Chapter 25 Give Me a Reason

Thanks to AquaTomato (We better make a vaccine because poor Joel is dead. Kidding, I am so going to write that story. Just wait Also thanks for all the reviews), Kuroi Kage X (Yeah if you read the chapters back to back it isn't so bad. But a day in between it does feel rushed. if I had time I could change), kirbster676 (Ellie would be a hellcat and with a teens libido he is screwed literally), a (I know! I love all my commentors they are amazing and the reason I work so hard.I suck at smut so and she is great. I will try and see if I can get another scene), edgaryg (I still got a lot to cover). doomsta27 (Check them out), Guest, MasterHollow (Yeah but fucking in clothes is fun), ThatChickontheInternet(I'm going to try and get her back). QuietSunlight(thanks. I sent a request) , BloodyBlondeVamp (Thank you so much your comment meant a lot to me) Sarah H (She got exciated…) mckoy12345678910 (She is amazing) KuroiHanabixShenny (I loved that line)

A/N: Last one for winter. Also, it is shorter than normal because I had class and I couldn't use the computer, so like a bad student I had to handwrite stuff.

-Joel-

"Ellie" Joel called gaining the girl's attention.

She stopped exploring the abandoned house for supplies and returned to his side holding a new book that she found. The Great Gatsby. He barely could remember the book from high school. That was one of those books that his little cheerleader read and let him copy off her test.

"Come on."

Winter had begun to finally thaw and now they were able to make up for all the lost time. Every storm had forced them to haul up a day or… four and wait. Not that they didn't enjoy each others company. She started reading out loud because she got tired of having to explain the whole book to make a point. Besides, they really enjoyed each other's 'company' throughout the holidays. Even though that made his stomach twist with some guilt.

He was a mess of feelings when it came to that. He didn't regret anything, not at all, but he just didn't want to fuck it up (no pun intended). Ellie seemed okay and was much better since leaving the town, but he couldn't help think that he somehow made things worse. It's a mess. He consoled himself for the last few nights. So, they stuck to kissing that left them breathless.

They walked out into the street that still was layered with snow. He led the way to Callus (which was still a stupid name)..

Thump. A iceness slide down the back of his neck and into the collar of his shirt. A fucking snowball. Ellie beamed him with a fucking snowball. He turned to look at the girl.

"Ellie." He warned.

She laughed and dodged between the long-stalled cars.

"Girl, you are playing a dangerous ga-" Thump. Another ball of snow and ice nailed him again.

She popped up to stick her tongue out daring him. "Come and get me coppa! You'll never take me alive!" She dodged out of view.

Joel scooped up his ammo as he took his position behind a old mailbox. He quickly pat the snow and checked for the red head's position. Another one of her balls fly past his nose. The girl can aim.

He waited until she was in his sights before chucking one back. It skidded off the roof blue buick and she laughed. "You suck at this!" To his credit, the second one landed.

"OWWW A boob shot! Really?" She clutched her chest.

He grinned, but didn't laugh.

Joel quickly took cover behind a truck and crouched low as he began to stalk his prey. He scooped up some of the white ice and formed another ball.

He waited a second.

"Joel?" Ellie popped her head up a car away from where she was before. Perfect.

He leaned in and slid around the bumper and managed to get the angle on her as she watched the other what. "Gotcha'" He announced as he caught her waist and began to tickle her ribs with one hand as the other held her in place. She gasped and wiggled. "I told you it was dangerous." He whispered in her ear.

She laughed and wiggled more as she twisted in his arms. Ellie turned to face him and leaned up, her green eyes closed ready for something.

He studied the young woman that stood before him.

Ellie cracked open her eyelids and looked up. She sighed and stood on her tip-toes so their lips could make contact. After a second he pulled her up to give her a deeper hug and a better kiss.

As she slide dow,n he slipped the snow he held in his hand up the back of her shirt.

She gaffed and danced. "JERK!" He laughed and dodged her kick. She easily got the snow out of her clothes, but now she was out for blood. She jumped at his chest with snow in her hand.

The pair tangoed until Callus whined and trotted to them. Something spooked the horse. They froze in place. Gaahhhh A clicker moaned and swayed.

"Shit." Ellie said as two more followed the first.

He caught her hand. "Let's make our exit." It wasn't worth the ammo.

Ellie nodded and climbed on as he swung on behind her. He quickly debated which way would be best and pulled the reins toward Ellie. They backed up and gave the clickers wide berth as they trotted back to the main road.

-...- (Ellie)

Spring had finally come! Trees and flowers bloomed and Callus finally had a lot to eat. She was so glad to get rid of that coat and find a new shirt and even Joel seemed so much happier that the winter was over. They had crossed into Utah and he was talking more than ever.

They had recently began to see the interstate signs for Salt Lake City and she could feel it. This time things would be different. The fireflies would be waiting for them and they would cure the world and everything would be perfect.

The fireflies… It would be a hero's welcome and they would make a vaccine and Joel… Joel.

She looked at the man walking beside her. They gave Callus a break and it was nice to walk too. But it left them brushing arms as they walked. He had finally gone silence.

He had recently changed how he talked about them. They had plans for the future. He wanted to go visit Tommy, they would go swimming, play a guitar, and even get a pet (Turned out he really wanted another dog). He would retire to the good life and they would go find an adventure that didn't involve so much walking. They would start really living a life.

She hoped that things would work out at the hospital and things wouldn't take too long. Some of that stuff had to take weeks or months or years to make a vaccine. Right? It had to be hard to do or other people would have done it long ago. What if it requires a lot of testing and blood and… pain? She could imagine them amputating her arm for this and it seemed like it would hurt. Her arm already burned.

It was that pain that scared her. Some small part didn't want to find them at all. Which was horrible thought to think. I'm so selfish. So many suffered and she wanted to run off with Joel and have fun when she could do something.

She couldn't let him convince her to give it up because he already brought it up. He didn't give a damn about anyone else in the world. 'Even Tommy gave up that hope. He just wants to live his life.' He said. Later he asked her what was there to save. You. She thought, but couldn't say and was left blubbering off a half answer. She knew why she wanted-no had to do this. For Riley, Tess, Marlene, Tommy, Maria and most of all Joel. She wanted to make sure he never had to sit there waiting for sunrise to lose his mind.

His knuckles brushed hers. "You okay? You're quiet."

"I'm fine." She linked their fingers.

"We'll be at the city limit soon."

"That's good."

"We could make it tonight if we push it… Or we could spend another night and handle it in the morning."

He wanted to stall and she knew why. "Let's find a house or car or something to sleep in."

He smiled knowing that she knew how he felt. "Yes. Ma'am." After a second, Joel looked back at her and touched her side. "Did you know, reading while sunbathing makes you well-red."

It took a second and then she laughed.

"Trying to lighten the mood?"

"A little," he confessed

"Thanks, Joel. That was way lamer than my jokes but it helped."

A/N: You know they did it. Sorry it is short, but I could not stand the idea of not posting.