Part 14: Heading home
Johnny eyes slowly opened as he looked at the clean ceiling. He remembers that the last time he fell asleep to heal was back when he was first shot in the shoulder. But Ellie also mentioned that when he got injured on missions he would end up sleeping longer in the mornings after they got back.
"Ellie," he thought before sitting up in the the bed and then he felt something on his right hand. He then smiled when he saw Ellie resting on the bed, one of her hands holding his and her head resting on the bed.
Johnny moved his hand to her shoulder when he felt something on his cheek, "Is this a bandage," he thought touching his right cheek when Ellie started sitting up and rubbing her eyes.
"What time is it," she said before looking at Johnny still tired looking.
"Morning," he said smiling nervously before Ellie jumped onto the bed hugging him.
"You fucking idiot, you were suppose to be okay," she said sounding annoyed.
"Sorry, I had something else to worry about when I fought him," he said before realizing something, "Please tell me you found it," he said as she sat back rubbing her eyes.
"You mean that explosive stuff, yeah Tommy recognized the detonator you were carrying," she said before picking up the radio next to the bed, "Hey everyone hes awake," she said smiling.
"Hows your shoulder," she said putting her hand over where he had been shot.
"Fine, like it never happened," Johnny said smiling.
"I was really worried when I saw you falling to the ground," she said looking serious.
"I'm sorry I worried you, but I couldn't let that guy get away," Johnny said calmly before Ellie grabbed his face and kissed him.
"I'm just glad your okay," she said smiling and he smiled back at her.
"If you two are going to start making out, take it to another room," a familiar male voice said making Johnny look surprised knowing who it was.
Ellie looked annoyed before getting off the bed and pushing open the curtain next to Johnnys bed, "Thanks for that Bill," she said.
"You don't like it, they should have given him his own room," said Bill before looking at Johnny, "How you feeling," he said.
"I think this might be one of the times where I'm happy to see you," Johnny said smiling before he and Bill laughed.
"We almost lost him but luckily the militaries doctor stayed behind and was happy to help us," Ellie said smiling before sitting back down on Johnnys bed.
"Well no surprise there since your boyfriend saved them from both the chopper and the commander," Jessie said walking in with Joel, "He also stopped us from being trapped," she said.
"How are you holding up Johnny," Joel said sitting in the chair Ellie had been sitting in.
"Good, how is everyone?" He asked.
"Few injuries but they'll be okay, the only losses were on the military side," said Joel.
"According to Derrick there were a few other people in the military who surrendered after we chased after the commander," Jessie said.
"Darrens injured so we should check on him," said Ellie.
"Alright, but first I could use a change of clothes," he said looking down at his hospital gown.
"After David checks on you, but since you've been out for a week you'll have to sit in this," Ellie said bringing over a wheelchair.
"But I'm fine," said Johnny as he threw off the cover.
"Just until you get checked out," Ellie said calmly.
"Alright fine," Johnny said before sitting in the wheelchair before Ellie started pushing.
"Will tell Tommy your okay," Joel said before Ellie lead him out into the hallway. After passing a few rooms Ellie pushed him into a room with a few beds. Some of the people in them looked surprised to see him.
They found Darren sitting in a chair next to his bed that was next to the window, "Johnny your awake," he said smiling.
Johnny then looked worried seeing a bandage around his leg, "This is nothing, don't worry about it," he said.
"Im glad your okay," he said smiling.
"Same, we were all surprised when we saw you all come out of the building," Darren said, "Did they tell you how long you've been out," he said.
"A week yes," Johnny said before sighing.
"Lily was here earlier with Dean, I think they headed to the cafeteria," Darren said before looking nervous.
"Hey whats wrong?" Ellie asked looking confused.
"I'm going to take a break from the team when we get back to Jackson, theres someone ive been meaning to ask out," he said.
"If you want to take a break that's fine, I have no problem with it," Johnny said calmly.
"Yeah its just, Ive just been nervous to tell her since I'm part of the team and I don't want her to worry about me when I go out," Darren said.
"I think she's worrying about you anyway," Ellie said smiling making Darren look surprised, "Shes the one who helps at the bar sometimes right," she said.
"I was wondering who he was staring at sometimes when were there," Johnny said looking at Ellie.
"Yeah I noticed her in the crowd sometimes when we get back from missions, she always looks relieved when I notice her," Ellie said.
"Really," Darren said looking surprised, "Well looks like I have to do something when we get back," he said smiling.
"Well we better check on Lily," Johnny said and Ellie nodded before pushing his chair out of the room. They found the cafeteria with a large group of people in it and they noticed Lily sitting with Dean at a table.
"Hey everyone its him," said one of the people getting everyones attention.
"Hes awake," another one said before people walked over to Johnny and thanking him. Ellie smiled as she remembered when they walked out of the building. Joel was carrying Johnny on his back while she helped Jessie and Tommy carry Bill. When Derrick saw them he made sure they had plenty of room to move while asking for a stretchers.
"Glad to see your awake," Lily said as Ellie pushed his chair towards the table and then she sat in the chair next to him.
"How are you feeling?" Dean asked.
"Alright, is Philip okay," said Johnny.
"Hes fine, hes just checking on supplies," Dean said before pointing at the bandage on his arm, "I just came to check on this and Lily came along with me," he said.
"We stopped to check on Darren but then we got hungry so we decided to come here," Lily said, "Did he tell you about wanting to take a break," she said nervously.
"Yes and Im okay with it, we all need a break sometimes," Johnny said.
"Well I was wondering if Dean could join the team," she said.
"Oh whys that?" Ellie asked smiling.
"I just thought we could use more people and hes a good fighter," Lily said and Johnny noticed her face going a little red.
"I would really like to join, but if you still want me working with Philip that's fine," Dean said looking down.
"No its fine, with Steve and Rachel taking a break to for their kid we could use more people," Johnny said.
"Thanks, I wont let you down," Dean said looking serious.
"Way to go," Lily said smiling.
"You must be happy to have him on the team Lily, any reason why," Johnny said making her look surprised.
"What do you mean?" She asked.
"Yeah did you two get close while I was checking on Johnny," Ellie said and now Dean looked embarrassed.
"Hey Johnny, glad to see you," Tommy said patting him on the shoulder.
"Hey Tommy, everyone okay," Johnny said.
"Nothing to worry about, I'm just glad to see your awake," Tommy said, "Now we just need to get the negotiation taken care of and then we can go home," he said.
"Not just yet," David said walking with a calm look on his face, "Johnny still needs to have a check up before he can leave," he said looking serious.
"Well lets go then," Ellie said before standing up and grabbing Johnnys chair.
"Bye Johnny," Lily said.
"See you guys tomorrow," Johnny said waving as Ellie pushed him while they followed David.
Later Johnny was getting changed into fresh clothes behind a curtain while David and Ellie sat outside, "Hes perfectly healthy and if Im right the entire group can go home soon," he said.
"That's a relief," Ellie said as Johnny walked out now dressed.
"From what you told me there was cut on his chest, but by time he was brought here the skin was already healed," David said.
"Well luckily it wasn't anything serious," Johnny said calmly, "Wed better go meet up with Tommy, everyones probably hoping to get home soon," he said looking at Ellie who nodded.
Later at an apartment building. Johnny was sitting with Tommy, Derrick and Clare in the kitchen.
"I'm surprised you survived a gun shot like that," Derrick said looking at Johnny.
"Well it wouldn't be the first time, listen I know you've been fighting for a long time but we need to talk," Johnny said calmly.
"I understand," Derrick said.
"Tommy told us about the WLF the day after the fight ended," Clare said.
"Figured it was best to get things started," Tommy said calmly.
"Were not asking you to work for us, but to work with us," Johnny said.
"We already work with another group and hes fine," Tommy said.
"Well theres no other choice for us after everything you've done for us," said Derrick.
"Will work with you and start work on the roads so we can reach Jackson safely," Clare said.
"Theres a city on our way home with a group lead by someone named Leo, ill tell him about you when we get there," Johnny said.
"Thank you, so when do you leave?" Derrick asked.
"You happen to ask David about everyone while you were getting checked?" Tommy asked looking at Johnny.
"He said they should be okay to go soon," Johnny said, "So two days," he said and Tommy nodded.
"Great," he said before someone knocked at the door.
"Come in," Derrick said and Philip opened the door.
"Sorry but we were able to reach Jackson, Chris is on as well," Philip said. Tommy and Johnny looked at each other before getting up and heading to another room where a radio was set up.
"Tommy is that you," Maria said from the radio.
"Yeah I'm good, everyones okay," Tommy said smiling.
"Is Johnny with you?" Chris asked.
"Hey Chris, been a while hasn't it," Johnny said smiling and Chris laughed.
"Hows everything going Johnny," Maria said.
"We had a little trouble, but we did it," Johnny said smiling, "We got another group to join us,".
"Guess you'll be home soon then," Chris said.
"In the next few days, everyones who left is coming back with us," Johnny said as Chris cheered while Tommy and Maira laughed.
The only thing left to discuss was the military soldiers that surrendered. Turns out all of them were people who didn't have friends or family in the city. Johnny was able to convince Derrick to let them work to make up for being on the wrong side. In the end some of them would be working in Boston while the rest would go with Johnny to work with Philip.
That evening Johnny and Ellie entered a large hotel room, "Whoa this place is big," Ellie said putting down her bag on the couch.
"Well we wont be here for long, so we might as well enjoy it," said Johnny smiling before Ellie fell back on the large bed.
"You gotta try this," she said smiling.
Johnny smiled before lying down on the bed, "Yeah this is great," he said shutting his eyes for a moment.
"So what now?" Ellie asked sitting up.
"Well Derrick mentioned this place has running water, so I could use a shower after being out for a week," Johnny said before getting off the bed.
"Do you mind if I go first?" He asked.
"Nope, go right ahead," Ellie said smiling as Johnny walked into the bathroom. After taking out a towel he took off his clothes before getting into the shower, "Yes hot water," he thought before he started washing himself.
But when he was washing his hair he felt someone press into his back, "Mind if I join you," Ellie said happily.
"Not at all," Johnny said before turning around and kissing her.
"You okay to go," She said with her arms still around him.
"Okay," Johnny said looking surprised before Ellie kissed him again before they started. After their fun in the shower they eventually washed themselves and went back into the bedroom.
After drying off Ellie jumped on Johnny and kissed him again. The two of them fell on the bed and smiled at each other before going at it again. "Oh wow," Ellie said as she fell next to Johnny after reaching their limit.
"Yeah," Johnny said looking surprised.
"Here ill get us something," Ellie said before sitting up and taking two bottles of water out of her bag.
"Thanks," Johnny said smiling as he took a drink. Ellie took one from hers before resting her head on his chest.
"You okay?" Ellie asked looking up.
"Yeah its just," Johnny said before sighing, "We came here to get another group to join us but we also ended up in another fight," he said.
"Yeah I noticed how you looked after seeing Darren, me and Lily were the same when he was brought in," Ellie said calmly. She then sat up and looked at Johnny.
"But please remember this is what we all signed up for," she said.
"Yeah, but I still worry about them," Johnny said.
"Well remember they chose you to be their leader and I have no objections," Ellie said before resting her head on his shoulder.
"Thank Ellie," he said before kissing her, "I love you," he said.
"I love you too," she said before hugging him with a smile on her face.
They fell asleep in each other's arms and the next day as they were leaving their room. The room across from them opened revealing Joel and Jessie smiling at each other.
"Oh hello you two," Jessie said brushing her hair back.
"Hey," Ellie said.
"You two sleep alright," Joel said trying to sound calm.
"Yeah just fine," Johnny said looking at Ellie who smiled.
"Well I'm going to get my stuff ready, Ill see you later," Jessie said looking at Joel.
"Yeah, talk to you later," Joel said smiling and she smiled back at him before heading off.
"Shes coming back with us to Jackson, we better go meet up with Tommy see what needs to be done before we leave," he said about to walk away before Ellie spoke up.
"Joel hang on," she said calmly.
Joel turned back to see the two of them smiling, "Were really happy for you," Johnny said.
"Yeah, she looks happy to be with you," Ellie said.
Joel just smiled, "Come on lets get going," he said before the three of them headed outside.
After organizing the supplies and giving the cure to every citizen. The day to leave arrived with the trucks all ready to go at the exit. Johnny, Joel and Ellie walked over to Bill who had gotten his own truck.
"So I guess this it huh," Joel said calmly.
"Well not exactly," Bill said as he finished loading his supplies, "I'm just going to pick up some of my stuff then I'm heading right to Jackson," he said making them look surprised.
"Wait for real," Ellie said.
"You got it," Bill said as he headed towards the driver seat.
"Why are you joining up with us?" Johnny asked and Bill just smiled at him.
"Figured its about time I get out there and help some good people," he said looking right at Johnny who smiled.
"Hey Ellie, were almost loaded up," Lily said walking over.
"Got it," Ellie said before the three of them were about to head over when.
"Hey Johnny, hold up," Bill said while grabbing his backpack from his seat.
"Ill be there in a minute," Johnny said. Ellie nodded at him before she and Joel headed towards the truck.
"You and Ellie look like your serious, so I think your going to need this one day," Bill said handing Johnny a small red box. Johnny looked confused before opening it and looked to see an engagement ring.
"Thanks Bill, I really appreciate this," Johnny said smiling as he closed the box.
"No problem, you just make sure to look after her," he said smiling before getting into the truck.
"Definitely," Johnny said before the truck drove away.
"You ready to head home," Tommy said as he put his hand on his shoulder.
"Yeah," Johnny said as he quickly put the box in his pocket. He then headed to the lead truck where Ellie had the door open for him. He got in before they started their trip back to Jackson.