Esther smiled at Joel.

By the way he chuckled and looked down at the drink he had in front of him on the table, she knew he still wasn't used to her company. If he was even used to any company besides Ellie's at all.
But she couldn't help but to feel some connection with this man. He was strong and feared by some in the settlement. Heck, there were rumours. Rumours that she had heard as well.

But she had known, ever since she saw the man. That she would never have anything to be afraid of. Not even after what Tommy had told her when the younger sibling found out that she had come to like his brother. Sure, he had warned her that day. Telling her he was a wounded, broken man. But who wasn't in this messed up world they were trying to make a living in?

So she told Tommy she would take it one step at a time. And every step she had taken ever since he and Ellie had set foot in their small but growing sanctuary, had been worth it.

''I heard you play the guitar on your porch the other day.''

''Ever since the kid got me that guitar… I've been doing little else.'' There was that look of appreciation again, which he always had when he talked about Ellie.

And it was true, she could set a clock- if she had one, on the hour that he would play.
She had watched as Ellie had carried the guitar home that day. With a bright smile on her face and the most nervous look combined.

''She cares a great deal about you..'' Esther wasn't jealous about the relationship Ellie had with Joel. She knew that they had gone through a lot. And when you survive crossing the country in times like these, being there for each other is all that matters. And she knew, she knew Ellie was like a daughter to the man sitting across the table from her.

''I owe a lot to her. And she thinks she owes me a lot. I think that's the main reason she gave me that guitar,'' He stopped, then seemed to think something through before he added, ''…besides the fact that I promised her I'd teach her how to play some day.''

''And how's her play so far?''

Joel let out a raspy chuckle, ''Not so well… But she'll learn.''

Without a doubt, Esther knew Ellie would master the guitar one day. The girl was determined enough to learn anything she could possibly soak up like a sponge. She looked outside the window, the sun was setting. She hadn't even noticed she had been sitting there nearly throughout the whole afternoon.

She stood up, so suddenly that it made Joel nearly flinch in his seat. It struck Esther as a bit funny. Joel wasn't the guy that was so easily startled. But maybe his thoughts had drifted somewhere far away.

Scratching the back of his head Joel tried to act nonchalantly, ''I wonder where that kid has gone off to now.''

''Well, she can't be far. If I see her on my way home I'll tell her you're looking for her.'' Straightening her shirt out of habit she added, ''Joel. Thanks for letting me come over.''

He looked at her, surprise in his eyes but he just smiled, ''I..uh, I kinda like your company, Esther. I haven't…'' He looked around the house as if he could find the right words somewhere in a corner,

''I haven't talked like… We've talked, together- I mean…'' He sighed, ''What I'm tryin' to say is that I enjoy our talks.'' He shrugged and nodded as if he was satisfied with giving in to what he was feeling. Let alone to put those feelings in words.

''As do I, Joel. And appreciate you saying that.''

Joel tried to hide his smile, but Esther had seen it. She wasn't going to tease him with it, not while he was opening up to her. She didn't want to make him feel embarassed. She pointed towards the door, indicating that she was going to take her leave.

''I'll walk you home. I think that's the least I can do.''

When they neared the front door he quickly grabbed his jacket, opened the door for her and tilted his head.

Smiling, Esther nodded. Such small gestures that made her feel good inside. It made her a bit nostalgic too, remembering how her first boyfriend had walked her home on one of their many dates. It made the world they were living in now almost- if only for a short time, feel normal. Being in the settlement, with people around you'd come to know all too well. Having to make it all work, just to have that shot at a second chance in life. It was hard but not impossible. Sure you wouldn't always like each other and there were a few people living in the settlement Esther wouldn't particularly miss if they'd gone missing- which was an awful thing to think. Which is why she would never say anything bad about anyone.

''What the…?'' She heard Joel suddenly say.

They had been walking through the street when all of a sudden they heard someone yell. And she recognized that person's voice- that girl's voice, before she even saw who it was.

Ellie.

She watched as she saw Chloe on the ground, clutching the side of her face and Ellie standing in front of the girl. Calling out all sort of names- none of them polite towards the man that she faced.

Cal.

Cal was a hot head, everybody knew that. And definitely one of the people that were on Esther's dislike list. Although he came very close to downright hatred. She loathed the guy. But, they needed him. He was an important asset to Tommy's men. If the man wasn't that intelligent enough to keep the Dam from running, Esther was sure Tommy would've thrown him off a cliff himself.

Joel had rushed off and everything that happened next slowed down in front of Esther's eyes. She held her hand in front of her mouth, watching as she saw Cal raise his hand to hit Ellie. Only Joel was faster, fast enough that Cal hadn't even noticed him.

He deflected Cal's hand, pushing him back before punching him straight in the jaw.

''You better not fuckin' touch her.'' Joel's deep voice much more sounded like a growl. But the look in his eyes was pure rage.

Cal stumbled sideways, using his arm to keep himself from falling to the ground completely. As if something woke up in Esther she rushed towards the girls. Bending through her legs next to Chloe she raised the young girl's chin up to look at her face. Cal had hit her so hard that the girl had tears sprung in her eyes. The girl's cheek red, judging by how red it already was, Esther was sure it would soon turn a much more darker shade of blue.

''Ellie, are you alright?'' Esther asked as she helped Chloe stand up with one hand.

Ellie didn't look at her. She kept focusing on Joel. Answering her quickly, barely a mumble, something that sounded like, ''Yeah, I'm fine.''

''Joel?'' Ellie asked. Her voice cautious. As she looked from Cal- who had straightened himself, wiping away the blood from his mouth, back to Joel again. As if she was watching him, asking him to stay calm just by saying his name.

Even though Ellie seemed to fall at ease now that Joel had come between her and Cal. Esther noticed there was a small bit of fear readable in the girl's body language.

Ellie was scared Joel would seriously hurt the man.

And that made Esther wonder how much of the rumours were true.

I haven't updated since August. Life has been hectic. And I remember after I uploaded chapter 7 I kinda got this huge block that I just couldn't seem to pass by in any way. I made a draft of this chapter and kinda let it sit for a while- okay, a very long time. After a while I came back to it and this chapter seemed to write itself. For the ones that haven't seen the bits and pieces of the live show of LoU. It's worth checking out. I'm just going to leave it at that :) I'm sorry it took so long. And I wish you guys happy holidays, merry christmas and a good 2016.