A.N: Welp... R.I.P Carl. While he wasn't exactly my favorite I didn't dislike him either. He was just... Carl and it does feel very different now. Also poor Michonne has had to endure the same situation twice. Andrea now Carl so let me avoid that route with Tessa. SHOUT OUT TO UIET87, devildog35, ANIMECRZYGRL99, AND GALWIDANATITUD for the awesome reviews! I love how you all are dedicated to my story. Thanks so much!


Ext. - DARYL & TESSA'S HOUSE- DAYBREAK

Ron Ron snoops about outside the house in the early hours.

INT.- ALEXANDRIA- DARYL & TESSA'S HOUSE- MASTER BEDROOM DAYBREAK.

The morning light break through the window blinds casting shadows on the furniture in the room. A roaster is heard from the distant outside sounding as an alarm. Daryl tightens his grip around Tessa just enough to cause her to stir. Her locs scattered about the pillow but that doesn't stop Daryl from nestling closer and burrowing his face in the back of his lady neck as she rest her head on the biceps of his other arm stretched under her. Relaxed in each other's embrace, they tune to the soothing touch of each other's bare skin under the silk sheets.

TESSA

You know I have to get up soon.

Daryl drowsily stirs a bit himself.

DARYL

I know.

TESSA

What are your plans today?

DARYL

I haven't really thought it through... I might go out.

TESSA

Daryl, you just got back.

DARYL

Not scavenging.

TESSA

Not hunting I hope.

DARYL

Got to, Tess. I been gone for two weeks.

She slightly turns her head to him.

TESSA

What happened to forming a hunting team?

The new arrivals seems capable enough.

DARYL

They are. I already talked to 'em

about it. They just need to unwind first, Tess.

He assures his lady, giving her a gentle lick on her shoulder as they let the subject drop.

DARYL (CONT'D)

(Beat) You know, last night was the best I had in a while.

Tessa rolls completely to face him.

TESSA

You know, I thought about it while you were

away. We should set aside a few days, just

for us, for nothing but food, sex, and sleep.

DARYL

And repeat? I love the sound of that. When we startin'?

TESSA

As soon as my cousin and 'em get back.

DARYL

Guess that answers your question too. I'll format

the hunting team after that. That gives 'em

time to get use to things around here.

Now the rooster crows louder than before. Daryl sighs.

DARYL (CONT'D)

That damn bird. Surprised the fox ain't got 'em yet.

TESSA

That's because I fixed the coop. C'mon. Get up.

Tessa raises up out the bed to start the day.


EXT.- ALEXANDRIA- DARYL AND TESSA'S HOUSE- MORNING

Hours later, Daryl loads a truck with needed equipment as Tessa brings out a backpack. He turns to his lady.

DARYL

Oh. You know I might need another one

of your arrows. One of mine broke.

Tessa annoyingly hands over the sack.

TESSA

You wait til now to tell me.

DARYL

Sorry babe.

TESSA

I'll go file one down.

She walks off towards the house.

DARYL

(Calling after Tessa)

Love you...

Tessa enters and Daryl searches through the bag on the truck bed. Just then a man approaches the vehicle and watches him for a moment unnoticed. Daryl closes the truck bed door and catches him standing their from his peripheral vision.

FRANCISCO

Morning.

Daryl just nods a "hello."

FRANCISCO (CONT'D)

Going out I see. Where to if you don't mind me asking?

DARYL

Just out... doing a little huntin'.

Francisco nods to himself and ponders this for a moment as Daryl continues to ready himself for the hunt.

FRANCISCO

I'll join you.

The Archer silently looks to him- studying him a bit uncertain.

DARYL

Naw... You just got here. Rest up. Enjoy a little.

Daryl takes his arrows and flex them one after the other.

FRANCISCO

I have. Because of you and your people, my

people slept the safest they ever had in a while.

DARYL

Yeah but it was just one night.

FRANCISCO

One night or one hour it doesn't

feel right not pulling some kind of weight to

make up for it. Besides, you just got back

yourself AND I'm a pretty good shot.

Daryl just observes the man standing there with his rifle. Just then Tessa walks out with the filed arrow. Daryl sighs.

DARYL

(Beat) A'ight. As long as you keep up and keep quiet.

And we ain't gone use guns. Not unless we have to.

FRANCISCO

Aye, aye.

Tessa comes up and hands him the arrow. He places them all back in the quiver on the crossbow. She greets Francisco.

TESSA

Morning.

He smiles and gracefully responds.

FRANCISCO

Buenos dias, senorita. Como estas?

(Good Morning, miss. How are you?)

Amused, Tessa test the waters.

TESSA

Muy bien. Usted y su gente duermen bien?

( Very well. You and your people sleep well?)

She nails it. Daryl just glares at her like "what?"

FRANCISCO

Sí. Te agradecemos por tu hospitalidad.

(Yes. We appreciate your hospitality.)

TESSA

Eres muy bienvenido.

(You're very welcome.)

DARYL

I didn't know you could speak Spanish.

She looks to Francisco but cheekily smiles and shrugs.

TESSA

Poquito.

(A little bit.)

Francisco smiles back.

DARYL

(Beat) Well, we out.

TESSA

We?

DARYL

Yeah. (To Francisco) Ready?

Francisco nods and heads to the passenger side of the truck.

DARYL (CONT'D)

(To Tessa)

Alright. I'm gone bring you back good one.

He bunt heads with her.

TESSA

Just watch your backs out there. Come back to me.

DARYL

Always.

Francisco watches from the passenger mirror as they exchange affection. D & T break away and he goes to the driver side and gets in. The men briefly glance at each other before Daryl starts the truck. He backs out of the driveway and heads off as Tessa goes back into the house with Ron Ron running up to her then inside.


INT.- OPEN ROAD- TRUCK- DAY

Many views pass by as the men ride silently. Francisco occasionally glance to Daryl who keeps his attention on the road. He finally breaks the ice.

FRANCISCO

I can tell you do this often. Hunting.

DARYL

(Beat) Yep. Only one who really know how... besides Tessa.

Francisco registers the name as questions spring to mind. But like all new relationships, he's not sure if they are the right questions to ask right now without possible offending. The conversation is slow.

FRANCISCO

Tessa. Who is she to you?

Daryl glances over then back to the road. Though he seems a bit reluctant to answer, Daryl understands Francisco is only trying get to know him.

DARYL

Same Joann is to you.

FRANCISCO

Fiance?

DARYL

Naw, but we're together. She teases

I'm her "Manfriend" sometimes.

Francisco is amused at this and cracks a slight smile.

FRANCISCO

That sounds like a dog.

DARYL

Um huh. She only says it because

I said "boyfriend" sounds a little dated.

FRANCISCO

She seems like a good sport.

Daryl looks over him but says nothing.

FRANCISCO (CONT'D)

You know. Sense of humor and all. I can tell she's smart.

Another brief moment of silence.

DARYL

Tell me something about Joann. How long ya'll been engaged?

FRANCISCO

A little before the turn of it all. Dated for three years.

I use to make deliveries to her job and asked her out

a couple of times. She refused. Said she wasn't into

delivery boys. But, eventually, I earned her love.

Daryl glances over to him. Wow. The fact that this man has been rejected so many times yet still got the very woman he wanted says a lot. Francisco is persistent and possible has a positive perspective on things. Daryl himself would have given up BEFORE the first try.

FRANCISCO

Joann is pretty precise about the things she want.

She's strong headed, knows her self worth and

values... She's got her shit together, ya know.

DARYL

Yeah. I know what you mean.

FRANCISCO

(Beat) I know it goes without saying but... I'll die for her.

Daryl glance between Francisco and the road a couple of times. He doesn't agree with his statement but neither does he disagree.

DARYL

For Tessa... I ain't dying. That'll do no good.

I'd rather be alive to kill for her instead.

Francisco nods at this deep commitment and directs his gaze outside the window as they drive on. Of course Daryl would die if he had to but wanting to live instead says much about his devotion to his lady.


INT. ALEXANDRIA- DOCTOR FERRELL'S HOUSE- DAY.

Tessa walks in the front door quietly with a dish at hand and closes it behind her. She heads to the part of the house where patient's beds are set up. There in the beds lie another Alexandrian member and the woman from the survivor group, Laura. Around her is Joann, Audrey and Trey.

TESSA

Hey...

They look to her.

TESSA (CONT'D)

How is she coming?

Joann gets up from her sister's bedside and casually approaches.

JOANN

She's... better now that she's here. Your doctor

is still evaluating her. He said it could be the

flu or worst case, pneumonia, but the best

news it's not contagious since none of us has

yet to catch it.

Tessa evaluates the group for a moment looking a bit concerned.

JOANN (CONT'D)

But if you want to take precaution I understand tha-

TESSA

No, it's fine. She's in good hands with Dr. Ferrell

and I trust his judgement. (Beat) I bought over

a little something to lift your spirits.

Tessa uncovers the dish to reveal some of the peach cobbler.

TESSA (CONT'D)

Seems I made more than Daryl could eat.

She hands Joann the dish.

JOANN

Wow... Can't remember the last time I had peach

cobbler. Thank you. (Beat) We never properly

introduce our selves. I'm Joann. You may have seen

Derrick and George out on the porch, that's Audrey,

Trey and my sister... she's Laura. I'm not sure

where my fiance', Francisco went.

TESSA

With Daryl.

There is a brief silence. Tessa softly smiles.

TESSA

Well, stay strong. You're here now.

She turns to leave as Joann has a feeling of relief.


EXT.- WOODS- DAY

The men tread softly through the dead foliage trying not to make more noise than the leaves allowed. They have their weapons up and ready just in case and study the Earth around them for possible signs of game. So far, nothing but Walker tracks- a lot of them.

FRANCISCO

Nothing but the dead's track scattered throughout here.

We might need to head in another direction so not to run up on them.

DARYL

Judging by how old the tracks are that herd seems

far ahead. So long as we stay behind them we good.

Though they may have spooked all the game.

Francisco looks around a bit more.

FRANCISCO

I'm thinking we go West?

DARYL

(Beat) We go West.

The men head West in hopes of finding query.

Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

An hour pass and Daryl and Francisco find themselves in a murky, swampy area. Walking behind Daryl, Francisco loses footing a bit in the mud and stumbles. Daryl glances back.

DARYL (CONT'D)

You good?

FRANCISCO

(Recovering) Yeah.

They trek onward.

DARYL

It's been a minute. We might just head back.

Not seeing much here either.

FRANCISCO

No but that smell... wow, what died?

DARYL

Whatever did, it must be big to give off such a

stench. (Beat) What to much for ya?

FRANCISCO

It's not for you? It's like a punch in the face.

DARYL

With all the death walking around you

should be use to it by now.

FRANCISCO

Naw that's a different stench of death. This smells

fully dead and decomposing.

DARYL

Death is death no matter what it smells like.

Just then, Daryl stops in his tracks but Francisco doesn't. Daryl alerts him and extends his arm so he goes no further.

DARYL (CONT'D)

(Speaking sofly) Hold up.

Francisco does and watches Daryl who has his eyes locked on something up ahead. Laying yards away on the ground through the trees is a large animal. From what they could see, it's black in color and pretty hairy but no other detailing sticks out thus far. What ever it is has drawn the attention of many Walkers that swarm towards it from all directions. Some already feast on it's decaying flesh.

DARYL (CONT'D)

Well there's the source of that smell.

They observe the ghouls.

FRANCISCO

What do you think it is?

Daryl shrugs.

DARYL

I don't know. Big as it is could be a Moose. Ain't no telling.

C'mon. Let's get out of here before we're spotted.

Suddenly, a Walker springs up snarling from behind Francisco nearly taking a bite but he dodges just in time.

FRANCISCO

SHIT!

He slips in the mud and the Walker follows him down attempting to bite but Daryl bashes it in the head with his crossbow.

DARYL

C'mon!

A muddy mess, Francisco takes Daryl's hand as he pulls him up from the ground. Now alerted to the duo's presences, the Walkers around the animal and those closing in start for them.

The men find footing and run in the direction they came rushing pass any incoming Walkers. But their escape is narrowed by more Walkers flooding in. Francisco takes his rifle, aims and fires. Five Walkers fall in a nearly straight line from one shots. There's their opening. The men dash from the closing crowd.

They race through the forest for a good moment with death on their heels and though tiring they dare not stop. Finally, they've reached their end. In front of them a long drop over a rocky hillside into a body of water below. They view the option forward then look back at the coming herd.

FRANCISCO

Damned if we do damned if we don't.

DARYL

At least we got options.

Daryl puts his crossbow on his back as Francisco puts his rifle on safety and does the same. They carefully but swiftly start down the steep hillside grabbing hold of tree roots or branches which ever is stable. Not so much for the Walkers. As the herd close in some Walkers fall over hillside to the drop below.

Daryl and Francisco does their best to avoid the falling bodies as they continue down, but like a hurdle of rocks the Walkers smash against the trees and the rocky edge until eventually...

With a blunt force it's body smash against The Archer causing him to lose his grip on the tree root. Both he and the Walker roughly roll and slide down the hillside.

FRANCISCO

Daryl!

Francisco picks up the pace to climb down. Daryl hits the pool of water below but immediately emerge on the defense. A few Walkers that survived the fall start towards him but he takes aim from the ground and fires his arrow. Damn, this is just like the time he went looking for Sofia except this time...

A shot ring out and a Walker falls. Followed by another shot and two more fall. Francisco has his back. He aims steady from the water's edge until the last Walker is down.

Daryl lay propped on his elbows panting and looking toward the marksman. He nods a 'thank you' and rolls over to get up.

Suddenly, a dead hand from below the water latch on to Daryl's ankle and pulls him close enough with such a strength. Then, the bite right to the back of his Achilles Tendon. He cry out a bit and kicks with his other leg to the creature's head as he felt the pressure of the bite but it wasn't enough to completely shake it. Francisco bolts to Daryl's aid and with the butt of his rifle delivers a fatal blow to the ghoul's head. It releases hold on Daryl and goes limp into the water.

Daryl scurries away from the Walker to the shore. His heart race as the worst crosses his mind when he immediately unties the rope around his bitten ankle to lift his pants leg. Francisco assist him preparing to see what horrible damage was inflicted to Daryl. Once so, they inspect the area.

FRANCISCO (CONT'D)

Daryl...

There is a bite mark due to the pressure but it didn't penetrate through the thick ankle high, steel toe boot he wore. The men catch their breaths exhausted from their encounter.

FRANCISCO (CONT'D)

You lucky son of bitch.

Daryl has never been so relieved. If the bite penetrated through, there would be no way to amputate his leg in time to stop the spread. Even if there was, who would stop the bleeding? Worst of all, what would the quality of his life be after that? How much of use would he be to his community and Tessa- especially Tessa?

DARYL

It was your idea to go West.

Francisco slightly smiles at his tease.

FRANCISCO

And you listened to me.

Daryl looks to Francisco with a sincere expression.

DARYL

I owe you, man.

FRANCISCO

We're equal. Besides, we have something in

common... we both have ladies to protect.

Francisco extends a hand to him and pulls him from the ground. Daryl puts on his shoe and with support from Francisco. They carry on pass the cliff where Walker bodies dangle between trees and rocks.


EXT. ALEXANDRIA- STOCK HOUSE- DAY

Tessa moves around supplies in the open garage to help Tori organize the shelves. She packs a box unaware of the man approaching. He stops and observes her in a subducting manner.

TREY

S'up, ma?

Tessa acknowledges him but continues her task.

TESSA

Hey... Trey is it?

TREY

That's right, Tessa. Let me help you out with that.

Trey takes the box and set it on the shelf after-which he turns to Tessa and just glares at her.

TREY

(Beat) You know, that has a nice ring

to it. Our names. Trey and Tessa.

Tessa glance to him a bit uncomfortable with his "charming" tone but she smile mask it and continues with her task.

TESSA

Coming on a little strong there.

TREY

I see no reason to hold back.

TESSA

Well there is a reason.

TREY

Time ain't exactly on our side these days and I

just want you know up front, I'm feeling you.

Tessa slows her task an takes a breather.

TESSA

Yeah... sorry to disappoint you-

TREY

So don't.

TESSA

I have a man.

Trey smirks.

TREY

Is he "eating it" right?

Tessa frowns at his bold question.

TESSA

Better than you'll ever know.

She takes some supplies and heads away but Trey calls to her.

TREY

If you need a real man to handle

that you know where to find me.

This new comer surely isn't shy about expressing himself. Trey watches Tessa leave clearly nerved by this distasteful conversation.