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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The silence after the Saviors left wasn't calm. It was the kind that made the hairs on Tessa's arms stand up — a thick, suffocating quiet that meant something was wrong. Rick, Michonne, Rosita, Aaron, and Tessa hurried toward the pantry, Carl following close behind. When Rick pushed the door open, everyone froze.
The shelves were stripped bare. Crates overturned. Jars smashed. Food gone. Supplies gone.
All of it.
Tessa stepped inside slowly, boots crunching on broken glass. "This doesn't make sense..."
Rosita scoffed, angry and exhausted. "Guess Father Gabriel wanted a fresh start."
Jesus crouched near the doorframe, studying the ground. "There are drag marks. More than one person. He didn't run."
Tara swallowed. "Then someone took him."
Rick looked at the scuff marks, jaw clenching. "Then we go after him."
Everyone turned at once — Michonne grabbing her gear, Jesus already moving toward the exit, Rosita pacing with desperation.
Tessa stepped forward, ready.
"I'm coming."
Rick froze.
He turned to her immediately — not angry, not dismissive — but with a sharp, protective seriousness she had only seen a few times before.
"Tessa... no."
The word stopped her cold.
She stared back at him, confused. "Rick, I can help."
"I know you can," he said quietly. "That's why I need you here."
Her breath caught. "What? Why?"
Rick stepped closer, lowering his voice so only she heard him.
"You've been through enough. We don't know who took Gabriel or what we're walking into. I'm not putting you into another situation like... like the last ones."
Tessa's throat tightened. That last part hurt and comforted her all at once.
Rick continued, softer:
"I need someone I trust here. With Carl. With Judith. With the people who can't fight. If the Saviors come back..." He shook his head. "I need you safe, Tessa."
Tessa swallowed hard. Her fingers trembled slightly.
"But I don't want you to go alone," she whispered.
Rick's expression softened — something pained flickering across his eyes.
"I'm never alone," he said, glancing at Michonne, at Aaron, at Jesus. "And I'm coming back."
Carl stepped behind Tessa, touching her arm lightly.
"He's right," Carl said quietly. "We need you here. I need you here."
Tessa looked between them — Rick's steady determination, Carl's worried eyes, Judith crying softly somewhere down the street, the broken homes and terrified people peeking from windows.
They needed someone calm. Someone stable. Someone they trusted.
Her.
Tessa exhaled shakily. "...Okay."
Rick nodded — relief and gratitude passing quickly in his eyes. He squeezed her shoulder once before stepping back. Jesus gave Tessa a soft nod. Aaron offered a small, reassuring smile.
And then the gates closed behind them, leaving Alexandria strangely quiet again. Tessa stood alone in the wrecked pantry, Gabriel's Bible still lying open on the floor. She picked it up, brushing the dirt off with a tight jaw.
It wasn't Gabriel she worried about. It was the look Rick had given her before he ran off—protective, worried... like she needed saving again.
Outside, families slowly emerged, shaken and confused. Carl lingered in the doorway, watching her quietly. Tessa straightened her shoulders.
"Come on," she said, voice low. "Let's clean this up."
Carl nodded and followed.
And as she stepped out into the light, she tried to shake off the feeling that she had failed Rick somehow—and swore she wouldn't give him a reason to look at her that way again.
