ammunition we should be good for a long while.
GENERAL JONES
You're welcome, Rick.
RICK
No you are... anytime.
Just then, the two turn there attention to Daryl and Michonne who holds on to Tessa giving her extra support. He smiles and opens his arms wide as he walks over to embrace Tessa in a hug.
SERGEANT JONES
I wasn't leaving without a goodbye.
After a moment, Tessa sees Seth approach from over Jones' shoulder. He stands slightly smiling.
SETH
Do I get one too?
Tessa breaks the hug to address him.
TESSA
No...
Tessa smiles and steps over to give him a hug. Unusually it last a bit longer than the hug Jones and her shared.
TESSA (CONT'D)
You came through. Keep it up.
They break away.
SETH
You... Just keep being you.
TESSA
You're welcomed to stay.
SETH
Thanks but I think I've found my place.
He turn to Jones.
SETH (CONT'D)
General, sir, under your command we're ready to move out.
GENERAL JONES
At ease. (Beat) Rick, Daryl, Michonne... Tessa...
may good fortune be upon you and we meet again someday.
MICHONNE
Someday.
Michonne smiles a warm glow and Daryl nods his peace.
After the few accompanying soldiers settle in the back of the trailer, Seth takes the driver side of the truck as General Jones on the passenger and closes the door. His arm cuffs the door from out of the window and he waves a final farewell. The few Alexandrians look on as the truck exits the community.
EXT. - ALEXANDRIA- CAROL & MORGAN'S HOUSE- BACKYARD- DAY
There has been peace in the community and throughout the area of the neighboring communities for weeks now. Life carries on in Alexandria at full swing. Children attend school, members attend the occasional services at the church with Father Gabriel, the more crafty members grow gardens and create things that make their lives more comfortable.
Daryl sits eating one of the Rabbits. A few others are strung up on a post. Now up and moving on her own, Tessa enters the backyard and approaches The Archer. He acknowledges her but continues to chow on his meal.
TESSA
Why are you eating it raw?
DARYL
I've had to do it before.
TESSA
Yeah, well, we have stoves and ovens now.
DARYL
I'm hungry now.
Tessa exams him in amusement.
TESSA
Rick say I can have the empty house on the far side.
DARYL
Why the hell he give you that one?
TESSA
I asked for it. I like the privacy every now and then.
Plus I decided to try out my green thumb with it's potential
garden space.
DARYL
Think you'll be alright over there?
TESSA
Why wouldn't I? It's still inside the community.
DARYL
Yeah. But it's closer to the walls. Besides, there
was talk when we first got here that the place is haunted.
Tessa chuckles.
TESSA
Daryl, there are dead people walking around.
DARYL
Yeah, but you can see them.
TESSA
Have we met? I think that ghost would be more afraid of me.
(Beat) Why don't you have a house?
DARYL
I crash here at Carol and Morgan's-
Aaron and Eric's sometimes.
TESSA
Well when they get sick of you, you're welcome
to come over. I'll even cook the Rabbits.
DARYL
Let me guess. You get half of 'em right?
TESSA
You catch, I cook, we share. And vice versa.
Tessa flashes a smile and leaves. Daryl wipes the blood from his mouth as he looks on after her. A slight warm feeling tug at him. Though it doesn't show in his face, Daryl could swear he was blushing from the inside so he shakes the emotion soon after it lands. Yet, his mind lingers on it a moment longer. Daryl look to the other rabbits on the post.
EXT.- ALEXANDRIA- NIGHT
Daryl stands in the shadows a distance from Tessa's new house. He glare at it with much uncertainty. Why do this? Is it the curiosity of exploring a feeling that's got him on edge? He can't help but notice lately that every time he see Tessa or hear her name, that warmth surfaces. It's happened for a while now since going after her in the woods that day. During their recovery period he has tried to avoid contact with her but the void strangely made him think of her and want to see her more. It's time to see what this is about. Gathering a bit of courage, he inhales and eventually walks toward the door.
EXT. ALEXANDRIA- TESSA'S HOUSE- NIGHT.
With the link of Rabbits over his shoulder, Daryl stands before the door. He is conflicted on weather to knock or walk away. He raises an arm to attempt it but hesitates and dismisses the thought altogether. Daryl turns to leave but feels a sudden rise and drop in his temperature as his heart skips a beat upon coming face to face with Tessa who stands watching him from the bottom of the porch.
TESSA
Hey... what's up?
Daryl is hesitate to respond as he collects himself from her sudden appearance. This woman is as stealthy as a cat to have snuck up on him like so.
DARYL
I wanted to see if you were home.
TESSA
But you didn't even knock. You just stood there.
DARYL
Thought you might be sleep.
TESSA
No, I just left Rick and Michonne's. I was coming down the street when I seen you.
DARYL
Well, um... I bought the Rabbits.
Tessa smiles softly.
TESSA
It's really late. It'll be a while to skin 'em and cook 'em.
DARYL
I know. I was just going to leave 'em here and I'll come back for 'em later.
Daryl walks down the porch steps. Tessa senses his unease.
TESSA
You should come in. Freshen up and take a load off.
I mean, its no sense in walking across community
to Carol and Morgan's. Besides, this is pneumonia
weather. You don't need to be out here.
He stands with much uncertainty, glaring at her up and down. Tessa then understands his unease.
TESSA (CONT'D)
There's a couch in there if that's what your worried about.
Daryl, it's just one night... but I'll let you decide.
Tessa walks past him, up the steps and to the door. Without looking back, she opens it and walks inside. Daryl stands frozen in place as he conflicts with his impulses until one gets the better of him. The Archer begins to walk away but he doesn't get three feet from the house before stopping in his tracks. Charged with a sudden confidence, it's this moment he realize this is a woman he's grown fond of and it's apparent she's grown fond of him too. It's time to stop denying his feelings. He looks to the cracked door and makes his decision. Daryl walks up the steps to the house, goes in and closes the door.
This is his new domain.