Disclaimer: I do not own any character of (The Last of Us) TLOU is owned by Naughty Dog, Sony, and their creators.

A/N: Again thank you for reading this story and for all the support. Also, I'm so sorry for any grammar mistakes that this story has. Well, we're getting close to the end of this story, But I can tell you that I enjoy writing this and I hope you enjoy it reading it, so now let's just continue with the chapter.

Chapter 23: Ellie's Seventeen Year Birthday

After the New Year celebration in Joel's house, things move to regular basics. Ellie goes back to school a week after that. Two weeks later Joel needs to watch Ellie and pick her up from school after Marlene informs him that she needs to go to Chicago for her appointment and that she will need to stay there for a few days.

So after she takes a fly to Chicago, Joel takes that opportunity to be alone with her and tells her about his new job. He takes her to his house after picking her up from school and talk to her. But, Ellie didn't take that well and ran out of the house as soon Joel told her that the new job was on the ranch.

Joel tries to go after her, but he lost her in the forest. Half an hour later he found her on the old pier that is close to his house. Joel remembers the place that was when he met her for the second time. He watches her while she was sitting there with her feet almost touching the freezing water. "You should not be here, it is too cold to be outside like that," said Joel walking closer to her.

Ellie hears him but not look at him. "I just want to be alone… please?" answer Ellie sobbing a little. It was obvious that she was crying.

Joel moved beside her and sat down. "You don't need to worry about the job… I'm not going anywhere. I know that is going to take more of my time, but I will still be able to spend some time with you. I am not going to be there all day."

Ellie wiped a few tears from her eyes. "You promise that you are not going to take that job," she said without looking at him.

"I am not taking the one from Texas, just the one here… okay?" Joel tries to grab her hand. But she moved it away.

"If you go there I am not going to be able to see you much. You will be there all day and I can't go to your house at night." Ellie turns her head and looks at him. "I don't want to lose you… again."

Joel moved his arm and put it on her shoulder, she didn't try to move away this time. "You're not going to lose me Ellie… not now not ever. I can get out early during the day and go to your house and help you with your studies. We also can spend the weekends together and go out or something."

"Is not going to be the same."

"I know… baby," Joel pulled her closer and kissed her on the top of her head. "But I need a steady job and you need to go to school. I have things to pay and the handyman work is not enough." That is not the real reason why he took the job, but he doesn't want to tell her about the deal he made with the old man for the money he lent him. "Any way you need to get a costume to a distant relationship. Because after you go to college, we're not going to be able to see each other much either."

Ellie hugged him from the side. "Don't remember me. That is why I didn't want to go to college in the first place."

"Well, you're going young lady… you need to have a career and all that is going to be good for you." Joel moved her body with his. "Besides, being apart is a normal thing for married couples. Even if the wife doesn't have to work, they'll be apart all day and not going to see each other after the husband gets back at night. But that not mean that we can't be in contact, that is the phone is there for."

Ellie moved away from him a little and looked at his face. "Are you telling me that we are going to get married… for real?" she asked excitedly.

"Sure… we can if you still want to after you fish college," Joel said with some doubt in his voice.

Ellie punches him softly in his arm. "Of course I want to marry you selly… why are you even asking me that for?"

Joel pulled her closer and hug her. "Well, after you go to college and get new friends there, maybe you find a younger man there and forget all about me."

Ellie punching him again, but this time harder. "Don't even say that again Joel… not even like a joke," she said with a serious tone.

"Ouch!... can you stop doing that?" he said while rubbing his arm a little.

"Then don't say stupid things like that. I'm never going to forget you or look for a younger man there or ever. I want to marry you and if I have to do it before I go to college I will… okay?"

Joel looked at her surprises. "Okay… I just thought that when you get more friends, you will see how old I'm and- ouch!" he stopped when Ellie hit him again.

"What I just told you?" she was getting mad now. She doesn't like the conversation Joel is started to push. "I love you Joel and I am not going to change my mind if is that what you thinking," Ellie looks at the lake trying not to think if Joel was having cold feet about their relationship. "I don't want to talk about that… ever okay?"

"Sorry, I didn't want to upset you." Joel looks at the lake too. Maybe we should get back to the house, is getting colder here."

"Yeah…" Ellie whips some tears and looks at him. "Can we play a game when we get back?" She said, trying to change the mood. Maybe doing something fun can take away those sad feelings she was having now.

Joel starts to stand up, then he gives her his hand to help her up. "I don't know why, but I'm getting afraid to ask what kind of game you wanted to play."

Soon Ellie was up, she looked at him. "Ahhh… you're going to like it," she said with a smirk on her face.

( Two months Later )

"Yes… Gorge you can come in," answered Mr. Morrison from inside his study.

His assistance opens the door and enters with Joel behind him. "Mr. Miller is here sir…"

"Yes… thank you. You can go now Gorge," said The old man while standing up from his chair.

"Yes sir…" the man turned around and got out of the room.

"Did you wanted to see me?" asked Joel, moving close to the desk.

The old man moves around his desk and walks close to Joel. "Yes… I just want to congratulate you on the great job you're doing here."

"I'm only doing my job… sir. And that is not much since I am still learning how to do things around here," answered Joe with a sincere voice.

The old man put a hand on his shoulder and smiled. "C'mon Joel… we don't need to be so formal around here. You can call me Martin, remember?"

"Okay… Martin. But I still feel weird to call my boss by his first name," The old man wants Joel to feel comfortable there, so he told him to call him by his name a lot of time, but Joel still did not get a costume for that.

"I just want you to feel like a family here… we all are," The old man starts walking in the room and pulled Joel with him. "I'm so happy to see how much you've learned in the last two months. I know that you're a good worker and that your old man will be proud of you."

"Thank you, sir. It has been good for me working with the horses, but you people are doing a great job with the rest."

"Yeah, but you're the one that has been organizing things around here and I like the job you did with Winter. He really likes you now and he doesn't like strangers." the man moves away from Joel and walks toward the window. "Did you think about my offer of taking over my son's ranch?"

Joel lowered his head and looked at the floor. "It is an honor for me that you still consider me for that job, but I already told you the reason why I can't go back there."

The man turned his head and looked at him. "Yeah, you told me about the problem you have with your brother. And it is a real shame for two brothers to have this kind of conflict." the old man walked back to his desk and grabbed a file with some papers on it.

"Your brother looks like a good man and I can understand that he just wants to take care of his family." The man starts to read some of his brother's information and how he bail Joel out of jail sometime.

Joel moved closer and looked at the man. "Wait!... Did you investigate my brother too?"

The old man closed the file and looked at Joel. I always check the background of all my employees, but as an old friend of your dad, I been keeping track of both of you since your grandfather die. I help you because I promise you dad that I will keep an eye on both of you. Don't take this the wrong way, but I wish the best for both of you. Your brother is living a good life so that is why I decided to help... you."

Joel moves away and walks to the window. "Yes, my brother is a good man and I only cause him problems and pain. That is why I don't want to go back there."

Martin walks toward Joel and put one hand on his shoulder. "I know that you have a hard time after what happens with your child, but I hope that one day, both of you can resolve all the differences between you two. But don't worry I will give you all the time you need. But for now, I think you're doing a great job here. Besides Texas is a big state so I don't see the problem for you two to be in the same state. My ranch is far away from his home, so you two are not going to see each other."

Joel lowered his head knowing that he needed to fix things with his brother, even Ellie and Marlene told him that. But he needs time for that. "I want to thank you for all the things you do for me in the last two months. But I don't think that I'm ready enough to do that job or to go back there. I still need a lot to learn before I can be a rancher."

The man squeezed Joel's shoulder a little and looked outside. "I have been a rancher all my life and in that time I learned how to read people. I know it is a hard job, but I think that you can do it." the man pointed outside the window. "Look at all you're accomplished in two months. But don't worry my offer will be open until be you're ready to take it."

Joel looked outside and tried to imagine his life on a ranch. "Thank you… I really appreciate that and all the trust that you invested in me."

"I know you will be good at this. Yeah, it takes time to learn everything, but I think that you're on the correct path." The man turned around and walked back to his desk. "Anyway, you don't need to thank me. As I said, your father saved my life, so it is a pleasure for me to be able to help at least one of his sons. I know he would have done the same for mine."

Joel turns and looks at the man. "Thank you, sir… is anything else you need from me?"

"Please, call me Martin… I feel so old when people call me sir."

"Yes… Martin… so you have something to be done?"

"Oh yes… the job, We're going to receive some horses and cattle from my son's ranch. Since you're not ready to go there... yet. I call the person in charge there to bring some of the animals here for the time being."

"Okay, I think we can handle that here… So as soon they get here I will take care of it." Joel turns around but stops before he gets out of the old man's office. "Sir… I mean Martin. Can I ask you for a favor?"

The old man was starting to look at some paper on his desk, but up his head to looks at Joel. "Sure… what you need… son?"

"I will like to have this Friday free."

"Friday… hmmm. Do you need to do something important?"

"Yes… is Ellie's birthday and I want to prepare a little party for her. Just for a few people, nothing big, but I wanted to be special."

The man looked at Joel. "Sure, you can get the Friday free. I know this girl is very important to you, but remember to be careful with that. Also, I will need you to work extra on Tuesday because I need that castle ready before the weekend comes."

"Thank you… Sir... I mean Martin. I will take care of that a soon they arrive," then Joel gets out of the room and goes back to work.

( A few days later )

In the last two months, Ellie got closer to a few of her fellow students at school. Ellie knew some of them from before but didn't talk to them much. So it was good to have them as friends now. Joel and Marlene were happy to see Ellie having some friends now. Ellie did not spend too much time with them out of school, but it was a start. So Marlene and Joel decided to invite them to Ellie's birthday party. The party was going to be in the Marlene house with Joel and some of Ellie's new friends. Is not going to be a big one, but they already prepare the place and going to have music, food, and cake. They know that Ellie will wish to have a birthday party with only the three of them, but Marlene wants Ellie to celebrate her 17th birthday with more friends her age.

On the other hand, Marlene started her treatment a month ago. So she has to fly to Chicago a few times. She told Joel that so far the treatment was working well on her. But sometimes it has some side effects like; feeling weak, throwing up, things like that. Sometimes she tried to control it, but at others, she only hides it so that Ellie would not see her like that. Joel is giving her all the support he can give and continues telling her that she needs to tell Ellie about her illness. He told her that Ellie was getting suspicious and knew that something was wrong with her so that she needs to tell her soon. Marlene promised him to tell her after the party because she really wanted Ellie to enjoy it before give her the news about her condition.

Anyway, Ellie's party was going to start after she got out of school and get back home. Joel takes the day off and works with Marlene on the decoration and food all morning. Then he went to pick her up at school and told Ellie that he needed to pick up something. That will give time for the other kids to show up at Marlene's house to give her a surprise when she gets at home. After they arrived, Joel let Ellie open the door and she was surprised when she saw a lot of the teens from school there screaming Happy birthday to her. Joel and Marlene were happy to see Ellie's expression because she hasn't had a birthday party like this since she was a little girl.

"Hey, Ellie, thanks for inviting us to your party, it's very cool." said a girl from her school while drinking a coke and eating some snacks.

"Sure… but you can thank my aunt for that, she was the one that organized the party," replied Ellie to the girl. After a few minutes, Ellie walked around and saw some of her new friends dancing in the living room. One of the boys was talking to Joel about something and she was wondering what they're talking about. But then she notices that Joel doesn't look happy about it. She really wants to know what the boy told Joel that makes Joel look so tense, so maybe she will ask him later. She was really surprised that so many teens from her school came to her party because she only was a friend with a few of them back in school.

"Are you having a good time?" Ellie jumps a little when she hears her aunt behind her.

She turns around and looks at her. "Yeah… This is great. I never thought to have so many people here from school. Especially when I only started to be friends with a few of them."

"Yeah, it was a surprise for me too when they showed up at the door. I have to send Joel out to get more snacks after you two get here. I wasn't expecting so many people here."

Ellie looks back at Joel and the boy as they continue talking, well more the boy than Joel. "Yeah… I just wonder what Bobby was talking about with Joel. Because I look at his face and he does not look happy."

"Well, he's probably telling him that he likes you…" said Marlene with a casual tone.

Ellie turns her head and looks at her aunt again. "What?"

"Ahhh… c'mon Ellie is so obvious… I have seen him looking at you since the party started. And he has been called here a few times asking for you since you to become friends again. I think he has a thing for you from before, but as I see now that you didn't talk to them at school, I think he just gave up." she said remember the boy and the one she talks with when she started at school here. And that makes her think about the reason Ellie stops talking to them. "Ellie, why you stop to be a friend with them, I thought you were still talking to them at school, but when Joel mention to me that you don't have friends that scare me a little."

"I wanted to be a friend with them and I talk to them before… but they think that I was weird… so I stop talking to them back then. Is not easy to have a friend at school when you're new… so I prefer to stay alone."

Marlene put her hand on Ellie's shoulder. "Well, I glad that you talk to them now and become friends with some of them. I just hope that Joel doesn't get jealous about the boy's feeling toward you," she whispers the last part in her ear.

"He doesn't need to feel like that, because I don't like him... at least not like that. I'm in love with Joel and nothing is going to change that." Ellie looks at the pair and smiles. She loves Joel and he doesn't need to worry about any by but is good to see him like that, so that way she knows that he not going to give up on her.

Marlene laughed a little. "Try not to think of that and enjoy the party. Don't worry about Joel he will be fine," After that Marlene starts to feel like throwing up so she lets Ellie in the living room and goes upstairs to the bathroom.

The party continues through the evening and Ellie was having a good time. Some of the kids ask her if Joel was her dad or her uncle, but Ellie just told them that he was like family to them. A few of the girls say that they need to go soon, so Marlene decides to take the cake out and sing happy birthday to Ellie before their parents come to pick them up.

Ellie felt a little embarrassed at first because she was now 17 and not a kid, but she was glad that have a party like this after a long time. After all, teens, sing happy birthday to her, they cut the cake and start to eat it and continue with the party. Half an hour later they all went to the living room and sat there while Ellie opened her gift.

She got a few books, CDs, clothes, makeup, and a few new movies from her friends and other guesses from school. After she finished with her school friend's gift, Marlene told her that she has one special from her, so she stood up and went to the kitchen to look for it. After she came back, she gave Ellie a little box.

"This is from Joel and me… well more from Joel, but I hope you like it."

Ellie smiled at them and started opening the little box. Soon she took the wrap off and opened the box, she saw a key inside. She takes it out and shows it to all of them. "There is just a key in here?" she asked with a curious voice.

"Yes… do you like it?" said Marlene with a smile on her face.

Ellie looked at the other teens not knowing what to say. Then she looked back at her aunt. "Well, is a key… I've seen a lot before. So why do you two give me a key for?"

Some of the other teens start to laugh. "I think you will like what the key is going to open." said one of her new friends.

Ellie looked at the key again more closely and noticed what it was. "Is it a car key?" Ellie jumps up from the chair and runs toward Joel and her aunt and hugs them. "You buy me a car? That is so cool… is it outside? Is it a new one or it is used… that no matter I going to like it anyway," Ellie started to ask them with a happy tone.

"Yes… it is a car. But is not-" Joel started but Ellie didn't let him finish as she and the other teens ran outside to see it.

"I just hope she doesn't get too disappointed, it is not like it is a new car or something," said Joel looking at Marlene.

"She will love it, especially if is coming from you."

"Is it from us, remember? You help me with that," said Joel starting walking toward the front door. But when he stops to wait for Marlen he notices that she doesn't look well. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I just got a little dizzy, that's all."

Joel moves close to her and holds her. "Do you want to sit down? I will get you some water."

"No… I'm okay. Let's go out and see Ellie with her new car…" Marlene starts to walk toward the front door with Joel behind her. Soon they went out, they saw Ellie and the other teens touching the car. It was a blue 2010 Volkswagen but it was in good condition. They saw how Ellie opened the door and sat on the driver seat.

Soon Ellie saw Joel and Marlene on the porch, she got out of the car and went to them.

"Is not new and needs some painting and a few touches here and there but run well. It will be good for a start and you will need a lot of practice before you start driving it alone," said Joel as soon Ellie got close to them.

"I like it... thanks," She moved toward Joel and hugged him. She moved her mouth close to his ear and whispered. "Thank you… I will give you a little reward for that... later." then she moved to her aunt and hugged her too. "I like it thank you. This is the best gift ever," said Ellie with a big smile on her face.

"I know that Joel has been giving you a few lessons, but you need to get your license first before starting driving the car… okay?"

"Okay," she said with a big smile on her face. After that, they get back inside and continue with the party for one more hour. By then some of the teens get to pick up by their parents and just a few of them remain there.

The last one to go was Jennifer, Ellie's new best friend. Her parents came to pick her up at 9:00 pm, so soon they arrived Ellie and Jennifer went outside to say goodbye to each other. "Thanks for the party, it was fun." Said Jennifer to her.

"Thanks for coming… and for telling the rest to come too. I know that we didn't talk much before at school, but I'm glad that we're friends now."

"Sure… I'm happy that you seem better now. I was worried when you started to get all depressed at school last semester."

Ellie looks at the house then back to her friend. "Yeah, I had some issues before, but all is fine now."

The girl smiled at her and hugged her. "I don't know about you, but I think that your aunt's friend… Joel is it. Is kind of sexy." she winked at her. "He looks like a man any girl can dream to have."

Ellie's face starts to turn red at the comment. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Sure…" said the girl with a smile. "I just hope that you tell me all about it in the future." After that, her parents called her and said that they needed to go. Jennifer hugs Ellie again. "I have to go, but I will call you tomorrow okay… we need to talk." Jennifer walks toward her parent's car and goes in. she waves her hand to Ellie while the car starts to move away.

"Bye… see you at school on Monday," Said Ellie while watching her go. Then she turns around and walks back to the house."

Soon Ellie got inside and saw her aunt washing the dishes in the kitchen. Ellie goes inside and hugs her aunt again. "Thank you… for Everything… the party, gift… for letting Joel be in my life and the car, that was awesome. I love you," Say, Ellie, hugging her aunt for a longer time, then she moves away from her a little.

Marlene looked at her and smiled. "You're welcome, honey… I think you deserved it. I'm so happy for you. You have new friends now and you're getting better at school… and of course, you will need a car when you get into college."

"Yeah… I'm sure I will need one to drive there… thanks." Ellie turns around and starts walking out of the kitchen. "Where is Joel? Do you know if he is going to stay a little longer?" Ellie asked.

"I think he is in the bathroom." She saw Ellie walking out of the kitchen. "He says… that… that… he-" Marlene started to talk, but get dizzy again.

Ellie was out of the kitchen when she heard the sound of a plate hitting the floor and get broken. She turns around quickly and gets back to the kitchen. Soon she got inside, Ellie saw her aunt laying on the floor. "Aunt Marlene!" she yells while moving down to her side and checking her. She didn't know what to do, so she put her head on her lap and tried to wake her up. "C'mon… aunt Marlene… what is wrong?" asked Ellie while hitting her softly on the face.

Joel was in the bathroom when he heard the commotion. So he opened the door and went out.

"Ellie, is everything okay?" he asked from upstairs.

"No… My aunt fell down and she is not waking up…" she yelled from the kitchen with a scary tone.

Joel quickly gets downstairs and enters the kitchen. He moves closer to them and gets down. How long has she been like this?" Joel asked while trying to take her pulse.

"I don't know… a few minutes I guess." She passes her hand on her face. "We're talking and when I get out of the… kitchen… I hear a sound of some plate breaking on the floor… and when I got back she… she was on the floor." Ellie looks at her aunt with tiers starting to fall down.

"Okay, stay with her and try not to move her. I will get my phone and call 911." Joel stands up and walks out of the kitchen. He found his phone on the living room table and picked it up. He dials 911 and waits for a person to answer the call.

"This is 911, what is your emergency?"

"Yeah… my name is Joel… Joel Miller. I'm in a friend's house… and she faints and hits the floor. I need you to send an ambulance to this address."

"Okay… try to calm down, sir. Just give me the address and the information of the person that needs help."

"Okay… but hurry up… please."