Just a little something to hold you guys over until I can update next.

I know, I know, Joel isn't a nice guy in the game. I get it. I just, I don't know, I want to believe that somewhere, deep down, Joel is a nice guy. I think that, being in Jackson, and having stability, and being with Ellie, and Tommy, gives that to him. He, I don't know. I want to believe that he isn't an asshole!

Anyway. Here's just a little baby chapter. A little bit of Jemma and Joel, because quite a few of you were asking me for it, over tumblr and whatnot.

...

Jemma and Joel spending the last moments of the year in the basement. Ellie was asleep in her room, only because Joel had forced her to go to bed at nine.

They sat on an old, decrepit couch, and Jemma was trying to decide what to drink to ring in the new year.

"Well, Jim is more of a fruitier taste, but Jack is nice and rich, maybe even a bit spicy," she said, holding both bottles to her chest. "I almost want to say Jim, but I think I'm going to go with Jack tonight."

Joel chuckled. "You seem to know a bit about this."

"I've had enough experience." Jemma handed him the darker bottle, and set the other on the windowsill. "Just to amuse myself, mostly."

They drank out of pathetic looking juice glasses, talking over the light from the furnace. Joel was happy just listening to her. He could watch her all day. The way her lips moved. He loved the freckles down her neck. She had her hair down, and it cascaded down her shoulders.

"Where'd you get this, anyway?" He asked, pouring himself a glass.

She shrugged. "You know, just some solider guy."

Joel smirked at her.

"Let's just say..." She pursed her lips as she thought. "I won him over with my winning personality."

"Sure."

Jemma scoffed. "I'll show you." She stood up for him. "Like this." She dropped her shoulder, and turned a bit. She lowered her chin, slightly, and widened her eyes. It was pathetic.

"Hey, I think it must have worked." She returned to her previous position. "They just liked my face or something."

"I'm pretty sure that's not why they gave all this to you," he said.

"Have it your way." She sat down.

He kept staring at her.

"Take a picture, it'll last longer." She smirked, and posed for him.

"Okay."

Jemma raised the glass to her lips, watching Joel from the corner of her eye.

"Take a picture, it'll last longer," he mocked.

She rolled her eyes. "Come on, come up with an original thought for once."

"So, what's your New Year's resolution?" He asked.

"Next question."

"I'm being serious."

She sighed. "I didn't know, I was thinking, I'd finally figure out the whole sewing thing. What about you?"

"I want to take up gardening," he said.

"Gardening?" Jemma stifled a laugh.

"Yep."

She burst out laughing, and soon started gasping for air. She reached for the bottle, but Joel tried to stop her.

"I've think you've had enough," he said.

Joel pushed a lock of hair away from her mouth. She swatted at his hand, and laughed. "I'm feeling pretty good, if you know what I mean," she giggled.

Jemma poured herself another glass, this time filling it to the top. She did the same for Joel.

"It's almost midnight. Make a toast for us," she said.

"To a new year, filled with happiness, and good fortune." They clinked glasses.

"And good food." Jemma added.

"Hopefully we can-"

She set her glass down. "Just shut up and kiss me."

Jemma grabbed his shirt collar, trying to draw him closer.

"Stop it," he mumbled, pulling away.

"We're not that drunk," she cooed. She pressed her forehead against his, looking into his eyes. She barely brushed her lips against his, and pulled away, laughing.

Joel pulled her back, against him, and kissed her. The scent of her perfume made his head spin. Or maybe it was the booze. But, her skin was soft, and he wanted to be touched, so badly.

Jemma laughed, and started to get up from the couch, but Joel grabbed her hand.

They stared at each other for a brief moment, and Jemma was on top of him. Joel wasn't sure if the desire had always been there, or if they were just in a drunken mess, but he didn't care.

They kissed again, and Joel pulled her in close. Her eyelashes flicked against his cheek, and it raised the hair on the back of his neck.

Jemma erupted in a fit of drunken laughter.

"Be quiet," he hissed. "You'll wake up Ellie."

He moved the hair out of her face. She was breathtaking in the dim light. He kissed her again. Her lips were sweet, and her hot breath against his skin drove him wild.

She pulled away, to catch some air, but Joel didn't want to stop. She picked up one of the couch pillows, and hit him with it, teasingly.

"Stop," he muttered, blocking it with his forearm.

She giggled, and swung at him again.

"Knock it off," he chuckled.

She hit him once more, and he grabbed the pillow from her.

"Tess, knock it off!"

Jemma backed away from him, eyes wide. Her bubbly happiness had been replaced with a moment of clarity. She stood up, and started straightening out her clothes. She started up the stairs.

"Oh, Jemma, I'm sorry,"

"It's fine," she mumbled, and started walking down the hall, to her room.

He followed her. "Look, I'm sorry, I don't know why-"

She held her hands up. "I get it, okay?"

"But, it's not like-"

She forced a laugh. "It's not a big deal. I get it, really. It's just... It killed the mood, you know?"

Joel sighed. "Sorry."

"Don't be."

They stood in an awkward pause, neither knowing what to say.

"Happy New Year," she whispered, and headed to her room.

...

Oh, the Freudian Slip! Anyway, leave me a review! If you want more of this, let me know. If not, let me know. :) Thanks for reading, it means a lot!