The reviews flocked in! I love it when that happens! :D There's a song in this chapter called Back Home by Charles Esten, I recommend it!

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Jesse's POV

"You find it weird that he talks to himself too right?" I nodded as It and I watched Bill talk to himself about neglecting his barricades. We had just taken out about three Clickers and two Runners (I say we, I mean Joel and Bill while I was tasked with keeping It safe).

"I think it's all the..." I made the motion of drinking and It nodded, trying to keep her laughing under wraps.

"What're you guys jarring about?" Bill snapped.

"Uh...just wondering why you don't just fix one of these cars?" It covered, although she did have a point.

"Oh my god you're a genius." I could tell where this was going from the tone of Bill's voice. "I mean all this time why on earth hadn't I thought of fixin' one of these cars?"

"Okay...don't be a dick." I snickered at It and she shot me a glare. Yeah yeah, I recognise her as a girl but that's it. Her kind still don't deserve names.

Bill lead us through a stretch of town that was empty, all the way into what I think was an old church or something. Whatever it was, it was filled with crap. "Well, here we are," Bill muttered as he led us down into a cellar. "You two don't touch anything." It rolled her eyes as we followed, Joel shutting the cellar doors. I was really starting to get a Silence of the Lambs vibe off this guy. If we come across a pit down here then I'm taking It and running.

Thankfully Bill lit a lamp, illuminating all the crap. Shelves and shelves of crap. "Let's gear up."

It headed to a table but Joel stopped her. "Uh- uh." She frowned.

"What? I need a gun."

"No you don't."

"Joel! Even Wonder Boy has a gun, and a bow and arrow." She kept whining while I just smirked at her. "I can handle myself."

"No." I agreed with Joel. It was my job to protect It and giving her a gun would just make her think she could go off on her own. Having a wanderer was not what we needed. "Just...stay with Jesse." She shot me a look and scoffed.

"Fine, I'll just wait around for you three to get me killed. Well if we get cornered I'm making sure Wonder Boy's coming with me!" I turned at that.

"What did I do?" she only glared at me before storming off. Knowing that Joel and Bill would just talk business I decided to keep tags on It. She was subtly going through Bill's stuff. Always gotta be difficult. "What're you doing?"

"Seein' if any of this crap's worth stealing," she mumbled, not looking at me.

"He told you not to touch his stuff," I pointed out.

"Well I don't have to do what you guys tell me." I rose an eyebrow at that, watching as she picked up what looked like an old comic book.

"You guys? I haven't said anything."

"You will." I rolled my eyes as she moved on to another shelf.

"Only when you do stupid shit like this." She stopped and turned to me.

"Yeah but that's my choice. You and Joel can't keep telling me what to do like you think I can't take care of myself. I did fine before Marlene handed me off to you guys and I'd be fine on my own now so stop treating me like a chi-"

"Hey! What did I say to you coming down those steps?" It dropped the comic she had been holding. "What did I say?!"

"My bad, I was asking her to pass me something."

"Don't touch." I nodded and let Bill get back to talking to Joel. I turned back to It, only to be shoved sharply into the bookcase.

"Stop bailing me out, I don't need your help!" she stomped off before I could say anything. I would have followed and demanded what was stuck up her butt if it hadn't of been for the hand clamped over my neck.

"Don't bother. Woman are nothing but trouble, especially for someone your age." Bill guided me over to where he and Joel were gearing up. Joel handed me a handgun and I loaded up. "In fact, when I was your age, I found that girls weren't all they were cracked up to be. I found that they were just bitchy, needy and most of all, annoying. Now guys are more...relaxed." Joel promptly stopped loading his shotgun.

"So what, you swore off sex?" I asked. Joel and Bill exchanged a look.

"Well, not exactly..."

"Uh Bill..." Bill looked at Joel dumbly.

"What? The boy needs to learn about alternative means of relationships, especially with a little bitch like her." I glared as Bill motioned at It with his head. "Anyway, time to head out. Joel needs his fuckin' car."

Bill led us up some stairs, once again threatening It not to touch anything. The upstairs led into an old church, more of Bill's junk strewn everywhere. Joel whistled lowly.

"Nice place you got here ." Bill grunted in response.

"Well if you got anything to confess better do it now." Joel and It ignored him, heading into another room. "That ain't the confessional that's my room!"

"We ain't touchin' anything!" Joel shouted back.

I moved closer to the giant statue of what I think was the virgin Mary. Checking to make sure no one was watching, I kneeled down in front of it.

"Uh...hi, god...I um, don't know how to do this kind of thing so I guess I'll just...talk." I sighed. "First of all I wanna ask how Lacey's doing? Is she okay, making friends? God that's morbid when I think about it. Um...how about I ask how Tess is settling in? I doubt she believes she deserves to be up there but...she wasn't all bad. She wasn't even bad, she just survived." I paused as I tried to think up some more stuff to say. "I do miss them, a lot. It's right, well I guess I should say Ellie to you huh? I want to talk about them but Joel doesn't like bringing up the past. I get that, I do but it's just...I haven't got anybody left."

"That's not true."

"Fuck!" I swivelled round to see It standing behind me, arms crossed. "What do you want It?"

"Seriously? You spill your soul to some guy in the sky but you still won't treat me like a human being?"

"Infected aren't human!"

"And I'm not Infected! I offered to talk to you about this shit and you blow me off for a fake idol?!"

"He's not fake!" It's eyes widened. I composed myself before continuing. "Look, I don't have anyone to talk to. Joel doesn't do that kind of stuff so, once in a while, I like to rant to someone who'll listen. I'm not Christian or anything, I don't believe that shit, but it's good having someone to talk to."

It's expression didn't change. "And I'm not good enough? I'm here, I can answer, give you advice and support."

"What makes you think I'd listen to you?" I spat. That was a mistake as Its bottom lip began to shake, but she held herself together.

"Fine. Talk to some shitty asshole who abandoned us but, like I said, stop bailing me out cause I don't need this shit."

We stared at each other, glaring. It tried to look angry but I could see the hurt in her eyes. I don't feel bad. I don't feel bad. I don't want to say I'm sorry. Let her cry, see if I care. We get that car then it's a day drive to Tommy's at the most and she's gone. End of story.

"You kids okay?"

"Just peachy Joel," It said in a steely voice, eyes still trained on me.

"Uh...okay. Bill says it's time to g-" It turned and stormed towards the window where Bill was waiting and hopped through. Bill looked stunned for a second before looking to me.

"Told you." He hopped out after It, followed by Joel. I took one last look at the Virgin Mary before joining them.


"What do you mean the fucking battery's gone?!" I snapped, my back pressed against the door – Infected beating on it from the other side. It was helping but we were only just keeping them back.

"It's fucking empty!" Bill snapped.

"Bill where to?" Joel asked.

"Uh..." A particularly hard hit knocked It back while I held on.

"Guys!" It gasped as she ran back at the door.

"Bill where!" Joel yelled.

"Anywhere but here!" I heard feet pounding before a hand grabbed mine. It pulled me away with her, following the adults through the dark dingy school hallways. I'd been lucky enough to avoid high school the first time around. "We'll sneak out the back."

"Not this way," I hissed, skidding to a stop as I spotted about three runners.

"Shit," Joel muttered, pulling me and It behind some discarded desks. "how do we get past 'em?" I watched as they kept rather close together, shrieking at each other before moving on.

"I got a plan." Joel looked down at me in surprise.

"Really?"

"Yep. Give me one of your Molotov's." His eyebrows shot up. "Just do it," I grumbled, already picking up the brick laying close by. Before he could stop me I threw it. As soon as it cracked against the ground the Runner's pounced on it, screaming. Joel hurriedly handed me the Molotov and I quickly threw that too, turning away from the burning bodies as they shrieked and screamed until it all went quiet.

"Nice work kid," Bill mumbled as he got up. "All clear."

"Thanks." I didn't really care, just moved on quietly with the group.

"Help me open this," Joel told Bill as he pushed on some doors. As soon as they were opened we were ushered inside before the doors were slammed shut, Joel blocking them off with what I think were some gym mats. "This ain't gonna hold 'em for long."

As Joel spoke a banging sounded from the other side of the room, getting louder and louder until some flimsy doors were burst open.

"What the fuck is that?" It breathed as a hulking shape lumbered out, growls and snarls filling the gymnasium.

I froze.

"Jesse! Jesse you gotta move!" I couldn't. No matter how many times Joel yelled at me to, the sight of the Bloater shocked me down to my core. "Shit. Bill keep that thing away from the kids!"

Joel and Bill rushed into the fight, Bill using his shotgun while Joel used Molotov after Molotov, keeping that thing struggling and burning. The smell of rotting and burned flesh filled the air, making me feel sick. I could feel the contents of my stomach slowly rising up my throat.

"Jesse! Jesse I'm running low!" Joel ran to the spot I was still rooted to. "Jesse, I know what one of those things did. They took Lacy but unless you help us then we're all gonna die!" The Bloater was coming at us now, stumbling as it screamed.

"Jesse you gotta help them! Bill's out and that thing won't stop!" It was screaming at me to help them but I couldn't. "Fuck it." It pulled her knife out and threw it at the Bloater, striking it right in its oversized stomach. It shrieked in pain. "Fuck I made it mad."

"Kids move!" Joel grabbed It and pulled her away from the scene but I was still frozen. The Bloater stumbled so close I could feel its pants on my face. "Jesse!" I couldn't move. "Jesse move! God dammit Jesse move!" I closed my eyes, waiting to see Lacy.

"Ellie!"

I felt something slam into me, sending me right to the floor with a warmth coming right down on top of me. A weight left my side. "Joel catch!" Shots rang out and suddenly there was no more shrieking., no more screaming. Everything was quiet except the quiet pants against my neck. "Jesse? Jesse open your eyes!"

It was the first thing I saw, her face hovering over mine as she panted. "Wha-What happened?" her face, once searchingly frantic, contorted into almost rage like.

"Fuck you." She shifted off me and stood up.

"What?" I got to my knees but that was enough for It to swing right and slap right across the face, sending me right back down.

"No! Fuck you, you almost left me!" that shocked me almost as much as the Bloater. "You talk all this shit about how I'm not human and don't deserve to be alive but I don't give a fuck cause that's just you being a dick. But if you even think about abandoning me with this guy-" she jabbed her thumb at a stunned looking Joel. "I'll fucking kill you myself next time." She turned to Bill. "Now get us the fuck out of here!"

He nodded dumbly.


"Well that worked out," Ellie grumbled through her panting. I hadn't spoken since the Bloater incident and It hadn't looked at me at all. When no one said anything she sighed. "I'll go check the house." She walked off towards the kitchen.

"Jesse, go with her." I didn't argue with Joel, just followed It silently. She worked through the kitchen, finding some food, knives for some chivs and some old wine and cloth.

"Put these in your pack," she mumbled, handing the supplies to me without looking at my face. I did as I was told but a hundred questions were banging around in my head.

Why was she so upset with me?

Why did she care so much?

Why was I caring so much?

"I think there's a garage back here." I followed wordlessly as It opened a door. "Holy shit." She ran through and I heard a door open then close.

"What're you doing?" an engine revving answered me. "It?" it was almost a habit now to call her that.

"What's going on?" Joel and Bill pushed past me and into the garage. I followed in time to see It sitting in the driver's seat of an old, batted, blue truck.

"Look what I found. It's got some juice in it." She sounded pleased with herself. Bill looked thoroughly confused until he looked under the hood.

"That's my battery. That fuckin' asshole." I had no clue who he was talking about but I didn't care. He slammed the hood down. "Get out." It stayed put. "Get out."

"Fine, geez." She got out and came to stand beside me.

"Good find," I whispered. Bill got in and tried to start the car but it wouldn't go. He sighed.

"Batteries dead, but the cells are alive." I have no clue what Bill was talking about.

"Meaning?" Joel asked.

"Meaning we push it, get it started and get the battery going." He got out and turned to It.

"You and Jesse drive, we push." It didn't argue, just got back in the car. I followed, getting into the passenger side. Joel handed me a shotgun.

"Keep us covered." I nodded.

Joel and Bill opened the garage door before getting behind the car. "Are you gonna be okay?" I asked It as she gripped the steering wheel tightly.

"Y-Yeah. Just make sure nothing sneaks up on me." I nodded. The car started to move and It jumped before revving the engine. It didn't work and the car slowly rolled to a stop.

"Shit," I muttered. "No problem, they'll try again."

That was easier said than done as a shriek filled the air. "Oh fuck, Jesse on the left!" I lifted the shotgun up to the window and took aim, blowing the Clicker's head clean off. I kept shooting as Joel and Bill pushed, more and more Infected running at them. I felt the truck start to pick up speed as we reached the crest of the hill.

"Gun it! Gun it now!" It did as I said and soon the engine was roaring.

"Go go!" I heard Joel banging on the roof. It stepped on the gas and I was thrown back into my seat as the tires screeched, speeding us away into the setting sun.

Once at a safe distance It slowed the car so that we cruised easily along. We were both quiet, just enjoying the silence and peace. That peace was shattered by Bill banging on the side of the car.

"This is good!" It stopped the car, Joel telling her to keep it running. She gave him a thumbs up while I got out, breathing in the fresh air. Joel and Bill were talking again so I just leaned against the side of the truck. "That girl nearly got us killed."

Yeah well she saved my life so fuck you. Joel seemed to notice my glare.

"You gotta admit, she did hold her own back there." Held her own and mine pretty much. Bill chuckled.

"You ain't gonna make it." He looked to me. "Especially if you keep on the same way you are." My brow furrowed and he chuckled again. "You'll figure it out kid, or she'll make you." I rolled my eyes, shaking my head as I turned and got in the back seat.

"What he say?" It asked.

"I dunno," I muttered, sinking into my seat. I sighed deeply, letting my eyes close. Thunder rumbled in the distance and I could tell it was gonna rain. The door opened again and the car dipped as Joel got in.


Joel took over the wheel sometime during the journey and It joined me in the back. I decided to try and get some sleep, taking the fact that It was being quiet.

"Oh man." so much for that plan.

"What happened to sleeping?" Joel asked from the front. It groaned as she got up, holding something in her hands.

"Look, I know it doesn't look like it, but this here is not a bad read." she held up, to my surprise, a comic book. "Only one problem." she opened it onto a page and pointed. "Right there, 'To be continued'. I hate Cliffhangers." I snorted.

"I already read that one." It looked at me.

"Really? What happens?" I smirked, leaning back in the seat.

"I ain't spoiling it." she glared at me.

"Where'd you get that anyway?" Joel asked quickly to avoid a fight. It looked a little sheepish.

"Uh, back at Bills." I gave her a look. "All his stuff was just lying there," she defended. Joel sighed.

"What else did you get?"

"Well..." she fished through her back. "This make you feel all nostalgic?" she pulled out what looked like a CD and handed it to Joel.

"You know some of these are before my time," he took another look at the case. "Some of these I've never even heard of. They are winners though." he quickly put it in and some old country music filled the car.

"Better than nothing," It mumbled before going back to her pack. "Oh, and I'm sure your 'friend' will be missing this tonight..." Joel grunted but I didn't like the sound of Its tone. "Light on the reading but it's got some interesting photos." Joel seemed to catch on.

"Ellie that ain't for kids." She didn't listen and opened the magazine.

"Whoa! How...How do you guys walk around with those things?!" I flushed bright red.

"Don't look at that!" I tried to grab for the magazine but she held me back.

"Hold your horses, I wanna see what all the fuss is about." I kept trying though. "Why are all the pages stuck together?" both Joel and I froze.

"Uhh..."

"I'm fuckin with you guys," she laughed. I glared at her and reached for the magazine again. "Whoa why do you want this so bad cowboy?" she teased, wiggling her eyebrows. I flushed even more.

"That ain't funny!" I snapped and she started laughing. "I'm not gay!" Joel was chuckling now.

"Could have fooled Bill." that made me stop.

"Wait...so Bill's definitely...?" Joel nodded. "And all that talk about how I should know about alternative relations...?" Joel nodded again, adding a uh-huh. It clicked into place. "That fucker tried to turn me gay!" It burst out laughing, Joel chuckling with her. I huffed, sinking into my seat with very red cheeks. Slowly the chuckle's died down.

"You know what?" It started after a little silence. "This isn't that bad. Turn it up Joel." Joel did as she asked, filling the car with more music as another song started. This one I knew.

Sometimes it feels like I'm so far away,
Like everything I love has lost its place.
When life gets the best of me,
I just close my eyes and see,

It's head whipped to me but I just kept singing softly under breath.

Fireflies dancing in the yard,
Under a blanket of stars,
The sound of that rusty string guitar,
Playin' songs we know.

And all that I have to do,
Is think one little thought of you,
And I'm back home
I'm right back home.

It settled more into her seat, watching me as I sang. our legs were overlapping each others and Joel wasn't objecting so I decided to sing a little louder.

Work so long and hard to chase a dream,
And wind up some place you don't wanna be,
It's such a lonely road,
Especially when you know,

There's fireflies dancing in the yard,
Under a blanket of stars,
The sound of that rusty string guitar,
Playin' songs we know.

I was surprised when It joined in, even more when she held her own. She messed up a couple words but she wasn't bad. It was like a normal road trip, two kids singing in the back while dad drives.

And all that I have to do,
Is think one little thought of you,
And I'm back home
I'm right back home.

I'm back home,
I'm right back home.

I yawned as we finished, settling into my seat. I let my eyes drift shut as another soft song filled the car. "Did you know he could sing?" I heard It whisper.

"He doesn't do it a lot but when he does it's normally pretty good." That was the first comment on my singing by Joel and I couldn't help but feel a little good that it was positive. There was another long silence and I felt myself dozing. "He asleep already?"

"Maybe, he seemed tired."

"You should try and sleep too," Joel advised.

"He's taking up all the room and I get sick in the front." Joel sighed.

"Then stay in the back."

I stiffened slightly as I heard It sigh. I doubt I could have stopped my cheeks colouring as the seat dipped. It did all she could to keep from touching me but that all but failed as I felt her back rest against my chest.

To say I felt awkward was an understatement.

"You two okay back there?"

"We're fine I guess." It did not sound very happy. There was a long silence and, with the added warmth of Its body I found myself falling into a light sleep. "Who's Lacy?" my drowsy haze dissipated instantly.

"That's not for me to talk about." It sighed at Joel's usual answer and leaned back against me. I have to admit, when I was asleep on the couch with her, I thought that was as far as our touching would go. Now here she is sleeping on me and...I think I like how it feels. Don't judge me, she's warm!

"Jesse?" be asleep. Be asleep "I know we haven't got on the best, and I don't know if you can hear me...but please don't come that close to leaving me again. I haven't got another kid to hang around with and I don't think Joel gets how important that is. He cares for you two in case you didn't get that, so please don't get that close to leaving both of us again."

And with that she relaxed against me again. Using the best of my acting skills, I grunted and casually (hopefully) let my arm rest over her. Tomorrow we'll be back to being at each other's throats, but for now I just wanted to feel normal, and what was more normal than riding in the back of a truck with a pretty girl?


Little action, drama and cuteness. Hopefully I didn't go to ooc with that but I wanted Jesse to seem a little less hardened then he puts on. He has a heart, just keeps it guarded. Anyway, if you want more you know what to do...

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