1 month later
//Tess's POV
Preparation for the fight against Negan had been going great. Having Carl's group on our side has been a huge help.
We were practicing our aim when I heard twigs snap from behind me.
I turned around to see Dwight walking up to us. A big group of Saviors were following him.
My eyes widened. Carl and his group were standing behind me but I could guess that they were shocked, too.
Dwight walked up to me.
"You did it," I said softly, smiling.
He shrugged. "Sort of. A lot of them still need convincing."
I nodded and he stood on my right.
I faced the group.
"First off," I started nervously. "You took a big risk by coming here today, and I want to thank you for that. I admire you guys for being willing to go behind Negan's back. I don't know if I would've been able to if I was in your shoes. And I feel guilty to ask you all to continue making sacrifices, but I know that's the reason you all came here."
The whole group watched me, intent and curious.
"I want you to know," I continued. "That if you join us, your past means nothing. We won't see you all as a Savior. You'll be one of us. And you'll have just as much value in the group as the rest of us. And maybe even more. Because, as far as I know, Negan still trusts all of you. I'll be relying on you guys to get information from him as well as fighting. There's gonna be a war. Are you guys ready for one?"
They exchanged glances with each other before taking deep breaths and nodding.
"We're with you," someone from the front of of the group said.
I smiled and looked over at Dwight.
"And so am I," he said genuinely.
We exchanged a smile and I faced the group again.
I felt someone come up on my left and take my hand, intertwining our fingers.
I looked over to see Carl, holding my hand tightly.
We looked at each other for a moment before forcing ourselves to look away.
Carl's group went over and interacted with Dwight's. The three of us watched them.
Not once did my hand leave Carl's.