In a world ruled by fear, survival comes with a price.
When her brother's attempt to overthrow the Saviors fails, Tessa finds herself under Negan's watchful eye-protected, controlled, and dangerously close to the man she should hate. As violence, po...
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Days passed before Tessa was strong enough to leave the cot. Not healed, not even close, but steady on her feet, wrapped in a scarf to cover the bandage under her jaw, her movements slow and careful.
Rick stayed close. Too close.He wasn't letting her out of his sight again.
When Jesus radioed that Maggie was stable, Rick didn't hesitate. They were going to Hilltop.
The drive was quiet. Wind slipping through the cracked windows. Rick is sitting in the back with Tessa, as if he still needed to be close enough to catch her if she swayed. Tessa watched the trees blur past, fingers clenched tightly in her lap.
It felt unreal being outside, being free, being in the world again.
Rick kept glancing her way. "You okay?"
She nodded. "Just... trying to feel normal again."
"You will," he murmured. But she wasn't sure.
Not yet.
Not too long after, they stepped through the Hilltop gates, and the moment Maggie saw them, saw Rick, Carl, and then Tessa behind them, her face changed.
"Tessa?" Maggie breathed, stepping forward with her hand over her mouth.
Tessa didn't even realize she was moving until Maggie's arms were already around her. Not careful, not gentle, Maggie hugged her tight, like she needed to make sure Tessa was real.
"Oh my God... thank God... thank God you're okay," Maggie whispered, her voice shaking.
Tessa clutched her back just as tightly, the first real warmth she'd felt in months sinking deep into her bones.
Rick stepped back, giving them space, watching with a softache in his eyes.
When Maggie finally pulled away, she cupped Tessa's face, careful of the bandage.
"He can't have you anymore," Maggie said softly but fiercely. "He can't hurt you here."
Tessa swallowed hard, nodding.
Behind them, Jesus stepped closer. "There's someone who's been waiting to see you."
Tessa blinked, confused. "Who—?"
And then she heard it. Bootsteps behind her. Slow. Hesitant. Familiar.
Tessa turned. Her breath left her body instantly.
Daryl.
He stood a few yards away, clothes filthy, face bruised, hair longer, eyes sunken and exhausted, but alive. Alive. And free. The world narrowed to him, and him alone.
Daryl froze when their eyes met, like he wasn't sure she was real either. Then, without a word, he crossed the distance between them.
Tessa didn't wait. She met him halfway.
Daryl pulled her into him with a force that nearly knocked the air from her lungs. His arms wrapped around her, one hand on the back of her head, holding her tight against his chest like he wasn't ever letting go.
Tessa broke instantly. Tears streamed down her face, silent and shaking, soaking into his shirt.
"Yer okay," Daryl whispered, voice gravelly and thin.
She nodded against him, unable to speak.
Rick watched, chest tightening painfully. Carl looked away, swallowing hard.
Even Maggie wiped her eyes.
Daryl held Tessa until her breathing began to settle, until her shaking eased, until she finally pulled back enough to see his face.
Daryl looked down at her bandaged jaw, fury flickering in his eyes. His voice cracked.
"He did that?" Tessa nodded once.
Daryl's jaw clenched so hard it trembled.
"I'm gonna kill him," he said under his breath.
Tessa shook her head weakly. "Not yet... not now... I just— I'm just glad you're here."
Daryl swallowed, breathing hard. "Yeah. Me too."
He wiped her cheek with his thumb softly, like she'd break under his touch.For a moment, Hilltop was silent around them. Two broken people, finally free, finally safe, finally back where they belonged.
