Disclaimer: I do not own any character of (The Last of Us) TLOU is owned by Naughty Dog, but all the Oc character is from my invention.

Chapter 10: Time is running out

"Are you ever going to listen to me?" asked Joel, but he already knows what Ellie is going to say.

Elle up one hand to prevent Joel from talking. "Nope… I not going to listen to any of this. If you're going out there risking your life, I go with you." answer Ellie quickly, while moving away from him. "You know that you're going to need someone to cover your ass. These people are maybe good, but I don't trust them with your life. Beside you promise me that you won't let me alone again-"

Joel moves closer to Ellie and put his hand on her shoulder. "Ellie… You need to listen to me." he took a deep breath and look at him directly in her wetting eyes. "I know that I promise not let you alone again. And I know that you will cover my ass better than anyone. But you need to think about the baby now. You can't go out there and risk your life, because you will be risking his too." Ellie lowers her head because she knows all that. Her worst fear when she was kidnapping was losing the baby as much at losing Joel. "I know that you're scared about what the future is holding for us. But I will come back I promise. Nothing on this world is going to stop me to come back to you… nothing do you understand?"

Ellie knows that he was right, going out there is going to be risky. She can take care of herself, but she needs to think about the baby. She doesn't want to lose Joel, but after what happen early she needs to be more careful. Ellie knows that Joel can take himself, and even that they defender themselves better when they're together. He can see in his eyes, that this time he want her to be safe inside the town. Ellie's eyes start to watered so she moves forward and hugs him hard. "I understand that Joel, I just don't want to lose you either." she starts to say. "I want to share this new life with you, and I can't do this Alone... So I want you to be careful out there and don't risk your life if you don't have to. I don't want to lose-" she can't even finish as more tears fall down, so she bare her face on Joel's chest so he can't see them.

Joel tight his arms around her to hug her harder. "Shhh… it's an okay baby girl, I will be careful I promise… Beside I not going out there alone. You know that I need to do this, not only for the people of Jackson but for these people too. I don't know if Bill information is true or no, but these people need the chance to get a better life too." Joel kisses her head and holds her tighter. "Don't worry I will be fine, besides that train is our best chance to get back to Jackson alive."

Ellie pulls herself a little away from him, just to look at his face. "Okay Joel, I will stay. I don't like it, but I will stay here, on one condition."

"And what is that kiddo?"

"I want to get married before you go out… I mean officially."

"Ellie, we talk about that before and we don't need to-"

"I need this Joel… I know that is not going to mean anything to some people, but it does to me. I want to be married to you officially, and we can do it in here. They have a priest in this town… I already ask." Ellie gives him a pleaded looks, hoping that Joel agreed with her.

Joel looks at her. He doesn't know why she wants they married to be official, is not like someone is going to ask for papers. The only thing they need is to love each other. But he knows that this is important to Ellie, so he will be happy to make it happen. "Okay kiddo, if you want to do this here, I will talk to Frank and see how we can arrange this. But In the meantime let go and see, what is this plan they have in mind to get the part they need." Say Joel smiling at her.

Ellie smiled at him too, then move forward and kiss him deeply. Joel returns the kiss with the same passion, and a few moments later they move apart. "I love you Joel and thank you for doing this for me," Joel told her that he loves her too, and that be with her make him a happy. After that, both of them go out of the room, to talk to Frank and Bill.

( A few hours early in the Airport )

The first thing Carson did in the morning did what his boss told him. He goes to one of the hangars where most of the men were sleeping and talk to them. He told them about the fireflies coming here to help them to take the town and that the boss need to work with them. Some of the men were not happy to hear that. Because they know that they're not trustworthy, but others were happy to have more help. Before the meeting ended, Carson told them to get prepared and check the vehicles and weapons and be get things ready.

The meeting took a few hours, so after he finished he get out of there and walk toward another hangar on the other side. A soon he enters the place, he saw an old man sitting in a chair against the way on the other side of the hangar. The place wasn't big, and only a few old boxes and other scraping things where there. They only use the place as a storage facility, even if they're just been there for a little more than a mouth. So he walks toward the man to so he can do what he came to do. The man sitting in the chair, stand up a soon he saw him approaching. "Hey, how is Leo doing?" he asked the old man that was keeping watch on the place.

"Well, he wakes up early this morning cursing and trashing the place inside. Also, some of the guys came early to bring him something to eat but he didn't take it." The old man explained.

"Oh, I see… did you need to knock him out again?"

"No, he is been quiet for some time now." answer the man.

"Okay, open the door, I need to talk to him," the old man nodded and open the door for him. Carson stands at the door looking inside. He saw that the only light in the room was coming from a little window on the top of the back wall. The place was just a little storage room with not much inside. Carson walks in and closes the door behind him, he saw the man sitting against the back wall with his eyes closed. He moves slowly at him, but be ready for anything.

Soon he gets closer, the man starts to speak. "This Isn't right man…" says the man with his eyes still closed. "Those boys were all to me… I promise their mother to take care of them before she dies. And now…" the man open his eyes and move his hand to wipe out some tears from his eyes. Then he looks at the man in front of him directly to his face. "I need it... I need to kill the bastard that kills my boys."

Carson feels some pity for him, he was a good man and a good asset to the group. But feel pity for others don't work in this world. They have been trying to take this town for a month now, and even that they kill some of them the place look impenetrable. Food and ammunition are getting low now, in a way he understands why John goes out to look for other people to help him, but seek the help from the fireflies was a mistake. A mistake that he is going to regret, so he decides to do something before they arrive. "I know is a hard man, we all lose someone in this fucking world. But now we need to focus on what is need to be done."

The man stands up slowly making Carson move back a little on precaution. "We have been patient with this people to long. We offer them to surrender and make a deal with them, but the only answer we get was getting our men dead. And now they kill my boys?" he says moving close to Carson. "We're not even attacking the town in a week." the man turn around and put his hand in his head. "I don't care what John is going to say... but I want the man that kill my boys and I want to see that place burn."

"I know what you feel man, and I can give you that chance." the man turn his head and look at him curiously. No getting exactly what he wants to say with that. "John makes a deal with the fireflies to help him taking the town." said the man calmly.

"Those fireflies asshole?... they're going to betray us a soon this is over." said the man firmly.

"I know. That is why I talk with a few men and we decide to go out and finish this. We've been looking at the town for weeks, and the best way to take them by surprise is going through the back of the town."

"But we try that way before remember, too many infected that way and we lose a few men, just try to get to the back wall."

"Yes, but this time I have a plan," the man put a hand on the old man shoulders and take a deep breath. "So what you said, are you with us?… I can use your help in this one, and if you come I can guarantee you, that you boys are going to be avenged."

The man looks at him for a moment. "Count me in"

( Back to Eureka present time )

After Joel and Ellie got out of the guest house, they found Paul in a street close to them. Joel told him, that he decided to help them to get the part they need. Paul thank him and told them that Frank and Bill were on the subterranean station where the train is. Paul escorts them to the place and soon they arrive there all of them were received by Frank.

"Oh Joel, you came… man, I so glad, that you decided to help us." He extended his hand and Joel take it.

"Well it wasn't an easy decision," he looks an Ellie direction. "But I going to be happy to get out of here a soon as possible."

"Don't worry about that, we're going to be ready to go a soon the train is ready. Paul and a few of my best-trusted man is going with you." Joel looks at Paul, and he noddle at him. "Now come, we have a few things to discuss." All of them walk toward a table where Bill was with a map of the city.

As they were walking toward the table, Joel and Ellie start to look around. They can see a few people working here and there. But a soon Ellie saw the train she got excited. "Look Joel…" she pointing at the train. "Wow that is so cool, I never see anything like that before. Well one that can work," Ellie walk faster to get closer to the side of the train.

"Yeah, is not a luxury train, it was just a cargo train with some passenger cars, but it going to work fine for us," said Frank will he look at it.

Joel follows Ellie and starts to look at it. "This is… I don't see any of those working, in a long time. Looks in good condition, where you get it?"

"We found it a few years ago, in the city. It was pretty damaged but we manage to bring it here. And after we work on it, we put it in good condition, just in case we have an emergency and we need to get people out of here fast. But still not working completely... so we have to work on that now," explained Frank.

Joel takes his sigh away from the train to look at Frank. "But how that is going to work? I mean, even if you make the train work again, how far are we going to get? Most of the train's track is probably destroyer or blocked by now."

Frank look at the train and started to speak. "Don't worry about that Joel. We sent a few men out to check the track a soon we found this old cargo station and the train."

"Yeah, I took a few years to repair and clear it out. Now we have a direct track, that goes from here to a few interstates. We're lucky that most of the track where intact, we assumed that t0hat track was been used before. Maybe by the military to move equipment or people out." added Paul.

While the men were talking, Ellie was fascinating looking at the train. She saw a few people working on it or transfer boxes into the cargo cars. "Wow, Joel this is the coolest thing I ever see," said Ellie walking back to the three men.

"Well is going to be more coolest a soon we make it work," said Bill moving close to them.

"How this even work? Most of those things work with electricity," asked Joel out of curiosity.

"Well, lucky for us this one can use a little electricity to work. The engine car is been modified with some solar panel too, so that way we can get the electricity we need. The engine is an older design, so it works on steam just like the old locomotor."

"How many people you can fit in there?" asked Ellie.

"Well, right now all Eurake people. We have a few sitting cars that can take 25 people and a few cargo ones, where we going to put food and thing we need to for the travel." Say Frank looking at Ellie. "Okay maybe is better to get now to business show we!" Bill nodded and guide them to the table.

"Okay this is a map of the entire Eureka city," Said Bill pointed to the map on the table a soon all of them get closer. "As you can see the QZ walls cover a big part of the north part of the town. Now if you look to this part right here, you can see an old gas company at the southeast from the city." Bill move the map and pointing to the place with a large stick.

"That looks like a long way on foot, how we going to get there if there infected on the city?" asked Joel looking at the map.

Now was Paul the one to speak. "We don't need to walk outside all the way there. We found a few sewer tunnels that can take us halfway without any problem. We can get out in this point close to Myrtle Ave. After that we have to walk a few miles until we get to the place." said Paul.

Lucky for us the east part of the city doesn't have many infected, so if we get lucky we don't even go to find any there. So we not expecting too much trouble to get there." added Frank.

"Okay, one of my men is going to accompany you, with the list of things we need. The parts are not big, so you can carry them on a few bags. We calculate that the trip is going to take like 8 to 10 hours, that depends on the walking and how fast you find the parts." said Bill looking at them.

Frank clap his hand and look to everyone at the table. "Okay, Paul is going to check the man that is going in the group, except for Joel and Bill's man. We going to give you three hours to get ready, so go a prepare the thing you're going to need for the trip. Time is running out gentlemen, so let's do this as fast as we can. I will talk to the rest of the people tonight and told them about our situation here and why we need to go. If the mission is a success, we planning to go soon the train is working." After that, Frank starts to give some instruction to Paul, while Bill moves away and start to talk with some of the men that we're working on the train.

A soon Frank finish talking with Paul he walks away. Then Frank walk closer to Ellie and Joel. "Okay, are you two going… or just-" Frank started but Joel interrupting him.

"No!. Just me. Ellie will stay here until we get back," answer Joel fast.

"Oh… well, that is good… I mean... I don't have any doubt of your capacity to take care of herself, but is not good for you condition to go out with them." He says looking at Ellie.

Ellie looks at him and wanted to ask to what condition he was talking about. Because she does not remember telling him anything about the baby. But before she says anything, Joel spook first. "Yeah she can take care or herself, but we agreed that it was better if she stays here."

Frank put a hand on his shoulder. "Okay, then. I will prepare things for the meeting with the town people. So you can go back to the guest house and rest if you want. Things are going to be ready in three hours. So see you later body okay," He starts to walk away when Joel stop him.

"Wait! I need a favor from you first," he says looking back at Ellie.

Frank look at both of them for a moment. "Okay… what you need?"

( Two hours later )

"Are you sure about this? We don't need to rush this you know… we can wait and do this when we come back. We can have more time to-"

Ellie put one finger on his lips to silence him. "I don't want to make a big deal of this, I just want to hear the words from the priest and have this to be official," she said with a smile on her face.

Joel grabs her hand and leans forward touching his forehead on with her's. "You know that I love you right!... and even without this I want to be with you as long as this world let me."

"I know Joel… I just… need something to hold on until you come back. I never imagine to get married or have someone to…" Ellie close her eyes for a moment, she moves her head away to look at Joel's face. All this seems like a dream… a happy dream," Ellie smile and move closer and kiss him.

After a minute the priest took his position on the little altar and clear his throat. "I'm glad to see two people with much love on them, but we not at that part yet." said the priest looking a both of them.

Joel and Ellie separate themselves and look at him. "Sorry Padre, I just…" she started but the hot on her face make her stop. "Ummm... can we start now?" said Ellie with a shy smile on her face.

"Not yet… we are waiting for Paul. As Frank need to go to attend other business, Paul will be the other witness." Say the nurse grabbing Ellie arm and turn her around. The woman moves closer to her and puts a flower on her ear. Ellie smile at her, she barely knows the woman, but she was so wily to help her. As the woman was helping Ellie, Joel turns and start to talk with Frank. "I know that we don't know each other that well and that we just met a few days ago. But I like weddings and we don't have them much here lately," she says looking at Ellie with a smile. You know, before all this happen in this world, my mother was a wedding planner. So I glad that Frank asked me to help you with all this."

Ellie looks at her, with a happy face. She doesn't know where people that work at weddings. But that is something that she can talk about later. "Thank you for helping me. I know that all this was in short notice, but I just wanted to do it before..." Ellie still not knowing if she knows about the outside mission. So it was better to not said anything for now. "Thanks for the dress is look nice. And for don't say anything about Joel and me… you know for being an indifferent age."

"You're welcome dear, I know that is not a wedding dress, but you look beautiful on it. And for the other thing, I think that love has mysterious ways. And found someone to love and trust is harder this day, so don't worry about it."

"Okay I'm here!... sorry for the delay, but my kids were asking me a lot of question and-" start to say Paul a soon he entered the little church.

Frank look at him, the back to Joel. "Well my friend all is set now, so is time for me to go, Paul will take my place as a witness. I will like to stay, but I have a lot of things to do. So congratulation, on this part of your life and for found someone to keep you up." he winking at Joel while he offers his hand at Joel. "You spirit, I meant," he added, while Joel shakes his hand.

Joel smile at him. "Thanks, man… I really appreciate your help with all this." After that Frank walk away, while Paul moves closer to the couple and smile.

"Okay are we ready to start the ceremony?" asked the padre. Everyone nodded and take their position before they start.

The ceremony just takes half an hour. The padre conducts the ceremony as faster as he can. The little church was empty except for Joel, Ellie, the padre and the two don't invite anyone since this was something for Ellie and as they were in another town with people they don't know, they decide to keep it private. Joel will love to give Ellie a better wedding, surrender with her friend and family and back home. But this will do for now, and see Ellie happy is all that Joel need.

Ellie was lucky, that they pull all this in the short time they have. Joel talks to Frank and convinces him to find the padre and the witness and convince them to help. The nurse from the clinic offers herself to help Ellie with everything, she even gives Ellie a dress for the ceremony. Joel only changes to some cleaned pants and Frank give him a tuxedo jacket. After the Padre say a few words and get to the ring part, Ellie just takes out the ring Joel give her. So that way he can put it back and her finger and say his vows. As Ellie doesn't have a ring to give Joel. Paul gives her a rubber band, that Ellie uses to put in Joel's finger and say hers. When all that ended, the padre declare them husband and wife and they happy couple start to kiss again.

The nurse crying a little when Ellie turn at her and hug her. Ellie thank her for all the help she gives her. Paul checks Joel's hand and congratulate him, and wish him happiness. He also told him that he will talk to Bill and tell him that they need one more hour to get ready. So that way Joel and Ellie can use that little extra time to get alone. Joel thank him and walk with Ellie back to their room at the guest house. As the church was closer to the place, they only walk a few blocks to get there. On the way, some people look at them with a curious expression but don't say anything.

A soon they arrive at the guest house, Joel picks up Ellie and goes upstairs. After they arrive at the door of their room, Joel opened and walk inside, closing the door behind him. As they get closer to the bed Joel put Ellie down and grab her by her waist. "Well, we have to thank Paul for the extra hour, but I don't think we're going to have much time for a wedding night."

Ellie put her hand around Joel's neck and move closer. "Don't worry about it, I think we can have that back in Jackson. In the meantime, we have some time for our self before you need to go," Ellie pushes herself up a little and Kiss Joel on the lips. A few minutes later, both of them land at the top of the bed and start to take off their clothes.

( In another place )

Two humvees and a truck were parked in an old gas station up north of the California state. A man has opened a map in the front part of the vehicle and starts to check it out. After a few minutes, another man with a black uniform walk closer to him and stop beside him. "Sir, we received a communication from the second group. They said that they would be here in 15 hours." says the young man. He waits for a few minutes before he speaks again. "Are we going to wait for them?"

The leader of the group turn his head and look at him. "No!... we have to get to the old airport and find that John guy," the man grab the map and put it back to his pocket.

"Sir… maybe is better if we wait for the others," said the man looking back at the other vehicle and the soldiers beside them. "We and the other man need some rest after-"

The man turns to face the younger soldier and grab him by the neck and push him toward the side of the humvee. "After what?... after what happened in the mountain?" he says pushing him harder against the vehicle. "We lost almost the entire team we sent there. And after all of that, we didn't even get the immune boy or the woman that was with him," he says furiously before he releases him.

"Sorry... sir… not was my intention to-" say the young man holding his neck.

The man shook his head and try to calm down. "Is okay, you're young and don't be with us for too long. A lot has happened to the firefly, and after all these years we're so close to finding a cure, but that was taking away from us." the man walks to the side of the road and starts to look at the distance. "We need that boy… he holds the key to our salvation and we need to find him."

The young man walks away from the vehicle until he was beside his boss. "I understand sir… but how we can be so sure, that they come this way?"

"Because one of the survivor from the attack at the mountain, said that he talks to one of the mercenaries that were guarding the boy. And he told him that the boy mentions a place in California, where they suppose to be going. So when this John mentions this Eureka town, I remember that."

"So you think that they're there… sir?"

"If they're looking for a place to stay, I think they go there. I check the map and that town is the only place around here that still have people on it."

"What about the guy John mentioned. The one that has some information about a hidden military place with supplies and a possible cure?"

The leader shook his head. "I don't know if he was telling the truth about that or just telling us that, to just convince us to help him," said the man.

The leader turns around and starts to walk back to his humvee. "Well that doesn't matter for now anyway, our primary target is the boy and the young woman. We deal with the rest later." the man enters the humvee and looks at the young man. "Get everyone back to the vehicle, is time to move out and finish this."e