Tess worked only half the day today at the Brazen Turtle - keeping the books is good work for her in part because it's not really a full-time job. Leaves her lots of free time to pursue her own business interests.

She's walking back to her Earth Sector suite, contemplating if she should try a new color in her hair soon - the blue has started to fade a little, and while she likes it, she's all about trying new things, like this life is a big sampler platter of stuff she never would've been able to do back home.

Things like that help her push away the nightmares, the worry about Sarah and Ellie, the empty spot inside her where Joel belongs.

The thought of Joel does two things - sends a faint pang through her chest, and then, as if her thinking of him had somehow conjured him up - he's there. Looking the same as ever, maybe a little older, a little more tired and worn and worried, but always the same.

He's back. Tess wants to punch him, or maybe kiss him. Or maybe just drag him somewhere quiet so she can watch him forever and make sure he won't leave again. The asshole.

Ultimately, she opts for her usual tactic - deflecting. Making light. Acting as though it's not a big deal that he's back, like it's no surprise, like she's at most vaguely annoyed. As though he went out to get bread and milk and is a little late getting back.

"Dammit, Joel, it took you long enough. We were gettin' worried." Hands on her hips, a gesture of admonishment.