When she woke up, it was to the smell of cooking food on a fire. Joel was the first to notice.

"Tess, she's awake."

Ellie felt soft hands wrap around her as Tess, without a sound or a lick of hesitation, threw her arms around her. For a while, nothing was said, and everyone just soaked in the emotion of the moment.

When Tess finally let go, Joel explained what had happened. "Baby girl, we carried you all the way here after you passed out. You've been asleep for weeks, and in that time, we've decided that the best thing to do is to hand you over to the Fireflies and be on our way back to Boston."

"Joel, you can't be fucking serious..."

"Tess, I am making the right decision for both of us. Now, listen to me. That girl is going to help a lot of people, we've made sure of that. But this is where it ends. We can't raise her. We're not her parents. We don't have the right to make that choice for her."

Tess looked at Ellie, hints of tears streaming down her eyes. "Ellie, please..."

"Tess, Joel's right. I love both of you. I wish you were my parents, and that none of this shit was happening. But if I can help, if I have the cure is my blood or wherever, then I have to do the right thing. I'll never forget you, Tess."

This was too much for the hardened smuggler. She grabbed Ellie once again, crying and bawling. Joel eventually had to pry her off and wait until she'd regained control of her emotions. Finally, she admitted that he was right.

With that, they made their way to the General Hospital, where a team of Fireflies in military armor and helmets stopped them at the entrance. Eventually, Marlene was summoned to vouch for their story. Everyone was brought inside, and Marlene brought Joel and Tess to an examination room for a private talk.

"You got here just in time. The doctors are already working on a plan to extract the cure, prepare it, and send it out to everyone under our protection. Before long, this nightmare will end. And then we'll finally start rebuilding the nation."

Joel interrupted. "What about FDRA? The government?"

"What government? The only government we recognize is our own. And once we bring an end to the virus, anyone who doesn't like that can shove it up their ass."

"What about Ellie?"

"What about her?"

"Will she be okay?"

"You need to forget about her. You held up your end of the deal, so now this is where we part ways. I'll make sure you have whatever supplies you need to go wherever you want. We Fireflies take care of our friends."

"Marlene, just answer her. What are you going to do to Ellie?"

"Fine. You want an answer? Ellie will be undergoing surgery in less than four hours. It will be a long, complicated procedure that will require us cutting into her brain to extract the healthy matter."

"Wait, you're doing brain surgery on her? Won't that..."

"Yes, Joel, it will kill her. Should I have mentioned that earlier? Ellie is making a sacrifice for the good of all mankind."

"Does she know that?"

"No. And she never will. It's easier that way."

Tess had heard enough. "You fucking..."

Marlene took the gun from her back pocket and aimed it squarely at Tess. "If you try to interfere, in any way, I will kill you. The guard posted outside has orders to kill you if you try to leave this room. The guards walking the halls have orders to kill you if you try to find the operating theater. Stay here, and you have my word that you'll be safe. Tomorrow, you'll be on your way. In a few months, you'll forget Ellie. And we'll never have to see each other again."

With that, she holstered the gun and left.