***Remember these are scenes between Daryl and Tessa that could be placed where ever within the the central story line. So I'm moving the story between them along.***
EXT. ALEXANDRIA- AARON'S GARAGE- DAY
NEXT DAY...
Daryl is in the garage of Aaron and Eric's house when Tessa drives up in a pick-up truck with the motorcycle in the back. She brings it to a stop and gets out.
TESSA
Hey. Thought I'd find you here. Got you a gift.
Daryl stops his business and goes over to the truck.
DARYL
What's this?
TESSA
We didn't get much on the run but I came
across this and remembered that part you
were looking for. I didn't know what you
needed so I brought the whole thing.
He inspects the bike and immediately spots the part he's been searching for and touches it.
DARYL
I'll be damn... this is exactly what I need.
Plus, I got spare parts. (Beat) Thanks.
Tessa smiles.
TESSA
I'll help you unload it.
DARYL
Nah. I'll get Aaron for that. You've
done enough. Go take care of yourself.
TESSA
Like you haven't done enough by bringing
back the greenhouse and starting the garden?
DARYL
I still gotta finish 'em.
TESSA
No, I'll do that. Catch you later.
She walks off leaving Daryl to his thoughts.
EXT. ALEXANDRIA- DAY
A WEEK LATER...
Between the three communities, the members have been taking it easy in these wealthy times. Though there is always something to be done, nothing major has happened for a while. It's actually just what Tessa needs. A piece of mind and a chance to recuperate. Lately she has been filling her time planting the garden, reading up on things and creating strategies that could be valuable to the group's survival. On some mornings, she'd practice Aikido with Morgan, as well as work-out to keep fit.
Tessa would experiment with different spices and methods to cook the Game Daryl occasionally hunts. Besides, he genuinely loves her cooking. Like his current favorite, "Korean Style BBQ Rabbit" she made with just apples, peaches and honey for the sauce. He. Fucked. That. Up. Which makes her put extra effort into preparing them meals. But Daryl isn't the only one bringing in the bacon. Tessa pulls her share by fishing. It's the best she can reel in since her bow is broken.
EXT. FRONT GATES
Though she's not on watch, Tessa stands at the gates with Father Gabriel pre engaged in conversation.
TESSA
...And that's just how I feel.
GABRIEL
Well, I can defiantly say that patience
is a virtue. If it's worth waiting for
it's a prize worth having.
They hear the roar of an engine and turn to see Daryl easing up to the gates. He brings the bike to a halt between them.
DARYL
(To Tessa)
Just the person I wanted to see.
Daryl reaches into the bag on the bike and pulls out a leather windbreaker.
TESSA
What's this?
DARYL
I'm going out. Thought you should come with.
TESSA
For what?
DARYL
Just out.
He hands her the jacket. She takes it.
TESSA
Any particular place, at least?
DARYL
Nope.
TESSA
So we're just going out... For fun?
Daryl nods.
TESSA (CONT'D)
I recall someone hating going out
unnecessarily. He says it's "dangerous."
DARYL
Between the two of us we can handle it.
Besides, I recall someone wanting to travel the world.
Lightly smiling, Tessa shakes her head and puts on the jacket. She then gets on the bike behind Daryl and holds to him correctly this time. He ruts the engine.
DARYL (CONT'D)
Gabriel-
GABRIEL
Of course.
He goes over to the gate and opens it.
DARYL
Thanks. Tell Rick we're out.
They head off. Gabriel looks on after them with a glimmer of something in his eyes. As if he sensed something remarkable about the two.
EXT.- OPEN ROAD.
Tessa holds on to Daryl. Having ridden with him before she is kind of use to the wind slapping her in the face. Only this time her hair is tied back so it doesn't do the same.
They travel the open, two lane highway that twist through valleys and hills. The clouds seems to form mountains in the clear, beautiful, blue sky. Freshwater roll off a few hillsides they pass forming roadside water falls. To Daryl and Tessa, this is sweet freedom. They were like nomadic Eagles just soaring to their heart's content and not a care in the world. Just the two of them and the wonders of the world. After miles and miles of traveling, Daryl pulls over to the side of the road and stop.
TESSA
What's wrong?
DARYL
Nothing wrong. Just making a pit stop.
They get off the bike and Daryl heads to the trees to urinate. Tessa walks off giving him his privacy. She looks down the road- the long, empty, winding, open road and inhales a relaxing, calm breath. Tessa takes in her surroundings then looks up to the hill side. With her spear in hand she starts for the woods just as Daryl finishes his business. He turns to see her head into the tree line.
DARYL (CONT'D)
Yo, where you going?
She turns to him.
TESSA
I don't know.
She continue on. Daryl watches her for a moment then picks his crossbow off the bike putting it on.
DARYL
(Calling to Tessa)
Well, hold up!
He takes the bike and moves it to the side of the road.
TOP OF HILL.
Daryl and Tessa make it to the peak and stand on the rocky overlook to admire the picturesque, wilderness scenery. Other small mountains and hills crossed with the road and the breathtaking beauty of the natural world paralyzed them. For the moment, this world is their's.
TESSA
Remember when I said "Even if I were to stand
on top of a mountain what would I be looking down at?"
DARYL
Yeah... What was or will be.
TESSA
What was is gone. But what will be... that's
for us to decide. There's more to this life.
DARYL
We have... And there is.
Subconsciously, Daryl moves a bit closer behind Tessa's shoulder. She doesn't pay mind to it even though she could feel him slightly brush against her as they glare out into the open.
In a sense, Tessa finds herself thinking "What is this about? Does he even realize how close he's standing to me? Maybe he doesn't but if so... what does it mean?"
If Tessa were to draw attention to it, Daryl would probably retreat and never attempt such an act again. Despite the questioning, she just goes with it. If it does mean something she will find out soon enough. Daryl then notices grey clouds forming from the direction they just came. That could only mean one thing.
DARYL (CONT'D)
C'mon. We find a place to settle for the night.
They move on.
INT. -WOODS- SMALL CABIN- RAINY NIGHT
The hard rain run off the roof of the dwelling. Tessa sits near the fireplace of the abandoned run down cabin finishing a can of food. Daryl walks over and sits next to her.
DARYL
The place is locked up pretty tight.
TESSA
They're probably losing their minds right now. Wondering where we are.
DARYL
They'll be alright.
She hands him an open can of food as he joins her under the blanket to keep warm. They sit together before the fire.
TESSA
How far are we from the community?
DARYL
I'd say about forty- fifty miles out.
TESSA
It doesn't feel like we've been driving that long.
DARYL
That's the thing about the open road you
just go. Don't really think about it.
TESSA
(Beat) Ya' know, I'm curious... is this little
road trip your way of saying thank you for the part?
He shrugs a bit with a mumble of "I don't know" then takes a bite of his food.
DARYL
Why? Do you like it?
TESSA
What's not to like? We past through some
beautiful scenery and not many Walkers
in sight. (Beat) It was almost like we
were the only beings on Earth.
Daryl examines the soft glow on Tessa's face as she to him.
DARYL
(Beat) Yeah... feels good to get away. Clear your head a lil'.
TESSA
(Beat) Daryl, is there something on your mind?
DARYL
Naw... I'm just saying. This stuff
don't taste right. Your'n taste right?
Tessa hands him her can of food basically giving it to him to finish. She watches as he eats what's left. Tessa isn't fooled. There is something more to Mr. Dixon that what meets the eye. This mysterious vibe he gives off sends her curiosity mixed signals. There is definitely something to this man and the same could be said about her.
There is a whole lot Daryl has found himself wondering about Tessa. But hopefully if he play his cards right all will be revealed with time.
TESSA
Well, I've been doing a lot of "clearing my mind"
lately. Determining what's worth remembering and forgetting.
DARYL
(Beat) How do you do that?
Tessa thinks for a moment.
TESSA
This is going to sound coo coo but... I talk to myself.
Daryl chuckles a bit as Tessa cracks a smile.
DARYL
Like full conversation?
TESSA
If that's what it takes. No, but seriously.
It's weird to explain but doing so has gotten
me through some tough times. Times when no one
would lend an ear even before the world ended.
Daryl intently listens at this.
TESSA (CONT'D)
I have this ability, that if I have problem, the
majority of the time I would dig deep within to
find the answer. Call it inner conscience,
guardian angel, whatever, but it's there. And
I just kinda ask myself, "How will holding on
to negative energy benefit my future?" Will
it make me stronger? Tear me down? Bitter?
More forgiving? Depending upon,
I either embrace it or let it go.
DARYL
What if you can't?
TESSA
If you can't that means that you have to.
(Beat) I remember a saying "Yesterday is gone
forever, tomorrow may never come, but
today is yours." Daryl, everyday we wake up
we're getting another chance to make life
as we want it. Meanwhile, someone else just
took their last breath.
There is silence in the room as Daryl meditate on this. Wow. She was mainly talking about herself but it felt like she was describing him. Maybe not the "talking to himself" part because he would usually go to an external source like a book to answer his problems. But in this moment, Daryl has discovered something new about Tessa.
This confirms it. In her past life, Tessa was like him. Alone. Perhaps misunderstood. Why else would she have to talk to herself? You'd think a girl like her would have a support system of many friends and family members. But then again, even Michonne admitted that she couldn't always make time for her younger cousin. Through all this, Tessa has found a way to cope with her loneliness and it seem to work. She's here. Standing strong.
DARYL
You know... the reason we are out here...
it's the same reason I was in the woods
that day I found you. (Beat) Back at the community,
I did anything to keep occupied to make myself
feel like I have a purpose. When I started feeling
cramped, I just needed to be alone. So I'd
wonder the woods day after day. It felt
like I had to be there searching for something
that couldn't physically be found.
TESSA
(Beat) Sounds like you were searching for
some kind of clarity or closure to something.
And you hoped that you'd find
the answer in the woods somewhere.
DARYL
Something like that.
TESSA
(Beat) Did you?
DARYL
(Beat) I don't know.
Daryl and Tessa lock eyes. or a moment, they hold a bit of tenderness in their gaze before a bit of awkwardness interrupts. Daryl breaks eye contact and gets up.
DARYL (CONT'D)
We should turn in for the night.
TESSA
Well, there's only one bed.
DARYL
And it's yours. I'mma sleep on the floor.
TESSA
No needed to be humble. The bed is big enough
for both of us plus you're driving so you
need proper sleep. Besides, snakes, spiders
and all other critters could be crawling around in here.
Daryl settles on the floor with the blanket and makes himself comfortable.
DARYL
Nah. I'm good. I've had it worst.
TESSA
(Beat) Alright.
Tessa surrenders and heads for the bed.
TESSA (CONT'D)
But you're cooking breakfast.
He slightly smiles at the tease. Tessa curls up and settles on the bed.
TESSA (CONT'D)
Good night.
DARYL
'Nite.
Daryl lay looking up at the ceiling reflecting back on the day. She is right about something again. When they were on top the mountain, it indeed felt like they were the only humans on Earth. All of the world their home. Of course he doesn't really wish they were and technically they could go anywhere they please. Maybe even run away together and... Naw.
He glances over at Tessa who's breathing seem to have evened out, a sign she is fast asleep. Daryl turns over and dims the fire.
***Hope you enjoyed the chapter! I also imagined the song "If You Could Only See" by Tonic playing when Daryl and Tessa was leaving and on the road. It wouldn't be relevant really but hey. Thanx!***
