"What brings you through here?"

As Maria made small talk with Ellie, Maeve pondered about the scenario conspiracies.

The tingle of a potential un-secret secret made Maeve want to holler out the questions stirring in her mind. If TJ was truly Tommy's son, then Tommy would've recognized TJ and would have been elated to see his son. But he didn't. He hadn't even blinked TJ's way other than to observe them.

No wonder TJ was so fucked up and disgruntled about the subject. It was as clear as day now.

"Uh..." Ellie squeaked nervously. "It's kind of a long story."

Tommy scratched his nose and gestured toward the compound. "Why don't we bring 'em inside?"

"Yeah," Maria agreed and then looked at the younger beings. "You hungry?"

Gurgle.

Her stomach rumbled so loudly; she had what felt like a dozen pairs of eyes on her. The paleness of her face blossomed a bright red, and she embarrassingly stared at the ground. She curled her arms around her aching midsection. Stupid stomach and your mating whale cry.

Maria smiled gently, Maeve's stomach practically answering the question she'd asked. It was like she swapped Lara Croft ego for a motherly one as she gestured for her and Ellie to follow after them into the dam compound.

Mentions of food and hunger made the emptiness of her belly ache more. She was practically salivating by a couple of words.

"False alarm. They're friendlies," Maria's voice echoed through the air, easing the other survivors. She glanced back at them for a moment. "We've been dealing with raids. Lot of bandits in this area."

Bandits, huh? Maeve felt a little relieved they hadn't run into any during their hike here. They were quite low on ammo, or at least the others were.

"Yeah," Tommy said, a little ahead of Joel. "But it's been quiet for a few days."

"What the hell are you doin' here? I thought I'd find you in Jackson."

"Been trying to bring the plant back to life," Tommy answered.

Maria nodded. "We had it working before, but one of the turbines went south."

"We have electricity, Joel...had. We'll get it runnin' again."

Maeve took this time to look around. These people seemed to be working their asses off. Every so corner, there was an adult armed with a rifle or shotgun. Though she peered around, TJ's stoic expression happened to be in her line of side vision.

And then she looked forward, at the back of Tommy's head. A frown dipped her lips. Did Tommy truly not know that TJ was his son? Something filled her stomach; she wasn't sure what kind of feeling fluttered inside. Sadness? Pity? Sympathy? All could be it. It was a feeling she couldn't relate to. Her melancholy heart ached for him, in a way.

"No way! You guys have horses?"

"We got a whole lot of 'em," Tommy informed them with a smile.

"Hey, Tommy, gimme a hand with this," on the side, a man with a reddish-brown stallion called for the blond man.

"Sorry, I'll be right back," the man left to give aid to the horse groomer.

Pondering so much about someone's problems almost made her blind to magnificent beasts before her.

There were three.

One with a white and brown splotched coat, the reddish-brown horse having his shoes cleaned, and the last was a silver-coated mare having her coat cleaned. Each had their own saddle, their own person near them.

"Oh my God," she was spellbound immediately. "Aren't you gorgeous?"

The mare huffed her way as she approached her. Maeve was quickly to be by the horses' side, gliding her palm over her neck and jaw. Well, at least she tried. This mare was especially tall, probably fifteen or seventeen hands tall. What she loved about this horse, even though she just met her, were how bright her eyes were. Like a curious pair of sapphires.

"Isn't she?" The person at the mare's side chuckled at Maeve's enthusiasm. "I would ask if you wanted to pet her, but it seems you already are."

"It's been a while since I've been around a horse." She couldn't take her eyes off the mare's beautiful silver coat. "What's her name?"

"Wren," the groomer answered. "She likes when you pet her chin and ears."

"—he likes it when you pet his ears," she peeked around Wren to see Maria talking with Ellie, who pet the brown and white horse. "You ladies ever ridden a horse?"

"We actually have."

"When have you ever ridden a horse?" TJ asked, a tone with a mix of surprise and disbelief.

"Yeah, fess up," Jordon pet Wren's neck too. "Can you talk to animals now?"

Maeve rolled her eyes, scoffing. "No. Believe it or not, I was taught by a—"

"A friend?" TJ cut her off almost amused.

She threw a glare at him. He was clearly trying to push her buttons. And it was working. "As a matter of fact, yes. Ellie and I had our own teachers."

"Is this the same friend that taught you how to make bombs and molotovs?" Jordon peered around Wren's neck.

"I don't feel obligated enough to tell any of you that." She didn't appreciate them ganging up on her like that. Maybe calling Jordan a friend wasn't the best idea she could have, but she just wasn't ready to talk so carefree about him yet.

"Like how you're obligated to sit back and make sarcastic commentary?"

"I'm feeling very attacked right now," Maeve huffed, halting mid pet and crossed her arms over her chest, glaring at the two boys. Why did she even try? They didn't see her and Ellie ganging up on them. 

Sigh. She didn't care enough to share, but guys who know how to handle and ride horses, she thought it was hot. 

"Hey thanks, Tommy."

"No sweat," the blond man returned from aiding the shoe scraper. "All right, let's continue the tour."

"So, this place — Jackson," Jordon spoke up, earning himself the full attention of Tommy and Maria. "Is it safe?"

Maria smiled, seemingly unfazed by the doubt he had. "Of course, it's safe. Adults take shifts guarding the perimeter. Whether it be against infected or looters, we keep our town safe. What — you wanna be a part of the community, kid?"

"Do I need an application?" Jordon joked half-heartedly as he scratched the back of his head.

"Not at all, but we can pull the strings later."

"Y'all ready?" Tommy spoke again, rubbing his hands together, probably to reserve warmth.

Most of them agreed. And that was that. They followed Maria to the building.

Maeve was a little sad to leave Wren. She was a such a pretty horse.

"Earl?" Maria's voice sounded surprised.

"Yeah?" A man stood near the building, unlike the other survivors, the man had no weapon. He adorned a yellow construction hat and boots.

"Why are you here? Weren't you supposed to head back this morning?"

"Ah..." the man straightened up a little. "Still waiting on Houser and the rest of the boys to relieve me."

"We'll be fine," Maria tried reassuring him. "Just...go home to your family."

"It's just a couple more hours. I'll tough it out."

"Alright...well, take it easy."

She hadn't seen too much of these people, but she could already tell they cared about each other's wellbeing. It seemed nice — that they cared so much that way.

Once inside the building, a static voice escaped Maria's hand-held radio.

"We're in the control room," the voice said. "Steve's about to start it back up. Do you wanna come check it out?"

Maria kept her finger off the button, she looked around, finally at Tommy, "I'd rather eat with the kids."

Tommy waved it off. "It's my turn anyway. I'll go."

Joel nodded. "I'll come with you," he looked at the girls, and the boys too, though TJ didn't seem adamant with coming with them. "Go with Maria and put some food in you."

"Joel?"

"C'mon, ladies, and gentle-boy, Let's give the guys some space," Maria gestured for them to follow, and lifted the hand-held to her face. "I'm sending Tommy over. Stand by."

"You're not gonna get food?" Maeve looked at TJ, who stiffened.

"I...uh, I've got some stuff to settle." The blond rubbed the back of his neck.

I'm sure you do, her eyes flickered between TJ and Tommy. It wasn't official, but she was totally positive TJ was his son. They looked too much alike for it to be just a coincidence.

Wait...

...if TJ was Tommy's son, that would mean he's Joel's nephew. Huh. Maybe with if tilted her head enough, she could see that too. Maybe the tall genes of Joel ran through TJ. It was possible, since they were technically blood.

"Good luck," she said, noticing how he slightly tensed.

His lips tightened into a thin line and began to follow after Joel and Tommy.

"So, hey..." Ellie shuffled to her side, keeping her voice low. "Was it just me, or did you see that too?"

"Oh, I saw it."

"Saw what?" Jordon perked up, hunching over a bit to get it on the conversation.

"Didn't Tommy look familiar?" Ellie raised a brow.

"Not really..."

"Think harder, dude."

"Think harder, huh..." Jordon scrunched his face up as he thought long and hard about it. "Oh, wait."

"Yeah, get it now?" The sisters stared at Jordon.

"Holy fuck — so you mean to tell me that he is that dude's—"

"So, y'all ready for some food?" Maria broke through the conversation.

Gurgle.

As if their stomachs were in sync, three semi-loud growls of yearning for substance sounded into the air. It made the blonde woman laugh softly as she went to guide them to a place to eat.

She knew one thing for sure.

She was totally glad she wasn't the only who thought TJ was Tommy's offspring. It kind of took a bit off her brainstorming. However, aside from the conspiracies, she felt like she was dying with her empty stomach, besides she'd know whenever they got back from talking about it.

"Please."