Chapter 22

For hours, the conversation about Jackson's security concept went on. When the meeting was finally over, it was already late at night and most of Jackson was already asleep.

One last time, Ellie, Sarah, Dina, Tommy and Maria gathered in front of the church, waiting for the other council members to be on their way.

"You're an ass, Tommy!" Sarah eventually mentioned, giving her uncle a sour glare.

"What? It worked well, didn't it?" he replied with amusement and shrugged with his shoulders. "If I would've stayed head of security, the council would've had a field trip with you 'n' Ellie down shitcreak road. And believe me, after the show you just delivered, they can't say no anymore."

"You still should've told her - or in fact somebody - about your plan," Maria added with a chiding tone and hands resting on her hips, yet, she was even more surprised about her husband's answer.

"Plan? What plan? It was spontaneous, after Sarah went all berserk on my ass."

Now Sarah's and Maria's jaws dropped. This whole plot could've easily gone wrong, but they had been victorious by luck.

Hardly believing what she just heard, Sarah simply scoffed and shook her head, announcing "I need a fuckin' break!" before she turned on her heels and started to walk back to the tavern.

Ellie and Dina followed her in a slow pace since the young teenager was still limping from her wounds, whereas Dina said "Thanks, by the way, for covering my ass back there!"

"Your welcome," was Sarah's dry and short return, only Ellie brushed soothingly over her back again, adding "If you need some company, you could spend the night at our place."

But Dina simply shook her head, replying with a warm smile "Thanks, Ellie! That's really sweet of you, but… I think I need some alone time. Stay safe, okay!"

With these words, she took a right turn at the next crossroad, leaving Ellie and Sarah on their own.

"Uh, congrats for the, uh…promotion!" Ellie then mentioned in order to break the silence, earning another scoff and cynical answer from Sarah.

"Yeah, a real fuckin' honor…"

And that was everything she said for the rest of the way until they were back in their room, where she quickly took off her jacket, boots and sweater, now only wearing her top, and tossed them all into a corner before letting herself fall onto the bed with a big sigh.

Ellie understood that Sarah was totally exhausted from hours of talking and focusing, and therefore concluded that she also wasn't in the mood for a talk. So, she eventually did the same as her guardian, yet slower. After boots, jacket, sweater and pants were gone, she laid down on her bed, belly down and closed her eyes.

Despite the stressful day, she wasn't tired at all, because her mind kept on spinning.

They were now officially part of this community, but what would this mean to them?

Sarah would start working as head of security, probably a fulltime job with lots of work until late at night. And what about her? What was she supposed to do all day? She already heard that Jackson was having a school. Would she attend it?

No fucking way! She didn't want to attend a lame-ass school! Two years of FEDRA academy had already been enough. She wanted to stay with Sarah and help her. Wanted to experience adventures and live on the edge. She wasn't made for this quiet life. She…

Suddenly, she heard some movement beside her. The rustling of fabric and the creaking of wood, followed by Sarah's soft voice right beside her bed.

"Scoot!"

Quizzically, she turned her head and gazed at the older woman, yet made her some space nonetheless.

Cautiously, Sarah laid down beside her. For some time they just looked at each other before the blond woman began to brush softly over her freckled cheek.

"Is this what you wanted?" she whispered softly, combing one loose streak of red hair back behind the girl's ear.

Yet, despite Ellie was enjoying these ministrations, she still stayed suspicious, already expecting another lesson or stupid comment. What she received, however, was a tender kiss on her lips, followed by even more as seconds passed.

They were kissing! For the first time they were really kissing! And still, Ellie couldn't believe it. Her mind simply refused to accept it, which caused her to not reply to the kisses and Sarah realized that.

Frowning, the blond woman backed away and was obviously confused.

"I thought you wanted this?"

There wasn't any bitterness or anger in her voice. No judgment. Only confusion and…a hint of fear.

"I-I want to, but…" Ellie stammered and gulped hard as her breath hitched. Again, Sarah brushes softly over her cheek and through the red hair.

"Ssh! It's okay, y'know. We can go slower, give it some time and…"

Out of a sudden and to the blonde's surprise, Ellie sat up only to almost fall down onto the mattress again as her movements caused a big surge of pain, which let her groan a loud "Shit!"

"Easy, girl!" Sarah said soothingly, sitting up as well and petting her back.

Feeling frustrated about her confusing emotions and the pain, Ellie, once more, hissed "Fuck!" before she exhaled deeply to release some steam. Slowly but surely she managed to calm down again, saying after a while, "It's not that it goes too fast, but… But, what if I fuck it up? I-I wanna make you feel good…like Carla did. I mean…"

Swiftly yet also softly, Sarah grabben Ellie's hand and gazed deeply at her with a determinant demeanor, saying calmly "You're not Carla and I don't expect you to be experienced! We all started at some point, and, sure as hell, I was clumsy as fuck in bed. I mean, who mistakes the butthole for a pussy?"

"Wait, you really did that?!" Ellie chuckled, the tension from before easing up a bit.

"Yeah," Sarah confirmed with a blush, sheepishly smirking and averting her gaze. "You should've heard your Mom cursin' heaven 'n' hell. Gosh, that was a fuckin' moodbuster…"

They both giggled, they both eased over time until the tension was entirely gone. Then, Sarah guided Ellie's petite hand to her own cheek and let it brush over the soft skin.

"The key is to just go slow. Don't rush it! Quickies are for experts and horny idiots," she mentioned with wry smirk and a wink before she guided the small hand, first, through her hair, and then over her neck to her chest, letting it softly brush over her mounds, causing her to release a shaky breath.

Ellie was just enthralled by this, still having a hard time believing that this is actually happening. She felt the soft skin, those thin blond hairs, her heartbeat as her hand was gliding over the neck and the carotid artery. And then those breasts. Sarah was never wearing such things as a bra. So, there was only this thin layer of fabric between hers and Sarah's skin. It was hard for her to not just rip those clothes off the older woman's body and just touch her everywhere.

Suddenly, Sarah let go of Ellie's hand and stood up, the young girl's sight still glued on her. She didn't say anything, yet also didn't make the impression that she wanted to continue until she grabbed the hem of her top and pulled it over her head, finally revealing her bare chest. But she didn't stop there and also undid and peeled out of her pants, underwear and socks.

And again, Ellie had a hard time to believe what was going on in front of her. Sarah was completely naked. Sure it wasn't the first time she had seen her like this, but it was the first time under such circumstances.

The blonde's pale skin was partially covered in scratches and bruises from the events, two nights before, as well as some scars from 20 years of living in this hostile world. Yet still, she was a beauty to behold. But what surprised the teenage girl even more, was that insecure smile as the normally confident woman approached the bed again, and insecurity was something that Sarah was normally lacking completely.

Was Sarah nervous?

Entirely stunned, Ellie watched how her guardian was sitting down beside her again, not knowing what to do or say.

"You can touch me, y'know," she mentioned and Ellie simply nodded, but didn't move a limb.

"Sh-should I…" she, however, returned nervously, gulping hard as she had to fight for each word over her failing voice and the loud heartbeat in her ears. "Should I undress, too?"

But all she received at first, was a shrug before Sarah mentioned "If it makes you feel more comfortable…"

Of course, it would make her feel more comfortable. Or would it? Wasn't making out with clothes not lame? Or was it normal? God, why was she always so insecure around Sarah? This wasn't her character! No, she was bold and confident and was busting balls with her opinions! For weeks she was sure about her feelings. For weeks she had wished for this to happen. Yes, they could go slow, kiss only and hold hands for the next few months until everything was nice and cozy. But would they still be alive in a few months? Everything was uncertain in these times and you had to enjoy the moment or it was quickly gone and forgotten. Sarah knew this as well as she did, explaining why she was already naked.

So, Ellie gulped down all her doubts and began to undress, Sarah helping her.

First, her t-shirt. And, of course, she was also wearing no bra or top under it. What was there to hold anyway? Last but not least, her undies.

Certainly, she felt exposed and a bit intimidated by the moment. Sarah's soothing brushes over her arm not helping very much since they felt like a continuous electrical current that was overloading her nervous system. She needed to act or she would freak out. So, the young girl leaned in and kissed Sarah again, and it felt ten times better than before, especially after their bodies were finally touching each other.

But while Ellie was mainly busy focusing on the kisses, Sarah broke the contact, threw her head back and moaned loudly before she laid back on the mattress and simply enjoyed how Ellie was kissing and touching every inch of her body, only brushing through her long, pony-tailed, red hair.

Ellie actually didn't mind that she was only serving Sarah at the moment, because it gave her the opportunity to mainly focus on her actions and the exploration of her lover's body and not about her own feelings.

Another moan escaped Sarah's mouth, encouraging the young girl even more to go a step further.

She felt the wet kisses on her skin, the soft and partially clumsy touches on her breasts and the wetness as well as the tickling heat that was spreading between her legs.

Sarah felt good. So good like she hadn't felt in years. She was happy and full of joy, all doubts about this relationship between her and a 14-year-old girl thrown out of the window. Why care about this anyway? The old society was gone, never to return. There was only death and misery left, sprinkled with small spots of bright lights. This was such a light, so why not seize it?

Of course, Ellie wouldn't go for her pussy right away. It was natural. It was predictable. Because, Ellie wasn't the first virgin for Sarah.

Yes, she already had her fair share of bed stories, good ones as well as bad ones. From her amazing first time with Anna, over her short interlude with Carla, down to a fucked up quickie with a drunken prostitute in an backalley of Boston.

Sarah wasn't giving in to any illusions that her life hadn't spiraled out of control after the breakup with Ellie's mom. An event she was regretting until today. And now her mind was spiraling out of control as well, letting her think too much about the past.

Stay in the here and now, Anna had once told her after they both had become orphans. Yes, the here-and-now! Ellie was here-and-now, not Anna, not her past. Only Ellie. Her Ellie. The girl she had developed deep feelings for. The girl that was sucking at one of her nipples at the moment, and it felt amazing.

"Just-… Fuck…! Just be a bit gentler!" she whispered calmly, followed by a groan as the young girl hit the right sensitivity and her tongue flicked over the pink nub.

It had been a good idea to let Ellie do the work for now. She was now more focused on her actions instead of being distracted. She was young and probably wouldn't need much foreplay or an intense makeout-session. Plus, she was confident enough to tell, when she needed some attention as well. Or, she would do it herself, which would be a good sight. However, Sarah wouldn't go that far to push her too hard on their first night together. Yet, the yearning for a sexual relief was about to become unbearable so that she softly touched Ellie's hand and guided it down, towards her vagina, already awaiting the indescribable bliss.

Gentler, Sarah had told her, so Ellie would go gentler. Less sucking, more kissing and maybe using her tongue a bit more. Would this be better? The answer came in the form of an approving moan.

She was doing it right. Everything was okay that far. She only needed to go with the flow. And that giant flow came as Sarah was leading Ellie's hand further downwards.

In a way, she felt brought back to that fateful night with Sabine, when this crazy bitch had also guided Ellie's hand to do things she never wanted to do.

But this time it was different. She was able to move on her own and stop everything she didn't approve of. And, oh yes, she wanted her hand down there, so she confidently moved it on her own. Over this soft belly towards her pubic mound, where she brushed through the tight bush of blond hair and the further towards her folds.

Unsurprisingly, Sarah was already dripping wet, making it easy for Ellie's fingers to explore every bit of her vagina. And she was even so curious that she sat up a bit and watched her fingers gliding through those incredible slick folds.

It was so fascinating to do this with someone else than with her own pussy. Intentionally, Ellie slowed down her movements and played with every detail that was presented to her. This sight, plus those wet, smacking sounds and the moaning were driving her almost crazy. She wanted to feel this, too! Wanted that Sarah would massage away this tickling hot sensation between her legs!

But she wouldn't force her or stop her treatment for her own urges. No, Sarah was her priority now, and she would deliver! And for the time being, her other hand would do the job well enough.

She was over the moon and beyond!

Never in her life, Sarah would have imagined that a kid like Ellie could give every other of her former sexpartners a run for their money. Goddamn, did it feel incredible as her fingers glided over every detail of her pussy. And as the inexperienced girl also agonizingly slowed the pace, it became even more intense. And Sarah couldn't do less than to watch her. Watch the teenage girl playing with her.

Ellie was focused. Really deeply focused on pleasing her. So deep that it already was cute.

She saw the blushed face, the deep breathing that was edging soft moaning, telling how arousing this was for her, too. And then it happened. Ellie's other hand went towards her own vagina and started to massage it, causing a new, intense surge of arousal to flood Sarah's body. A surge that was driving her over the edge.

The orgasm came fast and hard, causing the blonde to moan loudly before she bit on her arm or else she would've screamed throughout the entire town. Her body cramped up and spasmed wildly as wave after wave hit her. And like the ocean after a storm, it slowly calmed down until there was only silence.

Sarah breathed heavily and her heated up body was entirely covered in sweat. Little pearls were rolling over her forehead and down onto the bed. Slowly, she came down from that orgasm and opened her eyes.

Ellie was still beside her, looking with a mixture of arousal and bewilderment at her.

She was cute. So cute! She knew her body was probably flooded by an army of hormones that was literally forcing her to do nothing else than sitting up as well and kissing her intensely.

Sadly, it was too much so that Ellie's wound started to hurt again, causing her to hiss in pain.

"Sorry!" Sarah huffed softly, planting multiple tender kisses onto her head. She took one big inhale to slow her system a bit more and then gave her soft kiss again, whispering seductively "Your turn!"

Ellie gulped hard again, not knowing what was about to happen after Sarah had announced that it was now her turn. She was still half-sitting on her healthy leg as Sarah began to let her hand roam over her body.

From her arm over her collar right to her tiny mounds with the engorged nipples. Softly, the older woman was brushing over them, always being sure that it wasn't too much. Then she wandered further, along the side of her body, which tickled a bit, and then over her one butt cheek.

"Lay down on your belly!" she asked kindly, waiting patiently until Ellie had done as she had been asked.

She was nervous, very nervous, because she didn't know what to expect. She knew that Sarah was sitting beside her, right in a position where her intimacy was full on display.

Then, she felt those tender strokes again. At first, over the bare skin on her back that wasn't covered by a bandage. Then, further down until it was her buttcheek's turn. Never before, Ellie would've thought that getting your butt softly petted and squeezed would feel that amazing. Especially, when those strokes came close to her intimacy.

Her hands clawed into the bed sheets as soft moans were leaving her mouth, and when Sarah purposely let one finger glide through her entire slit, she couldn't do anything else than to release a loud groan.

She did it once, she did it twice. And when Sarah added another finger and began to circle with her digits over her clitoris, Ellie couldn't stop her orgasm anymore.

Unlike Sarah, Ellie didn't respond that physically. Yes, her legs cramped together and her hands gripped tightly the bed sheets, but the rest was verbal. She literally moaned loudly into the mattress, dampening the noise. And a few seconds later, it was over.

Her chest was heaving with every breath, the sound of inhaled and exhaled air being like the waves hitting the beach and her steady heartbeat was like soothing music.

Ellie loved to hear those sounds. She loved the warmth of her smooth skin. She loved when her fingers were brushing over her back. She actually imagined that this was like being on a boat that was only carried by the waves while she was relaxing on deck where the sun was warming her body and the wind was brushing over her skin.

Sarah was laying on her back, gazing at the ceiling while Ellie was on her belly again, her head resting on the blonde's chest and trying to relax. But instead, her mind was spinning again.

After every event, there was a before and an after. And it wasn't any different with sex. They both were now in the aftermath and the previous couldhave-shouldhaves had now turned into certain gonna-wannas. But, what is gonna happen now? And what do they wanna do now?

"Sarah?" Ellie asked cautiously, not knowing if Sarah was asleep or awake at the moment. But as she received a humm in return, she knew that she was listening. "What's gonna happen now? …with us?"

The heavy sigh that followed was making it pretty clear that this was a hot topic, Sarah had wanted to avoid for the moment. Nonetheless, she didn't let the young girl hang in mid-air and answered.

"Well, I guess we're getting some sorta house or apartment. Y'know, move together, I go to work, you go to school. We're gonna have a normal life now."

"I don't wanna go to school!" Ellie groaned in return, cuddling closer to the grownup woman. "I wanna stay with you! Y'know, work together as a team and be out there, huntin' Cordies 'n' shitheads."

A short pause followed, and then there it was again, the heavy sighing. But this time, Sarah didn't stay in place, but got up and began to search and pick up her scattered clothes.

"No, you won't!" was her determined answer as she put on her slip and turned around, her hands resting on her hips. "Ellie, why do you think I brought you here?" she asked, getting an already expected shrug in return. "After everything that happened out there, I wanted you to be safe. I want you to have a normal life. Not…not such a fucked up shit-life like I did."

"But we did it! We survived. Together."

Swiftly, Sarah bridged that gap between her and Ellie, sat down and grabbed the young girl by her shoulder, her teary eyes looking deeply at her.

"But it was close. Very close!" she said, sighing again as she had to fight down some tears before she gazed into her green eyes again. "Ellie, I need to ask. What was this for you? Just a fuck or…more?"

This question came for the young girl out of nowhere, unexpectedly. She was completely overwhelmed by Sarah's behavior, especially when her voice turned brittle and her grip got even tighter.

"Since we first met, my only concern was about you. Yes, I behaved like an asshole, but… But just because I was angry at myself. I hated myself for what I had done to your mom. I… And then it got worse. I saw you and…and there were all those feelings and… When Sabine kidnapped you, I was ready to find you or die tryin'. I…" Again, she paused, wiping away a tear that was rolling down her cheek. "When you almost got killed by that Clicker, I was mad at myself again. Very mad, because I hadn't been there for you. I couldn't protect you and that was driving me crazy. I shitfaced myself while they were doing surgery on you, because you're the best that could've happened to me and losing you…"

This was the moment Sarah lost her composure. She began to sob and pressed an entirely stunned Ellie closer, weeping into her slender shoulders. Never ever the young girl would have thought that Sarah had such deep feelings for her, let alone from the beginning of their journey.

She knew about her friend's past, what she once went through over all those years. Maybe not every detail, but enough to get a clear picture. Sarah had been searching for redemption, and she had found it with Ellie. And by all that was still existing in the world, Ellie promised to herself that she would be there for Sarah. Always. And if that meant to live a boring life for the time being, then so be it!